‘How can she be alive?’ Samuel asked, but Utik’cah was too busy calling out from the window to reply. White-clothed guards came bounding into the courtyard below and they in turn began calling others in their desert tongue, on sight of the broken woman. Some knelt at her side and one shouted up towards the expectant Utik’cah.
‘She is alive!’ Utik’cah said exuberantly.
‘But how?’ Samuel asked. ‘No one could survive such a fall.’
‘Just luck, my friend. I have called for the healers. If she lives, it will save all our heads.’ And the hopeful man turned once more from the window and began hurrying out the door. It was the first time Samuel had seen his Paatin host so animated, and he boundedafter the man, struggling to keep up.
The god-woman’s body had been turned over and her limbs put into place, by the time Samuel and Utik’cah arrived. A cushion had been placed under her head, but her face was an unrecognisable red mess. Samuel had no way to tell if she was alive or dead, for she had no energy at all for him to perceive; although he noted her chest rising in rapid, although shallow movements, and,when she coughed several times, sending up sprays of blood, he knew she was truly alive.
‘The heavens bless us!’ Utik’cah stated.
Three brown-cloaked figures came scampering in and set immediately to work with their spells. They were magicians of a sort, and their healing spells were wellformed. They chattered back and forth to Utik’cah as they worked, each looking worried.
Unbelievably, one of them seemed to be a woman and Samuel’s eyes widened with dismay as she summoned and cast magic to match her fellows.
‘They are having difficulty,’ Utik’cah stated, mistaking Samuel’s expression. ‘For some reason they cannot feel the woman’s life and must work unguided.’
Samuel recovered his wits and nodded dumbly. ‘She is a rarity. She has no magical presence for your magicians to focus upon. All things have an energy that can be seen, or felt by other magicians, but occasionally, for some reason we cannot fathom, some are born without it. It will be difficult work for your wizards.’ And Samuel could imagine what it had been like for Grand Master Anthem and the others when they had been trying to heal him in the past. They could delve their senses into the meat and bone, but actual life energies were vital signs as to the nature and seriousness of any injury.
Utik’cah shook his head. ‘These are not wizards. They are only healers. They only learn the ways of healing and complement their spells with herbs and medicines. Our wizards deal with warexclusively.’
Samuel gestured towards the female healer. ‘And that one, the woman-is she normal?’
‘What do you mean? She is a healer, like the others.’
‘I cannot understand it. Women cannot use magic. At least, that is what we have believed until now. But I am seeing this with my own eyes. I would be interested to learn how your people have accomplished this. It seems beyond belief.’
‘I have no knowledge of such things, Lord Samuel. As far as I know, wizards and healers can be of either gender. Traditionally, they are sterilised once they begin studying their art and that has long been a custom of the Paatin; although, I understand you are not.’
Samuel found the thought disturbing. ‘We are not.’
The Koian woman coughed and then she made a gurgling scream and Samuel and Utik’cah leapt back in surprise as the healers rushed about her. She dug at the stones beneath her and hammered out with her hands as the healers attempted to hold her down. The female healer then cast a calming spell and the Koian fell limp again and did not move any more. After some time, the healers slowed their work and spoke again to Utik’cah.
‘She can be moved,’ Utik’cah revealed. ‘We will take her to her room. The healers believe she will live, although why she did such a thing, I cannot guess. Such madness! I will arrange for the window to be closed and a guard put on the door for now.’
They carried her on a stretcher held between four of the stout guards and Samuel followed them back to her room. He left them to their work, frustrated that he could do nothing to help without his magic, and returned to his room to rest and deliberateonthe day’s events.
Late into the night, one of the healers came knocking at his door, gesturing that he was needed.
The Koian woman had now been cleaned and was awake when he came to her side, but her face was black and swollen almost beyond recognition. She was in pain, and could barely move her eyes to look at him, peering out from her puffy sockets.
‘Damn you, Magician,’ she croaked. She was not so much using her hag voice as struggling to speak.
He had come prepared to forgive her for her outrageous actions, but even now she was intolerable. ‘Don’t blame me for your failed effort,’ he told her grimly.
She looked away. ‘That’s not what I meant. I damn you for not even trying. Why didn’t you stop me?’
‘How could I? You leapt away so quickly.’
She turned her bloodfilled eyes back towards him. ‘Are you not a magician? Are you not even a man? What kind of fool allows a woman to fall to her death?’
Samuel did not answer. He could not begin to fathom how she could dive from such a height and then dare to blame him for it. Instead, he turned to view the room, where the three Paatin women were just finishing re-arranging the pots and furniture. Everything broken had been cleaned and replaced.
‘You nearly died,’ he told her. ‘I’ve never seen such a stupid act. Haven’t you been paying attention? Without my ring I don’t have any magic.’
‘How was I to know? I don’t listen to your tired conversations and no one tells me anything. Anyway, I told you, Magician,I am not easily killed. It was a much further drop than I thought, but it would take more than that to kill me. I am a god, remember?’
That only incensed him more. ‘You did this on purpose? For what? To gain our sympathy? I really cannot understand you. Here we are, trying to save our friends and the very world, and you are only concerned with yourself. I’ve never met such a selfish soul.’
‘This is what I am,’ she responded. Then she turned her eyes to the attendants as best she could. ‘One of them can understand us,’ she said. The thought had never entered his mind, but he looked at the women, moving things ever so slightly and adjusting the wall hangings and decorations, and he supposed it was not a surprise. ‘I am used to being watched,’ she added.
‘That is not our concern for now. I have to fight in the arena very soon and I will very likely be killed. The last thing I need is you to worry about.’
It was impossible to read her expressions with her face so ruined, but her tone was clearly irritable. ‘Do not waste your precious time worrying about me. I will be much better without your help. Go out now. Get out. I want to rest.’
Samuelhumphed. ‘I’m glad you have faith in their healers. God or not, it’s going to take you a long time to recover from this. I hope they can fix your manners while they’re at it.’
And with that he stalked away.
He awoke late in the morning with Utik’cah tapping on the end of his bed with a look of concern.
‘What’s the matter?’ Samuel asked the man, shaking the sleep from his mind.
‘It’s your companion,’ he stated and Samuel swung himself out of bed and began to draw on his magician’s clothes.
‘Is there something wrong?’
‘Precisely the opposite,’ the desert-man said, observing Samuel with his dark, solemn face. ‘That is why I am worried. Come see.’
They edged open the door to the god-woman’s door, where they could see her sitting up in her bed, looking out through the window. She turned towards them momentarily and gave a contented smile, before returning her gaze to the blue sky outside. Samuel could see that her battered face had regained its shape and the black and purple bruises and gashes were now almost gone.
‘She is much better,’ Utik’cah stated. ‘Surprisingly so.’
‘So what is the problem?’ Samuel asked h
im.
‘The healers stated that even with their spells and potions, it would be several days before they knew if she would even live for certain, so horrendous were her injuries. Then, it would take several weeks for her bones to heal and perhaps several months for her to walk well-even with the aid of their magic to help her all the while. She has healed much faster than I was led to believe was even possible. Also, there is one other problem. The three attendants were left to watch over her while the healers went to rest. When the healers returned, the attendants had vanished. We cannot find them.’
‘Where have they gone?’ Samuel asked the man, as they edged back out of her room together and Utik’cah pulled shut the door.
‘I was hoping you could tell me. No one leaves the palace without being seen, and servants of Alahativa do not simply leave their tasks without good reason. Still, they are gone.’
‘I’m sorry,’ was all Samuel could say, ‘but I have no idea where they are.’
Utik’cah regarded Samuel soberly, as if waiting for any more information to reveal itself. When he was content that Samuel would say no more,he nodded and turned away in silence, leaving Samuel to return to his room and his breakfast.
The Paatin healers had little else to do for the Koian god-woman, as a few days rest and a few minor spells would cure the remainder of her ailments. An older, more matronly Paatin woman, quite modestly dressed, was allotted to care for her and the two of them seemed to get along much better, as the old woman had no qualms about allowing her to dress to the Paatin equivalence of an old maid. Shara was her name, and the Koian god-woman seemed happy enough with the arrangement, and did not attempt to assault the old woman with any of the furniture.
That day, Samuel spent every hour attempting to muster his power. He sat on the end of his bed and called for magic. As usual, nothing came in response. He tried again several times but to no avail. He shifted and fidgeted and tried every trick inthebook to calm himself and reach his power but,every time he tried, he felt himself wishing to have his ring and was unable to focus himself.
It was his turn to be surprised when he heard a cough and opened his eyes to find the Koian woman standing in his doorway, observing him.
‘A magician without magic is like a cow without udders, Magician. What good are you now?’
Samuel grunted, irritated that she could sneak up on him so easily. He damned her for lacking all magical presence and damned her again for even existing. It annoyed him to no end that he was no longer unique in that way. ‘What good are you, woman? One day, I will restore my magic, but you will always be you.’
‘Perhaps instead of insulting me,you could ask for my opinion?’ she said smugly from the doorway.
‘I think there is no need for that. You seem to give it without hesitation. And besides, what would you-a woman-know about magic?’
She walked in and stood facing him with her arms folded. It was amazing that she now stood, when hours before she had been on the edge of death.
‘I don’t see that you have anything to lose by trying,’ she told him. ‘And I know many things you cannot begin to guess.’
Samuel considered a number of responses that seemed suitable, but he managed to bite his lip, imagining the retaliatory onslaught of abuse he would then have to persevere.
She carried on despite his scowling glances. ‘If you ask me-and I know you won’t-I’d say you seem to be trying too hard. If you approach any task as a chore, how can you possibly find success?’
‘Don’t you think I’ve tried!’ he shouted out, as he lost his temper. She jumped at the sound of his voice and he felt guilty at the sight. As much as he disliked her, he felt ashamed for being so short-tempered. He stood from his bed and turned away. ‘I’ve tried everything,’ he said, calming himself, but he would not turn back to face her.
‘Then I don’t know how to help you,’ she said flatly, behind him.
He heard her move towards the door, and he turned back tofaceher. ‘Wait,’ he called and she stopped short of the entrance, turning her face towards him. He had thought he would find some emotion on her face, but she looked unnerved by his temper. ‘I want to ask you about what happened after your fall. What happened to those women? How is it that you have healed so quickly?’
‘Why should I answer, Magician, when you have judged me already?’
‘What did you do to them?’
‘What do you think I did? You are ever so quick to point the finger of accusation towards me,OSaviour of Cintar, but we are more alike than you would care to guess.’
‘I am nothing like you,’ he said, again annoyed. She seemed ever intent on infuriating him-and it was working.
She turned her back to him without any hint of response and left, shutting the door softly. If only she had slammed the door, he would have felt better.
Attempting to clear his mind was pointless after that and he spent the following hours pacing nervously. Utik’cah was soon calling at his door, which meant it was time for the battle and Samuel followed the man in abject silence.
‘You will need to meet Alahativa’s expectations this time, Lord Samuel,’ he said as they waited at the arena gates. ‘She has organised a rare event: Paatin wizards to face you. She has ordered your death and they will try their best tofulfilher command.’
‘I thought she didn’t kill her own people?’
‘These wizards have disappointed our Queen and have asked for the chance to redeem themselves. The decision was theirs.’
The gates swung wide and the light was momentarily blinding. As his eyes adjusted to the glare, Samuel stepped out into the arena. Again, he spied Eric waiting in his Order blacks at the centre of the ring and he padded over as quickly as he could to meet his friend.
Eric seemed in good health,well fed and refreshed.
‘You look better,’ Samuel stated.
‘I think they want a better show this time. My cell is not nearly so dismal any more. I even have a bucket. What about you? Have you found the Empress?’
‘No, but I am learning more, slowly.’
‘We cannot wait forever, Samuel. We need to act.’
There was a commotion from the crowd as two Paatin wizards emerged from the opposing gates. The crowd did not cheer, but a murmur ran amongst them. These wizards donned grey,wrap-around cloaks of light material, in the Paatin-style. They seemed powerful and the two of them immediately began gathering power from the pattern around them.
‘Trouble,’ Eric noted.
‘I still don’t have my ring, Eric. Can you handle them?’
Eric was worried, but he made his best attempt to hide the fact. ‘Without a doubt,’ he lied, and he, too, began filling himself with magic.
Samuel felt his heart racing and forced his eyes shut, even reducing his magician’s senses to nothing in attempt to shut out the presence of the two readying wizards. His lips trembled as he recited his mantras of centring. He tried all the mind-calming exercises he knew, but still his power was distant and feeble,too pathetic to even reach.
‘Samuel,’ he heard Eric say beside him, but he did his best to ignore his friend. ‘Samuel!’ Eric called again, with more urgency. ‘I hope you’re ready. They’re coming!’
Samuel opening his eyes to see the two wizards working at their spells. They had already made their shields and were now readying their offensive magic, moving their arms in gestures of casting.
‘Are you ready, Samuel?’ Eric said, having thrown his defences in place.
Two blasts of magic shot out towards them and Samuel dived for cover. The Paatin magic thundered into Eric’s shields. Both spells were heavy, but Eric skilfully deflected each of them aside.
‘No, I’m not ready!’ Samuel called out, quickly picking himself up from the sand.
‘Then leave it to me,’ Eric said. ‘I will try to end this quickly, before they have a chance to learn our weakness.’
Eric gathered magic from his own pool and worked it into a spell. The two Paatin stoo
d patiently and awaited its completion, hoping to measure his strength in return.
‘Make it count, Eric. We don’t want to give them a chance to retaliate.’
With that, Eric unleashed his magic and the spell shot forth with fury. It was a beam of fire wrapped in lightning, and it surged from his hands teeming with wrath. It careened wildly into the ground like a writhing serpent and sent up a great spray of sand as Eric struggled to direct it. It struck the Paatin defences with a roar and the wizards reacted in turn. Their shields squealed, but the brunt of Eric’s spell was turned aside, churning up more sand and scorching the walls.
Stray fragments of magic flew towards the crowds, but the Paatin observers were not caught unprepared. Wizards were sitting in the front row of the crowd and they already had a net of spells in place to protect the audience.
‘You need to do better than that,’ Samuel said, but Eric was not deterred.
‘I’m not finished yet,’ he said and released a second knot of magic that he had readied behind the first.
The beam of fire bloomed to twice its size and beat at the Paatin shield with twice its vigour. The two wizards were barely visible amongst the sparks and fire, but Samuel could see that they were standing calmly as they defended themselves, unfazed by Eric’s effort.
He was disappointed, but Eric was still not finished. With determination,he unleashed another spell, low in power but complex in crafting. It shot out laterally, striking the arena wall at their side and then raced around like a scampering monkey upon the wall, following it towards the wizards. When itwasbehind the men, it sprang out towards their backs, ready to grip hold of them.
‘Yes!’ Samuel declared, a moment too soon, for they had been ready for just such an attack. With a flick of his wrist, one of the wizards easily dispelled Eric’s attempt to catch them unawares.
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