Birth of a Wizard

by MJ Schutte

  ‘I’m sorry, you are right. I will personally lead the next attack, if that will make you happy,’ Jaclyn said softly.

  Lance stepped back.

  ‘We attack now. I will be by your side. It’s time I see this wizard with my own eyes,’ he replied.

  Brighton stood on the wall with Lilian next to him.

  ‘Please don’t do this,’ she pleaded.

  ‘I have to. Look how many men lost their lives today. It is senseless,’ he said, gesturing to the battleground.

  Soldiers were hard at work dragging corpses away.

  ‘But what about Jaclyn? You said that you could not break through her defence the last time you saw her,’ Lilian reminded him.

  ‘I don’t need to. If I can convince her soldiers that fighting against me means certain death, she will have no followers left. I will deal with her later. First, I must find a way of ending this war,’ Brighton answered.

  ‘When are you going?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘As soon as Donic gets here,’ Brighton replied.

  They stood in silence for a while, watching the soldiers go about their gruesome task.

  ‘How is Adri?’ Brighton asked.

  ‘She is very sad. Clarissa is with her,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘As I understand it, Brac saved your life,’ Brighton said.

  ‘Yes, he did. I could not hold Jaclyn’s energy link back. Perhaps if I had used my talent more, I would have been able to,’ Lilian whispered.

  ‘It’s not your fault. Brac did a very brave thing and I will be forever thankful to him,’ Brighton said as he put his arm around Lilian.

  A while later, Donic and Ashley arrived. Brighton and Lilian climbed down from the wall.

  ‘It seems you came back just in time. The soldiers are all talking about you,’ Donic said to Brighton.

  ‘Why?’ Brighton frowned.

  ‘They say that you saved us all. Some are telling stories of a big, white wall that rose from the ground protecting them, others are saying you commanded packs of wild animals to attack the enemy and my personal favourite is how you threw thousands of soldiers over the wall using your mind only,’ Donic replied.

  Brighton had to laugh.

  ‘Only one of those tales is the truth,’ he replied.

  Donic’s eyes went wide.

  ‘Which one?’ he asked.

  ‘I erected an energy barrier between us and the enemy,’ Brighton smiled.

  Donic pointed at Mischief, sleeping not too far away.

  ‘What about him? Everybody knows he listens to you. So you do command wild animals,’ he argued.

  ‘I suppose that is true, but it is only one, not packs,’ Brighton shrugged.

  ‘If you learn how to move objects without touching them, the soldiers’ stories will all be true,’ Donic laughed.

  ‘Perhaps I can accommodate them,’ Brighton smiled.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘On my way to Clareton, I ran into the real Erostagnos. When I came back through the swamp, I stopped to have a little talk with him. He taught me a trick or two,’ Brighton replied.

  He started saying something else, but then stopped.

  He stared at the wall, as if he was trying to look through it.

  ‘I was planning on going to the enemy, but it seems they are saving me the trouble,’ he said.

  ‘Archers to the wall!’ Donic’s voice boomed immediately.

  ‘I’m going to attempt to stop this war without anyone else dying,’ Brighton said to the general.

  ‘You’ve tried it before,’ Donic argued.

  ‘True, but none of the enemy soldiers saw it. Jaclyn is on her way here with thousands of troops. I will challenge her in front of her followers,’ Brighton replied.

  ‘What will that accomplish?’ Donic frowned.

  ‘I already have this silly reputation of being a great wizard. We might as well use it to our advantage. I don’t have to defeat Jaclyn, only make her followers believe that fighting against me will cost them their lives,’ Brighton answered.

  Brighton stood a few paces in front of the wall leaning on his walking stick, Mischief by his side.

  Lance and Jaclyn, both on horses, led thousands of troops into the pass.

  ‘That’s far enough,’ Brighton shouted.

  Lance held up his hand to stop the troops.

  ‘Who are you?’ he shouted.

  ‘Brighton!’ came the reply.

  A murmur went up from the soldiers.

  ‘Quiet!’ Lance ordered.

  He turned to Jaclyn and said, ‘Here is your opportunity. Kill the wizard and we will continue to follow you.’

  Jaclyn climbed off the horse and slowly walked towards Brighton. She lifted her hand to call her energy link forth, but then frowned.

  ‘Are you having problems sensing my energy?’ Brighton mocked her.

  He held the walking stick out to the side and let go of it. It did not fall to the ground but hung in midair. Slowly the walking stick started floating away from Brighton, then settled against a rock. Jaclyn’s eyes were wide.

  She called her sense forth again but although her eyes could see Brighton, her talent was blind to him. Murmurs started spreading through the ranks and even Lance’s stern words could not quieten them.

  ‘Erostagnos!’ Donic shouted.

  The elves all held their bows high as they screamed, ‘Erostagnos.’

  Brighton held his hands in front of him. A pure white energy wall rose from the ground and started moving towards Jaclyn. She threw energy bolts at it causing big explosions, but could not break it down. As the energy wall was almost on top of her, she threw up her own.

  Brighton’s wall touched hers, sparks flying everywhere. Slowly, his energy wall pushed hers back.

  Jaclyn retreated, fear in her eyes. She dropped her hands, turned and ran for her horse.

  ‘I can’t fight him,’ she screamed at Lance as she dug her heels into the stallion’s flanks.

  Soldiers opened a path for her, fearing that they might be caught under the horse’s hooves.

  Brighton dropped his energy barrier.

  ‘Would you like to send your best warrior forward?’ he shouted at Lance.

  The general climbed off his horse and slowly walked towards Brighton. The walking stick floated back into Brighton’s outstretched hand. Lance held his hands at his sides, palms forward.

  He stopped a few paces from Brighton and said, ‘Great wizard, we humbly ask that you forgive us. We have no wish to fight you or the brave soldiers of Mendin any further. Can there be peace between us?’

  ‘That is not for me to decide. General Donic commands the forces of Mendin,’ Brighton answered.

  He turned around and waved at Donic.

  Lance shot a glance at Mischief. The big panther stared at Lance with his white eyes making the commander even more nervous.

  Donic walked closer and said, ‘I am General Donic.’

  Lance introduced himself and then said, ‘General Donic, I have heard two separate reports of your death. It seems you are a hard man to kill.’

  Before Donic could answer, Lance quickly dropped his head and added, ‘I mean that with the highest respect, of course.’

  Donic smiled and said, ‘It helps to have a great wizard on your side.’

  Brighton rolled his eyes. Lance’s head was still down, so he did not see. Slowly, Lance pulled one of his swords out of the scabbard, just far enough to expose the blade. He gripped the blade between finger and thumb and pulled it free of the scabbard.

  Donic’s hand shot to his sword but Brighton shook his head urgently. He was ready in case Lance made a threatening move. The general balanced the sword on his palm and held it out to Donic.

  ‘In our Kingdom, it is customary for the leaders of two clans at war to exchange swords as a sign of peace. Will you accept my sword?’ Lance asked.

  Donic pulled his sword out and balanced it on his right hand, mimicking what Lance had just done. Lan
ce put his left hand around the hilt of Donic’s sword and waited for Donic to do the same.

  ‘Peace between us,’ Lance declared.

  ‘Peace between us,’ Donic echoed.

  After the exchange, Lance asked, ‘Do you have any customs to signify peace?’

  Donic thought for a moment and said, ‘We normally shake hands and go to the inn for some wine.’

  ‘Wine?’ Lance asked.

  ‘Yes, wine. It’s a drink made from berries and fruit. I think you might like it,’ Donic smiled.

  ‘Let’s have some wine!’ Lance declared.

  ‘Uhh…the closest inn is in Weston. I can ask a soldier to fetch the wine, but it will take time,’ Donic replied.

  ‘I will wait. You honoured our custom, I will honour yours,’ Lance replied.

  Donic turned around and shouted, ‘Bring some wine and three mugs.’

  The two generals and Brighton stood looking at each other, not certain what to do next. A soldier rushed forward with a water skin and three mugs.

  ‘That was fast. Where did this wine come from?’ Donic enquired.

  ‘Um…I…uh…had some in the barracks,’ the soldier stammered.

  ‘We will talk about that later,’ Donic growled at the man.

  The soldier quickly poured wine into the three mugs and rushed back to the wall. Lance stuck his hand out.

  Donic took the offered hand and said, ‘Peace.’

  ‘Peace,’ Lance echoed and took a big gulp from the mug.

  He tried to keep a straight face, but Donic could see that the taste shocked him a little.

  ‘You get used to it,’ he laughed at Lance.

  Lance noticed that Brighton had not taken a sip from his mug.

  Carefully he held his hand out to Brighton and said, ‘Peace.’

  Brighton shook his head.

  ‘Not yet. General Donic is the commander of the Mendin forces but I am the leader of the elves. We still need to discuss your occupation of Erostagnos Livia Farasnei,’ he said.

  Lance got a pained expression on his face.

  ‘Great wizard, we paid with the blood of many men to get our ancestral home back,’ he said carefully.

  ‘True, but it is also the home of the elves. The old Tylia clan occupied the ground north of the Gario River. You may have that back, provided you promise never to cross the river into elf territory,’ Brighton answered.

  ‘Great wizard, that piece of land is too small for the Tylians,’ Lance complained.

  ‘That is my offer,’ Brighton said with finality.

  Lance thought about it for a moment before he nodded and said, ‘Peace between us.’

  ‘Peace between us,’ Brighton repeated as he shook the general’s hand.

  Both of them took a sip from their mugs. Lance pulled a face again, but did not say anything.

  ‘We will begin our retreat immediately,’ he said.

  As they watched him walk away, Brighton poured the contents of his mug out.

  ‘I don’t understand how you can drink that!’ he said to Donic.

  Donic drained his mug and replied, ‘This from a man who drinks undiluted lemon juice!’

  ‘Adri, did you watch Lance?’ Brighton asked.

  Adri nodded. She, Lilian and Ashley had witnessed everything from the top of the wall.

  ‘He was sincere in everything he said,’ Adri replied.

  ‘Good. He seems like a man of his word. I am glad this war is over. Now tell us how you made that walking stick float, Brighton?’ Donic asked.

  ‘I told you already, Erostagnos taught me a few small tricks,’ Brighton smiled.

  Donic’s sword started moving out of the scabbard on its own.

  The general slammed the sword down and said, ‘Stop it! Tell us how you’re doing this.’

  Brighton laughed a little as he said, ‘It’s easy, really. I put some energy into the object, and then attach or bind the energy to the object. I simply move the energy and the object follows.’

  ‘That is brilliant!’ Lilian exclaimed.

  The others agreed although they did not really understand what Brighton meant. Only Lilian had enough experience with the world of energy to grasp the concept.

  ‘How come Jaclyn could not sense your energy?’ Lilian asked.

  ‘That is something else Erostagnos taught me. Actually, he just reminded how to hide my energy, I’ve always known how to do it,’ Brighton replied.

  ‘Your tricks had the required effect. After that display from “The Great Wizard,” not one of those soldiers will ever think of coming back here!’ Donic laughed.

  ‘We are in your debt, Brighton. The next order I’m giving is going to be directed at Efra and will involve a celebration meal,’ Ashley smiled.

  Donic turned to Ashley and said, ‘There is one order from my queen that I have not carried out yet.’

  ‘Donic, I didn’t mean it! I was just so grateful when you saved me from those soldiers,’ Ashley exclaimed.

  ‘So, if I asked, you would say no?’ Donic asked, a slight smile creeping across his lips.

  ‘No! I mean yes,’ Ashley stuttered.

  ‘So which is it? Yes or no?’ Donic teased her.

  ‘Donic! You are just as bad as Brighton and Brac! Stop teasing me. What I meant was, I don’t want you to ask me just because I ordered you to,’ Ashley replied, her face going red.

  Brighton, Lilian and Adri looked at each other in confusion.

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Lilian asked

  Donic went onto one knee in front of Ashley.

  ‘Ashley, you are my queen and, as a soldier, I will obey your every command. I do not kneel in front of you as a soldier, I kneel as a man in love. No person can command another’s heart, unless it is freely given. My heart is yours, forever. Will you marry me?’

  Ashley’s hand shot to her mouth, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

  ‘Nothing would make me happier,’ she whispered as the tears started running down her cheeks.

  Brighton shook his head and said, ‘Why do women cry when they are happy?’

  Donic rose and took Ashley in his arms. They shared a long, passionate kiss. Soldiers around them noticed and started applauding.

  Donic’s big voice boomed, ‘Get back to work! Clear that gate and open it!’

  Lance’s army started the retreat quickly and orderly. Messengers arrived with news from the troops that attempted to gain access to Mendin through the cave of demons. When Lance heard the reports of rock falls, landslides and earthquakes, he looked at Habish and said, ‘I wonder if that was a coincidence or if the wizard had something to do with it?’

  One messenger also reported that most of the troops who fled through the thorn bushes had died of a mysterious illness that had turned their bodies black.

  ‘Now I know it was the wizard’s doing. If we had continued with this war, I’m certain we would have all died,’ Lance mumbled.

  ‘You fear him?’ Habish asked.

  ‘Yes, and with good reason. We know Jaclyn is a powerful sorceress, but the great wizard scared her away easily. He killed almost all the troops who went to the cave with earthquakes and a deadly disease. This man is truly the most powerful wizard who ever lived. I am grateful that he is a man of honour and is allowing us to live in Livia Farasnei, even if it’s only a small portion of our ancestral home,’ Lance replied.

  ‘Some of the troops are talking of going back to Tyliana,’ Habish said.

  ‘I will not stop them. Every man has the right to choose where he wants to live,’ Lance replied.

  ‘Where will you go?’ Habish asked.

  ‘There is nothing in Tyliana for me. I am going to Livia Farasnei. How about you?’ Lance replied.

  ‘I will join you. Perhaps we can each find a willing elf woman to share our bed,’ Habish smiled.

  ‘Good luck with that! Those elf women are a feisty bunch. I would rather sleep next to a wolf,’ Lance laughed.

  The palace garden was packed to
capacity. Anthon, being the second-highest ranking official after Donic, stood on a small platform. Brighton, Prince Gary, Adri and Carlia were at his side with scores more people behind him.

  Ashley had insisted that they wait for Carlia and the other elves to get back from Clareton before she and Donic got married.

  Donic was the only one facing away from the palace. He shifted his weight nervously from one leg to the other.

  The crowd gasped as Ashley came out of the palace. She looked radiant in a long, flowing dress that was as white as the moon. Lilian and Clarissa followed the queen out of the palace.

  Clarissa started to look more and more like her mother everyday. Her long blond curls were neatly tied back and decorated with small purple ribbons.

  Ashley slowly approached Donic. He was burning to look around, but knew it was forbidden.

  Ashley laid her hand on Donic’s back and said, ‘Donic, I come to you willingly. This is my choice.’

  Donic turned around, took Ashley’s hands in his and said, ‘Ashley, I come to you willingly. This is my choice.’

  Lilian and Clarissa quickly stepped past the couple. They took their place next to Brighton, one on each side. Two small hands slipped into his big, powerful hands. He gave his wife and daughter each a soft squeeze.

  ‘Queen Ashley and General Donic have come here of their own free will. Can anybody dispute that?’ Anthon said.

  The crowd behind him said, ‘We cannot dispute this. Let this couple be wed.’

  Turning to Donic, Anthon said, ‘General Donic, today you take Queen Ashley to be your wife. You will love her, protect her, honour her and never have desire in your heart for another.’

  ‘This is my promise,’ Donic replied.

  ‘Queen Ashley, today you take General Donic to be your husband. You will love him, protect him, honour him and never have desire in your heart for another.’

  ‘This is my promise,’ Ashley said softly.

  As one, the crowd behind Anthon said, ‘We witness this union.’

  ‘General Donic and Queen Ashley are now joined as one. This bond cannot be broken,’ Anthon declared.

  Clarissa looked down at her father’s shaking hand. Frowning, she looked up at him. He tried desperately to hide it, but Clarissa could see the pain in his eyes. Lilian also looked at Brighton worriedly.