Return of Magic. Steve Reilly
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looked again at the clouds with the red eye that watched. For a brief moment he tried to make sense of what he saw, that it was only the colours of the setting sun, but only one answer came to his mind. The voice inside again screamed its warning. “It is the eye of the Dark Lord. He watches us. Evil is rising in the mountains and he will take you all to keep his appearance a secret.”
A wisp of breeze touched his cheek like a frozen hand and above the cloud twisted and turned towards him, coming out of the mountains to eat the land as it sought more substantial fodder. It was a day of little danger. There was no threat to their lives or signs of trouble but enough had occurred to keep tension in the air. The hidden sun faded and the shadows scurried to hide within other shadows. The world grew quiet until a low grumble shattered the peace. Victor’s skin tingled with anticipation and although he expected it he was startled when an auch stepped up to the edge of the cliff and looked directly at him.
The grumble came again and he realised the sound came from the animal above. Another of the creatures appeared beside the first and together they seemed to block out the sky, so massive were their bodies. To Victor, these blue animals standing on their hind legs brought back the nightmares he had suffered as a child and when one raised an arm to point directly at him he could not help himself. He ran. At first he just followed his legs away from the cliff but changed direction to race to the horses. His mount was untied and he threw himself on its back in moments to kick it into motion. Fear had taken him in its welcoming embrace. Without thought for leadership or control he kicked at his horse seeking only to be further south but as a token consideration of his position and his deeply ingrained training he called for his men to ride to Whitebridge. “Do not stop,” he yelled as he threw his horse into a gallop. “The Dark Lord has risen and watches the world. The demons of evil prepare to attack mankind. Ride now for the king must be told of what we have seen.” And without waiting to see if they followed he raced to the south and safety. Free of its constraints his horse drove its hooves into the grass as it accepted its chance to run.
Victor hung on. He had not even taken the time to collect the saddle he had felt forced to remove but the horse would not stop now. He did not give his men another thought until he was forced to rest or have his exhausted horse collapse beneath him. The horse had run itself out and needed no further urging to rest.
After he and his horse had both finally exhausted themselves and allowed each other to stop he had worked up the courage to return. All his men were gone. He only waited long enough to collect his saddle and some food before he, too, began his journey back to the capital.
~
Viktor rode into Whitebridge alone.
A guard was waiting as he entered the palace gates with a request that he go immediately to meet with Field Captain Harold. He was concerned that they expected him and this day did not look like it would end happily. If he ran now they would follow and things would only be worse. But Harold had used his rank as a senior officer of the army rather than as ward of Arenia. It meant that some of his men had already returned and if any had said the wrong thing his report would not save him.
The ward sat at the large desk to the right of the throne. As administrator for the kingdom he felt all decisions should come from this room but the throne was for Xavier only. When the king returned, he would find his position secure. Victor approached.
“What have you to say?” Harold growled. Threat dripped from the words as the Field Captain spoke.
“We were attacked,” he reported. He had thought about his report on his return ride and this was one story that could not be disproved because in his mind it was true. The ward sat forward in his chair. He said nothing but waited for his officer to continue. Taking a deep breath, Victor tried to sound as confident as he was able. “We arrived at the cliff during the night and prepared a camp.” It was a nice touch. It made him sound as if he intended waiting until his mission was complete. “All next morning the creatures hid in the trees. We waited and watched but while we did not see them but we could clearly hear them. The animals of the woods knew they were there too. Scared birds and animals fled from them all morning. Some were so frightened they fled through the camp spooking the horses.” This his men would vouch for.
“And you ran because of a frightened bird?” sneered Harold.
“No, sir. We held our position and kept watch. Then in the last of the day two of the creatures appeared above. They began to point and direct those around us in their attack. We could hear them coming on all sides. I would have stayed and fought but we were outnumbered. There were not enough of us to hold them.”
Harold gave a knowing nod. “So you ran from battle.”
Viktor stood his ground under the wards penetrating stare. “I did not run. The sky was black with cloud and the eye of the Dark Lord looked down from it on us. I chose to return and bring you this important news. Nothing would have been gained by our deaths though I was prepared to die if the need arose. But I felt you should be warned, and the king too.”
He waited while Harold sat back in his chair with a look of deep thought and his hand covering his face. “Your story has some similarities to those of your men who have returned though the differences are great.” The ward sat in silent thought and when he spoke it was with great care. “I will consider what you have told me and also the tales of your men. When I am done I will determine where the truth lies and what I will do. You may leave me for now but remain in the barracks.”
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