Battle Mage: The Lost King (Tales of Alus) (28 page)

“You’ve never had sex either?” Yara started and realized the stupidity of the question. “It was so nice,” she grinned uncontrollably thinking on her time in the beautiful pool with their cathedral of green and the glowing plants lighting the clearing. “It was like the jungle had made a place just for us. There was a smell as much as the compass that led us to the waterfall and pool between the ruins. If not for the danger of getting there, that island could become a special hide away for lovers,” she blushed at her words and the thoughts that they brought out of her. She quickly painted the portrait of the clearing, ruins and waterfall with its pool to her friend. Nara’s face showed that she was trying to picture the place the girl described.

Avoiding some details that Yara felt belonged just to the two of them, the healer did her best to help her friend understand the beautiful moments that they had shared. “Sebastian was so caring,” the girl said quietly. “We figured out a long time ago that sharing our healing together could enhance the sensation of simply touching each other’s hands. During this,” her words failed for a moment before continuing, “it was like he knew if I hurt and when it felt the best. It was almost as if he could read my mind. He was so gentle, yet firm when it was right.”

Yara sighed and the sound was echoed by Nara as she knew the story was over. There were things that lovers kept secret and she knew as much despite never having had her own. Virgin wizards were the norm amongst her peers thanks to the pressure exerted from those in charge.

A new worry formed in the dark haired woman’s green eyes, “If you’re a healer do you have more control over your body? If you get pregnant, even if it was the first time, then how will you hide it here?” She gestured to the ship around them.

Shrugging, Yara confessed, “With both Sebastian and I using our magic, I think that I am safe, but healers are under tougher rules as apprentices than anyone. We can be fooled as easily as anyone, I suppose.”

As Nara considered the confession, she asked another question, “If another woman comes to a healer, can they make sure that she wouldn’t become pregnant?”

Eyes widening, Yara asked, “Are you thinking of doing it with Collin?”

Turning scarlet, Nara’s forehead even broke out in a sweat. It was easier when the questions were aimed at the younger girl, the woman thought. Clearing her throat, she confessed, “I hate these rules as
much as anyone. If you think that you could help me, then maybe...” She let her idea go unfinished, but her eyes nearly begged for Yara to say yes.

“I’ve never used the magic for something like that, but I do know of a spell that can be used to keep you safe,” the girl couldn’t help blushing. What they were considering, if it was ever found out by someone like Maura, could end up with severe punishments for the both of them.

Grinning with sheer happiness, Nara stood up and climbed into her bunk above the healer leaving Yara’s head spinning. Had they just decided to do what she thought they had?

Nara said from above her, “We’ll have to make sure that no one else knows about it, of course. I’ll feel out Collin and let you know.”

Jaw dropping at the brazenness of the woman, Yara was still sitting staring at the flame as Nara snuffed the lamp with her magic.

On the third day out from Temple Island, the winds had all but stopped. The dead calm left the Sea Dragon simply to move with the waves until Annalicia decided to end the stalemate. After four hours of waiting for a breeze, the wind wizard decided to make one. Calling on the winds from high above, the wizard did her dance styled magic and pulled some of that wind down for the sails.

While it wasn’t as strong as some of the natural winds, it did supply some power for movement. No longer just floating aimlessly, the Sea Dragon was able to push onward and follow their course. The sailors cheered their lady wizard and went back about the business of sailing once more.

Sebastian took the time to scout ahead as he rode the winds. Having the pressure of knowing there was a second point off their path, made the mage want to find the one he had chosen that much faster. While it may be Trillian, chasing down this path might make them miss something at the other site. It was likely a ridiculous feeling to have, since the man and these artifacts had been lost for nearly two centuries. If they had waited this long, then it was likely no matter how much time they spent they would still find whatever clue they would.

On his return, the mage released the railing where his body had been standing for nearly an hour. Yara offered him a tin cup of juice knowing that he would be both thirsty and hungry after such a long use of magic. It had once been a spell beyond him until he had learned to harness more power with a staff, but once he had cracked it the mage was able to release his mind with relative ease and no cheats.

Still it was magic and using it did take a toll on the body. Eating and drinking were the usual ways that a wizard or mage compensated for the energy used. Draining the mug in seconds, Sebastian found a plate and a bottle sitting on the ground beside the healer.

“Did you find anything?” Yara asked as her emerald eyes searched the sea to the horizon sparkling with the same light. Her blond hair shone much like the sun above, he thought fondly.

“Nothing beyond a few rocks and some whales swimming. I was hoping that we would find an island or whatever this mark pointed to by now,” he confessed. Pulling the device from his pocket, Sebastian tested again and still the two red dots taunted him. The eastern point was slowly shifting as they moved southward. Their path was also slightly to the east meaning if it was Trillian they were basically maintaining the distance between ship and island. He hated giving up on this path because of the need for supplies, but the captain had informed him that they only had a little over a week more before they would have to put in for more water and food.

Sitting down, the couple leaned against the low wall beneath the rail as he finished eating. “I’m sure that we’ll find it in time and who knows maybe there will be food and water there that we can use anyway.”

After their last experience with the islands that the Grimnal had explored, he was beginning to wonder if any of them would be hospitable let alone have supplies. It seemed that the ancient king had chased after danger and there would be little enjoyment on the islands that they found.

A small smile touched his lips thinking that he and Yara had enjoyed their time on the last island at least for a time. The beauty of the ruin pool and the even more beautiful woman beside him had been truly enjoyable. Despite that, the cursed island had proven dangerous to them all as had Crab Island before it.

“Nara and I have been talking,” the blond healer stated without looking at Sebastian. Her eyes looked over the far rail to the clouds dotting a mostly blue sky to the northeast.

His attention was pulled to the girl by her words, because he could tell that they were leading to more important things. “About what?” he asked fearing that perhaps the women had speaking of things best left unsaid.

Looking around to make sure that no one was close enough to hear even if their words were drawn away by the breeze coming over the rail, Yara continued, “I think Nara wants to be with Collin in the same way we were.”

The words remained somewhat secretive, even thought there was no one in easy earshot. Her words also revealed that his worries were justified. Sebastian had faith in their friends. While it had been a team pulled together in a short time, the mage had felt good about his choices. The battle mage selection hadn’t been completely of his making, but they were good men and women that he knew he could trust with his life. Trusting one’s life and one’s secrets weren’t always mutually compatible however.

“So Nara knows,” he mused with a slight nod. Unsure of whether to be worried by this news mixed with what Yara had actually said, Sebastian waited for her to go on.

Eyes flicking to the side of his face as the man stared towards the deck in thought, Yara nodded, “She guessed. I’m not a very good liar or masker of the truth as a diplomat wizard might say. Nara knows me too well and guessed that something had happened in the jungle.

“She has also been having thoughts about Collin. I don’t know if she’s even shared them with him. It’s a big step, but they’re both older. Wizards do marry and have children like anyone else. It would be foolish for someone known to have magic to not try to have a child, if only because the odds are greater that their children will have magic.”

Sebastian queried, “So she wants to have a child also? The timing might be a little off for that.”

Again the blond moved with her nod of agreement and she replied, “I know that a mission isn’t the best time to take a risk, but I am a healer and know a spell that can keep her from getting pregnant if they decide they want to be together. You can’t fault them from wanting to, Sebastian. They are in love like us.”

His gaze shifted to the sky as if asking guidance from the gods or the air. “They have the right to do as they please, but rules are around us also. Maura could never find out or there would be trouble for all of us. This ship isn’t large enough to think that people wouldn’t talk.”

Sighing loud enough to be heard despite the breeze, the girl stated, “So if they wanted to have us trade places in such a way that they could be together in one room and we could together in another...?”

He ran his hands through his hair. A battle mage was trained as a cadet and later as a falcon to be able to lead, but no one had prepped him for something like this. “I’ll have to think about it, Yara,” Sebastian finally responded as he stood up. Offering a hand to the pretty blond in her light yellow dress, a new one bought for the trip knowing that it would be warmer as the journey continued, Sebastian helped her to stand beside him. His hands went to both sides of her waist holding her with elbows only half bent. “I want to, you know,” the man confessed, “but we need to make sure that we try and do it right. If
someone like Maura let the wizards’ councils know about anything like that happening, I’m not sure what would happen to us. We’re still young enough that we might be separated to avoid having us be together. Collin and Nara could have penalties as well.”

The girl nodded letting a sad frown hold her lips and eyes. “I know, but we’re also away from the councils and schools. We aren’t children anymore. I’m a full wizard and you’re a falcon.”

With a chiding smile, Sebastian replied quietly, “I’m not worried about the battle mages. There won’t be any punishment from my side. It’s you and the others I am worried about.”

Looking incredulously at him, Yara questioned, “You don’t think they would punish you if you got me pregnant or something like that?”

A laugh snuck past his lips before he joked, “I’d probably get an award for finding the prettiest wizard and having a child with her.”

She punched him the stomach and demanded, “Stop that! You’re making a joke and I am trying to be serious.”

With a shrug, Sebastian added, “Well, it’s kind of true. If I keep giving them new magic, having an affair with a wizard probably won’t even come up except to congratulate me on finding such a good one. Like I said, battle mages aren’t under quite the same rules as you are. Even the women aren’t held to the same code once they’ve graduated from cadet.”

Separating from the mage, Yara started to move towards the back of the ship. “I am going to check on Anna. She’s been pushing the ship for almost two hours now. I want to make sure that she has enough to eat and drink. We can’t be letting our host hurt herself by doing too much.”

Sebastian watched as the healer moved away. She had become used to the movement of the boat and didn’t even need the rail to walk the deck. Admiring her as she moved, Sebastian wondered if they could actually get away with being together. Southwall and its guilds had many rules. There were also a lot of problems with how wizards and battle mages generally got along with one another. His team may have become close, but there were still a lot of walls to break down in their world.

Chapter 19- Forest and Field

On the fourth day, clouds came again and with it a strong wind. Annalicia looked tired and, though Sebastian had used his own limited wind magic to give the woman a break, the Malaiy wind wizard had spent much of the third pushing the ship with the wind. Taking a well deserved rest, Anna disappeared into her bedroom chamber on the evening of the third day and didn’t bother to return to the deck until almost noon the next day.

Sebastian watched as the ship’s crew moved about keeping busy adjusting lines or just cleaning to make sure that the Sea Dragon was up to the captain’s standards. It was another way to keep their minds off the sometimes dull life at sea. After the initial beauty of the blue sea extending off to the horizon with the equally limitless sky above, only an occasional sighting of a whale or shark might break up the monotony.

Wizards and mages had to be careful where the walked to stay out of the way of the crew on deck but, as they grew more bored waiting to find the next island, they amused themselves with practicing with their magic. For Serrena and the battle mages, such amusement was easily made with fire spells and shields. Even Liam could exercise his magic using the water to assist in the speed of the vessel or bringing water spouts up to manipulate the magic around his element.