Blood & Besiegement

by Jeremy Dwyer

  ~~~

  The two (2) spies in the lead saw her and the telepath knew this by reading their thoughts. He then signaled the information to the twelve (12) combat troops and the other twelve (12) spies. They formed a circle around the target.

  By way of the thoughts of the telepath, the spies signaled to the archers to strike at the target. They fired and their aim was true. Unfortunately, it did not matter, and the power of the blood haze surrounding Fallavakara was such that it deflected all of the arrows. She now knew that she was under attack from several directions. In response, she concentrated her new powers – based on a fire within – and reached out and called blood from the living bodies of those around her. All the combat troops, the telepath and thirteen (13) of the fourteen (14) spies were instantly drained of their blood and fell down dead. The one (1) surviving spy, who was not of the leading two (2), ran a short distance to be further out of range, and simply observed.

  The one (1) surviving spy had seen clearly enough that the fallen personnel had a red haze leave their bodies and join with that around the target, whose own red haze now grew larger. It was not immediately clear what this meant, but this spy returned to the military academy and gave a report. The Chronicler named Ovid observed this spy emerge from the darkness and followed him, under the authority of the Oath.

  ~~~

  “You saw the arrows were deflected. Then, you saw you saw a red haze leave the others, and add to that of the enemy?” Emerond repeated back at the spy, as a question.

  “The others all fell dead instantly. The red haze was within them, and the enemy took it from them,” the spy said, not understanding.

  “The only red within someone is blood, as far as I know. Come with me,” Emerond said.

  They went to the office of the Resource Coordinator, Nathan, who had been briefed on the earlier reports, as well.

  Ovid recorded the report into his book and followed them to the office of the Resource Coordinator.

  “This spy has informed me that the attack upon the enemy was unsuccessful. The archers’ arrows were deflected, and then the enemy somehow extracted a red haze from our forces and added it to her own surrounding red haze. I believe this to be the red of blood – somehow, this enemy is pulling the blood out of others,” Emerond said.

  “That is a reasonable interpretation of the events that were described. However, it is not clear how this would be done from a distance,” Nathan said.

  “I can think of no use of any power of any of the oceans that would enable such an attack,” Emerond said.

  “If this red haze is, in fact, blood, then that may be an essential point. It is a common feature of both people and animals, and it is certainly within the domain of those who drink of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean. They can control plants and animals, and may have the ability to control the substances within them. The possibility exists to counter this threat using those powers,” Nathan said.

  “Romana is a Gradaken water drinker. She applies it to farming – to accelerate the growth of crops. She also used it against Lavakara, when she sent the hawks,” Emerond said.

  “If she is here – whereas most of our Gradaken water drinkers are also farmers who are spread throughout our towns – then she may be the most readily available relevant assistance,” Nathan said.

  “We’re still going to need combat troops to strike at this enemy. If this red haze can be dispersed, even for a moment, we need speed and strength at that moment,” Emerond said.

  “Yes. Use archers, and spies to cover. Take three (3) archers, yourself and Romana. Six (6) spies should go – five (5) spies will give you each cover, the last should stand back and be prepared to give a report in the event that this mission fails,” Nathan said.

  “Under the authority of the Oath, I will accompany you,” Ovid said.

  “Be cautious, Chronicler, that you don’t compromise the mission by your visible presence. That would constitute interference, which is a violation of the very Oath to which you swore, if this enemy sees you and thereby detects our forces about to act. Either you must lag behind, to appear unrelated, or you must travel under the cover of darkness,” Nathan said.

  “If you wish to conceal my presence under the power of darkness, without obstructing my view, then that is not against the Oath,” Ovid said.

  “In that case, then you should stand back with the other spy, and observe from the same vantage point,” Nathan said.

  “If this plan fails, do you have an alternative in mind?” Emerond asked.

  “Not yet. I’m awaiting the execution and the report of the outcome of this plan. I can only give technical and tactical suggestions and resource allocations. I’m concerned about this dangerous enemy, as well as every other difficulty that causes us to expend our resources. Losing combat or non-combat troops, alike, is something I wish to minimize, given the other mounting dangers. This is prioritized lower than some other matters,” Nathan said.

  “By what measure is this a lower priority? This individual enemy is proving to be as powerful as an entire company of troops, and was able to all but eliminate them,” Emerond asked.

  “I’m anticipating far greater losses ahead. I have provided the architect, Fantine, with all the necessary materials to build structures to withstand our larger adversaries. She seemed concerned that she would not receive ample resources; however, I reassured her that her work was especially valuable to us and that she was to have expedited approval for what she needed, so as to construct one of her fire-resistant structures,” Nathan said.

  “I’m glad this is such a small worry for you. I do not share your optimism,” Emerond said.

  “It isn’t optimism. Failure to defeat a smaller enemy is a smaller failure, and this is simply less concerning than a larger failure. I’m not at all convinced that you will succeed. I intend to learn from the failure. I want you to succeed, of course, as the loss of life is to be avoided for so many reasons, and a small threat can grow into a larger one. I am simply allocating energy and resources to other threats already known to be larger. When we have more information about this new enemy, that may prompt a change in the allocation,” Nathan said. He did everything quantitatively – not callously, but with a mind toward minimizing fatalities by maximizing efficiency of resource distribution.

  “On my way, then,” Emerond said. The imperial prince had authority over the military, but was required to defer some logistical decisions – like resource allocation – to Nathan or other resource coordinators, who had that authority reserved to them.

  Ovid recorded this exchange into his book.

  ~~~

  Emerond left and made his way to the office of scholars. The military officers of the academy consulted with them, so they had an office in the same castle that housed the academy.

  Ovid followed Emerond, as he was intent on recording the mission and its outcome into his book.

  “We need to speak. In my office,” Emerond said to Romana when he met her there.

  “At your service,” Romana said. She and Ovid followed Emerond to his own office.

  “What do you know about blood?” Emerond asked her.

  “I know of its biological properties, its various types and their compatibilities, and the role it plays in distributing air and nutrients through a living organism,” Romana said.

  “What about the power to control it?” Emerond asked.

  “What do you mean? Why?” Romana asked.

  “We have a new problem. An intruder has arrived, and apparently has the ability to extract the blood from living things – at a distance, mind you – and gather it into a cloud. This same cloud of blood is then a shield and a weapon against opponents. We’ve sustained losses, even when protected by spies. Archers, swordfighters and even a telepath are among the fatalities,” Emerond said.

  “This does not bode well. The ability to manipulate blood, from a distance, sounds as if it is the result of sorcery – which is demonic power – although I cannot be s
ure,” Romana said. She was wondering exactly what the nature of this power was.

  “Blood is blood, though. If you can control living things – both plants and animals – by the Gradaken Ocean waters you drink, then you can control their blood, correct?” Emerond asked.

  “Perhaps, if the blood really is blood and not some other substance. Also, if this attack is the result of some sort of demonic or other evil spiritual force, the danger may be far greater. You are not giving me clarity or certainties, but conjecture,” Romana said.

  “What uncertainty do you sense?” Emerond asked.

  “To be certain that this is blood, you would need to have a sample of it from an encounter with this enemy,” Romana said.

  “Fair enough. You’re not likely to get that sample. I do agree with your assessment of uncertainty,” Emerond said.

  “Do you have a plan?” Romana asked.

  “Yes. You. Me. Three (3) archers. Six (6) spies. The Chronicler, as well,” Emerond said.

  “Five (5) are for cover. Is the sixth (6th) spy to report back in the event we fail?” Romana asked.

  “That’s the plan,” Emerond said.

  “And the Chronicler will report it back to Emeth,” Romana said.

  “I am currently recording under confidence of the Jenaldej Empire. I will wait until the deaths of all relevant authorities – Prince Emerond, Admiral Gavin and General Joshua – before disclosing this knowledge,” Ovid said.

  Romana knelt down in the stone floor and prayed to the One True God. She called out for assistance: “I seek Thee, and Thy Protection from whatever evil now approaches, so that my deeds can bring about a good according to Your Will, using whatever blessings You would see fit to bestow upon us for this undertaking. Have mercy, Creator, I do ask of Thee.”

  Romana then stood up.

  “You have so little confidence in the plan?” Emerond asked.

  “I pray no matter what, whether the plan seems strong or weak. I don’t place trust in the plans made by people, for people are imperfect,” Romana said.

  “It’s time,” Emerond said. He was a believer in some sort of God, but not passionately so, and prayer was never his first thought.

  Ovid recorded all of this into his book, including Romana’s prayer.

  They went to their ready room and called for the service of six (6) spies and three (3) archers.

  Emerond drank of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean that he kept in a vial and was energized. He did not know precisely what he would need to do with the crystal manipulation powers that it would give him, but he wanted to be prepared just in case.

  Romana drank of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean that she kept in a vial and was energized. She wasn’t sure what she would truly be dealing with, because the report she was given was based on assumptions and interpretations.

  The archers drank of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean that they kept in vials and were energized. They then had the quick sight necessary to see and strike fast moving objects and to aim true. This quick sight was based on the bending of light.

  Ovid drank of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean that he kept in his vial and was energized. He then had a quick sight, which was of a different nature, as it was not based on the bending of light; rather, it was based on the slowing down of time. This allowed him to record events around him, no matter how quickly they proceeded. He also was a master of the shorthand notation that all Chroniclers must learn to use, so as to efficiently record that which they observe.

  The spies drank of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean that they kept in vials and were energized. Five (5) of them had the double duty of concealing both themselves and one (1) other – the three (3) archers, Prince Emerond and Romana – in the darkness. The last spy also needed to provide the cover of darkness for two (2): he concealed himself as well as the Chronicler, Ovid, to watch the mission, and survive to report if it failed. Ovid would survive either way, with or without his dark cover, however.

  The twelve (12) of them, in darkness, made their way along a road, according to the information the surviving spy from the previous attack had given them regarding the last known location of the enemy.

  They didn’t have to go far, as the enemy had entered a nearby town, and they heard screams as they approached, strongly indicating the residents of that town were under attack.

  ~~~

  Fallavakara – their enemy with the red blood haze – was in that town. She was striking at the people using the red blood haze, and anyone she came near, or who came near her, was severely lacerated by the sharp objects made entirely of blood as they swirled about the witch. She controlled the bloody objects by a fire within her that gave energy to do such things to blood. She also pulled the blood out of many people from a distance, sending their bloodless corpses falling to the ground. The blood came to her and added to the red haze around her, making her even more powerful.

  ~~~

  Emerond and his strike team approached and saw the enemy slicing through the people in the town.

  Romana, while cloaked in darkness provided by the spy who accompanied her, moved in slowly. She intended not to be struck dead without having at least an opportunity to put an end to this evil. She often had to touch a living thing to have any power over it – although some of her powers could work at a distance, they were less effective as a result – whereas this enemy was striking from a distance. This was the major obstacle she saw. However, she also saw enough to convince her that the substance being manipulated probably was blood, but she still needed proof.

  Romana was determined to survive long enough to stop this attacker, so she reached out with one finger and touched the very edge of the blood red haze, and felt what it was: indeed, it was the blood that had once belonged to living things. It was formed into sharp objects, and it cut her and drew some of her own blood. Unafraid, as she had faith in the One True God, she proceeded to exercise her own power over the blood – in whatever shape it took – and willed it to be moved. The power within her – due to the Gradaken Ocean waters she had recently drank anew – spread throughout the entire hazy red mass of blood. The mass of blood then moved toward the enemy and quickly covered her.

  Fallavakara suddenly felt herself covered in the blood she had been circulating around her. The sharp objects into which the blood had formed were now adhering to her by their sharp points. She was surprised at the sudden loss of control she had over the blood.

  Suddenly, arrows shot out from three (3) different directions from the archers – who were still cloaked in darkness – and they pierced Fallavakara in her head, entering her brain, and dropping her down dead.

  Emerond stepped out of the cover of darkness, and touched the bloody body that was the enemy and exercised his powers – from the waters of the Kazofen Ocean he had drank recently – and crystallized the blood around the body. This was to be sure that the enemy was dead, and not merely injured.

  Ovid also stepped out of the cover of darkness for a closer look, as it seemed that the danger was over, and that his visible presence would no longer compromise the mission, which appeared successful. He recorded all that he had seen into his book.

  ~~~

  Fallavakara’s spirit left her body, and was unrepentant in its destruction and murder. Thus, she descended into the Maelstrom of Vengeance, and screamed when she saw the demon, Gadamalto, facing her.

  Gadamalto spoke to her in a voice that was even deeper and more terrifying than what she had heard when she contacted him while she was still alive in the flesh.

  The demon said: “I see you have finally arrived in my domain. Despite the gifts and mercies that you received, your promises were unfulfilled and your purposes unachieved. Failure surrounds you and defines you. And now, the Maelstrom shall envelop you, with pain and confusion unending. A new servant I shall find, far more useful than you ever were.”

  Fallavakara writhed and screamed in agony and confusion that would never end.

  ~~~

  “I
t’s over. She’s gone. Whoever she was,” Romana said, looking at the body and seeing the remains of a disfigured, yet feminine, form.

  “How did she do this – controlling the blood?” Emerond asked.

  “An evil power from beyond. Her water vial is marked with the spirit signs – it’s the Zovvin Ocean waters. She communed with spirits – wicked ones, no doubt,” Romana said.

  The crystallized body of Fallavakara, once containing the fire given to her by Prince Kirdothet, released that fire, and began to burn before their eyes. The crystallized blood melted away into a puddle, the flesh was burnt to a crisp and then visible energy was released, going up into the sky.

  They all stepped back, including Ovid. He, like other Oath-keeping Chroniclers, was protected by a Guardian Angel of the Oath, but he reflexively moved away from the danger.

  “How did she burn?! She was crystallized!” Emerond asked, surprised.

  “This may be a sign of demonic involvement,” Romana said.

  Ovid wrote down all these events, and what was said, into his book, but he also did not understand what powers were just witnessed.

  ~~~

  Present at this time, yet hidden in the darkness, were Taesa and the spy named Halina, who provided that cover of darkness. They were there under direction from Victoria, so as to observe the Jenaldej Empire.

  Taesa had seen Prince Emerond emerge from the cover of darkness and crystallize the remains of the blood wielding enemy. She found Emerond to be handsome, and his obvious authority – as indicated by his regal attire – along with his victory gave him a quality that she, as a young woman, actually found desirable and attractive.

  The hideous creature that used blood as a weapon, and whose remains now burned, was an evil that Taesa did not understand, and found to be both frightening and intriguing.

  Then, Taesa’s thoughts turned back to the handsome prince. This was unlike her – to be more interested in a man than in a mystery – and she didn’t know what was happening to her emotions.

  ~~~