Ch 69: The Wind Walker

There was an air of tension about the camp as the mages made preparations for what was now being considered the last opportunity for a fair advantage. While no one had been outwardly informed of what they were doing, whispers ran wild of a delicate and dangerous ritual that could potentially turn the tides.
The five sorcerers who would be participating had spent several hours with Astasha going over the details of what it was they were about to attempt, before excusing themselves to gather as much energy as they could hold.
An area outside of the camp, near the sorcerers’ lodgings, had been designated for the ritual, and guards posted to ensure no one inadvertently wandered into it, disrupting the carefully drawn runes or buried herbs and stones. Tasha stood overseeing the finishing touches, Olander at her side, as she tried desperately to force down the feeling that had begun to grow in the pit of her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she focused on all the reasons she had given for attempting such an unorthodox piece of magic, but as the sun grew lower in the sky, doubt crept more and more into her heart.
She felt his presence before his hand slid onto her waist, but she didn’t take her eyes off the preparations taking place before her.
“I know you’re worried about him. So am I. But Zephyr is more resilient than he seems.”
She knew Cal was trying to convince himself as much as her that everything would be alright.
“I keep thinking about the consequences of the last time I used magic like this.”
His hand tightened on her side. “Yes, but we also now have a means to possibly win this war because of it.”
Astasha finally turned to look at her Prince. “At what cost?”
Calder’s eyes met hers as his other hand came up to brush her hair behind her ear before running his thumb along her cheek. There was a kind of sorrow in him but he took a deep breath and it became determination.
“That’s not a distraction we can afford, unfortunately. We’re out of time and options. We just have to hope the Gods and Goddess are with us.”
As much as she didn’t want to agree, she knew he was right. If they didn’t at least attempt this, they risked so many more lives riding into the Land of the Dead unprepared.
Helia approached them, wiping dust from her hands and skirt.
“Grand Sorceress Belvana is making sure everything looks correct, but I believe we’re ready.”
Astasha could feel the nervousness coming off her, and they shared a look between them of trepidation, yet acceptance.
“I’ll send for Zephyr and the others,” Said Calder, but Tasha shook her head.
“I’ll go get them.”
He watched her for a moment and then nodded before motioning to Olander to follow.
She informed the other four mages first, before approaching the old Air Sorcerer she had grown so fond of. His eyes were closed, a light breeze sweeping gently around him as he stood with his arms stretched down toward the earth, a sort of peaceful smile on his face.
As she grew nearer, the wind stopped, but his eyes remained shut.
“I’m assuming they’re ready for me.”
Astasha swallowed her nerves and nodded. “Yes. They’re looking over everything one last time, but we should be ready to begin as soon as we return.”
At last, he opened his eyes, the smile still on his face. “Well, I guess we should join them then.”
He walked past her, but she couldn’t bring herself to move. “Zephyr, I know you feel you have to do this, but…”
Coming back to where she stood, he put his hand on her shoulder. “My dear, I have lived a long life. I do not fear what might happen, only what shame I would carry should I do nothing to help. You have sacrificed more than any of us. Now it is my turn. Besides, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to soar upon the wind, and now, in a way, I get to.” His smile widened for a moment. “Shall we?”
Tasha forced a small smile of her own as she nodded and the two began their walk back to join the others.
Calder had doubled the guards protecting the circle, and rightfully so.
A small crowd had gathered around it, curiosity and fear emanating from those who had come to watch. All who had stood behind the Prince in the War Tent were present, as well as Soreno and several others Astasha remembered from the previous day’s meeting. Olander cleared the way as the future Princess and former Air Sorcerer to the King made their way into the ritual area, many bowing to them as they passed.
The Grand Sorceress of the Moon Garden approached them, her face stern and set.
“We’ve done all we can to assure this goes well, but I must still state; we have no idea what could happen should something go wrong, or that it will even work at all.” Astasha and Zephyr nodded in understanding and Belvana let out a deep sigh. “Very well, we should begin then.”
Cal was waiting for them along with Talib, Narelle and Helia, and he immediately took Tasha’s hand as she joined them.
The other four sorcerers were already in place and Zephyr gave his companions a soft smile before turning to join them.
As he did, Astasha reached out and took his hand. It was only for a moment, but she needed him to feel her appreciation, to know she was there, even if she couldn’t take his place as she wanted to.
She felt him give it a gentle squeeze, a sense of peace suddenly flowing through her as his hand released her own.
The Air Sorcerer turned his gaze to the Prince, who bowed his head slightly. “You served my father well for many years, Zephyr, watched me grow from boy to man. And now, I owe you a debt I fear I cannot pay.”
“There is nothing to repay, Your Highness. All I ask, should something go awry, is that you become the King I’ve always known you would be. But I shall remain hopeful that I will see the day the two of you guide this kingdom to the peace and prosperity it has always deserved.”
And with a final smile, he turned and entered the spell circle.
There was a hushed intensity that followed, everyone’s breath held as the five sorcerers prepared to begin.
Astasha watched as Zephyr took a deep breath and closed his eyes, and a moment later, the five began to utter in unison, the ritual officially commencing.
It started slowly, softly, but as the chanting of the sorcerers grew, so did the wind.
Dust swirled around them in a rising pillar of earth and air, and as it reached its pinnacle, it burst upward, Zephyr’s head and arms thrown back, his eyes open and yet unseeing, a gasp rushing through all those present.
Astasha’s heart leapt into her throat and Calder pulled her against him.
She didn’t dare to breathe as an eerie silence settled around her.
The two Air Sorcerers had their hands raised above them, the Earth Sorcerers’ pointed to the ground, all their mouths moving in whispered tones.
And then Zephyr spoke.
“I can see it, the entire camp, the land stretching beyond. I am like a bird upon the wind.”
His voice was monotone, almost as if he were in a trance, but Astasha still couldn’t help the breath of relief she released upon hearing it.
“It worked.” She whispered almost to herself.
“There is nothing but dust, yet a shadow lies beyond. No, not a shadow. An army. An army of beasts and vile men has gathered around the sacred stone. I can see it. There is a guard of Dark Mages surrounding it, protecting it.”
Astasha’s eyes looked to Calder, his face serious, yet placid. She knew he was already strategizing in his mind, the pieces moving as more information came to him.
“And there are bodies.” Continued the Air Sorcerer. “Sacrifices amid a spell circle. I’ve seen the runes they bear before. Their throats are slit, a single slash across their chests.”
The Fire Sorceress swallowed the terror that rose in her throat. “Demons.”
Cal’s jaw clenched, his hold on Astasha tightening.
Suddenly, Zephyr’s hands began to shake. “It’s here. The first demon. He is searching for something.” His head began to twitch slightly from side to side. “He knows. He knows I’m here. He sees me. His eyes are on me.”
It felt like ice in her veins as Astasha broke free of Calder’s grasp, stepping toward the ritual circle. “Leave there immediately, Zephyr!”
“End the ritual, now!” Cal was behind her, his eyes on the Grand Sorceress of the Moon Garden.
But she simply shook her head. “His mind must return to his body or he could be lost to madness.” Her eyes met Tasha’s and there was the same fear and horror in them. “There is nothing we can do.”
The Fire Witch turned back to the old Air Sorcerer.
“Zephyr, I need you to hear me. You must return to us now. Please.”
The Air Mage began to shake, his whole body convulsing.
“Zephyr!” Astasha yelled.
And then he went still again, his mouth opening to speak, but it wasn’t his voice that came from it.
“Well done, my precious Tasha. She will be pleased to know how you have embraced the magics of your bloodline.”
Anger flooded through her as her hands clenched into fists and the darkness began to swarm within her. “Whatever it is you’re doing to him, let him go.”
There was no change to Zephyr’s face, but she could hear the sneer behind the voice that left his lips.
“I have no use for an old Air Sorcerer. But alas, he’s gone and ruined my surprise for you, my sweet, sweet Tasha. It’s no matter though. There’s plenty more to show you once you arrive.”
Cal was next to her, fury on his face. “You’ll have what you wanted. Now fucking release him.”
“My dear meat puppet. You seem to have forgotten, you were told to come alone.”
“And we shall be. So long as you let him go, Astasha and I will come to you in surrender. But you should know better than anyone. I never do anything without a contingency.” There was no knowing what it was Calder was thinking, but Tasha forced herself to trust that he had a plan.
“Yes, I do know you better than any, perhaps even yourself. Which is how I know, I will get what I want.” A chill ran through Astasha, but she held her ground. “I’ll be seeing you soon, my little love birds. Unlike your poor friend here.”
The demon’s cackle rang out from the lips of the Air Sorcerer before his face contorted into that of excruciating pain, the cackle giving way to a blood-curdling scream.