Demiourgos

by Chris Williams

  Behind him she caught sight of Barius lying on the sand with a gaping wound across his chest. Her anger could be registered as a physical sensation at that moment. For more than a few seconds they both stared at each other and Rose wondered what was transpiring, he seemed to be an assailant but he did not strike at her even though she was prone. She took advantage of the confusing situation and rolled over backwards, landing on her feet and rising up. Her other hand found her sheathed dagger and she brandished them both, taking up a defensive pose that Merik had shown her.

  “You have some fight in you then.” He said suddenly. His voice was soft but at the same time powerful, almost otherworldly. He assumed an offensive stance and stood for a moment before taking a lazy swipe at her midsection.

  Rose dodged the clumsy blow easily and danced backward giving way to the attack. He was, quite obviously, probing at her defensive skill. Rose knew she didn’t stand much of a chance in a fair fight with this warrior; he was obviously trained and skilled beyond her measure. She was trying to ration her magic because she was still inexperienced and had problems properly shaping it, at times she would use too little or too much and the results could be potentially disastrous. After dodging another blow and subsequently a third she realized that he was increasing the speed and frequency of his attacks exponentially, so she pushed her fears aside and leapt back from him just enough to stay out of reach. Rose weaved her daggers in front of her body and then pushed them downward as if digging them into the sand. She then flung them upward and shouted a series of arcane syllables. The sand in front of her sprayed forward in a wall much broader and thicker than she had intended but she let that thought go. It swept across a standing Nina and knocked her back down face-first but it also staggered the dark-clad knight. She curled her right arm across her torso and stabbed out with the other to jab at his chest.

  The surprisingly nimble man rolled his body backward and received a puncture wound on his shoulder for his effort. Rose finished the attack by swinging her right arm out as hard as she could but the blow glanced off of his armor without penetrating. Stumbling backward she barely kept her footing to avoid his fist as he punched the hilt of his sword out toward her head looking to drop her low swiftly. His backswing skipped off of one of her defending daggers and scraped painfully across her opposite arm, leaving a light line of blood. Nina was on her feet again and advancing on her until Rose held out her hand. “No, go get Leonidus or Merik quickly! I can’t hold him off much longer.”

  Rose watched her go and sighed, she didn’t know if she was going to last through this fight. The use of so much magic in a short time was starting to take its toll on her but she had to use it to survive. She squared off with the dark warrior again and turned her daggers over in her hands so the points were aimed at the ground. Rose found herself wondering how next to surprise her armor-clad assailant. She almost grinned as she came up with just the perfect answer, she would just need to distract him. “Who are you?”

  “I am called Liostro, Knight of the Black Scale.” He replied as he swiped his sword across once and then twice, each time just barely missing a dodging Rose. He advanced forward as she stepped backward.

  “What do you want from me Liostro?” She waved her daggers around, flourishing them hoping to mask her true intent. She dodged his next swing again but felt the tip graze her chest as she leaned backward to avoid it. She was getting weak fast and her stores of magic were almost depleted. “I am nothing.”

  “My master seems to think otherwise, that’s why he sent me to bring you in, dead or alive.” He replied through a series of swipes and swings that drove the girl further back. Something inside him felt at odds in that instant. She was beautiful and yet something more than that gave him pause. His sense of duty was stronger than any other longings he could fathom so he shook the notions from his head and prepared to take another swing at her. All at once he felt the ground around him drop and he plunged into the sand up to his shoulders with just the tops of them and the blade of his sword sticking out of the suddenly loose-packed area around him.

  “That’s too bad my handsome aggressor.” Rose said as she crouched at the edge of the pit and smiled sweetly at him. She sheathed her daggers and clenched her fist causing the sand to tighten back up and walked closer to him, putting her face so close to his that she could smell the oiled leather, scales and metal about him. “Because I don’t want to go with you.”

  Rose stepped away from him by backing up; she did not want to turn herself around, he seemed to be very resourceful. Hearing footsteps behind her she glanced back to find Nina and Leonidus both heading her way. Once they were both near she collapsed to the ground and breathed out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re here, I’m not sure I can hold him in there much longer.”

  “Not bad young apprentice, not bad at all. Remove your hand from your weapon and let it drop to the ground as you rise or I will blast the flesh from your bones where you stand.” Leonidus said as he regarded the armored man trapped in the sand. He inspected both the man’s armor and sword as he loosened the hold on Rose’s magic and forced the man to rise up out of the sand with a gesture. He watched as the captured assailant dropped his blade and shield obediently and spread his hands wide.

  “Your armor young knight, where did you get it?” Leonidus snapped as he got a full view of the man. He knew the armor to be the trappings of a dragon knight but the color was unfamiliar to him. “You are a dragon knight, why by the gods and dragons above are you attacking us?”

  “I am a Knight of the Black Scale, sworn to serve the descendants of the scale of darkness from birth. You are the enemy of my master, and therefore my enemy.” He stated matter-of-factly as he dropped his hands to his sides and regarded the old elf with a quizzical eye. “You are Leonidus of the Sunmane bloodline?”

  “That I am, though I must admit I have never heard of the Knights of the Black Scale before. Strip him of his armor and any other weapons and bind his hands tight.” He ordered a pair of elves that had joined the small group just a moment earlier. Leonidus lifted his arm and poised his palm out facing the knight. “Do not resist on pain of death.”

  “I am your captive, bested by she who was my quarry.” He stated simply as he allowed the elves to remove his breastplate and helm with a few well-concealed buckles. It felt odd that someone of his skill could be bested by a former slave but he had not counted on her being able to throw magic. While his hands were bound and he regarded the elves with a discerning eye. “Am I to be killed then?”

  “Of course not, what do you think we are, Animals?” Leonidus scoffed at him and waved a dismissive hand at the absurd thought. “You are our prisoner that is true enough.”

  “What of Premus then? We found his body in the ruins, torture me if you will but I won’t submit to such vulgarities.” The knight countered with a superior tone to his voice as he lifted his chin just a bit.

  “Premus was an exception to my fourth the rule, he raped and almost killed a student of mine years ago while he was under my tutelage. His escape was of course aided by your master I suspect but that human offal deserved every minute of agony I inflicted upon him. As a matter of fact, you have all but killed that same student just moments ago while under orders from your black-hearted master.” Leonidus indicated Barius with an outstretched hand as Noranda tended his wounds while obviously trying to keep herself together. It was painfully apparent that he wasn’t going to make it. “It took every ounce of my abilities to save him from the hand of death and yet again I find one of your despicable kind throwing your corrupt shadow upon my kin. I should make you an exception to the fourth rule as well.”

  “No!” Rose said suddenly, surprising herself just as much as everyone else around her by the protest. Unable to explain herself further she shrugged. “It wouldn’t be right to punish one who surrendered willingly after defeat.”

  “You are right Rose.” The old elf said as he strode away from them all and sighed hard. He left the
prisoner to the elves around him while he walked toward a wounded soldier and pulled an object from his robe.

  Rose watched him go and then looked back at the captive human and the elves on either side of him. She strode past them all toward Barius and Noranda. “I don’t know why I saved someone who wished to kill me moments earlier.”

  “I did not wish to kill you or you would be dead already.” His matter-of-fact tone sent shivers down her spine but at the same time it made her think. Rose made an effort not to look at him. As she approached the trio of elves she knelt before Barius, placing one hand on his arm. “I’m sorry Barius.”

  When he shook his head and tried to smile for her she felt a tear slide down her cheek and sniffed softly. The wound on his chest would be fatal if not tended but Leonidus had clearly branded it as impossible. She refused to let the brave elf die in her name. Closing her eyes Rose called upon her ability to absorb magic from her surroundings, focusing her draining ability on the watching knight specifically. With one hand stretched out toward him and the other on the chest of the dying elf that had attempted to shield her from the dark knight she began channeling everything she could into a healing spell.

  At first it was a slow trickle of energy but soon she felt a strong torrent flowing from the elves around her and specifically the man that had caused the wound itself. Rose gasped and opened her eyes as she fought to contain the sudden influx. Several of the standing elves around her fell to their knees and retched the contents of their stomachs onto the sand and Liostro cried out in pain as he crumpled to the ground with his two guards. Looking down at the wound she watched it knit and mend almost as quickly as it had occurred and with a great effort she stopped the flow of power and fell backwards to the ground, her vision spinning suddenly from the massive effort. She felt as if she had almost killed Liostro for her exertion, but she had stopped herself short. She didn’t like the feel of the energy gained in that manner and silently she vowed never gain the power she needed by draining someone to death. Those around her took a step back, including Nina who hadn’t felt the effects of the drain.

  Rose’s chest heaved with effort and she found herself unable to move until a familiar old face peered down at her. Leonidus regarded her with his wizened eyes for a moment and then nodded. “You have defined your fourth rule this day young naarabi. There will be very few exceptions to that rule but I approve.”

  She took her mentor’s offered hand and stood up with a bit of support from a newly healed Barius who was quite surprised that he had not joined his ancestors. Even more surprised were the elves around him. “Rose, you healed me.”

  “Gods and dragons.” Leonidus said reverently as he regarded Barius’s neck and face noticing the lack of scars from the old wounds. “Never have I seen such a feat of healing performed by a novice.”

  Liostro, watching from the ground found no voice to speak against such a powerful channeling of magic regardless of the fact that she had almost killed him. He watched Rose as she looked from the elves around her to him and held her eyes for just a moment. For the first time in his life he had questions about the motives of his master.

  ~~~~

  Carrying quite a few wounded had slowed them down considerably. As Rose gazed out of the flap of the thin tent she and Nina shared for shelter she began to wonder about herself. She felt that things were progressing too fast for her to comprehend. The introduction of her freedom and the introduction of magic were her foremost thoughts. The way that her life had changed was so drastic that she had problems believing that she wasn’t dreaming. Rose cast a fleeting gaze back at Nina who was sleeping on a raised cot made of animal skins and bone. The day she had met the elf-child her entire life had been thrown into a sand storm but she did not blame anyone but fate.

  A sigh escaped her lips and Rose strolled out of the tent to take a walk. Nina was safe here among her people so she felt confident in letting the girl sleep while she wandered around the relatively small camp. She found herself walking away from it all and it took her only a short time to clear the tents and small fires that the elves had erected. The perimeter of the camp was guarded by several elves. Barius, standing duty near her exit point, nodded a greeting to her as she strode by. She returned the gesture by blowing him a kiss and smiling.

  Rose didn’t want to wander far from the camp, she kept it in sight as she perched on a dune a short walk away from Barius’s post. They had picked a high spot in the desert to camp this night. Their tents were pitched among a small group of trees that existed around an oasis that looked as if it had seen better days. The undersized lake was obviously running lower than it had been in previous years and the water was not exactly as fresh as they would have liked but a bit of magic could fix that problem. The desert around them looked like a still, wavy blanket that had been flung out across a bed haphazardly.

  “I’m so confused.” She lamented to no one in particular as she regarded the sky and stars above her. Rose slipped her feet out of her shoes and used her foot to draw lines in the sand. “I find myself wondering if it was such a good idea to leave my simple life and venture out into the world.”

  Her thoughts drifted across the expanse of her mind and she found herself more often than not picturing the face of their captive. He intrigued her for some reason just as Nina had when Rose had first met the elf girl. Scolding herself silently she sighed and slipped her shoes back on. “I suppose that things aren’t supposed to make sense.”

  “Wise words from one so young.” A familiar voice said from behind her.

  Startled, Rose jumped and turned her head to find Leonidus standing not far from the seat she had chosen. The old man was a lot stealthier than he let on. She had learned that fact over their few lessons together. After calming herself she smiled and stood up. “They seem like futile words more than wise musings.”

  “They might be, but then again you are still young and you have much of life to experience.” He held out his hand for hers and motioned his head back toward the camp. “Walk with me Rose.”

  She took his offered hand and smiled as he tucked it under his arm. Rose followed him back toward the tents and trees obediently. His hand was slightly chilled but the familiar wrinkles were growing on her. For a short time she remained silent. “Was there something you needed?”

  “Yes, the knight Liostro.” Leonidus paused and looked over at her for a second then turned his gaze back toward the elf camp and trees. “Why did you stop me from punishing him?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” She replied after a moment of pondering.

  “I will tell you something now then that may ease your mind. This young knight is not all that he seems. He is shrouded in darkness and his motives seem to be steeped in evil but there is something more to him. I see a small spark of light within his soul that would have given me pause as well had I not been so blinded by anger.”

  Leonidus stopped suddenly and turned toward her, keeping her gaze silently for a moment. “You have formed a blood bond with Nina am I correct?”

  “Yes but how did you know?” Rose asked in a whisper, she was surprised to find out that he was aware of the pact itself let alone that she had sworn one with his granddaughter.

  “I know many things Rose. I feel that you, Nina and this Liostro are all linked together in some way. The future is uncertain so I cannot tell you much more than that but I believe there is something good inside this man if only we can bring it out of him. I think the fate of our world depends on you three. His face appears in what little I can see of the future.” Leonidus waved her curious gaze away and started off again. “You will begin seeing bits and pieces of the future eventually. It seems to come with the territory of being a sage.”

  “I would not classify myself as a sage; I’m barely able to hold spells!” She said in a now-frustrated growl aimed at herself.

  “Sages are defined by their wisdom and in any case their ability to comprehend the events around them. It also helps if you have access to al
l three forms of magic.” He patted her hand and led her back to her tent, releasing her arm once they were near the flap. “Talk to him Rose, maybe he will open up to someone profoundly prettier than myself.”

  She giggled at him and entered the tent after bidding him good night. Rose knew it couldn’t hurt to at least speak to Liostro and find out what his part in the tapestry was. Maybe the odd events of late were all building up to something that could not be seen because it was not fully defined. Knowing she would not be able to sleep anyway she left the tent yet again and headed for the copse Liostro was being held in. Once she reached the perimeter she walked over to the guard. His name was Illandius she knew that much but not much more. “I know we have orders not to go near the prisoner but I’d like to speak to him.”

  “The revered father informed me that you and only you are authorized to speak to him.” The tall elf replied as he indicated Liostro, who was tied to a tree. With one hand he pushed a few strands of his blonde hair out of his green eyes and smiled at Rose. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

  Rose inclined her head slightly and strode past him toward the slumped prisoner. She exhaled and sat down on a nearby fallen tree. He was obviously sleeping even in the uncomfortable circumstances. His arms were tied behind him around a tree and his feet were bound together at the ankles.

  “It is rude to stare I’m told.” Liostro said suddenly and looked up at Rose, amusement dancing on his fine features. “So, my surprising naarabi, what is it that a fallen knight can do for you?”

  “Is Liostro your only name?” She was unaware how to start her true line of questioning so she dodged the harder inquiries as best she could for now.