Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) (41 page)

When the shield fell, Henry and Clarence rushed forward as did the fold. No longer did Athena’s magic hold them back and the entire army ran into the fight. United, this group fought together to battle their foe. Some of their men fell, but they knew the price of freedom wouldn’t come without cost and they protected each other as best they could.

Henry saw Athena approach Arnak. Arnak stood before his sister but Christopher’s sword had already done the damage it needed to. The slit in the side of Arnak’s neck spurted with blood and he fell to his knees. Athena rushed forward and caught Arnak as he fell to the ground. She cradled him in her arms as his heart beat for the last time. She called to him and shook him, but he was gone.

As the fold fought on, the army around them began to fall. The soldiers had been bound by magic to their Lord and with his death they, too, perished. The battle was over and the bodies of their enemies lay upon the sodden earth and the Lord Zute claimed the souls, which were rightfully his.

Athena screamed when she saw Arnak’s soul rise from his body and watched in horror as he was sucked into the Underlands. Zute had claimed him to fulfil his bargain.

Henry and Clarence aimed their magic towards Athena. In her weakened state they would be able to overpower her.

Athena saw the Wizards draw their power and so she did what she had to. She summoned her gift and recalled herself to where she was bound, her safe haven, the inner chamber of The Sorcerer’s Dome.

Peter and James helped Christopher to his feet. He was muddy, bloody, battered and bruised but he was alive.

Solencia was again a free land but this freedom had come at a great cost.

Peter looked around, the sound of the battle had ceased and now the only sounds he heard came from the men of the fold, as they helped those who’d been injured.

Everyone worked together to move the injured back to camp. Once there, they were placed in tents to rest and wait while the Wizards healed them. Elle helped where she could but she wasn’t yet fully recovered.

The three Wizards worked through the night to make sure their men were comfortable. Those with minor injuries had to wait the longest, but they didn’t complain and were grateful to be alive.

Early the next morning, riders were sent back to each town and village to collect supplies and return with more men. Not only were there graves to dig but also Arnak’s army littered the land.

As for the men who’d died for their freedom, they were loaded into wagons and taken from the battleground to a nearby hill and there each man was laid to rest in his own grave with his name marked upon a stone.

Christopher looked around at the lifeless vessels that lay upon the ground, and what he saw saddened his heart. It was such a pointless waste of life.

The men of the fold set to work and salvaged what the army had left behind. What could be re-used was loaded into the wagons and taken back to the fold’s camp. Everything else they used to build pyres and the corpses of Arnak’s army were piled on top.

Meanwhile, the Wizards’ task was to blast the mounds so their fire engulfed all and the flames cleansed the earth. The smell of burnt flesh seared their senses as they worked tirelessly.

Elle helped around the camp and prepared meals for the men when they returned to rest from their horrendous work. Each man ate his fill and then took his rest before he returned to the battleground to continue on with the task of clearing the land.

Finally, weeks after they’d begun, their labour came to an end and all returned to camp. Exhausted they rested around their fires. They were physically and emotionally spent.

The sun’s rays shone upon the earth and a light breeze blew across the land as Christopher asked for all in the fold to gather. Today they’d leave and return home to their families. They stood by the edge of the camp and looked over the area where the battle had taken place. Piles of ash littered the landscape as far as the eye could see.

Henry and Clarence stood on each side of Christopher. They’d together decided they wouldn’t ease each man’s horrific experience; to do so would take away what they’d fought for. Instead they would wipe the land clean and give each man hope and a new vision for the future.

Christopher addressed those gathered. ‘Such a waste of life we’ve seen. But the price of freedom isn’t without cost. Our losses have been many and for their sacrifices we’re humbled. The families of those departed who are left behind, will be taken under our wings and there will be a place for them in our lives and in our hearts. They shall not want. You’ve shown great strength in your fight for freedom and I, too, feel saddened as we all have suffered from this devastation.’ They all knew how many lives Christopher had taken when he’d entered the shield and enabled the fold to swarm inside.

‘Freedom is yours. Cherish it as it shouldn’t be taken for granted. We must guard it always. Return home with your heads held high and begin your lives anew. Let all you’ve seen guide you,’ Christopher said.

Then the Wizards called to the winds. They held their arms out towards the land and called their spell across the valley. At first the breeze was light, it ruffled the leaves on the trees and sent ripples through the grassland. As they continued on, the wind gathered speed until it became a raging gale. The currents swirled and lifted the ash from the mounds to darken the sky and spread it far across the land.

As the roar died down, what ash remained settled back upon the earth and as it did the haze in sky began to clear. The landscape before them had changed. Although it was still scarred by the thousands who’d trampled upon its surface, it was no longer pockmarked with the ashes of the dead. As they scanned the plains they all knew, in time, nature would reclaim what was hers and life would begin anew. This filled them with hope and the desire to return home.

‘You’re all welcome if you choose to come to Canistar and make your homes there. There’ll be work for many as the village and Keep are to be restored. There’s a place there for you and your families if you so choose. Tell others if they need, there will be a place for them in the north,’ Christopher said.

Christopher, Elle, Henry and Clarence had decided they’d rebuild the Keep.

‘If you choose to come, you must make the journey soon. The first snow has already fallen and soon the trek up the mountain to the Keep will be impassable. Otherwise you’ll have to wait until the spring rains clear the snow,’ Henry said.

After the men of the fold had left, Christopher’s small party remained.

‘What now?’ Jack asked the group as they gathered around the fire. Soon they’d leave as well. Christopher sat next to Elle. She took his hand and he looked at her and nodded.

‘I’ll return with Christopher to his home in The Dale,’ Elle said.

Jack looked at Christopher.

‘Elle wishes to travel with me to take Rose and Albert back home. We’ll see them settled and well before we travel to the Keep in Canistar. It was once my family home, and I’d like to return there and learn how to use my magic to benefit the people.’

Henry nodded. He saw that Christopher had accepted his gift and the responsibility that went along with it. ‘Good,’ Henry said. ‘We shall rebuild the Keep together. Hopefully there will be others that return and wish to do the same.’

‘Father, Jack, would you consider making your home in Canistar?’ Elle wanted her father and brother to be near her. Jack had only just returned to them and she’d missed him.

‘Yes, Atlas, we need a man with your knowledge,’ Clarence said. ‘Elle has told me of your skill as a stonemason. You’d be a great asset to us.’ Clarence knew a lot about Elle and her family. She’d been the only real source of contact for him over the past decade.

‘I don’t know if I still have it in me. I haven’t had to cut stone for nearly two decades.’

‘That’s not true, father. You’ve helped many people repair the damage done in Canameer.’

‘Well, Atlas, come to the Keep and stay a while, see how you feel. Once you’ve rested and you see your daughter safe, you may feel differently,’ Clarence said.

‘Oh please, father, say you’ll come.’

He smiled at his daughter. He’d go to be near her and make a new life for himself.

‘Jack, will you come?’

‘You know I will, Elle, but I can’t say for how long. I think domestic life would bore me to tears,’ he said and then laughed at Elle as she wrinkled up her nose.

‘Jack, I might have a plan to solve all your boredom,’ Christopher said.

‘I think you’re the man I need.’

‘To do what exactly?’

‘Train and lead an army. Solencia will never be without an armed force again.’

Jack felt this could be a plan for him as the army had been his life for such a long time and he’d be near his family. ‘Sounds interesting. I think I may have a few ideas,’ he said.

‘You’re all welcome to come,’ Henry said to Joseph and his boys.

‘No. We’ll return to our home. There’ll be plenty of work to see to,’ Joseph said. ‘Besides, you’ll be in need of good lumber when you rebuild.’

Peter stepped forward and shook Christopher’s hand. ‘We’ll visit often Christopher. We may be apart but our friendship will always bind us.’ James nodded as he grasped Christopher’s hand. Christopher may not have been born of their blood, but they considered him to be their brother.

They said their farewells and each party left to travel to their destination.

Christopher and Elle returned to Corn Fallow. The Bartholemews had cared for Albert and Rose while they’d been away, and they stayed a few nights with their family before the four of them headed home to The Dale.

Rose was glad to have Christopher home and see him happy. When Christopher told her that he and Elle were to return to Canistar in the spring, her heart had fluttered at the thought of him so far away. But Elle promised they’d visit often, and Christopher suggested that maybe she and Albert could also move to Canistar. Albert wanted to help rebuild their own village and so declined their invitation. The two young folk needed to make their own way in the world. But who knew, one day he and Rose might move but not just yet.

Rose ventured out and embraced life again. She widened her social circle and fear no longer played a part in her life.  She found herself happy as she taught in the village school, while Albert continued working in his smithing shop. He’d employed a young lad from the village to help him with the work and Christopher had helped the boy settle in with Albert and Rose before he and Elle left to travel to the Keep. Although they both missed Christopher, they enjoyed their new life of peace. Rose’s child had grown and flown on to take his place in the world, and for that she was truly grateful. And she looked forward to the time when they’d travel north to visit at the Keep.

The spring rains came and the snow thawed. It had been nearly five months since Christopher had seen his grandfather.

Christopher and Elle travelled through the village of Canistar. They could see Mount Burlog in the distance, and Christopher surveyed the village as they continued down the main road. He thought this place once would’ve been a thriving community, but now the village showed the scars of the invasion and many of the buildings stood battered and empty.

They came upon the inn towards the edge of the village and as they passed by, Christopher noticed the faded sign. It was made from wood and hung in front of the building over the portico. Burnt into the sign was a picture of a tree. Christopher recognised it to be the same design as his father’s talisman, which he wore around his neck. Christopher remembered Henry’s description of the talisman and what the tree of life represented and then he knew for sure that his life was meant to be here. Together they’d rebuild the Keep and return it to the purpose for which it had originally been built, but this time all would be welcome within the walls, not just those who held the gift. All who came to learn would be taught the lessons needed so they could help their people when they returned home.

They rode through the gates of the Keep. Henry was outside reading under a tree as he enjoyed the spring weather. When he heard the clip clop of the horse’s hooves on the hard ground, it roused him from his book. He looked up and a smile lit his face. Rising from his seat he walked forward to greet them.

‘Thought you two might have been lost, but I see that you’re fine,’ he said and then continued with his happy grin. A young lad came over and took the reins of their horses as Christopher and Elle dismounted to greet him.

‘Finch, this is Christopher and Elle,’ Henry said as he introduced the boy.

‘Hello, Sir, Ma’am.’

‘Hello, Finch. Nice to meet you,’ Christopher said and Elle ruffled his hair.

‘Can you take their horses to the stables, and we’ll see you later for supper,’ Henry said to the boy.

‘Come inside.’ Henry ushered them towards the portal. Christopher and Elle followed him up the stairs. As Henry held open the door to the massive structure, Christopher and Elle stepped over the threshold.

‘Welcome home,’ Henry said.