by Serena Yates
Then the golden magic reached him.
It didn't do anything visible at first. Rhunnyt stood perfectly still as it scanned his body, then he started laughing when nothing seemed to happen. Once the scan was complete, Rhunnyt's entire body started glowing. A golden hue at first, the intensity increased in brightness until Rhunnyt stopped laughing. He stared into the middle distance and his jaw went slack.
Kaythan saw pictures of what looked like Rhunnyt's life flicker past his inner eye. From a very young age, he'd been cruel and dominating. As he got older, the misdeeds got worse, ending in torture and random murder. The golden magic was now bright enough to be blinding in its intensity.
Kaythan turned his head away to protect his eyes.
"You see it, too?” Elryk had turned towards him, his eyes wide in horror.
"Yeah, it looks like the golden magic is reviewing his life.” He dared a brief peek towards the evil wizard.
Rhunnyt stood rooted to the spot, his face contorted into a mask of pain. It looked as though he was screaming, but there was no sound.
"I think it's making him see and feel what his victims felt.” Elryk closed his eyes. “I can sense a vague echo of his reaction if I really focus."
"I don't think I want to know.” Seeing those pictures in his mind had been enough. He didn't want to feel the brutality as well.
"You're right, you don't.” Elryk opened his eyes, but looked only at him.
Suddenly there was a bright golden flash, a crackling sound like thunder and the echo of a scream. Then the golden light was gone, except for the small bubble around their wrists.
Kaythan dared to look to his left, wanting to make sure Rhunnyt didn't attack them again. His jaw dropped.
Rhunnyt was no longer alive. He had been turned into a statue with a light golden hue. It was the most lifelike statue Kaythan had ever seen. The wizard's face was still a mask of agony, his eyes wide and almost alive. His body had been preserved exactly as it had been before, scorched skin and burned robe included.
"Wow.” Elryk's hand started shaking. “I guess he'll serve as a reminder of what happens to those who abuse their power."
"Pretty effective if you ask me.” Kaythan turned around to check the other wizards’ reaction.
The nine purple-robed Council members were staring at Rhunnyt's statue. None of them moved. It seemed as if they were in some sort of stasis.
"I wonder whether the golden magic really is some sort of elemental justice. If it is, it should help us deal with the Council members and all the other people who were involved in the atrocities, as well.” Elryk frowned. “I just hope it doesn't turn all of them into statues."
"Only one way to find out.” He lifted their still joined hands and pointed at the golden sphere. “If this golden magic is as powerful as you suspect, we'll have to be very careful with it."
"The same goes for anyone who uses it. Although—it almost felt as if it had its own agenda. I mean, we started it, but it didn't feel like we had a lot of control over it. Not like my normal magic.” Elryk was pale.
"It definitely felt like a force of nature.” He grinned. “Not that I know how other types of magic feel, but even the shards seemed to have their own life and purpose before we ever touched them. It's not that surprising to find that magic coming into existence with their help has some of the same characteristics."
"That would mean we're its instruments more than the other way around? That would be in line with it being an elemental force, you know?” Elryk nodded slowly.
The nine wizards around the table were now all looking at Elryk and him. It made him feel like a bug under a microscope. The two earth wizards were ashen and sat still as stone. The two water wizards had also stopped moving, a more than unusual situation for them. The two air wizards looked wind blown, totally exhausted. The two fire wizards had blushed a deep red but looked ready to faint despite their healthy colour.
Only the fire wizard who was the current head of the Magic Council seemed to slowly return to life. The old wizard rose, opening and closing his mouth in an apparently futile attempt to speak. No sound fell from his lips as his eyes grew more and more desperate.
"I think it's time to test our theory. If the golden magic is like an elemental force, it should heal those who can be redeemed and punish the others.” Elryk turned towards the table.
When they lifted their joined hands, the golden sphere started pulsing and expanding again. It had a slightly red hue this time. Was that due to a link to the healing and cleansing powers of fire magic?
Whatever it was, as the sphere's surface reached the first wizard, it enveloped his body, made it glow, then moved on to the next one as the first wizard slumped onto the table, snoring loudly.
Kaythan's eyes widened as he watched each wizard go through pretty much the same treatment. The two earth wizards went straight to sleep once the golden wall had passed them. One of the water wizards stayed awake. Both the fire wizards seemed to suffer some pain before they dropped off to sleep, but neither of them turned into a statue. The air wizards went straight to sleep as well, which left the current High Wizard still standing. When the golden magic reached him, there was a brief flash as his body started glowing. Kaythan had an impression of the man's life flashing by, then his body stiffened into the statue-like appearance that Rhunnyt had already taken.
"I guess it was too late to save him.” Elryk shuddered. “He was in charge of killing my ex-lover, Zolak. I can't say I feel sorry that he's gone."
"He's really dead?” Kaythan wasn't sure he liked the brutality of this type of justice. It might be necessary in this case, but still.
"I can't feel his heartbeat. So yes, he's dead.” Elryk nodded.
"I guess some people are beyond redemption. It looks like the golden magic, whatever power it represents, agrees with that.” Kaythan looked around the room to take stock of their situation. “I guess we've completed part one of our task. All we need now is a new High Wizard to lead the Magic Council."
"We'll need one for a fresh start.” Elryk scratched his head. “The problem is going to be finding a lightning wizard with enough potential to be a Grand Master. None of the surviving ones are strong enough."
"I think the solution is pretty obvious.” He grinned. His mate was too modest. Or maybe he was hesitant about taking a position of such power? “You are, after all, a lighting wizard of Grand Master rank, aren't you?"
"Yes, but...” Elryk looked somewhat hesitant.
"No buts, I think these guys need a proper leader. And who better to take over than you? You've fought long and hard to get here and what is more, you have my full support."
"I do?” Elryk smiled. “You're not going to be mad if I spend a lot of time working? It'll take a while to get everything back in order."
"I have no problem with that.” How could Elryk even think that? “Besides, I think the Law Forces will be pretty busy as well, so it's not like I'll be sitting around, waiting for you to come home."
"I never imagined you would.” Elryk's grin was infectious.
"What happened?” The water wizard who had stayed awake seemed to have shaken off his daze.
Some of the others were slowly waking up, looking confused at first. When they were all more or less awake, Elryk told them the short version of what had happened. Memory dawned on their faces, and soon they all tried to speak at the same time. Kaythan held up a hand and the shock of a non-wizard in their midst made them all shut up. Normally, non-wizards weren't even allowed inside the meeting room while the Magic Council was in session.
"Thank you.” Kaythan grinned. “I only wanted to say that it would help if you spoke one at a time."
"Indeed.” The leading water wizard raised his eyebrows at him before turning back to Elryk. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Izmut Dok'olal. I believe I speak for all of us when I say thank you for all you have done, Elryk. It seems to me that a great deal is going to change now, hopefully for the better."
A general murmur and nodding of heads indicated agreement.
"I believe the first order of business before the Magic Council is the election of a new leader. We have much work to do and will need someone to coordinate with the Law Forces, the Ruling Assembly and anyone else in charge.” Izmut looked around and smiled when all he saw was nodding heads. “I hereby nominate Elryk Muyd'omir."
Kaythan grinned and Elryk shrugged.
"I second that.” Every single one of the seven remaining wizards spoke at the same time.
"I guess it's unanimous, then.” Izmut grinned as he turned to Elryk and bowed formally. “Congratulations, Grand Master Elryk. We are honoured to have an accomplished lightning wizard in our midst yet again."
"Thank you.” Elryk nodded at the group, looking a little uncomfortable.
"I'm sure it won't be so bad.” Kaythan stepped up to him and took his hand, immediately calming him down.
"Yeah, well, someone has to do it, I guess. Just not today, okay?” Elryk turned back to Izmut. “I think we should all take the rest of the day off. I need a break for one, and we need to develop a plan for dealing with the Xoh'kas and the magic thieves in a way that won't let everything collapse because people panic."
"That is an excellent idea.” Izmut nodded. “Anyone opposed?"
None of the other wizards had any problems with the suggestion. They got up and started filing out of the meeting room, obviously eager to get the news to their families.
Kaythan turned to his mate and smiled, promising him their own private rest and relaxation. From Elryk's enthusiastic reaction, it looked as if the other man had gotten the message and agreed with his plan.
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Chapter Twelve
* * * *
Elryk smiled as he remembered yesterday's ‘rest and relaxation’ as Kaythan had insisted on calling it. It hadn't been restful or relaxing at all, but he'd felt invigorated nonetheless. There was just something about having sex with his mate that did it for him on a very fundamental level. If he was honest with himself, it might have something to do with the fact that he no longer felt as if they were just having sex. It had already become a lot more meaningful than that.
Now it was the next morning and they needed to get back to the business of restoring the magical balance as well as law and order on Tah'Nut. They'd made their way back to the Magic Council's meeting room to find the other wizards already there. He'd received several sideways glances from them, none of them approving. Bringing Kaythan into the meeting room yet again seemed to annoy them, but nobody had dared say anything yet.
He wasn't willing to do without the strategic and tactical advice an experienced Law Forces Commander could add to their plans. While that was the official reason he was going to give if challenged, he'd already admitted to Kaythan that he didn't feel up to the task all by himself. His mate had agreed, adding that they'd most probably need the golden magic to make this work, and that only worked with the two of them present.
When everyone was seated, one of the two temporary guards, both younger wizards, closed the door to the outside world. Elryk called the meeting to order and opened the floor to any questions the others might have before they kicked off the detailed planning.
"Yes, I do have a question, actually.” Cybek, one of the oldest earth wizards still alive, was frowning. “Why did you bring this Law Forces Commander into a meeting of the Magic Council? Granted, the Law Forces Executive has been disbanded by the Xoh'kas, but surely it would make more sense for them to get that going again and then have their own meetings?"
A few of the other wizards nodded and murmured their agreement.
"First of all, I believe we are far from a normal situation. This is still an emergency. So we need to do things differently.” Elryk was sure that lots of things would need to change once the emergency had been dealt with, but he wasn't going to confront the group of old wizards with all his new ideas at once. “Second of all, Kaythan's perspective on any strategies we develop will be invaluable, as will his contacts within the Law Forces. And third of all, he is my mate and the golden magic, whatever it is, only works with both of us present."
"I agree that this is an emergency, and as such, we should make an exception.” Izmut, the water wizard, looked a lot better today than he had yesterday. “But surely it would be enough to inform him of the outcome of our meeting after we're done?"
"I will not have him treated as a second-class member of this group. I believe that it's high time we stop the separation of the three governing bodies for much of the business we do.” Elryk sighed. “It may take us a while to get there, but I think our future lies in cooperating with each other, not in keeping us all apart, following our own agendas."
"Be that as it may, we have more urgent things to talk about.” Golmur already looked agitated and they hadn't even started any real discussions. But then, fire wizards weren't known for their patience or restraint.
"Yes, we do.” Elryk grinned. Time to let them know about some of his other ideas. It wouldn't do to let them become complacent.
A heavy bang on the door to the outside world was immediately followed by a splintering sound as it burst open. A group of five Xoh'kas in their black uniform-like suits entered, flanked by armed members of the Law Forces. The first one to burst into the room was the current head of the Xoh'kas family, Trolar.
He'd hoped they'd have some more time to make plans and do this in an orderly fashion. Shit, there must be a leak inside the Magic Council, even after the golden magic had ‘cleansed’ everyone yesterday. How else would Trolar and his cronies have found out about their meeting?
Elryk reached for Kaythan's left hand, linking their wrists just in case this got ugly. Not that there was any real doubt in his mind that this would escalate. The tiny golden sphere popped into existence immediately, staying small and inconspicuous for now.
"What in the divine spirit's name is going on here?” Trolar looked around the room, his eyes widening when he discovered the two statues of Rhunnyt and the previous High Wizard in one of the corners.
"Justice has been served, as you can see.” Elryk pointed at the statues to make sure Trolar knew what he was talking about.
"Jus-justice?” Trolar took a step farther into the room. “You call turning people into statues justice?"
"It wasn't my decision.” Elryk shrugged, realising how strange this sounded to someone who hadn't seen the golden magic in action. “What you see here is the result of the golden magic doing its work."
"Golden magic?” Trolar laughed then looked around the table. “Are you just going to sit here and let this madman take over? There is no such thing as golden magic, you should know that."
"You will see.” Izmut shook his head. “We didn't believe it possible either until we saw it with our own eyes."
"Ridiculous. Bunch of old idiots.” Trolar turned his attention back to Elryk. “And who are you to be handing out justice anyway? That's the Ruling Assembly's job. And since I'm its head, I get to decide what justice needs to be done."
"You're wrong.” Kaythan's voice was quiet but clear. “Handing out justice used to be the Law Force's job. Until the Xoh'kas family disbanded all the judges and took matters into its own hands. This will no longer be tolerated."
"And who are you to be making these pronouncements?” Trolar's face showed his disdain clearly. “A mere Law Forces Commander getting involved in politics? That's just absurd!"
"Actually, what he says is true.” Elryk smiled. “And it's high time that your despicable practices of torture, blackmail, and plain exploitation stop."
"And who's going to stop us—exactly?” Trolar sneered. “The two of you? Look at you, a pathetic lawman and a wanted criminal wizard. Holding hands like two children too afraid to stand on their own. Don't make me laugh."
Well, that did it. Nobody insulted his mate.
Elryk nodded at Kaythan and they lifted their linked hands, making the sphere expand be
yond the round table and the frozen wizards. Most of them looked resigned to a fate of being put back to sleep again. He didn't think that would happen the second time around. After all, the golden sphere had scanned and healed them yesterday already.
"May only the just survive the wrath of the golden magic.” Elryk had no idea where the words came from but Kaythan spoke the exact same ones simultaneously. It was as if a higher power had decided what to do.
The golden sphere expanded again, passing most of the wizards without incident. When it got to Cybek, there was a short golden flash and the old wizard's head dropped onto the table.
"I guess we have our leak.” Elryk grinned. This new magic was turning out to be a highly useful tool indeed.
When the golden wall approached the five Xoh'kas and their Law Force guards, the reaction was much like yesterday with Rhunnyt. All of the Xoh'kas were enveloped in a golden glow of some duration, their facial expressions changing from shock to despair, then abject horror and pain. One by one they stiffened and all that was left was five more statues.
Some of the Law Forces members simply sighed and crumpled as if in slow motion, deep breaths or snores emanating from their chests. A very few remained standing and looked bewildered about what was going on. When the golden glow had scanned everyone in the room, it stopped moving outward and returned to its previous size, encircling Elryk's and Kaythan's wrist.
It was a start. Elryk still wasn't quite clear how they were going to cleanse the rest of Tah'nut, as well as take care of the magic thieves, but he was sure they would come up with something.
Kaythan tuned to the highest-ranking member of the Law Forces who was still standing.
"Please remove the sleeping members of your troops from this room. They should awaken shortly and can return to normal duty.” Kaythan pointed at the five new statues. “I believe these should be put in the Ruling Assembly's meeting room for now. They can serve as an example. What do you think, Elryk?"
