Wizard's Call

by Luna Lais

  "Me too," Eranen said nodding, "me too."

  "Well don't just stand there you two," Tobias waved them over. "There is warm apple by waiting by the fire." He threw his pack into the back of the wagon and climbed in after it. "Ride up front with the girl," Eranen said moving towards the wagon. "Once we arrive back at the cottage, prepare to ride. We head for Rorgrim tonight."

  "Are they going with us," Menas said following behind Eranen. "Yes," he said turning to look at the man. "While he eats his pie I want you to gather every book in the cottage and load them in this wagon. We are taking them with us as well."

  After Tobias had finished both the pies Kale had prepared and Menas had loaded up all of the books he could find they all piled back into the wagon, heading for Rorgrim. "Kale, how close to the temple are we?" Eranen asked as Menas started the horses forward. "It's not far at all," she pointed down the road. "We will pass where it stood in a couple of Moran." Eranen nodded before whispering his orders to Menas. "Once we have past the area where the temple once stood, stop the wagons. You and I will be going into the woods."

  Menas did not question Eranen. It was not his place to do so and so once the wagon passed the now empty field where once the Temple Of The Moon Soul had stood he slowed the horses just at the tree line.

  Thankfully, Tobias had fallen asleep so there were no questions to answer when Eranen told Kale to stay with the wagon.

  "Sir," Menas began, "Where are we going?"

  Eranen continued moving forward his eyes looking into the trees above. "There," he said pointing. Menas followed the direction of his finger, but saw nothing. "What?" he asked looking closely. "It's one of the old guard towers." Eranen said turning to the man. "Lieutenant Alridge," his voice turning deadly serious. "How devoted to your king are you?"

  "I would give my life for him," Menas said meeting Eranen's gaze. "Good because if what you see here ever leaves your lips, your life will be the price." Eranen did not wait for a response from the man instead he went to work climbing the guard tower camouflaged by the trees. Once he had reach the top he began tossing books to the ground being as gentle as he could. When he was sure the tower was empty he climbed back down. "Help me get these to the wagon," Eranen began picking up the volumes. "There are two more towers we must empty before we leave." Menas nodded and began helping Eranen with the books. He asked no questions, he did not want to know the answers. As they went from tower to tower collecting books he couldn't help but wonder how books from the temple had gotten in the towers or how Lord Palek had known they were there.

  "Was that not the most thrilling sight you have ever seen," Moraken laughed as he forced Alli to sit down. They had just come from the walls of palace where they watched the Hikirian army march out of the city to join forces with the Pearoandorn army against Darien. Alli hung her head down to hide her tears. She knew the minute she had put her name on the treaty with the man named Norris that she was signing her own death warrant. They were to, but to stupid to realize it. The idiots actually believed that after they took out the Calandorian army in Pearoandorn they could march straight to Rorgrim and take over the entire country.

  Alli knew different. There where only two possibilities. Either Darien had marched his whole army into Pearoandorn to conquer that kingdom and his armies would swiftly defeat both the Hikirian forces and the Pearoandorn army and their deaths would come soon or Darien had only taken a small portion of his men into Pearoandorn and they would defeat him. When that happened either or Makren or Lissandra, more likely the latter would take over rule in Calandoria and no matter which it was would send the bulk of the Calandorian Army towards them. They would be hugely outnumbered and defeated and their deaths would take a few months longer. Either way death was coming for them, Alli saw it clearer than any vision the Gods had ever given her. She hoped Darien had enough men with him to defeat them. She could not live with herself while she waited for her own death if she knew he had already gone. If it came to that she would end her own life, once she had fulfilled her promise to Tia.

  It was the sound of an infant crying in the corner of the room that shook Alli from her thoughts. Moraken was standing at the window ignoring his son's wails. "Tia," he shouted turning and facing the room. He broke out into laughter. "Oh," he said smiling at Alli. "I guess she won't be able to answer."

  Alli's eyes moved to the corpse sitting in the chair in front of her. Tia's vacant eyes stared at her. Moraken had slit her throat right in front of Alli when she had refused to go with him to sign the treaty with Norris. The only reason she agreed in the end was because he had turned the blade towards the baby. That had been three days ago and still Tia's body remained in the room. Moraken kept it there to remind Alli what her insubordination had cost.

  "Don't worry, my dear," he said moving to stand behind her. "I'll have her removed soon. You proved to me today you can be reasonable." Alli cringed as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Soon," I will know the taste of you," he said. The feeling of his breath on her neck made her queasy, but she held her expression still. She did not want to enrage him. At least not while the baby was crying.

  Moraken chuckled as he stood and walked to the door. He called for the guard to fetch the nurse. He waited at the door watching Alli. Once the nurse had come and removed the baby from the room he closed the door and forced the latch into place.

  "Tell me dear," he said moving back towards her. "Has your vision been fulfilled?" Alli looked at him in shock. "Despite what you think I am not daft, Alli. You would have never have returned to Adelaide after that first night when you barely escaped with your life, unless a vision sent you here. So tell me has it been fulfilled." There was no reason to lie to him, so she nodded. What did it matter? Soon it would all be over. She prayed it was Darien who delivered her killing blow and not some random soldier or worse a hooded executioner.

  "What goes through that mind of yours?" Moraken asked still watching her. She turned to him and smiled. "I was just think of my approaching death and the next in line to rule Hokaren," she answered.

  "Soon all of our enemies will be crushed. Once Calandoria is out of the way there will be no army to match ours," Moraken returned the smile. "Tell me who do you think will kill you, other than me. Once your gone there is no one other than me to rule?"

  "My real cousin," she said. "Once I die true rule of Hokaren will fall to him. You see," Alli's smile broaden. "His father was born before my father's sister, so if I fall it would be his son to succeed me, not you."

  "You lie," Moraken screamed. "Harold killed his brother."

  "Yes," Alli nodded in agreement. "But not before he had a son. I am sure that upon my death he will wish to take his place as rightful heir of Hokaren."

  "You lie," he raged. "If Harold would have had another heir he would have told me."

  "I do not see why you think so?" she shrugged. "He did not even tell me until the last time I saw him and he trusted me. You he trusted not at all." Moraken's anger at her words raged beyond control. He struck out hitting Alli in the side of the head. She screamed at the explosion of pain coursing through her face. "Your lying, admit it," he screamed striking her again. The force of his blow knocked Alli out of the chair and she fell to the floor with a loud thud. She screamed again when she heard the loud snapping as her arm broke on impact. Moraken threw the chair out of the way and kicked her in the abdomen repeatedly as he raged at her for her lies. He had broken her ribs with the first kick. She could feel blood trickling out of her mouth and run down her face. She smiled just before losing consciousness. Moraken was going to kill her she didn't have to wait for Darien to come.

  Chapter 57

  Darien smiled with delight as he looked at the opposing armies forces. His own army now doubled in size since Forek had joined his own men with them, waited behind him at the ready. At his signal they would advance and crush the enemy. Then Darien would turn them east towards the treachery of Hokaren. "Are you ready?" Forek asked moving his war horse next to Da
rien. "Norris has taken to field." Darien watched as the man, along with two retainers galloped into the open field separating the two forces. Protocol demanded he speak with him before the battle to see if there was one last chance for diplomacy before the blood of the men covered the ground. For Darien only Norris unconditional surrender and execution would sway his hand.

  "Let's go," Darien said urging Nog forward. Forek and Lawwe followed close behind. Darien arrived to the middle of the field before any of them. He patiently waited as he watched Norris gallop closer at a snail's pace. Just as Norris was coming to a halt right in front of him Darien felt the earth begin to shake. They all struggled to keep their mounts as the horses began wildly dancing with fear. Darien felt a cold rush of air pass in front of him and with a loud crackle hit Norris.

  Darien turned to look at the man instantly frozen from the blast. His horse toppled over and both crashed to the ground shattering into slimly red clumps of flesh. Darien turned his head in the direction the blast had come from, a lone figure with long flowing black hair, riding a stallion as dark as night raced towards him. Panic engulfed him as he realized Lissandra was tearing across the field between the two armies. Before he could even signal his men forward to protect her, a barrage of arrows filled the sky head towards her. They ignited mid-air and sizzled instantly into nothing but ash floating harmlessly to the ground around her.

  Darien felt the earth began to tremor again and watch in terror as Norris' men sank down to their waist, as if the earth beneath their feet had liquefied just long enough to ensnare them, before becoming solid once more.

  Lissandra ground to a halt in front of her brother, panting and out of breath. A light sheen of sweat covered her skin, but otherwise she seemed unharmed. "This war is over my brother," she said between gasps. "I have urgent news from the Lady Allista and need to speak with you alone at once." Lissandra almost lost her mount has a wave of dizziness swept over her. Darien quickly dismounted Nog and rushed to her side. He pulled her from the saddle and gently lowered her to the ground. "Forek," he called.

  "Yes, Sire," the man was drained at all color and his voice was shaky. "Those in Norris' army willing to swear fealty to Raven and Calandoria dig out and have them join our army." He lifted his eyes away from Lissandra to look at the man. "Those refusing to give their oath leave them." Forek nodded before riding back to their own men to gather others to help him with the task.

  "Lawwe," Darien turned to the man horse only to find that Lawwe had already dismounted and was standing at Darien's side. "Help me get her on my horse, then follow me with the stallion." Lawwe placed his hand on Darien's shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze before moving to help him.

  They both had seen Lissandra use her power before, but neither had ever imagined she could do what she had done this day. She all by herself had defeated an army of at least 50,000. Lawwe shook his head in wonder as he handed Lissandra up to Darien once he had mounted. "She has the other sister's training to do the same as she has just done," Lawwe said meeting Darien's eyes. Darien nodded in understanding, when spring arrived Lissandra would have the former Daughter's of the Moon on the battlefield when Descartes crossed over the mountains. Darien held her close as he spurred Nog forward. Her mercy may be the only reason any of them would still live come summer.

  "Darien," Lissandra said waking. She was in a tent, lying on a bed, her brother was sitting at a small table a few feet away.

  "How do you feel?" he asked, moving to sit gently on the edge of the bed next to her.

  "I am fine," she said relieved to see the sun still shining through the flap in the tent. "My health is much improved since we last saw each other and it takes less time for me to recover."

  "What are you doing here?" Darien had tried to hide the fear in his voice. He had spent the last two hours watching her sleep wondering what tragedy in Rorgrim would have caused her to risk her life to seek him out in a hostile land. "I told you I have an urgent message from Alli." Darien rose and stood turning his back to his sister. He did not want her to see the anger entering her face. "What is the message?" he asked keeping his voice level. "In a bag on my saddle," Lissandra said moving to the edge of the bed. "A letter and her King's dagger. The letter will explain everything." Darien nodded and headed for the tent flap. He could not imagine what the letter might say, but it was doubtful it would say anything that would change his mind. At first light on the morrow his army marched for Adelaide.

  * * *

  Cate looked at the small bundle lying next to the fire sleeping with his cloak wrapped tightly around him. It had not been as easy as Cate had thought it would be to rescue the boy from the man Lastern. He had followed the man out of the tavern only too see that two others joined him as he began strolling down the street towards the docks. Cate followed them until they were well out of earshot of the tavern and it's patrons. Beckett was not an affluent town and no light illuminated the street, only the light of the moon allowed him to keep the men in his sights.

  It had been several years since Cate had been on a covert mission and was surprised to find how easily he fell into old habits. Without making a sound and slipping unseen from one shadow to the next he was able to move some distance ahead of the men casually walking down the street. Lastern still carried the boy and the pouch containing the daggers.

  Cate slide into the doorway of a darkened house and waited patiently as they neared. When they were close enough he pulled his hood over his head and stumbled into the middle of the street, bumping into one of the men as the walked by. "Pardon, me," he said slurring his words together. The smell of the strong ale from the tavern still clung on his breath, aiding in his attempt to look like a drunk. "Watched it you old fool," the man snarled shoving back. Cate fell into step next to them walking slightly tilted, "Can any of you fine gentleman spare a coin for a drink?" he asked even as his hand moved to the dagger at his waist, hidden from view by the cloak. "Get out of here," the man he had ran into said marching towards him. Cate let the man advance on him and when he was inches away he thrust the dagger into his belly. Before the others could tell anything had happened he slid the dagger out and threw it at the other man walking with Lastern, hitting him in the throat and killing him instantly.

  "Your dead old man," Lastern hissed tossing the boy to the ground and drawing his sword. Cate pushed the cloak aside and drew his own sword. "Leave the boy and the daggers and I will let you go," Cate said throwing the hood of his cloak back. Lastern laughed his response before rushing forward with his sword raised. It had been an easy fight. Cate knew it would be by the way the man held his sword. He carelessly thrust his sword looking for any opening to impale Cate instead of parrying the thrust aimed at him. All offense in no defense, with in minutes Cate had run his sword through the man's chest.

  Cate had quickly grabbed the boy and the pouch hanging around the dead man's neck. He did not go back the way he had come. He could not risk it. The road to Beckett ran east to west with the river on one side and the Meandering Meadows on the other. There would be no place for them to hide if there was a pursuit. Instead Cate headed towards the mountains north of Beckett.

  It had taken him to days to get far enough into the mountains for him to relax his guard and build a fire against the chilly nights. Cate had kept such a fast pace he hadn't even really had time to speak with the boy other than to learn his name, Simon. Cate had missed a step and almost fell when he heard his name. Simon had been Darien's father's name. Cate shook his head of his thoughts. Dawn was fast approaching and his rations almost depleted. He thought by now he would have found a passage out of the mountains that would bring him and the boy safely into to the heart of Pearoandorn.

  "I see a cave Cate," the boy was cling to Cate' back as he climb perilously up the side of the mountain, carefully testing each rock before grasping it. Cate titled his head to where the boy was pointing just over his ear. It was a cave and it wasn't that far away. It would be a good place to rest after the hard climb. "I wil
l have us there in a minute," he said laughing.

  He quickly began moving sideways along the side of the mountain until he reached the small ledge jutting out from the mouth of the cave. He tightly gripped the rocks with one hand and the boy's arms with another. He quickly pulled the boy from his back and sat him on the ledge. After making sure the boy was balanced, Cate pulled himself up to sit next to him.

  From this spot he could see the Meandering Meadows stretching out beneath them. Cate pulled himself into a standing position and turned to look at the rest of the ledge and to inspect the cave. To his amazement on the other side of the ledge was a clear path leading down the side of the mountain. The way was smooth enough that they would be able to walk. He pulled the boy up to stand next to him before turning towards the cave. It was larger than Cate had thought looking at it from an angle as he climbed towards it. The bright light of the sun poured into its mouth revealing a large cavern within. Cate had never seen anything so big in his life. "Can we sit down?" Simon asked tugging at Cate' hand. He nodded his head and led the boy into the cave. Once inside he spread his cloak down on the ground and told Simon to sit. Cate handed him a dried biscuit and a small water skin before sitting down next to him.