Post by graypath on Mar 21, 2014 7:47:47 GMT
The Last Days, Chapter 3
Departure
By Arthur Pepka, aka GrayPathMage
Cambrey surveyed his group of clans. Two thousand souls were set to follow him to a new home. Many dreamed of new beginnings. Most wanted to simply find a safe haven to raise their children in peace. The rest were numbed by loss and could not care. They went where they were bade and did as they were told. Cambrey felt the weight of the responsibility heavy upon his shoulders. Very few hailed form his home I what some called Britannia. Most came from Rome itself. Two villages, more than one thousand people had been moved from the Roman Empire. Others were from Greece, Persia, even Egypt. No land was safe for mages any more.
It had taken two days to make all the preparations. Several massive stone bowls with high walls had been fashioned for the earth. Each had been filled with food, tools, and personal possessions. Four would carry livestock and seedlings for new farms. The last would bear the majority of the human contingent. Cambrey’s plan was to simply fly across the ocean to its distant shore. There they would create the portal to their new world. However, few were strong enough to fly, let alone bear the bowls aloft. Cambrey turned to his four lieutenants. Each would be charged with the handling of two bowls. Cambrey, himself, would lead the way while bearing his own two.
“When the scout returns,” he said, “we shall depart. Each of you knows your duties. Failure is not an option. The path is true but the distance will strain your abilities. Much is riding on your performance today.” With a nod, Cambrey dismissed them. Each had followed him in the war and he knew their measure. They would mot fail him or their people. Cambrey turned back to the sky. “Soon,” he told himself. “Soon”
As the sun reached its midpoint in the afternoon sky, a speck appeared in the distance. It was the scout. Cambrey gave a signal. He and his lieutenants began drawing in and storing the massive amount of power needed to lift and direct the stone constructs. At the same time many of those within the bowls cast spells to lighten the weight, secure packages and calm the livestock. At last, the scout landed and made his report.
“The way beacons are placed, sir,” the scout said. “There is a storm brewing to the south. My estimate is that it will reach us shortly after we reach land, but not before we achieve the final goal. Crossing the mountains may not be a viable option before the full force of the storm is upon us. A second site may need to be considered. Very well, I will take that under advisement.” Cambrey said. “Please deliver your report to the others then take your seat. Rest. When we are near land report back to me. I will need you to scout out the storm. Dismissed.”
The scout ran to carry out his orders. Cambrey did not wait to see what the others reactions were. He cast out with his energy. His spells shout out like lightning bolts from his body to envelop his charges. With a small groan of strain, each rose into the air. The bowls and their contents were now liked to him. Should he fail, they would crash into the sea or ground. Slowly, Cambrey brought them up to his chosen altitude and began moving out to sea. Beginning with a snail’s pace, Cambrey gradually sped up to a reasonable speed. If all went as planned, they would make landfall this same time tomorrow.
Time stretched into a blur for Cambrey. It required most of his concentration to keep the vessels aloft and moving. Still he somehow checked on his progress and that of his followers. Only peripherally was he aware of the passage of time. Day turned to dusk. Night claimed the sky from twilight and the stars appeared in all their majesty. Yet Cambrey continued oblivious. Night finally gave way to dawn with the rising of the sun at his back. Near noon, a wind blew up from the south. This slowed them down as they traveled a southwesterly course. Soon Cambrey called up the scout. He worried about the storms location and speed.
An hour later, the scout returned. His face looked grim. “Archmage,” he began. “The storm is moving apace. It has already made landfall south of our course and is moving in a northwesterly direction. I fear that we may fly directly into its path. While you and the next behind you may safely land, the stragglers will be in the storms power.”
“Are you implying that we will not reach our destination?” Cambrey asked.
“No sir. I am saying we will not. If we attempt to fly in this storm, it will toss us about like dice in a cup. We must either speed up doubly to out fly it, or land sooner.”
Cambrey pondered the problem. “Go to the rear. Ascertain Mandel’s and Olivia’s endurance. If they can accelerate, tell them to do so. If not return to me.” The scout flitted away to carry out his orders.
Cambrey examined himself. He felt he could speed up, but would not finish the course. To ensure the safety of his charges he would need to accelerate but would sacrifice distance. Cambrey would need to make a hard decision.
When the scout returned, Cambrey was ready for him. “Before you begin, let me guess. No one can accelerate and travel the needed distance.” when the scout nodded, Cambrey continued. “Here are your orders. This course overlies an alternative spot. Site Delta. Go back and inform the others of the change in destination. Ask them to accelerate as they can. Then go before us and change the path to end us at the new site. Once that is concluded, seek the advance team at Alpha Site and inform them of the change. Shelters will need to be erected at Delta to protect from the hurricane.” Again, the scout simply nodded the sped away to comply. Grimly Cambrey set himself to increase his speed.
The sky began to darken as he crossed a chain of barrier islands. Here he turned due west and headed inland. The darkening sky was not from sunset but the impending storm. Winds began to buffet the flyers yet the rains held off. Cambrey was still ahead of the weather. Steadily he headed inland, crossing out of the coastal area into a piedmont region. Far ahead, he could see blue mountains rising out of the plain.
Site Alpha had been chosen less for its rich mineral deposits but its wide-open spaces. Site Delta possessed similar minerals but was cramped by the adjoining mountains. Its present nearness now made it preferable. Instead of trying to fight the storm to cross the mountains and possibly crash, he now need only travel a short distance more and set down. Another hour found him over the local of site Delta. He could see the advance team frantically erecting shelters and clearing landing fields. With relief, Cambrey carefully landed his charges onto prepared sections.
Immediately the bowls were evacuated. Once empty, the previous occupants worked to flip the vessels over and create an egress in the sides. The livestock was then herded inside the new shelters to wait out the storm. Cambrey allowed his wife to guide him to a tent. There he collapsed into sleep. The storm approached. Craig landed his two bowls just as the rain arrived. Then Olivia appeared in the sky. As sunset neared, Mandel still had not appeared. With Cambrey and the other archmages recovering from their herculean effort, Esmera took charge. She had mage globes created to illuminate the area. Then she sent several scouts to search their back trail. They were to locate Mandel and if possible guide him to their location. If not they were to aid him as possible.
The scouts quickly found him. Mandel had been caught in an arm of the storm. Strong winds had forced him to land fifty leagues from the site. The scouts were assisting in placing protective shields over the vessels contents. So far, nothing had been lost or damaged. Like the other archmages, Mandel had collapsed into an exhausted sleep and now was unconscious. Esmera thanked the reporting scout and dismissed him to join his family. She then turned to the advance team leader. “How bad is it?” she asked.
Marius, the team leader, had a concerned look upon his face. “We have located a suitable site here, but only your husband will be able to create the portal. The site geography is to cramped to allow a group effort. We will of course do all the necessary preparations for him. But he will have to cast and hold the spell by himself.”
“Do what must be done.” Esmera bade him. Marius hurried off into the rain. With all the pressing business complete, she lay down beside her sleeping spouse. She ignored the sharp pains in her side. Her baby was kicking now and she went to sleep dreaming of playing with her son in greed fields.
The storm raged over them all through the next day. As if in revenge for escaping form it, the hurricane pummeled the land around them. All the mages could do, was huddle inside their protective shelters and wait it out. Unknown to them, other eyes watched there camp. Eyes, which had seen their arrival and did not desire their presence.
On the morning of the second day, Cambrey and his lieutenants finally awoke. Cambrey’s first concern was the wellbeing of his charges. Once he knew they were all safe, he moved to his next issue: The Portal.
Cambrey saw the site that had been chosen. It was small but otherwise perfect. He stepped into the casting circle and activated the stored energy in the quartz. He then completed the written spells that his team had prepped. Each step was preplanned and carried out with precision. At last, he placed the locating crystal in the center. It pivoted and focused on the distant planet using its engraved coordinates. The whole now fused into a solid mass of stone, holding everything together. Suddenly a needle thin beam of light blasted out. It focused on the rock wall before him. As the energy built up, the rock appeared to spin and swirl like a whirlpool. Slowly the hole opened up to reveal the other side.
Cambrey bent down and grasped one of the anchor stones for the other side. These crystals would lock the other side of the portal in place, thus allowing them to return reliably to the same point each time. After allowing the portal to drift, Cambrey chose a location and cast the stone through. With a small flash of light, it passed though. Now Cambrey lent more power to the wormhole, expanding it further. Each time he waited for it to settle before sending the next anchor stone through. Finally, the vortex no longer shifted around on the other side and now stood wide as a man was tall. Cambrey motioned to Mariah to take his place and he moved forward. Mariah would hold the vortex open but as the only caster, Cambrey had to transverse the wormhole and set the anchor stones on the other side. Only then would travel be safe between worlds. Cambrey did so. He mortared the stones together then passed back to earth. Before closing, a team of advanced scouts passed through. They would find and begin preparations of a suitable village. Wore out by his cumulative efforts, Cambrey returned to his tent to rest. None of the group’s archmages were at full strength yet.
A week passed and the project moved along. The livestock was treated against local pathogens and sent through. The area around the portal was striped of edibles to provide for them on the other side. While daily people went though the vortex, most returned to Earth each night. They were putting of their goodbyes. Soon they would have to leave the world of their birth, and none desired to. Yet there were those who felt eyes upon them.
Trouble waited until end. On the eighth day of their time there, natives appeared. At first, they only stood along the tree line, watching silently. However, as time drew along, a subtle sound could be heard. They were chanting. The mothers became worried and bade their husbands. Before long, Cambrey was confronted by a mob asking to cross over. With no other choice, he agreed. He gathered his closest aides, the other archmages, and went to the portal site. He opened it and sent them through. Once through, they had been directed to open the vortex as wide as possible. He would match their efforts. As the portal irised wider, people began to stream through. Cambrey was forced to stand in an exposed position while his charges moved to safety. All their possessions had already been sent through. Now the last of the livestock went with children riding upon their backs. Suddenly a twang ripped through the air. An arrow embedded itself in Cambrey’s shoulder. Quickly he raised a shield over the mass of people, but many were still injured. Arrows continued to rain down upon them, but bounced harmlessly away. Cambrey could not hasten the process. Wide as the wormhole was, still only two or three people could pass through at a time. Every second brought that many more to safety. Now every second weakened Cambrey further. The strain of holding the two spells caused his heart to beat faster. Soon blood had soaked his clothes and pooled on the anchor crystals beneath him. One kind soul bandaged his wound, but still it seeped.
At last, the trial ended. The very last person left Earth. Cambrey now stood alone before the vortex. He turned to gaze at the mother Earth. Slowly he said his goodbye. Then he lowered his protective shield, and walked to the vortex. But, the natives hadn’t given up. When they saw the shield was down, they acted. Many arrows flew through the air toward Cambrey’s back. Only a small handful met him as he passed though. Cambrey collapsed on the other side of the portal as it abruptly closed. Five arrows had joined the one already in him. Cambrey now lay directly atop the anchor stones. His blood flowed out and stained the clear crystal a deep red.
Healers ran to his aid. They were able to save his life, but barely. Months would pass before he would walk. As they bore him away on a stretcher, a little girl approached them. To Cambrey she said, “Welcome, my lord, to Cambreya. Your wife wished me to tell you, you have a son and a daughter. Twins, sire.” Cambrey heard this unexpected news and promptly passed out.
Departure
By Arthur Pepka, aka GrayPathMage
Cambrey surveyed his group of clans. Two thousand souls were set to follow him to a new home. Many dreamed of new beginnings. Most wanted to simply find a safe haven to raise their children in peace. The rest were numbed by loss and could not care. They went where they were bade and did as they were told. Cambrey felt the weight of the responsibility heavy upon his shoulders. Very few hailed form his home I what some called Britannia. Most came from Rome itself. Two villages, more than one thousand people had been moved from the Roman Empire. Others were from Greece, Persia, even Egypt. No land was safe for mages any more.
It had taken two days to make all the preparations. Several massive stone bowls with high walls had been fashioned for the earth. Each had been filled with food, tools, and personal possessions. Four would carry livestock and seedlings for new farms. The last would bear the majority of the human contingent. Cambrey’s plan was to simply fly across the ocean to its distant shore. There they would create the portal to their new world. However, few were strong enough to fly, let alone bear the bowls aloft. Cambrey turned to his four lieutenants. Each would be charged with the handling of two bowls. Cambrey, himself, would lead the way while bearing his own two.
“When the scout returns,” he said, “we shall depart. Each of you knows your duties. Failure is not an option. The path is true but the distance will strain your abilities. Much is riding on your performance today.” With a nod, Cambrey dismissed them. Each had followed him in the war and he knew their measure. They would mot fail him or their people. Cambrey turned back to the sky. “Soon,” he told himself. “Soon”
As the sun reached its midpoint in the afternoon sky, a speck appeared in the distance. It was the scout. Cambrey gave a signal. He and his lieutenants began drawing in and storing the massive amount of power needed to lift and direct the stone constructs. At the same time many of those within the bowls cast spells to lighten the weight, secure packages and calm the livestock. At last, the scout landed and made his report.
“The way beacons are placed, sir,” the scout said. “There is a storm brewing to the south. My estimate is that it will reach us shortly after we reach land, but not before we achieve the final goal. Crossing the mountains may not be a viable option before the full force of the storm is upon us. A second site may need to be considered. Very well, I will take that under advisement.” Cambrey said. “Please deliver your report to the others then take your seat. Rest. When we are near land report back to me. I will need you to scout out the storm. Dismissed.”
The scout ran to carry out his orders. Cambrey did not wait to see what the others reactions were. He cast out with his energy. His spells shout out like lightning bolts from his body to envelop his charges. With a small groan of strain, each rose into the air. The bowls and their contents were now liked to him. Should he fail, they would crash into the sea or ground. Slowly, Cambrey brought them up to his chosen altitude and began moving out to sea. Beginning with a snail’s pace, Cambrey gradually sped up to a reasonable speed. If all went as planned, they would make landfall this same time tomorrow.
Time stretched into a blur for Cambrey. It required most of his concentration to keep the vessels aloft and moving. Still he somehow checked on his progress and that of his followers. Only peripherally was he aware of the passage of time. Day turned to dusk. Night claimed the sky from twilight and the stars appeared in all their majesty. Yet Cambrey continued oblivious. Night finally gave way to dawn with the rising of the sun at his back. Near noon, a wind blew up from the south. This slowed them down as they traveled a southwesterly course. Soon Cambrey called up the scout. He worried about the storms location and speed.
An hour later, the scout returned. His face looked grim. “Archmage,” he began. “The storm is moving apace. It has already made landfall south of our course and is moving in a northwesterly direction. I fear that we may fly directly into its path. While you and the next behind you may safely land, the stragglers will be in the storms power.”
“Are you implying that we will not reach our destination?” Cambrey asked.
“No sir. I am saying we will not. If we attempt to fly in this storm, it will toss us about like dice in a cup. We must either speed up doubly to out fly it, or land sooner.”
Cambrey pondered the problem. “Go to the rear. Ascertain Mandel’s and Olivia’s endurance. If they can accelerate, tell them to do so. If not return to me.” The scout flitted away to carry out his orders.
Cambrey examined himself. He felt he could speed up, but would not finish the course. To ensure the safety of his charges he would need to accelerate but would sacrifice distance. Cambrey would need to make a hard decision.
When the scout returned, Cambrey was ready for him. “Before you begin, let me guess. No one can accelerate and travel the needed distance.” when the scout nodded, Cambrey continued. “Here are your orders. This course overlies an alternative spot. Site Delta. Go back and inform the others of the change in destination. Ask them to accelerate as they can. Then go before us and change the path to end us at the new site. Once that is concluded, seek the advance team at Alpha Site and inform them of the change. Shelters will need to be erected at Delta to protect from the hurricane.” Again, the scout simply nodded the sped away to comply. Grimly Cambrey set himself to increase his speed.
The sky began to darken as he crossed a chain of barrier islands. Here he turned due west and headed inland. The darkening sky was not from sunset but the impending storm. Winds began to buffet the flyers yet the rains held off. Cambrey was still ahead of the weather. Steadily he headed inland, crossing out of the coastal area into a piedmont region. Far ahead, he could see blue mountains rising out of the plain.
Site Alpha had been chosen less for its rich mineral deposits but its wide-open spaces. Site Delta possessed similar minerals but was cramped by the adjoining mountains. Its present nearness now made it preferable. Instead of trying to fight the storm to cross the mountains and possibly crash, he now need only travel a short distance more and set down. Another hour found him over the local of site Delta. He could see the advance team frantically erecting shelters and clearing landing fields. With relief, Cambrey carefully landed his charges onto prepared sections.
Immediately the bowls were evacuated. Once empty, the previous occupants worked to flip the vessels over and create an egress in the sides. The livestock was then herded inside the new shelters to wait out the storm. Cambrey allowed his wife to guide him to a tent. There he collapsed into sleep. The storm approached. Craig landed his two bowls just as the rain arrived. Then Olivia appeared in the sky. As sunset neared, Mandel still had not appeared. With Cambrey and the other archmages recovering from their herculean effort, Esmera took charge. She had mage globes created to illuminate the area. Then she sent several scouts to search their back trail. They were to locate Mandel and if possible guide him to their location. If not they were to aid him as possible.
The scouts quickly found him. Mandel had been caught in an arm of the storm. Strong winds had forced him to land fifty leagues from the site. The scouts were assisting in placing protective shields over the vessels contents. So far, nothing had been lost or damaged. Like the other archmages, Mandel had collapsed into an exhausted sleep and now was unconscious. Esmera thanked the reporting scout and dismissed him to join his family. She then turned to the advance team leader. “How bad is it?” she asked.
Marius, the team leader, had a concerned look upon his face. “We have located a suitable site here, but only your husband will be able to create the portal. The site geography is to cramped to allow a group effort. We will of course do all the necessary preparations for him. But he will have to cast and hold the spell by himself.”
“Do what must be done.” Esmera bade him. Marius hurried off into the rain. With all the pressing business complete, she lay down beside her sleeping spouse. She ignored the sharp pains in her side. Her baby was kicking now and she went to sleep dreaming of playing with her son in greed fields.
The storm raged over them all through the next day. As if in revenge for escaping form it, the hurricane pummeled the land around them. All the mages could do, was huddle inside their protective shelters and wait it out. Unknown to them, other eyes watched there camp. Eyes, which had seen their arrival and did not desire their presence.
On the morning of the second day, Cambrey and his lieutenants finally awoke. Cambrey’s first concern was the wellbeing of his charges. Once he knew they were all safe, he moved to his next issue: The Portal.
Cambrey saw the site that had been chosen. It was small but otherwise perfect. He stepped into the casting circle and activated the stored energy in the quartz. He then completed the written spells that his team had prepped. Each step was preplanned and carried out with precision. At last, he placed the locating crystal in the center. It pivoted and focused on the distant planet using its engraved coordinates. The whole now fused into a solid mass of stone, holding everything together. Suddenly a needle thin beam of light blasted out. It focused on the rock wall before him. As the energy built up, the rock appeared to spin and swirl like a whirlpool. Slowly the hole opened up to reveal the other side.
Cambrey bent down and grasped one of the anchor stones for the other side. These crystals would lock the other side of the portal in place, thus allowing them to return reliably to the same point each time. After allowing the portal to drift, Cambrey chose a location and cast the stone through. With a small flash of light, it passed though. Now Cambrey lent more power to the wormhole, expanding it further. Each time he waited for it to settle before sending the next anchor stone through. Finally, the vortex no longer shifted around on the other side and now stood wide as a man was tall. Cambrey motioned to Mariah to take his place and he moved forward. Mariah would hold the vortex open but as the only caster, Cambrey had to transverse the wormhole and set the anchor stones on the other side. Only then would travel be safe between worlds. Cambrey did so. He mortared the stones together then passed back to earth. Before closing, a team of advanced scouts passed through. They would find and begin preparations of a suitable village. Wore out by his cumulative efforts, Cambrey returned to his tent to rest. None of the group’s archmages were at full strength yet.
A week passed and the project moved along. The livestock was treated against local pathogens and sent through. The area around the portal was striped of edibles to provide for them on the other side. While daily people went though the vortex, most returned to Earth each night. They were putting of their goodbyes. Soon they would have to leave the world of their birth, and none desired to. Yet there were those who felt eyes upon them.
Trouble waited until end. On the eighth day of their time there, natives appeared. At first, they only stood along the tree line, watching silently. However, as time drew along, a subtle sound could be heard. They were chanting. The mothers became worried and bade their husbands. Before long, Cambrey was confronted by a mob asking to cross over. With no other choice, he agreed. He gathered his closest aides, the other archmages, and went to the portal site. He opened it and sent them through. Once through, they had been directed to open the vortex as wide as possible. He would match their efforts. As the portal irised wider, people began to stream through. Cambrey was forced to stand in an exposed position while his charges moved to safety. All their possessions had already been sent through. Now the last of the livestock went with children riding upon their backs. Suddenly a twang ripped through the air. An arrow embedded itself in Cambrey’s shoulder. Quickly he raised a shield over the mass of people, but many were still injured. Arrows continued to rain down upon them, but bounced harmlessly away. Cambrey could not hasten the process. Wide as the wormhole was, still only two or three people could pass through at a time. Every second brought that many more to safety. Now every second weakened Cambrey further. The strain of holding the two spells caused his heart to beat faster. Soon blood had soaked his clothes and pooled on the anchor crystals beneath him. One kind soul bandaged his wound, but still it seeped.
At last, the trial ended. The very last person left Earth. Cambrey now stood alone before the vortex. He turned to gaze at the mother Earth. Slowly he said his goodbye. Then he lowered his protective shield, and walked to the vortex. But, the natives hadn’t given up. When they saw the shield was down, they acted. Many arrows flew through the air toward Cambrey’s back. Only a small handful met him as he passed though. Cambrey collapsed on the other side of the portal as it abruptly closed. Five arrows had joined the one already in him. Cambrey now lay directly atop the anchor stones. His blood flowed out and stained the clear crystal a deep red.
Healers ran to his aid. They were able to save his life, but barely. Months would pass before he would walk. As they bore him away on a stretcher, a little girl approached them. To Cambrey she said, “Welcome, my lord, to Cambreya. Your wife wished me to tell you, you have a son and a daughter. Twins, sire.” Cambrey heard this unexpected news and promptly passed out.