Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey

by Steve Windsor

  “Go now before they take you again!”

  “My many thanks.” Kazan said staring at Vera. Then he was off, running down the huge concrete steps leading up to the shrine. The steps were numerous and sectioned off into three groups, each separated by a concrete platform before embarking on the next flight of steps. On either side, at each platform, were two tall rectangular pillars made of concrete. They were more for aesthetic purpose than anything else. On top of one of such pillars, two figures were crouched.

  “What plays on your mind Max?” Sam asked as he turned his gaze towards his fellow guardian.

  “That man almost took my life. I’d rather him dead.”

  Sam wore a look of surprise.

  “Max, I’ve never seen you hold such anger.”

  Max laughed. “It’s embarrassing that’s all. This life we were given, we always knew it would bring us a violent death at some point, but to be poisoned? Just seems a bit pathetic.”

  “Ah so that’s it then. You would rather meet your end in a blaze of glory.”

  “The wish of every warrior.”

  “Indeed.”

  They watched as Kazan stumbled and fell flat on his chest. He struggled to get up and kept running.

  “Well then.” Sam said tilting his hat lower. “The hunt is on.”

  At the gate’s entrance, Leo stood invisible to the naked eye. He watched as Kazan kept running. Vera walked up and stood beside him.

  “Do you think this will work?”

  Leo looked at her in surprise. Did she really know he was there? He looked around and saw nobody else. Maybe she was thinking out aloud. He kept quiet and turned his gaze back to Kazan.

  “You choose to remain silent then?”

  “You can see me?”

  “Are you surprised?”

  “A bit.”

  “How long are you going to hide because of your pain?”

  “What do you speak of?”

  “That heartbeat of yours certainly tells a story. One I would like to hear someday.”

  “I cannot guarantee that my lady. We may never meet again.”

  Vera turned to him and placed her hand gently on his chest.

  “Yes we will.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I know you will come back. You will... and if you don’t, I will find you. For whether you remain seen or unseen, I... can always see you... Leo.”

  She felt his heart thud on her palm after her words and smiled.

  “Vera.” It was Davydd.

  “We prepare to leave now. You have sheltered us for close to a moon. You have my many thanks.”

  “None needed. This place will always be open to you and your friends when need be. You all will have my prayers and as long as I’m thinking of you, this is your home.” She turned back to where Leo was standing.

  Davydd nodded and continued on as the others followed suit, each stopping by Vera and offering greetings. The last to come through the doors was Lynda. At the sight of her, Vera dropped to her knees and bowed down low.

  “This has been and will be the greatest blessing of my life.”

  Lynda bent down low and clasped Vera’s face in her hands gently.

  “I thank you for your kind heart.” Lynda leaned forward and kissed Vera on the forehead.

  Vera leaped forward and embraced Lynda in a warm and appreciating embrace.

  “Mother goddess!! You honor me greatly.”

  Lynda hugged her as well for a brief time.

  “Come now. I must meet up with my son. I leave you two to share farewells. Don’t take too long Leo.”

  “My Lady.” Leo said.

  Vera got up as Lynda left. She turned to Leo.

  Leo walked up to her and knelt down. He took her hand and kissed it.

  “I must go now Vera. And when I return, I will have stories to tell you.”

  “I will be waiting.”

  Leo nodded and tipped his hat to her before departing down the flight of steps. Vera stood atop the flight of steps watching them go before turning back inside. As Leo caught up to the rest, Sam and Max began sarcastically clearing their throats and whistling.

  “What is it?” Leo asked.

  “Oh nothing at all.” Sam said as Max chuckled.

  “Your happiness warms my heart.” Max said.

  “Shut up.” Leo said. He felt embarrassed.

  “Okay... priestess lover.” Max said suppressing his laughter.

  Up ahead, Davydd and Vannera walked together.

  “Do you see him still?” Davydd asked.

  “As clear as the sun itself.” Vannera replied. She held his hand and he squeezed hers gently and reassuringly.

  “However, he does not take the path back to Sangwa.”

  “Where is he headed?” Baximus asked.

  “He heads west instead of south.”

  “The field of brave souls lies west of here.” Matilom noted.

  “All the same, we have to follow.” Davydd said.

  “Is that wise?” Vannera asked.

  “What would you rather do?”

  Vannera turned to Matilom.

  “Do you remember when Lady Feona set upon you during the Balek’s attack in Angweleth?”

  “Yes of course.”

  “Your aura was black.”

  “That is because I was near death.”

  “Well... I see a lot of black pulsating auras where he’s headed. Are there so many who are near death there?”

  “Oh no...” Matilom said.

  “What is it?”

  “Those are not persons near death my dear. Those are lost souls.”

  “Lost?”

  “Yes... they walk the line between this world and the next. Wraiths they are called.”

  Lynda walked ahead of the group.

  “You will not be able to see him for long in such a cloud of souls Vannera.” She said.

  “What are you going to do?” Davydd asked.

  “I shall aid from the skies above and make you aware of happenings around you. This is your fight. Vannera seeing as you have the sight, I shall be speaking to you more so. Please be attentive.”

  “Yes my lady.” Vannera said respectfully.

  “Matilom please tell them all they need to know about wraiths.”

  “It will be done.” Matilom said.

  And with that Lynda bent down and leapt up in the air. She was off as quickly as an arrow through the air skyward, until she was gone from view.

  “She seemed... upset.” Davydd said.

  “Wraiths are what become of souls Feona can’t find or neglects if she has no interest be it either from her appetite being temporarily satiated or because the soul holds no worth whatsoever to her.”

  “It seems lady Feona will get a scolding.” Segmiatus chuckled.

  “Careful what you say.” Sam said smiling. “She can hear you even away from the shores of Angweleth you know?”

  Davydd turned to Matilom. “What threat do Wraiths pose?”

  “Wraiths are shadows of the souls of once mortals. They are lost auras who have been deprived of peace and happiness or pain and suffering.”

  “They feel nothing at all?”

  “And yet, to feel nothing, to know nothing, is to feel something. That something is what they wish to share with anyone unfortunate enough to be caught by them. Do not look into their eyes, or you will become a mindless person, without reason or logic. That is, if you are not struck down before them. You would be luckier if it were the latter.”

  “They can fight?”

  “They can, but only by instinct. They are another embodiment of chaos, just like the dragol.”

  “How do we kill them?”

  “Usually, in order to defeat a wraith, one must show it its former corpse in hopes of restoring the lost soul’s reason. However in this case we have neither any corpse nor the ability to withstand such a large number of wraiths.”

  “So, what shall we do?” Davydd asked.


  “We do what the pirate does. We run through and pray that no wraith takes an exceeded interest in us.”

  “Alright.” Davydd said. “Max I want you to take myself and Vannera with you. We can use your portals to navigate our way through the fields more quickly.”

  “Your highness.” Max said as he made his way over to Davydd and Vannera.

  “Sam I leave you with Segmiatus and Matilom.”

  “I doubt the old Wizard can endure such rapid movements anymore.” Sam said laughing. Davydd shook his head before turning to Leo.

  “Leo, a pairing with the former wielder of the power of the unseen seems befitting.”

  “As you wish your highness.”

  Davydd turned to Baximus who was staring at him and smiling.

  “What is it?” He asked perplexed.

  “One day... you will make a great king.” Baximus said as he and Leo faded away from view.

  Davydd smiled briefly.

  “Let us go.”

  The field of brave souls was a dark and desolate place, devoid of all life except for the grass that did nothing to provide respite in such dreariness. Despite the day being broken and the sun rays illuminating the earth below, the field seemed enshrouded by a perpetual shadow, cast by a seemingly unmoving dark cloud above the field’s expanse. As the group slowly moved into the field, they crouched low, taking cover in the tall blades of grass which had been allowed to thrive in the absence of grazing animals to feed on them. Above them, they could see the Wraiths walking around in mid- air. Some were lower set in the air than others, and some came very close to the ground, but none ever touched the ground. They moved about aimlessly, making indiscernible noises from time to time. Their eyes wore an empty look as they trudged along.

  “Matilom.” Davydd whispered. “Why do their feet never meet with the earth beneath them?”

  “They do not belong to this realm or to our reality. All souls face difficulty in walking with mortals without being noticed. It is hard to... adapt to the limitations that rule over us. Now then, let us be swift and be gone from this field.”

  As they crept along, Segmiatus unconsciously scanned the faces of the wraiths.

  “These... these are mostly wraiths of soldiers.”

  “Soldiers?” Davydd asked. “Of Beathaleth?”

  “No. These are wraiths of all the kingdoms. Could these be souls of those who perished during the Dragol War?”

  “They are. I recognize some.” Matilom looked away before he could make eye contact with one of them. “Be careful.” He said.

  “Father?” Segmiatus said looking at one wraith that had passed close to them. He began walking towards the figure. A hand shot out and grabbed him by the shoulder. It was that of Sam.

  “What are you doing? You will get us killed.”

  “That is my father over there.”

  “Get a hold of yourself. That is no longer your father, and if you go there, you will most definitely be killed.”

  “I cannot sit idly and let this happen. Feona has neglected her duties. Father!”

  The wraith that was Segmiatus’s father turned towards the group. It fixed its gaze on Segmiatus, freezing him still. Segmiatus struggled to move but he had lost control of his muscles. They locked on him the harder he struggled to move them. It was as though they had a will of theirs. The wraith slowly made its way towards him. It unsheathed its sword and got into a swinging stance.

  “Father...” Segmiatus barely got the word out.

  The wraith swung towards Segmiatus’s waist. There was a clang of metal. The clang was followed by a blow to Segmiatus’s head. Segmiatus looked down to see Balek’s sword blocking his wraith father’s sword. His gaze shifted upwards and met Davydd’s enraged glare.

  “What have you done?” Davydd asked. Segmiatus looked on in silence, realizing much to his self-disgust that his uncontrolled emotions had endangered everyone. Vannera was watching the events unfold, when she heard the voice of Lynda.

  Run

  “Davydd.” She called. “We can save the blames for later. We have to go now.”

  Davydd looked around him. The wraiths were all closing in on their position.

  “Come Segmiatus.” Davydd dragged him away from his father’s wraith. “We have to make haste.” They ran back to the group. Davydd went to Max and Vannera, while Segmiatus ran to Sam and Matilom.

  “You fool!” Sam bellowed.

  “Not now Sam.” Davydd said. “Go!”

  Sam placed his hands on Segmiatus’s and Matilom’s backs simultaneously. “You will feel a bit of a tinge. Do not panic and trust me.” And with that, all three of them were gone like a beam of light is gone after momentarily flashing through the sky.

  “Are you ready?” Max said as he clasped both Vannera’s and Davydd’s hands.

  “Go.” Davydd said.

  A huge portal opened up and enveloped all three of them. It opened up a few paces ahead and then enveloped them once more. All the while, the wraiths gave chase as quickly as they could, and they were quick. Up ahead, Sam came to a stop. His hands were still on Matilom’s and Segmiatus’s back, but this time he was leaning on them for support. Segmiatus looked back at Sam to see he was sweating heavily.

  “Fatigue has set in.” Segmiatus said. “You must catch your breath.”

  “No time.” Sam looked up to see a wraith coming down on them with a great sword. “We must move.” He pressed on their backs and they were gone just as the wraith swung through where they had been.

  In the distance, portals opened up and closed up at different parts of the field. Max, Davydd and Vannera fell through another portal and before long, a swarm of wraiths descended upon them.

  Max grimaced in pain and clutched his leg.

  “Davydd. The wraiths.” Vannera said.

  “Don’t overdo it Max.” Davydd said.

  Davydd unsheathed his two swords and swung at the wraiths, blocking their attacks and cutting a few of them. They withdrew to a safe distance and waited for their wounds to close up, before swarming in again. Max grabbed Davydd and Vannera and pulled them into another portal just in time. When they emerged, Max was panting heavily. Davydd observed him for a while.

  “Moving rapidly with two people through portals, takes its toll I see.”

  “That... and... the distance covered. I have maybe two or three more in me.”

  “And then what happens?”

  “I do not know. I have never been so close to my limits before. For one thing, there will be no more portals. But it is not me I am most worried about.”

  “Who then?”

  “Leo. Staying unseen for long periods causes his body to burn... as well as those he extends his powers to.” Davydd sighed and closed his eyes momentarily.

  Mother, I know you said you won’t interfere unless in dire circumstances. These are dire circumstances.

  There was no response. Davydd bent down low and pulled Vannera down with him.

  “The wraiths have not found us yet.” He whispered.

  He looked up to see the figures that were now flying this way and that. They passed through each other, their shapes being momentarily distorted when they did.

  “Let us stay here a while and you can regain your strength Max.” Max nodded. His panting was beginning to subside.

  Lady Lynda stormed into lady Feona’s dark chambers.

  “For one so greedy for human souls, you seem to have neglected a good number.”

  Feona turned around and smiled at Lynda.

  “You have never been good at greetings my dear sister. However, it is a rare and pleasurable to sight to see you so... enraged.”

  “It is your duty as queen of souls to judge them, and aid them as they cross into the eternal life. Why have you deserted those who fell in battle?”

  “Because they fell in battle. Those are the souls of the cowards, those who would choose to run and hide for they thought it would save them from death at the hands of the dragol. Those are even
souls of those who could not stand by Rikard Miljorn. Why should I want such souls? Oblivion is what they deserve. Besides, it is not them that concerns you now is it?”

  “He is my son.”

  “Then save him yourself.”

  “There is a war coming. Every time I come to his aid, my powers will drain. You know this. I am trying to preserve myself.”

  “As am I.”

  “There is no consequence for you in this. You would merely be doing your duty.

  “Indeed... but I do not have the desire.”

  Lynda glared at Feona.

  “What is it you want? And please do not stall. I am well aware that you are twisting my arm.”

  “Davydd has improved greatly.” Feona said, smiling.

  “I knew it. You would not have stopped at Rikard would you?”

  “Those are my terms. If he comes within mortal danger, I am free to orchestrate as I see fit.”

  “And what about the rest of the mortals? What about the dragol?”

  Feona shrugged. Before she could finish her action, a sword was resting on her neck. Its white blade was enshrouded by a bright light which pulsated rapidly.

  “Careful sister.” Feona said. “You do not want to start another war between us.”

  “A war is what you will get if you do not stop those wraiths... for I will take away the gift of life creation from all mortals.”

  “No! You cannot do that! If you do...”

  “All humans will die. I am well aware. It is because of me that they live. It is because of me that you have souls to collect. I shall rob you of them and even those who scream and groan in hopelessness, trapped forever in the sea of lost souls.”

  “Then I will visit upon you my entire wrath.” Feona warned.

  “Feona, I hope for your sake that when you do, you destroy me. For wrath is not something I will visit upon you if you do not do as I ask.”

  Lynda leaned in, her gaze fierce, her face menacingly calm.

  “It will be something much worse.” She said in a whisper.

  Feona stared into her sister’s eyes. She knew Lynda meant every word of what she had said. “If I do this, what then will you offer me in return?”

  “Mercy, and peace of mind, for all the pain you have already inflicted upon me.”

  “Even if Davydd finds the gauntlet and the sword, there is still the seven year curse that follows it.”