The Journeyman for Zdrell

by David K Bennett

  “Truly?” the old man said with disbelief. “If you can do anything, I would be in your debt.”

  Eril knelt next to the man and extended his senses. He was already wearing both the master ring as well as his power ring. As he turned his zdrell sight on the man’s heart, what he saw alarmed him, it was very unhealthy and beating erratically. Eril feared that if he did nothing, he’d be dead within the day if not the hour.

  He drew power into himself and then channeled it into the old man’s chest, using it to energize and stimulate the muscle to grow and repair itself. At first, it resisted, and he panicked as the heart beat even faster and more arrhythmically. Just as he was about to give up, a blockage in one of the arteries cleared and the heart began to slow and beat more strongly.

  He worked more carefully and was able to repeat the process twice more and felt the heart get much closer to what he thought of as normal. With that, he decided he had better stop before he accidentally undid his work.

  Eril sat back and wiped his brow. He had been exclusively using his zdrell sight while he worked and now realized that at least an hour had passed since he had begun to treat the old Lord, who was now staring at him with quiet intensity.

  “For a moment there,” Torch said, “I thought you were going to kill me with that treatment. But then,” he shook his head in amazement, “I felt a warmth and an easing in my chest like . . . I can’t describe it. But my chest feels better now than it has in years. I was only joking when I asked you to give me a new heart, but I nearly believe you have.”

  With that, Lord Torch stood and breathed deep. Eril saw that his color was much better than it had been even the night before. He stretched, then turned his penetrating gaze on Eril. “I am in your debt, and I will repay. Open the door, wizard. Let’s see what wonders the ancients left.”

  They all trooped down the decaying corridor to the door to the armory. Eril reached out and manipulated the locking mechanism, and the door opened.

  Only then did he see that there were fresh tool marks on the doorframe. Someone had indeed tried to break in to claim the treasure since he and Fil had left the day before. He was not at all surprised they’d been unsuccessful.

  The guards made sure that only Lord Torch, Eril, and Fil entered the armory. Lord Torch was discomfited by the casual way Eril conjured a light ball to illuminate the room. He was very impressed with the number of weapons and armor in the armory. He didn’t begrudge Fil her two full sets of weapons and armor and said Eril was welcome to all of the magical artifacts except for two amulets that contained large gemstones.

  One of the guards produced paper and quill and took a full inventory of everything, they then got the villagers to help with bringing it all down the hill. Eril only brought a few of the artifacts, since he knew he could return any time he wanted to retrieve them.

  Lord Torch was moving about and showing great energy and good humor, none of which had been evident previously. When everyone started on the trail back down the canyon and Eril sealed the door again, Torch turned to him and said, “You can’t know what you’ve given me young master wizard. These weapons will surely expand my coffers significantly, but what you’ve done with my heart . . . I can’t say enough. I half thought I’d die before I came home from this trip. My daughters begged me not to go, but I refuse to die in my bed. I really thought my heirs would be the ones fighting over whatever we found here. But now, now I think I’ll be around to trouble them for a few years more. Thank you. I will do what I can to help you here.”

  Eril really did not know what to say to the thanks and praise, so he said nothing, but smiled and nodded. He walked with Lord Torch the whole way down the trail, and this time Torch talked non-stop, telling Eril stories of his youth and travels. Eril walked, but at times had to make sure he wasn’t flying because the joy in his heart made him feel as if he was.

  § § §

  The whole procession arrived back at the inn shortly before sunset, only to find a party already in progress. The news of the true extent of the ancient magical items and Eril’s healing of Lord Torch had preceded them. The village was celebrating their good fortune. Though previously, no one had had a good word for Lord Torch, now they seemed to find his healing the best of omens and wished him well.

  Eril was twice a hero and enjoyed all of the laudatory attention he was receiving. The only thing that did not go over well with some of the villagers, was when he refused the beer, wine, and stronger spirits that they repeatedly tried to press on him. He contented himself with the light ale that was all he ever drank.

  As a slave and then as an apprentice, he had seen the fools that men became when they were drunken. Master Silurian had cautioned him when he was still very young that intoxication was something he could ill afford to indulge in, as his mind was his only weapon and dulling that weapon could quickly leave him vulnerable at an inopportune moment.

  Dorull had shown him a spell which could remove the effects of alcohol from his system, but Eril had not had an opportunity to experiment with it to the point he felt confident in using it. It was simpler to just apologize and tell the town folk that part of his wizard training was avoiding alcohol, which was not far from the truth.

  As the evening wore on, Eril felt he might be the only adult in the room who wasn’t at least partly in his cups. Lord Torch was singing, laughing, telling jokes and toasting Eril’s name every few minutes. At some point, Took quietly whispered in Eril’s ear that Lord Torch had said he was paying for everyone’s drinks, just not telling them in advance. He seemed both excited and frightened by the prospect. No one had ever seen Torch act so free with money before. Eril suspected that nearly dying had affected the old man.

  Eril left for his room before the party finished winding down. He was tired but knew Master Silurian was waiting on his report.

  Silurian, for his part, was uncharacteristically pleased and effusive over Eril’s accomplishment.

  “Eril, this could not have gone better. The word of the discovery of this weapon cache will further muddy the provenance of the articles you’re creating, and that works to our favor. I only hope that none of the charzen are close by. Also, your healing of Lord Torch will go a long way to ensuring that the deal for purchasing the ruins remains uncontested.

  “I do have to warn you, it is best if you don’t get known as a great healer. If you do, you’ll never be able to rest. I had a good friend years ago who was quite skilled at healing, and he was so besieged with people looking for cures, he could do nothing else day or night. Finally, it ended up killing him.”

  “How could healing people kill him?”

  “Two ways. He wasn’t like you, he didn’t have an external source of power to draw on. He used his own life force to power the magic. You already know how taxing it is. Imagine if you couldn’t rely on those wonderful rings of yours.

  “He was always taxing himself to the utmost, but that isn’t what finally killed him. He died when the brother of a patient put a knife through his heart when he failed to save the man’s sister. He might have healed himself, but he’d already used all his power trying to save the girl.

  “It is situations like this that cause the few wizards who know healing magic to be very sparing in its use, and why Dorull told you that we never discuss rejuvenation magic with anyone but wizards. If the powerful and wealthy felt they could buy years of life from us . . . every wizard would have to fear for their lives. It is a very good thing that the demons are incapable of any but the crudest life magic. Any who try to get a demon to extend their life deserves what they get, and it usually isn’t pretty. Not that there aren’t a few who try every decade or so.” Silurian sighed.

  Eril sat back, stunned after the conversation with Master Silurian. He had never considered all of the ramifications of healing magic. Dorull had told him it was best if he only used it on himself but hadn’t spelled out why. Now, Eril could see that the ability to heal put him in morally dangerous territory. If he healed all those
he could, he could see how it would become a never-ending chore that would consume his life. There was always someone sick or injured somewhere, and if people heard of his ability, they would come from far and wide.

  But did that make him evil if he didn’t help people he had the power to save? And what of old age? No one wants to die, but everyone had to at some point. The whole thing made his head spin. He began to see more and more why the zdrell masters of old had so frequently cultivated fearsome reputations, if only to keep the petitioners at bay.

  Eril knew he was not going to come up with any good answers that night, and he really did need to sleep. He remembered one other small bit of magic Dorull had taught him that let him fall asleep quickly. For only the second time in his life, he used it, but he knew it wouldn’t be the last.

  § § §

  The next morning, Eril felt refreshed, though most of the rest of the villagers looked significantly worse for wear from their reveling the previous night. Lord Torch was one of the few that looked unscathed.

  “Well, young wizard,” Torch said cheerily, “what new wonder do you have for us today?”

  Eril glanced down, unable to meet the man’s steady gaze. “Actually,” Eril began, still not looking up, “I have to leave for Salaways to obtain the funds for your transaction with Master Silurian.”

  Lord Torch looked disappointed. “I was hoping you would be around to accompany me back to Argaland. But, I gather King Silurian is anxious to conclude our deal. Are you waiting for a caravan to head for Salaways? I wasn’t aware of one leaving today.”

  “I, uh, won’t be traveling with a caravan.”

  “Are you sure? I know you’re a powerful wizard and all, but that is a great distance to travel alone. How long ‘til you return, two months or longer?”

  Eril glanced around, embarrassed and warier than he’d been the previous day about Torch knowing of his powers. He lowered his voice. “I don’t want to noise it about, but I’ll probably be back much quicker than you think possible. In fact, I would appreciate it if you didn’t let most around here know I’ll be going back to Salaways. I should return soon enough that they won’t credit the story anyways. Just tell people that I had to leave and should be back shortly.”

  Now, Lord Torch looked confused. “What do you mean, shortly? Even switching mounts, the fastest a rider can make it from here to Salaways is two weeks, and that would be a killing pace.”

  Eril continued to stare down. “I won’t be riding.”

  The old lord sat back and then remembered. “That’s right. Magic. You can fly there?” he said, quiet wonder in his voice.

  Eril just nodded. “I hope to be back in two weeks, though, I’m not sure how fast I can return with the amount of money I’ll be carrying. It might make things, difficult.”

  Torch snorted. “Aye, that it would. I doubt I could carry the weight of gold agreed on for any long while. Well, then I won’t speak of your departure, just that you told me you’d be absent for a time. You’ll tell Took?”

  “Yes, I have to tell him and Fil, and I’m keeping the room while I’m gone.”

  “Good enough, young master wizard. I’d no idea such things were possible outside the tales, but,” he said lightly thumping his chest, “you’ve made a believer out of me. I am in your debt. I will not forget.”

  Eril smiled grimly. He really didn’t know how to take the thanks but suspected that the debt would one day be called up. He bobbed his head. “You’re welcome, sir.”

  Torch snorted again and waved for Eril to leave, which he did.

  § § §

  Wasting no time, Eril told Took and Fil, then shouldered his pack to walk out of town. He wanted to be seen leaving on foot. Once he was half a mile down the road, he followed a game trail until he was well clear of the main road. Invoking his shield and invisibility amulets, he rose slowly into the air. He surveyed the area and then when he was confident he was unobserved, he accelerated rapidly towards Salaways.

  He had made sure to bundle up warmly, as he was planning on going higher than his previous trips. He was over one thousand feet above the ground and concentrated on going faster and faster. He found, with a little effort, he could reinforce the shield directly ahead of him to better break the wind. He also found that the additional height made it easier to go faster because he could fly in an uninterrupted line.

  Faster and faster he flew. He was not sure his exact pace, but individual landmarks flashed by. He knew he had to be traveling at least twice the speed he’d ever flown before. It was exhilarating, but also tiring. The air became an obstacle that he constantly had to push against, but the thrill of the speed made him continue to push harder and harder. He veered at a distance to avoid any birds he saw. He had visions of what might happen if his shield impacted with a bird at the velocity he was traveling. It made him shiver more than the cold.

  At somewhere around two hours after noon, he crested the mountains that formed the border of Salaways and the eastern edge of the valley of Sharafleg. He stayed high as he soared over the valley and the capital city, Alavar. He was amazed at how small it looked from this height and how fast he traversed it from east to west. Within moments he was approaching castle Salaways.

  He slowed and dropped silently into the center of the castle courtyard. The one apprentice crossing the courtyard when Eril dropped his invisibility started, nearly dropping the load of kindling he carried.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you,” Eril said, somewhat untruthfully. “Do you know where I might find Master Silurian?”

  The boy, obviously scared and unable to believe his eyes, only shook his head no.

  “Well, is Master Feldor in his office?” Eril asked again.

  The boy nodded his head yes, and then scuttled rapidly to the doors away from Eril.

  Eril shook his head and began to walk wearily towards Feldor’s office. As he walked, Feldor came out the door smiling.

  “Jonny, uh, um, Eril, my boy. Sorry. Good to see you.” He gestured for Eril to follow him. They both headed towards Master Silurian’s north study. “I don’t believe Master Silurian was expecting you until tomorrow.”

  Eril grimaced. “I, uh, went a bit faster coming back than I did going out.”

  Feldor stopped and turned around, just in front of the closed study door, looking surprised. “You don’t mean you came all the way from Argaland today?”

  Eril just shrugged and was saved from further comment by the door to the study opening.

  “Eril,” Master Silurian said enthusiastically, pointing his finger, “you really need to watch yourself, boy. How many hours did it take you to get here?”

  Eril shrugged again, “I’m not sure exactly. Five? Six? Something like that. It’s hard to tell with the time differential and all.”

  “Hmmm, yes, I’m sure that’s true, but that still is a remarkable feat. You must have been traveling near three hundred miles an hour. It boggles the mind.”

  The Master ushered them both into the office. Once they were all sitting. “I’m sure you need to rest. While I appreciate your coming so fast, I’m not sure it was entirely warranted. It will be at least three more days before I have the funds ready for you to take back to complete the purchase. Also,” he looked at Eril uneasily, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to allow you to go into town to visit with your old friends. We have charzen on the lookout for you, though they don’t yet know what you look like.

  “I’ve convinced them that they aren’t welcome here in the castle and that I will take violent exception to their attempting to use methods of the sort tried with Dorull. Even so, there’s one wandering around in Alavar and two others watching the roads at Kenton and Sharafleg. They suspect that I’m involved, but can’t prove it. They seem to have something that lets them detect line cutters. If you had come here by any other means than you did, I expect you would have had to fight your way in.”

  “Wow, three of them. Could you stop three if you had to?”

  �
�I’m not sure. It would probably cost hundreds of soldier’s lives to do so, but I think my skills plus those of my army would suffice, but it would most certainly be costly.”

  No one said anything for several moments as they each contemplated the idea of the havoc that three charzen could cause.

  “Of course, with you,” the Master said, pointing his whole hand, “it would be another story. You could simply take to the air and take them out just as you did at Dorull’s castle. You would just have to make sure they didn’t take you by surprise.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” Eril said, reluctantly.

  Silurian frowned. “Eril, you’ve trained for this.”

  “I know. I know. It’s just. You should have seen how much damage that one charzen did. With three at once . . .”

  “Bah. Enough of this,” The Master said, standing up. “You need to know that with the one you killed and the three here in Salaways, that means there are another seven or eight roaming the continent. And it seems that while they are primarily searching for you and your line cutters, they’re also working with demon wizards to begin the next stage of their conquest.

  “In any of the lands where demon wizards are part of the ruling class they are gearing up to battle against the kingdoms where demon wizards are out of favor. Before we know it, we may have widespread war across the continent. And that’s without the direct presence of Grimoridan forces, but they won’t be far behind I’m sure.”

  Eril was shocked. It wasn’t uncommon for there to be border disputes and other minor skirmishes between the kingdoms in Skryla, but actual wars were rare. There hadn’t been more than three kingdoms at war simultaneously since The Great War over one thousand years ago.

  “The worst part,” Silurian continued, “is that almost none of them see this for what it really is. The demon wizards are using other political or regional disagreements to mask the true source of the conflict, demons versus those who won’t use them.”

  “What are you doing about it, Master?”