The Ways of Mages: Starfire (11 page)

“
The woods
.”
Liam remarked from his position sitting on the desk chair. He was messaging his crippled leg.

Kadrean saw his action and could bear it no longer
.“
Here, let me look at that
.”
He said approaching Liam. Kneeling before him, Kadrean pushed up Lia
m’
s pant leg. Liam hissed at the sharp pain that caused
.“
Go on talking, it will distract you from any possible pain
.”
Kadrean murmured.

Raising an eyebrow, Liam continued
.“
Tha
t’
s where she would go. The only place she can go. Do
n’
t worry. She comes back. Give her a few hours
.”
Liam smiled, his eyes looking inward.
 “
Did you know, she spends so much time in that wood it seems like she visits the town instead of it being the other way around? Ah, but she uses that time. The forest creatures accept her now as another of them. The Plarenese wolves have
.
”

“
Wolves
?”
Kadrean looked up, stunned
.“
Do
n’
t town
s’
people fear them
?
”

“
Not her
.”
Said Zeeve
.“
There is a young wolf that follows her around everywhere out there
.
”

“
The rust furred one, right
?”
Liam asked. His hand rose to message away a slight pressure on the nape of his neck.

Zeeve nodded
.“
Russy
.
”

Liam grinned
.“I’
ve seen those two together. Russy is almost like a tame dog around Terana
.
”

“
All done
.”
Kadrean interrupted standing.

“
What
?”
Liam asked surprised.

“
Yo
u’
re healed now
.”
Kadrean reiterated
.“
Your leg should
n’
t bother you anymore. Or it should
n’
t if I am worth anything
.
”

“
You are worth much, Kadrean
.”
Razyan said, observing Lia
m’
s leg
.“
Did you at least leave him a scar for the ladies
?
”

Kadrean smiled modestly
.“
A small one
.
”

Liam stood hesitantly. Slowly, he settled his full weight on the limb. Emotions walked across the stage of his face. First skepticism, then surprise, then shock, then finally amazement as all his weight was held by the leg
.“
Unbelievable
.”
He whispered. Wide hazel eyes appraised Kadrean
.“
It is probably a stupid thing to ask, please forgive me, but how can this be
?
”

“
As you said earlier, Kadrean is a mage. Did you not believe what you were saying
?”
Zeeve answered.

“
I do
.”
Liam responded with feeling.

“
Now, maybe people will respect you
.”
Zeeve told Liam.

Liam snorted
.“
You have
n’
t been here long, Zeeve. Once one loses respect, it is gone
.”
He returned his gaze to Kadrean
.“
I thank you greatly for your help. How can I repay you
?
”

“
I am a simple man, Liam. A simpl
e‘
thank yo
u’
and friendship are enough for me
.
”

Zeeve shook his head, muttering under his breath.

Liam smiled at the little moleci
.“
An opportunist, I see
.”
He looked up at Razyan
.“
You know, Terana could have befriended any of the forest creatures and she picks the predator. It just truly dawned on me. I wonde
r….”
He was silent for a moment, his brow furrowed thoughtfully
.“
So, Razyan, if Terana has magic what would you do
?”
he asked.

“
Bring her to the Keep so she can learn to use it
.”
Razyan said.

“
What happens if she does
n’
t need to learn it, just realize that it is there
?”
Liam asked, his voice attentive.

“
What do you mean
?”
Razyan asked Liam. The slight frown upon his face deepened
.“
All mages need training to channel their power
.
”

Liam looked past him to the window.  He was silent for a moment before he shrugged
.“
I do
n’
t know. It is just that she has strange things happen around her that seem like coincidence. Amazing things that I think she does
n’
t notice or does
n’
t want to think about
.”
Liam focused back on Razyan
.“
Is something wrong Razyan? You loo
k…
troubled
.
”

Razyan sighed and sat down upon the bed.
 “
I do
n’
t know
.”
He said as he buried his head in his hands.  His hands slid down to only cover his mouth. His emerald eyes stared thoughtfully ahead
.“
Starfire..
.”
He muttered. His arms dropped into his lap as he sighed again
.“
Why does that seem so significant
?
”

“
Could
n’
t tell you
.”
Zeeve commented from the floor.
 “
Dream you had last night, a book yo
u’
ve read
?
”

Razyan  glared at him
.“
No. Starfire is the translation of Terana. I just ca
n’
t remember where I have heard of it befor
e
…
”
Razyan turned to Liam
.“
Liam, do you know where Terana usually goes when she is in the woods
?
”

Liam smiled wanly
.“I’
m afraid not. She goes where ever her heart desires
.
”

“
Damn. Well
,”
Razyan said coming to a fast conclusion
.“
It seems, gentleman, that we must part ways for a time. Zeeve, I want you to go back to Teran
a’
s home and wait for her to come back. Kadrean, stay for a few days to help Zeeve. After that, if Terana has magic bring her to the Keep like normal. If she does
n’
t, just continue on your way. Liam...
.”
Razyan shrugged
.“
It is not my place to tell you where to go or what to do
.”
Liam nodded his agreement
.“
So I guess this is good bye
.
”

“
Where are you going
?”
Kadrean asked.

“
Back to the Keep. See if I can find where
I’
ve heard of Starfire before
.
”

“
Good luck
.
”

Razyan nodded his thanks
.“
You too, every one of you. Good bye
.”
With that, Razyan shifted into a red wing and flew through the window Kadrean held open.

“
Well that was interesting
.”
Remarked Liam watching out the window. He turned to Kadrean
.“
Good night Kadrean. If you and Zeeve need any assistance, do
n’
t hesitate to ask
.
”

“
Thank you and good night
.”
Liam left the room. A second later he peeked in again.

“
If Zeeve needs help getting back to the Carpenters, I can help
.
”

“
I just need help to your door
.”
Zeeve said, scurrying across the floor. The last Kadrean saw of them before the door shut again was Liam picking Zeeve up. The door shut.

Kadrean had the room to himself again. He sighed and began preparing for bed. He could
n’
t do anything else today. Nor tomorrow until they found out if Terana had magic or not.  Until then he might as well get some shut eye.

“
There are some things that even wise cannot tel
l
…”
–
anonymous 

Pershara- near the City of Pershara

Altana glanced away from the rebel camp in the distance. She was far enough from them that they could not sense what she did. With a small smile she dropped another rune marked bone onto the ground. The grass shriveled where it touched the bone. The grass near the bone, yet not touching, turned a sickly yellow. Altan
a’
s smile grew. The bone was from one of her hapless servants who had arrived to the capital later then she had commanded. She had sacrificed the youth to Sal
i’
dar, Master of Corruption. How the youth had screame
d…
it had been a treat to hear. After he had finished with the youth, Sal
i’
dar gave her the rune marked bones.

Poor lad, he had nice gray eyes.
A soft voice whispered in Altana's mind.

Altana narrowed her eyes. That voice again. Altana ignored it, whispering the foul words that would bind the soul of the one whose bone she had dropped to the spell.

What would you feel if your soul was used this way?
The voice challenged.

Mine would
n’
t be
. Altana thought back
. I am more useful alive.

Only if you are successful.
The voice replied.

Altana shook her head as she walked the requisite thirteen steps. This young woma
n’
s voice in her head had come from nowhere. The voice had only started speaking on a regular basis since Altana had touche
d…
her eyes narrowed agai
n…
since she had touched that sword.
Who are you?
Altana asked reaching for another bone.

There was an impression of laughter.
Too hard to ignore me now, huh? My name is Elainia. Part of her anyway.
The last was softer than the rest. Altana almost missed it.

Where is the rest?
Altana asked in a cruel tone

I
…
I do
n’
t know.
Elaini
a’
s voice sobbed quietly.

Well go find it and leave me alone.
Altana said heartlessly.

I ca
n’
t.
Was the soft response.

Altana snorted and continued setting the bones. It was a pattern of three: shadow, cruelty, and corruption. Over and over again all around the center point that happened to be the rebel camp. They were going to have fun with this surprise. She could
n’
t wait.

After a long moment of peace, Elainia  spoke again.
What will happen to you if this fails?

It wo
n’
t fail. The rebels have no defense against it.

Bu
t…
what if it does?
Elainia asked earnestly.

No point in pondering something that will never be.

Will you end up like the people you make into Dark Sons or the bones you are dropping? Or will it be worse for you because of how high you are?
Elainia continued ignoring Altana who was unused to people ignoring her.

SILENCE!

Why? Will it really be that bad? Will the fall be that horrible?
Elainia's voice was truly curious, which angered Altana.

Why do
n’
t you just leave?
Altana snarled mentally.

Elainia was was silent for a moment. It wasn't a long moment, more of a pause, which ended softly with
I ca
n’
t.

Then be quiet.
Altana snapped dropping another bone.

Do you have any friends?
Elaini
a’
s voice asked after a slight hesitant pause.

Friends are worthless. If anything , they are a liability.

Who comforts you when you are lonely? And who holds you when you are scared? Who lets you cry on their shoulder and who helps you to stand when you fall?
Elainia asked. Each question sought a mark within Altana's heart.

Altana was bound and determined
not
to allow a mark to be found.
I am never lonely. Nor do I get scared. And tears, young girl, are worthless. As to that falling  bit, one only falls in moments of weakness. And I do not suffer such moments. 

There was a moment when Elainia was quiet.
I... I think you are lonely. I mean, you  felt something for Thomas GrimHolden...

Altana paused. Her hand rose to touch her swollen stomach. The father of her child was her enemy, a bastion of light. A good man. She was an evil woman. Even so, there had been a feeling she had had in his arm
s…
No. She shook her head. The only interest she had had in the man was the simple fact that she could
n’
t break him. He was dead now, anyway.  She ignored the slight pain in her heart at that thought.

You need a friend.
Elainia thought.

I do not.

I’
ll be your friend. Even if you feel you do
n’
t need one, I do. I used to have one, but I do
n’
t no
w…
She is lost.

There was a sad note in Elaini
a’
s voice. Altana sighed and went back to ignoring the girl. Absently she wondered how the girl had known about Thomas. Altana had
n’
t touched the sword until after Thomas had lef
t
…

***

Arathin- The Kikel Varcressi, Sheyestiva

Ten steps of darknes
s…
arch of flame for on
e…
ten of darknes
s…
one for an arch of flam
e
…
that was how it was for two hundred and fifty-four steps. One-hundred and fifty-five of them were claimed by a single downward spiraling staircase that drilled into the heart of the plateau. He knew, because he had counted his steps every time he went down here. It was called the Empero
r’
s Stair; the artery to the greatest power of Sheyestiva: Illusio
n’
s Throne.

The Empero
r’
s Stair humbled all who followed it to the throne room. Any who thought to attack the emperor in his own throne room would find it a futile attempt. The Stair could be sealed, trapping the attackers. Then the attackers would be exposed to the
sovashatash
, great snakes that hunted the steep cliffs of the plateau, who were given access to the Stair. At least, that was what was said.

Shandova did
n’
t really care, he would get the throne another way; by right. He was the second in line for the throne after Kaishan.
Kaisha
n…
He gritted his teeth. Kaishan was an obstacle between him and his right. A
stubborn
obstacle.

A great mahogany door appeared after the last ninety-nine steps. The dark hall and doors were lit by the doo
r’
s frame of mirrored flames. It was said that they were flames long caught in
kales amei
, timeless glass. They never went out, never faded. Forever trapped within the glass. Forever tortured.
Odd thought
Shandova remarked within his mind. His determined blue gaze glared at the carved doors. They were sealed. Had been for nineteen years, if one was to believe his brother, Kaishan. 

It annoyed and puzzled Shandova that Kaishan was still heir. Anyone with sense could see he was weak. Kaishan had told them all that he had been the first to awaken within the halls of the Kikel Varcressi. No one refuted his claim. So for nineteen years Kaishan sat on his butt. Or that was how it seemed to Shandova. He would have found a way to go into the throne room to see if the emperor was still fit to rule. Kaishan did nothing of the sort.

Shandova growled deep in his throat, glaring into the space of the door. Once he had asked hi
s‘
intelligen
t’
brother why they did
n’
t break the seal upon the doors...

Kaishan looked up from polishing one of his blades. His eyes had been emotionless. The only hint of emotion had come from a lifted brow
.“
What, Shandova? Break the seal to the throne room
?”
Kaishan shook his head dismissively
.“
No. It is impossible
.”
His voice never changed its inflection; a thing that grated upon Shandov
a’
s nerves.

“
Why do
n’
t we try it
?”
Shandova had asked.

“
Why
?”
Kaishan asked disinterestedly
.“
To what end? Father is still trapped in the Marlheman spell
.
”

“
How do you know? Did you find a way in
?”
Shandova had asked in growing excitement. Kaishan had only shaken his head once in denial. Shandova watched as Kaishan re-sheathed the black, gleaming blade. That done, Kaishan had gazed at the tapestry map depicting Sheyestiva, the Nirami, and the northern reaches of Marlhema
.“
Then how do you know
?”
Shandova had asked impatiently.

“
I just do, Shandova. The seal will break when he is released
.
”

Shandova glared at the door. Anger was an ugly thing that grew within his chest.
Yes,
Kaishan did not deserve the throne, but how was the one who did deserve it get it? The only thing going for Kaishan was his prowess with a blade. Hopeless anger was even uglier.

“
Valued son of the Emperor
;”
Whispered the one voice that could comfort him. The Voice that knew his potential. It whispered its verse that brought back his hop
e
“
First you should have been born. Valued son of the Emperor; Your ambition and your strength are great. True heir of the Emperor; The twins before you should not be
.”
He knew that already, but it was nice to have it confirmed.
“
True heir of the Emperor; Raise yourself in a way that no blame will befall thee. Wanted Emperor; The Nitcassa will be you
r
…”

“
s
.”
Shandova finished for it.

***

Arathin- Plarn, Marlhema

Dusk had fallen by the time Terana returned home. She had gone toward Plarn after Zeeve literally slipped through her fingers. When she reached Plarn, however, she could
n’
t make herself enter. Anger lifted its head when she came near. And along with it something stirred. Terana had no idea what it was, but it was like something was
in
her. She knew it was
n’
t awake yet, it just rolled over in its sleep. And frankly, it scared her. So she had turned away from Plarn, going instead to the forest room.

She had stayed there, curled in a ball, all afternoon. She did
n’
t know what had stirred within her and she did
n’
t want it to show its presence again. Soon she decided that she wanted to spend the night in her little safe place. Because it was a courtesy (and she did
n’
t want her ears lopped off again) she had returned to let her parents know. Well, at least in a way that they would know.

Terana eased the kitchen door open carefully, wincing when the hinges murmured a soft protest. The inside air was warmer and carried wonderful aromas. Oh! It smelled so good. She knew that she was also going to get some dinner. Wryly, she wondered if Zeeve was somewhere nearby drooling. She would have been shocked if he was
n’
t.

Since she was staying the night, she silently slipped up the stairs to her room and grabbed her doeskin bag. It was a signal of sorts that let them know when she was out in the woods. Returning down stairs, she heard her brother whispering angrily at something. Terana could guess who he was lecturing. Not wanting to draw either Jerem
y’
s or his victi
m’
s attention, Terana slipped into the kitchen again. 

Quickly she grabbed what she could carry of the leftovers; cooling bread and a cut of chicken. As she wrapped her dinner she heard murmuring from the sitting room. She did
n’
t pay any attention at first.