Of Ancient Passages: Chapter 10: Scattered

The void explodes into rays of light. He opens his eyes and hears the sound of someone screaming. It is a shrill sound. It makes him jump. He sits up in bed looking for it. After a few seconds passes he realizes he was the one screaming.

He stops as soon as he notices. His eyes trail around to see if anyone heard him. Moving he gets up. D’ereen jumps on him forcing Sol into the bed. She sobs his name so loud random people stop and stare. Their eyes are not wanted.

Alunda pushes the people out of the way. He tells them to go back to their studies. Then the door slams shut. The wizard looks exhausted. A sigh comes from him. He holds in his hands a change of clothes.

“By the way D’ereen tells it you saved our lives. You gave us worry.”

“I…I’m okay.”

Alunda grins. “You are full of surprises, changing form. New magic, kinds many would kill for. It’s miraculous.”
“It’s a curse.”

D’ereen squeezes him harder. “We would be dead if not for you.”
He gets up. “When I became unconscious I saw something. This power has been cursed to me. I do not know how or why. I just feel so powerful with it. It is unnatural. It is destructive and chaotic.”

“You’re jabbering. You’re not making any sense.”

“There is something terrible inside me!”

“Come again?” Alunda fumbles with the idea.

“Don’t you get it? Everything from saving you to killing the hydra was under its power. I do not have any magical talent. It is this thing!”

“You know who you are. The power is yours.” Alunda replies.

Sol’s eyes widen. “Do I? I…I don’t know anymore. I have been having weird moments of nostalgia. It feels as if there is something I should remember, something important.”

D’ereen takes the clothes in Alunda’s arm and throws it to him. “Think on it later, we don’t have time.”

“She is right. Put the clothes on. Time is essential.”

They wait outside the door as he dresses. He examines himself in the mirror. The dark green robe makes his eyes stand out, like crystals. He does not like the gloves or the sash, and he does not put them on. The brown cloth under the robe is one piece; going to his neck to his ankle. Last are the boots, essential in all needs and formal enough.

“Okay come in.” Says Sol.

“Now you look the part.” The wizard’s words are encouraging.
“This is not what I am use to.”

“Well, if you want to be a wizard you must look the part.”

A bell rings. The tolling is intruding. Alunda shakes his head up and down in contemplation. Outside of the room, feet start to move. The noise of the crowd grows. Alunda seems almost reluctant.

“Okay let’s go.” D’ereen says.

“You are not coming.” Alunda is adamant.

“And why not?”

“Only wizards are allowed in. Just stay here and relax. We will be back shortly.”

“Fine, I will stay here.” Her frigidness lightens as she looks at Sol. “See you soon, love.”

Is there frustration in Sol’s eyes? Did he actually want her to come? Does she see a hint of sadness? Can she finally guess tracely at what he is feeling? Even if she did acknowledge it, would she believe it? We all have our walls, believing what we want to. She misses him already.

They move through the ornate hall, he marvels at its size. To him a hall is something small, not like this. The most interesting aspect of it (aside from the smaller ones) is the floor. It seems to be made of blue dragon scales and shimmers extravagantly. They take to the right out to the refreshing air. They keep to the pergola.

The boy is lead into the vestibule. Many are running up the stairway. The bell continues to ring out. Sol’s nerves give a sudden jolt, at seeing all of the witches and wizards. All of the people are disappearing into one entryway, at the top. They too begin to climb.

They rush into the room. Everywhere everyone starts to take to sitting. They take a seat near the front. The combined voices of the many, bleeds on through the sounds of the bell. The noise is constant in its redundant tone. Until it slows to a low hum; then a gradual stop.

In front of them six chairs are carved with intricate patterns. The seats hint at the history of this order.  The center seat is raised highest, throne like above the rest. It does not leer down like the others, standing comfortably high. It does not even appear the same fabric (as the rest do). Or, even, the same wood. A bit out of place compared to the rest.

A side-door is pushed open and people walk out. Most of them look warn, like they have seen too much or too little sleep. This exception is for only one. He is the youngest of the group. A person with the gleam of ambition in his eyes. The snow has not fallen on him and he has not seen the winter, like the rest of them.

The last two to enter the room is a woman and a very old man. His white beard nearly trails to the floor, back bent and eyes filled with unmeasurable age. The woman tends to him. She provides a shoulder to fall on should he need it. She helps him as he climbs the steps to the middle seat. To the reserved spot for the eldest of the order. Everyone has taken his or her seat by this point.

The young man raises his hand for silence. The attendance quickly quiets. “One of our own has returned. We did not know what would happen to him. It all happened so fast. Please, Alunda, stand and tell us what occurred.”

He steps forward for all to see. “There was a….” His eyes flash to the younger man. “There was a struggle of ideas between some of us. Shentra thought she could save someone she loved by dabbling in dark arts. She was…unsuccessful. She left here with much flare as most of you remember. I followed, hoping to beseech her reason. I was at her back for a while until I caught up with her. She is starting to worsen, caught by her dark designs. Shentra would not listen to me (her teacher). I thought that if I fought against her that I could overpower her and bring her back. However, she is more powerful than I realized. I cannot believe the things she has learned. I found myself in a very tight spot. I thought I was done for but that is clearly not the case for here I stand.” He points to Sol. “This boy saved me. He has undoubted power. It is like nothing I have ever seen. I swore to him that I would help him master it. Also—“

The young brash man interrupts him. “Shentra was one of our brightest. We will miss her. However, it was foolhardy to follow and try to bring her back. What’s more, you have not managed it and you bring a sapling to put in her place. He has power, you say, well I can only judge what my eyes see. I have seen nothing. Your actions disgrace us.” The crowd has mixed points on this.

Alunda’s calm wears thin. “Azan, perhaps if you had not killed her lover, Valas, such action could have been averted.”

“You blame me for his death?” He sounds shocked.

“It was you who forced him on their dangerous quest. You drove her to the edge and near that edge; she found utter desperation. You made her seek power and a solution for Valas. Then what did you do? You took her away from her studies.”

“Are you on her side now?”

“…No, I just think it could have been handled better. I can hardly recognize my pupil anymore. She jested, I hoped, that she could awaken Zaladen.”

Azan laughs. “And you believe her?” He acts as if this is the most ridiculous thing in the world.

“Well there is a matter of the destruction of Thrott…by Darklers.”

“That isn’t possible!” Azan’s eyes have widened.

“It is very possible. I have seen it. Are you familiar with the Keys of Althein?”

The younger man is almost at a sputter. “Not probable.  They were hidden…they can’t have been….”

Alunda taps his staff nervously. “You of all people should know that the secret has been passed down the bloodline…her bloodline.”

People gasp at the revelation. The crowd grows loud. It gets near a deafening roar. Sol finds himself worrying about Alunda. She said she would be back for him. People start arguing, near to grow into violence.

“Silence!” Shouts Azan and he gets it.

“We as wizards cannot allow it. Our ancestors created the Wall of Penstare. It is our duty to protect everyone from Zaladen. It cannot be as it was before. Nor can we wait as he regains his former power.” Alunda says to everyone.

Azan’s grits his teeth. “You dare tell me what should be done!” He points to the elder, nearly leaving his seat. “Exezla cannot help us! We as an order are under weak conditions. The House of Exezla is crippled. In our greatest hour, he will not or cannot help us. He is a shell of his former power, all is shrunk.”

Another member speaks up. “Do not be so swift to seek despair Azan. Heroes always defeat villains. Maybe if luck will have it the Gods will stop Zaladen or we will stop Shentra.”

Azan jerks his head to him he seems very tired. “Avara, we cannot hope for the Gods to save us. They will not. Heroes do not always win. Shentra must be for by—“

Kelan interrupts, sitting up in her chair. “I see something special about this boy, what is it?”

Azan sighs and rolls his eyes. “I don’t know Lady Kelan, we should—“

“My heart beats heavy at the very sight of him. My head is clear. I do not understand. This boy is very special. He looks so average. I still do not understand it but I have much want of it.” She says.

There is something strange in the way Alunda examines Sol. As if, he is seeing all of him for the first time. It is an odd thing to be looked at this way. They are starting to expect something of him. They will not say it but he can see it. Alunda thinks to himself that Sol can help them and save others.

Why is he looking at me like that? Please, don’t expect so much of me.

Kelan continues. “I have a feeling that this boy will have great impact on the world we perceive. Whether good or ill, I have no clue. He has something great within him his exterior looks quaint. But this façade is well preserved. Destiny it seems is a tricky thing, he holds it high on his—“

What does she mean? How can anyone believe all of that?

Azan burst forth. “Would you have us put all our hopes and dreams on him? Make him our undeserved savior? You may but I will not!”

The room roars with life. Suddenly Sol feels very small. He scrunches down in his seat. Many eyes bore into him. I wonder what they are thinking. Everyone is against the idea of him being there savior. I mean they are wizards and witches after all.

Everyone quiets as Alunda speaks. “I do not wish him to be a savior of any kind. I want him to be a wizard.”

“A wizard, I see only a boy wearing the garments of our order. He is nothing more! He is no member and has little right in being here.”

“It is my right to train who I wish. This boy has great potential. I will train him. He is my apprentice. You know of his—“

Kelan speaks up again. “Don’t be so—“

“We know nothing about this boy. Your word Alunda has faltered. It may have meant something before this mess but it is dampened. Let him prove himself, if he can.” Azan burbles.
Alunda shakes his head. “His power only manifests when he is in danger. I will not put him in harm’s way.”

“You have had no problem doing so in the past.” Azan mocks Alunda. “If he does not show us then he cannot be a wizard.”

“It is not your call!” Alunda is furious.

Azan stands up. “It is now! If his power is as ‘grand’ as you say then he will have no problem. Or are you a liar Alunda?”

Sol speaks up. He stands for everyone to see. Not that they have not seen him yet. “What would you have me do?”

I will not let them insult Alunda like that. Besides, if I don’t do this I cannot be a wizard. I will not go back to living as I did. I refuse to, I won’t.

A devilish grin comes over Azan. “You will face what you have to face. Something that will kill for no big reason. That does not worry you does it?”

“No.” Says Sol.

“Good.”

“Would putting this boy in danger prove anything?” Kelan tries to sway him.

“I will not rest until I know this boy is what Alunda says. It is the only way to be sure. I do not wish to detain you any longer. I will have someone brought to your chambers later. If only to make sure you are still there.”

“Azan!” Alunda rumbles.

He raises his hand. “My word is the law and it is final.”

The meeting is over. People rush out of the room. Sol walks out and down the steps. Random people wish him good luck. Their looks of dread lost somewhere in the speech. He walks out into the pergola.

What have I done? I am done for.

The blue floor looks a little less marvelous. He shakes heart full of fear. He did not expect it to be like this. He only just arrived and already someone wants to kill him. Who knows if he can bring the power out again? What will he do then?

People here are disquieting. All of this should be much more. He slumps on to his room. Sol feels no great need to move fast. He can see the room now. He drags his feet.

“Sol wait.” A familiar voice catches up.

I am not going to stop.

Sol stood at the door, shaky hand outstretched for the knob. What am I going to tell her?

“Please stop. I know how you feel.” He puts his hand on his shoulder.

Sol turns to Alunda, eyes glowing orange, magma hot. “Know how I feel?”

Alunda jerks his hand back. A little frightened. “We are in this together.”

The hermit walks through the door. D’ereen grabs him by the neck, hugging to him loosely. His orange eyes melt to blue. The light scowl evaporates and his face fills with transparency. A quiet pain that builds up, shattering an essence of any good thing. It claws up and screeches into his soul.

She lets go of him. “What’s wrong?”

There is a cruel hush in the air. How can I tell her? How can I?

“Please Sol tell me.”

Alunda laxes his head down. He feels responsible for this madness. What if he had helped Shentra, would it have been different. He should have been by her side. If he had, none of this would have happened. Sullen he leaves the room.

No words find there selves on his lips. His legs shake so bad that he is forced to sit on the floor. The room bends down on him. The world chokes him in its darkest pain. Sol’s lips convulse. The light in his eyes seems to dim. Blue pits dreep wellingly.

A sputter shakes him. His voice rumbles quirtly. “I…I think I have signed my own death.”

It...shouldn’t be like this. I was to be a wizard not sport. I don’t understand how it can be this way. All I wanted was to learn magic not this. Why? Why? What did I do?

“Please tell me what happened.”

“It got so out of hand quickly. I don’t know. Azan he doesn’t like me. He…he…he wants me…me.” He sputters roughly. “He wants to kill me.”

Why? Why does everything want to kill me? Is the world this cruel?

She sits in front of him. “Do you want me to kill him for you?”

He smiles plainly. “D’ereen please this is no time for jokes.”

She mumbles something. “No one should hurt you like this. I love you too much to see you like this.”

I believe her. I can see it in her eyes. I just cannot understand it. Will I ever?

“You’re too good to me.”

“We can leave right now, together.” She holds his hands. “If you come with me you will never feel this way ever again. I promise.” Her gaze is staggering.

He considers it for a moment. “I don’t think we can.”

“Then please don’t be sad, you will make me sad.”

I am always sad. If only you could see it.

Her fingers tingle up his arms. Until they rest on his temples. She pulls his head towards hers. Their brows touch. D’ereen hums, it fills him up, like a skilled song. As she continues, he feels drunk on it.

“Close your eyes.” She says.

He does without being reluctant. A field appears. A star streaked sky looks down on them. Flowers rise in abundance and shower down on them. They lay on the mound with lush green grass. The flowers dance on them before twisting up into the night air. He tilts his head to her and she to him they smile.

Wonderful…just wonderful. I am worriless. Nothing can interrupt this blissful moment. It is like I am lifted from all of my burdens and cares. I wish I could always feel this way.