Oldhollow and the Seaworm of Gallus

by M C Holloway

  Struggling to get to his feet again, the effort was made much less difficult for Marcendes as a hand reached out to clamp around his neck and lift him off the ground. Gritting his teeth and struggling for air, he saw the hand belonged to Settler, who was looking incredibly pleased with his efforts.

  “You’ve done well, great mage of Llewellyn. Your time is sadly at an end, however,” Settler mocked, his eyes turning black. Marcendes felt a wave of dread and finality come over him as his thought flashed to his daughter, his friends, the army, and his long-lost wife.

  As Settler began to channel more energy, he pulled out a crystal orb and held it in front of Marcendes.

  “You can now go meet your wife, contained in here,” Settler growled. The crystal orb began to glow, and Marcendes felt a pull towards the magical item.

  “NO!” a shrill scream sounded from behind Marcendes as he, Settler, and Demanonis turned to see who it was. A line of witches had appeared before them, all casting energy to put into a spell. At the forefront was Gracie, her face lucid with rage as she concentrated on a growing ball of wind, with the other witches putting their magic into it. The witches began floating a good six feet off the ground as they embraced in a circle. Yellow beams of light and energy began shining out from their eyes as Gracie began rising higher than the others, started spinning around and shot both her arms up to the sky.

  She chanted in an ethereal voice that was not hers and the clouds above suddenly started to swirl and turn black. One cloud took the shape of a scorpion, followed by another cloud that took the form of a giant centipede. Gracie and the witches cast the cloud creatures into reality and sent them hurtling towards Demanonis and Settler, turning into ice as they came down in a magnificent barrage. The shards exploded on impact, slicing through Settler’s arm.

  Settler clutched his arm and gritted his teeth, attempting to stem the blood flow. He looked at Gracie, who was now approaching her father with great concern.

  “You…little whelp…I’ll have your head for that!” Settler roared as he and Demanonis went to cast a spell together. Gracie stood up in front of Marcendes and began casting as well. She was terrified of the two, knowing she couldn’t hope to beat both, but didn’t want to see any harm come to her father.

  “You’ll do no such thing!” a woman’s voice boomed from behind them. A rush of wind came forth and knocked Settler and Demanonis off their feet, sending them crashing into the ground.

  Gracie turned to see Mrs. Lors run up and join her. Mrs. Lors began to glow as she mumbled an incantation and suddenly went bright with a radiant light. Everyone in the immediate area turned away from the brilliance until the light faded away. When Gracie and Marcendes looked up again, a llama no longer stood there but instead, a human woman with shoulder-length hair and brown eyes, wrapped in a white cloak.

  Marcendes’s eyes went wide with realization and shock as Gracie asked, “Mrs. Lors?”

  “Call me mother, please, my wonderful daughter,” the woman kindly replied, her eyes gazing at both Gracie and Marcendes.

  “Mother?” Gracie asked, bewildered. The woman nodded and pointed to the split crystal orb and said, “You set me free at last. Well, at least my true form. I couldn’t exist outside of the orb as my true self was sealed away. But you managed to destroy the thing that held my true form. And thus, you’ve restored me.”

  “Is that…why you’ve seemed to know me so well this whole time?” Gracie asked, her voice unsure and emotionally charged.

  “It is. I’ve watched over you and your father the whole time. I couldn’t say anything about who I was though, for it would’ve put you at great risk. For that, I’m sorry my dearest daughter. I hope you can forgive me.”

  Gracie’s eyes quickly watered as she ran to the woman and tightly embraced her. She looked up with a smile and cried out, “Mother, I’m so happy you’re okay!!! We missed you so much!!!”

  “Lorana…after all this time…you’re alive,” Marcendes choked out, happy to see his beloved wife.

  “I missed you both so much as well,” Lorana replied, tears welling in her own eyes. The two helped Marcendes to his feet as she tightly embraced the great mage and said, “I’m sorry for keeping this from you, my dear husband. I wanted to tell you so badly but couldn’t.”

  Marcendes smiled and tried to reply when a series of ice spears flew by. One hit Lorana in the side, as well as grazing Gracie’s arm.

  Rage immediately inflamed Marcendes as he faced down both evil mages, now on their feet.

  “Have your touching reunion another time,” Settler taunted, his arm smoking from what appeared to have been a cauterization of his wound.

  Lorana started sending magical energy to Marcendes as a wave of power suddenly hit him. His eyes started to glow blue as he began channeling a monstrous amount of magic around him. A protective wind started swirling around the trio as Marcendes began casting and chanting.

  “How is this possible? He’s barely got anything left and now he’s doing that?!” Demanonis cried in surprise. Settler looked to him and replied, “He’s making a conjuration. We can stop him here.”

  The two evil mages went into a casting focus and summoned a seaworm and a giant snake from the earth.

  Marcendes channeled his energy and slammed a fist into the ground. From it, came a massive pangolin, standing double the height of the other conjurations. Pointing his finger forward, Marcendes said, “Go and destroy them.”

  The pangolin started lumbering for the snake and seaworm and they soon clashed in the middle. As the three all tangled in a giant melee, Gracie ran to her father’s side and began casting slime spells to coat the evil mages in.

  Settler was immensely skilled at staying moving and defending against the spells while controlling a conjuration, but Demanonis wasn’t so fortunate.

  Slime after slime splashed down on the evil mage and his seaworm started to stay still in combat, giving the pangolin ample opportunities to rend a power tail strike into it. The pangolin grabbed the snake and began swinging it around, smashing it into the seaworm over and over. The seaworm finally broke into pieces, having sustained the maximum damage it could, and the pangolin began heading for the evil mages. The two did their best to hold off the onslaught but were caught by the deadly swing of Settler’s snake conjuration as it smashed into them and sent them flying.

  Meanwhile, a horde of togastas appeared from the back ranks and began closing in on the group of witches that were fighting others and assisting the soldiers. In addition, the evil oinks sensed the movement too as they also began closing in on the position of the vulnerable witches, as well as Marcendes and his family.

  “We’re going to be overrun!” Keira cried out as she cast a few slime spells at the evil oinks. A loud battle cry was heard as she turned around to see Idok and the oinks from Gaon Mountain enter the fray and began engaging their wicked counterparts. The oinks went into their enemies with blows from axes, taking off limbs and chopping away at the evil oinks. If one of the wicked oinks got too close to one of Idok’s, they would lower their heads and skewer them with the thorns atop.

  Several of the togastas were heading for Marcendes as the ring of steel and a flash of movement took one down. In the middle of a group of togastas, stood Neo and Bailey. The two immediately started the battle tandem of techniques only the two could do together from a history of many battles together.

  Neo leaped into the air as a twister of claws and slashed a few togastas across their faces. Bailey leaped forward and delivered a series of stabs at others, driving his blade into their chests with accurate quick strikes, felling the savage warriors.

  Neo took a glance at Marcendes wielding his conjuration wildly attacking Demanonis and Settler and saw a large snake get shattered into pieces of earth, as well as Demanonis lying motionless on the ground.

  Settler, seeing the situation starting to quickly dissolve for him, pulled out a black gem and smashed it on the ground. A dark wisp cloaked him and flew off into the s
ky, leaving nothing behind. Settler was gone, except a voice that said, “You win this time, Marcendes. Next time won’t be so lucky for you.”

  With both leaders of the army indisposed, Marcendes felt the rush of energy finally leave him as the pangolin conjuration returned to the earth and the mage dropped to his knees. As Gracie went to help him, a group of togastas came down on them.

  Bailey went sailing through the air and cut one at the neck, landing next to the trio, “Get to safety! We’ll clean up the back ranks!”

  Lorana, finding the strength to stand, made her way to Gracie and together, the two helped Marcendes to his feet while some of the soldiers came and assisted in moving Harchand from the battle. A few more came to collect Demanonis and immediately bound him up before carrying him off.

  It was becoming evident the alliance was gaining ground by pushing the other forces back, and with both Settler and Demanonis out of the way, the rest were sure to fall.

  The vanguard that initially led Marcendes to the two evil mages earlier were able to assist the family in making their way away from the thick of the fighting, along with Sav and one of the army captains leading the witches to safety. They all eventually made their way back to a safe zone. The army stood up to give some of their numbers respite from the fighting.

  Harchand received immediate medical attention, as well as Lorana receiving care for her wound. The spear fortunately didn’t hit any vital organs and had melted long before arriving. Marcendes himself was taking time to recover from his own wounds, but mostly his exhaustion from such magic usage. Gracie received a bandage for her arm, mainly just a superficial wound with no serious injuries.

  After another hour of fighting, a roar was heard from the alliance, one of cheers and joy, as the togastas and evil oinks began making a retreat for the beach. There weren’t very many remaining, the alliance having successfully defeated a great number of them. The sounds of victory resounded from horns and cries of the army as they watched the forces retreat.

  Marcendes and Gracie stood up to see familiar faces returning to the safe zone before long. Sav, Keira, and the other witches remained unharmed as they returned to take count of their numbers. Soon to follow were the mass of various soldiers, archers, and mages.

  Duke Queras was helping a worn-out Jarl Bosvir, staggering together as he handed the mighty jarl to his men. Duke Queras then turned around and looked where the back ranks were, a look of grave concern on his face.

  Marcendes staggered up to the duke and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Where’s Neo and Bailey? I haven’t seen them yet,” Duke Queras replied, worry seeping into his usually upbeat voice. A sight ahead of him caught his attention, one of a cat in battle armour with a hamster on his back.

  It was Neo and Bailey, Neo walking with a motionless Bailey on his back. Duke Queras flash of smile was quickly replaced with concern as the cat arrived in front of the mage and duke.

  Neo, his voice barely a whisper sullenly, said, “Bailey…he spent his last breath saving me from a surprise attack. I’m sorry my duke, I couldn’t save him.” He hung his head.

  Gracie approached the group and gasped in shock at the sight of Bailey, lying still on Neo’s back, with a bandage soaked red on his chest. She ran up to the great cat and tightly hugged him and began sobbing into his neck.

  Duke Queras walked up to Neo and rested a mighty hand on his haunch, replying softly, “No, Neo. You both have continuously went far beyond the call of what was needed in these times. It is I who failed you.”

  Neo let out a sad meow of sorrow as his yellow eyes went wide with despair. Duke Queras cleared his throat and turned to face a growing crowd of other Gorobowans and soldiers. Seeing a gathering quickly filling up, he said in his strongest tone, “Prepare a funeral for one of our own.”

  Neo said to the duke, “If I may make a request, let us take him to Gaon Mountain for his final resting place. Bailey loved the place very much and it has a history of housing some of the greatest dwarven heroes there. I’m sure he’d be honoured to rest there. It’s the least for someone so brave as him.”

  The next few days, the victory speech was given by Jarl Bosvir to the army for such a job well done on reclaiming their freedom from such an army. He also gave the warnings that Settler was still in the realm and alive, while Demanonis was captured and unable to do anything else.

  He also gave the reminder to remember those that lost their lives in the conflict, that freedom never comes at such a cheap price. The alliance cleared out of the plains on the first day, leaving nothing but the remains of weapons, bodies, and the scars of war on the peaceful Tylis Plains, a solemn testament to the conflict that ensued there.

  Over three days’ time, the alliance didn’t quite return home but instead made a quiet march to Gaon Mountain, to attend the funeral of Bailey, one of Gorobow’s finest and bravest warriors. The days were mirthless and of little joy on the way to the mountain; despite such a powerful victory, the loss of Bailey made the victory seem hollow for many of them.

  On the third day, the alliance all arrived at Gaon Mountain. Outside, Coluss waited for them, having been contacted via gem to await their arrival. There, he saw Duke Queras, carrying Gracie as Neo had Bailey on his back.

  Coluss warmly greeted them all and led them along a path that took them to a wide area outside of the mountain fortress, one with two giant braziers and benches aplenty.

  The alliance all managed to find places to sit or stand, a good few thousand total all gathered around. Duke Queras moved to the dais where a stone bench was covered with a regal cloth, Bailey was gently put there by the duke himself.

  Duke Queras turned to face the alliance all gathered around and began his speech.

  “We all have won a great victory, first off. Our survivability is established and defended from such a threat. However, that freedom didn’t come without a cost. Our numbers of lost soldiers were very few. However, there’s one that I wanted to personally honour.”

  Neo, at the duke’s side, looked to Duke Queras as the mighty gorilla took off a brooch with red engravings on it and laid it next to Bailey on the bench.

  Turning back to the crowd, he continued, “Bailey was one of the duke’s select warriors, along with Neo and a few others, as well as a dear friend to me. His joyous attitude to life was one that many found infectious and heartwarming. Not to mention, such energy from a proud hamster as himself. All of these things were only bolstering by his fighting spirit and his fiercest loyalty to those he held dearly.”

  Duke Queras cleared his throat and said, “Gaon Mountain is a fitting place for such a warrior. This mountain and fortress are home to some of the mightiest dwarven warriors to ever live. Bailey loved everything about dwarven culture and admired the heroes of yore; therefore, it is only right to have such a proud being rest here.” Looking around, the duke saw no sight of the body of Bailey.

  "Where's Bailey?" asked Duke Queras, looking shocked.

  "He's coming," replied Gracie as she stood up and walked over to the front of the area where a piano sat. The piano was crafted like no other that Gracie had ever seen: etched all around it were beautiful, delicate swirling patterns etched into the wood, the keys made of marble reflected the light brilliantly, which made it even more beautiful. It was a piano that could have only been made by the dwarves.

  Gracie sat patiently as a noise was heard at the back of the room. Everyone stood and turned to look at Neo as he came into view wearing full battle armour, and upon his back, an open casket which held Bailey still and at rest.

  Gracie placed her fingers on the keys and began to play Nuvole Bianche. The first few notes filled the room and caught everyone’s attention as Neo started to take slow deliberate steps forward, his head swinging from left to right as he let out a mighty roar.

  The oinks all bowed their heads, their thorns at forty-five degrees, a mark of respect for a brave warrior. Duke Queras unsheathed his ceremonial katana, holding it high, he bent down o
nto one knee and bowed his head.

  Marcendes reached for his pocket and pulled out a small sunflower seed, which he knew was Bailey’s favourite snack. With it flat on his palm, he whispered an enchantment that sent the seed shooting up into the air. The single seed then broke into hundreds of tiny sunflower seeds that danced and swirled around the big room before coming to finally rest in Bailey’s casket.

  The notes on the piano finally came to an end as Gracie said, " I hope I did you proud, my friend," and tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Duke Queras went up to Bailey’s body and bowed his head, letting a solitary tear fall and softly said, “Until we meet again, my friend.” Turning to the crowd, he inhaled deeply and let out a proud roar. The other Gorobowans present all joined with their own as a chorus of roars resounded through the mountain range.

  Jarl Bosvir looked to the warriors of Bondross and said, “Well? You’re just going to stay silent? Roar like warriors!” The people of Bondross also joined in on the roars and the cries all together almost seemed to pierce the heavens themselves as the clouds above dissipated and let out a ray of sunshine from above.

  Epilogue

  A day after everyone had all departed Gaon Mountain, Coluss was in his shop with Idok handing him various tools.

  “Hand me the enchanted left valve,” Coluss said and Idok did as such, handing him a piece of metal. Coluss was working diligently on something, ever since he received the news of Bailey, and was close to completing his task.

  Coluss then began chanting an incantation on to the piece of metal he had crafted together and watched a blue light sparkle over the machination. Smiling, Coluss saw the piece of metal begin to pulsate and come alive.

  Working even quicker, he moved over to something covered in a blue cloth and flipped it up enough to take the machination. He began putting something into it. Idok couldn’t quite see what was happening but watched with intrigue as Coluss was in his focus as he was when a project took major prominence for him.