It hadn’t taken the hired swords long to find them. She now had a new problem to deal with. How many more were out there hunting for him?
"Where's Teek?!" yelled R.K., climbing down from the caravan and frantically looking around. "Are we safe?"
"For now, yes."
He didn't look convinced. The Green Ways opened behind her; relief filled R.K. 's face now that Teek was back to protect the camp. He handed U'ka a bag filled with fruits and nuts, their morning meal.
She motioned for R.K. to join her. "Come, let's talk some more. They sat silent for a few moments eating their food. Sadly, they went through the supplies from Forlorn faster than she anticipated. She really missed the bread they’d provided her. They were now back to living off the land.
"So how much weapons training have you been through?" said U'ka. “You have to be able to defend yourself now that we know someone is hunting for you.”
"I got some training when the war first started, but all the experienced fighters got called to battle."
"I have a feeling your Daemon gains power from any blood you spill, not just your own. So no more blade weapons for you." When Bahlmet made no comment, she knew she was on the right track.
"Great," he said, throwing his hands up in the air. "Now, I can't even defend myself."
"That's not necessarily true. If you use a quarterstaff right, you can take someone out without spilling blood."
Teek grunted in agreement.
"I've definitely never trained with a quarterstaff," he said, dejectedly.
"I can show you some of the basic moves. They aren't my favorite weapon; I prefer blades. But I can get you started on your training and we'll see how well you do."
"So when do we begin?"
U’ka turned to Teek. "We'll need a couple of staffs crafted, preferably from Iron Oak."
Teek nodded and headed into the Green Ways.
8
The Petulant Child
Young U'ka dropped the marbles into the bucket one by one, watching them sink to the bottom, hearing a muffled tap as each one stuck the metal. She’d carefully collected the other children's marbles from their abandoned game she wasn’t invited to join. She set a small static charge hex on the water that would give the children a slight shock when they reached into the bucket to retrieve their marbles.
It wasn't fair they left her out of all their games. The last time they let her join their group, they abandoned her at an old ruin they were exploring. She’d wandered alone for many hours in the dense forest and was sobbing by the time a Green Jyll found her and brought her back to the village.
U’ka hid behind some crates, waiting for the children to return to their game. It wasn't long before she heard their giggles as they came back to the game circle drawn in the dirt to retrieve their marbles.
"Hey, my big blue one is missing," exclaimed a chubby brown haired boy.
"I'm missing one too," said a tall, thin boy.
"So am I," said a red-haired girl.
They began to search around for their precious marbles when they got to the bucket, the red-haired girl with a face full of freckles looked inside.
"Here they are!" She exclaimed.
They each reached their hands towards the bucket to retrieve their marbles. As soon as their fingertips touched the water, they screamed as the static shock zapped them. The red-haired girl started crying.
They heard U'ka giggling as she peeked out from behind the wood crates.
"U'ka, you dumb git, that hurt!" Yelled one of the boys.
"Relax, it's just a little shock. Don't be such a baby!" Taunted U'ka.
The other boy picked up a dirt clot and threw it at her, ducking back behind the crate box she heard it thump against the side of the wood.
More dirt clots thumped against the box, U'ka slunk into the forest, satisfied she’d got them back good.
* * * * * *
"But Mommy, I don't want to go," said young U'ka, stomping her feet, looking up at her mother's stern, grey eyes.
Her mother knelt before her, looking at her troubled face. "We discussed this already. It's time for you to go to the Citadel. You need training and discipline in your magic."
She huffed and crossed her arms. That was the last thing she wanted. "I promise I'll be good."
"That is a promise you have broken many times now," her mother said, getting to her feet. "The other children will no longer play with you because you've hexed and jinxed them too many times now."
"They were being mean to me!" U’ka protested.
Her mother put her hand up. "No more arguing, U'ka. You'll be on an even playing field with the other magic apprentices. You may get a dose of your own medicine, so you'll learn how abusing your magic affects others. They'll teach you how to use your abilities properly."
She definitely did not like the sound of that. U'ka liked that her magic gave her an advantage over others. She opened her mouth to protest again, but her mother held up her hand to cut her off.
"This is for your own good U'ka. You'll make new friends and gain new magical abilities. You need to at least give it a try. I really think you'll like it."
"Alright," she said, defeated.
"Besides, I told you I have important work to attend to elsewhere and I can't take you with me. You will have a grand life at the Citadel. Far better than what I can give you."
U'ka looked back at the hut made of stacked stone blocks with a thick thatched roof which was her home for her entire life, unable to believe she was leaving it.
Shivering, she felt the Green Ways open behind her. Her mother bent to hug her and kiss her cheek. She handed U'ka a canvas bag filled with her few belongings and turned her to face the Green Jyll.
"I love you, U'ka," said her mother.
"Love you too, mommy," she said, taking the Green Jyll's hand. She saw a hint of sadness in her mother's eyes right before the Green Ways swept them away.
U’ka opened her eyes to see a small garden at the foot of a large stone staircase leading up to the intricate wrought-iron entrance of the Citadel. Marveling at the carved marble pillars towering over her, a tall woman glided down the staircase, holding up her dress before her, so she did not trip on the stairs.
"You are U'ka?" she asked.
"Yes," she said in awe of the woman before her in her beautiful gown.
"I am Mistress Shal. You are five, is that right?"
U'ka nodded at the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Her chestnut-colored hair was pulled back into an elaborately braided bun. Bright green eyes shone against the warm brown tone of her skin. In awe, she was unable to say anything as she took in all the wondrous sights all around her. Everything was so different from her little village. The whitewashed stone buildings went all the way up the mountainside and seemed to gleam in the sunlight.
"Good. You'll be staying with the other first-season apprentices. I'll show you to your room," Shal said, holding out her hand.
Before they left, Mistress Shal held out a scroll to the Green Jyll. "Holly, can you please take this to the Obsidian Keep?"
"Yes, Mistress," she said, taking the scroll.
Still in disbelief at the wonders of the Citadel, Shal led U'ka through the marble hallways and up grand staircases. The walls were covered in beautiful paintings of people dressed in elegant brocade garb. Massive wooden doors were carved with dragons, serpents and other strange animals. Huge wrought iron lanterns hung from the ceiling, glowing brightly, illuminating the hallways. It was all so wondrous to U'ka.
Other student apprentices hurried past them, their chatter bouncing noisily off the stone walls. She'd never seen a building this big before. Shal opened a door to reveal a long room with six beds. The last one near the balcony, the only one not made.
"This is where you'll be staying during your time with us. You can put your things in the trunk by your bed. Make your bed and get changed. Then join the other apprentices in the courtyard below."
"Okay," U’ka said,
still a little unsure.
"I’m in charge of the new apprentices. If there is anything you need or if you have a problem, come see me."
She nodded, still nervous.
"You'll be fine, U'ka. The other children are looking forward to meeting you. If what I have heard about your abilities is true, you are going to have a very charmed life here."
Shal closed the door behind her, leaving U'ka all alone in the room. She walked to her bed, spreading out the sheets and blanket, then sat down. She fought back tears, the reality finally hitting her. This was her life now, whether she wanted it or not.
Feeling truly abandoned now, she got up and walked to the balcony to see the other girls below waving their hands around to cast elemental spells. Nothing happened for most of them, but a few were able to create little fairy lights which twinkled and floated through the air. She heard their laughter as they danced and jumped around in the tiny lights.
U’ka opened the trunk to find her apprentice robes. She pulled off her old, faded dress and stuffed it in the truck next to her canvas bag. She never planned on wearing the ugly, old thing ever again.
A small fountain sat at one end of the dirt courtyard surrounded by large ceramic planters filled with colorful flowers. U'ka stood in the shadows, watching the other apprentices. A slight breeze sent dried leaves swirling around her feet. She wanted to join them but didn’t know how. She’d never been good at making friends and was a little afraid of how good some of them were at magic. A girl with long black hair, dressed in her apprentice robes, caught sight of U'ka in the shadows and gave her a small wave. She waved back but still did not feel comfortable joining the other children.
The black-haired girl motioned for U'ka to join her. She slowly walked over to where the girl lazily drew symbols in the dirt.
"You're new here, aren't ya?" she said, not looking up.
"Yes," U'ka said nervously, scraping her foot on the ground.
"I'm Calt. I'll be your friend if you'll be mine."
"I'm U'ka. I'd like a friend."
Calt looked up and smiled. "You know how to make the dandylions grow?"
U'ka shook her head.
Calt pointed at one of the symbols drawn in the dirt. "Copy that one. You have to use Blood Magic to make ‘em grow. Use your finger stick to draw blood, then push your magic into the ground."
U’ka picked up a small branch, carefully copying Calt's symbol. She hadn't been issued a finger stick yet, so she used the broken end of the branch to prick her finger.
"Now gather up the magic inside you, let it flow down to your hand and into the dirt," instructed Calt.
U'ka touched the symbol with her bloody finger, pushing all of her magic into the soil. Nothing happened at first; she felt frustrated at her failure before feeling a soft vibration under her finger. Pulling it away, she expected a sprout to break through the soil, but the flower did not appear.
"Don't feel bad, it don't work for everyone at first," said Calt, trying to be encouraging. “Besides, we gotta be careful how many dandylions we make. Groundskeeper Mault gets mad if we make too many of ‘em for him to clear out.”
U'ka threw the stick in frustration and stomped on the symbol she’d drawn. Calt gasped at her temper tantrum. Thankfully Mistress Shal called the apprentices back into the study hall so Calt could escape U'ka's angry display.
* * * * * *
That night U'ka flopped wearily into bed. It was the busiest, most tiring day of her entire life, but it’d also been a good day. She’d made a new friend and gotten a peek at all the new magic to be learned. It won’t be so bad here after all, she thought before drifting off to sleep.
U'ka woke up late, most of the other children were already heading down to the courtyard. When she arrived, she couldn't believe her eyes. The entire courtyard was covered in a thick carpet of golden dandelions which blanketed everything.
Mistress Shal was there with a disgruntled looking groundskeeper. The other children stood behind her, looking around in shock.
"I am told this is your handiwork, U'ka," said Mistress Shal with a stern look on her face.
9
The clacking sound of wood on wood filled the air. U'ka worked with R.K. on basic strikes with the Iron Oak quarterstaffs Teek fashioned for them.
"Alright, hold the staff over your shoulder. Align the end at me. Good. Now step forward into your swing." The staff came down, loudly cracking against the staff she raised to block his blow.
"Excellent. Put as much power as you can into your swing. You want to take your opponent out as quickly as possible.”
Teek motioned to them they needed to get moving again. "Alright, practice time is over. You're doing really well, R.K. Better each time. I think you may be a natural at this."
R.K. grinned, putting his staff in the caravan and climbing into the driver's seat. She strapped her staff onto the saddle and they continued their journey north. It felt good she had finally gained his trust. She wanted to help him, not just because of her promise to him, but because she enjoyed his company on their journey. It was nice to have another human to travel with and he seemed like a good person that she hoped one day to call friend. They were going to go through a lot on this journey together and things would go much smoother if they got along.
Riding on, they passed many ruined villages and abandoned towns from when the Daemon war machines passed through, razing everything in their path. No more people appeared on the road since the attack. Their small group was all alone in these abandoned lands. U’ka was still on the lookout for large game animals, only to be disappointed. She was starting to lose hope again.
Teek abruptly turned them off the main road, leading them to a small copse of Sentinel trees standing vigil over the ruins of an old abandoned Sanctum. The majestic trees with wide, twisting branches reached out in every direction. Their massive canopies provided shade and protection for any being who sheltered there. Teek laid his hand on one of the thick branches, silently communicating with the Sentinel Trees.
U’ka started to ask him what they were doing here when a dagger flew past her head. She slid off Bud's side and drew Blood Drinker. His Iron Oak armor materialized around him. Snorting, he stomped the ground in a challenge to the unseen attacker.
Teek reached into a thick bush and pulled out a screaming woman. "Die Battibahla, you traitor!"
U'ka couldn't believe her eyes at the sight of her dark-haired childhood friend.
"Calt! You're alive!" She wanted to rush forward and throw her arms around her best friend, but the absolute hate in Calt's eyes stopped her in her tracks.
She struggled in vain against Teek's grip, her black hair falling into her face.
"Murderer! They're all dead because of you!"
U'ka started to reply when a low, gravelly voice behind her called out.
"Hush, girl. These people are not here to harm us. Calm yourself and the Green Lord will let you go."
She knew that voice. Turning, she saw the old, wizened Master Shen - The Eyeless, stooped over and leaning heavily on his long staff.
"Bo Master, it is a relief to see you also made it through the war."
He looked much frailer than the last time she saw him at the Citadel teaching Bo fighting. But she knew looks could be deceiving; he was still someone she did not want to face in a staff fight.
Teek released his grip on Calt. She shouldered her way past U'ka to gently grab Master Shen's arm to help steady him.
"How dare you come here after everything you did, everything you destroyed."
Master Shen raised a shaky hand to silence her, before running his hand through his long white beard. "Quiet, child. The gods have guided them here. They are in need of my help."
"Who are these people?" said R.K., climbing down from the caravan.
"This is the Bo Master who will complete your staff training," said U'ka.
"That old man? He looks like he can barely stand and he's blind."
"Show some respect!"
growled Calt. "He's the Bo Master of Eleanthra. He's taught better men than you the exquisite Art of the Bo."
R.K. held up his hands in apology. "Sorry."
"Master Shen it’d be an honor if you taught him how to fight with a bo," said U'ka
Master Shen went into a coughing fit. Calt wrapped her arm around his waist to help keep him upright.
"I have medicine in the caravan," said U'ka.
"I didn't think I’d ever see one again. It's stocked?" said Calt.
"Fully. Help yourself to what you need."
"Green Lord, please help Master Shen back to the hut."
U'ka motioned for R.K. to follow them to the hut where Teek lowered Master Shen to sit on a small bench. "Please, sit. I wish to speak with you both."
They sat next to a cooking pot. Master Shen dipped a ladle into the pot and filled two bowls with a thick stew.
"Calt told me how you fell into darkness, U'ka. I’d like to know how the boy came upon the darkness in him."
"I don't know for sure," said R.K. "I hid out during the war and have been scavenging ever since. One day I came upon a strange man and the next thing I know, I'm waking up on the ground with U'ka telling me I'm Daemon held."
"Curious. Do you have any theories on this, Blood Witch?"
"I can surmise the strange man R.K. encountered was Daemon held and transferred his Daemon to him."
Master Shen nodded, eating his stew.
"Will you still teach him how to fight with a bo, Master Shen?" said U'ka.
"Does he have his own staff?"
"Yes," said R.K.
"May I examine it?"
"I'll go get it," said R.K., leaving to go to the caravan.
"I’d like to speak to the boy alone, if I may,"
"Of course. I need to get the animals settled for the night."
On the way back to the caravan, U’ka passed R.K. with his staff and Calt carrying the medicines for Master Shen. Calt refused to even look at her. She removed the gear from Bud and Daisy’s sweaty bodies and checked them for any injuries before wiping them down and brushing their coats. Bud laid his head on her shoulder, letting out a few low snorts. She wrapped her arms around his thick neck, running her fingers through his long black mane.
The Blood Witch Chronicles Page 15