by Eden Redd
Trystan was quiet for a long moment before continuing, “……I keep thinking about Damon Wick and what he set in motion.”
Gwen’s eyes turned to the table, “I have been thinking about him too. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.”
“You told me once that he simply came home one day and was changed. What could have happened to him that would change him so suddenly?”
“I wish I knew. He became a different man. He was obsessed with familiars and growing his mana pool. He babbled sometimes about long dead secrets. When I tried to understand, he pushed me away, saying I could never understand.”
“When you helped me recover my memories, Damon mentioned the Libro Nocte. Could that have changed him?”
Gwen took another sip of wine before speaking, “I don’t know. There are so many legends around the that particular black book, who knows what really happened. I tried to do my own research but it was too painful for me. The man I knew is gone and I let him go years ago.”
Trystan could see the sadness sink into Gwen’s shoulders, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you upset.”
“It seems we both had a lot of things happen in our pasts,” Gwen said with a half-smile.
Trystan squeezed Gwen’s hands, “I’m happy being here with you.”
Gwen squeezed back, “I am too. Let’s enjoy our meal and talk about happier times.”
Trystan nodded just as their food was served.
***
Trystan lay with his eyes wide open. Gwen lay close, her hand on his chest and sleeping deeply. The mage was having a difficult time falling asleep. Even after lovemaking, the mage’s mind would not stop going. Thoughts and memories cycled through his mind over and over. Images of his past kept rising up and crashing down, suffocating any chance of peacefully drifting off.
Shadows moved in the darken bedroom. Gwen’s apartment over the shop normally felt homey but tonight, Trystan wondered if Freya was peeking in on him from the shadows. It was enough to make him paranoid and sleep moved further and further away.
The mage wondered what was in store for his next year in college. Would he even make it through and graduate? Will Damon make another attempt to destroy Stukarr and the college together? Will his friends leave because of the terrible attack on the city? Is Bella okay and did she make it home to her people? On and on Trystan thought about all the things he had little or no control over. An image of Nia’s face floated in the mage’s mind. Had she stopped loving him? Did she feel it was a mistake to take the mana bolt meant for him? Does her scar and eye remind her of some terrible mistake?
Trystan turned over, Gwen’s hand slipping from his chest. The young mage stared at shadows as they moved along the wall. Trystan knew it was from a slight breeze from the open window. The curtain moved, letting the light from the street cast morphing shadows against the wall. Trystan stared and stared, taking small breaths and clearing his mind. A warmth opened in his mind and it cascaded over his weary and stressed spirit. The warmth grew and Trystan found it easier and easier to relax. Eyes fluttering, they slowly closed and the mage was finally able to fall into a deep sleep.
Eyes opening, Trystan took in his surroundings. A bright and shimmering forest stretched out in all directions around him. Looking down, he could see he was in a small clearing. A table and two chairs stood a few feet from him. The air felt fresh and inviting. Looking up, the sky was a warm yellow. Sunlight cast its life-giving light on the mage’s face. Warm energy snaked along his body and the mage felt at peace.
From the edge of the tree line, a robed figure stepped out and walked toward the mage. Trystan eyed the figure, gentle peace turning into foreboding. When the figure was on the other side of the table, hands reached up and pulled the hood back.
Trystan took a step back as his eyes widened. Damon Wick smiled as he stood. The renegade mage put his hands up and kept a warm smile on his lips.
“So that we are clear, yes, I am here speaking to you,” Damon smiled.
Trystan was silent and took another step backwards.
“Do you remember those words I spoke to you while you lay on the stone slab? It was a spell so we could meet again without any prying eyes. I knew we would have to speak again so I put it in place. Do you want tea or wine?”
“What?” Trystan wasn’t sure he heard him right.
Damon moved his hand over the table. A bottle of wine appeared with two glasses. Alongside it a steaming kettle appeared with two tea cups on saucers. Damon pulled out a seat and sat down, his hands moving to the tea kettle.
“I prefer tea myself. I understand this whole experience may be troubling so maybe the wine will help you relax. Please have a seat,” Damon pointed his hand to the empty chair.
Trystan’s brow formed a sharp V, “Why am I here? What do you want?”
Damon picked up a saucer with a tea cup on it. He took hold of the cup and extended a pinky, “We are in your head, your dreams to be precise. I want us to sit down and talk. No funny business. Just two mages having a conversation.”
“Do I have a choice?”
Damon smirked, “We always have a choice. But if you prefer to stand, that is fine. The tea is very good. You’re missing out.”
Trystan started to feel awkward. Damon closed his eyes and sipped his tea. He behaved like he had all the time in the world. Against Trystan’s better judgment, he walked over to the empty chair and stiffly sat down.
Damon opened his eyes slightly and smiled, “See, no funny business. Isn’t this much more comfortable?”
“It feels weird to be talking to a mage who tried to destroy a whole city,” Trystan said with clenched fists.
“I doubt anything I say will relieve you of that notion.”
“Your right,” Trystan said coldly.
“Good. You have no reason to trust me and that mistrust will help keep your mind sharp,” Damon took another sip of tea.
Trystan looked to the bottle of wine. He prepared a spell incase the mage across from him tried anything.
Damon looked from Trystan to the bottle of wine, “Spells will not work here in this dream. It is a safe place for us to talk about a few things.”
“Why…..why did you try to destroy Stukarr? Why was Bella split into three parts? Why imprison her to collect mana? Why have me get the ritual from the Libro Nocte? Why me?” Trystan glared.
Damon put down the saucer and cup, “All valid questions. Can I start with a story?”
Trystan was silent.
Damon continued, “The story begins with a naïve mage. He had a head filled with romantic notions of good and righteousness. He met a beautiful young ink witch and they fell madly in love. Before this simple mage left for college, he married the beautiful witch. He pledged his heart to her and promised to visit any chance he could between his studies. Even with the distance between them, they were very happy. Each visit was a storm of passion and love.”
Trystan leaned back in his chair.
Damon eyed him and continued, “Years passed and the young mage was mid-way through his college years. He learned from the best. Taking their knowledge and using it to its full advantage. He was gifted in a way they hadn’t seen in a long time. It helped the mage become popular and he had many friends.
“Then on a chilly winter afternoon, the young mage was given a trial. He and a few other mages were to investigate a deserted town several miles from Stukarr. There were whispers of monsters trying to make it a home. The college would not stand for it. Headmaster Gloomis personally gave the trial to this young mage. They were to investigate and remove any monster infestation. The young mage was more than happy to complete such a task for the greater glory of the college and Stukarr city.
“The mage and his fellow students set off on horseback to find these evil monsters and force them from the territory. They arrived at the deserted town late in the evening. Nothing stirred except for a small firelight from the broken down keep. We moved through the growing darkness, spel
ls ready to vanquish this evil on our lands. It didn’t take long for us to make our way in and reach the decaying door deep in the main keep tower. I took hold of the rusty door handle while three male students and one female student readied to storm the room.”
Trystan kept his eyes riveted to Damon as he took a sip of tea and placed the cup back down on its saucer.
Damon let out a gruff chuckle, “How strange things are, built up in your mind. The mage was scared but ready to do his duty to stop the evil monster menace. When they crashed through, spells charged and at the ready, they all stared in shock at what was before them. A simple fire burned and a very frightened succubus cringed against the wall. She had blonde hair and looked to be warming herself at the little fire before they barged in. The mage knew the moment he saw her she was no threat. He let his spells fizzle and put down his hands.”
The corner of Damon’s mouth crinkled as if he tasted something bad, “His fellow students were not so understanding. They launched themselves on to the demon, spells striking her and holding her in place. The mage turned to them and told them to stop. They ignored him as they surrounded the lone demon. Soon the questions rose on what they should do with her. The mage could sense the dark thoughts in their minds. He could feel a horror creep over him as they made lewd suggestions. The racist and prejudice hate started to flow. The female mage talked about her town being attacked by demons when she was young. One of the male mages spoke of a terrible night one of his uncles disappeared from a succubus brothel. Another male spoke of tales he heard where demons would rape and eat travelers on the roads. The last mage said they should carry out their duty and show this monster a lesson.”
Damon was silent for a moment, “The young mage tried to stop them. The succubus was no threat to any of them. The mage tried to convince them to stop but the room filled with hateful desire. Terrible shouting commenced as they informed the mage if he wasn’t with them then he was against them. Two took hold of the of the succubus while another began to pull off her rags. The demoness couldn’t help herself and her instinct took over. She presented herself to their hateful lusts with a mad gleam in her eye. The young mage watched for a long terrible moment as several mages took out their hatred on a lone demon who earlier was trying to warm herself by a fire.”
Damon cleared his throat, “The young mage prepared a spell to stop them. One of them noticed and cast their spell first. The young mage was thrown from the room, striking his head against a stone wall. Touching his head as he moaned, his hand came away with blood. They slammed the door and cast a holding spell on it. The succubus cried out in pleasure as the sounds of forced fornication echoed through the empty keep.”
Damon’s eyes had a faraway look about them, “The young mage walked the halls, bleeding and dazed, his world crumbling around him. The mage walked into an old library with shelves of rotting books. He was about to turn around when the binding of a book seemed to catch his attention. Without thinking, the mage moved like a zombie to it. He reached up and pulled the book from the shelf. Opening it, the book whispered deep into his mind.”
Damon reached down for his tea cup and brought it to his lips. He took a sip and held the cup inches from his mouth, “Terrible truths shined their dark light on the young man. For the first time everything made sense. Holding the book, the mage turned and made his way back to the room where his fellow students punished a demon. The book continued its whispers. The mage felt his mana burn dark. The holding spell was blasted away and the young mage stepped in.”
Damon put the tea cup down and stared at Trystan, “They had her on all fours. The men had taken turns from behind while the woman held the succubus’s horns, the demon’s mouth to her sex. The young mage could feel their hateful madness rooted into their souls. The mage unleashed lightning bolt after lightning bolt. A head cracked open. A chest exploded. A neck was severed and a scream silenced with a bolt blasting through an open mouth.”
Trystan twisted uncomfortably in his seat.
Damon continued with a small smile, “The mage stayed with the succubus for a few days. He tended to her bruised body and ensured she was well. He burned the bodies of his fellow students. He gave the demoness a horse and supplies and sent her on her way. The mage rode back to Stukarr while holding onto this black book and reading its secrets. When he arrived, he told the Headmaster how they were ambushed and he was the only one to survive. The young mage was thanked for his heroism. The names of all four fellow mages were written into the stone memorial, heroes for serving the great Elemental College.”
“What happened to the book?” Trystan asked simply.
Damon shrugged, “Disappeared a short time later like it always does. Off to find another library to haunt. The mage never forgot what he read but sadly he didn’t read the entire book.”
“Is that why you left? Some rotten apples do a terrible thing and an entire city must suffer for it? It seems like you already punished them for their crimes,” Trystan said as he tried to not think about the horrific images conjured up in his mind.
Damon leaned back, “I have spent many years trying to discover knowledge and truth in the world. I have seen dead ends and I have seen roads that would take me beyond this mortal plane of existence. The one horrible truth I keep noticing is humans are a blight to this new world. The Mana Cataclysm was only the beginning of the world trying to reclaim itself from humanity. With my help, it will finally win its long war.”
Trystan stared at the mage across from him, “You’re human too. Will you kill yourself if you win this war?”
Damon grinned, “Freya does not give you enough credit. When I met you, I knew something deeper lay below the surface. My destiny lies elsewhere. When I have successfully put all the pieces in place, I will leave and never return.”
“Why did you use Vanessa and me to get the ritual from the Libro Nocte? What does it do?”
Damon pressed his fingers together before him, “The Dead Mother was supposed to invade and occupy the city. You were supposed to retrieve the ritual needed before the black book disappeared again. Vanessa failed at her task but you succeeded at yours. I had to set my next plan into action.”
“Bella,” Trystan said flatly.
“I want you to understand something. Bella was my most prized familiar. Had she kept her jealousy under control, I would not have had her split and placed in those ruins. She had to redeem herself. I put her to use, collecting mana and storing it.”
“So, you could destroy each city? You had each version of Bella by a city. You didn’t plan on just attacking Stukarr. You wanted to hurt each college for things that happened in the past,” Trystan said sharply.
Damon nodded, “My original intent was not for that purpose. All three versions of Bella were to collect mana so I could use that energy for greater goals. Only with Vanessa’s failure did I have to redirect their objectives. You and your colleagues quickened the new plan.”
Trystan leaned back and crossed his arms, “And you failed. We stopped them and no life was lost.”
Damon smirked, “I didn’t fail.”
Trystan stared.
Damon leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table, “Doubt lingers over Stukarr like a toxic haze. Deep in every citizen’s heart they no longer feel safe behind their walls. Yes, I have killed but I never took any pleasure in it. I commend you and your friends saving many people from an otherwise certain death. You fascinate me Trystan because you still hold a belief that good will always find a way. When Freya told me about your optimistic outlook on life, I didn’t believe it at first.”
“Is that the reason you’re here in my dreams, talking to me, a way to tempt me or be sympathetic to your side?”
Damon shook his head, “No. I know the side you’re already on. I’m here to present another view point to a bigger problem. The ritual you procured for me will help ensure my success. The Night College is nearly complete. Monsters all across Lurth will see that humanity cannot stop what is co
ming. For the first time in eons, humans will become legend and myth. You helped me acquire the ritual, now I want you to witness when I use it.”
Trystan couldn’t hide the shock from his eyes.
Damon held out an empty hand and a rolled-up scroll appeared in it. Moving the tea cups aside, the renegade mage rolled out the scroll. A map of Lurth was drawn onto the yellowish paper. Damon’s long fingers ran along some of the lines and stopped at the Broken Islands to the southeast.
Damon’s lips curved into a small grin, “I’m having a gathering of sorts and you are formally invited. As I speak, the spell in your head is filling with commands from my mind. You will know the exact location of the gathering but will be unable to give that knowledge to anyone else. You will instinctually know how to get there but cannot point it out directly on a map. This is to ensure that no one else will be able to find it unless they follow you.”
Trystan eyed the Broken Islands on the map. He remembered from Lurth History that the islands to the southeast used to be part of a peninsula until the cataclysm. The sea rose and broke the land into a number of islands. Some were small while a few were big enough to hold monster towns. The waters are treacherous due to many water monsters lurking in between islands and the ocean around it. Trystan felt a pit grow in his already queasy stomach.
Damon eyed the mage, “I know what you are thinking. You could bring some of the more powerful mages from the college to stop me. An obvious but powerful option but who would save Gwen?”
Trystan looked at Damon and his mouth curved in dismay.
Damon sat back, “You will not have any of the professors or Gwen accompany you on this trip. You may however bring your friends. The way is dangerous and even with this knowledge, you may not survive the journey.”
“I will not risk the lives of my friends!” Trystan nearly growled.
Damon gave a slight nod, “The choice is always yours but I must warn you, if you bring Gwen with you, she will never make it pass the Stukarr city walls.”
“What kind of man are you to threaten hurting her!” Trystan could barely contain his rage.
