Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  Sean was the one to answer. “No, Dad says it is how his fingers and fists are so strong. He says he’s done it so much that the bones in his fingers are stronger than most every man. He says something about when a bone breaks it’s stronger afterwards and about micro fractures in his fingers over years of doing this has made his finger bones more like claws. You know how hard Daku’s skin is… well Dad can rip his flesh with his bare hands.”

  “Accurate.” Cage sad to his son’s explanation. “Go show him the punching bags. I have to go finish off my routine.”

  “Why?” Cillian wondered as Cage wiped his sweaty face again as the moisture gleamed off his lean body.

  “Because I need to burn off all the calories I ate yesterday and I always like to be in top condition. I’m not going to get lazy or fat during the winter. Better to be fit and have no use for it than be fat and need the strength.”

  “Hmm.” Cillian hummed.

  Cage went to the next object hanging from the bar, a hanging rope he removed and began spinning it around himself while doing small jumps. It looked rather easy, but only because the warlock made it so. Cillian knew there was much more to the exercise.

  Over the next hour, Cillian felt he was going to die from the exercises. He long ago removed his shirt as the cold did little to cool his hot, sweaty body. As he knelt and gasped for air he heard a slight giggle and looked up into his wife’s, daughters’ and granddaughter’s amused faces. They were obviously enjoying watching him try to do each objective without busting out with a laugh. He sighed, grunted and stood. “Cage, how can you make it look so easy and not be tired?”

  The warlock tossed the man his thick wool sweater. “Practice mostly, but I’ve always had exceptional energy. As a kid, I could never sit still and it sometimes got me in trouble with Beau, the Old Man. I found it hard to sleep or relax without some kind of an outlet. Now that I’m fully adult, I can focus my excessive energy better. You should remember what it was like as a child, always looking for trouble or causing mischief when you got bored.”

  Cillian smiled nostalgically, remembering those blissful times. “Then it seems like I need to start a set of exercises to get back it proper shape. Give me a few suggestions while we go clean up and get breakfast. The workout has made me hungry.”

  Sean quit playing with one of the training dummies and followed while hearing his dad’s suggestions.

  After a nice hot shower to wash off the sweat and eating yesterdays leftovers Meeka said to those at the table “Sean and I are going down to the village to see everyone. I need to also see how Zanza’s pregnancy is coming along. It’s been almost a week since I saw her.”

  “Mind if I come?” Tiffa asked. “I also need to make a soothing herbal tea because I heard a child coughing and sounded to be a coming sickness.”

  “That would be great.” Meeka replied warmly.

  “Rena and I will be spending the day in her room. She still has much to learn as the next priestess.” Brooke announced.

  “So that just leaves you, me and Daku.” Cillian stated.

  Before Cage could answer there came a knock on the front door before it slid open to reveal Megdline and Frill entering. “Sorry for being late. We slept in.” The sorceress explained while taking off her boots while Frill licked the powdery snow off his paws.

  “Hungry? We still have plenty of leftovers from last night.” Cage offered.

  “That I will not turn down.” Frill meowed and his master nodded.

  “So what is this experiment all about?” Megdline asked as all five of them stepped into Cage’s study. Daku was strangely alert for he was just as curious about this experiment.

  Cage closed the outer study door and opened the inner one where he implemented his experiments safely in a contained environment. The inner testing area had the hardest walls, floor and roof along with the most powerful house spells. The reinforced door had a large translucent square that acted like a window to watch whatever was occurring on the other side. “I’ll tell you soon, Granny.” He replied as he was focused on bringing out the chest he kept that once held all the spider silk thread. There were still a few spools, but he had a few other items also within, ideas for later. He pulled out a palm size rectangular box and a square object wrapped in cloth.

  Daku wanted a closer look so he shrunk and jumped up on Cage’s shoulder for the best view. Frill leapt on the table and was careful not to knock off any papers or an inkwell with a few devices still in development. Megdline and Cillian came closer to stand to either side and watched closely as Cage put the chest back beneath the desk and set out the retrieved pieces. They watched as he placed the cloth down and it began unraveling itself by invisible fingers. “I need to be careful. Not only is it lead and poisonous, but the pieces are delicately thin.” He explained as the last piece of cloth uncovered to reveal metallic squares barely three times thicker than a human hair and one touch would break the pieces.

  He opened the rectangular box with two nubs sticking up as the slides gently floated and vertically slid into individual grips which would hold them. It took a few minutes since there were a hundred lead pieces which were connected all around the interior. When all the lead was secure, he closed the lid and picked up the present Cillian was able to procure. He opened it and Megdline asked what the solution was and it just made her more confused.

  “Stay out here while I set everything up.” Cage said while grasping the box, flask of acid and a piece of wire pulled from his pocket. He entered the testing room and placed all three objects on the table. His unanswered questions were about to be revealed. Now to see if Granny was lying and simply trying to learn Earth’s ideas. Cage thought while leaving the room and sealing the door. “Priority containment, experimental room, activate.” He ordered and a tingle of magic locked the door and placed a protective barrier to fully contain the room and anything dangerous would be warned to those outside like from radiation, poisons or dangerous temperatures and would keep the door sealed till the danger passed or would eject it from the house.

  Everything was now ready so he said “My experiment, Granny, is a test to prove your claims that electricity cannot be harnessed in this universe as it was in mine. In that room I’ve created a lead-acid battery. Do you know how it works?”

  She shook her head and the closeness allowed him to hear how her heartbeat remained the same. It was the truth. “I’ve never really focused in that area, Cage. Adventure is my goal, not experimentation. A lead-acid battery? How does it work?”

  “It is supposed to turn a chemical reaction between the lead and the acid, into electricity. I tried to find lithium, but Leon had a hard time trying to procure enough for my experiment and there isn’t enough on the island to be larger than a pea. And since I don’t know the makeup of lithium I cannot create my own. This will do though.” He turned to the translucent window and said “Let’s begin.”

  Cage focused with everyone watching closely and pulled the glass stopper from the powerful acid and sat it down. He lifted the flask with a thought, careful not to apply too much mental and magical pressure to shatter it. Cage placed the narrow spout over a tiny hole in the center of the battery container and added another spell to extract a stream of acid he could sense was quite powerful. At Cage’s side he could sense his mentor’s magic beside his own, sensing all he was doing. She was observing more closely than anyone else.

  All hell broke loose as the acid quickly flowed into the hole. Without a moment to spare Cage erected a secondary barrier around the acid flask. A beam of electricity shot to the roof of the room through the tiny hole in the battery. The positive and negative nodes sparked violently with a blue-white crackling light and loud zapping. The beam of energy sparked off the inverted barrier designed to protect the room.

  Unable to contain the power shooting off, the battery exploded. All over the room electricity sparked and sizzled like a Tesla coil with sparks of lightning zipping all over the room from even the tiniest droplet of ch
arged acid.

  “That was… unexpected.” Daku said in the quieter study room.

  “You can say that again. I didn’t expect such a violent reaction. On Earth you would need a battery three times that size to even make a spark. I now see why you’ve given up on harnessing electricity. Mana and electricity don’t mix without magic. I felt when I used magic to shoot electricity it was made from my mana, not like that. Without a mind to gather, control and release it would be impossible to contain or harness in any safe way… lightning storms charge in the atmosphere and release the energy too fast to be a problem…” Cage said. “Sorry for doubting you, Granny. I thought it would work.”

  “I’m just glad you placed the experiment in that protective room.” She retorted while looking all over at the still active room. “It was a smart choice. I’m glad I came to witness this. It turned to be an exciting observation. It’s been decades since I’ve seen such a test and it never ceases to amaze me. The energy will soon dissipate… First time I ever seen lead and acid combined in such a way. Quite exhilarating for my morning back here.”

  As she suspected, it wasn’t long till the electricity died down enough to inspect the room. Cillian remained outside the room since Cage had to work a spell that gathered all shards of lead before anyone got any poisoning. It wasn’t long till he held a compressed ball of lead over one hand and every unusable drop of acid hovering in the other. He cleaned up the mess while Megdline was explaining what exactly happened.

  Cage pulled out a journal from his pocket and used his pen to write down all he did in the experiment and for an hour he did this privately while Megdline and Cillian spoke casually. Daku and Frill shared his bed and were content by the fireplace’s warmth.

  Just as he was adding a personal note to never attempt such a dangerous experiment again a blue orb bathed the living room in its light. It began to flash in code, one he taught to Hammit and his mates. It was Morse Code and the four of them quickly learned the code almost faster than learning how to write. He put his cap on and looked at the orb flashing on and off quickly. It said ‘Vlaran boat. Stop. Anchored outside entrance. Stop. Holding position.’ It flashed the same code three more times before Cage linked his senses to the house and sent a code back saying he confirmed the message.

  Cage met Daku’s suddenly alert eyes and then they walked to the door. “What was that?” Frill yowled and Megdline asked at the same time.

  “We’ve got visitors.” Daku answered, also understanding the message.

  Outside, Cage looked to the east and sure enough there was a three mast, Vlaran navy ship. He squinted and saw the bright blue display of a crow over the largest white sail. All of the other sails were furled so it wouldn’t catch much wind. It was doing exactly as it was supposed to. “What does the navy want?” Cage heard beside him as Cillian squinted to the tiny ship. “Don’t know.” He replied. “We’re about to find out.”

  A sharp spike in the tingle of magic came from Daku as he grew large enough to carry them all. Cage immediately climbed up after Megdline and Fill. “Climb.” Daku said to the uncertain Cillian.

  “Really?” The mayor asked, not expecting to be allowed. When Daku nodded the mayor’s inner child was freed as he climbed up with some help. He screamed when Daku dropped off the cliff, but went quiet as the great wings filled and beat to keep them aloft.

  Cage watched how excited Cillian was in the air, but sobered quickly when he looked down and saw the snow forest blur beneath them. To keep from freezing, Cage also erected a barrier to block the frigid wind.

  In a few short minutes Daku slowed when he circled around the much taller and larger tree homes of the tribe. All along the beach was the whole tribe carrying their weapons. No child was seen among the adults and the groups parted as Daku lightly touched down in the cool sand.

  Brooke and Meeka approached and the priestess said “Quitte is waiting for us on the Spear. The boat hasn’t made any moves for minutes since they stopped.”

  Cage and the others slid off the griffin who then shrunk to a lion’s size. He tucked his wings against his sides to say “Then we must go see what it is they want.” and walked towards the dock.

  The Familiar was followed by the chief, priestess and all seven elders along with a dozen spear wielding warriors. The dock was dangerously slick, but all of them managed to walk over to the Spear where Quitte stood by the rudder and her family stood ready to cast off. Their wait wasn’t long as their passengers boarded. The large single sail unfurled, grew fat with wind And the captain of the Spear easily pulled her boat away from the docks and cut through the frigid seawater to head for the only safe passage off the island by boat.

  Cage and everyone watched as they approached the Vlaran boat rapidly. In ten minutes they closed the sail and glided casually up to the much larger warship. Though the Viking style ship wasn’t small by any means, the navy ship was enormous. Oars out, the Spear glided to a stop beside the ship called the Xainne from the lettering on her side. Sailors up above threw down hooks which Quitte’s family lashed to the Spear herself. Shouts came from both ships as they were brought as closely together as safely possible in the choppy water. The Xianne furled her last sail displaying the blue crow and used her bulk to broadside the northerly wind.

  “Permission to board!” came a loud voice as soon as the Xianne’s ramp was placed down in the lower ship.

  “Granted!” Cage’s voice called up to the group of sailors all wearing thick clothes with a bold crow printed over their breast.

  A group of five men and a lone blue robed female mage walked down the ramp, using steps nailed into the top so none slipped accidentally. At the lead was a decorated man by the black stripes sewn into the left shoulder. Cage, Daku and Brooke stood together with the elders behind and behind them were the twelve warriors along with Quitte’s five mates. Sharp, metal tipped spears were held at the ready, but not leveled at the sailors and their longer reach exceeded the swords the sailors carried. Soon all six stood aboard the Spear and were a bit stiff considering they were outnumbered and their mage clearly seemed uneasy in Cage’s presence. “Good day, Lord Cage. I’m am Captain Blout of the Xianne. It is an honor to meet you and the fierce Utala tribe. It is as the rumors say.”

  “And what rumors might those be?” Cage asked.

  “That the Utala are as fierce as they are beautiful.” The captain replied quickly.

  “Thank you for the compliment.” Cage said with a smile, but the rest of the warriors remained stoic, ready for danger. “So what is it you want?”

  Captain Blout held up his hand to show he meant no harm and reached through the collar of his heavy shirt and removed a letter sealed in an envelope. “King Tate wishes me to personally give you this invitation to this year’s Winter Tournament. He told me that you asked him about something like this. This letter, as he told me, is the invitation for you and any you wish to bring to the event. Also there is a docking document permitting any ship of yours to be allowed at Vin’re’s port for any length of time you desire.” He held out the letter, coming no further.

  Cage held out his own hand and jerked it magically over the distance. The wax seal was exactly like the one he once carried to Emroc to give to Skylar. He broke the seal right there and found two folded letters. One an unlimited pass to dock anywhere at Vinre’s port which is guarded by soldiers who would make certain his property remains safe. The other is as the captain said, but also detailed the events of the year. None spoke as he read the letters with Brooke reading much more slowly beside him. The tournaments filled him with excitement, something to look forward to. When finished reading he handed the letter to Brooke who took her time reading since she still struggled, but was getting better every day with writing. He then asked “When is the tournament and how long does it last?”

  Captain Blout responded “In one week, Sir Cage. It will then last five days since many are coming for this year’s tournament. Most come to spectator, but I’m told there will be grea
t challenges.”

  “Then inform Tate I’ll be there and he better participate. I want to fight him.”

  The men and woman from the Xianne balked. The captain asked “I’ll do as you say, but would you really fight our king?”

  “Hell, if he doesn’t I’ll kick his ass anyway for not giving his best. We will fight, I’m not going to give him an option. If he won’t make it through the tournaments and face me, he better prove he can defend Vlara as a king should be. I won’t coddle him and he damn well knows it. Now that you understand, is there anything else we need to discuss?” The warlock asked.

  The captain shook his head. “No, Lord Cage. The king just wanted to have me give the messages personally. I will deliver your message.” He turned to the others. “Back to the ship, we have our orders. We cannot outstay our welcome here.”

  The six ascended without further ado. Once back aboard their boat the ramp was pulled back in and the ropes untied. The Spear held position and watched at the Xianne unfurled their sails, pulled anchor and began sailing away.

  As they left Daku said “Seems like we are about to get a little excitement.”

  “But why at this time of year?” one of the women asked. “What would contests bring about?”

  Cage answered. “Because it gives entertainment instead of being cooped up inside all day out of the snow. It allows people to have a little fun. I’m going because I want a good challenge. It will be a welcome change from doing the same things over and over.” He looked down. “I read they have a Familiar’s challenge along with a partners challenge and even a one on one mage challenge… What do you say to that?”

  Daku gave a full grin. “When do we leave?”

  “Cage Love, Meeka has told me of this Winter Tournament and I would like to go. It seems fun.”

  “Do they have something for we elders?” Elder Shania asked.

  Brooke nodded and pointed to a passage. “Yes, Elder. You must be sixty or older and everyone must fight with a staff. It says so right here.”