“Time to go in. I’ll find Lara,” Alrion whispered. He continued to stalk quietly, not wanting to sound the alarm. There was a good chance that Lara had already taken out any patrols, but he didn’t want to take a chance there were more lingering.
As he passed through the gates, Alrion noticed Lara crouching behind a small outpost building. She noticed him and waved him over furiously. Alrion rushed over, not looking behind him.
“Why are you here?” Lara hissed at him.
“You were taking too long. I understand why, now.”
“I had it under control.” Lara’s attention was diverted by a crash. The main doors of the keep swung open and a Shade strode outside. It was flanked by a host of Blighters.
“Still have it under control?” Alrion said. Lara flashed her Runesteel dagger.
“Absolutely.” As Lara looked on, more came through the doors.
“Shade Wizards,” Alrion said.
“Only two.”
“Still nasty.”
“Isn’t this where you channel your overpowered ego and take them all out?” Lara smiled at him.
“Ouch, I’d like to think I’ve grown a little.” Alrion acted hurt. “I’ll humbly take them all out.” He walked out immediately.
“What are you doing?” Lara whispered after him.
“I’m trying something,” Alrion replied. Within moments he had their attention.
“Who’s in charge here?” Alrion said. He was met with some confused looks. One of the Shade Wizards eventually stepped forward.
“I’m in command, I’m the highest ranked here.”
“I’d like to explore this keep. Would you so kindly vacate the premises?” Alrion smiled broadly. The Shade Wizard sneered.
“I’ve heard of you. Almost one of us, but you were too good for it.”
“You should watch your words. Otherwise, I’ll cure you.”
“Never!” The Shade Wizard started gathering his Spark and hurled a large fireball at Alrion. He held out his hand and the fireball seemed to be drawn into it and fizzle into nothing.
“What?” the Shade Wizard shouted.
“You’re going to have to do better than that.” Alrion could feel the absorbed heat and Spark in his hand. He was a bit surprised that it worked. It was a mixture of ideas and memories from all the jumble in his brain. He could use his Will to break down the spell into harmless components. Lucky for him, the spell was so familiar that it worked fine. But it only just worked. Not that he had to let them know.
Wanting to keep the advantage, Alrion added to the Spark and fire essence in his hand and compressed it into an ultra-hot spear of fire. He shot it out at the Shade up the front. The shade collapsed to the ground immediately, black dust starting to flake away.
“What did you do?” Lara whispered.
“I burned away its heart. The transformation is reversing now. Unfortunately, the person inside is also gone.” Alrion spoke loud enough so the Shade Wizards could hear as well. They looked at each other and nodded, before taking off in opposite directions to attack Alrion.
“Do you mind taking one of them out?” Alrion said.
“It would be my pleasure.” Lara remained in the shadows but started to stalk away. Alrion focused his attention on the other one.
They saw how I dealt with a long-range attack, they’re likely to come in close. I can take advantage of that.
Alrion approached the Shade Wizard that was closing in. The enemy smiled and, as soon as he was in range, thrust his hands out, a wave of fire spewing forth. He laughed as it happened.
“Seen it before,” Alrion said. “And I had no Spark at the time.” Alrion threw up a shield of earth and the flames died away harmlessly. He pulled up another piece of earth, toppling the Shade Wizard to the ground. As the wizard rose, Alrion stepped forward and grabbed the Shade Wizard with one hand.
“It’s over.” Alrion sent a pulse of force through the wizard. He almost channelled his Soul Power into the strike, feeding more and more into the enemy wizard. As it was happening, he remembered what Branthor had said about the cure. There had to be a better way.
Alrion imagined his Soul Power entering the enemy’s body, and gently travelling through the body’s own pathways. It found every site of Blight infection and gently overcame it, breaking down the Blight and purging it. Once he had finished, he opened his eyes and watched the Shade Wizard collapse to the ground. The sight was enough to distract the other Shade Wizard, long enough for Lara to plunge the Runesteel dagger into its heart.
With all the leaders dispatched, the Blighters broke ranks and fled. Alrion thought about finishing them off but Lara stayed his hand.
“Individually, they aren’t a problem for those around here. Maybe they’ll keep under the radar long enough for you to cure them.”
“Are you sure?”
“In this situation, it just feels unnecessary. Let’s get this one inside.” Lara gestured to the unconscious man at Alrion’s feet. He enveloped the wizard in a mesh of force and gently lifted him off the ground. Next Alrion turned to the body of the dispatched Shade and Shade Wizard and incinerated them. Only dust remained.
“Let’s see what all the fuss was about.” Alrion started towards the gates and Lara followed, checking to see if there were any more enemies to worry about. Inside, the keep was like a stately home. Lush furnishings and plush carpet with polished wood and lots of fancy rugs. They found a bedroom on the main floor and Alrion placed the wizard on the bed.
“Do you think he’ll be normal again?”
“I hope so, otherwise this cure is going to be a bit of a bust when everyone is touched by it.”
“Branthor seemed relatively fine.”
“He did. With any luck, this one will mostly regain himself.” Alrion took one last look at the sleeping wizard and left the room.
“Up or down?” Lara said.
“Down. We seem to have more luck in the dungeons.” Lara nodded and headed towards the stairs down. They reached a stone storeroom with a giant lock on the door.
“Perhaps you would like the honours?” Alrion pointed to the lock. Lara sidled over and pulled out some tools, tinkering with the lock for a few moments. It clicked open and she tossed the lock to Alrion.
“Impressive.”
“Thanks.” Lara winked and pulled the door open. There were a few empty wooden crates and more stairs down.
“This looks promising.” Alrion started down and Lara stayed close behind. He found a torch hanging on the wall and kindled his Spark, lighting it with a tiny flame.
“This is more fun,” Alrion said, pointing to the flaming torch.
“Absolutely. Not that I don’t appreciate your magic lights.”
“They’re a bit too perfect.” Alrion pressed on, waving the torch slowly in front of him to illuminate the passageway. It was plain stonework with no furnishings. Eventually, he noticed another source of light and extinguished the torch. A faint blue glow was visible in the distance.
“If you were a betting woman…” Alrion said.
“Then I’d bet that’s another Wizard Gate.”
“Let’s see if you’re right.” Alrion upped the pace, his excitement bubbling over.
I knew there was something here. I don’t think they were using this either, just guarding it. It must lead somewhere good. I’ll definitely go through this one.
As expected, the closer they walked, the more it looked like a Wizard Gate. Until Alrion confirmed it.
“I’ve another shot it would seem.”
“Do I get to go through this one?” Lara laughed.
“Not without me. I’m not splitting my team up on opposite ends of the world.” Alrion moved in closer and examined the symbols marked on the gate.
32
Unexpected Return
The blazing heat and light subsided and Alyx found herself in a luxurious garden setting. The Wizard Gate was integrated into the stonework and Alyx had never noticed it before. But she knew t
his garden well. She spent so much time here.
Back in Valrytir. In the Specialist Training camp, no less.
It looked to be early evening and the garden was empty. Not that it ever attracted many people. Few had access, and of those who could come, they weren’t the type to appreciate gardens. Initially, Alyx hadn’t either. But it was a place she could train without unwanted eyes on her, so the garden had become a regular haunt during her time here.
Alyx didn’t dally and started rushing out. She thought about the path she would need to take, and how to best avoid bumping into anyone. That was an awkward conversation she would rather not have.
The layout of the building seemed the same, not that she expected any changes. It hadn’t been that long, really. She knew the new recruits would likely be in the mess hall, so she entered the large wooden building near their quarters, hoping the area would be deserted.
The polished floors and trophies along the walls brought back a lot of memories. Mostly good memories. A few painful ones. But she pushed them all aside, this was not a time for reminiscing. Now that she was back, she needed to find a quiet space to plan her time. Alrion would be coming here at some point, and he would need support in the city. Lara’s influence would be quite useful, but it wouldn’t hurt trying to line up more before they arrived. If she knew one thing about the Blight, it was that nobody took them on single-handedly and got away with it. Although she had almost done it.
At too great a cost. Then I was foolish enough to get infected after the fact.
Alyx made it through the building with speed and exited the giant doors. She was out on the path, heading towards the entry gate when she heard a voice.
“Alyx!” She kept walking, pretending she didn’t hear.
Hopefully, she thinks she has the wrong person.
“Alyx, I know it’s you!” The voice was accompanied by running footsteps. Alyx sighed and turned around.
“Mary?” The woman had not changed a bit. Still a ridiculous height and long blonde hair. Of course, it was tied up, and her uniform stole away a lot of her femininity.
“I don’t believe it. You’re here of all places?” Mary looked incredulous.
“I was in town, so wanted to sneak a look. It hasn’t changed.”
“You were in town? I thought you’d never come back. And stories of your exploits have gone around.”
“What exactly?” Alyx asked, nervously.
How much do they know?
“The Skull King? I thought you were just having me on, I didn’t realise you were serious. It’s unbelievable!”
“I trained my whole life for it.” Alyx looked away, trying to find a reason to leave. Mary must have sensed something.
“Look, I don’t know why you’re back. But come have a drink with me. I can’t let you go without hearing your story.” Mary’s eyes had that look in them. Alyx knew it too well.
“Fine, lead the way. I know I have no choice.”
“That’s the spirit. And you can tell me where you got that sword too, and what happened to your one.”
“This is just on loan.” Alyx tapped the hilt with her hand.
“And your old sword?”
“Do you want that drink or not?” Alyx gave her a wry smile and Mary chuckled.
“Can’t help myself. Can you blame me? That sword was bigger than you were!”
“I understand completely.”
“I just can’t believe you’re here.” Mary led her through the streets to a familiar place, The Hard Stuff.
“Did you expect anything else?”
“Not really, I just hadn’t thought this far ahead.” Alyx followed Mary inside. Mary directed her to a table, and she went up to the bar.
Alyx looked around at the clientele. Luckily, she didn’t recognise anyone. But it would happen in due course. This was the preferred bar for all the specialist units. Mary returned with two cups and set them down carefully.
“So, spill. What happened exactly, on the day that you left?”
“We went on a skirmish. Small team. Was supposed to be reconnaissance, but we thought we could take out the scouting party.”
“You and who else?”
“Just Adam.”
“Oh, I see.” Mary grabbed one cup and pushed the other towards Alyx. She drank deeply then set it down.
“It was a trap. The scouts were actually Tainted ones, and they had swarms of Blighters hidden a short distance away. We took two down but were then completely surrounded.” Alyx had another drink.
“Did they offer terms?”
“No, they wanted to infect us and hold us until we were almost turning then send us back.”
“Urgh. Horrible.”
“Exactly. I… I didn’t do justice to my name that day.”
“What did you do?” Mary leaned forward, concern in her eyes.
“I became enraged, and just started attacking. I dragged Adam along with me. I created enough of an opening for us to make a break for it. But I didn’t take it.”
“You kept fighting?”
“Yes. I wanted to punish them for trying to trick us. It was a foolish move. Adam chose to stay too, and he got mauled. In the end, I had to do the same thing anyway. I created another opportunity and hauled him out of there. But it was too late.”
“The infection had taken hold?”
“Exactly.” Alyx drained the rest of her drink. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She could still see his expression. It wasn’t anger or hate. That would have been fine. It was sadness at letting her down. That they would be separated. She drove the vision from her mind.
“And the commander went ballistic?”
“You better believe it. Did you know Adam was the general’s son?”
“No. Really?”
“Yes. It was done in secret, to ensure he received proper training and didn’t get treated differently to the rest. I knew, but most didn’t.”
“Is that why you left?”
“No. Looking back, I think I just felt like I had failed and couldn’t stay any longer. And I don’t think it was helping me anymore, I was only staying for his sake at that point.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, well, can’t change it now. Just try to make different mistakes.” Alyx looked into her empty cup. Mary jumped up and charged over to the bar. She returned soon with two more cups.
“And what of your revenge? The Skull King?” Mary’s eyes were alight with curiosity.
“I can’t go into the full story. But I’ll tell you this much.” Alyx paused and took another sip of the new cup.
“I worked my way through his twisted arena bouts. Finally, as the champion, he needed to grant me a boon.”
“Did you ask him to stab himself?” Mary laughed.
“That would have been a waste, he’d only regenerate.”
“Oh, I see. What a monster.”
“Yes, he was a piece of work. I challenged him to a duel to the death. He accepted quickly and laughed.”
“And you fought him alone?”
“Alone and in front of a crowd, in the arena. He knew all about my family sword and thought that he had protected himself. But there was a secret he didn’t know about.”
“Which was?”
“Still a secret.” Alyx paused and had another sip of her drink.
“That’s no fun.”
“I suppose not. At any rate, I won the day. But my sword was destroyed, I left it behind. And fled.”
“But you won? Why did you flee?”
“Just because I won, didn’t mean I was safe. The shock of what happened gave me an opportunity. But there were plenty of folks who used the Skull King’s dominance for their own ends. I had a target on me. The best thing I could do was disappear.”
“Wow. Even after all that, you still kept wandering.”
“For a time.”
“Well, now I have something to share that you won’t believe.” Mary gave her a secretive smile and slowly sipped on
her drink.
“I’m waiting.”
“It’s about your sword.”
“Yes?” Alyx stared at Mary
What is she talking about?
“We retrieved the pieces, they’re being held here in Valrytir in an exhibit!”
“What?” Alyx almost shouted. She composed herself. “It doesn’t matter, it can’t be reforged. The technique required magic and nobody living knows how to do it.”
“Not necessarily. But it is true that right now we can do nothing with it. For now, it’s just a symbol of your triumph.” Mary stared at Alyx. “But now we have you.”
“I’m not back for that. I have a new mission.” Alyx saw she had Mary’s interest.
“Oh, now I have to hear about this.”
“I’ll need your help.” Alyx hadn’t thought this through, but it was obvious. Alrion would need military support when he arrived. Mary was the best way to start that conversation.
“You’ll need my help?”
“Yes. We’re going to need a rather large force.”
“To do what?”
“Good question. Crush the Blight? Take down Darvin?” Mary burst into laughter.
“You don’t aim small, do you? You don’t think we haven’t been trying?”
“You haven’t had anything worth risking it all for.”
“Oh, haven’t we? And what have you got that changes everything?” Mary had a strange look on her face. It sounded like she was dismissing Alyx. But her expression, it was different. She was looking for hope. Looking for that spark that they didn’t have. And Alyx had it. She had the missing piece.
“I have a wizard that can cure the Blight.”
“Nonsense.” Mary dismissed her with a hand gesture.
“I’ve seen it firsthand. He cured himself, and he even cured me.” Alyx could see she had Mary’s attention.
“I don’t believe it.”
“He’ll be here soon enough, and you’ll know then.” Alyx leaned back and finished her drink. She had done what she could. Planting the seed would do for now. At least for Mary. She would act differently when Alrion arrived. Then she would claim prior knowledge and pretend like she was pulling everything together. This could still work.
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 23