Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey

by Steve Windsor

  “I have to go. Please be careful.”

  “You are going for his soul are you not?”

  “That I am.”

  “Dearest sister of mine, how could you be so greedy?”

  “We all have our nature sister. This is mine. His time is almost up.”

  Lynda choked back tears.

  “Please... take care of his soul.”

  Feona turned around and planted a kiss on her sister’s cheek.

  “As if you needed to ask. Take Davydd while you have what little godly strength there is in you.”

  With that, she vanished into the darkness she came from, behind a bright shimmering light that briefly illuminated Lynda’s figure. Lynda walked away from the balcony and made her way towards Davydd’s cot. She picked up the little Davydd who began wailing.

  “Shhhh shhhh. I know. I sense it too. Everything will be okay.”

  She pressed his little face to her cheek as tears rolled down them.

  Lynda!

  The voice startled her briefly. It was Rikard.

  Lynda I know your powers are waning. You don’t have to talk.

  Rikard!!

  Lynda put Davydd back in the cot.

  Rikard I’m coming to you!

  No. Don’t. I am sorry... my love. I will not be able to return as I promised.

  It’s okay Rikard. I... I can bring you home.

  If you come here Davydd will be orphaned. Stay. I have a plan. I hold in my left hand, one of the principal’s hearts. I will use that spell you taught me.

  Rikard you sound weak. If you use it...

  I’m not leaving here... alive... Lynda. I will do my best to give Davydd... time. Baximus Bastien is on his way to you. He has been swayed by Sidion... but there is good in him. Please give him time to make his decision. Now go... take Davydd with you... Omni and his siblings have almost found me.

  Rikard...

  Lynda?

  I will be there when you awake in Hovan.

  Always...

  Lynda nodded and wiped her tears, while turning to Davydd again.

  “We have to go son.”

  “You aren’t going anywhere.”

  Lynda stopped in her tracks. “Baximus. Are you here to help me?”

  “No Queen Liliana. I am not.”

  Lynda sighed. “I see. Your king trusted you. Do you know this?”

  King Vitalis. I want you to pull back your army immediately. I shall briefly recollect my sword from you.

  “Do not lecture me on trust, especially the one I have with Rikard!”

  “So then you know... that what you are about to do... is wrong.”

  Lady Lynda. We are close to the field of brave souls. King Rikard of Angweleth is there.

  King Rikard is dead. If you go, you will die too. Hold your position. I am taking my swords now. It will only be for a moment.

  As you wish my lady.

  “Prepare yourself queen Liliana. Out of respect, I will make this quick.”

  “You are too kind Baximus.”

  Baximus unsheathed his sword and bolted towards Lynda. She stood still for a moment and then bent down. She placed her hands on the ground and two swords materialized in her hands. Baximus swung just as Lynda pivoted around with her left hand and blocked his swing. She twisted her body from left to right, swinging with her right hand, her sword steady. Baximus pulled back and parried her blow, instantly switching to parry her left sword which was coming in. Lynda leaped off the ground into the air, swinging her right sword as she twisted her body in midair. Baximus blocked as the downward force pushed him down to his knees. Using the force of resistance as a basis, Lynda pushed herself off Baximus’s blade with her hands and flipped, landing with her knees on Baximus’s cranium. A dazed Baximus fell to the ground. As he rolled to his back, Lynda’s two swords were pointed at him.

  “Who taught you to fight like that?” He whispered.

  Lynda crouched and leaned in towards him. “My husband is the left hand Feona.” She whispered back. “Call the guards. This should be convincing enough.”

  “Guards!!” Baximus yelled in mock distress. Five guards came running in, and rushed towards Lynda. She stood up and using her two swords blocked simultaneous attacks aimed at her in quick succession. She spun around on her feet, her hands wielding the swords like bladed wings, and ripped open the abdomens of two of the guards instantly. Lynda blocked blows from two of the remaining three guards, who had flanked her on either side. She pointed the tips of her swords downwards till they just touched the concrete floor, and pushed herself off the ground with them, just in time to avoid a direct head long attack from the third guard. Forward flipping over him, Lynda landed on her two feet behind him and reached back with her left hand slicing him in the back from the neck downwards. The guard fell forwards just as Lynda pivoted around to block the guard now to her right with her right sword. She let the force of her swing follow through until she connected in the chest of the guard to her left. She swung her right sword back around to meet with the sword of the now recovered guard to her right. Her left hand followed through, cleaving off the head of the now kneeling guard to her left, and followed through until it stabbed through the abdomen of the guard to her right. She was now facing him with both swords pointed at him. Using the window of opportunity presented as he screamed in pain, she let her right hand push forward stabbing him in the chest right where his heart lay. The guard looked at her as blood oozed from his gaping mouth.

  “Oh... my... Feona... you... you...”

  “I am sorry.” Lynda said and pushed both swords in deeper. The guard was dead. She pulled both swords out and let the limp body slump to the ground. She turned to face Baximus who was standing there looking at her in shock.

  “His highness taught you all that?”

  “I’ve known him for twelve years. He taught me a lot of things. Are those all the guards Sidion sent?”

  “Yes. Did King Rikard, also leave you these swords?”

  “He did. I prefer using two...”

  Baximus stared at her silently.

  “Thank you for choosing not to betray him.”

  “You have no need to offer me thanks. The act was necessary to fool them.” He gestured with his head towards the dead guards. “Though I suspect if I had chosen otherwise, I might have regretted it.”

  “If you please, give me time to get my child ready.”

  “Of course my lady. Don’t take too long. We have to go before Sidion gets back.”

  “I won’t.”

  Baximus walked out of the room.

  King Vitalis. My swords should be back in your sheaths.

  They are, my lady. I am at the field of brave souls. It is as you say, King Miljorn is dead. There are no dragols around it seems.

  Lynda shut her eyes tightly and breathed in heavily.

  You have the swords. Search and make sure all remaining dragol forces are truly gone. My brothers and sisters will tell the other kings to do the same.

  As you wish. However, without King Miljorn, we cannot seal the dragol for good. I hear queen Liliana brought a child, a son into this world.

  She did. But he is a child. He won’t be ready for a long time.

  We don’t have time, my lady.

  Yes we do. King Rikard made sure of that. Is his gauntlet with him?

  There was a brief pause.

  No. The wizard Matilom is with the body. I do not see the gauntlet of Lady Feona.

  Then Rikard has done all he can. Return to your castle. See to it that his wife is safe.

  Of course my...

  She couldn’t hear the last part. She was sure it was ‘lady’. But she hadn’t heard it. She fell to her knees panting heavily. Summoning her strength, she got up, walked over to Davydd’s cot and wrapped him in thick clothes. Outside, the rain was pouring from the heavens and the thunder and lightning were incessant. She looked at Davydd. He was asleep.

  “You are so peaceful.” She whispered. “I hope you stay l
ike this for a while.” She stepped outside of the room where Baximus was waiting for her.

  “Follow me. King Vitalis should be on his way back with Obin and Matilom. I have a shelter we can stay in till the storm passes, and then I will find Matilom by morning. Let us depart.”

  In the shelter, Baximus sat down and kept eyes on Lady Lynda, known as Queen Liliana to him, and her baby son, Davydd. The news had spread like wild fire. The dragol had managed to kill one of the kings of Terrianus. This was not just any king. This was King Rikard Miljorn, whom many considered to be the best of them all. However, King Rikard had not gone down without a fight. Three principals were dead, along with thousands of other dragol by his and his army’s hands. The dragol had at least been forced to retreat to their dimension, though no one knew if this was for the last time. All of this he could piece together from the murmurings and conversations of passersby. The night felt long and the storm continued to rage.

  “The gods must be grieving.” Baximus said.

  Lynda did not respond. She cradled Davydd as tears flowed freely from her eyes. There was a knock on the door. Baximus reached for his sword and hurried silently to the side of the door. Lynda sat up, wiping her eyes and cheeks. She cradled Davydd as she scooted back on the creaky bed in the corner of the room.

  “Who is it?” Baximus asked coldly, the tip of his blade pointed in the general direction of where the heart of a man would be once he entered the room.

  “Matilom.”

  Baximus looked at Lynda. “Matilom knows not where we are.”

  Lynda shrugged. “He’s a wizard. I wouldn’t underestimate him.”

  Baximus turned his gaze back to the door and slowly pushed back the wooden latch. He opened the door as a cloaked figure slowly stepped inside. He put down his hood to reveal his face. It was Matilom. He nodded at Baximus and turned to Lynda. His eyes were reddened and his face was stricken with grief. Matilom walked towards her and she got up to embrace him. He pulled back and looked at Davydd.

  “He’s fine” Lynda said “and oblivious to all that goes on around him.”

  “We need to leave Beathaleth now.” Matilom advised.

  “How do you propose we do that?” Asked Baximus. “Sidion Vror is expecting me to deliver two bodies to him.”

  “We will think of something. Right now, Sidion knows I am a foe to him. He has asked Nistam to crown him king upon his return to Angweleth. Let us get to Angweleth and there you can say you had to leave for fear of being discovered by King Darius Vitalis. It will give us enough time to fool him.”

  “I can get us to the ports before dawn if we move now.”

  “Baximus... can you keep us unseen for that long? Your powers are waning.”

  “I am well aware. Somewhere in Angweleth is my heir. But I still have enough left. Just stay close to me.”

  Matilom turned to Lynda. “Queen Liliana, get everything you need.”

  Lynda picked Davydd up and turned to Matilom. “I have all I need.”

  The carriage raced through the cobblestoned paths of Alvo. The soldier at the front urged the horses to go faster. Seated inside the carriage were Matilom, Baximus, Lynda and her child. Baximus played with his fingers nervously.

  “You must be eager to see them... your wife and child.” Matilom said.

  “That I am. I am one of the lucky ones... to come back alive.”

  “Yes.” Matilom agreed. “Cherish these times. War always has a way of coming back around.”

  “I will cherish them even in war, for I will not be participating in any more bloodshed. No more wars for me.”

  “You think the dragol are gone for good?”

  “I don’t know what his majesty did, but they retreated. Three principals are dead.”

  Matilom closed his eyes, saying nothing.

  The carriage was slowing down and then finally came to a halt.

  Baximus jumped out as an elderly woman came out through the front door of his home.

  “Oh Baximus.” She said as they embraced.

  “Mother Rachel. I am sorry I could not come back in time. How are they?”

  “Baximus...” Rachel’s voice cracked.

  “What happened?” Baximus was anxious now. “What happened?!”

  Baximus ran inside.

  “Merith!” He yelled. He looked left towards the bed and saw his wife laying still. The sheets were soaked red.

  “Merith!!!” He rushed towards her and was held back by an older man who had been standing there. He turned to the man trembling. “What happened? Where’s my child?!!”

  “Baximus she lost a lot of blood. The baby... the baby never took breath.”

  “And you couldn’t save them?!!!” Baximus rushed at the old man and clasped his left hand around his neck.

  “You couldn’t save them??!!!!!!!!” His voice thundered.

  “Ba...Baxi....arrrrggghhh”.

  “Baximus!!!” Matilom yelled. “Let go of him.”

  Baximus looked at Merith’s lifeless body again. His vice like grip slowly loosened. He let go and fell to his knees as his body trembled uncontrollably. Then he let out a primal scream of anguish. He hunched over, gnashing his teeth in an attempt to regain control just as a pair of arms wrapped around him consolingly. He looked up to see it was Queen Liliana.

  “They’re... they’re dead...” Baximus said in disbelief.

  She hugged him tighter until his trembling stopped.

  “How can you be so strong?” He asked

  “Because I know, death is never the end. You will be re-united with them. I promise.”

  Baximus nodded slowly as his body went limp. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When his eyes opened up, he turned his gaze towards his wife again.

  “I won’t let their deaths be in vain.” Baximus got up and walked to the elderly man who cowered in fear. Baximus stopped just before him and dropped down to one knee, bowing his head.

  “Forgive me. I was... overcome.”

  The elderly man took a deep breath and nodded.

  “I am sorry Baximus. I did my best.”

  “I would ask one more favor.”

  “Anything.”

  “Prepare the bodies of my wife and child for Matilom.”

  “What?”

  “Prepare them. I shall... make their deaths seem violent.” Baximus choked back tears as he said this.

  “Why Baximus?” Lynda asked visibly shocked.

  “Remember what I said back in Beathaleth. Sidon Vror expects me to bring him two bodies. With Matilom’s help, I will deliver that to him.”

  “Baximus you cannot possibly...”

  “You and your child will live on as a memory to the sacrifice of my wife and child. Mother Fate has dealt me a grieving blow. I intend to take it in stride. I apologize if her majesty thinks me selfish.”

  “No Baximus... not at all.”

  The elderly man had placed the dead baby next to his mother.

  Baximus unsheathed his sword.

  “Forgive me... Merith. Are you ready Matilom?”

  “I am.”

  “And you can fool Nistam?”

  “I taught Nistam everything he knows, but not everything.”

  Baximus positioned the blade tip above his dead wife’s heart.

  “This is my gift to you, young Miljorn. Live.”

  The sword came down.

  “Afterwards Baximus took those same bodies to Sidion. Both he and Nistam were fooled. He offered to reward Baximus handsomely but Baximus declined. It was then that he decided it best to raise you under the guise of Ovar Tardust. He faked his death and news spread that he had taken his own life due to grief. While the false news spread, we fled to Gor, a town as far away from Alvo as possible. I stayed with you as long as I could. However, at the urgings of my sister, it became clear that leaving was the best thing I could do. I had to leave. It was the only way to help Baximus fully blend in without notice... without danger.”

  Davydd sat with her on the rocks
, his head rested on her laps as they looked up at the night sky. They had spent the whole day there.

  “And so you left.”

  “I did not want to. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.” Lynda looked down at him and smiled. “You were a gift of love to us, son. And you are here today through that love, and the belief others like Baximus showed when needed the most. You are Davydd Miljorn, son of Rikard Miljorn and Lynda, the goddess of life and the true king of Angweleth. By virtue of being my son, you are the most powerful mortal in Terrianus.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes you are.” Came the voice of Baximus as he brought them dinner. “How are mother and son doing?”

  “Very well.” Lynda and Davydd looked at each other and smiled. He felt like a child again.

  “Well then that’s good to know.” Baximus said as he set their plates down.

  “Father...”

  “Yes my boy.”

  “Thank you... Thank you so much.”

  Baximus smiled. “You do not need to offer thanks. You have given me much happiness in my lifetime. More than I ever could have hoped for.”

  “Baximus seems to have taken well to only learning the entire truth two moons ago.” Lynda observed.

  Davydd looked at her.

  “That’s right! Mother was known as Queen Liliana... Father... when did you know the truth?”

  “In all of Terrianus it was only Rikard, Matilom and your mother. I only began to have my suspicions when this quest began.”

  “Why?”

  “Oh... many things. The rapid recovery of Segmiatus from his wound when we fought Sidion and his men, your improvement with the sword and a particular kick to the chest while we trained, and finally there was this fight with a principal in which you survived and dealt blows no ordinary mortal can. I asked Matilom and he told me... on our way here. He feared the truth would affect you in an unfavorable way.”

  “Segmiatus’s recovery you said. That was because of me?”

  “You are the son of Lady Lynda. You have an overwhelming life force. That power must have flowed to Segmiatus in reaction to your concern for him.”

  Davydd sat in shock.

  “I hate to come between this re-union but we need you Lady Lynda.”

  “The prisoner will not talk. I heard.” Lady Lynda said.

  “As is to be expected of a goddess.” Baximus bowed.