by Jordan Cramm
The bear lunged upon Wolflen's shield and it smashed Wolflen to the ground though the bear did not pierce the shielding. And though it covered him from the bear's claws, its weight was now on top of him, and the bear snapped its jaws over the top of Wolflen's shield, biting at his head several times. Each time, Wolflen dodged, but he knew he might not be able to do so for very long. He was pinned, and he didn't know how to react. He quickly tried thinking about his spells. He could unleash telekinetic magic, but he wasn't sure where they bear would go; for all Wolflen knew, it could slam into Katrina, hurting her or worse. His mind raced a moment more; for a moment that seemed like an eternity. Then he had an idea. Flash of light. He recalled a spell from his spellbooks, and he tried it at once. Instantly, there was a flash of blinding light that seemed to stun the bear. The bear reared up quickly, roaring in frustration. It was just enough time for Wolflen to get back to his feet. The bear was temporarily blind. Wolflen however moved again with his dagger, striking the bear in the chest. It roared and swung at him, but Wolflen dodged easily.
He couldn't use fire; cooking the kill prematurely would do them no good. His shield was still up, but he found it hard to continue using it while he tried to dodge the attacks from the active bear that was now enraged by temporary blindness. As it swung again, Wolflen rolled under the strike and beyond the bear. He got to his feet quickly and leaped into the air, jumping on the bear's back. Then suddenly, Wolflen drove his dagger between the bear's shoulder blades before being bucked off completely. But the bear fell. It wasn't dead, but it fell. Sespa rushed toward them both, and Wolflen grabbed her fur locks as she approached at a run. He flung himself onto her back as she leaped and delivered the final blow to the bear. Katrina watched in amazement. Wolflen sat proudly upon Sespa's back when it was over. Katrina just watched in awe.
“You might just make a good War Mage yet Wolflen,” Katrina said observantly, “your skills from Sespa's back are improving.”
Wolflen looked down at her from Sespa's back, and took a deep breath. He knew that they would have to manage bringing their kill back to the wagon and fire in order to prepare the food for lunch and also gut as well as skin the animal. Wolflen swung his legs over the side of Sespa's back and hopped down, getting some rope from Sespa's harness compartment, and he began the task of tying up the bear. He did so quietly, still stung by the way she had treated him earlier that morning. She could tell he was irritated, and she approached him and tried to kiss him as he worked on tying up the bear.
Her lips struck his cheek first, and he turned his head toward her in disbelief. Then she tried to kiss once more, searching for his lips this time. But Wolflen pulled away. Katrina asked him what was wrong, as though she honestly did not know. Wolflen let out a sigh before answering, shaking his head as he spoke.
“Oh, I don't know,” he said sarcastically, “maybe it’s the fact that nothing happened between us last night—you know, like you told Ayvock. I don't know much about Elven custom, but among Izenians, it is considered very rude to keep a relationship so private that it must be hidden from one's own best friends. If it needs hidden then it must be something that is wrong. So don't kiss me when it is so wrong your majesty.”
Katrina couldn't believe it. She knew she deserved what she was hearing from him, but it didn't feel good to hear it. And the last part where he used her title by calling her “your majesty” especially stung, because she saw the feelings she had for him reduced to formality; something she realized she had done to him earlier in the day.
“You're right,” she said, “I am sorry.”
Wolflen stood and tightened a knot in the rope around the bear.
“Yeah, I'm sorry too. Holding you—kissing you, that felt wonderful. If I had known however that I would later get the cold shoulder though, I would never have done either. So, if you choose not to be our guide, I understand. But I don't keep secrets like that from my best friend. And I can't be someone's dirty little secret either.”
His words were like a continual slap in the face to her. Still, she knew she deserved it, and she couldn't argue with what he was saying. She took a deep breath feeling weak and on the verge of tears. The truth was, she felt deeply for Wolflen already.
“I got scared okay...this is so complicated Wolflen. It may be a simple thing for you, but not so much for me.”
Wolflen nodded.
“Well I am sorry for the inconvenience m'lady. I won't bother you further.”
She jerked her eyes upwards, staring at his now.
“On the contrary. I want to be with you,” she said, “I panicked this morning. I've never had these feelings for another, and I can't understand why I have them now. You are Izenian, not Elven. I am royalty, and you are not. I just spooked this morning. I guess I am just afraid of what will happen when people see us together. What happens when we reach Elven lands and everyone there recognizes me? My father will no doubt have something to say about that. You have to understand this is not easy for me. And you are a War Mage. I know a thing or two about War Mages from our history. War Mages fight. War Mages die. I don't know why, but I am scared to lose you.”
Wolflen tied the rope in his hands onto the harness Sespa wore. But her last words stopped him momentarily and he looked at her. He knew what she was saying about War Mages was probably true. After all, he couldn't argue the viewpoint citing stories of War Mages; Izenians never had one among them until now. He hadn't considered how she might feel about dating one. He took a deep breath and looked back at her.
“So what now Katrina? I can't live in shadows. So either whatever this is becomes transparent and in the open, or this is just a business arrangement where you go your own way once we reach Elven lands. I set out on this journey to lean about the War Magic, and to decide whether or not I would become a full War Mage, or if I would refuse and become a Ranger. I know now that I could refuse the War Magic, but that I will not. If I don't do this, someone else will. And if what I know is true, then this world is already running short on time—war is coming. So this is what I am. I can't change that. You can take it or leave it. But do you want to know the blessing and the curse of it? If I hadn't set out on this quest, I would have never met you. I would have never touched your skin or tasted your lips. I would have never felt what I feel inside whenever I am around you...and right now I don't know whether that is a good feeling, or something I will later resent.”
She didn't waste another word. She stepped toward him, putting her hand behind his head and pulling him close for a kiss. They embraced passionately, and as they kissed, he felt the pain of earlier in the day melt away.
“Hold me.” she said in a whisper as she clung to him tightly, “I am sorry for earlier. I think I am falling for you and it scares me that's all. But hold me—don't let go.”
He kissed her again, and his tongue began swimming in her mouth. He savored her taste and he felt her wrap her arms around his shoulders before leaping upward and wrapping her legs around his waist. He held her weight easily, putting his arms underneath her butt to keep her where she was. And they continued kissing.
Chapter 9: Unveiling
Wolflen and Katrina rode back to camp with the bear kill in tow. This time, they made no attempt to hide their relationship from Ayvock. In fact, when the returned to the wagon, Katrina made it a point to apologize to Ayvock, and then she corrected her story about the night before. Ayvock seemed very serious at first when he heard the news, but then at once a huge smile spread over his face.
“I thought so,” he said smiling, “I could tell something was going on.”
Wolflen placated him by telling Ayvock that his instincts had in fact been right and that in the future, Wolflen and Katrina were not going to hide their feelings.
Their meal was prepared and since it took a while to do and there was plenty of meat, they decided two things. The first was to camp in their location for the rest of the day and night. The second was to enjoy the day. Each ate heartily, including Sespa. Bu
t for the remainder of the day, they all just relaxed on the open prairie. The only chore came when Katrina told them it was time to gather and purify water.
She led them both to the nearby river with canteens in tow, but also the large water bowl and some extra fabric. Then she instructed them to put some of the clean fabric over the large water bowl. They were puzzled by the request, but consented just the same. Next, Katrina began to collect sand from the riverbank, and she set it atop the fabric over the large bowl. Next she grabbed small pebbles and made a layer of those over the sand, and then atop that, she chose larger stones, creating a few more layers until she was satisfied with her filtration method. Wolflen began to understand what she was doing, but was still slightly puzzled.
“M’lady, can’t Rangers purify water sources through magic?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, “but you may not always be able to rely on magic, or may not always have a Ranger handy. You should learn how to do this by workaround. You don’t want to go drinking any old water after all. Now then, we must pull the fabric tightly over the rim of the bowl and gently lower it into the river, being mindful not to knock off the filtration layers here. As the water pours through these layers, it will at least be filtered. Then we can begin the task of purifying it after.”
The boys helped as Katrina asked, and soon the water bowl was filled with water. She even explained to them how they could use a smaller amount of fabric and filtration method to disperse water into their canteens in a pinch. But for now the bowl would be enough. Next, she told them they needed to boil the water over their fire back at camp, which they did. She also explained that letting the water sit out in the sun for about a chime would also serve the same purpose if they were ever without fire and needed to accomplish the same goal. Soon after the water was boiled though, they set it apart from the fire and let it cool once more. When that was accomplished, they each filled their canteens to brim, and the bowl still had some water leftover. She suggested that she and Ayvock would repeat the process several times until their entire water barrel in the wagon was full again. That left Wolflen with time on his hands for study.
Wolflen worked for a while on his magic, trying to create his shields. He had some slight trouble in that regard. He could create the shields sure enough, but sometimes they would flicker and disappear. Katrina told him that he needed more practice. She also told him that he would at some point, probably need to acquire a weapon like a sword. Wolflen said he wasn't thrilled about the idea, so she made other suggestions too.
She told him that large warhammers made good weapons. Otherwise, spears, maces, axes, and even large clubs could make good weapons. She told him though that no matter what choice he would make, he did in fact need to make the choice. War Mages she told him, battled with magic and weaponry alike.
“Casting spells can be done from wherever you are on the battlefield, but when the enemy closes in, and trust me at some point there will be enemies that do, you need to be ready for close quarters combat. Shields are helpful, but also at times hindering. With the right weapons though, you will be able to react quickly. And since your magic relies more upon your mental focus and less on ritual, you can fight with weaponry at the same time you are casting spells. War Mage masters were known for such feats in their time.”
Wolflen swallowed hard. He wasn't sure he was ready for the future before him, but he knew he had to approach it just the same.
As night fell, Wolflen sat around the campfire with Katrina in his arms. Ayvock had walked down by the river to find a place to pee in the wild, and Wolflen and Katrina stayed warm together by the fire. They kept each other company by wrapping arms around each other and kissing from time to time. She sat in between his legs with her back against his chest, just as she had sat the first night he held her. And then suddenly, something happened. Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure in dark robes appeared. By the voice, Wolflen and Katrina knew it to be female. But they could not see her at all. Clearly, she was well versed in dark magic, having appeared out of nowhere seemingly, and completely cloaked in darkness and shadow now. Her robes were jet black; invisible in the naked darkness around them.
“The Elven woman is of no interest to me, but you Izenian can go no further. You track the trail of doom and I cannot permit further interference. Return home now and forget the War Magic. Otherwise you will have to fight this night.”
Wolflen and Katrina sprung to their feet. Wolflen's first instinct was to try using telekinetic force on the robed female. It had no effect however when she put up a hand and cast shielding of her own that glowed green in the darkness.
“So you have already begun to practice...” the shadowy figure said quietly, “my master will be interested to know as much.”
Wolflen paused. “Your master? And who might that be? And who the blazes are you?” Wolflen demanded.
The female figure laughed behind her shadowy robes. She raised her head slightly, and the robe hood pulled back slightly, and only slightly revealed her face. She had some kind of face mask that covered her mouth and nose, but her eyes gleamed crystal blue as she looked at them. Wolflen could not believe the eye color he saw, as if the eyes were some kind of magic blue in color.
“Actually,” she responded, “by way of master, I should rather say 'employer', for I am a servant for hire. My employer is revered in many lands, but his name is of no consequence to you. Who I am—you may call me Ravenshade. My employer wishes you not to continue your quest. This is your last warning. Turn back or perish.”
Ravenshade was so involved in her answers that she somehow missed the fact that Ayvock had snuck up on her and suddenly had his sword drawn against the front of her throat.
“Listen Ravenshade,” he said with a growl of a voice, “I don't care who you work for, and I've never heard your name, so you must not be that good at your job. What I know for sure though is that I've got your blood in my grasp. So give me one reason why I shouldn't spill it here and now.”
Ayvock was not ready for what happened next. None of them were really.
Ravenshade moaned slightly and bent forward slightly as well, causing her backside to touch Ayvock below his belt. The move caused him to loosen up his hold on her just a little, and she turned her head toward him. Her eyes seemed to mesmerize Ayvock momentarily, and the moment seemed all she needed. She turned back to Wolflen and Katrina, who were now both ready for an attack. But Ravenshade did not attack once more. Instead, she merely spoke while Ayvock tried to straighten her again by pressing at her neck with his sword blade. She moved as he wished obediently and moaned slightly again.
“I can see that there is at least one among you worth noticing. I know when a gambit is up...until next time.”
Ayvock squeezed Ravenshade more tightly, putting an arm around her stomach, still holding his sword with his other hand. He felt her body press back into his momentarily, and he liked it, but the feeling did not last. In just a moment, she disappeared, vanishing into thin air. Ayvock nearly stumbled forward when it happened, but he caught his balance and swung his sword around him in all directions, trying to understand what happened. Katrina finally enlightened him.
“Dark magic. To appear and disappear completely—only a few of the guild magics can do that. The Free Magic has such spells as well, but I believe this was something else. Maybe the magic of a Shadow Knight. Maybe something else I can't be sure.”
“Who was the employer she spoke of do you suppose?” Wolflen asked.
“Well,” Katrina remarked, “if she was a Shadow Knight, then it is a good bet that Mortican is her employer. And that is no one you want noticing you. Trust me. He is the child of a God, and not someone you want hunting you. Actually, I kind of expected him to try and stop you becoming a War Mage, but I hadn't expected opposition this soon.”
Wolflen and Ayvock looked at each other.
“So we are being hunted now?” Ayvock asked, but knowing it was more of a statement than a question.
“It seems so,” Katrina responded, “I am sorry.”
“We aren't ready are we?” Wolflen said as he looked at her.
She shook her head no.
“We need to hurry,” she replied, “in Elven lands perhaps we can find some trainers who can help your magic along as well as training you both in combat. Ravenshade was only the beginning. If she reports what she knows now, we will likely find new enemies on our travels.”
Wolflen nodded his agreement, and Ayvock took a heavy breath knowing full well that what Katrina was saying was likely true. After all, the Elves knew more about War Mages than anyone. Ayvock wanted to more about what enemies they might need to prepare for, but thought better about asking. He wanted to know, but at the same time he didn't. Besides, Wolflen asked the question now anyway, so whatever reservations Ayvock had in asking, were set aside now.