by West, Shay
The Volgons loaded the last of the weapons into the travel pod. The Kromins took them to the standing wall that housed the portal.
--We shall meet you at the portal on Astra--
“Be swift. Our friends need us,” Feeror said.
“Wait,” Moylir said, walking up to the hatch of the craft. “Why can’t we travel with you?”
--You would not survive on their world--
“What do you mean? We’ve been to their world before,” Moylir said.
--You were on their world in their form. Your bodies cannot breathe their atmosphere in this form. The second the hatch opened on Astra you would suffocate--
“How is it you can be on their planet in your true form? And ours for that matter.”
--Our bodies have the ability to adapt quickly to changing environments. While we can’t adapt to all of them, our ship detects those worlds that are within safety parameters and warns us if we are about to land on a world that we cannot survive on--
“I see,” she sighed. “It’s the portal for us then.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to go through the portal?” Feeror said.
“In case you’ve forgotten, three of our comrades went through and never came out. I don’t want to be lost forever like that. I want to die on a world so the proper rituals can be performed over my body.”
“Chances are you’ll die along with our Astran comrades. Does that make you feel better?”
“Much,” she said sarcastically.
“Let’s get on with it,” Voilor said.
He moved toward the wall and watched as the symbols appeared, outlining the rectangular shape of the portal. He touched the symbol for Astra, three fused rings, then stepped through.
ASTRA
“WE SHOULD MAKE FOR FAEROW first thing in the morning. There’s nothing more we can do here,” Morden said.
The group was back at the Laughing Dolphin eating a meal of salted beef, hard cheese, fruit, and bread. Serving girls walked around the table filling mugs with wine or ale. The group ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Hearing of Master Gerok’s death via the telepathic communication of the Kromins had saddened them, and yet there was nothing to be done except to forge ahead.
“Agreed. We have to warn Patriarch Mordaen,” Saemus said.
A loud murmur growing in intensity interrupted their meal. Saemus and Morden were the first to exit the inn and were nearly trampled when a large crowd ran past, faces tight with fear.
“Something’s happening. We need to get a better view.” Morden ran back inside, rushing up the stairs two at a time. Worry made his belly clench, threatening to discharge the meal he had just eaten.
He entered a room that would afford him a view of the Mishrae Hills. Morden sprinted to the window and threw back the curtains.
A Mekan crawled over the Hills, its giant legs crushing rock into dust. Even from this far, it was clear that the machine was enormous, larger than most cities and towns of Astra.
He dimly heard the rest of the group enter the room, each pushing and shoving to gain a vantage point to see out the one window.
“Great Lucian’s ghost! They’re coming. They’re really coming.” Keera stepped back, hands pressed against her cheeks, head shaking violently from side to side.
“We need to get out of here, head for the Fury,” Morden said.
The group made their way back down the stairs and out into the streets. Word was spreading quickly and people stood in the doorways, unsure of what to do or where to go.
“Can you make my voice be heard over this crowd? Can you?” Morden grabbed Saemus by his shirt.
“I think so. I can try.” Saemus drew on his power. He nodded to the captain and said the word of power. “Amplifico.”
Morden spoke but only a handful of people stopped and looked to where the group was standing.
“That’s the best I can do,” Saemus said.
Jon shoved past Saemus and stood next to Morden. He took a deep breath and opened himself to the forbidden magic. It moved through is veins like molten ice, burning its way to his soul. He opened his mouth and laughed, the sound sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it. People began to move away from the man who was clearly under the influence of dark magics.
“What are you doing?” Morden whispered fiercely.
“Giving you what you asked for,” Jon said.
Morden took an involuntary step back. The boy’s eyes had gone the color of midnight.
“Best hurry and make your little speech, Captain. I can’t keep this power at bay forever.”
Morden’s skin crawled. Jon’s voice sounded completely foreign, as though someone else was using the boy’s body and speaking through his mouth. It matters not. Give these people some direction!
“People! Listen to me! Your lives are in danger from the things coming across the Hills. You must flee! Make you way west, as far as you can. I implore all ships’ captains to take as many people aboard as you can. Leave everything behind. You can’t afford to be burdened with useless possessions. Take only food and water.”
The people of Vis Rellisa stopped what they were doing and listened to this voice that appeared to come from the sky itself. Many thought it was the good Spirits giving them guidance. Others thought that perhaps it was some dark magic trying to deceive them. And still others thought it was the voice of Sheldon ordering his people to safety. Whatever they thought about the voice, it spoke sense.
Instead of pandemonium in the streets of Vis Rellisa, people began moving with a purpose. They packed food and water in knapsacks, gathered their children and loved ones, helped their elderly neighbors, and slowly began making their way to the docks.
“Come, we must be off,” Morden said.
A scream came from just behind him. Morden looked and saw a woman standing over the body of a man lying in the street.
His skin looks burned!
“JON! You must stop!” Saemus grabbed Jon’s arm.
The lad shoved Saemus and he went flying, landing with an audible thud. “Do not presume to touch me.”
Morden’s stomach roiled and bile rose to his throat as he stared at the blackened husk of the man lying in the road. He wanted to flee back to his ship. You can’t leave these young people. “What’s he done?”
“It’s the magic. Dark magic uses the life force of those around him. Jon pulled too much and these people died for it.” Kaelin was kneeling next to one of the men, hand on his forehead, hoping to feel any spark of life.
“Why didn’t someone stop him?” Morden asked.
“He’s stronger than all of us combined. We can’t stop him,” Saemus said.
More shouts and screams sounded and Morden winced when he saw two women and one child fall to the ground.
“Someone has to do something!” Robert Marshall said, coming to stand next to Morden.
“What would you have us do? Put a sword through his heart?” Saemus asked.
“If you have to, yes! We can’t let him kill more innocent people.” Sloan shouted.
“You’re serious! I won’t let you kill him,” Saemus said, coming to stand in front of Sloan.
“Then their deaths are on your head. Look at them.”
Saemus looked to the fallen. A woman held a girl of around eleven name days. She was wailing and begging someone to help her. Her eyes met his, wet with tears, and she crumpled over her daughter’s body, sobbing in misery.
He’s right. We have to stop him.
Before Saemus could speak, someone came out of the crowd, black clothing a stark contrast to the white paving stones. His face was marred by a long scar that ran from his left cheek to his chin.
“We meet again.”
***
Pandemonium broke out amongst the group. Men dressed all in black appeared out of the shadows of nearby buildings, coming to stand at their Master’s side. Saemus reached for his power only to find it blocked. A shrill scream sounded from his left. Fearing the worst he s
pun, ready to rip someone limb from limb.
Keera had managed to let loose a small fireball before being trussed up with the dark magic. The man she’d hit was burning like a tree that had been struck by lightning. Keera managed to look both triumphant and sick at the same time.
One of the men in black, face covered in strange tattoos, brandished his sword and moved toward Keera, who screamed in terror, trying in vain to break free from the invisible bonds of magic that held her fast.
“Stop! I said no one was to be injured, blast you!”
The man looked at Fa’ Vel. “You saw what she did to Blake!”
“Nevertheless, no one is to be harmed. Understood?”
The man grunted and moved away, sheathing his sword.
“There now, that’s better, yes?” Fa’ Vel asked. “Why don’t we all just take a deep breath and calm down, shall we?”
“What is the meaning of this?” Morden asked.
“I have come to help you with your...ummm...little problem.” He pointed to Jon, who now hovered a few inches off the ground, head thrown back, mouth wide open, hair standing on end.
“How exactly are you going to help? Coach him? Teach him how to kill more innocent people?” Saemus asked.
“You wound me,” Fa’ Vel said mockingly.
“You expect us to trust you? After you came out of nowhere and attacked us?”
Fa’ Vel tsked. “If you recall it wasn’t I that threw the first...well, the first punch if you’ll forgive the phrase.” He looked hard at Keera.
“You blocked our magic,” Saemus said.
“So you wouldn’t attack before I could talk with you. I knew after our last encounter, you’d never let me get near enough to speak. I took the necessary actions to ensure both my safety and that you would listen to what I have to say.”
When Saemus didn’t answer he continued. “If you want to get your friend back, you have no choice but to trust me. I’m the only one who can help.”
“What exactly do you propose?” Saemus asked through clenched jaws.
“First, I propose letting you all go free, as long as we come to an agreement that no one will attack me or my men.”
Saemus nodded reluctantly.
“Second, I will use my own power to reach the boy.”
“And after that you’ll leave us in peace?”
Fa’ Vel laughed. “Oh no, my dear boy!” The dark mage walked up to Saemus and clapped him on the shoulder like they were old friends. “My third proposal is to join you.”
***
“You are mad!” Saemus gasped and tried harder to break free from the bonds of magic.
“Well, I admit I went a little crazy there when I saw you lot disappear into solid rock, but after seeing those things coming across Mishrae Hills, I have changed my tune.”
“You think just admitting you were crazy erases all you’ve done? Because of you we lost four of our group! We were the ones sent to stop the machines. Without all of the Chosen, we might not be able to stop them. Don’t you understand?” Keera spat.
“I fear I am not the only one to blame. What else was I supposed to think? First, the Seers and bone readers spoke of the death of all Astra, then you show up to rescue a boy who hardly seemed worth the effort, your leader knew about the strange moon rings, and then you go and disappear through solid rock. Now you tell me, if you saw all of these strange things, would you not go a little mad?”
“So you’re saying this is our fault?” Keera asked, dumbfounded.
Fa’ Vel spread his hands. “It seems to me that you should have made sure no one was around before walking through the rock.”
Before Keera could reply, Sloan spoke up. “All of this is pointless. The longer we sit and argue, the closer the Mekans come. We have a sacred duty to fight these damn things and save the whole blasted galaxy. And we’re not getting any closer to doing that by sitting here in the street arguing. Now, if this man can bring Jon back, let him. We’ll worry about doling out punishment after we’ve managed to save everyone. Agreed?”
One by one, they nodded agreement, some more reluctantly than others. Saemus’ gut clenched and every instinct screamed that this was all wrong and yet none of them could stop Jon while he was in the throes of the magic. With everyone staring at him expectantly, he finally nodded, a quick jerk of the head that spoke volumes.
“Great. Then let’s get on with it. We need to be aboard Lucian’s Fury and on our way to Faerow soon,” Sloan said.
“Since we have reached an agreement, let me be the first to show good faith.” Fa’ Vel motioned with his hands.
The bonds of magic disappeared. Fa’ Vel’s men stood ready to defend themselves if any of the group decided to attack. The dark mage ignored everyone and moved to stand in front of Jon, who had taken no notice of any of the disturbance.
Saemus stood and watched the surreal spectacle. The townfolk had yet to remove their dead from the area, too frightened or too numb to care that they may still be in harm’s way. Most others simply moved by quickly, heads down, refusing to acknowledge what was occurring, intent on getting as far away as possible and hoping no one noticed them.
Fa’ Vel smiled a little as he stared at the boy hovering in the air. Though he still didn’t feel any fatherly feelings toward the boy, he felt a surging pride at what the lad could accomplish.
We could rule the world together.
The dark mage schooled his face to smoothness. He didn’t want to give anyone reason to suspect that he had ulterior motives for helping the boy.
He took a deep breath and erected a barrier. Fa’ Vel was unaware of anything going on outside the small shield. All of his attention had to be on the boy and the power he held. If he couldn’t get the boy to slowly release the magic, it would explode outward and kill them both.
It’s now or never.
Fa’ Vel drank of the dark magic, relishing in the feel of the icy fire moving through his veins, his pulse pounding in his ears, yet careful to only pull what he needed and do no further harm.
No need frightening them.
Yet.
He opened his eyes and smiled.
***
“What he doing in there?”
“For the tenth time, I have no idea.” Saemus’ patience with his twin was wearing this.
“Well, I wish he would hurry up. Morden is concerned with the number of people heading for the docks. If there aren’t enough ships to take them or if the captains refuse passage, we could have an ugly situation on our hands.”
Saemus sighed. “I don’t see how we can make them go any faster.”
Suddenly, the shield disappeared and Fa’ Vel caught Jon before he hit the ground.
“Bring me some food and water, quickly!”
Saemus ran toward the dark mage and his friend. Jon’s skin was a sickly grey color and his eyes were rolled back in his head.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s completely depleted his energy force. If he doesn’t get nourishment, he’ll die.”
“How can he have depleted his life source if he was pulling from the people around him?” Saemus asked.
“Foolish boy. Even a dark mage uses his own life force in addition to drawing on the power around him. The two powers are intertwined, almost impossible to separate. A practiced magician can tell when he’s drawing too much and back off but Jon obviously lacks the ability.”
Robert rushed up with a wine skin and some dried fruit and cheese, interrupting the argument.
“Where did you get that?”
Robert refused to meet Saemus’ eyes. “Well, we sort of broke into a building nearby and stole it.”
“You stole it?”
“What did you expect us to do? Hunt down a fleeing merchant and ask politely?”
“Well, I just...I mean, I don’t like the idea of stealing—”
“Would it make you feel better if I left some coin behind?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It would just g
et stolen...” Saemus sighed, realizing he’d lost the argument. “Thank you for getting what we needed.”
The group watched anxiously as Fa’ Vel gently fed Jon the food and wine, urging him to eat. The dark mage whispered words in a strange guttural tongue. In moments, Jon was breathing more easily and his color was returning to normal.
“I think he is over the worst of it.”
Saemus clenched his jaw, dreading what he knew he had to say. “Thank you. We are in your debt.”
Fa’ Vel sneered. “Save your sweet words, boy. I do not need your thanks.”
Saemus shook his head and helped Jon stand. “Let’s get to the Fury.”
Morden took the lead, trying desperately to move through the throngs of people making for the docks. Fear gnawed at his belly. Desperate and frightened people often resorted to violence when up against a wall. Morden’s crew was on board the Fury waiting for their captain. If enough people forced their way on the ship, it could capsize her. We’d be stuck here.
“We could be in trouble here,” Morden said to Saemus.
Saemus nodded, aware of the danger as much as the captain was. In seconds, they were forced to move forward at a mere crawl.
“Is there a different route we can take?” Saemus asked, trying in vain to see over the heads of the crowd.
Morden shook his head. “Any other route would take us further from our destination. We must get on board the Fury before these frightened people over-run her.”
A loud snort from behind caused Saemus to whirl around, fully expecting an argument from the dark magician. Fa’ Vel and the ten men with him had their heads together, arms around each other, murmuring in that same strange guttural language Fa’ Vel had used earlier.
Suddenly, the movement of the crowd ceased. No one in the present party was affected by the strange magic.
“What is this?” Saemus asked, looking around in confusion.
“A time spell. Very difficult. No time to explain. It takes a lot of effort to maintain,” Fa’ Vel spoke through clenched teeth.
“Then let’s move!” Morden shouted, shoving through the crowd of people, now standing perfectly still.
The rest of the group followed. Fa’ Vel and his men brought up the rear, helping steady one another as the effort of maintaining the spell took its toll.
