Bladvaneer

by Dennis Purves

  The first bandit smiled, drawing a knife. “Oh, I think there’s at least one other thing you can give us.”

  There was a rustling in the trees behind them. They turned to see if anyone was coming, but there didn’t seem to be anyone there.

  “Go check that out,” the first bandit ordered the second.

  A low growl was heard coming from that direction.

  “Why should I go check it out?”

  “Because I said so. Besides, if we both go, the old man is going to run away.”

  “I promise I won’t.”

  The bandits began snickering. “Nice try,” the first one said. To the other bandit he added, “What are you waiting for?”

  Seeing that arguing wasn’t going to do any good, the second bandit headed for the trees. He stopped as he heard heavy footsteps coming in his direction.

  “There’s something coming,” he said.

  The first bandit rolled his eyes. “So? Check it out.”

  The second bandit took another step and stopped as two trees were pushed aside and a creature that could best be described as a cross between a lion, tiger, and bear stepped through. It let out a blood-curdling roar. The bandits stared at it, frozen in their tracks. When it took another step, it shook them out of their trance and they ran down the road.

  The old man simply watched the Ligear, although he didn’t know that’s what it was called. He didn’t seem terribly surprised when it vanished. A moment later he saw Simko struggling to jog up the road.

  “Are you all right?”

  The old man smiled. “Just fine. This creature here scared away those brigands, although strangely enough it seems to have disappeared.”

  “Yes, well, that was actually one of my illusions.”

  “You don’t say,” the old man said with a wink. “My name’s Lastere, by the way. What’s yours?”

  “Simko.”

  “Well, since you helped me, allow me to repay the kindness.” He looked Simko up and down. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you look like you could use a rest.”

  Simko didn’t bother denying it. “I really can’t. I have a badly injured friend. If I don’t get him some help he’s going to die, and if he dies …” he let the words hang in the air.

  “Perhaps I could help,” the old man suggested.

  Simko seriously doubted that he could, but also felt that he had nothing to lose so he shrugged his shoulders and led him to the horse. When Lastere came within sight of the body lying prone on its back he hesitated, then marched forward with even more speed and determination. Talb managed to open his eyes and look at the stranger and to Simko’s surprise extended a paw, which Lastere took.

  “Oh, Bladvaneer, what have they done to you?”

  “How did you—“

  “There’s no time. Bring him to my home,” Lastere ordered, no longer seeming like a hunched over old man. Simko couldn’t help but obey.

  They walked about a hundred yards before they saw the cabin. Simko thought it was very fortunate that it was so close. Upon entering he realized that the man he rescued was some type of weapons maker.

  “Put him on the table,” Laster commanded, clearing away a number of various tools.

  Again, Simko didn’t hesitate to obey. He saw no reason to. The old man immediately looked over Talb, gently examining the numerous wounds and looking deep into his eyes. He fingered the arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

  “You poor thing. You took this form to make yourself inconspicuous, but unfortunately made yourself vulnerable in the process.”

  Simko was more than a little curious as to how this man knew so much about Talb, but didn’t think there was time to find out.

  “Can you help him?” was all he decided to ask.

  Lastere sadly shook his head. “If he were steel, I would have little difficulty repairing him. As flesh and blood I am powerless to help, I’m afraid.”

  “And if he were a weapon?” Simko asked, not even bothering to hide Talb’s true nature.

  “As I said, I could help him. But thanks to this,” he said, running his fingers along the arrow, “that cannot be.”

  “Can the arrow be removed?”

  “Of course. Killing him in the process, unfortunately.”

  “Is there any way it could be removed safely?”

  “By a powerful enough wizard, yes.”

  Simko decided to voice a suspicion. “Could you do it?”

  Lastere forced a laugh. “I gather you suspect me of being more than just a simple sword maker. However, let me assure you that of all the things I may be, a wizard is not one of them.”

  “Then do you know of one I could ask for help?”

  “What about Arkin?”

  “Arkin? The one who created the spell in the first place? He’s still alive?” As he heard the name, he wondered why it seemed familiar.

  Lastere laughed, a bit more genuinely this time. “Why does everyone assume that the wizards who create these spells must be long gone?”

  “So how could I get to him?”

  “He’s in a place that is very difficult to reach …”

  “Of course.”

  Lastere placed his hand on Simko’s shoulder. “Don’t give up hope. I’m perfectly aware of the importance of this weapon, as well as that of haste. I believe I can help you, but you’ll need to trust me. Please, take Talb outside and wait for me.”

  “But—“

  “Do you trust me or not?”

  Simko hesitated, and realized he had no choice. He carefully lifted Talb and walked outside. Upon exiting the cabin he found himself back in a forest, although he quickly realized that it wasn’t quite the same forest he had been in minutes earlier. He turned and Lastere’s home was still behind him, but as he poked his head inside it now seemed to be deserted. He had no idea what had happened. The old man had seemed sincere, but had he somehow dropped him in the middle of nowhere? Simko knew that he could summon another Phantom Steed and start riding, but without knowing where they were he had no idea what direction to take. He decided to take what he believed was the same route that got him here, and hoped that he was heading back.

  Within minutes he reached a cave. He immediately remembered where he had heard the name Arkin used, and stepped through the entrance …

  …and appeared on Lakron Island, just as he expected. He was wondering how to get around the guards and thought that creating a few more Ligear illusions might do the trick. However, he quickly realized that in his current condition he would fit in perfectly with the other residents. He rushed into town.

  He soon found two men sitting and playing a game. He decided to test whether his suspicions were correct.

  “Arkin?” he called.

  One of the men turned. Indeed, it was one of the men he first met the last time he visited. Recognition crossed the man’s face, quickly replaced with surprise.

  “What are you doing here? And what happened to you?” he asked.

  “I need your help,” he said, ignoring the questions. “I need Gareth, too,” he added, feeling that the hero had the right to know that Bladvaneer did exist.

  “It’s very dangerous for you to be here, although you already know that.”

  Simko forced a smile. “There shouldn’t be a problem. Who could tell me from anyone else here now?”

  “And what about him?” Arkin asked, indicating Talb.

  “Oh.”

  “Come with me,” Arkin instructed, and rushed off. Simko saw no reason not to follow, so he did.

  28

  Grallen and Tarquin stood in front of Krot’s temple, each with a look of satisfaction on his face. About a hundred feet before the doorway were two stone statues of a lion.

  “What exactly did these have to do with Krot?” Tarquin asked.

  “Absolutely nothing,” Jord answered, although the question hadn’t been directed toward him.

  Grallen sighed. “Jord is correct. Before Krot took this building as his own, it
was a temple to a long abandoned god. These lions apparently represented his pets, P’tnz and Frotrude. They were here to guard the temple. Krot must have liked them as well as he would have destroyed them if he didn’t, although they obviously didn’t do much to stop him from taking over this place.”

  Tarquin tapped one of the statues. “They’ve certainly held up well over the years.”

  “Yes, you don’t see craftsmanship like that anymore,” Grallen commented.

  “Well, we didn’t come here to admire the sculptures, did we? I believe it’s time to head inside.”

  Grallen sneered. He was counting the seconds until he could make Tarquin pay for usurping his authority. For now he simply nodded and headed inside. Tul, Fogos, and Uden followed. Tarquin motioned for Jord to stay behind with him and indicated for his men to enter.

  “Jord,” Tarquin called.

  “Yes?”

  “Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea how Grallen is planning to resurrect Krot?”

  “No.”

  “And that doesn’t concern you?”

  “No. Should it?”

  Tarquin waved off the idea. “Not at all. However, that’s not why I asked you to remain behind.”

  “Then what was it?”

  “I’m not expecting to see those deplorable children again, but based on their stubbornness and penchant for survival, I won’t count them out yet either. Perhaps we could arrange a little surprise for them, should they show up.”

  Jord grinned. “I’m listening.”

  Grallen and three of the four Elemental Warriors stood in Krot’s chamber. In each of the four corners was drawn a circle, and inside each circle was an empty tall, black candleholder. In the center of the room was a fifth circle, somewhat larger than the others. He looked around and saw Tarquin enter. His familiar, who had apparently been following, flew in and perched on a pillar at the far wall.

  “Where is Jord?”

  “Don’t worry. He’s coming. He just found something outside that interested him.”

  Jord entered grinning. “All taken care of,” he said.

  Tarquin quickly shook his head, but it was too late.

  “What was taken care of? What are you two up to?” Grallen asked.

  Tarquin laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Just some insurance that we won’t be interrupted. You should be thanking me instead of taking that accusatory tone.”

  “My deepest apologies.”

  “Now perhaps you’ll finally share with me the secret of bringing back Krot. It would hardly seem to make sense to keep it hidden at this point.”

  Grallen smiled. “You’ll see soon enough.”

  Outside, Klavin and Maurya exited the forest and found the temple in front of them.

  “So what do we do now?” Maurya asked.

  Klavin drew his sword. He managed to salvage it from the flooded town they just left. “We stop them,” he said firmly.

  “You do realize we don’t have a chance of succeeding, right?”

  “It doesn’t matter. We have to try.”

  They approached the entrance. Both admired the lions as they passed them. As they got about thirty feet from the entrance, they heard a sound behind them. Both turned to look.

  “That’s not good,” Klavin commented.

  Both pedestals were now empty. They looked back and forth but couldn’t see anyone approaching.

  “Let’s just make a run for the entrance. We might make it,” Maurya suggested.

  Klavin nodded. They turned and saw the two lions in front of them, prowling back and forth. There was no way to get past them. Maurya drew two knives. Klavin stared at them and smirked.

  “Yes, I know these probably aren’t going to do a thing against them, especially if their skins are as hard as they look.”

  “So what do we do?”

  As they talked they slowly backed away, never taking their eyes off the lions. The cats returned the stare, following them step for step.

  “I’ve got an idea. You head into the woods that way,” Maurya said, indicating a direction. “I’ll go the opposite way. We’ll run in a circle and meet up on the path back there. Thinking they’ve got us cornered they’re bound to jump. We duck, and they shatter.”

  “Sounds too simple.”

  “You think that’s too simple? Come up with something better, then.”

  “I’ll see you in a few minutes,” he said, and ran into the trees. P’tnz followed him. He assumed Maurya did the same.

  He ran through the forest, hearing the footsteps behind him. They were getting closer. Even if those things had somehow been brought to life, they shouldn’t be able to move this fast. He hoped that telling himself that over and over that it would make it true. He started heading back and realized that there was no longer the sound of running behind him. He dared to turn and saw that no one was there. He wanted to celebrate outrunning the beast, but his euphoria was quickly ended when he turned and saw it in front of him. Quicker than anything made of stone should be able to move, it leaped at him. He just managed to avoid it and began running again.

  As he got close to the path he saw Maurya running through the trees to the same destination. They ran right into each other’s arms. Despite himself, Klavin couldn’t help but sniff her hair. Maurya, fortunately, managed to keep her senses and pushed him down.

  They watched the lions leap for the prey that had been in that very spot. However, instead of the two heroes being sprinkled by a rain of stone debris, the lions somehow managed to shift their direction midair and gracefully crossed paths overhead. Klavin and Maurya stood, a newfound respect and terror being felt for these predators, who now stood in front of them again.

  “Have you got another plan?” Klavin asked.

  “That … that was impossible. They shouldn’t have been able to do that!”

  “Feel free to tell them that.”

  Finding themselves in the same situation they were in earlier, they started backing away, the lions matching their movements step for step.

  Inside, Grallen picked up his pack and removed four candles. He handed a yellow one to Jord, a golden one to Tul, a blue one to Fogos, and a black one to Uden. He kept a red one for himself.

  “What are we supposed to do with these?” Jord asked suspiciously.

  “Each of you takes yours to one of the corners. Set them up in the candleholder. But don’t light them yet.”

  “How are we supposed to light them? Fire isn’t exactly my thing,” Uden said.

  Grallen rolled his eyes. “When the time comes, I’ll make sure you’re able to light them. So don’t worry about it.”

  “And where’s that red one going?” Tul asked.

  Grallen grinned. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Jord shrugged his shoulders and headed for one of the corners. The other three Elemental Warriors did the same.

  “Exactly what is this ritual you’re planning to do?” Tarquin asked, not only suspiciously but out of genuine curiosity.

  Seeing that the four Elite Guards had stepped inside their circles and were planting the candles on top of their holders, Grallen smiled.

  “I suppose there’s really no reason not to tell you now. I believe the way to bring back Krot will be very similar to the way I’ve brought back those four, with one very important difference.”

  “Are we done here?” Fogos asked, having set his candle in place.

  “Sure, come on back,” Grallen answered, smirking.

  Fogos took a step in his direction and found that he couldn’t leave the circle. There seemed to be an invisible force keeping him inside. He looked to the other three and saw that they were in the same predicament.

  “Oh, that’s right. You can’t,” Grallen added, snickering.

  “Just what is going on here?!” Jord demanded.

  “Allow me to explain …” Grallen began.

  Fogos began furiously throwing fireballs at his invisible cage. Tul created a tornado and attempted to expand
it outward in order to break free. Jord created an earthquake hoping to crack open the barrier. And Uden released jets of water, which only resulted in him floating in a transparent tube of liquid.

  “That’s really not going to help you, and as I’m quite sure you can’t hurt yourself with your own elemental powers, I’m not going to concern myself with what you’re doing.”

  “You’ll never get away with this!” Jord threatened.

  Grallen laughed. “Why does someone always feel the need to say that? Anyway, as I was saying, I believe I can bring Krot back the same way I brought back the Elite Guard. Only I doubt draining the life force from a mere human being would quite do the trick. However, since each of the Guards is infused with a piece of Krot himself, then draining them should be exactly what it takes to resurrect their master.”

  “Wait … what?!” Jord asked incredulously.

  “You can’t do this!” Fogos yelled.

  Grallen rolled his eyes.

  “Then what was the deal with all those candles? And what was so special about the one you kept?” Tul asked.

  “What, this?” Grallen asked innocently, tossing the candle to the floor. It rolled until it hit Tul’s invisible barrier, where it stopped. “Absolutely nothing. Simple theatrics. Plus I needed some excuse to get you inside those circles.”

  “Fascinating,” Tarquin admitted. “When exactly did you find the time to put all this together?”

  “The first time I visited. I set everything up so that if I managed to track down all the Elite Guard and get them back here, it would all be waiting for me.”

  “It won’t work!” Tul screamed.

  “Oh? And why’s that?” Grallen asked.

  “We all had vessels to restore. There is no vessel for Krot to return to.”

  “Of course there is,” Grallen said smugly, and stepped into the large circle in the middle of the room. “Me.”

  Tarquin’s eyes widened.

  “You’re crazy! It won’t be you wielding Krot’s power. It’ll be him controlling your body. It’s not worth it,” Tul argued.

  Grallen laughed. “Of course it is. Just knowing that I can be even a tiny part of that much power makes all this worth it. Besides, what’s the alternative? Just walk away after coming this close. I’m sorry, but I just can’t do that.”