The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 318: Ayleth’s preparation.

Settlement increased, the town of Garsley grew. More and more people were humbled by the idea of peace and a town of solidarity. An independent guild by the name of Nature; had taken shelter into the Duke’s good graces. Julius over the months and years had grown to be the right leader. From a crumbling province to a somewhat self-sustaining town. Guarded by Adelana’s friends of a rather secretive group, public safety was ensured. Per his orders, the noble district of Dorchester was renewed to accommodate more nobles. A few barons without land answered to the offer – most were tame without ambition. A thirst for peace fulfilled by the peaceful town of Garsley. Idyllic was the word describe by many o’ traveling bards. Many o’ traders and many o’ adventurers said the same. Stupefied, the tavern’s ale and food, heavy stomach and light mind; perfect for the man of hunt.

For a few months, the fantasy of said place turned for the worst. Naught was malicious for the wedding of a representative was on its way. Lady Ayleth got given the title of Knight by Queen Gallienne. Not only did she alone receive favors for the Silver Guardians were granted title of nobility. None knew too why or how; a message came a few months prior which called an audience. Upon arrival, greeted by well-dressed butlers and treated to a good dinner, the Queen knighted the ladies.

Asked to be kept secret, only the queen knew of the reason, “-as a favor for a friend, could you grant the Silver Guardian a title of nobility? I made a promise ages ago to have them be nobles. Perturbed by Kreston’s invasion, said matter had slipped my mind,” spoken on the phone, Gallienne raised an eyebrow.

“What good would said act of generosity achieve?”

“The Silver Guardians, not in title, are representatives of a province falling under thy rule. Phrased as commoners ruling over a province, it might catch the eyes and ears of unwanted attention.”

“Fair argument, Knight of the crown is the only title I’m able to give. They’ll hold power in title only and not land nor money, is that adequate?”

“Should suffice for what thee have in mind.” Ended, a conversation that happened before the sudden voyage to Kreston.

.....

Back and forth ran rampant in the castle, the tavern shut for it was moved outside into the yard under a tent of leather. Wooden tables and stool rested onto the grass pasture which held a bald spot on intervals. Boots prints from the dirt led onto a once stone white path. A mix of dirt complemented by rainfall a few days prior had mud all around. Unbothered, villagers ran up and down said path, some carried decorations, other pieces of clothes, and peculiar items. From Welcome to Castle Garsley to Celebrating Ayleth’s wedding, the banner changed.

“Come on Fenrir,” echoed down an empty corridor with the throne room behind him who spoke, the lady stared away defiantly. “I’m sorry about stopping you from meeting Staxius’s babe, I wanted to go myself,” hands rested on the wall, blond hair hung as he stared the floor. “Don’t you think it’s selfish for it pains me as much as it does you. Staxius is my best friend, a comrade I’ll only abandon if death do us part.”

“Brother,” came Autumn from the other side, “-if death do us part sounds as if you’ve taken the marital vow,” a quip that forced laughter out a pouted Fenrir.

“I get it,” her sunken ears rose partly, convinced to move on, her tail swayed. “He’s not going to go anywhere soon,” sniffled, her wolf gaze regained its pride.

“Why are you all stopping?” asked Undrar who approached with hovering cartons. The sight of Julius and Fenrir told more than enough, “-I’ll be on my way, Millicent is looking for you,” patting Julius’s back, they went on their way.

“LADY FENRIR,” rushed a villager with a bruised forehead, “-MONSTER ATTACKS FROM EAST, THEY’RE AFTER THE TRADERS!” a jolt of energy flowed through the floor as she bolted out the castle. Cracks were seen on where she stood prior.

“Again,” sighed Julius as he combed back his hair, “-get a hold of Ben the Mason. There’s a job to be done,” parting on said words, the Duke stepped into the throne room where the rest awaited. Ordered, the villager ran out in search of the mason.

Engaged to now be wedded, Lady Ayleth; despite her injuries was asked by a gentleman of the Empire. One who had come as a potential business associate of Julius. They locked eyes and fable-like romance ensued. The actual date was forgotten by both for it was a time of trouble. The would-be groom, heir to a prominent merchant’s family, didn’t care for appearance. Attracted to her shy natured personality, a feeling of wanting to care for her every need rose forth. Engaged without their knowledge, the marriage was planned to be on the 10th of December. Preparations made more than a week in advance, the entire town was in disarray. The chaos of wanting to give the best to the couple as Lady Ayleth had been very caring to troubled mothers of shadier past. Those who were rejected by their family for having partaken in carnal desires.

Further inside the continent, at the heart of Hidros namely: Rosespire, a young man dressed in shirt and tie, headed to work. Sat with a bag, the bus filled with students. Wednesday the 4th – time was for school and work. *Junior Claireville Academy,* written across a silver board on a brick wall, foliage of trees inside the compound cast a shadow. ‘The same place Lizzie studied,’ fixing the tie, Avon walked in with an unusual aura. The complete opposite of the joyful, girly mix of a man, changed into a pretty man with well-combed hair and a smart outfit. The face resembled a student more than a teacher, “-good morning sir,” voiced students as they headed to class.

“Morning,” he replied with a smile. Checking into the office, taking keys to his classroom assigned at the end of the compound, an ex-chemistry laboratory altered to suit the need of a magical classroom. *Click,* entered, window with sun beaming through made obvious the dust that rose. The blackboard was filled with spells and diagrams of magic. Around twenty-five tables in rows of five stood facing the board. Learning magic was optional as science had taken major strides in helping society. The first sign to the class was Marie Remington, next came Katherine Goldberg. One by one, the class filled with students of Lizzie’s class. The girl had always wanted to learn magic; not to fight and cause harm, but to heal and help. Woeful of her sudden departure, her classmates felt a sense of duty to carry out her will partly.

“Morning class,” said Avon as the first bell rang.

“Morning sir,” came a unanimous response. Two hours later, the weekly class ended. “Fundamentals of controlling mana,” was written across the board. Harder to say than do, manipulating one’s lifeforce at will to produce magic was difficult. Especially for teenagers being trained so late.

*Bing,* in came a message, [Sender: Auic] baffled with a loaf of bread in hand, Avon took a closer look. [Head to Arda: Master has asked for thy presence at once.]

‘An Audience with the king,’ rose from a windy roof-top, arrangements were made to leave early. Undone, the tie was placed inside his bag as he rushed home using magic. ‘This might be my chance to ask for him to fill my spirit with mana. Recovering each day and night is a pain; I want to be able to live as a human and stay with Auic.’ Changed, he dashed to the mansion using what remainder mana was left. There, teleporting to Arda was a simple step of walking through a portal.

“Greetings,” stepped into a silent and imposing chamber with portals all around. Guards stood with the intent to strike at any given movement. Gulped, he approached the desk from whence the greetings came.

“I’m Avon, I was called to audience with his majesty the king,” spoken in a courteous tone, the lady frowned in dismissal.

“A moment,” she sighed and picked up a phone, “-there’s a strange boy who says to have been asked by his majesty. Never would I have guessed that he enjoys the presence of younger-looking man. To each their own I presume.”

“Avon?” in jumped another spirit, cold and deadly with white retinas as her hair flowed with momentum.

“Prophecy,” he sighed, “-thank the gods, I was called by King Staxius,” explained further, Prophecy shook her head in annoyance.

“Shut up,” the explanation ran long, “-follow me already,” to which she nodded at the Overseer, the latter clicked her tongue.

“What was about that lady?”

“She’s not that welcoming. A lady who hates last-minute plans,” teleported inside the courtyard, “-I’ll be off. His majesty must be here somewhere, I’ll be careful,” on that, the spirit changed into a bolt of lightning.

‘How like him,’ stood with eyes staring up and down, ‘-forgetting to inform that I was coming.’

“AVON,” a voice yelled from the right, “-OVER HERE!” waved a man dressed in expensive attire.

“Master!” changed, the tough gaze swapped for one filled with sparkles, “-I MISSED YOU,” he pounced for an embrace.

“Good to have you here,” caught, he turned to hold Avon as if a child.

“Majesty?” crinkled, Xula raised an eyebrow paired with an innocent smile, “-how good to see that you take to boys as much as you would your own wife.”

“There’s no need for concern,” voiced Staxius, “-he’s no mere boy, Avon is my little brother,” to which he received a kiss.

“Pleasure to meet thee again,” jumped out his arms, the spirit bowed courteously.

??Oh, I do apologize,” memories returned, “-you’re the same as Prophecy,” upon muttering those words, a cold shadow peered over her shoulders menacingly, “-I’m not like him,” she vanished with a humph. Introduced, they spoke a little till Staxius broke off the conversation to head to the alchemic tower.

“Why did you call for me?”

“I’ve got a present for you,” he smiled, “-come,” opened, they walked up the vexing stairs. ‘I’ve spent a few days thinking about how I’d transfer the goddess’s soul. I dove into the Arcane Library as well, and this is the result I came too.’ Flickered on, a puppet without any unique feature was strung so that it’d float. On the table rested a golden edged box with a scroll inside.

“What’s the meaning of this?” asunder, he knew not how to react.

“It’s a puppet,” taking a flask of red-liquid, the floor was dowsed so it’d make a weird pentagram. “I know of Auic’s wish; she wants for you both to have a normal relationship. To do so, you need to become one with the world, as a spirit, you’re neither human nor soul; stuck between the realm which links the worlds – living a life in thy state would be thoughtless.”

“Is what I think real, are you to transfer my soul into that puppet?”

“More than that,” papers hovered all around the room, “-I’m going to give you a new life. A life as a human,” on which he stopped, “-a tough choice remains,” faced with a stern look, “-becoming human means losing most of your ability as a mage. I can’t guarantee that the magical elements will follow thy psyche.”

“You need not worry,” smiled Avon, “-I’ve decided to live my life as lover to Auic. I wish to be a father just like you – even if I can’t fight, I’m certain that the man I serve will bring about an age of peace. An age where fighting will not be required.”

‘An age of peace,’ giving a smile, ‘-I won’t promise the age of peace coming soon. It’s all in what the future holds.’

“Master?”

“Sorry,” snapped out, “-get in the middle of the symbol with the puppet.” The first attempt at making a spirit be bound to a body that is hoped to change into a human. Out of the eye’s reach, in the corner, cats and dogs slept peacefully, prior attempts began with rats that turned to pets and now Avon.