Third Power

by Robert Childs

  Haldorum’s shoulders bounced as he chuckled and he patted her reassuringly on the back. “You are going to be fine, dear lady.”

  She was quiet a few moments before she finally looked up at him and smiled back. “I’m ready. It’s just…”

  “I know. It is a lot to take in.”

  “Yeah. That.”

  Haldorum turned then and opened a portal to the Memsherar. Sonya stepped toward it, but hesitated.

  “Hey!”

  She turned and Steve was there, approaching at a jog with Kayliss right beside him. He stepped up to her and took both her hands in his own. “I guess I came to say good luck.”

  Sonya smiled, but her hands trembled. “I’m not sure I can be what these people want,” she admitted, her voice wavering even more so. She tried to laugh it off but failed.

  Steve nodded and hugged her briefly. “I remember when I said those same words for the first time.” He then leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “You’ll be fine,” he said. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

  She smiled in gratitude and then let Haldorum lead her to the portal. With a deep breath, she stepped through.

  On the other side stood two great trees, set perhaps one hundred feet apart, and behind them the vastness of the forest itself. It was oddly quiet here. In fact, aside from the wind hushing in her ears there was no sound at all. Until…

  “Mornin’ to ya’, me girl!”

  Sonya looked down in the direction of the chipper greeting and her eyes went wide.

  “Ah, forgive me fer startlin’ ya, but a step further an ya’dve crushed me flat.”

  Steve walked with Kayliss, as always ever present, away from the site of Sonya’s departure. The sudden reversal of roles between the two of them had understandably left him with a mild case of melancholia. It were not as though he had enjoyed his position as the Third all that much, but it was the fact he had finally begun to get used to it, only to have it wrenched away, that troubled him. And the prophecy! He didn’t even know where to begin to sort out that mess. If the Third Power was truly destined to marry unto a royal house of Mithal she was going to have a heck of a time given the dearth of princes on this world—let alone one with a magical talent.

  Princess Vessla’s shadow passed over him as she swooped down out of the sky and then beat the air several times as she settled to a landing a few feet away. She wore the green, skin tight travel uniform common among the Jisetrians before embarking on a prolonged flight.

  “Having fun?” Steve asked her indifferently. The way her uniform hugged her every curve caught his eye a moment but, for the first time, failed to hold it.

  “Exercise really,” she replied. With a deep breath she stretched her crimson wings out to either side of herself and then folded them neatly across her back. “What about you, beloved?”

  Steve groaned inwardly and walked past her. “Please don’t call me that. Sonya is the Third Power, all right? So there is no need for you to keep up the charade.”

  “What is wrong with beloved?” she asked, trotting quickly a few paces to catch up. “It is only a term of affection.”

  “I know what it is. Just don’t use it with me.”

  “I do not think my father would care very much for my using your first name in his presence—especially once we are married.”

  Steve whirled on her. “Vessla, please! It doesn’t matter what your father wants because you and I are not going to be married!”

  Princess Vessla looked stunned. “But…but we are engaged.”

  “Were engaged, princess—and even then we both know it was because I thought I had to. I tried to be what everyone wanted—including for you—but now we all know destiny was never at play between us, and it’s time you accepted that.”

  Princess Vessla’s eyes brimmed with tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks at any moment, but he had seen this play from her before.

  “Stop it!” Steve barked frustrated. “Just stop it! I’m tired of your attempts to manipulate my feelings. It was never really me you wanted, Princess; it was what I could give you.” He read the look of shock, fear…and, lastly, surprise. “Yes,” he said, “I know. With our marriage, you and your father hoped to obligate me into protecting your people from Azinon—when instead your father should have been offering his help to the people here! He wants whatever it is that makes me a wizard to be a part of his family forever—starting with his grandchildren.”

  Princess Vessla remained quiet under the heat of his anger and Steve knew it was because she was well aware it was futile to argue the point. And even if she wanted to lie he could, if he wished, draw the truth from her as easily as she could herself conjure images of the past.

  “I feel like a fool for letting you string me along even this far,” he said, disgusted with himself.

  The practiced façade of hurt faded from her face and she wiped at her eyes with genuine sadness saying, “No, Steven. You are certainly no fool. I thought I knew exactly who you were, and yet it was you who saw through me.” She then smiled weakly, “You probably never want to see me again.”

  “At least we agree on that,” he replied evenly.

  She blinked, a look of shock on her face.

  “Do us both a favor and just gather your things and leave Shallows Crag.”

  At first she did not move, but then Steve turned his back on her and walked away without a second glance. He did not even turn back when he heard the beat of her wings on the air as she took to the sky. He did not care what she did now, just so long as she did it far away from him.

  “Well, I suppose that’s one way to get rid of a woman,” Scott said. He stood leaning with his right shoulder against a one room wooden structure, right leg bent at the knee and crossed over his left shin, toe pointing into the dirt in a relaxed pose reminiscent of Steve McQueen.

  Scott fell in beside his friend as he moved by and together they walked back toward the busiest area of the camp.

  “I didn’t quite catch everything you two said to each other,” Scott remarked, “but I take it this means I’m not going to be a best man?”

  “Definitely no bachelor party,” Steve agreed. He inhaled deeply and took in the smells of the morning, feeling oddly content despite the argument. “I’m probably a jerk for feeling this way, but I feel better now than I have since I arrived.”

  “Nothing wrong with that,” Scott said shrugging with his hands in his pockets. “And if you asked me, it’s probably because now you’re here because you want to be, not because you think you have to be.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that.”

  “Not surprising. But I wouldn’t expect you to think straight, what with all that magic swirling around in your head and clouding your thinking,” Scott replied, twirling his index finger in a circle over Steve’s head with a wry smile as he said this last. “But I’m serious here. Think about it: you came here and did the things you did because you thought you had no choice, right? You thought if you failed—in any way—the prophecy would fall apart and all these people were going to die.”

  “No argument there.”

  “But now that you have a choice, are you going to leave?”

  “That’s a stupid question.”

  Scott spread his hands as they walked. “Humor me.”

  “No, I’m not going to leave. Happy?”

  “Very. Do you see what I’m getting at? You’re not going to marry the princess because you don’t think she’s right for you; and you’re going to stay here and fight because you feel they could use your help. You’re pretty much doing the exact same thing you would have done before, Steve; except now it’s because you choose to do it.”

  For the first time that Steve could remember, Scott was actually giving sage advice—and it actually made sense. Everything he did from here on out he would choose to do, unbound by prophecy, of his own free will. And it felt…good.

  “How very introspective of you,” Steve said thoughtfully. “Yo
u’ve been reading Sigmund Freud on the side? Dali Lama?”

  “Oprah. I’m telling you, that chick is deep.”

  They laughed together, and even Kayliss seemed amused as he nudged his way between the two of them. Feeling suddenly energetic, Steve jumped in front of the big cat and batted playfully at his ears, while Kayliss in turn bounded forward several times as if to bear him to the ground. Steve retreated from this at first but, with a faint glimmer in the crystal, he leaped high into the air and sailed over the big cat to land nimbly beside Scott.

  “How do you do that?” Scott asked, shaking his head in wonder at the display.

  “What? Magic?”

  “Yeah. Where does it come from?”

  “Well, I don’t think that you—“

  Kayliss’s forepaws came down unexpectedly on his shoulders and then Steve was gone.

  Laughing, Scott lowered himself to all fours and peered beneath the big cat. “I say, old boy,” he spoke in his best English accent, “are you quite all right?”

  Steve lay on his back with one huge paw planted firmly on his chest. He struggled for a moment but there was no moving the massive tigrine. With the same lilt he replied, “Tis nothing really, old boy. But forever grateful I am the Memsherar didn’t send me an elephant.”

  The whole episode had drawn cheers and gales of laughter from the passersby, and after he regained his feet, Steve followed up with a self-deprecating and good-humored bow.

  Scott helped him brush off the dirt and grass and then asked, “What about my question?”

  “Which question was that?” Steve noticed Scott’s expression remained jovial but his eyes were serious.

  “How do you make the magic work for you?”

  Steve paused for several moments as he thought about it. “Shoot, that’s kind of a tough question to answer.”

  “So do your best,” Scott persisted.

  “Well, okay, but it’s not like I’ve really studied all the ins and outs of this.”

  The two turned and resumed their walk through the camp, Steve giving his best description as he could of the different times he had summoned the magic, and what he had felt during those times—being careful to avoid any instances involving the ‘other presence’. Steve disliked mysteries when it came to voices in his head but, whatever it was, he knew little more now than the first time he heard it.

  “I guess you could say,” Steve continued, “it’s a little different for each one of us. Sonya uses her emotions to help control her abilities. Haldorum, the complete opposite; very logical and unemotional in his execution. With me, it’s a lot like trying to shape an eruption as it’s happening.

  Scott nodded absently, and thinking aloud he mumbled, “Kurella said something similar.”

  “Kurella?”

  Scott’s head popped up. “What?”

  “You know, you’re acting really strange. Is there something going on?”

  “Of course not,” Scott replied. “Can’t a guy ask a few questions? I was only curious, that’s all.”

  Steve wanted to say more but then changed his mind with a shrug. “All right, whatever you say. You did mention Kurella, though. Where is she anyway?”

  “Out there somewhere,” Scott replied waving indeterminately toward the western peaks. “She said she needed some time away from everybody here. The locals aren’t exactly comfortable with a werewolf in their midst, ya’ know?”

  “Did someone say something to her?” Steve asked suddenly terse. “She helped save my life. If someone said something—”

  “Relax, Steve, relax. Nobody said anything, but you can say a lot just by the way you look at someone, if you get my meaning.”

  Steve sighed and nodded. “Only too well.”

  Far ahead of them, a wagon loaded down with fresh game rolled out of the cave entrance to the Crag. It rambled down the road through the center of the camp and all the hunters running along with it wore smiles of triumph from the day’s hunt. The people who saw them waved and shouted words of good faith as they went.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say they raided someone’s ranch,” Scott commented as the wagon rumbled by.

  Steve glanced once over his shoulder, and then continued on with his hands in his back pockets. “It’s because of Sonya,” he said. “Now they can catch as much as they need without worrying if it’s plagued or not.”

  “But probably half of those animals have signs of the sickness.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Steve shrugged. “Sonya will cleanse them before anyone else even touches that wagon.”

  Scott caught a glimpse of a figure approaching them from across the road. A pair of wings such as those made one difficult to miss, even in a crowd. Scott tapped Steve on the shoulder and together they turned about to greet the Jisetrian.

  “It’s nice to see you, Eegrin,” Steve said as he approached.

  The young Jisetrian stopped and nodded. “It is always a pleasure, sir.”

  Steve and Scott exchanged a look. “What’s with the sir, buddy?” Steve asked. “You’re among friends here.”

  Eegrin looked both embarrassed and a little relieved at the same time. “I’m sorry,” he said, “but after I heard what had happened I wasn’t sure. I just came to say goodbye.”

  “Princess Vessla doesn’t know you’re here, does she?” Scott asked.

  Eegrin smiled and shook his head, “No, she does not. To her knowledge, I’m taking a short period to settle my affairs in the camp.”

  “You’re getting sneaky in your old age,” Steve laughed. Then, more seriously, he added, “So I guess this means you’re going home then.”

  “Yes,” Eegrin acknowledged, a slight edge of bitter sarcasm in his voice. “To sit majestically upon our mountain and watch your people fight for the freedom of us all.”

  Scott leaned close to Steve’s ear and muttered loudly enough to be heard, “Me thinks I smell a rebel.”

  Steve nodded. “Eegrin, you can stay with us, you know. Your help here would be more than welcome.”

  The winged youth smiled and bowed slightly in gratitude, but shook his head. “I would be lying if I said the thought had not occurred to me, but I cannot. Her father is my king, and I must do as he would bid me. I hope you understand.”

  Steve nodded again. “I do, buddy.” He extended his hand and the Jisetrian took it in his own. “Well, hey, if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood be sure to stop by.”

  “You can be sure I will,” Eegrin replied. “I do not think this is the last time we will meet, Steven Walker.” With a smile, he then shook Scott’s hand and turned and walked back in the direction he had come.

  “I can’t help but wonder,” Scott said as he watched him go, “what will happen when they tell King Gorium you aren’t the Third Power after all.”

  “It’s probably going to come as one hell of a surprise.”

  “Do you think it’ll change his thinking at all? I mean, knowing what he is about to find out about Sonya?”

  Steve snorted at the idea of King Gorium actually doing something that served basic logic rather than his overweening pride. “If he isn’t as stubborn as I think he is, it should.” Then he turned up his palms adding, “But who can say?”

  The two remained in each other’s company, taking advantage of their time to talk, knowing full well things were likely to get a lot stranger before anything else. As they talked, the topic of conversation eventually settled back to life on Earth and each found they missed the home they once knew even more than they had ever realized. Steve never before thought it possible he could actually miss the mundane drudgery of going to school, and Scott agreed. Not to mention the things they did for fun: football games, dating, Friday nights at the clubs, poker parties—parties in general, for that matter. It all seemed so far away now and they both felt a desperate longing to have it all back again.

  Between the two of them, they managed to keep their minds and bodies occupied long enough so as not to even to notice the p
assage of time. Before long, the sun was dipping toward the western peaks and the time Haldorum was to bring Sonya back from the Memsherar was close at hand. It did not take a whole lot of effort to find the wizard, as he was seated quietly with Haze and Lurin behind his quarters, sitting in the grass and meditating with his eyes closed. Scattered randomly about in their own small groups, the other high-ranking officers talked amongst themselves as they awaited the Third Power’s return.

  “You just made it,” Haldorum said opening his eyes as Steve and Scott approached.

  “We have very good timing,” Steve quipped.

  “So it would seem. Have you seen the Emperor about? Judging by his enthusiasm this morning, it surprises me he is not here already.”

  Scott shrugged, “Sorry, haven’t seen him.”

  Steve’s knowledge of the Emperor was limited but it seemed unlikely Sonya’s return would have been something to just slip his mind. “It does seem a little weird.” Booming laughter then caught his ear and drew his attention, and Steve’s eyes narrowed as he identified the source. General Duva stood a short distance away, speaking with a few other officers.

  Lurin noticed his expression and followed his gaze to the man. Looking back, he smiled and said, “I take it you do not care for our friend the general?”

  “Acquaintance,” Steve corrected. “Until such time as he changes his attitude about someone we both know, I would say friend is too familiar a term for him.”

  “His concern is only for the Resistance as a whole,” Haldorum assured him. “He is well aware of Sonya’s value to the cause, it is just he remains skeptical about her ability to lead. His point is valid. I cannot say I have not myself wondered what will happen if she finds herself within the fray of battle.”

  Steve looked at him as though he could not believe what he just heard.

  “Oh, come now, Steven, you know if it were not at least a little true you would not be so defensive of the notion.”

  Steve thought about that a moment, his expression softening as he recognized the truth of it—however averse to it he remained. “I suppose so,” he admitted reluctantly. “But unlike him, I haven’t written her off. I know Sonya, and I know that when put on the spot she’s quick to adapt.” Steve silently prayed this was true for all cases.