Spirit Sword

by Sam Ford

  And the Guild Master caught fire.

  No one knew what to make of it as the man's trousers suddenly burst into flame. Everyone stared in shock, including the burning man, for just a moment. Then pandemonium erupted.

  The man screamed and fell backward, the hem of his trousers smoking as he splayed his legs everywhere. He hopped on a loose leaf of paper, his foot slipping from beneath him. The Guild Master tried to right himself, grasping the desk, only to spill more paper everywhere. Several of the guards and Governors rushed to help. Ranger Joheim just laughed heartily. The Guild Master screamed, leapt to his feet and began dancing around. Tongues of fire trailed after him, lighting all the papers scattered about. Several guards chased after him in a comical display as the tall man danced around in his undergarments, trying to pull his trousers pants over his too-large feet. The guards escorting Jazreal and Vyk rushed to help, spilling more paper on the fire. One of the desks was starting to scorch.

  The man had stepped into the beam of light, setting his trousers on fire. It was a one in a million chance, and Cale had planned it perfectly. The beam of light had since moved on, but the damage lingered.

  Jazreal rushed back into the room, her guard abandoning her to help with the fire, and pulled a groggy Vyk to his feet. "Cale, now's our chance. Let's go!"

  It was tempting, oh so tempting. Freedom was right there. But if they ran now, they would be running forever.

  "No." Cale stood straighter. "I started this, I need to finish it."

  Cale took a breath and stepped forward, striding through the flames and onto a desk. The smoke swirled around him, adding a grand sense of gravitas. All eyes stopped and turned to him, fire forgotten. Ranger Joheim swallowed audibly.

  "Now do you believe?" he asked. "You chained me, bound me, put me on trial and were prepared to send me away. But I did not do this thing. Ranger Joheim knows I did not do this. The creatures who attacked your city, they are your enemies. They are here because of me, yes, but I am the only one who can stop them. Send me away, execute me, and I promise you this, they will return. Not because you have anything they want, because you do not. They will return simply to terrorize and plague you, for no other reason than it brings them pleasure. And when they return, it will be far worse for you. I am the only one who can stop them. Ask your Rangers, they know I speak the truth."

  "He's lying!" Joheim tried to save his own hide.

  "I am not lying. I am an Imperial Knight." No one spoke. No one dared breathe. Cale looked each one in the eye in turn. "Gentlemen. Madam, I have faith in you to do the right thing. Do you have faith in me?"

  "Will your rid us of these creatures and never come back?" The Governess asked.

  "Yes."

  "What do you need?"

  "Free my friends and myself. Return our clothes and belongings. Feed us and treat my friends' injuries. Let me see a map of the city. And bring me my Sword." Cale watched as several of the officials nodded in agreement. Joheim looked pale through the smoldering flames. "And for pity’s sake, someone put out that fire."

  Chapter XXX

  The sun was bitter and bright, nearly noon by the time they were led outside the city gates. The throng of peasants and refugees pushed back against the guards. It seemed as if half the city had come to see this strange boy and his friends led out in chains. Some had nowhere else to go. Sometime in the middle of the night, many of the tents closest to the wall had been set alight. Cale suspected the Rangers, but he was sure they would blame it on the Demons.

  "I'm going to be keeping an eye on you, Joheim," Vyk warned.

  "Trust me, Draco. Would I ever betray you?" Joheim smiled a toothy yellow grin, locking the manacles around his wrists.

  "Always," spat Vyk.

  "Now remember, he expects us to deliver the three of you. So, whatever you are planning, please don't do it until we are clear."

  "Trust me, Joheim. Would I ever betray you?" It was Vyk's turn to smile. Joheim tightened the bindings more than necessary and Vyk flinched.

  "Relax. We'll be fine." Cale nodded. "Your men will be safe. You have my word."

  "The word of a thirteen-year-old boy. Goddess knows I must be crazy now."

  "You'd better be right about this, white boy." Jazreal was none too happy, glaring at him as she pulled on her bindings. "I swore I would never be shackled again."

  "It'll be fine, Jazreal. Just... don't pull at them."

  A dozen Rangers flanked them and three dozen city guards stood watch in neat little rows. This was all according to Cale's plan. When he’d explained it to the Governors and Guild Masters in great detail, they’d thought it appalling. The alternative was Demons returning though, running loose in the city again, this time destroying everything. And so Cale's instructions had been followed to the letter.

  The trio were led down the road out of town. The guards’ armor clacked around them while the Rangers’ horses pressed close. One of them neighed right in Cale's ear, sniffing his hair. Cale brushed it away.

  "Are you sure about this?" he muttered faintly while petting the horse.

  It is a fine plan, Cale. You did well to think of it.

  "If something goes wrong..."

  I will be there. Calm yourself and focus on the job at hand.

  The idea was simple. The Ranger wanted them alive, but the Demons wanted them dead. That meant the Ranger had a way of controlling the monsters. Sword agreed it was theoretically possible, though his disgust at the thought was palpable. If they could capture the Ranger then they would have an advantage against the Demons, however slight. They only needed to stall them, distract them just long enough for Cale to plunge Sword in and Curse them. Jazreal's Sword could block and wound, but she was not yet bonded to it. The killing blow would have to come from Cale.

  A lone figure stood beneath a massive tree by the bend in the river, his hands folded comfortably before him. The closer they got, the more Cale thought he recognized him. The saber, the stance, the salt-and-pepper goatee. The wicked scar on his right cheek also looked familiar.

  "Alright, Ranger Galway. We have brought your puppets," Master Ranger Joheim said.

  "Thank you, Ranger. I never doubted you," Galway lied.

  "I had no choice. My city was at risk."

  "Oh, your city was never at risk," Galway reassured him, stepping closer.

  "What?" Joheim quickly scanned the horizon, looking for the Demons. "But you said--"

  "I would never harm my countrymen. I am not a monster. Now, your bathhouse, on the other hand..."

  "You wouldn't," hissed Joheim. "It is a treasure. A jewel. You can't--"

  "Yes, I can. And yes, I would." Galway glared at him. "You care more for your precious status than the people you are meant to serve. Yes, I can absolutely take that from you. I still may, if you betray me."

  "Galway! I warn you..."

  "But you didn't, and I won't. Greetings, Cale Tannor, Imperial Knight." Ranger Galway smiled.

  Cale walked forward with Jazreal. Vyk hung back with the other Rangers. "Say, don't I know you?"

  "Indeed you do, lad." He had the same accent as Vyk.

  "Yeah, you're--"

  "You!" Jazreal screamed, charging forward. "You! You killed Lydia. Zastee!"

  "Jazreal, no!" Cale rushed after her.

  Jazreal had her hands up, rushing for the Ranger's throat. "I will have my revenge on you! You took everything from me. You murdered my cousin!"

  Jazreal got within a hair's breadth of Galway, but no more. He sidestepped out of the way, allowing her to sail past. She turned and charged again, falling for the trick once more, and ended up on her face for her troubles. Murder still in her eyes, she struggled to rise once more, but by this time Cale and Vyk held her back. Even Joheim held her fast. Galway kicked her in the ribs, in the same place Brutus cut her, and she doubled over, throwing up.

  Galway leaned in close, whispering in her ear. "Indeed, I did kill your cousin. She was a most worthy foe and died honorably. I shall carry her
mark for the rest of my life."

  Jazreal's eyes narrowed in fury. She struggled to rise, but instead threw up again.

  "Is this how your treat your prisoners?" Joheim asked, ever the hypocrite.

  "Is this your idea of custody?" Galway looked them all over once more. His eyes met Vyk's.

  "Vyk."

  "Galway." Vyk nodded in return. There was no lost love there.

  Cale's eyes swept the tree line. Where are they? The Demons had to be hiding somewhere, and he couldn't make his move till he knew where they were. The bright sunlight meant they wouldn't be able to fight in the open. They needed to hide somewhere.

  "Are you okay?" Vyk whispered to Jazreal. She could only nod, struggling for breath.

  "Master Ranger Joheim, I commend you for doing the right thing. I hereby relieve you of your charges."

  "I am hereby relieved." Joheim snapped his heels together.

  The Rangers on horseback grew antsy. There was still no sign of the Demons, and the river delta was vast and open, with no possible hiding places, save one.

  This may be easier than I thought. Cale eyed the single mighty oak tree under which they stood.

  Joheim turned to leave, mounting his horse. "Oh, Galway? One last thing."

  "Yes?" Galway was gathering the chains of his new captives.

  "Whatever happened to those beasties of yours?"

  "Oh, them?" Galway glanced to the shade of the canopy above them. "They're around."

  That was confirmation enough for Cale. He raised his manacles and pulled, shattering the lock. "Now!"

  Vyk and Jazreal followed suit, breaking the doctored shackles. They were little more than wax paper slathered in machine oil for appearance. Cale, Jazreal and Vyk all drew their weapons.

  "Ready?" Cale asked Sword.

  Yes.

  "The tree!" Cale ordered loudly.

  Twelve Rangers rushed forward with torches, setting the tree alight. It was a very small fire at first but grew quickly. It burned brightly, allowing no quarter for creatures of shadow. They had nowhere to hide. Then they surrounded Galway, capturing him without resistance.

  "Ranger Galway, I am putting you under arrest for threats against the capital city of Uruk," Master Ranger Joheim ordered.

  "Oh no, you caught me." Galway smiled.

  Galway was smiling. Why was Galway smiling?

  Cale looked around. What was missing? What did he not see? He stepped back, away from the Rangers, trying to get a better look. The tree was on fire, casting light everywhere, even in the noon day sun. They had to be there. There was nowhere else for the Demons to hide, nowhere else to keep the sun off. He stepped back farther, Sword ready, caking his boot in mud and water from the river. Wait. Cale and Sword realized it at the same time.

  The river!

  Cale!

  Cale fell backwards as the water exploded overhead. Eight feet of aquatic Demon burst forth, throwing water and silt and mud everywhere. It screamed, a high-pitched, shrill scream, born of nothing but malice and rage. The Ranger's horses reared back and fled in terror and the Rangers fled. Even Joheim turned and ran, fear turning his hair gray early. The throngs of people who’d come to watch the event screamed and ran for the city gates, trampling one another in the process. The bedlam was a sweet scent for the Demon, who reveled in it.

  Malicent stepped from the banks of the river, sludge trailing in his wake. He was a terror in full battle mode, teeth and claws bristling with dark energy. He had only death and torture on his mind, the cravings of a savage beast. He screamed once more and leapt for Jazreal and Vyk, bypassing Cale entirely.

  Jazreal got her Sword up, blocking the Demon’s first swing. "Cale, get over here!"

  "They're multiplying..." Galway fell back, out of the line of battle.

  Cale rushed to his feet, seeking to take Malicent from behind. He took a lash of the tail to the face for his troubles. "How is he out? I thought the sun was supposed to kill them?"

  Look at his skin, Cale.

  Every swipe of his mighty claws, every movement from his infernal muscles sent mud flying. He was covered in it from head to toe. "He was hiding in the river. He coated himself in mud to blot out the sun!"

  Exactly.

  "But that means--"

  He can't go incorporeal or his protection will fall away.

  "Vyk! Jazreal! Feel like a bath?" Cale circled wide. They wanted to drive him back toward the river, not forward.

  Vyk got there before Jazreal did and smiled a conniving grin. He dropped into a combat stance and readied his saber. Malicent dodged left and right, toying with the ex-Ranger and not-quite-Knight. He cackled and lashed out, raking them with claws and teeth and tail. Vyk could dodge most of the attacks, but Jazreal lacked the skill to protect herself. Cale fared even worse, taking a backhand that sent him tumbling.

  Alone and defenseless, Jazreal had neither the training nor the bond with her Sword to face off against a Demon. He pressed his attack, separating her from Vyk. Malicent knocked her to the ground with superior speed and skill.

  "What's wrong girl?" Malicent laughed. Terror stalked Jazreal's face. "Oh, that I weren’t in a hurry. The hours I long to spend with you, toy with you, tasssssste you. I see into your heart, little girl. I know the dark designs of your desires. You would enjoy it, you would scream for it, and when I'd finished, you would beg from the depths of pleasure and despair. You would plead for me to flay the flesh from your still-quivering body and rend your soul from its moorings."

  "Hey, dog breath!" Vyk reached into his pocket, flinging a fistful of fine red power at Malicent's face. "Rend this!"

  Malicent reared back, wiping at the red power all over his face and chest. Vyk lunged, swiping twice. The saber cut deep and Malicent screamed. Vyk never got a third. The talons pierced right through his chest, exiting bloody on the other side. With a flick of the wrist, Malicent sent him sailing. Vyk crashed into the river, limp and lifeless.

  "No!" Jazreal screamed, struggling to rise to her feet. She wasn't weak, but neither could she overcome Malicent's menacing presence and superior skill. Tears of fear flowed freely, and her brown eyes glinted copper with rage in the sunlight.

  "What's the matter, girl? Was he special to you?" The monster's claws smoked lightly, washed clean with fresh blood. "Don't worry; you'll be joining him soon."

  "Make your peace, Shadow Dweller, if there's any for you to find. It's over."

  The Demon scoffed. "Who's going to stop me? You?"

  "No. Him."

  Cale slammed into the Demon at full speed, sending them both battling through the burning tree. Malicent screamed, barely getting his claws up in time to deflect Sword's tip. The fire and light were torment, smoke rising off his back as more mud dried up and flaked away. Cale never said anything. He just let Sword take over, slipping into full combat mode. His world crackled with energy. The boy and his Sword pushed him to the river, driving the Demon back into the water, washing him clean with every step.

  The river was up to Malicent's thighs when Cale took the first leg off with a single strike. Black, viscous fluid oozed from the wound, spilling its pestilence into the river.

  Malicent fell into the water, exposing his other leg and tail to the sun, scrubbed clean in the struggle. They both quickly shriveled and blacked like rotten fruit, snapping off without ceremony. The creature screamed even under water, lunging once more with animalistic fury. Another flick with Sword and he had no hand with which to attack Cale. Malicent crashed through the water once more, smoke billowing everywhere, trying to shift into something that still had legs. He was only partially successful.

  Where are the others, Demon?

  "I shall tell you nothing, Spirit Sword!"

  Cale poked him with the sword tip, circling slowly around. "Answer the question."

  "They're preparing a little surprise for you. You will see. You will see it, soon enough." The grin was once of pure evil, bred from nothing but spite and hate. He was still trying to slither a
way, so Cale stuck him once more.

  "Do you want me to kill him?"

  Yes, Cale.

  "Won't the sun take care of him soon enough?" Cale looked up, shielding his eyes with his hat.

  "Yes, yes it will! Leave me to torture and bake and rot in the sun. Mercy, Sword Talker, I beg you!"

  Yes. It will kill him.

  "But you still want me to kill him, right? To Curse him?" Cale's stomach tightened.

  ...Yes.

  "Why?"

  If Demons are exposed to sunlight they will dissipate away. But there is still a chance, a slim chance, that their spirit may go on, that they may survive. If they are Cursed, they are sealed away forever, damned and tortured, never to return. All who pass into that forgotten realm are Cursed and share the same end. He is evil and deserves this fate.

  "Sword. You told me no one is pure evil. That we all have the capacity for good and evil within us."

  Yes, Cale. I said mankind has that capacity. Not Swords. Not Demons. Our kind made our choices long ago, to serve the Creator, or to rail against him. The Swords chose to serve mankind, to walk the path of goodness and justice and mercy. The Demons chose shadows and darkness and evil. We are at war. There is no choice anymore. Their decision has been made, as has ours. This is not judgment. That die has already been cast. This is punishment.

  Cale bit his thumb, turning to the Demon and back to Sword. "But I can leave him here to die like this, can't I? In the sun?"

  The decision is yours, Sword Bearer.

  Cale squatted next to Malicent. The smoke and rot watered his eyes. "If I let you go... if you somehow survive this... will you come back to kill me?"

  Malicent look him square in the eye with those burning pupils. "Yes. I will kill the Indian and the Ranger, as well. And I will make you watch."

  Cale stood, closing his eyes tight. "That was the wrong answer."

  Sword pierced Malicent through the chest, half the haft slicing through the other side. Malicent screamed an otherworldly, ungodly scream full of pain, despair and misery. His skin crackled and boiled, smoke rolling everywhere. There was an acrid stench of pure sin. Malicent twitched, voice frozen in his throat.