Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1)

by Sharon Gibbs

  Christopher stared at the object. Never before had he seen a pendant so divine. The talisman held great meaning for him, yet he didn’t understand why. It wasn’t just the fact that it was his father’s. Christopher turned it over in his hands and expected all to be revealed. Nothing came.

  Henry watched Christopher as he pondered upon the talisman and offered him an explanation of the symbol.

  ‘The talisman represents the circle of life. The tree that grows within represents all things. The branches extend upwards towards the Other World where the pure and honourable reside, while the roots twist and delve deep down towards the Underlands where the souls of the dammed are held in torment. The trunk represents man and our place between the two worlds. The scars on the trunk are our struggles and pain as we grow within this world, while the leaves represent our happiness, fruitfulness and our journey through life.’

  Christopher understood the concept and slipped the leather strap around his neck. He felt comfortable to wear his father’s talisman and Henry took this to be a sign of acceptance and continued on with his story.

  Henry told Christopher about his family, his father, mother and older sister Kate, his grandmother and his two aunts. He told him about when they’d lived at the Keep and how they’d celebrated life and the land they lived in. He related how they helped the people of the village and because Henry was a healer, how he and Christopher would spend time together in the forests and meadows as they gathered produce to restock the supplies at the Keep.

  Then Henry told Christopher of that fateful day when they’d gone to Lefarh. He left nothing out. Christopher was an adult and needed to know all the details. Henry’s story came as a shock to Rose. Henry was bound on the entire truth. Christopher would have a hard decision to make and needed to know all the facts. Finally he ended his story with his journey to leave Christopher in Albert and Rose’s care and told him of the times he’d come to visit Albert and how proud he was of Christopher and the young man he’d grown to be.

  Now it would be up to Christopher to decide what the fate of all would be.

  Henry reached into the box again and gave Christopher the sphere to hold. Black as midnight, its green-scarred surface pulsed at Christopher’s touch. Small waves of warmth shot through his body and the sensation comforted him as he thought about all that he’d heard.

  ‘Christopher, I’ll respect the choice you make. I only ask one thing of you and that’s to journey with me to the Caves of Choice so you can see and learn about your history before you make up your mind. I owe it to Clarence to free him of our bond in this decision we’ve made on your behalf. We’ve been estranged for the past twenty years to keep your identity safe.’

  Christopher agreed to travel to the caves and meet with Clarence.

  Henry was pleased and hoped after Christopher had had some time, he’d be able to make an informed decision.

  ‘I’m glad you’ve returned, Grandfather, it’s just a lot to absorb right now.’

  ‘I understand, Christopher. You must take time to think. It’s a difficult choice you have to make, so use not only your heart but your head as well.’

  It was early morning before they sought their beds and as Christopher lay awake he pondered on the story his grandfather had told him. As he thought about the family he couldn’t remember, his heart hardened against those who’d invaded the land.

  Late the next morning, Henry watched Christopher through the kitchen window as he tended his aunt’s vegetable garden. He always helped her with the little plot, but when he was troubled he sought refuge there. Henry watched as Christopher pulled weeds from the beds and removed insects from the plants.

  As Rose walked into the kitchen she saw Henry watching Christopher.

  ‘Henry, come and have a cup of tea,’ she said. ‘Don’t worry. Christopher likes to be close to nature when he needs to sort things out, it helps him process his thoughts.’

  Rose poured Henry a cup of tea and after she’d passed it to him she took the pot and sat down at the table. ‘Henry, I know how important this decision is to you and to Christopher, but in my heart I know he’ll make the right choice, not just for himself but for everyone. He always does.’

  ‘Christopher is strong, Rose, much stronger than he realises,’ Henry said. ‘I hope he understands that no matter what his choice is that I’ll respect and support him.’

  ‘He knows, Henry. I don’t think that’s what worries him.’

  As Christopher worked in the garden he placed the information into slots in his mind as he fitted the puzzle together. Not just the story his grandfather had related but also all he remembered. He sorted everything and stored it away. Time in the garden helped him think about how to use the information to his advantage. He pulled up another weed and threw it onto the pile. He’d need to see Peter and James. Albert had told him not to work today, but to take some time for himself. The work would still be there tomorrow. Christopher scooped up the pile of weeds and carried them over to the chicken coop for the birds to scratch around. They always did enjoy it and he smiled as they ran over and rummaged through the weeds. Christopher returned to the house. He needed to wash and change before he left to see Peter and James.

  Christopher enjoyed the sunshine as he saddled his mare. He needed to confirm his plans with his friends before he told his aunt and uncle of his decision.

  It was a beautiful day as Christopher set out for the Ridge, but he knew all too soon the days would turn cold and the snow would fall and cover the land in a blanket of white.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Many years ago when Henry still taught at the Keep, Arnak and Athena set their plans into motion. Arnak had been excited. Tonight he was to commit himself to the Lord Zute in a betrothal ceremony. The ceremony was to take place when the moon had reached its apex in the night’s sky. Athena would call upon her Lord and ask him to accept her brother into his army of tainted souls, who were condemned to spend all of eternity trapped to his will in the Underlands.

  Arnak’s acceptance would mean that Athena could draw more power to help her brother in his quest for revenge. She still had a lot to prepare before the time drew near and she gathered the items she would need.

  Athena worked the rest of the day to prepare. The sacrifice was ready; the ritual would require blood to call forth the Lord Zute from the Underlands. The dagger was in place and the large circular bowl that lay under her bed had been dragged out and placed on the floor in the front room. The sand and herbs had to be mixed in a precise manner. If one element wasn’t placed in the correct order, the Lord couldn’t be called forth to the realm.

  Athena had spent hours around the bowl as she drew the designs she needed for the ceremony.

  Then she readied herself. She dressed with care as her Lord would see her again and if she was to persuade him to give her assistance on her brother’s quest, she needed to please him.

  Arnak had eaten and he’d gone to rest in Athena’s room. It’d been a long journey to the Mystic Swamps and he lay on her bed and closed his eyes. His thoughts retraced over the events of the past few days and he remembered how his father’s health had deteriorated over the last few years. Tonight he’d begin his quest for revenge. He’d already made plans to grow his small army into the largest Reist had ever seen and with Athena’s help this would become a reality.

  He listened to Athena as she bathed and dressed for the ritual. When she’d finished she entered the bedroom where Arnak lay. She looked beautiful. Her golden hair had been piled high on her head and pinned so that ringlets fell down either side of her face. She’d dressed in a silver gown of the sheerest material Arnak had ever seen. Its transparency hid nothing of the woman beneath. The gown was fastened at the shoulders, between her breasts and at her navel with sapphire studded silver clips. She looked like a goddess as she stood there before him. A silver neck clasp surrounded her throat and in its centre a single sapphire had been placed. A thread of sparkling beads stretched from her ankle to ho
ok upon one of her toes and it twinkled in the candlelight.

  ‘Arnak, you must ready yourself for the time of the ritual will be upon us soon,’ Athena said and then she placed a cloak of black linen on the bed.

  ‘When you’re ready you’re to wear only this cloak,’ she said and then she left him to bathe and dress.

  Arnak stood in the doorway to the room where the ritual would take place. He wore only the long black cloak Athena had given him. It caressed his skin as he walked over to her.

  The area where she stood had been lit with candles and they flickered as they illuminated the room. Arnak was on edge, this would be the beginning of a new life for him and he walked over to Athena and took her by the hand.

  ‘Dearest sister, after tonight you’re to rule next to me. We’ll be as one as we take revenge for our father and the dishonour of our family name. We’ll build an army that will conquer all and we’ll make all bow before us as we travel across the land.’

  Athena smiled. The strength of his words gave her hope that he’d become the man his father couldn’t be and together they’d rule the lands not only of Reist, but Solencia as well. They, together, would rid Solencia of all Wizards. Athena’s magic would be the only magic that existed in the realm and with her power they’d enslave all to their will.

  ‘Just remember, brother, when the Lord Zute appears you must agree to what he commands. His power is stronger than you could ever imagine and to have it on our side will ensure our success.’

  Arnak nodded, then she led him to stand in the place she’d marked beside the large bowl. As she manoeuvred him into his place, she made sure she didn’t disturb the designs upon the floor. Athena then collected the goat from the small makeshift pen and led it over to the bowl. She lifted the animal into it and held it there with her magic. Athena bent down and grasped her dagger. As she raised it over her head she spoke the incantation to call the Lord Zute forth from the Underlands.

  Arnak watched in awe as his sister held the dagger towards the heavens. The candles’ glow cast her in an iridescent light and she looked like a goddess of the night as she plunged the dagger into the goat’s throat and severed the main artery in its neck. The goat lay still, her magic binding it while its life’s blood drained into the bowl. All the while she chanted her incantation and then she poured a strange silver liquid into the bowl. The jug was small and Arnak watched in amazement as the strange silver liquid continued to flow until it had covered the goat and filled the bowl.

  Athena withdrew her dagger from the beast and with it she sliced her left palm and added her blood to the mixture. As it dripped into the bowl, her blood changed the silver liquid to a deep red and she chanted her incantation again. Athena’s palm dripped with her own blood as she reached out towards her brother and pulled his hand forward. She held him by the fingers and lacerated his palm to draw his blood and let it too mix into the vessel. Athena then placed both her hands into the murky liquid and swirled the mixture as she chanted louder to call her betrothed forth from the Underlands.

  Athena stepped back and held her arms out as the liquid bubbled. The concoction in the bowl rose. It twisted and rolled as it grew and took on the form of a man. As Zute rose from his fiery depths and took shape, flames burst through the liquid. He held his talisman across his chest and when he’d risen, he swung his broad axe as he turned from Athena and stared at Arnak. He knew who Arnak was, but didn’t know why Athena had summoned him.

  ‘Why, my betrothed, have you summoned me to this realm?’

  ‘My Lord, it’s with great pleasure that I call you forth. This is my brother…’

  ‘I know who he is,’ Zute snapped at her. He was annoyed she’d pulled him from his realm.

  ‘Arnak wishes me to help him on a quest.’

  Zute yelled at Athena. ‘What do you need me for?’

  ‘My Lord, I want to use my power to help my brother in his quest. I felt it was imperative that I consult with you first, before we began.’

  ‘You know, Athena, you can do whatever you like while you live in this realm. But when you pass over, it is to me you must come for all eternity.’

  ‘I know, my Lord, but I would ask a favour of you. My power is limited here in this realm, useful only for meagre things. To enter upon this quest I need help from you.’

  ‘And what will I get in return, dear Athena, that I haven’t already secured with you?’

  ‘My Lord, I’ll raise you an army, the size of which you’ve never seen before, and when we’re in control of the lands we seek, I’ll raise you from the Underlands to return back to this realm.’ She offered the information to see if it would stir some interest in him.

  ‘How will you do this?’

  ‘My brother Arnak is the Lord of Reist and with him I shall rule. I plan to raise an army that’ll be powered by your magic. We plan to take the land of Solencia and destroy all those who live at the Keep in Canistar. I’ve heard talk of a book that’s held in the Keep. It’s a book from the Old World and within its pages lays the key to your resurrection. We’ll destroy all magic and enslave the people to our will. When I find the book, I’ll then be able to bring you back to this realm, to rule as you should’ve, but in order to do this, I must be able to draw power and strength from your magic.’

  ‘So why has your brother bled into the bowl?’

  ‘He seeks the path to follow, my Lord. The one that’ll lead us to victory and crush our enemies.’

  Zute looked at Arnak again. ‘Do you Arnak agree, as your sister has said? Will you use the information and the power I give you to rid the lands as she says? Will you commit yourself once you’ve left this realm for all eternity to my service?’

  Arnak looked at the substance shaped as a man. ‘I will, my Lord,’ he said and committed his soul for all eternity to his service. In order to get what he wanted, this was the only way. He needed the power of this Lord to fulfil his quest.

  ‘Let it be done. The bargain is struck!’ Zute roared and then turned to Athena. ‘My love to be, you may draw from my power but as you know it will age you, so you must take steps to draw your youth from those of the living. The bargain must be only made with those of the taint or the spell won’t work. To make your task more difficult, ahead lays a contradiction. One has already been born to counteract your deeds but he is still an infant. Be aware of your foe and slay him before he has the chance to rise up and defeat you. I’ll watch over your progress and expect to be resurrected, or you’ll both find yourselves within the torments of my hell for all eternity.’

  He then smiled at Athena. He’d looked forward to the day she was to join him in the Underlands, but now he’d look forward to his day of resurrection and the endless time they’d spend together in the land of the living. He thrust out his axe towards her and two bolts of flame shot forward to encompass her body. Athena felt as if she were on fire as his power roared through her. They were now linked and Athena could draw on his power whenever she wished.

  The flames died down and she was untouched. A small smirk came to the corners of her mouth. Athena could feel Zute’s power as it radiated through her body.

  ‘Until we meet again, my Lord,’ she cooed to him.

  Zute turned his attention towards Arnak. ‘Take this axe,’ he said. Then with a mighty thrust and burst of flame Zute threw his broad axe towards Arnak. ‘Use the magic within wisely. Fail, and it’ll be the end of you.’

  Arnak caught the axe. He could feel Zute’s power radiate from within. It pulsed and seeped through his body and the thrill of Zute’s power excited him.

  Zute was pleased with the outcome. He’d a firmer grip on Athena’s soul and he’d now be able to follow her progress, whenever he wanted. They were linked and forever would be.

  Zute subsided back into the bowl and the liquid evaporated.

  Arnak felt cheated with the outcome. Yes, he’d gained the use of Zute’s power but there also was a catch. How would they ever find the one that would rise up against them and he
said this much to Athena.

  ‘Did you not listen, dear brother? The One is a child. We’ll find the child and slay him. He’ll never grow to rise up against us, and we’ll rule it all.’

  As Athena looked at her brother, Arnak could see the lust for power which shone through her eyes. It rose from her soul to encompass her whole being.

  Athena knew it’d take time and hard work and she was prepared to do what was needed. To not only see her brother rule both lands but also to have power over all, until she restored Zute to his rightful place in the realm and she became his queen.

  ‘Now we must journey home to raise an army suitable for our Lord. Once there, we’ll finalize our plans to invade Solencia and the first place we’ll conquer is the Keep in Canistar. We must pack and be on our way,’ Athena said and she left to organise her maid to pack for the journey. They’d need to leave as soon as possible to travel to Reist. The journey itself would take enough of their precious time and with an army to find and train they’d no time to waste.

  As the small convoy headed from the Mystic Swamps towards Reist, Athena noticed how the land had deteriorated since she’d last seen her family home. It’d been almost ten years since she’d made the journey to live in the Mystic Swamps and it’d been a little longer since her mother had died. It was obvious to Athena that Reist was no longer the productive land it once had been.

  Gerard’s rule had taken its toll. He’d not encouraged the people to trade amongst their neighbours. Instead he’d squandered his father’s hard-earned coin. No resources were saved to help the people of the country, no words of wisdom had ever parted Gerard’s lips and the people had struggled over the years. Gerard had sold all stores of grain which were meant to see the people through difficult times. When the crops were damaged by storms or failed to thrive due to drought, there’d been no back up plan for the country of Reist.