Brinks in Time: The Unification

by Tom Rogal

  “It was unfortunate what happened to him.”

  She jumped a little at the unexpected voice. From the shadows, a man dressed in a bluish cloak walked into the light. He had a very small beard, but no mustache. His blond hair was short and well groomed. Divi took a couple of deep breaths.

  “You scared me, Tasi!”

  Tasi sat down next to her. She could tell that he was delighted to see her, but he kept it curbed. He was so good at doing that, unlike herself. Whatever emotion she felt, it was normally easy to tell. With Tasi, she just never knew.

  “We, myself included, are all relieved to see you're still alive. When Sydis returned and said all perished, I feared the worst.”

  “You always looked out for me.”

  Tasi smiled and gave a small laugh.

  “Well, since your father appointed me to be your teacher, I sort of have a responsibility to you . . . even if you refuse to learn.”

  “I must be your most difficult student.”

  Tasi looked out at the moons and said, “As my only student, I would have to agree with you. I cannot argue with your decision, though. Your father was harsh on you. I know the man, and his intentions were good, but if you ask me, he was not ready for fatherhood. That he was a former teacher himself was a double curse for you.”

  Divi faced the ground. No more tears rolled down her cheek. She did not know what to say. Tasi had been a very good friend to her and was the only one who did not push her to learn magic. He also understood the need for peace with the humans, but not many knew that. It was dangerous to think like that here. Tasi stood up.

  “Look. I know why you are here. I was temporarily elected to the council just a day ago to replace one of the mages fallen on Dyyros. I will do my best to convince them that whatever is happening on Barbata must be uncovered.”

  Tasi waited a few seconds to see if she would react, but she did nothing. He knew his pupil well enough to understand when the conversation had ended. He turned around and walked away. She looked up in his direction as the wind blew softly on her face.

  Divi said quietly, “Thank you, Tasi.”

  The waters on the Barbatan coast crashed against the rocks. The Ettuiis lined up around the beaches watched with great curiosity as the ship approached the half-mangled port. The Ettui leader, known as Darca, stood where the docks met the shore. He was not very tall, but he was poised and it was easy to tell he was in charge. His skin was cream colored, much lighter than most of the Ettui. The arched back was the result of many years of life as he had led the Ettui now for nearly one thousand five hundred years. He had to walk with a cane at times because of an injury sustained during the Third Elf-Ettui Wars. His once-black hair was now white, and his face bore many wrinkles from age. His resolve was never stronger, though.

  He grunted periodically as the ship began to dock. When it was secured, a large ramp was brought down from the ship’s deck, prompting Darca to move toward it. As he got closer, the Ettuiis observing shrank back, recognizing the two figures coming down the ramp. Darca stopped as Ulcinar and Kile emerged out of the shadows. A streak of lightning crashed across the sky as the Ettui leader and the Dark Lord stared into each other’s eyes. Darca knew he did that on purpose. It scared the common Ettui, but not him. He did it to ensure privacy, something he would have if he just asked.

  “It is good to see you, Lord Ulcinar.”

  Darca was genuinely relieved to see him back. So long ago had he come, telling his Ettui of the past, the present, and the upcoming future if they followed him. They did so without question, waiting for his return. Now, he was back, and hopefully bearing grand news about the Ettui future. Ulcinar, Kile, and Darca walked together down what used to be a road, now a dusty path to the destroyed capital of Barbata.

  Normally a trip from Dyyros to Barbata would take two weeks at least, given the primitive technology of Gyyerlith. Ulcinar, thankfully, knew a few . . . shortcuts that would cut two weeks to two days. Another race also utilized these as well, but he knew where they all were. The elves had only mapped a select few. When he completed his task here, he would do the deed far from the mainland . . . far from any enemies he had.

  “I trust your men are ready.”

  Darca replied, “We are ready to serve. Do you believe that they will mount an attack here?”

  “Yes. They know the Ettui are involved, so coming to Barbata is the most logical response. The elves have been looking for an excuse to return here for years, especially since you embarrassed them at the Battle of the Four Forks.”

  That was considered Darca’s one success amid a sea of failures. After having so many potential wins snagged away from him at the very end, it was a breath of fresh air for the Ettui leader to have everything go perfectly. Although he would have loved to annihilate the entire force, the consequences of the defeat were felt among the mainland races through the rift it caused. That was the main objective.

  “If you speak right, then I must unleash one of the demi-dragons. It kept our enemies at bay the last time,” Darca said.

  “Just prepare your troops to the south and have most of your armies remain in the center of the continent. Reinforce the coastal defenses so the only place for them to go is south. I promise you they will not take your capital.”

  Darca agreed as they passed through the broken gate leading to the former great palace of the Ettui.

  CHAPTER 11

  Ferigor’s Hand

  It had been a couple of days since they arrived in Myyril. Divi and Thamalos paced the palace hallway, worried about the decision the mages were coming to. They could hear the heated arguments from the council room yesterday whenever the door opened. It seemed far quieter today. Divi didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. She tried to quiet her mind and hear what was going on, but the council room was surrounded by powerful magic to prevent eavesdroppers. She jumped when Thamalos put his hand on her shoulder.

  “What do you think?”

  She looked at the ground and then at the door leading to the council room. “I don’t know. The magical barrier blocks my abilities. I think there is much doubt inside there."

  “Let us hope not much. We are losing time.”

  She nodded and said, “I know.”

  Hours seemed to pass like days. Even the couriers had to sit as their legs started to tire. Finally, the doors to the council room opened wide before closing instantly. Loud talk could still be heard as they shut. Walking out were Tasi and two of the higher magi in the interim council. Haldirin having been elected on a temporary basis, also stepped out. Divi and Thamalos approached them together. Tasi had a smile on his face. That had to be a good sign.

  The councilman on Tasi's left, named Jerni, looked in Divi’s direction. He was darker skinned coming from the western provinces near Lozela. Apart from now being on the council, he was a skilled alchemist and the favorite to replace the fallen leader of the School of Alchemy.

  “Divi of Myyril, daughter of the esteemed Neeza, we have agreed to send fifty magi to the aid of you and the elves."

  She smiled and looked at Thamalos.

  “But on one condition. Cordca must get involved as well. The mages will not lose their lives unless human lives are at risk too. I will send Tasi with you as our representative.”

  Divi nodded and said, “Thank you, Honorable Jerni.”

  Jerni faced Tasi. “If Cordca does agree, contact us with telepathy and we will prepare the men for Fort Za. And good luck to you, Divi. Avenge the lives of those mages who perished, especially your father.”

  Jerni turned around and headed back to the council room. Tasi watched until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He smiled when he saw that it was Divi.

  “Thank you, Tasi and Haldirin.”

  Haldirin replied, “Don’t thank me too much. Tasi was the one who did all the talking.”

  “I said I would talk them into it.”

  “The great Tasi, master teacher and diplomat.”

  Tasi laughed at h
er comment. Her sarcasm offended many mages, but not him. He was used to it in more ways than others might be.

  Thamalos cleared his throat and smiled at both mages, disrupting Tasi’s thoughts. Divi nodded and looked at her old friend.

  “We must hurry. We’ll meet you at the abandoned sanctuary.”

  Tasi replied, “Very well. Let me just retrieve a horse.”

  As he moved toward the stables, Haldirin joined him. He wanted to come along for the adventure and lend the same service to Divi that he did her father for years. He knew, though, that he had a responsibility here. Besides, Tasi would protect her. He always would. He felt sorry that a relationship between them could never be, as he felt they would be a good match. He wasn’t one to get involved in those matters. Besides, from their talk, it seemed like she had met someone. A boy called Levus. It didn’t sound like a mage’s name, but there had been some strange ones over the years. He would ask her about it later.

  Divi and Thamalos headed outside town together. She turned to the elf prince.

  “The mages' cooperation is very generous considering the circumstances.”

  Thamalos added, “Let us hope it is enough.”

  Thamalos sat meditating in his room in the Myyrilian palace. They had opted to stay one more night and begin early the next morning. The elf prince had another reason. As they were going to eat, he heard the wind whisper. It was not rare for an elf to talk that way. They used many ways in nature to communicate. Yet this one was different, swifter and carrying music with it. It was one he hadn’t heard in years. He had to confirm the message because if it was from him, it was wise to listen.

  Thamalos closed his eyes as he quieted his mind. He opened it to allow the powers of nature to reach him fully. This normally wasn’t necessary when one of his own clan contacted him. When their spiritual leaders reached out to him, they used a dialect that only could be heard fully when one succumbed to it. The Ettui, having lost touch with nature, would never be able to hear this, making it the safest way to talk without having their enemy listen in.

  It didn’t take long for the message carried by the wind to reach his strong ears. “Come to the Forrtuii Permisii. We have much to discuss about the road ahead and we must talk about another matter. Be sure the mage, Divi, is with you. Come as quick as you can. I will be waiting.”

  Thamalos opened his eyes after making sure that was all the wind carried. It had been over twenty years since he had contacted him. The last time was to warn him that his father was afflicted with a serious disease and preparations had to be made. It was essentially telling him he was soon to be the leader of his people. Now, he called him again, but why?

  He sat wondering what he should do. The smart thing would be to go see him right away. But would his new friends be willing to double back for something he couldn’t even explain the necessity of? Eraddor would understand. He knew all about the one who sent this message.

  He would decide in the morning. Even though Divi and Levus were the reason this group was together in the first place, Thamalos’ contacts and prestige on the mainland were going to get them the audiences they sought, making him the unofficial leader of this campaign for now. He would meditate just a bit longer. Despite this, he had a strong feeling what his decision would be.

  “We’re doing what?”

  The rest of the group was shocked when Thamalos told his plan. Consequently, he waited until they were near the mage town of Grifain fifty miles out before he told them. Eraddor noticed much sooner, realizing their direction was more westerly than north.

  Thamalos said, “It will be hard for me to explain why we must go. I was contacted by one of the Wood Elves. Their messages are rare, so to dismiss one I received would be too much of a risk. It might even pertain to our journey. Trust me. I wouldn’t have taken us out of our way if it wasn’t necessary.”

  Levus asked, “What makes the Wood Elves so important? And what could they possibly have for us that is more crucial than meeting with Cordca? We’ll be losing a week.”

  Thamalos knew the boy wouldn’t understand. Dyyros was such a strange place, even the last time he visited there so long ago. To instantly take one of their residents into the mainland culture would be a shock. He was going to need to explain what the Wood Elves were. However, Divi beat him to it.

  “They are the spiritual guides of the elven race. Their beauty and prowess are supposed to be nothing but perfection. But they are very territorial. They take their privacy very seriously.”

  Thamalos gave a small smile as he heard her description. “Have I taught you nothing, Divi? You speak the common lore of the land. Wood Elves are the most beautiful of our race. They also serve, not only as spiritual advisors, but as advisors of life. Their wisdom and knowledge surpass any other living thing. Their ability to see into the future is their greatest gift. When they call, it is unwise to avoid it. That is why we must return. We will stay close to the Sea of the Unifier so that we might cut a day or two off our travels.”

  Levus remembered that large body of water from their journey to Lozela and across that sea, the Hiramtong. That strange set of structures was, for whatever reason, in the back of his mind. Maybe it would be worth going back just so he could lay eyes on them again.

  Eraddor added, “Besides, at the height of the month-long celebration happening in Cordca, it would be next to impossible to gain a private audience with King Aldaran. Perhaps it will be more beneficial to contact one of the other Realms of Men first. The more we can add to the alliance, the more likely Cordca will participate.”

  Tasi agreed. The mages were demanding that just Cordca send troops. If they could convince the other human realms to send men as well, he could perhaps convince the council to add a few more for the cause when they returned. He did have his apprehensions about the Wood Elves, mainly from the stories he too had heard. They were not ones to be trifled with and rumor had it that one offensive remark could cost one their hand or worse.

  Tasi said, “Then let it be. Thamalos, take us to the Wood Elves. If we are being summoned, then we should be safe.”

  The other members of their party were hesitant, but nodded nonetheless. Good, thought Thamalos. He had a feeling this had to do with their mission. Although he would be upset if he were told their Barbatan campaign would fail if they went through with it, at least he would know there had to be a different way to go about getting what they wanted. The Wood Elves always gave them choices, even if the message was cryptic. He just hoped that he had chosen correctly.

  The group set up camp in a small clearing about twenty miles northwest of Kremmon, the last mage city located in the Rim. Their second day of travel was uneventful, riding most of the day, stopping only to eat. Divi had never been to Kremmon before, primarily because of a slight fear for the god which it was named after. She had that much more respect for its residents, as she knew they feared him just as much.

  Levus had been shockingly quiet the whole day. Even now, he sat away from the group. After further thought, she guessed it shouldn’t be too surprising. He was the only one of their party not from the mainland. This was all foreign to him. It must have been easy to consider himself the outcast.

  Divi stood up and walked toward Levus, making Tasi very curious. He never took his eyes off her, following her every motion. He had done so since yesterday, when he witnessed a moment between her and Levus. It was one he didn’t like. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions and figured he would continue observing just to be sure.

  Divi asked, “Want company?”

  Levus smiled and said, “If you’re the company, then you never have to ask. You are always welcome to sit next to me.”

  She returned the smile as she sat next to him. Her heart began to beat faster at being close to him. The more time they spent together, the more she slowly began to accept that perhaps something was going on with her feelings toward Levus.

  Before she said another word, she noticed he was fiddling with something in his h
and. It was the gift given to them by Sahara back on Dyyros. He had kept true to his word. Never once had he considered uncovering the object. It just didn’t feel like a desperate enough moment for him to do it.

  “The item that kind lady gave us? Or should I say our sister?”

  Levus chuckled. “Yeah, just had me thinking for some reason.”

  “Well, I see you haven’t opened it yet. What do you think it is?” Divi asked.

  “Judging by its size and how hard it is, I think it might be a stone. Can’t tell for sure, but why would they give us a stone? What can be so magical about it that it can help us?”

  Divi knew of the existence of magical stones. Myyril had its fair share of them, and the elves did as well. They were not meant to be taken lightly, as one could grant the bearer magical power so long as they had it. The Myyrilian ones, as far as she knew, were either lost or hidden in so secure a place that no one would be able to get them. She couldn’t attest to the ones the elves had.

  “I’m sure the reason will present itself. She gave it to us because she must have believed we can make a change. I think we can. So long as we stick together, we can take on anything.”

  Levus chucked and said, “I wish I had your confidence. You're right about one thing: we are going to see this through to the end, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  The two shared a moment of silence. The way Levus spoke made it sound less and less like he intended to go back to Leeta. Sure, she would have felt a little guilty about stealing another woman’s man. But if Levus truly cared for Leeta unequivocally, then he wouldn’t have been saying these things to her.

  Eraddor watched carefully as the mage and human sat together joking. He was pleasantly surprised to see them like they were. Mages and humans rarely shared moments like these. It gave him an inkling of hope that maybe the races could finally form an alliance like in the olden days. Maybe these two were the harbingers of such change.