The Accidental Archmage: Book Nine: The Dragon Houses

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “There, there. We’re here. Everything’s alright. Father’s here,” said Tyler gently.

  Then he heard the girl whisper some words. It was so soft that he couldn’t make it out.

  “Yes?” he asked tenderly.

  “I want a name,” his daughter repeated.

  “Of course,” answered the mage, realizing the significance of the request. If he could beat himself right there, Tyler would have done it. The mage had given his other children their names. Apparently, it was not a simple rite. The process stabilized their existence and sealed their forms. He inwardly cursed Birki and his guides. Then Tyler mentally sighed. He had never asked, and their knowledge of magical lore and nuances was incomplete during that period.

  “What name would you like? You have one in mind?” he continued.

  “None, Father. I would like you to give me one,” replied his daughter. Tyler quietly sighed with relief. At least she’s talking to him.

  He immediately went through the knowledge in his mind. It has to be a name with context, similar to the others. Then the mage sensed the active presence of his guides. They must have something to report on the matter of the strange miasma.

  “Yes, guys?” A few minutes of his attention wouldn’t hurt. He liked having his daughter in his arms. But, strangely, the response didn’t have anything to do with the anomaly.

  “Ashan,” spoke X.

  “What?” asked the surprised Tyler.

  “Her name. We suggest Ashan. It means burning smoke in a language of the First World,” clarified X.

  “You know languages of the First World?” It stunned Tyler. The Elders were ancient beings. How could they know the languages of Earth?

  “Only ancient languages. The last portal closed during the time you call the Iron Age,” said Hal. The response told Tyler the knowledge of his guides was complete. They had the legacy of the Elders at their virtual fingertips. All that remained was for his primitive brain to comprehend it. The mage had a feeling it was going to be a long process.

  “Our findings can wait. Grant her name first,” continued Hal kindly.

  A faint smile graced Tyler’s face. His guides’ empathy had grown. Considering the sign of caring came from Hal, it was an impressive achievement. Still, the phrasing of the reply, especially the use of the word grant, showed him the guides now knew of the importance of giving names to spirits born within the staff world.

  “Would you like to be called Ashan?” If she accepted it, then his guides would be the godparents of his youngest child.

  “What does it mean?” came the murmured query.

  The mage told her. Tyler wasn’t sure if it resonated with the child’s nature or his guides saw through the mass of power, but at that moment, he knew it was her name. Personally, the mage wasn’t keen on it because of what it meant. It reminded him too much of Tom. But it was suggested by his guides, the first time they did such a thing.

  “I like it,” replied the child, looking up at him. Her eyes caught Tyler’s attention. They reminded him of a cat’s eyes. Though the wide eyes gave off a deep, emphatic look, he sensed a predator behind the feline gaze.

  Immediately, the mage felt a current of energy stream through the form in his arms. Ashan became more substantial, and the mist surrounding her vanished. Tyler assumed her body absorbed it. He turned and smiled at the waiting pair behind him. Then, just as he was about to speak, a burst of power rushed through the air. It was only a split-second in duration, yet it brought a familiar voice into his consciousness.

  “If I can’t have it, you can’t either!”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Petty Vengeance

  Fried monkey on a stick.

  The peculiar expression flashed through his mind as soon as he heard Tom’s voice. He couldn’t believe his twin was able to leave a trap for him inside the staff, much less connect it to part of Ashan’s nature. Such a complex magical matrix meant that, contrary to his expectations, the bastard’s understanding of the Elder legacy was well advanced.

  “Sire, it would be best if we all return.”

  The voice of X pulled him back from his shocked state. Then, telling Nehua and Seier to go back to the keep, he waited for the pair to vanish before returning. But, by their expressions, the emergence of Tom’s power didn’t affect them. The message was intended for him alone.

  Manifesting back at the edifice, he found his wards eagerly waiting for him. Upon arriving, his gaze fell upon Birki. A knowing concern shone in the guardian’s eyes. Tyler turned to Ashan.

  “Ashan, I’ll give you to your sisters. They’ll bring you to Rawa so you could meet your newly emerged brother.”

  “Rawa?”

  “The dragon.”

  An excited glow appeared on the child’s features. Ashan looked much better now. Long, black hair framed a beautiful face distinguished by sharp lines. Gone was the murky display concealing her form. Even her eyes changed, and blue now replaced the strange feline trait. Tyler couldn’t account for the transformation. But even if Ashan now appeared as an ordinary child, the mage could still sense the waiting ferocity on her gaze and an oppressive aura springing from her body.

  She got down from Tyler and expectantly stood in front of her sisters as her grinning brothers looked on. The mage felt her dark aura grow smaller. Seier held out her hand and they set out from the balcony. He watched as Nehua took the other hand. Amazingly, Ashan was in the lead, pulling her sisters along in her eagerness.

  “We have a problem,” Tyler announced to those who remained. “There’s a destructive force within the staff, and I believe it’s from my twin.”

  The mage noticed Birki nodded his head. He quickly told X to release the details of what they found into his mind.

  “If it’s the usual magical energy, it shouldn’t be a concern, but I believe it’s a different form,” continued Tyler.

  “A different form. A power in addition to Adar’s ancient magic and the energy ordinarily found outside?” asked Apulli. The question didn’t surprise the mage. Viracocha’s avatar clearly retained the intellectual acuity of his ancestor.

  “It’s Elder energy. The strength that provided the spark for my abilities and the creation of this world,” replied Tyler. “More powerful than the latter, though I am not sure about the former. But I ask you to keep its existence secret.”

  He didn’t mention that their existence was also due to Elder energy. Tyler would explain everything once they reached Maljen Forest. Then, an abrupt, frightening increase in the oppressive air cut off the mage’s attention from his audience. He stopped talking and faced the mountains in the distance.

  “It’s a spell fueled by Elder energy, Sire,” explained X. However, the calm in his guide’s voice failed to reassure frayed nerves. Even if his twin still had some way to go before total comprehension of that section of Elder lore, what he would be able to cast was definitely way above Tyler’s skills and comprehension.

  The mage promptly released a scrying spell. Tyler couldn’t see anything from where he stood, but it didn’t mean something wasn’t happening. As the energy flew out, he noticed the sudden chill in the oppressive air. Looking at the thick forest in the distance, his enhanced vision revealed ice crystals starting to form in the leaves of the giant trees.

  Suddenly, images from the spell came back. To his horror, the dark haze at the edges of the staff world had started advancing, leaving blank fields in its wake. Tyler was incredulous. The unbelievable sight reminded him of flames eating away at a piece of paper. Tom’s ravenous spell was dissolving the dimensional pocket.

  “What in the hell is that?” the mage called out to his guides. He was inwardly panicking. The scope of the obliteration was massive, and the disintegration came from asides, with the keep in the middle.

  “Elder energy configured for dematerialization,” replied Hall, still in an unruffled tone.

  “I know that! How do we deal with it?” cried out the mage, greatly annoyed at the guide’s atti
tude. Hal was still Hal.

  “Such an advanced Elder spell could be stopped by the appropriate counter. A similar attack of limited effect could possibly be negated by one of your present level. But considering the size of the intended destruction, it’s a hopeless task,” explained X.

  “What if I draw the energy out? Stick it in our reserves?” ventured Tyler. The mage’s mind was furiously rushing through possible options.

  “The scale of your twin’s spell makes it impossible. The construct also feeds on scraps of Elder energy present in the environment. It would only become stronger the more it consumes this world. Quite a complex mechanism,” replied the guide.

  An incensed Tyler abruptly fired a massive blast of Elder energy at the nearest cloud. Fury and desperation broke the mental and emotional reserve he had developed. It was the same thing again. A greater strength was threatening destruction, rendering him helpless. This time, the lives of his children were at stake. Just as the impulsive act was done, a sense of dismay erupted from his guides.

  “Sire! Don’t feed it!” Hal cried out in alarm.

  Shit. Tyler cursed mentally.

  “Is there absolutely no other way to stop it?” he asked desperately.

  “Unfortunately, none. But its rate had grown exponentially due to the massive influx of energy it just received,” said Hal. “The nearest mass is right in front of us. It should be visible in a few minutes.”

  Tyler immediately turned to the guardian and gave orders to leave the staff world. The grim faces of his wards met his gaze.

  “I am sorry, but Tom left a dangerous spell for us. I doubt if our combined efforts could stop what’s coming. Please help Birki in evacuating the keep. Vathys, you’re responsible for Rawa’s transfer. Leave now. I’ll be the last one out,” said Tyler, forcing himself to present an unruffled demeanor. Panicking wouldn’t help, and he didn’t want his wards to see his fear. The mage knew they were learning from his actions. Weakness was the last thing they needed to see.

  He turned his attention back to the incoming tide of obliteration. A swirling dark mist could already be seen in the distance. No sound accompanied it. It steadily approached, remorseless in the destruction it committed. Tyler wondered how his twin managed to do it. Such a complex matrix couldn’t have been designed and implemented on the spur of the moment. The only time he saw Tom interact with the staff was during his attempt to enter it.

  The bastard planned this long before his effort to kidnap the children,inserting spell components slowly. It’s his insurance against failure,” thought the mage angrily. He’s more dangerous than I expected.”

  “And he used Ashan as a trigger for his trap!” he realized suddenly, his anger flaring. The lethal haze had only moved when the mage named the child.

  The mage took a long, deep breath. Everything went apeshit since he returned from Banna – Tom, the emergence of the Old Ones, the mysterious heaviness in the air, that demanding King of Jotunheim. Yet, those were the only instances he knew. Surely, there were others. Tyler felt that matters were suddenly rushing forward, like lemmings toward the edge of a cliff. And he knew he was still woefully unprepared.

  “Sire? They’re all outside,” Birki’s voice sounded behind him, recalling the mage from his thoughts.

  “In a while,” replied Tyler. First, he wanted to see what the spell looked like as it came into view. Then, hopefully, his guides would gain some insights into its creation. It was described as a construct, meaning it was created and not cast from a template.

  Tyler’s heart was heavy as his gaze lingered on what was left of the staff world. If the worst happened, he’d like to have the longest possible glimpse of it before it was gone. But, on the other hand, the mage didn’t know what would happen to the weapon once the world inside was destroyed. Would the staff retain its form?

  It was a gift from Eira, and had proven to be an invaluable companion since it came into his hands. Amazingly, it had proportionally grown in strength and power. It also represented his experiences. Just glancing at it brought back memories of his struggles and victories.

  The vast, murky mass now crested the treetops, moving with frightening speed. The far-off, majestic mountains were gone. The blue sky still existed, but Tyler knew it would also be consumed later on. As the immense cloud neared the keep, flashes of light erupted within the threatening dark storm. The mage steeled himself, ready for yet another deadly surprise.

  But nothing attacked. Instead, the upper reaches of the miasma churned into gigantic outlines of numerous creatures. Then, to his disbelief, a fantastic sight gushed into view. The enormous shapes took on legendary forms. He saw dragons, ogres, and other mythological creatures embedded in the mist.

  Dark Cloud Coming

  “Those forms are not a threat, Sire. Mere embellishments. A message, no doubt,” revealed X.

  A message? Or a display to mock me? Tyler thought with irritation. His twin knew how to get under his skin. I don’t know what’s going on in that twisted mind, but this presentation was clearly meant to insult me.

  “Sire, it would be best to get going,” piped up the guardian. In front of them, the obliterating cloud had already passed through the trees.

  Tyler was about to leave the balcony when he felt the arrival of a strong magical essence. A bright glow appeared on the grounds below the keep, swiftly coalescing into a female form. He swiftly walked to the balcony’s edge and gazed at the mysterious woman. Wearing a white shift, she gripped a staff in her right hand. As the mage looked closer, he gasped with surprise. Her weapon was a copy of his own staff.

  The woman turned and gave him a sad smile. She was ethereally beautiful and carried with her the characteristic aura of a forest spirit. Tyler could even see similarities with Eira. The newcomer could even stand as her sister. A dainty hand waved him away. The stunned mage didn’t move. Her sudden appearance left him confused and stupefied. The chaotic mass of thoughts and emotions in his mind left him in a daze.

  A hand forcibly grabbed his arm and dragged him away from the balcony. Tyler’s eyes were still staring in the woman’s direction. Everything went by as a blur. All he felt was the change as they passed through the veil guarding the staff. Slowly, his mind cleared, and a sense of where he was came back. He glanced at Birki, who stood by his side. Tears flowed from the guardian’s eyes as he quietly cried.

  ***

  A small pile of white ash beside his bedroll caught his attention. Tyler sank to his knees as a torrent of grief washed through his being. He just lost a dear friend. Hoping against hope, he had prayed that the staff would pass unscathed through his twin’s maleficent scheme. Adar’s heavens were deaf. It was Jorund all over again.

  For the moment, the world outside his mind vanished, leaving him alone with a pain nurtured by hatred. Calls for his attention from the guides became faint murmurs as an immense fury rose from the depths of his consciousness. The emotion overwhelmed his body’s need for tears, burning them as it sought to express itself.

  Suddenly, he felt small arms wrap around him, and a familiar aura pushed its way through his clouded awareness. A warm feeling pierced the coldness engulfing the mage. It was Ashan. Tyler turned and hugged her back. Through moist eyes, he saw his children standing before him. Among their ranks were his friends. Even the visible grief on Birki’s face was gone, replaced by an intense look of concern and worry.

  “You’re not alone, lad. We all lost family today,” the guardian reminded him gently after a few minutes of silence. “Yet our grief isn’t worth creating another Tom.”

  Tyler closed his eyes and embraced Ashan tighter. He had nearly lost himself again. The dark emotions must have found expression in his aura and washed around him in an uncontrollable, grief-stricken burst. If not for his wards, a massive creature of destruction would have been born out of his pain and hatred.

  Tyler inwardly shuddered as his imagination served up the possibility of what would have happened if the destructive force reared its ugly
head. He would have killed his children, friends, and lain waste to a vast part of Skaney, if not the entire continent. Even those battling monsters up north battling in their sealed domains would have been mercilessly dissolved as fodder for a gigantic, ravenous mass of Elder energy.

  The mage sighed heavily. Tyler could sense the overwhelming dark sensation within him swiftly receding. Yet, he was weary beyond belief. It was a longer day than his worst days, and thankfully with fewer nightmares. Opening his eyes, he saw that the exile had moved to the guardian’s side.

  “Birki, work with Kobu to settle arrangements for everyone. You’ve seen my friends, they know you, and I guess you could take care of introductions,” said the mage wearily. Then, Tyler turned his attention to the gathered children. “Everybody get some rest. It’s not even dawn, and there’s time to catch some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

  Seier walked forward and took Ashan amidst the latter’s continued objections. Only when the girl was reminded for the third time of Tyler’s need to rest was the elder sister able to take her away. Despite the numbness he felt, the mage couldn’t help but give a faint smile. She didn’t know it, but Ashan saved all of them. If not for her warm, caring reminder, a mindless catastrophe would have walked through Adar.

  The mage stood up. Habrok went inside the tent and wordlessly moved the bedroll to the other side. A pouch appeared in his hand, and he gathered the remains of the staff. Then the ranger noticed him still standing.

  “Rest, Sire. The journey’s not over yet, and unknown dangers lie between Maljen and us. My intuition tells me the land is in turmoil, and I have sensed strange creatures in the distance. We need your strength,” Habrok said directly.

  Tyler didn’t reply and moved to the waiting roll. As his eyes thankfully closed, the mage heard the ranger walk outside the tent right into a waiting Thyma accompanied by the Valkyrie. It surprised him. The companions should have returned to their rest by now. Even little Ashan sensed and saw his stricken condition.