A Deepening Knowledge (A Life of Magic)

by Matthew Mitchell

  She blushed and said, "Well I thought you were asleep."

  Stain chuckled, "True. I guess I will forgive you." He looked around and sighed, "Any questions about the story?"

  I stopped and thought. "I do have one."

  Stain braced himself, "Go ahead Ott."

  "How old are you really?" I could not help it.

  Conium laughed while Stain looked surprised

  "That is one of the great mysteries of Stain. Everyone has a set of questions they want answered." Conium stated once she gained control of her laughter. "How old? What's your real name? Can you turn people into frogs? It is always the same."

  Stain grinned, "Very true. I have dealt with those questions plus many more over the years. Sometimes I give an answer, usually something funny."

  Raven spoke up, "So, would you answer our questions honestly?"

  Stain looked at her, "I would answer some honestly. Others I would most likely deflect. Some answers are not for the giving."

  Raven sighed and leaned back. "I guess I will wait for you to just tell us."

  "That is probably wise. There are times for those answers. I do not think tonight is one of those times." He looked around at everyone. "I think I will actually go back to sleep now." He stood up and went back into his tent.

  We all sat there for a few moments and waited to hear him start snoring. A gentle rumble came from his tent within moments.

  Conium smiled, "Sounds like he actually went to sleep that time."

  "So tomorrow night we should arrive at the secret tunnel, correct?" Raven asked Conium.

  Conium looked up at the stars, "From what Stain said that is correct. Then another day's walking to reach the Capital."

  I sighed, "What can we expect when we reach the capital?"

  Conium perked up, "I love the capital. It is where everyone travels that does business with the kingdom. There are always new people bringing their culture from far away lands. I love to walk in the markets, taking in all the new sights."

  Raven nodded, "Brooke told me about the capital. I have never needed to visit but she always made it sound like a great place to visit."

  Conium agreed, "I love living there. While I do have a place at the court, I keep a small apartment in the city for when I get overwhelmed by the affairs at court."

  "It sounds interesting. How will a war change that?" I had learned a lot about politics yet I could not anticipate what a war would do.

  Conium looked down, "For a while there will be fewer people from other lands at court. The markets will have less variety People will be scared and worried." Her voice grew quiet, "I hate to think of us waging a war for a long period of time."

  We all sat and stared into the darkness for a while, considering what could occur.

  "Is this all my fault?" I finally put forth the question that had haunted me for so long.

  Conium laughed, "Ott, you are important. A mage with all four families and to such a strength is very rare. But I think you are just a minor issue in the large scale of things. This level of planning must have started many years ago, way before anyone had an idea of you being a mage."

  I sighed, "I guess you are right. It just seems as if all of this started with that attack on my cabin."

  Conium smiled, "Your involvement started then. But many things were already in motion before that day." She stood up. "Now, we need watches. You two go to bed, I will take first watch. Raven after me, then Ott. I will take the early morning watch. Make sure to have one of our animal friends with you." She stretched and looked around. "I think we are safe enough where we are. Just keep a good eye out for danger."

  I stood up and pulled Raven to her feet. She smiled and gave me a hug. "Good night Ott." Walking to her tent I could tell she was tired.

  "Get to your own bed Ott. Your watch will come soon enough." Conium stated this as she made herself comfortable for her time at watch.

  * * *

  "Wake up sleepy head." Stain's voice broke through my dreaming. I sat up and looked around. Stain stood over me holding a bowl of food. "Breakfast time. Then we continue on." He handed me a bowl. I sat up and started eating.

  "So we will arrive at the secret passage tonight?" I asked between bites.

  "We should. We will camp outside tonight and head into the tunnel early tomorrow." He walked out of the tent.

  I finished up and took my bowl out to wash it. The rest of the camp was in the process of being packed. I took my bowl over by Tag and washed it out.

  "How are you doing today Ott?" Tag asked.

  I looked over at him and smiled. "I am still trying to wake up. I was having a really good dream."

  Tag grinned, "I enjoy my dreams also. But the world is full of so much excitement that I rarely seek comfort in my dreams."

  I stopped and considered this. "What a great way to put it." I finally stated. Bowl washed and put away I went back to pack up my tent. Packing up had almost become second nature. Within moments I had all my things packed and loaded onto Tag's shell. I turned and found that everyone was also finishing up their last few things. I picked up my small sack and walking stick. My sword hung at my waist. Raven walked over to me.

  "It looks like you are ready to get going." She was decked out with all her knives and various things.

  I nodded, "Being out here in the woods makes me worry. Those soldiers could find us at any moment."

  Stain walked up and grinned, "It would take a special soldier to find us. I have put a look-away spell on all of us. It is very weak, almost beyond detecting. But it makes anyone but us avoid us just enough to keep us safe. Know if we make a lot of noise or attack someone the spell would fail." He hitched his bag over his shoulder. "Let us get going. I want to reach our destination sooner rather than later." He called to Conium and we headed deeper into the woods.

  As we traveled we kept an eye out for enemies. Occasionally we would hear a band of men traveling in the distance. Conium would fly over and see who they were. The deeper we got into the woods the more enemies there seemed to be. Finally Stain called a halt around midday. He had all of us sit down and eat.

  "We cannot continue in this way. We will walk right into a patrol if we keep this up." Stain looked around and frowned. "I had hoped to avoid the use of magic, if simply to avoid detection. However, I think we must make better speed. Even if it sacrifices stealth." He stood up and walked over to Tag and Evins. "Tag, time to fly. Evins follow Tag."

  Tag looked annoyed. "You know I hate to fly."

  Stain smiled, "I know my old friend. However, to get where we must I feel we must all fly. Including you."

  Tag grumbled, "Fine, fine. Cast the spell you crazy man."

  Stain lifted his hand and a strong spell spun out and sank deep into Tag's shell. Tag stood there a moment, bracing himself. Then he suddenly hopped upwards. Evins grinned and floated up behind Tag. They both cleared the trees and headed off in the same direction we had been walking all morning.

  Stain turned to Raven and I. "Raven, I know you have not been practicing. But I think you should be able to fly with just a little focus. If not then Ott will have to help you." He cast a spell and floated upwards. "We need to make haste now." With that he flew over the trees, chasing after Tag and Evins.

  Raven looked at me and grinned slightly. "Well, I guess we find out now if I can do it or not." She pulled out her wand and focused. Her forehead wrinkled while she concentrated. A spell wafted out from the tip of her wand and surrounded her. She stood there a moment before her feet lifted off the ground. A brilliant smile bloomed. "I guess I can do it." She floated higher, "See if you can keep up Ott." She flew after Stain, picking up speed.

  I smiled and shook my head. Casting the spell I flew off after all of them. Flying above the trees I could see them ahead of me, all heading one direction. Flying over the trees was like traveling down the river. The leaves of the trees blurred as I picked up speed until they shimmered like water. Conium flew high above, almost out of sight. We would
reach the hidden tunnel much sooner traveling like this.

  Hours later I saw Stain slowing down, waving at Tag and Evins to settle down into a large clearing. Raven quickly followed suit. Conium flew down as I landed in the clearing.

  She jumped from her owl, "They are maybe an hour behind you. Evidently they can not fly, yet they obviously felt the magic being cast. I would say a group of mages and soldiers, maybe a hundred strong."

  "Send your owl away. We head down the tunnel now. No time to wait." He turned to a large flat spot in the middle of the clearing. Walking over to it he cast a spell. The rock shivered and shook, turning around in the dirt. It continued to spin and picked up speed. Reaching a steady speed it slowly started to raise out of the ground. It floated higher and higher until it hung in mid air, spinning like a massive top.

  "Get into the hole now!" Stain cried out.

  Tag and Evins raced into the hole, one side had a ramp leading down into the dark. Conium spoke to her owl then she also raced down into the hole. Raven grabbed my arm and we both ran to the hole. We jumped down onto the ramp and ran after the others. I could hear Stain following us, then the sound of the rock dropping back into the hole. Suddenly all the light was blocked out. The tunnel up ahead became nothing more than darkness. We all cast spells that illuminated the tunnel. Looking around I could see that we were inside a massive tunnel, much bigger than I would have imagined running underground.

  "This was dug many years before the kingdom came into existence I fashioned it into an escape route in case the king ever found he had the need to run." Stain walked past Raven and me. "I had hoped to never use this tunnel." He continued down the tunnel and passed Tag. "We need to keep walking. I know we were going to rest, however if they have anyone clever enough they will find this tunnel. We should not be here when they break through."

  We composed ourselves and headed down the tunnel. The floor was covered with stones, the walls and ceiling looked to be made from glass. It reflected our light back, lighting up the tunnel until it was bright enough to see clearly in all directions. We walked hours without there being any change in the tunnel. It continued straight with not variety. That is until a break in the wall appeared. It showed as a black patch.

  "This is a rest area." Stain walked through the break. There were seats and cots around the room. "Everyone sit for a bit, eat something. We can only afford to rest for a few minutes." He sat down and pulled out some food.

  I sat down beside Tag, leaning on his shell. I pulled out some fruit and gave him a few pieces as I ate.

  "How much farther?" Conium piped up.

  Stain looked up, "We actually are about halfway down the tunnel. This break marks the midway point." He stood up. "If we can continue at this pace then we will make it to the capital during the night. I think that might be best." He motioned us all to stand and headed back down the tunnel. We walked for hours, the tunnel never changing. All the while we listened for pursuit from behind us. Occasionally we would talk, but the tunnel threw back odd echos, causing most conversations to falter.

  "We are almost there." Stain pointed ahead.

  We all looked and saw a massive round disk sealing the tunnel. Getting closer we could see the details, carvings ran around the entire disk. Some scene being played out across it's surface.

  "Who put this here?" Raven asked quietly.

  "Nobody knows. It has been here for as long as we have records." Stain walked up to the disk. "Do you recognize it Conium?"

  Conium stepped closer and laughed. "I believe it is the big, ugly disk that makes up the back wall of your office."

  Stain smiled. "Correct. Which is why that particular room is my office. That way I can guard the emergency exit. Let me see if I can get it to open. It has been years since I used it." He stepped forward and placed his hands on the disk. It started to glow and lines of light raced through the scenes. "Step back. It swings into the tunnel." He backed away also. The disc started scraping backwards, dragging a rut into the dust covering the tunnel floor.

  Once it was open fully a bizarre sight met us. It looked as if a room full of objects had been shaken like a basket of eggs. Almost everything seemed to be broken and tossed around, like an angry child had thrown a tantrum.

  Stain stood there, his face in shock. "This should not be like this." He stepped into the room. "We need to find out what is going on." He led the way through the destruction and out of the room.

  * * *

  "Where is everyone?" Conium whispered. "These hallways should be full of people."

  Stain looked back and shook his head, "I have no idea. But it bodes ill for them." He continued down the hallway.

  Each room we passed looked just like Stain's office. Every item broken and destroyed. It looked like a massive whirlwind had blown through the entire building. We all walked quietly, not daring to call down whatever had caused such destruction. Stain finally led us into a large open space, a courtyard with a fountain in the center. There seemed to be less destruction here, if only because there seemed to be nothing to destroy. Stain climbed a set of stairs, heading to the top of the courtyard's wall. We all followed and looked out over the city. A massive city laid below us, spread out in the grasp of the mountains surround us. No smoke rose from the houses, nor did any sound rise from the streets. All of the buildings stood whole, yet the streets and alleys were filled with destruction. Not a single body could be seen. All the various objects that filled the city had been destroyed but not a soul could be found.

  "What happened here?" Stain stood holding to the railing. Tears rained down his face. "Where has everyone gone?"

  "Stain look!" Conium pointed far across the city. She pointed at a gate. It was beyond my understanding how such a large object could be moved, it was the largest man made thing I had ever seen. "The gate is still shut. They were not caught by surprise."

  Stain nodded, "But where have they all gone. Not even the animals are roaming the streets."

  Conium looked around. "We need to find the king. He can tell us what happened."

  We headed back down the stairs and Stain led us deeper into the buildings. As we walked we noticed unusual things. There was not any blood anywhere. No signs of struggle or conflict. The destruction seemed to be random, things thrown around and crushed. At times we had to climb over piles of debris to continue. Stain never wavered, always heading one direction. The silence started to make me nervous. There should be some sound, yet nothing could be heard except the wind blowing gently.

  Stain led us to a room filled with statues. Men, women, even animals carved from stone, wood, and other exotic material. "The hall of statues." Each statue had been pushed over and broken. It resembled some bloodless battle zone.

  "It would take an immense amount of energy to destroy some of these." Conium stood in shock. "What happened here?" Tears fell from her eyes.

  Raven hugged her and whispered in her ear, "We will find out. Let's just keep moving."

  We walked through a doorway and down a corridor. Stain stopped us at a large, ornate door. He hesitated but then pushed the door open. Here for the first time there was no destruction. Banners hung around the room, a rainbow of colors. Candle holders stood silent watch over the room. We walked into the room and a voice rose from the shadows.

  "I am glad you finally made it. I have been waiting." A raspy voice called out.

  We looked around, but Stain stepped forward. As if he knew exactly where the speaker stood. "State your name and business!" Stain's voice held the sound of absolute authority.

  The voice chuckled, "Ah, but you know my name. As to my business it is simple. Can you guess either?" The voice mocked Stain.

  Stain held up a hand and a brilliant light flew upwards. The darkest recesses of the room became as bright as the midday sun.

  "Do you think such a trick would reveal me to you?" The voice called out from nowhere. "You will only see me when I so desire."

  Conium stepped forward, "You said we already know your
name, yet I do not recognize your voice."

  "Not all of you know me, Stain knows me from years ago. He crushed my dreams and destroyed the future I saw before me. The two younglings know me from our brief encounter, but not my name." A man appeared in the middle of the room, seeming to step through a doorway. "Do you know my name now Stain?" He walked right up to Stain and stopped. It was the evil mage who had kidnapped us.

  Stain looked closely at the man. "I do. How do you still live?"

  The man threw his head backwards and laughed, "Your lackeys never understood the power I wielded, even then. I fooled them into thinking I was dead. With my new found freedom I sought out a way to bring justice down upon you and the kingdom you cherished so much."

  Stain growled, "You betrayed me. You betrayed the oaths you had swore. You deserved to die."

  "I deserved? No! I was being what I was called to be. My nature." The man was screaming this in Stain's face. "No man deserves to die because of his very nature."

  Stain looked down, "I believe you chose to be who you are. You could have been so much more."

  The man sneered at Stain, "I am so much more. You could never understand how much more I have become." He turned away from Stain and walked over to the window. "Do you understand what has happened to your beloved capital? To it's people. It's very king. The ones who mocked me. Those who allowed me to be cast out and chased. Have you figured it out yet Stain?"

  Stain nodded, "You transformed them."

  "Oh, very good. I wondered if you would understand it." The man clapped and cheered. "Now, what form do they now hold?"

  Stain looked up, "Knowing you they could be almost anything or creature in the world. Maxius, where are they?"

  "So you do remember my name. I had wondered if you would. Since it was such a blight upon you." Maxius turned and looked back out the window. "They are here. Hiding in the city. Scared and alone. Just as I was."

  Stain walked up behind Maxius, "Change them back. Undo this great evil."