Arrow of Justice

by R W Caron

  “If he is going to die for this, this useless creature then let him die by our hands. The prophecy will never exist.” Barton reasoned.

  “The prophecy of my death? The one you told me about so long ago? Why does this trouble you Master Barton?” Nahan asks still blocking Alina.

  “Yes, oh great Barton, why does this trouble you more than Nahan?” Magmas askes with a rise of a brow.

  “You know very well why it does.” Barton replied with a snide look at Magmas.

  “Is it truly for the safety of Nahan or is it so you can continue to be a coward and sit on the top of the mountain never fearing anything? Or perhaps, just like I have seen, it is the fact that, in your visions of the future, Nahan dies the creatures rise again and they stop at nothing to eradicate the very existence of man and magic? That is why you have come here, that is why you did not want me training Nahan, because you knew I would never try to bound him to this god forsaken place or your so-called reign.” Magmas roared. He was suddenly shot backwards by a large glowing globe of fire. Magmas managed to block most of the blow but the sheer rage from the other master was more powerful than the protection.

  “You mean to bound me here?” Nahan asked.

  “I will not let some boy destroy all that I have built. I will not stand for it. If you die here it will not set the events into motion. If you go to your pathetic human friends, you will die and they shall rise again. Already they have infiltrated your pathetic humans ranks and already they have soured the mind of the king that rules. You must submit or die here.” Barton’s hands started to glow again. “the choice is yours.”

  Before he knew what he was doing nahan’s blades where in his hands and like an arrow shot from a bow at full draw he was rushing towards Barton. His mind was controlling his moments as he flew at the wizard, fireballs rained down at him not getting even close to Nahan as he met the wizard head on. The wizard however was crafty and quickly drew blade of his own, matching Nahan’s advance and countering his momentum.

  Nahan did not wish to kill the master, only to make him see what he was doing was blasphemy. His attacks where easy for the man to counter, simple attacks that drove the man back on his heels. Nahn was much quicker then he remembers and within seconds the wizard’s weapons shot from his hands and down the side of the mountain. The nimble man spun again from the attack and set a fireball flying. The fireball however was not directed at Nahan, it flew directly at Alina.

  Nyala Stepped in front of the ball of fire and it scorched her skin sending her flying into Alina but saving her life. Barton’s rage suddenly depleted as he saw the woman he loved hurt by his own hands. Barton dropped to his knees as magmas slid to Nyala’s aid. “No, please no.” Magmas pleaded.

  Nahan dropped his blades and rushed to Alina. He helped her up and then knelt beside Nyala. “She is at peace my friend.” Magmas’ eye filled with tears as he laid her head to the stone. Alina buried her face into Nahan tears streaming down her face. The rage that had once filled Barton now filled Magmas.

  “You killed her!” Magmas roared. He rushed at the man that was helpless on his knee and grabbed him by the throat slamming him harder then any man should have into the stone wall. “YOU KILLED HER!” His hand tightened on Barton’s throat.

  “Enough!” Nahan yelled placing a hand on Magmas’ shoulder. “Enough.” He said in a softer tone. “He will have to live with the fact that he killed his love.”

  “You are a better man than I Nahan.” Magmas said with a scowl as he tossed Barton gasping for air to the stone ground.

  “I had a good teacher.” Nahan replied as the two walked to Alina.

  “War is coming and I fear your friends in the low lands will need your help.” Magmas spoke softly. “Take Trinity, she is loaded for your flight. Cento is waiting for…” The air around them grew hot to the touch and they both turned at the same time to see the fireball being launched at them. Magmus shielded them from the blast and yelled “Go, this is not your fight Nahan. I will handle this Traitor.”

  Nahan wanted to stay and fight with his master, wanted to help him but the honesty and love in Magmas’ eyes told him everything he needed to hear. Magmas had told him once that a part of life was death, never to fear it but to embrace it and know that when that time comes if you can save another, you will be welcomed by any god you choose. Magmas was following his code and so Nahan gave him his wish.

  Nahan and Alina rushed through the halls to the room where the griffins were kept. Inside Nahan found Cento burned severely and shivering. “What happened to you Cento?”

  “B-B-Barton h-has g-g-gone.” Cento shivered.

  “Shhh my friend.” Nahan said stroking the mans charred face,

  “Take this.” Cento pulled a small metal object from his neck and handed it to Nahan with shaking hands. “He will come.”

  Nahan started down at the gold metal and felt the life slip from the griffin Masters hand. “be at peace my friend.” He couldn’t help but notice the smile on cento’s face knowing that he had held on long enough to see a friendly face before he passed into the after life.

  The door to the room exploded in flames as Barton stormed in eyes glowing red with rage. “YOU SHALLL NOT LEAVE!” He raged, and fire started to engulf the man.

  “Do you trust me?” Nahan asked Alina as he grabbed her hand.

  “With my life.” She replied and Nahan pulled her out of the giant opening in the side of the mountain. Using his speed, he launched them far enough away from the mountain to not hit it for some time. Nahan placed the whistle in his mouth and blew as hard as he could but the updraft pulled the whistle from his lips. The two were free falling to a most certain doom. Still holding hands.

  ∆∆∆

  In the distance, the now free griffins soared for warmer climates. Four griffin’s flying was a magnificent sight to be hold. They used the drafts from each other to turn and fly as one, they could be a family, they could be free forever. One griffin however turned her head back towards the mountain she couldn’t help but hear the sudden whistle. The whistle that Cento had used on her. The magic of the whistle had failed to work, she had no need to go back. She knew that cento had died in the fire, she could feel it. However, she suddenly heard screams of her name, that she could not ignore. Nahan was in trouble and as much as she wanted to be free, he had saved her life once, it was time to return the favor. Her large wings turned and like a shot of lightning she rushed, hoping she was not to late.

  ∆∆∆

  The air stung as it rushed past as the side of the mountain grew ever closer. Alina kept her eyes sealed shut fearing the worst. It wasn’t a bad way to die she decided, feeling her loves hand in hers as they fell. She had lost Nahan once before, it was only fitting that this be the end. Though she was freezing she felt warmer then she had since the day she seen him alive for the first time. She remembered the passionate nights they had spent together, remember how much she loved this man. She had jumped without hesitation, knowing she would sooner die with him then risk losing him.

  The ground should be coming soon she knew and all she could do was smile to herself. Nahan was yelling something but she only heard the words he had told her those months ago, the words she longed to hear but thought she never would. She loved him and knew that he loved her however it was never spoken. she had promised herself she would not cry but her eyes had other accords. That was the moment she wanted to remember as they plunged to their deaths. That moment was all that mattered.

  She squeezed his hand tighter and then suddenly it felt as though they had landed on a cloud. The soft warm feeling Alina believed was Etris goddess of love calling her and Nahan to the stars to live forever. She moved her hand slightly and could still feel her loves hand in hers. Alas they would be able to live forever in the stars, never to leave each other again. Her other hand slid down and could feel a leather pack and she forced herself from the fantasy of living in the stars and opened her eyes to see the beautiful gold coat and feathers of a
Griffin.

  “The stars will have to wait.” She said softly to herself as they glided down to the base of the of the mountain.

  ∆∆∆

  The ground felt like a warm bed under Nahan’s feet. He owed the griffin his life and had not believed she would come to the call but was glad she had. In his relief he had not noticed the excruciating pain his side. He looked down and could see that some of the fire from Barton had scorched his flesh through the bindings of his armour. Suddenly the pain intensified, and his world started to spin.

  His heart hammered in his ears and though he tried to fight the pain his knees buckled, and he collapsed into darkness.

  Nahan opened his eyes to the beautiful sight of Alina sleeping tucked under the wing of his griffin friend. He laid there under the cover of trees as watched as they slept. He glanced down at his wounds and judging by the healing he assumed he had been out for more then a couple of week. He slowly started to push himself to his feet trying his best not to wake the two.

  Trinity’s eyes opened and she lifted her head as Nahan approached. He stroked the griffins beak as she nuzzled his face. He glanced down at Alina and then back to the Griffin. “Thank you.” He whispered. She seemed to understand as Nahan grabbed a few sticks and stocked the ember that burned in the cool night air. The griffin rested her head back down on her massive paws and Nahan slide his amour on, as he pulled his swords onto his belt Alina opened her eyes.

  “Where are you going?” She asked groggily.

  “To get some food for breakfast.” Nahan replied. “Rest.”

  “There is a bow on the Griffin, I think it was left for you.” She yawned. “Don’t go too far.”

  “I won’t. You sleep, I love you.” Nahan replied quietly. She smiled and snuggled into Trinity. Nahan walked around to the far side of his griffin companion and found the bow Alina spoke of. As he pulled it out of the leather covering his eyes grew wider. The bow was beautiful, make of Fire Red Oak with a decorative design hand carved into the riser, extending up the lips. The grip was leather dyed the colour of Nahan’s armour, but the length of the bow was shorter then normal. Magmas had out done himself but with the shortness Nahan knew this bow was not for him. He couldn’t help but smile as he drew up on his swords. The grip around the handle was weaved in such a way to make it look like feathers and the metal decoration leading into the fuller of the blade looked as though it was the shaft and head of an arrow. “She is my bow, and I the arrow.” Nahan said softly remembering his master.

  The strength and feeling had returned to his body and he rushed off. Barton would have to wait, for right now Nahan needed to hunt, feed his love and if what the masters where talking about was true, war was coming, he would be ready to protect Alina with his life.

  Chapter 17

  Into the Fire

  After weeks of deliberating, arguments and the occasional weapon being thrown at his head, Andrew had convinced Carmae to join his cause. Too long had the King Erwin ruled the people and crushed them under the heel of his boot. Too long it had been since anyone truly stood up for themselves in this devastated world. Carmae did not like that idea, but with the king infiltrating her base with some sort of shape shifter, she knew that it was time to fight or die. The secrets that this shifter could have learned would have been enough for King Erwin to burry her in her holes forever, a risk that Andrew pointed out every chance he had over their weeks of deliberation.

  Carmae was a different sort of woman, one that Andrew had grew to respect. She did not do things lightly but time was against them and he knew that the ride back to his settlement would be long. Winters grasp on the world had lessoned and the closer Andrew got to his home the more his heart started to raise. They would all sit and talk battle plans, they would make sure that everything was in order and then they would attack. They would storm the Citadel and reclaim what was theirs’.

  It sounded so easy in his head, but Andrew had seen a raven flying over head almost every day since they had started on their trip back to the settlement. Carmae had tried to summon the creature, tried to call it to her aid but even her, Master of Animals could not get the bird to dip low. One of Carmae’s protectors had fired an arrow at the bird but somehow it was dastardly fast and dodged it. It flew off but returned the same day.

  The sight of the raven made Andrew uneasy, it was rumored that the King had contracted a bodyguard, one so skilled he could kill a thousand men without a scratch. Andrew had an uneasy feeling that if a man was that talented maybe he had eyes in the sky, watching their moves and telling the king.

  Andrew shook the notion from his head literally as he shook his hair from his face. Surely the bird was just looking for food dropped by the wary travelers. “Andrew,” Carmae’s voice broke the silence of the rode. Andrew turned in his saddle and looked back at her. “how much further love?”

  “Another days ride. Why?” Andrew asked.

  “Just wondering love.” Carmae replied knowing Andrew hated being called it.

  Andrew threw her a disgruntled look and turned back in the saddle as the graced one of the many rolling hills. As they crest the steep climb they are met with a gruesome site. Several different species of animal lay dead in the valley. Andrew can identify some of them, ranging from brown bears to wolves otters and elk. As he come upon the site one thing was clear, the arrows out of the creatures where from the citadel. Andrew turned back as Carmae crested the hill and the look on her face was enough to rock a stone giant to his core.

  She leapt from her mount and quickly headed down the hillside sliding in her beautiful gown beside a wolf still clinging to life. “Swift legs, oh no.” She sobbed. “Not you.”

  Andrew dismounted and walked down beside her as the wolf whimpered in pain. Three arrows stuck out of the creature none hitting any vitals. “Can you heal him?” He knew the answer from her sobs but wanted to comfort her. Andrew knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “He is suffering Carmae.” He stated plainly.

  “Why would they do this?” She asked through sobs. “HE DID NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS!” She screamed.

  “I know. This is why we have to fight back.” Andrew replied.

  “How do I know you didn’t set this up?” She snapped in her anger.

  “How could you think I would do…” Andrews voice was cut short as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. The arrow flew in like hawk driving onto a rabbit, this day Andrews reflexes were quicker. He yanked Carmae to the ground and pulled himself up in front of the shot. The arrow bounces off his armour with a loud twing. Andrew quickly covered the armour less Carmae but could not react quick enough as the second arrow was coming. This one was aimed at her head, but Andrew caught it with his forearm. The head ripped though his chainmail sleeve and dug deep into the boon on his arm.

  The rest of the men and woman on the road launched into action, not expecting a battle but being granted one it looked as though the war would start early this day. The question to all of them was how they knew that today would be the day that they would be traveling.

  ∆∆∆

  The hunter watched the events unfold in the valley with a smile plastered on his face. He sat comfortably in his chambers staring at a globe that he had stolen from one of the clerics in the citadel. He had left the necklace on the bird. The necklace was a gift from his home world and had many uses. One was to allow the Hunter to speak with it, allowing it to read the wears thoughts, the other was to see what the wearer was seeing. The hunter had used this many times to find his targets and had put the necklace on his raven.

  The hunter could tell that the darker skinned woman and her followers seemed to not be committed to the war, this was something the hunter could not allow. The war had to happen it was his only way to escape and allow the queens final plan to come full circle. He had hired close to twenty mercenaries out of his own purse to go to this valley and kill everything that moved. He had done his research and new that the woman was an animal whisperer and that
she possessed other magics that he did not know. Nor did he care, he just needed her and her minions to be committed to the foolish boys cause.

  He knew the mercenaries where dead before he watched them all fall, but the boy in the bright armour surprised him with his heart. He protected a woman for no reason, the same woman who would have had him killed weeks before. He led the charge against the mercenaries and slayed several himself proving he was a good swords man. When the battle was done he shocked the hunter again by kneeling beside the wolf that was still alive and stroking the creature before taking the life from it. It looked as though tears ran from his eyes. “How fitting, the boy has a heart, it will be satisfying to cut it from his chest.”