Zachary sprinted ahead of Quinn, ducking behind a rock just as his cousin shouted, "You're dead! My magic killed you! You can't keep running."
"I'm not dead," Zachary protested. "I have magic, too, so I can protect myself."
"Mine's better."
"You don't know that. I bet I would be a better mage than you."
"That's not true. Tell him that's not true, Da!"
Liam chuckled from where he walked a few paces behind the boys. "I think both of you would be great mages had we lived in a different time."
"Father says it is good we do not," Zachary said, emerging from his hiding place now that Quinn was no longer chasing him. "He said that no good ever comes of magic."
"He's wrong," Quinn said. "There's plenty of good magic out there." Again, both looked to Liam to mediate the discussion. The man considered for a moment.
"I think, as with most things in life, whether magic is good or bad depends highly on who wields it. However, it is true that many are scared of it. That is why those who practice it are often persecuted."
"The Scourge," Zachary said.
"You are well versed in your history, I see. Yes, the Scourge was the ultimate result of our lack of understanding of magic. King Sealander was very distrustful of many around him, but he especially worried about the influence of dark magic on the lands. However, he did not know enough to determine what magic was good and which was not. Therefore, he condemned all those who practiced it. The Green Riders, for example, were known in the old days for their use of minor magic. Each had specific abilities they would use in the service of the king. Some claim they still have them though after Sealander's persecution, they do not advertise them. Sealander nearly disbanded the Corps, but a few remained. He did move them all out of the castle."
Zachary nodded. He suspected there was still a magical element to the Green Riders though Laren had not confirmed it. "That's why they're in the Barracks."
"It is. Though they are the lucky ones. The Kmaern, who did practice a good deal of magic, especially warding spells, were forced out of the kingdom. No one has ever heard from them again."
The boys were silent for a minute until Quinn finally said, "That was dumb. Didn't he want to use that magic? I wouldn't be that dumb if I was king." Zachary stayed silent. Inwardly, however, he was thinking the same thing as Quinn. The only difference was that his chances of becoming king one day were much greater than his cousin's—he doubted Amilton would ever settle down enough to actually sire an heir though his brother had surprised him before. And if that day came, he vowed he would not be like King Sealander. He would instead seek to understand everything in the world around him—including magic—and figure out how he could best use what he learned.
Garcia smiled at the couple standing in front of her, stepping closer. "Yes, I had heard you were asking about meeting me. I thought it best to wait until both of you were healthy again, however."
"Best for what?" Karigan questioned.
"My news." The woman's smile slipped. "I fear it is not good. First, perhaps, I should give you some background on our people."
"You're the Kmaern," Zachary said. She looked at him in surprise, but he kept his face neutral. He had puzzled out their identity a couple days before after realizing that strong wardings existed on the wall surrounding their village. That, combined with the impressive stonework on display throughout the village and their distrust of Sacordians, gave away their background.
"I knew you were intelligent, but. . . yes, we are the Kmaern."
"But I thought the Kmaern died out over two hundred years ago," Karigan said with a frown.
"Not died out. Driven out. By your King Sealander."
"That was a long time ago. People were more distrustful then," Zachary said.
"Maybe. There is obviously some magic still running through certain Sacordians, but I would imagine the majority of them are still wary of it." Garcia gave Karigan a significant look as she spoke of magic. Zachary was not sure exactly what it meant, but he stepped even closer to Karigan just in case, presenting a united front. His arm stole around her waist.
"What about through Kmaern? There were wardings on your wall."
"I suppose I should not be surprised you noticed that. Some of us still follow the old ways but even we do not have the full power of our ancestors. None of us are strong enough to fight the dark mage who threatens us now nor to counteract the effects he has had on our defenses."
"The wall is failing," Karigan guessed.
"Yes. If I am not mistaken, yours is as well."
"That was the work of an Eletian who has since been destroyed," Zachary said.
"The original crack was, but it is spreading. It has allowed an influx of dark magic into your kingdom."
"How do you know all of this? I thought you had no contact with Sacordia."
"I do not, but that does not mean that we do not learn things. Our ancestors worked in harmony with yours to build the defenses against the darkness, and some of them still remain in one form or another to help with those. They keep us informed of important happenings. Battles, deaths, coronations." She stared pointedly at Zachary who kept his face impassive.
"Can they not help you rebuild your defenses?" Karigan questioned.
"They are but echoes of their former selves. They do not have the power either, not even to face the current dark mage who, I fear, is only the beginning of what is to come."
"What do you mean?"
Garcia took a deep breath and turned, looking out over the sea. "Hundreds of years ago, a young man came here from a faraway kingdom. His original intentions were honorable enough—he wanted to reach out to new lands, broker trade agreements with their leaders to benefit both sides. However, he soon realized there were even greater opportunities than he had initially imagined. The societies where he landed had not the technology he had nor his advanced knowledge of magic. It was almost trivial for him to dominate them, preying on the fact that they were so accustomed to fighting one another that they did not even consider allying against the new foe until it was almost too late. Even then, the battle was nearly lost, and both sides had heavy casualties. Some would claim that we have never recovered."
"The Long War," Zachary said. "Are you saying that Mornhavon the Black is behind all of these happenings? The Eletian breaking the D'Yer Wall, the dead rising, the influx of dark magic?"
"Mornhavon is but a piece of the puzzle. An important one, yes, and one that should not be taken lightly, but still a piece."
"I don't understand."
Garcia turned back, but her attention still seemed to be far away, like she was seeing through Zachary and Karigan. "Nor do I. For nearly a quarter century now, I have been in my position. It's one of honor, given to the Kmaern with the greatest knowledge. Always before, the Wise Mother has known her successor well in advance and is able to train that person to take her position once she passes into Westrion's domain. I have not yet found that person, but I can sense my years on this earth are numbered. I can tell that worries my people though they would never say so."
"What does that have to do with the dark mage?"
"I do not know exactly, but I have found that such things are not often coincidence. I sense that a new age is coming though I am not sure yet what form it will take."
"Be that as it may, the more immediate problem is the dark mage," Zachary pointed out. "The Eletian mentioned that he was in Blackveil but did not give a more precise location. I was hoping that you might be able to provide that information."
"Alas, I do not know. But Karigan does." Garcia's eyes focused on the Green Rider. Zachary felt her stiffen beside him, and he let his fingers gently rub circles on her shoulder until he felt her relax underneath his arm.
"Karigan, you don't have to-"
"She's right," Karigan interrupted. "I don't know exactly where it is, but I have a strong urge to travel back toward the forest. It. . . it is like the Rider call but almost more insistent."
"More insistent?" Zachary's eyebrows rose. Karigan shrugged. "In that case, I suppose we shall follow it as soon as you are well enough."
"We? No, Zachary, you should stay here. Where it's safe."
"I am certainly not letting you wander Blackveil alone."
"I will send a few of our warriors with you," Garcia remarked. "However, I do believe that Zachary is correct. He should travel with you as well."
"Why?" Karigan questioned.
"Because I would trust no one else with your protection," he said simply. He met her gaze, challenge in his own. She hesitated for a few seconds before sighing.
"Fine. I still do not like the idea of you putting yourself in unnecessary danger, but I am guessing you would go no matter what I said." Zachary canted his head in acknowledgment.
"I have already selected those who will accompany you. I will tell them tomorrow so you can all begin making your preparations. We will provide any provisions that we can, of course." Zachary nodded, and Garcia smiled. "It is good to see that the Hillander rule has opened the minds of Sacordians again, that you have not repeated King Sealander's mistakes. I had heard that you were an honorable man and an excellent leader. I am sure that many are proud to serve you." Zachary glanced at Karigan who gave him a soft smile in return.
"Yes," she agreed. "Yes, we are."