Chapter 19: Forgiveness and New Weapons
Lord Dryxo finished tellng his story to the young group before hurling his glass across the room shattering it against the wall and sinking into his chair obviously upset and crying deeply. The move had caught everyone in the room completely offguard including Lady Dryxo who quickly rushed to his side and wrapped her arms around him as he cried into her chest. The young group noticing this also joined her and circled him in a big and tight hug until he calmed down enough to speak again.
"I-I'm sorry everyone for that outburst", Lord Dryxo managed to croak out thanking the young group as he dried his face with hands.
"No, I'm sorry Sir. I shouldn't have asked you about what happened since it apparently still weigh's heavily on your soul", Kazok replied in a sad and apologetic tone.
"I owed it to, you, your father and mother, Kazok", Lord Dryxo smiled sadly at the young man.
A few more moments passed before the group finally let go of Lord Dryxo and backed up looking at him in a new light, respect and pity in their eyes for the old warrior. Even Lady Dryxo looked like she was even in more love with her husband.
"Father, we can leave and go train elsewhere if you'd prefer and let you get some rest", Talina chimed in quietly holding her fathers hands in hers.
"No it's alright sweetheart. It's just a very painful memory, one that I reget deeply because I thought I had ruined my brotherhood and friendship with Gildan," Lord Vryxo said gently while smiling lovingly at his daughter and squeezed her hands as confirmation he was ok.
"However, now it's my turn to spar with Kazok and see if my investment is going to pay off".
"Uh Sir? You want to spar me yourself?", Kazok asked curiously caught off guard by his future father in laws statement.
"Indeed I do young man. I spoke to Master Tyros recently and the others here also confirmed your skill, especially against that foolish boy, Zoyr", Lord Dryxo said dryly reminded how much he hated that Azum brat and his father.
Worried about both her father and fiancee, Talina couldn't help but give them both worried looks, but she, Cobalt Sirion and Kaida, sat down at the table and turn to watch the spar that was about to happen.
"It's alright Talina, Your father is a master swordsman, he won't hurt Kazok if he doesn't have to", Kaida told her daughter in a soothing and calm voice with a warm smile.
"It's not that mother, It's Kazok I'm worried about", Talina told her mother in a voice that was worried.
"It's ok sweetheart, Kazok is still young, but he seems to be a natural swordsman and know's how to keep his composure in a fight from what all of you have told us", Kaida once more told her daughter in the same soothing, calm voice backed by her warm smile.
The group watched both men intently, waiting for them to pick their weapons and start the match, but before they could there was a loud knock at the door.
Taken back by the sudden intrustion, Kaida rushed to the front door hurriedly to see who at the front door. Once she got there, the group could hear excited chatter and then the door closing, then before long Lady Dryxo came back into view followed by Master Tyros who was carrying what looked like a large heavy trunk which he set down on the floor and gestured everyone over to him.
"Ah, Master Tyros! It's so good to see you again after so many years master", Lord Dryxo beamed happily and gripped his old master in a bear hug crushing the air out of the ancient blacksmith.
"You as well you reckless old knitwit!", Master Tyros boomed happily and returned Vraxx's bear hug in kind nearly breaking his old student in half, who backed up holding his back slightly chuckling.
"I see your strength is still as great as it was when I was still a boy, master", Lord Dryxo chuckled heartily to his old master.
"However Master, what are you doing here and what's in that old trunk?".
"AH! I'm glad you asked boy", Master Tyros snapped his fingers before unlatching the trunk and pulling the lid open to reveal amazingly beautifully crafted weapons laying inside the trunk.
The first weapon was a thin cutlass like sword. The blade shone a brilliant silver sheen almost as if it was enchanted and honed to ridiculous razor edge. The crossguard was made of polished gold, and wide enough to protect the wielders hand in combat during a deadlock and the two ends resembled the feet and talons of an Eagle. The half-round handguard stretched from the hilt to the pommel were made of silver, was shined to a brilliant sheen and resembled the wings of an Eagle. The hilt was made of from the strongest wood to grow on Grue wrapped by dark leather and held in place by silver wire. The pommel was also made of polished gold in the shape of an Eagle's head with it's beak open like it was screaming before attacking. Embedded between it's beak was a rare dark Emerald and it's eyes were also embedded with the same Emerald. The sheath, was made of the same dark leather, but fire-hardened and engraved with intricate knotwork inlaid with silver and gold. This, Master Tyros handed to Talina who stared at him jaw-dropped in awe at the beauty of the weapon and she held it close to her chest afraid she'd break if it she dropped it.
"A beautiful young noblewoman, deserves a blade fitting her station", Master Tyros beamed at Talina who was on the verge of tears and overcome with emotion at his beautiful gift.
"Thank you Master Tyros", Talina managed to croak out, tears welling in her eyes, joy and emotion clouding her voice.
Master Tyors smiled once more at her and then nodded to Sirion to step forward.
The second weapon, was a small looking staff engraved with runes embedded in the silver metal. Taking Sirion's hand, Master Tyros pricked one of his fingers who then shocked tried to yank his hand back but couldn't given the old blacksmith's strength and just watched somewhat scared of what he was going to do. Master Tyros dripped a couple of drops of blood from Sirion onto the silver staff which disappeared almost immedialty after they hit the metal and in response the runes blazed to life in a soft blue light.
"There you go Young Sirion", Master Tyros chuckled softly letting the startled young man go and then tossed him the new staff which immediatly grew into a full sized battle-staff as Sirion's hand closed around it which startled him even more and just looked at the old blacksmith in utter amazement.
"That staff can take the shape of whatever weapon you wish it and because I used your blood to activate it, that weapon will respond to you only and will be nothing more than a useless small stick in another's hand. It also has the power to amplify your magic to immenses levels, so use it wisely".
"Also, that I did not craft myself, but was crafted by someone who is interested in you and will be watching you during your time in the tournament".
Staring at the old man and then at the beautiful gift he had just be given, Sirion could only bow to the old blacksmith, shocked and choked at his kindness and lost in befuddlment as to who this myserious person was that crafted this amazing tool for him.
The third weapon was a very large greatsword. The blade was also shined to a brilliant sheen giving off a faint aura that it was enchanted and honed as well to a ridiculous edge as Talina's sword. The crossguard was also made of polished gold in the shape of a dragon wings pointed down towards the blade. The hilt was of the same mysterious metal as the blade wrapped in dark leather, but covered and held in place by small silver plates in the shape of scales that lightly pricked one of Master Tyros' fingers when he picked it up. The pommel was also made of gold in the shape of a dragons head roaring it's fury and embedded in it's eyes were rare Cobalt gems and clamped in it's roaring maw was a large Cobalt gem as well. The sheath was made of a dark fire-hardened leather with the body running half it's length made of silver, the legs stretched around the sheath as if it holding were also made of silver and the talons were made of gold, while the tailed wrapped around the rest of it ending in a point of the tip of the sheath. This monstrosity Master Tyros, heavily tossed to Cobalt who caught it and was amazed at the lightweight blade and just stared at Master Tyros in awe.
"That monster sword deserves to be wielded by a warrior just as mighty", Master Tyros spoke seriously to Cobalt before punching the large young man in his chest playfully.
"Oh. As for those scales in the hilt. I designed it so the only person who can truly wield that sword without it biting their hands is you, Young Cobalt. Do it honor and do great deeds with it to earn it a worthy name".
Cobalt, like Sirion was at loss for words at Master Tyros' kindness and also bowed to him and examined his new sword more carefully.
Kazok after seeing what his beloved recieved and his two best friends from Master Tyros was excited to see what he was going to get.
"Sorry Kazok, I didn't craft you anything personally because what I have in here, is even more special and has more worth to you than anything I could ever craft," Master Tyros, said seriously, but with a what hint of what Kazok thought was sadness in his voice.
"Vraxx, I believe you should be the one to hand Kazok his new sword. I think it's most fitting that you should do it, as his godfather".
Both Kazok and Lord Dryxo were caught offguard by what Master Tyros had said, they looked at each other for a moment and then Lord Dryxo focused his attention on the trunk and walked over to it. Looking down, Lord Dryxo's heart caught in his throat and everyone heard him catch his breath.
"What it is my beloved?", Kaida asked her husband in a curious, but slightly worried tone for her husband.
"It's...," Lord Dryxo started to speak but closed his mouth and reached down into the trunk to pull out the sword he recognized. Turning to the rest of everyone so they could the sword, Master Tyros bowed his head respectfully and Kaida caught her own breath as well in shock as she saw the sword in her husbands hands, the young group looked at their elders curiously as to what this sword was and who it belonged to.
The weapon was a hand-and-a-half sword. It could be wielded with either one or both hands depending on the situation the warrior was currently in and could easily change it up to keep his opponents on their guard.
The blade was polished to a brilliant silver sheen giving away that the fact it was just as beautiful as it was deadly. The crossguard was made of polished gold and in the shape of bull horns curved downwards part of the blade's length. The hilt was made of a mysterious metal wrapped in fire-hardened black leather and held in place by silver wire stamped into it. The pommel was a bull's face made of polished gold with a silver ring in it's nostrils and bright emeralds embedded in it's eyes. The sheath was also a fire-hardened black leather with intricate knotwork embossed in it with silver inlay and plain as day near the hilt, was the, de Valen family crest stamped into it.
"Th-that's...".
"Yes my wife. This is Gildan's ancestral hand-and-a-half sword", Lord Dryxo replied in a shocked tone before he held it out for Kazok to take.
The young group completely shocked at what Lord Dryxo said could only look at the blade and then at Kazok, who went completely rigid and shakingly reached out a hand to take his father's sword, not sure he was even worthy of this honor. As his hand closed around his father's sword, it gave off a small humming noise that everyone could hear, as if it was just waiting for him to wield it and was warm to the touch.
"This... This was really my father's?", Kazok asked emotionally and choking back tears as he held the sword in his hands and looked at both Lady and Lord Dryxo and Master Tyros in turn.
With tears in his eyes, Kazok couldn't stay standing and fell to his knees crying at this amazing gift he was given. Talina rushed to his side and put her arms around him lovingly and held as everyone else stood in a circle around them respectively bowing their heads in Gildan's memory. All the young man could do was sob quietly until both Master Tyros and Lord Dryxo put a hand on either should and he looked up at their smiling faces and smiled back at them.
"Thank you both for this. I-I... You have no idea how much this means to me", Kazok said to both old warriors while still choking on his tears before they helped him to his feet.
"It's quite alright my boy. No thanks are necessary, as that sword is now where it belongs", Master Tyros said seriously but in a gentle voice while gripping Kazok's right shoulder tightly.
"Are you ready for that sparring match now, son?", Lord Dryxo asked Kazok in serious tone as he was still curious to see his skill firsthand personally.
"You're damn right I am, Sir!", Kazok replied with renewed fire and vigor in his eyes and heart.
Everyone sat on the benches in the sparring room watching both warriors intently as they were about to begin their match.
"Ah! A moment please", the ever-silent Sirion spoke up in a commanding voice and quickly approaching both warriors before they could start their match.
Both men looked at Sirion curiously as he approached them and lifted their swords with one hand and the other, muttered some kind of phrase under his breath which resulted in his hand being covered in a silver light that he ran along the length of both swords.
"What did you do to our swords Sirion?", Kazok asked his his friend curiously noticing the thick silver sheen covering their swords.
"I protected the edges of the of the swords. At the moment they are dull, so they can only crush bones, organs and your necks. So please try to refrain from doing either of those as my healing magic isn't THAT good at repairing those problems just yet", Sirion replied seriously to his friend.
"Don't worry, I'll remove the enchantment once the match is finished and then they'll go back to their full deadly glory".
"Ha! Well then, this means I don't need to hold back", Kazok spoke a little too prideful.
"Careful, son. Pride, is one of the many downfalls that has befallen many a great warrior", Lord Dryxo replied in a serious tone while locking eyes with Kazok all thewhile backing up slowly and raising his sword.
Sirion retreated back to the others and sat back down, waiting eagerly to see this match.
It grew quiet and cold in the room as the two warriors faced off, both waiting for the other to make the first move, it was almost as if you could feel the bloodlust building between them.
Growing impatient, Kazok made the first move by charging at Lord Dryxo who only stared him down coldly waiting for him to come in range. Still holding his sword straight out, Lord Dryxo baited Kazok to coming closer before drawing his sword closer to his chest for a single hard killing jab and just when he was within range he sprang forward with such speed, it caught Kazok completly offguard who barely managed block the jab with the flat of his sword and was even more surpised at his stength. Before he could regain his footing, Lord Dryxo closed the gap between them, twisting his blade so it was edge on edge, he ran it down the length of Kazok's sword showering the floor with sparks. Recognizing this almost immediatly, Kazok twisted and flung himself to the right before Lord Dryxo's knee could meet his belly.
Just before Lord Dryxo could regain his footing, Kazok launched a counterattack swinging his sword hard at Lord Dryxo's left side only to meet the flat of his blade and then pinning it against his hip. Smiling at Kazok's skill and just before he could land a blow on him, Lord Dryxo quickly spun while grabbing his sword his right hand not giving it a chance to fall, he struck Kazok hard in the jaw with his newly freed left hand which sent Kazok staggering back a few steps.
The young group just stared in awe at how fierce this match was turning, Kaida nodded her acknowledging Kazok's swordsmanship and dodging skills. Master Tyros just stared at both the warriors, watching with pride shining in his eyes and silently praying to Gildan at the wonder he was witnessing at just how great a swordman his son would become.
"Well that was a cheap shot, dont you think, sir?", Kazok spat a small glob of spittle and blood on the floor after rubbing his jaw, while staring angrily at Lord Dryxo with fire in his eyes only to be met by cold emotionless eyes.
"Oh? Is that so Kazok? and you mean to me the knee I meant to bury in your belly wasn't?", Lord Dryxo replied geniunely curious but in a cold tone.
Master Tyros let out a small but quiet annoyed grunt as if agreeing with Lord Dryo.
"Hmm. I suppose not. This is a full contant melee match after all", Kazok replied annoyed.
"Did I not say not to be too prideful of your skill as it could lead to your downfall?", Lord Dryxo replied dryly annoyed with Kazok's prideful attitude.
"See this?".
Pointing at the scar on his jawline that was given to him in his youth for his hot headedness.
"Master Tyros gave me that as a warning because I was like you. Prideful, arrogant. I left it there and refused to let a healer mend so it would scar as a reminder. Yes I made a grave mistake in the tournament when I was your age, one I still regret to this day and I have many more scars Master Tyros gave me for my insolence in that match against your father ".
Taken aback by what he was told, Kazok considered that maybe he was being too prideful in this fight because he wanted to show Lord Dryxo what he could do.
"Maybe you're right, but I'M STILL NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN FROM YOU!", Kazok shouted in a loud booming voice that echoed around the room as he charged Lord Dryxo once more.
"Foolish boy", Master Tyros muttered under his breath angrily. This earned nods of agreement from both Sirion and Cobalt and a worried look from Talina as well as Kaida shaking her head disappointed.
"Very well, BOY! COME AT ME WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT!", Lord Dryxo returned with his own war cry and charged Kazok as well.
Both swords met with a hard crash showering sparks everywhere while slightly shaking the room and rattled with the windows the force of the them meeting. Earning shocked looks from the group sitting on the sidelines except from Master Tyros.
With a vicious growl, Kazok tightly gripped Lord Dryxo's sword arm, twisted sharply and flipped him over his shoulder onto the ground heavily and quickly dropped onto him holding the edge of his sword to Lord Dryxo's throat.
"YIELD! This fight is over, I have won!", Kazok growled at Lord Dryxo angrily while locking eyes with Lord Dryxos. Those cold emotionless eyes, the eyes of a hardened warrior.
Smiling at Kazok, which caught Kazok offguard but it was too late. Lord Dryxo slightly pushed the tip of a dagger into the side of Kazok's left breast where his heart was just enough to get his attention.
"No son. You lost, I have won. You let your pride and anger get the better of you.", Lord Dryxo replied quietly so only he could hear him.
Standing up and taking a few steps back and silently berating himself, Kazok watched Lord Dryxo as he stood up.
"You cheated", Kazok replied haughtily.
Again this earned another grunt of annoyance from Master Tyros as the group got up and walked over to them.
"I did no such thing, Kazok", Lord Dryxo replied calmy his eyes still locked with Kazok's
"Had this truly been a battle to the death as it will be in the future should you ever meet an enemy who wishes to take your life. There is no such thing as a fair fight, your opponent already knows this and will most likely already be a seasoned warrior themself. They will seek any advantage they can use against you to win and save their own life".
"He told you to not let your pride get the better of you, boy", Master Tyros said angrily, holding back from wringing Kazok's neck.
"You did exactly that and lost the match because you were so sure you had won the fight, but you didn't notice him slide his dagger out because of you how close you were to him. You already know this lesson as you beat the hell out of Zoyr and his goons how badly?".
"I see. Please accept my apologies Lord Dryxo", Kazok bowed apologetically to his future father in law.
"There is nothing to forgive Kazok. Only lessons to be learned if you'll let me guide you", Lord Dryxo replied soothingly as he placed a heavy gloved hand on Kazok's left shoulder.
"I don't want you making my mistakes. You're a better man than I am and I damn well will see that you turn into the warrior I know you're meant to be".
"It'll be an honor sir!", Kazok replied happily offering his hand to Lord Dryxo who accepted and shook his hand.
Author's Note I:
Well. Here you have it everyone! Sadly I've been working on this chapter for almost a year now and was really not sure where I wanted it to go or how to end it. I originally only had the first paragraph written out. Anyways, I think this came out nicely as a finished product. What do you all think?
Kaelzar