Wayward Magic

by Melinda Kucsera et al.

  “Let me.” Although not a druid by blood, Ed had grown up among them and learnt their ways. He considered himself to be one of them, even if he had no idea what his true heritage was.

  “Taispeáin an rud nach féidir a fheiceáil,” he chanted words of power. White light radiated over Ann’s body and his own. Ed examined his chest, arms and torso. No sign of any spells. He turned around. “Do you see anything on my back?”

  Ann ran her hands over his skin. He closed his eyes moment, enjoying the feel of her touch. “No, I don’t see anything.”

  Ed checked over his legs and Ann checked over herself too. No sign of any spells, runes or marks. Ed picked up his own sword and clothing too. Nothing on them either.

  Ann looked over her own clothes and knives. Still nothing.

  Together they sat on the floor and emptied out the contents of their packs. Odd how little they had left from their former lives. A few weapons, some spare clothing, a bit of food, and some coin.

  “I’m not seeing anything. Do you think Orla could be tracking my magic?” Ann shoved her things back into her pack.

  Ed wriggled into his bed roll. “How could she? She’s a demon and you’re the—”

  “Please don’t call me the archdruid.” She pulled her own blankets over her.

  “You’ve always had the power. Even before everything that happened.”

  “But I’m not it, am I?” She rolled onto her side, so she no longer had to face him. “I have no throne. No people. Nothing.”

  “You’re still powerful, even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.”

  Ann said nothing.

  “We’ll need a cover story for when we meet the resistance,” Ed added. “It’s best to stick close to the truth as possible. I could say I worked in Caselhelm as a soldier. That shouldn’t raise too many questions after everything that’s happened. You could be my wife.”

  Ann shot up and glared at him. “Your what?”

  “It would raise fewer suspicions if we pretend we’re a couple.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Fine. I’ll play along if I must.” She turned back over onto her side.

  Ed closed his eyes, mind racing. But would the resistance accept them? Would they ever escape from Orla’s pursuing forces? He didn’t know where they would go if they didn’t find refuge soon.

  The sound of whimpering made him sit up. Ann had nightmares every night since her parents died. He hadn’t slept much since then either. He worried about how to keep her safe and how to stay one step ahead of Orla.

  Ed got up and moved his bed roll close at her. “You’re safe,” he soothed.

  Ann clung to him as he wrapped his arms around her.

  Whether happened he’d always be there for her. No matter what.

  Chapter Three

  Ann felt a little more rested the next morning. After a while the dreams had faded, allowing her to sleep. She had been embarrassed waking up with Ed’s arms around her, but she brushed off the feeling. Being close to him had been comforting and allowed her to get some of the first real sleep she’d had since this nightmare began.

  After breakfast, they left the safety of the hut to go meet the rest of the resistance. Part of her wanted to stay in the hut. It was the first place she’d felt safe since her parents’ murder. Ann almost wished she could stay there forever, hidden from the rest of the world, safe from Orla’s pursuing forces.

  It also surprised her to hear Nadia was part of the resistance. Ann had heard stories of the resistance of course, long before Orla took control of Caselhelm. Nadia used to tell tales of it for years up until she left the palace a couple of years ago. Ann found Nadia’s stories interesting. She’d always despised the idea of slavery and tried to do something about it. But even as the archdruid’s heir, she’d only had limited power and say about what went on. Darius had ruled with an iron fist, and although he’d done his best to bring about a better future for Caselhelm, it would take more than one man to change the centuries-old laws that governed the five lands.

  She and Ed had gone over their story in more depth and discussed it with Nadia over breakfast before they left.

  Nadia laughed when she heard Ed’s idea of them being a married couple and said, “That won’t be too hard for you both.”

  People had thought she and Ed were a couple for years now. Ann never understood why. She and Ed had been best friends for a decade now. She’d been ten when she’d found him washed up on the shores of Trin. They had been close ever since. There had never been anything romantic between them and there never would be. They didn’t have that kind of relationship. What they had was much more special than any fleeting romance could ever be.

  In truth, he’d kept her going this past month on the run. He’d stayed by her. She wouldn’t have blamed him for leaving. The archdruid and the Black Guard were no more. He wasn’t obligated to stay.

  “Where are we going?” Ann asked as they moved through the woods. She kept her senses on alert, half expecting a demon jump out at them at any moment.

  Ed stuck close to her side, one hand on his sword.

  “Underground. We’ll be safe there,” Nadia replied.

  Ann didn’t like Nadia’s vague answers. Nadia hadn’t told them much about who they were meeting or much else about the resistance either. Nor did she like the sound of having to go underground.

  “I’m still not sure about us posing as a couple,” she admitted.

  “You will be less suspicious,” the Ursaie insisted. “They won’t ask you much. No one cares where you come from. It’s about how you can help others. If Xavier agrees to let you stay you will have to work.” She turned to Ann. “Everyone has to contribute. Life is hard out here.”

  That didn’t surprise Ann and she wasn’t afraid of hard work. She’d never relied on servants all the time, despite being surrounded by them all her life. She’d always preferred relying on herself than others.

  “Who’s Xavier?” Ed asked.

  “One of the leaders,” Nadia said. “A good friend. He gave me shelter after I fled the palace.”

  “Fled?” Ann frowned. “I thought you retired and were given your freedom.” She glanced between them. Ed looked uncomfortable and avoided her gaze. Had he known about this? If so, why hadn’t he told her? They never used to keep secrets from each other. At least they hadn’t in the past. “Ed?”

  “General Reevus suspected her involvement with the resistance,” Ed admitted. “He was going to question her and lock her up.”

  “Why?” Ann asked. “I thought my father—”

  “Your father—although not as cruel as his predecessor—did not like anyone who challenged him,” Nadia replied. “I would have been arrested if young Edward here hadn’t helped me.”

  Ann froze. How could Darius even think Nadia was a threat? He said the resistance was little more than a group of outcasts with no real power. Another thing she’d learnt as a rogue, her father had had many secrets. She reminded herself not to be surprised by anything anymore. It made her wonder how well she knew her father at all. There were so many things she hadn’t known, and she knew more secrets would eventually come to light.

  They moved through the dense woodland. Nadia pushed her way through a heavy canopy of leaves, revealing a small black hole cut into the rock. The entrance was thick with jagged branches that covered and almost concealed the opening.

  Nadia muttered something and the branches moved aside. “Come.” She motioned for them to follow as she headed into blackness.

  Ann went in after her and noticed Ed glancing around. She kept the hood of her cloak up over her face. Even with her glamour covering her like a second skin, she felt vulnerable. Glamour spells weren’t infallible; she feared someone would eventually recognise her. If they did, no doubt they would turn her over to Orla. She didn’t fear Orla herself. Although a demon, she’d never been that powerful. Instead, Ann feared whoever had helped Orla and her brother, Urien, to seize control over Caselhelm. Someone else had to be be
hind Orla and had helped her. Orla had never been powerful enough to seize an entire realm for herself.

  Ed followed in behind her and the branches closed over the entrance once more, blocking them in.

  Ann’s heart pounded in her ears. She hated being closed in, feeling trapped. She hated being underground. She much preferred to stay above ground, surrounded by nature instead of being closed in like this.

  Nadia pulled out a crystal that eliminated the passage that had been cut out of sheer rock. It did little to chase the shadows that danced around them. Ann half expected something to jump out at them.

  Ann had never been afraid of the dark but being so closed in made her breath come in short gasps. She grabbed Ed’s hand without thinking.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

  Ann took a deep breath and nodded. His touch always comforted her. She hated to appear weak like this but hung onto his hand anyway.

  “Hurry,” Nadia called from up ahead.

  She and Ed moved on. Ann wondered who dug these channels. They were close to the border between Caselhelm and Asral. A long way from Orla at least.

  The passage widened into a large cavern. Ann gasped as orbs of light glittered overhead. Purple and green light danced over the crystalline walls. “This place is incredible,” she breathed.

  Ann had travelled a lot with her father around the five lands, but she’d never seen a place like this.

  Nadia insisted they not use much magic unless they had to.

  Ann felt the hum of magic all around them. Her own magic ached to reach out and connect with it. All druids had an affinity with nature and the elements. Her own affinity was fire, but she could use the other elements to an extent. Druids needed to connect with the Erthea lines or their own elements regularly to restore their energy. Ann hadn’t had a chance to do that since becoming a rogue.

  She breathed a little easier now too. But that didn’t stop her pounding heart.

  What if the resistance refused to take them in? Where would they go? Even if they ventured into another realm, they’d never stay in one place too long. Being in a different realm made little difference to the demons hunting them. They’d cross any border if it meant tracking them down. She and Ed had crossed into Asral for a while, thinking they’d be safe, but they had still been tracked and had to fight their way out.

  Up ahead stood a man with braided black hair. The dwarf with more braids through his long beard. His black eyes looked unnerving.

  “Xavier, these are the newcomers I told you about. Ann and Edward.” Nadia greeted him with a smile.

  The dwarf eyed them up and down. Ann gripped Ed’s hand a little tighter. She took a deep breath and her face turned impassive. The archdruid never showed their true emotions. Neither would she.

  “Pleasure to meet you both,” Xavier said. “Nadia tells me you’re a soldier, Edward?”

  “Was. My regiment has—well, with all the upheaval, I decided it was time to leave,” Ed replied. “This is my wife, Ann.”

  Ed had cast a spell before coming to make hand fasting lines appear on their wrists. Ann found the intricate lines going up her left wrist odd to look at. She never saw herself getting married. Hand fasting was a sacred joining. It seemed wrong to fake such a spell.

  She reminded herself it didn’t matter. She wasn’t Rhiannon Valeran here or Ann the rogue. They were a couple seeking shelter. Who they were and where they came from didn’t matter—or so Nadia insisted.

  Ann eyed Xavier.

  “You’re both welcome. We are always happy to have new people here,” Xavier said.

  Odd, Ann remembered her father telling her how the dwarves had been wiped out years ago at the end of the last realm war. It surprised her to find one of them had survived. Then again, she reminded herself not to be surprised by anything anymore. Nothing was what it seemed.

  Ed, Xavier and Nadia continued with their small talk. Ann didn’t pay much attention as they moved further through the enormous cavern. People turned and stared at them. She spotted Ursaie, dwarves, and other different races. Lights darted overhead. Looking closer, she realised they were sprites. She’d never seen so many different races under one roof like this.

  People sent curious glances their way but didn’t look like they were about to attack. She scanned the surrounding cavern with her mind for a brief moment then stopped. No sign of any demons. Yet.

  “How many people are down here?” Ann asked. “What kind of work do you do?”

  Xavier blinked, surprised. “A couple of dozen. We can’t all stay together in one place. But we have plenty of room for whenever large groups of refugees come through. We work on maintaining a small sanctuary here and other areas. We never stay in one place too long. All five lands oppose us and there are laws across all territories forbidding anyone from turning against the rule of the council.”

  “So, this isn’t a permanent base?” Ann’s heart clenched. She thought by joining these people she and Ed might get stay in one place more than a day or two.

  Ann, be careful, Ed warned. We aren’t supposed to arouse suspicion. We need to be careful of what we say.

  What? I’m curious.

  “Where did all these people come from?” Ann asked.

  Ann! Ed gave her a warning look.

  If we live here, I’d like to know more about these people. We might not be able to trust them either.

  “Some are former slaves like me,” Nadia replied.

  “You were a—” Ann bit her lip. She’d never considered Nadia a slave or treated her as one. Although the entire Ursaie race was treated like chattel throughout the five lands. Their demon-like appearances and strong magical talents made them ostracised by many of the other races.

  “Most of us are refugees,” Xavier answered. “Territories change hands every day throughout Almara. My own people were forced out of ancestral lands.”

  “By who?”

  “Forgive my wife, she’s very curious.” Ed wrapped an arm around her.

  She flinched at the word “wife”.

  She nodded. “Sorry, after we left the regiment I’ve been wondering if anyone else might have found refuge here.” True enough. She wanted to know if any of the Black survived or anyone from the palace. Like her father’s advisers, friends. But so far, they hadn’t heard much of anything.

  “Of course.” Xavier turned to Ed. “We’ll be glad to have you. Sometimes we have to help refugees move from dangerous areas.”

  What am I, a plant? Ann gritted her teeth. Did Xavier think she was a woman who did nothing but look after house?

  Ann wouldn’t become that kind of woman or be obsolete. She’d been wondering what kind of role she would play down here. It had always been her dream to travel and have the freedom her brothers had. She could use magic—not in the way she wanted.

  “I’m a healer. I can help too,” she blurted out.

  All three stared at her amazement. One way or another, she’d find a way to fit in here and be useful.

  Chapter Four

  After chatting with Xavier more and meeting a few more resistance members, Ed and Ann were shown to a cave. It appeared much smaller than the main cavern with glistening purple crystalline walls and flickering crystal torches that lit up the space.

  Ed didn’t like the fact it had no door. Xavier said things were open down here and they didn’t see the need for doors. No one saw the need for secrets or privacy.

  Ed conjured a ward. “Why did you tell them you’re a healer?” he hissed. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”

  Ann sighed. “Because I don’t like feeling obsolete.” She crossed her arms. “They kept talking about everything you’d be doing. It’s like I’m back in Larenth, only allowed to do things with someone else’s permission.”

  “That’s not true.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Isn’t it? With my father, I had limited power and authority—even as his heir.”

  Ed opened his mouth to protest the
n closed it again. True, he’d always known how trapped she’d felt. Darius had never allowed her to travel or use her powers unless it served a purpose—usually one that served him. Ann wanted to abolish slavery and make changes—something Darius had never allowed. He knew Ann hoped in her new life now she might have more power and control over things. Yet she probably felt more powerless than ever. Outside forces still controlled her life.

  “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t use magic?”

  “I don’t have to use magic to help people. My mother…she was a healer and had only limited power.”

  “Fine, but we—”

  “I know, Ed.” She gritted her teeth.

  Xavier came in, making them both jump. “Ed, you seem like a strong lad. Will you come and help with the mining?”

  “Of course.” Ed forced a smile. Damn, he had hoped to talk with Ann a little longer. He didn’t like the thought of them having to be apart during the day. What if there was another attack and he wasn’t here to help her?

  Xavier glanced between them. “Is everything alright?”

  “Fine, thank you.”

  “Come, I’d like for you both come and meet some more fellow members. Then we’ll all get to work.”

  Ann and Ed followed Xavier back out.

  Xavier introduced a few more people. Ed’s eyes landed on a man with long white hair, a weathered face and washed-out blue eyes. He wore patted blue velvet robes.

  Ann gasped beside him. “Phin—” She covered her mouth with a cough.

  “This is Phineas, a recent refugee from Caselhelm,” Xavier explained.

  Ed couldn’t believe the druid scholar was here too. He gripped Ann’s hand when she made a move to go to him. Don’t. He doesn’t know who we are, he told her. We can’t reveal to him who we are. So don’t say anything to him.

  But he’s— You’re right.

  Phin stared at them and nodded. “A pleasure.”

  How is he still alive? Ann asked.

  I don’t know but it would be safer not telling him who we are. We can’t trust anyone. Only each other, Ed warned. Orla could use people we once thought of as friends. Even someone like Phin.