by Aaron Thomas
The vision of fire magic reflected in waves of heat floating into the sky where it cooled and Kilen watched it turn from red into a yellow as it floated in the wind. “It keeps changing doesn’t it?” he said out loud to no one in particular.
Joahna stepped closer to answer, “Yes.” His answer was short but somehow told Kilen there was more of an answer waiting behind his voice. Kilen waited for the answer that eventually came, “I was once told that energy could not be created or destroyed. It can only be altered or manipulated. Being a wielder means having the ability to force that energy to do your will. You, Kilen, have the ability to see it in every form, it is something that I cannot do. Is that what you are seeing?”
Kilen took a moment to watch the elemental energy in all it’s forms. “Not all of it changes. Some of it disappears.”
Joahna cocked his head to the side in confusion. “I am watching it and as it moves from form to form, it loses some energy. If it cannot be created or destroyed, where does it go?”
Joahna rubbed the fosted stubble on his face, “Perhaps there are more types of magic than even you can see. Perhaps you have yet to be able to see spirit energy, or it is turning to soul magic energy.”
“I had not considered that I may be able to see soul magic or spirit magic, if it exists.” Kilen said stepping away from the fire.
“We have to consider everything. You are exploring magic that has not had it’s limits tested,” Joahna said.
Joahna and Max stood staring at Kilen. At least he thought they were staring at him. He thought that perhaps he would test something right where they were.
“We have discovered many things about my ability purely on accident. Otherwise I would not have tried these small things. When I was stripped of my imbuements we had no idea you would stay in the elemental. If there is a small chance that I may lose you and not be able to keep my promise, I will not risk testing my abilities further.” Kilen said turning his back on them.
Max, still in horse form, spoke with his former human voice, “Perhaps test a spirit when we find another one collected by accident.”
Kilen was irritated at the suggestion, “Any spirit I have the unfortunate circumstances to collect will fall under the same promise I have given you. I will do my best to return them to their body.” Kilen moved away from the fire and mounted Max as if he was a horse. Only a horse.
Joahna placed an icy hand on Kilen’s leg, “Some day you will take in a spirit that is unwilling or unbelieving of your ability. He will combat your mind everyday he remains in you. You must face facts that when this happens you may have no choice to find a way to push him out. Whether it kills him or not. You cannot expect to collect these spirits without truly losing the room in your mind to contain your own spirit, either whole or in part. We should know how to rid ourselves of them before we obtain one.”
“If I can hold onto every spirit I come across, I will. I will not make the choice to lose one. Who am I to decide what spirits should be saved?” No response came from any of his spirit friends, “It is getting late.” He kicked Max into movement. Kilen was more than a little irritated at the others willingness to experiment with new spirits coming into his mind. He was mad that they could so easily press these tests on those so recently dead. Kilen knew these were people, with or without a body.
**********
Cathy had exited her home several times to collect the vegetables and fruit in the garden that Ria had grown for her. Bowie was sure the plants would continue to grow in days to come as long as he didn’t have to burn the home down. So far none of the turncoats had excited the home in order to escape, forcing Bowie’s hand in destroying them. Two of the windows facing the road approaching the house now had their shutters open. The movement inside seemed to increase as the sun started to drift down towards the horizon
Bowie had given orders that no one was to be harmed as long as they left the cottage and headed south with no weapons. He knew he could not afford to have the Earth Realm boys- turned Fire Realm, double back and attack his men in the night. John had suggested that each of Bowie’s men should be holding a torch as the time neared to the sun setting on the horizon.
John in a saddle at Bowie’s side finally spoke, “What happens if they don’t leave?”
Bowie cleared his throat of frustration that felt lodged in place, knowing that he had already lost one of his soldiers because of the men in the cottage. “We do what we promised to do; I will fire the shot that burns the house down. No need to give that command to one of the men who grew up in the Earth Realm. I just hope for that woman’s sake, none are left inside.” Charger danced underneath his weight. By now the horse was use to walking long distances and no longer wanted to stand still. “I think after this is done, I will need a drink.”
“I think the men would like one also, and not just because they are tired of carting it around instead of putting more men in wagons,” John said smiling as if he had told a joke.
“We have a wagon full of ale?” Bowie asked turning in his saddle.
John let out a small chuckle which was unlike him, “I have been keeping the men from it because we needed to keep our heads about us. It could be the reason they like you more than me.”
“You could have easily told them I was keeping it from them, John.” Bowie said fighting Charger’s eager dancing.
“We have been going to battle each and everyday for a week, whether or not we actually find a fight. The men need to have no hatred or doubts about your leadership. They need to have every reason to follow you into battle and none to want to put an arrow in your back.”
“What protects your back from arrows?” Bowie looked at John’s eyes, trying to understand him.
“Your respect for me. They respect you, and because of that, they trust your choice in me as your second.” John said it without a doubt of conviction on his voice.
“How much do we have?” Bowie asked without looking away.
“A entire wagon of ale casks and half of a second with wine. It would have been more but we needed the space for tents.”
Bowie smiled, “We will go no further carrying it with us. When this is over we will divide it up between the men so that everyone gets their share. The men on sentry duty need to make sure to stay sober.”
“I’m sure they will enjoy your order to get rid of it.”
Bowie looked again at John’s eyes to ensure he took his next statement as an order, “My order was to dispose of it. Your decision was to distribute it to the men.” His look was not answered by John but interrupted by the small house’s door opening.
Cathy stepped outside and looked about her yard to find the men guarding her house. Cathy and Bowie said nothing to one another only sat staring across the distance.
A man in a red leather outfit stepped out of the door behind her carrying a sword. He tossed it to the ground and jogged off into the trees. After a moment, another exited and did the same, only in another direction. Bowie counted the men that ran out of the house in this fashion until only one was left behind. Bowie waited a few more moments and then nudged Charger towards the house. He said nothing and did not raise a weapon to the gray haired woman.
She wrung her hands on her apron as he approached, wiping the foods stuffs from her fingers. “The last one is in no condition to travel. I will have to care for him until I can get a healer to see him.”
Bowie removed his hat before dismounting. He held Charger’s reins in his hands as he approached. “That’s fine ma’am. I will have one of my men with skills in healing come and take a look. His name is Bobby. I will need you to admit a couple other men to ensure his safety as well.”
She bowed her head in appreciation, “Thank you for your help. I do hope this whole situation is resolved with little bloodshed. Our towns cannot survive with the losses of those boy’s lives.”
“You have my promise that as long as they do not fight me, I will not fight them.”
Her mouth turned sideways, �
�That is what I am afraid of. I keep telling those boys this is not the way, but they are young both in age and in wisdom.”
There was an awkward silence so Bowie let out a half bow and remounted Charger. “I will see that my surgeon comes by soon.” He tipped his hat hand started to turn the horse away when she moved to him and placed a hand on his leg.
“See to it that you thank the wizard for saving my garden. It will get me through the summer and possibly the winter as well,” Cathy said.
“I will give her your message. Good day, Ms. Hill,” Bowie said.
Bowie made his way towards John and watched Cathy move amongst the revived plants in the garden, collecting any extra fruits. A wave of John’s arm gathered in the archers in the trees and they started the march back to camp. The men in the back seemed on edge as they followed. Each had an arrow in their bow at the ready. They kept glancing into the woods. Their being nervous made Bowie nervous and he wondered if he’d made a good decision in letting the traitors go.
“John, make sure this group is the one to dispose of the casks.”
John nodded and looked back to see a couple of men already starting to smile.
Their camp sites had evolved since they first started to travel. Senturies challenged them as they came up the road in the dark. Bowie called out the password which changed every day. Today’s word was “Cartwheel.” Bowie often picked a random item that he saw as he exited his tent. They never wrote down the word and never used the same word twice. He was getting tired of picking new ones and started using the first item he saw.
John shouted out the password and they continued into the camp. The outside of the camp was set up with sentries in the trees on both sides of the road. A clearing had been made between the trees and first row of tents. The tents made a large ring around the center of camp in three circles. All the supplies were in the center of the camp so if an enemy was able to enter, all the archers could gather in the middle and fight their way out. The wagons in the middle contained the arrows, weapons, and armor they would need to fight. Tents housing those of a higher rank were in the center with the scouts and fletchers.
Bowie had a couple of long days and this was his chance to get freshened up before he had a drink. He entered his dark tent and reached outside to grab a small torch. A lamp was on the table, so he lit it and put the torch back outside.
When he returned inside he drew a knife from his belt as something moved in his cot. Turning up the wick in the lamp, the tent was flooded by light. Beneath the far edge of the blanket he could see a mass of red hair. Slowly he sheathed his knife. “Auburn.”
A snort from underneath the blankets made him think perhaps it wasn’t the girl. He reached over to pull off the blanket.
“Don’t think about climbing in here with me. I told you before, I won’t be that kind of girl. I just needed somewhere to escape Ria.” Auburn sat up holding the blanket over her shoulders. “Can you hand me my pants and turn around?”
Bowie said nothing, only frantically searched the tent for her pants which he found at the foot of the cot.
“Ever since we got back from that house she has been trying to convince me not to join the Fire Realm. Not that I would.” She stopped talking for a moment and Bowie nervously stared at the tents door, waiting. Auburn’s shoulder rubbed up against his as she moved past him to stand in his sight. “Thanks for letting me get some sleep.”
Bowie nodded.
“They will be distributing the ale and wine tonight so make sure your men get their share.”
Auburn stepped closer and straightened a part of his vest. “Are you trying to get me drunk as well?”
“I just wanted to…,” Bowie had grown tired of playing this game with her. He might have been just plain tired. Either way, he was done trying to act like a gentlemen while she pushed him to be everything but. “Just get out. I need to get some sleep as well.” He waved his hand as her face looked to take on a bit of anger.
He took off his vest and started to brush the dirt from it with his hand. He sat on his bed and started to pull off his boots and ignored Auburn, still standing in the tents doorway. Slowly she backed out of the tent and left him alone. The night air was already starting to cool off. The gentle breeze coming through his tent felt good so he left his wool shirt on and layed down on the already warm cot.
He heard some of the men already starting to cheer and a dulcimer was taken out to provide a tune to dance to. He was sure that with the lack of women in camp, his men wouldn’t wear themselves out dancing. He closed his eyes and listened to the music and the sound of his tent flaps in the breeze. Bowie felt his chest get heavy like his eyelids. The days of travel to Deuterium followed by the forced march to where his camp is now had taken a toll on his mind and body. The warm night and cool breeze helped make his eyes close as he started to drift off to sleep.
**********
“He’s descent, common in!” The voice that startled Bowie awake was John’s. Bowie’s head was thick, like he had just gone to sleep. He wondered if he had gotten any rest at all.
“Is it morning?” Bowie asked, rubbing his eyes.
Ria and Auburn stepped in the tent and turned up the lamp so everything could be seen well. “It is just past dark, Master Crescent,” Ria’s voice sounded irritated. He was sure he would find out why soon enough.
“I just laid down. What is so important that you need to wake me up?” Bowie pulled on his boots.
“I tried to tell them you were not in the mood to be trifled with, Sergeant.” Auburn remained close to the tents door. Her voice also sounded irritated, but Bowie knew that could be because Ria was close by. He also noted her use of his rank when she addressed him, that could not be good.
Ria sat down on the empty stool, “I would like to know what you intend to do about the locals.”
“I intend to let them get a good night’s sleep. The same thing I had planned for myself before you woke me up.” Bowie stood up and looked right at Ria, “Before you start conjuring a plant to punish me, just know you are in MY tent, and I did not invite you here!” Bowie waited but no whip of a plant came and Ria said nothing in retort.
“I told you.” Auburn piped in. She let out a yelp shortly after. Apparently Ria had no qualms about punishing her.
“It may be his tent but I can still correct your manners, young lady.”
Auburn rubbed her backside as Bowie watched a root sink itself back into the ground.
She turned back to Bowie, “You are awake now, perhaps we can discuss what you plan to do.”
Bowie sat back down and offered a seat to John and Auburn who refused with a shake of her head. “These men from the Earth Realm may be traitors but they are not our enemies. They just want what is right for their people. I know all too well the hardships King Atmos puts on the Water Realm. I liked it better when they were not in our way. I would have rather traveled to the battle without having to fight our own people to get there.”
“Well spoken, but that does not answer my question.” Ria said smoothing her dress, “Now, what is it you intend to do?”
Bowie thought for a moment and then decided to think out loud, “I don’t think the king would like us to attack his country men.” They all nodded in agreement. “But, I don’t think he will stand for them to have joined the enemy. We need to find a way to keep them from attacking the king’s forces and get them away from the Fire Realm army before he gets here.”
John offered his opinion, “I don’t think we are going to stop them from helping the Fire Realm.”
Ria scooted closer to the edge of her stool, “I believe you are both correct. May I offer my thoughts on the situation?”
Bowie nodded and waved a hand around for her to get on with it.
“Well, seeing as now we have some of them on the run, perhaps we should follow and make a presence in each town. We do not have to fight or see the traitors hung. We simply ride in and let them know we know of their treacherous behavior and give t
hem a reason to stay out of the way,” Ria said holding out her hands as if to invite comments.
“What reason could we bloody well give them!?!” Bowie snapped back.
Ria did not speak but looked deep in thought, so Auburn spoke out in a whisper, “Their families.”
All except Bowie nodded their head in agreement, even if Ria was a little slower than the rest.
“By the Brights. So we ride into town and as we pass through we shout out that if they don’t stop acting like traitors, their families will pay the price?” Bowie asked as he put on his second boot.
Auburn stepped forward and finally took a seat on the cot next to Bowie. “We ride into town and we ask they simply stay out of the way. We warn them that if Atmos were to find out that they were helping the Fire Realm, they would all suffer the consequences. Tell them all that the few who help the Fire Realm put everyone in danger. We ask for nothing and we take nothing. We simply give them the warning and ride on.”
“What if we need food supplies?” Bowie asked.
John finally spoke up, “With the meat that we bring in each day and Ria growing some grains and beans, we won’t need food. We need to spread the word. I think it is as important to us as to the men.”
Ria nodded her head in agreement again, “Doing this will not only help this part of the Earth Realm survive but will also keep this troop together. Your men will have confidence that we are doing the right thing. It will keep them stable in their mind about who the true enemy is.”
“Fine. We will leave late morning, as some of the men have need of more rest than usual. Has the drink been distributed?”
“Yes, it has been disposed of. The men will be ready by early morning if you want them to be. There was not that much drink given to each once it was spread out evenly. I have your bottle here.” John pulled a bottle of wine from his satchel and handed it to Bowie.