“If you look up there it looks like there are some remains. Likely Blighters.” Celes took off again and Vincent followed closely behind.
I don’t like the look of this.
Celes was standing over a black leg sticking out of the ground.
“This Blighter looks like it has been buried.”
“Not by hand.” Vincent looked over the scene. Magic was definitely at play here.
“You think?”
“Alrion. This is his handiwork. I wonder how many he dealt with.” Vincent could see scorch marks on the nearby hills and the aftermath of explosions on the ground.
‘This is huge. It was probably a whole force of Blighters. Our son did this?” Celes whispered.
“He did. And he saved Alyx. He’s growing beyond our influence now.” Vincent turned and started to walk back.
“What do we do now? Should we go after him?” Celes ran ahead and stopped in front of Vincent, blocking his path.
“No. We need to let him go.”
“And what? Continue this search for the source of the Blight? Based solely on a vague lead? There are real people dying around us.”
“No, I’ve been thinking about that. The aggressive nature of our enemy changes things. Alrion doesn’t have as long as he thinks.” Vincent sighed. He stepped past his wife and kept walking.
“Where are you going? He needs us more than ever. Whatever he did here, it’s not good. He must be hurting. And finally getting his friend back? That’s huge!” Celes kept getting louder until she was almost shouting. She grabbed Vincent’s arm and stopped him.
“He needs to walk this path alone. The best thing we can do is find the information he needs.”
“And take him the information?” Celes’s voice was quieter.
“Yes. We should give him the space he needs but come in with the location of the Blight in case he does not discover it himself.”
“And what if he does? We’ll be left behind.” Celes crossed her arms in front of her.
“It’s a risk. But it’s reduced if we go to a place guaranteed to have the answer.”
“Guaranteed?” Celes gave him a sceptical look.
“Guaranteed. We need to go back to go forwards.”
“That doesn’t sound quick to me.”
“Trust me, once Alrion gets his head straight he will come to the same conclusion. Only we’ll get there first.” Vincent showed a tiny smile.
Yes, this will work. We can be one step ahead of him.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself.”
“I think we can pull this off. And I’m also looking forward to your reaction.”
“My reaction to where you want to take us?”
“Yes. You ready?” Vincent saw Celes narrow her eyes and stare at him.
“Just get it over with.”
“Paperton.” Vincent said the word quickly and waited for a response. Celes started to speak, then stopped.
“I see you’re speechless.”
“That’s a long way.”
“We can pass through Brangtur. Take care of some unfinished business.”
“Oh, you’re good.” Celes paused, thinking. “I wouldn’t mind settling the score with that rat Wilhelm. The fun opportunity aside, what happens when we get ourselves to Paperton. Are you suggesting we drink from the Pool of Knowledge?”
“Possibly. Or we work with someone there who already has. Either way, we get the information. It’s the only place that we know for sure has it.”
“It seems like a reasonable plan. I have to admit, I found the idea of Paperton and the Pool of Knowledge fascinating when Alrion told me about it.”
“No guarantee they will let us see it. They’re probably a little jumpy since the last incident there.”
“I’ll take my chances. If you think this is the best way I can help my son, then I’m in.”
“This way then.” Vincent pointed to a trail and they started hiking.
I hope I’m doing the right thing.
11
A Curious Proposal
Alrion handed Alyx a cup of water and she accepted it graciously. After a long drink, she set it down with care and cleared her throat.
“Better?” Lara said.
“Yes. I’m starting to feel more human.” Alyx visibly shivered.
“We’re just glad to have you back.” Alrion gave her a reassuring smile.
“I am glad to be back, I thought I was lost forever. In a way I already was. My consciousness and awareness shifted back and forth. I was a passenger more than anything.” Alyx stopped talking and looked uncomfortable.
“I can’t possibly understand how that felt, but I understand what the Blight can do. And feeling like you’re losing yourself. I won’t let it happen again.”
“We won’t,” Lara added. Alyx pondered for a moment before replying.
“As painful as that was, you should let it happen if it needs to. The quest is more important than any of us.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t allow that situation to happen again.” Alrion was firmer in his voice, and that seemed to stop the line of conversation. A stillness sat over the group.
“So where to next?” Lara said. Alrion sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Now that we’ve saved Alyx, we need to find the source of the Blight and I need to finalise the spell required. I can finally stop all this.” Alrion started to speak again but quickly stopped. He jumped up from the chair and ran outside. Lara and Alyx scrambled to follow.
Alrion saw the flames leaping through the air. He immediately swept them away with a wave of force then looked beyond, seeing the wizard. Without waiting, he sent more waves of force at the wizard, hoping to destabilise him without causing damage.
The hooded wizard just made a minor gesture with his arm and the waves of force fell away. He approached slowly, and the flames in the air winked out.
“Just announcing myself. I come in peace.” The wizard pushed back his hood.
“Branthor!”
“That’s my name. Well, now that I’m back to myself. I see you fixed your friend too.” Branthor gestured at Alyx and smiled.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“Wizards have ways, as you know. First, I had to escape the immediate danger and I did. Lucky for me, Darvin went after your friend there and had his fun with her. But now that I’m recovered, it’s time for a little payback. And you came to mind.”
“I saved you. I stopped the Blight from corrupting you further.” Alrion raised his voice, showing his frustration.
“I know, which is why you’re the perfect partner to assist with my revenge. I’m after Rindale.”
“Rindale? The other general?” Alrion looked at Alyx.
“I don’t remember seeing him.”
“He was behind your transformation.” Branthor pointed at Alyx. “And mine. He’s the architect behind all the developments of the Blight.”
“What do you mean exactly?”
“He’s the one behind the evolution of the Blight. The new variants coming out. Destroy him, and you cut off the Blight’s advantage.” Branthor spat on the ground.
“I can see why it benefits us. But why you?” Lara said.
“He was instrumental in using the Blight to control me. But more than that.” Branthor trailed off. A brief look of pain flashed across his face as he remembered something.
“Rindale was the one that captured your father and was the reason my wife was infected. He needs to be stopped for good.” Branthor clenched his fist, and his posture straightened. He looked ready to fight.
“That’s all great, but why should we trust you? You’ve been working against us every step of the way.” Lara looked to Alrion and he nodded.
“Have I really? Yes, I wanted to stop you and control you. But I stayed my hand. Even in my grotesque form, I still fought you fairly and gave you a chance. I tried to recruit you rather than kill you. And you freed me from their influence.”
“If you’re so powerful, why not just do this yourself.”
“I can’t risk failure. And I want this over quickly. The Blight are drawn to you, I will find them faster this way. They can’t escape us working together.”
“What do we get out of this?”
“Other than ridding the world of that monster Rindale? You need a sweetener?” Branthor paused and gave thought. He snapped his fingers. “Tell you what, I will offer something else to show how serious I am. I’ll reveal the location of the source of the Blight. That’s something you want, right?” Branthor grinned. Alrion started to talk and stopped. He composed himself and tried again.
“Possibly. But how can I trust that you actually know that?”
“Oh, Alrion, please give me some credit. I’m a master wizard after all. I’ve drunk from the Pool of Knowledge and divined many of its secrets. Particularly those concerning that quest you are on.” Branthor watched Alrion’s reaction and laughed. Alrion looked torn and turned to see Alyx and Lara. They both shrugged.
“If you don’t completely trust him, that’s fine. I’ll be watching your back, and his every move.” Lara removed her dagger and twirled it with menace.
“You know what they say about your enemy’s enemy,” Alyx said. She continued before Alrion could respond, “revenge is a powerful emotion. He is unlikely to turn on us while our goals are aligned. Just be careful he doesn’t pull you down with him.” Branthor looked at them both, then turned his gaze back to Alrion.
“See? It’s worth a try. Isn’t the reward worth the risk?”
“What information do you have. About Rindale.” Alrion turned and looked towards the nearest mountains. He stared out, waiting for Branthor’s answer.
“I’ve been tracking the Shade Wizards. I think I know where they’re coming from. That must be Rindale’s base of operations. That’s all I’m willing to share, for now.”
“I see.” Alrion sighed and tried to think through his options.
Why must I continue to be assaulted by these situations. Having to work with that traitor who killed Falric, I’m not sure if I can do it.
“I’ll do it on one condition. You surrender yourself to the Wizard Academy after your revenge. You took the life of our leader, and you must pay the price. Perhaps you can serve as an example.” Alrion turned and stared at Branthor, daring him to reject the offer. Branthor scratched at his newly grown beard.
“You drive a hard bargain. But once this is done, I don’t care what happens to me. I accept.”
“Wait here, we have preparations to make.” Alrion strode inside and was closely followed by Lara and Alyx.
“That was unexpected,” Lara said. Alrion nodded and looked to Alyx.
“You haven’t had long to recover. Can you travel?”
“I’ve been worse, we should take advantage of this opportunity.”
“Thank you.” Alrion started rounding up his possessions. He had a blank expression on his face.
“Are you going to be fine working with him? Considering what he has done? Nobody would blame you for hating him.” Lara put a hand on Alrion’s shoulder and pulled him close. He turned and looked into her eyes.
“After what I have gone through, I understand him better. But, more than that, I cannot handle the depths that hate would take me into. The thought of it is exhausting, and painful even. He is not a good person and has made mistakes. What he is doing now is a mistake too. But he is set on this path, and maybe we can help him and help ourselves at the same time.”
“You think of helping him at a time like this?”
“He has suffered more than any of us. Think about it.” Alrion gently stepped back and continued packing. He walked around the room, picking up anything that resembled a container and stuffed them into his satchel.
“If you say so. I still don’t trust him.” Lara sighed.
“I think Alrion is not saying that we trust him, but trust that he wants his revenge on Rindale.” Alyx leaned against the wall, waiting for them to finish. Lara grabbed a few things and stood next to Alyx. Alrion saw them ready and strode outside.
Branthor was stroking the mane of one of the horses.
“I take it you have no mount?” Alrion said.
“No. I have no problem walking, but it may slow us down.”
“You can ride with me.” Alyx walked up and slowly started untying one of the horses.
“Thanks. You know, I can help you. I understand the process you have been through.” Branthor stepped closer and put a hand on Alyx’s arm. Alyx remained still and calm.
“What are you doing?” Alrion said, advancing on Branthor.
“What you did is quite brilliant, Alrion. Amazing even. But I have to say, it was like curing someone with a hammer. It was quite destabilising. Take it from someone who just experienced your assistance.” Branthor chuckled. He then concentrated on Alyx. Alrion could feel Branthor manipulating his Spark. Alyx closed her eyes and shivered.
“Every place the Blight had its tendrils, is a place of damage. Once you understand the signs, you can fix them. As a wizard, I could not reliably fix myself. That took time. But I understood the damage quite well.” Alrion concentrated more, trying to see what Branthor was doing. He activated his Soul Vision and he could see the strands of Spark going from Branthor into Alyx. By peering closer, Alrion could see the areas Branthor was talking about. They were right there, clear as anything. Subtle, but obvious signs of damage.
“If you’re going to do something like this to the entire world, you may want to refine your technique a little.” Branthor chuckled again and stepped back. Alyx opened her eyes and flexed her arms. She took a few steps.
“I feel a lot better.” Alyx put a hand on her chest and breathed deeply.
“You’re welcome.” Branthor turned to Alrion. “No offence, but you have a lot to learn still.”
“No offence taken.” Alrion bristled at Branthor’s manner, but he couldn’t fault what the wizard had said. He did need to do better, and he had lots to learn.
“Ride with me,” Lara said. She climbed onto one of the horses and leaned forward, making room for Alrion. He joined her and looked over at Alyx. She seemed comfortable with Branthor riding behind.
“It’s not that far, don’t worry. We can resolve this awkward travel arrangement shortly.” Branthor made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.
He’s just infuriating, the way he behaves. Strides in here like he knows better than everyone. But I need him, at least for now. I need to learn what I can. There’s wisdom in there, despite his flaws and his corruption.
“Take this trail,” Branthor said, pointing. Alyx took the lead, and Lara and Alrion fell in close behind. Alrion closed his eyes and thought about what he needed to do. He could at least try to use the travel time for something useful.
He carefully leaned over and rifled through the saddle bag, retrieving a glass flask with a cork stopper.
“What are you doing back there?”
“I’m doing an experiment.”
“For what? You’re not going to explode us, are you?” Lara laughed. Alrion could tell it was a bit forced, but he appreciated the effort. These were strange times, and a little laughter couldn’t hurt.
“No promises. I’m going to see if I can store my Soul Power in an ordinary flask.”
“Really? So, I can drink it?”
“That’s the plan.” Alrion smiled. Lara let out a genuine laugh that went right through him, warming his soul.
I’m on the right path now. It’s not what I expected, but it’s the way forward.
12
Uncertain steps
Lara slowed the horse, signalling the rest to be quiet. She heard sounds ahead. Alyx drew close and leaned in.
“I heard something ahead,” Lara whispered.
“Do you want to investigate?” Alyx said. Lara nodded and carefully dismounted. She turned to look at Alrion and he gave her a slight nod too. Lara glanced at Branthor out o
f the corner of her eyes, but he seemed to be still and disinterested.
I don’t know what to make of him.
Lara crept forward, veering off the path and finding a way through the shrubs and trees that lined the road. She hoped that it was nothing, but her intuition was eerily accurate. As she progressed, sounds wafted over. Definitely conversation.
Lara realised that she was quite close but couldn’t see without revealing herself. Her view of the path was blocked by a dense collection of shrubs and leafy plants. She glanced at the surroundings and saw a promising tree. The lower branches were accessible and sturdy.
Here goes.
Lara clambered up, almost slipping as she reached for the first branch. She grabbed it securely, bracing herself as her feet looked for somewhere to rest. She found small knobs on the trunk that would suffice and rested for a moment. Next, she hauled herself up and perched in the crook between the branch and the tree trunk. She could see more now, but it was just vague shapes. The view was obscured by the leaves of the tree.
Probably for the best.
Lara found another branch to try to ease along, trying not to make any sudden movements. Any suspicious movement from the tree would draw attention, and she didn’t know what was before her.
I bet it’s the Blight. With my luck, probably a Shade or worse.
Lara gingerly shimmied along the branch until she had a better view. Leaning the right way, she could just peer through the foliage and see what was below her. Finally settled, she allowed herself to concentrate on the dialogue.
“This is definitely the right town,” a male voice said. There was a strange rasp to it that grated and made Lara’s skin crawl.
“You don’t seem sure,” another voice replied. It was deeper but had the same rasping quality. Lara couldn’t decide which voice was worse.
“I don’t see you confirming anything, you should know as well as me.”
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 8
