Birth of a Wizard

by MJ Schutte

  ‘Mamma, have you ever wondered why the spirits banned you from the forest?’ the young girl asked.

  ‘Because of my talent,’ Lilian sighed.

  ‘Could there be something else? Maybe there is something you’re not thinking of,’ Clarissa said.

  Adri stepped in behind Lilian and started washing her long hair.

  ‘I think Clarissa is right,’ she said.

  Lilian closed her eyes and said, ‘I don’t want to think about this anymore.’

  The image of Brighton and Clarissa walking away from her in the desert kept dancing in her mind.

  What is the one thing you fear most in life? Erostagnos’s last words echoed in her ears.

  To live without Brighton and Clarissa.

  Lilian’s eyes snapped open. Realisation hit her like a crossbow bolt.

  I am afraid of my talent. I am afraid that it will make me evil like my father.

  I am afraid that my talent will drive my family away.

  If I had embraced my talent, could I have saved Thomas?

  Could I have saved Brac?

  Lilian called her sense forth. Slowly she let it drift outward, feeling every tree, every leaf, every blade of grass. Small bolts of black lightning started running from the grass across the water towards Lilian.

  Adri’s eyes went wide.

  ‘Lilian, what’s happening?’ she asked fearfully, quickly stepping out of the water.

  Lilian did not answer. She rose, standing naked in front of the forest.

  ‘I am what I am, I will no longer deny it,’ she said softly.

  The forest answered. Large bolts of black lightning jumped into Lilian’s body. She spread her arms wide, enjoying the power rushing through her.

  ‘I have always been scared, but no more,’ she whispered.

  She looked at Adri and Clarissa.

  ‘We are going back to Livia Farasnei,’ she said.

  ‘Where is Marion?’ Lance asked.

  They were back in the village on the eastern side of the forest. Brighton was not with them. He had gone back to Tolan’s house to see if Adri or Clarissa had returned.

  Carlia pulled up her shoulders.

  ‘If Brighton was here, he would be able to sense that evil elf,’ Lance growled.

  ‘When last, you see him?’ Carlia asked.

  She had been practicing to speak like a human.

  Lance, who had been practicing the elf language, signed Yesterday morning to her.

  ‘Ten wagons left for the Mountain Kingdom yesterday. He must have hidden on one of them and escaped,’ Lance said angrily.

  ‘Go after him?’ Carlia asked.

  ‘No, it’s not worth it. Maybe it is better that he is gone from this forest,’ Lance said more calmly.

  Marion travelled fast, following the river that separated Erostan and the Mountain Kingdom. He knew Brighton would not yet know of his escape, but he feared that Lance or Carlia would come after him. The best plan he could think of was to travel north as quickly as possible. He had always been able to make people trust him, so he reasoned that he could get some of the Northern tribe people to help him take revenge on Brighton.

  At first, he wanted to kill Lance and Carlia, but then he overheard Brighton saying something about a wife and daughter and the sword being with them. He immediately made up his mind that he will teach Brighton the same lesson he taught Erostagnos all those years ago. He spurred the horse on, making the animal run as fast as it could.

  The stallion had run for almost two days without rest and was exhausted. It tried to slow down but Marion dug his heels into the animal’s flanks. In the distance, he noticed a small village.

  ‘Good, I can steal another horse there,’ he mumbled to himself.

  The big horse stumbled, then its front legs simply gave way. Marion jumped clear of the dying animal to avoid being pinned down. He got up, dusted himself off and took one last look at the horse.

  ‘Stupid animal,’ he spat as he walked away.

  It was close to dark by the time he reached the village. Crouching behind some berry bushes to stay hidden, he scanned the area. A wagon slowly rolled out of the village. It was being drawn by two horses and had four more tied to the back.

  Marion noticed that the driver was a woman with long blond hair and two more people were on the back. He could not see much in the gloomy light, but he thought he recognised the woman on the back of the wagon.

  ‘Adri,’ he whispered.

  He guessed that the other two must be Lilian and Clarissa. Abandoning his plan to go into the village, he started following the wagon making sure he stayed hidden.

  Marion watched the three travellers from his hiding place. The moon was up providing enough light to see them clearly. They had finally stopped for the night where the forest started thinning out.

  Patiently Marion waited. He knew Adri would recognise him, so he had to wait until she was asleep.

  With satisfaction, he noticed that Lilian was going to take first watch. He waited until he could be certain that Adri was asleep before he stepped out of his hiding place.

  Faking a limp and holding his right arm close to his body, he walked closer to the wagon. Lilian spotted him and got up. She walked closer and in hushed tones said, ‘Good evening to you.’

  Marion greeted her in the traditional elf way and introduced himself as Harmin.

  Lilian mimicked the action and said, ‘Lilian,’ still keeping her voice down.

  ‘Please help,’ Marion pleaded.

  He gestured that his horse threw him off and ran away.

  ‘Need to reach Livia Farasnei,’ he added.

  Marion spotted a sword leaning against the wagon wheel. He instantly recognised the weapon.

  ‘Please, sit down?’ he asked, trying to sound like he was in a lot of pain.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Lilian replied.

  She led him to the wagon and helped him sit down. The sword was less than an arm’s length from him.

  ‘I’m going to get some water for you,’ she said and walked around to the other side.

  Marion’s hand closed around the hilt of the sword. He felt the power in it.

  ‘Now you all die,’ he hissed softly as he rose.

  ‘Hello, Marion,’ Adri said from behind the wagon.

  The elf spun around, pulling the sword out of the scabbard. He stepped away from the wagon to give himself some space. Lilian, holding Brighton’s cane, also stepped clear of the wagon.

  ‘We’ve been waiting for you,’ she said.

  ‘How did you…’ Marion started, but Lilian cut him off.

  ‘I sensed you while we were still in the village. Something about you feels evil. Adri saw the cloud of evil following us and recognised it as yours.’

  Mischief slowly came out of the woods and took up position next to Lilian. Marion brought the sword up in a defensive move.

  ‘It does not matter. You made a mistake by letting me have my sword,’ Marion replied.

  ‘Really? Well, let’s find out,’ Lilian said as she walked forward.

  Marion backed off, sword ready.

  Mischief followed Lilian, but she quickly said, ‘Stay there, boy. I will take care of this evil man.’

  The cat obediently sat down.

  Marion stepped further back giving himself space to wield his sword. Big bolts of energy jumped from the nearby trees into the sword and then travelled to his body. The power was intoxicating.

  Lilian also gathered energy from the surroundings.

  Marion pointed the sword at her. Lightning jumped from the weapon towards Lilian, but it hit a thin cloud of black smoke hanging in front of her. Marion tried again but his efforts only brought showers of sparks from Lilian’s barrier.

  She lifted her hand. An energy bolt as black as the darkest night raced towards Marion. A white energy wall rose from the ground, blocking Lilian’s attack.

  The two warriors circled each other trying to find an opening. Neither could break down the other�
�s defences. White and black energy bolts were thrown and blocked repeatedly.

  Changing tactics, Marion pointed the sword at Clarissa. As the white bolt left the sword, Lilian waved her hand and a black energy barrier rose from the ground blocking the attack.

  ‘That’s not nice,’ she growled at the elf.

  ‘You can’t protect yourself and them forever,’ Marion hissed as he threw an energy bolt at Adri.

  Lilian blocked the attack, then threw her own energy bolt at Marion. Instead of blocking the bolt, Marion sidestepped it, then rushed forward with the sword held high.

  Lilian knew the attack was coming. Steel and oak connected in an explosion of sparks. Marion swung the sword viciously, hoping to overpower the petite woman with his superior strength. Lilian danced around the elf, blocking and deflecting his attacks with the cane. She understood how Brighton was able to fight like he does.

  She knew where every attack would be focused. Just like Brighton did in the warrior trials, she studied Marion’s attack and soon saw a weakness.

  The elf swung the sword, aiming for her throat. Instead of blocking the blow, Lilian ducked to avoid the sharp edge and swung the cane upwards. Marion’s right elbow shattered instantly and the sword went flying through the air. Lilian quickly landed another blow, this time on the side of the elf’s head.

  Marion stumbled backwards, Lilian following. She swung the cane again, crushing the elf’s right knee. Marion crumpled to the ground, screaming in pain. He spotted the sword lying on the ground in front of him. Before he could reach for it, Lilian stepped on his broken elbow. Marion screamed again, darkness threatening to overwhelm his mind.

  Lilian bent down and picked the sword up. She stepped away from Marion.

  ‘Get up,’ she commanded.

  Marion rolled onto his back.

  ‘Get up,’ Lilian repeated.

  The elf shook his head in fear.

  ‘Fine, then you will die on the ground,’ Lilian said.

  The razor sharp blade entered Marion’s chest and pierced his heart. A thick, black lightning bolt ran down the blade.

  The soft breeze carried away the ashes of the man that was once master of Livia Farasnei.

  Brighton stood inside the Enshindi cave. He had just brought down some food for them. One of the females had gone to call El. Brighton wanted to tell El that it looks like the forest would be able to provide for them soon.

  As the Enshindi leader came towards Brighton, the big man suddenly clutched at his chest and doubled over. El rushed forward and grabbed Brighton’s arm. He tried to help Brighton keep his balance, but he was not strong enough. Brighton sank to the ground.

  ‘Marion is dying,’ he whispered.

  El quickly spoke a few quiet words to another Enshindi and then placed his hands on Brighton’s chest.

  Slowly, Brighton slipped into the darkness.

  Lance and Carlia came into the cave to bring more food. Carlia spotted Brighton on the cave floor and scrambled down the ladder. Lance did not bother with ladders, he simply leapt down into the pit.

  He rushed over, knelt next to Brighton’s still form and said, ‘What happened?’

  ‘Wizard said Marion dying be,’ El answered.

  Lance put out his hand to feel whether Brighton was still breathing, but El quickly stopped him and said, ‘El space need.’

  Knowing that there was nothing he could do, he stepped back.

  Carlia reached him.

  ‘What is happening?’ she asked.

  ‘There is a link between Brighton and Marion. If Marion dies so does Brighton and it seems this is exactly what is happening,’ Lance whispered.

  ‘Do something?’ Carlia asked.

  ‘I wish I could, but I have no idea what,’ Lance sighed.

  More Enshindis knelt next to Brighton. A soft glow started coming from their hands and flowed into his body. Suddenly, Brighton’s body jerked violently and then he was still. Even in the gloomy light, Lance could see he was not breathing anymore.

  Lilian climbed on the wagon and sat down on the driver seat.

  ‘The moon is providing plenty of light. We should keep going,’ she said.

  Mischief jumped onto the wagon and promptly fell asleep. Clarissa and Adri also climbed on and the journey across the desert started.

  ‘Mamma, I never knew you could throw energy bolts like Pappa,’ Clarissa said.

  ‘I was not able to until now,’ Lilian smiled.

  ‘I thought your talent was only to take energy,’ Adri said.

  ‘That is still true, but I have accepted that this talent is a part of who I am and with that acceptance came understanding. I am now able to do a lot more with my talent,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘Is it the same as Pappa’s magic?’ Clarissa asked.

  ‘No, not really. If Pappa throws a bolt at someone, it will overload that person with energy and kill them. If I do it, it will drain the person and kill them. The bolts I throw are not really energy but the complete and utter lack thereof,’ Lilian answered.

  ‘The result is the same,’ Adri commented dryly.

  ‘Yes, I suppose it is,’ Lilian laughed.

  ‘But Pappa can also take energy,’ Clarissa argued.

  ‘Yes, he can. His magic will always be stronger than mine,’ Lilian smiled.

  ‘Can you heal someone?’ Clarissa asked.

  ‘Not like Pappa does, but in a different way, yes. If you are sick, Pappa gives you energy to fight the illness. I cannot do that, but I can use my gift to destroy the illness in you. Both ways will make you healthy again,’ Lilian answered.

  Clarissa gave a long yawn.

  ‘Lie down and sleep, my darling,’ Lilian suggested.

  The young girl curled up next to Mischief for warmth.

  Adri joined Lilian on the driver seat.

  Speaking in hushed tones, she said, ‘I wonder why the Supremes were never able to do what you just did. Their talent was stronger than yours.’

  ‘True, but they never needed to develop their talent. They simply used the portion of it that gave them what they wanted, nothing more. I followed Brighton’s example and explored my talent to see what else I was capable of doing. Since we were at the swamp, I have practiced every night while you and Clarissa were sleeping,’ Lilian answered.

  Adri sat pensively for a while before she spoke again.

  ‘If Brighton is a wizard, this makes you a witch.’

  ‘I prefer sorceress,’ Lilian laughed.

  ‘Do you think you will be able to enter the forest now?’ Adri asked.

  ‘I don’t know, but I am going to try,’ Lilian replied.

  Brighton opened his eyes. A soft glow surrounded him.

  The spirit world flashed through his mind.

  I hope Clarissa and Lilian are safe.

  ‘My love?’ Lilian said softly.

  Sadness filled Brighton’s mind.

  Lily also died.

  ‘Wizard very weak be,’ El’s voice reached his ears.

  Brighton started drifting away, but suddenly wondered why El was in the spirit world with them. He opened his eyes again. It took a few moments before he could focus. Lilian and El’s worried faces came into view.

  ‘Where am I?’ he whispered.

  ‘Wizard in the Enshindi cave be,’ El answered.

  ‘I’m not dead?’ Brighton frowned.

  ‘Almost, but Enshindi wizard alive keep until mistress arrived,’ El replied.

  Brighton tried to sit up, but gentle hands held him down.

  ‘Lie still, my love. You are very weak and need to rest,’ Lilian said.

  ‘Clarissa?’ Brighton whispered.

  ‘I’m here, Pappa,’ the little girl answered.

  Brighton smiled. He pushed himself up even though the gentle hands still tried to keep him down. His entire body ached, but through sheer willpower, he got to his feet.

  Breathing heavily, he said, ‘I need to get outside. I can’t feel the forest.’

  Lilian sl
ipped her arm around him for support.

  ‘Your link to the forest has been broken,’ she said.

  It suddenly dawned on Brighton that they were in the forest and Lilian was with him.

  ‘You need to get out of here. The spirits will take you again,’ he said worriedly.

  ‘No they won’t. I am now the mistress of the forest. I killed Marion,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘You killed him? Where? When?’ Brighton gasped.

  ‘I’ll tell you later. First, rest a bit longer. El and the Enshindis have promised to give you energy until you are able to live on your own again. At the moment, it’s only them keeping you alive,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘No, I need to be in the forest. This cave feels dead,’ Brighton said.

  ‘Bri…’ Lilian started, but Brighton took a step towards the ladder.

  Lilian had no choice but to help him. Brighton looked at the ladder. He felt far too weak to climb all the way to the top.

  ‘I need to get out,’ he said.

  Lance tossed a rope down and said, ‘Tie this around your waist. I’ll hoist you up.’

  Lilian helped Brighton with the rope and then watched Lance pull her husband out of the pit. She quickly climbed the ladder and put her arm around him again. Slowly they walked towards the light.

  As Brighton stepped outside, his breathing immediately became less laboured. They walked until they were between the trees before Brighton said, ‘Stop.’

  He stepped away from Lilian and cast his sense out. For a moment, he just stood there enjoying the sun on his face, the feeling of all the energy around him, then, suddenly, big white bolts of lightning jumped from everywhere into his body. Brighton stood with his arms spread wide allowing the forest’s power to flow into him.

  He turned to Lilian and said, ‘I am still the master of the forest. The link is still there. If you live here with me, you will grow old before my eyes and die. We have to find a way of leaving this place.’

  Lilian spread her arms wide. Thick, black energy bolts jumped from the trees to Lilian’s hands.

  Brighton’s eyes went wide.

  ‘The forest has accepted you,’ he whispered.