The Path of Decisions

by Mike Shelton

  “You have a wizard library?” Darius grew excited. “Did you have a teacher? How did you learn about it?”

  “Yes, there is an academy where they teach about it. You should come. It would do you well to learn from the masters.”

  “Would they let me?”

  “I’ll ask and let you know. “ Mezar looked behind him as he heard a boy bring up his horse. The honor guard was ready.

  “Is there anything you can tell me now that would help me to understand my powers?” Darius asked.

  Mezar looked thoughtful. “You have heard that there are different types of wizards?”

  “I have heard. But it is not talked about much. The teachers gloss over it. All we mostly learn about is the wizard rebellion and how the powers of a wizard are evil and lead to destruction.”

  “Yes, that was unfortunate for us wizards,” Mezar nodded his head in understanding. “Just like all men, there are good and bad ones, and those who misuse power, whether a wizard or not.”

  Darius agreed.

  Mezar continued. “I think you are a wizard of the heart. One who gets his power from his feelings. You have noticed increased power through anger or love, I presume?”

  “Much stronger through love than anger.” Darius nodded. “A lesson I had to learn.”

  Mezar smiled. “The most powerful kind of wizard, but the most volatile one also.”

  “And what are you, Mezar?”

  “I am a wizard of the mind. My power comes from what I learn and from my mind. It is usually more focused than an earth wizard and not as powerful as a wizard of the heart.”

  “I obviously have much to learn.”

  “You will do well.”

  “Take care, Mezar.”

  Mezar bowed low. “And you, my King.”

  They shook hands. Mezar turned toward his horse when Leandra came out from one of the structures of the castle compound. Darius watched them from a distance. He smiled as Mezar held her hand for a moment and kissed her cheek. Mezar proceeded to pull something out of his pocket and rubbed his hands over it. A golden light engulfed the trinket and then died down, leaving only a soft yellow gold. He slipped the gift over Leandra’s neck. Darius could see a slight shade of blush on her face. She fingered the gift as Mezar mounted and rode off with his honor guard.

  Mezar gave one last wave to all those who were gathered. Darius waved back.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  Later that morning, Darius attended the funeral of Kelln’s father. Even though the man had defected the previous year to fight with the Preacher, he had returned and saved Kelln’s life in the end. Darius felt that he should show respect for that final act of bravery. He had brought an honor guard and organized a burial of the state.

  The two friends now stood alone outside of the city cemetery after the funeral had ended. Pain filled in Kelln’s eyes as they walked away.

  “Is your family all right?” asked Darius.

  “My mother is strong. She will be fine. But my sisters are having a hard time. They, too, had been brought into the Preacher’s dream of independence through fighting. Everything they have known for the last year has collapsed.”

  “A lot of people were hurt by the Preacher’s need for power,” Darius said. “And I have to tell you something important about him, Kelln.”

  Kelln looked confused.

  He didn’t want to tell Kelln earlier and spoil the funeral, but his friend deserved to know. “The Preacher and Sean escaped yesterday.”

  “What? How?” Kelln threw his hands in the air. “Have you found him yet?”

  “No, we haven’t.” Darius paused. He hated to hurt his friend so close after the funeral, but he had to tell Kelln everything. “Kel, the guards say a young woman dressed in black tied them up and took their keys. She gave the Preacher a map to help him escape.”

  Kelln fell down onto a nearby bench. “Maybe it wasn’t her,” he whispered.

  “They reported that the Preacher called her Alessandra.”

  “Why would she do this? Why?” Kelln put his face into his hands. “Why does she hate me so much?”

  “I’m doing all I can. Cray has sent his men to scour the city and beyond. We are focusing our search on the roads leading to Mar. Stay here for a while with your family until they are doing better. You will be more protected here. There is no rush for you to leave Anikari immediately. And, if you need any help, let me know. There is nothing I will deny you, Kelln.”

  Darius sat down next to his friend and became more serious. “I want you to know that I was unfair to you, and I can never repay that, but—”

  “But nothing.” Kelln slapped his friend on the back, almost knocking Darius over. Some nearby guards took a step forward. “Is it against the rules to slap the King on the back?”

  They both laughed in embarrassment, a welcome release to the day’s events. Darius was amazed at how resilient his friend was. He knew he was worried about the Preacher and his daughter.

  “I will take a few days to get my family settled— I owe them that— then I am going after them.” Kelln’s face grew stern. “I can’t let him run free after all he has done. And I need to find Alessandra.”

  “I won’t hold you back, if that is what you need to do. I gave you the position of ambassador for a reason, Kel. The councilors here have ignored what is going on around the Realm for too long. I will tour the land when I can, but in the meantime you will be part of my eyes and ears. The Preacher has caused enough trouble in Belor and for each of us personally. You will have permission and funds to go anywhere you need to in helping me maintain the peace of the Realm.”

  Not one to stay down for long, Kelln stood up and smiled weakly. “I can’t believe you are the King, Darius.”

  “Our lives have sure changed haven’t they?” Darius stood up next to his friend. “We still have a lot to do in catching the Preacher and restoring order to our borders, but I know we can do it.”

  “Personally, I think you will do a great job. I mean, it can’t be any worse than what all those old cronies have done for years, right?”

  “Kel! You can’t say that.” Darius looked around. “Someone might hear you.”

  “And do what? You are the King.”

  Darius smiled at the joke. “It really is nice to have you around again. I look forward to you being my ambassador. Maybe a councilor role later, but for now I want you to have the ability to do things a councilor might not be able to do.”

  “Like sneaking around?”

  “Yes, like sneaking around. You up for it?” Darius whispered.

  Kelln smiled big. Then the smile faded and grew stern once again. “That maniac still wants to kill me, I am sure. I will feel much better when he is behind bars again or dead.”

  “So would I. As far as I can tell, he has not returned to Anikari or Belor.”

  “From Alessandra’s reactions, I will be traveling to Mar. That’s where they will be.”

  A few moments later Kelln left to go back to his family, and Darius mounted his horse and joined his guard. He was needed back at the castle again for another meeting. Everyone wanted to speak to the King, and since he was new and young, they expected him to be everywhere. He hoped he would be able to meet Christine later. He smiled inside at the surprise he had waiting for her. It had taken a lot of late night planning.

  As he walked through the courtyard on the way into the castle he heard his named being called.

  “Darius... I mean King Darius.”

  Darius turned around. Coming from the direction of the stables, Jain sat on a new horse that Darius had given him. His sister Emily sat behind him. She waved shyly, and Darius waved and smiled back.

  “Thank you.” Jain added as they continued to ride out of the castle grounds.

  Darius continued walking back inside the castle. He liked Jain a lot and intended to make good use of his services in the months and years to come. The Anderssn family would be considered royalty now, at least once Chri
stine and he officially wed. He would give them the noble San title as soon as the wedding concluded. He wished Christine’s father, Stefen, was still alive. Darius had never had a chance to say good-bye to him. He had been a good, strong man. Christine had told Darius her father’s mother had been from the city. But then, Darius’s own father’s mother had been a farmer. If people could just understand that they really were all the same, peace could be found.

  Richard already stood waiting for him at the castle. Darius wondered how he was so organized. Maybe I can learn something from him. They disagreed on policies and on ways of executing decisions sometimes, but Darius could finally admit many times his father was right.

  His father smiled at him as he walked by his side into another meeting. Darius was about as big as his father now. Over the last year as he trained in the Superstition Mountains and marched to Denir and Belor, his body had become strong. His shoulders were broad and muscular. He smiled back at his father and realized they were indeed doing better.

  The meeting was a short and simple one, and Darius soon found himself racing back to his rooms to prepare to meet Christine. He stopped and said his good-byes to Leandra in person. She was going to visit some family in Tean. He figured it was because Tean was closer to Gildan than Mar was, which is where she was from originally. Darius had made sure she had enough money to be well cared for. He felt bad for what she had been through with Sean and him. She had gone off to serve the Realm with the Elite Army and had been dragged all over the Realm. When he asked her about the new necklace hanging around her neck, she blushed and with a sly smile told him it was none of his business.

  After offering an escort to ride with her, Darius returned back inside. He grabbed a few things and rode off on his horse, sneaking away from the guards who were always supposed to be by his side now that he was the King. He knew he shouldn’t use his power so, but he had one more thing to do that day. And it was a private affair.

  Chapter 25

  WIZARD OF THE HEART

  The day held warm, and the clouds from the previous day were long gone. The trees through the farmlands and forest were almost full. The emerging ferns and other undergrowth at the edge of the forest stood damp still from the prior day’s rain. Darius sucked in a deep breath, and excitement grew within him. His horse’s hooves splashed up bits of dirt and mud as he rode faster. He emerged onto the field, looking around to make sure Christine hadn’t arrived yet.

  The sky overhead held a deep blue, and the lake reflected like a magnificent mirror. A small number of white clouds showed in its smooth ripples. He glanced toward the mountains and seemed to lose himself for a moment, thinking about his time there and how much had happened since first leaving Anikari last year. The foothills of the mountains stood covered in mist as the sun warmed the grounds throughout the farmlands. It was still the most perfect spot he had ever seen.

  Darius busied himself for a few minutes around the field. He kept looking up to see when Christine would arrive. Her Cremelino could be quiet and sneaky at times.

  A short time later Christine rode into the field. She had a quizzical look on her face.

  Good day, Wizard.

  Good day, Lightning. Darius sent the thoughts in his head toward the horse.

  You powers are getting stronger.

  Why do you say that?

  Because you are a shout in my head now instead of a whisper.

  Sorry. I need to control a lot of things with the power.

  Yes, you do. We need to have a long talk about that, but that will wait until later. Your lady seems to be perplexed.

  Darius laughed out loud.

  Christine looked over at him as she dismounted. Squares and circles of rope covered portions of the field. She looked around at them with no comprehension of what they meant.

  “What is all of this?” Christine motioned as she approached him.

  “All of what?” Darius tried not to smile, but it was difficult.

  “All this rope.” Christine jumped off of Lightning and joined Darius in the field.

  “Oh, that.” Darius shrugged.

  “Darius!” She leaned over to give him a kiss but pulled away as he leaned into her. He almost lost his balance.

  “Hey! Why did you do that?” He pretended to pout.

  “Tell me about the rope, or I won't marry you.” Christine folded her arms across her chest and stood in mock defiance with pouted red lips, her hair sparkling in the sun.

  Darius laughed. “Well, you said you didn't know if you could stand living in the castle all the time, right? Too big and dark and old, I think you said.”

  “Yes.” She unfolded her arms, squinted her eyes, and wrinkled her nose trying to figure it out.

  “Well...” Darius spread his arms out toward the ropes, “Behold your new house. The Diamond Palace.”

  “My what?”

  “We are going to build a house right here. Just for you and me.”

  “It looks bigger than a house.”

  Darius looked sheepishly. “We will need to have room for some guards and servants, a few meeting rooms, but I promise to try and not bring too much business out here when we are here. We won’t be able to be here all of the time, but you won’t have to be at the castle all of the time either.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Here in the field?”

  “Why not? Do you know of any place better?”

  “No. No I don’t.” She leaned into him. “And you called this the Diamond Palace?”

  “Yes. It will have a field of the greenest grass out front, with a large window we can look out from. And when the sun rises high during the day it will reflect off the lake and the grass and…”

  “And we can put a swing in the big tree, just like my father had when we were young?” asked Christine. She ran to the tree and swung her arms around a lower branch, her gaze looking up into the tree.

  Darius followed her over. “Anything for you, Christine.”

  “And we’ll still have our Field of Diamonds.” She grabbed Darius tightly until he pleaded to breathe again. “Oh, thank you. Thank you, Darius.”

  “You’re welcome, you’re Highness.” His laugh was deep and merry.

  “Not just for the house, but for what it means. It means you were thinking about me. Even in the midst of all that has happened in the last few days, you were thinking about me.”

  “I won't ever forget to think about you.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and returned it with a kiss on the lips. Darius felt as if he was being lifted off the ground. He had missed those lips so much over the past year.

  “It's so beautiful here,” whispered Christine, almost in reverence.

  “What's that over there?” Darius pointed to a glitter in the grass.

  “I don’t know. Probably just a water drop sparkling in the sunshine.”

  “It looks like something else.” Darius smiled a mischievous smile.

  “All right, I'll go and investigate,” said Christine with a laugh, knowing Darius was up to something else.

  “Oh, Darius!” she yelled as she picked the ring up, “It’s beautiful... and sparkles so much...”

  “Just like you, Christine.”

  Darius took it softly from her and slid the brilliant diamond ring onto her slender fingers. “You did name this the Field of Diamonds, didn’t you?” He laughed as happy tears rolled down Christine’s face.

  “I love you, Darius.”

  “I love you, too, my love.”

  They embraced and held each other for a moment. Darius lifted Christine’s hand and put his hand over the ring. He tried to remember what Mezar had done. He called from deep inside him, and power rose from his fingertips and encircled both their hands. Darius projected a feeling of love into the power, and it flew up Christine’s arm from the ring and into her heart.

  She gasped, swaying on her feet. “Oh, Darius!”

  Wizard! Lightning gasped also. You are more powerful than we had ever imagined.

&nb
sp; A light circled around their hands and then settled back into the ring. It dimmed but left a small, glowing ember inside. “Now you can know how much I love you, Christine. No matter where you go, you will feel my love. Never doubt the power of love. I have learned this past year that above all other emotions, love is the strongest. It is the highest power there is. That is why the Preacher and his kind will never win. Hate and anger can never win.”

  A twig snapped. Darius drew his sword and brought forth his power without a moment’s hesitation. It came to him almost effortlessly now.

  “Darius, you aren't supposed to be out here alone. You are the King now.” It was his father, Richard with two of his personal guards.

  “My Lord.” Roland, one of the guards, bowed. “You should not escape our sight. We are here to protect you.”

  Darius looked chastised, but his father turned to the man. “Roland, remember who you speak to.”

  Darius waved one hand in the air. “It is fine, Father. Roland is right in his protocol, and I have not been a good king.”

  “My King…” Roland stumbled for words. “I would never say that!”

  Darius laughed merrily. “Roland, I am joking.” Turning to his father, he said, “For one moment I just wanted to be only a young man in love.”

  Richard smiled as if he understood. “Just this once, Darius. After today, duty must rule the Realm. I will wait at the edge of the forest for you.” He turned to leave with Roland and the other guard.

  “You are wrong, Father.” Darius said loudly in the crisp air. At that moment he was infused with joy.

  Richard turned around. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

  “You are wrong,” Darius repeated for emphasis. “Starting today the power of love will rule the Realm.” And with those words he brought his arms out in front of him and clapped. Flowers bloomed around the field, and music filled the air… a song so sweet and soft it pierced the five of them. It lifted the heart and brought joy to the soul.

  Tears came to Richard’s eyes. Tears he was not ashamed to spill. He felt his son’s love. Power radiated from Darius and reminded Richard of every good thing he had ever had, every good thought, every good moment. It was something he could hardly comprehend. He looked at the guards next to him. They, too, were smiling with memories of joy and happiness.