The Warrior and the Wandering Wizard (The Way of the Wandering Wizard Series Book 2)

by Michael Novak

  Aurum turns to Mikal. “I am sorry. I feel like all this is happening because of me. When I was younger, my visions were rare and often pleasant but now these evil prophecies fill my waking moments. Excuse me, but I must now assist Sister Fluere.”

  Aurum stands and walks upon the stage and joins Fluere. The crowd is curious about this young girl.

  “I am the one of whom my sister refers. Very recently I saw two of the three names of those who committed the sacrilege. There is a tall one called Judis and another named Kane. I think you know these names,” she says, staring accusingly at the Black Robe Wizard.

  “You still have no proof. These are but allegations from a child!”

  “You would do well to believe us,” insists Sister Fluere. “For the sake of all of you and all we hold dear. Our visions are authentic and accurate. The Dark Herald has risen and is spreading fear and evil across the land. His presence alone somehow feeds the sleeping Ebony Wizard. If you remember your lore, there are other signs and dire omens, like the overpopulation of rats.”

  There is a murmur from the crowd. Some nod their heads in agreement.

  “The City of Stonegrove has experienced an overabundance of rats recently. Even more disturbing, they are led by wererats.”

  The whispers increase throughout the audience.

  Aurum turns to Sister Fluere “It is here.”

  “There is another reason we have asked you here on this day, at this time.”

  Clamorous noise erupts from outside the great, white tent. Frantic commands can be heard. Sister Fluere attempts to reassure the crowd.

  “Do not be alarmed. Recently, about this time of day, every so often a dark creature flies over our camp. I tell you, the Ebony Wizard was known to have an evil pet, no?”

  There is raucous confusion as the tent’s flap opens.

  “Please, allow one guard to enter and give his report.”

  A well-armed soldier quickly strides to the front, bends to one knee, and starts to report to his masters.

  He is soon interrupted. “No, tell us all what is happening.”

  The chagrined soldier stands and looks over the crowd,

  “We saw a extremely large, raven-like, dark, foul abomination coming from the North. Sunlight was glistening off its black feathers. It circled around, an evil thing it was. We shot our arrows at it but it always soared just above them. It gave off a hideous screech, as if it were laughing at us. It sounded like, ‘never, never’. More arrows we let loose, but they always fell just short. It eventually turned and flew back from whence it came. That is all I can tell you.”

  “We thank you. You may return to your post.”

  Heated discussion erupts among the assembly. One of the nobleman's scholars stands.

  “If I remember correctly, this evil wizard was reputed to possess an extremely rare, ebony bird. It is said it produces foul ichor on its beak and claws and if it penetrates the skin, one becomes immobilized… then the bird and the wizard could do anything they desired to that person.”

  There is much discussion among the crowd. After a while a general consensus emerges. A middle-aged nobleman stands and with a strong voice quiets the audience.

  “I think it's safe to say at the very least we must take these… visions seriously; they are too important to ignore. If they are true, what should we do?”

  Sister Fluere explains, “The Ebony Knight must be stopped. His evil presence somehow feeds the Ebony Wizard.”

  Two knights stand. “We will confront this foul creature.”

  Sister Aurum stares at the two warriors.

  “I thank you, good Sirs. The evil one’s fighting ability is formidable but he also projects an aura of fear that few could stand against, let alone fight him on even terms.”

  Another man rises, and asks, “Why don't we get to the heart of the matter? Find the evil wizard and slay him.”

  Many of the audience members nod their heads in agreement.

  Sister Fluere explains, “First, we do not know his location, except that it is somewhere to the North, we believe. Second, the Ebony One still slumbers. We must find this Dark Harold and slay him. Currently, he can only move at night, riding a dark and evil steed. Soon he will be able to travel during daylight, but he will not like it.”

  Someone yells, “Where is he now?”

  “I am very sorry, we have tried to discern his location, but something is interfering with our scurrying. We can tell you where he has been, but not where he is currently or where he will be.”

  Again much discussion fills the audience. After some time, Sister Fluere thanks everyone again for attending.

  “If there are no further questions, we have told you everything we know. Now it falls upon you to save the land. When we gather more information we will gladly pass it along. If you agree to this, please make arrangements with our contacts before you leave. May you go in peace and knowledge.”

  Sister Fluere stays to answer more private questions. Aurum turns and slowly walks offstage and sits next to Mikal.

  “What should we do now?”

  Chapter 7

  Mikal watches as the multitude slowly takes its leave. Catherine, without her squirrel, and Monica approach Mikal with a tray filled with assorted food.

  “Good afternoon, good wizard,” Monica says shyly.

  A small table is brought forth and lunch is served. Aurum and Mikal discuss the prophecy and the crowd’s reaction to it. A third seat appears and Sister Fluere asks if she can join.

  Mikal responds, “It would be my honor if you would. I understand that each representative or group is required to pay a fee. What is mine, may I ask?”

  “No…no. We can discuss that later.”

  The radiant woman then explains that most of the assembled are leaving either immediately or after they have eaten.

  “I should be leaving soon, as well,” Mikal says.

  Aurum and Sister Fluere plead with Mikal to stay.

  “You may leave first thing in the morning. In fact, I will make it part of your payment. You must stay this night. Also, upon your leave, we will request a lock of your red and white hair.”

  Wrinkles crease Mikal’s forehead and he strokes his beard meditatively. He looks quizzically at his hostess.

  Sister Fluere smiles knowingly. “We promise we will not use your hair in any nefarious way. In fact, we will use it to aid you, if we can. Please, trust us. It is a small thing we ask.”

  Mikal lightly laughs. “I am a teacher. I know sometimes small things can lead to things unexpected. But, you have asked for my trust and I shall grant it. Trust, however, must work both ways.”

  The females nod in agreement. After some time, Aurum, Catherine, and Monica escort Mikal and proudly conduct a tour of their tight-knit community. The rest of the day passes quickly. They share an evening meal and afterwards entertainment is provided: a pleasant dance and enchanting songs.

  An older witch starts to twitch. She croaks, “Something is not right. Something Wicca this way comes. What exactly it is eludes me. It is deeply shrouded. Tell the guards beware.”

  Mikal finds the nonchalant reactions to this prophecy odd.

  One of the sisters waves her hands and explains, “Forgive her. In her prime, she was very talented at foreseeing the future. But now she only prattles of danger and impending doom. It never comes to pass, however, so our reaction to it is muted.”

  Mikal accepts this, and soon all retire for the night.

  Alone in his room, he is disturbed by the old one’s ranting. Sleep does eventually come upon him, but his dreams cause him a fitful night.

  ***

  A scream awakens Mikal. Majam is fully alert; with her back arched and her fur standing straight up.

  Mikal asks, “What is wrong?”

  He enters the mind of his dark-haired cat.

  Majam responds, I hear wailing and screaming, and I smell rat; legions of them.”

  Mikal stands and grabs his staff of light.

/>   “Are we forever cursed dealing with these infernal rodents?”

  They move outside the tent. Through his cat’s enhanced sight, Mikal can make out a large horde of rats writhing toward them. But something concerns him even more than this appalling sight: an inky, mysterious mist follows the rats. It is almost as if the vermin were pulling a malevolent blanket behind them. The camp is in an uproar. The wizard witnesses a group of guards form a defensive barrier before the oncoming mass. The soldiers slash a swath into the great host of rats, bloody swords flashing in the moonlight. The defenders seem to be standing their ground. Mikal witnesses the shadowy mist engulf the swordsmen. Chaos erupts. Some of the warriors drop their weapons and run. Others stand screaming. Still others are so confused and panicked that they slash at their own brothers-in-arms. The spectral mist is spreading out, causing great fear and paranoia. The wizard sees Aurum running toward him, frightened but not panicked. Mikal raises his staff high above the pandemonium. It flares and produces a bright, clean, white light. Mikal closes his eyes and murmurs esoteric words. The white light fans out, forming a sphere surrounding him and his cat. Sister Aurum enters the iridescent bubble.

  The prophetess whispers, “What ever shall we do? Why did I not foresee this?”

  “No time for questions like that. Call the others to us. There is strength in number.”

  Soon there are nearly a dozen people in the white sphere. It expands as more enter, including a few guards carrying torches, several guests, and Sister Aurum’s associates. Most of the rats shy away from the brilliant light. If any approach, the guards lower their torches. Eerily, Majam produces loud and menacing hisses, and pounces on any that elude the flames. The blackness turns toward the huddled group and approaches as if it had a mind of its own.

  Sister Aurum grabs Mikal’s sleeve, “Can you prevent its effects?”

  “We would have a better chance if we join against it. Sisters, I need you to sing,”

  “What?” she asks, uncomprehendingly.

  “Trust me. I said sing, all of you! An uplifting song, a positive song.”

  At first, only Sister Aurum begins to sing.

  “All of you louder, stronger!”

  Just before the first tendrils of the menacing mist begin to stroke the clean, white sanctuary, a sobbing Catherine and her friend Monica sprint into the protective bubble. Mikal can sense fear’s unnerving caress. Instinctively, he intones a defensive spell. The singing intensifies and the light glows brighter. The black, misty blanket of fear dissipates as it comes in contact with the white sphere. At that moment, Mikal senses another’s mind. Was it directing this onslaught? With his cat’s senses stretched to their limits, they perceive the enemy. There seems to appear a hole in space, taking the shape of something somewhat human. Majam screams. The large, black cat leaps from the whiteness and dashes directly at the newly-revealed entity.

  The cat races fearlessly toward this humanlike form. At the last moment, Majam leaps directly at her foreboding opponent. Then Mikal witnesses a strange sight. It appears that for, just a moment, his cat disappears inside the dark apparition. Relief spreads across Mikal’s face when he realizes that his cat has emerged unscathed behind the fear wielder. Mikal hears not a sound from the evil presence. The inhuman creature holds its two appendages on either side of its would-be head and appears to be in great pain. Mikal forgets his charges and races protectively toward his cat. As he approaches, he feels dread emanating from the dark, human-like hole in space. The bizarre intruder senses Mikal’s presence as Majam unleashes an unfamiliar, spine tingling, disconcerting cry. The vile thing takes flight and fades into the starless night.

  Mikal asks Majam, “Are you harmed? Why did you do that…and, and what was that unsettling sound you made?”

  I did not appreciate the way that thing smelled.

  Mikal responds, “I did not smell anything.”

  Yes, you did. I don’t expect you to be capable of identifying it.

  “Do you mean the fear that shade was giving off? Majam, can you smell fear?”

  Yes, of course, and I do not like it. It leaves a lingering, bad taste in my mouth.

  “It seems I learn something new about you every day,” Mikal chuckles. “Tell me, have you encountered one of these things before?”

  Majam begins to nonchalantly lick her paw. First her right, then the other.

  The two start back toward the group they were protecting. The rats are in disarray and fleeing and the malevolent mist seems to be completely dissipated. Catherine's friend Monica is holding her. She looks up and explains, “Catherine's pet squirrel Squeaky woke us up and attacked the rats. We ran and we fear the worst for her little, furry friend.”

  A guard hurriedly approaches Sister Aurum carrying a tattered but alive and fidgety Squeaky, and announces dire news.

  “In the panic, Sister Fluere became a victim. She did not survive.”

  Sister Aurum cries out mournfully and collapses to the ground.

  Chapter 8

  After some time, the encampment comes together and takes stock of the injured and dead. As dawn fully reveals itself, the settlement realizes that little structural damage has been inflicted upon the village. There are a number of injured people, however, who need medical assistance. The Sisters begin immediately and set about their healing tasks. They learn that three guards had been killed during the melee, along with one of the Sisters whom Mikal did not know (the old witch who gave the dire prophecy), and poor Sister Fluere. Sister Aurum is beside herself with grief. Some of her associates try to provide comfort, but with little success.

  Mikal hesitantly approaches the young Aurum, bends down, and looks into her soft, glistening eyes.

  “I am so sorry, my child. If there is anything I can do, please but ask it of me.”

  She looks up and tentatively hugs Mikal.

  “Thank you, you've done so much already. The white light and the confidence you provided spared most of us. You drove the rats and that evil shade from our midst.”

  Mikal whispers, “I wish I could have done more, and I know Sister Fluere would want you to be strong.”

  Aurum wipes her eyes and nods her head.

  “I know, but it's so difficult.”

  Mikal stands straight.

  “Life is not fair. Now I think the others look to you for help and guidance, even at your tender age.”

  The young one looks unconvinced, but some of the Sisters seem to be waiting for her directions.

  “Master Mikal, I know you wish to leave soon, but I ask you to please stay for one more day. We can all use your support, especially me.”

  Mikal softly agrees. He and Majam spend the rest of the day doing what they can: cleaning, rebuilding, and offering encouragement to all. Early that night, the Sisters of the Valley bury their dead; a solemn ceremony indeed.

  A wordless meal is served.

  Sister Aurum approaches the wizard. “Mikal, I thank you again. I did not know who you were before you entered this Valley, but I did have visions of you. Curiously though, not of your cat, and I wonder why. I do know this, however: you must stop this herald of iniquity that has been summoned from the grave. But consider this: you alone cannot prevail against him. I also know you will confront a malevolent one who now sleeps, but will someday awaken, and you cannot defeat him either. I have foreseen that you will confront him, none-the-less. I cannot say how it will all end. By the way, have you ever dreamt a dream within a dream?”

  Mikal tries to assimilate this disconcerting information. Sister Aurum lowers her head for a moment.

  “Forgive me my digression. I am aware that you are in a hurry and I have knowledge of a secluded, little-known path out of the Valley. It should save you a few hours. I shall have Monica and her friend Catherine show you the way at first light, if it is acceptable to you. Oh, and do try to stay dry.”

  Mikal gives her a quizzical look, but thanks her.

  “It is quite acceptable. I hope for a better night for ever
yone.”

  ***

  Mikal, finds himself walking the secluded path the next morning guided by the two young Sisters. Few words are exchanged between them. Mikal looks to the sky and notices ominous, heavy clouds approaching.

  “I think the two of you should head back now before the rain starts.”

  Mikal and Majam continue their trek alone. The day darkens and the rains begin to fall. It is getting harder to see, even for Majam. Mikal almost stumbles over an odd shaped rock. He hesitates and notices that the path forks. He taps the rock for luck and chooses the path to his right. He feels the rain penetrating his traveling cloak, and the road becomes muddy.

  “We must find shelter,” he thinks. “Do my eyes deceive me? Is that light ahead?” Mikal approaches what appears to be an inn for travelers. It is warm and dry inside. He finds a small table and takes a seat with Majam curled at his feet.

  The innkeeper approaches Mikal who asks, “May I have some hot tea and bread?”

  There are only a few people in the inn, but two of them stare at him. Minutes pass, and the two men stand and stride toward Mikal. One starts to ask questions. “Who are you and where are you going?” while the other steps behind Mikal and delivers a heavy blow to the wizard’s head.

  The thug laughs. “Sleep well, stranger.”

  The wizard’s mind is filled with alternating dark and bright images. When he finally awakens, he is in some sort of a jail cell. His hands are shackled and he sits on a wooden bench with his cat next to him. There are no windows and the door is made of heavy, metal bars. Hanging on the wall across the hall is his traveling robe and, leaning next to it, his staff. A lantern hangs suspended from the ceiling. The light it casts faintly touches the wizard and his cat.

  “Well, Majam, these two men seem to be up to no good. I wonder what they want with us.”

  He looks to his cat through the dim light.

  “I want to try something.”

  Mikal closes his eyes and relaxes. He meditates on the almost imperceptible light which reveals his form. He senses it on him and in him. Then the White Wizard slowly exhales, and ever so slightly the vague light recedes from his body. A second time he exhales, and the faint light moves still further from him. He hears the guards coming, and his cat stirs and sits on his lap.