by Dilland Doe
The wizard stood up straight, and turned with his eyes passing right over Parto, but he was a shadow; a shadow concealing blades. As the wizard shuffled into the kitchen, Parto stepped forward and pulled out his long, thin dagger. He glided right behind the wizard, Parto’s soft shoes making no noise.
He had practiced thrusts for the heart over and over again. He didn’t have to think. His arm flashed forward and the bladed pierced easily. As quickly as the blade went in, it came out before Parto leapt around the corner and ducked. He waited for magic to flare in all directions, but none did. He knew he should wait for the target to die before visually confirming the kill, but he wanted to see the man die. He had to see what he just did.
Parto leapt from the corner onto the man, who somehow had fallen on his back. Parto flashed his blade toward the forehead, then stopped.
The man was as shrivled, wrinkly, and feeble as any elder. He stared into Parto while a smile grew across his face. “You have her eyes.” His head rolled to the side as his eyes closed. He was still.
Parto pierced the skull, then wiped the blade on the deceased’s shirt. Whose eyes? Mom?
#
Parto strode toward the High Library. He had been to the regular library, but never this restricted one. With his kill, he was now a full inquisitor. An agent of The Sovereign. Protector of the Scripture of Justice. Assassin of maleefas. He couldn’t stop seeing the old man die again and again. Parto knew the dead man was an escaped wizard, sentenced to die by The Authority’s Ministers, but he seemed defenseless and looked upon Parto, the man’s killer, without hate…but love.
Did that guy know my mom? Maybe it was an aunt. Or it could be anyone not related to me. Maybe I just reminded him of a daughter or something.
He walked along the path under the towering white statue of an inquisitor reading a book. Ahead, rose the tall, rectangular High Library. Two guards in mail stood in front of the closed wooden doors. Parto knew the defenses were much greater than they seemed.
Finally, he could figure out if his dad really was a maleefa. Maybe he could learn who his mom was, where she went, and if she practiced the dark arts like everyone said. He had overcome all obstacles between him and the library. Nothing could stop him now.
He approached the guards who stood straight, ready to check his inquisitor’s medallion. Parto froze. Someone watched him. He turned his head and his jaw dropped. Her.
She watched him with almost glowing green eyes. A wind gust blew her shoulder-length hair off her shoulders before it fell back in place. The angles of her face were like no others, creating an extraordinary combination of cuteness and beauty.
He glanced back at the entrance to the library where the truth of his family may be contained. Then back at her, the most gorgeous creature in Hyzantria. I must find out what happened with my mother and father. He turned toward the library. In his peripheral vision, he saw the girl step to walk away. The library isn’t going anywhere.
He jogged after her. “Hey! Remember me?” She walked fast, turning a corner. “Hey! You were just looking at me? Heh. What’s going on?” He turned, and she wasn’t there. She wasn’t going that fast! He jogged forward a bit, then looked around. He stood on the side of a street. There were no alleys close enough for her to reach.
Something sparkled in Parto’s eye. He looked down. In the patchy grass next to the street, laid a curved piece of metal. A heavy two-horse wagon rolled by Parto’s left. He stepped aside to give it plenty of room before picking up the item. As he swayed it in his hand, it seemed to glint a desirable amount of sunlight. It was about as long as his forearm. He placed it on his arm, the curved sides wrapped perfectly around it. He noticed slits where leather straps should go. It’s some kind of designer arm guard. Surely it’s a costume for some ball. It seems perfect for my arms.
#
Parto sat behind his desk, staring at the initiate standing at attention on the other side. “Do you understand your mission?”
Nodding, the initiate said, “Yes, sir.”
Parto leaned forward. “I know you have little to go on, but if you somehow find her, and find information about her, you will have proven your skills, and will jump up the list to get your first kill-mission.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Dismissed.”
The white robbed young man turned and strode out the room. Deep down, Parto felt a little awkward commanding someone in his young twenties when Parto was still a teenager, but he knew he earned his position as full inquisitor. And he wasn’t afraid to use it, including his access to the library, but he had to find out about that mysterious woman first. He hoped to have time to visit the library before The Inquisition gave him another mission.
Light steps approached his office. He jerked his head up. Beauty incarnate stood before him in a neon green, tightfitting dress.
“Ho-wa-uh.” Parto stood. “How’d you get in here? This building’s off-limits to non-inquisitors.”
She shut the door, then smiled the sweetest, most innocent smile a human could possibly give. “Parto, have you tried on my gift?”
Through his robe, he touched the hard guard on his left arm. “Yes. What is it?”
“You remember ancient history class?”
Parto’s mind expanded. “Kalurian? But. Barely any of their ancient technology survives. How could you have gotten this? It looks new!”
She smiled and approached the desk. “Far east, where the Kalurian’s power was strongest, many artifacts endured, and can be found…if you know where to look.”
“Wow. It’s so light. It can’t possibly be strong.”
“It is. Stronger than anything except estra armor.”
Parto shook his head. “Hyzantria makes a lot of money selling those infidelic fools all our estra.”
“The armguard wasn’t just a casual gift. Use it…to keep you safe. It can even absorb magic.”
He pulled back his robe and looked at the piece of armor fastened to his arm. “Nooo. That can’t be.”
“It can. You can learn of that later.” She walked to the side of his desk. “The sun is setting and it’s so lovely outside. I hear the High Gardens are beautiful this time of year.” She held a hand toward him.
Sweat built on Parto’s head and hands as he stared at her dainty fingers. “But…you have to have access to the gardens.”
She smirked. “Inquisitors can bring a guest, and few will be there now; it’s getting dark.”
He forced his eyes back upon her face. “Gosh, you’re pretty.” Why did I just say that out loud?
She stared at him with her unreal green eyes, hand still outstretched. He wiped his moist palm onto his robe. “Heh. Sorry, I just didn’t—I don’t mean to—Ieaaa—”
“Parto. Shut up and take me to the gardens.”
#
They strolled the gardens as planned. Finding her surprisingly easy to talk to, Parto chatted lightly about food, sedeux, threats from the eastern empires, and inquisitor training. The bright moon revealed the lush greens and vibrant colors of the bushes and flowers around them. After winding through the entire path, they stared up at the moon holding hands. The trickle of a few fountains and one cricket’s song danced across their ears.
She turned toward him. “It’s late.”
He gawked at her cheek bones that led to her perfect little lips. It’s over? Oh, man. Should I kiss her? I should, shouldn’t I? But how do I approach? What if she rejects me?
“Goodbye, Parto.” She let go of his hand and strode a few yards away.
“Wa-wait! Will I see you again?”
Turning her head toward him, she nodded with a smile. “Eventually. I have to leave town. Don’t wait for me.”
“No, I will…” What’s her name? She never told me.
Her steps echoed away from him.
“What’s your name?” he shouted.
She stopped, turned, then blew him a kiss before exiting the garden. Parto stood, frozen, alone in the garden having n
o idea what just happened. After staring thoughtlessly at the arch that the woman of his dreams just left under, he smirked. At least I know she was into me after all, not Theto. Ha ha. That loser!
Ch. 26
The thin butt, covered in long brown and black fur all mixed together, swayed in front of Theto, who stared at slight movements in the semi-bushy tail that hung down in front of it. Another stray ruffy walked next to that one, and a third was next to Theto. He glanced down at his own dirty ruffy legs and body. It didn’t make sense. He walked on two legs, but somehow the illusion made him look like he walked on four.
The border river grew in the distance. Traveling off-road magically disguised as a small pack of stray ruffys, they had made their way through Utopia without further detection, so far.
Theto said, “I know it takes longer to travel this way because we’re off road and can’t ride our horses, but it seems like the much safer way. We should have done this the whole trip.”
“Ruff!” Hibb barked, then chuckled. “It’s too risky. High beings don’t really like us using their power so consistently over a long period of time like this. I’m not sure why; it doesn’t seem to require any effort on their part. They just have to be turned on to me. But I’ve never met a high being who liked having his power used at all times. So I only do it when it’s absolutely necessary.”
“I still don’t get what these high beings are.”
“Yeaaaah, kid. No one does. But they aren’t so different than us. Magic is a bargain between wizard and high being. They must agree to work with us, and us with them. They have to feel they get something out of it, or they won’t open their power to us. That said, they have no power in this world without us.”
Theto feared trying to swim across the river. What if they got caught in a current and it pulled them right in front of a check point? Plus, he didn’t wanna get all wet! As they got closer, Theto saw they approached an old wooden bridge. “Did you know this was here?”
The ruffy head ahead of him nodded. “Ruff Ruff!” Hibb chuckled. “I mean, yes. Back in the days before Utopia, there were just tribes with ill-defined borders. Many extended families live across the border, so they cross back and forth to visit and trade with each other. The authorities have always allowed it as far as I know.”
Something moving grabbed their attention. Galloping up the Utopian side of the river, armed men wearing leather armor rode toward the bridge.
“Crap.” Hibb said.
Theto and Hibb kept approaching the bridge as the men dismounted and stood in front of it, looking straight at them.
“They,” Hibb whispered, “did know we were heading in this direction. Don’t worry, Theto, follow my lead, but don’t let them touch you. The illusion is visual and a little audial, but not physical.”
Hibb sprinted toward the men, wagging his tail and barking. Theto froze for a second, ready to turn and run as he expected the soldiers to notice that the bark was obviously fake. They smiled at the approaching ruffy.
Alright. Theto gave his best bark as well and sprinted forward. The horses and everything they carried, also disguised as ruffys, just kept plodding ahead.
Hibb halted a foot in front of a soldier, then lowered the front half of his body while keeping his butt in the air. His tailed wagged. “Rrrrr-ruff!”
Oh, The Divinity. Theto wasn’t sure how to make his illusion look like that, he ran forward on two feet, then went to all fours in a playful ruffy position.
The men reached out to pet Theto and Hibb. They dashed away before spinning around and barking.
The soldiers glanced at each other and laughed. One said, “I remember having a ruffy when I was a kid. I always wanted to get another one, but I travel too much for work.”
“The life of a soldier isn’t all fun and games,” the other said, then sighed.
Theto and Hibb dashed toward them before spinning around and running upriver. The men tried to touch the fake ruffys, but their fingers only sliced through air.
The first man glanced at the other, then scanned the land in front of him, before saying, “C’mon, it’ll be hours before the tent wagon gets up here.” He dashed toward Theto. “C’mon boy, come here! I’ll get ya!”
He closed on Theto surprisingly fast. Theto turned to run but too slowly. No!
Hibb sprinted forward. “Ruff ruff ruff!” The guard stopped and turned toward the charging ruffy. Hibb changed his angle at the last second and ran by the man, giving Theto time to back away.
The other man came away from the bridge too, smiling, but not giving chase. He glanced at the two horses reaching the bridge. “What about those two?”
The other man, breathing heavily, said, “They don’t seem as playful. I wouldn’t try to play with a wild ruffy who doesn’t start the play.”
The other man nodded.
The one soldier chased after the fake ruffys. Theto and Hibb barked friskily at him, but kept their distance. Theto kept glancing at the horses. Once they were across the bridge, then he and his uncle could follow.
“C’mon man! Join in! Maybe we can corner one and pet it!”
The other guy laughed while shaking his head. “You’re a kid man, a kid.” He walked forward.
Hibb jogged by Theto, whispering, “This could get dicey, you go cross the bridge, I got a plan.” He jogged off before Theto could reply.
Darn it, uncle. I know you’ve got me this far, but you’re kinda fat; two guards could easily catch you.
Hibb barked playfully at the men while Theto walked away from the river, then toward the bridge. The men spread out and went after Hibb. Oh uncle. Theto stopped in front of the bridge and watched. If they found out Hibb was human, Theto would have to attack or something. He stared at the swaying swords at the soldiers’ hips.
In less than a minute, Theto’s fears came true. They had Hibb pinned to the river, slowly approaching, ready to grab him.
Then Hibb squatted and lifted his tail away from his butthole.
Uncle…
The soldiers stopped approaching as nasty, brown poop, which Theto could smell from the bridge, slowly excreted from the stray ruffy.
Uncle!
The soldiers stood dumfounded. Hibb finished, then walked between them untouched. After Hibb and Theto crossed the bridge, a soldier yelled, “Hey! That’s human poop!” But the fake ruffys were now in the land of the river kings, and safe from run of the mill Utopian soldiers.
Ch. 27
Theto and Hibb rode horseback as they made their way through the lush river lands. They still had not come along a road, but Hibb insisted they were almost to one.
“Which country are we in now?” Theto asked.
Hibb smiled while shaking his head. “I don’t know. There are just so many of them. They taught about the River Kings in school?”
Theto nodded. “Yup. Just a bunch of small countries in-between all these rivers. The heathen empires and The Authority vie for influence. Most ally with an empire for gold or other benefits.”
Throwing his fist in the air, Hibb said, “A-plus!”
“Heh, thanks.”
A long, wet fart slowly exploded from Hibb’s rear. Theto jerked his head back, staring at his uncle.
A sheepish smile grew on Hibb’s chubby face. “Heeeeeeeeeeeee.”
They eventually found a road and passed through a few small kingdoms uneventfully.
As the sun set, they approached a small town’s inn. Out in front, a sign read: ‘King Leekhan Attacks! Counterattack tomorrow! Warriors and Wizards needed! High pay for wizards! For the king! For The Divinity!’
Hibb smirked at his nephew. “We could use some money. I’m gonna check this out. Tie up the horses and get us a room.”
Theto secured the horses near the front of the inn, then walked in. The place was packed. A butt sat in every barstool and chair. Men drank, talked, and laughed, but an air of seriousness was present. These guys didn’t look like traders. Some had tight, lean muscle, others were big and burly.
A handful wore wizard robes. The patrons spoke in all sorts of accents, like they came from all over the Hyzantrian speaking world. Is this an entire inn of mercenaries?
He waited at the bar for a tender. An older barman with thinning red hair looked at Theto. “What it be?”
“Hi. I’m looking for a room with two beds.” Theto hoped they had something left.
“I only got bunks. That’ll work?”
“Yes sir. I also have two horses to stable.”
“We got a big stable, don’t worry. This your first fight?”
“Oh no, no. We’re just traveling through.”
The innkeep tilted his head to the side before straightening it. “We need young wizards like you. Them heathens will overrun the river kings without them. So hard for us to find’em thanks to it being illegal in Hyzantria. But The Divinity is still on our side, and we can’t let those unbelieving rats win.”
Theto leaned forward. “We fight the east?”
“River folk supported by the east. They might as well be the east. This is a good fight. If we go down, the enemy will be at Hyzantria’s doorstep next.”
No. No!
Theto secured a room, stabled the horses, then re-entered the inn. Hibb greeted him with open arms. “Hey! You got us a spot?”
“Yup.”
Hibb slammed into him, closing with a great bear hug. Theto struggled to breath. “The Divinity; what are you doing?”
Hibb pulled back. “I got myself a little job. These river kings are always fighting with each other, financed by Hyzantria and the eastern empires. I can make us a chunk of gold in one battle, then we won’t have to worry about paying for all our rooms and food for quite a while.”
“Battle?” Theto scanned down, then back up Hibb’s pudgy body.
Hibb laughed. “Don’t worry, neph, no one will even see me.”
