Child of Spellcasters
The Start of a Journey
Deserts, sand, wind and clouds. Rivers flowing to canals. Flowers, sun, tombs and reeds, dancers, farmers, bowls with seeds. A dagger from a red-eyed king, a blade…
" Col! Col, please, say something!"
Col moaned, shifting his body, and felt pain explode in every region. He moaned again.
" Easy now, just open your eyes Col,"
Col obliged, and found it was unfortunately morning. The sunlight hurt his retinas, and he squeezed them shut again.
" He's awake." He heard someone say. " I think he may have a concussion."
" Here." A gentle hand slid behind his head. There was a warmth, a healing warmth, and the headache was gone. The hand moved back, and his whole body felt warm before the pain went as well. Col opened his eyes.
Goth looked haggard, pale and bleeding. Inflar was not much better, but Goth looked far worse.
" What happened?" Col asked.
" There was an attack." Inflar answered. " By the Druids and Necromancers."
Col blinked. They were heading to Goth's dwelling. They were heading to Goth's dwelling, but never really got there.
Goth!
" What happened?" Col cried, sitting up abruptly. " Are they…"
" They're fine." Goth answered. " Just…"
Before his friend could finish, a high whinny from Myst signaled someone's arrival. Goth's father, Mirwak, stepped over what was left of the trees. Col looked at the damage around him. Everything was destroyed.
" Is he alright?" Mirwak asked.
Goth nodded, almost hesitantly. Col got to his feet. " What happened exactly?"
" There were disagreements." Mirwak said slowly. " Apparently, the Druids and the Necromancers weren't satisfied with their end of the deal. They attacked the Fort, many were killed, and also the surrounding areas."
" Mother!" Col suddenly cried, running up to Mirwak, alarmed now, " Is she alright?"
Mirwak looked down, and his posture said it all.
" No…" Col breathed, and began trembling. " She's not…she can't be…she's so powerful, she always told me stories about how she outwitted the Necromancers, she couldn't have—"
" They attacked the Fort. Your mother rushed there to help." Mirwak told Col sadly. " She fought bravely, but there were too many Necromancers. She was looking for you."
" She can't be dead!" Col shrieked, stumbling up the hill towards Frost, " I'm not going to believe it until I see her. Did you find her? Or is she just missing?" Col did not wait for an answer, instead swinging himself up to Frost and urging the mare into a fast gallop away from the valley.
" Col! Don't!" Goth cried, and Inflar rushed to Flame. " You can't see her!"
Col was not going to listen. He urged his horse faster, and Frost obeyed. Barren land whipped past them as they went, the air hissing in their ears. They soon arrived at the Fort, but they might as well have been running on air, for the Fort looked like everywhere else.
There were Mages there though, Mages opening the ground to reveal bodies. Mages lifting wrecks from the flattened ground, Mages weeping over dead children, dead fathers, dead mothers. Col flung himself from his horse and hurried to one of the Wizard Masters.
" Kende!" He shouted, desperate now, " Master Kende, please, tell me where my mother is, that she's not here—"
Kende turned around. The old man's nose had dried blood on it, there were bruises on his face and blood in his hair. His eyes were sad and solemn as he faced the boy.
" She's gone Cobadra." He said at last. " She fought valiantly."
" She's not." Col insisted, though his will was faltering. " She's not until I see her. Where is she? You know where she is, right? She's not dead, she's probably just unconscious, a little bit of magic might, might—"
" Col!" In shouted, jumping from his horse, " We saw her, Col, you can't go! You can't see her!"
" Why not!" Col cried, out of his wits by now, " She is my mother! She is my Mother!" He whirled about, scanning the bodies, running into the tents, looking at the injured. In, alarmed, rushed after him, but could not catch up to the distraught boy. The other Mages did not stop him, too engrossed in their own misery. They hurried out of his way, or cursed at him as he went. Then the young Mage halted in front of a bed, and In slowed as well, knowing all was lost.
Aquila lay with all the bloom of a rotting mummy. Her face was so marred it looked hardly a face at all—in fact, it would hardly be a head. Hair seemed to grow out and then grow back into the skin, melting into what should have been the neck. The only reason why Col was able to recognize her was because of that ring on her finger, the only appendage that was not burned or charred in some way. Aquila always wore it, she never took it off no matter what.
Col froze, and couldn't seem to move for a long time. The world halted around him and darkened, leaving only him with that atrocious thing, that thing that use to be his loving mother, the mother that was all but blood with him. It was amazing that the Mages recognized it as a corpse at all. It was disgusting and gruesome, a cruel paradox to her living beauty.
Col could not stand it.
" She's not, I can bring her back," He turned wild eyes on In, and the red-haired boy saw a hint of madness in it, " I have the powers of a Necromancer, they say that Necromancers can revive the dead, I can bring her back, I just have to straighten her out!"
" Col!" In hissed, not entirely understanding. Col, a Necromancer? " Col, what madness is this! You can't bring her back! Look at her!"
Col was already reversing the physical damage. The face reshaped itself, the hair reformed. In minutes, Aquila lay there as if sleeping, no longer the gruesome corpse it was. Mages stared in surprise at this work of Necromancy, as Col chanted words of reversal.
Sensing danger, In hurriedly began draining Col, trying to drain his Necromancer's powers. Col paid no heed, chanting and chanting…
But Aquila, though young and beautiful, remained dead as Col had found her. The Mages were becoming uncomfortable and starting to throw dirty glances at Col. Col collapsed, exhausted and hopeless. As In moved to shield him, the boy buried his face in his hands, and sobbed like a child.
oO
" It was the only reason why we survived a direct hit." Goth was unbraiding Col's hair and running his hands through it, trying to calm the distraught lad. " Col used his Necromancy powers, and the Necromancers recognized it and left us alone. It was too late for her though."
In was glad that his family was safe like Goth's. Mirwak brought a tray of tea and In took it, feeling guilty that he was glad Col was the one to suffer.
" You saved our lives Col." Goth's mother told the boy softly. " We owe you our debt."
" You also owe us an explanation, why you didn't tell us you were a Necromancer," Goth tried to lighten the mood, " And if there's anything else you didn't tell us."
" Why couldn't I save her?" Col asked, starting to tremble, even while Goth tried to suppress them. " I thought Necromancers can revive the dead."
" It's just a theory, Col." Goth's mother answered gently. " And only powerful Necromancers can do it."
Col began wailing, and In used his Enchanter abilities to soothe his friend. Goth's mother rubbed circles on Col's back silently, knowing no words would help.
" I still don't get it," In turned to her, " Why did they attack us like that?"
" You know things have been tense for years now." Mirwak answered for her. " It's not really clear why. The Elves were no help either, they accuse the Mages and Clerics of taking over their land. The Clerics and Mages blame each other on little accidents, and I guess yesterday was the last straw for them."
Col stood up abruptly and marched towards the door.
" Where are you going?" Goth got to his feet immediately, alarmed.
" To them."
" What?"
" They didn't follow the rules. They used magic before the honorable sword ritual." Col's eyes were dark. " I'm going to kill them."
" You against all the Druids and the Necromancers?" In cried, " That's madness!"
" I am mad." Col answered. " I lost my parents once. I was young then, I couldn't do anything. Now I could have done something and I still lost her."
" Col, none of this is your fault, you didn't know, you couldn't have done anything, and you can't go out there!" Goth cried, but Col was already out.
In summoned his staff. " Halt!"
" No." Col swung his staff around. " I can't rest until they're dead. They've gone too far. You saw her! You all saw her, how she looked like, and if it weren't for me, she would still be looking like that."
" Col, please see reason—"
" Reason?" Col cried incredulously, " Since when have things been reasonable? They attacked us and massacred us and mutilated the dead. I am a Necromancer! I am a Druid! The Blue Oracle saw me and knew I was a mix of all! I will not be merciful!"
" Neither will they!" In shouted, following the raging Mage, Cleric, whatever he was, " You think they'll let you kill them just because you're one of them?"
" I don't expect them to."
" Col, what do you want us to do?" Goth tried to reason with him for the last time. Col turned around, not understanding.
" We swore to be brothers Col." Goth went on. " We were going to perform the ritual when we all are fifteen years old. What if they kill you Col? What if they mutilate you the way they mutilated her? Do you think In and I would be able to stand that?" Col paused uncertainly. " We can't right you the way you righted your mother, Col. We love you, we swore to protect you. What do you want us to do?"
In stepped up to Col, who didn't move. " Col, listen to us. The Mages will not let the Clerics trample us like savages. We will fight back. You don't have to fight alone, and you don't have to fight now. We will fight together one day. Don't do this."
Col wavered and the staff disappeared in his hand. In raised his own staff.
" Do not leave on foolish whims." He said, weaving his wizardry over his friend. " Banish this madness and see reason. There is light yet."
There was a soft glow on the staff, and Col visibly calmed. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the artificial peace settle in him. Then he opened his eyes.
" I'm sorry."
" There is no need." Goth answered. " You were distraught, like many were. Come into the house."
Col followed his friends inside.
" About this Necromancy thing," In confronted Col as they sat down, " Why didn't you tell us you were a Necromancer?"
" And apparently a Druid," Goth added, " I thought it was impossible."
Col hesitated. " The Blue Oracle said I had all the powers of each spellcaster."
" How is that possible?"
" I don't know." Col sighed, shuddering, while In again steadied his magic to soothe him. " It might have something to do with…with me being a mortal at first."
" Probably." In nodded. " But why didn't you tell us?"
" The first time I saw a ghost it wasn't a good experience." Col answered quietly, remembering how that time, his mother was there. " Mother…Mom was…Mom was a Sorceress, and you know how they are with…with Necromancers. I didn't want to be a Necromancer. I didn't want to be a Cleric. And then, and then after…after I realized my powers are still growing anyway, even without training, I didn't want to tell because…I didn't know what you'll think."
" Well now you do." Goth frowned. " We're both mad at you, you know."
" I know."
" Because you didn't tell us in the beginning." In followed Goth's words, making Col look up. " We could have protected that secret of yours from the others. Now, after that show you put up back at the…Fort, everyone knows."
Col suddenly paled. " The Fort. I used…"
" You did." Goth said seriously. " I don't think you can go back. I don't think you should go back. Who knows what they will think, perhaps they would believe you were a spy."
Col sighed.
" You should study Necromancy." In nodded. " Necromancy, Druidism, perhaps even Elf-magic. You can't stay here."
" I will not study Necromancy!"
" You have to." In pointed out. " You know it will overwhelm your other abilities if you don't learn how to control it, and," He interrupted Col's protest, " It will help you with avenging for your mother."
Col hesitated uncertainly. " You're right. I should—"
" We go with you."
" What?"
" I agree." Mirwak nodded. " It's not safe for you all here. You should leave this place."
" We swore to be blood brothers, did we not?" Goth pointed out. " Well, whatever training you go through, we'll be there to help. But first we have to gather your things. You can't go back, who knows what the others might say if they see you, so we'll have to go for you."
" You'll have to bring the library." Col said quietly.
" Of all the things you should have thought of you think about books?"
" Who knows what we'll encounter." Col answered. " And…Mom and I use to spend so much time together there…"
The two friends hesitated. Goth looked at his mother. " Alright, we'll find some way to do it. Take care of him, Mom."
Goth's mother nodded. She sat down beside Col, who was shuddering again. The grief was too real.
Goth and In left for Aquila's dwelling.
oO
Goth said his goodbyes to his parents, who were more reluctant to let him leave now that he was actually leaving, while Col and In, who already said his goodbyes, adjusted the bags on the horses.
" If you need anything," Mirwak told his son, " Look for the Oracles. They are the only Clerics who would help unconditionally."
" Alright Father." Goth nodded, and mounted his horse. " I guess this is it."
" Be careful, all of you." Mirwak's wife called. " And make sure to keep an eye out."
" We will." The trio started off.
They started at a gallop, wasting no time. The strips of barren land soon gave way to trees, where they finally slowed. Tiny faeries pollinated the flowers with butterflies, and above, mystical creatures called to them. Col clutched the bag that held the books of the library, which Goth had conveniently shrunk. He bit his lip, things could have been worse. At least his friends were happy. He should be glad for that.
Somehow, he wasn't though. Col shut his eyes. The familiar pain of loss washed over him. He felt like he was sinking, drowning, drowning—
" Col," A hand was laid against his arm. Col looked up, to see In looking at him with concern. He gave a shaky smile in return, clutching the bag even tighter.
" You'll pull through this." In told Col. " We'll help you pull through this."
Col nodded, and was glad he had such good friends.
" We'll have to change our uniform," Goth told the other two, " And our hair."
" Aw," In groaned, " It takes so long to braid them and now we have to take them off?"
" At least to the point where they don't recognize us as Mages." Goth answered. " Unless you want them to hang us over a fire on a spit."
Col had to smile. His friends always brought a smile to his lips, no matter what. " We can help each other unbraid."
" More like help you unbraid." In laughed. " Your hair is a terror to behold."
" It's not my fault!" Col protested, " I did not choose to be a mix of all…things."
The mood was sullen again. Goth tugged at Col's hair. " First thing, the ribbons." He told Col, changing the topic back to what it was. " We can't have them thinking we're Sorcerers, after all."
" I wonder why the girls like this." Girls wear the exact same thing as boys, even if they look different. It was a character of equality; everyone is capable of doing everything and allowed to do everything the other gender does. Col scowled. Maybe if girls like doing their hair so much, they should have more knots in their hair.
Goth leaned back. " In will have to do your other side, undoing hair on a horse, especially someone else's hair, is rather awkward." He emphasized this by rubbing his back. Col had to smile again.
In finished with Col's other side. " Goth's right, but at least now you're officially a mix of Enchanter and Wizard."
" It's Goth's turn, after all, Sorcery is more hated I guess." Col slowed his horse down so Goth and he could change places. He then understood why undoing someone's hair on a horse is awkward.
Mom always did my hair, even when I was old enough to do it myself. Col sighed, the pain returning. Sensing this, Goth quickly pressed it down for him. Col smiled gratefully.
After everyone finished with the hair, the group halted, dismounting to change out of their robes and putting on those fit for travel. Thus dressed, they continued on the road again for a few more hours, Col's despair successfully healing in silence thanks to the efforts of his friends.
When night fell, the group halted in a small glade and made a fire. The night was cold, but the fire was warm. Col ate the bread and meat with little appetite, but when he laid down to sleep, he felt the warm presence of Goth at one side, In taking watch, and felt that even if everything had gone wrong, he was glad his friends were still there with him.
" Make sure to wake me up when it's my turn." He told Goth.
A snort. " Go to sleep, rascal." In chuckled. Col smiled, and shut his eyes. Somehow he knew they were going to let him sleep the rest of the night.
