She vanished in a puff of smoke and reappeared next to Drugan.
"Veselus," Karzan said. "Thank you for joining us."
"Of course, my lord."
"So why don't you change your eyes back to normal?" Finkle questioned with an insolent grin.
"I have the honor of being commissioned a raven scout. We are set apart by our keen raven eyes."
"Certainly intimidating," Finkle mumbled.
"That's enough gnome," Karzan said. "We'll arrive at the port this before the pitch. I suggest everyone prepare their magic spells. Odder, come with me. I have special training for you."
He took Odder to the head of the ship. "Before we start, there is one more step needed to complete the Maha'De."
"You mean after dipping the sword?"
"Yes, you must get to Skyger. Once you are there, you must have one of the High Wizards bless the sword with celestial energy. Only then will the true powers of the Maha'De transpire." Karzan paused and cleared his throat. "We may not all make it there with you."
"Nonsense." Odder frowned. "Don't speak that way."
"No matter what happens you must protect the portal or else demons will reign over the world. Do you understand?"
Odder did not respond.
In a stern tone, Karzan repeated, "Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good, then I have much to teach you."
For the rest of the day, Karzan taught Odder spells of every kind with Finkle, Serra, and Aimma joining in every now and then. Corbin was always close by and ready to volunteer. Odder possessed a supernatural tendency to retain, conjure and manipulate the spells.
Just before arriving at Baku Prei, Karzan gave Odder one final lesson.
"How do you feel."
"Incredible."
"Splendid, then I have one last lesson - well more of a warning. The Celestines have given you great power, and what side do you use this power for?"
"I use it for the side of good and to fight evil of course."
Karzan smiled, pleased with the answer. "Be cautious. Sometimes the lines between good and evil can be blurred."
"How so?" Odder asked.
"The line is different for everyone. Sometimes you will recognize when it happens, and sometimes not. When you feel yourself slipping, seek perspective through guidance or prayer.
Odder cringed. "The Celestines again."
Karzan grinned. "Perhaps one day you'll believe."
"Maybe."
"Lastly, remember the temptation of evil is strong. It will offer you the universe, but what you get will be death. The choice will always be yours."
"Then I choose to be righteous."
Karzan smiled and called to the others. "Everyone, please come. I have an announcement to make. Veselus volunteered to steer the ship while Finkle, Aimma, Serra, Drugan, and Corbin stood by Odder's side.
Karzan announced, "I am High Wizard Karzan Ka, the potion master. It is the law that only a wizard may be the Champion, so I designate Odder the Vekart as Wizard of Protection." He placed his hand over Odder's head and chanted. A blue light swirled from his palm and went into Odder's shoulder.
Odder's arm stung, but he felt a sudden sense of pride. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal a star with a shield in the center tattooed on his shoulder. The symbol of the wizard.
Everyone cheered and clapped. Finkle ran circles and did backflips.
Serra grabbed Odder by the forearm and pulled him in close. Their eyes met. He remembered their first confrontation and how he became mesmerized by her piercing blue eyes.
"Congrats! You've come a long way, and I'm happy to be a part of your journey," she said, her eyes gleaming.
Odder smiled and thanked Serra when Aimma grabbed him and gave him a hug. Drugan shook his hand next, followed by the others.
"Thank you all. Thank you. I never dreamed I would someday be a wizard. I am humbled. I owe this honor to all of you." Odder lowered his head like a sheepish child. "I have this gift at the expense of many lives." His voice quaked and drew louder like a coming thunderstorm. "I will avenge their deaths. The goblins will be defeated, and their Queen killed."
“You are no longer Odder the Vekart, but Odder the Demon Hunter,” shouted Finkle with everyone cheering.
The ship slowed to a stop. Veselus pointed. "Smoke up ahead."
Black clouds billowed into the air.
"We are close to the shore," said Drugan. "The smoke must be coming from Baku Prei."
CHAPTER 25
OPHELIA'S PHANTOMS
Karzan created another circle in the air and zoomed in on the smoke. The homes, buildings, and structures lay waste under smoldering ash. The entire seaport destroyed.
"Was it a goblin attack?" Odder asked.
Karzan searched the area. "I see no evidence."
"I can fly in with Veselus to make sure," Drugan said.
"Then do so," said Karzan.
Serra took the helm as Veselus morphed. Drugan mounted the raven and proceeded to the port. The group watched through Karzan's lens.
"What's going on?" asked Finkle bouncing up and down. "I can't see."
Odder picked him up and lifted him over his head. "Nothing. Drugan's flying around the village."
"I think he's heading back," Aimma said.
The group anxiously waited for Drugan's return.
Odder put Finkle back on the ground. "The town's destroyed and most likely the horses and cart with it. How will we get to Rigan and then to Skyger in time?"
"With only three days left, every moment counts." Karzan closed the window. "We will have to visit the city to see what we can salvage."
Drugan and Veselus flew in and boarded the ship. After returning to his elven form, Veselus took Serra's place on the quarterdeck.
"What did you find, Drugan?" Odder asked.
"Desolation." He expressed a muddled look, "My guess is the attack happened yesterday."
"Then is it safe to enter the port?" questioned Karzan.
Drugan nodded. “Yes, but with caution.”
Karzan waved toward Baku Prei. "Veselus, steady forward and hover near the shore."
As the ship approached, the smoking ruins became clear. Once a thriving port village, now nothing left including the pier.
Odder peeked around each smoldering heap. "Where are the corpses?"
"Probably eaten by goblins," answered Finkle. Aimma wrinkled her nose and turned away.
"More likely evacuated before the attack, as with Anglest," said Karzan. "The goblins know our destination. It makes sense they would attack villages along the way."
"Maybe we should fly the wind ship to Rigan," Odder suggested.
"Not possible," said Drugan. "The ship's magic is powered by the sea. Even flying a hundred yards inland would cause the ship to run aground."
"Then what?" questioned Serra.
Karzan rubbed his lips. "I made arrangements for steeds and a wagon. We need to search the city. "
Veselus steadied the ship into the water, coming as close to the shore as possible. The crackling and popping of burnt embers opposed the eerie silence of the dead village. The group jumped into the cold waters and walked on the sandy beach.
"Some of the sand has turned to glass." Odder overheard Drugan tell Karzan.
"Very few creatures can create such tremendous heat," Karzan whispered back.
Odder spoke up. "Is it the dragon?"
"Dragon, where?" Finkle searched the skies. "We don't have a chance."
Serra crouched in an attacked position while Aimma ducked.
"Stay calm gnome," Drugan interjected. "We don't know what torched this place."
"Whatever was here is gone now," said Karzan. "Kellas will soon set, and the longer we stay, the greater the risk, so let's start searching. We should split up. Corbin, you and Veselus stay at the ship in case we need a quick escape. The rest of us will meet back here in thirty minutes."
The gears in Corbin's chest turned, and he whistled in respon
se.
Everyone else split in different directions, searching in and around whatever structures remained.
Finkle caught up to Odder. "There's nothing here." He kicked over a stack of half-charred firewood. "We're wasting our time."
"Hmm." Odder looked around. "I think you're right. Let's head back. We're almost out of time."
Odder and Finkle met with Aimma on their way back to the ship. The lack of conversation accentuated everyone's failure to find the steeds.
Odder contemplated different scenarios on what he should do. I can fly with Veselus to Rigan, or find a way to teleport, or run lightning fast, or may skip it altogether and just go to Skyger. He frowned. None of which seemed like good options.
The group walked up to Karzan and Drugan talking between themselves.
"No need to say anything," Karzan said. "I can tell by your faces."
"the town’s all rubble," said Finkle.
"Speak for yourself gnome." Serra walked up from behind the group pulling a wagon.
"Nice work, Serra," said Karzan.
"Not bad," Aimma added," but we still need horses to pull the wagon."
Karzan twisted his fingers in the air until smoke appeared and molded it into a silhouette of a steed. "We have one option, a dangerous one, but will get us to Rigan by morning."
Odder leaned in, ready to accept any solution.
Drugan cleared his throat. "There are creatures that only lurk during Ophelia's pale light. One of which are the Phantom Mares."
"Ghost steeds?" questioned Odder. "Then how do we ride them?"
"Not actual phantoms," answered Serra. "It's just what we call them."
"Their uncanny movements even make lightning envious. With luck, you might catch their form for an instant before they disappear without a trace," Drugan explained.
"And where and how do we capture these creatures?" Finkle asked.
"They roam vast open prairies, and there happens to be one east of the village." Drugan formed a map on the ground. "This will take a team effort, and with success, we will trap at least three mares. Serra, Karzan informed me you have mastered a haste and cloak spell simultaneously. You, Odder, and the gnome will hide on this side of the field. Once they show, you will startle them back toward us. Serra, with your speed, you may have to redirect any stray mares. Aimma, Karzan, and I will lay the trap. Veselus, you watch from above."
"And me?" asked Corbin.
"Yes, the gentle giant," Drugan tapped his chin. "You are much too slow for these creatures, but we can use your size and presence in the southern area to keep them moving west. Any questions?"
"Yes," Odder spoke up. "What's so dangerous? It sounds safe."
Karzan answered. "The phantom mares use their speed for defense, but there are other predatory creatures. We need to be vigilant and have our defenses ready in case we face such an encounter."
"What if they don't show?" questioned Finkle.
Drugan gave Finkle a stern glare. "There are no guarantees but have faith." He stood and looked at the setting sun. "Any other questions?" They remained silent. "Very well, I estimate only another thirty minutes of light, let's hurry.
The group hustled past the village, through a shallow forest, and to the edge of a prairie where Drugan directed them on where to take their places. "Listen for my mind whispering as a signal to take action."
Odder pushed the tall grass away from his knees. A blanket of apprehension clung to him as he realized anything could hide in the rough. A perfect ambush for lurking predators.
"Serra," Odder whispered.
"Shh," she answered back.
He crept through the grass and crouched next to her. "Teach me your haste cloaking spell."
"Right now, are you crazy? Go back to your area. You might scare away the mares."
"I'm serious. Having two of us with your spell will help, and possibly keep us from being a meal for any beasts."
"Get out of here," Serra said, in a short, harsh tone. "There's not enough time to teach you a spell."
Odder paused. "You know I can learn it quickly."
"I don't doubt it, but the answer is still, NO."
"Then just the haste spell," he asked, his words tapering.
Serra grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in close. She glared into his eyes. "Vestida asagb." Then pushed him away. "Now get back to your position and don't think about using it. You don't have any experience and will do something dumb like run into a tree."
Was Serra making a joke? Odder thought. No matter. He chuckled under his breath as he made his way back.
Soon Kellas's amber light disappeared leaving the blue haze of Ophelia's glow. Odder's senses sharpened. The prairie became alive like an ensemble of peculiar sounds and lights. He turned his head at every whistling, rustling, crackling, and whizzing. Lights, in shades of blue, green, and white made intricate zig zag and flashing patterns in the fields and trees. High in the sky soared flying creatures with giant wings drifting as if riding the ocean current. Even the smell of the field changed from dried grass to a cool peppermint. On many occasions, Odder looked into the night but never witnessed this harmonic beauty. Perhaps the wild creatures stayed away from the townships, or maybe because of his new awareness of magic.
"Odder," Serra whispered in Odder’s thoughts. "Don't be alarmed. The lights, they're just insects or rodents. The predators won't give any warning."
"Good to know," he replied.
A group of larger blue lights moved in the distance. Odder ducted further but kept his eyes keen just above the grass.
The lights appearance became more precise as they approached – revealing steeds with blue flames around their hooves, tails, and manes giving the them a phantom glow.
Ah, now the name makes sense. He sat still, listening for Drugan's signal. The waiting suffocated him. What's taking so long? Doesn't he know they're here?
A movement in the grass south of the mares caught Odder's eye. He focused. More movement. "Serra," he mind whispered. "I see movement to the south."
"I don't see anything," she replied, "but I'll tell Drugan." After a pause, she responded, "He said ‘stay in your position.’ We can't afford to mess this up. We need all three mares."
The grass split. "They're predators. I know it. If we don't stop them, then we won't have any living mares. I'm going in."
"Odder don't!" Serra mind whispered.
"Vestida asagb," Odder chanted. The outdoor sounds muffled as if he stuck his head into a bucket of water. The blowing grass became motionless, and the flying creatures in the sky halted as if painted on canvas. The world stopped, or so it appeared.
Odder moved toward the mares and the world resisted his movements, pushing back, like swimming uphill through a stream. The mares looked up and around, moving as fast as Odder.
The larger mare elevated on its hind legs and moved its front legs in a swiping motion. Standing tall, blue fire shot out from its nostrils. The other two bucked then sprinted west.
Odder came within striking distance to the predators. Four giant gray hare-like monsters stood upright, around six feet, then jumped out of the grass, and ran on their thin back legs. Their long ears pointed down over their oval heads. Their mouths opened wide, exposing sharp jagged teeth which yearned for prey. Menacing claws, several feet long, protruded from their hands.
A flash of magic light raced past Odder and hit one of the monsters. It fell to the ground. Odder turned, Serra ran up next to him.
"I, told, you, no." Her words were slow and low pitched. "Follow, the other, mares. I'll, protect, this, one."
Odder veered west while Serra jumped fifteen feet in the air and stabbed one of the monsters in the head. The other two jumped on the mare and gouged their claws into its neck over and over. Serra pulled one off, and in midair, used her dagger to sever its head. The last one leaped at her and drove its claws into her upper arm. She cried out then dug the blade into its large eye.
Odder chased the other running ma
res as they headed towards Drugan, Karzan, and Aimma.
He took a deep breath and for a moment enjoyed the experience of the haste spell. So, this is why Serra does this spell so often. He looked around, the countryside froze in time but underneath, hidden, resided an abundance of life and magic in everything. He peered forward again. The phantom mares, running strong, were nearing the trap.
Odder quickened his pace when a sharp pain pierced his thigh. He looked down and saw two large red eyes staring back at him. The creature stabbed its claws into Odder's legs, breaking the haste spell, and causing them both to tumble into the field. The pain in his head pounded like a drum. Blood welled into his eyes. He cleared his sight and searched for the monster. The creature laid on the ground contorted and convulsing. Odder struggled to move his injured legs and scoot away. The monster jolted its head up, it's mouth opened, and eyes bulged.
It reached and pulled itself closer to Odder using only its arms. Odder shuffled back, but the monster gained. It gripped his foot then pulled itself over Odder's body. Odder struck its head with his fist, but the monster grabbed his arm and forced it to the ground. Then did the same to the other arm. Odder laid helpless under the predator. He looked into its large black and red eyes. Its teeth were narrow, long and sharp, and drool fell from its mouth landing on Odder's forehead. It inched in, and Odder squeezed his eyelids shut.
Crack. The predator's body went limp. Odder opened his eyes. Aimma stood over him with a large branch.
"Looked like you needed some help." She healed his thigh then helped Odder to his feet. "Drugan and Karzan captured the phantom mares. They're waiting for us."
Finkle and Serra caught up to Odder and Aimma as they walked back.
Serra marched with her posture stiff and her fist's clenched.
"That was a close one, laddy." Finkle leaned in and whispered, "But I'm pretty sure Serra's upset with you."
Odder nervously pulled at his chin, feeling the full weight of his mistake. "Serra, um." He bit his lip. "I'm sorry."
She stopped and turned toward him. "Sorry, is that it?" She held her finger in his face. "Just because you know a spell doesn't mean you have to use it. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility."
Odder- The Blood Curse Page 27