The Silver Isles Kingdom

Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Veshua studied the book his loyal scout had given him. He discovered that he was a descendant of a mage, at least that's what he thought, seeing the name of one his ancestors mentioned in the book. He spent a lot of time studying and meditating to use the same spells his enemy would use. Yet, to his dismay, he couldn't even manage simple flame manipulation. Water, earth, air, nothing would bend to his will. Finally he gave up the futile struggle. Though the book mentioned other ways to kill a mage, he still doubted he could pull any of it off. He knew the mage he was to face was of a rare breed. Normally, nymphs held sway over the element they were born with, but a select few were granted the gift of manipulating all elements. Perhaps he could try the one sure way of defeating his mage opponent, use of poison.

You fool! You don't honestly think this will work? The voice said again. This is fool's play compared to what the mage can do. Not to mention he practically carries an antidote to cure it before it takes hold.

"Shut up! Get out of my head! Why do you even bother?"

Don't you get it yet? You're done for! I'm only here to pull you down with me. I've done too much damage to get anything that's worth a reward. If I have to answer for what I've done, I'm not going down alone! You're coming with me!

"You're nothing more than a voice in my head! You just leave for where you need to go and leave me be!"

You're dead! Give it up you're dead!

The voice faded as it spoke these last words. Veshua didn't see how he could possibly die with all that he's accomplished. The mage may have the greater power, but with his hopeful new knowledge all he has to do is hit the mage with a poison arrow or a blade covered in poison. They'll all fear me, Veshua, the ruler of the world who slew the last mage. No will ever dare defy again after that! Veshua kept the flame of his desire to rule the world ablaze. Nothing would convince him otherwise that he had any chance of failing. Veshua's desire to take the Silver Isles Kingdom seemed trivial to him now. It was liberated within three months of him claiming it for himself. He had no other desire now, other than to rule the world and suppress those who revile against him. No one would now dare to oppose him with such great power, power to kill even the most powerful being alive. He felt that the voice was nothing more than a delusion, a suppressed fear that dared seep through, causing him doubt. But it was clear to him that this was the only way to get the upper hand, perhaps it really was that simple this whole time.

"Lord Veshua!" announced one of his generals, "The army of our enemy approaches the boarders of our blockade! What are your orders sir?"

"Let them try to come and retake this empire from me! They will never expect us to fight back with such a great force. Our army will not be broken down but they shall fall to our feet! Let them try, if they think they can succeed they shall see they are sorely mistaken. Our troops are larger and more powerful, they will flee before us. The mage won't be so easily swayed, so I expect he'll try to kill me. He'll be dead before he has the chance!"

Jacque and Alexis were relieved that the armies of the western continent had extra horses to spare for them to ride. It was a different experience but they managed to get used to it. The traveling was easier for them to reach the borders of the empire wherein Veshua claimed his hold. Upon their arrival, surprisingly, the armies of the enemy greeted them. Confused, Jacque and Alexis and the leaders they were with dismounted from their horses and walked towards their enemy who greeted them as if they were allies.

"Greetings, you must be the army of this continent and that of the isles," the general said, shaking their hands.

"You're giving us a strange greeting being so friendly," Jacque said, giving the man a suspicious look.