Silverstone Part One: Through Dark Waters by J.J. Moody

barren as they cast their spells and experiment. It is
an omen of the doom to come I think.” He looked at the ground.
    “The mages are outsiders;
magicians; devil charmers. They came into this land from another,
through great gateways between their worlds and ours. I do not know
why they come. I do not know whether they come from the lands
beyond the Amyntas, or from somewhere else. I do not know how many
there are, trespassing unseen in our lands. But there are five who
have risen to power above all the others. These five exist outside
our laws, outside our societies. They do as they please because
they have the power to crush armies with a single spell.” His face
was fixed in deep creases.
    “It is only the balance of
power between the five that prevents one from dominance, as none
will allow another to assert his power over the lands. But all the
while they secretly study, building up their might until one can
overcome the others and rule this world completely.” He had become
more animated as he spoke, and slightly breathless now.
    “But all of them once came to
us, as you have just done, Silverstone, through a gateway. All are
foreign in our lands, as you are.” He looked hard at Ben. “I do not
know how they learned their spells, if they did not bring them.
Perhaps each was taught by another. But I expect in time, that you
will find that outsider magic also. And when that time comes, you
may become a friend no longer.”
    “I am not a mage,” Ben
protested. “There’s no such thing as magic anyway. And I told you;
I just want to get home to my family. As soon as I find another one
of those gateways that is open I will go back through it and you’ll
never see me again.
    “Not that I didn’t really enjoy
the stew. It was delicious.”
    “Hmph,” Alder chortled. “The
gateways are a greater mystery than even the magicians who came
through them. Unless you have a spell to open them, I don’t know
how they are used. It seems there is one within the lake, but I
would not swim around in it trying to find it if I were you. There
are strange creatures within the water there, and people tell of
old ruins and ghosts beneath the surface. No, I think you are stuck
with us for now, my young friend.”
    Ben became angry. “I am not
stuck here. I can’t just forget everything back home!”
    “I understand. But I cannot
help you. I am just a farmer. Wisest, some say, of the Peregrine
people, but wise enough to know that we are not such a greatly wise
people. There are many in the realm that are a great deal wiser
than I.
    “But do not lose hope. The good
King Elmer has great knowledge, and would no doubt help you. I have
heard tales of some folk disappearing from our lands also, perhaps
to journey to others. And perhaps some of the mages themselves have
come and returned to your world. Who is to say what is possible
with their spells after all. Perhaps one can open the gateway in
the lake for you even.”
    “Yes, yes that’s it. I need to
find the mages, and ask for their help getting home.”
    Alder paused, rubbing his chin
again. Ben began to eye the stew.
    At last he spoke. “I will help
you of course, if that is your choice. We cannot stand in the way
of the great tide.
    “But I advise you to first seek
the counsel of King Elmer, before revealing yourself to a mage. The
magicians always search for superiority over one another and I fear
whichever you reach first may try to use you for his own ends.”
    “I will be careful then. But I
have to go. I must find a way home to my family and if that is my
best chance, then I’ll take it.” Ben felt suddenly strong again, as
he had before in the midst of the battle.
    Alder rose, and gripped Ben’s
shoulder. “Very well young warrior Silverstone, your path is set,
and I will send you on your way with ample provisions from the
grateful Peregrine. But first and foremost you must rest with us
here a few days, and allow your injury to heal.” He pointed