by Aaron Thomas
Joahna laughed, “While in your head, it is all we have to do. If you can do this, we will be of great help to you in many ways.”
“Lets try it,” Kilen said, giving in. “Only, let’s try it with Max. He’s more experienced with earth magic and being one of my elementals.”
Joahna replied, “Very well. It does not matter which only that we try.”
Kilen laid down and dug his fingers into the ground, feeling the soft, now warm dirt. He focused the earth into a packed lump, raising it above the surface of the ground. Slowly, he formed it into a figure of a tiny man, a faceless and featureless tiny man of dirt. Kilen then thought of Twilix and the first time he summoned an earth elemental. He was defying her orders by doing it without an instructor present. He regretted letting the voices in his head push on his emotions that day.
Twilix’s words echoed in his head; push your consciousness into the form. Look through its eyes. The familiar snap of a consciousness exiting his mind resounded in his brain, and he once again felt the familiar loss of a voice. Kilen opened his eyes to see that Max had taken over the tiny form and began to change it to reflect his former living body.
“It worked!” Joahna exclaimed. The tiny man grew to a full sized man with moss coverings as clothes, stones as teeth, and colored rocks as eyes. The two elemental brothers embraced each other in their elemental forms.
Max turned to Kilen, “Thank you.”
Kilen picked himself off the ground and resumed his seat on the fallen log. Max moved to Kilen and placed an rocky hand on his shoulder. He was bolstered by energy and felt his sore muscles heal and become painless as Joahna touched the other. The two elementals then sat still looking at one another as if a lifelong dream had been achieved.
Kilen spoke to break the silence, “I won't say that I will miss you inside my head.”
Max laughed, “I won’t say that I will miss the uncontrollable urge to stretch my muscles, or the constant confusion of my emotions mixed with yours.”
They all laughed.
Joahna brought the small victory to a halt with a serious tone, “Let us get on with discussing the matter at hand. Kilen, would you please voice any concerns that Jace has? His opinions matter very much to us. The way I see it we face two problems. One, how do we get into the Elder Wizards town? Two, what do we say to them once we are inside?”
Max spoke first, “Correct. Getting inside will be the easier part, but we both know that both will be far past difficult. We have to go in prepared. We should test the area inside the fog to see what kind of problems come up and how it might affect our use of magic. Then, we proceed with caution. When we find the first acknowledgement of the people inside, we let them know our purpose. We let them know we come in peace as an emissary from King Atmos. Hopefully, when we do that, they will not kill you, or us...again.”
“We can go in violently or peacefully. Which would you prefer, Kilen?”
It took no time at all for Kilen to respond to Joahna’s question.
“Peaceful, but it would be nice to know if something is waiting to harm me on the other side of the fog.”
Jace echoed in his head, “Always be prepared for an attack. You at least learned one thing from me.”
Kilen made a small chuckle at his statement, the others looked at him quizzingly.
“Jace made a comment, it is nothing pertaining to this conversation.” They still looked at him, so he continued to talk. “Okay, so how can we prepare for what is inside?”
Joahna, always a leader, spoke without waiting for input from Max. “I will test the fog a little more tomorrow while you practice the sword and magic with Max. When you are ready, we will carefully make our way into the forest until we stumble upon their camp, or they confront us.”
Max nodded his agreement, and Jace spoke in unison inside Kilen’s mind.
Jace agrees and so do I. Now, how by the brights sword, are we supposed to convince them to join King Atmos in battle?”
Joahna reached up and scratched his chin as if it helped, “That is a hard question. I think there are too many roads of diplomacy they could go down. I am not even sure the king’s former advisor, the great Calvin Parker, could convince them.
Jace spoke for a while directly to Kilen and ended with “Tell them what I said.”
Kilen repeated the words Jace spoke as best he could, “Jace says the he was trained in diplomacy and has spoken to a couple traveling Elder Wizards in the past. He has spoken to kings, queens, nobles, and the like. Over time he has negotiated treaties, merchant exchanges, and troops for war. He says if we can get inside, he will be in the best place he could be to arrange the agreement. Jace will tell me what to say and how to say it.”
Max stood, “Wow, thats a much better plan than I had. I was going to say go in swinging, but that will work also.” Joahna and Kilen both looked at him and shook their heads. “What? If you’re going to die, you might as well go down in a blaze of glory. After all, it's how I died the first time.”
They all laughed at the remembrance of Max’s death, ironically thinking of it as his first.
**********
From the trees above the small camp, Alexander watched as Kilen and two elementals talked amongst themselves. He found no one else close enough to summon elementals and keep them this close to Kilen. This meant the elementals were most likely Kilen’s. Which was a ridiculous thought because Kilen was talking to them like they were people. Not to mention all three were moving differently at the same time. The effort of holding an elemental would take its toll on any human body but here he sat, just outside the grounds of the Elder Wizards chatting, with his elementals. If the boy could control two elementals at once, he would exhaust himself way before he was able to attempt entrance into the Elder Wizards presence.
He watched as each moved independently, in awe of the the control the boy had. How each one spoke in a different voice and looked differently as well. The amount of control it would have taken for each would probably rip a person's consciousness in two if held for any amount of time, yet here he sat.
The conversations were not exactly deep, but each statement made perfect sense and not a word was slurred or misspoken. Alexander noticed the two elementals had a Fire Realm accent, which was peculiar even to a crazy wind wizard. Alexander couldn’t hear all of what was being spoken, but what he could hear was about the Elder Wizards, diplomacy, and Jace, rest his soul. When he felt as if he had heard enough he dropped from his perched position from high in the trees. He landed beside the fire without so much as a sound. The three stood almost in unison, but the earth elemental was the only one to draw a sword. Kilen and the elementals all stopped when they saw it was Alexander.
The wind wizard squatted to warm his hands by the fire.
**********
Kilen knew he had been found out. His secret of being able to summon two elementals was ruined by Alexander’s presence. Alexander rubbed his hands together as if he needed warming. He said nothing for the longest time and ignored the presence of the two elementals. Jace was screaming unpleasantries in Kilen’s mind.
Finally, Kilen’s Wizard spoke, “talking to the voices in your head again?”
Kilen didn't know how to answer, did the wizard already know something?
“Don’t say a word until he reveals what he knows about you. He is trying to get you to incriminate yourself, don't let him.” Jace was a knot of concentration in the back of Kilen’s mind. Kilen did exactly as Jace wanted and hoped the other two didn’t say anything.
“You know if you continue to talk to yourself, you will begin to look crazy.” Alexander turned his head slowly to look Kilen in the eye. “Tell me boy, how are you doing this?”
Kilen didn’t answer but stood staring into his eyes.
“Not talking, eh? Fine. I have been watching from above and overheard some of your conversation. Perhaps when I am done telling you what I know, you will tell me more of what is going on here,” Alexander sat down on a log next
to Joahna.
The wind picked up a bit to make the coals glow and ruffled the flames in the fire. “Inside that fog you will lose the ability to use any elements except the ones you take in with you, such as your elementals. They will only be able to use what they are in control of when they form their bodies. The Elder Wizards rotate the defenses in the fog and other defenses. I would wait until one of those times when you see the defenses drop, to make your way inside. Be careful, once you do go inside, they will protect their secrets with no remorse. I will tell you there is only one way into their town, no matter what kind of wizard or wielder you are. It is a secret that once you are inside, you must never tell another soul.”
Kilen’s tongue loosened, “So you cannot tell me, but you know how to get inside.”
Alexander nodded his head.
“Can you give me a hint, or a guess?”
“Hint, yes. Guess, no. Here is your hint: Without knowing what she does, your mother has taught you to rise above. To see the elders and request what you seek, your manners must not be bleak.”
Kilen took a long while ponder over the riddle Alexander had put before him, until Alexander spoke again. “I have given you all I can give you over the matter, Kilen. Now, we must discuss how you are doing this. I want you to know that I have seen others that can do this but for only short periods of time, and none so young or inexperienced as you. Controlling two elementals at once takes a toll on the wielder so much that it can kill them in short order.”
“Mind your words Kilen, he is fishing for understanding. I fear he is trying to draw you into hanging yourself.” Jace was a wairy knot.
“Did they ever speak to their elementals?” Kilen asked reluctantly.
Alexander’s answer was short and stern, “No.”
Kilen proceeded cautiously, “I have found it easier when I summon an elemental, to completely give over a part of my mind and keep none of it for myself. Twilix told me to give over my mind, but I do not know if I did it right. A part stayed in my body, and another inside the elemental. I have just tried it for the first time with more than one and found I can do it not only once, but twice.” He wasn’t really lying. He really did give over what was a part of his mind.
Alexander’s answer was low and in a harsh voice, one that Kilen had not heard from him before. “Do not lie to me, Kilen. I have been a wizard a long time and I know things others do not. If you do not want to tell your wizard the truth, then your wizard cannot trust you. Would you like to try again? How is this possible?”
Kilen didn’t answer, he did not know what to do. He would sound as if he lost his mind if he told the wizard he actually heard voices and allowed those voices to control his elementals. If a wizard could understand hearing voices, it would be Alexander, but letting them control his elementals would just sound like another lie. He kept his silence. Eventually Alexander stood and turned his back to the three. He walked to the edge of the camp.
“I am disappointed Kilen. You made an oath to me, your wizard. How are we to trust one another? If you cannot trust me with your secrets, then I cannot trust you with mine. I must leave and get back to the tasks King Atmos has assigned me. I have already risked my neck to be here against his orders. Good luck with the Elder Wizards, they will demand answers for the abilities you have presented here tonight. Kilen, be careful. They watch you now.”
Alexander disappeared into the sky as he always did; with a gust of wind from behind to knock anyone down that was not expecting it. Kilen was left to shame himself for lying.
Chapter 3 - Training Dilemma
Getting to the front of the marching formation was not as difficult as Bowie had thought it would be. Thousands of Soldiers were still packing their tents while superiors were making sure none had deserted during the night. Breakfast was still being cooked, which Bowie was please to see. He snatched a couple pieces of bread while marching through the camp from a group of drowsing soldiers. Commanders and leaders pushed back tent flaps to see if any others needed to be roused. Bowie made his way past the forward guards, who were still strapping armor to packs. He was just in time to see the scouts disappearing into the forest.
Bowie checked over Charger, who despite the long walk through the night, seemed anxious to run. Before long, Tyler came riding up in a cart next to Auburn, followed by another Black Hat driving a wagon with a roof and doors covered in plants and flowers of every sort. Tyler was one of the recruits he really trusted. Not only because he was from the Water Realm, but because he had helped train the other recruits.
The cart looked like someone's traveling home, and he instantly knew it must have been Ria’s. The two women found a way to stay close to one another. Despite his efforts to separate the two, he had failed in his first attempt.
“Tyler, report.” Bowie called out.
“Master Cresent, we are putting as much of the soldiers’ equipment as we can into the carts to lighten their loads. Wizard Ria even spared some space for tents on her roof. The other two carts will be along shortly, once they are finished being packed. What are your orders, Master Crescent?” Tyler asked.
“Ride this wagon a ways up the road and wait for the others to join, don't let the front guard to get in ahead of you.”
Tyler nodded and Bowie mounted Charger.
“My lady Auburn, I thank you for the use of your cart,” Bowie said.
The red haired girl fired back, “Not like I had a choice in the matter.”
Bowie removed the hat from his head and scratched his scalp in frustration. He had only met the girl an hour ago and she had already gotten on his nerves. He replaced the hat on his head and looked back at the girl, who was staring at him, waiting for a response. Bowie did not intend to let her dictate the terms of their every conversation, so he stared back in silence.
“I guess it’s not your fault the King is snatching up every able body in local towns for his ego-driven whims. Next, I suppose he will snatch up all the local bar wenches and throw a party like no one has ever seen before...” Auburn said.
She seemed to remember that she was talking to Bowie and stopped the rant, clearing her throat. “I do suppose I owe you an apology for my mood. My father taught me to make arrows, bow strings, and recently allowed me to help him construct bows. I am to support this army by doing those things, so I am in your service.”
Bowie smiled and tipped his hat, “Well perhaps there's hope for you after all. Miss Auburn, I will need a lot of help in the next few weeks. Perhaps if you can handle keeping your dislike of the King in check, I will allow you to oversee the production of the armies archery supplies.”
“You mean be in charge of making all the arrows, strings, and bows?” She said at almost a whisper.
Bowie started in again, riding Charger beside Tyler and Auburn’s cart, “Listen, I have a whole troop of archers to keep in check. I need someone who already knows the business so I don't have to train them. You know how to make all the things we need, so I will organize the hunts, food, training, and dealing with the King. I need you to make as many supplies for the battles ahead as you can. I will be counting on you to organize all the fletchers.”
Auburn smiled, “So you want me to order your soldiers around and complete the task the King ordered you to do?”
“NO! I want to you to order the fletchers, and fletchers alone. You will not order soldiers to do anything.” Bowie said curtly.
“Ria then, I will be giving her orders?” Auburn asked.
“NO!! She is not even mine to command!” Bowie was already fed up with her questions. Maybe it was a mistake to give her any power at all, but he thought if she was bossing others around, maybe she wouldn’t bother him. “Matter of fact, do not even look in Wizard Ria’s direction. If you need anything from her, you will come to me with the request and I will take it to her.”
Bowie’s face had turned red with frustration. He was waiting for the next question to send him over the edge. Instead, she stood in front of the cart and did a
deep curtsy, smiling all the while. He tore off his hat in frustration and then rode farther back to check on anyone coming up behind Ria’s cart. Tyler started the cart moving forward along the road at a slow pace. Ria’s driver, also a Black Hat, followed Auburn’s cart without instruction. Three carts loaded with fletchers, bags, and soldiers rolled past. A trail of tired soldiers also followed on foot for a while.
Bowie sat and gave them encouragement from the back of his horse. “Look sharp men, you lead the Kings army now.” Followed by, “A good night’s sleep lays just down the road.” The latter seemed to motivate them more than the former. Soon, a refreshed John Curtin brought up the last archers to join the lines. Bowie added John’s pack to Charger’s back and walked beside John. “How many men and bows do we have?” He asked.
“We have close to one thousand Black Hats that I counted, twenty five fletchers, and twelve bows,” John replied, while trying to knock the dust from his hat. “I don’t know what the plan is sir, but I figured you had one. I would love to know how we are going to supply this army with arrows when we can't even supply our own men with bows.”
Bowie answered reluctantly, “I’m still working some of that out. For now, all we have to do is get all of our men to the next camp so they can get some sleep. Perhaps I’ll be able to formulate a better plan by then.”
John seemed to accept the answer he had been given, but even Bowie thought it was a political way of saying he didn’t know what he was doing. They both turned to the sound of a horse trotting up behind them to see Lieutenant McClanahan approaching.
“Master Crescent,” the Lieutenant called out. “I need you for a moment.”
“Yes, Lieutenant?” Bowie asked as he handed Charger off to John.
“Well, here I thought I was going to be leading the army, and one of my own students waltzes into the King's tent and steals my glory,” The king’s strategist said.
