You should make a move. Take her! You know she wants you too. It isn’t too soon. She likes you and you know it. Take her!
Arran pulled back.
“What’s wrong?” Teoni asked. “Is it me?”
“No, it isn’t you. I have to tell you something.”
Don’t you tell her about me! She will never understand. She will think you are some kind of freak. She would never love a freak, you freak!
“There’s something inside my head. It’s tormenting me and making it impossible for me to…” he looked into her eyes. He could tell she wasn’t thinking of demon possession but more of an excuse to get away from her.
“Go on.” She said.
I told you she would never understand. But you never listen to old Tas’moth. You never listen to me.
“Never mind, I don’t know what I’m saying. He pressed up closer to her, “now, where were we?”
“Right here.” She said, pressing her lips to his.
Lightning streaked through the sky in cascades followed by rumbling thunder.
Chapter 11 – Fia’s Song
Teoni’s heart ached as she watched Arran climb the mountain trail. Fia must have seen the look in her eyes because the pretty blonde watched her instead of Arran.
“What is it, Fia?” Teoni asked. “You have not taken your eyes off me since Arran left.”
“I was just thinking. It’s obvious to me now by the goofy expression on your face, you are falling for him.”
Teoni wanted to deny it but she realized Fia had already made up her mind, “So, what if I am? What business is that of yours?”
“I have a vested interest in Arran I doubt you could understand.”
“You want him for yourself? Is that it?”
“Of course not. My interest in him isn’t romantic.” She sniffed and eyed Teoni more intently, “What are you all about, Teoni? Where did you really come from and why?”
“I could ask you the same, Fia. What game are you playing at?”
Fia began to hum a tune. Teoni thought it was odd that Fia should begin humming while they argued. The hum became louder and more intense.
“What are you humming about? I thought you wanted to argue some more.” Teoni was sarcastic as she could muster.
Fia stopped humming, “The time of lies has passed. I need some truth.” She began to hum again and then she started to sing. It was a sweet melody reaching higher and higher in her vocal registry. Teoni’s heart began to pound and her head began to hurt. Fia sang more intently.
“What are you doing? Your singing is giving me a headache.” Teoni complained.
Fia began to move in a tight little dance and Teoni’s head began to hurt more, “Stop! Stop it!” She pleaded. Then realization set in. “You’re the white mage! The whirling dancer and singer.” Teoni’s eyes went wide with fear as she felt the trickle of blood come from her nose and run across her lips. She stiffened and commanded the roots of the nearby tree to rise up from the ground and seize Fia. She had to stop her from dancing and singing at the same time.
Fia let out a startled gasp when the roots wrapped around her legs. Teoni took the momentary lapse in Fia’s spell to command the tree to lash out. It swiped Fia across the face with one of its branches.
Fia reached up and felt the blood from the cut on her cheek. “What is going on!” Fia said.
Teoni took a posture with her hands outstretched. She quickly turned her wrists and the tree moved to secure Fia in its grasp. Fia managed to begin her song again and burn the roots as they flowed toward her. She spun with fervor and the tree shrank back.
Fia stopped and addressed Teoni with surprise, “So, that’s it! You are the green mage! No wonder you want to get to Arran, you are his exact and most dangerous enemy. I should kill you now!”
“You already know you can’t do that. It isn’t allowed. I can repel anything you would use to try to kill me.”
“Your plan is to thwart Arran’s training so you can eliminate him as a threat early in the tournament.”
“It was at first, but things have changed.’
“Oh, gods! You can’t be in love with him, you idiot!”
Teoni let her spells drop and the tree moved away from Fia, “Fia, what am I going to do?”
Fia let her spells drop too, “Well, you’ve done more harm to yourself than I can do to you at this point.”
****
Arran climbed the mountain until he was eye level with one of the giant birds. It sat in its nest staring at him. After a long moment where neither of them moved The thunderbird opened its beak and Arran could see electricity arcing between the top and bottom of the beak. Arran moved to protect himself and also conjured up electricity and he fired it off at the same time the thunderbird released hers. The two bolts of lightning found the path of least resistance in a pool of running water nearby and cascaded away. The thunderbird squawked in surprise. She raised her massive head and pointed her beak to a discolored rock nearby. She bobbed her head so that Arran would go to it.
Arran reached up for the rock and removed it easily from its spot. There was a box inside covered and sealed in wax to keep out the elements. He broke the seal and peered inside. There were several loose pages. “The missing pages.” He bowed to the thunderbird and it bowed back to him.
Chapter 12 – Sins of the Past
Arran raced down the mountain, eager to tell Fia and Teoni of the insights the thunderbird had given him of his lightning power and the missing pages. When he got close to the camp, he could hear male voices. Concerned, he approached cautiously and carefully. He found a place to hide where he could see what was going on in the camp. The first thing he saw was that Teoni and Fia were tied up, then he heard the voice of a male talking to them.
“When did you say to expect him?”
“I told you.” Teoni said, “It could be hours. He climbed the mountain.”
“He may never come back,” Fia added.
“Yes, you should let us go,” Teoni said.
The man considered them both for a moment, “I hope, for both of your sakes, that he turns up soon.”
Arran decided to make his entrance to see what or who this mysterious person was who made the unfortunate mistake of tying up his companions. He stepped out of his hiding place.
The man drew his sword, “That’s close enough. Identify yourself.”
“I am Arran, the one you seek. I think you should do as Teoni said and release them immediately.” He gestured toward the girls.
“Arran of Tamania?”
“Yes, who’s asking?”
I am Ravin, the magistrate of the village of Tama, and I hereby place you under arrest for the deaths and murders of the witches of the citadel, and also the destruction of the citadel.”
“I think not,” Arran said. “I don’t know you. How do I know you are who you say you are?” He raised his hands to chest level and pointed all his fingers directly at the man.
Ravin sniffed derisively, “If you plan to use the elements against me I must warn you. I am of the coven.”
“You’re a witch?” Arran asked. “I didn’t think any witches lived in the cities.”
“I am the magistrate. It’s required that I live in the village. Now, if you don’t mind, we need to be off to the village.”
Arran looked at Fia and realized that they could probably take the magistrate if they coordinated an attack regardless if the man could use the abilities of the witches or not. In the end, he shook his head and Fia got the message.
He is leading you to your death, you idiot!
“Then you will die too,” Arran whispered low enough where Ravin couldn’t hear him.
Are you quite certain?
Arran ignored the voice in his head this time.
If you had a brain in your head you might realize that you left no evidence or no trace that you caused the tremor at the citadel. In fact, according to the old witch, you didn’t do it at all. Hmm, who could have told the magistr
ate?
It doesn’t take much of a stretch. Arran thought. Danton is setting a trap.
Ravin lead them to a small clearing off the main road where they were joined by several more of the magistrate’s men. Fia kept giving Arran pleading glances and strange looks but he knew that the sensible thing to do would be to let the magistrate take them in so he could confirm that Danton was behind all of this.
As they entered the village, Arran was intentionally taken by the gallows so that he could see that the villagers were serious, at least that’s what Arran surmised. The magistrate office was just off the square that contained the gallows. The magistrates often enjoyed the notion that most of the prisoner’s view from their barred windows consisted of the instrument of their demise. When Ravin opened the door to his office no one other than Danton, prince of the six kingdoms sat at the magistrate’s desk.
“Ah, Ravin. I never doubted you.” Danton said.
“I should have known that you were behind this, Danton!” Arran said. “Ravin, you realize that this man is the real culprit behind the deaths of the witches of the citadel.”
Danton got up from the magistrate’s chair, “Such nonsense. These murderers would say anything to divert their guilt.” He looked outside, “Where are the women? Did you have them separated? Probably wise for you to do so.”
“I didn’t arrest the women. I decided to let them go once we arrived with the proviso that they leave town. I was going to arrest them but I just don’t see how they could have been even remotely involved.” Ravin said.
Danton’s face turned grim, “I hope you’re not serious. They are both his accomplices! They will come to break him out of here, you fool!”
“Easy Danton. I am the magistrate here, remember? I have men I can post outside, they will not break him free.”
Burn them! Burn them both right now! What’s to stop you? How can they hold the mighty blue mage?
“You don’t know them, Ravin. They will do whatever he says.”
There came a knock on the door. The magistrate tightened his grip on Arran’s arm, “Right on time. Come in!”
The door opened and a woman of advanced age strolled in. “I hope I am not late.” The woman said.
“Not at all, Flamina, I was just saying you were right on time.”
“Who is this… woman?” Danton asked.
“This is Flamina. She is a…well, let’s just say that she can get inside one’s head and prevent all sorts of nastiness.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Danton asked.
Ravin smiled, “She can keep his mind occupied elsewhere. He won’t plan to escape or contact his friends as long as she is on the job.”
Danton grinned, “Ah, I see now. Excellent!”
Ravin put Arran in a cell with Flamina sitting in a woven reed chair just outside.
Ravin patted Danton on the shoulder, “He won’t give us any trouble before the trial and hanging.” They both left the cells and shut the door. Ravin popped his head back in for a moment, “Flamina, do I need to bring your supper or something to drink maybe? Danton and I are going to the inn for a bite.”
“No dear, I will be fine. I ate before I came over.” She reached into her bag and took out her knitting as Ravin nodded and closed the door behind him.
“I don’t know what you are planning, Flamina is it? But, I must warn you. Not all of my thoughts are my own.”
“Quiet!’ She snapped, “I may look like a rickety old woman to you but I assure you that you are not my first prisoner. In fact, let me put an end to this conversation.” She concentrated on his mind. he could feel her wiggling around and getting inside.
“I warned you,” Arran said.
“No! I don’t want to touch you!” The old woman screamed as she dropped her knitting.
Arran closed his eyes and he could see Tas’moth tormenting the old woman. He took the opportunity to oust the demon from his mind. Flamina was a witch with magic but she was not one of the six mages. He could almost fell the excitement of Tas’moth as he freely entered the old woman’s mind. Arran felt bad for a moment when he realized that the demon would drive the woman mad and probably to her death, but he was also glad he was finally rid of the fire demon. He would now be able to continue to read the blue mage training journal.
Chapter 13 – In the Canyon
Fia reached the banks of the Tama river about half a day after Ravin had let her and Teoni go. She knew all she had to do was head east and she would eventually reach it. Teoni briefly crossed her mind. The two found very quickly that without Arran in the middle to temper the two of them, that they couldn’t get along with each other. Teoni decided to head north into the mountains to figure things out. What did that even mean? If she loved Arran why wouldn’t she want to find a way to get him out of the clutches of Ravin and presumably Danton. They had already surmised that Danton had to be behind the arrest. No one else knew the truth of what happened, at least that they knew of, there is always the possibility of someone they might have missed, but Arran was innocent. He didn’t cause the death or destruction of the citadel. She focused on the rushing waters. There was only one way to defeat Danton. She had to fins the one mage whose power was not affected by trinkets and magical dampeners. Danton would not be able to negate the magic derived from death.
The Tama river flowed through four of the six kingdoms and emptied into the ocean at the border of a fifth. Unless the black mage was in Adendalind, which was unlikely, the river would be the fastest way to get to her. Fia knew she was racing against time. Danton would want to speed any process to execute Arran up or he might just enter his cell and kill him and be done with it. Given what she saw with Ravin, she was confident Danton would follow the magistrate's procedures, at least for a while.
Fia followed the bank of the river, avoiding thick patches of reeds and slippery rock outcroppings until she reached a small wooden dock with three small boats tied to the shore with rope and stakes hammered deep into the soil above the sand line. She looked around carefully to make sure she was alone. The sun was setting but the light of dusk still allowed for good vision. There was no one she could see but Fia still needed privacy for what she was about to do next so she found a small clearing back upstream a few paces. She carefully scoped out the surrounding trees to make certain her dance would not be observed. Some of her dances that achieved the most mundane tasks had dire effects on spectators and the dance she was about to perform was one of the worst for passersby.
She began by holding her hands up to her face. She took a deep breath and exhaled letting her arms fall naturally to her side with a swooping motion. Her left leg went out and lifted to chest level and then her hands went to the crane position. She began to swirl with the universe as her orchestra. She has her eyes closed but she knew by the feel that ribbons of color were forming around her head and torso, reds, greens, blues, yellows, and purples. A spectator might be captivated by the colors and stare so long they might burn the eyes of if their heads. She gracefully turned and pointed a figure when she crossed each direction of north, south, east and west. She thought of the black mage and a black ribbon joined the others swirling around until they landed on the grassy clearing and pointed as an arrow to the color red, which was the color designation in her magic for the kingdom of Ag Caderan. She stopped dancing and went back to the boats.
The current of the river was strong but the boat handled well with the large rudder affixed t the aft. Fia would have to pass through Asirad briefly before she reached Ag Caderan. The arrow she conjured affixed itself to the bow of the boat as night fell over the river. The moon hung low like a giant orange ball when she began her journey but was now full and silver high above the river making the water appear to be a bright silver. If there was no moon tonight, she took comfort in the fact that she knew an illuminating song that could also guide her just as well. While she thought of light she remembered a dirge about speed on the water. She excitedly began to recall the song.
Over the rapids and through the rocks,
Passing all the people stuck on the docks,
Through rain and snow and all that stops,
To feed the hungry and carry their crops.
I rapidly go to the ports I need,
With great haste and greater speed,
Carry me currents and vessel alike,
Faster than rumors or viper’s strike.
Fia fell back in the boat as it lit off down the river. She had to grab hold of the rudder before the boat speed off to crash ashore. She hoped that she didn’t encounter any rapids up ahead at this rate of speed.
By morning she was in Ag Caderan. There were several signposts at each of the borders not to mention the arrow she conjured from the location dance, which was still pointing her way. She let the speed song effects drop when the arrow began to turn to the right and point ashore. She let the boat get close to the shore before she tilted the rudder up so it wouldn’t be damaged by the river bottom and she jumped into the water to pull the vessel up on the bank. She still had the rope from which it had been tied before and she tied it around a sturdy tree a few feet from the bank.
The light arrow led her off into a particularly dense woods. They were different than the woods of Tamania. The trees were shorter and there were more bushes surrounding their trunks. Ag Caderan was chiefly an arid kingdom, so Fia found it a bit strange that she was encountering thick woods. After she plowed through them for a few minutes, she emerged into miles and miles of prairie grass and mesquite trees. The terrain was flat for the most part. She had heard of rattlesnakes and cottontail rabbits covering the steppe climes of Ag Caderan. She would have to be careful of the slithering, poisonous creatures as she walked with only the light of the moon to guide her.
She stopped and checked her pack. She found she didn’t have enough water left in her waterskin so she turned around and reluctantly traipsed through the dense woods back to the river.
Blue Mage Equinox: Book 2 of Tournament of Mages Page 6
