by Matt Wilk
“Finally, the gods have sent another test.”
Without hesitation, I ran after the noise. The wall of giant boulders was obscured by the rainy fog. More popping. More sprinting. Then, one right behind me. The sight of the false threat did not make me dry heave- I full on vomited. The ram’s had continued their migratory pattern south against all odds. No matter how difficult the climb, they made it happen. Once on top of Giant’s Dam, they leapt off the east side down to their doom. Another almost landed on my head. I rolled away just in time to not be crushed, but, I was covered in splattered guts. Eighteen years and I never understood how all the goats and their cousins had been culled from the nation. When the secret was revealed, I pined for that lost ignorance. I had to roll around in the mud to get the burning stomach acids off of my skin. When my hands had stopped shaking from the horrific surprise, I sauntered back to base and grabbed the mercenary cart that once belonged to Shale.
“Dear boy, oh my.”
Dooza was ready to tease me, until she saw that I was already drenched in essence of ram.
“Now, you saw off those horns and bury them above the clay line.”
“Why?”
“You cannot feed the horn to the Drakkah. He will get a tummy ache.”
Her tone was serious, yet her cackle was delirious. For whatever reason, I followed her mad instructions. Sawing off the horns, one by one, I remembered that they had other uses. The effect of burying them would lead the tiny creatures of the soil to hollow them out for us humans. The reason most people carried their alcohol in the horn was because of its sturdy nature and cheap price. We had not had one since the day I was given the mark.
“Fitting. Put your poison in a container that screams of death. Seem’s to keep the children away well enough.”
That first day, nine rams leapt to their death. I could hear more calling to their mates from the other side of the wall. There were more pops as well, but, they were from the ram’s slamming their massive horns together in battle. When the sun was ready to go down, I pushed the cart back to base and called out, asking for directions. The Swiftblade had been cleaning off Eso in the stable- or just waiting to scare the piss out of Matthius.
“Hey.”
“Ah!”
“So scared, so jumpy.”
“These damn things have been trying to land on me all day.”
“Here, I think you will need this.”
“You’re not coming?”
“You need supervision?”
“No sir, I just don’t know the way.”
“Come now, that won’t stop you.”
Major Swiftblade placed the Drakkah Gauntlet System in Shale’s cart. He had previously disassembled and cleaned all of the moving parts. As was his way, he left me with the assemblies still broken down into component parts with not a lick of instruction on how to properly reassemble the damned thing. He smiled and mounted Eso. They rode east on the road without a weapon or even a saddle. Somewhere in the Lokah territory, the Drakkah statues were waiting for their sacrifice. Once again, I chased after the setting sun, pushing the cart through the tunnel as fast as I could. I had hoped that there would be a small sliver of sun left upon exiting the other side. I was wrong.
Mother Moon was a black disk hanging amongst the stars. Once through the tunnel, I had to reassemble the gauntlets by the weak glow of the northern lights. Strange colors played on the tiny metal parts. There were two slippery mirror copies of each assembly. Most people would not have known to thread the lightning flint though the two piece swiveling axle. Without a screw spinner, tightening the gauntlets onto the railing enhanced greaves was the hardest part. I had to use a rock to fully tighten the screws. Because each set of gauntlets was custom built to fit it’s one and only user, the Swiftblade’s gauntlets were much too long for my short arms. Still, I had little choice in the matter. I traded out my shell gauntlets for the iron ones. I much preferred a lack of covered fingers. I had no idea where to go. I found the trail used by the Lokah Seal Teams for training, and pushed north. Dropping my arms caused the smooth greaves to slide down my arms. I wanted to take them off until I got there, but I could hear the wolves howling in the distant darkness.
I pushed the cart north for what seemed like hours- due to the footpath not being made for travel by cart. Several times, I saw the shadow men. Ever out of plain view, they haunted the peripherals of my vision. I heard a twig snap too loudly and pointed the cannon towards the trees.
“Whoever you are, be it man or beast, I’m warning you. If I have to burn you with dragon fire, the Seals will be angry. You hear me?”
After a long pause, I felt silly. The trail split, and I headed east. I could see the profile of the Drakkah Monument. The statues had been crumbling for a decade. Age and weather were not alone in slowly destroying the ancient works of art. The Lokah, much like every other race that suffers the blight of abundant children, had torn the wing set off each one and turned them into lazy couches. The faces had all been drawn on and young lovers carved their names into the massive legs. However, the balancing scales wisely went untouched.
“Ha, silly Lokah. Never figured out the riddle, did you? The Seals are nothing to the Commandoes- we know how to read.”
“Is that so?”
“Aha!”
The Seal Team training sergeant was standing right behind me. I nearly blew him apart with the cannon, or rather, I nearly fired a shot well over his head. Once I realized that it was him, I snapped my boots together and saluted.
“Apologies sir. I am only here to deliver the sacrifice. I will leave no waste behind.”
“Always with this Sir? My title is Master Sergeant Zara-grast. Turtle Commando.”
He returned the salute and acted very kind. It made me suspicious.
“Now that we are friends, tell me of this special ability. We are but silly tree lovers with no scrolls. What does a written word tell you of this place?”
“I see many words written sir. I was drawing you out. I am sorry if you were offended.”
“You must be referring to the procession of the equinox. First the dragon, then the scales, and now the hydra. The Drakkah are from the lost age, the scales only just fell out of balance, and the Swillian fleet sets sail to rule the world. Do tell. What have I missed?”
My face burned red even in the darkness. Sergeant Zara-grast was not at all the fool he wished to portray. I did my best to change the subject.
“Your name sir. Does that also mean Monster Hunter? Like the Swiftblade?”
“Close. He who devours the soul of monsters from the underworld. Though, in your harsh tongue, there is a closer translation. Slayer of Demons. I have guarded these lands my whole life. Never before has anyone so much as suggested these Drakkah have any real purpose.”
“They do not. I am here to deliver the sacrifice- no more.”
“You are lying boy.”
“Sir, I cannot reveal anything in the presence of so many witnesses.”
“Oh? The gods are not allowed to see?”
He held his hands up and spun in a circle looking into the night sky.
“No sir. I hear too many dripping drops. And they are landing on seal skin boots.”
Sergeant Zara-grast whistled twice, signaling to his Seals to reveal themselves. A few of them snickered at the game we were playing- convinced that I would soon lose.
“Who are these people, sir?”
“The third wave this winter. I know, you Commandoes can’t keep up.”
“You will join the Chron in the spring? A little late for that.”
“Meanwhile, you petty grey skins send no one.”
“And yet, when you all sail away, the only thing protecting your border will be the little turtle and the real Monster Hunter.”
“You and I both know the Opa War Captain escaped your attack. You, little one, have no honor to bandy about.”
His troops went from laughing to egging on a fight. They moved out of the shadows, surr
ounding the cracked and crumbling dais.
“Sir, let me break this little man. I will teach him respect.”
“Allow me sir.”
“Please, back away. I am here to deliver the sacrifice.”
“You see? He is afraid.”
The trainees were getting bolder, making me anxious. The last thing I wanted to do was fight. I did not yet know if the gauntlets had even properly been reassembled. What if the metal rope that connected the parts was installed backwards? What if the fire ball blew back in my face?
“Don’t do anything brash Trenz. The boy is the very best the Lantos have to offer.”
“He cannot over power the Belutgrava.”
“Because he is only a boy.”
“I do not like his face. There is evil there.”
“Please, don’t make me hurt you.”
“You want to hurt me? I challenge you. Come now, fight me turtle of shame.”
“It’s not just the mark Trenz. You are speaking with the son of Gojinus.”
The mention of Swillian royalty was too much for the giant Lokah, Trenz, to properly handle. His eyes saw only spots, and his people dying of the pox. He rushed me without hesitation. The Swiftblade shot forth, but Trenz was not afraid. I had to use both hands to steady the mechanism, working the blade into a back spin. Once the lightning flint was engaged, the metallic screeching filled the small clearing. The rushing giant did not stop- until I fired the cannon. The ball of lightning carried the fire three times the height of the statues before spinning apart. Bits of fire and bright embers drifted away and to the ground. Thankfully, the entire forest was still wet with freezing rain. Trenz flicked his eyes back to Sergeant Zara-grast. He was laughing and clapping at the display.
“This- this is not a test?”
“No, not at all. However, Trenz just made Corporal. You see that? No hesitation. That’s what I want from my Seals. Now, Corporal, get back to the water and celebrate.”
“You heard him. Get your little flippers to the ice.”
Trenz barked excitedly, running around the clearing and forcing the others to shove off. Sergeant Zara-grast did not move. When all of his trainees were gone, he walked into the center of the dais. We could both feel a phoenix watching from somewhere nearby, but it did not intervene. While I moved the rams to their final resting place in the cups of the balancing scale, I could hear Kane sending a message.
“The council wishes me to show you our strength.”
“Excellent.”
“I see the damage in places, the way you won’t understand. Just, cover your mouth from the smoke and the gas.”
Zara-grast rolled his eyes. He placed one hand over his mouth and waved me on with the other. I shook my head and rolled my shoulders. The cannon slid into place perfectly, and I took one last deep breath. The Swiftblade spun heavy and cut some of my hair away. Then the screeching began, and continued. The ground shook, and bits of fire leaked out from all around the dais and the cracks in the Drakkah. The buildup of pressure took longer than I had seen it before. Then the cups revealed themselves as doubles, causing Sergeant Zara-grast to gasp and lay down under the smoke. The cups were turned to globes, the ice and rain to steam, and the rams inside turned to ash. When all was said and done, the little Lokah would never again question that the Lantos were his most powerful allies. I was still sweating and panting from the exercise when the phoenix leapt from the canopy. Kane roared and flailed its little tongue about like a mad goat. Zara-grast nodded, more impressed than anything.
“Very well, the statue can stay. However, it must be rebuilt.”
The phoenix nodded, and flew off back east. The Seal Corporal returned to ensure his master was not consumed by the fire. His Sergeant turned him into a steed, and they ran off together. I had to walk back, the long way, all alone. At least the cart was much lighter, and the trail over the foot path was already cut on the way in. When I made it back to base, the rain had started up again and I was too tired to climb to the second tier. So, I made friends with the pack rats, and slept.
Four days crawled past my eyes. No sun, only cold rain and grey skies. The count ended at fifty one. The Lady Dooza assured me that no more rams would be migrating south this season, according to the spirits. I was grateful, for each sacrifice cost us dearly. Operating the dilapidated cremation machine took a full charge from the cartridge. By the end, there were none remaining. I spent the fifth day cleaning the cannon and the cart. The rain water helped to wash away the blood, and make the faded stains grow wider.
“Soon, you will have to burn the cart as well.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Aw, why so sad?”
“Just, still waiting for that final test is all.”
“Oh? Have you spent all day on the ground?”
“What?”
Dooza walked away humming so I gave chase. On the third tier, she gestured to the east. The convoy Major Swiftblade had left to guard over was approaching, and had been in view all day.
“Why did you not tell me? I have to shave and scrub my shells.”
“Just thought you would have felt him by now?”
“The Swiftblade does not use the hilt in that way.”
“What hilt? Dogs do not wear hilts.”
“Kru?”
She had no idea what she had done. There was no more time to clean. I focused hard enough to see Kru on the ground. He was sniffing at the piles of waste on the road, and then, his tiny image disappeared behind a wall of tears. I leapt from the cliff, sliding down the vertical rock face faster than I ever dared to do before. Landing hurt my ankles, and still, I did not bother to slow. I ran east on the road, the fastest my legs had ever moved. Dooza was calling from behind, the Swiftblade calling from up ahead. Despite his small legs, Kru blew past Eso.
“Kru- you remember me!”
The tiny pup had grown up, and his voice knew only how to bark like a real dog. It took us nearly an hour to reach one another. When I was finally close enough, he jumped up into my arms. I landed on my back. Kru was so excited that he whined while licking my face. I pet him behind the ears and down the length of his back. Even full grown, Kru was just as slight and agile. Standing, his back rose no higher than my knees. Standing on top of me, due to his short length, his paws were heavy on my chest and digging into my groin.
“You didn’t get that big. You’re gonna be a puppy forever, aren’t you boy? Yes, who’s a good boy? I missed you too.”
“Did you leave my weapon unguarded?”
“Sir.”
I had to struggle with Kru to stand. He was clawing at my side for more attention as I handed Major Swiftblade the key to his quarters.
“The Drakkah is cleaned and locked up. We are, however, completely out of ammunition.”
“Yes, for now.”
“To whom do I owe this honor? Is that the Princess?”
I tilted my head back down the road. He had rode Eso ahead and the boxed wagon approaching was the same upgraded model lent out to Ambassador Crow. Though, there were no mercenaries present. The Royal Guard, wearing full plate armor, drove the wagon.
“Worse, that noisy little Bahgeshi boy grew up and now he will never stop with that pirate voice.”
“Senjay? Senjay!”
“Yes, and your favorite little. Kru cannot ride with the tiny man, so start walking back now or you’ll be out here while we’re all eating dinner.”
“Yes sir.”
I saluted Major Swiftblade unnecessarily. He shook his head and stifled a smile. Kru and I trotted on down the road alongside Eso. The pace was easy, too easy. When Bratley’s over protected wagon caught up, the convoy rushed past.
“Well then, since it’s just the two of us.”
I found a stick to throw for fetch. Thankfully, someone had taught Kru how much fun it was. We played and ran in circles all the way back. Senjay and Bratley were still waking up and stretching their legs. Kru ran to Bratley and sniffed him all over. I thought he had lea
rned a bad habit but he was after the purse of dried fish eye snacks.
“He still likes fish eyes.”
“Matthius? You haven’t aged a day you little runt. Come here mate, let me look at you.”
“Look at this. I was wondering where Mother Moon was sending all her power.”
Hugging Senjay felt strange. We both, initially, moved to salute the other. He had shot up to be slightly taller than Major Swiftblade, and his muscles had finally swollen to catch up. I knew living closer to the sun made one taller. His suit of armor was richly made of tough gator skins, and he had long given up on wearing his shell. Bratley was doing his best to laugh it off, but Kru knocked him over the way he had been trained to do.
“Alright, get him off. Get him up, please.”
“Kip-kip.”
As ordered, Kru ran to Major Swiftblade’s side. Not even the battle hardened Monster Hunter could help his self. He dropped down and pet Kru for being a good boy.
“Now, to business.”
“What?”
“Matthius, you should know by now. You got your reunion. If anyone is watching, that is all they will see.”
“Ha! Who cares? What do you need me for?”
Senjay had clearly been used just as much. He put his hand on my shoulder and we both looked down on Bratley. He straightened his little clothes, extending his hand out towards the wagon. His guard had not yet dismounted. They were busy speaking to themselves in hushed tones.
“No, use Shale’s cart. You need the space and we have no further use for it.”
“Yes sir. Gentlemen, do be gentle.”
“No.”
Senjay kicked the wagon repeatedly, grinning much too wide. Someone stirred and moaned. Major Talon woke in a fury, punching the inside wall and yelling.
“What do you want?”
“Bertrada, I have a gift for you.”
“I don’t want it.”
Senjay put a finger to his lip so I knew not to laugh. She rolled her way out of the back space and opened the door whilst rolling her eyes.
“What? Charles!”
Kru howled from all her sudden movements. The Lady Bertrada flew from the wagon into the Swiftblade’s arms. They climbed the serpentine and properly enjoyed their vacations.
