Fake-Yocto must have engaged some gnomish trickery to redirect the shield wall around us and push me into his cleverly designed trap.
All this flickered through my head as my skull connected with the shield at high speed, which knocked out whatever was left in the way of further consideration.
The ALOHA shirt, however, had kept the blast from punching a hole through my chest, though it now sported some nasty holes itself. As amazing as the ALOHA was, it would not regenerate in time to protect me from another direct hit to the chest.
Kordeun, may his name be praised, had been smart enough to duck as I flew overhead, allowing me to take the brunt of the gnome’s counterattack. He had also engaged the swirling dwarven tattoos wreathing his arms, the karaduen blazing like a sun afire, which probably kept him alive while I careened back and forth.
I hit the shield so hard that I ricocheted off it and smashed back onto the rocky dirt of the field.
I could hear the crowd groan appreciatively as I struck the earth.
I felt like I had already been there.
Before I fall victim to another shot, I grabbed a convenient boulder and chucked it at the remaining gnomes who were still standing.
Screaming in fury beside me, Kordeun charged with me after the boulder.
I unsnapped my belt as I ran, following the devastating rock’s lead, leapt forward and whipped my chain back and forth, crushing flesh and bone with a fury known only to those who have had their seats taken at a sporting event.
Two things happened then, neither of which was exactly good for me.
The Yzali K’zen, who, as far as I could tell, had been more than happy to let Kordeun and me distract and take out their opponents, must have decided that they needed to participate in the match in at least some way to be granted a victory.
The fire and superheated boulders that began to rain from the sky attested to this fact.
The last gnome standing—I’ll call him Dimwit the Dim—decided that dealing with someone who had been forcibly ejected from the best seats in the house was a lost cause. Too stupid to give up or retreat, Dimwit the Dim held true to his insane ideals and, immediately before I could spring upon him like last week’s unrefrigerated egg salad, promptly blew himself up.
Sadly, Dimwit’s plan was a good one, for I caught the brunt of his detonation as I leapt toward him, bringing down my chain belt on his head in a brutal arc.
The last thing I remember was being launched gracefully up through the air in an iridescent gout of fire and superheated slag. I fell back down to the ground just in time for the Yzali K’zen’s firestorm and meteorite show to explode all around me.
At least Kordeun had the good sense to take cover.
What Came Next
I woke in a comfy chair, one so marvelous that it molded beautifully to my body at every turn.
I really needed one of these on the ship.
Strangely, as I opened my eyes, I heard a bone-shaking cheer erupt all around me.
Bewildered, eyes bleary, and groggy, I tried only somewhat successfully to look around.
“Easy, there, big fella,” Kordeun said from beside me.
“We’ve got you,” added Yoctoerg, who was standing beside him.
Yocto?
Kord?
“Ya took quite a beatin’, but we’re glad ta say ya’ve pulled through.”
“Just in time for the finals,” added Yocto.
“Fi...?” I managed eloquently, my voice a weak croak.
“Ya’ve been out fer tha entire tournament, Grak.”
“We’ve been tending to you on the sidelines the whole time,” continued Yocto.
“Followin’ yer recovery has been one o’ tha biggest stories o’ tha tournament,” Kordeun said with a grin.
“So far as we have been able to ascertain, you are the first person to ever take an entire Wizarding team out single-handedly. You are likewise the first spectator ever directly involved in a match in the shielded era,” Yoctoerg finished with an even bigger smile than Kordeun’s.
“They’ve given ya an MVP medal and everythin’,” gushed Kordeun.
“Nnnn?” I grunted, unclear as to what that meant. I tried weakly to reach for the medallion but couldn’t manage it.
My arm managed a flop like a dying fish.
Apparently, I had a ways to go for a full recovery.
“Most vicious participant,” Yocto clarified, understanding my grunt perfectly.
“Tha final match has been on hold ’til ya’re able ta watch,” Kordeun said in awe.
I blinked, my vision slowly clearing, taking in where I lay.
Heaps of trinkets, tokens, and signs lay piled around us.
An image of my groggy, battered face filled the space above the stadium field.
Kordeun and Yocto were not lying.
I was lying beside the Wizarding field in our seats, and the entire stadium was watching our every move.
Raptly.
I raised my right hand weakly and waved.
The stadium roared.
I should let gnomes try to kill me more often.
Something Else
“Dizzywhig Goldsnout reporting for InAction News, live on Halus 7, home of the Macroversal Wizarding Championships.”
The projection panned out from a close-up of Dizzywhig’s eager face and elegantly coiffed eyebrows to the barren husk of Halus 7. In the distance behind her, the massive spire of the Wizarding stadium could be seen in relief against the setting sun.
“In the biggest news in decades, Grak, orcish private investigator and Citizen of our very own Alyon, has become the toast of this year’s Wizarding tournament.”
An image of a brutish orcish face, bruised and battered by recent severe trauma, filled the representation.
“Grak single-handedly defeated the Wizarding team from Gnomeria, earning accolades all around in the process.
“Current investigations point at an ANGST plot in retaliation for Grak’s past exploits saving Alyon from gnomish extremism.
“The terrorist responsible for thrusting Grak onto the field of strife has also been found responsible for waylaying one of Grak’s companions at the tournament, setting this remarkable string of events in motion.”
Security footage of Yocto passing out in a restroom beside another gnome of remarkably similar appearance filled the projection.
“In related news, the Gnomerian Federation has denied any connection to or involvement with the attack, perhaps to avoid any retaliation or negative sentiments from the many gathered races at the tournament, instead blaming ANGST for the misdeeds.”
“On a positive note, this reporter has it on good authority that Grak is well and, after receiving much praise at the MWC, is returning to Alyon on a ship heaped full of accolades and mementos from players and fans.
“In other news, Tellanon defeated the Utrechts in a battle for the ages in the MWC finals. More on this story at 11:00.”
The projection cut to a scene of the triumphant team from Tellanon holding aloft their prize.
Kordeun, Yocto, and I were standing arm-in-arm with the team, grinning madly.
The projection refocused on Dizzywhig’s luminous face. “This is Dizzywhig Goldsnout reporting for InAction News, live on Halus 7. Until tomorrow, may your steps know no shadow and your days be long.
“Dizzywhig out.”
Help Spread the Word!
As an independent author, I live by your kind words, your enthusiasm, and your passion for good stories.
Whether these words transported you to another place, one you enjoyed wholeheartedly, or pushed you away without lasting impression, I would welcome your review of my book.
If you truly did appreciate this book, feel free to spread the word to your friends, family, and random acquaintances. I would also love for you to visit me at either my website at www.josephjbailey.com or on my Facebook Author’s Page.
If you would like to learn about future book releases, please conside
r signing up for my book announcement newsletter.
Many thanks, and happy reading!
Joseph J. Bailey
Glossary of Terms
People, Places, and Things
Abstract – see Aspect.
Abyss – a general name often used for extradimensional regions home to daemonic creatures of Darkness and despair. Also called nether realms.
ACE – an Anti-Cretus Exit. A secret teleporting exit in Grak’s apartment.
Adamantium – an exceedingly strong magical metal.
Adrael the Black – an ancient black dragon slain by Ithilieon while wielding Duraeleon.
AEGIS – the Anti-Expulsion Grak Impact System.
Aerie – a name commonly used for the peaks and summits claimed by dragons as their homes.
Aery – one of the flight decks for airfoils and airships in the Undercity.
Aeromancy – the study of the air and its currents, the manipulation of its energies, and the fashioning of airships.
Aerya – literally, ‘Light’ or ‘air’. An elven term for the living energy of the universe. The concept of Aerya encompasses all forms of magical energetic expression in a single totality from the universal source to the personal creation – both chi and Yuan-chi.
Aerya Etherum – literally, ‘highest air’ or ‘highest breath’. Alternatively, ‘first breath’ or ‘source of breath’. An elven term for the source of the Aerya, the formless, boundless Void, source of limitless potential.
Age – any extensive period of time. Typically thought of as representing one thousand years, though events of particular significance may also define its limits.
Airfoil – a small, often personal, airship.
Airship – magically powered ships in as many shapes as the mind can imagine, found plying the air currents and trade routes throughout Ea’ae and beyond. See also Aeromancy.
Alchemy – Paratechnological study revolving around understanding the higher chemistries of the macroverse’s functioning. Just as physical laws govern natural phenomena and metamagical laws govern magical occurrences, alchemical laws govern the interactions between the two.
Alldrassil – the world tree at the heart of the cityship of Alyon.
Allomorph – a being capable of taking on various shapes and guises, potentially augmenting its own intrinsic abilities, while retaining its primary core awareness, sense of self, and intelligence. The Jira S’al Alann are one such example.
ALOHA - Allomorphic Lightweight Omnifunctional High-efficiency Armor. Paratechnological clothing.
Altane 1.7u – a sentient planet.
Alyon – a large, diverse city on the planet of Unea. Also, the city’s original floating cityship in the sky.
ANGST – Anti-Negentropy Gnomes Strike for Truth. A group of gnomish terrorists bent on creating disorder.
Antientropics – the study of creating energy and adding energy back to systems, devices, and entities.
Anubaraëthi – literally, ‘Spawn of the Shadow’ or ‘Shadow made manifest’. A general Elven name for greater, sentient daemons. Sometimes called Dread Lords.
Anubavaeri – literally, ‘Spawn of the Flame,’ or ‘Spawn of the Fire.’ An elven name for powerful daemons of flame.
Anuvaerya – literally, ‘Children of the Light’. An elven name for those elves who have willingly left the bounds of the body to explore the realms of the mind and spirit. The existence of Anuvaerya is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few elf-friends outside the elven people.
Anuvatali – literally, ‘Children of the Dawn’ or ‘Children of the New Morn’. An elven name for the half-elven children of men and elves born on Ea’ae.
Anuvatari – literally, ‘Children of the Sun’. An elven name for those elves who first came to Ea’ae.
Anuvatari’aliana– literally, ‘of one voice with the Children of the Sun’ or ‘friend-kin of the Children of the Sun’. An elven name for those people of any race taken in by the elves and taught something of their ways or those who are trusted and respected as elf-kin.
Archfiend – a general name for a daemon, particularly in reference to powerful daemons that have usurped dominion over lesser representatives of their own kind.
Archlich – a particularly powerful lich, often a powerful deceased practitioner of magic. See Lich.
Archmage – a highly accomplished or powerful magician.
Archmathematics – higher order mathematics, modeling, and cognitive frameworks used in Paratechnological studies.
Arcwhistle Tangleknot– a gnomish Paratechnologist in Alyon.
ARMED – Allomorphic Recombinatorial Multidimensional Extravehicular Drones. A flexible, multi-faceted, shape-changing drone system invented by Spreesprocket. Also called sentry drones.
Art – a calling, particularly one magical in nature.
Aspect – a fragment of the Construct. Used to perform specialized duties for the larger Construct in cityships. Like a hologram, an Aspect is a smaller, self-aware representation of the whole functionality of the Construct, contained entirely within the larger system but granted broad freedom, flexibility, and independence. Often given to and used extensively by Citizens of cityships. Also called a Fragment or Abstract.
Baera – ‘Brendle the All-Father’ in the tongue of the dwarves.
Baera’Dur – literally, ‘Brendle’s bulwark’ in the tongue of the dwarves. Called Dreadnaughts by men.
Baeradun – a legendary dwarven hero known to burst into flames. Sometimes called ‘Burning Beard’.
Beyond – a general term for other dimensions in the multiverse, often in reference to the nether realms. See Abyss.
Biomimetics – an area of Paratechnological research focusing on the understanding of biological functions, their governing principles, improvement, and alteration.
Blade Master – a highly proficient teacher of hand-to-hand combat in the Home Guard.
Blade Singer – see Caer’collas.
Bor’Banna – literally, ‘bearded demon’. A name for the dwarven masters of the axe, imbued with the remnants of power from Brendle’s fire.
Bot – short for robot, particularly with regard to Paratechnological clockwork devices made by Tinkerers that may or may not manifest synthetic intelligence capable of independent thought.
Brendle – The All-Father. Dwarven god of the forge and, in the eyes of the dwarves, the creator of the known universe. More often than not, the brunt of Slate’s curses. Called Baera in the tongue of the dwarves.
Brendle’s Flame – see Brendle’s Spark.
Brendle’s Spark – the remaining embers from Brendle’s original flame and forge when Brendle first wrought the universe under hammer, anvil, and flame. The remaining embers even now bring forth life and magic into the universe. Also, the fires at the heart of the Daerdaana’Duin, the Bor’Banna’s highest known skill, where the exponent merges directly with Brendle’s flames. Also called Brendle’s Flame. An analogue to Aerya and Yuan-chi in dwarven cosmology.
Brendle’s Tears – the finest of dwarven ales. Reputed to be so wondrous and flavorful that Brendle himself cries tears of joy and amazement with each sip.
The Cabal –A sinister alliance of dark mages, fallen priests, extradimensional beings, and other creatures of might bent not only on domination but power. Known by many other names, including the Order of the Lidded Eye, the Fallen, the Light Fallen, the Order of the Burning Eye, and the Order of the Hooded Gaze. Called Liúxīng Làngrén by the priests of K’un Lun. Often symbolized by a blazing sigil of a closed eye.
Caer’collas – Q’sharian blade masters. Often called Blade Singers by those who watch their masterful interplay of magic and blade work.
Center City – the central portion of the city of Alyon, located in the valley between two mountain ranges holding the Undercity and Undermount.
Champion of Light – a general honorific for those who have earned great esteem fighting the forces of Darkness. Also, a title for one of great accomplishme
nt within the Dalaren Ka.
Chi – Qi; breath, air, or vapor of particular significance in Taoism and Eastern medicine. From a Taoist perspective, the chi is the vital energy or life force that enlivens and pervades all things. Chi gung – chi kung or qigong – are exercises to build and strengthen chi flow. Along with shen and ching, one of the Three Treasures essential to human life. A less subtle and refined form of the Yuan-chi, the universal potential. The fire that does not burn.
Citizen – an individual who has earned the right to permanent residence in a cityship. This privilege comes with many benefits, including free passage in the city, a permanent dwelling, access to the Construct and the city’s resources, and the right to travel with the ship should it change locations.
Cityship – a floating cloud city often able to travel through space and interdimensionally. Alyon and Tellanon are but two examples.
Clockwork – a general name for a particular branch or type of Paratechnology focusing on magically animated contraptions of any shape, size, and function, often resembling machines and robots but not limited to any specific shape. A particular specialty of Gnomish Paratechnological Tinkerers.
COG – the Construct Organization Group. The Paratechnologists in COG have direct responsibility over the Construct and its attendant artificial intelligence subroutines, including the various Aspects and other specialized intelligence engines in addition to the management of the Construct’s subordinate functions.
Cogspulley – host of InAction News.
Common – see Common Tongue.
Common Tongue – a universal language used across Ea’ae to facilitate nonmagical communication. Also called Common.
The Construct – a powerful, centralized, multi-faceted sentient intelligence created by the Paratechnologists, used to oversee, understand, envision, and facilitate activities in cityships. Administered and overseen by COG.
Craft – higher magical skills. An umbrella term inclusive of various branches of magic, including unique talents and abilities native to particular races, guilds, and tribes.
Grak_Orc on Vacation Page 19
