Severed Empire: Wizard's War Read online

  “Are you okay? What happened?” Eadric said. “What just happened?”

  “I was…” Mykal stammered. “I was seeing through the king’s eyes.”

  “You can do that?” Quill said.

  “Apparently so,” Mykal said. He took his hand away from his forehead. He attempted to stand up straight. The room still spun around him, but the spin was much slower. He didn’t think he was going to fall, at the moment, anyway. “They’re on horseback. The king and a few hundred knights. I saw them ride toward the river. I could see the river and the mountains around the inlet. No. I saw more than the river.”

  “More?” Eadric said.

  Countless times Mykal woke from dreams, confident he would recall the events that played out in his mind when he slept. Soon after waking, however, and like it or not, the details of the dream faded. They always disappeared, but never ventured far. Mykal always felt sure he could remember them, but like the rest they were utterly forgotten. “Ships. In the fjord are a fleet of ships. He has an army down there. He’s riding to meet them,” Mykal said. “He plans to fight with them.”

  “The war is here,” Quill said.

  “It will take us far too long to get back to the others, and then travel back through the caves. We don’t even know if Basin and Refler will still be waiting for us,” Eadric said. He didn’t mask his frustration, or his doubt.

  “They’ll be there. They’ll be waiting,” Mykal said. “But you’re right. We’ve got to move fast. The thing is, the king knows we’re here.”

  “He’s going to send some of his men back. He’ll have to,” Quill said. “If he plans to rule the Old Empire, letting you—a wizard —run loose in his castle is self-defeating.”

  “How long do you think we have?” Eadric said.

  “They were almost down the slope, close to the fjord. It’s going to take time for the knights to return,” Mykal said. “We have some time.”

  “Then we’d better not waste it.”

  The three of them sneaked through the hallways. None of them was positive on how to get back to the servants’ quarters. They were turned around, and discombobulated. The sheer size of the castle was daunting. The place was a maze; each hallway appeared identical to the last. Flags and banners with the king’s sigil hung between windows.

  Mykal stopped walking.

  Quill, and Eadric stopped, too, when they realized Mykal was no longer following them.

  “Mykal?” Eadric said.

  “I have an idea,” Mykal said.

  Quill went to a window. “There must a hundred knights on horseback headed for the castle.”

  “How close?” Eadric said, walking over to his brother. “Very close.”

  “What’s this idea, nephew?”

  Mykal joined them by the window. He looked down at the men galloping toward them. It wouldn’t be long before they reached the castle, and knowing their way around, it wouldn’t take much for the knights to find them. “I am going to use magic and take us from here, to there.”

  “There?” Eadric said.

  “The caves below the mountain, where my mother and Wyn are waiting.”

  “Can you do that?” Quill said.

  “I’ve not tried before.” Mykal remembered something Galatia had told him. Using magic was like using muscles. The more it was practiced, the stronger one got with the art. The fatigue would become less and less. The body would be more adept at spending the energy. “The thing is, I think I can only go to places where I’ve been. That was how Galatia said it worked. She wasn’t able to do this kind of magic. We were going to try it once, see if I had that kind of power. We never got around to it.”

  “And that’s where we’ll wind up?” Quill asked.

  “That’s what I’m hoping.”

  Quill grimaced. “And how does it work, exactly?”

  “I don’t know,” Mykal said.

  “Is it a painful thing to do?” Eadric said.

  Mykal grabbed their arms, squeezed them tight and said, “I have no idea. But right now, I need you to close your eyes and let’s all just visualize that spot, on the ledge, under the ladder.”

  He closed his eyes. He pictured them at the bottom of the ladder. A cloud of smoke with a blue hue swirled around their feet.

  “What is that?” Quill was shouting. He took a step back.

  “Don’t move,” Mykal said. “Concentrate!”

  The smoke encircled them. The twister climbed their legs.

  Mykal directed his own attention on where he wanted them to go, where he wanted them sent. And on the magic needed to make it all happen.

  The smoke ascended their bodies, spiraling up toward their heads.

  Eadric opened his mouth, as if about to scream, but before any sound escaped, the smoke fully overtook them. A crack of blue lightning flashed, and they were gone.

  Chapter 29

  The blue smoke lowered from the top of their heads to below their chins. Mykal thought the magic had failed. He was certain they were still standing in the corridor within the castle.

  They weren’t.

  The magic worked.

  Mykal’s hands still gripped onto Quill and Eadric’s forearms.

  The three of them stood still inside the mountain, under the ladder.

  They were right back where they had started, almost as if they’d never ventured up the rungs.

  Blodwyn, in front of them, held his staff in the air ready to strike with a deadly blow, but then exhaled sharply. His eyes opened a bit wider, and the hard lines on his face and forehead softened as recognition set in.

  “That was amazing,” Quill said.

  “Are you guys all right?” Mykal said, as soon as the rest of the blue smoke dissipated, and they were able to move about freely. “Mother?”

  “We’re okay,” Anna said.

  “You were gone a long time,” Blodwyn said. “We were getting worried. Where is Galatia?”

  Mykal lowered his eyes.

  “She didn’t make it,” Quill said. He dropped a hand on Mykal’s shoulder, and shook his head. “We tried, but were too late.”

  “I see,” Blodwyn said.

  “King Hermon has the power of the other wizards,” Mykal said. “His witch was mixed in with the other corpses. He may have siphoned away her magic as well.”

  Anna sighed. “The wizards… are dead?”

  “There is you, me, and well, now King Hermon,” Mykal said. There was no consolation in his words. They for sure did not make him feel better about the circumstances. He knew his own ability continually approved, and he’d yet to witness his mother’s strength, but he couldn’t help feel deflated. There had been a sense of hope in expecting the other wizards would join the cause, that together they would battle, and almost assuredly defeat Cordillera. That sense of hope was shattered. Gone. “And the Mountain King isn’t wasting any time. He’s got a fleet of ships filled with his men. I can only guess they’re headed for Grey Ashland.”

  “And that royal fool won’t be ready for the attack,” Eadric said.

  “You tried warning him,” Quill said. He arched an eyebrow knowingly. It couldn’t have been easy living as a knight under a King like Nabal. It’s no wonder Quill and the other Archers separated themselves from the kingdom long ago. “The man wears blinders, I tell you. He sees only the things he wants to see, believes only the things he chooses to. If he isn’t—”

  “It isn’t about King Nabal,” Mykal said. “It never was. We are not on this quest to save the king. This about preserving a way of life for the kingdom, and for the people. They are innocent in all of this. We’re talking about simple farmers. People who have little more than what they grow or the livestock they care for.”

  “My son is right. We shouldn’t waste any more time here,” Anna said, nodding her head.

  “Can you do that thing again, Mykal? Get us out of here?” Quill said.

  “I’m not sure. There are five of us now. It was tough on me. Draining.” Mykal pressed his
lips together. “But I’m willing to give it a try.”

  “What happens if it doesn’t work, like if we’re halfway between there and here?” Quill said.

  Mykal smiled. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “That won’t be a problem,” Anna said, and wrung her hands together. “It’s been awhile, a long, long while, but I can help. If we form a circle, and join hands. We’ll just have to be sure to picture the same location.”

  “Where Coil is,” Eadric said.

  Mykal nodded. A sinking feeling hit his gut. “I don’t like that he’s been left alone all of this time.”

  “Then let’s get going,” Blodwyn said.

  The small group stood in a circle and held hands. Mykal was across from his mother. They nodded toward each other. She began speaking. Her tone of voice was even, and soft. Mykal couldn’t hear the words. Her incantation was repeated over, and over.

  Smoke appeared. It was blue, and purple, there was some green and a hint of orange, too. Like before it swirled around them on the ground. The miniature storm slowly grew, and rose. It enveloped them, and in a final gust, they were gone.

  ***

  King Hermon Cordillera was not confident the men he sent back to the castle could handle the young wizard. He hoped they’d have the element of surprise, and attack the wizard before the boy knew what was happening. It was reluctantly optimistic, at best. Regardless, the knights would create a distraction, and if they were lucky, force the wizard out of his home. Worse case, he would deal with the wizard on his return. The boy had no idea what he was in for if, or when, they faced off, but Cordillera was already looking forward to the exchange.

  The docks at the fjord were alive with activity. If the sun rose is the east, it had done so undetected. The violent clouds were blood red, and black. The lightning that flashed inside the clouds illuminated the sky, and reflected off the sea. Between bolts darkness surrounded them.

  The knights stored their armor on the ships, and filled the decks, four and five men deep.

  Cordillera’s blood raced through his veins. The thrill of battle excited him. The days of bland peace were over. Ending. There would be bloodshed, and lives lost. The sacrifice was worth the end outcome. A unified empire had been absent far too long. If Jeremiah were still alive they would rule the lands together. Unlike with Ida, Hermon would have gladly shared that crown, these kingdoms, with his brother.

  The Isthmian raged. It was as if the sea was preparing for the coming days and was as equally anxious for its role in the fight.

  ***

  The swirl of smoke started at the top of the cave and descended like a whirlwind. In the mass of colorful smoke, Mykal believed they’d all successfully made the jump from under the ladder, and were back beside the underground river. The sound of the rushing water was almost deafening. The sound bounced off the rock walls. The cave was pitch-black, however, and he could not see anything at all.

  Quickly, Mykal clapped his palms together, and then pulled them slowly apart. Inside his hands a blue ball of light glowed. The brilliance from the flame lit the cave.

  Anna backed up against the wall. She looked faint.

  “Mother?”

  “I’ll be alright. That just, well, it took a lot out of me.”

  Magic was like a muscle. Her skills were out of shape. “We should rest for a minute,” he said.

  Instead, Anna clapped her hands together. She spoke an off white light into her palms. It was bright, and showed off the front of her body in a yellow hue. Together, they had managed to chase away the darkness. “I’ll rest when this is over.”

  Mykal remembered Galatia’s warnings. Using too much magic at once could be deadly. Casting light was simple magic. If his mother didn’t take it easy, could magic slowly kill her? Terrified of the answer, Mykal left the subject alone.

  “I’ve never seen the likes,” Coil said. “And neither have I been as happy to see anyone!”

  Coil was propped where they’d left him. He held an unlit torch.

  “Did the flame burn out?” Quill said.

  Around Coil were clusters of flattened spiders. “No. I had to kill some bugs while you were gone. The little monsters must have smelled my injury. I swear as soon as you were gone they came out of just everywhere. Had to use the torch like a club. The fire just went out. Won’t lie. That made me just a bit apprehensive. Figured in the cover of darkness I was a goner for sure.”

  Mykal let out a long, loud sigh. “I’m thankful you’re okay.”

  “You take a look at me?” Coil said. “I’ll die one day, but I can assure you some eight-legged bug won’t be the cause. Do you know how embarrassing that would be?”

  The site of so many dead spiders made Mykal shiver. His muscles tightened, and a second round of shudders racked his body. Mykal remembered all too well getting bit by the spider in the Cicade Forest. The poison had nearly killed him. Thankfully, Karyn had—for the first time—saved his life. “Utterly humiliating,” he said flatly.

  “And Basin?” Blodwyn said.

  “He hung around for a bit. He seemed preoccupied. Don’t think he was all that thrilled to be hanging around down here babysitting. I would have sworn his pants were filled with fire ants. I finally just told him to go, convinced him I’d be all right. No sooner than he left, the spiders started investigating my presence. Like I said, it was like they knew I wasn’t at my best.”

  “You showed them who was in charge,” Quill said, laughing.

  “You think it’s funny?” Coil said. “I’d like to see you in the dark fighting off the fast little monsters.”

  “No, thank you,” Quill said, but continued laughing.

  “How are you feeling?” Mykal said, taking a knee next to his friend.

  “My chest hurts pretty badly,” he said, a hand over his heart. “But I’m okay. I’ve been resting. I’m ready to get out of this cave. Is that what we’re doing? Are we getting out of here?”

  “We are,” Quill said, holding out a hand. He helped Coil to his feet. “How’s that feel?”

  Nodding, Coil said, “Good. I’m fine. I’m ready.”

  “Do you think your friend is still waiting for us with the boat?” Eadric said.

  Blodwyn shot a look at Mykal’s father. Mykal didn’t think Blodwyn appreciated the insinuation. “They’ll be there.”

  Eadric looked as if he might say something else, but closed his mouth. Mykal figured that was a good thing.

  “What was that smoke thing you guys did? Was that you, kid?” Coil said.

  “My mother and I,” he said.

  Coil didn’t even try hiding his smile. “Won’t lie, I would not mind me some of that magic you guys have. You guys are very lucky. Very lucky.”

  Mykal would have argued the point. It wouldn’t change anything. Instead he said, “We need to get to the boat.”

  “Will, um,” Coil said, “Will we be going by smoke?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Mykal looked at his mother out of the corner of his eye. She still leaned against the rock wall for support. Blodwyn was beside her, ready to lend a hand if she lost her balance. The man seemed content having Anna back. He looked like his personal duty to protect Anna had been restored. They were lucky having Blodwyn in their lives, something he would never forget.

  “Yes,” Anna said. She held out an arm. “Help me up.”

  Blodwyn guided her away from the wall.

  “Get in a circle,” she said.

  “Mother,” he said.

  “Remember what I said? We’ll rest when this is over. Not a moment sooner,” she said. “Now, come on. Time’s wasting. In a circle everyone, please.”

  Chapter 30

  Mykal watched Refler stumble backwards as he and the other five, suddenly appeared on the small vessel.

  Mykal reached for Refler’s arm. The man tripped on an oar and started over the side of the vessel.

  Mykal closed his fingers on air.

  Refler levitated ove
r the water.

  Thunder clapped above them. Lightning lit the black and crimson cloud covered sky.

  Refler’s arms pin-wheeled. His legs kicked. His mouth was open wide, and brows met in confusion above his eyes.

  Mykal brought his first toward his chest.

  Refler rose in the air, and over the side of the boat, back onto the deck. Smoothly, minus the motion from the growing waves rolling toward shore, he was set onto his feet. He immediately ran his palms down the front of his clothing. “What just, I mean, what—can someone tell me what just happened? I mean, what in the realms is going on?”

  Basin appeared equally as shocked. Had he have been standing, he might have, almost, toppled over the side, as well. Thankfully, he’d been sitting.

  “There’s nothing to fear,” Mykal said. “It’s all right. Everything’s okay.”

  Another bolt of lightning flashed.

  With it came the rain. Large, cold drops fell hard and fast from the sky.

  “The king’s ships are leaving the fjord,” Eadric said. He kept an arm around Anna; it was a protective stance as if he thought the rain would cause her to melt. She was shivering, though, and pressed up against his chest.

  Despite his mother’s aphorism that they could rest when this was all over, Mykal felt physically drained. “How many ships did you count?”

  “I saw the masts when the lightning lit the sky,” Eadric said. “There hadn’t been enough time for counting. It could have been two, maybe three. There might have been more. I can’t be sure.”

  “We need to get back to the islands,” Refler said, working his way around the ship, lighting small lanterns. The glass encasements protected the flame from the rain.

  “Rowing will take us forever,” Quill said.

  Mykal understood the implications. He didn’t have it in him. Anna was sitting toward the back of the boat. She looked equally wiped out. “We need to get started. My mother and I need to rebuild our strength.”