The Complete Series, page 81
part #1 of The Hidden Wizard Series
“And I suppose that it’s a complete coincidence that the big city around here will be the only place with decent blacksmiths?”
“Of course. If we need to do some investigation at the smithy’s, then, of course, I will reluctantly accept the responsibility.” Vincent grinned at Celes.
“You are having way too much fun.” He pointed at her in a mock accusatory way.
“I know. But I feel like we’re finally free again after twenty years of just living a different life. Not a bad one, but different. And it’s the last one.”
“The last one?”
“This quest, journey, adventure—whatever we are calling it. It’s the last one, I can feel it. So, I’m enjoying it for what it is when I can.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Vincent rose and shook off the weariness. He needed to be active and strong.
“Let’s push on and find civilisation.”
Vincent put down the mug of ale and settled into the warmth. The little tavern was packed full of people, which was a nice change from the lonely wilderness. He gave Celes’s hand an affectionate squeeze.
“Feeling more comfortable now?” She smiled.
“I hadn’t realised how remote that area is. This feels better. We’re still on the fringe, but there are people and activity.”
“Shhh.” Celes nudged her head towards a nearby conversation. Vincent nodded and tried to pick out the voices.
“I’m telling you, I saw them. Headed towards Hurdenor. A whole horde of Blighters. But they’re using the forests to hide their movement,” an old man said. He was nursing an ale and, as he spoke, flecks of spit flew across the table. His friends laughed him off.
“Gurt, you old dog. You’ve been on the piss again. You wouldn’t spot a horde of Blighters if they were in here with us!”
“I swear, I hadn’t even been drinking. But now, now I need to forget all about it.” Gurt downed the rest of his drink and wiped his mouth. One of the men at the table jumped up to return to the bar.
“Good man, Frand. You know I’m telling the truth.” Frand turned back.
“Not really, I just want to hear what kind of ridiculous story you’ll be telling us next!” The rest of the table burst into laughter and Gurt grumbled with annoyance. Vincent leaned over.
“Sorry, friend, I couldn’t help but overhear. Which forest was it?”
“Finally, someone with some sense! It’s just over to the east. Easy to avoid, it’s not the way you’d normally travel. Although I’d avoid Hurdenor just in case. They couldn’t have been heading anywhere else.”
“I wouldn’t want to risk that, not after hearing your story.” Vincent fished out a coin and flicked it onto the table in front of Gurt, “for your trouble.” Gurt quickly pocketed the coin.
“Thanks.” He looked about to say something else, but Frand returned with his drink. Vincent looked over at Celes.
“I know that look.”
“Good, we can skip the conversation where I convince you to follow me into the woods.” Vincent finished off his ale and slammed the mug down.
“You know, you’re lucky that I love you.” Celes rose carefully and threaded her way between the bodies and tables and found the door. Vincent followed close and paused before he left, relishing the heat.
The cold chill was worse than he expected. Night had fallen, and a stiff breeze brought the temperature down even more. Vincent nodded towards the edge of town, and Celes followed close.
“Do you really believe there’s an attack brewing?”
“I believe enough to go tramp through the cold and drag you with me.”
“Good. This is one of those situations where I would rather you were wrong and had dragged me out here for no reason.”
“Likewise. I can’t explain it, but it just feels like something is brewing. I can’t ignore this.” Vincent found a path between two houses, that headed into the trees. He noticed a lantern by the side of the path and bent down to pick it up.
“Looks like we’re not the first to venture down here. Can you light it?” Vincent handed it to his wife. Celes retrieved something from her cloak and knelt on the ground. Within moments, she had a flame going and handed the lantern back to Vincent.
“After you.” Vincent accepted the light and walked ahead. He noticed Celes walking closely behind him on the narrow path.
“Do you think we are being followed?” Vincent didn’t stop to wait for a response and kept walking. The path was easy enough to follow but didn’t seem to be much in use.
“No, all clear.”
“That’s a relief. I’m so hasty sometimes, this whole thing could have been a setup.”
“That’s why I’m here, to keep you out of trouble. Speaking of which, what have you been up to these last weeks?”
“What do you mean?”
“While I’ve been out in the countryside, you never ventured out. What have you been up to?”
“Keeping an eye on Alrion mostly and making sure he had what he needed. At other times, practising with the Soul Power.”
“You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Celes laughed.
“What do you mean?”
“First chance to do something that I think of as magic, you’re all over it!”
“Hardly. I did it to be responsible and not shirk away from my duty. It should be helpful in our quest.” Vincent expected a quip back, but there was silence. He continued to forge through the forest, pausing occasionally to look for signs of activity. There were none.
“What can you do? With the Soul Power?”
“I’m still figuring that out. But I seem able to heal myself and enhance my body. Gain extra speed or strength, push it beyond its normal limits.”
“That sounds useful. I assume there’s some sort of limits to how much you can use it?”
“Of course, once it runs out, I need time to recover. Stop a moment.” Vincent thought he could hear something. He handed the lantern to Celes and motioned for her to stay put. She nodded. Vincent enhanced his vision and was able to see in the dark. He crept forward, straining his ears for confirmation of what he had heard. Nothing yet. Then, a quiet rustling.
Vincent stalked forward, using care to glide through the forest. Stealth wasn’t his strength, but he knew enough to avoid twigs on the ground and errant branches. The rustling became louder, spurring him on. He reached a tree and clambered in, bracing himself on the lowest branches. Vincent stifled a gasp.
Before him marched an army of Blighters. With care and minimal noise, they were slowly advancing through the forest. Each one looked intensely focused and in control.
What is this? The tip was good, he needed to warn Celes. Vincent spun quickly and almost lost his grip. He paused, feeling his heart pounding. After a few deep breaths, he lowered himself down and ran back as quietly as he could.
“What’s wrong?” Celes hissed as he approached. Vincent slowed.
“Blighters. A whole army.”
“What?” Celes’s voice was raised, and she quickly covered her mouth.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. They’re marching slowly and quietly, like well-trained soldiers. This is not good.”
“This is terrible. You were right to investigate this.” Celes looked out into the darkness and shook her head.
“I’d rather be wrong.”
“How far ahead did you think this through? Are we going there now?”
“Yes, we must. I wish I could warn them…”
“But they’ll never believe you, even if you could get there in time,” Celes said, finishing the thought.
“Let’s get a horse and try and get ahead of this. We can figure out a plan on the way.”
Not long after, Vincent stepped back out of the inn, following an old and bemused farmer holding a lantern out in front of him.
“You young’uns and your urgent tasks. I was once like that. A long time ago. Always rushing around.”
I’m not a young’un!
Vincent was about to object but Celes put her hand on his arm. He grumbled to himself and swallowed the retort.
“We appreciate you helping us out on such short notice,” Celes said.
“Oh, don’t you worry, I’m being amply compensated.” The farmer chuckled and started whistling. It only took a few minutes to reach the stables. The farmer used his lantern to light another just inside the entrance.
“Now, I know you’re in a big rush, but I can’t spare my best stallion. You can take Brenda over there.” The farmer pointed to a medium-sized mare, staring out at them with a vacant expression. Vincent handed over a small sack of gold. The farmer weighed it up, peeked inside, then pocketed the sack.
“I trust you can sort the rest out. Good night, and good luck.” The farmer waved and left the stables.
Vincent had the horse out and saddled within minutes. Despite first impressions, Brenda seemed responsive and energetic. He helped Celes jump onto the back.
“Now the fun begins.” Vincent guided the horse out onto the main path and gently nudged her into a canter.
“We are on the way to warn a city that won’t believe us about a horde of Blighters that are going to attack. But look at you, you’re still having fun.” Celes grabbed him and held on tight.
“I did say this was the last journey. But we’re not at the end yet.”
I hope Alrion finds a way here too. These people are going to need all the help they can get.
5
Tracking the Queen
Lara ambled up the hill, keeping slightly ahead of Alrion. She paused to take in the view. A cluster of houses nestled together amongst the woods. Snow was lighter here, and the trees more densely packed together. She watched Alrion make the last few steps. There was a heaviness to him.
His decision is weighing on him. It was the opposite to what he had done before. When the stakes were high, he used his power to cure Wraith and restore Branthor. It was the greater of the possibilities. But doing so had lost them Alyx. Now he was ignoring an opportunity to confront the leader of the Blight and potentially save a city in the process.
Is it guilt that he let her go before?
“You look deep in thought,” Alrion said with what looked like a forced smile.
“As do you.”
“There’s much to think about.” Lara watched his expression darken, but he hid it quickly.
The weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Let’s go find the inn down there, I’m sure they have something approximating one, and warm up. Then I have an experiment I want you to help me with.” Lara watched Alrion’s face. It lit up with genuine excitement and interest. Her heart jumped a little, she loved that about him. His eager curiosity and how genuine he was.
“I’m intrigued.”
“Good, hold that feeling.” Lara crested the hill and headed down to the buildings below.
The town, if you could call it that, was named Plort. Lara didn’t even bother asking about the origins of the name. But she did confirm their bearings and destination. She found Alrion tucking into some spiced chicken and potato. The warmth and the food were returning some of his usual behaviour.
“Where’s my food?”
“Coming, I ordered you something special.” Alrion winked.
I don’t even care what he ordered, it’s worth that spark in him.
“You’ll be pleased to hear we are just a day’s hike from Carth. We can rest here tonight, hike all day tomorrow, and we will arrive late in the day. Then we can see what’s happening there.”
“Shouldn’t we go tonight?” Alrion had a questioning look.
“No. We won’t hike all day on no sleep when we think we’re going into a battle.”
“But maybe we’ll be too late?”
“It doesn’t matter if we get there before or after the battle, it just matters that she’s there. You’ve made that quite clear.” Lara let her frustration out a bit.
“It does matter, we shouldn’t put lives at risk unnecessarily.”
“We’ve already done that by coming here instead of confronting Darvin.” Lara took a deep breath. “Look, you’ve made that choice already. Now we need to make sure that you achieve the objective. There’s no point to this if you can’t save Alyx.” Lara watched his face, wondering if she had been too direct. He looked pained.
“You’re right. Whatever we need to do to ensure we get the job done.” Alrion returned to his food, reluctantly picking at it. Lara’s food arrived. It was a plate of steamed vegetables.
“Looking after my weight, are you?” Lara gave him an angry look, and Alrion looked shocked. He almost spat his food out.
“No, no. Not at all. I was just getting you something healthy. You were complaining about too much meat.” He suddenly stopped. “Hang on, you’re smiling now.”
“Got you.”
“That wasn’t fair.”
“You becoming despondent wasn’t fair. I think sometimes you need to remind yourself of what you are.”
“And that is?” Alrion looked her in the eye. Lara leaned close and whispered.
“The greatest wizard of our time, wielding the power to cleanse the Blight. Also, you have the attention of the most beautiful and graceful thief of all time.” Lara leaned back, satisfied. Alrion had a grin on his face.
“I thought you weren’t a thief? More of a collector of things?”
“That’s not as catchy.”
“You’re right again.” Alrion sighed.
“Right again?”
“About me. I’m sorry, I do lose sight of things sometimes. I thought that when I was…” Alrion looked around at the crowd, “cured, everything would be fine and easy. But it’s not. Because now I need to find a way to do something my grandfather couldn’t.”
“And you will.” Lara forced some steamed broccoli into her mouth and kept smiling.
“See! I knew you’d enjoy the vegetables.” Lara couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not.
Later that evening, they settled into the guest room. Two low beds, and nothing else. But Lara was satisfied, it was somewhere to rest before the long hike ahead of them.
“You mentioned an experiment?” Alrion said. He looked at Lara with curious eyes.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about your Soul Power. What did you say it could do again? Other than of course drive out the Blight.”
“It seems to amplify your body. Healing, improving performance. Somehow the Mystics can use it to help heal others too, but I’m still not completely sure about that.” Alrion looked confused by the question.
He’s really so focused in one direction.
“And you managed to cure Wraith of the Blight by using your magic as a way to infuse him with Soul Power?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“And finally, you are developing a way of containing Soul Power within a vessel for the purpose of making someone else capable of using Soul Power?”
“Yes, exactly that.” Alrion’s face turned into a frown. “I don’t see where this is going?”
“Oh, Alrion. You are so single-minded. All about the Blight.” Lara crossed the room until she was right in front of him. She was practically breathing on his face.
“Ever thought that I could use that Soul Power?” Alrion’s reaction was priceless. He gaped at her like a fish out of water.
“How?”
“If you could inject a Shade with your Soul Power, then why not another person?” Lara watched Alrion’s reaction. He withdrew from her, sitting down on the bed behind him. He was staring into space, concentrating.
“Why did I never think of that?” Alrion looked up at her.
“That’s why you have me, for doing the thinking that you’ll never get around to.” She cracked a smile and he returned an even bigger one.
“Try it now. Without that orb, just give me your Soul Power.”
“I’m not sure.”
“How did you do it to Wraith? Or even Fermur? You were doing something to him, right?”
“Well, I touched him with my magic, which was like a conduit to apply Soul Power.”
“Then do the same to me.” Lara put her arms out like she was welcoming him into a hug.
“Alright. Sure.” Alrion concentrated, and Lara slowly rose above the floor, floating in the air.
“This is quite interesting.” Lara tried walking, but it didn’t work.
“You want to move? Let’s figure that out later. For now, I think I have a way to transfer to you.” Alrion scrunched his face up in concentration. Then his eyes flashed and seemed to reflect the light differently.
Lara was about to ask him how he was going when she felt it. A strange warmth creeping up her body. It started in her feet and kept on rising.
“I think it’s working.”
“You can feel that? I’m not sure how much to do.”
“Keep going.” Lara concentrated on the sensation. It was quite strange, but somehow comforting. Her hand tingled, as the Soul Power passed through it.
Time for a test.
Lara drew her dagger and quickly cut her palm. She pushed away the initial pain and clenched her fist.
“What are you doing?” Alrion cried with surprise.
“A test. See what this Soul Power can do.” Lara saw him nod absently, then continue to focus on what he was doing. She didn’t feel any different. She tried focusing on her hand, urging the warmth to go there and fix it. Nothing seemed to happen. She tried again and again, labouring the point. Finally, she gave up and opened her hand. The cut was healed.
“It worked!” Lara stared at her palm amazed. Alrion strode over and examined it.
“Hmm, good. Let me borrow that.” He took the dagger from her hand and sliced his own hand the same way.
“Huh?”
“Comparing,” Alrion grunted. He was concentrating.
“What are you thinking?”
“I think the Soul Power is less efficient in your body. It looked like you consumed a great deal to heal that wound.” Alrion looked back at Lara, examining her. She felt a little uncomfortable.
