Hyperion's Shield

by Nathan Schivley

  "Yar, I know, I know," and Declin disappeared into the forest.

  "Now, the two of you—" Gracien pointed at two of the Reytana soldiers, "Tie the four of them together around that tree. You will stand guard here with Loras, Regan and Tinko."

  "Let me come with you!" pleaded Loras. "It’s my fault that we're all in this mess. At least let me help get us out of it."

  "You are helping," said Gracien, "by guarding the prisoners."

  "How am I supposed to guard them without a weapon? If someone comes should I just throw rocks at them?"

  Gracien thought for a moment then removed the armband off of his right forearm. At the end of the band was a small pad that he placed into Loras' palm. He then wrapped the band several times around Loras' forearm. Once it touched his skin, the band glowed with an intense golden light. Gracien raised his eyebrows, impressed. The light traveled the length of the band until it reached the pad in the palm of Loras' hand. Loras pulled his hand back as if he had been shocked.

  "It’s energized," said Gracien. "You'll get used to the sensation. Now, clench your fingers over the pad and make a fist, as if you were squeezing a ball." Slowly, Loras closed his hand over the pad. As soon as he began to squeeze, a small circle of light shot out from his fist. The harder he squeezed, the larger the circle became until it formed a full, glowing shield of light energy.

  "Wicked," exclaimed Tinko. "Do I get one?" Both Loras and Gracien gave him a look that made him feel like he was ten years old.

  "Just kidding..." said Tinko sheepishly. "I guess I just have to wait until I get my light... randomly... in the street... three weeks after I turn eighteen..."

  Loras unclenched his fist and the shield disappeared. He walked over and clapped his pouting friend on the shoulder. "You never know," Loras said as he smiled at his friend. It wasn't the cocky, sarcastic smile that Loras had flashed so many times in the past at Tinko. It was a genuine smile. One that said I really do hope you receive the light someday.

  "Don't you want to see what else it can do?" said Gracien to Loras.

  "The ray blade!" exclaimed Loras as his eyes lit up.

  "This one is a bit more difficult," said Gracien. "Here, give me your hand." He took Loras' hand and brought the tips of his thumb and index finger together. He then curled the rest of his fingers to match the arc of the index finger. "Hold your hand up and pretend like you're doing a pull-up, but with one hand."

  Loras held his hand up in the air. He felt slightly foolish, grasping at nothing, but was too excited to care.

  "Now," said Gracien, "tap your pinky finger to the pad." Loras did so and a beam of light shot out of his hand so fast that he nearly fell down. A couple of Reytana chuckled. Gracien smiled. "And that is why I always have the rookies hold their hand up in the air the first time," he said. "If you would have been pointing that the wrong way, you could have put a hole in yourself." Loras looked over at Tinko, his eyes full of wonder.

  "Still want one of these, Tink?"

  "I think I'll let you hold onto that one for me," replied Tinko. "I'm good."

  "I wish I could give you some training, but there is no time," said Gracien. "Only use that if you absolutely have to. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir," replied Loras. He let go of the pad with his finger and the ray blade disappeared into thin air.

  "Good. Now, the rest of us are going to fan out and look for Septa." Gracien motioned to the other Reytana. "If any of you find her, do not attempt to engage her by yourself. Call for help and we will be there immediately. Understood?"

  "Yes, sir," they all replied.

  "The rest of you," he nodded back at Loras and the prisoners, "stay down and stay quiet. If we don't return in one hour, head straight for The Hole and don't look back. We'll meet you there."

  "Yes, sir," replied the other two Reytana.

  Gracien's group disappeared into the woods as the remaining Reytana finished up tying the four Gartune prisoners to the base of the tree. Damnar and Damina slid to the ground and let out a sigh of relief now that their blind journey had ceased. Belkore and Xander remained standing. Belkore struggled stubbornly with his restraints while Xander leaned casually against the tree trunk.

  "I think we all would feel a lot safer if you gave that weapon over to your sister, Loras," said Xander. "We all know that she's the brave one in the family. Did she ever tell you about the day we met?"

  "Nobody knows that story," said Regan, speaking for the first time since they left Woodhaven.

  "Not even your brother?" asked Xander with genuine surprise.

  "What story?" asked Loras.

  "It's nothing," said Regan.

  "I wouldn't call the toppling of an armed Gartune sentry nothing," replied Xander.

  "You did what?" said Loras.

  "He exaggerates," replied Regan.

  "I do nothing of the sort," said Xander. "One of my sentries was mocking her by stepping on one of her groceries. She walked straight up to him, reached under his foot and pulled out the can that he was standing on. He was so surprised that he nearly fell over backwards. It was the bravest thing I've ever seen from a torman."

  Loras looked incredulously at his sister. "Is that true?" Regan nodded.

  "I told you," said Xander. "She's fearless."

  "I was terrified," said Regan. "I'm no braver than anyone else here. And the last thing I want is that stupid ray blade."

  "Hah," snorted Belkore. "Some warrior she is. Afraid to even carry a weapon."

  "That's where you're wrong," replied Xander. "Some people need a sword in their hand to feel courage – but the bravest of all do not."

  "Bravery is just an excuse to do stupid things and to hurt people," said Regan. "Perhaps if people weren't so brave then we wouldn't have so many wars."

  "I agree, we should all lay down our weapons. Loras, you first!" said Xander.

  "Over your dead body," replied Loras.

  "And therein lies the problem," said Xander, turning back toward Regan. "Nobody will ever be the first to lay down their sword. That's just the way it is. It's the way it’s always been. It's the reason the Tormada were created – why you and me and even Loras exist. The only real way to deter violence is with the threat of greater violence. The Gartune and Reytana are Torma's system of checks and balances. It's the way that things stay even."

  "Funny," said Tinko, "things haven't seemed so even lately. And I'm pretty sure there's a giant shield over my home so that it stays that way."

  "Ah, to be eighteen years old and to know everything," sighed Xander. "Tell me, since the shield has been up, how many Reysene have you seen killed?"

  "What does that have to do with anything?" replied Tinko.

  "Just answer the question," said Xander.

  "Fine. None," said Tinko.

  "Well that's strange," said Xander. "Because before the shield was up, I saw hundreds of Reysene killed. I also saw hundreds of Gartolians murdered. Tell me, have you ever seen a person get a hole burnt clear through their chest? Have you ever held a person in your arms only to have them disintegrate into thin air? Because that's what happens when a Tormada dies. Their aura evaporates into the sky and they literally disappear. Imagine your best friend, Loras, is standing right next to you one minute, and the next minute he is gone forever, leaving no trace behind that he had ever existed. No body to bury. Nothing to say goodbye to. Just gone. Have you ever seen anything like that?” Tinko didn’t answer.

  “No, of course you haven't. And do you know why? Because the shield is up, that's why. Because there's order. You may call it oppression, but the result is the same. So, go ahead, complain all you want about how horrible it is to live under the shield, but keep in mind that for your entire lives you have known nothing but peace, and that is more than any of the rest of us can say."

  Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Eventually, Belkore started struggling with his ties again, earning him a swift kick from one of the Reytana guards. Loras began practicing with his new light
weapon, changing it from sword to shield and back again. His aptitude was impressive. One of the Reytana called him a natural.

  "Careful, his head might explode," said Tinko as he rolled his eyes.

  While the Reytana showed Loras a few tricks with his ray blade, Regan crept over to Xander's side of the tree and sat down across from him.

  "What was his name?"

  "Whose name?" asked Xander.

  "You know who," she said. "Your friend that you watched die." Xander didn't answer right away. Finally, he sighed.

  "His name was Lex," he said.

  "When did he die?" asked Regan.

  "On the first day of the war. A hovercraft’s solar cannon hit him and ten others right in front of us. Only Belkore and I survived the shot." From the other side of the tree, Belkore grumbled something incoherent.

  "Wait, you were in the war?" asked Regan. "But you hadn't received your metal yet. You couldn't have been more than seven... eight years old?"

  "I was five," said Xander. "My father insisted that I be present during the battle. He didn't want me fighting... no, I was far too young for that. But he wanted me to watch; to witness the battle. He said the earlier I got a taste of war, the better."

  "And your friend, was he also just there to watch?"

  "No... he was older. A full-grown Gartune and one of the best." Xander's voice had lowered as he continued to speak until it was barely above a whisper. "And he wasn't my friend. He was my brother."

  "I'm... I'm sorry," said Regan. She almost felt compelled to put her hand on his knee, but she quickly thought better of it.

  "My father told me to 'watch Lex if I wanted to see how a true son of Gar'on behaved.’ I was to carry his gear and learn. That was it. It never even occurred to me that he could die. He was the best warrior I had ever seen. Even Septa couldn't defeat him.

  “He was next in line," continued Xander. "He was supposed to command Reysa after the war, not me. You should consider yourself lucky. He did not share my congenial nature. He was much more like my sister. The two of them were inseparable."

  "Was Septa there when he died?" asked Regan.

  "No," replied Xander. "Just me. Father would not let her on the front lines, and it’s probably best that she wasn't there."

  "Why? As horrible as it might be, I know that if it were me and Loras was the one dying, I would want to be there. I would want to be with my brother."

  "You don't understand. Septa did not take Lex's death well. Like I said, they were close. So close that I think she has been trying to avenge his death every day since he died – her hate fuels her.

  “But, no. She did not see what I saw. The last thing I remember about my brother is his body dissolving between my fingers. It's an image that is forever burned into my brain. If Septa had been there to see Lex die, there wouldn't have been any army strong enough to keep her from throwing every man, woman and child over the cliffs of Reysa."

  "And after all of that, you still think that war is a good thing?"

  "I think it’s a necessary thing," said Xander. "Only the naïve and foolish think otherwise, and you are neither."

  "Right... I'm brave..."

  "Bravery is an admirable quality. Why do you deny it in yourself?"

  "I told you, bravery is overrated. I would rather be kind and tolerant than brave and intimidating," said Regan. Xander laughed and shook his head.

  "Well, when the reign of Queen Regan begins and the enemy is at your gate, you can throw compliments and blow kisses at them. Let me know how that turns out."

  "Maybe if I didn't provoke them, they wouldn't be at my gate," replied Regan.

  "Tell you what," said Xander, "if we ever get back to Reysa, I will give you a shot at governor. I was never cut out for authority anyway. I could use a vacation. You can put your 'hugs and butterflies' governing philosophy to the test. What do you say?"

  "I say that for a minute, I thought there was more to you than a wise-cracking brute, but I guess I was wrong!" Regan stood up and stormed off to join Loras, Tinko and the other two Reytana.

  "Lover's quarrel?" said a low, snake-like voice. It came from behind the tree that Regan had been sitting in front of.

  "How long have you been there?" whispered Xander. There was a hint of fear in his voice.

  "Long enough. It's so cute that you think you're the only one burdened with the memory of Lex's death. Well, I have news for you brother. I was there! I snuck out to the front lines when father wasn't looking, and I watched the whole thing! I know what really happened, coward! It is lucky that you have been in Reysa all these years. If I had known you were spreading these lies about our brother's death, I would have killed you a thousand times already!"

  "Well then here is your chance!" said Xander. "I am defenseless! Avenge our brother's death!"

  "Don't tempt me..." said Septa.

  "Is that Septa?" whispered Belkore from the side of the tree. "It's about time! Cut us loose already!"

  "Here," said Septa as she threw a sharp rock at Belkore's feet. "Cut yourself loose. I have work to do."

  Septa emerged stealthily from her hiding place and crept up behind the spot where Regan and Tinko were standing. The two teens were watching Loras spar with the other two Reytana. He was a quick learner, so much so that he almost got the better of one of the older Reytana, a Tormada named Tao. Loras nearly side-swiped him with an outlandish jumping attack, but Tao quickly pivoted and deflected the younger Reytana, sending him sprawling on his back. Loras lay on his back, beaming ear to ear. "I almost had you!"

  "Almost," smiled Tao as he lent a hand to lift Loras up off the ground. "But look where it landed you. Your move was creative, but risky. 'All or nothing' maneuvers like that can easily get you killed. It is better to be patient and let your opponent make the mistake rather than trying to land the death blow yourself."

  "But what if there is no time to be patient?" asked Loras, dusting himself off.

  "There is always time – even when there isn't," replied Tao. Loras cocked his head sideways and gave the Reytana a bewildered look.

  "Oh, that's going to throw him for a loop," whispered Tinko to Regan as they watched the pair square off again.

  Meanwhile, Belkore quickly freed himself and the twins then he went to work on Xander's restraints while Damnar and Damina searched for their eürocs. Xander frantically threw the bag off of his head and watched as his sister stalked the oblivious group of Reytana. Slowly, she closed the gap between them without making a single sound. Fifteen feet. Now ten feet away. Now five. She stopped and lifted her eüroc into an attack position. Her thumb slid to the base of the staff where she found a familiar button and pressed it. Click.

  It was just loud enough.

  Tinko turned around to investigate the sound and let out a quick gasp before he was struck on the head by the blunt end of the staff and immediately knocked unconscious. Regan screamed as her friend crumpled to the ground. As she bent down to try to catch Tinko, the blade side of Septa's eüroc swung centimeters over her head with a swoosh. Septa quickly recovered and planted her left knee into the chin of the kneeling Regan, sending her sprawling into the spot where Loras and the Reytana had been jousting.

  "Spread out! Make a circle!" yelled one of the Reytana as the group immediately separated in an attempt to surround Septa. Loras saw his sister fall and instinctively ran to her.

  "Leave her!" yelled the same Reytana. "Take the flank – don't let her out of the middle!" Loras pulled away from Regan just as a shockwave went shooting towards her location. The ground buckled upwards underneath her and Regan was thrown backwards into the forest. She moaned and rolled over onto her side, holding her head in her hands.

  Meanwhile, Loras and the other two Reytana began circling Septa in a slow, clockwise pattern. The glow of their ray blades reflected off of Septa's eüroc as she spun it menacingly in the middle of the circle.

  "I will give you all a choice," said Septa. "Reveal the location of your base or die. You have thr
ee seconds to decide. Three."

  "We will nev—" cried one of the circlers. Before he could finish his sentence, Septa struck the ground with her eüroc and sent a shockwave that threw the Reytana against a tree. He slid to the ground with his head drooped over his shoulders.

  "Two." She grinned at the remaining two opponents.

  "Just wait," said the last Reytana. He at least got to finish his sentence before he was slammed against a tree by another shockwave.

  "One," said Septa as she sneered at Loras who was gripping his ray blade with both hands and shifting his weight from one leg to the other as he looked from side to side.

  "Don't be a fool, Loras," said Xander as he, Belkore and the twins walked up behind Septa. "Give us the location of this hidden base. Live to fight another day."

  Loras' eyes burned with golden fire as he stared down the Gartune prince. "You were right," said Loras. "It is easier to be brave with a sword in your hands!"

  Immediately, Septa stomped her eüroc into the ground, but, having watched the same thing happen to his two companions, Loras was ready for the shockwave that shot towards him. He jumped up into the air, swinging his sword above his head. The shockwave went barreling underneath him until it hit a tree and split it directly in half. Loras landed three feet in front of Septa, who was still for just a moment, surprised that her shot had missed. This gave Loras the opportunity he needed to strike at the Gartune princess. He swung his ray blade down with all his might, but Septa collected herself just in time and side-stepped the oncoming blow. Loras' sword cut through the fabric of Septa's cape and lodged deep in the soft dirt of the forest floor.

  Loras lifted his pinky finger and retracted the ray blade. He then rolled on the ground to avoid another of Septa's sweeping blows. Quickly, he spun, got up to his feet and turned around to face the Gartune princess. He tapped the pad in his right hand and his ray blade sprung from his grip.

  "Impressive..." said Septa. "You move well for someone so young. Too bad that talent will be wasted when I send you back to The Scales."

  "It is you that will be visiting The Scales, not me!" cried Loras. He charged full speed at Septa with his sword once again raised above his head. The princess waited patiently for the oncoming teen, a deadly smile on her face.