“Oh, it is. He was known as the face of the Blight. Apart from the obvious reasons, he just seemed to embody everything people hated about it.”
“Do you think she will tell us the whole story?”
“Maybe, in time. Less chatting, more packing. You don’t want her angry at your next training session,” Lara said, winking at Alrion. He sighed and forced his muscles to move. The training was definitely a good thing, even if there was some discomfort. He hadn’t heard or thought of Wraith yet. And with luck he wouldn’t again for some time.
As usual Vincent was packed and ready, so they set off as soon as Alrion was prepared. Alyx led them with confidence through the hills, and by midday they had stopped at the top of a hill and surveyed the land beyond.
“Do you see that settlement down there?” Alyx said.
“Yes, it looks impressive,” Alrion said.
“That’s Rolyntide. Nice town, and there’s a resident Healer. They say she’s incredibly gifted.”
“Have you ever used her?” Lara said.
“No, I’ve just passed through really. Visited the inn, resupplied myself. But it’s worth us paying her a visit. Not only for some assistance, but also information.”
“You think she knows something?” Vincent said.
“When you talk about Mystics, I think about Healers. There’s one in every town, and some of the stories are wild and out there. I’d say this Healer knows something that will help guide us on the way north.”
“Sounds plausible,” Alrion said. He tried to pick out where in the town the Healer may live. But he didn’t know what to look for.
“I suppose we should get going then so we are settled in before dark,” Vincent said.
“Definitely. We don’t want to stay out here overnight. It’s too exposed, and we’ll be easy targets if we’re being tracked,” Alyx said.
“I agree,” Lara said. She turned and looked into the distance. Alrion could see the worry on her face.
“Then let’s go,” Alrion said. He knew that Lara was cautious, but she also had good instincts. He definitely didn’t want to risk being caught out. He still wasn’t confident he could assist in a fight without being a burden.
5
THE HEALER'S SECRET
The town felt welcoming, and Alrion even thought the single guard looked friendly. He turned his disinterested gaze towards them and started to speak.
“Hello there. State your business,” the guard said, a weariness and boredom to his words.
“Just passing through to visit family up north,” Alyx said.
“Very well. Staying the night?”
“Yes. We’d like to visit a Healer tomorrow too before we go. You have one here?”
“We do. You’ll find her in the middle of town. Not far from the inn.”
“Thank you. We’ll be good,” Alyx said.
“I’m sure you will. I’d hate for you to make work for me,” the guard said. He patted his sword and gave them a friendly grin. Alyx waved and continued along the road. Alrion nodded at the guard and kept close.
“I get the feeling that he’d actually be dangerous. He would feel so wronged by having to do something,” Alrion said.
“You’re right about that. It’s easy to keep the peace around here. People like to keep to themselves, don’t want to cause trouble. It’s only really the Blight,” Alyx said. She led them through the town with ease, even though the light was starting to fade.
“You have a favourite place to stay?” Lara said.
“There’s only one place to stay. It’s the inn we are headed to. Also, if the guard doesn’t see us there tonight he will be suspicious. So just remember to be seen and not heard.”
“I can do that. Do they do awful puns for the inns around here?” Lara said.
“I’m not sure what you mean. We’re almost there,” Alyx said. Alrion gave Lara a funny look.
I guess we’ll understand when we see it.
The inn loomed large before them, and the sounds of merriment and light spilling out was alluring.
“The Tanked Tankard?” Lara said, barely able to get the words out. She looked at Alrion then at Alyx.
“Yes?” Alyx said.
“That’s the worst name. It’s terrible.” Alrion couldn’t help but laugh.
“I know. I thought we had already seen the worst in Brangtur!” Lara managed to say before bursting into laughter herself. Vincent had an amused look on his face but Alyx was just confused.
“I don’t get it. It’s a perfectly normal name. In my home we have a place called ‘Alcoholic Ale’.”
“Cultural differences I suppose,” Vincent said, opening the door, and ushering everyone in.
It feels good to laugh, Alrion thought as he entered the inn. It made him forget about what was happening, if only for an instant. They walked up to the bar, and Vincent enquired about rooms. Alrion saw something out of the corner of his eye and took another look. It was an extremely polished tankard sitting on the bar. It looked too ornamental to be in everyday use. He picked it up to look it over and caught his reflection. He almost jumped, and managed to put it down with a shaky arm before dropping it completely.
“Everything alright?” Lara said. She had her arm on his shoulder and looked concerned.
“Oh, just a trick of the light. I thought I saw something,” Alrion lied. Lara gave him an odd look and nodded.
I’m not sure she bought that, but I’ll worry about that later.
He couldn’t shake the image from his mind. He had seen his reflection, and the black mark on his neck had grown. And now it had more marks around it. But the thing that scared Alrion the most was his eyes. They looked somehow different. Like he was ill, or hadn’t slept.
Both of which are accurate, he thought. But the scariest thing was the fact that his body was changing. It wasn’t just a feeling, or an idea. It was really happening. And he felt an intense fear deep down in the pit of his stomach.
“What if I fail?”
“Son, snap out of it. Let’s put our things upstairs,” Vincent said. Alrion looked up and saw his father gesturing towards the back of the room.
“Sure, let’s go.” Alrion followed close behind, and made sure he didn’t lose them in the crowd.
“Just don’t lose it,” he told himself. He managed to negotiate the boisterous crowd, dodge a man’s dropped drink and ascend the stairs. The hustle and bustle of the inn soon faded away and all he could hear was the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor.
“We’re in here; ladies over there. Meet downstairs in a few minutes,” Vincent said. He pointed at the two rooms and entered one immediately. Alrion followed closely behind.
“Are you feeling alright?” he said.
“No. I am infected remember?” Alrion said. It came across more sharply than he had intended. But his father didn’t seem to react to that.
“I know, which is why I am checking in. I need to know how far things are going.”
“About this far,” Alrion said. He drew his sword and looked at the diamond. The glow seemed stronger, and had more colour to it. Not the bright blue it would be eventually, but noticeable.
“Still a way to go then. Did you want to talk about Wraith?” Vincent sat down on one of the beds.
“No. It’s just a problem I have to deal with. The training helps. When I’m too tired for anything else, I don’t worry as much.”
“I’m glad the physical activity is helping. But that’s just putting off the problem. If you don’t find a way to deal with this, it’s only going to get worse. You can’t ignore it.”
“Ignoring it is all I can do. I can’t give that thing any of my attention,” Alrion said. He didn’t even want to say its name. He considered the topic over, and noticed his father standing again.
“That’s fine. But I’m here, and we can talk anytime. I’m hungry,” Vincent said, walking over to the door. Alrion stayed behind to ensure his things were put away, then walked down by himself.
He’s only trying to help. He couldn’t understand why his father annoyed him so much.
The next morning Alrion was last to rise. He had slept terribly. His dreams were full of images of the Blight, Tainted, and other related scenes and events. He couldn’t remember anything concrete, just the feeling that remained.
“Time to visit the Healer,” Vincent said.
“I’m ready,” Alrion said. He felt dizzy but didn’t say anything, and negotiated the stairs with a little more care than normal. Alyx and Lara were waiting outside. Alrion thought he sensed a bit of tension, but everything changed once they noticed him.
“Is it far?” he said.
“No, I had a look earlier. We only need to walk past a few buildings to find the Healer,” Alyx said.
“Let’s see what she says. I hope there’s a lead, like you suggested,” Vincent said. Alyx led the way, the rest of them falling in just behind. Alrion almost tripped over a raised cobblestone.
“Still half-asleep?” Lara said.
“Something like that,” Alrion said. He decided to concentrate a bit more on his steps. He managed to stay on his feet and they arrived at the Healer’s residence within a few minutes.
It was a multi-storey house with a large wooden door, and potted plants everywhere. There were even vines climbing the walls in places.
“It’s like a house in the forest,” Lara said with wonder. Alrion couldn’t have agreed more. It looked out of place in the town, even though it was big.
Alyx opened the door roughly and entered the house with Alrion and the rest following close behind. They stepped into a large foyer with only another large room and a staircase visible. The furnishings were all simple, but were well constructed and maintained. A woman sat at a table, working on some papers, and looked up at them.
“Good morning. Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but we would like to see the Healer.”
“Freyda is busy right now. You will need to come back later. I’m sorry,” the woman said. She tossed her hair to the side, and returned to her papers.
She doesn’t look particularly sorry, Alrion thought. He stepped forward.
“Please let her know that we will be waiting here until she can see us,” he said.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not how we work,” the woman said. Alrion grabbed a chair and sat down.
“That’s fine, I’ll be here when she’s ready. Taking his cue, Alyx grabbed a nearby chair and did the same. Soon they were all seated, watching the woman. She watched them for a short while, then returned to her papers.
Half an hour passed that way, in complete silence. Except for the rustling of the paper as the woman worked through her stack. Nobody else entered or left the room. Finally, the woman put her papers aside and looked up.
“Now that’s done, I can explain to you further about why you should leave.”
“I’m listening,” Alrion said.
“We don’t treat Tainted here. If you would please leave that would be appreciated,” the woman said. She had a matter-of-fact tone to her voice and pointed at the door.
“Why would you say that?” Alyx said. She rose and started walking over.
“Don’t think you can intimidate me. I know Tainted when I see them.”
“Why don’t you hang back Alyx? We want the Healer to talk to us,” Alrion said. He rose from the chair and walked over himself.
“Why do you think it’s her?” Alyx said.
“Because she can see we are infected. A normal person wouldn’t be able to tell from that distance. Isn’t that right?” Alrion held a hand out, beckoning the woman to answer.
“That is correct. Being clever doesn’t change my mind. I’ll call the guard.”
“I’d rather you didn’t, Freyda. I bet you can also see that we haven’t turned yet, and I’m not a normal infected. Am I?” Alrion said. He was taking a risk with this, but he had a feeling about her. She was definitely different somehow, and not just for recognising Tainted.
“It’s true, you are different. Him too.” Freyda pointed at Vincent.
“And her?” Alrion said, looking at Alyx.
“Just normal infected. Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Alyx said, unconcerned.
“Now we’ve established that you are a Healer, you do have some sort of special power, and you know we’re not just an ordinary group. So why are you telling us to leave?” Alrion said. He wasn’t going to leave without a straight answer, and he still felt like there was something they could get from this woman. Alyx had been right about the Healers.
We’re so lucky we met her.
“You’re trouble, too much trouble. And I don’t know how long you have.” Freyda looked ready to march them straight out.
“Until we turn?” Alyx said.
“That. And until they catch up to you.”
“You can sense them?” Alrion said. He hadn’t expected that.
“I’m not going to explain myself, but I know that there’s a lot of Tainted on the way. The whole area is going crazy.” Freyda sighed and sank down into her chair.
“Help us then. We’ll leave town and nothing will happen. The mess will just follow us north,” Alrion said.
“What do you need from me? I can’t cure you.”
“Information and directions. We seek the home of the Mystics.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Freyda said. Her body language became incredibly closed off and she folded her arms.
“Is that so?” Alrion said. He walked back and sidled up to Lara.
“I’m no expert, but she’s lying, right?” he said.
“Absolutely. Alyx gave us a good tip here,” Lara said. She glared at the warrior, but said nothing else. Alrion nodded, and walked back to Freyda.
“We know that you’re lying, and I understand. We’re just this big bundle of trouble just landed on your doorstep. You probably have truly sick people upstairs that you need to protect. But we’re not just any group. My grandfather was Granthion, and I’ve been charged with taking on his life’s work: to cure the Blight. But I can’t do that in my current state. I need the help of the Mystics.”
“Why do you talk about them like they’re fact?” Freyda said. There was a curious tone to her voice.
“Because I’ve seen one, in a vision. A vision granted to me from the Pool of Knowledge. I know the power they have is the key to my quest. And time is against me. Please, I know you know something. Just tell us what you know, and we’ll be on our way!” Alrion had nothing left to lose. If Freyda was going to keep quiet, they had to move. He couldn’t lose more time. He felt drawn, and nervous. Like the Tainted were just one step behind. Looking at Freyda, he could see something changing. She had come to a decision at last.
“I can tell you something. The Mystics do exist, I have met them. I don’t think they can solve your problem. It’s not how they work. But I won’t rob you of the opportunity to ask them yourself.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me,” Alrion said. Freyda stood and walked to a cupboard at the back of the room. She opened the doors and busied herself inside looking for something.
“A-ha!” she said, and closed the doors. She returned holding a silver amulet with a pure white stone in the middle. She handed it to Alyx. Alyx held it gingerly in her hand.
“What is this?” she asked.
“It’s an amulet that they gave me. It’s charged with their power. It will help you in two ways,” Freyda said. She pointed at Alyx’s chest.
“It will slow that process down a little bit. And you need as much time as you can get,” she said. Alyx gripped the amulet a little tighter.
“This is an incredible gift,” Alyx said.
“You need it more than me. But you must return it.”
“I swear. I will return it!” Alyx was incredibly serious and Freyda looked a little shocked at the intensity.
“There is one other way that it will help you. It is attuned to the p
ower of the place that they reside. It will help guide you there.”
“Have you been there?” Alrion said.
“No. I can’t explain how it works, I just know that it does.”
“Thank you. You’ve really helped us. I don’t know what else to say,” Alrion said. He looked around at the others.
“Your thanks are enough. Now leave, before you endanger others.” There was no harshness to her voice now, but it was still direct.
“Sure. Let’s go,” Alrion said. Lara and Vincent said their goodbyes and they left the house immediately.
“We will be able to travel quite a distance before it gets mountainous. We need horses.”
“Agreed. Do you have something in mind?” Vincent said.
“Yes, follow me,” Alyx said. She was still gripping the amulet in her hand.
“Can I see that for a minute?” Alrion said. She stopped abruptly and handed it to him. The metal was cold but he could feel some sort of warm pulsing coming from it. He peered at the stone within then started to hand it back. He stopped and motioned to Alyx.
“Turn around,” he said. He unclasped the amulet and Alyx understood. She moved her hair and Alrion carefully fastened it around her neck.
“That’s better,” he said. Alyx felt the amulet with her hand then started walking again. Alrion did the same with his own amulet. He had been wearing it so long it just felt like part of him. He hadn’t even looked at it properly in a long time.
The black streak in the white stone around his neck looked exactly the same. But it felt different for him now, looking at it. Knowing that the tiny sliver of Blight within that stone was within him also. He felt over the surface of the stone and had a realisation.
This is the same stone as the amulet Alyx was given. What’s the connection between the wizards and the Mystics? Alrion thought. It was another question for when he eventually found them.
6
AN UNUSUAL ALLY
Celes stayed close to Glinda. After leaving the alley they stuck to main streets. But Celes had to push hard not to lose the guard in the crowds. Slowly they moved through smaller streets, with fewer people and less wealth. More rubbish, smells, and homeless. Large spaces were vacant, or had temporary residents camping out.
Spark of Truth (The Hidden Wizard Book 3) Page 4
