Chapter 27
Mended
Thaddeus found himself on his knees and elbows. His entire body radiated with pain. It felt like his body had been torn apart and put back together, which it had.
"Stings. Does it not?" Locmire asked.
Thaddeus opened his eyes upon the golden brown sand in front of his face. Fogarth! He made his way to his feet and said, "That was rather uncomfortable, excruciating actually." Looking around at the vast desert, a sense of insignificance came over him. "So, this is Fogarth."
"It is," Locmire replied. "You are the first Human to enter our desert in hundreds of years."
Thaddeus, not accustomed to the dry heat of the desert, felt it press down upon him like a great weight. Sweat poured from every pore of his body, which after a moment, served to cool him. He was glad he was not wearing his armor.
The yellow sun, reflecting off of the golden sands, blinded him for a moment. Thaddeus shielded his eyes with the palm of his hand in an attempt to take in the beauty of the desert.
"What do you think?" Locmire asked with a smile.
"It is breathtaking," Thaddeus replied, wiping his brow. "Never have I seen anything like it. It looks much different than it does from the outside."
"That it does," Locmire replied. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" Thaddeus asked.
"To go inside the tower," Locmire said as he pointed behind Thaddeus.
Thaddeus turned around to find himself face to face with the mysterious golden tower he had so often admired from afar. He always took a moment to gaze upon the tower when he visited the western border of Calencia, but the distant view did not do it justice. The tower was two or three hundred feet tall and half as wide. It appeared to be one solid slab of gold with no breaks in the structure. The door to the tower was bright blue, made from an ore that Thaddeus had never seen.
Thaddeus took a few steps forward to examine the blue ore when Locmire stopped him. "I would not step there," he said. "Follow me."
Locmire approached the door and placed his hand upon it. The blue door disappeared, and they entered the tower. Once inside, the door slammed shut behind them.
Before Locmire could address Thaddeus, a strange creature ran up and wrapped its arms around Locmire.
"Locmire! Locmire!" the creature called out. "Good. You here. Need you now. Very important!"
"Calm down, Opper," Locmire said as he patted the creature on the head. "What troubles you?"
"Prophecy!" Opper cried. "Bad prophecy. Looker needs you. Reacher try to find Locmire, but could not. Come now!"
"This sounds important, Thaddeus. Follow me," Locmire said.
"Wait," Thaddeus whispered. Locmire turned to him. "What is that thing?"
Locmire smiled. "His name is Opper, and he is a Wailer."
"A Wailer?" Thaddeus asked. "I have never heard of such a creature."
"I am sure. Wailers are found only in Fogarth," Locmire told him. "They are very gentle and loving. Just do not ask them to scream."
"Why not?" Thaddeus inquired.
"They have a powerful set of vocal cords. Many have lost their hearing after a Wailer's scream," Locmire replied.
"Well noted," Thaddeus said.
As they followed Opper through the tower, Thaddeus could not keep his eyes off of this strange creature. Opper was of medium height, three feet tall, maybe. He had short, round, ears that sat on the top of his head. He wore a Wizard's robe with a hole cut out for his hairy tail, and two holes at his back for his wings. Opper's pie shaped face matched his body. His eyes sat a foot higher than his head and joined to thin appendages that grew from his skull.
When Opper walked it was more like a waddle, slow and awkward. From time to time, the Wailer would fall behind his much quicker companions. Opper would flap his wings a couple of times to catch back up with them.
A strange creature indeed, Thaddeus thought. I wonder what other unusual beings I will encounter here.
Walking through the tower, Thaddeus saw many Wizards, each performing various tasks. Some brewed potions, others scribbled on parchment, and others swept the floors. Thaddeus wondered about the hierarchy of the wizarding world, but he knew one thing for certain; Locmire appeared to be the most important Wizard in the entire tower. Locmire was like a great wind parting the leaves of a tree as he passed.
"Where are we going?" Thaddeus asked. Hopefully it is not much further. He clutched at his stump, grimacing.
"We must go speak with one of the Lookers," Locmire replied. "The Sands of Seeing belong to the twentieth level, we should find him there."
"The twentieth level?" Thaddeus asked. "I do not have the strength to ascend twenty flights of stairs."
Locmire smiled. "We are Wizards. Do you think we have not devised a way to quickly move from one floor to another?"
"I am sure of it," Thaddeus said, cracking a thin smile.
Locmire stopped in front of a large circular object on the floor and stepped onto it. Thaddeus gave him a queer look and hesitated.
"Are you coming?" Locmire asked.
Thaddeus stepped onto the platform. The next thing he knew, he was in another room. This room was much smaller than the ground floor from which he just departed. It was the size of a large bedroom. The room's only occupant was an old Wizard and an ornate pedestal.
He hovered above the pedestal and peered into an ornate basin full of sand. The Sands of Seeing. If he noticed Locmire and Thaddeus enter the room, he did not show it. He stood frozen, lost in the Sands.
"Crazin," Locmire said.
The Wizard did not answer.
"Crazin," Locmire said a little louder..
The Wizard whipped around, jaw dropping open at the sight of Locmire.
"Locmire!" he cried. "Thank goodness you are here!" He ran to Locmire and fell onto his knees.
"Stand," Locmire ordered.
Crazin stood and said, "It is very fortunate that you are." He set his eyes upon Thaddeus. Suspiciously, he asked, "Who is this?"
Locmire placed his hand on Thaddeus's shoulder and said, "This is King Thaddeus Graystone, one of The Saviors."
"Pleasure to meet you," Thaddeus said as he extended his hand.
Crazin did not reciprocate the kind gesture.
"You are injured," Crazin said, referring to Thaddeus's arm. He hurried to change the subject. "Have you found the others?"
"All but one," Locmire said. "But the others are on their way to her at this moment."
"Do you think it wise to bring a Human into our desert?" Crazin asked.
"Do not question my judgment," Locmire said.
Thaddeus could tell that Crazin had over stepped his boundaries by his panic stricken face.
"I. . . I. . . didn't mean to. . . I wasn't trying to. . . I'm sorry," Crazin finally choked out.
"No harm was done," Locmire said. "What is this about a new glimpse of the prophecy?"
Crazin's face grew cold. His eyes teared up, and the corners of his lips trembled. It took several moments before he became able to speak. "Would you hear of the entire prophecy or just the-"
"Just the short version will suffice," Locmire interjected.
"We tried to make contact with you, but the Reachers couldn't pinpoint your location," Crazin said as he paced back and forth. "Locmire. . . the new prophecy showed the fall of Fogarth."
An eerie silence tickled Thaddeus's spine. Fogarth will fall? If Hasbarie is capable of destroying Fogarth, how does the rest of Calencia stand a chance?
"How?" Locmire asked.
"Hasbarie," Crazin paused. "His evils storm the desert."
"How can they navigate their way through the desert?" Thaddeus asked. "No one has ever entered Fogarth uninvited."
"That I do not know. The prophecy was a rather long one, but most of it I had seen before. It showed the Great War in its entirety, the fall of Morgorath, and the fall of Fogarth," Crazin said.
"What did it show of Morgorath?" Locmire asked.
"N
othing really. Just the kingdom engulfed in a pile of rubble," Crazin said.
"When will Fogarth fall?" Locmire asked.
"Soon," Crazin replied with a quivering voice.
"We can stop him!" Thaddeus exclaimed.
"No!" Locmire said. "We must carry on with our quest. Fogarth will be a casualty for the greater good."
"You cannot be serious?" Thaddeus asked.
"He serious," Opper chimed. "Locmire always serious."
"Opper is right," Locmire said. "I am serious. We must do what we came here to do and return to Dead Marsh."
"You cannot consider letting your own home fall to Hasbarie." Thaddeus grabbed Locmire by the arm. "We must stay and defend Fogarth!"
"We have more important matters to deal with," Locmire said. "I will hear no more of this."
A bitter concoction of anger, sadness, fear, and helplessness brewed inside Thaddeus.
"Have you spoken with the Mazzers?" Locmire asked.
"Yes. They are preparing as we speak," Crazin said.
"Good. We must go speak with them and the Menders. As you can see, Thaddeus has suffered an unfortunate accident. I assume they will have something to help him," Locmire said.
"Almost certainly," Crazin replied.
"You must leave Fogarth at once," Locmire said. "Take the Sands and leave as soon as possible. The Sands must be protected at all costs."
"Where should I go?" Crazin asked.
"I think you know," Locmire said. "Leave at once."
"Should I seek Jagnar?" Crazin asked.
"At once," Locmire said as he placed his hands on Crazin's shoulders. Crazin returned the gesture and pressed his forehead into Locmire's.
"Good travels," Crazin said.
"Good travels," Locmire returned.
Locmire released Crazin and stood on the teleportation device once more.
"Come with me, Thaddeus," Locmire said.
"Opper too?" Opper asked, jumping up and down like an excited child.
"Yes, Opper too," Locmire said with a smile.
Thaddeus and Opper stood next to Locmire and disappeared once more.
Thaddeus found himself in another room with three Wizards standing next to a round table in the center. Shelves that held a great number of books lined the room. Workbenches sat around the bottom of the walls. Numerous alembics, jars of unknown substances, and various tools with which Thaddeus was unfamiliar sat atop them.
One of the Wizards turned around to find Locmire standing behind him. His eyebrows arched and his mouth dropped open.
"Locmire!" he called out. "It is so good to see you."
"You as well, Jatin," Locmire said. "Torrin, Blaustir, how do you fare?"
"Good," Torrin replied.
Blaustir nodded his head.
"Thaddeus, these are the Menders. They are Fogarth's most talented healers. They can fix almost anything," Locmire said.
"You are too kind," Torrin said.
"I am sure you three know Opper," Locmire said as he patted Opper's head. "I would like to introduce you to King Thaddeus Graystone of Galdarath."
Thaddeus took a step forward and said, "Nice to meet you," not extending his hand for fear of another embarrassing moment.
"What happened to your arm?" Torrin asked, grasping him by the stump. Thaddeus grimaced in pain.
"That is the reason we are here," Locmire answered. "I had to remove it after an unfortunate encounter with a Cold Heart."
"A Cold Heart," Jatin stated. "Count yourself lucky."
"Is there anything you can do?" Locmire asked. "We need Thaddeus at his best."
"I have been tinkering with something," Blaustir said, dully. "You should find it suitable."
"Is it stable?" Locmire asked.
"Probably," Blaustir said, as he rummaged through a large trunk. Where is that blasted thing? "Jatin! Where did you put it?"
"Put what?" Jatin asked.
"You know. The thing!" Blaustir said.
"I have no-"
"Found it!" Blaustir exclaimed. He held up a bright blue, metal band, two foot in diameter and accented with intricate scroll work.
"What is it?" Thaddeus asked.
"The answer to your problems . . . hopefully," Blaustir said. "Come over here and lie on the table."
Thaddeus looked to Locmire and received his nod of approval. He walked over and lay down on the table. "Will this be painful?" Thaddeus asked.
"Only for a moment," Blaustir replied. "You will feel a burning sensation, but that should be the extent of it. This is a relatively new invention, and I have not had sufficient time to test it, although I have had success on another occasion. The worst case scenario is that your body does not respond well to it and we remove it."
"Let us get this over with," Thaddeus said.
Jatin and Torrin strapped Thaddeus down to the table and exposed his stump. Blaustir placed the band around Thaddeus's residual limb. At first the band was much larger than his arm, but it shrank down and became tight around the upper half of his bicep.
Thaddeus clenched his teeth and slammed his eyes shut. What felt like fire ran through his arm and inside of his head. His entire body went rigid. The pain was so intense, his mind shut down, and he lost all recollection of what happened next. After what seemed like hours, the pain eased. Thaddeus felt the straps around his arms and legs loosen. The muscles around his mouth relaxed, and he eased open his eyes. He rolled over and sat on the edge of the table.
"How do you feel?" Locmire asked.
"I would say that was more than a little burning sensation," Thaddeus replied.
"Well?" Blaustir asked, rubbing his hands together. "It's good. Right?"
Thaddeus looked down and saw he was no longer missing a limb. The blue band transformed into an arm. He considered his new arm as he moved it through the planes of motion. The elbow and fingers seemed to be functioning. His new arm was almost transparent if not for the blue hue.
"Here," Locmire said as he threw Thaddeus one of his dragon bone short swords.
The King caught it in his new hand. He stood and whirled the sword around testing his reflexes. He lunged, slashed, and chopped the air.
Just like before. "This is magnificent," Thaddeus said. "What kind of magic is this?"
"The band is made from craszik, a magical ore found only in Fogarth," Blaustir said. "The magic formed the arm and connected it to your nervous system. That was the intense heat you experienced."
"It was not heat that I experienced," Thaddeus said. "It was more like dragon's fire."
Blaustir smiled, "I did not want to tell you of the pain beforehand."
"I would rather you did," Thaddeus said.
"What are the properties of his new arm?" Locmire asked.
"His new arm can never be destroyed. Although it is connected with his nervous system, no pain will ever be felt. You could fall asleep with your arm in the fire and sleep like a baby," Blaustir said. "This arm can also be used as a weapon. If you ever find yourself without your sword, just use the arm. Your strikes will be much more forceful, and you will have greater strength in the arm."
"Here," Torrin said. "Test it." Torrin pushed an old wooden table in front of Thaddeus. Jatin and Blaustir retrieved a foot thick slab of marble and placed it on the table. "There," Torrin said.
"What do you want me to do with it?" Thaddeus asked.
"Hit it," Torrin said.
Thaddeus squared up with the marble slab and tapped his blue fist against its surface. "Are you sure?" Thaddeus asked.
The three Menders’ nodded.
Thaddeus drew back his arm and slammed his fist into the marble slab. Not only did the slab break in half, but it turned into a fine powder at the point where his fist made contact. Thaddeus's arm drove through the marble slab as well as the wooden table. Bits of wood and marble came crashing down onto the floor. Once the dust cleared, Thaddeus looked at his new arm. There was not even a scratch on it.
"Amazing," Thaddeus said, flexing h
is new fingers. "I did not feel a thing."
"Is there anything else we need to know?" Locmire asked.
Blaustir replied, "No. You can leave whenever you desire."
"Thank you, Blaustir," Thaddeus replied. "You will never realize how much this means to me."
"I think I will," Blaustir replied as he lifted his robes, exposing his lower leg.
Thaddeus stared at Blaustir's blue, translucent, leg. He gave Blaustir a nod and smile.
"We thank you," Locmire said. "It is time for us to pay a visit to the Mazzers. Take care, old friends."
Once again, Thaddeus, Opper, and Locmire stood on the teleportation device and disappeared.
The new room Thaddeus found himself in was quite unlike the others. The previous sections of the golden tower that Thaddeus visited were well lit and neat. This room was dark and dingy. Thaddeus wrinkled his nose at the strong smell of mildew.
"Where are we now?" Thaddeus asked.
"Dungeon. Mazzers here," Opper said.
"As Opper stated, we are in the dungeons. This is where the Mazzers reside," Locmire said.
"They do not seem like a very welcoming bunch," Thaddeus said.
Locmire took Thaddeus by the shoulder, turned him around, and looked him in the eyes.
"I will tell you something, and only tell it once," Locmire said in a low, serious tone. "The Mazzers are not to be trifled with. Do not provoke them or disrespect them. Better yet, do not even speak unless spoken to."
"Do not worry, Locmire. I can get along with most anyone," Thaddeus replied.
"You do not understand. The Mazzers are the mightiest warriors Calencia has ever known and they are quick to anger." Locmire gave him an earnest look. "If an altercation would occur, I could not help you. Wizards have vowed to never raise their hands against another Wizard."
"Do you doubt my ability in combat?" Thaddeus questioned. "Not that I plan on inciting an altercation with them, but I will not stand by as someone threatens me or shows me ill will."
"Thaddeus, I am asking you as a friend . . . you must overlook any rudeness they may show you. They have been looking for a reason to engage in combat for the past five hundred years."
Thaddeus could tell by the look on Locmire's face that he was worried. In and out. I can tolerate anyone for a few minutes. Besides, how hostile could they be?
They walked down a narrow corridor with torches lit here and there, with a few rooms on either side of them. Thaddeus peered inside of one of them. It was almost empty, except for a cot and a bucket that sat in the corner.
I wonder who stays in here? Prisoners perhaps? Thaddeus thought.
The song of blades echoed throughout the dungeon. He heard other sounds that could only be compared to that of Locmire's spells. Further along, he could hear voices, with one standing out above the rest. A person with a deep tone barked out orders one after another. Every time he spoke, the sound of clashing blades grew louder and faster.
They followed the corridor to its end and came into a large room. Decorative shields and weaponry lined the walls. A combat ring sat in the center of the room. Inside the ring five warriors, the Mazzers, engaged in a fierce sparring session which, to Thaddeus, looked more like an actual battle.
"Halt!" Caussius ordered. The five warriors became motionless. "Rest."
The Mazzers placed their weapons on the ground and exited the room.
"Locmire," Caussius said. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Good to see you, Caussius," Locmire replied. "I see the Mazzers are in training, as always."
"I assume you have spoken with Crazin?" Caussius asked.
"Yes." Locmire frowned. "Yes I have."
"Have you come to help?" Caussius asked.
"Sadly, no. I have other matters with which I must attend," Locmire answered.
Caussius's face became rigid and his nostrils flared with each breath.
"I should not have expected you to stay," Caussius said. "Why are you here?"
"It is not that simple. I have other work to do. Fogarth will fall regardless. I can at least attempt to save Calencia," Locmire answered.
With a smile, Caussius said, "Ah, Calencia. If you cared as much for Fogarth as you did Calencia-"
"Do not ever question my love of Fogarth and its people. Have you forgotten to whom you are speaking?" Locmire asked. "Why are you so ill tempered?"
"The time for the Mazzers to do what we have been bred for is at hand. Yet, it is a hopeless situation." Caussius paced the floor. "We are going into this battle knowing that it will be the death of us all. There is no hope. And you have the nerve to ask me why I am so ill tempered."
"I promise you I will return as soon as I can," Locmire said.
Caussius's eyes came alive as if he had been in a daze. He finally noticed the stranger standing behind Locmire.
"Who is this?" Caussius asked.
"This is King Thaddeus Graystone of Galdarath," Locmire said.
Thaddeus stepped forward and extended his hand. Caussius stared a hole through him. The corners of his lips dropped and his brow narrowed.
I guess Wizards do not shake hands, Thaddeus thought.
"So, this is the Human for whom you are abandoning your home?" Caussius asked.
"Caussius, you are being unreasonable," Locmire replied.
"Is this man such a weakling that you must protect him at all times? Can he not defend his own kingdom?" Caussius asked.
Locmire began to reply, but Thaddeus had heard enough.
"I understand why you are angry. I would be angry myself. While I understand your position, I will not stand by as you insult me and my kingdom. Stay your tongue, or I will stay it for you," Thaddeus said, coming face to face with Caussius.
"Come, Thaddeus. It is time for us to depart," Locmire said as he took King Graystone by the arm.
"No!" Caussius roared. "No one threatens me."
With his raised tone, the Mazzers rushed to Caussius's side.
"Caussius, we have all been through trying times as of late. Tempers flare and emotions run wild. I ask you not to do this," Locmire pleaded.
"It is too late for words," Caussius said. "Prepare yourself for combat, Human."
"I was hoping you would give me the invite," Thaddeus said.
King Graystone walked to the center of the practice ring. "My other sword," he called to Locmire.
Locmire tossed Thaddeus's other sword and turned his back to him.
Caussius met Thaddeus in the ring wielding a scimitar in one hand, and a deadwood scepter in the other. He wore a blue suit of armor that glowed with a yellow light. Thaddeus wore only breeches and a tunic.
"Take off your armor," Thaddeus said.
Caussius gave him a lengthy grin, "Certainly."
Caussius removed his armor, not taking his eyes off of King Graystone, and handed it to Jasix.
"Is there anything else you would like me to be without? My scimitar perhaps?" Caussius chided.
"Just evening the playing field," Thaddeus returned, smiling.
"If you want an even playing field, I should take leave," Caussius said, laughing.
Thaddeus twirled his short swords, once, and asked, "Are you ready?"
With that, Caussius charged at Thaddeus, unleashing a violent barrage of strikes. Thaddeus checked each one.
My new arm is serving me well.
He came at Caussius with a flurry of his own, which Caussius ducked and dodged with little effort.
"You will have to be faster than that," Caussius said, leaping into the air and came crashing down with his scimitar.
Thaddeus brought his swords up and together, catching Caussius's scimitar between the X of his blades. Caussius smiled and touched his scepter against Thaddeus's stomach. Thaddeus dropped his blades and sailed through the air. The King slammed into the wall behind him.
Thaddeus picked himself up and made to gather his blades, but Caussius charged him once more. Thaddeus fell to his knees in an attempt to draw breath.
Caussius rushed in with his scimitar held high. He brought it down upon Thaddeus. King Graystone caught the blade in his new hand. Caussius's eyes doubled in size. Thaddeus slammed his fist into Caussius's jaw. The Mazzer stumbled. Thaddeus rose and struck him again, this time in the chest with his blue fist. The wind left Caussius's body as he flew backward through the air.
When Caussius awoke, he found Jasix, Nabee, Vaden, Boll, and Yestin hovering above him.
"What happened?" Caussius asked as he came to a seated position.
Panic set in on the Mazzers' faces. They looked to one another, but none of them spoke.
"You picked a fight with the wrong Human," Locmire said.
"So it seems," Caussius replied as he rubbed his chest. "What happened?"
"He won," Locmire said.
Caussius laughed out.
Thaddeus stood above Caussius. He held out his blue arm to help Caussius from the ground. He hesitated for a moment, then took Thaddeus's hand and pulled himself back onto his feet.
"It seems that I had underestimated you, King Graystone. My apologies," Caussius said.
"There is no need for apologies," Thaddeus said. "Are we good?"
"Yes, we are good. You have proven to be a great warrior, Thaddeus Graystone," Caussius said.
"I fear it is time for us to depart. Caussius, we will return to Fogarth as soon as possible. I just hope it is not too late," Locmire said.
"I think you know the answer to that," Caussius replied. "Good travels, Locmire."
"Fogarth will be in my thoughts. Defend our home well," Locmire said.
As Locmire, Opper, and Thaddeus stood on the teleportation platform, Caussius called out to them one last time.
"Locmire!"
"Yes, Caussius," the Wizard replied.
"Destroy the Dark Wizard if it is the last thing you do. Do not let this evil consume Calencia," Caussius said.
"That is our plan," Locmire answered, as he disappeared out of sight.
Thaddeus found himself at the entrance to the tower. Their journey to Fogarth was coming to an end.
"Are we leaving?" Thaddeus asked.
"Yes," Locmire said. "We need to meet back up with the others."
"No!" Opper cried. "Locmire do not leave again. No leave, Locmire!"
The Wizard knelt next to him.
"Opper, I am sorry but we must leave. My duty lies elsewhere."
"Opper go with Locmire!" he exclaimed.
"I am sorry, Opper, but it is too dangerous. You cannot come with us," Locmire replied.
The Wailer dropped his head and his eyes hung low. He whimpered and said, "Opper wait for Locmire."
"No, Opper. You must leave Fogarth," Locmire said. "Go with the Looker. If he has already left, seek Jamner. He can keep you safe."
Opper's eyes shot straight up and his mouth gaped open. "Opper likes Jamner. Opper will go to him. Come find Opper when Locmire comes back to Fogarth."
"I will come to you as soon as possible," Locmire said as he patted the Wailer on his slimy head. "Take care, Opper."
"You stay unharmed, Locmire," Opper said. He turned to King Thaddeus. "You are good, King. Be good to Locmire and he will be good to you."
"It was nice to meet you, Opper. I hope I have the pleasure once again," Thaddeus said.
"Goodbye," Opper said, as he touched the door and exited for the desert.
"He is most unusual," Thaddeus said.
"That he is. Opper is the kindest hearted creature you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. If only we could all be like him," Locmire said, as he led Thaddeus out of the golden tower.
"Locmire," Thaddeus said. "Who are Jagnar and Jamner?"
"Those are tales for another time," Locmire said, smiling.
The Wizard dug into the pocket of his robe and produced a teleportation stone.
"Ready?" he asked.
"No," Thaddeus replied with a smile. "But if we must."
Thaddeus stood next to Locmire, and they vanished.