by D N Meinster
Uterak slid backwards across the terrain, his feet grinding against the brick and sand. "Is that all you got?" He stomped over to Doren and smashed his axe down upon him.
Doren raised his shield toward the chopper, and the axe collided with the bronze metal. The impact created a sound not unlike a gong being struck.
Uterak pushed down on his axe, its blade still resting on Doren's shield. Doren's arms began to crumble under the pressure, as his only weapon was being forced closer to his body.
Doren tucked his elbows on his chest and tried to resist Uterak's strength, but the Thalian's might was too much for the boy. He was unable to prevent himself from sliding backwards toward a nearby building.
Rikki looked on as her friend struggled to stay in one place. Her staff was raised, but she was unsure what to do with it. Her abilities could not keep up with their opponent.
Aros lumbered up beside her. "Come on!" he encouraged her, and he did his best to rush at Uterak. Aros made sure his hands were tightly wound around his clawblades, and when get got close enough he started hacking away at Uterak's armor. The sharp edges sliced into the golden cubes over and over again but appeared to have little impact.
Uterak kicked his leg at Aros, who jumped back to dodge. He then thrust all his muscle at Doren, causing him to collapse against the granite wall of a closed shop.
Doren slumped to the ground, his eyes completely unfocused.
Uterak turned back to face Aros but wound up with the top of a staff crashing into his nose. He stumbled back and placed one of his hands under his nostrils. He wiped the side of his finger across his lip and took a look at it. The thick line of blood seemed unbelievable to the Thalian. He studied it while Aros resumed his attack.
Uterak wildly swung his axe about, trying to swat Aros like he was an evasive fly. Aros ducked and dived out of the way, and then resumed trying to scratch Uterak's armor.
Rikki slammed the bottom of her staff against the ground, sending out a small shockwave in the vicinity. Both Uterak and Aros were swept off their feet, and Rikki sent another fireball straight at Uterak.
Uterak took the hit, but the fire was unable to penetrate his armor. The Thalian got to his feet and kicked Aros, who was still lying on the floor. The force of Uterak's foot sent Aros flying at Rikki.
The young mage raised her staff and tried to slow Aros down before he crashed into her. Both of them smacked into the ground, but Rikki quickly recovered.
"You lot are pathetic," Uterak jabbed. "If you're all Magenine sent to stop us, Neanthal will be back by tomorrow."
Rikki directed her staff at him and the sand that layered the street shot into the air, creating a screen that hid Uterak from view. She scurried over to Doren to check on her friend's condition.
The sand barricade did not last long and collapsed under the power of Uterak's axe. He sighted the mage and slammed his axe into the street. A column of white light materialized upon the impact and glided across the ground towards Rikki.
Rikki watched the beam and swung her staff at it just as it approached. The column completely disappeared. She again thrust her staff toward Uterak. This time the invisible force lifted him straight off the ground and sent him plowing backwards.
Rikki bent down to tend to her friend. She placed her hand on his cheek. "How much damage did he do?"
"More than I can take," Doren groaned. "Would it be wrong to run?"
"I can handle him," Rikki asserted.
"What about Mr. Hook Blades?" Doren asked.
Aros was still lying on the ground. He was conscious but there were shooting pains throughout his body. He didn't want to rise up, for he feared a worse injury that would leave him irrevocably harmed.
"Aros!"
Aros shot up. He looked toward, Rikki, who was crouched near Doren. She hadn't called him. It took a second to register that it was the voice that had hailed him. He was about to wonder why when he saw Uterak sprinting up the street, and Aros was in his path. Aros crawled out of the way and hugged a wall, leaving his weapons in the middle of the street. But Uterak was not paying any attention to him. His eyes were focused on Rikki.
"Rikki!" Aros yelled.
Rikki turned just as Uterak went rocketing toward her. She put the staff between herself and his cleaver, but she was still lifted off her feet. Her back crashed against the wall, and she appeared to lose consciousness. Her body slumped down next to Doren.
"Handle that, mage," Uterak snarled. He looked down at Doren, who was trembling. "Oh, little Prince. It's time Aergo's line ended, isn't it?" He raised his axe above his head, about to play the role of executioner.
Aros didn't have time to get over there, so he rushed over to one of his clawblades and threw it at the massive Thalian. It struck the side of Uterak's head and turned his attention away from the Prince.
Uterak was startled by the interference. He looked over at Aros. "Still standing?" he marveled. Uterak swung his body around and moved toward him.
Aros lifted up his remaining clawblade and raised it diagonally in front of him. "Where did you take Leidess?"
"She's important," Uterak said. "You are not."
"Where is she?" Aros reiterated.
Uterak ignored the question and swung his weapon.
Aros hopped back to dodge, and then jumped forward, trying to slice his weapon into Uterak's face.
The side of Uterak's hammer slapped Aros' blade out of the way. Uterak raised his axe above his head once more, but this time a shield pounded the back of his head.
Doren was still slumped on the ground, but he had managed to send his shield at the enemy.
Uterak looked back, and then returned his attention to Aros. He dropped his axe to the ground and reached out for Aros.
Aros tried to take a swipe, but Uterak belted the blade away with his arm.
Uterak grabbed Aros on his sides and hoisted him straight off the ground. He swung around toward Doren and threw Aros right at the Prince.
Aros was helpless as his body shot through the air. He let go of his blade and tried to cover his head as he smashed into Doren. All three of them were crumpled against the wall, unable to continue the fight.
Uterak grabbed his axe and examined his work. "Magenites," he said with a grin. "Be prepared. The Door will open." Uterak left the scene, scurrying beyond the broken threshold he had created earlier for his comrade.
Chapter Ten
Before the King
Aros groaned as he spun his body off of the Prince. He laid on the sandy streets, every limb aching. Each blow from Uterak's axe had left its mark. He was too sore to stand; too sore to check on his compatriots. He could only lay there and drown in thoughts of his failure. They had taken Leidess, and he was unable to rescue her. Why did they kidnap her? Why was she important? It didn't really matter. All that mattered was getting her back. He tried to motivate his body to move but couldn't. He had given his all, but it wasn't enough.
Years of practice with blades hadn't mattered. When his father was alive, they would play fight with wooden swords. It was only a game then, and the worst that would result from their battles was a splinter. Aros hadn't really considered it training until he started having legitimate duels with Ratch. His mentor didn't enjoy working all the time and would often grab a sword off the wall and challenge Aros. Ratch was overjoyed to discover his apprentice had learned enough to keep up but would still offer tips to make him a more competitive opponent. It was only recently that Aros had managed to not only bring their duels to a draw, but occasionally come out the victor.
If Aros was good enough to beat Ratch, he should've been able to hold his own against Uterak. With two partners, it should've been an easy triumph. Yet the three of them had failed, perhaps because they had never fought alongside each other before. Aros hardly knew who they were, but if they were ever to battle side-by-side again, they were going to have to work on their teamwork. Going after their adversary one at a time, and then stumbling over each other, would only serve
as a repeat of today's encounter.
"Aros?"
Aros lost his train of thought as soon as he heard his name. Was it the voice again? He focused, trying to determine the source.
"Aros?"
It was a male voice. Close by. Doren.
"Yeah?" Aros mumbled.
"Your foot's still on me," Doren said.
Aros grumbled and tried to hoist his foot off the Prince. He was able to briefly raise it, but it fell back onto Doren's body.
"Sorry," Aros said. "I can't really move."
"Neither can I," Doren said. "That was some beating."
"You're a prince?" Aros asked, still lying on his back. He had heard Uterak refer to him as such during the battle and was looking for some clarification.
"I'm the Prince," Doren replied. "Son of King Halstrom Tunsev. The only heir to Aergo's throne."
"Sounds fancy," Aros stated. "I'm only a blacksmith's apprentice."
"I'd rather have that life," Doren sighed.
"So Thalians don't try to chop your head off?"
"So I don't have to deal with Thalians, Magenites, Kytherans, or anyone. I was born with a burden I didn't ask for. You had a choice, didn't you? After school?"
"That is how the system works," Aros answered. "You graduate and you choose your life."
"I never got that choice," Doren complained.
"We all get stuck after school," Aros said. "You make the wrong choice, and you get a life tending to a job you regret and responsibilities you wish to shirk. I think a lot of Kytherans feel like you do. Only difference is, they blame themselves more."
Doren was silent for a while as he seemed to consider Aros' words. When he spoke again, it was on a completely different topic. "Who did they take from you?"
"Leidess." Aros could feel his eyes watering. All the pain that Uterak had inflicted on him was nothing compared to losing Leidess. He didn't want to go on without her, even for a day. He had to find her. Aros stiffened his elbows against the ground and tried to rise again. He was able to heave his back up for only a second before rebounding onto the sandy street.
"She's important to you?" Doren asked.
"More than anything."
Aros could feel Doren wiggling beneath his foot.
"We'll get her back for you," Doren promised.
"Neither of you will have much success if you just keep laying here," Rikki interjected.
Aros tilted his head slightly and found Rikki towering over him. She was leaning on her staff as a crutch, but she had still managed to recover faster than both Doren and Aros.
"We aren't doing this on purpose," Doren notified her. "That Thalian beat our asses."
"Maybe we should work with each other next time," Rikki said. "Let me help you up." She touched her staff to Aros, and his aches dulled almost instantly. It was a pleasant relief, but before he could enjoy it, he felt his body again being propelled upward by an outside force.
Rikki touched her staff to Doren and repeated the process. He was on his feet in no time, though both Aros and Doren were slumped over like limp puppets.
"We can have the castle healers look you over when we get back," Rikki stated.
"We aren't going after them?" Aros asked. He stretched his arms up and tried straightening out his spine.
"We will," she said. "But first we need to get back to the Celebration."
Aros had totally forgotten about the Celebration. "The Prince would be there," Aros whispered under his breath. "So why are you two in the Bread Peddler's district?"
"I'll tell you on the way," Rikki said. She brought her staff off the ground and carefully proceeded down the street. Doren and Aros obediently followed, as if she was still pulling their strings. Their weapons flew off the ground and onto their backs as they passed them on the way. "Those Thalians crashed our ceremony," she relayed.
"Whoa," Aros spoke.
"They put us all temporarily out of commission," Doren stated.
Before Aros could ask what that meant, Rikki clarified. "They froze us. Every person in the square. Somehow they have the abilities of a mage."
"Why would they do that?" Aros asked.
"To put on a show without interference," Doren answered.
"They were also looking for certain individuals," Rikki said. "I think your friend was one of them."
"There were five Thalians," Doren said.
"Did you recognize any of them?" Rikki asked, her attention concentrated on Doren.
"One of them was wearing an ancient Kytheran uniform," Doren informed her.
"What about the guy in the mask? With the spear?"
Doren shook his head. "Why? Do you know him?"
"Sarin," she said. "He massacred an entire Faun village during the Manifest War."
Aros recalled hearing the name of that war in his class, but he knew nothing about it. Leidess would know.
"That was a long time ago, wasn't it?" Doren asked.
"It was before the Dark Incursion," Rikki answered. "And Sarin was not a mage, only a monster. So why is he hanging with Thalians? And how is he using magic?"
"Shouldn't you be asking how he's alive?" Doren said.
"That too," Rikki responded.
Aros was going to ask what the Manifest War was, but he kept his mouth shut. He preferred his new companions didn't think of him as some idiot. Besides, he believed he understood the gist of what they were getting at. This Thalian they saw shouldn't have been alive, and he shouldn't have been a Thalian either.
"What about the others?" Rikki asked. "Spira. Uterak. Ale. I might've heard of Spira before, but... " She cut herself off.
"None are familiar to me," Doren stated. "What about you, Aros?"
"Don't think I've heard of any of them," Aros said.
"Hatswick might know," Doren suggested.
"I've heard that name before," Aros said.
"You should've," Doren said. "He's in all the history books. And he lives in the castle."
"He's the most powerful mage to ever grace our world, second only to Amelia," Rikki told him. "I'm sure he has an idea who we're dealing with."
Doren and Rikki probably didn't realize that they just confirmed to Aros a widespread rumor that had persisted for decades. Aros' mother had heard it as a child, and even she was unsure of the truth. Hatswick had not been seen in public for generations, but many thought he was still alive.
"How old is Hatswick?" Aros asked.
Rikki went quiet as she calculated it in her head. "Four hundred and thirty-two."
"And he looks damn good for his age," Doren added.
"He could last another four hundred years," Rikki said.
Aros could hardly comprehend such a lifetime. "How old was Amelia when she died?"
"Three hundred and eight," Rikki said automatically. The number must not have been far from her mind.
"How is it that a greater mage died younger?" Aros asked. "She wasn't killed, was she?" He didn't recall ever hearing that Amelia had been murdered.
"Not even Neanthal could kill Amelia," Rikki said, proud of that fact. "Magenine gifts all of her mages differently. Hatswick got longevity."
The streets grew crowded as the three companions neared the square. Many they encountered had a panicked look about them. The festive atmosphere that should have gone along with the Celebration was absent. Even the drunks who waggled home appeared to have lost their liveliness.
"They look miserable," Aros stated. He realized he probably looked the same.
"Thalians crashed their party and told them the Divine Corruption was returning," Doren replied. "How else are they supposed to look?"
"Thalians that should no longer exist," Rikki said. "Thalians with impossible armor that should not exist."
Doren eyed her. "What do you think Uterak's armor was?"
"It's nothing like what we have in Ratch's shop," Aros told them, though they probably had no idea who Ratch was.
"He's a blacksmith's apprentice," Doren whispered to Rikki.
"He did say it wasn't from around here," Aros recalled.
"Maybe it was enchanted," Doren said. "Like my shield."
"But the way it behaved," Rikki said. "The axe just rose out of it."
"Like magic?" Doren continued to suggest.
Aros played it over in his mind. The way the cubes spun on Uterak's arm until they transformed into an axe. It sure seemed like magic, and there wasn't a better explanation. "He could be a mage."
"Mages carry staffs, not axes," Rikki informed him in a patronizing tone.
"Is that a rule?" Aros asked. But his question was ignored. It was either obvious, or they became too preoccupied with the approaching square.
They walked into a massive throng that was heading in the opposite direction and had to squeeze through in order to get to their destination. Body after body slapped into Aros' shoulders, and at one point he was afraid that he might be knocked down and trampled. But the foot traffic moved at a normal pace, and the three of them eventually made it through to the other side.
There were still some stragglers in Treatis Square who were either too petrified from the earlier events to leave their seats, or too unperturbed to abandon the free food and drink. Kytheran guardians were stumbling through the scene of tossed chairs and fallen tables. They tried expelling the idle citizenry to no avail, as their cohorts refused to assist the few that were following their directive. These allegedly brave men were in worse shape than the masses that had already abandoned the site.
One of the guardians noticed the arrival of Doren and his company and promptly ran up to them. "Prince Doren," he said with a bow. "We were afraid the Thalians had taken you. Did you rescue him, Mistress Rikki?"
"She did not," Doren proclaimed before Rikki could address the question. "We went after the Thalians."
"I see," the guardian said. "My Prince, that is a job for the guardians, not for the heir to Aergo's – "
"Enough," Doren interrupted.
"Apologies," the guardian said, bowing once more. "King Halstrom requested that we bring you before him as soon as we found you. Allow me to escort you to the Throne Room."