Brinks in Time: The Unification

by Tom Rogal

  Frari said, “I am very happy you have returned. The morale of the people was low when Sydis returned saying Neeza and the others were all killed on Dyyros. There was even talk of declaring war against Dyyros, but cooler heads have prevailed for the moment until we can discuss it more.”

  “Can I talk with him?”

  Frari nodded and stepped back as Divi knelt next to Sydis. Thamalos entered slowly. The mages were surprised by his presence, but since he was an elf, they didn’t seem too concerned. He just analyzed Divi and the doctor from a distance.

  Sydis lay on a white cot covered by a blanket. Divi touched his exposed hand gently. She hoped to feel herself into his memories so she could find out what happened, but she was far from learning to do that, apparently, as she felt nothing. She did know, however, how to feel the presence of wounds on someone’s body, and here she shockingly felt very little.

  Sydis, who was sleeping, woke up at Divi’s touch. He opened his eyes half way. She must have interrupted his regeneration process, because he still looked exhausted.

  Sydis asked softly, “Who is there?”

  “It’s me, Divi.”

  Sydis’ eyes opened a little wider. She would never forget his reaction when she said her name. It was like he was almost disturbed.

  “Divi? You’re alive?”

  “Where were you? Why didn’t you protect my father?”

  Sydis closed his eyes and moved his head from right to left, repeating, “It was horrible.”

  Divi stood after a few seconds. Something wasn’t right about all this. She needed time to think. Frari followed as she exited the room and met her and Thamalos in the hallway. All the mages who were there before had dispersed. There was nothing more for them to do until Sydis grew stronger.

  The three began to walk together. They were soon joined by Haldirin, quietly following behind. As an assistant and good friend to her father, was welcome to hear their conversation. She had to find out more from Frari, but not in the presence of the other mages. They didn’t need to know what was going on yet.

  “I must say that he was lucky to survive the ordeal. His description of the events seemed horrifying.”

  “Yes, they were. Frari, what injuries did he sustain? When I touched him, I felt only minor wounds.”

  “Well, now that you mention it, he did only sustain slight skin burns and a sword slash on his arm. Other than that, there were no physical wounds. Your telepathic powers are impressive, Divi! I don’t know if it’s because you haven’t learned magic yet, but I just find them amazing!”

  Thamalos inquired, “How long has it been since Sydis returned?”

  “He arrived a couple days ago. He told us that after the attack, he hid until he felt it safe. At that point, he stowed away on a ship and slowly made his way here.”

  Divi thought. It had to be close to a month since they were attacked in Porsita. Why would it have taken so long? If he hid in Porsita, he could have snuck onto a boat before Ulcinar barred ships from leaving. Even if he had to go to Tartus, it still would not take that long, as Cordca was only a three to four-day journey from there. Unless he hitched a boat to Fort Za, none of the ports were longer than a four-day journey from Myyril, the longest being by Lozela.

  “How will Sydis be?” Thamalos asked.

  Frari said, “He should be fine in a few more days. If you don't mind, I am curious why you are here? It is odd for an elf to come to Myyril these days.”

  “We came for help from the mages, but with no leader . . .”

  “What help did you require?”

  The elf prince seemed hesitant to answer, no doubt because he knew what the initial reaction would be. Yet eventually Thamalos spoke.

  “We have reason to believe the Ettui were responsible for this.”

  Frari gave a small laugh.

  “Please, Thamalos! Do not jest like this. We all know that the Ettuiis are unable to build ships. The Ettui Island Wars all but settled that. Their only true love is for swords and large projectile weapons. Even if the Ettui could build a ship, why sail for Dyyros and not Lozela?”

  Thamalos continued, “That is why I want to form an alliance to investigate the activities in Barbata. It is the only way that we will find the answer to that question.”

  Frari seemed taken aback at Thamalos’ request. The doctor had to stop walking and ruminate about what he was told."

  He exclaimed, “Are you out of your mind? Barbata is the Ettui homeland now! We would need to amass a great army for such a task. The Myyrilian council will never go for such a suicidal mission. I understand that Dyyros’ leader, Ulcinar, is a corrupt master based off the rumors I’ve heard. But to think that even he could be involved with the Ettuiis is inconceivable! No one will agree with your plan!”

  “We still have to go to Desris and Cordca. If you are willing to send mages, I am sure that King Aldaran would send aid as well. The elves at Fort Za would be more than willing to help.”

  Frari put his hand on his forehead as he stepped through an open door, which led to a balcony overlooking a garden with many exotic flowers and beautiful sculptures. The doctor stopped at the edge of the balcony and glared at the garden. This place normally gave him the ability to think clearer because of its peacefulness. He wasn’t sure if it would for a decision like this, however. Thamalos and Divi stopped behind him.

  “This garden has seen many great mages pass. Some are even buried here.”

  “More will die unless we can find out what they are planning. If the Ettuiis goal is the mainland, I fear there will be no way to stop them. All we must do is reach the Ettui leader, Darca. He never leaves the capital,” said Thamalos.

  Frari looked down before raising his head again to view the garden.

  “All right. I’ll bring it up to the council tomorrow. We are meeting to determine the fate of our government. Never has Myyril faced such a crisis. I do apologize, Honorable Divi. Even though you are the true heir, you will not be able to attend because you can’t cast magic. The laws must be upheld. Realize it might take a day or two before they decide.”

  Thamalos and Divi nodded.

  “You two may stay in the palace until a decision is made.”

  A short silence filled the garden until Thamalos broke it. “Tell me, do you know why Neeza was on his way to Dyyros? Especially bringing so many important people from the council?”

  “He told me nothing of such things. He summoned certain members of the council to a secret meeting before they left. We wouldn’t have known they were gone if it had not been for Divi’s teacher noticing she was away. Even Haldirin here had to swear that he would not speak of their departure until they were well on their way. Sydis is the only one now who knows what went on in that room. And he will not be ready to speak for at least a couple of days. It matters not now. Just rest.”

  Frari began to leave. He could see how badly Haldirin wanted to talk with Neeza’s daughter. As much as he would have loved to hear the conversation, he respected their privacy. Yet before he could depart, Divi stopped him.

  She asked, “What about our human friends? They are currently waiting out by the gates.”

  The doctor said, without facing them, “They cannot stay in the city. The other mages will sense a human presence. They may stay in the deserted sanctuary building on the outskirts.”

  Frari went back into the palace. Thamalos and Divi walked up to the balcony’s edge.

  Divi said, “I can’t believe how much our people hate humans. Being with Levus has changed my entire outlook on them.”

  “I agree. Yes, humans have their weaknesses, but the mages fail to realize that without their abilities they themselves are basically human. It makes me think that it is the mage race keeping the Second Unification from taking place. No offense to your people, of course.”

  They watched as the sun began to set. Looking behind them, Thamalos saw Haldirin still there. That's why Frari left. This man wanted to speak with Divi alone. As there was nothing muc
h to do for tonight, he figured now would be a good time to meditate on the day’s occurrences.

  Thamalos said, “I think I will retire for the night. Sleep well, Honorable Divi.”

  The elf prince left the balcony. Even though she didn’t want him using formalities with her, with other mages around it would be wise to keep things professional. When he was gone, Divi and Haldirin met halfway and hugged. Tears welled in his eyes and she could feel the regret and sadness in him. This man was like an uncle to her, always being her father’s voice when he was too busy to do it himself−basically, all the time.

  Haldirin said as they finally released each other, “I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have been there. At least I could have protected him.”

  Divi smiled and said, “If you had gone, you would be dead much like the others. It was an ambush. But why did my father not want you to come?”

  “He wouldn’t tell me. All he said was that he wanted me to stay in case something bad happened to him. That worried me greatly, but considering his company, I thought nothing more of it.”

  Divi still didn’t understand. Neeza never went anywhere without Haldirin. She had noticed his absence on the boat to Porsita, but she was too upset at the time to put it together. He was more than just her father’s messenger. He also served as his protector and voice. Either Neeza had thought this mission to Dyyros would go so smoothly that he didn’t think he needed him, or he suspected something else.

  To confirm her suspicions, she asked, “You’re thinking the same thing I am?”

  Haldirin nodded and said, “Indeed. Someone reported that your father and the council were coming. The night you left, he spoke with a man in the Casteel. He was supposedly from Dyyros. I have some people helping me to find out what happened, Inno and a few students from the last mission we went on before you left for Dyyros. Trust me, we will find out the truth and be sure those responsible for setting you up will be brought to justice.”

  “Thank you. You be careful as well. Until you find out who is responsible, it might not even be safe at home.”

  Divi also left the balcony. She had to let Levus and Eraddor know what was going on before nightfall, then she would need to get some sleep. So much had happened that she wanted to ponder on.

  Haldirin, however, only looked toward the setting sun. It isn’t even safe at home. Dyenarus had mentioned something about that very subject on their return trip from Mount Hrithgorn. The Ettui leader there, Orznaii, had told her basically the same thing. Could one of their own have possibly betrayed them? He didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t assume anything. These were dark times that required one to be fully aware of everything. Tomorrow, he would bring this up to Inno and Dyenarus. The people he felt he could trust were starting to dwindle. When this was over, by the gods let it not be one of their own who masterminded it.

  ***

  Levus and Eraddor sat on a stack of hay before the gate. They had tied their horses to a wooden post nearby. Levus watched as another mage strolled past them. Before entering the city, the mage gave them a dirty look. Levus put his arm on his waist.

  “What is the problem?”

  Levus asked, “Do the mages hate the human race that much?”

  Eraddor smiled and said, “It is far greater than hatred. If not for the Ettui, the humans and the mages would not contact each other.”

  Levus was about to answer when the gate slowly opened. Divi walked out and stopped as her two human friends come toward her. She wore a worried expression, one he was growing accustomed to lately.

  Eraddor asked, “What is the mages' decision?”

  “They will bring it to the council. We have no choice but to wait. I’m afraid rushing them will not get us out of here any sooner.”

  “What about Eraddor and I?” asked Levus.

  “You must sleep in an abandoned sanctuary a mile from here. But here.” She handed them cloaks with hoods. “These will hide you from the general populace. Humans don’t visit often, so if you wear these the people may not take much notice of anything different about you. I will have food brought to you and whatever you need.”

  Divi turned around to head back into the city. She didn’t want to leave them out there. Although she felt they would be relatively safe, especially with the symbol marking them as esteemed guests embroidered on their cloaks, if the wrong Myyrilians found out humans were here, they might cause trouble. Like most poor nations, they had an underground that operated outside of the main city. It was very hard to police, even giving her father trouble. One thing she knew for certain: they would not hurt Levus. She would see harm came to anyone who did.

  The gates of Myyril closed at once behind her, slamming with a hollow crash.

  Eraddor said, “Follow me. I know this place.”

  He began to walk in an easterly direction.

  “Are all mages the same?”

  Eraddor smiled and said, “No, each mage specializes in an area of their choosing. There are healers, warlocks, attackers . . .”

  “What about Divi?”

  “Divi and her family are a special case. Only the most powerful bloodlines can produce mages that specialize in multiple or even all fields. They are known as sacred-bloods. It is believed that they are descended from the very gods who gave the mages their abilities, as there is no other explanation why they can do it. She is part of it,” explained Eraddor. “Well, here we are.”

  Levus looked in disbelief. It was bigger than the rest, but the condition of the building was another story. It looked like a wrong wind would knock the second floor off. Both stopped and just observed it.

  Levus commented, “You would think that the mages' feelings for us are personified in that building.”

  “No, if they sent us to a place equaled how much they hated us, we’d be sleeping in an animal’s stall.”

  They exchanged smiles as they walked toward the space where a wooden door had decayed off its hinges

  .

  ***

  The streets lay relatively quiet as night enveloped Myyril. It was a typical one for the mage capital, as there was not much reason to be out. Usually the only activity was at the inns, the secret markets, and the Casteel. Some business owners may still be awake as well, but generally the streets were deserted.

  In the palace, Divi tried desperately to fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she was awakened by . . . something. A feeling. She had been staring at the ceiling of her room for the past hour now. Her room was quite lavish with expensive goods. The furniture was made by the finest makers in the far western mage lands. Cloaks made of silk from the large and rare hurrguise spider filled her closet. Many books about learning magic lay on shelves throughout the room, but they did nothing but collect dust. Divi never used the table, either. It, like the books, just collected dust.

  Divi tried closing her eyes again. She suddenly heard the screams of people in her mind, both adults and children, even infants. Divi turned in bed. She had these nightmares often. They used to occur only in her room, but now she received them anywhere. Perhaps Ulcinar was trying to invade her dreams again. His admission back in Arnis was startling.

  She opened her eyes once more. The screaming stopped and all was silent. It was hopeless. Tonight would not be one when she got much sleep.

  Divi sat up and walked toward an open window overlooking the city. The town center was easily seen since it held the larger buildings. Yet she could even see the villages and their outskirts. Her attention, though, focused on a poorer section of the village located just outside the Myyrilian walls. Levus was in there. Even from this distance, she thought she could feel him. She laid her left palm on her chest over her heart. There was that good feeling again. The more Divi got this feeling, the more confident she was that her hypothesis was true. But could she go through with it? A mage and a human? Was this the thing that everyone called “love”?

  An underlying warmth spread through her body. She was sweating from nearly every
crevice. Just thinking of him made her feel as if the sun was right next to her. She began to massage the area around her heart just above her breast.

  A bird suddenly flew by the window, snapping her out of her fantasy and attracting her gaze. The strange feeling was gone, though she still felt very warm. Divi wiped the sweat from her arms. She had to get out of this room. She quickly grabbed her staff and headed out toward the cool night.

  The moons were very bright, giving more light than usual in the mage city. Divi could not remember the last time that Myyril was so illuminated. She surely did miss this. She had always walked around Myyril at night. In the downtown area there was no crime, no reason to fear the night. Being on Dyyros opened her eyes to the darkness that it could hide.

  As she reached the merchant district, Divi had to stop. It was the brightest here for some reason. As she looked around, her attention fell upon a statue that stood erect in the center. It was of her father, Neeza, looking proud, yet contrite. It had been made after he helped resolve the Nesseis disputes, becoming a hero to many mages. Divi walked closer to it, stopping about five feet from the fountain at its base. A tear rolled down her cheek.

  “I wish you were still here, Father.”

  The statue looked to the south as she stared at the ground. This was the first time in days that she had time to think. So much had happened. She began to weep for her father. In the past, she never used to cry when things happened to him. Her hatred for what he did to her banished those sorrowful feelings. But now that he was gone and she was in Myyril again, grief overcame her. She never wanted him to die, even for what he did. Yet images of his cruel acts once again formed in her mind.

  “You probably wouldn’t care. You were always just like this statue. Fearless . . . and emotionless . . .”

  The tears continued to roll down her cheeks.