The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles (5 page)

Maxim broke the link with his friend, and although he had used a substantial amount of energy, he felt none the worse for doing so. Danton and Zack grabbed the two ropes attached to the barge, just in case the craft did start to drift a little, as Mikel stood for a moment impressed with his contribution. Darion scoffed at him as he walked past, "You didn't do it, now get and sort the horses out," he said in his usual grumpy demeanour. Mikel just sighed, and let his shoulders drop as he went to do as he was told.

Tia, the young girl they had brought back with them on their travels, walked up to Darion, "You are a very mean old man," she snapped holding her hands on her hips and kicking him on the shin. The old man cursed under his breath, and Maxim could not help but snigger, which only caused Darion to curse some more, "Didn't take her long to suss Darion out then," he said turning to Zack. The young royal smiled, "Oh yes, she had him worked out in a matter of minutes."

After a little while, Mikel walked the last of the horses aboard, as Melia assisted Samuel. The young Bosarian lad had improved steadily day by day, but she knew he still needed to be kept close so she could keep an eye on him. As a result, twice a day she had been using her powers to give him a thorough check up just to ensure the repairs she had carried out were continuing to heal as she intended. Danton remained on shore, ready to give them a push off, but Maxim gestured for him to climb aboard with the rest of them.

Darion was just about to make some comment about why Maxim had done such a thing, when the barge jolted forward and drifted freely onto the water's surface.

"I suppose we need to row," Mikel said, gesturing for the others to join him below.

"No need Mikel, I'll get us over," Maxim told him as he stood near the rear of the craft looking at the water below them. The others watched on as the young magician held out his two hands, and barge moved forward across the water. The movement was a little shaky at first with the craft jolting forward a little, causing the others to steady themselves, but once Maxim was confident he was doing it right, he managed to keep it smooth.

Zack was first to walk over to him, "How did you learn to do that?" He asked quietly trying not to disturb his friend's concentration.

"I'm not really sure Zack if I'm honest, but I feel able to do almost anything. I know things I had no knowledge of before...it's strange," he replied, not sure that his explanation was a particularly good one. Zack must have been happy with it, as no further questions came, and instead the young royal seemed intent on just watching, standing quietly beside him. The barge did not move particularly quickly through the dark murky waters of the lake, but probably faster than if they had attempted to row across themselves. The only question in Maxim's mind was whether he could now keep his concentration for long enough to get them to the other side.

Chapter 6.

Connor sat near the rear of the craft watching Maxim work his magic, although he occasionally kept glancing over to the direction of the large wolf that appeared to be allowed a free rein around the deck. He was a little confused as to why such a beast was walking around them and not doing so viciously. The image in his mind of the way a wolf was portrayed, and the way the animal before him was acting, just did not seem to weigh up. He then turned to see the little girl in the group walk right up to the beast in question and pat it on the head, as if it were some playful puppy.

Maxim looked down at his young companion, "You can go pat Shadow if you wish. I'm sure he won't mind...just best ask Mikel first," he added as an afterthought. Before Connor could ask which one was Mikel, Maxim nodded his head over that direction, "Him over there," he added as his concentration just lapsed a little making the barge judder, causing everyone else aboard to turn their gaze his direction. "Sorry..." he shouted as he steadied the barge back on to its previous smooth line.

Connor slowly edged his way over to Mikel, "Excuse me can I pat your dog...err wolf?" he asked. Mikel looked down at the young Bosarian and shrugged, "Sure...Here give him this," he added grabbing a piece of meat from a package in one of his saddlebags. Connor looked at the rather fatty lump of flesh he had been given, and took it before holding it out cautiously for the wolf. "If he likes you, he won't hurt you," Tia told him, taking charge of the situation. "He is linked to my friend Mikel," she told.

"Yes I know," Connor replied as Shadow very carefully took the meat from his small hand.

"He is magic you know...so is my brother...over there," she added pointing to Samuel.

"Yes I know that too...My Master is magic...and more powerful than anyone in the whole wide world."

"No he is not...You lie..."

"Yes he is," Connor interrupted her.

Tia was not happy that she was being outdone in her moment on one-upmanship and turned to Mikel for back up. "Is Connor's master the most powerful magician in the world?" she said standing with her hands on hips and her head tilted slightly to one side. Mikel was unsure of the question, "I don't know...who your master is?" he replied.

Both Connor and Tia looked up at him as if he were stupid, "Duh! Him," Tia told him pointing to Maxim.

"I don't think Maxim will want you calling him Master," Mikel told the young Bosarian lad.

Connor's head dropped, "If he isn't my Master then who will look after me?" he said sadly. Mikel sighed; looking after children was much harder than it looked.

"We all will silly," Tia replied before Mikel could even think of anything to say, as she placed her arm around Connor's shoulder.

Danton stood watching the barge cut through the water, being powered and propelled forward by nothing more than magic. He had asked Darion how Maxim was doing it, and even the old man admitted he had no idea other than it must be some elemental water magic. The two were also both confused as to how and when Maxim had learned such a skill, although when they returned Danton would have a good chat and find out. He smiled at the irony of the past week, how they had travelled all the way to the Bosarian capital looking for Maxim, only for the lad to find them just a water crossing from home.

The sun was getting low in the sky and he knew within the next half-hour darkness would fall upon them. He turned to look at just how far away they were from the Kothian side of the lake, and thought whichever came first would be a close call. Not that he was complaining of course, Maxim had saved them hours of back breaking rowing, not to mention the blistering hands they would inevitably have had to suffer in the process.

Danton joined the others at the front of the craft, as in the last minutes of the day light they edged ever closer to the bank. Judging by the location however, it appeared they would land a mile or so further south than their intended target location of Denley. Naturally, nobody was going to complain, although Danton was half expecting Darion to make comment.

Zack slowly made his way back to where Maxim was stood, noticing in the near darkness his friend was swaying slightly. He quickly rushed over to support him, "Why didn't you say something?" he asked realising that Maxim was all but exhausted, so much so his legs were about to give way. As the barge scraped on the bottom and edged up onto the shore, he felt Maxim slump into his arms, "I'll be fine Zack, just need a rest and something to eat," Maxim told him.

After calling Melia to help him, they half carried, half dragged their friend ashore and up the shingle away from the water's edge. "I'll get a fire lit," Darion announced, sounding far more useful and helpful than he usually did. Danton nodded, conceding they would not be going far until morning, "Mikel can you get the horses ashore please," he asked, "I'll get the kids sorted," he added helping Samuel to his feet and gesturing for Connor and Tia to follow him.

Within just twenty minutes Darion had a good fire burning as the group started settling down beside it. Supper consisted of a little chicken, cheese and a chunk of bread, although they did boil some water to make a hot drink. Zack placed a few sheets down on the ground before helping Maxim lie down beside the warmth of the fire. He lowered his friend's head slowly down upon a blanket roll he was using as a pillow, to notice Maxim's bright blue eyes looking back up at him, and a warming smile to go with it.

It was only after they had been sat for almost an hour did Danton realise something did not seem quite right, "I wonder why there are so few lights in Denley. I mean a town of that size would have been illuminated and lit up as soon as darkness came." It was a point Darion seemed to agree with, "Hmm...I am beginning to think things may not be as we left them." The older man stood as if trying to get a better view as to what was actually going on. "Perhaps I should make my way up there tonight and check out what's happening...I wouldn't want us walking into a trap in broad daylight tomorrow morning," he added still peering off into the distance.

It was clear Danton was not comfortable letting the old man venture by off by himself, especially with Maxim in such a weakened state. If there were trouble about, he was not confident in his own abilities to keep the younger members of the group safe. On the other hand, he was not sure he could stop Darion should the old man insist, especially as he now knew he had a brother living in Denley. Fortunately, the decision was made for him as Mikel suddenly jumped to his feet in alarm. The link between himself and his wolf once more gave him the image that gave them fair warning of any trouble.

Mikel closed his eyes as the others all turned to face his direction, knowing he needed to give them more information. The view at night through the eyes of Shadow seemed almost surreal compared to that of his own. With the wolf having far better vision in the darkness than he had, he was able to make out a group of men, all armed, sneaking nearer to their position. He re-opened his eyes, to see everybody staring at him, "About twenty armed men coming from that direction," he said pointing.

"Probably drawn to the fire," Danton said, quickly trying to think what to do.

Once more, the decision was taken out of his hands as Darion stepped away, "I'll deal with them, you keep an eye on the youngsters...Wolf boy I'll need you to direct me," he added gesturing for Mikel to follow. Maxim sat up, "I can help," he said, not actually sure he could manage anything that might prove useful. "You lie back down," Zack told him, "You are in no fit state to fight any battles," he added gently placing a hand on his friends shoulder to make him lie back. Maxim barely had the energy to resist and did as he was ordered to do.

Danton stood in the flickering flames of the campfire, the sparks and smoke drifting upwards into the cold night sky as he waved a hand towards Mikel and Darion to tell them to go. With Maxim all but out of the equation, it would be left to Zack, Melia and himself to deal with any problems, should whoever was coming get past Darion. He thought of going invisible so as to surprise any would be attackers, but decided better of it, as he thought that would only give the impression the younger members of the group were vulnerable.

Darion stepped slowly through the darkness, placing each footstep slowly down to avoid making too much noise. Mikel moved at his side, similarly taking each step as quiet as he could, occasionally closing his eyes to share the images with Shadow. "They are spreading out," Mikel whispered, hoping it was loud enough for Darion to hear, but not so much so that those approaching might also do likewise.

Darion waved his hand, giving Mikel an indication to stop. He turned his head to watch the old man conjure a small flame in the palm of his hand, just curling his fingers up around it to keep the small glow from view. Shadow was merely a few yards from the men encroaching ever nearer, crouching low in a position and ready to pounce when the time was right to do so. Mikel watched Darion pull his arm back, ready to launch a ball of fire at the first dark shape he picked out before him.

An image from Shadow shocked Mikel into action, quickly knocking the old man's arm as it was thrust forward. His intervention caused the fireball down into the ground, little more than few feet in front of them. "What the bloody hell are you doing?" Darion snapped not even bothering to keep quiet. "You stupid little runt I'll..."

"Darion is that you?" came a voice from nearby.

"Thomas? 

"Yes...where are...Ah! I see you..."

Darion turned to Mikel and snarled, "You ever do that to me again and next time I will roast your balls."

Mikel sighed, "No thanks necessary Darion...glad to have stopped you burning your brother alive," he replied sardonically.

Once the two brothers had made contact with other, and Thomas had let the men with him know there was no immediate danger, they made their way to the campfire. Danton felt a massive sigh of relief as he first heard, then saw Darion returning. "Is everything okay?" he asked, "I heard shouting and saw a flash of fire."  Mikel got his answer in first, "The shouting was Darion threatening to roast my manhood, the flash of light was also him trying to do the same to his brother."

Danton created a small globe of light, letting it hover just a little above them so he could see the men around him. He sat back down beside the warm fire, as Thomas explained they had seen the light from it, and had hence been sent to investigate. The group all listened intently as Darion's brother told them the latest happenings in and around the town they themselves, had passed through barely a week or so before. News that a large force of Bosarian soldiers, aided by an unknown number of magicians, had attacked the town earlier that very day had come as a surprise. Although they had known one was likely to come, now it had hit home that the war was finally on their doorstep.

Thomas continued uninterrupted as he told them of the skirmish earlier that day, and that the magician known as Ramon had cast some spell that floored scores of enemy soldiers in one go, causing the others to retreat to their earlier positions on the outskirt of the town. "Why don't you come up to the town, rather than sit out here in danger of them lot finding you?" he asked. "The young man there needed rest, and we have another there that can barely walk," Danton replied gesturing to Maxim and Samuel.

"That's no problem, I can get a few of the men to carry them...You think you can get that floating light thing of yours to lead the way for us?"

Danton smiled and nodded. He looked around his group to see if there were any objections or suggestions, but there were none, not even from Darion. "Very well," he said after a few seconds, just ask your men to be careful...this one in particular is going to have to be treated with care," he said pointing to the young Bosarian.

Thomas nodded, and looked a little puzzled, "How many did you bring back with you?" he asked his older brother. Darion scoffed, "Don't bloody ask...I thought we were supposed to be at war with the Bosarians, this lot seem intent on befriending every waif and stray we encounter." Despite the remark, nobody really gave it much notice, and as they prepared to break their camp much earlier than they had earlier thought, Darion quashed the flames of the fire.

With Danton leading the way, casting a light to lead them on, the others followed quietly behind. Melia noticed how Zack had immediately attached himself once more to Maxim, leaving her aside and feeling a little hurt and discarded. Mikel was quick to take his chance, and perhaps with a little luck, take advantage of the situation. For the past few days, it had been he who had been the one forced to look on, as Melia and Zack had attached themselves to each other. Very discreetly he placed a friendly arm around Melia's shoulder, "It will be so nice to sleep in a bed again and not to wake up on the damp cold ground," he said trying to make conversation. Melia nodded, eventually taking her eyes of Zack to look at Mikel, "Hmm yes," she said, "Oh and a hot bath would be so nice about now," she added thinking of the small luxuries in life so easily missed.