Chapter 24

“Sondrast is ready?” Darras asked in surprise.

“No, but I want him introduced to Annos,” Erren replied with a smile.

“Matchmaking, Erren?” Darras asked with a chuckle.

“Yes, though they both have abilities that the other could do well to learn about,” Erren giggled.

“The adherents of one element can use another?” Darras asked, slightly confused as he didn’t understand magic, only that there were six elements involved.

“The basics, yes,” Erren confirmed. “Not the actual advanced spells, but the use of precise symbolism of the secondary elements in a casting circle, which is where they both fail to an extent in different ways.”

“Right...”

“I’m sorry, my Darras. I simply cannot explain in a sense what you need to feel as you cast,” Erren apologised. “That said, trust me, both can learn and grow from each other.”

“I just accept that it works,” Darras chuckled.

“Best way,” Erren giggled. “Annos is gifted in wind magic, Sondrast in dark magic both will quickly see that there are elements in the other’s casting that will improve their own.”

“Does the Sthistor Kingdom allow visitors?”

“Only other Lizardmen, I’m afraid,” Erren replied. “However, they are unaware of a gateway in the Sorthlis Mountains as they tend to stick to swampy lowlands where it’s more humid and warmer.”

“A hidden back door,” Darras chuckled.

“In a sense, though emerge with caution. My brother’s creatures are the ones likely to be using it too.”

“You suspect that’s how Chagra brought them to Dobra?”

“Yes, probably with a sleep spell on the Dobra gateway staff during the night,” Erren said thoughtfully.

“It did appear to have a lot of control over them,” Darras admitted.

“Most likely controlling the queen, and through her, the pack.”

“Which element are mental powers based in?” Darras asked.

“Light or dark, why?”

“I just couldn’t seem to place them, is all,” Darras chuckled. “Though your explanation of dark not being ‘black magic’ helped.”

“It’s a confusing system and bits overlap, as the casters often don’t realise that the really accomplished ones can work in any element, if favouring one above the others ... other than the likes of me who is accomplished in all.”

“I see,” Darras nodded. “Where do we go from the Sorthlis Mountains?”

“I don’t know, that’s why you’ll have Elvish trackers,” Erren replied. “Durglin can’t fly so they’ll have left a trail.”

“Assuming they aren’t around the gateway,” Darras added with a grim smile.

“They aren’t, trust me.”

“Where will we meet up?”

“Iversirion. They’ll be there waiting for you when you finish with Balat.”

“So, we have some days of rest and good company and then back to work?” Darras chuckled.

“Indeed we do.”

Darras stepped through the gateway in Fordel almost as soon as it opened for regular traffic and had to go through the same indifferent scrutiny as he had the previous time, even though he was not carrying trade goods. He set off, having simply paid the silver toll and, ignoring the market, headed straight for the city gate. There, having paid another copper toll and having his name registered as leaving the city, he headed to the Holy Forest and his first meeting with a youth called Balat.

“Greetings, Syriel,” Darras greeted the nymph who waited to escort him.

“You recognised me, I am pleased,” Syriel replied with a smile.

“Unlike the Dryads, I can see differences in the woodnymphs I’ve observed,” Darras chuckled.

“That is good. Please follow me. Balat is expecting you, though does not believe you can teach him anything at all.”

“Not magic, no,” Darras replied. “I can teach him survival skills and discipline.”

“Something he most sorely needs,” Syriel admitted. “He judges by power, not ability and only in magic.”

“Bet his parents are a little exasperated with him?”

“They most surely are.”

This time Syriel took Darras far deeper into the forest using trails that appeared then vanished as they progressed along them. Finally at mid-afternoon they arrived at a small, newly built village where Darras recognised some of the people he had released from the township of Gruss.

“It seems your community of refugees grows?” Darras queried Syriel.

“It does and this is one of many, some of whom follow Doriel, but mostly Erren.”

“Well, Erren is Doriel’s friend, so I guess it’s alright.”

“It is, though they do not receive the full blessings of the woods, simply its protection,” Syriel explained.

“Understandable, the forest folk are much closer to their goddess than Erren’s ... in a sense,” Darras replied.

“We are, though the number of followers Erren has outnumber ours,” Syriel replied with a nod. “Careful, Balat has espied you and means mischief,” she sighed.

“Erren, where?”

‘Casting circle, three hundred paces to your East, ’ Erren replied.

Darras turned and sprinted towards what looked like a couple of apple trees, soon spotting a scrawny youth concealed behind one gabbling away and gesticulating wildly. This ceased when Darras used his staff to ram into the casting circle and then score away some of the symbols scribed inside for good measure. This was followed up by a sharp jab of the staff into the ribs of the now fearful looking youth who fell then screamed again as the spell he had been casting backfired.

‘A half potion of health will alleviate the damage done, but leave a lasting reminder of his stupidity, my Darras,” Erren advised as Syriel came up along with a few villagers.

“This is the type of idiocy we have been dealing with, sir Darras,” Syriel informed him.

“Give him half a health potion and then I’ll discuss things with him,” Darras replied.

“Only half?”

“He needs a reminder of his stupidity.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Come with me, sir Darras. We’ll get you settled,” a middle-aged woman offered. “I am Kala, that brat’s mother.”

“I doubt he was always a brat,” Darras chuckled, following her.

“No, not always, until he was chosen to train in magic.”

“Well, I am here to train him in respect,” Darras replied. “I suspect he’s going to find it painful.”

“A necessity, I fear,” Kala nodded. “Though if you can remove this idiot arrogance it will be most welcome.”

Darras was shown a room in a large roomy cottage and learned Kala was the wife of the village elder, who was with Syriel as she dealt with Balat. Once settled, and enjoying a fruit cordial a sullen Balat was brought into the house to glare at all concerned.

“Your arrogance and stupidity will get you killed if you don’t learn a few things, boy,” Darras commented.

“I was not going to harm you, just demonstrate my readiness,” came a surly reply.

“No, you were trying to show off as well as demonstrate your superiority,” Darras replied. “You, however, forgot one thing.”

“Forgot?”

“Forgot or were never told,” Darras chuckled. “A magic caster is extremely vulnerable when casting if they are not behind cover and remain undetected.”

“I was behind cover!”

“But were detected and dealt with. In real life you’d be dead, boy.”

“I’m not a boy!”

“You sure look like one,” Darras chuckled. “Act like one too.”

“He was certainly born male, just failed to grow out of childish showing off,” Kala added.

“Mum!” Balat almost screeched.

“Your mother’s right. If you want to be considered an adult, act like one,” Darras piled on the verbal admonishment. “Suppose I came at you with a sword, boy?”

“I ... I ... do not know,” a deflated looking Balat replied.

“You have been chosen to assist the agent of the goddess, Erren, in a mission,” Darras informed him. “However in your current state there’s no way I’ll take you with me.”

“What makes you think I would go with you?” Balat semi-sneered.

“Because I’m the only one who can see what you’re being trained to capture,” Darras sighed. “Haven’t they told you anything?”

“He has been told,” Syriel replied. “He simply didn’t listen.”

“Then you need to start listening, boy,” Darras admonished Balat. “These are a dangerous enemy that will attack you and if you’re lucky, possess you.”

“And if I’m unlucky?” Balat asked.

“They’ll kill you out of hand without a second thought and you won’t see it coming.”

“How can we capture something we can’t see?”

“What part of ‘I’m the only one who can see them’ are you struggling with?” Darras asked sarcastically. “I’m also the only one who can kill one.”

“OK, I get it,” Balat huffed.

“I’m told his magic is good enough?” Darras asked Syriel.

“It is, we believe,” Syriel replied.

“Can he activate this?” Darras asked, handing over the holding cage Pelegard had made.

“I believe so, though we may have to ask him to test it,” she replied with a frown.

“Well, boy?”

“I have a name you know!” Balat spluttered.

“You’ll get called it by me when you’ve earned it,” Darras replied in the chilled tones he’d used on the raw recruits who replaced the men lost in battle. “Now, can you operate it?”

“I think so, but need to test it.”

“Let’s find a volunteer,” Darras chuckled.

Fortunately there were a lot willing to volunteer and Balat and Darras practiced using the cage ... though it was, when inactive, no bigger than Darras’s palm. They both found the easiest way to use it was for Darras to grab and hold the victim and Balat to attach and activate it as it swiftly enveloped its victim and immobilised them.

“Easy enough,” Balat boasted.

“Yes, but that’s the easy part. I now have to see how good you are at sneaking and hiding, as I doubt we’d be able to get a city-dwelling one on a bounty,” Darras replied.

“My Dad’s a woodsman, I know how it works,” Balat replied.

“Let’s see then. You try and avoid me. I’ll give you a fingerspan of the sun to do so,” Darras chuckled.

“And if you don’t?”

“Then you’re ready,” Darras replied as Balat hared off into the woods.

‘He’s not even remotely ready, ’ Erren chuckled.

“I know, but this is all carrot and stick,” Darras replied. “Particularly after the shocks and bruising of my capture of him.”

‘Yes, his talent will enable a capture. You just need to ensure he survives getting there and getting back.’

“Do you have a target?”

‘Yes, the scrying stone has identified what appears to be a leader amongst them. The possessed lives alone, though there appears to be bodyguards of some type around it, ’ Erren informed him.

“Durglin?”

‘I don’t know. I’m asking our allies to see if we can get better information.’