The Circle of Duty

by Owen Elgie

  She stood looking directly ahead, rigidly tall and not flinching at the sight of a restrained Dragon.

  “What are you doing?” I bellowed at her as I worked against the invisible bonds which she had entwined me with, struggling to get free to recommence my attack.

  “She didn’t do anything to you ignorant child.” The voice was authoritative and hard edged. It had the natural resonance of someone who was supremely confident in what they were saying and who was used to getting their own way. A female voice I was very familiar with. One that, despite its reptilian origin, had retained its strong Chinese accent.

  The Elder moved like black liquid from behind Andrea’s statue-like form and thrust her snout into my face.

  “I pulled you back before you could ensure the loss of a second Guardian today. You are showing me that you shouldn’t have been let within five hundred miles of a newly called Guardian.” She was very clear on her thoughts and didn’t care about stepping on toes. Her absolute focus and certainty of her position was unnerving at that close range and took the fire of anger from me as easily as if she had reached in and pick-pocketed it from me.

  “Shield collapse at each and every site around the world is closely monitored and should the event take place, it will be brought to my attention. You will come to understand that I have a connection to so many things in this group.” She pulled away from my face and straightened up but she held my attention none the less.

  “My forces are helping to organize our wounded and prepare for our retreat into the cavern. I am here to re-build the shield wall.”

  She was utterly matter of fact but I could see that her last comment was something to be surprised by, by looking at Andrea. She had turned her head to face The Elder. Not the biggest signal of shock the world had ever seen, but in context, massive.

  The Elder swept past us and balled up her two clawed fists. I could hear the ever closing sounds of hundreds of thousands of armored limbs from beyond the limited light offered within the camp but The Elder made no sign she was either aware or interested in what they could potentially mean. She simply gathered herself facing out with the absolute air of being squarely in charge.

  Millions of shards of gentle white light started to appear from the ground and ruins of the ancient citadel, hovering and dancing as if being toyed with by a gentle passing breeze. They all looped and wandered through the air and started slowly moving towards The Elder, beginning to collect around her, forming a shimmering shell of energetic light which hummed with restrained power.

  Looking around, it became clear that the power of the casting being weaved ahead of us was building very quickly. Around The Elder, the light rapidly tore up in intensity and in a matter of seconds was reaching a blinding level akin to all the magical discharge which had been loosed by the gathered armies during the day’s battle.

  “Now understand what a Guardian who is fully in control of all of their powers is truly capable of.” The Elder spat out to me, wrapping the words subtly around a metallic rod of effort. She may have been speaking to me but her comment was aimed at all within earshot – just showing that I didn't really know what I was doing. My stubborn streak responded without any thought.

  “Better make this a good lesson, I'm not very bright.” The situation was dire, there were dead and dying members of our teams scattered all over the valley but I had to have my say.

  I could feel the disapproving glares from all who were gathered around us but I didn't care. I was used to always being the one who was blamed for all of the problems within this group, being seen as the weakest link in this magical chain and for being looked down on because I didn't share the same beliefs as everyone else here – including the benefits of mass suicide for the greater good.

  The Elder, as was routine by now, ignored me.

  She simply closed her eyes and with the barest hint of further effort, sent a rolling wave of energy away from her and out into the valley. There was a noticeable increase in speed the further it traveled from The Elder. It passed around all of the Circle team within the boundary of the old shield wall without the slightest effect and boomed out into the night.

  The retreating light from the other worldly wave allowed us all to glimpse the surrounding areas in a sun-like clarity giving us a far too clear picture of the enemy which was surrounding us. The beetles were swelling and broiling towards us as one single mass. There was no singularity in their movements what so ever, each seamlessly becoming a constituent part of the whole. Even the shadows cast by the creatures took on malevolent forms of their own, my mind flashing back to the battle in my mansion where the unreal creatures had attacked me. I was seeing enemies growing from everywhere.

  There were so many of them that there was no fear to be felt from anyone. I could feel pockets of utter acceptance in the face of the advancing wave. Before we could see what was coming and how close they were we had all been focusing on the hope of survival. With the illumination from The Elder, everyone around me had lost the drive to resist. There was nothing but acceptance.

  I could still hear steady shuffling footsteps behind me as the seriously injured were being moved underground as the ultimate last line of defence but there was no longer the same force of will in any resistance. Everyone would continue to do their best but they all knew that the odds had just become insurmountable.

  Out in the valley, the wave passed further out of site, obscuring areas of the enemy in shadow as it advanced. As the light continued, the previous chittering and chattering of the creatures began to die away until only an eerie silence remained in its place, holding within it the menace of the all too close attack.

  Silence followed.

  And followed.

  I tried to reach my mind out into the valley night to sense the location of the advancing troops but more importantly, to register if there had been any effect of any kind from whatever the Elder had just worked.

  I magically prodded in the dark and achieved nothing.

  “As far as I can tell, your importance, the shield is still down so we're still very much in harm’s way. Now what? Do you want me to start doing what I do best yet?” I tried to hide my own fears by politely inquiring as to the next strategy. I know perfectly well how to deal with people.

  Andrea grasped my arm and squeezed. She didn't share my assessment of my interpersonal skills.

  “Just wait Anthony; The Elder has more power than any of us. She is capable of a very great deal.” Her words had been meant as a way of calming me down and of reassuring all around us but they just got under my skin. Even a creature as powerful as Andrea was being beaten into line by the threat of the history of The Circle.

  I was about to give my feelings of the potential power of The Elder when whatever she had done had an effect.

  At the farthest reaches of the valley, there was a low glowing pop of light. It was more felt than seen as a discharge of light but that sensation of energy was soon growing. Andrea, The Elder and I all staggered as we shared the sense of power from the edges of the vale.

  “What was that?” was the best I could muster.

  The Elder didn't even turn to face me as she responded, knowing that I was going to be hanging off her every word.

  “I am using the enemy as our defence. Watch and learn child.” She didn't add any further explanation but none was needed. From all around us, I could feel the change in energy. In seconds, I could hear the crackle and burn of thousands of armoured insect bodies being seared. This soon had screams added to the mix. Andrea and I just looked out at what had been a violent advancing army and stared as they seemed to be demolished by the casting of one Dragon.

  “The shield will be in place in seconds. Return to your human forms now.” The Elder hissed out at us. I had started to regain a sliver of my composure and was preparing a forceful response to what she had just ordered but she shimmered herself and her own Dragon form collapsed down to that of an upper middle aged Chinese woman. Looking at Andrea for
some form of guidance, all I got was the validation of The Elders order, as she too transformed back.

  One small effort of will and I followed them down.

  We all stood stock still in the night air, naked, listening to the night and the approaching sounds of death which whispered through the wind. Whatever was going on, it was getting closer.

  “Majesty” asked Andrea gingerly. “Should we be looking to find some form of cover before the enemy reaches us?”

  “Or at least get some clothes on” I added, feeling that we were woefully under-dressed for fighting.

  There was no time for any kind of response as from all around us there was a roar of wind and a surging light as The Elders returning magic reached its destination. All around us the light reared up and built upon itself, raising piece by piece skyward, building a brand new shield wall. Every member of the gathered forces who were still on the surface had stopped to watch in awe as the ancient magic which was being controlled by The Elder re-built our protective wall. I swear I heard at least one gasp. I also can't confirm that it came from me.

  Brick by magical brick, the shell of power surrounding the gateway to the prison below was recreated until, with a slight thump of pressurized air, the keystone piece was placed atop the mighty shimmering dome and the spell was complete. The shield hovered in place for a second, and then vanished from sight as the transparency was returned.

  The wall was back up, the advancing enemy hoards had had something done to them which had removed them as a serious threat to us and the fear and emptiness which had been spreading throughout our own encampment was rapidly being pushed aside, replaced by a burning defiance and a deep rooted pride.

  I scanned the area around me and could feel the need for blowing out a very much deserved sigh of relief. The Elder had been called upon to do something vitally important for the group as a whole and she had done just that. Maybe she was worth giving a little more credit.

  That thought was still buzzing around my head as I passed out.

  8

  Waking up and not being sure where you are is not a great experience. A great many of the human race will have had that experience due to the effects of drink or even drugs and they will no doubt back me up when I say it makes you feel lost, vulnerable and more than a little embarrassed.

  Doing so knowing that you were nude when you collapsed is even worse.

  Blinking a couple of times as I ran through my own inventory of sensations, I tried to work out the details as fast as I could. I wasn't hurt that I could tell and I couldn't not feel anything so I was hoping that meant I hadn't lost something important. I still checked the vital pieces just in case – its reflex after all.

  That assessment complete, I eased myself up onto my elbows and, scratching an itch on the back of my neck, looked around wherever I was. The walls were tiled black, as was the floor and the ceiling. There was a low strength strip light overhead, mounted within a delicately ornate structure which was more artwork than light fitting. It was trying desperately to shed enough light around the room but the black surfaces seemed to be sucking in any and all light which rebounded around. There was a very strong smell of what appeared to be lavender or some other flower of which I wouldn't have any real knowledge being such a manly man. Lavender mixed with the barest hint of antiseptic.

  I was laying on a very luxurious king sized bed which was positioned against one wall of a very spacious room which contained three other beds, exactly like mine. They all had deep purple sheets, mightily padded pillows and exuded wealth. Andrea lay in one, still unconscious with the covers pulled up tightly around her chin. Her white hair was falling in each and every direction and framed her face perfectly. I lingered while looking at her, I couldn't help it. She was an incredibly powerful Guardian who commanded the respect of all of the troops who fought for her. She was stunning in so many ways.

  “What are you thinking when you look at her?” The sudden interjection of sound shocked me back into the here and now. In one of the other beds, the one to my left, lay the Elder.

  Whipping my attention back towards the sound, I was confronted by her steely glaze. The Elder was sat up in her bed, her sheet wrapped strategically around her to protect her modesty. Within that large bed, her tiny human form was almost swamped. Her green eyes cast out an intensity that was deeply unnerving if you found yourself the focus of it at the best of times but when you're on your own in a relatively confined space as I was, it took on the piercing effect of an x-ray. My composure was lost ahead of those eyes and all I could muster was a mumbled stammer.

  “I said,” repeated The Elder, not showing any real emotion but somehow managing to convey it in her non anger, “what are you thinking when you look at her?” She brushed at something miniscule on her forearm, flicking whatever it was away with a calm contempt. I could see she was feeling much the same towards me.

  I had been caught so off guard by her question I made the fatal mistake in this kind of situation. I answered truthfully.

  “I think she's stunning. Why?” I had tried to take the combative edge out of my voice but I can't be certain that I was that successful.

  The Elder just looked at me with the same withering gaze she had thrown my way on so many other occasions.

  “You have no idea of who you are, do you? Who she is? Who any of us are? You are just reacting to the most basic level of yourself without thinking about the consequences. You Fires are all the same, driven by the primitive that you have to rely on others to control.”

  I mulled over what she had said, realised that I hadn't truly understood the majority of the context of what was said, assumed that she had been insulting me and proceeded accordingly.

  “Look your angriness, I know that I still have a great deal to learn but will you please cut me some slack. I'm trying to learn on the go what everyone else in my position has a life time to master. And why shouldn't I think that Andrea is stunning? I think you've got that sultry older woman thing going on too.”

  That did make her angry.

  Her features contorted into an animal snarl and she whipped the sheet away from her and in a flash was across the space between us, standing atop my bed, shaking with rage. Her small frame was covered in intricate tattoos, all showing reptilian forms of one kind or another. They wound around all of her limbs and formed a collection of restrained beasts around her body. Despite her advancing years, I'd estimate around sixty, she was in incredible shape and looked like she was more than able to take me on in a fight.

  She was fast to assert herself.

  “YOU ARE A STAIN ON THIS GROUP AND YOU WILL LEARN SELF CONTROL.” Her voice rebounded from the tiled walls and each reflection of sound seemed to build on the others. I jumped with a mixture of shock at the speed of her movement and the pitch of her voice but was totally at her mercy.

  The one door to the room opened before either of us was able to make any kind of movement beyond just blinking at each other.

  No light accompanied the small procession of people who slowly trooped in to join us. There were six in total; the first two were tall, broad and covered in large swathes of metal. They carried vastly oversized Katana swords which looked as if they should weigh at least forty kilos but they handled them as if they were capable of handling a great deal more load. Their faces were covered by large metallic helms each moulded to show a demonic image, all snarling teeth and frowning eyes. They marched forcefully to stand on either side of the only doorway into the room and stood stiffly to attention.

  The following group of four were all medical functionaries by the look of their clothing and the items they carried. None of them looked directly at the strange tableau that was being staged ahead of them but they all wore the expressions of utter discomfort, though not at The Elders nudity, more at the fact that they were looking upon her at all.

  The Elder and I just remained motionless as the medics busied themselves with either checking on Andrea, who was still out cold despite the noise
in the room, or waiting for us.

  “My lady. Will you please return to your bed? After the exertions you have been forced through I very much doubt you are in a fit condition to be having any kind of disagreement, even one with that.” The words came from outside the room. It was a male voice but not one which sounded comfortable in its maleness, the pitch was slightly too high, the handling of the words seemed forced. Even from just one sentence, I could feel a discomfort about the speaker. They wore an overly formal accent but that accent had been very well tailored. It carried the barest hint of at least five countries that I could make out. The owner of the accent slowly followed the words into the room and the medics all bowed their heads as he showed himself.

  He stood about five foot seven inches tall and looked to be a lean man, weighing no more than one hundred and forty pounds. He was dressed in very formal attire of a suit which was more than just cloth and wore a black jeweled pin on his tie which he was straightening almost absent mindedly, and had at least three gold and crystal rings on his fingers, two rubies and a sapphire. Each decoration looked to be just too big for him, akin to a Super Bowl ring being worn by a child. The material of his suit seemed to shimmer in the low light of the room, as if changing colour as he moved from the doorway to the beds. It was more than any usual tailoring or fabric could manage. As he looked casually around the bowed heads, he smoothed down his jacket which was buttoned across him, showing that he was clothed in a magical construct, tidal forces of energy running all over him.

  The Elder slithered back off the bed at his word and was across the room without making a sound. The medics remained rooted to the spot despite her passage, all looking intently at the floor.

  “Thank you my lady,” he cooed as she adjusted the sheets around her.

  When she was settled, her turned back to me and took a step in my direction. He was a man of roughly forty but looked as if he could easily have passed for much older. His greasy red hair looked as if it had been styled to within an inch of its life, matching the rest of his image, but it was styled as what can only be described as 'cut by mum in a rush'.