Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey

by Steve Windsor

  “Hello son. Rest for now. I’ll be here when you wake.”

  Hello son

  Davydd’s heart thumped so hard it could have crushed his ribs. It was the same voice he’d heard at the old man’s room, and the same voice that had awoken him from his slumber and ordered him to make a death defying jump. He wanted answers now. Rest could wait. However, despite his will, his flesh wouldn’t cooperate. He was fading.

  “Rest.” The voice said again as Davydd’s eyes closed seemingly of their own free will.

  Rest.

  The warmth of the sunlight gently massaged his eyelids. It was soothing. Davydd turned his head slowly from side to side. He could sense a presence sitting next to him. As his eyes opened, his thoughts were confirmed. He slowly sat up and looked at her. She sat with her knees drawn to her chest, her arms interlocked in front of them and her gaze directed skywards. Her bronze skin glistened in the sunlight and her golden hair shimmered. She emitted a soft radiant glow that was barely noticeable but there nevertheless. Her blue and white dress flowed freely from the shoulder straps down to her feet. Finally, she turned her gaze towards Davydd, her light brown eyes beholding him as one beholds a priceless possession to be protected. She smiled softly.

  “You are finally awake.”

  Davydd stared at her speechless. Were the memories he seemed to recollect now fabricated? No they couldn’t have been. Her voice was the same one which had spoken to him. And though clearer now, her face was the same one he had fixated on when he was in agony. What had she said to him?

  Hello son

  His heart jumped again. It wasn’t fabricated. It was real. He could remember the shock he felt through the pain, when he heard it... as he was hearing it now. She had said it just now. Or was it thought it?

  “You’re... not human... are you?”

  “You’re not entirely human. Are you?”

  “I am. I don’t have bronze skin now do I? I don’t... glow.”

  “Do humans jump off cliffs and live?”

  “Do human mothers ask their sons to jump of cliffs?”

  “Do human sons agree to?”

  “Would you two knock it off? I can hear you from the other side of Beathaleth.”

  They both turned their gaze to see that it was Baximus coming up to them. He had a plate of meat, which he handed to Davydd. It was then Davydd realized how hungry he was.

  “Thank you Father.” Davydd said. Suddenly he wore a sad expression on his face as he remembered their last conversation, and the events that ensued thereafter. “Father I am...”

  “I have neither quarrel nor ill fillings towards you son.” He looked at Lynda.

  “I’ll leave you two for a while.” He said as he turned to go.

  When he was out of earshot, the lady laughed.

  “Rikard was right. You do ask a lot of questions. Just like me.”

  “Rikard? My real fa...” Davydd stopped himself realizing what he was about to say. The lady laughed and gestured to Davydd’s plate of food.

  “You should eat before it gets cold.”

  Davydd took a bite into the meat and chewed and then took another bite. He felt like a child again and he was in so much shock he couldn’t put together a rational thought. Hence he just ate and ate until there was nothing left on his plate but a few pieces of bone. Davydd licked his fingers. He caught sight of the lady looking at him.

  “Don’t stare... it’s embarrassing.”

  “Why? You were just hungry. Your body needed to recover.”

  “What happened to me?”

  “Your godly essence became agitated. It had never been in the presence of another so similar so it was drawn to it, more so when that essence is that of its mother... your mother.”

  “So... I’m part god... from you.”

  The lady nodded. “You are what we refer to as a halfing.”

  “I’m not the first then?”

  “No. My brothers have seeded children in the past. Most of them living and dying without knowing who they really are. We gods tend not to stay after our human seeds have been born.”

  “Why?”

  “We would become mortal and die.”

  “Is that why you left?” Davydd asked as a bit of anger seeped into his voice.

  “Oh no... My twin sister does not scare me.”

  “Your twin...”

  “Death... Feona.” Lynda explained.

  “You... Then you must be Lady Lynda. You are the goddess of life and the mother of Terrianus.”

  Lynda nodded.

  “So... I’m your son?” Davydd laughed as if the thought itself was ridiculous. He lifted up his hands and looked at them as though all of a sudden, they were not his.

  “The son of the god of life.” He muttered to himself.

  Lynda nodded when he looked at her.

  Davydd looked at her. He knew it was true. Everything leading up to this moment – the guiding voice, the tug in his heart, the eruption of pain when she first arrived and her soothing him – gave credence to what he knew now. If there was any lingering doubt, their question game had erased it completely.

  “If not the fear of death, then why? Why did you leave?” Davydd finally asked.

  “The fear of losing you. My presence put you in too much danger, and at the time I was powerless to protect you. I had stayed on Terrianus too long. Baximus was being searched for by Sidion and...”

  “And a bronze skinned woman would have drawn too much attention.”

  “Not at all.” Lynda said as her glow and skin began to slowly lose its luster and shimmer. She now looked brown skinned and her golden hair was a light shade of black. Her brown eyes remained and she looked fairly the same.

  “I see... no one else knew you were you then.” Davydd said

  “Only Matilom and your father knew. But not knowing did not sway favor our way. I could still be recognized as the queen of Angweleth. I was as close to being mortal as I could ever be, when I birthed you. After that, your father left... for the last time. My leaving you was part of an intricate lie concocted by Matilom. As you well know, he is of a secretive and wily nature. He does not trust easily either and his patience rivals ours immensely. He did not trust Baximus because for a moment, Baximus had been swayed by Sidion. Therefore, after leaving you in his care he fabricated a story about sending me off to faraway lands that Sidion Vror could not reach.”

  “If Matilom did not trust Baximus, why leave me in his care?”

  “It was the one reasonable way to hide you without rousing Sidion’s curiosity. I’m sure you understand. Besides, he had cast a spell of protection on you, should Baximus decide to take your life and I was back in the realm of the gods watching over you... as I always have.”

  Davydd looked down and nodded his head.

  “Son...”

  Davydd looked away.

  “Why couldn’t you reveal yourself to me? Why couldn’t you show up all these years even once? Why?”

  “I am sorry Davydd. I was... I was afraid... I was too afraid to act. I knew that if I came, your life would change forever. I stayed away till the last possible hour.”

  “I see. When you dropped from the sky unexpectedly?”

  “No Davydd. It was when you almost shot me with an arrow.”

  Davydd looked at her perplexed.

  “I never... What do you mean?”

  Lady Lynda smiled at him.

  “Think Davydd. What were you doing before all of this started. What was the last normal thing you did before saving the princess?”

  Davydd shook his head as he struggled to remember.

  “It was four moons ago. A lot has happened. I was... I was hunting... I had spotted a deer.”

  “And you were about to shoot it.”

  “Yes I was... I was but it took off. It couldn’t have heard me. I remember thinking about that. How...”

  Davydd looked at her. His eyes widened as the realization set in.

  “You were the deer?”

/>   Lady Lynda nodded.

  “Why then? Why did you pick that day?”

  “The dragol were beginning to regain full strength. Their attack on princess Vannera had been the second attack on a human since the end of the Great War. The first was on Vannera’s mother. As one of the seven gods I cannot directly steer the fate of any mortal, including yours.”

  She flashed a wry smile.

  “But there are many ways to do so indirectly.”

  Davydd stared at her before speaking.

  “Tell me everything. I want to know everything, about you, my father... our... family.”

  Lynda nodded.

  “We will have time to talk about everything. But right now, I can tell you the events that transpired after I brought you into this world, to give you a clearer understanding of what needs to be done.”

  It was Davydd’s turn to nod in agreement. Lynda began but then stopped. She looked at Davydd, as he looked back at her. He was still in shock, though he tried to mask it. She could also see his pain even as he tried to put on a brave face. A tear fell down her cheek and she wiped it.

  “You are so strong. I’m proud of you. I’m so sorry.” The rivulet had become a stream now.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  She felt his arms wrap around her in a warm embrace. Davydd had his head rested on her bosom. She pulled him close and rocked him gently.

  “I have searched for you... my whole life.” Davydd said.

  “I know. I know. I’m here now. I’m here. I’ve always been with you, and I love you so much.”

  Mother and son stayed locked in their silent embrace, both absorbing the moment and cherishing it, wondering if this would be the first and last time.

  A fairly large group of men could be seen walking across the barren and rocky terrain, towards an encampment situated haphazardly across the land. The terrain was not level and so the tents were elevated to different heights as the slabs of rocks, and the rises and the crests of the terrain would allow. Men could be seen going about their respective tasks in the encampment. They all wore ragged clothing such that the very unkempt nature of the attires became a uniform of sorts. The large group of men stuck together as they entered the encampment. They made their way past on-lookers, who would occasionally nod their heads in greeting and acknowledgement. Wafts of steam floated away from the meals people cooked and ate in the encampment. In the middle of the encampment, there was a tent much larger than the others around it. At its four corners were four men who stood at attention, with varying weapons in their hands, guarding the tent. The group of men stopped just short of the entrance and a few feet in front of the guards. They all lowered their heads and bent down as a man walked out of the tent’s entrance. At that moment, the two guards who stood at the tent’s front corners raised their weapons up and in unison proclaimed:

  All hail Ivan the terrible!

  The man towered above the guards by at least another foot. He had an imposing muscular and heavy set figure. He carried a large war hammer which a shiny engraved steel blade head. His hair was long and unkempt and had more than a few gray strands interlocked with its original brown color. He wore a white shirt underneath a black coat. The shirt was unbuttoned at the top which revealed a rather shocking crop of hair on his chest. The leather strap that bound his axe to his back, cut diagonally across his chest and wrapped around to the back, just above his grey and roomy pants. He wore black leather skin boots to complete his outfit. The man gestured for the guards to lower their weapons. He walked up to the kneeling group and scanned their numbers. His eyes settled on the elderly man who had ordered the group’s retreat at Lady Lynda’s offer.

  “Horius where’s Kazan?”

  “My lord Kazan acted brashly and was taken by the Angwelethean group.”

  “What?” The giant Ivan stepped forward. “How did this happen? Horius?”

  “My lord he went ahead of us and mounted an attack alone. By the time we emerged, he had been taken by them.”

  “And why Horius, haven’t you taken him back?”

  “We were going to but...”

  “You were going to?”

  “My lord!” Horius said as Ivan’s towering figure bared down on him. “My lord, Lady Lynda appeared. She came to their aid just as one of them was struck with... an illness it seems.”

  “The gods never interfere with human issues... at least not so easily.” Ivan paced around a bit.

  “The one struck with an illness... Can you tell me more about him?”

  “All I know is, he was... different. He was not among them when we first attacked. However, he arrived soon after. He jumped from a cliff down to where we battled... and lived.”

  “A cliff you say.”

  “Yes my lord. It was too high for any mortal to survive.”

  “But he was... mortal.” Ivan said as if thinking out loud. “Horius when did his illness start?”

  “Right after the goddess Lynda appeared. Why my lord?”

  “We need to head back to sea.” Ivan said as he turned back towards his tent.

  “My lord?”

  “Horius you disappoint me greatly by letting my son fall into their hands. If those are the same people who Kazan spotted asking about that accursed gauntlet in Sangwa, they will be coming for us soon.”

  “Kazan would never talk.”

  “It would be in his best interest if he did. And I pray he does. Lady Lynda is with them. You understand don’t you Horius?”

  “Yes my lord.”

  “Good. We depart immediately.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: In the Beginning

  “How do you feel Lynda?”

  “Exhausted. But I’m fine. You are here.”

  Rikard Miljorn grabbed her hand and squeezed it affectionately. They both looked at the little baby sleeping in a cot beside the bed.

  “He looks so peaceful.” Rikard finally said.

  “Ah yes. He calms your heart so. I can see it.”

  Rikard smiled at her as she pulled their clasped hands to her cheek. He leaned in and kissed her softly. She responded just as passionately until he slowly pulled back and smiled again.

  “Tell me. I’m listening.” Lynda said looking directly at him.

  “You know me so well.” Rikard said nodding. “The dragol’s forces are depleted and we have them trapped in Beathaleth. They will try to advance past the field of brave souls. Lynda if we can stop them there...”

  “Then this is finally over.”

  “Yes. This is finally over.”

  “Oh Rikard how I long for...” Rikard placed a finger on her lips.

  “When I return.” He smiled as Lynda nodded. Then, her eyebrows creased together.

  “If they are trapped near the fields, all principals might be there. This is a last stand after all.”

  “I am well aware. Sidion has a plan.”

  “Sidion? Rikard, are you sure it’s okay to involve him so deeply?”

  “It is a good plan. Besides, I will also have King Vitalis and King Armrok aiding me.”

  “And if they don’t get there in time?”

  “They will.”

  Lynda sat up and stared silently at her husband.

  “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

  “You know I do. I have to end this. I am... out of time.”

  Lynda shook her head. “If anyone can do it, it’s you. I believe in you.”

  King Rikard nodded, got up and walked over to his son’s cot.

  “Davydd. I have to leave you for a little while.” He nuzzled Davydd’s little nose and the baby chuckled, lifting his tiny arms to grasp his father’s face. Rikard laughed.

  “Take care of your mother for me.” He played with Davydd for a little while before lifting his tall frame back up. When he got up, Lynda was standing at the edge of the bed. Her robe fell loosely over her frame and its translucent nature revealed facets of her figure. Rikard looked at her for a while.

  “Is this one final effort to make m
e reconsider?”

  “Is it working?” Lynda said with a smile.

  “Yes.” He said as he walked up to her.

  “But you are still going.”

  “Yes.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him sensuously.

  “Will you be home when I wake up in the morning?” She whispered in his ear.

  “Always.” He whispered back.

  They embraced in silence for a while before letting go. Rikard looked at her and the baby. He nodded to her and she responded. With that, he was gone.

  The storm raged as lightning flashed across the skies, briefly lighting up the earth below in a bright white flash before it plunged into darkness and grey again. Lynda stood at the balcony of her room in King Vitalis’s castle. She peered into the distance in the direction of the field of brave souls as her hands rested above each other on her chest. She was breathing heavily.

  “How is he?” She asked as the pale skinned woman in a brown dress emerged from the shadows.

  “He is dying. Can’t you see him?”

  Lynda gasped and clutched her chest tighter. “I... can’t.”

  “You have lost almost all of your powers. You need to return.”

  “I can’t. I have a son.”

  “Sister, Sidion Vror betrayed Rikard Miljorn. He restrained the forces under his command from aiding Rikard in time. As we speak, Rikard fights for his life against the principals.”

  “All ten?”

  Feona nodded.

  “How is he faring?”

  “Two of them are dead and a third is badly hurt.”

  “Take me there.”

  “I cannot.”

  “Feona...”

  “Lynda. I beseech you to think. You are all but mortal now. If you appeared on the battle field, they will kill you. Furthermore, it is as you say. You have a son. Should you go there, your true nature will be revealed and Sidion will know for sure that he is special. He will come for him with even more ferocity. Even now, if you stay, you endanger him as well. There have been whispers. Twelve years and you have not appeared to age even a little.”

  “What would you have me do?”

  “Entrust him to the wizard and return.”

  Lynda sighed.