Angst Box Set 1

by David Pedersen

  “You must be Angst,” Air said.

  22

  “You’ve heard the saying, ‘the air was still?’“ Air asked as he approached, floating through the pirates like a wispy ghost. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  Angst sought out his friends, his eyes glowing so brightly they created beams in the dust kicked up by the element. He inched closer, wary of every sound and movement, his giant sword aimed at Air’s abdomen.

  Air looked at it with annoyed respect. He delicately touched it as if preparing to gently push it aside then jerked his hand back as the blade sparked on contact.

  “Let them go.” Angst coughed, having a hard time catching his breath. Was Air making it hard to breathe? His head throbbed and he felt dizzy from a small battle in his lungs. He reached out to Dulgirgraut with his mind, seeking help, but heard only a dull song in return.

  “We need to talk,” Air said sincerely.

  “Fine, once you release them,” Angst wheezed.

  His friends gasped and clutched their chests. They dropped to their knees in the sand. He still fought for his breath; it was barely enough to keep from passing out.

  “Everyone okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Hector replied.

  “The pirates aren’t moving.” Tarness was already up on one knee, eyeing Tamara in her stillness and Victoria gasping for breath. Angst recognized the anger building in his face.

  “I think they will be fine,” Dallow advised. “I’m unaffected, but it was an odd experience. I could watch, but I couldn’t move. I didn’t even realize I was breathing.”

  “I took care of that for you,” Air said. “See, no harm done. Now, can we speak before she comes and ruins our meeting?”

  “You mean Water?” Angst asked.

  “Who else?” Air confirmed. The top of his torso remained mostly still while his tornadic legs wandered like spinning tops. “She’s planning to kill you. She means to make it hurt.”

  “Am I on a list?” Angst asked in despair, lowering his sword several inches.

  “We’ve taken notice, all of us,” he said. “Well, those of us remaining.”

  “Don’t you elements have a war-thing going on?” Angst asked. “Can’t you finish your own battle without involving me and mine?”

  “It’s not that simple,” Air said. “You’ve got another one of those things, and you declared yourself the element of humans, remember?” He sounded very serious and golden lightning sparked within his large, dark eye sockets.

  “I was a little upset,” Angst explained. He grimaced. “Actually, I still am.”

  “And you killed Water’s lover,” Air said heavily.

  “Her lover?” Angst asked, perplexed.

  “Well, just as we utilize human hosts, we sometimes take human companions,” he replied smugly.

  “You’re kidding!” Angst rolled his eyes. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “Angst,” Victoria pleaded.

  “So,” Angst said in disbelief. “She thinks I killed Mr. Water?”

  Tarness coughed back a chuckle, while Dallow sucked in his lips.

  “Sometimes,” Hector said flatly, “I think you should let me negotiate and save your heroics for beating up big things.”

  “Supposedly when you were chasing Magic across Ehrde,” Air continued, ignoring his friends. “Think back, Angst. Water said she was there when you did it. She would’ve had blue hair.”

  Angst strained for the memories; so much had happened, it felt like decades ago. The chase was just a blur, a fading nightmare he was happy to let go. He set Dulgirgraut on its tip to hover and wait.

  “Speak your thoughts aloud, if you please.” Air made a beckoning movement with his hands.

  Angst took a deep breath and sighed, and the air leaving his mouth became an image of dusty ground that formed into the base of Ivan’s arena. He stepped back and the view expanded with every breath. He peered up at Air warningly, unsure of this new trick.

  “Amazing,” Dallow said. His forehead scrunched as he pressed the memndus stone close to his temple.

  “Just a trick, so we can all see,” Air said, gently pulling with both windy hands as if dragging the memories out with a rope. “Please, tell us.”

  Victoria walked to him and held his hand then closed her eyes and concentrated.

  Air tilted his head to one side at the exchange. “Ah, so the element Human has taken a companion too.”

  Angst glared at him then squeezed his eyes shut in concentration.

  “I’ll help you find the memory, Angst,” she said, placing a second hand on top of his. “How did you defeat Ivan?”

  “He was a giant, much larger than a Nordruaut, more like a small mountain. His body was made of purple tubes and a white mask hovered in front of his face,” Angst said. “I used a stone platform to lift me up so I could face him, and then leaped off, cutting into him with Chryslaenor. I did it over and over again until he split apart.”

  When Angst opened his eyes, Victoria’s were wide, her face pale. She swallowed hard at the horrific vision forming in the air before them. The monstrous body of Takarn-Ivan was splayed like thick strips of purple beef. Angst was a mess of Ivan’s blood and his own, his jaw set and his eyes glowing blue. The creature reached up into the sky, its arms and fingers stretching into forever until it formed a twisted tree that split open to reveal darkness. Freed from the confines of Ivan’s body, a black beam of light rushed away from that tree, leaving a path of death. The vision momentarily paused, awaiting Angst’s storytelling.

  “That must’ve been scary,” she said, gulping loudly as if fighting bile.

  “Yes, but what Magic planned next was worse.” He couldn’t control the catch in his throat. “After it escaped Ivan’s body and became the beam of darkness, it threatened to possess someone I love and went straight to Unsel.”

  “It was going to attack Heather?” Victoria asked.

  “Or you,” he said. “It left Fulk’han so fast I could barely keep up. It tore through towns and houses and animals and trees.” Angst clenched his fists. “Magic didn’t care who or what it killed, it was just filled with hate.”

  The vision resumed—cloudy, as if viewed through the memndus—showing a distant image of Ehrde moving in slow motion as Angst, on his sturdy ram swifen, chased Magic through forests and villages.

  “Do you remember a woman with blue hair?” Air coaxed, studying the unfolding story.

  “You do,” Victoria encouraged.

  “Yes, I do now,” Angst said, and the vision sped by quickly as minutes became seconds then slowed. “She had hair like the mermaid.”

  The dark beam of power made a sharp turn and headed directly toward a small farm. Angst tried to move around it, but the beam was too fast. It raced through a yard in front of a village, killing an old man who was standing near a beautiful woman with blue hair. The image stopped, and Air took a step forward, kneeling to inspect her. Angst was out of breath from remembering, or from the spell that put the memory on display. Dizziness made it hard to focus on the image of the blue-haired woman.

  “That would be Water,” Air said.

  “She’s cute,” Angst said.

  “Really?” Victoria backhanded him in the chest.

  “The rest of the story you all know.” Angst took a step back, trying to wave the vision away like campfire smoke.

  “I want to see,” Air said. “Please continue.”

  Angst glanced at his friends, who were in various stages of recovery, and the pirates, still frozen. Dulgirgraut was within arm’s reach. His lungs now ached from the spell, and he wasn’t sure how much more he could endure before passing out.

  “How about no?” Angst replied, letting go of Victoria and reaching for his sword.

  Air continued pulling, and Angst coughed as his lungs emptied. He gasped for breath, clutching at his throat. With every gasp, more of the story was drawn from him. The image slowed momentarily to show Water screaming Angst’s name
before a speedy race to Unsel. In a blur, they watched the metallic-beaked cavastil birds smash into the ground—which made Air wince—the destruction of the castle and finally trapping of Magic as Angst skidded to a stop at Victoria’s feet. Air waved a hand, dismissing the image. Angst dropped to a knee, sucking in deep gulps of oxygen.

  “I’m not sure if we should be partners, if I should kill you, or just run,” Air said, tapping a dusty, spinning finger against his chin thoughtfully.

  “I’d suggest running,” Angst said through his now dry and scratchy throat.

  “You hold such amazing power, such potential.” Air ignored Angst’s remark. “I don’t remember any Al’eyrn before you wielding so much.”

  “What do you want?” Angst asked.

  “Enemy of my enemy...” Air sighed. “We both have the same problems. We need to be rid of the others. Fire, Magic, Water. You can’t do it without me. It will take two.”

  “Why do you have to fight? Can’t you all just work together and leave us alone?”

  “From the mouths of babes,” Air said thoughtfully. “Maybe someday, but not this time.”

  “You should reconsider, before it’s too late.” Angst defied his exhaustion and stood, placing a hand on the hilt of Dulgirgraut. “Fire is already damaged, Magic can’t be in great shape, and I can handle Water.”

  Air’s laughter sounded like thunder. “You speak as large as your sword, young human. Even you are no match for Water or her wrath. Together we could win, maybe, but alone?”

  “I’m not alone,” Angst said proudly. “Maybe we just need to start with you.” He wielded Dulgirgraut and pointed it at Air.

  Hector leaped forward with a scimitar in both hands while Dallow summoned an enormous fireball that grew as it approached the element.

  Air grimaced. “Enough.” He reached up with a windy hand and pulled down.

  A funnel formed over the element, reaching up so high it sucked in clouds. Everyone gasped at the sudden change in pressure as a gale shot out from Air in every direction. Trees were uprooted and thrown into the ocean like discarded weeds. Angst instinctively created an air shield, earning him an admonishing tone from Dulgirgraut for trying to fight air with air, but no further assistance. His shield shattered as quickly as he built it.

  Tarness inched forward in his fury, and Angst couldn’t help but be impressed by his raw power. Angst locked his legs to the ground, anchoring his bones to the earth below. He reached out to do the same for his friends but couldn’t feel them. In that brief instance of concentration, they were gone. His cheeks pulled back and his ears burned as he looked around to find that everyone was missing. He forced one leg forward then another. The wind and sand bit into his skin, flaying off layers, but he kept advancing.

  “What did you do with them?”

  “I said, enough,” Air yelled.

  “Where are they?” Angst coughed, his voice but a whisper in the storm. He gripped his neck, desperate to breathe.

  “You aren’t ready even for me, much less her,” Air said in disappointment. “You’re not a threat. You’re a waste of time.”

  He dropped to his knees, the stars of faint flashing in his eyes.

  “I hope you can swim as well as your friends.” Air backhanded Angst.

  Angst soared high into the sky, leaving Dulgirgraut behind in the sand. He landed hard in the ocean amongst a dozen screaming people as everything went black.

  23

  Unsel

  Heather sighed deeply. What on Ehrde had she done to deserve this? It wasn’t just about giving up an hour every day to advise, which really meant listening and nodding. There was something she hated, absolutely hated, about being here. It could simply be that it felt like spring with the fountain and the flowers, in spite of the icy, blustering winter outside. Maybe it was the exclusive nature, a feeling that she didn’t belong—not that she wanted to. But more likely, it was Angst. The maiden’s courtyard was his place to secretly meet with Victoria, and the very thought made her cringe. She didn’t hate the princess, something she reminded herself daily. She didn’t hate Angst, which she also reminded herself daily. But together?

  “Is everything okay, Heather?” Alloria asked, her tone walking a fine line between courtesy and impatience.

  Heather took that as her cue to grasp her baby belly and adjust her hips, resting her weight on the other cheek. In her most uncomfortably pregnant voice, she replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. The baby is just restless.”

  “Ooh!” Alloria grinned, hopping over to place a hand on Heather’s shifting mass.

  She never asked if it was okay to grope and rub Heather’s stomach as if making a wish. Heather forced her wince to the other eye, hoping it would appear to be a full smile. Fortunately, the sudden movement woke her package, and an elbow, or a foot, made a brief appearance as it stretched her insides enough to create a visible bump.

  “I don’t... I just...” Alloria jerked her hand back as if bitten. “I’d never get used to that.”

  “Have you not spent much time around pregnant women, Your Highness?” she asked.

  “No, I had too many moms.” She sighed. “None who stayed around long enough to make babies, I guess.”

  Is this the true Alloria peeking out?

  It was almost genuinely sad. Alloria looked at the ground as if the words had slipped out and landed in a pile at her feet. These weeks as queen regent had already aged her, which made Heather smile cattily. Alloria was dressing slightly more conservatively, or maybe that was just around Heather. The most noticeable change was that the big, obnoxious hair that cried out to men for a romp in the hay was now tucked away under an old fashioned crown. For the life of her, Heather couldn’t understand how all that hair could be confined in such a small space.

  “I just meant being that size.” Alloria frowned in concern, motioning over Heather’s entire girth. “It must be uncomfortable.”

  “More than you know,” Heather replied dryly. What she wouldn’t have given to wield her own giant sword right now.

  “What was I discussing?” she said quickly. “Oh, yes, Angst.”

  The young princess droned on in an airy voice that made it hard for Heather to pay attention. She was standing, waving her hands excitedly as she laid out how she would protect the city, and the castle. Hoping that she wouldn’t have to evacuate. The entirety of her plan required Angst arriving in time.

  “What was that?” Heather asked. “You said Angst?”

  “Yes.” Alloria frowned again. “Your husband needs to hurry. I need my champion!”

  “As do I.” Heather sighed, once again smiling through a wince.

  Was this really what Angst wanted? Young princesses fawning over him to save the kingdom while he rode off to adventure? She sighed. Of course it was. The thought made her happy, and grumpy. She wanted Angst to feel good about himself, to fulfill the destiny he always whined about—it was important to him, so it was important to her—but how did she fit into this glorious future of dragon slaying and maiden saving? Because, fortunately, she was neither a dragon nor a helpless maiden. It was one of the issues that caused such strife between them. That unfulfilled longing to be somewhere else, to be needed by others, but not to—

  “You shouldn’t be in here!” Alloria shrilled, placing her hands on her hips.

  Heather snapped out of her princess-avoidance-trance to see Vars marching into the room. He wore a doublet and leggings, appearing much less threatening without the old plate armor. His face was wrinkled with anxiety, but his eyes flashed anger. He lifted a fist, which made Heather yelp in concern. Alloria didn’t flinch, as if she knew he wouldn’t swing. Vars’s fist shook with rage before he cupped the side of his head where an ear was missing. Heather started to turn away but couldn’t tear her eyes from the sight. Hadn’t he had an ear the last time she saw him? Now it was just a hole, as though he’d been born without it.

  “I’m sorry, what was that?” he growled as he approached them. “I can’t hear
you!”

  “You obviously didn’t need it, since you don’t bother to listen!” Alloria declared, straightening out her crown and crossing her arms. “You went to arrest the wielders, without my permission—”

  “You made magic illegal,” he argued. “I was following through on your decree.”

  “But did I issue warrants? Did I command those arrests?” she continued. “And not only did you fail to follow my orders, you also failed to arrest a single one of them.”

  Heather’s stomach churned and her blood boiled. When had magic become illegal? Why was she stuck here when her friends were in danger? She was getting upset but couldn’t tell if her tumultuous emotions were feeding their argument. They were getting angrier by the second, but not unnaturally so. She tried controlling her breathing to calm everyone down, but the shouting continued.

  “Magic is illegal?” Heather asked. “What about me? What about Angst?”

  “Yes, what about her?” Vars yelled. “Why hasn’t she been arrested?”

  “Nobody is getting arrested!” Alloria said firmly. “Is that clear?”

  “The only thing clear is that space between your ears!” Vars said with a grimace.

  Alloria made a high-pitched gasp before pointing to the door. “At least I still have mine!” She turned to Heather, her face mostly bright and cheery. “I promise, nobody will be arrested, dear. You and Angst will be fine.” Alloria spun sharply and reached up as if to grab Vars’s ear. “Oops, I guess I can’t do that now.” She held the back of his arm instead, which he jerked out of her hand. “We’ll finish this in my study!”

  Heather frowned as the three practically glowing red ears left the room and wondered who would break down and cry first. How could they possibly be the team to save Unsel? It was as if someone had deliberately put chaos in charge just to wreak havoc. That craziness had to be hunger talking, and she winced at Alloria’s remark earlier about getting big. Bitch. Maybe she should thank Vars for cutting their meeting short.