Exiled (The Never Chronicles)

by J. R. Wagner

  “Reveal yourself or you will die at the tip of my enchanted arrow,” she said, bow drawn.

  The figure immediately displayed his empty hands; then slowly pulled the hood away. It was Tabitha Ogilvy. Margaret lowered her bow.

  “He wants to meet with you,” she said urgently.

  “Who?” Margaret asked.

  “Alvaro.”

  “A trap?”

  “Most likely.”

  “What's going on?” James asked, lowering his short-sword as he mounted the last of the steps.

  * * * *

  Downtown London, Kensington Gardens

  The crowds meandered by, enjoying the unusually pleasant weather. Margaret moved with the crowd toward her destination at the opposite end of the park. Once she'd reached the fountain, she paused, looking around for any sign of Alvaro. She had wanted to meet him among a crowd, hoping it would give him pause should he be tempted to try something. He had agreed to all of her stipulations, which made her nervous, yet intrigued despite the fact that he was most likely responsible for her husband's death. She felt that he was desperate to tell her something. For the first time since she learned of her son's prophetic rise, she felt in control.

  “Madam Stuart,” Alvaro said.

  She turned quickly, surprised by his sudden appearance. Nobody would dare use magic so publicly. She looked into his eyes for some sign of guilt or information she could use to implicate him in the death of the man she had grown to love not once, but twice. To Margaret's dismay, his expression was sad. He looked truly anguished. Margaret knew better.

  “Let us walk, shall we?” he asked, pointing along the main path.

  They began walking.

  “I would first like to offer my condolences. I've heard a great many things about your husband. He was converted, was he not?”

  “Yes,” Margaret replied.

  “Fascinating. Few believed any convert could harness such power.”

  “What do you know of my husband's death?” Margaret asked.

  “You are quite direct, are you not? Very well. There is a powerful sorcerer who believes your son is the Anointed One, written of in the ancient texts by the first Seer. They believe he will bring a stop to the Epoch Terminus. He came to your husband not long after your son was born. He and another man named Ogilvy were the first to introduce your husband to our world. To train him in our ways.”

  “Akil?”

  “Yes, Akil. Some say he is the most powerful sorcerer alive. I don't doubt he would disagree. But that man is the epitome of arrogance. Above all else, Akil desires power. At the height of his power, Akil began searching for the Anointed One. When he found James, it didn't take him long to realize that the boy was special. Not only did he meet all the criteria spoken of by the Seer, but, from what I understand, his talents were also unparalleled.

  “Akil knew his days of being the most powerful were numbered. What could he do? Kill James? No. Even for a sorcerer of his stature and power that was not an option. If James were indeed the Anointed One, Akil must be part of his life. He would manipulate him to do his will, to further his agenda, and he would ensure that not only was he proven right, but that he would also be in control of the Anointed One. He would help train James and slowly become the most influential person in his upbringing.

  “But things changed as time progressed. Akil's access to the boy was limited, as was his influence. He had to adapt. He needed James to need him. Akil sent some of his men to eliminate Stuart, which would provide him the opporunity to fill the void left by the death of his father. Now that he has succeeded in removing Stuart, Akil will make you an offer to pick up where Stuart left off. You have neither the resources to hide nor the ability to resist a sorcerer of such power. Akil will use James as a tool, a weapon against all who stand in his way. This is why I have asked to speak with you.”

  “Master Alvaro, you cannot seriously think I would so readily believe your well-concocted story.”

  “Of course not, my dear. Akil has had years to impregnate his lies into your head about who I am and what I stand for. He probably has you believing I'm the enemy. He is gifted in the ways of deceit. His fanatical following was part of the reason it took so long for the council to accept him despite his superior abilities. They were afraid he would take over. If he gets hold of your son, I assure you that is exactly what will happen. He is a master manipulator. He will tell you he only wants to teach the boy, but in the end he will take him from you and use him against you—against us all. I come here to warn you because I don't want to see James end up being another puppet of Akil's, who has a very ill-conceived notion of what society should be.”

  Margaret kept a stone-cold expression as her head spun. What he'd said meant one of two things. He was telling the truth or there was an informant among the small group she'd entrusted with vital information—with her son's life. Either way it was very unsettling.

  “Very well, Master Alvaro. I will take everything you've said into consideration. Thank you for your time. Good day.”

  She turned and began walking away.

  “There is one other thing,” Alvaro called out before Margaret could disappear into the crowds. She turned.

  “I wish to honor your husband. He was, after all, the father of the Anointed One and went to great lengths to see that the boy was raised properly. Not to mention that he was also the most powerful sorcerer born to an unfaithful family this or any council has ever seen. Many things became clear because of him, and many lives were saved. A man such as he deserves to be honored, not fall into darkness without so much as a word scrolled into the history of our kind.”

  “My husband is dead. My son and I have moved on. What you choose to do as part of the council is up to you.” She turned and walked away.

  — 18 —

  THE GUARDIAN

  Luno and James stood looking at the map wall. Luno ran his fingers over the painting.

  “Six temptresses that I've been forced to look at since my arrival yet have never been able to reach. No man who has come to this place has set foot on one of the six islands that sit just offshore. We are surrounded by water, yet we are so cursed that we cannot cross even the narrowest channel. One in particular has always drawn my attention.”

  He ran his hand over the island drawn on the far southeast corner of the map. The far sides of the satellite islands were incomplete, left blank until Luno could map them properly. He hoped today things would change.

  “And what of the Ammoncourt map?” James asked.

  For a moment Luno grinned; then his grin changed to a look of frustration. He turned away from the map wall and walked to the table behind him. He carefully moved the nest of scrolls from the tabletop, save one. He unfurled the lone scroll, revealing the map of a small town. There was a main street with structures lining both sides. Each of the buildings had names. The names were not typical of a town and lent no description as to their function. James saw the names “Marcus,” “John,” and “Thomas” beside the three southernmost buildings. He'd guessed the names were the occupants. Luno sighed.

  “I fail to understand its relevance. It appears to be a small town like any other. The names assigned to the buildings are a bit odd, but apart from that, I see no significance. It must have been important, or I don't believe Ammoncourt would have created it and kept it hidden. And then there is this,” Luno said, pointing at the drawing in the far corner of the scroll. The intricate maze was smudged from the numerous times Luno had run his finger over it.

  “It's some sort of labyrinth. There's a way in, but no way out.”

  Luno stepped back from the table and looked up at James, who was staring intently at the labyrinth. He felt the call of the black castle. It became stronger the longer he studied the circular maze.

  “Now that we have it from that bloody bookcase, I'm not sure what to do with it. I hope, in time, its use will present itself.” Luno put his hands on James's shoulders. “Let us not lose focus, my boy. Today i
s a big day.”

  James snapped out of his trance. “Help me again understand why you believe I have the ability to cross the water when all others cannot.”

  Luno's eyes darted back and forth for a moment, then settled themselves once more.

  “I'll have you know, I am not a strong swimmer,” James said.

  “You are not swimming across, my boy. You are sailing.”

  James did not look the least bit reassured.

  “The island has not let anyone cross its waters and reach any of the six satellites. Many have died trying, and those who did not die were thrust back onto the island like a fish on a dock. You told me upon your arrival that you entered the ocean feeling its healing powers. You have entered and not been cast out. And that is once more than any man or woman who has ever been banished. You, my boy, are meant to travel over the water. We've gone over the rudimentary seamanship skills you'll need, and I believe you are ready,” said Luno.

  Luno's experiment made James nervous. Despite his growing fondness of the man, James found it quickly apparent that he was quite mad. The pair made their way down the pier, where men had been laboring on the boat since his arrival. It hovered over the water, held by large ropes strung through davits that allowed it to sway gently in the breeze. The dark purple shore birds, which at first made James more than a bit uncomfortable because of their size and lack of feathers, hovered overhead in hopes of procuring an afternoon meal.

  The ship itself was no longer than twenty-five feet. It was beautifully crafted by William and Roger, both shipbuilders in their former lives. The pair stood with proud expressions on their faces as James and Luno approached.

  “Absolutely magnificent,” Luno said, running his hand across the smooth wooden hull.

  “Zee's perfect in every way,” William said in his thick French accent. “Best wood I ever worked weez.”

  “And the sail?” Luno asked.

  “That were a bit more tricky, yet we managed just t'same. We didn't want any seams in 'er so we skinned a croc monster. Big feller, too,” Roger replied.

  “You're sure zis will work, no?” William said, looking nervously at Luno. He and Roger had spent the better part of the last year constructing the little ship, and based on past experiences, it was about to be destroyed.

  “Only one way to find out, isn't there, my boy?” Luno said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Let's lower her into the water, shall we?”

  Each man doubled up on one of the two ropes strung through the wooden davits that rose above their heads. The ship soundlessly entered the water, jostling side to side until it found its equilibrium. William and Roger looked nervously at the ship, like parents seeing their child off to school for the first time.

  James knew if he didn't act quickly that fear and doubt would prevent him from acting at all. He descended the small wooden ladder and stepped into the ship. He noticed it did not give even an inch under his weight as he boarded. He glanced up at Luno, who nodded reassuringly. James quickly untied the ropes they'd used to lower the ship into the water. He grasped a third line and tossed it up to William. James took his position behind the wheel as the three men began to pull the rope along the pier. Slowly, it began to move. It took but a moment before the bow passed the last pylon. James noticed a crowd had gathered to witness this epic event. Once the stern cleared the pier, James began pulling the lines and raising the sail.

  The water was calm and the wind negligible. By the time the sail was up and secured, he'd come to a dead stop. He could hear the voices from the crowd behind him on the pier before he quieted his mind. Luno had gone over the wind incantation with James until he had finally gotten it. The language of the land was a mystery to all the residents except for three words, which had been found written on a piece of dry hide along the northern coast. Even after the hide was discovered, it took years of experimentation to discern the correct pronunciation and function of each word.

  After much patience, two of the three words could be used in an incantation. The third simply swirled water as if it were being mixed with a spoon. Even now, after all his practice, he found himself ready to use the words he would have back home. He thought of the island, The Never. Alive and aware.

  He extended his hand and said, “Poikelo.” Immediately the sail filled with air. He grasped the wheel, turning the ship to the east. The plan was to head east inside the harbor until reaching the leg of the eastern horseshoe. He would then come about and return to the pier. As the ship picked up speed, his apprehension began to dissipate.

  James was amazed at how quietly the ship moved across the water. He could hear faint cheering from the pier, but he didn't take his eyes off his destination, the distant cliffs on the eastern shore. The water beneath him was more green than blue and visibility, as always, was limited to only a few inches below the surface. He extended his hand and repeated the word “poikelo,” and was nearly thrown from the boat as it lurched forward at amazing speed. He righted himself and grasped the wheel, relieved that the ship hadn't gone off course. He was so close to the shore that running aground was a very real concern.

  Just as he was about to slow his progress he began to feel a sense of euphoria. The wind in his hair and the smell of the sea reminded him of his childhood. His father had taken him on several sea voyages in his youth. They were among his fondest memories. James only discovered later that they were actually fleeing their pursuers. This made the adventures all the more special because his father had gone to such great lengths to make James believe they were going on holiday.

  The ship drew closer and closer to the eastern cliffs, and James began to make the turn back toward the pier. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a figure standing on the cliffs waving its arms. Despite not being able to make out her face, he knew it was Kilani. He smiled, and his heart warmed. Once he had lined the bow up with the distant side of the western harbor, he looked back over his shoulder. She was gone. Slightly disheartened, James focused on keeping the ship on the proper heading and marveled at how infatuation could have such an immediate impact over his moods.

  Off to his left, he saw movement. At first he thought it was one of the purple seabirds. As the object began to move past, actually overtaking the speeding ship, James realized it was Kilani soaring by on her glider. She moved parallel to the ship's path just over the beach. James smiled. Kilani let out a yell as she passed and continued down the beach toward the pier.

  “Poikelo,” James said, asking the wind to push harder against the sails, and the wind acquiesced, helping him quickly bridge the gap and then finally pull ahead of Kilani. James let out a yell as he passed. Because nobody knew the antithesis to the wind command, the only way to slow the speeding boat was to drop sail. James released the halyard, allowing the sail to fall over the boom as the gust of wind blew past and out to sea. The ship's speed decreased as he approached the pier. It looked as if every resident of Harbor Town crowded the dock. Some cheered, and all smiled.

  James realized that his brief journey across the harbor had given these people something they hadn't felt in years: hope. He knew what Luno had expected of him. The pressure of living up to someone else's expectations wasn't foreign to James. His entire life people had expected him to be special. As he grew older and understood what exactly that meant, it began to eat away at him. Some days, his overwhelming desire to be normal consumed his every thought. Eventually, he realized all the sacrifices people had made. More than a few had given their lives, and he was determined not to turn his back on their memories. He pushed away his anxieties and insecurities and continued.

  James eased the ship to the pier. William and Roger were there to toss him the mooring lines. Both were smiling. He could hear Luno barking at everyone to back away from the ladder. When James stepped onto the pier, the crowd erupted into cheers. Smiling, he tried to find Kilani's face among the crowd, but he didn't see her. Luno put his arm around James and quickly escorted him down the pier to his house.

  The pai
r stood, once again, in front of the map wall. Luno paced in front of it excitedly. James watched and waited.

  “Well, my boy, it looks as though a new adventure begins today. Finally, I will complete my map and hopefully we will unlock some of the island's secrets in the process. I think our first destination is obvious,” Luno said, pointing to the three small islands off the northeastern part of the main island. “The Three Widows.”

  “We?” James asked.

  “Well of course, we. You didn't expect me to let you do this all on your own, did you?”

  James looked at Luno as a parent might after his child had proposed something utterly ridiculous.

  “My boy, we cannot spend our lives in a state of inaction simply because there is risk involved in action. Where would we be then? Besides, I have a plan, a theory, as it were. We shall test it before we embark on our voyage. Now stop interrupting me and let us continue plotting our journey.

  “Once we've visited the Three Widows, I think our next stop should be the Severed Heart.” Luno now pointed to a large landmass off the northwest coast of island. “After that, we will move south along the coast and around the cape to Prey Island.” He pointed to the island that lay inside South Harbor. “Then to the Resting Man,” he said, pointing to the smaller island just to the east of Prey Island. “Then … then, we have a go at the black castle,” he said, with a smile on his face.

  “Kilani has procured everything we need. Now it is simply a matter of testing my theory and setting your ever-cautious mind at ease.”

  James sat in a small rowboat barely wider than his shoulders. He looked up nervously as Luno descended the ladder. Cautiously, Luno stepped inside the boat as James hugged the closest pylon for stabilization. Luno quickly sat, giving James a “told you so” smile as the tiny boat found its equilibrium. Luno tossed off the mooring line and gave James a nod. Both men were glad they had decided to wait until the crowds had dissipated before setting out.