by Aaron Thomas
It took a moment for Tokeye to mull over the information he had been given, “Can we receive a new body?”
Kilen answered, “For the time being, we do not know if you can. They have both been able to take turns controlling an elemental to be free of my mind. I promise Tokeye, I did not know what Atmos was going to do.”
The other man wailed and shot pain into Kilen’s head. Joahna must have done something because the pain subsided and the man’s voice quieted almost instantly.
Kilen let out a sound of relief before continuing, “I will do all I can to get justice for you. Atmos holds my sister prisoner. She is a fire wizard as well.”
Tokeye did not have to think long before answering, “I will join your cause. I will stand beside my dead brothers.”
Kilen smiled, “Max, he has agreed to join us. Joahna, can you teach while we ride?”
Of course, he replied. “I will try and do something with this other lump as well. Where shall we go?”
Kilen didn’t reply, but instead grabbed his bags of supplies, “Max, get us to the Elders. I need to know more before we can find judgement.”
Kilen stopped at his own word. Only a couple months ago Atmos was sitting on his throne about to judge Kilen for Jace’s murder. Now Kilen would put Atmos on the stand.
Chapter 24 - Proposal
Ria sat with some of the fletchers that were too old to keep up with Lieutenant Borgan and the archers. She had a pleasant enough conversation even though she really didn’t like spending time with regular humans. Their lives were filled with strife and they were always in a rush from one thing to another. She wished she could turn back time and change how she had spent the beginning years of her life.
She was married to a human and watched him work his life away to make her happy. His life was much shorter than hers, and even shorter than other humans. Before they had a chance at children, he suffered a problem with his heart and died while fetching water so she could grow her flowers. She wished she had spent more time enjoying the flowers with him.
People now days worked for the future of their families and don’t seem to notice the moments that matter most. She had done her best to tell people how to live for no regrets, but was shunned for her advice. They would rather drink and dance until they couldn’t remember their name than hold each other close at night, talking until the sun rose.
She missed her husband and being with humans reminded her of how she squandered the moments she had. Ria rose from the fire surrounded by the aged men and slipped away without them seeming to take notice or concern. She reached for the handle on her wagon and heard the pounding of hooves on the ground. She backed down from the handle and pulled her shawl over her shoulders. Being in the valley, the temperatures would drop at night and swelter during the day; she knew it wouldn’t be long before the temperature plummeted.
King Atmos lead the rumble of horses, followed by the captain who had a bloodied person draped over his horse’s saddle. The councilors were next with the rest of the wielders in tow. The king pulled his horse to a halt and handed the reins to one of his knights before heading in the tent. Ria walked over to the bloodied person and realized it was someone from the Fire Realm. She was happy no one was hurt from the Earth Realm. Still looking around the camp she did not see Bowie, Auburn, or John.
Brent stepped up to the man draped over the saddle and healed him. The man gasped and flexed his body before sliding off the horse. Lorusk grabbed the man and shuffled him off to one of the tents. Brent then gave Ria a look before passing her. She turned to look at him but he was already waiting beside Ria’s wagon door.
She smiled and opened the door, showing him inside.
Before she could sit down he blurted out, “It was a lie. All of it; a lie to get us to remain silent while he destroyed any chance we had at peace.”
“What happened?” She said coolly, trying to calm him.
Brent paced as much as he could in the tiny wagon and rubbed his forehead, “He talked with Rekkan for only a moment. He insulted him and then offered him a handshake. Rekkan, being a man of honor, took the hand shake as a pre-battle civility. Atmos pulled with his magic strength and knocked Rekkan out on his armor. The rest of the men there didn’t stand a chance. It’s a wonder we only found one body, Kilen must have been acting as a mediator.”
“You have taught the boy well. He will make a great weapon bearer if he can survive this. Where is the weapon bearer?”
“Kilen did his best to protect the Fire Realm’s men. He was able to hold three elements at once for as far as anyone of us could reach. Mary, on the other hand, had free reign over the fire she used to attack Atmos.”
“Mary, is she ok?” Ria had started pouring a cup of tea to calm Brent.
“As far as I know. We searched for a little while but the men seemed more interested in finding the imbued weapons left behind by the Fire Realm. She fled with Kilen towards the Fire Realm’s defenses.”
She took a sip of tea and said nothing. Brent finally took the hint and took a sip of tea. It was chamomile; meant to calm the nerves. It was one of her personal favorites when dealing with overly stressed men.
“Well, we will just have to hope that they are well. As for what we are doing here, what is your plan?” Ria asked.
“Plan? I have no plan. The king lied to all of us and captured the Fire Realm’s king. This meeting was supposed end in peace. Now we have to face a soul wizard with only one realm that has a king on the throne,” Brent said as he stared into his tea as if he might find the answers inside.
“No, we do it without a king.” She said it so matter-of-fact that it shocked Brent. Ria hoped it could really be that simple.
“Say that again?” Brent had a confused look on his face as he hovered over the table on balled fists.
Ria smiled, “There are many paths we could take; we could approach the Elders and give them our assistance; we could travel to the Water and Wind Realm and rally for new kings to be raised; we could even go and aid the Fire Realm in taking down King Atmos and raising a proper king.”
“It’ll take too long,” He said as he started to pace again in the small wooden wagon.
She took his arm and gently pulled him to the seat. Ria pushed his tea cup closer so he would take a drink. “Think, Master Parker, we have only begun to hear the rumors of the undead. We had a couple centuries when the soul wizards were gaining strength before we finally understood how to beat them. We have since gained and kept that knowledge. We know how to fight them this time.”
He took a sip of tea, “I think that maybe we should seek out the Elders. They would know where to start. They may already be laying plans to defeat the soul wizard.”
She nodded, “Very well. Will you be turning in your resignation tonight or tomorrow?”
He looked up from his tea cup, “With his treachery, I do not think he expects me to stay and give him council. I see no need for a resignation.”
“Good, we will be off at first light.”She caught his arm as he started to stand, “What of the others?”
“The others?” He scratched his head, clearly confused.
“There are others that surely want to know you are leaving. The other wizards; perhaps Bowie, or Auburn. They said they were only part of this war by volunteering. The war is over and so should be their service. If we are to take on a soul wizard, we will need strong wielders at our side.”
He sat back down, “Yes, you’re right. Perhaps we should stay with the group a little longer. I will see if we can rid the king of at least those two archers. I cannot speak for the wizards, they seem to think Atmos’ actions are justified.”
She smiled, “Good. Go and speak with them now. Let them come to me if they have questions concerning wizard or wielder’s law. I will wait here and get some more tea heated up. It may be a long night.”
**********
Brent ducked out of the small wagon and closed the door behind him stepping back into the sea of tents. Ria con
founded Brent. He had heard stories of her and her talent from his father and he was only starting to get a glimpse of her strength. She was a dangerous woman, and not because of power with magic but of her mind.
The camp was empty except the fletchers still chatting around the fire and a few wielders brushing horses. Brent saw Captain Lorusk duck into a tent with a large hammer. If anyone knew where Bowie was, it would be him.
Two of the wielders stood outside each corner of the tent not looking out but looking in, as if the person inside was more dangerous.
Brent looked at the guards, “May I enter?”
The captain's voice replied from inside, “Come in, Councilmen.”
A loud bang resounded from inside the large tent. Brent opened the tent flap and saw a large wielder move out of his way. When he stepped aside, he saw Lorusk looking over the fallen Fire Realm king being chained to the ground. The sound he had heard was a metal spike being hammered deep into the dirt. The spike came to Brent’s chest and Lorusk watched as the wielder hammered away.
Rekkan sat kneeling on the ground and finally Brent got a good look at his injuries. One of his shoulders had been dislocated, probably from the force at which Atmos had yanked him into his chest. There were multiple wounds upon his body from the imbuement piercings being ripped from the skin. The ear that Brent could see looked like it had been chewed on by an animal.
His face was swollen from whatever beating he received in transport or while awaiting the spike to arrive. Brent looked down and saw blood dripping off of the gauntlet of the wielder on the far side of the tent.
Lorusk did not turn away from watching the spike being driven into the ground, “What is it you need, Councilmen?”
“I wanted to speak to Master Crescent and that woman that follows him,” He said as he leaned down to heal Rekkan.
“If you heal him, it will only speed up his next beating. Our king requested he look like this until we reach Deuterium.” Lorusk only gave a glance at Brent between clangs of the hammer on steel spike. “The archers and other wielders were given a mission to carry out. If they return, it should be soon.”
“If they return?” Brent said backing away from Rekkan.
“They were given an order to attack the Fire Realm’s main force from the flank. Lieutenant Borgan would have pushed hard to bring back a report of high killing numbers.”
“Lieutenant Borgen was in charge?” Brent asked.
Lorusk nodded his response.
Brent knew that Borgen was one of the most merciless superiors that Atmos had at his command. He would stop at nothing to see the worst done on many of his missions. “Do you know where the rest of the council is?”
“I do believe that they went directly to the king’s tent.”
Brent knew that he would get little information from the captain so he backed out of the tent, reluctantly leaving the broken king behind.
Atmos searched the loot to collect his bounty. The wielders were laying the weapons and armor they found left behind by the Fire Realm’s men at his feet. Most of it had been worn by Rekkan himself, but there were a few extra weapons in the stack from the Crimson. The wielders quickly separated them into four different stacks by element. Two swords in the middle, formerly belonging to King Rekkan, had an equal distribution of the four elements; two on each blade. Rekkan’s wife held the weapon that allowed her to be crowned queen; bearing a mark from three realms.
Atmos immediately picked up a few pieces and put them in his pocket. Most of the imbuements being water and earth. Two of them was also the fire and wind. He picked up the swords and turned them over in his hands.
“Get Captain Lorusk,” Atmos said to no one in particular.
A man near the back sped off to do his bidding.
He looked around at the remaining wielders, “Each of you choose one that bears an element you do not have and keep it. I will expect each of you to seek out a wizard for training when we return. If you cannot handle the magic, put it away until you can get your training. If you cannot control yourself with it, I will take it and your other imbuements to share with the others here.”
The higher ranking men stepped forward and each picked out a piece. Some of the men put the imbuements on, but most put it into a pouch with their coins. The others followed in rank of seniority until only a small pile remained. The remaining men picked up pieces calling out each piece they took and the and the name of the guards that were not present still watching the captured king. The small pile left on the ground was put into a cloth by Atmos who tucked into his own belt.
Lorusk walked up and clasped his fist to his chest, “Reporting as ordered, my King.”
Atmos took one of Rekkan’s short swords in his hand by the its tip and held it up. “A few months ago I promised you a blade with an elemental mark. You have served me well and because I was unable to provide you with one at the time, here is one with two elements. One of wind and one of earth.”
Lorusk was caught off guard and cleared his throat. By receiving a blade with two marks, he would be given lands as a noble and be a part of a higher class in the Earth Realm. He would often be called upon for affairs of the realm and be admitted to eat at the king’s table during celebrations. Lorusk finally removed the fist from his chest and held it out before him.
Atmos placed the hilt in his palm, “Congratulations Noblemen Lorusk, Captain to the Earth Realm’s forces.”
The rest of the wielders all pounded their fists against their chest with some cheering. Brent clapped his hands as he watched the wielders being rewarded for not turning against the king.
“Captain, alert me when the others arrive.” Lorusk bowed his head and tried to find a place amongst his armor for the sword.
Brent bent over to get into the king’s tent flap without getting his head caught in the fabric. Sasha, the Earth Council seat, and Mica were already munching on some cheese and fruits.
Brent inclined his head towards Mica and reached past him for some bread. “Some night eh, Mica?”
“Indeed. Did you teach Kilen to hold elements like that?” His voice was rough and full of disdain for the boy.
“I did not. He must have learned that from his short time with the Elders. I’ve often wondered what kind of training they conduct there. Weapon bearer’s always seem to be skilled in things we as wizards do not understand.”
“Yes. Well, they certainly have outdone themselves this time.” His words gave the illusion of reverence for Kilen but dripped of sarcasm.
Brent knew Mica to be the type of person that didn’t like to be out done. Mica crossed the tent and started flipping through reports and maps.
Brent stepped in close, startling Sasha, “I must speak with you in private.”
She rolled her eyes, “What is it?”
“I am leaving in the morning to find the Elder Wizards. Ria and I are going to aid them in finding this soul wizard. We know that if they’re to stop this wizard before another dark army is raised, we will need to act quickly,” He said so that Mica would not overhear.
She looked at him while finishing her piece of cheese, “What makes you think the elders haven’t found them already?”
“It doesn’t matter, Sasha. If they have, then fine. If not, we can’t afford to wait around for them to call on us.” He was pleading with her now. “Will you consider coming with us?”
“I’ve taken a lot of flack from the king and traveled almost the entirety of this country waiting on the Parkers to vacate the council seat so I can sit there. No. No, I think I’ll stay where I am.” She picked up some more fruit from the trays and gave him a half smile as she put the next piece of fruit in.
“If you reconsider by morning, Ria’s wagon will be open for discussion.” He bowed his head and left the tent. He knew he would have to update Ria on the unwillingness of Sasha. Brent hoped that the earth wizard would not go gossiping about their departure to Mica or the king. If she did, it would complicate their matters with debates.
> Outside, heavy winded archers were pouring into the tents. Most of the men carried dead bodies of other Earth Realm soldiers. The majority of them were archers but mixed in the bunch were those of the wielders Atmos had left behind for this secret mission.
Finally, Brent laid eyes on John, Bowie, and the girl that followed him. A female wizard was uncommon enough, but a female wielder was very rare in any elemental kingdom. He wondered if she would refuse him as well.
“Sergeant Curtain, may I have a word with Master Crescent?” Brent asked.
“We will have business to attend to with the king soon. You may speak with him briefly.”
John stood beside Bowie waiting to hear what the water wizard had to say.
Brent spoke anyways, “I am leaving in the morning. I wish you to come with me.”
Bowie scratched his head, “Leaving for where?”
“We’re going to find the Elder Wizards and aid them in stopping this soul wizard. It seems that King Atmos has done all that he can to doom us.”
“I cannot. I would look like a traitor to the men here if I left. Besides, I volunteered to join this army. I can’t just up and leave,” Bowie said.
“Actually, you can. Chit is the only one from Humbridge that must do his duty. He must stay a year in order for your town to be out of their responsibility of tax for the upcoming year. Weapon Bearer Kilen and yourself are under no arrangement for staying. You are paid for staying on, that is all,” Brent said pleading.
John cleared his throat, “Wizard, I don’t think you understand what Bowie’s presence means to this company.”
“Believe me I do, Sargeant. I want to reiterate that if this soul wizard is not stopped, then there will most likely be no company come next year. The dark army that rises will not fall to your arrows,” Brent said.
“I have other commitments to keep, Wizard Parker. Kara still survives only because I am here.” Bowie looked as if his heart was set in stone, anchored deep underground.
“I see. Well, if you wouldn’t mind, please come say goodbye to Ria and I before you retire for the evening. Bring Auburn with you, I believe Ria has a fondness for her.”
