by Randal Sloan
The Baron stared at him in surprise for a moment, but it didn’t take him long to understand what young Kynin was telling him. “So, my little Carisa has found her way, finally. I saw in her the potential, but it’s hard for one as limited as me to be able to influence her.”
“There’s more, my Lord. We believe the young Master Ashcroft and her friends including your daughter are the ones named in the Prophecy.”
At this the Baron turned a little gray, for he knew well what that meant. He was one of the most studied in the words of the prophecy. “Ah, my little Carisa, I always knew you were special.” He finally shook his head. “So be it. What can I do to help her and the other four? I assume it’s about their quest, which we know must be completed in the next few weeks by the time of the eclipse.”
“Yes. Master Ashcroft believes we can use your next supply ship run to help the group begin their quest without anyone becoming aware of their departure from the island. Unfortunately, the Dark Ones do know of their final destination and the time frame they must follow, so it will only assist in their departure. They’ll still be on their own for the rest of the quest.”
“Anything you need. Perhaps I shall make an inspection of the ship and ride along on the voyage.”
Kynin frowned a little at the suggestion, but he knew Lord Von Barso’s cooperation was essential. “Only if you can keep it secret. Anything too much out of the ordinary would be too risky. As it is, the timing of the voyage is coincidental.”
“Aye, I can be quite discrete, young Master. I didn’t serve all those years as spy master for the Council to not be able to keep a few secrets.”
Kynin smiled. He had been unaware of that information. But he simply said, “I will pass your word on to the Master.”
The servant had returned with the tea and crumpets, so Kynin dropped the cone of silence. “Shall we discuss the training of your men and your security, my Lord? Despite the obvious failure of recognizing my personage, more importantly I made it halfway onto the estate before I was challenged. That might pass under safer times, but in the current climate it’s much too risky to allow to continue. Until you can get the men properly trained, I suggest you hire a mercenary force to man the main gates. Much as you like your retainer, if his son can’t handle the job, you may have no choice. These are indeed perilous times.”
The next few days were spent in a whirlwind of activity for the five. They worked on spells by day and physical training at night. Carisa had only thought she had a handle on her abilities, but she put forth full effort into her work to try to catch up. Once she started applying herself, she found she really had a knack for spells, although she couldn’t keep up with Jailyn, who seemed to have an uncanny ability with combining spells to produce an even more powerful result. Often the power of her spells was stronger than the sum of the parts required to produce the spell.
The thing that Carisa found the most difficult to fathom was Jailyn’s affinity for all magic, including the null magic they’d discovered. Now that she knew what she knew, she realized just how foolish it had been to challenge her. Luckily, they’d all let bygones be bygones and Carisa had become fast friends with all four.
Working in the Master’s garden, they also started training for real world scenarios, the combination of the group’s abilities allowed them to do things no one had ever done before, such as the combination shields they built. With Carisa’s trick of twisting multiple layers together, the shields were many times stronger than Jailyn’s layered approach, with the exception of her null magic which they no longer included due to the risk.
But Jailyn was convinced the null magic was a major breakthrough and they worked on multiple variations of attack spells using it. The most powerful weapon they’d come up with so far was the combination of Jailyn’s fire and ice javelins with an internal core of null magic that was released on the target. So far, no one, not even the Masters they worked with, had figured out how to build a shield strong enough to withstand a concerted attack using that weapon.
Using his earth magic, Jesse had figured out a way to increase his speed for a brief period of time. He was able to teach it to Jailyn and Corrie, but he was the best of them all at doing it. Jailyn figured it was something to do with his ability with the swordplay, something that he had become quite proficient at doing. Jailyn suspected that if they did retrieve the Talismans of Power, her young friend would become almost invincible.
That suited her, because something told her someday he wouldn’t have her to look after him and he would need an edge. After all, she had no desire to be anything other than a strong wizard who used her magic for good, and she hoped to hide in the background while Jesse and Kelsey ran the kingdom.
Even with their very full days and even fuller nights, the time seemed to fly by so that they woke up one morning to realize they had only a week to go. When they arrived at the Master’s garden that morning, they were met by an interesting young man. They knew him well, but this was the first time they’d met in person.
“I believe you all know young Master Kynin Searle,” Master Ashcroft told them. “We believe it will be best for him to work directly with you for the remainder of your final week. You and he will have to work together to complete your quest.
“You’ll find that the monks’ way of study is very similar to ours, although they emphasize the physical as well as the magical aspects of study, something I know you’re all quite familiar with thanks to the Dream Master. The monks also spend years studying the Prophecy, something I wish we had done. Although when it all comes down to it, the Prophecy is still vague enough that it can only be a guideline. Young Master Kynin will explain what he can to you as you work together this week.
“We’ve endeavored to teach you everything we know in the hopes that, along with the special abilities you each have, you will be able to prevail against your enemies and thus complete your quest. Young Master, if you will, please.”
“Thank you, Master Ashcroft. I believe I was chosen by Master Dacanay not for what I know or for what I can do, but because I will fit in with you due to my rather young age. I believe that we’ll all be able to become friends, for I’m more like you than different. I also don’t intend to take charge, for young Lady Ashcroft is obviously the aptly chosen leader of this group. At times I’ll offer advice, and I’ll attempt to tell you of the prophecy as you need to hear it to support your quest.
“I’ll also tell you this. I have worked with a lot of Masters, both here and within the ranks of the monks, and I have never met a group as strong as your team has become. You complement each other and combine your strengths to become even stronger. I honestly believe we’ll succeed at our quest or I wouldn’t be here with you.”
“Thank you, Master Searle,” Master Ashcroft told him, “I think you explained your purpose within the group quite well.”
He turned to speak to the entire group. “Shall we begin today’s lesson? I believe this will be the perfect chance for you to understand what Master Searle brings to the group. Since we now have an even number of students, we’re going to split into two groups and you’ll be competing against each other from today on.”
He smiled at their groans. “Don’t worry. It’ll be quite fun.”
Their groans grew even louder.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Quest Begins
IT WAS FINALLY here, the day they’d all been waiting for. All the training had been for this; they were to be leaving for their quest. Master Ashcroft had arranged for them to be given berths on the ship that delivered the island’s monthly supplies. The ship was to be coming in that morning and they would ship out early afternoon.
On hearing of their transportation, Carisa turned a little pale. “That’s my father’s ship,” she told the others. “He and I didn’t exactly part on good terms. He wanted me to return and take over the family business in a few years, but I had always felt a higher calling, so I told him no. I wanted to find a way to use my wizard talen
ts. Despite the fact he doesn’t normally travel with that particular ship, knowing him, he’ll be on it.”
“I’m sure it will be alright,” Jailyn told her. “We’re all here with you and we’ll all back you up. Plus, we have Master Ashcroft and the other wizards here.”
She laughed. “You could always set his pants on fire.”
Carisa laughed with the others, but Jailyn could tell she was still a little nervous. She knew something that would take her mind off it all.
“Don’t forget, Master Ashcroft has given us permission to return to the pool beside the waterfall. He’s going to accompany us and ward us against detection this time. Apparently we set off all kinds of magic alarms the last time.” She gave Carisa a crooked smile. “You get to join us for the full charge this time.”
Carisa hung her head. “Just another of my foolish stunts. I can’t believe you’ve all just accepted me, despite all that.”
“I think you learned your lesson, unless you need me to kick your butt in the arena just for good measure.”
Carisa shook her head. “No thanks. Although, as I recall, it was declared a draw and the wizards made the guy taking bets give everyone his money back.”
Jailyn smiled. “Yes, but now I know how to get through those shields of yours.”
Carisa laughed. “Yeah, but those were my old shields. Someone has since taught me how to make them even stronger.”
“Guess we’d better just declare it a draw a second time then. Personally, I’m tired of waking up in the infirmary.”
The girls’ byplay was interrupted by a messenger sent from Master Ashcroft. “The wards are ready,” the young man told them.
“Thank you,” Jailyn replied. “Tell the Master we’ll be there shortly.”
The girls collected the others, as well as Kynin, and headed up the path to the waterfall. Despite their overall apprehension, they also felt a little bit of excitement. It was time to leave the classroom and put all their work to use.
Master Ashcroft stood waiting for them, along with all the Master wizards that had assisted in their training. Beside them stood the healers that Jailyn recognized all too well.
Master Ashcroft gave them a smile. “We wanted to give you a happy send-off from all of us. Despite the fact we know your quest will not be easy, we believe you have the tools you need to succeed. If we could go with you, we would, but we know we cannot. So we’ve gathered a few items we believe might be helpful.”
Each of the Masters stepped forward one at a time, bearing gifts. “First, we have a message ring, a spelled ring that connects to its companion ring which we will keep with one of us at all times. Use it to contact us when you’re ready to return or if you need assistance.” Master Sabine carried it and he handed it directly to Jailyn, along with a special carrying case. For the moment, she slipped it into a pocket in her robe.
“We have several healing rings, rings that you can slip on the finger of someone injured and the ring will help them heal. We hope you won’t need them, but unfortunately, you probably will.” The rings came in their own set of cases, and young Master Kynin took them from the proffering Master Healers.
“I have some healing ability,” he told the others.
“We have be-spelled amulets for each of you to wear in areas where the weather is cold so you won’t have to pack large coats and to help you stay cool where it’s very hot.” Each one was presented to a member of the team by the Master that had been the primary trainer of that person. Over the last few weeks of working so closely together, they’d all grown quite close to each other.
Another set of Masters came forward bearing weapons as appropriate for each of the members of the team except Kynin, who had brought his own staff. For Kelsey, that meant a powerful but light bow, along with a quiver of arrows that magically held a large supply. For Jesse it was a magically enhanced sword. For the rest, an unbreakable staff.
“Each of the weapons presented has been enchanted in ways that make it more effective. The enchanted bow and arrows can shoot further and more accurately, the sword never needs sharpening and cannot be broken, the same with the staffs. I would wish that you don’t have need of those but we know otherwise.
“Finally, I myself wish to present you with one of the most precious items on the island, a magic storage device. We’ve never hit the limit on what it can hold, but we’re hoping this team will be able to do it, especially since you’ll be drawing magic from the pool. Just hold it near your person as you pull the magic.”
Jailyn looked around the group but no one volunteered to speak, so she bowed to the Master. “Thank you so very much from all of us. If we do indeed have a chance on this quest, it will be because of your help and support.”
She reached out, pulling him into a big hug. “I’ve got to make it through,” she whispered in his ear, “Now that I’ve got family.”
Wiping her eyes, she turned to her friends. The six young people chose a spot to be seated, forming a circle that now included Carisa and Kynin, with Jailyn dropping the magic talisman in her lap. She reached out into the pool, reaching even deeper into the pool than before, and pulling the strong magic found there. She fed it into the circle, continuing to do so until the magic was as much as they could all contain and the talisman was filled to the brim. Carisa couldn’t believe she had missed out on this the first time because of her stupidity. It was absolutely wonderful to feel.
They stayed there a few moments to just feel the thrill of it all, but they couldn’t stay there forever, and Jailyn knew that there was no point in putting it off. They were as ready as humanly possible. They also knew that despite all they had done to train, it would be the most difficult thing they had ever attempted.
Their small group understood the need to keep themselves very inconspicuous while boarding the ship. This time Jailyn didn’t go stand in the bow but instead remained with her group in the area onboard ship designated for passengers. The Master wizards had warded that section of the ship to protect them from scrying by those serving the Dark in hopes they could get a head start over their enemies.
Jesse was looking especially nervous, so Jailyn went over to talk to him.
“Are you alright, Jess?” she asked quietly.
“Not really. I know when we’re finished with all this, assuming we survive, I’m going to have to assume the role of King of Callidore. I have no idea how to do that, even if I can convince the people that I rightfully claim that role with the Talismans of Power.”
“Don’t worry so much,” Jailyn told him. “It will all come as it will in its own time and when it does, you’ll have the help you need. We’ll all be here with you, and you’ll have the Masters too.”
Jesse nodded and turned away, but Jailyn knew he was still more than a little worried. For the moment, it would have to do, but she knew at some point he would have to face up to his destiny.
Just to protect them even more, only Kynin knew their planned destination and he didn’t intend to reveal it to the ship’s captain and air wizard until after they made their way out of the entrance to the island. So a few minutes after they were underway, Kynin left to go have that conversation and promised he’d explain more when he came back. All he’d told them so far was north, which didn’t tell them much. He was met by a messenger as he left the room, so he held the door for the man.
“The Baron has requested that Wizard Trainee Von Barso attend him in the forward stateroom for a brief moment. She will be returned shortly.”
Carisa immediately grew apprehensive, looking to Jailyn for help. “Don’t worry. We’ll be right here. Just yell if you need us. Besides, I suspect this is a good thing. Give him a chance before you overreact.” She gave a laugh. “Remember, fire and ships don’t get along too well.”
Carisa laughed but she was more than a little worried. Nevertheless, she nodded to the man, “I will accompany you, although you should know that I know the way quite well, Brutus.”
“Aye, missus, but stil
l I must come with you. Just the duty I’ve been given.” He seemed more than a little afraid of her.
Carisa laughed a second time. “Don’t listen to her. You know I’d never harm you or one of my father’s ships.” She addressed her companions, “I shall return soon, with or without fire.”
She followed silently along behind him. She could have almost found her way with her eyes closed. The disadvantage of them being on a ship, they arrived much more quickly than suited her. She wanted to turn around, but by then Brutus was knocking on the door to her father’s cabin. He stuck his head inside at the muted, “Yes,” they could hear through the door.
“I have brought your daughter,” he said.
“Thank you, Brutus. That will be all.”
Carisa stepped through the door to find her father waiting with his arms outstretched. Before she knew what was happening, she rushed into those arms and he enveloped her in a crushing hug. Finally, he stepped back enough to speak.
“Ah, my little Carisa. You’re growing up much too fast. I just had to see you before you left for your quest. I know I don’t have to ask you to take care, but nevertheless, we both know it’s going to be fraught with danger.”
He reached around her to close the door and spoke a word so that his wards snapped into place. “Please be seated. There are some things I need to be able to tell you. Despite your old foolish father’s efforts to steer you away from involving yourself in magic and the good and bad that goes along with that, I have carried a secret that I have of necessity kept from you quite some years. Not only was I involved with magic, despite my somewhat limited ability, but for many years I was the spy master for Master Ashcroft and the wizard cause.” He saw the shocked look in her eyes that gradually turned into understanding.