by R. J. Batla
I smiled at her. “Hey.”
She smiled back. “Hey. You doing OK?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I think so. Just have a lot on my mind. Thank you for letting me go.” We were dangling our legs over a sheer drop – a few hundred feet. Death to anyone if they fell. But she didn’t flinch.
“You asked me to let you go, so why wouldn’t I?” Leaning forward, she made me look her in the eyes. “What’s up? What’re you thinking about?”
“You know, about saving the world and what not. Oh, and not killing everyone I know.”
“We were worried about you, Jay. The team trained today, but no one’s heart was in it, not even hard-nosed Royn Crowell. He let us quit right after lunch.”
“You mean I missed the one day the commander didn’t have the heart to push us till we couldn’t move? Man, I’d love to have seen his face.” I frowned. “But I’ll have to apologize to everyone. I couldn’t be around people, couldn’t…I just needed some time,” I said uncrossing my arms and leaning back.
Leona caught her breath, pointing at my right arm. “Jay, did you get a tattoo?”
“Oh,” I said. “Kinda.” I told her the story of my visitor in the church.
She listened intently, and when I was finished, put her hand to her mouth. “Oh my God! Jay, do you know that was an ang –”
“Yup.”
“But that means –”
“Yup.”
“Then the gift came from –”
“Uh huh.”
Then she leaned back. “Wow. Just wow. So why didn’t you come back after leaving there? I mean, come on, that’s basically a miracle.”
I shrugged and rubbed my wrist. “I’m just working through it, I think. I know what Mike said, I understand it, but I’m having a hard time applying it.”
"Jayton, you aren’t the only one who has to do this. Yes, when you’re in the ring, you’re alone, but you don’t have to do everything. You only have to do something. Don’t push away the people trying to help you. That’s why they’re put in that position."
“You come up with that just now?” I asked.
She giggled. “No, it’s something my dad always said. Along with ‘Nothing worth the effort ever comes easy,’” she said, staring off at the sunset, pulling her knees up to her chest. “And remember this: no matter what happens, no matter what anyone else says, I believe in you. Trust yourself. And if you don’t trust yourself, trust me. I know you can do whatever you put your mind to. I know things, remember? Trust my instincts even if you don’t trust yours.”
What I wouldn’t give to kiss her right now – the light glinting off her eyes, deep in thought. Beautiful. But what good would that do? If I died, assuming she returned my feelings, it would just cause her more pain. Maybe even break her heart. I couldn’t do that. I didn’t want that for her. And there was a very real chance I would die. Or kill everyone else. Which was actually worse.
I turned back to the sun and we sat there in silence until its show was over for the night. Then we swung around and sat on the inside of the wall and stared up at the stars. With a slight chill to the air, Leona scooted right next to me and produced a blanket from seemingly nowhere.
“You prepare for everything,” I said as she laid it over both of us. She giggled and just shrugged her shoulders. Time crept by and we sat there, still on top of the wall but inside the battlements, the stone on our back, open sky above. Eventually she nodded off and her head slid onto my shoulder. No way was I going to move her. I sat there in awe of the beautiful person, both inside and out, there beside me. I wouldn’t let her down. I couldn’t.
I was awake before Leona the next morning. Gently, I laid her down and started practicing what I intended to do, testing myself to make sure I wouldn’t hurt my friends or anyone else. To make sure I mastered myself and this power. The chilly morning air kept me sharp and alert.
An hour later, Leona yawned and stretched with a slight shiver, trying to get her bearings, then figured out where she was. Seeing me, recognition dawned, and a concerned look crossed her face as she rose and ran over to me. “How are you, Jay? Let me see,” she said, and started running her hand all over my head. “Hmmmm, it feels like you’re better – and I sense you have an idea?”
“Yup,” I said, and I laid it out to her.
She shrugged. “If you’re sure that’s the way, I’m fine with it.” Grabbing my chin, she pulled my face inches from hers. “Just don’t lose control again, Jayton Baird. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You still have to save the world, you know. Now let’s go.” She got up and led the way down.
Royn Crowell had the group training again, just like normal. Leona went in first and walked right up to Royn as I watched from hiding. The rest of the group gathered around instantly.
“Well?” Celeste asked.
“I found him,” she said simply.
“And?” Royn asked.
Motioning him over, Leona whispered something in his ear, and then pointed to the door she had just come through. I chose that time to step out, showered, cleaned up, and confident. Per the plan, I walked straight out to the middle of one of the training circles, swept my arms in front of my body and leaned back on my right foot, one fist over my head, the other extended out in front of me.
Calm.
Collected.
Royn nodded and raised his hand. Ten stone statues rose out of the ground surrounding me, each with a spear and a shield. And then he waited.
I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and envisioned a valve, with the spout at my right hand just above the angel wings. Turning the valve, I allowed a small sliver of the Morsenube to come out, the little black spheres swirling around my hand. The wings warmed, but as I concentrated on my powers, myself, and my friends, I was able to stay in the light – it was the blackness that was a pinprick this time.
But it fought back. It wanted out, wanted to destroy. Thank God for those wing tattoos – they held the madness at bay enough where I could think, could keep my wits about me. Time for a test run. I let a smirk hit my face, and I nodded at Royn.
Instantly the stone soldiers attacked, controlled by Royn, just like Leona had asked him. They came fast, but I was faster. I turned on the Ignis, just in case. As I shook my right hand, the black energy extended itself like a whip. The wings heated up a little more, but held firm. I swung the whip, hitting the first two at the same time. They exploded in a cloud of dust. I ducked a blow from another, brought the whip in an upward motion and took out two more. Back flipping over them, I swung the black energy and took out four at once, reared back, and took out the final two in an explosion of rock and debris.
Breathing hard, my hand still extended out, I turned off the Ignis. Closed the valve. Brought my feet together, circled my hands wide as I took a breath in, then pushed my hands down in front of me as I exhaled. Done. Calm. Back to myself. And I grinned.
Everyone ran up, excitement and worry etched on their faces. Leona hung back, grinning a bit.
“You did it, Jay!” Katy exclaimed. “You mastered it!”
“Not without help,” I said, showing them the tattoo. I then had to tell the whole story again.
“All right, all right, calm down everyone,” Royn said with a huge smile after I finished.
Huh, look at that, old iron fist with a grin.
“Jay, I’m glad you got this figured out. Since you now have the Morsenube under control, and you’ve had all you’re training with the masters, I think you’re as ready as we can get. We’ll train again tomorrow, one final session, and then the next day we leave for the Wall. Get your gear ready, people. This is it.”
The next day was special. Mid-morning, Royn suddenly told us to take a break. We quickly obliged, grabbing water and resting, when in walked some VIPs – Councilman Ames Talco, General Price Sterling, Councilman Fulshear of the Dwarves, and Councilman Kilgore Pharr of the Manus. The whole team jumped up and snapped to a salute as they came up to us. Suddenly the execut
ioner was standing there next to me, as if appearing out of thin air.
General Sterling spoke first. “At ease, Rangers. We’ve come today to see a demonstration that will determine if one Jayton Baird will be relieved of his executioner, by display of control over the Morsenube power. If everyone will have a seat, and Ranger Baird, if you’ll step to the center of this training circle here, please show us that you, indeed, have control over the power.”
I gulped as I stepped out in front of everyone, but held firm as I reached the middle. Centering myself just like before, I nodded to Royn and the same dozen stone soldiers rose from the ground. Just like before, I slowly released the Morsenube, formed it into a whip, then destroyed the targets. It took a little more concentration this time, with the added pressure of higher-ups being there, but it still went flawlessly.
After I was done, Councilman Talco nodded and said, “A vote then, gentlemen.” They put their heads together, and it wasn’t very long before they came back up. “Congratulations, Ranger Baird – you have been officially cleared, and your executioner will be dismissed.”
They all shook my hand, though General Sterling’s smile seemed forced. Then they simply walked back out, like they had just been out for a stroll and not determining someone’s future.
The executioner had closed the distance between us and was very close to me. The rest of my team took a tentative half step towards us, hands on their weapons.
The executioner extended his hand and smiled. “Legally, I could have killed you, Jayton Baird. You lost control of your power at least four times – two times in my direct presence.”
I returned his stare. “Then why didn’t you?”
He shrugged. “Who am I to change what the Almighty thinks? If you’re the one to go to the tournament and save us all, and the Oracles said so, maybe you deserve a couple of chances.” Then he pulled me close, grabbed my shoulder, and whispered, “Do not make me regret my decision.”
The executioner let my hand go, then calmly walked out of the training area.
Chapter 41
The telestone chimed on the wall, and Malstrak casually picked it up. “Well it’s about time. The Int attack was ages ago. I was beginning to worry you’d been discovered, my good man.”
The man answered, his voice distorted to hide his identity in case there were prying ears. “My apologies, master, it has been difficult as of late to make contact. They are watching ever closer and have even discovered a few of our agents.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, sir, but the vast majority are still in place – still loyal to you.”
“Excellent, excellent. I think I know, but please tell me: how successful were the Ints? Did they take out all of their intended targets? It took a vast amount of resources just to get the creatures to the East Side; I’d hate to think that effort was wasted.”
“All but one, sir. The Reka girl.”
“All but one?” Malstrak stroked his beard. “No matter – and the Oracles?”
“Every one eliminated, sir.”
“That was the most important part – it cannot be known that we made the decision for the Oracles. And our organizer?”
“Arrested. Still in prison awaiting trial.”
“Excellent. Any issues?”
“One of the Ints went rogue, the one that was supposed to get the girl. It went for some other group. It actually almost killed Jayton…”
“What?”
“Um, sir…we lost control of one –”
“How did you lose control? The boy must be brought to me alive! Do you understand, urchin?”
“Understood, master. Is there anything else?”
“Carry on with the plan for now. The destabilization of the East Side is vital to the success of my plan. Divide any house against itself and it will fall. Do not fail me.”
“Yes, master.”
Malstrak hung up the telestone and stepped out of his makeshift tent in the middle of his ever-growing forces stationed just west of the Wall. With a satisfying smirk, he surveyed his army: siege towers, catapults, and all manner of weapons were being assembled by the growling, howling, hateful creatures that had gathered at the edge of the woods with the promise of bloodshed and war. They could smell the fear from those across the open field, making their foolish attempt at preparing for defense. Pssh. It would be nothing. And soon, so soon, they would be feasting on their enemy who had banished them to this side of the cursed mountains. Soon they would have their revenge.
After only a short walk, he came to another tent, this one blood red and guarded by several goblins. “Is our guest doing well?”
One of the creatures laughed and bowed with a flourish. “He has been prepared for you, Master.”
“Excellent,” Malstrak said, throwing the flap open and stepping inside.
Drool and blood both oozed from the Elf’s mouth. Considerable effort went into procuring this particular general. He had vital information. Malstrak pulled water from a nearby pool, swirled it around, and thrust it violently at the Elf, freezing it to needle points as he did so just to hear him scream. And the Elf didn’t disappoint.
“Time to wake up, General. I still need the information.”
Suspended in an X by his wrists and ankles, the Elf labored for each breath. “I’ll never…tell you…anything…”
“Oh, but I think you will,” Malstrak said waving his hand, then idly juggling three pulsing black spheres. Malstrak walked over and pulled a lever and the Elf convulsed and screamed again, the ropes pulling him from four directions. “I need to know the defenses, how they’re set up, what they’re going to do, and who will be placed where.”
“I…don’t know...ARGGG!”
“But you do!” he said, still juggling the spheres, each pulsing hate and promised bloodshed. “I can end this, you know. End your pain. All it takes is a little…talking.” He sent one of the balls rolling around the Elf’s arm, burning a path through his skin, marking a box with a circle. “Huh, X’s win. That’s tic tack toe for you. Devilish game, wouldn’t you agree?”
The Elf screamed and almost passed out. Malstrak quickly drew purple healing to his hands and thrust it into the Elf, who convulsed and wailed some more. “We’ll have none of that. It’s not a time for passing out, it’s a time for answers. Now, where were we…”
“OK, OK, I’ll talk. I’ll talk!” the Elf wailed. “I know where they sent the boy, the Ignis user, where he’s going…”
“I already know that plan. It’s almost like I came up with it myself. Don’t you worry your pointy little ears about him. What. Are. The. Defenses?”
The Elf told what he knew. Once all the information was extracted, Malstrak delivered on his promise, severing the head of the Elf with a swipe of his Morsenube-encased finger. Wiping the blood off with a cloth, he said, “Guards, dispose of this, and send in my generals and field commanders. I have new orders for them.”
Chapter 42
The executioner entered his boss’s office with a bit of trepidation. He’d been dismissed from the job legally, but he hadn’t fulfilled his task. The boy still lived. And he had a feeling that the boss wasn’t going to like that. Shutting the door, he found the boss getting ready in front of a mirror.
“Ah, just the man I’ve been looking for. Despite your failure.”
It took a lot not to roll his eyes. “Yes, sir?”
“Oh, don’t just ‘yes, sir’ me. You’ve failed at every level of this crap show. You failed to go with the Morsenube user to get his weapons, robbing you of an opportunity to kill him away from prying eyes. Or provide a distraction so the werewolves that I smuggled over here could do it. Plus all the other times you’d chickened out and didn’t do your duty. How very disappointing,” he said, smoothing his robes then running a hand through his hair, slicking it back.
“I can’t speak for the wolves,” the executioner said, “but I didn’t feel like taking on a whole squad of fully trained Senturians, plus the commander at the We
st Gate, all by myself. I might as well have slit my own throat. Royn Crowell did kill a couple of Skeptors, you know. He’s the only one who’s ever done –”
“I don’t care who any of them are!” he shouted, slamming his hands down on his desk, rattling the many awards, trophies, and plaques that lined the monstrous piece of furniture. Breathing hard, he leaned over his desk. “Am I going to have to do this myself?”
“No, sir,” the executioner said, stiffening up. Despite his official duties, he was in this now – whether he actually liked Jayton Baird or not. He’d made his deal with this man and the executioner was not one to shirk his responsibilities, no matter how much he disagreed with them. “How do you want to proceed, sir?”
“I want you to kill the Ranger, of course,” he said. “How do I look?”
Like the pompous, egomaniacal, entitled, self-centered politician you are. “You look fine.”
“Excellent. Now look here,” he said, waving the executioner over to a map. “Here is where they’ll exit the Wall on their way to the Bowl. I’ll already be on the East Side, tracking their movements and preparing to stop the whole party.”
The executioner jerked back. “You would kill them all?”
His boss was stone-faced. “For the good of the people, yes. I would sacrifice those lives.”
“OK. So, you’re going to stop them as soon as they’re clear?”
“Negative. I don’t know exactly where Royn will bring them out of the Wall; he’s keeping that pretty close to his chest. I’ll have to track them, slow them down so we can catch up.”
“We?” The executioner raised an eyebrow.
“Not you. But others. We should be able to attack them here. And, as a last resort, there are two other spots: the darkness here, and nest here.”
“That’s a lot of land to cover. Are you sure you’ll be able to –”
“I must if I’m to prevent the boy from killing us all. Or, even worse, taking the credit for Malstrak’ s defeat.”
“Come again?” the executioner asked.
“Think about it: when we defeat Malstrak, if it’s not me who does it, but the boy, then he’ll get all the glory. The people might even make him king.”