by Travis Pond
Tureis handed him the broken rod and asked, “You sure?”
Eammon smiled and raised his bag, “Oh yeah. No problem. Got everything I need right here,” he said as he tapped the bag. “I’ll lock it up tight.”
King Seathan was fighting alongside Emmett, Ailish and Seth. Nearly fifty of the two hundred soldiers appeared to be in the castle with close to the same number from Thaven as well. Closing the gate had kept most of Zummot’s soldiers outside the castle.
Still on his horse, King Hamish worked his way with hardened determination through the fighting soldiers. Sensing King Hamish getting closer, King Seathan moved up the stairs to the landing outside his quarters. Emmett placed himself at the base of the stairs.
King Hamish dismounted his horse and walked toward Emmett. Emmett raised his sword and waited. King Hamish approached and lowered his sword, “Emmett, let me pass and when I’m finished I’ll give you a prominent post in my guard.”
Emmett didn’t even dignify the comment with a response. Instead he stood his ground and kept his sword raised. Gripping his sword tightly with both hands, Emmett prepared for the attack. He didn’t have to wait long as King Hamish attacked with one swift stroke and hit Emmett’s blade. Emmett’s blade vibrated heavily and he nearly dropped the sword. King Hamish swung again, this time Emmett was prepared and blocked the attack, countering with one of his own. The swords rang out and the battle went back and forth as Emmett gave it his all to protect his King.
“Ailish, what are you doing?” asked Tureis as he approached. Ailish was down on one knee loading a very gruesome tipped bolt into her crossbow. This was not the bolt she had been given by the Oracle. This bolt was one of Eammon’s creations and instead of a single tip, it had several razor sharp tips forming what could only be described as a very sharp claw.
“Hold them off,” she said. Ailish raised her crossbow and took aim at King Hamish. Tureis stood behind her, fighting off soldiers. Ailish pulled the trigger and the bolt flew straight for its target, the back of King Hamish. Five feet before hitting King Hamish the bolt stopped in mid air and fell harmlessly to the ground, as if hitting an invisible wall.
“What was that?” asked Ailish. She quickly loaded another bolt. Again she took aim and fired. This time the bolt reached the same distance to its target when it again bounced backward and fell to the ground.
Tureis witnessed the second shot and understood what was happening. “It’s his Matya,” Tureis yelled above the sound of the battle. “He’s created a sort of shield over his back preventing him from being attacked from the rear.”
The attempt to shoot Hamish in the back was completely unnoticed. Hamish and Emmett continued to battle at the base of the stairs. Emmett suddenly shouted as he fell to the side, his sword falling to the floor. “Father!” Ailish shouted and ran to her father. Tureis followed, keeping his eye on King Hamish.
King Hamish turned and moved to Emmett to finish the fight for good just as Ailish reached him. Tureis immediately positioned himself between King Hamish and Emmett. Tureis raised his sword and flared his Matya as he struck the sword of King Hamish, sending him staggering backwards.
“Who dares challenge me!” exclaimed King Hamish in anger. He peered down at Tureis standing there defending his friends. “You’re but a boy!” exclaimed King Hamish.
Tureis didn’t back down, but remained there, determination on his face, saying nothing. King Hamish raised his sword and prepared to strike, but Tureis’ Matya was now at full strength and he anticipated the move. He raised his sword, blocking the attack. Tureis countered the attack, swinging with all his might. His sword slashed once and then twice, the second time finding flesh as it connected with King Hamish’s arm, leaving a deep cut.
King Hamish screamed in pain and swung again in anger. Tureis again anticipated the move and defended it easily, causing King Hamish to stagger backwards and nearly lose his balance.
As King Hamish regained his balance, he lowered his sword momentarily and looked at Tureis, the hatred building. Tureis stood there, his sword held high glowing a bright blue. “What is your name boy?” King Hamish demanded.
“Tureis Atreyu,” he responded boldly. “Now leave here!”
King Hamish laughed, “Leave here? I think not!” The King raised his sword, now glowing red. He struck Tureis in all his anger. Tureis raised his own sword to block the attack. The force of King Hamish’s blow caused Tureis’ sword to fly from his hands and Tureis was knocked to the floor near Emmett.
Not wanting to waste any more time, King Hamish ran up the stairs to the landing where King Seathan was waiting for him. “Why are you doing this?” King Seathan demanded.
“It’s simple. Power!” boomed King Hamish.
“I don’t want to fight you,” said King Seathan.
“Then you will die quickly,” said King Hamish.
“If you insist on fighting, I will be fighting for the sole purpose of peace,” said King Seathan.
“When I kill you and take that sword there will be peace!” exclaimed King Hamish. “The peace that comes after I conquer all the kingdoms in the realm and enslave the people!” King Hamish raised his sword and attacked Seathan. When the swords met there was a brilliant flash of light and Hamish staggered backwards several steps.
This angered him even more and in his rage he attacked. His sword swinging fast and with power. King Seathan defended each blow and countered many of Hamish’s attacks. King Hamish continued swinging, the speed increasing even as his rage and anger increased. With one last attack, his anger completely out of control, King Hamish succeeded in wounding King Seathan, deeply cutting his arm.
Now King Seathan came on the offensive, attacking with the full force of the Matya, his sword glowing brightly. King Hamish defended most of the attacks but was cut several times.
King Seathan swung with all the power he could generate. King Hamish blocked the attack, sending him to the ground. King Seathan raised his sword preparing to plunge it into the chest of King Hamish when King Hamish raised his sword, stabbing King Seathan deeply right below the shoulder.
Seathan dropped his sword and staggered backwards, placing his hand over the bleeding wound. He stayed on his feet, moving toward the door to his private chambers, hoping to get inside. But before making it to the door, he fell to the ground, weak and barely conscious, bleeding heavily.
“Your Highness!” screamed Ailish, as she left her father and ran to the top of the stairs to give him aid.
“Father!” Seth screamed, also racing up the stairs.
King Seathan was quickly becoming pale, his breathing shallow. The amount of blood he’d lost was great. Ailish shook him, but he did not respond.
Tureis came running up the stairs behind Ailish and Seth and knelt beside King Seathan. His eyes fixed on King Hamish, Tureis watched as King Hamish slowly got to his feet. Then he turned and looked at the sword lying on the ground several feet away.
King Hamish looked up and seeing Seathan lying now unconscious, a large grin came across his face as he looked back at the sword. For a moment he waited and watched King Seathan, willing him to die. He did not dare touch the sword until Seathan was dead.
Tureis watched as King Hamish was now becoming impatient. Tureis looked at the sword lying on the ground. It was still glowing blue although it was now glowing lighter and becoming more faint. The anger was rising in King Hamish and he began to walk forward. Hamish left the sword and approached King Seathan, his sword raised.
At that moment a very strange thing happened. Tureis was sitting at the side of King Seathan when he felt strong desire to stand up and move down the stairs. This feeling startled Tureis and he didn’t understand why he would feel that way. From his experience he knew the feeling was from the Matya. Trusting the Matya, he did as he felt and moved part way down the stairs and into the middle
of the staircase. From here he watched as King Hamish approached the dying King Seathan, stopping just a few feet away from him.
Again the feeling came, telling Tureis to ascend the stairs behind King Hamish. When he reached the top of the staircase he stood looking down at King Seathans sword at his feet.
Staring down at the sword, a feeling came over him. Recognizing this feeling, Tureis remembered being inside a cave at eight years old staring at a silver sphere on a stone shelf. Could it be that the sword was calling him the way the sphere had? Tueris shook his head to clear his thoughts. This sword only had one master and anyone else that touched it would die. But the feeling was still there, pulling him towards the sword.
Before he realized it, Tureis was bent over with his hand stretched out toward the sword. The energy from the sword flowing into his fingers. Startled, Tureis pulled his hand back and stood up.
Tureis looked over at King Seathan lying on the ground with Ailish using all her Matya and knowledge, hoping to save him. King Hamish was becoming increasingly impatient and his anger was rising. Suddenly, King Hamish raised his sword over his head as if to bring it down on King Seathan and end it once and for all.
Tureis looked down again, reached out his hand and picked up the sword. The rush of power and energy entering into Tureis made him feel as if he could explode. After his mind cleared, the first thing he realized was that he wasn’t dead. Then immediately his mind focused, his actions quickened and things happened very fast.
King Hamish brought the sword down with all his might. As the sword came down on King Seathan, Tureis lunged forward blocking King Hamish’s sword with a blow so hard King Hamish’s sword flew from his hands in a giant flash of light.
King Hamish looked up and saw Tureis holding King Seathan’s sword with both hands, a blue glow surrounding both the sword and Tureis. King Hamish quickly retrieved his sword and ran at Tureis in his anger.
Tureis defended all the attacks from King Hamish, his blade anticipating each blow and moving with lightning speed. After several attacks Hamish backed up and stood there looking at the boy wielding the most powerful sword ever created. He looked down and saw King Seathan move his arm, realizing he was still alive. King Hamish shook his head in outrage, wondering how this was possible.
King Hamish raised his sword for another attack. Tureis leveled the sword and waited. King Hamish yelled and swung his sword with all his might. Tueris countered, and when the swords met there was a brilliant flash of light. The explosion of energy caused King Hamish to fall down the stairs and Tureis to stagger backwards.
When the flash of light faded, King Hamish’s sword lay broken in two pieces on the stairs, and King Hamish lay injured and unconscious on the hard stone steps below. Tureis lowered the sword and stared at the unconscious King, knowing it would be quite some time before King Hamish would able to move without remembering the pain from this day.
Within a minute, several of King Hamish’s soldiers helped their defeated King off the steps and out of the castle. The other soldiers followed and within minutes all of the Zummot soldiers were gone.
Tureis surveyed the scene. The castle lay in ruins. Many wounded soldiers lay on the floors or sitting up against the walls. Servants and others scurried about helping all the injured. Very quickly after the battle ended, the castle had become a bustle of activity.
Tureis turned and was surprised to see King Seathan sitting up against the wall. He was still very weak but his color looked better. Tureis walked over to King Seathan and knelt in front of him. Tureis lay the sword flat across his hands and bowed his head, presenting the sword back to its rightful owner. Then Tureis laid the sword at the King’s side, placing his hand on the hilt, and slowly backed away.
Chapter 32
- Answers -
Two days later, King Seathan sat up in bed and motioned for Seth to sit by his side. King Seathan was recovering well, but his strength was not yet back to normal. The wound below his shoulder was healing, but the bandage still needed to be changed often.
Seth came to his bedside and sat in a chair. “How do you feel today, father?” Seth asked.
King Seathan looked into the eyes of his son and smiled, “Much better today. Earlier this morning I even got up and stood by the window.”
Seth smiled and let out a deep breath. Shortly after the battle his father had become unconscious again and the doctors weren’t sure if he would recover. Today, seeing his father sit up, Seth could finally begin to breathe a sigh of relief. “You shouldn’t try to do too much too soon father,” said Seth. “Everything is under control, so just rest and heal.”
“I think tomorrow I will be able to get up and move around the quarters,” said King Seathan as Seth adjusted the pillows behind his head. “I’m feeling better and better, especially after Ailish visits.”
Ailish had continued to visit the King daily to check on his progress. During her visits, she would cover the Kings wounds with her hands and focus her Matya. Doing this had resulted in the wounds healing at a remarkable rate.
“That’s wonderful, father,” said Seth. “Are you sure you’ll be able to move around tomorrow? It just seems so soon.”
“That’s what the doctors keep saying as well,” said King Seathan. “But they can’t seem to explain the rapid healing either. Even though most of the doctors here in the castle also have an active Matya, the level of healing Ailish can accomplish is truly astounding.”
Seth nodded his head in understanding. During the battle, Seth had witnessed something amazing. When King Seathan was stabbed and had collapsed at the top of the stairs, Ailish and Seth had run to help him. Seth had been powerless to do anything, but Ailish immediately placed pressure over the wound and using her Matya was able to stop the bleeding for a time. The wound was deep however, and the bleeding would easily restart with even the slightest movement. But by using her Matya, Ailish was able to control the bleeding every time it started. She also formed a mental connection with King Seathan, allowing Ailish to add her Matya to his, which sustained him until he stabilized.
“During the battle Ailish basically kept you alive using the Matya and her knowledge of healing,” said Seth.
“I know,” King Seathan said, nodding his head. “Her Matya is very strong and her knowledge and trust of the power is very deep.” King Seathan paused, shifted his position in the bed and took a deep breath, “What of our guests? Did they arrive?”
Seth nodded, “Yes, father. The Oracle arrived last night. Sepi is understanding of the time you will need to heal. She is in no hurry, but would like to meet with you when you’re strong enough.”
King Seathan thought for a moment, then nodded. “Tomorrow I will meet with her here in my quarters,” he said. “Would you pass that information along to her and ask her if she will agree to meet me tomorrow around midday?” Seth nodded and left his father to rest.
The next day after King Seathan met with Sepi, he called again for Seth. When Seth arrived they sat at the table in his quarters. “I’ve met with Sepi and she feels it necessary to invite Tureis, Ailish and yourself to sit with her as well,” said King Seathan. “She has...things she would like to discuss with the three of you.”
“When would she like to meet with us?” asked Seth.
“Tomorrow,” answered King Seathan. “Do you have a way to communicate with Tureis and Ailish to invite them to the meeting?”
Seth chuckled, “Oh that’s easy, father. Ailish stays here in the castle with her father and visits you every day. Tureis is also here down in the vaults with his father. Ever since the battle he can’t stop reading. He should be easy to find, just look for a pile of books and he’s bound to be under it.”
“As a personal favor, I would like Eammon to attend as well. The Oracle agreed to my request. Do you know where he is?” asked the King.
&nbs
p; Seth smiled, “I’m not completely sure where he is, but I have a good idea. He’ll be there tomorrow.”
The next day Tureis, Seth, Ailish and Eammon sat around the table with Sepi and King Seathan. Laying in the middle of the table was King Seathan’s sword. As Tureis sat there, he felt the familiar power emanating from it. He stared at the sword, wondering why it had called to him and more importantly, why he was still alive.
According to King Seathan, anyone who touched the sword other than the him would die. Since the battle, Tureis had been in the vaults continuously reading books and searching for any information that would explain why he was still alive.
“I want to thank you all for coming today to meet with me,” said Sepi. Everyone around the table nodded, unsure as to the reason for the meeting. She looked deeply at each person sitting around the table. “I sense you wonder why this atypical arrangement. Normally when I meet with people, it’s individually, or in small groups. I mentioned to King Seathan some of the things I wished to discuss and he asked if I would do it with everyone in the room. What we will discuss was meant for the King’s ears only, but King Seathan recognizes that without all of you, his kingdom would not be here today, and his life would likely be over. So today we will discuss things...together.”
Sepi leaned forward, folding her hands in front of her and resting them on the table. “As we get started,” she said in a very solemn tone. “I wanted to ask a question.” Sepi paused to organize her thoughts. “Why do I only see four of you? When you came to see me there were five.”