Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  He chose a diamond with fewer settings, leaving the last to keep filling for the future gems he’d intended to create. He no sooner attached an inconspicuous thread of power to a single strand that he felt the entirety of the robe through the diamond. “Whoa!” he exclaimed and had to pull back for it was too sudden.

  Megdline grinned. “Now you understand the difference between ordinary clothing and a mage’s robe. Return to the diamond and place a ward which will return the robe to this form as its original setting.” Cage imagined it as a default setting. He then followed her instructions on how the robe will thread itself together automatically if ripped and demonstrated by using a blade of magic, a golden knife to slice through a sleeve. As soon as the lines were severed, the faintest trickle of magic came from a diamond and repaired the damage as soon as the knife passed through. “See how it works. So long as the fabric isn’t shredded it will repair itself. You can place wards on the robe which are protected from your specific magic quality since you did nearly all the work. It won’t blow apart like the last one when you broke the Arch Magister’s barrier. To do that will require a word spell that goes like this. Resist my power by…” He followed her words and layered another thirty spells on the diamond which would imbue the robe with protection from the wearer. She also instructed him on the automatic spells which alter the robe according to need or by word. His robe had four forms. The default, stealth which would form fit to his every curve and muscle, one which would mimic comfortable pants and lastly, should he need to ride, a seam would split between his legs and to either knee which would work well when riding Daku. The robe would also be spelled to return by a keyword or if left a half mile away would stop its connection to the gem. He asked how the robe could teleport to him, but she shook her head and said the lessons would come later.

  “Anything else we need to do?” She asked.

  “Yeah.” He gestured to himself. “This is too bright for my liking. I prefer to blend in, not stick out like a sore thumb.” She smiled at the imagery. “How is it we can dye this to a dark, forest green or brown. Those and black are my color.”

  “As you are already aware, Dimwit, there are spells preventing it from getting a stain. What makes you believe dye will work?” She laughed. “Just use a little alteration magic to change the pigment. Mine was just as white as yours. Do what you did to the candle wax when I taught you how to use the three principals.”

  “Should I do it through my diamond or directly to the cloth?” she said ‘Cloth.’ and he focused on the thread, willing it to change into the desired color. The brightness began to darken as his spell took effect. It began to turn a forest green while the sash took on a woodsy brown. He took five minutes to get the desired shades. Cage then conjured a mirror image of himself and smiled. “Nice, very nice.” He then said “Stealth mode!” and the looseness snapped to his body into a tight suit that didn’t make sound as he moved around. The covert function worked. “Pants mode!” the tightness slacked instantly and was comfortable for work clothes. “Default mode!” And then it slacked into the robe. He heard Megdline chuckle as he widened his legs and the seams appeared to reveal bare legs, ready to ride. “Glad to have chosen this first, Granny. Thanks.” He stood tall and let the mirror illusion fade. “Can we go get started on learning how to fly?”

  “Tomorrow morning when you’re recovered and well rested we’ll get on it.” She promised. “I’ll go see if the Third Council has reached a decision on your toothbrush proposition by now.”

  Cage opened the door to the open room to find Meeka giving Rin a hot cup of tea and a bowl of stew. “Get you apatite back, Brother?” He asked.

  Rin looked up, still obviously worn out. “Yes, Chief. I’m also feeling ready for a walk.”

  Meeka could barely keep her eyes off the robe he wore. Though simple and humble in appearance, it enhanced his good looks greatly. “Cage, you look amazing.”

  “Coming from you, that I believe.” He eyed her own naked beauty with admiration. “Where are the others?”

  “Daku flew everyone to the tribe. Seems one of the elders needed to speak to Brooke. Someone made a drum to signal for her and the huntresses to come. Brooke promised it wasn’t a warning or anything. She’ll be back in a few hours, before nightfall.” She walked over and ran her hand across the fabric. “Very nice. Feels like silk.”

  “Spider silk actually.” Megdline said in passing. “Remember, Cage, you will need to rest for tomorrow.”

  “Will do, Granny.” He returned.

  The sorceress left the building and could be seen heading to her own home.

  “Cage, may I make a request?” She asked with deep, soulful eyes. He nodded. “It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve seen my parents. Do you mind contacting them for me?”

  “Not a problem.” He turned to an open space and focused on locating Cillian. The sight mirror showed the large man sitting behind a desk writing alone in his mayoral office. Cage then used a secondary spell which was much more draining. A small black sphere hovered in the room as Cage grinned “CILLIAN!”

  Cillian jumped right out of his skin, knocking over a vial of ink. A spooked look filled his eyes before locating the sphere. The wild visage vanished as he found something to focus on while drawing his knife smoothly. “Leave this place, Demon!” He shouted back. Cage could no longer contain himself as he laughed loudly. Meeka couldn’t restrain herself either. Cillian’s fierceness lessened at the laughter and since the orb simply held still, he listened to the genuine mirth. “That laugh… Cage, you bastard!” The mayor then finally joined in, reflecting he would have likely have done the same if he’d been born with the gift for magic.

  “Forgive him, Father, he couldn’t help himself. You were looking rather bored.” She giggled softly.

  “Meeka, that you I hear?” Cillian asked.

  “Yes, Father.” She noticed how well her father looked in the image. “Cage is using magic so I can see and speak to you.”

  “But I cannot see you.” Cillian admitted.

  “The spell I’m using doesn’t work that way.” Cage said. “How is it in Kote?”

  Cillian eventually sat down and threw the ruined parchment away to say “It is going quite well actually. Harvests are bountiful. I was also wanting to know, Meeka, if you’re planning on joining us for the Fall Harvest?”

  “When is the celebration, Father?”

  “In four weeks. It would be good to have you come.”

  “That actually works well with my plans.” Cage admitted aloud. “It’ll be a good opportunity for my people to trade and for me to return your tools. They are still being used every day in preparation. So what is this celebration like?”

  “Meeka can explain. As for the tools, keep them. Vok, the local blacksmith in town, owed me a favor and gave me adequate replacements. What kinds of trades will the Utala be looking for and what will you be offering?”

  “We’ll be bringing food, trinkets and possibly selling boats for fishermen.” Cage held up a forestalling hand before either Rin or Meeka could object. It was all part of the plan he’d later explain. “What my people need most of is metal and fur, even raw leather. That’ll be cheaper than buying and my people have their own clothing methods. To clothe my tribe properly will decimate animal population on the island and I will not allow that to pass. This Fall Harvest will be a good opportunity to open trade between Kote and the Utala.”

  “We in Kote are more than willing to do just that. It will be interesting how our people will react to yours… But back to trading, I just returned from hunting myself and have some skins I was willing to sell to the tannery, The meat will be mine so don’t get any ideas. I’ll give the hides to you though if they need the leather so badly.”

  “My people will appreciate it. Whoever family gets the furs will see you are given fair trade.”

  “If you can trade me for a new, sturdy combat bow I’ll call it even. Bugs ate my last one and a yew bow doesn’t have the power to t
ake down larger game.”

  “Done!” Cage said. “I’ll make it myself. What is your pull weight.”

  “Hundred and thirty pounds ought to do.”

  “I’ll see what I can put together. Then we’ll be in Kote in a month’s time. Goodbye Cillian. This magic is difficult to maintain so we’re cutting it short.”

  “See you soon, Father!” Meeka replied.

  Cillian smiled. “Cannot wait. Will you finally sing for the celebration?”

  “No Promises!” Meeka laughed as did her father.

  Then the magic ended and Cage had to shake his head to fight the draining effects of holding the tiring spell for so long. A standard sight mirror without eavesdropping and sending sound long distances was much easier to sustain. Thankfully it wasn’t too bad of a recovery. “So tell me of this Fall Harvest and what we’ll be in for.”

  Meeka smiled and explained in great detail. Afterwards he and Rin went for that walk with fresh air and a comforting breeze to accompany them. Rin was still greatly weakened as it showed in his gait, but moving around after a week in bed seemed better than any medicine Meeka could create.

  Cage found himself in the process of making something special for dinner when he heard the heavy beat of wings before a slight tremor in Daku’s landing. He continued mixing diced peppers and okra in the bowl with tomatoes, chives and other things. “My Love, where is Cage?” He heard Brooke ask as she entered the house.

  “In here!” He shouted from the kitchen.

  She quickly entered and stopped, expecting to see him unclothed. She couldn’t help a slight gasp at the robe he wore that looked so befitting of him. The greens and brown truly made him look dashing. His feet and arms no longer looked so out of place when he wore such a robe. “So you have finished?”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Yep.” He then went back to preparing their meal. He heard others entering the house, no footfalls were added or missing from the past week. Heavy silence from the room full of adults didn’t slip pass his perception. “So what happened today when you were summoned to the beach?”

  Brooke entered the room with Meeka following right behind as Cage listened to the hushed tones of Zanza and Rin. The priestess sat on the freezer to say “One of the men crafted a new drum and used it to call for my presence and that of every warrior who heard.” The calm seriousness of her tone made him stop and look fully on her. Meeka stepped to his side, sensing the same thing. Brooke made sure to keep constant eye contact. “Daku was kind enough to fly us all to the tribe. When he landed and our children left to go play with the others, I was told what the reason truly was. And the summons should have been urgent, I fear.

  “Jada and her newborn daughter, the one you delivered, were out by themselves when the water was low. She found an area where the water was trapped in pools. Jada and the newborn were together, enjoying the time alone and bonding when” Daku then entered the room rater large and void of emotion, further adding to the seriousness of events. “she happened to look out over the water. Jada described the events to me, saying that as she and the baby were together, something caught her attention. It was out, beyond the reef. At first she held still, watching and waiting for a better view of the oddity. She eventually explained it was a person in shape, standing upon the water, just as you do.” His jaw clenched. “Jada knew better than to move, especially with the young one. She stayed still for a half hour, seeing the person standing still and seemingly doing nothing. Then the person vanished, she didn’t see where as a dip in the waves hid the person from her. When she felt it safe, Jada rushed to the tribe to explain this.”

  “There’s more isn’t there?” He asked while watching her pensiveness.

  Brooke nodded. “Just after they began signaling me by drum another child, one who wandered to the south and wasn’t there when Jada told her story, told the elders and his parents he had seen someone else on the water. He thought it was you and went to greet who he thought was the chief, but then the boy said the person disappeared in a flash of pink light. He returned to the tribe as fast as his legs could carry him.” Brooke finished.

  Cage immediately left the kitchen, not saying a word. He passed Daku, holding a forestalling hand for everyone to remain put. He quickly exited through the front door, crossed a stone bridge Megdline crafted over the dividing river and to her house. He knocked in the front door and didn’t wait long for Frill to open it with a swipe of a paw. “Get Granny and come over for supper. It’s almost time.”

  Frill’s golden eyes narrowed, realizing the unique phrasing and calculating look in Cage’s black eyes meant that an attack would be forthcoming soon. A gentle tap of wood on wood approached and Megdline overheard everything. The white knuckled grip on her staff being the only display of tension for the situation. “So what will you be making us tonight again?” Frill asked.

  “Gumbo. It might look to be a mess, but I swear you’ll enjoy it.” He chimed.

  Returning to the house with the sorceress and her Familiar, all eyes remained on him. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes everyone. Take a seat…” as soon as Megdline entered the room he commanded “Conference room.” and a surge of magic came from the house as it canceled all sound from passing the room with anyone present. It was a set of spells he made to be one of the house’s defenses, a secondary line should someone manage to break through the island’s barrier. He smiled “Relax everyone, the house is free to talk in now. Don’t be afraid, I’ve set up precautions for an event such as this. Granny, go ahead and explain while I finish dinner.”

  Megdline nodded and sat at the table, gesturing for others to do the same. When they did Frill jumped on the table and sat regally. “Tell me what transpired first.” Brooke retold events again. “Cage and I have come up with a way to do something they won’t see happening till it’s too late, but for it to be pulled off successfully… nothing must seem amiss. We will all continue as we have. I doubt they’ll attack tonight, if what you told me is true.” Brooke didn’t look convinced. “If we are to surprise their surprise, we must continue as we always have this week. Fight in the morning, teach letters, work. We cannot survive without everyone’s cooperation. The details will give you a headache, but Cage and I have taken every magical precaution we can.”

  “If we are safe from others listening, Megdline, where is the harm in explaining?” Meeka said, laying a hand on Brooke’s thigh to calm her.

  Cage entered the room with a huge, almost cauldron size wooden pot with steam rising out of the top. They all saw the strain of weight and strength it took to carry and set on the table with a loud thump. He sighed and had the kids all bring in the bowls, hot loaves of fresh bread and other cups and spoons. The things he knew he needed to procure was a few cows to make butter and cheese, goats if necessary. As the children helped, Cage said “I’ll try to explain as best I can. Since I’ve got a bounty now, they will be targeting me primarily. The only sure tactic to reach here is via magic and I’ve got a feel of how the mages of the empire see people. They won’t likely attack in the daylight or attack the tribe who are beneath them, in their views. The best option…” He sat down and outlined the situation along with the solutions and fall back options.

  The gumbo, as he expected wasn’t ideal at first because of the spiciness, but nobody said anything. As they ate more though, he could see the others quickly acquire a taste for the food. Water was drank in greater quantities for the meal, but the atmosphere began to abate as questions were answered by either word or demonstration.

  After the meal, Cage brought out a tray with little wooden sticks pointing out and to be used as a popsicle. He explained what it was made from, cherries and frozen water, but he wasn’t expecting Zanza to laugh and hold it out to say “It is a man’s lance!” before nearly consuming the entire treat. Her sisters laughed and began teasing Rin by showing their own sexual skills. He declined, saying he would not eat anything that resembles a man’s lance. Before he even finished the proclamation, Zanza put
hers in his mouth and gladly took the one her chief offered. Everyone had a laugh at the table. It really got funny when Meeka said that if it were Cage’s lance, Zanza would have choked to death. After the words set in, the female warrior nearly choked on the one she was enjoying before laughing, telling Meeka she’d probably be right.

  The little girls giggled immaturely while Sean and his friend instead did a quick challenge, using the popsicles as makeshift swords. Sean won before enjoying the treat, scoring a wet, red line across his friend’s throat.

  Cage made one for everyone, even Daku and Frill who licked theirs with great enjoyment. He primarily made it to take the burn of the peppers from their mouth.

  The last thing Cage remembered of the night before ending the conference was asking “Granny, any news on my toothbrush idea?”

  “Not yet. They haven’t reached an agreement at this time. They say.”

  No attacks came during the night, not that Cage expected much of one after figuring that the boy who caught the person’s attention knew they’d been spotted. Well rested and ready to go, Cage stepped out onto the balcony with another hot cup of tea. His eyes caught movement and a smile tugged on the corners of his lips. “Morning, Kiddo.”

  “Good morning, Dad.” Rena said in a cherry tone as her hair shot off in every direction with bed-head. “The trees are different.” She noticed as she sat down and gazed out at the scenery.

  “Sure is.” He responded. “Fall’s here and the leaves are changing color.”

  “On the plains, I liked when the trees were all golden.”

  “So do I. Did you sleep well?”

  Rena’s little brown eyes met her dad’s. “Not until my sisters eased my worry… Dad,” She hesitated. “I’m scared of these magic men.” Rena’s bottom lip quivered, something he’d never seen his daughter do. She wasn’t just scared, she was downright terrified she’d lose her family again.