Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

“It would appear that you have been the cause of some of those failures,” the Emperor stated calmly. “What do you know of my efforts anyway? Just who are you?”

“I am someone who can further your cause,” declared Aakuta. “I know of your banishment from Vandegar Temple. I know of the desertion of tens of thousands of your people a millennium ago. I know that we are in the Time of Calling, and if you don’t change your advisors quickly, you will be defeated in the Time of Cleansing to come.”

Aakuta felt his shields beginning to fail. He turned his head with effort and saw several black-hooded men casting spells at him. He knew his time was short.

“You appear to know more than you should,” frowned the Emperor. “You think that my advisors served me poorly. Explain your reasoning.”

“Fakara was a wasteland with hundreds of disjointed tribes,” Aakuta said with effort. “They were a country that your forces could have stepped into and easily conquered. Veltar united them. What everyone thought they would never see now exists. The Astor has united the free tribes into a viable fighting force. That would not have been possible without Veltar’s involvement.”

“That was necessary to attack Khadora,” countered the Emperor.

“Another foolish mistake,” retorted Aakuta. “Zygor followed a plan developed by Veltar. He led troops into Khadora to raise havoc. Just what did he accomplish? Now Khadora is united against you. Once again your plans have suffered a major setback. Call off these attacks upon me! Are you so willing to throw away your chance for supremacy?”

Vand’s face clouded with confusion. For several minutes he said nothing as the mages and soldiers whittled away at Aakuta’s shields. Finally, he waved his hand in dismissal. The attacks immediately halted, and Aakuta breathed a sigh of relief. He had been seconds away from total failure of his shields. He inhaled deeply as his limbs began to quiver.

“If you had not killed Zygor,” stated the Emperor, “he might have accomplished his goal.”

“No,” Aakuta shook his head as he tried to control his trembling. “I wish that I had gotten to him sooner. I struck when I did in hopes that I could forestall Marak’s plans to unite the country, but it was already too late. I killed Zygor to stop any further disintegration of your plans. That is why I killed Smarc as well. He would only have picked up where Zygor left off. Why are your advisors causing you to unite your enemies?”

Emperor Vand frowned as he digested Aakuta’s words. Lady Mystic was grinning broadly from her place alongside the Emperor.

“Veltar’s foolishness vaulted Rejji into his leadership role,” Aakuta offered as he finally regained control of his body. “Zygor advanced Marak to a position of leadership in Khadora. Without those two mistakes, your enemy would still be disorganized today. I shudder to think of what your advisors have planned for Omunga.”

“What would you advise for Omunga?” asked Vand.

“Do nothing,” advised Aakuta. “Right now you have two nations there that despise each other. Already that means that your enemies in Omunga are divided in half. How much further do you think you could divide them?”

“They could be forced to battle each other and kill thousands before I even invade,” declared the Emperor. “Why is that not sound advice?”

“Because they could also unite,” explained Aakuta. “Certainly Omunga would not be the great mistake your advisors already made in Fakara and Khadora, but why continue to follow such poor advice?”

“So you suggest leaving my enemies to their own devices?” questioned Vand.

“That would have been my advice from the beginning,” nodded Aakuta. “Much damage has already been done to your cause. It is time to sit back and analyze your options.”

“And you have come here to offer your services for such planning?” posed the Emperor. “Why?”

“I like power,” grinned Aakuta. “It is obvious to me who will win this contest. Like any sensible man, I aim to be on the winning side. I have much to offer you, but I also expect to be well rewarded.”

“And what do you expect your rewards to be?” asked Vand.

“I want power and prestige,” Aakuta answered without delay. “I am sure that you are aware that I am a mage of considerable skill. I want to expand my knowledge.”

“And take my place?” the Emperor asked as his eyes narrowed.

“I am no fool,” Aakuta shook his head. “You have reigned for thousands of years, and I expect that you will rule for thousands more. To oppose you is to seek an early death. Besides, I want prestige, but I am loath to inherit all of the responsibilities that come with it. Give me power. Give me prestige, and leave me alone to relish both. I will serve you well until the end of time.”

Vand’s eyebrows rose in consideration of the proposal. Lady Mystic again leaned over and whispered in Vand’s ear. The Emperor smiled and nodded.

“Very well, Aakuta,” stated the Emperor. “I shall keep you around. You will gain power and prestige, but you will gain them on my schedule. Be forewarned. You will be watched closely. Any deviation from what is in my best interests will terminate my grace towards you. Do you understand?”

“I understand and am most grateful for this chance,” bowed Aakuta. “You will not be disappointed.”

“Wake up!” shouted MistyTrail. “Hurry!

Mistake opened her eyes. She could just see the rail of the boat and the angry sky beyond it. She sat up and was immediately thrown against the side of the boat. Pain shot through her shoulder as her body was tossed towards the other side of the boat.

“Grab the tiller thing,” shouted MistyTrail.

Mistake fell to the bottom of the boat. She shook her head and crawled toward the stern. The swaying of the boat made her feel queasy as she grabbed onto the tiller. She pulled herself up and managed to slide the bucket under her. A furious wind had the sail full. The boat was being pushed sideways through the water. Mistake tried to move the tiller, but it would not budge.

“It won’t move,” shouted Mistake. “Come help me.”

Mistake hung onto the tiller as she watched MistyTrail crawling towards her. She looked up at the sky and bit her lower lip. Dark angry clouds covered the sky, and it was pouring to the left of her. The chill of the air shivered through her body.

“It’s going to rain,” Mistake shouted over the howl of the wind. “Hurry.”

MistyTrail scurried along the floor of the boat and grabbed onto Mistake’s leg as the boat lurched again. She waited until the momentum of the boat steadied and then she stood and grabbed the tiller.

“Now,” shouted MistyTrail.

They both tried to move the tiller. It slowly started to move, but the boat lurched again. MistyTrail fell on the rail, the top half of her body hanging outside the boat. Mistake let go of the tiller and wrapped her arms around MistyTrail’s legs. She pulled frantically as the sea tried to suck MistyTrail out of the boat. MistyTrail’s hands appeared over the side of the boat. They gripped the rail as MistyTrail tried to pull herself into the boat. They lurched again and MistyTrail’s body flew into Mistake. They both ended up sprawling on the floor of the boat.

MistyTrail’s hands went to her side above the left hip. She groaned loudly.

“Are you alright?” shouted Mistake.

“I am still here,” quipped MistyTrail. “Let’s try that again, but I am not standing up this time.”

Mistake nodded and grabbed the bucket. She threw the bucket towards the bow of the boat and faced the tiller on her knees. MistyTrail crawled to her side seconds later. Suddenly, the sky opened up with a tremendous flash of lightning and a deafening clap of thunder. The rain came down fast and furious as they gripped the tiller and tried to move it.