Threat of the Shadow Mage

DURING THAT TIME, ASPEN AND HER FATHER WERE SHARING TALES WITH one another, telling jokes, past stories, and boy issues. “Really? I had a feeling he liked you.” Auron told her. “I knew he liked me, but not in that way.”

“Mm… Aspen. Knowing Tex, and his family’s history, I want to caution you about what else is said between the two of you. He may not be a Shadow Mage, but that doesn’t mean that his father doesn’t have plans on turning him into one. Just be careful when you go out. If he suddenly comes out of nowhere, calmly try to make your way home.”

“Yes father,” Aspen responded politely. Auron then looked out the window, having heard something that wasn’t normal. Aspen tried to see what it was he was looking at, but saw nothing. “Everything okay?” she asked. Auron looked at her, back through the window, and said, “Yah,” as he came forward to face her again. “I just thought I heard something.”

“Oh.”

Back in the trees, Kraizon began to wake. He shook his head, widened his eyes to adjust his focus, and looked around. Tex wasn’t there. As he began to get up, a sharp pain shot through his back. “G-ah, what…?” he placed his hand on his back, trying to feel where the source of the pain was. Of course…it could have been anywhere because he did crash into a tree, but he managed to stop the pain long enough for him to stand and look from a better point of view. Tex stood silent behind him, eyes beaming a reddish-purple. He waited until Kraizon moved to a certain spot, and didn’t move a single muscle. Kraizon kept looking about, but saw nothing, but just as he turned and saw Tex, he froze. This was not a normal posture for a Shadow Mage. Tex rushed forward, and knocked him down again, but this time holding his throat. Still, he was silent, and watched as Kraizon gawked in wonder. He tilted his head one way, and then brought it back upright.

As he spoke, his voice struck fear into the very heart of Kraizon, and he had not known fear in a long while. Kraizon shuttered.

“What is it you are looking for Kraizon, son of Hayman of the kingdom of Caballos?”

He was silent for a moment, but couldn’t think of anything else to say but, “This is truly amazing. I’ve never seen a specimen like…” The tightening of Tex’s grip on his throat cut him short.

“I ask you,” Tex paused. “What is it you look for?” Kraizon saw that he wasn’t going to win this one. Tex was quicker, stronger, and more terrifying than any other Shadow Mage he’d ever encountered. “I was…loo – king for…for you, Tex. I was looking for you.” He managed to say.

Tex loosened his grip, and allowed him to breathe, but did not let go and rise. “Tell me Kraizon. Where is it I am located, and who are you?” Kraizon didn’t take one moment to think, and spat it out. “You’re in Akoff’s Kingdom. I am your father, Tex.” He released Kraizon and slowly rose, but kept eye contact.

Kraizon cautiously sat up, and rubbed his throat. It all began to become familiar to Tex. Memories of the distant past flooded his mind, but he didn’t flinch; he allowed it to flow and see that it was all true. Then he saw Aspen, though he had forgotten who she was at the moment. “Who’s the girl?” Tex asked as he looked back down at his father. “Girl?”

Tex gave him the image he had of her through telepathy, and Kraizon told him as he drew up a plan. “Aw. That would be Aspen Silvertongue. She is the daughter of Sir Auron. Protector of Beauty to most, but a thief of the royal family to the rest of us.”

“A thief?”

Kraizon opened his mouth, about to explain, but decided not to. “I’m not going to go into that right now. All you need to know is what I’m about to tell you.” He told him as he got up. His plan was beginning to unravel as he explained what it was he had to do to win Aspen’s heart.

See, what he had planned was cruel, as usual. He told Tex how to win her heart so that he may later lure her to a place where her transformation could take place. Kraizon explained that once she was transformed, they would turn her against her father so that he may pay for his wrong doings. The plan was good, and they started back home to begin to carry it out.

Finally seeing them a quarter past three, Beatrice jumped up and started for them. “My boys! My boys!” she cried out with her arms open. “This woman is…”

“Your mother. You ran away, and I followed and fought you, so she must have been worried sick.” They whispered to each other before she reached them. They smiled as she embraced them both, and then one at a time. “I was so worried about you.” She told Tex, holding his head, and threading her fingers through his hair. But then his gleaming eyes silenced her. “What?” she slightly turned her head towards Kraizon, but kept eye contact with Tex. “What’s with his eyes?” “Do I have to answer?” he answered. Then she turned to focus entirely on Kraizon. “You didn’t.” He just nodded, and she looked back at Tex.

She removed her hands from his head and stepped back a bit, intimidated. It wasn’t just his eyes that had changed. His entire being seemed to have changed. Tex had a broad muscle tone that he hadn’t had before, his posture was that of a soldier (which wasn’t normal), and his very presence was frightening. Fear struck her heart, and she looked to Kraizon whose face said that he felt the same way. “Well…” she began, acting a bit flustered. “We’d best get inside. Lunch has been postponed long enough.” She motioned for them to go on up, but she stayed back a bit with Kraizon until the kids were out of earshot.

“Did you see that?”

“I did. While we were back there, I sliced his arm which started the reaction, which I’m sure you heard.”

Beatrice nodded, and he continued.

“I went over to silence him and keep his head down, but as I was holding him, he did something that made an unusually bright light. It looked to come from his core, but I couldn’t tell since he was basically folded over his knees. Anyway, the light continued to grow brighter - unlike anything I’d ever seen - and as he lifted his head, we both were shot in opposite directions. Him landing in the brush, and I against a tree. Apparently we both fell unconscious; that’s why it took so long for us to get here. Once I woke, he was gone. I got up to look around, and as I turned around, I was pinned with him holding my throat. It was unlike anyone I’d encountered, and that’s just what I said. As he spoke, his voice put fear in me, and I had not feared anything or anyone in a very long time. You know this.” “Yes. Just standing before him scared me. Are you sure we did the right thing?” Beatrice asked as they reached the door. They stopped, and Kraizon didn’t say anything. “I’m not sure, Beatrice.” He said shaking his head. “I’m not sure.”

When they weren’t looking, however, Tex had climbed the house and perched just above the door. He had heard everything. Now Tex had the knowledge that they feared him, and he could use that to his advantage. After Beatrice and Kraizon had cleared the door, and were well into another room, Tex grabbed the edge of the door, and swung in. Sophie’s eyes widened as he landed in front of her. He looked over at her stunned face, but she smiled and then said, “That was cool. Freakishly close to me getting fatally injured, but cool.” Tex smiled for the first time in a while, and took her by the shoulder and headed for the room in which their parents’ were in.

Aspen was out enjoying herself in the cool night air, skipping and twirling in her satin and sheer night gown of ultra light blue and white. Her soft black hair gently moved with the breeze, following the western wind, and the crisp of the night blanketed her bare arms as the blades of green grass hugged and gave comfort to her feet that were clothed in nothing but skin. She entered a field of tall feather grass and gently ran her palms across the top to feel their baby bunny fur likeness. Aspen enjoyed evenings like this, and didn’t want to miss a single one. “Aspen. I know you’re out there. Come on inside, it’s passed your bed time.” Aspen stopped short and turned with a hint of disappointment. “Coming father,” she said.

“Huh,” Auron sighed. “You are so much like your mother.” He told her as he pushed back some strands of hair behind her ear. She smiled as he slid his hand down her soft white arm to reach her hand. “Now…I suggest you get up to bed young lady. We have a busy day tomorrow.” Auron said smiling. Aspen just snickered and went on her way. He watched as she left until she smiled and closed the door.

Auron turned, and went to the back door that was still open. The cool evening breeze swept through the house, and ruffled the sides of Auron’s hair. He closed his eyes, and allowed the wind to embrace him. Then a feeling came up inside him that he hadn’t felt in years. Auron opened his eyes, and it looked like Catalina had appeared out of the blue. “Catalina?” he asked softly in surprise. She said nothing, but continued walking towards him with a loving smile. He stepped out, and walked a couple steps before he stopped. “Catalina?” he said again. Just before she reached him, she stopped. “I thought you were dead.” Auron then said, tears developing in his eyes. Catalina tilted her head in a sympathetic way, and then stretched out her hand for him to hold. Auron went to grab it, but his hand seemed to go through hers. He looked at her a bit confused. “I can’t stay long.” Catalina said softly. Auron’s chin quivered. “I came to tell you that I still love you. As they say…love never dies. Pass my love to our darling daughter, Aspen. She needs to know that I’m here for her. And so do you.” He lifted his hand to hold hers, but just held it to where it barely touched her. Catalina smiled, and then began to give off a gentle glow as her entire being began to fade.

As the last of her disappeared, Auron fell to his knees as he lowered his hand. His head hung low as he began to silently cry and whimper. The breeze kicked up again, and Auron didn’t notice, but Catalina’s silhouette walked beside and behind him. She crouched behind him, and held his shoulders as she put her head next to his ear. Auron lifted his head a bit, feeling her presence again, and then slightly looked to his right. He couldn’t see her, but he could feel her there. “I’m here Auron. I’m here,” she whispered before she got up and backed up. He lifted his head more so that he was able to look straight, and scanned the area.

As the wind blew again, he could see her silhouette fly with it towards the house. She smiled, though he didn’t see, and turned so that she could enter Aspen’s room through her window. Aspen was dozing peacefully with her hands beside her head. Her blue, light weight curtains blew as the wind entered with the moon light. Catalina floated to a standstill and gazed upon the beauty of her own flesh and blood. “No wonder he has a hard time letting me go.” She thought. “She looks just like me.” She then went to her bedside and took a gentle seat, so as not to wake her. Aspen stirred, but not enough to wake herself. “Aspen.” Catalina said. Right then, Aspen opened her eyes because she knew that wasn’t a voice she recognized. She slowly turned to face the voice, but saw nothing. Then Catalina gave a gentle glow to just show a brighter silhouette.

Aspen propped herself up on her elbows. “Mother?” she asked trying to make sense of this whole ordeal. Catalina nodded. “Hello Aspen.” She was silent a moment before she answered back. “Hi.” “Don’t trouble yourself thinking. I just dropped by to tell you that I’m proud of who you have become. Strong, independent, willful; you’re quite the lady my dear. I want to tell you that there will be times where you think there’s no way out of a bad situation, but I want you to know that I’m always there for you. You may not see me, and you may not hear me, but I’m there.” Catalina pulled something from her pocket and held it out to Aspen. “Take this. Wear it, and you will be protected.” Aspen took the necklace and examined it for a moment. “Be wise my child…and take care of yourself.” Aspen looked up to respond, but she wasn’t there. “I love you.” Catalina’s voice said as the breeze swept her away. Aspen looked to her window, and then said, “I love you too.” The next morning rose, and Aspen dressed herself before she headed down for breakfast. As she passed the den she thought she saw Auron on his knees. She stopped and backtracked to double check, and sure enough, Auron sat there with his head down with something in his hands. “Father?” she asked hesitantly. Auron looked up towards her. His eyes were tear stained, and a sleepless night was apparent. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. “Come in, come in.” he told her as he motioned with his hand. She entered slowly so as not to upset him, and took a seat next to him. He grabbed her shoulder, and brought her to rest her head on his chest as he placed his chin in her head. They were both silent for a good five minutes before Auron spoke. “Your mother…gives you her love.” Aspen removed her head, and looked at him. “I know.” Auron looked at her funny, but then he noticed the necklace she was wearing. He realized that she had visited her last night as well. “She came to you too, didn’t she?” he asked not taking his eyes off the necklace. Aspen looked down at the necklace. “She did. And she gave this to me saying if I wore it, I’d be protected.” “Aye. That necklace was hers when she was your age. She was still in the palace at that time though. She hadn’t even heard of me yet. Well…we’d best get something in our stomachs, don’t you think?” Aspen laughed softly in agreement and stood to help her father up.

The rest of the day was moderate, though Auron was quiet a lot, but Aspen managed to cheer him up and distract him by having him tell her stories of his adventures as a young man. She enjoyed his tales immensely, and laughed until her cheeks hurt at some of them. As long as his mind wasn’t on Catalina, then they were having the best time they’d had in years.