The (sort of) Dark Mage (Waldo Rabbit)

by Nelson Chereta

  This world belonged to man. Monsters, all monsters, were an abomination, a disease that needed curing. And the only real cure was to purge them from this earth, with fire and steel. It was a plain and obvious truth, and if you asked most people they would agree with you. Yes, get rid of all the monsters and the world would be a much better place. If words alone were enough the world would have been purified long ago.

  The problem was that most were unwilling to pay the price.

  Creating a new age of peace and justice would not come easily. Ridding the world of monsters demanded tremendous sacrifice, of both blood and treasure. Most of the nations were unwilling. They fought when they had to, when the danger was obvious, but then sought accommodation rather than continue fighting to achieve a lasting victory. There were monsters all across the Shattered Lands, in almost every country. Most rulers chose to compromise with them and tolerate their existence within certain limits. Much as they would a certain amount of corruption and crime.

  “Compromise.” She spat as if to get the taste of that foul word out of her mouth. There can be no negotiation or agreement with evil. What is just is just, what is wicked is wicked, there can be no compromise.

  “Those who do not understand that must be taught the error of their ways.”

  XXX

  Like every village near the marshes, Peabody was surrounded by a wooden stockade. There was a single watch tower that was manned day and night. The people here and in the other villages lived in fear because their king was not strong enough to do what was truly necessary.

  As she approached the people inside the village proper all quickly noticed. It was not surprising, people in white robes were a rare sight, especially in a place like this. A small crowd of twenty to thirty gathered near the gate, openly gawking at her.

  She was used to this reaction and did not hold it against them. A White Mage always drew stares and made people nervous.

  Her hood was down so that they could get a clear look at her face. She was attractive and exotic for this part of the world, with the blonde hair and yellow eyes.

  She came to a halt before the villagers and offered them a slight bow. “Hello, I am Mistress Melissa Cornwall, an archmage of the Order of Mist.”

  The locals looked nervously at one another and turned their focus to a burly man with a salt and pepper beard.

  The local chieftain, she thought.

  Stroking his bead he took a hesitant step forward and gave her a much lower bow than she had offered. “Greetings to you Mistress Cornwall. Welcome to Peabody, my name is Lorimer, it has been a long time since a White Mage has visited us. To be honest I am not sure one ever has.”

  “Well that’s not surprising, there are only so many of us outside of Avalon.”

  Still stroking his beard Lorimer looked around, as if asking for help. Everyone remained silent.

  “Well then Mistress Cornwall, is there some special reason you have come to visit us?”

  “I was told there was an attack by a very strong monster in this area. I have come here to rid you of it.”

  Her words produced an excited murmur.

  Lorimer took on a stern air. He motioned for silence and everyone soon quieted. “You heard right, there was an awful attack two weeks ago at the Hampton place. The whole family, father, mother, and four children were all done in. We have all been very nervous about it.”

  There were unhappy nods and folk drawing circles over their hearts to ward off evil.

  “I would be happy to deal with this monster for you.”

  “For how much?” Lorimer asked. “I do not mean to be rude Mistress, but we are a poor village and do not have much in the way of coin. We might be able to pay you with a fat sow or some chickens, but if you were hoping for silver or gold we have none.”

  Smiling she spread her hands. “I require no payment, I am more than happy to do this without charge.”

  That caused fresh whispers and had Lorimer once more stroking his beard. “When do mages ever do anything for free? We’ve had to hire one from time to time to make it rain or to help us drive off some wolves. We always get charged at least four healthy pigs or a cow in her prime.”

  “But you have never dealt with a White Mage before have you?”

  “No, like I said, you are the first any of us have ever seen.”

  “The members of my order do not work for money. We serve a higher cause. I will destroy this monster for you because it is the right thing to do. All I ask for in return is that you remember.”

  She could see Lorimer had his doubts, but the villagers were clearly willing to accept her help. Eventually it was decided that they would agree and Lorimer would personally act as her guide to the Hampton place.

  XXX

  Before setting out the chieftain insisted on putting on a worn leather jerkin and got a spear with sharpened stone tip.

  Melissa had tried to explain it was unnecessary, that she would keep the both of them from harm.

  “When Lord Durmoor heard about the attack he sent a squad of men to go look for what did it. Ten strong and healthy men, all with iron or bows. It ambushed them, a huge beast they said, skin green as moss and big as a bear. Their arrows wouldn’t pierce it, their swords and axes wouldn’t cut it. It tore them limb from limb, the way a man can tear apart a rabbit.” He shuddered.

  “I see.”

  He gaped at her. “How can you be calm? I am a man and I will tell you I am afraid.”

  “There is no reason to be afraid, I have fought many monsters. I am sure I can deal with this one when we find it.”

  He began to stroke his beard. “You really expect no payment for this?”

  Melissa shook her head.

  “Then why? Why are you doing this for people you don’t even know?”

  “Because it is the right thing to do and will make this world a little better place.” Her demeanor was calm and at ease. “I know the sorts of stories they tell about my order, and why people fear us. But I assure you, innocent folk like you have nothing to be afraid of. We exist to protect and serve people like you.”

  He hesitated. “Lord Durmoor doesn’t think that.”

  “Those in power usually fear change, no matter how beneficial or necessary that change may be.”

  “Why do things need to change? They’re all right.”

  “Tell that to the Hamptons or to the soldiers who didn’t return.”

  “Well I’m not saying the world’s perfect or anything, but what can you do about it?”

  “Unite the Shattered Lands to bring Unity. Grant all people everywhere the protection of the law to bring Justice. Kill every last monster and servant of evil to bring Peace. That is what you can do, that is what my order believes in.”

  “That’s a bit much don’t you think? No one could ever do all that.”

  “No one person could, but I am only one member of the Order, and every one of us is dedicated to working towards this ideal. It is what I believe in, and what I gladly give my life for; Unity, Justice, Peace.”

  “Forgive me for saying this Mistress, but it will never happen. The world’s too big a place, no matter how many of you there are. Things have always been the way they are.”

  “It will not happen in my lifetime, but even if it takes a thousand years it will happen.”

  Lorimer stared, obviously not comprehending. “Why would you spend your life working for something you know you will never get to see?”

  “Because I know that all my sacrifices will not be in vain. That is enough for me.”

  XXX

  It was early summer, and the lands they passed through were all green and vibrant. The fields held wheat, rye, and other crops. On gently rolling hills cows and other animals grazed. Melissa noticed that everyone she saw armed. The people clearly noticed her as she and Lorimer passed them. Most of them stopped working just to stand there and gape.

  A few drew circles over their hearts.

  They don’t understand, she thought
sadly. Why did so many fear the Order? She understood their reputation was not pristine. The Order was not above committing violence when it was for the greater good. Many of the rulers in the Shattered Lands were corrupt and had to be dealt with harshly. Kings and noblemen who stood in the way of progress had good reason to be afraid.

  Our ends are truly honorable and worthy, they justify even the bloodiest means.

  The common people had nothing to fear. It was for their sake that the Order had been founded. They wanted to protect the ordinary folk and help them lead good, decent lives.

  The people didn’t understand that because their rulers deliberately lied to them. They spread false rumors and tried to paint every action in the worst possible light. Wherever White Mages went those in power always tried to interfere with their good work. That was true here in Lothas as well. Melissa was here to recruit someone and then travel to the local court. She would try to bring some of the officials there over to the right side.

  XXX

  “We’re here.” Lorimer told her. He was clutching his spear against his chest.

  They had gone about four or five miles from the village and were at a small farm like all the ones they had passed. The home was set back from the road behind a field of wheat.

  “I am sure the monster is long since gone,” Lorimer muttered.

  “You have done enough, you can wait here while I take a look.”

  “A man can’t leave a woman unprotected.”

  Backwards notions, but these people haven’t been taught better yet. “As you like.”

  She entered the wheat field with him close by her heel.

  What she found was a simple cottage with a thatch roof. The door had been smashed to kindling. A sudden breeze brought the smell of rotting meat.

  Lorimer rubbed at his nose and shifted from one foot to another.

  Melissa calmly drew her hands together and cast a spell. “Taranos evel monstri desu noratal est aki est avaratos.”

  To her eyes a reddish glow began to emanate from inside the cottage.

  Reaching into one of the many pockets of her robe she took out her wand. “It’s here.”

  “What?” He tightened his grip on his spear and spread his feet to get a solid stance. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  It only took a moment before a massive creature with skin the color of moss and two yellow tusks jutting out of its jaw crouched through the doorway. When it stood to its full height it could have reached up and tapped the top of the roof. Its entire body was muscle and it was looking them over hungrily.

  “Fresh meat for Toola! Toola happy!” It began to stride towards them.

  “So it was an ogre.” Melissa stated calmly, then pointed her wand. “Evaros ventus est corti.”

  Lorimer gasped as he saw the air above Melissa’s head warp and solidify. He could make out four separate semi-circles hanging above her, each about four feet across.

  “Now pay for your crimes you disgusting abomination!” She flicked her wand.

  The four wind blades flew, covering the distance between them in the flicker of an eye.

  The hide that could defeat arrows and sharpened iron was no match at all for an archmage’s spell. They cut clean through, slicing not just the skin but the flesh and bone beneath. One blade took off the monsters head along with most of his right shoulder. A second cut through his chest about two thirds of the way up. Another chopped the legs off just above the knees. The last one severed the left arm from the rest.

  It was so quick and clean there was not even any time for cries of pain. Lorimer actually saw a look of surprise on the monster’s face as his head was in the air. Blood gushed from the neck and the other cuts. Then all the pieces just fell to the ground in one massive bloody heap. It was just that quick. One moment he was getting ready to die, the next the beast was nothing but bloody chunks.

  He bent over and threw up.

  As he emptied his stomach he felt Melissa’s hand gently patting his back.

  “Are you all right? I know it can be a bit much if you’re not used to it.”

  He straightened, feeling ashamed. “I am sorry.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about. As I said, it can be hard to take the first time.”

  “How many times have you done this?”

  “Killed a monster? More times than I can count. It’s one of the things I am best at.”

  He shook his head.

  “Well now that my work here is done please go back to your village and tell everyone that they are safe now.”

  “Aren’t you coming with me? Let us throw you a feast in your honor. That is the least we can do.”

  She shook her head. “No. I didn’t come here for feasts any more than I did for coin. I have to go and meet someone I hope to recruit into the Order. Please go back and tell them what you saw here, and ask them to remember that it was a White Mage who came and helped when they were in need.”

  “I will,” he promised. “Is that really all you want?”

  “Yes, it is enough for me.” She gave him a polite nod of her head. “Goodbye Lorimer, I wish you and your people the blessings of Unity, Justice, and Peace.”

  With that she started towards the road and her next mission.

  Chapter 4

  Blue Skies And Sunshine

  The city of Alter was the heart of Alteroth.

  Located near the volcanoes of the Forge and the Rivers of Fire, the Seven Great Families had founded the city and built their castles here. Originally they had come to establish a sanctuary and escape the persecution and vengeance of their enemies. They soon discovered that the lands near the Forge were a treasure trove. Gold, silver, iron, and precious gems could all be found in abundance. With slaves and undead to work vast mines the wealth poured in. The riches of the Forge allowed them to begin conquering the neighboring lands and to build their ideal city.

  The skies above Alter were always overcast with ash, and at night the only light would come from the Forge and from the Rivers of Fire. Nothing grew here, not a tree, not a shrub, not a blade of grass. There was always a trace of sulfur in the air, and when it rained the rain was black and filthy. Undead soldiers marched along the wide and perfectly straight streets. The people who lived here obeyed every law without question. The members of the seven families were the only ones truly free, anyone who wore the black robes could walk the earth like a god. They had the power of life and death and answered only to the Council and the families.

  Waldo had spent all his life in Alter, residing inside Castle Corpselover. Everyone agreed that Alter was the most wonderful place in all the world.

  He never doubted it. His travels would only prove just how wonderful and special his home city truly was.

  XXX

  The very first thing that bothered him was when the sky disappeared.

  As he walked along the north road he noticed the daytime sky over head growing less and less dark. It slowly changed from charcoal to slate grey to ash grey until the sky was the unnatural color of cotton.

  On his third day he saw tears in it. Rather than the constant cover that was normal, the sky began to break apart and he saw horrible and abnormal patches of blue! The very first time his immediate inclination had been to turn back and run home. By the fourth day the sky had disintegrated completely; there was nothing but the unnatural blue, with only occasional bits of white. Staring straight up into that vile and terrifying emptiness he expected to have something come crashing down on him at any moment. Without a comforting ceiling above his head he felt completely vulnerable and exposed. He kept looking up to stare nervously at the nothing overhead. When a patch of cloud appeared he would hurry his pace to try and get underneath it.

  As bad as the lack of cover was, the ‘sun’ was a hundred times worse.

  Waldo had been taught science along with math, history, and other subjects. He was not an ignorant savage, and knew that the Sun circled the Earth. It was, after all, what made the daytime bri
ght enough to see back home. He’d never once seen it of course, but he knew it existed as he knew about the oceans or about dragons. It was the great ball of fire that circled the world and provided heat and light. It sounded curious, but not as interesting as say dragons or snow or the oceans.

  The first time he’s seen it he’d stared at it until he was forced to look away. He could feel the heat of the thing. It made walking along with his heavy pack that much more tiring and made him sweat. Waldo also noticed that his black robes seemed to absorb the energy from it.