by Eden Redd
***
The march through the forest was easier than Trystan thought. They had been at it for hours, following along. Trystan and Lori led the way with Gwen close behind. Aznara took up the rear, keeping a healthy distance from the other three. The succubus walked with her head down and gloomy thoughts slinking around in her mind.
Trystan thought he would run out of questions but as Lori talked, more questions would spring to mind. The druid was patient and understanding, answering what she could for the curious mage.
“So, druids don’t need familiars?” The thought boggled Trystan.
“Some do have familiars but we can pull mana directly from living creatures and plants. We can even pull mana from the very ground if we need to.”
“Does pulling mana from a living thing hurt it?”
Lori shook her head, “No, not normally. Most living things have an abundance of mana. You just have to know how much to take. If you take too much, then the creature will weaken. If you take all of it, they will die.”
“Can you take it from people?” Trystan’s mind worked hard to process everything being said to him.
Lori let out a small laugh, “It’s harder to take from intelligent creatures. A person can shut it off like a faucet if they so choose. And before you ask, yes, plants and animals can shut it off too. That is why we live in harmony with all living things. Plants and animals are more than willing to share their energy because they understand the balance being kept. Not so much with intelligent beings.”
“You are blowing my mind,” Trystan said as a flood of new questions came to mind.
“We believe in sharing knowledge. Maybe in the summer you can come to Karath. I know many students who would love to show demonstrations of nature magic.”
Trystan nodded, “I may just do that.”
The druid stopped in her tracks. Trystan stopped with Gwen and Aznara doing the same. The druid’s expression went from kind understanding to intense observation. Everyone remained silent as Lori scanned the forest. Without a word, she moved to a nearby tree and pressed her hand to it.
A long moment passed. Trystan held his breath, waiting for something to happen. He inventoried a few spells and had them ready just in case. Lori pulled her hand from the tree and took a step back. The rough bark waved and shifted. A bulge appeared from the middle of the tree and it shapeshifted into a kind face.
“Afternoon kind druid. How may I help you?” The face in the tree said.
“I see from the tracks and whispers in the forest that a large group of para-humans came through here. Can you tell me anything you may have noticed or heard?”
The tree face was silent for a few seconds before speaking, “Goblins and orcs travelled through here a few days ago. They were heading East. They spoke of a gathering on the coast.”
“What was their mood? We’re they hostile?” Lori asked.
The face shook from side to side, “No little druid. They were excited. Some spoke of the gathering with wide eyes and happy smiles.”
Lori nodded and patted the side of the kind face, “Thank you elder.”
“Thank you for speaking with me kind druid. I wish you the best on your journey,” The tree gave one last smile before shifting and melting back to normal tree bark.
Gwen moved closer to Lori, “I have heard similar rumors from colleagues across the lands.”
Lori looked to Gwen, “We have heard it too. Most students have come across the same information over the last year. Entire tribes of monsters moving East but no one can figure out why.”
“Gathering to the East?” Trystan repeated. He had no idea this was happening across the lands.
Lori turned to the mage, “I know our professors have talked about it. They thought there was some preparation for war but now they are not sure. The bands of monsters aren’t hurting anyone. They are moving as secretive as they can, leaving no hints of what is happening.”
Aznara stepped forward with arms crossed and eyes closed, “Some of my people left my village for this gathering to the East. No one had a chance to question it because one day they were there and next they were gone.”
“You never found out why they left?” Trystan looked to the horned demoness.
Aznara shook her head, “My sister and I were so focused on going to the Elemental college that we didn’t bother to ask. Not that there was anyone to ask. I told the Headmaster and Headmistress the same information as part of my interview.”
Gwen looked to the small group, “It doesn’t seem we will find out any more information. We should be on our way so we can set up camp before nightfall.”
All three nodded their heads.
Trystan turned to Lori, “How did you know to ask if anything came through here?”
Lori pointed to the ground, “I can see the faint outline of disturbed earth and plants rebounding.”
The mage looked down and he too could just make out the imprints of three toed feet and plants with bended stems. Gwen tapped the mage’s shoulder as he stared. Trystan looked up to the ink witch and gave an embarrassed smile. The small band turned north once again.
The sun passed overhead, shifting light as the group travelled further. When the sun hung low in the afternoon sky, Gwen pointed to a small clearing to set up camp. Trystan and Aznara dropped their back packs of holding and began pulling their tent gear. Gwen pulled out a bedroll and laid it out. Trystan was about to question if the Ink Witch had a tent when Lori moved her hands. Earth moved and shifted before her. From the ground an earthen cone rose up. A hole appeared at the base and earth moved to hollow out the triangle. When it was done, it looked like a large cone like tent, sturdy as stone.
Trystan stared awe struck. Aznara walked over to the stunned mage and grabbed his collar.
“Let’s collect some fire wood, or is your girlfriend going to do that too?” Aznara seethed.
Lori turned to the succubus, “I cannot summon fire like you can.”
“Wow, one thing you can’t do,” Aznara said as she pulled Trystan with her into the forest.
“Did you see that? I mean I heard about druid magic but to see it is a whole different thing!” Trystan said as he walked with Aznara.
Aznara walked with a creased brow and stiff arms. Her hands were balled into tight fists at her sides and stared forward. It was then, after about a hundred feet away from their camp, the mage noticed the succubus was tight lipped.
“Aznara?” The mage asked with a raised eyebrow.
“We have never been apart this long,” The succubus growled.
Trystan remained quiet. The energy from the demoness came off in waves and the mage silently walked along with her.
“I think I would have been better if I had more time to mentally prepare for it but…..she didn’t even seem to care that we were separating.”
“Sunara didn’t care?”
Aznara closed her eyes and stood still, “She seemed all too happy to go with Nia. They have been spending so much time together that it makes me want to pull her blue hair!”
Trystan listened as the succubus continued.
“She talks about her all the time. She was never like that before. She is in love with her,” Aznara seethed.
“Sunara loves Nia?” Trystan said as the words sunk in.
Aznara opened her eyes and turned to Trystan with a glare, “You are a fool! Such a fool! You never noticed how they would make points in the day to meet? How Sunara would stay over in Nia’s room from time to time?”
Trystan let out a small sigh, “I noticed but I kept myself out of it. Nia and I are dating but we are not exclusive. I figured she was spreading her wings a little.”
“Nia may be doing just that but I know my sister. She is falling for her rather quickly.”
“I don’t think Nia is falling for her,” Trystan said with an edge of uncertainty.
Aznara gave Trystan a crazy smile, “It doesn’t matter! When my sister wants someone, she gets them. She has been like th
at since we were little.”
“If Nia falls for her then there is nothing I can do about it. People love who they love,” Trystan tried to say with confidence.
The succubus eyed him, “I know part of you wants to believe that. You want to believe if you love someone and set them free, they will come back to you. That is not how life works. Sunara is always hungry. She has that calm demeanor but she is a starving beast and has no qualms stepping over anyone to get it.”
“I admit you know her better than I do but what makes you say this? They are both women and can decide for themselves what they want.”
Aznara turned away, her shoulders giving a little tremble, “I’m going to tell you something. I hope it doesn’t destroy our friendship.”
Trystan put his hands on Aznara’s shoulders as she continued, “I saw you three together the night of the feast. I came to your room so I could talk and maybe share some private time. My intentions were not innocent. When I opened the door, Sunara was the only one to see me. You and Nia were occupied.”
Trystan remained silent.
“My sister and I had a wager on who could seduce you first. We play that game sometimes. We both have an attraction to you but I think Sunara was more interested in Nia. I think she also wanted to rub it in my face that she could have you first.”
Trystan’s face darkened, “You two were betting on who would have sex with me first?”
Aznara turned to the mage with watery eyes, “She knows I want you. It was stupid for me to confide in her. I knew what she would do. I just thought it would be natural between us.”
Trystan let go of Aznara’s shoulders, “My feelings and body are not some prize in your twisted game.”
Aznara’s eyes widened when she heard the angry edge in his voice, “I wouldn’t have told you but my sister has been distant since even before the trial. I’m sorry for telling you such awful things but I really do care for you.”
Trystan could feel his blood boil. Years of being manipulated and treated like a plaything bubbled to the surface. Aznara looked to him as the mage turned away and began picking up fallen branches for firewood. Trystan tried his best to sooth his own rattled heart but awful memories of being bullied surged like a volcano. Aznara stared as the mage picked up a few more branches, stood silently for a few moments and threw them at a tree.
Some of the branches broke on impact as the mage couldn’t contain himself. With a balled fist, the mage punched a tree. Pain rocketed up his arm but Trystan remained quiet, the only sound was of him heaving. The succubus stared with a hint of fear, her arms hugging herself and a chill running down her spine. Looking away, the pain of hurting her friend struck her like cold water.
Turning around, Trystan stalked toward the succubus, shoulders heaving and trickles of blood on his knuckles. The mage stood in front of the succubus, lifted his bloody hand and pointed a finger at her.
“Don’t ever do that again! If we are really friends, then you will never lie and manipulate me ever again. I would never do such a thing to you or anyone for that matter. I will not be treated like some toy for your amusement. Do you understand?” The last sentence came out in a low growl.
Aznara’s eyes pointed down, a tear running down her cheek. She nodded without looking at him. Trystan gave the succubus a hard stare until another tear ran down from her other eye. An internal cool wind washed over the mage. The anger boiled away and his heart beat with powerful calmness. Eyebrows turned upward as if he was himself again.
Aznara’s shoulders began to shake as she couldn’t look him in the eye. Trystan moved close and wrapped his arms around her, sorrow filling him. The heat of the moment faded and the mage felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m…sorry,” Trystan said.
The succubus hugged him back, “I didn’t think it would hurt you so much. It was just a game. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m so sorry.”
Trystan held her close, “I have some things in my past that are still raw. There was no way you could know. I’m sorry for showing my temper.”
Aznara snuggled her face into his chest, one of her horns touching his neck, “You have every right to be mad at me. It was a stupid game. You are so laid back, I thought you might have found it funny.”
“I guess we both learned something about each other today,” The mage gave a small smile.
Aznara pulled back and looked into Trystan’s eyes, “I will never do such a thing again. I promise.”
Trystan nodded, “How about we gather that firewood and head back. We can talk some more while we work.”
The succubus silently nodded. Breaking from their embrace, the mages went back to gathering firewood. Trystan picked up the batch he threw earlier, feeling smaller somehow. Looking over, Aznara quickly picked up branches as if a fire was lit under her. Trystan mulled over what the succubus told him and his shoulders sagged slightly.
Nine
Gwen looked up as Trystan and Aznara walked back to camp, their arms filled with tree branches. A circle of stones was in the middle of the camp. The Ink Witch was on her feet and helping the two mages with their bundles. Lori crawled out of her earthen tent. Branches were placed in the stone circle as the sun touched the horizon. The air was growing cooler and a cold breeze washed over them.
When they finished putting the branches and kindling in place, Trystan mentally called up a simple spark spell. Nia had been nice enough to show him a few fire spells. The mage made the hand gesture and the spell fizzled. Gwen was about to say something when Trystan tried it again. Mana turned to small sparks and showered the branches and kindling. At first there was a bit of smoke. The mage was ready to cast it again when the kindling caught and a small flame bloomed.
All four sat around the fire and warmed their hands as the sun sunk lower. The air grew colder and the final bit of sunlight faded from the sky. Stars twinkled to life and the night sky became a deep dark blue. Hands dug into back packs and pulled out prepared rations. The druid pulled nuts and berries from a pocket of her robe and happily munched away.
Gwen looked over to Trystan. The mage winced as he put a piece of dried meat in his mouth. The Ink Witch stared at his bloody knuckles with concern. Eyes moving to the succubus, Aznara was quietly eating her meal, a distance in her eyes. Without a word, Gwen scooted closer to Trystan and touched his bloody hand. The mage looked down as Gwen took hold and a golden light bathed his battered hand. The bloody open skin on his knuckles began to close. A short moment later his hand was healed and dried blood began to flake off.
“Thank you,” Trystan muttered, returning to his meal.
The Ink Witch could feel uncomfortable energy radiate from the mage. Trystan didn’t make eye contact as he ate. Lori looked to each person in turn before settling on the fire.
Aznara was first to finish and crawl into her tent. Lori gave a faint smile to Gwen and Trystan before crawling into her earthen tent, the entrance sealing behind her. Gwen gave Trystan one long gaze. When the mage did not return it, the Ink Witch was on her feet and two steps later, crawling into her tent.
Trystan looked up at the sky and let out a long soulful sigh. An hour passed before he crawled into his tent. Bella emerged from his skin with open arms. The mage hugged her and fell asleep in her comforting transparent arms.
***
The morning light dazzled the senses as the four companions continued their march North. Trystan tried to keep his mind and body clear like the morning sky. The breakdown of their camp was quick and efficient. Lori was cheerful as she laid out their travelling path. With nods all around, the four continued on their way to the green slime ruins.
The sounds of the forest ebbed and flowed over senses. Trystan looked off into the forest and a bunny hopped off. Smirking to himself, the mage took another cleansing breath. Gwen slowed her pace so she could walk alongside the mage. Lori led the way while Aznara stayed far behind to the rear, a gloomy cloud over her horned head.
“I have been thinking about your
memory loss,” Gwen said.
Trystan let out a huff, “Before you go any further, I want to apologize for how I behaved on the train. It was rude of me. I value our friendship and I don’t want it ruined because of ……” Trystan trailed off.
Gwen gave a hint of a smile, “No need to apologize. You didn’t do anything rude…..or unwelcomed.”
Trystan glanced over to the ink witch, “I wish I could believe that personally.”
“Is there something more you want to say?”
Trystan could feel his shoulders sink lower, “I have enjoyed our time these last few months. But how I acted on the train indicates that there might be something more than friendship between us. I love Nia.”
Gwen looked forward as she spoke, “Trystan, no one is denying your love for Nia. I believe your ideas on love are a bit old fashioned but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful and enduring. Love can be just as wonderful as studying the art of magic. I’m not here to tempt you. I value our friendship as well. No matter what happens, I am your friend.”
Trystan’s eyes lowered, “Thank you.”
“Let’s change the subject. As I said, I may have a way to recover your memory loss.”
Trystan looked up and was all ears.
Gwen continued, “I had spoken to a few of my colleagues and some of the professors at the college. I was sure to keep your name out of it but most of them seemed to understand the need and wanted to help. Professor Luna was especially helpful with a certain technique.”
Trystan listened intently.
Gwen was sure to make eye contact when she spoke, “I could mentally dive into your mind and search along your mana pathways. It would require me to see your thoughts and intermingle my mana with yours.”
Trystan grimaced, “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with you in my head. I mean, I’m a pretty private person.”
Gwen nodded, “I know but it is our best chance at uncovering your missing time. My mana would help open those pathways and flood them. That should destroy the block you feel.”
