Red Mage Ascending: Book 1 of Tournament of Mages

by Cleave Bourbon

  “Saw how?”

  “You probably won’t believe me.”

  “Try me.”

  “As I said, I have the sight. I can see into the possible future for a very limited time. The future changes so quickly.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Never the less, it’s true.” He slowly set the vial down on the floor before Hana. “It is important that I help you. I know of your journey and I know of whom you seek. It is in my best interest that you reach him as well as your own.”

  “Sorry, I want to believe you, I truly do, you have a nice face, but I have been through too much. I hope you will forgive me.” She released the blood and it flashed out without doing anything.

  “No forgiveness required,” Asleth said.

  “What did you do?” Hana said. She took the paring knife and stabbed at Asleth.

  He stepped aside with impressive speed. “I think you should stand right here while I cure Thessa.” He said. Hana found that she could not move or talk. Asleth took the vial from the floor and moved toward Thessa. Hana fought with all her being but she was stuck. Asleth gave the contents of the vial to Thessa orally. “There, that should do it.” He turned to Hana. “You can talk now.”

  “How are you doing this?” Hana said, while still stuck in place.

  “You’re not the only one with magic. Now, if I let you move, are you still bent on stabbing me, or am I safe?” He sat on a nearby log, which Hana had dragged into the cabin earlier, and took out a smoking pipe.

  Chapter 12 – Children of Blood

  “I’ll do more than just stab you!’ Hana promised. “If you hurt my friend.”

  Asleth lit his pipe somehow with his finger. “I’m not a healer, certainly not like you anyway, but from what I understand, when Thessa awakens, she will be fine.”

  “How do you know her name?”

  “I know she is called Thessa and you are called Hana. I told you, I am a seer. Well, a seer of sorts.”

  “Let me go, you oaf!”

  “You are even more stubborn than I foresaw. If I have to keep you still until Thessa awakens it will be a long night.”

  “Prepare to be disappointed.”

  “All right.” He leaned back even more.

  “You said it’s resurrection sickness and it happens when you turn a blood feeder back?”

  “Aye, I did say that.”

  “Then it has happened before. I thought it was a fluke.”

  “From what I understand it’s rare.”

  “Are you going to let me go or not?”

  Asleth leaned forward and took a puff on his pipe, “Allow me to try this another way. I don’t wish to stay up staring at you all night and I know you are stubborn enough to make me. I know you are the Red Mage, born to take part in the Tournament of Mages.”

  “So, I used blood magic, that isn’t that far of a leap.”

  “I am the Grey Mage, traditionally, your ally.”

  “You say that as if I know anything about the mages. I am afraid I am deficient in the ways of the tournament.”

  “I knew you were stubborn, but a liar too?”

  “It’s true. Why do you think I am seeking out…the one I am seeking.”

  “It’s all right. I know you are seeking the old Red Mage.”

  “Let me free. I promise I will not attack you.”

  Asleth seemed to go ashen for a moment. His face froze as if he were looking into the face of a ghost. After a moment his face regained color and he grinned. “All right then.”

  Hana felt the feeling return to her body and she stepped forward. “What was that all about?”

  “I had to look and make certain you were telling me the truth.”

  Hana huffed and went to Thessa. She put her hand on the girl’s forehead. Beads of sweat were forming on Thessa’s face. “Hmm, her fever has broken.”

  “See!” Asleth said triumphantly.

  “Don’t be so full of yourself. I gave her white willow bark tea earlier. It’s probably the reason for her fever subsiding.”

  “Or it could be the cure I brought.”

  “Gods you are irritating. You say you are supposed to be my ally in the tournament? What happens if it all comes down to just you and me? Won’t you have to fight me?”

  “Naturally.”

  “Well, how will that work?”

  “You really don’t know much about the tournament, do you?”

  “I didn’t lie.”

  “There are six mages. Our magic doesn’t work very well against each other, yours and mine. I am nearly immune to blood magic because I am mental.”

  “Yes, you certainly are.”

  “Cute, I mean my magic comes from my mind, part of my physical body, and so does yours.”

  “So what.”

  “So, I need blood to flow inside me to control my magic too.”

  “Ah, so if I stop your blood…”

  “It’s not that easy, I do have defenses, but essentially yes. So, don’t do that.” He squirmed uncomfortably. “Your magic is very closely tied to life so your natural enemy is the Black Mage, who is closely tied to death, you see.”

  “So which mage is your natural enemy?”

  Asleth hesitated. “I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you, it’s the White Mage.”

  “Why? What can the White Mage do?”

  “The White mage dances around and sings to cast spells.”

  Hana couldn’t contain herself. She burst out into laughter.

  “Hey, it’s serious.”

  Hana continued to laugh.

  “Our other ally is the Green Mage, by the way. Also, a mage closely tied to life and nature.”

  “And the Blue?”

  “The Blue Mage is elemental, lightning, fire, wind, and such. Basically, everything that can kill life.”

  “How?”

  “Well, lightning kills, fire burns, we need to breathe air!” Asleth said sarcastically. “The Blue Mage can make life for mages whose power is based on life very difficult.”

  “Come on, you don’t plan to fight these other mages willingly do you?”

  “Do you have a better idea? It appears the Black Mage is already trying to get to you.”

  “What do you know of that?” Hana almost spat the words.

  “Enough to know you need my help.”

  “No thanks. We have done just fine without you so far.”

  “Oh, you have, have you?”

  Hana watched Thessa for a moment. She slept peacefully. “If Thessa is cured as you say, that will go a long way towards me trusting you. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for you to help us get to the old Red Mage. But, be warned, if you try anything to the contrary, and Thessa is well, the gods help you fight us both off.”

  “I agree to your terms,” Asleth said, leaning back and taking another draw on his pipe.

  “So, what do you see happening next?”

  Asleth sighed, “I wondered when you would start on that. I said I was a seer of sorts. I don’t know everything and I can’t see everything. I am not a profit or a fortune teller.”

  Hana began to giggle.

  “What’s so humorous?”

  “The color thing is kind of dumb. The Black Mage is my greatest threat and the White Mage is your greatest threat.”

  “Yes, so?”

  “It should be clear it’s all black and white.” She burst out into laughter.

  “Funny,” Asleth said. “At least you still have your sense of humor.

  “I’m sorry, is that a grey area with you?” She rolled off the log.

  “You are not nearly as hilarious as you believe you are, you know.”

  “Ah, don’t be blue. When it comes to all this color nonsense, I’m still a bit…”

  “Don’t say it.”

  “Green!’

  A snicker from Thessa halted Hana’s play. She rushed to her friend.

  “You are so silly sometimes, Hana,” Thessa said weakly.

  “How are yo
u feeling?” Hana asked.

  “Better now. Did you heal me?”

  Hana glanced at Asleth, “We both did.”

  Thessa studied Asleth, “I thought I dreamed you.”

  Asleth grinned, “No, I’m real”

  “If I had the strength, I would stab you, but since I don’t, I guess I will let you pass.”

  Asleth frowned at Hana, “She isn’t supposed to be delirious.”

  “Oh, she’s not,” Hana assured him.

  “Reassuring.” He said. “I suppose I’m glad you are too weak then.”

  “Do you feel like you could eat?” Hana asked.

  Thessa smacked her lips. “I could use some water.”

  Asleth immediately rummaged for his canteen and presented it to Hana who opened it and sniffed its contents. Asleth took it from her with an exasperated smirk and took a sip. “It’s not poison!” He handed it back to her.

  Hana gave a sip of it to Thessa.

  Asleth placed his hand on top of Hana’s. She drew it away as if she had been bitten by a snake. “Shh!” Asleth said with a finger to his lips.

  “What? The rain has stopped.”

  “It isn’t that. I see something shambling through the woods outside.”

  “In your mind?”

  “Yes, the rain has moistened the dry leaves and twigs so they are moving over them silently.”

  “Who are they?”

  “Children!”

  “Children?”

  “And not friendly children either. What weapons do you have?”

  “Me?” Hana asked, “none really.”

  Asleth took out a dagger and flipped it so the hilt was facing Hana, “Here, take it.”

  “Hana?” Thessa said.

  “You’re too weak to fight, Thessa.”

  “Your blood, Hana,” Asleth said. “You can use it directly to help Thessa.

  “I can? How do you know?”

  “I saw it, just now. Since she’s healed, your blood can give her a burst of temporary strength.”

  Instinctively, Hana held the dagger’s point to the palm of her left hand. She looked at Thessa. The girl nodded.

  Hana nicked the palm of her hand with the blade, intending to give the resulting blood to Thessa. Instead, the blood flowed from her palm. It curled up into the air and snaked toward Thessa. The girl breathed it in, closing her eyes. When she opened them they had turned the color of blood.

  “They’re almost to the doorway.” Asleth cautioned.

  Thessa leaped from the bed with zeal, her hands curled into deadly claws.

  “Thessa, your hands?”

  Thessa turned to Hana and bared her inch long fangs and growled. Hana took a step back. Thessa jumped to the open wall of the cabin and disappeared into the soggy night.

  Asleth winked at Hana and followed behind Thessa. Hana gulped and took up the rear.

  When she exited the cabin, Hana saw the first of the children. At first, she couldn’t make out the face, but after a moment she recognized it was Thaxa, one of the Sephera children. Asleth was heading toward the girl full force with sword drawn. “No, wait!”

  Thaxa moved from his charge with blurring, impossible speed. She stood staring at Hana with a crooked smile.

  “Thaxa!”

  The girl barred fangs and hissed.

  “No!” Hana fell to her knees. “He has turned you into a blood feeder!”

  Thaxa braced to attack Hana when a terrifyingly fast Thessa appeared out of the night, full fangs bared at Thaxa’s neck. She ripped with furious ferocity. Thaxa screamed until her neck cracked and her head broke loose. The shock of it made Hana’s stomach churn and she looked away. Howls pierced the night revealing there were more blood feeders approaching. Hana sucked in the salty saliva signaling she was about to retch and got back to her feet. Anger replaced her heartache and she stumbled to the fallen Thaxa. “There’s no evil…” She braced herself to look at the pools of blood pouring from the girl’s fatal wound. “…like the evil that men do!” She raised her hands while clinching her fists. The pools of blood responded to her command. Tears flooded her eyes as she screamed, “You want blood! I’ll give you BLOOD!” From somewhere deep inside, Hana felt her own blood flow through her and burn like fire. First, there was a gurgling scream from her right and then another straight ahead. A chorus of screams followed from all around her. The clear tears obscuring her vision turned red. She wiped her face with her sleeve. A group of full grown blood feeders ran for her. They were burning from the inside out and did not make it to their target. They fell to the ground in burning heaps. Strangely, all Hana could think about was being thankful the ground was still wet.

  She took a relieved breath before terror suddenly gripped her heart, “Thessa!” She frantically ran blindly into the burning bodies, trying to get a look at their faces. “Thessa!” She saw Asleth standing to her left with his sword point down to the ground, he was panting from battle. “Where’s Thessa, have you seen Thessa?” Asleth shook his head sympathetically. The rain began to fall again.

  Chapter 13 – Tharen and Gwade

  Hana ran farther into the wet woods, the smell of burning flesh thick in the air. How many blood feeders had she destroyed in anger? She stopped looking at the burning dead and rested against a tree. “I’ve killed my friend.” She whispered before weeping. She slid down the rough bark of the tree. Noise from somewhere ahead got her attention. There came a moan and the dragging of feet. Hana pushed herself back up with the help of the tree.

  “Hana?” It was Thessa.

  Hana rushed to her friend, “Thessa, I thought I killed you.”

  “Your blood spell wore off as I was attacking one of them, you actually saved me. But, I feel weak like I did before.”

  Hana helped her friend walk, “Let’s get you back to the cabin. I should never have let you fight.”

  Asleth joined them as they hobbled along and picked up Thessa into his arms, “Here, let me carry her.”

  Back at the cabin, Asleth carefully placed Thessa back on her bed and covered her up with his own woolen blanket. Hana sat on the log and put her head in her hands. Asleth joined her there. A pervasive feeling of sadness hung in the air like a dense fog. Hana thought Asleth would try to comfort her or say something, at least, but he sat silent. The smell of burnt flesh wouldn’t subside and Hana wondered if the smell was within her nostrils or still floating pungent on the night air.

  She suddenly stood, “I can’t stand this.” She looked at Thessa, “If she were well, we would be leaving right now, tonight!”

  Asleth took a deep breath, “I can get us to the old Red Mage’s cabin. It isn’t far and I have been there before.”

  “How, carry her the whole way?”

  “No, I could use my magic. I can use mystic-door for short distances.”

  Hana stared at him with contempt, “What the hells is mystic-door?”

  “A portal. I can move the space between us and the cabin to instantly put us there.”

  “Fine, I’m ready.” Asleth didn’t move.

  “Well?”

  “It’s dangerous and I never did fully master it. If there is anything moved into the spot I remember to be clear, like a wagon, or a stack of wood, or something we can be killed. It’s like diving into water and landing on an unseen rock just below the surface, splat!” He made a gesture by clapping his hands together.

  Hana glanced back at Thessa and calmed down, “We had better not risk it if you say the old Red Mage’s cabin is fairly close.”

  “I suppose we should get used to calling him Gwade. He may take offense if we accidently call him the old Red Mage.”

  “Gwade, that’s an interesting name.”

  “You didn’t know it?” Asleth asked.

  “With everything happening around me at the time, if Ephaltus ever did tell me the Red Mage’s name I couldn’t recall it now.”

  “Why don’t you try to get some sleep. I will keep first watch.”

  “I can’t sleep
with that smell.”

  “I can do something about that if you would permit me.” he reached for Hana’s nose and she backed away at first. “It’s painless.” She let him hold his hands over her face. He closed his eyes and she felt a weird tingling sensation. She backed away in panic. “Just breath through your nose normally.” He said snatching her by the arm. “It’s natural when you can’t smell anymore to think you can’t breathe at first, you can, though.”

  Hana took a deep breath through her nose. “There is not a hint of smell.”

  “I tricked your mind into ignoring it. Remind me tomorrow to un-trick it. A sense of smell comes in pretty handy. You would be amazed at how much you use it.”

  “Why did it take my breath away, the spell I mean?”

  “It didn’t really. Your mind thought your nose was stopped up, like when you have a cold.”

  “Hmm, at least I might be able to get a few hours’ sleep now.” She said the words for Asleth’s benefit. She was haunted by the vision of Thaxa and her demise. She sighed when her eyes caught a glimpse of the sleeping Thessa. Any other person besides herself might be angry with the girl for what she did to Thaxa, but Hana knew it wasn’t her friend’s fault. She could blame Sarren for turning the girl, but it was she who made Thessa into what she had become. The fighter within Thessa was only doing what Hana wanted her to do.

  “You’re not going to get any sleep are you?”

  “Damn your sight!” Hana said.

  “You don’t have to be a seer to see that, Hana.”

  Morning came and Thessa awoke with renewed vigor. Hana packed up her things and Thessa gathered her own pack. The three of them left the cabin behind. Asleth was going to bury the bodies but they had completely burned up by morning. When they were sufficiently downwind from the cabin, Asleth remembered to restore Hana’s sense of smell. She breathed in the air to a myriad of smells she had taken advantage of before. The smell of the wet ground, the odor of each tree, the stench of Asleth.

  “When was the last time you bathed, Asleth?”

  Thessa giggled.

  “Find that funny do you, Thessa?” He said.

  She nodded.

  “For your information, Hana, your sense of smell is heightened because of the spell. I’m not that filthy.”