Forgotten Magic (Elementals Book 1)

by Vicky Garlick

  “Why haven’t you told us this before?!” Gary demanded.

  “Maybe because we knew you’d react like this,” Tom replied in an irritated tone also rising from his chair to face them. Gary and Hazime returned to their seats, Hazime picking his up from the floor first, Tom placed his hands on the table and leant towards them. “You have to understand this isn’t easy for us, to know that she is our mother,” he almost hissed the words. “Look at how you’ve reacted, do you think others wouldn’t react the same way? Or worse? We could end up imprisoned or killed!”

  “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner,” Kiræ looked apologetically at her friends and eventually they smiled.

  “We’re not really angry,” Aurora explained, “I think we’re more shocked than anything, seeing your friend’s throw the mingual backwards with a wave of their hands is not something you see every day.”

  “Agreed,” Hazime said, “but it could come in very useful,” he grinned and Kiræ felt the atmosphere improve. “So, now we’ve got that awkward business out of the way, let’s give Tino a proper send off.” He downed his drink, called to the bartender for another and began telling the story of his first meeting with the young man.

  Kiræ hadn’t realised it at the time but the Farewell Ceremony had not only been for Tino but for the group as a whole. Second years always finished their training several weeks earlier than first years, which meant Gary and Hazime would be leaving within the week.

  Kiræ was stood with her friends several days later at the northern gate as Gary and Hazime finished packing their belongings onto their horses.

  “I can’t believe you’re leaving already,” Aurora said hugging Hazime tightly, “it seems like only yesterday you were making us all laugh in the Great Hall.”

  “Ror, that was yesterday!” Keolan said laughing and she shot him a look as she left Hazime’s embrace.

  “Oh you know what I mean Keo.” The group laughed and for a moment their sorrow was forgotten.

  “You two had better stay safe,” Kiræ said hugging them both, “we expect to see you real soon.”

  “Oh I’m sure you will,” Hazime said grinning, “I wouldn’t want to deprive you of my amazing presence for too long.”

  Kiræ rolled her eyes as Hazime pulled away and mounted his horse. The group laughed as Gary settled in his saddle and Hazime performed an extravagant wave before they turned and began their journey towards Denward. Kiræ leant against the large wooden frame of the northern gate and watched as they rode away from the city, her heart sinking as they grew smaller and smaller until eventually they were gone.

  The twins finally returned to the old library to continue their magical training a week later. Kiræ was beginning to feel more like her old self, though a small part of her continued to feel guilty over Tino’s death. They made their way through the familiar maze and knocked on the door to Sara’s workroom, she smiled as she opened the door.

  “Where’s Brean?” Tom asked noticing the absence of the older man.

  “He’s been called out of the city on business.”

  “Business?” Kiræ queried.

  “Family business.”

  “Family?” Tom asked incredulously, “Brean has a family?”

  “Of course,” Sara replied laughing as she ushered the twins into the room.

  “But he’s a God,” Kiræ stated.

  “So that means he can’t have a family?” Sara asked raising an eyebrow.

  Kiræ blushed, “I didn’t mean it like that,” she said trying to dig herself out of a hole, “I just meant, why aren’t they here?”

  “That’s not really for me to explain,” Sara said taking a seat at the desk in front of them, “all will become clear when he returns. Now although he’s not here, Brean would still like you to practice, though try not to make too much mess, I don’t have Brean’s skill of clearing up after you.”

  “Sara, do you know what I did?” Kiræ asked.

  Sara shifted in her seat and averted her gaze, “Look Kiræ it’s really not something I can dis-”

  “Brean obviously wanted to talk to you about it, I could tell. He knows what I did and he implied I shouldn’t be able to, so what did I do? And how did I do it?” She felt frustrated, she had thought about the incident every day since it happened and couldn’t figure out what it was she had done. A part of her had been tempted to try and do it again, but a larger part of her was terrified of what might happen.

  “I’m sorry Kiræ, you’ll just have to wait until Brean returns, I know he wants to talk to you both about it, you’ll just have to be patient.”

  “Do you know how long he’ll be gone?” Tom asked.

  “It shouldn’t be too long, a few days, perhaps a week at most.”

  Kiræ got to her feet, “Then I won’t use magic until he returns.”

  “What?” Tom asked.

  “I’m scared okay,” she said shakily, “I used a magic I’m not supposed to have, and no one will tell me how I did it, or why I can. All I can think is that there’s something wrong with me, maybe I’m unstable or something, maybe I’m turning into her! The God’s only know! So until Brean returns and explains everything to me I’m not doing this anymore,” she gestured to the room, “I’m not using magic!”

  Sara started to protest but Tom shook his head, sensing his sister’s fear and frustration. Kiræ was shaking and breathing heavily; she suddenly gasped and found it difficult to catch her breath, her heart pounded in her ears. She backed away towards the door, turned and fled.

  Chapter 19

  Vala was in a large chamber; from the lack of windows she guessed it was underground. Several torches burned in brackets on the walls but the room seemed unnaturally dim. She glanced around and noticed a row of manacles attached to the wall and felt a shiver run through her. It was then that she saw the large pool in the centre of the room.

  Bælana entered through a small door in the corner and although Vala was sure she would be seen, the other woman ignored her. Ziqua swaggered behind her, grinning the usual mingual smile, looking almost desperate for a fight.

  Bælana stood before the large pool, her face was unreadable and impassive, she raised her hands above the water, palms facing down. Vala’s eyes widened as the water began to swirl and darken, like angry storm clouds. Bælana pulled a small, thin knife from her sleeve and drew it quickly across her left hand; she clenched her fist and several large drops of blood fell into the swirling pool.

  A smile flickered across the woman’s face as she heard shouts and screams in the corridor beyond the chamber. A moment later, a number of mingual entered, dragging several half-starved men. They struggled ineffectively against their captors and screamed in protest as the mingual clamped the manacles round their wrists.

  Vala tried to scream, tried to move so she could help the prisoners but she remained silent and motionless. She watched as Bælana walked towards the first man and raised the knife…

  Vala woke with a start, a sense of dread coursed through her as she heard a commotion outside her tent. She grabbed her sword, then relaxed as she realised her warriors were packing up the camp. Realising she’d somehow overslept, she hurriedly pulled her uniform on and joined her warriors, the nightmare now forgotten.

  She finished securing her packs to her horse and my mid-morning they were on their way. They had camped near the tri-border between Eriba, Yutshan and the Holy Land the night before and were travelling at an easy pace. The dark pillars had become more frequent the closer they rode to the tri-border and as they crossed finally into Yutshan they saw the number significantly increase.

  “It’s as we feared,” Julen said as he rode beside her, “what should we do?”

  Vala chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully, “The town of Diapanm is fairly close, I think we need to get inside and see exactly what we’re dealing with.”

  Julen frowned, “It could be dangerous or a trap.”

  “Which is why I’ll be going,” Vala said firmly, “an
d I will ask one of the others-”

  “I’ll join you.”

  Vala shook her head, “Julen I need you here, to lead the others in my absence.” She turned to her warriors, “I need a volunteer to accompany me to Diapanm, we will be minimally armed and it may prove dangerous.” A number of cries erupted from the crowd.

  “I think they just like the idea of a warm bed for the night,” Julen whispered and Vala smiled. She selected a man called Seb; he was, tall, broad and muscular, and having spent many nights drinking with him in the pub, she knew how resourceful he was in a fight. Vala handed her sword and shield to Julen.

  “Is this wise?” he asked.

  “Probably not,” she said throwing a plain citizen dress on over her shirt and trousers, “but it’s the best plan we have.” She tucked her daggers under the dress, “I want you to lead the others back to the tri-border, we’ll meet you there tomorrow.” She handed him Safaya’s reins.

  “You’re not riding?”

  “As much as I like the idea of a swift exit, I think it will be easier without horses.”

  “Be careful,” Julen said as Vala and Seb set off at a quick pace towards Diapanm.

  They had walked for a couple of hours when they saw the town and they stopped in their tracks, utterly speechless. Most towns were fortified to some extent, usually with a low wall, but this one had been significantly upgraded. The wall was now at least three times as tall as it used to be and guards patrolled the top. There were two large wooden doors at the front that seemed almost as thick as the wall and Vala guessed they would be reinforced on the inside. One of the guards on the wall saw them and shouted something that Vala couldn’t hear. As they approached the wooden doors a slit opened and a suspicious face peered at them.

  “What do you want?” a harsh, gravelly voice asked.

  “Please,” Seb began, “my wife and I have travelled a long way and are in need of a bed for the night.”

  The face continued to look at them with distrust, “Where have you come from?”

  “We are trying to escape the tyrant that rules Eriba.” Seb spat in the hopes it would produce the desired effect from their audience. Seb recalled their, ‘tale’ as Vala smiled internally.

  “My wife and I are merchants, we have always felt unhappy with how our country has been ruled. We travelled frequently between towns and on one of our journeys we encountered people whose eyes had been opened to the glory of the Empress. We listened eagerly to the teachings, and when we returned home we tried to spread them to others. We were shunned and banished for our efforts and now we have nothing to show for our hard work.”

  The eyes that stared at them softened and Vala interjected, “We had heard that this country was a safe house,” she said looking at the face eagerly, “and our son lives further north in Woreth, we are trying to get to him.”

  The face stared at them for several minutes, then drew away from the slit. Bolts slid back before the door opened slowly, several armed men stood behind it. The man attached to the face had a crooked smile and his greying straw-like hair poked awkwardly from his robe.

  He opened his arms and embraced the travellers, “My name is Kamar,” he said.

  “I am Dahl and this is my wife Katia,” Seb replied, “we are very grateful for your hospitality.”

  Kamar smiled, revealing two rows of yellowing teeth, “Anyone who follows the path is welcome here,” he said placing a hand on their shoulders, “you must dine with me and my wife tonight. But first we must get you the proper attire,” he nodded to their clothes.

  “The proper attire?” Vala questioned.

  “The Empress’ uniform,” Kamar indicated his robe, “everyone who serves the Empress must wear the uniform or the Empress’ servants will be unhappy.”

  “Servants? They’re here?” Vala asked trying to sound awed rather than nervous.

  Kamar nodded, “Oh yes, the Empress’ servants have lived here for several seasons, they are the ones who have protected our town so well from attack.” Vala nodded, resisting the urge to grab for her daggers. “Have you ever met the Empress’ servants?” Vala and Seb shook their heads, “ah I see,” Kamar nodded in understanding. “You must know that although they look strange, they are very kind to us. Come, follow me.” Kamar walked down a narrow street that lead deep into the town and reluctantly Vala and Seb followed.

  “I didn’t actually expect the mingual to be here,” Seb whispered.

  “We knew it was a possibility though I admit I hadn’t thought we’d actually see them.”

  “I guess this confirms our suspicions,” Seb said and Vala nodded. They followed Kamar through the town until he stopped outside a worn chapel with mingual guards either side of the door.

  “This is where the leaders reside,” he explained, “it would be best if you did not speak to them unless they address you personally.” Vala clutched Seb's arm with both of hers, to look a little more frightened, and they followed. The inside of the chapel was dim and musty, they walked down the entrance steps and saw an altar at the far end with five mingual warriors seated around it. Kamar walked to them and knelt; Vala and Seb mimicked his actions.

  “Sir, I have here two travellers who seek refuge, they have been shown the path of the Empress and they embrace it wholly.” One of the mingual, who was larger than the others, stomped towards them.

  “Rise,” he said in a deep growling voice, they obeyed and he looked at Vala and Seb, “you wish to follow the Empress’ teachings?” he growled, glaring at them with suspicion.

  “We already follow the Empress,” Seb replied calmly, “but we have been cast out from our home by non-believers and so we seek refuge in a country that has seen the light.” The mingual smirked, baring his fangs and continued to stare at them, Vala had almost made the decision to grab her daggers when the large mingual gestured to one of his companions who brought over two black robes.

  “These must be worn at all times when out in public,” he said in a commanding growl before turning his back on them. Kamar, who knew this to mean they were dismissed, bowed and walked back towards the door with Vala and Seb following closely behind.

  Kamar lead them away from the chapel and towards the outer edge of the town, towards his home. Vala looked at her surroundings in the fading light and tried to plan an escape route if the worst should happen.

  Kamar eventually stopped before a small house that looked as if it had been wedged awkwardly between two others, “This is my home, I would be honoured if you would stay with me and my wife tonight.”

  “You show us much kindness,” Seb replied, “and we are grateful for it.” They followed him inside and Vala was surprised at how much nicer the interior was compared to the shabby exterior.

  “Kamar, you have a lovely home,” she said looking round at the brightly coloured tapestries adorning the walls of what she believed must be the kitchen.

  Kamar swelled with pride, “You must thank my wife, she has a talent for weaving. Reesa, we have guests!” A short, stout woman hobbled into the room; she wore the customary robe but the hood was down revealing a mess of greying brown hair. She looked at the newcomers, eyed their none-robed clothing and looked at her husband.

  “Do not worry my love,” he croaked at her, “they follow the path,” he gestured to the robes they held in their hands and briefly explained their story to his wife. She smiled at the end and indicated for them to sit at the large wooden table in the centre of the room, Vala stroked the elaborate woven cloth that covered the surface.

  Reesa smiled and placed a hand on Vala’s, “Do you weave dear?” she asked in a quiet and aged voice.

  “I’m afraid not,” Vala replied, “it wasn't a talent I was blessed with.”

  The older woman looked at her with pity, “Are you hungry? I’ve been making stew.” She didn’t really ask the question and they just smiled their thanks as she placed two steaming bowls in front of them.

  “Please,” Seb said turning to Kamar, “I would love to kn
ow more about your town, how did the Empress and her servants come to bless you with their presence?”

  “The Empress and her teacher Malum visited our king,” Kamar explained, “they told him he was not like the other leaders, he was special and he had greatness in him. Our king began spreading the Empress’ teachings and informed us that those who did not worship her would fall sick, and some did.”

  “Who’s Malum?” Vala asked.

  “You have not heard of Malum?” Reesa asked suspiciously.

  “Our apologies,” Seb said, “the towns we visited did not mention anyone called Malum, only the Empress and her servants.”

  “Malum taught the Empress that her power could be shared amongst us, he is helping her rid the land of evil.” Kamar explained.

  “Is he magical?” Vala asked.

  “He’s a God.”

  Vala tried to suppress a gasp of surprise but failed, “Forgive me,” she said, “but I had not heard there was another God.”

  “Many of us were shocked when he was revealed to us,” Kamar explained, “the other Gods banished him as he was more powerful than them and now he wants to help us all be like him and the Empress.” Silence followed as Vala and Seb quickly finished their meal and retired to the guest room.

  “Malum?” Vala threw off the dress so she was once again in her shirt and trousers, “have you ever heard of a God called Malum?”

  Seb shook his head, “Not even in the ancient history classes,” he said sitting on the edge of the bed, “but what will she do with these people? I doubt very much that she will share her power with them.”

  Vala agreed taking up residence in a large armchair, “I don’t like the idea of staying, not with those creatures crawling about.”

  “What choice do we have?” Seb asked, “if we try to leave now it will look suspicious.”

  “I know,” Vala sighed, “let’s just pray they let us leave in the morning.”