Strangely, when now faced with the creature, Tyler’s fears disappeared. Gripping his sword, he got ready for the inevitable attack of those bony claws.
CHAPTER LORE:
Hirdmadr - (Old Norse). A combination of the word "hird" which usually refers to the informal personal guards of leaders and the word "madr", also an old Norse term which means "man". As used in the story, it is a term used in Adar to refer to trainees. Literary liberality claimed by author in his defense.
CHAPTER X
Monsters and Coffee
Tyler watched the creature approach. Its wariness of the lighted lamp was obvious. While he was observing the deadly mist, Tyler had already started gathering magical energy.
SHIELD!
The barrier formed in front of him but he knew it was thinner and smaller than his practice barrier. He infused it further with his will, demanding that it become stronger and wider. As his grip tightened on his sword, he found it easier to focus his will on the shield.
“So that’s the trick,” he thought. A psychological crutch but hey, it works.
As the shield became more solid, he saw the monster move sideways, intending to bypass the light. Seeing that, Tyler moved towards the lamp, willing the wall of energy to stay in front of him. He got two steps when the dark creature suddenly darted to the side of the barrier. A bony claw flashed towards him, extended at the edge of an abnormally stretched arm made of mist.
“Shit!”
Tyler was shaken, not expecting the stretching ability of the creature. As he turned, the shield moved with him. But he could feel the impact when the claw hit it. His barrier held. Barely. Only the tips of its claw penetrated. He thought fast, willing the shield to form a box around the creature. He had an idea but it rested on an untested assumption. The box of magical energy formed around the creature, to its surprise. Trapped, its stretched hand dissolved, cut off from its body. The bony claw dropped to the ground. While the monster was wailing about its lost appendage, Tyler cast his next spell. A fervent hope accompanied its casting. Tyler didn’t know if a new spell would cancel a previous one. But he was also sure that the monster was very vulnerable to light.
LIGHT! He shouted in his mind, forcing the energy within the box to illuminate.
The inside of the magical container erupted in a blinding flash of light. Tyler’s will being fortified by the need to quickly dispose of the beast of mist. The light grew brighter while the shrieks of the monster became louder. Abruptly, the cries stopped. Tyler immediately dissolved the spells. No trace of the creature was left.
As he turned to look at the other two mist creatures, one was already drawing near while the other was continuing to fight the sentient trees. It had heard the cries of its brethren and was coming to the rescue. It was already too close. Spitting distance close. Tyler could see the many jagged fangs adorning its opened cavernous mouth. For some reason, it wanted to tear its fangs into him, disdaining the slashing attack it had used against the trees.
Tyler immediately formed an orb, cast the light spell into it, and flung the lamp towards the onrushing gaping maw. As the orb went in, he pumped more energy into it for a second, and then like a fireball spell, exploded it. The monster didn’t even have time to scream. The incandescent explosion obliterated it in an instant.
He again turned to look for the remaining creature. It was gone, having fled immediately when the second one died. He noticed that the dropped claw had also disappeared. Of the guardian trees, only two remained, having sustained severe damage to their trunks and branches. Tyler was thankful for them and for Eira’s foresight. Otherwise, the creatures would have caught him as he was sleeping.
He picked up the fallen lamp and placed it on the stone table. He sheathed his sword and dumped himself in one of the chairs. Adrenalin, fear, and exhilaration were all jumbled inside him. He could feel his heart pumping. Another close call, he thought. He forced himself to sit up straight and did deep breathing exercises, hoping it would settle his mind and clear his brain.
His mind clearing, he thought he could hear very faint shouts of struggle. He tried to listen. It was as if it came from a long distance away but the sounds died down in a few minutes. Sighing at the strange events of the night, his thoughts turned back to what happened.
How did the creatures evade the protective magic of the forest? Who sent them? Why did they come in this direction? Had he been discovered? Is Eira alright?
While he was considering what happened, Eira appeared before him. She took the other seat. She looked terrible. Her face looked strained, her hair was a mess, and she looked incredibly tired. She put her hands on her face, elbows on the table. Tyler looked at her and kept quiet, waiting for his host to regain her strength and composure. After a few minutes, Eira finally removed her hands and looked around.
“What happened here?”
The alarm in her raised voice finally prodded Tyler to action. She was looking around, her gaze lingering on the fallen tree guardians.
“Some mist creatures attacked. The trees held them off long enough for me to find the means to fight them back.”
“What creatures? Wait, don’t answer yet. I have to attend to the trees.”
With that, Eira moved away in the direction of the tree guardians. Tyler couldn't see her anymore when she reached them and he didn’t want to increase the illumination given by the lamp. He stood up and went to get a drink of water. Seeing that Eira was still nowhere in sight, he crawled back into bed for some rest. Eira would call him when she was done with the guardian trees.
I’m going to die of stress in this world even if nobody manages to kill me, he thought.
He examined his actions during the fight. It was fortunate that the light spell could be cast quicker than the others, though he believed the situation made him react faster. A spell of exploding light. That’s new, he suddenly realized.
THAT WAS AMAZING! I CREATED A NEW MAGIC SPELL! I DID COMBAT MAGIC! AND I WON! I WON! I WON AGAINST THOSE UGLY, FUGLY BASTARDS!
He giggled like an eight-year old girl. He started to feel giddy. He let himself enjoy the moment. Then the realization how close he came to dying brought him back to reality. Must be post-traumatic stress, he thought. He realized he was lucky. If not for noticing the creature’s vulnerability to light or if the second monster attacked with its claws instead of its fanged mouth, he would be dead. It was a sobering thought. He didn’t believe in third chances.
But on the other hand, his spur of the moment improvisation was a clearly a eureka! moment. The exploding light spell. It was born out of desperation but its success meant modification of the spells was possible. As a bonus, he also discovered he could cast several spells at the same time. Yet the speed of the encounter worried him. He had to learn how to cast all his spells faster and in a stronger form. In peace and quiet if possible. He hated this kind of on-the-job training.
Then he heard Eira call him. He got out of his shelter and saw Eira was already seated at the table. He joined her, leaving his helm on the bed.
“Can you describe the creatures, Tyler? The guardian trees told me about them but there’s only so much you can learn from a being with basic intelligence. But we’re safe. The creature has long fled. The forest sensed it as it passed and went north.”
Tyler did his best to describe the creatures and the details of the fight. Eira seemed especially concerned about their form.
“So, what do think? Can you identify them?” asked Tyler.
“They seem to be a form of the vord nafjardar. Night roaming evil spirits. But your opponents appear to be something new and I know of no name for them. That’s disturbing. That they came with the dokkalfr, I have no doubt. Those dark elves tried to force their way into the forest. It would have been easy to prevent them. But they were accompanied by three mages, one a night-mage. It was difficult, even for me. But nobody escaped except for that one creature which fled.”
“Could it be that the dokkalfr have managed to change
creatures into new forms?”
“That could be possible. But who would have given them the knowledge and power?”
“I doubt if we can find the answer to that now. But why in this direction? I doubt if they were after me as they first fought with your guardians. If it was me they were after then they wouldn’t have bothered with the trees.”
“I suspect it was the destruction of the tablets. Destroying the tablets demanded the use of a large amount of energy. With the dokkalfr’s affinity with earth, they could have sensed it if they were not too far away. We were unlucky enough that a band of them, with accompanying mages, was near enough to detect it. Probably from the army which sacked Bildsfell. Considering that the arrogant night-mage was demanding an answer from me on what power has arisen in Fossegrim, I’d say that’s the answer.”
“I guess it wouldn’t be too much to assume that the shade or mist creatures were the night-mage’s creation.”
“Yes, I believe you’re right. The attack on the forest borders was a distraction. But to have the ability to create such things would only mean that their mages have become more powerful.”
“Those creatures would be excellent assassins and spies, given enough intelligence and cunning. But as fighters, I find them lacking with their vulnerability to light.”
“I hope they don’t become such beings. They are terrible enough, from what you described.”
An awkward silence followed. Each thinking about the revelations the night brought. The danger appeared to have increased and the attention of yet another enemy had been turned to them.
“Do you think they know of my existence? I mean about the cave?
“No, I don’t believe so. They may not know of the cave but they know the area where they sensed the release of power. But we cannot stay here long. For tonight though, we are safe. It will take a while before that creature reports back to its other masters.”
“Anyway, I don’t think it’s safe to move at night, at least for me. Come first light, we'll look for another place to put up camp. How about the cave? How do we hide it?”
“Let me worry about hiding the cave. Though I have a low affinity for pure earth magic, it would be enough to cover the opening. Then I will fill the glade with trees and brambles.”
With that, Tyler took his leave and went back to the shelter to sleep. Not for the last time, he prayed for uneventful nights ahead of him.
He woke up at sunrise. Surprisingly, he slept soundly. He idly wondered about it as he did his morning rituals. He found it weird given the last night’s excitement but still thankful for it. As he turned to the stone table, he found a meal waiting for him. Eira was patiently sitting and watching him.
I think the girl is starting to know me too well. Should I be worried? Tyler mused as he made his way to the table. Breakfast was not a staple in a two-meal a day world.
If she comes up with coffee, I’ll marry her. He really missed the caffeine kick.
The two exchanged greetings and started breakfast. Tyler couldn’t resist asking.
“Eira, do you have coffee in this world? It’s a drink made out of specific beans. Arabica? Robusta? Do they sound familiar?”
“I don’t believe so.”
Tyler slim hopes were dashed. His brain began to race through alternatives. But he could only come up with one as of the moment.
“How about a hot drink made from roasted acorn kernels? Does that exist?”
“No, I haven't heard of it. Is it good?”
“Heavenly! Coffee made from arabica or robusta plants would be best. But acorn coffee would do.”
Eira was intrigued. Tyler was obviously talking about something from the First World.
“Can you tell me how you make it?”
“Uuuhhh, I haven’t really done it on my own or tasted it. But I hear it makes a good alternative to coffee. From what I remember, one uses the kernels from ripe brown acorns. The acorns are first boiled until they no longer look brown. The shells can be then removed easily. The kernels are roasted in low heat in a covered pan, stirred frequently. The cover is slightly opened to let the moisture escape. When roasted enough, you grind them and the grounds are used to make acorn coffee. Which means one just adds hot water. And sugar or honey, as desired. You merely need to make sure the grounds have settled in the water before drinking. Otherwise, they would be in your mouth.”
“Interesting. You sure it tastes good? We don’t have “sugar” though, honey instead.”
“Acorn coffee should be good enough. Hopefully. But as I said, coffee is much, much better. Personally, I prefer it stronger. That means more coffee in the drink. I could try to make acorn coffee when I have the time but my cooking skills are laughable.”
Hint! Hint! Blatant Hint! Tyler’s coffee-deprived mind was shameless.
“It would have been easy enough to conjure such a drink but my magic is limited to food and drinks I have actually tasted or examined.”
Tyler’s coffee hopes were cruelly dashed a second time.
“I hope you don’t get mad at me for asking this but do you magical beings really need to eat? I mean like mortals?”
“I don’t mind. Actually, we don’t need food, mortal food. The magical energy is enough to sustain us. But we love tasting and experiencing flavors. Exotic flavors. The more varied, the better. You get to be like that after a few millennia.”
Tyler grinned.
“Flavors, huh? If I only knew how to cook, I could open a restaurant, a food inn I mean. There’s a lot, and I mean a lot, of food from Earth which does not exist here.”
A fast food joint for the gods! With no cholesterol and fat issues, I could make a living here. A killing! If... If I only knew how to cook. Shit.
Breakfast over, Tyler stood up and got ready to leave.
“So where do we go?”
“Where do you plan to go next? But if may suggest, do not go west. With Bildsfell gone, venturing to that part of Skaney is extremely dangerous. Though the way north will also be perilous, with Scarburg now at risk.”
“I did plan to go to Scarburg. I also have to see if Jorund and Habrok are okay. But I want a day or two to familiarize myself with the spells before leaving Fossegrim.”
“That’s a good idea. The raiders would have gone back by then. Or at least their numbers will have lessened. We can go to the eastern part of the woods and when you leave, you can make your way to Scarburg from there. By then, you will be on the other side of the river with less danger.”
“Okay, you do know your way around these parts. Are Jorund and Habrok alright? You did tell me that they were on their way to Scarburg.”
“I think so. The last time I heard of them was they were approaching the town. I am sorry but my watchfulness does not extend that far. But your friends do look resourceful, they should already be there.”
“Now, how do we proceed?”
“I will have to lend you a guide. I will follow when my task here is finished,” Eira gestured with her hand towards the cave opening.
“Uhhhh, not something scary, I hope.’
“From a man who faced down three dark creatures of a dokkalfr night-mage, you are unbelievable!”
Tyler gave a wry smile.
“After all that’s happened to me, almost on a daily basis, I would appreciate something which does not have fangs, has vicious claws, or is capable of doing bodily harm to me.”
The Accidental Archmage: Book One - Ragnarok Rising (MOBI EDITION) Page 21
