The Arrad mage recovered a little of his aplomb, and nodded. "I see that you do indeed have a worthy weapon, warrior." He raised his hands. "But you have no power!" He shouted harsh, guttural words and flung his fire at the Prince.
Talsy yelled a warning, and Kieran raised the sword as flames engulfed him. The explosion was not as ferocious as the one that had consumed the tree, but he gave a harsh grunt and collapsed, dropping the sword with a clatter. Talsy ran to him and beat out the flames that licked over his clothes. The sickly stench of burnt skin turned her stomach and the fire singed her hands, making her sob with pain. She persevered until all the flames were out, patting his smouldering shirt. Kieran’s face was reddened, his hair singed, and he breathed in wheezing gasps, unconscious.
The Arrad mage crowed with delight and applauded his triumph. His men cheered, waving their weapons as their wizard took a bow. Talsy glared at the man, the danger of her situation lost in her rage.
"You bastard!" She lunged for Kieran's sword, forgetting its loyalty. The wizard raised his hands, then laughed when she could not lift the weapon. Talsy tugged at the blade, which seemed to be glued to the ground, and cursed Chanter's spell and his absence.
"Not even strong enough to lift a sword!" the wizard sneered. "Poor little girl!"
Talsy glanced around at the Aggapae, who retreated towards the gate, their faces twisted with pity. Shan glowered at the Arrad with deep loathing. Clearly they did not wish to become involved in the dispute Kieran had started with his bravado. Jesher had a tribe to protect, and she did not blame him for his reluctance. Two warriors and a boy stood no chance against four hundred Arrad. Realising that they would not help, she returned to Kieran and crouched beside him, pulling out her hunting knife. Where was Chanter? If he was trying to make a point, he had succeeded, she thought angrily.
The mage stepped forward and bent to pick up the Starsword, almost falling face-first into the dirt when it did not budge. He scowled and tugged at the hilt, grunting and grimacing. His men peered at him, some standing in their stirrups to see what was preventing their mage from lifting the weapon. The wizard straightened, shooting a glare at Talsy, and gestured to one of his men.
"Come and take this thing."
A man jumped down from his horse and strode over to try to pick up the sword, with identical results. The mage looked thoughtful and turned to Talsy. "It's cursed, right?"
"It can't be wielded by any other!"
"Ah, well, then it's useless to me." The mage raised his arms, muttered his guttural chant and flung his fire at the sword. An explosion engulfed the weapon, throwing up burning soil that stung Talsy's skin where it hit her, making her hiss. The blast's heat made her skin prickle, and ice trickled through her veins again. The Starsword lay unharmed in a crater of scorched earth, and the wizard scratched his head, adjusting the crested headdress. He muttered a curse and turned to Talsy.
"Stand aside, girl. If I can't destroy the weapon, then killing its wielder will suffice."
"No!" She crouched over Kieran. "Leave him be!"
"If you refuse to move, I'll have to move you. I wouldn't harm a pretty girl, my men will enjoy you better in one piece. But I'm afraid your lover must die."
"Chanter!" Talsy bellowed.
The mage glanced around, then grinned. "To bad, no one else to play with. Now get away from him."
"No! Touch me and you die! Chanter! I need you!"
The mage laughed and imitated her, calling Chanter's name in a high-pitched voice. "No one's coming, silly girl, now get away from him!"
Talsy tried to drag Kieran towards the gate, making him groan. The mage sighed and rolled his eyes, aping a girlish flounce. Raising a finger, he giggled and flicked it at her with a hissing whisper. Talsy yelped as a flash of fire burnt her shoulder, dropped Kieran and clutched the wound.
The mage wagged his finger at her. "I told you to leave him. I can kill you or just make it hurt, what's it to be?"
She renewed her grip on the Prince. "Try to kill me then!"
The wizard shook his head with a long-suffering air. "No, no, I can't do that to a pretty girl. More pain then, eh?"
He raised a finger again, wagging it as he waggled his painted brows.
The air filled with the screaming inferno of Crayash. The mage shrieked and leapt into the air, beating at his clothes. The manifestation of Fire winked out. The wizard glanced around with a frown, then regained his composure with an embarrassed cough, straightening his headdress. Talsy relaxed with a smile, her eyes stinging with tears of relief. The Arrad controlled their frightened mounts, some scowling at the mage. They had all assumed that the mage's magic had gone wrong, it seemed. The wizard glared at Talsy.
"You try my patience, girl. Even my magic grows impatient."
Talsy's smile broadened. "Your magic?"
"Of course! Do you see any other wizards around here?"
"I don't see any, no."
"Well then." The mage's eyes darted around again. "At the risk of another such show of power, I order you to move away from the warrior, now!"
Talsy giggled, blinking away her tears. "Do your damndest, wizard!"
The man's painted face mottled with anger. "Well then you'll get burnt, but I daresay my men will manage. Last chance!"
She shook her head, and he shouted the guttural words again, making a sweeping gesture towards Kieran.
Nothing happened. Talsy's smile widened as the magician gasped, staring at his hands in disbelief. He glanced around at the Arrad, his eyes bulging, then tried again. The mage's face went slack with horror and disbelief. He stared at his hands, shaking his head. Drawing himself up for a supreme effort, he shouted and waved his arms in the throwing gesture. His eyes widened in panic, and he made a mewling sound as he swung to face his followers.
"Seize the girl! I'll not waste my magic on her!"
Several men dismounted and strode towards Talsy.
"Stop."
The soft command made the Arrad warriors halt and stare at the man who had spoken. Chanter emerged from the gate, sweat sheening his skin. Compared to the Mujar's wild beauty, the Trueman wizard's feathers and berry juice-stained skin looked even more foolish and pathetic. Chanter regarded him curiously as he stopped beside Talsy. Emboldened by his presence, she jumped up and glared at the wizard.
"Leave your horses and go!"
The mage stared at Chanter as if mesmerised, but shook himself from his stupor at her words. Unlike Jesher and his people, he had no doubt as to Chanter's race.
"Mujar!" he shouted, his face twisted with hate.
"That's right," Talsy snarled. "A real one!"
"He should be in a Pit!"
"No, that's where you should be, Lowman!"
"Do you think he's going to help you, stupid girl?" The mage gave a cackle of laughter. "Do you think you're safe now? I have four hundred warriors at my back, and you have a useless Mujar! He's harmless!" The man clutched his gut, overcome with laughter. "Everyone knows that Mujar won't kill! He won't lift a finger to help you. He's just come to watch!"
"I wouldn't bet on it," Talsy warned. "He's already taken away your fire. Why do you think he told your thugs to stop?"
The mage's laughter died. "Rubbish! I just used it too much, that's all." He glanced back at the Arrad. "We'll take him to a Pit!"
The men growled and raised their weapons, but many looked doubtful as they eyed Chanter. The scrawny mage gestured grandly, sidling away from the Mujar. "Seize them!"
Several men started forward, drew rusty weapons or hefted long spears. Chanter raised his left arm and pointed to the ground before them. A line of blue fire burst from the soil, cutting off the mage's retreat and his warriors' advance. The wizard paled and stared at Chanter, his face slack with dread.
Talsy smiled, almost able to forget her burns as she cast a glad glance at her impassive saviour. Kieran groaned and writhed.
The Mujar looked down at him. "Sleep."
The wizard's eyes bulged as the
Prince relaxed. A knife appeared in his fist, and he lunged at Talsy. Chanter grabbed her and yanked her back as a burst of fire exploded in front of the mage. He staggered back, dropped the knife and pawed at his face with a howl of pain.
Talsy shouted, "Leave your horses and go, now!"
An Arrad warrior threw a spear through the wall of flame, but only embers fell at their feet. The men muttered and the mage backed away, glancing at the fire that cut off his retreat. Stripped of his strutting bravado by the real power that Chanter wielded, he endeavoured to look cowed and servile, but his eyes glittered with hatred. His act was wasted on Chanter, who cared nothing for Trueman emotions.
"Let me go," he whined, attempting a placating smile.
The Mujar gestured and the fire died. The mage straightened from his craven stance and walked back to his men, clutching the tatters of his dignity along with the remnants of his singed headdress. The Arrad who had dismounted leapt aboard their horses, and the mage approached a skinny grey mare.
Talsy stepped forward. "I said leave the horses!"
The mage swung into the saddle. "Make us!"
A warrior threw a spear at the cringing Jorn, but the weapon burst into flames at a gesture from Chanter, sprinkling the Aggapae with hot ash. The wizard jerked on his horse's reins, yanking the animal's head around as he dug sharp spurs into its flanks. Talsy looked at the Mujar, who frowned.
"Chanter, help them!" she cried.
The Mujar tilted his head and closed his eyes. The horses sank to the ground, their legs folding and heads drooping as if falling asleep. The Arrad cursed and laid into the beasts with whip and spur, jerking on cruel bits that bloodied the horses' mouths. Chanter's brows drew together, and his eyes opened.
"Stop!"
When the men continued to beat their mounts, Mujar stepped forward and raised his left hand. His fingers moved to a silent tune, pointing and flicking. Flashes of fire exploded amongst the Arrad, making them leap and yell as they swatted scorched chests and legs. Some, who were too proud to accept defeat at the hands of a hated Mujar, drew knives with which to slay their erstwhile steeds. Chanter's hand twitched and the knives became red hot, forcing the warriors to drop them with startled yells. With parting kicks and curses at the recumbent animals and the irritating Mujar, the Arrad abandoned their horses and ran. Chanter speeded their retreat with flashes of fire until they had vanished into the trees.
Talsy turned to him. "Thank you, Chanter."
He cocked his head, looking puzzled.
"Gratitude," she explained.
He smiled. "Wish."
Startled, she nodded. "Wish."
"Don't run off and get into trouble when I can't keep up."
Her eyes dropped to his crippled arm, and she bit her lip in remorse. "Regret."
He inclined his head. "Obedience."
She nodded again, bowed under a mountain of shame. He had every right to be angry with her, but, in true Mujar fashion, he regarded her only with sadness and disappointment.
"You had to run all the way here?" she asked.
"Yes. A fair distance it is, too. It seems that I only just made it in time. You were about to be fried, I think."
Talsy flung her arms around him and pressed her cheek to the side of his neck where sweat as pure as spring water ran down his skin.
"What's wrong?" He sounded confused.
"Nothing." She shook her head. "I'm just so glad that you're my friend, and I'm sorry I keep disappointing you."
"I'm not disappointed. I don't understand you, but how can I be disappointed in the First Chosen, who would lay down her life for mine, and tried to? I haven't forgotten, my little clan, that you were prepared to die for me. That is the greatest sacrifice a Trueman can make, I think. In turn, I would go to a Pit for your life, if I had to make that choice. But if you rush headlong into danger when I'm not around to protect you, I do find it alarming."
"Alarming," she echoed with a smile, leaning back to look up at him. "You have an odd way of saying things, Mujar. Is this your way of trying to tell me how you feel about me?"
"Feel?" He looked puzzled. "I care for you, nothing more."
Her heart swelled with joy. "Really?" She looked away as her cheeks grew warm. "We must talk about that. Were you really afraid for me?"
Chanter smiled. "I could have controlled the wizard's fire from further away, but he was using so little of it that I wasn't sure what was going on. That's the only worry I had, with only the Dolana to tell me how great your danger was. According to that, you weren't in mortal danger, or I'd have stopped him sooner. There is a lesson to be learnt today for you and Kieran."
Talsy released him to glance down at the Prince with a shudder. The holes in Kieran's burnt clothes revealed areas of blistered skin, but he remained asleep. She beckoned to the Aggapae who stood in the gate.
"Bring water," she called, and Jesher trotted towards them, pulling a water skin from his belt.
The Mujar knelt beside Kieran, took the water skin she handed him and poured water over the Prince. The manifestation of Shissar made the Aggapae gasp in awe and surprise, and Chanter laid his hands on Kieran. A minute later Kieran sat up, shook his head and blinked in confusion at his unblemished skin. Chanter tended to Talsy's wound, then Jorn's, who cringed from him and beat a hasty retreat when the Mujar finished.
Chanter turned to the slumbering horses and bowed his head, closing his eyes. When he opened them and looked up, the beasts woke and heaved themselves to their feet. They came to greet the Mujar with soft wickers of joy, and Chanter divested each of its saddle and bridle, sending it through the gate with a silent command. The Aggapae stroked the horses as they passed them on their way into the valley, murmuring soft words of greeting and comfort. When the last horse entered the valley, Chanter followed with Kieran and Talsy, closing the gate behind them with a gesture.
Chapter Four
"How did he do it?"
Talsy lay with Chanter atop the roof that was his favourite retreat, safe from prying eyes and interruptions. She made sure that Kieran did not discover this roost, enjoying her monopoly on Chanter's attention. Since the previous night, when Chanter had fought the mage, her curiosity had burnt in her, thwarted when the Mujar had vanished before they reached the village. Now she stretched out beside him in the sun, enjoying his closeness as he lay on his back with his eyes closed.
"How did who do what?" he asked.
"How did the mage make fire?"
"Ah. What did you feel?"
"Cold." She shivered at the memory. "Like ice in my blood."
"Really?" He opened his eyes and frowned. "Interesting."
"So?" She prodded him.
Chanter stared at the clouds. "He must have been drawing Crayash from the living beings around him and channelling it."
"So much?"
"People have plenty of fire in their blood. It's what warms them, and he used the horses too. It's not true power. It's sort of a vampire version, taking from others. Had he been alone, he would have been virtually powerless, or frozen to death."
"But how did he do it?" She let her eyes wander over his face while he was distracted.
He shrugged. "Without the law to stop him, it's just a matter of willpower. Truemen lost the ability to control the elements long ago, but this world is rich in what you call magic. He probably stumbled across it quite by accident."
"You mean anyone can do it now? Could I?"
Chanter sat up, looking so fierce that she recoiled. "No. Don't try. It's forbidden."
"But you do it," she protested.
"Mujar are meant to do it. We're designed that way. We know how to control it, and especially when not to use it. Not all Lowmen can do what he did. He was different, perhaps already changed by the lack of law. The gods will frown upon any who take power that they did not bestow. Do you understand?"
Chanter touched the Mujar mark on her brow, sending a tingle through her blood. "I've given you all the power you need, to call the
spirits to your aid and walk unharmed amongst the beasts. What you cannot deal with, I'll help you with, but never try to use magic.
I forbid it. Obedience, remember?"
"Okay." She hesitated, glad when he relaxed and lay back. "How did you snuff it out?"
"I took control of it. So long as I control Crayash, no one else may use it unless I let them. I could have snuffed out the fire in his blood if I had wanted to."
"That would have killed him," she pointed out.
"Of course." Her shocked silence made him look at her. "But I would never do it."
"You're forbidden."
"No, not exactly." He paused, thinking. "I suppose I'm incapable of it. Hypothetically I could, but morally I couldn't. Do you understand?"
"Not really."
He sighed. "I don't know how else to explain it. Could you kill a helpless babe?"
"No!"
"Exactly. Physically you could, but mentally you couldn't. That's how it is with me." Chanter closed his eyes, and she allowed a short silence to fall before she changed the subject.
"You remember what you said at the gate, about caring for me?"
"Mmm."
She paused, gathering her courage. "Well, amongst Truemen, there's a ceremony to celebrate the love between two people. It's called marriage. It's a public declaration of their love, you see, so others know that the two are bound to each other. They swear to stay together forever, and to always love each other..."
"Is there a point to this?" He opened one eye to look at her. "I know about Trueman marriage."
"Yes, there's a point." She bit her lip, wondering how he would react. "I want us to get married."
"Us?" He opened both eyes in surprise. "You mean you and I?"
She nodded, and he chuckled, then sobered, shaking his head at her serious expression. "What a strange creature you are."
Glad that he had not reacted with horror or unreserved refusal, she hurried on, "It's just a little ceremony. Everyone will be glad. I mean, for the First Chosen to marry a Mujar is like the ultimate bonding between Trueman and Mujar, reconciling all the differences of the past..."
"Showing people that Mujar are as good as them?"
Broken World Book Three - A Land Without Law Page 6