The attacks were becoming more intense. Two spells at once were now hurtling toward the prince, one a firebolt, the other an ominous-looking green mist that hissed as it travelled through the air. Jared vanished suddenly, appearing a split second later on the other side of the courtyard and beginning an attack of his own. Drake and Xarran were thrown back instantly and slid along the ground as Jared threw up his hands. Harley and Alex were still on the attack but Jared was dealing quite easily with anything that they threw at him.
As the battle continued, Hannock noticed that Jared’s body had begun to glow with a pulsating light that seemed to intensify each time he cast a spell or blocked one. If two or more spells were launched at him simultaneously, he would simply disappear again, re-materialising in another part of the courtyard and resuming his own attack. Although there were four of them, it looked to Hannock as if these young wizards were completely outmatched. In unison they grew nearer, each casting a spell of his own choosing. Hannock was expecting Jared to vanish once more, but what he witnessed next astounded him.
Instead of vanishing, Jared actually began to walk toward his enemies, one hand raised in front of him, creating an unseen force-field. The spells struck it and simply fizzled out. It seemed nothing could penetrate it, and throughout, the glow from Jared became brighter. Would he destroy the youngsters with one counter spell? Hannock would not allow himself to blink as he watched in awe.
“I think that’s enough for today, gentlemen.”
The battle stopped abruptly. Hannock recognised Emnor’s voice and tried, unsuccessfully, to turn his head far enough to be able see him. “Excellent work, Jared. I think you’re almost ready,” called Emnor. Jared gave Emnor a wave and nodded his head.
“What!?” shouted Hannock. “What’s going on here? Let me up, do you hear me? Let me up!”
Drake hurried across and knelt down in front of him, “Now you are going to behave when I release you, aren’t you, soldier boy? It was for your own safety. We couldn’t run the risk of you getting in the way and ending up frazzled or frozen, could we?”
“Release me now!” shouted Hannock, “I’m going to kick someone’s backside from here to Borell once I’m free! Release me.”
Eventually, once Jared had managed to calm Hannock down, they gathered with Emnor and the boys to discuss what had happened. “It was a training session, Hannock, that’s all,” said Jared, smiling.
“Training session or not, you still should have told me,” replied Hannock, sternly. “What would have happened if it hadn’t gone to plan? I could have run one of the lads through or put a bolt in him.”
“Yeah, like that could happen,” sniggered Drake.
“Thank you, Drake. Let’s not add fuel to any fires, shall we?” advised Emnor.
“I have to be honest, Jared. I’ve seen the best of the magical world in this place over the last few years, but I’ve never seen anything that comes close to what you did today. You were brilliant, best I’ve ever seen.” Almost as the last words left his lips, Xarran dropped his head and quickly glanced at Emnor. “Present company excepted, of course,” he added.
“Don’t worry, Xarran…” chuckled Emnor, “… my pride is not wounded. In fact, I agree with you.”
“It wasn’t actually me though, was it? It was the Heart. If I hadn’t been wearing it, I’d have been as dead as yesterday’s fish.”
“Of course you wouldn’t, Jared… we didn’t have fish yesterday,” smiled Drake.
Returning his smile, Jared put his arm around Drake’s shoulders and gave him a friendly hug, “It’s up to you Drake. You can either shut up or I’ll cast a spell to pin you to that wall over there for the day.” Drake made a gesture of fastening a button on his lip and sat down.
“It’s all well and good having a training session, but a real attack wouldn’t be like that, would it? Jared knew what spells the lads were going to use, where they were coming from and, of course, that they weren’t at full strength.”
“Is that what you think, Hannock, that it was all fake?” asked Harley, frowning.
“Of course. You wouldn’t really attack a Prince of Borell as an exercise, would you… would you? You must be joking. You mean it was all real! Jared, what were you thinking? You could have been killed! I bet it was all your idea, wasn’t it?” Hannock directed the last question at Emnor, who simply raised his eyebrows.
“Actually, it was my idea,” admitted Jared. “It had to be real, Hannock. If I end up facing Karrak, which it seems is my fate, I must be able to not only defend myself, but to defeat him, and simply blocking his magic won’t do that.”
“It’s simple. You’ve all gone mad! Not as mad as Karrak I suppose, but mad nonetheless.”
“Nobody has gone mad, Hannock. Can you not see? Jared is our only real hope of defeating Karrak. We may wound him at best, but we could never defeat him alone. Every single one of us would die. And as for the magic not being yours, Jared, you are quite wrong. The Heart of Ziniphar will only bond with the strongest and purest of magical souls. If you were not destined to use it, then yes, I’ll admit, you probably would have been killed today, but you weren’t, and that’s the sign we were looking for. After all, the scroll prophesied it.”
“Ah, so you admit that he could have been in danger then? There it is, Jared, now you see the truth. You could have been killed after all!” exclaimed Hannock.
Jared turned to his friend and spoke solemnly, “We’ve been through a lot recently, Hannock, and I’ll admit that there were times when I doubted the prophecy and the tales that went with it. I am a prince. I’m not supposed to be a wizard, at least that’s what I thought. Even when Emnor was instructing me as a young man, I thought it was all nonsense. What I felt today, however, was something I was not expecting. It’s true, Hannock, all of it. The Elixian Soul; the Heart of Ziniphar; Karrak’s rise to power; and the fact that Karrak and I must die in order to end this evil. I have resigned myself to the fact, and you, my dearest friend, must do the same.”
Hannock placed his hand on Jared’s arm, “Alright,” he said quietly, “I’ll accept that you’re the only one that can defeat him. I’ll accept the fact that you’re a powerful wizard and I’ll accept that we’re going to stop the evil that is spreading across these and other lands. But I will not accept that you must die as a consequence. There will be another way and together we will find it.”
Emnor, despite his scepticism of Hannock’s optimism, felt that it was time to lighten the mood a little, “Are you sure you don’t still want to pin Drake to the wall, Jared? Be good for a laugh.”
“Oh yeah, great. Forget pin the tail on the donkey, the new game’s pin Drake to a wall. I’m so unappreciated. Just remember, we wouldn’t have these…” said Drake, waving his wand, “… and you wouldn’t have that…” he added, pointing at Emnor’s staff “… if it wasn’t for me.”
“True, true,” said Emnor. “But what have you done lately? I mean other than keeping us amused by playing court jester?”
Drake shook his head as they all laughed. “So unappreciated,” he repeated.
***
The day wore on and although he hid it well, Emnor was most concerned by the fact that Yello had still not returned. He made an excuse to the others of having something to attend to in the bowels of Reiggan and wandered into the fortress. Heading through the maze of corridors, Emnor paused occasionally, glancing briefly over his shoulder to ensure that he was not being followed. He rounded yet another corner and, looking up with a start, suddenly found himself confronted by Jared, Hannock and the boys, all with knowing looks on their faces and quite obviously aware of his real intent.
“Off somewhere nice, Emnor?” asked Hannock.
“I told you, I have something to attend to,” replied Emnor.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain individual by the name of Tarrock, would it?” asked Jared.
“Not at all, I just have something to take care of downstairs.”
�
��We’ve all been down there, Emnor. Unless you’re going to do a bit of tidying up, there’s nothing else down there,” said Hannock.
“It is my own personal business. I don’t have to explain myself,” chuntered Emnor.
“Oh, sorry. If you were on your way to the privy, you should have said. By the way, it’s that way,” said Hannock, pointing.
“Look here, this is preposterous…”
“Master Emnor,” interrupted Harley. “We all have the greatest respect for you, but we also know that you’re a devious, stubborn old sod. You were planning on going to look for Yello on your own, leaving us all nice and safe in here. If you want to go, then go, but we’re coming with you.”
“How dare you,” said Emnor, feigning indignation, “I was planning no such thing. I just took a wrong turning, that’s all. The privy, this way you say?” He marched away from them, trying to look as innocent as possible.
The assembly followed him at a slower pace, all except one. Alex backed away quietly and slipped down the dark staircase unnoticed. Opening the first door he reached, he entered silently. Sitting on the nearest chair, he began to rub his eyes.
“Going a bit dark again, are they, Brother?” asked the voice.
“Leave me in peace. Please, just go. Why do you insist on haunting me?”
“You know why. I want to be in your company forever, Brother dear. We both know that the only way for that to be accomplished would be for you to die. They don’t need you, nobody needs you. Why do you allow your own suffering to go on? A fall from the mountain, a nice short length of rope, or one of your magical fires and you could be at peace. The prince will discover you eventually. Save your suffering and end it all. Once he realises what you are, he’ll destroy you anyway, it’s only a matter of time, Brother.”
Alex jumped to his feet. Grabbing the chair, he hurled it at the ghost. Passing straight through and slightly distorting the apparition, it smashed against the wall, “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
CHAPTER 10
Darooq’s mind had become a tormented mess, thoughts racing through it as he paced back and forth until the early hours, in the relative privacy of his own chambers. His frustration grew quickly as he schemed in earnest to facilitate his freedom from Karrak’s clutches. He was neither shackled nor incarcerated, but never in his entire life had he felt so utterly vulnerable and helpless. His existence, for that was all his life had become, was completely controlled by Karrak.
In the beginning, Darooq had foolishly underestimated the power that Karrak would possess once he had obtained the Elixian Soul, believing that at any point, he could take everything from the inexperienced prince. Darooq’s arrogance and confidence were now things of the past. These emotions had been replaced by fear and loathing. His master was no longer the manic, sadistic individual that he had vowed to follow. Karrak’s volatile nature existed no more. He now had a hidden agenda that only seemed to be guided by the wilful destruction of all life, a destruction from which not even his own followers were exempt.
Twice very recently, not only during mid-conversation but mid-sentence, Karrak, for no apparent reason, had glanced at one of his mindless minions and without warning, extinguished their life. He no longer waved his hand, raised an arm or made any gesture that would give warning of his intent, a look and a thought were the only things needed for the shadow lord to end someone’s existence.
Darooq had almost convinced himself that his own magic would be enough to subdue Karrak long enough to enable him to take, what appeared to be, the source of the shadow lord’s power. The Elixian Soul could be his. His conviction, however, was fleeting. Lasting only until he was, once again, facing his formidable master. After that meeting, Darooq had decided to flee, but his desire for freedom was now overwhelmed by his fear of discovery and retribution. If his escape was unsuccessful, he would undoubtedly be judged by Karrak, an outcome he did not relish, the most favourable result of such judgement being a quick death.
Darooq had used a relocation spell within the walls of Merrsdan, but within a split second of arriving at his predetermined point, Karrak had appeared before him, questioning why he would feel it necessary to use magic. Darooq, somehow, had remained calm and answered that it was merely to save time, but the truth was that it had been a test, the result of which had been exactly as he had predicted. Karrak it seemed, could actually sense the power of magic from any who used it. Surely, there was a limit to Karrak’s detection, a boundary one could cross that would be far enough to ensure safety from the shadow lord’s reach?
Darooq, now exhausted by the confusion within his own mind, sat heavily on his bunk. Reclining, he folded his arms across his eyes, but sleep would not come to him. His mind ran through endless scenarios until eventually the light of dawn began to show dimly through the small window of his chambers. Resigning himself to yet another sleepless night, he rose and opened the door. He had barely travelled ten yards before the deep, hollow, echoing voice spoke behind him.
“You seem troubled, my friend.”
Darooq was now conditioned to such appearances by his lord. There was a time when he would have been startled by such, what he thought to be, a childish action. An action tantamount to sneaking up behind someone and shouting, boo! “No, my lord, not at all,” replied Darooq, quietly.
Karrak glided from the shadows, the ever-present black mist surrounding him, leaving a vapour trail as he moved forward and stood before Darooq. “You look as if you haven’t slept for days. Are you sick? Maybe I could help?”
“I am fine, my lord. I thank you for your concern, it is most kind. But I am sure you must have duties for me to perform.”
“And if you drop dead, what then? Return to your quarters, Darooq. I am the only one who decides whether someone should live or die, and today is not your death-day.”
Darooq bowed low to Karrak, his eyes drawn to the glow of the Elixian Soul set within his breastplate, a glow that seemed to illuminate the golden embroidered runes of his cloak, “As you wish, my lord.” He returned to his quarters, every step watched by Karrak. Lying on his bed, he wept silently. He had to escape.
Karrak stood, staring at the closed door to Darooq’s chambers. He tilted his head to one side, the shadow-like features of his face showing no emotion. He looked down and stroked the Elixian Soul, knowing that Darooq, like many others, would give everything to possess it. He drew his robes tightly around him, turned, and silently drifted away.
***
The dragons had taken the lead and the three companions followed willingly. Faylore and Lodren walked but Grubb remained mounted, allowing himself a better view of his surroundings. At first, the entrance to the cavern was much the same as all others, dark and gloomy. All were surprised at how deep they seemed to have travelled without the dimensions of the cave altering in the slightest. Lodren was the first to notice the tiny pinpricks of light in the distance and he pointed to them as he turned to speak to Grubb. “They look like stars,” he said.
“Ye don’t get stars underground, ye pillock!”
“Well, what are they then, clever clogs?”
“I’m not sure. Could be some sort of metal ore or semi-precious stones, I suppose,” replied Grubb.
“You’ve been down here before, haven’t you, Faylore?” asked Lodren. “Have you any idea what they are?”
“Nothing special,” she replied. “They’re only diamonds.”
“Diamonds!” exclaimed Lodren.
“Yes, Lodren. Diamonds,” repeated Faylore.
“They must be huge! We’re still quite a way away from them yet, but they’re easily visible.”
“What if someone tried to pinch ’em?” asked Grubb.
“What do you mean pinch?” asked Faylore.
“He means, steal them,” explained Lodren.
“Why would anyone want to steal them?”
“’Cos they’re worth a lot of gold,” said Grubb.
“So why bother with diamonds? There’s plenty of gold on the o
ther side of the mountain,” she replied.
“No, Your Majesty. The thing is…” Lodren gave up. “Never mind,” he sighed.
The density of the diamonds embedded in the cave walls was increasing. A familiar fungus grew sporadically on the rocky surface. Its bioluminescence glowed dimly, as it was far less dense than they had witnessed before, perhaps the result of many a dragon brushing against the cave walls. However, the little light that it produced was reflected and intensified immensely by the diamonds surrounding the spores and they sparkled like multi-coloured stars on a cloudless summer night.
“How far does this cave go, Faylore?” asked Lodren.
“Quite a way yet, Lodren. When the light appears red, you’ll know we’re getting close.”
“Why will the light turn red?” he asked, scrunching up his face.
“The reflection of the light from the flames, of course,” she replied.
As they walked, Lodren could hear a deep throbbing noise. He placed his hand on his chest momentarily believing it to be his own heartbeat, but he was mistaken. He tugged gently at Faylore’s sleeve, a habit to which she had become accustomed. She looked down at him.
“Faylore,” he said slowly. “Can you hear that throbbing noise?”
“Of course, I can. It is the merrent barndull.”
“What’s that?” he asked, quietly.
“The mountain’s breath.”
“Mountains don’t breathe,” he said.
“Do they not?” asked Faylore.
“You mean, the mountain’s alive?”
“It is, and if it were not, neither would the dragons be.”
Lodren knew when he was beaten. He also knew when to stop asking questions. “Ooh look!” he said suddenly. “I think the light’s looking a bit red down there.”
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