by Bob Blink
Suline reached out and selected a section of breast meat from the meal the two women had laid out on the small blanket where they rested. The gurgle of water from the small stream a couple of paces away was relaxing, and looking away from the Ruins toward the large pool that occupied much of the center of this small oasis one would never know where they were.
“You should consider spending time at the University. Having mastered your first spell, there is nothing to prevent you from becoming a Caster. Perhaps you would not rise to become a full senior level Caster who is awarded the staff, but you could learn more spells that you would find useful. You would easily become as skilled as most commercial Casters.” Suline took a bite of the delicately seasoned Kirack. The Kirack was a medium sized bird that grew wild in central Sedfair and was highly sought for its tender and flavorful meat. They had purchased the precooked bird, along with fresh bread and slices of Marga fruit before leaving Nals earlier in the day.
“I wouldn’t say I have mastered it exactly,” Daria said. “I have learned enough to make it work. It comes neither easily nor naturally to me after all these months of trying. It is like I have to wrest it from my mind each time.”
She spoke the truth. The strange convoluted phrasing of the magical language did not sit well on her tongue. There was a guttural component to the words that she had to constantly struggle with, and it had taken her weeks of constant practice to finally master the spell. Had it not been for Suline’s patience and her own stubbornness, it was unlikely she would have been successful. The thought of trying to add to her mastered spells was not something she considered desirable. Life was too short and she couldn’t see the need. She now understood why everyone didn’t become adept at Casting. While she had mastered the Doorway spell, something that had taken more determination and effort than mastering her bow had required, Kaler had been wholly unsuccessful at doing the same, and weeks ago had given up the effort in disgust.
“I’m a swordsman,” he complained. “I was never meant to be a master of magic. I cannot believe that Ash’urn is able to utter this poor excuse for language so easily.”
Kaler hadn’t wanted to come on this trip, perhaps because it was a celebration of Daria’s success and a reminder of his own failure with the magic. He had stayed at home with his brother at the orphanage compound. That was where Daria and Suline were headed at the moment, and they would sleep tonight in their own beds, after the surprise visit in Nals where they had spent a day with Rigo and Mitty. Suline had been staying at the compound for weeks, and would have to return to Sedfair soon if she were to be in time to watch the coronation of the new Queen.
Daria and Suline had become friends during the search and final capture of Carif. When the matter was finally settled, she had been the Caster who had brought Daria and Kaler back to the Three Kingdoms after Rigo and Mitty had elected to stay on in Sedfair. Somehow she had found herself comfortable, and at Daria’s insistence had elected to stay on. She had expected to remain a short time, but the weeks kept piling up. Once winter set in, it was comfortable to stay put, and when Daria expressed her desire to learn the Doorway spell, Suline had agreed to try and teach her. She warned Daria that she had chosen a spell that only a few managed to master, and that she should attempt something easier first, but Daria wanted the spell to give herself mobility. She was tired of having to depend on someone else to transport her where she needed to go. Her interests in magic were practical, and she had no visions of becoming capable as Ash’urn or some others had done. Rigo had elected to stay across the Ruins, and she wanted the ability to seek him out anytime she wished.
This trip was a symbol of her accomplishment and proof of what she had learned. Daria had made the Doorways that had taken them every step of the way from central Kellmore to Nals, and now this far back. They were returning by a different route than they had used to cross from the Kingdoms to Sedfair. Daria wanted to be certain she knew of at least two ways to cross the Ruins. No one with her background would consider a single route to any objective acceptable.
Unlike Suline, who had very limited inherent ability in addition to her Casting abilities and carried one of the now very familiar power staffs, Daria had carefully etched the complex symbols required for the Doorway spell into the special belt she wore. The leather had been treated by Suline after the symbols had been fixed into the leather, and it would take powerful magic to damage the belt in any way. Daria wore one of the special armbands that Daim had designed, something he had personally given her. Somehow she had managed to earn the respect of the ancient wizard and current head of the Outpost.
Daria had an excellent memory, and had made enough trips across the Ruins to recall the many oases she had traveled through. Even so, the need to focus on an image of the targeted location, hold that in her mind while she simultaneously directed a part of her mind onto the symbols in the belt, was challenging. As if that weren’t enough, she had to also say the memorized phrase that sounded like so much meaningless gibberish and say it correctly, without losing her focus.
“Are you ready to press on?” Suline asked, as they cleaned up the remains of their lunch. She watched as Daria knelt and scooped up a couple of handfuls of the clear water from the pond and drank deeply.
Daria was dressed as she always did when she ventured into dangerous territory. She had on the custom clothing that contained slits that allowed her access to the throwing knives in the special harness she wore out of sight. Suline had seen those knives in action, and was amazed at what Daria was capable of. The small bow rested against a nearby tree where Daria had placed it when they arrived. They were not expecting to encounter any danger, but the world, and the Ruins in particular, was a dangerous place, and a prudent traveler made certain she was prepared. Suline noted how Daria had allowed her hair to grow out from the short style she had worn when they first met. Kaler had told her that Daria had worn it long for years after she retired from being an assassin, but had trimmed it back when she had prepared to go into combat to rescue Rigo.
“Let’s go,” Daria said as she slipped the bow over her head. They would be jumping first to the oasis adjacent to the old Hoplani farms. Rigo had asked her to check the tunnels, and see if any of the absent Duneriders had returned. That would take them a glass, perhaps a little longer. Then they would make a long final jump back into Kellmore, arriving back home in time for dinner with Kaler and his brother. Daria missed the peaceful days at the compound, but in the back of her mind the growing Baldari threat suggested those days were numbered. Rigo had told her and Suline of the plans for a pair of expeditions into the southern jungles. Daria was a little surprised, but gratified, that Rigo wasn’t leading the effort for the Three Kingdoms. Had he elected to go, Daria and Kaler would have insisted on being included. Rigo got into too much trouble without them, and while she didn’t relish the thought of hot and humid jungles with their poisonous plants and animals, she knew she would have gone along.
Chapter 13
Senior Caster Debi surveyed the team that had come with her to the base of the Great Mountains in preparation to begin the trip in search of the Baldari. Tall and wiry, she was taller than the average Sedfairian. Her very light brown hair was cut military short, something she had had done just the other day. The longer hair she normally wore was not appropriate in her mind for the kind of environment they were headed into, and with combat a constant possibility, she wanted to give the enemy nothing to grab onto. Some of the others had followed her lead, but many still wore their hair long. It was their choice. There were no regulations that forced the more appropriate style. Her dark brown eyes scanned the group for any sign that would indicate abnormal weakness or nervousness. They were all on edge, but that was to be expected. Debi wanted to be sure that no one in her team looked to be on the edge of panic.
Many back home held out hope they could still find the abducted Casters, but they didn’t figure prominently into Debi’s plans. The issue had little to do with whether she wish
ed to rescue them or not. It was simply a matter of facing reality. Her team wasn’t exactly hot on the trail of the fleeing Baldari who had carted away her colleagues. They also had absolutely no idea where they had been taken. The land south of their present position was a vast unknown. They had no maps, no idea how far the land stretched, and given the fact the Baldari had fled via a Doorway, they could be months away from the current location. Debi had already faced the most likely prospect that the Casters were dead, or wished they were. In the private discussions with Ardra and Lyes earlier this morning, the matter had been brought up. The Guild leaders were aware of the unlikely chances of bringing home the poor individuals now in Baldari hands, but had warned against risking the party foolishly.
“We need information,” Ardra had said in her usual blunt tone. She cared about her fellow Casters more than most leaders would have, but realized that many lives were at stake here, and the objectives of this already risky effort should be focused on what really mattered to Sedfair. “I want to know where the Baldari originate, and the location of this small group of lavender-haired sorcerers,” she added.
Lyes had been more uncomfortable with the bluntness, but then he had never fought the Baldari as Ardra had, and hadn’t seen many of his comrades fall to the invader’s swords.
Now they were about to take the first step into the unknown. The western wizard Daim, the strange one who was said to have lived thousands of years ago, had given them what little information he knew of the territory over the mountains. It wasn’t much. It also wasn’t very encouraging. She looked at the thirty-three men and women who shuffled around nervously waiting for her orders to begin. Eight of the team were Casters, wizards, or both. Syd was the only male Caster. Debi had chosen him because he had been one of the few males who had excelled and advanced during Carif’s time as head of the Guild. That meant he was very good, and she personally knew he excelled at combat magic. Following the current political direction, Debi had made him second in command. The other Caster-wizard Debi knew personally was Cerla. They had earned their way through the University together, and when the westerners checked for inherent ability, Cerla was one who tested strong. She was now a fully qualified wizard in addition to being a strong Caster. The dual ability established her as a full mage, and was something that might come in handy. She wore one of the westerner supplied bracelets that not only overcame the blockages of the Wastelands, but hers was one of those that also overcame all known symbols that blocked one’s access to magic. Those only worked for wizards, despite efforts to expand the capability to Casters. For that reason alone, Debi had brought along a second wizard, despite her being far less powerful and skilled than the others on this expedition who practiced magic. If they ran into blockages, hopefully between Cerla and the other young wizard, her team would be able to fight their way out of it.
Fifteen experienced guardsmen would come along. Lyes had made the point several days ago, that not every problem could be solved by magic. Debi knew he was paraphrasing the words of one of his western friends, a young woman who had demonstrated how effective someone with weapons could be even against those possessing magic. Each of the fighters coming along was skilled with sword and bow. Each carried a longbow rather than the heavier crossbow. Weight was going to be important, and the longbows were both lighter and more agile. Some had wanted the guardsmen to be equipped with the special armor created for fighting the Chulls that resisted magic. Debi had nixed the desire, indicating that armor was heavy, and thus far the Baldari had never resorted to using magic as a weapon.
The remaining ten individuals wouldn’t be going all the way. Half were guardsmen, and the others cooks and messengers. Once they found an adequate campground in the mountains on the southern slopes, these ten would maintain a base camp for the rest who would venture into the jungle beyond. Each night the team would return to the mountain camp where tents would have been left erected, and where meals would be waiting for them. Since no blockages in magic were really expected, it would have been possible to create a Doorway all the way back to Nals each night, but Ardra had rejected that idea and Debi had agreed. Returning to Nals would have the effect of distracting the team from its purpose, and it would be more difficult to get the team assembled and ready to move out each day. This way they were isolated from the city distractions, yet would be staying in an area that was removed from the many poisonous and dangerous creatures that lived in the jungles. Messengers would keep Nals informed of their progress, and if the need arose to return, the base camp would be a single Doorway away.
There was no point in delaying. The plan was well known to the team, and she had already picked out the first spot they would jump to. Because of their magic, they would cover in a day distances that would have taken a normal team many days, or even possibly weeks to cover. The mountains were so steep that climbing rather than hiking would be required in many places, and many of the possible routes would almost certainly result in dead ends. Her team would use Doorways to rapidly advance to a point they could see from where they stood. After creating a Doorway to the distant location, they would pass through, secure the new location, and scout for the next jump point. Using this approach they should be able to cross the mountains in a couple of days as opposed to more than a month which had been estimated by several locals who had ventured without benefit of magic into the area over the years. None had reached all the way to the far slopes, but one had gone far enough to spot the jungle in the distance before turning back.
“Let’s go, Syd,” Debi said.
Syd nodded, and immediately created the Doorway that would begin the journey. Debi stepped through first, followed by Cerla and two other Casters before the guardsman passed through. Syd watched as the team stepped confidently into the Doorway, then waited until the ten camp team members stepped through. Once they had all passed through, he followed, closing the Doorway behind him.
Nothing unusual greeted them at the exit point. They stepped into the large clearing high up one of the mountains they had been able to observe from where they started. Cerla looked back over the rugged peaks they had bypassed, and could see the spot they had been gathered in just moments before. It was interesting to see where one started and ended. Normally she used Doorways to travel such great distances so that one never thought about the land in between. Debi had already spotted the next target, and was in the process of creating the Doorway for the second transition. By the time nightfall approached, they were deep into the rocky mountains. A large clearing with a swiftly flowing stream had been located, and selected as the temporary base camp. Everyone pitched in, and soon the tents were erected, and a large fire started, followed before long by the smells of freshly cooked meat in the air. A perimeter watch was set, although given how steep the slopes that led to their location were, it was unlikely that anyone was nearby. They were high enough that the fires were shielded from view from any adjacent peaks, and the smells of their cooking would be impossible to track by the time they had drifted to the somewhat less rugged spots below. Scanning the valleys that could be seen from the camp, Debi concluded there were no hidden camps or villages anywhere nearby. The next morning when the team set off, the camp crew was left to watch over the location. Unless something far better was encountered, this would do for the base camp.
Three more days of hopping over the mountains was required before the exploration team stood on the southern slopes of the Great Mountains looking at the jungle extending in all directions. From the side of the mountain, they could see little to distinguish any location. The trees formed a thick canopy that hid the ground below for as far as they could see. Somewhere there had to be rivers and open areas, but none were apparent from where they stood. Knowing that the following morning they would descend into the heavy cover below, Debi brought the team back to the camp, which hadn’t been moved. While everyone settled in for an early evening, she jumped back to Nals and reported their status to Ardra and Lyes. Daily reports had been carried ba
ck by the camp crew while Debi and her team were out exploring, but she wanted to discuss their situation before beginning the trek into the jungle. No one had expected to encounter the Baldari in the mountains, but now that they were in the jungle it could happen at any time.
Dawn found the team back on the southern slope. Syd made a Doorway that took them to the edge of the trees, and checking the straps on her pack, Debi led the way under the first row of the tall trees, entering the semi gloom of the jungle. Almost as soon as they entered the damp and steaming underbrush, the humidity rose as did the temperatures. The coolness of the mountains was lost. The muggy air was oppressive and stale, the smell of the vegetation foreign and unpleasant. Within a hundred paces the undergrowth and vegetation transitioned from heavy to dense. There was no trail to follow, and any local inhabitants must be small enough to move between the leaves and vines, or move directly between the trees. As yet they had only seen a number of birds, which squawked angrily at them as they pushed into the undergrowth. Debi was glad they had the pointing device that had been provided by the elder Caster Ash’urn to help guide their direction. With the sun hidden behind the canopy, it would be an easy thing to become turned around in here.
Soon it became a matter of slowing to a crawl, hacking one’s way through the thick vegetation, or using a bit of magic to cut a path in the desired direction. Debi created a sphere of bright energy that cut through the brush effortlessly, making a path wide enough that four could easily walk abreast. She pushed the ball fifty paces in front of her, and maintained it as she walked forward. They had only gone a few paces into the pathway she created before they realized the vines were alive.
