Metal and Magic: A Fantasy Journey

by Steve Windsor

  “That is the eye of the dragol.” Matilom said joining them.

  The oval shape inside the circle began spinning around slowly and then faster and faster until it was a blur. Suddenly it began to recede as if heading towards king Vitalis but in reality it seemed to be burrowing a hole in midair. The circle began expanding and soon the burrowing stopped and Davydd could see a barren and fiery land on the other side. The land was parched and carved up in various lines. Flames shot to the surface, licking it as they did, before falling back down into whatever abyss they shot out from. The whole land seemed to be alive.

  “I see...” A shimmering light appeared behind them, and everyone bowed down once more. “So that is where your Rikard hid my sword. He hid it in Teinerus, the land of the dragol.” Feona said, walking up to them.

  “Feona.” Lynda said. “I did not expect to you to come.”

  “Why wouldn’t I dearest sister? It is my sword and my gauntlet we are speaking of is it not?” She looked at Davydd and smiled. “Well done nephew.” Another gust of wind swept by them and this time a final inscription was written in the sand. Davydd read it and his heart sank as he said it.

  “You may choose... four more.” He said.

  “So there it is.” Matilom said. “What will you do? King Davydd Miljorn.”

  Davydd looked at Vannera as reality began to settle in.

  “Have I ever told you... how much I love you?”

  Vannera breathed in deeply as she stared directly into his eyes, never breaking her gaze.

  “No... no you have shown me how much you love me.”

  Davydd smiled and nodded as she did the same.

  “I am not coming with you... am I?” She said.

  “No... not this time. Angweleth needs a leader here until I return... and I can think of no one better.”

  “Davydd... Davydd...” Vannera wrapped her arms around him in an embrace that spoke a thousand upon a thousand words.

  “You must hurry Davydd.” Matilom said. “The portal will not be open for long.”

  Davydd breathed in. “Where is Leo?”

  “He stays by Baximus’s side. He has refused to have any company at this time.” Max said.

  “I am here.” Leo said as he faded into visibility. “And I will go with you, your majesty. My master would have wished it so.”

  “I wish it so as well.” Davydd responded.

  Leo nodded and turned to Max, handing him a piece of paper. “Make sure you have this delivered to Vera. Tell her that I have not forgotten the promise of satiating her ears with stories yet untold.” Max nodded as he took the paper.

  “Segmiatus, I would have you come with me as well.” Segmiatus nodded and stepped forward. Davydd looked at the gauntlet. “It is a shame you do not have a human form.” Then it hit him. He had the second of his mother’s swords. Davydd lifted his right hand to his lips.

  “What is your name?” He asked.

  An inscription formed on the silver band he wore on his right wrist.

  Beatha.

  “Beatha, assume your human form.” The band immediately expanded and slipped off his wrist, falling to the ground. It dissolved into a metallic liquid pool and slowly coalesced together, forming a feminine figure. When she solidified, her form was revealed. She had long black and straight hair, a fair reddish skin and brown eyes. Her lips were a reddish brown hue and her form was perfect in every sense of the word. She wore a white top with straps on her shoulder, which stopped after her cleavage hence revealing a bare belly and bottom white pants that seemed a bit too big for her. They were secured at the bottom by sandals that had straps reaching a bit above her ankles. Obin looked at her. She held in her hand, a sword similar in shape and form to that which Obin wielded, but only smaller.

  “It has been a while since I last beheld you, sister.” Obin said.

  -“And this re-union will be brief.” Beatha had a soft, gentle and soothing voice. She looked at Davydd and smiled.

  “It is rather nice to have a new wielder. Your grip is strong, firm and assured.”

  “Is it?” Vannera asked glaring at her and Davydd. Beatha turned around and smiled at Vannera.

  “Don’t be so envious princess. I am merely a weapon. You don’t have to let a mere sword trouble you.”

  “Beatha, re-assume your form on my wrist.”

  “Can I stretch and smell the air a bit.”

  “Now Beatha.”

  Beatha sighed. “I told you it would be brief brother.” She said to Obin smiling. She then re-assumed her form as an arm band reforming around Davydd’s wrist.

  “I do not like her.” Vannera said.

  “You have no cause to worry.” Davydd said reassuringly.

  “Beatha has always been of a mischievous nature.” Obin added. “But she means no harm.”

  “You need one more person Davydd.” Matilom said.

  “I’ll go.”

  There was a hush and murmur, through the group of soldiers, for the person who had volunteered to go, was none other than Lady Feona herself.

  “What is the meaning of this Feona?” Lady Lynda asked.

  “Be calm dearest sister. We both know if I did not volunteer, you would have. However you are the goddess of life and you know what it would mean should you be sent into oblivion.”

  “Your role is no less important.” Lynda retorted.

  “I am well aware. However I am sure Jaynea will be up to the task. If I recall, you have no emissary of yours now do you? Besides, someone in the family needs to watch over Davydd in Teinerus.” Feona turned to look around.

  “I know you are here wizard. You know what this means. While I am gone, you are free to use your powers as you please. It would of much benefit in this war.”

  “Well then... I suppose we are ready.” Lynda said.

  King Vitalis walked over to Lady Lynda.

  “Five? Only five of them we are to send?”

  “Ang has spoken Darius. Besides, a large army would draw too much unwanted attention. In that group is my son, my sister, one of my swords, and two capable Angwelethean warriors who will follow Davydd to the ends of all that is. We must place our trust in them.”

  “And if they do not return?”

  “Do not... speak of such.” Vannera said as she walked up to Davydd. She embraced him again and kissed him for what was an eternity and yet felt like only a fleeting moment.

  “Do not meet your end in that world or I shall beat you senseless when we meet in Hovan... please. You come back to me, alive.”

  “Vannera... I pro...” Vannera put a finger on his lips.

  “No promises... just do it.”

  Davydd nodded and their lips met one more time, before she pulled away from him. Matilom and Lady Lynda stepped forward.

  “You all will be going into a land known to but a few.” Lynda began. “You will be going to a place with only strange faces and stranger yet mannerisms. And... death will be lurking at every corner. But you will have each other to trust and to support, to pull forward even if the fires burn you, even if your bones are broken and your very flesh is stripped from you, do not let your spirit be broken. Do not ever despair and do not ever lose yourselves.”

  The circular portal began to shudder and shake as it began sucking in the chosen travelers. Leo was pulled in first, then Segmiatus, and then Feona who smiled at Lynda before getting drawn in. Davydd began to feel the force on him. His eyes fell on Matilom, Max, Sam, his mother and finally on Vannera. A deep sadness overwhelmed him as he began to get tugged in. His hand reached out to Vannera as he yelled.

  “I will return! If it is the last thing I do... I will return! Just you wait and see. I will... return!” Davydd was pulled in and the portal closed behind him until there was nothing there but empty space and air. An eerie silence fell upon everyone as they contemplated what had happened. King Vitalis bowed his head for a second before beginning to rouse everyone from their thoughts and bark orders. Suddenly, the buzz of activity had retur
ned and everyone seemed to go about their business like nothing had happened. King Vitalis walked over to Vannera and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “Believe in him.” He said and continued walking.

  Vannera nodded to no one in particular. Her eyes reddened and her body shuddered as she stood looking at the spot where Davydd had been.

  “Matilom.” She called.

  “Yes my dear.”

  “Where is my father being held? I need to speak to him.”

  “I will take you to him then.”

  “Many thanks. Sam, Max. I need you two to work with Farok and ascertain how many men we still have that are able and can fight. It is safe to assume Angweleth has already been taken by the dragol. We will make here our stronghold and await the arrival of Ergol and the army he promised.” Both Sam and Max nodded as they went on to perform their tasks.

  “It is good to see you so strong.” Lady Lynda said as she drew open a doorway.

  “You depart?” Vannera asked.

  “The other gods are assembling to discuss recent events. I must be present.”

  Vannera nodded.

  “Call upon me and I will be by your side as swiftly as light let through window curtains.” She smiled, kissed Vannera on the forehead and was gone.

  Vannera stood a while longer, before following Matilom to see Sidion Vror, who was tied up in his tent.

  “I hear from the chatter that Davydd Miljorn is on his way to Teinerus.” Sidion Vror said as they entered his tent.

  “Leave us.” Vannera said to Matilom.

  “You did not follow him?” Sidion said as Vannera slowly paced back and forth in front of him, her eyes fierce and never straying from him.

  “Why did you order me killed?” She finally asked.

  “I did not order you killed?”

  “Why did you have my mother killed?”

  “I did not have her killed either. I never wanted harm to befall either of you. Though it did on account of my actions... my intentions were good. I swear.”

  Vannera sat down in front of him.

  “We suddenly have the luxury of time father. But we are at war so please, do not hesitate.” She let out a flat smile. “Tell me everything.”

  They were all assembled in Lynda’s chambers and watched as the bolts of light shot from Terrianus across the vast expanse of all that is, in the direction of Teinerus.

  “You hid Feona’s sword in Teinerus?” Barthros asked angrily.

  “Yes. I did.” Rikard Miljorn responded.

  “Why would you do such a thing? You have sent your son to meet his end.” Arthros observed.

  “I have merely sent him on a quest to understand the enemy he is fighting.”

  “A noble cause that could have been accomplished a much safer way.” Arthros said.

  Rikard Miljorn bowed his head. “Yet I believe that this was the only way... to reveal the truth.”

  “What do you speak of?” Barthros bellowed.

  “You know what I speak of.” Rikard said defiantly. “The dragol were also born from chaos as you gods of reality were. That makes you cousins. Yet the dragol were cast out into the darkest recesses of all that is for fear that one day, they might grow powerful enough to take revenge on you all for neglecting them so.”

  “You insolent...”

  “Calm yourself Barthros.” Lynda said. “What is the meaning of this Rikard?”

  “When you created life, when you created us human mortals and all other life in existence, you created us to be naturally inferior to yourselves. You created us so that there was no way any could pose a threat to unseat you all, the way the dragol do. Yet your siblings underestimated humans Lynda. We grew, we discovered and we learned. And with each passing century, our understanding of all that is has made us... powerful in your eyes. You underestimated the power of our spirit. One you created. But your love for all humans withheld you from taking the actions your siblings clamored for... and yet it did not stop them from sending the dragol our way.”

  “And why would we do that?” Barthros asked.

  “Control. Is that not what it is Barthros? You knew that humans, favored by the great goddess Lynda, and indeed favored by you all would be hated by the dragol, at least most of them. So you threw us in a never – ending war to be repeated and restaged for all of eternity. No side ever gaining true victory... just a semblance of victory. Enough to allow the other respite until it broke out again. That way, you would ensure that neither human nor dragol could ever directly turn against you whilst pre-occupied with one another.”

  “Even if what you say is true Rikard Miljorn,” A huge lady stepped in from the background. She was composed of numerous strings each one winding around and contorted to create her figure. The strings channeled streaks of light that shot through their entire length. Her eyes were two bright lights that were blinding to look at directly and her voice rumbled as though it were thunder.

  “How is sending your only son to Teinerus going to help you and the cause of you humans?” The lady asked.

  Rikard Miljorn managed a wry smile.

  “Mother fate, so what I say is indeed true.”

  There was a hush amongst the gods and Rikard smiled again. “Enemies understand each other in battle. They may yet resent one another, but they gain true understanding of each other when they fight with their lives on the line. Yet, not all dragol resent humans now do they? No it is a veil you have pulled over us and over them. It is as I said. I merely send my son to understand the enemy, and to hopefully end this senseless war, once and for all.”

  “And if he fails?” Mother fate asked.

  “Well then... that would be his fate would it not be? But... it is one he holds in his hands. Yet another veil you have long pulled over our eyes.”

  “That’s it.” Barthros said. “I should have never brought your line of reality back into existence. I will take it away now and then I will send you to oblivion.”

  “You will do no such thing for we have a pact. As long as Davydd Miljorn lives to complete his quest, you cannot send me back to Hovan or keep me there. You know the consequences if you do.”

  “Then you will be destroyed, here and now.” Mother Fate said. “Barthros.”

  “Indeed.” Barthros said and moved swiftly towards Rikard. However, Rikard was moved out of Barthros’s grasp before he could get there. Barthros turned and glared at Lady Lynda.

  “What are you doing sister?”

  “I cannot. I cannot let any of you lay a hand on him.”

  “Lynda. He is a mortal human. You can create another of him if you so please, but this mortal poses a danger to us.”

  “As we once posed to chaos. I will not let you harm him.”

  “Then what will you do?” Mother fate asked.

  “Are you sure about this?” Rikard asked Lynda.

  “Shut up my love. We are in trouble.” Lynda said as she drew open a tear.

  Rikard smiled and nodded in agreement. “Indeed we are.”

  “Come, we must leave.” She pulled him in before Barthros could descend on them.

  “We must find her!” Barthros said.

  “We can’t brother.” Arthros observed. “Lynda knows every crevice of all that is and you are wrong. Rikard is no longer mortal even if he is still less powerful. They will most likely hide out in some world or some place as yet undetermined.”

  “When I find them, I will strike them out of existence!”

  “Your temper is talking brother. That man figured out in his short life, the history of the humans and the dragol. Not only that, he discovered a way to buy the humans and more importantly, his son time to grow and take on the incomplete task he left behind. He rightly predicted that the dragol would recommence their invasion once the spell he created was lifted and it would be the perfect time for a human with superior gifts, a halfing, to enter Teinerus unnoticed with the greatest chance of success. Finally with an understanding that his son would inherit Lynda’s compassion fo
r all life, he knew Davydd would be the perfect human to send because his nature would not allow him mindlessly slay innocent dragol without reason, thus giving him a chance to know them and possibly, accept them. Rikard Miljorn, even in death he is a terrifying man. We are all so lucky that he is not a god himself.”

  Four streaks of light fell on the barren and desolate planes of Teinerus. In the distance, barely visible so as to be a speck was the principals’ spire and the army that invaded the human realm. In that army, not one dragol saw the streaks of light. Not one, even among the principals, knew that as they invaded Terrianus, their very world had been invaded as well. And it was just as well, for as powerful as Lady Feona was, she could not take on a whole world of dragol by herself and she knew it. One by one, she quickly moved the unconscious men to a safe location and awaited their awakening. She stared at Davydd who was breathing softly, his eyes closed. Yes. She would let them all sleep. They had been through unimaginable challenges and yet, she knew all too well as she surveyed the vast expanse of land, its fiery anger, and its thick smoke, that this was only the beginning.

  THE END

  About Kelechi E. Agu

  Kelechi Agu is an alumnus of Claflin University, South Carolina, where he graduated from with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He currently works in an ICT company as a cybersecurity consultant. He has published three works; The Gauntlet of Feona, The War of Two Realms, and The First Decenary.

  To purchase "The War of Two Realms," the next book in the series, click here.

  To subscribe to Kelechi Agu's email list, click here.

  Wayward by Ronald Long

  Book One in "The Sword Chronicles" trilogy.

  A self-proclaimed savior. A bumbling goblin henchman. A general late to meet his troops. A man with no memory awash on the shore. Each will play a role in the brutal war that covers the land of Ruyn. For Ealrin Belouve, only fate can say whether he'll survive the coming war.

  To purchase "Defiance," the next book in the series, click here.

  To subscribe to Ronald Long's email list, click here.

  Chapter 1: The Silver Wolf

  Snow fell heavily between the trees. The ancient oaks and pines typically shielded the forest floor from the powder of white.