“Henry, I’ve got some guests for you.” Henry looked up, assessing them both.
“Very well, get back to the shop, Jones.” Henry watched Jones head off then looked back at Vincent and Celes.
“I don’t recognise you. Travellers?”
“Yes, my name is Vincent, and this is my wife Celes.”
“Henry, as you may have gathered.” Henry stopped abruptly and just waited.
“You must be wondering why we have dropped in on you so early and unannounced,” Vincent said.
“Still wondering.”
“Of course, sorry. It’s just that we need help and I thought that a fellow blacksmith could be of service.”
“Again, I’m still wondering.”
“There’s an army of Blighters headed towards the city,” Celes blurted out. Vincent looked at her, shocked.
“Well, when were you going to get to the point?”
“I like her.” Henry grinned, “if what you are saying is true, why come to me? Why not go to the guard?”
“There’s no time, they will be here within hours.”
“And we think the guard will send us away and think we’re crazy,” Celes said.
“What proof do you have?”
“None other than my statement. The truth will be quite obvious when they attack.” Vincent hoped that he was swaying Henry. But the old blacksmith didn’t seem too keen on helping.
“You’re completely mad. But what if you’re right?” Henry muttered. He started pacing around the room.
“I can’t vouch for you, I’m sorry. Even if they believe me, it’s too late to do anything. And if you’re wrong, I have nothing to fall back on. You’ve literally walked in here off the street.” Henry looked at Vincent like he was challenging Vincent to dispute his words.
“You’re absolutely correct.”
“But we have to do something. If you’re not helping us, we’ll find someone else.” Celes started to walk off.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help.” Henry looked thoughtful. “You’re a real blacksmith, right?”
“Yes. Do you need me to prove it?”
“No, we’re out of time. I’ll supply your materials and you can fortify the entrance to the market district. If you’re a maniac, all I lose is some materials which can be reclaimed if need be. But if you’re right, then I was prudent to take measures. How does that sound?”
“Done, we’ll take it!” Celes spun around and ran up to Henry, grabbing his hand and shaking it. Henry looked at her with surprise.
“She’s always full of surprises.” Vincent shrugged at Henry.
“You can use anything from that corner.” Henry pointed to a far part of the workshop with stacks of lumber and different types and sizes of metal. “I’ll open up the side door, so you can get out without using the shop.” Henry stalked off.
“Let’s get to work.” Celes started off towards the materials.
“What’s gotten in to you?” Vincent said as he trailed after her.
“You blacksmiths are stuck at slow speed. We need to get something happening before this city is slaughtered.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Vincent picked up the pace and rushed ahead of his wife.
Vincent paused and brushed the sweat away from his face. He ignored the curious looks of passers-by, often stopping to watch him work. Celes handed him another sheet of steel and he lay it across the stakes he had dug into the ground.
“We’re running out of time, you can rest later.” Celes slapped him on the back.
“Any sign of Alrion?” Vincent said in between hammer swings.
“Nothing. I’ll go have another look.” Celes took off and Vincent paused again to draw in his breath.
I hope this is not for nothing.
With a final swing, he stepped back to survey his work. A rough fence had been constructed, leaving only a small gap for traffic to pass through. A guard strolled up.
“You, there. Who authorised this work?”
“Old Henry. There’s been word of an incoming attack, and he thought it prudent to shore up defences. Here I am, creating a way of funnelling enemies into a smaller space.”
“This is not going to work. Why now?” The guard muttered something and slapped the steel sheet in annoyance.
“Don’t ask me, I’m just the help. I was instructed to get something up for now, then we can look at how to integrate it better for continued use.”
“This is ridiculous. I’m going to have words.” The guard strode off, heading towards the smithies. Vincent watched him go.
Sorry, Henry, I needed to buy some time.
Vincent noticed Celes run back through the makeshift doorway.
“Prepare yourself, it’s time.”
I know that look. This is no game.
Vincent put down his hammer and retrieved his sword. His muscles ached, but there was nothing else he could do. He calmed himself and searched inside for his Soul Power. He directed some to the muscles that ached the most. A wave of calm swept over him, and the complaining was dulled.
That will do. I should save something for the battle ahead.
“Is there somewhere else we can fight?” he said.
“There are some good places just past the main gate. We should ideally start there and fall back here.”
“So be it.” Vincent drew his sword and led the way. Celes followed close behind.
Alrion, where are you?
Vincent heard them first. The snarls and cries, the sounds of metal on metal, metal on flesh. Guards poured into the gates, reinforcing the fallen. But there was no end to the Blighters. Each time one fell another eagerly stepped in. The guards were holding well but tiring. Vincent looked around and spotted a guard with a red sash over his shoulder.
Captain.
“Wait here a moment.” Vincent gestured to Celes and she nodded. He then jogged forward to talk to the captain.
“Excuse me, Captain.”
“Fall back, use the shelters.” The captain didn’t even turn to look.
“We have reinforced the entrance to the Trade District. There’re some walls in place to stem the tide of Blighters. They won’t last forever, but they should make a difference.” Vincent waited for a response, but the captain was silent.
“Judging the fight, you will have to retreat within minutes. This is an opportunity to regroup and buy some time.”
“Buy time for what?” The captain turned, and his expression was grim.
“A miracle.”
“Start praying.” The captain turned back to the fight and walked towards the active fighting. Vincent retreated, finding Celes.
“What did he say?”
“Start praying. I think he heard me though and will fall back to the Trade District.”
“We can’t win this, can we?” Celes whispered.
“You’re right as usual. Maybe you can find us a way out?”
“You’re dreaming. Find a way out of this city we’ve never seen that is being assaulted by a horde of Blighters?”
“Yes.” Vincent gave his wife a smile.
“Sometimes I wonder how you ever survived without me.” Celes shook her head, but Vincent noticed a small smile. But it was quickly gone, replaced with a worried look.
She’s right to worry. This city is doomed.
Vincent gestured to a few guards lingering on the fringes. They gave him confused looks and turned back to watching the battle.
“OVER HERE. NOW!” Vincent shouted in his best commanding voice. The confused guards almost jumped and cautiously approached.
“There’s no place for watchers here, we need every man. Come with me and fortify this choke point.” Vincent didn’t wait for acknowledgement, he just stalked off towards the makeshift walls he had constructed. As he walked, he listened out and heard the crunch of footsteps behind him.
Good, something has survived from their training. He showed them where to stand, putting the two nervous ones behind the wall.
/> “You two are to clean up any that get through. Understand?” The two guards nodded. One nervously adjusted his gauntlet. Their armour was mostly chain, with a few plates on the arms and legs. It looked like it had never seen real battle.
Either they’re new, or there’s not really a Blight presence here normally. Either way, they’re not equipped for this.
Vincent heard shouts and turned quickly to observe. The guards were breaking rank. The captain shouted furiously at them, whipping some back into a formation. But the gates were lost. Vincent saw the captain leading the retreat, drawing the enemy towards the Trade District.
Here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re going to show up, boy, now’s the time. But Vincent had the distinct feeling that they were alone in this fight.
7
Fight for a Friend
The Town of Carth lay before them, nestled amongst some rolling hills. Alrion looked for signs of distress but couldn’t see any.
“Did we make it in time?” Alrion looked to Lara. She had a good instinct for these things.
“Maybe.” Lara wrinkled her nose.
There’s something she’s not telling me.
“We better get in there then, maybe we can get the advantage.” Alrion started to walk off but noticed Lara was standing still.
“What’s wrong?”
“We don’t know what we are walking into. How are you feeling? We have just hiked for most of the day.”
Tired.
“Pretty refreshed, all things considered.”
“Have you been using Soul Power to maintain your strength?” Lara pointed at him with an accusatory finger.
“Some.”
“See, you need to be aware of that. She’s not going to play fair.”
“I know. Because she’s probably not really there.”
“Good. Remember that. Because when you see her…”
“It’s going to be difficult.” Alrion sighed and tried to steel himself.
You must save her, no matter what.
“Do you have any of those Soul Orbs?”
“I have one that’s filled. Why?”
“Give it to me.” Lara held out her hand.
“But, it’s untested.”
“Doesn’t matter. Hopefully, we don’t need it. But if it works, it works.” Lara beckoned again for him to hand her the Orb. Alrion reached inside his robe and removed it. He activated his enhanced vision again for a moment to verify its contents.
“Still there.” Alrion started to hand it over and stopped. “Just be careful with this.” He handed it over and Lara deftly hid it away.
“After you.” She pointed at the road ahead. Alrion nodded and started walking.
This is really happening. Time to set things right.
Carth wasn’t particularly big. In many ways, it reminded him of home. A few trades, a few homes. But the streets were empty.
“It’s too quiet. Could you tell from back there?”
“I had an inkling. But we don’t know what it means.”
“True.” Alrion kept walking. He peered around houses as he went but didn’t see any people. Or signs of fighting. He stopped suddenly. In the middle of the road was a deep hole and displaced earth all around.
“What happened here?” Alrion knelt to inspect the ground. There were traces of a black sludge. He looked them over with enhanced vision.
“Traces of Blight.” Alrion stood and looked at Lara. Her eyes were on the distance.
“Must be something up ahead. There have been no other signs of a struggle. Keep your guard up.”
“Don’t worry about that.” The truth was, Alrion couldn’t be more on edge. He continued, looking more closely for any signs of what might have happened. But the town seemed quiet and undamaged. Left just as it should have been. The road curved around behind the town.
“Whatever it is, it’ll be back there.” Lara pointed to where the road went out of sight.
“I hope we’re not too late.” Alrion’s pulse quickened, his heart pumping faster and faster.
You can do this. This will save your friend. Just get the job done.
Alrion walked faster. He needed this to be over already. Lara kept pace, her dagger out. The sounds of their footsteps crunching louder than expected, the still air seemingly amplifying any sound.
“Well, there’s the townsfolk.” Lara pointed. Alrion could see them all. There was a clearing behind the town, and all the people were bunched together. They murmured softly but were otherwise quiet and still. Alrion could see the reason why. Before them stood a creature, one that inspired terror. His first instinct was to look away, but he forced himself to face it.
The creature had Alyx’s frame, although its skin was black and seemed more muscular. It wore a modified black tunic, with light armour on the arms and legs. But its face was unadorned. It was black except for the exposed bones of the skull. And the piercing white eyes. He understood finally.
“The Skull Queen,” Alrion whispered.
“I can’t believe what they have done,” Lara said softly. The Skull Queen reached behind and retrieved a massive black great sword. It was jet black and the edge seemed to ooze with something.
“That’s no ordinary blade. It seems to be somehow infused with the Blight.”
“This is not good. This is not good.” Lara shifted her stance. She seemed to be weighing up her options.
“We just need to engage and get it done. I doubt she’s as fast as Fermur, we should end this quickly.” Alrion took a deep breath and prepared.
It’s time at last. Don’t hesitate. Go.
Alrion drew up his Spark, preparing a spell. The Skull Queen instantly turned and hefted the giant sword. She started to swing towards the mass of people.
“No!” Alrion screamed. He threw out a wave of force to try to knock the Skull Queen aside. But the strike was unusually quick. Instead of carving through the people, a trail of black collected into a cloud and sunk down over them.
“What was that?” Lara said. Her mouth hung open. The Skull Queen stepped aside to show her handiwork. The gathered people started to cough and choke as the black substance infused them.
“This could get really ugly.” Lara fidgeted, spinning her dagger. She looked between the Skull Queen and the transforming people.
“No. No. No.” Alrion muttered. “Not again.” Something was building within him. Frustration. Fury. Pain.
“Don’t forget that Alyx is in there somewhere.” Lara put a hand on Alrion’s shoulder, but he shrugged her off.
“Don’t involve them in this!” Alrion shouted. He gathered everything he had. Spark and Soul Power. And he ran straight at the Skull Queen. He saw a wicked smile form on her face, and she held up the great sword in a ready position.
“Here we go,” Lara said quietly and ran alongside him. She threw out some daggers aimed at the Skull Queen’s head. The creature didn’t move, and they bounced harmlessly off.
Alrion’s focus grew smaller and smaller. He was only barely aware of Lara’s attack. Something was happening, and he wasn’t getting in the way. He was acting on instinct. A part of him thought that maybe he was losing himself, that he should regain control. But he didn’t want to. He had to let this happen.
Alrion continued, travelling faster and faster. Only he didn’t stop and confront the Skull Queen. He headed straight for the middle of the townsfolk. He was amongst the writhing and screaming as they were forcefully transformed into something else. Alrion stopped quite suddenly. And he gave in to the feeling, he let go of the force that had been building up.
It was like an explosion of force and Soul Power. It felt like the time he had attacked Ashra in desperation, but instead of the deadly white-hot power that removed everything from existence, it was like the Soul Power was used as the medium. He lost all sense of time, surrounded by a haze of white gold.
Slowly, his vision returned and he surveyed the scene. All the townsfolk were knocked down and looked unconscious. Th
e ground was clear of dust, and the strange black cloud had been dispelled. Realising his own lack of awareness, he quickly turned to look at the Skull Queen. She was crouched down, glaring at him. Something appeared different.
“The sword. The black edge is gone.” Lara crouched down next to Alrion.
“Good.”
“Are you alright? What was that?” Lara looked worried. But he couldn’t find the words to explain.
“I can’t say, it was something else. I think it worked.”
“It must have.” Lara rose and focused on the Skull Queen.
“She looks relatively unharmed. Do you have any Soul Power left?”
“Not really.” He felt a pang of despair. He had squandered his best chance at restoring Alyx. Even though he had done the right thing.
It’s like I can’t save her. Why?
“Don’t worry, that’s why I’m here.” Lara was turning the Soul Orb over in her hands.
“It might not have enough power.”
“We’ll have to take that chance. But we only get one shot.” Lara’s gaze focused even more. She was planning something.
“I’ll follow your lead.” Alrion stood and dusted himself off. His Spark was still available, and his Soul Power would recover in time. At least the townspeople were out of the picture. It was just them.
The Skull Queen swung her sword and readied herself. She looked from Alrion to Lara. Waiting.
I need to be careful. I need to restrain her, but not kill her. Then we can try the cure.
“Let’s try and shut down her mobility,” Lara said.
“Sure. You distract, and I’ll try and lock her down.” Alrion watched Lara run off and he approached with caution.
How much of you is in there?
Lara ran straight at the Skull Queen, and the creature prepared to engage. At the last minute Lara changed direction, trying to flank. The Skull Queen turned also, doing a short swipe to keep Lara away. Alrion seized the opportunity, manipulating the earth to swallow up and encase the Skull Queen’s feet. She didn’t react initially, just looked down after it was done.
“I hope it holds.” Lara stayed out of range of the giant sword. After a few moments, the Skull Queen casually moved her legs and the ground broke away. Like she was dusting off sand.
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 5
