by Jon Bender
“Your men are very loyal, and after what I saw you do, I know why.”
“They are good men,” Jaxom replied.
“They know the man they follow is worthy of loyalty. No matter what the future holds, you will always hold an honored place in Kelran,” he said, patting Jaxom’s shoulder.
The fighting continued for hours more in scattered skirmishes. With the outcome assured, the remainder of Jaxom’s original force started south to the town where Lexa had taken Adriana.
Chapter 26
He slept most of the way to the small town, carried on a litter by risen soldiers. Jaxom had insisted on flying and only let the matter go after hearing reports that Adriana was recovering. When Jaxom woke, he found Adriana was lying next to him. She looked far better than the last time he had seen her. Leaning in close, his kissed her lips gently. Her eyes opened at the touch, and she ran the back of her hand down the side of his face.
“I hear that you almost killed yourself,” she said.
“Who told you that?”
“Darian mentioned something about you jumping from a durgen in mid-air,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, but--”
“To get revenge on Tandis for what happened to me?” she interrupted.
“I was going to fall anyway,” he continued. “Tandis was about to get away.”
“I also heard that you attacked over five-hundred men alone.”
Jaxom thought back. He vaguely recalled flying into a large group of Tandis’s men. “I was not exactly alone. The Kelrans were nearby.”
She smiled at the half-truth before furrowing her brow. “I don’t want you to do anything like that again.”
Jaxom nodded, but did not know if he could keep the promise. He just hoped that he never had to face it again. “I’m starving,” he said, changing the subject.
The smile returned. “You should be. You haven’t eaten in six days.”
“six days?”
“Da’san said you were worse off than I was. After he healed you the first time, you needed to rest, but you refused. Then he was forced to do it again. The drain on your body was so great that you almost died during the trip. We had to feed you broth while you slept to help you recover.”
Jaxom sat up and instantly regretted it. He grabbed his head to stop the spinning. His body ached everywhere, and he was sure that his stomach had been replaced with a bottomless pit. Still, having Adriana lying next to him somehow made it better. And there was something else as well. He felt as if he had been cleansed of fear and doubt. The weight of his responsibilities did not feel quite as heavy after giving into such pure rage.
Standing was another adventure. Steadying himself, he looked back at her. “You could help me.”
“Da’san said you shouldn’t be out of bed,” she said, shrugging.
“Da’san has been saying a lot,” Jaxom said, refusing to stumble.
“How many times has he saved your life?” she asked, rhetorically, while climbing out of the bed. “He has earned the right to chastise your stubbornness.”
Jaxom grunted and grabbed a shirt from the back of a chair. Pulling it over his head, he felt a sharp pain where his left arm had broken. If he kept going like this, his body would fail him before he was forty. “Where is everyone now?”
“Warin, Lexa, and Darian are at the edge of town where they are keeping the durgen. Da’san is among the townspeople.”
“What about Lord Wilbrin and the men? How many are left?” he asked.
“Lord Wilbrin is with the men now. We have fifty-one soldiers left, and twelve riders and durgen,” she said quietly.
Jaxom placed a hand against the wall to support himself. Only half of the men he brought here were going home. He felt some of the weight return to his shoulders. “Tandis?”
“King Dillion scoured the area but hasn’t found his body. From what Warin said you did to him, we don’t think he survived.”
Jaxom was not so sure. The prince had matched him blow for blow. He was powerful, determined, and intelligent. Jaxom did not think the loss of one hand would stop him.
Raising his hand, he spoke into the whispering stone. “Corin, are you there?” When there was no response, he tried again. Still his brother did not answer. “Did anyone hear Corin trying to
speak to me while I slept?” he asked, turning to face her.
“Not Corin. Alimar tried to reach you, though, and Warin took the other ring to talk to him. He seemed very excited by whatever they discussed,” she replied. Something was wrong. Corin would have tried to contact him by now.
“I need to speak to Warin,” he said, sitting down to pull his boots on.
“Not until you have eaten. If something has happened to your brother, you collapsing from hunger and exhaustion won’t help him,” she said.
He was looking about for his sword when he remembered dropping it in the fight with Tandis. “Did you find my sword?”
“No. We looked, but there was no sign of it,” she said apologetically. Jaxom only nodded.
After finishing off two bowls of cold stew, Jaxom put on his thick jacket and donned the black cloak. He already felt stronger. He followed Adriana out to find Warin. They passed people going about their day. Some looked fearful and hurried their pace upon seeing him while many stopped to bow to him. After a few minutes of this odd behavior, he gave Adriana a quizzical look.
“Your fame is no longer limited to Ale’adaria. A royal messenger stopped here yesterday on horseback to announce that King Dillion has declared victory. All of Or’Keer’s forces in Kelran are either dead or taken captive. His declaration included a list of those who are to be considered heroes of Kelran. Your name was second, right after Enrick’s.”
Jaxom grimaced. Many of his men and thousands of Kelrans had given their lives to free this kingdom, not to secure for him yet another title.
“These people have been through a lot. They need to see that the future holds light and hope. King Dillion is giving them that hope by offering them heroes--men who will fight for a just cause,” she said.
Adriana led them to a stable. The lack of smell indicated it had not held horses in many months. Inside, Darian leaned against a post, watching Warin and Lexa repair a wing on one of the durgen. “Finally decided to get out of bed and lend a hand?” he said with a smile that quickly vanished when he saw Jaxom’s expression. “We won! There can’t possibly be another crisis already.”
“Corin didn’t answer my call through the whispering stone, and Adriana tells me that none of you spoke to him while I was sleeping,” Jaxom said.
“No, we haven’t,” Warin said, joining them with Lexa by his side.
“Does Alimar know anything?” Jaxom asked.
“We didn’t discuss it.”
“Do you think he’s dead?” Lexa asked.
Jaxom gave her a hard look, and the young woman shrank into herself a bit. “We are not going to assume anything. The last time I spoke to him, he was in Azuria to meet with King Alexar. Give me the ring.”
Warin handed it to Jaxom, who slipped it over his own finger. “Alimar, are you there?”
“I am glad to know that you are recovered.” Alimar’s voice came through the ring.
“Have you heard any word on Corin?” Jaxom asked, skipping the pleasantries.
“The last I knew, he was heading to Azuria.”
“He has not contacted me, and he is not answering,” Jaxom said.
There was a slight pause before Alimar responded. “Do you think something has happened to him?”
“I don’t know,” Jaxom said, feeling a sense of dread settle over him.
“There may be a way to find out if he still lives--a cast from a book I am studying,” Alimar said.
“What is this cast?” Jaxom asked.
“It will allow you to access the next plane. Once the doorway is open, you may search for him there. If he does not answer, you will know he lives,” Alimar replied. Everyone in the stables w
as stunned into silence.
Jaxom saw the look of hope in Adriana’s eyes. She might be able to speak to her father again. “Tell me how.”
After Alimar explained how to create the doorway, Da’san joined them. The forest was quiet. The still air over the snow-covered landscape created a surreal feeling. “Before we start, I ask that we keep what happens between us,” Jaxom said.
After everyone nodded agreement, Warin looked at Lexa. “You are never to try this on your own,” he said sternly. Lexa met her mentor’s eyes and nodded.
Jaxom raised his hand and drew on the energy of death around him. Forming it as Alimar had instructed, he cast the magic between two thick trees. As the power coalesced, a ball of blue and grey formed into a spinning mass. Just when he felt that he could no longer continue to feed it power, the ball collapsed on itself, tearing a long hole in the air. Blinding light poured through the seven-foot tall opening, reflecting off the snow and icicles that hung from low branches. Adriana gasped. It was beautiful.
After his eyes adjusted, Jaxom took a deep breath and called into the opening. “Corin, my brother, come to me.”
Holding his breath, he heard the thumping of his heart. After several minutes, he was ready to release the cast in relief when he felt a strong pull on the other end of his magic. The steady rhythm in his chest missed a beat. He saw the shape of a man hurtling towards him and could feel tears forming in his eyes as it got closer. Then something happened he had not expected. Another form in the shape of a woman joined the first. The two stopped at the threshold of the tear as the light surrounding them faded.
Before him stood a man and a woman he did not recognize, though they somehow felt familiar. The woman’s long black hair flowed around her shoulders as she beamed a beautiful smile at him. The man also had black hair and regarded Jaxom with what looked like pride. “I am looking for my brother, Corin Baldrin. Do you know him?”
“Corin is not among us,” the man said in a strong voice.
Jaxom almost laughed with relief. “Thank you for telling me. Why did you come when I called?”
“How could we not seize the chance to see the kind of man our son has become?” the woman said. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears
Jaxom stared at the two in shock for what seemed an eternity before he managed to speak. “What are your names?”
The man smiled. “I am Zarick Coldren, and this is your mother, Falicia.”
All his life, Jaxom had wondered what his true name was. Now, without warning, he was Jaxom Coldren. “What happened to you?”
“When you very young, we were forced to flee our home. The dark god discovered what we were and sent his worshipers to hunt us down. He wanted us to lead his forces as he expanded his power,” his mother said.
“Or’Keer killed you?”
“We ran for many months, but we knew he was catching up to us. We were forced to separate,” his father said.
His mother gave him a sorrowful look. “I took you and headed east. Before I found a safe place, the shadow men caught us. I left you to lead them away. I destroyed them all before I took my last breath, but I didn’t make it back to you.” As she finished speaking, tears spilled from her eyes. “I am so sorry. My only comfort as the years passed was that we never found you here. Tell me, have you had a good life? Have you found love?”
Jaxom reached out and took Adriana’s hand, guiding her to his side. “I have a good life. I was taken in by a nobleman who raised me as his own. This is Adriana Fielder; the woman I intend to marry. I love her very much.”
His parents looked at Adriana and smiled. “You are beautiful. I hope my son is treating you well,” his mother said.
“He is the best man I have ever met, and I am lucky he is mine. If you knew all the great things he has done and what he has accomplished, you would be very proud,” Adriana said.
“We have much to be proud of,” his father said, looking around at Jaxom’s friends.
“What happened to you?” Jaxom asked.
His father regarded him with sad eyes. “When your mother took you to the east, I took your sister and went south. I found a good family in Kilreth to take her in while I and others faced the dark god’s servants. We failed to stop the spread of his influence. Since then, his power has continued to grow.”
Jaxom stood silent for a moment in shock. He had a sister. “Is my sister… with you?”
“No, she is not here, but we know nothing else about her. You must find her,” his mother pleaded.
“There are things I must do first,” Jaxom said. The urge to leave at that moment, to look for her, was strong. First, he needed to find Corin. Knowing that he had a sister somewhere filled him with joy. He almost couldn’t contain it, but she had lived all her life without him and Corin may need him now. “What is her name?”
“Vaniece. She is your older sister. When you do find her, will you bring her to us?”
“I will.”
“We will leave you for now. I can see that your betrothed also wishes to speak to someone,” his mother said, smiling gently at Adriana. Jaxom nodded as tears welled in his eyes.
“Until then, be safe,” his father said with a look of pride.
“I love you,” his mother said as they drifted away. Their forms faded into shapes of bright light until they were gone completely.
Jaxom looked at Adriana and cast again into the doorway. “Call him,” he said softly, unsure of his own voice.
“Father… come to me,” she said.
There was an instant and powerful pull on his magic as the words left her lips. The form of a large man hurtled towards them so quickly that Jaxom thought for a moment he might pass right through the barrier. Then the shape slowed and the light surrounding it faded. Before him stood a large man with a broad chest and brown hair. Jaxom knew it was a horrible thought, but he was glad he was not about to meet Adriana’s imposing father in life.
“Hello, Papa. I have missed you,” Adriana said, smiling.
“I have missed you, my little flower,” he said, his hard face softening.
Jaxom looked from father to daughter with surprise. He would call Adriana many things, but
little flower was not among them. Adriana met his eyes and blushed.
“Please, Papa. I am not a little girl anymore,” she said stoically.
“You will always be my baby girl,” he said, letting out a deep rumbling laugh. “It does my heart good to know that you are well. I did not expect to see you again until it was your time.”
“You can thank Jaxom for that. He is the one who created the doorway. He is also the man I am going to marry,” she said.
Her father looked at Jaxom, and his brow furrowed. His frown grew deeper when he saw that they were holding hands. “You think yourself worthy of my daughter?”
“Papa…” Adriana objected, but her father ignored her, his eyes fixed on Jaxom.
“I will do everything I can to make her happy,” Jaxom said, squaring his shoulders. The man may be dead, but Jaxom still wanted his approval.
He continued to stare hard, but Jaxom refused to be the first to look away. “You had better,” the large man finally said.
“I wanted to see you one last time, to tell you that I love you. I didn’t get the chance before…” she said, her voice tightening as her words trailed off.
“I have always known that, little flower, as you know I love you. Now, enough weeping. My time has passed and you have many years ahead of you. I will not have you wasting it mourning me. I will leave you in his care,” he said, locking his eyes on Jaxom. “Goodbye, my little flower.”
“Good bye, Papa,” Adriana whispered.
Jaxom cast one last time, sealing the doorway and leaving them in the silence of the forest once more. After a long moment, Jaxom spoke. “We must return to Ale’adar.”
“That is a long way from here,” Adriana said, wiping tears from her eyes.
“And the trip will take us over a month,” Da’san
added.
“Lord Wilbrin will lead the men and risen while we take some of the remaining durgen,” Jaxom said.
“Lexa and I will stay with Lord Wilbrin. We can’t leave them to travel that distance without magical protection,” Warin said.
“Thank you,” Jaxom said, nodding to his friend. “Find Cribble on your way through Denra and tell him what is happening.
“Well, let’s get moving. I haven’t seen Danika or home in what seems like forever,” Darian said impatiently.
While his friends packed, Jaxom spoke to Alimar. He asked the other death mage to meet them in the city and bring Celia with him. With Corin gone, leadership of the kingdom would fall to her. Jaxom also asked Alimar to find him a suitable replacement sword from the vault. He felt naked without the constant weight of a weapon at his hip.
When everything was ready, the group of friends gathered in the road.
His emora waited nearby, next to Warin. “I am going to want it back when you reach Ale’adar,” he said to the other death mage.
“Maybe I will get one of my own,” Warin replied, glancing down at the cat.
“Don’t spend too much time looking for them. Head straight for the city. When you reach Denra, use the riders to find Cribble.”
“Don’t worry. I have had my fill of fighting for the time being,” he said, lifting his right hand.
Jaxom shook the boney limb and climbed into the saddle, pulling Da’san up behind him. Adriana did the same for Darian. Jaxom nodded to her, and they lifted into the air, heading east as fast as the durgen could fly.
Chapter 27
Alimar lowered the ring from his lips and left his chambers to find Celia. He genuinely hoped King Corin was not dead. The man had been far more supportive of restoring Terika and the Death Mage School than Alimar had expected, and it would be a great blow to his efforts to lose such an ally. The room from which Celia managed the city was not far. There, he found her sitting behind a desk, reading a paper she must have pulled from the stack in front of her.
