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Authors: Christian Warren Freed
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Anienam.”
Boen looked around. “What about a perimeter? Do you think we were seen?”
“It’s too early to tell. This close to dawn I’d think those lights were seen from leagues away. We need to get organized and move out before curious people start investigating. Find shelter first and then we can send out scouts to figure out exactly where we are.”
The explanation was good enough for Boen and he eagerly began snatching the others off the ground. There’d be plenty of time in the future to lament their suffering, but not now. The true measure of courage came from the heart and each was in dire need of heart at the moment. He’d be lying if he denied the whispered urge to sit down and suffer through his pain. Age hadn’t been kind to a man who spent six decades fighting and moving. His body ached. His mind betrayed his desire to keep going. Yet he pushed through the pain. There was more at stake than the private dilemma of an old man. They had a war to win.
“On your feet, lads! We’ve got to be away before the enemy knows we’ve returned,” he barked. The sternness in his tone forced heads up, much like a general on the battlefield would. “Up, Skuld. There’s no time for pain! Up and help with the horses. All of you, up!”
One by one they reluctantly obeyed until only Anienam still lay on the ground. Bahr stumbled over, nearly falling twice, and knelt beside the ancient wizard. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and turned his body. “Anienam, we must be moving.”
Anienam Keiss, last of the line of Mages and heir to the knowledge of Ipn Shal, turned his head so that Bahr could see his face. Tears of blood streamed down his cheeks. When he opened his eyes they were opaque. “Bahr, I can’t see.”
Bahr finished wrapping the dressing around Anienam’s head, successfully covering what remained of his now useless eyes. Any hopes they might have held that the damage was temporary quickly vanished after a closer inspection. Anienam was permanently blind. The mood around the small camp darkened considerably.
Only the wizard found reason to chuckle.
“What can be so amusing?” Bahr asked. He didn’t voice it, but they all were thinking the same thing. Anienam was their greatest asset and now he was blind. Hope began to fade.
Anienam’s head swiveled to the sound of Bahr’s voice. “Something my father once said. All magic comes with a price, especially the magic of the gods. It appears my vision is that price.”
“Nice of Artiss Gran to mention this might happen,” Dorl said glumly without taking his eyes off the small fire in the center of their camp. He’d never been a staunch advocate of the wizard but even he recognized they needed Anienam more than they needed him.
Anienam waved off the concern. “Nonsense. He’s not to blame. I told you. Magic comes with a price. I have paid the price and there’s no point in lamenting over it. My lack of vision changes nothing. The fate of Malweir rests in our hands. I don’t need eyes to carry on.”
“What about residual effects?” Bahr asked.
The wizard shrugged nonchalantly. “Time will tell. In the meantime I suggest you stop worrying over me. I can manage. After all, I’m just a passenger on the wagon.”
True enough, but we rely on you more than I’m comfortable with. You being crippled unexpectedly dampens our plans considerably. This was a turn of events we didn’t need . Bahr added another small branch to the fire and rocked back on his heels as he mulled over their next course of action. Their options were constricted, more so than before. He was the type of man who never liked relying on anyone other than himself, priding himself on his ability to be self-sustaining. All that changed when Anienam purposefully entered his life. Bahr dreaded facing the coming challenges without the wizard’s eyesight.
He shook his head ruefully. “I just don’t see how you can fend for yourself or use your magic well
Boen looked around. “What about a perimeter? Do you think we were seen?”
“It’s too early to tell. This close to dawn I’d think those lights were seen from leagues away. We need to get organized and move out before curious people start investigating. Find shelter first and then we can send out scouts to figure out exactly where we are.”
The explanation was good enough for Boen and he eagerly began snatching the others off the ground. There’d be plenty of time in the future to lament their suffering, but not now. The true measure of courage came from the heart and each was in dire need of heart at the moment. He’d be lying if he denied the whispered urge to sit down and suffer through his pain. Age hadn’t been kind to a man who spent six decades fighting and moving. His body ached. His mind betrayed his desire to keep going. Yet he pushed through the pain. There was more at stake than the private dilemma of an old man. They had a war to win.
“On your feet, lads! We’ve got to be away before the enemy knows we’ve returned,” he barked. The sternness in his tone forced heads up, much like a general on the battlefield would. “Up, Skuld. There’s no time for pain! Up and help with the horses. All of you, up!”
One by one they reluctantly obeyed until only Anienam still lay on the ground. Bahr stumbled over, nearly falling twice, and knelt beside the ancient wizard. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and turned his body. “Anienam, we must be moving.”
Anienam Keiss, last of the line of Mages and heir to the knowledge of Ipn Shal, turned his head so that Bahr could see his face. Tears of blood streamed down his cheeks. When he opened his eyes they were opaque. “Bahr, I can’t see.”
Bahr finished wrapping the dressing around Anienam’s head, successfully covering what remained of his now useless eyes. Any hopes they might have held that the damage was temporary quickly vanished after a closer inspection. Anienam was permanently blind. The mood around the small camp darkened considerably.
Only the wizard found reason to chuckle.
“What can be so amusing?” Bahr asked. He didn’t voice it, but they all were thinking the same thing. Anienam was their greatest asset and now he was blind. Hope began to fade.
Anienam’s head swiveled to the sound of Bahr’s voice. “Something my father once said. All magic comes with a price, especially the magic of the gods. It appears my vision is that price.”
“Nice of Artiss Gran to mention this might happen,” Dorl said glumly without taking his eyes off the small fire in the center of their camp. He’d never been a staunch advocate of the wizard but even he recognized they needed Anienam more than they needed him.
Anienam waved off the concern. “Nonsense. He’s not to blame. I told you. Magic comes with a price. I have paid the price and there’s no point in lamenting over it. My lack of vision changes nothing. The fate of Malweir rests in our hands. I don’t need eyes to carry on.”
“What about residual effects?” Bahr asked.
The wizard shrugged nonchalantly. “Time will tell. In the meantime I suggest you stop worrying over me. I can manage. After all, I’m just a passenger on the wagon.”
True enough, but we rely on you more than I’m comfortable with. You being crippled unexpectedly dampens our plans considerably. This was a turn of events we didn’t need . Bahr added another small branch to the fire and rocked back on his heels as he mulled over their next course of action. Their options were constricted, more so than before. He was the type of man who never liked relying on anyone other than himself, priding himself on his ability to be self-sustaining. All that changed when Anienam purposefully entered his life. Bahr dreaded facing the coming challenges without the wizard’s eyesight.
He shook his head ruefully. “I just don’t see how you can fend for yourself or use your magic well
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