by Shawnna Lea
"Whisper is more Katrin than Human. Let me tell you a little about that. In the past Katrin were used as amplifiers to magic wielders-familiars some call them, tools to increase a wizards magical abilities. Treated as nothing but that. See, any magic wielder has a certain amount of power they draw from the universe or the earth. However, if drawn through a Katrin to them they're able to draw an enormous amount more their normal capacity. I believe Whisper has had experiences in the past with this which is why he's so nervous all the time. No doubt he's been hurt. He must care for you a great deal to have gone up against Traz for you." Avic rolled his eyes.
"Or just hated Traz and took advantage of me being unconscious." She scowled.
"And this is probably why he didn't tell you what really happened here." Avic glared at her, then around the room again. Whisper wasn't hurt so he had to assume the blood splatters were Traz's.
"So why would Traz try to kill me?" Sylvia shrugged looking around once more.
"Probably to try to retrieve the part of the magic you got." Avic almost tripped.
"What magic? I don't have any magic." Sylvia put her hands on her hips giving him a stern look.
"You touched the Dark Star as well. As did Whisper but being Katrin he can't call on magic. I believe he has the ability to manipulate what's in use but nothing more. Not that I think he would want to." She turned back to studying the wall.
"I have magic? From a Dark Star?" Sylvia sighed motioning to strange scribblings on the far wall.
"You don't know how to use it because you have no natural abilities. Traz on the other hand understood perfectly as did Whisper."
"Wait, so WHISPER is a wizard? He can use magic?" Sylvia laughed rubbing her knee.
"Oh Avic. I see why no one explained this to you before." Avic sat on a stone rubbing his head. Sylvia was confusing him. "You also aught to know that Whisper probably knows EXACTLY where Traz is as well as you. You are linked." Avic sighed looking up at Sylvia. He felt completely betrayed. All this time Whisper was lying. Lies lies lies. He was done with it. He stood.
"Can you tell where he went?"
"You're upset." Avic threw his hands in the air.
"I just want this done with. Whisper left and I have to find Traz and hope he will quit this craziness. IF it's even him. Whisper might be lying about that too."
"It's hard when you think you can't trust someone. But you shouldn't be angry about this. Whisper did what he thought was best for you."
"Himself you mean." Sylvia conceded the point, nodding.
"And himself." She shook her head sadly. "As you said before, he's all you have left. But perhaps you're all he's ever had. Traz will know you're coming and if he tries to kill you again? What will you do?"
Avic hung his head. Now he knew it really was impossible. Him against a wizard? How could he possibly win? He picked up the lamp walking through the sparkling beauty all around him without caring. He could hear Sylvia following. They climbed in silence out of the mine, Sylvia leaning on him as her leg pained her. The horses greeted them as they came out into the light. Sylvia sat on a rock rubbing her leg. Avic stroked his horse's velvety nose.
"I'm coming with you." He turned in surprise at her declaration.
"You can't do that! What about your family?" Sylvia rubbed at the dirt on her hands before looking up.
"He needs to be stopped or there won't be any safety for my family. And what then?" She took the reigns to her horse and climbed up. "There's no point in arguing. You need me." She clicked her tongue to the horse and it started it's careful descent. Avic followed her down, agreeing that he needed help.
Chapter 12
When they got back down to camp, Avic was shocked to see Whisper was there. And not only was he there, but he was on the ground with all three of Sylvia's kids, making a tiny castle out of sticks and leaves. The youngest was even sitting on his shoulders, playing with his ears.
Warren greeted them, helping his wife down. Whisper pretended not to notice them. Avic felt his anger grow again.
"What REALLY happened, Whisper? And why all this trouble when you know where Traz is yourself?" Whisper glanced at him, his ears drooping. He looked pathetic as he shrugged with those big dark eyes looking up at him. He couldn't tell if it was real or not. Avic waited, trying not to look upset. It would do no good to chase him off now. Whisper stood, taking the little one off his shoulders as she giggled. He walked past Avic toward the trees. Avic followed him till he stopped in a little clearing and sat. Avic joined him, his anger gone as he wondered if Whisper was actually going to confide in him. Whisper picked at his shirt sleeve not looking up.
"I can't go with you. If Traz got hold of me that would be that. Be much worse than the sky falling. So, I thought maybe if Sylvia chose to go with you, it would be better. So I didn't tell you I knew where he was." Avic thought about that. Sylvia said Whisper could be used to make a wizard more powerful. She didn't say how, but that was something they didn't need.
"Alright. You're right, that wouldn't be good. Are you alright?"
Whisper looked up finally, confused.
"Yes. Why?"
Avic shrugged.
"There was blood and soot all over in there. Just wondering if I missed something." He didn't look at Whisper directly. And Whisper didn't respond immediately.
"No. That's Traz's. He's probably pretty mad at me. He tried to kill you, and I uh..." He flexed his short fingers, tapping his claws together. "Wrecked his face. I was aiming for his throat." Avic shook his head, smiling a little.
"So, you chased him off?" Whisper nodded. Avic shuffled his feet a little. "Why don't you just do that anytime a wizard tries to... um... use you? It's happened before, hasn't it?"
Whisper looked straight ahead, his ears drooping again. He chewed his lip briefly then shrugged.
"I've been there. It was… horrible. With a stroke of luck, I didn't get killed escaping. And I didn't drown." He paused, considering saying more but changed his mind. "Traz was going to take me with him, but he didn't want you. So, when he bent down to slit your throat, I jumped him. I'm still surprised you didn't get hit by any of those fireballs he was throwing around. He was mad and forgot he wanted me alive, and that gave me the advantage." Though curious about his first comment, Avic decided not to push his luck.
"Well, your plan worked. Sylvia wants to come with." Whisper nodded, but he still looked unhappy. "Where will you go?"
"I thought I'd come with you a little ways. Maybe go to Briggston. It's a big city and crowded. I like crowded cities." Avic nodded, getting up and pulling Whisper to his feet.
"I'll have to look you up when this is over." Whisper gave half a smile, and Avic knew Whisper didn't believe he would survive.
Warren looked upset when they got back. Whisper ignored the fact, putting another couple of sticks in the fire. Avic didn't have the good sense, however.
"What's happening?" Warren tossed a log into the flames making Whisper jump back from the flying coals.
"I think we've done enough now, and I don't want Sylvia going with you to find this wizard. It's too dangerous. She has a family, you know." Avic knew and was about to say so when Sylvia cut him off.
"You can handle the children till I get back. It's really not that far away, and Avic is going to need someone who can tell him when magic is being used. You'll have our new home and your blacksmith shop to distract you anyway." Warren was not placated, but he didn't argue further.
Whisper cautiously got closer to the flames again.
"I think it's a great plan."
Warren's scowl grew.
"How about dinner?" Sylvia got everything going, and Avic tried not to think that he might be the cause of this family looking their mother.
After a restless night and an unsatisfying breakfast, they rode around the base of the mountain having left Warren miles back at the crossroads. Avic had been slightly embarrassed witnessing their farewell and felt guilty about it all. Whisper, on the other hand, d
idn't seem affected at all.
Ahead, the road descended into a valley. They paused at the top of the hill, just taking it in. The entire valley looked like a bowl of steaming soup. Bits of treetops were visible over the billowing mist but nothing more. Avic exchanged a glance with Sylvia.
"I'm out of here." Whisper didn't give them a chance to say goodbye as he turned his horse, galloping away.
"Well, I suppose we had better go down there. If I'm not mistaken, Traz is right at the center of this... cloud." Sylvia started down the road again, and Avic kicked his horse to catch up. He was not feeling confident at all.
Far around the mountain, Whisper slowed his horse, feeling safer. Yet, he was still nervous. He could feel Avic's unsettled feelings, and farther away, Traz was aware he was coming. Whisper sighed in disappointment. It had been kind of nice having someone to do things with. Like his time after captivity.
His mind drifted to memories of waves above and the strange creatures that inhabited that land. He pushed it all from his mind. He'd left them, and there was little chance he'd ever return. Now he had to get used to being lonely again for he didn't think Traz would allow Avic to live. Sylvia either.
His horse stopped moving, beginning to crop the grass, and Whisper looked down at the animal. He looked back over his shoulder.
"Fine then. But it's your fault if I get trapped and Traz destroys everything." He turned the horse around and started slowly back. "That is, more than he already has."
Chapter 13
The mist swirled around them, the damp chill making them shiver. Sylvia pulled her deep purple cloak closer around her. The horses hoof beats were the only noise in the quiet. Avic fidgeted beside her. She didn't blame him for being nervous. Traz may try to kill him again, and she didn't think she could do much to prevent that. She might not even be able to protect herself. She was banking on him having had time to calm down a bit.
Without warning, the mist simply ended. It was like walking around a corner after being in a blank hallway for hours. Before them was a sunny clearing, and right in the middle-impossible as it was-a grand mansion sat, pedicured lawns and all. She was impressed. To make space out of nothing was a very high level of magic, far beyond what she ever hoped to be able to accomplish. The intricate weaving of spells all around the mansion made her pause in wonder.
Avic pulled ahead, apparently determined to get this over with. They dismounted in front of the wide doors. The designs carved in the doors matched the spells weaving, and she wondered if anything in this clearing was actually real. Avic rubbed his sweating palms on his jacket before grasping the large brass knocker and letting it fall. The boom was louder than natural ,and Avic stepped back. No answer came, and he smiled at Sylvia, preparing himself to knock again.
"If Whisper were here he'd probably just walk in." He laughed nervously, obviously trying to convince himself to keep going. Sylvia nodded encouragingly. As he reached for the knocker again, the door began to open. They both stepped back ,unsure what to expect. The doorway was empty as a grand, long hall was revealed. Avic took a deep breath and stepped in, Sylvia right behind him. The walls were carved white marble, all designed similar to the door, the swirling patterns reminding Avic somewhat of the painting in the mine shaft but instead of animals it was more like large swirls of water or mist.
There were no other doorways, and Avic wondered at how impossible this place was. It was more than this room and yet not. His gaze was drawn to the end of the hall where, at the top of many steps, sat a throne. It had to be higher and grander than even the king’s; laced in gold and silver. He shivered. Perhaps he should have listened to Whisper, for this did not seem the Traz he knew.
They paused at the bottom of the steps, looking around.
"Where is he?" Avic kept his voice down, but it still seemed too loud.
"He's here. Considering the décor, I'd say he has a grand entrance planned."
Right on cue with a clap like thunder, a dark ring appeared on the dais revealing a man in green robes trimmed in black. He sat on the throne comfortably, sipping wine from a crystal glass. Avic hardly recognized him. Though the face was the same, the dark beard trimmed neatly, his demeanor was different. Instead of the energetic Traz he knew, this man was calm and confident, emanating a sense of power he hadn't come across before. The only thing to mar the handsome appearance was the white scarring; four thin lines from his chin up his cheek disappearing in his hair. He smiled, but Avic didn't feel any warmth coming from him.
"Avic, how nice of you to come. And with a new friend too." He nodded to Sylvia. "And where is our little Whisper? Is he skulking around planning more murderous thoughts?" Avic shifted uncomfortably.
"Actually, he isn't with me." He turned to Sylvia, lowering his voice. "I thought you said he and Whisper could tell where we all are?"
She made a face.
"I told you. Whisper is Katrin. The rules are different for him."
"Indeed, they are." Traz stood, descending the steps slowly. "Apparently he can try killing ANYONE and you don't bat an eye. I thought we were friends?" Avic took a step back.
"He said it was self defense."
"Self defense." He shook his head, walking confidently between Avic and Sylvia, then spinning on his heal to stare at Avic. "That jerk wouldn't help me get you out! I was wounded, and when he went to leave us, I wouldn't let him. That's when he tried to kill me!" He turned away. "I didn't want to leave you, but he gave me no choice. I thought I could go back for you once he left, but apparently he took you with him. I'm glad you were found before he dumped you in a ditch." He turned back, his eyes pleading for Avic to believe him. "You're my best friend! I never thought Whisper was a good influence for you."
Avic sighed.
"It seems to be a common opinion."
Traz smiled then started laughing.
"Now that that's out of the way, let me show you around! I've done some amazing things." Sylvia snatched Avic's sleeve as he turned to follow Traz.
"Yes, we've seen some marvelous things already. Like the sky falling and disintegrating anything it touches." Traz paused frowning.
"Ah. Yes. Well that began a little while ago. I have a theory, though. That magic we touched, I believe it doesn't like being divided. We'll have to put it back together. Which is another reason I asked where Whisper was. He has a third, you know." The wall parted, and Traz walked through the new delicate archway, motioning them to follow. Avic wasn't sure. His story seemed convincing and yet... Whisper didn't leave him in the dungeon, ten times more dangerous than a cave pain wise. But had Whisper told him what REALLY happened in the cave? Traz turned back to them a flicker of annoyance on his face.
"You don't believe me?" Sylvia took a step back, tugging at Avic.
"It's just so confusing. Everyone has their own story, and all I want is the sky to stop falling. A lot of people are being hurt, Traz."
He meant to smooth over the situation, even distract, but apparently this new Traz had limited patience. Sylvia was shouting something, but Avic could hardly hear her over the roaring around him. She was farther away now, and Avic wished he hadn't come.
Chapter 14
Avic looked around him once it was quiet again. The hall was empty.
"Sylvia? SYLVIA!" A harsh, short laugh answered him, and he spun, looking for the source. No one was there, and now he realized there were no doors. He spun around the center of the room, looking for any way out, but he was trapped.
"Traz!" The short laugh answered him, and he backed up to the wall. Whisper was right. He sure had a better sense about these things than him. Avic pounded the wall with his fist. Now he had lost Sylvia too.
"I will make a trade with you, then." Avic spun toward the voice seeing Traz sitting arrogantly on his throne again.
"Where's Sylvia?"
Traz smiled.
"Well now, that's the trade. You give me the part of the power you took, and I give you the witch. We both win." Avic hesitated. If Traz was d
oing this much damage with just a third of the power, what would he do with more?
"Traz, you don't want to do this. Innocent people are being hurt! Killed even! Why?"
Traz's smile grew.
"Ah, Avic, you're so naive." He stood, the air crackling around him as he lifted his arms. "Power, Avic! No one ignores or sneers at the one with power! I will have those fools at the palace begging me on their hands and knees before I'm done!" He chuckled sitting and carefully crossing his legs. "And you."
Avic shook his head sadly. He knew all too well what power over people could do. Traz had never felt that way before. He liked helping people and didn't care what others thought.
"You've changed. For the worse. Let Sylvia go or--" Traz jumped from the throne, his face darkening in anger.
"Or WHAT, Avic? What will you do? I'll tell you what. Nothing. It's an empty threat, whatever it is. And you want to know why? Because you and I both know you won't do anything to hurt your friend." He waved his hand, Sylvia appearing in a bubble above him. She was shouting something, but Avic couldn't hear her. All he could do was stare. Traz was serious. He knew that now. And he had put Sylvia in harm's way. Warren would kill him if anything happened to her. That is, if Traz didn't beat him to it. He sighed giving up.
"Let her go, Traz. I'll do what you want." He watched, beginning to loath the man who walked so arrogantly down the stairs.
"All I want from you, Avic Braddock, is the power you took." Avic shrugged.
"Fine, let her go."
Traz chuckled again, circling him.
"I wouldn't want a witch behind me while distracted, Avic. Only after I have your power will I let her go." Sylvia pounded her fists against the bubble, shaking her head at him. Obviously she didn't want him to do this for her. But he couldn't be the cause of her death. He already had enough guilt on his shoulders.
"You give your word you'll let her go."
"I'll do better than that! I'll let you both go. Just give me what I ask!"