can’t learn to live without it, then the magic will take you over.
“What do you know?” Bren asked angrily. Though as soon as the words formed in his mind, he started wondering why he was so mad at Thuraman. The staff was a pain and often only nagged him, but it seldom told him anything about magic that didn’t hold true.
You are not the only one that has to fight against the grip of the magic. I may not be human, but it calls to me all the same, just not in the same way.
Bren released the magical energy that he had been holding inside and brought his attention back to his surroundings. He didn’t know why the magic felt so good, but he knew that anything taken too far could be dangerous, and magic was no different.
Bren and Cass stopped three times before the sun set and they made their final camp. Even in the waning light, Bren could see the large cloud of dust that the Brotherhood soldiers were putting up in the distance. They were staying close to make sure they were followed, but Bren didn’t like the idea of camping with them so close. It was highly unlikely that they could reach them on a forced march, but Bren preferred not to take unneeded risks.
As soon as Bren laid his head down on his makeshift pillow of saddle and blanket he quickly fell asleep.
Bren didn’t know how long he had slept, but he was rudely awoken when Cass softly kicked him in the side. “What is it?” Bren asked in a sleepy tone as he turned to his side.
“We are going to have company here shortly,” Cass said in a light whisper. “Yeah, I know you were right,” Cass added when Bren gave him a scornful look.
Bren quickly started to move his gear around to make it look as if he was still sleeping. As he moved things around, he started to think that he was getting used to this. Soon as everything was in place, Bren and Cass moved back a few yards from their camp spot and lay in a small dip in the terrain that would hide them from any but the most astute person.
After more than a half hour of waiting, Bren started to think that Cass was losing his touch. As his head began to dip and his eyes grew heavy, the first hint of intruders reached his ear. A few moments later a group of ten men crept into their camp. As he watched them, Bren stared to wonder if nighttime entries were all taught by the same person. It all seemed the same as the last attack. It felt as if he was just reliving the same night again. He could only hope that it would also go the same way as before.
Bren started pulling in magic but at the same time, he made sure to keep his mind as separated from the energy as possible. He didn’t want a repeat of what had happened earlier that morning.
Bren didn’t want any more holes in his blanket so as soon as the soldier raised his sword Bren started his attack. Each of the soldiers wore thick steel armor and that was Bren’s focus. Within moments the soldiers began to pull on their armor. The screams didn’t start until small wafts of smoke began to rise into the air. Bren hadn’t meant for his attack to be fatal, just to get their attention while Cass and Bren attacked, but before they reached the camp, the men lay on the ground, their skin bubbling. The screams of the men as they lay on the ground raking their fingers across the glowing red armor tore at Bren’s ears but it was nothing compared to the smell.
“I think it is time for us to go,” Cass said holding his hand over his nose.
Bren just nodded his head as he tried to keep the contents of his stomach where it belonged.
Chapter 10
Unlike the day before, Bren and Cass didn’t play around, they rode straight out. The first signs of the village where their friends were waiting on them came into view a few hours before midday. Bren felt anxious as they neared the buildings.
He had been in Northern Kurt for almost half a year now, but the buildings still amazed him. Everything was made of wood, and most the roofs had hard clay tiles that gleamed like dried blood in the sun. It was very