by Clayton Wood
A blackened ball of punk dropped to the forest floor.
“Well done,” Kalibar stated. “You learn quickly.”
“Stop talking to me like a student,” Petra ordered, glaring at him. Kalibar raised an eyebrow.
“Stop talking to me like an equal,” he retorted calmly. Petra's eyes narrowed, and the broken-off tree trunks resting on the ground around her lifted up into the air, coalescing so that the trunks – some over thirty feet long – came together like the spokes on a wheel. That wheel began to spin, quickly picking up pace. The whole thing began to move forward then, slamming into nearby trees as it went, viciously severing their trunks in a spray of wooden shards. It accelerated rapidly...heading straight for Kalibar.
“Kalibar!” Kyle cried.
The Grand Weaver stood there as the spinning wheel of death approached him – just stood there! – until it was nearly on top of him. Without warning, the earth around him exploded, a geyser of dirt bursting up into the air. The spinning wheel slammed into the ground where he stood, sending huge chunks of dirt flying into the air right at Kyle and Ariana. Kyle cried out, throwing more magic at his gravity shield. The dirt splashed off of the shield, falling harmlessly to the ground.
Kyle lowered his arms, staring at Kalibar. Or rather, at the empty space where he'd been only seconds ago. The Grand Weaver was nowhere to be seen. Kyle scanned the forest, spotting the scattered trunks that had made up Petra's whirling weapon earlier, terrified that he might find his adoptive father's body strewn among them. But he saw nothing.
“Not bad,” he heard a voice say.
Kyle turned toward the source of the voice, finding Kalibar – alive and whole! – standing right where he had been earlier...straddling a man-sized hole in the ground directly below him. He stepped away from this, giving Petra a nod.
“You've got talent,” Kalibar continued. “But a suggestion, if you will. Don't use a cannon...”
Petra shouted, a large rock beside her lifting upward and forward, throwing itself at Kalibar. Kalibar stepped aside, a thin ray of retina-searing light shooting outward from him, aiming right at Petra's face. She cried out, throwing up her arms and squeezing her eyes shut, stumbling backward. A few layers of gravity shields appeared around her, bending the light away from her face. She blinked rapidly, another boulder launching itself at Kalibar, but it flew wide of its mark.
“...when an arrow will do,” Kalibar finished. Then he pointed up, above Petra's head. “Watch out.”
Petra looked up.
A large tree branch hovered inches above her head, having fallen from a tree overhead. Petra stared at it for a split second, then realized that her gravity shields had disappeared. She grimaced, and the tree limb flew to the side, tumbling to the ground.
“Clever,” she muttered. “but...ow!” She arched her back, crying out in pain and surprise, then turned around. There, hovering in the air behind her, was an arrow from Rul's quiver. A small bit of blood shone on the tip of the arrowhead.
“As I said,” Kalibar stated calmly. Petra spun around, knocking the arrow away and glaring at him. Her fists clenched, then unclenched, her jaw rippling.
“Why didn't you kill me?” she demanded.
“I didn't want to,” Kalibar answered. Petra shook her head.
“I wanted to kill you,” she retorted. “You should have killed me.”
“You still can kill me if you like,” Kalibar offered. “I don't have any magic left.” Petra stared at him.
“What?”
“I don't have any magic left,” Kalibar repeated. “Therefore, if you wish to kill me, you'll find it easy to do so now.”
“You used the last of your magic to spare me?” Petra asked incredulously. “That's...”
“Generous?”
“Stupid,” Petra retorted. “Why would you do that?”
“You've earned the trust of my children,” Kalibar replied, gesturing to Kyle and Ariana, “...and I trust their judgment implicitly. You must be of fine character to have won them over. I only ask that you give me a chance to prove that I am as well.”
Petra stared silently at Kalibar, then turned her gaze to Kyle and Ariana. She lowered her chin then, staring at the ground for a while, before turning back to Kalibar.
“I won't be able to forgive myself for killing a man who spared my life,” she stated at last. “As much as I want to,” she added darkly. She turned to Kyle and Ariana. “Come here,” she ordered, gesturing for them to step forward. Kyle glanced at Ariana, then strode forward across the now-shattered patch of forest. Petra's magic had devastated the area, a testament to her raw power. That she could perform such feats despite the constant vacuum of the Barrens was formidable indeed.
“Thank you,” Kalibar stated, bowing slightly to Petra. “Now, if you would, I'd like to get this mud off of me.”
“Of course,” Petra replied. A stream of water appeared above Kalibar's head, splashing down on him. Kalibar went rigid as it coursed over him, taking a sharp breath in and clenching his fists. Within a few moments, the mud had been mostly rinsed away; Kyle was shocked to find Kalibar completely bald, his goatee gone, dressed only in a simple – and thoroughly soaked – brown cloak, pants, and boots. He was shivering violently.
“Thank you,” Kalibar grumbled, glaring at Petra, “...for not making it solid ice.” She smiled sweetly back at him.
“My pleasure.”
“I suppose I deserve that,” Kalibar admitted. Petra said nothing, turning about and striding away from them. Kyle noticed a small hole in her uniform, right in the small of her back.
“Follow me,” Petra commanded, continuing forward with her customary graceful stride. Ariana pointedly stepped in front of Kyle, blocking his view once again. Kyle glanced at Kalibar, and was vindicated to see the older man taking notice of Petra's remarkable form. Kalibar noticed Kyle noticing him noticing, and cleared his throat, pointedly keeping his eyes straight ahead...and out of such perilous territory.
“Well then,” Kyle heard Kalibar mutter under his breath. “This should be interesting.”
* * *
The sun rode low in the late afternoon sky, its waning rays peeking between the treetops. A warm breeze rustled the leaves overhead, then faded away, leaving the Barren forest eerily still. Kyle fidgeted, picking at his fingernails, and glanced at Ariana. They were sitting outside, some twenty feet from the entrance to Petra's parents' house. It was a home unlike any that Kyle had ever seen, a building three stories tall, built between two massive rock walls at the base of a large hill. Its walls were lined with the black bark of the Reaper vine, allowing the defensive wards inside to hold their magic against the almighty greed of the Barrens. Kyle had, for some reason, imagined that the tribe would live in tree-houses or simple huts. Instead, he found their architecture rustic but remarkably well-made.
“They're taking forever,” Kyle muttered, glancing back at the large door at the entrance to the house.
“I know,” Ariana agreed, looking as worried as he felt. Petra had taken Kalibar into her family's home over an hour ago. While Petra had agreed not to kill Kalibar, she was only the enforcer of the law; her parents, being the highest authority in her tribe, had ultimate say over Kalibar's fate. Kyle had questioned whether that was a good idea...after all, without magic, Kalibar would be helpless if Petra's family decided to put him to death. But Kalibar had asked Kyle to trust him, and had gone with Petra willingly. Kyle and Ariana had been forced to stay outside.
And so they waited.
“I hope he's okay,” Kyle muttered. He felt Ariana's arm slip around his shoulders, and he gave her a weak smile. “I still can't believe he's here.”
“I know.”
Kyle sighed, forcing himself to stop picking at his fingernails. He hated this feeling – of being utterly helpless – while his loved ones faced danger alone.
“Can you hear anything?” he asked hopefully, recalling her amazing senses. Ariana shook her head.
“I think th
e house is shielded,” she answered. “I can't hear anything from inside.”
“Oh.”
“If they decide to...execute Kalibar,” Ariana said, “...we need a plan.”
“Right,” Kyle agreed.
“They won't be able to kill me,” Ariana reasoned. “Unless I run out of magic.” Kyle nodded.
“I could cover myself with mud like Kalibar did,” he proposed. “That way, I'd be able to store up some magic and stream it to you if you were running out.”
“Then I could save Kalibar, and we could escape,” Ariana agreed. Kyle felt a surge of hope...until he thought of something.
“Unless they decide to kill him now,” he countered darkly. Just the thought of it made him feel sick, and he resumed picking at his nails. The edge of one nail broke, and started to bleed. Ariana said nothing for a long moment. Then she withdrew her arm from Kyle's shoulders.
“If they kill him,” she stated, her eyes dark, “...it'll be the last thing they do.”
Kyle stared at her wordlessly, unnerved by the utter certainty of her words. But then he imagined these people murdering Kalibar, and felt anger grow within him. He clenched his fists, staring at the house in the distance.
“Agreed,” he stated.
Suddenly, the door to the house opened, and Petra stepped through the doorway, walking down the wide path toward them.
“Where's Kalibar?” Kyle asked, rising to his feet. Ariana stood as well, and strode toward Petra, her fists clenched. Kyle sprinted after her down the wide path, until they reached Petra.
“Where is he?” Ariana demanded, her tone cold. Petra stopped before them.
“Come inside,” Petra replied. “It is done.”
“What is done?” Ariana pressed.
“Please,” Petra insisted. “Come inside.” She turned away from them, walking back down the path toward the house. Ariana glanced at Kyle, then followed behind Petra. Kyle took the rear, feeling his pulse quicken. He wiped his sweaty palms against his pants, suddenly having no desire to go into that house.
What if they really killed him, he thought. What if they...
Petra stopped before the front door, opening it and gesturing for Kyle and Ariana to step through. Ariana paused at the threshold, then continued forward, and Kyle followed her. The doorway opened up into a large foyer, with a staircase rising up to the second floor to their left, and a wide corridor to the right. Unlike the walls of the house outside, the interior walls were made of stone and light brown wood. Petra led them both down the corridor, to a large room beyond. It was there that Petra's family was gathered, many standing, while others sat on couches and chairs neatly arranged around a crackling stone fireplace. Kyle noticed Ariana's father speaking with another man near the fireplace, and his eyes widened.
“Kalibar!” he cried.
Kyle sprinted toward the Grand Weaver, but Ariana had him beat, outpacing him easily. She ran up to Kalibar, throwing her arms around him. Somehow Kalibar managed to keep his balance as she slammed into him, wrapping his arms around her in return. Then he stepped back, greeting Kyle with open arms.
“You're alive!” Kyle exclaimed, hugging the man. Kalibar chuckled, returning the embrace, then disengaging. He smiled down at Kyle, ruffling his hair affectionately.
“I am indeed,” he replied. “I'm sorry I worried you,” he added. “The meeting took longer than I expected.”
“What happened?” Kyle pressed. Petra's father turned to him.
“The family has found Kalibar guilty of killing Rul and Tok,” he answered. Kyle blinked, taken aback.
“Wait, what?” he exclaimed. “But...”
“However,” Petra's father continued, putting a hand on Kalibar's shoulder, “...your father spared my daughter's life, proving that he is a man of mercy. He also entrusted his life to her after she promised not to kill him, removing his ability to defend himself. This proves that he is a trustworthy man.” Petra's father smiled. “Men who can't be trusted seldom put their trust in others.”
“So wait,” Kyle interjected. “What does this mean? They're not going to kill you?”
“Correct,” Kalibar confirmed. “However, I have been sentenced,” Kalibar added. “I am to instruct Petra in Battle-Weaving, so that she may better defend her family and the other tribes.”
“Oh,” Ariana said. “That's great!” Then she frowned. “But what about our...um...”
“We'll discuss that later,” Kalibar interrupted. “The family is throwing a celebration, and we're invited as honored guests.”
“A celebration?” Kyle asked. “What for?”
“We have an Immortal in our midst,” Petra's father answered. “And we celebrate our daughter's life, and the generosity of the man who spared her.” He grabbed Kalibar's hand then, leading the Grand Weaver back toward the foyer. “Come on,” he urged. “I'll show you to the rooftop.” Kalibar let himself be pulled along, and Kyle and Ariana followed close behind. They went up the stairs to the second floor, and then the third, walking down a short hallway to a door at the end. Petra's father opened the door, revealing a rooftop terrace. Kyle followed Ariana through the doorway and into the warm night air, marveling at the size of the terrace. It was at least forty feet long and twenty wide, with a short wooden fence surrounding its perimeter. Stone bowl-shaped things topped the fence at regular intervals, flames leaping up from their depths. All around them were sounds of the forest...birds chirping, leaves hissing in the wind, and a sweet grasshopper-like cadence behind it all.
“Come, sit,” Petra's father urged, gesturing to one of many round tables lined up on the terrace. He pulled a seat out for Kalibar, and then for Kyle and Ariana, and they sat down. Kyle was surprised when Petra's father didn't sit on the fourth – and final – chair, remaining standing instead. “The food is almost done,” he explained. “You must be starving.”
“I know I am,” Kalibar admitted with a rueful grin. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thank you for your mercy,” Petra's father replied. He left then, walking back into the house. Kalibar watched him go, then turned to Kyle and Ariana, taking a deep breath in, then letting it out.
“Well then,” he declared, smiling at them both. “How have you two been?” Kyle and Ariana exchanged glances; so much had happened to them since they'd left the Tower! How could they possibly explain their unlikely adventure?
“Uh, busy,” Kyle answered, glancing again at Ariana, who smiled.
“It's been a lot,” she added. “You want me to tell the story, or you?” she asked Kyle. Kyle shrugged.
“You start,” he decided. “I'll fill in the gaps.”
Kyle heard the door behind them open and close, and twisted around, looking over his shoulder. Petra was there, in her usual outfit; she walked up to their table, pulling back the empty seat and sitting down. She smiled at Kyle and Ariana – making Kyle blush, for she'd caught him with his gaze a bit farther south than it should have been – and then pointedly ignored Kalibar.
“Did I interrupt something?” she inquired. Kalibar cleared his throat.
“They were just about to tell me their story,” he replied. “Of how they managed to get this far.”
“Please,” Petra said, “...I'd like to hear it.”
Ariana began, telling Kalibar how she and Kyle had escaped the Tower that night, and how they'd managed to get through the Gate shield. She described their flight to the Defiance, their capture, and the harrowing battle with the warship. And how Kyle had managed to defeat the warship and save the Defiance. They gave a brief recap of flying over the forest, and their capture by Petra. By the time Ariana finished telling what little she remembered of the cave, Petra's father – and a few other relatives – had arrived with steaming plates of food in tow. Petra's father served each of them, except for Ariana of course. Then the rest of the family sat at the other tables, until the terrace was bustling with lively conversation.
“What a remarkable journey,” Kalibar exclaimed. “I'm s
o proud of both of you.” Kyle smiled, flushing with pride.
“Thanks,” he said. “Now tell us about how you got here.”
“Yeah,” Ariana agreed. “If you're gone, then who's running the...”
“Ahem,” Kalibar interrupted, giving Ariana a look. Her jaw snapped shut with a click, and she glanced at Petra. “I'd be happy to tell my story,” he added quickly, “...but I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to hear it over my stomach growling.” He dug into his food them, forking a sizable chunk of yummy-smelling meat into his mouth. Kyle did the same, surprised at how mouth-wateringly delicious it was.
“Wow that's good,” he mumbled, forking another piece into his mouth. Petra smiled at him.
“Tell my father,” she urged. “He's very proud of his cooking.”
“He has every right to be,” Kalibar declared. “This is exquisite...and I'm no stranger to good food.”
“Are you a master chef as well then?” Petra asked him. “Should I have my father take lessons from you?”
“Hardly,” Kalibar retorted with a chuckle. “I don't have a mind for cooking.”
“But you have one for teaching?” she asked coolly.
“I do,” Kalibar confirmed. “And I find the most important part of being a teacher is respecting one's student.”
“And what if the reverse isn't true?”
“That makes it difficult,” Kalibar replied with a slight smirk. He raised a chunk of meat to his lips, and held it there, his eyes twinkling. “But there's nothing I enjoy more than a good challenge.”
“Not all challenges are surmountable,” Petra retorted, taking a bite from her own plate. Kalibar raised one eyebrow.
“I never said I had to win to enjoy it,” he countered.
Petra arched an eyebrow, then resumed eating, ignoring Kalibar's quiet chuckle. They sat in silence for a while, everyone focusing on their meal. After a few minutes, Kalibar had finished his meal...despite the fact that everyone else was barely half done. Kyle found it best to keep his eyes on his plate, seeing as how Petra was seated opposite him. If he looked at her, his eyes would invariably wander into dangerous territory, and Ariana would be sure to notice.