The Mage of Orlon: The beginning (17 page)

The journey back to Santrose was quiet; no one seemed to be in the talkative mood.
Shinto had answered a few of Nathan
’
s questions, and rose up so many more.
Nathan was beginning to long for the days at school, learning Algebra and Chemistry had been a breeze compared to learning magic!
Now there was an even bigger problem, he had actually died when he first healed Lex, he hadn
’
t felt as bad when healing Kira, but the nausea had returned only a few minutes after they began walking back!

When he used fire there seemed to be an overwhelming urge to just let the power consume him, in a way it did, but when he healed someone it was like the magic didn
’
t like it.
Both times he had weakened to a state of nausea or death; he would ask Lela about this, but not right now.
Both women seem to be upset over something.

The Sun was setting when they entered Santrose.
The shadows stretched over the ghost town giving the town a feel of oppression. The birds had stopped chirping, and the forest seemed completely silent for the first time.
The breeze was still, everything seemed to be holding its breath as if waiting for something.

“
Nathan I will get a fire started and make something for us to eat.
”
Ileana said, the strain of the day
’
s events showing in her voice.

The only sound heard was the sound of the darts as they hit Lela, Ileana and Nathan in the neck at nearly the same time. Nathan found himself floating in the black void once more unable to open his eyes.

“
Aaawwww crap, Am I dead again?
”
He whispered.

“
Consider it a place between life and death my young phoenix mage!
”

“
Hi Shinto, what happened to me?
I didn
’
t heal anyone, so why am I here?
”

“
I would like to say it is because you have reached a point of enlightenment that allows you to slip in between our two worlds, but honestly you have a dart stuck in your neck that has put you in a near death type sleep.
”
Shinto said smiling.

“
Who did this to me, and are the girls okay?
”

“
I do not know who did this to you, and the girls met the same fate as you.
”

“
How do you know that Shinto?
”

“
Ever since our first meeting I have been watching you Nathan, but when you were drugged the spell I used to watch you ended.
The spell lets me follow you in your world as long as you are awake.
”
Shinto explained.

“
I have a few questions that I didn
’
t get to ask you the last time.
”

“
I know Nathan, you want to know why the two different types of magic affect you differently.
”

Nathan couldn
’
t believe his ears!
Shinto could read his mind!
This was not a good thing, if Shinto could read his mind, then there was nothing Nathan could do that Shinto wouldn
’
t know about, it was like having a parent with you twenty four hours a day!

“
I cannot read your mind Nathan; you looked a little in shock when I guessed your questions.
The simple fact is every phoenix mage has those same questions.
”
Shinto
’
s smile was always present.

“
I guess that was pretty silly to think you could read my mind, but why do the two feel so different?
”

“
I will answer a question with a question.
What do phoenixes do, what are they known for?
”

“
They are born of fire, and they die and are reborn again.
At least that is our myth in my world.
”
Nathan finished lamely.

“
You are not too far off, the Phoenix is a fire bird, so it naturally uses fire, but it also holds the power of healing or resurrection.
I would practice the healing part more, before the resurrection part; the last one could kill you if you are not ready for it!
”
Shinto said as his smile faded.
“
Remember that you have just discovered your healing powers. Try to build up to the bigger wound healings gradually.
That is why you felt ill and we had our first meeting when you healed for the first time, you healed too much too soon.
Resurrecting others or yourself will take tremendous energy, energy that you do not have.
You will have to find a way to channel energy which is why you need to start small and work your way up.
Does this make sense to you?
”

Nathan took in what the specter had said and was thinking about what all he had learned.
He would be able to resurrect himself and others.
This was almost upsetting news!
He had blundered through the fire magic so poorly what if he messed up a resurrection spell?
He might inadvertently cause a zombie apocalypse in this world!

“
Yes
”
was all he answered to the waiting specter.

The darkness began to lift and Shinto began to smile again.

“
It looks like you are coming out of the sleep; I can
’
t wait to see who you have crossed paths with this time!
”
Shinto cackled.

“
You
’
re enjoying this!
”
Nathan accused.

“
I have to admit yes I am!
It has been centuries since someone like you has come crashing through all the sensitive alliances!
Nathan, regardless of what you want you are changing the face of this world, now whether it is for the better or worst that is up to you!
”

The words hung in the air like both a death sentence and praise!
How could he have gotten into so much trouble by just trying to do the right thing?
All he wanted to do now was to go home.
Home to his parents who sometimes meddle because they care, to his little sister who annoys him with her high pitched screams of joy, home to his room, and away from this crazy, mixed up world of people who would kill you just because they are different!

The sounds where quiet at first, but slowly they gained loudness as Nathan was coming out of the darkness that seemed to grant Shinto an audience every time.
He liked Shinto, but sometimes Shinto just over whelmed his brain with so much information.
The sounds where grunts and stomping.
If he opened his eyes to just a crack maybe he could see who had drugged them without them knowing he was awake.

Nathan opened his eyes to find he was in a cage made of wood!
How awesome was this, clearly they didn
’
t know he could use fire to bust out of the cage!
He couldn
’
t see Lela or Ileana.
He would have to risk turning his head, but that would alert his captors that he was awake.

He debated a few more minutes what to do when he heard the ragged voice call out
“
This one is finally awake!
”

So much for catching them off guard he thought sourly.

A figure approached the cage; the figure was covered from head to toe in a green cape with a hood.
Only the eyes shown with a yellowish gleam, the eyes peered down at Nathan as if he was some kind of prey, and a knot tied itself in Nathan
’
s stomach.

Nathan glanced down and saw the feet of his kidnapper, its feet where tipped with claws, like that of a large cat!
They were being held hostage by some sort of cat people!
This day was getting better and better, no wonder Shinto was laughing at his situation!
Who else but him could get into such trouble just trying to walk back to a ghost village?

The figure in front of Nathan
’
s cage began shaking the noises where grumblings as if building to a roar.
The roar as it turned out was laughter as the figure grabbed his stomach and bent over.
The arm that had come from out of the cape was heavily muscled and tipped with slightly narrower claws than the feet.

From what Nathan had seen the monstrous caped figure could probably run and leap quickly and powerfully judging by the claws on its feet, the hand claws where used for close quarter combat, he wouldn
’
t last ten seconds fighting this thing hand to hand, but he could use fire, and fry any of them that got too close to him while freeing the girls.
He could pick a fight with the cloaked one fry him, and put the rest of his plan in action!

“
What
’
s so funny fuzz ball?
”
Nathan yelled at the still shaking figure.

He understood the insult because immediately he stopped laughing and returned the yellow eyes back on Nathan.

“
What did you call me?
”
It asked in its grumbling voice.

“
I called you a fuzz ball, why don
’
t you let me out of this cage before I neuter you, you walking mouse trap!
”
Okay that wasn
’
t the most macho thing to say, but it seemed to do the trick.

The figure launched itself at the cage; the clawed hands came within an inch of slashing Nathan
’
s face.
If he hadn
’
t backed up as the thing hit the cage he would have a torn rag for a face now.
The bars held against the animalistic onslaught the robbed figure delivered to them trying to reach Nathan.

“
What
’
s the matter kitty not smart enough to unlock the door?
”
Nathan taunted.

The creature redoubled its attack on the bars, the cage shook violently with the effort to get at the now taunting Nathan.
The figure backed up from the cage to get a running start, and launched itself with a burst of speed that Nathan had thought impossible for something of that size.
It hit the bars and the sound of snapping wood began to fill the air.
TH e creature
’
s hood had slid back revealing a muzzle filled with very large feline type teeth.

Seriously why didn
’
t the thing open the door?
Then it hit Nathan maybe it didn
’
t have the key, and maybe they were dropped here by the kidnappers for whatever reason.
This realization was going to completely mess up his plan!
Unless the thing breaks through the bars, then he might be torn to shreds!

The figure had backed up farther than the first time, it would come through the bars when it hit this time unless Nathan did something!
He would have to lose his advantage and use his magic sooner; maybe when the thing hit the bars he could incinerate it and the bars as well! Two birds with one stone!

The figure launched itself at the cage, Nathan tried to gather his magic to burn everything in front of him.
Nathan felt the magic gather, he could do this!
Then the magic faded as if it never had gathered.
Nathan
’
s face twisted in terror as he realized he couldn
’
t summon his magic!
The brutish figure hit the cage, and did not stop!
The ragged ends of the bars pulled back the hood to reveal a tiger like head that sat on top of a body that any body builder would have been proud to have.
Nathan fell to the floor as the beast man glided over Nathan
’
s flattened form.
Without looking back Nathan jumped through the freshly made hole onto the ground outside.
Nathan ran to get a little distance between his now pissed off pursuer.

Nathan turned pulling on his magic that came and then faded again, that is when he noticed it.
There was a light brown bracelet on his wrist.
It looked intricately carved and as if it were made out of a very fine skin of wood, it looked so fragile.
The light weight bracelet should have torn right off, but it stubbornly refused to break.

Nathan looked up at the approaching beast man; he had slowed to a menacing walk.
In a rumbling voice it cruelly said
“
This was your plan?
To get me to let you out so you could use magic on me?
As if we are so stupid not to stalk our prey before actually hunting them.
We have been watching you ever since you entered Cravenwood the queen will be pleased enough with you to keep our people out of her stupid war, and by the way that bracelet will keep you from using your magic so hold still and take your pounding like a man!