What little Magi that Koda could part with was channeled into the dampening collar that was still latched around his neck. With each ounce of magic, the collar slowly showed more signs of new flaws and fractures.

Koda grit his teeth, struggling with each pulse of magi that streamed through his fingers. The reservoir deep within his body was running dry, but he continued to persevere through the stress and strain that the collar put him through. He knew the Magi acted as a more potent, wild form of magic, more than the collar could truly bear. However he also knew using the Magi had its own consequences; according to his grandfather it weakened one’s mind, made one more susceptible to the darkness within.

Did all Arcane Guardians have such darkness? Was that what drove the first Guardians to ravage the first Sphere of Magi, to forge it into that of the mage’s magic the world knew today?

How could something so pure and vital to the realms and its life essence be so dangerous? It was true, his overuse of it in the past led to unimaginable devastation, but it did end the Varis war, saving the countless lives of the Cypress Alliance.

No, his grandfather was wrong, one couldn’t get addicted to a good thing, and the Magi was a force for good. Using as much as possible to break free from this collar could never lead to something wrong. If his mind grew weak—if he could not discern from right and wrong, if he couldn’t decipher manipulation or true darkness, then that wasn’t the Magi. What it was, was the mental torture that Tashna and his imprisonment put him through. He was safe to use the Magi, he was stronger than its so-called consequence.

What about now, girl? Can you hear my thoughts?

Wildeye lifted her large, purple colored paw onto his lap and looked with yearning into the elf’s eyes. “More—we—need—”

“More magic, yes, I agree,” Koda finished Wildeye’s sentence. With a deep breath, he growled and flooded the collar with the last bit of Magi he could muster.

Crack! The dampening collar splintered once more. Koda laughed through labored breaths. Yes, I believe that will do.

“Koda, you’ve done it. I am able to speak freely!” Wildeye wagged her tail and leaped on top of her familiar, lapping his face with her slobbery tongue.

“Okay, okay!” he chuckled and scruffled her heavy coat. “It’s good to hear from you again, Wildeye. I missed your voice.”

Wildeye pushed her muzzle against the collar. “It is still whole.”

Koda brushed his fingers over the now ridged and cracked surface of the golden collar. “Yes, but not for much longer. I must rest for another day or so and then I am sure we can split it apart.”

“And then we will make our escape!”

Koda embraced his colorful wolf. She was soft and warm to the touch. He would be lost without her presence. “I hope so, my friend.”

Footsteps beyond the door alerted the two that either it was time for another gloating session with Tashna or perhaps someone else came to see the royal prisoner.

The door swung open and a servant appeared. Folded within his arms was a freshly laundered change of clothes. The intricate geometric patterns were typical of the Estinian nobility, complete with dark dyes of blacks, purples, and blues. The occasional red accented the robes on the trim. Koda eagerly grabbed the bundle, desperate to change out of what had once been his fine royal raiments, now reduced to tattered, crusty rags that smelled like a disregarded corner of a stable after his month-long captivity. No amount of bathing that he was allowed could get rid of the sour stench.

“Her majesty, the Div’Rah, demands that you join her for breakfast. Cleanse yourself and dress in your new clothing,” said the servant with his nose pinched and turned upward

Koda nodded and smirked to Wildeye. Wish me luck.

***

Once more an elaborate feast of simmering eggs, fresh Estinian fruit, spicy sausages, honey drizzled porridge, and seasoned potatoes were displayed across the banquet table. Koda’s stomach growled and he couldn’t help but drool.

Tashna smiled and bowed. “Take your seat, dear king. There is exciting news to relay to you. Vhat better way to tell you than over a meal?”

Koda cautiously hid his optimism. Surely his army had made landfall by now and Tashna was just playing mind games with him. He studied her body language and examined each fluctuation of her facial expression, trying to determine what she was really trying to tell him.

Koda did his best to use his table manners, but he could not hide his true hunger for very long. He couldn’t help himself as he quickly scarfed down every morsel of food that was on his plate.

Tashna chuckled. “Vell now, Koda. It vould seem the veracity of your people vas stronger than mine.”

Koda slowed down his chewing and shot a curious look to his captor.

“Yes, your varriors claimed a victory at Ghostoc Port. Congratulations are in order.” She gave a mocking smile and clapped her hands sarcastically. “My father has advised me to let you go. To end this var before even more blood has been shed.”

Koda swallowed his food in a hearty gulp. “If you free me now, Tashna, I will see to it you are not punished.”

“How fair and merciful of you, Koda.”

“Then you will release me?”

Tashna slammed her fist onto the table so hard Koda’s wine sloshed over its brim. “No, I vill not release you!” She bared her teeth and hissed,

“Have you learned nothing from me? Do not show veakness to your people nor mercy to your enemies! Your bleeding heart vill be the end of your short reign, Koda!”

Koda huffed and rose from his chair. “What game are you playing Tashna? You have shown me nothing but true hospitality. It would be the right thing if I were to show the same grace to you by calling off my armies if you allowed me back into the hands of my countrymen.”

Tashna let out a long sigh. “Do not tempt me, Koda. I have shown you this level of kindness as a favor, but I vould throw you to the volves if I had my vay. My varden would take delight in having his prisoner back.”

Koda continued to examine her expressions and it frightened him that she spoke the truth.

“Pray that I do not get my vay,” sneered Tashna. “The var continues, Koda, and your armies vill quickly find that New Estina can be a hostile place to journey through. The situation is getting desperate. If your men vin too many victories and the palace is vithin reach, I'm afraid ve shall have to end our cordial relationship. I may have to sacrifice you to my god in the hope that he vill grant me favor, and the Raven-God looks poorly upon a malnourished sacrifice."

Would Tashna really execute him if his army pushed their way to the Aric City gates? Could this be a fate that only she looked forward to? If so his days were on a countdown to his final sunset, and even if his army found victory in their advance, Tashna would grow desperate enough to murder him.

A gruesome beheading or perhaps a neck-snapping hanging was now in his cards, and the only card to play would be his daring escape.

He brushed his fingers against his dampening collar. He needed to eat what food she granted him and to conserve his energy; breaking from his bonds would not be a simple accomplishment, but it was doable. Let Tashna play her games, his Magi was stronger. It would protect him and destroy her plans to imprison him further. Nothing would stop him from freeing himself and burning this city to ashes. The Magi made this all possible and she did not possess it, only he had it, and only he could wield a power not deserving of an Estinian.

‘Poison my mind.’ No, the Magi shall free my mind. Wait and see Tashna, wait and see.

The Div’Rah picked up a sausage and tossed it to Koda’s plate. “Eat, little king. Enjoy each succulent bite, for one day soon I shall kill you.”

You may try.