Bladvaneer

by Dennis Purves

  “Now, Ligear, deal with your prey. And please remember to have fun,” Tarquin commanded.

  Ligear opened its mouth. The sound it made was a sickening combination of the roars of a lion, tiger, and bear. It moved forward. Talb looked to Klavin but saw that he was in no position to help, so he struggled to his feet and retreated.

  Simko found himself still suspended in air and looking at four guards, two of whom looked like they had just come back from a war. No one seemed interested in telling him what was happening. Eventually Grallen and the hooded man joined them.

  “Tul, please let our guest down. There’s no reason to keep him hanging like that,” Grallen instructed.

  “Very well,” Tul answered and released the hold, sending Simko falling to the ground.

  Grallen walked back and forth in front of Simko. “I have to admit I’m a bit reticent about asking you for help after the way you’ve been treated.”

  “Help? Why would I help you?”

  “Well, one of the reasons you’re going to help me is because you really have no other choice. Actually, I suspect that’s the only reason.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Two of my guards are in quite bad shape, as I’m sure you can tell. I need you to heal them.”

  Simko’s mouth dropped, but he tried to compose himself. “What makes you think I could heal them?”

  Grallen laughed. “Please don’t insult my intelligence like that. I know exactly what you can do, so there’s no point in your denying it.”

  “But how could you know that?”

  “You’d be surprised where I have eyes.”

  “Your guards are pretty banged up, but I’m sure they’ll heal over time. None of their wounds look fatal. You don’t need me to do anything for them.”

  Grallen shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s not good enough for me. I want you to heal them. That’s really all that matters to me.”

  “But you don’t know what that would do to me!”

  Grallen laughed again. “Of course I do. I’ve dealt with your kind before. I’ve even had a few Healers of my own. Sometimes when I got bored I’d cut myself in various places just to make them heal me. I found it quite amusing to watch my scars appear on their bodies. I’ve found that many people who use Healers are actually rather wasteful with them. Why send them away when they get worn out? I use mine to death.”

  “I’m not doing it,” Simko said succinctly. He found himself looking at two longswords.

  “I promise you this. Healing those two won’t kill you. I won’t let that happen, as I want you to live. However, I also guarantee that refusing will kill you. You have one second to decide.”

  Simko stared at the swords pointed at him and reached a decision. He stood, approached the injured guards, and laid his hands on them.

  Meanwhile, Fogos walked along the river, continuing his search for Maurya, who had somehow eluded him. He assumed she must be hiding somewhere within the trees, but couldn’t figure out where. She sneaked up behind him and plunged one of her knives right into his back. If he felt it, he didn’t show it. She watched as the knife melted.

  “Oh no,” she said.

  Fogos turned, a big grin on his face.

  “Eh, little one? Were you trying to get my attention?”

  She looked at him and then turned and ran. He took a step in her direction and fell flat on his face. He saw the rope tied around his feet and cursed himself for falling for such an obvious trap. He watched with satisfaction as the hemp burned from his body temperature and was about to get up when Maurya came running back and dropkicked him in the chest, knocking him into the river. The cold water annoyed him, but caused no harm. However, his heat was causing the river to boil and steam, and he soon lost sight of her. He would have anyway, as the current was pulling him away.

  Maurya ran until she reached the end of the fissure. She randomly picked a new path and ran back the way she came.

  Eventually she found Simko lying unmoving in a clearing. She also noticed his familiar watching from a distance. If it was possible for a cat to have a look of concern on his face, this one did. She checked his pulse and was relieved to see that he was only unconscious. She tried to shake him awake and after a while his eyes opened.

  “What happened to you?” she asked, although based on his condition the answer seemed obvious.

  “We’ve got to help Klavin,” Simko said, pushing her away. He managed to get to his knees before falling again.

  “You stay here. If they wanted you dead, they would have already done it.”

  “That’s comforting.”

  “Just try to rest. I’ll see if I can help Klavin. I’ll be back.”

  “Do you promise?”

  She looked at him, and left without answering. After she was out of sight Simko began crawling behind her.

  Jord, meanwhile, was clearly toying with Klavin. They both knew he could finish him whenever he wanted.

  “You’re nothing without your sword. And without your friends. Oh, let’s just admit that you’re nothing with them as well,” Jord gloated as he kicked Klavin in the face, knocking him back about three yards.

  Grallen returned with his men. Tarquin nodded to him.

  “It’s done,” Grallen reported, wondering how he had lost control to this wizard.

  “Good. Jord, it’s time to go!”

  “But I’m not finished!”

  Tarquin rolled his eyes. “Yes, you are. I want him to live. I want him to live with the knowledge that he couldn’t stop us.” Seeing that Jord was about to pout he added, “You can always kill him later.”

  Klavin struggled to his feet as he watched Jord return to the others.

  “Where’s Fogos?” Grallen asked.

  “I’m sure he’ll catch up. There’s no sense in waiting for him,” Tarquin said as he turned to leave.

  “I still think it was a waste to destroy that sword,” Grallen said.

  Tarquin smirked. “Oh? And did you want to keep it for yourself? I heard about what happened the last time you got your hands on it. It wouldn’t even let you hold it.”

  Grallen sneered, and they all headed to the nearby town. In a few minutes Fogos appeared. Klavin pointed in the direction the others had taken, and the Fire Elemental followed.

  Maurya came running out of the trees and caught Klavin, who was slowly headed back along the path.

  “You need to stop,” she recommended.

  “I can’t! I have to help Talb!”

  She looked around. “Where is he? What happened?”

  Fueled by adrenaline, Klavin ran to follow Talb’s footsteps, Maurya right beside him.

  They came upon a clearing and found the Ligear in front of a large rock with its back to them. Maurya handed Klavin a knife and they both moved in to attack. He struck a blow, but the Ligear swung out and knocked him into a nearby tree. Maurya took advantage of the opening to sink her knife into its midsection. Its roar froze her in her tracks. By the time she regained her senses, Ligear had its paw wrapped around her neck and had lifted her in the air. Its breath was so strong it nearly made her lose consciousness.

  Vines burst from the ground and wrapped around the Ligear’s arms and legs, pulling it to the ground. Maurya was freed as it struggled. It wound up pinned under the mass of plants, although still struggled to escape.

  Maurya looked back to see Simko moving in their direction, holding onto the trees for support. Meanwhile, Klavin rushed to Talb, who was slumped against the rock. His armor had been slashed open in many places, and he was bleeding profusely. His half-open eyes seemed glazed over. Klavin took his paw in his hand. Maurya and Simko appeared behind him.

  “We have to do something,” Maurya said.

  Simko stared at the ground. “I can’t help him,” he said.

  “No one expects you to. We all know what would happen,” she said.

  “You don’t understand. I’d help him if I could, but Grallen made sure that wasn’t going to be po
ssible. He made me use up most of my ability. I couldn’t help Talb even if I wanted to.”

  Maurya placed her hand on Klavin’s shoulder. “We’ll tend to him. You need to stop them from getting the last Elemental Warrior.”

  “What’s the point in even trying? There’s nothing I can do without his help.”

  “You have to try. Talb would want it that way.”

  Klavin couldn’t pull his eyes away from Talb. Finally he did, and nodded.

  “Take care of him. But no matter what you do, don’t pull out that arrow. Tarquin put some spell on it. Arkin’s something or another.”

  “Arkin’s Immutable Stagnation?” Simko asked.

  “That’s it.”

  “Oh, that’s bad. It’ll keep him in this form forever, and if we try to remove the arrow without neutralizing the spell it’ll kill him for sure.”

  “Can you neutralize the spell?” Maurya asked.

  “Are you kidding? Tarquin’s magic is out of my league. I could never counter it.”

  “Look, just help him. Please!” Klavin demanded and ran off.

  Simko and Maurya tore various pieces of clothing to make bandages in an effort to stop Talb’s bleeding. He was still drifting in and out of consciousness.

  “Now go help Klavin,” Simko ordered.

  “What about you?”

  Simko began casting. A Phantom Steed appeared before him. He carefully lifted Talb and placed him on the horse’s back.

  “I’m useless to you. I can barely walk, and I don’t know how much longer my magic is going to hold out. I’m going to head back. Maybe I can find someone who can heal Talb.”

  “And what about you?”

  “Don’t worry about me. Talb is all that matters right now. Klavin’s right. Without him we can’t win. Do something about that creature. I’m not sure what it is, but I suspect Tarquin’s behind it.”

  Simko tried to mount the horse but couldn’t. Although she knew it embarrassed him, Maurya helped him up. He didn’t thank her, and simply rode away.

  She looked at the Ligear and considered killing it. It was just a victim of Tarquin’s magic, but it was still dangerous. She didn’t know if the spell would wear off or was reversible, but she didn’t want to just kill this creature. She picked up a rock and banged it on the head, knocking it unconscious. If they made it back this way they could try to find a way of dealing with it.

  She ran to follow Klavin.

  26

  Tarquin, Grallen, and their assorted troops stood before the Magic Garden of Bokar. Lush plants surrounded a simple pool.

  “Send one of your men in,” Tarquin commanded.

  “My men? Why does it always have to be my men?”

  “I only have two. You have more to spare.”

  Grallen stared at Tarquin. “What kind of logic is that?”

  Tarquin smirked. “Please don’t feign some intense loyalty to your troops. From what I’ve heard you’ve shown no hesitation in sacrificing them when it’s suited you.”

  Grallen’s guards shifted uncomfortably.

  “Fine. I’ll send one of my men. I do have more of them, after all.”

  Grallen waved one of the guards forward. He drew his weapon and walked into the garden.

  “So far so good,” Tarquin commented.

  As the man got closer to the pool the leaves started rustling.

  “Uh oh,” the man said.

  “Keep going!” Tarquin commanded.

  Several of the plants moved in front of the guard, cutting off his path. He turned, but plants had blocked the way. They began swarming over him.

  “Help!” he called.

  “You must be so proud,” Tarquin said to Grallen, who rolled his eyes in response.

  “Should we help him?” one of the remaining guards asked.

  “Sure, go ahead. I’ll follow you in,” a second answered.

  Within a minute the plants moved back into their original positions. The guard was gone.

  “What happened to him?” a guard, one of the two who were forced to attack each other, asked.

  “I have no idea. Send in another,” Tarquin ordered.

  “Now hold on there. We can’t just keep sending people in there to get killed. What are we proving by doing that?” Grallen argued.

  “Very well, I suppose you have a point. Fogos, perhaps you could help us here?”

  Fogos stepped forward and pointed at the plants. The ones in his path burst into flames and were quickly reduced to ash.

  “There you go,” he said.

  “You’re not going anywhere!” Klavin yelled from behind. He was brandishing Maruya’s knife.

  Tarquin rolled his eyes. “You again? This is really getting tiring. Why don’t you just give up? You’ll never be able to stop us without your sword.”

  “Maybe not, but I can at least try to slow you down.”

  “And what good would that do?” Tarquin asked, grinning.

  “You don’t have much time left. The stars will be in alignment soon, and if you can’t finish this in time you’ll never be able to …” his voice drifted off, doubts suddenly running through his mind.

  Grallen began snickering. “Stars in alignment? You actually believed that?”

  Klavin stared at him open-mouthed. The guards started snickering as well.

  “It’s not true?”

  Grallen burst out laughing. “Doesn’t every legend have some part in it about the stars needing to be in alignment? It’s just supposed to make for a good story. That sort of thing never happens.”

  “Then why are you suddenly doing this now?”

  “Why not now? Would last week have been more appropriate? Or three years from now? Perhaps it’s simply because I only just recently found out how to do it.”

  “Oh.”

  At this point Grallen and his men were laughing to the point of crying. Tarquin and his men seemed to be enjoying it as well.

  “Okay, I think the shows over. We’ve wasted enough time. Tul, get rid of him,” Tarquin instructed.

  Tul raised his hand and Klavin was thrown against the building behind him.

  “Not this again,” he mumbled.

  At this point Maurya appeared.

  “Ah, might as well take care of her as well, Tarquin added.

  Maurya found herself on the wall next to Klavin.

  “Now if there aren’t any further interruptions—“ the wizard began.

  “Look!” one of his warriors pointed at the plants Fogos had destroyed, which were starting to grow back.

  Tarquin rolled his eyes. “Fogos, burn the whole field down. As soon as he does, get in there and cast your spell,” he instructed Grallen. Once againi Grallen’s face revealed how little he appreciated being ordered around by another wizard.

  Fogos’s eyes blazed red as he spread his hands, causing each and every plant before him to explode into flames. As soon as they had been reduced to ash, Grallen stepped in, the hooded man once again behind him.

  “I’ll need a volunteer,” he said. His guards looked at each other, reached a decision, and ran away. “Ah,” he added.

  “Cowards. They just don’t realize what an honor it should be for them to be part of this. I’m sure we can find more men in town,” the hooded man said.

  “Don’t bother. It’s not necessary.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No,” Grallen answered, getting a grip on the hooded man’s shoulder as he began casting.

  Tarquin laughed as he watched the hooded man struggle. It didn’t last long. Within moments he had turned to dust, and a figure began to rise from the pool.

  “Uden, flood the town,” Grallen said.

  Uden grinned, his blue eyes gleaming. He folded his arms and water began rising from the ground.

  “Maybe we should get out of here,” Fogos suggested.

  “What’s wrong?” Tarquin asked. “Ah. Fire and water don’t exactly mix, right? Very well. Uden, could you please make sure the flood goes that way?”


  Uden nodded and the water began flowing away from them.

  “We might as well go anyway,” the wizard said.

  “What about them?” Grallen asked, indicating Klavin and Maurya. “Don’t you want to stay and make sure they get killed?”

  “Why would I want that? I thought we agreed that they should live to see the new world they failed to stop us from creating. Afterwards we can kill them at our leisure.”

  Jord cleared his throat.

  “And yes, Jord, you may kill Klavin.”

  “Fine, but I don’t like it,” Grallen said.

  “Their magic sword has been destroyed. You took care of their Healer and wizard. You see how easily we dispatched them this time. There is no need to worry. I’m leaving. Join me if you’d like,” Tarquin said and walked away, never looking back. His two guards went with him, followed by the four Elemental Warriors.

  Grallen indicated for his men to follow, but realized he had none left. He followed alone.

  As Tul was no longer concerned with Klavin and Maurya, he stopped concentrating on binding them. They fell into the water and were washed away.

  27

  Simko pushed his horse to go as fast as it could, at the same time regularly checking on Talb’s condition. It was so frustrating to be unable to help him. The only thing he could think to do was get him back to Blistok Forest, but he was’t sure they’d make it in time.

  As they traveled, they passed an old man surrounded by what he assumed were bandits. Any other time he would have stopped to help, but with what was at stake he didn’t dare take the chance. Besides, in his current condition he wasn’t convinced he could have done anything anyway.

  He traveled for about thirty more seconds before stopping the steed. He dismounted, checked Talb one last time, and headed back.

  One of the bandits emptied a bag into his hand. A few copper coins came out.

  “You’re kidding, right?” he said threateningly.

  “Please, it’s all I have.”

  “That’s a little hard to believe.”

  “Sounds like your life isn’t worth much,” another bandit said.

  “Please, just take what I have and leave. There’s nothing left for me to give.”