Tales of Regventus : Adalwen
Chapter 26

Max was enjoying his training more than anything he had ever done in his life. Using magic felt like nothing he had ever known. Growing up he had always enjoyed being around horses. He enjoyed helping Danin in the stables. He had thought he would like to work in the stables forever, but now Max saw just how much would have been missing from his life if he had never come to Abscon. Magic was such a large part of him now that he was afraid he would feel empty without it.

He wasn’t sure how he survived before without the feeling of magic. It was like a life inside of him, driving his own. His heart beat in time to it. His breath felt like it was dependent on it. As Ansel drilled him through all the things he had learned, he felt so alive. He felt so present in the moment. Everything around him was alive with magic.

“Good, good Max. Now take a break,” said Ansel after Max had summoned several things from the house.

Max let out a breath and noticed that his dark shirt was drenched in sweat even though the air was cool. He didn’t realize how hard he had been working.

Max nodded but he didn’t feel like he needed a break. He wasn’t tired. It felt like the more he learned and the more he worked, the stronger he became. He was hungry to know more and to do more. He drilled himself during breaks in the day when Ansel and Griffa weren’t around. He stayed up late reading and learning about all sorts of magic, especially blood magic.

He knew he shouldn’t be reading about blood magic. Griffa had warned him it was dangerous, but Max was fascinated by it. The books Helmer had sent were filled with ways to use blood magic in so many different ways. The magic was very old, and it had a mixed, dark history, but it could do amazing things.

It could curse someone forever, but it could also cure a dying man. It could entrap someone in a love spell, but it could also free someone from pain. The more Max read the more he was tempted to try blood magic, to make some of the potions he read about in books, but something in him stopped him, for now.

Griffa walked out on the back lawn as Max and Ansel were sitting down, resting. She was wearing a simple red dress and a black cloak. She brought with her some drinks and sweets. Sitting them down on the ground, she joined them. Max picked up a drink and a sweet roll, thanking Griffa. Ansel took his hat off and thanked Griffa as he picked up a small biscuit.

“You can thank Maybell later,” said Griffa. “She thought you deserved a treat because of your hard work.”

Max smiled and chewed on his roll.

“Griffa, can we work on magical travel? I really want to learn how to do it so I can visit Clarton and see my friends,” said Max with a mouth full sweet roll.

“I’m sure you do. Issa has been pestering me with questions on how you were doing with your magical travel in her letters since we got home,” said Griffa smiling at Max and picking up a small piece of cake, popping it into her mouth.

“So, we can work on it today?” asked Max.

“Yes, if Ansel has no objections. He is in charge of your training,” answered Griffa looking at Ansel. Max noticed that Griffa had been more complying to Ansel’s schedule lately.

Ansel smiled at Griffa. “You know you can work with him on whatever you want, Griff. You really don’t need my permission.”

“You are in charge of his training, but if it won’t affect anything you had planned, I will be happy to work with Max on magical travel.”

Max smiled and jumped up. “I’m ready.”

Griffa finished her drink quickly and stood up. “Very well.”

She took Max’s hand and said, “Let’s go to that tree in the field. I will take us there, and you will bring us back here with your magic.”

Max nodded in response.

Max closed his eyes and felt the familiar sensation of traveling. They were quickly at the tree.

“Good, now it’s your turn, Max. I know you can do this,” said Griffa, encouraging him.

Max closed his eyes. He tried to envision the back lawn of Griffa’s house, but all he could see was the outside of Danin’s stables in Clarton. It was hazy and dark; he could just make out the stables and the cottage. Max opened his eyes and shook his head, releasing Griffa’s hand.

“Is something wrong, Max?” asked Griffa concerned.

“No, I’m just having trouble concentrating,” answered Max. He closed his eyes again and really concentrated on the back lawn. He grabbed for Griffa’s hand and caught it in his own. Soon he felt the sensation of traveling. He opened his eyes and found himself on the back lawn again.

“Very good, Max!” said Griffa proudly. “You did it!”

Ansel who still sat on the ground nodded approvingly. “Now do it again,” said Ansel. “This time on your own.”

Max closed his eyes to envision the tree in the field, but when he closed his eyes, he again saw Clarton. This time the vision was clearer. He realized his original vision wasn’t hazy at all. Clarton was on fire. Max looked around. There were people running out of the second ring into the third, scared. Some were burned and bloody.

Max’s head started to hurt. He grabbed it with his hands and fell to his knees. He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn’t. He kept seeing Clarton. He saw Issa. She was scared, her leg had been burned, and she was limping towards the cottage. The stables were ablaze.

“No,” said Max on the ground holding his head. “No, Issa, Nora, Danin,” he muttered.

Next thing he knew Max felt a swooping in his stomach. He was traveling, and it was much further than the tree in the field.

Max was on the ground holding his head, moaning.

“Max!” said Griffa. She tried to reach out to him, but she was flung back hard by some force.

“Griffa!” yelled Ansel, jumping up.

“I’m fine. What is wrong with him, Ansel?” she cried as she stood up and walked back towards Max.

“I don’t know,” Ansel said, getting as close to Max as he dared. “Max, can you hear me. Max!”

But Max was now crying. Ansel heard Max say Issa, Nora, and Danin’s name, and suddenly Max was gone.

“Max!” exclaimed Ansel. “Griffa, what happened?”

“Hold on,” she said before she disappeared. She reappeared a moment later.

“Ansel, he’s not at the tree,” she said quickly.

“Where is he? Where could he have gone?” asked Ansel, pacing.

“I think I know, Ansel. I think he went to Clarton. Something is terribly wrong. We have to go after him.”

Before Ansel could say another word, she raised her hand. Her staff came flying out of a window at the top of the house. She caught it and disappeared.

Ansel cursed under his breath. Couldn’t she have waited for just one moment? He thought of what he should do. He could go get help. He could go tell someone what had happened, but he decided there was no time. He closed his eyes and traveled to Clarton.

He slammed into the ground on the outskirts of the forest, catching himself by putting his hands on the ground. He stood up and ran towards the village. What he saw was utter chaos. The buildings were burning, and people were screaming.

Ansel quickly scanned the area looking for Griffa and Max. It was smokey and hard to see. He ran towards Danin and Nora’s cottage, hoping Max and Griffa would be there. He felt fear creep up inside of him, but he pushed it down. He willed himself to stay calm. As he ran towards the cottage, he saw Max on the ground with Issa. Ansel quickly ran to them.

“Max are you alright?’ asked Ansel quickly.

“Yes,” said Max. “Issa’s hurt. I don’t think it’s too bad, but she can’t walk very well.”

Ansel bent down to look at Issa. Her face was twisted up in pain. He looked at Issa’s leg and saw that it was burned. It was ugly but could be cured quickly by Griffa. Ansel knew a few spells to help with the pain. He hovered his hand over the burn and muttered under this breath. Ansel saw her face relax.

“I know it’s not completely better, Issa, but it should help you to walk,” said Ansel trying to sooth the poor girl. He turned to Max. “Get her to the edge of the forest and hide with her there.”

Max nodded. He helped Issa up.

“Have you seen Griffa?” asked Ansel.

“Yes, she ran towards the stables to help Danin,” said Issa.

Ansel stood up. “You two get to safety. I’ll be there soon. I’ll try to grab Nora and Danin too. Where is your father, Issa?”

“He’s not here. He went back to the West Village,” said Issa.

“We will send him a letter later. Take care of yourselves. If I don’t come back soon, try to get back to Abscon, Max,” said Ansel.

He knew it would be practically impossible for Max to magically travel with Issa anywhere, but Max would have to try if the worst happened. Ansel knew he should take Max now and get him to safety, but he couldn’t just leave Griffa here. His duty was to Max but everything in him revolted at the idea of not seeing Griffa to safety. He would have to trust Max could take care of himself.

Ansel saw Issa and Max off to the forest and then ran towards the stables. People were running towards the forest. He hoped Max knew where to hide well. As Ansel got closer to the stables, soldiers started coming into the third ring. There were many of them. They yelled for people to stop and come with them. Some did so immediately, letting themselves be led to a large group under guard. Others would run, and many of them were killed by spears and swords. Ansel had been in fights, but he had never seen anything like this. There was violence everywhere. The air smelled of smoke and fresh blood.

Ansel reached the stable to replace it was almost completely in flames. His heartbeat faster. The fear he had pushed back was creeping up again.

“Griffa!” Ansel called. “Griffa!” He tried to replace a way into the stables. He looked for water somewhere he could magically pour over the fire.

Suddenly horses raced out of the stables towards Ansel. He dodged them as they ran by. The horses were followed by Danin staggering out with Griffa by his side. She was leaning heavily on her staff supporting Danin. Both were covered in ash, and Griffa was coughing deeply. Ansel ran forward to meet them. Danin stood up straighter coughing. Ansel grabbed Griffa and rubbed her back as she coughed out smoke.

“Are you both alright?” Ansel asked, still rubbing Griffa’s back.

“Yes, Ansel, we are fine,” said Griffa breathless. “We just breathed in some smoke.”

“Nora, Max,” wheezed Danin.

“Max is at the edge of the forest, hiding with Issa. We need to get to them and get out of here. Where is Nora?” asked Ansel.

“I told her to stay in the cottage,” said Danin, still wheezing.

“You two get to the forest and replace Max and Issa,” said Ansel. “I’ll go get Nora and meet you there.”

Griffa pushed Ansel away. “Ansel, we can’t just leave all these people. Look what’s happening.”

Ansel grabbed Griffa by the arms, “Don’t do this. Please get to the forest.” She stared at him. “Please Griffa, you can’t help them all. Go!”

She nodded, but Ansel could see the pain in her eyes. He couldn’t help but feel instant relief. Griffa and Danin started off towards the forest as Ansel started towards the cottage to get Nora when Griffa suddenly called out, “No, Max!”

Ansel looked over and saw that Max had run back into the third ring. He was heading towards the cottage. A couple of soldiers had spotted him and were yelling at him to stop. Griffa took off towards the soldiers. Ansel stalled for a moment and then ran after her; he could hear Danin coming behind him.

Griffa got close to soldiers and jammed her staff into the ground. The soldiers were thrown off their feet, but other soldiers came over alerted by the commotion. The soldiers ran towards Griffa, their spears raised. Griffa turned and thrust out her hand and the soldiers flew back. She doubled over coughing. Three more were coming up to her other side. Ansel yelled and threw his hand out. The soldiers went down hard on the ground. He finally reached Griffa. She was leaning on her staff, wheezing.

“Max,” she croaked out.

Ansel looked over to the cottage and saw Max coming out with Nora in tow. He looked behind him and saw that Danin was hobbling towards them. Ansel heard Griffa call out. He looked at her, and she had her staff raised. A group of soldiers who were running towards Max and Nora flew through the air. Griffa collapsed into Ansel as Nora and Max made it to them.

Ansel examined Griffa who he held in his arms. Her breaths were fast and shallow. He was about to pick her up and run for the forest when he heard Nora scream. He looked up and saw a burning tree falling towards Danin. He reached out his hand, but it was too late. The burning tree fell on Danin, engulfing him in flames.

“No!” screamed Nora. She started to run towards the tree, but Max grabbed her, holding on to her.

“We have to get out of here, Max. Where is Issa?” shouted Ansel.

Max looked back at Danin and the tree and then said, “Come on.”

He pulled Nora along with him as they ran for the forest. Ansel helped Griffa stand up straight. He put his arm around her as they walked quickly and awkwardly behind Max. Griffa coughed heavily as they progressed.

They finally reached the forest and Max took them to a thicket. Issa popped out when she saw who it was. She looked at the group and asked, “Where’s Danin?” Nora let out a fresh wail.

“We have to get to Abscon, now,” wheezed Griffa. We will never make it on foot.”

Ansel agreed. He left Griffa supporting herself on her staff and grabbed Nora from Max’s arms. He looked at her.

“We have to get out of here, Nora. I know it’s hard, but I need you to focus. I need you to do this for Max.” Nora blinked her eyes hard and nodded. “I want you to imagine a vast stone house. I want you to see it. It has many windows and a back lawn that goes on for half a mile. Now I want you to completely trust me. Take my hand and have complete trust in me, Nora.”

She nodded and said “Max has described the house to us in letters many times. I can see it in my mind.”

“Do you trust me, Nora?” asked Ansel seriously.

“Yes, I trust you.”

“Griffa, are you able to take Max and Issa?” asked Ansel looking at Griffa.

Griffa looked like she would collapse, but she stood up straighter and said, “Yes, Ansel.” She turned towards Issa and asked, “Issa has Max written to you about the manor?”

Issa nodded.

“You have to trust me and Max completely. I will get you there safely. Do you understand?”

Issa nodded again.

“We are ready, Ansel,” said Griffa.

Ansel knew this may not work. It was risky, but he looked around at an injured Issa, an inconsolable Nora, and Griffa who was wheezing heavily, looking paler by the minute. He knew they didn’t have any other way.

Ansel nodded. He grabbed Nora’s hand and concentrated hard. He felt the feeling of travel, hoping that Griffa and Max would follow with Issa.

Ansel slammed into the ground. He grabbed Nora around the waist to steady her. He looked up and saw Keene Manor. The sun was setting, and everything was quiet. He took a deep breath and then looked around. A moment later Griffa, Max and Issa appeared. Issa sank down to the grass holding her leg. Max sat down with her. Griffa leaned heavily leaning on her staff. She looked at Ansel before fainting dead away.

Maybell came running out the back door with Jonthon.

“Gods, what happened? Where have you been? You were out here on the lawn and then suddenly you were gone,” cried Maybell. Her eyes went wide looking at the ragged group in front of her. When she saw Griffa laying on the ground she yelped.

“My darling girl, what has happened?” She ran towards Griffa.

Ansel caught her. He held her arms and said to her calmly, ““Maybell, this is Nora and Issa. I need you to get them cleaned up and into rooms to rest. Nora has suffered a great loss. I will see to Griffa. She will be fine.”

Maybell cut her eyes to Griffa and then looked at Ansel and nodded.

“Come on dears, “said Maybell. She led Nora towards the house as Max led Issa.

Ansel picked up Griffa off the ground and cradled her in his arms. “Jonthon, grab her staff and bring it inside.” Jonthon nodded and grabbed the staff.

“Come on, Griff,” whispered Ansel. Griffa stirred in his arms and opened her eyes. Ansel smiled sadly at her.

“Did we all make it back?” she asked.

“Yes, now we need to get you inside to rest,” said Ansel quietly. Griffa closed her eyes and burrowed his head into Ansel’s chest. He carried her and followed the others inside.