“You are a mystery,” Allric said after a while. “I sense your spark returning, but it is illusive. Have you had any training?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“Magic,” he said, frustration bleeding into his voice. “Surely humans have heard of magic.”
“Yes of course we have, but I have never been trained,” Via admitted.
She was tempted to say more, to explain that Feray was going to teach her to use magic, but a flash of memory made her fall silent. She remembered that Feray had been skeptical of her abilities. There had been plenty of discouraging remarks and even some tension between them. Via had attributed the tension to her feelings for Orin, but perhaps it was actually jealously. Feray had said that magic couldn’t be taught, it had to be released into a person through the touch of a magical creature, but perhaps she had been holding back.
“Well then, here is your first lesson,” Allric said, oblivious to the back and forth wrangling in her mind.
He waved a hand and from over the hedge of shrubbery that surround the tree where Via sat came a huge, black snake. It landed in a heap, coiling and writhing, its head rising up and fanning out. Via almost screamed as she scrambled back against the trunk of the huge tree behind her.
“In days gone by my people were powerful animages, but they have squandered that gift,” Allric said. “If you truly have the spark, it will reveal itself by allowing you to speak to the creatures of the forest. This snake will undoubtedly strike you sooner or later. Its venom is highly poisonous. Unless you can convince it not to strike you. If you’re alive by morning I will be truly impressed.”
He walked away, leaving Via alone with the snake, who continued to sway back and forth, hissing wickedly at her. Via had seen Feray talk with animals, at least she claimed to. And Via had always had an affinity for animals, but she’d never heard one speak. The snake slithered closer and hissed at her. Via got the strong impression that it wanted her to flee, but she knew that if she ran away the elves would simply kill her. The only chance she had to survive was to prove her abilities.
“What are you doing?” she said to the snake, which hissed in reply.
It took all Via’s strength to calm herself down. She knew she had to learn to listen differently if she was going communicate with the large reptile.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” she said.
The snake hissed back, its forked tongue flickering at her. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought she heard the words hurt you in the snake’s sibilant hiss. The snake moved closer and even with her feet pulled up in front of her, she was within striking distance. Her instincts were screaming at her to move away, to flee from the big snake, but she knew she couldn’t. The big reptile was too close and if she tried to move it would just strike her, its poison snatching her life away as surely as if it had stabbed her heart with a sword.
“I’m not leaving,” Via said. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Flee the snake hissed. This time Via was sure she had heard the snake speak. She felt a slight sense of accomplishment, but her heart was still pounding with fear.
“I can’t, but we can help each other,” Via pleaded. “Tell me what you need.”
Tree! the snake hissed.
“You want to climb the tree?”
Yes.
“Okay, I’ll move if you back up. Just a little. I don’t want you to bite me.”
Back the snake said, easing backward slightly.
“That’s right, back up. I’ll stand up now,” Via said. “Nice and slow.”
She got slowly to her feet. The effort was taxing. She felt as if she had sacks of grain tied around her neck. She stood, leaning back against the tree, but feeling a little wobbly on her feet.
“Okay, I’m moving,” Via said.
The snake swung its head from side to side. Lift it hissed at her.
“You want me to lift you up?” Via said, feeling terrified at the prospect of touching the large snake.
Lift the snake hissed again. Up.
“I don’t want to,” Via said.
The snake snapped at her. It was a short strike, nothing more than a feint really, and then it opened its mouth to reveal two long, curving fangs.
Lift it said again.
Via stepped past the snake, looking for a way to escape the hedge, but the shrubs were thick and taller than she had first thought. The snake followed her, hissing loudly, and she realized that if she didn’t try to lift the snake, it would just bite her eventually. There was nowhere to hide from the big reptile, the shrubbery went all the way around the tree. She hadn’t seen where Allric went, or how he got through the wall of dense greenery. The snake had distracted her and she had only one choice left.
“Alright,” Via said. “I’ll do it. But you have to promise not to bite me.”
The snake didn’t reply, but the area around its head shrank back to normal, and it looked up into the tree. There were branches just above Via’s head. She guessed that once the big snake was in the branches it could climb higher on its own. Bending low, she had to force herself not to turn away as the snake slithered toward her outstretched, shaking hands. It crawled over her palms, its scaly hide felt strange on her palms. The lower half of its body coiled around her left arm, reminding her of the creature that had carried her away from her friends.
Lift the snake hissed.
Via was surprised at how heavy the snake was. Her legs shook and her back ached as she stood upright with the big reptile. When she lifted it toward the nearest branch it slithered forward, raising its head and coiling around the branch. It took the snake a few seconds to uncoil from her arm and pull its heavy body up into the branches of the tree, but it managed. Then, safely in the limbs of the big tree it turned back to Via. For a moment she thought it might strike at her again, but instead it opened its mouth and hissed thanks.
Spent, the young woman collapsed to the ground weeping. She was so tired, so emotionally distraught that she could barely think. She rolled onto her side, and even though she didn’t mean to, she fell asleep.
Sometime during the night she woke up. The ground was incredibly uncomfortable. The gnarly roots of the big tree spread around the trunk, sinking down into the ground, but also rising back up to the surface so that there wasn’t space in the small clearing with a flat patch of earth to rest on. Via rearranged herself among the roots and started to go back to sleep, when she heard chanting. The language being used was strange, and she didn’t understand what was being said, but she heard it and saw a massive fire burning. Then the night was pierced with a hideous scream that sent chills down Via’s back. She curled into a ball, wishing she were anywhere else. She closed her eyes and covered her ears so that she couldn’t hear the strange chanting.
The next thing Via knew it was daytime. Her body was cold and hurting. She got to her knees, stretching and looking around the clearing. Another basket of fruit had been left nearby. She got the food and ate quickly, then waited to see what other horrors awaited her.
Chapter 14
“Ideally we would gather a council from across the Western Realms,” Crucifus said.
“There is no time for that,” Seartus said. “We must hunt down this threat.”
“If we could find this dark sorcerer we would have done so already,” the great red dragon said. “The magic has not led us to discover the source of this new evil, and the portends are weak. I believe the creatures we have seen are just the start of something greater, some great threat to the entire realm.”
Feray sat quietly. The dragons were spread around her, their massive bodies stretched upon the grass field and their heads pointing toward her. Orin sat behind Feray and Luc ran playing with Rolo. She felt somehow responsible, even though she knew she wasn’t. In fact, she was just a newcomer, a novice sorceress with very little to contribute to the conversation.
“We cannot sit back and do nothing until this evil grows powerful enough to hunt us to extinction,
” Seartus growled.
“No, we cannot simply do nothing,” Crucifus agreed. “But we must have the support of the other races.”
“They are fragmented by wounds from the past,” Flambra said, “with little interest in working together.”
“Divided we shall fall, race by race, one group at a time until only evil is left,” Crucifus said. “We must summon those who would join us to a council on the High Plains. Each of us must share the news and invite the races from across the Western Realm. Flambra should go north to Urloch to summon the dwarves and then to the Ancient Aspen Grove where the Silver Elf clans reside. Seartus, go south to Ponttoch and the dwarves under the southern range. Chardis is the fastest. Go west to the Golden Elf clans and the Triton villages on the coast. I will stay with Feray and we will gather the Ivory Elf clans, before turning north to the Fairy Basin. We shall meet again north of the Crystal Lake.”
“As you say, elder one,” Flambra said.
“Fly safe,” Crucifus bid the beautiful dragon.
“And happy hunting,” Chardis replied, just before he leaped into the air.
“I look forward to a happy reunion, Bright One,” Flambra said to Feray.
“Thank you,” Feray replied.
The crimson and yellow dragon took to the air as gracefully as a swan gliding across still water. Seartus growled and shook his massive head. Up close, his silver beard actually looked like silver threads and Feray could feel the magical properties contained in the fine whiskers.
“The dwarves will never leave the mountains,” he groused. “They are stubborn.”
“So are you, which is why I’m sending you to fetch them,” Crucifus said. “Make them see the danger we face.”
“They will only blame me for it,” Seartus said. “They will chop off my head to decorate their cavern hall.”
“Don’t be foolish,” Crucifus said. “Warn them of the danger. Tell them of the council, and find a way to get them moving.”
“Oh, alright,” the big ashy beast said. “I will see you again soon, if the gods will it.”
He jumped into the air, beating his wings hard and buffeting Feray and Orin with the downdraft. She closed her eyes and waited until the silver-bearded dragon was gone before opening them again.
“We must go too. I will fly ahead and meet with the elvish elders of the Ivory Clans,” Crucifus said. “I sense that whoever is behind the abominations we have seen will not rest. We must root out this evil and stop it.”
“We will set out at once,” Feray said, feeling out of place. She wasn’t a hero or adventurer, she hadn’t gone to the Wilderness to stop an evil sorcerer, but she couldn’t turn her back on the dragon who had trusted her with so much power.
“Very good. Travel west until you are met. The elves of the Ivory Clans are a suspicious lot, but good natured once their guard is down. They will welcome you and we shall share with them what we have witnessed.”
The dragon rose up and Feray moved back beside Orin. They watched Crucifus leave, and Feray couldn’t help but feel a sense of loneliness inside her. She had been looking forward to discovering the wonders of the Western Realm. She wanted to meet more magnificent creatures like Crucifus and she had, but their tidings were ill. Instead of a fantastic journey of discovery, she had been thrust into a dangerous world full of terror where she was expected to play an important role. She didn’t feel strong or capable, only small and alone.
“What’s wrong?” Orin asked. “You’re trembling.”
“It’s not what I expected,” she admitted. “I feel very foolish.”
“Why?”
She turned, looking at him. “How can you ask me that? Didn’t you hear what the dragons said? Someone, somewhere is plotting to destroy the world.”
“Isn’t someone always plotting something sinister?” Orin asked. “Did you expect the Wilderness to be a land of peace?”
“I did, actually,” Feray said. “I thought we would travel and discover new places and wondrous creatures. I thought my son would be safe here, far away from the machinations of kings and rulers who would only see him as a tool to further their nefarious plans.”
“The world is only as safe as you make it,” Orin said. “Besides, living where everything comes easy would never make you happy. Luc needs to be tested, to strive against the odds and overcome.”
“And if he fails? If I fail?” Feray asked. “The entire realm is depending on me.”
“That’s not what I heard,” Orin said. “You are a vital part of the struggle, Feray, but you are not alone. If nothing else, you have me.”
She wanted to argue. In fact, she realized, what she really wanted was to run back to Floralon. She thought she could be perfectly happy in Asher’s cabin for the rest of her life. She could hide there, watch Luc grow up, and forget about everything else, but as soon as the thought entered her mind, it died like a weak flame in a strong wind. Orin was right, she had a part to play. She had been given the gift of magic to heal, not to hide.
“Come on, Luc,” she called. “It’s time to get moving again.”
“Yes, mama,” he called back. “Saddle up!”
Rolo barked happily as they dashed back toward the camp where Orin was collecting the last of their supplies.
“You feel like riding for a while?” Orin asked the four-year-old.
“Sure!” Luc said happily.
“I’ll walk beside him,” Orin told Feray. “You can lead us into the forest.”
Feray nodded. She was afraid. Denying that fact wouldn’t make her feel any better. She didn’t want to fight, nor did she want to see anyone else fighting. What she longed for was peace, but she could no more leave the people of the Western Realm helpless than she could ignore the needs of her son. The idyllic world she desired had died with her husband, but looking back she realized that even then she hadn’t truly been satisfied. Her years of marriage had been happy ones, but she had felt stifled by the routine. Her role of cooking and cleaning, while necessary, seemed to be a sad imitation of what she felt her life should be. There was a well of desire inside Feray to make a difference, to do something important with her life, even if that meant facing grave danger. She had to shake off the feelings of terror and helplessness so that she could accept that she had a place in shaping the world, if only she would take hold of it.
Feray checked on Luc, helping him up into the saddle. His mount turned and looked at her, nodding its long head and neighing. Safe the horse said, and she patted his neck.
“Thank you, Steel,” she said.
Her husband had named the horses Flint and Steel, even though she knew the animals to be more gentle and easy going than their namesakes. Flint was continent carrying their supplies, and Steel radiated honor and protectiveness over young Luc.
“We’re ready,” Orin said as he approached.
“Thank you for taking care of things,” she told him.
“Well, I’ll feel better once I have a few weapons again. To be honest, I feel pretty useless with no way to protect you.”
“You are far from useless, but I see your point,” she said. “Rolo, go fetch the broken ends of Orin’s javelins.”
The dog barked happily, then bounded off across the field.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Orin said. “Do you think they’re still here?”
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t be,” Feray said. “The animals wouldn’t bother them. And there aren’t many people out this way.”
It only took Rolo a few minutes to gather four javelin heads. The hardened steel was still fixed to the ends of the javelins, which had been splintered by Crucifus. The others had been incinerated by the dragon’s fiery breath and Feray knew the heat would have softened the metal so she didn’t bother gathering them up.
“If you find the type of shafts you want, I’ll help you get these attached,” Feray said.
“Thank you, my lady, that would be fine,” Orin said, smiling beneath his bushy beard, as he stowed the jav
elin heads in a leather bag behind the wide saddle he used.
They set off into the forest. The trees around them were massive, much larger than anything east of the Mountain Veil. The canopy overhead was dense with thick, leafy branches and long, tangled clumps of mossy growth. Some of it clung to the branches, but most of it hung down like shredded curtains from the dark boughs above them.
There was no more grass, just a thick layer of dead leaves which stifled the sound of their horses’ hooves. Occasionally the wind stirred the leaves and made the hanging moss seem to dance in a ghostly fashion. Feray felt cold as she rode through the woodlands. The forest animals ignored them for the most part, and a sense of foreboding overcame Feray. She couldn’t help but feel like something was wrong. Somewhere, something terrible was taking place, something that made her blood run cold, and yet it beckoned to her at the same time. The sense of power she could feel was a temptation, like the intoxicating smell of fear, it stirred a hidden instinct deep inside her. She wasn’t proud of the feeling, but she couldn’t deny it either. It was the call to unbridled power, a sense of freedom that cast off all notions of propriety by virtue of brute strength. And whether she wanted to or not, she longed for such power, even if she knew it would consume her and everyone she cared about.
Shuddering at the very thought of it, she wrapped a cloak around her shoulders and kept moving forward, certain that she would face the source of the beckoning magic sooner or later.
Chapter 15
“You survived the night,” Allric said.
He had walked straight through the shrubs as if they weren’t there. Via realized she’d been seeing an illusion, just what the elf wanted her to see, and she had believed herself trapped. A feeling of anger welled up inside her. She wasn’t a fool, but she was acting powerless.
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