“That is not possible,” scowled Tmundo. “I have told you before, the Chula do not share their magic with flatlanders. It is out of the question.”
“How dare you refuse him?” interrupted Ukaro.
“He is your son, Ukaro, not mine,” Tmundo retorted adamantly. “Chula magic is not to be shared. This is our law.”
“I am well familiar with our law,” countered Ukaro. “I do not ask the question of you because he is my son. I ask the question because Marak is the Torak. He is the holy leader of our people. You cannot deny him. His word is above the law. How dare you defy Kaltara?”
Tmundo’s jaw dropped as he stared at Ukaro. Slowly he nodded and closed his eyes.
“How quickly I forget such a gift from Kaltara,” sighed Tmundo. “I was thrilled that he finally sent us the promised Torak, and yet I still treat Marak as a flatlander. I apologize.”
Marak’s brow creased with confusion. “Then you will teach my people?” he asked.
“We will do whatever you require of us,” Rykoma said softly. “We may counsel you against certain things, like giving our magic knowledge to the flatlanders, but you are sent by Kaltara to save us. We cannot refuse your commands.”
“Then I have more to ask of you,” the Torak said as he realized his position. “I want the fields of Fakara to be renewed. I have heard tales of a new rebirth in a remote area of the Fakaran wasteland. I believe your magic may restore that desolate country.”
“We will have to train a great number of your mages,” remarked Rykoma. “I would like to visit Fakara before I train your people. I must understand the magics that were used to salt that soil.”
“Good,” nodded Marak. “I also want someone with great knowledge to investigate this disease in Omunga. I must know what I am up against before it is too late to adjust for it.”
“Will your mages take instructions from us?” asked Rykoma.
“They will do what I tell them to do,” nodded Marak. “I have many a skilled a mage in Fardale. They will learn quickly. I will bring more in as you train them.”
“Then it shall be as you command,” decided Tmundo. “I truly hope that Kaltara is guiding you wisely. What is learned by the flatlanders cannot be unlearned.”
“I will go to Omunga,” declared Ukaro as he rose. “You, my son, must accompany me before you leave this day.”
“Where are we going?” asked Marak as he rose.
“Someplace that I should have taken you a long time ago,” smiled Ukaro. “It is time for you to learn what being the Torak truly means to our people. I will take you to the ancient temple of the Chula.”
“Changragar,” nodded Rykoma. “Yes, it is time for the Torak to know everything. He has shown that he is truly the gift from Kaltara that was promised to us. I will send someone to let Fardale know that he will be gone for a few days.”
Chapter 3
Vand’s Land
The small sailboat glided to a stop on the sandy beach. Aakuta’s eyes scanned the beach before he stepped out of the boat. He immediately covered his head with his hood and stood staring at the distant top of a pyramid that was just visible above the trees. He was about to start walking towards the pyramid when a creature emerged from the woods. The creature stood over seven feet tall and appeared to be related to some form of ape. Its body was covered in long hair, and it slouched when it walked, the thumbs on its feet kicking up sand. Its eyes were inset above a protruding snout, and those eyes were concentrating on Aakuta. Aakuta felt the power increasing in his arm as he prepared to defend himself.
“Forbidden!” shouted the ape-like creature.
Aakuta cocked his head slightly as he heard the creature speak. “What are you?” asked the mage.
“Forbidden,” the creature repeated as its huge arm rose threateningly as it pointed towards Aakuta.
The creature advanced steadily towards the dark mage. Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the beach one more time. Swiftly, his arm rose and pointed at the creature. Fire leaped from Aakuta’s fingers and ignited the hairy beast. The creature screamed as it realized that it was on fire. Huge hairy arms frantically brushed at the burning torso, but all that was accomplished was to set the hairy arms on fire. The creature let out an ear-splitting howl and raced towards the ocean. It dove into the rolling surf, but it did not move after the fire was out. The body floated as breaking waves sent it bobbing back towards the beach. Aakuta turned and swiftly moved into the stand of trees where he would be less noticeable.
As Aakuta made his way through the trees, he felt someone watching him. He turned often to gaze back towards the beach, but there was no one following him. Suddenly, a woman stepped onto the trail before him. She wore a black skirt that had a golden spider web woven into its design. A red blouse matched the woman’s hat except for the black cone that extended the hat upwards from which flowed a golden scarf to match her cape. The woman had a wide smile upon her lips.
“You are a nasty one, aren’t you?” she asked. “Why did you burn the krul?”
“Krul?” echoed Aakuta in confusion as he halted before the woman.
“The hairy beast on the beach,” the woman explained as her eyes narrowed. “You are not from here, are you?”
“It attacked me,” Aakuta scowled. “It is not my fault if it has a problem with fire.”
“Not your fault?” cackled the woman. “Now that is rich. The krul was merely telling you that you had left your boat in a forbidden area. No boats are allowed on that area of the beach. All visitors to the island must use the city docks. Just who are you?”
Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he viewed the woman as an obstacle in his way. He felt the power rising in his arm.
“Don’t even think about it,” warned the woman. “I am not a krul, and I will not be dismissed so easily.”
The woman flicked her wrists and a glowing blue aura promptly surrounded her.
“You may be able to get through these shields eventually,” she grinned, “but by then you will be dead. Let’s try this again. Who are you?”
“My name is Aakuta,” answered the visitor as he tried to measure the power of the woman. “What is your name?”
“You may call me Lady Mystic,” answered the woman, “and looks can be deceiving. I know a measuring gaze when I see one. Why do you automatically take me for an opponent? Have I tried to harm you?”
“No,” sighed Aakuta, “but that matters little to me. You are blocking my path.”
“So I am,” smirked Lady Mystic. “Still, I mean you no harm. I am just curious. What are you up to?”
“Do not expect me to fall for such false statements,” scowled Aakuta. “You are trying to delay me until someone comes to your aid.”
“Hardly,” laughed Lady Mystic. “I doubt that I would need assistance from anyone on this island to deal with you. The same cannot be said for yourself, however. You obviously have not been invited to Motanga, or you would not be trying to sneak ashore. Perhaps I can aid you?”
“Why would you?” questioned the dark mage. “You know nothing about me, or why I am here.”
“True,” Lady Mystic smiled as she shrugged, “but you have proven to be interesting already. Things are rather boring on this island. Helping you may provide some entertainment. Come, I will fix you some food. You must be hungry after your ocean voyage.”
Lady Mystic turned and started walking away. Aakuta hesitated. He was torn between testing the woman’s defenses, and quietly disappearing. Suddenly, his stomach rumbled with hunger, and he found himself laughing.
“What is so funny?” Lady Mystic asked as she turned to watch Aakuta.
“The small things that can influence large decisions,” chuckled Aakuta. “Lead on, Lady Mystic. I hope you are a good cook.”
“The best,” grinned Lady Mystic as she turned and led the way out of the forest.