Black Thorn

by Brandon Killpack

  Adam shot an inquiring look at his daughter, “What do you mean?”

  “Well Gideon hasn’t been anywhere without the presence of Joseph the teller that came for the festival, seems to have taken a liking to each other.”

  Levi nodded his agreement, “Yes, it is good that someone has been able to bring Gideon around. Maybe he will even be able to start back at the Academy someday, that is if he keeps this up.”

  Adam grunted, “No, I won’t allow him to return to the barracks. We almost lost your brother because of the watch I’m not going to throw him back in again just to watch him get killed. Besides he doesn’t have any magical ability anymore, so the King won’t have him.”

  Levi agreed when his father put it that way; he certainly didn’t want to lose his brother to the sword or any other form of war fair. Katrina was like-minded and said that his father should make him a member of the court like Levi was. This got Levi’s attention, members of the court were considered heirs to the throne. The Jarldom of Thornpine was Levi’s birthright, and if Gideon were made a court-men, then he also would have a claim.

  “No.” Levi said finally, “I think we need to figure out something else for him to do. Something equally important that would keep him out of harm’s way.”

  Katrina eyed her brother, wondering if this was now about Gideon or some self-serving motive. Levi was a good brother, but Katrina was nowhere near as close to him as she was Gideon.

  “Are your motives pure brother? If he’s not to be a knight or a court-men what else could he be that would bring him and our family honor?”

  Levi glared down the table at Katrina, his face burning with anger. “Don’t you insinuate that I have nothing but the best intentions for MY brother! Remember you are nothing but a bargaining tool of the kingdom to be married off to the most useful ally!”

  Katrina jumped out of her seat, tears coming to her eyes. Levi was already standing when their father bellowed “Enough! My lord look at you two going at each other’s throats like wild dogs when you should be focusing on your brother, Levi, your sister is right, there is no other position that I could appoint him that would be considered equal to knighthood. Katrina, you will not attack your eldest brother’s honor again. Now before any of us can get further heated we will all retire to our beds, and we will continue this conversation in the morning.” Levi and Katrina both bowed to their father then left the dining room, both stiff-backed and both not speaking. Adam leaned back and cuffed a hand to his forehead; there had been truth in both his children’s words. Adam was upset with Levi though, he didn’t need to be so harsh with his sister, nor did he need to defend his inheritance. If he were ever able to sort out his children before his death, it would be a miracle. They hadn’t always been this way, no when they were children they had been thick as thieves, but for some reason, Levi had drifted apart from them in the last couple of years. Maybe it had to do with his status in life, being next in line for the Jarldom and fifth in line for the Kingdom, or perhaps he was just more mature than his siblings. Whatever the case Katrina and Gideon where still very close and Levi were more and more becoming an outsider. Whether that be by choice or not Adam didn’t know, he sighed and began to rise from his chair when one of his commanders walked into the room.

  Sighing once more Adam sat himself back down.

  “What is it, Larson?”

  Larson looked on edge as he handed him a slip of parchment.

  “A report my lord.”

  “And this couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Adam said as he took the parchment, glancing down at it he paled as he read.

  “No my lord,” Larson whispered, “It can't wait.”

  G ideon smiled as he stretched out on his bedroll. Grinning up at the starry night sky, he thought back on the events of the day. It had been a great adventure; at first light, he had met Joseph at the inn where he had been staying. There Joseph had rolled out a map, placing mugs to prevent it from rolling back on itself. The map showed the vast continent of Rosenkar in a detail Gideon had never seen before. He quickly found the kingdom of Esnela, then his own village of Thornpine.

  “You know,” Gideon started “There sure is a lot of white on this map. Here I thought you were a great historian?” Joseph grunted, by now he was used to the youths constant banter. Usually, he would give him a scalding retort, but this was too important for a little insult to bother him.

  “The white you see in the west is the area controlled by the Orc people. They don’t take too kindly to Humans like me venturing around their lands. Normally a fairly peaceful people, but as I have already told you they are now being controlled by the necromancer who has pitted them, agents, us. Anyways I believe we are very off topic, our destination lies here, far to the north.” He pointed to a lone mountain in a densely packed forest.

  “This, as I am sure you know is the great Elden forest. There amidst the home of the Elves is a natural hot spring. This spring is one of the pools of mana that lay scattered across the earth. It also happens to lie across a lay line, a line of power if you will. It is this fact that makes this pool of mana so special. I believe that soaking in the pool will restore your powers, not fully perhaps, but enough that you should be able to proceed to part two of the plan.”

  “And part two would be?” Gideon asked.

  “Oh yes, you will need to kill the demon that drained your mana.”

  Gideon let that hang in the air for a second. “Hold on a moment here. That thing almost killed me, how the hell am I supposed to kill it?”

  Joseph placed a hand on his shoulder, “That is why I am here, after restoring your mana it will begin to heal slowly. Over time it may even heal completely, but the sure way is to kill the demon and absorb its life force. That way not only will you gain back your powers, but you will ensure that the bastard will never kill another person ever again.”

  “Okay, but how do I do it?” Gideon questioned

  “Ah well, I know a tracking spell that should lead us to the creature, although it’s not perfect, and I also know an absorbing spell that will drain the creature enough for you to kill it and absorb its essence in you.”

  A look of disgust shown on Gideon’s face, “I do not want that creature inside of me. The idea of absorbing it makes my stomach sour.”

  Joseph shook his head, “Understand me, Gideon, this is the only way I know of to rid this land of the demon. It also happens to be the only way I know to ensure you are fully restored. Remember I do not know how much the pool of mana is going to help. I know it will restore you physically and should bring you some magic, but it isn’t clear just how much.”

  “Well, I suppose we will find out when all is said and done. Now when shall we depart?”

  Joseph pondered that a moment before saying, “I think we should leave as soon as possible and with as little fan fair as possible. It would be good to slip out quietly I think.”

  “We will leave within the hour then,” Gideon said as he got to his feet.

  After packing and gathering the necessary provisions, the two were off. A change seemed to come over Gideon. New life seemed to swell inside of him, giving him an energy and vigor that he hadn’t had in months. Joseph noticed the change but did not comment. He liked the young man and wanted to see him return to himself, for he sensed that greatness surrounded the youth and surpassing this trial would bring him closer to a shining future.

  So Gideon and Joseph traveled over the foothills of the Black Ridge hugging the mountain and edging their way through Elden forest. During their travels, Joseph would tell Gideon about the other races and of their lands. Gideon loved to hear about the strange lands that the Humans of Rosenkar had rarely seen. He grew to like the old man more and more and with all his teachings he sot to please him.

  One day on their journey, Joseph stood from his seat at the fire, “We are deep in the Elven woods now. Our quest to the spring in nearly complete. We are less than a day’s walk, and it is time you prepared yourself mentally for
the endeavor. You must not be afraid when you enter the spring. You must see clearly what you want in your mind’s eye. From now until your stay in the spring is complete, you must meditate on what the gift of mana means to you. Why you need such a gift and what you will do with it if it is returned to you.”

  “Is there a chance that this will fail?” Gideon asked.

  Joseph was quiet for a time, staring at the boy with forlorn eyes. “I won’t lie to you; the spring can kill you. If you are not completely dedicated to the task, the spring will take you. That is why it is of the utmost importance that you focus on the task of restoring your mana.”

  Gideon stared at the old man. Had he been led like a lamb to slaughter? His face must have betrayed his thoughts.

  “I promise you once again. This is the best way I know to restore you. If you truly do not trust me, then we can turn back. The choice is yours.”

  “I believe that you have my best interest at heart, because of that I will do all that you advised, I only ask that if I should die. Please tell my father, sister, and brother that… I love them.” Gideon bowed his head in fear. His nerves were getting the better of him. He was afraid, this was no longer a great adventure, but a genuine struggle of life and death. The sage laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

  “What will be will be, only the Maker knows what is to come in the end.”

  Gideon’s mind did not quiet on command. For the first half of the day, he struggled to keep his thoughts on one topic for very long. It wasn’t until the sound of running water could be heard in the distance made his mind cooperate with him. Part hopeful, part terrified he trudged he was forward. The scent of the forest was full of life. The kind of lush smell, like the smell that comes after a heavy rain. All was peaceful within the forest, only the rush of the water could be heard. Gideon found that a strange serenity had crept over him and if comforted him. He followed Joseph the sage to the running spring and on down until they came to a shallow pool.

  “Gideon, I must warn you, you must be careful. The Guardian of the spring is not to be trifled with.” The level of concern in Joseph’s voice was enough to set Gideon’s heart pumping. Any natural creature fit enough to be named guardian of the place would be challenge enough for any able-bodied person. Gideon was not able-bodied. True that this journey had given him some strength he was still just a shadow of himself. Joseph was talking again which was bad because Gideon had been lost in his own thoughts and hadn’t heard a thing.

  “What did you say? I’m sorry, but my mind had wondered.”

  Joseph looked slightly annoyed at being asked to start over, but he gave a great sigh and relented. “What I said was you’ll need to defeat him in open combat, but if you kill him, you’ll receive no effect from the pool.”

  “Defeat him, don’t kill him got it, anything else?”

  “Yes don’t get yourself killed,” Joseph said matter-of-factly.

  They stepped into the clearing and Gideon had to stifle a cry of alarm. Seated in front of the spring was the largest bear he had ever seen in his life. The creature was so massive he blocked an entire section of the spring from view. Its nose twitched, and ears flattened as they approached. The bear heaved itself to its two back feet in a standing position. Joseph hung back, and Gideon approached apprehensively.

  “I am Ursa, servant of the celestials and Guardian of the pool of mana. Who are you and why have you come here?”

  Thoughts whirled around Gideon’s head, least of these was, great a talking animal, what next? And, good lord look at the size of that thing. He said none of these, of course, instead of replying as calming as he could manage. “I am Gideon, son of Adam. I seek healing from the pool of the Maker. That is why I have come.”

  The bear considered him a moment, “Are you prepared?” Gideon would have liked to say prepared for what but figured that might not be a wise question, so he merely nodded his head. The bear bellowed a tremendous roar that echoed across the forest, and then it charged straight for Gideon.

  Gideon had just enough time to roll out of the way of the charging beast as its teeth gave a mighty snap mere inches from his shoulder. It was on his recovery that he gleaned something he may be able to turn to his advantage. Quick as the bear was it couldn’t turn or stop as swiftly as Gideon could. Even in his current state, the bear’s sheer bulk gave it all the maneuverability of a drunkard. Sure it could sprint in a straight line, but it had little to no ability to turn at full speed. Not that it didn’t try, it ripped the ground underfoot leaving deep claw marks in its wake.

  Seconds later, Gideon was treated to the sight of what would happen to him if he was struck by one of its massive paws. As Gideon rolled out of the way, the bear made a swipe for him, destroying a fully grown evergreen. It shattered the tree like it was made of glass sending the towering tree falling and splinters flying in every direction. If one of those paws were to strike him, he’d be dead.

  Rolling this way and that was having two effects. One it was wearing Gideon out fast. Every dodge came just a fraction of a second slower, and he feared that if he didn’t come up with something soon then, this could very well be the last adventure he ever takes. The second and probably more worrisome of the two was that every time he dodged out of the path of the bear, the creatures temper seemed to rise making it attack all the more fiercely.

  Finally, Gideon could roll no more, he was out of breath and felt like he couldn’t go on. Until he watched as the bear ran headlong into a tree, Gideon had just rolled away from. He could use his evasion offensively. Making every roll and dodge an attack. Drawing his sword, he tensed ready to leap out of dangers path. The bear came barreling at him, he waited for the last possible second then jumped to the side sticking his sword out, using the bear's own momentum to slice down its side. Sending blood seeping down the golden brown fur. The bear ground to a halt. It looked confused, then as if it had just realized it was injured it gave another great bellow of a roar and shot after him. This time Gideon dodged and sliced from the opposite side. Again the bear was stunned, no creature had ever injured him twice, let alone some Human.

  Gideon used this time to take the initiative, running full pelt at the bear. The bear was so stunned it didn’t know what to do until it was too late. A second later Gideon had run right up the bear's arm and mounted him, stabbing his sword deep within the bear's shoulder. The bear roared and bucked and jerked about trying to send the Human flying. Gideon had no plan for this, so he clung for dear life as the bear crashed into trees and jumped around trying to dislodge him.

  Finally, with a moan, the bear stopped and said, “Enough Human, you have bested me. I will allow you to use the spring.”

  Gingerly Gideon dislodged his sword from the bear's shoulder and hopped off. The bear gave him a look, then hobbled off into the woods to nurse his wounds.

  Gideon found Joseph sitting agents a tree just little ways beyond the spring.

  “That was a very amusing display of acrobatics. Next time I suggest adding in a few more twirls and pirouettes.” The sage laughed.

  Gideon didn’t have the energy to defend himself. “I won, what now?”

  “Now boy you enter the spring. Now the real test begins.”

  Joseph turned to Gideon. “Say nothing, but remember you must focus on who you are, why you deserve to hold the gift of mana, and what you will use that gift for. I warn you to be honest with yourself and to go in with pure intentions.”

  Gideon walked to the edge of the pool. There he undressed, rendering himself exposed to all the forest. With a deep breath, Gideon stepped in.

  The pain was like nothing he had ever experienced. It was as if his whole body was on fire, a white-hot fire that would burn away his very soul. His mind went blank with the pain; his very body disobeyed him. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Everything was pain. Gideon lost all concept of time while submerged in the pool. He saw possibilities of various futures, darkness, death, loss, as well as light, laughter, and hope, he saw war
and illness as well as peace and health, and it happened simultaneously and yet took forever at the same time. He saw that the world in all its slender was equal parts light and dark and that balance must be maintained. He understood then, that for him to be healed, he must accept the good with the bad. As he watched what was and what was to come, he felt various sensations and emotions surrounding him and the quest he was undertaking. He felt reassured that he was doing the right thing. That following Joseph and stopping this darkness that had corrupted the Orc people was just as it corrected the balance between the light and the dark.

  Upon coming to this conclusion, the water shook with power and Gideon heard a voice in his mind.

  “I give you my blessing in your quest, and I will gift you the mana you seek. Know that you have been given a second chance, you will not be given a third.”

  Blinding white heat seared Gideon from the inside out. His screams shook through the forest. When his cries subsided, the day had turned to night. The dawn brought new light to the world and a new life to Gideon. When he opened his eyes and stepped out of the pool, he knew he was not only restored, but he was stronger than he had ever been. Not just magical strength but physical as well. His senses where better, he could feel the life forms of the wood, and the life forces of the sage who sat at the edge of the pool. Gideon didn’t understand all that had happened, but what he did realize is that he had met the Maker, his maker, and lived.

  With limbs shaking and steam rolling off his body he stepped out of the pool. He found Joseph sitting cross-legged on the ground next to his clothes. He was just about to rouse the sage when a rustling pricked his ears. He lifted his eyes to find hooded figures surrounding him with bows drawn. One lone figure stepped forward and spoke in a sweet light voice.

  “One wrong move and we will end your life.”

  L evi glanced around the mass confusion that was the castle. His father had alerted him to the trouble almost at once. The scouts had seen the hoard; their number would sweep through Thornpine like dust in the wind.