The unsuspecting mage ms-1

by Brian S. Pratt

  Tired, exhausted and drained, James turns toward the pentagram and the evil coalescing above it. The swirling vortex has now almost completely formed into something inhuman in aspect and malignant in nature. The glowing red eyes of the creature are fixed upon him and he can feel hatred roll over him like a filthy tide. Somehow, he knows that he must find a way to close this portal between worlds before the creature is able to manifest completely. He modifies another of his druid’s spells:

  Forces of Good, forces of nature,

  Hearken to me one last time.

  Seal the rift, the passage to close,

  And let victory at last be mine!

  One last time he feels the influx of multiple tendrils as they suffuse him with more power than ever before. So intense is the power as it passes through, that it feels as his nerve endings are being seared raw as it flows outward. In his mind’s eye he visualizes the portal and the power of the evil fighting to keep it open. Such malignant hate and evil; even in his worst nightmares he never could have imagined such to exist. His mind’s eye concentrates on the portal, directing the magic in drawing it close. The power continues flowing to, and then out through him, toward the portal.

  Wave after wave of malignant hate strike him like physical blows, each nearly causing him to falter. Somehow though, he manages to remain focused and continues directing the magic in closing the portal.

  Just before the portal is no more, a final surge of unbelievable malignancy blasts into him and knocks him back several steps. With the closing of the portal, he ends the spell and the magic tendrils cease flowing into him. He has little time to enjoy his victory. Completely drained and exhausted, his eyes roll up into the back of his head, and he collapses to the floor passing out.

  When consciousness returns, he comes awake disoriented and with a headache threatening to split his skull wide open. Others are in the room, but he’s having a hard time getting his eyes to focus properly so couldn’t make them out.

  “James, are you all right?” a familiar voice asks.

  He knows it’s familiar, but his mind can’t quite put a name to it. Unable to utter more than an incoherent grunt, he shakes his head. Water is poured into his mouth and after a couple swallows, his vision clears. He manages a weak smile as his eyes finally focus on the one addressing him; Ceryn.

  “Thought…you…home,” he manages to get out.

  “Thought I went home?” When James nods, Ceryn shakes his head. “No. I was visiting a friend and happened to be at the Squawking Goose when Corbin came running through the front doors screaming of demons.”

  “When he finally told us what was going on, we hurried out here.” He then gestures to a man by the pentagram and continues, “I dragged our priest along just in case. When we saw the devastation, we thought for sure to find you dead. Imagine our surprise that you weren’t.”

  His mind couldn’t make sense of what the Warden was saying. “Devastation?”

  “Devastation like I never would have believed. Trees shriveled in a massive swath with this house at the center; plenty of the animals, too.”

  “How?”

  “We thought you might be able to tell us.”

  James just shakes his head.

  Another man kneels by the pentagram, the little girl in his arms. Sobs come from the man. James thought at first she was dead, but then the man notices him looking their way, wipes tears from his eyes, smiles and says, “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for saving my little girl.” His sobs were those of gladness, not sorrow.

  The priest walks over and addresses Ceryn. “The girl is fine, if very weak. She will be fine after a few days rest I would think.” Turning to James, he adds, “You could do with a little rest yourself, young man” With that, he returns to the girl and her father and talks quietly with them.

  Another man enters the room and walks to Ceryn. “We found Hern and Joshua upstairs, they’re both dead. Looks like they were sucked dry somehow, their bodies are being loaded on the wagon as we speak and then we’re taking them back to town.”

  “Very well. Thank you for your help.” The man shakes Ceryn’s hand and then turns to walk out the door.

  The man by the pentagram helps his daughter to her feet and with the priest lending an arm, they manage to get her moving. They make their way slowly out the door and disappear down the hallway.

  Ceryn and Corbin help James to his feet. He glances at the older girl whose feet are still encased in the stone floor. “What are you going to do with her?”

  “Leave her for now,” Ceryn replies. “We plan to return tomorrow and the priest will thoroughly cleanse the house. Then we’re going to raze it to the ground.”

  They help him across the room and out to the narrow hallway, but not before he takes one last look at the girl and the words San Francisco on her shirt. She must have been that girl the news had said went missing the night before he left for the interview. He couldn’t help but wonder how she had come to such a state. Will his fate be similar? Shuddering at the thought, he leaves the room.

  Out front, he pauses to survey the devastation of which Ceryn had spoken. Mouth agape in horrified shock, he took in the trees shattered and twisted remnants of trees that stretched a far distance before the forest resumed its natural appearance. Some had even been blasted apart; for where the forest had been closest to the house lay a carpet of splintered wood. And from what Ceryn had said, it had not only been trees and undergrowth, but animals as well.

  Thinking back to the battle and the myriad tendrils of power that had answered his call, he understands. Forces of Good, Forces of nature. I did this. My spell called on nature and nature responded.

  Keeping such thoughts to himself, he allows Ceryn to bring him to a roan mare and assist him in mounting. He rides in silence while they lead him through what once had been a living and thriving ecosystem. His mind has a hard time coming to grips with what he has done.

  Upon reaching Trendle, Ceryn parts company as he plans to confer with the town council about what happened at the old abandoned estate.

  James is in a daze, has been since shortly after they left the devastated area. He merely nods as the Warden takes his leave.

  Corbin takes him home where James goes right to bed.

  Chapter Six

  Over the next two days James takes it easy, sleeping through most of the first, only awakening when Mary brings in a plate filled with eggs and potatoes. During his breakfast of the second day, he spies the girls peeking at him through the doorway. Their giggling alerts Mary who immediately shoos them away saying, “Let the boy eat in peace!” Once he’s eaten his fill, he lies back down.

  “You rest,” she says.

  As she passes through the doorway, James hears Mary again berate her girls for bothering him. Apparently they hadn’t shooed very far. He couldn’t help but grin. He has come to like Corbin and his family. They had definitely done everything they could to make him feel welcome while staying with them.

  The redness and welts caused by the black cloud have all but disappeared, and he feels much better after having rested the day before. He manages to fall asleep again and remains so until Mary brings in his lunch. The sound of her approaching his bedside prompts him to open his eyes.

  In her one hand she carries a bowl of soup and in the other, a cup of water. When she sees him looking at her, she asks, “How are you feeling?”

  “Better,” he replies as he sits up.

  She sets the glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed and then hands him the bowl and a spoon.

  The aroma coming from the soup makes his stomach growl. Taking the spoon, he eagerly scoops out a portion and begins eating. “Very good,” he says much to Mary’s pleasure.

  Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, she inspects his injuries. “We were worried about you,” she says. “Corbin said that when they found you, he thought you were dead.”

  He gives her a grin. “I can imagine,” he replies.


  “Too bad about Hern and the boy,” she says sadly. “At least you were able to help the girl.”

  “Is she alright?” he asks.

  Mary nods. “Her father says that she is much more subdued than what she used to be,” she explains. “Our priest thinks after some time has past, she will gradually regain much of her youthful exuberance.” A pause, then…“She used to be such a happy girl.”

  “After what she went through,” began James. “I can imagine it taking some time for her to recover.”

  “Yes,” she agrees. “We are all just thankful she is alive.”

  His bowl is soon empty. Taking it, she leaves the room with a final word about him getting more sleep.

  Taking her advice, he lies in bed for awhile but sleep is an unattainable goal. It isn’t long before he concludes that he’s not going to be able to fall asleep any time soon. Thankfully the throbbing in his head which had been nigh on unbearable the day before has subsided to a dull ache and he starts thinking that he may be able to enjoy living again. Being tired of lying in bed, he decides to get up and stretch his legs, wobbly though they may be.

  Taking it slow, he swings his legs over the bed and attempts to stand. When he gains his feet, sudden dizziness strikes him and he has to sit back down on the bed. Holding his head in his hands to calm the dizziness, and the slight increase in pain, he takes several deep breaths. Once the dizziness subsides and the pain returns to a manageable level, he again attempts to get to his feet, this time managing it without the sudden onslaught of dizziness and worsening of his headache. Feeling only slightly dizzy and unsteady, he refuses to give into weakness and shuffles over to the chair where his clothes are laid out and gets dressed.

  Once he manages to dress himself, he opens the door and walks out into the front area. There he finds Mary sitting at the table mending a pair of trousers. “Where is everyone?” he asks, coming over to the table.

  “The kids are out in the fields,” she replies, “and Corbin went with those returning to the house to help raze it to the ground.” She puts the trousers down and says, “Can’t sleep?”

  Shaking his head in response, James replies, “Not tired. I’m feeling much better too, your soup really hit the spot. I think I’ll take a little walk to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.”

  “Cyanna’s outside playing with the dogs,” Mary tells him. Picking up the trousers she continues, “If you should see her, tell her I would like her to come help me, okay?”

  “Sure will,” he agrees and then walks over to the door and goes outside. He looks for Cyanna but there is no sign of her or the dogs.

  Enjoying the warmth of the summer sun, he decides to walk over by the pond to find a comfortable grassy spot where he can sit down and relax. The ducks have since traveled on, so he just lays back and watches the clouds going by, enjoying the peace and quiet. The warm sun soothes his weary body, making him very relaxed. Before he even realizes it, he falls asleep.

  Plunk! Plunk!

  The sound of stones being tossed into the pond awakens him. Thinking Cyanna has come to join him, he opens his eyes and glances over to greet her. The whimsical greeting he was about to say dies stillborn on his lips. For there, not three feet away, sits the little creature with the blue vest and crazy felt hat he previously met upon first arriving in this world.

  “Awake, are we?” it asks. “Enjoying yourself?”

  Not sure how to respond, he says, “I’ve had better days than the last few.”

  Chuckling, the creature responds, “I’m sure you have. But you’ve done well, my master is pleased.”

  Curious, James asks “Just who might your master be?”

  “I haven’t been directed to tell you that as yet.” Plunk! Another strikes the water, sending ripples across the surface of the pond. Holding up his hand to forestall any more questions, the creature says, “Nor have I been given permission to answer any of your questions.”

  Reaching into his vest pocket, the creature pulls out a silver medallion on a chain and tosses it over to him. “This is for you. Consider it to be a gift of sorts.”

  Catching the medallion, James looks at it and finds that one side has a raised pattern of lines that sort of looks like a stylized star. Turning it over, James discovers the back to be smooth, without design.

  “What is this?” he asks.

  “Like I said, a gift,” it replies. “Though should you desire to, you may give it away or even sell it, though I’d advise against that at this time. You may need it later on.” Plunk!

  “What do you mean, ‘later on’?” James asks. Not entirely liking the prospect of what that might foretell.

  “Later on, as in a future time,” explains the creature with a grin.

  “What am I suppose to do now?” James asks. “Obviously I’m here for some purpose, would you care to enlighten me?”

  “Just do what you feel is right and I’m sure everything will turn out for the best,” replies the creature.

  “Yeah, and if I think it feels right to toss this medallion into the pond, should I?” he demands irritably. He wants some answers not all this cryptic god stuff.

  “Not suppose to answer questions, remember?” The creature stands up, “You should be fine. I’ll see you later on.” With that, he hops in the air and disappears just like he did before.

  James stares at the spot where the creature had just recently stood for a moment before lying back down on the grass. He examines the medallion more closely and mulls over his choices. The design looks to be the same as the one that had been on the cover of the book explaining magic, the one he inexplicably lost back in the forest. The loss of that book still bothers him. He could sure use it now.

  Not for the first time he wonders why he was in this world, not to mention what forces brought him there. He has difficulty to believe that it is for some nefarious reason for the creature had told him to ‘do what you feel is right’. Hardly the advice one would expect a minion of evil to give. But still, you never know.

  How long he spent mulling things over he wasn’t sure. But before long, Mary’s voice reaches him calling everyone to dinner. Coming to his feet slowly so as not to be overcome with dizziness again, he begins making his way back to the house. He puts the medallion around his neck for safekeeping and tucks it inside his shirt. When he returns to the house he doesn’t mention the little creature or the medallion to Corbin and his family.

  That night after dinner as he lies in bed trying to drift off to sleep, he can’t quit thinking about the medallion and why it was given him. There must be a reason., he insists to himself. There must! Sometime before drifting off to sleep he comes to the conclusion that he needs to find the answers to the many questions plaguing him, and that the answers will most likely not be answered in Trendle.

  Early the next morning when he wakes and goes out to the front area, he finds Corbin and family eating breakfast before heading out to the fields.

  “Good morning all,” he says as he approaches the breakfast table.

  “Feeling better this morning?” asks Corbin.

  Mary brings a plate for James and he helps himself to the eggs and biscuits. “Much better, thank you. It was probably Mary’s cooking that did the most good.” James smiles over to her who then grins back at him.

  During breakfast, he sits quietly at the table, absentmindedly picking at his eggs and biscuits while he tries to come up with the right words to say.

  Corbin asks, “Something on your mind, James? You seem to be a bit preoccupied, barely even touched your breakfast.”

  Realizing that he has been pushing his food around, he says “Well, as much as I have enjoyed your hospitality, I think it’s time for me to be moving on. I was wondering if you could go into town with me and help me pick out some traveling gear?” He takes a bite of his eggs while he waits for Corbin’s reply.

  “I guess I could,” responds Corbin. “Where are you planning to go, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  �
��I’m not sure where anything is in this area,” replies James. “Where is the nearest major city?”

  “The closest city of any size is Bearn. It lies two days south along the Kelewan River. Three days further south out on the coast you will find Castle Cardri, our capitol. If you go east about a week, you’ll come to the city of Trademeet, a bustling city where merchants of many nations meet. It lies at the foot of the mountains separating Cardri and Madoc.”

  “Do you think Castle Cardri would have a library or something that I could use?” he asks.

  “Probably,” he replies. “Though it’s unlikely you would be permitted inside. Only the nobles or known scholars are allowed entry. Or so I hear.”

  “Well,” says James, “it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

  He finishes his breakfast and together they go to the barn to saddle their horses. This time James does a decent job of it, proud that he didn’t require Corbin’s help. Climbing into the saddle, he directs his horse out of the barn. The kids are there with Mary as he nears the house. She comes up to him and hands him a sack filled with bread, dried meat and fruits. He takes the sack of food and gives her his heartfelt thanks.

  Devin brings out his spear and backpack. Reaching down, he grabs the backpack but tells him to keep the spear. “I really don’t think I’m going to need that. You go ahead and keep it,” he tells him.

  Devin smiles up at him and nods, gripping his new spear.

  He looks to Mary and says, “I appreciate your hospitality and have enjoyed being here more than you know.”

  “Goodbye James,” she says, “and be careful.”

  “I will,” he assures her.

  With a chorus of goodbyes, James turns his horse and follows Corbin down the lane. Looking back he sees Elizabeth and Cyanna still waving goodbye. He raises one of his arms and waves back, then turns and catches up with Corbin who’s already at the road leading into town. The dogs follow them, barking and jumping until the end of the lane where they turn back and race for the house. He and Corbin then ride side by side as they continue on into town.