The Forgotten King (Korin's Journal) (37 page)

Ithan looked shocked at my words but offered no judgment.  Hopefully he understood that there was a good chance we’d end up in the fighting at some point. 

Max stood on his haunches and placed a paw on my hand.  I knew he was trying to provide comfort, but it just seemed a strange gesture coming from a squirrel.  I gave him another weak smile, and proceeded to finish my recounting of my time with Jefren and Kait’.

Max looked out across the hills as if deep in thought.  “I have never heard of anything like these rocks.  Their magical properties are similar to Contracts.  I can accept that Jefren was able to exert control through direct communication, but I do not understand how the same could be done without someone present to give the orders.  The enslaved man that Jefren caught in Gualain claimed to hear the orders in his head, correct?”

“That’s what Briscott told me,” I answered, rubbing at my chest as phantom pains began to worsen.  “Ithan thinks that maybe the rocks are Linked, or something like that.”

“Linked?”  Max looked questioningly to Ithan, his whiskers twitching.  “What do you mean?”  It appeared there was a type of magic that Max knew nothing about.

Ithan sat up straighter and started to explain.  “It is said that long ago, some wizards had the ability to Link certain materials or elements to a common Source.  By having a sample, or Source, of a given substance, it could be Linked to all other traces of the same substance throughout Amirand.  The Source would then be the only means of utilizing the Link.  Of course, this could only be done for rare substances.  Even the wizards of old, with stronger abilities than wizards today, could not Link something as common as, say, granite, copper, or salt. 

“It is believed that many of the wizards who possessed this ability used it to Link precious metals and gems, such as gold and diamonds, in order to locate prime areas to mine them.  Some supposedly used the ability to Link rare plants and herbs.  No wizard today has been able to replicate Linking to the same extent.

“Saiyre’s and Salmaea’s betrothal rings share a similar type of connection, though far less complex.  In the case of the rings, the connection is very specific and is not based on the rings’ material, but instead on an attraction between a unique spell placed on each, as well as a drop of their own blood imbibed in both rings. 

“If some wizard has discovered how to Link once more, then maybe they were able to Link these rocks, if the rocks are indeed rare enough.  The wizard in possession of the Source could possibly give orders through it, though there are no records I know of that describe any such use of Linking.  Assuming the rocks are Linked, if the Source were to be destroyed, then the Link would be broken.”  Ithan took in a deep breath as he finished, his eyes wide as if surprised he’d spoken so much at once. 

“Interesting,” Max mused.  “I have never heard of such magic.” 

Max went on to question Ithan about Linking for a while.  Eventually, we all fell into small talk while the sun began to set, painting the sky a dozen shades of brilliant orange.  The evening chill was starting to wrap its icy fingers around us. 

While the moon fought for dominance over the mountain-obscured sun, I started to worry about Til’ and Briscott.  I couldn’t continue on without them.  My worry turned out to be unfounded.

Chapter 30

The Gang’s All Here . . . for a Moment, At Least

“There they are, Briscott!” Til’ screamed shrilly.  Thundering hoof beats cut through the night as a horse, shadowed in the early evening, came charging towards us from the road.

I barely had time to stand up before Til’ literally jumped from the saddle of his still-moving horse and, after a couple of staggering steps, flung himself at me.  His arms wrapped around my middle, the top of his head pressing just below my chest.  Still weak from the potion, I just about fell backwards to the ground from his momentum.

“We thought something had happened to you,” Til’ said, tightening his embrace. 

“I’m fine,” I replied, smiling.  “The fortune block you gave me literally saved my life.”  Til’s smile nearly lit the evening sky.  “What took you so long to get here?  Saiyre should’ve sent for you right after we left.”

“Who’s Saiyre?” Til’ asked.  He didn’t give me time to answer.  “Some wizard named Thain came and found us and told us where to find you.  We almost ran from him, since he was dressed in a Wizard Guard uniform, but he called us by name and said he had information about you.  He said it took him a long time to find us.  He’d been told that we’d be at the stables or Idrolin’s Den, but we weren’t there.”  He stopped his explanation abruptly and averted his eyes.

My eyes narrowed.  “And why’s that?”

In the glow of the firelight, Til’s pale face darkened as he stared down at his feet.  “We were trying to find a way into the Wizard Academy,” he admitted sheepishly.  “When you didn’t show up, we thought they’d caught you, and we couldn’t just leave you in there for two weeks while we waited for a letter to get through to Sal’.”

By this time, Briscott had arrived on a dappled mare.  He dismounted and clasped my shoulder.  “Glad to see you made it out all right,” Briscott greeted with a friendly smile.  His tilted eyes lowered to Ithan sitting quietly by the fire with a flash of suspicion, but he turned his attention back to me, sweeping his hair back from his face.  “I’m sure Til’ probably already told you why we’re so blighting late.” 

Unable to help but smile, I rustled Til’s hair.  “You’re both forgiven,” I said, bringing about a large grin on Til’s childlike face.  “My plan was flawed anyway.  More importantly . . .
”  I held out a hand towards where Max stood on his haunches, resting a forepaw on the translucent sphere that encased Xalis.

“So Korin is not the only lunkhead trying to sneak into the Academy, I see.”  Max’s mouth curved into a playful smile.  Briscott’s jaw dropped.

“Max!” Til’ screamed.  He rushed towards the squirrel, scooping him up and putting him to his shoulder in a quasi-hug.  “Max, you’re okay!”

“Except for my soon-to-be-broken ribs,” Max responded with a grunt.

“Sorry,” Til’ apologized, releasing Max, who leapt onto my arm and scampered onto my shoulder.  “You’ll never believe what all we’ve been through!  We were captured by Galius’s men and there was this one guy named Bill—he was a Holder for Galius and had these crazy tattoos—but then Korin tricked Galius into—”

“
Til’,” I cut in, “I think some introductions are in order first.  Briscott, this is Max.”

“Pleased to meet you, Max,” Briscott said eagerly, unable to hide his shock.  There’s really no way to prepare someone for meeting a magic talking wizard squirrel for the first time.

“To you as well,” Max replied.  “Korin has told me much about you.  I am truly sorry for the losses you have suffered.”  Briscott’s eyes glistened in the firelight as he nodded in gratitude for the sentiment. 

“And this is Ithan.”  I gestured to the quiet wizard who’d risen to his feet to join us.  “He’ll be accompanying us to Gualain.”  Ithan held up his hand in greeting but remained silent.  “He’s a little shy,” I added, causing his cheeks to redden.

“Where’s Sal’?” Til’ questioned, looking all around as if she were somehow hiding somewhere outside the firelight.

With a deep sigh, I explained everything.

Once I finished, Til’ waved a hand dismissively.  “Oh, you know she loves you,” he said with certainty.  “She was going to go to Gualain with you instead of going back to the Wizard Academy.  I mean, putting her life in danger to be with you seems like love to me.”  Til’ gave me a bright, infectious smile. 

“Loranis’s will does tend to manifest in mysterious ways,” Briscott threw in. 
“Sometimes too blighting mysterious.”

Ithan even threw in his two coppers, though soft mumbling was all we heard.  All of us looked at him questioningly.  His eyes turned down in embarrassment.  “I do not know if it is my place to say such things, but it is no secret that Salmaea has never loved Saiyre.  Her father set up the betrothal so that after the marriage, Saiyre would be poised to become the next Grand Wizard and keep the title in the Fellway name.  Salmaea is the Grand Wizard’s only child and . . . well, unfit for the position, in his eyes.”

Though Ithan was probably trying to make me feel better by revealing that Sal’ did not love Saiyre, his words just made me feel ten times worse.  If they were true, then whether or not Sal’ cared for me, there was little chance that she’d be able to escape her father’s will.  He was the Grand Wizard, for Vesteir’s sake.

“Can we just drop it?” I implored.  “We should be more worried about the fact that Sal’ could easily be in danger in Gualain.”  The very thought sent a shock of dread through my body.

“Suit yourself,” Til’ replied.  “Just remember what I told you before about the flowers.  Women love them . . . usually.”  Then, without pause, he was on to the next subject. “Now that we have Xalis again, I can take him back to the Snowy Waste.  I’ll set off with him in the morning.  I already stocked up on food and water for the trip.  Speaking of food . . .”  Til’ jogged over to his stout brown gelding and pulled something from a satchel that hung from the pommel of his saddle.  He rushed back, his eyes twinkling with excitement. 

“Max, this is for you,” he offered, holding out something wrapped in cloth.  He untied the ends to reveal the two meat rolls we’d saved for him.

“What is this?” Max asked curiously.  He leapt from my shoulder to Til’s and scuttled down his arm to the meat rolls.  His black nose twitched excitedly as he inhaled their scent.  He let out a slight moan of pleasure and took one up in his forepaws before jumping to the ground and tearing into it. 

“Til’,” Max said around a mouthful of food, “if I have ever said a bad thing about you, I take it back.”  We all shared a laugh at that.

After packing up the remaining meat roll with my supplies—not without a threat to my life from Max for if it turned up missing—we all took seats around the fire. 

Til’ held Xalis in his lap.  “I’m finally going to fulfill my promise to Bhaliel,” Til’ spoke excitedly, his silver eyes gleaming in the firelight.  “Then I’ll come find you guys.  I don’t know how yet, but I will.”

Ithan held up a finger.  “I might have a solution,” he offered softly.  “Korin, let me see your hand.”

With a little misgiving, I held my hand out to Ithan.  He squeezed my index finger and quickly brought his other hand down, stabbing something stingingly into it.

I jerked my hand back, shaking it as if doing so would help ease the sting.  “Ow!  What was that?”

“I need a couple drops of your blood,” he explained casually.

“Do not be such a weakling about it,” Max joked raspily around the last bite of the meat roll.  I couldn’t imagine how the entire thing had fit in his stomach.  “You have been through much worse.”

Glaring at Max, I gave Ithan my hand.  He rubbed my pricked fingertip across a small stone that he must’ve just picked up from the ground. 

“I will use this to make a Tracking Stone,” he said as he released my finger. 

“You can do that?” Max asked
, his voice filled with a wonder that I’d rarely heard from him before. 

Ithan nodded.  “Yes, it is a talent of mine.  I actually helped create Saiyre’s and Salmaea’s betrothal rings.” 

“So, this will work like the rings?” I asked, sucking on the tip of my finger.

“No, not exactly,” Ithan answered.  “I do not have the time to create a long-term spell nor forge a two way connection between two objects.  Therefore, this stone will allow Til’ to track us, but not the other way around.”  He ungloved one hand and reached for Fleet.

“Wait,” Max interrupted.  “It will do you no good to use Korin’s blood.  He is protected from being tracked by magic.”

Ithan looked back and forth between Max and me, incredulity plain on his face.  “That is not possible.”

“You can test it if you like,” Max returned, “but I do not think Fleet would be very happy about it.”

“Use it to track me,” Briscott cut in, holding out his hand. 
“Might as blighting well be me, if anyone.”

“I will be inquiring further about that spell, Max,” Ithan assured.  Max simply shrugged.

Ithan proceeded to prick Briscott’s finger and smeared his blood on another small, nondescript stone.  Fleet let out a loud screeching call and puffed up her feathers as Ithan drew the energy for the spell from her.  As Ithan worked on the stone, I looked to Max.

“Will this be like what Menar had?” I asked, remembering the black stone Menar had used to track me.  Back when Max’s spell protecting me from being tracked by magic had been weakened by the dragon
egg, Menar’s stone had worked when it was relatively close to me. 

“Exactly,” Max answered.  “I am impressed that Ithan can create such an object.  The making of Tracking Stones is beyond my abilities.”

“And here I thought you were the most powerful wizard in Amirand,” I joked.

Max didn’t look amused.  “It is not about the power needed or the complexity of the spell; it just takes a rare talent.  The only wizard I ever knew of that could make one was my mentor, Illison, and he is long since dead.”

“I never knew you had a mentor, Max.”  Actually, I didn’t know much of anything about Max’s past.

“No, I simply learned all the magic I know completely by myself,” Max shot back sarcastically with what I was sure to be a roll of his eyes.  “Yes, I had a mentor whose training you can thank for pretty much every time I have saved your life or helped you in any way.  Needless to say, you owe him
a lot
of thanks.”

Before I could whip out a comeback,
Til’ scooted closer and started to talk about how excited he was to go to the Snowy Waste and see a dragon again.  I wouldn’t have been quite so cheerful about the prospect. 

When Ithan was finished, he dropped the stone into the larger abelyr box, placing the lid back over it.  He held the box out to Til’.  “Til’, I had to keep the spell on the stone fairly simple given what little I currently have to work with, so it will not last long.  However, if you leave the Tracking Stone within the confines of the abelyr box, the spell will be suppressed, hopefully prolonging its life.  The box is not sealed by magic this time, so take care to keep it closed, or the spell will just be wasted.

“Once you have completed your task in the Snowy Waste, take the Tracking Stone from the box and hold it tightly in your hand.  You will feel it gently pulling towards Briscott’s location.  I would suggest obtaining a general direction from it only periodically, otherwise keeping it inside the abelyr box.  Doing so may extend the life of the spell and bring you to us before it dissipates completely.  Once you are within a mile or so of Briscott, if the spell is still intact, the Tracking Stone will begin to glow and vibrate,” Ithan explained. 

Ithan’s eyes fell upon Xalis on Til’s lap.  “You may even want to keep the dragon child in the box with the Tracking Stone, just to keep him safe until you get into the Snowy Waste.

“Thanks, Ithan!  Now I’ll be able to meet up with you guys and help you take care of Raijom!  Isn’t that great, Korin?”  Til’ continued to ramble until he somehow got on the topic of what dragons ate in the Snowy Waste. 

I turned to Ithan, grinning.  “You seem to be getting the whole speaking thing down.  You’ll be a public orator in no time.”

The flickering orange light of the fire couldn’t hide Ithan’s blush.  “I enjoy explaining anything having to do with magic,” he responded meekly.  “That is one of the only social aspects to being an Archivist.”

We all enjoyed our time together as nightfall fully settled upon the world, a half moon and bright stars decorating the black curtain of a sky.  Eventually, everyone grew tired enough to settle in for the night.  Briscott brought me the cloak-wrapped bundle I’d left with him in Auslin before laying down on a blanket near the fire.  Til’ bade us all a goodnight and took up his own spot by the dwindling flames.

I was also about ready to drop, but now that I had my journal back, I wanted to take some time to catch up on chronicling my journey.  “Max, it’s been a while since I wrote anything in my journal.  Do you think you could use one of your memory spell things on me?”

“Memory spell thing, huh?  As much as I would love to use a memory spell
thing
to help you, they cleaned me up at the Academy, and alas, no fleas or lice to speak of.”  Max tended to use the tiny parasites to power his spells.

“You can use this if you would like,” Ithan offered, holding out the blue Reservoir Saiyre had given him.  Unlike the last time I’d seen it, it emitted a soft glow.  “In fact, you can hold on to it for now.  It should have enough magic energy in it already for something as simple as what Korin wants.”