“I haven’t wasted three hours of life trying to fish for something, for you to waste it. It could be your last dinner.”
Kassius had enough of her morbid sense of humour.
“You eat,” he said.
“I already ate. Besides, you should keep something for Alana and Tor.”
“Fine,” she said. She hugged him from behind, and quickly let go. “And please be careful.” Her voice broke into sobs.
Kassius took a deep breath and prayed once again. The message in his mind had been clear. Or had it not?
But what he was about to do was anything but safe. And sane, for that matter. His three remaining arrows, recycled after hunting over and over were his only true defence, along with the fish on his back he carried in case he was trapped in the place of his visions. And… Did it make any sense? Killing the only creature that had saved his wife?
Kassius finally stepped forward, where snow had covered the lower part on the entrance and had now melted into water. He grabbed the ice-cold iron bars and climbed up, as his equipment seemed to drag him back. Used ropes, a stolen brass lantern, and a few hammers and nails in case he needed to slide down a cavern.
This night was the coldest so far. Snow poured like arrows from heaven.
Kassius walked on into the cold. Even though the darkness was too much, he knew the forest well. The cave was not too far, although the heavy snow made the passage frightening.
Kassius strode forward, lantern in hand. And as he pressed on, he heard a howl in the distance.
He looked around. Wolves? He had not seen them. Maybe they had migrated looking for food. Maybe they had smelled the sheep in the old farms. Could they smell from so far?
Kassius walked more carefully. If he were to encounter wolves, a knife would be of no help. If an angry dog could bite him faster than he could brandish a long sword, a wolf would pulverize him in no time. Besides, wolves were never alone. According to what he had read once, a wolf-pack could have as many as seven wolves. Three arrows would not be enough.
And the howling was heard closer to him. He swallowed and removed the bow from the leather strap behind him. He put the lantern on his side and prepared a bronze arrow.
The howling became a bark, and gasping. Kassius squeezed the eyes, ready to aim at the figure that would soon emerge.
Steps drew closer, as paws rushing through the snow-covered bushes.
What jumped out was not a wolf, but something similar.
Kassius quickly put the arrow away.
“Boy! Is it really you?”
He rushed forward and knelt, as Arcturus greeted him with his tail up. He was way skinnier than before,
“My boy, it’s so good to see you!” Kassius petted its neck, as Arcturus barked like a puppy and licked his face.
“Are you hungry boy? Are you hungry?” Kassius removed the fish from his bag and tore the flesh with his hand. He didn’t want Arcturus to get hurt with the bones.
Arcturus quickly devoured the fish, and Kassius remained there. He hugged the dog again.
“I will never lose you again. I’m sorry for what I did. I’m glad you survived. I promise I won’t hurt you again.”
He stood, and realized what he was getting into, and what he was getting his friend into.
“That being said, Arcturus, I’m going to a very dangerous place.”
Kassius kept walking forward, removing the bow and arrow again. Arcturus walked by his side, always loyal and present. The forest trail went up as he walked stealthily.
The snowstorm soon faded and once again became sparse with little flakes that descended quietly, but the ground was sparkling white.
“Let’s keep going,” he said to himself, as Arcturus was way braver than he. Well, he didn’t know they were walking into the bear’s den.
The snow stopped descending as they got to the dense part of the forest. The bear’s cave stood immovable, white snow covering the entrance and the ground.
“Slowly, my friend,” Kassius said, preparing his bow. He whispered at the dog. “We’re going to be very silent, I’ll send you to the woods again if it’s dangerous for you.”
He expected hibernating bears to be deep sleepers. If that was the case, he would not have much to worry about, just sending Arcturus home.
“Heel,” he ordered, and Arcturus stood still under an evergreen. Kassius solemnly enter the cave, as the light of his lantern timidly shone over the dry floor. He tried to listen to the animal’s breathing, but he did not detect it. As he walked on, he noticed something staining the floor. Maybe the blood of a prey dragged into the cave. He kept walking, and almost tripped on something as big as a sack of potatoes.
“What is this?” He drew the lantern closer, and then took a step back, startled.
A bear cub lie there, its body cut open. Kassius illumined the area around, and found the other three bodies, and behind, a large splash of coagulated blood forming stripes, as if a wide body had been dragged through the floor.
The hunters had been early.
“My gods...” Kassius put the arrow away and knelt over the dead cubs. He took a deep breath.
But a shadow on the edge of the cave startled him. He took a stop back and quickly lightened the area. A small cub waited, pressed against the edge. Kassius noticed the despair in its eyes. Then, he heard it moan.
“Oh… What have they done to your kin?” Kassius knelt. “Come, little one.”
The cub remained in the corner, still frightened, scarred in its mind.
Kassius sighed.
“Take this.” He extracted the fish from his bag and offered it to the bear cub. The animal moved timidly but reached out and devoured it.
“I won’t hurt you.”
Kassius stood up, looking for the entrance. He realized piles of rock had been placed in areas of the cave. Against the rocky wall, he noticed a similar circle. He reached for his tools and created a lever to open the entrance. After applying a bit of strength, it gave way, revealing a wide and irregular tunnel, not like the one where they had taken refuge before, also constructed with an iron ladder next to the hatch.
Kassius took a deep breath and commenced his descent. The cavern sank deeper than he had imagined, into the bowels of the earth. He noticed the walls, although mostly crushed and widened by some violent force, were constructed of regular bricks. Kassius doubted they were created by old Tharcians, as the style was different.
The tunnel below had high walls, with a height that could surpass those of the Itruschian aqueducts of the day, and no less impressive. The time and effort put into them could indicate the existence of an entire city below ground. Was that the creation of Tharcians? Perhaps, if the legends were true, they had been made in the time of the giants.
When he had reached the bottom, he stretched out his arm and lightened the ground beneath, discovering piles of human bones, most of them intact, some even encased in fine clothes of olden age. Some of them showed signs of having been burnt, and their bodies were contorted and preserved in expressions of pain.
He kept walking, bewildered and frightened at what had gone on. The remains were still there, their leather clothes preserved through time. Then, he walked into a room where the walls seemed to have been struck by battering rams in all directions, what he found there startled him beyond belief.
A body lay across the hallway. The phenomenal being that had occupied it had a stature comparable to that of a tree, extending for fifteen yards. The proportion was similar to that of a regular man, only the legs may have been longer. Its spine had strange claw-like spikes coming out of it, and the colour of the decayed bone -as well as the texture- reminded him of iron ore.
Kassius knelt beside the figure, examining it, and astonished almost to death. The eye-sockets were surprisingly square, as well as the chin, but the skull was bulging and grotesque. He shivered at the thought. Giants were real. At least, they had been, and he was in front of one.
>
But he had no time to waste, so he advanced through the mummies. Those were wearing priestly garb, and he felt he had seen those robes before, as well as the metal tools they held in their bony hands.
Kassius paused for an instant and shut his eyes again. Where could that gem be? The stave sparkled in his mind, and he went on, toward a broken stone altar. A pile of small rocks from the wall had splattered about, covering it. Kassius stuck his hand inside and started removing the rocks.
There he saw, like in his visions, a faint green light. The pile of rocks descended at his feet, releasing the gem. Kassius’ heart was filled with pride as he removed it. Its dark green light danced with the shadows above, as light piercing through stained glass. He held it up in his hand. The power was in his hands, and above all, the legends were true.
Chapter XXIX - Ancient Rites
“What do we have here?” Walerius said, taking a slow step forward. He unsheathed his sword and whirled it with his wrists. “Who knew you would be the one that would bring so much trouble to us. You…” He pointed the sword at her. “I should have taught you a lesson when I could.”
“You!” Alana said, blinking and swallowing the fear. She unsheathed the dragon blade, ready to give her best.
“You took me for a fool,” Walerius said with a frown, anger flashing in his eyes. “Now I will make sure you get punished. You and your gang of harlots.”
Walerius lunged at her with a diagonal cut. She parried. The man’s strength was greater, and it made her step back and almost lose her balance. Then, he attacked again. Alana arched her back and managed to block, but the sword flew out of her hands.
“You’re dead!” the soldier said, and Alana staggered back as she saw that glance again.
“Stop!” The wounded Felix lunged at Walerius. The soldier turned, surprised, and he instinctively drove the sword into Felix’s chest. Felix opened his mouth, gasping for air, and his eyebrows twitched.
“You disgusting traitor,” Walerius frowned and spat in the floor.
“No!” Alana said, as Felix collapsed to the ground in a pool of blood.
“Do… Domi...” he muttered, his eyes opening wide in a last spasm.
“You killed him! You... You will pay,” Alana said, but the sword was still many feet away.
The sound of steps by her right side surprised her. She turned and saw Raxana and Kassara wielding butcher knives that reflected the snow’s white glow. Kassara lunged forward and attacked the unsuspecting soldier, hitting his ribs. The man frantically waved his sword, but he was not quick enough to block both.
He fought desperately. Alana remained still.
When Walerius had been taken down, they took Walerius’ coat and boots and rushed Alana back into the woods. She couldn’t help but stare at both fallen bodies. Two soldiers. Maybe they would be interred with honour. Even Felix, as no one could know what his true allegiance had been.
Alana turned to the forest and ran with all her might. Soon, they left behind the streets and sunk into the white forest, where no light could guide them but the pale snow.
“Sisters! Sisters!” Alana said, as the shivering women gathered around her. Alana shook her head when she saw their wounded bare feet. Especially Tor, who stood proud even after weeks in captivity.
“I am sorry to take you out into the cold,” Alana said. “Now follow me. We have found a cavern where we can hide. It is hidden below the ground, and none can find it. You may rest there. There is but a little food, but with your help we will find more.”
“There is nothing to be sorry about,” Gitara muttered, as she covered her bare shoulders and shivered. “Nothing is as precious as freedom.”
“Now, let’s get moving!” Alana said.
“Whoever needs boots, please put this on,” Gitara said.
Lashka, one of the old matrons who had been imprisoned, wore the boots, then they ran into the dark forest, until they reached the broken menhir.
They descended one by one, starting with the oldest matron, and soon they gathered around a cozy fire, being welcomed with a modest feast of fish prepared by Irema, and warm water to heat their cold feet.
***
“They will send all their strength today, no doubt,” Alana said solemnly, as they sat cross legged around the fire. “But...” She cleared her throat. “Please have faith in Kassius. He will find it, no doubt. Excuse me one minute,” she said, standing up.
She left the group and called Tor to the side. His expression had changed, he had grown too fast, and had gone through more pain that she had in her entire life.
“I am so glad you’re back. Sorry, I’m sorry to have left you like that...” she said.
Tor put his hand on his own chest.
Alana took a deep breath.
“I promise we will not let you suffer any more,” she whispered. “I promise… I can’t believe what you have been through for my fault.”
Tor shook his head.
“Please...” She sighed. Then swallowed. “I need you to do me a favour. I wish I could let you rest until you feel well, but we really need this for today. We… We are forging the sword again.”
Tor raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, the sword. I...” She reached for her bag and removed the blade and the blueprints Kassius had drawn. She had already fitted the wood on the iron, but it was still round and had no shape. “We only have a few hours. I need you to carve a crucible. It does not need to be beautiful. I just need it to have an exact proportion and this stave.”
Tor nodded and immediately got to work. Soon, the sword was ready, still coarse and dull; it looked empty with the black solar symbol and the two empty spaces prepared for the gems, but Alana prayed that the moment would come, when they would find them and access the power of the gods.
Then, she heard a noise overhead, and she ran, her heart pounding fast.
“Kasha! Kasha!” she said, expectantly. “Did you find it?”
Kassius’ expression was stiff, but he immediately lifted his hand, and she caught the glimpse of a green light, like an emerald fire.
“Amazing!” she yelled in excitement. It was real, she could feel its power. With that magical sword, justice would surely be served. Victory was near.
“And I’ve found two friends. But I need you to come and help me with them, maybe they won’t really like it down there.”
The bear-cub came down tied to Kassius’ back. After coming and going, he was exhausted. But there was no rest, at least that day. Arcturus refused to go inside the tunnel, instead, preferred to rest in an old weasel’s nest outside.
Tor finished the work, and although it needed to be polished, Kassius decided that it was time.
“No one else can come. Just Alana and me,” Kassius had declared, as he took his instruments and walked up with her into the forest. The sun was already coming out, melting the snow. Kassius guided Alana into a small clearing where an older menhir, or a group of them, rather, had once stood.
“Now…” He cleared his throat. “I need you to follow my instructions carefully.”
“Alright,” she said, as her stomach turned inside her. She felt there was something wrong. It was what she needed to do, she thought, but the uneasiness of what would happen next overwhelmed her. What if the sword didn’t work? No, impossible. All those coincidences had to lead somewhere. If not, that would be a cruel joke by the gods. It could not be.
Or what if the power was too great for them to handle? What if they were not worthy?
“Ala…” he said, kneeling and carving a circle with the future Sword of Ares. “This is the place. Now, take off your coat and bring that thing over.”
“Bring what?”
“The thing that’s in the bag.”
She reached for his leather bag and extracted an old bronze chalice.
“This? Where did this come from?”
“Yes. Now, keep it with you.”
He swallowed
and blindfolded himself. He stood up, feeling the lines he had carved in the snow, and sat at the other side of the circle.
“Come, and bring the chalice to me,” Kassius said, palms up.
“Alright,” she muttered.
She reached for it.
“Take your boots off,” Kassius said.
“But...”
“Do it.”
She cleared her throat.
“Kassius, that is a bad idea, my feet may...”
“You must.”
“Alright,” she said, reluctantly. She stepped on the snow and yelped at the biting cold on her soles. The few steps toward the circle seemed eternal. The sigil on the ground was startling. The circle had been guarded by runes she had never seen, and the image in the center, besides interlocked triangles, had circles going through orbits. She thought they represented the planets.
“Give me the chalice,” he said, receiving it in hand, and then placing it in the middle of the hexagram. “Now your hand,” he commanded.
“Right or left?”
“Right.”
She extended her bare arm.
“Now cut your finger?”
“Excuse me?”
“I need your blood. Just a drop.”
“Alright,” she muttered, extending her index. “Kasha… Are you seeing anything?”
He shook his head, as if confused.
At the same time, Alana had pierced the skin of her index finger, and a drop of blood was escaping. She obeyed Kassius’ instructions and let it drip over the rim of the chalice.
But Kassius kept shaking his head.
“Is there something wrong?” Alana asked.
“Shouldn’t be,” he said. “But...”
“Are you feeling something strange?”
“I’m seeing…” Kassius said, extending both hands forward, his expression changed into one of astonishment.
“What are you seeing?”
He cleared his throat. “Let’s concentrate.”
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