I wrote this in my early to mid twenties… really rough, but based around an idea that I think I will still eventually write.
Ultimately, the idea is that the main character will sacrifice himself in parts for his friends. He will give up his sanity to help them and lose himself entirely in the process
Part 1
I have tried and tried to write this, and the worst part, the thing that has always made it hardest is the beginning, I know once I start, it will come. The ending is pretty easy, I mean it just happened a few months ago, but really, when did it begin. What I mean to say is, did it start with Karian’s birth, or did it start before that. The middle is just the build up, the loves, the hate, the war, the battles, the hiding… it is all fresh in my mind, but if I am going to write something that does him justice, it must be perfect. I can’t really say whether I will be able to accomplish this, but Tisha has convinced me that if I do not write it, I will go insane.
So I sit here, writing in the flickering candle light, the images swirling through my mind. You would think that he was a bad man, but whether you think that or not, he was a great man, the things that he accomplished were unknown to the world before him, he was loved by many, and hated by more, but he succeeded where no other had, he screamed at the top of his lungs that the world was wrong, and all listened. For that brief moment, everyone listened, no one thought, no one spoke, they all just listened.
From the king, to the warriror, to the peasant, they all listened, en-tranced by his voice, unable to move. He was Karian, and there was no better explaination to give than to say his name… the youngest children play games about him, and the oldest women spin tales about him, about meeting him and being young again. His strength, his power, was to give those around him meaning, and you might say to yourself, “meaning, I need no one to give me meaning…” but think, dig deep down inside yourself, does your life truly have meaning, or is your life the continuation of the day before, do you have a schedule, do you work the field, eat dinner, drink a pot, sleep and do it all over again. He put us on the road, he made us think and for that he was great.
Ok, enough, I will start, and I think the best place to start is where I know, I will start with me.
My name is Jurad Curtailin, I am a Mage, specifically, I study the flow of power through the world and learn to harness it in a specific way to serve me. I am a user, just the same as any other, though before I met Karian, I knew this not. I was making a failing income by traveling through the trinity country, called this for the 3 very successful trade lines in the area, Curtalan Forge, Jesenen Parfill and Fornatic Quinn. The first is a distant cousin of mine, his father is somehow related by my grandfather, I know not the line, but he treats me well enough, just do not let your purse lay on the table unattended, he is a master of lightening your load. Jesenen Parfill is man known well in the area for being one of the leading religous figures, he uses the trade system to grow his following, though, he doesnt shake his head at the money either, and finally Fornatic Quinn, a burly man, of the bunch the roughest around the edges, though, after being on the road with Karian I would much rather deal with someone of his stature than with the others. Fornatic and I have become quite good comrades, after our travels with Karian, you could say that we consider one another family, Tish and I dine with him and his wives several times a month. His trade is run by the strength of his sword, but because of this, it is one of the more honest in the world. There are few who would stand toe to toe with Fornatic, or his daughter guard, they are both formidable. He deals in well, the oldest profession you could say, his trade line has everything, but he is best known for having that one thing that you cannot get elsewhere, company.
I was in the township of Sidbrok, carrying myself heavy, I had been walking for several hours, I was tired, but I pushed myself to make it to town to avoid another cold night on the road. I stumbled my way through the inn doors, stepped up to the bar, “an ale, a cold one,” I said, dusting off my tattered robes, I had been on the road for too long, my sigil, the cat’s eye, was barely noticeable through the dust. In the back there was a minstrel playing a nice tune, many people at tables smiling and having a good time, one table had an open seat, the others around the table nodded to me in turn, they were others of my craft. I decided I would sit with them, it would be good to hear of the Synod and of other news. The bartender splashed some luke warm ale into a dirty glass, and slid it to me across the bar, “two quid,” he said in a gruff voice, he eyed me for a moment, expecting me to complain, wanting me to complain, and I could sense that he was fingering something under the bar, a weapon of some sort, a club I thought to myself.
“Thank you my good man, and please bring more to that table over there for my peers,” I dropped 20 quid onto the bar and slipped into the seat next to the other users. To them I said, “I am Jurad, Cat’s eye guild, Conhoven.” I settled into my chair, wooden high back, the dime a dosen type you find in all these places, and dropped my purse to the floor next to me, I heard my books thump on the floor through the worn leather sack, and noted that I should really invest in a better pack.
“I am Corwin, Blessed thorn guild, Sidbrok, well met Jurad,” said the man directly in front of me, he was about my size, 5’10” thin build, but eyes full of strength, he was obviously well powered, and he was trying to read me. Without taking his eyes off of me, Corwin said, “Ilyana is to your left, and Sprekn to your right, also from Blessed thorn”
“Well met” I said, and the bartender came around me to serve the group their round of drinks, Sprekn lit up to me at this, he eyes wide, he nodded to me, Ilyana was still not yet convinced about my good nature, she stared at me for a moment, and also tried to read me, she was probably of the fourth totem, as was Corwin, being of the eighth, I couldnt help but laugh to myself, they were still thinking they could take on the world, and poor Sprekn was only first totem, he had not yet seen the horrors our craft could bring into the world. Ilyana had a slender build, her breasts pushing themselves upward out of her robes, she was definitely attractive, and her strength of mind made her more so, Sprekn was a child, maybe of 17 years, sitll new to the world, as much as to the order. Corwin still stared at me, his blue eyes cold, lacking emotion, he hid behind them, waiting for me to make myself known. It was believed among my craft that those of us who travel are considered hired hands, they lose something when they travel in the world, something of their elegance, and become the same as the traveling bands of theives called Gypsies, those of the townships have always looked down their nose at me when I come through town, and not the less for the fact that I most often have greater capability than they do.
So it was no surprise that I was met with suspicion, I leveled my gaze at Corwin and said, “I come here on my quest to Cidrad, I am passing through, I have been asked to serve under Galwin there, I mean no disrespect, and if you wish, I will not practice while I am here.” It was the same thing that I had said for years on the road, and because of that came out with the strong ring of truth, and it was true, yet, not in the implication, I was to serve under Galwin, but not until my thirtieth birthday, upon that day, I would greet him as an equal. Though none could know that, and I could not serve under another when great Galwin himself had asked me to come to him. There are only two reasons that you meet with Galwin, one to be tried for crimes against the order, the other to be raised to the ninth totem, and with that become part of the Synod, our leaders, the council of the order, those that lead all guilds. His eyes became wide, and they softened, albeit minutely, he was still unsure what to make of me, if Galwin would trust you, then I and mine will also, you are welcome here as long as you wish, and you may practice, I see no reason to deny you the craft during your travels.” Ilyana agreed, she slid to the edge of her seat, and stared at me over the edge of her glass as she drank, her voice came deep, soft, soothing, she said, “and I would greet you well on this street or any other.” She slid back into her seat, her eyes didnt leave me for a moment, she was about to say something when Sprekn burst at the seams, “You know Galwin, woah, what was he like, did he say anything to you, was he big, I heard he’s huge, like 7 feet tall, and wide as a door, and did he have his wife with him, and was she beautiful…” Corwin stopped him with a glance, Sprekn quieted and tried to settle into his chair, but you could see he was not satisfied, he wanted to know.
I turned to him, “He would be impressed to see such enthusiasm in one so young,” he settled at this, “it would make him happy to see that the beginners in our order have so much happiness to give, though he would not think it best to burst out like that,” I looked at Corwin, he nodded, always the teacher, I thought to myself, “It would be best that when you meet him,” his eyes nearly fell out of his head when I said when and not if, “that you do so with the utmost respect and learn self control, I will be here for a fortnight, to regain strength and rebuild my supplies, and pay my respects to the order,” I glanced at Corwin and saw his approval, he would trust me, that’s good, the less battles the better. “We will have plenty of time to talk Sprekn, I will tell all, for now, I think I will find myself a room and take a rest, I will see you all later.”
“Nonsense” Corwin said loud enough that the conversations stopped around us, “you will stay with us, we have a room for you at the Blessed thorn, and would be dishonored if you did not accept it.”
“I thank you, my friend, I will graciously accept, and will find someway to repay you.” I answered, Ilyana almost leapt out her chair in excitement, “if I may impose, might we go there now, I am travel worn, and would like to bathe and rest.”
“We can and we will,” Corwin said, at that he stood, dropped 3 quid on the table, I gathered my things and Ilyana, snatched my arm and half dragged me out of the bar. We walked down the road, with the ale and my weary head, I remember nothing of the trip to the room, nor the bath afterward, I woke that evening just in time for dinner.
We talked, we laughed, and we ate, the food was fabulous, after the jerkey that I had been eating for months on the road, the hand made meal was wonderful, Ilyana met me at my room to bring me to the dinner, she was in a green silk gown, nothing glamorous, but perfect for her form, it showed nothing, yet everything at the same time. I felt the lonlieness of the road rush in on me, and was comforted by her hand on my arm, I was garbed in my dress robe, blue with the Cat’s eye emblem on the corner of the sleeves, my arms buried within feet of material, it was something that you got used to. My hair was pulled back into a tail, fastened with a charm shaped with a green opal that I had found in a river during my travels. The red silk hannah, a long piece of the finest silk, denoted my station within the order, red for eight totem; blue, seventh; orange, sixth; purple, fifth; green, fourth (and the one on Ilyana shaped her waist perfectly through the flowing gown); yellow, third; gray, second; white, first. And of course, black for the ninth, though it had been a good 6 or 7 years since I had seen a black hannah.
I was seated at the head of the table, as a guest, Ilyana to my left, Corwin to my right, it took me a second to realize that he was wearing a blue hannah, I was impressed to find that he had hidden more power than I had thought, and was delighted to see that he had three black slashes on his that matched mine. The slashes marked that accomodation from the council, in either great achievement of study or practice. They were great honors, and it was no surprise to find that he had been noted for his skills. I found a new respect for him, not as some country user, but as a skilled magician, one that could easily match my own skill, a true peer.
Sitting at the opposite end of the table from me, was the guild master, Jenovan, his wife to his left, and his son to his left. It was customary, that your love is to your left, closest to your heart at the table, and your greatest comrade to your right. Ilyana filled my left seat perfectly, and I found that for the first time, I had someone worthy sitting to my right. I felt wonderful, emotion welled up in my eyes. I averted my attention to Jenovan, he wore a hannah the same as mine, though his was covered end to end with slashses, he seemed to be well known by the council, upon his chest sat a charm in the perfect shaping of the Blessed thorn sigil, shaped of platinum and gold, it was beautiful and customary for Guild masters.
Once everyone had settled into their seats, he rose from his chair, “I greet our comrade Jurad, and hope his stay here is plentiful, I welcome him to our house, and our hearts.” His son stood at this, and raised his glass, “Hai” he said, his voice powerful, he was a strong boy, his eyes almost glowed with strength, he was only a fifth totem, but it could easily be seen that he was on his way to greatness. Everyone stood after this, and together, “Hai!” Jenovan motioned for me to stand.
I stood and bowed, everyone sat, Ilyana looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes, and I melted, Corwin proudly looked at me, it was for the first time in a long time that I felt at home, welcomed by strangers and feeling more comfortable in their company than in my own family’s. “Hai. Thank you, I appreciate you opening your home and hearts to me, it is a debt I will not soon be able to repay. I have been here but a day, but feel that I have lived in this town for my life. All of you have shown me the greastest hospitality, and I have nothing to offer in return, save my thanks. And this,” I reached into my robe, pulled out a copy of my sigil, a simple piece of parchment with the Cat’s eye emblazoned with fire, I raised it in the air so that everyone could see, then tossed it to the center of the table, in flash of brilliant white light, a butterfly floated down on wing to the opposite end of the table, to land at the front of my host, Jenovan. “my fluttering heart,” then with a sly look in my eye, “and stomach.” Everyone giggled at my joke and I settled back into my chair. Jenovan coaxed the butterfly into his hand and motioned it to the open window behind him, it floated out the window and off into the evening sky.
“Now let your flutters follow the butterfly, there is no reason to feel uneasy.” Jenovan’s son, Cassian said, everyone laughed. The servants quietly brought in the food, and I felt as if I were in heaven. A beautiful woman, a strong companion, and a family, all in but one day.
Part 2
I awoke the next morning, Ilyana next to me, with the spring breeze floating in through the open window, the slightest light of the morning sun splaying across the bureau across the room from the bed. Ilyana’s gown was haphazardly thrown across the back of the chair, the hannah was still around her neck, one part tucked neatly between her naked breasts. The night was a glorious one, the feast, the dancing, and afterward, all the perfect end to a horrible few months. There was slight knock at the door, I threw the blanket over Ilyana, and grabbed my cloak, “Um, yes sir, your clothes, I will take care of them for you.” The young woman was one of the servants, she handed me a clean set of clothes, then without hesitation handed another set and motioned toward the bed.
“Yes, thank you,” I said, I closed the door and gathered all of the clothes from the room, gave them to the servant girl, then shut the door as quietly as possible trying not to wake Ilyana.
“I must get up,” she said quietly from behind me, “I have a class to teach.”
I could feel the frown form on my face, I was hoping for more rest, lying next to her in bed, feeling the warmth of another next to me, her arms wrapped about me, it was perfection. She was determined though, and stood, slipping into the clean clothes, she wrapped her hannah about her hand as she dressed, then pulled me close to her, up on her toes to give me a slight kiss on the lips, barely a brushing of the mouth, and walked out of the room. I frowned again, so easily that she walked away, I put my hands into the pockets of the new cloak to wrap it about me and sort through the other clean clothes, and found her hannah in the right pocket. Maybe not too easily.
I walked into the central hall, everyone bustling about me, and by chance ran into Cassian and some other students. “Sire,” Cassian said, “I was hoping I might find you, one of our instructors is out on business today, we were hoping you might fill in for him’”
“What class would I be instructing’” I asked, hoping that it would be at least something interesting. It would be interesting to teach something of sensory or practical arts, but I would rather stay away from mechanics or philosophy.
“Mechanics,” he must have seen my frown, as did the others, they all chuckled, “Yes well, its not the most exciting class, but a necessary one.”
“Been here a single day, and already trying to usurp power, is that it friend” I heard Corwin say from behind me, I turned to see him garbed similar to me, he had a massive smile on his face, he laughed.
“Beginning Mechanics is not usurping power, its putting children to sleep.” I answered, and they all laughed again.
“Well then,” Corwin said, the smile still imprinted on his face as if it would never leave, “You will have to come up with a better way to teach it.”
“Yes, yes, maybe I will.” I answered, then to Cassian, “though my face may tell otherwise, I would be honored to instruct a class.” He nodded, and motioned toward the hallway to the left.
“Cassian, be about your business, I will show him to the students and introduce him and such.” Corwin said, and at that, we all walked in our separate directions. “So you are going to teach Beginning Mechanics, god that was a horrible class, telling a student who just learned how to light a candle from across the room that the power is a flow from the center of the planet, and we must all be responsible with such power. Not my idea of good fun.”
“Nor mine, but I will take it, for something to do, hey… maybe you…”
“Don’t even think it, I sat through that class from one side of the desk, there’s no way I’m going through it from the other side.” I laughed and he joined in, “well, here you are. Try to keep them awake, oh and b the way, Sprekn is in this class today, so you won’t be going in totally cold.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you later’”
“Yes, meet me at the inn about noon, I will buy you the best lunch you’ve ever had.” He looked into the room, laughed once more, and turned heel, I watched him for a moment walking down the hall, shaking his head, smiled, took a deep breath and rounded the corner into the room.
The students were all about 17 or 18, all huddled around the center of the room, talking and laughing, I remember those days, the days when all you had to worry about was the next class you were going to, and how boring it was, or how evil the instructor was. I remember class at the Cat’s eye, we had some of the best instructors in the land, walking about the grounds, watching the sky, thinking I could fly, feeling like a god. Coming from a small town, and having been given the gifts that I was up in the clouds, I was the most important person in town, because I was going to the university, well everyone but my parents.
“Hello Master, uh… ‘” one of the students said, I popped out of my reverie to realize that I had been leaning against the desk daydreaming for quite a few moments. The students were all settled into their desks, I smelled the breeze from outside and got an idea.
“My name is Jurad Curtailin, what is the purpose of this class’” I looked about the room. The students all had a certain amount of shock on their faces, they had never had a teacher ask them something like that, you didnt really get the chance to talk in class until about fourth totem. “Well, what is the point of learning mechanics’” One of the students raised his hand, “Hai, master Jurad, the purpose is to teach us the specific movements required to obtain perfection in our art, to practice the actual motions required to match our thoughts and make use of the power that flows about us.”
“Good,” I answered. “What are the limitations that have been given you, by your instructor’ What has he told you not to do’” I was heading somewhere with this, I remember from my mechanics class, that we were told to never attempt a spell unless we had the exact thought and motion in our minds, that what happened without that was completely unexpected.
“Never attempt to cast without the exact thought and motion in our minds,” Sprekn said from the corner of the room, his eyes were still bright, and he could barely contain himself in his desk, he looked a lot like I did when I first started. I smiled, it was the same everywhere, instructors telling children to not expiriment because they could hurt themselves, and that was true, but I did not truly get the understanding of the art until I did just that, and I had the scar to prove it.
“So if I were to tell you, to cast a suit, and you were not sure what the exact motion was, or had not even practiced it before, you would not’”
The class chimed together, “Yes.”
“Well I am going to do that, I want you all to follow me.” Their eyes sparkled, they simply leapt out of their chairs and ran down the hall after me, they all found me underneath a massive oak. “So are you interested’”
“Yes,” they all said together again, but how can we cast without knowing what we are casting.
“Good question, what is your name’”
“Surma, master.”
“Surma come over here, turn and face the class,” he turned his back to me, I tapped him on the shoulder and closed my eyes, he slowly lifted off of his feet, “Mechanics is not to teach you to do things exactly, Mechanics is exactly what is sounds like, learning the flow of magic through the land, if you were able to understand the flow of forces through the world, then could you not understand how to use it.” Surma slowly lowered to the ground, “It is not to teach you to make sure you know what you are doing, but to make sure that you think first.”
“What about that, how did you do that, you didnt even you the motions’” a young girl said from the back, she was marvelous looking, and I could feel her strength flowing through the area, she was very strong, I stared at her eyes, and felt some prick of acknowledement, she seemed familiar.
“Another good question, and what is your name dear’”
“I am Cammy, I believe you know my brother Cassian.”
“Yes, yes of course,” that’s what I recognized, so the young girl was Jenovan’s daughter. “Come forward,” I said motioning for Surma to go back to the group.
Cammy stepped forward, and I motioned for her to turn also, “Now this time you will do it, it is simple enough, bring yourself off of the ground,” she started to turn to me, her mouth opened to ask me a question, “You know the motion do you not’” “Yes, I do, but I have never done it before, what if I make a mistake’”
“Then you will make a mistake, but you must be willing to use your strength to your advantage. Do any of you think that we do this for the fun of it, why are we here, are we here to waste our time, or are we here to learn how to use the magic to our advantage, so that we may be of greater use to our families, or to go to war to fight for our land, to protect ourselves. If someone were attacking you, would you think twice about casting to stop them, no you would think once, get the motion and thought in your mind, and do it. What is the difference here.”
“We are not supposed to, we are supposed to cast at our level only.”
“Ok,” I said, I dropped my robe off of my shoulders and turned my back to the class, across the center of my back, from the right shoulder down, was a long black streak, “Now you see what happens, when you try to cast above your level,” all of the children oohed and ahhed, it was a mean scar, one that I will never forget, “I was standing in the center of a bar, two men tried to attack me, to steal my purse from me, that purse had everything I owned in it, my books, my clothes, everything, I was not going to let it go easily, I played with fire and got burned, but I learned something also, my mistake was that I thought twice, I hesitated, I could have tried to run, and I thought that when I was trying to cast the fire. If I had made my decision to cast, and just done it, I would not have been hurt, the first thing that comes to mind is most often correct, taking into consideration your lack of training, you still all have the basic ability to cast, you would not be here if you did not, which means naturally over the course of your life you would be able to reach the third totem, with the training you can reach higher. My mark,” I said, as I pulled the robe back up to my shoulders, “taught me to think once, to make my decision and follow through, and take no action until I had made my decision. And because of that, the art become much more a second nature to me.” I turned back to Cammy, “Now try.”
“I can’t, I am not supposed to,” she said, she was on the verge of tears, because she wanted so much to prove herself, and to use the power she was given.
“Close your eyes and float.”
“I can’t,” the children were now getting upset, they didn’t understand, they wouldn’t understand.
“Close your eyes, all of you, think of the motion and thought required to do this, think of what is required of your body, what is required of your mind.” I walked around them, they all seemed to reach deep inside and pull that strength from them. “Now open your eyes,” They all opened their eyes and looked down to find the entire area in flames, the tree was but a torch in the sky, several of them screamed and leapt into the air, not coming down, floating. The rest after seeing this, and their clothes begin to smolder, did the same. And just as quickly as the fire came, it went.
They all laughed, and looked at me, several had tears streaming down their faces from the fright that I gave them, but they did it, I knew they could. All of them still floating, I stared up at them, and smiled, turned heel and walked back towards the class.
As the students filed in, they looked deeply at me, they learned, and they will remember. Good, I had made mechanics fun, then I laughed to myself as Corwin walked by the room with a startled look on his face. He had seen what I had done.
Part 3
I left the class to the rest of their day, I am sure that they will remember what I had taught them, and they would be the better mages for it. The magic is not about doing all the motions, its about using your gift, and the way to that gift is through your mind and your emotions, they naturally attach you to your strengths, and weaknesses. I ran into Corwin down the hall, “Well ready for lunch’” I said.
“Yes, lets go to the stables, we’ll get horses…”
“Horses, where are you taking me’” I looked at him, his eyes wide with happiness, he seemed to always enjoy life, never letting things get him down. His blue eyes, long face, his dark hair framed his face perfectly, you were always immediately drawn to his eyes.
“And we need to change,” he said, completely avoiding my question, “go, go back to your room, there is a change of clothes, get changed I will meet you at the stables.” “Where are we going’”
“Go change.” He said bruskly then walked away, headed in the direction of the stables, and I realized for the first time since talking to him that he was not wearing the robes, he was dressed in more civilian gear, pants, blouse, jacket. He looked like a son from a well off family. Would probably blend easily into the crowd. Having no other choice I headed back to my room, and as he had said, there was a set of clothes waiting for me, next to a water filled wash basin, the servants must have just left. I washed my face, dropped my robe to the floor, and pulled the trousers on, it had been a long time since I’d worn pants, they felt rather uncomfortable, but they were wearable, and the blouse was of good silk, the jacket bore no sigil, it felt strange to not wear the sigil, I still had the necklace on though, so I felt ok. I tied my boots, and checked myself in the mirror, quite surprised, not really recognizing myself, “Interesting,” I said to myself. My mirror image stared back at me, and I laughed and he laughed with me.
I closed my door behind me and headed for what I thought was the direction of the stables, I got about halfway down the hall, and Ilyana walked up beside me, also in “civilian” gear, “I am guessing by the fact of how you are dressed, that you are going with us.” I smiled, she was beautiful, the clothes fit her much better than me, the shape of her breasts pushing against the thin silk blouse, the curves of her hips detailed perfectly by the pants.
“No, I’m not,” I frowned, I was hoping that she would go with us, I was not really sure what to think of last night still, it was all a blur. She leaned in close to me, I could feel her breath warm my neck, it sent tingles down my spine, “Quit staring,” she said softly into my ear. I could feel myself warm as I turned red, having been caught.
“I.. I’m sorry.”
“Its ok.” She said, and bounced along the hall with me, she turned a corner abruptly and called back to me, “I will see you at dinner, ok’”
“Yes, perfect.” I kept walking in the direction of the stables, as I passed out the door to the open air, I felt wonderful, everything was wonderful here, I was giddy. “He is yours,” Corwin said as I came up to him and the pair of horses, “His name is Nightwind,” he motioned toward a beautiful black thoroughbred, easily 25 hands high, he was massive, a war horse easily. Corwin guessed at my thoughts, “He was bred for a general, who died before he could join the war effort. He is a good steed, and yours if you wish it.”
“I cannot accept such a gift, the guild has given me so much already.”
“He is not the guild’s to give, he is mine, and he is now yours.” He leapt up into the saddle of what seemed to be Nightwinds white twin, “This is Northstar, Star for short, he has been mine since I was 10, and has served me well, they are brothers, as are we.” I leapt up onto Nightwind, put my hand on the back of his neck, could feel him sensing me, feeling me out, trying to find out if he liked me or not. We will be good friends, Nightwind. The horse neighed his answer, as if to say, “we shall see.” Corwin sensed the tension between the mount and I, “He will warm up to you, dont worry, he doesnt trust easily. I thought it the perfect match.” We traveled south to a small town called Cormount, through a bit of forest and meadow, the ride took about 20 minutes, we walked the horses into town, and Corwin motioned to a little stable off to the left, we took the horses, dropped three quid on the counter, and went across the little road to the inn, Corwin looked at me while we walked in, “They have the best food in the area,” we found a table in the dusty little stop on the way to nowhere, and settled into our chairs.
“Oh my god, Cor, its been so long.” I buxom little blonde ran out from behind the bar and nearly leapt into Corwin’s lap, kissed him deeply on the mouth, then slapped him. One of those slaps you get for not calling to say you are running ten mintutes late.
“Nera, how are you, I have been busy at the guild, I am still trying for eight. Don’t be mad.” He smiled, and his eyes lit up, as did his whole body. “You know I come as often as I can.”
“Yes, yes, so when are you going to take me away from this dump’ huh’ you said I could come be with you…”
“And you can, but first I must get eight, until then I cannot.”
“Ok, ok.” She seemed saddened but lightened then noticed me for the first time, “who’s your friend’”
“Ah, this is Jurad, he is staying with us for awhile. He is passing through this area will be here for a few weeks, I told him that before he left he had to come here and eat some real food, maybe it will convince him to stay.” Corwin looked at me with a sly little smile on his face, winked at me, then looked back at Nera. His eyes deepened when he looked at her, he loved her deeply, you could see it in his face.
An older man shuffled at the bar and said something under his breath I didnt quite catch, but Nera seemed to hear it, she stiffened. “Shut your mouth Morath, I told you hundred times we aint goin nowhere together.” Corwin stiffened, it seemed there may have been words between these two before. “Go about your business gettin drunk, we dont need trouble today.”
Morath spun around to cast his gaze on the three of us, I studied him, he was large about 50 pounds greater than me, bigger in the shoulders, about 5 or so years my senior. His eyes were deep brown, determined, as if this time, he wasn’t backing down, leaning against the bar next to him was a sword, the sword drew my attention for some reason, I looked at it closer and saw the glow from the gem in the hilt, it was magically enhanced. Not sure what the enhancement was, but that always meant bad things to mages, we didnt have time to learn swordplay as much as the warrior guilds, and when they got their hands on magic swords and such, it gave them a severe advantage, sometimes to great a one. I turned to Corwin, “the sword,” I said quietly, he nodded, looking at it. Nera dropped off of Corwin’s lap, and walked straight up to Morath.
“Get the hell out of here, we dont want no trouble, just leave.” He raised his hand, I felt Corwin stiffen at this, felt him pulling deep inside himself. Nera slid sideways across the floor, Morath knocked her good, she lay unconscious at the other end of the bar. That was enough for Corwin, his chair flew backward as he stood.
“Corwin, watch it.” I motioned to the other men standing around Morath, there were three, all built like him, I couldnt see any weapons, but I was sure there were some. “That’s enough, get the hell out of here, I told you before.” Corwin said, “You’re not going to do this again.” He stepped forward, and the three pulled swords equally as dangerous as the first, I could feel the flow towards Corwin, he was drawing in all the strength he could. I walked up next to him, and drew in a deep breath. “I told you to leave. I will not say it again.” I readied myself, drew in on the flow around me, could feel the strength pulsing into my blood.
“You wont have a chance boy.” One deft move and the sword was swinging, the other three followed, I slipped to the left, Corwin to the right. By this time, the rest of the people had run out the door, or huddled in the corner. I raised my hand to one of the lackies and pushed against him, a bolt lit him from my hand and he flew across the room, landing rather awkwardly on the bar. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Corwin barely escape Morath’s blade. Blocking it with his forearm, I bright flash as the magics crashed against each other, that blade was strong whatever it was, it wasn’t something that he found in some field. Another of the lackies came toward me, I stood still, waiting for the sword to swing at me, I stared at the man, I drew in another breath. The sword swung toward my head, I stepped back, everything slowed, I could feel my strength gaining, I saw Corwin still to my right, he was having trouble fighting the sword.
“Corwin, get the sword away from him,” I screamed, still dodging the swings of one of the lackeys, I couldnt see the other, I took a chance to look around, and lost some hair for it, the sword swept just across the top of my head, but I found the other one, he was sneaking around Corwin, “Behind you,” Corwin blasted Morath, and turned just in time to dodge the blade from the third lackey. I swept my hand at the one in front of me, and his blade flew from his hand, his eyes got big, and here is their weakness, badly trained warriors are nothing without their weapon. I stared at him hard, and hit him in the chest, the bolt from my hand seared through his skin and he flew backwards, landing resounding against the side of the bar, underneath his comrade who was still haphazard across the top of the bar.
I turned to see Corwin fighting both of them, the lackey swung toward his head, Morath at his feet, and I knew in that instant he would be hit, I sword bit into the side of his thigh, I felt a scream gurgle from my throat, “Noooo.”
I don’t remember much of the rest, the bartender told me that the lackey came towards me and I walked straight to him and caught his blade with my hand, dragged it out of his grip and threw it across the room at Morath. Morath dodged it easily, the lackey flew backward from a blast to his chest, the fire singed through his clothes, and partially through his chest. “Morath,” it was a deep voice, my rage was boiling in my veins, I felt the power, the strength all around me, he came toward me, a stupid smile on his face, thinking that he would best me as he did my friend.
“You will die…” he started to say, I simply raised my hand and shook my head, no talking I thought to myself, I remember vividly that Morath just laughed, he came toward me swinging wildly, he was fast, and the sword hummed just inches from my head each time, everything slowed, and I stopped, the sword met against some force just inches from my shoulder, Morath surprised, didnt understand, most likely he had been told that that sword would bite through only the most powerful of shields, no one but a member of the synod could stop that sword, I could feel the pain singe into my arm, but it just pushed me on. I closed my eyes, drew a deep breath, and when I opened them Morath received the true sense of fear, my eyes glowed with the strength, my face slackened with drug intensity of the power flowing through me, my eyes pulsed slowly with power, I could see the light from them dancing across his chest, the tables and chairs around me, flew away swept by the power flowing from me. The floor creaked under the strain, I raised my arms and the strength flowed further into me, I could feel it wrapping about my mind, trying to take over, I fought it, and I looked at my left hand, a glowing sword appeared in my hand, Jostus’ sword, my grandfather. It glowed green with power, there truly was no stopping this weapon, it was of pure magic, Morath backed away from me, just in time to only lose his hand in my first sweep of glowing blade, he wasnt so lucky on the second, I split him across the chest from right hip to left shoulder, bringing the sword up from the first attack. He fell to the floor, blood exploding from his chest and sheeting the room, I closed my eyes, sensed for any others who would attack me, I slowly let the power go. It held tightly onto my mind, not wanting to leave, buring into my soul, I felt its loss as it went, felt my strength drain from the fight, I staggered towards Corwin as the last of it left me, the sword went with it.
“Nera, Nera, get me a warm cloth, Nera,” she was just coming to, “Barkeep, get me a cloth, wet it, get it warm, I have to stop its bleeding.”
I ripped the left pant leg open on his pants, to see the gaping wound, it had cut down to the bone, and it was glowing red from the weapon’s magic, it was going to leave a nasty scar. the barkeep threw me the rag as he ran around the bar to help Nera to her feet, “No… Cor, Cor,” she cried as she saw me put the cloth to his leg, I closed my eyes and sensed him, she fell to the floor, sobbing hysterically, she buried her face into the barkeeps chest, and cried silently, “Cor, what happened, why’”
“He’ll be ok,” I felt him slowly awaken, You’ve been hit, I said to him through my hands, in his mind, you left leg is badly injured, I can stop the bleeding but I don’t have enough strength to close the wound, I need to take you back to the guild. Ok, he answered in the same way, can you carry me’
I don’t know, I’ll try. “Nera,” I called to her, she was still crying, “Nera.”
“Come now, friend, she’s in no shape to talk, whatcha need, you need help getting
him up on his horse’”
“Yes, go get the horses from across the way, and bring them, then help me lift him to mine.”
“Nera, go help him, you’ll ride back with me, you can be with Corwin.”
“Yes,” she said, still sobbing, “I want to be with Corwin.”
Corwin grabbed my arm, he moaned with pain as I lifted him to his good leg, I steadied him and tied the cloth around the wound, closed my eyes and cast what I could, a small medicinal suit to help the healing along, Nera slipped under his right arm, and I under his left, and we half dragged, half carried him out the door. Outside the bright noon sun burned, I squinted in the light, and saw the barkeep bringing the horses back from the little stable. He helped me throw Corwin up to his saddle, the bleeding seemed to have stopped, but he was still in pain, Nera looked back at him, sitting ahead of him in the saddle. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. I motioned to them to come close to me. I grabbed the back of Star’s and Nightwind’s necks, and closed my eyes, you will fly like the wind.
It took about 5 minutes to get back to the guild, the horses took to the magic well, as they should being bred for battle. Jenovan had heard on the wind what had happened and met us outside, he had people waiting to assist Corwin, several of the student saw us come up, and all were very concerned, he was well liked here. I searched the crowd as I dropped out of Nightwind’s saddle, petting his side and caressing his neck, he nickered at me, “Yes I like you too, boy. I will come to you later.” One of the servants walked him back toward the stable with Star. I didn’t see Ilyana, I frowned, I was hoping to talk to her, I felt so drained. I talked with Jenovan and explained the situation, he motioned to a couple of the students and told them to head back to Cormount and help clean up and offer any other assistance they might. They nodded and ran for the stables. Jenovan nodded to me, reading my mind, I turned to head for my room for some rest, and Ilyana dashed up next to me, she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me, gave me a little peck on the cheek and we made our way back to my room.
Part 4
“Dammit, don’t you understand, whether I did it to save our lives or not, will not matter, I crossed the line.” She looked at me with her sparkling eyes, and I let my guard down.
“You did it to save Corwin, no one will fault you for that.” She stared at me, I felt comfort in her looking at me, I let the worries slide away, into her eyes. She was afraid, for me, for loss of me, it was there, I could see it, yet I told myself to believe her. I told myself that everything would be ok.
“You don’t understand, I’ve been through this before, people do not like mages who lose control walking about the streets, they get very afraid and -”
Before I could go on she interrupted me, “We are not like that, this city is not like that, Jenovan is not like that. You will stay for as long as you like, and when you leave, I will go with you.”
I let it go, I did not want it to be true, I did want to convince her or myself that I was going to be run out of town, or tried for murder before the synod. I just nodded, and folded into her arms, lay there listening to the rythmic beat of her heart and my concerns melted away. A few moments later, a knock came at the door, “I’ll take care of it,” she whispered into my ear, and I heard her talking quietly to a servant, I was just about asleep, but I snapped awake when I heard Ilyana’s peep. I looked up at her, she was beginning to weep.
I could see in her eyes, that I was right, that everything that I said would come to pass and I would be forced to leave the town, which also meant that if she left with me, or were seen around me, she would dropped from the guild. Not because she had done anything wrong, but because associating with me, meant that she had less respect for the art than a guildist should. She would be scorned for consorting with me, they would talk about her quietly in the halls, they would whisper when she came into the room, no the best thing I could do would be to leave without a word. To walk away from here as if I’d never been. Two hours later, after having had one last moment with her, and a small meal, I went to Jenovan’s office. He was grim sitting on the other side of his huge oak desk, rough hewn from an entire tree, the heart of the massive tree in the center of his workplace.
He glanced up at me from his studies, and I caught a glimpse of sadness, it was the last I saw of him as any kind of man, he then becaame the guildmaster that he was, he stood and motioned for me to come before him. “You have been accused of using the art to assault a citizen of this land, and were not clear as to your stature before meeting them in battle.”
“Come now,” I said to him, as he looked down upon as a Teacher does a misbehaven student. “You know as well as I do, that I was defending mine and my friend’s lives, they had enhanced weapons, you should know that someone of Corwin’s skill would not succumb to anything less than that.”
He nodded, “Be that as it may, the townspeople have requested that you be removed from this premises and asked to leave, as much as I disagree with this request, it the will of the town, and I have no authority to go against that.”
“You are an old man, who is afraid of revolt, trying to keep the peace-”
“I maybe an old man, but my request is law on this land, and if you do not see fit to follow my heed, then I will be forced to escort you from this town myself.” I laughed, thinking of the man with his cane, pushing me down the road, “You dare laugh at me, maybe I was wrong about you after all, maybe you are the evil man that I have been told about.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, you are letting your diplomatic power go to your head.”
“I do not need diplomatic power to deal with you,” he said this calmly, and I could
feel the pull around me as he drew in his strength, his eyes slowly began to glow.
“I have other power that serves me well,” he rasped, his eyes bright darts through
the air, the red glow filling the room, “it would do you well to remember.”
I took a deep breath, the pulled in the strength, I felt my mind calmly reaping in the power, my eyes began to glow, as the strength flowed to and through me, the candles went out in the room, the only light left the glow of our eyes and the moonlight outside. “You do not know what power is old man,” and the magic heightened my voice, strengthened it, made it guttural sounding, I drew in on the power again, so much that Jenovan could feel I was drawing from him, his eyes brightened as he fought for the strength within him. A contest of wills, of ego, one that he could not win. “Come now, you know who I am, you know what I can do, I’m sure you’ve sensed it. Settle yourself, I want no quarrel, I will leave of my own accord, but don’t think for a heartbeat,” I drew in the last, I was at my highest strenght, Jenovan dropped to the floor, the light going out of his eyes, I pulled all the magic from him, he could not draw any more in, it was like trying to breathe in a hurricane, “Don’t think, that anyone make me do anything.”
I stood up, with a wave of my hand the candles sparkled back to life, I knelt down next to him, and put out my hand to help him up, as he reached for me, he was shaking. “I have no wish to fight you, but you cannot throw your weight around with me, I thought it best to let you know that before things got out of hand. You will not underestimate me again.” I let the magic go, felt my mind grasping for it, not wanting it to leave. Felt the nausea and weakness of its passing as I walked down the hallway back to my room. I had already gathered my things, I had only one last thing to do.
Corwin was sitting up in his bed talking to his girl from the other town, I honestly could not remember her name, so much had just happened. She whispered something to his ear, and brushed passed me out of the room. “Friend,” he said to me in greeting, I slouched into a chair next to his bed, “Come now, its not that bad, I will be out of here soon.”
“I have finished my business here, I am on my way.” I said, I was holding back tears, the first in a long time, I had known him but a few days, and I felt his loss like a brother, he was a comrade, a man who would face his destiny next to me, yet still did not know it. I knew the conversation in my mind, knew it the first day that I had met him, that something would draw us together, and we would take upon us a great quest, but it would not be this night. I looked up at him, and saw a single tear fall upon his cheek, he knows. “I cannot stay, you know that.”
“And I cannot leave, as you know. Yes you know, I can see it in your heart. Then you must also know that the lines that bind us are strong and we will be together again.” I could only nod, his strength always surprised me. I smiled, knowing that he would meet me again, and he would have more strength, he would be a valuable asset in the battle to come.
“We will meet again, until then farewell.”
“Aye, but before you go, you owe me something, an explaination, what happened’ Tell me what happened after I was hurt.”
“You were there, you do not remember’” He shook his head, with an embarrassed look on his face. “I cannot… you cannot know what happened right now. It would do you harm.”
“Ridiculous, you know as well as I do, that it will harm me whether I know or not, best to know that enemy and face it forthright, than for it to hide among the shadows and strike without notice.”
My face slackened, I did not like to tell this story, more questions always followed, people didn’t believe or didn’t want to. “I will tell, but I will not answer questions, this is the last thing I do in this town.” Corwin nodded, wondering why I had become so grave. “You know that I am to meet Galwin’ Well I have met him before, when I but a boy, age of ten or thereabouts, he came to my town, was passing through on business. Everyone had gone to see him, my family and I also, this was before I was inducted into the local guild, before everything in my life since then. As I was walking down the street to meet him, a horse broke its bonds from one of the nearby stables, and was driving down the road at full boar, headed directly for my mother, she had left before me to do shopping and we were to meet her at the town square.
Without a thought, I jumped towards her, and to my surprise had moved over 100 feet in an instant, my mind shutdown, I was not able to think, was not able to do anything, I could only turn to see the horse bearing down on us, hear the screams of all of the poeple on the street, they faded, everything faded. I felt the wind rushing, but it was rushing into me, I remember the last thing I heard was the sound of people falling to the ground around me. I stared into the horses eyes, and screamed at the top of my lungs, STOP. The noise was so loud, that I’ve been told people on the other side of town heard me. It was guttural, strong, deep, the horse could do nothing else but stop, scared to its soul by the sound, it did just that, and fell to the ground less than ten feet from me dead. Galwin was near the area, he was about 20 feet away in the town square. I fell to my knees, in pain, I felt everything go out of me, the world blurred before my eyes, then everything was white. I awoke some hours later in one of the rooms in the inn. There was an older man sitting next to my bed, I tried to speak, but it came out as a rasp, I motioned to the basin for some water, he stood and grabbed the basin, handed me a small glass of water and said, ‘You did well to save your mother. Tell me, have you done anything like that before.’ He was scaring me, I could remember him looking at me with his piercing blue eyes, and when he stood to return the basin, I saw that he was massive, twice the size of my father. ‘What did you think when you did that, what was in your mind.’
I turned to him and with the innocence of a child said, ‘I thought my mother was going to die.’ He looked at me deeply, set his hand on my forehead, I could feel his mind driving through his hand into me, could feel it prodding around my soul, ‘Yes, yes, I see. Well young man, I have recommended that you come with me to the training grounds nearest here. The Cat’s eye, I beleive they call themselves, I have recommended that you be inducted there, what do you think of learning to use your talents.’ I felt tears well into my eyes, all I could think was that this horrible man was taking me from my family and everything that I had ever known, to some place where they taught magic. I had always wanted to learn, but I didn’t want to leave my mother, or father. ‘It will be alright, they will come see you…’ he said, reading my mind. We talked for a few more minutes, then my mother came for me, she had dark circles under her eyes, she had been crying, and had no rest since the ordeal. She did her best to smile when she picked me up and carried me out of the room, she nodded to the man and said thank you, sir Galwin, I remember the words floating through my mind, everything whirling around, and then I sank into my mothers breast and slept the whole way home, sleeping in my mother’s arms. The day after I was taken to the Cat’s eye, I travelled with Galwin, he was good with me, showing me things, how to move things around with my mind, I tried really hard but could normally only shift the rocks, he made them dance for me, made them float through the air and showed me little plays with them. It was him, that I did all of this for, it was him, that made me want to be the man that I am today.” During my pause I settled back into my chair, letting the story sink into Corwin’s mind. Letting him mull over the thought that a child of ten exhibited powers only the most powerful men can contain.
“You killed with a thought, transported yourself across the street, I can understand him being interested in you, and why he wanted you to go to the classes at the guild.” “Yes well the time there is not something I think fondly of, my father, being a man of nature, a farmer, disowned me for my ‘sins’ and forbade any of the family to come to me. I saw no one in my family again after that day. Galwin told me before he left the Cat’s eye, that I would come see him on my 30th birthday, so that he may see how I’ve grown. He wrote me off and on through the time, he became something of my only family in the world, the other children disliked me for my natural gifts, and them being of families well known in the area, some sort of nobility looked down upon me, and ridiculed me. As for the fight in Cormount, I lost control, I saw you hurt on the floor and something snapped inside me, I let go of my restraints and drew in full strength, I have too much strength to be moving through towns, and though I do not like to admit, still have not learned to control that strength. Galwin believed in my raw power, and I may have honed my skills and become a great user, I have never learned the self control required for someone of my strength, I do not stop people from hurting me in battle, as someone of our art should, I destroy them.” I got up, slung my purse over my shoulder, it felt comfortable there, where it belonged, and now I go where I belong, far away from towns and peopled places. Where I can keep to myself. “I will see you again, but I must go now.”
“Nightwind will serve you well, go now I will see again soon enough.”
I shook my head at him, “I cannot take him, he is-”
“Enough, he is your steed, and he will serve you well in your travels, go now. We will meet on the road.”
“As you wish.” I walked out of the room and towards the stables, as I passed around the corner, Ilyana stood facing me.
“So, you would leave without even goodbye’ I guessed as much.” She smiled, but it broke and I saw the streams of tears glistening on her cheeks in the hall’s candlelight. “I will see you again, and we will be together always.”
“If only I could wish it so.” My heart yearned for her, she was beautiful, her arms on her hips, her strength and resolve, I leaned into her and kissed that one last time. It would be something that I never forgot. “Goodbye, my sweet.” My eyes were rushing with sadness, I dashed down the hall and her cries behind me, but I did not look back, I leapt to Nightwind, who was already set for travel, and nodded to one of the servants off to the side, Corwin had sent Nera to get Nightwind ready, she was standing on his other side, she looked up at me, and placed her hand on my thigh. Her eyes were glaring at me, “I know that you are a good man at heart, but I want you to know this, my Corwin will leave me for you and your stupid war, and I will hate you for that for the rest of my life, you saved him only to take him from me again, and I hate you for that. I hate you.” She fell back from me, overcome with sadness, she was blubbering laying on the ground, I turned to the servant behind me, and he ran to her to help. He picked her up from the ground and walked her into the hall, I could hear that scream in my head still, I hate you. I knew not what war she would think that Corwin and I would battle in, it seems that my sight only extends so far for myself. Most likely that is best, as it is a curse as it is. I would hate to know more.
A few days past quickly, on the road time seems to not exist, the sun comes and goes, but with nothing but the same road to measure it by, time isn’t part of my thoughts. On the fifth day, I stopped in a small town off to the right, I could see it in the distance the night before, and knew that I would have to stop to get supplies, having two mouths to feed now. At least I traveled faster, I have spent months walking without seeing a soul, and now I could cover 4 or 5 times that ground. Nightwind and I warmed to each other, his thoughts were mine, and mine his. He was the perfect steed, born for battle, and bred for magic. As I rode into to town I could hear people commenting on him, I realized that I could not as easily hide with such a steed, most anyone could identify him as a war horse, and knew that I was someone of import if I was riding him. I settled him at the stables in the town and went into the inn, to rest myself, and quench my parched throat.
“What can I get for ya, m’lord.” The bartender asked, and though it was wrong to call me such, it was a nice change.
“An ale, and a room,” I threw 10 quid to the bar, the bartender shook his head, “its been taken care of, you room is ready, has been waiting for ya, fer about 2 days. This comes with it.” He slid a note across the bar to me. “Number 4 is ready for you, its upstairs on the left.”
I shook my head, I couldn’t let you do this for me,” I said to him, shaking my head, I am not nobility, I am not going to let an honest man give me something for nothing. “I don’t do charity friend,” he glared at the note, “The owner of that took care of your tab, ‘bout a fortnight ago.”
I knew nothing to say for this, “Thank you,” I shrugged at him, his eyes got wide, he dropped his head back and guffawed, a laugh deep from the heart. I walked away while he was laughing. People were looking at me strangely, I wasn’t sure what to make of it, I just fingered the note in my hand and made my way upstairs to the room.
I am sure that you ask yourself, why, why would someone that I do not know do this for me’ The answer is simple, you do know me… but not in the way you think, I am not someone that you have met. I am someone you just know. I was told that you would be passing through around this time, and I instructed the bartender, Keler, to take good care of you.
I am sure he will do so. I will be arriving in town in the next few days after you arrive, on my way back through, we will meet and talk then.
You know my plight, you have heard it in the minds of all you meet, and know that it comes to bring you into its fold. Prepare yourself.
-Karian
I was astonished at the note, could not convince myself to settle down, my first thought was to run, to leave this place, but he was right, I did know him somehow, and knew what he meant by his plight. I knew that I had to stay and meet this man, know him in my mind. Whether I join him or not, would be for me to decide at the time, but I could not walk away from this, I had to face this, my only thought was this was what was meant for me. I am on the edge of my destiny, and I will face it.
Just two days later, he arrived, Karian, he was a strong man, built like a warrior, and with him traveled two comrades, they seemed to be his subordinates, he ordered them around, but not in any way nasty, it was almost like Military. The word resounded in my mind, they were more rare than mages in this land, most of them stayed in the royal cities and did not leave. They gave their lives to protect royalty, the kings and queens, this made things interesting, it would be a plight worth hearing if a man such as this was telling the tale. I rushed downstairs to the inn, grabbed a drink and shook my head at Keler, he knew what I meant, that I did not want to be so easily seen. I slipped to back of the room and watched him and his men enter, he looked at Keler and said, “Has he arrived’”
“Yes, m’lord, but he is away at the moment, riding I believe. He said he would be back in the evening.”
Karian turned to his men and said, we will wait, they snapped straight, and Karian chose a table near the front. As he sat he glanced about the room, his eyes passed over me, and he smiled as he sat down. Keler broght them ale, and his men gave him two gold pieces.
GOLD, it was unheard of in this part of the land, just the sight of it would send rumors from town to town. There is no wonder in my mind why he caused such a stir, and why the man he was looking for, namely me, did as well.
From where I sat, I could not quite see his face, but I saw him close his eyes, and lean back in his chair, I could feel something prickling about the room, he was moving about learning about those in the room, I swept my hand and it would seem to any but the strongest users of the art that I am but a simple farmer, being that was where I came from, it was easy to believe. I felt his presence pass over me, as if I light had been cast on only me in the room, everyone else darkened. The room faded, Why do you hide yourself from me.
It would seem that I do not do so well, I answered.
It is understandable, I would meet such things carefully, and you hid yourself well, but I have been trained to read through such things, as you may have guessed. Shall we continue this in person, or would you rather this way.
I broke the connection and looked at him and his men, they were sipping on their drinks and looking about the room, no one seemed to notice our conversation. I would rather this for the moment, it allows me to see things that I would not otherwise be able to see. So what is it you want from me’
Simply you, you are the man that I have searched for the last year, I have been trying to find someone to fight with me for a common good, someone with strength that I could trust with the command of men. I found him, when I spoke with Galwin, he told me of you, told me of your story, told me where I could find you. I need you to help me, you have a unique gift as do I and together we can win.
Win what’ There is no war at this time, we have been at peace for centuries. What war do you speak of’ It seems that you are more interested in starting a war than fighting in one.
It is my life to fight, I am just following my destiny as are you.
He flashed into my mind, a view of him on his horse, and what a site it was, his strength, calling orders to men on the field, and he showed me next to him, on Nightwind, calling similar orders to another group, he showed me a friendship that had not yet developed, he showed me a future that I could not see, or would not. I caugt myself trusting him, believing in him, I knew that I would follow him to the ends of the earth, with or without reason. He flashed more into my mind, men of stature and nobility, taking bribes, city officials attacking women on street corners, children killing for shoes, innocent men sent to their deaths for the entertainment of kings. He showed me all of the horrible things in the land, in the world, and in but an instant, I knew his plight, I had known since that day I stood in front of the charging horse, the plight was that of the people. He would no longer stand for the men of stature to use us to their ends. He was going to fight the war no one else dreamed.
I would destroy them for what they have done, Jurad, and you will help me, because you believe it as well. The things that happen, that are common place in our cities, will no longer come to pass, we will stop them, or die trying.
What makes you think that we can, what gives you the thought that we can destroy the power of the world in an instant.
We fight for a just cause, one that has been fought before and won, and the people that are needed for that fight are meeting each other through their lives, you have known some, and I have known some, and together, we will join their forces and drive the horrors from the world.
You don’t have the strength, nor do I, the synod alone, could smash us in an instant. You are wrong my friend, we have the strength, you, the user of users, and I the meridian.
I snapped out of the reverie, and fell from my chair to the ground, the word meridian, had not been spoken for ages past, it was left to die there with all other tales of the great powers of the world, it died with the days of dragons, but I believed him. He was meridian and we could fight the battle of the ages. I felt that in my mind, in the world about me.