Wizard's Call

by Luna Lais

  Eranen stated at Tobias at a lost for words. Perhaps living isolated in the mountains had made him senile. "I do not even know how to respond to that," Eranen said slowly. "All my wisdom has left me," jokingly he added, "The man I seek is closer to nine hundred years old."

  "No," Tobias said, "It should have been between eight hundred and nine hundred years old since that was my age when I last saw your grandmother. I had given her a book of poetry, I believe she passed it on to you?" he questioned.

  "If that were true it would mean my grandmother would have been pushing three hundred years when she died, not one hundred year old. I am afraid that is more than I can believe," Eranen said.

  "Yet you readily believed you would find a nine hundred year old man in the mountains," Tobias shook his head. "Clarrisa was actually closer to my own age near eleven hundred years old when she died." Tobias added.

  "How did you learn my grandmother's name," Eranen asked growing uneasy with the conversation.

  "I asked one of the other students she studied with." Tobias answered. At Eranen's confused look he elaborated. "You see I was so struck by her beauty I couldn't get the courage to ask her myself. If not for my cousin I may have never spoken to her at all. You have her eyes you know?" Eranen did know, but it was impossible that this man should. "I believe she told you to seek the man in the mountains." Tobias said interrupting his thoughts.

  Eranen's thoughts went to the book. That was the second time he had eluded to it. He remembered well the last line of that book. It had led him here.

  "How is this possible?" Eranen rose from his chair and began pacing in front of the fire. "You look the same age as I am."

  "There is a simple explanation," Tobias said indicating with his hand that Eranen should sit back down. It took a moment but Eranen returned to the table and took his seat across from Tobias. "When a prophet becomes dedicated to a particular prophecy they will quit aging until it is fulfilled. A long time ago at the request of my closest friend, I with the help of a very talented wizard dedicated myself to a prophecy. I was twenty-five at the time. Since that day I have not aged and will not until the prophecy comes to pass. Once that is done I will begin aging again and just like you eventually die."

  "How is it that you have not died in all this time? I may not be able to fully understand the lack of aging, but I can accept that long ago a wizard may have possessed such powers. I have spent much time studying ancient magic. How is it that with all the wars, plagues, and normal disasters that occur in nature that something or someone has not killed you?" Eranen asked curious by the miracle before him. Lissandra's powers seem so little compared to this man's.

  "It is part of the magic of a dedicated prophecy. I can not die until my prophecy comes to pass. That is why Clarissa sent you to me. She knew from the signs that you were part of my prophecy." Tobias said seeing that Eranen no longer doubted his words.

  "How well did you know my grandmother?" Eranen asked curious. He had only known her as an old woman, but this man had known her in her prime, before she had married.

  "Well enough," Tobias said not wishing to explain the details of his relationship with Clarissa to her grandson. "She had also dedicated herself to a prophecy. Prophets tend to move in the same circles even when they are not linked. Dedicated prophets are a rare occurrence and tend to stay closer to each other than normal people. People die, dedicated prophets do not."

  "Linked?" Eranen asked not understanding the meaning of the word.

  "Now is not the time for that discussion," Tobias replied. "Once we join the other fated ones I can answer all your questions. I will need to see the King of Calandoria as soon as possible if we are going to begin righting the wrongs of the past. I have no desire to live another thousand years waiting for this opportunity to come around again"

  Eranen considered Tobias's words. If they were true then Eranen himself had already began fulfilling some of his prophecy just by seeking him. Eranen wondered how Tobias's gift and that of an acumen such as Alli's differed. He could think of a million questions he wanted to ask Tobias, that was just one of them.

  "I have a question?" Tobias said shaking Eranen from his thoughts. Tobias pulled something from his robes and held it in front of Eranen. It was a gold medallion just like the one Eranen was wearing. Unconsciously he moved his fingers to his neck to make sure he was still wearing his. "I know how I came by mine," Tobias said, "Tell me how you received yours."

  "My brother-in-law gave it to me for protection and aid if I needed it." Eranen studied Tobias before continuing. "He said if I found you I should bring you before him."

  "So you married a Raven," Tobias nodded in understanding.

  "If you do not mind me asking, where did you get yours?" Eranen asked ignoring Tobias's assumption.

  "From Rorgrim Raven, the heir to the Empire of Ariantheim and all surrounding lands." Tobias stood and stretched trying to loosen his muscles. Sleeping on the floor the past few days had made him appreciate his little bed.

  "Where?" Eranen asked puzzled. He had never heard of such a place.

  "That is a question to save for later when all the fated ones are together. We still have to collect the tools to ensure our victory. Soon your destinies will be revealed. The king must make his selections first. Those bound to him by blood were selected by the fates. By placing the talisman around you neck he has chosen you. If everything has come to pass that should leave three more to find." Tobias was talking more to himself than Eranen. Eranen did not understand half of what Tobias was saying. He could also tell by the man's tone that he would not elaborate on anything until he was ready.

  "Unless you are tired I would like to rest for a while," Tobias said pointing at the bed. Eranen indicated that Tobias should go ahead with a shake of his head. He was still thinking of the conversation they had already had. "If the storm passes tomorrow we can leave. I have an apple pie waiting for me." Tobias said lying down on the bed and closing his eyes.

  "What now" Tobias yelled, shocking Eranen. Eranen watched him to see if he was alright. After a few moments Tobias turned towards Eranen.

  "Forgive me Eranen. Kale is concerned that Lieutenant Alridge is going to freeze to death in the woods outside her house tonight. The weather is unseasonable cold according to her. Would you be offended if she invited him where it is warm until we arrive?" Eranen stared at Tobias wondering how he knew about Kale or Alridge. "Eranen," Tobias said trying to gain his attention. "About Lieutenant Alridge?"

  "I would prefer the man not die. If she would like to offer him shelter I will promise not to bring him up on charges, but in return tomorrow you will explain how you know Kale and about Lieutenant Alridge. I am also curious to know how Kale will know that she may invite the Lieutenant in tonight since I am sure you will not see her before tomorrow." Eranen said not able to imagine how any of it could be possible.

  "Agreed," Tobias said closing his eyes again.

  "Thank you for Alridge" Kale said. "Do you think he will be alright?"

  "I do," Tobias answered. "Had our positions been reversed I would have been a blathering idiot by now. This man has a gift for the truth. We will need that. You know as well as I the treachery and betrayal that lie ahead of them. Only one thing will save them. If they fail you and I will be spending a lot of time together."

  "I am motivated enough without threats," she said laughing. "I look forward to having my mind and body back."

  "Goodnight," he said softly, "and thank you for not wearing pink."

  "I have not had time to do the wash," she smiled, he had felt it, "Goodnight I will see you tomorrow." she whispered.

  Kale waited until she was sure Tobias was asleep before slipping on her boots and wrapping her fur mantle around her shoulders. It was not really that cold outside, but the rain was still falling and Menas was not Tobias, he could get sick. Thankfully he had not teased her when she insisted he come in for the night. She made her way downstairs and out the front door to find Menas.


  She knew he would need a fire on a night like this so once the candle had gone out in her room he would head for the river, far enough away from the house that the trees would hide the flames. As she followed the path to the river she slowed her pace not wishing to startle him. "Menas," she called softly once the glow of his fire came into view. "Menas please I need you," she tried to make herself sound panicked. She knew despite the fact his presence was so suppose to be secret that if she were in trouble he would come.

  She did not have to wait long he ran up the trail to meet her. "Kale, what is it? What's happened?" She pulled her mantle around her shoulders tighter before answering.

  "I received word for Lord Palek," she said hoping he would not ask too many questions. "He will be coming tomorrow and, and" she stopped not knowing what to say. She could use Tobias's help right now.

  "Lord Palek," Menas said staring at her bemused.

  "Yes," she said not understanding why he was smiling.

  "After all this time that is the best you could come up with?" he asked pleased by her surprised looked. "You knew I knew you where here?" she questioned.

  "Yes, I knew you knew. I let you discover me. It felt wrong watching you without your knowing and I wanted you to know I was close if you needed anything," he smiled at her. "You did not truly believe I could have made it to lieutenant without being able to keep my presence unknown did you?"

  "I guess I just prided myself on knowing my woods," she gave him a little pout. "I really did get word from Lord Palek. He will be here tomorrow and he said you can come in if you like. No need to keep up pretenses anymore. I am harmless."

  "No you are not harmless," he said wrapping his one of his arms around her shoulders and walking her back down the path towards the house. "I have seen you practice with a sword; harmless is not a word for you. However, you do not pose a threat to Calandoria which is why I was instructed to watch you." She smiled back at him, she couldn't help it. She had been afraid her training would have made her appear to manly.

  "Menas can I ask you a question?" she whispered softly. He stopped walking and looked at her his arm still draped around her shoulder. "Do you find my nose to pert for my face?"

  He smiled wider, "Is that why you spend so much time looking at it in the mirror? You think it unattractive?" She nodded. "Well," he said. "I think without it you wouldn't look like Kale and to me Kale is the mostly beautiful woman in the world." He leaned in and captured her lips with his to prove his point. This was not the same light kiss he had given her at the Inn. This kiss was full of all the passion the other lacked. It was the kiss she had been craving. When he broke the kiss he softly whispered in her ear. "Is your friend asleep for the evening?" Surprise lit her face. "How do you know about him?" she said. "You talk out loud to him. I listened to you as well as watched you." She had not realized she spoke out loud when she talked to Tobias. She would have to learn to stop that before she left the woods. "Is he?" Menas asked again. She smiled, "Yes he is asleep for the night." He pulled her close to him and began walking towards the house again. "Good, if it would not offend you I would like to try that again sitting in front of the fire?" Kale leaned her head on his shoulder. "I would not be offended," she sighed.

  Chapter 54

  "I hope that isn't breakfast I smell," Menas said coming into the kitchen the next morning.

  "No," Kale said looking up from the dough she was rolling out. "It is death," she smiled at him. He did not question her further. He was curious, but they were not alone. He was still uncomfortable knowing that everything he has said to her last night was now known by another. Every kiss he had given her felt by another. After spending only a few moments with her in front of the fire the night before she had sent him upstairs to bed with a book. The book explained what she was. He still had trouble believing it could be true, but even before he had read the book he had known there was someone else there. Her behavior over the last few weeks had been more than the result of her isolation. She had done more than talk to herself. She would argue, actually yelling at times. When she won she would walk around wearing the smuggest look he had ever seen. When she lost she would change into pink and brood for hours. Once he had seen her take a dozen or so pink hair ribbons and tie them all through her hair. She looked ridiculous, but at the time he thought it must have worked because she was back to herself by the next day. He had thought maybe a ghost. He smiled to himself he should have known there was no such thing as ghost.

  She looked charming this morning, she really did. She was standing at the table in the center of the large kitchen, the toes of her bare feet sticking out from under her blue dress. She had tied a white scarf around the crown of her head so only the brown curls of her hair where only visible at the back. She had flour smudges on her face and the dress. "Give me just a moment to finish my pies and I will fix you something," she said smiling. He nodded and walked into the living room.

  Kale watched him go. He had not mentioned the book, but she knew he read it. It was in his eyes. She knew it was asking too much for him to continue down the path he had been on, but she was hopeful when all this was over he would still be there. Tobias had complained endlessly on her behavior the night before. He had started before the sun had risen this morning. He acted as if she were selling herself at the market place instead of enjoying a few harmless kisses. He did not have to worry about it anymore. Menas would not be kissing her again.

  Menas sat at the table in the kitchen watching Kale in the main room of the cottage. She was sitting in front of a roaring fire covered in blankets. She was also shaking from a cold he could not feel. The prophet was leaving the mountain and the fridge temperature had been more than she could bear. She never moved, only stared into the fire. She was listening to a conversation he could not hear. Twice the offensive smell from the pot containing the death had driven him from the kitchen, but the heat of the main room was more than he could withstand. The last time he had left the kitchen he had gone upstairs long enough to retrieve the book from the room he had slept in. Now he was sitting at the table where he could keep an eye on her in case she need something. He had been trying to concentrate on the book in front of him for the last hour, but kept getting distracted with watching her. "Menas," she called bringing him out of his daze, "Please stir the pot twice to the right." He rose and grabbed the long ladle he had seen her use earlier that morning in the pot. He quickly stirred the think black liquid twice. After replacing the ladle he laughed to himself wondering what would have happened if he would have stirred it to the left. He grimaced as the concoction began bubbling. Even more of the offensive odor permeated the air. With a moan he sat back down at the table and the book. He planned on reading it until he knew it by heart. He had to, he sighed his heart depended on it.

  Eranen and Tobias has spent most of the morning in silence. The perilous descent and chilling cold made even casual conversation difficult. Eranen had not minded the silence even though he had questions for Tobias. It had given him time to reflect on what Tobias had already told him. If only a portion of what he had said was true it could open a world of opportunities to the acumen being taken to Rorgrim against their will. At the very least it could save them. Eranen had not mentioned what was being done to the acumen in Calandoria or that by leaving the protection of his mountain he risked becoming one of them. He doubted it would have affected his decision.

  Over breakfast that morning Tobias had explained his link to Kale. Eranen was sure he was given a condensed version of the process and what the link actually did. What he had been told was not comprehensible to Eranen. How could two separate individuals be one, yet still separate in the manner Tobias described. Tobias had spoke of wizards and their role in the process. Eranen wondered if Tobias realized there were no more wizards. No magic like Tobias describe existed, only the elemental arts and only one possessed all.

  "Do you need to rest," Tobias asked breaking the silence. Eranen was so startled by his voice that he missed a step and
stumbled. "No," he said honestly. "I would prefer to spend as little time as necessary in the cold. Tobias merely nodded and continued walking. The path was becoming less rocky and wider.

  Eranen did think the walk going forward would be easy enough that they could discuss the topic they had been avoiding since they had made their way from Tobias's cave to the trail that would lead them down the mountain.

  "Who do you think they belong to?" he asked indicating the foot prints in the snow. It looked as if several people had moved through the pass during the night. They had not been leaving the mountains, but heading the other way. "Evil," Tobias said remember the faces of all those children.

  Eranen's did not probe for more of a response. Instead he thought of Lissandra, his wife. What had the evil been doing in Calandoria? He had an overwhelming desire to head straight for Rorgrim. Even though he knew the journey would take at least two weeks.

  "Who else wears the talisman," Tobias asked after a few minutes more. It took Eranen a moment to realize Tobias spoke of the medallion Darien had given him. "The king's brother and sister," Eranen said. "There are two from Hokaren and two others from Calandoria. All serve as his adjutants. Eranen thought he heard Tobias mention something about one more, but he seemed to be talking to himself, so he did not respond.