Wizard's Call

by Luna Lais

  "I don't," he said smiling, "but I am willing to accept the miracles they send me in an attempt to woo me back."

  "I can hardly believe I am here myself," she said wrapping her arms around him. "What are you doing here?" he asked tightening their embrace.

  "I have a small manor just on the other side of Waverly. When I heard you were here I had to come."

  "You did not return to Calandoria after the war?" he questioned. "To my fathers will. I am free in Pearoandorn. She raised her head to look into his eyes. "Free to make my own decisions." Darien remembered the decision she was not allowed to make in Calandoria. She had been force into marriage with Ashebourn, who battled for a crown of his own, instead of being allowed to marry him a mere second son to the king of Calandoria.

  "Why are you here?" he asked her again.

  "To see you," she said suddenly a bit unsure of herself. "You do not want me here?" she questioned. Her face was braced for his answer.

  "Of course I want you here," he said reassuringly

  "But," she questioned.

  "Time has changed many things." He had expected to see pain in her eyes caused by his words. He was relieved when all she did was smile. "I am here only as an old friend, Darien nothing more. Well that is not entirely true. I happen to employee the best chef in Pearoandorn. I had her prepare a meal for us. If you have not eaten dinner I was hoping perhaps we could dine together and talk. Maybe you could tell me about the woman that keeps you from kissing me again."

  Darien smiled, "I would like that Geena, very much."

  Darien woke the next morning with a throbbing headache. He rose slowly and sat on the edge of the bed leaning over with his face in his hands. That was when he noticed he was naked. He had not slept naked since he was a young man, unless he had companionship during the night. Darien quickly looked around the room. Geena was no where to be seen. He saw no evidence that suggested she had stayed with him the night before, but truthfully he could not remember much.

  He remembered her leaving the tent and returning with a maid, Tissy, Tussy, no Tessy. He was sure her name had been Tessy. She had brought in baskets of food and wine laying it out on the table for him and Geena. Then she waited next to entrance of the tent in case her mistress needed something. Darien remembered little of the dinner or the conversation he had shared with Geena. He remembered nothing after dinner. He looked to the tent flap. Sunlight was pouring through the crack; apparently the Sun had been up for hours. He had not slept passed dawn in months.

  "You are awake!" Lawwe said as he opened the flap to the tent and quickly filled the gap, blocking out the offensive light that had flooded in. Darien merely grunted rubbing his head. "I had begun to fear that you had fallen ill. I tried to wake you several times this morning already. I am glad to see you up."

  "Where is Geena?" Darien asked still groggy.

  "Lady Ashebourn and her maid left last night right after dinner," Lawwe said. He did not like the way Darien looked, but he had seen men look worse after a night of drinking.

  "What happened last night?" Darien asked trying to regain some memory of the events. He wanted to ask what happened with Geena, but he knew Lawwe would have given him his privacy and not have known what transpired within the tent.

  "Forgive me my lord, but it appears you had too much wine." Lawwe said pointing at the table in the tent. Darien looked where he pointed and saw several empty bottles on the table and a few others on the floor around the table. He did not remember drinking so much wine, however had he indeed drank that much he supposed he would not remember much of anything.

  Darien looked down scanning the furs on the ground, seeing his pants lying carelessly on the floor at the edge of the bed he reached for them and begin pulling them on despite the throbbing in his head. "Did Lady Ashebourn appear well when she left?" He asked. "She seemed fine. She had obviously not indulged as much as you, my Lord." Lawwe answered. Darien made no comment. Surely nothing had happened with the maid in the tent with them. If Geena had not drank enough wine to affect her mind she would have prevented anything from happening. He hoped he had not made a fool of himself.

  Darien began dressing in earnest now that he had made peace with the events from the night before. After strapping on his sword he turned back to Lawwe. "Have you seen my dagger?"

  "Not since you wore it yesterday. Do you not remember where you put it?" Lawwe said amused. "It is hard to be king without the king's dagger!" Darien was not amused. He remembered placing both his sword and the dagger on the bed right before Geena had come in. He began searching the floor frantically thinking it must have fallen. He did not find it. "Lawwe, take some men to Lady Ashebourn's manor. Bring her to me by force if necessary." Lawwe was no longer amused having the same thought as Darien. Lady Ashebourn had taken his dagger.

  It made no sense Darien thought as he sat in his tent waiting for Geena to be brought to him. He had searched his tent several times since Lawwe left, thinking he must be wrong. What use could she possibly have for dagger? It was only a symbolic declaration of his throne. Possessing it would not give her rule of Calandoria. Perhaps she was destitute and thought to sell it. The sapphires on the hilt were worth a small fortune. They were also the only wealth he had in his tent. The gold he carried to supply his army was kept else where and was more heavily guarded. If she came looking for some treasure to steal it was the only thing of value she would have found.

  "My lord," Darien turned to see Lawwe entering the tent. It had been hours since he had sent him to Geena's manor. "She is gone. We found no trace of her or any of her servants at the manor."

  Chapter 49

  "Pardon, my lord," Moran said stopping to bow at the entrance of the room to which he had been summoned. Makren took his gaze from the window in the sitting room where he had been watching Kiala and Lissandra sitting on a little stone bench. They were sitting in what he still called his mother's rose garden. Despite the cooler weather they had been sitting there for the last hour talking. It was comforting to see them become friends. Since Lissandra had learned of Makren's pending death she had more than embraced Kiala. She had truly been accepted as a sister. Still Makren wondered what the two women could be discussing at such length.

  Makren directed his gaze to Moran who had entered the room ending his solitude. "Moran please join me," Makren moved to one of the chairs by the fire and indicated that Moran should also sit. Moran was uncomfortable being summoned to this room. Only the family and an occasional close friend were permitted here. Not since before Rachel's death had he entered this room.

  "You asked to see me, my lord," Makren frowned at Moran' words. He wondered if he had finished his childhood in Calandoria rather in the Realm of the Sun if Moran would still call him Lord. As boys, Moran had called him Matty. They had been best friends spending their days protecting the kingdom from imaginary invaders and saving Rachel their damsel in distress. In life they had failed at one task. Now was the time to ensure they did not fail at the other.

  "Yes, I did," Makren said leaning against the back of the chair. As much as he loved being home with his family, some burdens of this life weighed heavy on his heart. It was hard to look a man in the eyes knowing it might be for the last time. "My brother did not take you with him to Pearoandorn for a reason. I know that his decision has been difficult for you to accept, but know that his belief in you and your abilities are steadfast as ever."

  "Thank you, my lord," Moran said. It was true that when his father had left with the King for war in Pearoandorn without him he had been upset. It was his duty both to king and country to fight for Calandoria. He was more than willing to sacrifice himself for the good of all.

  "The king wished only for you to rest a short time before your next mission. He was concerned that your injuries might continue to bother you, despite your quick recovery." Makren said.

  "I can assure you that I am well, my lord and ready to serve in anyway my king sees fit." Moran did not elaborate. He did not like to talk of hi
s recover. He was not worth of the miracle bestowed upon him. He sensed Makren did not want to speak of the events regarding his recovery as well.

  "The King has ordered you to the Sun Realm. While there we would like to oversee a small group of our best men in completing their mission. We need them to gather vital information about the forces there. Depending on risk factors and opportunity destroying any food stores and disrupting supply lines would also be acceptable. This is not to be a mission with high causalities. The King expects his men to return. Come spring we will need as many soldiers as possible on the field of battle." Makren pulled a bundle of papers from his pocket and handed them to Moran. "These are maps. One is a path through the mountains that will only be passable for another month. If the men have not returned by in a month they will be trapped in the barrens until spring. The other is a map of the Palace in Dacca. Your mission will be separate from that of your men." Makren had drawn the maps that he gave Moran. The plan was his idea and Makren knew better than any how much victory depended on the success of this mission. Originally Makren had plan on going to Dacca himself, but Darien would not permit it. Makren was the better choice, but Darien would not risk sacrificing his brother for the sake of the kingdom. "Our enemy relies heavily on the sight of the acumen. We send you to eliminate as many acumen as you can in the Realm. There is one you can not fail to kill. In the throne room of the palace, if you slide the throne to the left a panel will open on the wall behind the dais. You will find a small room with no windows and no light. Inside there is an acumen male tied to the wall. He can not be allowed to live." Makren remembered the man well, half starved and pale from never being allowed to leave the room. He was an innocent forced to do the will of Descartes. He was Descartes' best weapon against them. "Unlike the others the king understands if you are unable to return. He knows you will do all in your power to see this mission through until the end." It was done. Makren had ordered his childhood friend to sacrifice himself if that was the price of success.

  "I understand my lord," Moran said overwhelmed at the trust being given him. "I will not fail Calandoria again."

  "You did not fail last time," Makren said honestly. "Circumstances changed more quickly than we had expected. You risked your life to warn us of the dangers we face." Moran made no comment. Regardless of circumstances he still felt responsible for Calandoria's involvement in the war against Pearoandorn. "Your men report to you tonight. Prepare now I wish you to leave under the cover of darkness." After indicating he understood Moran rose and to leave.

  "Moran one more moment please," Makren called to him. "There is one other thing. It is a favor not an order and one of a personal nature." Moran turned and met Makren's eyes. "It is regarding Lady Kiala," he said rising to stand with Moran. "With both Sir Cate and your father gone I understand Kiala's amusements have fallen to you. With you leaving she will no longer have anyone to assist her" Moran squirmed under the Makren's gaze. No one was to have known about Kiala's morning routine. "I am actually pleased with her activities and I believe they are in her best interest, but she would prefer that I remain in the dark about what she does. Therefore I can not find her a suitable replacement or step in and offer my own services. If you would, before you leave find a suitable man as a replacement I would be in your debt."

  Moran relaxed at his words. He did not know why Kiala had kept it a secret. He did not think anyone would have objected or Sir Cate and his father never would have helped her to begin with. "I will see it taken care of my lord," he said smiling.

  Before he could turn to leave the room the door swung open, Kiala laughing hard entered the room. When her eyes landed on Moran they brightened even more. "Moran," she laughed throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "I was afraid I would not see you before you left."

  Moran felt extremely uncomfortable with her hugging him in front of Makren. He had heard the rumors circulating about the pair. He gently broke her embrace and stood her away from him. Kiala was confused by his actions until she saw him glance in Makren's direction. "You need not worry about him," she whispered. "He is too noble to possess a trait so lowly as jealously."

  Makren walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "That is not entirely true, my dear," he said letting Moran know the truth of the rumors and Kiala that her whispered words carried to him. "Of all the people I know I can not think of two I trust more. It is in you nature to hug everyone you know just as it is also in Moran' nature to place honor above all else." Kiala rolled her eyes at him and broke his embrace to stand before Moran.

  "Stay safe and come home to us," she hugged him again before he nodded and took he's leave of the room. Makren watched Kiala with Moran. She had changed much since he had met her. She was no longer afraid of men. Truthfully she spent more time with men than women. Makren knew much of her change was due to the confidence she now possessed thanks to Cate, Lawwe and now Moran. He was glad she had them. Time was passing faster than he wanted and soon he would be called back. It was a comfort to know they would be there to watch over her.

  The mountain pass would only be opened for another month at best. Descartes had always expected him to return, how else could he ensure Makren would be at the final battle? Darien had expected him to leave Calandoria and disappear until after Descartes was defeated. Makren had intended on the same as Darien, until now. He had to see Descartes again if he wanted the answers behind his powers. As for prophecy, it could not be fulfilled if Makren refused to show Descartes who the King of Calandoria was. Makren could think of nothing that would cause him to turn his brother over to Descartes.

  "Such a gloomy look," Kiala said turning to him. "You promised not to dwell on your decision once it was made. That is the only reason I agreed to freely let you go." He had told her of his plans, her and her alone. He could not keep it from her, it would have been unfair after all they had overcome together to leave her out of his decision. For her protection after he was gone he had once again tried to convince her to marry him, but she had refused. He tried to give her the world, but all she wanted was his love. "We should make the most of this day and its sunshine. There are not enough days of sunshine left before winter. Let's go to that lovely spot in the King's Forest where we witnessed Lissandra's power the first time." She walked to him and slid her arms around his neck looking into his eyes. "It is secluded and would afford us a day to ourselves." Makren smiled at her. He could never deny her anything.

  Chapter 50

  Alli struggled desperately against the coarse ropes binding her to the chair in Moraken's chambers. Her wrists were raw and bleeding, but still she struggled. She had been held captive for three days since the moment she first entered the city. "If you continue," Alli stilled at the sound of Moraken's voice entering the room. "You will be permanently scarred," he said sarcastically taking a seat across from her. His wife Tia, now heavy with child had followed him into the room. She stood silently behind him, her head hung down looking at the floor.

  "What is it you want?" Alli questioned. It was the same question she had been asking him for days.

  Moraken laughed a deep rich sound. Alli remembered a time his laughter had brought a smile to her face. Now all it did was turn her stomach. She could hardly believe this was the same man she thought of as her brother.

  "I think it is time you married, Allista." He stood and moved to the chair she was sitting in. Slowly he pulled out a knife and cut the ropes binding her left arm to the chair. "And I have found a very suitable husband for you."

  "Moraken," her tone remaining calm, "You know I can not marry. I am Acumen."

  He laughed again sending chills down her spine. "The act of marriage will not kill you Alli." He moved to her other side and sliced the binding holding her other arm to the chair. "I have thought about this for quite sometime," he sat down across from her again. "Even before you left for Calandoria. I think it would best serve Hokaren if we were to marry."

  "Your mad," she spat. "I you already have a wife. O
ne heavy with child."

  "Indeed," Moraken said raising one of his hands and placing it on Tia's protruding belly. "Her time is near. It should not be more than two weeks at the most before my heir is born into the world," he smiled. "When that time comes I will have no use for the mother. I will have use for a wife with political influence however."

  Alli looked at the at his cousin's wife. She had not moved in the slightest at his words. "So you will cast her to the side," Alli sneered.

  "I will have no further use of her," Moraken shrugged. "After bringing a child into this world her body will be to misshapen to serve me in my bed and her mind is to weak to aid me in my rule. Whether I simply cast her aside or slit her throat in the birthing room I leave up to you." He smiled at the look on Alli's face. "If you agree to marry me, she lives. If not she dies."

  "How could you be so cold," Alli asked.

  "I am the son of a prostituted made into a prince," he said. "Did you expect more?" Alli's eyes widened. Moraken was never to know the truth of his birth. "Harold tried to keep the secret hidden, but I was more cleaver than he."