Those who attempted to come after her hit the dirt, swords in hand, blood pooling around them. The arrows of their demise disappearing moments after their death.
When one last soldier remained, and she aimed her arrow at him, he took off running.
"Coward!" she yelled after him, stepping over the bodies as she looked for the captain. Where had he gone? And where was Cayden? The questions remained unanswered as she turned each soldier over, none of their faces familiar.
Astrid, you waste time! Go after them! If they reach the king, it could destroy what you have done here today.
What I have done here? She surveyed the landscape littered with dead soldiers. We've senselessly destroyed these lives. I can never undo this! How is this bringing peace to the kingdoms? I've done nothing but bring death!
As was necessary, now stop the captain, and the escaped soldier, or there will be more combatants to fight in the days to come. Do you wish a repeat of today? Aronus asked.
Not in the slightest. Steeling her resolve to put an end to the fight once and for all, she took off running after the soldier. She was grateful that his cowardice had taken him to the easy accessed pathway that led down to the soldiers who were encamped at the base of the Great Mountain. The very armies she had avoided on her way up the crag, and the very reason she had come face to face with a Toverak.
The realization of what would happen if the soldier or the captain reached the other encampments hit her over the head like a clanging church bell.
I cannot see more lives lost today!
That is what I was trying to warn you about, Aronus said.
Astrid's feet flew underneath her, and she held her bow taut in front of her. What of the captain? I didn't see him. How long has he been gone? What if he's already reached them?
Aronus had no answer for her.
38
Svana
Building trust is never easy. All it takes is one wrong move, or one wrong word, to turn a potential ally into an enemy.
King Nicklaus the Brave, First King of Caelestis, 253 A.V.
The four soldiers stared in disbelief as Svana made her way down the road. Eyes wide and mouths agape, they ran to her, attempting to lift a section of the stretcher to carry the beast toward the cart meant for the king, but each time they did so, the weight of the bull became too much for them. They collapsed under the pressure.
"How did you lift that?" Jasper said in disbelief.
"I'm still angry because that thing tried to kill me. It'll surprise you the strength you have when your life flashes before your eyes."
"I don't believe that for a second," Gill said. "I tried to help you, and I couldn't lift it at all, that thing must weigh a couple thousand pounds. You're going to stand there and tell me that because you almost died, you can suddenly carry that much?" His eyes narrowed as he spoke to her, and she returned his reply with a sincere smile.
"How do you explain it?" Svana shrugged and made a face. "It doesn't matter. Here we are. I said I would find food, and food has been found." She dared not look him in the eyes for fear he had figured her out somehow.
"Cobs woggle," he yelled. "You're lying, and we know it. So tell us how you're doing it?"
"Beef. For the king. Which one of you wants to tell him that you argued for so long that it spoiled?" she yelled back.
"I don't care how she's doing it, I think we take what we want for ourselves and say to perdition with the king."
"And if he finds out we've taken meat meant for him," Branwin chimed in, his wavy salt and pepper hair billowing with the soft breeze, "he'll have our unmentionables."
"Suit yourself, Branwin. I'm taking what I want," Duggary said sharply, his face reddening, nostrils flaring, clearly tired of the whole situation.
"None of you are getting any of it!" Svana declared. "I killed this beast myself. I decide what happens to it."
"Well, there's enough there to feed a whole army, just as the king wanted! Why not each of us take a bit, and the rest we take back to the king?" Jasper said. Then he came over to the animal, a small dagger in hand as he prepared to cut into it.
"I don't think so," she growled.
Svana launched herself low and fast, tackling him. They rolled and she came up on top. Two quick punches later and he was out cold. The gangly bodied man had been no match against her fury.
She stood, turning to face them.
"Who's next?" she asked.
Branwin gave her one look and took off walking. "I'm getting too old for this nonsense," he called over his shoulder.
"Fine by me," Svana said, without a care.
"Look here, Svana, that beast is more than large enough for all of us to take a bit, we could very well divide it up and sell it. Make our way back to our homes and families." Gill tried to reason with her.
"Here's the thing, Gill. I killed that beast, and I want the credit. If I don't get the credit, I'm keeping the meat." She squinted her eyes at the man, daring him to challenge her.
"Fine, Duggary, shall we?" Gill asked.
Duggary got up from where he was seated on a rock near their camp, and withdrew his sword.
"A little sword play, eh?" She drew her blade and held it out in front of her, her feet spread slightly, eyes bouncing back and forth between the two men. Her fingers anxiously clutched her sword as she waited for them to come after her. Who was it going to be?
Tight-lipped Duggary who clenched his teeth and always had something negative to say was the first to rush at her. Reflex kicked in, and as he lunged, his sword slicing through the air, she deflected his blade with a spark and a clang.
"You have a lot of hostility, don't you Duggary?" she said.
"No, I just want you to die. They never should have let you join us." He swung again, aiming for her midsection.
Svana dodged backward.
"Careful, Duggary, she's not wearing a whole lot. You cut off her clothes, and I don't think neither one of us is going to beat a naked woman," Gill chuckled.
"Shut yer trap, Gill," Duggary said through his perpetually clenched teeth.
Duggary advanced toward her again, lunging toward her stomach. She dodged, but too late. A thin line of fire creased her stomach. Blood beaded and started to drip.
With no time to stop and tend to her wound, she let out a hyena yell, and went after the fearless man. Svana slashed, parried, and thrust; her blade a blur. He was a far better swordsman than she gave him credit for, but she was better. And they both knew it.
Duggary dodged out of the way, and she continued to torment him, her sword a whirlwind of blazing death. He swung his blade to block hers, another loud clang, another flash, and the blades danced apart.
Both swordsmen already dripped with sweat. Duggary's renewed confidence resulted in a surge of attacks which she turned away. He could find no opening. She pressed her counterattack until he faltered. A slash dipped past his upraised blade and cut deeply across his side. He nearly fell as he doubled over with the pain from the wound.
"Shall we keep up this senseless fight?" she asked.
"We shall keep it up, until one of us is dead," he responded.
With his back to her, he clenched his left side where blood soaked him.
"You stupid oaf, always for the sake of your pride isn't it?" She dropped her sword on the ground, able to move quicker without it, and jumped on his back, wrapping her arm around his neck. With him in a chokehold, he could swing his sword all he wanted, but he was unable to reach her.
"Gill! Help me," Duggary gasped. "Why are you standing there?"
Gill had taken to laughing at them while they battled, and he seemed in no way interested in stopping the fight. "It's all very entertaining, Duggary," the thin man explained.
"You imbecile! When I make it back to the castle..." His words were cut short by Svana's tightening grip on his throat.
"You shush now, you're like a big baby. The sooner you go night-night, the sooner I can get out of here."
Dugg
ary grabbed at her arms, trying to pull her off, but she clenched him so tightly he couldn't breathe. He swung her around, dropping his sword in the process, and tried to swat her. He started to stagger and his arms fell uselessly to his sides.
Duggary finally fell to the ground. Svana didn't loosen her grip, until she was sure he was unconscious. When she finally let him go, and stood up, Gill was smiling at her like some drunken fool.
"Not bad for a woman," he praised her.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" she asked.
Svana saw her sword on the ground, she strolled over to grab it before Gill got himself shocked.
"So, what do you say now that there is just two of us, we split that bull fifty-fifty and both be on our way?" Gill asked.
"Maybe you haven't figured this out yet, but I'm not one to share. Not only that, soldier... I want to trade this bull for meals that will last a week, and maybe some coin. Something to show the king I am worth my weight, not one wild meat feast for a day. What say you?" she asked, their eyes locking as she gauged his response.
"I say we try it your way. But you have only one day before I have you executed," Gill responded.
Was he trying to act like he was in charge now?
"Gonna do it yourself?" She tapped her sword. "I mean, we see how well that worked out for everyone else." She motioned to the two men she had knocked out, and Branwin's empty tent.
"You know very well I cannot, but I know people. Lots of people... I'm sure the king will be very interested to know of this superhuman strength you possess."
She addressed him directly. "You hold no power over me, Gill. My authority comes from this." She tapped her sword's hilt. "And this." Svana tapped the side of her head. "I'm leaving now and taking my bull with me. Bring the cart so we have something to put our other spoils into."
Gill shook his head and crossed his arms.
"Fine." She didn't mean it.
She wandered over to the makeshift stretcher and waited for the flash of light that told her Lingaria had resumed his place under the bull. When she saw it, she held her head high and began dragging the bull toward Telluris.
I have allies there that I know. Surely someone will need meat.
Svana recognized the road from her travels before, and turning east, she made her way toward the Tellurian villages. She could only hope the friendly faces she had left behind would still hold kindness for her.
39
Hekla
Imprisonment is lonely. It is dark, it is damp, and your only friends are the cockroaches.
King Ansel the Humble, First King of Aequoris, 263 A.V.
Hekla's eyes bulged as she saw the Aequorans approaching them. They'd returned in full fleet, and completely surrounded them on all sides. She marveled at their beauty, their waxy pale-green skin and webbed hands and feet. Hekla shook her head, trying to regain her focus. She needn’t become distracted now.
"Where has my staff gone? What is this filmy thing around me? Is it magic? What is it for?" Hekla spat questions as fast as her lips could move, and as the Aequoran army got closer, she could feel her panic sky-rocket.
"Calm yourself," Speltus said, before he vanished into thin air. "I am here. The filmy bubbly around you, will allow you to move and breathe underwater just as if you were an Aequoran. So instead of panicking, trust me. Goodness, when will you learn?"
Hekla shrugged her shoulders, stretching one arm out in front of her as she tried to poke through the other side of the film that encased her. It didn't seem to be a possibility. She could breathe just as well inside of it as she had when it didn't exist. Is it because I am still above water? What if it doesn't work?
A cannonball went off, striking close to the stern of her ship.
"Well, you've never led me astray before." She counted to three and jumped off of the ship into the freezing waters below. Her body plummeted quickly downward, and she called out to Speltus for help.
Do not fear, you are cloaked with intricate magic that will protect you as you join the Aequorans below the surface.
Will I still be able to do magic? She worried for her safety without it.
This is something you are going to have to trust yourself with, Hekla. You have always been capable of the deepest magic. Not just because I assist you, but because it is a part of you. It is who you are. You must trust that, and you must trust even if you cannot see me, I am here. Your scepter is here, though not as you remember. It encases you with its magic, it is how you breathe, and how you will survive down here in these depths. If they take you to their lands above the water, simply say Ceasum, and your staff will return to its physical form, Speltus affirmed her as she landed with a muted thud on the seabed.
Once more her fingers reached forward to touch the filmy surface that surrounded her.
This is magic? This is my staff?
Yes, Hekla. You must trust it, this will be nothing like you have ever experienced before, he said sternly.
Hekla nodded and took a tentative step forward. She had expected the ground to mush beneath her feet, but instead found her encasement allowed her to glide across the surface as gracefully as the fish that swam there.
"This is absolutely unbelievable," she said, laughter bubbling up from her stomach. She tilted her head back joyously, enraptured with the reality of being able to walk the ocean floor as if she had been born in Aequoris.
Her laughter quickly abated as she saw a group of Aequorans tending their sea farm nearby. They had stopped to stare at her outburst, and it came to her attention she was deep in their underwater home. There were large coral structures shaped like homes, and small squares of land for farming. There were odd four-legged sea creatures, with wide, sad faces. Hekla could only imagine it must have been the Aequoran equivalent of a cow. The robust multicolored animals grazed on the seaweed in small herds spread out.
Just as on land, there were pathways that rose and fell with the land underwater, though the web-footed people didn't appear to be using them. Hekla ambled forward with no idea where to go, or who to speak to. As she passed them, some of the aquatic women, pale green skin and dark green hair floating around them, gathered their children and disappeared into their coral homes, seeing her as a threat.
Abruptly, a strong Aequoran man approached her, hand out to stop her from going any further. As if approaching a wild animal, he took slow cautious steps as he approached her.
"What brings you here, Earth Walker?" Bubbles floated up and around his face, though his voice rang strong and clear through the aquatic atmosphere.
"Your people," she said adamantly. "I came to your kingdom to help, and instead, your soldiers surrounded me and tried to have me killed. I meant no harm then, and I mean no harm now. I've come to bring peace. You must allow me that," she demanded, cheeks heated as her anger rose.
They hadn't even given her a chance.
"Is this why no ship dares cross here?" she asked. "You would try to take their life before they had a chance? I know you are at war with the Tellurians, but I am no Tellurian."
"Earth walker, I mean you no harm."
He searched her eyes, and although angry, Hekla saw no danger there.
"You may not harm me, but your soldiers surrounded me. I didn't do anything!" Her voice echoed with indignation and she took a defiant step back.
As he tried to calm her, she saw a small troop of Aequoran soldiers approaching.
"Codswallop," she mumbled, wondering how strong her magic would be without her staff.
The head soldier halted the rest of the troop and glided to her. The oceanic colors of his hair and skin, quite becoming on his statuesque form. His armor was made of a material she couldn't identify, and it crossed in an X-shape on his chest. In the center, a large imprint of the Aequoran army boasted loudly who the man was in service to.
"Earth walker, I request you come with me peacefully to meet our leader. I promise no harm will come to you as long as you do not exercise any more of your Earth magic.
"
"Earth magic?" Still seething, she found herself wondering if he had been one of the many to launch a cannon at her ship.
"They say you created a fire in the air, though your fire would be of no use to you here, I must ask you not exercise your powers for the time being."
"Well, I walk among you using such magic. Will that be a problem?"
"As long as you don't use it to cause harm." The young soldier had a gentleness in his eyes that told her he was not a warrior, not yet.
"As you wish," she answered. "You must assure me no harm will come to me, and if needed, I will be allowed to leave of my own free will."
The soldier nodded. "You have my word, female Earth-walker."
She nodded politely, anger dissipating as he led her back to his troop and together they walked in silence. Not bad, not even a full day here and I am to meet their king.
Do not act upon what is in your head, Hekla, Speltus snapped.
She only grinned in response.
With no way to tell how long they had been traveling, as there was no rising or setting of the sun in the ocean depths, Hekla could only presume it was approaching nightfall. Her stomach grumbled in hunger, but she dared not take off her pack and have them all stop to watch her eat her few crumbs of bread and her bit of browned apple.
She would just have to ignore it a while longer. The surrounding scenery was like nothing she had ever seen, the Aequorans appeared to be a peaceful people. All arrays of fish swam over and around them, and the children peeked out from their coral homes to smile and point at the scaly wildlife.
Everything was made out of coral and wood that appeared untouched by its years in the water. Their homes and pathways were well lit by carved torch-like structures with illuminated orbs at the top. She wanted to ask the young soldier so many questions about their surroundings, but didn't for fear of setting him off to the real purpose that she walked among them.
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