Creators Guild: A Wizard's Beginning (26 page)

Chapter 16

Visitations

            
 
 
 
alking into the town had been one of his greatest dreams. It had been almost four cycles since he had been home. The anticipation had worn on him as he was traveling, pushing himself and his horse hard the last day and a half to make it by the week’s end. It was coming up on festival again and he wanted to spend it with his family.

             
He had decided not to send word so the surprise would be worth the struggle. Even before entering the outskirts of his home town he could sense a change, having honed in the skill through his transformations.  It was unusually quiet for the time a day. The birds should have still been in their frenzy for food and the forest animals gathering their winter stores.  But today it was quiet, even the breeze had stopped; the feeling gave him a weary sense that something was not right.

             
Following his new heightened instincts, he led his horse off the path and walked through the forest he had grown up in. The sun was blocked by the high canopy of trees.

             
He changed into the form of the wolf to see if he could catch any scent, he found it interesting in his transformations the different scents that animals gave off depending on their situations.

             
Fear was unmistakable; he remembered the first time that he caught the scent from a rabbit that he was tracking.  It was so overwhelming and powerful that he couldn’t hold the form, quickly changing back into his human form and vomiting from the sensation.  Depression was another one that was powerful, joy and peace came as pleasant smells.  Now he smelled the musk odor of humans and that of rotting animals.

             
Moving slowly toward the village he stood transfixed on what he was seeing. The town square was not anywhere prepared for the festival. Men were walking around in the armor of the royal brigade.  What surprised him more was the ashen look on the faces of the people that he knew. Some he didn’t recognize at first because they had changed so much, but it looked as though something was terribly wrong.

             
He was surprised when he caught a glimpse of Bethamine. She looked as though she had aged faster than everyone else, her hair pulled back into a long braid, her head covered in a simple bonnet.  She was carrying a woven basket full of flowers and other herbs.  Walking right in front of her was Margol, they both walked into the inn looking as though they hadn’t slept in days.

             
He went back to his horse, taking it back out on the main road he put on his cloak to cover his head and face hoping to get to the mill without any notice.  Although the idea had been good, coming in with the cloak only drew more attention to him.  He quickly caught the scent of mistrust, the women quickly moving indoors, the men took up their weapons. He could sense their swords being loosened in their scabbards.

             
He took his horse into the middle of the town square were the men circled him. He remained on his horse knowing that it was the safest and quickest way out if he had to leave quickly.

             
“Remove the cloak and name yourself,” yelled out one of the men. He turned his head looking at him from under his cloak.

             
The man was wearing the uniform of a captain in the royal brigade.  He recognized if from the few who came through to train with the grolians.  The captain took a few steps out in front of the other men, holding his sword out toward him.

             
“Reveal yourself or die stranger,” he shouted up to him, all the men taking a step closer pulling their swords out.  He could hear the tension on the bows from the sentries posted on the towers and roof tops.

             
He moved his hand up to the edge of the hood of the cloak, pulling it off.  There more than a few gasps from some of the towns’ people that recognized him.  One of the men running into the inn yelling that he had returned.  The town square started to fill in quickly with those that he recognized. Margol and Bethamine came out of the inn, shock and amazement mixed with joy covered their faces.

             
One of the kids ran over to the lumber mill, yelling to everyone that Ty had come home. His whole family ran to the town square, not believing what was happening.  He had gotten down off the horse and was shaking hands with old friends.  Time seemed to stop when he saw his parents, the crowd parted to let them through. He ran to them hugging both of them, crying with joy.

             
The whole attitude of the town had changed almost instantly. The only difference was the presence of the brigade.  He learned that all the young men in the village had been enlisted into the brigade. The war with the rouge lands had come to full fruition in the last cycle and all able bodied men were called out to serve.

             
Bethamine was studying under Margol to become a healer, having found the natural talent and ability to work with herbs. She had progressed and was close to the same ability that Margol was at.  Some thought that she would soon pass her up, others were afraid that she would be called to serve as a nurse in the brigade.

             
Roland’s father was still up in the mountains, not coming down as often since he had left. Some thought it wasn’t good for him to keep himself so isolated. Margol would go up to the house at least twice a month to check on him.  Most of the townsfolk figured that they would be getting joined soon as well.

             
They had not held festival since the two of them left. It seemed pointless with them gone and shortly after that all the other young men had been called off to defend the realm.  It had led to a complete change in the attitude of all the townsfolk.  They feared that if things didn’t change quickly most of them would end up moving to the larger cities. Most wanted the added security away from the enemy that seemed to be moving closer as well as the ability to find work.

             
Ty was not so sure that he liked all the changes that had taken place since he left, not only in his home village but also in him.  He remembered back to the simple days of his childhood, where Kirchwin was but a small speck on the map of the world, where everyone lived simple lives.

             
The battalion that had been assigned to their territory had decided to stay in Kirchwin as it was the most central location. Backed by the mountains they were able to prevent any unexpected surprises.  As with any war it was taking its toll on everyone in more ways than one. The general attitude and feeling of safety was gone, the continuous stress of having family away, never knowing what they were involved in.

             
Not many people slept that first night, everyone wanted to know what he had been doing and trying to see if he had any information on the war. They wanted to know how Roland was doing.  He only had a few days leave before returning to the guardians.  He was glad he had had the opportunity to visit his family again not realizing how much he had missed them.  His younger sisters were growing into beautiful young woman, soon to be getting ready for the joining ceremonies, depending on how the war went.

             
The journey back to the guardians went slowly the weather was quickly changing again. He could tell by the way the animals were acting that winter would soon be upon them, much too early in the cycle than it should.

             
“Commander,” he called out as he approached the command station. The commander came out with some of the other guardians.

             
“Ty, is that you,” seeing the lone man approach. “We didn’t expect you back for several more days, is everything alright back home?” he asked, concerned for the early return of the young man.

             
“No commander all is well at home, have you heard much on the war with the rouge lands?”

             
“Yes, many of the young men of all the realms have been called out to battle. Is this what brings you back so soon? Are you concerned over those of your village that have been called into service?”

             
“That has a great deal to do with it; most of those that I knew were gone. What worried me more was the battalion of the royal brigade that was stationed in my home village. I know how men can be when they are away from their families and in the stresses of warfare.  I am just concerned over what they will do in the village, especially to the young women, seeing as my sisters are coming of age.”

             
“I see,” said the commander, “You have no need to worry over them, the Royal Brigade are known for their honor, they would never dare have anyone challenge that.”

*      *       *

              “Run,” shouted someone as they were running from the training room. Several of the apprentices and patlins were running down the hall.

             
Alrien bringing up the rear turned the corner spinning around he yelled out an incantation. The water came to an immediate stop as though it hit a stone wall.  A few of the other wizards came running out of their studies and joined him, with all their efforts the water started to push back.  Slowly they were able to move it back, at times the wall looking as though the water would push by.

             
Pushing it back to the main training arena they found the source of the waterspout, amazed that it seemed to come from a small pitcher sitting in the corner. Just above it on the pedestal sat Roland, seeming to be lost in a trance. Tillera walked around the wizard’s and up to his side, shaking him gently.

             
He came to with a shake breaking his concentration, some of the wizards fell to the ground as the water wall gave way leaving only a wet mess on the floor.  He looked around trying to put together quickly what had happened.  He knew he was in for another lecture especially after the first one he received.

             
Alrien looked up at him. Roland saw the disappointment on his face. He had truly believed that he was ready but after this last incident he was beginning to reconsider.  He would have to sit down with the boy again to give him a reminder. It wasn’t very often that a patlin was given penance for their behavior seeing as they were generally more responsible before being advanced.  But there was always one or another that needed the simple reminder.

             
Roland sat in his room that night wondering what was going to happen. His first warning had been very severe, almost losing control of the Triminon ring itself, the power of water consuming his very being.  He had promised not to let it get out of control again, and now he feared that he had.

             
Many of the apprentices were left to clean up the left over water, while the wizards stood around talking about what was to be done with him. They all knew his potential and his apparent destiny but that shouldn’t be a reason to be lenient, if anything they should expect more from him.

             
They feared that maybe they had pushed him too hard or maybe there was something on his mind, something that they didn’t even understand.  It had been so long since any of them had seen such a young and seemingly inexperienced person rise so quickly.  Many were thinking that the headmaster himself had been too quick and irrational with the boy.

             
Krek smiled, acidic saliva dripping to the floor, yellow eyes glowing from the shadows. Had the wizards not been so preoccupied with what had just happened they might have smelled the acidic odors and seen the soft glow of his eyes, Krek was the head of the gromlins. His body was twisted and contorted from the many territorial battles and the submission torturing from the dark legion. 

             
Blending back into the wall he continued with his mission, fortunately in the last few days he had been there nobody had noticed the few missing people that he had killed for food.  Walking down the empty passageway he didn’t bother to use his camouflaging abilities, the few people he saw were quickly disposed of, hidden away for future feedings.

             
Krek was sent to find the bringer of light. It was known now amongst the Legion that he had been found. Through their informants in the house of learning they had found out who it was.  Preparations were already in progress to find the location of the grolians; they are who posed the greatest danger to the Legions inside informants.