Wizard's Call Read online

  "Do not look back Sarelli. Take your grandma's hand and do not look back," Sarelli turned her young eyes to her grandfather's face. He looked so sad. She wanted to hug him, but instead she did as he asked and took her grandma's hand. They had been walking since morning. She was hot and thirsty and wanted to go home. She had forgotten to bring her dolly. When the soldiers had come and taken them her doll had been in the barn. That was two days ago. Poor dolly probably thought she was never coming back.

  "Grams," she whispered softly so her grandfather would not hear. The last time she had talked he had yelled at her. "I am thirsty Grams."

  She felt her grandmother's hand tighten around hers. "I know child, I know." Sarelli hung her head down and watched the marks her feet made in the sand for a few minutes before turning her head back to her grandmother. "When can we go home?" she asked. Her grandmother did not answer and Sarelli did not ask again. She had been asking for days when they could go home and no one had answered her.

  "We are not going back home," her grandfather's voice said.

  "Mason," her grandmother said startled.

  "She might as well know the truth," her grandfather stopped and turned to look at her. She and her grandmother both stopped and looked at him. "Sarelli, your mother broke the Temple laws," he spoke softly. Sarelli knew her mother had done something bad. Her grandfather told her the soldiers had taken her away and she was not going to be able to come back home. "As punishment for her crimes we have to live here now." Sarelli wasn't sure but she thought she saw a tear roll down her grandfather's cheek before he turned around and begin walking again.

  Sarelli looked around as she continued forward with her grandmother, careful not to look behind her. "There are no trees here," she said tugging on her grandmother's arm. "How will grandpa build us a new house with out trees?" Sarelli looked expectantly up at her grandmother, but she gave no reply.

  Sarelli kept looking at the sand that surrounded them. As far as she could see there was nothing, but sand. "Where are we going?" she asked wondering how much longer it would take to get there. Neither of her grandparents answered her.

  She filled the silence of there journey with a song her mother had taught her, but after fifteen minutes she realized she really needed a drink. Her throat was raw from the dry air. Absently she brushed her hair from her face and gave a little squeal at the pain caused by the little action. Her skin was on fire and touching her face hurt really bad. "Grandma, Can I please have some water?" she begged.

  "I'm sorry Sarelli, but we do not have any water," her grandma was going to cry again. She had been crying a lot since the soldiers had come.

  "Why not?" Sarelli asked.

  "Sarelli just keep walking," her grandfather said roughly. Sarelli had never stopped walking, but did not say anything to her grandfather.

  Her growling stomach reminded her she had missed breakfast that morning. "When will we stop to eat?" Sarelli stopped abruptly when her grandfather fell to his knees in front of her. "Grandpa," she screamed. "Grandpa are you alright?" Sarelli released her grandmother's hand and ran to him. She knelt on her knees in the burning sand next to him.

  "Sarelli, I am so sorry," he whispered.

  "What for?" her innocent voice broke the last of his resolve.

  "We are being punished Sarelli, because of your mother. We can not go home. We have no food or water. The soldiers sent us to this barren wasteland to die," he softly whispered through his tears.

  "Are you thirsty to, Grandpa?" Sarelli asked.

  He nodded. He knew she did not understand what he was telling her. She was only five. Only five and destined to grow no older. What possible threat could she be to anyone? "Can I borrow your hat grandpa?" He took the worn leather cap from his hand and handed it to her. It would keep the sun from burning her face more than it already was.

  He slowly stood and waited for her to put the hat on, but she never did. Instead she placed it on the ground in front of her and knelt over it. He watched her for a few minutes trying to figure out what game she was playing. After a few moments she lifted the hat to him and he stared in disbelief at the sight before him. Water poured over the rim and fell to the dry sand below. Gently he took the hat and held it to his lips. Carefully spilling as little as possible he took a drink.

  "Sarelli, how?" her grandmother asked from behind them.

  "Mother, taught me. She said to keep it a secret, but we need something to drink," Sarelli said meekly. Her mother said something bad would happen if anyone found out she had the gift of the elements. She waited trembling to see if her grandparents would yell at her.

  "Praise be," her grandmother said falling to her knees crying next to Sarelli. "You have saved us Sarelli. You have saved us."

  Three days later Sarelli and her grandparents top what appeared to be just another sand dune among many and stop in their tracks at the sight in front of them. "Oh grandpa have you ever seen a river as great as that one?" Sarelli asked with delight. In the distance a wide river snaked through an oasis surrounded by lush vegetation. Beyond the river as far as the eye could see was nothing but the welcoming sight of green.

  "Dacca," Sarelli said hugging her grandmother.

  "Dacca, Sarelli. What does Dacca mean?" her grandfather asked.

  "Before father died he was teaching me to speak the language of his ancestors. He said Dacca means home. We are home." Sarelli turned and smiled at her grandfather. Returning her smile he reach down and picked up his granddaughter. "Dacca," he said taking his wife hand and leading them towards the great river.

  "There will be others," his wife said. "Others condemned to die without cause."

  "We will help them," he said.

  In the centuries that followed thousands of lives were spared by those who made their home near the Great River. The descents of Sarelli and those saved by her grandparents never forgot the kingdoms that had sentenced their ancestors to death in the barren waste land. In time a vast kingdom emerged and Dacca became a thriving city from where the Emperor ruled the Realm of the Sun. While there where many who led them none where as great as the Emperor Descartes and his wife Leesha. It was her sight, one of many gifts from the Sun, which lead to the long awaited time of glory. The time when those of the Sun would return and seek revenge for their ancestors. The time to conquer those who worshipped the Moon, so the Sun could spread it's light through out all the kingdoms.

  AN: This is going to be a really long one... Read and Review.

  Chapter 2

  Part One: Prophecies

  In the great Palace of Dacca, the very soul of the Sun Realm, Descartes stood before them. The time for prophecy and the queen's vision to be fulfilled had come. Of the hundreds taken over the last 12 years since an Acumen first prophesized Descartes' own rise to the throne of the Sun only these seven remained. One would be his chosen. The child destined to fulfill the prophecy that proclaimed the Sun would rule the entire known world. Descartes smiled to himself. The sea bordered his empire on the North, East, and West. To the South were the mountains. On the other side of the mountains sat three vast kingdoms that defiled the Sun with their very existence. For years his spies from Dacca had traveled through the mountains to learn more of these kingdoms and to steal their children to serve the Sun. Only one of these kingdoms showed any promise of redemption in Descartes' eyes. Hokaren bound to the Sun much like his own kingdom would be a valuable ally against the other two; already he had made moves to secure that alliance. Once the other two were defeated he would allow Hokaren to peacefully be annexed into his own empire. Since Hokaren also followed the Sun and realized that the Sun demanded one true ruler, they would unite the two lands against the ungodly. At least that is what his Acumen had proclaimed.

  Calandoria, the largest of the kin
gdoms, was a land that followed the Moon. It would have to be destroyed just as the kingdom of Pearoandorn would be. In Pearoandorn the foolish people actually believed their king to be a God himself. Descartes wondered if this land would still believe Maeorus a God when his lifeblood was spilled on the throne. More likely they would realize too late the power of the Sun. Only after war ravaged their land and thousands were slaughtered would they understand the Sun's greatness.

  Descartes brought his attention back to the seven men kneeling in front of him. They all wore loose fitting white shirts and loose white pants tied at the waist with an orange sash. Only those of the royal household were permitted to wear the same color as the Emperor. On their feet they wore the simple leather sandals. Their light dress was necessary in the heat of the desert. The Realm of the Sun was a land mostly consumed by the desert in the south beyond the Great River. There were a few small rivers and fertile valleys that provided them water for crops and livestock, beyond the fertile lands of the Great River, but the sun still ruled the climate. Clothing had to be protective and cool. His people's skin was dark and dry, their hair bleached of color by the sun these traits the truly godly shared.

  Damn prophecy, it gave him know way of knowing which of the men choose, Descartes continued staring at the men before him. Out of the seven one must be chosen to carry the knowledge of the Sun to the rulers beyond the mountains. It was the only way to ensure the Destroyer ruled the world. Descartes own wife Leesha had studied the prophecies for years. Her knowledge of prophecy, combine with her sight had laid his path clear before him. Even before meeting Descartes, Leesha had been searching for the one who would be named Destroyer. She was his most trusted advisor and it been her knowledge and abilities that led him to the throne. She had declared that he would be the Destroyer of the prophecies; the stars had led her to him. Leesha was Descartes greatest blessing from the Sun. Not only was her knowledge of prophecy and her sight useful to his purpose, but she also had powers that not even he understood. She was the one who had found him the Acumen years ago that had visions of the Destroyer. It had been her that told him the time to send the chosen one had come. Many called her a witch, he agreed with them. She had certainly bewitched him both with her beauty and her powers. Even now she carried his heir within her. It was another sign that the time had come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. When it came time to choose however, not even Leesha could tell him which of his children should go. She only knew the time had come and the Acumen who had spoken the prophecy was bound by his curse to lend no aid.

  These seven were the only survivors of so many. He studied them closely looking for any sign from the kneeling men before him that they were the one he must chose. "Stand and look at me," He commanded. Together as if in one body the men rose and met his eyes. Descartes knew that if he made the wrong decision the Acumen who had given the prophecy would die, however that would only tell him his first choice was incorrect and not give him any guidance in making a second.

  Perhaps it would not matter which man he chose. All were loyal to him and the Sun. They had to be or they would not have survived to be one of the final seven. With that in mind Descartes decided to rely on his faith in the Sun that his choice would be correct.

  "The time has come for the Destroyer to rise and lay claim to this world" Each of the seven new of the Destroyer. They were considered blessed above all others in the Realm. There were no others in the Realm of the Sun that carried this knowledge, not even the temple priest. Descartes did not share his prophecies or his plans with the people, there was know need. He was emperor and his word law. His beliefs were the beliefs of his people. As he continued to study the men, he began to notice varying similarities. All of the seven men stood well above average height and all were well muscled. He also knew that each of the men was twenty years old and each had been born on the first full moon of the year. Descartes smiled remembering that fact. It gave him confidence, this choice was only fulfilling a small part of a bigger prophecy and the man he sent would make no difference in the out come. He had only to choose the one he thought most worthy of the honor.

  During the raids that had brought these children to Descartes, he had ordered his soldiers to collect any male child under the age of eleven, but older than eight to him. There were no instructions on exact dates of birth or characteristics to be chosen over others. Yet, these seven men all shared the same birth day and were of the same height and build. The power of the Sun amazed even him and it was truly a testament to the Sun wisdom.

  "Before my rise as Emperor of the known world, prophecy dictates that one of you undertake a difficult and dangerous mission." Descartes looked each of the men in the eye. They truly were like his children. He had given them the sacred title of Children of the Sun. Now that their training was complete they had more privileges than any other did in his kingdom, save Leesha. It was while staring each of them in the eye that he noticed the slightest difference in the men. All of them had blond hair varying from white to almost brown, save one. One of his children had hair that was close to black. Without the constant exposure to the Sun it would probably darken to the color of night. It was then he also noticed the men's eyes. All were blue save one. One of the men had soft gray eyes. It was the same man whose hair was dark instead of light.

  "It is written in prophecy that whichever of you is sent will be killed by the Pretender in the final battle. This battle will decide the fate of the world. The pretender will slaughter you as you reveal him to the Destroyer. It has been seen. I will also tell you that the time of the war is at hand. Our armies will move through the mountains come spring. I expect this war to last less than a year given our strength. This means whichever of you, I send will likely die within a year." Descartes paused. The vision had troubled him. He had come to love each of these men. He knew he must send one to his death, but how does a father chose which child should live and which child should die? "I am asking for a volunteer," he said calmly.

  Immediately all seven men took a step forward. He could only smile at them. They were his greatest achievement, truly enlightened souls that were willing to die in order to spread the glory of the Sun. "Thank you my children, but only one may be sent." Descartes began pacing in front of them recalling what each of their personalities and temperaments were like. During his pacing his eyes were constantly drawn to the man with dark hair and gray eyes. Taking into consideration the fact that someone in one of the lands he was to conquer might also know of the prophecies regarding the Destroyer, there was a chance that whom ever he sent might be expected and killed before completing his mission. If that happened the prophecy would fail and so would his chance of victory. If an attempt to thwart his plans were made by the enemy, those trying to harm one of these men would naturally look for light sun kissed hair and blue eyes. It was a common trait among the people of the Sun. This man was more likely to be over looked than one the others. "You," he said pointing at the young man. "Airian, do you remember the name your unholy family gave you at the time of your birth."

  Airian bowed deeply to hide his shame. His long dark hair, which was secured by several bands of gold, fell over one of his shoulders. Save two small braids over his right ear, which fell over the other shoulder almost reaching the hem of his shirt. The braids were considered status in the Realm of the Sun. A braid could only be earned in service to the Realm of the Emperor. Descartes head was covered in covered in hundreds of long blond braids. "Yes, father. Please forgive me." He said almost weeping.

  "The rest of you may go back to your studies. Airian, there is nothing to forgive. You were never asked to forget your past, only to understand the evil that dwelt in your heart during that time. It was the time before the light touched you and made you whole. It is to be remembered. The pain and sorrow of that life is the suffering of a life without Sun." Descartes knelt next to the man and raised his chin with his hand. "Rise and help me bring that light to the others beyond the mountains. Help me spread the light of the Sun
to the world."

  Airian slowly rose and stood straight before Descartes. He was still afraid to meet his eyes. He was afraid that he would see the joy he felt at being chosen. Descartes began walking up the steps of the large dais where his throne was located. Airian not being sure if he should follow did so slowly. Instead of sitting down as Airian thought he would Descartes walked around the throne and stood behind it. Grabbing the back of the golden seat he pushed it forward. This action caused the sand colored wall behind his throne to open, revealing the entrance to a room. Airian was surprised by this, but continued to follow Descartes when he turned to enter the opening.

  "Acumen, do you live" Descartes was speaking to a figure of a man crumpled on the floor of the room. Muttering a few short words Descartes waved his hand and lit one of the torches on the wall in the room. With the added light Airian could see that the crumpled figure was actually a man who when standing would have been several inches taller than himself or Descartes. The man was chained to the wall and had been left little room move around. The ceiling was so low in the room that standing would have been extremely uncomfortable for the man, Descartes and Arian had to bow their heads slight to keep from bumping into the ceiling. There were no furnishings of any kind in the room except for a wooden pedestal. Arian noted a large worn book was open on the pedestal. He was curious about the book, but not enough to leave Descartes side so he looked back to the man on the floor. The man had the palest skin Airian had ever seen before. Airian was sure he could see veins just beneath the man's skin. It was a sign that this man rarely stood in the light of the sun. The man was also bald, only the temple priests were allowed to show a bald head to the Emperor. With a few more softly spoken word and another wave of his hand Descartes lit the torch at the other end of the little room. "Acumen do you hear me?" Descartes yelled at the man while giving him a kick with his sandaled foot.