Origin Mage

by John Forrester

  “Precious jewels, ancient relics—”

  “Nothing so mundane. What about feathers from the rarest bird in the world?”

  Mara squealed and clasped her hands together. “Oh, I’d like that very much. Can you steal one for me? Just use your map to find the perfect one. The Goddess won’t mind, will she?”

  “It’s a long ways away. We’d have to travel south, to the Galhedrin Coast, and go hunting. It would require stealth and a great deal of perseverance.”

  “But surely you’re up for the challenge? Besides, we could stop by Carvina and visit with Rikar and Devonia. I’d love to see how Master Goleth has rebuilt the city. It was a wreck the last time we were there. You and Rikar sure released a terrible carnage…”

  He knew it would be easy to travel to Carvina, either by magical portal or flying in dragon form. But the word obligations came back to him. “Yeah, I guess it would be nice.”

  “But? You’re thinking about something serious again, aren’t you?” She made a sour face. “Can’t you just—”

  He waited a moment, but when she didn’t continue, he said, “What?”

  “I don’t know. It’s all gotten so serious. I guess I miss the adventure and the excitement.”

  “And the escape? We can’t always run away from things. Besides, I bet we’ll have lots of adventures to come, don’t you think?”

  “When? After we’re all grown up and have fulfilled our duty?” Mara looked so mature for a moment that it startled him. She was changing and, despite what she had said, would certainly make a strong queen one day.

  “I didn’t mean that. I simply thought it would be wonderful to have the kind of adventure where we go simply for the fun of it.”

  “Instead of saving the world?” She smiled.

  “Or running after to find you.”

  “I’m glad you did. Otherwise—”

  “You’d miss me?”

  “You know I’d miss you.” She punched him in the arm. “What do you think? But seriously, I’ve been thinking a lot about leaving Naru. The Council of Elders has been bugging me constantly and pressuring me to take the throne. I don’t want to rule; I don’t want the obligations of power. At least not yet. I still have another year before I come of age. And besides, a part of me still feels there’s danger out there. I don’t think Aurellia will come back, but the Starwalkers, you remember their rule of law and how they vowed to fulfill it? We did kill Starwalkers and so did Rikar. Why haven’t they come back for us?”

  “Maybe they don’t care anymore. Isn’t it possible they’ve given up and continued on their adventure?”

  “I don’t think so. I have a bad feeling about it, I really do. Sometimes I have nightmares about them. We’re not ready to fight against their kind. No matter how much you prepare, I don’t think we can win.”

  “No, we’re ready for an attack. We set rune stones and wards, you saw us.”

  “It won’t be enough and you know it.” Her face tightened into a scowl. “If they come, we’ll have to leave. We’re a danger to our people and the people of this world. They’ll come after us and leave Naru alone. That’s the real reason why I refuse to be queen. Someone else will have to hold the power.”

  “Don’t give up so easily. It’s already been a year. Don’t you think they’ve gone already? They wouldn’t have waited so long.”

  “You can do the hoping, but I don’t believe it.”

  “Maybe your suggestion was a good one.”

  “Which one?”

  “That we go south and pay Rikar a visit. We should find out how he’s doing, and if he’s heard any rumors of trouble.”

  Mara’s eyes lit up in excitement. “Finally, that’s exactly what I had in mind. Do we have to wait?”

  “Of course not.” He grinned and flourished his fingers.

  The city of Carvina was still mostly a mess of rubble and stone. Though a few neighborhoods, the palace and the surrounding gardens, had been rebuilt much like Talis had remembered. There, they found a semblance of civilization, though nothing like its former grandness.

  He wondered if Devonia had been crowned Empress by now. And if she had, would it mean that one day Rikar might become the emperor? Or simply her consort. Either way, it was all strange thoughts, at least to Talis.

  Though Rikar had cured the people of Carvina from the curse of the Naemarians. He was probably seen as a god by many, with his glowing skin and magical aura.

  “Look at Rikar and Devonia. They look so happy. Almost too perfect.” Mara looked wistful as she tugged on Talis’ hand, leading them up the flower-strewn walkway to where a crowd of royals had gathered around the couple.

  Back in Naru, Mara had taken the time to sneak back into her room and select a flowing white gown and a golden belt. Since she had settled in over the last year, Mara had taken to wearing dresses and even jewelry, though the idea still surprised Talis. Tonight she wore a golden necklace with a single brilliant diamond paired with diamond earrings. She’d told Talis that she wanted to make an impression upon her arrival to Carvina.

  And did she ever, at least to Talis’ eyes.

  She was right about Rikar and Devonia; they looked too perfect. But Talis still felt something strange when he studied Rikar. His old friend wore a crisp black shirt and silk pants. His once long hair had been trimmed short and was oiled back. He looked nervous and uncomfortable, like he was hiding something.

  “And I don’t care what anyone says,” Devonia said, laughing as she caught her breath. The princess was wearing a short red dress made of silk that showed off her long lean legs. Around her neck was a silver necklace holding a large sapphire. “I don’t give a damn about the old stupid ways of the Jiserian Empire. We’ve changed all that! Things will be different, this time. We’ll make it all new, won’t we, darling?”

  “If we can contain ourselves from all this giddy excitement.” Rikar gave a half-smile, eying the magical ring resting on his finger. Ever since he’d claimed the ring in the Underworld, he played with it often, twisting the ring and eyeing it.

  “What? Oh, you’re a devil.” Devonia stumbled about, spilling sloshes of wine on the grass.

  It seemed to Talis like she had had a bit too much to drink. They’d somehow arrived at a time of celebration and mirth. Perhaps the completion of the palace and the gardens? Talis glanced around and spotted the tall builder, Master Goleth, off to the side of the crowd. He looked wary and just as tired as Talis remembered him in Naru, likely from the exertion of rebuilding. His plain brown robe set him apart from all the opulence on display.

  “Talis?” Rikar said, finally noticing him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Wonderful to see you, too.” Mara tilted her head, eyes examining him. “What’s the deal, you’ve changed? Where’s your… glow?”

  Rikar cleared his throat as if embarrassed. “It’s a ridiculous thing, to be gawked at all the time.”

  “Why, hello you two!” Devonia raised her glass to them, then placed a hand on Rikar’s arm. “He got sick of the attention. There’s even a cult in the ghetto that’s devoted to him. They say prayers each night in the hopes that his divine self will reveal itself again. I beg him to go there sometimes and allow them to bask in his true glory.”

  “Fat chance of that ever happening. I’d rather flog myself.”

  The party of elegantly dressed royals laughed at the comment, casting hesitant glances at Rikar. They were like an old couple, witty and easy, and so relaxed. So unlike the tension Talis had felt over the last year around Mara. They’d been so busy with the rebuilding and smothered with all the royal protocol.

  As Rikar and Devonia shared admiring looks, Talis glanced at Mara, feeling cautious.

  “So have you announced an engagement?” Mara asked, suppressing a grin.

  Rikar and Devonia appeared unnerved by the suggestion, but it was she who broke the spell. “There are numerous formalities and complexities regarding courtship that are simply beyond me. When the
time is right, I suppose I’ll have to ignore them all and do as I please. But for now, I must respect the rituals of our religion and temper my enthusiasm with prudence, or so all my advisors tell me.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Not that I really care, honestly. I basically ignore them all when the priests aren’t looking.”

  Her comment received many knowing laughs from the young royals.

  “It must be tiresome for you to deal with them.” Mara wrinkled up her nose. “My parents tried to marry me off to several disgustingly unsuitable suitors. I kept running away from home.” She cast an eye at Talis, her face glowing and mischievous. “All our adventures saved me from the most boring life imaginable.”

  “I’m glad you ran away.” Talis caught Mara’s warm gaze. “Traveling alone to Darkov and into the Underworld with only Rikar and Nikulo would have been unbearable.”

  Rikar snorted. “We would have killed each other.”

  “We almost did, remember?” Talis rubbed his ear, picturing the time in Lorello when they’d nearly come to blows. “Somehow, despite your best attempts, we both survived. It’s strange how things turned out, and the choices we made that led us here.”

  “I did a lot of stupid things, believing every word my master said. What liars Aurellia and Zagros were.” Lightning crackled off in the distance, followed by a series of low, rumbling growls. Many gasped in response.

  Rikar raised his eyes, amused, and continued, “Hah. It’s good to know the old dog is still active and roaming around in his den. Maybe we’ll all be forever young and avoid the dark, stinking lair of the dead.”

  Talis thought of the Zacrane dagger and the gift of immortality, and wondered what it meant for him and his life. He’d aged normally over the last year, growing taller and stronger, just like he remembered his brother Xhan had. His mother often commented on the changes. Talis especially enjoyed the looks of approval from his father as he watched him practice his swordplay in the training arena.

  But what would happen when he reached maturity? Would he stop aging while Mara continued to age at a normal rate? He shook his head, refusing to think about it. Besides, it was years away, practically an eternity.

  Mara took a glass of something bubbly and raised it in a toast, locking eyes with Talis and Rikar. “May we never return to the land of the dead. And may what remains there never escape.”

  Talis retrieved a glass of his own and lifted it with the others. He remembered the look of betrayal and anger on Caisa’s face when she had solidified into a statue. He hoped and prayed the Nameless and her followers would stay forever locked away. But somehow, Talis worried that either the Starwalkers or the Nameless might find their way back to them, seeking revenge. Hence the reason for his furious energy behind their preparation and shoring up of Naru’s defenses. Not that it would ever be enough, though, in the case of an attack by either. But it was something, or at least that was what he told himself.

  Rikar’s expression soured as he stared at the clouds thickening off in the distance. He was probably thinking about his father again. Though he appeared to be content here in Carvina with Devonia, Talis knew his old friend could likely never be truly happy. A core part of his soul was consumed by Zagros and the dark lord, another part with the Nameless, and a new, stronger force—the Starwalkers—imbuing every fiber of his being.

  “You look tired, Master Goleth.” Mara placed a hand on the Builder’s arm, eyes concerned. “No rest from the rebuilding efforts?”

  The tall man shuffled closer to the group, a sheepish smile playing on his tanned face. “I feel renewed to find myself once again in your presence, Lady Mara. I am curious, though, as to your arrival in Carvina. I find it doubtful you would travel the full distance merely out of boredom.”

  “The Elders of Naru are asking her to become queen.” Talis cast a hesitant glance at Mara.

  “But certainly that is good news?” said Master Goleth.

  “Not in the least bit. I have no interest in bearing the burden. The best strategy seemed for me to disappear for awhile. Let the rumors abound on the streets of Naru and in the hallways of the Council of Elders.”

  “Running away together?” Devonia gave a small laugh. “They probably think you and Talis eloped. Surely you can’t stop such rumors considering how much time you two spend together?”

  Mara blushed and was about to speak when Devonia interrupted her.

  “For heaven’s sake, tell me it hasn’t come to your mind? I can’t think of a more perfectly suitable couple than the two of you. Haven’t you grown closer over the last year? You know what I mean.”

  “Stop teasing them,” Rikar said, annoyed. “Say anymore and Talis is likely to explode. And watch out when he does.”

  “Don’t you think I remember?” Devonia had a faraway look in her eyes. “Talis nearly destroyed the cathedral. Even back then he was fawning over Mara like a drooling puppy.”

  The group broke out into an uncomfortable laughter. Mara looked embarrassed and Talis wasn’t about to say a thing. Although he and Mara had spent every day together over the past year, usually their days were consumed with the work of rebuilding their city, casting and setting magical wards, and fortifying their physical and magical defenses. Mara had proven a great ally in negotiating and rallying support amongst the royals and the Council of Elders, which was probably why they were so urgently pushing her to take on the mantle of becoming their queen.

  They rarely spent time together at night, as they were too tired after a long day of laboring in defense of Naru. And the time they did spend alone… well, it often felt a bit tense, as if they were both worried about something unspoken. But now that the work was done and they were away from home, Talis wondered what Mara was thinking. Especially about what Devonia had said.

  Still, Mara didn’t retreat or protest, and instead listened as Princess Devonia led the conversation to a silly topic of the latest fashions at court. Talis admired Mara for her poise, and she did look stunning in her long, white dress, though he could tell underneath she was still brooding about what Devonia had said.

  When the group of royals moved away to enjoy a display of magical lights created by a group of magicians, Mara stayed behind with Talis. They wandered over to the darkness of a quiet place in the gardens. There they sat on a bench and stared at the distant magical lights of Carvina’s celebration. Finally, she broke the silence.

  “I have thought about it, you know. It’s not like I’m blind. I notice how you look at me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you dare say you don’t. Like when we were working—you’d pause a moment to look at me and I’d feel something. I’d hold your hand and you’d sometimes kiss me, but you would always stop yourself, like you were afraid of something.”

  “I don’t know.” Talis sighed, feeling stupid and nervous. “I’m not like Nikulo or Rikar, they’re always so easy around girls.”

  “But it’s me. I’m not just any girl. I’m Mara, your best friend, Talis. You can talk to me about anything.”

  “The truth is, I always stopped myself because of all the talk about you becoming queen. Protocol demands that you follow the ritual process of seeking a suitor in the case where there’s not a clear line of succession for a male heir. Which is the case. And I’m down the line in terms of acceptable suitors. The Elders would never allow me to—you know they have to follow protocol.”

  “Are you saying you want to—” She beamed at him. “Forget about protocol. If I had my way, I’d get rid of it all. Why do you think I don’t want to become queen?”

  “That’s why?” Talis swallowed, finally understanding her meaning. “But I don’t know if there’s much we can do about it.”

  “You’re wrong, there. There’s absolutely everything we can do about it.” Mara raised a hand to his face. “You should know that there’s no one else for me, Talis. It’s only you. It’s always been you. You saved me from dying. Yo
u brought me back from death with the power of light magic. You believed in me where others would have considered me forever cursed. And besides all that, you’re my best friend. How could I ever consider anyone else? It’s impossible, silly boy.”

  Talis felt his cheeks growing warm at her words. When he looked into her eyes, he knew she was telling the truth. She leaned in and kissed him, really kissed him this time. He relished the softness of her lips and the sweet sparkling taste of the wine in her mouth. She pulled herself against him, kissing him deeper, until they were pressed together so close he could feel the excitement radiate from underneath her skin.

  In the stream of darkness and distant laughter and faraway spells, they floated, consumed by sensations new and sensations old and familiar, from that night on the ship in the storm, when they were drunk in the insanity of the night. A fever dream, Talis had told himself many times. It was nothing but a fever dream.

  Now, it was real, right here and impossible to ignore, but it still felt dangerous and forbidden.

  2. Once a Dragon Falls

  After Rikar had saved Princess Devonia and brought her back to the world of the living, she wanted to renounce the world. To live with him far away from her obligations and the old lure of royal Jiserian society. As the leader of the Order of Dragons, her duty had been certain and true. The road absolute. Now, there was nothing left but uncertainties.

  Rikar often woke in the middle of the night screaming or in some strange fit, his eyes glowing, skin beaming that hideous silver hue of the stars. It was unnatural and fascinating at the same time. Talis had told her that Rikar had been remade by the blood and bone of the Starwalkers—the four of them lured into a trap in the lair of the Nameless. But the Nameless was far older and crueler than even her current manifestation, the Goddess Caisa. Devonia had witnessed the madness and alien indifference in her eyes.

  The nightmares continued to plague Rikar. Each night he moaned, cried out, and pleaded for help, his body slick with sweat. His terrors brought her tears of desperation and filled her with worry. But in the morning, he’d be so calm, strangely so after all she had witnessed. Then he’d remember and become despondent, sulking all day. She was coming, he would say. She was coming back and bringing the worst kind of vengeance. Her followers were aiding her escape from the imprisonment in the Underworld.