Brinks in Time: The Unification

by Tom Rogal

  The beds looked uncomfortable, only a few feet off the floor. Perhaps this was why no one wanted to stay here for too long. The outpost was not too accommodating to visitors in the first place.

  Divi said, “I guess we should get some sleep. Sounds like it will be a long week.”

  Levus agreed. Thamalos made it clear that they were going to be traveling nearly all week. He wanted to say good night to Divi, but she was already laying down on one of the beds. He was disappointed as he did enjoy talking to her. Levus went to the bed next to hers and dropped his few belongings on the floor.

  The amulet started to glow again as Levus collapsed on the bed. This has to stop! Who was trying to control him? After a couple minutes, he was at last able to relax and the amulet dimmed. That lasted much longer than the previous attacks. Perhaps that tree was right about him. Someone was trying to reach him and seemed very determined to do so. Had it not been for the amulet, who knew what he would have done?

  What was this? Why couldn’t he move? Had the attack lasted so long that it left him paralyzed? He couldn’t even move a finger. His heart began to race. What if this was permanent? He didn’t think it was. Thamalos reassured him that the amulet would cause him no harm. But could he trust an elf when the prince insisted that they liked to stay out of the other races' business?

  His breathing was so heavy that even Divi took notice. She wished there was something she could do to help him. She hated seeing him in this pain. Yet it did confirm that there was something evil trying to manipulate him. What the solution would be, only time would tell. Divi finally closed her eyes when Eraddor entered the room and lay next to Levus.

  ***

  Levus, Divi, Eraddor, and Thamalos rode quickly out of Lozela’s lands and onto the road that led to Myyril. The elf took a less-traveled route just north of the approved safe path. He wanted their arrival in the mage city to be a surprise. Since he meditated last night, he felt a strange . . . something coming from Myyril’s direction. Until he knew what it meant, he wanted to avoid any other mage contact until they arrived.

  Levus was happy to go through the entire day with only one of those attacks. Nor had he heard the voice all day, which left him overjoyed. The amulet is working! With any hope, whoever was doing this to him would get discouraged enough to stop trying.

  Daylight was running out, though, and night began to fall quickly. Thamalos stopped his horse and looked east, studying the horizon carefully.

  “There are Midenbeasts about twelve miles from here,” he said.

  Levus looked ahead, then back to the elf.

  “How does he know that? I see nothing.”

  Eraddor replied, “Elves have exceptional sight. He can spot things hundreds of miles away.”

  Levus didn’t believe it, but didn’t argue. Thamalos turned his horse southeast and squinted. After a few moments, he faced his three companions.

  He said, “We travel this way. There is a rock alcove that can provide us shelter for the night.”

  He led the way and the others followed him southeast.

  Thamalos and Divi sat next to a fire, sheltered by a few large rocks jutting from the ground. Levus was fast asleep on the other side of the flame. Thamalos took a bite of the food he had brought, while Eraddor climbed the alcove to look in the distance for any trouble. A cool breeze touched Divi's face as she stared at Eraddor . . . there was something about him that made her think.

  “You are curious about our man of mystery?”

  Startled by Thamalos' question, she faced him and smiled.

  “One of many things.”

  The elf looked at the fire and then forward again. “I think it best you ask him, then.”

  Eraddor was now sitting next to her on a fallen log. She hadn't realized he'd been coming closer. He even moved like an elf! Quiet and quick. She could only see half of his face from the flames' light. A long piece of grass hung from his mouth.

  Eraddor asked, “What would you like to know?”

  “Why is a human like you living with the elves?”

  He smiled as he took the piece of grass out of his mouth. “Partly my choice. I had always been fascinated with the elves. Their ways were more peaceful than the humans'.”

  “What do you mean partly your choice?”

  “Let’s just say it was a difference in opinion between myself and King Aldaran IV. I’m sure when we arrive in Cordca, you will learn all about it.”

  Thamalos snickered, “Your strong belief in the Unification didn’t help either.”

  “What is the Unification?” asked Divi.

  As Thamalos prepared to answer, Eraddor lay down on his side, using a blanket as a pillow. He has heard the legend many a time, but there were none that could tell it better than an elf.

  “The Unification, in general, is the unifying of all the races. It is separated into two parts. At first, the Unification is the beginning when the bloodline of the Unifier of the Lands is discovered. The Second Unification is the fabled union of the lands in one person. When this happens, the Unifier of the Lands receives the strength of the races to destroy the greatest evil.”

  Divi watched with wide eyes that never left Thamalos, showing him he had her full attention. He threw a small piece of wood into the growing flame.

  “We, the elves, have been waiting for the Unifier for generations to be found and are to be that person's sworn protector. Many have claimed to be it, but all have turned up false.”

  Eraddor interrupted, “Of course, it is all legends and folklore. There are many theories about how it might happen. Some think it’s a spiritual union, while some think it simply based off reproduction. Some races are just not compatible enough together to bear children. Regardless, the unknown nature of it is why hardly anyone takes it seriously.”

  Thamalos smiled and said, “Yes, but the tale has been passed down throughout the ages among us. I remember my father telling it to me as a youngling. We must treasure it, for no one else will. Although the elves are fascinating to all the races, all our stories are regarded as mythology to them. Even the tale of the Isle of Time.”

  Divi turned quickly to face the elf prince. Isle of Time . . . that was the place where Levus’ father supposedly disappeared. Perhaps Thamalos knew more about it! There were other questions that nagged at her, though, that she wanted answered first.

  “Thamalos, do you think that Levus is the one?”

  “Why do you ask that?”

  “One of Levus’ eyes is green and the other blue. I had never seen that in any race, except that cruel man, Kile.”

  Eraddor rolled to his other side to look at them.

  “It is too soon to be sure," Thamalos said. "Though, if Levus is related to the Jared Sintar, I might be convinced of the possibility. We will know when the Unification takes place.”

  Divi tried to remember if Levus mentioned his father’s name, but she couldn’t. Even if Jared was Levus’ father, how did Thamalos know him? Except for Cerrapies, none of the humans on Dyyros seemed to believe in elves as anything but mythical creatures that exist only in stories.

  “What is the big deal with this Jared Sintar? Who is he?” she asked.

  Eraddor answered, “He was crowned the champion of the last Elf Games. They take place every fifty years. You were probably still maturing when the last one happened twenty-four years ago. The winner receives honor and glory until the crowning of a new champion. But they are very dangerous. Many a life has been lost in the Games.”

  Thamalos added, “He was very famous here on the mainland after his victory. He was the first human even to win since humans and mages were allowed to participate a few hundred years ago. He disappeared several years afterward, though. It fits, his going to Dyyros, because the influence of our culture has yet to reach that continent. They would not even be aware that he was famous.”

  Divi couldn’t have agreed with Thamalos more. Dyyros didn’t even seem to have much influence from places like Cordca, though she figured tha
t Ulcinar played a big part in that. Such a creature would not want the other nations to know of his rise to power. Yet why would someone want to conceal having achieved such great glory? Was Jared hiding from something?

  Thamalos concluded, “I will ask Levus about it another time. We should keep at the task at hand for now.”

  “One more thing.” Divi asked, “What is that mark on the back of your left hand, Eraddor?”

  He glanced over at her before looking at the mark on his hand.

  “This little mage is very observant . . . or nosy,” he commented.

  Thamalos gave a slight chuckle as Eraddor covered it up. From what Divi could see, it appeared to be a shield with two swords making an ‘X’ shape while another went through the middle. Rays of light came from behind the shield, as if from a rising sun.

  Eraddor explained, “I’m really not too sure. I can never remember myself without this mark. Thamalos here thinks it is a birthright of some kind. I never knew my parents long enough to find out. It's probably just a family crest. Even the poorest of families can have one.”

  Divi suddenly grabbed Eraddor’s hand and began to feel the area around the mark.

  All she could say was, “It’s beautiful.”

  Thamalos added, “Why not get some sleep? We are still far from Myyril and I would like us to arrive there fresh if we plan to sway the mages' opinion.”

  Divi nodded. It was going to be very difficult to convince the mages. Without a leader, her race did not function very well. Word had to have reached Myyril that her father was killed. Hell, they probably thought she had passed on as well, since she had been gone so long. Time would tell. Divi finally closed her eyes and eased her body.

  Thamalos looked over at Eraddor, who was still facing him as he re-covered the mark with his other hand.

  “Eraddor, after Myyril and Desris . . . we must go to Cordca.”

  “I know.”

  “I say this because if you wish to stay in South Cordca . . .”

  “No, I’ll go. I want to see her.”

  With that being said, Eraddor closed his eyes and fell asleep.

  ***

  In the top tower of the palace in Dyyros, Kile walked next to Ulcinar. The Dark Lord looked out the window that faced southeast. He was aware of Kile’s presence, but didn’t acknowledge it. He stopped just behind his master. The ominous flame that never died or was too far from Ulcinar’s side was next to him.

  Kile reported, “Lord Ulcinar, the ship is ready. Are you sure this is wise? We can send forces from the northern division to intercept them. Why let them even come this far?”

  “The two are seeking to bring the mainland into the conflict. If they succeed, they certainly will respond by attacking Barbata, the Ettui homeland. What other choice do they have? I want to be there when they do. Additionally, I want the northern division to remain a secret, if only for a little while longer. It will allow the Ettui general time to heal from his broken arm.”

  Kile cleared his throat and asked, “What of the female prisoner? Corweig is curious . . .”

  “Do not worry yourself about Corweig. I will deal with his complaints. If what you say is true about her, Levus will have no choice but to come to us. If the allied forces reach Barbata, we will have an ultimatum for them.”

  Kile knelt and bowed his head. “I will be waiting for you on the ship then, Lord Ulcinar.”

  A large smile grew on Ulcinar’s face as Kile left. If things continued the way they were going, the sword Levus carried would be in his possession very soon. Ulcinar released a long, haunting laugh that echoed throughout the capital.

  ***

  The next three days were very beautiful. There were some clouds in the sky, but it was for the most part sunny with a nice breeze. They thankfully didn’t run into any trouble, which was nice. She noticed Thamalos trying his best to get Levus alone, but he never gave him the opportunity. He stayed close to her, which she didn’t mind at all.

  At the moment, however, she wanted to have some time to herself. Every day they got closer to her hometown, the more weight she believed she carried. The responsibility of who she was and what was expected of her was heavy on her conscience.

  Divi stood on top of a hill beside her horse. In the far distance she spotted the outskirts of Myyril, with the tallest buildings just shadows from where they were. It took them little time to get here with the horses being able to push harder and longer without rest. She would have to ask Thamalos if she could stay in Lozela long enough for a horse to choose her.

  Because of its outlying districts, Myyril looked nothing like one could imagine from a distance judging it against any of the human cities. The eight villages within a hundred miles of the capital (known as the Rim) were large, but the people there lived simply. Divi called them the Divine Eight, as all were named for their main eight gods. The capital was more like Porsita in size, but more spread out and with fewer tall buildings. Divi was almost afraid to go back. It didn’t feel like home right now. She felt more comfortable thinking of Dyyros than returning to Myyril.

  Thamalos, Eraddor, and Levus all came riding from behind and stopped next her.

  Thamalos said, “You left early.”

  “I had to . . . I don’t know if I want to go back. The whole journey here I wanted to be back, but now . . .”

  Thamalos rode up to Divi and put his hand on her shoulder.

  “Be strong.”

  Divi nodded and took a deep breath before mounting her horse. It took about thirty minutes to reach the fringes of Myyril. It was not as flashy as Cordca or Lozela. The houses were made of cement or cob for the walls and clay for the roofs. The richer populace used slate as it didn’t absorb rain too much. The biggest buildings were in the capital itself, with the most notable being the mage training centers and the palace. These were built with better materials, having been constructed when humans and mages still traded. Another building of note, the Casteel, the famed mage prison, was also clearly visible because it stood separate from the rest of the city. Divi always joked it was a fortress inside a fortress.

  The wall around Myyril was about ten feet tall, but also made of stone pieces, mud, and hardened clay. A wooden door blocked the entrance, but even that looked like it would fall at any second. If only they would trade with the other races again, Myyril could be grand. She knew her father wanted to fortify the wall at least with magic, but could never convince the council to approve the matter.

  As they neared the entrance, the wooden gate opened and a pair of mage guards came out. Divi and Thamalos rode in front because of the mages' dislike of humans. The guards stopped in front of the travelers.

  One of them said, “You are trying to enter a mage installation.”

  Divi closed her eyes and in her mind, she told the guard, “Erramin toda.”

  She opened her eyes and the guard stared at her. Divi had to work on controlling telepathic speech. The password was intended for the guard, but obviously Levus and the others heard her too. That fact alone made her use of the technique worthless. Telepathic speaking was supposed to be used so two people could talk privately, not broadcast for all those around her to hear. One could make such public mental announcements if they wanted, but it defeated the main purpose of the skill. So much work to be done. The guard bowed and signaled for the other to return to his post.

  “I apologize, Honorable Divi. I had to make sure it was you. He told us that he was the only survivor.”

  Divi asked, “Who said this?”

  “Why, the Honorable Sydis. Doctor Frari is attending to him as we speak.”

  Sydis survived? How? He had been just behind her father. There was no way he could have escaped. Then again, after her father died, she wasn’t paying much attention to anything other than her own safety. Divi looked at the guard, full of confused emotions.

  “Take me to him.”

  As the guard nodded, Divi and Thamalos moved forward. Yet when Levus and Eraddor tried to follow, the mage g
uard threw a firewall in front of them. The pillars of flame scared the horses and they shrank back. The flames died when they were far enough for the mages' liking.

  Divi turned around and ordered, “Let them pass!”

  The guard never took his eyes off the two intruders.

  “I’m sorry. They are humans. It would not be wise to be seen riding with them through the streets of Myyril.”

  She was about to speak up, but Levus interrupted, “It’s all right. We don’t want to cause any trouble. We can wait here.”

  The guard nodded, surprised by the human’s understanding, and walked behind Divi and Thamalos. She continued to watch Levus all the way until the wooden gates of Myyril closed off her view of him.

  Divi rushed into the medicine room of the Myyrilian palace. The building was very beautiful from the inside, with intricate art and great sculptures everywhere. The medicine room was probably the only chamber inside it that looked like the rooms in other houses of Myyril. It was plain, with a slit in the wall acting as a window. It was also very stuffy. Although seemingly uncomfortable, it had the proper conditions for a mage’s regeneration process. She was always puzzled by that. Mages couldn’t control their body temperature enough in searing conditions like a desert, but in just the right situation, heat aided their healing from wounds or fatigue.

  When Divi reached the room, there were about fifteen men standing inside. She only recognized one initially: her father’s most trusted aid, Haldirin. She could tell just looking at him that he was overjoyed to see her, but there was also a hint that he had something else on his mind. She would talk to him when the time was right. She found the doctor, but as soon as she entered, the other mages began to cry tears of happiness. They all went up to Divi to welcome her.

  “We’re glad you’re safe.”

  They were worried because without her, there was no true successor to rule Myyril. Not many would have cared about her otherwise. She finally made her way to the doctor named Frari. He was nearly six hundred years old, but his beard still showed color. He was short, but his size was never questioned when he was saving someone from a serious injury.