The Lost Mage (47 page)

“Have you gone daft? I thought you’re going to hit it with lightning.”

Darakin turned to Nora. He put his hand on his hip. “Nora, it’s not like anyone’s ever done this before.” His tone indicated that she should know better.

“What do you mean? I thought you said your combat mages used lighting to kill these things.”

“They do, but I’m not a combat mage, in fact I’m not much of a mage at all in this realm. And there was no such thing as a combat shaman.”

“Great, what are you trying to say? That you don’t know how to do this?”

“I have some thoughts.”

“Oh well, if you’re having thoughts, I guess everything will be okay.”

“There’s no need to be obnoxious, Nora. I’m doing the best I can.”

“Fine, let’s hear these ideas you’re having.”

“Well, each of these symbols,” he pointed to the floating runes, “corresponds to an aspect of the storm. This one’s for the thunder, this one’s for the type of rain.”

“So you can tailor the storm to your needs?”

“Yes, to an extent. Although, I don’t really know the exact meaning of the runes, so who knows how the storm will turn out. Anyway, they’re not specific to the exact location, but this rune I drew on the ground underneath the lightning rune is – how do I say this – like a conductor symbol. It’s an ancient way of specifying a spell target. I’m thinking if I can try to do some kind of a spell on the storm – specifically the lightning aspect of it while the demon is on the target, I just might be able to hit it with the lightning.”

“Great, so all we have to do is get the demon, who already knows you mean it harm, to stand still on the symbol you drew on the ground, conveniently located near all these funky smoke thingies, and wait for you to do some unspecified spell that will hopefully call down a bolt of lightning to strike the demon. That sound about right?”

“Yes.”

“We’re screwed.”

“Screwed?”

“We’re in trouble.”

“Have a little faith, Nora.”

“I don’t understand why you have to make this so difficult. Just call the lightning on the demon. Or make it like a lightning rod or something that will attract the bolt.”

“What’s a lightning rod?”

“You know, like a metal rod that will attract the lightning.”

“You want me to turn the demon to metal?”

She laughed. “Well, that would certainly take care of it, don’t you think?”

“I can’t. Magic isn’t that easy. First of all, you’re talking about an alchemy spell and I have no knowledge of that at all. Second, you can’t just go around doing spells on people or creatures.”

“Why not?”

“Because interfering with free will is forbidden.”

“Really? Because I’m thinking that your combat mages are interfering with the free will of the creatures they kill.”

“That’s different, Nora. That’s war.”

“Fine, then what about those witches you mentioned. You made it sound like they would hurt anyone who tried to hurt them.”

“They would, but they’re not bound by the mage laws. Witches inherit their magic from their ancestors. Mages are born randomly and our magic is ruled over by the elder mages.”

“I think you’re confused about the situation here, Darakin. You’re not in your realm, so why are you worried about their rules?”

“Because, when I return, I’ll have to answer for my actions here. They’ll want to know if I broke any mage laws.”

“So you won’t do any spells on the demon?”

“No, except for the one to bring it here. Besides, as a traveling mage, I wasn’t taught much beyond summoning the elements.”

“You did that translation spell so you could understand Mrowley.”

“I did that spell so I could understand the languages being spoken here, not just Mrowley. That’s a skill that all traveling mages need to have so when they come across people who speak a different tongue, they can communicate. There are many different languages in my realm.”

“Here, too.”

“My point is that I was taught a few spells and combat skills that enable me to survive while traveling. As I said, very little is done with spells that target others, unless you’re a combat mage. The penalties for interfering with free will for a mage like me can be severe.”

Nora sighed in frustration. “Why is nothing easy with you?”

“It’s not just me. These are the rules for all mages.”

“Well, I don’t know any other mages so I’m blaming you.” She turned her attention back to the shivering cat in her lap as another rumble of thunder indicated that the storm was getting closer.

We need to hide. I need furniture.

“Why would you need furniture out here?” Darakin asked in confusion.

To hide underneath.

“Don’t worry, kitty.” Nora stroked the cat’s back. “Wait … he wants furniture?”

“He says he needs to hide underneath it.”

She made a soothing noise. “Mrowley, you’re as safe as houses with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Yikes!
the cat shrieked.

“What’s wrong with him now?” Nora asked Darakin.

“Mrowley? What’s wrong?”

The cat sniffed the air.
Something’s coming. A bad smell is coming.

Darakin looked around in alarm. “The krekdapop must be getting close. Mrowley is picking up her scent. Take him and hide behind that bush over there.”

Nora picked the cat up and stood as a group of dark figures came screaming into the clearing.

“Sure and I told you not to run to us when you got into trouble, didn’t I?”

“The demon … is coming … got Trevor …” Howard gasped trying to catch his breath.

“What do you mean it got Trevor?” Darakin stepped closer.

“It grabbed Trevor and took him into the cave. We ran.”

“Pfft. With friends like you, who needs enemies?” Nora mocked.

“I have to go back for him.” Darakin headed toward the zoo annex.

“Darakin! You can’t go in there. Your stuff is all here!” Nora said in alarm.

“Nora, I’m not leaving someone to die at the hands, I mean claws, of that demon.”

“Who’s Darakin?” Howard looked around in confusion.

“Never mind that,” Nora snapped.

Darakin was nearing the gate to the annex when another figure came running out, covered in blood. Darakin turned and helped the young man limp toward the fire.

“Trevor! You got away.” Howard and his friends called out.

“Yeah, but it’s coming after me.”

“How did you get away from it?” Darakin asked.

“I played dead and when it turned its back, I ran,” he panted. Trevor and Darakin reached the group by the fire. Trevor’s black robe and the shirt underneath were torn and flapped open, revealing a large gash in his chest. Blood was gushing from a head wound and his leg was scratched, as well.

Darakin turned to Howard and his friends. “Run, quick, take him to a healer.”

“You guys take him to the hospital.” Howard instructed his friends. “I’m gonna stay and help get rid of this thing.”

Howard’s friends grabbed Trevor and ran off into the distance.

A sudden flash of lightning followed by an earth-shaking roll of thunder indicated that the storm had arrived. A roar from the direction of the zoo annex caused them all to turn and look.

Darakin stated the obvious. “It would seem that the demon has arrived.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Nora, take Mrowley and hide.” As she hesitated, Darakin yelled, “Now!”

His command was impossible to resist. Nora picked the cat up and ran. But before she could reach the cover of the bushes, Mrowley had clawed his way out of her arms. He leapt to the ground and crouched low to the ground, growling.

“Nora, go!” Darakin yelled at her.

“But Mrowley –”

“I’ll take care of him. I need to know you’re safe so I can concentrate.” At her continued hesitation, he pleaded, “Please.”

Nora ran, hid in the bush and peered back at the scene unfolding in front of the fire.

The mage turned to Howard. “Why are you still here?” he shouted over the howling wind.

“I’m gonna help!”

“No, you’re not. Just go somewhere safe.”

“Kwok,
I
summoned that thing and
I’ll
make sure it’s taken care of.”

“You …” Darakin looked over Howard’s shoulder at the fast approaching demon. “Run!” he shouted as the krekdapop closed the distance between them.

Howard looked over his shoulder and screamed. He took off in the direction that his friends had gone.

“So much for helping,” Darakin scoffed.

The demon started following Howard until it spotted the hissing cat. Mrowley seemed frozen as the demon approached.