by Terry Schott
Firth’s smile faded, and his complexion paled. Helias laughed. “He’s joking, Firth. Maybe not about the uncertainty, but surely about his eagerness to cause you harm.”
Xander nodded. “We are all on the same side, right?”
“Aye,” Helias said. He hefted his own sword and held it in front of them. The steel was so polished that it gave off a liquid silver appearance.
Xander spied yellow and orange flames dancing along its edges, similar to his own weapon’s silvered energy. “It looks as if your weapon is of exceptional quality as well.”
Helias nodded.
“I wonder if our weapons would harm each other, should they touch.”
“I would guess each is powerful enough with its own magic to remain unharmed,” the paladin said. “Still, if we spar, it is better for us to use sparring blades, just to be safe.”
“I doubt we will ever spar,” Xander said.
“Why not?”
“You are more experienced than I.”
Helias laughed and shook his head. “That may have once been the case, but no longer. Since we first met, I have spent my days sitting in a castle and training younglings. You, on the other hand, have been out adventuring and gaining levels. I am certain that we are more closely matched at this point. If we weren’t, the Scout would not have selected us.”
“To travel together?”
Helias frowned. “You don’t know?”
“I guess not.”
“The two of us are to be fused.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“The powers of Light and Dark are both formidable in their own right. But if a weapon of the Light pairs with a weapon of Dark, the resulting force is formidable.”
“And rare?”
“Extremely.” Helias nodded. “Like mixing fire and ice and getting a diamond. It’s not even possible under normal circumstances.”
“And that is what they mean to do with our blades?”
Helias shook his head. “No, that is what they mean to do with us.”
Xander frowned. “I’m still not sure what you mean. They want to make us into one being?”
“No, but they mean to link us in some way. Through a psychic bond, is my guess.”
“And how do they accomplish that?”
“The Scouts have a way. They’ve done it before. Decades ago.”
“Why?”
“Again, I don’t know. But Kieran has said that he’s going to try it again. With you and me.”
“Sounds interesting.”
Helias smiled. “You are welcome to watch us train, but we must get back to it. Firth is already very proficient at standing around doing nothing. It is his weapon skills that need more practice.”
“Another time.” Xander turned. “I have more training of my own to attend to.”
“See you at breakfast, then.” Helias raised his sword and turned to face Firth. “Let’s go again, shall we, young warrior?”
Chapter 46
The door opened and the rogue stepped onto the street. Aleron stood in the doorway and watched him go. Then he turned and nodded at the next player waiting in line at the side of the house.
The crafter stepped forward, but Sebastian appeared from around the corner and called out. “Sorry, hon, I need to steal him for a few minutes.”
The crafter pursed her lips, but nodded and stepped back into the front of the line. Sebastian entered the room, and Aleron closed the door behind them. “Sorry to butt in line like that.”
Aleron shook his head. “It’s fine. I could use a break, anyway.”
“You look exhausted.”
“Exhausted was a few hours ago.” He slumped down onto the couch, swung his legs up onto the armrest, and closed his eyes.
“You still have lots of time before the army arrives.” Sebastian walked to the table, lifted the teapot, and poured some tea into a cup.
“I don’t think I do,” Aleron groaned. “Some of these people have twenty or thirty levels banked. Unlocking each level requires a specific amount of time and energy on my part. Most of them will have to come back five or six times, because their bodies and minds can’t handle the stress of being raised that many levels in one shot. As the Scout levelling them, I have to experience a part of the same physical stress with each level.” He opened his eyes as Sebastian tapped his leg, and sat up to accept the cup of tea. “Not a lot of stress each time, but enough that it does build up and starts to overwhelm me, too.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Sebastian sat in the chair beside the couch. “I think I can help.”
Aleron shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do to ease the burden. Unless you’ve brought a few more Scouts to assist me?”
“In a way, I think that I might have.” Sebastian reached into his pocket and withdrew a fiery orange gemstone the size and shape of a golf ball. It flashed and sparkled, even in the dim light cast by the fire from the far side of the room. “This is a gift from Bramell. A loan, actually. He wants it back when you’re finished. Said it might be the most precious item that’s ever passed through his hands.”
“That’s quite the claim, coming from the Farmer King.”
“Indeed.”
“What does it do?”
“Apparently, many things. Most of the magic it can do is still unknown, but some has been figured out over time.” Sebastian held it toward Aleron.
The Scout accepted the stone and let it rest on his palm. “It’s warm.”
“It can shield you from lighting, fire, ice, and poison spells.”
“Wow.”
“Astral projection twice per day. If you learn the steps to safely perform the ritual, that is. That ability requires specialized knowledge so that it is not activated by the uninitiated.”
“Makes sense,” Aleron said.
“It can bring dragons back to life,” Sebastian continued. “If they have been dead for less than a week and their heart has not been removed.”
“Isn’t the first thing to do when you kill a dragon to remove its heart?”
“Dragon Slaying 101,” Sebastian nodded. “Which renders that spell fairly useless most of the time. But if you are friends with a dragon and it should die, you have a way to bring it back to life.”
Aleron snorted. “I’m not hearing spells or functions that would explain why Bramell is lending it to me.”
“It amplifies a Scout’s power, and helps them recover from stresses experienced during the levelling ceremony.”
Aleron sat forward. “Whoah.”
Sebastian laughed. “That got your attention.”
“You’re saying this will allow me to level players without feeling as much pain?”
“Yes.”
“And help me recover from the energy I use to do the ceremony?”
“Correct. It also helps the levelling process finish quicker. About one-quarter speed faster.”
“Sold.”
Sebastian laughed. “It’s not for sale, but he said you are welcome to use it until your work here is done.”
Aleron considered the stone and took a deep breath. “I think I’m gonna cry.”
“From relief?”
The Scout nodded.
Sebastian patted the Scout on the shoulder. “I’m glad he had something that could help you.”
“I was never gonna get it done.”
“But you were doing your best.”
“I was.”
Sebastian stood. “That’s all we can do.” He walked to the door.
“Wait. How do I activate it?”
“Put it in your pocket and do your thing.”
“That’s it?”
Sebastian nodded.
“Sounds pretty simple.”
“That’s the idea, kid. To make things more simple for you.”
Aleron laughed. “Tell Bramell I said thanks.”
Sebastian opened the door. “Tell him yourself. He’s coming to get a few levels himself soon.”
Sebastian winked. “I’m sure he will appreciate the special treatment.”
Chapter 47
Xander opened his eyes, sat up, and got out of bed. He looked around and frowned, wondering what had happened to the campfire. It looked like he was somehow back in the keep, except the room he was in did not look familiar.
Midnight flowed from his arms, delivering what was now a familiar tingling sensation as a thin black shirt and pants materialized over his body. He finished the outfit by creating hunting-style boots. Then he walked to the door, opened it, and stepped into…
A room filled with bright, golden light.
Xander squinted and raised one arm to shield his eyes from the painful rays that seemed to shine from both everywhere and nowhere at once.
“Too bright?” a smooth baritone voice asked. “How’s this?”
The light dimmed. Xander lowered his arm and saw a dais made from pure white bricks in front of him. Atop the dais was a throne made from what looked to be gold and ivory. A man with blond hair and tanned skin sat on the throne, garbed entirely in white.
“I can see why she likes you.” The man’s smile was warm and gave Xander the impression that he truly cared about him. “You’re definitely her type.”
Xander frowned but did not speak. The man watched him for a long moment and then chuckled. “Greetings, Death Stryker. I am the Lord of Light. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Xander licked his lips, some part of him feeling the urge to kneel while another screamed not to embarrass his goddess by doing such a thing.
“It’s fine, I don’t expect you to kneel.” The Lord’s smile widened. “Although some basic courtesy would be nice to see.”
Xander nodded. “I am Xander. It is…interesting to meet you.”
“You’re allowed to call me Lord. I would expect followers of the Light to address my sister as Lady, should they ever be so unfortunate as to find themselves in her presence.”
“Yes. Lord.”
“There you go. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Xander frowned.
“What’s the problem, Xander?”
“You seem too…”
“Happy?”
“That,” Xander nodded, “and informal.”
The Lord of Light laughed. “Joy and happiness is associated with the light, is it not? Unlike your mistress, I don’t feel the need to always be cruel and brooding. It gets wearisome, if you ask me. And predictable, which I find unnecessary. As for my relaxed manner,” he shrugged, “I know that I’m a god. You know it. It is never a mystery to any who meet me. That being the case, I don’t see the need to walk around being supreme and formal. It’s not my style.”
“I see. If I may ask a question, Lord?”
“Of course.”
“Why am I here?”
The god stood and descended the steps. As he approached, Xander felt a growing sense of warmth that increased with each step the god took. Xander squinted and fought the urge to raise his arm again.
“Here.” The intense feeling lessened and the Lord made a tsking sound. “You’re a sensitive one, even for a follower of the Dark.”
“My Lady says as much when I am in her presence.”
“Good to know, although not important enough to remember.” The Lord’s laughter was light and playful. “If it gets too intense, feel free to ask me to turn it down.”
“That is kind. Thank you.”
“What can I say? I’m a kind deity.” He looked Xander up and down, frowning as he noticed the Death Stryker’s arms. “She gifted you two grasps? I’d heard that was the case, but couldn’t imagine she would be so frivolous. And out came your eye, huh? It’s a shame that being her favourite means pain and torture, doesn’t it?” He leaned closer to Xander. “You understand that she’s barely begun with the pain, don’t you, boy?”
Xander nodded, and the god sighed. “I don’t know why anyone chooses to follow her. Pain and suffering accumulate in a person’s life all on their own. Why invite more into existence? Ah well, maybe you can’t comprehend serving the Light. Joy and pleasure are not for everyone, I suppose.”
The Lord walked slowly around Xander, circling once and then a second time before stopping in front of him. “You asked why you are here, and I shall answer your question. First, you are here to see if you can be in my presence without being burnt to a crisp.” He smiled. “It looks as if the answer to that question is yes.”
Xander nodded, running his tongue over dry lips in an attempt to moisten them.
“Secondly, you are here to receive a gift.”
“A gift? From you?” The god raised one eyebrow as if waiting for something. “Lord?” Xander added the honorific to his question.
“Yes, from me.”
“I don’t think I should accept.”
“Why not?”
“You‘re the god of Light. I follow the Dark…”
The Lord of Light tilted his head back and laughed loudly. He stopped and shook his head. “Look kid, I’m very powerful. If I want to give you a gift, then you get a gift. Light, dark, sweet, sour, hot, cold.” He waved a hand. “None of that matters.” His smile faded and brows turned downward. “Now, if you’re saying that you are refusing a gift from me, that’s something which can happen.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a very good idea to do so, but that choice is ultimately up to you.”
“No, no.” Xander’s eyes widened. “I have no intention of refusing a gift from you.”
“You sure? ’Cause we’re ten minutes longer into this whole thing than I expected to be. Kinda feels as if you’re refusing.”
“Not at all.”
“Considering refusing?”
“No, sir.” Xander’s head continued to shake from side to side. “There will be no words of refusal coming from me.”
The god nodded, a half-smile on his face as he watched Xander squirm. After a moment, the Lord of Light raised a closed fist and held it between them at eye level. His fingers unfurled to reveal a small gem floating an inch or so above his palm. Xander squinted his eyes so that they barely remained open.
“Yeah, it’s a bright little thing,” the Lord said. “Can’t turn this one down, though. What ya see is what ya get.”
“What does it do?”
The god frowned. “It’s doing it. The thing shines. Brightly.”
“And this is your gift to me?”
“Still thinking of rejecting it?”
“No. I never was.” Xander shook his head. “Thank you, Lord. I accept your generous gift.”
“Excellent.” The Lord of Light caught the gem in his hand, then slapped Xander in the chest.
The Death Stryker felt the gem touch his skin and burn as it sank into his flesh. He could hear a hissing, feel his skin sizzling. He opened his mouth and screamed.
“Yeah,” the god winked at him as he continued to press hard against the young man’s chest. “It’s gonna sting a bit. My gifts hurt a bit, like my sister’s do sometimes.”
The pain grew until it was so intense that Xander passed out. He felt himself dropping to the ground, unconsciousness sweeping in to claim him.
And then the sensation passed. He opened his eyes and found himself once again lying in the darkness beside the dark red and orange embers of a campfire.
“What’s the matter?” Mercy’s voice.
“Nothing.” He felt out of breath.
“Are you sure? You screamed and then sat up.”
“It was nothing. I’m fine.”
He waited for a reply, but the only sound was the rustling of covers.
Xander turned so that his back was to the fire and Mercy. He felt a throbbing hotness in his chest. Slowly, he pulled the cloth of his shirt open.
Buried under a few layers of skin, the gem the Lord of Light had given him blazed like a star of pure white light.
Chapter 48
“Mind
if I join you?”
Sebastian smiled and moved over to make room on the park bench. “Be my guest.”
Isaac unslung his instrument case and set it on the ground, then took a seat and crossed one leg over the other. He looked out over the tiny patch of grass that someone had planted in the corner of town and deemed to call a park. “Seems strange. A park with no pigeons.”
“It does,” Sebastian said. “They are in Preu Treya, though. Pigeons, I mean.”
“Just not here.”
“Guess not.”
They sat quietly for a few minutes.
“Did you find any good deals from Bramell?” Sebastian asked.
“I certainly did. He had an extremely powerful flute and lyre. The lyre extends effects of all songs played by an additional ten seconds, and the flute can create auras normally only played by drums.”
“Wow, that’s very interesting.”
“Yeah.” Isaac sank down a bit and stretched his legs out in front of him. “Not sure why I bothered to get them. I doubt I’ll be very useful in the battle to come.”
“We have no other bards, except for your apprentice.”
“That’s true. I’m not skilled enough to consistently twist songs, but a good healing aura or attack boost could be helpful.”
“I’m sure that you’ll contribute more to the battle than I will,” Sebastian said.
“What is it that you do, anyway? I thought you were a crafter.”
“That was the plan, except it didn’t work out so well.” Sebastian shared the successes and failures that he had experienced along the way.
“Strange.” Isaac scratched his chin. “You have power sometimes, and when you do, it’s off the charts.”
“Sometimes it’s too generous. I’ve had it once or twice.”
“And no one has been able to help you figure out why it comes or goes?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, buddy. I know how much you were looking forward to being a powerful wizard.”
“I’ve tried to be good-natured about it.” Sebastian shook his head. “But inside I want to scream till I lose my voice. This place was everything I ever dreamed of as a kid. Then I finally get here and can’t be the one thing I wanted more than anyone else.”
