“Gavin,” Valeran said. “You and your friends behave and don’t go off getting into any adventures. Ashrak, Chari, and I will be heading toward Brun in a week or so. Their people are getting antsy with our fleet sitting off of their coast and we need to get Ashrak settled in as the Duke.”
“And married!” Chari interjected, making Ashrak smile at her.
Duke Valeran grinned, nodding. “Yes, and married. I’m sure it will be quite the adventure. In the meantime, even if we have to use the old type of communicator for Trelakor’s mission, I am fine with that. The sooner we can begin looking into the problems at the coast, the better.”
“I’ll get something to you by tomorrow, sir,” Aiden said smiling.
Chapter 4
The discussion with Count Viridian was fruitful in some areas, and just continued Aiden’s frustration in others. They made some headway with plans adding to Aiden’s armored shirts. Flying wasn’t the only thing that the Count thought would be useful, but he wanted to show Aiden some video before he proceeded with his experiments. After seeing Aiden’s walking stick, he also suggested adding a shield that the wearer could activate at will around his whole being. Not only would it help with flying, but could be useful for protecting the wearer from fire or other dangers.
He was particularly glad that he’d spoken to Count Viridian about it because he hadn’t even thought about the need for breathing. He’d always assumed that air was air, but there was a lot more to it than he’d ever suspected. The Count had told him if he didn’t add something to take that into account, there was a very real chance of dying without what was happening. That was one of the things the Count wanted to show him since there was a lot involved with how to produce air that was not susceptible to smoke or gasses.
The part that was making Aiden angry was the communicators. No matter how much the Count tried to explain to him switching, or stored numbers, or any of a hundred other methods, Aiden didn’t know how to think of the concept. He understood what the man was describing on a basic level; he just didn’t know how to implement it.
“How is it coming?” Gavin asked from the doorway of the small room.
“Not too well,” Aiden said, sitting back in frustration. “I’m working out the shirts, but I just can’t understand how to make the communicator work.”
Do not worry about it for today, Aiden,” said the Count. “Let’s pick up tomorrow. Maybe things will percolate for you overnight. If necessary, we can get some of the old communicators to the Duke tomorrow.”
Aiden nodded glumly. “That sounds like a good idea. I just wish I knew what percolate means.”
The tall man smiled slightly before answering. “In this case, it means to think over the problem, and perhaps ideas will form over time to solve it. I will come find you tomorrow morning.”
Aiden nodded and stood, going to join his friend at the doorway but turning before he left. “I will figure this out. We don’t have a choice. I need to be better.”
Watching the Count nod in acceptance, Aiden turned and left with Gavin. Aiden had just seen Glowby come angling in from who-knows-where when they had walked away from the building. His invisible friend had quickly grown bored with their conversation and had left fairly early, but now he was back. Gavin signed and patted Aiden on the shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you, Aiden. We know you are trying your best. I can’t even imagine being the only one able to do something that is so important. That is a lot of stress.”
“Yeah,” Aiden responded sadly. “I just…I know the Count is trying his best, but I swear when he talks to me, I feel dumb as a rock.”
Gavin blinked and then laughed loudly.
“What?” Aiden asked, confusion coloring his features.
“Father says that all the time!” Gavin said, chortling. “I don’t think the Count can help it how he behaves toward other people. In many ways, it’s genius, since everyone is uncomfortable around him and just assumes he knows everything. It probably helps him in his schemes. Can you imagine being stuck up for thousands of years? That stick must be pretty durable.”
Aiden looked at his own walking stick and quipped. “Maybe this isn’t the first glimmer steel stick?” They both laughed as they continued walking down the path. “So where are we going?” Aiden finally asked. “You didn’t just come to save me from Count Viridian, did you?”
Gavin shook his head and grinned wickedly. “Nope! I'm here to get you involved in even more trouble, but it should be the good kind. You need a distraction. Oya Dihya said you’ve missed a few days of training and wanted to see all of us down on the beach. She has some practice weapons ready.”
“Really?” Aiden groaned, looking askance at his friend. “Wait, I think I hear Count Viridian calling. Maybe I left something back in the room.”
Gavin laughed and grabbed Aiden by the arm. “Oh no, my friend! If we’re going to get a beating, you’re not getting out of it. Besides, you need to practice learning how to use that fancy stick of yours. Ashrak, Markam, and Chari are already there.”
Aiden watched as Glowby bobbed in agreement. He hated when his friends teamed up. “Fine, fine, I’ll go quietly. I do need to learn how to use this stick. It will be different than a staff or sword, especially with the shield built into it.
It only took a few more minutes for the friends to arrive at the place that Oya Dihya had set aside for them to train. The sand was more packed in that area of the beach, which would be good for practice. Markam, Chari, and Ashrak were already sparring in a three-way contest with practice swords and Oya Dihya standing off to the side giving the occasional comment. Glowby flitted over and began circling the small melee, seeming to revel in the three friends’ fast movements.
As they approached, Oya Dihya tossed a bamboo slat sword to Gavin and told them both to spar with each other a little off to the side. They nodded and squared off, with Gavin calling out for them to begin. Gavin got into his sword-forward guard while Aiden raised his stick up between them, flipping on the faintly shimmering shield as they began to circle.
Aiden knew Gavin was a far superior fighter and was determined not to over extend himself. It was difficult, but Oya Dihya had told him that an experienced warrior's greatest skill was alert patience. An inexperienced warrior would lose theirs, and make an aggressive move before it was wise. Aiden also made sure he had his finger on the lowest power level of his weapon. He didn’t want to injure Gavin by accident.
The two circled slowly, though Gavin was grinning and relaxed while Aiden sweated. His sword had reach which Gavin was using to test Aiden’s shield and reactions. At the moment, Aiden was holding the stick with two hands and successfully blocking each strike, but he knew these weren’t serious attacks. They were designed to get him to move, and each time Gavin threw a blow at a different part of his body to see how he would react, Aiden knew his chances were getting less and less.
Finally, Gavin attacked for real, throwing a shot towards Aiden’s face before flipping the sword around and over his head. Aiden jerked up, confident he would catch the incoming wooden blade but it had been a fake. Aiden had thrown too much of himself into blocking and even as he saw Gavin halt the flow of his blade and drive it into his underarm on his right side. It was an often-used shot by his friend, but Aiden continued to fall for it. On top of that, if he hadn’t been wearing the shirt he was, it would have stung like crazy.
After the armored shirt absorbed the blow, both boys grinned and backed up into their start positions. “You were doing well to keep moving, Aiden, but you keep moving in the same direction at the same pace,” Gavin said, pausing before starting again. “Don’t do the same thing over and over. Patience is good, but you also need to be a threat to me, so I don’t keep total control.”
Aiden nodded, readying himself and trying to think. He was getting better, but he still had trouble varying his attack and defense. Especially now that Gavin had a clear advantage with reach. Even if Aiden tried to hold his stick like a sword, he would
still have a shorter range and wouldn’t have his hands on his shield or attack buttons. But, he thought to himself, there was something he could do that was unexpected if he were careful. Maybe he could attack Gavin’s weapon.
They began to circle again, and as they moved Aiden did most of the same things he had done earlier; blocking and staying defensive. After about the third probing strike from the blond noble, Aiden backed up and reversed direction in his circling. Gavin grinned, nodding to Aiden encouragingly but both knew it didn’t change things. Aiden still wasn’t being aggressive enough. Gavin did one or two more probing strikes, beginning to step in for his third when Aiden moved his finger from the first to the third button on his stick as surreptitiously as possible. The resulting explosion of Gavin’s sword startled Aiden, but he was quicker to recover and moved in on his opponent. Careful to put his power level back down to its lowest setting, he pushed his walking stick into a still reeling Gavin, winning the match.
Aiden gasped. “It worked!”
Gavin’s answering smile was brilliant, and he grabbed Aiden’s shoulders, spinning him around. “You bet it worked! I nearly peed myself! Ha! Good job Aiden! You would have beaten me soundly!”
Suddenly, Aiden heard Markam’s voice from right behind him. He hadn’t heard his approach, but the serious, low voice of Gavin’s guard startled him.
“Gavin, are you okay?” Markam growled, staring at Aiden aggressively. “What happened?”
Glowby moved aggressively towards Markam, glowing a dark red at his attitude and Aiden didn’t blame him. Markam was trained from a young age to protect Gavin in all things, and he would happily sacrifice anyone else to do it if need be, but they had been sparring.
“It’s okay, Markam,” Gavin answered, stepping forward and putting himself between the intense gaze of Markam and Aiden. “Aiden was just implementing what I was telling him and being unpredictable.” He paused, looking at the stump of the bamboo practice sword in his hand before showing it to his protective friend. “It was just the sword, not me.”
They looked over as Ashrak and Chari walked up. Chari was giggling into her hand, and Ashrak looked like someone had scared him half to death. “What in the Seven Circles was that noise? Gods, Chari hit me right in the left butt cheek when it went off! I thought she deflated me!”
They all laughed, except for Markam, while Gavin showed Ashrak the practice sword. They all marveled at it until Chari composed herself. “That is pretty effective. I wonder what it would do to a full metal sword or shield.”
“I don’t know,” Aiden said, shrugging. “It did a number on a large piece of timber. I’d hate to see what it could do to a person without one of my armored shirts, but we didn’t test it out on metal. I’m sure it would do something. Maybe even knock it out of their hands?”
“Probably more than that,” Oya Dihya said, walking up. It may not outright destroy the item, but it would probably ruin it for fighting or shatter a hand attached to it. We need to test that. It could be a very effective weapon, or if used carelessly, dangerous to a friend.” She held her hand out for the destroyed practice sword and examined it carefully before nodding. “Aiden, do you think you could make the effect of your walking stick strike at a range other than contact?”
“How do you mean?” Aiden asked, curious.
“I mean, instead of delivering the force on contact, perhaps you could make it strike a distant target such as a crossbow does. It would certainly assist with your lack of range.”
“That would be great, Aiden!” Ashrak said, smiling. “You wouldn’t even have to get close and risk a beating all the time.” Chari rolled her eyes and smacked Ashrak’s arm, making him rub it and look questioningly at her.
Aiden wrinkled his nose at Ashrak’s comment but thought about Oya Dihya’s question. “Yes, I think I could figure it out. That one, at least, doesn’t seem so hard to imagine,” Aiden sighed. “I’ve got a lot of projects I need to do. Honestly, I hope Carol Reid finds out what makes me able to work with Glimmer Steel because I’m starting to feel a bit stretched.”
Oya Dihya put her huge hand on his shoulder, lightly squeezing it. “If anyone can, it will be Carol. She is a truly brilliant person. In the meantime, what tasks are you working on?”
Aiden ticked off his fingers as he spoke. “The first item is how to improve the armored shirts. Count Viridian had many ideas that I might be able to incorporate into their design. The second item is trying to figure out how to make communicators that reach out to more than twelve people at once. That one, I am having a lot of trouble trying to wrap my brain around. Now, you’ve just given me a very good idea about trying to project the crushing force at a distance.”
“That’s easy!” Ashrak said, grinning. “Making our armor better is the way to go. I mean,how can you beat flying?”
Gavin frowned, looking at his one-time adversary. “I don’t think so, Ashrak. The shirts would be nice, or even the weapon, but that just helps one person. If Aiden can make a communicator that many people can use, it would help more than just one person. I think that is important.”
“You’re right, Gavin,” Aiden said, seeing where Gavin was going with his argument. “Is it better to help one warrior fly or help an entire Duchy communicate? I think in this war, it will be more important to know what is going on as soon as possible. Even if I made the most fearsome, unbeatable warrior if they never heard about a battle what good would it do? My problem is I think I can figure the weapons and armor out a lot faster than the communications.”
“That is a problem,” Oya Dihya said stoically. “An answer will come to you, though, Aiden. I am certain of it. Until then, perhaps we should try a full melee between the five of you?”
Suddenly they all heard a faint beeping sound. It was an odd thing, and nothing like Aiden had ever heard before as he and his friends began to look for the source. However, Oya Dihya seemed to recognize it as she walked over to her helmet, which was lying on a blanket next to several other practice weapons.
When she put it on her head, she stood still for many long moments staring off at the horizon. Glowby moved close to her curiously, and Aiden wondered if his friend could hear what was said. He was sure there was some communication device in the helmet. When Oya Dihya moved again, she took her helmet off and glanced at the students.
“There will not be further instruction today. There is a small fishing ship heading for our coastline, and it will be here within a few hours. If it does not change course, it will come to rest not far from here.” Oya Dihya paused before continuing. “Would you like to accompany me?”
The four friends nodded, but Markam frowned before answering. “Will there be danger?” he asked.
“There is the possibility, though it is not a large ship.” Oya Dihya answered. “Even if they are pirates, I am not overly concerned. We will be cautious, of course.”
Markam gave Gavin a look, but the Duke’s son shook his head. “Markam, you know things are starting to become uncertain. I will have to take chances, sometimes, and I’m only the third son. We’re going.”
Gavin’s friend and guard continued frowning but knew it would be pointless to argue.
“If they are a bunch of fishermen, will you kill them for trespassing?” Ashrak asked curiously.
Oya Dihya shook her head as she started to walk back to the town. “Not anymore. Since we agreed to rejoin the world, we have softened our stance on trespassing. However, they will not be allowed to travel inland. We will bring them here if need be, or send them back on their way with a warning.”
Aiden was relieved. He had been thinking the same thing himself but was glad he wasn’t the one to ask the question. He wondered how long it would take for Reid Island’s fearsome reputation to fade.
He hoped they had time. The Mourning Lords were out there, and he was sure they were plotting. For some reason, this fishing boat had him worried. As if to confirm his fears, Glowby floated near and settled on his shoulder. His color was a mut
ed gray, which Aiden interpreted to mean his friend was worried as well.
Chapter 5
Oya Dihya led the students back to the town and met with several other Naiadens, most of whom were normal-sized, rather than the four meters of their friend. After getting their real armor and weapons, they set off on a road that led up the coast.
As they walked, Aiden looked reminiscently at several farmsteads, called denacts by the Naiadens. They were well-run, communal farms where everyone pitched in equally. Any needed or offered goods had been posted on carved tiles and displayed on a teca board set at the entrance to each denact. They would tell any passersby what was required or available at the farm. On their first trip to the island, Duke Valeran had told them each tile represented some offer or request from food to furniture and everything else in-between.
“Oya Dihya, I have a question,” Aiden asked, looking curiously back over his shoulder at one of the teca boards.
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 66
