Chain of Bargains dm-5

by Jeff Inlo

  In the distance, a ring of mountains surrounded the desolation of Heteera's conscious thought, but the peaks lacked distinction and majesty. They appeared more like a solid wall that encircled a dying land, a dark brown mound forming a simple circle with little character. Though the barrier lacked magnificent splendor in appearance, Enin understood the significance of the mountains. They served not only as the first obstacle Enin needed to overcome, but they also represented the spell which divided Heteera's mind and isolated the magic within her essence.

  The barrier had been created by the incantation of another spell caster. During a battle where Heteera's immense connection to magic proved pivotal, the wizard Jure needed to access her pool of energy but wished to avoid the pitfalls from her lack of control. He cast a spell which encased the magical energy within her being, protected it from her self-doubt and insecurities. That spell allowed Jure to feed on Heteera's power, but it also created a self-sustaining wall that divided the sorceress' consciousness.

  The spell would not dissipate on its own. It existed on the tremendous flow of energy fed by the sorceress' connection to the magic throughout Uton. There was no drain on the spell itself, nothing within Heteera's essence that conflicted with the spell's intention. Unless the casting was magically assaulted by a spell of superior power, it would remain in place until Heteera's connection with the magic ceased.

  Drawn to the magical energy, Enin crossed the barren flatlands of Heteera's mind as if he flew over a dead sea. As he approached the range of mountainous rock, he pressed lightly against the barricade with his own will. The magic was sealed off completely, like a great river running through a tunnel of rock that could not be breached by nearly any force. The wizard, however, possessed a connection to the magic that defied force, and he considered many different spells that would allow him to break through the walls and free the energy.

  He knew he could breach the barrier, but the raging flow of power always forced him to reconsider. Once free, the magic would burst throughout Heteera's essence. She would become the focal point of enormous energy unleashed, yet she was no longer capable of rational thought. He wished to help the sorceress, not obliterate her in a cataclysmic release of power. The wall had broken her mind into pieces, and while it was possible that the removal of the barrier might undue part of the damage, it was also probable that her lack of will would lead to an epic disaster. That always gave Enin pause, and so he pressed onward.

  He probed over the wall of rock, attempted to reach beyond it to escape the wasteland that represented Heteera's consciousness. He needed to contact more complex levels, levels of thought that were cutoff by the wall. He could not go through the barrier, but he could will himself over the top.

  The mountains grew in scope, tried to block off the invader. They were constructed to seal off the magic from Heteera's deficiencies, but they also served a greater purpose of division. The original spell was cast to completely engulf the energy, but it also acted as a defense mechanism. It could block out almost any attempt to circumvent it, but it could not match Enin's depth of control. The barrier eventually relented and the mountains retracted to their original state.

  Once Enin's awareness conquered the obstacle, the imagery around him changed drastically. His essence remained focused within Heteera's mind, but he had pushed past her conscious thought just as he passed beyond the rock mound. The wall of rock waited behind him, and it no longer formed a ring around an empty plain. It simply stood as a long column that extended beyond the edges of infinity.

  Standing in the current of thought that had once formed Heteera's true intellect, personality and identity, Enin searched for a way to reconstruct the sorceress' mind. The space around him, however, defied logic and reason. He never expected her awareness to take on a purely coherent representation of space and time, but it lacked any rational cohesion whatsoever. The flow of thought moved in slants and curves, broken angles and segmented lines. It was beyond delirium, beyond madness. Enin felt almost suffocated by total and complete turmoil.

  Ignoring the smothering sensation of chaos and disruption, the wizard reached out to each shred of thought and each stray memory that twisted and turned within that tortured section of Heteera's mind. He attempted to follow them all in hopes that one might lead to a foundation. He only needed one building block, one point of true structure no matter how small. If there existed one remnant of Heteera's identity that could be salvaged, he could use that as the anchor to rebuild her consciousness, but he could never find a single impulse that held to any true substance of being.

  Refusing to relinquish, Enin followed the convoluted paths that formed Heteera's labored perceptions. He ignored the frustrations of the confused trails. He moved his awareness through ever widening circles and collapsing spirals. He met each dead end with steadfast resolution to start again. He covered the seeming eternity of emptiness simply to break though into crowded confusion.

  He kept calling out to the sorceress, trying to capture the barest whisper of recognition. Silence was the usual reply, until he yelled with enough ferocity that a contingent of Heteera's deepest fears decided he was no longer welcome.

  The confusion of the sorceress' mind amplified the assault. It was not magical energy that struck out at the wizard's perception. It was unconscious motivation, like the driving force of a brutal nightmare. Mental energy derived a power of its own. Within the depths of the sorceress, Enin faced a barrage. The attack pressed upon the wizard like a terrifying dream that brought panic to a sleeping individual and caused physical distress-cold sweats, heavy breathing, taught muscles, strained screams.

  The breadth of fears that wished to obliterate the wizard took on near physical form. A thick wave of muck, like the heavy gray sludge that forms at the bottom of decaying garbage, fell upon Enin's consciousness. It blocked everything else out, encased the wizard's awareness in totality. It threatened to crush his perception, drive his awareness into a black abyss that was Heteera's shredded existence.

  Enin had suffered through similar attacks on previous journeys into Heteera's mind. A few times, he tried to pick through the sludge, hoping to find something of use, for even fears can lead back to a pivotal memory. The anguish, however, was empty of identity. It was hollow and corrupt, totally void of any useful substance. He wasted little time in pressing the slush of baseless horrors aside.

  There was never victory in avoiding the assault. If anything, it marked the end of the incursion. Once the sorceress' fears had been stoked into an assault, further exploration became pointless. Every stray thought would elude him, resist him. Fighting through became futile.

  The wizard withdrew his consciousness. His perception returned to that of his normal existence. He was back in Connel, standing in a quiet study. He was not alone. Heteera was there as was the wizard Jure. Enin stepped back from Heteera and examined her face.

  She looked back at him with a blank expression of complete detachment. She didn't seem to recognize him and showed no emotional response to the probing that was now complete.

  "Are you alright?" Enin asked.

  "I'm fine," Heteera responded.

  She wasn't, but she simply didn't know it.

  "Are you tired? Do you need to rest?"

  "I'm fine," she repeated.

  She stared back at the wizard with total and complete indifference, an apathy that went beyond any normal human with basic emotions.

  "Very well."

  Enin then turned to Jure.

  "I want to check the magic," he requested in a somber tone.

  It was a process that Enin had always followed. Once the wizard pulled back from the recesses of Heteera's mind, he wanted to ensure the integrity of the barrier. He could not, however, do it safely by himself.

  When Jure cast the spell that separated the magic from Heteera's consciousness, he included a siphon that would allow him and Holli Brances to connect to the energy. He also placed a safeguard upon that conduit, ensuring that limits were
placed upon its use.

  Despite Enin's vast ability, the barrier would not simply bend to the powerful wizard's will. He had no such direct access to Heteera's magic, but he could utilize his connection with his elf guard. He and Holli shared a magical link that was powerful in its own right. Grasping that link, and with the help of Jure, Enin could probe the magical flow within the sorceress.

  Bypassing Heteera's consciousness, the wizard slipped his perception directly into the stream of magic that flowed within the barrier spell. He did not absorb any. He simply analyzed it. He looked for taint and malady, any sign that the magic was being influenced, either by some outside source or even by Heteera's unconscious will.

  "It appears very stable," Enin remarked. "The barrier remains strong and the magic itself remains pure."

  "How's her mind?" Jure asked.

  "Same as before. A disorganized jumble of despair," Enin replied.

  "She's been like that for so long now. Is there any good news?"

  "In all honesty, I do not believe it can get any worse for her. I believe she's reached the bottom of the pit."

  "That's supposed to be good?"

  "Yes. It means she's stabilized. It may be a very bad condition, but it doesn't seem to be degrading further. We have both been worried about how long she has been in this condition, but it seems time is no longer a factor. We will either find a way to save her or we won't. It's no longer possible for us to be too late, and I find that to be encouraging."

  "I suppose you're right."

  Enin then contradicted himself.

  "Not completely. We may not have to worry about time in regard to repairing her mental condition, but there are other considerations. So much power is within her. At what point do we deem her not to be safe?"

  Jure looked over at Heteera who continued to stare off into space. She showed not the slightest reaction to being called a possible hazard. Jure then questioned Enin regarding the validity of such a concern.

  "But you said the barrier is strong. What's the danger?"

  "Danger?" Enin repeated, as if it was a concept just introduced to him. He began to consider so many different possibilities. He started to pace about the room as his thoughts covered an array of scenarios. "Will another magic caster sense the magic within her and try to utilize it for his own gain? Your spell was extremely efficient in limiting access, but that doesn't mean someone won't try to bypass it. A clumsy attempt by a foolish spell caster might be disastrous. And what if something happens to her? An accident. If she dies suddenly, what happens to all that power? A simple slip down a stairway and Godson knows what might happen."

  "If that's a concern, maybe we should take her out of the city," Jure offered. "I could take her to the Lacobian. I've spent a great deal of time there myself. I could watch out for her and she would be isolated."

  Enin looked up as if startled.

  "What's that? Take her to the desert? No. I appreciate the sacrifice, but it's not a good idea. You can't forget about the magic itself. She is more than just a conduit, she draws in the magic naturally. That's why your spell won't fade. It also means she's drawing in magical energy from any source. What happens if she is exposed to some twisted piece of incantation blurted out by some halfwit practicing spells out in the Lacobian? There's way too much spell activity out there to risk it."

  "So the best answer is still to repair her mind."

  Jure again looked to Heteera who seemed to be ignoring the conversation as if it had nothing to do with her. Jure felt great pity for the sorceress, and then felt a surge of guilt. He wasn't sorry he cast the spell that created the barrier, but he was sorry how Heteera seemed to embrace it, utilized it as a way to escape reality and sink into an abyss of confusion.

  "I still think I should try a spell of reversal," Jure offered in a moment of desperation.

  "And I still agree with you," Enin added. "Unfortunately, we still haven't figured out the right way to cast it. Do you simply attempt to end the spell? If so, what happens to the magic when it's suddenly unleashed? That's not something we want to deal with on a trial and error basis. Even if the magic is freed without incident, what happens to Heteera's consciousness? Her mind is in a shambles. Releasing the magic in one immediate burst may drive her into deeper confusion."

  "But we don't seem to be getting anywhere."

  Enin didn't completely reject Jure's assertion, but he didn't wish to accept it, either. He started to pace around the room again as he considered the measurable progress.

  "She's not getting better. That's true. I am learning, though, and that has to be taken under consideration. I know there are certain things I must not try. I know what's not wrong with her as well. Sometimes when you rule out certain options, you get closer to the true answer. I'm also gaining a greater understanding of how the magic can be utilized when under proper control. That's going to help her in the future… if we can ever reach her again."

  Enin then cast a quick glance to Jure. "You're learning as well."

  "Yes, but I don't want it to be at her expense."

  "You make it sound like it's your fault."

  "It was my spell."

  "And she's the one who allowed it to take such firm hold of her consciousness. We could have removed the spell after but a few days if she did not welcome what she saw as a relief from her perceived shortcomings. She's not reaching out to us. A very large part of her wants to remain in that state."

  "I know you keep telling me that, but I just can't accept it."

  "Neither can I." Enin sighed. "I believe there's a part of her that wishes to be saved. I just don't know how to reach it. Well, that's all we can do today. You'll keep watch over her?"

  "Of course."

  "Anything else we need to discuss?"

  There were many things Jure would have liked to discuss. His own control over the magic was growing. After the encounter that led to Heteera's state of near oblivion, he reached the level of casting white magic with a single perfect circle. He maintained that precision even after separating himself from the sorceress' vast magical reserves, but he remained far removed from Enin's aptitude. Though he was many cycles of the season the elder to Enin, he could not match Enin's depth of experience regarding magic. Still, he continued to develop his skill with enthusiasm, and the great wizard of Uton proved to be a vast resource of knowledge.

  He would have liked to ask Enin about the intricacies of entering Heteera's mind, and he would have greatly enjoyed discussing the development of other self sustaining spells. He wondered if Enin ever assessed Heteera's mental limitations and how they might have been altered by the staggering flow of magic within her. He also would have loved to delve into the division of magic with respect to different hues and if it were possible to isolate certain aspects of one color shade within a similar barrier.

  Unfortunately, there was a difference between what represented a true need and what fell into the category of desire. Jure could not constantly ask Enin for new insight regarding spells and the utilization of magical energy. Enin's time was simply growing too valuable. He watched over two towns-Connel and Burbon-worked with the dwarves of Dunop, and dealt with the constant flow of settlers coming across the plains. While Jure did not wish to pester Enin, he could not refrain from asking about the last of these issues.

  "Any word from Holli and Ryson?" Jure asked.

  "Word? No, but to some degree I have been following their progress. As you know, Holli and I share a rather intimate link. I have not pressed her thoughts to ascertain much detail, but I know they have reached the Great Valleys. They have covered a great deal of ground. She has not been in any peril that she could not handle, but it's clear to me that she continues to be puzzled by what she uncovers."

  "What about word from the settlers. I can't help but see that they just keep coming in from the east. It seems they're still leaving the valleys."

  "Yes, they are. They talk about the goblins and other dark creatures, but there have been no battles.
Most of them can't fully explain why they left. They just felt as if they had no choice."

  "Do you have any ideas?"

  "No. I admit I have not given it much thought. There's so much to do here. Simply not enough time in the day."

  "I understand, but I have to say it has me concerned."

  Enin eyed the older wizard. He knew Jure remained very sensitive to the magic.

  "Have you sensed anything… something in the magic?"

  "Nothing in particular," Jure admitted. "It's not like there's some great alarm ringing through the magic, but something's… well, something feels odd."

  "Explain, please."

  "I wish I could. It's like a stain that somehow gets completely washed out of a shirt. If you look close, it's gone. There's no sign of it, but every now and then, you think you see it. Like it came back, but it's not really there. You're not sure if it's a memory of the stain, or if somehow it left some kind of imprint that can only be seen in a particular light. That's what it's like."

  "Interesting. When Holli returns, I would like you to talk to her about that. Perhaps the two of you can find some significance in the matter. As for now, it all remains a puzzle. Let us hope Holli and Ryson find the right pieces."

  Jure nodded in agreement.

  Chapter 9

  "Ashlan isn't just some small town. It's more than three times the size of Huntston."

  "I understand that," Holli replied, but she remained uncertain of Ryson's plans. "That does not mean we should put each other at risk."

  "I think we're risking more if we stick together."

  "How so?"

  "People are looking for us, but they'll be looking for the two of us… together. If we separate, it's going to be that much harder for them to recognize us."