“I fear you not. You have well admitted your inability to kill.”
“I do not intend to kill you.”
“Then perhaps you intend to merely harm and disable me with that flame? I think not. You will see the inside of a dark box before I let that happen.”
“It is not a fight I seek,” Landon said throwing the flame back into the fire. “But if you are so set on fighting me, there is little I can do.” He drew his sword. Gavin stepped into a defensive position. Then a thought sparked in Landon’s mind. If I can show him compassion, perhaps he will understand why he cannot have the ring.
“If it is a fight you seek, then let it be a fair fight. There would be no honor in winning a fight with an injured man. Let me use my power to close your wound. Then, we shall fight. Should you win, your prize will be the ring. But should I win, the ring is mine and there shall be no attempts of reprisal.”
Gavin lowered his sword to contemplate the decision before him. Landon moved back towards the hearth filling himself with more strength. Landon watched as Gavin moved back towards the door and noticed his gait was stronger. Gavin stood deep in thought for a long few minutes. Landon paced in front of the cabin’s fire drawing energy. At long last his enemy looked up. The look of insanity had nearly vanished from Gavin’s face and the friend that Landon had come to know was reappearing.
“I swear on the name of my father, Meshael, no treachery will come from me. But let me make one more stipulation. This fight is one to the death. There will be only one of us left alive.”
Landon was uneasy about this stipulation. Since the bandit on the road, Landon swore never to kill again, but a steady fear had been growing within him. Now it was coming to fruition. He knew that a day would come when he would be forced to kill or survive. He just did not anticipate it being with Gavin.
“I am agreed,” he said reluctantly, though he kept his doubts about Gavin’s intentions. Landon walked slowly towards Gavin recognizing a need for caution. Throughout his travels with the man, Landon had come to know Gavin to be deceitful. He knew that when his life was on the line, he would fight like a lion to preserve it. Because of this, Landon was extremely wary of his old companion.
As he neared Gavin, Landon called upon the energy from his ring to bring forth a heat that would cauterize the wound in Gavin’s side. He was very much exhausted from his labor in creating the fire earlier, but Landon could not show this to Gavin. Any hint of weakness would be exploited. Besides, Gavin had no way of knowing how proficient Landon was with his power. He decided he should exaggerate to build some fear into his foe.
The heat began to build in his hands and Landon let a number of small flames fly from his fingers as if to indicate he was in full control. Gavin’s eyes held a slight discomfort. He lifted his shirt to reveal the wound. The cut stretched from under the armpit down to the waistline. It looked as though it was caused from a frantic downward slash of a sword. Landon reached out with his hands pouring as much heat into them as he could and placed them on Gavin’s side. Gavin flinched at the touch.
Landon began at the top focusing his energy into a beam instead of a ball. He wanted to use the heat from the fire to draw from but the hearth was too far away. Instead, he was forced to use his own strength. He could feel the heat move from his hands into Gavin’s flesh. He steadied his hand until the top of the gash began to close, then he moved his way down slowly closing each inch as he went. Small pools of blood dripping from the cut were beginning to form at Landon’s feet. It was also covering his hands. The painful thought of having blood on his hands from another man’s death was quickly turning to a reality. Landon thought it to be an omen.
Gavin winced when Landon closed the deepest part under his ribs and stifled a short gasp. As Landon edged closer to the end of Gavin’s cut, he could feel his power fleeing him. Once again he tried to call on the fire from the mantle to supplement his work. He knew it was out of his reach, but Landon also thought that if he spent his energy trying to expand his reach, he would be able to resupply after he was done and before the fight. Closing his eyes and trying to imagine the distance to the fire, Landon reached out toward the flames. In his mind he could see his power as a hand extending from his body. The arm was longer than his other two by far, but was just short of the flames.
He stretched it towards the hearth as though reaching for a tool in the barn that was too high to reach. Weariness began to fill him. He relaxed. Again Landon tried to reach out to the flames and this time he was able to extend slightly farther. His efforts had extended his muscle. He stretched further than before ignoring the fatigue that he felt until, in his mind, his fingers wrapped around the blaze in the mantle. Landon felt a slight rejuvenation begin as he opened his eyes and used the new found heat to finish his work on Gavin’s side.
All the while he noticed his enemy begin to stand a little taller. A hint of regret panged him. He wondered if he really could defeat Gavin in a fair fight. The man had spent years as a cold-blooded killer defending his life in countless combats. Landon had relatively no experience. He thought for a moment about making his own treachery and releasing the rest of his energy into Gavin just to kill him now, but his fear and vow stopped him. He had given his word, now he needed to finish the job he started.
Landon refocused on the last part of the wound and used his remaining energy to begin the finishing touches on Gavin’s side. Suddenly, a terrible pain tore through his head. His arms became heavy and dropped to his side. The cabin and the earth upon which it stood rotated as his body slumped to the floor. Darkness began to overwhelm him, but before it enveloped him, the truth of what just happened occurred to him. Rage of being deceived welled up inside of Landon in a way he felt he could not contain. He tried to focus his eyes on his assailant, but they would not work. In a blur, Landon saw a figure reach out to him and try to pull something from his hand. He could not feel what was happening but knew Gavin was taking his ring. The rage inside burst and all at once the cabin lit up. Blurred colors of red and orange swirled behind the dark figure in front of him who was struggling with the ring on his finger. Finally, Landon gave up fighting and let the darkness take him.
§ § §
When Landon awoke, he found himself lying in the midst of a hollowed and burnt shell of a house. Everything around him, including his clothes had been scorched. The only things remaining were his sword and sheath which somehow survived. It was his shivering which had wakened him. Slowly he began to sit up, but a pain rocked his head. Groggily, Landon remembered the last moments before everything went black. He reached up to feel his head, and on the left side there was dried blood along with what felt like a cut. Gavin must have knocked him about the head with the hilt of his sword. He had given his word on his father’s name and still deceived me, Landon realized. The darkest parts of hell were reserved for men like Gavin. Landon tried to show him compassion and once again Gavin had lied to get what he wanted. But the fight was not over, one of them was still alive. But why had Gavin left him alive? Gavin was the one who had wanted a death match. Surely he would have known that Landon would come again for his ring. My ring! Landon looked down at his right hand and saw that it was missing. He suddenly remembered struggling with Gavin for his ring. It was the only thing Gavin had wanted.
Landon knew he had a decision to make. He needed to retrieve his ring. His father had left it for him, and now he knew the reason was to help humanity. The regret Landon felt for taking a life had become a part of him, but now he knew that the vow he made could no longer stand. Gavin had tricked him and the only way to restore what was rightfully his, was to finish the fight and kill Gavin. He only hoped that Gavin would not learn how to use the ring before they met.
Rising to his feet, Landon surveyed the rest of the charred cabin. Everything was destroyed leaving a sad silhouette of a frame. The sun was hanging low in the sky indicating the length of time which he had missed. Landon looked towards the old fireplace and saw the stones which had provid
ed its shape lying in a heap. Through the burnt out frame behind the place where the mantle had stood he could see something moving. A soft whinny reminded Landon of Aquila. He rushed out of the house to his horse who was no longer tied but still wore a rope around her neck.
Landon grabbed the piece of rope which had a blackened and frayed ending and removed it from the mare. He then patted her mane. Aquila purred softly at his touch. Remembering that he was still unclothed Landon reached into the saddlebag and retrieved an extra pair of clothes which he hurriedly put on. The chill from the air became less intense. Looking around Landon was unsure of his next move. Then he spotted the trap door to Aldous’ hideout and he remembered how Gavin had appeared at the doorway bloodied. “That large gash must have been from Aldous,” Landon said. Turning to his horse he whispered, “I’ll return shortly. I must see what has become of the old man.” Aquila neighed softly as if to indicate her approval.
Quickly Landon hurried to the hole in the ground. He raced down the steps and flew around the corners leading to Aldous’ main chamber. On the ground lay the old man’s body. He rushed to his side.
“Aldous! Aldous!” Landon cried. The old man looked as though he had been badly beaten. A large gash ran down the right side of his face. His clothes had multiple cuts in them from obvious sword slashes, and each tear had differing amounts of blood stained into them. In the midst of Aldous’ belly was a deep stab wound which seeped a thick ooze of blood. The old man’s hands were clasped around the wound. Landon sat at his side as no response came from his repeated cries. He noticed how Aldous’ face held a deep emotion of pain as though he had suffered greatly from his injuries. Then, slowly, Aldous’ head moved. His eyes gradually opened, and Landon was joyous at the fact that the old man had not been killed.
Painfully Aldous spoke, “Landon . . . You must find Gavin . . .”
“He attacked me and stole the ring.”
Finding more strength Aldous spoke louder, “He cannot have the ring. He will use it to destroy the world.”
“What should I do?” Landon inquired.
“You must confront him.”
“I do not believe I can beat him.”
“You cannot.”
Landon was confused. “Then, it is hopeless.”
“Nay, there is one who can teach you the way of the sword. But it will take many months of hard labor to defeat Gavin without your power.”
“Where is this man?”
“Behind you, on the table, is a folded parchment. It contains four clues to the master’s location. I have been searching for the master myself these many years.”
Aldous’ struggle with Gavin was many hours ago, Landon thought. “How is it that you are still alive?”
“Many years ago I created a mixture that thickens my blood and stops me from bleeding so quickly.”
“If I had my ring. . .” Landon offered, “but I fear without my power there is nothing I can do.”
“This is true. I will expire from my wounds,” Aldous said with much difficulty. It was clear to Landon that he would not last more than a few minutes. “For this reason you must find Master Aratus . . . and get the ring back. I know only-” Aldous’ breathing became shallow. “. . . that it leads . . . S–.” A heavy sighed rolled from his lips.
Aldous did not get the chance to finish his sentence, the fact of which frustrated Landon. He was unsure of where to start his search. He was unsure if he could even follow through with taking another man’s life. Aldous’ body fell limp and, out of respect, Landon closed the old man’s eyes. He did not know the man very well but still Landon felt sad at his passing. He moved to the table to acquire the parchment. Unfolding it, Landon read the following words:
Tucked in the mountain,
Lies the fountain.
By those who find rest,
In the West.
The words meant nothing to Landon who had no knowledge of the geography of the Realm. He looked around the table for more answers but there seemed to be none. There was only a small candle, a rolled up parchment, and a pen with an ink bottle. Curiosity got the best of Landon and he picked up the other document. Unrolling it, he discovered a map of the realm with each county’s boundaries marked and the Lords who ruled over them. By the Lords Malchus, Dawson, and Ulrich asterisks were placed, but there was no indication on the map as to what the asterisks meant.
He also learned that Camsbury lay in the center of the realm surrounded by mountains and that his location was halfway between there and the sea. Landon continued to search the map, but the only other item on the map that looked important was in the bottom left corner. There, a strange symbol in the shape of a circle with points coming from the top, bottom, and sides rested. The letters N,E,S, and W rotated from the top around the circle. He did not know what they stood for, but it might guide him to the answer he sought. Landon read the lines of the clue again.
“Tucked in the mountain,” he said out loud. Looking at the map there were many mountains. He wondered how he would ever know in which ones to start looking. Frustrated, Landon read the next line, “lies the fountain.” He pulled the map close to his eye straining to see if a fountain was indicated in any of the mountain ranges. Exasperated he tossed the map on to the table. There were no fountains. The third line also did not give him any help. As far as Landon was concerned everyone needed rest. The last line, however, intrigued him greatly. “In the west,” he murmured to himself. “In the west,” he said again. Landon knew that the west was where the sun went down, but how could he connect that with the map? He attempted to talk out the logic.
“The sun sets in the west. At home, it hides behind the trees next to the road. That means the road must lead west. When we ride to Camsbury, we always follow the road as it turns to the right, and I know that Camsbury is in the north.” He looked down at the map again to find the road to Camsbury. He found it and saw that it bent as it travelled from Linsford to Camsbury. He knew that his farm lay in between the two cities.
“I’ll bet that the road bends around the farm, meaning this is where the farm is!” He exclaimed with excitement. Landon leaned over the table and, using the pen and ink, he marked a circle where he believed his farm to be located. Now that he knew which way was north, he knew which way was west. His eyes began to survey everything around his present location. He spotted Ellington, the river, the sea and, finally, he came back to the symbol with the letters in the bottom corner of the map. The one on the top was an N, and it occurred to Landon that it was in the same direction that Camsbury was from the farm.
“So the N must mean north,” he mused. He also saw that the W was on the same side as the west of the map. “And the W must mean west,” he continued. “Therefore, the E and the S must mean east and south!” Slowly he was piecing together the clues.
Thinking of Aldous’ last words, Landon remembered he was about to say something beginning with an S. He searched the map for any cities that began with an s. He found only one, Seyleon, but it was on the opposite side of the realm, in the east. That could not be correct since the clues said in the west. Besides, by the time he reached Seyleon it could take an entire year. Gavin most assuredly would have unlocked the power of the ring. There had to be another answer, but the only other word on the map beginning with an S was south. “Could Aldous have meant that I must go south?”
There were mountains in the west, and south of his present location there were only three possible cities in the mountains. The first was Rindland, about a day’s ride away. Another was Ramen nestled in the mountains for which the city is named. Rowena was the lady there and she was known to be extremely kind to travelers. The last city was in the very southern edge of the realm in Durshire. Landon decided he would first ride to Rindland to begin his search for Master Aratus. Perhaps along the way he might find a fountain. Looking around the cavern, Landon wondered if there was anything he could take to supply him on his journey. There appeared to be nothing in the main chamber, but he wondered i
f Aldous’ room held anything of value.
He walked into Aldous’ personal chambers and immediately felt as though he were infringing on his privacy. But he reassured himself that if anything was going to be taken from here, Landon was sure Aldous would have preferred he have it. The room was full of tables with glass bottles half full of different colored liquids. The liquids had to be some sort of science experiments. Landon feared to touch any of them lest they cause grave harm. His eyes fell on a plain looking large trunk in front of a large bed fit for a king. It looked so out of place Landon decided he had to open the trunk. Inside he found only a large sack. Pulling it out, Landon unfurled the sack upon the floor. Inside were many pieces of food most likely kept for a long journey. He rolled it back up and slung it over his back. It would go well with the pack Aldous ad already given him. He started to close the chest, when a glint caught Landon’s eye. In a small door at the bottom of the chest rested a silver vial. Landon picked it up and noticed there was liquid inside. Since there were no labels in it, he was afraid to open it, but Aldous obviously considered what it was important because it was hidden at the bottom of the chest. Therefore, he tucked it into his tunic deciding it might be of use later.
Returning to the main chamber Landon was struck by the sight of Aldous lying on the main floor. He could not leave him there. He set the pack down and gently lifted Aldous onto his shoulders. The man was heavier than Landon thought. Tenderly he carried Aldous through the main chamber and into the bedroom. Slowly and carefully he set the man into his bed trying very hard not to bump into any of the glass bottles. Finally, Landon crossed the old man’s arms over his chest trying to give Aldous a look of peace. Silently Landon prayed no one would disturb his rest. Quickly he strode from the room and gathered his belongings. He also grabbed the map and the folded parchment with the clues. As he left the main chamber room, he once again took one last look knowing this would be the last time he would truly see this place. Feeling satisfied he left.
The Awakening (The Stones of Revenge) Page 17
