by P. Tempest
I walked down the hall to the stairs adjusting my sword's harness, it hung ever so slightly off balance that took a bit of settling.
Brendon was seated in the chair at the end of the hall, not doing anything as far as I could see, he didn't even notice me, his burning eyes fixed on something beyond my sight.
I didn't push it, he could be doing anything in the strange places in his head, sharing mind and body with a god has to do odd things to a man.
I carried on down to the main hall, I really needed to pick a name for it. I pushed that aside with a small mental shrug.
Orb and Telsan were discussing something, but both stopped when I reached the desk.
“Morning Tristan I trust you slept well?”
“I did, there was clearly nothing that needed my attention. Did you sleep well?”
“I didn't sleep, there was too much that needed organising for our departure.”
“All the current needs are accounted for, I have been formulating plans for growth and development. The stone in this area is perfect for enchantment and warding. It is a valuable resource that we can transport between the duchies, depending on the infrastructure. My knowledge of current development plans throughout the duchies is incomplete, I will request an update once my connection is solid. Another mark or so.”
“Thank you Orb, do you have a designation yet? I feel uncomfortable just addressing you as Orb, I knew another and I would like you to have a name if possible.”
“I'm the Nelar Orb, any further designation will be granted by my master.”
“Alright, orb it is for now.”
“Telsan, what has been done in my absence?” I asked.
I was told in excruciating detail everything that had been done, with interjections and updates from orb where relevant.
The sun slanting through the windows crawled down the walls, shifting the few shadows. I found my gaze drawn again and again to the changing light marking the movement of time. It crawled by.
“My connection is firm, I can reach for the Westhaven orb now if you wish.”
“Please. I need to speak to Jase.”
“Give me a moment.”
The ball of light flickered through most of the colours of the rainbow before settling on a yellow that was nearly golden.
“Tristan are you there? I can’t see you.” Jase's voice sounded worried.
“I'm here, Nelar is a part of the duchies now.”
Jase's chuckle echoed through the room. “Of course you succeeded. Never doubted you for an instant. Well in that case come home as soon as you can, I have two very concerned redheads and a stone boy waiting for you. Bring the others if you can.”
“We need to leave someone in charge here, this orb needs a master apparently.”
“That is correct master Jase.”
“Right you are, well Telsan do you want the job, raising to senior? I will confirm it with Velar but I doubt he will have any issues.”
“Jase, I don't want the job but I will take it as a short term post. Until someone more qualified can be sent.”
“Very well. That should be fine.”
“Jase, how can I come home? Rysan sent me here to die, it was an exile.”
“It was, but a funny thing happened while you were away. I had a word with a friend of mine and he checked out your story about Selac Freant, he had been abusing the people for a long time and Rysan was in on it. Rysan is no longer in Westhaven, he has been recalled to Greenlaw to answer charges in front of the wizards. You are free to come home.”
I was speechless. Grateful beyond words that Jase had risked his position and possibly his life to bring Rysan to justice. I finally found my voice.
“I will be home once my duty is done.”
“Good man. Is there anything you want passing to the girls and Airis?”
“Just tell them... tell them I love them and will be home soon.”
“I will. Telsan you are in command. Nelar Orb Mage Telsan is your master until he is relieved. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then farewell all. May the heart bless you.”
Jase's voice faded away then, the connection severed.
I was going home.
Epilogue
I hate horses, just to note, they smell. They are uncomfortable and disobedient. The one I had ridden on the long journey home did nothing but hurt me. My legs and arse ached in ways I didn't have words for. My companions wasn't very sympathetic despite the oath that bound us all.
Brendon had elected to stay in Nelar for a time, I didn't push. It wasn't my place. The city had brought something out of him and while I was thankful for all he and Vesic had done for me, I wanted no part in what was going on with them.
I rode at the head of an army. My army. There were very effective at travelling but that isn't the point of an army. I would have to wait to find out how they were at combat. Their magic was simple but id given a few lessons on the way to fill up the time.
I was nearly home.
The thought filled me with restless impatience and fear. What if I had done something wrong? What if Lyphia had found someone else? How had Sophia been without me? These thoughts tormented me over and over again. I alternated between excitement and dread. The journey was nearly over.
We broke camp this morning, not quite covering enough distance for me to spend last night in my own bed. But tonight I would be.
The early afternoon sun shone down, not hot but cool and bright on this autumn day. The wind blew, bring to me the crisp scent of damp earth. Light showers came and went, I didn't care.
We had pulled up on a slight hill.
Telsan had assured me before we left, a few weeks ago, that Jase would be informed about the army so that no one panics at the sight of them.
Ten thousand men and women riding down on a town that held maybe five thousand citizens could only be here for invasion or raiding. Nope not this time but it was a reasonable fear.
I looked over the landscape, there was the forest with the lake that I had taken Sophia on her first lesson.
There was the farmstead, surrounded by fields that I had completed my first task.
There was the dark stone wall protecting my home.
There was the old foundry district, the smooth plaza I had turned it into glimmered in the sunlight.
There was the headquarters where I’d served and been exiled from.
The academy where I’d been taught just enough to get by and released into the world. Also where I now lived with my apprentice and golem boy.
There was the stone guild where Lyphia was probably toiling, unknowing that I was watching, waiting to ride down and wrap my arms around her.
This was my home.
I couldn't wait any longer, be it good or bad, the nervous energy settled and pushed me to act.
I raised a hand in a signal to the army and spurred my horse, horrible thing, into motion.
Home. Finally. Back to a Mage’s Life.
The End of book 1.
