by Aaron Bunce
Julian recognized the man from when they entered town. Artemis was his name. He was a soldier, or guard, and looked comfortable with a sword in his hand.
“Soft skin!” Ghadarzehi yelled as something crashed into the double doors behind him. The wood cracked and split, but held. The sodden crate was simply too heavy to move.
“Move aside. I mean to leave this place,” Julian said dropping the battered, old sword into the scabbard.
“Oh, you’re not going anywhere until you answer for this,” the man said, shaking his sword in the air.
Julian strapped the leather vambraces onto his forearms, and tucked Wraithman’s dagger into his belt. He turned and stepped over the dead trapper’s body.
We do not have the strength to fight off an entire village, Pera said.
If they block our way, then they willingly forfeit their lives, Julian thought.
Artemis came forward, his sword stabbing low. Julian’s hand dropped to his belt, pulled his sword free, and knocked the strike away. Even he was surprised by the speed of the movement.
Artemis growled, thrusting, slashing, and chopping in a quick succession of strikes. Julian ducked, dodged, and parried the blows easily.
“Cocky little ragamuffin, you are. I should have killed you outside the village,” Artemis cursed, feigning right and striking left.
Julian flashed forward, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. His blade found flesh. Artemis groaned and fell back, Julian’s sword sliding free from his gut.
Rierda vind, Pera intoned in his mind.
What is that? Julian thought back, as the three remaining men came at him en-mass.
It is wind. The word simply symbolizes it, connecting it with the power we possess, and it’s potential. You have control. Your voice will give it form, Pera said.
Julian sidestepped an awkward attack, blocked a high slash, knocking the second man into the third. The first man came at him wildly, his sword held over his head. More men flooded in through the large door behind them, running his way.
Julian’s blade caught the sword as it descended, sliding up to the handguard and twisted it aside. He grabbed the man in a chokehold, his fingers digging violently into his flesh. The man’s life rushed forth, filling him with a rush of vitality.
Stronger than before, Pera consumed the man’s life in just a few heartbeats. His wasted body fell away as the other two men came in. Julian blocked both of the swords with a single parry and snapped the blade back violently, decapitating both in a single strike.
Use my power, and be gone before we are overwhelmed, Pera urged, his voice growing stronger in Julian’s mind.
I will not fall to chains again, Julian responded, feeling his sense of urgency rise.
Two men came at him at once, another three swarming in behind that. Julian turned and ducked forward, kicking the first man in the midsection. The man doubled over violently, blood and vomit spraying from his mouth.
The second man swung a club, but Julian cut across, parting his hand just above the wrist. He grabbed the man as he doubled over, his life rushing forth quickly.
We cannot fight and consume the whole village, Pera said.
The group of men advanced, backing him towards the door. Something massive struck the doors, the wood splintering and breaking. He looked down, catching sight of the crate, its sodden wood digging and gouging the packed dirt.
“Rierda vind,” Julian said loudly. A potent jolt of energy rushed out of his chest and snapped up his arm. A ball of light appeared in his palm a heartbeat before exploding before him.
The cyclone picked up the table before him and threw it straight up where it shattered against the ceiling. It struck the men next, flinging them as easily as if they were dry leaves.
One man hit the wall behind him with a loud crack, while another tumbled across the ground, his body folding on itself and breaking with the force. A pair of men shot up, their bodies breaking clean through the shingles.
Julian stared down at his open palm. He had never fathomed such power. A group of men, done in with as little as two words. It was intoxicating, but terrifying at the same time.
Go! Pera urged.
He set off, but not towards the doors. Julian ducked in, wrenching the locking pins and flinging the cage doors open. All manner of creature leapt forth, squawking.
The doors crashed open behind him, the heavy wood splintering and breaking apart violently. He opened all of the cages on the back wall, moved along the far wall and ran back into the center of the room, watching the horde of animals scamper out the door and into the snow. He approached the lone remaining cage, its shadowy inhabitant rumbling threateningly.
We do not have time to worry over beasts, Pera said angrily.
No creature deserves to be caged, Julian shot back.
Glossy, onyx scales glistened as the creature shifted. Julian reached for the pin.
The beast will kill us!
Julian pulled the lock free before he could second-guess his decision, and jumped aside. A massive, black form burst out of the cage, knocking the door open so violently the metal bent.
He raised the sword on instinct, but realized that it would be of little use. The massive creature loomed, not a dozen paces between them. A thick coat of feathers shifted and moved, exposing a coat of black scales that gleamed in the light of the distant door.
It turned its head, its large, dark eyes locking in on him as it hissed. Its mouth was filled with razor sharp teeth and a forked tongue that tasted the air.
Julian didn’t back down, nor did he lower his head or break eye contact. The creature growled as the door behind him crashed. It turned, its dagger-sized claws rending the dirt as it leapt, and disappeared through the hole in the ceiling.
Turning, Julian came face to face with Ghadarzehi. The large Yu warrior’s face was wrinkled in a foul snarl. Histarian appeared behind him, after extricating his bulk from the ruined door.
“Soft skin, you poison us and lock us away. This is a coward’s way,” the smaller of the two Yu growled.
“Where did you find a blade?” Histarian asked, his sword pulled halfway from its scabbard.
“I must return home. Kindly move aside,” Julian said simply.
“You will go to the whispering stones,” Histarian said.
Julian shook his head, meeting the large warrior’s gaze. “My people are in danger. They need me. Now, move aside!”
The two Yu’urei pulled their swords in response and moved apart.
“You will go to the Whispering stones, or, you will die,” Ghadarzehi growled.
“So be it,” Julian growled, and charged.
* * * *
“We have no time for your detour, girl. The city is swarming,” Nirnan growled, pulling Tanea out of the way as a gnarl tore in.
The big man dodged a spear jab and grabbed the creature by the neck, before slamming it face-first into the wall.
“I have to go. He knows about the priest. He knows about the bond, and what it means,” Tanea pleaded.
“Bringenhald Square ain’t exactly on our way out of the city. And we don’t exactly have the weapons and armor we need. The beasts’ll take the wall. They’ll lower the gates to the old city, and that’ll be the end of Craymore. All of the soldiers are still in the lower city, or on the fire lines,” Nirnan argued, hefting the gnarl’s crude spear.
“Then see to yourselves. Please, stay safe, and make for safety while you still can,” Tanea said and dashed back along the lane.
“Damn, girl. I can’t leave you here!” Nirnan yelled behind her, but she didn’t turn, or stop.
The streets were absolute mayhem. Merchants, peasants, and beggars ran in every direction. Buildings shook and crumbled. Large holes appeared out of nowhere, the stone falling away underfoot.
Tanea cut past a bakery, and almost tripped over a fallen soldier. His armor was torn askew, the ruined flesh of his back covered in blood. She stopped and pulled the sword free from his
hand, just as the ground fell away before her.
Tanea jumped back, just managing to keep her balance. A dust plume enveloped her as a massive ladder shot up out of the darkness below.
A gnarl appeared on the ladder, its face covered in a crust of tears and dust. It swung around and dove at her, claws leading. An arm hooked around her, jerking her back as the creature landed.
Nirnan drove the spear into the creature’s chest as he twisted her aside, pulling the sword from her hand at the same time. The gnarl leapt and raked the large man’s arm with its claws, rearing for a follow through. Nirnan turned, ducking under the flashing claws, and came up, driving the sword into the gnarl’s face.
“Go, girl!” he yelled, picking up Tanea by the tunic and shoving her forward. He punched a gnarl in the face as it appeared on the ladder, before kicking the rickety construct back into the darkness.
Tanea ran, skirting the gaping hole in the ground. A girl darted before her and fell down, appearing from the shadows like a frightened animal. She scooped the girls up in her arms and put her back on her feet.
“Where are your parents?” she asked, but Nirnan and the other men swarmed over her, ushering them both forward.
“We’ve no time to stop. We stop, and we die,” he yelled.
Tanea clutched to the girl’s hand, her short legs pumping hard to keep up. They crossed a square, a three story stone building crumbling and disappearing into a hole in the ground.
“We’ll never make the gate,” one of the men said, scooping a halberd off the ground.
Tanea looked around Nirnan’s wide frame, catching sight of what the men saw. The road leading out of the old city swarmed with figures. Some were armored men, clutching shield and sword, but they were outnumbered by a sea of howling dark creatures.
Nirnan growled angrily, turning on Tanea, and then back to the gate. He kicked the air and growled, before swinging about again. “To the square then. You’ll be the death of us!”
Tanea turned, pulling the girl up the lane. The two archers outpaced them, dropping a pair of gnarls that emerged from an alley. The stone archway leading to Bringenhald had collapsed, blocking the path. She picked the girl up, hefting her onto the rubble and crawled up next.
They scrambled over the debris and jumped down on the other side. Gaston staggered down next to her, his heavy boots slamming into the ground.
“Stay behind me, girl. Ee’ll get you and the little one there,” he said, pulling her behind him.
They ran out through the square, the massive Chapterhouse looming at the end. Dark shapes moved throughout the gardens around them, darting between snowy hedges and icy fountains.
“They’re circling us! Don’t let them get before us!” Nirnan called out from the rear of their group, urging them forward and faster.
Tanea pulled the girl along, stopped as she fell, and picked her up and continued on. Tanea stopped as a gnarl burst out of hedgerow right in front of her. Gaston swung his hammer at the creature, but it hopped back. Another beast, much larger and more heavily armored, appeared next to it.
Nirnan and the other men crowded around her, pushing her and the girl back. Gnarls jumped over the hedges, sliding out of the shadows, and crept over the large fountain. Tanea pressed tighter to the girl as the swarm materialized. They backed away, the gnarls in front jabbing and lunging at their legs.
“They cut us off! They mean to swarm over us,” Banner said.
“Then we don’t give them the chance!” Nirnan roared and charged forward.
The five men pushed into the swarm, chopping, slashing, and stabbing at the creatures. Several of the gnarls fell immediately, but the hole created in their line quickly filled in.
The gnarls howled and screamed, their numbers and ferocity too much for Tanea and her escort. Nirnan fell back, a spear jabbing into his leg. The other men followed, falling, stumbling, or being knocked back.
Tanea met Nirnan’s gaze as he staggered and got back up, blood dripping down his face and into his beard. His eyes narrowed before pushing forward in a mad attempt to drive the creatures back.
He wouldn’t quit. He would fight, losing bits of himself, until he had nothing else to give. All of the men would fight, and die, trying to protect her and the girl. She couldn’t let them make that sacrifice.
Tanea dropped the girl and pulled her behind her. She started to speak before she realized what she was doing. She felt driven, guided, the words slipping musically from her lips.
“White Lady, hear my plea. Empower me, charge me with your strength, and strike down the darkness that seeks to extinguish your light,” she whispered, her voice growing louder until she was practically shouting.
A strange sensation tingled inside her and she heard a voice. It was so much like her healing prayers, only tenfold stronger. She felt an otherworldly presence hovering about her, and filling her, like a cloud of pure, untainted energy. She felt Julian, too, and a darkness.
“Get back!” Tanea screamed and stepped forward. The divine presence grew heavier around her, swirling and filling her with strength and confidence.
Nirnan and the other men turned, their eyes going wide, and moved quickly. The gnarls hissed and clawed at her, but they moved away as well, retreating like shadows from encroaching sunlight. Tanea formed the energy into substance and pulled it down, drawing Mani’s retribution toward the foul creatures.
The sky grew bright above them as a massive ball of fire plummeted out of the sky, burning through the clouds and rocketing toward the ground. It crashed into the gnarl’s midst, exploding in a violent shower of flames and smoke.
* * * *
Julian bobbed right, and then left, but the Yu were fast, faster than he ever imagined for figures of their size. He wouldn’t be able to get around them.
This is a mistake! They will kill us, Pera cut in.
I am not so easy to kill, Julian thought back.
He grabbed a box off the ground and threw it at Ghadarzehi. The Yu spun out of the way, a short spear appearing from within his furs as he knocked the box aside.
Histarian reached back and pulled a similar weapon from his back, again tucked beneath his furs. Its wooden pole was approximately four paces long, and ended in a barbed, metal blade.
They fight with loar’k and tani’k, “long arm” and “sharp tooth”. One is for guard, the other for attack. It is an old method, and very efficient, Pera said.
Julian rushed towards the two warriors. He stabbed at Ghadarzehi and cut back towards Histarian, but the two figures moved well before his blade could cut. They leapt, turning and landing a few paces away.
He jabbed at the larger figure, but the short spear twirled around and knocked the sword aside. Julian ducked low and back stepped, the Yu’urei’s curved sword cutting across where his head had just been.
Ghadarzehi hovered behind his larger counterpart and watched, a sneer plastered on his gray face. Julian stepped forward and to the side, studying Histarian’s movements. They were irregular compared to everything he had learned, but somehow made the large warrior even more graceful.
“You move well,” Julian said.
“It is our way,” Histarian whispered, before dancing forward, slashing the spear across and following with the curved blade.
Julian blocked the spear and dodged the sword, but he caught a boot in the midsection before he could dodge back. As fast and strong as he felt, the large warrior still left him wanting.
“I do not want to hurt you,” Julian growled in frustration. “I only want to get home. There is someone there counting on me!”
“I like you, soft skin. But as the Jah’dun, I must obey the edicts,” Histarian replied.
“Just like that? You know nothing of whom I am, and would kill me, simply because a story you heard says that you must. Simply because I walked out of a mountain?” Julian growled back.
Histarian nodded. “Our law is like stone.”
Julian came forward, cutting, stabbing, and slashin
g hard at the large figure, his frustration lending speed and strength to every strike. His blade struck the spear again and again, and if not that, it bit only air. His anger and desperation grew.
You cannot best them. If we are to be rid of them, we must flee!
How? They’re too fast! Julian thought back angrily.
Take my power. Use it to reach out to your surroundings. Give us an advantage.
Julian felt his arms and hands tingle as the Nymradic wound around his mind. Suddenly, everything in the barn felt at his fingertips. He blocked a series of strong jabs from Histarian’s sword, and ducked the sweeping range of the spear.
His eyes swept up, to the hole in the roof, and the damaged rafter. Julian extended himself towards the wood, feeling the rough edge of wood fibers as his will wrapped around it.
Histarian came at him, pushing and striking with such speed that Julian could barely get out of the way. He hopped and spun, moving backwards.
The Jah’dun came at him, an eager gleam in his eye. Ghadarzehi floated just behind him, his feet twitching in anticipation. Julian stumbled over a stool he should have easily avoided and slammed into a cage.
Histarian and Ghadarzehi fanned out before him, their blades rising, preparing to strike him down. Julian lifted his blade in his right hand but reached back with his left. The Yu growled, just as the rafter shattered above them.
Julian threw himself back into the cage as the roof came crashing down. Wood beams and shingles tumbled all around, splintering and showering him with dust and snow.
He pushed the cage door open, prying it apart with his feet. Debris cracked and groaned, but he managed just enough of a gap to slide through.
Go. Move quickly, Pera urged, but Julian hardly needed it.
The debris shifted as Julian set off. He scrambled over the mess, fully aware of the bodies fighting to extricate themselves beneath him.
He hit the ground running, sprinting through the door and out into the snow. Julian almost ran over a group of men as they rounded the corner of the building, but they looked to be simple fishermen, and yelled out, scattering before him.
