by Riker Kane
He looked around the ballroom to see if anybody was looking. “Jalise… There’s something I wanna talk to you about.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Not here. Maybe we can go somewhere more… private.” He didn’t wait for her response, taking her hand and heading for the ballroom exit. He walked through the king’s castle, searching the halls until eventually stumbling upon a hallway that was dark and unoccupied.
“What is it, Clayton—”
He quieted her, pressing his lips on her mouth and pushing his tongue between her teeth. She fell against the wall, not resisting as he ran his hands over her top.
“Clayton…”
“It’s been too long. Perhaps we should catch up on old times.”
The sage bit her bottom lip and nodded. “The library had more information on the Ferrum. They said it’s possible the core of your weapon can be strengthened further, even by bonds already established.”
“Wait… You’re saying I can learn another ability from you?”
“Another ability or perhaps a stronger one…” Jalise pressed her hand on his chest and pushed him away. Her other hand pushed her skirt to the side. The hallway was dark but not enough to mask the slit that made Clayton ache for her. “Would you like to see if we can strengthen our bond?”
He didn’t say anything. He just quickly unzipped his trousers and freed his throbbing length. Jalise gasped and looked to the side, worried that someone would catch them. But even then, she didn’t stop Clayton from picking her up and pressing her against the wall.
He stared into her eyes as he searched for her with his shaft. Her wet warmth hit his tip. He lowered her down, plunging himself into her. Her jaw dropped in ecstasy as every inch of him disappeared within her.
“I didn’t… I didn’t realize how much I missed this,” she gasped.
Clayton thumped against her. He was grateful he’d increased his strength, which made carrying the sage even easier. His mouth moved forward and his tongue searched for hers. His hands found their way on her chest. He reached underneath her top and squeezed her breasts as his hips continued pumping in and out of her.
Jalise kissed Clayton, stuck between wanting to enjoy him and looking to make sure they weren’t caught. “If they catch us,” she whispered, “King Luger may rescind his promise.”
“Then I guess we better make sure he doesn’t catch us.”
His hands moved down to her ass, squeezing the soft flesh to position her just right. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. She stopped paying attention to see if someone was coming. She’d lost herself to her desires.
Clayton could sense her reaching her end and began grinding his hips even harder. His hilt slammed against her folds with greater intensity as if he wanted to nail her directly to the wall.
He pulled away just long enough to look into the sage’s green eyes as he lost himself. His entire body seized and his length trembled within her. His thoughts emptied as his seed left him in thick throbs.
Jalise gasped softly and squeezed around Clayton. She shook in his embrace, letting the spasms of her orgasm take control. Her climax made Clayton’s own end that much more satisfying.
He set her back down on her feet and quickly pulled his trousers back on. Jalise straightened her skirt and fixed her hair. Just as Clayton finished buckling his belt, he heard footsteps approaching. One of the royal knights appeared at the end of the hall.
“You! Foreigners! What are you doing in this hallway? The rest of the castle is closed!”
“Oh…” Clayton sighed. “We were just looking to explore. King Luger’s castle is impressive.”
“Likely story. Get back in the ballroom! Don’t leave or I’ll report you as spies!”
“Okay, okay, okay.”
Clayton put his hands up and Jalise giggled as they were escorted back into the ballroom. As soon as they arrived, King Luger lumbered over to them. A heavy-set woman at his side in a fancy gown stood by his side.
“Ah, there you are!” he said. “The foreigners. I’d like you to meet my lovely queen, Beatrice. Say hello Beatrice.”
The queen bowed her head.
“This man is the Ferrum I was telling you about?”
“Ferrum?” Beatrice’s eyes widened in surprise. “And I thought that was just a myth.”
“No, I’m quite real.” Clayton gave her a shrug.
“I read the legend about the Maledict. That can’t be true, can it?”
“As a matter of act… I’m attempting to deal with them now. I’ve asked the king’s permission for passage to the Great Horn Mountains. It’s urgent.”
“Don’t worry about it. My husband isn’t foolish enough to stop you from leaving because of that foolish war occurring on the rest of the continent. Write them a letter, Vondo.”
“All right, all right,” King Luger grumbled underneath his breath. “I’ll write the letter. After the banquet is over. The guests are not finished gawking at the foreigners.”
“We don’t have to leave immediately.” Clayton looked at Jalise and smiled. “We were just getting comfortable in Shara.”
Chapter 28
Clayton Brooks
Essence Level 67
Available Points 8
Hit Points 700
Stamina 100
Strength 21
Constitution 17
Agility 15
Dexterity 15
Wisdom 13
“That’s what I’m talking about…”
Clayton hadn’t had the chance to view his essence until now. Eight levels gave him flexibility but left him with big decisions to make. He decided to balance everything out, putting two points into every stat except strength, which he felt sufficed for the moment.
“Now let’s see if Jalise knows what she’s talking about…” Clayton was skeptical anything would change, having been intimate with the sage more than once already. But he examined his abilities anyway to make sure.
Zeal Blade
Core Level 11
Passion of Consort Faith - Vigorous: The blade requires less stamina to swing
Passion of Jalise the Sage - Torrid II: Flames can be channeled from the blade and aimed at two targets
Passion of Regent Magne - The Queen’s Touch: More essence is gathered from creatures defeated by the blade
Passion of Monarch Velour - Intoxicating Thirst: Dealing damage with the blade absorbs essence and heals minor injuries
Passion of Queen Ixia - Rigid Bark: At the cost of stamina, the blade creates a shield, blocking all incoming attacks
Passion of Rena Ordain - Brisk Rhythm: The blade grants the ability to quickly dash short distances
Passion of Kailani - Deep Thrust: Leap into the air and strike the blade into the ground with force
Passion of Iris - Heel Worship: A powerful kick that temporarily stuns
Passion of Queen Izumi - Breathless: Hold your breath underwater for extended periods of time
Passion of Mirella - Wetness: Water can be channeled from the blade
“How about that? I should think about hooking up with Kailani and Mirella again to see if anything happens…” He spoke their names, not realizing the two of them were standing right next to him.
“Is that what it is, huh?” Kailani said. “Hooking up with us just for that weapon of yours.”
“I do not take it personally but I am a bit disappointed,” Mirella said.
“Hold on a second! That’s not what it’s like! You know I had a good time with you! You can’t fake that!”
Kailani and Mirella looked at one another then turned back to Clayton, each with a blank stare. He sighed, knowing there was nothing he could say to make up for his temporary lapse of judgment. “It was real… You’ll see…”
Jalise stepped into the inn lobby to save Clayton from saying anything more to incriminate himself. “I have the letter from King Luger,” she said. “It allows us access through the blockade. We’ll be able to move freely throug
h Green Terra and head for the Great Horn Mountains. I suggest we head for the mountains as soon as we can. Is everybody prepared?”
“I have everything I need,” Mirella said.
“It’d be nice if we could explore this fancy city a little longer but I’m ready,” Kailani added.
“There’s just one more thing I have to do,” Clayton said. “I’m not taking any chances with this.”
~ ~ ~
“I made it for someone scrawny. It should fit just perfectly.”
Clayton lowered the iron chestplate over his head. The armor was thick and the weight of it was clear but it wasn’t so bulky he couldn’t move around. The steel armor was crafted so it stuck right to his body. He turned toward the mirror next to him and couldn’t help but smile.
“Finally… Some real armor…” He showed off his full-plate mail to the women next to him. “What do you think? Do I look like a real knight or what?”
“I don’t know what a real knight is supposed to look like but I guess you look pretty cool, BB.” Kailani shrugged, a look of indifference on her face. “You can’t see your muscles though…”
“Is that what armor is for?” Mirella asked. “I thought its purpose was to protect.”
“Don’t you two start with me again. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I was scrawny when I arrived to Xeylon and—”
“So you are new to Xeylon?” the blacksmith interrupted. “Another world? Strange…” He raised his eyebrows in curiosity but Clayton ignored him, gritting his teeth and looking away.
“Everybody’s a joker…” he muttered.
Jalise walked up to him and put a hand on his chest. “You look like the proud Ferrum you are. I have no doubt you will drive back the Maledict again.”
“Thank you, Jalise. Now…” Clayton marched forward out of the forge and into the streets of Shara. “…Let’s head for the mountains.”
~ ~ ~
Outside in the wilderness of Shara, a massive wall stood as tall as any skyscraper Clayton had seen back home. On top of it, the ballistae and catapults were aimed to devastate even the largest approaching armies. Armed guards stood at their posts along the grass behind barricades even though there was no immediate threat.
Clayton approached the gate along the outer perimeter when one of the elves put his hand up. “Halt! You’re not allowed to pass the blockade.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got the king’s approval.” He handed the letter to the elf. “It’s got King Luger’s seal right there. He’s letting us head out into the wilderness. You can’t shoot us down for leaving on his authority.”
The elf nodded. “You understand the risks you’re taking by leaving?”
“I do.”
“Do you? Most people come into Shara port because they’re looking for a time of leisure and luxury. But they never leave. There’s a reason for that.”
“I keep hearing about this war… What is it?”
“You don’t need to know the specifics. Just understand when you’re out there, you will have to engage in combat not just with the wildlife but other hostiles as well. You will not be able to negotiate. Diplomacy will certainly result in failure.”
“I was never one for diplomacy anyway.” He looked at Jalise and smirked. “Look… Me and my friends need to get to the Great Horn Mountains. That’s it. Once we’re done, we’ll come back. Any trouble we get into, we’ll handle.”
The elf looked at Clayton and his party members one by one then took a step back. He moved to the gate where some other guards stood. They worked together to rotate the pulley to raise the wooden gate.
Clayton stood next to it, anxiously waiting for the chance to finally walk through. When the gate was raised high enough, the elf guard returned to him. “You’re the Ferrum?”
“That’s right, I am.”
“I don’t know what a Ferrum is doing so far from Nalore but I wish you good luck on your journey. The gate will be open when you return though I doubt that will happen.”
Clayton wanted to laugh but the elf was so serious, he didn’t want to test him. It’d taken him this long just to get the chance to leave. He wasn’t waiting any longer.
He stepped out into the wilderness with his party right behind him. The wooden gate fell down with a thud. Out in front of them, Clayton saw the scenery he didn’t get to appreciate when he was escorted to the Yellow Tombs. The miles of green grass. The mountains in the distance and the forest between them. Just the walk alone was long but Clayton knew it wouldn’t be so simple as just traveling.
He turned around to make sure his party was as confident as he was. Mirella kept her head held high. Kailani was as nonchalant as ever. Jalise was focused on the path ahead.
“Okay.” Clayton nodded then turned toward the path in front of him. “No turning back now.”
Chapter 29
“There is a great conflict on Green Terra. The major ruling houses are engaged in a struggle over dominion. This continent is said to be the largest land area in all of Xeylon. King Luger remains neutral, abstaining from the war and declaring Shara its own peaceful kingdom. The city itself has thrived though the rest of the land is at war.”
“Okay,” Clayton said. “It looks like Luger has the right idea.”
“He has good reason to forbid us from leaving. Despite how it may seem, he is protective of us, of everyone who comes to Shara.”
“I’m looking around right now and I don’t see any great conflict.” Clayton shrugged at Jalise as he looked around. The grasslands stretched for miles in every direction. The animals roamed around peacefully. At least, from this distance, Clayton thought. “All I see is an open field. I don’t see a war.”
“We are in the Central Savanna,” Jalise explained. “The heart of Green Terra. The kingdoms wouldn’t engage in a war so far from their homelands unless they managed to stretch their territory. To the north and south, you would find what King Luger is so eager to avoid.”
“I don’t care what these people are fighting over. Politics and foreign diplomacy was never my thing. My only business is finding this blacksmith and repairing the Zeal Blade before Belenoth gets the strength to come back.”
“It is not only the war we must worry about. The conflict has resulted in an increase of bandits. Roaming thieves and savages looking to prey upon weary soldiers. We must be on our guard.”
“You know how long this is gonna take?” Kailani asked. “The mountains look pretty far away from here.”
“We head east through the Central Savanna then into Fortune Forest. We’ll find our way through there and get to the base of the Great Horn Mountains. Then we must scale the mountains.”
“That’s assuming this blacksmith we’re looking for even exists.”
“You’re welcome to go back to Hilamau.” Clayton smirked at Kailani, who stuck her tongue out at him.
“What? And miss out on all of this? I think you need me, BB.”
Clayton walked next to Mirella. She kept her head held high as she marched through the grass. “And how are you doing?” he asked. “It’s pretty different from Azure out here.”
“The atmosphere is different. I can feel it against my skin, how dry the air is. But it is not so unbearable it would bother me.”
“Right. You know… I do kinda miss looking at the sea life. Something about watching them float by was so peaceful…”
Clayton trailed off as he heard the earth rumble beneath his feet. They all looked to the side as they saw something charging toward them.
“What is that?” He narrowed his eyes to get a better look. “I think that’s a rhino…”
The gray beast lumbered toward them quickly despite its size, every step shaking the ground like an earthquake. It grew larger the closer it got. Its thick hide was dirty from the savanna. Stains on its horns indicated something was unfortunate enough to be standing in its path.
“Hey… This’ll be a good time for me to test this out.” Clayton pushed them aside and stood in the rhin
o’s path.
“Clayton… What are you doing?” Jalise’s voice trembled softly with worry.
“I just got this armor. Maybe I should test it out.”
“I would not advise you to take a gore from a rhino,” Mirella said.
“They’ve got the finest blacksmiths in Shara. If it can’t handle a rhino horn, then it can’t handle an attack from the Maledict.”
“Oh, BB…” Kailani sighed as she took a step back. Mirella watched with a curious eye. Jalise turned her head away slightly, not wanting to watch what could happen.
The rhino gained speed as it headed for Clayton. He dug his heels into the ground as if it would make a difference. “I’ve got armor… I’ve got the constitution… I’ve got this…”
The beast bellowed as it slammed its horns right into Clayton’s chest. He tumbled back violently, rolling over on the grass as the rhino zoomed by him, his thoughts dizzy in his head. “That was a lot harder than I thought it’d be…”
“Clayton!” Jalise rushed up to him and cast a healing spell as quickly as she could. “Are you all right?”
He wasn’t mortally injured though the wind had been knocked out of him. The spell soothed him, replacing the bruising pain in his chest. He turned his head down and smiled. “Look. Not a scratch on the armor. That blacksmith was amazing! And Rena was telling me not to wear plated armor—”
“Look out!” Mirella quickly pushed Jalise away as the rhino just narrowly missed charging into them again.
“Can we stop messing around now?” Kailani sighed.
Clayton and Jalise got back up to their feet. The sage readied a fireball in her palms and Clayton readied his broken sword.
“What’s the plan?” Jalise asked.
“Mirella, take out its legs. Kailani, I don’t know if your daggers can break through its hide. Find a soft spot. Jalise, fire should deter it from trying to trample us.”
