by Daniel White
“Then let’s begin.”
Jon chuckled. “I remember being in your shoes, Aldrick. The first time I successfully wielded, all I wanted to do was to do it more. It is a marvellous thing, having such power.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” said Télia.
Though she spoke light-heartedly, Aldrick could tell her advice was sincere. He imagined she had experienced the arrogance of wielders. Jon appeared to be level headed, though. He was glad of that.
“Télia’s words are wisdom,” said Jon. “It is rare to find a modest wielder. It is a consequence of the core principle of wielding being the focus on one’s self. It is bad for anyone to do that too often.”
“Were my parents arrogant wielders?” Aldrick asked, considering how little he knew about them.
“Your father, a little,” Jon said contemplatively. “Your mother was quite the selfless one, though.”
“As you are, Jon,” said Télia warmly.
Jon almost looked embarrassed. “Yes, well, in my life I have found my concerns turned outward, toward other people.”
“That is an admirable thing, just so long as you are first at ease with yourself.”
“Yes,” Aldrick agreed, endeavouring for Télia’s favour.
Jon left them and walked to the edge of the glade, where he paused in front of a low-hanging branch.
“Aldrick, come,” he beckoned. “You wished to learn more, did you not? Well, I will show you something quite constructive us wielders can do… if done under the right circumstances, of course.” He held up a part of the branch that appeared to have been snapped recently. The leaves still had hints of green.
Aldrick peered at it. “What are you going to do?”
Jon didn’t answer. He raised his free hand and held it over the branch. For a moment nothing happened then, slowly, the leaves turned greener, blending back in with the rest of the tree.
Aldrick was astounded. “You’re… you’re healing it.”
“Yes—a little miracle we can perform,” said Jon, admiring his handiwork. “It is an ability often overshadowed by the more grandiose ones we are known to perform. It can also be used to heal injuries, of sorts.”
“How do I wield it?”
“By focusing on your will to do good, Aldrick. It is the true test of a wielder’s heart. Someone like Malath would struggle with such an ability even if they cared greatly for what it was they wanted to heal, simply because they do not bear a nurturing heart. But you, my boy, I am certain you have more than just your mother’s eyes.”
Aldrick searched for another dying branch to practise on but couldn’t find one. The rest of the tree was healthy.
“Aldrick, I have a bruise on my knee from the brawl at the inn,” said Télia, coming to him. “Perhaps you could heal that for me.”
As much as he liked the idea, he was hesitant. “Might it be unsafe for me to focus my storm upon someone just yet?”
Jon shrugged. “If Télia wishes it then I hold no concern. You have already shown unprecedented ability. I trust you will do her no harm.”
“So, will you?” Télia challenged.
“Very well, I will.”
She sat on the ground, lay her crossbow beside her, then rolled up her earth-brown trousers to just above her knee. On her knee was a dull purple and yellow bruise where it had struck the inn floor. Aldrick knelt by her and placed his palm over the bruise. He wanted to be sure he focused on the injured area alone.
“Are you ready?” he asked nervously.
Télia stared straight into him. “Are you?”
Her intimate presence was fogging his mind and reddening his cheeks, but he tried his best to keep his focus. He shut his eyes and let his mind rest on his desire to make her knee well again. For a time it seemed as though he was achieving nothing, but then he felt an increase in warmth beneath his hand. Télia’s leg flinched. Aldrick pulled his hand away fearing he had hurt her, but found that the bruise had all but disappeared. The area was now as impeccably smooth and toned as the rest of her skin.
“Thank you,” she said, rolling her trouser leg back down.
“What did it feel like?” he asked.
“A little ticklish. I have never had a wielder as a healer before.”
“I have never had an aera as a patient.”
“How did it go?” called out Jon. He had left to inspect the toppled tree.
“Well,” said Télia brightly. “I think Aldrick is ready to practise more trying incantations, Jon.”
“That may well be so, but I wager he is in need of another break first. Wielding quickly exhausts a novice’s energy.”
Aldrick did feel the need to rest again. He was tired and hungry, as if he had been exercising both his mind and body for hours.
The three of them made their way back to the house. De’ama greeted Télia with a soft neigh at the entrance to the forest, where she had been patiently awaiting her return. It was now mid-afternoon and there was little that begged attention indoors. Jon charmed Télia into the kitchen to teach her how to make his self-proclaimed ‘finest bread in the Narathlands’. Aldrick sat in his own company on the doorstep with a mug of milk. Around him, the green and gold landscape bathed in sunlight. The sky was a calm ocean of blue. There was so much beauty to behold in the world, he thought. It saddened him that his parents weren’t here to enjoy it. Their lives had been cut short in the pursuit of justice. The time to pursue vengeance was drawing ever closer. He waited until Jon and Télia had left their bread dough to rise, then rekindled the conversation which had been pending since last night.
“Since last night my mind has remained clear to me,” he began. “I’m going to go after Malath Jayther. He has done wrongs that I cannot ignore. It’s clear that he wants me dead too. That means I threaten him. I was born with an advantage and there are means by which it can be used to be rid of him. I need the stone my parents found—the Halfstone. If it is truly vital in assuring his defeat then I’m going to find it. What I wonder, though, is if I will have some company on this venture?”
He looked at them both. Jon was seated with his arms crossed, deep in thought. Télia leant against the wall, watching him closely.
“I will be at your side, Aldrick,” she said. “Not only because I have been entrusted with doing so, but because I believe in you. It is a path you are meant to take.”
He smiled at her.
“Of course I will aid you too, my boy,” said Jon, standing. He came and rested his hands on Aldrick’s shoulders. “We share motive.”
Then it was settled. They were taking matters into their own hands. They were going to take on Malath.
“I appreciate having you both at my side,” Aldrick said with gratification. “You have already helped me a lot and knowing you’ll remain close…” Emotion washed through him. It was a huge undertaking he had proposed and he found great comfort in their willingness to take it with him.
He gathered himself. “Where do we go from here? Where is the Halfstone now?”
“In Fort Blackbed, I presume,” said Jon. “We must visit that dark place. There is a fine chance that is also where we will encounter Malath and Selayna.”
“Now if only we had the Synod’s support for this venture,” Télia huffed. “The reinforcements they said they were sending to protect Aldrick never arrived.”
“Reinforcements?” questioned Jon.
“Yes. They were supposed to be sending more aeras.”
“And you have had no further word on this?”
“No…”
Jon began to pace.
“Worrying, to say the least,” he muttered. “We must hope there is a simple explanation for their absence.”
“You don’t think Malath has something to do with it, do you?” Télia asked nervously.
Jon scratched his cheek. “I cannot say, but assumedly the Synod knew of Malath’s return to power when they repurposed you to be Aldrick’s aera. It is not impossible that there has since been a conf
rontation with him.”
“By confrontation you mean battle?”
“I suppose so, yes.” Jon frowned. “I had not expected Malath to be quite so bold.”
Télia turned away in distress.
“Then we must act now!” she cried. “If Malath has already invaded Galdrem who knows how close he may be to accessing the Shard of Heart’s Storm. We may already be too late!”
“Yes, we should leave soon. Finding the Halfstone could take more time than we have,” said Aldrick, sharing Télia’s concern.
Jon nodded. “Indeed. We will make way at the break of dawn tomorrow and hope that time is our ally. Even if Malath is in Galdrem, I am willing to wager that the Halfstone remains in Blackbed, in safe keeping. He would not carry such a haunting trinket on him. We have dwindling time to ready ourselves for this journey. You must practise your mother’s ability with me shortly, Aldrick. It is most important.”
“I’ll meet you outside?”
“Yes, but eat first and rest a little while longer. I imagine you are still weakened from your previous practise. I will see to some travel necessities in the meantime.” Jon left for his study.
Aldrick went to the kitchen to find food. Télia followed him.
“I am wary of all this, Aldrick,” she said, standing by him. “What if we are too late? What if our efforts prove hopeless? We are but three souls against unfathomably wicked ones.”
Aldrick bit his lip. “We may be too late, but however late we are, I will see Malath to his grave.”
Télia smiled. “Your passion is strong. I’m glad to see it hasn’t clouded reason. Going after the Halfstone is the best course of action. To confront Malath without such a thing… would not end well.”
“Well, we had better hope we find it then.”
“We can always hope, but if we don’t find it, just remember Aldrick—there is always a path to achieve that which you desire, however unlikely or obscure it might seem.”
Her words were calming but he wondered if they held as much truth as intended reassurance.
“I hope you are right,” he said.
“Concentrate!” cried Jon in frustration. “You have shown me what you are capable of. Now, prove yourself further and take my storm from me!”
Aldrick wiped his brow. The falling sun was still hot and he too was losing patience. He raised his hand once more, palm directed toward Jon’s chest. He focused as intently as he was able, willing Jon’s storm to come to him. Jon’s staff continued to levitate above his hand—evidence his storm remained within him.
“It’s no use. I can’t do it,” Aldrick huffed, kicking the ground irately. “The other abilities—those were clearer to me.”
Jon sighed and the staff returned to his hand. “Perhaps there is something we haven’t touched on, Aldrick.” He frowned thoughtfully for a moment before raising a finger. “The nature of Isobel’s ability… the unique motivation behind it. We must take that into our considerations.”
“Self-preservation, perhaps?” Aldrick suggested.
Jon pondered. “Mmm yes, I suppose—self-preservation in the presence of one who means to inflict harm. Perhaps you cannot take my storm from me because I am not your foe, Aldrick.”
“Well how do we get around that?” he asked. “We can’t go seeking out danger just to practise.”
“No,” agreed Jon. “Which is why I must reiterate that, for the time being, focus is the key—to truly envisage your need to wield the power and to master the belief that you can.”
“Very well.”
Aldrick tried many further times to drain Jon’s storm, but to no success. Eventually they both had spent their patience and returned to the house to finish preparing for the journey the coming day. They entered to find Télia with all her gear packed and ready to be loaded on her mare in the morning.
“You ready yourself with purpose, my dear,” commented Jon.
“Action spurred by concern,” she replied restlessly.
Jon took her hands. “No doubt this is a great undertaking for you, Télia—following your wielder into the shadows like this. It is a noble thing for an aera only in training to do. I am most thankful to have you here and to know you stand at Aldrick’s side.”
Télia didn’t reply but offered Jon a faint smile and nod of appreciation. Aldrick was also sincerely grateful for her willingness to take part in this quest. Anyone else might have fled in the opposite direction, but not her. She bore a courageous spirit and a caring heart.
The faint but undeniable rumble of hooves came into earshot. Like lightning Télia went for her crossbow. Jon summoned his staff to hand. Aldrick clambered for his bow and readied it with an arrow.
“This may well be trouble!” cried Jon in alarm.
Télia made for the door. “Come, we mustn’t find ourselves trapped in here!”
They ran at great pace into the nearby forest and hid behind some leafy undergrowth.
“Keep ready,” Télia whispered. “If one is an aera they will sense you two are here.”
Aldrick stealthily drew his arrow, and a breath. They were probably more assassins under Selayna’s command. It was best they be killed before they had a chance to attack. By the sound of the hooves he judged there were another two of them.
After a moment of tremendous tension, the riders came swiftly into sight, galloping up the track toward Jon’s house. They wore dark green cloaks. Outside the house they came to an abrupt halt, dismounted and drew crossbows from their saddle bags. As Télia had feared, their attention did not fall on the house, but on the area of forest in which the three of them hid. Aldrick felt his heart start to thump…
“Wait.” Télia grabbed his drawing arm. “I know who they are!” she exclaimed excitedly. “They are aeras from Galdrem. They are our allies!”
He and Jon stared at her.
“Are you certain?” asked Jon hesitantly.
Télia lowered her crossbow. “Yes, I am certain.” She stepped out from the trees and walked toward the new arrivals. “Sinin!” she called out.
One of the riders—a bearded man with long hair—held up a hand in recognition. “Télia. Télia, you are here.”
“Indeed,” she said brightly. “In the company of my wielder, and another.” She gestured to Aldrick and Jon’s position behind her. They exchanged looks, then cautiously made their way out from the trees.
Télia met Sinin with a lengthy embrace, as she had shared with Aldrick when they first met, then turned. “Aldrick, Jon, this is Sinin, an old friend from the aera’s lodge in Galdrem.”
Jon strode to Sinin and greeted him with the same warm embrace. “Another aera? Well, it is my pleasure. I welcome you and your companion to my humble home.”
“It is a pleasure to be here,” Sinin replied kindly. “I come with a fellow aera, Aru,” he gestured to the woman he rode with, “to aid in the protection of the young wielder.”
“My name is Aldrick,” he remarked, offering Sinin a handshake then greeting Aru in turn. He was grumpy. Télia was not meant to have a man friend who was ruggedly handsome and some years older than her. Still, it was heartening to be welcoming allies into their company.
“How did you find us here?” Télia asked the newcomers while they walked their horses to the stable.
“As any aeras worth their guts would have,” replied Sinin. “We asked the right questions of the right people and learnt of your last known path very easily.
“Too easily,” protested Aru, speaking for the first time. Her arms were crossed and she wore a firm frown. “Enemies could find you here at any time.”
“We have been on guard,” Télia said defensively. “Besides, we intend to leave from here in short time.”
“Indeed we do,” affirmed Jon. “There are most pressing concerns we must discuss.”
Sinin stopped walking and ran a hand through his hair. “I fear we arrive here in the wake of dire circumstances, likely of the nature you are concerned about.”
“What do y
ou speak of?” asked Jon nervously.
“Malath Jayther and his faithful have come to the north. They set upon Galdrem days ago,” said Aru.
“No,” uttered Télia in a voice stifled by dismay. The usual warm tones of her face faded and were replaced by those of a morn frost.
“It is true, I fear,” said Sinin grimly. “Our journey to you was delayed because of this. Malath’s power has returned and he is using it to hold the Synod by the neck. The city is in anarchy. We were told to find Aldrick a week ago but that same day Malath strode up the front steps of the high council building and declared lordship of the city and lands. As you can imagine, the Synod had a thing or two to say about that. Battle broke out. There have already been casualties. It’s not pretty.”
Jon’s head dropped. “The worst of our fears are realised then. Malath already moves to fulfil his old and dark desires, and there are few standing in his way who threaten him.”
“Fewer now,” said Aru. “Half of the wielders in Galdrem are unaccounted for.”
“What of Devéna?” Jon queried anxiously.
“I cannot say. We heard that a number of wielders are held up in the Synod’s sanctuary. Malath was unable to break through the warding enchantments placed upon it. Devéna may be among the survivors.”
“So there is some good news.”
“Some,” said Sinin. “Though I fear how this may end. Malath has taken Delthendra as his own and given the Synod only days from now to declare their allegiance to him. If they refuse he will make efforts to take these lands by way of annihilation. He threatens to obtain the Shard of Heart’s Storm.”
“We three were wary of such intent,” said Jon, trading glances with Aldrick and Télia. “Malath will try to get the Shard whether the Synod kiss his boots or not. Fortunately, we may still have time. He won’t find opening the holding chamber any simple task.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. He uttered troubling words, Jon. He said red wings will descend upon Darkna.”
Jon stared at Sinin for a moment then turned, twisting his lip.
“Oh dear me,” he remarked. “This is far worse than bad. Come—see your horses to comfort and then we shall speak more of this indoors.”