“I was just kidding,” the wizard said. “You are so literal sometimes.”
“Of course I am, master,” the little guy said stoutly. “It is in my nature. Let elementals like Aeris dream on; we earthen prefer concrete thoughts and deeds.”
Before Simon could answer, Aeris called up from downstairs.
“Are you alive up there?” he shouted.
“No,” Kronk rumbled back loudly. “We both died. We are now speaking to you from the void.”
The earthen's response was so unlike him that Simon completely broke up.
Kronk watched him with a tiny smile as the wizard bent over, trying to catch his breath.
“You see, master,” he said when Simon had finally calmed down. “Even an earthen can joke when the occasion warrants it.”
“You're right. I totally apologize for implying you're too stiff and one-dimensional to understand when I'm kidding. Now, let's go down and reassure Aeris that we really are alive.”
“Yes master,” the little guy said with a gravelly laugh and they headed for the stairs.
Back at the kitchen table with a fresh cup of tea, Simon endured several questions about his reactions to the spells.
“I'd say they were pretty good, all things considered,” he told Aeris. “Yes, I'm tired. My head feels like it's stuffed with cotton, to be honest, but physically it's only fatigue. That's a good sign, isn't it?”
The air elemental nodded and looked at Kronk, who shrugged diffidently.
“I agree, master, but we must not rush this. The final decision is always yours, but I would recommend a few more days of rest to build up your reserves before you travel to the lady paladin's home.”
“That's a very good idea,” Simon said agreeably and both elementals stared at him, surprised.
“It is?” Aeris asked him incredulously. “You mean you aren't going to argue?”
“Of course not. Guys, I was sent back for a reason and it would be damned ungrateful if I jeopardized my recovery by being overly hasty. I'm quite sure that Liliana can hold out for a few more days. If she has any trouble, she can get my attention by using her lodestone. So I will practice patience, eat and sleep as much as I can and leave in, let's say, three days. Agreed?”
The elementals agreed, Kronk much more slowly than Aeris, and so Simon, relieved, finished his tea and headed off for some rest. In spite of what he had told his friends, part of him couldn't wait to get back into action.
Patience, Simon, he said to himself. Patience.
On the morning of 'the day', as Simon had come to think of it, the wizard woke up, got washed and dressed and ate breakfast. He called Clara first to tell her that he was going to be bringing Liliana with him that day, and to make sure to keep everyone clear of the center of town, since that would be his landing site.
The cleric was thrilled and promised him a fresh fish dinner when he got there. Then he called Liliana.
He had promised the paladin that he would let her know when he was coming, and 'the day' had finally arrived.
His hand was shaking a bit as he held the mirror, waiting for the spell to connect him with Moscow.
“Are you feeling all right, master?” Kronk asked him. He was staring at the wizard's quivering arm.
“I'm fine,” Simon told him, not quite truthfully. “Just excited, that's all. I know it's only been ten or eleven days since I returned, but it actually feels more like a month and I'm becoming quite concerned about Liliana and the fact that she's alone now.”
“Ah, I see, master. Yes, that is understandable.”
Aeris floated up from the basement with a heavy canvas bag in his hand.
“What's understandable?” he asked as he flew across the room and dropped the bag on to the table. “Here are the beets you wanted from the cold storage, by the way. Just as well you're giving them to Clara; they're beginning to get soft.”
“Thanks. They'll cook up fine,” Simon said with an absent smile as he watched the mirror.
“I was just asking master why he was shaking.”
“And he told you that he was excited? Naturally he's excited, Kronk. Aren't we all?”
Aeris nodded toward the window. Very little light was able to seep in because all of the windows of the tower were packed with snow. There had been intermittent flurries for the past several days and the snow around the building, except for the paths to the outhouse and the stable, was three feet deep.
“It will be nice to get away from this infernal winter, for all of us.”
“Yes, but we can't be gone for long,” Kronk protested. “The horses...”
“Will be well looked after by the three earthen that are staying here. Honestly, you're a worrywart.”
“I am?” Kronk asked with a confused frown.
“Guys? Trying to focus over here,” Simon said irritably.
The two elementals turned and hurried over to stand on either side of the wizard.
“No contact yet?” Aeris asked in a hushed voice.
“It's starting to clear now.”
The image of Liliana appeared out of the mist. She was sitting in a heavy chair and reading from a large leather-bound book. Several candles were placed on tables around her and Simon assumed that she was in a new retreat. He doubted that she would have stayed in the same place that her people had died.
For a change, her straw-colored hair was loose and hanging over her shoulders instead of pulled back and braided. And instead of armor, she wore a simple white shirt and brown leather pants. Her boots were black.
She was focused intently on whatever she was reading and frowning slightly. A glass of clear liquid sat on a small table next to her and Simon saw her take a small sip as she read.
“Hello Liliana,” he said to her.
The paladin raised her heavy head and her intense blue eyes roamed around the room.
“Ah, hello Simon. How nice to hear from you. How are you feeling?”
“Better, thanks. Not my old self, perhaps, but close enough. And you? How are you holding up?”
She sighed and put the book aside. She sat back in the chair, picked up the glass and drank down the contents.
“Fine. Surviving.” She raised the glass. “Perhaps indulging in a little too much vodka, but that is about all.”
“I see. Well, I've called to tell you that, if you are still prepared to go, I'm ready to take you to join Clara and the others.”
“Are you? Well now, a bit of good news for a change.”
Simon watched the paladin stand up, put down her glass and stride across the room.
“As it happens, I've been waiting for your call. The winter's gotten worse, if you can believe it, and I'm snowed in at the moment.”
She stopped and pointed to a small pile of bags. They were resting on top of an ornate Indian rug and behind them Simon saw a fire burning merrily in a large, marble fireplace.
“I've gathered all of my belongings. If you are going to join me soon, I will wear my armor rather than carry it.”
“Sure, that sounds fine. It looks like you found a rather nice place to hole up.”
She looked around and nodded vaguely.
“It is, isn't it? The abandoned home of an oligarch, I think. He lived rather well. This was his study, deep beneath his mansion. If you hadn't been able to transport me, I think I could have held out over the winter here.”
She chuckled lightly.
“He certainly had good taste in alcohol.”
Simon smiled at her tone.
“Are you ready to go then? If so, I'll join you in a few minutes.”
“More than ready, my friend. This city holds too many memories for me now. I will keep them in my heart forever, but I can no longer abide living here.”
“Okay then. It will take me a bit of time to get there, so go ahead and gather whatever else you want to bring with you and I'll see you soon.”
“Excellent, Simon. I will be ready.”
The wizard broke the spell and loo
ked at the elementals.
“Well, time to get ready, I suppose. You guys all set?”
“Of course, master,” Kronk assured him. “You remember the names of my two brethren that you will be summoning when you arrive at the new Nottinghill?”
“Yup. Kallich and Roke, right?”
“Very good, master. Call for them and Aeris and I when you arrive. It will save you using energy to Gate us along with the lady paladin and her baggage.”
Simon got up and walked over to the cabinet to put on his winter coat. He looked over his shoulder at Aeris.
“Hang on to that bag of beets or when I call you, they'll be left behind.”
“I am well aware of that, my dear wizard,” he replied, sounding a bit testy.
Simon turned as he pulled on the coat and stared at him.
“What's up with you?”
The air elemental just shrugged but Kronk looked at him and smiled.
“He is worried, of course, master. Like me, I suppose. We don't want you to overexert yourself so soon after your miraculous return.”
“I'll speak for myself, thank you,” Aeris snapped at him.
“So speak!” the earthen replied shortly.
Aeris scowled at him and then looked at Simon a little sheepishly.
“Perhaps he's right. It is awfully soon for you to be casting major spells, don't you think?”
Simon put on his heavy boots and then walked over to the door and grabbed the staff that was leaning next to it.
“Hey, I don't disagree, guys. But what choice do I have? Liliana has more than earned some consideration from us, don't you think? And Clara could use the help. Plus, I really want you and the others, Kronk, to help with the new town's construction. There just aren't enough people down there with the proper skills to do the job both well and quickly.”
“Yes master, I know.” The little guy smiled shyly at him. “But we worry because we care. I suppose it is as simple as that.”
“Thanks, both of you. Okay, this won't take long.”
He grounded that staff and leaned against it a bit as he recited the Gate spell. When he was done, he grinned at the anxious expressions on the faces of both of his little friends.
“See you soon,” he said, trying to sound confident and then, keeping Liliana's face firmly in mind, he activated the spell.
“Invectis!”
The void was cold, dark and empty. Simon felt adrift in wherever the Gate spell took him when he was between one place and another and clenched his fists as he waited, desperately seeing Liliana's visage in his mind's eye. It seemed to last forever.
And then he fell to his hands and knees and began sucking in great gulps of warm air. Warm firelight flickering around him helped to erase the horror that was the void from his mind and he slowly sat back on his heels and looked around.
Liliana was hurrying across the room, her silver armor ringing musically, an expression of concern on her face.
“Simon! Are you all right?” she asked as she knelt down in front of him.
“I'm...” he took a moment to catch his breath, “fine, thanks. That was a little more intense than I remember though.”
He noticed that she had braided her hair to keep it from impeding her, should she need to fight, and that a sword was now hanging on her left hip.
“Here, let me help you,” the paladin told him. She stood up and gently pulled him to his feet with a strong, steady grip.
“Thanks. I'm okay now. Just a little winded.”
He looked around the room appreciatively.
One wall was covered in shelving that was stuffed with hundreds of books. The marble fireplace appeared even larger in person and above it was a huge painting of what looked like a country scene, complete with children running and playing over hills and fields. Heavy leather chairs and couches were scattered all around and the smell of old oak and a hint of cigar smoke lingered in the air.
“Wow, this guy liked his comfort, didn't he?” he muttered.
“Yes, he certainly did.”
The paladin grinned at him and nodded toward her belongings.
“If it isn't too much of a burden, I thought I'd bring along a case of vodka. Perhaps the people of Nottinghill would like to celebrate their new home, once it is finished being built.”
The wooden box wasn't very big and Simon smiled.
“I think I can handle that. By the way, when things have settled down a bit and I'm feeling stronger, would you mind if I came back here and, um, lifted that easy chair and that leather sofa? I lost mine in a fire and I've really missed them.”
The paladin laughed.
“They are yours for the taking, my friend, with my blessing. I'm happy to think that they will be of some use to someone. Otherwise they would eventually rot and be lost, like so many other things from our former lives.”
“Excellent. Thank you.”
He walked over to the pile of bags and the wooden box.
“Please make sure that all of your things are touching and that you keep a hand or foot on one of them as I cast Gate. The circuit has to be made or the stuff won't be pulled along with us.”
“Got it,” Liliana told him. “Are you sure you wouldn't like to rest a bit first?”
“I'm fine. I told Clara that I'd stay for a few days once we got there, so I can get my rest and my earthen friends can help with some of the town's construction.”
“Oh, that is generous of them.”
“They love to feel useful,” Simon told her with a grin. “I suppose that's true for most of us.”
“I agree.”
Simon braced his staff on the ground, using it to help him stand, and began the Gate spell incantation.
“Put a hand on my shoulder, Liliana and keep contact with your things,” he said as he finished the chant.
“Done,” she said as she put one glove hand on his right shoulder.
“Okay, here we go.”
Simon focused on the new town and made sure that he had a clear vision of its central area before invoking the spell.
“Invectis!” he said firmly and felt the void closing in around them.
Chapter 23
Simon and Liliana were welcomed into the center of the new town by warm breezes and bright sunlight. It was about ten o'clock in the morning by Simon's estimation and the setting drew an immediate smile from both of them.
“Oh, this is wonderful,” the paladin exclaimed as she looked around avidly. Simon had to agree.
It was amazing how quickly the winter cold could erase memories of warm weather and the sheer pleasure of having to take off his coat because he was too hot was exhilarating.
He took off his boots and socks as well and rolled them into his coat, which he tucked between Liliana's things on the ground. The grass under his bare feet was warm and soft.
There was a general bustle of people moving back and forth and the sound of hammering and digging echoed within the town's outer walls. The feeling in the air was one of energy and rebirth and it was invigorating.
Clara had obviously been watching for their arrival and appeared almost at once, along with Malcolm and Virginia.
All three of them greeted both of them warmly, with Malcolm and Liliana exchanging firm handshakes. The big man was wearing chain mail over leather, probably because of the heat, and his handsome black features were, as usual, open and friendly. The warrior and paladin obviously admired each other quite a bit.
“Simon, so great to see you!” Virginia exclaimed and hugged him fiercely.
She was wearing a simple knee-length dress and a white blouse and looked even more beautiful than usual. Her light blond hair still flowed down to her waist and she looked like she'd stepped off the page of a fashion magazine. But she carried herself with assurance and was not someone that Simon thought of as physically demonstrative.
He returned the embrace hesitantly and then pulled back, a bit puzzled.
“What was that for?” he asked, noticing Clara
's look of amusement.
“What was it for? You were dead, you idiot!” Virginia said loudly with a scowl. “Even when Clara told us you'd come back, a lot of us couldn't believe it. But here you are!”
She grinned and hugged him again quickly.
“Um, thanks?” he said doubtfully and everyone, including the paladin, burst out laughing.
“You're welcome. Now, are you okay? You look a bit pale and your knees are shaking.”
“They are?”
Simon looked down and, sure enough, he saw his knees trembling underneath his robe.
“Yeah, I wouldn't mind sitting down. Gating is a bit draining and I'm not at a hundred percent yet.”
“Follow me, my friends,” Clara said to both Simon and Liliana. “Malcolm and his scavengers managed to dig up a pile of folding chairs from a flattened warehouse and we've set them up over here.”
“I prefer to think of us as re-claimers, not scavengers, my lady,” Malcolm said loftily as they moved through the settlement.
“Whatever you like,” the cleric said with a smile. “But you and Aiden and the others have done a wonderful job and we are most grateful.”
She led them to a spot near the wall where a dozen wooden folding chairs had been set up in the shade under a tarp. A few small tables were scattered around as well and the cleric waved both of her visitors toward the seats.
“Sit down, please. I'll get you something to drink.”
“I'll do that, Clara,” Virginia said firmly. “You rest. You never really stop, you know, so have a seat for a change.”
The cleric thanked her and sat down next to Simon, who sighed in relief as he got off of his feet. He felt a bit light-headed and was grateful for the chance to catch his breath.
Malcolm followed Virginia, offering to help, and they chatted quietly as they disappeared into a nearby tent.
“I noticed the pile of belongings that you brought with you,” Clara said to Liliana. “Is there anything else you need? We have dug up several caches of clothes and shoes if you need any.”
The cleric herself was wearing a simple, sky-blue robe and her brown hair was tucked behind her ears.
The paladin smiled and shifted in her chair, which creaked alarmingly under the weight of her armor.
The Dragons of Decay Page 30