Post by graypath on Mar 21, 2014 7:39:52 GMT
The Last Days
By Arthur Pepka, aka Gray Path Mage
A New Home
Cambrey walked out of the hut and hurled his staff away from him. Two Eagles followed him and laid a calming hand on his shoulder.
“Be at ease friend,” two Eagles said, “Everything is coming together.”
“How,” yelled Cambrey . “How is it coming together? We just spent 6 days in talks with that black robed bastard, and we are no closer to getting him to agree to leave Earth than when we began. Moreover, last night commoners killed seven more mageborn in their sleep. Commoners seeking vengeance for the war crimes his ilk committed. Yet it was my people who died, not his, my GrayPath Mages, not his DarkPath.”
“I too suffered loses in the last week, but becoming angry only lends him strength. You must be calm and logical. Your archmage placed you over this negotiation. You must prevail,” Two Eagles said soothingly.
Cambrey turned away from his friend. While they differed on philosophy, Two Eagles had been his friend for many years. They had met before the mage war, which had scarred the Earth and caused such enmity against all mageborn. In the end, the DarkPath Mages had relinquished their grip on the human population. Pushed back into their hidden strongholds, the DarkPath had entrenched itself and, was suspected to have begun scheming how to claim its vengeance. Yet such suffering was had at the hands of the DarkPath, that most humans now hated and/or feared all mageborn. No more could WhitePath go forth to heal and aid humanity in safety. Now those unfortunates they wished to help, set upon them at first sight. The GreyPath Magi now spent their time protecting mage towns from human assassins. Neither White nor Grey could blame them, but as wary as they were about attacks, even mages had to sleep.
Cambrey stooped down to reclaim his staff as he passed it by. Both he and Two Eagles must once again report failure in their given tasks. They parted ways as they reached the edge of the encampment. Two Eagles headed further in the mass of tents and huts, which formed the WhitePath Encampment, more like a town Cambrey thought to himself.
Instead, he turned to walk along the seaside. He approached his favorite view. The Greeks had called this place the Pillars of Hercules. Indeed the two cliffs looked so similar, one could imagine a giant had split them apart from one solid block, and then pushed the two continents apart with them. After admiring the view for a moment, he felt the peace and calm this place brought him settle upon his shoulders like a cool cloth. The knots and tensions from dealing with Galus evaporated from his body. Feeling lighter in spirit, Cambrey spoke a word of power, and soared into the air. He flew across the strait to his encampment on the other side. He alighted before his tent and ducked inside. The sight of his gravid wife standing up and tending laundry greeted him.
“Beloved what are you doing? Does not Lyssa do these things for you? This late in your term you should be resting, not exerting yourself!” Cambrey explained.
“Nonsense, my love I am no fragile flower to be handled not. Lyssa went to help cremate the unfortunate souls of last night. She wanted to give comfort to those in pain,” his wife, Esmera responded.
“Well, tell her that her duties lie here. I pay her to aid you, not others.”
“Now stop. Galus the Dark has you in a foul mood. However, you should know that they discovered a sixth planet today. In addition, rumors had it that lots would be drawn soon for them. You must go and present yourself!” Esmera said.
“I might as well, I have to deliver today’s report,” Cambrey said suddenly depressed. He departed and made his way through the camp. The farseers had been searching for two months, ever since the High Arches had decided to leave Earth. As an archmage, Cambrey was to lead a colony. Nevertheless, he knew he would miss Earth. He had been born here. His ancestors’ ashes were scattered here. In addition, his child would never lay eyes upon it.
Cambrey finally reached the command tent. He entered through the flap, and approached his boss. Barbaros led the GrayPath Mages well, but Cambrey was reminded that he could have led, had he chosen to. Both men knew it. Cambrey had instead chosen the lesser chore of being second. While he was given miserable tasks, such as dealing with political prisoners, he still got out and about. Barbaros spent much of his time entangled by bureaucracy. Cambrey finally caught his brother’s eye, and was recognized. “High archmage, I can only report once again that I have failed. Galus the Darkhearted still will not cooperate with us.”
Barbaros nodded. “I understand little brother come walk with me. I too have news to share.”
The two men left the dim tent, and reentered the world. “Ahh, to feel the sun upon my face,” Barbaros exclaimed! “To long have I been confining myself.”
“Our Father would hardly recognize you, big brother. You have lost your tan and calluses. Where did the farmers’ son go to?”
“Far away sometimes I fear I have lost that rough lad, who chased after you. You ran away to study magic. I always intended to drag you back to the farm by your ears.”
“Look at us now,” Cambrey said. “You lead the GreyPath, and I am your obedient second.”
Barbaros and Cambrey walked through the camp. They talked of inconsequential things until they reached the camp outskirts. Barbaros then led them further away, out of earshot of all. Finally, choosing a boulder to sit upon, Barbaros cast a privacy spell, and enclosed them in a soundproof bubble. Barbaros then waved for Cambrey to set down beside him.
“You should know that the lots have been drawn already. I drew for you, as you were not present. Two worlds have been handed to the WhitePath for there settlement. Two worlds were chosen for the DarkPath. Of the remaining two, I drew for you first, and then drew my own. I would like you to start preparations for your group to leave.” Barbaros then handed Cambrey a small crystal. Etched within were the spatial coordinates for another planet.
“What about Gallus?”
“That is my second bit of news.” Barbaros said. “We have seized the Dark Codex and decoded it. Within are all the locations of DarkPath citadels. Tomorrow I wish you to deliver my ultimatum. The DarkPath mages are to deliver themselves over at this location. Those will then be transported to the pleasanter of the two worlds. Those who we must dig out will be sent to the hell world. Then they will be trapped for all time.”
“And if I do this?”
“Then you are free to lead your group away from here. You will have two months to prepare before the alignment makes portaling off world impossible for a century.”
Cambrey looked at his brother. “Worry not about me. will the other groups be ready in time? It is a dozen worlds that must be found, not a bare six.”
“Fret not. The worlds will be found. Remember, once you portal off, one hundred years must pass before returning to Earth. Dadelus has locked the stone. Never would we had been so rushed had he given us a choice.”
“He locked it with his life’s blood. Though I think, he meant us to stay. Not leave and never return. I should be off brother.” Cambrey rose. Barbaros rose with him and dispelled the dome. The brothers embraced, and then parted.
When Cambrey returned to his tent, he found Lyssa, his servant, preparing dinner. She bowed her head in his direction, but otherwise ignored him as she cooked over the hearth. Cambrey watched her for a moment, debating whether to scold her or not. He chose not. Too many were dying at the hands of humans. Most could not handle the reminder funeral ceremonies brought. Lyssa had lost all long ago. She was now specially equipped to help those who now grieved. He should not scold her for following her heart in aiding the bereaved.
Cambrey ducked onto his tent and collapsed into his favorite chair. His wife scolded him playfully for the noise, and then began plying him for information.
“Goddess woman.” he exclaimed. “Perchance I should have posted you as interrogator instead of myself. Then Galus would have gladly given up the enemy locations.”
“Well let’s have it. Did we get a world or not?” Esmara cried. “We will have little time to prepare as it is.”
“Yes, we have a world, we can start preparations tomorrow. Tell the clans that we pack up by mid afternoon. We will go across the waters to do our last minute packing in relative peace.”
By Arthur Pepka, aka Gray Path Mage
A New Home
Cambrey walked out of the hut and hurled his staff away from him. Two Eagles followed him and laid a calming hand on his shoulder.
“Be at ease friend,” two Eagles said, “Everything is coming together.”
“How,” yelled Cambrey . “How is it coming together? We just spent 6 days in talks with that black robed bastard, and we are no closer to getting him to agree to leave Earth than when we began. Moreover, last night commoners killed seven more mageborn in their sleep. Commoners seeking vengeance for the war crimes his ilk committed. Yet it was my people who died, not his, my GrayPath Mages, not his DarkPath.”
“I too suffered loses in the last week, but becoming angry only lends him strength. You must be calm and logical. Your archmage placed you over this negotiation. You must prevail,” Two Eagles said soothingly.
Cambrey turned away from his friend. While they differed on philosophy, Two Eagles had been his friend for many years. They had met before the mage war, which had scarred the Earth and caused such enmity against all mageborn. In the end, the DarkPath Mages had relinquished their grip on the human population. Pushed back into their hidden strongholds, the DarkPath had entrenched itself and, was suspected to have begun scheming how to claim its vengeance. Yet such suffering was had at the hands of the DarkPath, that most humans now hated and/or feared all mageborn. No more could WhitePath go forth to heal and aid humanity in safety. Now those unfortunates they wished to help, set upon them at first sight. The GreyPath Magi now spent their time protecting mage towns from human assassins. Neither White nor Grey could blame them, but as wary as they were about attacks, even mages had to sleep.
Cambrey stooped down to reclaim his staff as he passed it by. Both he and Two Eagles must once again report failure in their given tasks. They parted ways as they reached the edge of the encampment. Two Eagles headed further in the mass of tents and huts, which formed the WhitePath Encampment, more like a town Cambrey thought to himself.
Instead, he turned to walk along the seaside. He approached his favorite view. The Greeks had called this place the Pillars of Hercules. Indeed the two cliffs looked so similar, one could imagine a giant had split them apart from one solid block, and then pushed the two continents apart with them. After admiring the view for a moment, he felt the peace and calm this place brought him settle upon his shoulders like a cool cloth. The knots and tensions from dealing with Galus evaporated from his body. Feeling lighter in spirit, Cambrey spoke a word of power, and soared into the air. He flew across the strait to his encampment on the other side. He alighted before his tent and ducked inside. The sight of his gravid wife standing up and tending laundry greeted him.
“Beloved what are you doing? Does not Lyssa do these things for you? This late in your term you should be resting, not exerting yourself!” Cambrey explained.
“Nonsense, my love I am no fragile flower to be handled not. Lyssa went to help cremate the unfortunate souls of last night. She wanted to give comfort to those in pain,” his wife, Esmera responded.
“Well, tell her that her duties lie here. I pay her to aid you, not others.”
“Now stop. Galus the Dark has you in a foul mood. However, you should know that they discovered a sixth planet today. In addition, rumors had it that lots would be drawn soon for them. You must go and present yourself!” Esmera said.
“I might as well, I have to deliver today’s report,” Cambrey said suddenly depressed. He departed and made his way through the camp. The farseers had been searching for two months, ever since the High Arches had decided to leave Earth. As an archmage, Cambrey was to lead a colony. Nevertheless, he knew he would miss Earth. He had been born here. His ancestors’ ashes were scattered here. In addition, his child would never lay eyes upon it.
Cambrey finally reached the command tent. He entered through the flap, and approached his boss. Barbaros led the GrayPath Mages well, but Cambrey was reminded that he could have led, had he chosen to. Both men knew it. Cambrey had instead chosen the lesser chore of being second. While he was given miserable tasks, such as dealing with political prisoners, he still got out and about. Barbaros spent much of his time entangled by bureaucracy. Cambrey finally caught his brother’s eye, and was recognized. “High archmage, I can only report once again that I have failed. Galus the Darkhearted still will not cooperate with us.”
Barbaros nodded. “I understand little brother come walk with me. I too have news to share.”
The two men left the dim tent, and reentered the world. “Ahh, to feel the sun upon my face,” Barbaros exclaimed! “To long have I been confining myself.”
“Our Father would hardly recognize you, big brother. You have lost your tan and calluses. Where did the farmers’ son go to?”
“Far away sometimes I fear I have lost that rough lad, who chased after you. You ran away to study magic. I always intended to drag you back to the farm by your ears.”
“Look at us now,” Cambrey said. “You lead the GreyPath, and I am your obedient second.”
Barbaros and Cambrey walked through the camp. They talked of inconsequential things until they reached the camp outskirts. Barbaros then led them further away, out of earshot of all. Finally, choosing a boulder to sit upon, Barbaros cast a privacy spell, and enclosed them in a soundproof bubble. Barbaros then waved for Cambrey to set down beside him.
“You should know that the lots have been drawn already. I drew for you, as you were not present. Two worlds have been handed to the WhitePath for there settlement. Two worlds were chosen for the DarkPath. Of the remaining two, I drew for you first, and then drew my own. I would like you to start preparations for your group to leave.” Barbaros then handed Cambrey a small crystal. Etched within were the spatial coordinates for another planet.
“What about Gallus?”
“That is my second bit of news.” Barbaros said. “We have seized the Dark Codex and decoded it. Within are all the locations of DarkPath citadels. Tomorrow I wish you to deliver my ultimatum. The DarkPath mages are to deliver themselves over at this location. Those will then be transported to the pleasanter of the two worlds. Those who we must dig out will be sent to the hell world. Then they will be trapped for all time.”
“And if I do this?”
“Then you are free to lead your group away from here. You will have two months to prepare before the alignment makes portaling off world impossible for a century.”
Cambrey looked at his brother. “Worry not about me. will the other groups be ready in time? It is a dozen worlds that must be found, not a bare six.”
“Fret not. The worlds will be found. Remember, once you portal off, one hundred years must pass before returning to Earth. Dadelus has locked the stone. Never would we had been so rushed had he given us a choice.”
“He locked it with his life’s blood. Though I think, he meant us to stay. Not leave and never return. I should be off brother.” Cambrey rose. Barbaros rose with him and dispelled the dome. The brothers embraced, and then parted.
When Cambrey returned to his tent, he found Lyssa, his servant, preparing dinner. She bowed her head in his direction, but otherwise ignored him as she cooked over the hearth. Cambrey watched her for a moment, debating whether to scold her or not. He chose not. Too many were dying at the hands of humans. Most could not handle the reminder funeral ceremonies brought. Lyssa had lost all long ago. She was now specially equipped to help those who now grieved. He should not scold her for following her heart in aiding the bereaved.
Cambrey ducked onto his tent and collapsed into his favorite chair. His wife scolded him playfully for the noise, and then began plying him for information.
“Goddess woman.” he exclaimed. “Perchance I should have posted you as interrogator instead of myself. Then Galus would have gladly given up the enemy locations.”
“Well let’s have it. Did we get a world or not?” Esmara cried. “We will have little time to prepare as it is.”
“Yes, we have a world, we can start preparations tomorrow. Tell the clans that we pack up by mid afternoon. We will go across the waters to do our last minute packing in relative peace.”