by Matt Wilk
“Got knocked in the head too hard. He won’t be right for some time.”
“Hey, I got knocked harder than that. What are you saying about me then?”
“You? You will never be right again.”
Major Swiftblade turned Lazarus’s comment into a joke that ended up being true enough to make me blush. Major Talon popped out of the compound and went to sit with Senjay.
“Well, it’s not polite to stare. So, sir, tell us about yourself.”
He and Lazarus looked cross at each other. They laughed at my weak attempt at small talk, then, threw up their hands. He cleared his throat and leaned in to smell the air. When Lazarus mixed all the powders into the boiling pot, the smell of food erupted so heavily that the dogs came running out. They were on him so quickly he could barely push the spit off the fire block to keep the whole pot from boiling over. Major Swiftblade took his time thinking about home. When he finally spoke, every creature in the valley was waiting in suspense.
“I am born from the heart of the world, the endless jungle of Congo-grosha.”
“Oh, here we go.”
Major Talon watched him from across the fire and even matched his next words.
“A jungle made for monsters, not for men.”
They smiled at each other, recalling the many times he had told his story before.
“In order to survive, we become hunters from birth. But then, there are laws against hunting men.”
“And that’s how we met, on Dante’s Isle.”
“But why were you sent there? She killed the Sheriff’s brother. What did you do sir?”
“Dante’s Isle is more than a prison. They offer men the chance to fight for their freedom. But, they also open the arena to bets. Whoever sold the man to the prison takes home a tax for each of his slaves’ victories.”
“So, sir, you did nothing wrong? You just showed prowess as a hunter?”
“Yes, and no. They trap only the best hunters from the bush. However, this is not what happened to me. No, I…”
Major Talon raised a brow and leaned closer. Her face read of not knowing.
“No, I was young. I made the choice to kill those men.”
He cleared his nose and spit into the fire. Then he looked up and met all our eyes in turn.
“I crossed the Congon borderlands and snuck into a port city at night. I found my people there on a Swillian slave ship. Three were shot in the back with arrows from iron plated bows. Twelve escaped, I have since forgotten their names. The slavers lost eight men to a boy. There was only one way to make a return on their lost cargo.”
“I’m so sorry sir. I didn’t know, and should not have asked.”
He held up his hands and shrugged off his own tragedies with such ease. Once again, I felt ashamed for actions that were not mine. But he did not rightly answer all of my questions.
“Your people were lucky to have such righteous royalty. I hope you left behind many brothers and sisters.”
“What? I am no royalty boy. They took my woman. I just wanted her for myself.”
I tried to laugh with everyone else but failed to pull it off properly. He saw through my ruse and made a face. Major Talon popped a horn of wine and got up to leave. She stopped when she saw his face. She turned back and gave me my answer, if only to gain his full attentions.
“You have not understood by now? You still want to know about the fallen prince?”
“Sorry ma’am, I’m sure it’s the Bloodaxe.”
“Ha! Look at me fool. There is a reason the giant is master to us all, yet leaps head first into battle. Honor is in his blood boy. His name is Carolus Belutgrava. First and only son of the fallen Queen- taken from us by a Swillian arrow. The Lexicon is demanding a vengeance on you. Satisfied?”
She took a large gulp of the liquor and spit a flare-up into the fire. She stood there nodding at me, proud of herself, until Major Swiftblade took the horn and they disappeared into the compound. All the dogs, save for Kru and his oldest uncle Tommy, followed them inside. Senjay broke the silence with his newfound mood that came with a permanent scowl.
“She’s got a point. The man said fallen prince, and that bow had iron reinforcements.”
“Senjay, stop it.”
“What? It’s just the truth is all.”
“Please, you’re only taking her side because of her bosom.”
“Na, it’s time he recognized the truth. No matter where you go, everyone will look on you as a spy. Do you deny that?”
“No, but you know better. I didn’t-”
“You know better, too. The whole world’s turned to pirates and raiders and the only city that stands a chance against them glows fairy pink at night. The scales fell too long ago. There is nothing left for us. You Swillians damned us all at birth.”
“What is that to us? He was just dropped off at the home in Ulfbar like everyone else.”
“Because his loyalty will never stop being questioned. You both know, we are the only ones left to fight the Swillians when they return. Until that day comes, nobody knows what side you’ll be fighting on.”
“Your side Senjay.”
“Yea well, so far my side aint sure you’ll hold up your end of the bargain mate. Considering what happened last time a Swillian waved the white flag of peace…”
“Stop it right now Senjay. That’s an order.”
“Shut it Corporal!”
“Cross this line and make me, you twig!”
They were edging closer to each other, and doing so dangerously close to the fire. I could not get in between them, nor did I care to. Senjay had never questioned me in such a way before and I was still registering his words. Immediately after burning those bodies, Major Bloodaxe realized he had set a dangerous precedence. The Lexicon of Potentiality wanted blood and that’s exactly what it got. I wondered if it had imprinted on Senjay, or if he had simply been burying his feelings for some time.
“So, what is it then?”
“What is what?”
Senjay squinted at Lazarus but would not risk averting his gaze over to me.
“What must I do? What can I do?”
“On the day the world ends, you just do what comes naturally. Let the gods decide who is right, and who is dead.”
Senjay shoved Lazarus to the ground and made Kru growl. Without looking back, he stomped to the cart. He tried to put the door in its proper place several times before giving up and throwing it away. Lazarus held up his hands to stop me from washing the dinner dishes. All I could do was pet Kru over and over until the sun was fully set. I was still gazing up at the stars when Lazarus returned from tucking the dishes back into the Bloodaxe’s cart.
“Matthius, don’t leave the fire pit dirty.”
“Yes corporal.”
“And do get some rest. Don’t just be laying there when Major Bloodaxe returns.”
“And flip the block. And put the pup inside.”
“What? You suddenly can’t trust me to do the right thing either?”
Lazarus shrugged and backed away. He hung his head low and sauntered back to the cart. The last of the dogs went back inside when the chill blew over the plateau. I took care of the ash in the fire pit and returned to the Shaman pose by the cliff. I waited for Major Bloodaxe. Perhaps because I wished to apologize for what my ancestors had done. Perhaps, I wanted any news at all, in order to aid us in getting past recent events with a greater speed. Whatever my intent, I sank into my armor to stay warm, and again fell asleep out in the open.
I faded in and out of the dream state for hours. Major Bloodaxe never returned to the training compound. The early morning saw me fading back and forth once again. Seeing several crazed images of a blood soaked sky convinced me to end the nightmare before it grew to full force. I swatted at the light just before my face and cleared my nose. To my surprise, the sights remained. However, as the valley came into the focus, I realized the majesty of the scene. With the first melt of spring, gliding tree squirrels and song birds
dashed and darted across the chasm. The few inches of water in Red Heart Run had turned to feet, and filled with chunks of melting ice. Winds met from three directions in the valley so whenever a glider wished to be in the air they could jump from a block of ice and be pushed several hundred feet high.
“Wow, it looks like they can fly.”
“Indeed.”
Lazarus jumped sideways at the sound of my voice. He had been sneaking up to me and only spoke to himself in a whisper.
“Nice mask. You know I’m not afraid right?”
“Yea, I reckon you’re only fear is heights now.”
He came and sat beside me, then scooted away.
“You slept in your armor again.”
“I was waiting for Major Bloodaxe. I don’t mind it really.”
“You smell like a sweaty goat.”
“Who are you telling? Every attempt to wash it just gets it wet and then yuck, it smells even worse.”
“Yuck- exactly, you smell terrible.”
We sat out on the edge of the plateau and watched all the animals play chase and celebrate spring. Some came close enough to reveal their true size. The dark blue gliders were twice the size of the largest bat we had encountered at the Giant’s Bridge. A plethora of memories swam to the surface of my mind, especially those I made with Lazarus.
“Do you remember the Baker? He stunk worse than this, yea?”
“Ugh. Jerry Baker and those green onion loafs. Stop or I’ll be sick.”
“Yea that one. Remember he had that nephew. Said something awful to Leiza and you pounded on him with a vengeance. I tell you, you really inspired me that day.”
“Is that right? I inspired you?”
“Yes, of course. That’s how I always lead now, with as many heavy right’s as I can. You knocked his eyes cross with that one.”
Lazarus laughed and jabbed at the air. He did not seem proud of himself about it, but then, I hadn’t finished recalling all the details. It was those details in which he could rightly brag.
“I still remember what he said. To Leiza, I mean. ‘Trade a whole loaf of bread for one night in my bed?’ Nasty pig, said that to all the girls. Went after them much too young.”
“Yea, that’s what he said. Yea, I’d say it’s worth a beating. I never knew you were there with him. With me, I mean. And the Bakers.”
“And Senjay too. We were creeping behind the older boys- like always.”
We turned back to the carts after a noise. Senjay must have stirred from hearing his name.
“So, to my point. You remember what Grandfather said when he caught you? I mean, I still think about it sometimes. Like, when you stood up for me last night. Just, thank you is all.”
“What was it?”
Lazarus was staring down into the turtle shell mask. He wouldn’t meet my eye.
“Matthius, I can’t remember his voice anymore.”
“I understand, that happens to me when I get in trouble. He tried to apologize to that poor boy, but he just screamed and ran off. Grandfather could tell you weren’t lying so he spoke in that wise priest tone, that’s why I remember. ‘The Gods show little mercy, to the most wicked of kings, and the most innocent babe. May you ever raise your fist in defiance’.”
“Right. That’s a good lesson. Standing up for the weak.”
“Neither of you have the faintest idea what it means.”
Senjay walked towards us unbeknownst. Because he wore none of his armor, we heard no footsteps until he was ready to reveal his self.
“It’s from the book of the non-believer. It means to give no thanks, no prayers, and no offerings of gold to any of the gods, for they offer nothing in return.”
Senjay sat between us and rubbed his eyes as the last bits of black sky turned to pink.
“That’s why the Lexicon means so little. For every one of us that defies the gods, every single time, their plans must be rewritten.”
“Enter the Great Defier himself, Senjay. Observe as he denies his own destiny. Turned from a life of piracy, and harlots, and gold. Now, he protects the Lantos city of Embraun.”
“Those pink little fairies had better pay me my gold. And the moment I go on leave, I expect the most beautiful Lantos girl in town to slut it up in my honor.”
Lazarus slapped his own face in disgust. I had not laughed so hard in days. Senjay put his long arms around us and laughed just as hard. Lazarus immediately wiggled free.
“Between his fur and your armpit- yuck and more yuck!”
He spit, but it only made us laugh harder. It felt good for us to be united and carrying on in good spirits. However, before anyone could conjure up the next tale, the gods spat on us for our many heresies. In the absence of the lions, a pack of wolves had moved into the forest. A wolf pup called with such volume that it drove the dogs wild. Senjay and Lazarus ran to don their gear. I was too slow to stop the dogs. Tina had slid the bar open and barked orders of attack to Timmy and Tommy. To my horror, Kru joined them in the charge. I dove after him but caught only a block to the face. Ma jor Talon cracked open a steel window and called out for an explanation. I left that to the corporal, and followed the dogs to battle.
“Bow-bow-bow!”
The noise got louder as we approached the tree line. Tommy, the oldest, stopped in the high grass and raised his head. He mimicked the call and turned a half-left. We ran through the knee deep snow between the shady pines, spilling out on the gravel trail.
“Why did we go this way?”
Kru turned when he heard my voice. The dogs hit the gravel without pause, but I had to stop to catch my breath. I watched them stop again and turn another half-left. While they pushed through the snow, I ran about the long way and just missed Kru. From there, even I could hear the pup’s call bouncing from the high road’s mountain wall. The dogs sprinted the whole way around the bend while I slowed to a trot.
“There’s only one way. No need to run straight into a dead end. It could be an ambush!”
They did not care for my reason. After a few moments, the call went silent and I turned to look back. The road was otherwise empty. It turned out to be another test that only I had passed. I was above the outskirts of the guard outpost before the sun hit the surface of the waterfall. From that angle, I could see its surface was still frozen.
“All those guards down there in reserve and not one chipped away at this ice?”
Not one of them had the awareness to look up at me either. But then, I felt the fool when I saw the eyes watching me from a hidden tower built into the mountain wall. Most of the lines formed by the building blocks blended in with the pattern of the rock. The windows were all cut at angles just like the eyes of Major Swiftblade’s mask. The towers on either side of the falls went up above and beyond the highest peak. They let out no less than a hundred feet above the high road and still some man was insane enough to slide down the frozen falls. When I got to the bridge, the dogs were all watching and howling. The mad man, of course, was Major Bloodaxe. He used an axe to slow his descent and leapt out into the open over our heads.
“Why are you the only one out here? You sleep in your armor again?”
“Yes sir. I was waiting for you to come back. I wanted to apologize for what happened. I didn’t know sir. I am sorry.”
“Of course you didn’t know- you were only just born.”
I nodded and stayed quiet. I knelt to pet Kru, watching the still empty road.
“What, have you gone moody?”
“No sir. I just know that you don’t want to repeat yourself.”
“Well too bad, I don’t feel much like waiting either. I should have known activating the Drakkah would blow a hot wind up from the south. We cracked the ice straight down the middle. Today, you’ll be cutting it into safe bits until the bridge is clear. And it will take you all day, so let’s get a move on already.”
“But sir, it’s still just us.”
“Yea, but they aint like us, are they? We’re on the fast-track, they�
�ll be begging for stairs. Besides, I can’t wait around any longer. You stink like a dead goat.”
He ran up to the ice and leapt high as he could, sticking his axes in deep where they landed. He climbed up the ice in that way and left handholds for me to follow. Despite the dizzying height of the journey, he had challenged me to win his favor. With only a short sprint up the wall, I reached the first hold and grit my teeth against my better judgement. I refused to take the long and safe route. I would sooner fall then fail his test of my courage.
Once we got high enough, I could hear all the bird calls echo from all over the valley, before my senses were seriously distorted. I started feeling confused by all the noises, and the bright white ice became blinding. The sight of an overhang up ahead scared me to death. My nose burst from having such a rush of adrenaline while at such a high elevation. Major Bloodaxe landed hard on a metal platform above me. Knowing the end was near gave me strength. I failed to wipe my face properly without using my hands. Since my nose was still bleeding anyway, I gave up on appearing clean. The intense focus turned my stomach over and I slowed to a crawl. None of the men on the platform heard me approaching as they had taken to calling over the ledge to those down below. I slid over the side of the ice and landed just as hard as the Bloodaxe- without the same hero’s welcome from those within the guard house.
A Lokah warrior in full battle dress stood beside Major Bloodaxe. I was too focused on the silver implant and the whirling pattern it displayed. They both spun in surprise when I landed, however, they reacted in complete opposites.
“Gojinus!”
The Lokah wore a buoyant armor like mine, just much thicker, expensive, and ornate. The speed of his movements told me it was made from white Orcana whale bones which were lighter and stronger than most inferior forms of iron. I thought it was genius to make weapons from a material that would float, but he did not brandish them with a teaching lesson in mind. He pulled Major Bloodaxe away from the edge and circled around the platform. I threw up my hands only to realize I looked like a mad man covered with snowy blood. He spun his long spear about and laid it to rest on his shield. Before anyone could tell him not to, he kicked the spear at me and instinctively drew his sword. The concave outline of his shield allowed for a guided launch. The spear shot through the gap between my open palms and my face with a practiced kick.