Bladeborn

by Clayton Schonberger

  “Bladeborn, this miraculous power to heal…where does it originate?” Deocarla asked him at the end of the day.

  “My Queen, it is more than this magical scabbard. I am not sure where the Essence comes from, but it is a gift I am able to channel.”

  Queen Deocarla paused thoughtfully, and then suggested, “Essence…long ago, my mother told me of our Court Wizard. He often spoke of Essence in this way…”

  Brother Kregert said, “I suggest a book, young Bladeborn. Perhaps our Librarian can show you ‘The Omnibus of the Psy…’”

  “I remember my father speaking of that book,” Queen Deocarla told them. “I never learned the language it is written in. It is one of our oldest books, if I am not mistaken. Ask the librarian about it, Bladeborn, and tell him I have given you clearance to see it. I would be interested to learn what you discover.”

  The librarian directed Bladeborn and Brother Kregert to an ancient, dusty codex about Essence-based skills. There were notes in the margins written in a language Bladeborn learned when studying books from the Room of the Laughing Skull with Thustral. The notes were far too specific for Bladeborn to discern their context.

  “Who wrote these notes?” Bladeborn asked the Librarian.

  “I am not sure,” The Librarian responded, “But I would imagine it was one of the Court Wizards of the Six Realms…”

  Brother Kregert was a scholar of great merit, but he could not read any of the language used in the Omnibus.

  “What does this say, Bladeborn?” Brother Kregert asked. “I cannot make out any letter or word—can you?”

  Bladeborn read from the dusty, worn book:

  “Herein you will find a list of the many rare and unusual abilities originating in the psyche. Each power is said to be a gift from the gods…. To read this magical book, one must have focused Essence…otherwise it will be illegible… The knowledge contained herein is a grave responsibility.”

  “Does it really say that?” Brother Kregert asked. “I am disappointed! I thought we would read it together. I suppose I’ll read a novel while you continue your study of that tome.”

  He fumbled with his pipe a bit and Bladeborn read more of the book.

  From passages in the Omnibus, Bladeborn learned his Essence-based attack could generate a wave of mental energy strong enough to kill enemies who stood in front of him. Nightslayer spoke about this to Bladeborn:

  ~~An ability like that killing energy was being channeled by the Rhinolon Wizard-priest right before the earthquake. But it took him several seconds to prepare the spell, whereas your ability is instantaneous, and has an area. Remember, Swordsman, that such powers are in the world…Had the Rhinolon Shaman not been slain in time, you would be dead now~~

  “Nightslayer, how did you know the Rhinolon Wizard in the Raider Marches was about to kill me? He was hidden behind a rock.”

  ~~It is my business to know such things~~ Nightslayer replied.

  “Can’t you be more specific than that?” Bladeborn asked the Sword.

  ~~When you have existed long as I have you come to foresee certain events before they take shape. I can give moment’s warning, in some cases, to help the person I am bonded with to stay alive~~

  Bladeborn was hardly satisfied with the answer, but he decided to let the subject drop, and he continued to read.

  “Have you learned anything more?” Brother Kregert asked Bladeborn after a morning’s reading quietly.

  “Only that the scabbard is merely a focusing object for an Essence-based ability to heal that I already possessed. And here is a passage on the ability to enlarge.” Bladeborn read the passage:

  “…a person with that power could possibly be able to alter their form into a single animal’s, such as a fish, bird, or cat, by using a great deal of concentration and Essence. The culmination of this kind of power is the ability to become like almost anything living.”

  “Amazing…” Kregert said. “And you possess such skill, correct?”

  “I believe so…” Bladeborn answered.

  “You read all morning… Have you uncovered other things?”

  “Well, mush of the book seems to have the words out of order… As though I am not meant to read what is written somehow. But while reading one passage, I was reminded of the time when I has 18 or 19 years old, and escaped from the dungeons deep below Fortress City. A ferocious water creature called a tentaslime had attacked me, and I had almost drowned. It was at that moment when I reached into what I have always referred to as ‘a room that is not a room,’ and withdrew from it a weapon to defeat the tentaslime.”

  Brother Kregert said, “I know certain Wizards can do this—they have the ability to ‘trans-substantiate’ things. They can pull large objects from beneath small ones, and it is not mere illusion or sleight-of-hand. Perhaps this Essence skill is like that?”

  “I am not certain, Brother. It has only happened once or twice in my lifetime.”

  “And you think this is a power you have?”

  “Yes, Brother,” Bladeborn confirmed. He read more,

  “Such a power as this is known as known as DIVINE FATE. When all else fails, the gift of DIVINE FATE can deliver the day for the one graced with access to this holy blessing…”

  “Let us take our lunch here in the library, and see what else we can uncover today.”

  They had their lunches sent to them from the palace wing, and they discussed what they had learned so far. Kregert asked many questions and provided a few answers when he could.

  There were several passages on the morality of the Essence powers Bladeborn reflected upon. It said they were dangerous—a person’s eternal soul could be sent to the Hells or the abyss by the Judge of the Dead if the powers were used in a misguided fashion.

  Bladeborn finally came to a passage that discussed a power he had some familiarity with. “Brother Kregert, here is a passage I can read that says I have a dawning awareness of another dimension, parallel to reality. It exists like an overlay to our world, running though it as though in a looking glass. What do you think? Maybe someday I will be able to reach out to that skill.”

  “I know of that which you speak, Bladeborn. Our old Court Wizard in the Six Valleys could almost ‘appear out of nowhere’ if he wished to. He was using that skill, I am certain, for he occasionally spoke of another ‘dimension’ if my memory serves me. It was the place he walked!”

  Duly impressed, Bladeborn responded, “Brother, nowhere in the Omnibus does it say why a person would be blessed with such powers as these. Would you know?”

  “There are words which describe such men. They are said to have ‘old souls.’”

  Bladeborn continued flipping through the book, yet he could find little more that was legible.

  Then Nightslayer said, ~~Most of the mightiest heroes to have lived in the solar reach had a few of the abilities you read about today, Bladeborn~~

  He was awestruck by this prospect, and Nightslayer told him, ~~You should keep these secrets to yourself! Truly, the very balance of the world could shift due to misguided actions—or inaction—on your part. Even sharing them with Kregert maybe a mistake, but it is done~~

  * * *

  Bladeborn’s esteem in the eyes of Deocarla was greatly increased after he had healed so many of her people.

  One day, Deocarla planned a picnic with Bladeborn on the surface above the First Realm. Lord Esket was chagrined after being told to wait by the doorway to the First Valley. Queen Deocarla and Bladeborn went with two middle-aged squires who served them lunch on a plateau overlooking the Valley’s orchard. They had such fun that the Queen asked him to repeat the luncheon again the next day.

  Bladeborn had the impression that the Queen was taken with him. Yet he could not be sure.

  During the third picnic, Deocarla said playfully to Bladeborn, “My ladies-in-waiting have begun to talk about us, Bladeborn…What do you think of that?”

  Bladeborn looked at the Queen hopefully. She was the only woman of quality he ha
d ever gotten to know. To have her consider him as a romantic interest was more than he hoped. He imagined that she had a thoroughly noble and gentle soul, and he wondered about the motivations she had behind her interest in him. He decided that she was taken with him because of the many positive qualities she saw in him.

  Queen Deocarla Procasseye was thirty-eight years old, over ten years older than Bladeborn, yet she was still very beautiful. Her noble features revealed little of her age. Her hair was tinged with grey, yet like fine silk. Bladeborn felt it natural to be drawn to her.

  “How could I not be enamored with you, my Queen…? To have you feel the same way about me would make me feel true happiness.”

  Queen Deocarla put her hand over her heart, and laughed, “Indeed! You have the soul of a poet, Bladeborn.”

  “Only when it comes to you, my Queen,” Bladeborn smiled, feeling complete.

  The season was early Fall, and as the leaves in the First Valley changed from green to colors of red and orange, Bladeborn and Deocarla shared many afternoons picnicking in the mountains.

  Bladeborn took Deocarla’s hand in his on one of these occasions, helping her up a step. They kept holding each other closely that entire day, and onward into the fall, until the first snow of winter fell.

  Despite Deocarla’s intoxicating perfume, and her willingness to allow Bladeborn to hold her close, he did not hug her for more than momentary interludes, and he didn’t kiss her. Bladeborn tried to check his emotions—she was a Queen, and he was new to the land. Yet keeping his feelings for her bottled up inside was difficult. Bladeborn so wanted to open the gates!

  Bladeborn knew that he had to win her… and that it would take time…

  ~~The Queen’s true feelings for you are difficult to read, Swordsman~~ Nightslayer said one evening as Bladeborn readied for bed in his apartment.

  “I cannot allow myself to be overtaken by my desire for Deocarla,” Bladeborn said. “She sits atop the highest tree, a delicate bird to be tamed. To me she is the real thing, not merely a Queen, but a woman who I could love for who she is. I feel that I mean more to her than a passing fancy, but were I to approach her too quickly, she would certainly fly away.”

  ~~You will need the Queen’s affections, Swordsman. But do not lose yourself in them~~

  Bladeborn was put off by the Sword’s mercenary assessment of his affairs with Deocarla. “Nightslayer, I am going to sleep!”

  Deocarla took Bladeborn to other safe places above ground, including smaller garden overlooks, and on clear days they visited locations high up in the misty skies with breathtaking vistas of the vast Spiral Mountains. They also visited overgrown ruins from the time when those of the Six Realms lived without fear of the Rhinolon.

  In the ruins, Bladeborn said, “This city must have been marvelous!”

  “The splendor of the original Six Valley cities is legendary among our people. Sadly, for the past thousand years, it hasn’t been deemed safe to enter the ruins. Going into them is forbidden. The stone is too uncertain. Yet I am considering an exclusion to that law. Several younger scholars from another of the Realms have been studying our old ways. They will likely be allowed entrance.”

  “So, it has been a long time since anyone from the underground cities has entered these ruins?”

  “It has been decades since we enjoyed such peace as this we have this past year. Our ability to live life safely in the Spiral Mountains comes from your influence, Bladeborn,” Queen Deocarla repeated.

  “You told me the Rhinolon no longer hunt in these mountains,” Bladeborn asked. “The raiders and soldiers who once approached the Six Valleys now hunt for me in the Blasted Plain.”

  “It is true,” Deocarla said. “And our people come out in the light of Draconia’s red sun. Thank you, Man of the North, my Bladeborn.”

  One evening, as Bladeborn and Deocarla ate a private dinner in the palace banquet hall, Deocarla asked him, “Do you find favor in any of my ladies-in-waiting, Bladeborn?”

  “Well,” Bladeborn said, “Lady Lavella’s hair is like fine gold.”

  “Mm-hmm,” Deocarla agreed.

  “And, Lady Veloth has skin like polished white marble,” Bladeborn went on.

  “Mm-hmm…” Deocarla agreed. “She has.”

  “In fact, all your ladies-in-waiting are just fine,” Bladeborn said. “Yet, my Queen, none of them compare to you. Your features are superior in each way possible, and your effervescent countenance is sweeter, as well.”

  “You are quite the flatterer, Bladeborn!” the Queen exclaimed, surprised.

  “I speak my feelings, Queen Deocarla,” Bladeborn stated.

  Late that winter, the Queen introduced Bladeborn to all the Knights, guild masters, and merchants in her Kingdom, along with their families.

  The days they had together in the First Realm went by, and an overriding question came to Bladeborn’s mind.

  “Queen Deocarla, where are all the people?” Bladeborn finally asked. “In the undercity, my old home, the people are shoulder to shoulder in many places. These halls and caverns are made for many thousands more than I see. Why would your homes be so unpopulated? There are many unused spaces and empty markets! And where are the children?”

  Queen Deocarla quickly changed the subject as if to avoid the question. “Bladeborn, we simply must see the roses next year! They will be in full bloom… They were carefully tended last season.”

  Bladeborn realized her misdirection and backed away from further inquiry at that time. Deocarla led Bladeborn to the garden and after a brief stay bid him goodnight. He wondered what kind of mystery he had touched on in the one he cared so much for. He felt uncomfortable for the first time since he had been there, certain that he had displeased her.

  “Why are there no young ones here, Nightslayer?” Bladeborn asked the Sword.

  ~~I do not know why. But none of them have children, Swordsman, and none are speaking of it~~

  Even his close friend, Brother Kregert, had not explained this to him. He tried to track Kregert down, but at the small temple to Saint Morth in the First Realm, he was told Kregert was at prayers. Bladeborn asked the other Priests where the First Realm’s children were, and the response he got was obscure:

  “You need to be tactful in asking questions of us, outlander,” the Priest said. “Certain issues are sensitive. I am not at liberty to discuss this. Perhaps you should take your question to the library. I will tell Brother Kregert you called—tomorrow, when his devotions are completed.”

  He realized the entire time he been there, he had seen no one under the age of ten; he felt foolish for not noticing it before.

  Bladeborn spent several hours that night looking at population records for the Six Realms. From what scribes had written, it seemed the people of the Valleys were disappearing. It appeared that the scribes had not been keeping accounts for some time, having all died of natural causes.

  Standing by the door to the library was Lord Esket, the Queen’s guard, who had been watching Bladeborn while he was with the Queen. A dour expression on his face, Esket looked across the library at Bladeborn.

  “Lord Esket, could you answer a question for me?” Bladeborn called to him. There was only one other person in the place—an aged scholar who Bladeborn had occasionally conversed with when he was searching for certain topics among the books.

  Lord Esket looked as if he was surprised that Bladeborn had the gift of speech at his disposal. Bladeborn said, “Lord Esket, good sir… Could you tell me why births declined so much here in the First Realm?”

  “Foolish outsider!” Esket said angrily. “What do you really know of us?”

  Esket left, slamming the library’s great door.

  The scholar said, “Perhaps, you should choose your words more carefully, young warrior. Maybe you need a lesson in protocol,” The scholar took the book he had been reading and left… leaving Bladeborn in the library alone.

  Still with no answers, Bladeborn found a book called “Living a Noble L
ife,” and another book called “A Knight’s Responsibility.” He took them to his room and read until late that evening.

  He was surprised when Deocarla was not at breakfast the next morning. The stewards quietly brought out the usual fare... Bladeborn had grown used to many elegant foods by now and he reflected on how lucky he had been under the Queen’s attention and care. He thanked the stewards and asked their names and questions about their families, but he didn’t push them. They were all polite and formal.

  He asked that if Deocarla should need him he would be in the library and his lunch and dinner should be sent there.

  In the silent library, alone, he communicated with Nightslayer. “Nightslayer... Why didn’t you instruct me in the ways of a nobleman? Tell me what I need to know, please.”

  ~~Bladeborn, nobles are often treacherous and deceitful. The people here have a great secret… They are under a curse, although I do not know the magic of it for certain. Yet I can guess: all Six Realms suffer from magic made by the Rhinolon that keeps them from having any children~~

  “Can the Rhinolon do such a thing?” Bladeborn asked the Sword telepathically.

  ~~Such are the powers of the Lords of Hell. There is more to this plot than you know. The Queen wishes that you will become her consort. She thinks that you may not be under the same spell as the rest of the men of the Realms. As a Queen’s consort, you will see no battle and there will be no glory. Like the nobles abused their power in Fortress City, you will find the same wherever you go: nobles are often greedy and self-absorbed~~

  Bladeborn mulled this over for some time, growing increasingly alarmed. Could the Queen have deceitful intentions?