The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1

by Tim McFarlane

  With my hands finally released from bondage, I immediately started scratching at the palms of my hands and wrists. “Thanks. The tingling was killing me.”

  He chuckled, picked up my weapons and handed them to me. “Good luck out there.”

  “You too,” I said restoring the staff to my pack.

  He headed down the stairs and I looked over the town trying to determine my next move. My wrists still itched and I tried to wipe off the remaining honey on my robe.

  You would think anyone would want to help save the Princess.

  Judging by the reception we’ve received here, Cathy started. No one is in a hurry to help a Mage. It wouldn’t surprise me if they waited for you to get yourself killed first before doing anything.

  Geez. What did the Tower do here to make everyone so hostile?

  “Good, you are still here,” a deep voice said behind me nearly making me jump. “I want to help you.”

  I turned around and stood face to chest with a giant of a man. The muscles on his looked bigger then my head but his face was gentle.

  He looks like the type of person that could stand on top of a mountain and block out the sun, Cathy said.

  “Uh...” I stammered.

  “You are going to save my cousin right?” he asked hopefully.

  “Your cousin?” I asked.

  “Oh, sorry,” he said embarrassed. “I forgot. I’m Donkor or Simpwe Donkor as everyone called me. Morowa is my cousin.”

  “Why do people call you Simpwe?” I asked.

  “I was never really smart in school,” he admitted bluntly. “But I am the best with my cleaver. So they call me simple or simpwe.”

  I see... Cathy said.

  “And you want to help me?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he answered excited. “I miss Moro. She is always nice to me. I always wanted to get her back but I don’t know where she is. You do. So I help you.”

  “Even though I’m a Mage?” I asked shocked.

  “People say bad things about Mages but people also say bad things about me,” he explained. “I’m nice and you seem nice too. We should stick together.”

  I nodded surprised. “I could use all the help I can get. I don’t know the area well.”

  “I know the area very well,” Donkor said excited. “But we have to be careful. I’m not smart with plants.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry because I am,” I smiled.

  His face lit up as he smiled a huge grin. “We are working well together already. We will have Moro back in no time.”

  “Let’s grab some supplies then head out,” I said.

  “Ok, my mom has some stuff that will help,” he said as he started running down the stairs. “Follow me.”

  I quickly followed him down the stairs.

  You better hurry, Cathy chuckled.

  Chapter 23

  Donkor’s mother lived in a bungalow along the coast not far from the palace. Considering that she was the Emperor’s sister, the humble house shocked me until Donkor explained that his mother had never liked the fast pace of politics and choose seclusion instead.

  Maybe she just wanted to protect him from people that would take advantage of his good nature, Cathy had suggested.

  His mother was suspicious when she first met me but after Donkor explained to her the same logic he explained to me, she smiled warmly and welcomed me into her house. After I introduced myself, Donkor grew embarrassed that he had forgotten to ask my name and started using my name with every sentence.

  While Donkor packed up some belongings, his mother made me promise to watch over him and bring him home safe. I had to chuckle because it would be the second promise I would make to a mother after I involved their son in my business.

  Sometimes life repeats itself, Cathy said.

  “I’m ready to go,” Donkor said as he emerged from his room with his bag. I’m sure it was a full backpack but it looked like a tiny satchel in his arms.

  “You be careful out there, okay?” Donkor’s mother said as she walked over to him.

  “Mom,” he whined. “I have gone out into the forest many times.”

  “And I have worried each time,” she responded. “But this is different. Bandits can be nasty.”

  “They took Moro,” he said calmly. “They will find me nastier.”

  “You know I can’t stop you...” she said trailing off.

  “...But you can make me think,” he recited like he had said it a million times before. “I always come back.”

  “Because you’re smart enough to not be stupid,” she said as she hugged him.

  “I’m not smart,” he said blushing.

  “Yes, you are,” she smiled. “You know when to listen to me.”

  He laughed in response.

  “Good luck you two,” she said as she turned and gave me a worried look. She was being brave for Donkor because he needed it but she wanted me to know her true emotions. I looked serious and nodded to her.

  “Come on, Andy,” Donkor said excited as he walked over and opened the front door. “We have a lot of ground to cover before it gets dark.”

  I chuckled and headed out the door. “You don’t need to say my name after every sentence.”

  “Yes I do, Andy” he said as he ducked to go through the front door. “It helps me remember. I don’t want to forget you, Andy.”

  “You won’t, Donkor,” I said.

  “Ok, Andy,” he smiled.

  With Donkor leading the way, we trekked through Kay Julis leaving people staring in confusion in our wake. I guess seeing a giant with a Mage...

  In a dorky hat! Cathy exclaimed. Don’t forget about the hat. It’s not like I can.

  Seriously, what is so wrong with this hat? You keep bringing it up. I think it is bold and makes a statement.

  A very loud statement, Cathy agreed. It says...’I. Am. A. Dork.’

  It is at least protecting us from the sun.

  So would wearing a pair of pants on your head, Cathy said. And that would look LESS dorky.

  I sighed.

  Ignoring her, Donkor and I climbed back up the ridge to the front gate. The gate guard opened the gate and we stopped just outside the city.

  “Ok,” Donkor started. “I can’t speak to maps but I know the land. Tell me what the map is saying and I will take you there. You will have to lead the rest of the way because I don’t know where their hideout is.”

  “Fair enough,” I said pulling the Mongoose’s map out. “It appears the bandits are holed up in an outpost outside the village of...Bowda?”

  “Bauda,” Donkor corrected. “I know where it is. I remember the outpost too. It used to belong to military.”

  “Maybe the bandit leader forced the Emperor to give it to him or he would hurt the Princess,” I thought out loud.

  Donkor’s jaw clenched but he relaxed it. “That is a place of good things and training. We must stop bad things from happening there.”

  “When we save the Princess we will make sure all the bandits are out of there,” I promised him.

  He nodded. “Then we need to hurry. We can’t make it by night but we have to try for Bauda.”

  “Lead on,” I said.

  Donkor started around the wall in the opposite direction then the one I had arrived from earlier. After travelling along the wall we stepped onto a dirt path and followed it as it disappeared into the forest ahead.

  “Be careful in the forest,” Donkor warned. “It is almost dinner time for the animals.”

  How comforting, Cathy said sarcastic.

  We entered the forest and I was quickly overtaken by a feeling of claustrophobia. The path was still two people wide but the trees arched over you blocking out most of the light. It was more understandable now why Donkor would want to get to an open area by nightfall. The thought of having no light in this forest made a shiver run down my spine.

  “I am curious,” Donkor started thoughtfully. “Why do you wear that silly hat? No other Mages do.”


  HA! Cathy exclaimed. I like him more already.

  I chuckled and shook my head. “To be honest, I don’t know. It helps block out the sun. I ran into this salesman and he was really pushy so I just bought something to get him to leave me alone.”

  Donkor chuckled. “You should have said no.”

  “Yeah, I should have,” I smiled. “Nothing I can do now.”

  Donkor nodded and returned to silence. I didn’t want to end our conversation like that so my mind raced looking for another topic.

  “How do you not know how to read maps?” I asked.

  “Because I never learnt their language,” he answered simply enough.

  “They have a language?” I asked.

  “All items with words written on them do,” he said. “That is how they communicate their ideas too people. I never learnt how to communicate with them.”

  I nodded slowly. “How did you learn where everything is?”

  “I walked,” he smiled. “I learnt where everything is in my mind by walking to it. If I need to get somewhere I don’t know, I have someone speak to a map for me.”

  “Simple enough,” I said.

  “I thought it was smart for me,” he said sadly.

  “No, no,” I said defensively. “I don’t mean simple like that. If anything, you are probably one of the smartest people I have met.”

  “Really?” he asked unsure. “What else does simple mean?”

  “Not complicated,” I answered. “You make it sound easy. You don’t understand maps, so you just learned where everything is on your own.”

  Donkor smiled. “So I am smart?”

  “Very,” I answered.

  “Thank you, Andy,” he said.

  “You’re welcome,” I smiled relieved.

  “See, I knew you were nice,” Donkor said looking proud.

  Nice save, Cathy said.

  I wasn’t trying to offend him.

  I know, she answered. But he didn’t. I think we can both agree that if he gets angry, he is going to rip us in half.

  He seems too kind-hearted to do that.

  He also said that a military outpost is a place where good things happen, Cathy pointed out.

  I think you are just scared of him.

  Need I remind you how many times people like him have killed me? Cathy asked rhetorically.

  I stifled a laugh and continued following Donkor. He moved at a quick pace, using his size and knowledge of the land to power his way along the overgrown dirt path. I struggled at times to keep up with him but when the forest grew less dense and the claustrophobic feeling lifted, he slowed his pace.

  “We are near the river,” he said. “We can grab a drink before continuing.”

  “That’s a good idea,” I said breathing heavily and hunched over.

  He looked at me and grinned. “I thought Mages were in better shape.”

  “It’s been a long day,” I said trying to stand up straight and appear like nothing was wrong. “I walked to the capital from the border after all.”

  “Once, I walked from one side of Nesqa to the other side and back,” he said proudly.

  “That’s impressive,” I said as my breathing steady. “The best I’ve done is from the capital of Balendar, to the southern tip and back AFTER a battle against bandits.”

  “So you should be able to make it to Bauda by nightfall,” he smiled.

  Me and my big mouth.

  You asked for it, Cathy chuckled.

  Three figures became visible on the path ahead and I reached out with my mind to check them. The mental hum was powerful and unmistakeable.

  Mages.

  Most likely the group the gate guard had talked about when I arrived at the city. The must have sensed us approaching because they had stopped to wait for us.

  “There’s a group of Mages up ahead and they appear to be waiting for us,” I said to Donkor.

  “Perhaps they are lost,” he said.

  Maybe they can shed some light on why the School of the Elemental is in Nesqa, Cathy said.

  Especially seeing as the tension between Balendar and Nesqa is ending.

  Check with Donkor, Cathy said.

  “Were you there when the Mages talked to the Emperor?” I asked Donkor.

  “Yes, I like it in the palace. The rocks are nice and cool,” he answered.

  “What did they want?” I asked.

  “They were talking about the plants in the forest,” he answered. “They wanted to harvest the plants. I don’t see why, they are mostly poisonous and would only harm people.”

  He just answered his own question, Cathy said.

  “Hello,” Donkor called out as we approached the group of Mages. “Are you lost?”

  The group of three stood in a defensive formation that didn’t waver when they saw us approach. Apparently a giant and a single Mage wasn’t enough to get worried.

  “No we are not,” the leader of the group answered. He’s hair was starting to go grey as he was taking on the look of a stereotypical teacher of the Order of Magic. He was accompanied by another Elemental Mage and a female Mage dressed in the green robes of the School of the Natural.

  “Oh, okay,” Donkor said as he started to walk past them. The Mages blocked his path. “Excuse me, but we are in a hurry.”

  “And where would a Nesqian and a Keeper need to be in such a hurry?” the leader asked.

  “We need to save Princess Morowa from the bandits,” Donkor answered bluntly.

  “We had heard the Princess had been kidnapped but we thought she was in Balendar,” the leader said intrigued.

  “Andy brought a map showing where the Princess is,” Donkor explained. “We need to hurry and make sure she is safe.”

  The leader rubbed his chin in thought. “Perhaps you should give me the map, Keeper. We are better prepared for a fight against bandits.”

  “And what, exactly, would make you want to do this?” I asked crossing my arms.

  “The Princess needs to be returned,” the leader said unconvincingly.

  I stayed silent and studied the two other Mages. They both looked young but they still had more experience then me. I don’t see how Donkor could be useful in the fight unless I distract the Mages enough. Luckily they don’t have a Spiritual Mage with them for protection.

  Trust the leader to be prepared for that, Cathy said. I remember one older Mage I possessed. Despite being a Demonology Mage he was still very skilled in Elemental. It’s possible the leader knows a few protection spells.

  The leader shrugged from my silence. “Plus, we could use her as a bargaining chip to get what we want. I hear the old fool has quite a weakness for his little girl.”

  Donkor unsheathed his sword and the young Elemental Mage raised a hand that was on fire. “Moro is not a possession to be used against people,” Donkor said. “You will stay away from her.”

  He’s a proud one, isn’t he? Cathy said. No fear at all standing up to three Mages.

  “Call off the giant, Keeper,” the leader said looking at me. “Give me the map and his death won’t be on your hands.”

  It is starting to look like a fight will be the only solution.

  You have a plan? Cathy asked.

  Take out the Nature Mage quickly.

  Maybe it is time to use the staff? Cathy asked.

  “I can’t give you the map,” I said as I slid the backpack off my shoulders. “I made a promise to the Emperor to bring her back safely and that’s what I am going to do.”

  “We took down a group of Spiritual Mages in Balendar,” the leader smiled. “I think we can handle you.”

  The Nature Mage raised her hands and I could feel her power started to flow to the trees. I removed my hat and robe and picked up the staff. Scales quickly covered my entire body causing the leader to smirk.

  “My, my,” he said. “Finally, something interesting.”

  I pointed the staff at him and launched a Pulse through it. The staff jerked violently as the Pulse shot
out of the tip. The leader threw up a magic shield but the energy ripped through it knocking him onto his back.

  “Whoa,” I said looking at the staff.

  “Kill them,” the leader commanded.

  The Elemental Mage extended his hand and launched a Fire Ball at Donkor. Donkor raised his sword and the Fire Ball deflected off the blade and back at the Mage. The Mage tried to dodge but the fire hit his robe causing it to burst into flame. Donkor swung his blade around and cleaved his target in two.

  I stared in shock until a vine grabbed my scaled arm. My arm began to tingle and I swung my arm around the vine more to get a better grip on it. The tingling grew intense and I forced power into it causing the vine to light on fire. The vine burned off my arm and I turned my staff to the Nature Mage. She held her hands up waiting for my attack with a worried expression. I grabbed the staff with both hands and drove the end into the ground forcing power into the Earth.

  The ground shuddered as a trail streaked towards the Mage. She tried to Dispel it but the power was too great and knocked her backwards into a tree. Reaching out with my hand, I commanded the vines to wrap her up against the tree trunk. She screamed but rapidly grew quiet as her mouth and eyes locked in the open position.

  The leader had returned to his feet and was launching Ice Bolts and Fire Balls at Donkor. Donkor was blocking the attack with ease but was unable to counterattack. I pointed the staff at the leader but hesitated, not wanting to hit Donkor. I ran towards him hoping to use the staff as a melee weapon. The leader caught me out of the corner of his eye and launched a Fire Ball my way. I blocked it with my scaled hand.

  With it now two on one, the leader backed up and watched both of us with quick darting eyes. Donkor kept advancing and I just held the staff pointed at the leader. When I had I clear shot, I charged the staff with power and launched another Pulse. The leader dodged out of the way and Donkor lunged at him. With speed uncommon to such a large man, he deftly decapitated the leader.

  The body collapsed to the ground and Donkor turned around and pointed his sword at me. “Moumno,” he said staring at me both in fear and sadness.