Wizard of Elements

by Calista Lambrechts

  I dashed for the nearby window – one little more than a mere widened slit in the wall of stone with a triangular top. Patters were carved to its stone frame.

  I stepped out and placed one foot on the windowsill, careful not to lose my balance and fall. Though, I did need to grab both sides of the window frame for extra support. I was a little woozy after all.

  I felt as the wind pushed my hair back, dousing me with faint vortices of rain, but it didn’t bother me. Like an eagle, I stared down at the silent streets below, just in time to see a carriage hurriedly being loaded with luggages. One of the men was hastily tying the last luggage to the top of the carriage roof.

  What? You leaving Morrowburg or something?

  I flashed a glance down to my side and saw a construction site. It was there for these who wanted to make some further adjustments to the tower-like structure – metal and wooden scaffolding.

  I narrowed my eyes into a cold gaze, focusing on my goal, and took a risk. I leapt sideways and out of the window, grabbing the edge of a wooden platform, part of the construction site. Just like before, I lost my grip and dangled in mid-air with only one hand still keeping me from plummeting to my demise. I immediately heaved myself up, dashing down the wooden platform until reaching the end. I was at an unimaginable height and had to work with caution as I made my way down.

  Even though the platform I was on came to an end, it continued on the other side of two wooden poles sticking out the stonework of the tower. I leapt towards one and then the other until one final jump to the other side where I continued to race towards more obstacles. I jumped down to other stable platforms and swung across some other metal poles sticking out the masonry. I ran until I reached the end of yet another platform. The next was a platform not far below, but it was still quite the drop.

  I noticed two wooden poles, jutting from the concrete. Only this time the second one was below the first, directly aligned. I jumped towards the first and hung from it, dropping to the second. Unfortunately, the second pole was unstable and broke at my weight, letting me fall all the way to the next platform. I hit the platform, breaking through it until hitting the one directly beneath it broke my fall. My vision blurred from the hit, but I soon regained focus. My body was stiff and aching, but I didn’t give up. I got to my feet as I recovered. I leapt off and landed on the streets.

  As I gradually regained my posture, I saw as the reigns shook and the carriage hassled off in a hurried departure. My frown hardened.

  I tried running after it, but only a few paces after left me breathless and gasping for air, clinging at my wounds, my mind screaming at the gnawing pain in my bones.

  I knew that I would never be able to catch him on foot. Not like this. Not in my current state.

  There was only one thing I could do, and perhaps apologize to Brother Deodonatus later, but this was a dire matter.

  I raced forward and jumped on a horse at the nearby stables. I cut the rope that bound it to the stables with the sharp edge of my sword, shook the reigns and dashed off.

  The owner was furious and waved his fist about, cursing as he tried to stop me, but it was of no use. I had already gained quite the distance with his stolen horse.

  While I raced through the somewhat deserted streets, my eyes started probing the horse and caught sight of a beautiful bow, some iron arrows, a rope and a bag of Tarauntis knows what and some matches. They were adjusted to the horse’s saddle.

  Coincidence or just my luck? Murphy serving those golden cards again?

  With my one free hand I reached down and grabbed some of the equipment, adjusting them to my person in the mid of the rush, slinging the bow across my body.

  I stuffed the matches into my pocket, loosened the bag and rope to let go of extra weight, and shook the reigns, kicking at its side to pick up speed. I could see as the carriage grew. I was closing in.

  I picked up the pace until I was close enough to jump. I then let go of the horse and leapt forward, grabbing the edge of the carriage as it raced through the streets. I heave myself onto the flat roof of the carriage and knelt down to keep my balance the best I could.

  I withdrew my bow and grabbed an arrow and aimed at the driver up ahead, but a thought came into mind. If I shot him, the carriage would lose control and crash, leading to either very fatal injuries or possibly even death as fate’s last resort.

  I then changed the target and aimed at the guard sitting next to him and let go of the arrow. The man gagged, wide-eyed and dropped to the streets, probably trampled by the carriage wheels. The driver, on the other hand, was startled and accidentally made a few sharp turns from left to right and right to left. I was shook from my balance and rolled down the roof, grabbing the brim just in time before I could fall for good. I didn’t see any chance for more injuries. Hell, I was barely even alive.

  Pulling myself up, I saw the driver grabbing a helmet and put it on. He was terrified of the idea that he might meet the same fate. He turned his head to look at his side to where the guard had sat, but then was caught by surprise when he saw me, calmly sitting next to him with a cool posture, almost as though I’ve been sitting there all this time.

  “That won’t help,” I said, gesturing to the helmet and immediately shoved him off, grabbing the reigns as fast as I could, but the horses were already caught in a panic. I tried controlling them, yanking at the reigns and everything, but nothing seemed to help. The horses were too spooked to settle down anytime soon. They went into a frenzy and eventually one tripped over his own hooves, pulling back the others and sending them stumble and fall over him.

  My eyes broadened, as big as coasters, as the carriage flew forward. My heart leapt and shock coursed dangerously through my veins. The carriage hit the horses and ended up in a crash as it flew to the cobblestone street. Shards of wood and bits and pieces of luggage and shrapnel shot through the air. The carriage had tumbled and fallen to its side. I moved alongside the carriage tumbled about endlessly, feeling as both street and wood skidded against me and tearing my skin. I was a ragdoll, thrown about before ploughing to the hard stone street. My bow had broken into pieces and my newly gained scathed wounds burned.

  I gritted down on my teeth as I tried to regain myself, biting away the pain. Pain webbed across my entire body.

  My heart burned and hammered at my ribcage.

  I took a moment to just lie there, to gather my breath and my will to go on.

  You’re so close… You’re so close, Carlaylin.

  I was well aware of the fact that some of my previous wounds had reopened and stained my clothes in fresh stains of blood red crimson.

  There was a sting at my neck that got me rather worried… but I pushed the thought aside. I tried pulling myself out of the wreckage, stood, stumbled and fell to my knees.

  I clutched my neck, realising that something had cut through the side of my neck, possibly even stabbed me, but the wound wasn’t too great, at least.

  Nonetheless, I coughed and found it more than difficult to breathe. Whenever I inhaled it felt as though the same air escaped through my wound.

  With my hand still grasping at my neck, I wearily made my way towards the carriage and kicked the door open, finding Maxus du Perron lying in the debris with only minor wounds and an expression of utter surprise. He seemed bewildered.

  “Hand me the Star!” I demanded.

  “You bastard!” he roared, “Look at what you have done! Do you know how much money this carriage cost me?!” I didn’t even think twice before landing a forceful kick to his stomach. He winced with pain and curled up into a ball.

  “This is for all your all you’ve done!” I kicked him again. “This is for being a traitor!” I gave another kick to his side.

  “And this is for forfeiting on the deal and being a bloody coward on it!”

  Before another kick I could see his face had already screwed up with eternal agony and plea for mercy. Only then did I realise what I’ve become. Th
at I have become a monster. This wasn’t the Carlaylin I used to know.

  I spared him my last kick and dropped my gaze. I wasn’t a coldblooded killer... not anymore. I sighed miserably and recollected myself.

  “Just give me the Star and I’’ be gone.”

  “Why don’t you just kill me now and spare me the trouble?”

  “Yeah right. I won’t be doing that anytime soon. Just give it to me, Du Perron! I won your stupid arena. You owe it to me.”

  Du Perron gave me what looked like a faint menacing smile, one mixed with absolute hatred, and tossed me the bag that contained the artefact. I took it from him and slung it over my shoulder. I flashed him one last glance.

  “You will hang for this!” he said loudly, trying to attract some attention and probably to scare me off. He worked on my last nerves and only thrived to draw the anger from me. He got what he asked for. Acting swift, I withdrew my sword and swiped its blade at his face, leaving behind a scar on his cheek. I took my leave and escaped, leaving my mark, one bound to stay there for a long time to come. I left it as an indicating warning sign that said: Never mess with a Thorel!

  I raced away and kept on going. I could hear Du Perron cursing and calling for the aid of his guards in the distance, but I ignored him and went as far away from the wreckage as I possibly could. I was sure that I was still fine, but my body proved otherwise. I grew numb and it felt as though all the energy I had left seeped from my bones. The new life that once coursed through my veins, was now busily fading away.

  I stumbled, keeping my balance proving quite problematic. I took a sharp turn and fell into a dark alleyway. The way I collapsed shred at the wound at my neck and only worsened it to a fatal phase. I squeaked and gasped for air as I clasped at my wound. I could feel my head thumping against my skull and my vision blurring.

  Trying to keep my breath, I tried to sit up straight, leaning my weight against a wall as I dragged myself back.

  The pain was unbearable.

  My eyes were screwed shut. I struggled to keep my wounds under control.

  I found it more and more difficult to breathe and knew that I would surely die if I didn’t do anything quick. The other wounds were none too serious compared to the perilous one on my neck.

  Regrettably, I had nothing to help accept for a method Donald had once taught me back at the inn. Yet, to be honest, even I wasn’t that brave to try it, but it was my only hope of survival and most possibly the only thing that would keep me alive before I reach the cathedral.

  I withdrew an arrow and rapidly dug into my pocket, getting the set of matches into sight. I set one alight and held it to the tip of the metal arrowhead and let it burn. The iron became a glowing, blistering red, precarious to the touch.

  I shook the match, letting the flame extinguish.

  Studying the scorching arrow tip, I brought it close to my neck. I closed my eyes tightly and let the flaming arrow tip touch the wound.

  A flock of countless ravens flew from the rooftops as they heard my scream – a scream I’m not too keen on describing in any way. All I can say is that the sweltering arrowhead was far worse than all the other wounds combined…

  I forced myself to go on, burning the wound close to stop the bleeding and unnecessary air loss. Moments have passed of agonizing pain and unbearable suffering. The soon as I was done, I instantaneously tossed the arrow aside and grasped my neck wound with both my hands. Tears streamed from my eyes.

  I collapsed to the ground, struggling to keep calm. I kicked and rolled around, all while clasping my neck with a terrifically strong grip. I bit down on my teeth and moaned and groaned, until after a while, one that felt like ages, the pain finally subsided a bit and I went numb. I focused on calming my breathing. My sobbing and squealing subsided, leaving behind only traces of rivers of tears running across my cheeks.

  I forced myself to my feet, almost falling.

  I stared out in front of me, studying the path. The wound wasn’t going to hold forever. I limped back to the only place I knew I could go: the cathedral.

  CHAPTER 34

  I HATE SPIDERS. I REPEAT:

  I REALLY HATE SPIDERS!

  CARLAYLIN

  By the time I saw the cathedral towering up from the distance, it was nightfall.

  The rain had stopped for a change, but the sky was still heavily clouded – not much of a surprise.

  I picked up the pace.

  The streets were empty since all have gone to bed and settled down. I must admit that I was exhausted. I’ve been struggling and fighting all day long without a single break within. I was mostly fighting to stay alive after the terrible incident. I was covered in dirt, blood, numerous wounds, scratches and bruises, even a wounded neck that was bound to kill me in the next few minutes if nothing would be done fast. My breathing was better, but not much. I still struggled to keep the air in. My breathing still came in quick gasps. My broken bones didn’t make any difference.

  As I sluggishly approached the cathedral, I noticed a figure impatiently waiting outside.

  It was Terrowin.

  I can honestly say that I was never happier to see that guy. I faint smile tried tugging at my lips, but the pain fought the smile back to grim anguish.

  Absentmindedly I picked up speed, eager to reach him.

  It’s been so long…

  It took a while for him to realise who I was since it was very dark outside, the clouds covering the light of the moon. A smile of relief spread across his face as soon as he realised that it was me, but it soon turned into a frown when he saw the state I was in. He immediately came rushing to my side. When close enough I couldn’t prevent myself form stumbling and collapsing into his arms, completely exhausted.

  Terrowin’s arms tightened around me in a heart-warming embrace.

  Moments passed before Terrowin asked, “Where were you? I’ve been searching everywhere, but couldn’t find you anywhere.”

  I tried to force my words, even though my voice wasn’t in the best state.

  “It’s a long story,” I said with a raspy voice, barely able to keep my words. “Get me inside the cathedral…” I cleared my throat and coughed. “PLEASE!”

  It was mostly the hurry of treating the excruciatingly terrible wound speaking.

  Terrowin stumbled back, inspecting me with both his hands rested on my shoulders. His expression turned into a mixture of concern and solemnity as he didn’t hesitate to help at my dire need for assistance. He threw his arm around me and hastily led me inside. I still couldn’t help but clasp the wound on my neck for reassurance and more air to keep me going.

  The cathedral was dimly lit by candles placed on pedestals sideways of the large hallway, only one between a set of two columns. Like the usual, I found Brother Deodonatus to be praying at the foot of the shrine at the end of the hall. I saw Adrian sitting at a nearby crafting table, crafting what looked like a small wooden crucifix with his dagger. He didn’t seem to notice us at first. His eyes shot towards us the soon as the large doors opened.

  Terrowin tried to hurried me inside and to help me by taking me to the nearest room, but I felt faint and collapsed in the middle of the hall before we could reach it.

  Can you blame me?

  Fortunately, he quickly caught me just before I could hit the ground. Gently, he set me down, letting me rest on the smooth marble floor, but an accidental touch to my wounded arm let me wince and groan with pain – a pain that could not even be described by any existing words. It felt as though I was riddled with fever and twisted and turned, trying to bite the pain in between my teeth.

  Adrian seemed alerted and rushed over to my side, calling brother Deodonatus closer.

  “Father!” he called.

  An expression of fear and worry flashed across Deodonatus’ face. He rushed to my side, not even giving himself a chance to stand as he stumbled forward towards me. As soon as he reached me he knelt down and studied all my wounds with hast
e. Adrian stood and watched over me from above.

  My eyes could barely stay open.

  “I knew you shouldn’t have gone.”

  “Too late,” I managed to reply. I coughed a hoarse cough.

  I looked at him with the notion that he was right, but yet wrong all the same.

  Deodonatus leaned in closer, taking my hand away from my neck, only to discover the serious wound. I struggled to keep my breath.

  Quickly looking at his surroundings for aid, he gestured Adrian to give him something. Adrian obeyed and quickly ran away, returning with a wooden bowl containing a small piece of light brown cloth, a few herbs, a piece of cotton and some small vial onctaining a clear fusing and bubbling liquid. Deodonatus grabbed it and exchanged glances with the two and gave a single nod.

  “Hold her down.”

  What?

  That got my eyes to widen. Both Terrowin and Adrian crouched down and pinned me to the ground, mostly by my arms. Deodonatus did a few things, working on his own medical knowledge, before he finally used a piece of cotton to dab my wound with some strange clear liquid and then pressed the herbs to my neck wound. A sudden and unimaginable pain shot through my entire neck and literally burned like hell itself. Even worse than my arrow tactic I used earlier. I tried to get loose, but struggled since I was pinned to the ground by two hot boys and an Olympic monk.

  What has this world come to? It makes you wonder, actually, how I have time to think about all of this... Oh well.

  It wasn’t long until the discomfort subsided until I actually felt no pain at all. Even my breathing became easier and steadied. I stopped my struggling and calmed down. With a feeling of release and sweet relief my eyes fell close for a moment. I wanted me some of those leaves…

  I think I even heard Deodonatus giving a sigh of relief. He took the thin piece of light brown cotton material and bound it around my neck, keeping the herbs in place.

  He seemed more relaxed now.