Phantom Campaign

by Eden Redd

  Dax turned his back to his friend as Symon took the quill and scroll. Symon pushed the scroll against Dax’s back as the quill moved. When the signature was finished, Symon rolled it up and handed both items back to the counselor.

  Counselor Skullcut smiled as he put the items away in his robe pocket. “It’s good to see you two grow into such fine students. I seem to remember a time where you both were nearly expelled for having a spell battle on the streets of Silver Port. I’m pleased to see you both come so far.”

  Dax and Symon bowed to the counselor.

  “We wouldn’t be here if not for your kind understanding,” Symon said.

  “And tough love,” Dax grinned.

  “I know you both will do great things, now and well into the future. Despite that, I fully expect you and your coterie to be a shining example of success. The campaign will test not only your resolve, but your spirits and the spirits of your friends.”

  “We won’t let you down,” Dax and Symon said in unison.

  Counselor Skullcut gave the two men an approving nod. “I’ll leave you to it then. Carry on.”

  The counselor walked away as Dax and Symon turned back to their friends. The pair made their way to the group, all eyes on them.

  “Fern, can you find Noss?” Symon asked.

  The fairy nodded and shot through air toward a group of necromancers.

  Dax lifted a hand, waving to Nuria and Clive as they stood off to the side. The mages saw him and made their way down the aisle until they stood with everyone. Clive had a dour expression, but Nuria looked to everyone with curiosity.

  Fern flew back and hovered. She pointed a finger, a small kobold making his way down the aisle and standing with the group.

  “Fern said I had to come see you,” the kobold said with wide eyes.

  Symon nodded. “Everyone here, listen up. As of today, this group gathered is the Dragon Eye Coterie. We will be working together during the Phantom Campaign. We have three days to get everything in order and prepare for the exam.”

  Noss smiled and bowed his head. Nuria gave a hint of a smile, but Clive shook his head.

  “You can’t be serious? Shouldn’t we have more members considering where we are going?” the large mage grumbled.

  Symon looked to the mage with serious eyes and a kind smile. “They believe we are the best so we can make do with the group we have. Since we have everyone here, mandatory meetings at the Commons, every day until departure.”

  Clive folded his arms and bowed his head, shadows covering his eyes. “This is ridiculous. We won’t survive with a coterie this…” the mage trailed off when Nuria touched his hand.

  The big mage looked down at Nuria for a long moment before his shoulders deflated. Everyone watched as the mage gave a small nod in agreement.

  Symon nodded. “Are there any other questions?”

  Fern raised her hand.

  The spellsword nodded to her.

  “Will there be drinks?” the fairy blinked with not so innocent eyes.

  Symon and Dax looked to each other, grinned and turned back to the group.

  “It wouldn’t be a meeting if there were no drinks,” Symon grinned.

  Twelve

  Black wings folded and unfolded as scaly, clawed feet shifted on perches. The morning sun filled the alcoves below the roosts as ravens pecked at feathers and black eyes stared at the lone man standing in the middle.

  Dax waited, the earlier message in his mind, telling him a raven would arrive this morning on this date. The message was underlined that he had to be there to accept the raven with a white feather. Dax had been standing there for two hours, his thoughts bouncing back and forth since he still had to get the last of his gear ready before they shipped out.

  The last two days slid over his thoughts like a short play. Symon had taken charge in the meetings, asking questions and assigning roles. Almost everyone was receptive, except for Clive who spent part of his time complaining until Fern threatened to punch him. The large mage spoke little after that, but often stared daggers at the berserker fairy.

  After the meetings, it fell into heavy drinking and laughing. Despite the flow of spirits, Dax often found himself leaving to work in his dorm. The mage spent the last two nights barely sleeping, focusing on designing cards for the exam ahead. The mage’s power had increased when class started the next day and Professor Frost handed out small sacks of mana shards. She instructed the class to absorb them right away to ensure everyone would be well prepared before they disembarked for Star Fall Island.

  Dax blinked as he stood in the Raven Tower. Calling up his stats, he went over the changes.

  Name: Dax Sage

  Class: Mage

  Health: Normal

  Mana: 1400

  Mana Shards: 0

  Spheres of Magic

  Air: 3

  Water: 2

  Fire: 1

  Urth: 1

  Life: 3

  Decay: 0

  Light: 0

  Dark: 0

  Time: 2

  Space: 0

  Mind: 2

  Body: 0

  Each student was given 8 mana shards. Again, Dax thought to spread it out but thought it was counterproductive. Instead, he spent the 8 shards at once, bringing his Air Sphere of magic to the 3rd degree. The increase unlocked even more powerful spells and the mage quickly wrote down a few new ones and created matching cards.

  The cloud of thoughts shifted to Nuria and the mage sighed. She had remained distant, despite being in the same coterie again. Dax questioned if it was because Clive was around, but the large mage seemed to be firmly under her control. Fern seemed to ignore her and Zarra didn’t seem to care either way. Ressa had focused most of her attention on Dax while Isani felt the need several times to poke fun at the beautiful mage. Nuria ignored the rogue for the most part, but it seemed that Isani rather enjoyed pressing her luck with the beautiful mage.

  Deeper thoughts rose to the surface with the nearly endless coded messages Dax exchanged with people he knew in Hydale. Thankful that he still had some friends back home, they began helping when Vance’s gold arrived in their hands. A new identity had been created for Nuria and handlers were arranged. The last detail needed was a home in a distant town where she could build her new life.

  Dax looked up to the ravens as he wondered why the faculty hadn’t come to him again, asking for the mage to speak with Nuria. From what he could see, she was excelling in her classes and talk of her parents missing seemed to be forgotten. It caused a sinking feeling in Dax’s stomach, wondering if they already knew and were preparing for the right time to speak with the magistrates.

  A raven flew in, waking Dax from his trance. Blinking, he noticed the raven had a white feather along its left wing. It seemed to acknowledge it was here for him because it cawed at him. The mage stepped closer, hand out. The raven lifted its clawed foot, a small capsule tied to its leg. Fingers worked with nimble speed as the mage unscrewed the top and pulled out the tiny note. The moment he unfurled it, the raven turned with a hop and flew away.

  Dax read the tiny letter, drinking in the information. The only thing written was a date and a location to meet. A small check mark was by it and Dax knew instantly that meant they had a home for Nuria. The mage pondered if it was by the border to the Decayed Lands or by the Void Border. He knew he couldn’t know simply because the less anyone knew, the better off she was.

  Dax memorized the date and location before slowly speaking a simple fire incantation. When he finished, the note flared into a shard of fire before its ashes blew away on the wind.

  Dax turned and raced out of the raven chamber and made his way down the stairs. Heart beating, he crashed through doors and out into the courtyard.

  They better not leave without me!

  Dax darted along the courtyard and saw many students standing in groups by the Academy entrance. Legs pumping, his head swiveled from side to side until he saw Symon standing with the rest of the coteri
e, his long arm up and signaling. The mage made a beeline for them and skidded to a halt, trying to catch his breath.

  Symon hefted a pack and satchel and handed it to the mage, “Glad you could make it. We’re leaving any moment now. I hope it was important.”

  Dax nodded as he slipped the pack over his shoulders and the satchel strap over his head. “It was.”

  Fern stepped close and bumped her hip against the mage’s hip. “We’re going to be stuck on a ship for two days. I hope you brought plenty of water?”

  Dax lifted his eyebrow before a sinister smirk filled his cheek as he got the fairy’s meaning.

  Vance rolled his eyes behind them. “We should conserve our strength.”

  Fern continued to look up to Dax as she spoke loud enough for their group to hear, “It’s okay, he can rest after I’m finished with him.”

  “This should be an interesting voyage,” Isani smiled.

  Zarra nodded as she stood with staff in hand, a small shy smile on her lips.

  Clive looked to everyone with incredulous eyes, “Is it always like this with all of you?”

  Vance shook his head, “No, it's like that with him.”

  Dax ignored everyone as he simply stared ahead.

  A shout filled the air and the gates opened. A short moment later, the entire 2nd year class began to march.

  Gulls flew high in the clear blue sky. Birdsong filled the nearby trees as twelve coteries marched down the cobblestone road, the town of Silver Port in the distance. Sunlight bathed the trees in a comforting glow, orange leaves still clinging to branches. The sight brought splashes of color to the landscape as student champions walked with excited chatter and a nervous sliver in the back of their minds.

  Dax looked ahead, seeing a large ship in the port. The masts stabbed into the air with ropes hanging from them. Even at this distance, the Sea Witch was quite a sight, dwarfing the other ships in port.

  Zarra moved to Dax’s side, her hand sliding into his. The pair looked to each other, hands squeezing in knowing comfort. Dax’s heart lifted as he couldn’t fight the sense of belonging they all felt. After what happened at the party, Dax wasn’t sure Zarra would want anything to do with him again. After he told his friends the whole story, he swore they would leave him instantly. Thinking back to it now, it felt foolish and ridiculous. Symon didn’t leave his side when they were nearly expelled last year, why would his friends run?

  The crowd of students made their way into Silver Port. Eyes widened and some mouths gaped as they approached the docks, everyone looking up at the massive ship. Gulls circled and the calm waters rippled.

  Dax’s gaze dropped as he saw Professor Frost, Counselor Skullcut and two dozen robed figures march up the wide gangplank to the Sea Witch. Some wore white robes, others wore black robes and a few wore blue robes. Their hoods were up and covering their heads as they boarded the ship.

  Maybe they’re the clerics and mages who will help with the campaign?

  Dax pondered as the line of students made their way onto the ship in rows of four, shoulder to shoulder. The gangplank was wide enough to accommodate 4 students abreast as they walked up.

  “I’m not good on ships,” Noss said with a nervous edge.

  Ressa put a hand on the small kobold’s shoulder, “I’m not comfortable either, but we must manage.”

  Isani moved to the dranar and kobold with a confident smile. “I may have something to help you relax. I’ll give it to you when we are out to sea.”

  The kobold gave the shadow elf a timid nod. Ressa smiled.

  Symon led the way, taking lead onto the ship. The rest of the coterie followed, stepping onto the deck and looking all around.

  Dax was blown away on how massive the ship truly was. It was like a floating castle, the deck wide enough to hold every student as they came aboard. The masts were several people thick, like they were carved from ancient trees. Arcane symbols were etched into the wooden masts and along the railings of the ship, Dax guessing it was some kind of protection or they allowed some kind of magical control. He wasn’t sure but it was fascinating nonetheless.

  Professor Frost whispered an incantation and a glow surrounded her body for a moment. With a thought, the master mage flew about thirty feet into the air, her heels together and her arms crossed. All heads turned their attention to her as the last remaining students stepped onto the ship.

  “Welcome aboard the Sea Witch, Students of Kinarth!” the professor said with power and authority.

  The crowd quieted down as everyone looked to the floating mage.

  Professor Frost continued with a warm smile. “Captain Roderick has informed me we will be departing in just a few moments. Since we will be at sea for two days, please stow your gear in the ship’s guest quarters. There are enough rooms for every student to have their own. The rooms are small, but will accommodate everyone here.

  “Coterie leaders, you will have your members in rooms side by side to one another. No area should be mixed. The last thing we need is confusion and chaos. Meals will be served three times a day and in various dining suites along the ship. Coteries must take meals together and that will be an excellent time to plan and bring strategies together.”

  Professor Frost floated over the crowd, “Take this time to rest and connect with your fellow students. The High Dean explained what to expect, but one is never truly ready for Star Fall island. Be well to yourself and each other.”

  The professor floated down as heads nodded in agreement.

  Dax moved to a railing and looked down. Sailors pulled the mooring ropes and quickly made their way up the gangplank. The gangplank lifted up and slid into the ship on its own, Dax unsure if it was mechanical or mystical. The sound of sails dropping turned the mage’s gaze to the immense sails. They unfurled as wind quickly filled them.

  “We are casting off!” projected the Captain as he stood at the wheel.

  Students mobbed the side rails, one half looking to Silver Port, townsfolk waving as they departed and the other half looking out to the sea, the sun shining down and giving the water a river of sparkling light.

  Symon leaned against the railing next to Dax, “Can you believe it? We’re really going to train on some desolate island to become stronger and better.”

  Dax nodded. “Yea, it’s pretty remarkable.”

  “Are you nervous?” Symon smiled.

  “I was going to ask you the same thing,” Dax smirked.

  “Something tells me we just answered our own questions,” the spellsword nodded.

  The two friends chuckled as the ship began to turn and head out to sea.

  “Let’s put our gear away,” Symon said.

  Dax nodded as they moved to their group and made their way to the stairs.

  It didn’t take long for the coterie to make their way down. Stairs continued down, but Symon pushed his way through the other students to make sure they were on the top level. Dax and Fern helped, politely shifting fellow students away as their group stepped into a long corridor. Legs moved as the ship bobbed slightly. Occasionally, hands darted out to grab metal bars along the walls to keep their balance.

  Noss covered his mouth as his small, scaled cheeks bloomed out and sank down.

  “Don’t get sick,” Fern said as she glanced back at the kobold.

  “You can’t say don’t get sick to someone who feels sick. It doesn’t work,” Noss said and fought the urge to vomit.

  Dax looked to the small kobold, “Once we get to our rooms, lay down. It will help you adjust.”

  The kobold nodded as he fought to keep his stomach’s contents within him.

  The group of nine reached a small section of rooms with a dining suite at the end of the short hall. Five rooms lined the right and left. Hands moved to door handles and pulled them aside, the doors sliding into the wall.

  Zarra touched Noss’s shoulder. The kobold looked up to the kind cleric as she helped him into his room. Isani and Ressa moved to a pair of doors, side by side. Fe
rn watched Dax as he picked a room and immediately claimed the room next to his. Nuria and Clive each took a room closer to the end of the short corridor while Vance and Symon took rooms opposite each other and next to the dining suite.

  Dax stepped into his cabin and looked around. He didn’t have much to drink in. The cabin was small, just big enough for a single bed, a tiny desk and a stool for a chair. A chest stood next to the desk which was built into the wall. A single glass port hole showed the sunny, outside world. Other than that, there was nothing more to the cabin room.

  The mage stepped in, opened the chest and put his pack inside. He kept his satchel on with his spellbook, not sure he felt comfortable simply leaving it in a chest. Closing the lid, he felt his forearms and the leather rigs strapped to them.

  I will still have to practice some more with them. Last thing I want is cards to shoot out between my fingers in a fight.

  The mage woke from his thoughts as his cabin door slid closed behind him. The mage turned to see Nuria standing there with a small smile.

  “Dax, I needed to talk to you,” the beautiful mage whispered.

  The mage stepped closer, keeping his balance. “I was going to try to find the right moment to talk to you. I have good news.”

  Nuria nodded, her gaze turning downward, “Please, I need to go first.”

  It was apparent that Nuria was concerned. Her blue eyes seemed to tremble every other moment and Dax wasn’t sure if it was because she was scared, or something else.

  “Okay, what do you have to say?”

  Nuria stepped closer until the two were inches apart. Her head was low and she spoke in deep whispers.

  “I can’t explain it, but this body is behaving like my old body from my realm. I can taste things like lies, deceit, and obfuscation. I can hear whispers when no one is talking. It’s difficult to control at times.”

  Nuria looked into Dax’s eyes, “Kinarth’s enemies stopped communicating with me about two weeks ago. I can feel their minds, even at a great distance. They have abandoned me.”