by Matthew Wolf
“Kail had the ability to speak with great volume and I remember the threads. I cannot weave it for you, but I can show you,” Maris said. Gray agreed and the Ronin touched his temple. Gray stiffened, dragged into a sudden vision. Thousands of dead bodies littered the streets of towns. Villages, farms, and fields on fire, and vast cities of stone crumbled before his eyes. He realized it was the memories of the Ronin. Maris redirected the images, and Gray saw Kail standing upon a hill before the other eight Ronin. The legend addressed a vast army upon the rolling green hills. He watched as intricate webs danced in Kail’s hand. The spell took the form of a cone, summoned before his mouth, visible to only those with the power. The threads abruptly tightened and Kail spoke, his words booming.
The vision broke and he opened his eyes. All of it only took a mere moment. Maris flashed a wink, stepping back. He faced the crowds. He realized how he stood. It was just like Kail before his army. However, Gray’s own army was much smaller. Moreover it was not trained soldiers, but villagers, men, women and children. However, in a way, the two armies were the exactly same. The villager’s bore the same stubborn look. Their strength was quiet, yet unmistakable. Gray lifted his head, gazing over the crowds as he extracted threads of wind from the air. He formed them as he had seen Kail do. He pulled the threads tight.
He spoke, addressing the villagers, “I will lead us to the Shining City—” he faltered, startled by the power of his own voice. Each word boomed, flying over the crowd and reaching every ear. He spoke again, adjusting his volume, “There is another path, but you will have to trust me.”
Ayva leaned in close and whispered, “What are you planning?”
Darius gave him an uncertain look as well.
The villager’s whispers grew.
“Do you trust me?” Gray asked.
“Of course,” Ayva answered.
“We’re with you,” Darius said, “We always have been. But whatever you have in mind, it better be good.”
Gray winked, hiding his doubt, hoping he did have what it took. Slowly, he turned back to the divide, leaving the villagers to whisper and watch. He stepped to the edge, placing his toes to the rocky lip. Bits of rock fell away, tumbling endlessly. They clattered and echoed off the cliff’s walls until there was no sound. He wasn’t sure what he was doing, but it seemed right. This close to the edge, wind pummeled him from all sides. Zephyrs flowed around him like hands, strong and alive, gentle and furious. He teetered, and threw his arms out when a strong hand clasped his outstretched arm. Mura was at his side, holding him.
“Some things never change,” Mura grumbled, a smile beneath his grimace.
Gray felt another hand, and saw Darius holding his other arm.
“Need a hand?” the rogue smirked.
Gray turned to the drop and delved inward, closing his eyes. His power flooded him and his body shuddered. The hands on his arms tightened. He gave in to the nexus and watched as threads unraveled, twisting, and weaving together. More! his mind demanded. He took it all and the wind from the abyss poured over him, feeding the nexus. The swirling ball expanded beyond his vision. A fearful voice whispered, warning him, but he pushed it aside and drew more. He heard Maris’ voice, “Drawing too much of the flow will kill you, or drive you to insanity.”
He shrugged the words off. Instead, he wove the threads faster and faster, seeing a tapestry of wind form in his mind, so intricate and dense it appeared spun by a thousand looms. All the strands coalesced and his breath caught as he realized the pattern was complete. He reached out, willing the strands to lengthen and bridge the gap. Tightening his fist, the last threads snapped into place like a taut rope.
Slowly, his world returned.
His heart hammered and golden light filled his vision. He heard gasps from all around. Mura and Darius released his arms, and he let them fall as he took in what stretched before him. A bridge of golden light spanned the long abyss. The surface appeared solid, like hammered gold, but beneath the flat surface currents of air flowed. The whole thing was wide enough for two carts with horses to walk side by side, and room to spare.
Gray took a deep breath and he stepped out onto the walkway.
“Gray!” Ayva cried.
His foot landed firmly. The surface was harder than dirt, but more yielding than steel. He took another step, and then turned, looking back. “It’s safe,” he announced and the villagers burst into cheers, the sound loud enough to shake the mountains. He grinned and Ayva and Darius rushed out to meet him, stepping onto the golden walkway.
“You did it!” Ayva said jumping into his arms with a hug and he laughed as well.
Darius grabbed his shoulders, shaking him, “Dice! That was amazing!” He said and bounced on the balls of his feet, testing the golden surface.
Over Ayva’s shoulder, Gray watched as others made their way onto the bridge, glad they were excited and not afraid. Ayva released him, “What is this thing?” she asked, touching the ground and gasped, “It feels warm. Is it wind?”
Gray nodded.
“Isn’t that what Kail wielded?” Ayva asked.
“Dice!” Darius cursed, “You’re as powerful as the Blight Seeker!”
Gray swallowed, feeling sweat flash on his forehead and palms. He knew that name, as did many—it was one of Kail’s many names, including the Traitor, and the Betrayer of Men.
Ayva punched Darius’ arm. “Don’t you ever watch your mouth?” She turned to Gray. “It’s really amazing. I’m not sure how you did it but…” she touched his arm, and she looked as if she was about to speak when several villagers approached. They clapped him on the back and thanked him. Wisely, the villager’s kept clear of the edges. Mothers clutched their children with both hands and men steered away others who veered too close in their excitement.
Mura pushed his way through and embraced Gray. “Lad, one day we’re going to have to talk about what just went on there.”
“One day, I might understand it as well.” A terrified cry erupted in the cheering crowds—it was soft, but he had heard it clearly. The others hadn’t. They laughed and smiled, unaware, obviously not hearing what he had. “Quiet!” he shouted and his words boomed, silencing the villagers. The cry came again, shattering the quiet and Gray spotted a little girl shrieking and pointing to the sky.
Gray followed her hand and saw huge beasts hurtling towards them, diving right at the crowds. “Dragons!” he shouted and the world exploded into chaos.
Maris grabbed his cuff, “Tell them to get down!”
“Down! Get down!” he bellowed, using his amplified words.
Men, woman, and children, fell to the walkway’s surface, pressing their bodies against the flowing gold. The dragons roared and swooped down, snatching several men and women too slow to get down, piercing them upon the point of their talons. Gray turned to Ayva and Darius at his side. Ayva gripped his hand, and Gray’s heart pounded as the dragons circled.
Maris spoke calmly, “Time to act, Eminas. We will all die if we do not move. We must get to the other side. Give the command now!”
Gray summoned his voice. “To your feet! Spread out and get to the other side!” The command rose above the chaotic chorus of screaming. He turned to Ayva and Darius. “Keep low and don’t stop moving!”
Ayva grabbed his arm. “Wait! We’ll follow you!”
“Lead the way,” Darius said.
“Stay close.” He turned and unsheathed Morrowil as he dashed into the fray. There was a bestial cry and he watched as the dragons descended, diving from every angle. Ayva and Darius at his side, he ducked and dodged slicing talons. A maw snapped towards him, lunging for Ayva. He cried out, slicing down with Morrowil, but the beast pulled back and beat its colossal wings. The wind buffeted Gray, throwing him but Darius grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. They sprinted onward, the wind of the heights thrashing from all sides.
An old man stumbled, and then let out a strangled gasp as a huge, sword-length talon protruded through his chest. The old man lo
oked down, his face a mask of shock. Before Gray could react, the dragon lifted the man from the ground and flung his carcass into the chasm. Another dragon flew overhead, and he dove to the ground assaulted by a gale of wind. The dragon’s thick beating wings took men and women from their feet, sending them to the ground.
Lying flat on his stomach, anger and panic surged inside him and he gripped Morrowil tightly as he leapt to his feet. He watched the villagers dash for the opposite ledge, spread out along the golden walkway. Ayva and Darius were nowhere to be seen. He seemed to be the last one. He looked behind to make sure and dread filled him.
A dragon hovered above a child. It was the little girl who had sounded the alarm. The beast reached, clawing for the girl and Gray gave into the nexus. He threw his hands out, pulling with every bit of his power. Thick bolts of air struck the beast and it staggered. The creature released a guttural roar, diving at the girl again, but the bolts gave him just enough time. He dove first, grabbing the girl in a roll and coming up swiftly.
Ahead, more dragons rained down. One swooped low, its talons colliding with a group of running men and women, sending them clear off the golden bridge. Their screams echoed as they fell. Several dragons picked off stragglers, the loud clang of their talons against the golden walkway pierced his ears, ringing like steel.
He turned back to the huge beast as it faced them, blocking their path. Without taking his eyes off the creature, he spoke softly to the little girl, “I need you to be brave,” he said, glad his own voice came out steady. “Can you do that?” Her big eyes and small face stained with tears looked back at him, and she nodded. “Good, now climb onto my back and hold on tightly.”
The dragon clawed the walkway, snorting and hot steam billowed from its flaring nostrils. The little girl climbed onto his back. Gray checked to make sure the nexus was still there. It sat, waiting. He drew it, asking for more power, and letting it fill his limbs. The girl’s arms tightened in fear around his neck as eddies of wind surrounded them, coating their skin.
And Gray ran.
The beast roared and charged, ripping through the air. Its huge talon swiped at him, impossibly quick for the beast’s size. He skidded to a stop. The razor-sharp spears missed by a hairsbreadth and a gap formed between the creature’s trunk-like hind legs. He dove, the power of the wind aiding him, but the creature was already moving. Its huge maw snapped at the little girl on his back. In midair, the heat of the creature’s breath was on his neck. He cringed, yelling as he slid. The barbed teeth pinged off the little girl as if hitting a coat of steel armor. The dragon recoiled. The effort of the shield sapped Gray, and he let it drop. But he was already through the gap and running.
He heard the beating of wings and glanced over his shoulder to see the beast rise into the air and follow. Gray poured wind around his legs and arms, forcing it to his will. The threads came together seamlessly before he knew what he was doing, and he flew like the wind. At his side, he saw the horses. They stampeded, nostrils flared in panic. Their fear gave them wings as they galloped at full speed, yet Gray kept pace until he reached the train of villagers and joined the crowd.
Through the spread of people he saw Mura. Ayva and Darius were at his side. The hermit wielded his obsidian scimitar, fending off a snapping dragon. Further ahead, Rydel was miraculously riding one of the beasts. His dagger was pressed into the dragon’s thick, scaled neck as the beast beat its immense wings, trying to toss the nimble elf. The other dragons came from all sides, showering them with talons and deadly fangs, killing left and right. Gray’s eyes scanned as he sprinted, until he found what he was looking for—Maris.
A hundred feet ahead the Ronin stood at the golden walkway’s end. His hands shook, lifting towards the sky. Gray watched as suddenly, bouts of rock fountained from the mountain overhead, catching a dragon as it rose. It shrieked as its wings were smashed and it fell to the abyss below. Ducking and dodging, Gray reached Maris. The Ronin spared him a look. Maris touched his arm and Gray gasped, sucking in a breath as energy filled his limbs. When he opened his eyes, he saw the Ronin sagged—the weight of what he had just done clearly visible.
He helped him to his feet, shouting over the chaos, “What did you just do?”
Maris gripped his collar, pulling him close, “I gave you what’s left of my power. You can do more than I. Now, go, save them!” He yelled, pushing him away.
Gray let the little girl down, handing her to the Ronin, “Watch over her,” he said, and then turned. He let the nexus fill him. The power was overwhelming, far greater than ever before. It blinded him, and his knees nearly buckled as it coursed through him. With his vision bathed in golden light, he ran.
As the dragons struck from all sides, he raised his hands and golden white shields struck back. The first dragon connected, crashing into the shield as if crashing into a wall. The monstrous weight of its body thudded against the shield like the slap of meat, snapping bone and tendon. Gray grunted under the weight, but ran on. More dragons dove, attacking the running villagers, and he flung out his hand again. Filled to bursting with the power, more shields sprung to meet them. Their talons pinged, ringing like steel against steel; and where the claws struck, rings of gold spread like sunbursts.
Two dragons dove from both directions, claws aimed for a cluster of women and children. Gray erected a giant shield over the huddled mass, and then channeled the voracious winds upward. The dragons’ wings caught the upward draft of air. Their paths shifted and they slammed into one another, breaking bones and falling onto the waiting shield. A rush of cries sounded from behind. He twisted. The dragon from before, the largest beast, clutched a man in its talons. He sprinted. In his hand, he compressed a ball of air until it was denser than an orb of steel. The beast’s jaws engulfed the man’s head. Gray screamed a bestial cry that matched the dragon’s roar and let the hardened sphere fly. It streaked through the air, thudding into the huge dragon, and pierced its scaled hide through the chest. The beast groaned, dropping the man in its claws and then fell, smacking the bridge and spiraling over the edge.
The mountain rattled once again. He turned back and an avalanche of rock crashed into the last dragons, puncturing their wings and pummeling their thick bodies. The creatures fell, tumbling endlessly into the icy chasm.
A quiet settled.
Gray fell to his knees, breathing heavily as he scanned the crowds.
Ayva and Darius rose to their feet. Closer still, Mura withdrew his obsidian sword from a dragon’s corpse with a dour look, flicking black blood from his blade. Karil and Rydel were at his side. Safe… and Gray breathed a sigh of relief, though as he looked around, he felt a wave of guilt and sorrow. The villager’s sobs reached his ears, many kneeling at the walkway’s edge, eyeing the empty abyss.
In the end, there were no cheers or shouts of victory, just the heavy howl of wind.
Threads
SNOW GUSTED AND GRAY HELD HIS cloak closer as he rode beside Maris. To his right was the cliff’s edge. It was a sharp drop of ice and snow, devoid of trees. As usual while scouting, he and Maris rode ahead of the villagers. It was a ritual that he had come to enjoy. But this morning, something seemed different about the Ronin. The man had said little since they had first set off. Now, a dark silence sat between them.
It had been two days since the golden walkway and the horror of the dragons, and though the grief of the scene had not left, Gray did not think that was the reason for the silent tension. Something else troubled Maris, and he feared it greatly.
More icy wind assaulted them and Fael’wyn snorted in annoyance. He was grateful that Fael’wyn and the others horses had instinctively followed them across the golden bridge, escaping the claws of the dragons. He stroked his mount’s neck. He knew Fael’wyn must be as tired and cold as he was. Hold on, he thought, at least for a bit more. When we get to the Shining City, then you can have all the food and warmth you want. Fael’wyn’s ears pricked and he nickered softly as if acknowledging.
Ahead, t
he Ronin stopped. Gray pulled his reins to a halt.
“I can’t continue with you,” Maris announced abruptly. Gray was speechless. The Ronin’s hood was down, unveiling his flame of white hair. Dark brows hooded his slender eyes, but his face looked sterner, more resolute than normal. He often reminded Gray of a fox. His cloak was draped to one side of his big stallion and he could just make out the insignia of a leaf, what he now knew to be the sigil of the Great Kingdom of Eldas.
“Why not?”
“Ahead lays your path, but mine is elsewhere. You must know, I am truly glad and honored to have been at your side for this long in your journey. You have learned more in a matter of days than most learn in many years.” Gray averted his gaze, unable to take the rare gem of praise. He did feel as if the days of training under Maris, hard as they were, eventually bore the fruit of success, hardening him, and his power. The nexus and the wind were becoming more familiar each day. He grew stronger; wielding more than he thought was possible. He didn’t want it to end.
“But why now, when we are nearly there?”
“That is why I must go now, before we reach the Shining City.”
“I don’t understand,” he said, confused. “Besides, the villagers need you, you can’t simply abandon them.”
“They have you now to watch over them.”
Gray wanted to say something to make the man stay, but he didn’t know what—in truth he feared there was nothing he could say. “You can’t go,” he said at last.
“It is still strange hearing such things. It’s been a long time since anyone has wanted the presence of my company.” Maris gripped his shoulder. “Trust yourself, Gray. The nexus burns like a fire within you.”
Gray’s cold fingers tightened on his reins. “Without you, I’m alone. I’m different.”
The Ronin raised a brow. “I believe I know more about being an outcast than you, and you are not one. You, out of all people, have taught me that we are never truly alone. Besides, the rogue and the girl? They have lost their homes and the ones they love too.”