Author's Notes
No one has seen this chapter and on, C.R. is it? (I'm used to you as your name on LufiaWorld, and I'm too lazy to check the review of the prologue you gave). Bring on all the raves, criticisms, cursings, and such! Oh, and ideas for better chapter titles will be entertained and, if used, properly accredited, if permission is given.
Chapter Five:
Playing at Swords
On the second evening after leaving the kingdom of Alunze the group of three travelers reached the town of Tanbel located on the southern edge of a small woods. It was a much simpler looking place than the city of Alunze. It held many similarities to Maxim and Tia's hometown of Elcid, except the faces of those walking around and the presence of many more trees. It was a larger settlement than that of Elcid, as well.
As the trio reached Hilda's home, a blonde swordsman was awaiting them out front. He rushed to give Hilda a hug and then noticed her two companions. Introductions ensued.
Maxim and Tia quickly found out that the swordsman's name was Guy and he was Hilda's brother, whom she had talked about quite a bit on their trip. He was slightly shorter than Maxim was, yet a little rounder ("but not much", he would always say). His hair had some semblance of a part down the middle, but most of the time his hair just went in as many directions as it wanted as he battled various opponents. He was also the oldest of the present group, being 24 years old.
Guy was known around the area as quite the master at swordplay (and he even preferred axes) as much as for his fiery temper. Especially when he felt his honor was being undermined (which was most of the time, and most of the time an overreaction).
"When did you get here, Guy?" Hilda began after the introductions were over.
"Just about an hour or so ago, I guess," he replied. It was actually probably closer to two or three.
"Jessy rushed back from the ceremony hoping you'd get home days ago, but I guess she was disappointed. Have you seen her yet?" "No," came the reply. "You know she was thinking of you the whole time in Alunze. You're almost all she would talk about." She quickly added to Maxim and Tia that Jessy was Guy's girlfriend, but that was not too hard to guess.
"You know, you are still probably in trouble for your little hunting expedition a couple of weeks back. Girls don't forget things as easily as men do," Hilda continued. And to fill Maxim and Tia in she informed them of when Guy had forgot a date he had made with Jessy, only to be carried away with a hunting trip. She said he was a typical man, one that was clueless, to which Tia earnestly agreed and begrudgingly identified with in her relationship with Maxim.
"Women just don't understand. It's a man thing!" Guy shot back at them. "Right Maxim?" he added.
Maxim began to shake his head in agreement (while looking and smiling at Tia), but was cut off by Hilda. "We get it all right. You prefer stinky animals to girls. Priorities!" she said with a humph.
Changing the subject quickly, Guy asked Maxim what had brought them to Tanbel. But Hilda interrupted before Maxim offered an answer, suggesting that they should have some dinner. She also informed Guy that the two would be staying with them for the night to which Guy heartily agreed. All three travelers were beginning to hunger, and although Guy had recently eaten, he figured there was plenty of room for a second dinner.
He had told his sister that that would be a great idea, but he didn't stop there. "I'm not too sure about her other abilities, but her cooking is pretty good." Maxim almost winced in anticipation of Hilda's assured response. "And exactly what do you mean by that?" Hilda responded as she shot Guy a look, annoyance filling her face.
Backing off Guy said with a smirk, "Well, is there anything else you can do really well?" Scratching his chin and pretending to look far off in the distance he continued "I just can't think..."
"What are you saying?!" Hilda was becoming partly livid, apparently the very reaction Guy was trying to receive. "I manage the inn...I cook...I clean...and I do the laundry. You're the one that can't do a single thing."
"I do my own laundry and help with the rest, thank you very much Sis," Guy answered back with a wider, knowing smile.
"Yeah...you do the first part, getting them dirty. I finish it off by cleaning them. And the only other way you possibly help is by supervising...and you do a poor job at that." Hilda's short rant was over and Guy laughed at how easy it had been to get her riled up. Maxim and Tia had a similar relationship growing up. Maxim still saw Tia that way; the reverse was not as true.
Hilda turned to Tia, now more calmed but mischievous looking, and quipped, "Men! They can't do a thing by themselves, yet they act like they rule the whole world."
"I know what you mean, Hilda," Tia agreed.
Guy grabbed Hilda, throwing his left arm around her neck, while they laughed all the way into the house. "It's such a good surprise to see you back so soon Guy," Hilda had told him.
Once inside the inn Tia offered to help Hilda with the meal while Guy offered Maxim another proposition. The best way to get to know one another, according to Guy, was to have a sword fight. Guy asked and Maxim gladly took up the challenge.
"I prefer to use the axe, but I will yield to your weapon of choice, which I assume will be the sword," Guy said noticing Maxim's dangling at his side in its sheath.
Maxim responded, "A sword is all I have upon my body, so I am forced to choose that, unless you have a stockpile to plunder, Sir Guy. And I would gladly yield that which I do not know."
Guy, already flowing with competitive juices, was not going to let Maxim get the better of this discussion between gentlemen sparring. "But I would not want you to use a weapon you are not used to. You will need to be at your best in this fight against me. You surely know how to yield your own weapon, and that is a sword. So we shall play at swords."
"Hilda has told me of your swordplay, so I will accept this match, Sir Guy," Maxim said as he smiled. The discussion turned out to be a stalemate, but neither wanted the fight to turn out that way. Guy grabbed two sparring swords, which were dull and wooden. This was not to prevent injury (which both men would say they could easily prevent with real weapons and no armor), as much as to keep the men's own weapons in more pristine order.
The two moved outside into an open courtyard, which was a block behind Hilda's Inn, feeling the weight of the wooden swords in their grasp. They were eager to begin dueling and quickly they would.
"Can I strut all of my stuff," Guy asked Maxim.
"You'd better or you might end up hurt, Sir Guy," Maxim shot back.
"You're that confident, huh? Ok, comin' at you." With that the fight was started.
In the beginning both used more caution as each warrior sized up the other's skill at the sword. Both were impressed with what they saw. Then the pace began to quicken as strike after strike was blocked and then countered. Neither combatant gained any ground or hold on the fight. And then as Guy prepared to come even harder at Maxim the two were stopped by the sound of Tia's voice moving closer and growing louder.
As the swordsmen halted and turned to Tia, Guy yelled, "We were just getting to the fun part, Tia."
With all seriousness in her eyes Tia blurted out, "Hilda has been taken." Dread, guilt, frustration, and disbelief all entered Guy's thoughts at that moment. And as Tia was trying to catch her breath Guy was driven mad by his impatience.
Tia finally managed to say, "An armored man has kidnapped Hilda. I tried to stop him Guy, but I just couldn't do it." Her gaze fell to the ground here. She was obviously mad at herself.
"Did you see where she was taken?" Guy frantically asked.
"He was going to a tower to the southeast, he said, and he at least started in that direction. He said he would be waiting for you there." Guy didn't respond, which prompted Tia to begin, "I'm really sorry, Guy," and then trail off.
After Guy seized upon the thought he seemed to be chasing he made Tia look him in the eyes and said, "I know it's not your fault, Tia. I'm sure you did everything you could. Thank you for being able to tell me in which direction they went. I don't know why he has done this, but apparently he doesn't mind me knowing about it. If he truly just wanted me he could have just asked and I'd be more than happy to meet him," stressing the second to last word implying a menacing meaning. And then the thought entered Guy's head that maybe the stranger did not just want him, but something on top of that, but he quickly dismissed this atrocity for hope instead.
"I'm sorry Maxim and Tia, but I must leave at once. Anything at the house is at your disposal for as long as you wish to stay. I plan to be reunited with my sister tonight."
"This is obviously some sort of trap, Sir Guy" Maxim said. "What I have seen of your valor is unmatched in those I have laid eyes upon, so I do not try to dissuade you from this task. I do offer my sword in help, though."
"I do not wish to take the time to oppose your decision. Let us go at once."
"Hey, I'm coming, too," Tia added as the two men before her headed towards Guy's stable. Each member had a horse to ride, since Hilda's had been left in its stable. Hilda's horse, Adah, was mostly white, with graying flanks. Guy's horse, named Reim (and pronounced as in rhyme, but shortened at the end), seemed the proudest of all three, was brown in color like Maxim's borrowed steed, Eve, but its legs were black in color as if it were wearing leggings of some sort.
Once the horses and humans were outfitted with the gear and weapons they set off to the southeast. Quickly they closed the distance between the tower and themselves. They only hoped that Hilda was taken there.
-----------------------------
As they entered the decrepit tower and climbed a few flights of stairs, they came upon a hallway lined with long-shielded knights, half broken in their decay. The air, too, seemed almost broken—full of dust, dull, and short. Windows were present, but they were high on the walls and caked with more dirt and grime, allowing only the most persistent of light thru. At the middle of this hall, two shapes could easily be seen—one of a man and the other a woman. Guy wasted no time in confronting the armored gentleman atop a plateau that centered the room.
"Hilda, are you okay," Guy screamed as he gripped his axe more tightly. Beside her stood her stood the stranger. His armor was navy blue, almost black, with golden trim, yet it did not look like it had tasted any weapon's metal. Whether this was from a lack of attempts or from the skill of who wore it, Guy did not know. Nor did he care.
But before Hilda answered Guy's question the mysterious stranger spoke up first. "I applaud your efforts, Guy, to have come this far so quickly. I do hope it has not left you out of breath," the man laughed, but it was not a deep laugh you may associate with evil.
"Why have you taken Hilda? If it was to get to me, then release her; you will have your duel." Guy's anger was nowhere concealed. Maxim and Tia had joined Guy's side by now.
"First introductions are at hand. My name is Camu, and I already know yours. Perhaps I shall desire to know the names of your companions in a little bit. But to your question: orders, you see. I was to check out the abilities of a certain man." Here he lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing a face that both Guy and Hilda had just seen before Hilda had left for the crowning ceremony. He had stayed at their inn, obviously on false pretenses, and this made Guy even angrier. He had been hospitable to this man only a week before.
Camu continued, "I considered your case for awhile, Guy, and came up with a splendid idea—what brings you here before me. Only you came sooner than I would have liked." With this the man's lips curled menacingly.
Guy could barely control himself, but the man was still right next to Hilda, keeping him in check.
"That idea of yours will cost you dearly, Kidnapper. I would be delighted to show you the abilities of this certain man."
Amused Camu responded, "Noisy, aren't we, Guy? But yes, this is what I have come to do. Let us see at what point your strength will fail." Here he turned his attention to Maxim, "And do be so kind to wait, Sir, until your turn comes." With that he flung Hilda towards Maxim and Tia, drew out an axe of his own from his back and began his assault upon Guy.
The blow, blocked by Guy's shield, sent him back three steps before he regained his footing. Since Guy was only wearing sparring armor (they, perhaps, left too early in his wrath) he felt the crush spread over his arm. And immediately Camu's dark, armored figure was upon him again. Five more strikes flew at Guy before a counter was given, but this was from an off-balanced Guy and he was pushed back from Camu's defense as well. At this Camu simply laughed.
Again, Camu flew at Guy with a flurry of hits, but Guy was better prepared for these. Guy was able to deflect Camu's swings so that he was not knocked off balance by any blow. He also showed his quickness in being able to dodge the strikes, and then countering more quickly with crashes of his own.
Guy gave as many hits as he received, most being deflected at first, but soon Camu seemed to tire. He was also more cautious now with his attacks. Guy was now taking the offensive. Camu's ability to deflect the brunt of the blow gave way to a full force crash of Guy's axe on Camu's shield and then on his armor directly.
Camu's form during the opening stages of the duel seemed equal to that of Guy's, perhaps even superior. But his endurance seemed to lag far behind Guy's and it was here that the battle turned.
And then, as quickly as it had started, the battle was ended when Guy delivered three striking blows. The first was deflected by the Black Warrior, but it left him off-balanced for Guy's next swing. Guy deftly brought the brunt of his axe down upon the shoulder of his foe, whose armor, luckily, was strong enough to keep the blade from penetrating. Then before Maxim could even register what happened, Camu's axe was flying out of his hands, and Camu was on his back, his chest heaving with labored breathing. It was a tremendous display of axemanship.
For the next thing that happened Guy has forever been thankful to Maxim. In his rage, Guy brought the axe for another fierce blow upon his sister's kidnapper. In his quickness, compassion, and perhaps hope of answers to come, Maxim deflected Guy's swing with his own sword, causing the axe to clang loudly against the floor, but not leave Guy's clasp. Both Guy and Camu were shocked by such an act (if for different reasons: Guy's blinding rage and Camu's lack of compassion), but Guy yielded to Maxim's silent wisdom.
Guy then realized how out of breath he was, but stood at the ready, stepping a bit closer to his fallen enemy, as his chest heaved in its deep breaths.
Camu began between labored breathing, "It is mo...more than I...had expected. But, don't overestimate...yourself...th...the...time will come when..."
"What are you babbling about, Captor," Guy interrupted refusing to call him by a true name, with disgust and anger still shining from his eyes.
Camu now slowly rose to his feet, clutching his right shoulder. "This world...will see a new rule. Soon, it will...know who...the Sinistrals are and swear allegiance to them."
"What do you mean? Who are these Sinistrals?" Guy asked as Maxim and Tia watched on.
Then Camu began quietly laughing to himself the type of laugh that sends a chill down one's own spine for fear of what thought lies beneath it. The figure before them still appeared to be Camu, but the voice seemed distant and disconnected from his lips and deeper still. "You humans will never leave here...so there is no need to know!" With those words the tower began to shake as the shielded remnants of the hall crashed around them.
And to the amazement of Maxim, Tia, and Guy, Camu disappeared from before their eyes. This they had never seen nor even heard of before. Magic was little known (if at all) by many who walked the face of Mada Eve but whatever happened before their eyes seemed more like a trick than any magic the race of men and women had encountered.
They had little time to dwell upon what exactly happened or how, though, as the ceiling and walls began to fall in about them. Dust rose in a storm all about them.
Tia raced towards the entrance, but found it to be barred by some mysterious and magical force. They could not open the door at all, nor were the windows reachable from their heights upon the floor.
They began to search around for any openings, originally constructed or newly formed that would provide an exit for them when they heard the barred entrance smash open in a fit of quick but blinding light.
From this opening came the cloaked figure of a lady with purplish- green hair. Maxim recognized her at once as Iris, whom he had met just two and a half weeks earlier. Still, confusion clouded his mind as well as those of his companions.
"Please, hurry and come over to me," she shouted at them all. Still, they were too bewildered to move as her command registered in their minds.
Maxim then spoke up telling Tia that this was who he had met in the cave and urging Guy and Hilda to follow him, doing as she said.
As they reached the doorway and stopped before the lady's presence Maxim began to ask how she knew they were there when she stopped his speech, warning against time for any conversation.
And then a large stone piece of the tower's fourth floor began plummeting unswervingly in their direction. With no time to move they winced as the stone was suspended above them and then tossed away, with very little apparent effort from the one Maxim knew as Iris.
While the four citizens of Alunze began to process this rescue, Iris screamed out, "Everybody stay close, I'm taking us out of here."
And so, they were allowed to experience that which Camu must have when he exited their sight. I cannot fully describe what this was like, for the participants themselves could not fully recall. As soon as they were outside of the tower the experience of being 'warped' from the tower interior was quickly fading. They were able to remember, however, that it was not completely instantaneous, lasting longer than one might expect, yet seeming almost as if it did not occur. Perhaps, Maxim once said, it felt as though time itself were stretched out during the process, yet rushed back together with no care for memories once it was over.
And neither slowly nor quickly, their minds began to focus once again on the reality about them. This took a long enough, uncertain amount of time for the mysterious woman to leave the party's company.
As Maxim looked about for the second-time intruder to his life, Guy asked him whom she was and what she did to get them where they were.
The latter question no one could answer, but Maxim spoke on the first. "Her name is Iris and she once told me, almost three weeks past, that I was being called upon to travel and fight." He then recounted for a second time all that befell his conversation with her in the cave that fateful day.
"Then is what she talked to you about, the swell of evil...is that what Camu called the Sinistrals?" Hilda interjected (as she was a bit more mentally quick and observant than Guy usually was).
"That I don't know, m' Lady, but it makes some sense and gives me hope in the truthfulness of Iris' words, while it is not an outcome I wish this world to face. It is a burdening and unwanted hope if it should be called that at all," Maxim answered. Then he muttered to himself, "What...is...she," thinking about Iris and the powers she had just shown before him.
He thought back to Iris' words about one day, possibly, seeing her true powers and it stirred fear in his heart that this was but a taste of that which lied within her. He also thought, however, that this power she obviously had was held in check at their first meeting, perhaps giving more credibility to her heart and her message. Still he was not fully convinced of all she claimed and said.
It was discovered that Hilda's body contained some bruises as well as one large scrape upon her left arm. She seemed a bit weak and Guy desired to get her back to their house as soon as possible. So they returned there as the darkness began to fall around them.
Hilda's stomach was more persistent at the moment than her aches were, so all four of them sat down to eat the stew that the girls were in the midst of finishing when Camu interrupted their day. It, of course, needed to be reheated by now, but would still be quite nourishing and filling.
Everyone's mind turned quickly to their appetites and the fulfilling thereof. The stew was eaten with some delicious black bread and butter, and a salad made from Hilda's vegetable garden out behind the inn.
After taking in their fills Hilda retired for the night, while Guy asked leave to quickly see his girlfriend, for he knew that he would never hear the end of it, had he waited a whole day to see her after such a long break of not being able to talk to her. Maxim and Tia gladly gave their host leave, for were they growing tired themselves.
Again the questions began to race through Maxim's mind about Iris' words, his journey, and whatever these Sinistrals were. Luckily, however, bodily tiredness overpowered his overactive mind and he soon joined those who had already fallen asleep.
No one has seen this chapter and on, C.R. is it? (I'm used to you as your name on LufiaWorld, and I'm too lazy to check the review of the prologue you gave). Bring on all the raves, criticisms, cursings, and such! Oh, and ideas for better chapter titles will be entertained and, if used, properly accredited, if permission is given.
Chapter Five:
Playing at Swords
On the second evening after leaving the kingdom of Alunze the group of three travelers reached the town of Tanbel located on the southern edge of a small woods. It was a much simpler looking place than the city of Alunze. It held many similarities to Maxim and Tia's hometown of Elcid, except the faces of those walking around and the presence of many more trees. It was a larger settlement than that of Elcid, as well.
As the trio reached Hilda's home, a blonde swordsman was awaiting them out front. He rushed to give Hilda a hug and then noticed her two companions. Introductions ensued.
Maxim and Tia quickly found out that the swordsman's name was Guy and he was Hilda's brother, whom she had talked about quite a bit on their trip. He was slightly shorter than Maxim was, yet a little rounder ("but not much", he would always say). His hair had some semblance of a part down the middle, but most of the time his hair just went in as many directions as it wanted as he battled various opponents. He was also the oldest of the present group, being 24 years old.
Guy was known around the area as quite the master at swordplay (and he even preferred axes) as much as for his fiery temper. Especially when he felt his honor was being undermined (which was most of the time, and most of the time an overreaction).
"When did you get here, Guy?" Hilda began after the introductions were over.
"Just about an hour or so ago, I guess," he replied. It was actually probably closer to two or three.
"Jessy rushed back from the ceremony hoping you'd get home days ago, but I guess she was disappointed. Have you seen her yet?" "No," came the reply. "You know she was thinking of you the whole time in Alunze. You're almost all she would talk about." She quickly added to Maxim and Tia that Jessy was Guy's girlfriend, but that was not too hard to guess.
"You know, you are still probably in trouble for your little hunting expedition a couple of weeks back. Girls don't forget things as easily as men do," Hilda continued. And to fill Maxim and Tia in she informed them of when Guy had forgot a date he had made with Jessy, only to be carried away with a hunting trip. She said he was a typical man, one that was clueless, to which Tia earnestly agreed and begrudgingly identified with in her relationship with Maxim.
"Women just don't understand. It's a man thing!" Guy shot back at them. "Right Maxim?" he added.
Maxim began to shake his head in agreement (while looking and smiling at Tia), but was cut off by Hilda. "We get it all right. You prefer stinky animals to girls. Priorities!" she said with a humph.
Changing the subject quickly, Guy asked Maxim what had brought them to Tanbel. But Hilda interrupted before Maxim offered an answer, suggesting that they should have some dinner. She also informed Guy that the two would be staying with them for the night to which Guy heartily agreed. All three travelers were beginning to hunger, and although Guy had recently eaten, he figured there was plenty of room for a second dinner.
He had told his sister that that would be a great idea, but he didn't stop there. "I'm not too sure about her other abilities, but her cooking is pretty good." Maxim almost winced in anticipation of Hilda's assured response. "And exactly what do you mean by that?" Hilda responded as she shot Guy a look, annoyance filling her face.
Backing off Guy said with a smirk, "Well, is there anything else you can do really well?" Scratching his chin and pretending to look far off in the distance he continued "I just can't think..."
"What are you saying?!" Hilda was becoming partly livid, apparently the very reaction Guy was trying to receive. "I manage the inn...I cook...I clean...and I do the laundry. You're the one that can't do a single thing."
"I do my own laundry and help with the rest, thank you very much Sis," Guy answered back with a wider, knowing smile.
"Yeah...you do the first part, getting them dirty. I finish it off by cleaning them. And the only other way you possibly help is by supervising...and you do a poor job at that." Hilda's short rant was over and Guy laughed at how easy it had been to get her riled up. Maxim and Tia had a similar relationship growing up. Maxim still saw Tia that way; the reverse was not as true.
Hilda turned to Tia, now more calmed but mischievous looking, and quipped, "Men! They can't do a thing by themselves, yet they act like they rule the whole world."
"I know what you mean, Hilda," Tia agreed.
Guy grabbed Hilda, throwing his left arm around her neck, while they laughed all the way into the house. "It's such a good surprise to see you back so soon Guy," Hilda had told him.
Once inside the inn Tia offered to help Hilda with the meal while Guy offered Maxim another proposition. The best way to get to know one another, according to Guy, was to have a sword fight. Guy asked and Maxim gladly took up the challenge.
"I prefer to use the axe, but I will yield to your weapon of choice, which I assume will be the sword," Guy said noticing Maxim's dangling at his side in its sheath.
Maxim responded, "A sword is all I have upon my body, so I am forced to choose that, unless you have a stockpile to plunder, Sir Guy. And I would gladly yield that which I do not know."
Guy, already flowing with competitive juices, was not going to let Maxim get the better of this discussion between gentlemen sparring. "But I would not want you to use a weapon you are not used to. You will need to be at your best in this fight against me. You surely know how to yield your own weapon, and that is a sword. So we shall play at swords."
"Hilda has told me of your swordplay, so I will accept this match, Sir Guy," Maxim said as he smiled. The discussion turned out to be a stalemate, but neither wanted the fight to turn out that way. Guy grabbed two sparring swords, which were dull and wooden. This was not to prevent injury (which both men would say they could easily prevent with real weapons and no armor), as much as to keep the men's own weapons in more pristine order.
The two moved outside into an open courtyard, which was a block behind Hilda's Inn, feeling the weight of the wooden swords in their grasp. They were eager to begin dueling and quickly they would.
"Can I strut all of my stuff," Guy asked Maxim.
"You'd better or you might end up hurt, Sir Guy," Maxim shot back.
"You're that confident, huh? Ok, comin' at you." With that the fight was started.
In the beginning both used more caution as each warrior sized up the other's skill at the sword. Both were impressed with what they saw. Then the pace began to quicken as strike after strike was blocked and then countered. Neither combatant gained any ground or hold on the fight. And then as Guy prepared to come even harder at Maxim the two were stopped by the sound of Tia's voice moving closer and growing louder.
As the swordsmen halted and turned to Tia, Guy yelled, "We were just getting to the fun part, Tia."
With all seriousness in her eyes Tia blurted out, "Hilda has been taken." Dread, guilt, frustration, and disbelief all entered Guy's thoughts at that moment. And as Tia was trying to catch her breath Guy was driven mad by his impatience.
Tia finally managed to say, "An armored man has kidnapped Hilda. I tried to stop him Guy, but I just couldn't do it." Her gaze fell to the ground here. She was obviously mad at herself.
"Did you see where she was taken?" Guy frantically asked.
"He was going to a tower to the southeast, he said, and he at least started in that direction. He said he would be waiting for you there." Guy didn't respond, which prompted Tia to begin, "I'm really sorry, Guy," and then trail off.
After Guy seized upon the thought he seemed to be chasing he made Tia look him in the eyes and said, "I know it's not your fault, Tia. I'm sure you did everything you could. Thank you for being able to tell me in which direction they went. I don't know why he has done this, but apparently he doesn't mind me knowing about it. If he truly just wanted me he could have just asked and I'd be more than happy to meet him," stressing the second to last word implying a menacing meaning. And then the thought entered Guy's head that maybe the stranger did not just want him, but something on top of that, but he quickly dismissed this atrocity for hope instead.
"I'm sorry Maxim and Tia, but I must leave at once. Anything at the house is at your disposal for as long as you wish to stay. I plan to be reunited with my sister tonight."
"This is obviously some sort of trap, Sir Guy" Maxim said. "What I have seen of your valor is unmatched in those I have laid eyes upon, so I do not try to dissuade you from this task. I do offer my sword in help, though."
"I do not wish to take the time to oppose your decision. Let us go at once."
"Hey, I'm coming, too," Tia added as the two men before her headed towards Guy's stable. Each member had a horse to ride, since Hilda's had been left in its stable. Hilda's horse, Adah, was mostly white, with graying flanks. Guy's horse, named Reim (and pronounced as in rhyme, but shortened at the end), seemed the proudest of all three, was brown in color like Maxim's borrowed steed, Eve, but its legs were black in color as if it were wearing leggings of some sort.
Once the horses and humans were outfitted with the gear and weapons they set off to the southeast. Quickly they closed the distance between the tower and themselves. They only hoped that Hilda was taken there.
-----------------------------
As they entered the decrepit tower and climbed a few flights of stairs, they came upon a hallway lined with long-shielded knights, half broken in their decay. The air, too, seemed almost broken—full of dust, dull, and short. Windows were present, but they were high on the walls and caked with more dirt and grime, allowing only the most persistent of light thru. At the middle of this hall, two shapes could easily be seen—one of a man and the other a woman. Guy wasted no time in confronting the armored gentleman atop a plateau that centered the room.
"Hilda, are you okay," Guy screamed as he gripped his axe more tightly. Beside her stood her stood the stranger. His armor was navy blue, almost black, with golden trim, yet it did not look like it had tasted any weapon's metal. Whether this was from a lack of attempts or from the skill of who wore it, Guy did not know. Nor did he care.
But before Hilda answered Guy's question the mysterious stranger spoke up first. "I applaud your efforts, Guy, to have come this far so quickly. I do hope it has not left you out of breath," the man laughed, but it was not a deep laugh you may associate with evil.
"Why have you taken Hilda? If it was to get to me, then release her; you will have your duel." Guy's anger was nowhere concealed. Maxim and Tia had joined Guy's side by now.
"First introductions are at hand. My name is Camu, and I already know yours. Perhaps I shall desire to know the names of your companions in a little bit. But to your question: orders, you see. I was to check out the abilities of a certain man." Here he lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing a face that both Guy and Hilda had just seen before Hilda had left for the crowning ceremony. He had stayed at their inn, obviously on false pretenses, and this made Guy even angrier. He had been hospitable to this man only a week before.
Camu continued, "I considered your case for awhile, Guy, and came up with a splendid idea—what brings you here before me. Only you came sooner than I would have liked." With this the man's lips curled menacingly.
Guy could barely control himself, but the man was still right next to Hilda, keeping him in check.
"That idea of yours will cost you dearly, Kidnapper. I would be delighted to show you the abilities of this certain man."
Amused Camu responded, "Noisy, aren't we, Guy? But yes, this is what I have come to do. Let us see at what point your strength will fail." Here he turned his attention to Maxim, "And do be so kind to wait, Sir, until your turn comes." With that he flung Hilda towards Maxim and Tia, drew out an axe of his own from his back and began his assault upon Guy.
The blow, blocked by Guy's shield, sent him back three steps before he regained his footing. Since Guy was only wearing sparring armor (they, perhaps, left too early in his wrath) he felt the crush spread over his arm. And immediately Camu's dark, armored figure was upon him again. Five more strikes flew at Guy before a counter was given, but this was from an off-balanced Guy and he was pushed back from Camu's defense as well. At this Camu simply laughed.
Again, Camu flew at Guy with a flurry of hits, but Guy was better prepared for these. Guy was able to deflect Camu's swings so that he was not knocked off balance by any blow. He also showed his quickness in being able to dodge the strikes, and then countering more quickly with crashes of his own.
Guy gave as many hits as he received, most being deflected at first, but soon Camu seemed to tire. He was also more cautious now with his attacks. Guy was now taking the offensive. Camu's ability to deflect the brunt of the blow gave way to a full force crash of Guy's axe on Camu's shield and then on his armor directly.
Camu's form during the opening stages of the duel seemed equal to that of Guy's, perhaps even superior. But his endurance seemed to lag far behind Guy's and it was here that the battle turned.
And then, as quickly as it had started, the battle was ended when Guy delivered three striking blows. The first was deflected by the Black Warrior, but it left him off-balanced for Guy's next swing. Guy deftly brought the brunt of his axe down upon the shoulder of his foe, whose armor, luckily, was strong enough to keep the blade from penetrating. Then before Maxim could even register what happened, Camu's axe was flying out of his hands, and Camu was on his back, his chest heaving with labored breathing. It was a tremendous display of axemanship.
For the next thing that happened Guy has forever been thankful to Maxim. In his rage, Guy brought the axe for another fierce blow upon his sister's kidnapper. In his quickness, compassion, and perhaps hope of answers to come, Maxim deflected Guy's swing with his own sword, causing the axe to clang loudly against the floor, but not leave Guy's clasp. Both Guy and Camu were shocked by such an act (if for different reasons: Guy's blinding rage and Camu's lack of compassion), but Guy yielded to Maxim's silent wisdom.
Guy then realized how out of breath he was, but stood at the ready, stepping a bit closer to his fallen enemy, as his chest heaved in its deep breaths.
Camu began between labored breathing, "It is mo...more than I...had expected. But, don't overestimate...yourself...th...the...time will come when..."
"What are you babbling about, Captor," Guy interrupted refusing to call him by a true name, with disgust and anger still shining from his eyes.
Camu now slowly rose to his feet, clutching his right shoulder. "This world...will see a new rule. Soon, it will...know who...the Sinistrals are and swear allegiance to them."
"What do you mean? Who are these Sinistrals?" Guy asked as Maxim and Tia watched on.
Then Camu began quietly laughing to himself the type of laugh that sends a chill down one's own spine for fear of what thought lies beneath it. The figure before them still appeared to be Camu, but the voice seemed distant and disconnected from his lips and deeper still. "You humans will never leave here...so there is no need to know!" With those words the tower began to shake as the shielded remnants of the hall crashed around them.
And to the amazement of Maxim, Tia, and Guy, Camu disappeared from before their eyes. This they had never seen nor even heard of before. Magic was little known (if at all) by many who walked the face of Mada Eve but whatever happened before their eyes seemed more like a trick than any magic the race of men and women had encountered.
They had little time to dwell upon what exactly happened or how, though, as the ceiling and walls began to fall in about them. Dust rose in a storm all about them.
Tia raced towards the entrance, but found it to be barred by some mysterious and magical force. They could not open the door at all, nor were the windows reachable from their heights upon the floor.
They began to search around for any openings, originally constructed or newly formed that would provide an exit for them when they heard the barred entrance smash open in a fit of quick but blinding light.
From this opening came the cloaked figure of a lady with purplish- green hair. Maxim recognized her at once as Iris, whom he had met just two and a half weeks earlier. Still, confusion clouded his mind as well as those of his companions.
"Please, hurry and come over to me," she shouted at them all. Still, they were too bewildered to move as her command registered in their minds.
Maxim then spoke up telling Tia that this was who he had met in the cave and urging Guy and Hilda to follow him, doing as she said.
As they reached the doorway and stopped before the lady's presence Maxim began to ask how she knew they were there when she stopped his speech, warning against time for any conversation.
And then a large stone piece of the tower's fourth floor began plummeting unswervingly in their direction. With no time to move they winced as the stone was suspended above them and then tossed away, with very little apparent effort from the one Maxim knew as Iris.
While the four citizens of Alunze began to process this rescue, Iris screamed out, "Everybody stay close, I'm taking us out of here."
And so, they were allowed to experience that which Camu must have when he exited their sight. I cannot fully describe what this was like, for the participants themselves could not fully recall. As soon as they were outside of the tower the experience of being 'warped' from the tower interior was quickly fading. They were able to remember, however, that it was not completely instantaneous, lasting longer than one might expect, yet seeming almost as if it did not occur. Perhaps, Maxim once said, it felt as though time itself were stretched out during the process, yet rushed back together with no care for memories once it was over.
And neither slowly nor quickly, their minds began to focus once again on the reality about them. This took a long enough, uncertain amount of time for the mysterious woman to leave the party's company.
As Maxim looked about for the second-time intruder to his life, Guy asked him whom she was and what she did to get them where they were.
The latter question no one could answer, but Maxim spoke on the first. "Her name is Iris and she once told me, almost three weeks past, that I was being called upon to travel and fight." He then recounted for a second time all that befell his conversation with her in the cave that fateful day.
"Then is what she talked to you about, the swell of evil...is that what Camu called the Sinistrals?" Hilda interjected (as she was a bit more mentally quick and observant than Guy usually was).
"That I don't know, m' Lady, but it makes some sense and gives me hope in the truthfulness of Iris' words, while it is not an outcome I wish this world to face. It is a burdening and unwanted hope if it should be called that at all," Maxim answered. Then he muttered to himself, "What...is...she," thinking about Iris and the powers she had just shown before him.
He thought back to Iris' words about one day, possibly, seeing her true powers and it stirred fear in his heart that this was but a taste of that which lied within her. He also thought, however, that this power she obviously had was held in check at their first meeting, perhaps giving more credibility to her heart and her message. Still he was not fully convinced of all she claimed and said.
It was discovered that Hilda's body contained some bruises as well as one large scrape upon her left arm. She seemed a bit weak and Guy desired to get her back to their house as soon as possible. So they returned there as the darkness began to fall around them.
Hilda's stomach was more persistent at the moment than her aches were, so all four of them sat down to eat the stew that the girls were in the midst of finishing when Camu interrupted their day. It, of course, needed to be reheated by now, but would still be quite nourishing and filling.
Everyone's mind turned quickly to their appetites and the fulfilling thereof. The stew was eaten with some delicious black bread and butter, and a salad made from Hilda's vegetable garden out behind the inn.
After taking in their fills Hilda retired for the night, while Guy asked leave to quickly see his girlfriend, for he knew that he would never hear the end of it, had he waited a whole day to see her after such a long break of not being able to talk to her. Maxim and Tia gladly gave their host leave, for were they growing tired themselves.
Again the questions began to race through Maxim's mind about Iris' words, his journey, and whatever these Sinistrals were. Luckily, however, bodily tiredness overpowered his overactive mind and he soon joined those who had already fallen asleep.