A Simple Favor
by Mark Proctor
Sector B
Kingdom of Laria
Laria
Just outside the town of White River on the planet of Laria:
Kalia read the note one more
time before destroying it with a simple fire spell. She looked out the
window seeing her husband Triam fitting
the rear axle to the wagon for the miller. Rising from
her chair she headed outside. He and his helpers were loading weights on
the back of the
wagon, making sure it could hold what the miller wanted
it for. When he saw her he walked over.
"Was it an important message?" he asked.
"Yes, King Halran wants me to hunt down someone who's stolen some TFPs from the starport over on Linare's Island."
Triam thought for a second.
"You mean those intelligent machines
those people were telling us about? They are pretty expensive, it's no
wonder someone
decided to lift some of them."
"It's not just that, they were
meant for the Omnet Citadel, and they've decided to put some pressure on
Halran to get them back.
It's that' or they'll send some
of their own men to do the search."
"Hah! I'll bet that got him going,.I've
heard that Halran squirms anytime someone suggests that we actually try
to attract aliens.
The occupation was hard, but not all
races are like they were. Besides, we set them packing anyway."
"Triam, you know that's not how
it is, he's just being cautious. Besides, he's completely right about being
worried in this case.
The IGNM, who run those citadels,
is the only group that can provide news and information through the whole
galaxy. If they
decide to pull out, we'll be completely
cut. It wasn't so bad when no one knew we were here, but now that people
know about
us, loosing outside communication
could be as good as asking for another invasion."
"So... why are you going? I thought you were done with this stuff? Why not just have some guards from there look into it?"
"They think magic might have been involved, and I am the closest person who can check for sure."
"I don't like you going alone. You should take someone with you," said Traim.
"Don't worry about me, I work
better alone any ways. I have to get ready to leave now. I'll be careful,
trust me. And... I will
have a surprise to tell you when I
get back."
* * *
The Foam Rider came to a gentle
stop against the dock as daylight began to fade. Kalia quickly headed for
the gangplank before it was even
secured. Though it was a short trip to reach the island,
she didn't want to be on the boat for a minute longer than necessary. She
carried her small
pack with her as she crossed the plank glad to finally
have solid ground beneath her feet.
Regaining her composure as she
set off at a steady pace looking for an inn to stay while she conducted
her search. Picking out one of the best
inns in town, and their best room she paid the bill.
If Halran wanted her to clean up his problems then he could pay for her
comfort while she did it.
Completing the transaction she handed the innkeeper her
pack to take to her room and went outside to check out the taverns. There
is always
information in such places if one has ears and more importantly
money. She had no worries about his going through her pack while she was
gone,
anything of any importance or value was secreted in the
many pockets of her robes, as always.
* * *
An hour after dark another boat
pulled alongside the dock. Two figures climbed onto the dock from the small
fishing boat, and after one tied off
the boat they shook hands and split apart going their
separate ways.
* * *
The next morning Kalia woke early,
and began by preparing some spells. After her night of questioning people
in the bars she knew where and
when the most recent theft had taken place. She knew
spells that would allow her to 'see' and 'hear' what had happened, but
she had to have them
prepared before she went to the site. Next, she began
to draw a mystical symbol on the floor, allowing her to safely transport
herself there with a few
words and a single gesture. She had once used the same
spell without the guiding symbol and it had nearly lead to her death.
*An escape route is no good if it is more dangerous than what you are trying to escape,* she thought finishing her preparations.
By the time shopkeepers were opening
their doors Kalia was moving through the near empty streets to a stable
where she bought a horse. Ten
minutes later she arrived at the Starport. As she expected
there was very little activity in the area. As she rode up to the control
building she noticed
a small freighter sitting on one side of the port by
itself with several guards standing at its doors. It was the IGNM supply
ship for the Omnet Citadel,
unlike the several Larian shuttles parked on the other
side of the field.
It only took her five minutes
to convince Coren, the starport chief that she was working under King Halran's
orders. If he wanted to remain in
charge he was to provide all the assistance she required.
Kalia and her guide walked over
to the freighter where the guards steeped aside with a single gesture from
Coren. Kalia was lead to a small cargo
hold near the front of the ship. She had looked around
the room before spreading some powder from a pouch, forming a solid line
surrounding most
of the room as well as the hallway immediately outside
of it. With everything ready she stepped into the center of the cargo hold
and began making
elaborate gestures, speaking the words of the spell in
a loud clear voice.
The world around her became blurry
and indistinct and with the final words of the spell the world snapped
back into focus. The hold was now
full of crates of various sizes and the door was now
closed. She was seeing the room exactly as it was five nights ago when
the full moon was reaching
its peak. She walked over to the nearest crates and examined
the labels on them - high tech items bound for the Omnet Citadel for the
most part. Next,
she locate the crates she was most interested in, the
ones holding the TFPson the far side of the hold, and just barely within
the spell area. Suddenly, the
door whisked open and Kalia turned to see an empty doorway.
Quickly casting a small spell to penetrate invisibility she looked around
the room again.
Standing in front of the TFP
crates was a tall, gray-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard. His face
was crossed by scars sweeping backwards
from each cheek and his eyes were dark and nearly hidden
by his hair. Kalia knew him, he was a man who should have been dead almost
twenty years
past, and again during the occupation by the aliens.
It was Zalthar, and Kalia's mind raced as she tried to determine what his
involvement in the thefts
could mean. Zalthar was calmly and carefully drawing
a symbol on the crate as she approached. When he finished he moved to the
next crate to draw
the same symbol on that one as well.
Kalia examined the symbol he
had drawn on the first one - a teleportation spell much like the one she
had prepared. Turning, she kept a close watch
on Zalthar as he finished his work. After marking the
final crate he stepped to the middle of the room and began the spell to
transport the crates to his
safe location. She watched them all fade from view and
the sound of the wind which accompanied the spell. Surprisingly, Zalthar
himself remained behind.
Nodding to himself he turned towards the door and walked
back into the hallway and out of the range of her magic.
Breaking her spell Kalia found
herself once more within the empty cargo hold. Coren was just outside the
door watching her. She hadn't included him
in the enchantment and so all he had seen was her walking
around the room examining things which were not there.
"I'm done," she said walking past him for the exit of the ship. "You can return to your work now."
Coren glanced back in the room and followed after her.
"But... you didn't do anything? What happened to the cargo?"
She stopped and turned to face him.
"I know who has it now, and if you will leave me be I will find out where he is, and get it back."
With that she turned around and quickly left the ship.
Kalia rode back to town, stabled her horse, and spent the rest of the morning
talking to
shopkeepers hoping that one would recognize Zalthar's
description. Eating at lunch she then spent part of the afternoon talking
to barkeeps and
innkeepers offering a good reward for anyone who knew
Zalthar, or a person matching his description. Finishing, she returned
her room and
relaxed for the rest of the day.
That evening she started again, going
from inn to bar to see if there was any news. She met with several people,
handed out more money
than she had expected, but in theend she was certain
she knew where Zalthar was. Going back to her room she preparedfor the
confrontation.
Gathering her possessions she left for the stables, leaving
a note ofwhat she had learned addressed to King Halran, and a guaranty
of payment
for anywho delivered it to the proper authorities.
A figure watched from the shadows as she rode out of town, then quickly entered the stable for a horse and followed, making sure not to be seen.
Kalia rode through the quiet
forests that covered most of the inland area of the island. She was close
to her destination now, and not far from
the Omnet Citadel based in an abandoned keep on the coast.
She had ridden until full night had fallen before she finally saw her destination.
Zalthar' home was a large, sturdy
building. One story high, but made of stone and covering the entire field
in which it was built. The windows
were all tightly shuttered, and the front door protected
by what, from where she was standing, looked to be a portcullis with only
a small overgrown
cart path leading to it. It looked to be easily defended,
and if Zalthar had many men inside it could make her job almost impossible.
Luckily, he rarely
employed guards, but instead relied upon his on magic
against his rivals.
Confident that she would find
only servants and Zalthar himself inside Kalia boldly walked by the cart
path to the front door. She could see now
it actually was a portcullis barring the door. She didn't
know why he would bar the door so well, yet have normal sized windows with
only shutters for
protection. Looking at the iron gate she quickly decided
on a course of action. Reaching into a pocket she took out a lump of clay,
broke off a piece,
and after wetting it from her waterskin, molded it around
two bars at head and ankle level. With that she picked up a large stick
form the ground and
put it within reach. Closing her eyes she started a spell,
her hands making quick gestures, speaking as quickly as she could. The
bars where the clay was
wrapped started heating up, then changing colors. After
a minute she stopped and opened her eyes. Using the stick she slammed
it against the top of one
of the bars. With a crack it broke.
At that moment, far inside the
house, a small glass ball shattered, and as Kalia continued to break two
more weakened bars. Within the house there
was hurried movement. Reaching through the bars Kalia
tried the door and found it unlocked. A foul stench greeted her as she
swung the door open.
Holding her breath she stepped through the entrance letting
her eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting. Something moved on the far side
of the room and
she stepped back in surprise as the creature moved out
of the shadows.
The thing was like nothing she
had ever seen - like a strange mix of creatures. Its head looked like a
reptile's, and the forelegs were those of a large
cat. Its rear legs were large and thick like those of
a bear or some other large animal. The torso was covered with a leathery
hide which, she could not
place. After it left the shadows the creature reared
up on its hind legs making it much taller than Kalia. As it did so she
could make out some strange sort
of helmet on its head.
"You will have to leave, the master is not receiving any visitors."
Kalia stared at the creature in surprise. It could talk, and in a perfectly normal, even vaguely familiar voice.
*I'll have to be careful with this,* she thought. *There's no telling what it's capable of.*
"Let me pass," she commanded,."I must see your master."
As she spoke she went over the gestures for a powerful spell knowing that she would have only one chance if it came to a fight.
"You may not pass, that is the masters command. If you do not leave at once you shall be killed."
"Surely your master will speak
to me, simply ask him and he will agree," she said, then thought,
*I only need a moments distraction
and I can get this spell off.*
Without warning the creature
rushed forward with a couple of short steps on its hind legs, then covered
the remaining distance by simply allowing
itself to fall with clawed forelegs sweeping towards
her. Throwing herself backwards Kalia barely avoided the worst of the attack,
yet the claws caught
in her robes spun her to the side. She immediately pushed
herself up on her elbow and with her free hand began the gestures necessary
for her spell.
Chanting softly she watched as the thing turned towards
her, snarling before throwing itself back at her.
Kalia finished the last of the
spell as it was leaping. With a shout a blast shot from her hand, catching
the creature in the head, and knocking it
backwards with sparks flying from the odd helmet it wore.
Climbing to her feet she watched
it carefully for any signs of movement as she edged around the room, thinking
that its stillness might be a trick.
As she reached the far door she got a clearer view of
the creature's head. There was a little wisp of black smoke rising from
the helmet itself, and some
blood, dripping from the inside of it. Feeling sure the
creature was really no more of a threat she slipped out the door and proceeded
with her search
for Zalthar.
She carefully searched the house,
not knowing what other surprises would be awaiting her. She had never seen
a TFP before, which meant that she
was going to have to confront Zalthar and get him to
give her them. This wasn't going to be easy, he wasn't the sort who would
give away anything,
much less something which had value. She was still thinking
of how to get the TFPs from Zalthar when she stepped back into a hallway
after searching
a room. Standing a few meters away he watched her without
saying a word.
"So, it is you behind this, I'm surprised you're still alive. The order must not be as thorough as they once were," she said.
"You're still the same I see,"
replied Zalthar. "Still poking your nose where it doesn't belong. I don't
know why you are here,
or how you got past my guardian, but
you'll find it was a mistake to come."
With that Zalthar threw a handful of
dirt into the air and with a short command it flew towards Kalia. Slashing
downward with her hand and a
quick command. Kalia caused the sand to split into two,
flying around her, where it hit a wall and hardened into stone.
"I'm here for the TFPs you've
stolen. Be glad that it's me here to retrieve them and not whoever the
IGNM would normally send," said Kalia as she
started making grasping gestures with her hands.
"And now you are going to tell me where they are."
The Sorceress walked towards Zalthar smiling as she watched him tense in the invisible bonds surrounding him. Smiling, Zalthar looked up at her.
"It's been a long time since I've seen anyone tried this on me. It's always been one of my favorites you know."
Closing his eyes Zalthar muttered something and Kalia felt her spell shatter.
"After the TFPs are you? Well, it's
too bad you've already walked past a few and didn't even notice them. I'm
sure you've
heard how smart my creations are,
how do you think I control the one at the door hmm?"
Raising his hand, with a quickly
command a burst of energy shot from it towards Kalia. She was barely able
to raise both hands to create a translucent
shield, deflecting the bolt. Letting the shield fall
and disappear she took a closer look at Zalthar. She was starting to suspect
he had something up his sleeve.
Normally one would use a spell that was rare or hard
to counter in the hopes of ending a duel, such as this, as quickly as possible.
He wasn't doing that.
In fact he was doing the exact opposite. She had learned
that shielding spell years ago while she was still an apprentice.
"So you had the TFP hidden in
the helmet did you? It wasn't very effective, I doubt you'll have any more
chances
to improve on it though."
Lifting her hands she sent a
wave of cold to sap his strength. Just as it reached him he sent out a
blast of flame causing a blast of steam as it hit the
cold. The steam cleared and a ring he had been wearing
began to glow brightly. Smiling grimly Zalthar looked up at her, holding
the ring for her to see.
"Ah, my little surprise is ready now. I've grown tired of this little chat, I'm afraid it's time to finish you now."
Closing his eyes Zalthar mumbled
something softly while holding up his ring hand. After a second an invisible
force struck Kalia, sending her flying
backwards down the hallway. Opening his eyes he smiled
again as he watched her struggle to get back to her
feet holding her head.
Kalia wasn't sure what he had
just done, but she knew that she was in trouble. The pain from her head
was distracting her and she pulled something
in her back when she had fallen. Zalthar on the other
hand was still unhurt, and apparently already thinking he had won. She
had to admit that wasn't
exactly a hard conclusion to reach. She had to take him
out right away least he repeat his last attack until she could no longer
move. Kalia knew what she
had to do, but it was a long shot. Clearing her head
as much as possible she started a loud rhythmic chant while making elaborate
gestures.
Zalthar looked on in horror as
a globe of bright light began forming in front of her. He didn't know the
spell, but he recognized it immediately. If that
sphere touched him there would be nothing left of him.
It couldn't be stopped easily, but if he could match its power he could
still win. With his voice rising
and falling, he quickly began a spell of his own .
The globe in front of Kalia began
to stretch out towards Zalthar, speeding up as it went. Suddenly, a shaft
of darkness flared from his hands, meeting
the light between them. Both mages were completely focused
on their spell. Whoever could keep their enchantment longer would be victorious.
Outside, a figure moved quietly through
the darkness towards the open doorway slipping through the entrance he
paused on seeing the creature within.
Stepping past it carefully he moved quietly towards the
door to the rest of the house. The darkness of the night was suddenly lightened
as three distant stars
glowed brightly. Inside a shaft of bright light fell
across the creature's eyes. The light faded to normal and the creature
began to twitch.
Opening the door, Triam stuck his head through looking down the hallway.
"Sir, you should know that I have lost control of my body as it is. I am also afraid it is hungry. Just thought I should warn you."
Spinning around Triam was amazed to
see that it was the creature which had spoken to him. As it then bared
its teeth he realized what it was that had
been said. Turning, he ran for his life.
Kalia and Zalthar faced each
other with a stream of light and darkness stretching between them. Holding
such powerful spells so long was having its
effect on each of them. Kalia was sweating and could
feel her head getting light. She could see that Zalthar was beginning to
sweat as well, but he was
showing no other outward signs of the strain.
When the ring he was wearing
began glowing once more Zalthar changed his chant and the darkness deepened
and began to slowly move towards
Kalia swallowing the light as it went. There was noise
coming from somewhere but Kalia couldn't afford to concentrate on it, the
darkness was close now.
Putting all her strength into her spell she slowed the
darkness to a stop right in front of her.
She couldn't concentrate, her
head still throbbed, as her strength was slowly disappearing. She tried
to focus on just the chant, but her mind couldn't
focus any more. Then she missed a word and her spell
weakened.
"I suggest you don't stop. It is really working up quite the appetite you know."
Triam skidded around a corner
and burst ahead wishing it would stop taunting him. He could hear the creature
hit the wall right behind him. Doors
couldn't stop it, and it was faster than he was. The
only reason he was still alive was that the thing couldn't turn easily.
He could see another corner up
ahead and he tried running faster to reach it. He had
just about to turn the corner when he heard Kalia scream out in pain from
just around the corner.
Turning the last corner Triam
saw his wife surrounded by a cloud of darkness coming from the hands of
a man standing with his back to him. Putting
his shoulder down Triam covered the distance just as
the man started to turn his head. The two of them flew forward rolling
on the ground. Zalthar was
able to get up first, and looked down at Triam with anger.
Lifting his arms he prepared to cast a spell until he heard something else
in the hallway. The
creature stared at him and licked its teeth.
"Master, I have lost control of your guardian. I am afraid it thinks that you would make a good meal for it."
Zalthar gestured quickly and
mumbled a quick command as a haze formed around him. The creature lunged,
grabbing for him as they both faded from
view. Rushing over to Kalia Triam saw her eyes open as
she tried to sit up. Suddenly, she gasped and grabbed his arm.
"An aging spell. Oh no..." Kalia reached down and held her belly as she looked up at Triam.
"Do you remember my telling you about a surprise for you once I got back?"
Her belly began swelling before
his eyes. She reached down and started pulling up her robes preparing for
the new life that was coming. As he watched
her, her breathing started to change and once again she
grabbed her husband's arm.
Outside a new star could be seen
in line with those stars which had so recently glowed so brightly. As the
moon started its arc in the sky the sound of
a baby crying could be heard from within the mansion.
Inside, Triam stared as his wife
and child continued to age as he watched. His daughter's aging was beginning
to slow down but Kalia was still aging
rapidly. Slowly her aging also slowed down to normal,
but it looked like she had gained over ten years in just a minute. Their
daughter appeared to be
around two years old and healthy as she lay on the floor
crying.
An hour later Triam came out
of the house carrying his daughter and supporting Kalia as they moved over
to the horses. Climbing up, they turned
towards the Omnet Citadel hoping to receive some help
from the people there in payment for the location of the stolen TFPs.
As they rode through the woods, their daughter quietly
watched the bright stars above them.