Of Ancient Passages: Chapter 13: The Spark that Burns

On the outskirts of the city Green, farm life is simple. Corn grows, cows chew and chickens roost. For Jake, Karos is a place that never changes. That is before he saw the stranger. This man stagers forward body full of arrows.

Jake is timid. He has never seen a person with so strange an appearance. The man can barely keep his feet. That is when he helps him. He offers a shoulder to bare his brunt.

“Thank you, boy.” The stranger says.

“What has happened to you?”

“I have run into some unfriendly people.”

“They must hate your guts.”

“What is your name?”

“Jake.” The boy answers.

“…Mine is Tsuk.” The pain is in his voice.

“Mister you need help. Come to my house we can help you.”

“Okay but keep to the alleys. I don’t want to cause any attention. Dark is approaching at it should be safe. Be my legs, mine are weak.”

They go as fast as they can. Keeping to the dingy and rat infested alleys. Many lefts and rights are taken. Tsuk is lost and he hopes the boy is good to his words. Leaving the safety of the alleys, they pass into an open area. A place in the center of the city.

Jake stops them at a door. The house obviously belongs to a lower class family. Tsuk is on the verge of passing out. He remembers his training and wills himself to stay awake. The boy knocks twice on the door. A woman in her midlife answers, her hair is blonde with slight streaks of gray.

She gives a loud screech. “What happened? Denis!” She yells into the house.

“I found him like this.” Says Jake.

A man (Denis) comes to the door. “What is this? Quickly bring him inside. I will look at him.”

Jake helps him up the rickety steps. They set him in the bathtub. Denis shoos them away and he looks at the stranger. Gently he takes the man’s shirt off. Three arrows are lodged in his body. One has gone clean through his shoulder. The second is stuck in his stomach. The third is in his side but hangs in just by the head.

“Are you a doctor?” Tsuk asks.

“No, I am a wizard. How did this happen?”

“It is better if you don’t know. I don’t want to involve your family too much.” He grits his teeth as the third is taken out.

“Fair enough.” Denis says as he heals over the wound.

“S-so…you are…a wizard?” Quickly the first is snapped. “Damn it!” Slowly he pulls it out. “Son of a—“

“Yes, I have been a wizard for six or seven years now.” A cooling effect passes over Tsuk’s body as the wound closes. “This next one is going to be tricky.”

Very carefully, he snaps the end off. “Was it worth it?”

“It’s worth it to you right now.” He pulls it out. “That was easy.” Blood oozes from the wound.

“H-hard….” Tsuk cannot breath

The same cool feeling comes. “Sorry, I cut your lung. Don’t worry I put it right. In answer to your question: I have learned a thing or two. How do you feel now?”

“Good as new.”

“You should re—“

“Honey something’s happening outside.” His wife says.

“Selane what is it?” Denis looks at the stranger.

“It is not me. They cannot find me. The ones who did this to me are dead.”

“A soldier is outside. He is carrying a torch. A Bunches of people are around him. This looks serious.” Selane says. “I will go check it out.”

Denis goes to his wife. “Be careful.”

Selane goes outside and joins the crowd. They listen. The soldier takes out a scroll and begins to read. “It is by order of King Belraz the Fourth that mages pose too great a threat to his majesty and the welfare of all citizens. Therefore, all magic users are henceforth disbanded from services of the Helengate Empire. All users of magic are now considered apostate. For fear of the power of the mage, all of their practices are banned. Any who are seen using magic will be subject to the laws of heresy. Based on those laws all heretics will be subject to burning at the stake.”

“You can’t do this. We are entitled to our rights.” One says.

“Most of the people in this city are mages. This is a magic friendly community.” Says another.

The soldier speaks up. “This new law is undeniable. It is being read to many other cities all across the Empire.”

A lieutenant and a host of many soldiers crowd into the clearing. “Exezla and his wizards have incited the first act of violence. We are here to retaliate. The Cleanse is now.” The soldier with the scroll moves out of the way. “Ready.” The soldiers take out there crossbows. “Aim, loose!” Arrows are volleyed until all standing in the crowd are dead.

Denis and his family scream with horror. Looks of dread and panic run on their faces. The host of the soldiers move on, some remain. A torch is thrown into their house. Tsuk appears and he pulls them to leave. Denis, Jake and Lara and Tsuk escape through the back door.

“Keep low and follow behind me.” Says the stranger.

They keep low and keep moving. The sounds of violence and fire comes everywhere. Shrieks of rape carry. Sights of magic against steel appear. Chaos runs on a rampage. Carefully and invisibly do they escape.

When they are a good distance away from Green does Denis speak. “My home. My wife.” The tears do not come to his eyes (like his children) but it is there just the same. “I should have went out instead. I…I…thank you Tsuk for getting us away. Now we must go.”

“As must I.”

Denis says. “Goodbye.” His children repeat the word. They turn to leave.

“Goodbye.” Tsuk whispers back.