The Sartious Mage (The Rhythm of Rivalry)

by B. T. Narro

  “I feel good, actually. Those crackers were really good…really, really, good.” She spoke slowly, as if savoring each word.

  I wasn’t sure how to respond. “Well, that’s good, I guess.”

  “I was supposed to be married by now.” Lisanda started laughing. With her soft tone, it sounded like she was speaking to the wind but didn’t mind if I overheard. “To Varth Farro. He thinks he’s a good singer.” Her laughter grew louder. “And he’s terrible. But no one has the nerve to tell him. So he sings at every social gathering.”

  It was the first time I’d heard her laugh. It was actually closer to a series of giggles coming out in bursts. Although none of the bursts lasted longer than a heartbeat, they were strong and rhythmic, twisting my lips into a smile.

  She gasped, pulling a hand off my stomach to cover her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “I won’t tell anyone,” I replied.

  “That’s because you don’t have anyone to tell who matters.”

  “Exactly,” I muttered.

  She slid her hand back around to meet the other that remained on my stomach. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she said apologetically.

  “It’s fine,” I answered.

  “He tried to serenade me the first time we met.” Lisanda laughed. Her voice had changed, louder and more confident, clearly meant for my ears now. “It was so funny! Jessend says I turned completely red. I told her it was because I was holding in laughter.” Two bursts of giggles came out.

  “Jessend’s my sister…oh, you already know that! I forgot you almost married her! That’s…that’s…” Her low voice was deeper than usual, like she was on the verge of an epic discovery. “That’s so strange to think about. My father was wrong to set that up, although he is a king first, a father second, and a man above all. He regards Jessend and me so differently than his son simply because we’re female.”

  She sighed and leaned forward to rest her cheek against my back. “One day, Varth Farro will be just like him.”

  We rode like that for a few minutes, utter silence except for the horse and the wind.

  I thought she’d fallen asleep until we reached a turn in the path and she scared me by leaning back quickly, nearly pulling me off the horse.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I thought…” She paused to catch her breath. “I thought I was steering the horse for the longest time, and then I realized my eyes were closed.”

  I gave a faint laugh. “Well, try not to do that again. You almost threw me from the saddle.”

  “Did I ever have the reins?”

  “No. And you definitely won’t, so don’t worry about that.”

  She rested her head on my back again, tightening her grip around my stomach by locking her arms together. It was a little bit tight, but night was coming and the air was growing cooler. I didn’t complain.

  “You have a lovely voice when you sing, Jek.”

  I waited for the insult, but it didn’t come. I thought she may have forgotten to say it. “For a farm boy?” I asked.

  “No. For anyone. There are some things in this world that make no difference depending on where you grew up.”

  “That’s everything,” I couldn’t help but say.

  She gasped but kept her head on my back. “That’s…that’s…profound.”

  She was either lost in thought or didn’t have anything else to say. Either way, she was silent for another minute.

  “Can I rest my head on you?” she asked, still resting her head on my back.

  “You have been already,” I told her.

  “Bastial stars, you’re right! I can feel it when you speak.” She lifted her head, only to nestle her cheek closer to the middle of my back. “Will you tell me more about this promise my father made? I like the rumble against my ear when you speak as I watch the trees dance.”

  “What do you want to know besides that he didn’t follow through?”

  “Everything. Talk, and leave nothing out.”

  I wasn’t sure she’d remember, but everything was what she got. I started with the guards coming to get me at the blacksmith’s, explaining how her father had offered me a cure if I kidnapped Harwin, the little Prince of Zav. I was sure to make it absolutely clear her father also promised not to harm Harwin. I wanted Lisanda to know that, figuring she would have more power over making her father keep that promise than I would.

  I told her how her father had gathered me and four other men who had no association with the Takary family, just in case we were caught, so he could deny responsibility. I didn’t disagree with his methods. He just wanted to avoid a war, perfectly understandable. My problem was what happened when I returned.

  I told her nearly every detail: Micah Vail’s warning about the promises of the King, the conversation in the throne room, the ripping of the contract, how I ended up in that dressing room, and even listening to her and Jessend talk about running.

  One thing I didn’t mention was that Micah Vail had helped me decide to take her. I still wasn’t sure if she was supposed to know that or not. I found no benefit from telling her at that moment.

  She was mostly quiet throughout the story, grunting here and there. But when I’d described my heart ripping in half when I’d watched her father tear up the contract, she’d whimpered painfully like she’d felt it.

  No words followed the story, not until we were about a mile from the farm.

  That’s when she finally took her head off my back. Her hands began losing their grip, sliding across my stomach and grabbing my arm awkwardly, then shooting back to my stomach again.

  “I’m going to be sick,” she told me in a rushed voice.

  I stopped the horse, jumped off, slid one arm under her legs and the other around the small of her back, lifting her to the grass a few steps from the horse. I put her on her feet, but she collapsed to her hands and knees. Her hair fell in front of her face, and she tried desperately with one hand to push it out of the way, but it kept falling back in front of her.

  I knelt next to her and used both hands to grab all the hair I could, holding it behind her. She vomited. I tried my best not to pay attention to it, looking at the stars beginning to take shape instead. I thought about how happy I was that Micah Vail had told me not to drink the tea. This surely would’ve been over by now if I had, with me in a prison cell or beheaded. I shuddered at the thought.

  Lisanda spat and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. She rose to her feet gingerly, reaching out a hand for me to grab on her way there. She slowly let go of me once stable, holding her arms out to balance herself.

  She took a deep breath. “I feel a little better.”

  “Good.” I gave her the flask. “Finish the water. There isn’t much left anyway.”

  I started toward the horse. Lisanda drank and then slowly followed me. She walked carefully but with a sway.

  “Here.” I put my arm around her shoulders and guided her to the horse.

  “It feels like I’m swimming on land,” she said. “And the only way of moving is with the waves.” She held her head with one hand, handing me back the flask with the other. “I realize how crazy that sounds.”

  I lifted her to the front of the saddle, climbing on the horse behind her and pulling the reins under her arms. She leaned back, her head resting against my shoulder while she breathed slow and deep. Bastial stars, that fragrance. Why did it pull me out of my body whenever I smelled it?

  It felt like I was reliving a memory even though the moment was happening right then. I could see us on the horse together, bodies touching. Everything seemed to slow down, each breath she took, each slight adjustment she made to her hands or head lasted forever, repeating itself in my mind as I searched for meaning behind it.

  I felt powerless, like the fragrance had taken over my body.

  “Jek?” Lisanda whispered.

  “Yes?”

  “Us touching like this doesn’t mean anything. You know that right? I’m just di
zzy and tired.”

  “I know.” I sat up to straighten out my sore back. Her head rolled a bit but stayed against my chest.

  “Rest if you want,” I said. “We’ll be at the farm soon.”

  She raised a hand to brush the hair from her face, accidentally catching my lip with her finger. She cautiously brought her hand back up to my face. I didn’t know whether her eyes were open or closed, for I could see only the top of her head, but either way she couldn’t see where she was reaching. The back of her hand grazed my nose, falling slowly to my lips. I wondered if she expected me to kiss it for some strange reason. My heart started beating wildly.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  Her hand quickly retreated. “Just making sure that was your face I touched and not something else.”

  I brought the back of my own hand to my nose and lips to see what it felt like for her.

  “Are you still hallucinating?” I asked.

  “I don’t think so. That’s what I was trying to figure out just now.”

  “Well, do you want to switch positions in the saddle then?”

  “This is fine.”

  We shared a deep breath at the same time. I could feel her back move with my chest. She fluttered her fingers in front of my face. “But only because I’m dizzy and tired.”

  “I know,” I told her again.

  Chapter 17: Rubble

  As good as it was to be home, I was nervous to see my father and sister. What were they going to think when I told them about Lisanda Takary?

  At least I knew Rubble, my favorite cat, wouldn’t judge me. He would walk to me, meowing as he went and purring the moment my fingers touched his fur.

  Rubble was one of many cats we had. They were the best solution to all the rats on the farm and great company during chores, jumping and climbing on anything they could and then meowing from the top as if to show off. Rubble was named by how often he was found in the strangest places, usually buried beneath something. He seemed to be the only one of our cats that never minded getting dirty, leaping into piles of anything to chase after a rat. His fur was white with brown spots, not the prettiest, but I didn’t care. He always made me laugh.

  I steered the horse right to the door of our farmhouse. Lisanda was conscious but didn’t seem to want to be, holding her heavy head low no matter what position she was in.

  I helped the Princess from the horse, tying him to the house once I was done. I knew he needed water just as much as Lisanda and I did. I planned to come back right after greeting my family, telling this to the horse as I petted him.

  “And how are you?” I asked Lisanda when I was done consoling the horse.

  “I’m everything. Tired, hungry, thirsty, dirty.” Her voice trailed off.

  “Me, too.”

  The farm was too quiet. The sun had fully set, but I should’ve still heard some of the animals behind the farmhouse. I wanted to investigate, but that had to wait. First I needed to speak to my father and sister to explain everything. I knocked on the door.

  “Sannil? Kalli?” I called. There was no answer. I knocked again. “Hello?” I yelled.

  My stomach reached up to grab my ribs. Did the King know this was my farm? He could’ve sent guards here. Sannil and Kalli could be in trouble.

  Lisanda must’ve seen it on my face. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t know what’s waiting inside. I’m going to have to bind you to me.”

  She held out her wrist. I used Sartious Energy to create a ring around it, one around mine as well, then linked the two together with a bar. With our wrists bound together, I cautiously pushed open the door and led her through.

  Our farmhouse was two stories, although each floor had only a few rooms. The whole place was dark, but I thought I heard a muffled voice upstairs.

  I took my wand and pushed Bastial Energy through it to create enough light to see everywhere ahead of me.

  “Jek Trayden, we finally meet.”

  My eyes shot to the top of the stairway where a mage dressed in a red robe stood with folded arms. On his chest was the Takary family sign, blue soaring wings. I knew the blood-red robe meant he was a specialist with Bastial Energy, the lighter of the two energies and by far the easier to manipulate. If I were on the King’s staff, my robe would be green instead to represent the emerald color of SE—my specialty.

  “Who are you?” I asked.

  “And is that the Princess you have bound to you?” He shielded his eyes from the light of my wand, squinting at us. “Thank you for bringing her to me.”

  “Where are my father and sister?”

  I heard a muffled scream, similar to the way Lisanda had tried to yell with the gag stuffed in her mouth. It was coming from behind the mage on the second floor.

  “They’re calling to you!” he answered with feigned concern. “Hurry up here and save them!” Then his face loosened into a grin that held more malice than I’d ever seen. “Come on,” he said, waving and slowly turning on his heels to walk out of view.

  I looked over my shoulder at Lisanda. All drowsiness had left her face, leaving wide eyes full of fear.

  “Who is he?” I whispered.

  “My father’s top mage,” she whispered back. “His name is Exo. He’s dangerous.”

  “Is he the one responsible for the fires that caused The Desert to be what it is now?”

  She nodded.

  I wanted to puff out my chest heroically and storm up the stairs, demonstrating the bravery I always thought I’d have if I ever met him. But now that the moment was here, I felt weak. We were in my house, where the slightest damage could be devastating, and who knew what he had planned with my family?

  Then, too, I had Lisanda to worry about, bound to me so she couldn’t run, but what would that mean if a fight of magic broke out? What would she do? Fight against me? There was too much vulnerability here. I had a terrible feeling as I timidly walked up the stairs.

  The only light was coming from Kalli’s bedroom. I came to the doorway and peered inside.

  Exo stood in the middle of the room. My father and sister were behind him, each tied to a chair and gagged.

  “Leave Lisanda outside and come in,” he told me.

  I didn’t move; too many questions needed answering first. Were Sannil or Kalli hurt? I saw no injuries. Why leave Lisanda outside? He had something planned, but what? What was he going to do once I obeyed? Try to kill me, perhaps?

  I studied Exo as I thought. He was somewhere close to forty years old with thinning hair. His head was oddly shaped, looking closer to a lopsided diamond than an oval. Wide eyes with dark circles around them were pushed out by high cheekbones, forming the middle edges of the diamond, while a pointed chin and the tip of his long forehead made the bottom and top edges. A nose both wide and tall hung in the middle of his face. It was the centerpiece that brought the rest of his features together, creating a look of powerful hatred.

  Exo gave a bored sigh when I didn’t enter. With a surprising lack of emotion, he pulled a knife from his belt and drew it toward Kalli. She stared at him with contempt, showing no fear. I didn’t feel the same courage.

  “Wait!” I shouted.

  Exo turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “Ready to listen?”

  I wanted to send a fireball his way, but he stood between Sannil and Kalli. If I missed, or he moved out of the way…it wasn’t worth the risk. I started to realize this was the end. I took a long breath, knowing I had lost. All that work getting Lisanda here and for nothing.

  I waved my wand at the binding between Lisanda’s wrist and mine. It shattered into green smoke. Exo pointed to the door with his eyes set on the Princess.

  Lisanda and I shared a look as if to say goodbye. It was a hesitant goodbye, one of apprehension through furrowed brows. It was nice to know at least she’d rather be in my company than with Exo, although who wouldn’t? The man looked to be insane.

  What was he going to do next? I wonder
ed. Was there a reward for my capture, perhaps for my death?

  Lisanda stood in the hallway outside the door, watching.

  Exo went behind Kalli, holding his knife to my sister’s throat. “Now drop your wand,” he told me. “Or watch her die.”

  I obeyed and dropped my weapon.

  “Kick it here.” Exo motioned with his knife. I did as he asked. He bent down and stuffed it in his pocket.

  Exo walked toward the door cautiously, pointing his wand at me with a steady stare as he went. When he got to the doorway, he pushed Lisanda out of sight and turned back to us.

  “Goodbye, Kalli,” Exo said with a wry smile. “It’s been fun.”

  Kalli screamed something at him through her gag, violently thrashing against the ropes that held her to the chair.

  Exo blew a kiss and walked out of view.

  I hurried over to untie Kalli, starting with the gag.

  I almost had the knot undone when something startled me.

  “Jek!” Lisanda screamed my name. I flipped around to find her in the doorway again. “He’s trying to surprise you. He’s going to kill you!”

  Exo returned, shoving Lisanda hard. “Stupid bitch!” he screamed. She crashed into something I couldn’t see. It sounded like a wall.

  Exo replaced her in the doorway, aiming his wand at me. It already was glowing. He had been gathering Bastial Energy when he left the room, and now his fireball was ready.

  I pulled in all the SE I could in the brief moment I had before his fireball formed, and I used that energy to create a shell in front of me. It wasn’t bigger than my torso and had the width of straw, but it was all I could gather.

  His fireball came out in a flash of light, slamming into my Sartious shell before I could even see it coming. SE was the perfect shield against fire, just as strong as steel but able to absorb the heat and force far better. However, his fireball was too strong for the shield I’d created.

  Although the shape of the Sartious shell remained, looking like a turtle shell bent around me, it couldn’t contain the entire fireball. Some of the fire had splintered off the edges of my shell and landed in small puddles around the wooden room.