Wizard's Call

by Luna Lais

  Lissandra nodded to Eranen before looking at her brother again. "I am going to destroy the Temple and take vengeance on the Order of Colondone," she said forcefully. Prophecy had reserved the right for her. "There will be no need to send anyone with me."

  Darien looked into her silver eyes. "Are you listening to yourself Lissandra? The Order will kill you on site. How could one woman destroy a Temple?" he turned to Eranen with pleading eyes, silently begging the man to talk some sense into her. Darien needed that Temple destroyed, he could not explain why it had to fall, but it must be done. He could not afford to let Lissandra interfere with their plans.

  Lissandra exchanged glances with Eranen before nodding and moving back to the vanity to finish her hair. Eranen's eyes followed her. Once she was seated he turned his attention back to Darien.

  "Lissandra will destroy the Temple," he said flatly. "It is her destiny." Eranen could see the look of disbelief on Darien's face. He had been hoping to give her a few more days rest before having to show Darien, he sighed. "There is a great need to keep Lissandra's location a secret until the Order is taken care of, but we need to leave the castle tonight. All three of us. There is something Lissandra needs to show you."

  Darien turned towards Lissandra; her silver eyes were staring at him in the mirror. He nodded to her before standing. "The entire council will go with us," he said before he turned and left the room leaving them alone.

  "He did not believe you," Lissandra said brushing her hair again.

  Eranen rose and went to her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind. "On the contrary," Eranen whispered, "I think he did and it scares him."

  "Kiala," Makren said loudly coming down the staircase into the grand entrance. He had not seen her since the night before when he had rushed to her room. He had been giving both of them some time to think things over.

  "I see Darien asked you to dress for the occasion as well," she said pointing at his attire. They were both wearing black cloaks with hoods.

  "It is good to see you," he said softly as he approached her. She averted her eyes from his tender gaze. When he reached her he lifted her chin with his finger until he could stare into her velvet eyes. She jerked her head way as soon as their eyes met. Makren hung his head and sighed. "I am not trying to upset you." He had said it calmly even though his emotions raged within him. "I do not plan on forcing you into something your heart and mind are not ready for, but at the same time I can not hide what I feel. I love you Kiala, please do not deny me our friendship," he begged. "It is all I have." Not wishing her to see the pain in his face he turned his back on her.

  Kiala stared at his back with tears welling in her eyes. She had spent the first part of her life shunning society's rules of propriety. It had cost her dearly. She could not cause harm to another innocent and Makren was an innocent in many ways. Despite the pain her decision had caused him, she was not willing to change her mind. "Makren," she said causing him to turn around to face her and meet her eyes. "I do not want to lose your friendship, either, but things can not continue the way they are." She raised her hand to quell the protest he was about to speak. "If you can promise to forget this idea of marriage, then perhaps we can still be friends." Makren smiled at her. She could not deny he was charming.

  "I think I can refrain from asking you to marry me again," at least for now he thought to himself. He took Kiala hands with his own. She was smiling again.

  "It is almost time to go," Cate said as he entered the hall drawing their attention. Kiala released Makren's hand quickly, hoping the man had not noticed. Cate was wearing a black cloak as well. They were all leaving the city to meet Eranen, Lissandra and Darien who had left as soon as the sun had went down. They waited in silent for Alli, Lawwe, Molly and Karegh to join them, which only took a few minutes.

  Makren led the group out of the castle and the city on foot. They would not ride. Darien had left strict orders that no one was to see them, not even a stable boy. It was with their hoods up that they made the short journey to the forest that lay north of Rorgrim.

  "Will this do?" Darien asked Eranen as he showed him the meadow located deep within the forest. Eranen nodded in reply and looked at Lissandra. The brisk walk to the meadow had tired her. She was sitting on a fallen log at the edge of the trees. Darien's gaze followed Eranen's to his sister.

  "She has not recovered from the journey here," Eranen spoke softly. "I pushed us to hard."

  "It takes a few days to recover even when you are use to traveling," Darien said still watching her.

  "She used her abilities too much, for too long. It always takes some time for her to recover," Eranen said before turning back to Darien. "I do not know her plans for tonight, but she plans to go to the Temple by the end of the week." Eranen fixed a hard gaze on Darien. "I will not allow it if I think she is putting herself in danger."

  Darien met his gaze. He was not sure what was between Eranen and his sister. They had arrived married, but had only know each other only a couple of months. That was not time for love, but Darien could see Eranen cared for her? He also knew there was more to the marriage than he had been told. He was about to question Eranen about the hasty marriage when a sound drew his attention.

  Both Darien and Eranen had turned towards the sound. Their hands went immediately to the hilts of their swords. They watched and listened. It was several minutes before they saw the light of Makren's lantern. He was leading six figures cloaked in black, the last also carrying a lantern. Given the last figures height Darien assumed it was Lawwe. Eranen looked to Lissandra. She had stood and was walking towards him.

  Makren stopped in front of Darien and the rest of the group formed a tight circle around them.

  "Lissandra," Darien called. He turned to where she had been sitting, but she had already moved to stand beside Eranen. He was supporting her around the waist with one of his arms. Darien motioned her forward. She moved from Eranen and stood next to Darien. They group removed their hoods so she could see them.

  "This is my sister, Lissandra," Darien said. He turned and pointed at Eranen. "This is my friend and her husband, Eranen Palek." Eranen took the introduction as an opportunity to move behind Lissandra. She leaned back against him.

  "At the end of the week the Temple will meet its end," she said solemnly. "To ease my brother's doubts I have planned a demonstration of my abilities. It is at his request that you are here." Lissandra turned her back on the group and turned to Darien. "Stand behind me," she said. "It is the only way I can guarantee your safety." Darien moved behind her. Eranen remained at her side.

  "Remember that no matter what you see or feel, you are safe." Eranen said. "Lissandra will not bring more than she can control." He placed his hand on her shoulder, indicating she should begin.

  Lissandra squared her shoulders. "Sit down, everyone," she said softly. "The Terra Arts can cause the ground to tremor violently, sitting down will help." She waited until the movement behind her quieted and then she drew into herself focusing on the flow of her power. She knew what she wanted. She could see it in her mind. Now she was to concentrating to bring her vision out. After a few minutes a low rumbling began.

  They heard it, before they felt it. The first tremors were mild and caused no reaction from the spectators, but as the shaking and rumbling grew stronger Lissandra could hear them panic behind her. She knew what they felt was frightening, she was thankful for the darkness so they could not see what she was doing. Lissandra shook the stray thought from her mind. She was almost there. Slowly her vision was brought out. The shaking receded taking the noise with it.

  "What was that," Darien demanded. Eranen turned to look at him, "Terra Arts," he said.

  "What are Terra Arts?" Makren asked having never heard the term before. Kiala was curled under one of his arms. "It is the ability to manipulate the ground and things that come from it, like stone," Eranen replied turning his attention back to Lissandra. She had a slight sheen of sweat on her brow, but appeared to be wel
l.

  After taking a few deep breaths, Lissandra turned and faced the group. "Darien is most curious about the Sun Arts," her voice just a whisper. "They are dangerous. For tonight, I will only use them to give us more light." She closed her eyes in concentration as the group watched her.

  "Look there," Karegh screamed pointing passed Lissandra. A small ball of flames hovered in the air about a hundred yards behind her. Slowly it was growing larger. Darien had seen a man with the Sun Arts conjure a fireball before, but it was not as large as the ball in front of him and Lissandra's ball was still growing. Already it was larger than Eranen's old shack.

  "Easy," Eranen whispered in her ear when the ball had out grown the size of a barn, but she ignored him and continued urging the ball to grow. The night air was heating rapidly around them and sweat was pouring off of Lissandra.

  Once the ball had grown to the size in her mind, she lowered it. It began sinking into the opening she had created with the tremors. Lissandra maintained the fireball while separating her focus to begin the vortex. It was already developing at the bottom of the crater she had opened. They spectators could not yet see it or even tell the depth and width of the crater. Concentrating on the vortex she grew it taller and more powerful. Soon the swirling caused the air to pull from all around them and a loud roar issued from below.

  "Look," Molly said wide eyed pointing at the fire. The vortex was sucking it down towards the bottom. When the two elements met a pillar of swirling fire developed and the blast of air that shot forth from the rift, now clearly visible, sucked the air from their lungs. All of them rubbed their eyes at the intense dryness and panted for breath.

  Only Eranen noticed when Lissandra swayed. The others were transfixed on the display of power before them. "Enough," he whispered in her ear. "End it." Lissandra nodded.

  With a mighty force a sheet of water the breadth of the crater fell from the sky. Everyone, except Lissandra, Eranen and Darien, jumped back as the water splashed over the edges drenching them. Lissandra stood still only a moment before the rumbling began again. "No," Eranen shouted at her. He had intended for her to rest before she did anymore, but she shut him out. If he continued the protest she could no longer hear it over the sound of the rift being sealed. It was taking all the strength she possessed to seal the hole. When the rumbling finally subsided her legs gave way and blackness over came her.

  Eranen caught her before she hit the ground, muttering a curse beneath his breath. He pulled her the hood of her cloak over her face before cradling her in his arms. He said nothing to any of them as he began carrying her back towards the trees and the castle.

  Darien indicated to the others that it was time to go back to the castle. He wanted them to join him in the council room and discuss what they had seen. No one talked on the way back. They were all shocked at what they had seen and used the quiet to think to themselves.

  A few hours later, when Eranen entered the council room the others quieted immediately. He had heard their muffled shouts from behind the door. Now they were staring at him expectantly. He took purposeful strides towards Darien. "Where is Lissandra?" Darien asked him as he approached.

  Eranen narrowed his eyes at him, "She collapsed," his words were sharp. "I have put her to bed and she will remain there until I deem her well enough to leave." Darien did not miss the challenge in Eranen's voice.

  Eranen turned to the room and looked at each of the individuals sitting around the table. For the first time he realized the Princess of Hokaren was among them. "I want to remind each of you that despite what you saw tonight, Lissandra is a person," he looked back to Darien. "A person," he repeated. "She has dreams for her future. She feels sorrow, happiness, pain and fear just like each of you. She gets tired, sore and sick." Eranen paused and placed his hand on Darien's shoulder. "She loves you," he said softly. "She would do anything you asked. I ask you to remember her, and not her power before asking her to use her abilities." Eranen stood there a moment meeting Darien's eyes before he moved his hand from his shoulder. He walked back towards the door.

  "Where are you going?" Makren asked impatiently.

  "To see after my wife's health," Eranen replied before leaving the room.

  "What now?" Karegh asked still to young to understand Eranen's actions.

  Darien looked at the boy and smiled. "Now we go to bed," he said standing and heading for the door. They all rose and followed him out of the room.

  Chapter 34

  The slow drumming of the rain against the window outside was like a lullaby lulling Eranen to sleep. Catching himself nodding off he shook his ahead. He had moved one of the dainty chairs that sat in front of the fireplace in the chamber he and Lissandra shared next to the bed. He had moved closer to watch her so if he did fall asleep he would hear her wake. He had intended on sleeping himself, but worry had kept his mind full of thoughts. Other than a few minutes here and there sleep had eluded him. He thought mostly of the prophecies, even now Lissandra's worn old brown book lay open in his lap.

  He had not stayed in the chamber the entire two days since Lissandra's demonstration to the council. When he was not there a maid would stay with her. This way Eranen could be alerted immediately if she awoke. He had attended the daily council meeting and acquainted himself with the other members. Darien stilled planned on sending Lissandra to the Temple tomorrow night. Eranen and his brother in-law did not see eye to eye on the matter. Lissandra was weakened and could not handle the task in her current state. For two full days she had slept and now the morning meal had pasted on the third. She might not even be a wake before tomorrow night.

  Eranen could not understand what was happening to his wife. She had used her powers frequently while they had been in Hokaren and to his knowledge she had never needed this much time to recover. She had certainly never collapsed no matter how great the display. Since the journey to Calandoria that had changed. The use of her abilities during the journey had made her ill, but not the whole time. Near the end of the journey she had recovered and continued good health all the way to Rorgrim. There was something he was not seeing and that frustrated him more than anything. A slight stir from the bed drew his attentions way from his thoughts and to the woman lying under the blue coverlet.

  Lissandra only stirred a few moments before her eyes fluttered open and immediately found Eranen's. He was watching her intensely. She smiled up at him, "What time is it?" she asked and then stretched arms over her head purring.

  "Just after the morning meal," he said watching for any sign that something was amiss with her. "How do you feel?"

  "Wonderful," she said sitting up in the bed. "Thank you, for allowing me to sleep late." That was when she noticed that Eranen watched her with an odd expression on his face. She also noticed that he had pulled a chair close to the bed just for that purpose. "Why are you watching me like that?" she asked fearing that there was trouble.

  "I have been worried about you." Eranen leaned back fully in the chair. She looked perfectly well, perfectly healthy. He wished her presence in Rorgrim did not have to be secretive. He wanted a healer to exam her to ease his mind, but the healers in Calandoria were also priest of the Moon. That religion was more of a threat to her now than any illness. Lissandra obviously did not understand why he was worried by the puzzled look on her face. "When you did not wake up yesterday or the day before,"

  Lissandra cut off his words, "What do you mean did not wake up yesterday or the day before?" There was alarm in her voice.

  "You have been sleeping since we left the clearing in the woods. That was two days ago, this is the third." he explained. He leaned forward and placed his hand on her forehead checking for fever. Nothing, she really did seem to be alright.

  "I must have been tired from our journey and then the demonstration for Darien," she said turning her face so he could not see her concern. "That would also explain why I am so hungry," she gave a small laugh and rubbed her stomach. She turned to Eranen with pleading eyes.

  "
Alright," he said laughing as he stood up and headed for the door. He paused before leaving the room, "Remember, do not leave this room. You are not supposed to be in Calandoria."

  She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and placed them on the floor. "I will stay in my room as long as you feed me," she said. She heard Eranen softly close the door behind him.

  "How is she?" Darien asked Eranen as soon as the man had closed the door to the chamber. He had been standing in the hall since dawn waiting for him to come out.

  "She is awake," Eranen said bringing relief to her brother's face. "She seems fine, but I would feel better if someone could look at her."

  Darien shook his head, "There is no one who does not have ties to the Order. No one we could trust." Eranen nodded and tried to move past Darien, but was stopped when Darien grabbed his arm.