by Shawn Sodman
Chance says, “Gelana, were you in any position to help Rehma?”
Gelana shakes her head and reluctantly answers, “No.”
Chance says, “If you must know, Gelana was on her back in grave danger when I arrived. The only reason the two of you are even here talking about this right now is because I saved you, and it is not the first time I have had to do so.”
“What do you mean by that?” asks Rehma.
Chance explains, “In Copper Pass, I had to help you after you ran too far into the orcneas that were attacking.”
Gelana says, “So it was you who was moving that fire around.”
“I told you it wasn't me,” says Kel'ana.
Chance says, “Rehma, you have to learn to control your temper in battle before it gets you or one of your friends killed.”
Furious, Rehma snaps, “I will not stand here and be lectured to about getting people killed in battle by you.”
“Rehma!” scolds A'ranah.
Chance motions to A'ranah for her to let him handle the situation. Rehma turns and starts to leave, but Chance follows her and says, “I am just trying to save you from making the same mistake I did.”
He grabs her shoulder momentarily before she spins around and strikes his hand away. “Don’t touch me!” she yells as she shoves him back. “Just because you and I share the same blood, don't think for a moment that I won't spill yours again just like I did at Copper Pass.”
Everyone stands silently as Chance takes a moment before responding. “Is that what you want to do?” he asks. “Do you want fight me again?” When she doesn't answer, Chance continues, “You may find that I am more formidable when you don't take me by surprise.”
Rehma says, “I don't need to take you by surprise.”
“Well then,” Chance says as he steps back and unbuckles his breastplate. “Why don't we settle this once and for all?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” says Rehma as she takes off her belt.
Serena quietly asks A'ranah, “Are you going to let this happen?”
“I am,” says A'ranah. “Don't worry, I think I know what Chance is doing. But be ready to separate them if I’m wrong.”
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” says Rehma as they continue to take off their armor.
Standing next to Chance, Evelena says to him, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“So do I,” says Chance.
As everyone makes room for them to fight, Rehma steps to the center of the room and waits. Chance makes his way toward her as Arioch says to A'ranah, “I’m not familiar with this tradition.”
“That’s because it isn’t one,” says A'ranah.
Chance stands five paces from Rehma and says, “If this is what you wanted, then don't wait any longer. I am right here.”
Rehma rushes at Chance, who takes two steps back. When she reaches him, he drops to the ground and rolls towards her. She trips over his body and falls face down.
“You rush too much,” says Chance as he gets to his feet. “Try it again.”
Rehma, confused by his actions, slowly stands up. “Stand and fight me.”
Chance replies, “If you need your opponent to stand still, then perhaps you are not a warrior of La'harn after all.”
Rehma lets out a yell as she charges at him again. This time Chance braces himself, and when she tries to tackle him, he rolls backwards and uses his feet to vault Rehma into the air. Her own velocity is used against her as she lands hard on her back. Chance springs to his feet and, before Rehma can stand, he swings at her face. Rehma flinches, but Chance stops his hand just before striking her.
“If I were an orcnea with a blade,” he says, “you would be dead.”
Rehma gets to her feet, swatting Chance's hand away. She tries to attack him with a kick, but he backs out of reach. She swings at him with her right fist, only to have it parried. Chance says, “I told you I was more formidable when you don't take me by surprise.”
Chance's words only serve to infuriate her further. She tries to hit him several more times, but Chance is too fast, and every attack is either parried or dodged.
“You are far too slow to be effective,” Chance says as he blocks another attempted punch.
Rehma steps back and says, “If you want speed, I can give you that.” She concentrates on a spell as Chance does the same. Once their spells are cast, Rehma resumes with her attacks. This time her strikes are much faster. Chance continues to defend, though her blows are coming closer to landing.
Gelana says to the others, “Why is he doing this? Is he trying to get killed?”
“No,” Evelena replies. “He’s trying to tire her out.”
After unsuccessfully throwing several more punches, Rehma tries tackling Chance once more. This time, she is able to grab him and use her increased speed to lift him up before he can escape her grasp. She slams him to the ground and positions herself on top of him.
Rehma tries to pummel Chance, but is unable to get a clean hit as he covers his head with both arms. When Rehma pulls back her fist to strike him again, Chance takes the opportunity to slap the Amazon warrior across the face. “Not only are you slow,” he says, “but you hit like a Dri'el.”
“I hate you!” yells Rehma. She clenches her fists and channels another spell.
“She’s increasing her strength,” Gelana observes.
Rehma puts her full weight behind her next attack and slams her elbow against the side of Chance's head. Even though he is blocking, it is enough to give him a jolt. Evelena looks at A'ranah, wondering if she is going to put an end to the conflict.
“We have to stop this,” Serena says as she starts towards them.
A'ranah holds Serena back. “Not yet.”
“She’s going to kill him,” Serena replies.
“No, she isn't,” says A'ranah. “Look.”
They watch as Rehma hits Chance again, but this time it is noticeably slower. Serena says, “Her first spell is expiring.”
“Yes,” says A'ranah. “And now her body is paying for the cost of the spell, leaving her exhausted.”
Rehma, now winded, swings again at Chance. Though her strength has been increased, she no longer has the stamina to continue. Chance blocks the attack and says, “Come on, Rehma, don't stop now.”
Chance covers his face as Rehma starts to beat on his chest. “I hate you!” she yells again, as her voice begins to crack. “Why couldn't it have been you?” she says as she strikes him feebly. “Why did she have to die?” she sobs. “It's not fair.”
Rehma ceases her assault and sits on the ground next to Chance. “I know it's not fair,” Chance says as he sits up. “If there was any way I could bring her back to you, I would.”
The others come over as Rehma catches her breath. A'ranah says, “Rehma, don't you understand that we all care about you, including Chance? We don't want to see you make the same mistake that she did.”
Rehma and Chance get to their feet as Rehma asks, “What do you mean, 'the same mistake that she did?'”
Before A'ranah can answer, Chance says, “She didn't mean anything by that. We are just concerned about you losing your temper in battle.”
Rehma looks at Chance and asks, “What does that have to do with my mother?”
A'ranah says, “Chance, she needs to know the truth.”
“There is nothing for her to know,” snaps Chance. “Theresa pushed me out of the way of that spear while I had my back to the enemy.”
“There’s more to it than that,” says A'ranah. “And you know it.”
“Nothing that really matters,” says Chance.
Rehma, confused and frustrated, says, “Would someone please tell me what happened that I don't already know?”
Chance says to A'ranah, “You will have to explain it to her, because I will not tarnish the memory of the woman who sacrificed herself to save me.” Chance walks past A'ranah and begins to climb the stairs to the atrium.
Everyone is silent
as Rehma stands before A'ranah, awaiting an explanation. Serena says, “Rehma, you already know that your mother, Theresa, pulled Chance out of the way of a spear that an ogre was going to impale him with, and as a result, she was struck instead. What you may not know are the events that led up to that moment.”
A'ranah puts her hand on Rehma's shoulder and explains, “Your mother was a daring warrior. She was fierce in combat, but while she was a danger to the enemy, she would often be taken by the blood rage of battle and become a danger to herself as well. Before she was killed, your mother suffered several wounds that needed to be tended to. Chance had already healed her twice in the midst of all the fighting, and was escorting her away from the battle so he could take more time to cast his healing spells. That’s when she was hit by an arrow. She charged after the orcnea archer that shot her before Chance could help. Knowing she would die if she didn't get away from the battle soon, Chance fought to pull her back. He managed to get her away from the fighting and she sat down no more than ten paces from the melee. It was not ideal, but Chance had no choice but to try to heal her there. She was still fighting with him to get back into battle. So, you see, that’s why Chance had his back turned to the danger behind him. He was trying to save your mother.”
Rehma takes a moment to digest the new information. She asks, “Why didn't anyone tell me?”
A'ranah sighs, “I suppose that is my fault. I didn't think it was that important. I never imagined that you would blame Chance for her death all these years.”
“You must not blame him,” says Serena. “If you were there, you would have seen how hard he tried to save your mother after the ogre attacked. He cast healing spell after healing spell, but your mother knew she was done for. When Chance began to bleed from his nose she begged him to stop trying. When he wouldn't, Theresa asked me to take him away before he killed himself, too.”
“I had no idea,” gasps Rehma. “Why didn't Chance tell me this?”
“Would you really have listened?” asks A'ranah.
Rehma, dropping her gaze, replies, “I suppose not.”
“Besides, he still blames himself,” says A'ranah.
“But, if what you say is true, he was helping her,” says Rehma.
“I know,” A'ranah replies. “But he still wonders if he could have done something differently. He has been struggling with this guilt for a long time. Sometimes the deepest wounds are not visible on the outside.”
Rehma looks up the stairs of the atrium. “Maybe I should talk with him.” Rehma takes a deep breath before ascending the stairs. She looks across the circular room at Chance, who is staring out over the stormy sea. She makes her way across the marble floor towards the Lunar Gate in the very center of the atrium.
Chance turns to see her and says, “You know, not a day goes by that I don't think of her and give thanks to her spirit for the sacrifice she made.”
“A'ranah and Serena told me what happened before she died,” she says as she reaches him.
“I should have done more,” says Chance.
“From what they told me, you did all that you could.”
“And it wasn't enough,” he replies. “I am sorry I couldn't save her.”
Rehma, struggling with her emotions, slowly draws in a deep breath before saying, “You don't have to blame yourself. I know now that my mother made it difficult for you to help.”
“I suppose,” Chance relents. The two reflect on their thoughts momentarily before Chance finally says, “I’m sorry I provoked you into a fight.”
Rehma chuckles, “I’m sorry that I was so easily provoked.”
“Please,” says Chance. “Promise me that you will be more careful in battle.”
“I will,” replies Rehma. “I swear on my mother’s memory.”
“You remind me of her,” he says. “You are strong and formidable.”
Rehma asks, “Did you know she was your aunt?”
“Yes,” answers Chance.
“I never knew we were so closely related until Lyra told me,” says Rehma. “Before today, I wasn't very happy about it, but now I couldn't be more proud to call you family.” Rehma looks out from the atrium. “Is the goblin air ship supposed to be landing?”
“No,” Chance answers as he turns to look out through the archway between the columns. Just outside the atrium, one of the goblin airships is descending rapidly. The massive hull of the galleon size ship passes by as Chance looks on. Once the deck of the ship becomes level with the atrium, Rehma and Chance can see that the goblins on board have all been killed. “By the gods,” Chance says. He turns to Rehma. “Run.”
Chance and Rehma begin to sprint across the floor of the atrium as the airship lands next to the eastern gate along the wall that separates the castle grounds from the docks. Moments later, the ship is destroyed by a thunderous explosion from the black powder stored below deck. Not only does it destroy the ship, it also severely damages the gate to the docks and the nearby walls.
Chapter 60
Falling Clouds
King Arioch runs up the stairs, followed by everyone in the throne room. “What was that?” he exclaims.
Chance looks out through one of the archways facing the north as another airship comes into view. It, too, is descending, and Chance says urgently, “The goblin airships are under attack!”
Leanara runs to the northern edge of the atrium. “We have to stop that ship from landing.” She transforms into her eagle form and takes flight through the columns.
“I’m right behind you,” says Chance as he hurries to the archway.
“Be careful,” A'ranah warns. “You don't have any protection spells on you.”
“I will,” says Chance before turning into an eagle as well.
Chance flies after Leanara as she approaches the slowly falling ship. Chance looks around at the other four goblin vessels. So far, none seem to be in distress. After landing on the deck, they find ten goblin crewmen, slain. The captain of the ship is severely wounded but alive. Chance and Leanara revert to their elven bodies to assist him.
Struggling to speak, the goblin says, “It was the orcneas.”
Leanara kneels next to him and casts a healing spell. Chance asks him, “How many were there?”
“I don't know,” he replies as he begins to stand up. “They were invisible. I only heard them speak before they left moments ago.”
Chance says, “We need to stop this ship from falling.”
The goblin points. “Cut that rope. It’s pulling down on a flap inside the balloon and releasing all the hot air.” Chance rushes over to port side of the ship where the goblin pointed and slashes the rope. The captain says, “They put out the fire in the brazier. We need to heat the air quickly in the balloon before we land.” He points to an open panel in the wall of the quarterdeck. Inside is a broken lever. “They took my key, then activated our explosives below deck. Then they broke off the handle so I cannot stop it. We'll be safe as long as we don't land.”
“I'll heat the air,” says Chance. He positions himself next to the brazier below the opening in the bottom of the massive balloon. He then creates a jet of flame from each hand. The flames flare up into the balloon as Chance channels his strength into the spell.
Leanara rushes to the edge of the ship and looks over the rail. “It's working. We’re no longer falling.”
The goblin takes the wheel of the ship. “I'll take the ship away from the city. You should probably help the others.”
Chance looks up to the nearest ship and can see flashes of spells being fired. He says to Leanara, “Come on, maybe we can help before it's too late.” Leanara and Chance change into eagles and head toward the ship that appears to be under attack. Nearly a dozen other Amazons, also in eagle form, join them as they approach.
On the deck of the ship that Chance just departed, the goblin captain is attempting to steer the ship away from the city when a hole—the size of a large fist—appears in the balloon. The goblin rushes to investigate whe
n another hole appears. The captain looks up through the bottom of the balloon and can see several holes along the top.
He rushes over to the rail and can see that the ship is falling once again, this time faster than the first. He makes his way back toward the wheel of the ship when a blade impales him. With the attacker still invisible, he cannot see the enemy. He hears the voice of General Vork say, “I should have made sure that you were dead. That is not a mistake I shall repeat. You almost caused this ship to miss its target, but don't worry, I'll make sure it succeeds. It's a pity that you won’t be around to see it.”
The goblin captain is dragged by his assailant over to the edge of the ship and thrown over the rail. Nearby, Chance and Leanara have landed on the deck of next orcnea target. After transforming, Chance looks back and witnesses the captain fall to his death. He watches helplessly as the ship he left moments earlier touches down next to the north gate of the city. The guards on the wall flee just in time as the ship explodes and destroys the gate, along with the two guard towers next to it.
Chance turns his attention back to the matter at hand. He looks around the deck of the ship only to find an all too familiar scene. Eight slain goblins lie about the deck. Some are burnt, while others have been cut down. Chance warns the Amazon women, “The orcneas are invisible.”
Jadelyn, from the house of Dri'el, closes her eyes and casts a spell. When she opens them again, her eyes glow yellow with mystical power. She looks around before saying, “I don't see them.” Then she looks out at the two other remaining ships and says, “There they are. There are only five of them and they are heading for the ship on the left.”
“Let's go,” says Yarwin.
“But how will we see them?” asks Leanara.
“I'll create a mist,” says Yarwin.
“I have to stay here and make sure they don't return,” says Chance.
Kristieana is among the Amazons that came to help. She says, “I'll stay with him.”
“All right,” says Leanara. “Is everyone else ready?”
The others nod, then transform into their eagle forms before pursuing the orcnea invaders. Chance surveys the ship, then tries to open the panel on the wall of the quarterdeck. He finds that it is still locked and says, “It looks like we may have frightened them away before they could finish their work. The ship is not falling, and as far as I can tell, they have not activated the explosives.”