"Yes, I'm sure of it."
"Alright, how do we get to it?" asked Finkle. "No doubt the township is crawling with goblins and maybe the shadow reapers."
Aimma shook her head. "This is a problem."
"Any ideas?" asked Odder.
Finkle spoke up. "There are underground passages throughout the city, but they're tiny gnome size."
"Perhaps we can use a shrinking spell to reduce our size," said Aimma.
"Too dangerous," said Serra. "The spell will make us weak. We'll be captured or killed without effort."
"I don't see any other way," said Finkle.
"I have a portal point in the alley behind the market. We make our way to the statue from there."
"Too far and too risky," said Karzan. "You won't make it before being detected.
The group went silent pondering any other ideas.
"Fairies," said Corbin.
Everyone turned, wide-eyed, and puzzled.
"Fairies are passive," said Aimma. "You'll never find one. They hide deep in the woods."
"Corbin's a genius." Serra marked a point on the dirt map in the alley. "My portal bag is made from fairy magic, and I can use it to detect a nearby fairy like a beacon." She drew a line from the alley to the statue. "If we can get a fairy to stand near the statue, the portal bag can teleport us to that area."
"Nice plan but where are we going to find a fairy not to mention one who will help us?" questioned Aimma.
"Leave that to me," said Karzan. He turned to Serra and Corbin. "Serra, guard Odder with your life, and Corbin must come with me."
"Where are you going?" asked Serra.
"To connect with an old friend."
"Then we should come too."
"The journey's too dangerous. Meet me at the hollow tree this same hour tomorrow."
"Maybe I should go with you then," said Odder.
"Not a good idea," answered Karzan. "You'll have a day to learn as many spells as you can."
"We'll teach him good, wizard," said Finkle, tipping his hat.
They walked with Karzan and Corbin to the rooted trail. He gripped Odder at his shoulders and nodded. "Remember not to overexert yourself, or you'll have a long recovery, and we don't have time for that."
Karzan motioned to Corbin who picked him up and placed the wizard on his shoulder. Then together they traveled north down the path.
"So what spells should we start with first?" Finkle asked.
Serra glanced at Aimma. "Let me guess."
Aimma walked up and faced Serra. "I don't like you."
Odder sprang between them. "You two need to figure out how to get along." He pushed them apart. "We are dealing with bigger issues than your catty distrust for each other."
A gust of wind circled the group. A large leaf struck Odder's face. He peeled it off and allowed it to fly into a newly formed storm cloud. Everyone stopped and looked around. The clouds blocked the sunlight.
"Somethings wrong," said Finkle, holding his fez, its tassel beating against his face.
Serra ripped out her daggers. "Shadow reapers. I can feel them. Run!"
"Where to?" asked Aimma.
Odder searched. "Back to Salvat's gate."
"Let's go," said Serra.
They ran to the gate. Their backs pushed against the cold metal and thorny hedge.
The trees ruffled ahead of them, then split apart. Two shadow figures emerged, their ghostly cloaks danced around their skeletal frame. Their glowing yellow eyes fixed on Odder.
"Serra, get us out of here," Odder said, his words stampeding like scared zarian beasts.
The reapers charged.
Serra put away her daggers. "Aimma and Finkle, I need time to open a portal."
Finkle lifted his hands and chanted. The ground, in front of them, rumbled then elevated forming a wall, but the dirt turned a bright orange and exploded. The reapers flew through the opening.
Aimma conjured a spell and motioned with her hands toward the creatures. Hundreds of vines wrapped around them and threw them to the ground.
Serra placed her satchel on the floor and unbuckled the flap.
The reapers struggled and screeched, ripping the strands one by one, but never breaking eye contact with Odder.
Aimma grunted, her body trembling. "I can't hold them for long."
"Serra?" Odder questioned. The reapers' heavy stares and the beating black hearts baring down on him. "We need to go now."
The reapers tore free of the vines and charged again. Aimma and Finkle fired magic energy attempting to slow them down.
Serra finally finished the spell and a portal formed. "We're not going to make it Odder. You have to jump, go."
"What? No!"
The shadow reapers clawed and fought against the magic energy.
"Go Odder," Finkle bellowed. "We can't hold them."
"I am not leaving!" Odder pressed against the gate as the reapers inched closer. With a sudden sound of rusty metal parting, he fell back, landing on the ground.
CHAPTER 21
DRAGON'S FIRE
The gates opened and Odder shuffled to a sitting position while Salvat's witches jumped over and landed between the shadow reapers and his friends. Each wielded two flaming swords and engaged the reapers in close combat. Six more reapers fell from the sky.
One of the witches turned back toward the group. "Get back behind the ga..." She went silent, but her mouth remained open. Her eyes turned white, and her skin grayed. The veins on her face darkened, bulged, and then exploded. The witch fell to the ground, face first with reaper claws embedded in her back.
Finkle, Aimma, and Serra sprinted behind the gate. Outnumbered, the witches soon fell to the reapers onslaughts. The hedge weaved together, and the gate slammed shut.
Finkle held his stomach while bent over. "Are we safe?"
Serra threw dirt into the air and chanted, "Osentprea." As the dirt drifted down, an image of the reapers ripping at the hedge appeared. "If Karzan is right about Salvat's hedges, then we should be safe for now."
Odder stood, holding his sword in front of him. "Salvat sent his witches to save us. He must be nearby. Salvat," he yelled.
A pale translucent image of the wizard appeared but faded in and out.
"Salvat," Odder said, "The reapers are trying to gain access- you have to teleport us to your chamber."
The others stood next to Odder, with Serra keeping her eye on the gate.
"I'm sorry, I cannot risk the shadow reapers entering the chamber and releasing the demons."
"Are we safe here?" asked Aimma. "Can't they climb over the hedge or fall from the sky?"
Odder clenched his fists. Hiding behind a hedge was not an option. "We can't stay."
"The enchanted shield will keep them out,” Salvat said. “Wherever they try to enter, a hedge will form. Even overhead. Only an immense and continuous magic attack, greater than any creature can conjure, will penetrate the enchanted hedges."
Salvat's image faded, leaving only his voice. "Serra, the goblins know your portal point by the hollow tree. They have laid a trap. If you teleport, it must be to some other area..."
Serra sheathed her daggers and placed her hands on her hips. Her mouth drew up exposing her teeth.
"Great! What now?" asked Finkle.
Odder placed his hands on his face and shook his head. "Serra, can you mind whisper to Karzan?"
"No, he's too far."
"What about air-scripting?" Aimma asked.
"I'll try." Serra wrote a message in the air notifying Karzan of their attack.
After what seemed like a long wait, Finkle asked, "Why is he not responding?"
"I counted eight reapers. Maybe the ninth reaper got to Karzan," said Aimma.
"No way," said Serra. "I know Karzan, and one reaper is not enough to kill him."
Odder placed his sword in the dirt and drew a rough map. "Salvat said we are safe for now, leading me to think there is something that can break through the barrier. We need a plan."
&nbs
p; The others gathered around.
"Serra where are your portal points," Odder asked.
"I have five." She marked three on the map. "These you know about."
"And the other two?" questioned Aimma.
"Private," responded Serra.
"We don't have time to mess around," Odder snapped.
Serra raised her eyebrow and scowled. She marked two other places. "This portal opens in a hidden ice cave where I stash my weapons. The other opens in a vault, just west of Grackos. There I hide my valuables." She opened her satchel, muttered a spell, and placed her arm into the opening - up to her shoulder. She pulled out a finely crafted war hammer and dropped it to the ground. A shockwave knocked everyone back as the ground under the hammer collapsed several feet.
"Whoa," Odder yelled.
"Obviously enchanted," Finkle said. "From the markings, my guess is it originates from one of the giant tribes.
"You guessed right," Serra said. "It's Valsar, war hammer of the frost giants." She picked it up and swung it over her head. Everyone ducked. She placed it gently in front of Finkle. "You can borrow it until this quest is over."
"This is twice my size. I'm a gnome remember." He crossed his arms. "I can’t lift it."
"Stop complaining and give it a try," said Odder.
Finkle growled and lifted the handle. The hammer and Finkle flew ten feet into the air. He landed back on his feet. "Well, I wasn't expecting it to be so light."
"Only to the wielder," Serra said. "Anything you attack will feel the force of a giant."
Finkle narrowed his eyes and grinned. "Nice."
Serra placed her arm back into her satchel. "Aimma, do you have any fighting skills?"
"No," she answered.
Serra bit her lip as she moved her arm around the opening. "Ah, this will work." She pulled out a small leather pouch and handed it to Aimma.
"What is it?" Aimma asked, looking under a flap.
"Snare cloth."
"What's that?" asked Odder.
Aimma pulled out a tattered two inch by two-inch translucent rag. She rubbed it between her fingers.
"Be careful," said Serra. "You throw the cloth at an opponent, it will enlarge and trap them in a fibrous mesh."
"Like a spider's web?" asked Finkle.
"Yes, exactly," Serra answered. "Use them sparingly. You only have five."
"What about Odder?" Aimma asked. "What does he get?"
"Nothing I suppose. He will wield the Maha'De."
"But he just has the spirit," Finkle said.
Serra ignored Finkle and pulled out a handful of stilettos plus a silver vial from her satchel.
“Is that silq?” Finkle asked, gawking. “Where did you get so much?”
“That’s a fortune,” added Aimma.
After dipping each tip in the vial, she lifted her skirt, and placed the stilettos in a holster around her thigh. “Let’s just say it’s an inheritance, but I don’t use it for wealth, only to enhance my magic items. Silq is life -after all.”
Odder cleared his throat, giving notice to get back on subject.
Serra continued. "I gave Aimma my only passive weapon. Wielding a magic weapon by an unskilled user is dangerous."
"She's right," said Odder. "I'm fine. Let’s get back to the plan." He tapped at the dirt. "We can use the portal points to figure out our escape plan."
Serra frowned. With hesitation, she pointed at Lucent Lake then at the castle. "These are the only two."
Finkle turned his head back and forth, his brow furrowed. "Do you hear that??
"I don't hear anything," answered Aimma.
"Right. The reapers are dead quiet," Finkle said, walking toward the gate.
Everyone went silent.
Serra threw dirt into the air and chanted. The image showed the reapers standing stiff like statues, motionless, but staring toward Odder.
"What are they doing?" Aimma asked.
Finkle held up his war hammer. "Maybe they got a glimpse of my new plaything."
"Doubtful," Serra said. She nudged at the gnome. "Remember I get that back."
"Maybe they think they have us trapped," Odder said, "but whatever the reason, we need to find a way to that statue."
"Agreed," Serra said. "The safe bet is to go to the lake."
"But then what?" said Aimma. "We still need to find a way into the castle."
"We can try messaging Karzan from there."
"If he's alive," Aimma added.
Serra growled and gripped her dagger.
Aimma held out her palms. Her voice soothing. "I'm not trying to upset you, but it's a real possibility."
"Serra." Odder placed his hand on her arm.
She broke her heated gaze. "The alternative is to teleport in the alley and sprint to the statue."
"The goblins may not even know the statue is holding the Maha'De," said Aimma. "It might be our best option."
"Right," Serra agreed. "We can combine our magic to protect Odder as he unites the spirit and sword."
Finkle wrapped a leather strap to the hammer and tied it to his back. "Risky, but I like it."
"Settled. Now when do we leave?" Odder asked.
"Tomorrow, midday," said Serra. "The goblins dislike the bright light, and our chances of success will be greater. This will also give us time to prepare our spells."
"And to teach Odder a few," Aimma added.
"We’ll hold off on your healing spells, Aimma. His first spell will be the shadowing spell I'm using to spy on the reapers. I'll teach it to all of you, and well take shifts keeping an eye on them." Serra threw dirt into the air. The reapers remained in their same positions.
Aimma, thoughtfully agreed.
"They're up to something. We should check on them every fifteen minutes," said Finkle.
Serra took a moment to teach the spell which everyone picked up right away, especially Odder.
"Perfect Odder," Serra grinned. "Conjuring is not only words and intention, but also balancing your intention. Like a youngling learning to throw a ball. Not just tossing it but also how fast and far."
For the rest of the day, the group shared their spells, experience, and even secrets. Odder, just as the wizard Salvat told him, learned to wield magic with tremendous speed and accuracy.
Aimma sat next to Odder during his watch. "You're amazing."
"Thank you."
"What's it like creating spells for the first time?"
"I can sense the energy. The feeling is hard to describe - almost like a oneness, deep connection, and order. The world of magic just makes sense."
Aimma drew circles in the dirt. "I think I was wrong about Serra. She's not evil. Selfish, but not evil."
"You should let her know."
"I tried once, but it’s worth a second try." She walked over to Serra.
Finkle joined Odder now. "Lassies." He shook his head.
"If they ever stop fighting, I’m sure they would be great friends."
"Say, is it getting warmer." Finkle wiped his brow.
"Now that you mention it."
Odder walked over to the hedge. "The air is warmer over here." He threw up some dirt. Fire and smoke raged in the image.
"We got trouble," hollered Finkle to the others.
Serra and Aimma sprinted over. Serra tossed up dirt and confirmed the same image. She placed her hands in the drifting soil and moved the scene to the side. The image changed to an outline of a dragon's head surrounded by fire.
"Oh no." They all said at the same time.
“A continuous blast of dragon fire might be enough to break through,” Finkle said.
"Change of plans," said Odder. "We have to go now."
"Teleporting into Elestus so close to the pitch is a death wish," Serra said.
"Then the lake it is." Odder pressed his hands against the hedge. "The vines are hot to the touch. We don't have much time."
Serra threw down her satchel and chanted a spell. A portal formed.
"Hurry,"
said Aimma. "The hedge is turning to embers and..."
Fire exploded out of the wall. Odder waved his arm and created a magic shield blocking the flames.
"How did you do that?" asked Finkle with a look of disbelief.
Odder ignored the question and put more intensity into his magic.
The dragon's fire created a flaming passageway. Glowing figures crawled through the hole like haunted cinders.
"The portal’s ready," Serra pulled at Aimma. "Jump."
She jumped with Finkle following her.
"Odder, your turn."
"You go, Serra. I'll keep the shield up. We don't have much time. The shadow reapers are crawling through."
"I have to go in last to hold open the portal," Serra said. "I'll hold them off and be right behind you. It's the only way."
Odder stepped backward, holding out his hands to maintain the shield. "We can jump at the same time."
"Go, Oddy" Serra yelled.
A shadow reaper breached the barrier and charged at Odder, hitting his shield.
Serra pushed Odder into the satchel. He landed on his back in the same purple lilac bush. He scrambled to his feet.
"Where's Serra," asked Aimma.
Odder remained silent staring into the air. Come on Serra.
CHAPTER 22
THE TRAITOR
Odder's breathing slowed to a near stop as he waited. Muffled voices like distant ghosts murmured in the background, but he remained focused on the air above.
"Where is she, Odder?" Aimma's voice became clear. "Did the shadow reapers…?"
"Odder?" Finkle tugged at his leg. "Odder!"
"Uh..." Odder shook his head. "The shadow reapers, they breached the shield. She was supposed to be right behind me."
"She's strong," Aimma said, her words tainted with uncertainty.
"She pushed me into the -"
The air opened. A stream of black smoke jetted out, landing on the sand, and then transformed into Serra. She laid there smoldering – her hands and body twitching.
Aimma ran and knelt next to her. "She's badly burnt." She opened her bag, grabbed an elixir, and poured it into Serra's mouth. "Try and relax. I'll take care of you."
Serra moaned, her body quivered.
"What can I do?" asked Odder, his voice tight with desperation.
Aimma ignored the question and placed her hands above Serra. As she chanted, a blue light left her hands and surrounded Serra.
Odder- The Blood Curse Page 23