Free Wielder of the Flame by Nikolas Rex Page A

speaking more than just a word around him
now.
***
    Some time passed in silence, the sun
crept across the sky slowly.
    As Soren had indeed said before, the road became more and
more active with wagon trains, carts of goods, peddlers, merchants, and now and
then a lone rider atop the strange two legged creatures. Marc asked what they
were called, Zildjin told him they were aldoms. Soren exchanged greetings with
everyone who passed them. There were plenty who did, but none as fancy as
Lanvar’s train.
     “So what happens once we reach Kolima?” Marc asked, mostly
meaning, what happens ‘to me?’
    “Well,” Soren looked over his shoulder in reply, “You will
stay with a woman named Eleanor. She is Zildjin and Sesuadra’s caretaker, and
has been ever since they were young. I think it is safe to explain some, maybe
even all of the situation to her. It is only fair to her since Zildjin and
Sesuadra are like sons to her. I have some things to take care of when we reach
Kolima. I know someone who might be able to help us understand a little bit
more about the sword and the magic involved in all of this. In the meantime,
the three of you must be absolutely silent about everything. Marc, you
especially must learn quickly so that you will not stand out so much here in
Lyrridia. The three of you will continue your training with Topar until I
return.”
    “Who is Topar?”
    “A close companion of Eleanor. He is a rovaar, powerful, and
not one to be crossed. Stay on his good side though, and you will be alright. I
will most likely have returned once The Gathering has ended.”
    Marc nodded, then asked, “Roh-vaar?”
    Zildjin answered instead, “You will see soon enough.”
    “It will be dark soon, try and get some sleep,” He finished.
    They ate again as the sun was
finally beginning its descent in the sky. It had been a fairly warm, mostly
cloudless day. The sky was cast in maroon and orange as the day closed. The two
planets appeared above in the coming darkness, the stars poking out one by one
immediately following.
    Sesuadra and Zildjin lit the lamps to let the balkars see
ahead and for Sesuadra to keep a lookout in the rear.
    Though they had not done much physically, the ride wore them
out and no one said much as the night came on.
    Marc did not think much as he let the back and forth motions
of the cart lull him to sleep.
    And then he dreamed once more.
***
    Marc opened his eyes and sat up.
    The world of silver and grey surrounded him.
    Sesuadra was there in the dream world as well. In the waking
world, his body was near the end of the cart, sleeping. In the dream world, his
body was in the same location, but he was awake.
    Sesuadra came over and offered his hand. Marc took it and
with his friend’s help, got to his feet.
    “Marc,” Sesuadra nodded his head respectfully.
    “Sesuadra,” he replied.
    They both stood in silence, looking around them at the
endlessness of the silvery plane.
    “What do you make of this place?”  
    “I have heard of such a place in my lessons,” Sesuadra
answered, “But I cannot remember much.”
    Marc opened his mouth to speak again but he was interrupted
by the sound of metal striking metal.
    Marc turned his head at the noise.
    “Sesuadra, Did you hear that?”
    But when Marc turned back he was surrounded by mist.
    “Sesuadra?”
    Marc tried again.
    “Sesuadra! I know you are there, say something so we can
find each other in this!”
    He waited for a response but there was only silence followed
by the striking of metal against metal once more.
    “Hmmm,” He said.
    With a shrug he began walking through the obscurity.
    He did not go far before he was stopped suddenly by a dark
stone wall.
    He turned away from the wall.
    The mist vanished instantly. He suddenly could sense a strong
arid heat all around him. He could not feel the heat, per say, but glancing
around the room he was able to tell that it was very hot.
    Marc did not know the words with which to accurately
describe