Espex The Demon Mage. (1)

Chapter 20: Cause and Effect.

Isis looked at the skinny pale Samth with big tear filled eyes, one blue the other orange. Her pink long hair that was held back by the silver head piece and purple lips seemed to all droop down. "I wish I could come with you." sadness in her voice. Grix barked with sadness he had grown too attached to Isis in the short time together.

Samth with her short blonde hair and pale face also had sadness in her red lips. "Why don't you?"

Espex with his short hair and starting of a beard just looked at the both with his purple glowing eyes.

Isis replied "I am one of the four great bodyguards to Tate and now that we are at war he needs me more than ever." Samth did not reply she just nodded her head as did Espex. "But when this is over I want to come with you guys!"

Espex chuckled "Indeed."

Isis leaped onto Samth her thin shoulders buckled under the weight of Isis and her blue armour. Grix pushed aside fell to the ground but was saved by his wind magic. "Whoops sorry Grix." He just looked up at her and barked.

With a friendly hug goodbye. "I will miss you," Samth replied. Isis now fully crying looked at Espex and gave a cheeky smile and a wink before running away waving at Samth. Espex just laughed as he watched both Samth and Isis wave to each other.

"You have made a very troublesome friend today Samth." Espex said. "But a good one." Then he waved at Isis as she approached Tate and the other Mage, They all waved at Samth and Espex all but Amun and Tate. With the chant spoken they all shot up from the cold, bloody and muddy ground towards the air and Gord.

Samth felt sad the Harrow was a lonely and dark place with no one around. Only Espex and Samth remained. Samth turned to look at Espex rub his face, his purple facial hair was annoying him.

"You need a shave. If I am going to travel with you at least look nice."

"When did you become my mother?"

"Just now."

Both laughed as they started walking north.

"Listen Samth we have to go back to the safe house. I see you left your bag there and we will need it."

Samth looked down at her side to realize Espex was right in the panic of saving him she had forgotten her stuff. "How far away are we from the safe house? It was a week to Gord."

Espex just stared at her before replying. "About three days. I know a small village in between here and the hut. We can grab a few things on the way. It's going to be a long journey. I hope you are ready?" Samth nodded as did Grix. The three wonderers pushed forwards towards unknown.

Sitting on his giant white stone throne King Coext thought about the day's events, nothing unusual meet nobles. Discuss the state of the economy and get a report on army situations. Now he was just mulling around not really thinking. His wife was not with him he was alone with his thoughts. He enjoyed this, peace. His large red robe hung over his shoulders used more as a cushion than looks. His blue detailed armour as always on his body. With a burst the door opened to his chamber. Walking forward was Kruem pale and tired and with him, Jaq keeping his helmet on. The room was large enough to throw a stone and miss someone. At the far end at the doors the king thought it was Jaq and Kruem come to inform him about the mission. On better inspection he saw damage. Kruem usual calm self was sweating and his face pale. His red robe was covering his left arm, His white runed armour he was proud of nowhere to be seen. Jaq was wearing his helmet but blood ran down his helmet and down his runed white armour. The eagle helmet looked like it had just killed a rabbit or small mammal. Both staggered in and once close enough knelt down both tears running down their faces.

The king got up from his throne "What happened?!"

Jaq tried to speak but no words come out. Kruem did the speaking. "I am sorry we had him sire. We had him. He tore of my arm once he transformed but we caught him." more and more emotion came from Kruem tears flowing like a river. "We made it to the Harrow. They came and came and....and...Poor Jaq. He did that to him." The king looked at Jaq's hidden face, blood flowing out his helmet.

"Who did this? Espex?"

"No sire, The Mage, They have started a rebellion against you. Saying you are insane." Kruem filled with anger and grieve. "Arch-Mage Tate leads them; we fought but lost we are all that remains of the two legions."

The king walked towards both knights, His white beard cut short showing his square jaw, filled with anger. "Damn Tate! Why must the blind get in the way of peace! We only needed Espex and the plan would have been done. Now you tell me we must fight Mage." A minute of silence as Coext looked at both his knights. "So be it. Both of you go get rest and get medical attention. Inform the council I want a meeting!"

Flying through the air Tate thought to himself. What troubles will come in the coming days. Skov was a big nation; the king had many cities and many legions of knights. Could Espex find the person in time, or would Tate's plan for the Mage war to be a distraction not work? Only time would tell. He looked back at his Mage, Each one ready to put down their life for this cause, each one still blind to the world. It had crossed Tate's mind. Should we really go to war?