Michael Foster - She Who Has No Name

‘She is much better,’ Utik’cah stated. ‘Surprisingly so.’

‘So what is the problem?’ Samuel asked him.

‘The healers stated that even with their spells and potions, it would be several days before they knew if she would even live for certain, so horrendous were her injuries. Then, it would take several weeks for her bones to heal and perhaps several months for her to walk well-even with the aid of their magic to help her all the while. She has healed much faster than I was led to believe was even possible. Also, there is one other problem. The three attendants were left to watch over her while the healers went to rest. When the healers returned, the attendants had vanished. We cannot find them.’

‘Where have they gone?’ Samuel asked the man, as they edged back out of her room together and Utik’cah pulled shut the door.

‘I was hoping you could tell me. No one leaves the palace without being seen, and servants of Alahativa do not simply leave their tasks without good reason. Still, they are gone.’

‘I’m sorry,’ was all Samuel could say, ‘but I have no idea where they are.’

Utik’cah regarded Samuel soberly, as if waiting for any more information to reveal itself. When he was content that Samuel would say no more,he nodded and turned away in silence, leaving Samuel to return to his room and his breakfast.

The Paatin healers had little else to do for the Koian god-woman, as a few days rest and a few minor spells would cure the remainder of her ailments. An older, more matronly Paatin woman, quite modestly dressed, was allotted to care for her and the two of them seemed to get along much better, as the old woman had no qualms about allowing her to dress to the Paatin equivalence of an old maid. Shara was her name, and the Koian god-woman seemed happy enough with the arrangement, and did not attempt to assault the old woman with any of the furniture.

That day, Samuel spent every hour attempting to muster his power. He sat on the end of his bed and called for magic. As usual, nothing came in response. He tried again several times but to no avail. He shifted and fidgeted and tried every trick inthebook to calm himself and reach his power but,every time he tried, he felt himself wishing to have his ring and was unable to focus himself.

It was his turn to be surprised when he heard a cough and opened his eyes to find the Koian woman standing in his doorway, observing him.

‘A magician without magic is like a cow without udders, Magician. What good are you now?’

Samuel grunted, irritated that she could sneak up on him so easily. He damned her for lacking all magical presence and damned her again for even existing. It annoyed him to no end that he was no longer unique in that way. ‘What good are you, woman? One day, I will restore my magic, but you will always be you.’

‘Perhaps instead of insulting me,you could ask for my opinion?’ she said smugly from the doorway.

‘I think there is no need for that. You seem to give it without hesitation. And besides, what would you-a woman-know about magic?’

She walked in and stood facing him with her arms folded. It was amazing that she now stood, when hours before she had been on the edge of death.

‘I don’t see that you have anything to lose by trying,’ she told him. ‘And I know many things you cannot begin to guess.’

Samuel considered a number of responses that seemed suitable, but he managed to bite his lip, imagining the retaliatory onslaught of abuse he would then have to persevere.

She carried on despite his scowling glances. ‘If you ask me-and I know you won’t-I’d say you seem to be trying too hard. If you approach any task as a chore, how can you possibly find success?’

‘Don’t you think I’ve tried!’ he shouted out, as he lost his temper. She jumped at the sound of his voice and he felt guilty at the sight. As much as he disliked her, he felt ashamed for being so short-tempered. He stood from his bed and turned away. ‘I’ve tried everything,’ he said, calming himself, but he would not turn back to face her.

‘Then I don’t know how to help you,’ she said flatly, behind him.

He heard her move towards the door, and he turned back tofaceher. ‘Wait,’ he called and she stopped short of the entrance, turning her face towards him. He had thought he would find some emotion on her face, but she looked unnerved by his temper. ‘I want to ask you about what happened after your fall. What happened to those women? How is it that you have healed so quickly?’

‘Why should I answer, Magician, when you have judged me already?’

‘What did you do to them?’

‘What do you think I did? You are ever so quick to point the finger of accusation towards me,OSaviour of Cintar, but we are more alike than you would care to guess.’

‘I am nothing like you,’ he said, again annoyed. She seemed ever intent on infuriating him-and it was working.

She turned her back to him without any hint of response and left, shutting the door softly. If only she had slammed the door, he would have felt better.

Attempting to clear his mind was pointless after that and he spent the following hours pacing nervously. Utik’cah was soon calling at his door, which meant it was time for the battle and Samuel followed the man in abject silence.

‘You will need to meet Alahativa’s expectations this time, Lord Samuel,’ he said as they waited at the arena gates. ‘She has organised a rare event: Paatin wizards to face you. She has ordered your death and they will try their best tofulfilher command.’

‘I thought she didn’t kill her own people?’

‘These wizards have disappointed our Queen and have asked for the chance to redeem themselves. The decision was theirs.’

The gates swung wide and the light was momentarily blinding. As his eyes adjusted to the glare, Samuel stepped out into the arena. Again, he spied Eric waiting in his Order blacks at the centre of the ring and he padded over as quickly as he could to meet his friend.

Eric seemed in good health,well fed and refreshed.

‘You look better,’ Samuel stated.

‘I think they want a better show this time. My cell is not nearly so dismal any more. I even have a bucket. What about you? Have you found the Empress?’

‘No, but I am learning more, slowly.’

‘We cannot wait forever, Samuel. We need to act.’

There was a commotion from the crowd as two Paatin wizards emerged from the opposing gates. The crowd did not cheer, but a murmur ran amongst them. These wizards donned grey,wrap-around cloaks of light material, in the Paatin-style. They seemed powerful and the two of them immediately began gathering power from the pattern around them.

‘Trouble,’ Eric noted.

‘I still don’t have my ring, Eric. Can you handle them?’

Eric was worried, but he made his best attempt to hide the fact. ‘Without a doubt,’ he lied, and he, too, began filling himself with magic.

Samuel felt his heart racing and forced his eyes shut, even reducing his magician’s senses to nothing in attempt to shut out the presence of the two readying wizards. His lips trembled as he recited his mantras of centring. He tried all the mind-calming exercises he knew, but still his power was distant and feeble,too pathetic to even reach.

‘Samuel,’ he heard Eric say beside him, but he did his best to ignore his friend. ‘Samuel!’ Eric called again, with more urgency. ‘I hope you’re ready. They’re coming!’

Samuel opening his eyes to see the two wizards working at their spells. They had already made their shields and were now readying their offensive magic, moving their arms in gestures of casting.

‘Are you ready, Samuel?’ Eric said, having thrown his defences in place.