A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga)

by Hartke, J. T.

  Marten waved at a large group of gray-cloaked guards. “I also kept my promise about mentioning the sickness in council. The mayor has granted two companies of watchmen to aid us.” He pointed at the semi-collapsed building behind her. “They are also commissioned to demolish any dangerous buildings – to burn out those infested with plague.”

  Not sure what to say, Maddi watched the city guards fan out. Their captain walked over to stand not far from the Lord Doctor, clearly awaiting his command. Behind the soldiers, dozens of teachers, doctors, and students milled about, uncertain what to do with themselves.

  Maddi’s stomach turned with nerves. She looked at Marten. “I think you’ve just made more work for me than I wanted.”

  The doctor laughed again. “Welcome to leadership.”

  Weeks passed, and autumn edged toward winter. Maddi and her mission spread throughout the city. Almost all the students, and a great number of the teachers, joined in with gusto. Maddi formed teams of doctors and students, each member with a different specialty. She matched up those with Talent with those who knew sewing and poultices. They spread throughout the five hills of the city, and as they spread, so did rumor of the woman who led them.

  Doctor Marten wiped sweat from his smooth brow with a clean rag. He no longer wore the robes of a doctor and teacher, rather simple breeches and cotton shirt. The open laces at the top showed a smooth, muscular chest Maddi worked hard not to notice. Tanya stood just a few yards away, watching workers tear out the walls of her old tenement.

  “Dozens of buildings have been marked for destruction.” Marten tucked the rag into his belt. “The mayor has commissioned new tenements be built for those displaced.” He grinned. “His Honor is always looking for a way to endear himself to the people. It looks as if you have given him the perfect opportunity.”

  Maddi’s eyes fixed on Tanya as the girl watched them demolish her old home. “Good. I feared for what would happen to everyone who lost their homes to the disease. Without shelter, they would just get sick again.”

  Stepping closer behind Maddi, Marten spoke low. “You have made friends in many places, as well as a few enemies. Have you heard the name the people call you?”

  Lifegiver. “I’ve heard. It’s silly.”

  The doctor delivered a golden chuckle. “Ah, Maddi. Never underestimate the good will of the people. Kings spend lifetimes trying to gain what you have earned in just a couple of months.”

  Maddi waved her hand in dismissal. “I don’t want it.” She tapped Tanya, who turned as if awakened from a dream. “Come on, sweetie. The sun is almost down. We are done for today.” Tanya reached up and took Maddi’s outstretched hand.

  Marten cleared his throat. “I do have some good news for the both of you.”

  Maddi turned her head to see the doctor’s smile showing bright, straight teeth. “What is that?”

  He sauntered closer, his hand behind his back. “It is inappropriate for a teacher, especially one whom the people are calling Lifegiver, to be housed in the dormitory.” He held up a key. “The college owns houses for visiting teachers from far lands. I have commissioned one for you.” Marten’s eyes shifted to the little redhead. “Both of you.”

  Maddi took the key with a nod, uncertain what to say. “Thank you.”

  The Lord Doctor placed his hand on her shoulder. “If there is any other aid I can provide you, do not hesitate to ask.”

  Early the next morning, Maddi set down her rucksack, her gaze drifting over the wide central room of the house. “Why don’t you stay here with us? It has three bedrooms.”

  Ami looked about, her eyes lingering on the kitchen and bath at the rear. “Do you mean it?”

  Nodding her head with vigor, Maddi reached out her hand. “Absolutely. We can always use a friend here. The extra room is larger than our dorm, and it’s even furnished.”

  Ami grabbed Maddi’s fingers. “Then I will – if it won’t get you in trouble.”

  Maddi laughed. “I’m not too worried about the Lord Doctor.” She squeezed Ami’s palm. “He’s like putty in my hand.”

  Laughing together, they unpacked Maddi’s few things. The sun peeked through the window.

  “Fiery Hells,” Maddi cursed as she realized the hour. “I have to get to Orange Street, and it’s halfway across the city.”

  Ami stood with a book from the sack still in hand. “Why not have the people of the city come to you? You’re the one being hospitable.”

  Stopping in her tracks, Maddi looked at her friend. “You may have an idea.” She resumed her march out the door. “There is someone who promised to help me if I needed it...”

  Before the sun climbed over the buildings of Daynon, Maddi stood in the Lord Doctor’s office.

  “I want to build a hospital – a free clinic for the poor and working people of the city.” Maddi stared across the mahogany desk at Marten. “You could make it happen.”

  He frowned, leaning forward and resting his chin on a fist. “And just what would make you think that?”

  Maddi threw up her hands. “You are the Lord Doctor of the Kingdom of Gannon! You sit upon the High Council. You speak to the mayor often, and even the king – or so I suppose.” She paused and narrowed her gaze. “Perhaps you aren’t as powerful as I thought.”

  Marten sat up straight, a ridge of anger flashing on his brow before he wiped it away. “I will bring it up in council. Money is tighter in this kingdom than you might imagine.” He shifted back, reclining into the leather with a soft creak. “And what of your new home? Does it meet with your approval?” A soft smile crept onto his face. “I believe I chose the appropriate one.”

  Nodding, Maddi drug a finger along the desk. It felt warm and smooth. “It is quite lovely. Thank you. Tanya is beside herself with joy. She has never had her own room, much less a house for her family.” She set one hip on the edge of the desk. “My roommate Ami has joined us, to help me care properly for Tanya – if that is alright with your Lordship?”

  She noticed his eyes dart toward her hip, snug in the breeches she wore while leading her mission within the city. He immediately refocused on her face.

  “That should be fine, if slightly irregular.” Marten laughed his baritone chuckle. “Of course, everything at this college has been irregular since your arrival. You appear to be handling your class well, too. I have heard comments from teachers and students alike on your vast knowledge of herbs and potions.”

  Maddi snorted. “Do you have any idea how many have asked me if I can make a love potion? Men and women both. It’s insane.”

  The Lord Doctor raised a dark eyebrow. “Can you?”

  “You too!” Maddi threw up her hands and stalked from the room.

  When the first morning chill appeared in the air, Maddi began taking a cloak during her walks into the slums. She did not need the protection of the watchmen who joined her, unless it was protection from a wave of loving admirers. They tossed flowers and tokens of affection to her, calling out “Livegiver!” whenever she strode past. By the time the first few flakes of snow fell, Maddi received letters of introduction from nobles within the city, offering generous donations to her cause if they could appear with her in public.

  “It might be a good idea.” Ami handed her back one of the brightly sealed letters. “It would help build support for the hospital.”

  Maddi shook her head. “They just want to use me for their own grandstanding. I hate nobles and politicians.”

  Ami shrugged. “It’s all part of the game you have to play if you want to make things happen.”

  The next morning, Tanya rushed in through the door. “Maddi! You got two letters today!”

  A glob of gray wax with no seal closed a folded parchment for one letter. The other was in a sealed linen envelope attached to a small box. Maddi read the outside of the parchment. It was addressed to her in a strong, confident script
, while beneath the seal the sender had written a single word.

  “Tallen,” she whispered.

  Tanya wrinkled her nose. “Who’s Tallen?”

  Maddi laid the letter aside, her emotions too strong and too mixed for her to read it now, especially in front of Tanya. “He is a very good friend. He is on the Isle of Wizards learning to be a mage.”

  “A wizard!” The girl clapped her hands. “Now open the box!”

  Raising a single finger, Maddi admonished Tanya. “Always read the card first. It is respectful and proper manners.”

  She used her nail to pop open the envelope. The hint of a musky scent wafted to her nose. Maddi pulled out a fine, linen card. Exquisite calligraphy crawled across its creamy surface.

  To the Lady Doctor Maddrix Conaleon,

  By the grace of the Lord Doctor Tymin Marten, you are requested to attend the Midwinter Ball of his Royal Majesty Arathan VII, King of the People of Gan, Arbiter of the Return, Seeker of the Balance. Festivities begin at sundown within the High Hall of the Ivory Palace of Daynon.

  At the bottom, a barely legible hand had scrawled a few extra words.

  Please, I beg that you join me Maddi. I will have a coach arrive at your home just before sundown. I will have good news.

  Tymin

  PS – Wear something nice with the gift. Important people wish to meet you.

  Maddi lifted the lid off the white cardboard box. Facets of sparkling blue met her eyes, and a grin brightened her face to meet them. A set of sapphire earrings surrounded by brilliant white diamonds dappled the room with the refracted sunlight flooding in through the eastern window.

  Tanya hopped up and down. “Lemme see! Lemme see!”

  Lowering the box for Tanya, Maddi shook her head.

  That bastard. How can I tell him no now?

  Never let a mage catch you with spare time.

  — Unofficial student motto on the Isle of Wizards

  Tallen ignored the oil lamp, tying off a small piece of Fire and Air into a ball of light the way Magus Yasmine had taught him. A slight breeze floated in through the open window, not yet cool enough with autumn to make him uncomfortable. Midnight approached, yet he had so little time to spare. He grasped the old book Magus Britt had given him, refocusing his eyes on the tightly printed pages.

  The Aspect of Earth is not the exact same substance as the actual element in our physical universe, just as the green light we see reflected from an object is not the same thing as the green object itself. Magical power is a potential for change. It is raw energy. We tap into the different Aspects of it to affect different parts of our physical world. The fact that we express the Aspects through the use of elemental terms is really just a semantic issue – they are analogs from two different realities.

  I believe that the four elemental Aspects, as they are often known, are just facets of one basic power, just as all elements are expressions of the same matter. I believe this power is closer to the Psoul “Aspect” than any of the others. I believe it is connected to the powers of Talented healers and the Paladins of Balance. All different forms of life reflect psahn, just as the different Aspects reflect this base magic.

  Now some of my colleagues complain that I am prejudiced as a Dreamer. But I ask this instead – why are there so few like myself who can touch the Psoul Aspect if it is just an equal point of the star?

  Writings from before the Cataclysm show...

  A flap of wings and rustle of feathers rattled his open window, drawing Tallen out of the book. The heavy black bird rested upon the sill, clacking his obsidian beak.

  “Merl!” Tallen called. “I’ve been wondering what you and Dorias have been up to.”

  Merl croaked a burble that sounded suspiciously like the word “Hello.” Pointing the black bead of one eye toward the door, he chortled again. This time, Tallen felt certain Merl said, “Wizard.”

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Setting the book aside, Tallen reached for the latch. “Come in.”

  “Greetings, lad,” Dorias Ravenhawke said, entering the room. “Sorry I haven’t had the time to visit you over the last month or so. I’ve been all over this blasted island.” He slumped into Tallen’s single chair. “I have searched libraries passed from master to apprentice for hundreds of years. I have gone through every abandoned tower on both hills. Merl scouted from the sky to lead me to them. If I missed something, it is buried deeper than my powers can reach.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Tallen shifted his legs over the side of the bed to lean against the wall. “What about the forbidden area Varana warned me about?”

  A visible shudder rippled down Dorias’ back. “I’m not desperate enough to search there yet. I have a few other ideas to try first.” He rubbed his charcoal goatee and shifted his hawkish eyes onto Tallen. “Which brings me to one of the reasons I am here.”

  Dorias reached into a coat pocket and pulled out his pipe and pouch. He filled the bowl, offering the pouch to Tallen, who grabbed his own pipe – the gryphon carved gift from his brother. He’s probably on the walls of Gavanor right now. Living the big life in a big city, while I’m stuck on an island full of stuffy wizards.

  When both pipes had a good ember glowing, lit by their powers in the Aspect of Fire, Dorias leaned back. “I have found very little information, Tallen. The few Dreamer writings mention nothing like the black fog I feel over the Dreamrealm.” He puffed his pipe and shifted forward to look Tallen in the eye. “Have you felt the same thing, lad? When last did you enter the Dreamrealm?”

  Tallen rested the hand holding his pipe on his lap. “Several months ago, when I was in Gavanor. Magus Britt detected that I had gone there while sleeping. He wrapped my head in a spell that has kept me out since.” He shrugged and furrowed his brow. “I guess I’ve been so consumed by learning the other parts of my power, I forgot about Dreaming.”

  Dorias leaned in close, setting his wolf’s head pipe on Tallen’s desk. “I see. I had not thought to look.” He chuckled as Tallen felt him embrace a tiny filament of Psoul. “Very clumsy. So much Fire…but I suppose that is most of what he has to work with.” The wizard passed his hand over Tallen’s head. “There, I—”

  A violent stab of pain ripped through Tallen’s skull. He cried out in agony, tossing his pipe as his hands leaped to his head. The searing sensation built up a ball of pressure behind his nose, threatening to tear his brain apart. In his last vision, a startled Dorias leaned toward him with an expression of concerned panic.

  Shadows spun around Tallen. He fought to steady himself, at first only aware that the pain no longer split his skull. Regardless of how long it had been since last he visited the Dreamrealm, it felt like slipping on a familiar sweater. The star-speckled night hung about him, and Tallen focused on it.

  The barest of moments passed before he felt another presence. He froze, both unwilling and unable to move. A wisp of silvery light twisted about. The brilliant smoke curled and rolled, spinning itself out into a serpentine form that wrapped its luminous wings about him.

  Tallen of the Humans that once called themselves my people, I only have a moment to warn you, then you must go from this place and not return.

  “Who are you!” he shouted wordlessly at the shining light. “Why do you want me? Why do your orcs chase me?”

  I am not the one who seeks you out, Human. It is my opposite and my twin. My counterpart is the one who desires you. Galdreth seeks your power. Only a Dreamer can fulfill Galdreth’s purpose. The orcs simply serve Galdreth who is their ancient master.

  The tendrils wrapped around him, possessive and protective. He attempted a struggle, but the force that held his mind tolerated no resistance.

  You must understand that I am trapped, as is Galdreth. But the prison weakens for my counterpart far more quickly than for me. You must resist Galdreth. Chaos must not be unleashed alone upon the
world.

  The silver spirit shuddered, and a distance crept into its silken steel voice.

  You must not come here again. You are vulnerable here. Otherwise, Galdreth requires you be brought to our prison.

  Another shudder shook the smoky light, which wavered in the darkness. Tallen felt something pulling at him, tugging from a long distance away.

  You must find a way to free me from this prison, so that I may balance Galdreth’s Chaos. You must seek it out, in the mountain your people call Dragonsclaw. Now go!

  Spinning about Tallen, the light disappeared, and a sucking sensation drew at his heart. His vision tunneled, and he opened his eyes.

  Dorias knelt beside him, a worried peak to his eyebrows. Tallen coughed, though the agony no longer squeezed at his temples. A slight headache remained, as if he had drunk too much wine the night before. The wizard rubbed Tallen’s back while he struggled with desperate breaths. When the room steadied around him, the rhythm of his lungs smoothed.

  “Easy there, lad,” Dorias whispered. “I thought I’d lost you. For a second, I thought I had killed you.”

  Tallen rubbed his throbbing head. His breathing eased a little. “I…I was pulled into the Dreamrealm.”

  Taking Tallen’s head in his hands, Dorias knelt down beside him. A small trickle of Psoul magic flowed out from the wizard, and Tallen felt it caress his mind. “Does your head hurt?”

  Tallen winced. “Somewhat, but not nearly as bad as before. How long was I out?”

  “Only a few seconds.” Dorias, apparently satisfied that Tallen remained intact, stopped the flow of his power. “I realized it in an instant and tried to pull you out.” The wizard paused. “Only…something stopped me. It was similar to the cloud obscuring the Dreamrealm, yet still quite different – sharper perhaps.”