Catalyst(95)

“No,” Master Stradus said. A strong breeze filled the room. “You will remain with me on the battlefield: observing, learning, helping. I can't risk you confronting Premier again. There are still more important things for you to do.”

“Master, if we fail here, then what happens later won't matter.”

“I said no. The risk is too great.”

I wanted to argue with him, but held my tongue. It wouldn't do to argue in front of everyone. I would have to try to change his mind later.

“My old friend,” Sharald said, “we need one of you to help in this. Once we attack, Premier will be far too busy to detect magic inside the walls.”

Master Stradus's face softened. “I understand your position, but there are things I've seen that none of you could understand. We will beat Premier, but it must be together.” His ancient gaze moved to each of them in turn, and they gave up the debate.

“Then it's settled,” the princess said. She looked at the others. “We'll start the assault under cover of darkness. I'll join your troops later tonight, and we'll go into Alexandria.”

“You're going, Your Highness?” I asked.

“Someone has to lead the troops through the city. No one here knows the tunnels.”

Krystal's bravery and determination shamed me. She had been through so much and was still willing to put more on the line. Her father, her life, her people—there was no end to her sacrifices. I couldn't sit back and do nothing. I couldn’t let anything happen to her.

“I'll be right there with you, Princess,” I said.

“Hellsfire—” Master Stradus said.

“Master, you don’t need my help, but she—they—do.”

Jastillian leaned forward and said, “Don’t worry, Wizard Stradus. I’ll go too, and make sure nothing happens to the lad here. I still owe him for rescuing me.”

“We’ll also watch Hellsfire,” Prastian said. “The dwarves are not the only ones whom Hellsfire has helped. Right, Demay and Behast?”

“Of course!” Demay said.

Behast nodded.

Master Stradus’s ancient, magical eyes hardened to ice. His powerful gaze rested on me. “You are a stubborn apprentice, Hellsfire. You must learn to master your emotions, or they will get you killed.” Master Stradus sighed, before giving a tight-lipped smile and a slight nod. “You may go. I see that with so many friends, you will not need my protection, but all the same, you must be careful. Do not, I repeat do not, under any circumstances, fight Premier without me.”

I hid my smile. “I will do as you say, Master.”

“May we fight well and die harder,” Lenora said to everyone before leaving. Jastillian followed her.

“It's good to see you again, old man,” Sharald said.

“It's good to see you too, old friend,” Master Stradus said. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Me too.” Sharald smiled at his friend before leaving. The other elves followed.

Just Krystal, Master Stradus, and myself were left.

“Master, what would you like me to do until the strike force assembles?” I asked.

“You, my apprentice, may have the hardest job of all.”

“What would that be?”

“I want you to walk around and experience what the dwarves and elves are going through. I want you to feel their anxiety and hear their hearts beating as they sing battle songs and prepare for war. I want you to understand all that goes into warfare, so you won’t thirst for it like those who came before you.” Master Stradus’s eyes became clouded, much like the globe on his staff. “See the faces and listen to the stories. Remember, war is a terrible thing, unless you’re fighting for what’s truly right instead of what you believe is right.”

“I will do as you say, Master.”

He departed, and it was just me and the princess left. I turned to her, about to tell her how happy I was that she was safe. Then she spoke in a hard, distant voice.

“Thank you for bringing allies and for coming to the aid of my people, Hellsfire, but I don't need you constantly watching over me. I've managed without you fine so far.”

I stared at her, my mouth hanging open. “I don't get it. What did I do?”

The princess's violet eyes turned stormy. “Next time you leave me at the mercy of a mad wizard who is planning to conquer the world, do you think you could warn me?”

So that's what this was about. “I never got the chance to, Princess. Jastillian needed my help, and when Premier caught us escaping, the only thing my spells did was slow him down. I couldn't get to you without the entire castle knowing.”

Princess Krystal didn’t say a word. She simply stared at me, her face still furious. My own anger rose at the look, and I couldn't stop the flood of words. “Don't you think I wanted to warn you, Princess? Don't you think I knew how much danger you were in? If it had been up to me, I would have taken you with me when I left. You have no idea how I felt, leaving you there. All this time, I've done nothing but worry about you and ride the countryside, getting the help you needed. Even when I found it, I didn't know whether we'd make it in time. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”