The cold burn of magic singed Relnek's hand where his prince's fingers touched. Biting his cheek, he forced himself to withdraw his hands in a calm manner from the leather tome Prince Zestron now held. Relnek put them behind his back in a semblence of attention and rubbed the burned area, out of sight.
Zestron caressed the book with his bony hands. A smile, only partially hidden by his hood, graced his finely chisled face from within his hood. His smile and charisma enchanted most people, his charm bending many to his will without any effort.
He loved to be fawned over. His one weakness, and Relnek's main defense. "My Prince, the great and most loved, this book contains all the names of the Knightens, sealing their fate to your will."
"You have done well, Commander." Zestron flashed him a warning glare. "As long as this is the true Knightens Registry."
"Yes, My Prince." Relnek bowed his head. "Three of my men died in taking it."
"Good." He drummed his fingers on the registry. "They died well?"
"They did, my Prince. They proclaimed their loyalty to you in their dying screams, and killed all of the Knightens guarding the book."
His leader’s smile widened, showing perfectly formed, pointed teeth. “Then we must begin.” Zestron turned his head upward, his robe’s hood falling back to reveal black hair set against pale skin. “My father will soon be able to escape through the rift I created in his prison. The Druids locked him into a void; I will do the same to their precious Knightens heir.”
Relnek nodded his head in respect, while feeling shame and remorse at the part he played. “Yes, my Prince. The prophecy will not be fulfilled.”
“And my father’s reign will be assured.”
Zestron turned, his dark robes billowing, and walked to the stone platform containing the throne. Stumps sat on each side where he had ordered the images of Empre and Hurand smashed. He set the Knightens Registry upon the altar in front and sat on the throne.
The magician sat without saying a word, gloating, and Relnek looked around the abandoned temple during the uncomfortable silence. The white marble walls extended high upwards to an impressively carved ceiling. Images of the goddess, Empre, and her women followers mingled with men followers of the god, Hurand. Many of the images showed the couples in situations of courtship and love, varying from the man bringing the woman flowers to coupling.
The carvings continued down along the walls where subtle mage lights flickered along them, bringing the images to life. Relnek still felt as if they were desecrating sacred ground, as he had when they first opened the temple and cleared away centuries’ worth of debris for Zestron.
“Go tell my priests we are ready, and have your guards in position.” Zestron arranged the folds of his robe around him while straightening his mustache. “I must contact my father before we begin.”
Relnek bowed on one knee. “Yes, my Prince.”
“Now go.” Zestron dismissed him with a wave.
Relnek ran to do as ordered.
* * * *
Zestron breathed in deeply, relishing the magic source that surged beneath the temple. He could hardly wait until he called the power through the throne to him. He hungered for it.
But first, he needed to let his father know all was ready for his return. Finally, after centuries of learning how to control the forbidden magic, he would meet his father and rule the world at his side. At least, until the day he became powerful enough to take his father’s place.
Drawing upon the power source below him, he sent his thoughts up to the sky, into the mysterious areas they called voids: places of imprisonment and other realms.
“Father Dithron,” he called.
“Yes.” The reply came back in a threatening tone.
“I am ready to take the Knightens from the land. The heir will be lost, and the prophecy will not happen. You will be free to rule.”
“I shall enjoy making the Druids suffer for what they’ve done to me.”
“Yes, my father.”
“Make sure you don’t fail me.” The threat, sent down the open channel, came with sensations of severe pain. His head felt as though knives plunged deep into his brain, and he screamed with the intensity.
“I will make you proud, my father,” he answered breathlessly.
Zestron broke the connection, trembling at the effort exerted, but more from the sensation of Dithron’s threat. Father or not, he knew if he failed, Dithron would destroy him – after days or even years of torture.
* * * *
Relnek settled his sword into its scabbard and grabbed his spear from his room. Although he kept the fireplace lit and had extra mage lights brought in, the room still felt dark, as if it was grieving. Once the beautifully carved chamber of Harand’s head priest, the walls now showed images of gloom, covered with black roses. He knew the roses were not supposed to be black, but no amount of scrubbing by servants could lighten them, or the room.
"The day is finally here." The voice of his first Lieutenant and friend broke into his musings.
"Yes." Relnek turned to find Mesk sitting on a chair in the corner, the man's lean figure in a relaxed position.
"How is he doing it?" Mesk leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "How is he harnessing the power to use the forbidden magic and open the void?"
Relnek shook his head. "He just is. His mother Queen Onessa knew the secret of long life and she taught him, so he's had many years to work on it. I remember my great grandfather telling me stories of the great prince's magic. They were things he witnessed as a little boy himself."
"Did you see Aneya?"
"Yes." Relnek sighed, wishing he didn't have to be Zestron's right hand. But it kept their families safe. Zestron rewarded those who followed him by protecting their families from the blood rites. "I may not be able to leave the prince's side very often. You must look after her, and Revi and little Ataya." His voice quieted to a whisper at the end.
Mesk stood and placed his hand on Relnek's shoulder. "Don't worry. I will look after them. And Lara will keep Aneya company as always."
A gong sounded through the halls, signalling the procession of priests to the throne room.
"It's time." Relnek laid his hand on Mesk's. "For our families."
"For our families." Mesk followed his commander out the door.
Exuding the confidence Relnek knew his men respected, he brought his boot heels down hard enough against the marble floor to echo down the hall. He stood still as he made a show of inspecting the guards closest to his door, and then turning, he walked through the lines of red uniforms, not stopping when he came to the end, knowing all fifty were accounted for.
Mesk followed directly behind him and his guards filed behind. The tempo of the marching against the marble floors calmed his nerves by the time they reached the throne chamber.
There, Zestron’s priests already knelt in front of the throne. Relnek ordered his men to each side, directing them to guard the entrances to the chamber. He then took his place off to the side, a short distance from the stone platform in order to be far enough away as to not get caught in the magic his prince would call forth.
“My Prince, all is ready for you.” He knelt on one knee with his head bowed.
“Let us begin.” Zestron pinned him with his gaze. “Do not fail me, Relnek. Although I will be joined to the power source, I can still reach out to you.”
“I will not fail you, my Prince.” Relnek clasped his trembling hands behind his back and kept his voice firm.
Zestron faced his priests. “Open the sky doors.”
On either side of the chamber two guards turned large wheels. The men heaved, sweating with the exertion, and the creaking echoed within the chamber. A loud grating sound came from the ceiling as two slabs of stone parted to allow sunlight through. At first there was only a crack, but as another man joined those at the wheel, the gap gradually grew until half of the ceiling lay open to the sky.
The guards, panting and drenched with sweat, took up their positions. They leaned against the walls to regain their strength.
Zestron’s head priest rose and took the Knightens Registry that lay on the altar to Zestron. He knelt at the prince’s feet, his blood red robes pooling around him.
“My priests, keep me supplied with energy during this time.” Their prince reached forward and with a long, pointed fingernail, slashed the side of the head priest’s face. He cupped a few drops of the dripping blood in his fingernail and sucked it out.
“It will be done as my prince has commanded,” the priest said without flinching.
“Begin!”
As the priest returned to his position at the head of the others, never once trying to stop the blood spilling from the gash on his face, Zestron lifted his hands to the sky.
The floor shook and a great rumbling came from below them. More frightened of disobeying Zestron than of the floor collapsing, Relnek stood his ground. Many of his guards’ eyes were wide with fright and they trembled, but they too remained at their positions.
Zestron glowed, faintly red, his body wavering. Relnek shivered at the evil hunger in his prince's eyes.
The chamber shook; sconces and people swayed to stay upright. The priests lay prostrate at their places, screaming their chants. The ground beneath rumbled louder, and the light around Zestron intensified.
Zestron reached down and grabbed the Knightens Registry, holding it up to the sky. He chanted words Relnek did not understand, and the book burst into flames, yet did not appear to burn.
From nowhere, screams sounded all around them, and many of the guards looked ready to bolt. Zestron’s voice reverberated through the chamber. “Do not fail me!” That threat was enough to keep them at their post.
With one last unknown word from Zestron, the flames leapt from the book into the sky. The red glow around Zestron swirled and followed the flames.
The chamber stopped shaking, and the tremors settled into a slight constant rumble. Zestron sat on his throne with the Knightens Registry resting in his lap. The glow had been replaced with a red fog that swirled around him.
“Close the doors, and bring me energy.” Relnek heard Zestron’s voice in his head, the sound of it even more evil and menacing than before.
As he relayed the orders, the guards closed the sky doors, and two priests ran out of the chamber. They returned quickly, dragging a struggling peasant boy. The head priest pulled out a sacrificial knife and waited at the altar.
Relnek shivered.
* * * * * *
A green and gold warbler landed on the window sill and trilled out its morning song while Dagan sat reading his latest lesson from his guardian Ragor. The sunlight warmed his arms as he leaned forward, intent on this report of the Elvenglades.
Ragor sat across from him on his own smaller chair and wiped the sugar from his morning pastry from his red beard. "So, what do you think?"
"Hmm…" The question distracted Dagan from his concentration. "The Myst creatures are growing weaker. That does not sound good."
"No, it's not." Ragor stood on his chair and leaned over the table, pointing to a paragraph in the middle of the page. "What do you see here?"
"The magic in the Elvenglades is lower too." Dagan looked up at his guardian's twinkling eyes. "Unless they appoint an Elf with the power to the throne soon, the Elvenglades will die."
"That is right, boy!" Ragor sat back down.
"It seems this Lord Felnerin may have the power through a distant lineage to the Randorans." Dagan moved his finger down the words as he read. "And Lord Ashigan's mother is a cousin of the Randorans."
"Yes."
"Both are not powerful. Ashigan has not even shown to have any power, although he may have it."
"True."
"Is that why they have not been appointed king?"
"Let's say you are deciding for the kingdom." Ragor pulled his beard as he thought. "You have two people who may have inherent power to take the throne. Would you appoint one as ruler and why?"
"Well." These lessons in politics always confused Dagan. Ragor insisted that he know what's going on in the territories of the world, the Elvenglades especially. Other kids didn't have to learn this stuff. In fact, they were probably all out playing games right now. Where he wanted to be, even if they treated him differently because he was so much bigger than them.
He sighed. "Ragor, what does it matter? This is confusing to me."
Ragor's face fell sad and his shoulders slumped. "Trust me, boy. It's important. You may need to know this someday."
"You say so." Dagan shrugged, looking out the window. He longed to go enjoy his day off from school in the sunshine. "But I just want to go out and help people when I grow up."
"You will, boy." Ragor walked to the door. "Come on. I'll give you a break and let you be young for a little while longer."
Dagan followed the small man outside, walking along the path into the Sol Nomen village. Varieties of honeysuckle and nasturtiums draped the huts, their bright colors welcoming the morning. Birds flitted from flower to flower, singing their songs, some splashing in bird baths where the sun warmed the water.
Dagan and Ragor waved at a few people as they walked to their own destinations. The people lifted their heads and smiled warmly at Dagan. The villagers loved him and this was Dagan's home, but he still felt out of place towering over the adults. "Why am I here, Ragor?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Who am I? What am I supposed to do with my life?"
"You're young to be wondering those thoughts." Ragor turned his head as he talked, as if hiding his face from Dagan. "Why? Maybe that's something you'll find out when you grow up."
"Are you sure you don't know my parents?"
"Like I said, boy." Ragor kept his head turned and his voice strict. "You were found an orphan. Your parents were dead."
"And you don't know what they looked like." Something didn't feel right. The story of his past never felt right.
"The man didn't say. Now don't think about it any more."
Ragor's tone didn't allow more questions, and he knew there weren't going to be anymore this day.
One day, I will find out the truth. I will know who I am and where I'm supposed to go. * * * *
The butterfly flitted from flower to flower as Taun followed it. With patience, she worked her way towards the creature. She gnawed on her lower lip, inching her fingers forward, and snatched at the bright colored wings.
Letting loose of a high-pitched squeal, she ran to where her parents sat by the creek. She carefully held the delicate creature in her hand and flew into the man's arms. "Daddy, I caught it!"
Her father gave a "Hrumph!" as she threw her weight into him and smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. "I see you have."
She laughed as she released the butterfly and watched it flutter away. Her father shifted his leg under her weight, and she jumped up to sit beside him on the log. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to hurt you."
He hugged her close to him. "I know, my little rose. I forget sometimes how much you've grown."
"Except when the boys come calling," her mother teased in her sweet voice while playfully nudging him from the other side.
He groaned. "Don't remind me." He hugged Taun closer and kissed the top of her head.
Birds glided from tree to tree, sounding in a chorus of chirps and song. The cool autumn breeze blew through the mountain, reminding them that it was time to go.
"Taun, make sure our fire is doused out." He indicated the pile of smoldering wood across the clearing. "It's time we headed home."
"It was a nice vacation," her mother said as she began gathering up their packs.
"Yes," he said and then laughed. "I imagine Davak is furious that I took you two from the caravan." He turned around and stooped to pick up the blanket they used to sit on earlier in the morning.
Taun laughed too as she poured water on the wood. "That's silly! We're safer with you than anyone."
Just then rough arms grabbed her from behind, pinning her to a solid chest in smelling clothes. She screamed.
"Taun!" Her mother cried out as two more men appeared between them. One sneered and held a crossbow pointed at her father.
Her father glared, the light in his eyes dangerous. She told herself not to worry.
This is nothing. Daddy could handle ten of these stinky men easily.With a slight nod her way, her father assured her that she was right. He glowered at the man holding her before returning his gaze to the crossbow wielder.
She gulped. Never had she seen him so angry. Anger in someone so powerful made her nervous.
Please Daddy, be careful. Don't overdo it and blow me and Mommy up too.Believing in her father's great power, she braced herself against the brute holding her, ready to dodge the unleashed power.
"Yeah, honey. I'll take care of you soon." The words wafted through foul breath from the pig.
Good! Don't expect it! I'll dance on your dust afterwards.The dirty clothed man holding the crossbow backed towards her, while keeping the weapon on her father. "Stay where you are, or the girl dies."
"What about the woman?" the other man said, spittle splaying out of a mouth full of crooked and broken teeth. "We could get double pay for her." He waved a knife at her mother.
"No," the one holding her said. "She's too old. They like 'em young and sweet… like this one."
She jumped at the way he squeezed her side where his hand lay. Her father's glare at the man intensified and she marvelled for a second that the man hadn't disintegrated right then and there.
"Take her away," the crossbow wielder said. "I'll take care of these two."
"No!" Her mother fell to her knees, reaching her arms out towards Taun.
The man holding her dragged her backwards towards the forest's edge. Her father raised his hand and pointed it at the crossbow. Taun dug into the ground with her feet, trying to push her weight down, and force the man to slow down.
Daddy will dispose of the crossbow, probably make it disappear and then strike the idiot while he's still in shock. I must not let this swine get me to the woods before Daddy's ready.The man with the crossbow tensed up, preparing to fire. "Don't move!"
Her father's hand rose partway.
Now!A blinding white flash of light struck both of her parents. Her mother's screamed, "Tau…!" And then the white light surrounded them both, the attackers in front of her, shielded their eyes with their arms as they backed quickly towards her.
"What the…," The man holding her hid his eyes behind her head.
White hot heat exploded through her. Searing pain shot through her head and she cried out. The light surrounding her parents disappeared, and they were gone. And then darkness overcame her.
* * * *
Druid Mage Chadric leaned back into his chair, resting his arm on the table while propping his legs up on another chair. The sunshine warmed his bones, bones that felt older than his 400 years.
Andulin, the Knightens ambassador, sat across from him. The man's light complexion accentuated the seriousness of his visit, although his blue eyes still reflected the love and compassion the Knightens were so well known for.
Still, his words were not good.
"The disruptions in Moor-Knight's magic are growing stronger," the young man said. "The land trembles, and threatens to return to being a wasteland once again, in spite of our efforts." He passed a trembling hand through his blond hair. "Even Goddess Empre is weakened from the strain and cannot help us."
Chadric sighed and looked out the window as a spryk eagle glided in the distance. Not good at all. For the last century, disruptions in the world's magic have threatened the people and the land. He still was unable to find the cause of it.
"Danocor and Hudan have suffered similar problems," he said, "although not as serious. The Druids have been able to fight the damage with the help of the gods."
The eagle glided out of sight and a cloud passed over the sun, sending a chill through him. He looked at Andulin. "But even their gods are beginning to weaken. We are trying to find the cause."
"I know, Druid Mage. And I'm aware how it's already overworked the Druids, but we must ask for help."
"Yes, I understand." Chadric reached across and put his hand on the man's arm. "Chayne was right to send you. We have a few Druids with land magic here now. They will return with you."
Relief brightened Andulin's features. "Thank you! I'm sure…"
White fire surrounded Andulin, his figure disappearing in its intensity. Sharp, burning heat struck Chadric's hand and he leaped up, holding his burnt hand to his chest. His eyes watered with the pain.
"Andulin!"
The white light dissipated. Andulin was gone. Only the scorched chair remained.
**
Chadric ran out of the room, slamming the large oak door open so hard that it crashed against the wall with a resounding bang. With his injured hand still clutched in front of him, he yelled at the guards. "Andulin is gone! Put the keep on alert!"
The guards ran to do as he told as another guard ran up behind him. "Druid Mage Chadric!"
He turned to find the panicked face of Belgon, a Druid Sentry Commander of many years. The man was not easily shaken, but his golden eyes were bright with fear. "The Knightens who came with Andulin have disappeared in a white light!" The man breathed hard. "There's nothing left of them!"
"Come!" Chadric led Belgon down the long corridor, deeper into the keep. People scrambled to and from rooms as the alarm sounded. They ignored all, waving those who tried to get their attention to leave them alone.
Great Zuron, what happened!The initial shock subsiding, Belgon asked, "What's happening?"
"I don't know." Chadric led them down another corridor, no doors lined this one. Crystal sconces lit his path. "I felt the workings of a Void when Andurin disappeared."
"A Void!" Fear blazed in the golden eyes again. "Only the Druid Mage Kerix commanded the power for that when he banished Dithron. And it killed him."
"I know." The memory of the loss of his teacher touched Chadric for a second. The seriousness of the situation worried him too much to dwell on it. The Void magic was very powerful and Kerix had been the first to work one. If someone else had found a way to use them, it meant more trouble than any of them could imagine. "We will ask Zuron, Father of All about this."
Shoving the large double doors open at the end of the hall, they entered the sensing stone room. The twelve Druid Councilors were already there, having heard the news.
They sat in their designated seats at the horseshoe shaped table surrounding the two story stone. The stone pulsed blue, green, and orange with their workings.
"Go, see what the head priests are doing," he said to Belgon. "If they haven't checked already, tell them we need to know of any messages from Zuron."
"Yes, Druid Mage." Belgon dashed through another door, swinging it shut behind him.
Head Councilor Telecor rose. If possible, his normal unsmiling face was even more grim. "We have scried for the Knightens. We cannot locate them."
"Even Chayne?" Chadric leaned against the door frame, weak from this disparaging news.
Telecor's normally gruff voice went soft, his eyes sad above his white beard. "Not even Chayne."
Chayne was not dead. He would feel it.
Taun! "Look for Taun's energy!"
"We looked for the Knightens," Telecor said softly. "We would have felt her too."
"Trust me." Chadric insisted. "If you scried for the Knightens, you may not have scried for her."
Please, Zuron let the safeguards I placed keep her safe!Telecor sat back down and the twelve closed their eyes, focusing on the stone's power. The stone shook and then turned a light gold. The twelve opened their eyes.
"She is there." A measure of relief showed on Telecor's face. "But it is weak. We know she's still here in the world, but we cannot locate her."
Chadric sighed deeply.
Thank Zuron for one small favor. "Scry for magic users powerful enough to work a Void."
"A Void!" Telecor's calm demeanor vanished.
"Yes, I felt the workings of one when Andurin disappeared. Someone has figured out the magic."
"Impossible!" But the rebuke was quiet and Telecor sat to scry with the others. Long moments passed, the stone turning a multitude of colors, before going black and the twelve slumped in exhaustion.
Telecor shook his head. They could not find the user.
