The Accidental Archmage: Book Nine: The Dragon Houses

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “Rawa?”

  The giggle of a child answered him.

  “Yes, father. But I am sorry to be the cause of such trouble.”

  “What trouble?” asked Tyler, trying to sit up, a hand reaching up to where his head had felt pain.

  “Your gift. It was unexpectedly awakened by my emergence. You lost control of yourself. Luckily, brother Birki was able to put you to sleep.”

  Tyler inwardly groaned. Birki’s method left a lot to be desired. He dragged himself to a chair and sat down. Nobody said anything, but he knew the group was watching him. What he couldn’t understand was the atmosphere of fear in the room.

  “What happened?” he asked Birki.

  “Well, lad, when the newest addition to our family emerged, you also transformed,” smirked the guardian. “I had to knock you out, and Apulli’s spell was able to stop your transformation. Barely, I have to say.”

  “Into what?” he asked as his mind took it the revelation that the youthful spirit was able to prevent a draconic transformation. Impressive, came the unvoiced conclusion.

  “Something massive. It looked like a dragon, but the change was stopped. Sorry about the bump, but it was the only way to prevent you from destroying the keep and possibly killing everyone. The head of your shape already filled the room. At least it was already somewhat solid when I hit you.”

  “Nuts. I don’t know whether to thank or thump you one, Birki. It was Anemothýella’s gift. I didn’t know it could be triggered by Rawa’s birth,” he explained hastily.

  “Rawa?” The question came from Nehua. Tyler looked around. They were all listening intently.

  “The name of your brother. He could talk, but only to me. Vivindel’s presence is required for him to completely materialize in physical form. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know the answer,” replied Tyler.

  “Rawa must need a little push from her magic. Vivindel represents life. I daresay Mother could also provide it, but there must be a strong link between the two. Rawa had been the focus of Vivindel’s magic since the beginning,” ventured Birki.

  Mother? Ah, Eira.

  “We can’t gainsay Rawa’s words. He knows best after all,” declared the mage. “But I wonder how you were able to avoid my shields? They’re difficult to penetrate.”

  “Didn’t sense any, Archmage. My guess is they disappear when you transform into that critter,” answered the guardian. “Even in the amorphous stage of the transformation, you were frightening. You were sprouting wings!”

  “How did I look?”

  “Ugly and impressive as a jotunn’s butt. But the horns were a nice touch.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Family Issues

  Unfortunately, a fugue state wrapped him around its traitorous fingers. The sensation of being extremely drunk filled him, but without the alcoholic buzz. He gazed at the worried faces of his audience and forced a smile. All the mage actually saw were the shapes of his audience, but he couldn’t pick out the details. An opaque screen sat in front of his eyes and obstructed his sight.

  Magical backlash? A powerful one if the healing didn’t take care of it, he groaned mentally. The only possible cause would be the unsuccessful transition to a draconic form.

  Yet even with the indistinct forms, Tyler still couldn’t believe how far his wards had come. His adopted children had grown up, and despite exhaustion and a hazy mind, a warm, proud feeling swept through the mage. But as happiness flooded his mind, he couldn’t prevent an undercurrent of regret. He didn’t see them grow up. A remorseful pang gripped his heart. His own parents had made time for him and, in so doing, made him feel loved. He failed to do the same for his family. Even Eira suffered from his prolonged absences.

  No excuse there, Tyler berated himself. Even if I am trying to fight for our survival. Family is family. I hope I could make it up to them.

  “Hi, guys. I hope you could forgive me for being an absentee father,” he asked, maintaining the fragile smile, trying not to simply break down and cry. Tyler could blame his physical and mental tiredness, but the guilt was consuming him.

  The girls rushed to his side and hugged him. To his surprise, Nehua and Seier were sobbing, making his efforts to hold back his tears more difficult. His vision had cleared enough to see their faces, and he inwardly gasped. Their ages appeared to be from fifteen to eighteen years old. The rest walked closer to the mage with reassuring smiles. Even Birki laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

  Tyler embraced the pair of silently weeping spirits, willing himself to be stronger. He knew the kind of worry afflicting everybody in the room. The shock of the effects of the failed transformation, punctuated by his collapse, was a painful reminder of the mage’s mortal limits. Considering that they also saw the pressure Tyler faced, the mage admitted that if he were in their place, he’d be agonizing, too.

  “There, there. Wasn’t that a show?” said Tyler, forcing a chuckle. He was thankful his children didn’t shun him in terror because of the transformation. “Too bad Vivindel and the twins missed it.”

  “It was, Father,” said somebody in an amused voice. It was Apulli. The fellow wore a light brown robe. A younger version of the Staff God. “Impressive, though I could tell it was… unexpected.”

  Leave it for Viracocha’s heir to notice it, observed Tyler amusedly.

  “A gift. But I had never used it before,” he admitted. “Rawa’s emergence must have triggered it.”

  “Just when I thought I’ve seen everything you’re capable of, you pull out a surprise from under that armor,” cut in the guardian. “A useful ability. If you could control it.”

  “I hope so, Birki. It’s a difficult ability. Now, I have to master it for Rawa’s sake.”

  “But I fear our toddler is of a different sort. Unique, even. But anything to do with that ancient race is challenging. My sire had little to do with them. What memories I retained are few and incomprehensible since I don’t have the required context,” answered the guardian, staring at the giant ball of energy in the middle of the room.

  “You remembered something? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You never asked. But they’re just images in my mind. Scenes of great battles fought in the sky and on land. Clouds of winged dragons and drakes battling to the death. Even dragons fighting against their kin. Rumpr was but an observer. He knew the names of some of the Dragon Houses. Mušḫuššu. Long. The House of Falak. The Dominion of Apep. But that was a long time ago.”

  “Dragons against their kin?” asked the mage. It was a surprising disclosure. He didn’t think internecine war was possible among such majestic entities.

  “A few Houses took the field against their kin and sided with the brutish drakes. That’s Rumpr’s opinion. The reason escaped him. But what I know is that Adar’s elementals were instructed not to involve themselves.”

  Hrun might know more, considered the mage, and resolved to ask the being. At the same time, he hoped to get a straight answer and avoid the rhythmic replies favored by the stone elemental. Then Tyler asked about the other concern the guardian told him.

  “It’s another spirit born out of Adar’s dark energies. Consider the places you’ve visited and beings you’ve encountered. Tartarus. Even Asag. Despite my watch, some passed through the gate. The problem is she left the keep. Still a child. We tried to make her welcome, but I believe she felt different. Unwanted. We all tried to find her and searched everywhere – the keep and the lands outside. We couldn’t find her. You’re our last hope of finding the youngster. She’s safe in this realm, but I’d rather have her with us. Frankly, we’re all worried.”

  ***

  The Archmage stood on a balcony at the top of the stronghold. His vision had finally cleared, though an inexplicable throbbing pounded in his head. It was a raw feeling, drumming along to the beat of his pulse. Below him was a vast field of green, bordered by massive trees. In the distance, mountains reared their peaks toward the cloudless sky. Amazed at the impressive scenery, he
turned to Birki.

  “Was it this huge?” he asked. The few times Tyler visited, he never had the time to see the land outside the keep in its entirety.

  “Not at the beginning. But the more energy the staff absorbed, its world seemed to expand. I guess what we couldn’t or failed to absorb was used by your stave,” answered the guardian with a grin. But it still has borders. We’ve all seen its limits during our search for our sister.”

  “Those limits will change, and the land will expand yet again,” commented Apulli.

  “But we would prefer the outside world, Father,” added Vathys. “The staff is well and good as a refuge. A sanctuary. Yet we look forward to our time on Adar.”

  Tyler turned to his children. Expectant and excited faced waited.

  It might be time, thought the mage. But they have to be in a safe place. Maljen won’t do for their instruction. Not enough space, and I hate to see its ancient trees damaged or destroyed. It would be our home. The island would be perfect as another stronghold and training ground if I could prepare it properly. As a bonus, it’s not that far from Maljen and has a kraken guarding it. I could base Kobu’s men there, too. They are loyal beyond question and their skills could prove valuable in training.

  “You know that the world is at war. We face powerful enemies and don’t know all of them. We have to prepare accordingly,” Tyler began, resulting in disappointed faces.

  “But give me time to prepare the island. When I am sure that we’re safe, Maljen will be our home. The island, your school and fortress. We could only trust our family and a few friends. I expect you to add to our bastion’s defenses and improve its layout.”

  Grins appeared.

  “Vathys will draw up the plans with the help of everyone. I’ll focus on the island’s foundations. Is that acceptable?” he smiled, knowing what the replies would be.

  Nodding, smiling heads greeted him. Vathys was in a daze and stuck in a silly grin. He could hear the guardian laughing happily. Tyler promptly thought about his guides. They would be of enormous help with the plan if he could resolve his dilemma about Tom. The mage didn’t want the visitor in his mind when Maljen Forest was reached. He definitely didn’t want a voyeur in his private moments.

  “Now to find our prodigal girl,” Tyler stated firmly as his attention focused on the vista before him. He wrestled with the problem of scrying such a vast expanse. The mage had never attempted using the ability on this scale. His thoughts went to Eira. She would have a better chance of convincing the girl to return.

  This is going to be more difficult than I thought, he reflected glumly. Then an amused reminder squirmed its way to his mind, berating him for what he had forgotten. I am the master of this world.

  “What does she look like, Birki?” asked Tyler.

  “Didn’t have a name. Only you could give her that privilege. Without a name, she’s less than a spirit, and this world wouldn’t acknowledge her existence. Her form wasn’t fixed. I guess she thought she didn’t belong. Asag’s actual shape was reflected in her manifestation.”

  Poor girl. Burdened by that traitorous bastard. Again, my fault for not being around often, mused the mage. The guides could have helped. Visited this world while I was busy. Damned that Tom. His emergence created more headaches.

  The mage decided on a broad scrying form covering what he could see. Powered by the least amount of energy manageable, the mage closed his eyes and opted for a gradual release of the spell. Tyler didn’t want to alarm or frighten the girl. She was already upset and emotionally distraught. The questing energy immediately merged with the world before him and rushed through its vastness. A sharp pain slashed through an already aching head. Stumbling from the suddenness of the sting, he felt hands preventing his fall. Tyler grew weaker.

  I must be more hurt than I thought,” the mage realized as agony pounded the muscles of his body. His impulse was to cast a healing spell but promptly refrained. It would merely delay his physical recovery. Rest was the best remedy. After this, he promised himself. But he could hear the cries of those around him, asking him to stop. Apparently, his children could sense his condition. He continued maintaining the spell. His daughter was alone, lost, and confused. Finally, the searching field encountered a faint energy form. His consciousness tried to latch into its location.

  No! Energy flared and its source promptly vanished.

  The feedback blasted his waiting consciousness, throwing Tyler back into the guardian. He was much weakened, the mage realized, more than he thought. Such a reaction shouldn’t have affected him.

  She trashed the scrying field with that outburst. For a child to have that power at her level is remarkable, concluded the shocked mage instantly. The energy he used was minimal, but the will supporting it was that of an Archmage.

  “Don’t push it, Sire. We all sensed you found her. But I doubt if you’re in the condition to continue your search,” said Birki slowly, concern evident in the tone. “Come back when you’ve recovered.”

  “She’s there. All alone. I can’t leave her,” replied Tyler softly. He knew his energy was low and once again bemoaned the absence of his guides. They could have enabled him to access his reserves or maintain the search.

  “We’ll continue the search, Father. At least we have an idea of her location. Please don’t force yourself. Your magical matrix is fraying because of your physical condition. We don’t want a dead or disabled parent,” gently voiced Seier. “You should go back and rest.”

  “One more spell. I hope she’ll acknowledge it,” weakly replied Tyler. He knew Nike’s protégé was right.

  He released a gust of energy to the area where the child was located. But this time, Tyler infused it with his worry, concern, and care. The mage hoped it would assuage her fear and allay the anxiety that must be greatly troubling her. Sighing heavily, Tyler turned and walked away from the balcony.

  ***

  Sleep eluded him. He left the tent instead and sat on the grass, facing the expanse of the plain. Kobu followed but remained at his rear. The mage had tried to rest, but there were too many troubling thoughts. At least he had warned his children and the guardian about his twin and worked out a system of identification for visits. To his astonishment, they weren’t surprised. Birki explained that they felt something when the change in the mage’s aura occurred. Again, it was Apulli who deduced the manifestation of a dark intelligence in Tyler’s consciousness. The mage wondered how the youth was able to arrive at the conclusion. When asked, Viracocha’s embodiment said he couldn’t explain it – he just knew. Queries about his guides followed, but their absence only emphasized to the wards the seriousness of the situation.

  A fucking day, reflected the young man. It wasn’t a screwed-up one, yet it had drained his physical and mental strength. Several feet away, Tyler saw the Romanii mage. It appeared he wasn’t the only one unable to sleep.

  A glance showed the encampment was quiet. Save for the sentries, people were sleeping. He saw one guard tossing wood into one of the fires, resulting in sparkling embers rising in the night air. Eleos evidently intended for the camp to have sustained light and heat. The Archmage doubted if they’d be caught by surprise with the minor deity and his deadly acolytes around. Even if the place was attacked again, the Gothi and his mages and warriors would be a formidable addition to the defense. Tyler closed his eyes and relaxed, enjoying the clean, stiff breeze. He took the sukhasana, or the yoga easy pose, closed his eyes, and started breathing exercises. The method was supposed to help calm one’s mind, and that’s precisely what was needed. The mage knew he had been remiss in this part of his daily routine. But only a safe location would grant the opportunity for the practice. He had too many enemies.

  After a while, the sound of somebody walking toward him broke the pleasure of not thinking about his concerns. It was the Romanii mage. Tyler stood up.

  “I’d like to say my goodbye now, Archmage,” said the man. “I’ll be leaving before dawn. I would have left sooner, but a
rested mind is preferred when reporting to the chief of a pantheon.”

  “Tiring, I guess?” smiled Tyler.

  “Beyond description,” replied Cassius. “More like an interrogation. But it had been a fruitful and educational journey. Meeting you was worth everything.”

  “Ah, at least your task would be over,” commented Tyler.

  “Indeed. But my personal quest would now start in earnest. Being perceived favorably by our deities was one of the prerequisites. I’d hate to walk in the rarefied fields of the pantheons. The mortal world is enough for me. But your path dictated otherwise. Still, I am happy to see a mortal being held in such high regard by deities. Fear, even.”

  “I wouldn’t know, Cassius. A lot of things aren’t clear to me.”

  “My sympathies. Ask me about the empire and I’ll have an answer at hand. The more delicate weaving of the tapestry outside imperial borders eludes me. Yet I am satisfied with such a limitation. My ambitions stop at our shores.”

  Tyler nodded, remembering the Romanii Empire was on an island. Half of it, if the map he had was accurate. It also meant Cassius was interested in bringing the tribes of Terras Barbarus to heel.

  “As I have said before, I don’t envy your path. Not even as a Magus Primus, your previous rank, would I walk a quarter of it. But I’d be happy to be Magus Inter Pares, the Mage Among Equals,” laughed Cassius. The man’s expression swiftly changed into a predatory look, reminding Tyler of how dangerous the Romanii really was, given that it was the calculating gaze of someone who only respected might. “Look, we both fight in determined arenas. Yours is relatively simple, even if the opponents are monstrously powerful. My struggle is more particular. Limited in the greater scope of things. I have to be careful which part I remove least I bring the whole edifice hurtling down.”

  “Simple?” Tyler couldn’t believe what he heard.

  “Simple. Relatively simple. I didn’t say easy. You’re faced with formidable enemies. But eliminating them is liable to stop their plans and weaken whatever structure had been built. I don’t believe any of their followers are strong enough to replace them. Leaders like that are prone to hoard wealth, power, and knowledge.”