Shaping Magic (22 page)

The one on the right answered. “Because you were the better swordsmen.”

“That’s part of it, I will not deny it—but that is not the main reason. You did not work together. Instead of attacking me as one, each of you attacked me alone. If you had then, it would have turned out very differently.

“Will you stand by your word to work with me to become an army, to fight together with the Elves and the Dwarfs? To stand up for what is right and fight against the tyranny of the enemy?” he asked, looking both men in the eye.

They did not look at each other but instead went to their knees, bowing their heads and looking up. Lindon was shocked to see the humans—all of them going down to their knees in acceptance of his command.

Lindon was truly touched. He had not expected this reaction to simply beating the men at a sword fight, but he could see that they had been searching for a leader; they just hadn't known it. They had chosen Lindon—not because he had won but more that he did so not for his personal glory but instead to help them, in spite of themselves.

This young man standing before them was not gloating over victory, but instead was receiving their allegiance with a duty to serve them, the same as they would serve him.

Cora had stood with Arden and watched as Lindon had taken command of the Human camp. No one had given it to him; he had simply seen the need, walked in, and fulfilled it. Their need for leadership had been great. With Aodhan being sick, Arden had tried to organize them, but they would not accept him as their leader. Yet, they had respected him and even listened to him somewhat but he could not lead them.

Even Aodhan would not have been able to achieve the level of acceptance that Lindon now commanded; with no more than a word, he was organizing the camp. The Dwarfs were supplying the wagons to clean the waste, but it was Lindon, his sleeves pulled up alongside the men and women, cleaning and straightening the camp.

Cora watched the pride and the self-confidence of the Human camp climb tenfold by Lindon's presence working alongside them. He wasn’t just ordering them to do the work but was actually getting dirty with them. It showed the people that he was one of them. He would lead them, but he would do so beside them, and not from above them.

Aodhan chose that moment to come outside, brought out in his chair with wheels. He watched the work in progress by Lindon and the men that had been under his command with an unreadable expression on his face. Cora was going to ask him for his thoughts on it, but before she could, he said, “He is his father's son, but I don't think even Prince Cameron would have been able to command their loyalty so easily or as completely as young Lindon has.”

“Have you heard about what has been happening?” she asked the crippled man. She was amazed that just yesterday he was near death, but after Lindon's healing was now able to be outside sitting up in his chair.

“Yes, Annan has been keeping me current. He is a remarkable young man. One minute he his healing a poor old man, and the next he is flinching an army,” he said ruefully. Holding up his hand to forestall the objection she had been about to give, said, “Don't get me wrong, I am truly glad that he did. I could not have done what he has, even had I been whole. The people need a true leader, not merely an old general. It's just amazes me at the speed and ease he was able to take command of them. If I didn't already believe what you have said about the prophecy, his actions here would have convinced me.”

The work getting the Human camp in to shape was hard but satisfying. Lindon was quite surprised when it was Nara that somehow had taken over. As with the Dwarfs, at first the Humans didn't trust her, but the more she was around, the more they approached her with questions instead of Lindon. It’s not that she was taking over for Lindon, but she seemed to know what it was that needed done. Lindon, on the other hand, really didn't have a clue on how things should get done, only that they should be a certain way. Thankfully, that was Nara’s job.

Lindon simply rolled up his sleeves and followed her directions, and the people seeing that their leader was not too proud to do as she asked were more than happy to do the same. Before long the camp was clean and the rows of tents were no longer scattered but were in neat rows. One thing that Lindon did insist on being built were latrines spaced evenly throughout the camp. Deep holes were dug to take care of the waste, and if they started to get full they could be filled in and moved to a new spot.

After seeing that the basics were being taken care of, Lindon decided it was time to go and speak with Donovan and Aina about having them craft some practice weapons. He wanted decent quality ones and not just pieces of wood. Hopefully they would know how best to proceed, because as much as Lindon knew what needed to be done, he was smart enough to know he didn't have a clue on the how—the same as Nara taking over the task of organizing the camp. He would ask his friends on what to do next.

Finding Donovan was easy. The Dwarf was busy delivering supplies to the training area. Lindon was amazed at the work that the Dwarfs had already done. It was no longer a rough-looking area. It now had a dozen training dummies built at regular intervals and there were racks where weapons could be stored. His friend never ceased to amaze him with his generosity, not only had the Dwarven people supplied the materials but had come together to work with the Humans who had only this morning tried to take what belonged to the Dwarfs.

Seeing that Donovan had anticipated his needs, he went instead to find Aina to ask her for her help. Lindon didn't like to bother the Elf but he didn't want the momentum of the Humans to be lost. When he entered the Elven camp, he was struck by how much activity there was. He saw Aina talking with a group of Elves and made his way over to her.

When Lindon approached, Aina turned to him. “We should have enough practice weapons made for tomorrow morning,” she said before he could even say hello.

Lindon was momentarily stunned. How had she known that was what he had come to ask? “I don't know what to say. I came to ask for that very thing and yet both you and Donovan knew before I even asked,” he said, grateful for his friends’ help.

“It's very simple, Lindon; we have both pledged ourselves to you and as such will do all we can to aid you. My people were impressed with what you have accomplished today, and it usually takes a lot to impress an Elf, especially if you're not one. They had been worried that they would have to somehow face the mistake alone and had lost all hope of finding allies among the Humans; because of the bad relations they didn't hope for the Dwarven people helping either. Now that you have come, not only have you brought the Dwarfs but the Humans are being organized and will form the core of an army that will be the only hope of defeating the Merrow.”

Lindon walked away after thanking Aina and the Elves that had been with her. Lost in thought, he almost bumped in to Arden, who had been waiting for Lindon. “Oh, sorry; I didn't see you there,” he apologized.

“No worries, Lindon, you have a lot on your mind,” replied Arden.

“How is Aodhan?”

“He's almost back to his old self. He even went outside today,” Arden said with a sideways look at Lindon.

Lindon stopped in his tracks. That was something he hadn't considered. What if Aodhan didn't approve of what he had done? He didn't want to go against him. It was just that he saw the need in the men and had done what he thought was best. “I see. Did he say anything about what was happening?” Lindon asked, not sure if he really wanted to know.

“As a matter of fact, he did.” Arden paused to give Lindon time to think about it and maybe worry a little. It was not that he wanted Lindon to squirm. It was just to judge his character a little. The time he had spent away from Cora and himself had changed Lindon, and he wanted to measure by how much.

“I hope he will approve of what I have had to do. They were truly in need of direction. I am not blaming anyone; it couldn't have been easy when he was sick, but I will not apologize for what I have done. It needed doing, so I did it. I just hope he isn't too upset about it.”

Chuckling, Arden slapped Lindon on the back. That was the answer he had hoped from the boy. Boy...Looking at him now, he could not really call him a boy—he was a man now. “No worries, Lindon; on the contrary he was beside himself with joy at what you had done. He knew that with being sick and not able to take charge, that someone had to. He was impressed with all that you have accomplished in such a short time.”

“I am glad to hear that, but there is something I have to talk with you and my grandmother about. I had hoped to do it this morning but with all that has happened I haven't had a chance to.”

“What is it?” Arden asked, seeing the serious look in Lindon's eyes.

“It's about Aodhan's sickness. He was poisoned.”

Now it was Arden's turn to stop in his tracks. “Poisoned? Are you sure?” Arden whispered to Lindon.

“Yes, I am positive. When I was healing him I could feel the poison working in him. It damaged him internally. I did what I could for him. I neutralized the poison and repaired what I could. He is no longer in danger of dying anytime soon but it did shorten his life, and with him being as old as he is, that's a bad thing. I don't know by how much, all I can say is that it has. I am still kind of new at this healing thing,” he said the last a little sheepishly.

“Could you tell how long the poison had been there?”

“Not really, but if I had to guess I would say it has been slowly eating away at him possibly for months,” Lindon answered.

Arden didn't say anything right away, thinking about what Lindon had told him. If he was poisoned months ago, it was possible that it was Lairgnen that had been responsible—but Lindon wasn't sure. If it were done after the man had been killed…they have an assassin in their midst.

“For now, do not say anything to anyone. I will tell Cora about it and see what she thinks. I do, however, suggest that you go and get some sleep; you've had a long day and I don't expect tomorrow to be any better.”

“I couldn't agree with you more. I almost feel like we were back in the cave and you were chasing me around beating me with a stick,” Lindon said, smiling at his former teacher.

Arden let out a loud laugh. “I don't think I would want to try that now I have seen how good you have gotten with your blades,” he said, still laughing. “Go get some sleep and we will talk again in the morning.”

Nodding his head in agreement, Lindon said, “No argument here. Sleep well, Arden; it is truly good to see you again.” He turned to go into his tent.

Watching Lindon as he left, Arden whispered to himself, “Sleep well, my prince.” Turning away, he made his way to Cora's tent to tell her of Lindon's revelation.

Chapter 23

Lindon woke to the sounds of battle. Thinking that the men from yesterday morning were attacking the Dwarfs, he jumped out of bed, threw on his clothes, and buckled on his sword belt. Upon opening the tent flap, he was stunned by what he saw. The humans weren’t attacking—they were working with the Dwarfs to be outfitted with wooden practice swords. The Elves were there too with long lines of Humans waiting to shoot an arrow at a target. If they hit, it they were sent with an Elf for further instruction.

Everything was going smoothly. Once they were given the practice swords they were being organized into groups of about fifty and were being instructed by the men that had been with Aodhan under Kornas.

The Dwarfs were also running around the Humans in the lines measuring them, then writing it down. Lindon was amazed that in just one day not only were they getting along but were working together.

When Lindon approached, one of the men that had been the biggest threat yesterday morning was now coordinating the throngs of people. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits among the apparent turmoil. The man waved Lindon over. “I want to apologize for my actions yesterday; I was wrong for wanting to take what wasn't mine,” he said as he went to one knee. “I hope you can forgive me.”

“There is no need to apologize, you are doing an amazing job now, and that is all that matters,” Lindon said as he helped the man to his feet.

“Thank you, my lord. I will strive to be worthy of your praise,” the man gushed at Lindon.

Lindon, uncomfortable with the title, excused himself from the man and went in search of his grandmother.

As Lindon was directed to where his grandmother was, he was constantly being bowed to or greeted with “my lord.” Feeling overwhelmed, he hurried into Aodhan's tent, and seeing his grandmother sitting beside Aodhan talking, Lindon waited just inside the doorway.

“When exactly was it that you started to feel sick?” his grandmother was asking the old man.

“I don't know for sure, but I believe it was just before you arrived. It wasn't bad until we got word that we were going to be attacked and had to flee,” answered Aodhan. “Who do you think was trying to poison me?” he asked

“I am not sure…It is possible it was Lairgnen? Hopefully it was, and we will have no more problems. But, just in case, be vigilant. If you see or even get a feeling that all is not well, let myself or Arden know as soon as you can. Do not try to deal with it by yourself—and that goes for you too, Lindon. You have made yourself a bigger target to our enemies. Someone may try for your life next.”

“I will, Grams. How are you feeling?” he asked Aodhan, hoping to change the subject of someone trying to kill him. He was more concerned that someone may go after his grandmother or try to harm Aodhan.

“I am doing well, thanks to you. How was it that you were able to heal me from my poisoning?”

“That I couldn't really say, it's just something that I am able to do,” he answered quietly, not really wanting to elaborate on his abilities.

“I am glad you came when you did. From what Cora has been telling me, I didn't have long to live.”

“It was my honor. I am glad I was able to catch it in time.”

Aodhan nodded his head at Lindon, and feeling that the young man was uncomfortable with praise, he changed the subject. “So I have been told that things in the camp have improved.”

“Yes; I am sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but they needed direction and with what we face, they must be ready and able, or we are all lost. We will need all the men, Dwarfs, and Elves we can find, and even then that might not be enough,” Lindon said with confidence.

Aodhan was quiet for a minute, making Lindon a little nervous, when he said, “Lindon, it is time for some truths.” He looked at Cora, and seeing her slight nod, he continued. “This isn't about me or even your grandmother; it is about you. We have not gathered these men and women here for me. These people are yours to command; they always have been.”

Lindon didn't understand. “What do you mean mine to command? You are the great general, I am just a farm boy from the mountains; I am not a lord or anything.”

Looking at the boy, he was reminded of his father. “No Lindon you are not just a farm boy, you are your father's son.”

Lindon looked at the old man. It was a question he wanted to know but was almost too scared to ask. It was his grandmother who
  spoke next. “I have kept you hidden from danger for most of your life. If it had been known who you are before you could defend yourself then all would have been lost.”

He could take the suspense no longer. He had to know. He could not let his fear stand in his way. “Who am I?” he asked in a hushed voice.

“Your true name is Lindon Agether, prince of the Caythian Empire,” Cora revealed. “Your father's name was Cameron Agether. The current king is Tristan Agether, my husband and your grandfather.”

Lindon was stunned. How this could be true? His grandfather is the man they are fighting against.  The sadness that was in Cora's eyes almost broke Lindon's heart, but he had to know. “How is this possible? I mean, he's part of who we're fighting—how could my own grandfather join with the enemy of all living things?” Lindon demanded.

“Easy, Lindon; there is no need to be upset. What’s done is done,” Arden said from the doorway.

Lindon spun around. The look that was in his eyes was one Arden did not want to face, but he stood his ground. With some effort Lindon controlled his anger. Arden was right—there was nothing he could do about the past—but he still wanted to know how someone could join with the Merrow against their own family.

Lindon looked back at his grandmother. Seeing her sadness, he approached her and bending down gave her a hug. “I am sorry for yelling; this all comes a quite a shock to me. Can you tell me how he could do that to his own son?”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she nodded. “You have every right to be upset. I kept who you were a secret from you, and it must be hard to hear that your own grandfather is one of the most feared and hated men in the world.

“Please sit and I will tell you all I know about how he became the man he is today. I do not know everything, only what I have seen for myself or have heard from others.”

Lindon sat beside his grandmother on the floor, and looking up at her he was struck by how beautiful she must have been when she was younger. Even now she was still beautiful. Age had taken some of it, but beauty was in her lined face.

Cora looked down at her grandson sitting quietly looking up at her, waiting for her to begin. She sighed. She had been dreading this moment most of his life—telling him everything about how he came to be here with her.

“I first met your grandfather when I was sixteen. He was nineteen and so very charming. We had a world-wind courtship; we would take long walks and talk about our hopes and dreams. I had fallen hopelessly in love with him.”

Lindon listened intently as she spoke.

“We were married in a lavish ceremony. Every lord and lady of the land attended. His father officiated and we were joined for what should have been until death, but at last it was not to be.

“Not long after we were married, I started to notice little things…the way he would avoid direct contact with his subjects, never touching them. Even when we slept together he would thoroughly wash after every time we would try to have a child. He didn’t want to sleep with me during my pregnancy, saying it was safer for the child if he slept somewhere else.

“When Cameron was born, he seemed to take an interest in me again but it wasn't long until he started to take extended trips. He would be gone for months at a time, and it was Aodhan who had taken over his training. I wanted to know where he was going, but when I asked him, he would get angry. I would have tried to use magic to see where he was going, but he was a much stronger magus than I was, and I didn't want to risk him sensing me; his anger was not something I wanted to witnesses too often.

“He never laid his hands on me, but would instead treat his servants and the soldiers very badly, making them do things, like fight each other over some made up charge. At first, it was just until first blood; however, after his father died it changed to their having to fight to the death, and being the king, there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

“When you were born, it got worse. He would skulk around the castle. At times he would be seen arguing with himself. When you were five, you went with your father and mother on what was supposed to be a simple inspection of the garrison on the northern border of Sorolan. The truth of the reason behind the trip didn't come out until we were attacked by the Orks. We were able to defeat them at first, but soon after the initial attack, we were betrayed and one of the side gates was opened. The king’s men—alongside Orks—rushed in. Your father battled bravely, but in the end was overwhelmed by sheer numbers. I was knocked unconscious. My last thought was of you and the sadness that you were never going to experience life.

“I was quite surprised when I woke with you by my side in the middle of nowhere, but was not going to take the chance of being discovered so I took you by the hand and decided to start a new life as simple farmers, hoping that we would be assumed dead, and we would be left alone. I had hoped to live out our lives in peace, but of course prophecy has a different plan for you, and it will not be denied. That is why I never told you the truth about who you are. If I had, you may have acted differently around town and we had to keep a low profile to avoid notice.

“I hope you can forgive me for keeping your true life from you, but if I had to do it over again, I would do the same again.” She said the last with determination that Lindon didn't doubt.

Lindon sat quietly. As his grandmother told of his beginning, he was stunned; his father was a prince and it was his grandfather that had him killed, but why? What was the purpose? Why would the king want to murder his whole family? Lindon suspected that it had something to do with him and what he could do with magic. If the king was in league with the Merrow, they would want him dead. He could face them and not be swayed by their evil power over the mind. That alone they could not allow.

He looked around the tent; he hadn't noticed that his friends had all entered during the telling of his origins. They were all looking at him expectantly, wondering what he would do now that he knew the truth.

Donovan had suspected something of what he had heard. This young Human had a way about him that spoke of a background beyond a simple farmer. Looking down at Lindon, he simply nodded that he was still his friend and his oath would stand.

Aina had also thought there was more to Lindon than was on the surface, and like Donovan, she would stand by this remarkable Human and follow him until either they were victorious over the Merrow or died trying.

Seeing the acceptance from his friends, Lindon rose to his feet. “Grandmother,” he said, waiting for her to look up at him.

Her eyes, tearing, looked up at Lindon, expecting to see anger for her lying to him for his entire life, but what she saw was love in his eyes and understanding.

“I do not judge you for what has happened; you are not the one to blame for all the pain and hurt. You have done what you could to protect me from a monster. I will always be your grandson who loves and cherishes what you have done for me,” Lindon said, tears in his eyes.

He hugged his grandmother, both of them crying, thankful the truth had come out.

Arden looked on with shining eyes. He had been worried that Lindon would have taken the news badly but was very glad that the young man had matured far beyond his years, and was able to see the sacrifice that Cora had made for him.

Lindon released his grandmother from his embrace, and giving her a smile he turned toward the tent entrance. “I need some time alone,” he said as he made his way outside.

Looking out to the men and women training and working, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. “This isn't going to be enough,” he whispered to himself. As amazing as all the activity was to Lindon, he knew of only a small portion of what they faced. What he saw before him wouldn't even be able to stand against them. He was sure that the king, his grandfather, would have many more soldiers to throw against them, and the men, women, Elves, and even the Dwarfs that were before him wouldn't be enough. Turning away, Lindon started walking toward the cliff on the far side of the plateau.

When Lindon reached the edge he stopped and looked out on to the plains far below him. What were they going to do? If he had been able to get to the Elven homeland before they had all been killed...No, that wouldn't be enough either, but at least it would have helped. Where were they going to find the people they would need to stand up against the king and his evil allies?