by Adrian Juhl
Chapter 2
Dalynia moved through the clear water of the bay with ease. The sand beneath her sparkled as the sun's rays penetrated the surface of the water, splitting into a myriad of colors. She closed her eyes and floated to the surface, letting the tide carry her into the shallows. The warmth of the sun greeted her like a blanket, enveloping her in its peaceful caress.
The alarms of the village horns nearby signaled an end to her tranquility. She sighed. Shaking herself out of her reverie, she headed to the village, drying herself off as she went.
"Rangers to the wall!" ordered the guard.
"Druids to the village, now!" shouted another.
The villagers moved with coordinated precision as the horns continued their warning. The small harbor village remained isolated from the rest of the world thanks to the help of the Elemental casters from Aazronia. During the Methuselan colonization of Whetu, they had formed an uneasy alliance with the Magistrate's ancestors. In return, the Druids of the village brokered a peace between the Treants of Aazronia and the casters, their planet lost to the heavens during the great sundering. The only physical entry to the village was through the narrow opening in the harbor mouth. The tidal forces created a ferocious bar that claimed the lives of many sailors. Large waves were a common occurrence as the swell moved eastward with the prevailing strong westerly's.
"Where are they coming from, Gaiana?" shouted the watchtower.
"From beyond the mountains. It's the Aazronians."
A towering man, in gold-plated armor, walked over to where the Druid Mother stood. "The Aazronians are coming here? Are you certain, Gaiana?"
"Yes, John, I'm certain. My Druid sight shows me their path from the great portal. They've engaged the Rabids that live in the forest."
The whites of his knuckles showed as John clutched his great war hammer. "We need to help them!"
"I agree, dear friend, but there's no time to open the mountain pass. Even if we could summon enough magic to do so, we could never close it again." Gaiana looked down, summoning her courage and continued. "John."
John looked at the ancient woman before him, sensing something was amiss.
"Yes?" he replied, a nervous energy belying his outward serenity.
"I need to tell you something, and you need to stay calm and trust in the Earth Mother."
The mere suggestion that John needed to remain calm failed to soothe him. Instead, the Apothecary tensed, unsure of what was to come. His apprehension showed in the fine stress lines that deepened on his pale face.
"Say what needs to be said, Gaiana."
"Gwin is with them."
John turned without speaking and ran down the village path. His armor was a second skin that embraced his movements as the light reflected off its golden surface. The hammer in his hand began to glow with a blinding radiance. He reached the mountainside that sequestered the village, raised his arm to cut his own path through, and darkness fell upon him.
"Excellent shot, Cravius!" the Lieutenant called out.
"Thank you, dad! I did as you said and used the blunt arrowhead."
"Good boy. Now, go and guard the children. It won't take long for John to wake and he is going to be p-"
"Enough of that language, Lieutenant Garos, especially in front of your son," Gaiana chastised.
"Oh, he's fine. He's thirteen now, and the best Ranger in the village."
"For goodness sake, he's not a Ranger. He's a Druid and should be attending to his abilities, not running around with a bow in pursuit of some fanciful dream."
"He will be what he chooses to be and nothing less," Garos muttered as he put his arms around his son and walked away.
"Has everyone lost their mind?" Dalynia called out as she tried to lift the unconscious Apothecary. "How about a little help?"
Several men appeared and helped carry John to the small medical hut. Dalynia glared at them as they lay him on the small mattress.
Namorn shook his head at Dalynia. "Don't look at me, Daly. He was lucky Cravius only knocked him out. Who knows what could've happened if John was wearing his helmet? We'd be overrun by Rabids, or the Methuselan army, by now."
Unconvinced, Dalynia reached into a small, woven basket and produced a bottle of blue liquid that she poured over John's wound.
"Nonsense Namorn, there's no way that John would let his own church hurt this village. I'm also sure your Rangers would make short work of the Rabids."
She finished cleaning John's wound and shook her head, displeased. "Heaven help us if Gwin discovers what you idiots have done. Now, go grab that husband of mine, use the hidden path, and help those poor people."
"Yes, Dalynia. We'll be discrete." Namorn kissed her on the cheek and went to find Garos.