Surface World 2

by Ed Montalvo

  “You look glum,” Rem added.

  “Oh, I am fine. I was thinking of my family. I miss them….” Seeker wondered why Tatiana lied. Rem continued talking with her, when Dregous froze.

  “Uh oh,” Rem received a shush from Tatiana. Seeker dropped her cleaning rag and reaffirm her sword.

  Tatiana looked between Seeker and Dregous. She followed her lead and readied her blade. Rem followed suit. Tuke calmly kissed his holy symbol and held his mace securely as he whispered a prayer.

  Seeker whispered, “We have company….”

  Dregous hopped to his knees, “Rem behind you!” and cast a protection on himself.

  “Them again!” Rem grabbed the goblins wrist keeping it from striking him, and hacked into its upper ribs. It garbled blood when a second thrusted its spear grazing a previous wound. He pinned the spear against the tree, “Where did they come from?”

  Tatiana leaped over the fire to help him when a goblin intercepted her by throwing his spear, cutting into her upper inner thigh. She grimaced, and wing flicked his face, grasped the spear and hacked the shaft off. A second rushed at her with a short sword. The princess tried to ready herself when a dagger appeared in side of his neck and another in his ribs.

  “How bad?” Seeker asked.

  “Enough.”

  Rem shouted as another goblins’ short sword struck his ribs. It didn’t cut through his armor though knocked the wind from him.

  Tuke prayed aloud as he aided Rem, “Fear the host of light oh lost souls, for heaven shall rein eternal illumination upon you,” he crowned the goblin. Rem kicked the pinned goblins groin, and repeatedly punched its head. It dropped.

  Another thrusted at Tatiana, she barely parried. Seeker kicked another’s crotch. It managed his weapon into the slit of her armor. She returned the thrust into its belly as another goblin clubbed her shoulder. Rem extended his blade into its side.

  A rare moment to assess the situation before casting. More goblins massed into camp and another group from the woods. He swore he heard the witch’s laughter in the distance, beckoning him to dance with her as death played his tune. Outnumbered, Dregous calculated to summon the mist. He shouted for the others to shield themselves. Tatiana was the first and ordered them to follow suit. He uttered the command word and watched in horror as the ghostly mist rapidly hissed towards the unsuspecting creatures.

  Rem dropped and used a dead goblin as a shield when another attacked him. A loud horrible hiss stole the goblin’s attention.

  The hairs on Tatiana's nape stood when she heard the roar. Tuke scurried, pulling Seeker behind a tree. The horrible sound was deafening. He has never seen anything like it. Before his eyes the mist swallowed everything. “Great heavens,” he shielded Seeker then felt the heat. She peeked from under his arm. The roaring steam blanketed everything in its path like a wild beast in a feeding frenzy.

  Panicked goblins ran, others ran into the steam. Tuke, Rem and Seeker saw them emerge. Some fell to their knees stunned, others died on their feet then fell.

  The steam left an eerie silence in its wake. Moisture dripped from withered leaves. Nightmarish images returned to Dregous as the symphonies of wails slowly rose.

  Rem gutted one of five goblins horrified by the mist. As it fell, his attention was passed him. He followed the dying creatures’ gaze. On a mound stood Dregous with an aura of gloom, like a hazy night as the waning moonlight bathed him. His aluminous white hair and eyes like star light against the night sky was menacing. For an instant, time stilled, savoring the disquieting moment. The goblins glanced back as they retreated.

  Many were dead when Dregous noticed a fiery orb in the distant dark sky. Hundreds of eyes were coming. The orb advanced rapidly. An inferno spell, he realized. Upon impact, it would ignite into a firestorm consuming thousands of square meters, dwarfing the power of his wand. “Great hells!” he whispered. The others peered from there humanoid shield as they followed his gaze.

  “Dregous, what is it?” Rem asked.

  Seeker knew of this level of magic. “This is bad…,” she struggled to stand.

  “I have you,” Tuke held her, “What is bad?”

  “Run!” Dregous shouted.

  “Why?” Tatiana grimaced as she leaned against a tree.

  The prince pulled her arm over his shoulder, “There are far more frightening powers than my wand,” he forced her to move. “Run!” he shouted over his shoulder.

  The camp grew brighter as the fireball arced above. “Dregous, what the hell is that?” Rem started running.

  Chapter 3

  Reincarnation, your acceptance matters little. Fact, it exists. We are granted the ability to excel, but to what, you ask? The great force in the universe granted us the power to review our existence and learn from it, if necessary, repeatedly….

  Hidden notes of the clergy

  “An inferno! shield yourself with a blanket.” Rem did as instructed. The thought of burning alive fueled his flight. Tatiana couldn’t run, “Here,” Dregous sat her behind a large sycamore tree. The inferno impacted a sapling and exploded.

  The wall of fire engulfed everything in its path. The goblin screeches were drowned by the roaring firewall. Dregous positioned himself between her legs and used his mother’s cloak to shield them, “Tuck your feet up,” and hoped it would protect them as he pinned the hemming under her boots. He got closer, his lips brushed her cheeks. Her scent filled his senses.

  “The wound needs pressure,” she whispered. He breathed softly. Tatiana closed her eyes. Burned alive…, Ukko protect us! she prayed.

  “I will tend it, lift your shoulders,” he slipped his cloak edges under, and the hood over her head. “Do not move Angel,” she nodded nervously. Enclosed places put her in a state of near hysteria. Had it not been for Dregous being with her, she would have panicked.

  Dregous unfastened her thigh plating, then used a spider silk cloth from his cloak as he applied pressure on the wound. His heart throbbed from the firmness of her thigh when the sudden heat swallowed them.

  The radiation passed through his cloak and tunic. Tatiana felt the sting. The noise and pain of the fire invoked the witch’s visions. He heard her whisper, ‘You will suffer for her, but never will she be yours!’ “Fa wtek geff geh aga ceche aga,” he whispered.

  The princess heard him as he trembled. She pulled him against her and used her forearms to ease the cloak from him. He groaned softly and rested on her cool armor. “Dregous…?” she whispered into his ear. He laid motionless. “Oh Ukko,” her voice trembled as he toppled over taking the cloak with him. Remnants of the flames singed her hair. She was in the open and was stunned. The camp was gone, along with some of the surrounding woods. Patches of fire and smoke surrounded them. Tatiana leaned over Dregous, holding her breath when she felt him exhale. She sighed with relief.

  “An Ayrian… a most pleasant surprise,” said a male’s voice with wonder.

  Tatiana whirled drawing her sword in his direction, “If you are not friend you are foe.”

  “I think not my dear Ayrian,” the footfalls came closer, “Who do you think summoned the fire storm?” The smoke slowly cleared, a middle age, thin tall human leaned against a tree with damp clothing. His face and hand blistered. A blood blister forced his left eye closed stretching across his nose and lips. He studied her. Tatiana wished she had a bow and arrow.

  Dregous heard talking and discretely reached for his wand and noted marring. He replaced it in his robes, “Leave him to me Angel,” he stood.

  “You live,” he mused. “Who is to say I would not invoke another to finish you.”

  “Dregous…?” Tatiana stepped aside.

  “Are you immune?” Dregous taunted.

  He scowled, “You are not the first Drouwen I have slain fiend,” he began casting.

  “Hide,” Dregous’s grease cast was quicker. It stained the mages torso, followed by another quick cast. He clasped his hands together too hard, stinging his palms, extended his index fingers poi
nting at the lubricant as a stream of fire sprung out, igniting it. The mage screamed ruining his spell as he slapped the flames licking his blistered face. He threw himself on the ground smothering it against what was left of the grass and earth. Dregous targeted his head with magical missiles and repeated the cast. The human couldn’t recover from the on slot, when his last cast stilled him. The Dark Elf approached, sensed danger and recast the missile spell.

  The human mage started his cast when a missile struck his mouth, pushing his head back. The prince quickly unsheathed his long dagger, burying it in his opponent’s chest. Cartilage crunched as he rocked the blade. It was his first duel and didn’t expect such a graphic display of barbarism. He imagined a more elegant contest.

  The Ducal heir shocked the princess as she limped to him. His face mimicked hers and released his weapon, “What have I done?”

  She knelt beside him, “You defended yourself,” she answered softly, “…and protected me.”

  Dregous didn’t want the dagger but felt the witch’s gentle laughter to reclaim it. The cries of thousands rang his head. He closed his eyes as he reluctantly pulled it free and sheathed it. The prince hated himself and prayed he could find a way out.

  ***

  “It is too silent,” magistrate Ceron lightly vented. His servant remained still. “You must find Lord Verel,” he said politely.

  “Aye, your grace,” bowed and exited the dimly lit chamber.

  “With haste my friend, time draws thin,” Ceron informed. His servant rushed through a concealed door beside the fireplace. Lankos confirmed the coming blockade but no word since. The magistrate paced in front of his desk holding the scroll wondering what happened. He despised the man because of his arrogance.

  He reread the message, ‘Lord Verel, the units are ready for your glorious retribution against the corrupt order. We shall cut off Riverdale at nightfall by week’s end exulted one. The war machines have been deployed and hidden. All that remains is the infantry placement.

  Moments later a tall figure entered the main door. “Have you word?” said a charismatic voice pulling the hood exposing a ruggedly handsome human with long black hair graying at the temples and bright bold blue eyes against fair skin. A thin black beard and mustache sported his strong features. He tossed his cloak on a chair by the main door as he passed the threshold. His overwhelming presence always pushed Ceron back.

  The magistrate masked his surprise, “Of course my Lord,” and handed him the letter. “Please sit,” he offered. “…A drink perhaps?”

  He ignored him and read…, “Is this all?”

  “As I received my lord,” Ceron gently raised a finger, “Also, my sources state, no advancements as of late.”

  Verel pondered silently, “Very well….”

  “If it is not too presumptuous exalted one, I would like to ask for this town, since your need is only vengeance against the order and I have asked for nothing,” Ceron ventured.

  “I am aware. Your affections for the corrupt order does not equal mine, however…,” he gazed at the floor intently, pondering the request with a creased brow. “The town is yours.” The magistrate was about to speak, Verel continued. “I shall keep the other,” he tossed the message on the desk.

  Ceron cringed inwardly, “Bless your boundless generosity my lord,” he took the message and held it to the candle. “I will tend this,” he smiled. “If I may great Knight, I pray you considered the people?” Verel regarded him sternly as he grabbed his disguise and fastened it. Ceron continued, “What benefit in governing a town with no one to govern? Surely your benevolence can see the people are innocent….”

  “I shall contact you shortly,” he strolled to the door, paused at the threshold, “The people will be spared,” he exited.

  Ceron hesitated after closing the door and stepped to the window. He plainly gazed at the night sky trying to still his aching heart. Verel intends to slaughter everyone. “Heavens, how to fix this…,” he whispered, “How can I save my people…? Dear gods… guide me. Assist me anyway you deem fit, just help me save them, I beg you.” Sorrow filled him. He has fallen in love with the people over the years since he stole this position.

  ***

  Tatiana searched for the others as Dregous salvaged what he could from their camp. More than half their supplies were destroyed. He took a moment to inspect his wand. It was an attractive design and rubbed it clean. To his surprise, it was undamaged, only soot. He understood his father’s lesson. Rely on nothing but yourself.

  Dregous heard Tatiana calling the others in the distance. Sharing his thoughts with the princess regarding the duel, he knew well was reserved for his wife. Opening himself to her was an overwhelming desire. He searched the mage and recovered a black cloak, a headband tucked under his hat and a spell book. The book’s sigil resembled the academy’s, except it had an L running through the middle. He wondered if the mage was an academy associate. This mage could have won this from a member, Dregous thought, when he heard something behind him and whirled with his wand.

  “Easy, easy…, it is us,” Tuke assisted Seeker, “Only us.”

  “Forgive me, I am edged.”

  “Understandable…, we witnessed…. Who was that?”

  “He confessed only his attack.”

  Seeker knew the mage was at least sixth grade to cast the inferno. Her information regarded the Prince as second, maybe third grade. “You defeated him?”

  “You sound surprised,” Dregous noted.

  “I meant no…” she started.

  Dregous cut in, “None taken,” as he thumbed through the new book. It contained an impressive list. Many were beyond his grade.

  ***

  “Where in Ukko’s name did they go?” Tatiana was certain Rem headed this direction. The thought that Dregous shielded her from the inferno was mind-numbing. The surrounding chard woods calmed her elation. There was little left. She heard footsteps then nothing and drew her sword when Rem stepped out from behind a tree. She leaped back ready to fight.

  “Nice jump,” Rem smirked.

  “You ass!” she snapped. “Did you not hear my calls?”

  He shushed her, “Keep it down, there may be more out there,” and added. “Truly that was not intentional. Though, it is not amusing when it happens to you, huh.”

  She scanned the area, “You are still an ass,” she whispered. “I said it was unintentional,” she sheathed her blade. “Have you seen Tuke or Angelique?”

  His tone somber, “No, the last thing I saw was the fire wall on my ass.”

  Tatiana grinned, “Let us hurry back, Dregous is alone and injured,” she urged. Rem gently grabbed her arm, pulled her in then hugged her. Surprised, she returned the hug. Her gentle nature didn’t allow her to pull away. “Are you well?” and pressed her cheek against his.

  He nodded as he stood back unable to look at the princess, “I thought you all dead.” The pain of losing his brother and friends returned forcefully.

  “How did you escape the fire?” Tatiana guessed his reaction was due to his fallen party.

  He smiled dryly. “When Dregous shouted run, I just ran….” He chuckled to keep his voice from breaking. “I am please you two survived,” he noticed her missing plate and blooded bandage. “Here, let me tend that.” She put her foot on a stump as he crouched. He grabbed snow, “This will sting some.” and rubbed the wound clean. The cold restricted the bleeding. Tatiana gasped from the sting and cold. He refastened the spider silk cloth firmly. “How bad is Dregous? And how did you two survive?”

  She grimaced, “Not bad, but enough,” and explained how his cloak save them, though she was more concerned with his mental state after killing the mage. When Rem was done he aided her back to camp.

  He was surprised Dregous didn’t take killing lightly and that it affected him. The tracker was stunned when he saw the devastation. The shrubbery was gone, all that remained were the large trees, patches of smoke and smolder. “His cloak shielded you…?”


  Tuke rubbed Angelique’s bare shoulder while chanting as they approached. “Where is Dregous?” Tatiana asked.

  Seeker pointed. Rem tugged her arm pointing towards a cluster of scorched trees. “He has been like that for a while,” she winced from Tuke’s nursing.

  Tatiana stepped passed the cluster. Dregous was floating cross legged, a meter in the air, “By Ukko’s beard,” she muttered.

  “Dreg, what the…?” Remmon looked between Seeker and Tatiana.

  “I did not know he could do that,” she limped closer. “Dregous?” she called gently.

  He landed on his feet, looked at them and smirked. “A most excellent…,” and noticed the dressing redone, “Did the bleeding restart?” he asked as Rem took Tatiana’s arm.

  “Rem mended it.”

  Tuke finished with Seeker, “There, you will be sore for a while.” He looked at the princess, “Come, allow me,” he motioned.

  “My gratitude,” Seeker refastened her under layer and armor with Tuke’s help. The Empire was mistaken, he may yet succeed his father, she thought. Her long-standing dream of restoring her house may come to fruition.

  “I thought you said he was injured,” Rem whispered.

  “He was when I left,” Tatiana replied gently.

  “The mage had healing potions.” They looked at him silently. The princess sat with Rem’s aid. Tuke summoned the divine curing while exposing her wound.

  They gathered their remaining supplies and traveled the rest of the night to the mountain base. The lack of trees to shield against the wind made the fall feel like Winter. They melted snow and filled the surviving water skins.

  They struck camp, after which Dregous studied the diary. Seeker announced she would scout the area. Tatiana warned against going far as she pressed her thighs and belly against Dregous. He welcomed her warmth, not her distraction. He sighed and continued studying. “Are you cold?” she whispered.

  “A little,” he wanted to confess he was freezing. She responded by pressing against him. He sighed.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No Angel, I thought to rest.”