Elias rode to Nox and pulled him up on his horse. Nox was in terrible shape — the potion having nearly run its course. His body was tattered from the strikes of battle. Gavin ran towards the men and yelled desperately, “Is he okay?”
Elias yelled, “I’m not sure.”
Gavin broke free from the ground into flight. He made a straight line to the cliffs to retrieve his horse.
Kanos and his stallion approached Elias on the field. Their eyes met. They didn’t know what to do about Nox. Elias nodded, knowing they should not have allowed him to come and sacrifice his life. His body was limp, and he struggled to breathe. They turned their horses and followed the path that Gavin set. They galloped steadily until they reached the cliff.
While riding, Elias leaned down from his horse and snatched an enchanted arrow that was jutting up from the ground. The men reached the cliffside and moved around the edge. They rode along the sheer rock wall as the dark of night began to fill the void.
38.
Kanos stowed the blue trinket back into a leather pouch as it began to give him a great deal of discomfort. The effects of the blue trinket help him greatly in battle, but he rode in deep-set nausea and mental struggle.
Nox was barely coherent. He drifted in and out of sleep as he leaned on Elias’ back, head pressed against his shoulders. Nox’s arms and legs were covered in sticky drying blood, which also covered Elias’ back. Gavin pulled rear to check him and saw there were no impalements to his torso; his organs looked sound. His head was also free of blows. Gavin saw Nox’s arms and legs bore dozens of deep slash marks. The sight of such deep wounds on his brother made him lament as he wrestled with deep sadness within.
Gavin said to the men, “Nox has no magic, but he heals faster than normal... it’s… the only reason I let him come. He’s so fast with his blades… I thought this would work if we took care of him.” Gavin veered his horse again to the front of the line and rode on in silence.
Elias could only think of the arrows that easily passed through his shield. He felt silly for taking such a chance, plunging into battle with such an open weakness. He was amazed that Gavin’s shields were so effective and knew it was a key deception that allowed the victory. Elias longed to understand the answer to this puzzle.
The men rode slow into the night until they found a distant place that could hide them for a night or two to heal.
The men spoke little and fell asleep one by one. Elias quickly stirred and remained awake the entire night, thinking about his power, trying to sort out how he could take his crew through another 300 men. He held the enchanted arrow in his hands many times and tried to gaze through the enchantment. The energy locked within the thin spire could not be understood — the purpose and the abilities within the spellwork could not be sensed.
As the hours passed, Elias remained deep in thought and the trails of possibility never stopped ticking through his searching mind. He saw his sleeping friends and thought of their hardship.
Early in the morning, the men began to wake up in disarray. Kanos was weary and his limbs felt heavy; his head ached and it was harder to sit up. Elias stirred soon after, having fallen asleep just before the sunrise. His eyes moved straight to Nox, who was matted in blood. Elias was relieved to see him pulling long deep breaths.
Gavin was gone. His horse remained tied to a tree away from camp.
As the men stirred, Nox awoke, and he was not well off. The early morning passed slowly, with many aches and groans. The midday passed even slower. Nox ached all day. Kanos’ hangover slowly wore off. Elias stood and walked from place to place around the camp, gazing into the wooded slopes around their camp. He thought of battle all day long.
As the evening came around, the men chewed on dried meats, and Elias raised a small dim light to sit around as he tried to help heal Nox. Nox spoke in wavering voice and slowly told stories about him and Gavin when they were young. He talked about the day Gavin learned he could float above the ground. It was an accidental find as he screamed away a bully.
Nox began to tell a story, “Then there was the day we were racing carts down the biggest hill in our village…”
One slow sentence at a time, Nox went on. “I always won because I could run faster before I jumped in my cart. Sometimes, I ran halfway down the hill. It used to piss Gavin off so bad.”
Nox went on, “We were going late into the evening and didn’t notice our path down the hill was shifting to the right quite a bit. I ran my cart so fast and barreled into the darkness. It was stupid. I didn’t see the big old rock. It was a rock I knew was there; I just forgot. My cart smashed against it, and the thin wood shattered and my body flew forward, into the shards of wood. I lay on the ground, gasping for air. Well… Gavin walked up on me, and I could see him there. He was just staring, about to cry. I looked down and saw an eight-inch piece of wood sticking straight out, right near my heart.”
Nox slowly pointed to the place right below his ribs, just aside of his beating heart. “I just reached up, choking, couldn’t breathe, really. I grabbed the stick between my fingers and pulled. Gavin couldn’t take it. He was just staring at me in total shock.”
Nox went on, “I pulled out the stick, and felt the thickest blood run out of my chest. It made my shirt warm and wet. I laid there and just… waited to die, really. Gavin got down near me and just sat beside me. We lay there and said good things about each other, like I was dying. I waited for the darkness or the cold to overcome me. I just closed my eyes. Gavin must have eventually fallen asleep. Well… we both woke up. I was still alive. The hole in my chest looked better than we both expected. I mean… I still thought I was done for. But, after a while, I just slowly sat up, and then as Gavin watched, I started to stand. I was gonna be okay. I had no idea why… but I was gonna be okay.”
The three men moved to silence. The marvels of Avios flooded their minds. The puzzles of their new lives became the hope they wanted to believe in.
39.
Gavin stood before a host of men. The men were serious and their looks were grave.
An older man spoke, “My name is Ochin, and these are my sons, Vary, Traak, and Gabe.” Three men stood apart from the crowd of 32 and stood beside their father.
Ochin continued, “We’ve been watching the soldiers for months. Every day, someone has eyes on their encampment at least once. I find it hard to believe just four of you have taken down over a hundred men.”
Gavin said, “I understand that.”
He raised his hand and guided himself as slow rivulets of transparent energy began to swirl around his feet.
Gavin lifted himself off the ground and remained in levitation, two feet off the ground. “I ask you not be afraid. I ask you… to shoot me with an arrow.”
The crowd was not amazed, but they were unsettled. Ochin stared intensely, “So you have the powers. I known of them. We also see the soldiers do strange things.”
Gavin said, “Please, just shoot one arrow.”
Ochin turned to the crowd and nodded to the left. A tall man stood out, and he unshouldered his bow and drew a very long arrow meant for killing the largest animals.
Gavin nodded.
The tall man let the arrow fly, and in an instant, it zinged straight towards Gavin’s chest.
Gavin pushed his palm out as a flex of energy exposed a subtle shield. The arrow turned downward, embraced by the energy — it stuck straight into the ground.
Gavin said, “With energy like this, we have taken on a branch of that battalion. They’re all gone. And not just defeated, they’ve been dismembered.”
Ochin swallowed hard. His eyes showed he understood the world had grown far beyond his own strength. He looked at his sons and then at Gabe.
Gabe stepped out and said, “I saw the light from the battle yesterday. A beam shot up into the sky and then returned. My village is not deeply entrenched in magic, but we know the threat of those soldiers is real. They are not… fully human .”
Gavin said, “Tha
t’s correct. They have made a pact with the energies of darkness. They have been enshrouded by what is called barisee, or phantoms.”
Gabe replied, “Some of us have the powers. Not like you…”
Gavin said, “I am with two men who are far stronger. Without them, we could not succeed. My brother was there as well, and his life has bled from him. He stands at the brink of death. I do not think you are safe here so long as those men try to raise an army of those things. If I were giving advice, I would say to leave this area. If you don’t want that, then I suggest some join the fight — we might be your best chance. We are down to three and could use the help.”
A robust short fellow stepped out of the crowd. He raised his left hand. Around his palm emerged a series of tiny yellow orbs that moved around his palm with great order. He turned his palm toward the ground, and the orbs shot out and widened. The ground was struck with sudden impacts, and half-spheres were blasted out of the soil.
Gavin said, “And what’s your name, sir?”
The man said, “I’m Ahba. I help defend the village. I haven’t had a single urge to take on those men.”
Gavin said, “The soldiers will run out of supplies, and they will come to take what they want. It will happen sooner or later. My friend also described six horsemen banded to those phantoms, who rode to steal and plunder. My friend destroyed all six of them by himself.”
Ahba thought for a second and slowly nodded.
Gabe said, “I could help to… increase the number.” He looked at his father who finally nodded. Gabe took a few steps to the side. He looked around and breathed the cooling air with three deep puffs. He squatted down and held his hands above the soil.
Gavin watched with great intrigue. Gabe began to whisper. He was slowly chanting. He raised his hand quite slowly. Energy began to meet the ground — an undulation began to create a subtle shape. The shape seemed like a dim field. Gabe raised his hand slowly, and he began to stand. Below his hand the shape expanded and drew strange branches of form, which began to look like an ambiguous creature made of faded blue slag.
Gabe redirected both his palms and aimed them toward the creature. He began to push out an expanse of energy that gave the creature life.
What stood before the crowd was a long-limbed bipedal creation. Its eyes opened and were moist like normal eyes, but the color of the eyes was flat blood red.
Gabe said, “Basi, will you smash that log?” The creature turned and walked to the pile of wood quite mechanically. It leaned over and picked up a massive log. It threw the log down against a rock, and it split halfway through. With another throw it split the log in two.
Gabe looked to Gavin and said, “They’re all called Basi. They know my mind. I am, however, new at this.”
Gavin asked, “How many can you make? I’ve seen a conjurer only once before.”
Gabe said, “Maybe three an hour and then once again. Then I’m spent for the day.”
“Well, five or six Basi could truly help.”
Gabe looked to his father, as did Gavin. Ochin nodded, “Gabe is ready, and so is Ahba. Please do not use them like fish bait on the front line of your attack. I insist on that.”
Gavin said, “I wouldn’t dare. We need second line support and expect these men to protect their own lives at all cost.”
Ochin turned to the tall man who nodded back. “This man who tried to shoot you, he’s the best archer I’ve ever seen. He has agreed to help.”
Gavin said, “The soldiers are using enchanted arrows.” The archer nodded and said, “My name’s Dahron, and I plan to return home in one piece. I hunt the avron to feed these people through the winter months. I am glad to help but will stay far off.”
Gavin said, “As to be expected from a skilled archer such as yourself.”
Dahron nodded. Ochin said, “Let us return to our duties, there is much to do. I thank you all.” The villagers began to part. Ochin said to Gavin, “I don’t like to take control, but we’ve had a few people disappear this month. I’m trying to keep everyone’s spirits on track.”
Gavin said, “I can appreciate your situation. We must return and prepare. I need to check on my brother too.”
Ochin fetched a snack for Gavin while Gabe, Ahba, and Dahron left to round up their things. They arrived and were clearly nervous. Gavin said to them all, “In two days, I believe this will all be over.”
Ahba said, “It’s a nice belief you have. Anyways… how did you get here?”
Gavin pointed to the sky above.
40.
For hours, Elias was trying to help heal Nox a little faster. His energy lapped over the wounds on Nox’s arms, and then over his legs. “I’m not the best at this,” he said.
Nox said, “I can feel it helping. Thank you. I know you’re tapped from the battle.”
Elias replied softly, “I’ve felt worse.”
Nox said, “So, is my horse gone?”
“No, I imagine it’s around. I’ve kept an eye out for him all morning. I’ve had to chase my own horse down before — they get scared of all the energy and noise. I saw your horse was gelded, so it likely followed.”
Elias inspected Nox’s wounds more closely. “They’re beginning to seal. I don’t believe that’s my magic at work. It takes much longer.”
Nox said, “I’ve been given a great gift… but wow, I pushed it to the edge.”
Kanos said, “You charged right in. It’s not what I expected.”
Nox said, “Yeah, that elixir was more than I expected. Tell me, how are you so strong with horse and sword?”
Kanos said, “I don’t know. I’m learning as I go.”
Nox chuckled and eased for breath.
They heard a holler through the woods.
“Hello there.”
“That’s Gavin. He’s trying to find our camp again. Can you yell for him?”
Elias yelled, “Hello there.”
Gavin came through the wood line on foot — he was holding the reigns to a rider-less horse. The horse was Nox’s. Behind them were three more horses ridden by Gabe, Ahba, and Dahron. They clopped down over weeds and rocks.
As they approached, Kanos hollered, “Well, hey there… you have some company?”
Gavin said, “Yeah, I went off to fetch some help. These are three great men. Their village is the only one I saw, about four miles southeast of here.”
The men introduced each other. The new men seemed wary. Elias understood their expressions; they had rarely left their town and likely committed to a battle with no experience at all. “Have you seen much battle?” he asked.
Dahron lightly laughed. “We’ve dealt with nature directly our entire lives. We’ll be alright.”
Elias said, “Every breath in battle — each of you will be on my mind.” He held up his hand and sent out four rays of light. The beams rose and swirled, and they turned to the side and began to drill into the hillside. Rocks churned and grinded as a foot-deep hole, 10 feet wide, was slowly sawed into the hill.
The new men seemed to appreciate the sight. Ahba said, “I’ve heard that you are great. I’m… I’m glad to know I’m not the strongest one here,” as he laughed awkwardly, which the men enjoyed.
Gavin said, “This man is an archer of the greatest sort. And this man here,” his eyes lit up, “is a conjurer. He’s new at this, but I saw his beast. It’s more formidable than a man, and he says he can manifest five or six of them.”
Elias felt tension relieve in his mind. “I believe we can tip the scales now, slightly in our favor.”
The new men seemed concerned.
Elias said, “It will not be easy, but we will be smart, or at least more vicious. Those soldiers are hosts to barisee. The men want power and the feelings the barisee have learned to give them. They are not as adamant as we are, and in the face of carnage, many of them will flee.”
Elias and Kanos relayed the battle of the day before, step by step. The men all discussed scenarios that could likely unfold. The new men o
f the village had much understanding of the battalion from their watches. They knew the encampment and supplies, the structures, and the creatures they employed. Elias was deeply satisfied with the priceless information — within him the urge for battle began to mount.
41.
As the men settled down for an evening of casual rest, Nox looked better than anyone imagined possible. His wounds not only scabbed, but the flesh was beginning to pull inward.
“It’s remarkable,” said Kanos, “remarkable .”
As the men sat around and discussed magic, Dahron took his bow and a quiver of arrows far away from camp. He set up a few pieces of fallen wood and walked into the open distance with his bow and arrows. Kanos watched as Dahron walk 50 feet away, then 100. Kanos looked puzzled as Dahron walked another 100 feet and further still. As the men chatted, Kanos could not take his eyes off the archer.
Dahron took his time and slowly nocked an arrow to his bow. He drew back the long string and set the arrow free.
Kanos watched as the arrow sailed in a perfectly straight line, began to dip, then curved again upward. The arrow stuck the wood, not just superficially, but was buried through the wood, the arrow head poking out the other side.
“Avi!” said Kanos, “He’s like me. His arrow doesn’t stop.”
Ahba said, “Yeah, you didn’t think we brought a regular archer, did you?” He laughed heartily.
“I don’t know until I know,” said Kanos with a smile.
Gabe said, “Dahron could support our entire village with his hunts. He makes it easy to live in these woods. The avron are insanely big out here, and still, he pops them dead with a single arrow.”
Dahron sent one arrow after the next with half a minute in between.
Gabe said, “He does that a lot, even though his shot is perfect.”
Kanos said, “I imagine he’s looking for the next great edge.”
Mages of Avios 2. Battlemage Page 14
