Spirit Sword

by Sam Ford

  "Do you think it's that bad?"

  "I... suggest we enjoy the sunset, Jazreal. We might not see another."

  "I won't be made a prisoner by these white men. I won't spend the rest of my life in The Mine."

  Vyk stared into her eyes. "I think they know that, Jazreal. I think they're counting on that."

  Jazreal stared at him, and then looked to the barred door, understanding his meaning. "I never thought... I always imagined I would be able to go home again. Even then, I never thought I would meet my end here, like this. To die helplessly like a dog brings dishonor to my family. It is why I never cut my hair; there was a prophecy that Old Mother spoke the day I was born. The day I cut my hair, my life shall end." Jazreal laughed sardonically. "My father wanted me to be a warrior, did you know? He desired a son, but I am all he received. He trained me all the same. I have faced dangers and hardships. I have hunted every beast known to my people, but that did not make me a warrior. I tried. I knew it would be dangerous; I just never thought it would be like this. Even still, I never imagined my end coming at the hands of my enemies."

  "How about in the arms of a friend?"

  Vyk spread his arm. Jazreal puffed up her cheeks, weighing her options. Then she slid over, nestling under his shoulder. Vyk wrapped his arm around her. He was so much more muscular than Cale, with such a stronger scent. It was an unusual feeling, but not altogether unpleasant. This is nice, she decided in the end.

  The sky changed from red to purple and on to black. They watched the last of the sun's rays fade and the stars come out one by one. Then they sat together, just a little while longer.

  Whatever the morrow brought, they would face it. Together.

  Chapter XXIX

  Realizations

  Cale shivered alone in the cell, naked in the dark. The tiny window set into the stonework high above let just enough moonlight in to illuminate the direness of his situation. He lay huddled on the rotting hay, stripped of everything. His belt, his towel, his faith. Everything was gone.

  Even Sword.

  Cale's throat burned. He had nearly drowned, but Vyk had saved him. Vyk, his friend. Vyk, the Ranger. Vyk, the liar. Cale was heartbroken. He had looked up to Vyk as some kind of hero, an older brother who actually cared for once. Instead, he had been lied to and cast aside. Again.

  The Demons and the Rangers were working together. That explained it. They admitted everything. It was the answer Cale had been looking for. The reason why he was here. His entire journey had been set into motion all because of a lie. Jazreal, Sword, Tully--every event which had happened to him had stemmed from the foul union of Rangers and Demons. And Vyk hadn't said anything. Cale had thought he was different. Jazreal must have known, must have been trying to warn him.

  Cale slammed his fists against the stone pavement. "Why, Vyk? Why?!"

  How could Cale have been so blind? He’d thought Vyk was different. But he had played Cale for the fool since the beginning. Vyk was probably laughing at him right now, a simple pig boy from a tiny village with delusions of grandeur. Jazreal, too, for all he knew.

  Everyone laughed at him. Cale the fool. Cale the runt. Cale with his head in the clouds. Everyone hated Cale.

  Not everyone.

  "Sword?" Cale perked up. But there was no answer. It wasn't Sword, not really. It was just Cale's own overactive imagination.

  Slowly Cale realized how long it had been since he’d been alone in his own head. A lot had happened to him, more than Cale had realized. He had grown used to Sword, grown fond of his voice. He always had answers to Cale's questions and never tired of the teenager. Sword had believed in him from the very beginning.

  "Sword. I don't know if you can hear me. I need help. Please." A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I am so scared. I know you said you're with me. But I don't have enough faith. I'm sorry. I am having such a hard time with this. Nothing I try is working. Usually I can puzzle it out, but not this time. I don't know what to do."

  What would Sword tell me to do? Sword usually let Cale make his own decisions, while he simply watched and waited. Cale remembered when he met Vyk, Sword said nothing then, either. Cale didn't have Sword to calm him down this time, so Cale did it the old fashioned way. He took a deep breath and started counting back from one-hundred. He held it, then let it out with a puff.

  Then he started thinking.

  What did he want? What were Cale's priorities? Cale made a mental list. First, he wanted to live. He didn't want to die here like this. That was at the top of the list. More than that, he wanted to continue this grand adventure. He wanted to travel with Sword and find the other missing Spirit Swords. He wanted to be an Imperial Knight.

  Then there were his companions. Of Jazreal there was no question. He greatly desired to see her again, but not if it meant getting her in trouble. Cale had dragged her into this mess, and now she was in as much peril as himself. He couldn't ask her to do that. Not again. Not if she didn't want to.

  As for Vyk... Cale bit his thumb. Vyk hadn't lied per se--he simply hadn't told Cale all he had known. It was the truth, from a certain point of view. Had Sword not done the same thing, in a way? He had delayed telling Cale the full truth about Demons. Yes, the betrayal hurt, but could Cale afford Vyk any less than that same trust? Had he not earned it?

  Cale decided to put the question of Vyk aside for now. There would be enough time in the future to revisit the matter. Hopefully. Right now he needed to think about tomorrow and get some rest.

  Cale settled down under the stinking hay, staring up at the moon smiling down at him. The same moon which had watched over him since childhood. Some things you see with your eyes, Tully had said. Others, with your heart. It seemed like a lifetime since he’d heard those words. He understood what she meant now.

  "I want to be an Imperial Knight. I want to be your Bearer. So please, Sword, hold on just a little longer. I'm coming."

  The next morning, he was brought before a tribunal of Rangers, Governors and city leaders. The room was hot and stuffy, not a normal court or hall of justice, but a quickly-converted storeroom. The high windows were bright enough, but they did not open and there were too many people present. The sun shone luminously through the window.

  Cale needed to scratch his nose. He twisted, but with his hands tied behind his back, he couldn't pull it off. He felt at peace, but all the officials looked as if they'd gotten no sleep, their puffy and colorful robes appearing disheveled while dark circles hung beneath their eyes. They had probably been up all night arguing.

  About the only thing worrying Cale was the lack of Sword. They'd taken him on the beach, along with Jazreal's Sword and Vyk's weapon, and still none had been returned. At least they had returned his towel. He was grateful for that small bit of dignity, if nothing else.

  Jazreal and Vyk were brought in, equally bound and equally exhausted. Cale was more than happy to see they looked all right, though it appeared the guards had taken their frustrations out on Vyk's face.

  "Cale!" Jazreal cheered, grinning at the sight of him. She tried to give him a hug, but the best they could figure out with their hands bound was to bump shoulders.

  "I'm so glad to see you're okay," said Cale.

  "I wasn't sure I'd get to see you again. I was so worried!"

  Jazreal was worried about him. Cale couldn't help but grin. He turned to Vyk, but the Ranger was looking away.

  "Thank you for looking after her."

  "No problem." Vyk looked as if he had something to say. Cale suspected he knew what it was. "Look, Tannor. I--"

  "It's okay, Vyk." Cale smiled. "I had a lot of time to think about it last night, and I think I understand. You had your reasons, I'm sure. I've decided to go on trusting you. For now at least."

  "I should have said something sooner, lad."

  "Probably." Cale smiled. "But I forgive you. That's the thing about mistakes--as long as you learn something, they aren't completely wasted. I had to learn that lesson myself the hard way."

>   "I still need to explain myself."

  "There will be time enough for that later."

  "See?" Jazreal whispered to Vyk. "I told you he would forgive you."

  "This tribunal will now come to order," The Chief Governess pounded a gavel. She was dressed in vibrant robes with her hair dyed as befit her station.

  "I've got a good feeling about this," Cale said with a smile.

  "This meeting is to determine the fate of one Cale Tannor, and if we should turn him over to the Thirteen Rangers or execute him ourselves."

  "Oh." The smile vanished from Cale's face.

  "This tribunal will now hear from the head of the Oil Merchant's Guild."

  "Thank you, Madam Governess. Two nights ago we were attacked by three of these... creatures. You have all seen the damage they caused. In the end, they killed four people, six horses, destroyed thirteen delivery wagons and racked up one-thousand-seven-hundred-and-twenty gold pieces worth of damage in just over half of an hour. They are a menace and a clear threat to our beautiful city. Should they return, the financial cost alone could easily cripple us, to say nothing of the loss of life."

  "Thank you. We will now hear from Master Ranger Joheim."

  "Madam Governess, I thank you for your quick and decisive action. Not many strong leaders of our time would deliberate for two days just to decide they should hold a committee inquiry. You are the light and salt in our glorious city."

  "I thank you for your praise, Master Ranger Joheim."

  "Friends, three days ago, these strangers entered out city carrying illegal weapons they maliciously and willfully snuck past the guards. Then they made contact with their co-conspirator, disgraced former Ranger Vyk Draco. He is a confidence man and a lowborn card shark. We have been after this lowlife for years, but he is slippery and has always eluded us."

  "No, you're just lazy. You knew right where I lived but didn't care." Vyk smiled. He got a slap to the mouth for his troubles.

  "The prisoners will remain silent," The Governess pronounced.

  "Thank you, Governess," Master Ranger Joheim continued. "As I was saying, this scum has brought nothing but destruction and death to our city. The Red Witch has even brought the plague right to our gates! Ranger Galway has warned us about him and has graciously offered to take him off our hands. He has also warned us that if we do not hurry, more calamities may befall us at these creatures' hands."

  "What is your proposal then, Master Ranger?"

  "It is the expert opinions of myself and my fellow Rangers that we deliver these prisoners directly to the Council of Thirteen Ranger Chiefs. Galway is an honorable man, but a known outlier and of low rank. We cannot entrust this duty to him. I shall go in his stead."

  "You are truly a mercy among men, Master Ranger."

  "Thank you, Governess. Your words honor me deeply."

  "With that, I think we should consider this meeting adjourned." The Governess beat her gavel.

  "What--is that it?" asked Cale.

  "That's usually how these things go." Vyk spat blood.

  "Is that all?" Cale called.

  "The prisoner shall remain silent!"

  "Which one?" Jazreal joined her voice in protest.

  "Oh, Governess. What of the Indian girl?" Joheim asked. "We have no use for her."

  "Take her out back and execute her for all I care. Just get these prisoners out of my city, Ranger."

  "What?!" Jazreal screamed.

  A guard grabbed her and tried pulling her toward the door. Vyk barreled into him. Three more guards piled onto him, knocking him to the ground and beating him with the ends of their spears. Jazreal kicked one of them and received a beating herself.

  Cale just stood there thinking. There was no fighting their way out of this one. He had to be clever. What did these people want? And more importantly, what did they not want? They were clearly being manipulated by the Demons. He just needed to find a way to manipulate them more.

  He was shoved to the ground in the commotion. The cobbled stones were cool beneath his face. Down here on the floor, he got a better look around. Jazreal and Vyk were angry, and Jazreal was more than a little scared. Cale looked away. He couldn't think of them right now. He needed to concentrate.

  That's when he noticed the stone floors. This was a storage room, rarely used and frightfully hot. The desks were an uncommon appearance in here, and from the smell of dust in the air, the room had been filled with something else until recently. Masonry of some kind. Cale licked the floor. Probably chalk, from the way the dust tasted. Completely inflammable. That's how they never noticed.

  The high-set windows acted as a magnifying glass for the sun, focusing it into a narrow beam of light. It left a black scorch trail on the stone, no more than two inches long. For just a few moments every day, this room would have its own fire brand. And the light of the sun was steadily heading towards that point.

  Cale would have one shot at this and needed to time it just right. He leapt to his feet, not caring about his towel, and shoved hard against the desk. His aim was perfect. People were too busy fighting Vyk and Jazreal to notice the paper fall off the desk and slide to the floor, right onto the scorch mark.

  "I will destroy this city!"

  Everyone was already pushing toward the door, ready to leave the cramped room.

  "What did you say?" asked the Governess.

  "I said, I will destroy this entire city unless you let us go," Cale breathed.

  "You don't understand, my boy. You are a prisoner and you are being sent away. We shall no longer have any fear of your kind."

  "Won't you? You said it yourself. I'm a Red Witch."

  The room went silent.

  "He's lying," Joheim accused.

  "You've seen them, haven't you?"

  Joheim's eyes went wide. "What are you prattling on about, boy?"

  "The Demons, the Phantoms, Shadow Dwellers. You know why they're here, don't you? You've seen what they can do. It isn't my power you fear, but theirs."

  "He's crazed. Take him away!"

  The light was close--so close. Just a few more inches and the paper would start smoldering. Cale needed to stall, if only for a few more minutes.

  "You're wrong, though!" Cale struggled against the hands pulling him toward the door. "You are right to fear me!"

  "You should listen to him, Joheim, you slag-sucking scoundrel," Vyk chimed in. His face had been bashed a few more times. He saw Cale had a plan. He must be putting all his hope in that. Cale could only pray his hope was justified. "You should see what he can do."

  "I once saw him kill three Rangers with nothing more than a sling and a sword!" Jazreal screamed. She was already down the hallway, struggling for her life. "One lived to tell the tale. Ask your friends!"

  "If you do this, it will be the last mistake you ever make!" A guard punched Vyk in the face once more--hard. This time he slumped and was silent as he was dragged away.

  Cale struggled, straining against the guard who was manhandling him. He wasn't large enough to fight. Not that it mattered. Vyk was out cold and Jazreal was already far enough down the hall that her screams were growing faint. He needed to make them listen.

  "I will burn this city to cinders with fire and light!"

  "You will be leagues away." Master Ranger Joheim grinned evilly through yellowed teeth.

  "Stop." One of the men walked forward.

  He was tall, with weathered, calloused hands. The hems of his trousers were stained darkly, but his remarkably sharp eyes revealed an equally sharp wit. The sticky sweet metallic smell of terebinth tree resin wafted after him. It was clear he was someone of importance. He walked towards Cale, striding over the fallen paper. The wind blew it a few inches in his wake, just missing the scorch mark. This was bad.

  "You said fire and light. Do you know who I am, boy?"

  Cale tried to remember. "The... Oil Merchant Guild Master?"

  "Just so." He nodded. "As such, my oil brings warmth and brightness the streets at night.
You could say I know something about fire and light. Tell me exactly what you mean by that remark."

  Where was he going with this? "Just what I said."

  "The city already has fire and light by my hand. The Master Ranger is correct, you will be leagues away. Tell me--how do you plan to accomplish this feat?"

  "With my mind!" It was the only thing Cale could think of.

  A few of the men around the room chuckled politely at a child's fancy. Most outright mocked him. Joheim smiled smugly. The Governess remained stone-faced. There was a tight-lipped smile on the Oil Merchant's face. He stood taller even than Vyk, with strong arms and a weak jaw. Cale couldn't figure out what he wanted.

  "Show me."

  Cale's eyes widened. He had hoped not to be put on the spot like this. The man was close, much too close, and stank heavily. It must be the turpentine, Cale realized. He is an oil merchant.

  With the paper no longer on the burn mark, he had no chance of summoning a single spark. Could he create fire from air? No--without Sword that was out of the question. He could barely keep himself warm at night.

  Unless... Yes. Yes, there was a chance. Just as with sword training, Cale saw the paths laid out before him. There were only so many steps, so many moves and counter moves one could make. He quickly ran through various scenarios in his mind. There was still a possibility of getting out of this, but only if he moved at just the right time. He needed to let his enemies fight for him. He was not strong enough, nor quick enough to accomplish this feat on his own. But he was clever.

  Cale swallowed hard and shrugged the guard off. He set his most determined look on his face and stared the tall man down. He couldn't hope to intimidate him, but maybe he could use him. Cale started walking and the Guild Master retreated slowly, staying just out of range. Slowly, the man walked backward, his heel just touching scorch mark.

  Just a little more, thought Cale. He just needed to push him back maybe another two inches. The beam of light was already burned halfway through its path. Cale took another step--