The Isle of Mists: An Epic Mage Fantasy Adventure (Legend of Ecta Mastrino Book 3)

by BJ Hanlon

  “Not yet we can’t, it’s guarded.”

  Edin shook his head, “I got there weeks ago. No problems…”

  “Not in the cellar, not where the creature is. We’ll need a distraction. The ball in your honor…”

  “I’m not going,” Edin yelled.

  “It’ll be our only chance, you show up and we sneak out the back.”

  Edin looked him up and down, the spy had a plan and a part of Edin was curious about it. He was a bit curious about the creature also, but more so about the prophecy. If something was written about him, maybe he was destined for something that’d make all his pain worth it. He nodded.

  “Good, then I’ll make you one of my men. You are now a member of the Darsol Rose.”

  10

  The Party of Parties

  No one from the Praesidium or the farm attempted to reach him. The next three weeks, Edin was able to return to fighting fit. He used the sword and a quarterstaff that Le Fie had requisitioned for him to train.

  The time he wasn’t training was spent studying the spells and their power words, he learned a sleep spell, hypnosio, a confusion spell, blatheri, and a terror spell, temorus. According to Dorset, they didn’t work on people with strong mental resistance, one that Edin didn’t have. This was evidenced by him waking in strange locations after having nightmares.

  The only one Edin could practice on was Flack and after the first time getting the terror spell to work, Flack declined to return.

  There were many nightmares. In some, Merik came. The justicar with his twisted and devout grin ready to gut him. Others had Arianne loosing her arrow at his chest telling him it was justice. His mother, Grent, Horston, and Dephina all died again and again. Berka had stood over him with a serpentine wan stone blade ready to thrust into his chest. There was no recognition in his friend’s face.

  “You’ll need to get better,” Dorset said shaking his head. “Try meditation to fortify your mind.”

  Flack finally came back one day, he was hesitant and made Edin promise not to use the terror spell on him again.

  Edin had forgotten about his promise to watch over the kid but he looked to be in good spirits.

  Le Fie recruited the former thief to teach him about locks and even produced a small set of picks for Edin. They started on easy ones, then moved to more difficult ones. “You have to feel inside of the lock, know what you are feeling, and make them move.”

  Dorset didn’t know why Edin was learning to pick locks, he apparently had no idea of the plan.

  One day Le Fie appeared with a set of drawings, of the Boganthean Tower, drawn by hand.

  “I borrowed them from the castle,” Le Fie said and winked. It was very unlike Dephina’s.

  A few times, Placisus showed up to check on him.

  “So, what is this staff and sword form I keep hearing about?” the guard captain said briskly.

  Edin shrugged, “it’s just something I picked up.”

  “I hear it looks deadly, mind giving me a demonstration?”

  Edin ran his tongue along the inside of his teeth. He was tired already after three hours of training. But he nodded.

  The thick guard captain, Placisus, said nothing, he only watched but a few days later, Dorset heard Placisus was trying it behind the castle walls.

  Dorset was getting stronger having completed the Oret Nakosu and the first two sword forms. He even got a sword of his own from the his family. One that didn’t visit him.

  But there was something else Edin noticed. Something his roommate wasn’t telling him. A few times, he’d returned home late with a grin that could not be wiped from his face.

  Edin worked hard to not think about Arianne. He trained, studied, and practiced the lock picking, but her face kept appearing like a rash that wouldn’t go away.

  Edin received chits but was ordered to stay out of the city so Dorset picked up the food and Baili provided the drink. A part of him wanted to start something with Baili, but he always ended up picturing Arianne and couldn’t.

  Finally the day of the ball came, and with it, a package delivered by Nan, Belothann’s man.

  Edin thanked him but the sour servant galloped away with a dower expression on his face. Only later did Edin find out that Nan expected a tip.

  “That seems to go against the rules of the isle…” Edin said to Dorset as he looked at the brilliant cloths from the package. A fine black tunic and trousers, a white cape with a golden broach. He noticed two large cats leaping up to fight on it.

  “Crillio?” Edin asked.

  “Someone spread a rumor that you’ve killed three,” Dorset said. “I guess trying to add the third would make it look awkward.”

  Dorset’s clothes were black with a green cape to symbolize his being a terestios. An earth mage. Both sets were custom fitted and hung perfectly for a formal event.

  Dorset pulled back his hair and tied it with a pink ribbon. His blue eyes seemed large beneath his spectacles.

  “What’s with the ribbon?” Edin asked but Dorset just offered a sheepish grin.

  He wasn’t thrilled about going to the ball and wished he could just skip it and go directly to the tower. But there was also the chance that Arianne would show up and he may be able to apologize before he left the isle, and her, for good.

  Le Fie said he had a boat ready if Edin was dead set on going.

  A part of him didn’t know if he could. Who was in the wrong between him and Arianne? He was, she was, or both of them. The third seemed most appropriate.

  It was nearing the end of summer and the sun was lower in the sky. It was almost six in the evening when they left for the mansion on Alcor’s Row. Belo offered to send a carriage, Edin declined.

  They walked a long way with a pair of city guards. Tomin and Teu. The Tee-tees. They seemed like good folk, quiet for the most part but keenly interested in Edin’s training regimen. They were the first guards they’d had and came back nearly every day since. They’d escort the pair to the gates and then return home.

  The gated community known as Alcor’s Row was past the castle and the tower nestled near the western shore. It was filled with large mansions set on half acre estates. Unlike the rest of the city that felt overly crowded for space, the opulent houses were set back behind large stone walls and the gates had large family crests. He didn’t know any of them, but Dorset pointed out Mersett’s home. The crest held a watchful owl on tree with a forest behind it.

  “That’s my family home,” Dorset said. “Mersett is my great uncle on my mother’s side.”

  “Your father?”

  “He’s an accountant…not a member of the gentry.”

  “I hate accounting,” Edin said.

  “Me too.”

  They passed the Otembo residence. The crest had a dragon on a field of green and a third that caused him to stop. Harlscot, a shield with a staff and sword crossed on a field of light blue.

  “That’s my father’s?” Edin asked looking at the shaded windows.

  “Odd how you train with your family’s crest weapons, isn’t it?”

  Edin nodded.

  “It’s an old family. One of the oldest,” Dorset said.

  Edin’s eyes were drawn to movement in a second story window. A curtain was pulled back and he saw the head of a small child looking down. Questions suddenly battered him like a gale at sea.

  Was he or she related to Edin? Did his father have brothers or sisters? Did they all despise Edin? It wasn’t like it was unknown that Rihkar’s son was on the island. But like Dorset’s family, none of them came to visit or even enquired about him. A pang of sadness ran through him. This was his family. And they didn’t want anything to do with him.

  Edin raised a hand to wave and the kid disappeared.

  A warm breeze flowed through the city carrying on it the scents of flowers, perfume, and cooking meats.

  They passed a carriage and Edin caught a glimpse of the person inside, a long-faced man with a stumpy nose and wide set eyes. T
he facial expression was somewhere between confused and angry. Edin just nodded.

  While the suit fit well, it was tight in all the wrong places for a lot of movement. Le Fie supposedly left a set of more applicable clothes behind one of the estates on a trail that ran between them, a small private forest and then the volcano.

  At the gate, they slipped in between the carriages. A guard eyed them for a moment but Dorset held up their invitations that had been delivered with the clothes.

  They entered on the long oval drive with a grand staircase at the entrance to the house. Four columns crossed the expanse holding up a long porch dotted with statues.

  The staircase held a scattering assortment of brightly dressed and jovial people chatting and blocking the entrance.

  At the top, Edin noticed Placisus standing near the door behind a guard who was checking the list. The leader of the guard caught Edin’s eye, looked at his man, and then nodded for Edin to come up.

  Placisus stood before him with his chin up and his shoulders back. An intimating and possibly prideful pose. “I still don’t know why you’re here… has it to do with all of the special training you’ve been up to?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Placisus looked to Dorset then back to Edin.

  “The spellcraft and what that boy Flack is teaching you...”

  “He’s a very smart kid, we’re learning Ulstapish together,” Edin said.

  “And if I tell you to leave?”

  “I’m the guest of honor. You’ll have to arrest me.” Edin started past him. “I’m no princess to be stuck in a tower.”

  Placisus’ hand shot out and gripped him around the crillio scars. His fingers dug into Edin’s arm with more strength than Edin thought necessary. “Stay vigilant… and don’t do anything foolish.”

  Edin laughed. “I won’t.” Then shrugged the man’s grip off.

  “Darsol Rose and their secrets.” He sighed.

  He nodded toward Dorset who was moving to stand before a young woman in a large gown.

  Dorset and her eyes met and the woman blushed.

  “That’s Cannopina. The woman you saved.” The girl looked sixteen or seventeen with a round face and wide set, circular eyes. She wore her brownish red hair in a bun and had a long slender neck. Large golden earrings hung down toward her bare shoulders. She curtsied before him and Dorset bowed back with the salute of the isles. Still, it looked like someone offering food or a place to sit.

  “They’re…”

  “Seeing each other I guess… rumors have it that Belo isn’t happy. But he dotes on her.”

  Edin remembered the late nights and goofy grins. He smiled.

  Dorset took her hand kissed it and then glanced back toward Edin. He turned a slighter shade of red then waived Edin over.

  Edin looked back to Placisus.

  “Watch your back,” the head of the guard said.

  Edin bowed when he was within a yard of Cannopina. “My lady,” Edin said.

  “Master Edin I take it, Dorset has told me much about you.”

  “He is a talker.” Edin said eyeing his roommate and smiling, “it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Oh gods, what are you talking about, you saved my life.” She turned to Dorset, “I mean you both did. You’re both so strong and courageous. I just cannot be more indebted to you. If there’s anything you want, please ask.”

  “Thank you.” This seemed like the time to part, “for inviting us to the party my lady. I do not wish to hold you up any longer…” Edin turned to leave. But

  Dorset did wish to hold her up.

  He lingered for a moment longer, Edin caught them squeezing each other’s hands ever so carefully as to not draw attention. It didn’t work. More than a few of the gentry caught sight and pointed it out.

  When they walked further into the party, Edin pulled Dorset aside, “when did this happen?”

  He grinned sheepishly and glanced back at the woman. “She came to my office to thank me and… we talked. Then it happened the next day and the next. Then…” He turned redder and whispered, “she kissed me. It was like I was lifted by the gods to the sky and,” he shook his head, “I’ve never kissed a woman before.”

  Edin could tell but didn’t say anything. Dorset seemed happy.

  “Is that why you wanted to learn to fight? Learn the Oret Nakosu?” Another grin. “You’re a dog…” Edin said.

  “What does that mean?” Dorset exclaimed.

  It was then that he noticed a woman in a bright blue gown with golden hair enter. They caught each other’s eyes and she looked away and headed straight for Cannopina.

  Edin’s chest pounded and his mouth went dry. Next to her was Casitas and not only that, she had her arm looped through his.

  A server walked past with silver goblets and Edin stopped him. “What’s in these?”

  “Wine sir.”

  Edin took two and tilted one back setting it back on the server’s tray and then drinking from the second.

  “Those are for sipping,” Dorset said.

  “That seems odd as I’m not sipping yet still I’m drinking them.” Edin said.

  He quickly walked away. He didn’t want to see her, why was she here… this was supposed to be for him. Edin passed grand chairs, paintings, and other more ornamental furniture inlayed with gold or covered in velvet.

  He walked through the grand foyer barely noticing the people looking at him. Some stared, others ignored him. Pariah, Edin thought.

  He had to slip in between large and small groups of revelers who spoke so loudly he could barely think. The party goers cluttered the foyer so much it was a maze. This was a bad idea.

  Finally, he made it through to a large sunroom and glass doors that separated the house from the elements. Outside he could hear music, a string instrument that reminded him of Dephina and then he thought of Grent and Horston.

  Edin wiped his eyes as he descended shinning marble steps to a huge garden the size of his village’s square. Undying lanterns, ones that used no oil, hung from ropes above and the place smelled of orchids, roses, and food.

  Hundreds of people milled about, chatting, laughing, and drinking between long tables. No one acknowledged him. Edin guessed his friends from the other islands weren’t invited.

  The band sat in a corner on a raised platform. The yard was filled with circular tables and at the front, like at a wedding feast, a long empty table stood on a second, rectangular raised platform.

  Servers in uniforms darted in and out with silver platters.

  Edin caught another wine steward and took another pair of glasses.

  To the side of the stairs, he saw a swinging door where servers entered and exited. Just outside it, stood a pair of hefty men hovering like vultures.

  As soon as a server came out, they were accosted by the pair who picked at the platter like a choosy bird with a plethora of worms.

  “Master Edin de Yaultan. The noblest of men. So good of you to come.” The voice boomed like Belo’s name. It drew the attention of the closest revelers.

  “The philios,” someone whispered as Belo pushed men and women out of the way with his bulk.

  “This man saved my daughter’s life… he ran into a crowd of riotous comrades to pull her to safety.”

  “After he started it,” someone whispered loud enough for Edin to hear it.

  “He’s a hero and will dine at my table tonight.” He looked at Edin with big tearful eyes, they seemed to be happy tears though. Proud tears like a father would shed over his beloved son. Edin had seen the look when Vistach looked over Berka, and once in a while, over Edin.

  “And Dorset…” Edin whispered.

  His smile faltered for a second. “And Dorset Canborat… grandnephew of my colleague Mersett.” He waived Dorset over. But Edin who had just heard Dorset’s last name for the first time had a chuckle. If he married this man’s daughter, her name would be Can Canborat.

  Belo glanced at him as he s
lapped Dorset’s shoulder, slightly harder than he should’ve. “Three cheers for these two brave boys.”

  Some people did, the ones who were most intoxicated did so exuberantly. Others did so half-heartedly while more turned their backs.

  Edin noticed one man, about Le Fie’s age glaring at him as if he were a piece of rotten meat that should be thrown in the fire. Probably one of Pharont’s minions. Edin held the glare until the man turned away and said something to the woman next to him.

  Belo introduced him to his wife and other surrounding partygoers. He was showing Edin off like a prized sow at the market as they made their way down the grand stairs to the yard.

  Edin glanced toward the rear wall and the exit. Leading to the rear gate, was a pergola covered in vines like a tunnel. No one was within ten yards of it and that is where he had to go. But not now.

  “What are you looking at?” Dorset asked.

  “Nothing,” Edin said and slipped toward an empty table. He regretted not being able to tell Dorset about the plan. Even Flack was kept in the dark, Darsol Rose business, Le Fie had told them by way of an explanation.

  As he sat, he looked toward the top of the staircase. At the top and seeming to glow was Arianne. She stood as a proud queen would with Casitas on her arm. She seemed to be scanning the crowd. She saw him and glanced away.

  Edin didn’t, she was as beautiful as always. Even when she’d been beaten and broken, when she hated him… when she loved him, if she ever did…

  He couldn’t get over her. He never would.

  Then he saw Casitas glaring at him a moment later, Casitas turned and whispered something to a man next to him. The man watched Edin, nodded, and then slipped into the crowd.

  “Excuse me…” A young voice called from before him. He hadn’t noticed the child appearing as if out of thin air. He was no more than five years old and had bright blond hair, light green eyes and an inquisitive look, as if he were trying to figure out a problem. He tilted his head almost completely sideways. His mouth opened to say something but he just held it there for a moment. No more words coming out, nothing but his soft breathing.