The Demon Mages (The Power of Three Book 1)

by Sabine A. Reed

  “Is there anything else you can tell us that will assist my sister on her journey?” Alicia pleaded with the old mage.

  Zima frowned. She tapped her finger on her lips. “There’s something else. A diary. You’ll write in it.” She pointed to Zo with the same finger. “Through it, you can ask me if you need any information and keep us abreast of your progress also.”

  Suspicion crept into Zo’s voice. It was unlike Zima to offer something from her precious collection. “What diary?”

  “It’s a magic diary, of course.” Zima shuffled out of the room, but only after she had placed her beloved maps back on the shelves. “It’s part of a set. You write in one, and the writing appears in the other one.”

  Alicia smiled. “Why, that’s wonderful. Zo, you won’t have to scry. Scrying can always give your location away if someone’s watching. But with this diary, you can keep me informed and I can tell you about what’s going on here.”

  Zima turned around so quick, she nearly collided with them. She shook her fist. “You don’t keep it, girl. I’ll keep the other one. Every day you write and tell me where you are and what you see. I’ll record the information in my tomes. Fresh eyes, that’s what I need. So much has changed on the mainland and we’re stuck here on this island.”

  Zo bit her tongue, resisting the urge to tell the old crone to leave the island if she missed the mainland so much. But this wasn’t the time to antagonize her. This diary seemed to be a perfect solution for her need to communicate with her sister during the journey. A scrying spell would take time and energy because it didn’t involve air or fire, her main elements, from which her magic was born. Water mages, like Seve, could do a scrying spell with a snap of their fingers but for mages that claimed power from the elements of air, fire, or earth, even such an elemental spell could be a demanding task. What’s more…the magic involved with such spells was detectable to any mage who was actively monitoring this kind of activity.

  Nevertheless, she didn’t like Zima’s dictates.

  “Write every day?” Zo pulled a face. The old woman had indeed lost it. During this journey, Zo would be out in unfamiliar terrain, perhaps facing myriad, bizarre difficulties - and the ancient wasp expected her to scribble in a diary each day just so she could enlighten her about the flora and fauna. Zima was batty, to say the least.

  Reaching a locked cabinet, Zima opened it with a small key she carried in her pouch. “This is very special, very important.” She pulled out a pair of leather-bound, brown diaries from a shelf, and showed them to the girls. “I’ll keep one and you’ll carry one. Every day, without fail, you must write down all the new sites you see. Topology, routes, plants…”

  “I’ll be traveling and won’t have the time to write all this nonsense down.” Zo raised her hand to take the diary, and earned another slap for her effort.

  “You can’t have it then.” Zima placed the diaries back on the shelf.

  Alicia placed a restraining hand on Zo’s shoulder. “She’ll write. Every day. Won’t you, Zo?”

  Zo gritted her teeth. “I’ll write every day.”

  “Promise?” An unholy light gleamed in Zima’s eyes.

  With immense control, Zo stopped herself from giving the old librarian the verbal lashing she deserved. Time was of the essence, and she couldn’t afford to waste it on petty arguments. Also, she would need all the help possible on this journey, and Zima might be able to guide her through this diary. “Yes, I promise.”

  For a long moment, Zima stared into her eyes as if judging the merit of her oath. Reluctantly, she handed over one of the diaries. “Take good care of it. It’s over two hundred years old, and invaluable. It has been passed down through many generations in my family. I keep it here for safekeeping and…”

  “I’ll take good care of it,” Zo assured her, cutting off the lecture.

  Zima shook her head as if she didn’t quite believe Zo had the capability to take care of her cherished treasure, but she didn’t say anything.

  Alicia grasped the older woman’s hand. “Thank you. You’ve been a great help.”

  Pulling her hand free, Zima walked behind her desk. “Go now. Didn’t I say the library was closed?”

  “Doesn’t the old crone ever sleep?” Zo whispered in her sister’s ear.

  “Shh!” Alicia glared at her. “She has been an invaluable source of information. Come.”

  Zo followed her sister out. “We need to tell Seve to replace her. She scares half the library users away…” Stopping mid-sentence, she stared at her sister with a mortified expression. “I meant to say…”

  “Don’t worry. Seve will be fine, and you can tell him that yourself. Although I’m sure he will never replace Zima. She is practically a member of the family.”

  Zo pushed her unruly hair back from her face. “Yeah, most likely, the old codger would die inside the library and we’ll have to bury her there since her ghost won’t leave the precious books.”

  “I’ll visit the library every day, and read the diary to see if you need any help,” said Alicia.

  “That is, if that vamp lets you near her prized heirloom…” Zo paused in mid-stride. They were now in the antechamber next to the royal throne room. The commander of the realm guards stood at attention next to the door. Beside him stood a petite young woman, dressed in a green tunic and a grey cloak. Zo remembered seeing her before. She was Alicia’s senior most assistant.

  “Arkon, I’m glad you could come.” Alicia greeted the commander with ease. “Zo, I believe you know both Arkon and Ria,” she glanced at Zo.

  “Yes.” Zo nodded. Alicia’s assistant was an accomplished healer. Although she preferred to travel alone, since other people would only slow her down, it was important to take someone who could positively identify the flower of rosem. Any mistake could cost her siblings their life.

  “We’ve a matter of utmost urgency, commander Arkon. We require your assistance,” Alicia continued.

  “The king has taken ill,” Arkon said in a clipped voice. He was a tall muscled man, well over six feet. His hair was cropped short, and a thin curved scar, gleaming silver in the lantern light, was visible on the right side of his forehead. He wore a scabbard on his back, and the hilt of a sword showed over his shoulder.

  Zo knew him vaguely. The soldiers and home guard were not under her command. She wasn’t responsible for overseeing their training. In any case, people without any magical abilities failed to catch her attention her for long. Magic was her muse, and it was all that interested her.

  “Yes, he is ill,” Alicia admitted. “He was poisoned.”

  “Poisoned?” An unguarded, shocked expression showed on Arkon’s face. “How is that possible? Who would try to kill the king?”

  “We don’t know…”

  “No matter, princess.” He placed his hand on the dagger than hung on the belt around his waist. “We’ll find the culprit and bring him to justice. We’ve already commenced a thorough search of the entire castle. We’ll flush him out from whichever hole he is hiding in…”

  Alicia stepped forward. “I appreciate your dedication, commander. But that isn’t why I called you.”

  Zo narrowed her eyes. Why did her sister call the commander if not to assign him the duty to find the person responsible for Seve’s plight?

  “I don’t understand, princess.” Arkon frowned.

  “The king requires a powerful antidote. Unfortunately, one of the ingredients needed to make the potion is not available in the kingdom. It has to be procured from the mainland. I wish for you to accompany my sister as she undertakes the perilous journey. Ria will travel with you. She would recognize the flower because she has studied about it in great detail along with me.”

  Zo placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder, resisting the urge to yank her back. How could she think of saddling her with a person who would only slow her down? “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said in a clipped tone. “I’ve no need for a bodyguard. Ria and I shall be fine on
our own.”

  “Two women traveling alone? You’ll attract unwanted attention. You need the commander to keep you safe. Yes, you do.” Alicia whirled to face her twin, a resolute gleam in her eyes. “Surely you didn’t believe I would let you go alone?”

  “Don’t be silly.” Zo felt her temper bubble to the surface. With effort, she suppressed it. Her sister’s concern endeared her, but the decision wasn’t hers to make. Zo didn’t need protection. She was a one woman army. Did Alicia think she wasn't capable of keeping herself and her precious assistant safe. “What can he do for me that I can’t do myself? I mean…he has no magic.” She spread her hands, palms up. “He would be helpless out there. And I’ll have to spend valuable time taking care of him.”

  Alicia glanced at Arkon, looking contrite. “Please forgive my sister, commander. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. She has the utmost respect for your skills.”

  “Indeed I do, commander.” Zo dismissed him summarily, neither having the time nor the inclination to ensure his feelings were unhurt. Her mission was important, and she didn’t have the patience to let a non-magic person tag along. “If you would care to leave us alone…”

  “Indeed not, commander. You’ll stay here and get a briefing on the journey you’re about to undertake with Zo and Ria.” Alicia stood her ground, her gaze unwavering from her sister’s angry face.

  The commander dutifully stayed quiet, his impassive face betraying no emotion as he watched the interplay between the two sisters. Ria looked flabbergasted by the whole argument.

  “I won’t have time to babysit someone during this journey. You heard what Zima said, there’s a war going on. What if we get caught by the king’s army? I won’t have time to save him if we're attacked,” Zo hissed, as she pulled Alicia a little distance away to guarantee some privacy.

  “You will not go alone.” Alicia’s face was set. “What if there’s trouble? There should be someone to help you.”

  “I don’t need anyone’s help. And I won’t get caught. You know I can do an invisibility spell…”

  “You’re a powerful mage, but not invincible. You might’ve need for assistance. I really should send an entire contingent with you…”

  Zo was aghast by the suggestion. “Certainly not! A big party will attract more attention.”

  How could she explain this to Alicia? It would be cumbersome to travel with a horde of people. Also, Zo preferred to work on her own. She was a loner, confident of her own abilities and unwilling to wait for others to catch up to her high standards. Taking Ria along was a necessity, but she didn’t have to tolerate a person who didn't have any magic.

  Alicia sighed. “Fine. You’ve a point. A smaller party will attract less attention than an entire contingent of guards. So you, Ria and Arkon…”

  “Just Ria and me,” Zo insisted, getting annoyed by her sister’s stubbornness. Usually easygoing, Alicia was being uncharacteristically difficult tonight.

  “If not Arkon, then perhaps another mage?” Alicia suggested.

  Zo pretended to give the idea some consideration. “Rama might be of some help, but then he is getting old and wouldn’t be able to travel speedily. Asga and Arian are too young. Anyway, my main aim would be to avoid trouble, and the more magic between the lot of us, the greater the chance someone might scry us.”

  “Good.” Alicia nodded sagely. “It’s decided then. Just you, Ria, the commander, and Erob. He knows the mainland like the back of his hand, and will be able to guide you.”

  Zo nearly stamped her foot in frustration. “Not the commander. And who is this Erob?”

  “Erob’s a spy. He lives on the mainland and reports to Seve.”

  Why did Seve need a spy? Zo nearly asked, distracted by this new information. She decided not to waste time on silly questions. This wasn’t the time or place to get unrelated details. The inner workings of administration bored her, and she never paid attention to the way her father and now her brother ran the kingdom.

  Alicia continued with her line of reasoning in a placid tone. “Arkon’s the best swordsman we’ve on the island. Also, he’s a common man who will be less noticeable than you. Together, you can pretend to be a family traveling to visit some relatives…or whatever.”

  “How would they help me if I’m surrounded by a bunch of mages? I’ll be forced to waste energy protecting them.”

  "You are underestimating the commander, and his skills."

  Zo shook her head. She knew her twin too well. Alicia generally didn’t take a stand, but when she did, even the goddess would find it difficult to make her change her mind. Like it or not, she was stuck with the commander and this other person who was supposedly a spy.

  “Fine.” She turned and shrugged at the commander. “You’re coming with me. Have you been to the mainland before?”

  “Yes, princess.” He didn’t give any indication regarding his reaction to their frank discussion about him while he was standing a mere eight feet away. “I was born on the mainland. My father brought me here when I was seven, and we went back twice. Once when I was seventeen and once when I was thirty, three years ago. I still have relatives on the mainland, in the town of Ika and Matisba but I don’t know the rest of the terrain.”

  “Erob knows the lay of the land,” Alicia informed them.

  A strange grimace appeared on Arkon’s face. “Princess, if I may suggest, is it possible to use another guide?

  “You’ve a problem with Erob?”

  Arkon shuffled on his feet. “Not a problem…no…just that, he isn’t someone I can trust. I’ve been present when he has presented a few reports to the king. His information is not always accurate or reliable.”

  Alicia sighed. “Unfortunately, at this short notice, it’s hard to find people who know the area and are capable of undertaking the hard journey. Erob fulfills both the requirements. He knows the land, and is hardy.”

  Arkon pressed his hands together. “As you wish, princess. He’ll have to do.”

  “I’ll explain the route you’re to travel with the princess.” Alicia took the map from Zo and gave it to him. “Take a look. Zo, why don’t you go and get your pack, extra clothes and whatever else you need. We’ll meet you at the castle gate.”

  Zo nodded. Dawn wasn’t far away, and she intended to be away from the island before the sun broke over the horizon. Her prime concern was the health and safety of her siblings, and if she had to travel with a bunch of babbling baboons to ensure than it was a burden she would bear, if not gladly than at least with equanimity.

  Still, she would have preferred to be without the commander. His presence was unsettling, and she felt there might be a time when she would regret taking him along. For now, though, she was stuck with him – and he with her.

  Chapter Four

  Stars twinkled against the dark sky. The moon was a brilliant ball of silver light that cast shadowy beams on the castle walls. Zo met with her sister, the commander, and Ria at the huge double gates of the castle that were already thrown open for their imminent departure.

  Arkon held the reins of two horses as he conferred with Alicia. Ria’s mare was already saddled. Zo hung her pack on the horse’s saddle without any comment. She needed the time to compose herself before bidding her sister goodbye. Arkon and Ria swung themselves up on their mounts, and waited.

  “Here’s the map.” Alicia handed it to her. “Erob will meet you when you land at the shore. He knows the area, and will guide you well. I wish you a speedy journey, sister.” She gripped Zo hand, her eyes moist as she stared at her twin. “Come back safe.”

  Her luminous face had already lost some of its natural glow. The binding spell was working as intended. With each breath, she pulled Seve back from the jaws of death but she herself was being drawn towards the world of the dead.

  “If the goddess is willing, I’ll be back in less than two weeks.” Zo hugged her sister, not wanting to ever let go. “Until then…stay alive. You do realize, don’t you, that whoever tried to murder
Seve could try to kill you too? ” She inhaled the sweet smell of her sister’s jasmine perfume, wishing it was possible to send someone else in her stead, but this was too crucial a task to entrust to any random person.

  “I’ll be careful. I’ve taken extra precautions already.”

  Zo squeezed Alicia’s hands. “I’ll be really mad if something happened to you or Seve.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind.” Alicia brushed away the tears that sprung to her eyes. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks. Guard yourself well. I love you.”

  Zo lifted her lips in a mock smile. “Is there really such a thing as an unnecessary risk?”

  Both the girls knew Zo’s penchant for jumping into a troublesome situation without really intending to - but this time things were different. If anything happened to her, any chance her siblings had for a complete recovery would be lost forever. No. She would not allow anything to happen to Seve or Alicia. They were her family – the only ones she’d left in this entire world - and to lose even one of them would break her heart into a thousand pieces.

  She swung over her horse, and settled. Her own gelding was too tired to undertake the journey and she was happy to use a young fresh stallion from the stable.

  After casting one last look back at the castle where her brother lay fighting death with his each indrawn breath, she glanced at her sister, memorizing the familiar features and the love that shone in her eyes. “Goodbye,” she whispered. Unwanted tears sprang to her eyes, but she forced them back with a practiced ruthlessness.

  “May the goddess be with you.” Alicia touched her hand to her lips and blew a kiss.

  Zo smiled, and turned to face the road. The way ahead was clear. With a brisk slap to his flank, Arkon urged his mount forward. Zo and Ria followed.

  The horses cantered over the spiraling road, staying close to the mountains to avoid the deep chasm that opened to their right. Zo glanced down below. An entire town populated the valley. Houses, taverns, and shops sat together, forming the first line of defense against any intruders into the castle.