by Eden Redd
“She worries about you and wants to make sure we look out for each other,” Dax said without hesitation.
The two young men laughed long and hard as the carriage bounced along.
When the laughter died, Dax gave Symon a stern glance. “We can pick up the barrel at the Drinking Serpent. I want the good stuff.”
Symon nodded as he wiped away a joyful tear from the corner of his eye.
The carriage continued to bounce along the worn-down street. Dax looked out to familiar buildings and alleys. A sense of comfort and home washed over him. He didn’t realize how much he missed it until he glanced down, thinking about the tunnels running under the streets. Slivers of fear and excitement touched his heart as he remembered running from monsters and gangs, sometimes laughing and other times filled with constant anxiety. Hydale hadn’t changed in the year he was away. The streets were filled with people, going about their days and evenings. The peaceful city enjoyed its relaxed atmosphere, bringing many to visit, knowing this was the city that stood against the void spawn and won.
The sun sank lower, the late afternoon sliding into evening. Dax spotted stars as they appeared. Thoughts drifted to Nuria and the mage quickly pushed them away. Lips parted, ready to speak about anything just to take his mind off the beautiful mage when something caught Dax’s eye.
“Can we stop the carriage? I need to visit a place before we reach the docks,” Dax asked.
Symon made a fist and hit the inside roof of the carriage three times. The carriage slowed, pulled over and stopped.
“Want me to go with you?” Symon smiled.
Dax shook his head. “Thanks, but I need to do this alone.”
Symon nodded. “I’ll have the carriage pulled around the corner. We’re not in a rush, but we should get to the docks early.”
“It will be quick,” Dax said and opened the carriage door.
The mage stepped out onto the sidewalk and looked up. A temple stood with a statue of a cloaked woman. She held a stone rose in one hand and a crescent moon in the other. Behind her, tall doors stood wide open for any who wished to worship in the Temple of Vala.
The door closed behind the mage and the carriage pulled away.
Dax’s heart began to beat like a hammer in his chest. He made his way to the stairs and climbed them one at a time. Before long, he entered the temple and watched as robed men and women walked around, attending to those who were there for worship and guidance. Modest pillars stood as tapestries hung on walls. Stained glass allowed late day light to glow into a myriad of different colors from red to blues and yellows to greens.
A robed cleric approached Dax and bowed her head.
“How can Vala’s faithful help you this evening?”
Dax smiled and bowed. “I’m here to see a family member under your care.”
The cleric nodded. “Right this way.”
Dax followed the cleric. They walked through the main hall to a door. Opening it, they stepped out into a garden. Dax drank it in, the memory of the place burned into his mind. Many walked about amid the garden but their eyes were blank. Some gibbered to themselves while others sat and stared at nothing. Behind those in the garden, a monastery stood, surrounded by stone buildings of Hydale. The temple and monastery were a quiet place among the thick buildings surrounding it.
“What is the name of the soul under our care?” the cleric asked.
“Lena Sage, my mother.” Dax said, his voice straining when he said mother.
The cleric nodded and led the mage. Entering the monastery, the cleric of Vala brought the young man to a side room. Tables, chairs, and benches filled the large room. Several people sat in different locations. Large windows took up a single wall.
Dax’s heart was beating faster as he stepped in. The moment his gaze caught a woman sitting by a large window, his heart calmed with dripping sadness.
“I’ll be by the door. Take as long as you like,” the cleric said and stepped away.
Dax simply nodded and made his way to the woman. She sat by the window, her eyes distant. Her hair was black and tied back, but she had a single lock of white hair from her temple. Dax ran his finger through his own hair, remembering he had a similar white lock. The mage stopped before the woman, grabbed a chair, pulled it over and sat.
“Hi mother,” Dax said in a low tone.
The woman turned her gaze to the Dax and a small smile appeared. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Are they treating you well?” Dax asked as he noticed the light in her eyes.
Maybe she remembers me.
Lena nodded. “They treat me well. The clerics are very nice.”
“Is there anything you need or want? I could have them bring it to you,” Dax said with a kind edge.
Lena shook her head and looked out the window. “I’m fine. My son is going to visit me. He is such a handful, but most boys are. I can’t wait to see him.”
Dax’s heart crumbled in his chest. “Mother, it’s me, Daxton.”
Lena looked to Dax and her bright gaze darkened. “No, my son is only ten.”
The corner of Dax’s mouth wrinkled.
Don’t make her upset. Just be light with her.
“Is there something you want to say to him when you see him?”
The darkness bled away and light returned to her eyes. “I want to smother him in kisses and tell him I love him. All we had was each other and I miss him so much,” Lena said with a wide smile.
Dax smiled. “I’m sure he misses you too.”
Lena’s smile began to falter. “Who are you again? You know my son?”
Dax nodded. “I’m his friend.”
Lena nodded and looked out the window again. “I’m learning to paper weave. Dax always liked magic and I’m making him a paper wand. He always liked to play a wizard when he was younger. He would tell me such stories about his imaginary adventures.”
Dax’s hand trembled, fighting the urge to take her hand into his.
“I could give it to him if you like?”
Lena closed her eyes and shook her head. “It’s not finished. When it is, I will surprise him. Please, don’t tell him. I want to see the look on his face.”
“I won’t tell him,” Dax said as his shoulders sank.
“My son will visit any day now. I’ll have the wand for him soon. I hope he likes it. I want to see his wonderful smile,” Lena whispered.
“I’m sure he will,” Dax said simply.
Lena stopped talking, staring out the window at the final rays of light in the sky. Dax gave her a long look, drinking in her image. After a few minutes, he stood up. He said his goodbyes, but Lena didn’t say anything, her gaze firmly on the sky beyond the window.
The cleric walked to Dax’s side and led him away, the mage giving his mother one last look before turning away.
The pair walked through the garden and back into the temple.
“I inquired with my fellow clerics. Your mother has shown improvement, but they only happen in small moments. She’s in good spirits, but misses you. We have priests of Vala coming to visit every other week. Their power has helped her to remain calm and alert, but they cannot understand why she is losing her memory. But, do not give up hope. We believe we will come to understand her malady and one day she will be cured.”
“Thank you, Cleric. Please send a raven to the academy if anything changes,” Dax said with a faraway look in his eyes.
“We will,” the cleric bowed as they reached the front doors of the temple.
Dax nodded and stepped out of the temple. The evening air touched his senses and Dax soaked it in. The pain along his heart glowed and the mage tried to push it all away. Memories of his mother washed over him as he made his way down the stairs.
I should have visited during the month. It could have helped her. Why am I so afraid of seeing her like this? What’s wrong with me?
Dax was about to turn and start walking when bodies emerged from a nearby alley. Dax looked up and saw about ten men a
nd women come out and quickly surround the mage. The last rays of daylight disappeared behind the horizon and the sky took on an ember glow.
“Welcome back Dax. Now, where’s our gold?” a hooded man said with an evil grin.
Two
“Kyle! I was in town and was making my rounds,” Dax grinned with hands at his sides.
The hooded man gritted his teeth and glared at the mage. Dax glanced down to see several cards in hands from everyone present. Some of them glowed with dim auras and Dax could have sworn one of them sparked.
“Save it,” Kyle nearly spat. “You left after stacking the games in your favor. I talked to many others and compared notes. You robbed many of us and it was decided you will have to pay us back, in gold or blood.”
The last part came out in a sickening sneer.
I have to really stop pissing people off. How do they even find me every time?
Dax lifted his hands up, palms out and lips curved into a simple smile. “We are in front of a temple. I’m sure it will raise some eyebrows if we have any, rough discussions.”
Kyle kept his sneer. “That’s why we are going to go back down the alley and sort this whole mess out. You may be a champion in training, but there are enough of us here to make sure you pay up.”
Several of the hooded figures stepped in closer until Dax’s hands dropped to his sides. Eyes slid to Kyle, their bodies hesitating.
“Don’t lose your spines. He is just one man and a student at best,” Kyle growled.
Dax shook his head. “A year of training at the academy is enough to make anyone powerful. Do we really want to do this? I mean, looking at your cards, you managed to learn how to make card magic, which also means you know I was the one who created it.”
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “It doesn’t matter. There is enough of us here to rush you.”
Dax glanced down to the cards and then back up to Kyle. “I can tell the cards are not well designed. None of them should be sparking or glowing. My guess is, you tried your best to make the cards, but cut some corners. If you use those cards, there is a very good chance they will blow up.”
More eyes turned to Kyle, their courage wavering.
Kyle took a step closer, his steely gaze on the academy mage, dripping with contempt. “Considering how much gold you owe us, the risk is worth it. I have no issues with taking it by force here in the street. I don’t care if you’re training to be a champion. To all of us, you’re still a slum runner and that will never change.”
Dax’s smile faded and he bowed his head. “I remember my roots. You’re right. I’ll always be a slum runner at heart. If you let me get the gold from my pocket, we can finalize this with no hard feelings?”
Dax’s hand moved for his robe pocket when several cards pointed at his head and chest. A small spark shot from a card as all of them glowed with power. The mage stopped moving his hand, looking into Kyle’s smug face.
“Don’t even try it. Hands up and I’ll help myself to your gold,” Kyle leered.
Dax gave a small smile as he lifted his arms straight up, holding his sleeves. Several pairs of eyes widened as the mage looked odd with his arms like two poles in the air. Time slowed down as some people on the street looked over, wondering what was happening.
This is going to hurt.
“Left pocket,” Dax grinned.
Kyle lifted his hand and reached for the robe pocket. Nine pairs of eyes looked down, greedy gazes on Kyle’s hand as he attempted to fish the sack of gold out. Fingers touched the edge of the robe pocket and slipped in.
Dax’s fingers were working above the crowd around him. From hidden seams, the mage pulled out two cards, one from each billowy sleeve.
Name: Air Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Knockdown
Special Ability: None
Name: Air Nova
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Knockdown
Special Ability: Stun
“I hope we can laugh about this later,” Dax grinned.
“All will be forgiven when…” Kyle trailed off as his hand slipped into the robe pocket and touched nothing.
“You…” Kyle managed before the air vibrated and pulsed into an invisible explosion.
Dax stood his ground as the very air around him whipped around and blasted outward. Thugs and ruffians were thrown in all directions, their bodies hitting the hard stone floor. Some cards in hands glowed, but others went off. Dax took a step back as lightning bolts fired in several directions.
The street erupted into chaos as people on the street ran for cover. Some of the thugs looked to the cards in their hands as they began to vibrate.
Shit!
Dax grabbed a card from a thug and flicked his wrist, sending the vibrating card through the air before it exploded. Magical energies surged into the air from the explosion as Dax turned and saw two more cards vibrating.
“Don’t create cards if you refuse to follow the directions!” Dax shouted as he stuffed his cards into his pocket and snatched two pulsating cards from the thugs.
With practiced ease, he flicked his wrists and sent the cards flying. A breath later, they exploded, adding to the pandemonium. Screams and shouts clashed with the small clouds of surging power.
Kyle blinked and shook off the stun effect while on his back. Hand reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a dagger. Dax looked down, frowned, drew back his leg and kicked hard. The end of his boot hit Kyle’s wrist dead on. A grunt rose up as his fingers let go and the dagger went clattering across the stone street.
Bodies started to curl up, daggers in some hands and cards in others. Dax glanced around, seeing that this was turning into more trouble than it was worth. Hand diving into his robe pocket, he pulled out his Air Bolt card once again and aimed it.
“This card is powerful enough to make you a red stain on the street! Drop your weapons!” Dax shouted with authority.
Two thugs dropped their daggers. A foolish one aimed and whispered a command word.
Dax was quicker.
An air bolt blasted out and struck the thug dead on. The thugs card went wild, a lightning bolt blasting up into the air as his body was flung like a rag doll. The thug spun and crashed until he slid to a halt.
A horse and carriage charged into the street. It came so fast, two wheels on one side were up in the air as a door opened.
“Get in!” Symon shouted and held out his hand.
Dax bolted for the carriage. Hand out, he grabbed Symon’s hand. The spellsword smirked as he pulled the mage in with no effort. The moment Dax was inside, lightning struck the side of the carriage, the smell of burning wood blasting the inside. Smoke billowed as Dax turned on his heels, trying to keep his balance and card in hand. Grabbing the edge of the door, he leaned out to see about four thugs and Kyle running after them. Two of them had cards and Dax saw that their cards were not sparking.
Some of their cards are stable.
“You’re DEAD!” Kyle shouted as he charged.
“He must be a friend of yours,” Symon laughed from inside the carriage.
The mage held on and smiled wide before aiming his card. Kyle’s eyes bulged and he dove to the side. The others continued to charge.
Dax aimed and whispered the command word. The air swirled and blasted forth. The bolt struck the charging thugs, sending their bodies into the air before they crashed down on the unforgiving cobblestone street.
Dax smiled as he watched the thugs try to move. The smell of wood burning touched his nose as the carriage barreled along the street. Looking over, the mage’s eyes widened as he saw flames rising up from where the lightning bolt hit it before. Card away, he slapped at the flames as Symon laughed louder from inside.
“Now I know why you would have stayed at the academy,” Symon chuckled as the carriage bounced like a top in a hurricane.
“Do you think your dad is going to be mad?” Dax laughed as he put out the fl
ames.
“Yes, but he’s always mad,” Symon grinned.
The carriage turned a corner and charged down the street. Dax pulled himself in, closing the door behind him and flopping into a bouncing seat.
“How many people did you piss off?” Symon asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
Dax leaned back, pulling out two cards and stuffing them back in the hidden seams. “A few. Something tells me I should pay them back at some point.”
“It’s a good idea. Coming home shouldn’t be this exciting every time,” Symon smirked.
Dax nodded as the carriage bumped along, the sun behind the horizon and night’s embrace touching the world.
Thoughts drifted as Dax tried to recompose himself. When he was finally able to relax, the carriage slowed and soon halted.
“We’re here, Master Shieldbrook,” the driver shouted and his boots hit the street.
Dax and Symon stood up as the door opened. The pair made their way out and into the night air. The ocean scent washed over them as lanterns glowed from poles along the docks. The sea barely rippled as the air was calm. Light reflected off the shifting watery surface. Bodies moved along the docks, some carrying crates to different ships.
Dax took a deep breath before looking to the Heroes Light. The ship was medium sized compared to the neighboring galleons. It was the fastest ship in Hydale and solely dedicated to transporting students, professors, and special guests to the Academy and back.
The driver pulled out two large packs and placed them on the dock.
“Thank you, George,” Symon said to the driver and gave him a quick embrace.
The older man smiled and nodded. The two parted, George climbing back into his seat while Symon picked up both packs, one in each hand. Lifting one up, he tossed it to Dax and the mage caught it with both hands.
“Don’t worry about the carriage. George has been with our family for all of my life. I’m sure he will get it repaired before my dad finds out,” Symon grinned.
Dax shouldered his pack. “I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this relaxed. Even after what just happened.”
Symon nodded. “I have the academy and you to thank. I never thought the world could be as crazy as last year. I was nearly expelled. I changed my class from Fighter to Spellsword and I was almost killed by a sea monster. If anyone told me any of those things were going to happen, I would have called them a liar.”
