by Ivy Logan
Damien was quite unaware that the very war that had destroyed his family had forced the supernaturals to create a magical realm of their own so as to give peace on Earth a chance. But the Heichi were still not safe from him, for unfortunately, the guardian sorceresses still remained on Earth, and with his limited knowledge, Damien was a danger to them all. It was beneficial to the lives of his men that Damien was quite ignorant of the fact that until almost a year ago, a Heichi sorceress had lived in his own domain. But now Caitlin had abandoned Aberevon and there were no Heichi sorceresses in sight.
Damien put his father’s bookish and priggish scholars, historians and librarians to work amongst the treasured and voluminous tomes of the citadel library. He had two simple wishes: to be the strongest and most powerful man of that time; and to live forever.
The men searched and searched at the pain of death, but no tome or manuscript documented the most powerful secrets, or even the existence of the Heichi. When Damien saw doubt in their eyes and the conviction that he was mad for believing in things like sorceresses, he executed ten of them. Satisfied that the remaining ten were now terrified enough and determined to find a sorceress, he sent them out to the farthest corners of the world, each accompanied by one of his hunters.
The king’s hunters were a special troop of elite soldiers who were the best trackers and spies from all over the world. They worked for King Damien because he appreciated their worth and paid them well. To him, they were more valuable than his ministers, who did nothing but grow fat and rich. The hunters were not the tallest, nor the strongest, but they had an amazing sense of direction, a way to extract information and to unearth clues where there were none.
The best man in his employ was a swarthy fellow called Garcia. He was short and burly, and if you missed the wicked and manipulative gleam in his eyes, he appeared harmless. Many a quarry of Damien’s had been defeated because they underestimated Garcia and his hunting skills.
The wisdom and secrets of the past could not be easily revealed, and only three historians survived. The laziest one did not take any risks and was conniving enough to mislead the hunter accompanying him. He could not fool King Damien. No sooner had they returned than he summarily had them executed. The other two were a pair of brothers, Luigi and Marco. Luigi, the younger and shrewder of the two, was determined to save his own life and that of his brother. Marco, the wiser of the two, was a scholar who studied ancient religions. He volunteered to go Zedresh, hoping that amidst the monasteries and temples, some secrets would reveal themselves.
Luigi and Garcia retained Aberevon and Masun for sorceress hunting. The terror of Garcia spurred Luigi to explore corners and ruins that no one had attempted before. By now, Garcia was well versed in the king’s ways. He knew his life and that of his brother were on the line. Find a sorceress or die.
Finally, on an island called Neptheas in the Sea of Rinai off the Aberevon mainland, Garcia and Luigi discovered some ancient texts lending credence to King Damien’s rant about the Heichi sorceresses.
“The king was right,” said Luigi to Garcia. “A long time ago, such sorceresses walked the Earth in large numbers along with other supernatural creatures.”
“I thought the king had sent us on a wild goose chase,” exclaimed Garcia. “So where do we find them?” he asked eagerly. The two of them had been on the road for almost a year and Garcia very badly wanted to head home to his beautiful wife and daughter.
Luigi was still poring over the fragile scroll. He looked up, disappointment ridden over his face. “There is mention of a great war between humans and supernaturals. After this war, the sorceresses seem to have disappeared from the face of the Earth. There were other creatures that disappeared too. Can you believe that even dragons, wolfmen and giants existed a long time ago? Do you think they were all wiped out?” he asked, anxiety underlying his voice. Garcia knew that it was not the fear of unknown creatures that caused the tremor in Luigi’s voice but dread of King Damien. Without a sorceress to present to their king, they were only risking their heads. Damien did not need affirmation. He knew he was right. He wanted a sorceress—a living, breathing sorceress.
“What do we do?” asked Luigi. The journey had forged an unlikely partnership between the two men. If they went back empty handed, they would be executed, no questions asked.
“We keep searching,” replied Garcia. “We have explored the east, the west and the south of this continent. I think instead of moving further south towards Masun, we should cross Aberevon and head north.”
“Return all the way back?” asked Luigi. “That is quite a gamble,” he said quietly.
“Something tells me that we should head north. I don’t have a reason, but my instincts have never let me down so far,” said Garcia. “Look, Luigi, if you have a compulsion to go south, I won’t stop you. I trust you,” he laughed. “A first for me. We split up and we look for this sorceress.”
Luigi stared at Garcia in astonishment. He had always treated Garcia as little more than a thug. He swallowed the lump of guilt that rose in his throat. His voice gruff, he said, “No, let’s stick together. We will go north but let us bypass Aberevon. I have a bad feeling that if we return empty handed, we will not live to see another day.”
The two were silent for a while. It was a lot to absorb—the discovery of the scroll, the fear for their lives, and the long journey that lay ahead of them.
****
Caitlin chose Szevaci, as far north from Aberevon as she could go from home for her and Joshua. It had a desolate landscape dominated by imposing geographic boundaries with mountains on all four sides. The mountainous terrain gradually subsided to make way for the waters of fast flowing icy rivers that moved rapidly to the nearby plains. At the foot of the mountains, which stretched from the northwest to the southeast in an arc, lay a large fragment of forested area. Caitlin knew they would be safe in a habitat teeming with brown bears, wolves, chamois and lynxes. No animal ever harmed her; they always saw her as a friend.
Unlike Talia, Joshua was terrified of animals, especially the ones in the wilderness, so the animals gave their home a wide berth, but Caitlin still hoped the animals would keep other dangers at bay. What about the Wraith? Nothing could keep them away. The spirits of the Heichi sorceresses would probably scare away all her animal protectors with one single hoarse whisper. She had to avoid thinking about them and just hope for the best.
Joshua, unaware of his mother’s worries and hopes, clung to Caitlin, terrified of the isolation and bleakness surrounding him, desperately missing Talia. Even the trout in the river, arcing their bodies as they performed a merry dance of their own, couldn’t distract him from the strange swirls and twists in the grey mist around them.
Joshua took to sitting on the embankment by the river for hours on end, its rough trails covered with broken boughs watching the wild waters rush by. Staring at the water, tears blurring his eyes, he imagined Talia’s sweet face smiling at him. He never went far away from his mother, though. Caitlin’s repeated pleas and entreaties to return home for supper made from the door of their home adjacent to the river would reluctantly break through his reverie and pull him back to their little cottage.
CHAPTER XI
If only we had stayed together. If only I had been with you and Joshua. The torture Damien put you through must have been horrible, but imagining your pain was much worse. Maybe the feeling of helplessness I felt wouldn’t be so if I had been there to share your torment and heartache.
Talia
CAPTURED - CAITLIN AND JOSHUA
Caitlin did not know what or whom she had fled from. Was it herself she feared? The prophecy had spoken about her perfidy, but she could never imagine letting Siobhan down or betraying Ava’s trust. It was true that she had cast off her Heichi vows the day she took Michael’s hand, but she had never gone against the Heichi in any way, and she never would.
Almost two years had passed and Joshua was now coming up to seven years old. But despite the passage of
time, his yearning for home hadn’t dampened in the least. His homesick eyes gnawed at her, and to her horror, Caitlin often felt her own resolve to stay away weaken. Don’t forget the prophecy, she would tell herself in an attempt to stem the revolt rising within her. Joshua wants to return home, as do I, but we can’t; we just can’t. It isn’t safe.
Caitlin had no choice but to suppress the deep ache of longing to see the precious faces of Joshua’s father and sister, but since Szevaci was isolated and free of prying eyes, there amidst the isolation, Caitlin found a degree of solace by surrendering to her senses and becoming one with nature once again as she had been a long time ago before Michael.
In Aberevon, she had been careful to always cover her beautiful hair, but even though she still used no magic, she had taken to leaving her blue locks wild and free once again. It reminded her of who she was and the promise of loyalty to her clan and erstwhile sisters. She could never forget Michael and Talia, but remembering her clan somehow made their absence a little more bearable.
One evening, as Caitlin laid out a simple meal of apples, gruel and aged cheese, she realized with a start that the dusky colours of the day had lulled and the sky outside had darkened. Joshua was late for supper. Where was that boy? Probably somewhere nearby moping for home again. But he was never late. Could something have happened?
The dire tones of the prophecy were back in Caitlin’s thoughts. She started shaking as terror gave wings to her feet. She ran outside, her worry for Joshua blinding her, and ran straight into the arms of a stranger. He was a short, ugly man, and behind him, slightly to his right, stood a thin, taller and academic looking man who seemed quite out of place in the wilds of Szevaci. The short and squat man gripped her arms. His coarse hand roughly caressed her head in manner that nearly made her sick while his other hand remained clasped tightly around her waist. She couldn’t escape. Hopefully these two men were merely random thugs looking for food, shelter or coin and would soon be gone once they realized her little cottage hid no riches. Her senses were screaming danger but she tried desperately to keep calm. She couldn’t see Joshua with them. She hoped that he would continue to linger by the river and the men wouldn’t see him at all.
“Is she one of them?” her captor asked the second man in a guttural voice.
Caitlin felt the panic welling up inside her on hearing these words. She only had to see the fanatic look creeping into the eyes of the thin man as he gaped at her blue hair to know the truth. She saw knowledge and recognition of its true origins and she felt afraid.
Caitlin was about to ask what they wanted from her when, as though waking up from a stupor, the second man screeched at her captor. “Garcia, shut her mouth so she won’t be able to cast a spell on us and turn us into frogs or something!”
As Garcia’s rough hand shifted from her hair to her mouth, almost cutting of her air in the process, Caitlin felt her hopes sinking. They were here for her. It was no coincidence. They knew she was a sorceress. She tried to escape by struggling and kicking out her legs, but the man shook her like a rag doll.
Her thoughts turned to Joshua. She hoped that they would not find him. She hoped Joshua would somehow escape and find his way back to his father and sister. But Aberevon was so far away.
Caitlin struggled even more frantically. She had to get away and save Joshua. If only her medallion were with her right now. She couldn’t use magic to save herself, not with her mouth covered and her hands trapped in that horrible man’s grip. She should have reacted faster. She started wriggling again, wearing out her captor’s patience. He gave an angry grunt. Her vision blurred and her legs crumpled beneath her with the vicious blow he struck on her head. She collapsed with a shrill ringing resounding in her ears. Then there was only a restless darkness.
Before they bundled Caitlin up for the journey back to Aberevon, the enterprising historian forced a mixture concocted from lemon balm leaves and the flowers of the valerian hop plants down her throat to ensure she would sleep the rest of the journey. Neither man wanted the witch to try some magic on them before they were ready for her. The potion quickly took effect. Caitlin did not move; she did not moan. She was utterly still, her face pale and drawn. She could have easily been mistaken for dead.
Joshua burst in on the two men just as Garcia hoisted Caitlin onto his shoulder. Joshua was a Heichi beyond doubt. He did not have magic, but all Heichi sons had brave hearts. They lacked immortality and power but not courage and valour. Joshua was no exception. He had always seen himself as Talia’s knight, and now he was his mother’s. It didn’t occur to him that he was only seven years old. For Joshua, a son was bound by a code of honour to his mother.
He was a knight without a dragon or a horse but he wouldn’t turn his tail and run.
Joshua took in the scene before him, his little body twitching with raw anger pumping unusual strength into his limbs allowing him to push Garcia to the ground. The surprised hunter fell, taking Caitlin with him. Garcia’s eyes blazed with acrimony, but Joshua saw none of it. He only saw Caitlin’s tightly closed eyes. “What have you done to my mama?” he yelled, rage and fear searing his childish voice. Then, as though unable to contain the violent emotions bursting within, he started pummelling Garcia with his tiny fists.
“Do something, you fool!” Garcia yelled at the gaping Luigi. “What are you waiting for? Grab him!” Garcia found himself partly trapped under Caitlin’s still body and so was unable to handle the boy.
The historian had indeed been standing motionless observing the goings-on with an air of astonishment. He was a true academician in both body and soul. He was a believer of science and logic, yet his greatest achievement was discovering the ancient text alluding to the Heichi sorceresses. To learn that there were sorceresses belonging to a secret clan and the possibility that some still dwelled on Earth excited him tremendously. The king needed a sorceress, just one of them, and they had found her. But reality and theories extolled in books are two entirely different matters. The historian learned this the hard way.
Luigi often found himself cowing before Garcia during their travels. The man had a temper and unbelievable strength. What punishment would the hunter inflict for Luigi’s ineptness in dealing with a mere child? To see a little boy confront the king’s most powerful hunter so bravely left Luigi stunned and rooted to the spot. He knew Garcia would be greatly disappointed in him. But try as he might, Luigi couldn’t bring himself to harm or even restrain the boy. At the back of his mind, he knew Garcia would exact his revenge. He managed to feel a slight twinge of pity for the boy rather than himself. If not today, then tomorrow, or months from now, but Garcia would kill the boy. Nothing less would satisfy him. He was known for his vengeful nature.
Garcia managed to extract himself from under Caitlin’s still body without any assistance from Luigi at all. Ignoring the gaping man, he grabbed the boy. He forced the sleeping potion down the child’s throat instead of throttling him like he wanted to. Maybe he should strangle Luigi instead for his ineffectual assistance. It would at least soothe his wounded ego.
CHAPTER XII
I saw the power Damien had over you. I know your actions were governed by your love for Joshua. In all his innocence and purity, Joshua became a weapon that Damien used against you.
You fought tooth and nail against the prophecy of the Wraith, but it in the end, your every thought and action only took you closer to its fulfilment. Was this destiny?
Talia
BROKEN - CAITLIN
Caitlin stood before King Damien. She looked proud and determined but her mind was filled with questions and worries. She was back in Aberevon, her home, but as a captive. After all her efforts to put distance between herself and Talia, she was right back where she started. Michael and Talia were so near yet so far. Did the king know about her kinship with them? The king’s hunters had found her far north, which she hoped meant the king did not know about Talia.
Caitlin hadn’t seen any sign of Joshua since she regained consci
ousness, nor had anyone mentioned him. Did this mean he’d managed to escape? Could she dare hope?
Caitlin stared straight ahead, but the words of her old friend Ava swirled through her mind, weakening her knees with fear. Always remember that you are in possession of a unique gift. Everlasting youth, an elixir humans are constantly in search of. You must protect your secret at all costs. How much did Damien know about her? She remembered all the rumours she had heard about him, his brutal and cunning nature, and that he’d killed his own father for the throne. Michael had always sheltered her and the children from the king and his henchmen, but now she stood before him, alone and vulnerable.
As if reading her mind, Damien asked, “Do you know of my friend Ava? You look just like her. Are you one of her sisters?” Caitlin didn’t say a word. However hard she tried to mask her surprise, it showed in her eyes; she couldn’t help it. Was he a magical being too? How could he know that she was thinking of Ava? How did he know Ava at all? He wasn’t supposed to know of sorceresses.
“Ah,” the king said, rubbing his hands in delight. “I was almost beginning to think I’d imagined her.” Grinning, he asked, “So tell me this. Why were you hiding in a remote corner of the world where there are neither supernaturals nor humans? Don’t you have any other family? Did you know I was looking for you?”
The king saw the fear in her eyes. He smiled to himself. So she does have family other than the boy. He would give her time and then reel her into his trap. For now, the boy would suffice to make her do his bidding, and then he would uncover the remaining members of her family. Hopefully there was another sorceress or two hidden somewhere. He wanted all the power he could get.
The king commanded a private meeting with Caitlin, but only after ensuring she was well bound so she could do no magic. He asked for all his men to leave the room. He could see her confusion. She could not understand what was happening.