Catalyst (Book 1) (30 page)

“Wizard Stradus,” Lenora said, “we were going to send a group inside Alexandria to help free the loyal guardsman locked in the dungeons and rally the people to fight. Tonight. The main attack begins at dawn. My people can see just as well as those foul creatures in the dark, and King Sharald’s people can compensate with their excellent hearing.

“That strike force is vital. We need one of you to go with them. We expect there to be little resistance, since we'll be keeping the bulk of Premier's forces busy on the southern walls. We need a wizard to boost their chances of success.”

My master's blue eyes gleamed while he played with his beard. “It's a good plan. I'm just not sure about one of us going into Alexandria.”

“What do you mean, Stradus?” Sharald asked.

“Neither of us would be able to use our magic once we reached the city—Premier would detect it and pinpoint the location of the strike force immediately. We could only use our power to fight Premier himself, if we happened to stumble over him. Premier is much more likely to engage those attacking the city. My magic will be needed to counteract his. And even if that shining force of yours does run into Premier, I don’t know that having Hellsfire with them will save them.” He looked at me apologetically. “Hellsfire lacks the experience to fight Premier on his own.”

I clenched my fists. “That doesn't mean I won't try.”

“No,” Master Stradus said. A strong breeze filled the room. “You will remain with me on the battlefield: observing, learning, helping. I can't risk you confronting Premier again. There are still more important things for you to do.”

“Master, if we fail here, then what happens later won't matter.”

“I said no. The risk is too great.”

I wanted to argue with him, but held my tongue. It wouldn't do to argue in front of everyone. I would have to try to change his mind later.

“My old friend,” Sharald said, “we need one of you to help in this. Once we attack, Premier will be far too busy to detect magic inside the walls.”

Master Stradus's face softened. “I understand your position, but there are things I've seen that none of you could understand. We
will
beat Premier, but it must be together.” His ancient gaze moved to each of them in turn, and they gave up the debate.

“Then it's settled,” the princess said. She looked at the others. “We'll start the assault under cover of darkness. I'll join your troops later tonight, and we'll go into Alexandria.”

“You're going, Your Highness?” I asked.

“Someone has to lead the troops through the city. No one here knows the tunnels.”

Krystal's bravery and determination shamed me. She had been through so much and was still willing to put more on the line. Her father, her life, her people—there was no end to her sacrifices. I couldn't sit back and do nothing. I couldn’t let anything happen to her.

“I'll be right there with you, Princess,” I said.

“Hellsfire—” Master Stradus said.

“Master, you don’t need my help, but
she—they—do
.”

Jastillian leaned forward and said, “Don’t worry, Wizard Stradus. I’ll go too, and make sure nothing happens to the lad here. I still owe him for rescuing me.”

“We’ll also watch Hellsfire,” Prastian said. “The dwarves are not the only ones whom Hellsfire has helped. Right, Demay and Behast?”

“Of course!” Demay said.

Behast nodded.

Master
Stradus’s
ancient, magical eyes hardened to ice. His powerful gaze rested on me. “You are a stubborn apprentice, Hellsfire. You must learn to master your emotions, or they will get you killed.” Master Stradus sighed, before giving a tight-lipped smile and a slight nod. “You may go. I see that with so many friends, you will not need my protection, but all the same, you must be careful. Do not, I repeat do
not
, under any circumstances, fight Premier without me.”

I hid my smile. “I will do as you say, Master.”

“May we fight well and die harder,” Lenora said to everyone before leaving. Jastillian followed her.

“It's good to see you again, old man,” Sharald said.

“It's good to see you too, old friend,” Master Stradus said. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Me too.” Sharald smiled at his friend before leaving. The other elves followed.

Just Krystal, Master Stradus, and myself were left.

“Master, what would you like me to do until the strike force assembles?” I asked.

“You, my apprentice, may have the hardest job of all.”

“What would that be?”

“I want you to walk around and experience what the dwarves and elves are going through. I want you to feel their anxiety and hear their hearts beating as they sing battle songs and prepare for war. I want you to understand all that goes into warfare, so you won’t thirst for it like those who came before you.” Master Stradus’s eyes became clouded, much like the globe on his staff. “See the faces and listen to the stories. Remember, war is a terrible thing, unless you’re fighting for what’s truly right instead of what you believe is right.”

“I will do as you say, Master.”

He departed, and it was just me and the princess left. I turned to her, about to tell her how happy I was that she was safe. Then she spoke in a hard, distant voice.

“Thank you for bringing allies and for coming to the aid of my people, Hellsfire, but I don't need you constantly watching over me. I've managed without you fine so far.”

I stared at her, my mouth hanging open. “I don't get it. What did I do?”

The princess's violet eyes turned stormy. “Next time you leave me at the mercy of a mad wizard who is planning to conquer the world, do you think you could warn me?”

So that's what this was about. “I never got the chance to, Princess. Jastillian needed my help, and when Premier caught us escaping, the only thing my spells did was slow him down. I couldn't get to you without the entire castle knowing.”

Princess Krystal didn’t say a word. She simply stared at me, her face still furious. My own anger rose at the look, and I couldn't stop the flood of words. “Don't you think I wanted to warn you, Princess? Don't you think I knew how much danger you were in? If it had been up to me, I would have taken you with me when I left. You have no idea how I felt, leaving you there. All this time, I've done nothing but worry about you and ride the countryside, getting the help you needed. Even when I found it, I didn't know whether we'd make it in time. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

“
You’ve
been through? My kingdom has been taken. My people are starving and dying. My father is still in there—sickened and imprisoned by an evil wizard! And you have the audacity to say I don’t know what
you’ve
been through!”

“You’re impossible!” I threw my hands up in frustration. “I gathered two armies for
you.
I’m trying to help you get back your kingdom, Princess. I’m doing everything I thought you’d want me to. I’m doing all of this for you!”

Her violet eyes blazed with fire. “You have no idea what I want! Now leave!”

I raised my finger and opened my mouth. Angry words rushed through my mind, yet I couldn’t get any of them out of my mouth. The power within built up, aching to be released. This woman was infuriating. Fire seeped from my pores, encircling me.

The princess wasn’t afraid of my magic. She stormed over to me and jabbed a finger in my chest. “I said leave. Now!”

“Fine!”

I punched the tent flaps, not even caring that they didn’t open completely. They smacked me in the face as I pushed through.

“Impossible woman,” I muttered loud enough so she could hear me. “After all the things I’ve done.”

I strode off, trying my best to push aside my thoughts of the princess and do what Master Stradus wanted me to—learn about war. I couldn’t. I summoned my power into a fireball and sent it crashing into the ground, creating a little crater. That helped. A little.

King Sharald appeared beside me and placed his hand on my arm. “Princess Krystal isn’t telling you everything, Hellsfire. She was in very bad shape when we found her. She was lucky to make it this far. Our healers did everything they could, but she really shouldn’t even be walking around. Be easy on her, Hellsfire. She’s in a lot of pain—and I don’t mean just physical.” He patted my arm, then walked away before I could answer him. If I had even known what to say.

My anger cooled a bit at his words, and I was able to do what Master Stradus had asked. The first thing that struck me was how young a lot of the soldiers were, in both the dwarves’ and elves’ camps. I had expected them to be grizzled veterans like Prastian, Behast, and Jastillian. They weren't. They were like me. They had young, smooth faces free of hair, and no scars showing. But it was the looks on their faces that got to me.

They were scared. They acted brave and put on a good front with their boasting to each other, but their eyes gave them away. I noticed that older ones kept the young soldiers busy, barking orders and making them sharpen weapons, carry supplies, or drill formations.

I wondered if I had the same expression as I walked around the camp. In a way, I envied them. They had something to keep them occupied. I didn't. I was trapped with my thoughts and worries for these people willing to risk their lives for Alexandria. If only Master Stradus had me do some magical drills.

I stopped when I reached the hospital tents. They were clean and empty now, but I couldn't help but imagine how many people would fill them after the battle. Some would never leave again. Others would leave with missing limbs or horrendous scars. Blood would flow everywhere, and groans would ring throughout the night. I said a prayer to the gods and tore myself away from imagining what it would be like.

I continued to walk, trying not to see death on people's faces. If it were up to me, they would all come back alive. If I had defeated Premier when I rescued Jastillian, we wouldn't even be here now.

As my melancholy thoughts took over, I realized that Master Stradus was right. My emotions were going to get in the way of my ability to do my part in this fight. But just as I was determined not to let that happen, my heart betrayed me.

Krystal was alone in an open space, practicing with her sword. She danced as she spun, stabbing and slicing at some imagined monster. Her movements weren't fluid or perfect. Whenever she tried to use her left side, she winced, and once or twice her left hand went to her ribs before she could stop herself. I winced with her. She still kept at it, pushing past the pain, trying not to favor her wounded side. The sweat glistened from her body, and she breathed heavily.

My frustration and anger melted away. She was right, and I was a fool. I didn’t know or understand the things she’d been through. I couldn’t. She’d had to deal with these life-altering decisions her entire life, for her entire kingdom. I’d only had to worry about myself and my mother. And if we failed here, she would lose more than just her life. Yet she didn’t appear afraid of Premier or death. How did she handle it?

The princess composed herself, holding her sword out in front of her, her still form deep in concentration. With startling speed, she broke out of her stance, lunged, and thrust. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground. I wanted to run to her and make sure she was all right. I didn't. I knew she wouldn’t want my help. Krystal pulled herself off the ground and performed the same move. This time she succeeded. I couldn’t help but give her a quiet cheer.

----

When the sun sank to the horizon, painting the sky in deep purples and pinks, I returned to the tent where I thought Master Stradus would be. Instead, I found the princess.

She was bent over the map, scrutinizing the drawing of her kingdom and the stone pieces on the board. She glanced up, and our eyes met. This was my chance to apologize and to tell her how I felt. Instead, I froze.