by Aaron Thomas
Brandon made his way to the door, “Sun rise tomorrow. Chit, do not be late this time. Kilen is way too advanced for you to take on with magic. Perhaps if you keep practicing through the night you will be able to best him in the sword though.” He laughed as the door closed behind him. Kilen saw the look on Chit’s face. He knew it meant he was in a deep rage. His nostrils began to flare as his face turned red. He gripped his sword so hard that his knuckles turned white. Chit came into battle making wild swings and taking more cuts as Lorusk eloquently handled his sword, carefully batting away the onslaught of attacks. Chit was getting frustrated and began swinging more wildly, leaving himself exposed. Lorusk caught his hand and held his sword to Chit’s throat.
“Keep your mind, the only reason I did not stab you was so that Twilix will be able to keep up the healing throughout the night. Focus or you will only do more harm to your skill than better it.” Chit looked as though he wanted to strangle Lorusk, but knew that he couldn’t. He took a step back and rolled his shoulders. Twilix went to him and healed him once more and returned to her spot. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye she looked in Kilen’s direction. He ducked behind the pillar hoping she hadn’t seen him and sent someone to investigate. Below, Captain Lorusk shouted, “Again assume the position and fight with your mind not your arm.” The swords began clashing again and Kilen slumped to the ground, still gathering water to his eyes so that he could see through the smoke. He looked as if he had been crying for hours. He felt the water drops running down his face and stopped the effort. Brent ushered him back to the door they had come in and began weaving his way back to the barracks.
They walked in silence, but that did not mean there was silence inside his head. He was wondering who his enemies were, but he didn’t think that Twilix could ever be one of those. He was growing angry at the thought they had purposefully assigned Twilix to see to him because she looked to be the same age as his sister. This time he felt as if Twilix had betrayed him.
When they reached the training grounds Brent finally started to speak. “Kilen, the King is planning something. I do not know what. He trains Chit in the old style, using a wizard to heal him so that he learns through his errors. I believe that the King will put Chit against you, to kill or to humiliate I cannot say. The one thing I do know is that the Captain and Chit train throughout the night, all day, and every day only stopping to eat. My brother trains him in earth magic. Where Chit has acquired earth armor I cannot imagine. There are plots about boy. You had best redouble your efforts.”
“How? Brandon hasn’t taught me anything, not one thing. He just asked me to grow a plant and left. Twilix, well you can see she trains Chit harder than she does me. She won’t let me summon an elemental anymore, and I messed up by trying to heal her exhaustion. When I summon an elemental against her wishes, she chastised me and accused me of betraying her. I don’t think that she will put any real effort into my training now.” Kilen felt a bit like a child whining to a parent about older siblings.
“Boy, I told you to stay on Twilix’s good side. If you have betrayed her, then there is nothing I can do about that. I will try and help you learn water magic. You learn quickly so it shouldn’t take many sessions. You must understand that there are only so many things that I can do without looking to take a special interest in you. That is why I had Twilix teach you in the first place. The farther I stay from you, the less of a threat to the king you seem. Train hard, Kilen. Give the king no reason to keep from calling you a weapon bearer or a scout.” Brent sighed, “Nothing to do about it now. Learn fast and hard, please. How many classes have you attended?”
“I have passed three classes so far. I hadn’t intended on even going to two of them, but was in the room when class began.”
“Really, which classes have you passed already?”
“Archery with Bowie, and Lieutenant Mcclanahan passed me in map reading and battle strategy.”
“Well done then. Keep up the good work. Remember the more you do now, the farther ahead of the plots the King has made for you. Now go and get some sleep. I will be there at your training with Mary tomorrow. Kilen, take this as a small bit of warning, she has never been beaten twice in a row, except for by Twilix.”
Brandon climbed high into the towers of the Castle after rejuvenating the king’s warrior, and trainers. This was the first time that this kind of training had been conducted in a long time. Usually the warrior was chosen for their skills in fighting, rather than the emotional response they would provoke in the enemy. Whether or not this small town, second generation, wielder was an enemy was a decision totally up to the king. To Brandon he was just another small town country kid that happened to be skilled in magic. To the king the boy represented an uprising of the water realm, a danger in losing half his realm, and even more importantly, two thirds his taxes. Brandon knew that the king was wasting time plotting on the boy, especially since scouts reported the fire realm on the march towards the earth realm’s border.
Climbing the spiral staircase had become exhausting. His body was growing tired from restoring the others. The king was using up all resources to train the unwilling brute. The heat from the castle below didn’t help matters at all, everyone was irritable and uncomfortable. Every day he had climbed these staircases to report on both boy’s progress. Using his strength to rejuvenate the captain and the so called champion was tiring enough, but more so for Twilix. She exhausted herself everyday with Chit , just for the chance to train Kilen herself. Brandon paused on the staircase to regain his energy and catch his breath before entering the king’s chamber. He knew the guards to the door were just around the pillar in the center of the staircase. He didn’t want to show weakness so he always paused to compose himself at this same spot. Each day it took just a little longer to get his breathing under control. When he was finally composed he passed by the two weapon bearers and into the king’s presence. The two torches on the wall were sufficient to light the small room well enough that the king could make out any details on the maps he had arranged on a small table. There were four large windows with shutters thrown wide to admit the wind that the height allowed. The king had shed more and more armor as the heat rose inside the castle walls. He knew that solid stone could retain heat in its walls for days. Brandon was still baffled by the ability of one fire wizard’s ability to heat to the capacity that all the nobles had abandoned their guest rooms. The king stood in the window’s arch with his shirt open, letting the breeze cool him in the moonlight. He had grown frail and skinny, a side effect of wearing earth armor and not using the full potential of your muscles.
“Sit Brandon, I saw you coming from below. Each day it takes you longer and longer to climb the tower.” He turned to face Brandon and smiled, “I believe your father climbs these towers every day so that he can stay in shape, and usually mends these tower walls. If you’re to take his place, you should get used to climbing them.”
Brandon seated himself in one of the four rickety wooden chairs in the room. It creaked under his weight. “It is not that I am unfit, my lord.”
“Then what is it, councilman? Do you grow bored of climbing stairs? I remember when we climbed these towers as children, although I’m not a child anymore. Yet you make me look as though I was old enough to be your father.” The king sat down on a cushioned sturdy chair behind the desk.
“It is not that I grow bored, my lord. The consistent use of magic to restore your champion and his trainers strips me of my energy. I spend large portions of my day in bed now, my lord.”
“Do you wish for me to stop the training?”
“I do as my lord wishes, always. It is not my place to give advice to the king, I am here to council on matters of the realms, my lord.”
The king chuckled, “A diplomatic answer. I believe that your father has trained you well to take his place. Nonetheless, the training must continue. Take more time from your day to sleep, the training must continue. I will have someone else take your place in traini
ng Kilen. It should be pretty easy to find one of the younger, less experienced wizards to train him.” Brandon nodded in response to him.
“It isn’t that my lord. I have only trained him once and when I did I used no energy whatsoever. It’s the effort of rejuvenating Twilix.” Atmos perked up at a slight accusation that Twilix was shirking her duties.
“If she is not trying hard enough then she will not be able to continue training Kilen. I will find another to do that.”
“It is not that my lord. She heals him quite efficiently.” The King slumped back down in his chair and leaned the it back onto two legs.
“Well, spit it out then. What is it?”
“My lord the warrior’s training doesn’t go well at all. He is reckless, taking too much damage. The Captain says that he could kill him with every stroke, but changes his blade at the last minute to only do minor damage. Each time he is cut Twilix has to heal it and the act drains her.” There was a long silence as Brandon could see the King become more and more angry. “Your champion is very aggressive, and willing to take wounds to complete the fight. Unfortunately, he swings wildly and accomplishes nothing.”
“All the strength I have given him and he thinks he is invincible. How does his magic training fair?”
“It fairs the same my lord. Actually, I fear that he is even less effective with magic than he is with the blade. Although, what he lacks in skill in either, he makes up in passion for the chance, my lord.”
“Well at least that is something.” Atmos scratched his overgrown beard, “Perhaps I’ll pay a visit to him and see if I can redirect his attention. What of the other?”
“I don’t understand it, my lord. His power and skill with the elements grows by the day. It is as if he has had years of training or he is receiving outside help. I hear that his skills with the blade makes progress but it is very slow.”
“How good is he with magic?” The king set all legs of his chair on the floor and leaned forward to listen.
“He can summon and control elementals of both water and earth. This morning I saw him summon an earth elemental and then form fourteen ovens from stone blocks all at once. The most amazing part is he didn’t look tired afterwards. He has learned to use the element’s own energy.” The two sat in silence, Brandon afraid to say more, and the king afraid to hear more. “My lord, he can walk in his body while using elemental forms,” he said in a warning of a whisper.
“Brandon, I want you to get Gortus here. I have work for him.”
Gortus was a Kapal, and Brandon knew their purpose in the eyes of a king. They were wizard assassins. “My lord, Gortus is training Kilen. If I am correct of what you desire of him, it might be a risk to let him know. He might warn the boy instead of do the job. They have a sort of loyalty to their students.”
The king nodded, “Giving advice is not your place yet, Councilmen Parker.” He paused to think a small bit longer, but just as Brandon started to stand to retrieve Gortus, he spoke again. “Perhaps your advice is wise though. Find me another to rid me of this wielder discreetly. Stab him in a bar, drop something on him on accident, let him get lost in the woods, or poison him. It doesn’t matter which.”
“The boy was born to walk the woods, he doesn’t regular the bars, and has a personal cook that is very loyal. His cook is from Keepers. I am unsure that any of those will truly work my lord.”
“Ignore the rest of your duties, and focus on this task. I will aid in training Chit. You find someone to perform the task.”
“I will try my lord.”
“I cannot kill him publicly without gaining fear in my subjects. No other second generation wielders will join my army again. It has to be done discreetly. You WILL find someone to complete the task.”
***
Kilen woke at his normal early time. He had become accustomed to this time after the last few days. Without putting much thought into what he was doing he dressed and waited for Leroy to return with breakfast. The morning was quiet with Max and Joahna not speaking as they were told. Neither had been allowed to become an elemental during the night. Kilen knew that he was being stubborn and left himself exposed to anything without them standing watch. Tonight he would let them resume their night-time training beneath the floorboards in the barracks. With that on his mind, Leroy entered the room, set down a covered tray, and went about his normal busy work. Kilen uncovered the tray to see hardboiled eggs and small strips of spiced hog. He remembered how delicious it was the evening before and ate it quickly.
“There are a whole lot of people taking bets on your contest today with Councilwoman Mary. How shall I bet?” He looked up at Leroy who smiled back, “I know. I’ve heard it’s bad luck to bet against a friend, so I thought I would ask if you can win again?”
“I will do my best,” Kilen replied as he checked his chaingers.
Joahna spoke even though he wasn’t supposed to, I can win. Of course you will have to allow me to fight as an elemental, and to honor your agreement with Twilix. Brent will have to be present.
Kilen turned red in the face still, angry at Joahna, and the mention of the agreement that Kilen nearly violated. He grew madder still that Joahna suggested breaking it again. Of course he was also breaking Kilen’s rule to keep silent. To make matters worse, Kilen couldn’t respond until he was away from Leroy or anyone else. He then noticed that Leroy was watching him very closely, and cleared his throat. He had no idea what to say so he started putting on his boots. “Sorry, I was thinking about something else,” was all he could say. Then he remembered Izabel and how he had told Leroy to visit her. “Leroy, I have to ask you a favor.”
“You know I am your man. I will do whatever you ask of me, well at least if it doesn’t harm the Water Realm.”
Kilen nodded, “I need you to stay away from Izabel and her herb shop. I cannot tell you why right now, you will just have to trust me.”
“Well, ok but the meals will not improve your stamina without fresh herbs. Can you give me a hint why it is I have to stay away?” Kilen shook his head as he finished lacing his boots.
“I am sorry, I cannot tell you right now. I will when the time is right.” Kilen rose and made for the door, “I need you to do one more thing. Use half of the gold in my wardrobe to place bets for me to win. We will split the earnings down the middle.” Leroy smiled and nodded back, then scrambled into the wardrobe to start splitting the gold for the bets he was going to make. In the hallway Kilen noticed that every door was wide open. He walked towards the exit and looked in each room as he passed. They were all vacant of any personal items. Then he remembered that the army and weapon bearers had all returned to their stations scattered in the Earth and Water Realms. In the front of the barracks he saw Ted’s door part way open and saw a lamp light from inside. He rapped with his knuckle on the door and Ted popped his bald head out of the door.
“Kilen sir, how may I help you this fine day?”
“I was just wondering if all the rest of the weapon bearers have gone?”
“Most have sir, but the ones that remain all live in the guard’s quarters near the front gate. I see that you found a chainger, does it work well?”
“It works well enough. So you’re telling me that I’m the only person left in this building?”
“Sir…you’re the only one left in any one of the wielder buildings on this side of the training grounds. Of course there’s the wizards quarters a few buildings down, and those are filled now.” Kilen wasn’t sure he liked being the only one in the building. “Ted, would it be ok if my servant Leroy used one of the rooms adjacent to mine?”
“Absolutely sir, that will be no problem at all. Is there anything else I can do for you this morning?”
“No, that is all. Wait, has anyone asked about me or stopped to see me?”
“No sir, well the other wielders asked who you were. I told them you are a second generation here for training, but besides that no one else.” Kilen took another gold crown from his pocket and handed it t
o Ted.
“Thanks for your help, Ted. Have a good day, and if I were you I would bet that on the resident of this barracks.”
“Sir! You’re a longshot. I mean…no one has beaten her twice in a row except Wizard Twilix.”
Kilen looked over his shoulder at Ted as he stood in the doorway, “Who do you think is training me?” Ted smiled and flipped the crown into the air, catching it with a greedy gleam in his eye.
Once outside of earshot he looked around as he crossed the wizard training grounds. When he felt it was safe he spoke to the men in his head. “Joahna, you had better not mess this up. I am giving you one chance to prove yourself and only if Brent tells me I can summon an elemental. Here are my conditions. Do not show off. You will not hurt Mary. I will fight Mary and you will fight any elemental that she summons. I must learn to fight these battles on my own. Are we in agreement?”