by B. W. Catt
“Woldiniar! I need you to sober up! I do not have anymore time. It is close to dusk and we need to leave town.”
Woldiniar sighed “I guess I can stop now.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a narrow yellow vile. He yanked the top off with his teeth and spit it out. Raising the vile to his mouth he quickly drank the potion contained within. He coughed a few times and stood up with no issue.
“Alright my darling Sebial, I am done now. Let us go into the inn before heading to the stables. I will explain the details to you later.”
“What was that you just had?”
“Ah, this?” he held up the empty vile, “It was just a sobering potion. I drank one that caused the opposite effect prior to walking around town!” he laughed. “I have never seen or talked to so many interesting people!”
Sebial shook her head in shame. “Let us just go now please.”
Woldiniar held a finger in the air. “I must do one more thing.”
He opened the tavern door and looked in “Farrah are you here?”
“Over here Woldy!”
Woldy? Who would call him Woldy?
Sebial began to laugh. “What a name!”
“Hush Sebial, follow me.” Woldiniar walked over to the lady sitting in the back of the tavern.
“I saved us a table!” Farrah stood up and smiled.
“You are too kind but I will not be staying. I have to leave tonight. This is my student Sebial.”
“You’re beautiful.” Farrah and Sebial spoke at the same time.
Woldiniar laughed. “Yes, you both are. Anyways, Sebial, where are the girls?”
“They are in their room. Why? Does she know them?”
“No, she will be caring for them. I helped her with some problems and in return I tasked her with a job.” He looked at Farrah. “You will help these girls find their ways. They were taken and enslaved.”
“I understand Woldy, shall you take me to them so they know I am a friend?”
Woldiniar glanced at Sebial.
“I will not be going back upstairs. I already said my farewells and it will be too hard to do it again. They are in the last room at the top of the stairs. The bar keeper offered them work in order to stay longer if need be, you can speak with him in order to be introduced. I will wait outside for you Woldiniar.”
Farrah called out to Sebial but she stormed out ignoring her words. She slammed the door to the inn and began pacing back and forth in the empty streets.
It's dark now and we need to leave. Shalerie’s dress gave me a little strength but nothing like I require. I hope we can buy horses still. Woldiniar is ridiculous for adding things to our day like always.
Sebial kicked the dirt causing it to rise around her. She paused at the sound of someone coughing.
“Hello? Is someone there?” Sebial peered around but could see no one.
“I guess it's not secret now. Why must you be reckless and dirty the air when your protector is watching!” Kalon jumped down from above, landing a few feet from Sebial.
He coughed a few more times.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to bother anyone.” She paused. Sebial looked at him frustratingly. “Why are you following me still? Do you not have anything better to do, Kalon?”
“It’s time Sebial, but why are you out here in the dark by yourself? Were you not taking me seriously earlier? I just happened to be the closest to you. But there were others, this town is full of distasteful men. Let me bring you back inside.” Kalon said while reaching for Sebial’s arm.
She placed her arms firmly by her side. “I appreciate your offer but I am leaving tonight. I assume you heard everything Shalerie and I spoke of, so you know it is important I get my bracelet back and you know I am not alone.”
“Well, where is your companion then?” Kalon sarcastically looked around.
“He is in the inn with a friend, once he returns we will head to the stables and leave this town.
“So what you are saying is, your master required a woman’s love before a long journey?”
Sebial’s face turned red with anger. She reached up to slap him but he stepped back causing her to miss and trip. Kalon grabbed her before she could fall.
“You must really hate standing my dear princess.”
He released her. Sebial straightened her dress out. Her eyes were filled with frustration.
“I do not have the strength to do many things right now. My life force is nearly gone. What Shalerie did for me was slow the nearly finished process. Woldiniar is giving his friend a new job caring for three girls we saved earlier. I always heard elves were respectful but you sound like, like some lowly human.”
“Well I do live around them. I guess it’s the price I must pay. At least I fit in with them. As long as I wear my cape, they cannot see my ears so to them I am the same. But for you, they will always see silver and know you’re different.”
He smirked at her as he ran his hands through her hair. Sebial quickly punched him in the stomach. Kalon let out a gasp, clenching his stomach he looked up to her.
“Why would you do that!?”
“Because you were insensitive and spoke of my hair!”
“So, at least you are still human. It doesn’t matter if you don’t look just like them.”
“Of course you would say that! You know nothing of how cruel people can be!”
Sebial stormed off from Kalon and the inn. She was determined to get far away from him. Kalon slowly stood up.
“Come back here! I told you the shadows watch at night!”
The inn door opens and out walks Woldiniar.
“Excuse me child.” Woldiniar said as he stepped around Kalon. “SEBIAL LET’S GO! Where did that stupid girl walk off to now. I can’t keep rescuing her.”
Woldiniar looked down at Kalon.
“Have you seen...”
“Yes, Sebial went that way, I am a friend of hers and well she got mad.”
“Hmm Sebial made a friend that quick? You must know something of her to get her to like you. Neither is a concern to me seeing as we are leaving as soon as I find her.”
Woldiniar quickly went searching for Sebial. Calling out her name as he walked.
He turned the corner to head south. He paused at the sight of Sebial being talked to by a group of men.
“Stupid girl. Never waiting like she is supposed to.” Woldiniar spoke aloud to himself.
“I don’t have time for your antics Sebial!” He yelled out to her.
The men turned to look.
“You men better step away if you wish to live!”
The men laughed.
“Of course you all did, no one ever listens...”
Woldiniar whistled, the men flew into the buildings.
“Sebial, shall we go?”
Woldiniar approached her.
“Yes, I am sorry, I didn’t realize there were still so many out at this hour.”
“Must you be so naïve?”
Twelve
South of town, they approached a large stable. Outside stood two men wearing riding gear, one of them carrying a bow on his shoulder.
“Good evening young men, could you please point us to the owner of this establishment? The guards told us to come here.” Woldiniar said in a serious tone.
The one wearing a bow removed it from his shoulder, and handed it to the other man. He walked forward. “I am the owner, my name is Thelis. What do you need with me?”
“I am Woldiniar, I do not need you, I prefer ladies.”
“Master, please don’t do this, we need his help.” Sebial whispered.
Thelis laughed. “How many horses do you need and for how many days of travel?”
“I am glad you have a sense of humor! So many around me,’ he looked at Sebial and back to Thelis, “are not amused when I say things like this. We require two horses. I can not tell you for how many days since I do not know if we will ever return to this town. So can you sell me two horses?”
>
Thelis rubbed his beard. “I think I have two horses suitable for long travel. But the price will be high for prizes such as these.”
“That is fine, as long as they can run when need be and can carry our weight for more than half days' ride at a time.”
“Come with me”
Thelis walked to the stable door and opened it. “The horses to the left are the best I have. You can see which horse picks you and then we will discuss the price.”
Waldiniar and Sebial walked into the stable and looked at the long row of horses. There was at least twenty on the left side and countless more on the right.
“Sebial, you go on ahead and pick the horse you like, I have already found mine.” Woldiniar smiled and walked to the horse in the second stall.
The horse was tan with black hair. It stood tall with a very muscular build. Woldiniar opened the gate and walked into the horse's stall. The horse stepped back while looking at him. Woldiniar let out a soft whistle and the horse lowered itself to the ground.
“That is a good lady, now shall you follow me and stay by my side?”
The horse neighed.
“Good, walk with me Lunaria.”
Woldiniar headed to the Thelis, the horse following right behind. “I shall take this one. How much is she?”
“You want that one? She is beyond stubborn and only listens to those with strong wills and you don’t appear to have what it takes, but if that’s the one, then I will not argue. She is three hundred silver.”
“That’s a fair price for such a sweet girl.” Woldiniar handed over three hundred silver.
“Sebial! How much longer will it take you to decide?”
Sebial continued to pace up and down the stalls but all of the horses continuously backed away from her. None would accept her.
“Woldiniar, all are frightened of me.”
“Sebial, not all are frightened, there is one on the right side who seems to want you.” Woldiniar pointed towards the back of the stable, a gate was shaking. “Your friend is back there my dear.”
Thelis interjected. “Wait, you cannot go back there! Those are the lowest quality of horses and they wouldn’t last you a day!”
“Sebial, go to her. I can hear her calling you by name.”
Sebial looked confused by what Woldiniar said but she did as she was told.
“Listen Thelis, man hiding the rare pegasus. She has spoken and has chosen Sebial to be her rider. I suggest you agree to the pegasus’ wants or else I will inform the guards of your illegal trades. Only royalty can own them in these lands.”
Thelis backed up. “How do you know it’s a pegasus?” He nervously laughed at Woldiniar. “Those don’t exist around here; I just don’t want the girl to have a worthless weak horse for your long journey!”
Woldiniar approached Thelis and began to let out a soft whistle. Thelis grabbed his ears in pain and fell to the ground. “Do not question my knowledge again. Now how much for the pegasus?”
“You can take it, I do not want you here any longer.” Thelis stood back up.
“WOLDINIAR! Come look!”
He smiled at Thelis and walked towards Sebial.
“What is it my student?” knowing full well what she was seeing.
“They have a pegasus! I haven’t seen one since mother rode hers!”
Sebial’s eyes lit up. The pegasus kept spinning in circles and trying to raise her wings.
“Open the gate Sebial, she has chosen you.”
She opened the gate. The pegasus approached and nuzzled her nose to Sebial’s face. Woldiniar reached for the strap holding her wings down. He yanked it off allowing the pegasus’ wings to open. Her body was black like the night sky, her feathers, black with silver specks; they looked like shooting stars every time they moved. Her eyes the color of the sun.
“She is beautiful.” She brushed the pegasus. “I do not know your name yet but I will give you one soon, I promise.”
They walked out of the stable and right past Thelis as if he was nothing more than a piece of the stable. Woldiniar helped Sebial onto her pegasus, then proceeded to mount his horse.
“Sebial, I have word on where we should go but due to the nature of your friend, I believe we should take the longer route.”
Woldiniar looked at the pegasus’ injured wings.
“I agree, where are we headed?”
“East to the land of Olaris. It’s a seafaring town and I believe it has exactly what you need.” He smiled.
Woldiniar let out a loud whistle while looking at the town. Suddenly the ground shook and fire could be seen from the west side of town. He smiled. Woldiniar whistled a little softer killing those he marked earlier that were still within the town.
“What did you do?!” Sebial shouted at Woldiniar.
He was grinning from ear to ear. “Nothing Sebial, nothing beyond removing wasted space and worthless humans I encountered in a less than favorable part of town. Lunaria, let's head out. Come on now Sebial. My work here is done!”
She gently pulled the reins and began to follow behind. Sebial glared at Woldiniar.
“Listen, I was doing right by the people of this town! I merely removed those acquainted with a pub in which I was at. Those with information to your item, and those tied to your imprisonment are now gone, well at least most of them are. A few have already left but not to worry Sebial dear, I will shred them to pieces later.” He laughed.
Sebial looked back at the dark smoke rising from the west. Her eyes filled with rage, not to Woldiniar but to the people who were just casually walking around the town she just left the girls in.
“Sebial, before you get any ideas to go back, I made sure the girls are safe. While you all were enjoying my beautiful singing, I cast a spell of protection on them, I am not the terrible warlocl you make me out to be!”
Thirteen
The sun was long gone and the moon stood high in the middle of the sky. Sebial was fast asleep on the back of her new friend.
“Ahh what a peaceful night, wouldn’t you agree Lunaria?”
The horse neighed in response to Woldiniar. He looked over at Sebial and her pegasus.
“I know she will hear your voice soon, young one. Her magic isn’t strong enough Xerlesis.”
Xerlesis lowered her head and trotted ahead.
Woldiniar whispered to Lunaria. “Be on guard my lovely, we are not alone anymore.”
Lunaria lifted her head and began to look around. She could see what he spoke up, movement amongst the treetops. She trotted faster, catching up with Sebial and Xerlesis. A clearing could be seen just ahead. Woldiniar yawned.
“I think it is time we took a rest.” He pulled on the reins and hopped off. He walked Xerlesis and Lunaria to the center of the clearing. Woldiniar carefully lifted Sebial off of Xerlesis and laid her on the ground. Xerlesis laid down beside her.
“Lunaria, please lay on the other side of Sebial.” Lunaria listened to what he said.
Woldiniar stepped a few feet away from them and cut his hand and began to walk in a circle around where they were laying.
“Drip of blood, smile with hate, ripples of time intertwined with fate.” Woldiniar repeated while blood dripped from his hand.
He stopped after making two complete circles. His protection spell was complete. He took a deep breath in and whistled a silent tune. Purple smoke appeared around them. He released a poisonous gas to those hiding in the treetops. He waited to hear them hit the ground. But nothing happened. He stepped into the smoke and walked towards the tree line.
“If you are unfazed by my gift, then come down here and talk to this old man, elves of the realm!”
The tree branches shook. Three elves suddenly appeared before Woldiniar.
“How do you know of us human!?” said one of the elves. His hair was dark just like his eyes. Their clothing a dark green with black weapons.
Woldiniar took a seat in the grass. “Well, as you can tell, I am not a normal human. Unless the night sky has
blinded you all?”
The elf sat down with him while the other two remained standing.
“We are not blind. Who are you?” spoke the elf with black hair.
“Why don’t you introduce yourself to me first since you are the ones following us.”
“Your request seems fair. I am Elin, a guard for the Elven realms.”
“I am Woldiniar, a warlock with no cares to your allegiance. My student and I are headed to Olaris to hunt down some unsightly humans who have stolen something important to her. Have you by chance seen them?”
Elin looked at the others and nodded. “If what you seek brings death, then yes we have seen it but why would I want to help return something so dangerous?”
“Ah, I see from your view it is dangerous. Her living without it is dangerous. She will perish before long. The bracelet we seek brings death to those who are not meant to wield it. So that is why death as you say follows it.”
“If that is true then the girl over there is one of the Pasurians cursed from centuries passed.” Elin stated with concern.
“It is indeed true, hence why her riding companion is Xerlesis, a pegasus. But Sebial is too weak to hear her friend. I’m afraid she will make it a week before she perishes.” Woldiniar looked down at the grass and began pulling strands of it up. “So will you help us Elin and elven friends of Elin’s?”
“Continue towards Olaris, you will quickly see corpses along the way. There is a building to the north of town where people do trade, of another kind. You should find her bracelet there. But I would hurry, I have heard a ship will be arriving tomorrow at noon to pick up items to take overseas.”
“That is unfortunate Elin. Xerlesis is unable to fly. We ahem, rescued her from illegal trade. I would need your assistance. Could you heal her? In return I will offer assistance in training the dragons I know that King Gwondle is struggling to control.”
“How do you know about the dragons?”
“I have been around for a long-time young elf, I know many of the elven secrets,” He looked down at Elin’s pants and winked. Elin glared. Woldiniar stood up. “Also, I need you to watch over Sebial, she is too weak and I do not want her to experience anymore bloodshed.”
