A Slave to Magic (24 page)

“Come with me,”
Dael said. “There is so much I want to learn about you.”

Though his heart
yearned to follow, Kwil could not. “I have to return to my mistress,” Kwil
said. He owed her that much, and he wasn’t ready to halt his lessons. “But
we’ll meet again soon. I promise.”

Dael grabbed his
son and squeezed him tightly. “I can never thank you enough,” he said. “Or
you,” he added, looking at Nera.

“Get these people
to safety,” Nera replied. “That’s thanks enough for me.”

Dael nodded and
sucked in a gulp of air. He stood taller and prouder than he ever had before.
“I will,” he replied.

Nera and Kwil
watched as the group moved out of sight, disappearing among the trees. Their
work had only just begun, but a hundred lives had been saved this night.

Running his fingers
over the medallion in his pocket, Kwil said, “I think it’s time we found Dirnda
and got out of here.”

“Agreed,” Nera
said.

Keeping to the edge
of Arsden’s property, they made their way back to the gate. The sun was on its
way up, bringing a pale pink light along the horizon. The first birds of
morning began to chirp, their movements visible high in the tress. Dirnda, however,
was nowhere to be seen.

“I
don’t like
the odds of getting back to Seela without Dirnda’s help,” Kwil said, his eyes
scanning the woods. Without the puca’s speed to aid them, there was a good
chance of encountering resistance along the way. If Arsden’s fleeing guards had
raised the alarm, Kwil and Nera might have a fight on their hands. It was
likely an army of reinforcements were already heading toward the manor.

“I’ll take care of it,” Nera said. “He made us a
promise, and I intend to see he keeps it.” Placing her fingers in her mouth,
she gave a loud whistle. Staring expectantly into the distance, she awaited
Dirnda’s arrival.

“Maybe you should try again,” Kwil said. “It
doesn’t look like he heard you.” He was quickly losing hope. Dirnda was much
too fast for the guards to have done him any harm. It was more likely the puca
decided not to wait all night for the pair to return.

Taking in a deep breath, Nera dug deep into her
small magical store. Closing her eyes, she lifted her voice, a deep alto note
flowing from her lips. Quiet at first, her song became louder, echoing from the
trees that stood in the distance.

Kwil caught sight of a shape moving toward them,
two glowing orange eyes appearing in the dim morning light. To his amazement,
Nera had managed to use the Cry a second time in less than twelve hours. “I
thought Seela said the Cry could be used only every few days,” he commented.

Shrugging, Nera replied, “Maybe she underestimated
me.” Nera couldn’t explain it herself. All she knew was she needed to use the
magic, and it was there for her, though it varied slightly from the one she’d
first learned.

Dirnda made his way toward them as if in a trance.
Looking upon Nera, he said, “You bewitched me.” Dipping his head slightly, he
added, “I think I quite like that.” He gave a mischievous laugh and motioned
with his head for the two to climb aboard.

The pair obeyed, Nera taking the front seat this
time. With the thunder of hooves, Dirnda sprinted through the forest at top
speed as the sun continued its ascent. The countryside passed by in a haze of
green beneath a pink sky, the forest eventually swallowing the trio as they
journeyed on. The familiar sight of the Dark Forest lifted Kwil’s heart as he
anticipated returning the medallion to its rightful owner.

Dirnda paused only steps from Seela’s door,
allowing the pair to climb down. He stamped at the earth, eager to continue his
long run.

“You could come inside if you like,” Kwil said.

“After you change form,” Nera added.

Dirnda whinnied and shook his head. “I have other
things to tend to today. Give my best to Seela.” With those words he turned and
galloped away, his long tail swishing behind him.

Kwil rushed inside, finding Seela curled up with a
book. “Mistress,” he said. “I’ve brought a gift for you.” He could barely
contain his excitement as he retrieved the medallion from his pocket. He
dangled it from its chain before her, his heart full of love and devotion.

Seela’s golden eyes drank in the shiny object
before her. Lifting a paw, she gently touched the silver surface before
clutching it in her paw. “I don’t believe it,” she whispered, still staring at
the medallion. Engraved on its surface was an image of the sun, the symbol of her
mother’s house. Her eyes wet with tears, she asked, “How did you find this?”

“I paid Arsden a visit,” he replied.

Narrowing her eyes, Seela asked, “He gave this to
you?”

Kwil glanced at Nera before saying, “Not exactly.”

“You fought him, didn’t you?” Seela asked, her
tone dry and flat. How could this young man have been so reckless?

“I did, Mistress,” Kwil replied.

“You went along with this?” Seela asked, looking
at Nera.

“I did,” she replied.

“I can’t believe the two of you would risk your
lives for this,” Seela said. “You could have been killed. Both of you!” Her
tone quickly changed to a mixture of anger and disbelief.

“I had to right the wrong that was done to you,
even if only in a small way,” Kwil replied. “I can’t give you your true
birthright, but I can give you this.” He dropped to his knees. “Please, Mistress.
Don’t be angry.” He had expected her to be elated, not upset.

Nera placed a hand gently on Kwil’s shoulder. “He
did it because he loves you,” she said. “And I helped because I love you both.
Kwil knew he wouldn’t fail.”

“I would never have let you put your lives at risk
for this,” Seela replied, her tone softening. With love in her eyes, she looked
at each of them and said, “My sweet children.” With her arms spread wide, she
grabbed Kwil first and hugged him tightly, a purr escaping her throat. She hugged
Nera as well, giving the girl a kiss on her cheek. “This means the world to
me,” she stared down at the medallion, her tears splashing on its surface.

“You’ve given me so much,” Kwil said. “I’m pleased
to be able to give you something in return.”

“But how did you manage it?” she asked. Kwil was
still in training. He wasn’t prepared to fight a master wizard.

“Dirnda gave us a ride,” he began. “And Nera
helped get us past the guard dogs. After that I climbed in a window and met
Arsden face to face. I guess he was out of practice.” He grinned, not wanting
to exaggerate what had happened. He had nearly failed, and he would make sure
to go in much more prepared the next time there was a master sorcerer to bring
down.

“Did you kill him?” Seela asked, concerned not for
her uncle, but for Kwil. She knew he would bear the scar always if he took
another being’s life.

“I left him alive,” Kwil replied.

Seela closed her eyes, nodding in relief. “And
you, Nera, where were you during all this?”

“I went through the grounds and released the
slaves,” she replied.

Chuckling, Seela said, “You make it sound so
simple. The two of you have accomplished something amazing.”

“All in a day’s work,” Kwil said, trying to
downplay the previous night’s events.

“No,” Seela said. “If you can best a master
wizard, then you have no further need of my instruction.”

“What are you saying?” Kwil asked, his breath
escaping.

With a wistful expression, Seela said, “There is
no more I can teach you that you cannot learn on your own. Your greatest work
lies ahead of you. You will transform the land of Gi’gata, but you can’t do it
sitting here with me. It’s time you left the nest and went in search of your
destiny.”

“But I haven’t mastered fire magic!” he protested.
How could she send him away? Why didn’t she want to continue as his teacher?

Seela patted his arm, her golden eyes softening.
“You are mastering Ancient magic, which is inborn and no less powerful than
elemental magic. One doesn’t need to master an element to be a master sorcerer.
You’re well on your way to that. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

Her words brought him some measure of comfort, but
he still wasn’t ready to leave. “I want to stay with you,” he said. “There is
so much I need to learn. I can’t do it alone.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Seela reassured him. “We
can study together as equals whenever you are ready to return. For now, it is
time you learn awhile on your own.”

“How long must I stay away?” he asked.

“That is up to you,” she replied. “Take however
long you need. I’m not sending you away, I’m giving you a push toward
greatness. This is the best thing for you. The world will teach you things that
I can’t.”

Kwil could see the wisdom in her words, but he
wanted to stay by her side. She was more a mother to him than anyone had ever
been, and he wasn’t ready to break that connection. “What if I return
tomorrow?” he asked.

“Then I will welcome you with open arms,” she
replied with a sigh. “But I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
Nera is anxious to get going.”

“She’s right,” Nera said. “I love it here, but I
can’t find a troupe in the forest, and I don’t see any slaves that need
freeing. I have to leave if I’m going to do those things.”

Kwil’s heart sank. He was losing Seela and Nera at
the same time. It was almost too much to bear. “I can’t believe you’re leaving
too,” he said.

“Yes,” Nera replied. “I’m going with you.”

His eyes wide, he asked, “You are?”

“Of course she is,” Seela said. “You two are
destined for great things, but only together. I think I told you that already.”

Kwil grabbed Nera and hugged her. Suddenly the
thought of leaving didn’t seem so dreadful. “We won’t be gone long,” he
promised Seela. “Someone has to answer all my questions while I figure out what
it is exactly that I’m supposed to do.”

“I’m always here for you,” Seela replied.
Disappearing upstairs, she returned moments later with a black robe. “This is
yours,” she said, presenting the robe to Kwil. “I had it tailored for you and
enchanted it myself. It will change color as needed.”

Stroking the soft fabric, Kwil said, “It’s
wonderful. Thank you.” The pair embraced again.

“Now get out of here,” Seela said, giving him a
gentle push.

Nera ran upstairs to retrieve her lute, leaving
most of her belongings behind. Knowing Kwil, it wouldn’t be long before they
visited again.

Kwil retrieved a few items, including a handful of
books he intended to read. “I’ll see you again soon,” he promised.

“I look forward to it,” Seela replied.

Side by side, Nera and Kwil headed out into the
forest, both anxious to see what the world had in store for them. Nera hummed a
cheerful tune, warming her friend’s heart and reassuring him that all would be
well. Little conversation passed between them as they journeyed along,
eventually emerging from the woods and re-entering civilization.

Stepping forward, Kwil looked down the road and
into the past. A young slave boy in rags stood before him, the hope in his eyes
undiminished by his years of servitude. Now he was a sorcerer, mastering his
craft. No longer bound by chains, he was free to choose his own destiny—to make
his own way with his friend by his side.

Lana Axe lives in the
Missouri countryside surrounded by dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. She spends
most of her free time daydreaming about elves, magic, and faraway lands.

For more information, please visit:
lana-axe.com
.