by B. W. Catt
Elin jumped back. “You are an unsightly and unkempt warlock. Placing that aside I will help you only because the corpses laying everywhere is damaging the trees.”
Woldiniar removed the protection spell. Elin walked to Xerlesis.
“Hello child of the heavens.” Elin placed his hand on Xerlesis’ head. Closing his eyes he began to speak in elven tongue. White air began to spin around Xerlesis. Her wings began to mend.
Xerlesis looked at Elin. “Thank you, elf. I entrust Sebial to you, please do not betray the trust of the pegasus.”
Xerlesis stood up and flapped her wings. They moved gracefully.
Elin looked towards Xerlesis, placing his left arm across his chest he bowed to her. “I will never betray the pegasus or any other living creature in the realms, you have our word that we will protect her.”
Woldiniar nodded to the elves and to Lunaria. He mounted Xerlesis and they took off into the night sky.
Fourteen
Xerlesis lost altitude periodically causing Woldiniar to panic.
“Xerlesis, you may be a pegasus but there is nothing graceful about the way you fly.” Woldiniar shouted while the wind blew his hair every which way.
You are old and have no elegance. If I must, I will fly upside-down in order to remove you from my back.
Woldiniar sat up straight and acted like their conversation never took place.
The only reason I am allowing you to ride me is for the sake of Sebial, I cherish her already and I wish for her to live a long life with me by her side. I know harming you would prevent any hope of her bracelets return.
Woldiniar nodded, agreeing with Xerlesis.
They continued to follow the stench of death the elves spoke of through the night. Woldiniar counted the corpses for fun along the way.
“One, seven, twelve, uhhh... thirty-four...”
Xerlesis suddenly began to fly lower from exhaustion.
Woldiniar’s concentration was lost. “I know you are still young, but I need you to stay strong. We must do this for Sebial!”
Xerlesis raised his wings and then quickly swooped them low trying to gain speed and altitude.
The sky began to brighten as the sun started to rise in the far west, the sight of the ocean was finally visible. They were almost to Olaris.
“Xerlesis, we must head just north of the village, there is a building there that is hiding her bracelet. Let us fly above it I need to view the building before just charging in.”
For once you make sense warlock. I thought you would just whistle and blow the building away and then search the rubble for her bracelet.
Woldiniar chuckled. “What do you take me for? A mindless animal?!” He paused thinking about what he said. “Actually Xerlesis, your idea sounds better! Let us do that, I will be sure to leave a few alive, I need answers!”
Your immaturity knows no bounds. Let us just scout the area. I would rather not have to deal with such a mess. Sebial doesn't need to wait that long either.
They turned north, just before the outskirts of Olaris. The sky now glowing a dark orange as the sun kissed the sky.
I believe I see it there up ahead. Another few breaths before we are on top of the cabin.
Xerlesis flew slower as they made their approach. Woldiniar began to count the men he saw outside; four. His focus shifted to a noticeably large pile of bodies lying in a ditch behind the building. Woldiniar’s eyes changed as if the light within them had been drained by darkness. He clenched his fists within Xerlesis’ hair.
“Xerlesis try to remain in the same spot for a moment, I need to count how many are inside.” Woldiniar spoke in a low growl.
Woldiniar closed his eyes and reached his hand toward the building. He whispered in ancient tongue. The inside became clear to him. He counted thirty inside the building walking freely, in another room near the back corner he counted ten not moving but he could tell they were still alive. He looked to a room in the middle, there appeared to be five of them sitting at a table.
“Okay Xerlesis. Bring me closer to the building. I know which parts to destroy first,” Woldiniar smiled from excitement.
Xerlesis flew just above the trees. Woldiniar began to sing.
“Lovely ladies made of parchment trees,
here thy wither at sultry leaf.
Bring forth the pain of men’s long steel,
entrap them within your roots sweet line,
tis time to make them grind.”
The trees around the building began to rise out from the dirt.
One of the men shouted as he unsheathed his sword. “What is happening here?!”
The other men pulled their swords from their sheaths and they readied to slice trees from the oncoming attack. One of the trees slammed a large root onto the ground causing it to shake. The men fell. The roots quickly wrapped around them, crushing them. Quick cracking noises echoed from bones shattering. Blood dripped from the entangled roots where the men once stood.
Woldiniar smiled. “Now time for some more fun!”
He began to sing to the trees again.
“While we play,
just let us stay,
hear our roar
feel the rumble,
take but thirty of souls unclean,
leave the rest for me to slay.”
The trees began to rip into the building grabbing the men in the front. A mingling of screams and cracking bones echoed the area. Woldiniar began to laugh hysterically at the sounds of their punishment.
“Shall we land Xerlesis?”
He looked towards the ground trying to find a spot that wasn’t splattered with flesh. He landed near the side of the building, furthest from all the destruction.
You can walk from here you disgusting warlock. How can you laugh in the face of so much slaughter? These are your kin, whether their hearts be tainted or not.
He hopped off and shook his head at Xerlesis. “I only did what any good doer would do, I am ridding the world of evil!”
He walked to the room that was crumbled and took a deep breath. He exhaled with the taste of satisfaction. He turned back to look at Xerlesis.
“One more thing, they are not my kin and never will be! Never confuse my kind with theirs again.”
He stepped onto the rubble and headed to the room he counted five in earlier. He placed his hand on the door, a small bit of light came from his hand causing the door to crumble.
The men in the room were waiting with swords drawn at the door.
“This is not very welcoming at all! I thought you men were enjoying a fine meal!?” Woldiniar said sarcastically.
He stepped into the room.
“Who are you?! Why are you causing this place so much duress!?” shouted the man closest to Woldiniar.
Woldiniar smirked. “I am causing you duress?! I you say?! That is indeed a wonderful joke coming from such slime as you! The troubles you all have caused my dear Sebial shall come to a very sweet ending, I promise.”
The men charged at him. He swiftly evaded them and began to laugh. “I am too old to play games of chase, I only came to talk about that bracelet on the table there!”
The men froze. A younger man with scars on his body stepped forward. “What do you mean talk!? Why should we answer to you anyways, you old man!? You came into our place and killed all of our men!”
Woldiniar grinned while raising an eyebrow. “Actually, I didn’t kill any, that was the trees. And, they killed thirty-four, not all of them. You few are still standing. You should really get to know your comrades better. Now, I insist you tell me, who told you to take that bracelet!”
Woldiniar’s eyes filled with rage. Their color changed from black to a shimmering white. The men in the room trembled at his glowing eyes.
“Now, I will ask one more time, who told you to take her bracelet!!” Woldiniar’s voice shook the room. Black vines grew from Woldiniar, they wrapped themselves around the men’s legs causing them to grow weak and fell to their knees. Their ha
nds shook while trying to hold their swords pointed at him.
“I, I don’t know who it was. They said to send it with the goods to Pasuria. They said the girl was ours to keep. That is all I know. They just wanted that bracelet! Which we learned we wanted nothing to do with it. Many of my men died trying to get it here. That bracelet hasn’t moved from that spot for days! We just want it gone!” shouted a younger man from the back of the room.
“I will happily take that and your lives in return for the damages caused to me.”
“WAIT! Please spare us, we just trade whatever we must in order to keep peace! We had no choice but to follow this life!” the young man pleaded.
Woldiniar tilted his head and smirked. “I will not spare your lives. Let that be clear. You should have chosen death instead of doing such heinous acts. I will make your deaths quick if you tell me who chose this life for you.”
The men looked at each other and nodded at the young man.
He looked up to Woldiniar, tears filled his eyes. “Please make it quick then. We were chosen by a ship captain from the port south of this post by the name of Krandall. He runs things across the worlds and we do not know who he works for, or if he is the boss himself. We just know denying him what he wants means death to us.”
Woldiniar let out a long whistle, a thick line of glistening air formed, quickly cutting their heads off. “That should be peaceful enough for you.”
Woldiniar walked over to the table and placed a cloth over the bracelet before picking it up. He carefully wrapped it without letting any part of it come in contact with his hands. Reaching down to a bag on his belt, he placed the wrapped bracelet into it.
Turning from the home, he waved his hand allowing the locked room filled with people to become unlocked.
“From the earth take this place and bring it eternal rest. Use its offerings to undo the wicked it’s bones have made. May the innocent within have time to flee before the dirt makes way.”
May you find peace in your new found freedom. Now leave this place so it may fall to the ground.
He spoke telepathically to those in the room. He could hear them frantically rushing to run through the door.
Xerlesis, it's time we left this place and return to Sebial.
He quickly appeared from the sky landing in front of Woldiniar. He grabbed onto Xerlesis’ mane to pull himself up.
What of the slaves in the home Woldiniar? Are you going to let them rot in that room?
He laughed. “They are free, the door is unlocked. Once they have all left, the house will disappear. That way Sebial will not scold me, given their lives will be short since their health is frail, but that is no concern to me.”
Xerlesis took flight as the sun went down over the land.
It has been a long day Woldiniar, and it seems the flame is pleased with what has been done, just look how red the sky is.
Woldiniar glanced around. “If that is what you think the setting sun means then you are blind young pegasus.”
If I am blind then you must hold on for who knows how terrible a ride you will have since I cannot see the path laid out before me.
With that Xerlesis bucked and then flew erratically towards the ground. Woldiniar began laughing maniacally. He let go of Xerlesis placing his hands in the air.
“IF THIS IS THE END FOR ME, THEN IT IS ALSO THE END FOR YOU! AT LEAST I WILL NOT DIE ALONE!”
Xerlesis straightened back out and flew normal again.
I refuse to die with you, I would never find peace at that rate.
He increased his speed to quickly get back to Sebial.
Fifteen
The sun was in the middle of the sky as they began to arrive at the field they left Sebial in. Xerlesis descended with haste to the ground landing beside Sebial and Lunaria.
Sebial looked behind her to see Woldiniar and Xerlesis. She jumped up from sitting besides the elves and stormed over to Woldiniar.
“WHERE DID YOU GO!? Why did you leave me?! I awoke to see these elves watching me as if I was some strange creature.” Sebial’s eyes filled with tears.
Woldiniar dismounted from Xerlesis. He reached into his belt and removed the pouch. “Here my dear, I got this for you.”
Sebial opened the pouch. She removed the cloth and carefully unwrapped the contents. Her eyes began to tear up. She hugged Woldiniar.
“Thank you so much!”
“Now put it back on so you may once again feel the gift of life.”
Sebial went to place the bracelet on her wrist but was stopped by Elin.
“You shouldn’t Sebial. That bracelet will bring you doom.”
“I told you Elin, she needs that in order to live. It will not bring her harm like you believe.” Woldiniar approached Elin.
Elin stepped in front of Sebial. “You are a sweet young woman who is friends to the mystical beasts of the land. You shouldn’t wear something so dark.”
Woldiniar placed a hand on Elin’s chest. “Step away from her, this is her fate and she cannot live much longer without it. I thought you knew all about the Pasurian line.” He glanced at Sebial “Sebial put on the bracelet, we worked hard to get it back to you.”
Sebial nodded at Woldiniar. She looked at Elin. “Thank you for caring for me, but Woldiniar is right, this is the fate given to me by my ancestors and by the Flame. I must wear it.”
She slid the bracelet onto her wrist. Her eyes flickered red, her hair lifted without a breeze. Her skin went from dull to glowing. She let out a painful scream before collapsing. Elin grabbed her before she could hit the ground. He looked angrily at Woldiniar.
“She has too much magic in her, I can feel it flowing from her! What have you done Woldiniar!?” Elin yelled as he grasped tightly onto Sebial who was now trembling.
“Let her rest Elin, this is what happens when her bracelet is joined to her. The bracelet will continue to test her for a while since they were separated for some time. The same happens when they are first chosen to wield this gift from the flame. It is a terrible thing to watch an infant go through.”
Elin laid her onto the ground and covered her with his cape. Standing up he approached Woldiniar.
“I believe we need to discuss what it is Sebial truly is.”
Woldiniar crossed his arms and gave an unapproving glance at Elin and the other two elves near Lunaria.
“Why? You stated you knew of the curse of the Pasurians. She is cursed that is good enough is it not?”
“No! No, it is not. How can she live with such power running through her?! What is she? I no longer sense human in her anymore! That power is, something else.”
Xerlesis nudged into the back of Woldiniar
Tell them. They can help protect her.
Woldiniar sighed. “Xerlesis, just because they are elves doesn’t mean anything but fine. To enlighten you, I will tell them.” He looked at the elves. “Take a seat, we will be here for a while.”
Woldiniar grabbed a pipe from his coat and lit it. He carefully packed the pipe more and lit it again. He took a few puffs and blew it into the center of everyone sitting. Woldiniar placed the pipe next to him.
“Enjoy the show. This smoke will enhance your abilities to see the story I am going to tell, not just hear it.”
The elves nodded in acknowledgment to the hallucinogen they were breathing in.
Woldiniar whistled and the smoke quickly changed form to mountains with dragons flying about. A young prince stood in a meadow with a maiden whose hair was long and silver. They laid beside each other in the grass watching the dragons fly above.
The smoke changed to show a different image, the maiden by herself, she slowly changed into a sprite after the prince left. She flew into the trees and up the mountain side. She stopped at a place with other sprites and a blurred out being.
The smoke continued to flash, continuously changing scenes. This time to the young prince in the meadow greeting the maiden. Suddenly a storm of men and elves appeared from the trees behind the prince. Hi
s eyes filled with sorrow but also with lust for power. The maiden ran away from them towards the mountains. Changing into a sprite as she went. She arrived to the sprites and the blurred figure. They went to run, but were too late, the prince and his army arrived.
Thirteen elves stood beside the young prince and cast a spell on the blurred figure. The figure glowed a bright red, fire erupting into each direction. But it did no harm, a small group of wizards kept a barrier in place protecting the thirteen elves. The glowing figure turned to the one sprite who brought them there. Fire wrapped around it causing it to turn back into a maiden before the spell the elves started could finish. The maiden laid on the ground screaming in pain while clutching her wrist where a silver bracelet adorned with a red jewel now sat. Fire from the figure reached out to the prince, he screamed in pain as fire rose from his back before it disappeared, leaving markings of a winged figure holding a sword on his back. The elves completed their spell. A large green wall enveloped the fiery figure. When the wall cleared they were left with pieces of the figure lying on the ground. The prince and his army left the mountain, their part of the work done. The maiden laid unconscious on the ground. A few sprites lie dead and the rest crying near the blurred figures.
The smoke changed to that of the night sky. The thirteen elves stood in a circle with the prince in an unknown field with parts of the figure placed in different sized circles etched into the earth. As the elves chanted, one piece of the figure at a time rose into the sky slowly changing into a new planet above them.
Woldiniar whistled allowing the smoke to leave. He went back to smoking his pipe peacefully while the elves stared at him in shock.
Elin cleared his throat. “Are you saying the realms we protect were made from that being who cursed Sebial’s ancestor? Sebial is a sprite descendant?! And the council was a part of this? They worked with some young prince?! What is the meaning of this?! You are showing us tricks, Warlock!”
Elin grabbed his head and looked as if he saw a ghost. He was shaken by the images Woldiniar showed him.
