Chapter 2
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The next few hours past in something of a hazy blur that Sareth found hard to recall afterwards.
He could remember learning the necessary incantations for a few spells, such as shields and illusionary lights but the rest seemed to fly past, hastened by Xana's apparent disregard for personal space.
Sareth had to admit, she was attractive as spirits went and he found her straight forward personality quite refreshing but the enormity of this whole thing left him feeling dazed.
Sunset eventually came and he trudged back to the manor house. The servants ignored him when he came through the kitchen door. They were too busy preparing for the banquet tomorrow.
The kitchen was overcrowded with chefs, preparing at least five different meals that Sareth could see.
The sight, smells and noise left a heavy lump at the back of his throat.
It would be his eighteenth birthday and yet they would also be so distracted and busy that no one would so much as look up at him.
The thought was so depressing that he didn't even bother reporting to Phenrig. Instead he retired to his room and slumped himself into his hammock.
Xana followed him.
Being a spirit, she could follow him wherever he went; solidifying only when she chose.
"Oh Sareth." She breathed looking down at him. "You're not happy here are you?" It was definitely more of a question than an assessment.
Sareth paused to think for a moment and then he shook his head.
"No I'm not." He sighed. "Phenrig's been a good master but…" He folded his arms behind his head. "No… I didn't truly realize it until now but I have to leave. I have to go out there. There's no future for me in this place."
Xana looked at him and smiled sincerely.
"Can I come with you?" She asked.
"I thought you already where." Sareth asked, absently gesturing with a nod of his head towards the amulet.
"That's not what I meant. I go where the soul I protect goes but…" Xana told him and then looked a little timid. "Sareth, I've watched you grow up and I…I want you to be the one who commands me, not Phenrig."
Her choice of words did not match the intensity in her voice and Sareth blinked a little in surprise. She was holding herself back as if she were afraid of what she might say in a heated moment. So she had kept it rigidly formal and it sounded strange in that tone of voice.
"I won't tell him today… or tomorrow, I don't want to intrude on his business." Sareth began. "But when I do leave… if you want to… not because you're commanded to… you can come with me."
Her smile was like a bright sunrise.
She had not told him everything; some part of his mind gave him the insight. Yet he sensed from her a genuine sincerity. While the details were still obscure, she was quite truthful in her request to accompany him and to be by his side on the long journey that he knew was to come.
As he began to doze, he wondered briefly where they might go and what they might do.
Sareth's ambition to learn and masters magic's of any kind was one of the key driving forces of his personality and Ashan was fraught with magic. They could start their pilgrimage anywhere.
But right now that was not important. Regardless of direction he would leave and he would travel out there to grow, like a plant being taken from a smaller pot and placed into a larger one. He would find the soil he needed.
The next day was even more hectic than the first. The servants woke him at dawn, informing him to be ready for Master Phenrig's guests who were due to arrive at noon.
"Even you?" He asked, seeing Douglas enter the manor in his best clothes.
"Oh well it's a special day." The man remarked, adjusting his brocade attire to better fit him. "It's a day that a lot of people have been waiting for quite some time for."
His smile was strange as he gave Sareth a glance.
"Happy birthday." He stated and then walked off.
Phenrig was inexpressible for the entire morning and as Sareth watched the hurried last minute preparations, he was filled with a sense of growing peril.
Something felt wrong.
He couldn't explain why but some instinctive thing at the back of his mind warned him of some danger that he could not perceive.
The guests began arriving at noon as predicted. They were a varied group from across the region, along with some from further a field.
Phenrig finally came out of seclusion to great his guests as his doorman announced each one. He greeted them each personally and soon a large crowd began to gather and chat amongst themselves.
It wasn't long before there was a new visitor who caught Sareth's attention. The door man stamped on the floor with his staff and all heads in the room turned his way.
"The house of Phenrig welcomes Lord Thralsai of Clan SoulScar."
Sareth had never seen a Dark Elf before. Dwarves occasionally came south to trade and once or twice an Elven hunter from Irollan crossed the border to stalk deer. Sareth found himself staring.
From what he had read, Dark Elves were supposed to have pale skin yet this man's skin was a soft skin, blotchy in places an as he moved closer Sareth could see that this were old marks from a vicious scorching.
The elf's face was angular, almost hawkish and his eyes seemed to be in a near permanent squint. His hair was long and silk like, tied back into a pony tail yet also allowed to trail down either side of his had.
Thralsai wore little in the way of acceptable human clothing, save for a pair of leather pants that connected with his boots seamlessly. All he wore on his chest was a gauntlet and shoulder pad of blood red plate armour.
There was a deep, unmistakable and repulsive aura about him that Sareth instinctively disliked.
He was accompanied by two bodyguards, Dark Elves with hoods drawn up over their heads so that only their long ears stuck out either side. Their faces were also concealed by dark wrappings. Cloaks kept most of their bodies hidden the light from the sun glistened on plate armour, hidden just underneath.
"Ah Thralsai, welcome to you on this most auspicious of occasions." Phenrig welcomed him. "As always, the SoulScar prove their loyalty." The wizard offered his hand forward.
With a look of utmost contempt, the Dark Elf batted his hand aside.
"Don't patronise me, old man!" He sated in a raspy voice. "We are considered the lowest of the faithful despite all we give for the cause. All other servants are rewarded, given promise of aid while we are used as cannon fodder.
We should never have to prove our loyalty."
His outburst seemed to take Phenrig by surprise a bit.
"My dear Clan lord, never has any of us questioned the devotion of the SoulScar. I was merely remarking upon your steadfast dedication to duty."
Thralsai did not look impressed by his rebuttal.
"Bah, you forget Phenrig… my spies are some of the best in Ygg Chall, I know precisely what is said of us amongst closed circles." He spat on the spot between the wizard's feet. "I am here, only because I serve the Master, not because I want to swap false courtesies with some pompous wind bag who merely earned the master's favour by sheer luck."
He then turned his back and walked off, ignoring the spluttering look of annoyance Phenrig's face that bordered on red anger.
Sareth had seen his master angry before but this seemed wholly different. There was a bit more beyond the anger that it took a keen eye to see. There was hate there.
Guests continued to arrive one after the other and Sareth could not help but notice their sudden variety. Dark Elves from various clans came but they tended to keep to Thralsai's company sending distrustful glances out into the growing crowd.
Men from the Empire began to turn up as well.
The two apparently most important were a pair that Phenrig referred to as Andreas and Lorenzo. It was clear the two were father and son as their similar facial features gave their ties away. The only feature that separated them was the beard that the more mature Andreas wore.
Sareth watched them from the stairs.
"These are a lot of people." Sareth remarked as Xana faded into existence beside him. "What's Master Phenrig's connect with them all?"
"They're colleges." Xana replied, glancing through the wooden rails down at the guests who by now numbered more than thirty. "Phenrig was mutual interests with quite a few people and he seeks to ally with them to further his own ends."
"Even Dark Elves?" Sareth asked, gesturing with a nod of his head towards Thralsai separate group.
Xana shrugged with a smile.
"You'll be surprised where you might find allies." She told him.
The announcer banged his staff on the floor one last time.
"The house of Phenrig welcomes Lord Menelag of the Free City of StoneHelm and his Niece, Lady Leanna."
The two that entered caught Sareth's eye the most out of all the guests.
Menelag was a wizard of the Free city states, like Phenrig and wore the same red and gold robe. He was much older however with a near completely bald head. He was also thinner and his skin marked by all the signs of a man in his late sixties.
Leanna, his niece, was something that caught his eye.
She was perhaps a little bit younger than him with short strawberry blonde hair set in a parting. Her attire was that of an apprentice wizard, with a short white top and jade skirt. A short formal drape was tied by golden silk across her right shoulder that was embroidered with arcane markings.
Her cheeks had a rosy tint to them and her eyes were sapphire and sparkled like early evening stars.
"Sareth, you're eyes was wandering." Xana told with a stiff note of disapproval in her voice when she noticed that he had been watching this new girl for an extended period of time.
"What? Oh, sorry." Sareth began, blinking and looking away. He was about to excuse himself when Master Phenrig called him over.
"Sareth, come here, I'd like to introduce you to an old acquaintance of mine." Sareth respectfully obeyed and was introduced to Menelag, the wizard of Stonehelm and its ruler.
"Ah so this is Sareth is it?" Menelag asked, looking down at him. The old man had at least a good foot of height on him and now that he was closer, Sareth could see a hint or two of Elven heritage in his face.
The features seemed most prominent in Leanna who stood beside him. Her face had an angular shape that as characteristic of a Slyvan elf yet had none of the more radical Elven features.
"I must admit Phenrig; you've done a good job of raising the boy." Menelag placed a hand on Sareth's hand and his expression went vacant as if he were concentrating on something else.
Sareth felt strange, as if he were being studied from the inside out.
"And he has the gift." The old man stated after a quiet moment, removing his hand. "Natural magical talent, I imagine his potential to be quite something spectacular."
Phenrig managed a short laugh.
"As much as I'd like to take all the credit, much of it is the boys own latent power. I simply coaxed the ability to control some of it out of him."
"If you'll excuse us lad, your master and I need to talk business." Menelag told Sareth, ushering him quickly to the side. "Leanna, would you be as good as to entertain Phenrig's pupil for me?"
"Of course Uncle." The girl replied with a short polite bow before she drew Sareth off to one side while Menelag and Phenrig disappeared into the crowd to talk.
"You're the talk of the Mages in StoneHelm you know." Leanna told him when they reached a relatively quite corner. "My uncle has been receiving reports on your progress in your studies for five years now."
"He has?" Sareth found that surprising. "Why?
Leanna shrugged.
"Possibly he considers taking you on as his pupil. You are of that age where you can make the decision of which master you wish to study under for your advanced education."
"I've been giving that some thought." Sareth admitted nodding his head a little. "Although I don't see why I'd be of interest to so many. I'm certain I'm not the best student in the world."
"My uncle did just say you have potential." Leanna told them and then her eyes brightened. "I understand you're good at elemental spells?"
Sareth nodded.
"Lightning, fire, that kind of thing yes." Then paused to look her over with a more professional eye. "You're a mage yourself?"
"I am." She replied with a short nod. "My uncle's been schooling me in Summoning Magic."
Summoning magic was an area upon which Sareth's education had only lightly touched.
He knew the theory behind it but thus far he had not had the opportunity to learn any of the spells.
"Perhaps we'll have the opportunity to exchange notes some time." Leanna told him with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. Before either of them could say anything more, Sareth heard Phenrig calling for attention.
The conversation amongst the occupants of the dinning room died out. Phenrig stood on a stool so he could see them all.
"My friend and allies, welcome this glorious day to the house of Phenrig." He began in a diplomatic tone. "This evening, allow me to show you the hospitality of my home with a banquet fit for all the faithful, a prelude to the coming glorious hour that we have all waited so long for."
"Do you have any idea what he's taking about?" Leanna asked, whispering to Sareth.
Sareth just shook his head. "My uncle certainly got himself involved with some strange people." She added.
"A meal is all well and good, Phenrig." Andreas, the Imperial began, running his fingers through his beard. "But given tonight's significance might we all assembled here not first behold that which we came here to witness? The fruit of the long labour?"
There was a murmur of agreement amongst the crowd. Phenrig shrugged and then looked past them.
"As you wish. Sareth, would you come here?"
Sareth froze, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on him. He felt uncomfortable, being the sudden centre of attention. The expressions on their faces were strange, an odd mixture of awe and curiosity. Sareth began forward, a little slower than he'd intended. The gathered crowd moved out of his way, melting aside as if he were royalty.
When he jointed his master's side, Phenrig placed both hands on his shoulders.
"Ladies and gentlemen… this is Sareth." He told them in a voice that wavered on the edge of religious ecstasy. "I'm sure that you all know him."
Sareth felt detached, unable to understand the reality of what was going on. Why were all these people, gathered from what looked like the four corners of Asha, bowing to him? Even the Dark Elves, who Sareth had the impression of utmost defiance from, bow themselves low in his presence.
"Master…" He started, casting a confused glance up at Phenrig.
"It's alright Sareth; all will be made clear to you tonight." The wizard whispered into his ear so that he could not be overheard.
He then straightened up and gestured towards the large oak table where the first courses were all being laid.
"Come now my friends; let us celebrate this day in each others good company."
The meal laid out for them was one of the best Sareth had never seen the cooks on the estate prepare. There were dishes and delicacies laid before them that Phenrig would not even have prepared for envoys.
Sareth sat near the head of the table beside Leanna and her uncle. Phenrig sat the head and announced each course as it came with great enthusiasm.
Sareth found that any appetite he might have had for the meal had gone. Despite the food before them he knew that people were looking at him and he grew more and more confused as the hours began to tick by.
It began to grow dark and the sun dipped low the sky. Sareth noticed that every now and then, the guests would glance out the window as if gauging how much light was left as if they were expecting something to happen.
"Excuse me, I need to attend to our horses." Leanna stated, making the excuse to Phenrig once desert was being served.
"Oh, leaving early are you Menelag?" Phenrig asked, casting a glance over towards her uncle.
"I have to be back in StoneHelm by the weeks end." The old man shrugged. "I don't expect tonight's business will take too long. Not if we get right down to it."
"Tonight's business is simple, beautifully simple indeed" Phenrig agreed, raising his glass and swirling the wine "But this is just the beginning." He raised his glass higher and made a toast. "To beginnings."
"To beginnings!" The guests repeated loudly and with great enthusiasm and drank from their goblets.
Leanna left, casting a glance back at her uncle when she reached the doorway. Menelag nodded once at her and returning the gesture, she left.
She did not come back and Lorenzo gladly took her desert as well.
"The hour grows late." Andreas began.
"It is almost time." Thralsai agreed with a swift nod. "The night's zenith approaches." An impatient look crossed the elf's face. "Why wait? I say we start now."
"Patience." Phenrig told him with a sideways glance. "We've already waited for thousands of years. Another couple of hours aren't going to make a difference."
It steadily grew darker. There was no moon tonight and it was pitch black outside the windows. Not even the stars seemed to penetrate that dark abyss.
Sareth sat there, feeling a strange building excitement build inside him.
There was an undeniable sensation that something was going to happen. He had felt this before but not so acutely.
Something was great importance was going to happen. He didn't know what but whatever it was… its importance was clear in the growing fear in his soul.
"There…" Phenrig began suddenly. "There is one hour left until midnight." He stood up and gestured to all those gathered here. "It is time for us to prepare. Are we ready?"
There was a thick sneer on Thralsai's face.
"I have been ready since the day I was born!"
"Sareth, come with me." Phenrig began and before he could say anything, the wizard was ushering him out of the room. Once they were outside alone in the hall, Phenrig faced him. His face was as hard as flint, his eyes suddenly dark.
"I want you to send this next hour in meditation." He told him. "Your mind must be clear of all thoughts and pre conceptions."
"Just what is this?" Sareth asked, finally loosing patience. "Just what is it all of you… these people here, want from me?"
"What we want from you is your help." Phenrig announced, putting on an expression of feigned sincerity that Sareth spotted as fake instantly. "Once your meditation is complete, go upstairs to my private rooms. Knock three times and you will be allowed to enter." He dismissed Sareth and then went off with the other guests.
The boy did go back to his room but he did not meditate.
Instead, he took what meagre possessions he had and gathered them up into a canvas bag. He packed his books and clothes, along with a few scraps of food he had snuck up from the kitchens a week ago.
It was a meagre set of supplies but it would have to do.
"You're leaving… now?" Xana asked, her form appearing there beside him as he did up the bag.
"I've had enough of this." Sareth told her. "I don't know what these people are here for but I don't want any part of it."
Xana looked at him with large eyes.
"You're scared" She remarked. Sareth paused for a moment.
"Yes." He admitted. "This scares me. Phenrig scares me. All of those people down there scare me.
I thought Phenrig raised me out of kindness, but no, it was only because he had some purpose for me in mind.
If I ever want to grasp my own future I have to leave, now."
He looked up at her.
"You are going with me aren't you? Just like you wanted?"
Xana stood there looking confused. There was indecision clear on her face. She did not know what to do or to say.
"Yes." She started eventually in a quite voice. "Sareth… I was tasked with seeing you were safe and if you feel that you are not safe here then I shall help you leave."
Sareth finished packing and strapped his bag onto his back. If he was going to leave without being noticed then it would have to be by a servant's entrance. He knew the lands around the estate well so if he was chased, as some part of him instinctively knew he would be, he could evade pursuit and hide.
Those ideas were cut short when he opened the door, only to come face to face with the dark elf Thralsai.
Without a word, the elf rapped him across the back of the head with lightning fast reflexes. The blow caused Sareth's vision to blur and as if all the strength had gone from his body, he collapsed with a loud thud to the floor.
