by Jon Bender
Adriana stood there with a wicked smile, mace hanging at her side. “What the hell was that?” Jaxom yelled from the ground.
“We had to see if it worked,” she said innocently. Sliding her mace back into the loop on her belt.
“We could have found another way to test that theory,” he said. Looking down, the spot where the mace landed had fractures spider-webbing out. Even cracked the armor still held firm protecting him.
“You would never have had faith in its strength until you were hit while wearing it,” she said. Jaxom couldn’t argue with the logic, knowing what it felt like to be hit while wearing the bones did inspire him to trust it would hold against similar assaults.
Jaxom spent the next hour removing the armor and then donning it again, discovering the cast became easier and faster with practice. When able to assemble the suit in less than a handful of seconds, he decided that it was physically impossible to do it any faster. Letting the bones fall to the ground one last time he offered a hand down to Adriana who had retaken her seat on the ground. Tomorrow they would be in Ale’adar and he had no idea what waited for them after that.
Chapter 17
The flight into the city was something the people would be talking about for years. Keeping high above the buildings had not stopped the inhabitants from noticing the terrifying creatures. Those below scattering from the streets to retreat into the nearest buildings they could find. Reaching the palace, Jaxom commanded his durgen to climb high and fast as arrows flew towards them from the walls. Circling above the archers he yelled down to the startled men to hold their fire. Once they had lowered their bows he felt safe enough to descend into the stable yard the others following him down cautiously.
On the ground Adriana slid from the saddle to land gracefully on her feet, Jaxom only a step behind was greeted by twenty of the Guard all holding swords out and ready. The other two durgen landed, the flapping of their large wings kicking up dirt from the ground before being tucked to their sides. As the rest of their group dismounted, Cribble walked over to the group of nervous guardsmen.
“Don’t you have eyes? You can see who we are, put those damn swords away,” he yelled.
Still staring warily at the dangerous looking risen they did as they were told by the captain. Cribble walked forward to speak to them while Jaxom, seeing Da’san already gathering his things, moved to speak with the priest.
“Leaving already?” Jaxom asked.
“Yes, I have to tell my brothers of this Or’Keer. A new god who is not held by the pact is a threat to all the temples,” he replied.
“I hope to see you again, I owe you my life several times over now,” Jaxom said offering his hand to the young man.
Taking his hand the priest smiled. “To be honest, I had fun while I have been with you. The temple can become quite boring and the trip was very exciting. I will be spending a lot time sharing the story with the others when I get back.”
Releasing the other man’s hand, Jaxom let him return to gathering the remainder of his gear. Adriana was looking all about her, taking in the palace above and all the people surrounding them. He had forgotten this would be her first time in a city this large and she may be a bit overwhelmed by the whole situation. Looking his way she gave him a big smile before going back to the sights surrounding her. Jaxom saw the young boy who had taken his risen horse when he was last here. Waving him over the stable hand came over at trot.
“Yes magus?” he asked looking at the durgen suspiciously. Already knowing what Jaxom wanted.
Smiling, Jaxom pulled a silver from the purse and gave it to him. “Same as last time,” he said. The lad slipped the coin into a pocket quickly enough but that did not stop him from shaking his head at the task. Jaxom commanded the durgen to obey his instructions as the boy ran off to gather up their mounts.
“The King left six days ago commanding the Guard to stay here in the city,” Cribble said rejoining him.
“So you are staying here when I leave?” Jaxom asked. He still did not like Cribble but the man was good with a sword and he grew on you.
“I have no choice. The sergeant who took over my men when I left is overwhelmed, and I am needed here if the southerners should attack the city. I can see to it that Jerup and Brenin go with you if you want,” he said.
Jaxom looked over to where Jerup was also preparing to leave, no doubt headed home to see his family. Brenin had joined a small group of guards speaking to them in an animated fashion, most likely telling stories of their journey north. “Just Brenin if he is willing, which I think he will be,” Jaxom replied. Nodding, Cribble moved off to interrupt the archer’s story.
Waving to Adriana, he led her into the palace and to the bathing rooms. They could not stay the night, but there was time for a bath. After an hour soaking in the warm water Jaxom was dressed and waiting when Adriana emerged from the room she has used. Her light brown hair was up in its usual pony tail and she was wearing more of the plain men’s clothing, the pants hugging her hips in a very pleasing manner.
“I have never enjoyed a bath like that before, the water stayed warm the entire time I was in. I did not want to get out,” she said.
“Yes it can be very relaxing after a long journey. I am sorry to tell you that we cannot stay longer. I would love to show you the rest of the city, but we have to leave shortly,” he said.
The look of disappointment on her face was obvious. “I know, but when we get back I expect you to show me everything,” she said.
Jaxom looked forward to doing just that, but Corin and Celia were even now fighting to protect Ale’adaria. There was no time to waste on tours of the city no matter how much he wanted to. “Once this is all over, I promise to show you the whole thing,” he said. Smiling she nodded and followed him away from the bathing rooms.
Returning to the stables they found Brenin looking washed and refreshed as well. The young guard was sitting on a barrel inspecting arrows from the refilled quiver on his back, two more of the tubes resting near him. Jaxom did not know what he was looking for on the small missiles. Never having developed a skill for archery himself, he assumed the young man was looking for flaws in the shafts. Looking around Jaxom found the boy who had taken the durgen carrying a bucket of water to the stables. Giving a whistle to get his attention the boy put the bucket on the ground before walking over. “We will be needing our mounts,” Jaxom said. The boy hurried off to where the risen were being kept bringing them out one at a time.
As they were climbing onto the backs of the durgren, now situated with one saddle for a single rider, Cribble came strolling out into the stable yard moving towards Jaxom still wearing the same clothes he had on when they arrived. “I had Jerup reassigned to my unit, he is a fine swordsman with his head on straight. We will try to find any of these followers of Or’Keer that Alimar spoke of, but I do not know how successful we will be,” he said.
“Keep your eyes open, this war is just the opening move of Or’Keer. He has a much larger end game planned and we still don’t know what it is. Any information you can gather may mean the difference between winning and death,” Jaxom replied.
Cribble nodded his understanding. “I also took the liberty of having your supplies replenished. You will be joining up with the King and they should be well stocked but you never know.” The captain looked decidedly uncomfortable for a moment not seeming to know where to look before sticking his hand out to Jaxom. Surprised by the gesture Jaxom took up the piece offering from the man and shook it firmly. The Guard Captain finally met his eyes. “Good luck,” he said. With that he let go and turned around to leave Jaxom standing there in shock. Unmoving for a moment trying to process the unexpected show of friendship, Jaxom put a boot into the stirrup and climbed into the saddle. With a thought the six legged creature beat its wings to gain height before heading south again with Brenin and Adriana following behind.
The land they passed over was different from what they had seen on the return trip. The further sou
th they went the fewer people could be found, having fled from the approaching army. The trail they followed was easily discernable from above, appearing as a long scar overlapping the road itself. The damage to the area, which was now dirt and mud, had not been intentional but that many men, horses, and wagons left a mark wherever they went. Larger circular areas had also been turned up from where the army had camped for the night before moving on again. Jaxom and his two companions had passed three of these areas before landing to set up camp themselves. Corin was making good time with the amount of men and equipment he carried along with him. Jaxom had hoped they would catch the army today but had known the chances of that were slim. Corin would be moving as fast as possible to stop the invaders from pillaging any more of his kingdom. Jaxom estimated that they were covering close to twenty miles a day, which meant his friend was pushing the men hard.
Landing at an abandoned farm, the three friends moved the durgen into the empty barn for the rest of the day. The chances of someone coming by and seeing the risen was remote but there was no need to take the risk. The house was a simple square structure made of wood with only one window per wall. Just outside the front door was a small well where the family who had lived here would have gotten all their fresh water from. Once inside they found the house had been stripped bare, the previous owners having taken everything with them when they left. The common area of the house contained a small hearth and a table surrounded by five chairs. The cupboard had been left open displaying bare shelves, except for a set of wooden plates and bowls that had been left behind.
Two adjoining doors hung open showing smaller rooms containing wooden frame beds with feather stuffed mattresses. Adriana moved into the room with the larger bed meant for two people placing her saddle bags down on the floor. She looked back at him with a smile and a gleam in her eye, Brenin catching the look as well grinned before moving into the other room. Jaxom placed his bags on the table not wanting to give the young man the satisfaction of being right just yet, and went about the job of getting a fire started in the hearth. With Jerup enjoying his wife’s cooking, it was left to the three of them to make the meals now. Striking flint to steel Jaxom quickly got a fire going, pouring water Brenin brought into a pot hanging above the flames. Jaxom added dried beef from his bag and vegetables from a small garden out near the barn that Adriana had chopped up for him. The stew gave off an appetizing aroma and with a side of biscuits they had brought along it became a filling meal.
While he had been tending to the pot, one of his friends had moved his bags into the room Adriana had claimed. Neither of the two gave any indication as to which it had been and Jaxom was not about to ask. He had intended to share the room with the huntress in any case, feeling that she would be accepting of the company given the night they had spent together when he had practiced his casting.
When Jaxom had deemed the stew finished, the three of them had sat down at the table to enjoy the meal served in the wooden bowls from the cabinet. Taking a steaming spoonful Adriana tried it and gave him a look of approval. “So you can cook, but mine is the stuff of legends in Chams’dell,” she said.
“Oh? You’re that good?” Brenin asked blowing on his spoon before trying it himself.
“Not exactly, I said it was the stuff of legends. We have a festival of sorts in the spring where everyone in Chams’dell will gather to dance, drink, and eat. One year I decided I would bring my mother’s lamb roast to the celebration. The following day a council member spoke to my father, telling him that perhaps next year we could contribute in some other way besides bringing food,” she said laughing.
Brenin and he joined in with her, the conversation drifting to more stories about their funny failures. As they finished the meal Jaxom noticed the sun was close to setting, knowing that if they were not to pull watches he would need to put the durgen on patrols around the small farm. Returning to the barn he commanded the risen out into the fading light, commanding them keep close to the house. With their protection for the night in place he returned to the comfort of the small home. Brenin had already retreated to his room and had closed the door behind him. Adriana stood washing the small wooden bowls in a water basin before placing them back in the cabinet, a sentiment Jaxom agreed with. The family who lived here would most likely return after the war was over, and it would be impolite to leave their home a mess.
Replacing the last bowl, Adriana turned to regard him with an expression he recognized as a mixture of seriousness and desire. Walking over to him she took his hand and led him into the room closing the door behind them. Taking the lead she pinned him to the door placing her lips against his in a deep slow kiss; her hands roaming over his chest before pulling his shirt over his head. His own hands undoing the buckle at her waist, the belt and her heavy mace dropping loudly to the floor with his sword following quickly. Taking control, Jaxom pulled her shirt off pushing her back and down onto to the feather mattress. Moving on top of her he felt the warmth of her skin against his, their mouths meeting again in another kiss relaying their desire for each other. Her hands moving to his back to pull him tighter against her body. Jaxom gripping her hair in his fingers, moving as his lips to her neck. As they continued to caress each other Jaxom felt more than just the physical yearning for her. Kissing her lips again he knew that he wanted more than just this night.
He lay there afterward enjoying the feeling of her head resting on his arm, slow even breathing telling him that she had already fallen asleep. Reaching out to the durgen Jaxom felt them continuing to circle the house. The night was lit by the moon casting a soft light onto the surrounding area as a cool breeze passed over the risen’s fur. A strange scent caught the attention of the animal and it had moved out to investigate the smell. It could not find the creature which had left the scent behind, and searching the area thoroughly the durgen found no other evidence before returning to its patrol. Turning back to the house it was suddenly struck from behind by a curved sword cutting deep into its rear flank. Whipping around it could see the blade protruding from its flesh but not the wielder. Judging where the arm holding the blade should be the risen lunged forward sinking teeth into flesh. The attacker pulled back trying to free himself but the durgen refused to let go. Jerking its head back and forth, it ripped more flesh away from the shade, spreading its great black wings the risen moved to drag invisible enemy into the air. Another sword cut into one of the feathered appendages severing it completely and forcing the risen to the ground. Giving another hard jerk the risen tore the arm from the shade spraying blood into the air. Rearing on its back two legs, four sets of claws lashed out in a raking motion shredding the chest and stomach off the second attacker. A dozen others came then hacking and slashing to cut away more of the risen’s flesh.
Jaxom jerked from the bed throwing his clothes on quickly, with Adriana coming awake at his motion looking confused but also donning her clothes.
“The shades have found us and there are too many for us handle. Wake Brenin we have to leave now,” Jaxom said to her. Without a word she finished dressing and belted on her mace before heading to get the archer. Jaxom reached out to the other two durgen stopping them from their charge toward the shades. Commanding them to instead meet him at the front door of the small house. Moving out into the main room, Brenin and Adriana were already there gathering up their gear.
“What is it?” Brenin asked.
“Shades,” Jaxom replied. The look in the young man’s eyes became serious at the mention of them, he had been at the palace when they had attacked and knew what they were capable of. Finishing his preparations, he grabbed his bow from the table and waited. Throwing his bags over his shoulder Jaxom moved out the door to the two remaining durgen. Tying the saddle bags to the risen he climbed up before offer Adriana a hand to join him. A curved sword slashed between them forcing her back as she drew the mace to defend herself. Stopping the second strike she swung her mace into the slightly darker area the only indication that something was there, and f
ailing to connect. An arrow sped past her to embed into the darkness, the feathers and shaft hanging in the air before falling to the ground. The second risen durgen had another shade on the ground tearing into his chest the attacker having attempted to decapitate it, only to lose the blade in the creature’s thick neck. Brenin was releasing arrow after arrow blindly into the surround area with only a few striking the shades.
Lashing out with his own sword Jaxom took the sword arm off a shade that had snuck up trying to skewer him. The durgen finished the armless shade with a powerful swipe of its front paw sending the cloud of darkness flying into the air. Seeing they would need room to make their escape, Jaxom sheathed his sword freeing both hands. Using one hand he cast out the shadow veil creating a tight circle around them and obscuring the shades sight. They could not see the enemy but neither could the shades find them. As he created the veil his other hand sent forth the blight in a tighter ring within. Before the ring was closed Adriana had changed tactics after deflecting another sword, tackling her assailant to the ground pinning the shade beneath her. With a powerful two-hand strike she brought the mace down ending in a sickening wet thwack.
Others of the shades had tried walking through the veil only to recoil when they encountered the blight. The veil would maintain for a while on its own but he had to continuously replenish the blight, and the effort of holding so much of it was already beginning to take its toll. Adriana had joined him on top of the durgen as Brenin climbed onto his own mount bow still in hand, wanting to leave the archer’s hands free he commanded both of the risen mounts to lift from the ground. As they moved into the air the distance became too great to maintain the blight any longer and Jaxom was forced to release it. No sooner than he had, darker spots flooded into the space they had just left as they moved higher into the night sky.
Chapter 18
