Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) (38 page)

‘Kovak has her.’

‘Go, Christopher. I’ll see to your aunt,’ Henry said as he moved towards Rose. Christopher, Jack, Peter and James ran for their horses. Taking to their saddles, they sped off towards the place where they’d left the wagons.

The empty carts came into sight and they searched the surrounding area. Jack found Albert. He lay partially hidden within a group of trees, near a bend in the road. As he called out to the others he noticed Elle’s bow. Her arrows lay strewn in the grass not far from where Albert lay. Christopher jumped from his horse and ran to Albert’s side. He checked Albert, whose chest still rose but he didn’t stir when Christopher tried to wake him and there was a large bloody gash on the side of his face. Jack and Peter searched for signs that would tell them which way Kovak had taken Elle.

As Elle, Rose and Albert had sat and waited in the wagon, they’d heard Christopher call out to the soldiers in the village. Elle could hear the battle as it unfolded and time seemed to stand still. She could stand it no longer and jumped out of the wagon and made her way down the road towards the village. Worried, Albert followed her.

From behind a group of trees Albert and Elle watched the road that led into the village. They couldn’t see past the buildings from their vantage point, but the sounds of the battle drifted and they could hear the clash of steel as the men fought. Rose sat alone in the wagon and she lent over the edge to watch for their return.

‘They’ll be fine, Elle,’ Albert said. ‘They’ve two Wizards with them, if the need should arise. We should go back to the wagon.’ He was worried for Rose who was now on her own and they decided to head back.

Kovak watched Christopher as his men waited with their horses not far from where he lurked. They were silent and remained concealed within the trees as Christopher and Henry led their men into the town.

Within a thicket not far from the wagons, Kovak waited for his opportunity. Then it happened, Elle climbed out of the wagon.

She walked with the older man down the road towards the village. As they returned Kovak seized the moment. Mounted upon his stallion he dug his heels into the beast’s sides. The stallion’s hooves churned the earth as the beast lunged forward. Kovak’s desire walked not far away and he urged his stallion on. His eyes rested only upon Elle; soon she’d be his. The stallion sped towards the two as they moved back towards the wagon, and Kovak leant forward to grab Elle.

As he galloped towards them, his stallion collided with Albert and knocked him down and he rolled along the ground and lay hidden in the trees. He didn’t rise to help Elle as Kovak scooped her up and threw her over his horse. As Elle was flung over the saddle her head struck the pommel and she drifted into unconsciousness. Kovak cut the leather that held her bow and quiver and pulled them from her body, before he cast them away.

‘You are mine, my dear. Now we’ll see if he’s brave enough to follow us into the serpent’s nest,’ Kovak said. Then he held her in front of him as he galloped off through the trees.

The soldiers watched as Kovak burst forth on his mighty stallion. They kicked their mounts and sped forward towards their Captain. It was over by the time they reached him and they continued on through the trees after him.

Rose had watched for Albert and Elle and was glad when they came into sight. She heard the thundering of hooves and saw Kovak as he rode towards her husband and Elle. She screamed to them to run, but Kovak was upon them before they’d a chance to move. About to climb out of the wagon, Rose watched as a group of soldiers approached and then followed Kovak through the trees. She ran to the spot where she’d last seen her husband. Tears streamed down her face and clouded her vision as she searched for him. She didn’t see the small branch concealed under the grass and her foot caught upon it. As Rose fell forward, she hit her head. She staggered to her feet and stumbled towards the village.

‘Christopher, the tracks head through those trees,’ Jack said as he hurried Christopher in his task. ‘Peter has already set off to follow their trail. We must leave now.’

‘I’ll stay with Albert and wait for the others,’ James said. ‘I’ll catch up to you soon.’

Christopher and Jack set off after Peter, the three of them following the trail left by Kovak’s men. They now hunted Kovak, and he’d pay for what he’d taken.

Henry and Clarence arrived to see to Albert’s wounds and organised Frank to take him and Rose back to Thomas’ home. James and the Wizards sped off to catch up with Christopher.

The people of the village built several fires to burn the corpses and as Frank looked up into the sky, the last rays of sunlight gleamed through the smoky haze.

‘Bring what you can. We ride north. May our souls be safe within this realm.’

The rain pelted down and woke Elle from her daze. Her head throbbed as she hung there. She realised that she was tied across the back of Kovak’s horse when she attempted to move. The ropes, which bound her hands and feet, had been tied securely. The more she resisted and pulled the more they seemed to tighten and cut into the tender flesh of her wrists. Her ankles fared better as her boots gave her resistance against the constant rub of her restraints. If she relaxed it didn’t seem as bad. The horse’s constant movement bounced Elle around but she remained quiet, determined not to give away the fact that she’d woken. She looked around as best she could to try and get her bearings. Her head hung towards the horse’s belly and caused it to throb all the more. Soaked to the skin, she closed her eyes again.

Kovak hadn’t realised his bride to be had woken and then passed back into her realm of darkness. He urged his horse on knowing Christopher would follow them and he planned to put as much distance as possible between himself and those who hunted him. Kovak’s idea was to head towards the Keep. Arnak would be travelling in their direction with his Sorceress and army in tow. He knew if he could make it to them in time, he’d be able to stand within Athena’s power and Christopher wouldn’t be able to touch him.

James and Peter followed the trail Kovak left. His tracks were easy to follow since the rain had turned the earth into a muddy bog and the horses’ hooves dug into the wet earth. Kovak pushed his horse on, desperate to expand the distance between the two groups.

Jack pursued at a frantic pace but he knew if they didn’t stop soon, the horses would collapse so he reluctantly brought their chase to a halt. Finding a secluded thicket to rest within, they tended to their horses feeding them the meagre amount of food they carried within their saddlebags. Jack organised a patrol around the perimeter of the camp while the Wizards spelled a circle to prevent any intruders. Christopher and Peter built a fire to warm them while they ate their rations and spoke of their plans.

‘Where do you think Kovak is taking Elle?’

‘My guess, Peter, would be he’s headed for the Keep where Arnak’s army is gathered. He probably thinks it’s safe for him there,’ Henry said.

Christopher threw a stick into the fire and the flames lapped at the small piece of wood. The rain had stopped some time ago but the wind blew cold as the temperature continued to fall. They’d been lucky enough to find some wood sheltered within a small thicket and while the wood had been quite wet, Clarence and Henry had used their magic to dry it. As they sat around the small flames Henry retrieved the book Frank had given him. He passed it to Christopher and then retold the story that Frank had shared with him.

The book was small and Christopher held it in one hand. As he turned the pages he scanned the words that lay beneath his fingers. He felt uneasy as he read the text as the words struck doubt within him and a shiver ran up his spine. He flicked through the book and Henry stopped him at the page Frank had recited.

‘Christopher, read this passage,’ Henry said as he pointed to the section he wanted Christopher to recite. Henry ignited his Wizard’s magic and held an orb of light so Christopher could see the words clearly.

‘For when the Wizard comes forth to save his brother, they’ll cause events unlike another.’
As Christopher read, a strange light glowed under his fingers as he moved them in rhythm with his words. He stopped and looked up at Henry. ‘What’s this?’ he said as he lifted his fingers from the page. The light still touched their tips until he lifted them further away and the glow vanished.

‘The book has connected with you. I’m not sure why,’ Henry said. He’d never seen this kind of affirmation before, but he had read of similar occurrences when he’d studied the books from the Old Time.

‘I’ve seen this before,’ Clarence said. ‘It has to do with magic from the Old Time. A time when magic was used freely, with less regard for the consequences. It’s directly related to the Sorceress’ magic. She draws her strength from the Lord in the Underlands, and his magic is born from an ancient sect.’

Christopher continued to read the passage but he didn’t touch the page this time.
‘While all that’s good is there to save, the snake they fight for, he will enslave. The beast will rise and with his power, suck the life from every flower. This book they’ll find is the key, to force back evil it’s up to thee.’

‘We don’t choose to enslave anyone. We seek to rid ourselves of this enemy that’s enforced this life upon us,’ Peter said as he dismissed the passage. ‘I don’t see what this book has to do with us. We need to prepare now for what lies ahead. How long before Frank and Jimmy arrive with the fold from Corn Fallow, Henry?’

‘With any luck they should be here by early morning,’ he said.

Christopher tucked the book in his saddlebag and unrolled his bed. They’d need as much rest as they could get.

Frank and Jimmy led the fold from Corn Fallow north to join with Christopher. As they crossed the land they met other groups who’d joined together. United they travelled as one and followed the muddy path that led towards Canistar, the Keep and Freedom.

At the head of the soldiers, Brice rode with Arnak and Athena towards the village of Corn Fallow. Arnak and Athena led their army determined to recapture not only the prisoner but also a second Wizard.

None would rise up against Arnak’s rule. His sister would see to it. They’d make examples of these fools and string them up for all to see.

Meanwhile Kovak had ridden his mount hard and had stopped only twice, once when he transferred Elle to the back of his horse, where he bound her hands and feet and once to release her, when she’d finally woken. Elle had badgered Kovak to let her off the back of his horse, and he had finally given in. When he cut her free, she fell to the ground in a heap. Her hands and feet had lost their circulation and as the blood rushed back into them, they pricked and tingled and Elle was unable to stand.

She lay where she’d fallen until Kovak made one of his soldiers dismount and lift her on to his horse. After he bound her hands to the pommel and her feet to the stirrups, the soldier handed Kovak the reins to his horse. The soldier was left to hitch a ride upon another’s mount as Kovak led her horse along.

As soon as the morning sky began to lighten Christopher’s small group prepared to resume the hunt for Kovak and Elle. As they mounted their horses, noise could be heard behind them in the distance.

‘What’s that? Surely the army hasn’t surrounded us? It cannot be,’ Clarence said.

‘James, ride back and see what comes this way, but be careful,’ Peter warned his brother. James set off. He didn’t have to travel far before he came upon the army, but it was the army of Solencia, led by Jimmy and Frank, that marched towards them. Clarence heard the sound of horses approach, and he prepared himself to do battle. He turned to face the onslaught but was relieved to find the group of men they’d been expecting, but now the group was larger than it had been when they’d left Corn Fallow.

‘Henry, look!’

As Henry and the others looked to where Clarence pointed, their spirits rose. The handful of men they’d expected had joined with others along the way, and united in the same quest, they too had formed their own army. Now thousands marched towards them.

Christopher walked up to greet the united army of Solencia. He welcomed Frank and Jimmy and then he addressed the army.

‘It warms my heart to see you here, brothers of Solencia. You’ve chosen this day, of all days not to back down. To stand for what you believe in. The way before us won’t be easy. Look towards the horizon, there your enemy gathers and stalks this way. Their numbers are great but you’ve all planned for this day. For years you’ve trained and hidden in the shadows. The day to claim back our freedom is upon us. Each man shall watch his brother. Stay together and form groups. Fight united and we shall defeat them.’

Solencia’s men looked towards the far horizon, the way was clear but beyond, Arnak’s army moved in their direction. Thousands upon thousands of men blurred together to blanket the land in a sea of darkness.

Christopher wanted to boost these men so no doubt could rise up into their hearts. He drew his sword from its sheath and held it aloft. ‘You do not fight alone. You all know of the Wizards from Canistar, here are two.’ Christopher moved his sword in their direction to bring the men’s eyes to rest upon Henry and Clarence.

Henry stepped forward and with his hands he conjured lightning. It sparked from his hands to shoot out for all to see. Henry knew he had to demonstrate his magic. Words could only do so much when these men faced a foe that out numbered them ten to one. Henry’s magic helped to hold their choice within their hearts. They knew they weren’t just men fighting a battle on their own. They also had Wizards on their side.

Henry spoke to the thousands gathered. ‘Many years ago, my Brother here and I took a small boy into the Wizard’s enclave. We bound his powers so this evil before us couldn’t find him. We gave him time to grow into the man you see before you today.’ Henry waved his arm towards Christopher. ‘Along with your strength and will, he will lead us. With your help he’s the One who can bring peace back to our lands. He is the Wizard born of need, as written in prophecy, to lead us in this battle.’

The army of Solencia looked towards Christopher for affirmation. Christopher raised his sword into the air for all before him to see and then he centred himself. He reached deep down inside and drew forth his essence. A bright green glow surrounded him and spread out to cover the army. They could feel the gentle pulse of his essence as it travelled amongst them. Christopher’s aura touched all before him and every man felt his magic and saw a shimmer of light glow from his eyes.

‘There’s a price for freedom. If there weren’t, it wouldn’t be so valued. I stand before you and ask you, is freedom what you desire?’

The men before him sent up a united roar.

‘Are you ready to fight for it?’

The roar erupted again.