The Summoner and the Seer: Darklight Universe: Book 1

by C. Gold

  “Why do you think you’ll die?” Radcliff had a sneaking suspicion she overheard someone talk about the village’s fate.

  “Papa said we were staying here to fight. He said we’d die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want him to die,” she wailed.

  Radcliff mentally cursed the truthful but insensitive warrior as Nalani bawled against his chest. He wanted to tell her about Amira’s plan but didn’t want to raise her hopes in case it failed. Instead, he rubbed her back and made soothing noises while he let her cry it all out. When she was down to just sniffles and hiccups, he asked, “Feeling better?”

  She looked up at him with her sad, puffy eyes and nodded. Then she asked, “Can I sleep with you? I don’t want to be alone.”

  His heart lurched, and he wrapped her in a protective embrace. “Of course, little one. I’ll keep you safe.” Indeed, he would rather die than let her come to harm. “Let’s get you under the blanket.” He got her settled in next to him, all the time thinking of Maleko coming in, seeing her, and starting another fight. But he looked at the young girl now snuggled up against his side and decided it was worth it if it made her feel better. Just when he thought she was falling asleep she stirred.

  “The nightmare doesn’t come when I sleep with you,” she confessed.

  She had nightmares? She slept with him before? None of that was in his journal. Of course, he thought, I would already be in bed and wouldn’t want to disturb her. Still, he felt guilty. A good friend would know. “What do you dream about?” he asked.

  “The cave. I wish I could just forget like you.”

  “Oh no sweetheart. You don’t really want that. Trust me.” He could barely keep the bitterness out of his voice.

  Nalani propped her head up on her hands and said, “Yes I do.”

  Radcliff struggled to find a way to explain so she would understand. “Losing my memory makes me feel sad, angry, and frustrated. It hurts me knowing that I won’t remember things like what you just told me. I’m not a very good friend.”

  “Yes you are, Radcliff. I love you!” Nalani lunged forward and hugged him.

  “And I love you too, sweetie.” It was like a hand squeezed his heart just then and he had to blink back tears. Talking about his memory was hard, yet telling her made him feel lighter. Radcliff hugged her back. “You are a very brave and special girl and the nightmares will go away in time. And every time you think of the cave you’ll remember how strong you are and how proud I am of you.” And as she fell asleep in his arms, Radcliff felt a sense of peace as he drifted off to join her.

  “Stop right there!”

  The shout woke Radcliff with a jolt. Instantly, he rolled over so his body protected Nalani from the unknown threat. Then he looked over his shoulder and saw a very angry Amira body blocking Maleko. Both were locked in a staring match but neither had weapons. Radcliff eased out of bed but didn’t relax his guard.

  Maleko finally broke the silence. “Peace, Woman!” he said in a surprisingly soft voice. “I’m not here to fight. I just want my daughter.”

  Amira relented but remained close by just in case.

  As if sensing the tension, Maleko walked slowly to the bed and gently picked up his still sleeping daughter. The instant she was in his arms, he relaxed. Instead of leaving, he looked at Radcliff, an unsure expression on his face.

  Radcliff was a tad hesitant himself. This wasn’t the angry, murderous man from earlier.

  With an awed tone, Maleko whispered, “I heard what you did for my people.”

  Radcliff glanced at Amira who smiled in reply to his silent question. Apparently she was successful. “It was her doing,” he said, nodding at Amira.

  “But your idea.” Maleko looked like he swallowed something bitter. His eyes darted back down to Nalani. “She seems to have taken a liking to you,” he grudgingly acknowledged and opened his mouth to say something else but snapped it shut and frowned. After a long, strained silence as he struggled to speak, he began to look downright nervous. When he finally spoke, the words came out in a rush. “If something happens to me I want you to look after her.” He looked Radcliff in the eyes then as if daring him to disappoint.

  Radcliff stared back in wide-eyed shock. Of all the ways this encounter could have gone, he never saw this one coming. “Of course I will,” he agreed without even needing to think about it. He would have done it anyway without having to be asked.

  Maleko looked down at his sleeping daughter. In a rare display of emotion, he smiled and said, “She’s everything to me.” Then he looked up and his face hardened. The coals of his anger were once again stoked. “I’ll always hate you for what you did. But if you keep her safe, consider your debt to me paid.” After that declaration, he turned and stalked out the door, though he was careful not to jostle Nalani and even the door closed with a gentle snick.

  “Well, that was a surprise,” Amira finally commented.

  “Indeed.” Radcliff agreed. “So, want to tell me all about it?”

  “Can we do it tomorrow? It’s pretty late.”

  Radcliff hid his disappointment by sitting at his desk. “Of course,” he said, “get some sleep.” Then he waved her off.

  “You’re going to write everything down?”

  “Absolutely.” He was also going to include Nalani’s nightmares in case they came up again. He still made a poor friend, but he would try to do better.

  “I’m sorry,” Amira whispered, her voice cracking.

  He glanced up and frowned at her grief-stricken look. “What for?”

  She hugged herself as if trying to find comfort. “That you have to do that.”

  Radcliff wanted to be the one comforting her, but he settled for deflection instead. “Why?” he asked, “it’s not your fault.”

  Amira gave him an odd look. “But it is.” She frowned. “But I’ve told you that before.” After pondering a moment she gasped. “You never wrote it down!”

  He simply shrugged.

  “But why?” she pleaded.

  He looked at her and then smiled. “Because my one day of life is too short to be filled with anger, especially about someone I…” He stopped mid-sentence, shocked at what he was about to say.

  “I what?” she asked.

  Love. But that was impossible wasn’t it? Certainly not from reading journal entries and a single day of interaction. The spell was trying a new angle that’s all.

  “Radcliff?”

  “Never mind,” he finished lamely. He took a renewed interest in his writing. Perhaps he should leave off what he just said and almost said. Yes, that would be better for both of them. At least he wouldn’t feel the sting of heartache after tonight. No, it’s the spell remember? Yeah right, he snorted, remaining unconvinced.

  “Radcliff.”

  “Yes,” he responded without looking up.

  “Good night.”

  “Good night, Amira.”

  When he finished, Amira was sleeping and his time was up. Casting one last look her way, he memorized the way her hair was mussed up, the peaceful expression on her face, and the way she curled up on her side. When he finally succumbed to sleep, Radcliff took that image with him into his dreams. And for once, though he didn’t realize it, his nightmares stayed away.

  CHAPTER 15

  Retreat

  Amira woke when she heard banging on a door nearby. Groaning, she cracked open her eyelids. Ugh, it’s not even light yet. Yawning, she rolled over to get more sleep. It wasn’t like she got much last night after leaving Radcliff.

  Radcliff!

  She leapt out of bed and almost fell when the blanket tangled around her legs. Cursing, she freed herself and tiptoed to Radcliff’s room. He was still sleeping. Slumping against the wall in relief, Amira yawned hard enough that her jaw popped. I could really use more sleep. Another bang, closer this time, and she shot out the door like a bee from its kicked nest. Randomly scattered magic lamps provided an eerie backdrop as shadowy figures rushed around. Some were clearly warriors, thei
r spear tips flashing when they caught the light. A few were giving out orders to control the chaos. She watched as the family across the way stepped out of their home, each carrying packs and blankets. While they stacked everything on a long, rectangular mat, their youngest boy darted over to a mound hidden in the darkness and came away dragging over two long Shae poles. So that’s how they’ll carry their stuff with them.

  Another boy ran right past her with his hand raised to knock on her door. Amira leaped out to catch him before he could land the blow.

  He jumped back, emitting a surprised squeak.

  “Shh,” she cautioned. When he looked up at her in confusion, Amira pointed to the building and then to herself hoping to convey the message that he didn’t need to bother knocking because she was already awake. He appeared to understand. He grinned at her and rattled something off in his language before darting to the next door. She started to go inside when Maleko appeared. “What does he want?” she thought to herself.

  “You’re with me,” he commanded.

  “What?” she asked, totally confused.

  He scowled and looked displeased at having to explain himself. “We are to scout the eastern region, looking for trouble. We leave in ten. Meet me at the gate.”

  “Oh,” she blurted to his already retreating form. As she watched him weave past a knotted clump of warriors, Amira wondered if she should run over and tell him she couldn’t go or simply fail to show up. Still debating, she ducked inside and began packing. She had just started with Radcliff’s pack when someone knocked quietly on the door. She yawned again and opened it.

  Ekewaka’s smile was far too cheerful this early in the day. “I heard Maleko wants you on patrol, so I stopped by to help.”

  “Oh.” Amira’s sleepy mind stalled out as she tried to figure out what he meant.

  “Can I come in?”

  Gah. Amira shook herself mentally for standing there like a mindless corpse and replied, “Yes, of course.”

  Ekewaka stepped inside and held something out to her. “First, I’d like to give you this.” It was a bag with a green stick poking out the top. Before she could ask what it was he explained. “It’s an ancestor tree—the council’s gift in honor of your idea.”

  Once again Amira stood speechless, but this time it was from the overwhelming affection for these people. What an incredible gift for an outsider. With shiny eyed reverence, she accepted the cutting from him. “I’m very honored.” She carefully placed the plant on a side table and surreptitiously wiped her eyes dry.

  “I have one for Radcliff too. I’ll bring it over later along with the harness to carry them safely. He can carry yours while you patrol.”

  “Would you like something to drink?” Amira asked while silently chiding herself for her lack of hospitality. At least she finally felt awake.

  “No thank you. I’m fine. Are you finished packing?”

  “I have to finish Radcliff’s pack but the rest of his stuff is in his room and I didn’t want to wake him.”

  “Let me take care of that. You should get going.”

  “But—”

  Ekewaka interrupted. “I know he needs to read his book.” He patted her arm. “I’ll make sure he does.” He gave her arm a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

  Amira’s heart raced. He knew Radcliff’s secret! As she studied the elder, she realized he must have known about the secret for a while now and nobody had taken the journal away. “Ok,” she replied, deciding she could trust him.

  Amira grabbed her staff, said goodbye, and rushed outside into a congested mass exodus. Most of the families had finished packing and were crowded together in a long, winding line. Amira darted around the people inching along and made her way to the gate.

  “You’re late.”

  The barked words boomed right next to Amira’s ear and she whirled around, only barely checking her staff in time to avoid smacking Maleko who stood there glaring in the lamp light. She glared right back.

  “Makani’s already gone to scout ahead.” Without warning he began jogging. Amira had to run to catch up before the rapidly fading light left her in complete darkness. Why didn’t I remember to bring a lamp? Amira fumed at his unpainted backside.

  The ground eating pace became a soothing rhythm. Amira felt alive as the blood pumped through her muscles and a thin sheet of sweat coated her body. She hoped Radcliff was doing ok. Because he’s my duty, she reminded herself. “Hello beautiful,” Radcliff said as he woke to see her lying next to him. She smiled as the memory popped into her head then quickly shook it off. No, he won’t be so happy to see her when he regains his memory. A hole opened in her chest and she wanted to cry. I’m so screwed. But there was nothing she could do about it.

  Amira cut off that line of thought and focused instead on the shadows bouncing around Maleko as he ran. Spear in one hand, light in the other, his shadow was distorted and looked rather menacing. The forest surrounding them was thick with Shae stalks and looked eerie in the shifting darkness. Her heart raced as she pictured those things popping out to attack and had to suppress a shudder. Not helping!

  Taking deep gulps of air and fixing her eyes firmly on Maleko’s back, Amira’s thoughts drifted to wondering why he wasn’t decorated with paint. Perhaps she’d ask him if he wasn’t so unpleasant. She wouldn’t mind knowing what the plan was. Were other people scouting the other directions? And what about the other villages? She knew there were more villages scattered in the vast expanse of Shae forest. What would happen to them?

  Without even noticing, the darkness lifted until Amira could see several feet into the forest. The normal looking surroundings soothed her anxiety—there were no stalking things ready to pounce. As they continued jogging, even the shadows cast by the lamp faded away as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon.

  Maleko halted abruptly and Amira had to dodge sideways to avoid running into him. He didn’t notice, he simply pointed east and said, “Look at that.”

  Amira shielded her eyes from the sun’s early morning glare and stared down at what could very well be the end of the world, at least for the Shae people. Like a squamous infection, the forest was gone, and the ground was blighted with the same deathly corruption they ran into last night.

  “I didn’t think we’d gone that far?” A sudden flashback of last night’s encounter had her fists squeezing so tight around the staff she thought she might snap it in two. She had to force herself to relax and loosen her grip.

  Maleko’s brow furrowed in thought. “It must have moved overnight.”

  “It’s expanded,” Makani said as he popped out of nowhere right beside Amira. She jumped and let out a startled squeak. He smirked at her reaction. “Magical camouflage,” he said, then winked.

  Once Amira’s heart stopped racing, she punched him playfully in the arm. “Don’t do that!”

  “How fast is it expanding?” Maleko asked, breaking the mood.

  “Watch and see.” Makani said before vanishing.

  Amira watched in awe as a stone lifted into the air seemingly of its own accord and moved towards the corrupted area before gradually lowering back to the ground on the border separating corrupted and uncorrupted earth. “I didn’t know you had magic like that.”

  “That’s not magic!” Maleko thrust his finger at her. “That’s one of the spirit blessed abilities granted to our people at birth. We don’t twist the natural order like your wizards.” He ended the rant by stabbing the spear tip in the ground.

  Ok, Amira thought to herself. Touchy subject. She let it drop. Even expecting Makani’s sudden reappearance, she still jumped a little when he popped back next to her. “I told you not to do that.”

  He grinned at hear, clearly unrepentant. Then pointed at the rock. “Watch.”

  All three looked on in silence as the inky black crept over the rock. It only took a minute before the rock was fully immersed and only another minute for the lump to flatten. It was like the rock never existed.

 
“Did it just consume the rock?” Amira asked.

  “Looks like,” Makani replied.

  “At least it’s not that fast. We can outrun it.” Amira sighed with relief but she may have spoken too soon. As she watched the area where the rock had been absorbed, some of the ooze quivered in a bubbly mass and a thin ribbon shot outward and thumped to the ground. About a foot long, it rested there, sliming the ground underneath. While it secreted the black foulness, the bulbous tip puckered in three places and needle thin hairs extended upward like antennae, swaying as if seeking something.

  “I don’t like the look of that,” Makani said. Everyone backed up a step when one of the antennae appeared fixated on their location.

  The ground under the ribbon undulated, and a lump was pushed up until it breached the surface, revealing a glistening egg shaped thing. It cracked open and a misshapen rodent like thing clawed its way out.

  The group took another step backward. “Maybe we should go,” Amira said.

  Maleko raised his spear and said, “No, let’s see what it does.”

  The rodent thing opened the largest eyes Amira had ever seen and was looking straight at them. Behind the rodent, a circular house sized area of the corruption began to bubble.

  Amira backed up another step. “That thing sees us.” Her whispered words seemed too loud in the unnatural stillness. This was just like last night. Only this time that thing could see them.

  “I can take care of that,” Maleko said as he stepped forward and thrust the spear straight through the rodent thing’s head. The corruption emitted a piercing shriek.

  “Guys, we need to run.” Amira backpedaled, caught between an urgent need to be elsewhere and a paranoid desire to keep her eye on that thing.

  Maleko just stood there poking the ground with his spear tip to clean it before finally nodding. “We’ll go north. We can lead them away from the village.”

  As they run north, animated things burst from the ooze behind them and give chase. They run until they hit an ooze barrier and head west. But there was no escape that way either. Now surrounded by ooze on three sides and a vast army of corrupted things, they are boxed in. “We’re trapped!” Amira cries out right as the creatures leap for them.