Book Four of the Naxos Island Mages: The Way of Change

By David Webster

Stephunos' adventures continue as settling into the drastically different life the last six months have brought hasn't been easy. Dealing with the pressures of being an Earl, a teacher, and an Ambassador at twelve certainly has a way of complicating things. With the help of his friends, or maybe despite their help, Stephunos is hoping to relax. A tall order when you have an overly hyper younger brother and his cohort Youngblood, a highly intelligent young blue dragon, always stirring up trouble.

Still, Stephunos' plans to put the everyday pressures behind as his holiday break arrives. However, a planet where magic radiates everywhere that stands on the verge of clashing with the recently discovered technological universe that has arrived at their door doesn't exactly make for the best place.

Cosmin and the Dark Mages, despite defeat after defeat, still live! Secrets still have to be protected! The addition of space travel has opened up the threat of invasion! The vampire Razvan is uneasy, something sinister is afoot! Has the time come for a favor to be asked? Granted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 12, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595828609

David Webster

David Scott Webster was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1971. He has lived in Mesa as well as Clearwater and Orlando, Florida. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has worked many years as an instructor. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Can I try? Nikoloas begged, I see how to do it now!

No! Everyone replied in unison before Stephunos added, you almost got us killed last time!

I’m afraid the shuttle just isn’t ready for you yet, Lt. Campbell remarked.

But I’m sooo bored, Nikoloas whined.

You could have stayed at home, Stephunos snapped back, growing tired of Nikoloas’ excessive whining. You begged to come, mom warned you.

But I didn’t know it would all be so boring, Nikoloas whined. Wearing dress clothes, being polite, talking with boring people, traveling around in a cargo ship with nothing to do, where’s the fun in that?

It’s called diplomacy, Stephunos replied, it’s not supposed to be fun, it’s supposed to help our people.

I know, but couldn’t we have at least done something instead of sitting around for two weeks talking about the same things, Nikoloas retorted. Come on, you know it was boring and I know you don’t like wearing these clothes any more then I do! Nikoloas threw his hands up in a motion to draw attention to his outfit. Like his older brother, Nikoloas was wearing a pair of dark black pants made out of a light fine wool, a linen long sleeved dark purple shirt, an outer tunic, black leather belt, and black leather boots. The outer tunic was made of a light, very fine black wool with some dark purple and dark brown embroidered around the collar, cuffs, and hems.

Is he still at it? Theron asked entering from the rear cargo area, we’ll be home in a couple of hours.

Stephunos, I think you’ve practiced enough, why don’t you take Nikoloas into the cargo bay and find something to play, Lt. Campbell suggested. She was beginning to feel like a babysitter instead of a Lieutenant in the United Earth Space Command.

No magic, Theron immediately added looking straight at Nikoloas, I want to get back in one piece.

Come on, Stephunos said. He rose from the pilot’s chair, Nikoloas grabbed his arm and yanked him toward the cargo area. Lt. Campbell took over the controls from the copilot seat.

I know what we can do, Nikoloas remarked.

Well? Stephunos asked as they entered the empty twenty by twenty-foot cargo area.

Here, Nikoloas said grabbing a bag from the corner of the room. He took out two wooden practice swords and threw one to his brother. As the weapon settled into Stephunos’ hand he realized just how much he had missed practicing. He knew the smaller eight-year-old version of himself, namely his brother, was right. It had been a very boring trip, even with it being his first trip through space.

Stephunos was still deep in thought when his brother attacked. Stephunos instinctively defended himself and the battle had begun. The two brothers went at each other as ferociously as usual, displaying the swordsmanship that made both of them two of the best swordsmen on their planet. After a drawn out ten-minute fight in which Stephunos’ twelve-year-old body gave him the advantage, Nikoloas was disarmed and on his knees forced to admit defeat.

Now that was fun, Nikoloas remarked, climbing to his feet.

It was, Stephunos replied, and you’re getting better, if I’m not careful you might actually beat me one day.

You mean it? Nikoloas asked, full of pride.

Of course I do, but I might be two hundred by then, Stephunos remarked.

You’re in for it now, Nikoloas responded, grabbing his sword and rushing towards his brother. Round two began. Stephunos skill, strength, and speed mixed with Nikoloas’ brash attack led Nikoloas to a quick defeat. A defeat that didn’t keep him from coming back for more as the brothers spent the next hour practicing.

Two exhausted boys, sweat pouring off their formal dress uniforms, returned to the bridge to ask the overriding question that always has to be asked, ‘are we there yet?’

Along the way Stephunos said, You really are getting better, I wasn’t joking.

Nikoloas was beaming with pride when they reached the bridge and asked how much longer?

Back on Naxos Island, in the recently finished Belinda County Castle, a small greeting party was assembling.

They’re almost here, Cassandra announced to their assembled friends after receiving a communication from Theron.

They were only gone a couple of weeks, do you really think all this is necessary? Duke Belen asked.

You didn’t miss them? Cassandra asked. He didn’t have to answer, she knew her husband had missed his boys. It was your son’s first diplomatic mission, his first time traveling away from our world, not to mention it was a successful negotiation. I think a party is in order.

Since we’re having one, I guess it is, Duke Belen responded with a grin. He looked forward to seeing his boys, and like nearly all his people he loved a good party.

It’s too bad that Theodora and Chara won’t be here, Cassandra remarked.

Tell me again, what did she do? Duke Belen asked.

You talking about my wife? Earl Andreas remarked making his way through a crowd of people. It seemed the party, which was open to everyone in the county, was growing by the second.

Yes, Duke Belen replied.

Apparently, while Theron and Stephunos were playing diplomats and negotiating a treaty, Theodora and Chara where doing some negotiations of their own, Cassandra stated.

What has she done now? Earl Andreas asked, not really sure he wanted to know.

Well according to your son, they invested in a small cargo ship of their own, and will be coming home in a few days, Cassandra replied.

Theron didn’t stop her? Earl Andreas asked, knowing the answer.

No one can stop her when she makes up her mind, and do you really think your son is foolish enough to even try? Cassandra replied, grinning.

Four, or is it five? I lose track, supply shops aren’t enough for her, she needs to become an intergalactic trader as well, Earl Andreas stated.

We all know she enjoys the adventure of it all, and it’s not that adventurous just owning the shops, Duke Belen remarked.

I know, she really loves making her trading runs, but I’m not too sure about intergalactic trading, Earl Andreas stated. Besides who is she going to sell the stuff she gets to, no one outside of Naxos and the Dukes Counsel is supposed to know about this space stuff.

We can’t keep it secret forever, Duke Belen replied, but Naxos is a big island and she could export it to the main continent as some of the magical items built in Naxos.

Don’t encourage her, Earl Andreas stated.

You would dare to tell your Duke what he can and can’t do? Duke Belen asked.

I would tell my Duke, my oldest closest friend, who I have known practically since birth, to go jump in the ocean if the desire to arose, Earl Andreas chided.

And I probably would if you did, Duke Belen replied.

Man that is excellent, Nikoloas declared, seeing the castle through the window.

It looks finished, Stephunos noted. Where are we going to land?

They finish installing a landing pad on the castle grounds, Lt. Campbell replied. See right there. Stephunos looked where she was pointing just in time to see a metal landing bay rise in the center of a large pond.

Cool, Nikoloas remarked.

Sit back while we land, Lt. Campbell declared. The boys jumped into two chairs that sat slightly behind the pilot and copilot chairs and quickly fastened their seat belts as the cargo ship slowly descended and made its landing.

As soon as the cargo ship landed Nikoloas was up and impatiently waiting for the door to open. Stephunos took his time, deliberately trying to make it look like he wasn’t in a hurry, arriving at the door just as Nikoloas bolted through it. Stephunos ran to catch up.

Mom! Nikoloas yelled, seeing his mom by the keep’s northern entrance. Dad! The two boys reached their parents together.

What happened to your clothes? Cassandra asked, as she gave her boys a huge hug.

We were practicing, Nikoloas replied, as his dad lifted him into the air.

What’s with all the people? Stephunos asked, noticing the crowd in the room behind them.

It’s a party, and you guys are the guests of honor, Cassandra replied.

please tell me it’s not another formal occasion? Nikoloas whined from the spot he had settled on his father’s back.

It’s an informal occasion, but you still have to behave, Cassandra remarked tousling Nikoloas’ hair.

Am I invited as well? Theron asked, having walked up to join them.

You’re one of the guests of honor, Cassandra replied.

Let’s get them formally introduced so he can go find his wife, Duke Belen stated.

She isn’t here? Theron asked.

She wasn’t feeling well, she’s in her chamber, Cassandra replied, Aaron’s keeping an eye on her.

She’s all right, I mean you would have healed her if she was really ill, Theron responded, worried.

She’s fine, all she needs is rest, you better go check on her, Earl Andreas stated, stretching his arm out to greet his son.

But first let me get this party started, Duke Belen declared, leading them through the entrance as the trumpets blared. When everyone quieted and turned towards the door Duke Belen made his announcement as quickly as possible. Guests, I would like to introduce our guests of honor, Viscount Theron, Earl Stephunos, and Earl Nikoloas. They have just returned from a successful negotiation with the Tygerian people. Thanks to their hard work we now have another needed ally. The ever-growing crowd applauded, and Duke Belen added, Let’s eat. The party really began as the food and drinks were wheeled out for the guests to enjoy.

Stephunos made his way down a small flight of stairs into the Grand Hall where the food was being served. He was starving, having had to eat foreign food for two weeks he was excited by the mere prospect of having some home cooking.

Stephunos, Aetos’ voice rang out. Stephunos saw Aetos, Anthea, and Prisca sitting at one of the long tables. Stephunos, with Nikoloas in tow, headed over to join his friends. It was great to see his friends, he just wished they were all here.

Where’s Brookes and Eric? Stephunos asked, knowing Chara was still away and Aaron was with his mom.

The two earthlings went back to earth, Aetos jokingly remarked, but quickly added, don’t worry they will be back in a couple of days, when he saw Ste-phunos reaction.

I have to go find Youngblood, Nikoloas stated.

Hurry, make it a quick ride, it’s already getting late, Stephunos replied. He knew his brother was looking forward to a very wild ride on Youngblood’s back. Out of everything, besides his parents, Nikoloas had missed his two-year-old blue dragon friend the most.

I’m coming too, Anthea declared. Aetos ten-year-old sister loved the wild rides as much as Nikoloas. She jumped out of her chair and headed off with Nikoloas.

How was the trip? Prisca asked.

Stephunos waited for Nikoloas to be out of earshot before replying, It was kind of boring and Nikoloas was in a real mood the entire time.

But I hear it went very well and you did a great job, Prisca remarked.

All I had to do was sit around and act interested while Theron worked everything out, then sign my name, and come home, Stephunos replied.

But you did it so well, Aetos chided. Aetos being an Earl himself had been subjected to the very same type of situation, only with Leonidas as his partner. He knew that Stephunos, like himself, had only been there to sign in order to make it a legal deal in the eyes of the other Dukes. Leonidas and Theron were both Viscounts, one step in rank below that of an Earl, making neither of high enough rank to make the treaties legal on their own, hence the young Earls had be drafted to help out. With Earl Aetos and his young sister helping Viscount Leonidas, Earl Stephunos and Earl Nikoloas helping Viscount Theron, Countess Prisca working with Viscount Sergius, Earl Andreas working alone, and Marquess Basil working alone the people of Naxos, who had just began space travel, had signed five treaties with five neighboring races.

You won’t get much sympathy from us, we’re all nobles here, and we all had to go through it, Prisca remarked.

Yeah, but I get the feeling you’ve been home a lot longer than I have, Ste-phunos shot back.

One week, Aetos responded, it took us one week to sign.

Three days, Prisca proudly declared.

Well I bet the people you were negotiating with hadn’t recently lost their home world and didn’t feel betrayed by the supposed friends that didn’t come to help them in their hour of need, Stephunos retorted.

True, Prisca said.

Are they as strange looking as Brookes says they are? Aetos asked.

They kind of look like us, but they’re covered in fur with a more wolven shaped head, Stephunos replied. How long has the castle been finished? Ste-phunos asked, tired of his journey and tired of talking about it.

It really isn’t, Aetos replied, by our old standards, namely before we met the earthlings, it would be done, but there is a lot of special, hidden things similar to the devices in the Vicarian caves that haven’t been completed.

You mean like the shuttle landing platform in the pond outside? Stephunos asked.

Exactly, your father wants the castle to look and feel like any other castle on our world so that any visitors won’t realized just how different it is, but he also wants all the Vicarian technology installed in order to defend us against attack. Aetos stated.

Do you know it well enough to give me a tour? Stephunos asked.

If you haven’t noticed, it’s nearly the exact layout as your grandfather’s castle in Bellanca, so you should know it better than I do, Aetos replied.

Then after we eat, I’ll give us a tour and we’ll check on Aaron, Stephunos announced. He lovingly eyed the plate of food that a hired attendant placed in front of him.

Could I get some more mashed potatoes? Stephunos asked, as the attendant was leaving the plate.

For seconds there’s a buffet along the south wall, the man politely replied, letting Stephunos know he was on his own from here on out.

After they finished eating, Stephunos, Prisca and Aetos set out to explore the castle. Stephunos quickly realized it was indeed nearly identical to his grandfather’s castle which he loved so very much. They started outside since Stephunos wanted to see the grounds before dark. They walked the huge open grounds outside the main keep which was surrounded by two large stone outer walls with twelve huge guard towers spaced along it. Stephunos realized the old style defenses like the moat, walls, and guard towers wouldn’t do much against the new space ships he had seen, but it would maintain the illusion that everything was as it was everywhere else.

They’re not normal towers, Aetos remarked, guessing what Stephunos was thinking.

What do you mean? Stephunos asked.

They’ve been heavily reinforced, and have large built-in plasma cannons, Aetos remarked. The whole castle has been built to withstand a space to ground battle against a battleship, yet maintain it simple everyday look.

Cool, Stephunos replied. The word, in English to boot, had become a staple of the children’s vocabulary since Brookes used it so often.

They continue the tour, Stephunos secretly looking for any signs of the advanced technology he now knew was hidden everywhere.

It took a good hour to walk the grounds. On the south side of the keep inside the castle walls there were several gray stone buildings full of shops. Nearly twenty shops in all, a small town unto itself. As they made their way to the east side Stephunos noticed standing off all by itself in the middle of a field was the eight bedroom wooden house that had been his home since they settled in Belinda.

On the east side there were areas to house livestock and fields to let them roam. The west side was covered by fields of crops. The north side, where the landing platform came out of the pond, was filled with beautiful gardens, ponds, fountains, and a large tournament field.

Everywhere near the castle inner wall were buildings designed to simply melt into the wall as if they weren’t there, yet they were big enough to house hundreds of people each in times of need. This was where the people of Belinda would stay if Naxos was ever under siege. Unlike Himera, which only had to support five thousand people, Belinda had to be able to support nearly fifteen thousand people which included stocking enough food and water to withstand a siege of up to six months.

Let’s see the inside, Stephunos decided, seeing as the sun was quickly descending.

By the time they got inside the castle the sun had gone down and Stephunos was beginning to think all he wanted to see was his bed, but they pressed on.

The keep consisted of the Great Hall, Private Library, Chapel, Kitchens, Knights Quarters, the Royal Quarters, all the Royal Guests Quarters, and countless numbers of other rooms varying in size and function. The more Stephunos saw the more he realized it was nearly exactly the same as Bellanca Castle, and like Bellanca Castle so many of the rooms looked alike, with the exception, that nearly everyone in the county was taking the opportunity to explore the new castle and party with the nobles. Unlike outside, which had been practically deserted, inside Stephunos kept bumping into people he knew causing him to stop and have short conversations before he could move on.

Let’s check on Aaron, Stephunos stated, physically tired and even more mentally tired of dealing with the people.

Tala’s room is this way, Prisca announced, knowing that was where Aaron was. After a five-minute stroll through a few halls and several hundred people they reached Tala’s suite. Stephunos knocked on the large wooden door.

Who is it? Aaron barked, sounding the angriest Stephunos had ever heard him.

It’s me, Stephunos replied. Stephunos could hear someone fooling with the lock and then the door flew open and the eleven-year-old blond former chief’s son, former slave boy, current friend stood in the doorway.

It’s about time! Aaron declared. Theron’s been here for hours, and I’ve been waiting!

We went looking around, Prisca stated, walking by Aaron into the room like she owned the place.

Are you that mad? Stephunos asked, feeling bad. Had he knew Aaron was waiting he would have come here first.

It’s not you guys I’m mad at, Aaron said, his normal happy-go-lucky smile returning, it’s all the people who keep trying to get in to look around. Aaron intentionally said loudly enough for the other people making their way through the hall to hear. You would think they could read!

Read what? Stephunos asked.

The note I hung…where’d it go? Aaron looked dumbfounded as he stared at the door. Quick, everyone get inside before the vultures try to come in! Aaron suggested referring to the people hovering around the hallway.

Tala and Theron’s living quarters were the standard Royal Guest Quarters consisting of a great room, a large bedroom, a small bedroom, and a washroom.

We need to keep it down, Tala’s resting, Aaron said.

Anyway, what’s wrong with Tala? Stephunos asked.

Tala’s fine, Aaron replied, I’m going to be a brother.

Tala’s pregnant? Stephunos stated more then asked.

Seven weeks, Aaron replied. We have somewhere around another thirty weeks to go, Aaron said almost as if he too was carrying the baby.

I take it you’re excited, Stephunos remarked, noting Aaron’s mood.

Yeah, I think it will be great, there’s so much I can teach him, Aaron stated.

How do you know it’s going to be a him? Stephunos asked.

I don’t, it really doesn’t matter, I can teach a her just as well, Aaron replied. It was at this moment an excited Theron came out of the large bedroom.

Did you hear? Theron asked, barely able to contain himself.

Aaron just told us, Stephunos replied.

I couldn’t be happier, Theron stated, I have a beautiful wife, the perfect son, and another child on the way! Theron wanted to make sure Aaron knew he was appreciated and that his having a child of his own wouldn’t change how he felt towards their adopted son.

Now that Theron’s back, I thought I could stay with you and Nikoloas, Aaron said. He loved being with what he considered his two brothers. He loved being a part of a big family, and hoped Stephunos wouldn’t mind.

"It’s fine by