The Raging One

by Lexy Wolfe

  "No doubt about that," Taylin muttered. The three men looked sharply at her, then burst out laughing.

  Chapter 10

  Ash's expression hardened as he neared the table when Amelana jumped up, trying to put her arms around one of his as she purred adoringly. "Master Ash!"

  "Sit down, Journeyman." Pushing her off firmly, Ash sat between Amelana and Terrence. "There are things I must discuss with you both."

  The young man sat up straighter, looking at Ash in curious surprise. "Me, too, Master?" Ash flinched inwardly as the young man's surprise at being included only reminded him of how much he neglected him in favor of Amelana. He frowned slightly as he glanced back towards Almek, seeing the easy camaraderie between the Guardian, Vodani bard and the pair of gypsies. Looking away, he waved a hand to one of the servers to bring drinks for them. "You both have a decision to make."

  Amelana frowned delicately. "What sort of decision?" she asked suspiciously.

  "You must choose whether you wish to remain with me or request new masters. I would be willing to make recommendations if you wish the latter," he said in a slightly gentler tone to Terrence as the young man's face fell. "I have sworn Soul Oath to Dusvet Guardian Almek Two-Tones. When he leaves Forenta, I will be going with him. I cannot force you to leave Forenta." The man turned away from Terrence, unable to look at such a crestfallen expression.

  "What do you mean, you are leaving Forenta?!" Amelana shrieked, both Ash and Terrence flinching at the shrillness of her voice. Ash rolled his eyes, crossing his arms while he waited for her rant to run its course. "I do not want to leave Forenta! There is nothing those puerile little inferiors have that could possibly benefit me!"

  "I said," Ash stated in measured tones, voice cold, "I will be traveling where Master Almek goes and you are no longer bound to me, Amelana. Either of you. You are free to petition the Edai Tredecima to attach you to someone who can finish your training here in Forenta." He looked to the young man. "Terrence, you have a great deal of promise. I am sure Edai Magus Ellis would be delighted to have you as his apprentice."

  "Master Ash," Terrence said slowly. "Your offer is... it means a lot that you have so much faith in me. But," he flicked a glance at the still huffing Amelana and quickly away again. "Having you as my master means more to me than anything in the world. You always said the best way to learn is to test yourself against the world." As Ash's lips twitched into a faint smile, Terrence sat up straighter, brushing the strand of dirty blond hair from his light blue eyes, his confidence growing. "Well, if you are going out into the world to test yourself, I could do no less than follow your example. I would like to join you."

  Ash's lips curved a little more. "If it is what you want, I would be pleased to continue your education even as I am learning."

  "What?! You're going to take him with you? Not me?" Amelana asked caustically. Terrence flinched, eyes dropping at the woman's critical tones. "I am your best student! He is nothing but a lowborn—"

  "You are my senior student," Ash corrected, tones edged at her mention of 'lowborn.' "In magic, birthright means nothing without the skill or training to back it up. I have proven that myself, which is why you got yourself assigned to me. For the prestige of being the Illaini Magus's student." He narrowed his eyes. "Right now, you sound more like a prissy, spoiled brat instead of a disciplined mage student."

  The woman flushed at the implication but she gritted her teeth, forging on. "I gave up a great deal to become your student, Master Ash. They promised me—" She stopped as he raised his eyebrow at her. "You are honor bound to keep me until I have made master."

  "I was never honor bound beyond keeping you for a year. I kept you because you're a member of my master's family." Narrowing his eyes, Ash removed her hand from his wrist. "I have sworn Soul Oath to the Dusvet. That supersedes anything the Edai Tredecima demands of me."

  "Do not tell me you are not honor bound! Your word is your life! You taught me this. You gave your word! You said—"

  "There are traditions that the Edai Tredecima easily brushes aside depending on its whims, but it cannot brush aside Soul Oath." Ash narrowed his eyes on the woman. "Choose to follow me, or choose to stay. Marry into a house with station that suits you so you can play at those boorish social games you enjoy, if you tire of the work involved to become a master mage."

  Turning a deeper red, Amelana hissed, "You know I cannot, Master Ash."

  Ash waved a dismissive hand. "I do not really care what you do, Journeyman Amelana Avarian. But do not begin to think anything you, the Se'edai or any member of the Edai Tredecima says or does will alter anything."

  He looked to Terrence and said with a slightly less harsh tone, "Speak to Dessa about preparing for traveling. When Lord Almek is ready, we will be joining him." Purposely not making the same offer to Amelana, Ash rose from the table. "Go home to your families. Say your farewells if you choose to follow me." Looking at Amelana, he added, "Or stay there."

  Terrence rose hurriedly as well, but his reasons were less about following his master than escaping Amelana who stared at him hatefully.

  Chapter 11

  ITHESRA was a hopeless tangle of paths that followed bridges, wide branches, and walkways built out from the bodies of the massive tree trunks that spanned from the forest floor nearly to the tops of the leafy canopy. Sunlight shone through the trees, speckling everything in uneven patches of greenish gold.

  In the heart of Ithesra, structures clung to the sides of the great tree trunks like ribbons of step-mushroom, or were built atop or hung from the branches themselves. The younger, more agile people did not even bother with the safer steps, climbing the craggy bark or ropes. The movement of people gave the sturdy trees a more fluid quality of life to them.

  After some discussion, Almek agreed that he, his students and companions would join the Illaini Magus at his private home to discuss where their journey would lead them and how to prepare for it. They followed the wider low paths through the tree city until they finally reached the Illaini Magus’s home along the far northern border of Ithesra on the eastern side of the road between Ithesra and the mountain home of the Magus Academy.

  As the group descended the bridge to the forest floor, the newcomers looked up at the massive tree in awe. The main constructed part of his home was nestled in and around the ancient tree's massive roots. The clearing was lush with grass, and beds of flowering plants and herbs lined the roots, all well manicured.

  Emil whistled, summing up everyone's thoughts. "Th' whole thing be yers alone, Mage?" He squinted as he looked up, and up, and up, stumbling back into Emaris when he lost his balance. "Damn, man. How far up do it go?"

  Ash gave Emil a wintry look, ignoring his question. "The horses can be sheltered in my stable," he stated, indicating the building nestled against the tree opposite the entrance to his home. He waited with barely bridled patience while Mureln and his gypsy companions attended to the mounts. The aloof mage flicked a glance at Taylin who startled at the distant howls of lupine. "You need not fear. I have warded my home against predators. It is quite safe."

  Taylin blushed, lowering her eyes. "Thank you." Ash merely shrugged indifferently, turning towards the door stained a deep, blood red color. The healer hesitated to follow, glancing up towards Almek but meeting Mureln's gaze. The bard half smiled and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Blushing nearly as red as the door, she pulled away from the bard, quickly following the mage to put some distance between herself and the Vodani man.

  The lantern hanging by the door began to glow the soft blue-white of magelight when Ash raised his hand towards it, not even needing to speak words of magic to direct his will. The door opened with only the softest of squeals as Ash led them inside.

  The voluminous main room was decorated in rich greens, golds, and deep brown woods. The warmer golden light of many more candles and oil lamps softened the harsh blue-white glow of several more magelight lanterns to give the place a cozy feel.

  A delicate, fai
r-skinned woman dusting off a vase turned with a bright smile of welcome for Ash. Her welcome turned to panicked surprise when the rest of the motley group came in behind him. The vase she held slipped from her hands with a crash, pieces scattering across the floor. Clapping a hand over her mouth in dismay, the woman fled down the hall without a sound.

  Ash grimaced. "Dessa!"

  "Unused to guests, is she? Or unused to foreigners?" Mureln started to go over to pick up the pieces of vase, pausing only when Almek put a hand to his shoulder, shaking his head silently.

  Ash gritted his teeth. He mastered the desire to make a cutting insult in response after glancing towards Almek. "We grew up together. She is mute."

  "Be kind to the young woman." Almek's voice was calm and unruffled. Holding his hands towards the pieces of vase, he focused his attention. Eyes widened as everyone watched the pieces shiver then suddenly skitter backwards to rejoin as the Guardian reversed time around them to return the vase to its undamaged state. Bending to pick the vase up, Almek looked up with a strained smile. "It is obvious she is unused to any guests."

  Unsure what to say, Ash strode to the archway the woman had fled down. He called after her with strained patience. "Dessa! Come out here and meet my guests." Finally, Dessa timidly reemerged. Her light blue eyes were wide with fright and she trembled like a frightened child awaiting a beating.

  In a voice far gentler than any the others thought him capable of using, Ash soothed her. "Dessa, these are my guests." Each was introduced, their race specifically identified except for Almek, who was introduced as Dusvet Guardian alone. "I have given my Soul Oath to Master Almek, Dessa. He will be training me in the Guardian arts." Her expression was shocked as she gazed up at him. He merely nodded to the wordless question in her eyes, gently brushing a loosened tendril of white-blond hair behind her ear.

  The quiet moment was shattered when Taylin suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, Zeridis!" Dessa hid behind Ash when the healer took a step towards her with an outstretched hand. Oblivious to Ash's dark scowl or Almek's disapproving look, the Sevmanan woman's attention was solely fixed on Dessa. "Your throat! What happened? Who did that to you?"

  Dessa looked away in shame as she raised her hand to cover the dreadful scar that marred her throat. Ash flushed at Taylin's question, his demeanor brusque. "Some foreigner caravan guards. They tried to kill her after they raped her." The pain of failure edged the hate in his voice. Dessa looked up at him sadly, putting a comforting hand on his arm. He covered her hand absently. "I was able to save her life, but not her voice."

  Without any judgment for either, Taylin held her hand out towards Dessa. "Please. I am a healer. Let me help."

  Ash studied Taylin with intense azure eyes. Putting a reassuring arm around Dessa, he murmured to her in Forentan. Under the watchful, curious gazes of the others, the healer placed her hands over the disfiguring old scar.

  Dessa inhaled sharply, stiffening as the pale white glow around Taylin's hands shifted to a bright, intense blue. Both women were motionless for several minutes. Then abruptly, the connection was broken and the two staggered back from each other. Ash caught Dessa, keeping her on her feet. Mureln jumped to Taylin's side immediately to give her support. The healer clung to him instinctively.

  Dessa looked up at Ash, swallowing several times, tears streaking her cheeks. Her throat was smooth, no longer marred by the ugly purple gash that had stolen her voice. Her lips moved, and then said brokenly, "A-Ash?"

  The mage looked up at Taylin in shock, then down at Dessa. "Shhh. Don't speak yet," he instructed, gently laying a hand along her neck. "The mending is still tender. There will be time enough to speak. You should rest." Guiding her through the archway towards her room, he looked over his shoulder at Taylin with an unreadable expression.

  Taylin choked back a sob, visibly shaken and drained from the healing. Mureln tightened his arm around the Sevmanan woman, frowning in concern. "Master Taylin, are you okay?"

  The woman shook her head in tiny movements, trying to reclaim her calm, controlled self-assurance. "Wrong." She repeated the word in a harsh whisper. "The man... the man wh-who hurt her. Something... n-not right..." Pushing away from Mureln, she staggered two steps towards Almek. "It was not human... not gone..." She managed to take two steps before her eyes rolled back and she collapsed. Mureln barely kept her from striking the corner of a table with her head as he caught her.

  Almek knelt by the woman as Mureln cradled her. He touched her temple, closing his eyes. Deep concern lined the old man's face, as if he could will his student to recover faster. When Ash returned without Dessa, Almek stated, "She needs rest to recover her strength. I do not know what she saw. Hopefully she will be able to explain her warning."

  Remaining apart from the rest, Ash watched them all in silence, arms crossed. Looking at the unconscious woman as Emaris approached to lift her as easily as any of the others might carry a small child, he frowned, pressing his lips together tightly. "I did not realize Sevmana was capable of channeling so much of the magic energies," he stated tonelessly in oblique compliment.

  "Maybe if Forenta would stop being so narrow-minded and look beyond its borders, Forenta might see others are not as inferior as they would like to believe." The insult behind Mureln's bitterly sweet tones was not lost on the mage.

  "Other Forenten are inferior to me," Ash stated, a dangerous edge in his voice. "Just as other races are inferior to Forenten, Vodani." Emil sidled up to Mureln's side, hand resting on the dagger hilt on his hip as the Forentan and Vodani men glared at each other.

  "Enough!" Almek snapped at the two. "There will be no more of this!" The old man looked over his shoulder, nodding to Emaris to lay the unconscious woman on the couch. "It was not just the healing that weakened Taylin. She is still new to the manipulation of time energies."

  Fixing a hard look on Ash, he stated, "To heal your Dessa, she risked herself by reaching too far with the temporal energies she has only ever barely touched. You of all people should understand the risks." Though the two younger men did not stop glaring at each other, the tension of an imminent fight subsided. "Taylin is the only healer known who can heal such old wounds. Or wounds caused by whatever attacked the girl in the first place."

  Ash finally looked away from Mureln, the hint of uncertainty deepening his scowl. "It was a thrice-cursed Vodani-Sevmanan halfbreed who slashed her throat. I killed him myself."

  Almek turned to fix Ash with eyes that had changed from pale grey to the darkness of storm clouds, the weight of five hundred years in their depths. Ash looked away. "What you killed was not human. Or at least, not entirely. That much Taylin was able to tell me." Almek looked to the bard and his companions. "Mureln, watch over Taylin." To Ash, he stated flatly, "You and I need to speak. Now."

  Chapter 12

  THE Illaini Magus's private study seemed cramped with all of the shelves and racks of books and scrolls, despite being nearly as large as the main room in Traveler's Hollow. Deep red cushions lined the heavy furniture; the magelight lamp that lit as soon as Ash entered barely gave sufficient light to see by from beyond the very large chair behind the desk.

  Almek crossed his arms, studying Ash as the mage closed the door to the room. "I realize you have become accustomed to being accorded a certain level of respect for your skills and your power." Almek paused a heartbeat. "Or demanding respect. You have no doubt earned it if the Knowing One chose you to serve Her. But I will not tolerate further disrespect from you towards my other students. Regardless of your achievements, as my students, you are all equals."

  The mage gritted his teeth, unable to meet Almek's disapproving gaze. "The healer has impressed me," Ash allowed, tucking his hands into his sleeves as he spoke with cool formality. "The others—"

  "You misunderstand me." Almek returned a similar level of cool formality. "It does not matter who impressed you or how they impressed you. They are my students, as are you. And," he emphasized, "you have sworn your Soul Oath to me. Do not think I am unaware
of what that means." Ash flinched, pressing his lips together and lowering his eyes fractionally, mute. "Yes, you are probably the most powerful among my students. It does not make you better than them. It makes you responsible for protecting them, just as you have been protecting Dessa all your life."

  Ash looked up sharply. "What?"

  Walking over to the small window, Almek pulled the curtain open, letting a soft breeze blow into the room. After a long moment of silence as he scryed the wind, he spoke, words soft and thoughtful. "You and Dessa were young when she was attacked. Not even an acknowledged adept yet because as children without families, they considered you inferior to those with better pedigrees. Your education in the Arts would have been minimal at best if not for your Master Bennu who had taken you and Dessa into his house as fosterlings."

  "How can you kn—?" Ash eyes widened as the old man laid bare his soul without any apparent effort. He fell silent when Almek raised his hand to quiet him.

  "Your attackers made you watch what they did to her," Almek continued. "And none of your own people would come to your pleas for help. The largest of the attackers mocked you as weak. He mocked your helplessness. Then made you watch when he cut her throat. That was when you instinctively called on the magic of your people, called on the trees themselves to kill them." Almek turned from the window, giving Ash a sad, sympathetic look. "And you mended Dessa's throat as best you could, though you had no training. You had only raw instinct and a passion to protect others.

  "You have worked with an unparalleled determination to never again be seen as weak. Or helpless." Tilting his head to one side, he added, "Or inferior." Ash looked away from Almek's clear eyes. "They would never have permitted you to become a Guardian because they could not see past the circumstances of your birth. Assumed that you could do nothing but fail, thus make Forenta look inferior, and they would not allow that risk." Approaching Ash, he put a fatherly hand on his shoulder. "How are you any different than those you disdain?"