Earth Magic

by Kenneth Price

  "That's it? That is all you wanted to say.”

  "You have learned much. You have learned you are being manipulated, and if you choose to, you know now that you can see past illusions. Knowledge is half the battle. But now you most go and do what you must. Remember to listen to those you trust, but in the end, it is you who will lead the way. You are the chosen one."

  “You keep saying that, what does it mean?”

  The girl responded by smiling her sad smile. The hill started fading away, and then the girl faded, too, as if she was being drawn away into a mist.

  "No!" shouted Elwin. “I need answers!” But it was too late she was gone.

  ---

  "Elwin?" It was Kayno, waking him up. "Arran is here. And he is very persistent. Even worse than last time. He says he won't leave until you meet with the Council of Elders."

  "Is he in the outer room?" asked Elwin, sitting up in his bed.

  "Yes."

  Elwin rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Well, let him wait. I want to talk to you first. Close the door."

  Kayno softly closed the door. Pulling a chair close to the bed, he asked, "What is it?"

  "We are leaving.” Said Elwin seating up. “As soon as I get back from seeing the Council of Elders, we are getting out of here. Try to see if you can find a way out without the Guardians knowing it."

  "Has something happened?"

  "Just a little truth. Go tell Arran that I will be with him as soon as I am dressed. After I am gone, get everyone together and gather whatever supplies we will need."

  "And the princess?"

  Elwin frowned. That is going to be the hardest part of all. But I cannot trust her. It was a terrible thing to admit. "No... we will have to leave her. She might turn us in, and I doubt that she would go with us willingly. And I won't force her. She is also safe here. She is probably safer here than where we'll be going."

  ---

  Once he felt ready, Elwin stepped out of his room. "What is so urgent?" he demanded. "Could this not wait until some other time?"

  Arran looked up from where he was sitting. Appearing worried, he shifted and came up out of the chair. "Another time? No, there is no more time. The Council of Elders is waiting for you. It must be now."

  Elwin tried not to frown. He looked briefly at Kayno. The big man only shrugged.

  Elwin looked back at Arran. He had never seen the man look so upset. "What is so important?"

  "The Council of Elders will tell you. Please, High Prince. We must go. It is getting late. The sun will be going down soon."

  "Very well," Elwin sighed. "Let's go, then." He looked back over his shoulder. Kayno nodded. Elwin turned and followed Arran out of the suite.

  "The Master Elder honors you," said Arran, leading the way through the maze of hallways. The halls of the castle gave off a white glow, so there was no need for torches. Trying to ignore Arran, Elwin looked down the hallways that they passed by. The castle seemed to be made of many twists and turns, and it was easy to get lost. Elwin still had not figured out the place though he did know the way to the High Council’s chambers, he always seemed to be going to the High Council’s chambers.

  "It is not polite to keep the elders waiting," Arran went on.

  Elwin waved a dismissive hand, and sighed, "Patience is a virtue, or so I am told, and Odary, the High Elder, is the picture of all that is virtuous. He can wait." Three months? I can remember it so clearly now.

  "We're here," Arran announced, stopping before a large wooden door, where two guards stood silently watching. They were the first guards that Elwin had ever seen in the castle. The two guards carried no weapons and wore only ceremonial armor, but they were guards nonetheless. Something is up... But they can't know that I am leaving... Unless they could hear what that child told me. But she said no one could hear us inside that stone circle.

  "His Highness, Prince Elwin ap Gruffydd of Ceredigion is here to see the High Council of Elders," Arran said, addressing the guards. "The time has come."

  Time? Time for what? What is going on? Elwin was getting nervous.

  The guards gave Elwin a short bow and stepped aside.

  "Master Odary is expecting you, Sire," said the first guard. The other guard's eyes were wide with wonder. Elwin had seen the look before. People were nearly falling to their knees and calling him High Prince or High King even. I am not their blasted High Prince and I won’t be their High King either! With his head held high, Elwin stormed into the room. Quietly, the door was closed behind him. The room was the chamber room of the Elders and it was quite large but simply decorated. There were only a few chairs and one long table. On the far side of the table sat four elderly men and one woman. They all stared at Elwin with impenetrable eyes. Elwin hesitated. Don't let them scare you, he told himself. He started forward under their quiet scrutiny.

  Standing before a single empty chair, Elwin stopped and looked down at the man seated directly across the table from him. "Master Odary, you wish to see me?" His voice trembled slightly.

  Using the table to keep his balance, the old man came slowly to his feet.

  Odary was a skinny, and frail looking man. With snowy white hair and wrinkled skin, the master Elder looked ancient, but his shining blue eyes were full of life and strength. At his side, four other Guardians of Light came to their feet. They were the Council of Elders, and Elwin had met them all. To Odary's left were Ryence and Gelon. Ryence was a bald man who was always smiling and laughing. Elwin liked him the best. But he also tricked me into staying here for three months and making me believe that it had only been two weeks. Gelon was just the opposite of Ryence. He was cold and never seemed to smile. Gelon was also the youngest of the Guardians of Light and his head of hair had not yet turned completely white. To Odary's right was Cerise and Jael. Cerise remained a mystery behind her green eyes and half smile. She made Elwin feel uncomfortable and exposed. Then there was Jael. Jael did not talk often, but when he did, everyone around him would stop and listen. Jael was a thinker and not a doer like Odary. "Welcome, Prince Elwin," said Master Elder Odary. "And thank you for coming." To keep his hands from twitching, Elwin held them behind his back. He tried to look like a prince and equal to the elders, but he feared that he was not succeeding. Elwin was barely keeping himself from shaking. The Elders had an aura of power about themselves, and no matter how many times Elwin stood before them, he always felt uneasy.

  "Will you be seated, Your Highness?"

  Elwin took another step forward. Resting his hands on the back of a chair, he said as coolly as he could, "I prefer to stand."

  Odary shrugged and took his seat. "I hope you do not mind if I sit. I am no longer a young man." Once Odary was sitting, the other elders also took their seats, leaving Elwin the only one still standing. Once settled in, Odary looked back up at Elwin. "No doubt," he went on, "you are wondering why we have invited you here this evening?"

  Despite feeling nevus and vulnerable before the Elders, Elwin also felt himself getting irritated. Odary always asked that, as if this time it might be something different. "To ask what you always ask," Elwin replied sharply. The anger in his voice surprised even himself. "To be your High King. And as I have told you I do not wish to be your king."

  Odary raised a bushy grey eyebrow. "Perhaps, but we need a High King all the same. And we did not want you to say you were not given the chance."

  Elwin felt his nerves rising and was unsure of himself. What was Odary was getting at? Elwin felt like he was walking into a trap, but could not see where the danger lay. Then he heard the soft murmur of Earth Magic, it was often there nowadays. Even here, where Earth Magic was weakening, it was always on the edge of Elwin’s mind. Elwin usually pushed it away fearing it would once again overpower him. This time Elwin did not push it away. The Girl said it will guide me. Well I can use some guidance now. Just try not to be scared of it this time. Resisting the sudden urge to push it away, he cautiously let it close to him. To his surprise, Elwin felt for the first time he was
in control of it, or at least able to maintain its balance so it did not overwhelm him. Then suddenly a truth revealed itself through the song of earth. He was once again being manipulated. He could see it now; feel it, the nervousness that he always felt before the council was yet another illusion. It was something they actually created to keep him off balance. Smiling inwardly, Elwin regained his confidence. Now that he could see, the illusion feel away. He then turned his eyes onto Odary, and spoke with new awareness and self-confidence. "And as I have said before, I came to see Leina. If you are waiting for me to name myself High King, then you are wasting your time and mine. I have no desire to become the High King. There is already one pretender to that title. I will not be something I am not. I will not claim to be the High King when I am not. As you know, the crown of Kambrya is lost. Until it is found, you can only have a false king like Jerran." Elwin took a deep breath. It felt good to not be tongue tied before them. "And I will never be like him."

  Odary nodded, trying not to look surprised at Elwin's sudden confidence. "You have told us as much before. Though now you seem more sure of your position. Has something happened?"

  "No.” he lied, “I am just growing tired of playing games." Elwin kept his anger in check, though it was getter harder to do so. The more he saw how he was being lied to and lead astray, the madder he became. Not this time! I may not like magic, but I will use it to see the truth.

  Odary nodded. "So, you do not wish the title of King of Kambrya? In that, I cannot blame you. Being the High King is a great responsibility, and one that should not be taken lightly or without a great amount of thought. None here would want you to do something you did not wish to do. It is not our way. And so perhaps you should not become the High King." With the soft murmur of Earth Magic within him, Elwin could feel the truth in his words. And yet he sensed he was still being lied to. These men were leading him to where they wanted him to go. The Earth Song seemed to be warning him, but Elwin could not tell what was truly happening or what the elders were trying to accomplish. "Then why have you asked me here?"

  "Time. It is something that we are running out of, but you have made yourself clear. You are free to go or to stay as you wish, and so are your friends. We will stop asking you to become the Champion of Light. In this valley, no one is forced to stay or to be something they do not freely choose."

  Again, Elwin sensed the truth in what the elder was saying. He may not be lying to me, but he has tricked me! Three months! "So, I can leave tomorrow?"

  "If you do not wish to be the High King, you can leave tonight, or you may stay. Freedom, Prince Elwin. That is what the Guardians of Light are all about."

  "And Leina? Is she free to leave as well?"

  "She is," stated Odary, "Though I doubt she will go. She has found a home here. And she has taken vows. She has surrendered her anger to the light. You could learn much from your sister."

  "Her vows. They are not binding!"

  "No, they are not," Odary agreed. "Here, we are bound only to ourselves and to our hearts. But please be seated, Your Highness. All I ask is that you hear me out. If you still choose to leave, you may go, and with our blessings."

  Reluctantly and suspiciously, Elwin sat down, but now at least he had the Earth Magic to guide him, or at least show him when he was being lied to. They're up to something. Stay angry!

  Odary smiled. "Thank you." Thinking, he scratched his head. "Now where to start?"

  Folding his hands on the table before him, Elwin stared at Odary. "How about with some answers?"

  Odary inclined his head.

  "Why do you need a High King?" asked Elwin. "The Guardians of Light have kept to themselves for centuries. Now you are reaching out. Why?"

  Odary sighed, "You are right. We have kept to ourselves. However, that time is coming to an end. A new age is upon us. But to answer your question, the world's needs and our needs have become the same. We both need a High King. I believe the Awakening is at hand. The Dark Overlord stirs and will soon break free of his prison. We must be ready. When that happens, only the Champion of Light can save us from the despair of the Dark One. One last time, darkness and light will face each other. Finally, Beli will be cast into a place where even he can never return."

  "I have heard others speak of the Awakening. What is it?"

  "It is the time when the god Tuatha will return and drive out the god of darkness. Tuatha awaits the coming of the High King. When that happens, the god will rise up and bless the new king with his light, and together they will make war on the forces of darkness. Elwin, you have been out there in the world. You have seen the dark days that are falling across the land. The Dark One is awake. He wants to be free. He must be destroyed once and for all, so a new world can be created... a world of light."

  Elwin realized the Earth Magic had it limits. It can tell me he believes what he is telling me, Elwin realized. But it does not reveal if it is actually true or not, only that Odary truly believes what he is telling me. "So, you think you need a High King to create your utopia. You want to make the world as you have remade the Karr al-Isma. It will not work. You know that, don't you?"

  Gelon's dark eyes narrowed. "What do you know of the Karr al-Isma?"

  "I know more than you might think," Elwin gave Gelon a cold stare and a colder smile. "I have been watching and learning. You have changed the nature of the woods. You have remade the land into a new type of order. In your world, all aggression has been removed and disease no longer exists. Here nothing kills or is killed. It is a place where a lion would more likely play with a rabbit than ever think of killing or eating it."

  Cerise nodded. "And is that wrong?" Her green eyes sparkled with intense interest.

  For a moment, Elwin shivered under her stare. Then he shook his head, trying not to let her cloud his mind. "In itself? No. But you created an illusion around your forest, and then turned that illusion into a reality. I believe that is how your magic works. You recreate reality. But your reality is flawed. Nature is resisting the change, and something else is happening too. You are losing control over it, and it is changing into something that you did not mean it to."

  Jael leaned forward. "How did you learn all this? Did the druid Faynn tell you this?"

  "Does it matter how I know?” How do I know this? Is it the Earth Magic? “Maybe it came to me in a dream,” he added with a shrug and a wry smile. “That is, when you aren’t guarding and watching my dreams."

  That got a few shocked stares, and a few angry mumbles. Elwin was almost enjoying his new-found knowledge.

  "So, you know about that," replied Odary with a concerned frown. "It was necessary to protect you. We were not in total agreement about that, but I thought it best to give you time to adjust to our world. I only wanted to protect you."

  "Like the way you protect your woods? No, thank you!"

  "You still have not said how you know about the Woods of the Mist," stated Jael still sitting forward in his chair. "I don't think you truly learned this in a dream. And as you said we have seen your dreams. So, who told you?"

  "It does not matter how I know. What is important is that it will not work."

  "It matters," said Jael. "Can you see or feel the changing reality, or are you repeating what you have heard? This is most interesting." The Guardian leaned forward. Of all the council members, he seemed more curious then offended.

  "Enough of this!" snapped Gelon. "He is from the shadow lands and is not one with the Light. He can't understand what we are trying to do here."

  "No," interrupted Jael. "This is too important! If he can tell us what is happening, we might be able to correct it."

  Gelon shook his head. "That is nearing blasphemy, Jael! Only He who is the Light can bring the land into harmony. And he,” Gelon pointed an agree finger at Elwin, "can know nothing of it! And besides, I still say there is nothing wrong with the woods."

  "You are wrong,” Elwin stated bluntly. He was surprised at how easily the words formed in his mouth, and how sure
of himself he felt. Even Cerise’s unsettling eyes no longer seemed to faze him. "There is something very much wrong. You are killing the woods, the animals, trees, and everything else. And in their deaths, something else is being born, and that thing is scaring you." How do I know that? It must be the Earth Song, but how?

  Gelon's dark eyes turned even darker. "Do not tempt me, young man. I have sworn off violence, but you tempt me with your lies and your sacrilege. You are nothing but a sniveling...”

  "Please!" Odary interrupted cutting off Gelon, with a sudden wave of his hand. "We are civilized here, let us act as such. And it is time for the prince to know the truth." His blue eyes turned to Elwin in wonder and a even a new found respect. "You amaze me, Prince Elwin. We do indeed create reality out of illusion. I suspect the druid must have told you, though I do not know how he even knew. That is something that must be looked into,” he mused before going on. “But for now, I will try to explain it to you. Our power, or 'gift' as we call it, comes from within us, which is a gift from the Light. First, we visualize a dream. From that dream, we can create an illusion. Then, with enough time, we turn the illusion into reality. And I must be honest with you. You are also right about what is happening in the Karr al-Isma." Gelon tensed, but Odary ignored him. "We have overstepped our abilities, and now we are no longer sure what is happening. But you must believe me that the woods can be put right. The dream can become a reality. With the Light, all things can be done. With the death of the Dark One, the world will be remade in the image of the Light. With the Power of the High King we will see where we made our mistake, and will correct it. Then the whole world can be remade in the true light."

  Elwin nodded. "So that is it. That is why you need a High King. To fix your mess. And to top it off, it is not really about bringing peace, but war. You want me to fight a war against the Dark One. You need me to do what you have not been able to do, or are unwilling to do. You want to bloody my hands so that you can keep yours clean."