Turn of Camillus
By C.M. Howell
Copyright 2014 C.M. Howell
Cover by The Ewan
Cover retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_ewan/page3/
The silence that filled the room made one wish his eardrums would explode just to end it. Cam’s heart tore through his chest as he waited on the council. As it was custom he had been waiting since dawn, it was well into the afternoon and the council had yet to come. He knew they would discuss his case before hand but did not know it would take a full day, he only proposed an idea.
It was the idea that was the problem; no, it was the solution. They had been at war for far too long and their army was dwindling to it’s last. They needed to do whatever was necessary to win this war. Cam had provided a foolproof way that insured their victory. They had lost more than half their men already; there was no way they would win with the few they had left. Those men would soon be dead and the war would be lost with no men left to fight
Relief came to Cam as the council enters and ends the infernal silence with the soft sound of their shuffling feet. The seven council members walk across Cam to the platform in front and take a seat, all eyes fixed are fixed on him. Head counselor Drest stands, “Camillus of Nevian, you talk of using magic forbidden to us by the universe. I understand the times we face are dire and may invoke the spirit to take immoral action. Though we have pardoned much of your behavior, your proposal cannot be taken without caution.”
Cam yells out, “It was only a suggestion!”
The councilwoman to the right of Drest speaks, “Do you not believe this plan of action is our only means to victory.”
Taking a moment, Cam straightens his posture,” As I told Grand Wizard Maedoc, I believe it is the only way.”
The council man to the far left speaks,” Even as defeat is on the cusp, one cannot look to that which is prohibited.
Another councilwoman second right to Drest follows, “ Your judgment is clouded, the strain of war is seen behind your eyes. Your soul breaks with the anger and rage defeat has brought you.”
“You will abstain from battle as your soul mends,” Drest orders.
Eyebrows creased with anger, Cam clenches his fists, “I am a valuable asset, the little hope one could have before is completely demolished if I am not able to fight.”
Councilman second left to Drest speaks, “The higher you hold yourself, the harder you fall.”
The council stands and Drest speaks, “You have done much for this war and we thank you. Grand Wizard Maedoc will continue to lead the army without your assistance. You will report to the botanical dome and lend them your services.”
Cam stands silent, gazing deep into the ground as each of the council members walks past placing a hand on his shoulder. The last council member walks out closing the door behind him and the room falls into the deafening silence once more.
The sun gently dropped into the horizon bringing the cool night air. Cam walks along the road toward the botanical dome. Brows furrowed he muttered to himself as he walked passed a group of girls as he neared the dome. One girl’s face lit up as she noticed him and began chasing after him.
“Cam! Hey!”
It was Verena, she has known Cam since they were small. She was always impressed with his skills as a wizard and admired him dearly. Cam had a less affectionate view of Verena, as she called out to him he continued walking, without acknowledging her presence.
“Camillus wait,” She catches up to him gasping for air. “I hear you’ll be working the botanical dome with us for a while. If you need any help while you’re there I’ll be more than happy to assist you.”
He answers without a sparing glance, “The only assistance I need is getting back to the war.”
“I’m sure there is still hope. Grand Wizard Maedoc is very skilled…”
Cam stops and turns to the girl, his eyes burn into hers, “Maedoc will accomplish nothing. With out me the war is lost.”
The girls eyes tear up, she hated when he was upset, “What could you do that Maedoc wouldn’t?”
His eyes widen and a grin spreads across his face, “I would make our men unstoppable.” Cam turns away continuing towards the dome, Verena follows after him.
“And what magic would be doing that then?”
“The only magic that would ensure our victory”
The girl thinks on it for a moment then gasps as she grabs Cam’s arm, “You don’t mean to use that which is forbidden.”
He jerks his arm away, “The council won’t let me, but it is the only way to win the war at this point and they know it. Now our defeat is definite and I am forced sit here and watch.”
Verena watches Cam walk off for a moment before following at a distance the rest of the way to the botanical dome. As Cam grabs the door handle he pauses and turns to Verena, “What if I were to do it without the councils approval?”
“What?”
“Think about it, I could practice without them knowing out in the forest and when the time comes our army will be invincible. When we win the war they will understand.” Cam turns away from the botanical dome and quickly races back down the road into the night.
“Cam wait for me,” Verena follows after him while illuminating the area surrounding them.
Cam and Verena spend part of the night and most of the next day traveling before stopping to make camp. Verena begins humming a tune and gently begins molding nearby trees and bushes to form shelter. Cam stands off to the side by a river, eyes closed one hand dipped into the water. He pulls his hand out of the water and a fish jumps out of the water onto the ground behind him. Cam puts his hand back into the water, ignoring the flopping fish behind him. Three fish later he gathers up wood and starts the fire.
“I was never good at making fire with magic,” Verena starts as she preps two fish to cook.
“It’s simple, really basic.”
Embarrassment floods Verena, “ Yeah well not for all wizards Camillus. You forget you excelled during school, I specialized.”
“Oh I didn’t forget. It’s the reason you’re called a lesser wizards. You can only seem to focus on one aspect of magic.”
Verena sets the fish to cook in the fire and fights back tears. She had tried so hard to excel in a second element. She felt she was lucky to manage earth magic all together, but because that was all she seemed to be good at she was looked on as a lesser wizard. Cam would never recognize her as equals; she wasn’t even sure why she had followed him. She had always been drawn to him, ever since they were young.
After setting up one fish in the fire Cam begins to prepare the next two for cooking. He picks one up and hesitates; glancing over to Verena he sees her staring off into the woods. Looking back down to the fish he begins stroking it. He closes his eyes and holds the fish delicately between his hands. Muttering ancient words softly his hands seem to glow. The glowing brightens, Cam’s face wrinkles in concentration, beads of sweat form across his brow as he strains.
Staring off into the wood Verena contemplates what she’s doing.
I don’t want to leave him by himself he needs someone with him. But what difference do I make, even if we’ve known each other since birth, as a lesser wizard he sees me as inferior… But still I could help and if he’s successful we’ll win the war and then maybe…
Verena’s thoughts are interrupted as something lands in her lap and wiggles around sending her up in the air screaming. As the screaming subsides she looks down to the wiggling menace. On the ground she sees a fish flopping around, gasping for air. Puzzled she looks over to Cam, laid back lifelessly across the ground.
“Cam!”
She runs over and nudges him a bit, “Camillus wake up!” He d
oesn’t move. She bends down to check his breathing just as he gasps for air.
“Thank the stars you’re okay! What happened?”
Breathing heavily Cam grabs her arm managing to say one word with a grin, “Fish.”
Verena looked over to where the fish lay, mouth-gasping open as if to take a breath. The fish had been out of water for the better half of an hour, she knew there was no life left in it. Yet there the fish was, dying all over again. As she watched its life end for the second time she felt Cam’s grasp loosen.
“No. Don’t do this please be okay.”
She lays him on his back and listens once more to his breathing. Barely a shallow breath escapes and tears well up in Verena’s eyes. She was not very good with healing magic and any attempts from her could have unfavorable results. No one was allowed to use this forbidden magic there was no telling what the consequences were. She could do one of two things at this moment. She could sit here and pray for his recovery or run and get help, but if she were to get help that would mean exposing his plans to the council. If they knew his plans to disobey their orders he would surely be banished. Could she somehow get help without their knowledge? Verena began to sob as she contemplated her options.
Night passes Cam is still unresponsive with shallow breaths and she comes to her decision. She would get help from her sister who was gifted in healing and would come up with a story on her way. She had to, there was no other option. She began to hide Cam safely under the trees and bush, she was very good with plants. It would take her some time to get back to town but then they would ride back to Cam. Satisfied with the organic shelter she created she turned to begin her quest.
As distance grew between her and Cam so did her distress. Leaving his was the only option at this point, as he seemed too close to death. She turned back once reaching the hill and noticed something odd. A figure was standing beside the cover she had made. Her heart was hopeful for a slight moment but then terror overwhelmed her as she ran to confront whoever was beside Cam.
As she neared the campsite she was instantly thrown back, whoever was here had powerful magic. Verena caught her breath and sat up, “Aerona!” The figure she had seen from a distance was Aerona, the foul whom the council had waged war with.
“Oh don’t fret child, I’ve only come to collect and preserve such magnificent talent. The council has surely overlooked and neglected this one.”
Verena knew as a lesser wizard there was no chance against Aerona. She was much to powerful to even consider talking back to. “He’s weak.”
Aerona chuckled, “Of course he’s weak! He’s been restricted under the council and has yet to know real power. Never fear, he will reach his true potential soon enough.”
Black silk engulfed Cam’s body, Verena stood to run to him but he had disappeared before she took two steps. There was nothing left to do, nothing Verena could do. Aerona let out an amused laugh, “Oh it’s quite amusing to see you shed tears for someone who thinks nothing of you. I promise you will see him again, I don’t promise he will see you.”
The same black silk that took Cam now consumed Aerona as she disappeared leaving Verena to her mourning. Cam was an excellent wizard and now prisoner of Aerona. Verena was left once again with two options, wait and see what happens or run to tell the council. Neither seemed to be good options but she was sure that Cam would never return to the council.
About the Author
C.M. Howell is a debuting author currently acquiring her BA in Creative Writing. When she is not writing she spends most of her time with her family enjoying the simple life and playing video games.