The Apprentices (The Crimson Guard Trilogy Book 1) (2 page)

“I will enjoy adding your name to my long list of victims.  At least give me one last word.”  I forced myself to remain expressionless as he said this. “Nothing, fine; I will just make you scream.”

Swiftly the cat-like killer dug the blade deep into the soft flesh of my leg.  As soon as the blade pierced, a new sensation came over me.  It was different than fear, the sensation suddenly turned to fire and a deep burning followed. 

“Poison, the blade is poisoned!” I screamed.

Then I lost all control.  Anyone witnessing the next few moments would have thought I was possessed.

A burst of fire flew from my hands and erupted as it came into contact with the killer.  His body was flung away ending in a large crash.  Instantly he was up and charging again, long sword and a bloody dagger in hand. 

Mentally it seemed I had no control of my actions, no control over anything.  All I could do was watch.  And what I saw was horrific; I was doing things that I had never thought possible.  Over and over my body threw fire toward the dark figure keeping him at bay.  Eventually the assassin slowed and one of the projectiles found its mark, causing him to slump to the ground.  His badly mutilated body crawled agonizingly toward an exit.  A sudden power built up within me, I knew what was happening.  I screamed and pleaded inside my head, desperately trying to regain control.  With all of my might I could not stop from taking that man’s life, I could not stop myself.  After it was done, I wept for the man whose name I did not know, but whose body I mangled.

Eventually I regained self-control.  But how and why did I lose control in the first place?  Answers, I needed answers to many questions.

………………………………………………………………

In a dungeon far away an old weathered man sighed in acknowledgment.  He could feel the release of power and he knew all too well what that power could do.  For Matlintoc and the young mage are part of the same class of wizard.  Maybe, just maybe the young mage could learn to control himself; unlike the old man who never could.  He looked up as a door opened; two guards entered the man’s prison dragging a crippled body.  “Did you bring me a guest?”  Matlintoc asked.   The guards ignored his question.

“No master, they brought a cell mate.”  The crippled man looked up.

“Smithson.” Matlintoc whispered as the darkness returned. 

2

Across the sea and over the plains a city stands, not a grand city but a small filthy slum.  Pitiful, but it had not always been so.  Once it had a powerful name, which has been lost to time.  Many people had lived wonderful lives full of wisdom and knowledge in this place. 

A great library stands in this city; it had always been the center of the metropolis, from the time it was constructed.  Few had known of its brilliance and wealth of knowledge.  The library was said to hold all the ancient secrets of the way of magic.  Stories were even told of the library’s knowledge of the Endless War and the Undying Ones. 

Surrounding the library, in times of peace, stood beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking gardens.  The few caretakers were specially chosen.  It is unknown how they were chosen or by whom, but they were peaceful and had never known violence.  Instead of studying war and destruction they studied gardening and medicine.  In this they were unmatched.  So great were their abilities that the city had not seen sickness in centuries.   

Besides sickness, the people had never known danger for all lived in harmony, until a great army of evil arrived.  None of the Humans knew whence they came or why, but their arrival meant the downfall of the great city.  Thousands of Shlocks descended upon the defenseless town, killing all in their wake. 

Shlocks are half men and half something else; they stand a head taller than the tallest human and have none of their weaknesses; their size does not however hinder their swiftness. The Shlocks skin is as pale as the moon, and their hair is dark as night. They have many of the same features as Humans yet their customs cause a significant difference.  The Shlock warriors mutilate their ears causing them to have a very noticeable point, they consider it a badge of honor reserved for the brave.   For the Humans, Shlocks are a species which only appear in legend and song.  Usually the songs end with devastation and death followed by an evil unlike any other.  They are thought to be beings of extreme intelligence and ruthlessness.  Their arrival may have been unknown, but their savagery is still well remembered.  The town was nearly destroyed; all of the pearl white houses and grand markets were burned.  

The city had only known peace so there never was a need for soldiers.  Peasants were nothing compared to even a child Shlock warrior.  The last desperate stand was held at the great library’s doors.  A lone mage led this defense; he worked to place enchantments upon the old building. A seal that evil and those with evil in their heart could never survive, passing to steal the unimaginable knowledge.  Sadly, the mage never got to see his magic work.  A stray arrow pierced his heart, releasing his life blood on the stone steps.  As the mage died, the surviving caretakers made for the library hoping the solid oak doors would provide refuge.  Very few survived the retreat, but all realized the mage’s last selfless act.  The mage’s blood enacted the spell.  Hundreds of Shlock warriors died in their attempt to enter the building, as their dark souls were stolen away. 

The Shlock people had always been very superstitious.  In a last desperate attempt to destroy the blasphemous pinnacle of hope, the Shlock Witch King set the library ablaze, hoping to kill all those inside.  The building did not fall or even blacken; it remained a blazing splendor of white. 

It took decades before settlers dared to return.  The first settlers named the forgotten city.  The town was renamed the Burning City after the library ablaze.  Still to this day in the center of town, now surrounded by ale and pleasure houses, a building stands apart, burning with a great white flame.   

……………………………………………………………………

I looked down at the rolled parchment that the stranger had given me.  Should I open it and embrace my role in this drama or should I leave and find my own life.  Ha! What a life, as if I could go on and leave all the questions unanswered in my head.  Finally, I decided to at least look at the scroll, what could it hurt?

To my surprise there were no assassins or monsters, only a few words.  It reads; ‘Go to the place that the fire never smolders.  That is where all knowledge can be obtained.’  There were many more symbols and words; all gibberish. 

Great!  Riddles and Gibberish!  How was I supposed to find a place that does not have a name?  By reading the wrinkled paper I had dedicated myself to leave. I could not stay or run away, not this time, I told myself. 

I finally made it back to my house a little after midnight.  So many things were racing through my head that I did not think I was going to be able to sleep.  I had just passed through my front gate when an old friend of mine yelled from across the street. 

“Hey Lyndon, what are you doing out so late?  Did your training go a little long?”

“Jes, do you really want to know? Because if you do, I would love to get some strong ale right now,” I was tired, but I was right when I said that ale would do me good.

“Sure, I think the ale house is still open,” said Jes.

“Isn’t it always open for you?” I said with a smirk.

“Do you want to go or not?” Jes sneered back. 

“Sounds good to me, let’s go” I slowly walked across the street.

I had known Jes for most of my life, but still I did not know him well.  There was an air of mystery about him that always found a way to elude me.  During the year he would disappear for about a month, and then return with meat and furs, of which I have never seen.

As we walked, I continued to think about this.  Jes was not a very big man.  He was 16 like me, but he had dark black hair, while mine was strawberry blond, and was always very sure of himself.  From the skins he brought back, he was much braver than I. The only question that kept bothering me now was how he killed those animals.  I have seen him use a bow and I was even a better shot, which was not saying much. 

I thought to myself that this is a good night to get some answers.

“So what’s up Magic Boy?”  I always hated it when he called me that.

“Well, where do I start?” I told him about the entire night starting with the stranger in the window and up to meeting him.  The only thing I left out was when I cried.  He did not need to know that bit. 

“Wow!  You killed a man.  That is incredible.”  It was odd to me that this was the only thing that surprised him.  

“So, how about that ale now, Jes.”  I said as we entered the bar.

“Sure thing, I will get my girl to get some.”  I had forgotten that Jes’ girl worked at the alehouse. 

“Hello boys. What have you tonight?”  She was an odd girl, even for Jes’ standards.  I mean odd by the rather eager way she got close to the other male patrons.  Sure, I get that tips are the driving force, but not that much.  I guess if Jes was not upset then it was ok. I do wonder though if he even saw it.     

“Well Darlin’, we will have some of your fathers Private Reserve.  You know the really strong stuff.”  He whispered these last words in her ear. 

Roselia chuckled, “Oh come on Jes. You know my father hates it when I give away his favorite.  For you I will be right back.”  She winked and scurried off toward the back room.

She soon returned with two large glasses of a dark substance and said “Now Jes, don’t drink too much.  I don’t want you to have any problems tonight since my dad is gone, if you know what I mean.” Not waiting for a response she left to wait on a merchant that had just entered the building. 

I turned away from her departure, “Does she think you don’t know what she means?”  Jes just laughed.   

“Now Lyndon what are you going to do? Are you going to look for this magic fire?”  I did not want to answer him now because I just wanted to drink and not talk for a bit.  I also did not know what I was going to do.  This new man also frightened me a little. Forgetting that Jes was talking, I focused on the merchant’s conversation with Roselia.  The man was tall and thick.  I guessed it was mostly fat, but the scars and missing eye gave him a terrifying look.  

“So what would you have this evening, sir.”  She was always so proper.  Well, not always that is, not when money was involved. 

“Well darling, just surprise me.  Fill a cup and keep it full,” said the man.

“Yes, sir.”  She left for only a moment and returned with a cup and a bottle of ale, probably the cheap stuff.  Most likely she was going to say that this man drank her father’s good stuff.

“Thank you darling.” The man was getting a little frisky as he said this.

He grabbed her and pulled her close. “It has been a long time since I was with one as cute as you.” 

Jes was no longer trying to pry information from me, but was watching his girl being manhandled.  “Great, ” I said to myself, he must see it this time.  He was probably going to fight the guy.  Why must he fight for her, it’s not like this is the first time she was manhandled by someone other than Jes.

“Where are you coming from mister,” said Roselia as she tried to push herself away.

“The Burning City and I bet I could get a pretty penny for you there.”  Before the words had left his mouth Jes was up and walking towards the man. 

Great, not only was this merchant mistreating Roselia in Jes’ eyes, but he was a slaver.  Just what I need after my night, a fight between a slaver and Jes.  These never end well, usually for the slaver, but with Roselia fainting from blood, it was always me who cared for Jes’ injuries.  

“I would get your hands off her if you want to keep them,” said Jes as he neared the table.

“Keep away boy.” Said the slaver and then filled the air with a sharp whistle.

Two muscle bound men entered the door shortly after; they looked a lot like body guards.  “Is there a problem sir?” The taller one asked.

“Yes, this boy is interrupting my business dealings with this pretty little thing.” The merchant seemed angry as he finished his sentence.

“I am sure that we will change his mind, sir.”  Without a further word the body guards leapt toward Jes. 

But before I could even stand or hide which was my preferred choice in these matters, the guard that had spoken hit the floor in a bloody mass.  I was astonished; I never thought that Jes could move so fast. I did not even know he was carrying any weapons.  Still, I did not move; I completely forgot my own problems or that I was a major.  The man’s death was far too shocking.

After Jes dropped the first man he turned toward the next.

“Now if I was you I would run,” said Jes as he cleaned the blood off a small knife.

“Sounds good to me, he was not paying me enough anyway.”  The man was backing towards the door and was nearly running before he had finished his sentence.   

The one who had ordered the ale was up, charging and screaming at the top of his lungs. “You will die for this kid.”

Jes sidestepped from the Slaver’s first downward blow, the wayward slash left a large scar on the wooden floor.  This just infuriated the man more, however, the anger only made him sloppy and reckless.  Another strike went high as Jes ducked, but this time the little dagger had returned to Jes’ hand and found a mark just above the man’s rib line.  I knew that this was a very precise stab for it had struck his heart, stopping the perpetual beating. 

“Who are you really?”  I screamed at Jes, as I started backing away from him.

“Lyndon just calm down, please, I can explain.”  Jes replied.

“It had better be good.”  The fear of Jes had caused a familiar burning feeling to rise within me.