Diary of a Conjurer

by D. L. Gardner

  “To whose advantage?”

  Surely Amleth knew the answer to that question. Silvio only stared at him, his eyebrow raised.

  Amleth studied Silvio’s with great intensity. “You must know about this power also.”

  Silvio nodded.

  “Don’t keep me in the dark then, sir. Tell me!”

  Silvio looked north, toward the mountain, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

  “Deception Peak?” Amleth’s eyes had followed his.

  “I’m not sure where he is. I thought he’d just go home. But he’s young and foolish.”

  Amleth straightened his back. “Who? What are you talking about?”

  Silvio shook his head again, his hair rippling passed his shoulders. Gathering courage, the conjurer pierced Amleth with his scowl. “You know him. He says you know him.”

  Amleth exhaled an exasperated sigh. “Great wizard, don’t keep this a mystery. I need to get back to my troops. What are you trying to tell me? Who do I know?”

  Silvio straightened. “The one you sent out who had no business going out.”

  Silence. Amleth looked away toward the mountain and then back at Silvio. “Ivar?” he whispered. His face had turned red in a matter of seconds.

  No need to answer, Silvio didn’t even nod. Amleth stood and stepped away from Silvio, holding his head in his hands he looked to the sky; maybe to ask for help from the North Wind, Silvio wasn’t sure. Amleth had his back to him so Silvio couldn’t see his face, but his body said it all anyway.

  The conjurer went on. “He’s not in his right mind, either. Discovered some things about his past. Wasn’t easy for him. He’s got some things that don’t belong to him.”

  “What kind of things?” Amleth pivoted to face Silvio.

  “Important things.”

  “What does he have?” Amleth demanded.

  Silvio swallowed. “Well, I gave him something, and he stole the other.”

  “What?

  Silvio’s hands trembled. He sat up. His bones had straightened some since being under this magical light, but any kind of healing under the Dragon Shield wasn’t going to help him say what he had to say. “He’s got my magic.”

  Amleth stood motionless.

  “I gave it to him in the midst of angst. It was either give it to him or Hacatine. She had me a prisoner and I had to release it to someone before she took it. There was no other choice. Thought the boy would give it right back when I caught up to him again, but I never did.”

  “What kind of magic?”

  He peeked up at Amleth, who stood still as the giant firs in the forest. “Very specific if you find out how to use it. Willpower. You will think things into being.”

  Amleth’s eyes did not leave Silvio.

  The conjurer looked up again. He knew he had to continue. “The fool youth took someone else’s power after that.”

  “Whose? What kind of power?”

  Amleth’s not going to like it either, not one bit.

  “What does this other magic do?”

  “Sight. Hindsight you might say. You can look into the past with it.”

  Amleth’s hands went to his face and he fell on the bench next to Silvio. They let the silence speak. When Silvio thought the leader was ready to hear the res, he continued.

  “From all that’s been happening, I kind of figured who Ivar was. Not sure of all the details, but worried for him nonetheless. He’s not a bad boy, just confused. This magic doesn’t help anything, and it’s what Hacatine is looking for. That and something else.”

  Amleth wiped his face with his broad hands, and inhaled deeply. As if he knew what Silvio was talking about he spoke quietly, looking through the golden globe toward Deception Peak. “Is Ivar on the mountain?”

  “I was hoping he was here.” After a low groan from Amleth, Silvio continued. “Wanted you to know, though, the girl he took the sight from, she’s blind now.”

  “Girl?”

  “Well, a sorceress. She’s helpless out in the woods. Wanted to know if you’d let me bring her back here, maybe. Keep her safe.”

  Silvio wanted to kick himself. What an inane request to ask a village under siege by a sorceress queen. “Well, you know. I’ve done my part. I can’t leave her there, not like me to leave a helpless creature at the mercy of a wicked queen.” He stood.

  “Is she a friend, Silvio? Do you know that she’s a friend?”

  Silvio shrugged. “Says she’d lift a sword to Hacatine in mutiny is what she told me, for what it’s worth. She’d defend her friends, though, so I can’t rightly say. Can’t believe anyone anymore, though. Trust fate, I guess.”

  It took a while before Amleth even moved Silvio was out of solutions. Hopefully this young man will know what to do. Hopefully! Silvio chewed on his saliva.

  “If Ivar is on the mountain, and in the caves this is a very dangerous situation,” Amleth pushed his hair away from his face. “If he goes to the ice caves, and has willpower to do almost anything . . .” He looked at Silvio, his eyes begged for Silvio to give him reason not to believe what he was thinking.

  “Don’t know about any ice caves. But he has the willpower to do . . .” Silvio shrugged. What would he do? He supposed Amleth was thinking the same thing, and he couldn’t tell the man anything less catastrophic.

  Takes time to think, to process everything through. That’s what I like about the Kaemperns. They don’t rush.

  Finally, the young chief looked up and took in a long breath. “I’ll go with you to the sorceress. I have some questions to ask her before I can bring her here.”

  Passion

  Ivar felt much better now that he’d come to a decision. He stepped outside the cave and breathed deeply. Familiar smells of pine, mossy earth and frost, all the scents of home, refreshed him and cleared his head. He no longer felt the pressure of confusion. No. He had made up his mind.

  I started out on a Crossing to discover who I was. Now I know. And now,” Ivar picked up a rock and tossed it gently into the air, catching it with one hand as it fell. Smooth, round and black as the night-cold to the touch, the stone fit perfectly in his hand. He clenched his fist. Magic glowed in between his fingers as the stone drew from his body heat. “And now there are scores to settle. Tonight.”

  The stone traveled far when he heaved it. Out over the cliffs into the night sky, disappearing into the heavens, spinning and reflecting the gold of the Dragon Shield as it flew over Menek, over Hacatine’s ships and then far beyond Ivar’s vison, finding its place among the stars.

  “Tonight!”

  Ivar hiked along the ridge above the Kaempern forest until it met the trail to the Eastern Edge, and from there he began his descent. Finding his way was no problem. The glow from the Dragon Shield lit up the entire side of the mountain. Except for the shadows which fell across his path, the trail was easily navigated. Smoke tainted the air once he reached the foothills for forest fires burned across the valley, appearing as a flaming crown on the head of the city.

  Below, him the globe that protected the village would have, at one time, been pleasing to him. When a child, Ivar was awed by the magic of The Dragon Shield. He no longer felt that way. The newly discovered truths made the glow repulsive, reminding him of the arrow that Amleth had buried in his heart. Penetrating his flesh and racing through his body, it was this same golden illumination that had resurrected him from a death he deserved-restoring him to a life of no merit. A life he now abhorred. A life that destroyed the people he had come to love. Ivar hated that he would be tied to Daryl forever. The magic of the Dragon Shield bound him to the past. Not only was the shield to blame, but Amleth the archer was, as well.

  Dread stung for a second at the sight of Hacatine’s ships against the dark waters, but then his fear turned to rage. She doesn’t scare me anymore. What can she do that she hasn’t already done? Kill me? She’d be doing me a favor!

  Ivar stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, the constant lights of the ships reflections sh
immered the in the water. “Come on Hacatine. Where are you? I’d like to see you again! I have a present for you. Something you deserve!”

  The trail leveled near the city where the world around him was as bright as day. Voices interrupted his thoughts. Near the junction where the Menek trail meets Moor Cove, people congregated outside the shield’s protection. Curious, Ivar stopped to see if he recognized any of them. At that same moment, the people turned and looked at him. They stood as still as statues.

  His mouth curled into a grin. “Look who it is! Now comes our moment of truth! Who’s ready?” he whispered to himself, a sneer parting his lips.

  Ivar walked slowly and as he neared, his heart quickened when he saw a bow raised against him. The Dragon Shield light glowed on the face and on his thick red hair. Ivar stood tall, held up his chin, and stepped boldly into their view.

  “Amleth! You’ve found your target again.”

  He paused hoping the arrow would fly at him. He didn’t fear death. “What are you waiting for? Shoot!” Ivar said as he rested his tongue between the gap of his front teeth.

  The earth held its breath. Even Hacatine’s missiles had stop flying. All that was heard was the faint chorus of the Dragon Shield children singing inside the golden globe.

  “Why do you hesitate? You’ve shot me before. Why would tonight be any different?” Ivar asked.

  Amleth lowered his bow.

  “What?” Ivar jumped on a boulder beside the road, positioning himself above the company. He wanted to be close enough to see Amleth’s sea blue eyes that had so often commanded his respect. Now as he looked at the Kaempern chief, his insides fumed. “You weren’t hesitant to drive an arrow into me before. You weren’t afraid to shoot a child. Why are you hesitant now? Are you afraid I’ll die?”

  “I wish you no harm, Ivar,” Amleth answered.

  “No? Why not? A chief of your stature should be the first one on the field to defend his people.”

  There was a long silence before Amleth spoke. Ivar waited, curious as to how this brave leader would take the truth.

  “What are you saying, Ivar? There’s no need to defend the Kaemperns against you. You’re family. You know that.”

  “Am I?” Ivar jumped from the boulders and walked up to him. “If I’m one of you, then why did you hide my identity from me?”

  “What are you talking about? We hid nothing?’”

  “You knew who I was. Every other Kaempern alive knew who I was. The only one who didn’t know was me! Why not? Why was Daryl a big secret?”

  Amleth sighed, he opened his mouth, but no words came out.

  “Your plan is working, Amleth. Your torture is being carried out this very moment.”

  “That was not our plan. Why else would we forbid you to go through with this ceremony?” Amleth’s voice was gentle.

  Ivar spat on the ground by the leader’s feet. Amleth stepped back.

  “Did you really think you could conceal who I was, who I am? Didn’t it ever occur to you the past would catch up to me?”

  “You aren’t the same person, son. What you did is buried. You’re Ivar, not Daryl. You’ve been . . . forgiven.” Aren said.

  “Forgiven?” Ivar’s face heated, he spun around in rage. “Who forgave me? You? Aren?”

  “Yes. Among others.” Aren said.

  “Everyone in Kaempern forgives you,” Amleth added.

  “No, not everyone. How could you justify bringing me back to life as a Kaempern? What do you think I’d do when I found out what I did to our people? Or was Hacatine right? Is this my punishment?” Sweat dripped down his forehead and the energy ran rampant inside. He didn’t dare look at his burning hands and he hoped no one else would either. “You were either very stupid, or you planned all of this!”

  “What?” Aren tried to touch him but Ivar jumped away. “I was wrong about you. I thought you were a brave and an honest leader. I thought I wanted to be like you.”

  “We didn’t revive you to torture you,” Amleth said.

  Ivar sneered and looked around. Others were watching. Silvio leaned against a rock, his head bent low. “I see the old man found you. What’s your business here in these woods, Silvio? Looking for something?”

  Silvio cleared his throat. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you have something of mine. I was hoping I could get it back.”

  “It was a gift,” Ivar said. “And I’m using it.”

  Silvio and Amleth exchanged glances, and it angered Ivar. He wasn’t going to give the magic back. Not now, not after all the betrayal. “Life is tough for all of us. I’m sorry, old man, but I have need of your gift right now.”

  Behind Amleth a figure moved on the beach, drawing Ivar’s attention for a brief moment. Her silver hair danced in the night. Behind her marched an army of women warriors.

  Sliding his hand along his waist Ivar grabbed onto the cold object tucked in his belt.

  “Ivar,” Amleth began.

  “Don’t!” Ivar commanded, giving Amleth only half of his attention. He kept a keen eye on the witch queen behind the chief. “Don’t call me Ivar. That’s not my name.” His hands glowed, power so strong his palms tingled. His flesh shone green and yellow as his anger mounted. “It never was my name. Ivar was a lie. Ivar never was.”

  “Ivar was born the moment the shield embraced you.”

  “Don’t talk to me about being born!” Ivar clenched his teeth. He wouldn’t be able to control the wrath that stirred inside of him much longer.

  Silvio stood and in his crooked way, walked up to Ivar and reached out to touch him. Ivar jumped away. Both he and Silvio eyed the power that sparked from his hand. “Don’t touch me old man.”

  Silvio did not relent immediately, his bony fingers stayed outstretched toward him, the pathetic look on his face made Ivar sneer. “Don’t touch me,” he repeated.

  “You will regret this night,” the wizard said.

  “I hardly think so.”

  “Give Silvio his magic,” Amleth said.

  “No! I’m not going to be patronized, not tonight. You knew what I did. It was your job to administer justice?”

  “Justice? For a child? You were under duress.”

  “Duress?” Ivar spat on the ground. His body shook, his voice mounted like a tempest rolling over the sea. “King Ian gave knew what to do. You should have let me die!”

  “Ivar,” Silvio grabbed his arm and when he did a spurt of magic escaped Ivar. The power trickled into Silvio’s hand. Ivar yanked himself away.

  “We wanted to give you a chance at a life you never had.”

  “So you created a living lie. No wonder I was always different. I don’t belong with you. A murderer living a lie, that’s me. How is that a new chance, Amleth, fearless leader? After all I did to those people. All the pain I caused. After all the lives I took.” He meant to kill Amleth but he couldn’t bring himself to strike. “Why did you bring me back, Amleth? You should have let me die. You should have just let me die. Even the King wanted me dead. Why didn’t you?”

  “The children, the Dragon Shield, Ivar . . .”

  “The name’s Daryl, and curse your Dragon Shield.” Ivar pulled the dagger from his waist. His hands pulsated with the wizard’s power, light flashed from the blade.

  “Don’t, Ivar.” Silvio staggered toward the youth but Ivar stepped back.

  “Stay back, you old fool. There’s enough power in my hands to destroy everyone here, every last Kaempern, every speck of light in that horrid shield. I can destroy you all. All I need to do is will it.” He looked into Amleth’s eyes, and then turned to Silvio.

  “That’s right, Daryl. Pay them back.” The queen’s voice surprised them all when she strolled into view and stood next to Ivar. The power of her presence caused the men to step back. Both Amleth and Aren drew their bows. Ivar grasped his dagger tight. “Their intent is to torture you. It’s the only reason you’re still here,” she whispered into his ear.

  Ivar turned his focus to Hacatine. If there were a
nyone he hated more than the Kaemperns, it was her. He glared into her crystal eyes, her pale skin glowed in the moonlight. She winked at him as though they had some secret understanding, some evil alliance. His knuckles gripped the dagger’s hilt until the blood in his veins drained from them. Just as he would not relinquish Silvio’s magic, neither was he going to let Hacatine have the dagger. Not certain at this point what he wanted, he stepped backward away from the sorceress.

  He hadn’t seen the woman sitting on a boulder behind him in the shadows. He tripped on her feet. “Promise?” His voice trembled when he turned and saw her face. “What are you doing here?”

  “Where did you think I’d be, Ivar?” She reached into the air with one arm and bounced her cane on the ground as she rose.

  “It’s true then. You’re blind.”

  “I have no sight. It was taken from me.”

  “Hacatine was right?” Another spasm of guilt, another reason to despise himself. “I blinded you?” He pointed at Amleth. “You! Because of you!”

  Hacatine interjected his accusations with a laugh. “Yes, indeed that Kaempern chief is to blame for another one of your offenses, Daryl. I’m afraid the longer you live; the more transgressions you’ll commit. How many innocents are you going to hurt? And all because of the Kaemperns, because of this Amleth and their nasty Dragon Shield.” Hacatine moved closer. “Hand me the dagger. You obviously have no idea what to do with it, except to make matters worse.”

  Both Aren and Amleth drew their bows and aimed his arrow at the queen.

  “That’s not going to save you, mortals,” Hacatine said to them, tossing her hair. “Do you really think your silly little arrows are going to hurt me?”

  Ivar ignored Hacatine. What he had done to Promise wretched his heart. He fixed his eyes on her, shutting out the others. “My life is nothing but evil. I shouldn’t even be here. Everything I do is messed up.” So beautiful were her eyes, and yet so vacant of life.