Survivors of Corrica

by Courtney Bowen

  Wilama groaned and took Yagidehama’s hand. “Why must you always have your way?” She asked Yagidehama.

  “You could’ve resisted me, you know.” Yagidehama pulled Wilama close to her, “Other people have tried to resist me when I tried to convert them to our cause. Some failed to hold out, yes, after a long, desperate struggle to hold on to their humanity. But others died, refusing to give in and sacrifice their virtue or betray those they loved. You, however, fell into my trap quite easily, perhaps too easily swayed into giving in to my temptation.”

  “How could I resist you?” Wilama laughed and hugged Yagidehama close, kissing her.

  They sat down after a few moments with Wilama sharing everything she’d learned about Bahealfisaba and what happened there while she was away. Yagidehama listened in astonishment, shocked that any of the Fay could’ve stooped so low to help those poor, wretched fools, even if they were a couple of kids.

  “Why would they give such power so freely away to a pitiful lot?” Yagidehama mumbled, furious. “The Savorre and I could’ve done a whole lot more damage if we had any of those magic swords on our side.”

  “I might’ve practically given the Bone Sword away to you, except Huette’s the only one who can use its powers right now.” Wilama grumbled.

  “That’s just the thing we need.” Yagidehama said as she snatched a scroll out of the pocket of a pack she carried with her. “Before I left Savorre, I managed to grab this spell that I’d been studying, a ritual that can apparently summon a true, fully formed demon, not any of the wisps of shadows that I usually work with, and we could command it.”

  “A demon? How strong would it be?” Wilama asked, looking over the spell, too.

  “Not very strong, just one of the minor ones, maybe Doomtha or something like that.” Yagidehama said, pouring over the instructions. “It’ll take at least three of us, and maybe a vessel, to summon and secure the demon to a form before we’re able to control it.”

  “But where are we going to find the third warlock to help us, and what sort of vessel are we talking about here? Another person?” Wilama asked.

  “Yes, I know of another warlock here in Rynalda who might help us. As for the vessel, it might work best with a person, though we could, or you could, create the shell of a body the demon might inhabit.” Yagidehama said. Suddenly she noticed some movement in the distance, a boat bobbing and floating across the water toward shore, and she paused. “What or who is that?”

  “Come on, let’s check it out.” Wilama said.

  They got up and headed out, wading through the shallows to reach the rowboat being washed in by the tide. They saw there was a man in there, perhaps still alive, so Wilama strengthened their arms to lift him out of the boat, and drag him up onto shore. Once they reached dry sand on the beach, they laid him down on the ground so that they could get a better look at him.

  “Oh, gods, I think it’s Memba.” Wilama said, brushing aside some of his hair to study his unconscious form.

  “Who’s Memba?” Yagidehama asked, turning to Wilama.

  “Back in Corrica, he was all set to be the dictator over the military and plebian tribunes, basically in charge of the entire empire. But then the volcano erupted and we left him behind as we fled. He must’ve gotten away from Corrica, but what’s he doing here and now?” Wilama asked.

  “Perhaps fate has brought him to us.” Yagidehama frowned, examining him. “Come on, let’s get him out of here. We’ll take him with us and see if he can be of any use to us later on.”

  Wilama nodded and they soon vanished from there, leaving an empty beach and rowboat behind them.

  ℜℜℜ

  With the celebration over, the Bahealfisaba villagers and Corricans attempted to return to some semblance of normality, and were beginning to resume their ordinary routines, when suddenly a couple of portals appeared in the Corrican settlement that had become their new home. Everyone rushed forward to confront what they feared was a new threat, bringing their Swords with them, but only a handful of people emerged from the three portals, which soon vanished.

  The strangers appeared to be unarmed and unarmored, not shielded or wielding any sort of magical powers. The villagers relaxed a little bit, especially when a few of them recognized and welcomed the strangers, setting their weapons aside.

  “Peace, they’re friends.” Kozu and the Bahealfisaba people assured their neighbors, who also followed suit in disarming themselves.

  “Thank you.” One of the strangers bowed her head and said, “I’m Zayika of Anjia, representing the Tailor Guild.”

  “I’m High Priest Goll of Dobalas, praise be to the goddess Mila.” A man said next to her.

  “I’m Princess Leuwana of the Circean Kingdom.” A merhuman maiden, half mermaid and half human, bowed her head to Kozu before she presented the man standing beside her. “This is Prince Rishi of Rynalda, my counterpart on the mainland.”

  “Hello there.” Prince Rishi waved at everyone. “I assume we’re all here for the same reason, as representatives of our different kingdoms and territories, to make a sort of pact with Bahealfisaba.”

  “What do you mean?” Kozu asked, gaping at them, especially Leuwana, who he thought was quite lovely.

  “We’ve heard all about your valiant efforts, attacking the Savorre and freeing their captives from those that you saved.” Zayika said, stepping forward. “We want to lend you aid, if you continue your efforts, not just to quell the remaining Savorre, but perhaps to extend your campaign to Gorbasa and beyond.”

  “Yes, we’ve consulted with our priests, oracles, and the goddess, and we’ve decided that now would be an auspicious time to expand our boundaries and enter into a new alliance to bring peace and prosperity throughout the world.” Goll remarked.

  “This alliance that you’re speaking of,” Marko said, joining the conversation, “Would it be advantageous to all parties involved? Would we enter into an equal partnership to establish a new nation, perhaps?”

  Leuwana faced him. “If you can guarantee that we won’t falter in our drive to uniting all of our kingdoms and subjects, that we can claim more land and bring more people into our fold, then we’re quite willing to bring in Bahealfisaba and its territory into our coalition as a full, equal partner.”

  “This is quite interesting, but perhaps you should give us some time to discuss it a little bit more.” Kozu said, pulling Marko aside. “What’re you doing?” He hissed at the other man.

  “While we wait for them to settle this matter, why don’t we see if we can get you four some refreshments, some entertainment, and perhaps a seat somewhere.” Rowena said, glancing around. “Oran! Demetrius! See to it, please.”

  “Right.” “Okay.” Oran and Demetrius both blurted out, and escorted the representatives away from there.

  Meanwhile, Marko told Kozu, “What does it look I’m doing? I’m trying to get us a seat at the table before everything’s taken. They’re talking about forming an alliance, Kozu, one that could take you and everyone else here and elevate us into a more powerful position in this world.”

  “But they’re talking about conquering all of the other territories and principalities in a move that could turn disastrous for everyone involved.” Kozu said.

  “Or it could create an empire, no, a country bigger than any other. We could be greater than the Corrican empire ever was, given time and the strength necessary to build ourselves up. These magical Swords that you and the others possess might be the ticket to getting us the power and respect that we deserve.” Marko said as he pointed at the Blue Sword sheathed at Kozu’s side. “We could be heroes.”

  Kozu looked up at Marko. “What if we fail? What if we can’t hold everything together? I know we might have the ability to take over new lands with these Swords, but can we retain them? Can we form a stable, cohesive country that’ll outlast us? And will we truly be the strongest group in this alliance, or will Anjia, Dobalas, and Rynalda dominate us instead?”

  “I know ther
e are risks involved, but this could be our chance to prove to everyone that Bahealfisaba won’t be left behind. Those Swords and our powers combined will show that we can be taken seriously. Plus we can cement our own allegiances within this network by forming new pacts with our partners.” Marko nodded his head at Leuwana. “I saw the way you looked at her. What if you earned her respect and support, maybe even her devotion, by showing off that Blue Sword of yours in battle for them?”

  Kozu stared at the Blue Sword and then at Leuwana before he said, “Okay, I suppose that’s something to consider. Maybe we should sit down and open up to a serious talk with them about this alliance of theirs.”

  “That’ll be perfect.” Marko smiled, patting Kozu on the back as they returned to the others to discuss the matter more thoroughly.

  ℜℜℜ

  Hasbas frowned to himself as he spotted Marko talking to Kozu. “I don’t like this.” He muttered to his wife Lapida. “I think Marko’s trying to take advantage of this situation and get himself a higher calling.”

  “What can you do? Marko always seems to be trying to take control.” Lapida shook her head. “I don’t know how Dahlia and Buzzbo can stand being with him, but so far, they seem to be supportive of him.”

  “Maybe that’ll change someday.” Hasbas shrugged, turning to his wife. “What do you say? Do you want to join the party, meet the neighbors and maybe our new allies, find out what Marko and Kozu are up to?”

  “That sounds like a splendid idea.” Lapida wrapped her arm around Hasbas, as he wrapped his around her, and they walked off to join the group conglomerating a short distance away around the representatives. “Looks like Corr and Kiki are hanging out together a lot more.” She said, noticing the youths standing off to the side.

  “I figured that might happen. I think they like each other. Who knows if that might develop into something more?” Hasbas shrugged. He looked around. “Are Mogame and Geneva split up for good?”

  “I believe so. Mogame’s spending a lot more time with Rowena now and Geneva’s been around Oran a lot. I think something else might develop there.” Lapida said.

  “Ah, well, I guess some things can’t last forever. What about Huette and Porran? When do you think they’re getting married?” Hasbas asked her.

  “Probably in a few months, if Huette has anything to say about it. I think Porran might be a little more reluctant, if he wants to wait longer and see what happens with our battles against Savorre.” Lapida said.

  “I can see him losing that battle.” Hasbas grinned as he glanced down at Lapida’s belly, where the baby growing inside her was showing. “Do you suppose we’ll have a boy or girl?” He asked.

  “I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Lapida smiled at him as the scabbards of their Black and Red Swords jostled against each other.

  A short distance away from them, Zeldos and his wife Cassandra were sitting next to each other, observing the tumult over their visitors. “Are you going to get involved if we join this alliance to expand our territories?” Cassandra asked Zeldos, who was frowning to himself.

  “No, I’ve had enough of conquest and the consequences of it to last me a lifetime.” Zeldos said. “I want to stay here with you and enjoy a better life. I’ll protect my home and Bahealfisaba with the Green Sword, if necessary, but otherwise I’m not budging any farther.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Cassandra nodded. “I’d rather stay here with you, too.”

  Nearby, Wintha winced as a vision nearly splintered her head.

  ℜℜℜ

  Many Years Later…

  Zeldos was cooking dinner, taste-testing a spoonful, when suddenly he felt a convergence of energy he recognized as a portal. He paused, looking up, and fetched his Green Sword in its scabbard as quick as he possibly could, which wasn’t very fast at all for a man of his age.

  He was possibly in his seventies or eighties now, he didn’t know his exact age for certain, and had outlived his wife Cassandra and one of their children. He hobbled towards the front door, feeling sore on this cold night, and opened it, resting a hand on the hilt of his Sword. He glanced around outside, searching for the source of the disturbance, and a tall figure staggered out of the dark, heading for him.

  Zeldos relaxed. “Fato, what’re you doing here?”

  Fato panted, leaning forward. He appeared a little older now than he was when Zeldos and the others first met him, although he looked more like he was twenty, instead of two hundred years old. “It’s all over now, Zeldos. I just came to say good-bye.” Fato told him.

  “Good-bye? What’s going on?”

  “He’s coming for us now, Doomba or Memba, whatever you want to call him.” Fato shook his head. “I don’t think we can hold out for very long against him, not in the state we’re in and the power he’s gained. He’ll take P’hula and we’re done for, unless we find a way out.”

  “Surely you can flee, find another way to survive. You’re here with me now, you’re safe enough.” Zeldos said, though he was uncertain about Fato staying here with him, despite his possession of the Green Sword to protect them.

  “Nowhere’s safe enough, not when he’s set on destroying us Fay. I fear it’s only a matter of time, no matter where we go. Coe Pidaria is…no longer an option for us.” Fato lowered his head.

  “Yes, I know. I heard the news.” Zeldos shook his head. “Poor Corr. So far, the trouble hasn’t hit us yet, but I fear it’s coming just the same if Doomba and his monsters are set on conquering us all.”

  Fato grimaced. “I hate this. Even if we could find a way to turn the tide or stand up against him, it’d take years to repair or rectify this damage, and no one can. We haven’t got the resources, we haven’t got the power, Doomba has everything on his side. We don’t have anything.”

  “You’ve still got me and the Green Sword.” Zeldos patted the hilt of his weapon. “If I could, I’d lend myself to the effort. Add the services of the Green Sword.”

  “Yes, thanks, but you need to be here as well.” Fato paused and stared at the Green Sword, and then up at Zeldos. “We could use the Green Sword, though. Unfortunately, not with you wielding it.”

  “You want to take back the Sword?”

  “For a fair exchange.” Fato snapped his fingers. Suddenly a glowing green orb appeared before him in mid-air, pulsing with light. Fato grabbed it and held it in his arm. “This is a source of Fay energy and power, straight from the heart of one of our life-giver trees. In exchange for the Green Sword, I’ll grant you the power and life-span of a Fay, altered enough to sustain a human like you for a good…couple thousand years?” He remarked, studying Zeldos.

  “What?” Zeldos stared at him. “Why would you give me all that power and energy? All for the sake of the Green Sword? For what purpose? And why wouldn’t you give that to others who needed it?”

  Fato sighed. “It’s complicated, but right now, that Green Sword might be the key to saving all us Fay, though it’s not going to be enough to defeat Doomba. We need to get on top of this and find a way of getting rid of him, but it’s not going to be easy, I fear. It’ll take time and the right elements and it might not happen for a long while. Until then, I think we need you to be a guardian of this place, of these people, to protect some part of this world from Doomba’s spread. To do that, you need to be able to contend with whatever comes this way, and face centuries of waiting, until it all comes to fruition.”

  “Centuries? It can’t be. Surely it wouldn’t take that long?” Zeldos asked.

  “I’m afraid so, with the way things are going. We don’t have time to waste, yet we need plenty of it for you.” Fato indicated the green orb. “We don’t give this power and energy to just anyone. It’s a mighty temptation and a big job to fill, the position you’re taking, but I think you can handle it. Would you do it, Zeldos? Would you take this Fay life-force in exchange for the Green Sword?”

  Zeldos glanced down at the Sword, and then up at Fato, staring at him and the green orb. �
��All right, then, my friend.” Zeldos unbuckled the scabbard of the Green Sword and held it out to him. “For the Fay.”

  “Thanks. You don’t know how much this means to me.” Fato unleashed the green orb, which went whizzing through the air straight into Zeldos, and the Green Sword in its sheath flew from the old man’s grasp into Fato’s hand.

  Fato clutched the Green Sword, staring at it, as Zeldos fell backwards, convulsing for a minute as the green Fay energy filled and pulsed through his entire body. Zeldos gasped as he sat back up, feeling energized and livelier than he’d been for years.

  For a moment, Zeldos thought he might’ve regained his youth, but when he checked, he was still just as old as he’d been a moment before. “I don’t get it. How come I’m not any younger?” He asked.

  “It doesn’t change your appearance. In fact, you might be stuck with the same appearance forever.” Fato turned back to Zeldos. “The consequences of your actions are enormous, but you’ll be able to live with them, I hope.”

  “I hope so, too. Thank you, my friend.” Zeldos looked up, but Fato was already gone, leaving him alone. “Doesn’t even say good-bye. Good luck to him.” He muttered to himself.

  Zeldos got up, but his bones weren’t creaking anymore as he walked back to his house, straighter and taller than he’d been in years. He was still Zeldos to the people of this village, but one day, when all those who knew him had died and passed on, and their descendants for several generations after, they’d start calling him Old Man when everyone else forgot his name.

  ℜℜℜ

  Wintha gasped, leaning forward, as Anya checked on her. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?” Anya asked her, worried.

  Wintha straightened up and turned to her adoptive mother. “I don’t know, but I think we have a long road ahead of us before it’s all over with.” She said.