“We came with the others that escaped. All is lost now, lost to the waves.”
“To the waves?” Mara said.
“Aye, to the fury of the sea. When our rulers refused to yield to the Jiserians, their sorcerers sent a tide such as has never been seen to destroy our walls.”
Jiserians? Naru was allied with the Jiserian Empire. He thought of his father telling stories of his childhood in Onair, along the beautiful sea. What would Father do if he knew that Onair had fallen to the Jiserians? Surely Naru would break the alliance.
“And then the necromancers came, sending hordes of undead into our city, killing the innocent and foolish. We were all fools for not leaving earlier.”
A cold shiver swept through Talis as he imagined an undead army. He’d seen drawings of them inside books of legend and myth. Ghosts roaming the frozen forests to the north, animating slain humans and animals, their lifeless bodies filled with demonic spirits. Those stories still terrified him.
“You must come and stay with my family, until you’re well-”
“We cannot. I thank you, I do. But we cannot bring curses upon your house.”
The old woman gazed at a shadow scarring the cobblestone street, her head shaking like she was possessed by a fit of terror.
Despite any words Talis said, she just stared at the ground, ignoring the world around her. The shadow of darkness did seem to cast over her, and nothing could lift it.
“I want to go,” Mara whispered. “Take me away from here…”
As they left, Talis stopped a moment, watching the spot where the old woman looked. In the dark form, where the shadow merged with the light, he swore he noticed a shape: a wraith. Its eyes seemed to pierce his soul.
6. THE ANCIENT STRUGGLE
In the fires of the great kitchen of his house, Talis pictured the image of the wraith he’d just seen. Although the room was warm, he felt a chill so strong his arms trembled. He gazed at the flames, remembering the story of the siege of Onair. His mind drifted off, and all he could see was hideous scenes of his nightmares. The ones where fingers gripped his neck so hard he’d wake up coughing. Darkness and fire intermingled. The sound of wicked laughter ringing in his ears.
“Are you alright?” His mother, Nadean, ran her fingers through his hair.
Talis snapped his attention back and smiled at her. What was he worried about? He’d just won the Blood Dagger competition. He couldn’t wait to tell them the news, but he had to do it right.
Mother was preparing dinner: roasted pheasant, walnut and pear cake, spinach and garlic, and chicken bone soup. The delicious smells and the warmth of her smile made him relax, and he slowly felt the heat sink into his body.
Father stomped into the room, his silver and black Elder’s robes swishing, dark eyes gazing at the floor, and sat at the table with a thud, the chair complaining in response. He stared at the roast and frowned.
“Problems with the negotiations?” Mother set a plate in front of him, then took his black hat.
Father rubbed his weathered face brusquely and pinched his eyes together. “Always troubles to deal with…” He sighed, glancing around the table. “A lost caravan, marauders in the desert, prices too high, Viceroy Lei playing politics again with the Order of the Dawn…”
He studied Talis. ”Someday these will be your concerns, son. To hold high the House of Storm.”
Father made it sound like he was an ox carrying a burden. Talis nodded, pretending he was interested.
As if responding to Talis’s expression, Father’s eyes lit up and he leaned in close to Talis. “What we need is a small band of warriors to send those marauders to the Underworld”-he sliced the air with his fingers-”a quick trip to Hell.” He slapped Talis on the back and laughed like it was the best idea ever.
“I’d like to fight them.”
“You?” Father raised an eyebrow. “Been practicing your sword techniques?”
“You could say that.” Talis smiled. “Mara and I won the Blood Dagger.“
“What!” Father’s face shone. “You two really won?” His brow furrowed. “Who did you fight?”
Talis groaned to himself. Father hadn’t even bothered finding out who he was fighting, like he believed Talis didn’t have a chance of winning. “We fought Rikar and Nikulo.”
“Rikar? Madam Cheska’s son? The cruel one?”
Talis nodded.
“Didn’t he hack off an opponent’s head in the training arena? He killed the poor chap…what an odd family.” Father shook his head. “And you say you and Mara beat him?” He scoffed. “Well I suppose the gods of luck favored you today.”
Talis flushed and clenched his fist. How could Father just dismiss his victory so easily?
“You won all the same. I suppose this calls for a celebration.” Father looked at Talis’s mother. “Let’s plan something. Invite Mara and House Lei, if they’ll come.” He chuckled. “And perhaps a few friends.”
“A party would be nice. It’s been too long since…” Mother’s voice trailed off as her face held a sad smile.
They remained quiet awhile, staring at the flames, until a flurry of pops from the fire startled them to attention.
“I suppose I’ll retire to the study.” Father stood and smiled pleasantly. “You did well, son. And you surprised me, you did. Not once did I suspect you’d win, but you did it.” He turned, and strode off, nodding to himself.
Later that night, around the hour that the dead call out to the living, Talis found himself unable to sleep, still feeling a buzzing in his stomach from winning the Blood Dagger. His father’s words of praise echoed in his mind. You did well, son. So Talis snuck out and stalked through the dark streets of Naru. He craved the crisp cold air and the solace of the quiet past midnight.
A meteor shot across the sky and Talis watched its trail fade into nothingness. Was it a message from Nestria, the Goddess of the Sky? He squinted, barely making out the observatory and the interconnected rings and spheres of the Temple of Nestria high atop the city. He spidered his way up the hill through back alleys and side streets, trying to avoid city guards and prying eyes.
At the bare temple grounds situated at the peak of Naru, the stars flooded through the blackness. Below, the city shone pale-grey in the light of the four moons hanging in the sky. Talis glanced around, trying to spot any temple priests observing the stars. But only silence possessed the bleak landscape.
Now was the perfect time to practice. He stared at the leaves racing across the ground, whipped up by the wind gusting in from the Nalgoran Desert far below.
He lifted his hands and sharpened his mind.
Remembering his training dreams, he focused on the leaves once more. Remember the wind, remember the feeling of power swirling through you, he thought. He stretched his long fingers towards the leaves, and exhaled a hissing breath through his teeth. There was wind from his breath, but not the kind that laid armies low. He bashed his fist on his forehead. Why couldn’t he do magic?
He tensed his face and shouted at the leaves, as if the leaves could be moved by the sound of his voice. Would he ever learn?
“I doubt that will work,” said Nikulo. Talis jumped, turning as Nikulo emerged from the shadows.
Talis flopped his arms at his sides. Bad enough he’d failed, but worse still that Nikulo had been skulking out here, watching his ridiculous attempts.
“What are you doing out here?” Talis frowned at Nikulo, and crossed his arms.
“Relax…we’re not in the Arena.” Nikulo glanced up at the Observatory. “I couldn’t sleep. My dad was furious that we lost the Blood Dagger. All he does is push me to win.”
Talis raised an eyebrow. “I couldn’t sleep either.”
“How is that coming along?” Nikulo flourished his hands. Why was he trying to help him?
“How does it look.” Talis sighed. “Nothing ever seems to work. I just don’t get it.”
“Keep at it.” Nikulo studied Talis, his eyes black pools of curiosity. “Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. You and Mara won today…that surprised me. Soon you’ll be casting spells…just you wait.”