Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey

by Steve Windsor

  “I do not care about your curse. He is my son, and your nephew. Do not underestimate him... or me. Now go.” Lynda glared at Feona one last time before leaving her chambers.

  When she was gone, Jaynea who had been standing a fair distance away walked up to Feona.

  “My lady...”

  “You will not be accompanying me this time Jaynea. I cannot have Vannera losing focus.”

  “My lady, pardon me but I am confused. A while ago you sought to help Davydd. Now you stay your hand while he faces even more distress. Why?”

  Feona turned to Jaynea, her red eyes glimmering.

  “My sister and I are always at odds.” She said as she drew down a tear in the fabric of all that is and watched it expand.

  “Why?”

  “It is in our nature. I thirst for the end of souls. I always will. She thirsts for the birth of souls.”

  “You especially thirst it seems, for souls close to her heart. However it seems you have taken her threat seriously.”

  “Life is cruel.” Feona turned to Jaynea again. “Yes I am sure you have heard that saying before. It would be unwise to treat her threats lightly.”

  Feona walked through the tear.

  Baximus and Leo were slowly fading in and out of visibility. Both their skins burned and they dropped low to the grass. Leo released the spell and they both became visible again. They were drenched in sweat.

  “How far do we have to go?” Leo asked.

  “Too far. I am well aware of the limits of your power. You cannot keep this up for too much longer without risking death.”

  “I am fine.” Leo said forcing a smile. “Feona will not have me so easily.”

  “I can have you anytime I wish it.” A voice said. Leo looked up to see that it was the goddess Feona. She held two wraiths by the neck on either hand. Leo watched as both wraiths evaporated into nothingness afterwards.

  “My lady Feona. Why is it you are here?” He asked.

  “To save your pathetic lives. Seeing as you cannot do so yourselves. Now come with me.” She held both their hands and they were gone in a portal, which re- emerged near Davydd, Vannera and Max.

  “You...” Davydd said.

  “Yes. Me. Now be still and silent while I go fetch the other idiots and the wizard.” And with that, she was gone again. She re-emerged again, in front of Sam, Segmiatus and Matilom, though she could not see him.

  “Oh my Fe...”

  “Finish saying that and I will cause the life from your tongue to leave it. Your foolishness nearly visited tragedy on all.”

  Segmiatus fell silent.

  “Come with me.”

  Sam did not move.

  “I am not here for you wizard, though I’d very much like to be. Now come before I change my mind.”

  Sam grabbed Matilom’s hand.

  “We are ready.” He said, and a portal enveloped them as well. They re-emerged at the same place where she had left Leo and Baximus with Davydd, Max and Vannera. The group was re-united.

  “What are you going to do now?”

  “What you could not do. Lay on the ground, all of you. I do not wish for you to be caught in my wake.” Feona levitated off the ground and a black aura enshrouded her. Her eyes burned an even brighter red. She raised her gauntlet hand up in front of her, pulled it back as one does when trying to swing a sword horizontally, and swung from left to right. A shockwave exploded from her hand and rapidly spread out in front of her. It also wrapped around her and spread out behind her so that it covered all areas of the field, expanding from her as the epicenter. The shockwave created a strong blast of wind, which combined with the wave itself, caused most of the wraiths in the field to dissolve instantly. The force flattened the grass blades in the field and pressed down on Davydd’s group. They could feel it push them into the soil, almost as though it were huge hands that depressed them in. They all watched as Feona decimated the remaining wraiths swiftly. She seemed to be everywhere at once, laughing as she vanquished wraith after wraith. Feona slowly descended to the ground once more. Her armor melted to re-form her dress as she walked towards the group. Davydd stood up.

  “Thank you.” He said.

  “Must everything be handed to you?” Feona asked angrily.

  “I do not... understand.” A perplexed Davydd said.

  “Do you know how much aid your father received from me? A sword was all.”

  “Yet it was a sword of power. One I do not have to wield against dragol and wraiths!”

  “Do you forget who you are? Not too long ago you spoke proudly to your mother about finally knowing your true self. Have you so soon forgotten your own words? You are a halfing. What you just saw me do, you can also do. Mindless wraiths should not even begin to trouble you, and yet they do.”

  “I... I...” Davydd trailed off.

  “If you truly have mastered yourself, then it is time you stopped fighting like a mortal for your journey will not get any easier.” Her gaze shifted from Davydd to Max, Leo and Sam.

  “The powers of the guardians of Angweleth all come from me. But these powers have a will of their own. I have given the essences of these powers freedom to dwell within the souls of anyone they so deem worthy. There are but two ways to lose your powers. The first way is by death, the other by being found unworthy. And if you are unworthy of such powers, you will most likely perish, as you almost did now.”

  She turned back to Davydd, whose head hung low.

  “I was beginning to take an interest in you.”

  “Feona...”

  “We will speak again, when you have shown me that you understand exactly who you are.”

  Davydd pursed his lips and raised his chin-boss. He slowly turned towards Vannera.

  “Do you still see Kazan?”

  Vannera scanned the area and finally spoke.

  “Yes I can, though he is aura is fading.”

  “Then we must move before he is lost to us. Segmiatus, Baximus, aid Sam, Leo and Max. They have given all that they can.” He turned to them. “And I thank you for it.”

  Davydd. I return to you now.

  It was his mother’s voice. Davydd closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  No mother. I cannot ask you for any more aid. This is my fight, our fight, the fight of the humans.

  There is no shame in asking for aid my son.

  I am aware. And yet, there are some things I must learn by myself. I cannot be afforded exalted privileges because of who I am. Rather, I will earn and achieve them because of who I am. Besides, I would rather you face the dragol as a god than as a mortal.

  I understand. Do not forget, I will always be with you and will come if so called. In the meantime, have this.

  A sword fell from the sky and dropped in front of Davydd, its blade piercing into the earth.

  My other sword. It holds less power than that which King Darius Vitalis wields, but it should serve you well along with Balek’s.

  Davydd pulled out the sword. The others watched him as he inspected the hilt and blade. It was a glorious weapon. The sword suddenly dissolved into a silver arm band around his right wrist. A dim bright light pulsated from it, at intervals.

  The blade will aid you in channeling your godly abilities. But you must discover them for yourself. My powers are yours. Remember that.

  I will.

  Davydd turned to Feona and nodded quickly without saying a word. Everyone was up and ready to go. Segmiatus stayed all the way behind the others and walked with his gaze earthwards. He looked up at Feona for a brief time before somberly turning back around and walking with the others.

  Your foolishness nearly visited tragedy on all.

  He would be of better use to Davydd if he was not near him. He made up his mind. He would wait until they reached Sangwa, once more. Above them, the dark cloud hanging over the field had cleared. In the distance, in the direction of Sangwa, another much darker one was forming.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: The Calm before the Storm


  Leo followed Kazan at a safe distance. His blue outfit was covered by a grey cloak, though he still wore his hat. The journey back to Sangwa had taken seven days, as Kazan had taken a longer route through the field of brave souls. It had been their closest encounter with death yet. But this was their best chance of finding the gauntlet of Feona and despite their strength waning, they had remained steadfast. Feona’s speech seemed to have galvanized everyone and even Leo found himself practicing his powers again as he once did before he gained mastery of them. His sharp eyes never once left Kazan even as the pirate prince weaved his way through the multitude of pedestrians that traversed the streets of Sangwa in the day time. Kazan had only been in Sangwa a couple of hours and yet he had spoken to a few other men, whom Leo deemed to be pirates as well. He was definitely making arrangements to be picked up. Leo had on occasion gotten close enough to hear the conversations held. They were weary of him possibly being followed and for good cause. He was being followed. Kazan walked into an inn and paid for a room. Leo was about to follow, when he stopped in his tracks. There, a few paces in front of him, was the Angwelethean death class soldier who had almost caught him and Baximus as they escaped from the holding cells in the Gor security outpost. While not in Angwelethean armor, Leo still remembered his face. Leo looked away and made a mental note of the Inn’s location. He turned to go but could not avoid making eye contact with Farok. It was brief, but the moment of recognition had come upon the Angwelethean soldier as well. Farok began walking quickly through the crowd towards Leo, but a group of people walking in the opposite direction obscured his view for a moment. When he looked past them, Leo was gone. Leo quickly made his way unseen through the crowd before following the path of the street his was on until it curved towards the left and thinned in its width. The human traffic here was considerably less. Leo waited till he got to a quiet part of the street before fading back into visibility again. He was getting close to the inn the rest of the group had chosen to stay in. No sooner had he become visible than he had to dodge the downward vertical slash of a sword. He rolled to his right and sprang to his feet, unsheathing his sword from its back sheath, just in time to defend against another slash. For the first time, Leo caught sight of his attacker. He wore a crimson hat with a black band around it, a black cloak over a crimson tunic and black pants tucked into black leather boots. His sword was peculiar in shape, widening from base to slanted tip, with 5 holes situated along the center of the blade and holding some sort of energy within them. They also made a very slight humming noise that turned into a whizzing sound whenever he swung his blade. Leo also noticed that when he swung, the energy holes left behind streaks of light in the wake of the sword.

  “I have no quarrel with you.” Leo said.

  “Now you have put me in an awkward situation.” Obin replied.

  “And how is that?”

  “I have to kill one who won’t put up a true fight.” Obin reached back and swung again from right to left. Leo blocked with his sword, using his left hand to provide extra support in absorbing the force of Obin’s powerful swing. Leo immediately pushed back on Obin’s sword, causing the powerful man to fall back and lose his stance momentarily. Leo moved in to take advantage of the opening, swinging his sword vertically from low to high, in an attempt to split Obin’s face in half. Obin kept moving backwards and finally arched his head just out of reach of Leo’s blade. The blade whizzed by in a menacing arc right in front of Obin’s nose. Leo came back down with his blade this time in a downward arc. Obin regained his stance, planting his right foot behind him for support. He blocked Leo’s downward slash with his own sword perpendicular to Leo’s. No sooner had Obin blocked the blow, than did he release the force of his resistance, thereby letting Leo’s own momentum carry him through. Leo fell forward and Obin moved behind Leo and swung at the guardian’s now open back. However, he met Leo’s sword, which he had brought behind him to block the blow. Leo kicked backwards with his right foot and slammed it into Obin’s mid-section. Obin staggered backwards as Leo pivoted around to face him. Leo moved forward, his head bent low in anticipation of Obin’s horizontal slash with his sword as he fell backwards. It did come and whizzed over Leo’s head. As such, Leo was still moving forward and Obin was now open. Leo swung with his sword at Obin’s mid-section once more. He had him. However, Obin brought his blade back quickly with the flat side of the blade was facing Leo, so that the magical holes were facing him too. The light inside them brightened and shot forward at Leo who lifted his sword to block the attack. The impact caused a bright explosion that knocked both men in opposite directions. Obin fell on his back, but went into a roll and quickly got back on his feet. Leo was nowhere to be seen. Obin stood still, his eyes scanning the street, his ears listening for any sound and his muscles recoiled like a spring, ready to uncoil again if need be. Despite his predicament, his breathing remained calm and his heart beat was steady. He had to be. Panic would not suffice at this moment. There it was: the slight whooshing sound of a sword that only a trained ear could pick up. Had he been any other person, the sword swing would have decapitated him. Instead it missed when Obin bent low and swirled around. His hat was however, gone revealing his medium length black hair. Obin still could not see Leo but he heard another attack coming and barely blocked that. He heard another one and a gash opened up in his thigh. Obin staggered back and waited until he heard the very quiet sound of a cautious footstep. He sent an energy blast from his sword to the ground. It broke part of the concrete street, and sent some dust flying up in the air. Obin observed the dust particles reveal an outline, as they swirled. He was just in time as it also revealed Leo’s blade coming at him in a forward thrust. Obin side stepped the blade and grabbed Leo’s neck, forcing them down to the ground with a thud. The blow caused Leo to cough out as the back of his head impacted the ground and Obin pressed his sword blade on Leo’s neck.

  “Any last words Angwelethean spy?”

  Leo coughed and wheezed. “I should... be asking... you the same.” Leo faded into visibility. It was then Obin noticed that Leo’s blade was actually in his left hand and pointed at his neck. What the dust particles had revealed was actually Leo’s sheath, which he had used as a decoy.

  “And I am no spy.” Leo continued. “Again, you have me mistaken.”

  “You switched blade hands. Your skill is impressive.”

  “Did you not hear me?”

  “I heard you well. Drop your blade.”

  “And surrender my only chance at survival?”

  “I will not kill you. You have my word.”

  “My apologies if I take them lightly at this time.”

  “We are at a standstill then.”

  “Not exactly. You may want to drop your sword.” Leo warned.

  “And if I don’t?” Obin asked, visibly enthused.

  “I’ll slice you in half faster than Lynda herself can put you back together.” It was the voice of Max. He pressed the tip of his dagger on Obin’s back.

  “Stand up and let the man go.” Max continued.

  Obin slowly let go of Leo who massaged his neck as both men got up to their feet. Leo then reached out and pointed his blade at Obin’s heart.

  “What happens now?” Obin asked.

  “Let go of your sword slowly.” Max commanded.

  Obin did so and his sword dropped to the ground with a clang. Max bent down and picked it up, his dagger still pointed at Obin’s back.

  “Now we introduce you to everyone.” Max said as a portal took them away.

  The portal opened up in an upper room. There, Davydd and the rest sat or stood waiting. Obin shook his head and tried to regain his orientation.

  “Portal travel will do that to you if you are not accustomed to it.” Max said. “I would be still if I were you.”

  “Obin?” Matilom said. Obin turned around and saw Matilom walking up to him. “Put away your weapons.” Matilom ordered. Obin slowly got up and squinted his eyes. He was still battling with orientation. />
  “Matilom...” He said.

  “You know each other?” Davydd asked.

  “Obin is the commander of the Beathalethean army and King Darius Vitalis’s right hand... man.”

  “A king that is furious with you wizard. You sent us warning, moons ago. A warning we confirmed. Yet you did not say where in Beathaleth you were going to be. What’s more, it appears you have brought hostile men to our shores through Sangwa.”

  “My sincerest apologies Obin. But seeing as your command had already been breached once before, I was not sure that I could trust any more word being sent without falling to the enemies eyes. Besides, the men I used last time are no longer with me.”

  “I see.” Obin looked around him. “Who is the son of Rikard?”

  Davydd walked forward. “I am.”

  Obin surveyed him for a few moments.

  “The spitting image.” He finally said.

  “How is it that you were able to find Leo?” Davydd asked.

  “I didn’t. Beathaleth is a very large kingdom, king of Angweleth. Sangwa is but one of many ports, but word has spread of unusual activity here. The death of a trader, the strange group of outsiders who would disturb residents with questions, rumored fighting in the white deserts and now rumors of Angwelethean soldiers who lurk in ships near the port.”

  “Angwelethean ships? We only came with one and that one left almost three moons ago.”

  “The ships I speak of have been talked about for a moon now. Soldiers from your kingdom are here. He knows.” Obin pointed at Leo. “It’s how I found him. I observed the exchange of stares unseen one and there is only one kingdom I know such powers of camouflage lay in.”

  “He’s right.” Leo added. “Today, I saw one of the death class soldiers. It was the one who nearly prevented my escape with Baximus on the day of the rescue.”

  “Farok is his name.” Baximus said.

  “Was he following anyone?” Davydd asked Obin.

  “Not anyone in particular. I was following him however. He stalks the port daily as if waiting for someone.”

  “Most likely us.” Davydd concluded.