Chapter Eleven: Malus' Spirit Army

Magus Balin was in his tower to the east of the royal castle, getting himself a midnight snack. Fighting black magic was bound to make anyone hungry, even a wizard.



After eating, he decided to try an astral projection spell to make sure of the nature of the attack on Arkovia. His body transported to a distant tower where a wizard was scrying. His results confirmed his suspicion: Malus was using a spirit army to poison the minds of Arkovians. He had to warn Alys.



Meanwhile, at the castle, Queen Alys was using one of her few spare moments these days catching up on some reading. It was a rare lone moment for her, with the castle being the busiest place in the entire kingdom.
Balin had never felt comfortable in the castle. No one knew where he'd come from or how long he'd been in Arkovia. He'd seen at least four Arkovian rulers, all the way back to Alys' great-grandfather, who'd granted him use of the tower. Yet of all those monarchs, he felt a special connection to Alys, because he'd taught her wisdom and magic when she was a girl, and she returned the favor with her trust in him above all her other advisers. When Balin said there was trouble on the horizon, she had to listen to him.



Now Balin was stood in her doorway. "Come in," Alys said, "you know you are always welcome here, anytime, day or night."



"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You know you don't have to call me that."
"Yes, I do. You are the Queen, and as such I must grant you your respect."



Balin took a deep breath. "Malus is launching a spirit army against us."
"How do you know?" gasped Alys.
"I did an astral projection. Remember our lessons about those?"
Alys laughed. "The last time I tried one, I passed out for two hours."
"I tell you what. Tell the troops you gathered to try to stall them, as they are inching closer to Arkovia. I'll try to use my mental powers to do the same."

 

Magus Balin left the castle underneath a shroud of fog and secrecy. A wizard's life was a lonely one, especially one of his considerable abilities. He would return to his tower to conduct mental warfare against Malus' spirit army.



Meanwhile Queen Alys had taken King Frgo up to her personal dining area, where they both took in a draught of ale. "You are aware of the situation with Malus, am I correct?"
"Very disturbing," Frgo said. "In fact, he is the one who turned me into a frog."



"He is?" Alys shook her head. "Malus' spirit army is advancing towards Arkovia and may well be here by morning. Gather the rest of the troops and try to stall them."



Back at the wizard's tower, Balin's attempt at mental warfare failed miserably, and he crumpled to his own floor. Malus' magic was much too powerful, for now. Balin would have to try something else later, when he came to.