Sorceress (Book 2)

by Jim Bernheimer

  Considering he’s partly correct about that didn’t help either, the young woman thought and stroked Iarisha’s mane with her left hand.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked her unicorn.

  She received a confident response from Iarisha, saying she was well enough to travel, but not ready for a fight. Considering how close the unicorn had been to joining her ancestors, the answer was more than enough. The deep blood bruises had only just faded as Iarisha’s coat regained some luster.

  “Just keep focused on getting better,” Kayleigh cautioned and looked at the back of the major riding on T’rsa, next to General Jyslin. “Majherri’s rider will try to kill us both the first chance she gets. Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but I’ll need you at your best.”

  “Who’s in your squad?” Laurel asked Kayleigh while riding next to her.

  “Janet, from our year, two fourth year air maidens named Liz and Lucinda, and two more from the fifth year, fire maidens named Cameron and Erin. You?”

  Janet was a good rider and decent enough with her water magic. Kayleigh hardly knew her, but the two had exchanged friendly words. She couldn’t do healing tears, but could sometimes do the unblockable strike. How well Janet could perform in combat remained to be seen.

  Laurel listed the five maidens in her squad. The only one Kayleigh knew was Marcia Temple and, from Kayleigh’s point of view, the less she dealt with Marcia, the better.

  That reminded her and she fumbled in a pouch on her belt. Her fingers withdrew a trio of vials that she passed to her friend. “I had a good cry last night and made a dozen. Use them as you see fit. I’ll make more on the way or when we make camp. We’re trying to stockpile, but there’s only me, the major, and three of the others.”

  Though the trainees had only been issued one vial for their patrol, actual riders in the field usually carried a minimum of four or five, but most of their stores had been sent with the forces traveling west.

  Major Lynch could make upwards of twenty by herself. Kayleigh could usually make somewhere between eight and twelve with the other three around her level of production. Still, they’d be hard pressed to supply all the riders with more than three apiece.

  “Thank you,” Laurel said. “I shouldn’t.”

  “Just make sure you keep a spare for yourself,” Kayleigh said and winked. “I know you’ll hand the others out as soon as I’m not looking.”

  Laurel rolled her eyes as the column came to a halt. Kayleigh turned her attention to the cause. It was a group of five men. The general said something to Tamera Akers who rode beside her and carried the pennant.

  Tamera dipped the unit’s banner to the man and Kayleigh knew that only one man in Talcosa would get such treatment from a unit commanded by a general. A collective gasp went through the riders as, flanked by his four bodyguards, the High-King approached.

  Instinctively, Kayleigh tensed as he greeted the general. Being too far back to hear the words exchanged between the two of them was both a blessing and a curse. The only thing she could do was observe his appearance. A neatly trimmed black beard framed his face and she wondered if the regal “air” about him came from his experience or was enhanced somehow by an enchantment. Either way, he commanded respect and exuded authority.

  She breathed easier when the five men turned their steeds and lined up at the front. Tamera raised the banner and the battalion began moving once more.

  If people were quick to move out of the way before, they were even more so with the man who ruled them at the head of the formation.

  Not to anyone’s surprise, they made excellent time to the main gate. The double arches allowing wagons to enter the city and others to leave at the same time had their traffic stopped for the monarch.

  He exited the city, still at the front of the column, and Kayleigh’s nervousness reached the point where she wanted to scream. Following him, General Jyslin led the Provisional Battalion to an area off the main road where it was open enough for her to spread her troops into a parade review formation. The riders broke from their four abreast formation and became two long lines with ample space between them for the General and the High-King to ride between them.

  High-King Hayden Barris, in the saddle of a powerful-looking black stallion, addressed the group. His voice seemed magically amplified and coming at Kayleigh from right beside her instead of from fifty feet away.

  “Young warriors,” he began. “I came myself to wish you a safe journey and to personally thank you for volunteering for this dangerous journey. With the armies moving to the west, you and your sister warriors are what stands between the barbarians and the towns and farmlands to the north. They will not hesitate to put our towns and villages to the torch and destroy the fall harvest, spreading famine and starvation wherever they go. Fight together and you shall overcome! Drive the savages back into the mountains and the Blessed Continent will forever be in your debt! They have made the city of Pinella into their stronghold and it is there that you will break their rebellion and bring the Yar to their knees once and for all!”

  Kayleigh felt the cheers and the clanging of sword or lance against shield and almost got caught up in it herself, except for the fact that she could feel the magic in his words. It wasn’t like the compulsion her father used. No, that was the yoke of slavery. This made you want to believe in his words. It was pure charisma.

  “But is it just as dangerous?” she wondered and guarded herself against his silken words.

  General Jyslin led him down the line. The High-King made certain to nod at each Battle Maiden and exchanged a few words with some. It was a long and torturous wait for Kayleigh. Iarisha became her ally and sent calming thoughts her way.

  “Thanks,” she whispered and ran her hand through the unicorn’s mane.

  Keeping her hand across her chest in salute, she waited until her time came and his eyes met hers. Kayleigh felt the compulsion around him beckoning her, but refused to give into it.

  He nodded at her. “Hello, young lady. You must be Kayleigh Reese.”

  “Aye, your highness.”

  “Your name and one similar to it are being whispered throughout the corners of this land. Naomi, I wish to speak with her further before you depart.”

  “Certainly,” the general said, maintaining a rigid formality that showed she was resisting his charms as well. “Senior Rider, fall in behind us.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kayleigh answered and waited for them to pass before moving Iarisha into position behind them. Logically, she doubted he would do anything to her in front of the battalion, but she couldn’t help worrying as they continued moving past the riders and unicorns. This time, Iarisha’s calming thoughts did little to improve her situation.

  “Your majesty,” General Jyslin said. “Allow me to formally introduce Lady Kayleigh Nolan-West.”

  All doubts were removed by her statement as the trio followed the battalion from behind. The High-King’s bodyguard trailed them.

  “Well met, young lady,” he replied.

  “And you as well, your majesty,” she answered, unsure of where this would lead and even more uncomfortable at being addressed by a noble title.

  “Tell me, Lady Kayleigh, what do you stand for?”

  What? Of all the things he could have asked, this wasn’t something she’d anticipated.

  “I beg your pardon, milord?”

  “Tell me what you value, about the things that matter the most to you. I knew something of your mother when she was your age and I’m sure you know that I was quite familiar with your father. The things they valued at your age set them on a path and I am curious where yours may lead.”

  Searching her thoughts, Kayleigh could only come up with, “Freedom, milord. I suppose if there is one thing I value above all else it is that.”

  “A fine answer,” he said with a nod. “Having a say in one’s own fate is very important. Without that fundamental truth, nothing else matters. It is safe to say that your father coveted power above all
things and your mother, from the few things I knew of her, valued merit or achievement...what she could make or the things she was capable of, if you will. Back to you, my dear. Tell me why I should allow you to leave with General Jyslin.”

  “Whatever … I mean whoever else I may be, I am a Battle Maiden. My sisters need me. The unicorns need me. I’m one of a few who can make healing tears. I might be the only one here who can unleash a fireshade. Our chances of victory are better if I am with them.”

  “And what of your father?”

  “He’s trying to unleash creatures from the Nether upon the Blessed Continent. They won’t settle for just placing him in charge. No one with a shred of goodness in them would stand by and do nothing to stop him.”

  “Could you face him again?”

  “If I have to, High-King.” Kayleigh looked at the ground. “I don’t like killing. I’ve done too much of it already but, if that is what it takes to prevent the enemies of the Goddess from returning, then I’ll do it with no reservations.”

  The High-King considered her words before saying, “She has spirit, Naomi. What say you?”

  “I believe in her, your majesty. One of her gifts allows me to sit in the saddle again and feel the magic denied to me for so long. If she had any intention of serving Ian, she would have never helped me bond with another unicorn. Given a chance, I will finish him this time.”

  “A good argument,” he conceded. “Still, Lady Kayleigh should be properly trained.”

  “Even if I started this second,” Kayleigh said. “Even with the best teachers in the land, how long would it take before I could face a true magic user in combat? Months? Years? I don’t know that we have either. If I am forced to face Count Darius, I have to be strong enough and fast enough to get by whatever he has protecting him. Right now, that’s a manticore and I believe being on a unicorn would give me a better chance than facing one as a partly-trained sorceress.”

  General Jyslin added her own comment. “Duke Tomas is meeting us with his personal guard. I believe either he or his daughter will take Kayleigh under their wing and begin proper instruction. But of course, I have a bias. I too also feel that our chances of victory are greater with her riding at my side. You once said I could ask any favor of you and I have never taken you up on that until this day. I ask that you not judge Kayleigh Nolan-West on her lineage, but on her deeds.”

  Kayleigh was stunned that General Jyslin had such a favor for all these years and that she would use it to protect her from the High-King.

  “Very well, Naomi,” he said. “We’ve had many disagreements over the years, but I have always respected you. I will stay my edict. You may take this young warrior with you. Teach her the art of war and return to us victorious.”

  “I will, your majesty.”

  “Then safe journey to you both and all who ride with you. Upon your return to Talcosa, I wish to see you again, Lady Nolan-West, and we will make further plans at that time.”

  Kayleigh nodded and smiled at him while allowing herself a sigh of relief as High-King Barris wheeled his steed around and broke into a gallop toward Talcosa.

  She started to speak but General Jyslin held up a hand to shush her. They rode in confused silence for what seemed like forever before the general halted.

  “Fifteen minutes,” she said. “No monitoring spell I know of lasts longer than ten unless someone is actively scrying us. You may speak freely now, Kayleigh.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “For what? The favor? The only thing I’ve ever wanted was what you gave me.”

  Kayleigh felt a blush coming on. “But you got him to dismiss the edict.”

  General Jyslin shook her head and said, “You didn’t listen closely enough. He stayed the edict. He did not revoke it.”

  It took the young sorceress a minute to comprehend what her superior was saying. “Oh, so he could reinstate it if he feels like it.”

  “Correct. He was quick to point out what your parents valued at your age without offering what he held dear. Do you know what I believe he values above all else? Control. If you prove useful to him, he’ll look for ways to control you, whether it’s magical training or the threat of the edict.”

  She allowed the words to sink in. Kayleigh trusted General Jyslin. The same couldn’t be said of the High-King. “That thing he does with his magic – what is it?”

  “When you meet Duke Tomas, he will be able explain it to you in greater detail. It requires willpower or powerful magic to fight against. Thanks to you, I no longer have to rely on just my willpower.”

  With nothing else to discuss on that topic, Kayleigh instead posed a question she wanted desperately to know the answer to. “Ma’am, can I ask you what you valued most when you were my age?”

  The old woman looked pleased. “I was a unicorn rider, much like you. For me, it was duty above everything else, but as I grew older I learned that feelings change and my sense of duty evolved into what I consider to be my personal code of honor. Duty does not define me now, but it was a place to start my journey. Your love of freedom may stay with you for all your days, but you may also find that it leads you to something you will find to be far more important.”

  Kayleigh and her team of scouts were roughly twenty minutes ahead of the main body when they caught sight of the encampment flying the colors of the Duchy of Tomas. She motioned for Liz to join her while the others watched to ensure that this wasn’t some kind of ruse.

  There was also a good chance Brian and Rahzir were in that camp and the opportunity to see both of them again made Kayleigh happy.

  Spotting a falcon in the sky brought a sense of nostalgia to Kayleigh. It meant that Sir Aeric Tomas, Brian’s older brother, was here as well.

  Two riders initially broke from the camp to meet them with a third joining them, riding hard to catch up. Kayleigh recognized Rahzir on a horse galloping next to a woman with bright blue hair. The strange woman glanced behind her and saw the other horse. Instead of slowing down, she urged her steed to ride faster with a wide smile on her face.

  They arrived in a cloud of dust. Kayleigh waved her hand and used the little air magic she knew to push the cloud away.

  “Kayleigh,” Rahzir said and nodded to her. “I am happy to see you are well.”

  “Hello, Rahzir,” she replied. “It’s good to see you too.”

  “So, you’re the elusive Kayleigh Reese everyone is talking about,” the other arrival stated. Upon closer inspection, the blue-haired woman was much younger. Perhaps the same age as Kayleigh, smaller and with a petite frame that reminded Kayleigh of the Blind Seeress. Those same pale eyes confirmed what she suspected.

  “You must be Brian’s sister,” Kayleigh said. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Oh yes, introductions. How unforgiveable of me. I’m Ashlynn Tomas, journeyman sorceress and you shall be my newest partner-in-crime.”

  Kayleigh wasn’t certain what to make of that. She looked over at Liz, who shrugged and appeared a bit confused as well.

  “I am impressed,” Ashlynn said with a smirk as the third rider arrived. “You’ve managed to cast some kind of spell over my brother already.”

  “You’ll have to forgive my sister,” Brian said, slightly breathless as Kayleigh searched him for signs of a blush. “She’s a bit odd and takes great amusement in making people uncomfortable.”

  “Oh, my poor deluded brother,” the sorceress said and dismounted. “You know I prefer the terms unique and whimsical to odd. How many times must I remind you?”

  “Yes, and I noticed you did something to my horse. That wasn’t very nice.”

  “Well I did promise mother that I would refrain from performing magic on you. The things around you were not part of the bargain.”

  Ashlynn walked over to Kayleigh and regarded her until Kayleigh realized that the young woman wanted her to dismount as well.

  “Yes, now I can bestow a proper greeting upon my future sister-in-law and my first student.�
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  As the smaller woman hugged her Kayleigh felt a tingle traverse her body, but was too concerned with her hiding her own blush from view.

  The sorceress stepped back from Kayleigh and said, “Yes that’s lovely, much livelier.”

  There was a sense of mirth coming through the bond with Iarisha and a little gasp from the air maiden. Rahzir had a slight frown and Brian smiled.

  “What did you do?”

  “Lavender is a good color for you. It brings out your eyes.” Kayleigh tugged a lock of her hair forward, so she could see it and her normally blonde hair was replaced with this new color.

  “It’s very nice,” she said, suddenly recalling Alanna Tomas’s offhand comment about her hair when they met. “But I prefer my own color. Would you kindly remove the enchantment?”

  “No,” Ashlynn said. “Your first lesson will be learning how to remove that novice bit of sorcery. If you’re diligent, it should only take you a few weeks. Besides, I understand we’ll be travelling north with so many unicorn riders that I needed a way I can quickly find my student with so many others about. Now back onto your absolutely darling unicorn. Come along! I’m supposed to take you to meet father.”

  There was a tiny shimmer of magic and Ashlynn was sitting back in her saddle, as if she had never gotten out of it. She wheeled the horse around and made a clicking sound with her mouth and the horse broke into a fast gallop.

  Frowning, Kayleigh returned to her saddle and began to follow the girl. Brian came alongside of her. “And that, dear Kayleigh, is why I don’t speak of my sister very often. She is rather difficult to describe. My words, any words for that matter, just don’t quite do her justice. Ashe is more like an event. You experience her and then find it impossible to convey what she is like to someone who hasn’t.”

  “I think I understand,” she said. “I thought her magic wouldn’t work on you?”

  “For the most part, it doesn’t. Instead of being discouraged, she considers it a challenge. Mother has a blind spot when it comes to myself and my siblings. She works around it by seeing the futures of those surrounding us.”