by Eric Vall
Chapter 1
“Let ‘er rip!” I shouted.
My massive metal soldier I affectionately called “Big Guy” crouched in a defensive position in the meadow. The afternoon sun sparkled off him, and as I had guessed, it only took me half a day to fix the parts that had broken and melted in our battle against Camus Dred, the so-called Bandit Boss of Cedis.
Big Guy was looking good, and now he needed an upgrade. Aurora, my sleek and sexy half-elf Ignis Mage, and I had spent an hour on a new alloy to strengthen his shield. My Terra Mage powers allowed me to find metals where they lurked under the mine’s surface, and Aurora melted them into a metal slurry that was easier for me to manipulate. The results certainly looked impressive. Big Guy’s new shield was as vast and shiny as his original one.
Now we just needed to see how much tougher it was.
At my words, Aurora narrowed her eyes in concentration and allowed blue flame to dance along her fingers. Even at a distance, I could smell and feel the bristle of heat that emanated from her as she built up her power. With a cry, she sent a stream of azure flame in an arc across the meadow, and it struck Big Guy with an explosion of fire.
“Is that ‘ripped’ enough for you?” Aurora called back, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, as I went to inspect my automaton.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to be your target,” I chuckled and looked over the surface of Big Guy’s shield. That’s when the smile left my face. The shield was pitted and soft.
“Do you want it any hotter?” Aurora yelled.
“Nah, it’s back to the drawing board,” I sighed. “We have to find something stronger.”
Aurora groaned. She knew that meant we had to head back into the mine.
I followed the half-elf down the tracks into the dark shaft of the mine. Aurora’s night vision made her the better guide, and she could light the torches with her magic, but it was also a good excuse to check out her round and pert ass.
“Don’t think I can’t tell what you’re doing,” she said, and I could tell she had a grin on her face, though she didn’t turn around.
“Can you blame me?” I replied with a grin of my own.
“Focus on the task at hand, Mason,” Aurora said as she turned to face me. “We have much work to do and not all the time in the world.”
All the time in the world to savor that ass, now that would be paradise. But I shook my head. The Ignis Mage was right. After fixing Big Guy, we still had half the kingdom of Cedis to help rebuild. It seemed like the Bandit Boss and his men had burned everything they couldn’t loot.
Then there was the bigger question of Camus Dred’s own boss, the one he called the Master. The man behind not only the Bandit Boss here in Cedis but the corruption of the Order of Elementa in the neighboring kingdom of Illaria. I suspected Aurora was still not over the shock and betrayal when Abrus, the head of the Order, showed his true colors and tried to assassinate King Temin. Oh, yeah, he also went after my friends and me. Nice guy, and the first person to talk of The Master.
It was a bit overwhelming to think of the big picture, so I took Aurora’s advice as very smart. Focus, Mason. Focus on the here and now, the task at hand.
“You want to do your thing?” asked Aurora as we reached the large chamber at the base of the tunnel. By that, she meant using my power to scan the vicinity and feel the presence of different metals I could then excavate.
I shook my head. “I kinda feel like we’ve tapped this particular chamber. Let’s see what’s happening a little deeper.”
The Ignis Mage nodded, and together we took a side passage. As soon as we started down, I heard Aurora grumble under her breath.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“There aren’t any torches to light,” she muttered. “My guess is that the miners left this area before they abandoned the rest of the mine on the king’s orders. Of course, I don’t really need a torch.”
With a wave of her hand, Aurora brought forth a small ball of flame and let it float above her head. It lit the passage almost as well as a row of torches.
“Of course, there’s another problem,” I pointed out sourly.
“Which is?”
“There’s only one reason why miners would leave,” I sighed. “They already got everything of value.”
“Why, Mason Flynt,” the half-elf said as she turned around. By the light of the flame over her head, I saw a hint of reproach in her emerald eyes. “It isn’t like you to be pessimistic.”
The truth of the matter was I felt like shit. As a half-elf, Aurora healed at a fast rate, but all the bruises, burns, and lacerations my body suffered from the castle battle with Camus Dred were fresh and aching. It wasn’t my style to complain, but I couldn’t let it sour my mood around this woman I loved completely, body and soul. I inhaled deeply, exhaled, and put my best cocky, lopsided smile back on my face.
“You’re right,” I said. “Forgive me.”
“Much better.” Aurora returned my smile and kissed me. “Let’s leave no stone untouched.”
“Is that a pun, Defender Solana?” I chuckled. “Now that’s unlike you.”
Aurora rolled her green eyes, turned on a heel, and continued the walk down the passage while I chuckled to myself. We entered into another high, wide chamber, at least as big as the first one at the top of the mine. The Ignis Mage half-elf brightened the chamber with a glow of firelight, and I held out my arms and sent out my own waves of power to see what I could discover.
I had found that different metals would call back to me on different frequencies. Iron, copper, gold, silver, all “sang” to me in their own way, and I could feel their individual presence. I concentrated on particular metals and filtered out the noise of others as I walked around the cavern.
“Hello?” a familiar voice echoed through the mine.
I shook my head and let my wave of magic sink back. “We’re down here!”
We heard footsteps, and then Princess Cayla Balmier appeared in the chamber entrance like a vision. Around her bare shoulders, she wore a fur stole of the deepest raven black, the exact same color as her short hair, which complemented her porcelain skin. And there was plenty of that flesh to see, as the plunging neckline of her bodice, the same deep, dark color, hugged her curves deliciously. Her flowing skirts trailed behind her, lined with the same fur as the stole around her shoulders.
“By the gods, you did not come dressed for a day of work in the mines,” observed Aurora wryly.
I could not say a word, but then I met the princess and pressed my lips to hers. Only then could I whisper, “You took my breath away.”
Cayla smiled modestly, but I could tell the princess was pleased with the honest compliment. “I came directly from the castle where my father and I had our meeting with representatives from all over the kingdom, so we could hear how they’re faring and what they need.”
I frowned. “Bad news?”
Cayla nodded and let out a sigh. “Much worse than we feared.”
“Remember, always remember, we swore to help you and Cedis any way we can,” I said as I looked deep into her blue eyes. “There is nothing we three can’t do together.”
“I believe that,” the princess replied as she took my hand. “Do you have better news with your endeavors?”
I resolved not to make the mistake I had with Aurora and give in to my frustration and pain. “Partially. Big Guy is fully repaired. The only issue we’re facing is how to make him more fireproof so that I don’t have to keep fixing him after every battle.”
Aurora came closer to us. “That’s why we’re exploring more of the mine to find if there are other metals we can use.”
Cayla let out a giggle as she looked at Aurora. “It looks like all you’ve found is dust. Look at you!”
> I turned from one lover to another and saw what she meant. Aurora’s beautiful mane of bright blue hair was dusted with white powder. I stroked the tresses and held up my white-streaked hand to her with a grin. As I did so, I felt a slight tingle which made me break my smile.
“What is it?” Aurora looked at me.
“There is something about this powder,” I replied while I stared at my hand. “It has a vibration. It’s hard to explain.”
“I’m no Metal Mage,” Cayla said as she grinned, “but I know what that is. Remember, we royalty have to learn all the fine arts, like music, poetry, and painting. That’s a pigment the courtly painters call pearlesce. Mixed with oil, it is a beautiful, glowing white sheen.”
“Titanium dioxide,” I muttered under my breath as I inspected my hand more closely. I was beginning to have an idea.
“No, I told you. It’s called pearlesce,” Cayla repeated with a frown. “You can find it naturally occurring all over the place.”
“I’m sorry, that’s what we call it on Earth,” I explained with a shake of my head. “It’s pretty common there too. You find it in makeup and sunscreen, all sorts of uses.”
“But not one of them is making metal soldiers more flame-proof,” Aurora smirked. “Do I need to tell you to focus again, Mason?”
“In this case, I actually am focused on that matter.” I turned to Aurora. “It comes from titanium, one of the strongest metals per pound. It’s used pretty much everywhere you want something tough and fire resistant.”
“A titanium shield is what Big Guy needs?” Cayla asked excitedly.
A wide grin broke out across my face. “Oh yeah, baby!”
“Well,” Aurora said as she gave me her best stone-faced smirk. “Then you know what to do… baby.”
I focused again and sent out waves into the chamber. It was a different kind of vibration I needed to find, and it didn’t take long for me to hone in on it. Titanium sang out all around me almost the moment I called out to it.
The women knew I was successful by my face, and they both broke out in smiles to match mine.
Immediately, I set to the task. I focused my Terra magic at a motherlode of titanium in the wall nearby and unleashed a wave of power to strip it from the surrounding stone. In less than ten minutes, I could see it. It glinted in the glow of Aurora’s firelight at me, as if to say hello.
And then it crumbled into dust.
“Are you sure that’s what you say?” Aurora chided me. “It doesn’t look very resistant to me if it can’t even stay solid when nothing’s touching it.”
“It oxidized,” I groaned, and when I saw the women’s confused expressions, I explained a little more. “The air changed it on contact. I have to refine it before that happens somehow.”
“How are you going to do that?” Cayla asked simply.
I looked at her and hoped a brilliant idea would pop out of my mouth. Wasn’t that my thing? But… nothing. I shrugged my shoulders.
“You’ll figure it out,” the princess said confidently. Now it was her turn to reassure me, and her faith in me made me straighten my shoulders with pride. “What you need is some food. Knowing you, you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
I nodded and forced my thoughts to turn away from this disappointment. This beautiful woman was filled with responsibilities for an entire kingdom, and I wouldn’t add to her worries. Besides, at the mention of food, my stomach approved of the plan by way of an embarrassing grumble.
Cayla gave a giggle at that. “I have a small feast from the palace up in your workshop. Let’s go.”
In a few minutes time, the three of us were up in the fresh air. The princess proudly displayed all she had brought: fresh apples and grapes, savory sausages, and pastries drizzled with the sweetest honey. Aurora laughed as I wasted no time and dove in like a ravenous beast.
“See?” Cayla teased as she gave me a playful slap on the shoulder. “I know all your appetites.”
I must have winced because both Aurora and Cayla reacted with concern.
“Let me see your shoulder,” Aurora commanded sternly. I started to object, but she silenced me with a hard stare. “Do it.”
“Yes, dear,” I cracked, and then I dutifully lifted my tunic. Usually, the sight of my toned physique filled the women with lustful leers, but not this time. The two of them circled me, examining every still-healing wound, eyes dark with worry.
“You need to go back to the infirmary and have these looked at before they get infected,” Cayla said at last.
“I’ll be fine,” I said as I shook my head. “There’s too much to do.”
“I knew there was something wrong,” Aurora sighed. “I always forget how slowly you humans heal. I should have examined your body.”
“You need no invitation to do that,” I offered with a grin.
“By the light of day and not in the throes of passion.” Aurora was not letting this go. Then she looked at Cayla. “How is it that you don’t have a blemish on you? Your skin is as perfect as ever.”
It was true. Every inch of the princess’s skin that was exposed was absolutely flawless, not cut and bruised as it had been two days ago.
“I don’t know,” Cayla replied, confused as we were. “Maybe my healer at the infirmary was better? I will find her name and take you to her.”
“If I promise to go, can we change the subject?” I pled. I hated all this focus on a few bumps and scratches, though they hurt like hell, when there was so much else to discuss. “I want to know more about the meeting you and your father had with the representatives from the kingdom. How desperate is it?”
“Bandits still roam the land even without their leader,” the raven-haired princess said thoughtfully. She took a grape but didn’t seem to have the appetite for it. “People also fear the return of the great beasts that attacked us before…”
“Which brings us back to the Master, the key to all this evil,” I mused. A cool breeze flowed through the open window of the workshop, and it soothed the pain on my bare chest. “And that path should lead to Nalnora.”
I glanced at Aurora. I knew she would react to the mention of the kingdom of the elves, her ancestral homeland, and she did not disappoint.
“Because Camus Dred boasted that the Master would attack them next?” the blue-haired mage asked.
“That,” I nodded and took a thoughtful bite of the apple in my hand, “and because of the runes we’ve seen branded on the beasts and the Bandit Boss himself. Even, if you remember, on the amulet around Abrus’s neck. You said it was ancient Elvish in design.”
“Cedis and Illaria are still in danger,” Cayla objected as she raised her voice. “If we leave them defenseless and journey to the east--”
“I concur,” Aurora interrupted. “There is also a practical issue. One can cross the border between Cedis and Illaria without a problem. The two human kingdoms are closely allied through trade, after all, and Cedis doesn’t have the manpower to really secure the border even if they wanted to do so. The elves of Nalnora are, shall we say, rather less relaxed with their neighbors. Visitation requires one be sanctioned to visit, and that isn’t always easily done.”
“There is bad blood?” I asked simply.
“On both sides,” the half-elf nodded sadly. “I know it well, being part of both worlds. Do not confuse it for a state of war. There is some limited trade between the kingdoms, but no trust. A long history I will save for another day.”
“Could your father send emissaries to Nalnora?” I asked Cayla.
“We are not a powerful force in the land and have no trade with them,” the princess replied as she shook her head. “Not like King Temin of Illaria.”
“Oh, he’s a bud of mine,” I grinned. “He’ll definitely send a letter to Nalnora if I ask.”
“It’s true. His Majesty seemed to admire your lack of sophistication,” Aurora snorted.
“One of my finest qualities, wouldn’t you say?” I winked at her and received one of her signat
ure, endearing eye rolls.
“Mason Flynt, as requested, we have changed the subject for your comfort,” Cayla announced as she stood up and cocked an eyebrow at me. “Now, as a reigning monarch of this land, I order you back to the palace infirmary. Obey me or face the consequences.”
My body shook with laughter which was followed by spikes of pain. Still, I managed to say merrily, “Oh no, what consequences does Her Royal Majesty have in mind?”
Cayla reached into the folds of her cloak and then pulled her hand out. On the palm of her hand was a small metal figure, my first automaton Stan. He stood legs akimbo and raised his arm just below his featureless face, side to side as if to say, “Off with his head.”
“Well, I was thinking to make my body off limits,” the princess giggled at Stan, “but yes, maybe corporal punishment should be on the table.”
“I’m going, I’m going,” I laughed and then groaned as I pulled myself to my feet. “Having my head cut off I could handle but keeping my hands off your body… that’s just cruel, Your Royal Highness.”
Cayla had tethered the pony she had ridden from the palace next to the vehicle Aurora and I had taken. I say vehicle, but truly, Bobbie 2.0 was much more than a means of transportation. After the revolvers and rifles I had crafted in defense of Illaria, she was my first creation with my metal magic. I had a practical need to get from the kingdom of Illaria to the kingdom of Cedis in a few days time, and I had the ability and knowledge needed to transform raw metal with willpower alone, so why wouldn’t I create the world’s most awesome motorcycle?
Bobbie could blast down the cobblestones and dirt roads of the countryside in excess of sixty miles per hour, turn on a dime, and carry the three of us comfortably. And that was all before Cayla’s father King Davit had gifted me a family artifact, a channeling gem, which I used to power Bobbie. She had been more than a motorcycle before, but now she was much, much more.
On our approach, her engine purred to life. God, I loved her, and she knew it.
Cayla swung onto her own pony. “You’ll get to the palace hours before I will, and I expect to find you in the infirmary. Ask for a healer named Shoshanne and insist on no other.”