The Mage of Orlon: The beginning (13 page)

“
Meeka, Meeekaaaaaaa.
”

“
Who are you?
My Name is Tirana!
”
The Queen shouted.

“
Your name is Meeka, why do you not remember?
”

“
Show yourself specter! The Dark Queen demands you to show yourself!
”
The words echoed into the dark room.
For some reason the voice unnerved the queen.

“
As you wish your dark majesty. Heh, heh, heh.
”

The room exploded into a white light, when the light dimmed there was a figure clad in a white hooded robe standing at the end of the queen
’
s bed.
The only part of the figure
’
s face that could be seen was the mouth. The robe clung to the figure
’
s body revealing it was a she.
A thin smile parted the white robed figure
’
s mouth.

“
Is this better your highness?
”
She said in an almost musical tone, the voice seemed familiar to Tirana.

“
What are you doing in my bed chamber?
”

“
You sound so ferocious, like a lioness waking with hunger pains.
He, he, he.
”

“
Stop laughing at me!
I will have you put to death!
”
The queen screeched.

“
I sense panic in your words, but I am not here to hurt you Meeka.
”

“
My name is
…”

“
Meeka! Silly little girl, still playing Dark Queen I see.
”
The white robe finished for her.

“
I have killed thousands! I hardly call that playing!
”
The queen retorted.

“
Liar!
”
The one word echoed the room.
“
You have only managed to kill one person, Zorn, and it was quite by accident!
Stop playing this foolish game, and remember your true name!
”
The white robe yelled.

Tirana slunk back as if a punch had been thrown.
Why was she so afraid of this white robed woman?
Who is she, and how did she know that Zorn
’
s death was an accident?

“
No more lies Meeka, you will remember your true name!
He is going to defeat your little army Meeka, and when he does you will have to make a choice of live or die.
Remember your true name Meeka!
”

Summoning all her courage the Dark Queen gathered her legs under her, and lunged forward at the robed woman.
Tirana
’
s hand griped the dagger in mid jump that was built into her canopy.
The dagger would at least injure the strange woman.
Tirana flew through the woman
’
s body landing in a heap on the floor at the foot of her own bed.
The white robe laughed.

“
I cannot believe you tried that.
”
The laughter played on every word as if the fatal attempt on the white robe
’
s life had been a prank that misfired.

“
Meeka, it does not matter what you call yourself; I will always know who you are.
You can change your clothes, use magic to shape shift, whatever, I will still know who you are!
Remember Meeka the mage is coming, and do not disappoint me!
”
The last words seemed cryptic.
The white robe disappeared leaving Tirana in darkness shivering from fright.

“
My Queen!
”
Chama
’
s squatty frame ran into the bed chamber.

“
Chama!
”
It was all Tirana could manage before the tears started to wet her cheeks.

“
What has happened, my lady?
”
Chama asked.

“
Chama did you see anyone leave my chamber?
A woman dressed in a white robe?
”
Tirana asked desperately.

“
I am sorry my queen, but no one has been here except me.
”

The knife was still in Tirana
’
s hand, she looked at it as it glimmered in Chama
’
s candle light.
She had drawn it after lunging at the woman in white.
Fresh tears threatened to come, it was okay.
Chama had been Tirana
’
s chamber servant for some time now.
Chama was the only one that did not receive the potion.
Chama had come to castle as an outcast of her own village.
Tirana realized that she never knew what transgression Chama had done to get exiled.
It did not matter Chama was loyal to her to a fault.
In the whole kingdom that the Dark Queen ruled Chama was the only one she ever could call a friend.

“
I
…
I must have been dreaming Chama, yes a dream that explains it.
I must have been dreaming when I lunged and passed through the stranger with the dagger in hand!
”
Tirana almost believed the words she had spoken when the voice quietly whispered in her head.
“
Meeka.
”

Chama saw the queen stiffen.
Tears began flowing again.
Whatever caused the reaction Chama had neither seen nor heard anything, but something had upset the queen.

“
It will be okay my lady.
I will make you some tea to calm your nerves and sing you to sleep like I did in the early days of your stay here.
”

Chama went to the fire place, said a few words over the wood that burst into flame.
She filled the kettle with water and hung it over the fire, soon the room filled with the smell of flowers and cinnamon, the brew always calmed Tirana
’
s nerves as did Chama
’
s song.

Tirana looked at the busy chamber maid with love, she had always taken care of her, even the first few nights in the castle.

A memory began to form that of Tirana awaking in the castle, she quickly buried the memory, it was not a good memory, and she would not dwell on it.
Chama had been there when she awoke and their bond only grew from that first meeting.

The tea was ready, and Chama brought the brew over to Tirana in the porcelain cup. The cup was ornate with dragons gracing the outside of the cup the handle was forms by a dragon
’
s wing folded.
It was Tirana
’
s favorite cup.
Slowly Tirana sipped the brew and felt better immediately.

Ileana lead Nathan and Lela through the forest, Nathan had saved her life, and now Ileana had decided she would start her plan to make Nathan her husband.
The young woman was nearly skipping when they came to the clearing in the forest.
Ileana stopped abruptly.

“
What
’
s wrong Ileana?
”
Lela asked.

“
We are at the end of the forest, Lex
’
s house is on the hillside, but Kira does not know we are coming.
She might attack us, so be on your guard!
”
Ileana warned.

The three walked out of the forest into the clearing they had only walked half way through the field to the hillside when the first trident slammed into the ground in front of Ileana.

“
Return to your village demon archer, and trouble us no further.
”
The female voice called.

“
I thought you said you two were friends?
”
Lela questioned
“
More like we know each other, but do not socialize.
”
Ileana explained her cheeks burning red with embarrassment.

“
I have two guests who wish to speak to Lex.
”
Ileana called out.

“
The next spear will end you demon archer, are you willing to put your life on the line for two people you hardly know?
”
Kira stated flatly.

A spear flew almost immediately after the threat.
A wall of green flame sprung into existence destroying the projectile, the head of the spear tumbling past Ileana harmlessly.

Ileana had fallen back from the fire she now looked at Nathan, he had saved her twice!
Ileana would make Nathan hers now for sure!
A secret smile spilled across her face.
She was sure she could force Nate to love her, but only if he survived the enraged water nymph.
Quickly hiding her smile she called out one last time.

“
Kira!
I do not want to fight you, but they need Lex
’
s help, and I do not like you throwing spears at me!
”

Kira laughed loud and raucous,
“
Then you should leave!
”

Nate looked at Lela, she would sneak up from behind the nymph and Ileana and Nathan would keep the nymph distracted so Lela could have a clear shot at taking out the water nymph.

“
Ileana do you have any of those exploding arrows with you?
”

“
I have four, but that is all, the bow makes normal arrows though.
”

“
Only use the four arrows, we need a distraction, not a full scale assault!
”

“
Well people, what will it be?
Are you going to leave, or do I get to kill you?
”

Ileana answered with an exploding arrow.
Spears filled the air and where quickly vaporized by green flame.
It seemed like forever.
Ileana would fire the arrow an explosion would happen and then spears would fill the air.
Finally they heard what they had been waiting for.

Lela screamed in outrage
“
It
’
s you!
”

The clang of metal on metal was what they had been waiting to hear.
Ileana and Nathan ran up the hill to see Lela swinging her sword at the same nymph that had tried to rob them earlier.
Lela screamed as the sword slashed out at an unbelievable speed only to be met by the trident.
The nymph was tiring the trident was heavy compared to the elven blade Lela wielded. Finally the blade came down slicing through the trident handle and denting the breast plate that the water nymph wore.
The force of the blow knocked the wind out of the warrior ending the battle.
Once again Lela
’
s blade found a home underneath the water nymph
’
s chin.

The Nymph closed her eyes and whispered,
“
Do it, finish me off.
”

Lela stayed her blade, balanced so carefully under the woman
’
s chin.

Lex came running at the sound of the trouble his hand holding what appeared to be a red ball of energy.
Lex nearly threw the spell at the intruders when he recognized the princess.
Lex opened his hand and the red ball faded into nothing.
Lex approached the trio carefully.

“
Princess, what an unexpected surprise, I see you have met Kira!
”
He said trying to put a light spin on the fight between the princess and his wife.

“
Princess if it is not too much to ask, could you let Kira get up?
”

Lela eyed Kira, but grudgingly pulled the blade away from Kira
’
s throat.
Kira rose slowly.
Kira knew the princess only needed a reason to begin fighting again, and this time Lex might not be able to talk her royal highness out of killing her.
Kira also knew the demon archer had the exploding arrows, but the green flames were new. Who had burned up four of her spears with ease, surely not the boy she had ambushed at the stream.

“
Lex we need your help.
”
Lela explained about the mishap with the ancient spell book and about the power Nathan seemed to wield.
Lex took in everything that Lela was saying.
Finally Lex answered her.

“
The only way I can restore the book is if I use my lab at the house, so please be our guests while I see what I can do about the spell book.
”

Kira looked ill, had she heard her Delphi correctly?
Had Lex just invited these strangers into their home without consulting her first!

Kira looked at Lex through narrow slits for eyes.
“
Lex may I have a word with you?
”
Kira asked with a venomous tone.

Lex and Kira walked off a short distance, though honestly the three could hear everything that was said, Kira was shouting.

“
You invite strange people into our home without asking my opinion!
”
Kira raged.

“
You are upset because the princess beat you!
”
Lex countered.

“
Yes, you are right, because if I cannot beat her into submission, then who will if she decides to take more than what they claim to need?
”

“
They will not take any more than the book they want me to look at.
”
Lex said exasperated.

“
And why is that?
Because she is a princess!
Pointy eared land slug is more like it!
”
Kira shouted making sure the princess could hear the insult.
Lela ignored the infuriated nymph.
Kira realizing she was being ignored by her intended target and tried again.

“
After all dear delphi that is all that can be expected of the woodland people who lie on their backs all day allowing anyone or anything to enter into them!
”
Kira stated with an arched eyebrow.

“
Kira, that was uncalled for!
”
Lex exclaimed clearly mortified by his wife
’
s last comment.

Lela eyed Kira without emotion,
“
It is okay Lex, I would expect nothing else from an exiled ocean siren, who could not even fend off a toddler with her weak armed attacks!
”

Lela
’
s comment had stunned Kira into silence.
How had the elf known she was an ocean nymph?
Kira stopped flinging insults and looked closely at the elven princess standing five feet away from her.
Lela was carefully looking at her traveling companions, but still watching her.
The elf had been trained by someone, but Kira was at a loss as to who would train a stuck up, royal brat, and who would want to take the time to?
For what reason would a princess want to be trained as a warrior?
The questions circled Kira
’
s mind like wild dogs nipping at each other.
Finally Kira realized Lex and the others were staring at her.

“
I am sorry what did you say Lex sweetheart?
”
Kira stammered.

“
I said they will have to spend the night here, while I try to restore the mage
’
s spell book dear.
”
Lex said noting the delayed reaction his wife had given him.

Kira
’
s mood darkened,
“
Fine, but they will have to sleep on the floor being as we have no other beds!
”

“
That will be fine Kira.
”
Lela said calmly.

Kira
’
s temper began to flare; this little princess was acting as if none of her insults had any effect on her what so ever!
Before she had a chance to insult the princess again Lex slide his arm around her waist and kissed Kira.
Kira
’
s eyes shut and she could not stay angry any longer, she would be mad at Lex later; she hated it when he would smoother her anger with his passion.

Lex
’
s house was almost as grand as Mordenar
’
s castle.
The expanse of the room the three would be sleeping in was far larger than any room Nathan had been in so far.
Lex showed the visitors around with pride.
It had taken him seven long years of trading to get the tools to build the colossal home.
Though the rooms where few, the size made up for their lack of numbers.
Each room had hand carved columns, each depicting how the couple had met and their progression until their marriage.

The fur that lined the floors was thick and soft taken from animals that Nate had yet to see.
Lex fussed over the princess like any subject would, while Kira stood silent glaring at the group of trespassers in her home.

“
Princess would you like anything in the way of food before I look at the spell book?
”

“
I would not want to be a bother Lex.
”
The princess said eyeing Kira coldly.

Lex sensing the two female warriors might need some space between them, decided on a different approach.

“
Kira, sweetheart could you help me in the kitchen please?
”
Lex crooned.

“
You have never needed my help in the kitchen before.
”
Kira replied sourly.

“
Please darling it would mean a lot to me.
”
Lex countered.

In a huff Kira followed her Delphi into the kitchen where they could talk alone.

“
I know you don
’
t like the princess sweetie, but we need to stay on good terms with her father, he gives me quite a bit of business, and it would be bad for us if I had to sneak into his kingdom every time I went there.
”
Lex explained.

“
I know, but this is the second time she has put a sword to my throat, and it
’
s well, embarrassing.
”
Kira pouted.

“
It won
’
t take long and it is already getting late, they will probably go to sleep soon and be out of your hair until the morning.
”
Lex added hastily.

“
I suppose they can stay, but next time Lex, ask me first.
We are married, but you are still my Delphi, and I am responsible for keeping you safe.
”
Kira
’
s eyes softened.
She was a warrior and her Delphi was her partner in life.

Lex returned to the visitor
’
s room with fresh fruit that he had cut up in the kitchen, Kira was not with him.
Kira had decided to keep an eye on their guests from the other room using the eye of the storm, a jewel that allowed the user to spy on people only a few yards away.

“
Lex, Kira doesn
’
t seem to like us that much, why?
”
Nathan asked.