The Weapon Bearer (Book 1)

by Aaron Thomas

  “Well at least you’re practicing the forms, as horrible as you are at them. Let me give you some pointers,” Jace’s voice rang out in the night. “You made quite an impression on Twilix. You exceeded her expectations, which is saying something.”

  “I only did what she asked.” Jace pulled a blade from underneath his cloak and wielded it comfortably like it was a part of his body.

  “If you can see what I do, don’t release the fog. I will watch using the water vision also.” He held up a finger with a ring on it in the fog. “I will make adjustments to your form and we will work as long as you can hold out or get too frustrated to continue.” Max was ecstatic and added to Jace’s instructions. To help Kilen understand, he provided mental pictures of the Fire Realm. The two men practiced well into the night, and all the torches faded from the castles walls.

  When they finished, Jace disappeared into the night just as quickly as he had come. Kilen made his way to his room and still did not feel tired. He would only need to have a couple hours sleep before morning, even without the earth magic to restore him. Leroy’s food and tea were providing him the energy and endurance he would need to complete the training. When he arrived in his room, Leroy was fast asleep on a pallet made up in the corner by the writing desk. Kilen washed his face quietly and pulled off his clothes and slipped into bed without waking his friend. Max and Joahna bid him goodnight and Kilen answered out loud into the dark room. It was nice to have more friends on his side. He just hoped that they were real.

  Kilen woke to Leroy saying his name when he entered the room. “You’d better get dressed! I have your breakfast and some information for you.” Leroy pulled the cover off of the food tray he had, revealing two hard boiled eggs three thick slices of ham, some fresh fruit, and two biscuits. “Wizard Twilix has set you up to do practice battles with the fire councilwoman. The soldiers are excited about it and bets are being placed. Apparently, she has killed men that tried to help Twilix in the past. It’s because she gets angered during the fight and loses control. I would eat and get your head straight before you head out to face her.” Kilen was suddenly not very hungry. He had faced Mary last night but Twilix interceded before they got started. He would have to try not to anger the woman during the fight. With what he knew about women, there was a very small chance of that happening.

  “How did you hear of the fight? I’m supposed to be training.” Kilen began to eat the breakfast that was provided for him.

  “That fire wizard woman was talking to a Kapal man before the soldiers arrived. She was saying something about not needing his assistance today because she was going to expend her energy on some new weapon bearer Twilix was training. So I just assumed that it would be you.” Kilen finished his plate while Leroy tidied up the room. Then he washed the food down with the same bitter tea he would be drinking at every turn. Leroy promptly produced another raspberry tart wrapped in cloth from one of his many pockets. Kilen was grateful to have a friend like Leroy.

  “Do you need anything, or are we good on supplies?” Kilen asked while putting on his boots and strapping on his sword belt.

  “Oh, we bought enough to get us through the rest of the week, and Master Harvel is providing a lot of the more common herbs I need, now that I’m teaching him some recipes. Don’t worry about me or the supplies. You have a fire wizard to deal with.” Kilen nodded in response, wrapped on his cloak, and thanked Leroy again before he ducked out the door. Kilen stepped out of the barracks into a cool ,thickly clouded summer morning. He could make out Twilix in her blue hooded cloak crossing the wizard training grounds. Mary was nowhere in sight. The lack of her presence made him ease a tiny bit.

  Twilix pushed back her hood, revealing her golden hair and green eyes. She looked Kilen up and down. “Don’t you have armor?”

  “I do. Jace told me I would not be using it as a scout. He told me I should look inconspicuous, that way I can overhear conversations.”

  “I understand, but you will probably need any help you can get today. Hurry and put it on. It won’t help to delay Mary. She is ready to help train you right now.”

  Kilen was startled by the tone in her voice, “I don’t see her anywhere.” Kilen looked around the training ground.

  Twilix pointed to the middle of the wizard’s training ground where a large bonfire was burning. “She’s waiting for you there when you’re ready. Please hurry. I don’t want to have to re-grow all of your skin.” Kilen realized that Mary was the bonfire. He turned to ran inside his barracks. When he entered the door Leroy was just about finished cleaning. Kilen started throwing things out of the trunk and wardrobe.

  “Hurry, help me get my armor on!”

  ***

  Bowie stepped out of his barracks wearing a bright green outfit and his black hat ,with the intention of getting some practice time in even if Kilen wouldn’t be able to make it. He wanted to see how well his new bow worked anyway. He moved out to the field and found Captain Lorusk and John Curtain, the archery trainer, standing in the middle. Bowie knew that whatever game they would be playing it would be a dangerous one. Bowie thought it would be in his best interest to give them what they wanted for the time being. “Captain Lorusk, Trainer Curtain, good morning.”

  Lorusk stood with arms crossed squared off with Bowie looking at him, as if he was buying a steak at market. “I suppose I should call you Master Cresent, after all.” He said nothing else and Bowie thought it would be best to say nothing until he was asked directly. After a moment, the captain let out a breath of air and relaxed. “If you have no one to train yet, I would like to see these skills of yours. Apparently, I have missed out twice now. Once when you out shot my second, and the other time was literally behind my back if he is to be believed.”

  Bowie spoke up, “I have come to practice but I’ll show you what I can Sir.” Bowie placed a foot on his bow and bent it so that he could fix the string into place.

  “Very well, let’s move back a bit. How far back can you still strike the target, boy?” The Captain now had his hands down at his side and appeared to be taking a very friendly tone with Bowie. He thought it was a trick and decided to keep up the appearance of a good soldier, as much as he knew how. John Curtain fidgeted with an arrow as he stood by the captain’s side, but said nothing.

  “Further back yet, captain. I’ll go as far as I can. If you would excuse me some warm up shots. The king told me my old bow wasn’t as good as I thought, so I bought a new one, sir.” Bowie lifted the bow so that the captain could take a better look. He looked it over without touching it and then nodded his head in approval.

  “Let me know when you are ready,” was all the captain said as he moved off to the far end of the range. John followed, still fidgeting with his arrow. Bowie stretched his bow to test its strength. It had a harder pull than the one he had before. It was taller and made for longer shots. The arrow would have to leave his hand going a lot faster. He tried to figure the best he could on the range of the bow and nocked an arrow. He breathed like his grandfather had taught him and released in the natural pause in the breathing pattern. The arrow landed in the center line of the target but barely on the top edge. The arrow had gone faster than Bowie had anticipated. He would have to lower the bow’s aim even more. The second shot he landed in the red circle. Satisfied, he moved ten paces farther back. He took three more shots, landing them all in the middle circle. He moved back farther. He felt confident that with this bow he would be able to make longer shots more accurately than he had before. The only problem was, that with a stronger and longer draw, he would have to make longer arrows to compensate. It would have to wait until he could get the materials. Right now he had two other problems. When he turned to face Captain Lorusk there were three other men with bows standing talking to him. Lorusk waved them away. They seemed disappointed as they walked away.

  “I am ready Captain.”

  “Good, let us see your skills then.” Lorusk and Curtain moved to follow Bowie. “Proceed,” the captain
said with his arms folded across his chest. Bowie took aim and let the arrow go. It landed just above where he had predicted. He made the adjustment and let a second arrow go. It landed very near the center of the target. Bowie started to make more distance, and the other two men followed. Bowie made another shot and moved back yet again so that he was now standing almost touching the barracks wall. He took another shot, and it yet again landed in the center. Bowie relaxed his bow and the captain stood looking at him. “Proceed,” he said again.

  “Yes, sir.” Bowie said, as he pulled another arrow from his quiver. Shot after shot twanged out of Bowie’s bow and all the captain would ever say was, “proceed.” Bowie was on his final shot and could think of nothing that would impress the captain better than a target full of his arrows. He looked at the captain still standing with his arms crossed and feet planted, waiting the next shot. Bowie started to pull the arrow from the quiver.

  “Let me have a look at the arrow, boy,” the captain said. Bowie handed it to him. The captain rolled it over in his fingers. He looked down the shaft and examined the fletching. “This is a very high quality arrow. Where did you learn to make them?”

  “My grandfather taught me how, sir” Bowie replied with as much respect as he could give the captain. He handed back the arrow and went back to crossing his arms. Before he could say proceed, Bowie shot his final arrow, leaving his quiver empty.

  “I have a proposition for you, boy. I want you to train my men how to shoot like you do. Teach them all you can and make me look good in front of the King when this training season is finished. If you provide me with enough capable archers, I will do my best to give you some rank in this army.”

  Bowie wondered if it was a trick, but remembered his dads old saying, if you’re not sure it’s a trap there’s only one way to find out…trip it.

  “I would appreciate the chance to prove my worth in the army Captain. May I make a request that I would still be able to train my friend in a private session?”

  The captain uncrossed his arms and reached out with an open hand towards Bowie, “Bargain made, boy or should I say Sergeant.” The captain reached out to John Curtain and took a tree emblem off of his lapel and gave it to Bowie. “It’s yours as long as you prove yourself worthy.” The tree had a single line across its trunk showing his rank. Bowie nodded his head and the captain helped him pin it onto his bright green short coat.

  ***

  Kilen hurried out of the barracks to find Twilix still waiting outside. He was still slipping his arm into the straps of his shield. When he looked around he saw that a few other weapon bearers were in their armor standing outside the barracks. Twilix turned and started to walk toward the still blazing Mary. Kilen hurried to catch up. He could see with the water vision the other weapon bearers following as they made their way to the center of the grounds. When Kilen was about twenty paces away he could make out the individual features of Mary underneath the flames. “I will explain what is going to happen,” Twilix said while standing in front of Kilen. “In a moment, you will face Mary in battle. During this battle she will become more and more aggressive. You must survive the experience, that is all. The point of this exercise is to wear her out. A fire wizard uses their personal supplies of energy when they become angry. So if you can stand in battle long enough against her, she will wear herself out. If she does that, her anger will also be worn out, and she will be able to control her emotions better. If you want Mary to help your sister, here is your chance.” Twilix turned and pointed at Mary, “You must wear her out. If you accomplish that, she will be able to make a trip into town, which she prizes greatly. She rarely gets out of the castle grounds because she is normally too erratic to be left to herself. If you can subdue her anger, she has agreed to talk to and check on your sister.” It took a moment for Kilen to organize his own thoughts. “I will be here to protect you if things get out of hand. I have fought Mary many times. That is why we are such good friends.”

  “You have to fight her in order to become her friend?”

  Twilix nodded her head, “It is the only way to get to the true emotions of a fire wizard. At least until they learn to control themselves fully.”

  She is right in a way, Kilen. I will be here to help you. We can do this,” Joahna’s mind was a focused knot in the back of Kilen’s head. He tried to emulate the focus as he pulled his sword free of its sheath.

  Twilix smiled and quickly moved out of the way, bouncing on blue satin slippers. Kilen noticed the Kapal man had come to stand beside Twilix, but she looked at him sternly and moved a small distance away from him.

  Max put the image of the warrior’s stance in Kilen’s mind, and he took on the pose. Do not face the impact of the fire straight on. Angle your shield to allow anything she throws at you to glance off to the side or into the air. If you do that you will waste less energy. Prepare yourself, she is getting ready to attack. Just before Mary threw the first fireball Kilen noticed Jace slipping into the crowd, wearing his hood up. A ball of flame streaked through the air was all he got for a warning that the training had started.

  Kilen was repeatedly struck with fireballs. It was as if Mary was not even putting up a real fight. He knew that he would have to make her fight harder, so he started taking steps forward to close the distance. He tried gathering water from any source he could find and found it was coming easily from the air due to the low overhanging clouds. As he advanced, Mary started to laugh loudly, now speeding up the rate of fireballs she was throwing. Kilen was expending little to no effort in deflecting the flames. Suddenly, Mary ran at Kilen and threw a wave of flame at him. Kilen doused himself with water to make sure the flames never touched him. Again, the bombardment of spheres of flame hammered into his shield. Kilen knew that his arm would be bruised from the repeated impacts of the attack. Kilen decided to hammer her in return. He formed balls of ice and hurled them at her using magic while hiding behind his shield. Mary let out a whip of flame, dripping molten bits onto the ground, cutting the ice chunks in pieces before they could strike her. Kilen gained a moment, only a fraction of a second, in the battle and saw an opportunity.

  He charged Mary, with shield held out in front of him and was met with a wave of flame as he slammed into her. They both fell to the ground and Mary’s flames were extinguished. Twilix let out a gasp as Kilen rolled to his feet. In the assault his shields straps had come free of their steel backings. Kilen shed the shield. Inside his mind the two men cheered him on, Good move. If she gets up she’s going to be very mad. It was as if Mary could hear them speak, for just as Max spoke, a volcano of flame leapt from where Mary was laying. Kilen scrambled back away from the heat of the inferno. When he was far enough away that he couldn’t feel the flames he turned to look back. The flames took on the shape of a woman, stepping out with molten whip in hand. Mary’s body lay flat on the ground where Kilen had lain it, still smoldering but whole.

  NO, that is not good! No one can defeat an elemental. It is pure magic and flames. You have to attack her body to separate her consciousness from the elemental. She might wear herself out, but it’s not likely. You must get to her body.” Joahna was both intense and stern in his voice. Kilen was now one hundred paces or more away from her and making more distance to avoid the elemental with a molten whip. She was lashing out and Kilen had no shield to protect himself with. He then realized that he did have a shield. Kilen started to gather water and form it into a plate of ice attaching it to his bracer with a solid ring of ice. When he was finished it was larger than the metal one he was using before, it shined with a magnificent reflective surface that turned red in the flickering flames surrounding the battle field. Kilen needed to slow Mary so that he could make a move to get closer to her body. He was too far away to reach her with any attack that he had learned so far. Kilen formed spears of ice into the air and thrust them at the elemental. They all struck home, turning to water as they speared her and came out the other side. The elemental taunted Kilen with Mary’s angered laugh
. He tried to think of how he defeated the other fire wielders. Max and Joahna cringed at the thoughts of their own deaths, but that was the only battle he had ever been in. He would have to draw experience from what he already knew.

  At his feet, Kilen pulled the earth up in behind him and pushed it down in front of him. He created a large crack between him and the elemental. He stood on the cliff he had raised looking down on her. Mary ran her elemental body to the crack and began to jump. Realizing that she could jump higher and farther as an elemental, Kilen quickly raised the cliff and widened the crack more. The effect set Kilen tumbling backwards down the slope and the elemental into the crack. When he stood and regained his footing, he slammed the earth shut. The crack was lit with a curtain of flame blocking any passage across. Kilen knew that this might be his only opportunity. He raced to the top of the cliff and leaped from its peak through the curtain of flame. He tucked his Ice shield below his feet to protect him from its heat. When he landed he heard a pop in his foot and crumpled onto the ground. The white hot pain in his head blocked out all rational thought. What he could see from his eyes he did not control. His arms moved mechanically, pulling his body along the ground towards Mary. The thought of not being in control of his body helped him to force down the pain and regain control. He pushed with his one good foot and crawled using his arm bearing his sword, with the shield arm and maimed foot dragging in the dirt. Kilen looked back to the curtain of flame that had gathered in one location and he saw the elemental climb its way out of the deepened grave. It looked confused as it looked for Kilen on the other side of the ridge and then it spotted him. He was already half way between Mary and her elemental. Kilen picked up the pace and moved as fast as he could, dragging himself along the ground. He stretched out his magic to start cooling the water in the air around Mary. The elemental raced through the open space to catch up. Mary was too hot and it wasn’t cooling her fast enough to separate her from the elemental.