“I had not thought of this. The citizens of Sangwa. They will be victims in this.”
“You just thought of them?” Obin laughed. “You still have much to learn young king. When you wage war, you must protect your people. If you cannot do that, then what are you fighting the war for?” They withdrew to the main street leading up to the docks, where the fighting continued.
“Do not worry. We will protect them with our lives, you and me. You brought death to our lands and I will not have it take over.”
Davydd nodded in agreement and turned to Max.
“Make sure neither the pirates nor the Angweletheans are attacking the innocents. Do what you have to, to assist Beathaleth’s soldiers.”
“At once.” Max said and was gone.
Davydd glanced around, looking for Ivan or Sidion. He could not spot them and to add to his frustration, he could not break his focus from the battle for long, as he was being attacked intermittently. Davydd warded off another attack, and his gaze shifted to Ivan’s ship. He could make out the silhouette of the boat taking Ivan, Kazan and Horius back to the pirate king’s ship. He fought his way through some more Angwelethean soldiers and Ivan’s pirates, as he made his way back to the docks.
“Davydd!” Baximus called. “We cannot advance! If you go alone...”
“Aid me when you can.” And with that, Davydd was off towards Sidion’s boat. A pirate slashed down at him, but Davydd had moved forward just in time to avoid being cut vertically in half. He then jumped over his attacker’s low swipe meant to take off his legs from the ankle downwards. The pirate now made an attempt to cut Davydd’s mid-section, but was countered as Davydd swung Balek’s great sword to meet the pirates. Balek’s sword broke through the pirates and the swing continued through slicing the surprised pirate through the chest and exiting through his back and shoulder. Davydd flipped over another pirate who had run over to aid his falling comrade. Before the pirate could regain his sense of direction or turn around, he had been cut down as well. Davydd boarded Sidion’s boat and paddled as fast as he could towards Ivan’s ship. As he paddled, he looked back at Sangwa. It was now in flames and even though it slowly receded from him, he could still hear the screams and cries of men, women and children caught between the three warring sides. His heart ached as he thought of all the life lost. Davydd shook his head. He needed to focus. Since meeting his mother, he had realized why every death, including those of his enemies seemed to strike him like a knife. It went against his very nature. Davydd continued to paddle towards the looming specter of Ivan’s ship. The gauntlet was somewhere on that ship. He could feel it.
Max cut down yet another pirate. The wounded man struggled to get up but was finally put to his end by Max’s dagger. Max looked up at the little children huddled together in a corner, staring at him in wide eyed horror. He could only begin to fathom how this night would change their lives. A similar night had changed his after all. As such, he could understand their fear and he knew that right now, even he could not appear as a friend or source of comfort to them. Hence, he approached them with caution, making sure not to scare them.
“It’s okay.” He said as he approached them. The children huddled together tightly. “It’s okay.” Max repeated. “I will not harm you.”
“But you... you harmed that... man.” One of the little ones said.
Max looked back at the dead pirate.
“I didn’t want to. But I also didn’t want you to come to harm, and you will if you stay here. So... come with me. Let me lead you somewhere safe.”
Max had gotten close enough to reach out his hand to them. The oldest of the children slowly reached out and grabbed Max’s hand. Max nodded reassuringly and motioned for the other children to do the same. Once the last child had interlocked hands, a portal enveloped them and they were gone.
On a high rooftop, Matilom and Vannera stood and surveyed the streets below. The town was in chaos. Plumes of smoke arose, swelling as they got higher into the atmosphere. Vannera coughed.
“Shall we move?” Matilom said.
“No I’m fine.” Vannera responded. “This is the best area to keep watch over them. If I am to move, then it is to help them.” She looked at Matilom.
“We stay here then. I will protect you as best I can, while you maintain your prayers to Lady Lynda. Where is Davydd now?”
“On Ivan’s ship.” Vannera said. Her eyes were fixed on Davydd’s aura as he navigated his way through the ship. She could see it swirl and move whenever he was drawn into a fight. So far, she had no cause to worry.
“Vannera...” Matilom called out. She looked behind him and saw that he was struggling to prevent his neck from being slit by an Angwelethean soldier. She recognized him. He was the one who had punched Davydd in the misty forest. Matilom had his hand held out in front of Farok’s blade. It seemed as though a force was preventing Farok from moving the blade any further. However, the soldier was immensely strong, and his sheer physical strength was slowly but surely over powering Matilom’s magic.
“Soldier... what are you doing?” Vannera said calmly.
“I have orders from your father to take you with me.” Farok responded as he continued to slowly push the blade forward.
“Then you do not need to kill him. I will come with you.”
“It is a nice gesture. But he is still dangerous.”
“Why are you doing this?” Vannera looked at Matilom whose left hand was slowly beginning to glow, as it dropped low facing Farok’s left thigh.
“Has my father corrupted you so?”
“Your father is a good man, princess and he wishes to reason with you.”
“He wishes... to reason with me? Like this? By visiting death upon those I love. I would rather him kill me too.”
At that moment, Matilom placed his hand on Farok’s thigh. The searing heat caused Farok to lose his concentration and Matilom grabbed the soldier’s sword pointing it at him.
“Now then.” Said the wizard. “You heard the princess’s reply. She does not want to return.”
“Your father wishes to stop the invasion of the dragol on the human world. If Davydd Miljorn takes possession of the gauntlet, he will release the dragol from the chains that bind them now. Chains laid by his own father. You have no idea what destruction they can and will cause.”
“Oh I know all too well.” Vannera’s thoughts shifted to Jaynea. “I have witnessed firsthand, the cruelty of the dragol... in this realm. The chains were never a final answer. They were there to give us time. A time that has come now and my father, you and all misguided souls who follow in his wake will send us all to oblivion. You say my father is a good man. Is he? Are you? If you are, then do the right thing. I am on my way to help Davydd.”
Vannera began walking towards the steps that led up to the roof, but Farok caught her by her neck.
“You will come with us.”
A dagger sliced down at Farok’s hand but he let go of Vannera’s neck just in time. Farok kicked his sword out of Matilom’s hand just as Max pulled the wizard and the princess into his portal. They re-emerged on a different rooftop.
“Are you alright?” Max asked the two.
“Thanks to you.” Matilom responded. “Once again.”
Max smiled. “I am going back.”
“Make him taste concrete Max. Make him taste concrete.” Vannera said.
“As commanded.” Max was gone again.
Farok was picking up his sword when he barely dodged a dagger aimed for his neck.
“You again.” He said as Max emerged. “Three times you have attempted to take me unawares. A coward’s move would never work against me.”
“I am no coward.” Max said smiling. “I merely seek to end my disputes in time so I can return to enjoying my life. Life is short as you know.”
“Indeed. Then the time for words has passed us. Let us begin this long awaited duel.” Max smirked and broke into a dash towards Farok. Both men clashed with their weapons, dodging and
countering each other without giving any ground. Farok bent low under Max’s one, two jabs and swiped at Max’s mid-section. He hit nothing but air, as Max was already behind him. Farok used his shield to block against the attempted stab in his back. He whirled around from right to left, his sword in hand swinging towards Max. Max used the dagger in his left hand to parry the blow and took advantage of the soldier’s strength by lifting himself up on his left hand. His right leg lashed out in a kick that caught Farok in the left cheek. Farok’s head cocked to the right under the force and he staggered back. Max landed on his feet and bolted forward, thrusting out his right hand. Farok caught his intended dagger blow. He then caught Max’s left hand as well, so that the Angwelethean guardian was completely open. Farok kicked him in the mid-section causing Max to buckle over. He then raised up his knee catching Max with a jaw shattering blow that sent his face shooting upwards as blood spewed from his nose. Max twisted his wrists so that he now grabbed Farok’s hands just behind the wrist as well. Using this leverage, Max lifted both his feet up and kicked Farok in the chest. The force sent Farok stumbling back and he regained his balance just in time to prevent himself from falling to his death. He bolted forward, sword and shield in hand and swung at Max who using his portals evaded each blow easily. Max reemerged behind Farok and cut him behind his right knee. Farok let out a scream of pain and swung at Max, who was already on his left side, and had already cut him down on his left knee. Max quickly cut Farok under either armpit, causing his arms to slump to his sides. Farok still held his sword. He shot Max a defiant look and willed himself to get back up to his feet. There was a pool of blood forming underneath him.
“You would really die for another man’s cause?” Max asked.
“Are you... not willing to give your life... for Davydd’s cause?”
“Ah. That I am.”
Farok laughed.
“You are near the point of death, and you still find humor?” A bewildered Max asked.
“King Sidion... commanded me to lead the Angwelethean army... should he fall. I was... to lead until Davydd was... ready.”
“He commanded that?”
Farok nodded as he fell to one knee. “Indeed. His intention... was never to bring about destruction to humanity. Has greed driven... him before? Yes. It still does...”
“Then why?”
“Because he has come... this far. He wishes to test his beliefs... against those of Davydd’s. And I was to obey the victor... the true king of Angweleth. In my armor... there is a note I have written with King Sidion’s seal... on it. No Angwelethean soldier will defy his will... should he fall... after me.”
Max observed Farok for a while.
“Hurry up and give me a proper death, guardian.”
Max rushed forward and knocked the death class soldier unconscious.
He lifted him up above his soldiers.
“Not today.” He said. “There is still use for you if what you say is true.”
He opened up a portal that led to Matilom and Vannera.
Back at the main street leading up to the port, Baximus, Leo and Obin were still battling the Angwelethean soldiers and pirates, alongside the Beathalethean soldiers. Baximus broke through and began making his way to one of the boats the Angwelethean soldiers had used. He faced off against two soldiers who made to block his path, and easily defeated them. Baximus untied one of the boats and boarded it. He began paddling towards Ivan’s ship. He knew it would not go very far, as Sidion’s ships had barricaded its path to the open sea.
Hold on son. I’m coming. Just you hold on.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: The gauntlet of Feona
Davydd made his way through the living quarters of Ivan’s ship, going from one cabin to the other. There was no sign of Ivan, Kazan or Horius. However, he had run into numerous pirates seeking to end his life. Wherever those three were, they had made him a target and until he found them, this search would continue to endanger him. Davydd reached the end of a door way and went down the steps which led to the storage area where supplies for the ship’s crew were kept. The area was dark, and the only source of light came from another doorway at the other end of the large and roomy expanse. Davydd made his way through the large room slowly, cautiously, and quietly. All his senses were at alert, picking up on the slightest of movements, and the faintest of sounds. It was just as well, for Davydd heard one such sound as he moved past two large crates. The sounds he heard took him back to a life, long forgotten. One that he’d left behind on that fateful morning when he saved a princess instead of taking down a deer for dinner. It was the sound of an arrow being pulled back on a bow’s string and it was right beside Davydd. Davydd arched his head back as the arrow shot right past his face. He turned to see who the shooter was, and discovered that it was none other than Kazan himself. Davydd leapt back to put some distance between himself and Ivan’s son. Even though he knew that putting distance between himself and an archer was the worst thing he could possibly do, he also knew that Kazan preferred poisoned arrows. If Kazan stabbed him with one of those arrows or even so much as scratched him, he would be in serious trouble. Davydd had barely recovered from his leap, when he instinctively rolled forward, dodging a slash which would have decapitated him. He whirled around, unsheathing Balek’s sword from his back with his left hand simultaneously, and blocked the follow up attack from Horius. Horius moved back into the shadows and Davydd turned around to face Kazan but he was gone as well. Davydd bent low into a semi-crouch and moved along the room in the direction of the doorway leading to the next area. His eyes darted this way and that. His ears would have perked up to any sound if they could. His skin was sensitive to even the slightest movement or trickle of sweat oozing from his pores. It happened again. The sound of a string being pulled taut and the thwock sound that accompanied it. Davydd dived out of the way and saw the flash of Horius’s pirate blade coming down menacingly on him. He brought up Balek’s sword and blocked the downward slash. Davydd kicked up his right leg, catching Horius in the face. As Davydd leapt back up, he felt a warm searing pain in his abdomen. Davydd looked down and saw an arrow embedded in the right side of his lower abdomen. It didn’t take long for him to feel his strength wane a bit. But the moment had his blood pumping, which was a good thing for it kept him alert. However, he knew he needed to stay calm or the venom would spread. Horius, who had been knocked down to the ground by Davydd’s kick slashed at Davydd’s waist but Davydd reacted fast enough to block his attack and push his way past him. He needed to get to the doorway and out of the storage room fast. His enemies had the advantage here. As Davydd sprinted for the doorway, he broke of a part of the arrow’s stem jutting out from his abdomen. He staggered as he ran, and he had begun sweating more profusely. Davydd ran past the doorway and staggered down a flight of steps. He lost his footing and fell into a roll, grunting and groaning as he did. When Davydd looked up, he found himself in a lower room much like the storage room above it, but better lit. There in the center of the room was an ornamental chest that was rooted to the base of the ship by a thick metal bar. Davydd noticed that it was open. He got up and slowly made his way towards it. His eyes, which were beginning to blur, were just beginning to make out what was inside, when he heard another sound. The sound was distorted but his now well-honed warrior’s instinct recognized it. Davydd somehow managed to move out of the way of the slash. Horius’s sword slammed down on the metallic steps. Davydd stomped his foot on the blade and landed a series of punches on Horius’s face. The older man was surprisingly strong, and using his body weight, rammed his left shoulder into Davydd’s abdomen, pushing the arrow deeper inside. Davydd fell down the rest of the steps. He coughed out a few drops of blood unto the wooden floor and writhed in pain. His whole body went into a series of spasms and his muscles cramped and tightened on him. The poison was really beginning to take effect. However, Davydd struggled up to his hands and knees coughing violently as he did. Horius and Kazan had made it down from the rest of the steps as well. The
y encircled him like wolves stalking their wounded prey, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Horius rushed in first of all and attempted to kick Davydd in the rib, but Davydd caught his leg and yanked at it, causing Horius to fall down. He slammed down with Balek’s sword at Horius, but the pirate was able to parry the blow with his sword just in time. However, the force of the swing knocked Horius’s sword out of his hand and Davydd still struck with a shallow blow, lacerating the right side of Horius, from shoulder down to his chest. Horius let out a cry of agony. Davydd lifted up his sword again but felt his flesh pierced in his lower right back by a sharp metallic object. He was certain it was one of Kazan’s arrows. Davydd could no longer control his body, as he slumped over beside Horius, who was still screaming. Kazan pulled the wounded pirate away from Davydd. Davydd crawled to the chest slowly and agonizingly. His vision blurred even more, and he was short of breath.
“The mighty ‘Davydd Miljorn, son of King Rikard Miljorn and the goddess Lady Lynda, heir to the throne of Angweleth and rightful wielder of the gauntlet and sword of Feona’, reduced to a crawling waste before my presence.”
Davydd glared at Ivan the terrible.
“Ah...” The pirate king observed. “It seems you still have some life in you.” Ivan stepped on Davydd’s left hand, causing him to release his grip on Balek’s sword. Davydd screamed in agony and then his head slumped down to the floor. Ivan kicked the sword away and brought out a black and brown metallic gauntlet with engraved patterns on the wrist and palm areas. The gauntlet glistened under the wash of light coming from the torches that lit the room. Ivan lowered it in front of Davydd’s face so he could see it.
“This is what you’ve been searching for this whole time. To come so close, only to have it ripped from your grasp. You have met your end young Miljorn.”
Vannera, Matilom, and Max who lent support to the wounded Farok, ran through the streets of Sangwa, in the direction of the ports.
“Princess, we are heading into the heat of battle. Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey Page 87