The Immortal Mystic (Book 5) Read online

  “She, actually. Yes, she has been with me since she hatched. Until recently I actually had a pair of them, but one was slain in battle before we found you.”

  “I am sorry,” Erik offered.

  “Why should you be sorry?” Salarion questioned. Erik sensed genuine confusion in her voice.

  “I assumed it was sad for you,” Erik explained.

  Salarion didn’t say anything. She turned and walked on, her footsteps barely audible. The lizard moved after her and Erik again kept pace.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Marlin and Tatev halted their horses and dismounted. They stood at the edge of a verdant field with the mountains to their left. Marlin stood silently, staring at the mountains. Tatev looked around and dug in the dirt with his toes.

  “I don’t see a cave,” Tatev said.

  “It was here,” Marlin said. “The moon showed me.”

  Tatev nodded resolutely and pushed the glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “Well, I can go up and take a closer look.”

  Marlin smiled. “No need, they are coming.” Marlin pointed out to a rock outcropping.

  “I don’t see a cave,” Tatev said. No sooner had he finished his sentence than Erik came out from behind a large boulder. “Well I’ll be a horned toad,” Tatev said.

  “Never doubt the moon,” Marlin commented with a smile. “Erik, we have a horse for you,” Marlin called out. “Are you well?”

  Erik froze in place and his mouth fell open. “How did you know I would be here?” Erik shouted from beside the boulder. He waved eagerly and then broke into a run down the slope to greet his friends.

  Marlin left the horses and made his way up the slope. He scanned Erik’s aura, and seeing that Erik was healthy he smiled wide and opened his arms to catch him. Erik hugged Marlin and repeated his question. “How did you know where to find me?” Tatev was only a couple of steps behind.

  “You are covered in dirt,” Tatev said. “Are you alright?”

  Erik nodded.

  Marlin was about to answer and then he noticed the cocoon held in Erik’s arms. “Jaleal,” Marlin gasped. “I can only faintly see his aura.”

  “Salarion said he will be alright. She has gone back to find an herb for him. She said it will accelerate his healing.”

  Marlin and Tatev glanced to each other. “Salarion?” Tatev squinted and pushed his glasses up again. “When did you speak with Salarion?”

  Erik pointed back to the mountain. “She brought me through the caves.”

  “You walked with the dark elf?” Marlin asked.

  Erik nodded. “She helped me,” he said.

  “What did she ask for in return?” Marlin pressed.

  “Nothing,” Erik said with a shrug. Marlin took a step back and folded his arms.

  “Where is she now?” Tatev inquired.

  “She went back for the herb. She said she would meet me in the eastern wilds.”

  “What does she know of the wilds?” Marlin probed. “Did you tell her where you were going?”

  “She knew a lot of things,” Erik said. His face skewed into one of confusion and his tone became defensive. “She helped me,” he said again. “She led me through the mountains.”

  “I don’t know that I would trust her,” Marlin put in quickly. “Sierri’Tai are not known for their benevolence.”

  “Their kind can’t be trusted,” Tatev put in.

  Erik pointed at Tatev and shook his head. “But you are the one who told me how the sand elves were the ones who betrayed her kind,” Erik argued.

  “She is a creature of the shadow,” Marlin said. “We are children of the light. Our kinds do not usually mix well.”

  “She saved me from a shadowfiend,” Erik said. “Besides that, I used my power. She was not deceitful as far as I could tell.”

  Marlin pursed his lips and folded his arms. His brow drew in close and he studied Erik for a moment. “I still have my reservations.”

  “What if I told you that the shadowfiend who was hunting me was one of the Black Fang Council? Would you change your mind then?”

  Marlin ran a hand over his chin and shook his head. “Even if she fights them, that does not make her our friend.” Marlin paused and then bent down close to Erik’s face. “You said you used your powers on her, what did you see?”

  Erik stuttered. His defensiveness fell away and he recalled that he could not fully read her. There had been something that felt like it was hidden from him.

  Marlin reached out and put a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “You couldn’t read her entirely, could you?”

  “How could you know that?” Erik asked.

  Marlin smiled. “I can see the thoughts whirling through your aura,” he answered. “However, even if I couldn’t see it, I already know of this problem. There is a blindness when it comes to dark elves. Somehow, their kind is able to hide from our sight. We can see parts of their souls, but there is always a portion hidden. Sometimes it is nothing, but other times it can conceal ill intentions or designs.”

  “But why? I thought this would work with all people?”

  Marlin shrugged. “Something with the magic that they are born with. It clouds our vision. I don’t even know if they are aware that they can do it. It doesn’t seem to be anything that they act upon consciously.”

  “They are children of the shadow,” Tatev commented. “Born in the bowels of the world where the sun’s rays never illuminate the darkness. We are different on many levels.”

  Erik nodded and then looked back to Jaleal. “Is there anything we can do for him?”

  “We don’t have any healers at Ten Forts who could help with Jaleal, do we?” Tatev asked, obviously moving the three of them to a different topic.

  “No,” Marlin said. “It might be best to send him along with the two of you. Once you find the Immortal Mystic you will have access to better healing than what we could provide.”

  “We have some healers who survived,” Tatev said. “We could travel to—” Marlin cut him off with a wave of his hand.

  “No, we need to get to the Immortal Mystic as soon as possible. Tu’luh has gathered his armies against us and…” Marlin stopped and turned to Erik. “I apologize, in my concern for you I forgot to ask. What happened with Tu’luh?”

  Erik smiled wide and nodded slowly. “The dragon is dead.”

  Tatev’s mouth fell open and he reached out to grab Marlin’s shoulder with his right hand. Marlin clapped and walked forward to embrace Erik. “You have done it!”

  Erik returned the hug with his free arm and then clarified, “Jaleal is as much the hero as I am. Without him, I would not have succeeded.”

  “Ah, but the demon is slain, and we are safe!” Marlin pulled him in tighter into his chest and gave him a hearty shake. He then turned to Tatev. “It is over. It is finished!”

  Tatev ran a hand through his curly red hair and shook his head. “I…I am not even sure what to say.”

  “The librarian has no words!” Marlin sniggered as he released Erik. “Ha!” Marlin clapped his hands again. “Come, come. Let us set you on your way east. The darkest part of the night is now behind us. All you have to do is find the Immortal Mystic and learn how to destroy Nagar’s Secret. Once the book is gone, then all will be well.”

  “There are still the orcs,” Tatev reminded them.

  “Bah,” Marlin scoffed with a wave of his hand. “If Lepkin and Dimwater can’t handle a few orcs, then I am a black-tailed gander.”

  Erik’s eyebrows drew in and then went up over his nose as he first frowned and then let out a snort. “A black-tailed gander?” he asked.

  Marlin waved it away and ushered them all back to the horses. “Come, it is time to go. I have brought some extra provisions. I thought you might be hungry after traveling through the wastes around Demaverung.” Marlin opened his saddle bags and revealed dried meat, bread, beans, and a few raisins and a jar of pickles. He offered some of it to Erik and then busily transferred the bags to Erik’s horse so th
e boy would have enough to make it to the next town.

  “How was the journey through Verishtahng?” Tatev asked as Erik ate. “I heard there are strange creatures there that can survive by drinking the vapors and mists that shoot out from the vents, did you see any?”

  Erik shook his head and tore into the dried meat.

  “What of mammoths, did you see any of them?”

  Erik nodded, but instead of talking he kept voraciously shoveling food into his mouth as fast as he could chew. He hadn’t realized it before, but now that he was able to rest and eat, his stomach was cramping into angry knots with hunger.

  “The mammoths used to roam all of the Middle Kingdom. In the days of the orcs, before the humans pushed them to the south, the mammoths were the most abundant land animal. Entire cities lived or starved based upon the herds that roamed the lands.”

  “Tatev, let Erik eat. I am sure the journey through Verishtahng was arduous enough. He shouldn’t have to suffer through your incessant questions until he has at least had the opportunity to fill his stomach.” Marlin interjected.

  “You’re right,” Tatev said as he jumped up to his feet. “I am sure he is starving. I mean, the only things that grow in that part of the realm are waterstacks and a few different kinds of berries.” His face curled into a wide smile and he turned back to Erik. “Did you see the Fenolak berry? It is quite rare and can be crushed with the seed to create—”

  “Tatev,” Marlin said sternly. “Enough.”

  “Right, sorry,” Tatev said with a shrug. “Enjoy your meal,” he said.

  “Go and prepare your supplies to go with him,” Marlin instructed Tatev.

  Tatev gathered some rope and a large saddle bag. He took a knife and roughly jerked and sliced through the leather flap. He then bored a hole through the sides and slid the rope through. “I’ll place Jaleal in here,” he said. “We don’t want to risk dropping him while he is in his cocoon. Doing so could cause a fracture of the shell and would render him unable to heal inside.”

  Erik didn’t question him. He gently handed the rough cocoon to Tatev and let the librarian slide it into the bag. The whole of it fit, with just a bit protruding from the top. “Why did you cut the flap off? It would have fit inside well enough and you could have closed the bag.”

  “He needs sunlight. We’ll rotate the cocoon twice a day to ensure that the light doesn’t just get concentrated on one end of the cocoon.” Erik nodded and accepted the explanation.

  “How long were you in the caves?” Tatev asked suddenly.

  “Not very long, but before we got to the caves the volcano erupted and it blocked much of the sunlight also.”

  “Demaverung erupted?” Tatev asked. His mouth fell open and he pushed his glasses up on his nose. He glanced back to Marlin, but the prelate shook his head, obviously forbidding the questions formulating in Tatev’s mind.

  When Erik finished he mounted his horse and they all traveled eastward. The journey was uneventful, but Erik found it fairly tiring as he recounted in excruciating detail his entire trip for Tatev. When Erik left out some detail, like not explaining the color of the glowing butterflies well enough, Tatev was sure to stop him and make him explain it better. Still, it made the trip a bit less boring, even if it was exhausting.

  Marlin also seemed interested in aspects of the adventure, but his questions revolved around Demaverung and Tu’luh. A big, wide smile was painted across his face for the whole way back, as if he had forgotten all about Salarion and only heard the news of Tu’luh. The three of them rode on through the late afternoon and well into the evening. They pitched camp near the road, and broke bread just as the sun dipped behind the horizon.

  The night was cool and calm. Other than crickets in the wind, there was no commotion. Erik gazed up at the stars and thought to himself that if not for the fact that he had seen the camps, he might not know there were thousands of orcs on the other side of the mountains to the south and entrenched along Ten Forts.

  The next morning was different. Erik noticed that the farther they traveled, the quieter Tatev became. At first Erik was happy for the reprieve from the constant bombardment of questions, but as the day wore on, he shifted in his saddle uncomfortably.

  Marlin rode up alongside Erik and motioned for him to slow down. They let Tatev ride a bit farther along. “There is a nervousness in him,” Marlin explained.

  “About what?” Erik asked.

  “He has never gone on a journey like this before,” Marlin explained. “Even when hunting for books and rare texts he would send neophytes out from Valtuu Temple. Why, he hasn’t seen the sun for the last several years, and would likely still be in the library except for the fact that the temple was destroyed.”

  “I’ll watch out for him,” Erik said.

  Marlin nodded. “Who better to have as a bodyguard?” he asked with a smile.

  “If he is so nervous about it, I could go on alone though,” Erik offered.

  Marlin looked to Erik and shook his head. “No, it will be good for you to have him along. He will be able to help you identify things that will be of aid. Besides, it is always better to go with another. You will find the journey easier that way.”

  “Why can’t you come along?” Erik asked.

  Marlin shook his head again. “I am needed at Ten Forts. Mercer and Lepkin believe there is a traitor in our midst. I am to root him out.”

  Erik frowned. “I suppose you would be the best person for that job.”

  Marlin pointed with his chin out to Tatev. “Come, let’s go and see if we can cheer him up.”

  They urged their horses along faster.

  “Tatev,” Erik began. “Did I tell you about the plants in the caves that eat meat?”

  Tatev perked up and looked to Erik. “You have,” he said. “But could you ride along closer with me and help me draw one? I should like to make a compendium about our journey.” Tatev reached into a thin pocket on his saddle bag and pulled out a thin, small leather bound journal. “I made a quick sketch based on what you said, but thought you might take a look at it.”

  The next two days passed quickly as Erik tried to keep Tatev occupied with details from Verishtahng and the caves below the mountains. What once had been drudgery now became almost fun as Erik knew it helped soothe Tatev’s nerves. Other than stopping for meals and to rotate Jaleal’s cocoon in the saddle bag, there were no hindrances to their journey. They rode on through the green fields and each of them smiled when they saw the westernmost keep of Ten Forts. It was then that Marlin pulled his steed around and stopped the group.

  “I will go in, but you should continue onward. You can stop in Stonebrook for supplies,” Marlin said. Erik looked to the fortress walls and thought of Lepkin and Dimwater. He started to say something but Marlin raised his hand and stopped him. “I know,” he said. “But, if you come with me it will take you another day and a half out of your way just to get to the main keep rather than turning northward at the next fork. Then, there will be at least a night spent with you in the keep. Finally, you will have to travel another day northward before you reach the same point on the road you would reach earlier by taking the next fork. We have the upper hand now, but we should take advantage of that and use our time as wisely as possible.”

  “How long is the journey to the Immortal Mystic?” Erik asked.

  Marlin shrugged and turned to Tatev.

  The librarian pushed his glasses up on his nose and sighed. “Months, at least.” He said. “We have to travel into the eastern wilds, and then sneak beyond the Tarthun hordes to reach a land that none of us have seen for centuries. Some don’t believe it exists anymore.”

  “How will we find it?” Erik asked.

  Tatev looked off to the distance and then back to Erik. “I mentioned before that there is a place called Gerharon. We will begin our search there. If Allun Rha stayed there for several days, then that is the best place to start.”

  “It will not be easy,” Marlin put in.

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bsp; “I wouldn’t say anything else has been particularly easy,” Erik said. “Let’s go.” He turned to Marlin then and waved slowly. “Give them my best.”

  “I will, Master Lokton,” Marlin said. “Be sure to take care of yourself.”

  Tatev sighed and nudged his horse onward without a word.

  Erik watched him go and Marlin motioned for Erik to come closer. Erik did so and Marlin whispered in his ear. “Something disturbs him,” Marlin said. “Ever since we started on the road for you, there has been a cloud in his aura. I can’t discern the root of it, but watch over him as best you can.”

  “I will,” Erik promised.

  “He has The Infinium with him. When you find the Immortal Mystic, be sure to get all of the answers you need. Tu’luh is vanquished, and now we need to finish this.”

  Erik nodded. “I will find the truth.”

  Marlin smiled. “Of course you will. You, Erik, are the Champion of Truth. You are the Dragon’s Champion, the one who fights for the Ancients and wields the power to restore balance to our lands.” Marlin placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “I do hope to see you again, when this is over.”

  “You will,” Erik promised. With that the young man rode on to catch up with Tatev.

  Marlin watched them go toward the northern road, cutting across the grass rather than riding to the fork in the road. He saw the determination in Erik’s aura. In that moment he had absolute confidence in the boy. Yet, something in the back of his own heart told him that he would not see either of them again.

  The Prelate finished his journey back to the main keep of Ten Forts. The gates opened to receive him and he saw Mercer standing in the opening with three young men dressed in leather armor. Messengers, most likely, Marlin figured. Each of them had a small parchment they tucked into a canister of bone attached to their belts. They barely nodded at Marlin before sprinting off to the north.

  Mercer saw Marlin and pointed to his messengers. “I would send them on horses, but we have none to spare.”