Kemp

by Francheska Fifield

  Gods, why do I keep gathering these types to me? I can't help but laugh. "Talon, you have interesting eyes. Black like coal. I like it."

  He looks at me, likely finding me odd. I know it is a trait of the mages and he knows I know.

  "Never you mind. My mind just went back to a very similar moment when I met another young man with talent beyond his age."

  "Viktor was a very skilled fighter, from what I saw. Especially for a mortal."

  I nod. "He was never just another mortal. He was born a Kemp. Through and through."

  I close my eyes and silence covers the mountain. I slit my wrists and start walking, chanting primordial words meant to draw the power from the collective to me, and up out of the soil. It is tough; it has sat there for centuries growing, and has almost taken on a mind of its own. It fights me every step of the way, as it insists it stay with the mages, and I pull piece by piece, string by string.

  I have covered the entire mountain and sit directly in the middle of the village, once again pulling power into me, when the dizziness strikes. I am shocked it hasn't before. I can’t stop or pause though. I keep chanting. Pulling and pulling, refusing to allow the power to sink back to the earth, refusing to lose the mages birth right after promising it to them, and most of all refusing to screw up the most important thing I have ever done. I will succeed. Avren's essence fills me, allowing me to stay conscious. With his magic filling me, I will be tethered to this world and his life until he can heal me up. I will have to be closer for him to accomplish that though. Even with his help, blood takes time to replenish. I will be in no condition to fight or fend for myself any time soon.

  I finish the chant and feel the darkness pull at me. So much magic rushes through me and into the others. So much magic pushes its way out of me so fast. Seeking a better fit. The mages magic knows mages call to it. I push and push, letting it glide out, faster and faster with my help. Until I am empty. The spell has used up my magic, my blood, my life. That is it. I am done. It is over.

  Avren

  Elainne falls and I push more of my essence through our connection and into her. It would be better if she were closer. I can only tether her so much while this far away. It leaves me vulnerable as well. I have to focus on her, and Viktor is still out there in the midst of his slaughter. The second he notices me deep in trance, he will return, and he might be able to disconnect us. If he does, she will die, and all the pain of the muted Kemp bond will come rushing to him. He won't survive. He will be put down. A Kemp doesn’t survive the charges death. Even if he were to do so, knowing he is the reason she died will kill him. He will lose his mind and beg for death. A mercy I will swiftly grant. The next few days will decide everything. Viktor's sanity, Elainne's life, and my place in the world. Familiars don’t survive long after their master’s deaths. I will live long enough to put Viktor at peace and return to the ether myself. I knew the risks. The world she will create was worth the risk. If we can survive long enough to see it.

  Talon

  It is odd, the way this bond makes me worry for someone I barely know. We care for the collective, for those we protect, but the bonding between the princess and myself as her champion has me doubting that the plan to increase our powers is a good idea. Logically, I know it is, but something in me keeps saying that she is too much at risk. That if it goes wrong it won’t have been worth the loss.

  Then she collapses and the power hits us all. We can’t stop her bleeding, even though we were told to do so as soon as she finished. We all drop under the weight of it. The power of our ancestors - that soaks the ground that we have had to call as a group for protection - enters us. We fall under its weight.

  Aldamon crawls over, holding his head in one hand and chanting healing spells. Yes, healing. That’s what we are all supposed to be doing. Healing her. Upon pain of death, she has told me. If she dies, her familiar will wreak havoc on the world and us. I grab another of her hands and chanted spells as well. I know no advanced healing, I know offensive spells, but every child learns how to close a cut. This is so much harder. She has magically kept the bleeding going, so we magically have to stop it. Her power is drained making it less difficult but still unraveling her spells, even weakened, is a task no one without experience should do. Luckily, Aldamon has experience. He unravels spells and I seal wounds. We try everything we can until the healers crawled over, one by one, and take over. We collapse back onto the ground again, under the pressure of everything that has happened.

  "We saved her. For now, she will live."

  The collective breathes a sigh of relief. Not everyone knows about the dragon's threat, but everyone knows what happened last time when we almost killed her. Everyone knows that she is doing this for us, that this power boost is her doing. No one can hate her now. She has healed the sick, protected the weak, given us a fighting chance again.

  I still have my doubts, after all, this works out as well for her as for us, but she has willingly bound herself to our people as we have to her. That has to count for something. She went into this will all honesty, as far as we can tell, and she gave me the option to back out, no offense taken, after explaining what being a permanent member of her court will entail. Her feelings seemed honest when she took me as a champion. I expected a knighting. Instead, she used a spell only heard of in storybooks. The words lost to time, only the concept still surviving. She knew and performed it; never second-guessing being tied to someone that tried to kill her. She took me at my word and accepted me as a warrior. For now, I will trust the bond.

  "Talon the wagons are packed and she's resting as comfortably as she can in the back of one. Are you ready?"

  I nod. We could have used magic to get into the dragon lands, or at least to where the entrance of his lands are found, but if we do, it will interfere with the magic that is keeping her highness alive, and we can’t do that. We have to all make it through on foot. If it comes to it, most of us are to move magically and a few of us will continue on foot with the wagon - with her highness in it - making it less conspicuous. If we come across any guards, they cannot know that we have her body. She needs to be closer to the dragon as soon as possible. Aldamon has already agreed to stay with her on the journey. She inspires his loyalty somehow. Likely because of her connection to his grandson.

  We start down the mountain. I stop at the entrance to the village and turn. This will likely be the last time I see this place. I understand the need to move and I have prepared for it. I didn’t think I would miss this place. I have never given much thought to where I call home. It matters very little to me. Or, so I thought.

  "I guess we shall find out how the rest of the world feels, having to leave and move on when we hit a certain age. Nothing left to tie us here."

  I turn back and run, catching up to the wagon with the princess. This is all her doing. Our enhanced magic, leaving our lives behind, everything started when she showed up with a barely-a-mage needing to be taught. The world is changing and now we will be a part of it.

  We end up camping that night, arguing about almost everyone going on ahead, how the rest of us will get there if we have to stay behind, and so on. I sit by the wagon, a bit further from the fire than I would have liked, but I have guard duty to do. I can’t leave the princess alone for too long. It is not safe out here alone.

  Aldamon comes over with some food and hands me a loaf of bread. I take it, eating quickly and quietly.

  "She will be fine. We have barriers up."

  "If the magic keeping her alive slips, someone needs to be here to pour their magic into her."

  "You think a dragon would mess up that way?"

  I shrug. "I am supposed to protect her."

  He nods, smiling.

  "Reminds me of trying to talk to my grandson. He was reluctant to let her out of his sight in town. Though now I understand why."

  I nod. True, it hadn't ended well… for any of us.

  "You should come give your opinion. The arguing is never going to stop i
f a decision cannot be made on what to do."

  That sounds like a hassle but he is right. We can’t sit here forever and waste time.

  "Watch her."

  I stand and push my way through the crowd, to the leaders of the different sides.

  "Why doesn’t one wagon full of people at a time move to the entrance of the dragon's land and set up camp, one person can come back with the artifact needed to find his land, take the next group, and so on. Until everyone but those of us with the princess, who are coming on foot with the artifact, can find you. Then we will all enter together, so he does not wonder why some of us left her alone to enter his land safely. Just leave us enough supplies to make it there."

  I don’t wait for a response I just push my way back to the wagon and climb in the back, lying out straight. I have been sitting too long if the creaking in my joints is any indication.

  "If my grandson catches you lying next to her like that, I bet he will kill you."

  "He can try. We have more power now."

  "He has Elvin magic as well. I do not know how much, but if he is her Kemp, likely quite a bit."

  I think about it. He is a fighter; it is obvious in the way he moves. I can fight but I am a mage. He had been raised human so he can’t hope to match my skill with magic. Then again, if it turns physical I will have the disadvantage.

  "What is a Kemp, exactly?"

  "An Elvin champion. It is not like humans naming a champion; the Kemp is bound to their charge by magic and fate. When one dies, the other feels the loss in their soul forever. The Kemp will not survive it, and most of the times the charge is left unable to function normally for quite some time."

  "Seems foolish to tie yourself to someone in such a way. It weakens you."

  Aldamon sighs and smiles down at me. He is such a tall man.

  "It's not a choice. Sometimes the charge and Kemp hate one another, but still, when fate binds you to someone you are never complete without them."

  I think about it. I have never believed in fate; but I guess some people, those not stuck on the mountaintop for their entire lives, hidden from the rest of the world, might have ties to destiny. I suppose that means we will now be subject to fate. I wonder what it will have in store for me. Was I meant to meet Elainne and become her magical champion? Will she really have need for me? Her Kemp has fighting skills and magic. Not to mention she is a magical powerhouse, if everything she has done recently is any indication.

  We made a promise to keep up appearances and we will keep it. I will represent the mages alliance to her while in court. I never thought about court. What it will be like. I will have to study up. Perhaps she can teach me what is required of a guard… or will I be a representative?

  "Doesn’t seem fair, to have no choice in the matter."

  He shrugs. "The Elves are tied to this world with earthly magic. It makes sense that the world helps to decide their fates. She is Elvin, human as well, but still has that connection in her veins. So does my grandson."

  "Hmm."

  There is very little to say to that. I am suddenly glad that our magic is from within. It is limited, and we can never grow more powerful normally, but our fates are our own.

  "The council has decided. In the morning, we will carry out your idea. "

  I sit up, nodding to the messenger. "Good. Have guards been assigned for the night?"

  "We will all be taking turns staying up. Most of us, in fact. We will have plenty of time to sleep tomorrow, after we get to the edge of dragon land. Those of you staying with her highness should sleep. You will not have the same opportunities to rest."

  I nod, lying back down.

  "I will stay in the wagon. If something seems off, wake me."

  "I think you will wake on your own. You may not be a Kemp, but you are her blood bound champion. If something goes wrong, you will be the first to feel it."

  I look at Aldamon, hoping he is right. If she dies, and all of us perish as a result, I will haunt myself forever. I clear my mind of worry, letting myself drift off. This could be the last I rest for quite some time. I will take advantage of it.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next morning is a busy hustle. I stay in the wagon for most of it, trying to figure out how to make her more comfortable for the ride. There is no way to latch her in place so she won’t bounce around. Which means someone will have to ride in back with her, so she won’t roll into the side of the wagon or any of the other stuff in the wagon.

  We don’t get a move on until after lunch. There is Aldamon, myself, and one of the healers. She stays in the back with the princess, Aldamon and I take turns driving and resting. We try to avoid people as much as possible, disguising ourselves as common travelers, so that when we run across people we will just look like anyone else moving on the streets. Gone are the mages robes.

  It is mostly uneventful. The worst part is the weather. It is the wet season and we have to keep the rain off ourselves and the comatose princess using magic. In reality, one of us is diving and the other is using magic to create a barrier around ourselves, so that the rain drops away from us. We also have to make sure no one normal sees that, so a blur spell - to make it look as if it is raining on us - is also in use. It doesn’t lead to very restful rest period.

  By the time our two weeks of travel is over, we are cold, wet, and exhausted. We show up at the camp, our magic drained from overuse. More like physically unable to use it anymore because we have over extended ourselves. A temporary camp has been set up. The healers move the princess into a tent, changing her into some clean robes that we have. After changing as well, I slide into the tent, lying down on the side that the healer is not. We can talk about going into dragon land tomorrow… after I get some sleep.

  Avren

  They are here. Close enough for me to come back to awareness. It will be better once she is in my lands. My magic permeated the lands and will heal her, even without me actively doing so. She will wake soon. It is a relief that she is finally here. Viktor has been running around, slaughtering animals for the last two weeks and I has been unable to stop him. I has put up barriers so he cannot reach the cave, but that is the extent of my dealing with him. All my attention has been on keeping my queen alive. Tomorrow he will sense her and he will come. I will lift the block on the bond. Hopefully he won’t be too immersed in the dragon for her to reach him. We can only hope.

  Talon

  In the morning, we cross into the dragon lands. It is almost like entering a new world. Everything is more vibrant and beautiful. I have a feeling everything will be more dangerous than in the normal parts of the world as well. Still, the warm sun dries and thaws us all off. It is nice, getting the chill from our bones. We are used to the cold from the mountains, but no one wants to be exposed to over a week of rain without a roof over their heads. The wet air just soaks into your bones, causing borderline hypothermia.

  Everyone is jumpy. The bushes rustle and a hundred people will jump in unison. Everyone is a bit on edge. No one can blame them. It is one thing to agree to this plan, quite another to traverse the country, enter a dragon's kingdom, and be taught by him. All the while trying to forget he destroyed our village and killed most of our fighters. Until everyone has had a chance to air his or her grievances, and not be eaten, no one will trust this place.

  "Is it morning?"

  I look beside in the wagon. The princess is awake and rubbing her eyes.

  "You are alive."

  Those that hear me stop, causing a chain reaction. Soon the entire party is surrounding our wagon. Still, her waking leaves everyone to breathing a sigh of relief. She hasn't died for us, so the dragon can have no complaints.

  "Have I been out long?"

  "A little over two weeks."

  She looks crestfallen.

  "We should get somewhere more open. Avren will want to lead you to the caves that will serve as homes until your people can build some. He is too big to fit here."

  Aldamon shoos everyone back
to his or her wagons and starts us going again. This time our wagon leads the way.

  Elainne

  Despite being asleep for over two weeks, I am exhausted. Though to be honest, I haven't been resting in the traditional sense. I will need some food, water, and normal sleep to get back to my normal self. I also feel stiff, so when we get to the open area to await Avren, I get out of the wagon, with Talon's help, and start to walk around the area. Everything creaks, pops, and cracks. I have been still for too long.

  Talon keeps ahold of my arm tightly. Not enough to hurt but tight enough that I know he is not letting me flounder. Though to be honest, my entire body hurts, so I am not sure if I am truly feeling his grip or not. It is hard to differentiate between the pains.

  "You return. I am glad to see you awake, my queen."

  "Avren, I am glad to see you well. The magic of your home has done me wonders in concentrated amounts."

  He kneels and I step forward, laying my forehead against his snout. I have to give Talon props for following only two steps behind me and not cowering as the others do.

  "I am glad you are safe. I will take the others to the caves. You must find Viktor. He runs wild. He is lost to the blood."

  I sigh. The others look confused. I turn to them and Avren rises to his full height. They curl into themselves and look afraid. They don’t run though.

  "Avren will magic all of you to the caves. Everyone, in the wagons, please. Talon and I will continue on foot. We have an errand to run."

  Everyone looks doubtful but follows my orders. That is good, it will make things go by faster. Once Avren leaves, with them magically tied to him, I sigh and turn to Talon.

  "Now the hard part starts."