The Apprentices (The Crimson Guard Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

I was quiet a moment before gathering the courage to speak again.  “I understand, what will you have us do?  What will happen when your last brother is killed?  Will you rule the world?”  I was worried that we were being enlisted to help a man gain control of a vastly larger world than I believed, just an hour ago.   

“Kill the Queen and release my kin to join me in the North.  Once she is gone, they will remember.”  He turned and started to walk away.  “Once this is done, you will have a choice of what to do next.  To answer your question, I do not want to rule anyone, not even my kin.  All I want is to control the bridge as I have done for centuries and to mourn my brothers.”

“You just told us to kill the Queen, one of the most protected persons in the world.  How are we going to do that?” I was getting worried with what he was going to say. 

“That is up to you and your apprentices to figure out.  Try getting into the Queen’s inner circle and kill her or raise an army and attack the castle.  It won’t be easy, but it must to be done if your world is to be safe.”

He keeps mentioning apprentices?
I thought.  “Okay, we will work out something I guess.  Can you help lending us your men?  When are you planning to head out towards the North?” I asked as I noticed the red headed ones were setting up fires and tents.  “And what is this about the apprentices? How do you know of the prophecy of the apprentices?”

“My kin and I will be heading out after a good meal and some sleep.  It is a long trip and I want to ensure they are well rested in the event my last brother finds us.  Oh, and I need to take the one you call Naomi with me, she will be needed by us in the North.”

“Again, how do you know of the apprentices? From the looks of it Naomi can decide if she wants to come with us or go with you.”  I knew that she was listening to our conversation and so as I finished I looked her way.  Jes appeared pale at the thought of parting from Naomi and she was red in the face from anger.  I guess she also didn’t like being told what to do.  “Redington, I am unsure as to the powers of your kin, but you should also be aware that Naomi tends to get a little hot if you anger her.”

“What does that mean? The apprentices, have you never been told their significance?”  He asked.

“She seems to be pretty adept at fire magic, in fact, she melted metal restraints without charring herself.”  I wonder how much I should tell him about the apprentices in case he was baiting me for information.  Again, how much do I really know? 
Well, if I can’t trust an immortal, who can I trust?
  “I was only told to bring them together.  I have always guessed they were important, but beyond that I am clueless.”  I said, noticing Naomi had begun to pace back and forth.

“I will tell you what I know, but again, my knowledge on many of the happenings in the South is limited.”  He said, again making himself comfortable on the log.  “Soon after the battle with the Shlocks with my son, the Wanderer returned.  He foretold the world would continue to die consumed by its own greed and lust for power.   The Wanderer also said a time would come once and only once in my lifetime when four apprentices of four disciplines would come together.  He said they would bring about the end of the war, uniting the world for the first time in all creation.”  Redington paused, allowing me to soak it in. 

“That is all and well, but how will I know when we have come together and you speak of four disciplines I only know of the caster?” I asked, moving to the edge of my seat in anticipation.  Finally, I might get all of my answers I thought.

“I said before, my knowledge of the South is limited and I don’t know anything more about the prophecy than what was told to me. However the disciplines are similar between your people and the Shlocks.  It was also the same between me and my brothers.”  He paused and looked at Jes when he gasped.

“Sorry that was unexpected.”  Jes said, sinking lower to the ground trying to hide behind Talon.

“Your friends seem rather nosey.”

“They are not nosey, but actually highly trained in their respective crafts.”

Redington shrugged it off and continued.  “The four disciplines are; Caster, Warrior, Shadow Walker, and Empathic Healer.  Caster which you know.  You may not know about the Warrior, which I am, a soldier and therefore unable to use magic.  Next, you have the Shadow Walker.”  I interrupted him.  “Shadow Walker I have never heard of this before.” 

“You may have heard them called by different names, Rogue, Thief, or Assassin.”  Jes stood up straight again, “Shadow Walker, I do like the sound of that.  It’s so exotic.”  He said, winking at Naomi.  I gave him a dirty look again making him sink low.

“Please continue Redington.”  I said.

“Yes, finally the last is a type of Empathetic Healer.”  Redington’s voice dropped low and he looked at his hands.  “Beside this I know of nothing more, but one thing.  I have deduced from the Wanderer that when the four come together they will hold my life in their hands.  The Wanderer said it would only happen in my life once, so if they fail I also fail.”  After he finished Redington stood and looked down on me.  “You ponder these revelations, we will speak again later,” he looked up at Naomi “prepare yourself to travel,” and he moved off.

I sat in a trance for a moment before an argument brought me back.  I turned to see Jes yelling at Naomi, who was packing her belongings. 

“What is going on?” I yelled, quieting Jes.

“Lyndon you must tell that guy she cannot go, her place is with us.”  Jes pleaded.

“Please just wait a second Jes, don’t get all emotional.”  I said, quieting the thief,
I mean Shadow Walker… Seriously, he is going to be insufferable.

“I was not being ‘emotional’ as you call it, I was just saying that Naomi is quite talented and I believe she should be part of our group.”

Ignoring Jes for the moment, I turned to the rest of the group, “Well, did anyone else find this as interesting as me. He did answer some questions.” 

“Lyndon what are we going to do about Naomi. She is one of us, we can’t just let her go without a fight,” said Jes again more frantic this time.

“Do you really think we would stand a chance against them in a fight?”  I pointed to the soldiers moving around. 

“I wasss able to take one out, and he isss very protective of his kin. Maybe he would allow ussss to go.”  Talon said, taking Jes’ side.

“Fine, just let me talk to him.  But first, did you hear him when he was talking about the different disciplines.”  Everyone nodded.  “We must find our final apprentice.”

“What do you mean we have only one left?”  Jes was confused.

“Yes, ” I said, exasperated, “Did you even listen to him?  You three have trained under the great mages which were Matlintoc’s apprentices.  And if you think about it makes sense.  You, Talon was once a Caster who has lost his ability to use magic.  Now you are a Warrior.  Frey you are a Healer that can take pain from others. I do think that falls into the Empathetic Healer category.  And you, Jes,” I turned and looked at him who was fiddling with a small dagger.  “You are a ‘Shadow Walker.’  All we need to find is the Caster who trained under the fourth mage.”  I thought for a second forgetting his name.  “Do you remember the last mages name?”  I asked Jes almost expecting him to ignore me.

He looked up calmer than before.  “Could it be you?  Didn’t you learn from a mage?”

I had to think about it, as I never knew my Master’s name, “No, my master was not one of Matlintoc’s Apprentices.”

Jes thought about his Master, “From what I recall his name was Rem.”  A loud bang from behind us caused the entire party to turn our heads. 

Standing by a tree Naomi was staring at a large pot which had previously been filled with water.  Without hesitation Jes ran to her side.   “Are you ok?  Do you need any help?”

Naomi ignored Jes and looked up at me.  “What does Rem have to do with any of this?”  She said in a defensive manner.   I looked at her out of the corner of my eye.

“What do you mean? Rem was one of the last survivors of the Red Beach.  He was sent out by Matlintoc, I” I paused, “I guess to fulfill the prophecy.”  She clenched her fists and starting towards me.
What did I say now? Great, now I am going to burn.

“Rem was no man, no matter what the stories may say.  She was my mother.”  The entire group was stunned into silence.  “And she never left me to complete some prophecy.  She lived with me and my father far to the South, and the only reason I know how to defend myself is because of her.”  She trailed off and collapsed to the ground.  However Jes caught her before she could fall far. 

“You?  You are the fourth.”  I walked to her side.  “Don’t you see, you are the last apprentice?  She never took anyone else on to train because she was training you.”  
That was it, I
thought, I had done it; I brought them all together.  I looked up, I hoped for some cosmic pat on the back, but nothing came.  “Well Jes, at least we have a good reason now to keep her.”  I turned and walked from the group towards the other camp, leaving behind me a crying crimson beauty and a very happy Rogue.

28

The darkness of the dungeon was near complete.  The prisoners sat huddled together not for warmth, but for comfort.  Matlintoc had never imagined he would spend his remaining time on Earth in a dungeon with Smithson.  Matlintoc shook his head,
what has the world come to, a powerful mage as he, needed magical support from Smithson
. A mage who could barely start a fire, a task so minimal, it’s the first lesson children learn. 

“Matlintoc, do you think they will kill us soon.  Or are we destined to live in this dreadful darkness forever.”  Smithson said over his sniveling. 
The mage never stopped crying I see,
thought Matlintoc. 
I hope that he had at least trained my prodigy better.
 

“I do not know.  I am sure when we are no longer of any use to the Queen, she will have us killed.”  Matlintoc said in an even tone, showing no emotion.

Matlintoc did not know how much time had passed, the absence of windows made it near impossible to tell.  In the beginning he would count the meals as days, but after Smithson arrived appearing so much older than he should have been.  Matlintoc realized he was not getting fed every day. 

Matlintoc stood testing his strength,
well my legs still work,
as he massaged the sore muscles.  A sound from behind him caused him to strain his eyes in the dark. 

A sliver of light burst through the darkness, illuminating the crying Smithson.  The light continued to grow until if filled the room.  Matlintoc looked down for the first time since his imprisonment.  His feet were black from filth, as his shoes had worn off long ago.  His brilliant blue robes were tattered and had turned brown.  He moved his attention to his hands.  The skin was sunken covering nothing more than bone.  The only thing the old man had that of value was a beautiful gold trinket. 

Matlintoc leaned over studying the trinket.  It was polished gold except for an insignia stamped into the center, three rings.  Matlintoc shook his head, the Queen had become far greater an enemy than any could have imagined.  Again he looked at the trinket, no it was more than a trinket.  The jewelry was an artifact, an artifact used to stem the flow of magic to the ancient mage. 
So that is why I have been unable to use my magical abilities
.   

Remembering he could see now, Matlintoc shifted his attention to the open door.   This is different, thought Matlintoc they never open the door to feed us so something else is happening.  Matlintoc walked to the portal and looked out, to his dismay a man accompanied by two others blocked his view. 

“Taxem,” Matlintoc said with disdain.

“Yes, it is me, old master.  But did you forget I was the one who brought you to your new home.”  Taxem opened his arms wide. 

“No, I have not forgotten.” Replied Matlintoc with a reserved sigh. 

“Good, good, then this may not be a waste of time.”  Taxem motioned to Matlintoc and the two silent men grabbed the prisoner.  Matlintoc looked up and caught a glimpse of red hair under their helmets. 

“Where are you taking me?”  Matlintoc questioned his captor.

“Not far.”  As he said this the party stopped in front of a small door.  “Look, we are already here.”  Taxem opened the door and walked through.

Matlintoc looked after the vanishing mage and saw a room not much bigger than his cell.  Inside was a table and two chairs.  On the table was an impressive banquet.  All types of food could be seen from fresh vegetables to roasted venison.  “Why have you brought me here? Do you wish to eat and make me watch, for I could care less?”  Matlintoc turned toward Taxem ignoring the food.

“No, no you misunderstand, we are celebrating.  Great news has finally reached the castle and the Queen wanted you to hear it.”   Taxem finished and grabbed a carrot.  “Sit, eat. We do not want you to upset the Queen by not eating her food.”

“What has happened to you, at one time you were a young true hearted mage with great potential.  What has the Queen done to you?”  Matlintoc asked.

“Again, you misunderstand it was not her, it was you.  You pushed so hard for me to grow my skills and to prove myself better than the Crimson Guard.”  Taxem pointed to the two men at Matlintoc’s side.  “You pushed too hard.  You know just as well as I, I should never have gone with Malidor.  I was not ready for what was in that cave.”

Matlintoc looked the other mage in the eye. “I just wanted to prove to the others the Crimson Guard were not the only great warriors.  I wanted to prove Humans could stand on their own without divine intervention.  True, it may have been arrogant,” Matlintoc leaned close to Taxem straining against his restraints.  “But I could have never known you would be so weak and cowardly.”

Taxem laughed “At one time your words would have stung, but now.  Well, just look at yourself, look at how far you have fallen.”  Taxem reached out and brushed dirt off the old man’s robes, revealing a patch with a single ring embroidered on it.  “There, have some pride Master.”  Taxem said sarcastically.

Changing the subject Matlintoc asked “So what are we celebrating then?” Before sitting down and starting to eat.

Taxem followed him with his eyes, “Your pitiful band of ‘apprentices’ as you call them have been found and captured.”  Matlintoc looked up confused, at the smiling warden.

“Good thing to celebrate I guess, but I truly have no idea what you are talking about.  The Queen and her lackeys have hunted down Trimble, Apox, Doxen and Rem years ago.  I am sure you already knew this.”  Matlintoc said and returned to his meal, pocketing some for his cell mate. 

Taxem now was confused,
did he not know of the small party?
 
Did he not know about the start of the prophecy?
  Taxem watched the man eat for a few moments, almost feeling sorry for him.  “Why will you not join the Queen?  She has a place for you by her side.  Together, this world can be ours, and you know I am not just talking about the South but also to the North.”  This time Matlintoc laughed.

“We, now that is funny.”  He laughed again.  “She will never allow anyone else to be her equal.  If you become too strong you will be like the King, a patsy.  I should have seen it coming by the way she acted, and the way she treated the students.”

Taxem was about to respond when a little man burst through the door from the corridor.  “Taxem, the Queen has been summoning you for some time, there has been a development.  She wants you to come to the royal chambers immediately.”  Before Taxem could ask anything of the messenger he sped from the room. 

“So be it,” Taxem said to himself more than anyone else.  “Take the old man back to his cell.  We will speak again soon, Matlintoc.”  Taxem left the room in pursuit of the little man.

Matlintoc was dragged back to the cell and the darkness returned.  “Master, master is that you?”  From the corner, he could hear Smithson trembling.  “Yes and I have brought food.”  He stumbled over to the other man and sat thinking,
has the prophecy finally come to pass.