Wizard in the Woods

by Jeffrey M. Poole

  For the time being. We were just notified the thriper is on its way here.

  THE WHAT?

  The thriper. It’s what the shealk call the Athanaus. Lord Phaedren, that’s the shealk Dragon Lord, now knows he has less than three hours to transform the cave they found into its next prison.

  THREE HOURS? ARE YOU JESTING? PRAVARA, I SENT THAT MESSAGE NEARLY TWO HOURS AGO!

  Are you telling me we have less than an hour to prepare for the thriper’s arrival? Father, that’s not enough time!

  I HAVE TRIED TO SLOW IT DOWN. WE HAVE BEEN RENDERED USELESS. WE ARE UNABLE TO EVEN ATTRACT ITS ATTENTION. IT HAS SELECTED A NEW TARGET AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT NOTHING WILL DISSUADE IT. FIVE OF OUR BRETHREN HAVE TRIED, AND FAILED, TO ENGAGE IT.

  Are they still alive? Pravara hesitantly asked.

  THAT IS A MATTER OF OPINION. PHYSICALLY THEY STILL LIVE, HOWEVER THEY HAVE BECOME VIRTUALLY LIFELESS. THEIR EYES ARE OPEN AND THEY ARE BREATHING, BUT THEY’RE MENTALLY ABSENT.

  It’s their jhorun, father. The thriper has drained all of it. It happened to one of the shealk, too.

  THAT WOULD SUGGEST WE WYVERIANS USE JHORUN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THE HUMANS. I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS.

  Believe it, father. The shealk have opened my eyes about a great many things, including how we utilize jhorun just as much as any other species. Our brethren that have fallen? That’s what is missing. If we restore their jhorun then those affected wyverians will be fine.

  DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF, PRAVARA? EVEN IF WHAT YOU SAY IS TRUE, AND IT COULDN’T POSSIBLY BE, THERE IS NO WAY TO RESTORE JHORUN IN THE EVENT THAT IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEPLETED.

  I understand your argument, father. However, I know it’s possible to restore jhorun because I watched Mikal do it to Balthor, Gareth’s father. He was the first victim of the thriper. It drained his entire jhorun beyond the point that it could be regenerated. That’s exactly what’s happened to those five that have encountered the thriper, am I right?

  YOU ARE.

  Mikal can restore their jhorun. He’s already volunteered to help as soon as we shift back to our regular forms.

  YOU’RE SAYING I WOULD OWE THE HUMANS IF THE HUMAN PRINCE CAN DO WHAT HE SAYS HE CAN DO?

  I already know he can do it, but yes. You would owe the humans.

  DAMN. VERY WELL. HE HAS MY UTMOST APPRECIATION. IN THE MEANTIME, I DO NOT WANT YOU ANYWHERE NEAR THIS THING, YOUNG ONE. PROMISE ME YOU WILL STAY CLEAR OF WHATEVER TARGET IT HAS SELECTED. ARE WE AGREED?

  That target is Gareth and his father, but since Gareth is the stronger wizard, he seems to be the thriper’s intended prey.

  THE YOUNG HUMAN WIZARD? WAIT. I AM CONFUSED. ARE YOU SUGGESTING OUR AQUATIC BRETHREN HAVE THEIR OWN WIZARD?

  I’m not suggesting anything, father. I’m telling you that they do. He has frequently shifted into human form and ventured onto dry land. He even fathered a child. That child is Gareth, the human wizard everyone has been searching for.

  INCREDIBLE. HOW DO THE SHEALK PLAN TO TRAP THIS CREATURE, MAY I ASK?

  They’re working on it, father.

  WORK FASTER.

  WHAT DID YOUR FATHER SAY? Lord Phaedren demanded.

  Father, I have to go. There is much to be done here. I will inform Lord Phaedren about the change in time. Pravara rotated in place until she was directly facing the glittering red shealk. The news worsens, I’m afraid. My father just informed me that there must have been a delay in getting the message delivered. He sent that message to us nearly two hours ago.

  The leader of the shealk’s eyes opened wide, WHAT? ARE YOU SAYING WE NOW HAVE LESS THAN AN HOUR TO PREPARE FOR THE THRIPER’S ARRIVAL?

  Aye.

  Lord Phaedren emitted another blue pulse from the top of his head. This one, Mikal noted, looked just the same as the last one he had seen, but clearly he had added some urgency to the second pulse as suddenly there were shealk everywhere.

  WE MUST EVACUATE THE SHEALK! THE THRIPER WILL BE HERE SOON. WE HAVE LESS THAN AN HOUR, NOT THREE AS WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. I WANT A METHODICAL SEARCH OF THE ENTIRE AREA. NO ONE IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND. WE MUST PROTECT OUR PEOPLE. GO!

  The shealk scattered. Lord Phaedren glanced once at Mikal and Pravara and swam back towards the cavern that had been used to restore Balthor’s jhorun. Uncertain of what they could be doing to help, they followed the shealk leader into the cavern and then gasped with shock as they noticed the cavern was empty. Phaedren had vanished!

  Alright, you saw him swim in here, right? Mikal asked, looking around in amazement.

  Pravara nodded. Aye. There must be a false wall or a concealed tunnel. We must find it. I do not want to be left behind.

  That goes for both of us, Mikal agreed.

  Thirty seconds later Pravara found the concealed tunnel against the back wall of the cave. Mikal thought it looked like it was a naturally occurring tunnel, having formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity that was still in the area. What was remarkable, however, was how well the tunnel opening blended with the surrounding walls.

  I haven’t seen a tunnel that well concealed since I visited a friend of mine in Borahgg a few years ago, Mikal commented. If I didn’t know any better then I’d say a dwarf did that.

  Pravara ushered Mikal through the tunnel and hurried to catch up to Lord Phaedren. Nearly five minutes later they emerged into a much larger, better illuminated domed cavern that stretched upwards for several hundred feet. There were smaller cave openings dotting the smooth gray domed walls, stopping at least fifty feet from the top of the cavern. A soft, bluish glow was emanating from each of the small caves. Mikal could tell that something was moving about in each one. On more than one occasion he saw something moving past the cave opening. Were there shealk in each cave? Was this where the shealk community lived?

  The huge dome was bustling with activity. Lord Phaedren had settled in the center of the dome floor and was slowly spinning in place as he looked up at the various caves. He hadn’t stopped issuing orders.

  EACH CAVE WILL BE CHECKED. EVERY OCCUPANT IS TO EVACUATE TO THE GIAN FIELDS. IF YOU SEE A YOUNGLING THAT NEEDS HELP, OFFER IT. IF THE ELDERLY ARE STRUGGLING, HELP THEM. WE WILL BE ABANDONING THIS CAVERN IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES.

  Lord Phaedren, Mikal called. Where’s Gareth? He needs to know.

  I’LL TAKE YOU THERE MYSELF. I MUST SPEAK WITH BALTHOR IMMEDIATELY.

  They followed the shealk leader into a cave that looked as though it was no different from any of the dozens of others all scattered across the dome’s interior. This tunnel led into a smaller cavern that had only two shealk in it. One was black and the other was blue.

  I mean, look at this, Gareth was saying. Look at our arms. I can barely use one to scratch the other. Why are they so freakishly small?

  Balthor turned around. He was holding a glowing indigo crystal in his mouth. He deposited the glowing stone on a slab of flat rock that must have served as some type of workspace when he glanced over at his son. He suppressed a chuckle.

  To a shealk, our legs are considered vestigial.

  What does that mean?

  As the shealk evolve, those organs or appendages that do us the least amount of good will eventually shrivel up and disappear.

  Excuse me? I do not want anything to shrivel up and disappear! Nothing!

  Enhance your calm, son. It is a process that takes many generations. What you see now started many thousands of years ago and it will probably take that many more before our arms and legs completely disappear.

  Look at us! We already look like serpents. Is this what the shealk want to happen?

  Why not? Balthor coiled his tail around a large ordinary stone and smashed it down on the glowing crystal. He inspected the shattered stone before gathering up several larger pieces in his mouth. He spit them out at Gareth’s feet. We have everything we need right here. It’s my own personal opinion, son, but I do think we’re getting the better end of the arrangement.

  I’ll keep my arms and legs, thank you very much. Look! Lord Phaedren is
here. And he brought Mikal and Pravara. Hi! Have you… What’s the matter? Why is everyone so glum?

  I COME WITH GRIM NEWS. YOU DO NOT HAVE THREE HOURS. YOU HAVE LESS THAN ONE.

  What happened? Balthor demanded. Is the thriper traveling faster than we had originally anticipated?

  THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN DELAY IN GETTING THE MESSAGE TO US. TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO. HOW CAN I HELP?

  You are offering to help us prepare?

  AYE. I THINK WE WOULD ALL HELP, IF WE CAN.

  We were just discussing options for sealing the prison. I say we use levitation to move nearby rocks and boulders to seal the thriper in its prison. My son seems to think creating an actual terra tremor would work better.

  And I still say levitation will work, just not as fast, Gareth argued. You need to move those rocks as quickly as possible, right? A terra tremor will do just that.

  What happens if your terra tremor is too powerful and ends up knocking a boulder or two on top of the thriper? It would awaken it, son. Why take the chance when you don’t have to?

  Father, you’re out of practice. I could create a terra tremor which could level one of these mountains or a tremor weak enough to move only a simple stone. The point I’m trying to make, father, is that terra tremors can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Lucky for you I do.

  I have been practicing jhorun long before you were ever born, young one. Do not even try to lecture me about the nuances of terra tremors.

  That’s exactly my point, father. Perhaps you’re a little too old to accomplish something like this.

  Mikal’s eyes widened with surprise. He nervously glanced over at Balthor to see him silently regarding his son. Lord Phaedren grunted once.

  I WASN’T CONVINCED BEFORE BUT I AM NOW. YOU ARE YOUR FATHER’S SON, YOUNG GARETH. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. YOU ARE ARROGANT, AS HE IS. NO, I DO NOT OFFER OFFENSE. ARROGANCE IN A WIZARD, ESPECIALLY A SHEALK WIZARD, IS A GOOD THING. NOW, PUSHING ASIDE WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG, TIME CONTINUES TO PROGRESS. THE THRIPER GROWS EVER NEARER. TELL ME OF THE PLAN TO IMMOBOLIZE THIS CREATURE.

  Would you like to do the honors, son?

  Gareth nodded enthusiastically, You bet. Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to use a layered spell.

  ELABORATE. AND PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MOST OF US PRESENT DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SPELLS OR THEIR STRUCTURE.

  This spell will have multiple parts, Gareth translated. The results of the first layer will dictate how the second layer behaves, and so on.

  VERY WELL. GO ON.

  The reason we haven’t been able to battle the thriper is that this monster is essentially nothing more than mist. We need to either be able to fight the mist or else change the thriper to something that we can vanquish.

  Change the thriper? Mikal repeated, intrigued. How? Into what?

  I’m getting to that. The first layer is a shifting spell. It will shift the thriper into something substantial, something physical we can touch.

  GO ON.

  The second layer, Gareth continued, will be an isolation spell, but with a few twists. In essence, I will modify the spell to isolate the form from the first layer and lock the thriper into that form.

  So that it cannot change back, Pravara surmised. Excellent.

  The third layer is one of the most important. The third layer will set loose a barrage of stimuli. Sights, sounds, smells. The more we can incorporate into the spell, the better.

  ELUCIDATE.

  If the thriper is now in a physical form, Balthor explained, coming to his son’s aid, and in a form that can experience sensations and emotions, then a deluge of various stimuli should be enough to send the thriper’s senses into overload. That’s how we’re going to knock it out. We’re going to render it unconscious by simple sensory overload.

  Then what? Mikal wanted to know.

  The fourth layer is levitation, Gareth continued as he frowned. I still say there must be a better way to do this but for now, it’ll have to do. This part of the spell will gently pick up the thriper and suspend it in the direct center of the cave. That way if there’s a terra tremor, or something else in the area that might create a noticeable vibration, the thriper should not be able to detect it.

  EXCELLENT. YOU MAY PROCEED. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO PROCEED WITH EXTREME HASTE. OUR TIME IS LIMITED.

  There’s more, Balthor added. Once the thriper has been lowered into the cave and suspended from the floor then the final layer will be to render the surrounding area mute. No noise, no nothing. We decided it would just be another way to keep the thriper immobilized.

  I’m handling the last part, Gareth proudly announced. Once I get the signal then I’ll create a terra tremor that will seal the prison once and for all. Then all you would need to do is post some type of warning signs so that in the years to come you don’t forget about what’s buried out there.

  CAN YOU CREATE THE SPELL IN THE TIME ALLOTTED?

  Balthor ducked low and came up with two of the glowing crystal shards Mikal had seen earlier. He gingerly set the shards on the stone dais before them.

  We already have it here, My Lord. Once my son and I agreed upon the spells to use it was relatively easy to assemble. We are ready.

  MOST IMPRESSIVE.

  That sounds like a very complex spell, Pravara noted. What are the chances of the spell not working the way it should?

  Don’t worry, Gareth confidently told his friend. I’m the one who made the spell so it’ll work just fine.

  Balthor emitted a long, low growl.

  With my father’s guidance, Gareth quickly amended. His jhorun isn’t strong enough yet to manipulate the spells, but thankfully mine is.

  Are you inferring that my spells are no less superior than yours? You have much to learn, my son. Pravara, there is no chance this spell will not work as it should. We are two of the strongest wizards that have ever lived. This spell is a masterpiece.

  Mikal thumped his tail on the ground once and inadvertently tipped himself over. After a brief struggle to right himself he looked sheepishly at his friends.

  Sorry. Um, I have a question. If you’re so certain your spell is going to work properly the first time around then why do you have two of them?

  Everyone turned to regard the stone dais and the two glowing shards. In unison, all eyes swiveled to Balthor’s.

  Would you believe the crystal provided two suitable shards and not just one?

  NO. KEEP BOTH SHARDS AT THE READY. HOPEFULLY WE WILL ONLY NEED THE ONE BUT I DO LIKE KNOWING THERE’S ANOTHER IN CASE WE NEED IT.

  Mikal thumped his tail again, but this time much softer. He was able to remain upright.

  I have another question. What happens if, after being inundated with all these stimuli, the thriper isn’t overcome and isn’t rendered unconscious?

  Gareth looked over at his father and shook his head. He didn’t know. Balthor returned the blank look. He didn’t have an answer, either.

  It’s the best we could come up with in such a short amount of time. Do we know how far away the thriper is now?

  NO. WE SHOULD LEAVE. I DO NOT WANT IT ANYWHERE NEAR HERE. IN FACT, THE CLOSEST SOURCE OF JHORUN MUST BE OUT AT THE NEW SITE. I DO NOT WANT THE THRIPER TO SEEK OUT A DIFFERENT TARGET. WE MUST BE OFF.

  Mikal followed the shealk leader back out into the main dome. Whereas before the shealk community was bustling with activity, in the short fifteen minutes they had been talking with Balthor and Gareth the entire dome had been deserted. The five of them retraced their way back out to the small secluded underwater canyon, and then back out into the open ocean. A dozen shealk rose silently up from their position near the mesa’s entrance and circled around their leader. The entire group swam to the east.

  They were, Mikal noted, angling back towards the dark clear waters of the deep ocean. The light was fading rapidly, forcing him to switch back to his parietal eye. For nearly ten minutes Mikal followed the shealk leader and his entourage out towards the icy blackness of the Erudi
an Ocean. They crossed over deep trenches spanning hundreds of feet across. They gave a tall, twenty foot cylindrical structure belching out dark smoke a wide berth. Lord Phaedren, when asked by Mikal, had explained it was a smoker and judging by the size of the ‘chimney’, it had been around for years.

  They approached a line of underwater hills. They ranged anywhere from several dozen feet high to well over a hundred. Lord Phaedren singled out a spot on a tiny hill far to the left. There, at the base of the hill, was a dark opening. The shealk leader hurried over and peered anxiously inside.

  THIS IS IT. BALTHOR, YOUNG GARETH, COMMENCE YOUR PREPARATIONS.

  Mikal swam over to the opening of the cave and peered inside. It was dark, covered with small black stalactites that looked as though they had formed when hot magma had been forced through tiny cracks in the cave’s ceiling. Wanting to see if anyone else shared his theory about the cave, Mikal looked to see if Pravara was nearby. She wasn’t. She was currently engrossed in a conversation with the shealk leader. Mikal saw Balthor swim up and into the cave. Mikal angled himself so he could see what his friend’s father was doing.

  Aren’t you supposed to be waiting for Gareth?

  No.

  Where is he, anyway? I don’t see him anywhere.

  My son became separated from the group and is on his way here. Too bad he won’t arrive here in time.

  What? What do you mean? Why wouldn’t he make it here in time?

  Because Lord Phaedren has agreed to keep him distracted. In all the hustle and bustle I do believe my son has been purposely diverted to the Gian fields. Fear not. A dozen of our fiercest warriors are with him.

  Gareth isn’t going to like that one bit, Mikal observed.

  No, he won’t.

  How are you going to lure the Athanaus inside the cave?

  Thriper.

  Whatever, Mikal growled.

  All the shealk have been evacuated. We are now all that lay between the thriper and the shealk. It will be famished. It will see me and will pursue me into this cave. Once inside I will invoke the spell.

  How long will the spell take to render it unconscious? What if there’s a delay and it ends up going after you? There won’t be any room to flee in there. You’ll be trapped!