He thought about his old home. At this time, his parents would be wishing him a good night after he had a wonderful Earthian dinner. He could hear his mother’s soft singing, while she cleaned up the kitchen. Times were much simpler back then. Ethan almost drifted off.
Thief came and joined Ethan. He was holding a pile of clothes and dropped them at Ethan’s feet. Ethan dove into them. The tunic felt soft on his chest and covered his underwear. Thief showed him how to latch the leather belt.
Ethan felt so secure and protected in his clothing that he stretched all of his muscles out just to feel the cotton against his skin.
“Thank you, Thief,” Ethan said.
Thief nodded and changed the subject as quickly as his mind moved. “The other Phaenix warriors think you are a crippled mule-badger and the some others think you smell like flowers an animal defecated on.”
Ethan accepted his place in the army. He had to accept that he was not going to be liked. But that did not matter to him. He wouldn’t be staying long if he didn’t have to.
“You’ll be with Mollet and me in the back. Mollet is supposed to protect you and I get to kill any crawlies that he already hurts.”
“They’re letting you in this too?” Ethan stuttered out.
Thief agreed proudly.
“But you’re just a young boy.”
Thief stood up proudly and put his hand to his chest. “I have a warrior’s heart just like my father. I recite the warrior’s anthem.
“Our sword and shield
Our art and bow
To protect the Queen
To fight the enemy
Our bow and art
Our shield and sword
To fight for our land
For our Daysun King
“Our shield and sword
Our bow and art
To risk our lives
And honor our wings”
Thief properly bowed and laid back down next to Ethan. “In our language that rhymes, but I took the liberty of speaking your words because I know you are slow.”
Ethan still couldn’t believe they were going to let a small kid, almost in fifth grade, fight in a war. In fifth grade, Ethan couldn’t even be responsible for a paper route.
“You should be home with your parents or teachers. You shouldn’t be fighting.”
“I have no home; it was destroyed,” Thief admitted, looking away.
Ethan squirmed a little closer to the sprout. Of all the people on this new world, Thief understood what it meant to lose everything at a young age.
“Well, I have nowhere to go either. My home was burned. It looks like we’ll be fighting together.”
“I promise to keep you out of trouble. No flesh-eating bears will kill you,” Thief said.
“Flesh eating what…?”
Thief continued, “And if the evil magicians put a hex on you I will make sure to end your life before your heart turns into a stone.”
“Is that a thing…?” Ethan spit out.
“But the thing you have to be careful of is the way the Kalhari sworders like to rip teeth and fingernails off. That is how they make necklaces.”
“Thief,” Ethan put up a hand. “Please stop!”
Ethan was too dead tired to care. He closed his eyes and fell asleep in his new clothes.
*****
Mollet was in Budgeron’s tent waiting patiently for the Master of Defense to finish drawing up plans. Budgeron took his charcoal stick and circled a warrior in the middle of the battle plans.
“His name is Devid and he will be wearing a red bow around his wrist. He is our sign in the battle. If he falls, I want you to take the Earthian’s life and run up front. Do I make myself clear?”
Mollet took a step back when he heard the command, but then he saw the absolute desperation in Budgeron’s eyes. This was a Master of Defense that would do anything for his homeland—even let an Earthian in.
“Yes, sir,” Mollet said.
*****
Ethan had drifted in slumber until a dark dream gripped him. He recognized the nightmare instantly. The curse was back. This time it wasn’t inside his hand, it was winding around him. It had a shadowy wormlike body with scales. Its hungry eye scanned the boy’s frame.
Ethan wasn’t afraid of it; instead, he was bewildered. He knew what the shadow wanted. It wanted to get back into his body.
Swimming around the boy, the shadow would try to pierce the invisible bubble separating Ethan from the curse. It would fail to come closer and retreat, scowling in pain at its efforts.
“You have no permission to enter,” Ethan commanded.
The curse rammed its head repeatedly, hoping to get back inside.
Ethan’s left hand gripped the wooden hilt of a sword. He raised the saber high and he saw the glimmer of steel in the darkness. Putting all of his weight into his shoulder, he drove his blade deep into the eye. His body convulsed, shaking violently. He hit the ground hard and still felt the shaking…that awful shaking.
“Wake up.”
His eyes adjusted until he saw Caitilin staring over him; behind her was the pitch black sky of darkness. Her face was filled with motherly concern. She wore a brand new purple Phaenix robe and had a golden ribbon holding her hair back. She was a welcome departure from seeing Phaenix men all day.
Ethan rubbed his eyes and saw she had not come empty handed. At his feet were a helmet, chest plate, fur boots, hand guards, and a sword. His mind marveled at the hardware. Each piece was crafted of pure, thick oak wood, coated in a gloss and branded with the curved Phaenix sign.
She knelt by his side. “I wanted to prepare you for battle before they came.”
Ethan could tell she was not ready to say that, for her voice was rich with remorse. She turned her head in sadness.
“You believed in me and I believed you. Do you still believe in me?”
She nodded at his words, barely able to get her answer out, “It’s just that everyone is fighting for land, honor, and pride, but you were forced into this battle. As much as we need you because the Daysun choose you, I still think it is horrible that you have to give your life for strangers.”
Ethan grabbed her cold and shaking wrist. “Not all of them are strangers.”
She managed a grin underneath her mask of lament. “Well, I came to prepare you and that is what I will do.”
She grabbed the helmet and carefully slid it over Ethan’s head. There was a pillowy padding inside the helmet so it was somewhat comfortable. The nose piece went over his nose and he was secure.
“Every piece has meaning; this helmet is your rescue from all things evil and destructive. May the Daysun use it.”
Next were the fur boots sliding over his feet until he could feel the cotton cushioning. They instantly soothed the frozen feeling in his toes.
“These are the boots of stability for the message of the Phaenix. May the Daysun keep you and use you for whatever purpose he desires and may it go well with you.”
Caitilin wrapped the thick oak plate over his torso. The inner layers had thick leather. It was flexible so it could wrap around Ethan’s body.
Caitilin fastened it into place and it hugged his body well. “This is the chest plate of the Phaenix honor code. Keep its integrity and it will keep you intact. Those who honor the thoughts of Daysun will be protected.”
Next were the arm guards that fit like carpal tunnel guards. They were wide plates that hung off the forearm—good for deflecting steel blades.
“These are the arm guards of kotoma. May the Daysun fill your mind with his presence even when the enemy tries to take that away.”
Ethan tried to stand up, but staggered a little. He had to admit he looked pretty cool decked out in Phaenix armor. Every vital part of him was covered in a thick wood. He felt invincible, fully clothed for the first time.
Caitilin lifted the sword; it had a wooden hilt that looked plain and simple, and now it was Ethan’s weapon. He held it in his hand and felt its lightness.
This was his tool for defending the homeland.
“And this is the sword. It speaks for the Daysun and it tells of his mighty acts. May you speak loud for him in battle.”
Then she held Ethan close by the arm. She put her lips to his cheek and planted a kiss. The kiss crawled with energy through Ethan’s body, but it wasn’t the kiss of a girlfriend. It was a kiss of power, protection, and passionate concern. The kind of kiss a mother would give to her son before he goes off to war. The kiss was a prayer.
Ethan bowed his head to her and she lifted off into the sky.
He was ready to meet his adversary.
Rules for Faerie (or flying hybrids as shown in article 3a) Battle
1. Faeries cannot fly more than nine feet in the air because of the unfairness in their flight advantage.
2. A Faerie cannot use an art resulting in genocide during times of war.
3. Under no circumstance may a Faerie’s wings be offensively ripped from him or her at any time on the battlefield unless accidentally.
4. Faerie scribes and portrayers are not allowed to be attacked while on the battlefield.
-The Magi lands council of war agreement signed by Emperor Truxton
XXI: The Deciding Battle
A dark gray blanketed the sky covering the homeland when Hinson finally made it back to Gibbs’ mountain cottage. He touched down in the valley and entered the rock house. Just as he expected, Gibbs was on his knees praying.
The sound of Hinson’s footsteps caught Gibbs’ attention. He welcomed his disciple and they exchanged greetings, but both minds remained focused on the battlefield.
“I knew you would bring him,” Gibbs said solemnly. Lines in his face seemed to have aged in the past few days.
Hinson sat down on a cushion in the cozy mountain home. “The boy is not ready for battle. I could see it in his face. He may be desired by the Daysun, but he is not ready to fight for us.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Gibbs said, pouring some tea in a cup. “It’s what our lord can do with him that matters. I’ve been praying and I think I understand the boy’s presence inside this battle. He was not meant to fight, but to teach our race. We have become prideful, arrogant people who know everything about being the glory of the land, but know nothing about humbling ourselves.”
Hinson sighed, “So if Ethan stays in battle….”
“The Daysun will use him for something bigger than any Phaenix can muster. He must stay in the battle.”
“But he doesn’t want this battle,” Hinson argued.
“Correction, young Hinson, our people have done a poor job welcoming and having him hunger for the needs of the Phaenix. If he hates us, it will not be totally his guilt. His presence was more to test our love of others than anything battle related.”
“And if he doesn’t stay?” Hinson asked, fearing the worst.
“I wonder how much patience the Daysun has for us.”
Hinson sat uncomfortably, “Caitilin and I did our best to show him the Daysun’s love.”
Gibbs rested his wrinkled hand on Hinson’s cheek. “I had never doubted that you would become a beacon of the Daysun’s compassion. I had trained you up in the ways of the kotoma and I am proud of what you have become.”
Hinson nodded.
“A time is coming when you will carry the high priesthood of Faeria and others will look to you for comfort and hope. This home will need your kotoma.”
“A prophecy?”
“No, I am just speaking what is clear to see.”
Hinson understood.
The deafening silence of the morning washed over them both and they prayed for the safety of Faeria.
*****
Ethan felt his body being lifted up before he was fully conscious. He was being dragged.
“Mez! Get off your lazy butt and get in the back.”
Immediately, he snapped to attention and became fully awake. Feet were stomping the ground. Steel was banging against wood. The army had assembled; perfect rank, perfect structure, and ready to perform any instruction their general commanded.
Ethan ended up behind the rows of focused warriors and stood in the back, where he saw Thief and Mollet waiting impatiently.
“Mez, get in line! What is wrong with you?” Mollet hissed.
Ethan stood and watched the sky as it transformed from navy to a lighter blue. He heard yelling from above in a Phaenix tongue. He recognized the Phaenix deep voice of Budgeron. The defense master shouted something inspirational about giving your life to the homeland and living for sacrifice. Thief translated for Ethan as best he could, but he was constantly shushed by Mollet.
Budgeron finished speaking and the warriors roared back with yells of fury that made Ethan’s blood surge. Thief and Mollet joined in with fists raised and then Thief told Ethan the answering cry meant, “Live for the land, die for the land.”
The field was no longer spread with tents and training. Now it was a mass of soldiers ready to sacrifice themselves for the effort. Long rows of soldiers stood perfectly still, waiting for greatest battle of their lives.
Immediately, an unsettling quiet blanketed the fields. All the attention funneled to the dark mass of trees off in the distance. They were menacing trees, hiding the enemy’s power to strike. The whole army held their gaze to that one spot. The stillness gave Ethan an eerie uncertainty. He could feel the gentle dawn breeze and he could hear exotic birds calling. Is this how war starts? His eyelids began to get heavy as the trials of yesterday began to creep up on him. All he wanted to do was remove his armor and sleep on the ground again, but he knew that Mollet would yank him up and smack him if he tried. Letting his eyelids sink lower, his mind wandered off into sleep while he slouched in his place.
A blaze ignited, then another, then more. The forest filled with many tiny lights floating through the trees. In one moment, thousands of lights sprang up. The lights melded together until they were one huge monstrosity of bright orange embers. The enemy showed itself.
A messenger Phaenix came flying out of the tree line toward the Phaenix. Frantically, the messenger blew the horn of war.
“A troll can see in the dark,” Mollet said. “The torches are to scare us.”
Ethan felt every muscle in his body tense up; he was no longer tired. Taking his sword, he drew it to his chest.
Thief was already in fighting position; no longer was he the young boy imagining he was a warrior. Now he was going to fight like one.
The blazing ball of fury came into focus as the Kalhari charged out of the forests. They were iron monsters with heavy steel jackets, the black paint of death on their faces, and teeth that were sharper than their swords. The body of their armor was chain mail covering their arms. Spikes protruded from their shoulder pads and gauntlets. Helmets protected each head, but the cold and terrifying faces still looked out. Underneath the armor, Ethan recognized the same creature he had seen in the forest. They were the same mutated ape lizards standing on their hind legs, with forked tails and long claws.
The dark enemy piled into the field in their ranks. The sword trolls led the march, fearsome and hungry for war. In the center they carried the flag of trolls, a burgundy sheet with a black skull grinning. When the trolls finished marching in they occupied every unclaimed nook and cranny of the Drift Space.
If Ethan thought the Drift Space was crowded before, now the trolls had tripled the claustrophobic feeling. The field was a sea of metal, wood and flesh.
*****
Fragile grabbed a spiky tang fruit and popped it in his jowls. He did not like the silence of this battlefield anymore than the Phaenix did. He looked back at the forest he had just finished destroying. The East was gone. He stood in the back with Ashen, his glorious cape blowing in the wind. Looking over the heads of his perfect army, he was searching for one person.
Behind Fragile a wooden cart rolled in, squeaking and clicking its wheels as it traveled over rocky sod. On that old wooden cart was the giant metal chess pawn that would ens
ure that Faeria’s destruction would be complete. The Cragglin was being prepared to be activated on the field.
Bentaur touched the unholy weapon of destruction and patted it like a farmer taking pride in his favorite cow. He knew the power and prestige that he would get if he was able to make the Phaenix people extinct.
“When should I set it up, sir?” Bentaur asked eagerly.
Fragile smirked, knowing that every bit of destruction was in his favor. “Not yet! I want my enemies to see us use this.”
He turned his attention to Ashen. “Did they bring him?”
Ashen shrugged. “Sir, can I go on the frontlines now? I want to take my place with my troll brethren.”
Ashen was antsy to go fight; he had been polishing and sharpening his sword all night.
“Not yet,” Fragile said. “I need you to be part of the Tel Ravi.”
Ashen’s marble eyes went wide. “Tel Ravi? Why would we need one of those?”
Fragile stood proud and beat his chest, “It is proper and fitting to meet our victims before we rip them apart.”
Ashen gave the command and suddenly a purple flag went up from the Kalhari camp.
*****
“Tel Ravi?” Budgeron said in confusion. “Mez, why in the worlds would they want a Tel Ravi?”
A senior officer spoke to Budgeron. “Let us get into this battle, sir.”
Budgeron shook his head, “We have to honor their command. It’s part of the Questus War Agreement. Fetch me Mollet.”
Mollet made his way to the front of the battlefield where Budgeron waited for him.
“The crawlies want a Tel Ravi,” Budgeron said in surprise. “I need you to be my witness.”
Mollet sheathed his black sword. “I will, but this makes no sense.”
“Yes, in other circumstance I would disregard it and we would surprise attack the monstrosities now, but we are bound by these agreements.”
Mollet kicked some sod. Politics always kept him from bloodshed.
Within moments a meeting was taking place between the two parties. They met in the small expanse in the middle of the field. Both armies were more than ready to struggle through a battle, but all they could do is watch as two generals chatted.
The Boy and His Curse Page 26
