Sorcerer from Another World

We left Ferisdarm in a rather unique mode of transportation. 

In a matter of minutes, I had made the hoverboard gigantic. I threw up some walls, a roof and vaguely shaped it like one of those large sea ferries. Let down a ramp, the survivors walked on carrying what supplies they had salvaged. It felt oddly like Noah’s Ark. The Unseelie had torn through men, women and children and the survivor’s bore empty, bleak eyed stares. 

On top of the hoverboard we drifted over hills of corpses and out of Ferisdarm. We followed the bends of a river against the stream, the impoverished ferry hovered over the water silently. We passed a Roman camp, I recognised it from textbooks. It looked grander still in the distance with tall watchers and thick wooden walls. I wouldn’t have seen it, if not for the giant flying eagles carrying back whole deers in their talons. 

There was someone else standing in the nearest watchtower. He glowed with a golden sheen. He seemed like a tall man, but his aura was alien to my senses. His biology was inhuman and was unalterable by magic. In his hands a spear and a sword forged of the same metal that Meredith shot and felled me. Somehow I wasn’t surprised to see the Roman God of War.

The sun rose ever higher in the sky as dawn turned to day. I felt the touch of soft breeze and looked up to the clear blue sky. I was glad for the perfect weather. In the wake of tragedy, it seemed jarring for the world to still be beautiful. I wondered what would come next?

There was no way to know for certain. As I closed my eyes to the warm rays of sunlight, I felt the thrum of power. It was clear that whatever happened the future would be magical. 

“We’re alive.” Morgana said from my side.

“What now?” Iris asked. 

I kept my eyes ahead, “Well, I just enabled anyone to take the reins.” It was an epic effort to not look at them freshly bathed from our rump in the woods.

“I’m tempted to lead us to Camelot where the walls are thickest.”

“But?” I asked.

“But, I have more enemies in there than out here. I would rather not have to sack the city and become a tyrant.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Yes, let’s choose something more peaceful.” I thought about those giant eagles and Roman. “Do we know anywhere that could weather a Roman attack?”

Iris frowned, “I know only of Camelot whose walls were built to resist dragons.”

“We should go north. I know the lands and people.” Umbra added. 

“That’s a good point.”

“I agree. We go to Elkilbour in the Kingdom of Alba.” Morgana declared. “It is the closest of the great cities barring Camelot. They have the last living Circle of Druids where Iris can be among like minded folk, Wind Wardens and five of ten of the last Berserkers. You can conjure great walls, my Paragon. But, Elkilbour has the people we need to fight back.”

“I hope you are right.” I pondered. “Do you know how big the city is and how long the journey? If supplies run out, I can keep everyone alive, but they won’t really be living.”

“It’s a major city of thousands. If the Kings are not in residence then one of their heirs or stewards will reign.” Umbra answered.

Morgana added, “She’s right. I went only once as a child in a carriage but it was about two days. But at this speed it takes about half a day.” 

“I wondered what they are like?” Iris mused. I glanced at her. “The druids of Alba. We respect the same court, and share many traditions but Helen always said they were strange.”

“Strange or not, the Elkilbour Circle of Druids are powerful. In combination with the marshy lands and many hills the Kings of Gelt have been able to hold Alba during past Roman incursions.”  

“Sounds promising.” I said.

“Elkilbour it is then.” Iris affirmed. “Let someone else take care over, Slánaitheoir. Come lay with me and rest.” She tugged on my hand. 

I turned my attention to Iris. Bleary eyed, I let her guide me to a sleeping sack. At the end of the long night, I concluded that so long as we stuck together I was confident in our future. Finally, I got some sleep.