“Why are you just standing there?” I asked through gritted teeth.
The woman didn’t reply. I heard the thunder roar outside, droning past the sound of the falling rain showering Ysellian with its merciless touch.
“What did you do to him?!” I asked furiously, shooting a glance past over my shoulder, our eyes locking with a deadly stare.
“It’s just a little poison,” the woman smirked, “nothing to concern about, darling.”
“Poison…” I muttered to myself, nodding, eyes falling back to Terrowin as my mind took me back to Terrowin’s earlier worry.
“Poison… Of course it’s poison! How could it not be poison?!” Something within me snapped as I flew to my feet, my breath chasing me as I tried to fight back the urge to strangle the woman.
“Don’t blame me, dear. I needed the money.”
“Money? MONEY?! You cold-hearted bastard! Have you no soul? Have you no moral? You bloody witch! Give me an antidote!”
The woman crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.
“Why? It’s of no use. He’s already dead. It won’t do you any good.”
My actions were miles ahead of my thoughts as I hurriedly snatched Terrowin’s dagger from his belt, my grip tightening around its grip. I might have looked like I was set on killing, but, in truth, it just wasn’t me. I would never be able to bring myself to kill anyone… let alone anything. It just wasn’t in me.
“He can’t be! He’s not dead!”
“Yet.”
I practically breathed fire.
“I refuse to believe it!”
“Well, you should. Whether you like it or not,” she retorted with the roll of her eyes, arms dropping to her sides in a smug pose, too calm and too quirky for my taste.
I let go of a battle cry as I lunged at the woman, keeping my dagger ready for an early attack. What happened next, I did not quite expected. The crazy old woman evaded my brutal dagger slash and grabbed me by my arm, flipping me over, causing me to do a summersault in the air. My back slammed down on the counter, shattering the glass mugs underneath into a million shards. My muscles tensed. Pins and needles pierced my back. I winced, letting go of a groan.
It wasn’t long until I noticed that the woman to have snatched the dagger from my hand, her eyes musing it as she toyed it in her hands. I frowned as our eyes met. She was none too hesitant to bring the blade down on me. I had little choice but to roll out of the way, no matter how painful. I was quick to find my feet.
Isn’t she a bit old to fight? I thought in a panic.
I had to dodge an oncoming attack, missing the edge of the sharp blade by mere inches. The woman didn’t think twice before striking me with the blade another few times. At last, I leapt out of the way, the dagger’s blade running down into the edge of the wooden counter. While her weapon, or, uh, Terrowin’s weapon, if anything, was stuck in the surface of the counter, I took the opportunity to throw myself at her, diving her from the side and pinning her back to the floor. The force of my onslaught drove the dagger out of the wood as the woman pulled it alongside with her. Left behind on the desk was the clear damaged mark - shades of a white gash on a surface of oak.
Soon after, we found ourselves in a struggling brawl, each grunting till our hearts’ content.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I called, my blood boiling.
“Nothing I regret!”
I tried at my absolute best to fend off her dagger as I tried to keep her arms at bay, but she just wouldn’t settle. I kept my eyes on the blade as she tried for a fatal wound. I bit down on my teeth, mustering all the strength I had left.
“Damn, you’re strong,” I gasped. I received nothing more than a hateful scowl in return.
“Thanks,” she spat, landing a lengthy cut to my arm. I yelped, instinctively letting go, giving the woman an open chance to make her escape.
She kicked me off and I stumbled back, falling on my bum, feeling the burn at my arm as a warm red blood seeped from the incision.
I got to my feet and tried to repay the favour, but I didn’t exactly get a chance as the woman slashed at my face. I pulled back, my heart sinking to my boots as I held my face in a tight grip. Removing my hands, I found a stain of blood at my palms. Turns out, it was only a small cut at my cheek, but at the moment, it was horrifying, knowing that I could’ve lost an eye or something.
Well, at least the cut sparked up something within me, almost as though it had been the gateway to crossing the line. I grunted aloud, kicking her in the stomach and grabbed a mug filled with… beer? Or… at least I hoped it was beer. I swung the mug at her face and had a direct hit, watching as the liquor spilled from the tankard and showered down to the floor.
The innkeeper crumbled to the floor as she was left unconscious at last.
“Never underestimate a crazy woman.” I mumbled to myself, breathless and quite exhausted. “Bitch.”
My eyes rolled down to the mug in my hand.
The legend still lives, I thought as I chuckled silently to myself, keeping that cool smirk as I slammed it to the table, shooting a glance at Terrowin.
I failed to fight back a miserable sigh as it rolled over my lips.
For all I knew, it wasn’t Terrowin anymore. It… just could’ve been a body. A corpse.
I swallowed back the thought, hoping to push it to the furthest reaches of my mind as I decided to still cling to hope.
I strode over to his side, looking down at him. Never had I seen a person lay so still…
Isn’t he too young to die? I know he fights a lot. I know he’s short-tempered. But this is really bad. Bad, even for him!
“Don’t worry,” I reassured with a shaky breath, “If it’s not your destiny, not your fate, not your time to go yet… then you will come back.”
I pursed my lips into a thin line as I made my way over to the counter, gulping down the last few drops of beer that remained in the mug. I sighed, trying to gather myself and recollect my thoughts as I merely leaned against the counter, flashing a glance at the unconscious old woman on the ground. A deep hatred brewed within me.
“You make me sick,” I spat wrathfully. I wouldn’t mind landing her a kick or two, but I knew she had had enough. I knew there was no point in senseless violence.
“Hope you wake up with a headache.”
I left the counter, my eyes searching around the place as I started to search for anything of use. A map, in particular, would be especially helpful. I knew that I had to act fast since she wouldn’t stay blacked out forever and that I had nothing to tie her up with.
My first step of action was rummaging the drawers for anything that could be of use. Living up to my hopes, I actually found an old rolled up map. A sense of glee coursed through my veins as I searched further. Yet, there wasn’t exactly anything of value.
Fork, broken watch, earring, phalange bone and some… underwear? No way am I taking that!
It wasn’t long before I decided to turn my attention to the cabinet behind the bar area. Painstakingly, I opened it, only to see the horrors inside. My eyes widened with shock, fear and realisation.
Inside I found a… shrine. It was an entire shrine completed with all its horrific and gruesome qualities. Small black and white candles were placed on various spots on both the two shelves. A skull rested on the lower shelf upon some old ruined books. It looked like it was watching me, eyeing my every move, judging me and just beckoning me closer to suck my soul or something.
Especially since there was a single separate eyeball stuck to the one socket.
What made me even more uneasy was the simple fact that it still looked somewhat fresh... The thought made me cringe. Bottles of potions were randomly placed about with numerous and various liquids and odd fluids. In the middle of the cabinet, there were two larger candles burning with purple flames, emitting their haunting purple tinges to the rest of the dark cabinet.
They stood on either side of a
mirror… or so it appeared. It was nothing more than a picture of darkness, nothing but black.
Some Frozenfire in a bottle caught my eye. I nearly felt like gasping exaggeratedly. This woman was dealing in illegal trades and inventory.
Frozenfire was forbidden, strictly outlawed across the whole of Ysellian. The woman stood a massive chance of getting arrested by the guards if any of them were to find out.
I took the bottle and studied it closer in my bare hands, handling it with extreme care. I decided to keep it with me for the safety’s sake. For the safety of Ysellian. In the hands of this crazy woman, who knows what could happen?
A realization suddenly popped into my head as my eyes broadened. I nearly dripped the bottle as I stumbled back, shooting a quick last eye to the cabinet.
“This woman is a necromancer! I… I have to get out of here.”
I was in a dire hurry as I closed he cabinet shut, feeling a sense of relief to know that the horrors were back behind doors.
Necromancers are normal people, but none to be underestimated. They are fairly dangerous, dependent on their skill and the timespan of their practises in the dark arts, conducting experiments on the dead and feeling no shame in it.
Acting fast, I spread the map open across the bar counter, studying its aged surface. I found the nice ‘You Are Here’ mark and read: The Lost Inn.
No wonder she gets no customers.
If she did work in a town once, I now understand why they moved her out here. She’s absolutely mad!
I studied the path to the Wizard’s tower and grabbed a satchel that hung over a nearby chair, throwing my… um… borrowed items into my bag.
Just then, as I was ready to set off, I caught sight of a recent note pinned underneath a vase out of the corner of my eye.
“Hmm…” I mused and carefully removed it from its heavyweight, unfolding it to read.
Owner of the Lost Inn
I beseech you. Lend me your aid and I will pay you handsomely, for I offer a reward, one heavy in value, to the person that ends the life of Terrowin Belanos, for I, at this current moment, can’t do it myself. Momentarily, I have business to attend elsewhere. I have tracked his trail and foresee that there is an honest to goodness chance that he might pass by here. Alongside this letter, one I hope you will accept, I have provided a tiger stone ring. A tracker stone. If it comes close to the one you seek, it will emit a faint glow. I will make you the second most richest person in Ysellian. I trust you won’t disappoint.
Anonymous ~
I swallowed back at what seemed to be a marble, my eyes almost unable to look away from the note.
Someone wants Terrowin dead? Why…?
I slipped the note into my satchel and tried to erase its contents from my mind… If only it were that simple. I was stuck with the subconscious thought of it.
I returned back to Terrowin with everything set. I took a deep breath and tried to pick him up. I took a hold of his arm and helped him to his feet, brought back to the realization that I wasn’t exactly as strong as I thought I was at first. I threw his one arm around my neck and held him by the waist. I started walking towards the exit with Terrowin slumping by my side, head hung to his chest.
“Why do you have to be so heavy?” I puffed, trying to drag him out of the death-trap of an inn.
“Don’t worry. I won’t leave you here,” I said and opened the door with my one free hand and exited the inn of madness. It was still very dark outside, in the middle of the night, in fact. It rained heavily. The starry night was blanketed by a heavy covering of thunder clouds, blocking out all signs of heavenly light. I gathered and straightened myself, pushing out my chest with pride as I tried stepping out the door, but as soon as I did, the wind acted up and slammed the door shut in front of me, sending me stumbling backwards, falling to the ground with Terrowin by my side.
“Seriously?!” I yelled. I picked myself from the ground and slowly, but steadily, got Terrowin in my grip once again, kicking the door open. “I don’t think now is the perfect time for this!” I shouted, referring to the terrible storm stalking the night, dousing the land, washing the cold wind over my bare skin. The gashes on my arm and cheek burned agonizingly, the rain washing the blood to mere faded stains. I took a deep breath and tried pushing on, my legs almost failing me as I took my first step into the wilderness. I wasn’t used to carrying people.
***
I was surrounded by nothing but darkness, with not a sign of light but for the strike of lightning tearing the skies every now and then. I felt enclosed, almost as though the trees tried to grab at me with their branches, to hold me back and swallow me whole, driving me into an oblivion and deriving me of hope as the anguish felt as though it might carry on forever.
The rain hammered the earth, breaking the branches and tearing off the leaves, tugging at me, forcing me to my knees.
I was soaking wet, drenched from head to toe as my boots trudged the muddy earth, slipping and stumbling. I worked hard and struggled to carry Terrowin all the way to our destination. The nightfall made it hard for me to see what lay ahead and more than several times I had lost my way. I writhed to stay on my feet.
So now and then Terrowin would slip from my grip and I had to pick him up again. Rain blew into my face and blurred my vision, making it hard for me to see. I saw little less than silhouettes, swaying ceaselessly in the storm.
I walked alone.
Thunder roared, drilling at my ears, playing on my fears.
The temperature had dropped to a freezing cold, but I had to keep on going. I couldn’t give up. Not then. Not so close.
The wind got stronger and stronger by the second. I noticed Terrowin to be freezing, his skin pale, stripped from all colour. I gave him his hood back and hoped that it would at least provide a worthy enough shelter from the tempest.
I struggled to move forward, more and more with each step I took.
I missed Thorodan. I missed the warmth of the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn. Even Olaf. I missed Millicent, but most of all, the thought that bit at me most… Terrowin. Sure, he might have angered and annoyed me and all that, but I still couldn’t bring myself to believe that the candelabra of the Lost Inn might have been the last light he would ever see.
I wondered how managed to get myself into this mess. I was there, struggling each step of the way, cold and very exhausted, my muscles aching and my feet stepping on glass shards. I was freezing and the storm only made it worse. The cut on my face and my arm wouldn’t stop bleeding. But like I said, I wasn’t about to give up. Not ever…
***
Droning to life was the faint sound of what sounded like birds chirping in the distance, up in the trees. A stroke of warm sunlight lanced down from the blue heavens above to caress my back with a gentle touch. I leisurely opened my eyes, waiting for my vision to adjust before I squinted at the brightness of the newborn day, though I soon grew used to it. I noticed myself to be flat on the ground, my stomach pinned to the dampened earth. I groaned as I stirred, weakly finding my feet, eyes raised to stare into the distance, my gaze following the earthen road, and saw the sight of a tall structure rising up from the rocks that kept it fastened to the ground. The opening was clear and blessed with the bright shining sun and blue skies. White birds flew about in glee and joy, a slight breeze blowing the tall grass to the side. Densely packed trees surrounded the opening and created an outstanding sight. It was the Wizard’s tower. I had made it, and have never been happier in my entire life. I felt a sense of mirth and laughter bubbled from deep inside me. I let go of a breath I had been holding, absolutely relieved.
My eyes fell down to Terrowin that lay on the ground at my feet. Memories of the previous night’s struggle were kindled and roamed my mind. I couldn’t exactly remember what happened, but by the sheer looks of it, I guessed my body to have given in at the last moment.
I got Terrowin to his feet, having his arms thrown over both my shoulders as I heaved
him onto my back. With that last shred of newly found hope still clinging to me, I tried to carry him towards the tower in the far. Sometimes I would stumble and almost fall, but I managed to stay steadfast. Eventually, reached the doorstep of my set destination. I frail smile spread across my lips as I looked up at the gargantuan door in front of me. It was a breath-taking wooden door, smooth and beautiful, adorned and decorated in amazing ancient patterns and symbols. The symbols looked like they might have been something written in another language, an ancient tongue… Dragon perhaps? It was a wild guess I was willing to cling to.
A giant red rhinestone festooned the middle of the door, situated right in the centre of all the spirals and cyphers.
I sighed and scraped all my courage together and knocked on the door, three rapid knocks, equally space din staccato precision.
After waiting my fair share of time, the door slowly opened with a steady creak, revealing an old man at the door, looking quite good for his age. Possibly even energetic and athletic.
It didn’t take me long to realize that I was standing in the presence of the Wizard that loomed over me with his tall figure.
Like your regular wizard, he had a signature long white beard and a pointy, yet eccentric, purple hat covered with golden patterns. His complicated, designer purple robes matched his hat.
I didn’t know whether to be scared, worried or calm and relieved. Even though mixed emotions ran through my mind, I couldn’t help but notice something a bit familiar about him.
I didn’t say a word, for my words were caught stuck in my throat.
He looked like a kind soul, his eyes gracing mine as stared inquisitively at me, cocking his head at the wonder of what I was doing at his doorstep… a stranger.
He seemed too perplexed to notice my amulet at first.
Though, it didn’t take him long to notice Terrowin that was slumped behind me.
Wizard of Elements Page 7
