A Time for Revenge
Chapter 4

Mach stared out of the window of his private chambers, not truly seeing what lay beyond them. The quiet of his room was pressing down on him greatly, it was almost too much for him to handle. It had been weeks, if not months since there had been any signs of Rubious. It was as if the beast had completely vanished from the world. The old feelings of vengeance burned hot inside him as he stood there. They urged him to take up his blade and move out into the world, hunting his enemy like the great cats hunt prey. Oh what he would give if he could just replace out where Rubious was hiding. Memories of that fateful day his home was destroyed flashed through his mind, reminding him of everything that he had lost.

It had been early that morning, his seventeenth birthday had come at last. He had been considering replaceing an apprenticeship with one of the sailors that morning. It had been a decision he had been considering for years, and that had been the day he was going to replace the career he had dreamed of. Little did he know that he would be thrown into another path altogether.

The attack had come quickly, ships baring in from the open waters as if they were merchants. He had only just received a gift from a close friend when it began. As the sound of distant thunder echoed over the town of Selane and sight of rising smoke could be seen across the bay, George had gathered his weapons and had run headlong to defend the retreating backs of every person fleeing. The fear that he had felt that day returned to him, shaking through his body like an illness. That fear, that utter feeling of complete fear. He had never felt anything like it since. He shuddered at the memory of it. That day, that one day had changed the rest of his life. He would never be the same no matter how hard he tried, or wished. There was no going back to those days prior to the attack.

His flight from home had been a nightmare. Only yards away from the village walls he had been rendered unconscious by one of the attackers’ mortar shells. He had not known it at the time, but when he woke later that afternoon, there had been Gehnith soldiers searching the area. They had come under orders from their King to search for an item that supposedly lay somewhere within Selane. That day had been the beginning of an adventure that had led him to replace out more than he could have ever dreamed possible. Through he had lost more than he would have ever willingly sacrificed, he had gained a great deal in the process. He had found friends when he had thought himself completely lost and alone. Friends that later he would replace himself caring for as much as he had loved his mother and father. He had found out about his families heritage, a heritage that had been hidden from the world. A heritage that had led him to replaceing a path that may lead him to replaceing family.

His heritage as a Mage had come from his father’s side. That blood line as a Mage may mean that he may have family somewhere in Juiint. It is possible that somewhere among all the Mages that lived there, he may have cousins or uncles and aunts. The chance at replaceing relations was a prospect that he had never considered while he had lived the quiet life in Selane. But then there was his mother. Her golden hair, just like his own, was unique to anyone living within the borders of the Five Empires. He had always thought that he and his mother were one of kind. That was until his travels led him to Islat.

The people of Islat had traveled to the Empire Seas centuries ago, bringing with them the hope of a new life away from their country. When Mach arrived in their secluded island town, he had been dumbfounded to replace that nearly every person there had the golden hair that he and his mother had. It is very likely that his mother, or her parents depending on where his father had met his mother, had family amongst the people of Islat. He only needed to replace a way of tracking down her bloodline somehow. But with both his mother and father gone from this world, that hunt was slow. It felt like he was more likely to replace and kill Rubious before he would replace any family ties to either group.

Unconsciously he reached over to the pocket in his coat. There, sheltered within an inner pocket, were the two Stones that he held in his possession. The Stones of Life and Death pulsating gently, their rhythm like heartbeats beneath his clothing. Mendoll carried the other four, granted to him by the Four Guardians that Mach’s ancestor, and previous King of Mages, had requested protection from. Nedmere Derune had left the Stones of Magic in the care of those he thought most likely capable of defending the Stones from unwanted beings. For the last three hundred and fifty or so years their Power had been enough. But not any longer.

With Rubious on the hunt for Power and his willingness to obtain it in any fashion, it had pushed Mendoll into seeking out the Stones from their resting places. Bringing me along with him. It was ironic, really. The very thing that Rubious had attacked Selane for, had destroyed Mach’s life for the mere opportunity to obtain, Mach now held in his grasp. And if it comes to it that there is no other way, I will use them to end his life. If my blade is not capable, then so be it.

Over the last half year he had explored the knowledge that the Elven people would part with and he had finally come to terms with the knowledge of what lay within the Stones, of what also lay within himself. When the Stones came to be, when Nedmere had been gifted them by the Elven people, it had been at personal sacrifice of their mortal bodies. Using a spell much like a Mages Final Strike, they cast away their physical bodies and crystalized the whole of their life force and magical Power into a single Stone, forging themselves into an item of incredible Power. They had done so against the wishes of their Mother, the Goddess the world knew as Kriasta, the Bringer of Life. They had done so with only one hope, that through their sacrifice they would bestow upon the Mage race the chance to survive the chaos that was to come. They had given up on their chance to return home all to give hope to the Mages and now after more than three hundred years they were doing it once again. And I can only hope to grant them the same hope.

He had sworn to this more than once, and had spoken of it openly to his council of friends on numerous occasions. Once this was over, and the plight that was Rubious was over, he intended to return the Stones to their rightful place. The souls of the Elven people returned to their Mother at the end of their life, bestowing to her their essence that she may live on to further protect the world with her Power. It is a tradition that goes back to the very beginning of the Elven race’s creation. It was a tradition that Mach did not feel should be broken for any reason.

If he survived the end battle with Rubious, he would take the Stones home himself. Returning them to their Mother as it should have been. If he did not survive, he would have someone else make the journey for him. Thanks be to whatever Gods or Goddesses were out there watching over them right now. If Rubious had been able to retrieve even one of these Stones, their fight with him would be that much deadlier and the likelihood of surviving the aftermath would be near zero. So long as they could replace him soon, he was still confident that they could overpower whatever army he brought forth. But we still have one more Stone to replace. We still have no clue where the Stone of Sight is.

Something caught his attention on the horizon. It was still small, but coming in from the west and south. For a moment he thought it was only a bird. More and more animals had been seen in the last few months ever since the lands had been cleansed. It is possible, but for some reason, the way it is flying seems vaguely familiar… he watched as it fell from the sky, plummeting to the ground in a dead spin.

He had almost opened his mouth to scream for a page when four Dragon scouts shot passed his window. Like arrows loosed from a bow, they shot out over the walls of Gehnith toward the dark shape that had fallen. Below his window, shouts could be heard and moments later bells were ringing along the walls. He listened carefully, three bells, two, pause, four bells, that means alliance… He shot away from the window, grabbing his sword as he ran. He darted out of the door, nearly knocking over a servant as he exited in his haste. With a hasty apology he ran down the hallway, dodging around the people who were in his way.

As he ran through the city he saw a dozen or so more Dragons shoot by overhead, that group he knew personally. Riect was in charge of those scouts and the two of them had been working together on ways to transport wounded Dragons and Hermans. If they were heading out than there was likely one place they would go to. Dodging through the crowd that was making its way to the city gate, he made his way through and into the section of area between the walls that held training facilities for the alliance. It had originally been used for crop fields, but ever since the he had sealed the alliance with Sirunre, it had been converted into training grounds. Now the crops were outside the walls, protected carefully by the whole of the alliance army. The training ground also had what he was looking for, the Healer’s tents.

He arrived to replace that he was not the only one, Mendoll and Bastra were already present, waiting for what may be a fallen scout. The wait was not long. Shouts alarmed from above, the bell rang once again with the same pattern as before. Already there were Healers arriving from all over the city. This is what it meant to be within the alliance now. There were Healers here from every group and every style. From Islat and Juiint, Eldour and Sedan, from the Healer of magic and the Healer of herbs and knives, they had all come to see if their particular talents would be needed. Just as it was outside the walls in the fields, or on the battlegrounds. Each race had individuals that were good at something in particular and they all provided when it was needed. And when this is all over, we will all have a new life to begin. A fresh start for every one of us.

The sound of wings beating furiously could be heard over the clamor of voices. Silence fell as the forms of Dragons crested over the wall, one being a group holding the fallen Dragon cradled in heavy ropes between them. The Four scouts that Mach had seen fly by his window were soaring high above in defensive positions. Their watchful eyes on the lookout for danger. This was the standard training that had been created months ago for just this kind of occasion. With a torrent of wind, the injured Dragon was lowered beside the Healers tent where most of the Healers had gathered. The moment that the ropes were released, the response crew went to work, quickly erecting a tent over the Drake while the Healers went to work inspecting the damage.

Riect landed beside the tent, the three other Dragons who had brought the scout in flew off. He looked over at the head scout of the dragon corps. “Was he able to say anything when you found him?”

Riect’s red scales glinted of the sunlight as his body shuddered. “That I am afraid is a no, King Derune. By the time we arrived, Kyrthu was already unconscious.”

He peered into the tent, at the wounds that were along the side and wing of Kyrthu. “That doesn’t look like Dragon’s fire wounds to me, are there any other enemies that your people have?” He asked as one of the Healers attempted a mind touch. If the scout woke up in pain, and still thought it was under attack, all hell would break loose. If they could reach him mentally before he woke, let him now that allies were with him, there was less of a chance of Kyrthu going ballistic.

“None that would ever come to this part of the world.” Riect said, his head positioned right behind Mach so that his eye could see into the tent. “That does not look like anything my people know. It is…tainted.”

“Tainted how?” He questioned. There were a lot of ways that something could be tainted, but the likelihood of something being tainted within these lands that were unfamiliar to the Dragons were slim. That could mean…

“I cannot say.” The scout answered. Mach looked behind him at the Dragon’s eye, a soft red glow had surrounded it as if it was imbued with magic. “But I will replace the answer. Give me time, I will return shortly.” Without so much as a backward glance, Riect turned and launched himself into the air, a cloud of dirt spraying out from under where Riect had been.

“Any ideas?” He asked, hoping that someone would have something to offer.

“This looks like Rubious.” Mendoll said suddenly, his voice low and haunting. “It feels the same as Kyrie.” Mach looked over to see the Adept staring at the wound, tears forming in the old man’s eyes. He had never asked the Mage to talk about the details of his journey to retrieve the Stones from the three Guardians. He had allowed Mendoll to tell only what he wanted. But now as he stood watching, a tear falling thick from the Mage’s eye, he knew that the pain he was going through was as great as any of those who have lost loved ones in this war. Though Mendoll had no blood ties, his family was exactly like Mach’s own. The people that he cared for the most, those that he would die for to protect, and those were his family.

He turned away from the tent and went straight to the command post. He needed to replace out where it was that this Kyrthu was posted, which ship and where in the Five Empires he had flown from. The Inn closest to the city gates had been refurbished into what was now the command center of the alliance. It was the easiest access for the various groups and made it the prime location for messages to come in and out.

As he entered the front room of the Inn he found that he was not the only one looking for information. “Which crew was that Dragon with?” “Which ship was he sailing with?” “You have to tell us, please!” The attendant behind the counter was flustered and with each additional question Mach could see the man breaking down. It would not be long before he was unable to perform his duties under this kind of pressure.

“Everyone, please, calm down.” Mach yelled over the chaos of voices. The room went silent as the whole of the room turned to him. Suddenly he felt self-conscious of being the center of attention. “I just came from the Healer’s tents, Kyrthu is being treated right now. I came here to replace out the same information that you have, but we cannot work if you are hassling us like this. I know you are all worried about your families and friends, believe me when I say that I am just as concerned for their well being. But we must get to work if we are going to figure this out. If you would please, leave this post so that we can work. I promise that once we have information to offer we will not withhold it.”

There were desperate looks all around as he attempted to urge them all with just his expression. “I promise you all, we will replace out which crew Kyrthu was with and where they were posted. But please, we must be able to work in peace in order to do so.” With one last try he had succeeded. One by one the people filed out of the Inn, leaving him and the attendant alone.

Both he and the man sighed heavily as the last person turned away from the door and was out of sight. “Thank you, King Derune. I was not sure what else I could do. Thomas Luntra, at your service.”

Mach smiled feebly at him. “It’s not a problem, but I was being truthful. I did come here to replace out where Kyrthu was stationed. Do we still have the logs of each crew here?”

Thomas looked around at the scrolls and books that covered practically every surface that could be seen. “Somewhere around here I do.”

“Good, I want you to do a search. Bring in whoever you need to do it.” He answered. “I have my own search to perform, so I need to leave. But write this down. The Dragons name is Kyrthu, scout. He flew in from the west, but he could have been coming from either the north or south before veering east. Dragons do have an excellent sense of direction, but he was badly hurt. I would personally start with the west and south patrols. If all else, don’t forget to look through possible patrols on land either.”

“Is he that badly injured?” As Mach nodded, the attendant finished writing his notes before looking back up. “Anything else?”

A thought occurred to him as he began to reply no. “Have someone look for anything odd happening in the last few months. Anything peculiar, or out of the ordinary. I think that Rubious has been on the move but he has been keeping a silent profile. I personally think he is near open water, so anything that is odd near the sea will be of help. Even unusual weather patterns can be a clue.”

The attendant nodded and wrote down the last bit of information. “Understood. I will get this done as quickly as I can.”

He turned and walked away, heading in the direction of the palace and his own room. It had been a few weeks since he had attempted a ‘Sight’ on Rubious, perhaps now would be a good time to do so. He could feel the frantic feelings that were all around as static energy. It was disconcerting that everyone was feeling like this. After so long of absolutely nothing, not even a whisper this happens. Did this mean that Rubious was on the move? Or was it simply that Kyrthu was unlucky to come across Rubious? Or could it have been something else entirely? Far too many unanswered questions that he needed answers to.

The moment he reached his room he bolted his door shut and climbed onto his bed, crossed his legs and sat there. He closed his eyes and focused his Power inward, willing his mind to see what was as he had done so many times before. He felt the surge of Power and released. For a moment in time he was lost to the Power, but as he opened his eyes he found himself no longer sitting upon his bed. Instead, what he saw was open ocean, waves flowing below him. He was a specter of this world, a spectator who could do nothing more than observe. This had been one of the first experiences he had with magic after the destruction of his home. This ability to ‘see’ at great distances was a tactical advantage when it worked properly. However, as of recently this ability had not shown him the whereabouts of his enemy.

To the north he saw land, sandy beaches thin against the green landscape that gently rose up from the water’s edge. Once again his plan to replace Rubious had been thwarted. Whatever it was that had originally protected the beast was still working against him. Perhaps he was not using his Power correctly, after all he was still a novice when it came to magic. Perhaps he just was not meant to replace him through this Power. That was another possibility that he had to consider. With magic there was any number of explanations that could be taken into account for any situation.

He had been about to dismiss himself and return when he felt a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. The same kind of feeling that he usually got around the beast that he was hunting. That same feeling of taint that Mendoll and Riect had spoken of. Had there been another attack?

Willing himself forward, he glided along the water’s surface like a phantom of the mist. His heart raced as the feeling of ill increased with each passing moment. He did not recognize this area, but somehow it felt familiar to him. As he reached the coast he allowed his feet to stand upon the earth and knelt down beach. He reached down and placed his hands upon the ground and opened his mind as he would do while attempting to mind speak. He felt… he felt something around him, something that was old and yet at the same time so very young... And through a flash of images in his mind, he felt what was being said.

War. Armies had gathered, the grass burning on fire as two forces collided. Smoke rose up from everywhere, it swirled around groups of warriors, separating and dividing forces as if it too had its own part to play in the war. Swords and shields clashed, tooth and claw lashed out at each other. He watched as two armies battled each other for survival. Then he saw himself, standing toe to toe with the demon beast, swords locked, eyes glaring at each other. A flash of magic and his sword burst into flames. This was the moment that he had seen for over a year now. This is what everything was leading up to.

The ground jolted him, shaking his very being as if warning him. In the span of a heartbeat, the image changed. The green grass was no longer here, there was nothing but black smoldering ash, punctuated by grey burning coals. Yet again, two armies fought each other, but only one was fighting for its survival. Magic flew through the air as if it were arrows from a bow, and in their haste to flee the force that they were up against, the Mages who were defending themselves missed time and time again. The swarm of soldiers that came for them was enormous, larger than any force Mach had ever imagined possible.

The ground between the two armies shuddered and broke apart, leaving a gap between that would take time to cross. He watched as a new group marched onto the Mages position, the head of the group was heavily robed and carried a staff upon his back, a staff that bore Stones that radiated Power. Moments went by as the opposing army traversed the crevice. In that time, the Mages turned to run, leaving the man with the staff behind, standing sentinel in their wake. Power surged around the Mages defender, the stones within the staff glowing with raw Power. Dislodging from their place, seven Stones encircled an eighth between the man’s arms. The Power emanating from this man rose to incredible levels, creating a physical manifestation of its Power. Waves of energy could be seen with the normal eye. But as that Power was to be unleashed, a Power that would have destroyed the army that was crossing the crevice, two soldiers in uniforms of the enemy snuck up behind. A scream of horror came from behind a hill but it was already too late. A spear had been buried into the man’s back, instantly killing him. The Stones fell to the ground with tiny thuds and as if it were his last effort, the Mage fell forward onto those Stones, his body hiding them from view.

Moments later, the horde of soldiers washed over the area, giving chase to the Mages who were fleeing. That scene faded into green low rolling hills. A shimmer of Power caught his eye, reflected his way by the glare of the suns.

Quickly he willed his way to it, moving as swiftly as he could. He reached out the moment he was near, feeling his way to the source of Power he had begun to feel and was sent backwards in agonizing pain. For a moment he had thought his arm gone, that an attacker had cleaved his limb from his body. But as he stared down at that arm, pain darting up and down the length of it, he knew what it had been. It was the same kind of barrier that he himself had erected around the cabin that his mother had lay in pain, waiting for him to come to her side. But this magic was tainted, expressly meant to harm anyone who got close enough, not to deter.

Wildly he looked around for any signs that may give him a clue as to where he was, of where in the world this was. If Rubious was here, than he needed to replace out where this was. This may just be the chance they had all been waiting for! Again the image of complete desolation flashed before him, casting a ghost image of complete destruction. An army on the run against odds that would annihilate their ranks.

He had only moments to take in the image before he found himself standing inside the wreckage of a home he had not been to since his journey began. He looked around madly, sure that there would be an attack coming from somewhere. From out of the shadows of a corner, a wraith glided out toward him, its hood up, hiding its face in the darkness. It hovered in front of him, its form fading in and out of sight as if it were vapor. On the wind he heard its voice, faint and lost with time, “Come!”