20
THE WAY FORWARD
Alrion watched his father ride away, fear dominating his thoughts. He hadn’t realised how much he had depended on the reassurance and safety of his father’s presence.
It must be because of my current condition.
It wasn’t like his father was all-powerful or all-knowing. Although he did have a way of figuring things out and surviving no matter the odds.
“Let’s pause when we get to a nice spot to stop. And then we will switch things up a bit,” Lara said.
“Sure. Ready?” Alrion said to Alyx.
“Yes. Keep moving.”
“As you command,” Alrion said. He was trying to lighten the mood a bit by being flippant but his heart wasn’t in it. Something about the recent communication had really thrown him. It wasn’t just his father’s departure.
How did it affect me so much?
The power of the Trackers was scary. The more he found out, the more elusive and surprising they were. But if his mother had discovered a way to use them, that was a bonus.
Alyx lay against his back, using him as support. He didn’t think she was as good as she pretended. But he let it slide. They had to keep moving, and she was coming along. That was already decided.
His thoughts turned again to the infection within him. It seemed to be affecting his dreams more. Dark images and shapes. There was also a recurring scene. It was a plain and serviceable fireplace. A healthy and crackling fire burned brightly, sustained by thick chunky logs. But tendrils of darkness slowly crept in, looking to smother the fire. But instead of snuffing it out completely, the fire burned even fiercer. This time with a murky black flame.
He was under no illusions as to what the dream meant. Whether it was real or just his fear, it represented him being overcome and turned by the Blight. It showed his gift being turned into a tool of darkness. That was scarier than anything else. And he had now seen two examples of Shade Wizards. That is not what he wanted to be. He’d rather die than be a monster.
“Everything good up there?” Lara said. Alrion was shaken out of his thoughts. He looked around properly, realising that he hadn’t even been paying attention to the surroundings. He was still on the path, but his pace had slowed considerably.
“Fine, just lost in my thoughts.”
“Keep your eyes on the road, that’s the priority,” Lara said.
“On it,” Alrion said. He wished it were that easy. His throat was throbbing, exactly where he imagined his black marks to be. He felt it with his hand, and touched the amulet he had been given at the academy.
He pulled it out from his clothing and looked at it again. It appeared unchanged, the pure white of the stone contrasting with the deep black of what was inside. The more he stared at it, the more he thought it was somehow throbbing in time with the marks on his neck.
Just your imagination.
It seemed funny though. In a way he and the amulet were the same. They both had a dark streak trying to spread. He stopped himself focusing on that and instead deliberately took in the landscape.
It was bleak and windswept. Very rocky with very little in the way of vegetation. There were some trees, but none accessible. The trees themselves seemed spindly and anaemic too, like they were on their last legs.
A bit like me.
It was hard to pinpoint but he just felt an overall sensation of unease. His infection was definitely progressing.
The path widened and they approached a broader section. Alrion slowed the horse to take a better look.
“We should pause here to take a break. There’s even a few tufts of grass for the horses to nibble on,” Lara said. Alrion led the horse over and dismounted carefully. He helped Alyx down then secured the horse to the lone tree nearby. Lara did the same. Alrion pulled his coat around tighter, then sat down with one of the saddlebags.
“Let’s see what passes for food up here,” he said. He retrieved some dried meat and some fruit and passed it around.
“Let’s eat sparingly, we don’t know how long we need it,” Alyx said.
“Good idea. How are you feeling?” Alrion bit down on a strip of meat and it had way more flavour than he had expected. That was a relief.
“Worse. But we’re making progress,” she said.
“You mean in terms of getting closer to the Mystics?”
“Mainly.” Alyx looked to have more to say, but ended up coughing. “Anyway, you have been neglecting your training.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Now. You and Lara. I want to see how you’ve progressed.”
“I’m not sure we have time,” Lara said.
“He won’t last long enough for it to make an impact. Go get ready,” Alyx said. Alrion looked over at Lara and she shrugged. He had to give Alyx the benefit of the doubt; she usually had some strategy behind whatever she asked for. Alrion stood with reluctance, and walked over to a clear space. He drew his sword and tried to ready himself. Lara stood nearby, drawing her Runesteel dagger and holding it at the ready.
“What’s the plan?” Alrion said.
“Go through some forms. Lara will defend,” Alyx said. Alrion looked at Lara and she nodded. He took a step forward and winced. He had forgotten about the injured leg. He pushed on, bringing his sword up into a whirling sequence. He started slow, letting his body warm up. Lara dodged and ducked mostly. However, as he was launching a big strike she timed a parry perfectly and threw him off balance. Before he could react, she kicked him in his good leg and he stumbled back.
“Good. You need to take this more seriously,” Alyx said. Alrion felt annoyed. He was still injured and had been riding all morning. He didn’t think it was fair to push him like this. Lara gave him an apologetic look but readied herself once more. Alrion spent a moment composing himself and launched into another attack. He decided that this time he would go straight to full intensity. They didn’t have time, and he didn’t have the energy for a long session.
He selected a flowing sequence that quickly alternated between low and high strikes. He hoped that he could use the extra reach to put Lara on the back foot. By intentionally keeping the first few strikes a little slower, he thought he could catch her off guard.
Lara dodged and lightly parried, keeping a defensive approach. Alrion saw his opportunity and pushed much harder. He really needed to move his feet, and struggled a little to keep the agility up. The pain in his leg flared up, which annoyed him. But he used the annoyance as fuel for his continued attack. Faster, harder he pushed. Lara became more active in her defence. She looked like she was finally being challenged.
There! Alrion thought. He swept low after forcing Lara to deflect a strike. Her position and posture were all wrong, and with only a short dagger she would struggle to parry it. As his sword swung she noticed the trajectory. Alrion knew it was too late. He turned his sword so that only the flat of the blade would make an impact.
Lara recovered into a crouch and launched herself. Just as Alrion’s sword was meant to bowl her over she jumped over the blade and dived into Alrion. They tumbled down together, Alrion dropping his sword and losing all sense of what had happened. He looked up and saw Lara lying on him, her dagger at his throat.
“You’re too slow. That’s enough,” Alyx said.
“Don’t feel bad,” Lara whispered, and winked at him. She lingered for a moment longer than necessary then rose. Alrion shook his head and collected himself.
“What do you think about that?” Alyx said. Alrion sat up and rested his palms on the cold ground.
“I can’t beat Lara, that’s for sure. My leg injury is also a problem.”
“You had forgotten about it, hadn’t you?”
“In the moment I did, yes.”
“I know I saw that. Even when you pushed your hardest, you still weren’t fast enough.”
“I know,” Alrion said. He didn’t understand why she was labouring the point. He wiped the sweat off his brow. That had been a thorough workout, eve
n though it was fast.
“You need to know your limitations. Even accounting for your injury, you’re slowing down. You are no match for those Trackers, let alone a Shade Wizard.”
“I get that. That’s why you’re here.”
“You need to understand that you cannot fight them. You will struggle to run away from them. And you can’t rely on me.”
“Because of your injury?”
“Not just that. Take your right hand off the ground and hold up a few fingers,” Alyx said. Alrion was puzzled but complied. He held up three fingers at waist height.
“I can’t tell if that’s three or four fingers,” Alyx said after a pause.
“What?” Lara said.
“There’s a darkness starting to cloud my vision. It’s only a recent thing. But it is obscuring details right now.”
“Wait a minute. The other night with the crossbow in the relatively dark room?” Alrion said.
“Yes, it was the same then. Don’t worry they were big enough targets,” Alyx said. Lara just laughed out loud.
“I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t help myself seeing Alrion’s face right then.”
“This sounds really serious. I haven’t encountered that side effect and I’ve been infected longer,” Alrion said. Alyx paused and looked deep in thought.
“I think it is reacting differently, but I can’t say for sure. From observing you, I think it is mostly making you appear sick and worn down. You seem clumsier and more sluggish. There seems to be a toll on your emotions as well. Steering them darker.”
“And for you?”
“I feel like darkness is overtaking me. Look at the skin on my arm.” Alyx rolled back the layers and showed her forearm. Alrion walked over and took a look. The skin was darker and slightly scaly.
“This reminds me of …” Alrion started to say, but quickly stopped himself.
“Don’t censor yourself, I am thinking the same thing. It is like a Shade. Perhaps that is my fate,” Alyx said. Alrion didn’t know what to say. It was one thing that Alyx was infected and carrying that around. And one thing that it was more rapidly affecting her. But it was another entirely that rather than be Tainted, or even a Blighter, that she might be on the path to becoming a Shade.
“I’ve never witnessed this transformation. I don’t know what the trigger signs will be,” Alyx said.
“You don’t need to be so damned detached about it. This is terrible!” Alrion shouted.
“Sorry, but we need to consider the fact that in your current state I will be a danger to you both if I turn unexpectedly.”
“It’s much harder to contain a Shade without killing,” Lara said softly.
“I’ve never seen it done. I don’t expect you to do that. If I’ve turned, you must end my life. You must swear this to me,” Alyx said. She stared at Alrion.
“I will not. Doing so would go against my very quest. If I can cure myself, I can cure you as well.” Alrion kept his gaze level at Alyx. She looked at Lara.
“I will do what is necessary to defend us. But not before trying to restrain you,” Lara said finally.
“That is sufficient. We should continue,” Alyx said.
“Agreed. We need to reach our destination before anything else happens,” Alrion said. He gathered his things and prepared the horse, before helping Alyx up.
“You take the lead again, I fear more from what’s behind us than what is before,” Lara said once she was mounted.
“Sure,” Alrion said. He didn’t disguise the weariness in his voice. Even nudging the horse forward was more effort than he wanted. That short stint of sparring had really shown how much weaker he was. They were going to struggle if they were attacked. And his father wasn’t anywhere near.
Just keep moving forward.
There would be plenty of opportunity to fix things once they arrived. He rode for a time, focusing initially on the bleak landscape. Eventually though he decided to talk to Alyx.
“Why didn’t you say anything earlier? About your condition?”
“It didn’t seem worth mentioning, especially since I was burned and then poisoned. For a time there, I wondered if the Darkroot had somehow contributed. But I’m confident now that it’s just the Blight, especially given how my arm is reacting.”
“I’m not going to let you down,” Alrion said. He clenched his jaw and urged the horse forward faster. The cold wind whipped up even faster, and it cut through all his clothing. His teeth chattered.
“We’re really pushing north now,” he muttered. “Is that snow in the distance?”
“Looks like it,” Lara said.
“I’m the wrong person to ask,” Alyx said. Her view was mostly blocked, and Alrion remembered the effect on her eyesight too.
“Just take our word for it. We can’t be that far now. Explains the biting cold.”
“Luckily, I have you to shield me,” Alyx said. Alrion chuckled. At least he was good for something right now.
“Stop!” Alyx said, and Alrion tugged at the reins suddenly. The horse whimpered in complaint but stopped.
“What is it?”
“The amulet they gave me is reacting somehow. It’s warm and glowing?” Alyx said. She removed it from her clothing and held it out. Alrion turned awkwardly to see it.
“Something is definitely happening there,” he said. Lara slowly sidled up and took a look as well.
“I think that’s the sign. What did she say? It would show the path?” Lara said.
“I think so. It wouldn’t be the path we’re on, would it?” Alrion said.
“No, that’s too obvious. Every traveller would end up there. Hold my horse,” Lara said. She handed the reins to Alrion and jumped down quickly. Alrion followed her with his gaze, and took in the surroundings. There was little to note, save that rock formations and small raised sections surrounded them. It didn’t look like there was anything else. Lara walked over to the rocks and felt them with her hand. Holding both hands out she carefully progressed along, checking all the surfaces.
“You think there’s a hidden path?” Alrion said.
“Yes. And that amulet is warning us about it,” she said. “Oh, what do we have here?”
This could be the break we needed, Alrion thought.
21
HIDDEN BY SNOW
Alrion dismounted and paused to ensure Alyx was still stable on the horse. Then he walked over to see what Lara had found.
“This is quite clever,” she said, standing back.
“What is it?”
“It’s an optical illusion. It looks like the rock extends all the way, but there’s actually a path here.” Lara pointed but Alrion didn’t get it. He stepped over to where she was standing.
“Oh, I see. Even from here I can’t see the whole thing.”
“Exactly! It’s incredible.”
“Do you think we can fit a horse through?” Alrion said. It was all well and good that they had found a secret path, but they would be in trouble if the horses couldn’t get through.
“There’s only one way to find out. I’ll try it on foot,” Lara said.
“What was it?” Alyx said when Alrion returned.
“It’s definitely a path. You’ll see it soon. But Lara is going first to make sure the horses can get through.”
“Good. Isn’t this a problem though? How will Vincent find it?” Alyx said. Alrion paused. That was a good question.
“We need to leave some sort of marker,” he said. He thought hard about what to leave. It had to be something that his father would recognise. However, it also had to be something that would stay in place, and hopefully not be noticed by anyone else passing through.
“This is pretty important. I’m going to have to take a chance,” Alrion said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I need to leave something valuable. The ring my father gave me. He said that it always protected him, and was of value. Even after Lara originally stole it, it still found its way back to me. I
have to trust that he will find it and figure out the trick.”
“As strange as that sounds, there could be something to it. It’s magical, right?”
“Supposedly. Not that we know what it does.”
“Do it. Just try and hide it a little though. I don’t think it’ll work if you leave it in the middle of the path,” Alyx said.
“I agree. It’s worth a try, Alrion. Now wish me luck,” Lara said. She was leading her horse by the reins and she was in position.
“Good luck,” Alrion said. He watched her intently. As she stepped forward she disappeared from view.
“Wow, that’s pretty good,” Alyx said.
“You saw that?”
“I may have reduced vision, but I’m not blind.”
“True. Well, here comes the test. Let’s see how the horse goes,” Alrion said. The horse did seem resistant, but started to step forward. It also began to disappear until it was completely hidden from view.
“I’d say that’s a success. Let me place this ring, then I’ll do the same as Lara.” Alrion walked over to where the secret path could be seen. He looked around at the ground, trying to find a good place to leave the ring. He spotted a cavity in one of the rocks lying around. It was shallow, but was deep enough to protect the ring. He placed it inside and stepped back.
The angle of the cavity did protect it from a casual glance. But if you looked closer it caught your attention.
That’s as good as it’s going to get.
He returned to his horse and began to lead it over.
“Here we go,” he said.
“I’m ready,” Alyx said. Alrion stepped forward carefully. He expected to feel something, but nothing happened. He continued pushing forward until the path widened a little. Looking back the path looked normal. Like it was obviously there.
“Maybe it only works in one direction,” he said. Alyx turned and looked herself.
“Must do. You’d never think it, looking from here.”
Spark of Truth (The Hidden Wizard Book 3) Page 16
