by Daniel White
Jon turned back to them, uncrossing his hands. “Have your weapons ready, friends. This will likely get messy.”
The pirate begged their attention once more. “Now, I hope you ain’t thinkin’ of doin’ nothin’ rash.” He stowed the staff away on his horse. “We been only kind to ya thus far. We were hopin’ to avoid trouble.”
Télia trotted forward. “You were hoping to avoid trouble? You’ve stolen something from us! How is that avoiding trouble?!” There were deathly notes in her voice.
The pirate chuckled. “Like we said, lass, we were just intendin’ on maintainin’ some kinda order. You take from us, we take from you.”
“But the ruins aren’t yours!” she cried. “They belong to nobody!”
“Nothin’ is nobodies, lass.” He mounted his horse. “Now, you ‘nd ya friends oughta hurry along before we change our minds ‘bout bein’ friendly ‘bout all this.” His tone was more sinister now.
“I’m afraid we won’t be hurrying along,” said Jon firmly. “The staff shall be returned to me now.”
The pirate glanced round at his crew. “Oh, will it? Well come ‘nd get it, then. But I ‘ope you realise you be well outnumbered, ‘nd you ain’t got no good power in ya without ya staff in ya hand, so just what ya gonna do? Come any closer and we’ll end all of ya!”
The pirates raised armed bows. Immediately, the aera’s crossbows were in hand, aiming straight back at them. Aldrick and Kaal hurried to ready their own.
“Now might be a good time to wish we had shields,” Sinin muttered grimly.
Jon raised a hand, signalling for them to hold.
The pirate sniggered. “Ya not seriously considerin’ fightin’, are ya? What can one single magic maker ‘nd ‘is band of misfits do ‘gainst us ‘nd all our arrows?”
“We’ll see,” Jon said quietly. Without turning his head he addressed Aldrick. “Aldrick, my boy, if you see him signal to fire, help me create a warding wall in front of us.”
Aldrick was confused. “A warding wall?”
“Yes, as I have taught you, by manipulating gravity. Help me shield us from their arrows.”
“I’ll try.”
“Try hard,” muttered Sinin.
“Just remember your training,” Jon said calmly. He remained composed.
Aldrick was anything but. This was some serious responsibility he had been given.
Télia glanced at Jon. “Perhaps we should retreat. This is dangerous and unnecessary.”
Jon shook his head. “They will not have the staff.”
Télia grumbled. Aldrick approved of her bid for a passive resolution.
The pirate rested his arms across the neck of his horse.
“Ya know—” He paused to yawn. “I’ve suddenly found m’self growin’ tired of you lot. I’m thinkin’ we oughta just clear ya out of our path ‘nd see what else valuable ‘nd usable ya have on ya. If that young lass happens to survive, ‘nd even if she don’t for that matt’r, I’ll put her to some fine use.”
Aldrick could make out a smirk ripe across the pirate’s filthy face. He was enraged. It was almost worse than that night at Jon’s—overpowering. He would end the loathsome brute! No one the likes of him would come within an arm’s reach of Télia! In a flash Aldrick drew his arrow and without a thought it became fire. He released it for the pirate. With fatal speed it struck his chest and sent him somersaulting backwards into his crew. For a moment they were in shock, and then they retaliated. A flurry of arrows were returned. Aldrick waved his hand and they were deflected into the grass.
“Fire!” yelled Jon.
Arrows now flew from Kaal’s and the aera’s bows. A number of the pirates fell from their horses. More arrows came at them. Aldrick deflected them again. More pirates fell. A remaining few turned and fled. Victory was theirs!
Jon trotted to where the pirate captain’s horse reared wildly amid the fallen bodies. He came alongside it and retrieved his staff from a saddle bag. Aldrick and the others approached.
Looking down at the bodies, Aldrick felt strangely hollow. He didn’t feel for any of these men. They had all gotten what was coming to them, especially the captain. They were worthless pirates. Their lives held little importance to him. They had stood in the way of more pressing concerns. He looked at his brother. Kaal appeared much more distraught. His face was white. His bow was still clenched in his fist. Aldrick realised that this was the first time Kaal had witnessed death, let alone shared in the dealing of it. Seeing him this way made Aldrick guilty of his own seemingly untroubled conscience. Maybe it was nerves that had stolen his emotion, for now a sickening feeling began to seep through him. These people lay dead! They were gone from this world, never to return. Had they all embodied black souls, or had they simply sought to avenge their leader?
Sinin had been examining the bodies. He stood and sighed. “Well, looks like that’s the end of them.”
“Not quite.” Aru was standing over one that lay a little way from the rest. She stooped and ran a blade into the man’s chest. There was a stifled grunt and then silence.
For a while no one spoke. Aldrick trotted back a short distance to where Télia sat on her mare, staring away across the hills. Kaal followed.
She looked across at him. Her face was tender.
“There are times when I see death as the end of hope,” she said solemnly. A tear fell from one of her eyes. “It is always so unnecessary.” She turned her face away.
Aldrick understood now that she had been equally as affected by the deaths of the men in the coastal inn, but had hidden it in an attempt to comfort him. This time it was too much. Suddenly he felt more deeply for her than ever before. He wanted to console her—see her tears gone and her heart warmed. He had no idea how to achieve this so he simply rested a hand on her shoulder.
Kaal was silent at his side, staring out into the distance as Télia had been.
“Are you all right?” Aldrick asked.
Kaal nodded faintly.
Jon came to them.
“It is time to move on,” he said. There was a tone of softness and understanding in his voice. “We should reach Old Capital Road by noon.”
“That is where you leave us,” Aldrick said cheerlessly.
“Yes. I must reach Galdrem and assist the Synod.”
Télia turned and faced Jon head on.
“Jon, why?” she asked forcefully. “Why was the staff so important?”
Jon looked down.
“I…” he began. “I need it.”
“So you would risk all of our lives for it?”
“No.” Jon looked up at her earnestly. “No, there was little risk. I offered Aldrick the opportunity to further realise his wielding abilities. Without his competence, all of us are doomed. There is little doubt of that.”
Télia glared at him then rode away.
Aldrick repeated Jon’s words in his head.
“You wanted me to further realise my abilities?” he asked.
Jon nodded. “I did not foresee your temper besting you the way it did, but yes, I wanted you to practise wielding under pressure and danger. You were outstanding.”
Aldrick didn’t feel like he had done anything outstanding. In fact, wielding had been fairly effortless in those moments. Perhaps that was exactly what Jon had wanted. It could only be a good thing—wielding was beginning to feel more natural. He was more in touch with his storm, more confident in himself. Taking life was not something he wanted to ever feel natural, though. He hoped never to have to do it again, but knew well that he would. It was why he was here.
11
BLACKBED
The grass was no longer green. Instead, it was pale yellow and dry. In many places none grew at all and the surface of the earth was left dry and cracked. The borders of Old Capital Road were difficult to distinguish. Only the faint and infrequent marks of carriage wheels hinted at its path. Clearly the road had received little traffic in recent years. Aldrick supposed this was because few were comfortable
treading so close to the Blackbed Plains. He could sense them looming just beyond a ridgeline to the northeast. Over the ridge, an eerie silence seeped that boded evil.
“Your path lies that way,” told Jon, pointing in that exact direction. He was sitting on his mare, facing them, soon to go his own way. It had been only hours since they encountered the thieving pirates and Aldrick wished for more time with him before continuing into more treacherous territory.
“Surely we need not all venture into Blackbed,” said Aru. “Four of us following one young wielder on a doubtful expedition to find an elusive stone seems rather rash. I propose you have company on your journey to Galdrem, Jon.”
Aldrick found himself agreeing with her. “Yes, I don’t need all of you following me around.” He looked at Jon. “You should have your own protection.”
“Perhaps,” Jon said tentatively.
“So who is it to be?” asked Sinin.
Aru turned to him. “You,” she stated.
Sinin raised his eyebrows. “Me? Why me?”
“Télia and Kaal belong at Aldrick’s side. That is clear. I have wandered through those cursed plains before. I even stepped foot into Fort Blackbed many years ago. I can offer them invaluable guidance. You are the one remaining with great skill in combat. You will prove an asset to Jon.”
Sinin appeared downcast. “What of my contract? I am bound to serve as aera to Al.”
“Given the circumstances I think you ought not to worry about that.”
“She is right, Sinin. You should go with Jon,” agreed Télia. “Return home.”
Sinin heaved a sigh. “Very well.” He trotted to Jon’s side. “It looks as though we ride together, friend.”
“So be it.” Jon turned and trotted a short way, distancing himself from the others, then beckoned to Aldrick.
Aldrick went, uncertainty gripping his stomach.
Jon looked upon him warmly. “My boy, this is where we go our separate ways. You are in good hands. I wish you the very best and hope to see you again very soon.”
He found no comfort in these words. “Jon, what if I cannot find the Halfstone? What if I cannot find a way?”
Jon was silent for a moment, and then he spoke gravely. “If you cannot find the stone you must run, Aldrick. Take those you hold dear under your wing and flee from these lands. I would not have you face the wrath of Malath without the advantage the stone offers at hand. It is crucial. Your odds without it are but fleeting and infinitesimal.”
“But I could still help,” Aldrick insisted. “There is more to worry about than Malath. There is a dragon. Everyone able to fight must fight if there is to be any hope—”
“No!” cried Jon. “Promise me you will not venture on without the stone… promise me, Aldrick!” There was a wild fear in his eyes.
Aldrick’s kneejerk reaction was frustration. Jon would not make decisions for him! Yet he knew there was little point in arguing. He sighed. “I promise.”
Jon’s face lightened.
“Good,” he said cheerily. “Now, I must be going. Remember your training, Aldrick. Remember all you have learnt and don’t hesitate to practise wielding when opportunity arises… and don’t ever let your guard down.”
Aldrick nodded. “Farewell, Jon.”
Jon hailed Sinin and raised a parting hand to the others. When Sinin was at his side they set off together.
“I’ll see you lot soon,” Sinin shouted over his shoulder.
Aldrick and the others watched the two galloping away. Their figures shimmered behind an ocean of heat waves before finally melting into the horizon.
“There is no need to linger,” said Aru, turning away. “Let us be off.”
With her at the lead, they began to journey up the ridge and in short time were looking upon the vast barren land of the Blackbed Plains. Aldrick recalled Jon’s words ‘You will know that place when you see it’. The land was empty and dark. Vast areas of the ground were covered in some kind of deep black moss, or perhaps it was brittle grass, he couldn’t tell. Whatever the plant was, it shrouded the earth like mats of starless night sky. It was almost as though all light that touched it was devoured. Aru, seemingly undaunted, did not hesitate before continuing down a steady slope to its outer reaches.
“Do not be stupid and try touching this stuff,” she cautioned. “It is very poisonous. You need not fear for your mounts. Their hooves are tough.”
“Well this place is just lovely,” remarked Kaal sarcastically. He pointed to a random area of the blackness. “I can see it now. My house will be there. My children will have a play area out the back. The cattle will graze the nearby vegetation.”
Aldrick and Télia chuckled heartily.
They picked up their pace. Aru retained the lead, never looking back. For hours they rode across the deathly darkness. They came upon some raised plateau-like formations on which the plant did not grow but wove between these without pausing. It wasn’t until Télia called out to Aru after sundown that they finally drew to a halt.
“We must rest the horses,” she insisted.
Aru turned, her lip twisted. “Very well, but do not dismount.”
Télia let out a gasp of exasperation. “We could at least stretch our legs.”
“No. It is possible ka-zchen are close by. They will be drawn to Aldrick’s storm. We must remain mounted and aware. We will travel for much of the night. In fact, now would be a good time to check that your weapons are at the ready.”
Télia crossed her arms. “When shall we rest then?”
“If you must, ride with your eyes closed,” snapped Aru. “Just pray you do not suddenly feel a ka-zchen’s fangs around your chest.”
Télia looked liverish but said nothing. They were idle only minutes, using the time to eat and to drink fresh water that they had taken from the River Jewel earlier in the day. Aldrick had dried meats that Sinin gave him after looting the pirate’s supplies but was somewhat opposed to the idea of eating a dead man’s meal.
When they made way, they travelled at a slower pace. The western horizon steadily dimmed and they were soon between two blankets of darkness. Fortunately, the clouds were thin and a near full-faced Solemn had crept over the eastern horizon. The moon’s pale light was just enough for them to distinguish one another’s figures. Lighting torches wasn’t an option—it would surrender their position to anyone or anything within a hundred leagues.
They continued on in silence. The only sound to be heard was the steady drumming of horses’ hooves upon the venomous terrain. With so little to see or hear, it almost felt as though they were drifting through nothingness—a vacant dreamscape. It was weird and disconcerting.
Judging by the position of Solemn, it was around midnight when Aru finally signalled for them to stop. They were alongside another small plateau.
“We will rest here for a while upon the rock,” she said. “The fort is not far away. If we stray too close in the dark we risk alerting ka-zchen guardians. Any that are there will withdraw before dawn.”
Aldrick squinted ahead of them. He could barely make out the faint silhouette of a mountain in the distance. The fort was there, somewhere. As his eyes adjusted to the distance he was certain he glimpsed a twinkling speck of light.
“Someone’s there!”
“It is to be expected,” Aru said nonchalantly. “Malath would not have left the fort unoccupied. This was never going to be a simple matter of walking in and out again. For all we know, there is a warding enchantment placed over it.”
Aldrick recalled Jon’s use of the word ‘enchantment’ when he had told of the Shard of Heart’s Storm’s holding chamber.
“How exactly do warding enchantments work?” he asked.
“Quite simply—they are warding walls, only the wielder’s storm is sustained within the orb on their staff rather than by way of their tireless focus.”
“Wait, so…” He stopped, sensing Aru’s apathy for questions. She was not a willing teacher, as Jon was.
&nb
sp; “I will sleep first,” she said, dismounting onto the rock. “Télia, take first guard.”
Télia said nothing. She tetchily pulled her crossbow from her saddlebag and took up position a short distance away.
Aldrick, Kaal and Aru were soon lying upon the flat surface of the rock. It was painfully solid, even with what bedding they had brought. Sleep was elusive. Aldrick’s mind dwelled on many bizarre and disturbing things, not allowing him any peace.
After no less than two hours of discomfort, he heard Aru rise and tell Télia to get some rest. She came and quietly settled herself beside him. Another hour slowly passed. Although Télia did not stir, Aldrick knew she was not sleeping; her heart beat rapidly. She likely anticipated their arrival at the fort. He feared for her. No doubt they would soon confront powerful evil. He wanted her to be safe. It was his responsibility to protect her, as much as it was hers to protect him. He could wield. He could shield her, fight for her. He would!
In the dark he felt her warm hand meet his. She tightened her delicate fingers around it and held firmly. Cool shivers washed through his body, dissolving all thought of the trials ahead. This was where he belonged—right here with her. Butterflies fluttered beneath his chest. He swallowed as quietly as he could, then softly stroked her hand with his thumb. Immediately, he felt foolish for his thumb was trembling. It was like he was sixteen again. Come on, Aldrick. Pull yourself together.
Their hands did not part for some time. He wished that they were alone together, in another place, under lighter circumstances, but would they ever have met had it not been for the reasons they did? No, probably not. This unfinished journey was the only one in which their paths crossed.
Aru had been sitting at the edge of the rock facing the direction of the fort, listening for any disturbance in the enveloping shadows.
“It is time for us to go,” she said, rising to her feet all of a sudden.
Aldrick lifted his head and saw the first hint of dawn in the east. Télia withdrew her hand and stood up. She said nothing. He noticed the shape of her crossbow in her other hand. She had been on guard the whole time.
Kaal stirred. “Hell, can we not wait ‘til sunup?”