"Children of Heitlone, Children of Sundral, bear witness to the greatest Tournament the Circles have ever seen. Arahalad, Cameron, raise your blades and fight on!"— "Scratches found on a blue stone"
***
As we thundered into the night we could see countless small villages set ablaze by raiding and scouring for grain. It has been twenty-four days since the sun disappeared from the sky and crops have begun to die in the fields. We had no time to stop. I could not stop. I shall tear that fiend asunder for making me bear the memories of my loved ones alone. For this slight, I shall have him quartered and drawn to four corners of the Drakes.
Through the forest, the trees began to part revealing the large stone gates of the City of Dragon's Knee. Grand peaks of flame soared from the city. Its grand Mausoleum Palace set ablaze in blue flame. Alevari pulled on her reins and brought her mount to a halt. Her jaw dropped as she turned to me. "We need to help them!"
I circled my horse around them. "We didn't stop for any of the other villages or towns along the way. I have no intention to waste my time here."
I slapped the reins and took off for the mountain trails. Tanlel called out, "Don't throw your life away!"
What does it matter?
The foothills gradually became more and more steep as I finally reached the proper rocky slopes of the mountains. My fingers felt numb, exposed bare to the cooling temperatures. I pressed on though. As I finally reached a point overlooking the internal mountain valley I saw a city of blue rising from the depths of rock and dirt. Trees cracked and bent, rock shattered into thousands of pieces as it rose from its slumber. I continued down into the valley. As I got closer I could see the smoking ruin of a campsite on the outskirts of the city. Men and women lay there in bloody heaps as I approached. I got off my horse and examined the sight. A female geomancer lay dead next to a few students and a mercenary. The mercenary's armor was torn and shredded, but his hand clutched its blade true. I gripped my white numb hands on the handle and began pulling at it. Their dead fingers finally slipped sending me flying back into a pile of snow. I removed their sheath and strapped it to my belt. I got back onto my horse and rode towards the city. Its walls were grandiose; it looked like they were carved from one massive blue gem stone. Its gates lie open for me to go through. Upon it were carved faces so lifelike they made my stomach churn.
I brought my horse to a slow trot as we went through the hollowed streets. Great buildings jutted forth across the gemstone covered streets, all neatly organized to form perfect squares. Towards the center of the city jutted out a gigantic pillar of this illuminated blue mineral. As I began to approach it, a horn rang throughout the city. The ground shook and my horse became uneasy. I tried to calm her down, but she threw her hooves up and sent me flying. I crashed against the ground with a crack. I tried to stand up, but my left leg seared in pain. I hopped over to one of the walls of the buildings and continued to approach the pillar. As I grew closer I could see him standing cloaked in red with both arms raised in front of two doors.
The pillar was at the top of a massive staircase at the center of a major courtyard. I fell to the floor and dragged myself towards it. After thirty minutes I got halfway up the stairs. From here I could see them take off their helmet revealing flowing golden hair. Just poking out of the golden locks were two pointed ears. How could an elf afford plate armor of such quality?
They pressed their lips to the horn and blew. The door to the pillar shook. It cracked and dark sludge and shadow began spewing forth from the seams. A cloud of smoke descended from the air next to him. I finally managed to reach the top as the smoke began to circle around him. They drew their blade and looked all around.
Their face was extremely handsome and serene for someone so imposing. Their eyes shifted left and right as they gave a warm smile. "Old friend, it is good to see you!"
At first, I was about to call out to this callous remark, but the fog started to form into the shape of a man. The man jutted forth with a spear pointed at the red-cloaked figure. The cloaked figure parried the strike. The man with the spear would be a giant compared to normal men. His muscle-bound frame was poorly concealed by a fine-tailored fursuit. He gripped the spear in both hands and circled the figure. "Do not call me that, cur!"
"You must forgive me, Cameron. I meant you no harm."
"Cease your forked tongue, serpent. I, the Duke of Stravel County, shall see you burned from this land as I should have done all those years ago."
I unsheathed my sword and pressed myself up. The elf focus was still transfixed on Duke Stravel. He tisked and sighed. "After all, I have given you. Life unending, you still stand against me?"
"Arahalad, you wretched fool. I shall end you and earn my rest."
The Duke rushed forward and slammed his spear into the metal armor. Arahalad dug his boots into the ground. He gripped the spear and cracked it in two with one hand. Duke Stravel jammed the wooden shaft into Arahalad's throat. Arahalad stood still. His alabaster skin was stained with scarlet red that gently ran down his throat. The Duke sighed as his cold black eyes met with Arahalad's green. Arahalad gripped the broken piece of wood and slowly started to pull it out. Blood rushed out until the wood was completely removed. Muscle and tendon writhed out until blood clotted and reformed back into pale skin. He shook his blond hair. Not a scar nor scratch remained. Exhaling he pointed his hand at the Duke. The Duke's muscles locked as they were slowly dragged into the air. Arahalad twisted his hand. "Nothing will stop the coming of the Dawn. It is a shame you will not live to see it." Shadows spewed from the door and poured their way into the Dukes mouth as he convulsed. The horror continued as Arahalad smiled. He dropped his hand causing the Duke to fall to the ground.
I raised my blade to him. "I told you I was not scared of you."
Arahalad turned to face me. "Please don't tell me that has changed, boy."
My hand shook as I looked into his eyes. I gripped the sword with both hands now and closed my eyes. "You have taken everything from me."
"You remind me of Cameron. He too said the same. Always too blind to the truth. The world took what he had loved. Just as it had from, Arahalad. Just as it has from you."
He gripped my face with his plated gauntlet. He held his blade high in the air above me. "Look upon the moon, brave one. Know that, I the Goddess Heitolne reigns eternal."
I looked upon the blade backed by silver moonlight. I focused on it as tears began to well in my eyes. Metal crashed against the plate and then pierced through flesh. I looked down to see the spear tip logged in Arahalad's chest. "Why don't you stop picking fights with children and face me like a man."
Arahalad dropped me and turned around. Behind him stood Colden in a fine suit and leather armor wielding a flaming cane sword. Arahalad walked towards him. "The thief. Tell me was this your plan? Distract me with the boy and try to damage me with your mere mortal implements?"
Colden twirled his sword in one hand and cocked his flintlock in the other. "I only came here to jest and defend my image. Blond and dashing is my specialty. I can't afford the competition."
He lifted the horn up. "Whatever your reason, fool. You are too late. With the blowing of the horn, the Dragons of Chaos shall reign."
Arahalad put their lips to the horn. With a loud crack, the horn went flying off down the stairs. Colden blew the smoke off of the barrel of his flintlock. "Will you please shut it? You sound like a dime villain novel."
The stoic figure locked his gaze with Colden's. "This shall be your last mistake."
"We think not!" cried out two individuals from the stairs.
Something small flew through the air and slammed into the back of Arahalad's head sending him crashing into the ground. To my surprise it was white-haired Tanlel wielding a paintbrush. He splattered paint in Arahalad's eyes. He clutched his face and tossed Tanlel off to the side. He stood up as he tried to rub off the paint. Alevari quickly ran past me and slid swinging her halberd at his legs. Plates flew off as the axe head of the weapon of war dragged its way into Arahalad's shins.
Arahalad exhaled and stuck his hands out to his sides. Large shadow spewed forth causing Colden and Alevari to be launched to the floor. The blood continued to seep out of his wounds onto the blue stone. I swung my blade at his neck. He parried it and grabbed my hand. I struck his head with the pommel of the sword causing him to clutch his head and drop me.
Colden passed Tanlel his flintlock and a small leather bag. "Where's the horn?"
Tanlel took out a small black ball and dumped some loose powder on the frizzen. "The bottom of the stairs."
Alevari leaned her weight on the halberd and pulled herself up. "I'll keep 'em busy!"
Arahalad swung at me breathing heavily with each swing. Alevari rushed from behind and jabbed her halberd into his shoulder. The once calm-looking fiend writhed in pain as his face wailed. Anger and hatred stretched his face as he turned around. He gripped the pole of the halberd and tried to bend it. The blue metal held true as his face became even more enraged. "What is this?"
"Your reckoning!"
He gripped his blade with both hands and swung a large arch at her chest. It cleaved into her shoulder. She rolled to the side gripping the wound close.
A crack of flint and steel rang out as sparks flew off of Arahalad's armor. He shook his head as he stepped back shocked by the impact. I rushed forward and thrust the blade into his shoulder. With inhuman reaction, he parried the strike without even looking. The mere steel of my sword melted against the magic blade. I stumbled forward into him. He turned around and grabbed me by the throat. The metal gauntlet restricted my breathing and I could see sparks forming at the corner of my eyes as the air became harder and harder to breathe. I tried to pry the metal fingers off one by one but his grip remained. He faced the others. "Halt!"
Alevari froze her advance. "Let go of the boy!"
He tightened his grip. "The boy's life is in your hands, not mine."
Colden reached the top of the stairs. "If you want the horn then take it! Just let the boy go."
Alevari gripped her halberd tight. "Forgive me."
She rushed forward and slammed the point into his chest. She continued rushing forward as she pushed him off the edge. Everything was light as we began to fall. He reached his hand out and exhaled. I gripped his cloak and tore at it in a desperate attempt to stop his spell. The red cloak tore free causing his eyes to widen in shock. The bright blue that had begun to emanate from his hand sputtered out. We continued to fall until, Crash! My bones cracked and bent as we slammed into the ground. His grip loosened. Something was wrong. It was harder to breathe my hands shook as I struggled for air. Everything began to feel faint.
My limbs were numb, everything was numb. There was a light. I remember that. A cathartic glow as everything began to fade. I needed to sleep. The day was done and I had no more to offer. She once told me, "In the end, you are alone with your actions."
She was right, she was always right. What had I accomplished? What have I done? Nothing. I stood up and let rage grip its hold over me and it guided me to a young grave. I must go now. I think they are calling. No, she is calling. I do not ask for forgiveness. I only ask for this solemn rest.
***
Ashton's eyes were wide as he fell. I rushed forward to the edge and reached out a hand. It was too late. I almost lost my balance, but Alevari caught me and dragged me back. I turned to her. "What were you thinking."
She exhaled. "I did what needed to be done."
Tanlel rushed forward. "Stratus, be damned!"
Arahalad rose up and his broken body reformed and cracked back into its original state. Lightning struck near the base of the stairs as he rode upon his dread horse. He looked down at us. "Unexpected, but noble."
I held the horn up. "You want this so badly? Come pry it from my handsome corpse!"
He twirled his blade. "The honor shall truly be mine."
He cracked his reins and rode towards me. I held my blade off to my side as his horse's hooves thundered. He leveled his blade to thrust into me. I lowered myself to a ready position.
His blade glinted with ethereal light. My heart raced as I looked upon him. His face was sure and his form was perfect. Luckily I had one crucial thing he lacked. Wit.
As his blade swung for me I stuck the horn out in front of my chest. His strike was true and his blade cut the horn into two halves. Blood splattered across the blue stone as I flew back against the large door.
The sky rolled once more. The sun shone down upon the land. From here I could see the West and as the light rolled over it warmed my broken frame. A passage came to mind. "The Hunters gathered together upon a hill and what they saw was a future. One bright and free from tyranny and they knew it was one worth fighting for." Slayers 9:23
Arahalad looked down at the horn. "You insolent, cattle!" he smiled. "It doesn't matter. My fell horsemen even now are scouring the globe for more Instruments of creation. Your fate is sealed."
He then in a flash of lightning, disappeared. The sky met with the city and it formed an unending sea of blue as vast as the widest of oceans. When I looked down I could see my blood pooling in an all too familiar shade of fatal purple. Alevari and Tanlel rushed over.
Tanlel smiled and hugged me close. "You brought the sun back!"
Alevari placed a hand on my shoulder. "You carry bravery unmatched by any knight I have had the pleasure to meet."
"How bad is it?"
Alevari frowned. "You will be fine."
"Don't sugar coat it."
"You lost a lot of blood."
A bloodcurdling voice spoke up. "He will surely die."
We both looked over at it. The figure who had come down in a cloud of fog was looking towards me, his eyes whitened and blind. "I can smell it. I can help."
Alevari moved over to him. "Duke Stravel, what do you have to offer us?"
"I offer a curse. The same curse that Arahalad plagued me with." He frowned. "Eternal life."
I gripped my chest. "No."
Tanlel looked over at me. "But Colden?"
"Ashton. Save Ashton."
Alevari rushed down the stairs. After a few minutes, she brought up the child's amalgamation of broken bones and splinting ribs. He lay limp in her arms as she walked over to the Duke. He sat up and put his fingers to his wound and covered them in blood. "The greatest of my descendants once spoke these words to his comrades in arms. 'In Blood, we are bound. Uphold the pact and bind yourself to it.'"
He then placed the blood on Ashton's lips. With its touch, the boy's bones began to set in place. Ashton gasped as their chest rose up and down. Their eyes opened revealing dark black pupils that seemed to eat at the light around them. The Duke's eyes turned to that of a regal purple. He looked over to the sun and smiled. "Igni, it is so good to see you again, old friend." He rolled over on his side and his eyes closed.
The boy got up and rushed over to me. "Colden! What happened?"
I placed my hand on their shoulder. "A bit of a nasty fall on your end and the dastard ruined my suit."
"We need to get you to a doctor!"
I gripped them close to me as I looked over towards the horizon. "I have a nephew, Rowan." I sighed as I coughed up more blood. It was beginning to be harder to speak. "He is a lot like you from what I remember. Good head on his shoulders and an iron will in face of hardship. Keep true to that ya?"
They squeezed my hand. "I will."
I patted their face. "Good lad."
"Colden, have you ever been to the sunbathed sands of the beach?"
"No, I can't say I have."
"It's a lot like that. It's warm, peaceful."
"Good. Can't say I look forward to the sand in between my toes for an eternity, but I'll take warm." Everything began to feel numb. My vision had started to fade. I reached for my cane and a letter in my coat pocket. "Hope the blade serves you better than me kid. Also, there's a lady back in Logard who runs a tavern, called The Merchants Rest. Take it to her and ask her if she knows where Rowan is."
"I feel you've just added to our list of errands."
"Also I think we were out of milk when I last checked in."
"Shut up."
"I couldn't pass up the opportunity."
"Oaf."
"Now I can truly say it's the last time I'll hear that one."
I looked over to Tanlel and Alevari. "Tanlel, remember when you write this down I was far more dashing and handsome then old knife ears." I locked eyes with Alevari. "Kill that dastard."
Tanlel nodded as he took a notebook out and went sketching. Alevari nodded once and rested her halberd on her shoulder.
The sun coated my body as I drifted away. I could hear the crashing of the waves in Logard port as if I was just leaving the Tavern on the way to market. "It is warm. . ."