The Curse of Credesar, Part 1
Page 28
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While they walked, Theodus and Thayan told the others about their encounter with the Blue World sorcerer in the cave. Dameon seemed all too willing to believe what the sorcerer had said, while Kelden was skeptical, knowing that a creature like that wouldn't hesitate to lie.
They stopped in a field for a lunch of jerky, bread, nuts, and dried berries. Dameon took Thayan aside and they talked for a while. Finally they shook hands, apparently having made their peace. Later, Dameon led Thayan off behind some trees to begin his training, the choking incident seemingly forgotten.
Kelden felt a petty annoyance that Dameon was taking special interest in Thayan, as if Thayan were the most important member of the party and not Kelden. But on the other hand, Dameon's sorcery was corrupted by the use of Halstarion technology and couldn't be trusted. Still, Kelden wouldn't have minded learning a few things. His training at Valganleer had been in its infancy when he was sent away, and as with all sorcerers, a taste of the magical arts left one with an endless craving to learn more.
The Galds were tireless, ever alert to dangerous creatures and mud traps. By the time the party stopped for dinner, they had slain a deer and gathered a heap of mushrooms. They cooked a delicious stew even Thayan couldn't help but indulge in. The warriors seemed ever cheerful and optimistic, ready to leap up and get things done. Their work ethic created a sense of security that anything could be accomplished. Kelden realized he was lazy and inept in comparison. Even Theodus had to give a nod of approval. But Thayan did his best to avoid benefiting from their talents and constantly shot them spiteful looks while muttering under his breath.
Three days after leaving the village, tragedy struck. One of the warriors took a gleeful interest in a rusty metal pipe half buried in the mushy ground. He pulled it up and peered into an end of it as if seeking treasure, only to scream and recoil as a fat two-headed snake popped out and buried fangs in his cheek. It was a costly mistake, one that such a cunning warrior shouldn't have made. Moments later the Gald lay twitching on the ground from the deadly venom, foam bubbling from his lips.
Dameon urged the warriors to help him, but the other Galds refused to give him aid because of his stupidity, and they turned their backs on him--once again reminding the others of their savagery. Dameon worked furiously on the bite, trying to suck out the poison. Finally he gave up and rose, wiping sweat from his brow, a sigh of frustration on his lips. The poison was too strong and too quick, and soon the warrior gave a final shuddering breath.
The other Galds knelt and painted green symbols on his body. Then they captured the snake from the pipe, painted a symbol on each of its heads, and let it go free, while Kelden and the others looked on in bafflement. After that, they laid the pipe on the warrior's chest and folded his hands over it. They left him to rest there forever with his rusty treasure, his bulbous black eyes gazing into the heavens.
The travelers moved on with heavy hearts, sickened that one of the supposedly precious ten had been struck down so easily and foolishly.
In his dreams that night, Kelden felt the weight of his burdens crushing him. He knew that the monsters inside him would tear him to pieces if he didn't find a way to continue his training and evolve into a greater being.
Each night after that, Kelden's dreams were filled with despair. His days were spent in a sullen silence even Theodus couldn't penetrate. He was losing control hour by hour, the dark magic squirming in his stomach like a ball of snakes. Dameon whispered advice to him, telling him to be strong--that things would balance out within him. But Kelden didn't believe it, and he wasn't sure Dameon did either. This was something new and complex that even the seers could not understand.
Terror lurked within Kelden and around him. He knew the Blue World sorcerer would strike again, and he had no idea how he would survive. The Galds were fierce warriors, but he wasn't sure the entire company was a match for that devil. More than likely, the sorcerer would wait for an opportunity and then strike Kelden down--just as he'd done before. And this time there was no shielding potion to protect him. The others stayed in a protective circle around Kelden most of the time, and he was always watching the trees, wishing they were away from the woodlands and in open terrain.
"I'm not going to make it," Kelden said, as they sat having dinner beneath an enormous pine. "Sooner or later that spear is going to come out of nowhere again and get me." He rubbed his chest, his tired eyes gazing into infinity. He knew to the others he must appear as if he were coming apart, but he didn't care. The stress and terror had left him empty of pride.
"Not if I can help it," said Theodus. But he looked doubtful.
"The Blue World sorcerer can be defeated," said Dameon. "He is flesh and blood, just like you and me. The Galds are great protection against him, as they can sense his presence and take advantage of his weaknesses. I don't think he has been tracking us since we left the village, or the Galds would have alerted us. Yet sooner or later we'll have to confront him, and I think we'll be ready."
"How can we be ready?" said Kelden, shaking his head in disbelief.
"In the process of training Thayan," said Dameon, "I'm rediscovering many of my own skills that have been unused for a long time. And you're growing stronger, believe it or not. No man could bear such burdens and not be changed. Also, we have nine of the fiercest Gald warriors you could ever find. We cannot think of ourselves as victims. We must be the aggressors!"
Kelden sighed, feeling anything but aggressive. Dameon's wise words rang hollow for him. He was getting tired of the former seer's unshakable optimism. Dameon seemed more clown than seer, a maniac spouting words of hope but ready to plunge off the deep end at the slightest provocation. Kelden was afraid to oppose him, afraid of being choked like Thayan had been. Meanwhile, he continued to wait in dread for the gleaming spear to pierce his heart.