Slowly, April, and then Cindy, both started to awaken. Each woke up frightened, and slightly hysterical. Tersa and I got them to calm down, and tell us what happened, but the whole story seemed very confused.
The men in gray broke in just before my arrival. April had just returned from her brother’s funeral, and was attacked when she stepped into my home. Cindy was taken prisoner just seconds before my arrival.
It appeared the men in grey were looking for me. It gave me a cold chill to think what might have happened if I hadn't left for Earth when I did.
A few minutes later, the Rock returned to Remaca, and we sat down with April and Cindy to try to evaluate what was happening. As we talked, it became obvious that a trap was being set for me by the grey men. It was only the intervention of a member of the Earth's Chosen that prevented the grey men from succeeding.
The Rock was very upset that I had almost been taken. He was very pleased with Tersa, and her handling of the incident. I could tell in the link that his mind was a flurry of activity. Something had changed, and I could see that the Rock was preparing to go on the offensive.
April had taken Cindy outside to meet Bitsy, Al, and the other creatures that shared Remaca with us. I had encouraged this, so that it might distract them from what had occurred on Earth.
Bitsy, now at least seventy feet long, can be very distracting.
After we had talked for some time, the Rock said, "I must consult the Magi Council, and let them know what is happening on Earth." He looked directly at Tersa, and said, "It appears Kaltar is being targeted by the Darkness. Protect him at all costs! Is that clear?"
She nodded acknowledgement of his command. After a moment, she asked, "Is it to be war then? Has it really finally begun?"
The Rock slowly nodded his head, and said, "The war never really ended. Any lack of aggression shouldn't be confused with a feeling of surrender. The Darkness has no concept of time in the human sense. A thousand years is the same as a day. In a million years, it still would be plotting to destroy us."
Tersa quietly said, "Unless we destroy it first!"
The Rock sat looking at Tersa for a moment. Then he said, "It is my belief that the beast can't be destroyed, but that it can be trapped, or pinned. If held at bay, it would be much the same effect from the point of view of most of us in this Universe."
"Except for the people holding it at bay!" added Tersa.
The Rock sat thinking for a moment. Then he slowly said, "I believe it is a job for one warrior! We shall force the Darkness into another dimension, and then leave that warrior to guard the closed and locked door."
Tersa slowly said, "You mean the warrior would be locked inside with the Darkness?"
"For the rest of eternity," the Rock added, finishing the statement.
Silence prevailed in the room. You could hear April and Cindy talking to Bitsy outside the window.
Then I heard both Bitsy and Al start to growl. It wasn't the bark of a dog, but more of ground shaking rumble. I heard April yell, "Kaltar! There are men out here!" I reached out in the link, and could tell at once that the Magi had arrived.
We all went out to greet the Magi that were stepping up to the house. I knew several, but I had never met most of them. There were over twenty of them all together. So many, it seemed like a mob.
Uncle Hammond was among them. He stepped up, and hugged me, saying, "Good to see you young Magi!" He looked me over, and said, "I heard you were injured! They must have hit you in the head. You don't show a mark!" I nodded acknowledgement of the comment, and he added, "Hitting your hard head will never be effective. They’re doomed to continuing failure if they don't adopt new tactics!" I could see he was having fun at my expense.
"They almost took me and my friends," I noted. "It was a woman within the Chosen of Earth that saved us. She knew of me, and let us go." I thought for a moment, and then said, "The Chosen are fast becoming a major player here!"
"I agree," said the Rock. "But I still believe the single key player, the man the Guardians call Satu-Ra, is where all the flux in the timeline is coming from.
Uncle Hammond had grown more serious, and said, "The council is calling in the bulk of the Magi. I've never seen a recall of this magnitude. Hundreds of us are going. Perhaps thousands judging from the looks of what I've seen. It will be an historic meeting!"
"We don't need a meeting," growled Tersa. "We need to send Magi into the front lines! We need to start to push back!"
"Years ago I sang that same song," said my Uncle. "Nobody ever wants to hear it till it's too late!"
"It's turned into a choir at this point," said the Rock. "Too many Magi can now see the cliff before us. The war has begun! The question now, is where best to expend our resources. Do we back the Guardians and the Chosen, or start another front, and apply more pressure to the Darkness elsewhere?"
Vandahar asked, "Will you join us at Krashure Maug when the Magi Council meets, Kaltar?"
I had heard of this place, but never been there. I said, "I was not asked to attend. I'm still a student, and doubt my opinion will carry much weight in any discussions that might occur."
"He will be attending," said Tersa. "If I have to drag him there!"
"You are my student," said the Rock. "I'm asking you to attend!" At that point, I considered the issue resolved, and went to tell April and Cindy. They had gone into the house as soon as the squad of Magi showed.
As I stepped away from the other Magi, most of them folded space, leaving for Krashure Maug, and the Council meeting. Tersa and Vandahar remained behind on Remaca, and quietly walked along talking behind me.
April and Cindy were sitting in the front room. I stepped into the house, and we talked for a moment. The two ladies seemed to be doing well, considering all they had been through lately. As I turned to leave, April stepped close, and asked, "Do you have any idea how long you'll be gone?"
"I should return by tomorrow at the latest," I replied. She leaned closer, and wrapped her arms around me. I pulled her to me, and we hugged for a full minute. I just stood there drawing strength from her.
She finally looked up at me, and stood back. I could tell she was starting to stress, and she quietly said, "You need to go before I lose it!"
I turned and walked straight out. Tersa and Vandahar were waiting, and as I approached, I said, "Okay! You lead, I follow!" I was locked on Tersa, and as she folded space, so did I.
The world I was now on, was far different than Remaca. I've seen movies in Earth's records that showed ancient castles where vampires lived. Think dark, scary, castles, up on rocky cliffs, and you get the idea. We arrived on a large cliff edge that was as big as a stadium back on Earth. If you fell off the cliff, it was miles to the planet below.
My first thought was, this is scary! I hate this place! I looked at Vandahar, and he said, "Don't let it intimidate you Kaltar!"
Tersa laughed, and said, "I saw you take on minions seven feet tall, and not even flinch. Nothing here will harm you Kaltar! I swear! You are safe here at Krashure Maug! It is a Magi stronghold that has stood since the beginning of time! It isn't as bad as it looks!"
"Actually," said Vandahar, "It is a very amazing place. When it was built, the Magi tended to be warriors. Now we are far less likely to follow the creed of the warrior, and become creators."
"Not all of us," observed Tersa. "I love this place. I guess that kinda says something about me."
We started toward the front gate to enter. As we did, I realized I could see several Magi I knew waiting for us. My Uncle and the Rock were there. Urla and Talara were standing a little farther inside the gateway. As I walked up, the Rock said, "There has been a little change of plans Kaltar! I need for you to come with me!" Of course, I did as I was told.
We walked out into a large courtyard filled with Magi. A path was clearing as we walked. I suddenly realized Tersa, Vandahar, and the rest were right behind us as we reached the center of the crowd. I had taken for granted that I was being led to a seat
till we stopped in the middle of the mob.
I started to ask the Rock what was happening. Anticipating my question, the Rock said, "Somebody wishes to speak to you Kaltar!"
Looking through the crowd, I could see someone was slowly approaching where we stood. It was only at the last minute that I realized the figure shuffling up was the old Magi, Havasta. I was shocked to see the ancient wizard look up at me and smile. In a very quiet voice, he said, "I've been searching for you young Magi!" He reached toward me, and as he did, he said a single word. It sounded like, "Macratas!"
Then he appeared to drop dead. I wouldn't know. A bolt of blue lightning arced from his hand, and slammed into my chest. I was thrown through the air, over the heads of some rather tall Magi. I guess I passed out for a moment, for when I came to, a crowd had formed around me. Tersa was crouched down, looking at me, and I managed to growl out in a mocking voice, "I swear! You are safe here at Krashure Maug!" She cringed slightly, but didn't say anything.
A short distance away, another crowd had formed around Havasta's body. As I watched, his body began to glow in a bright blue light. He was laid out on his back, on the ground. The crowd around him pulled back as he glowed brighter and brighter. Then, the body shook slightly, and slowly began to lift off the ground. It floated up well into the air, and stopped.
I was shocked! I could tell in a basic scan that the old wizard appeared to be dead. As the mob watched, old Havasta rotated around till he appeared to be standing upright, his feet up well off the ground. His eyes remained closed, but his hand raised, and pointed straight at me. In a deep, powerful, voice, the ancient Magi said, "Before you is the future! Look to the boy! Search out the Chosen! The Darkness is upon us! There is no more time!"
Havasta's body seemed to suddenly lose its glow, and then dropped to the ground like a sack of sand. People in the crowd began to scream. The Magi I knew seemed to step closer to me. I felt I had to do something to calm the people there. I raised my fist, and yelled out, "Magi! Stand by me!"
The crowd seemed to freeze! Suddenly Uncle Hammond raised his fist and yelled, "Magi! Stand by me!"
The Rock yelled, "Magi!"
The crowd yelled "Stand by me!" The place shook with the roar created.
I was at a loss what to do. Suddenly I heard Tersa quietly say, "Talk to them Kaltar! They need to hear you!"
I had no concept what to say. I found myself saying, "I'm new here! All my life, I was taught a fervent respect for the powers of the great Magi! It seems I just arrived, but I now stand here seeing the only power I truly believe can stop the Darkness, on the verge of panic!"
I was suddenly angry. I took a deep breath, and cried out, "I won't have it! Failure is not in the vocabulary of a Magi, and if it is, rip it out! I will fight and win, or die! Three Magi stopped the Darkness before. They have returned to finish the job they began so long ago! I will be there to help them! I will stand by them! Magi! Will you stand by me?”
The place roared! Uncle Hammond leaned close, and said, "We need to leave!" I looked up, and could tell it was not a request! It was a command! We started to work our way through the crowd. Suddenly, Tersa pulled my arm, and we turned down a hallway that ran under the walls around the main courtyard. We were moving fast, and had gone some distance down the side streets before I realized we had lost the rest of the group.
We were almost running, and she went around the edge of the next building before me. As I rounded the corner, Tersa grabbed my arm, and swung me around so my back was up against a building. She pinned me, and kissed me in a very aggressive manner.
I was caught off guard, and time seemed to slow as we just stood there locked together. Her arms wrapped around me, and for several seconds, I just stood there, enjoying what was happening.
It was a good feeling!
Tersa stopped the kiss, and leaned back slightly. Our eyes met, and she said, "How's that for a first date?" I must admit, I was at a loss for words. After several seconds, she asked, "Am I in a lot of trouble?"
"You are in no trouble," I replied. "I'm just unsure how to react!"
She smiled, and I started to feel nervous right away. She scanned me, and then started laughing. After a moment she said, "Ready to confront the Darkness, but I make you nervous, huh!" She seemed to sober slightly, and then said, "I realize you're in love with April, and that you're now the next apparent leader of the Magi Council. I decided this would be the one and only chance I would ever get, and I took it!"
I was confused, and asked, "You're afraid to kiss me?"
Now she looked confused, and asked, "You don't mind?"
"My Mother said I would soon be kissing girls," I responded. "I thought it was pretty normal!"
"I kind of expected to be in trouble," she said. After a moment, she leaned closer, and said, "Want to try again?"
I was tempted, but I said, "I suspect the others will be looking for us!"
As we stood there, I scanned Tersa just lightly. I quickly saw that she had kissed men several times in her life. In point of fact, as I scanned her, I got the distinct feeling she wished to do far more than kiss. For a moment I was embarrassed, and then I took it as a compliment. I got the impression Tersa had been very selective in the men she took an interest in.
I got the feeling in the link it was a lot like military conquest for her. She saw, she conquered, she moved on!
For some reason, I didn't wish to be a conquest. I gently kissed her on the forehead, and said, "We should go!"
Her eyes went wide, and she said, "I get the feeling I just got shut out!"
"You are very beautiful," I said, "But I regret to say that my plans in the near future, won't have much time set aside for kissing!"
Tersa slowly lost her smile. She quietly said, "I get the feeling that's my loss."
I smiled slightly, and replied, "You'd grow tired of me! I was born on a farm, and would know nothing of the places you have been and seen."
Trying to smile again. She said, "I'd like to show those places to you Kaltar! We would be good together!"
I must have appeared very weak as I said, "I fear you are too forceful a personality, and that I'd soon bore you!"
She was really thinking now. I could see it in her face. She quietly said, "At least you know I'm interested!"
Right then the Rock stepped around the corner moving fast. He stopped abruptly, and said, "Here you are!" He eyed us both, and then said, "We will stay here at Krashure Maug tonight!" He glanced at Tersa and said, "We will all be staying together!"
Tersa was focused on the ground, and not looking up. She nodded to acknowledge the comment, but didn't say anything.
The Rock said, "Follow me!” and led us through a series of side streets till we reached a wall at the base of the fortress castle. A large door, big enough for twenty men to pass through at once, slowly opened, and we were let in.
Outside, it was dark and haunting. Inside, it was brightly lit, and on a large scale. Again, I had seen images of ancient castles on Earth. This place was right out of those photos. Draperies covered the walls, and it appeared we were in a banquet hall. About a hundred Magi were eating at a large table. The Rock led us along the wall, and down a huge hallway, to a large sleeping room with mats laid out.
Tersa looked around, and said, "I miss my bed already!"
"Since when do you sleep on a bed?" I asked
"Since I saw yours," she replied with a sheepish grin. The Rock gave her an odd look, but said nothing.
At that moment, I realized how exhausted I was. I stepped over to the closest mat, and laid down. Stretching out and relaxing is the last thing I remember.
Chapter 19
The Magi Council
When I awoke next, the room I was in was darkened for sleeping. In the next room, I could hear voices. I sat up, got up, and stepped out into the lit room.
There were several tables, and a dozen Magi were all talking to each other. As I stepped in, a man that had been talking to the Rock stood up, bowed to
me slightly, then turned, and left the room. The Rock waved me over, and I joined him.
He smiled at me, and said, "Every Magi in the Grand Coven has volunteered! I've been sending out scouts as you slept. You spoke well Kaltar! You will one day be the leader these people need, and deserve!"
I looked at him, and spoke my mind, saying, "I haven't got a clue what to do!"
The Rock said, "You are a natural leader Kaltar! Let your heart be your guide, and you'll always beat the averages!"
Tersa stepped into the room, and walked over to us. She was still acting a little sheepish as she stepped over, and said, "A meeting has been set up with the Magi Council. They've asked you to attend!"
I nodded, and the Rock said, "Just be yourself Kaltar! You were born for this moment!" He stood, and led me back through the door Tersa had used. We walked into a large round room with a low ceiling. A large wooden table, shaped like a hollowed half circle, was at one end of the room. At the other end of the room was a fireplace. It roared with flame as big as a man, but threw off no heat.
The Rock brought me to the center of the circle, and said, "Just stand here!" Then he walked over, and took a seat at the table. There were nine seats. The seat in the center, or head of the table, was empty.
The Rock sat down, and a man at the table said, "My name is Vancrusher! I've been asked to inform you that a vote occurred as you slept, and the Magi declared you their leader. This is a great honor, for you, and for us! Will you accept this mandate to serve your people?"
I saw little choice, and nodded yes. Then I said, "I will serve, but I'll require the council's guidance. What would you have me do?"
Vancrusher leaned across the table, and we locked eyes. He quietly said, "Destroy the Darkness, Kaltar! Track it to its lair, and help us kill it!"
"I will obey the Council’s will," I said. "How shall I best complete this task?"
The Rock said, "Be open to your heart Kaltar! It will lead you to the answer!"
"The Guardians, and the Earthers known as the Chosen, are taking the battle straight to the Darkness," said Vancrusher. "Ally with them, and aid them whenever you can."
The Books of Kaltar Farsara Boxed Set - Books 1 through 3 (The Kingdom Kaltar Farsara Built) Page 15