Zaconis - Guardian of Magic

by MJ Schutte

  ‘Asked. You know I never order anybody to do anything,’ Father corrected.

  Al’taish tried again, ‘I traveled this land as you asked but was unable to find proof that a wizard once lived here.’

  He did not know if Father wanted more detail so he decided to rather keep quiet. Perhaps Father would be happy with this answer and let him go.

  ‘What did you find out?’ Father asked.

  Al’taish knew that Father wanted to know if he found any magical beings. This has been their quest for as long as he could remember. Father’s army traveled from land to land looking for people who had some form of magic, no matter how small. If someone with magical abilities was found, he or she was immediately asked to join Father’s army. Al’taish glanced at the two men in the corner. Obviously they had been “asked” to join the army very recently. On rare occasions a child of the darkness was found. They were killed at once. Al’taish did not want to tell Father about Angelina, so he decided to rather speak about the couple he met in the forest.

  ‘I believe that I have found someone who might be magically talented,’ he said.

  ‘Tell me more,’ Father smiled.

  ‘I met a man and a woman in the Farasnei forest. When I tried to follow them, their tracks simply vanished. I think one of them used magic to hide the tracks,’ Al’taish answered.

  He continued to tell Father that he saw the couple again in the Justice Hall the next day. Father asked a few question about the Justice Hall which Al’taish answered as best he could without saying much about Angelina. Father did not seem interested in the couple Al’taish told him about but rather in the proceedings Al’taish had witnessed in the Justice Hall.

  ‘Tell me again what the procedure is for settling differences when you go to the Justice Hall,’ Father said.

  Al’taish’s heart sank. He did not really want to tell Father about Angelina, but knew the consequences of lying.

  ‘It seems to be very simple. Each person states his case and the woman makes a ruling,’ Al’taish answered, avoiding the use of Angelina’s name.

  ‘Does she ask questions?’ Father asked.

  ‘Only sometimes,’ Al’taish answered.

  ‘So how does she make a ruling so quickly?’ Father mused.

  Al’taish got the impression that Father already knew the answer but was giving him a chance to think about it.

  ‘Perhaps she is magically talented,’ Al’taish said slowly.

  He already knew this was the truth.

  ‘How?’ Father asked.

  ‘I think she might be a mind reader,’ Al’taish admitted.

  ‘Your guess is very close. She most likely has the talent to see when a person is lying or have bad intentions. I have seen this before,’ Father replied.

  Al’taish held his breath in the hope that Father would disregard this information.

  ‘You may go, thank you Al’taish,’ Father said absentmindedly.

  ‘We’ll have to leave the horses and continue on foot,’ Father said.

  They were standing on the edge of the swamp. Everybody tied up their horses and followed Father into the swamp. He set a comfortable pace, stopping often to close his eyes and concentrate.

  ‘I can sense the wizard,’ Father said after a while.

  ‘Father, should we get our weapons ready?’ Alexi asked.

  ‘There is no need. We will ask him to join us. If he is a child of the darkness I will take care of him,’ Father answered.

  The group traveled deeper into the swamp. Soon it became too dark to see so Father held out his hand and let a white energy ball hang just above it.

  The energy ball shone like a small sun giving more than enough light for the group to continue. They traveled deep into the night before Father finally stopped and said, ‘He is close.’

  The group fanned out behind Father and although he already said weapons were not necessary, a few of the men got their bows ready.

  ‘I am Father Zaconis, Guardian of magic! Come out so we can talk!’ Father shouted.

  Silence greeted him.

  ‘I know you are here! Come out and we will not harm you!’ Father shouted.

  Erostagnos stepped out from behind a tree.

  ‘What nonsense is this, Math…’ he scoffed but Father quickly interrupted.

  ‘Do not speak that name! I am Father Zaconis, Guardian of magic, but you can simply call me Father.’

  ‘Father? Since when are you my father? And since when are you called Zaconis?’ Erostagnos spat.

  ‘I am the father and guardian of all magic beings,’ Father retorted.

  ‘That’s nonsense, brother,’ Erostagnos sneered.

  ‘Brother? I have no siblings,’ Father quickly replied.

  ‘Mother always said you were far too arrogant for your own good,’ Erostagnos sighed.

  ‘I have no parents or siblings!’ Father screamed.

  ‘Fine, if you say so. I don’t really care anyway. Just leave my swamp and forget you saw me. I will forget that I ever had a brother,’ Erostagnos replied.

  As he turned to walk away, a thick, white energy link shot from Father’s hand, going straight for Erostagnos. It entered the old wizard’s head for just a moment and then disappeared again.

  ‘Are you really going to try this? You should know better than to use an energy link on me,’ Erostagnos said as he turned to face his brother again.

  ‘You are a child of the darkness and have to be eliminated!’ Father snarled as he sent a lightning bolt from his hand.

  It hit an energy barrier in a blinding shower of sparks just in front of Erostagnos. He lifted his hands but instead of attacking Father, he sent numerous lightning bolts into the nearby trees. They exploded in huge fireballs, temporarily blinding everyone.

  Father tried to cover his eyes but it was too late. He was momentarily blinded by the bright light. Calmly he closed his eyes and waited. When he opened them he could see properly.

  Erostagnos was missing.

  ‘Find the child of the darkness!’ Father commanded the troops.

  They immediately fanned out and advanced, weapons drawn, but it seemed that the old wizard had vanished into thin air.

  Father closed his eyes and used his sense but he could not feel Erostagnos’ energy. They searched until the sun came up but still could not find another living thing in the swamp.

  ‘Al’taish, do you remember where the ships dropped us off?’ Father asked.

  They were back at the edge of the swamp where they had left the horses.

  ‘Yes, Father, I do,’ Al’taish replied.

  ‘I left Palish in charge there. Tell him to take the troops to the Justice Hall. You will have to lead them there. Set up camp half a day’s ride north of the Hall. I will meet you there,’ Father instructed.

  ‘At once, Father,’ Al’taish replied.

  Although he did not really want Father and the troops to go to the Justice Hall and see Angelina, he dared not defy Father. He jogged to his horse, mounted and dug his heels into the animal’s flanks.

  ‘Father, should we not continue searching for the wizard?’ Alexi enquired.

  ‘We could but it would be a waste of time. When I used my energy link on the wizard I managed to get a single thought from him. He was thinking of a way to get away so that he could travel to the Justice Hall. There is something or someone very important there. We will catch the wizard, either on the way there or at the Justice hall. He will meet his fate,’ Father answered.

  Alexi was about to say something but Father spun around and snapped a protective energy barrier around Al’taish as he rode away. A moment later Erostagnos’ white energy link hit the barrier. He knew it was not worth trying to break through Father’s energy barrier so he shifted his focus to the rest of the group. Lightning bolts from his hands struck down four of the Elite Corpse soldiers before any of them could even think to do anything.

  Erostagnos came out of the trees where he was hiding about a hundred paces away, thro
wing lighting bolts at the group, but Father had put a energy barrier between them and the old wizard.

  The wizard continued assaulting Father’s energy barrier with everything he had, drawing energy from his surroundings, but he could not break the barrier down.

  An energy link from Father’s hand raced towards Erostagnos.

  The wizard barely had time to put up his own energy barrier. Suddenly, instead of being the attacker he was now defending. Father threw lighting bolts form his one hand and kept trying to establish an energy link with the other. Erostagnos knew he was in trouble. It had been many years since he had used his talent in this manner and from what he could see, Father’s was well honed.

  The old wizard picked up a large stick and, concentrating on keeping his energy barrier just in front of him, charged forward.

  Some of the Elite corpse members also charged forward but Father’s voice rang through the air.

  ‘Stop! I will deal with this evil child of darkness!’

  Erostagnos’ energy barrier collided with Father’s in a huge explosion sending both men and the soldiers flying through the air.

  Alexi was the first one up. He swung his crossbow up and took aim.

  ‘No!’ Father shouted just a moment too late. The crossbow bolt slammed into Erostagnos’ chest.

  Father snapped an energy link to the old wizard.

  Tell me what is so important about the Justice Hall his thoughts entered Erostagnos’ mind.

  I will tell you nothing, Erostagnos thoughts traveled back.

  He gathered what little energy he had left and sent it down the link.

  Father tried reversing the link so that he could give Erostagnos energy to stay alive but it was too late, the old wizard was already dead.

  Al’taish rode fast, but not quite as fast as the horse could run. He knew his duty and yet he was not really in a hurry to lead the troops to the Justice Hall. He considered following the mountain range north but realized there would probably not be many places to steal food on that route so instead he set course for Fenton.

  Before he reached the town, he dismounted and let the animal go free. In the distance he spotted a house and what looked like horses in a stable. Jogging closer he also saw a man and a woman working in a small garden next to the house.

  ‘Good day to you,’ he called out as he got closer.

  The couple looked up and returned the greeting.

  Al’taish concentrated on the man for a moment and then said,’ I am in need of a horse.’

  ‘Choose anyone you like,’ the man replied as he gestured towards the stable. The woman got a horrified expression on her face but Al’taish concentrated on her.

  She immediately smiled and said, ‘I will pack some provisions for you.’

  Without another word Al’taish walked to the stables. He chose a big strong looking horse and mounted it. The woman came rushing out of the house with a knapsack in her hands.

  ‘It’s not much but it should last a few days,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you,’ Al’taish replied, took the knapsack from her and spurred the horse on.

  Chapter 6

  For days Al’taish rode, stopping often to rest. He knew if he got the troops to the Justice Hall before Father got there, his chances of being promoted into the Elite Corps were good, but he did not care about that anymore.

  He finally reached the camp where the army waited. Palish was nowhere to be seen. Al’taish dismounted and grabbed one of the soldiers by the arm.

  ‘Where is Palish?’ he demanded.

  The soldier pointed to the far end of the camp and said, ‘His tent is the biggest one there, but I would not disturb him if I were you.’

  Al’taish walked through the camp. When he was almost at the far side of the camp he spotted the tent. It was some distance away from the other tents.

  Al’taish walked up to it and threw the flap open.

  ‘Who dares disturb me?’ Palish roared.

  He was inside the tent with a young girl, both of them naked. From what Al’taish saw, it did not look like the girl was a willing participant in what was going on.

  Palish had her by the hair and was just about to force himself on her when Al’taish came in.

  ‘Palish, Father sent me with a message. We are to go to the Justice Hall,’ Al’taish said, struggling to keep the shock and disgust out of his voice.

  ‘How dare you, a common soldier, come in here and tell me what to do? When I have finished here I will deal with you! Now leave us alone!’ Palish bellowed.

  ‘Palish, it is Father’s instruction. We have to go!’ Al’taish insisted.

  He was hoping that Palish would leave the young girl alone.

  For a moment Palish though about it, then shoved the girl away.

  ‘Fine, we will leave immediately, but don’t think you will not be punished for this intrusion,’ Palish said as he reached for his clothes.

  Al’taish was about to leave but Palish said, ‘Pack up my tent and get rid of this whore.’

  He strolled out of the tent still buttoning his shirt. The young girl crouched in the far corner of the tent trying to cover herself up with her hands.

  ‘I won’t hurt you,’ Al’taish said gently.

  He picked up her clothes and held them out to her. When she did not make a move towards Al’taish, he walked closer slowly.

  ‘I will not hurt you,’ he repeated, keeping his voice soft and gentle.

  Suddenly the girl lurched forward. She tried to grab Al’taish by the throat but he had already brought his right arm up in a defensive gesture. The girl grabbed his forearm and sunk her teeth into it. Instead of biting deep into flesh she bit into the thick leather bands Al’taish wore around both forearms. Her teeth grated over the steel of the hidden blade he carried in the leather sheaths.

  He grabbed the girl by the throat with his left hand and shoved her backwards. Cocking his right wrist upwards he activated a spring loaded mechanism. The hidden blade, as long as his forearm, shot forward from its resting place in the leather sheath and locked into place. Before the girl could attack him again the razor sharp blade was against her throat.

  ‘I could kill you right now or you could take your clothes and leave. It’s your choice,’ Al’taish said calmly.

  He was hoping the bluff would work. Although he was an expert fighter with these blades he had never harmed anyone. He preferred subtle influences rather than the barbaric fighting other men seemed to enjoy so much.

  The girl stepped back, fear in her eyes clearly evident. Al’taish bent over and picked up her dress again. He tossed it to her and said, ‘Get dressed and then run home as fast as you can.’

  For a moment the girl looked confused but then simply nodded and quickly slipped into the dress. Before she had buttoned it up properly she raced out of the tent. Al’taish pushed the exposed blade back into place, reset the release mechanism and got to work on disassembling the tent.

  All the soldiers were scurrying to pack up the tents, the Elite Corps members ordering them to work faster. Only the Elite Corps were allowed to sleep in tents so the camp was broken up very quickly.

  ‘Al’taish, lead the way to this Justice Hall. If we get there and I find out Father did not sent this instruction, I will kill you with my bare hands,’ Palish growled.

  Jonathan rode up to the palace. As he approached, guards opened the big iron gates. He waved a thank you at them and rode into the palace grounds. When he reached the stables, a young boy was at hand to take his horse.

  ‘Look after her well, George. She ran hard for the last few days,’ the prince instructed the boy.

  ‘I will, sire,’ George replied, looking at Jonathan though only one eye.

  When he was very young, his mother warned him not to play with knives, but George did not listen and lost his right eye in an accident.

  Jonathan pushed a silver coin into George’s hand as he walk past. George quickly slipped the coin into his pocket and looked to see if Andreas
, the stable master had noticed. It was a little private game between the prince and the stable boy. According to the rules the stables boys were not to be given any money but Jonathan always slipped George a coin. If Andreas noticed he said nothing, probably because he did not want to reprimand a prince.

  Jonathan walked at a brisk pace into the palace. A servant took his coat and sword.

  The prince made his way to the throne room where he knew his parents would be. He also knew that they were probably seeing petitioners, mayors from towns all over Mendin or delegates from far away lands.

  The throne room was packed. Jonathan sighed and took a seat at the back. He was hoping to see the king and queen soon but he knew this was not going to happen now.

  Jonathan looked at his mother. Usually she was interested in the discussions and petitions laid before King Borac but today she seemed distant. She sat staring into space not really listening to the mayor of a small town complaining about a recent string of robberies.

  Slowly Natasja looked up, straight into Jonathan’s eyes. She immediately bumped Borac with her elbow and gestured towards their son.

  Borac got up. A guard stepped forwards and said, ‘Silence! King Borac will address the people now.’

  The King cleared his throat and said, ‘Honored guests, we are aware of the unusually high number of robberies that have plagued our kingdom lately. Soldiers are being dispatched to various towns and cities to deal with this problem. Unfortunately I have to ask everyone to give us some privacy as we have to deal with another urgent matter now.’

  Everybody in the crowd took a deep bow and left the throne room.

  Jonathan was amazed. He had never seen the king cut the petitions short.

  The hall emptied quickly, leaving only Jonathan, his parents and a few guards.

  ‘Leave us, please,’ King Borac said to the guards.

  Jonathan walked up to the twin thrones.

  ‘Good day father, good day mother,’ he greeted them.

  Natasja got up and gave him a long hug.

  ‘I’m so glad you’re back safely,’ she said softly.