Scorched Kingdom

by Daniel Guevara

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  Meanwhile, Rallec tried his best to get out of the dark forest in one piece. But the pain from his wounds and the extra weight from carrying Licius made it difficult for him to move fast.

  Damn armor… I should have taken your head when I got the chance,” Rallec thought.

  The Elf general was tired and badly wounded, but he was sure that if he stopped, the others would catch him. So he pressed on through an unending maze off trees and branches, with moldy floors and little light. Unsure about where to go, but determined not to stop until he got there, the Elf general started letting anxiety take over his mind, as the feeling of being hunted started to cloud his every thought and the uncertainty of his direction made him feel more and more tired.

  “This would be easier if I had someone to talk to,” Rallec said out loud in hopes of getting a response from his old friend.

  The Elf had walked for a few hours and even when it was not his wish, he decided it was best to stop, as he had to regain his strength and tend to his wounds.

  So as night fell upon the two of them, Rallec stopped in a small clearing between a few trees.

  Once there he placed Licius on the ground, took off his armor and began to search for anything in his sash that could help him tend to his wounds.

  “I have been a soldier for over four thousand years, yet it never occurred to me that I should take bandages with me.”

  “That is because the idea of being wounded never crossed your mind, my old friend,” Licius replied.

  “Well, it seems death has not claimed you yet. You are definitely tougher than you look.”

  “It would appear so, but no thanks to you.”

  “Well, you gave me no other choice, my friend, not after what you did to me. Besides, that armor you wear is an abomination.”

  “I know and I am sorry for what I did to you, it was never my intention for you to get involved in all this. And yes, what you speak is truth. As I can feel right now, how the armor moves inside my heart making it work… when I should be dead.”

  “Yes, you should be dead and not because you betrayed me, or our people, or even the sacred ritual of Bagrada, but because you betrayed yourself when you chose to resort to sorcery to fulfill your own needs and desires.”

  “There is where you are wrong, old friend, for it was not I who chose the armor, but the other way around. This abomination, as you so accurately call it, was being guarded by the Supreme Chancellor himself, but it refused to serve him and chose me instead.”

  “If you really believe for one second that I will trust anything that comes out of your mouth, then you are more naïve than I thought, Licius.”

  “Come on old friend, why would I lie to you? Besides, you have known me for four thousand years and never have you seen me employ any type of magic.”

  “Never, but also never have I seen you employ such a dishonorable tactic as hitting your best friend in the back.”

  “I already apologized for that my friend, but if it was not for that action, I would have never found out what happened to neither our queen, nor the true intentions of the Supreme Chancellor.”

  “If you are going to try and feed me some more lies, I would strongly suggest that you save your strength instead. For once we reach our city and we get you out of that armor, you are going to need as much strength as you can possibly muster in order to withstand the punishment you shall receive.”

  “Please, my friend, I beg of you. I am still not strong enough to stand, but if you allow me the time to heal and we work together, we can bring the Supreme Chancellor to justice and free our people from the lie they are trapped in.”

  “Shut up already and stop calling me your friend; if it was not for that golden armor, I would have cut your tongue by now. Why should I believe anything a traitor like you says?” Rallec yelled at Licius.

  “You should, because… he speaks the truth,” a vague and distorted voice said.

  “Who said that?” the two Elves asked simultaneously.

  “I believe you have been looking for me… high general.”

  “I am not looking for anyone and if you don’t identify yourself now, nor shall you for that matter,” Rallec replied.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, for you are nothing more than a captain that usurped your friend’s position thanks to a lie a corrupted politician told to save his own skin.”

  “Speak one more word and you will pay for it with your life.”

  “Really, and how does the great Elf assassin plans to kill something that is no longer alive?”

  “There is nothing I can’t kill, just come forward and I will show you.”

  “Very well then, I shall reveal myself. But only because you asked nicely.”

  After those words a chilling wind started to flow from between the trees in front of the two Elves and a dark mist that crawled through the ground soon followed.

  After a few second a humanoid shape covered with an old dark cloak came out of the shadows floating through the mist. Once it got close enough, both Elves became horrified, as the creature was not much more than bones and muscle covered by a thin layer of rotting skin that hung like rags over him, and its face was just as hideous as his eyes and mouth seemed to be partially stuck together by patches of his own skin. A dim blue light was the only thing that emanated from the rotting carcass.

  Rallec could not believe his eyes, but that did not stop him from trying to keep his word. So he immediately attacked, using the only dagger he had been able to retrieve as he made his escape from the burning cabin, sticking it as deep as he could in the creature’s chest. But the creature did not even flinch at this.

  “You see? I told you that you cannot kill what is no longer alive.”

  “What are you?”

  “Oh, I go by many names. But you can call me the merchant of death.”

  “So you are the merchant that Count Barosh told us about,” Licius said, as he slowly sat up.

  “Indeed I am, Licius.”

  “You seem to know a lot about us?”

  “Well, when you have been alive as long as I have, you hear a lot of things.”

  “Do not act condescendingly with us you filthy creature, for we have been alive for over four thousand years,” Rallec said.

  “Yes, I know. And you seem to believe that is a long time. Yet you have no idea what the concept of eternity really means. Nor have I the time to explain it to someone as simple minded as you.”

  “How old are you then?” Licius asked.

  “Older than you could comprehend, besides I am aware that is not my age what you wanted to discuss with me.”

  “We have nothing to discuss with a creature like you,” said Rallec.

  “Would you be silent for a moment, not everything is about you and your precious mission,” Licius said.

  Rallec was shocked at Licius’ reaction.

  The simple idea of speaking with such a creature betrayed the very principles he stood for, but at the same time he could not help feeling that he should follow the orders of the Elf that had taught him everything he knew.

  Could it be that he has actually been played for a fool for the last two millenniums? Could this creature or his once friend hold some aspect of truth in their words?

  All these questions started to make Rallec question his own integrity and the very principles he stood for as the high general of the Elf Army.

  He had no idea what to do, as nothing during his entire existence had prepared him for a situation like this. So for once, he decided to let it play out for just a while and see if he could learn something from the situation.

  “Very well, I shall let you talk. But make it quick, for I have no intention of abandoning my mission.”

  The Merchant then looked upwards and saw a raven fly just beneath the treetops above them. The raven circled around them and then flew away.

  “Perfect, because we have a deal or two to make. And time is not on our side,” the Merchant said.
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  “What do you mean? If there is something the three of us have, it is time,” Licius said.

  “You and I maybe, but your friend here will not last long against your other friends in his current condition,” the Merchant replied.

  “Speak without riddles, you disgusting creature,” Rallec said.

  “All I am saying is that you have passed from being the hunter, to being the prey, as your friend’s allies are upon us.”

  “Very well then, it seems our time here is done.”

  But as Rallec approached the injured Elf to pick him up, Licius unsheathed one of his blades.

  “I’m not going anywhere until I am done talking with the merchant, much less will I go with you.”

  Rallec knew there was nothing he could do, for he could not kill or injure Licius, as long as he wore that armor. And carrying him alive was not possible as long as he had those blades.

  He could try and escape without his prey, but that would mean facing death at the hands of the Elf High Council. He contemplated his options for a second and then looked at the merchant.

  “Very well then… let’s hear about this deal.”

  “Well, I offer a large arranges of services. I deal information about anything you may need and my price is always the same.”

  “What kind of information?” Rallec asked.

  “I can provide you with all sorts of information, usually about the location of relics of power, or how to perform rituals. But in this particular instance, I could tell you how to get out of this forest, without your enemies catching you.”

  “And what makes you think that I cannot do that on my own?”

  “You don’t get to live as long as I have without being sure of things. For example, I am sure that your wounds are slowing you down. I am also sure that now that your friend is awake, you will not be able to carry him as easily. But perhaps more importantly I am sure that you are lost and are being hunted by druids that know this forest like the back of their hands and can travel much faster than you by air. So do not play smart with me and listen to what I offer, before you regret it.”

  “And what is the price for your services, may I ask?” Licius asked.

  “Like I said, my price is always the same. I shall brand your neck with a spell and once I have fulfilled my end of the bargain, the spell will become active, making sure that I get to keep your soul at the time of your death.”

  “So you ask nothing at all then?” said Licius.

  “Quite the opposite, general, but I do understand how you being an Elf would not comprehend the price. And in all honesty, I do not usually deal with Elves as your souls take too long to collect. But I do believe that will not be the case with either of you.”

  “Very well then, I accept the price. Tell me how to get out of here,” Rallec said with haste, as his fear of getting caught grew bigger with every moment that passed.

  “First things first, approach me so that I can brand you.”

  Rallec nodded and then walked towards the Merchant.

  Once he was no farther than a step from him, the Merchant tilted his head and looked at Rallec. He grabbed Rallec by the throat with his left hand.

  Rallec was scared.

  But there was no turning back now, so he raised his eyes and looked directly into The Merchant’s face.

  “Defiant to the very end, that is what I love about you.”

  And following those words, the soft blue light that emanated from the Merchant’s eye sockets became brighter and the mist started to flow from beneath the dark cloak and began to travel through the Merchant’s arm and into Rallec’s neck.

  What followed was a burning sensation, as if he was being branded with hot iron. Rallec tried his best not to scream, as he had no intention of revealing his position to his pursuers.

  The process only lasted a few seconds, but it was painful enough to be remembered for a lifetime. But at last it was over. The Merchant removed his hand from Rallec’s neck revealing a circular brand with an inscription.

  “That inscription, what does it mean?” Licius asked.

  “It used to be my clan’s crest, from a time far before yours.”

  “Yes, thank you for the history lesson. But if you don’t mind, I would like to know how are we getting out of here?” Rallec said.

  “I never said you would both be leaving together, I specifically said how ‘you’ could get out of here.”

  “Do you think this is funny? I am sure that you were aware that I planned to take Licius with me.”

  “Oh I am well aware of what you hoped, but what you hoped and what we agreed upon, are two different things, young Elf.”

  “You shall pay for this, you filthy beast.”

  “Unlikely. In fact, if I had to place a wager, I would say that it will be you who will pay for this. But let no one say that I am not a man of my word.”

  Then he reached inside his cloak, almost as if he was reaching inside his own body, and pulled out a compass.

  “This is the key for getting out of here.”

  “What is this?”

  “That is one of the oldest relics of power that exists in this world; just picture where you want to go in your mind and the needle shall point the way.”

  “It looks no different than a useless trinket. You better not be lying to me, because if you are, I swear on my honor that I will find a way to make you pay.”

  “Yes, you said that before. Now go before your pursuers get here, or there will be no trinket in my power that will be able to save you.”

  “Licius, whether you like it or not you are coming with me,” Rallec said, striding towards the injured Elf.

  But before Licius could reply, the Merchant stood between the two of them.

  “I said that you have to leave now, or else I cannot guarantee your safety. Besides, I still have a deal to make with your friend. So do not waste any more of our time.”

  “How can I be sure that this nothing more than a trick?” Rallec asked.

  “You cannot, at least not for now. As I said, once I have fulfilled my end of the bargain, the mark on your neck will activate with the spell, which will suffice to let you know that you have lost your pursuer, at least for the immediate future.”

  “Very well then, I shall leave. But know this, Licius, I shall not stop hunting you until either of us is dead.”

  “I know…old friend,” Licius said, as he stared at the Elf who was once his best friend and saw nothing more than an enemy.

  But before Rallec could start his journey, his Elf ears noticed the sound of a branch snapping as someone stepped over it no more than a few meters away. He knew it was too late, but he had to try and make a run for it anyway. So with that thought in mind, he grabbed his armor and took one look at the compass, before he sprinted in the direction that the arrow pointed.

  The Elf was incredibly fast on his feet and without the extra weight from Licius’s body and armor, there was no way they could catch him. Lizandra was the closest, as she had turned into a snake and slowly crawled her way near them. As soon as she saw the Elf running, she again turned into a tiger and pounced forward, missing him by no more than a few inches.

  She lunged with her claws, but Rallec was already out of her reach. So she began to pursue him, even when her tiger speed seemed to be no match for the Elf’s legs.

  Arius saw this and realized that Rallec would get away if he let him, so he pointed his hammer and let out a blast of holy energy that would strike the Elf in the back. But before the blast could reach its target, the Merchant intercepted it by standing on its way.

  The blast of energy did nothing more than lift his cloak.

  Stundroff tried to jump and chase after Rallec, but with all the trees, there was no clear path for him to use. And there was no way that his short legs could keep up with the Elf’s speed. So Rallec had once again vanished into the darkness of the forest, with only Lizandra following him.

  “Lizandra stop!” Arius yelled at the druid
, as he feared that she could get hurt if she decided to face the menacing Elf on her own.

  But Lizandra did not listen and ran after Rallec into the darkness.

  “We have to follow her,” Stundroff said.

  “There is no point; I doubt we will catch either of them. Besides, I can see Licius lying next to that weird creature.”

  “If I ever get my hands on that arrogant Elf, I will tear his head from his body with my bare hands.”

  Having decided to prioritize their friend’s safety, they began to walk slowly and cautiously towards Licius and the strange creature. Once they were close enough to clearly look at the Merchant, they stopped and wondered if that hideous creature could be a friend or a foe.

  “Come closer, Prince Arius, we have much to discuss.”

  “Who or what are you? And how do you know my name?”

  “This is the Merchant that Count Barosh told us about,” said Licius.

  “And I suppose you told him about me?”

  “Not really, he seems to know many things. He is older than me.”

  “He is older than you? Is that even possible?” Stundroff asked.

  “It appears so, my Dwarf friend.”

  “Well if you know so many things, then tell me something about me?” Stundroff said.

  “I do not know you by name, but it is clear you hold within yourself the green gem of Xifur, which means that either you are a straight descendant from that silly old Dwarf, or got very lucky and found it by accident. Either way, I am surprised that the gem finally chose a master.”

  Stundroff simply nodded in response as he knew there was truth in the Merchant’s word, but they seemed to raise more questions, than they answered.

  “Do not worry, Dwarf, I can see you hide many questions and I have the answers you seek… for a price of course.”

  “And what would that price be?” Arius asked.

  “My price is always the same… your soul.”

  “My soul, are you mad? No information could be worth that much,” replied Arius.

  “What is a soul?” Stundroff asked.

  “Your soul is your connection to the light and the only thing that remains of you after you die,” Arius replied.