CHAPTER SEVEN: DECISIONS TO BE MADE
"Tai'ree."
Tai'ree stopped her pacing and gave an apologetic look at the tone of exasperation she heard in her mother's voice. The part of her mind that was not completely confused by the events that had just happened was a little surprised at how calm her mother was right now, though very few things surprised her mother.
As Tai'ree returned reluctantly to her chair, her mind tried to figure out why her father had connected Mahado to the Summoner King. She was having a little trouble with that idea. It was one thing to think of Mahado as having stepped out of history- it was another to think of him as having stepped out of legend.
She had heard the bardic Cycles concerning the great Crossing and the battles against the dark night the elves had fought in the world they came from and within a place they referred to as the Shadow Realm. It was said the Summoner King had finally ended the conflict by sealing the ancient magics away at the cost of his own life and soul.
And yet, Mahado had spoken of the King he served in the present sense; at least to her ears it had sounded that way. "He gave up his name long ago. He has none now." that was what Mahado had said.
But how could the Summoner King be alive if he had died all those millennia ago? Then again, Mahado was a spirit living in Coeremar's body; maybe the thought of the Summoner King being alive was not as outrageous at it first appeared.
It was still making Tai'ree's head hurt though.
"Is the magician an elf momma?" Tai'ree's little sister Me'anna suddenly asked as she wiggled around in her seat so that she was sideways in the chair, her feet tucked under her.
The Queen leaned forward slightly and gave Me'anna a little smile as she answered, "No, he is not, 'Anna."
Me'anna scrunched up her face as she considered he mother's answer. "Are you sure?" she finally said in a dubious voice.
The Queen laughed softly. "I am sure, dear."
The sound of the door to the private gardens opening snapped Tai'ree's focus away from the conversation going on around her. Twisting in her seat, she watched her father step into the throne room first, followed by Mahado and Coeremar. The King walked to the dais and stopped in front of his wife, and Tai'ree was sure something passed between them when her mother suddenly gave a slight nod of her head.
Straightening in her chair when her father turned to her, Tai'ree was startled when she realized there was a touch of what appeared to be a mix of resignation and uncertainty in the depths of his eyes. She could not remember seeing such a combination on her father before.
"Tai'ree." the King stated clearly without hesitation. "Do you wish to study the art of magic and are you willing to give up all that you are to learn such a craft?"
Swallowing hard before she was able to answer, Tai'ree nodded and responded steadily, "I am willing, my Liege."
A shadow of a smile flickered across her father's lips as the uncertainty shifted to approval. He nodded once then said, "Then I release you from the duties of the ky of Alcalsar until such time as your mentor deems you worthy of the rank of Magician.
You are dismissed."
For a moment Tai'ree was unsure she had heard his words correctly and remained rooted to her seat until both her father and mother gave her slightly amused looks. "Do you need me to repeat that daughter?"
"No." Tai'ree answered slowly, since she was not exactly sure what 'dismissed of her duties' meant.
Her mother shook her head, a sudden smile flashing on her face as she turned slightly to look at her Valkyria. "I believe now would be a good time to give her that package, Mayen- don't you think?" she asked.
"I believe you are correct, my Lady." The Valkyria answered with a slight bow as she stepped to the back of the dais. She picked up the package Mahado had given her and handed to Tai'ree. "You will need this if you intend to learn magic in the proper way Tai'ree." the Valkyria said, a tone of acceptance clear in her voice.
Reaching out Tai'ree gathered the package and gently untied the bindings around it. Pulling the fabric away she found a magician's rod inside. Lifting it up Tai'ree found the rod felt just right in her hand and she could not hide the smile of delight that she felt bubbling up within her.
Jumping to her feet, Tai'ree threw her arms around her father and said excitedly, "I'll make sure you are proud of me, father!"
Her father laughed as he gently pulled Tai'ree's arms away. Catching her hands in his own, the King said, "We already are, daughter." He tilted his head and added, "However I have not released you permanently from your duties. I expect you to return here next spring to marry Fanesdani, Tai'ree."
"Of course!" Tai'ree answered before giving her father a kiss on the cheek and her mother a hug before bounding down to stand before Mahado. She gripped the rod with both hands and quickly bowed to the magician. Straightening, she opened her mouth- only to realize she had no idea what she was supposed to say. She bit her lower lip and stared at Mahado.
Mahado simply smiled, turned slightly to nod to the King, and then began to walk out of the throne room, Coeremar trailing behind him.
"Are you coming?" Mahado asked patiently over his shoulder.
"Yes!" Tai'ree almost shouted in her excitement as she ran to catch up.
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Well, she's going to be a handful. Coeremar commented privately across their link as they left the throne room, amusement sparkling the thought.
Mahado smiled and had to agree. He could already sense the storm of questions that were building up in Tai'ree as she walked behind him but, for the moment, he was not going to give her an opening to ask them. The first thing that needed to be done was to inform the Calteasartian heir that his fiancé was currently an apprentice magician and not the ky of Alcalsar at the moment, and that she would be heading north into the Summer Lands in a few days. It was the proper thing to do.
Besides, he had no doubts Fanesdani was waiting for news just outside the door anyway. It was not as if the boy was going to let them pass him by.
Stepping back into the great hall, Mahado found Fanesdani and the Master of Ceremonies just beyond the entrance, conversing with a messenger with the shoulder marks on his jacket that identified him as being from Raikari, a country that lay just north of the Summer Lands. The messenger looked exhausted and Mahado was sure it was more than physical exhaustion the man was suffering from. Kerarker, standing just behind Fanesdani, glanced back and gestured Mahado over as he tapped Fanesdani on the shoulder.
A look of relief passed over Fanesdani as the Master of Ceremonies took the opportunity to slip into the throne room, most likely to inform the King and Queen of the messenger.
This can't be good. Coeremar sighed as he let his Sekhem form fade from view.
Fanesdani nodded slightly to them then turned back to the messenger. "Please tell the Dark Magician what you have told us. Perhaps he can make some sense of what has happened." Fanesdani said to the man.
Giving Mahado a weary look, obviously reluctant to relive whatever events had brought him here, the messenger said, "A month ago the watchers on our western borders received reports that shadows had devastated a small hamlet not far from Elci Cora. There had also been reports of unknown demons raiding along our southern boarder." Taking a deep breath, as if to fortify himself before continuing, the man added, "I saw one of them as I came south. It was a great blind worm. It came up from the ground and caught a small child from a family the soldiers were attempting to move to a nearby fortified town for safety. There was nothing we could do to stop it." Pain filled the man's eyes at the memory for a moment. "And then a hole of darkness appeared, filled with the screaming souls of the damned as pieces of the darkness reached out to wrap itself around the attacking monster. And then they all disappeared into the hole, and then even that was suddenly gone. I've never seen anything like it." The man fell silent with a slight shudder.
Fanesdani looked at Mahado uneasily as he asked, "Have you heard of anything such as this before, Dark Magician?"
Mahado frowned, a dark suspision rising up within him. "Unfortunately yes. And a fortified town is not necessarily going to be any protection. You will have need of magic users to insure the shadows are unable to approach a town without some warning to the inhabitants."
Turning to Tai'ree, Mahado suddenly asked, "How are your skills at traveling long distances by dragon?"
"Um, I'm not sure." Tai'ree admitted. "I've never been on one longer than an hour. Why?"
"Because we are going to need to get to Caes Catlea much sooner than I planned." Looking back at the messenger, Mahado inquired, "Is there anything beyond what you have told me that the King will need to hear?"
"No." the messenger answered, then added, "Only that we had hoped the King may send us aid against this threat. The elves are already engaged against whatever it is that is attacking and could only spare us a minimum force to aid in clearing the southern borders."
Resting a hand on the man's shoulder, Mahado said, "I will carry your message to the King. It would be best if you seek out a healer and get some rest. I am assuming you carried this message by both dragon and sidhe mount?"
The man was surprised by Mahado's guess as he answered yes.
Turning to a now wide eyed Fanesdani, Mahado stated, "I suggest you find a page to escort this man to a healer. Then you will need to inform those waiting for an audience that there will be none today."
"But…" Fanesdani began to protest but stopped when Mahado held up his hand.
"Simply do as I say, so'ky." Mahado stated firmly. "If there are any consequences to pay then I will pay them."
As he moved to head back to the throne room, Mahado found the Master of Ceremonies had returned and was regarding him with a grave look. "I will do what you have requested of the so'ky, Dark Magician. I believe it may be best if he hears what you have to say as well." the Master said.
Giving the Master a quick nod of acknowledgement, Mahado quickly strode into the throne room, leaving Tai'ree and Fanesdani racing slightly to catch up to him.
Ignoring the two behind him, and noticing that the only child left on the dais was Tai'ree's brother Arree'ha, Mahado found his thoughts turning to Coeremar as he emerged once again.
The barriers should have held, Mahado. Coeremar commented.
I believe this may be something else. was all Mahado could say.
Stopping at the foot of the dais, Mahado looked up at the King and Queen of Alcalsar and stated, "I will need dragons to take us to Caes Catlea."
The royal couple did not conceal their surprise at the abrupt statement. "I would be correct in assuming you know what it is this messenger speaks of?" King Div'tyn asked carefully.
Mahado shook his head. "I am not sure. Gaighdon may know however. The messenger said the Duine-sith are already striving against these attacks and the High Guardian would have more information to help me give you a better answer.
However, this has the sound of a threat that has not been seen since the Crossing. The monster that the messenger described matches one of the shadow beings that were summoned during the war that forced the Duine-sith to leave their home and journey here. The monster itself is neutral but the one summoning it obviously is not, and wishes to inflict harm."
Nodding to the two magic users standing on the dais, Mahado said, "I will inform your Sorcerer and Valkyria what to expect and what they will need to do to secure your borders. I would also begin mobilizing your forces. I do not know if this threat will reach as far as your kingdom but you may be able to aid your neighbors."
Glancing back to Fanesdani, Mahado added, "It may also be best if the so'ky returns to Calteasart to inform his father of the situation in the northern lands." Turning back to the King, Mahado said, "Beyond that there is not much else I can tell you until I speak to the High Guardian about the exact nature of this threat."
The King frowned and fixed Mahado with a hard look. "And the Summoner King?" he asked abruptly.
"He is awake but beyond that I know nothing more." Mahado answered truthfully. "He will not be aware of what is happening here."
The King was silent a moment then nodded sharply as he said, "I will inform the Captain of the Guard you will need dragons to travel with. It will take a day to rearrange the Guard to accommodate your request but once the dragons have been prepared for such a flight, you are both free to leave. I assume it would be best to send the so'ky the same way?"
Mahado did not miss the look of delight Fanesdani was attempting to hide and managed not to smile at the young man as he answered, "Yes, I believe that may be best."
"Then, it will be so." The King said. "However, be aware the dragons will not go beyond the edges of our borders."
"We will have other transportation waiting for us at Catlea." Mahado said.
Curious, the Queen asked, "How can you be so sure of that, Dark Magician?"
Sighing, Mahado commented, "I will speak with the High Guardian's cousin tonight. She will make sure we have access to some sidhe mounts when we reach Catlea. She may also have some information that she may be able to pass on. If I may, I would like to speak to you both in the morning before we depart."
Glancing behind him a moment to look at Tai'ree, Mahado added, "I will not require Tai'ree's assistance this evening if you would wish to spend time with her tonight."
"We would be thankful for some time with our daughter, Dark Magician, but only if you are sure you will not need her." the Queen said.
"I am sure." Mahado responded. Bowing slightly, Mahado added, "If you will excuse me, there are many things that I will need to do before we leave. I will meet with the Sorcerer and the Valkyria after the evening meal." Not waiting for a response, Mahado walked away and stated, "Tai'ree, come with me."
As he walked out into the outer hall, Mahado heard Coeremar say, in an attempt to reassure Tai'ree, who had probably never expected to see her parents ordered around in such a way as he had just done, "I told you there were stranger things than me you would have to deal with while traveling with him."
All Tai'ree could manage to say to that, and in what sounded like a slightly stunned tone of voice to Mahado, was, "I see that now."