The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 (12 page)

Yeah, that’s that whole feeling two things at the same time
thing,
she said
.
Told you it’s tough to describe.

“
So I’m mad but your not. That’s why they are conflicting?” I
asked.

Yes
, she answered.
Well, sort of. Our souls are still learning to
coexist. I know that you are mad that I did it without your consent
but I could also feel your curiosity and that you wanted to do it.
You would have never chosen to do it on your own. So I made the
choice for you.

I took a deep
breath and could feel my anger leave me. “You’re right. I probably
wouldn’t have.”

I know it’s not easy but we are both in here
forever
, she said
sympathetically
. You wouldn’t like it very
much if you were the passenger, cramped up in the back of someone’s
mind.

“
Yeah, that wouldn’t be very appealing,” I agreed. “Is that
also why I was agreeing with you all the time?”

Yup,
she chuckled
. Because you’ve absorbed some of my personality you see
things as I would see them. Just like when I absorbed your
personality I became more sympathetic and friendly. Remember what I
was like when we first talked?

“
Yeah, you were a bitch,” I said bluntly. I was a little
shocked that I had said that.

Look at you, baby’s first insult,
she giggled
. Yes, I was a bitch. It
wasn’t going to get us anywhere so I started absorbing your
personality to help get used to this situation. It changed me into
who I am now.

I took a deep
breath. “So, what will happen to me?”

It’s tough to say,
she
said
. With any luck you’ll become a
sarcastic bitch.

“
That tries to fulfill everyone’s desires,” I
joked.

Cathy laughed.
Exactly
.

“
Now,” I said as I pulled out the map. “I think I got us lost.
I have no clue if we’re heading in the right direction.”

Use the sun,
Cathy
said
. Isn’t that what you were
taught?

“
I can’t remember how,” I said.

You really do need to focus more,
Cathy sighed
. Just a
second.

A memory from
a survival class flashed into my head.

“
Always remember: The sun rises in the east and sets in the
west...” the memory of my Teacher said.

I shook my
head as I snapped back to reality. “Thanks.”

Your welcome
, Cathy said
pleased.

I looked up at
the sky for the sun and found it about half way up behind me.

“
Ok and it’s...” I said trailing off.

Afternoon
, Cathy finished
mockingly.

“
Right,” I said as I looked at the map. “We should be coming
up to Balendar territory soon. We’ll make the Farmlands by
nightfall.”

Good,
Cathy said.
Why don’t you take a break? Let me take over from
here.

“
Oh, Cathy,” I chuckled. “No.”

Bitch
, she scoffed.

Chapter 10

Darkness fell
over the land as the sun disappeared behind me. The transition from
the Archanion Field to the Balendar Farmlands was minimal, less
hills and more people. It looked like the only thing that prevented
the farmers from journeying too far into the Archanion Field was
the terrain.

After the long
day’s travel, I was exhausted and in need of a rest and a hot meal.
I threw my pack down next to a tree on the edge of a farm and
checked my provisions. The Keeper had obviously decided that the
lightest-weight, easy to prepare food was the best for me to take
on this trip. A good idea in theory but as I stared at the twelve
dried soup packages I realized that I would have preferred to have
carried something a little heavier.

Like a
sheep.

Plenty of farmland around,
Cathy
said
. Lots of sheep too.

“
Don’t tempt me,” I said as I searched for water to make the
soup.

My only source
of water was the canteen The Keeper packed and I had already sucked
that dry. Besides, I wasn’t prepared to sacrifice it for soup so I
kept digging until I found a small cast iron pot.

“
So he didn’t want to weigh me down with food but cast iron
cookware is ok?” I asked before a chuckled.

You better hope he packed a wooden spoon too,
Cathy chuckled.
Unless
you like putting your lips on hot iron.

“
We almost kissed,” I joked. “So you know I don’t.”

Cathy laughed sarcastically.
I would
have rocked your world.

“
Then stolen it,” I said as I turned my attention back to the
pack. Sure enough, next to the pot was a big spoon.

“
I don’t think the farmers will mind if we borrow a little
water,” I said as I gathered up the pot, spoon and canteen. “We’ll
refill then come back here and make a fire to cook.”

You can’t make a fire out here,
Cathy said
. The farmers will think
you are a bandit or trying to destroy their field.

“
So how do I make the soup then?” I asked.

You’re a Mage, aren’t you?
Cathy
asked
. Hold onto the pot and think warm
thoughts.

“
I don’t have THAT good of control,” I said. “I’ll just burn
it.”

I said warm thoughts,
Cathy
chuckled, not volcanic.

“
Well, if it gets too hot, we could just use your heart to
cool it back down,” I suggest as I headed for the closest
farm.

We share the same heart so be careful with your
insults,
Cathy said playfully.

I sighed and
shook my head. The farm was one of the many corn farms that we had
passed on the journey. I weaved through the corn stalks quietly as
I walked closer to the house. The small well pump was between the
edge of the field and the house. I would have to be careful but I
had my Illusion spell on stand-by.

I reached out
with my mind and stopped as I felt the presence of three people in
the corn field slowly moving towards the house. Their minds lay
wide open and I was able to read them like a book.

They were here
to raid the farms.

My heart
started pounding as I reached out with my mind and checked inside
the house. Five minds pulsed as the owners of the house
dreamed.

I need to wake
them up.

Just take care of the bandits,
Cathy
said.
There are only three of
them.

I can’t just
‘take care of them’. I’ve never killed anyone before.

It’s easy,
Cathy
said
. You just do it. Like standing or
walking or complaining.

I sighed
softly and headed in the direction of the bandits. Through the corn
and darkness nothing could be seen easily but I had their minds to
guide me.

Maybe I could
trick them into leaving.

So they can come back tomorrow when you aren’t here?
Cathy asked
. A permanent
solution ensures the residents survival. It’s them or the bandits.
Choose.

No pressure or
anything.

You’ll do fine,
Cathy
said
. I’m here to guide you.

Then let’s
take care of these bandits.

I crept
forward drawing closer and closer. I could start to make out the
sounds of the bandits talking to one another planning their
attack.

“
Gilroy will hang back and watch the house,” a muffled voice
said. “Signal us if you hear anything from inside the house.
Jackie, you are with me.”

“
Okay, boss,” the others whispered.

I heard
shuffling as ‘Jackie’ and ‘Boss’ left the corn field. I raised the
cast iron pot into the ready position.

Are you kidding me?
Cathy
asked
. You’re going to hit him with the
pot?

If I had a
golden broadsword that could cleave all three of their heads off in
one swing I would use that but this is the only thing I have. Magic
will just burn the field down.

Cathy sighed.
A shame. The
broadsword sounds amazing.

I stalked
closer until I could make out the crouched form of Gilroy. I
brought the pot up, ready to bring it down with all the strength I
could muster.

Better make it two hits then,
Cathy
said.

When I was
within striking range, I swung the pot down and it connected on the
back of Gilroy’s head. I hollow sound rung out in the night and
Gilroy stumbled forward but didn’t go down. I raised the pot again
and struck Gilroy in the face as he turned around. Another hollow
sound rung out followed by the sound of Gilroy collapsing on the
ground. I looked up towards the other two and they were just
staring at me. I dropped the pot and ran into the corn.

Why did you drop your weapon?
Cathy
asked as I shoved corn out of the way.

I
panicked.

I made out the
sound of corn stalk being chopped and I looked behind me to confirm
that one of the bandits was chopping his way after me.

“
I’m going to get you, Pot User!” the bandit
shouted.

“
Stop destroying the corn!” I shouted back. “People need to
eat that!”

“
I’ll eat you!” the bandit shouted.

Clearly creativity isn’t his strong suit,
Cathy said.

What do I do
now?

Head for the house again,
she
answered.

What? The
other bandit will...

Use that Illusion spell you like so much
, she interrupted.

I took a wide
turn and headed back towards the house. The bandit chasing me was
slowly gaining ground but I focused on the other one. I could feel
his mind as he waited for me and I plucked an ear of corn off a
stalk as I ran by. As I broke through the corn field, I threw the
ear of corn his way and tapped into his mind.

His bow had
been drawn waiting for me but he stopped and watched in terror as
the ear of corn morphed into a snake. The bandit quickly changed
his aim to the ‘snake’ and released the arrow. The arrow pierced
the corn and without breaking stride, I sent a Pulse towards the
bandit. The Pulse hit its target and knocked him off his feet as I
ran past him.

The bandit
chasing me was gaining too much ground so I reached out with my
mind and used another Illusion. I rounded the corner of the house
and pressed up against the wall of the house. My heart was pounding
and I was breathing heavily but I held my breath to make the
illusion work. The bandit rounded the corner and slowed to a stop
looking bewildered.

To him, I had
simply vanished.

I sent a Pulse
out and hit him in the elbow causing him to drop his sword. As the
sword fell to the ground, I grabbed him from behind and tried to
restrain him as his friend rounded the corner.

“
Shoot him, Jackie,” the bandit cried as we continued to
wrestle.

I saw Jackie
draw his bow and I spun the bandit around in time for him to catch
the arrow that was intended for me. The bandit cried out in pain
and started to sag towards the ground. I forced him back up to keep
him position between Jackie and me.

“
Shoot HIM, not me, you lutz,” the bandit known as ‘Boss’
shouted.

Jackie drew
another arrow and shot Boss in the chest, then drew another and
shot him again.

“
Sorry, Terry,” Jackie said. “You are too damn
loud.”

I dropped the
bandit and watched as Jackie turned to flee.

Stop him!
Cathy shouted in my head.

I reached out
my arm and shot a Pulse but aimed too far forward and just made
Jackie stagger back unharmed. I adjusted my aim but watched as an
arrow hit Jackie in the back. He lurched forward as another arrow
hit him then slowly fell to his knees before face planting into the
dirt.

A young man
rounded the corner, drew his bow and pointed it at me. I raised my
arms and my hands buzzed with electricity as a Ward materialized in
front of me.

“
Who are you?” the young man shouted.

“
Andy...er...Andrew,” I answered still breathing a little
heavily.

“
What are you doing here?” he asked still trying to threaten
me with the bow and arrow.

“
I was out for stroll when I noticed the bandits,” I lied. “I
figured you could use help.”

“
And I’m supposed to believe that?” He asked.

“
Believe it or don’t, I don’t care,” I said with unfamiliar
attitude. “Now, shoot me and get it over with. I can’t keep up this
Ward forever.”

He looked like
he was going to release the arrow but lowered his bow. “You’re a
Mage?”

“
No, I’m just someone who likes to make shadow puppets with
his hands, see?” I said sarcastically as I mashed my hands together
to try and create something.

Cathy laughed.
You’re in a fun mood
all of a sudden
.