Meridian, the Awakening of a Kingdom

By George Edward Strand

In a time of upheaval, Meridian's wizards find a way to unlock hidden abilities in many of the citizens. These abilities come into good use as the country plunges into war on more than one front. Trent and Kayla quell attacks on their border villages, and old enemies raise their ugly heads. See what Meridian is able to do in their defense and also how their hidden powers are accessed and put to use.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490759470

George Edward Strand

I was raised in Huntington Beach, California (Surf City, USA), where I reside today. I have always been interested in this type of story, so I told myself that since I enjoy reading this genre, perhaps I could write it as well. I hope you enjoy my first attempt at storytelling.

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© Copyright 2015 George Edward Strand.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5946-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5948-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5947-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015906683

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It was a time when the air was filled with the scent of spring and the rolling hills were covered with an abundance of wildflowers. The waters of the Ojong River flowed cool from the Tandrill Rim, where lived the people of the village of Marna. They were a strong, peaceful people with roots long ago set down in this land, but they were known to be formidable warriors should the need arise. For generations, the Marnans, as they were known throughout the land, had served the king of Meridian as the king’s guard, mainly because they were larger than most people, with uncanny reflexes and a fierce loyalty to the kingdom.

One such guard was Trent, only eighteen years old and already a well-disciplined swordsman. The day after Trent arrived at the king’s keep, he began training with Lieutenant Baxter of the king’s guard. He trained hard nine to ten hours a day to further hone his swordsmanship. Soon, Trent would become the best student that Baxter had ever seen. Of course, Baxter did not let Trent know this because he didn’t want the young man to become complacent or let his guard down in the midst of a conflict. His talent was not wasted on the king either, who on many occasions watched the boy training, with a look of admiration for the boy’s spirit and willingness to give all of himself up to the task at hand.

King Derek Osprey of Meridian was a good and kind man and was very proud of his guardsmen. Recently, the king had received several reports of bandits attacking the supply trains coming from the eastern border and so ordered Captain Hilliard to take his best men to quell any further attacks in the area.

Trent had been with the guard for only six weeks when his cadre was chosen to serve with Captain Hilliard on this mission. Trent being young and relatively new to the guard took up the rear position of sixty riders and started a cheerful conversation with his row mate, Blain, who was from a small village to the far northeast of the Tandrill Rim. Blain’s family was very proud that he had been accepted into the king’s guard for it had been a very long time since any man, young or old, had been accepted from the village of Cartha. It was indeed an event for his village to celebrate, and celebrate they did for three full sunsets, feasting, cheering, and wishing him well on his journey to the king’s keep in Meridian.

The ride to the eastern borders of Meridian took the guardsmen just three days. On day two of the three-day trek, the guardsmen met a wagon train, which was heavily guarded by what appeared to be mercenaries. After breaking their fast with the people of the wagon train, the guardsmen again took to the road, but not before warning the people to keep a sharp eye out for bandits.

Shortly before evening, the guards came upon a section of trail where the carnage was difficult to describe. Men, women, and children had been decapitated and their heads set on pikes. It was the most craven thing the captain had ever seen. Captain Hilliard ordered the men to bury the dead and then set up camp and get fires burning both for light and cooking. After setting up camp, men set to the more menial activities that were essential to their success, such as sharpening their weapons. Checking armor and tending their mounts were taken care of by squires, who also began preparing the evening meal.

After things in the camp began to quiet down, Trent asked Blain, who was only three years older than him, So, friend, if you don’t mind my asking, how did you become a guard? I mean … not that you aren’t a good guard, but for all these years, the king’s guard has only come from Marna, so why did the captain choose someone from your village?

That answer is not easy in the telling, Blain replied. In the past, a long time ago, people from my village were in the last king’s guard. And on a dark and stormy night, someone was able to get through the keep’s defenses to kill Prince Osprey’s firstborn.

Trent said with shock, You mean the current king’s son?

Yes, replied Blain. It was a very sorrowful time for all of Meridian. You and I would not remember, but my people have kept the memory of that terrible night alive, for the lesson to be learned from it, and so that it would never be repeated. No one was ever brought to account for the crime, but the king couldn’t bring himself to trust anyone but his loyal Marnan guards. The king only just lifted the ban on outside guards a few weeks ago because he realized that you big Marnans aren’t so good in tight quarters. I mean no offense, friend, but you must admit that I can get into places that someone of your size could not.

Trent laughed and said, True enough, friend. No offense taken.

Blain, although older, looked more like a boy than a man standing next to Trent, who stood seven feet even with wide muscular shoulders and chest. His biceps measured twenty-six inches around. He kept his nearly white blond hair cut short to keep it out of his eyes in battle. He wore dark red leather pants that had six sheaths for throwing knives down the sides. Blain was just five foot four, with short cropped brown hair and eyes. He was of average height and build but had fast reflexes and was very good with his weapons.

The following morning, the men struck camp and began searching the area for any sign of the bandits. After four hours of searching, Marcus, a lieutenant and the best tracker among them, found tracks of as many as forty horses, which seemed to be riding hard to the west. The thing that surprised him was that there were seven wagon tracks among the fleeing horses.

When Marcus returned to report his findings to the captain, the captain spoke the obvious: The train we broke our fast with were in fact the very bandits we are looking for. Captain Hilliard ordered the men to return the way they had come and to watch for any sign that the bandits had left the trail. The captain was beside himself with anger at having allowed the bandits to slip so easily from his grasp. He was certain that the king would be most displeased at the news.

The guard patrols continued looking for any sign of the bandits, and they were completely baffled when on the second day of the pursuit, they had completely lost their tracks. Captain Hilliard ordered a rider to return to Meridian to request that a decoy wagon train be sent to aid in drawing the bandits out of hiding. Then he ordered half of his number to return near the east end of the trail and to sit in ambush should the bandits return to that area. He took the rest of the men to the halfway point of the trail, which led through a dense forested area with large rock outcroppings, and dispersed them at intervals. Fires were forbidden, and the men were ordered to keep noise to a minimum so as not to alert the bandits of their presence. Trent and Blain were stationed together behind a large rock.

Blain said to Trent, I’ll take first watch. I’ll wake you if I hear anything.

Stay vigilant and wake me in two hours, said Trent.

The night passed without any sign of the bandits. Captain Hilliard sent word to the men to stay hidden because the decoy wagon train would be sent from Meridian soon.

Around midday, Trent heard the wagon train approaching, and just as he turned to wake Blain, there was suddenly the thundering sound of battle in the air. Trent, Blain, and the other guardsmen leapt from their hiding places and scrambled toward the noise. There were ten guardsmen disguised as merchants with squires under attack by at least twenty of the mercenary types they had seen two days prior. Trent joined the battle and began taking out bandits with his large two-handed broadsword. Blain being smaller attacked with a short sword and a shield. He was formidable with his short sword, as became all too apparent to several of the bandits. The guardsmen were able to take full command of the battlefield in very short order, taking four prisoners and slaying the rest to set examples for any who may wish to hold their tongue. These four were questioned very thoroughly by Captain Hilliard, but they gave up no useful information and were therefore put to death, as the guardsmen were ordered to take only prisoners who could help them achieve their mission.

Marcus backtracked the attackers’ trail and found a camp where there were still twenty or more of the bandits sitting around cook fires. Keeping out of sight, he assessed the camp and quietly returned to report to the captain.

When Marcus got back to the road, he told the captain, There are at least twenty more of these dogs at their camp, sir. They appear unaware of our presence, and they are a half hour’s ride to our northwest. Sir, would you like me to ride east and have our other guardsmen rejoin us for the attack?

The captain replied, Yes, take Trent and Blain with you in case of trouble on the way east. Have our men rally here, and we will take their camp with overwhelming numbers. Good work, Marcus!

Thank you, sir! With a brisk salute, he turned and called out, Trent, Blain, let’s get to the others before these dogs have time to move their camp!

The guards chimed in, Yes, sir! as they mounted up and headed east at a gallop.

When Marcus, Trent, and Blain met up with the others, they found them well hidden along the trail near the eastern border as they had been directed. Marcus gave them the captain’s order to rejoin the rest of their cadre. On the way back to their captain, Trent and Blain told of the battle that had been won the previous afternoon. Marcus told them of the camp he had found and the captain’s plan to overtake it with numbers that would surely give the guardsmen another victory.

When they returned, the captain told his men that they would spread out in an arc and ride as quietly as possible, approaching the bandit’s camp from both sides and the rear, leaving them only one way out, toward the main trail and open territory. Captain Hilliard made it clear that he did not want any of the bandits to make it to safety. There were to be no prisoners taken.

Six hours later, the guardsmen sprang their trap and caught the bandits completely unprepared to defend themselves. Not a single bandit lived through the attack, and after the guardsmen were through with them, it would be plain to any others who may come this way that Meridian was not to be trifled with. They staked up the bodies of the bandits and stripped the camp of weapons, then began the ride back to Meridian to report to the king.

Captain Hilliard’s men returned to a warm welcome, having passed several merchants on the eastern trail on their way. The captain reported to the king all the events of the last few days, including letting the bandits slip through their grasp at first. Much to the captain’s surprise, the king was not angry that they had been fooled at their first meeting. He was simply proud that the captain had recovered from his error and completed his mission as ordered. The king assured him that there was no harm because no other travelers had been attacked going through the eastern valley. Captain Hilliard told the king of the four captives and what had been done with the bodies of the bandits still in the camp when he and his men attacked. Although a grim picture, what had been done with the bodies of those bandits was much more humane than the treatment their victims had received. King Osprey scheduled a feast in honor of the guardsmen who took part in the mission, and all of Meridian rejoiced because the bandits were no more.

Later that evening, the king’s aide approached Captain Hilliard and whispered to him, There is a rider here, sir, from our southern border outpost. He has news that I believe you should hear!

The captain replied, Can’t you see that we are in the middle of a celebration that these men have earned? How would it look if I were to walk out before the festivities are concluded?

The aide, not wanting to anger the captain, persisted. Captain, this is a matter of utmost urgency. If the king were not already retired for the evening, I should think it necessary to implore him to listen to this sergeant as well!

Very well, Kendal, take me to this sergeant so I may soon rejoin my men in their celebration!

He is waiting in your outer office, Captain, he said as he followed the captain to his office.

Wait here, Kendal, said the captain. As he entered the outer office, Captain Hilliard saw a young man from the regular army snap to attention. The captain is more than just a captain to the regular army. Because Captain Hilliard is captain of the king’s guard, he is the supreme commander of all the armed forces for the king of Meridian. Entering his office, the captain gave a curt With me! The young soldier was scared to his boots because he had never before been in the presence of anyone of such high ranking.

After settling into his favorite chair, the captain told the young man to be at ease and have a seat. The young sergeant hesitated before sitting, only to receive a loud SIT! from the captain.

After taking a seat, Sergeant Cox stammered, Thank you, sir.

On with it, man! What news have you that is important enough to take me away from the celebration this evening?

The sergeant replied, I have been sent by Lieutenant Bradford to inform you of most perilous news, sir. The Palanteens have been crossing the southern border and making raids on the farmsteads and villages along its length. Many men have lost their lives trying to keep them at bay, but I fear they are simply emboldened by our efforts. Lieutenant Bradford begs for orders and reinforcements, sir. I was ordered to inform the king of this.

The captain sat quiet for several minutes, which further discomfited the sergeant. At last the captain called out for Kendal, the king’s aide. Kendal, go to the king’s quarters and awaken him and tell him that I have urgent news he must hear as soon as it is convenient. On the way there, take the good sergeant to the mess hall. See to it that he is fed and shown where to bed down. Sergeant, I will have need of you in the morning, and you may just get to meet your king, so I suggest you not report back to me, when sent for, looking like you just spent a week on the trail. Understood?

The sergeant leapt to his feet, snapped to attention, and said, Yes, sir! He then followed Kendal to the mess hall. On the way there, Sergeant Cox asked Kendal, Aren’t you ever nervous dealing with our supreme commander?

Kendal laughed and replied, No, not at all. He is a very fair man and would never ask anyone under his command to do anything he wouldn’t be willing to do himself. I know that his rank may seem intimidating, but once you get to know the man, in that office, it’s much easier to see that he is just a man like you and I.

I don’t think I could ever bring myself to see him as just a man, Kendal, said Cox.

After leaving Sergeant Cox with the cooks, Kendal made his way to the king’s private quarters. When he arrived, the guard blocked his path and said, State your business! Kendal told the guard that he had been sent by the captain to see the king. The guard stepped aside and opened the outer door to the king’s chambers.

Kendal stepped inside and through a curtain said, Your Majesty, I’ve come with an urgent summons from Captain Hilliard.

You may enter, said the king, who was just getting ready to retire for the night. What does our good captain need of me this late in the evening, Kendal?

There is a sergeant from the southern border post here, sire. He says there have been many attacks across your southern border by Palanteens. Many of your subjects have died. I’m afraid it is most urgent, sire.

There is nothing to be done tonight, Kendal. Return and tell the captain that I wish to see him and this sergeant in my study after the morning meal, and we shall discuss the matter then. Thank you, Kendal. That will be all.

With that, Kendal made his way through the halls to return to Captain Hilliard’s quarters. When he arrived, Captain Hilliard was waiting in his office. Kendal told him what the king intended. The captain thanked Kendal for his effort and bade him good night and then retired himself, for he knew not what the next day may hold.

In the morning, Captain Hilliard rose early and made it to the morning meal. When he arrived, he found the sergeant already there, looking as if he were ready for an inspection. Having broken their fast, the captain took the sergeant to the king’s study. After a brief period, the king entered through a private entrance.

The king’s study was a large room with intimate seating for eight and a large table at one end of the room that could easily seat ten. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting great battles and hunts. Most of these had hung there since the building of the keep. The silk and wool carpets were well-worn but still vivid in color.

The sergeant snapped to attention, and the captain said, Good morning, Your Majesty. I fear we have allowed our southern neighbors to forget that border raids will not be tolerated! This is Sergeant Cox of the southern army, sire.

The king made himself comfortable in a large overstuffed chair, and that done, he got right down to business. Tell me, Sergeant, what is the trouble you’ve come all this way to tell me of? And please do be seated. The king pointed to a large chair directly across from him.

With that, Sergeant Cox sat in a nearby chair and began to recount the events of the last few weeks. Your Majesty, it started seven weeks ago. We received reports from two villages that they had been attacked by savages they believed to be Palanteens. The Palanteens came through, killing any who got in their way, and simply took whatever they chose. The village of Garse lost eighteen men killed and seven women raped and left tied. It has been a most harrowing experience for people who are used to the kindness of our king. It is unthinkable to those in the border villages that anyone could be so ruthless. They take livestock, anything of apparent value, and lastly, sire, and most devastating of all, they take the children!

The king swiftly arose from his chair and roared, They what?

The sergeant was so startled that he looked up horrified, and as he quickly leapt back to his feet and came to attention, he said, Please forgive me, sire. I did not mean to sit while you were standing!

At ease, Sergeant, said the king, retaking his seat. Please be seated. I did not mean to startle you. I can’t believe what I am hearing. How many cadres do we have in the area, Captain?

We have four cadres in the area now, sire, and two hundred of the regular army near the large village of Cartha. We can have two to three more cadres of your guardsmen there in a matter of days, but to move enough to secure the entire border will take some time. What do you wish me to do, sire?

Captain, I wish to give this matter some thought. I will let you know my intentions by the midday meal. Sergeant, you have served your king well. You are hereby reassigned to the king’s guard and will remain here until further orders. Captain, have this young man taken to Lieutenant Baxter and have him outfitted with the appropriate equipment. He will remain a sergeant until such time as you feel he is ready for promotion.

Yes, sire, I will await your orders.

With that, the captain escorted Sergeant Cox to Lieutenant Baxter to be outfitted. On the way to meet the lieutenant, Sergeant Cox said to the captain, Permission to speak freely, sir?

Granted, Sergeant. You will find that discipline is adhered to very closely when it comes to performing assigned duties, but I will always give an ear to my men. That is one of the ways I keep informed as to the goings-on throughout the land. Just as with you coming to report to the king. You wasted no time in getting your message here and placed the proper amount of importance on it when you presented it to the king. It is men like you that make the king’s guard as successful as it is at keeping not just our king but the entire kingdom safe and productive.

Thank you, sir. I just wanted to say that in coming here, I believe I was just doing my duty and did not expect any reward for doing so. I must admit, sir, I am a little uncomfortable with accepting such a high position for simply doing my duty. I realize that as a sergeant in the king’s guard, I will now outrank my lieutenant at the southern border. This is a lot for me to take in all at once, sir. I also want to say that I will do my utmost to live up to the trust our king has placed in me. I am deeply honored, sir, said the sergeant.

To be humble is a good trait at times, Sergeant. It certainly has its place, but you are now a member of the king’s guard and will show that to no one but those who outrank you. Is that clear?

Yes, sir! Thank you, sir.

A day’s ride from Meridian, Kayla was riding hard to reach the king’s keep. There had been several attacks on the western border village of Lower Talden, and the raiders were becoming more brazen. The attacks in Lower Talden were much the same as the raids along the rest of the southern border—men killed, children taken, as well as other atrocities. Kayla’s family was originally from Marna but had moved to Lower Talden when she was just a young child. It wasn’t until later into her teens that she realized why she was always so much taller than her playmates. She stood six foot ten, with a long brown braid that ended at her waist but was usually worn tied doubled up at the nape of her neck, making it look like a loop. Her skin was bronzed from the sun, and the muscles you could see in her arms were strong yet supple. She was both beautiful and imposing, with dark brown eyes that could melt your heart if she chose or make you know true fear. Her chiseled features made her an exceptional beauty. She wore leather riding pants, a formfitting leather vest with a dark brown hooded cloak, and knee-high leather boots, with daggers sheathed on the outside of her legs. She was quite adept with her blades and could wield a sword as well as any man, but she was also an expert archer and preferred to use her bow. She trained with her local army detachment and became an excellent tracker and guide.

There were not many people who knew the southern territories as well as she. Kayla hoped that the king would send forces to her beloved village to stop the raiders. She rode to Meridian, telling her aching, tired body that relief could only come after she delivered her message to the king.

Riding through the woods just outside of Meridian, Kayla was stopped by a patrol of the king’s guard. The sergeant of the patrol asked, What is your business here? I see that you wear the uniform of an army tracker. Where are you from, and where are you bound?

Kayla was hard-pressed to stop to talk to this man—she was on an important mission—but she knew that the man outranked her, and she did not want to upset a sergeant with the king’s guard, so she replied, I am from Lower Talden bound to the king’s court with grave news of raids and a plea for assistance!

Raids, you say? We have heard the same of the Palanteens to the south. We will escort you to the king’s court. Ride to my left. Let’s move out, men.

With that they rode to the king’s keep, where Kayla was sent to see Captain Hilliard. After receiving the report from the young tracker, Captain Hilliard went directly to the king.

What news do you have for us? King Osprey asked the captain.

Captain Hilliard replied, Your Majesty, I have just received a report from a young tracker from Lower Talden about raids and events much the same as reports from your southern borders. Your Majesty, I am afraid we must take swift and decisive action regarding these attacks! I suggest that the king’s militia be called to service and these animals be put to the sword! Within the week, we can have enough armed militia mustered to quell any raids from the Palanteen border in the west. After beating them back there, we will then crush the Palanteens terrorizing your southern border. While we handle the west, we will have your king’s guard muster the rest of the militia to meet at the southern border. If these actions do not stop the Palanteens, Your Majesty, I would suggest that we consider taking Palanteen by force!

The king replied, I must give these matters much consideration, Captain. It is no small thing you suggest. I would not want Meridian to be seen as the warmonger for taking another kingdom by force, and yet they leave us few options. It makes me wonder why they would take the risk of angering us to the point of war. What could they possibly hope to gain? There is no way that their small kingdom could withstand a full assault by Meridian’s forces! We have to look at this from every point of view possible to ascertain their true intent before we commit ourselves. Are they working in collusion with our enemies to the north? Are any of our other bordering kingdoms lying in wait to join them once we have committed our forces to the south? I just don’t know, Captain. I want you to call together Remus from the Magicians Guild, young Trent from Marna, Blain from Cartha, Lieutenant Baxter, Lieutenant Giles, and the tracker from Lower Talden that you mentioned earlier this morning. Have them assemble in my private study. I would hear some other points of view to aid me in this decision.

The captain replied, I will make it so right away, sire.

In short order, all of the people the king had requested were brought together just outside the king’s study. The door to the study opened, and Kendal, appeared. You’re all here then? Good, good. Come in. The king will be right with you.

The king entered from his private entrance and asked everyone to be seated around the large conference table. Trent and the other young people were quite intimidated at being in the presence of their king. The king began by saying, Some of you I have not yet met, and some of you I have watched make much progress in your time here at the keep, as he looked around the table at the group. I have summoned you here because others in which I place much trust have also placed much trust in you! We have some grave times ahead of us in Meridian. I want to hear your honest opinions in this room, so I will say now that we will, for the time being, dispense with any need to ask to speak freely! I would ask that you now introduce yourselves to the rest of the group as the captain and I know each of you but you may not know each other.

Introductions—including name, rank, and where they were from—were passed around the table. The king then said, Each of you at this table shall from this moment forth be known as lieutenants in the king’s guard, and any orders you give shall be given as if with my voice! The group was astonished at this announcement. I am certain that each of you will serve Meridian well as guardsmen as you have in other capacities. They each in turn thanked the king, and he went on to say, It seems we are faced with the strong possibility of going to war with the Palanteens. We have received reports from some of you regarding their raids on border villages. Kayla, do the raiders you reported on the western border appear to be Palanteen as well?

Kayla was so nervous; she could hardly find her voice. She stammered, Yes, Your Majesty, they appear so.

The wizard Remus from the Magicians Guild had not yet joined the conversation, and the king turned to him and asked, Remus, can your guild place a border of protection around the south and west borders as you have done in the north?

It is possible, Your Majesty, but I am afraid that it may only be temporary. You see, to sustain it, we would need another pangent stone for such work, and I am afraid that the only place we are sure to find such a stone is in Umbra to the north, sire. It would be a perilous trek to gain this stone and could only be undertaken by a very small party to assure success without detection. If your people were accompanied by a wizard from the guild, it could be done, Your Majesty. The wizard would have to be quite strong in his art. This in itself is wrought with peril because magic of the power needed for this mission, if used, would be easily detectable for some distance. I would like a private audience with you, sire, to discuss some other matters of magic that are of a most confidential nature.

Very well, Captain, take your people and draw up plans to secure our south and west borders and activate all militia while we continue to look into sending someone after the Pangent Stone. We will meet here again after the evening meal. With that, they were dismissed.

Now what is this matter of magic you wished to discuss with me, Remus, old friend? said the king after the others had left them alone.

I was not to tell anyone of this unless the kingdom was to come to great peril. Under current circumstances, my predecessors would agree that it is time to share a theory that the Magicians Guild has harbored for generations. Sire, we believe that the people of Marna grow the way they do because of their proximity to the Pangent Stone placed at the Tandrill Rim by your great-great-great-grandfather’s wizard, Rileus. The stone does far more than secure your northern borders. It has enhanced the growth and abilities of those living nearby. Furthermore, we at the guild believe that this proximity may also give certain individuals abilities far greater than any normal person. We believe that we can unlock powers that the world has never seen. You see, there is an aura around all of us, and by the nature and color of this aura, we can tell many things about a person—if they are trustworthy, intelligent, and so on. In many, we see a feature in the aura that not all have. We believe that these could be gifted, and I suggest to you that we try to unlock this power in two test cases to see if it in fact works.

The king replied, You would be fully responsible for this test as well as for terminating the subjects if necessary afterward. There can be no margin for error! If you are not certain that you can keep the subject under control, there is to be no test! Have I made myself clear?

Very much so, Your Majesty, replied Remus.

The king asked, Do you have two such subjects in mind?

Yes, I do. They were just sitting at this very table with us—the young boy Trent and the girl, Kayla.

You may tell Kendal to take them to the Magicians Guild and do as you must, but I caution you, I will not be happy if we have to terminate such promising young people!

Kendal found Trent and Kayla still with the captain. He told the captain that Trent and Kayla were to come with him at the king’s command. The three of them left the captain’s study, which was much like the king’s but a little more utilitarian, where plans were still being put into motion on the border defense.

Trent asked Kendal, Where are we going? and Kendal told them that they were to report to Remus at the Magicians Guild. This left Trent and Kayla both puzzled.

Trent and Kayla entered the outer circle of the Magicians Guild; this was the only public area of the compound. They were greeted by Remus and shown into a hall that led into the center of the compound.

Kayla asked Remus, Where are we going, Remus? I thought you had to be a member of the guild to walk these halls!

Remus smiled and replied, But I am a member, my dear.

They entered a room with thick red velvet tapestry covering all of the walls, including the door. Remus pointed out two chairs in the center of the room and asked his guests to be seated. Then he began to explain, Children, what I must ask of you today will be strictly voluntary, and if you do not wish to participate, you may resume your previous duties. I will of course have to erase any memory of this little chat from your minds first. We believe that the two of you may have some type of dormant magic from being born in such proximity to the Tandrill Rim and the Pangent Stone. Now, we believe you two to be good candidates because we can see it in your auras. I would like to try to unlock that ability and find out if it in fact can be used for the benefit of the kingdom. What I propose has never been done before to anyone otherwise ungifted. It will involve magic, and it could possibly harm or even kill you. That said, it is for you to decide now.

Trent was the first to speak and without hesitation said, My life for Meridian! I swore to it when I became a guard, and I swear to it again here today! Do what you will. I am the king’s willing subject.

Kayla, too, agreed. With that, the room was darkened, and three more wizards entered from behind a tapestry. Incense was lit, and the smoke wafted around them. They were told to close their eyes and clear their minds. The three wizards began to chant quietly, and Remus, who proceeded to the fourth corner of the room, joined their incantation. The wizards could see the energy building around Trent and Kayla. They were excited to see that their long-felt theory was indeed proven to be true. Trent’s aura went from orange to crimson and was bright as a star on a dark night. Kayla’s turned from lavender to a sea of green as of a meadow with no end. This lasted just moments, but to Trent and Kayla, it felt as if they had been there a very long time. The wizards stopped their chanting, and the other three withdrew from the room quietly, leaving Trent and Kayla alone with Remus, who told them to sit very still and to try to keep their minds clear of any outside interference.

First, he went to Trent. He placed the fingers of his left hand on Trent’s forehead for a moment and then repeated the same with Kayla. Remus said to them, You may open your eyes now. Tell me what you feel, if there is anything at all different from what you felt when you first walked into this room. No change is too minor. We will start with you, Trent. Tell me everything you feel.

Trent replied, I feel a tingling sensation all over my skin, like being close to a lightning strike. I’m a little light-headed, and my vision was blurry but is clearing up now. That’s about it.

Kayla?

I feel the sensation that Trent described but differently. I feel as if I could see—wait! I can see a flea on the curtain! Over there by the door! What has happened to my vision? And I can hear the flea’s feet scrape the curtain! Remus, this is wonderful! Do you know how much this could mean to a tracker?

Yes, my dear, I do. Trent, Kayla and I are going to stand to the side of the room. I want you to walk to the door, face the two stone chairs, and, from the doorway, attack the chairs with your sword!

From the doorway? How am I to reach the chairs from the doorway? And with my sword? They’re made of solid stone!

Just do as I say, Trent, and believe in yourself!

Trent tried to attack the chairs from the doorway, and as soon as he decided to do so, the chairs erupted into dust, and fragments rained down on the room. Trent suddenly became visible on the other side of the room!

What is this? I have never moved so quickly or swung my sword with such strength! This is amazing! Did you see it?

Remus smiled and told Trent the truth, while Kayla stood with her mouth open, like someone had just stepped on her foot. You moved so fast, dear boy, that we could not see you until you stopped. Isn’t that right, Kayla?

Yes, it was amazing! One second you were standing over there by the door. The next, the chairs erupted into dust, and then you were over there at the far side of the room! Unbelievable!

Remus told them it was time to report to the king, and he escorted them from the compound. When the king entered his study, he found Remus, Trent, Kayla, and Captain Hilliard all waiting there for him.

He told them all to be seated and asked Remus, Was your testing a success then?

Remus replied, Yes, Your Majesty, most successful. As I believed to be true, both Trent and Kayla now exhibit extraordinary abilities. I would like to give Your Majesty a small demonstration and must ask that you try not to be startled by what Trent will show you.

They had set out chairs for five across the room from the king, with Trent and Kayla sitting to the king’s far left. Trent, please take the seat to the king’s right-hand side.

Suddenly Trent disappeared and just as quickly reappeared in the other chair. The captain’s eyes grew wide, and the king was speechless for just a moment. He then asked, And what other abilities do you now have, Trent?

Your Majesty, it seems that I can now lift my own weight with one arm while working my broadsword with the other. Remus had me attack two solid stone chairs with my sword, sire, and I reduced them to dust in less than a second. I wish to again vow my loyalty to only you, Your Majesty. I do not look upon these abilities as mine, but as yours to do with as you will, sire.

Captain Hilliard looked at the young man with obvious pride, then turned his attention to the young lady, Kayla. What abilities have you found today, Kayla?

"Your Majesty, Captain, I was able to see a flea on a red tapestry some thirty feet away, as well as hear his feet scrape the material. I will now be the best tracker you have ever had, Your Majesty, and I, too, pledge my undying loyalty only