by B J Hanlon
Edin turned his head but could only see dark shadows inside the tower.
“Who’s there?” Edin asked. No answer. His arms began to feel heavy like he’d just left the river with soaking clothes. “No one cares about me.”
A snort came from the darkness. “Go ahead, I’ll just tell the princess you were a coward.”
“I’m not a coward.”
Before Edin knew what he was doing, he was off of the banister and on the balcony. Edin stepped into the darkness and held out his hand about to summon the ethereal ball.
“Cease that… it’ll draw attention,” the voice creaked again. It came from a dark corner between two of the balcony openings. A moment later, a small flame appeared and Edin saw the face, old and wrinkled. “Something you do not need right now.”
“You were at my welcoming… I’m sorry I forgot your name.”
“Welcoming?” He snorted. “Did not feel very welcoming to me,” he said then lit a pipe, sucked in and blew out white smoke that hung in the dark room. “Mersett Bolisona.”
Edin wiped his eyes.
“That is the problem with you spirit magi, so emotional. It is said that the philios burns bright and fast, then die. But I’ve heard that said about many things. The sun still burns bright, not sure about fast and I certainly hope it will not die before I do.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Question is, what are you? This tower has been off limits for quite some time. Pharont would have no trouble getting the council to banish you if you were caught here. Though it seems you have planned your own way out.” A soft whistle came from the old man, then a smack of the lips followed by a cough.
Edin moved a few steps closer but kept himself in the moonlight. He felt safer there. “I’m banished already, I work in the fields and have lost the one person…”
“What are you too good for a laborer? Your father would slap you.”
An anger grew, suddenly and rapidly like an avalanche after the first crack of ice. “I’d slap him…” Edin spat. “He made me what I am, abandoned me… everyone abandons me.”
“He did what he had to. And not everyone abandoned you so quit your blubbering, you sound like an old maid who shrunk the laundry.”
“Old…” he took a breath. “You’re the only old thing here. I’m not emotional…”
“Evidence to the contrary dear boy,” Mersett snorted and a moment later, the ember in the pipe grew brighter. He was seated on a wooden crate near a book case. “So will you jump?”
“Haven’t made up my mind,” Edin said readjusting his trousers. “Have you come to tell me not to? How’d you even know where I was?”
“I’m on the council,” he said as if that answered it. “For now, at least.” This was much quieter.
A few moments later, he remembered the dark cloaked man from before the tavern… did he continue following Edin afterward and Edin didn’t notice? “That man that followed me, that was…”
“An associate.”
“Le Fie? Or is it Iashah?”
“It wasn’t him, but he hates Iashah.” Mersett paused for a long while and gazed out toward the castle. “You know, you and your father are quite alike.”
Edin tilted his head. How could he be, he hadn’t seen the man in more than a decade and knew nothing about him.
“This was Rihkar’s favorite spot too.”
It took Edin a moment then he remembered what his mother told him. “The Boganthean Tower?”
“Yes, Rihkar was cleverer than you, boy. He’d never let anyone know he made it up here until he was already gone. Certainly wouldn’t blow open the door like it were made of parchment. How’d you do that by the way?”
“Did anyone ever catch him?”
Bolisona snorted.
“Then how do you…”
“He told me, though I had suspected as much. The boy tended to show up with old parchments and books.”
“What is this place?”
“A place of study for the ancient magi. When your princess’s father ruled, there were but a few hundred living here, learning and experimenting.”
“She’s not my princess.”
“A girl breaks up with you and now you want to end it all? Moody teenagers never change.” The old man dug into his robe for a moment and pulled out a long golden stick with a sharp point at the end. It glimmered as the firelight caught it.
Was it some magical device? A wand or something. “What’s that?” For some reason he had a bit of hope building that there was something more to it…
The old man raised an eyebrow, then looked at the stick before sticking it into the pipe. “It’s to break up the tobacco…” Mersett said then started moving it around. “So you’re not going to take the cowardly way out?”
“I wasn’t going to do it,” Edin said.
He sighed. “Well, I suppose that’s fine, would’ve made Pharont look bad. A new magi, first philios in hundreds of years, kills himself after only a day on the isle.” He was adding something to his pipe now and then started thumbing it down. “Planning on staying a farmhand, are you?”
Edin shrugged, “I guess I’m only passing through.”
“If only that fat blotard knew what you could do… and wouldn’t want you dead for it. The isles aren’t a good fit for all.” He paused and took a drag on his pipe. “But out there it is much more dangerous.” He let the words dangle for a moment. “Your father was a good pupil of mine when I still taught. How much spellcraft do you know?”
“None…” Edin said.
“I see, your talent can only get you so far you know. Your roommate is a teacher at the college, ask him to teach you.”
“Dorset? He and I don’t exactly see eye to eye.”
“He can be a bit of a stubborn ass.” Mersett shook his head slowly. “But if you can get him to help, maybe this won’t be a wasted trip.” Mersett’ s eyes dropped as if he were looking down past the warped floorboards. “Spellcraft is a bit of a lost art; most folk like to rely on their natural talent rather than the hard study, learning Ulstapish and all. One day you may want to return to this tower and visit the lower floors. A lot of knowledge can be found there. Now, I’m going home, these old bones need a rest. Leave ten minutes after me, I don’t want it looking like we were together.”
It was nearly two in the morning when he reached the Reaches. Another night of little sleep. Edin glanced toward the slumbering Dorset, his hair hung loosely over his face as he squeezed a pillow tight to his chest as if it were a woman. The man’s mouth moved as if speaking then stopped. There was spittle on the pillow.
Edin watched him for a moment then laid down on his own small cot. Outside the crashing waves sounded far below him, rhythmically attacking the cliffs.
6
A Deal with a Frenemy
Edin stood on the top of a mountain overlooking a field of battle. Far below, like bleeding and headless worms, bodies were strewn around the field. The cries of men, terrified and painful somehow reached his ears despite the great distance.
Many more were advancing, stumbling over their fallen comrades as if they were nothing but dead tree limbs.
To the left, he saw line upon line of soldiers. Dunbilstonian, Resholtian and even small bands of men in black jerkins and of dark complexion.
The last were disbursed between the soldiers as if they were some sort of secret weapon.
To the right, he saw the multicolored robes of the magi.
Masses of black arrows flew from the left; fire, water and terra firma from the right. They arched together directly in front of Edin.
The attacks were slow and seemed to stay aloft for a long time moving as if they were propelled through sap.
Edin’s hands shook. He wanted to do something but could only watch as both buzzed past and threw each other and landed on their targets. Men and magi screamed, cried out as their bodies were destroyed and their souls were returned to the gods, either above or below…
Then Edin saw a familiar figure in black robes atop a giant warhorse. He was at the head of a cavalry charge. A moment later, lightning crackled high above them in the clouds. A fat man stepped out of the magi line. The bursts of electricity flew from Pharont’s hands and arced toward Berka.
It arched across his vision like a river unsure of what path it should take.
Edin raised a hand and suddenly, a great ethereal barrier was erected like a wall between the two armies. It rose hundreds of yards into the air. Arrows, fire, and lightning all crashed against the barrier.
The Por Fen horses whined and reared back, riders toppled to the ground. Slowly, men began to stare up in his direction. Thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands. Their eyes turned on him with great intensity and he could feel their strength pushing into him throwing him off the pinnacle. The ground rumbled shaking Edin.
His eyes cracked open as the shoving intensified.
“Are you alright? You were thrashing in your sleep...” The blond hair and spectacled eyes of Dorset were above him. His look was curious. Edin nodded. “Well, you don’t want to be late a second day.”
“What time is it?” Edin said groggily.
“Five.”
“Five? That’s early.”
“You have to get going or you’ll be late.”
“It’s too far.”
“Then wake earlier,” Dorset said and traipsed toward the stairs.
Why would Dorset care? Did the teacher suddenly worry about his unwanted roommate getting whipped? Then he remembered Mersett.
“Thank you,” Edin said.
Dorset stopped as if to say something, he seemed to look up for a moment toward the wooden slats above him. Then he disappeared down the curved stairwell.
The morning light was rising through the window illuminating the circular room. There was a shabbiness about the place, curtains were frayed and dotted black with spots, small flies hovered over a plate with half eaten food, dollops of candle wax curdled on the floor next to tomes, scrolls, and writing utensils.
Dorset appeared again, sticking his head through the wooden trap door.
“There’s coffee still warm downstairs.”
“Thank you,” Edin said.
Dorset nodded and disappeared.
Edin took a moment to stare at the brown package next to his bed. He ripped it open and dressed. He grabbed his flask and stared at it for a moment. His head pounded and his hands shook. It was empty.
He sighed and wondered if there was a tavern to refill it on the way… or better yet if Dorset had any. He’d have to ask.
When he got down though, Dorset had gone. He glanced out the door and watched him crest the small hill a few hundred yards down the road. He went to the coffee.
After drinking a bit, Edin poured some in his flask and began toward the fields.
The trek was grueling and Fior was in a mood. Edin arrived as other workers were just heading out to the field in their matching brown uniforms. He caught Henny’s eye. The big man looked away.
“You’re late,” Fior said.
“I live far.”
Fior raised a whip, braided with many strands all tied neatly in a small knot at the end. A gleeful grin crossed his face. “I warned you to be here on time or face the whip.” He took a step forward. “Off with your shirt.”
Edin didn’t move, he stared at the small knots dangling like willow branches in a gentle breeze. His hand moved toward his belt. No sword. Edin could kill this guy with out it… but he wasn’t the enemy was he? He was the dog, one of the Fat Arse Egotist’s many dogs… Edin clenched his jaw.
Fior raised the whip and started to bring it down. Edin summoned an ethereal bubble between them and the strands bounced harmlessly off. “Take your punishment like a man…” He spat and tried again. There was no getting through. Even through the white light, the foreman’s face turned bright red.
After four more strikes with nothing, Fior huffed. “You’ll pay for this, it’ll be much worse for you.”
Edin took a breath and let the shield evaporate. “The plow?”
“Get there now,” Fior grumbled, his hand twitched wanting to raise the whip again, then he turned and stormed off.
Henny appeared in the barn door and waived him over. “You’re a philios… ain’t been one of those here in…”
“Hundreds of years. Yeah, I was told,” Edin said.
He worked till four with barely half hour for lunch and only a handful of water breaks. His mouth was dry, everything ached and he surely lost ten pounds in the heat. He pictured the cool blue waters of the Crys and wished he could leap into them.
Edin’s hands were raw and blistered when Fior rang a bell to quit.
Henny walked up next to Edin, he’d been trailing him all day, “a few of us are headed to the tavern if you want to join?” His voice a bit more jovial than before.
Edin’s mouth craved it, he wanted to have that drink… maybe needed to. He hadn’t thought about Arianne all day. He’d just worked in the fields, sweaty, sore, and exhausted. He deserved an ale or a whiskey. Edin nodded.
They didn’t head back to Baili’s place. That was supposedly for the ranchers and the residents of Brackland. Of which, Edin guessed, he was one. They went to another tavern called the Reaper in another hamlet the locals called Yarden.
“It’s half yard, and half garden ya see,” Henny told him pointing out small patches of manicured grass and other large garden beds. Women and children were moving throughout these, pulling weeds and picking vegetables that were in season. “These are the crops we get to keep ourselves. The rest all goes back to Delrot.”
“You get paid, don’t you?” Edin asked.
“Of course, a pair of chits a day, but we don’t have to pay for our homes, the farmhands don’t have to pay for clothes, and our children get to go to school. Not the nice one in the city, but the agricultural one… it’s just a one room place near the gorge but Britia teaches ‘em just fine. Good lady too,” he said with a wink.
A woman stood, took off a bonnet, wiped her brow, then leaned back with her hands pressed to her kidneys. An audible crack came from her back. She could’ve been pretty, but there was no way to tell. The tunic she wore was far too big for her and tied at the waist with a piece of twine.
Henny opened the door and waived Edin in. The tavern smelled of stale ale, sweat, and the sweet odor of freshly picked produce.
Edin took a seat at a far table while Henny grabbed ales. There was an awkward silence for a while. “You sure you want to be seen with me? Fior would probably take it as an insult.”
“Bah, he’s back in Delrot, surprised he even showed up at our farm today. Guessing it has something to do with you.”
“Imagine you’re right,” Edin said.
A few men stopped by, ones from a different farm. Henny introduced Edin. They were nice enough folk, a cheerful sort that were content with their lot in life.
“Edin here plows like a drunken geezer,” Henny smiled, “can’t keep it up for the life of him.”
“Like you Henny?” a man said.
Henny lifted his mug and grinned. “Your wife never complained.”
They roared laughter and drank heavily. Edin listened as they sang songs about farming and the island that produced so much bounty. There were sad songs too, the kind Dephina would croon, ones about leaving the old land from threat of persecution and friends left behind…
Hours later, as they were leaving, Henny directed Edin toward a small stable at the edge of the hamlet. He pushed open a pony door and led Edin to a stall at the back. “I got this mule. He ain’t that strong and he’s a bit old, but he can still carry you.”
Edin looked at the animal, he was about as tall as Edin’s stomach, had deep brown eyes and gray fur with a black mane.
“Carry me?”
“Yeah, you can have him, ya know for the ride to and back from the farm.”
Edin swallowed a lump in his throat and looked at the big man. In th
e dim light of unburning candles, the man looked fatherly… well unclely.
Edin didn’t know what to say, he reached out and petted the animal’s nose. It was cold and wet and the animal smelled of soiled hay.
“You don’t have to take Gary…”
“You call him Gary?” Edin said.
“I call him Wind… It’s ironic cause he’s slow ya know.”
“I had a stallion I called Hail…” Edin said.
“Prolly faster than this beast,” Henny said slapping the animal hard. It whinnied and tried to nip him. “He’s feisty too.”
It was a quarter-moon that night and the world seemed dark. The wind cooled his body as he walked next to Gary up the road toward the Reaches. After making little progress on the back of the donkey and getting nibbled on a half-dozen times, Edin decided to lead him the rest of the way.
Beyond the tower, there were three peninsulas. All nearly identical. Twenty feet or more above the waves and rocks. Three long fingers reaching out toward the sea as if trying to snatch a fish.
He tied Gary to a hitching post and petted him. Edin could see far out into the ocean as the moon twinkled off it like a diamond. What was out there beyond the horizon?
Edin walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He felt a bit of vertigo as he stared at the long drop to the water. White waves smashed the rocks.
For a moment, the thought of jumping came over him again but Edin shook it away. He looked out into the emptiness of the night and the black Crimson Ocean. He imagined Arianne next to him, her blond hair flapping in the wind, her eyes sparkling and her jaw quivering expecting a kiss.
“I wish you were here,” Edin whispered as he sat down on the edge of the cliff with his feet dangling above the surf.
Edin wasn’t sure how long he’d sat there when he heard footsteps.
“If you stare long enough, you can see the sun rising.”
It took Edin a moment, “well it is east.”