Caleb's Journey
Chapter 14

An Old Flame

The troop trod up the hill and approached the concealed abode of Valdona Daeule. Wizards, especially those practicing magic that harms the world, tend to hide themselves away from others for reasons of both privacy and safety. Ms. Daeule took this lifestyle to heart. If Malachael had not known the exact whereabouts of her domicile, it is highly improbable that he or most anyone for that matter, would have been able to locate her home.

Her residence sat at the top of a hill. Constructed of a medium-dark timber with no visible windows or doors the two story building s

et amongst a scattering of large boulders that formed the first basis of concealment. The dwelling’s nature was further secreted by an abundance of tall trees, the predominant variety possessing oversized leaves and long reaching limbs that appeared to embrace the home and tuck it away from the world like a mother snugly cradles a newborn babe protecting it from all harm.

Of the many homes of mages that he had visited he found her abode impressively secreted away from the world. As was the case with other mages, most of whom he had hunted for the express purpose of killing them and then stealing their magic texts, potions, and other magical items. As no dark mage willingly surrenders his secrets, he had come to her place for the same purpose as he had visited others of their kind. Driven by an insatiable lust for power he pursued his brethren to eradicate them, buying up any bits of maps that might reveal directions to their homes, visiting towns and talking to the locals to learn anything he could of the existence of any rival, achieving his ends by any means necessary. A momentary smile formed on his face when he that he had come there to slay her as well, but he was so taken with her that he spared her life. Years later she let it slip from her tongue that she knew his original intent and had therefore beguiled him with her charm.

To Malachael the way to this place shone as clearly as if a trail of blazing torches lit a pathway up the hill and ended at the doorway. Although he marched ahead of everyone else as much to ward off a potential attack from Valdona as to lead the way, he paused for a moment and sighed. “I never thought I’d replace myself returning to this place,” he thought. “I wonder how she’ll receive me. She didn’t take my ending things with her very kindly, despite my best attempts to assure her that I felt fondly of her, but desired to leave behind my former life. Best foot forward, Malachael. Take whatever comes and be patient and calm.” He took a deep breath and continued walking.

He traced his hands across the rock strewn path and his mind found itself, tracing through the years that he had spent with the woman who lived above. More than years, the actual amount of time of the relationship spanned decades. Tenuous at first, filled with distrust and unease, qualities not uncommon to their kind, the duo eventually formed a partnership of mutual love, admiration, respect, and joy. Though it filled him with utter revulsion to reflect on their misdeeds, acts such as killing and experimenting on the various races to learn what they could of their makeup, vulnerabilities, habits, etc. Other indulgences included hunting down mages together and exterminating them, some they tortured before terminating them to see what other secrets they might glean from their victim. “I was a ghoul,” he told himself. As he stepped onward, he shuddered.

The path abruptly stopped at a mound of boulders, some fifty feet below the ledge above on which Valdona’s home rested. “Here the path ends. We’ll have to use grappling hooks and rope to scale the wall to reach our destination,” Malachael informed them.

All did as they were bade and after a brief climb, they reached the edge of the cliff only to replace a female seated not far from the ledge. Her long, full black hair blew in the breeze. Placidly plucking grapes she sat on a rock near the ledge as she dropped grape after grape into her mouth. “All of you look and sound tired. Did you have a nice climb?” She asked, with sarcasm dripping from her tongue.

They all looked at her as she rose from her seat and noticed her lithe figure, long, lustrous black hair that fell about her shoulders and reached down some several inches below them, well kept, but with a hint of an untamed nature. She possessed a petite nose that hung above her thin, curled lips, smooth, youthful skin, and her most distinctive feature, eyes that seemed to sparkle and magically change colors, leaving many a man entranced. This was the feature of which she was most proud. Clad in a low cut purple robe accented with black stripes the garment opened past her chest, nearly down to her navel, and was tied with a thin gold link belt around her waist.

She shot her eyes at Malachael. “I’m flattered that you’d go to all of this trouble to see me again. I see that you’ve brought guests. That

you’d ever return here and in that garb tells me that you must have what you consider good cause to disturb me.”

“

Everyone, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Valdona Daeule,” he earnestly replied.

Her eyes grew darker and her face flushed. She spoke in a matter of fact fashion, “Never let it be said that I am an ungracious hostess. Oh, please, do come in, all of you. Pardon the azbler attack, I knew not what to expect from you. I thought maybe Malachael led you here to dispatch me, under duress, of course.” She motioned for them to follow her as she casually sauntered towards her front door. Malachael followed and all of his cohorts did the same.

Beneath the guise of an unassuming, well-hidden house in a hill, lay an exquisite abode that belied its humble exterior. As they entered the main hall Valdona’s guests beheld finely carved walls and carefully placed colorful, lavish rugs that hung from them. Gold statues of magical creatures sat on ornately crafted oak tables. The furniture was smartly arranged, two chairs with gold-gilded leaves on the armrests and red pillows accompanied by a large sofa of the same construct. Gently, their hostess snapped her fingers and every candle in the room became lit.

“

Sit,” she bade them, fully aware of the effect that both her wealth and beauty had on men. Like a king flaunts his wealth, so did she flaunt her seductive wares. The tone she used sounded more like a command than a pleasant entreaty. Casually, she sauntered across the room as she caressed her fingers on the back of her sofa. Her every move had a hint of elegant grace and seduction as she moved her lithe figure to one of the chairs and seated herself upon it. Her effect was not lost on some of the knights.

While most of the band received this instruction from their hostess kindly and those who received it gallantly chose not to sit, namely all of the knights, save the place left on the couch for Lord Lestrade, lined themselves up against the wall. Said lord, never at a loss for words or a chance to assert his authority replied, “Dogs and servants sit when they are commanded. I repose when the request is cordially offered.”

“

Shall I turn you into a dog, then so that my request suits you? It can be arranged quite easily and if I hazard a guess, I am not the only one in the room who will replace it amusing.” The sorceress caustically replied.

Caleb chuckled and thought, “This one has heart. No wonder Malachael consorted with her. While I don’t approve of her choices, I recognize her appeal.”

Valdona turned to him and winked, “Thank you.”

Lord Lestrade was about to speak when Malachael interrupted him, “Before we continue this discourse, I think it is only fair to warn all of you that Ms. Daeule has the power of reading minds within a certain range. I suggest we make ourselves comfortable, not raise her ire, and seek her assistance.”

Lord Lestrade, his face flush with anger continued as if Malachael had never uttered a word, “Since she reads minds, she no doubt knows the rage I feel at the loss of my brother knights,” here he gritted his teeth, “and that were it not for having the need of her their comrades in arms would crush her. I most certainly cannot and will not conceal my contempt for one such as her.”

“

Oh is that what angers you?” She said as she brushed her hand on the arm of her chair like one would brush crumbs off of one’s lap. “You can hardly blame me for protecting myself from a band of assailants. How am I to know your intentions? My powers of mental perception only extend so far. Until they become active I rely on my faithful and well-trained guardians, guardians that you slew. To be fair you killed my pets, my protectors. I assure you that such creatures are not easy to come by. In my estimation we are even. Nay, since you slew four and my side

only two. I lost in the exchange.” Now she took to examining her fingernails. “Furthermore, I’m far less inclined to lend my skills to you if you insist on speaking to me in that manner.” She pointed at Malachael, “If he hadn’t been with you, you’d already be dead. So that we understand each other I don’t much care for you or your kind either. I’d just as soon heat that armor of yours, watch you writhe on the ground in excruciating agony, and let the metal cook you, like a woman cooks a meal in her pot. Instead, may I offer you some wine?”

“

If it’s not poisoned,” Alari quipped with a modest laugh.

“

Wine would be delightful,” Malachael answered. “Seth, Valdona always has a nice stock

of libations. I suggest you try some. Lord Lestrade, I know you appreciate the finer things in life. You’d do yourself a favor by comparing her stock to that of your king. If our hostess doesn’t mind, I’ll get it and some glasses, unless she has changed where she stores things.”

“

I have not,” she answered.

Malachael moved from his seat and all sat in awkward silence until he returned with two jugs and placed them on the table. He disappeared again and then returned with enough goblets for all. It was obvious to everyone that he endeavored to ease the tense meeting. The wine was poured and all chose to partake save Malachael and Candellah.

“

You want me to divine the lair of Xerax for you. That’s why you came, correct?”

“

Dona,” Malachael used his pet name for Valdona. “You’ve always impressed me with your intuition. Will you provide us with a map?”

“

Sip your wine, please. Do you actually think I know where the Master of the Undead lives? You flatter me and my powers with such a high opinion. If I were to know of his location I don’t doubt he’d know about mine and put an end to me. No, I am far too fond of my life to risk making one such as him my adversary. However, I have the next best thing to a map to his home.” Here she paused for dramatic effect. “I can get you a guide, a giant.”

“

A giant? One still exists? I thought they all died out in their war with the dragons?” Malakael exclaimed.

“

All but one and I do know where he lives or I should say where he is imprisoned. That my sweet is a map that I have in my possession.”