The Apprentices (The Crimson Guard Trilogy Book 1) (9 page)

I tire of waking in places that I have no memory of how I arrived
, I thought as the light blinded my eyes.  “Jes are you there, please is anyone there?”  I could not help but break into tears.

“Yes, I am here Lyndon, stop your crying, but I should warn you, you took quite a beating.  You should be thankful that there was a stream bed and a healer present in the battle.”

I quickly wiped my tears away, “Why a stream bed?”  I questioned. “Who was the healer?”

“We had to cool you off after your impressive show of fire.  You remember that big brute that was the leader of the horsemen. It appears he is quite an accomplished healer.  Odd, isn’t it?  You would not expect a large man like that to be gentle, or be capable of anything so girly.”

“Well, how did you manage to convince that man to join?”  I asked

“Oh, that is an interesting story.”

…………………………………………………………………………….

The night had gotten dark very fast, much faster than Jes would have liked it.  He had left the caravan soon after the brothers told him about the game and its implications. 

How could they do this to so many men?
  Jes thought.  I have to find these raiders before they attack.

“Not a step further; announce yourself.”  The voice traveled from somewhere up ahead.

“I am Jes of Townsmend.  I have valuable information for your leader.”  Jes realized that the best thing to do was just tell the truth.

“What information?”  Now Jes could see that there were three sentries all with weapons drawn.

“It is about the caravan, good sirs.”  The men talked among themselves for a moment.

“Ok, follow.” 
This is easier than I could have hoped
thought Jes.

That is until he saw who the leader was.  The mercenaries’ leader was very tall and quite large, even bigger than Talon; and the man carried an axe that could cut a horse in half and for some reason he looked quite familiar to Jes.

“I have been told that you carry information concerning the caravan.  It had better be good or you will die with the men that have stolen it.”  The leader would be a formidable foe if Jes were to attack.

“These men that you speak of are not what you think.  The men with the caravan are actually hired mercenaries.  They were hired to protect it from bandits, to protect it for you.  I am one of these hired men.”  The last comment caused several swords to be drawn.

“So, you are saying that you were hired to protect the caravan.”  Jes could tell the man was sizing him up. “We were also hired to protect the caravan, then what you are saying is that we were contracted to kill you?”  The leader seemed to be very confused.

Jes then proceeded in telling the large man exactly what the two brothers were telling Lyndon at the same moment, in a not too distant camp. 

“You have no proof of this, how can we be sure of your story.  You could just be leading us into a trap,” said a small man in the surrounding crowd. 

“Yes, this man is correct.  What proof do you have?”  The big leader finished his cup of ale and handed it to be refilled.

That was when it clicked.  Jes remembered where he had seen this man before.  The only reason that he had not recognized him earlier was because, the last time they met, the larger man was face down in the mud and Jes was stealing the man’s knife. 

“Well, sir.”  Spoke Jes.  “I do not have any proof of my accusations.  But I do have something that once belonged to you, and this item is returned in good faith.”  Jes slid a small golden dagger from his boot. 

“Yes, that is mine.  Where did you get it?  The leader surveyed the blade very closely for any damage.

“I saw a thief lift it from your drunken body, back in the Burning City.  I would have returned it sooner, but you left the city before I could find you.”  Jes knew he was lying, but the truth does not always get things done.

“I thought I had lost it for sure, thank you.  My tutor gave me this blade when I completed my training.  I am very grateful, and with such a gift I shall trust that you are not misleading.”  The leader bowed.

“Thank you, good sir, but we need to travel to my camp.”  Before Jes could finish the same smaller man spoke again.

“I do not believe this man, for he is a thief.  I think we should kill him and all those who cower at the caravan.”

“I am the leader of this group. If you wish to draw that pitiful sword of yours and challenge me to take my place as the leader, then do so; otherwise keep a hold of that tongue of yours.”  The larger man was on his feet with his massive axe in hand.

………………………………………………………………………………..

“And to tell you the truth, I think that little guy pissed his pants.  After that no one questioned my tale and shortly we arrived.  I think you know what happened after that.” Jes sat down and took a breath of relief, having just finished his account of the previous night. 

“Oh, then I guess I should thank you for believing my friend and for saving my life.”  The large healer only nodded his head.

I thought for a second of asking how I had arrived to this bed, but the idea passed and with a satisfied mind I slipped into a peaceful sleep.

13

A small crystal ball rested on the table.  Very few still lived with the knowledge of such a thing, and this one called herself Jesibell.  She had gone by many different names, most were lost on purpose.  

Jesibell was a witch.  Witches are usually just female mages or monks that turned from their teachings and went to live with nature.  Neutral by nature, these women find solitude in the forest and usually spent their lives crafting, healing potions or helping the local flora and fauna.  Not ones to bring attention to themselves, these women wanted nothing more than to be left alone.  There are times, however, that witches are hired to do Nature magic.  Nature magic is using spells and potions to affect nature, be it water, wind, earth, or fire.  Centuries had gone by with little interaction between witches and townsfolk, a name for those who lived in a city or town. 

For some reason the King of Ogland decided that magic users were no longer needed or desired and led a Cleansing against them.  This terrible time was given the name because the land was nearly washed clean of all magic users.  Most went into hiding and stopped practicing, but two powerful witches seemed to have been bypassed.  Jesibell was one of these witches. 

Jesibell was not typical as she did not wish to be in Nature.  Her witchcraft came from the macabre; using sadness, pain, suffering, and even death to heighten her magic.  After many years the king suddenly gave up his conquest and returned to his castle, where he has remained unseen even to this day.  Some say that his Queen bewitched him, but others believe that he completed his mission and went home.

In reaction to the Cleansing, Jesibell had massed an awesome army.  Most of the Humans were either witches or warlocks, which is a witch’s male counterpart.  Some were notable soldiers and heroes who had been bewitched by Jesibell herself.   After the king abandoned his quest, she took her minions and built a castle deep in the Marken Woods named Saraphala.  Throughout the years Saraphala’s population increased and what was once a castle transformed into a small fortified city.  Most of those to move there were rogues and witches who had escaped the genocide.  Some of the residents were special and had unique talents, individuals who never should have sworn allegiance to Jesibell. 

Jesibell, on the other hand, had become bored hiding away in her castle and could always be found gazing into her crystal ball.   Some said that she was fond of speaking to the paperweight, and others thought she was planning her conquest of the kingdom.  No one really knew why and none were brave enough to ask. 

The day had started just like every other morning. The city awoke to yells and screams of women being attacked which sadly was a common occurrence; or possibly just a deal between scoundrels gone badly.  No one really cared to find out, for fear of becoming a victim.  The main shock this dawn was not the random deaths or other hostile actions in the city streets, but with the sudden appearance of Saraphalas’ ruling witch, Jesibell. 

Her presence was an omen of bad events to come, and her speech only reinforced her citizens’ fears.  “Hello, my loyal minions, I have seen a terrible sight.  Evil is about to befall us.  A group of men more powerful than any that have come before have the intentions of destroying our fair city and killing your trusted leader.”  Many of the onlookers glanced around in amazement.  “When you all came here to escape I allowed it under one condition; you all must fight for me when I require it, and the time for fighting has come.  Those who wish to survive the onslaught will join the march, any that do not will be punished most severely.  Now prepare yourselves however you see fit.  The ensuing battles will start soon.”  Without another word she disappeared back into her fortress.  Those who heard the terrible address could not hide the fear; even the scoundrels and ex-pirates were terrified.  They knew that if Jesibell was worried, that they should be fearful of losing their lives easily.  

The witch’s city had been defending itself from attack for many years.  At first it was soldiers and trained armies, after being embarrassed time and time again they gave up.  Many other barbarian tribes attempted to change the balance of power, none succeeded.  The reason the populous was afraid of this eminent attack; was because the witch Queen had addressed her people directly and not through a sub-ordinate.  The thought of disobeying their ruthless leader was far worse than the idea of the enemy’s blade.  So all there was left to do was prepare. 

The streets had cleared in astonishing quickness; the witch almost let a smile creep to her lips.  “My beautiful master what are your wishes.”  The red haired man destroyed the silence.

“Nothing, you will stay here with the prisoner.  I will find and eliminate this new threat.” 

“Yes, my goddess.” 

“Now leave me to my preparations.”  The red one hurried from the chambers. 

None can resist me; I will find this man and bind him to my will,
thought Jesibell.  A laugh escaped her as she stepped from her robes allowing the cool breeze to touch her naked flesh.

14

“Why is it so dark?”  I asked.  Whether I said it aloud I did not know.

“Hello is anyone there?” 
Now what has happened has the world gone dark?
I thought.

“Welcome my son.”  The voice seemed to float from the abysmal blackness.

“Who is there? Show yourself?”  I found myself yelling at nothing.

A spell that the Librarian had taught me came to my mind; it was for illumination of the surrounding lands and the idea of light burning within my mind.  A light burst into existence.  As quickly as it came it extinguished.  Fear swept over me; at least I think it’s fear.  I could not move or make a sound.  This feeling of helplessness had become a reality in my life.  The difference now was the familiar burning of magic, building within my soul was absent, and only the cold grip of eternal darkness flowed through me. 

“Do not fear this place; nothing can harm you here.”  The words seemed to emanate from everywhere and yet nowhere.  “I know what you attempt to accomplish with your short life, for I gave this quest.”  Ah, the stranger from the tower, I thought. 

“No, I am no lowly barbarian, he was merely a messenger.  My name is also irrelevant; all that is important is the goal at hand. The protection of the house and gathering of the four is all that is to be.   I must have the chosen ones.  They are the difference between rebirth and darkness.”

“What do you mean, rebirth or darkness?” Anger swelled up within me.

“Your destiny has been written from the time before your birth.”  Shock overwhelmed me,
what is he talking about, what the hell am I doing,
many questions and doubt stampeded my consciousness. 

“The last is being held captive. The woman holding the key is a seductive witch named Jesibell.”   As the words faded they took the darkness with them, leaving Jes’ worried face.

“Lyndon, hey man, are you alright?”

“Yes, I am fine.  Please stop shaking me; I will become sick if you continue.”

“Sorry I didn’t realize that I was.  What is this about a witch?”

“You heard the conversation within the darkness.”  Excitement overwhelmed me.

He must be going crazy. 
“No, you were rambling about a witch named Jesibell.”

“So it was all in my head,” my words were more for me than Jes and he knew it.  So what did the dream really mean am I supposed to change my destiny?  Go to this new place instead of… wait, did I even have a destination right now? I thought maybe this is that place, the place that holds my questions and answers. 

“We must go,” I said before, I told Jes all that the voice had told me. 

“Jesibell,” Jes thought out loud.  “I have heard this name. When I was young and stupid, I traveled to a place deep in the forest said to be ruled by a witch named Jesibell.”

“So, Jes, do you remember where it was?” I asked coldly.

“Of course not, that was long ago as I just said, but maybe some of the Mercenaries do. It would be a good place to start.”

“Fine, let’s find a guide and gather Talon and the Healer and tell them we are leaving soon.”  Jes swiftly walked away. 

For the next few minutes I gathered my meager belongings.  All I had was a set of clothing, the scroll I received back in Townsmend, the book that the Librarian had given me and a bag to put it all in. 
How far I have come,
I thought.  Memories of my training and swimming in the small lake with Jes filled my thoughts.  Sadness filled my eyes with tears. 
Why am I really here?  What is the point anymore? There is just so much killing.
  As I was stuck in my thoughts I did not notice my hand slipping on the Librarian’s book.  As it crashed on the floor I looked towards the sound and realized that I had dropped a book.  This time another thought came to me; a beautiful young woman standing next to a small river bed, her hair gorgeous black, Juleen, the kiss.  My hand grazed my cheek, hoping that one day it would feel those lips again.  A savagery of sounds broke through my fantasy, as I looked onward I could see it was Jes causing them. 

“Lyndon we have a problem!” Jes was standing at the entrance to the tent.

“What can possibly be happening now?”  The first thing that came to my mind was the Healer must have changed his mind and now refused to continue.  As I stumbled out of the tent, I could see that the sky had gotten brighter.