***
Kelden felt much better the next day. The rain and fog remained, and he stayed hidden amidst the barrels, so that no vital part of him was exposed. He found himself wondering if his would-be assassin had given up, for surely the Blue World sorcerer would have found an opening to strike by now, especially with all the mist making an ambush easy. However, Kelden knew his stalker was patient, and such patience had nearly paid off for the assassin once before. But Kelden didn't dwell on such thoughts much, preferring instead to contemplate his new powers.
Yet when Kelden tried out his magic again--this time on a small iron hammer that lay in the back of the wagon--he couldn't summon the energy to damage the tool. Apparently, the iron was too strong to break, which showed that his power was still quite limited. Disappointment settled over him after that (the depression that all sorcerers experienced when they failed to see their skills progress) and the stone-crushing episode lost its luster.
It was nearly lunchtime when a Gald trotted up to the wagon and reported to Dameon that another wagon, accompanied by several armed men on Altan bulls, was approaching from the direction of Murakan. The wagon was driven by a huge, armored warrior and a Hetheope guard.
Dameon hummed orders back to the Gald in their odd language, and the warrior quickly vanished back into the mist. He then ordered Rudus to halt the Gragas beasts, while he decided what action to take.
"The wagon driver must be Renstad Tamanus," Dameon said. "The former Gelshad fighter and gladiator from Murakan. He is a legend in that city, and known all around Americk Dreeth. He commands the city guard. They say his will is invincible, that he once battled a Halstarion worm and drove it off--which, by the way, I don't believe for a second, but it shows what people think of him to make up such nonsense. He is a killer of unmatched skill."
"How do you know it's him?" said Kelden.
"I don't," said Dameon. "But it certainly could be him. He rides in a wagon pulled by Altan bulls, and is sometimes accompanied by a Hetheope. And Hetheopes are rarely found outside of the Legaran towers. Only a few great warriors are allowed the honor of having a Hetheope as a personal bodyguard. I would bet that it is Renstad who approaches."
"What should we do?" said Kelden.
Dameon shrugged. "I'm not sure. We did hijack this wagon, sort of, and we could face arrest and punishment for that. However, we could take a gamble and reveal our situation to Renstad. I've heard he is an intelligent, reasonable man. If we could win his favor, he could offer us much badly needed help."
"I don't like your gambles," said Theodus, glowering at Dameon. "You are too reckless and arrogant."
"My reckless gambling saved your master's life," Dameon pointed out in a harsh tone. "And that is a fact you cannot deny."
"I say we confront him," said Thayan. "If we have to fight, we might win. We're not a group of weaklings, after all."
"Speaking of reckless," said Theodus, "you need to tone it down a bit, Thayan. An attitude like that will get us all killed."
"We should bear in mind," said Dameon, "that Kelden is still being hunted and in grave danger, that we have few resources and an extremely dangerous journey ahead of us. Right now we are isolated, surrounded by the fog of confusion. Aligning ourselves with a powerful figure like Renstad the Red Axe could give us hope of actually surviving this madness and perhaps figuring out a solution."
"I see your point, Dameon," said Kelden. "But even though Rudus tried to kill you with a sneak attack, we kind of took his wagon by force, as you said. If we end up in a dungeon, well...what then?"
"Then we're in trouble," said Dameon. "But even now our quest is in peril. When you had your vision, Kelden, a path was suggested to us. But no guarantees were given that we would succeed. The future remains unwritten and can be altered. We have some powers at our disposal, but overall we are weak compared to the forces that await us. We need to gain mighty allies if we are to have even a slight hope of getting our hands on the mind soothe."
"The mind soothe," Theodus mused, shaking his head. "How casually you speak of something that you know nothing about--as if your plan is perfectly logical."
"Logical or not," said Dameon, "we cannot carry it out alone."
"Undoubtedly," said Kelden. "But we can travel to Frindagan Tower alone, if need be. And that's where I'm going. So with all due respect, could you refrain from mentioning any other quests? I need to get that demon out of me, Dameon. That, first and foremost, is my goal. If I get stuck in chains somewhere in Murakan..."
"Think about what you say," said Dameon. "Your words have a selfish ring to them. You are only thinking of your own fears and not the greater good."
Kelden sighed. "Yes, I am. I don't want to mutate into a monster, never to be human again. I don't want a sorcerer's cursed spear stuck in my flesh again. Yes, I am thinking of me, Dameon! I can't take this strain much longer. Besides, the seers ordered me to go to Frindagan. And in spite of everything you say, I still have some faith in them."
"Fool!" Dameon spat. "Trust the vision you had in the Gald village. Trust your instincts. But do not trust the seers, who are selfish and corrupt."
"Fine words," said Theodus, "from the man who would have destroyed Valganleer and everyone in it. Who is the selfish one?"
Dameon hung his head. "Yes, for many years I dreamt of bringing down that tower. But I have been doing some thinking since I left my cave. I understand now that what I was contemplating was wrong. I would have killed innocents just to get at the seers. That way of thinking is what has plagued humankind throughout our history. I admit that I was misguided. But I still don't trust the seers!"
Theodus nodded. "I am impressed--if what you say is true. But I find it hard to believe you have changed your thinking so quickly."
"Believe it," said Dameon. "I spent so many decades alone in the cave that my mind was overcome with darkness. Now I am returning to how I used to be, becoming the man I was long ago. I understand that we must all put aside our fears and wants and think of the greater good."
Kelden sighed. "I'm not sure I can."
"I have faith in you," said Dameon. "You have endured a terrible burden, and yet you retain your conscience and sanity. You are a strong man, Kelden."
Dameon's words made Kelden feel good, and he found himself wanting to act like the man Dameon thought he was. But he still had no intention of straying from his path to Frindagan. "I guess if we got this Renstad fellow on our side," he said, "I would be a little safer for the time being. Maybe he would have his soldiers escort us northward."
"You would be a lot safer," said Dameon. "Renstad is a foe that even a Blue World sorcerer would hesitate to tangle with. And his men are a fierce and skilled bunch."
"He will likely arrest us," said Theodus.
"Leave that to me," said Dameon.
"Great idea," said Theodus, rolling his eyes. "The last time we left things to you, it nearly got us all killed."
Dameon slammed his fist down and groaned. "Yes, I made a mistake. But things turned out for the better, and Kelden is alive. How many times must I be reminded that I nearly got us all killed? I did what I said I would do! I saved Kelden's life. Must I be chastised again and again for it?"
"Talk to Renstad," said Kelden, wearily. "Whatever the result, we'll deal with it. I'm sure if I tell him about my mission to get to Frindagan, he wouldn't dare oppose it. I'm sick of going it alone. Let's get some help."
"Jail might help Dameon," said Theodus, "but I myself could do without it."
"We're not going to jail," Dameon said.
"Perhaps not," said Theodus. "It might be the gallows instead."
The Curse of Credesar, Part 1 Page 32
