Light in the Barren Lands: Travail of The Dark Mage Book One

by Pratt, Brian S.

  It was more like an hour and a half in rush hour traffic before the cabbie pulled into the shop’s parking lot and stopped. “Wait here,” James instructed the cabbie who replied with a shrug. He didn’t mind if the meter kept running.

  “We’ll wait too,” said Jiron.

  “Okay, I’ll be back shortly.”

  The shop was a regular shop as one would find anywhere. Display cases, glass counters with select gems were arrayed in neat rows beneath. James definitely liked Harry’s shop better as it had more of the rustic atmosphere.

  Off to the side, in a less fancy display case were three buckets of raw, uncut crystals. The sign said forty dollars each. Again, James wished he was back at Harry’s. This place was expensive.

  “Can I help you?” a young woman in a dark blue dress suit asked as she emerged from the back.

  James nodded and pointed to the crystals. “I’ll take four dozen of these?”

  Her eyes widened. “Four dozen?”

  “Yep.” Producing his credit card, he handed it over to her.

  “As you wish.”

  Returning to the cab with a heavily weighed down, double lined plastic bag, James gave the two waiting for him a grin. “Got them.”

  They had the cabbie drop them off at a restaurant near their motel. Afterward they walked back. The sun was at the horizon by the time they reached their motel. James wasn’t sure when the fireworks show would start, but he wanted to be back in plenty of time.

  Slipping the cardkey into the door’s lock, James opened the door. He took but a single step into the room before sensing something odd enough to give him pause. "Someone's been in here." While nothing screamed the room had been violated, he just knew that it had. Little things like a light being on that he was certain had been off when they left. Sending out his senses, he searched the suite and found it empty. “Whoever was here is gone now.”

  Next to him, Jiron entered the room with knife drawn. James hadn't even known that he'd taken it out of the duffle bag. “Jira, stay with your uncle.” Despite James’ assurance that the intruder had departed, Jiron swept each of the rooms before he would allow his daughter to enter.

  Once he was satisfied that the intruder had indeed departed, he signaled for James and Jira to enter. “Could it have been the cops?”

  James shook his head. “I don’t think so. If it had been, we never would have been allowed to reach the room. Besides, I’m pretty sure they still believe us dead. I doubt if they could have figured out the deception so quickly.”

  “So, a thief then?”

  “That would be my guess. Check our stuff. See if anything is missing.”

  A quick search revealed none of their possessions had been stolen. “Odd.”

  Jiron nodded. “You can say that again. Are you certain that someone has been in here?”

  James looked around the living room of the suite and nodded. “Yes, and I think I know who it was.”

  “Who?”

  “Agent Randle or his brother, the one that took me from the motel. It has to be them. A thief would have stolen our belongings and the police would have made the attempt to arrest us when we returned.”

  “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

  James shook his head and sighed. “Is that the only way to keep people off my back? Kill anyone who so much as looks at me cross-eyed?”

  “He did much more than look. The man was going to kill you!”

  “I know. If it had been anyone but Seth’s father, I would have. But you have no idea how much guilt I’ve felt since that day when I discovered Seth’s remains after cowering in the tree when he needed my help. I did nothing! And he died. I…I couldn’t end the life of his father. I owed him that.”

  “You’ve told me that tale many times before, my friend.” Laying a hand upon his shoulder, he said, “Don’t let the demons of the past stay your hand, not when your life is on the line.”

  James nodded. “Trust me. If I ever see either of them again, I won’t. That debt is paid.”

  Jiron met his gaze for a moment then nodded in return. “Good.” Moving to the other room, he pulled a mattress off one of the beds and hauled it in front of the door leading to the hallway. When James looked questioningly at him, he said, “I’ll sleep here tonight.”

  “I’ll go one better.” And for the next hour, James worked to set magic wards in place that would alert them should anyone pass through the door. Then he worked on the windows, leaving the balcony door for until after the fireworks show.

  Once the wards were in place, the show had yet to start, so he set a couple other traps that he could activate the following morning to secure their rooms while they were at the park. He had just finished when the first starburst exploded above Disneyland.

  The show was great, but his enjoyment was tarnished by the knowledge they were not out of the woods yet. If he was right, and it were Agent Randle and his brother, then things could get interesting real soon.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ________________________

  No unexpected callers disturbed their slumber and they awoke fresh and ready for the day. Jira was highly charged this morning since she knew they were close to going home. Jiron too was looking forward to his reunion with Aleya. Even James felt upbeat despite the previous night’s discovery of trouble lurking on the horizon. Of course, his positive air was as much due to their destination today, as it was the possibility of returning to his wife and child.

  Before leaving, he ensured that the wards were still in place and that the DO NOT DISTURB sign was posted. The last thing he wanted was for the cleaning staff to come in and trip the newly emplaced defenses.

  They took advantage of the continental breakfast the motel provided, then boarded the shuttle to the park. James was almost as excited as the two kids of the family that shared the ride from the motel. Jiron looked askance at the smile that wouldn’t leave his face. All he could do was shrug and grin all the wider.

  James had convinced Jiron to leave his knives behind. He didn’t know what sort of metal detection the park may have had in place, and he certainly didn’t want to have to explain the presence of the Renlon knives. He did however insist that each carry a crystal imbued with defensive spells, in the event that someone took a potshot at them. The rest of their belongings James put in a pile in an out of the way corner against the wall. Then he used one of the few remaining crystals from their time at the ravine to create an illusionary shield to make them disappear.

  Within his backpack rested two dozen crystals nestled in a towel at the bottom. He planned to set them to gather magic while at the park. The rest of the four dozen procured yesterday would be placed later, if needed. He couldn’t shake the thought that there may be a wellspring of magic within Disneyland. Aside from the fact that those of Earth called it The Magic Kingdom, there was also the comment Igor had made about it being a “beacon in the night.”

  The shuttle approached the main entrance and James sent out his senses in an attempt to detect whether or not magic was presence. He wasn’t disappointed. “I can feel the magic of this place,” he said in a quiet aside to Jiron.

  “Yes?”

  James nodded. “It’s strong.”

  “Then, this is a focal point for magic on your world?”

  “So it would seem.” He dared not get his hopes up. It was strong, yes. But was it strong enough? That remained to be seen.

  Coming to a stop, the driver opened the door and the family was the first to exit. James followed with Jiron and Jira bringing up the rear. Already the crowd waiting for the park to open was beginning to form. Many excited and expectant children of all ages were anxious for the gates to open. Once past the kiosks where they purchased their tickets, the three of them found a spot in line and waited.

  James did not spend his time idly. His senses rode a thread of magic into the park and began poking around. Not for people did he search, but for magic, and more importantly, where the magic was most concentrate
d. It was no surprise when he discovered that spot to be Cinderella’s Castle.

  The icon of the Disney industry, Cinderella’s Castle was perhaps the single most well known building on the planet. When someone thought of Disneyland, the familiar turreted silhouette came to mind.

  Lines of power converged on the edifice. James tried to determine from where they were coming, but about that time the gates opened and he could no longer maintain adequate concentration as they were moved along with the crowd entering the park.

  The sights, the sounds, were all as he remembered. Kids flew by as they raced to be the first in line for their favorite rides. James remembered very well how he too had hurried in just such a way when he was younger. He had to admit, there was a bit of that still in him. But such longings could no longer be allowed to have their way. They were here for a reason, and that reason wasn’t to have a good time.

  “Get a crystal for me will you, Jira?” Bending low so she could reach, he had her remove several of them from his pack.

  The first he placed upon the building not far from the entrance where you could see a movie depicting the first fifty years of Disney. From there, they headed straight down Main Street USA where he placed two more, one on either side.

  Emerging onto the courtyard wherein a statue of Walt and Mickey could be found, they paused to stare at the majesty of Cinderella’s Castle. This close, Jiron could readily tell it was not a real castle as he had earlier thought. Aside from not being very large or defensible, it had a wide open area cutting through its base.

  Magic radiated from the building, James could feel it. Sending out his senses, he could feel the flows of magic coming together within the heart of the castle. But where did it go from there? Curious, James had them walk toward the castle and into the walkway.

  Suddenly, Jira screamed.

  James turned with an offensive spell a split-second away from release, when he saw Goofy standing there. Chuckling, he released the magic. “It’s just a guy in costume,” he explained. “He is one of the many characters Walt Disney created a long time ago.”

  “Kind of like Festival?” asked Jiron.

  “You could say that. These costumed characters are all over the park. Don’t let them scare you.”

  Jira nodded. “Yes, Uncle James.”

  He flashed Jiron a grin then returned to examining the flows of magic.

  They converged from all over at a point some distance above the ceiling of the tunnel. It didn’t feel as if there was any great build-up of magic at that point. Perhaps focal points such as this merely dispersed the magic as it comes in. That would make sense, otherwise it would be like a ticking time bomb, waiting for the accumulated magic to reach critical mass and go off.

  If he recalled correctly, there was a story he once heard about how Walt had created a living area in Cinderella’s Castle. If true, it would be above them and nearer to the focal point; the perfect place in which to attempt the crossing. Feeling good about their prospects, he had them continue through the castle and resume placing the rest of the crystals.

  From Cinderella’s Castle, they headed to Tomorrow Land where James spied a souvenir shop. Making a brief stop, he bought Jira a pair of Mickey Ears and Jiron a Goofy Hat. For himself, he settled on a regular baseball cap bearing the name Disneyland. “For disguise,” he explained.

  While they were there, Jiron saw a display of engraved, wooden walking sticks. Taking two, he had James buy them along with the hats.

  “What do you want with these?”

  “I don’t have my knives,” he replied. Taking one of the walking sticks, he thumped it in the palm of his other hand. “You could crush a man’s head open with one of these.”

  James nodded. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” They still had someone out there interested in them, and he had to admit, he would feel better if Jiron was armed, even if it were with nothing more than walking sticks. Once their purchases were paid for, they left the shop and continued on their way, placing crystals as they went.

  For three hours they wandered from one Land to another until their supply of crystals had been depleted, save one. The remaining crystal was to be the focal point of the others. Rather than returning to gather each crystal as he had planned to do back in Vegas, there in the park he didn’t need to. They were close enough that their energy could be drawn to the focal crystal with little loss of magic. Trying to have done it all the way from Vegas would have necessitated using most of the magic just to maintain the connection.

  Jira wasn’t blind to what was going on around her. Laughing children on rides, screams of delight as coasters flew around bends, it wasn’t long before she began making it known she wanted to do it too. James was more than happy to comply once the crystals had been placed.

  He had set the crystals to gather magic at a faster rate than what he had back in Vegas. With the sheer volume of people constantly on the go, he doubted if anyone would even notice the draw. By tonight, they would be filled to capacity.

  “How about Pirates of the Caribbean?” Now that the crystals were placed, and everything that could be done, had been, it was time for a little fun.

  “Pirates?” asked Jiron.

  “Not real of course,” James explained. Making a beeline for New Orleans Square, he saw the entrance and joined the queue of those waiting their turn. He caught Jira peering worriedly at the opening through which the line passed. “It’s really just a big boat ride. You get in the boat, it takes you around to see the sights, hear the music, then you get off.”

  “If you say so.” She didn’t look convinced.

  But when they entered the building and the fun-filled music could be heard, she relaxed. It took another fifteen minutes before it became their turn to get into the boats. “You’re going to love this,” James announced. And they did.

  Jiron laughed at the sacking of the town, Jira squealed in delight during the ship battle, and both thought the final drop ending in a splash, terrific. No sooner had they reached the end and disembarked than Jira exclaimed, “Let’s go again!”

  Grinning, James shook his head. “There’s too much else to see and not much time in which to do it.”

  Disappointed, Jira very quietly said, “Rat poop!”

  Next was the Matterhorn followed by Splash Mountain, then one ride after another, including the Tea Cups. There was simply too much to experience when you only had a single day. When they came to the Haunted Mansion, and the creepy music and sounds began to fill the air, Jira’s enthusiasm began to wane.

  “It’s more light than fright,” explained James. “Yes, you’ll see ghosts, but none of it is real. Trust me.”

  Not looking convinced, she nevertheless went along.

  The sign at the point where they entered the line claimed they had a forty-five minute wait until reaching the entrance. During their wait, James caught the aroma of fresh popped popcorn and ducked out of line to get some. Upon returning, he found that the line had progressed to the point where they were but thirty minutes away.

  Having something to munch on kept the wait from being too bad. Once at the entrance and the doors opened, they filed in. The room looked like a normal room, which made it all the more sinister as everyone knew it couldn’t be.

  A man was there to greet them. And as he began to speak, the walls began to elongate and the roof rise. Pictures on the walls changed to spectral images, lightning flashed and if one were to look up, he might see a body hanging from a beam far above. Then the room came to a stop and a door different from what they entered through opened. As the group started moving to the next area, James realized something was wrong.

  Glancing around, he looked to Jiron and asked, “Where’s Jira?”

  “Why, she’s right….” But she wasn’t.

  “Jira!” No reply.

  Instantly, James sent magic to search and quickly located her. She wasn’t far, and not alone. A man held her tightly with a hand clamped across her mouth to keep her silent.
“They’ve got her.”

  Jiron was enraged. “Where?” His cry startled the other park goers nearby but he didn’t care.

  Pointing toward one of the walls, James said, “Through there.” Moving to the concealed door, James found it locked. Jiron smashed it open.

  “Here, now!” the man who had been their guide exclaimed. “What do you think you are doing?”

  Jiron was through in a flash followed closely by James. Behind them they heard a commotion begin to grow.

  “To the right.”

  He could readily sense the location of Jira and her captor. Still in the Haunted Mansion area, the man raced along as he continued carrying Jira. James unerringly led them in pursuit. When the man passed through a door to the outside James said, “They’ve left the building.”

  “Is she okay?” Jiron asked.

  “Yes.” Though he knew the man wouldn’t be once Jiron caught up with him.

  Up ahead was an opened door. “Through there.” And they were outside.

  “Can’t you stop him?” Jiron asked.

  “Not unless we stop. Can’t concentrate well enough while I’m running.”

  The man was taking back ways, avoiding people as much as he could. Jira was now lying upon the man’s shoulder, as a child would do when all tuckered out and asleep. He must have rendered her unconscious somehow. A quick check revealed her heart was still beating.

  Jira’s captor shot through a doorway and down a flight of steps leading into the underbelly of Disneyland. He then dashed along a maintenance corridor.

  Jiron leaped the length of the steps and hit the corridor just as the man paused at a juncture of corridors and glanced back. Their eyes met. It wasn’t the first time their paths had crossed. It was the man from the motel. The one James had said was Seth’s father. Then the man turned down a side corridor and disappeared.

  Vision turning red, Jiron raced after him with thoughts of death and pain running through his mind. If so much as a hair on Jira’s head had been damaged, the man’s suffering would be great indeed when Jiron caught him.