Magical Hearts chapter 13

During our last chapter, the goddess had tasked Isabel and Julius to create a castle. The Grandmaster Wizard Sparrow had volunteered to give his aid to the chosen of the goddess. When we left them in the Fallen Oak Inn, the goddess had fulfilled a promise to Sparrow. She had also announced the presents of her chosen in a very spectacular way to the Elven people. We open as the scene unfolds within the Fallen Oak Inn.


Magical Hearts chapter 13



The Elven King still had not moved remaining on his knee. I say, “Please kinsman rise, it is not the practice of the elves to go to the knee. No need for you to do that I am merely the messenger of the goddess.” There is more than one gasp, and many realize their derogatory comments understood and directed at the chosen of the goddess. I spoke in the elves’ language and just called their King my relative.

The room is silent except Sparrow’s daughter asks, “Father, how am I here? I should be dead.”

Sparrow with happiness in his voice says, “All will be explained, but first I must introduce you to the chosen of the goddess.”

I turn helping Sparrow back to his feet, and he then assists his daughter to stand although she still is a bit wobbly and leans on him for support. The ranger on the ground looks at his hand in wonder and Ben offers his hand to help him stand as well. Both Brook and her companion stand in shock not expecting to be alive and whole.

Smiling Sparrow says, “My daughter Brook it is my great pleasure to introduce you to our distant cousins. This is Grandmaster Wizards Julius and Isabel Cowan, Prince and Princess of Cowan, and the chosen of the goddess Aphrodite.” Brook’s eyes go wide and if it was not for Sparrow holding her I think she would have went back to her knee.

Ben catches her companion and says, “Julius does not wish that.”

Smiling I say, “It is no longer the custom of the elves to show respect in that way. I would not have it renewed, I am not the goddess merely her chosen messenger.”

Brook asks, “Was it you that healed me?”

Isabel is always quick to point out says, “We are but the messengers through which the goddess shines, we are mortal and do not take credit for what the goddess does. Give your thanks to the goddess it was her power that healed you.”

The high priestess smiles, even for an elf the look of great age is on her face. The Elfin people usually do not show their age until they are very ancient. She walks to Isabel. Looking into her face she asks, “Child, who told you to say that? Why do you not take credit?”

Isabel smiles and says, “Only my heart has told me. Only the goddess has the power to do so much. Why should I take credit when it is not my actions?”

I smile and say, “My soul mate has spoken true. The goddess’s power heals. We are only the messengers through which it shines.”

The priestess asks, “What of you, you other two couples, I saw you shine with the goddess’s power also are you two chosen?”

Justin says thoughtfully, “I believe because we swore to help Julius and Isabel that the goddess give us her gift as well. We are both blessed couples, but it began with Julius and Isabel through them we became blessed as well.”

The priestess nods her head yes, before she turns back to me. Looking at me she asks, “Tell me your story of your life, I know the goddess has named you chosen but please I need to know if you are the one foretold or I still must wait.”

To honor her long years of service, after bowing to her I begin, “Much of the story I learned after my identity was discovered but I should tell you from the beginning. Please everyone take a seat the story will be quite long.” Only then did people move from the knee, as Isabel brings a chair for the priestess. The room is silent once all have taken their chairs I begin the story in full. “Twenty years ago on the day after the winter solstice I was born to King Patrick and Queen Carissa Cowan. When I was still but a babe my father had my mother seeks sanctuary in Britney, the Duke there betrayed my parents ambushing my mother before she could enter the city. My mother sacrificed her life to protect me, praying to the goddess for my salvation. Her giving up her life for love of me moved the goddess, and she answered my mother’s prayer.

I was so young I did not know the goddess placed me into a home with a loving woman and a gentle man. On my fourth summer, Raiders attacked the village in which the goddess placed me. She soften the heart of the Raider who killed the only parents I knew. He branded me as a slave instead of killing me. At that point, I had no name other than slave.

I endured slavery for four years, when the Master Wizard Justin freed me from the slave market in Camarillo. My plight moved the crowd, the Duke, and then the King who ended slavery in Cowan. At least my suffering for the four years ended the suffering of many.

No one knew my true name not even I, having no name the Master Wizard Justin called me, Julius for the child he had searched for but could not find. He had healers try to remove my strikes and brand although none could. During my ninth year, Justin discovered I have magic, and Justin became my teacher as well as my guardian.

During that time, Justin spent many months in the dwarves’ land. One day I helped a dwarf move a stuck wagon. We both fell into the mud as the wagon suddenly come loose. That was the day I met Granite Strong-Arm. I think he saw more in me than I could see in myself at the time. He and Justin arranged for me to begin to train with the dwarves as a fighter with the ax as a way to help me to recover.

During my early years, I grew strong and quick of step, I grew in power as a mage. I showed promise as both a mage and a fighter with use of the ax. By my fourteenth year, I could stand against six fighters in the ring without the use of my magic. I had become skilled more than any other than Granite would believe possible.

“During that same year I met the girl that would later be my wife. Finding her face beautiful, I cast a light spell telling her that was her Halo. Only later, did I found out that the spell lasted and impossibly long time. Apparently, the gods had taken notice of us.” I smile as Isabel comes to my side. “This next part I will let my wife tell.” Mentally I tell her, (do not forget to share your connection to your namesake.)

She looks up into my face and I can hear her thoughts telling me, (I am going to get you for this.)

Looking back to the crowd, she focuses on to the face of the high priestess and she begins. “I was born Isabel Morgan, my clan was originally formed by Morgan youngest son of Cowan the wise and Queen Isabel. I am one of their direct descendants. I had fallen in love with Julius. Being a young girl I cared not about names, I only knew my heart. My father kept us from seeing each other, on my fourteenth year the Duke of Camarillo at that time, insisted that I marry his second son of only ten years old. I did not love the boy, but my father prepared a dowry that was required. I ran away, not wishing to marry.

I was going to go to my uncle who I had not seen for four years and request for him to train me as an apprentice. On my way there, I ran into a servant of my father. His name was Remus and he insisted that I return with him to father. Before we can go to my uncles for the night a werewolf attacked killing poor Remus as it struck him he cried out. I was so frightened I could only hide a short distance away.

Then out of the woods came a cloaked wizard, from my hiding spot I cannot tell who he was, and I feared the Duke’s mage had found me. I wave of his hand knocked the werewolf off his feet. Then a mighty burst of lightning killed the beast. When the wizard turned and headed straight for me I panicked and ran.”

I mentally tell Isabel I will resume from there.

I begin again, “Once I had convinced her I meant her no harm. She calmed, and I set about the gruesome task of incinerating the two bodies. We then proceeded onto Master Justin’s home, which I shared. When we arrived there, Isabel told her uncle of the events earlier that night.

I cannot believe my good fortune when he insisted that we were betrothed. After casting the love’s discovery spell, he found us bonded strongly. Isabel and I were unwilling to leave each other’s arms, he went back to making the fire as Isabel, and I took the opportunity to kiss. We did not know at the time that we shared a blessed bonding.

The next day I gathered my dowry, and we traveled by an enchanted carpet Isabel granted me the power to create. We arrived in Camarillo, greeted by her father. While waiting for her father to decide if he was going to take my dowry, I was to present, Isabel and I kissed.”

(Isabel giggles in her mind and thinks Rebecca is going to be disappointed for leaving her out of the story.) Looking at my wife’s face, I chuckle and say, “My wife has reminded me how large a part my youngest sister-in-law Rebecca played into the story at this point.

Rebecca had seen us arrive, and had noticed a kiss Isabel and I had upon our landing, and how we glowed. Isabel and I had not even known until she asked. How did we glow like that? Is then that Justin informed us that we glowed with every kiss. In the tent of her father, Rebecca begs us to kiss again so she could see the glow once more. During the kiss, a priestess of Aphrodite entered the tent and seeing us glow proclaimed that we were a blessed bonding and no other marriage could be arranged for us.

She knew of the Duke and his plans for Isabel that he insisted that she marry his son for what purpose no one knew. Jeremiah insisted that she inform the Duke. Jeremiah with no other option, agreed to see my dowry. He found it acceptable.”

Justin laughs the sound carried in a quiet room seeing all eyes turn to him he finally explains, “Julius is dowry knocked my brother-in-law off his feet. It was Isabel’s weight in gold, and a third of her weight in uncut diamonds.” The priestess smiles, but the King and sparrows mouth drops open. There is many a gasp throughout the room. For only a second a quiet murmur runs through the room.

Once a room quiets I continue, “The Duke murder the priestess of Aphrodite when she refused to go against the goddesses wishes. The wicked Duke then ordered the temple of Aphrodite to suffer the same fate, because they too would not go against the goddess. He ordered my arrest and Isabel to be taking to his Castle. Once within the walls, I suffered three hours of torture until the sunset. The goddess is justice came with the setting sun. Isabel and I freed of our bonds after I was thrown onto the bloodstain of the priestess.”

Justin again adds, “Do not forget you shared the warning that all the righteous should leave the city the afternoon before.”

I give him a nod of my head and say, “My uncle is correct, before the Duke did drag me off I did give warning that I received from the goddess that the good people of Camarillo was spared.”

I hug Isabel, giving her a smile I continue. “Once free of the bonds Isabel and I moved into a kiss that lasted for the entire night. In the morning, the goddess caressed our faces. All the wicked people that remained within the city perished along with the Duke. That ended the night of judgment. Isabel and I were the only two left alive in the city and that was because the goddess protected us.”

As we left the city in search of Jeremiah and the survivors who fled the city, Isabel noticed the sails of a Raiders ship at sea. We found the survivors a short distance away out of sight of the city.

Bringing some guardsmen and kinsman to the walls, I knew it would not be enough to stop the hundred strong that would assault us. With Jeremiah’s aid, Isabel’s father, we met them at sea. We destroyed all but a few before they could reach the shores and captured the Raiders left alive. The rest of the day we spent preparing for our journey to New Cowan, we created five enchanted carpets, and three magical chest to move the house of Morgan.

Seeing the confusion among the elves, I mentally call our carpet we loaned to sparrow, and it flies through the broad doors and over the heads of the elves. It lands before us between the high priestess and the King. Stepping on it, Isabel and I rise into the air for a moment. We command it to land.

The following day, we arrived in new Cowan just after the noon meal. By dinner, Isabel and I wed, the goddess herself proclaimed as husband and wife.

George interjects, “Do not forget she also said you are the example of what love could be, beautiful and wondrous, joyful and lustful all things in the one.”

Martin with a chuckle says, “Leave it to you George to remember that.”

The room breaks out into laughter, when the room quiets again the priestess asks, “What words did you have for each other?”

Sparrow smiles giving us a nod, and Isabel and I repeat our words to each other. As Isabel and I gaze into each other’s eyes I begin, “You fill my heart with beauty, with love and joy. I was a blind man walking through this world until you open my eyes.”

Isabel says, “Your words bring joy to my heart. My life began when you held me in your arms for the first time.”

I say, “You are my Angel, with halo bright seen with each kiss. You are the light that I see by, the love that I feel knows no bounds, and surely, it makes us stronger. You are my soul mate. I think the goddess for making us as one.” The priestesses takes in a sharp breath hearing our statements looking wide-eyed, they watch as we move into a kiss. As each time we kiss the glow surrounds the two of us, this time the glow reaches out and caresses the high priestess who has a bright smile on her face despite her age.

She clears her throat and says, “Just a little more and I will be satisfied please continue.”

I continue, “When we kiss the goddess come forth, that is when she proclaimed us the example. That was the second time we saw the goddess. When Isabel and I kiss next, the glow spread among the congregation healing all there, many with ailments that other healers could not.

At our wedding feast, the King had us kiss at dusk, allowing our glow to fill the dining hall.

In the morning is when my birthright was discovered, where the brand had been there was no feeling before that morning, the skin itched so much that I was forced to rub. When I did I moved my clothing, as my mother-in-law entered the room I turned and my father was the one to notice my birthmark first.

Justin adds, “I thought the King was going to have me flogged. All that time you were in my care and I did not know you for his son.”

With a chuckle I say, “I think the goddess prevented that when she arrived for the third time. She explained how she had hidden me to protect me and honor my mother’s sacrifice. She also warned father that he would have need of me. That was the third day in a row we had seen the goddess.”

The head priestess eyes are now closed, and I notice she draws no more breath. I moved to her side lifting her hand there is no life left in her body. I am not sure why, but Isabel is at my side and tears freely fall from us both.

The King draws a soft sad breath before he says, “The prophecy has been fulfilled, her long years of waiting for you are over.”

Isabel and I turned tear streaked faces to him and he says, “She was the priestess who married King Cowan and Isabel. Seeing them glow with the blessing of Aphrodite, she allowed her prejudice to come forth. Saying a derogatory remark the goddess made her stay in her service until your return. The goddess then gave the current high priestess the prophecy, which you have fulfilled. It is not the full measure of what you will accomplish just that we will know you by its fulfillment.”

With Isabel’s hand in mine, we turn back to the priestess. We both reach out and caress her cheeks in a ragged voice I say, “May you find the peace your long years of service have earned.” As our hands, still caress her cheeks our tears flow, her years are erased her body reverting into the beauty she was in her prime. A smile now is on her face as she slowly fades is as if we see her waking in the afterlife with the goddess.

Priestesses take the now empty dress that once held the high priestess. Bowing to us, they leave. The King takes in a breath and says, “That was not expected or foretold very few in our history have been taken to the afterlife that way.”

Brook comes forth bowing to the King, then to us. Turning back to the King she addresses, “Sire may, I have leave of your service. I owe much to the goddess; too much, far too much only to give praise. I would aid her chosen.”

The King looking at Brook says, “Your service was sworn into your death. What I have witnessed tonight I hold your service fulfilled. Your new life is your own my niece.” The other Ranger steps forward joining Brook too. The King chuckles and says, “My words holds for you too Gabriel. I would have one more report before I release you.”

Bowing both acknowledge what the King said. “Yes sire.” Gabriel continues, “It is as we feared the orcs are on the move south in great numbers.” A murmur runs through the crowd at hearing the grave news.

Justin sets white faced, looking at Selena he says, “I would pray that we do not have to fight. Perhaps, we could enchant weapons for the younger ones.”

I learn what Justin had lost during the last Orc war. An arrow fired by a dark elf took his wife. If it is in my power, I will answer his prayer. I will plead with Father that Justin and Selena held in reserve. Allow them to enchant weapons for our warriors, but not allow him again to suffer the dangers of battle, especially with Selena at his side.

Sparrow looking to his King says, “There is many things we must accomplish. We must prepare for the invasion of the orcs and the invasion from Izmira into the south of Cowan. It is not coincidence that both should come at once, it is also not coincidence that Julius and Isabel the Chosen have come to us. We will need their power, because it is not just the human lands that this evil seeks to destroy, but all the allies.”

If an attack Fleet sailed from Izmira, they would arrive about the same time as the orcs. Our forces would be too divided to defend against both. Perhaps the only way to do this is to meet the fleet at sea, before they can reach our lands. Damage them so badly forcing them to return home, or destroy them.

That may barely give us enough time to gather our forces to meet the onslaught of orcs.

We may have to face the orcs first. Try to drive them back destroying as many of them as we possibly can. Then Edmonton tried to withstand the onslaught of Izmira’s invasion. Trusting Edmonton’s walls of the keep and citadel to withstand them long enough until we can bring our full forces to bear.

The only thing I know for sure is our plans need to be constantly adjusted, flexible to the situation that best serves us. If we destroy the fleet, the defenders of Edmonton can stand against the orcs. If we destroy the orcs, the forces that would stand against them can attack the armies of Izmira.

Although ships have a weakness, lightning bolts destroy their planking, and fireballs set them on fire both would be enough to turn them away. They would have to leave earlier than the orcs, possibly just after midwinter so they could arrive in the early spring. If we only use fireballs, destroying their sails the ships would still reach our shores but the voyage would take far too long for many of the soldier and sailors to survive.

The larger question is how many ships, how many of their sailors and soldiers will we face. As I feared, Izmira must have learned of the plans, and of the alliance, we were going to gather too great of a force so they sought to destroy us first. How could they organize with the orcs, now that makes me wonder what greater evil is behind them.

As if in answer to my unasked question, the Elf King comes forward. King Sky Firemoon informs me, “We have long believed the Drow control many kingdoms, using humans for their dark purposes. Izmira is one of those kingdoms we suspected. The Drow or dark elf separated from our people long ago when the goddess condemned the use of slaves. They rejected the goddess and her teachings. Since that time they have sought to destroy the followers of the goddess.” Many suspected that fact, but very few would ever think an elf would admit that, let alone their high King.

Cowan has been one of the strongholds of worship for the goddess of Aphrodite. Her worship strengthened during the time of the first high King and Queen. During that time, many more began to follow the teachings of Aphrodite. Several of their descendants also have found bless marriages, but Isabel’s and my marriage is the first blessed in more than a hundred years.

King sky asks, “What is your thoughts Julius?”

I look to the King and say, “Separately we will never survive. My life has taught me one thing. Each of the allies has strengths. The elves are the best artisan, archers and Rangers on our entire world. The dwarves are fierce fighters; they are the best weapon smiths for ax and sword.