“Exactly. Red dragons hate winter and it would take more than the urging of the dark gods to make them endure it to get at you or other humans. Their leader is one of the oldest of the dragons and, legend has it, is incredibly arrogant. That primal even goes against the wishes if its queen, when it disagrees with her.”
“Wow, really? I thought that all dragons were under her control.”
“Under her command, yes. But control? No. She may pass along the dark gods' wishes, but the primal red dragon does not always follow orders. Or so it was said back in the old days.”
“Now that is interesting,” Simon mused. “I wonder if we can use that somehow?”
“Possibly. Arrogance is a weakness, after all.”
“Yeah, well, I'll think about that later.”
Simon got up, washed his utensils, made a second cup of tea and sat down again. He picked up the mirror and gave Aeris a worried look.
“What if something's happened while I've been gone? They are so isolated in Moscow, especially in the winter, and there are so few of them. What if...”
“What if's solve nothing, my dear wizard,” the air elemental said firmly. “Call them and find out.”
“Right. Right, okay. Good point.”
Simon held up the mirror, rattled off the Magic Mirror spell and focused on his memory of Liliana's face the last time they had spoken.
The reflective surface misted over quickly and, just as quickly, cleared up again.
“Wow, that was fast,” Simon said under his breath as Aeris moved to hover next to his shoulder.
He was looking into the mirror at a darkening sky. Liliana was standing on the roof of a tall, battered-looking building and gazing upward. For a moment Simon was afraid that she was watching an attacker, but although the sky was dotted with fast-moving clouds, there were no dragons in sight.
The paladin simply seemed to be staring blankly into space, lost in her thoughts. The wizard was reluctant to interrupt her, but he had to find out how she and the others she watched over were doing.
“Liliana? It's Simon. Can you hear me?”
“Why do you always ask that?” Aeris whispered with some irritation. “It's as if you think everyone you call is deaf.”
“Do me a favor and be quiet, would you?” Simon snapped back, keeping his voice down.
Aeris looked offended but didn't reply.
“Simon? Ah so, the fallen wizard returns as promised,” the paladin said in a hollow voice. She sounded both exhausted and depressed and the wizard noticed how pale and gaunt her features were.
Reminds me a bit of myself at the moment, was his worried thought.
“Returns? So you know what happened to me?”
Liliana nodded and her lips quirked with the ghost of a smile.
“My patron goddess visited me in a dream and told me. It is quite an honor, my friend, to be given a second chance at life.”
“I know. I just hope I don't screw it up.”
“Oh, I doubt that you will.”
She sighed and looked down from her high perch at the wreckage-strewn street far below.
Simon watched her anxiously. He'd never seen the woman look so...lost, and a feeling of anxiety pinched his stomach.
“What's wrong?” he asked abruptly. “What has happened?”
“Happened?” She laughed, an unpleasant, hard-edged sound. “Am I that easy to read?”
“Maybe just to me. I don't know. But I've seen that look before, in the mirror, and it usually doesn't mean anything good.”
The paladin's dirty blond hair was loose and flew around her head like an aura. She pushed it back impatiently with one hand while her other hand held tightly to the sword on her hip.
“They're dead, Simon,” she said in a flat voice. “All of my people. Dead.”
“My God! What happened? Dragon attack or...?”
“No, nothing so easy to fight against.” She frowned up at the merciless sky. “You remember that there were five others with me? All of the survivors that I could find in and around Moscow?”
“I do, yes.”
“Well, Nina, a delightful young girl and a dear friend, was out searching for supplies about two weeks ago and had an accident. She fell through the rotted floor of an old food store and was killed on impact when she landed in the basement below.”
“Oh damn. I'm so sorry, Liliana.”
“Yes, well, so am I. It was a waste and a tragedy for all of us. But something about her death seemed to cause a, I don't know how to describe it, a ripple affect among the others. The winter has been especially hard, as you know, and food has been scarce, so their spirits were low to begin with. Nina's death seemed to exacerbate that mood. I told them about our plan to join your friends in Florida, at least for the winter, but not even that was enough to pull them out of this deep depression that had set in.”
“What happened?” Simon asked, a feeling of dread making the entire conversation feel nightmarish, unreal.
“That's the problem; I do not know for certain.”
She ground her heel into the roof under her feet and the gritty, squeaking sound made the hair on the back of Simon's neck stand up.
“I left them in our shelter a few days ago, to do a patrol and see if I could find any supplies that we might have overlooked. The shelter was a new one. We had begun moving once a section of the city was picked clean of food and this time we found what I thought was an amazing new home.”
She smiled into the wind, remembering.
“It was under a private home on the city's outskirts. Maybe it had been the residence of one of Moscow's elite. I don't know. But it was buried deep, had its own water supply and even a large tank of propane gas that was still full! Perhaps the stove it was attached to wasn't considered technological enough to not work in this new magical world of ours, but it functioned! Gave us heat and the ability to cook what little food we had.”
Liliana shook her head now and closed her eyes against the bite of the winter air that swirled around her.
“Unfortunately, none of us were technical people in our old lives. We assumed that the system was fine because it worked, you see?”
“Yes.”
“But either the gas leaked accidentally while I was gone, and I had left in the early evening when they had already bedded down for the night, or they deliberately opened the jets on the stove but, either way, by the time I'd returned...”
“They were all dead,” Simon said as the paladin covered her eyes. “Oh my God, Liliana. What a horrible thing to happen. But surely it was an accident?”
“That's what I've been telling myself for the past few days,” she replied in a voice drained of emotion. “I can't believe that four rational, young people would throw away their lives to despair like that. But, maybe they did. Maybe I failed them, failed to see just how black their moods had become. Who can say?”
She wiped her eyes impatiently and glared up into the now dark sky.
“But whether deliberate or not, they are all gone now. Moscow truly is dead. I've buried them and marked the graves and now, here I stand, speaking to the sky because there is no one else to talk to.”
“You're wrong, my friend,” Simon said hurriedly. “There's me. And Clara and the rest of her people. They would welcome you and, God knows, they could use your strength and your skills as they rebuild their lives.”
Liliana smiled, a ghost of amusement moving across her face.
“I'm not so sure of that. Misery seems to follow in my wake, sir wizard. I wouldn't want to bring that sort of bad luck to their new settlement.”
“Nonsense,” he said harshly. “You've done as much as anyone could, given your situation. What's happened is tragic, yes, but all the more reason for you to have a new start, use your powers for the good of others, as you always have. They do need you, Liliana. Trust me, they do.”
“Do they?” she said quietly, as if to herself. “Well then, if that is truly the case, then I will join them, if th
ey will have me. When can I leave this city of sorrow?”
“Soon, my friend. I'm not strong enough yet to Gate there and then take you to join the others. It may take me a week or so to rebuild my strength so that I can. Are you able to hold out that long, alone?”
“A week? Of course I can. After all, I am still, in my heart, a Russian woman. We are strong because we've had to be. I will wait for you to be ready, Simon. Do not push yourself on my account. Get strong and fit and call me when you are. I will be waiting.”
“Thank you, Liliana,” the wizard told her sincerely. “Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. But take your own advice and rest and regain your strength too. Your new job will bring its own set of challenges.”
She raised her head proudly, staring into the darkness.
“I look forward to it,” she said with new spirit. “Thank you as well, my friend.”
“Any time. We'll talk soon.”
And with that, Simon canceled the spell and put down the mirror. His hand was shaking and he looked at it in surprise.
“Why am I shaking?” he asked Aeris, who'd listened to the conversation without comment.
“It's a mixture of fatigue and shock from what the paladin told you, I think,” he said calmly. “Finish your tea and try to relax. Now you have even more reasons to get strong and well again, so take your time and focus on that.”
The following morning saw the heavy snow arrive in earnest and Simon had to slog though knee-deep drifts to get to the outhouse. Visibility was practically non-existent and he followed his own footsteps to get back to the door of the tower.
“Well, that's just lovely,” he said to Kronk and Aeris as he stomped in, scattering snow everywhere. “How long is this supposed to last?”
Aeris was carrying the kettle from the fireplace to the counter and poured water into the wizard's cup before answering.
“Two days, perhaps three,” he said offhandedly. “But the worst of it will fall today, I believe, and the rest of it will only amount to flurries.”
“Well,” Simon said as he pulled off his books and left them on the mat next to the door. “That's something, I suppose. Have I mentioned lately...”
“How much you hate the winter?” Both elementals replied in unison and the wizard burst out laughing.
“I'll take that as a yes. Okay, okay. It's not like I can do anything about it anyway, right?”
“No master, you cannot. Once upon time, there were mages who could affect the weather, but they were rare indeed.”
Simon hung up his coat and crossed the room to sit at the kitchen table. He looked at the earthen quizzically.
“Really? There were actually magic-users who could control weather?”
The little guy was carefully putting another log on the fire and Simon watched, fascinated as always, as Kronk stood in the center of the blaze to adjust the log to his own satisfaction.
“Oh yes, master. They were highly valued. I remember hearing one wizard complaining about their high fees. They were often called in during a drought or a flood, you see, and they charged high prices for their services.”
“Supply and demand, I suppose,” Simon said vaguely as he sipped the tea that Aeris handed him.
“Don't do that!” Aeris snapped at Kronk and the wizard turned his head sharply around to look down at the earthen.
“Do what?” Kronk asked in confusion.
“You were about to jump up on to the table and you are still glowing from the fire. Look, you're scorching the floor where you are standing.”
Aeris sighed and glared at the little guy.
“Stay standing on the edge of the fireplace, on the stone, until you cool down. Honestly, I don't know how many times I've had to remind you of that.”
He turned back to pour the rest of the hot water in the sink and Kronk scowled at his back and made a vaguely rude gesture. Simon choked as he bit off his laughter and, when the earthen looked at him, he returned the glance innocently.
“Are you calling the lady cleric back today, master?” Kronk asked a bit grumpily as he waited to cool down.
“That's the plan. I'm feeling really good this morning, by the way. You guys are a big help in my recovery.”
The earthen's mood changed immediately and he smiled broadly.
“Thank you, master. It is our duty but I am pleased that you are improving. I think that the paladin will do well in the warmer weather, don't you?”
He stepped tentatively on to the wooden floor, nodded to himself, and leaped on to the table to stand near the wizard.
“I hope so. She's gone through so much tragedy and Moscow has to be associated with sadness for her now. A change of scenery is probably the best thing for her.”
“It will be good for Clara and the others as well,” Aeris suggested as he washed a few dishes and set them on the rack to dry. He'd made Simon a breakfast of fried smoked venison, and apples from their dwindling supply, and was just finishing cleaning up.
“If there are any threats to the settlement, the paladin's powers and fighting skill will be invaluable.”
“You're right. Okay, I'm going up to the study.”
Simon stood up and looked at Kronk.
“Want to come along or are you heading to the stable?”
“I will come, master. I saw to the horses earlier.”
The little guy jumped down and tip-tapped after the wizard.
“If you feel up to it later, master, you should visit them as well. Your presence cheers them up immensely and Sunbeam adores you.”
“She does?” Simon asked as he climbed the stairs carefully. He was delighted at the news.
“In that case, it's a date. I just dread having to slog my way through all that snow.”
They entered the study and Simon lit the candles with a flick of his power. He felt very little weakness as he did so and grinned at Kronk, who returned the smile.
“Getting better, master,” he said as he jumped up on the desk.
“I know. Slowly but surely.”
“Don't start without me!” Aeris yelled from downstairs.
“I won't,” Simon shouted back as he settled into his leather chair. He took a moment to lean back and close his eyes, simply enjoying the pleasure of his surroundings.
The chair was the most comfortable in the tower, since he'd lost his sofa and comfy chair in the fire, and the candles smelled faintly of cinnamon, one of his favorite scents in the world. Even the howling of the storm as it raged around the tower only made him feel more peaceful and secure within his home.
“Has he fallen asleep?” he heard Aeris ask as he entered the room.
“No, he hasn't,” Simon replied as he opened his eyes. “Just taking a minute to appreciate my home.” He looked at the two elementals standing side by side on the top of the desk. “Our home,” he added, making even Aeris smile.
“Yes, I must say that I hold this tower in great affection,” the air elemental said as he looked around. “I never thought that I could care about any physical place, but I've been proven wrong.”
“I should write that down,” Kronk said to him jokingly. “One from the airy plane admitting that he's made a mistake. Surely a historical moment.”
“Uh-uh,” Simon said as Aeris prepared to reply with a comment that would only start an argument. “I want to call Clara and I want no fighting between you two. It makes us look so...unprofessional.”
“Since when have we been professional?”
The wizard sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
“Since never, so let's try it once, shall we?”
“Of course, master. It's all Aeris' fault anyway.”
“What?!”
“Guys!”
The two elementals settled down, glaring at each other and Simon quickly picked up his hand mirror and began casting.
He connected with Clara very quickly and found her standing, surprisingly, on the seashore, staring across at the distant horizon.
“Clara?
Good morning. Are you okay?”
“Good morning, Simon,” she replied with a warm smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Excellent, thanks. Getting stronger every day.”
“Wonderful news. You never know when a fully-functioning wizard will come in handy, do you?”
He chuckled.
“True. So what's happening? You're away from the settlement for a change.”
“We've decided to call it Nottinghill, the new town that is,” she answered with a wistful smile. “Someone suggested 'New Nottinghill', but my people are a fairly pragmatic bunch and decided that was too wordy, so we'll keep the old name. It was a lovely town while it lasted and we wanted to honor its memory somehow.”
“That's quite understandable and, even though I know you don't need my stamp of approval, you have it anyway.”
“Thanks. As to why I'm outside of town,” Clara gestured at the rolling waves that were crashing on to the shore. The cries of gulls echoed mournfully over the sound of the water and the scene was poignant and sad somehow, and yet beautiful as well.
“I never got a chance to visit the ocean in my old life,” she said as she watched the restless waves pensively. “My daughter got married and moved to Florida with her husband, but I didn't visit soon enough. I had planned to but, well...”
“The dragons destroyed the world,” Simon finished her sentence, a bitter taste on his tongue.
“Exactly right, my friend. So since today was designated as a rest day, I decided to visit the shore. It's only about a thirty minute walk from town.” She smiled a bit. “And before you say anything, Aiden is watching me a little ways up the beach, so I'm not here alone.”
“Good. I was going to mention that, actually. Anyway, I have some news. Both good and bad, I'm afraid.”
“All right,” the cleric said, her body stiffening. “I wish I'd thought to bring my mirror so that I could see you, but go ahead.”
So Simon told her what had happened with Liliana and her people. Clara's face fell as he spoke and, by the time he had finished, she had gone back to staring out to sea.
“Imagine, surviving this long only to die because of a gas leak. How tragic is that? Poor Liliana. She must be devastated.”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume One Page 147
