They strolled over, careful not to make eye contact with the only two patrons in the Hog. A barmaid intercepted them.
“Skipping the games? Well then, grab a chair. What can I getcha?”
“I need to speak to the barkeep,” Odder said.
She pointed toward the elf standing by the kegs and walked off.
“Whatcha need?” the barkeep asked, cleaning his cups.
“I’m here to meet Cetus.”
“Is that right? Your friend too?”
Odder looked at Aimma, she grinned. “Yes.”
“Back around the corner in the dark.” The barkeeper pointed to an elf dressed in a leather hunters garb. “There he is.” He gave them a harsh squint. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Odder said with Aimma shaking her head in agreement.
They made their way over to Cetus.
“Cetus?” Odder questioned.
The elf neither answered nor looked up.
“I’m here to pick up a package.”
“Fer who?” Cetus mumbled, his voice like grinding sand.
“Prince Destin.”
Cetus turned his head from the shadows, revealing a face ravaged with scars. Aimma stepped back.
“Yo were t’ come alone.”
“I was injured. She’s a healer assigned to me.”
Cetus reached under his chair and handed Odder a tightly wrapped leather package. “twould be in yer best interest t' stay 'n have a drink with yer lassie instead o' watchin' der games.”
“Thank you, but I’m needed.” Odder backed away. “Aimma, let’s go.”
They turned and walked out twice as fast as they had entered.
“What a scary place,” Aimma said. “No place for royal dealings. What exactly did you get?”
“This stays between us. I was supposed to come here alone. Agreed?”
“Of course,” she confirmed.
Odder held up the package and shook it. “Not sure what it is except it’s important to the Prince. We better get going. He needs it before the games.”
***
Odder and Aimma arrived at the Ladiv Semptium arena, named after an ancient king who formed a peace accord with the Elven factions. Seven points extended from the circular dirt field, symbolizing each House.
Aimma stopped and marveled at the unique temples hovering several hundred feet at each end of the arena points. “This is more astonishing than I could imagine.”
“I’m amazed every time I see the arena.” Odder moved his hand through the air. “Each temple represents the Seven Houses with each designed to accommodate thousands of spectators. That giant mirrored globe hovering in the center will project the image of the games so the audience can see.”
He pointed at a black temple resembling a stony mountainside with rivers of lava flowing between its crevices. Black smoke billowed from various fissures, polluting the surrounding air.
“The Temple of Rigan.”
Aimma pointed at a temple covered with lush green vines and vegetation wrapped around a pyramid built from rough-cut stone.
“I know that one,” she said. “The ancient Temple of Salutaria.”
“That’s an easy one. What about the temple surrounded by mist?” Odder asked.
“If you peer through the haze, you can see waterfalls flowing over the ivory granite walls. My guess is the Vallamari Temple.”
“Nice,” acknowledged Odder. “The temple with sculptures, statues, and monuments is the Temple of Elestus.”
“Why is it such a dismal gray?” Aimma asked.
“I suppose the discipline of magic architecture isn’t flashy.”
“Tell that to the Archwizard and his son.”
Odder smiled and pointed to a temple surrounded by sheets of ice that glistened in the sun.
“Gelusador,” Aimma said, her voice quivering as if cold.
“Your favorite,” Odder added.
Aimma replied with a scornful pout.
He chuckled. “That rust colored dust whistling around the clay temple is Vastadia. You can see the sand falling down the sides and dissipating before hitting the ground.”
“And the temple with shiny pearl-black walls is Skyger,” Aimma suggested.
“Correct,” Odder said. “The tall temple walls project high into the heavens. If you listen carefully, you can hear a slight harmonic vibration.”
Aimma closed her eyes and listened. “Remarkable.” She opened one eye at Odder. “I’m astonished to see the temples and the magic essences they represent.”
Several elves pushed past her.
Odder shaded his eyes and looked up. “Like I said, I’m amazed every time.”
A sentry interrupted. “Servant, you are blocking the path. Where is your place?”
“The Temple of Elestus,” said Odder. “I’m a servant to Prince Destin.”
“Hurry along then. The game starts in an hour, and you don’t have time to gawk.”
Odder bowed his head and hurried, with Aimma trailing.
***
A full squadron stood guard in the ready room while Prince Destin and his companion wizard prepared.
As Odder and Aimma approached, they spotted Drugan pointing his finger in the Prince’s face.
“Aimma,” Odder whispered. “Is Drugan arguing with the Prince?”
“It appears that way,” she said, “But maybe he’s preparing Destin for the games.”
Still, Odder sensed something amiss. “We should watch Drugan closely.” He glanced around and took a mental note of the elves around them. “And keep an eye out for Serra just in case.”
Destin stepped toward Drugan and held up a finger, yelling something in return. The Xenduri stepped back, spat, then walked away.
Drugan scowled as he passed Odder, shoving him out of his path.
Odder recovered his balance and glared at the dark elf’s retreating form. “Yes, something strange is definitely going on,” he muttered.
They approached a sentry guarding the way to Destin’s ready room.
“No one is allowed to enter,” the sentry said, blocking the doorway with a poleaxe.
He wore full platemail made from elven steel with a lizard-like pattern crisscrossed along his chest, shoulders, arms, and legs.
“I’m Odder, servant to –”
“It’s alright,” said Destin, waving them in. “Allow them to pass.”
“Impressive armor,” said Aimma, as she followed Odder into the ready room. “Appears they are ready for war.”
Several guardsmen surrounded the Prince, fitting him with the Proprius armament. He gripped a wooden sword in his hands.
“My lord,” said Odder.
“Come here,” Destin responded, motioning the guardsmen away. “Did you bring my package?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Britt, dressed in a simple black, hooded cloak with magic symbols embedded on the fabric, stood from his seat.
“Hello dear,” he said to Aimma.
She raised an eyebrow.
Having his suspicions validated, Odder walked past Britt without another glance. He bowed and spoke only to Destin.
“How may I serve my lord?”
Destin placed the sword in its scabbard then took the package from Odder.
“Walk with me.”
The Prince led him out of the ready room and to the Elestus shrine at the start of the field. He stared at the enormous mirrored globe hovering a thousand feet above them.
Avoiding eye contact, he asked in a quiet, but stern tone, “Do you believe in fate?”
“Sure, I guess so,” Odder said, his voice low and vulnerable. “I believe the fates will award you the victory today,” he added, this time with confidence.
Destin tapped a finger against his lips. “Perhaps.” He paused for what seemed like a long time. “Odder, I have seen things that cannot be unseen.” He swallowed hard. “You have always been a noble servant. If anything should happen today, please know I
cherish you as more than a servant. We are friends.”
“Of course, my lord. If this is about the attack from last night? I have told no one.”
Destin faced Odder. “Oh, that witch? We have a history together – I have already forgotten about her. What I’m talking about is something bigger – destiny. The forces that dictate our lives.”
“The only destiny I know is you will be named the new Champion of Arcaina,” Odder said.
Destin grinned and patted Odder’s back several times. “You are right. There’s no one better.”
He removed the leather wrapping and revealed a strange black and gray mask. It resembled a morbid face with the eyes and mouth stitched closed. He held it up and stared intensely at its layers of anguish – its shades of despair – as if the mask yearned for souls to hide on the other side of its crude needlework.
“Besides, we have this ugly mask and your silly wooden sword. How can I be defeated?”
They laughed together and started back to the ready room.
Odder glanced at the strange mask. “I have to agree, my lord, that is ugly. I have never seen one quite like it. What’s it for?”
The Prince put on the mask. The eyes forced open, stretching the threads.
“The Mask of Vazul allows me to detect magic.”
Odder cringed when he stared into its eyes – so black like looking into a dark, bottomless abyss. A chill shot down his spine and he turned away.
“Like a seeker?”
Destin took off the mask. “Yes, but so much better.”
Odder spotted Aimma waiting for them at the entrance, standing far from Britt who sat looking the opposite direction with his nose in the air.
“We don’t have much time,” Britt called.
“We’d better hurry,” Destin said, picking up his pace.
As Odder stepped up to Aimma, she whispered in his ear, “I can’t believe you left me with this pompous turg.”
“I have a special seat for you, Odder.” Destin turned toward Aimma. “There’s room for you as well. Now the seating is for royals so do not mingle with the King and nobles in the courtyard. They won’t stand for it and may have you escorted out.
“Yes, thank you, my lord. Where is it?”
“West of the courtyard and south of the shrine.” Destin pointed to a privy. “Sorry, you might get an occasional odor, but you will be in the front with a clear view of the action.”
Odder stared at the seating, ignoring the fancy outhouse.
“Odder, will this do?” asked Destin.
Excitement filled Odder like a swarm of bees, and he jumped while pumping his fist in the air.
“Yes! If I were any closer, I would be in the game.”
Aimma grinned and clapped her hands together.
“Can Finkle join us? Is there room?” Odder asked.
“Your gnome friend is also welcome.” The Prince grinned. “I need you close to the action.” He glanced at Britt. “Are you ready?”
Britt jumped to his feet and gripped his wands, spinning them on his fingers. “Always my lord.”
Seven trumpets blew.
Destin and Britt ran to their place in front of the Elestus shrine.
The crowds of spectators ran to their seats. Some sat on the rolling hills surrounding the arena, while others watched from far off rooftops and trees. Flying carpets taxied the privileged to the hovering temples as everyone waited with anticipation for the Champion’s Quest to begin.
Nevets, a noble who flaunted his bounty of black hair, dressed in red and purple striped pants and a golden jacket with tails that curled behind him, approached Odder and Aimma.
“What are you two doing here? Servants are in the back.” He pointed toward the south gate with his large ruby tipped black cane.
“My lord, Prince Destin asked that I, with his healer, be seated here.” Odder pointed toward the privy. “In case any undesirable messes should come about.”
Nevets tapped Odder in the head with his cane. “Unfortunate for you, servant.” He laughed while rubbing his stomach. “I do expect it to be spotless once I’m done.” He opened the door, walked in, and slammed it shut.
Aimma sneered. “Just because he’s born into royalty, doesn’t give him the right to treat us like scum.”
“I am a servant and at times I…”
Aimma tapped Odder’s arm and whispered, “Drugan’s sitting with the King.”
“I see them. Keep a close eye on Drugan.”
Aimma nodded. “What about Finkle? Should I let him know where we are?”
“Yes, please. I can’t wait to see his face when he sees we have front row seating near the courtyard.”
Aimma air-scripted a quick message when the hovering mirrored globe burst into flames. The spectators cheered. She quickly cleared the message from her view. The fire twisted around the sphere, then slammed into the ground. A thunderous force of black smoke roared across the field toward the crowd.
As the smoke dissipated, the leader of ceremonies appeared. He stood with a stiff posture due to his twenty-four inch elevated black and gold-buckle boots. He wore lime green pants and tunic, and a cape adorned with thousands of tiny fluttering yellow feathers. His headgear resembled a large pale-green spiral shell. He walked with a cane, which lit up like lightning as it moved up and down.
The enchanted mirrored globe reflected an image of the announcer, which the crowds viewed from all directions. He held up his cane and pointed to each of the hovering temples. "Honored Kings, Guests and competitors, welcome to the annual Champion's Quest."
Cheers erupted.
Nevets popped out of the privy. "What did I miss servant?" Not giving Odder time to answer, he said, "Oh forget it." He tapped him on the head once again and rushed past leaving a smell of putrid eggs.
Odder and Aimma held their noses and tried to focus back on the announcer.
"As soon as Kellas is positioned directly above, the trumpets will sound, and the game will start."
More cheers from the crowd. Odder took a moment to take in the spine-tingling energy as the excitement filled the air.
Aimma clapped and turned toward Odder. "This is so exciting."
"The rules are simple." The announcer pointed his cane to each of the Proprius's waiting at their shrines. "Seven teams from Seven Houses will be represented by one Proprius and their companion wizard. The Proprius can use either attack or defensive spells. Wizards may only use defensive spells or illusions against opponents. No killing, maiming, or poison spells are allowed."
With his wrist, he waved his cane in a circular motion. "Behold the Jadax." A teardrop shaped object, about the size of a greenwing dragon egg, appeared. The upper portion glowed an amber hue as if it held the fire from Kellas. The bottom, shaped like a golden bowl, had an eye inserted into a seven-pointed star. He held out his hand, and the object drifted into his palm.
"The Proprius must strike the Jadax to win." He held up the object. "However, it will not be easy. The Jadax will use illusion and magic to protect itself."
The crowd raved.
"Get on with it," mumbled Finkle.
"Finkle!" Odder said, startled. "When did you get here?"
"Just now, laddy. I wouldn't miss it for anything." He winked at Aimma. "Nice to see ya again missy."
Aimma patted the gnome on the back. "You too Finkle."
The leader of ceremonies twirled the Jadax on top of his hand and allowed it to float down his arm, around his shoulders, up his other arm, and to the top of his cane. A bright green light projected out the top.
"One more rule," said Odder. "If another contender destroys their opponent's wooden sword, then the defeated Proprius and their wizard will be removed from the game."
"A sword like yours?" asked Aimma.
"No. Their wooden sword symbolizes the sword of Maha'De." Odder reached and held his handle. "Mine's a crude toy."
With the flick of his cane, the object flew off and hovered in the air in front of the announc
er. The Jadax turned the eye toward the him and winked. He held out his cane and shot a lightning bolt at the object. The smoke dissipated around the Jadax, but it remained unscathed. He then summoned the wind and tried to push the ball away, but it did not move. "As you witnessed, the Jadax is charmed to resist magic. The Proprius must rely on his physical abilities rather than his conjuring talents to approach the relic.
He pointed his cane toward the Eye of Adeit, then toward Ophelia and finally toward Kellas. "The time is near. Proprius's and wizards - take your place and prepare for battle. A flying carpet flew next to the announcer and swept him off to the Temple of Elestus.
Several elves supplied refreshment and hearken shells to the spectators in the courtyard. One approached Odder and Aimma. "Hearken shell?" asked the servant. Aimma bit her lip and looked toward Odder.
"With the shell, we can listen to Destin and Britt’s conversations." He waved to the servant. "One please."
The crowds hushed, and a deathlike silence filled the air in anticipation as Kellas hit high noon. The sudden piercing sound of the trumpets filled the void. The mirrored globe reflected images of the competitors sprinting toward the Jadax. The field rumbled, and sheets of earth rose to form a maze around the relic.
An opening in the hearken shell moved, matching Destin’s voice and said, "The Jadax is creating a labyrinth."
Finkle slapped his knee. "This is going to be good."
The mirrored globe showed a bird's eye view of the maze with each competitor stepping into the rows. The Proprius and wizard of Skyger morphed into ravens and took flight. As they ascended, the walls curved over them, giving them the options to either go back or fall to the ground. The Skyger's Proprius landed and morphed back to elven form, while his wizard swooped and crashed into the earth wall. His body morphed back as he tumbled back to the ground.
Elves from the Temple of Skyger shouted out words of disapproval.
The Jadax created many obstacles including pits, fire and ice, clay warriors, and monsters, all while the altering the maze in an effort to confuse the Proprius’s.
The globe zoomed in on Britt launching fireballs at the walls. After several explosions and not even a scratch, he switched to lightning which only filled the air with smoke.
Odder- The Blood Curse Page 13
