The Three Charms

by Brian Spielbauer

  The troll dodged his first swing, but the second landed in the troll’s shoulders. It bellowed in pain as Skyler tried to remove the axe, which was stuck in the shoulder bones. Skyler had to give it up. He pulled his sword as the third attacked him. Stuck between the two, Skyler began twirling his sword to keep the attackers at bay, even as the first one pried the stuck axe loose. He studied the trolls, hoping to find a place to attack. The third troll, regaining his balance, broke the neck of the pony. His horse’s body collapsed to the ground as the beast let loose a satisfying roar. They knew no help was near for the dwarf, who would soon be their dinner.

  The troll, pleased with his kill, bit into Skyler’s pony, blood oozing down both sides of his mouth as he chewed the satisfying warm flesh of the horse. Skyler felt for his horse but focused his concentration on not joining his steed. He came down on the second troll but his blade caught in the troll’s armor as the first troll wrapped up Skyler in his free arm. Skyler’s fears ran wild, overtaking his previous concern for Ambrosia.

  The second troll withdrew the sword from his armor, which narrowly missed his stomach. He pulled it back to skewer the dwarf. Skyler wriggled helplessly against the far larger troll, but it did not good. As the blade pushed closer, a ‘plink’ signaled the release of an arrow. The troll before him straightened up as the arrow plunged into his throat. The first troll looked around, trying to find the attacker. The troll holding Skyler lost his focus and Skyler slipped from his grip to the ground.

  Suddenly, a dwarf swung from the trees and landed hard on the third trolls shoulders, locking its legs around the disgusting mass. The cloaked dwarf covered his head with a hood, and a metal mask over his face. It was the troll’s turn to struggle, gasping for breath as the strong legs squeezed the throat.

  Skyler regained his axe and took on the first troll again. He quickly delivered several severe cuts to his opponent. The dwarf riding the other troll pulled his long knife, stabbing sharply into his troll’s massive cranium, taking him down. Only one troll remained.

  Skyler pulled his knife to attack the last troll, but it beat him to the punch, knocking him to the ground. The knife flew from his grip as the angry troll strode hard at Skyler, seeking to squash him with a giant step of his gigantic foot. The other dwarf ran between them, denying the troll his prey as it shoved the foot, which narrowly missed smashing Skyler into mush.

  The dwarf pulled his own sword and a duel erupted between the troll and dwarf. Skyler marveled at the skill of the dwarf, handling every menacing swing with ease. Skyler found his knife and rose to help, throwing the well-aimed blade. The dagger found its intended mark, landing deathly solid.

  The troll struggled as the knife stuck in its chest, but quickly pulled it out as it screamed in pain. They heard more trolls answering his call, coming to aid him. The dwarf spun and brought the sword blade directly against the stout legs of the troll, severing both of them at the knees as the blade sliced cleanly through them. The scream in pain reached a higher tone as the troll dropped to the ground, wailing uncontrollably. The dwarf jumped into the air, stabbing down on the maimed beast with a bitter scream of effort. The pitch of his battle cry seemed off, but the stab mercifully ended the bitter scream of the troll.

  The dwarf ran off, waving at Skyler to follow, which he eagerly did. They dashed through the trees as they heard the horns of the men of Drachen Castle coming from far behind the trolls. Soon the vile intruders emptied the forest from both sides of the road, filling the trail behind Skyler. Some of the lumbering beasts chased him, but the majority braced for the legion of charging dwarves from above them. The angry dwarves descended hard on the trolls that trespassed on their land.

  “Jump on my horse!” the muffled voice from behind the mask ordered, as he quickly scurried up the saddle. This was no pony, but instead, a full-grown stallion. It would have no problem carrying the two dwarves from the battle to safety.

  Chapter 22: A Pleasant Companion

  Normally Skyler wouldn’t leave the battle to others, but on this occasion, and how things ended, he knew it was far better to depart immediately. He was eager to discover the dwarf who saved him, but that would need to wait a few more moments.

  The trolls threw their spears as Skyler and his new friend ran to the horse. The wicked weapons whizzed passed them on each side. The sound was a small shriek that dared to try and be bigger, growing the closer it reached to its target. Finally, the sound buried itself into a tree with a thud, or bounce off a rock with a clank, its whole life spent in only a few moments.

  Skyler jumped up to the horse’s saddle. He slid in close to the other dwarf, wishing there were a horse for each of them. He would be eager to get away so he could safely walk. He never liked riding a horse with another boy.

  Before he settled in, a spear nipped the horse on the hind leg. The horse, pained by the cut, bolted into motion with Skyler losing his place and sliding off, barely hanging on to the saddle with one hand. The dwarf threw his hand back to Skyler, snatching his arm, “Skyler!” he shouted in alarm. Something in the muffled voice seemed quite familiar to Skyler as he waved like a loose strap in the wind from the charging horse.

  Skyler fluttered in the breeze, first his body banged onto the back of the galloping horse. Then the mighty legs of the horse, along with the growing wind, lifted him high into the air. His body then lurched forward as the dwarf, holding on to Skyler with one hand and still gaining control with the other, pulled Skyler back to his intended perch.

  It was amazing feat of strength considering the size of the horse and the smallness of the boy. Skyler quickly regained his hold, but due to the jerkiness of the pull, this time Skyler pressed hard against the boy as he landed, which caused the boy to grunt as Skyler crashed hard behind him. Skyler was unable to slide back as they rode clear of the trolls and the dwarf in front pulled Skyler’s arm, placing his hand around the dwarf’s waist as there was nothing else to hold onto.

  The dwarf seemed to lean back a little into Skyler, which he could not protest as the two bounced here and there. They used all their strength to stay on board the rampaging mare. A fall from a horse this tall, especially at the speed they were going, would cause them serious injuries. He could not risk it and held on tight to the dwarf in front of him.

  The trees were whipping by as they raced away from the wasteland that was the Dragon Glades, heading back west toward the north road. As they slowed to a manageable ride, Skyler offered to his fellow rider, “I will need to thank you for saving me. Might I have your name, as you seem to know mine?”

  The dwarf slowly lifted his mask, which hid under the still hooded cloak. With the hood pulled forward, the boy loosened the string that allowed the wind to pull the hood back, revealing his savior. The hint as to whom the person was came from the first twisted locks of blond curls that refused to allow the string to corral them. The hood loosened, which let the entire storage of hair free in the still rushing wind. Skyler rode blind in the forest of hair that covered his entire head. Though robbed of his vision, the magnificent smell of spring that rested forever within this space made for a few terrific moments. Much to his surprise and elation, he mistook his savior for a boy, but it was not.

  “Ambrosia is my name,” she stated with a smirk, knowing it quite a surprise. “Excuse my hair, it has a mind of its own,” her voice rolled along with the winding path they were traveling on.

  “Please, can you help me?” Ambrosia said as he handed him the simple string. She slowed the horse to allow him the time to pull her hair back, trying to get it all was nearly impossible. He tied them into a little bow, which he assumed she would do.

  “Thank you,” she uttered, pulling his hand back into its special place. The pony-tailed hair hung just past his ear as he eagerly hung tight to Ambrosia, one sad hand holding the saddle and the other lucky one in its official resting place just under the front plate of armor and across her stomach. Ambrosia’s own free hand holding it tightly.

  He perched
his cheek just above her shoulder, which nestled perfectly next to her neck and ear, right behind her smooth cheek. Amazing.

  Ambrosia smiled as she kept focus on the road ahead and the strong arms wrapped around her torso. She was ecstatic when, using an ill-timed bump as an excuse, the arms around her pulled her even tighter as he slid closer.

  Skyler was euphoric at the unexpected turn of events. So many things occurred so quickly, with so many questions to ask. More importantly though, and quite enough for now, Ambrosia was with him. Together they put more ground between them and the Dragon Glades with every gallop of the mighty stallion that carried them blissfully away.

  Skyler noticed little on the ride, his eyes fixated on the smoothness of skin and the curves of her face. He studied the perfect small lines coming from the corner of her eye. Then the ridge where her skin around her mouth met her profound and plump lips. He noticed the smallest of moles, the only one of its kind, sitting happily on her cheek. An oasis of brown in the sea of perfectly tanned skin.

  Just as amazing as the close-up visions of Ambrosia was her smell. Skyler took many deep breaths as her ornery hair, the most stubborn of which again loosened themselves, whipped by him on the ride. The need to hold the saddle lessened and Skyler slowly let go, allowing his hand to slide back onto her leg where he let it rest. It was a far better place as far as Ambrosia was concerned.

  “Stop!” Skyler shouted suddenly, a thought pulling him back to reality as he quickly took his hand off her leg and again grabbed the saddle with the other. Ambrosia pulled her steed up fast, the horse ever willing for the rest after running so hard for most of the morning.

  “What is it?” Ambrosia asked with concern, sliding forward to gain a good look at Skyler.

  “Ambrosia, we must go back. Your father… you can’t just go with me!” Skyler exclaimed, frantic thoughts of what Darrow would do to him for taking his daughter rushed into his mind.

  “I am not going back, not to Trent!” she declared as Skyler dismounted and then helped her down. She slid close to him. In that moment, they leaned into kiss, but Skyler again thought better and pulled away.

  “We can’t do this! You have been promised to another,” Skyler worriedly scowled. He scanned the woods for trolls, or even worse, Ambrosia’s father.

  “Can you believe my father wanted me to marry him? There is no way! And he announced it at the end of my party to everyone. How could he think I would be happy about that? He never even asked me how I felt about him,” Ambrosia spewed her thoughts to Skyler. Despite his worrisome thoughts of his inevitable torture in the Drachen Castle, the words, like all her words, were music to his ears.

  Skyler’s nervousness subsided for a moment, pleased she did not want to be with Trent. His mind shot back to the issue that lingered. “I am going to a battle and have serious business to deal with. Even though I would love to have you there, it is far too dangerous.”

  “You want me to be with you? That is so sweet!” Ambrosia said. She stepped close to him, leaning in with her eyes closed for the kiss that he consistently denied her. Skyler again, much to her irritation, pulled away.

  “What are you doing?” Skyler scolded, stepping back. “You can’t go with me, it would be nearly impossible to concentrate on my duty if you are there.” He was shouting his thoughts before he could filter them, recklessly laying bare his feelings for Ambrosia.

  “You can’t concentrate when I am near you? Ohhhh!” Ambrosia said again, rushing toward him, her eyes closed as she leaned in, yet again. Skyler barely had the power in him to fight his desire.

  “Ambrosia, stop! If the trolls and Tolltier don’t get me, your father will when he finds us. He will come for you. This can’t end well!” Skyler was beside himself, trying to figure out what to do.

  Ambrosia was growing tired of his dodging her, “I love my father, but he will not decide who I spend my life with. And as for you, Skyler,” she said as she spun him back to her, gaining his full attention, “I saved you, remember? I killed two trolls and you only killed one. I am more than capable of handling myself and you know this to be true!” Ambrosia was huffing mad, half at her father and half at him. “I am going with you!”

  Skyler didn’t know what to say but knew Taylor and Kylee were waiting for him ahead. He needed to go. He began thinking to himself again, aloud, “I can’t go back to the castle as I have important business ahead. And I can’t send you back alone, as the trolls are between you and safety. So, I suppose I will have to have you come with me, for now. But, I can’t say you can stay with me forever.”

  “I am not going back,” Ambrosia said determinedly. She defied him as she went to mount her horse to leave. The horse drank deeply and took advantage of the rest, ready to go on. It also seemed to enjoy the banter happening before him.

  Skyler followed Ambrosia to the horse, realizing he already missed three chances to have a first kiss with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Ambrosia focused on helping her horse and tending to his cut. Skyler watched her the entire time, completely enthralled with her every tender-hearted move. As she finally reached up to the saddle to board, he grabbed her waist and turned her. Before she could protest or utter a word to delay him, and with just enough courage built to last the moment’s time to lean in, he kissed her deeply. He held her tight as she welcomed the encounter, lowering her arms around his neck. Many moments passed before they reluctantly broke away, to them, nothing else had happened in the entire world during their moments as all things ceased.

  The feelings Skyler experienced during those precious moments were unlike any he ever had before. All things seemed to diminish when she was there with him. Eventually Skyler helped her to the saddle and then climbed up himself. He again wrapped her in his arms and the two allowed the horse a slow gallop to where they would meet Taylor. It was the best horse ride they had ever taken, though they did not speak.

  Two days since his first departing the Dragon Glades they came upon the camp set up by Taylor. He found the men of Leevite camping with him and Kylee. His two friends were amazed to see him riding up with the dwarf girl.

  “I guess I know what took you so long,” Taylor shouted as Skyler and Ambrosia rode up.

  “Not now,” Skyler said as he dismounted and then helped her down. “Taylor, this is Ambrosia, princess of the Dragon Glades, daughter of King Darrow.”

  Taylor bent low before her, “I am sorry my lady, welcome to our camp.” While the dwarf boys spent many a night speaking of girls, and mostly lying about their experiences with them, they fumbled at the sight of one that was remotely pretty.

  “It is nice to meet you, Skyler has said many great things of you,” she answered and then she looked to Kylee.

  “You must be Kylee,” she said with a smile, giving the troll boy a hug. Taylor wished for the same greeting, which seemed far more enjoyable than the hand shake. Kylee’s green skin somehow blushed a darker green, for her beauty also mesmerized the troll.

  “Yes,” he fumbled.

  “Skyler told me of your bravery. He is lucky to be surrounded by so many good friends.”

  “Where are Darrow and his men?” one of the soldiers of Leevite interrupted, walking up behind the three.

  “They will not come, not yet,” Skyler informed. The disappointment on all their faces evident.

  “I can’t believe it,” Taylor gasped. He was already concerned about the size of their forces before, but now he knew there were far too few soldiers.

  The soldiers started talking amongst themselves. Taylor looked to Skyler, “Did you give him the note, the request from Seran?”

  “Yes, he looked at it. I arrived in the middle of a party and it took a while to get my meeting with him,” Skyler took a look at Ambrosia, as both thought back to that moment they first saw each other. Their thoughts then turned to how angry Darrow would be. “I felt lucky to have gotten out of there myself.”

  “I am going to take my horse to get a drink and rest,” Ambrosia announced
as she left the camp to walk to the stream. The small break allowed the potential consequences of her actions to set on her.

  “At least Leevite sent some men,” Kylee added, trying to be positive.

  One of the soldiers approached Taylor, “We were under orders to report to you until Darrow arrived. If he is not coming, we are going back.”

  “We need you! You can’t back out,” Skyler argued, challenging the much older dwarf.

  “No son, you need an army. That we are not. The enemy will slaughter us. The entire journey is a farce and we all know it.” The soldier was very straight forward with them. Then he added, “If you intend to go, allow the dwarf maiden of the Dragon Glades to come with us. We will see her back safely.”

  Skyler looked to Ambrosia as she stood by the stream, taking off her armor. For once, he allowed a selfish thought for her, “No, I will take her back. You should return to your land and inform Leevite of your decision.”

  Skyler had never before seen this level of cowardice in dwarves. He thought there must have been some sort of witchcraft involved. The soldiers soon retrieved their things and happily departed on their march back to the Hills, leaving Skyler, Taylor, Kylee and now Ambrosia, behind and alone. The forest around them closed in tight as they seemed to shrink in the huge world of Lemuria.

  “Are we going to take Ambrosia back?” Kylee sheepishly asked. He was growing excited at the thought of traveling to the wondrous land of the Dragon Glades, “I have heard that land is beautiful this time of year.”

  Even Ambrosia gave him a sideways look, not quite understanding his line of thought.

  “No!” both Taylor and Skyler answered. Then Skyler alone said, “We are going north, and Ambrosia is coming with us.”

  Chapter 23: Ever Closer

  Tegan sat in silence in his tent, consumed by the lazy flames of the dying fire before him, which sparingly sparred with each other. They seemed to saunter, measuring the best time to engage, with that moment unwilling to come. The cold wind racing past above him, pulling and swooshing the smoke toward the top of his enclosure. He was as if in a trance, contemplating all that was going on around him.