Kargen rushed forward, concerned for his bondemate's safety, but she was already using her magic to knit her flesh. She continued on, forgetting the attack, but grateful for the presence of her bondmate by her side.
Natalia stared at Athgar's face. He was pale, and for a moment, she wondered if he had been injured somehow. Sensing her, he turned, looking at her with dull eyes.
"It's done," he said, "though there was no pleasure in it."
She nodded. "Battle is not something to take pleasure in. It's a dirty thing, to be avoided whenever possible."
"All this death," he added. "Why couldn't they have simply accepted defeat?"
"To some, honour is more important than life itself."
"Honour?" said Athgar. "Hundreds of them gave their lives because of honour. It's a hollow word."
"Do not discount the beliefs of others, my love."
"Is that what the Saints say?"
"It is a universal truth," Natalia replied. "It doesn't matter whether you worship the Saints, the old Gods, or even the Ancestors. What matters is that you hold on to your beliefs; it's what gives you strength. Would you think any less of your own if you died fighting for them?"
"If I was dead, I couldn't think."
"And yet we know that's not true," said Natalia. "The magic of the Orcs has proven that. If the dead do not speak, who are the Ancestors?"
He nodded, then began to sway on his feet.
"Athgar? What is it?"
His eyes rolled up into his head, and he dropped to his knees. Natalia rushed forward, cradling him as he fell backwards.
"Shaluhk!" she called out, but her tribe sister was out of sight. Others gathered around, and she sought out a familiar face, soon finding it in the form of Rugg.
"Something's wrong!" she pleaded.
The old Orc knelt, forcing back Athgar's eyelids to peer within. "He is exhausted," Rugg announced, "nothing more. The battle has been hard on him. I should not have allowed him to cast in such a state."
"Stand back," roared Kargen, pushing his way through the crowd. In his wake followed Shaluhk, concern on her face.
"What has happened?" she asked.
"He collapsed," said Natalia.
Shaluhk reached forward, feeling Athgar's forehead. She knit her brows, then reached out to Natalia, feeling hers as well. "For comparison," she explained. "You Humans are far different than Orcs."
Natalia tried to calm herself, but her mind wouldn't settle. Time seemed to stretch out for an eternity as her tribe-sister cast a spell, and then her eyes began to glow. They all waited with bated breath as Shaluhk withdrew her hand, her magic complete.
"Well?" said Kargen.
"His life force is weak," she said, "but there is no physical injury. I suspect he is suffering from magic fatigue."
"Magic fatigue?" said Natalia. "How can that be? He's used his magic before without such effects?"
"Those who use magic seldom fight with weapons. It is the combination of physical exhaustion together with the depletion of his magical reserves. To put it another way, the spark within him is reduced."
"Is that dangerous?"
"No. So long as he rests, he will recover fully."
"I've heard of this before," added Rugg. "It is very likely that when it returns, he will be even more powerful."
"I don't understand," said Natalia. "I was taught nothing of this at the Volstrum."
"Athgar was not born a mage," Rugg continued, "rather his spark was born through great suffering. There are some who believe such inner fires grow in times of great distress."
"Are you saying he's a wild mage?"
"No," said Shaluhk. "However, had it not been for Master Artoch, his spark would have consumed him. His teachings have given Athgar the discipline needed to keep the spark at bay."
"That's contrary to everything I've ever learned," said Natalia.
Shaluhk looked at her square in the eyes. "Can you be so foolish as to believe this Volstrum of yours knows everything about magic? Magic is a powerful force, Nat-Alia. We can harness it, but we can not control it. That is why discipline is so important."
"And why wild mages are so dangerous," said Natalia. "I understand now. I'm sorry, Shaluhk. I meant no offence."
Shaluhk smiled. "And I take none, Sister mine. Now, I suggest we get Athgar to somewhere that he can rest. You must go with him, Nat-Alia."
"But there's so much to do here."
"I can take care of that," said Kargen. "Or do you doubt the word of a chieftain?"
"No, of course not. Thank you, all of you. You'll never know how much this means to me."
Sir Raynald knelt by the body of the father general. "Such a waste," he said.
"This Human," said Voruhn, "he was their leader?"
The knight nodded. "Yes, but he was following the orders of his superior, Master Talivardas." A sudden thought struck the knight, and he began searching the body.
"You think he will have something of worth?" asked the Orc.
"No. I search for his orders," said Sir Raynald. "He likely kept them with him as a reminder of his duty." He smiled as he withdrew a folded paper. "Here they are."
"What do they say?"
The knight unfolded the package to reveal a neatly penned letter. He scanned its contents, then looked towards the Orc. "As I thought. It's a letter from the grand master."
"How does that help us?" asked Voruhn.
"I'm not sure it does," said Raynald. "But…" His voice trailed off.
"What is it?"
"There's something here I can't explain."
"Perhaps I can help?"
"This letter is dated only three weeks ago."
"And?"
"It was written in Corassus, or so it claims."
"And of what consequence is that?" asked Voruhn.
"There's no way a letter could have travelled from Corassus all the way to Ebenstadt in only three weeks."
"Could it have come by mage?" suggested the shamaness. "It is said that some can use magic to travel great distances."
"The only users of magic in the Church are Life
