I heard Adalina’s soft footfalls approaching and I stood. She slowed as she rounded the turn in the crater and saw me. A smile crossed her face; not the aggressive smile she normally saved for me, but a kind and gentle smile.
“So, beautiful, have you decided what you’re going to do with yourself?” she asked.
I laughed. “No, I haven’t,” I replied. “But I do need to thank you for coming back for me.”
She blushed, which I had never seen her do before. “Well, I couldn’t leave you there to rot with those foul-smelling demons.” She paused and cleared her throat. “I didn’t expect to find you alive and was relieved when you were.”
“You’re not getting sentimental, are you?” I asked jokingly. “Because I need to have at least one person in my life who will tell me like it is without all the fluff.”
She punched my shoulder and I flinched from her strength. “Absolutely not!” she exclaimed. “But don’t you dare scare me like that again, or I might be forced to shed a tear for you.” She smiled, then started laughing.
“Run with me back to the gates,” I said. “I remembered part of what happened.”
“I’ll race you. There’s no such thing as just a run,” she called back over her shoulder as she took off. I sprinted after her, chuckling. She cared more than she wanted to admit, and I would accept her strange affection willingly. It felt good to be cared about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We arrived back at the tower and I stopped, realizing that I didn’t have a shirt. Adalina leered at me and smiled. “You didn’t think I was going to suggest a shirt, did you?”
“I suppose that would be expecting too much,” I said sarcastically. “I’ll be there in a minute.” I went back to the barracks and found a shirt. Mikel was the only one in his office besides Adalina when I arrived, which suited me fine. Everyone’s discomfort made it difficult for me to speak.
“Adalina said you have regained part of your memory,” Mikel said and motioned for me to sit down.
“Yes, apparently Zar’Asur was supposed to be gone when we arrived,” I said. I shared the details of the rest of my memory with him.
“Why would this unknown master intend for him to leave before we arrived?” Adalina asked. “If you had not destroyed those demons, they would have killed us. We couldn’t even injure the one that met us in the field in front of the castle. I can’t imagine facing six of them.”
“His anger at Zar’Asur’s disobedience would indicate that this master knew he would be tempted to lure Darian, and in doing so would provide him with the power to destroy the castle,” Mikel suggested. “Had Zar’Asur left before our arrival, we would have been slaughtered.”
“Is Zar’Asur that arrogant that he truly believed I would join him?” I asked.
“Possibly,” Mikel replied then sat in silence for a few moments. “I’m not sure about their intentions. We may have been able to release Eli and Juana without engaging the other demons in the cavern. Our ability to instantly travel gives us a survivability that they do not have. Had we done that, those monstrous creatures would still be alive and at Zar’Asur’s command.”
“I suppose you’re right. If I had not been delayed by Zar’Asur, I would’ve gone to fight with Adalina against the dreadlords. That’s what Zar’Asur called them,” I added. “Eli, Juana, and Raphael could have come back out through the kitchen and traveled back to Santuario.”
“What do they have planned, Mikel?” Adalina asked. “Do they want the destruction of the world, or just to destroy us? I thought we agreed to maintain balance.”
“I’m not sure, Adalina,” Mikel replied. “But without Juana or Darian, they won’t be summoning anymore of those dreadlords any time soon.”
“Thank God! I’m not sure we could defeat them.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took nearly a week for my eyes to fade back to normal. It took me two days to realize that using my ability quickened the process. So, I spent the last three days on the plateau, perfecting my control over the inferno that boiled inside me. After that, everything seemed to slow down and returned to some semblance of normalcy. Cyrus was learning English very quickly and enjoyed practicing with anyone who would talk with him. Magdelin learned that he was actually fourteen years old, but malnutrition had affected his growth. She must have been getting real food from somewhere because he seemed to grow a full head taller in the couple weeks since he arrived. He was still staying at her house with the excuse that the barracks was not conducive for someone who actually needed to sleep at night. She was probably right, too. The warriors didn’t sleep very often, and when they did, it was only for a few hours.
One afternoon, as I was leaving the Warriors’ Arena, Raphael called from the courtyard, asking me to join him.
“I’ve been thinking,” he began, his boyish smile on his face. “How do you feel about having your own place?”
I looked at him in disbelief. “I imagine there are many people here who would qualify for that privilege besides me,” I replied.
I thought I noticed a look of guilt pass his features. “Well, Cyrus won’t be able to stay with Magdelin forever, and the barracks aren’t really appropriate for him right now. I was hoping you might investigate his ability with him as he grows rather than having him stumble into it accidentally.”
“And sharing a home would make it easier for us to talk about it?” I suggested.
“Exactly!” Raphael explained. “I knew you would understand.”
“He’s not getting too attached to Magdelin is he?” I asked. “She is very easy to like,” I said, raising my eyebrows. I had my suspicions about Raphael’s affection for her, but I wasn’t going to voice them out loud.
“Oh, no! He’s a complete gentleman,” Raphael stuttered for a moment, looking for the right words. “It’s just difficult to have a private conversation with her when he’s always there.”
I smiled and nodded, his awkwardness confirming my suspicions. “Let me know what I can do to help get this new home ready.”
Raphael cleared this throat. “Actually, it’s already been prepared for you,” he said, looking at the ground.
“Well then, I should probably take a look and make sure it’s acceptable for the two of us,” I said, smiling. Raphael beamed and led me towards the home that would be mine and Cyrus’s for the foreseeable future.
Chapter 17
For the next several years, I spent a great deal of time in Paris, London, and Vienna. Mikel would tell me about someone he believed to be possessed. Then I would establish the best way to isolate them so he could remove the demon. Sometimes the possession was voluntary, but in most cases, it was not.
Such was the case with an English gentleman who would later be an integral part of the Treaty of Amiens. When Mikel removed the demon from him, he was disgusted by the actions he had been forced to commit and vowed to do everything he could to help bring about peace. Even though the peace only lasted a few years, it gave us time to strengthen our ranks. We added ten more warriors to Adalina’s group, and they trained relentlessly every day. We had not seen nor heard from Zar’Asur, but we were certain he was still actively pursuing his master’s plan.
There were several occasions where we had to intervene during the battles that were still being fought between Napoleon’s army and the rest of Europe. The Csökkent were still taking advantage of the chaos of war by trying to use whole communities as sacrifices. One such event took place in northern Austria just after the Battle of Austerlitz in December of 1805. Napoleon’s Army crushed the Austrian and Russian forces there, leaving thousands of casualties in its wake. The Csökkent moved in behind the chaos and attempted to abduct small communities who were already suffering from the losses of war. Adalina and her warriors were always instrumental in regaining their freedom. Most of the sacrifices did not take place, but sometimes we were too late, and Adalina’s forces were greeted by an army of demons rather than a group of frightened villagers.
&nb
sp; By the time Cyrus turned eighteen, he was extremely good with his ability to cloak himself. His ability was different than mine, but the effect was similar. He and I knew every corner of Santuario, as well as the small village at the bottom of the mountain. We used them as training grounds, trying to find each other while evading one another at the same time. When I first suggested it, he was never able to find me before I found him, but my complacency proved my undoing one evening when he snuck up behind me, totally unseen. Since then, I treated the sessions as training for both of us.
I was frequently amused while walking through Santuario, seeing him fade in and out without even realizing it. More than once I would have to remind him that while it might be acceptable in Santuario, people in the outside world would not be so understanding. He also trained with Adalina’s warriors as often as possible, but because of his difficult childhood, his strong, agile body would never be as tall as theirs. I believe he took it as a challenge, working as long and hard as his body could tolerate.
“When do I get to become one of you?” he asked, exasperated one evening as he collapsed in our small living room. “I’ll never be able to keep up with Edwin as long as I’m still like this.” He motioned towards his tired frame.
I smiled. “When Magdelin says its time and not a moment before then,” I replied.
“You can’t have been much older than me when she healed you,” he said with frustration. “We look the same age now. Everyone says so.”
He had grown up so much in the last few years. He still had the same mousy brown hair and intelligent eyes, but his frame was now strong and muscular, no longer the skinny malnourished little boy he used to be. He had dimples on each side of his smile, which showed itself frequently.
“I was twenty when I arrived at Santuario,” I replied. “And I’m not sure I was ready for it then. It’s not a very pleasant process. They call it healing, but it sure doesn’t feel like it at the time.”
“Two more years?” He threw his head back against the chair dramatically and I laughed. His confidence and juvenile sense of humor brightened everyone’s day. “How can I wait two more years?”
“I didn’t say you had to be twenty,” I began. “I said I was twenty when I arrived. It will be up to Magdelin to decide when you’re ready. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll ask her.”
“Thank you, Darian! It’ll make me feel much better if I have a time frame to look forward to.” He smiled at the thought, knowing that it would be more than just strength that he would receive. We didn’t hide anything from him, so he knew that most of us had a latent talent that would only surface after healing. He was excited to find out what his would be. Cyrus was unique in that he was the only one who would be prepared for what was coming. The rest of us were totally taken by surprise. I was grateful that he would be spared the anger, confusion, and frustration that I had to endure.
“Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning,” I said as I rose to leave.
Magdelin’s home was several doors down from mine, so it only took a few minutes for me to arrive at her door. I knocked gently and waited a few moments for her to answer. She smiled as she opened the door and let me inside. Raphael was already there, along with Mikel and Aneera. They all looked at me with strange expressions that made me apprehensive.
“What’s happened?” I asked as I sat down next to Aneera.
“I’ve had another vision about the book,” she replied. Realization struck me—she could only be referring to one book.
“Do we have a plan yet?” I asked, looking at each of them.
“Eli and Juana have traveled to the location where we believe it to be.” Mikel held up his hand as I started to interrupt. “I know what you will say, but they remember the encounter just as well as you do. They won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
Of course, he was right. “I’m sorry, you’re right,” I said. “The timing of our discovery is not a coincidence, is it?”
“I imagine not,” Raphael replied. “There is talk of another coalition in Europe to try to push back Napoleon’s Army.”
“Who is it this time?” I asked.
“We’re uncertain,” Mikel replied. “Prussia is talking about a new treaty with France which will close their ports to British commerce. If that happens, there will likely be another offensive. The Treaty of Pressburg cannot last any more than the dozens of previous treaties. Land and titles are swapping hands too quickly for any of the European states to be satisfied.”
“It’s difficult to say who Britain will ally with next in order to regain their ports in Hanover,” Raphael added.
“What does all of this have to do with the book?” I asked.
“I’m guessing that our removal of several demons from strategic positions has created some difficulties for the alliances. I know that Zar’Asur has possessed leaders on both sides trying to fuel the fires for more war. Without an allegiance to him, they are turning back to their own countries.” Mikel paused as he ran his hand through his hair. “Do you realize how many lives have been lost in Europe alone since Napoleon started his campaign? Not just soldiers, but innocent civilians as well. The numbers are astounding; hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have died. If the war continues, there will be no one left to fight against Zar’Asur.” He stood and walked towards Magdelin’s small dining area behind us. “I have to believe that he has found someone else who is capable of controlling the power of the book. I can think of no other reason why it would be surfacing in Aneera’s thoughts.”
“I’m confused about why Zar’Asur doesn’t just summon the demons himself using the book,” I said. “Clearly, he is not affected by its power the way we are, and he has demonstrated his own strength against us.”
“I’ve wondered that myself,” Raphael agreed. “Eli’s description of how Zar’Asur controlled him is impressive, and he killed Charles by incinerating him with a fireball, so he’s certainly magically inclined. I don’t know why he isn’t affected by the book, but maybe it’s the same reason why he can’t use its power to summon those dreadlords.”
“I suppose it’s better that he can’t; otherwise we would’ve been fighting those monsters years ago,” Mikel said.
We all sat in silence for several minutes. I decided now was as good a time as any to ask about Cyrus’s request.
“Magdelin, when do you think Cyrus will be strong enough to endure your magic touch?” I asked with a grin.
She scowled at me playfully. “Don’t you mean, how much longer will he have to wait?”
“Possibly,” I said with a laugh. “He’s very anxious, and I think he has an advantage that some of us did not. He knows what to expect and will not have to deal with the confusion and frustration that others experienced.”
“Honestly, we could do it anytime now,” she replied. “I’m surprised he hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
“He won’t stop bugging me about it,” I said still smiling.
Mikel turned from the dining area. “Then let’s get started on his healing. We may need him in the months ahead.”
“When will Eli and Juana be back?” I asked, becoming more serious.
“Hopefully by tomorrow,” Mikel replied.
“We weren’t certain of the location, kind of like when we were looking for the castle,” Aneera added.
“I hope they find what they’re looking for without encountering Zar’Asur,” I said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, I woke Cyrus and told him to go see Magdelin. He was bursting with excitement as he dressed and rushed out of the house. I smiled watching him go, knowing that his excitement would dwindle by the time she finished.
Eli and Juana arrived that morning as well, looking tired but unharmed. I saw them come through the gates as I was walking towards the Warriors’ Arena. I changed direction and headed towards them.
“It’s good to see you back,” I said. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“We did,” Juana replied. “Come with us to see Mikel. You’ll want to hear what we found.”
After we were all seated in Mikel’s office, they began telling their story.
“We found another castle in a very remote area of southern Russia. They’ve summoned hundreds of demons,” Eli began. “It’s the largest gathering of Csökkent and demons that I have seen. The castle grounds are huge, with a large wall that encloses a small town. It looks like they’ve been there for a couple years now, as several of the houses are occupied by the Csökkent.”
“They have regular patrols circling the wall as well as guards stationed on the castle ramparts,” Juana added. “It’s almost as if they expect an attack. The area is so isolated; I’m not sure who would even be able to find them other than us.”
“Were the patrols demons or humans?” Mikel asked.
“They appeared to be human,” Eli replied. “They were wearing bulky coats and hats because of the cold, but even that would not have covered a demon’s large stature.”
“Zar’Asur has never recruited anyone other than the Csökkent before. I wonder what he promised to convince them to join him,” Raphael questioned. “And he must have recruited them before they summoned the demons. I can’t imagine any sane person wanting to join an army of demons.”
“This gives us a great deal to think about,” Mikel said. “Were you able to verify if the book was there?”
“Yes,” Juana replied. “I could feel it.”
“Do you think Zar’Asur noticed your presence?”
“I don’t think we got close enough,” Eli replied, glancing at Juana. “We stayed a good distance back from the walls, mostly just trying to avoid being seen by the patrols.”
Mikel nodded then looked at me. “I assume Cyrus is with Magdelin?” he asked.
Light's Rise Page 13
