The Sword and the Flame: The Forging

by CP Bialois

  Viola’s eyes sparkled at his words; she was being offered everything she ever wanted. Somewhere in her heart she felt a pang of concern for Janessa and the others.

  Sensing her thoughts Mern nodded, “Yes, you’ll save your friends and they will honor you for it.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Have no fear child, time has little meaning here. For everyday spent here time moves only an hour in our world. You’ll not be gone from them for long.” Seeing his apprentice’s dark thoughts disappear Mern continued, “Shall we begin?” Not waiting for an answer he conjured a mystical beast from another dimension. “Defend yourself.”

  *****

  The minutes seemed like hours as Fech sat waiting. For a gargoyle, it was strange behavior as they were known to sit motionless for days at a time while they waited for prey to pass within striking distance. Had others of his kind been present they would’ve thought him a disgrace, centuries of skill and cunning became polluted by being around a human for his entire life. His own kind would have attacked and destroyed him for being weak long before then had he come across any of his brethren.

  All of that held no meaning to him, Fech was and always will be Renard’s pet. No amount of bestial grumbling from his natural senses would change that. As a result of his loyalty he learned the ability to be eager, to crave action be it rending a deer or a human. He wanted to destroy something, someone. His body ached for the adrenaline such an attack would bring. If his target fought back, so much the better.

  Those hungry thoughts kept him entertained while also feeding his appetite. He was so intent on his daydreaming that Renard’s shuffling of parchment startled him out of his reverie. When Renard looked over out of curiosity, Fech looked away ashamed.

  “Eager to get a move on, are you?” Renard’s voice was hard despite the smile he wore. Fech lowered his head a little further but his master motioned for him to stop. “No need for that my pet. You’ll have your chance after nightfall.”

  Hearing that Fech’s mood improved, his master was being very gracious to him. Yes, at nightfall he would avenge his master. The gargoyle listened to every word while Renard gave him his instructions. It wouldn’t be as much fun as he originally hoped, but then it would be a glorious massacre.

  *****

  “I tell you, I heard something.”

  “I tell you, we’ll get there sometime next week if we keep stopping every time you hear a squirrel shit.” Galin wasn’t happy. For what had to be the hundredth time in the last hour, the companions paused to investigate a strange sound Janessa heard. So far they found nothing. “You’re not an Elf, lass. You don’t know the different sounds of the woods.”

  Janessa was indignant, it wasn’t her fault Galin made enough noise to wake the dead. “And you do? Begging your pardon, but these ears make me the closest thing you have to an Elf.” She motioned to her pointed ears, a trait she usually kept hidden by her hair, but due to the warm morning she pulled her hair back in a pony tail.

  “If you were an Elf we’d be there by now.” The Dwarf mumbled under his breath.

  Before Janessa could respond Gilliam put himself between the two of them. “Enough both of you! This is no time to be acting like a pair of spoiled children.” He turned to face Janessa, “You’ve been a great help, but I don’t think there’s an ambush waiting for us.”

  Janessa’s face twisted into one of curiosity, “But if Berek was taken they’d be expecting us.”

  “Not you two, if they were expecting a rescue it’d be just me, remember?”

  Galin’s brow furrowed at first, then smoothed when he caught the cleric’s thought. “Aye lad, they wouldn’t know I joined you, and I doubt Janessa’s even in their thoughts.”

  “Then what are we waiting for? C’mon we’d better hurry!” Janessa took off up the path towards Renard’s company leaving the two to stare after her.

  Galin shrugged, “I’ll say this for Halflings, they sure have a lot of energy.” The two followed after her, if they lost her she’d be in the middle of the camp before they reached it.

  *****

  Berek couldn’t remember a morning being so warm during that time of year. He laid next to Madam Fleir, both of them were bathed in sweat and panted from their exertions. Now he understood what made her so inviting to the men. In the brief time he spent with her, the years seemed to melt off of her. Now, she looked and felt twenty years younger. Madam Fleir was a Nymph.

  He wanted to stay with her, every part of him yearned to satisfy the craving he now felt in her presence. A sudden and powerful desire continued coursing through him to the point he felt he’d die without her touch. With a great deal of pain, he forced himself to sit up and reach for his leather breeches. Her hands rubbed his shoulders, trying to coax him back into her bed.

  “Leaving so soon, my boy? We just got started.” Her lips sent rivers of fire coursing over his skin when she kissed the back of his neck.

  “I have to go… my friends are waiting.” He forced the words out, each sounding like a frog’s croak.

  He could feel her smiling at him as he stood and pulled on his tunic. When he turned around, he couldn’t help but marvel at her transformation. “You’re a Nymph.”

  Madam Fleir smiled, her many years of life showed in her eyes. “I am. An Air Nymph to be exact.” He looked at her for a moment in confusion having never heard of her kind. She nodded, understanding his thoughts. “I am the last of my people. Like my cousins, the energy of lovemaking keeps me alive.” She lowered her gaze, “I’m sorry I used my powers to persuade you. I’ve watched you for so long…” She trailed off unable to finish her sentence.

  He understood, she was in love with him, somehow he’d drawn her to him. He always felt a pull from her, as if he was being drawn in like a moth to a flame, but he never thought he had the same effect on her.

  Again she nodded, “I never used it on you before, not fully. I only did so now… so that you wouldn’t leave without me.”

  Berek remained silent for a long moment unsure of what to say or do. Had he been drawn to her before out of his own love? He wasn’t sure, but how could he refuse her if she wanted to leave with him? He cursed his luck; somehow he always faced choices like those. “Won’t Renard be angry with you?” It was all he could think to ask.

  Fleir smiled at him, “He could do no more harm to me than he could the wind.” Her smiled faded somewhat, “But he may come after you.”

  Wasn’t that how it always worked? He thought to himself. “I’m expecting him to.” That was all Fleir needed to hear, she couldn’t allow anything to happen to Berek after capturing him. Fleir leapt to her feet, her naked body covered by leather armor and a traveling cloak in an instant through the use of her magic.

  Berek was impressed, “Nice trick, Madam.”

  Fleir beamed, taking his arm, “It comes in handy.” She took a couple steps with him then leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Don’t call me Madam anymore. That’s for old ladies.”

  Berek watched her while opening the tent flap. Most of her face was hidden by the hood of her cloak. “How old are you anyway?”

  “Old enough to know better then to answer that.” She glanced around them to ensure no one saw them. “We’d better hurry before someone comes to see ‘Madam Fleir’.” Hastened by her sense of urgency, Berek led the way towards Main Street. With any luck they’d be back in Hope within the hour.

  Chapter 24

  The group stopped, hidden by the thick brush and trees they watched the camp as the people hurried about their daily business. Young boys gathered wood while their mothers or fathers bent over the soon to be cook fires, cleaning out the ash and debris to make room for fresh wood. It was a lazy morning, evidenced by most of the merchants remaining closed. They were either sold out of items or made enough that it didn’t bother them to start slow on their last day there. Galin commented that was unusual for any vendor; but it did indeed seem the most likely scenario.

  The Dwarf’s uneasiness set
tled on Gilliam’s planning. Were they expected? Had Renard already captured and killed Berek? Several more thoughts went through Gilliam’s mind but he dismissed them. If his nephew was dead they could be dooming themselves. No, somehow he knew Berek was alive. He had to be, after everything they’d gone through Gilliam refused to give up hope. A silent prayer to Fallor helped ease his nerves.

  Their plan had changed enroute, feeling that sneaking into the compound would be next to impossible, they agreed it was better to send in a scout. Janessa volunteered before Gilliam could finish his sentence. She shot through the knee high grass easier than the most graceful of nature’s beasts.

  Gilliam found a spot beneath a willow tree that would keep them hidden and sat down. Galin joined him and they both kept their eyes on the field that swallowed their companion. Galin pulled out his old weathered knife and inspected it for any chips in the blade. Satisfied there were no imperfections, he resheathed it and leaned against the tree.Gilliam watched the Dwarf with mild curiosity until he couldn’t help but ask what was on his mind. “How do you do it?”

  Galin raised an eyebrow, “Do what?”

  “When everything’s calm you seem anxious and agitated but when danger is about to welcome us you’re calm.”

  Galin smiled. There was no threat of ambush where they stood. If there was they’d already be dead. “Long years campaigning, lad.”

  Gilliam nodded, “Until last night I always thought of you as a merchant.”

  “None of us are what we seem.” Galin pulled his knife back out and began whittling on a piece of wood he carried with him.

  “So I’ve learned.” Gilliam raised his gaze to the trees above them then towards the camp. “Is it always like this before?”

  Galin nodded as he sliced off a small piece of wood, a decorative cut Gilliam thought. “Always. Such is the life of a soldier wandering or otherwise. Endless moments of boredom…”

  “And extreme moments of terror.” Gilliam finished the sentence. He heard the same phrase from former soldiers and wandering swords for hire but he never understood what they meant until that moment.

  Next to him Galin nodded, shaving off a long piece of wood. “Aye lad.”

  *****

  The boredom of her companions was the farthest thing from Janessa’s mind as she wandered through Main Street. She assumed Galin and Gilliam were having the time of their lives while she was forced to walk through a deserted market place. Most of the shops were being packed by their proprietors as they readied themselves for the inevitable move the next morning. In the best traditions of Halflings, Janessa worked hard to turn the current climate to her favor. As such, a few passersby were relieved of their coin purses or some piece of jewelry they wouldn’t miss for some time.

  “I bet Galin and Gilliam are having loads of fun hiding in the woods while I trudge around here.” Janessa couldn’t help but pout, she felt as though she cheated herself out of a grand adventure. A strange sound came from behind one of the empty stalls. Curious, she was there to scout after all, Janessa made her way between the makeshift structure and a large tree stump that was all that remained of the tree used to build the stall and its neighbor a few days earlier.

  Behind the stalls were empty lots where a pair of tents once stood. She stopped at the edge of the wall and glanced around. Whatever made the strange thunking sound was nowhere in sight. She knew she should’ve felt relieved, but something warned her to stay tight against the wall. True to her race, Janessa trusted her instincts and clung to the wall like a mouse hiding from a predator.

  Above her, taloned feet capable of digging and ripping into stone flexed, leaving deep grooves in the wooden ceiling. Fech was busy finishing his early morning catch, an opossum that dared to stray from its den in the late morning sun. Humans would’ve thought it rabid, but the fact it tried to run when it saw its death coming had proven otherwise to the gargoyle.

  Fech was many things his fellow gargoyles weren’t. He was loyal to humans, allowed himself to be fed by the human’s hand, and worst of all, he obeyed orders given to him by a human.

  While the first two were truthful, the later was only a half truth. Yes, he took orders from Renard, but he didn’t obey every one of them. He disobeyed several times before, following what he believed to be the correct course of action. Renard wasn’t all knowing, he made mistakes despite his own brilliant mind. That morning Renard instructed his pet not to eat, he wanted him hungry for what needed to be done. To his credit, Fech did admit if he was ravenous he would be more vicious during an attack. But what his master didn’t realize was it took energy to fly from one point to another. The entire assignment wouldn’t work if Fech had to fight against a growling stomach as well as his targets.

  He swallowed the last of the opossum and looked around for another morsel. Disappointed, and ironically, wishing for a stray Halfling, Fech spread his wings and leapt into the air with his powerful legs. His leathery wings filled with a small air thermal and he began his journey towards Hope. Before he felt the uplift of air he thought he heard a squeak below him. Believing it to be a lowly mouse, something no gargoyle would stoop low enough to eat; he didn’t bother to look below him.

  *****

  The hand clasped itself over her mouth as another arm wrapped around her chest. The sudden pressure caused a squeak of protest to come from Janessa, but the gentle firmness of the pressure wasn’t one of a threatening nature. A familiar voice whispering in her ear confirmed her feeling. “Easy, don’t make a sound.”

  Janessa couldn’t believe her luck! If she wasn’t mistaken about whom the voice belonged to then everything became much easier for her. As the shape of the gargoyle grew smaller, the hands holding her loosened. Without restraint she spun around on the person she knew to be there.

  “Berek! I knew it was you! Won’t Galin and Gilliam be… oh, hello. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you at first.”

  The Halfling’s enthusiasm was contagious causing Berek to return Janessa’s smile. “I’m sorry Fleir, this is my friend Janessa.”

  “Nice to meet you, Janessa.” Fleir bowed her head at the introduction. She remembered hearing about a Halfling winning a handsome amount on Berek’s fight the other night. “You’ve earned quite the reputation around here.”

  “Really?” Janessa beamed, “You’ll have to tell me all about it.”

  Knowing what was coming Berek held up his hand to stop Janessa before she started. “Janessa… what are you doing here?”

  Janessa forgot about having a reputation for the moment. “Rescuing you of course. Galin and Gilliam are waiting for me to meet them. I’m their scout.”

  Berek nodded with a smile, “I should’ve known.” He glanced over his shoulder into Main Street but hardly anyone was out. “We’d better hurry. I don’t like that Fech is out there somewhere.”

  Fleir nodded, she understood the danger he was in. She heard the stories of fighters being freed only to be hunted by the gargoyle. “We’d better make haste. He’s got a good head start on us.”

  Berek bent over, picking up a handful of loose dirt as magical words flowed into his mind. Janessa began to ask a question but before she could get the words out he threw the dirt into the air in front of them while uttering a phrase. A purplish portal opened and he grabbed Janessa and Fleir before leaping into it. The portal closed as soon as they entered it, leaving no trace they had ever been there.

  *****

  The two companions sat under the willow tree watching the field for any signs of Janessa’s return. She’d been gone for thirty minutes judging by the sun, more than enough to finish her task and return. Despite the reassurances of Galin, Gilliam was about to go after the Halfling when Galin grabbed his arm. “Fech is out.”

  Gilliam looked at the Dwarf for a moment then turned in time to see Fech angling away from them and towards Hope. “What’s it mean?”

  For the first time Galin was glad they decided to approach the camp from a different side, otherwise Fech woul
d’ve seen them. “Berek’s not dead. Renard likes to let Fech hunt.” He paused for a moment. “My guess is he got away.”

  “You’re always so melodramatic Galin.” Startled by the voice both companions turned to see Berek, Janessa, and Fleir.

  Galin regained his composure before Gilliam. “A bit thick on the entrance aren’t you, lad?”

  Janessa stood by Berek’s side beaming, “That was fun, a much nicer trip than Viola’s was.” It was all she could do not to dance around. The leap into the portal hadn’t been expected but the journey was worth it. It didn’t matter who was casting the spells, she loved the sensation of being lifted and pulled by unseen hands.

  Berek didn’t hear Janessa as he eyed Galin then Gilliam. “You two look like a raiding party. Didn’t know I was worth all that.”

  Gilliam recovered from the shock and in a handful of steps he reached Berek, embracing him. “Thought I lost you.”

  Berek returned the embrace and for the briefest of moments he looked every bit the young man he once was. Gilliam gathered himself and stepped back to examine his nephew. It only took a moment for him to notice the lack of bruises, and another to notice the third member of Berek’s party. He couldn’t help staring at the beautiful young woman standing off to the side. Her flowing red hair and soft features didn’t belong to a person wearing the worn out tunic, breeches, and cloak. She showed no signs of living on the road as her dress did, but yet there was something about her that did.

  The look in her eyes seemed familiar, though the nervousness in them made it difficult for him to be sure. “Forgive me madam. I wasn’t aware my nephew traveled with such loveliness on his arm.” Yes, that was it, he was sure of it. She was attached to Berek somehow, though when it came to women he knew less than nothing but he was certain she sought some form of approval.

  The journey through the magical portal, though thrilling to some, had been extremely difficult on Fleir. Air Nymphs used a form of magic as old as the world itself. Like other Nymphs, they relied on nature’s magic. They could hide in plain sight, summon other Nymphs if the need arose, but most of all they could transform into the air around them. Their preferred method of travel was to move through the air in gentleness that few, if any, could understand. Because of that and their gentle nature, mortal magic was crude and would transport them roughly and without mercy. Many of the natural magic users such as her people and dragons, never understood the need for other races to channel the magic through them instead of simply using it.