The sun sent rays of gold into the courtyard, as we approached the steps that led up to the Great Hall. Was that a good omen? I looked around, glad that none took a second look in my direction. Trailing behind my guard I started the long climb.
“Stop! I have to rest.” I sat down hard on the well-worn stone, my breath rasping, as I tried to gulp in a lungful of air. His brawny arm grabbed me by the throat, and he snarled like a dog, as he dragged me up the final steps.
“Now you’re up here, you can crawl if you must, or I’ll drag you along, but you will enter the Great Hall and soon.”
I forced one foot in front of the other, and eventually, the main door swung open and I was ushered inside.
It was the same hall, with the same massive stone hearth at the far end. The fire burnt brightly, and I was drawn towards it, but where were the people, the common folk petitioners, the lords and ladies, and the guards?
“Keep going.”
I followed his long strides as best I could, but it seemed an age before I sat down by the silent dais.
“Wait here.”
What did he expect me to do I thought as I lay comatose on the grey slabs? Initially, my voice croaked as if every breath was my last, but I forced myself to say the words in a clearer voice. “Do what you will, for I will go no farther.” I found enough strength to wave one fist at his departing back, before falling into a mire of black dreams.
Chapter 5
Another demon attacked me with sword drawn. I ducked under the slashing blade and ran off towards a glowing sun peeking out from within a mass of dark clouds. I heard a voice, a gentle soft sound that felt comforting, but the cold slap destroyed my succour in a flash. Slowly, I opened my bleary eyes.
“Time to meet your saviour, now get up or I’ll pull you along.”
Unable to stand without wobbling, he put a brawny arm under my shoulders and dragged me along like an unwanted sack. Only my eyes did my bidding, and they were tired and rheumy. Yet I saw enough to know that my fate would be decided once we journeyed into the place where I had once passed judgement on others.
Fate was inexorable, my judgement day was coming, and I knew that my life was forfeit. With my chin low on my chest and my head moving from side to side, I gave in.
A wave of warm air hit me, as the doors noiselessly opened to the inner sanctum. The two guards closed the door behind me and stood sentinel. There were two fires burning brightly, where before I only remembered one, and new tapestries adorned every wall. Under the furthest wall sat a huge dog munching on a hunk of meat and, unable to suppress my fears, fresh tears fell from my eyes.
“It is so good to see you, Lord Arnasson.”
Was it she, was this the voice of Magenta? Even though I frantically turned my head, I couldn’t see her.
“Where are you? Who are you? I have a right to know before I travel to the afterlife.” I was expecting a dig in the ribs, or at least a word of warning, but all I heard was the sound of a dog crunching loudly on a bone.
Strong arms picked me up to place me on a high backed chair. Unsurprisingly, my arms and legs were unbound. I sat with clammy hands and with cold sweat running down my back. Waiting patiently to die wasn’t easy but what could I do?
Without thinking, I looked over my shoulder, for I could feel a chill swirling around me.
“I am Magenta’s mother, Hebe, the Goddess of Eternal Youth. Do you remember me?”
I loved her voice, so pure, so kind, and so much like her daughter’s. Did I meet her? Perhaps, yet if I did, my brain was failing to send me any images, and at the moment I couldn’t care less. Wearily, I shook my head.
“Is it your desire to regain your youth, your former position perhaps?”
The air crackled. I turned my body once more, yet this room seemed devoid of anyone, as I could no longer see Sir, let alone a goddess.
“Yes! No! I want to be free, of ache, of pain, but never to control as before.” I knew my voice was weak and shrill, that I should lie down and await my end, yet my curiosity overruled my trembling body and stuttering words.
“All things are possible Alaric, ruler of all the mountains.”
There was irony in her voice and spiteful sarcasm. I was born Alaric, later to become Lord Arnasson, yet this was the first time for many decades that I had been called by that name.
Anger rose up from deep within me. “I never want the responsibility of power again. Never! Do you understand?”
My heart seemed to stop, as did time for a woman of exquisite beauty appeared before me. Her pale blue eyes matched the colour of her silk gown that swished as she moved. I had seen many women with fair hair, but never one so golden. Yet my head swirled with confusion, for wasn’t this her daughter, and my former lover, Magenta?
“Your bleary eyes deceive you, for I am not her, yet I see great pain as you realise this truth. Alas, she is not here, but if she were, I would stand with her and order your suffering, for so much hurt against an innocent girl, goddess or not, can never go unpunished.”
Every word cut into my pounding heart, for she spoke truly, but I could almost hear my brain working inside my head warning me about the words of a vengeful mother.
I’d had enough. “Get on with it.”
“Lucky for you, my daughter is merciful, and this time I will adhere to her wishes.”
With my heart beating so fast, I had to inhale deeply several times before I could catch my breath. Hebe wants me dead, and her daughter won’t see me. And why should she? I’d never loved her the way she wanted to be loved, but I still desired her even now. How ironic when I’m only fit for the graveyard.
“Why did you say that we’ve met before?”
“Don’t you remember?” she quickly retorted.
“I’ve told you before, no.” My voice was harder than intended but it didn’t prevent Hebe from moving her face within inches of mine. Involuntary, I sank back as far as I could into my chair.
“Only a blind fool would fail to notice me, yet you are neither, or perhaps you are now too old?”
I’d had enough of her words. “Enough! My lifespan is short and you are playing with me. Do what you will, but do it now.” I spoke cuttingly, but only a flicker passed over her sublime face.
“Pass me your dagger, Monroe.”
I finally knew my guard’s name and had to smile, for I didn’t like it. Monroe didn’t take his venomous eyes off me, as he passed his weapon over to Hebe. I guessed he’d seen my weary smile, so threw a big grin in his direction and felt pleased with the red flush spreading over his face.
Hebe held the slim blade high in the air and kissed it like a lover. Golden strands swung around her head as she moved behind me. It was over, my time here at an end. Closing my eyes seemed pointless, but I didn’t want to see the silver weapon coming towards me. Patiently, I waited.
“It’s time you learnt a lesson, to have a permanent memory of your vileness, Alaric.”
I opened my eyes for Hebe had taken my right hand and turned the palm upwards. The flashing blade moved faster than any lightning bolt, and like the power from the skies on scorching the earth, my hand burnt and I screamed.
Only a goddess could do that and take away all the hurt in a trice. Hebe held up my right hand to my eyes.
“Repeat the words, Alaric.”
“Rapist-Liar-Deceiver.” I read out the words slowly, but wouldn’t raise my head to look Hebe in the eye. She was right, the shame was mine, although I couldn’t agree with the word, rapist. Now I would see my palm every day and remember. It would be better if she had killed me instead, for all my energy, together with any hope of seeing Magenta again, had vanished.
I saw Monroe approaching from my left. Hebe returned the dagger as he approached, and I knew that my tormentor would soon seal my fate.
Surprisingly, I was wrong, again.
“Your future is dark, yet, even so, there is still a speck of light in the distance. Monroe will give you a small pouch of silver and set you f
ree. Only you can make amends, to right your despicable behaviour. Magenta will ultimately decide, for if it were I, your head would already be sitting on an iron stake alongside the main gates. Drink this.”
The syrupy liquid easily slipped down my eager throat, and once in my stomach warmth spread outwards to all my extremities. Even my brain re-engaged.
“That will help you for a time. Now pick up your sack and leave.” She turned her back and vanished.
Monroe helped me to the top of the steps; he placed the pouch in my left hand and waved me away. Like a beggar refused entry to a church, I limped off unsure of today and devoid of any future.
Chapter 6
Slowly, I made my way back to the tavern. Over a flagon of fresh ale, I contemplated what to do. Should I return to the mountains? Could I even make the journey and survive the long climb? And if I stayed in Vicorea, how long would my silver last? But the image of Magenta refused to disappear from inside my head. I hated her for not meeting me and cherished her for saving me all those years ago.
A serving wench with a damp apron around her waist topped up my ale. Her face was plain but unblemished, her apron soiled, yet she had warm gold-flecked eyes and an easy smile. It was the friendliest face I’d seen for decades.
“Thank you... err?”
“Mary is my name, sir, and you are?” She curtsied.
My mind struggled with the question. What name was more favourable? Would anyone remember Lord Arnasson?
“Alaric, yes, I am called Alaric.”
Mary looked me all over as if appraising both my body and soul. “Please don’t think me disrespectful but you are very old, Alaric, sir.”
I failed to stop myself from laughing and it felt good. She smiled and I chuckled. The tavern was empty which pleased me even more, for this was a moment to enjoy.
“Old I am Mary, as you will be one day. I would advise you to enjoy what you have today and let tomorrow take care of itself.”
“I will, and now I must attend to my duties.” She began to move away but I held her wrist, turned her hand over and placed two silver pieces in her palm. I guessed it was more money than she could earn in many months, for she kissed me several times on both of my heavily lined cheeks.
“Thank you, Lord, my baby is sick, and now I can afford the healer to visit.” She rushed to the kitchen, I heard a door open and shut, and saw her running down the path outside.
With my brain mulling over my options, I initially took no notice of an ache in my groin, yet when the heat began to make my balls feel uncomfortable I stood up and yelped like a dog. I shoved one hand down my soiled trews and clasped the intruder.
“How the hell did you, my work of art, leap from the sack and almost burn my manhood in the process?” Waving the wand and screaming like a lunatic as I rushed outside to the nearest water barrel made passing folk walk quickly away, crossing their arms to protect themselves.
With Magenta’s Wand Of Luminance sitting in my hand and all discomfort disappearing I realized that my creation had been summoning me. The voice was flat, yet powerful, steady but demanding. It was impossible for me to ascertain whether it was male or female, but it was insistent, for the voice was telling me to walk away from the tavern and to find the House of Healing. Reluctantly, I left and followed my instructions, wondering why this magical piece of wood had now taken me as a new pupil.
It didn’t take me long to walk through the myriad of tight streets and reach the healing house, for the wand directed me. Yet outside, I hesitated. I knew little about medicine, even less about broken bones or fever-related illnesses, so why should I step over the threshold? More to the point, who or what was sending me a stream of instructions via a piece of wood?
Without thinking further, I began to turn away, but that was as far as I could move, for a fire began to smoulder in my crutch. Rather than try to overcome the pain, as I doubted that it would dissipate, I caved in allowing the wand to force me through the weathered door.
‘Use the wand, use the wand ...’
I thought of who was calling me, but hadn’t a clue. It couldn’t be Magenta for, if I remember, her tones were soft like the clouds above, and it couldn’t be her mother, for she spoke harshly with a spiteful edge to her words. No, this voice was even and lacking in any emotion, yet I sensed an underlying hatred. I felt the same way. Who wouldn’t with someone constantly talking inside their head? I shouted my response with all the venom that I could muster.
‘Go away. Leave me alone.’ The pigeons in the doorway took fright, and a passerby changed his mind about entering. The sound of his footsteps faded quickly.
‘Use the wand.’
A man with sores all over his body was lying on a mat of reeds within a few steps from the door, his hand reached out to touch my ankle. Instinctively, I jumped back. Yet seeing the anguish in his eyes made me wave the wand. I felt stupid when nothing happened, even more so when the pus filled spots on his body popped one by one, as he lay down once more.
Without thinking further I reached for the nearest pitcher of water and tried to clean up the mess all over him. His cries of agony made me place both hands over my ears, yet within seconds I gasped in disbelief, for new flesh was spreading over the diseased tissue and he was calm.
‘See what you can do when you try.’ The same flat monotone was back, but rather than respond I tried hard to ignore it.
Hearing his snores, I guessed the man on the mat had succumbed to slumber. It was such a pity, his snores were louder than his previous moans of torment. I wanted to lash out, to him, to Monroe, to Hebe, and yes, even to Magenta herself if she would listen, yet with so many people suffering from a host of nauseous injuries, I hesitated. Maybe I should use the wand as I had been bid, and if I did, I would be released from this unwelcome duty.
A small girl lay naked under the cover of a filthy thin cloth. I guessed she had recently been attacked, as much dried blood had spread over her covering. Both eyes were closed, and I could hear faint sounds coming from her mouth. With a mess of dark hair covered in dirt hanging uselessly over her face, and her breathing ragged like a mortally wounded stag, it was clear, even to me, that her life-force would be gone come the morning.
Reluctantly, I pulled back her mattered tresses and took water from a nearby pail to wash her face. I soaked a rag with the precious liquid and forced drops through her cracked lips. She stirred, cried out, and was silent. Thinking the worst I removed the wand from my trews.
“You will not die. The wand will not allow it.” They were not my words I chided myself. It was the wand speaking, not I, yet deep down I knew the truth.
She let out a long sigh, as she turned in my direction. Two green emerald eyes opened, she gave me a thin smile and returned to unconsciousness. With colour returning to her pallid features, I guessed the wand had worked its magic once more.
Chapter 7
The door rattled, opened, and slammed shut, as a mist formed within the stone walls. I waited.
“Do you remember our time together, Alaric?”
That voice was so familiar. Even after a lifetime of silence, and I wondered why I’d mistaken her mother’s voice for her daughter’s. “Is it really you, Magenta?”
“It is I, my love.”
“Then why can’t I see you? Have I gone blind in my dotage? Or is this a nightmare like no other?” Screaming like a lunatic didn’t help and neither did my glassy eyes shedding water like massive raindrops.
“Open your heart. All I ask is for you to believe in me as you once did.”
With such a silky voice, how could I not try to find the right words? My hands shook. I dropped the wand, and without thinking, slumped to the dirt, scraping my knees in the process. Inside my body a change was taking place, I could feel pain mixed with contentment, and the memories of the past came forth more vivid than before. “I see you in my mind now, Magenta.”
“You have done well, my love. A healer you can be, should you wish to take on the mantle. The old
man will live, as will the girl. You now have the power to ease the pain of many other sufferers.”
“But I don’t want this. I want to be with you. Why won’t you show yourself?” The words were full of self-pity, but I couldn’t stop my mouth once it opened.
The mist vanished in a flash, and the image of the most beautiful woman in the world gradually developed in front of me. With lips unable to open, and both hands tightly clasped together, I stared at a Goddess from the heavens.
“It has been too long since we last met, yet my love for you has never disappeared over the decades. During that time, which is just a blink of an eye in my life, I have often thought about you. I wanted to return, to free you from a life of ageing in the high mountains, but alas, my mother forbade it, and on fear of death in the heavens, I complied. And looking back, she was right. I should never have allowed myself to be treated like an innocent girl and lose my virginity to a worthless human with only cruelty in his heart.”
Seeing so much hurt in such wondrous eyes made me keep my mouth firmly shut.
“Mother wanted to destroy you with her own hands. My brother, Monroe, wanted to peel the skin off your body, and my father wanted you to meet the demons in Hades. And if they had known that it was me that helped you escape, and slowed down your ageing, then no pleading on my behalf would have worked. You live only because I gave my word never to see you again after today, for this will be our last meeting.”
“I’m sorry. I told your brother so. I’ve paid for my mistakes, but I can see that’s not enough. Kill me now, or if that’s impossible, send Monroe, as I can feel his hatred even from here.”
The Magical Book of Wands Page 7
