by Jon Bender
Adriana grinned at Jaxom when she spoke. “Maybe I will.”
Jaxom returned the smile, but his mind had wandered back to the door in his dream. The conversation moved onto more mundane topics. Both Yinafil and Buewin were very interested in learning more about Ale’adaria and the other kingdoms. None from their village had traveled outside the forest in fifty years. The last time had been to repel the Rilnormans who had begun building towns at the edge of the forest. In turn, they told them about their people and the dozen villages that they called home. Buewin explained that they were in the middle of a dispute with a neighboring people who had ventured onto their land to hunt, and that he hoped it would not lead to conflict. Jaxom remained polite, answering all questions asked of him, but Adriana and Laiden kept the conversation moving. The young man was very interested in their lives and customs, and Yinafil seemed happy to tell him as much as he wanted to know. The Narux took a special interest in what Vaniece knew about Rilnorm, the kingdom having been a threat to them in the past. Darian remained surprisingly quiet, enjoying the food and what had turned out to be sweet wine. Brenin had moved off to another table and was talking to a laughing girl who sat with an older man, whom Jaxom assumed was her father, looking on and not appearing happy with the attention his daughter was getting from the dashing Guardsman.
As people finished their meals, women began to carry the leftovers and plates away, and the conversation became more serious. “I have told you that the stone city you seek is very dangerous. Do you still intend to go?” Buewin asked.
Jaxom nodded. “I do.”
“Then I will take you tomorrow,” he said.
“That won’t be necessary,” Jaxom said.
“The forest holds many dangers, and the people of other villages will not know you. It is best I travel at your side, for a while at least.”
“What about the people following us?” Shouldn’t you be here if they don’t agree to leave?” Vaniece asked.
“Our son, Logeth, will deal with them,” Yinafil said, pride and confidence resonating in her voice.
“I would be grateful for your guidance,” Jaxom said, relenting. “How long is the journey?”
“We will be there within three days.”
Jaxom nodded, the urge to leave immediately was almost overpowering, but Buewin was right. They would arrive more safely and possibly faster if he led them. Leaving right then was not practical in any case. Night was falling and the people were already lighting the tall torchers that surrounded the village. Jaxom’s eyes turned in the direction of the fortress. Three days, and he would have his cure, or he would die. The thought was strangely calming. Whatever happened, the ordeal would finally be over.
Chapter 20
They rose on the third day to the sound of song birds after an uncomfortable evening on the forest floor. They had woken in the middle of the night to a marching army of large, brown ants whose bites stung horribly. Buewin had rescued them by setting several small fires around their camp and then tossing a reedy plant on top of the flames. The smell of the burning plant was almost unbearable, but soon the area cleared of pests, and they returned to sleep unmolested. The day before, they had been once again surrounded by a group of men dressed like Buewin. After a short conversation with their leader, the men had departed without incident. Buewin had returned to them with a smug look, his meaning clear. They were lucky to have him along.
Jaxom and Vaniece had decided to walk instead of ride double on the durgen once they had broken camp. She was still amazed at the risen and had made Jaxom promise to show her how it was made. He had agreed but admitted that the intricate process of connecting bone, muscle, and sinew was not among his strongest skills.
After drifting back from the group a bit, she changed the subject. “Have you discovered anything else from these dreams you have been having?” she asked.
Jaxom shook his head. “No, but they have been becoming more real. I can feel the fortress calling me. I’m sure I could find it without Buewin’s help, even blindfolded.”
She stared off into the forest for a moment, lost in deep thought. “I think I should go with you. Whatever is in there is obviously dangerous. You shouldn’t face it alone.”
“In the dream, I’m alone. It feels… right,” he said.
“We don’t even know where this dream is coming from, or what this risen bird did to you. You yourself have said that it could be your magic forcing you down this path.”
“I must face whatever there is alone,” he said firmly.
She opened her mouth to argue then closed it again. “I don’t want to fail you again,” she said instead.
Jaxom looked at her, waiting until she met his eyes. “You didn’t fail me. You were only a few years older than I was. If you need my forgiveness, you have it. I don’t blame anyone for what happened. We all did the best we could.”
She stopped and faced him. Wrapping her arms around him, she laid her head on his shoulder and whispered into his ear. “Thank you.”
Jaxom hugged her back. “Now, let’s put all that behind us. We have a long future together, and this is only the first step toward securing it.”
She smiled and ruffled his hair before moving forward again. Jaxom moved up to walk closer to Laiden. “How are you doing?”
The young man jerked his head, startled out of his thoughts. “I’m fine, Magus. I was just thinking,” he said quietly.
“Thinking about what?” Jaxom pressed.
Laiden paused as if considering whether to answer. “That, someday, I might be back here. What is happening to you might happen to me.”
Jaxom nodded, wishing he had more reassuring words for the apprentice. He patted Laiden’s leg. “If you do have to come here, I will be by your side,” he said. The young man nodded, squaring his shoulders.
“Jaxom, can you hear me?” a strong voice carried through the air. Both he and Laiden’s heads whipped around, looking for the source. His apprentice grabbed the hilt of his sword. “Answer me, little brother, or I will send the whole alliance searching for you.”
Jaxom looked down at his hand and sighed. He had not used the whispering stone to contact Corin for a while. This was not a conversation he wanted to have. The point of the journey had been to find Vaniece, but had not told his brother the whole story. Corin would be upset, but that would be unavoidable unless he outright lied.
The others had heard Corin as well, and seeing Jaxom staring at the ring, understood. Buewin was still tense, gripping his spear in both hands as he searched the forest. Jaxom stepped away from the others to where he could not be heard.
When he felt that he was far enough, he lifted the ring near his lips. “It’s good to hear from you. Have you taken Bruxa?” he said.
“Finally.” Corin’s exasperated voice came through the ring. “Yes, we have taken Bruxa, and Shana has taken her place on the throne. She will need more time to completely unify the kingdom, but we are ready to continue east.”
Jaxom heard a slight shift in his brother’s tone when he mentioned Shana. It almost sounded like affection. “How did we fare?”
“Our losses were small, thanks to Alimar and the rest of your school. The risen force performed beyond my expectations and saved many lives. Your fellows have been working day and night to restore their numbers.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Jaxom said.
After an uncomfortable pause, Corin spoke again. “Are you going to tell me about your mission? Have you found your sister?”
“I found Vaniece. She helped to secure the support of Prince Sagrad, the queen’s brother. He sent a message to the queen suggesting that Ostega join the alliance.”
“That’s good news. It will be nice not to fight my way through a kingdom for once,” Corin said, sounding genuinely relieved. “When will you return?”
“I’m not sure. There is something I have to do first,” he said slowly.
Corin was silent, waiting patiently for Jaxom to explain.
/> Jaxom took a deep breath, then told his brother everything. He spoke for well over a minute, his story rushing out, almost in one breath. When he finished, there was only silence from the stone ring. He envisioned Corin on the other end, brow furrowed and eyes hard.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Corin demanded at last.
“There was nothing you could have done. I didn’t know there was a way to stop it until after I found Vaniece. We will arrive at the fortress today, and I must enter it alone,” Jaxom said calmly. His brother had a right to be angry.
“How could you risk your life without even telling me?” Corin’s voice was low with a sharp, hard edge.
“I have risked my life before. This time, I have no other choice,” Jaxom said.
“You should have told me,” Corin said, after a long pause.
“You would have worried and not been able to concentrate on what you have to do.”
“Perhaps,” he said, his voice finally cooling. “So this could be the last time we speak?”
Jaxom felt his throat tighten. Not only was it possibly the last time he would speak to Corin, but to Adriana and the rest of his friends. The thought had floated at the back of his mind, but he had not allowed it to surface.
“It could be,” Jaxom said.
“Then I should tell you that I think I have fallen in love,” Corin said.
His words shocked Jaxom out of the feeling of darkness that was beginning to overwhelm him. “With who?”
“Shana,” Corin said, through a grunt of a laugh.
“The princess who tried to kill you?” he asked astonished. “I know you aren’t very good with women, but I’m sure you could find someone who hasn’t tried to cut your throat!”
Corin laughed harder. “She’s a queen now, and she didn’t try to cut my throat so much as hold a knife to it.”
“Are you going to marry her?”
“I don’t know. There is so much going on. I just thought you should know in case…” he trailed off.
“I’m happy for you,” Jaxom said, running a hand through his hair.
“Thank you. If we do want to get married, you must promise to be there.”
Jaxom agreed then they made their goodbyes. Returning, he found the others quietly talking amongst themselves. Climbing back into his saddle, he offered a hand down to Vaniece, who shook her head and moved to walk near Buewin.
Adriana offered a soft smile. “Did you tell him?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?” she pressed.
Jaxom looked up with a grin. “He’s fallen in love with Shana.”
“The woman who tried to kill him?” she asked, incredulously.
“It would seem so. He wants me there for the wedding.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. “So do I.”
The sun had only made it halfway to its peak when the trees began to thin and the ground became more stone than earth. Pushing through a dense patch of green undergrowth, they emerged to a sight that pulled the air from Jaxom’s chest. The canyon was miles across with a long, thin river running through it. Its snaking body was surrounded on both sides by rich emerald trees as it branched off to follow the rents carved into the earth. The cliffs on either side were a mixture of rust red and dark browns that almost glowed in the sunlight. A powerful gust of wind ripped up the wall, causing their hair and clothes to billow. The heat was less oppressive out in the open, and Jaxom relished the change from the constant damp.
Buewin move to his side and pointed. “There is the place you seek.” Looking where Buewin indicated, Jaxom spotted the fortress, tucked into a corner of the canyon wall. Even at such a great distance, he recognized the three towers from his dream. The sight pulled him closer to the edge of the cliff until Buewin grabbed his arm. “There are safer ways down. I will show you.”
Jaxom shook his head. “We will get there faster if we fly.”
The look on Buewin’s face was one of trepidation. “I promised to take you to the fortress, but you are stretching the limits of my hospitality.”
Jaxom grunted a laugh. “You can ride with me. I promise you will be perfectly safe.” Buewin nodded skeptically.
As soon as the Narux Leader was settled behind him, slipping his spear through a loop in the saddle, Jaxom heeled the durgen over the edge. He felt the smaller man tense behind him and his arms wrap involuntarily around Jaxom’s waist. The durgen’s six powerful legs leapt and gravity gripped them for a second before the black feathered wings opened to catch the air. Jaxom almost laughed with the exhilaration of flying again after days of riding under the constant cover of the trees. After a few moments, Buewin’s arms loosened slightly. Jaxom felt the other man brave a look down before jerking his head back quickly. Jaxom kept his eyes fixed on the fortress. The black stone walls grew larger until he could finally make out the bridge connecting the three towers to the cliff face. As he got closer, he saw that it was not a bridge but a covered tunnel. Flying above, he searched for some kind of entrance and found none. The towers erupted from a flat surface with no visible doors or stairs, and there were no windows or balconies to climb through. Even the tops of the towers offered no access to what was inside. Giving up, he led the group down to land on the canyon floor in front of the massive structure.
Jaxom jumped down from his saddle and took in the surroundings. In his haste to dismount, Buewin half fell from the durgen’s back. The brown rocky earth was bare all around the fortress. The thick vegetation ended abruptly, creating a half circle around the fortress. In front of him, the massive wall stretched high above, its surface blank and unwelcoming.
Buewin tapped his shoulder and pointed to the base of the wall where a rectangular patch of stone was a lighter shade than its surroundings. “Anyone can enter, but none ever leave,” he said quietly.
Jaxom nodded and had started for the door when Adriana grabbed his elbow and turned him around. The others quickly joined her. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded. “You’re just going to run in without thinking it through or talking to us?”
“What is there to talk about?” He wanted to jerk his arm away and run toward the door. The pull of the place was stronger than ever. Jaxom could barely stand still.
“We should at least come up with some sort of plan. Maybe we should all go in together,” Darian offered.
“No!” Jaxom said, more forcefully than he intended. He took a deep breath. “None of you can help,” he said with more calm. He looked steadily at each in turn until he was sure they would not follow. Finally, his eyes settled on Adriana.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.
Her soft words were filled with fear, and his heart ached at the sound. His need to comfort her prevailed over the need to run to the fortress. He took her hand and led her away from the others. “You won’t lose me, but if you follow me in, I know I will lose you,” he said, wiping away a tear that had slipped down her cheek.
“You can’t know that. I could be of help. If you won’t take me, take Vaniece or Darian. Their magic could keep you alive.”
“I can’t explain how I know, but if anyone else goes, they won’t come back.” He used his hand to lift her chin and kissed her gently on the lips. “Trust me.”
She nodded and stepped away. He looked into her eyes wanting to smile and reassure her but could not find the strength. With nothing else to say, he moved to the door. He stood for a long moment before the light stone, but it did not do anything. He placed a hand on the cool surface, feeling for a latch or a pressure plate when the surface began vibrating beneath his palm. Ever so slowly, it slid back and to the side with a loud grinding noise. Inside, Jaxom saw a faint glow in the distance, but nothing he could clearly make out. Looking one more time over his shoulder at his friends, he saw them all watching him with concern. He stepped inside.
The stone door slid back into place behind him, casting the cavernous room into relative darkness. He waited several minutes
for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting provided by glowing sticks of stone. The magical light sources were held by small stone statues of hooded mages standing on platforms. Their empty stares left Jaxom feeling as if he were being judged. The rest of the room was empty. The walls climbed above his head and disappeared into darkness above. Ahead, he could just make out the spiraling stairwell he had seen in his dreams. He would have felt overwhelmed by the emptiness if not for the brilliantly colorful tile murals covering the stone surrounding him. Next to the door, a twenty-foot mural depicted two giant figures standing on opposites sides of a massive walled city. They towered over the buildings and looked to be casting white beams of energy at one another as the city burned around them. Soldiers battled as mages in long white robes unleashed powerful magical attacks. Examining every inch of the mural – from the clearly defined image of one soldier driving his sword through the chest of another, to a mage unleashing twin columns of fire and air to create an inferno that consumed another mage – Jaxom was filled with rage and anger, underscored by a thirst for power. Further along the wall, the mural was replaced by another. This one depicted a large hall supported by thick, grey stone columns. At the center, a dozen men and women in white robes circled a man in black. Between the single man and mages was another ring of people dressed in the plain clothes of commoners. The next mural showed the same people, but now the mages held out their hands toward the commoners. The commoner’s backs were arched, their limbs straight and stiff, previously calm faces twisted in pain. From the chest of each, a swirling cloud of black smoke spiraled out, connecting with the man at the center whose expression matched those of the commoners. As feelings of pain, sorrow, and regret crushed him under their weight, Jaxom realized that the murals had been enchanted to impose emotions on the viewer.
He stumbled away as quickly as he could, the strong feelings ebbing as he distanced himself. The next mural showed people in black robes standing before a beautiful god with dark flowing hair. Surrounding the mages in black, others in white stood behind them casting, adding their own strength to that of the death mages. A feeling of victory and strength caused him to square his shoulders and stare hard-eyed at the picture of the god. The next showed death mages opening a spinning portal and stepping through to another world of swirling colors. On the other side of the portal, the mages met the gods again in combat. Many of the robed figures were strewn across the ground as others fought on. The whole scene was centered on a fallen god, whose massive figure lay amongst the defeated mages. Jaxom stayed longer in front of this one. Somehow, death mages had found a way into the gods’ plane and had killed them on their own ground. He searched every inch of the mural, looking for some clue as how they had done it. The whole time his mind was filled with the desire to draw on his magic and lash out with as much strength as he could summon. When the desire became too much, he abandoned the mural and moved on. The following scene was vastly different. Countless mages stood before dozens of gods, all those present casting into the space separating the two groups to form a throbbing ball of glowing green energy. He felt satisfaction and relief. The mural represented the pact between mages and gods, stripping the former of all but one school of magic and binding the latter to their plane. Several more murals showed life after the pact, as mages were crowned and war raged between them. The schools separated as fire mages in red battled storm mages, and earth mages in brown fought ice mages. Thousands of dead lay on battlefields and cities were razed. He felt confused and disoriented. In the next, a woman in black robes stood in a large field alone, surrounded by hundreds of dead men. Her head was thrown back, long black hair caught in a strong wind, as she released a primal scream of victory into the sky. Jaxom felt the familiar feeling of losing control to his magic even though he had not summoned it. It took all his will to pull away from the mural and catch his breath.
