Windbreak

by Derek Alan Siddoway

  “I wandered for many years in self-imposed exile. I, Talus, who had once been counted among the mightiest in the empire, was now an outcast. It took many years to come to terms with my fate but eventually, I returned to Palantis.

  “My homecoming was not as I expected. I was betrayed. Ilmaren convinced the Senate I was an abomination and they locked me away deep in the catacombs beneath the palace. I marveled at how great my fall was: from Rune Master to monster.

  “Ilmaren came to me one night and, in our conversation, I saw his true self: he was a bitter, envious boy. He had continued my research and incorporated even more blood magics and dark runes into my design. Moreover, he had convinced the citizens that he could offer them a gift only the gods should ever have — immortality. The Palantines, in their pride and vanity, would have given him anything. ”

  Talus/Seppo stopped again and a cold chill crawled over Eva. She knew what came next but listened on, the hopes of finding some hint at how she could destroy the rune master’s work.

  “The corrupted First Forge gave the citizens what Ilmaren promised: in their iron armor, they were impervious to pain, sickness, and age. Thousands flocked to Palantis, drawn by the promise of life everlasting. Bound in my prison by Ilmaren’s rune magic, I could do nothing to stop them. When the number of golems swelled beyond reckoning, Ilmaren completed his vile, treacherous design: he cast himself into the First Forge and emerged as the dark golem, Ogunn. All those who had gone before him were turned to mindless slaves and forced to serve his every command — the first Smelterborn.

  “A hundred years of blood and war ensued. My people, the proud and mighty Palantines, were slowly destroyed by a runesmith’s apprentice. By the time I escaped my prison, there were hardly any left to oppose the Smelterborn.

  “And now we come to the time I record this message, using the rune box I created so long ago in my innocent experimentations. I have returned to the island of Palantis with all that remains of my people. In addition to being slaughtered by Smelterborn, they have been wracked with disease and hunted by the rebellious primitives on the mainland. The high bloodlines are all but extinct. Those few left who can fight have joined me, in a last desperate attempt to destroy Ogunn and the First Forge.

  Talus/Seppo paused. For a moment, Eva thought the voice had gone for good and despaired — she still had no idea what she needed to do. When the voice returned, it spoke in a heavy, reluctant tone.

  “It is my belief that a willing victim may cast themselves into the First Forge and, with this sacrifice, undo its corrupt evil power. As I am the one responsible for the complete destruction of my people, it is only fitting that the sacrifice be mine.

  “I make this record in the event we fail at this task. Perhaps, one day, someone may find this account and use this knowledge to destroy the First Forge. Be warned: whoever enters the First Forge will not survive. It is my hope that my death will end the great evil I have unleashed upon the Palantines and, in some small way, make amends for my great folly. These are the last words of Talus, former Rune Master of Palantis, now a wretched abomination of his own making. Goodbye.”

  The light faded and the voice ended. With a shaking hand, Eva retrieved her Wonder — the Aithos stone — and threaded it back on its chain. When she placed the stone around her neck, the burden of her task pulled at her as if she was wearing a millstone.

  Why had Seppo’s sacrifice not completely destroyed the First Forge? It seemed he had only managed to put the golems to sleep — albeit for a very long time — until Eva’s father found the Wonder stone and inadvertently brought Seppo back to life, along with Ogunn and the Smelterborn.

  Eva held the stone in her palm as it turned the same shade of blue as the lantern above — the same shade of blue as Seppo’s eyes. She thought back to when she’d touched the stone to Seppo’s chest plate. It was almost as if a piece of Talus existed in the Wonder…

  An idea formed in Eva’s mind: what if Seppo hadn’t been able to destroy the First Forge because he wasn’t human anymore? Perhaps he had survived because a piece of his soul — the Aithos stone — hadn’t been with him when he cast himself into the furnace?

  The realization of what was required struck Eva like a hammer blow. But rather than being afraid, a calm settled over her. Her mind had never been more clear. She had a purpose now. She had a plan.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Eva caught a glimpse of sunlight ahead and ran as fast as she could, bursting outside into the orange, fiery glow of late evening. The moon shone faint on the edge of the dying sky but promised to be at full glory come nightfall. She wasn’t too late.

  Hearing her approach, the gryphons shot up spraying sand everywhere. Fury, Lucia, and Carroc rushed to greet her. In his excitement, Fury almost knocked her over, keening with joy as he rubbed his beak against her shoulder. In spite of the dire circumstances, Eva laughed and ruffled her gryphon’s head feathers. There had been a time in the caves when she wasn’t sure if she’d ever see Fury again and felt grateful for the small mercy.

  Her smile faded, however, upon seeing the concerned looks of the other gryphons.

  “It’s okay,” she said, running her hands down Lucia and Carroc’s beaks. “I’ve got a plan to free them. It’s going to be alright.”

  Truth be told, Eva knew it would still take a miracle for one woman and three gryphons to free their friends and destroy the First Forge. At least they had a chance now.

  By now, the sun had fallen behind the cliffs and ruins of Palantis. Time grew short. Especially Eva’s.

  The gryphons paced the beach restlessly, watching the full moon rising in the night sky.

  Walking away from Fury and the others, Eva stopped at the edge of the short beach, watching the waves lap into shore. She’d only seen the ocean once before in Pandion. Although it’s white sands and blue water far outshone the bland, bleak waters of the eastern ocean, Eva still appreciated the sight.

  A warm sea breeze blew through Eva’s hair, heralding the fair days of summer ahead: Days of soaring through clear blue skies with Fury, bathed in sunlight. Days with Tahl, walking through the summer markets in Gryfonesse. Days she would never see.

  Eva closed her eyes, letting the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind wash over her in a few last moments of peace. When she opened them, she withdrew the Wonder from beneath her mail and cupped it in her hands. Its soft glow reassured her and warmth spread throughout her body, pushing away death’s shadow.

  She unbuckled the straps of her Windsworn armor and bent over to slide the mail shirt over her head. Eva felt a greater weight than just the steel rings and lacquered leather falling away. The armor, like her fears, would only slow her down.

  When she returned to the gryphons, Eva wrapped her arms around Fury, burying her face in his neck feathers to hide the tears. She thought of all they’d been through since that day so long ago when she’d found Ivan hiding with a blood-red gryphon egg inside of Soot’s woodshed.

  “I guess we lived up to the expectations after all,” Eva said, recalling the prophecies surrounding the birth of a red gryphon. She looked in Fury’s fierce yellow eyes. “We’ve come a long way together, boy. Let’s end this.”

  The last rays of sun winked out as Eva took to the sky on Fury with Lucia, and Carroc winging close behind. Down below, the great circle in the midst of the ruined palace courtyard was wreath in flame from hundreds of burning braziers and cauldrons. Rows and rows of dark-armored shapes surrounded the central place — Ogunn’s Smelterborn witnessing their master complete his vile work.

  Eva hadn’t thought it possible, but the First Forge pulsed with unnatural rune fire, brighter and hotter than when they’d passed over it coming to the island. It burned like a beacon set to rival the full moon above, sending waves of dread and heat alike from its dull gray walls.

  Although they were far above, Eva spotted what could only be Ogunn inside the circle, Seppo in chains next to him. Farther back, other, smaller shapes were just
visible in the glow of the fires: Tahl, Ivan, Soot, Chel, and Wynn.

  Now that she saw him again, and knowing all Seppo had gone through, Eva’s heart went out to the Palantine-turned-golem. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see everything you loved destroyed by something you created. Or to face years and years of blame and regret afterward. She wondered if he now viewed his days as Seppo, when he had no memory of being the rune master Talus, as simple bliss.

  Eva’s eyes roved over the ruins, knowing her time was short. A wall stood on the eastern side, butting up against the gathered Smelterborn, riddled with empty windows and door frames that looked like pockmarks in the stone. The First Forge sat a stone’s throw away from the wall — the closest cover available.

  Eva turned Fury away. She’d seen all she needed to see. The other gryphons followed in her wake and they landed back on the beach again. Eva explained everyone’s role — Lucia and Carroc would provide a distraction while Fury landed Eva on the backside of the wall, where she would climb through the ruins and drop down into the courtyard when the golems were distracted. From there, she hoped to herself, there would be a clear shot to the First Forge.

  The gryphons dipped their heads in understanding and Eva swung onto Fury’s back. She felt her insides twist and wrench not with nervousness but with regret. She realized, as Fury spread his powerful wings and leaped into the air, that this was her last flight, the last moments she would share with her gryphon companion.

  In spite of herself, Eva felt tears running down her face as Fury flew low through the sagging towers and caved in ruins of the palace. He landed on a large slab of stone jutting out from the back side of the interior courtyard wall. A window frame to their right glowed like noonday from the light shining from the First Forge.

  Eva slid from Fury’s back, her limbs growing heavy. She stood in front of Fury, holding his gigantic eagle’s head with her hands, staring into his eyes.

  “You be a good boy, okay?” she said. “Take care of them after — while I’m gone.”

  Fury let out a tiny chirp, reminding Eva of the long-ago days when he’d been an angry hatchling, eager to nip and scratch at her whenever he got the chance. The weight of the memories caused Eva to collapse against the red gryphon. She forced herself to pull away when Ogunn began speaking in the courtyard below, the ruins echoing his booming, ancient words.

  “Good luck, boy,” Eva said, squeezing Fury one last time. He shook his head and puffed out his feathers to reassure her and then launched off the stone slab with his hind paws, gliding away into the night.

  “Goodbye,” Eva whispered, watching him disappear into the darkness.

  Eva made her way to the window opening and crouched down to watch Ogunn below. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt the need to wait until the golem was at the peak of his incantations before making her move. The flames billowing from the First Forge grew as the chanting continued until a pillar of fire blasted hundreds of feet into the air. Eva thanked her good fortune — the added light from the flames would mask the approach of the gryphons.

  Bound in black chains, Seppo struggled and shouted to Ogunn in what Eva guessed must be ancient Palantine. The black-armored golem ignored his former master and spread his arms higher as he chanted, the Deimos stone glowing in his hand. Eva’s Wonder began to pulse and surge and she folded her arms over her chest to cover it up.

  Her loved ones were on the steps below Seppo and Ogunn, chained and kneeling. Momentary relief surged through Eva. Aside from a few cuts and scrapes, they were all alive: Wynn, Ivan, Chel, Tahl, Soot. Just seeing them gave Eva strength and she wished she could call out to them and let them know everything would be okay.

  A series of gryphon screams split the air as Fury, Lucia and Carroc burst from the darkness above. Illuminated in the light of the flaming pillar, the gryphons made a fierce sight, smashing into the Smelterborn on the western side of the courtyard. Surprised by the unexpected attack, the golems toppled over, several of their counterparts falling as well due to their close quarters. Before the golems could recover, the gryphons rose and landed in the midst of the Tahl and the rest.

  Ogunn’s hands fell and he roared in frustration, striding toward them. Seeing her chance, Eva pulled herself over the lip of the stone window frame and extended her arms down as far as she could before dropping. She hit the stone hard but rolled on instinct, lessening the impact.

  Leaping to her feet she rushed to Seppo, who looked up at her in surprise. Eva drew her sword and swung, cutting through his black chains just as Ogunn turned.

  Seppo let out a roar of his own and rose, stretching his arms to snap the last of the chains binding him. He turned to Ogunn, who stood at the bottom of the steps, gigantic iron fists clenched. The Smelterborn began to advance, but the dark golem raised a hand to hold them back.

  “No!” he shouted. As one, the ranks of golems froze in place, awaiting their next order.

  “I knew you would come — I sensed the Aithos drawing near,” Ogunn said. He raised the hand ruined by Eva’s blade. “Before you die, you will watch as I feed your friends to the fires, making them my slaves for all eternity.”

  “I am Queen Evelyn Vakarin of Rhylance,” Eva replied, her voice carrying across the courtyard. “And I have come to put an end to your abominations.”

  Ogunn laughed and shook his head. “Foolish mortal, do you think you can stop me? You will need more than a pretty rock and an inscribed blade for that.”

  “Enough!” Seppo placed himself between Eva and Ogunn, blocking their view of one another. “Let us end this, Ilmaren.”

  Eva felt the blistering heat of the First Forge to her right, its pillar of orange and red rune fire stretching higher and higher into the sky as if to burn the heavens. The sweltering heat from the enchanted furnace was at the point of overwhelming the humans and Eva felt her vision spin. She judged the distance to the forge, hoping she would be able to make it to the furnace before Ogunn or the Smelterborn realized her purpose.

  Thunder boomed across the clear sky as if the ancient Palantine gods pounded hammer and anvil. The island shook. A flash of green light split the air above them and Seppo moaned, sinking to his knees. Pale wisps of smoke poured from the openings of his helmet and the runes carved into his armor.

  “You are too late, girl!” Ogunn proclaimed over the thunder and howling flames. “The ritual is complete: the First Forge will consume its creator and my reign will truly begin!”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Seppo collapsed and Eva rushed to his side. Before them, Ogunn let out a deep booming laugh as dark flames wreathed his armor.

  “Seppo, get up!” she screamed, slapping his breastplate. “Get up, I need you!”

  Seppo groaned, his blue eyes flickering. In desperation, Eva reached into her shirt and yanked the Wonder from its chain. She pressed the stone to the golem’s armor. Seppo’s eyes shone bright once more. He attempted to rise only to have his strength give away once more.

  “He is finished!” Ogunn said, his proclamation mixed with the screams of Eva’s friends.

  “Seppo,” Eva said, leaning close to the golem’s helmet so only he could hear her. “I heard your message, in the silver box. I know what to do. But I can’t do it without you.”

  Seppo’s head lolled toward hers. Eva’s Wonder glowed, brighter and brighter, a perfect shade of blue. Seppo moaned again and clamped a hand over the stone of his breastplate.

  “What is this trickery?” Ogunn hissed, as Seppo’s fingers curled around the Wonder. “What are you doing?”

  The dark golem bounded up the steps toward them. Golden light burst from the Wonder in Seppo’s hand.

  “Go, mistress Evelyn!”

  Surging to his feet, Seppo met Ogunn in a terrible clash of iron.

  Eva darted past them and heard Tahl, Soot and the rest yelling at her from across the courtyard. She shot a wild glance at them as the Smelterborn closed in, forcing the gryphons into the air to combat them. Whate
ver spell Ogunn had used to hold their bindings gave way when he engaged Seppo and the humans picked up the lengths of iron chain, swinging them overhead as Smelterborn closed in.

  Eva glanced back at the two golems grappling with one another. Seppo struck his former apprentice like a battering ram in the side of the helmet. Ogunn reeled and Seppo pushed his advantage, hammering the black-armored golem relentlessly. Ogunn continued to retreat under the rain of blows, backing toward the First Forge.

  Torn by indecision, Eva took an unsure step toward her friends. But more Smelterborn closed in, blocking her path to them as well. Her head swiveled back to Seppo and Ogunn. As the dark golem neared the First Forge, his strength recovered. Seppo swung another haymaker, but this time, Ogunn caught it in his fist and blocked Seppo’s other punch with his gauntleted forearm. Closing the distance between them, Ogunn rammed Seppo in the face with the top of his helmet.

  The dark fires raged across Ogunn’s armor and now it was his turn to take the upper hand, raining blow and blow upon Seppo, who staggered back toward the steps where Eva stood.

  Unable to reach her loved ones or the First Forge, Eva ran to Seppo’s aid, drawing her sword. As she sidestepped the brawling golems, Eva swung the blade at Ogunn’s knee. To her surprise, the strike rebounded in her hand and the dark flames shielding Ogunn’s armor hissed.

  “Your weapon is useless against me now, girl!” Ogunn said. He blocked Seppo with a forearm and swung at Eva with the other. She flew across the courtyard and struck the ground hard, head spinning.

  With blurred vision, she saw Seppo continue to falter under the onslaught of Ogunn’s attack. A whoosh of air blew behind her, and Eva twisted around as Fury landed beside her. The gryphon let out a worried screech and nudged her with his beak. Whether it was Ogunn’s orders or Eva’s Wonder that had held the Smelterborn back, they seemed to disregard it now. Stepping in unison, the golems closed in, their shields forming a wall to push everyone closer to the First Forge. Eva wrapped her hand around Fury’s wing and pulled herself up, shaking her head to clear away the dizziness.