Malcolm reached down and put his large hand lightly on Simon's shoulder.
“I see that you are not a boaster. That is a credit to you. But we are interested in the story on a more practical level. The New Earth contains monsters of all kinds, seemingly. But the dragons are at the top of the food chain. And one day, we may be called upon to fight them. So it is only prudent that we learn all that we can of them.”
Simon nodded at this common sense attitude.
“I understand. I'll be happy to discuss it when I can. If not today, then the next time I'm in town.”
“Good enough,” Malcolm said and slapped the wizard lightly on the shoulder. Simon almost fell over. “Oops! Sorry about that. Sometimes I forget my own strength.”
“No problem. I didn't really need that shoulder for anything today anyway.”
At Malcolm's look of dismay, Simon burst out laughing and the others quickly joined in. The big man finally grinned at the joke.
“I think I like you, sir wizard. I think we're going to get along just fine.”
“Hey,” Aiden said and gave Malcolm a dig with his elbow that made their armor ring hollowly. “Just don't get along too well. I don't need any more competition.”
The pair of them broke up and Simon smiled at the sight of two such large men teasing each other.
“Yes, well, now that we're all acquainted, why don't you two grinning loons raise the drawbridge again while I take Simon and the elementals up to the hall, hmm?”
Clara pointed sternly at the cranks next to the gate that operated the drawbridge and the two guardsmen gave her a slight bow and waved at Simon. He said goodbye and joined the cleric as she walked up the road. Kronk and Aeris followed on their heels.
“So this visit was spontaneous, was it?” she asked the wizard as they walked. They were both enjoying the lovely day and Simon looked around as they went. He noted that the small houses had all been repaired after the hard winter and the road, covered with cobblestones, was recently swept and cleared of debris. Townspeople nodded and greeted them both as they passed. The elementals were a source of fascination and got a lot of second looks. They didn't seem to mind.
“Yes, it was.” Simon lowered his voice. “Actually, things have taken a turn for the worse, and I wanted to see you in person before we moved on.”
They reached the door of the town hall and Clara stopped and looked at him.
“Moved on? What do you mean? Are you leaving your tower?”
“No, no! Nothing like that. Bad choice of words there.”
The cleric led them into the hall. Inside, the main room was empty and Clara brought them through to her quarters and sat them down on her couch.
“Would you like something?” she asked graciously. “Tea? Wine? Something to eat?”
“No thanks.”
Simon looked at Aeris and noted his strained expression. Kronk, as usual, looked stoic.
“We simply don't have time, but I appreciate the offer.”
Clara sat at the opposite end of the couch and watched him anxiously.
“What is it, Simon? What's happening?”
He settling into the couch and crossed his legs, pulling his robe down to cover his knees as he did so.
“First, let me tell you what I've been doing for the past couple of weeks. Aeris was able to show me how to use the Magic Mirror spell to spy on that dark wizard.”
The cleric glanced at Aeris who nodded solemnly.
“I've kept my distance while tracking her and I'm fairly sure that I haven't been detected..
He ran his fingers through his hair and then pushed it off of his face.
“There are more white streaks in your hair, my friend,” Clara said gently.
“I know. The cost of using magic, I suppose. Anyway, I've seen some horrible things, Clara. I've watched, helpless, as this...person has directed her minions to kill at least a half-dozen human Changlings. The last one, two days ago, was very bad.”
The cleric's expression darkened.
“How so?” she asked.
“They found two Changlings together, young women. It was a nightmare. The pack...ripped them to pieces.”
Simon clenched his fists so hard that his arms shook.
“They were begging for their lives and the wizard just laughed as she had her monsters slaughter them.”
“By the gods,” Clara whispered. “Six in two weeks?”
“That we know of. Remember, she has other packs searching for humans as well. I think this is partly my fault.”
“It is not,” Aeris spoke up. “It is purely the fault of the dark gods. Do not start blaming yourself for things beyond your control, my dear wizard.”
“Why are you blaming yourself?” Clara asked with some confusion.
“Because I think I started this horror show. When I killed the primal black dragon, I set the gods of Chaos' timetable back. The dragon and its followers were tasked with killing all humans in their territory, to clear the way so that the gods could return. As you already know, mundane humans block the flow of magic and must be eliminated. And thanks to me, the dark gods now want all Changed humans dead as well. With the black dragon gone, those evil entities had to find another way to achieve their ends. Well, I think they found it. This wizard, and perhaps many more across North America, was created by an infusion of dark magic, twisted into what she's become. And now she is continuing the dragon's work, killing Changlings indiscriminately wherever she finds them.”
“That is just a theory, master,” Kronk said. “You do not know that it is true.”
“He's right, Simon,” Clara told him. “And even if the theory is correct, if you hadn't killed that dragon, the humans would still have died. Your actions may have simply exchanged one kind of destruction for another. It's terrible, yes, but hardly your fault.”
Simon gave himself a little shake.
“Either way, what matters now is stopping it. I can't save everyone in this world, but I will damn well save as many as I can in my little corner of it.”
The cleric smiled slightly at his intensity.
“That's better,” she said. “You can only do your best. But you seem to be in a rush to get after her. What's happened?”
“I am. This morning I checked on the wizard again. And guess what I found, purely by accident? There's a small settlement, perhaps a dozen Changlings or so, living on a farm about a hundred miles to the southwest of here.”
“Really?” Clara's eyes widened. “But that's wonderful! We should send some of our people out to make contact. Perhaps they'd like to join us.”
“Maybe they would, if they survive.”
“If they...” The cleric's face paled. “You mean?”
“The wizard and one of her packs is closing in on them. They've encircled the farm quietly, so that the people there have no idea of the danger. When she's ready, I'm sure that the wizard will have her minions attack.” He paused, then added, “And I can't let that happen.”
“But if that's the case, what is she waiting for? Maybe they've already attacked?”
“I don't think so. The group of monsters that she has with her is too small to completely surround the farm. When I watched earlier, I saw her dispatch one of her minions further west. I believe she's called for reinforcements and she'll wait until they arrive before attacking.”
Clara wrung her hands together nervously.
“That's quite a risk you're taking on a guess, my friend.”
“I know.” Simon rubbed his eyes and stared at her soberly. “But if I'm wrong, I'm afraid it won't matter anyway. The attack would already be over by now and the Changlings would be dead. But if I'm right, we,” he nodded at Kronk and Aeris, “have a chance to stop her before she kills again. So I'm hoping I'm right.”
“I see. Yes, I hope you are too.”
Simon stood up and stretched. He tried to rub the tension out of the back of his neck as he anticipated what he was about to do.
Clara also rose
and led the way back into the hall.
“How are you going to get close enough to this wizard to stop her? From what she did to Aeris, we know that she's powerful.”
The four of them stopped by the central fire-pit. There were only cold ashes in the pit now, but sunlight streamed down from the smoke hole in the roof.
“I've picked out a spot in the forest, maybe a mile from where the farm is located. We'll Gate there and get as close as possible without being seen. Our plan is a bit,” Simon hesitated, “convoluted, I suppose, but basically Aeris will create a diversion to draw away as much of the mutant pack as possible and then Kronk and I will capture the wizard. I'll Gate her to a secure place and find her true name. It has to be on her person somewhere, just as mine is. Once I have that, she will basically be powerless. Or rather, she won't be able to use her magic against me.”
He looked at Clara and cleared his throat.
“After that, well, that is where I have to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything, of course,” she said without hesitation. “You three are risking your lives for the greater good. If I can help, or my people, just ask.”
“Don't be too hasty, lady cleric,” Aeris said with a wry smile.
Simon looked at him and then back at Clara.
“He's right,” the wizard said. “The favor is a big one. You see, once her fangs are drawn, so to speak, I'd like to bring the wizard back here for judgment. I'm afraid that after seeing what I've seen of her, the people she's butchered, that I'm not very neutral. If I have my way, although I am firmly against killing another person, I might allow my emotions to dictate my actions and obliterate her.”
Clara was watching him silently and just nodded once as Simon paused.
“But if I bring her back here, assuming that we can actually capture her, you and your people can decide her fate.”
The cleric sat down on the nearest bench and stared at her hands. She was obviously weighing her options and Simon and the elementals waited for her decision.
“And what if, after hearing of her deeds, my people decide that her fate should be death?” she asked finally. “I may be their leader, but this is a democracy, or as close as we can come to one. I would not be able to overturn such a decision. Could you live with that?”
Simon just shrugged.
“Could you?” he asked her in return.
“As much as it would pain me to allow such a thing? Yes, I could. It's a harsh world that we find ourselves in, Simon. If hundreds can be saved by the death of one, then my moral objections cannot stand against that. Be certain that yours cannot either.”
“Thank you for your honesty, Clara,” the wizard said. “If this works out, then I guess I'll decide afterward whether to lay this burden at your feet or not.”
He adjusted his staff more comfortably and looked at Kronk and Aeris.
“Are we ready?” he asked them.
“Yes, master,” Kronk said, his face expressionless.
“More than ready, Simon,” Aeris assured him.
“Right then.”
Clara got up, walked over and grasped Simon's hands. She smiled at him and at the elementals.
“I wish you all the best in this task, my friends. For what it's worth, may the blessing of the gods of Light go with you. And remember, we here in Nottinghill stand ready to help you, should you need it.”
“Thank you,” Simon said simply. “I think this sort of thing is what I was Changed for. But whether that's true or not, we'll do our best.”
The cleric stepped back and watched as Simon chanted the incantation for the Gate spell. He smiled at her one last time.
“Invectis!” he said firmly and with a flash of light and a loud crack, the three of them disappeared.
When Simon and the elementals appeared at their destination, they materialized in the middle of a small clearing surrounded by tall pine and birch trees. The wizard was standing in knee-deep grass and waited quietly as he listened for any suspicious sounds. He searched the trees with his eyes but tried not to make any sudden movements.
After a few moments of holding his breath, Simon relaxed a bit and turned in place, examining the forest in greater detail.
A smell of pine sap and rich earth flooded his nostrils and he enjoyed the scents while he tried to get his bearings.
“Any idea which way we're supposed to be going?” he asked Kronk and Aeris quietly.
“I'll check,” the air elemental replied and shot straight up until he was almost out of sight above the treetops.
“Are you okay?” Simon asked Kronk while they waited for Aeris to figure out where they were.
“I'm fine, master. How are you doing? You have undertaken a dangerous task.”
The wizard glanced upward but the almost invisible figure of Aeris was still floating up there, turning in a slow circle.
“Well, between you and me,” he said, almost whispering, “I'm nervous. But we have to try and save those innocent farmers, don't we?”
Kronk hopped up on a rock that jutted out of the deep grass and nodded vigorously.
“Of course we do, master. It is the right thing to do.” He smiled his little rocky smile at Simon. “And being nervous is natural. It keeps the senses tuned to a higher level and sharpens reaction speed. You will be fine.”
Aeris was descending again and Simon gave Kronk a wink.
“Don't tell him,” he said, nodding up at the air elemental.
“My lips are sealed, master,” the little earthen assured him. “Or they would be, if I had lips.”
Simon stifled a surprised guffaw. It was rare for Kronk to make a joke and this one had caught him off-guard.
“What's so funny?” Aeris demanded to know as he reached shoulder height. “This is a very serious situation, you know.”
He looked at Simon and Kronk sternly.
“We know, Aeris. We know. So, which way do we go?”
Aeris gave him a suspicious look, perhaps wondering if they'd been laughing at him, and then spun in place and pointed.
“That way. I'd say your coordinates were pretty close to perfect. The wizard and her pack shouldn't be more than a mile off.”
“Okay. Are you sure you want to take point? Remember what happened the last time you crossed paths with that woman.”
“She caught me off-guard!” Aeris protested indignantly. “Don't worry, I'll keep my distance.”
“Go ahead then. Kronk and I will follow you.”
“Come along slowly and as quietly as you can,” the air elemental told them. “I'll come back to you once I have spotted our target. And whatever you do, my dear wizard, don't let them see you! Surprise is our one advantage.”
Simon nodded and Kronk gave Aeris a wave.
The air elemental turned and floated upward again and was soon out of sight.
“Let's go,” Simon said tersely.
The wizard began walking through the forest, following the same path that Aeris had taken. The undergrowth wasn't too thick this early in the year, but small berry bushes and saplings grabbed at his robe as he tried to slip between them.
His sleeves were snagged on tree bark and several times he tripped on extruding roots. Finally he heard Kronk speak quietly from behind him in apparent exasperation.
“Master, if you want to be captured, perhaps you should wave a flag and blow a horn as you go?”
Simon stopped abruptly and spun around.
“What?”
Kronk's tone had been so snarky that for a moment he'd sounded a lot like Aeris. When the wizard looked, he saw that the earthen was glaring at him.
“You are going to give yourself away, master!” the little guy whispered. “Please watch where you are going. You are trying to rush and instead are slowing yourself down.”
Kronk's anger told Simon how worried the elemental was for him and he realized that his friend was right. He'd begun almost running through the brush without even realizing it, eager to save the farmers from the pack of m
onsters ahead.
The wizard paused and caught his breath, trying to slow down his heartbeat. He nodded his thanks to Kronk as he wiped a shaking hand across his face and then on his robe. He adjusted the staff across his back and seated it more comfortably.
“Sorry, bud. I'm worried that we'll arrive too late.”
Kronk's expression softened.
“I know, master. I am as well. But we either get there in time or we do not. If you are discovered prematurely, it may guarantee that those people are killed.”
“You're right. Okay, let's try this again.”
Simon took another breath, looked around and then back at Kronk.
“Which way?”
Fortunately the little guy couldn't roll his burning red eyes and he simply pointed to Simon's right.
“Got it.”
They set off again, but this time Simon moved slower, and carefully slipped around bushes and avoided the trees.
As he snuck forward, the wizard began listening closely. After about a hundred yards, he heard a mutter of sound trickling through the trees ahead.
It sounded like the errant noises you would hear during a visit to a zoo. Yelps, barking and a blood-curdling howl broke the silence of the woods and Simon felt a lump of ice form in his stomach.
My God, he thought, it sounds like a meeting of wild animals.
Finally, the trees began to thin out and he crouched down as he moved forward, creeping from tree to tree and keeping the undergrowth between himself and whatever lay ahead.
“Psst. Master!” Kronk whispered.
Simon turned and saw the little guy pointing above them. The wizard looked up and saw Aeris descending quickly and quietly from the treetops.
“We've arrived in time,” he told them as he reached the ground and hovered near Kronk. “It looks like the wizard's reinforcements haven't gotten here yet. This part of the forest is clear of those creatures so far, but we have to move fast.”
“Well, that's a relief.” Simon listened to the howls and roars in the distance. “It sounds like they're fighting. What's going on?”
Aeris looked over his shoulder.
The Dragons Revenge (Tales from the New Earth #2) Page 23