Black Mage Cursed (Tournament of Mages Book 3)

watered her plants and retired out into the garden. Vines from various plants were always near her, no matter where she went on the grounds. She liked to go to the garden to train with her abilities, shapeshifting into bunnies and foxes in order to frolic amongst the hedges and bushes. But today she just wanted to enjoy the sanctuary and oversee the preparations for the intruder. She was not worried about the creature stalking her. She received no ill feelings from it. Until, at last, she felt the presence of something behind her. The sun was set low on the horizon and the shadows of the garden were growing longer. The hair on the back of her neck began to stand up, and she turned to see who or what approached. In the garden, which was still drenched in sunlight, stood a tall man wearing all black. His hair was jet black and his complexion a deep olive. She noticed his ears protruding out from under his hair were slightly long and pointed. He was an elf.

“Hello? Who might you be?” She asked.

“I am called Tanyth, Green Mage.” The elf stated flatly.

“Is it you who has been skulking about my gardens?”

“Yes.”

“Has the Black Mage sent you?”

“No.”

“Well then, out with it, what do you want?”

“You are not the one the goddess wants.”

Teoni was amused, “Oh, is that so? Which goddess do you speak for, then?”

“My goddess, Cassany.”

“Cassany, oh? I thought you were not sent by the Black Mage.”

“I have not been. The goddess and Black Mage are not one and the same.”

“Then why would Cassany send you here to me?”

“How dare you question her!” The elf made a step forward and the plant life surrounding both of them moved in closer. Tanyth stopped and stared at the plants in surprise.

“Careful, you are in my garden and my friends do not like irrational elves. Your response tells me you are a zealot of Cassany. Okay, I am currently going against tradition being allied with the Blue Mage, Arran. Surely you know that. I have not taken any steps against the Black Mage, and she should also be an ally of Arran.”

“Yes.” He said. “She is.”

“What manner of elf are you? I have never seen one with your skin tone before.”

“I am a dark elf.”

“A dark elf. Yes, I should have realized, knowing how Cassany is the mistress of dark places. You still have not answered my question. What do you want of me?”

“Cassany is thinking ahead to the tournament, and she tells me you are not the one.” The vegetation moved in closer.

“Not the one for what? Are you referring to my sister, Marlee? Yes, I took her power and switched places with her. I was only trying to protect her. She is better off now with the Tourney Master.”

“No lies!” The dark elf was examining the surrounding plants carefully.

“It is no lie. I love my sister and I wanted to see her safe. Who are you?” Teoni was becoming a bit alarmed now, and the plants responded to her feelings of dread by moving in closer.

Tanyth drew a dagger, and the plants went wild, moving in to wrap Teoni up in vines so that no blade would penetrate them to get to her.

“What is your plan? You want to kill me and take my place as the Green Mage?”

“No.” Tanyth said. He remained still. “I cannot do that.”

“If you kill me, elf, that’s what will happen. You will become the Green Mage.”

“No, I won’t. You have to be one among the living for that to happen and I am… am something else. If I were to kill a mage, I will not take their place.”

“Then why are you here with a dagger threatening me?”

“I will not kill you even though I am able to if I want.”

“How can you kill a mage then if you would not take the mage’s place? You are acting strange. Are you here for medicines? Do you need one of my cures? Is that it?”

“I have a way.”

“A way to what? Kill a mage?”

“Yes.”

“I think you had better leave, elf. I don’t think I like this conversation. I think if Cassany has created someone who can assassinate the mages for her own gain? The other gods and goddesses will not let that stand for long.”

“Perhaps, but for now, they don’t know about me.” He took a step closer to the Green Mage, who was continuing to be wrapped in strong vines.

Tanyth smirked, hesitated, and then put away his dagger. He turned and took at a leaf between his fingers, rubbing the soft leaf absently as if nothing had occurred.

“What are you doing?” Teoni asked. “I said you should leave this place.”

“I am not here to kill you, Green Mage. I am here; however, to show you that I am able to kill you. Cassany requires a favor of you.”

“Cassany can go to the two hells for all I care. How dare you come here and threaten me!”

Tanyth stiffened at Teoni’s blasphemy. “If not you, there will be another. You will grant my goddess her favor or I will end you with a replacement who will. It’s up to you, but I suggest you heed my warning. It is not a threat I make to you. I am prepared to follow though with my words.”

Teoni allowed the vines surrounding her to loosen and subside, “What favor?”

Tanyth turned to face her with a growing grin on his lips. “A poison. Cassany wishes you to make me a strong poison. Once that can kill rapidly. You can make such a poison from plants, can you not?”

“Yes, I can, but the question is will I. What purpose does a god have for a poison?”

“I will pay you handsomely for the poison.” Tanyth said.

“Is it to kill a mage?”

“No, I don’t need a poison for that. The poison will not be used to kill anyone.”

“I’m confused. You want me to make a strong poison and then you are not going