Birth of a Wizard

by MJ Schutte

  Anthon made way for Carlia. The elves insisted on performing their wedding ceremony too since Ashley and Donic had already been declared “Honorary elves”. As far as anybody knew, only two other people have received this honour, Brighton and Erostagnos.

  Carlia placed small flowers in a perfect circle in front of the couple. She gestured towards Donic and Ashley. Holding hands, they stepped into the circle.

  Carlia’s hands were a blur of movements.

  ‘Ashley, Donic,’ was all she said.

  Brighton took a deep breath to stop himself from shaking, and translated, ‘Ashley and Donic. Today, you enter into the sacred circle of marriage. This circle is everlasting and must be honoured until the day you pass from this life to the spirit world. Do you understand?’

  Ashley and Donic both nodded and said, ‘Yes, we understand.’

  Lilian looked at Brighton’s face. He was sweating and struggling to control his voice.

  Carlia turned to the crowd, making more hand movements.

  ‘This is the sacred circle of marriage between Ashley and Donic. Nobody may enter this circle save the master, Donic and the mistress, Ashley.’

  All the elves put their hands over their hearts indicating a solemn promise to honour Ashley and Donic’s sacred circle of marriage.

  Brighton closed his eyes, wishing for the proceedings to end. Anthon stepped forward again and held his hand out to Donic.

  ‘Congratulations, General Donic, or is it King Donic now?’ he said.

  Donic laughed as he said, ‘No, I’m not King, I will stay in command of the army.’

  People rushed forward to congratulate the happy couple.

  Brighton slowly went down on his haunches.

  ‘Bri, what’s wrong?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘A terrible pain shot through my body, but it’s gone now,’ he answered.

  He looked up and noticed Carlia staring at him. She motioned for him to follow her.

  ‘Carlia wants to talk to me. I’ll be back soon,’ Brighton said.

  He followed Carlia and an elderly looking elf to a quiet room inside the palace.

  Carlia put her hand on Brighton’s chest and said, ‘Pain?’

  Brighton nodded.

  Carlia turned to the older elf, touched his cheek and said, ‘Kesh, Tylia shatun.’

  Although all the elves knew who he was, Brighton introduced himself as a sign of respect.

  ‘What does shatun mean?’ he asked.

  Carlia bowed her head to Kesh, indicating that he should explain.

  Many years ago, long before Erostagnos saved the elf people, the leaders of the clans decided that there should be one family in every clan that records our history. The head of this family is called shatun. It means “Keeper of the history”.

  I am shatun for the Tylia clan.

  The old elf turned to Carlia and indicated that he needed to speak to Brighton in private. Kesh waited until Carlia closed the door behind her before he continued.

  What I am about to tell you is considered sacred knowledge, reserved only for the clan leaders and shatuns. It may never be repeated unless it is to keep the knowledge alive or to save the elves and the forest. Do I have your oath on this?

  Brighton put his right hand over his heart, promising to keep the secret.

  Kesh continued.

  Erostagnos Livia Farasnei was once an enormous forest, covering the land we know today as the desert and beyond. Elves thought that they were the only people in the world, but another race, the hadashis, or humans, came from the north.

  The elves and the hadashis became friends and, in time, they started mixing, producing half elf, half hadishi offspring. This is what we know as a hudeti.

  ‘Is it not a great insult to call someone a hadishi?’ Brighton asked.

  Yes, you will understand in a moment.

  For many years, the elves and the hadashis lived in peace until it was discovered that the forest was shrinking. There was much speculation about this, but the one thing that was certain was that the forest was dying and it started when the hadashis came.

  A decision was made to ask the hadashis to leave, but they refused. Instead of entering into a war, the elf leaders decided on a different tactic. Thousands of assassins were trained and sent to kill the hadishi people. Many more were secretly imprisoned and forced to work as slaves.

  Slowly the elf nation started cleansing itself of all hadashi blood, but it was a long process and the forest continued to die.

  Anybody who was suspected of having hadishi blood in them was killed. Many true blood elves lost their lives in this cleansing. The elf leaders started spreading rumours that the hadishis were descendants of demons and that having relations with them would poison the elf race. By the time all the hadashis were either killed or driven from the forest, it had shrunk to the size it is today.

  The elves that live today do not know this part of their history. They do not even know that hadishi means human in the old elf tongue. All they know is that hadashis are evil and that the elf people can never mix with another race.

  They believe that Erostagnos was the first human that the elves had ever seen.

  Brighton slowly nodded. He understood now why the elves were so protective of their women and why they will not mix with another race. It was an idea that was created a long time ago to save the forest.

  There was still one thing he did not understand.

  ‘Why did the forest die?’ he asked.

  The elves have a unique bond with Erostagnos Livia Farasnei. We give it life as much as it gives us life. The forest cannot exist without us and we cannot exist without it. If all the elves die, so will the forest.

  ‘And if the forest dies, so will all the elves,’ Brighton finished the sentence.

  Correct. The forest only accepts true blood elves into the sacred bond with it. Half elves and hadashis are rejected and that is why the forest started shrinking. The true blood elves were slowly becoming extinct.

  ‘I am not a true blood elf. Why are you sharing this knowledge with me?’ Brighton asked.

  Erostagnos Livia Farasnei is dying again. You have to save our home.

  ‘Why do you think the forest is dying and what makes you think I can stop it?’ Brighton frowned.

  You are the master of the forest. It chose you.

  ‘No I’m not! I’m not even an elf,’ Brighton argued.

  Kesh put his hand on Brighton’s chest and said, ‘Pain.’

  ‘Yes, I had a pain in my chest earlier, but…’

  Erostagnos Livia Farasnei is dying. You can feel it because you are its master.

  ‘How do you know the forest is dying?’ Brighton repeated his question.

  Shatuns were not randomly chosen. We are the oldest families in the elf nation. The bond between us and the forest is very strong. I can feel the forest dying.

  ‘How am I supposed to save the forest?’ Brighton asked.

  Find the evil that is killing it and expel it from the forest.

  Brighton shook his head and said, ‘No offense, but it all sounds a bit like a fairy tale to me.’

  It is the truth. The pain you felt earlier will become worse and will eventually kill you. The only way to save yourself is to save the forest.

  ‘Let me think about it,’ Brighton said.

  He turned and walked out the door without another word.

  Chapter 16

  BRIGHTON WOKE UP in a cold sweat. It felt like a tree had fallen on his chest. Slowly he got up, trying not to wake Lilian.

  As he opened the door, she asked in a sleepy voice, ‘Where are you going, my love?’

  ‘I need some fresh air,’ he answered.

  ‘But it’s the middle of the night,’ Lilian mumbled.

  ‘Go back to sleep. I won’t be long,’ he said softly.

  He made his way out of the palace. As he stepped into the garden, three guards with long spears surrounded him. It was to dark for them to recognise Brighton. Although Ashley and Donic
were not there, the palace was still heavily guarded.

  They had decided to honour the elf custom of “Sweet moon”. For one full cycle of the moon, a newly wed couple were supposed to stay alone in a secluded place. The elves believed that this was the best time to conceive a child. Adri offered her cottage in the woods for Ashley and Donic’s sweet moon, which they gratefully accepted.

  ‘State your business,’ a guard growled at Brighton, levelling a spear at him.

  ‘Relax, soldier,’ Brighton said as he pushed the spear away.

  ‘I am sorry, great wizard,’ the man apologised as he recognised Brighton’s voice.

  ‘No need to apologise, you are doing a good job,’ Brighton replied.

  He walked to a bench and sat down, his back towards the palace. A small lightning bolt jumped from a nearby tree into his body. As the energy flowed into him, the pain in his chest started subsiding.

  ‘Bri, are you all right?’ Lilian asked from behind.

  She had walked up to him so quietly, he did not notice.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine,’ he replied,

  Lilian came to sit next to him, clutching a blanket around her shoulders.

  ‘Why did you take energy from the tree?’ she asked.

  ‘I…uh…’

  ‘Bri, you never take energy for no reason. Is something wrong?’ Lilian asked, concern creeping into her voice.

  Brighton sighed and said, ‘Yes, I think there is something wrong. Remember a few days ago, at the wedding, when I had that pain in my chest? It came back tonight.’

  ‘What could it be? You never get sick,’ Lilian whispered.

  Brighton pulled her close to him.

  ‘I do not know, my love. Don’t worry too much about it, I’m sure it’s not serious,’ he answered.

  ‘You were always a bad liar. You know something but won’t share it with me,’ Lilian accused.

  ‘Ok, yes, I have a suspicion what could be causing this, but I don’t think you will believe me. I’m not even certain I believe it,’ he replied.

  ‘Tell me, please,’ Lilian whispered.

  Brighton told her everything Kesh had said to him. He knew that the secret would be safe with her. Lilian listened without interjecting. When Brighton finally finished the story, Lilian sat quietly against him.

  ‘So, what do you think?’ he prodded.

  Lilian sat quietly for a while longer before she answered.

  ‘I think there could be some truth to it. When we were in the elf forest, all those years ago, you said it felt like the forest surrendered to you. Do you remember?’

  ‘Yes, I remember,’ Brighton replied.

  ‘Don’t you think that could have established a link between you and the forest, the same as the link it has with the elves?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘Lily, just think about it for a moment. Does it not sound like dark magic and fairy tales to you? We know magic and fairies only exist in children’s stories,’ Brighton argued.

  ‘Does it? I have seen the things you do with your gift. If I did not know how your gift worked, I would have believed it is magic. You even made Lance and his troops believe that you are a wizard. You might not think that magic exists, but it depends on a person’s point of view. To us, this gift is normal, but to other people, it must seem magical,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘You sound like Peter,’ Brighton laughed.

  ‘He had a good argument. I never told you, but I agree with what he said all those years ago,’ Lilian answered.

  She expected Brighton to argue, but he kept quiet.

  They sat in silence for a long time.

  Eventually, Lilian said, ‘Bri, what are we going to do now?’

  ‘I don’t know. We have a good home here. I do not really want to leave. If everything Kesh said is true, it would seem I have no choice. I will have to go to Erostagnos Livia Farasnei,’ he answered.

  ‘We will have to go,’ Lilian corrected.

  ‘My love, I would never expect of you and Clarissa to come with me. You know what a long journey it is to the elf forest,’ Brighton replied.

  ‘We go where you go,’ Lilian whispered.

  ‘But Clarissa has friends here. She enjoys life in Weston,’ Brighton argued.

  ‘That’s true, but you know how much she adores you. I do not think you would be able to make her stay here, even if you tried. There is no chance of me staying behind either,’ Lilian said softly.

  Brighton smiled. He did not think Lilian or Clarissa would let him go alone.

  ‘I will talk to Kesh again and then we can decide what to do,’ he suggested.

  ‘I thought the elves left, right after the wedding?’ Lilian frowned.

  ‘Kesh and Carlia decided to stay. I think Kesh was hoping to convince me to go to the forest and Carlia believes it’s her duty to protect me,’ Brighton smiled.

  ‘Did Kesh also tell her what he told you?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘No, I don’t think so, but she knows that something is going on.’

  ‘Come Pappa!’ Clarissa shouted excitedly.

  Brighton dug his heals into the horse’s flanks and set off after Clarissa. Adri and Lilian also on horses, watched the two disappear into the woods. They were out for an early morning ride but, as usual, the slow pace was not to Brighton and Clarissa’s liking.

  ‘He loves her so much,’ Adri mused.

  ‘She thinks he makes the sun rise every morning,’ Lilian laughed.

  ‘Yes, she does!’ Adri agreed.

  ‘Have you thought of a name for your little one?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘If it’s a boy, he will be Brac and if it’s a girl, she will be Lily,’ Adri replied.

  Lilian smiled at Adri. The pain of losing Brac was still shallow in her eyes, but she tried to hide it.

  ‘If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me,’ Lilian offered.

  ‘I know, thank you,’ Adri smiled.

  They rode in silence for a while, enjoying the fresh morning air.

  Clarissa came charging out of the woods at breakneck speed.

  ‘Mamma, come quickly!’ she screamed, panic clearly evident in her voice.

  Lilian spurred her horse on.

  ‘Stay here, you can’t risk a fall right now,’ she shouted over her shoulder to Adri.

  Clarissa turned her horse around and dashed off into the woods, Lilian close behind her. They burst into a small clearing and Clarissa jumped off her stallion before he had come to a standstill.

  She rushed over to Brighton’s still body.

  ‘Pappa, wake up!’ she cried.

  Lilian kneeled next to Brighton as she called upon her sense.

  ‘What happened?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘Is he all right?’ Clarissa sobbed.

  ‘Yes, he will be fine. Tell me what happened,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘Pappa was chasing me and then he suddenly just fell off the horse. I could not get him to wake up, so I went to call you,’ the little girl answered through her tears.

  ‘Go fetch Kesh and Carlia,’ Lilian instructed.

  ‘But…’

  ‘Clarissa, don’t argue!’ Lilian snapped.

  Clarissa ran to her horse.

  ‘Be careful!’ Lilian called after her as she set off at a dangerous speed.

  ‘Bri?’ Lilian said softly.

  Brighton’s body was limp, his breathing shallow. Lilian quickly checked him for injuries. She could only find tiny scratch marks from the fall.

  ‘Bri?’ she tried again.

  Still, he did not respond. Lilian slapped him lightly in the face.

  ‘Bri, please wake up,’ she pleaded.

  Adri rode closer and dismounted.

  ‘What happened?’ she gasped.

  ‘He fell off the horse and now he won’t wake up,’ Lilian replied, trying hard to stay calm.

  Adri unhooked her water skin from the saddle and handed it to Lilian.

  ‘Splash his face,’ she suggested.

  Lilian splashed some water in Brighton
’s face, but to no avail.

  ‘I’m going to get some help,’ Adri suggested.

  ‘Clarissa already went. Please stay here with me,’ Lilian replied.

  Adri sat down next to Lilian and said, ‘I’m sure he will be fine.’

  It felt like ages before Clarissa arrived with Kesh and Carlia in tow. The old elf kneeled next to Brighton. He placed his hands on Brighton’s chest and closed his eyes.

  Brighton did not move. Kesh gestured for Carlia to come closer and also place her hands on Brighton’s chest. For a while the two elves sat with closed eyes, hands pressing down on the big man.

  Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

  ‘Where am I?’ he exclaimed as he shot up.

  Carlia and Kesh tried to keep him down, but he was far too strong for them.

  Confused, Brighton looked around him.

  ‘Pappa! You’re all right!’ Clarissa screamed as she flew into Brighton’s arms.

  Slowly he started remembering what happened.

  ‘I’m fine, my sweetheart. Sorry I scared you,’ he said as he hugged her back.

  Lilian stepped closer, the worry clearly evident in her eyes.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Brighton repeated, holding out his hand to her.

  She slipped her tiny hand into his and said, ‘Good. Don’t scare us like that again.’

  ‘Clarissa, please go back to the palace with Mamma and Adri. I want to talk to Kesh and Carlia,’ Brighton said.

  ‘Only if you promise to come back to the palace quickly,’ Clarissa replied.

  ‘I promise,’ Brighton smiled.

  He watched them leave and then turned to Kesh.

  ‘I had the strangest dream. I was in the elf forest, but it was burning,’ he said.

  ‘Dying,’ Kesh answered.

  ‘Yes, I think you’re right. It would seem the forest is not giving me a choice. I will have to go there,’ Brighton replied.

  Brighton, Lilian, Adri, Clarissa and Nicky set off for Fenton the same afternoon. Kesh and Carlia had already gone to the wall and were waiting there for them.

  When Nicky heard they were going to the elf forest, she asked if she could go with them as far as Fenton. Life in the palace was good, but she longed for her own home.