“But they never conquered us, our ancestors drove them back” added Graval proudly.
“NO?” replied Ganasis sounding relieved.
“Then it worked.” he added smiling.
“What?” asked Talon?
“I had a feeling that something might happen to me, so I left a Talisman blessed with a spell and hid it at the entrance of our land, the Talisman would block all the emperors’ magic.”
Talon smiled at Ganasis.
“Yes old man your Talisman worked.”
“Why didn’t the Zanlian wizards just kill you, why go to all this trouble surely a blade through the gut would have been much easier.” asked Graval.
“A wizard kill a wizard! It’s impossible; the wizard would be cursed for eternity if he did such a thing.”
“But can’t you wizards talk to each other with your crystals.” Graval suddenly said.
“Yes we can but I did not have any crystals.”
Ganasis then rose to his feet as if tired of these questions.
“Come we have no time to waste, you must take me to Korvak castle.”
“The Zanlian wizards” replied Talon.
“It is vital I find out what they know.”
“What’s the urgency?”
“I have sat in that cave for centuries my young friend, believe me there is plenty I wish to do.”
Talon smiled as suddenly the frail old man he met a few moments ago was suddenly full of energy, Talon noticed that there was now even youthfulness in the old man’s moves.
“Give me your knife” Ganasis all of sudden asked Graval who in turn handed him one and then watched as Ganasis grabbed his beard which was down to his waist and cut it off near his chest.
“Damn thing!” he cursed which made Graval smile.
“There are places in Zachra that will do a much better task of that for you.” added Graval still smiling.
“You mean a parlour! You still have such places, Argh there for women and merchants I am a battle wizard and I groom in the field.” added Ganasis as he handed the knife back to Graval and then motioned for him to cut his hair which was way down his back.
Talon laughed slightly as he thought to himself.
“I like this wizard.”
Graval then pulled Talon to the side and commented on the point of Ganasis saying he wanted to question the Zanlian wizards.
“Prince Arun and Zalon are on their way to kill the Zanlian’s.”
“What’s that you’re saying?” Ganasis snapped showing obvious signs that he did not like people whispering around him.
“My Grandfather and the Prince are on their way to kill the wizards; they may have done so already, I was already aware of their betrayal.”
“You knew of what they done.”
“I discovered their secret in a Pangkor temple, a scroll written by Apollo.”
“So this was not a secret.”
“Not from me” added Talon.
Ganasis suddenly looked very concerned.
“You must take me to Zachra immediately; if you are correct then we have more traitors.”
“More traitors, who!.”
“When the Great War turned against us Apollo sent me back to Zachania, but Valsa stayed with him up until the day he died, if you say Apollo wrote of the Zanlian wizard’s betrayal then why did Valsa not know this?”
“The scroll is back in Zachra and I have Apollo’s sword” added Talon before reaching over and showing Ganasis the sword who in turn gazed at it deeply and remembered it’s once owner Apollo, Talon noticed a tear in the old wizards eye.
“Then Valsa betrayed us too, come we have no time to waste.” replied Ganasis shaking his head and snapping from his thoughts.
The men gathered their belongings and climbed the mountain which led them back into the mists, Talon said to Ganasis that the mists were treacherous and showed concern that he was not dressed appropriately but Ganasis replied not to worry as he would clear a path across the mist.
Back across the Zachanian Mountains, just outside Korvak’s town of Zafra Prince Arun and Zalon had joined Lord Heikan who had laid siege to Korvak’s castle. Lord Heikan requested numerous times for an audience with Lord Korvak all of which had been refused.
“How much longer will this man keep us waiting?” Zalon shouted banging his jug of ale down on the table while staring at the Prince.
“Zalon’s right sire, I am growing tired of being polite to Korvak” added Heikan agreeing with Zalon.
“Gentlemen please show calm! Kaan Korvak is still an important man, I say we show patience” replied the Prince trying to bring some reason.
“Sire you are of royal blood and you do not have to show patience, not to anyone! I implore you to demand an audience and bring this charade to a close” answered Heikan getting to his feet.
Arun shook his head at Heikan.
“Bolson my friend I will demand nothing at this stage, I do not want to push Korvak into a corner.”
“We are sitting on his doorstep with our armies sire, what corner do you not want to push him into.” replied Heikan rather frustrated.
Zumal suddenly made his thoughts known.
“The Prince is right! Korvak must not be forced into retaliating; Zachania does not need a civil war.”
“Civil war nonsense! We would crush him!” Heikan shouted only to anger Zumal.
“CRUSH WHO! Crush a Zachanian Lord, would this make you feel good Lord Heikan? Trust me there would be no honour in this fight, no heroes or victors, only sadness and a shame that we could not deal with this matter other than with a sword!” replied Prince Arun now raising his own voice and showing signs of anger and frustration.
Zumal still standing rested an arm on the Prince.
“You will make a formidable King my Prince, any leader of men can lead his men into war but a legendary leader is the man who can win battles without bloodshed and death.”
Heikan bit his lip and tried to relax.
“Have you tried to contact Korvak’s wizards Zumal?”
“I have but they will not reply.”
The conversation was then interrupted by the arrival of a tall man of muscular appearance with only one eye entering the tent. He was Kinlan Lord Heikan’s most trusted soldier.
“What it is Kinlan” Heikan asked.
Kinlan bowed his head and crossed his hands in front of his chest saluting his Lord Heikan
“There is a messenger from Korvak sir.”
“Send him in!”
Kinlan then called in the messenger who entered dressed in full combat uniform and he gave the Prince a rolled up letter, the Prince read the letter before replying.
“Tell Lord Korvak we will comply with his wishes.”
The messenger saluted the Prince before turning and leaving the tent.
“Well what did it say” asked Heikan looking impatient.
Prince Arun smiled before answering.
“Korvak demands that our soldiers who lay siege to his castle be dispersed immediately.”
“Sire this Lord is hiding traitors to the realm of Zachania, how much more of this insolence are we going to take!” replied Heikan now angered again.
Prince Arun looked at Heikan with a face mixed between rage and embarrassment.
“We will comply with his wishes and we will wait and that is final!”
Lord Heikan stared at the Prince for a moment intently before realising who he was so he relaxed.
“As you wish sire.”
As the atmosphere eased Zumal walked outside the tent and sat alone deep in thought, he was thinking about his friend and fellow wizard Valsa, the scroll Talon had produced containing Apollo’s wishes had told of the treachery by the Zanlian wizards and Zumal could not stop thinking of how Valsa who remained with Apollo till his death did not know of the Zanlian wizards betrayal. Zumal’s mind was tormented by this; he thought over and over again that if Valsa had known of their treachery, and did not tell the King then Valsa him
self must have been involved. But it was not in Valsa’s nature; Zumal had known him for centuries and trusted him with his life.
“I cannot believe this.” Zumal whispered to himself.
Zumal sat confused and realised that he would have to confront Valsa on this matter but Valsa was back in Zachra with the King so he would have to wait and stop letting his mind play games with him.
As Talon and Ganasis along with Graval and Golia emerged from the mists they headed straight for their horses. Their journey out of the mists had not been as arduous and dangerous as it had been going into it as Ganasis conjured a spell that kept them warm and found them the quickest route through.
Talon was pleased to see that their horses were still waiting for them, so the men mounted them and rode off into the countryside with Ganasis taking Neo’s horse.
It took them three days to reach Zachra. They rode straight to the Palace and were welcomed in. Ganasis asked to see Zumal but was told he was away but Valsa was in the castle observatory so Ganasis told Talon he must see Valsa alone and proceeded alone to find him.
When Ganasis arrived he did not knock on the large wooden door, he just burst in making Valsa turn first in anger which soon turned to amazement when he saw the old wizard.
“Ganasis.” Valsa finally said making his way over to greet him.
“After all this time you’re alive.” Valsa added looking delighted.
“You look surprised!” Ganasis answered straight-faced.
Valsa stiffened at the directness and lack of emotion on his old friends face.
“Ganasis.” he sighed.
“We have to speak!”
“About what, what is it troubling you?”
“I want to know about the instructions Apollo gave you.”
Valsa stopped in his tracks at what he heard.
“Where have you been Ganasis? We were told you went to the west.”
Ganasis did not answer Valsa’s question instead his voice deepened and again he asked about Apollo.
“Did you hold back any information Valsa?”
“What, what are you saying.”
“DID APOLLO TELL YOU ABOUT THE WIZARDS OF ZANLIA? Think carefully Valsa for if I do not like your answer.”
“Ganasis what are you asking, I was your student and I was not aware of any treachery by the Zanlian’s, if I were I would have informed the King” interrupted Valsa now raising his voice.
“But you were with Apollo when he died, why did he not share this with you?”
“No Ganasis I was not with him when he died, I was sent to Zafra three weeks before his death.”
“Is this the truth Valsa?”
“You ask me this Ganasis, where has your memory gone, I was tutored by you and I stood by your side and Apollo’s side when all those deaths were happening.”
“Apollo sent you to Zafra.”
“No I was sent by the wizards of Zanlia.”
“But I told you to stay with Apollo, you disobeyed me.”
“Ganasis I was your apprentice, when the Zanlian’s ordered me how could I question their authority.”
Ganasis paused for a moment as he rubbed his forehead.
“Why did you not come to me when you came back to Zachania?”
“I looked everywhere for you but with all the confusion and fear no one could help, I was told you was at the border so I waited at the Palace until my escort arrived to take me to Korvak castle.”
Ganasis then calmly approached Valsa then quickly placed a hand on his forehead to feel his thoughts.
“I owe you an apology Valsa you speak the truth.” Ganasis sighed after a few moments.
“How could you doubt me Ganasis?”
Ganasis smiled warmly before embracing his long lost apprentice
“It’s good to see you Valsa, in my heart I never doubted you but there are powerful forces at hand, I had to be sure.” he added placing a hand on his head and pulling him to his shoulder.
“I understand Ganasis and once again I am your humble servant.”
They held the embrace for a moment before Ganasis grabbed a chair and sat down; Valsa looked at him and saw a look of vulnerability.
“Valsa I have been away for so long, I have missed you so much.”
“Ganasis the wisest of the wise I have missed you too.”
“I feel like a student again, I have so much to learn about what has passed while I was imprisoned.”
“Imprisoned?”
“Yes by those damn Zanlian wizards!”
Valsa next kneeled down and looked Ganasis sincerely in the eye.
“Ganasis I offer you my mind and memory.”
Ganasis leaned back surprised at Valsa’s offer.
“I can’t accept that Valsa, the ordeal could kill you.”
“Ganasis I am old enough now to know the risks, you are my teacher and my closest friend, would you not do the same for me” Valsa interrupted.
Ganasis shook his head still refusing.
“To learn so much of your mind Valsa is too much, I have centuries to read, no one has mind read so much.”
“You can do it Ganasis, I know you can, only you can.” added Valsa.
“I’m sorry Valsa but I will not put you through this.”
Talon who had been secretly listening to the conversation outside the door suddenly made himself known.
“Do it Ganasis.” Talon said firmly as he walked in.
Valsa then grabbed Ganasis’s hand and placed it on his forehead.
“I trust you master, for the sake of Zachania.” he sighed.
“You must do it Ganasis!” Talon shouted which was almost a demand.
Ganasis bit his lip then closed his eyes and both wizards began to jerk as the mind read began.
Ganasis looked tense while Valsa looked limp as Talon pulled up a chair and watched intently at the transfer of knowledge, hour after hour passed with either wizard moving until Valsa started to shake violently and make low groaning noises then Ganasis suddenly opened his eyes and released his hand from the top of Valsa’s head who in turn fell limply to the ground.
“Quickly Talon were losing him.” Ganasis answered.
“Well do something then.” Talon replied kneeling down to cradle Valsa.
Ganasis reached down and tried to wake Valsa who was now shaking so violently his legs were kicking everywhere.
“It’s no good! He won’t come round.” Ganasis shouted now showing great strain himself.
Talon instinctively reached down and placed a hand on valsa’s chest just where the wizard’s heart was.
“Do not fear Valsa, fight! Fight! Channel your strength and live.” Talon shouted before whispering into the wizards ear.
“Live Valsa, live for me, live for me.”
Abruptly Valsa just relaxed and his groans subsided and his shaking ceased.
“Has he gone.” Ganasis asked fearing his death only for Talon to look up and smile back at him.
“No Ganasis he is going to be fine.”
Later that evening Talon and Ganasis sat in the gardens where Talon was feeling concerned at Ganasis as he looked very tired.
“How are you Ganasis, you look tired.”
“I am fine Talon but your correct I am tired.” he answered leaning back in his chair and looking slightly disorientated.
“Are you sure?”
Ganasis sighed loudly before answering.
“I have just learned the history of the last few centuries Talon; it is difficult to think straight with so many different thoughts swimming in my head.”
“Maybe you should rest Ganasis.”
Ganasis gave a slight laugh.
“What’s funny” asked Talon.
“I have just seen you challenge the council where you asked for Korvak.”
“Yes Valsa was there, you now have his memories.”
“Most of them” Ganasis added rubbing his head before moving his chair closer to Talon’s.
“I know everything now
and you dear Talon are a very important man, the Zararhakzar.”
Talon smiled.
“Am I the words and wishes of Apollo Ganasis?” he replied slightly shy.
“Yes you are and you are so much more, I felt your powers the first time we met, you have powers like a wizard young Talon.”
“A wizard.”
“Well almost.” Ganasis joked.
“But I sense something great inside of you” he added straightening himself.
“You sense something Ganasis.”
“I do not know what it is but for a mortal you have an overwhelming presence, I sensed this in you again upstairs when you held Valsa, it is powerful my friend, it’s almost godlike.”
Talon lowered his head feeling slightly embarrassed at Ganasis’s praise so he quickly changed the conversation.
“We must see the Prince Ganasis.”
“Yes let’s call it a night, tomorrow were go to Zafra and confront those damn wizards about their treachery.”
“Graval tells me that my Grandfather and Prince Arun are camped outside Korvak’s castle, they haven’t attacked.”
“Good let them wait for us.”
Talon, Graval and Ganasis reached Zafra late afternoon and wasting no time immediately sought out the Prince’s tent where they interrupted a meeting between Prince Arun, Zalon, Zumal and Lord Heikan.
“TALON!” shouted Zalon warmly as he got up to embrace him.
Ganasis entered the tent and was greeted like a long lost hero and for the next hour they spoke of Talon’s journey to rescue the old wizard before turning the conversation to what was at hand.
“Now Prince tell me what’s been happening here?” asked Ganasis.
The Prince sighed slightly in despair.
“Korvak has refused to see us.”
“Every request we have made nothing! He just sent a demand telling US to disperse our soldiers, my patience is running very thin” Lord Heikan added in a much more volatile tone than the Prince.
“Good!” replied Ganasis that made the men turn to him surprised.
“Good?” asked Heikan asking Ganasis to add more.
“Yes Good! We have been patient enough with Korvak, ready your warriors for we attack at dawn.”
Prince Arun rose from his seat and spoke softly trying to show the wizard respect but still with authority.
“Ganasis the stories of your wisdom are legendary and you have my utmost respect but have you thought through the consequences if we attack Korvak.”
Zachania Page 24