Resurrection of an Empire: The Magic Within (The Magic Within Series Book 2)

by Sharon Gibbs

  ‘Thank you, Henry,’ Ed said as he mounted the podium. Henry placed a wreath around Ed’s neck and shook his hand before he stepped down to give him the floor. ‘I’d like to thank those who’ve elected me Governor. We all know there is much work to be done to rebuild our village and together we shall accomplish a great many things.’

  ‘Hear! Hear!’ the villagers in the crowd called back.

  The commotion continued on as well-wishers congratulated their new Governor until the crowd dwindled and those remaining took their celebrations to the nearby inn.

  ‘Is that everything?’ Elle asked as they loaded the last of the boxes into the wagon.

  ‘Yes, I think so. Anything we’ve forgotten can be collected tomorrow. It’s been a long day,’ Christopher said and they both climbed up to the front seat and set off towards home.

  Gathering in the great hall, food was shared and everyone talked about the events of that day. Tomorrow the wagons would be loaded and the soldiers of Solencia would escort the precious cargo and deliver it to the newly elected Governors.

  ‘Well, I for one will be turning in early,’ Henry said as he helped himself to another piece of cake. ‘There’s much to be done tomorrow, and as it is we won’t be ready to leave until late morning.’

  ‘Henry, we’ll be ready earlier than you think,’ Jack said. ‘I already have the majority of items we need packed in the wagons so we can get an early start.’

  ‘Well as long as it’s after breakfast, Jack. I don’t like to travel on an empty stomach.’ All at the table laughed. They knew Henry was more than a little partial to a decent meal.

  ‘Elle, come for a walk,’ Christopher said and he held his hand out to help her from her chair. ‘We’ll bid you goodnight, gentlemen, and see you in the morning.’

  ‘Goodnight, everyone,’ Elle said and she bent over and gave her father a kiss.

  ‘Night, lass,’ Atlas said. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

  The two lovers left for a late night stroll in the garden, and as they walked down the front steps of the Keep, a cool breeze whipped at their light clothing and the moon shone brightly, illuminating the garden. Holding hands they walked along the paths which were edged with small shrubs, and as they made their way over to the fountain near the large oak tree Elle smiled.

  ‘What is it?’ Christopher asked, and he smiled back at her.

  ‘I was just thinking how happy I am. I’m here with you and my family are all safe. Tomorrow we shall leave, and I’ll be able to see Hank again when we stop in Canameer. I miss him so, Christopher.’

  ‘I know you do. It’ll be good to see him again.’

  They continued their walk around the grounds and stopped over near the wall which overlooked the common. Below they could see the warm glow of light in the houses, and Christopher was glad that he had made the Keep his home. Finally, everything he’d yearned for as a young man had fallen into place. He was free, they all were, and now they could all look forward to a bright and happy future.

  Chapter Eleven

  Finch walked along the road. He was headed into the village with a message for Christopher. The sun shone bright and the road ahead was clear. Birds twittered as they flew from tree to tree, and the breeze ruffled his hair.

  Then above him the sky crackled with lightning and rolled with thunder as the clouds darkened and were blown in to cast the village in an eerie light. The wind whipped up leaves on the side of the road and they blew across in front of the boy. Finch stopped. He was hesitant to proceed further, and he looked around uneasily. He’d walked this way to the village many times before, but this time something was different.

  He peered back the way he’d come but instead of the road which led back to the common, behind him now was a crumbling city. He looked ahead again and the road which he thought led into Canistar was now covered in the white drifts of winter. The wind buffeted his summer garments as the gale blew off the ocean and the road wound its way down towards the sea. Through the falling snow he could see a building in the distance with a round blue dome that erupted from its midst.

  Finch turned and looked back again. There amongst a veil of white stood the rundown buildings of a vacant city. He was confused. He’d been headed to see Christopher and the weather had been warm, but now he didn’t recognise where he was. He looked down. The slush from the road had stained his feet. Why had he left the Keep with no shoes? Finch knew he hadn’t taken a wrong turn and besides, the Keep was nowhere near the coast.

  The ground beneath his feet began to vibrate and crack the icy shards at the edge of the road. They tumbled in front of him as a loud rumble echoed in the distance. The sound roared towards him and he turned to run but the earth shook with such violence that it was all he could do to stagger back towards the deserted city. His foot slipped on the icy road and he fell. Lying on the cold, frozen ground he looked over his shoulder. A vine shot from the earth and then another sprouted. They burst through the snowy white blanket no matter where he looked. Scrambling to his feet, he scurried towards the first house he saw, to seek refuge within. Racing inside he spotted a fireplace, and climbing inside, he hid.

  A wail echoed louder than anything Finch had ever heard before and in fear, he placed his hands over his ears to drown out the deafening roar. Out on the road the vines continued to burst through the snow and grow at a rapid pace. They shot across the land to encompass all within their reach as they twisted and grew, shooting up towards the sky. As Finch huddled in the fireplace he heard the splintering of wood as the rampant growth tore through the dilapidated building. A tendril weaved its way towards him and shot upwards, ripping the building from its foundation.

  Finch screamed as a massive trunk grew in front of the hearth, trapping him within the confines of the small alcove. The trunk thickened and began to crush the stone hearth where Finch hid, and he huddled further into its depths. The structure of his haven began to crumble and just as he thought he would be crushed, the vines ceased their sporadic growth. The stone cracked no further, and his fear lessened until he heard a noise outside his enclosure.

  It came as a quiet rustle until it smelt him. With ferocity it clawed its way towards the boy. As the beast pushed its nose into the interior of the small space where Finch hid, it snapped its jaws as it made progress into his hideaway. He was trapped. Kicking out at the beast’s head as it probed its nose into his small hideout, he inched back as far as he could. But the animal wouldn’t give up. Its teeth snapped towards him and then the beast’s fangs sank deep into his leg. He howled as pain seared through his body and he struggled to escape.

  The creature shook him and dragged him out from his hidey hole. It pulled him out into the room filled with vines and then released him. Finch shuffled back towards the stone hearth as he watched the beast’s red eyes glow in the darkened room. The vines sprouted again and wove their way towards him, securing their stringy lengths around his legs to hold him prisoner. As he lay trapped on the floor of the deserted house, he heard the creatures yap in the dark beyond the twisted wall of vine. The snarls crept closer and as he screamed out for help the fanged beasts attacked.

  Shyla shook the boy. His screams had again woken her from her sleep. His sheets were saturated and tangled around his legs.

  ‘Finch, Finch wake up,’ she said as she grabbed his arm. In an instant he sat bolt upright. His chest pounded and he gasped for breath. Sweat trickled from his brow and his night clothes were soaked. ‘It’s Shyla, Finch. Did you have that dream again?’

  He nodded in confusion, reaching for his bowl. He’d had the same dream for months now, ever since Christopher had returned to the Keep.

  ‘Come, I’ll make you a warm drink. That always calms you,’ she said as she helped him from his bed.

  ‘I’ll meet you down in the kitchens after I change,’ he said, rising from his damp bed. Shyla stripped the sheets and carried the mass with her down to the kitchen. She’d wash them later that day.

  As Finch chan
ged into dry clothes he thought about the recurring dream. It bothered him. He’d thought nothing the first time it had occurred, but now the nightmare came often and he’d found that no matter if he went for days without sleep, as soon as he closed his eyes he would end up on the road with a message for Christopher. He made his way from his room on the servants’ floor down the back stairs to the kitchen.

  ‘Are you alright now?’ Shyla asked as Finch sat near the crackling heat of the fire. It was early morning and Shyla had already begun her chores for the day.

  ‘Yes, but I don’t understand why I keep having the same dream. What could it mean?’

  ‘If I were you, I’d speak with the wizards. They’ll know what to do. Maybe Henry could mix you a potion to help you sleep and keep the dreams at bay,’ she said as she passed him a cup of tea and they sat around the warmth of the fire together.

  <><><>

  ‘Sir. Sir!’

  ‘Yes, Finch. What is it, lad?’ Henry stopped to wait for the boy. He was on his way to deposit his two bags by the Keep’s front portal. As Finch caught up with the wizard, Henry noticed the pallor of the boy’s skin and he placed his bags down.

  ‘Are you feeling ill lad?’ Henry reached out to touch the boy’s forehead. It was cool but felt clammy and Henry noticed the circles under the boy’s eyes. He sent forth a minute wave of healing energy to boost the boy’s recovery.

  ‘Not so much anymore. Shyla made me some tea and my stomach is feeling a little better.

  ‘Good. Now what is it you wanted, lad?’

  ‘Well…’ Finch fidgeted. ‘You see… I had a dream.’

  Henry listened to the boy’s story and thought it nothing more than a nightmare.

  ‘Yes, dreams can be strange like that,’ he said. ‘One minute you’re in one place and poof, the next you’re somewhere else. They can be full of weird and wonderful things but they are only dreams, Finch, and…’ He fished around in his pocket and pulled out small coin. ‘Here, this is the one,’ he said as he held up the coin for the boy to see. Rubbing the small disk on his cloak he inspected it again. ‘Yes, this is definitely the one.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘It’s a dream coin.’

  ‘What’s a dream coin?’

  ‘It’s a special coin that keeps nightmares away,’ Henry said. ‘One simply places it under their pillow at night and it wards off the bad dreams.’

  ‘Oh, that would be a handy thing to have.’

  ‘Yes, I’ve had it since I was a boy,’ Henry said and he placed it back in his pocket.

  ‘Where could I get one of those dream coins?’

  ‘Oh, you can’t buy them, Finch. They have to be given for them to work properly.’

  Henry noticed the hope vanish from the boy’s face.

  ‘Would you like to borrow mine? I didn’t really want to take it with me in case I lost it,’ Henry said and he pulled the coin back out of his pocket and offered it to the boy.

  ‘Could I really?’

  ‘Of course you can,’ he said as he handed the boy the coin. Smiling, Finch held up the disk and gazed at it with relief. He traced his finger over the patterns on its surface before placing it in his pocket. ‘I must move along, lad. The wagons are being loaded, but if the sickness doesn’t abate soon go and ask cook for a mug of Horn root.’

  ‘Thank you, sir. I’ll see you when you get back.’

  Finch watched as Henry picked up his bags and headed towards the door.

  ‘There you are, Finch,’ Shyla said. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Are you feeling any better?’

  ‘I’m feeling much better now,’ he said and he slipped his hand in his pocket to feel the cool metal of the coin.

  ‘Well, come on then. They’ll be leaving soon,’ Shyla said, and she pulled Finch by the arm and they headed outside.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Jack, we shall see you when you arrive in The Dale,’ Christopher called out as he waved their party off.

  ‘Now, father, take care of yourself,’ Elle said as she fussed over him. ‘We shan’t be away for too long. Hopefully we’ll be back before the first snow falls.’

  ‘Lass, there’s a whole contingent of people here at the Keep. I’ll be fine,’ Atlas said to his daughter. ‘Make sure you give that parcel to Hank, and I’ll see you all when you get back. Now go, Christopher is waiting.’

  ‘Goodbye, father,’ Elle said as she stood up on her toes and kissed him farewell before dashing off to the wagon. Christopher reached down to help Elle up, and she squeezed past him to take her seat. Clarence was seated on her left while Christopher sat to the right, ready to drive the team.

  ‘We’re ready, Goodwin. You take the lead,’ Christopher called to the soldier who Jack had chosen to escort their party.

  ‘Head out,’ Goodwin yelled to his men. He flicked his reins and pushed his mount forward and the procession began down the mountain.

  Shyla and Finch rushed out of the Keep’s portal to wave goodbye. Standing at the top of the steps they waved until they’d lost sight of them.

  ‘So, did you see Henry before he left?’ Shyla asked the young boy.

  ‘Yes, just before you found me. I’ll be fine now,’ he said as he patted his pocket. They walked over to the stone fence and watched the soldiers ride through the common and on towards the village.

  The two parties would take alternate routes and eventually meet up in The Dale. The sun shone brightly and the travellers felt the nip of the cool morning air. Elle covered her hair with the hood of her cloak to ward off the morning chill.

  ‘Yes, it’s still a bit nippy,’ Clarence said, his warm breath condensing in the cold morning air.

  Elle shifted closer to Christopher for warmth, and he in return placed his arm around her as the horses passed through the gates of the common and headed along the road to the village.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Goodwin rode into the market of Canameer, the people of the town stopped to watch the wagon and its convoy pull to a halt in front of the butcher’s stall. Clarence climbed down from his seat and as he made his way up the stairs to the front door of the shop, Hank was already headed out to greet them.

  ‘You’re here earlier than I’d expected. It’s good to see you again,’ Hank said as he extended his hand to greet the wizard.

  ‘Hank, you’re looking well. It’s good to be back,’ Clarence said as he looked around the square. The platform he’d stood on every month for the last twenty years was gone, but the reminder of his torture still remained.

  ‘Don’t think of things from the past, Clarence. We have a new beginning and the town has taken wholeheartedly to it.’

  The wizard nodded his acknowledgement and said, ‘To look to the future is all we can do.’

  ‘Hank, I’ve missed you so much.’ Elle stepped up on the porch and hugged her old friend.

  ‘Lass, you will never know how much I’ve missed you too. Now let me look at you,’ he said as she released her embrace. ‘Never a lovelier lass has there ever lived.’ She looked healthy and strong; freedom certainly did agree with the girl. She was dressed in new clothes and wore a cloak that looked warmer than the threadbare one she used to own.

  ‘Father sent this for you,’ she said as she handed him the parcel.

  ‘What’s this then?’

  ‘I’m not sure. He asked me to give it to you, so I guess you’ll have to open it and see.’

  Hank opened the wrapping and removed a piece of cloth. He carefully unfolded the material. Nestled inside the folds was a carving of the Tree of Life. He smiled at the gift and remembered back to the time his wife was alive. She had been born in Canistar and believed in the power of the Tree of Life. The carving was made from stone and was similar to the one that had hung over his fireplace since the time of their wedding. During the time Arnak’s men had invaded the town it had been destroyed and his beloved wife’s treasure had been lost.

  As a tear glimmered in his eye he said, ‘Thank
your father for me, and tell him I’m truly honoured.’

  Elle touched his arm as she saw his emotion. ‘You can be sure I will.’

  ‘Hank.’ Christopher took the steps two at a time and reached out to shake the butcher’s hand. ‘It’s nice to see you again. Especially under happier circumstances.’

  ‘That it is, lad. That it is.’

  ‘So who did the people elect as Governor for the town?’ Christopher asked.

  ‘Young Mosely, Christopher. He pipped me in the running with the last few votes, but I managed to gain a seat on the council.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Elle said.

  ‘We all need to look to the future, Elle. Besides, the men on the council are a responsible lot and I’m sure Mosely will have plenty of guidance with the choices he makes. Come, I’ll take you to his house. I’m sure you’ve much to discuss.’

  ‘You go on without me, Christopher,’ Elle said. ‘There are a few things I’d like to buy in the market and people I’d like to catch up with.’

  ‘Of course. I’ll come back and collect you when we’ve finished,’ he said and he kissed her goodbye.

  The soldiers followed after Hank and the wizards, guarding the precious cargo in the wagon. There were three chests stowed aboard, and Canameer’s was the largest. The town was inhabited by many more people than the other villages they were to venture to and so they received a larger share of the wealth.

  Hank strode up the path to Mosely’s home and rapped on the door. Within moments the door swung inwards and an old woman stood in the opening.

  ‘Oh, good morning, Hank.’

  ‘Good morning, Clara,’ Hank replied. ‘Is Johnathon at home?’