The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (27 page)

“Persite amplifies magic.  White is the most powerful, followed by blue, then green.  In times long gone, green was the persite of choice fer people who exercised dark magic. In fact the darker the green, the more powerful the magic could be.  It’s interestin’ that Orin could feel it.  It’s almost like the persite has a mind of its own.  White could never be used for dark magic.  Don’t know all the particulars ‘bout it, that stuff is lost, but persite is a part of Edia.  It’s grown inside her, so maybe it’s a part of her spirit comin’ through.

“Any written spells, potions and such were destroyed too.  Most of the brother’s writin’s were burned, but a few survived deep in the catacombs of Ramadine.  I have two sets of papers, that’s how I first learned about Transmirian spirals, but the manuscripts weren’t complete.  Took me years to find some persite, and much more time to figure the right incantations for spirals.  Along the way, I’ve learned a few magic tricks.  That chant I was sayin’ is very powerful.  That’s why I’m not dead, it protected me and finally, with yer help, destroyed the green persite.”

“You say those words have power,” Jessica commented.  “I wasn’t sure how to help, until I focused on the chant.  Bree …I sort of understand.  Orin mentioned her, that she became a sort of guardian.  On my planet, I would call her Mother Nature.  And Gonta is sort of like a fifth dimension.  But T’Aalin, what is T’Aalin?”

“Not what,” Reese interjected, “but who?  Who is T’Aalin?”

“Okay, then
who
is T’Aalin?”  Jessica felt a little irritated at the correction.

“T’Aalin,” Anton quickly answered, “is the sacred name for Edia herself.  Each planet, each star has a soul and T’Aalin is the soul of Edia.”

“Soul?  As in Edia might be alive?”

“Yes.”  Anton sounded firm.  “Everything has a soul; the spirit gives life to the physical, even a planet.  Ya felt her power, yer able to somehow draw on it.  Bree had done the same thing in her life time.”

Jessica suddenly knew how her dad felt.  She was dumb struck, but could not argue that she had indeed tapped into something powerful. 

Reese broke the silence.  “You’re not the only one who’s uncovered some ancient spells, Anton.  I heard a woman chanting her own magic charm.”

“But Daenon’s not behind this,” Jessica pointed to the wounded, unconscious men all around them.  “Those aren’t Elitet.”

Anton nodded.  “Yer right, Deanon wants ya alive, Jessi.  It’ll be tough to find out who’s after us right now.  That explosion destroyed not only the green persite, but the woman controllin’ it.  If she was workin’ alone, then we’re safe, but my guess is she had a master.”

“Why farmers?” a soldier asked. 

“I had to kill one,” another said sadly.  “But I didn’t kill any others.”

“I tried to knock them out without hurting them too badly,” said a third. 

“Varnack did the same.” Jessica translated his low grunt.  “They were definitely being controlled,” she commented.

“That’s the power of the green persite.  Nasty stuff,” Anton added.

“It may be Daenon who’s actually behind this.”  Jessica said.

Anton raised his eyebrows in question. 

“When I first came here, I saw a vision where Daenon had a huge green crystal,” Jessica explained.  “He was desperate to unlock it.  I didn’t understand what he was trying to do, or what it all meant.  So I never gave it much more thought, but now I’m educated.  This could be really bad if he’s learned how to use it.”

“If it was Daenon, I think he’d have attacked by now,” Anton said.  “He’d be unstoppable.”

“I wonder,” Jessica thought out loud.  “Reese said Koradine is thousands of years old, that the ancient section is a museum.  If Ramadine has lots of tunnels and hidden places underground, I’ll bet the Inner Dine does too.  There may be information hidden there on the ancient sorceries that you’re not aware of.”

Anton nodded.  “I’ll send some fellas I know who love old stuff to do some explorin’.   In fact, I’ll even go myself as soon as we’re done with this trip, that is, if the war don’t get in the way.”  He shook his shaggy head.  “I got a lot to talk to Larone about.”

“Yes,” Jessica agreed.  “First topic is a guy named Orin.”

Anton just smiled.  He looked to the horizon.  “Sun’ll be up soon.  Let’s fix these guys up best we can,” he motioned to the farmers on the ground all around them, “then be on our way.   I’ll send help back here from the next hoffle.  Ya up to travelin’?”

“Yeah, I think so.”  Jessica gingerly fingered her bandaged arm.  “That purple fern really works for killing pain.”

“It’ll help the wound heal without scarrin’ bad, too.  We’ve got Seadom on the coast, Rosidia, Tropica and Colossus left to visit.  No more sleepin’ in the open.  Let’s get to it.”

The Prophecy

After learning the Demarian forces were amassing on the border, John called an emergency meeting in his modest office at Ramadine.  Jessica, Varnack, Lyrista, Cordon, Larone, Anton, Gaylee and Reese were all in attendance.  They sat on simple wooden chairs arranged in a semicircle facing John’s cluttered desk. 

Anton gave a full account of the three-week journey to the provinces.  All ears perked up when he related the attack in Jewlett.

“It seems we have more enemies than we realized,” Larone declared.  He looked at his younger brother with concern.

“Yeah, well, I just hope whoever was behind it all doesn’t foul us up any.”  Anton turned to John who sat on the edge of the desk facing his seated friends.  “Enemies within can be a lot harder to fight than those from without.”

John nodded.  “I was thinking the same thing.  No idea who it was, huh?”

“Nope.”  Anton shook his head.  “When Reese checked the woods out, all he found were a few scraps of clothing and pieces of fried flesh.”

“I didn’t mean to kill anyone,” Jessica moaned. 

“Ah, Jessi,” Anton boomed.  “It wasn’t you.  I’m the one who channeled yer power and destroyed the witch.  Don’t go feeling guilty now, it wasn’t yer fault.”

She nodded, but still felt the heavy responsibility of having participated in taking a life.

“Look, honey,” John sympathized with an endearment he seldom used, “self-defense isn’t murder.  It was a simple case of kill, or be killed.  This is war.”  He reached over and squeezed her hand.  “It seems your power saved all of you.”

“You said ‘power’.” Gaylee smiled.  “Does that mean you are finally coming to believe?”

John gave a short grunt.  “For lack of a better word, Gaylee.  Just because I recognize Jess has certain unexplained abilities, does
not
mean I believe in magic or sorcery or whatever.”

“It’s okay, Gaylee,” Anton winked, “we’ll win ‘im over yet.  Now back to my report.  Agreements, agreements, and more agreements.”  He detailed the papers he had signed for weapons and supplies as well as the number of troops they could still expect. 

Cordon described the brief encounter with the giants.  It surprised everyone when he mentioned that they acquired the Banner of Freedom.

“Well, at least they took it, that’s a good sign,” Jessica suggested. 

“Your father said the same thing,” Cordon laughed, an easy, deep laughter that softened his features and made him look years younger.

Next, Gaylee summarized her western tour.  “The people are equipped and organized.  Their memory of how quickly the provinces of Snow Peak and Palium fell is still vivid, even after ten years.  Being on the western fringes…well…you can imagine their fears.”

John updated everyone on the efforts of Lepsis and Ophir.  “Lepsis has finished marshaling the armies of Marone.  The leaders there have been well aware of the situation in Esparia.  When Snow Peak fell to Daenon’s influence ten years ago, they recognized the coming danger and began their preparations back then.  In fact, they expressed amazement at the length of time it took Esparia to actually do something about him.  Lepsis’ cousin sits on the throne, and from what he said, welcomed him home with open arms.

“Ophir, on the other hand, is struggling.  The leaders of Galland never anticipated conflict.  Their level of readiness was basically non-existent, but what the people lack in preparation they make up for in heart.  They’re training, literally day and night.  The men and extra supplies we sent have helped a great deal, so he’s fairly confident they can hold the line against Hent.  I plan on sending him another fifty thousand to bolster his armies.”

Finally, Lyrista recapped her efforts in organizing the Special Operations groups.  “I’ve sent three hundred spies out to the Deserts.  They’re well qualified and know the risks.  There are fifteen companies of expert archers, twelve companies of the best swordsmen you could ever hope to find, and three companies of trackers.  Each company consists of five hundred and can be further divided into smaller teams as needed.  I have twenty thousand men, as good as any Elitet Daenon can come up with, arranged in groups of five.  I’ve dubbed them the Guardians, and they’re ready for assignment.”

“Great,” John approved.  “Many of your scouts have reported back.  Daenon’s marching thousands of troops to the Demarian border, so I think we have only a few days before he attacks.  I’m sending Cordon to take command of the Northern army.  He’ll be able to free his father from there, and any other prisoners who might be held at the Snow Peak Prison.  Lepsis indicated he thought there were others.”

Addressing Anton he asked, “Will you go with him?  Those are your mountains and as I understand it no one knows them better.  You’ll be second in command, after Cordon.”

“Yeah, I’ll go.  I’ve got a few ideas for ya Cordon.”

“Fine,” John continued, “Lepsis knows you’re coming and is marching to meet you.  He’s in command of the Maronians.  Now Anton,” John’s voice took on a stern tone, “if you’re going to be a commander, it’s time you wear a uniform.” 

At Anton’s moan and look of disgust, everyone laughed. 

“We’ve taken the liberty of having one made for you,” Lyrista piped up.  She walked to the corner of the room where a large bag sat and pulled a new uniform from it.  “I hope it fits.”  She grinned when she handed it to him.

He accepted the gift and looked it over.  “Thanks.”  A slight smile lit up his whiskered face. 

“Reese and I will go to the Southern command post,” John nodded at the young man.  “Lyrista, you and half of your units will move to the center of the front.  You’ll be better able to direct them from there.  We’ll discuss the deployment of the other half right after this meeting.”  She nodded.

“More soldiers arrive here daily.  Larone and Gaylee will dispatch them where necessary, keeping at least one division of ten thousand to protect Ramadine.  I also need you to handle the money and goods flowing in from the provinces,” John addressed Larone.  “We’ll try and send word daily as to what is happening so you can make prudent decisions.”

John paused to look through his papers.  “I guess that’s about all.  If there are no questions, then we leave within the half hour.”

Jessica sat patiently listening to her father give orders to every person in the room.  Now he wanted to bring the meeting to a close without so much as a nod in her direction and she was not happy.  “Just a minute, Dad, you’ve given an assignment to everyone but me and Varnack.”

“Varnack knows his job.”

“Dad!” Jessica protested, but before she could say more he cut her off.

“Look, Jess,” he leaned toward her, “I am your father.  I’m also commander of this entire operation.  I can’t be both right now.  You need to stay put, where I know you’re safe.  Then I can completely focus on the war.”

She felt crestfallen.  She wanted to be with him, to be an active participant of the fight to maintain Esparia’s freedom, but his reasoning cut through her protests.  “All right, Dad,” she sounded dejected. “I’ll stay.  I’m sure Uncle Larone can use me.”

“Yes, I can.  You will not be disappointed for staying,” Larone promised, then stood and faced John.  “There is one more item we need to discuss, something I have not explained, but the time has now come.”

“Are ya sure, Larone?” Anton’s voice boomed through the room.

“Yes, Anton.  Before this war commences, they must know the warnings.”

Anton nodded his agreement.  “Go ahead.”

“John, you better sit down.  You are not going to like what I have to say, but I would not take extra time if this were trivial.  It will not take long.”  After a moment’s hesitation, John took Larone’s vacated chair.

“I need to give you a little background first.  Jessica, this has much to do about you.”

A little startled by being singled out, she gave him her full attention.

“Anton and I are the two remaining children of Paulus and Shallenon, the fifteenth generation of great healers.  Our parents were extraordinary people.  From our mother comes the fire-red hair that you and your grandmother have.  Your mother was named after mine.  Mother had a remarkable gift with animals, she could communicate with them.  Not actually talk—it was more a telepathic link, but she could understand them, and they her.  She once told me her grandmother had the same gift.  I can only assume it runs in the family, showing up every couple of generations.  She also could sense deceit.  She had an ability to know when someone lied or spoke the truth.”

“Yeah,” Anton chuckled.  “Do ya have any idea what it’s like to be a rowdy kid and not be able to tell yer mom it wasn’t you who tied the cat to the horse’s back?”

“What?”  Lyrista laughed, her gentle sound a sharp contrast to Anton’s booming snicker.

“To see how fast it could go, ‘o course,” he explained.  “If the cat or the horse didn’t tell her it was me, she still always knew when I wasn’t tellin’ the truth.”

Larone smiled affectionately at his brother and continued.  “Our father, from whom comes our blue eyes, was a renowned healer.  He could draw on T’Aalin herself to heal.  Each generation of his family, going back several thousand years, has produced at least one with this ability.”

Larone walked over to the window.  He absently gazed at the large, ghostly planet hovering in the sky above.  “Mother was the first to die.  Anton and I have suspected for many years our brother, Segal, poisoned her.  Father died shortly thereafter.  I think Segal also had a hand in his demise.  Just before he died, he had a remarkable dream, so vivid in detail and physical sensibility as to call it a vision.  From what he saw, he made a prophecy and asked me to write it down.  They were the last words he ever spoke.”

Larone turned from the window and faced the group.  “I have it memorized.”

“A cry of war, from shore to shore

The land of peace will be no more.

Like thunder from a distant storm

Approaches slowly, takes on form.

Dark of hate, of lust and greed

Steadily grows, a forceful weed.

Potions rare, hungers power

He will not stop till all do cower
.

From afar a light grows steady

Safe from harm till she is ready

Within her hand she holds all gifts

Of truth and speech, healing of rifts.

Opposing cousins take a stand

Protector new will lead the land

Mercy and kindness from his lips

Upon this course the balance tips.

Dark succeeds to twice arise

With army fierce in strength and size

When light returns with allies strong

Keep justice true, do not go wrong.

Here is a warning, heed it well,

For patience strong will break war’s hell

If anger rule and vengeance take

Countless years of darkness make.”

Larone finished the verse in a near whisper.  “There’s a little bit more, but this much is important right now.”

“Why in verse?” Lyrista asked.

“My father loved poetry and often spoke in verse,” Larone explained.  He walked over to stand next to Anton.  He placed his hand on his brother’s broad shoulder.  “Anton and I have remained silent about this, not wanting to influence the natural course of events.  So far, everything my father predicted has come to pass.  Two cousins are standing against each other and a war is about to begin.  Daenon, like his father before him, lusts for power.  And like his father before him, he has a gift for potions.  He was educated in chemistry, herbology, medicine and dark sorcery.  Daenon is a master at using strange medications, from powerful hallucinogenic drugs to slow acting, undetectable poisons.”

“That’s how he took over Snow Peak and Palium provinces,” Anton interjected.  “’Bout twelve years ago he flooded ‘em with a powerful, cheap drug and got the people so hooked they would do anythin’ to have the stuff.  After that, he just walked right in and took ‘em over, without a single man resistin’.”

“That was when Haesom set up the training academies and began taxing our people,” Larone explained to John and Gaylee.  “Ten years ago, there was no standing army in Esparia, it was disbanded after Segal’s defeat at Blue Mountain.  Only the warriors from Ider Hoffle stood between Daenon and the rest of the country.  When we realized the power of his narcotic, we broke all relations with Palium and Snow Peak, then Ophir’s men sealed the border.  This, as well as great vigilance, has saved the rest of Esparia from being poisoned with the drug.”

“I wondered why Haesom never came to Palium and Snow Peak’s rescue,” John commented.

Larone looked hurt.  “My nephew did not abandon them.  It was a peaceful takeover and no one asked for help.  Daenon managed the deed quietly, quickly and very efficiently.  The takeover was complete before Haesom realized what happened.  He would have sent troops in immediately if he suspected treachery, but it was many months before the truth of the takeover came out, and by then Daenon’s army had fortified the borders.  We were not prepared at that time for an all-out war.”