The Crimson Road

by William Wells

  “A mage…” Zeysho gave me an appraising look, “A powerful one, and a master of fighting as well. I’m beginning to understand how you got the token.”

  “I’ll tell you my story if you tell me yours.” I grinned, and still he kept a face devoid of emotion. “Yulia? Are you ready?”

  “A little longer…” Yulia’s voice came from the area where the chest had been opened. “I wasn’t expecting to take this dress off just yet, or without help.”

  I widened my grin, “You could have asked for help.”

  “Shut up.”

  Zeysho began to limber up, moving slowly but with absolute control. His weapon was still on his back, and didn’t seem to pull him off balance. With nothing else to do, I watched the flowing movements that seemed more like a choreographed dance. It was another minute or two before he stopped with a thrust, and held the pose.

  “Interesting style.”

  “It is the fighting style of my clan, developed by my grandfather.”

  “Does it work well against others?”

  “Very well. The idea is to make your opponent react to you, forcing them to move as you wish.” Zeysho took a breath, “It is difficult to do, but the instant your opponent moves to your rhythm, the instant the fight is won.”

  “And there is no worry about showing it off? Couldn’t someone develop a counter?”

  “They can try, but it’s harder than it looks, and there is more than one form.” Zeysho unsheathed his sword, “I believe it is time.”

  I felt the tap on my shoulder, and Yulia was visible after a second of concentration. “I prefer this look.”

  Her long daggers were tucked into sheaths on her belt, and the tight pants and shirt showed off her form. On most of her opponents it would make them drop their guard, but this was more for mobility than attempting to distract Zeysho.

  “I’m ready.”

  I nodded, and stepped between the two of them. “First blood, or surrender. If I feel one of you might get permanently injured, I will stop it.”

  Both of them nodded, getting into a stance far enough that their areas didn’t clash. I raised and then dropped my hand, springing back so that I wouldn’t be hit accidently. Instead of leaping, both of them circled slowly to test the tension. With each movement, the space between them shrank until Yulia was just outside of Zeysho’s reach. It was here that they stalled momentarily, blades moving slowly in an attempt to taunt the other into action.

  Zeysho made the first move, taking half a step and thrusting forward. Yulia crossed her blades and redirected the attack. She took the opportunity to use this momentum to get in close where her shorter blades had the advantage. Her strike hit air as Zeysho dropped faster than a stone and used his free hand to tangle her legs. Yulia fell, rolling towards his back and lashing out with an elbow.

  That blow barely made contact as Zeysho contorted himself into one of the forms he had just demonstrated. Yulia was forced to leap straight up, launching one of her daggers at his feet to force him from following up the attack. The dagger bought Yulia enough time to land, and her opponent tried to Capitalize with a swing that was all speed and no power.

  Instead of blocking, Yulia again redirected the blow and slid under the attack. This time she feinted lashing, giving herself the opportunity to grab her dagger from the wood floor. Both of them began to circle again, and I kept a close watch. It was Yulia who moved first, springing low with a slash towards Zeysho’s knee. He shifted enough that the blade passed harmlessly by, and swept his sword in a circle in front of his body.

  The move forced Yulia to back off, and Zeysho began to move into another form with a diagonal slash that again had her retreat. I recognized the forms, and saw their usage as it allowed Zeysho to move with effortless precision as Yulia was continually forced back. Her best option to retreat was always where he wanted her to be for the next attack. In one on one duels, the style of Zeysho was perfect.

  Even though he didn’t start with the beginning attack, his knowledge allowed him to begin from any point and continue from there. In his body there was no preparatory bunching of muscles that would allow a competent fighter to predict his next move, and it slowed Yulia’s reaction enough to give him the edge. There was no hesitation, and the final thrust sliced neatly into Yulia’s side leaving a cut that wasn’t deep but could have ended her life.

  Before either of them could move, I put a wall between the two of them. “Zeysho wins.”

  A few moments went by, as I allowed them to come back from the fight high. Too many had died by believing a fight to be over when the other participant wanted to continue. Zeysho wiped his sword clear of blood before sheathing it and stepping back. “Well fought.”

  Yulia grimaced and sheathed her daggers, “Those forms are deadly. I had a rough idea as to what was coming and I still couldn’t react in time.”

  “That’s the idea.” Despite his win, Zeysho still didn’t smile. “You’d do well in my lands.”

  “Women are allowed to fight where you are from?”

  “Women are the most dangerous warriors where I’m from. My grandfather created the forms after watching my grandmother fight in order to help her pass on her skills to the younger generations.” Zeysho grunted, “Do you need to see a healer?”

  I stepped forward and pressed a hand against Yulia’s cut, making her hiss from the discomfort. A second later my hand left, no blood and no cut visible. “No need.”

  “Did you need to be in contact to heal that cut?”

  “It makes it easier, and healing is not my strongest area.” I looked over to Yulia, “Ready to change?”

  She nodded, and instantly vanished. “Strangely enough, it’s easier to get dressed.”

  Chapter 20

  We found Ash’s family outside the Guild, arguing over whether or not to submit Kane and Philo for acceptance into the apprentice program. I quickly interjected, saying that the Head of the Chapter would reserve judgement until a later date but was already aware of the two of them. That ended the argument, but started a new one over what to do until the Duke’s Feast.

  As contenders, Kane and Philo both had invitations. Those naturally extended to Ash and Lorraine. Anwher and Olivia were both invited, being mages. I had two invitations, one as a Master Mage and the other as the Tournament Champion. Both of them allowed me a guest, and to defuse some of the tension I jokingly asked Yulia twice to accompany me to the Feast. No one really understood the meaning behind it except for her, but they all laughed.

  Over the next few hours we sampled from the stalls, playing the games of chance that were rigged to fleece the majority of customers and eating new kinds of food. On a random chance, we ran into Rebecca and her family near the center of the Festival. Both boys began to flush red as I invited them to join us in both touring the City and later at the Feast.

  Suddenly the games of chance became serious as the boys struggled to impress the girl. Both sets of parents grinned knowingly, and took great pleasure in watching the spectacle. I was content to sit back and watch, never really having had anyone my age to compete against growing up while training with Charon. Even when we went beyond the forest, I was always put against adults so that it would be a challenge.

  The ringing of the bell, this time the one on top of the Duke’s palace signaled to all invited that it was time to head to the Feast. For those not invited there was another Feast provided just outside the walls that did not cost anything. The Duke paid for all the foodstuffs for both Feasts, as a gesture of goodwill.

  It was much easier to make our way through the City, with guards directing traffic so that all flowed smoothly. The majority were headed to the grounds, with a miniscule portion going the opposite way. There were no printed invitations, instead the guards had a pair of Journeymen that would appraise the token given to anyone invited. Some unfortunates who tried to forge invitations were escorted quickly out of sight. While the Duke was a fair judge, he detested those that tried to take advantage. The one
s who tried to cheat their way in would spend the night locked up, without food while still being close enough to smell. It was a good punishment.

  The Journeymen started as I walked up, and a moment of confusion passed as I presented two tokens. The rest of the group had already passed, and before anyone could ask I led Yulia through the entrance and into the first of the two halls. One hall was packed with tables of food, some being cooked right in front for those that liked it done a certain way. The other hall had tables enclosing an area where a band played light music and some couples danced. Servants darted between the halls as some gave orders and others filled their own plates.

  We all filled our plates, and there was a clear distinction between those who came to this Feast every year and those who were invited for the first and probably the last time. Most of the minor nobles sat or stood together, talking loudly how this Feast compared with the ones of the past and how it could be improved. None of them outright said it, but the general air was that the commoners brought down the atmosphere quite a bit.

  Yulia and I finished our food, having gotten very little and then excused ourselves to wander. Everyone else in the group was focused mostly on the food, pointing out new dishes that the others had to try. I walked over to the Duke, who was pointedly ignoring most everyone and focused on his plate.

  “If I may?” Yulia asked, smiling sweetly and the Duke’s eyes grew wide. He nodded, his expression falling a little as I slid out her chair and then sat next to her. “This City’s Festival and Feast are very different than the others I have been to. I believe only the King’s Feast at the Capital can eclipse this one.”

  The Duke swallowed, “You’ve been to the King’s Feast?”

  At Yulia’s words, the other nobles who hadn’t been invited to sit but still hovered around grew a little quieter. In this area, few were ever invited to the Capital.

  Yulia nodded, “I have been a few times, it is exciting to see all the foreign dignitaries try and outdo each other to impress the King. He is a most apt diplomat.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have your name…” The Duke looked guilty at not recognizing someone who had an invitation.

  “I’m Yulia, but it’s my companion here who received you invitation.” She waved towards me, happy to redirect the nobles attention. Most of the men continued to glance at her exposed skin, as if her dress would slip and show even more for them to look at.

  “Your name?” The Duke almost had to use his fingers to turn his eyes from Yulia.

  I nodded in greeting, “I am The Reaper’s Apprentice.”

  There were gasps, and for the first time since entering the building more eyes were focused on me than Yulia. The Duke looked me up and down, noting the handle of my shortsword poking just above the tabletop. “Forgive me for not recognizing you.”

  I laughed, “I was wearing a mask, it would be astonishing for you to have guessed my identity.”

  “You fought very well today. A most unusual method to disadvantage yourself like that when facing an armed opponent.” The Duke had stopped eating, now focused on the conversation.

  “My training to fight had me practice in all sorts of unusual situations. I decided to use the tournament as a way to ensure I hadn’t lost a step.”

  “Who trained you to fight like that?”

  “Charon.”

  This time the silence extended beyond the small groups of nobles as more caught on to what was said. The hall amplified sound, and so I could be heard from an even farther distance than normal. The Duke’s gulp of wine practically echoed off the walls.

  “A most bold claim, but your demonstration earlier does help to prove your point.” The Duke began to sweat, and his guards took a couple steps closer.

  I splayed my hands on the table in full view, “I’m not here to hurt anyone, I give you my word. I also give my word that I am simply here to enjoy your fine food before returning to my travels.”

  The collective breath that had been held was released as a single sigh, and it was then that those not at the table released how foolish they looked. They dispersed, and for the first time the Duke did not have anyone floating around his table. The noise in the hall soon filled with conversations and music.

  “Thank you, that is a load off my chest.” The Duke picked up a goblet of wine, “To your victory.”

  I raised my own goblet, and Yulia joined us in the toast. “I apologise for interrupting your meal, but I did not want there to be any misunderstandings as to my presence here tonight.”

  “Again I thank you,” The Duke stood, “If you wish to room here tonight…”

  “My quarters in the Tower are more than enough, and your hospitality is well-received. I am sorry my visit is so short, as even when you didn’t know who I was you still were cordial.” I bowed a little, “Enjoy your evening.”

  “And you yours.” The Duke bowed back, waiting until my back was turned before hurriedly sitting down before grabbing another goblet of wine.

  As Yulia and I walked away, arms entwined she leaned over, “Did you have fun?”

  “Somewhat.”

  “Was it worth it to make a promise?”

  “It was. The cost wouldn’t be too high for breaking it, and now everyone knows not to try and steal you from me.” I grinned, “I was worried about having to duel every male noble here tonight, and maybe some female ones as well.”

  “Am I that much of a headache?”

  “Not a headache,” I steered Yulia towards the dance area. “You are beautiful, and the only thing more beautiful than you is your personality.”

  Yulia faced me as the band switched to a slower song, “And if I wasn’t beautiful?”

  “Then I wouldn’t have to worry about chasing men away from you, and have you to myself.”

  “Hmm.” Yulia kept quiet, and we danced.

  Chapter 21

  After a few more hours, when darkness began to settle in, the Duke stood and announced it was time for the Telling. The tables had been whisked away, and tiered seating took their place. The servants, having practiced for long hours made it look easy. Yulia and I took seats next to our group when the Tellers walked onto the elevated stage.

  They were two of my examiners, the female Illusionist and the male Creation Experts. Without much prompt, the stage area was transformed into an abyss devoid of light. The female’s voice rang out as she told the Tale of Beginning…

  “The Goddess of Life, the first of the Three wandered alone. She soon grew tired of being alone, and began a project to create an individual that would be able to accompany her. With her power split, there rose the God of Death. He, the Goddess’ opposite, was enamored with the Goddess. The Two created this place, balancing Life and Death in equal portions. Over time, the Goddess became involved in her projects, neglecting the God of Death.

  In a jealous rage, the God of Death began to destroy the Goddess’ creations. From their conflict we were born, shaped as them and with the ability to grant life and death in equal measure. We picked sides, fighting against each other as a way of life. The ground became saturated in our blood, and the skies were darkened with the fires that burned the dead after we ran out of room in the ground. This war lasted for generations, until even the Goddess of Life and God of Death were tired of it.

  Still we fought, having known no other way. The Two knew that we needed to stop, or else we would destroy this very home. The majority of us did not listen, and those that did were quickly killed to silence them. It was at this point that the Two came together, when their places on the moons overlapped. After many arguments, the Two came up with a plan and created the God of Magic. The Two were now the Three.

  Their son, having an equal share of Life and Death, could manipulate the ether in ways that neither of his parents could do on their own. It took him many years, touring and learning before he was able to come up with a plan to end the war between Life and Death. The God of Magic gathered disciples who he then taught to manipulate the ether. Afte
r training, they each went back to their people and showed how the war needed to end.

  Not everyone agreed, but the majority had finally become sick of the constant bloodshed. They came together, dividing the lands between the major clans and agreeing to never wage such a war again. The God of Magic, happy with the result, went back to his parents to report the success. There, his parents were again beginning to argue, as the moons crossed paths once more.

  Seeing the pattern, the God of Magic put his entire being into one final work. He sealed his parents on their respective moons, unable to leave and influence the lives of the people here. Still, when the moons cross paths, the powers of Life and Death are enough to influence the people living here and times become chaotic as the old bloodlust is stirred. The God of Magic, having given himself to the sealing of his parents, disappeared forever.”