Wielder's Fate

by T. B. Christensen

  He finished his speech by thrusting his sword into the air and sending lightning blazing from its tip into the darkening sky above. The elven warriors erupted in cheers. Upon seeing the power of the ambience that would be wielded in their defense, the soldiers of the Royal Army soon joined in as well. Traven let the lightning disappear and headed to where Blaize was now positioned on a high pile of rubble behind the ranks of human soldiers. He turned to Darian as they rode.

  “Was my speech okay?” he asked nervously. He had never addressed an army before battle.

  “It was good,” Darian replied seriously. “And frankly, any speech punctuated with lightning coming out of your leader’s sword is bound to be impressive.”

  Traven smiled as a large grin manifested itself on the elf’s face. They reached the base of the rubble that Blaize had chosen to set up his command on. Traven dismounted and climbed up next to the commander general while Darian and Giselle remained with the horses. The pile of stones was just over an arm span high, but it offered a commanding view of the flat battlefield. There was only enough space on top for a few people. Currently, it held only Blaize, himself, and a large dish with a thin layer of water in it. The generals had spread out along the battlefront, and Gavin was nowhere to be seen.

  “It looks as if you got the elves all riled up,” Blaize stated.

  “They’re ready to fight,” Traven confirmed.

  “Are you ready?”

  “I guess so,” he answered with a shrug. “This will be the first time I’ve really used my powers against an army instead of a solitary wielder. It should be interesting.”

  “Would you mind screeing an overhead image of the battlefield?” Blaize asked.

  Traven glanced at the large dish, and an image of the battlefield appeared on the glassy surface of the water. It consisted of the entire plain, stretching from the edge of the galdak camp all the way to the eastern portion of Kavar. Blaize dropped to one knee and inspected the image while Traven stared out over the plains towards the galdak horde. They had finished forming up outside of their camp and were beginning to advance towards the city.

  “Can you focus just on this portion of the field?” Blaize asked.

  Traven looked down to see what area his friend was pointing to. He concentrated and changed the image to show only the third of the field that was closest to Kavar.

  “Perfect,” Blaize stated. “Can you maintain this image while you’re doing other things?”

  “I could, but it would limit me. It will be hard to maintain the image, create light, and attack with the ambience. It’s probably best if I just call it up when you need it.”

  “I understand,” Blaize said as he stood back up. “The Royal Army is in position. You can let it go for now. I can see quite a bit from this vantage point.”

  Traven let the image disappear and focused on how he was going to provide light for the army. He supposed the easiest way to permanently provide some light was to disperse the clouds. They weren’t nearly as thick or dark as they had been earlier, but they still blocked out most of the natural light. He looked up at the sky and concentrated. He had commanded the wind in order to send messages but had never tried to move clouds before.

  He began pushing the air around and creating wind, but his first attempt was too low to affect the clouds. He focused on pushing it higher and was pleased to see slight movement in the blanket of clouds. He used more power and pushed the air higher and faster. The blast punched a hole in the clouds almost directly above him. The dark purple sky of dusk showed for a few moments before the clouds covered it up once again.

  He frowned at the clouds and put even more force into moving them. The wind began blowing stronger, and the clouds started to break apart. Traven continued to push the air harder and faster. More and more sections of the sky began to break through as the clouds moved away. He kept pushing relentlessly until there were only a few remnants of the grey clouds left. By the time he had finished, he had broken out in a sweat and felt exhausted. He was surprised that it had been so difficult.

  He glanced at the advancing horde and wondered if he had wasted too much energy. The battle was about to begin, and he already felt tired. He hoped it wouldn’t take too long for the armband of endurance to restore his spent energy. Blaize clapped him on the back solidly.

  “Amazing,” he said with a look of respect. “That’s not what I necessarily had in mind, but it will definitely help.”

  Traven was happy to see that the rising moon was almost full. The moonlight would prove very helpful. The field of battle and advancing enemies were already more visible in the increased light. Blaize lifted his hand into the air. The galdaks were almost within range of the archers. The commander general waited a few more moments before dropping his arm. Thousands of bow strings hummed as arrows sliced through the air and rained down on the advancing horde that was no longer marching but running.

  It was time for Traven to add a little more light. He focused on three different spots above and just behind the ranks of soldiers. When the galdaks were within several arm spans of the front line of soldiers, three bright balls of flame burst into existence. The first galdaks were temporarily blinded and tried to stop, but the momentum of the horde carried them directly onto the waiting swords and pikes of the elven and human soldiers.

  Many galdaks were cut down with minimal resistance during the first few moments of battle. Those defending the city had a perfect view of their attackers, while the galdaks desperately waited for their eyes to adjust to the harsh light. At first, Traven began to wonder if keeping the field brightly illuminated was the best use of his power. However, as the galdaks slowly began to adjust to the light, it proved to be less and less of a benefit to the city’s defenders.

  The bright moon was beginning to rise further up into the sky, and he determined the shining orb would give plenty of light to the Kalian soldiers. He wasn’t worried about the elves. They could have easily seen without any moonlight at all. He very slowly let the light of the flaming balls fade, making sure that everyone had time for their eyes to adjust to only the light of the moon. Soon the fireballs barely let off any light at all. He waited a few moments longer and then let them disappear.

  Traven took a deep breath. Now it was time for him to begin using the ambience to directly attack the invading horde of monsters. He quickly brought up an image of the fighting in the screeing dish. Blaize thankfully poured over the image and gave some quick commands to nearby messengers. Traven studied the field of battle as well. The elves looked as if they were doing just fine, so he focused on an area where the humans appeared to be having the hardest time keeping the galdaks at bay.

  He began forming ethereal versions of sharp spears of ice high up in the sky above the hotly contested area. He made them an arm span in length and as thick as his forearm. As he expanded the number of ice spears to the sides, he was careful to keep them only above the galdaks. He continued forming the spears until he had roughly a hundred of them. He then braced himself and yanked them all into existence. The image on the surface of the screeing dish disappeared as the act of creating the spears sucked his power and strength.

  The ice spears hung in the sky for a moment before beginning their rapid descent. The moonlight reflected off the glistening surface of the ice and sparkled in the night air as they whistled downward, gaining speed as they fell. The large spears slammed into the horde with tremendous force, surprising all those nearby. Traven shuddered. A small cheer rose from the Kalian soldiers directly opposite the large swath of ground where their enemies had so unexpectedly been exterminated. The soldiers quickly regrouped and were prepared for the next wave of galdak warriors that hesitantly picked their way through the icy maze of death.

  Traven glanced along the rest of the frontlines, and not seeing any specific locations where the soldiers needed help, focused on a large section far away near the center of the horde. He carefully began forming fireballs. When he had close to a hundred, he b
raced himself again and yanked them into existence. The sky over the center of the horde suddenly blazed brightly with light. The fireballs hung motionless for a moment. They were so close together and their combined light was so bright in the night sky, it almost appeared as if he had created a sun. The flames then dropped from the sky, speeding towards the center of the horde. The galdaks beneath them tried to flee, but they were trapped in the middle of their own horde with nowhere to go. The fireballs slammed down into them, decimating a large circle of galdak warriors in the center of the horde.

  Another involuntary shudder rippled through Traven, just as it had when the ice spears had sliced into the other galdaks. His stomach felt sick, but it wasn’t from using too much of the ambience. It was the same sickness he felt every time he killed someone with the sword. Never before had he killed so many at once. He took several deep breaths in an effort to rid himself of the feeling.

  He knew he wasn’t using his power unjustly. The galdaks had viciously attacked the humans, killing all they came in contact with. There was nothing wrong with defending the innocent people the galdaks were intent on destroying. It was just and right to fight for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. He knew all of this, but he still felt unsettled. Blaize must have sensed his mood or recognized the look on his face, for the large warrior reached out and patted his shoulder with a sympathetic smile.

  “You’re doing an amazing job,” Blaize stated. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s wrong with feeling repulsed by killing others. If you didn’t feel that way, then there would be something to worry about. It’s not good to kill anything, but sometimes it is necessary.”

  Traven nodded to Blaize, thankful for the warrior’s understanding. It made him feel a little better to know that someone else shared his feelings. He wouldn’t enjoy systematically destroying the galdak horde, but he would do what was necessary.

  The night progressed with the galdaks gaining no advantage over the city’s defenders. The elves were even so successful that they began to push the horde backward. Traven continued using the ambience to create large scale attacks across the battlefield. He sent lightning racing along the frontlines, created a wall of fire down the middle of the horde, and even created several swirling columns of fire in his enemies’ midst. He also created the ice spears and fireballs many more times throughout the night.

  Despite their superior numbers, it soon became obvious that the galdaks didn’t stand a chance against a disciplined army with a powerful wielder in its midst. The night’s attack had started ferociously, but by the time the horde had been dealt several of Traven’s massive attacks, their resolve began to waiver. They hadn’t stopped attacking, but their attention had been divided between fighting and trying to avoid the death that rained down on them from above.

  Darian and Giselle made sure that Traven was well supplied with water and food throughout the night. The combination of the frequent nourishment and the armband of endurance allowed him to continue attacking and defending with the ambience for the entire battle. Gavin appeared at the base of the rubble several times throughout the night, but he never ascended the stones.

  The moment the sky began to lighten, the galdak horde disengaged and slowly headed back to their camp in defeat. They had sustained numerous losses during the night, while the casualties of the elves and humans had been minimal. Traven slumped to the ground and watched as the horde emptied the battlefield in the early morning light of dawn. They still numbered somewhere near two hundred thousand warriors, but their size had been reduced drastically from what it was originally. Another couple of nights like the current one would reduce the numbers of the horde to below that of the combined elven and human army. Blaize sat down next to him as the sky continued to lighten.

  “This will be the first sunrise we’ve seen in quite a while,” the large warrior said with a big smile. “You’ve restored hope to the army and the city. The clouds of fear, depression, and death have been banished. Victory is now within in our grasp.”

  “That was rather poetic,” Traven observed.

  “What?”

  “What you just said about the clouds.”

  “Oh,” Blaize responded with a wrinkled brow. “I guess I’m getting soft. My new position is ruining me.”

  “I think the galdaks would disagree, especially after your sword work two nights ago.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Blaize responded with a grin. “Though, I am now no longer the most feared warrior. You are.”

  “I did learn from the best,” Traven responded.

  “I won’t argue that,” Blaize stated with a smile. He then grew serious. “I want you to know something. You’ve made me proud.”

  “You’re sounding soft again,” Traven pointed out.

  Blaize began laughing as he slugged Traven in the shoulder. Traven winced at the solid blow.

  “I bet that didn’t feel soft,” the large warrior stated.

  Traven smiled and shook his head as he rubbed his shoulder. He was very glad to hear that he had made his old friend proud. Blaize quit laughing and grew quiet as he stared towards the rising sun. Traven bit his lip as he looked up at the cloudless sky. The night had been a success. He had effectively turned the tide of the battle. Now he had another battle to confront that he was not looking forward to.

  42

  “I would not worry so,” Giselle stated encouragingly. “The last time he came to the base of the rubble, he did not look mad.”

  “I agree,” Darian chimed in. “If he had wanted to kill you, he would have tried to while you were distracted.”

  Traven shook his head as the two elves tried to lift his spirits before he entered the palace. He knew Gavin was nobler than to try to attack him while he was distracted. The last time the vice baron had come near him during the battle, Gavin had given Darian the message that he would appreciate it if Traven would meet him at the palace after the battle was over. He had complied with the vice baron’s wishes and headed directly to the palace once everything had been taken care of at the edge of the city. As much as he wasn’t looking forward to the confrontation, he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

  He walked up the blue colored marble steps of the palace and entered the large building. There was a clerk just inside the doors, and multiple people were bustling through the large front room. There was much more activity in the building than there had been the previous night. Traven walked over to the clerk and asked him where he could find Gavin. The clerk directed him to a room towards the back of the palace on the west side.

  He followed the clerk’s instructions and soon found himself standing outside the indicated door. Darian nodded to him confidently. He supposed there was no reason to put the meeting off any longer. He reached up and firmly rapped on the door several times. The door swung open almost immediately, and Traven found himself face to face with Gavin.

  “Please come in,” the vice baron said as he stepped to the side.

  Traven nodded and entered the small room. The atmosphere was intimidating with no one else in it and no other doors leading out into the hall. The room was furnished simply with several chairs and one small desk that was covered with papers. Darian took a step forward, but Gavin held up a hand.

  “I would like to meet with you in private,” he said to Traven. “Could you tell your servants to remain outside?”

  “That’s fine,” he replied. “They’ll remain in the hall.”

  Darian nodded in acceptance and stepped back. As soon as the elf was fully in the hall, Gavin swung the door closed. He motioned for Traven to take a seat in the chair opposite the desk. Traven sat down as Gavin slowly walked behind his desk and sat down as well. The vice baron stared at him in silence for several long moments. He met Gavin’s gaze without flinching, wondering what was going through the man’s head.

  “I see you received my message,” Gavin finally said.

  Traven nodded in the affirmative.

  “You no doubt know that
I sought to speak with you yesterday while you were resting.”

  He nodded again.

  “I am actually thankful that we have not had the opportunity to speak until now,” Gavin continued. “It has allowed me time to control my emotions and reflect more fully on the situation.”

  Traven began to wonder when Gavin would get to the actual reason for the meeting. He was fairly certain it had something to do with Kalista but didn’t know what exactly. He hadn’t talked to the princess or Gavin since he had initially arrived in Kavar and had no idea what might have transpired between the two of them since.

  “Listen to me ramble on,” Gavin said with a smile. “I am sure you want to know why I asked for you to come here. Do you have any idea?”

  Traven shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t about to offer up any information that Gavin didn’t yet have. The vice baron gave him a calculating look before continuing.

  “The night you arrived here, you went directly to the inn that the princess is staying in. I do not know what all took place when you spoke with the princess, but I do know some of it.” Gavin paused as his eyes narrowed. “The next morning Kalista came to speak with me. She returned the ring I had given her and said that she could not go forward with our engagement because she loved someone else.”

  Traven’s eyebrows shot up with surprise. He hadn’t expected Kalista to act so quickly or so boldly.

  “It did not come as a complete surprise to me, but I was not expecting it. I had recognized a change in Kalista’s feelings and actions towards me ever since the second time you saved her life. When she made her confession, I suspected the man she was referring to was you and questioned her. She was forthcoming with her answer and confirmed my suspicions.

  “If I had spoken with you yesterday morning, I might have regretted my words. I have since thought long and hard on what this all means and have come to accept it. I bear you no ill will.”