Author's Note:
Once again, hello. This is another OC chapter! I meant to finish this story by the end of 2023, but that's not happening. Maybe by 2024? I don't own this stuff anyways, so enjoy.
-Tangent
The change in the movement of the air was so subtle that she nearly missed it. She felt it first, a vibration that traveled through the air and touched her skin before the sound of the arrow releasing ever reached her. Blinded as she was, the knight was relying totally on sound and sense to determine the location of the unseen archer.
Her blade snapped up of its own volition, and there was a jolt as the arrow deflected off of the steel blade. A dull impact told her it had landed safely on the floor, and Emma let out a sigh.
Finally got it.
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd be able to do it." Rye admitted as the warrior removed the black cloth from around her eyes, blinking rapidly as light flooded in once more. She saw the ranger with an empty hand, and his arrow embedded in the floor to her right. Satisfaction flooded through her, and Emma grinned at him.
"Looks like I win for today." A moment later, the surrounding trainees started to clap enthusiastically, cheering the display of skill. Uthar and Ella were applauding as well, from their seated position to the right of the dueling circle. Uthar had asked the pair of them to demonstrate some of the finer points of combat to the new set of prospective knights. This was hardly the first group of trainees Emma had seen in the past months, either.
She supposed it was a small sacrifice to make, if it increased their chance in the coming battles. The School of War and Magic, located underneath the keep, had already churned out three new battalions of soldiers. The cheering had died down now, replaced by frantic muttering.
"Are we expected to try that?" Someone in the front row asked, and Emma chuckled.
"No, I think that was more of a personal contest. If you want to try, though, get somebody to shoot blunted arrows." The ranger and knight had initially taught about various sword and bow exercises, but the training had somehow devolved into a contest between the pair. And now the sergeants were returning, urging the soldiers to get up and return to their training. As the thundering footsteps faded away down the hall, Emma sheathed her sword and followed Uthar and Ella out of the hall. The practices were alright, but besides that, the warrior was inexplicably bored without a battle.
"I see they didn't name you Swordmaster for nothing." Uthar remarked dryly. "Unless Rye did that on purpose?"
"I wasn't aiming at her, if that's what you mean." The other man put in, fiddling with the arrow Emma had deflected. The iron head had a massive notch in it, and the shaft was splintered. "I don't think I can fix this one, by the way. You'd better pay me back." She snorted, and Ella laughed softly.
"You two ever need jobs after this, the trainer posts will be open for you." Uthar joked. "Thais and Candar would be unstoppable." The words caught Emma's attention, and her gaze snapped over to Ella, who was giving Uthar a reproachful look.
Are they really going through with the new training program?
"I thought we weren't going to announce that just yet, dear." The prince's smile wavered slightly, but he waved it off.
"They could be an integral part of it, if they wanted. But yes, please don't tell anyone else." It was sensible, considering that the royals were talking about merging the training and military programs for Thais and Candar into one cohesive program.
I suppose that such a thing would happen if they got married anyways, but this is a good deal more official. It's really more of a political issue than anything else. There had even been rumors of the other countries being included as well, should the initial trial go favorably.
"Don't worry about that. Our lips are sealed." Rye promised, and she nodded in agreement.
"I'm not even smart enough to understand all that scheming you two do anyways. Just tell me who to whack with my sword."
"I suppose that is all you warrior-types are good for." Ella murmured.
"I'd take offense to that, if it wasn't so true." There was a clatter of metal on the staircase above them, and a silvery shape shot around the corner. Half a second later, there was a strangled yelp as Emma slammed the figure up against the wall, her sword up against their throat. A quick glance behind her showed that Rye had moved to cover Uthar and Ella, arrow resting on the string of his bow.
"Apologies, Your Highnesses. I have... an urgent message." The knight croaked, and she released him. He had evidently been running, based on his sweaty brow, so she supposed the message really was important. Rye stepped back as well, his guard relaxing.
"It's alright, soldier. Report." Uthar said firmly, and the man straightened up, saluting hastily.
"Captain Jain reports that the docks near the Green Weed Plains are being attacked by strange creatures. A caravan from Ravenwood was stranded there, and he deployed the company to protect them. I came on horseback to relay the message, sir."
"What kind of creature? And how many?"
"Not more than twenty, sir, but I couldn't describe them. I only viewed the attack from a distance." The knight shivered, his eyes distant. "They felt... wrong. Evil, somehow."
"I'll send a squad to reinforce them. Well done, soldier." Emma glanced at Rye, and knew the ranger was thinking the same thing.
"Keep your men here, Uthar." She told him, giving the royals a small salute. "Rye and I can get there quicker."
"Be safe, both of you. And thanks." The rest of Uthar's words were lost as Emma bolted up the staircase, followed closely by Rye.
At last, some action. And here I was, starting to lose hope.
"To the right!" Emma called across the saddle, and Rye nodded, directing Beregond in accordance with the instructions. His fingers danced over the arrows in his quiver, counting each type. It was a sort of mediation he did before every impending conflict, a way of making sure he was calm and ready for anything.
Below, he could see the lakes west of the mountains coming into view. The water was a dark blue, shadowed by the setting sun. To the left, the dark forest that extended down the mainland to Ravenwood was similarly shaded. His eyes scanned the ground for a few moments, and the ranger saw the battle almost immediately.
Thirty to forty infantry were standing in a semicircle, repelling some dark figures which seemed to leap and bound across the grass. Behind them, a several wagons had been arrayed in a triangle, with the men and women huddled in the center.
"Lower, Beregond!" The ranger urged, and the dragon huffed, smoke drifting from his nostrils. They were only a hundred feet off the ground now, and coming in fast.
"You ready?" Emma called, her helmet fastened securely to her head. "I'll take the-" An unearthly screech echoed around them, and Rye whipped around to see that several of the monsters had broken through, tearing mercilessly at the wooden barricades between them and their victims.
Well, so much for planning. Without urging, Beregond shot into a steep dive, and Rye leapt up onto the edge of the saddle, seizing a handle with one arm. Thirty feet, then twenty, then ten...
With six feet until impact, the dragon pulled up, and Rye leapt the remaining distance to the ground, already reaching for an arrow. He heard a hissing sound, and fire blossomed in front of him, forming a barrier around the would-be victims
There was another strange roar, and a dark form burst through the fire, smashing its way between the wagons. It was humanoid, but the resemblance to any living thing ended there. Its skin looked like volcanic rock, cracked and charred, and three eyes of deep purple glittered where he supposed the face would be.
No weapons? Those claws look nasty, though. If they're giving Uthar's soldiers trouble, they must be more dangerous than they look. One of the children behind him screamed, and the creature lunged forward with incredible speed, moving towards the frightened child.
There was a loud crunching sound, and the monster hit the ground with an arrow through its middle eye. It spasmed once, then began to dissolve into the familiar black smoke Rye had seen hundreds of times before.
They aren't humans, then? Some new creation of the Snow Queen, maybe. The ranger turned, realizing that the people huddled on the grass had fallen silent.
"It'll be okay." He told them, trying for a reassuring smile. "I won't let them get through." Even as he spoke, his arms moved of their own accord, spitting a second arrow through a gap in the wagons. There was a murmur of astonishment, but Rye was already moving, leaping lightly up onto the nearest wagon.
Beregond had landed near the center of the line, and was using his immense weight to crush any monster that came within reach. Next to him, a whirl of green hair was standing firm against a dozen or more of the enemies. As he watched, Emma unleashed three quick slashes that decapitated the nearest enemies, before leaping back to shield a fallen knight.
Stay focused, Rye. His bow came up, and the motion manifested itself as a storm of arrows that flashed down among the ranks of the monsters. Several times, a monster attempted to breach the wagons, only to die with an arrow to the chest or throat.
For a few minutes, he feared that the soldiers would be overrun by sheer numbers, despite his and Emma's aid. Then, all at once, the monsters turned and began bounding back towards the forest. The forces of Thais did not pursue, weary from the lengthy battle, and their enemies soon disappeared among the thick trees.
Rye let out a long sigh and leapt back down onto the grass.
"Anybody hurt here?" He called to the civilians.
"Did we win?" One man asked, looking apprehensive.
"Yes, we drove them back. Extra carriages should be here within the hour, and we'll get you all safely to the city." The ranger wrapped one or two minor injuries that he saw, before slipping between the wagons and sprinting towards the ravaged defense force.
From what he could see, virtually every soldier sported some form of injury. The healthiest, grim and stone-faced, were hauling still forms in armor to one side, laying them out with careful respect. Another man laid a cloth over the empty faces, obscuring them from the sun.
Seventeen dead. Damn it! Where did these creatures come from?
Nearby, Emma was talking to the captain of the unit, her face saddened as her eyes swept over the fallen. They flicked over to Rye, and the green orbs widened. The ranger drank in the sight of her, reassuring himself that she had no injuries. From the look on her face, the knight was doing the same as she jogged over to him.
"I was worried, but..." She trailed off, evidently unsure of how to proceed.
"Says the one fighting on the front lines." Rye replied gently. "I'm glad you're alright."
"The pendant helped." Emma murmured softly, touching a point below her neck that was concealed by the armor. "Some of the monsters were letting out this mist. Poison, I think. But I wasn't affected."
"I am glad to hear it." Rye said, saluting the captain as the weary man made his rounds. "But what in the name of Goddess were they?"
"Something evil." The knight shivered slightly. "Maybe Gavin will know something." Their conversation was interrupted as Beregond came tromping across the grass, inspecting them with his golden eyes. Evidently, he viewed it as his mission to protect his passengers, and he wanted to reassure himself that his cargo was safe and sound.
The moon rose, full and strong over the wilds lands that filled the space between Thais, Ravenwood, and Ryva. Here, rivers flowed without inhibition, and the trees battled the rocky earth for every inch of growth. And yet, despite the strength of the land, it seemed to shudder and shy away from the figure that moved through the undergrowth.
"Report." A rich voice spoke, filled with callous amusement. The shadow cocked its head, as though listening, then nodded once. There was a blue of motion, and the stranger leapt straight up, bounding lightly onto a massive boulder. From here, he could view the surrounding forest, and he let out a deep breath before inhaling the still air.
"Good. Good. I smell death. A foolish notion, for these humans not to burn their dead, but what do I care?" The man lowered his hood, revealing a shock of blond hair and rich blue eyes. His features would have been handsome, if not for the evil grimace that marred his face. "It only hastens their demise."
Below the rock, the shadows seemed to churn and twist, and several dark figures emerged from the blackness. Their eyes glinted purple, and the man flicked a hand at them.
"You serve me now. Go and join the others in preparation for the assault." The monsters did not speak, but ambled away into the forest silently. The man spoke again, but it was to himself this time.
"So, he did not come. But he will, when he hears of this." A sudden wind kicked up, bringing a chill from the north. "Shut up!" The figure suddenly roared, his voice echoing across the trees. "I'll report to her when I'm good and ready to! You don't give me orders, spirit!" The air grew colder, but the man merely flicked his wrist, generating a purple fire that hovered above him.
"I do not serve you, nor her. You would be wise to remember it." The wind howled for a moment, then faded away.
"I'll have my fun first. And after that, we'll see."
In her experience, it took a lot for Gavin to be unsettled. So the fact that he looked deeply worried at Emma and Rye's story made Ava all the more alarmed. Still, she held her tongue, not wanting to interrupt the green-haired pair. The other half of the party were absent, seeing to other obligations.
Well, at least Ean and Iya are. Nicholas is probably cooped up in his library, and I shudder to think what Jack is getting up to.
"And these creatures acted like humans?" Gavin was asking, and the ex-pirate turned her attention back to the conversation.
"Not exactly, but there was something about them that seemed so familiar... Even though they fought like beasts, I still saw something else in them." Emma said, her gaze distant. Ava knew the feeling well, the act of remembering the motions of a past battle.
"I was further away, but I would have to agree." Rye said, fingering the arrows in his quiver. "It was... eerie." Gavin was quite still, his eyes flicking across the notes he had recorded. Ava thought his face was paler than usual. "Do you know what they are?"
"I... I'm not sure. I need to sort some things out." The warlock said, springing hastily to his feet. "I'll see you all at supper tonight." And then the warlock was gone, leaving the door to close loudly behind him. Ava stared at the door, taken aback.
What's with him? I've never seen him react like this.
"Do you think he's okay?" Emma asked tentatively, and the older woman forced herself to smile.
"Ah, you know that guy. He's probably got fifty ideas swirling around his brain, and went to sort them out."
"I'm not sure who's more scatterbrained when it comes to research." Rye said with a smile. "Him or Nicholas?" After a minute or two, Ava made her excuse and left, leaving the pair to their own devices. When she had closed the door, she quickly hurried in the direction of Gavin's room. In her distracted state, she hardly noticed the servants that had to step aside quickly, else they be knocked over by the taller woman.
The warlock wasn't there, nor in the library. In fact, none of the castle staff had seen him anywhere, a fact that was deeply surprising. In the end, Ava was forced to give up her search, and wait for Gavin to return.
He'll be alright. I just wish he'd give us some warning before he runs off like that! She smothered her brief flare of anger, feeling guilty. That's not fair of me.
"Something the matter?" Nicholas had emerged from a nearby hallway, and was staring at her with a confused look on his face. "Or are you lost?" Ava glared at the prince, who took a small step backwards.
"It's nothing." She muttered, turning to leave.
"Would this be the same nothing that Gavin is so upset about?" Nicholas asked dryly. "He did come bursting into my study about five minutes ago. I must say, I've never seen the man so shocked."
"Where did he go?" She demanded, but Nicholas merely shrugged, his face unreadable.
"I don't know. He used some scroll and vanished. Almost set my books on fire, too. I suppose the others will tell me if I need to know." She let out a huff of annoyance and stalked away, somehow feeling more irritated than before.
"You're welcome." Nicholas said, but she ignored him.
It was Iya that found her later, in the midst of a once orderly training hall. The dummies for sword practice had been decimated, sending straw everywhere. Arms and legs were scattered across the floor, and Ava felt Iya's gaze settle on her back as she spun, relieving two more fake soldiers of their heads. Her breathing was ragged, but her thoughts were a little more orderly now.
"Nice moves." Iya said softly as she approached. "I could never be that fast."
"I'm sure you could be a competent swordswoman, if you were so inclined." Ava said, sheathing her blade and turning to face her friend.
It's odd to think of someone so young as a friend, but I can't really deny it. The elf bowed her head in thanks for the compliment, but said nothing else.
"How'd you know it was me?" Ava said finally, sliding down the nearby wall into a sitting position.
"A fairy told me." Iya said with a smile, which was such a weird answer that Ava didn't bother trying to unpack it. "You fight differently than Emma. More aggressively, and without a shield."
"I see." Silence fell again, and Iya seemed content to sit next to her, drinking in the solitude. Ava's eyes moved over the mess she caused, and she felt a flicker of shame at the ruined dummies.
"Gavin's back." The elf murmured finally. "Ean and I ran into him on our way into town. He said he was going to rest before dinner."
"Why should I care what he does?" Ava scoffed, trying for an indifferent approach. Iya gave her a look, and she knew the elf wasn't anywhere close to fooled by her lie.
How does she do that?
"So that wasn't you that nearly bit Nic's head off earlier?" Iya's voice was gentle, and Ava looked away. It was easier to avoid the guilt.
"I... Yeah."
"But you didn't mean it?"
"Not really, no. I was just frustrated. Does he not trust me?" Once she started talking, it was hard to stop. "I thought that we were getting along well these past few months, but then he goes and takes off without any warning! Argh!" The pirate threw up her hands, glaring at the floor.
"I didn't know such things worried you so much." Iya smiled slightly at her, and the older woman flushed.
"I know, I'm acting like a child."
"I don't think that's true. We all get feelings like that from time to time. But you won't know the answer unless you talk to him about it. I think he's waiting for you, in my opinion." The words hit home, and Ava sat a little straighter.
"You think so?"
"I do. Trust me, it's better to get it out of the way now." The ex-pirate rose, buckling her sword back onto her waist.
"I'll go see Gavin, then." Iya shot her a subtle wink as the elf rose, summoning a gale to sweep the messy room into a neat pile.
"Were we talking about Gavin?" Ava had no retort to this, and so she left, face uncomfortably warm.
It could not be. It simply could not be. Sure, all the evidence pointed to the obvious fact, but it was impossible. Gavin let out a sigh and rolled over to face the ceiling, his head still swimming. He knew his abrupt departure had hardly been subtle, but nobody had knocked on his door yet, thankfully.
I refuse to believe it. How could anyone have survived? He raised his left arm, the one that had been burned by the living flames on Storybook Island. He had regained the ability to cast magic through it normally, but the blue fire still roared up from time to time. They emerged now, tendrils of heat that coiled around the room, seeming to beat with life.
Nothing is impossible. They seemed to whisper. Magic always find a way to live on.
"Be quiet." He snapped, and the flames went out, sucked back into whatever reservoir they slumbered in. In truth, the idea of magic being passed from one to another had been something he had struggled with for some time. It went against everything he believed, and yet... here was more proof of its truth.
With a start, Gavin realized how fast he was breathing, and made a conscious effort to calm down.
Okay... Okay. Just breathe. A soft knock at the door startled him out of his reverie. Ean or Iya, most likely. They were too smart for their own good, sometimes.
"Gavin?" He dropped the book he had been holding, and it made a loud thump on the stone floor. The warlock was entirely still, holding his breath for some unknown reason. Ava was outside his door.
I know she's mad at me. I guessed as much from what the servants said. Is it better to get it over with? Or maybe it'll just blow over if I stay in here. The thought appealed to him for a moment, before it was swept away by a wave of disgust. Look at me. One surprise, and I turn into this?
The door swung open, and Gavin blinked. His hand had turned the handle without his knowledge, leaving him face-to-face with a familiar figure.
His first impression was that Ava didn't look angry. Instead, she seemed startled by his sudden appearance, and her eyes shot away from his disheveled form.
"I... Somebody said that you had come back." Wordlessly, Gavin moved backwards, admitting the ex-pirate into his chambers. They were a little messy, what with his scrolls and research piled on every available surface, but Ava didn't seem to mind the clutter. After a tense moment, she settled in a chair while he shut the door, moving slowly so as to prolong the awkward moment when one of them must speak.
"Would you like the window open?" He asked. "I had a fire in here a few minutes ago, so it's warm."
So far, so good... Don't say anything stupid. He felt oddly nervous, as though the person sitting across the room held the power of life and death over him.
"I'm alright." Ava said tersely, still studying him intensely. They were silent again, an almost unbearable tension that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Finally, one of them reached a breaking point. "Oh, for the Goddess's sake! Don't look at me like that!"
"I... What?" The warlock said, nonplussed. "I wasn't-"
"Like I'm going to hit you, or attack you, or something. I was mad at first, but I'm over it. Mostly." The ice between them seemed to thaw slightly, and Gavin gave her a lopsided smile.
"Thanks for the warning." Ava rolled her eyes.
"Look, I just... I thought you might want to talk about whatever you found out."
Damn it. How does she know?
"Found out?" Gavin asked, his mind racing through the possibilities. The woman's eyes flared with annoyance, and the warlock did his best not to flinch.
"Don't play dumb with me. You know what those creatures are, don't you?"
"I really do-" The words caught in his throat, and Gavin stopped, his breathing beginning to accelerate once more. "You can't-" Dizziness swept over him in a wave, and the warlock sank onto the edge of the bed, clutching his left arm. He knew it wasn't real, but his brain was racing so fast, and it wouldn't stop. Ava was on her feet now, looking alarmed, and her voice came to him as though from a great distance.
Her arm reached out, and blue fire erupted into being, knocking the taller woman onto the floor. Horror flooded every pore of his body as Gavin watched her look back at him, fear and revulsion flickering in her eyes.
No... No! This isn't what I want! You obey me!
"Gavin?" The word shocked him to the core, cutting through the fog that seemed to have filled his brain. There was a popping sound, and the magic died away, leaving two figures staring at each other from across the room. He fell back onto the bed, too exhausted to do anything but breathe.
"Talk to me, Gavin." Ava said gently, her voice very quiet. "Tell me what's going on. Please."
It's just like before, when I told her about the village, and the curse. I don't deserve this, but I can't bear to hold it in any longer.
It was as though a dam in his mind had burst, and in a raspy voice, everything that had happened spilled out of him. He told her of the symptoms of the spell, as well as how it was cast. After all, he had seen it many times before.
"That spell is from my hometown. Or at least, some version of it was. I think it was originally intended for animals, since witches normally use familiars in their spell work. Too dark for me, but some of the others liked curses like that." Ava was silent, a fact he was grateful for.
"And if somebody is using the spell, then... then..."
"You think somebody from New Witchwood survived?"
"Maybe... I just don't know! But if the caster is somebody I knew, I... I can't fight them, Ava. Even if they're helping the Snow Queen, my curse..." Gavin whispered, his voice finally breaking completely. The pair sat there for a long time as the sun sank over the horizon.
"Gavin Morven." His name broke the peace that had settled over the room. "Did you know that you're in a book?"
"Am I?" He was so surprised by the fact that he sat up, staring at the woman still sitting cross-legged upon the floor. "What for?"
"When we came back, I... I searched through the library here for mentions of New Witchwood. I wanted to know." He stared at her, dumbfounded.
She wants to know about dark magic? What for?
"I already said, don't look at me like that!" Ava rose and stalked over to the window, looking resolutely at the town below. The sunset made her cheeks look red. "So I looked, and there you were."
"And what did it say?" Gavin dreaded the answer, but he absolutely had to know, even if it meant his spirit would be crushed forever.
"It states that you've been sighted here and there in recent decades. The author mentions that you helped retake a town ransacked by bandits."
"That was payment for letting me inspect their burial grounds." Gavin muttered, the distant memory coming back to him. "But that was eighty years ago, at least. Surely they can't remember that."
"On the contrary, there's even a painting of you in the town hall." Ava said, her face still towards the window. "And another time, when you sealed an outbreak of undead from a mausoleum, preventing the death of three young children."
"The wards were sloppy." The warlock frowned. "An easy fix."
"And then there was the time you-"
"Stop!" He said, blushing despite himself. "That's quite enough."
"Is it? I don't think I've made myself clear." She turned to face him, and Gavin gulped at the steel in Ava's remaining eye. "What do you think the book means, Gavin?"
"I... I really don't know."
"Well, I do." The ex-pirate moved with disconcerting speed, so she was standing at the foot of the bed. From his sitting position, Ava was taller by at least a foot, and he was forced to look up into the dark eye.
"It means that you, Gavin, are a good person despite the fact that you use dark magic. It means that you are a kind and sensitive man who uses his talents in the service of others. I wish..." And now Ava suddenly seemed nervous, but she pressed on. "I wish that I had known sooner. I called you evil, and all this time..."
"I do not hold that against you. My kind aren't-"
"We are your kind." Ava said firmly, jabbing him in the chest. "The selfish, evil people that use magic for their own gain don't get to say that you are similar to them. You are our friend. Ean, Iya, Rye, Emma, Jack, Nicholas... and me. I don't want to hear you say such things anymore."
Gavin gazed at her in utmost astonishment. For not the first time, he found himself completely at a loss for words.
How can she say that? I thought she hated warlocks. I thought she hated... me. The memories of their quest thus far came to him. The islands, and the trip to Eredar... Every time he had been fighting, only to see that she had his back...
She's right. I'm the one who's been pushing that evil onto myself. None of the others care about stuff like that, not even Nicholas.
"Gavin?" Ava queried softly, her eyes still on his. "What do you want? Ean and Iya have their quest, but you? What comes after the war is over?"
"I..."
I want to explore the world. I want to talk to you. I want to laugh and smile with the others. I want to know you better. I want these things so badly, it hurts.
Gavin opened his mouth, but Ava shook her head, silencing him.
"Keep it inside. And when you feel overwhelmed, use it to remind yourself who you are. You're Gavin Morven, and you're a good man." A moment later, Ava had slipped out the door and was gone.
The warlock sat there, on the bed, and did not move for a long time.
Understandably, Uthar and Ella were concerned at the news of a third enemy, and the prince immediately dispatched scouts across the western part of his lands to root out the source of the magic. Ean and Iya were occupied as well, gathering information and materials for Mr. Abram to complete Nuha's story. As a result, the day-to-day management of the party had fallen mostly to Rye, due to an unspoken consensus. He had been with the elves the longest, and so he was next in the chain of command.
Not that he needs the authority. Emma smiled at the thought, her hand touching the emerald pendant that rested in a case near her bed. Even in the dim light, the jewel seemed to sparkle and resonate with the room's energy.
It was that duty that had sent Rye off two days ago, searching for the figure controlling the monsters. He had taken Gavin too, at the warlock's insistence. Emma was impressed with the man for offering to go, despite his personal issues with the subject.
Her thoughts wandered as the knight rose and got dressed, donning the armor that marked her office. Most knights didn't wear it on their day off, but she preferred to be ready for a fight at any time. Besides, the armor wasn't standard, having been purchased in Happily Ever After. It marked her as one of the party, and she was proud of what it meant to her,
No fights today, though. Unless the scouts have returned.
Gavin had apologized to them for leaving so suddenly a few days ago, and they had urged him to think nothing of it. Still, the warlock seemed tense and pale at all times, as though he was in a room full of strangers.
There was a soft rap on the door, and Rye came in, wearing a long cloak over his usual attire. The hood and cape were soaked with water, and there was mud splattered over the garment as well. Annoyingly, her heart still skipped a beat, and Emma forced a frown before she could blush.
"You could have changed first, you know." She pulled a chair across the room and set in front of the fire before plopping down upon her bed. "Go on, sit down. I'm sure the servants won't mind."
The ranger followed her instructions, sliding his ruined cloak off his shoulder and setting it gently on the back of the chair. His face look tired, but his eyes still glittered with an unseen smile, directed at her.
"So?" Emma said after a moment. "How's Gavin holding up?"
"He's alright. Ava went to check on him a few minutes ago. Less wet than I am, I'll tell you that. I told Uthar we'd meet with him later, when the other scouts come back."
"You found it, then?" Rye looked grim, but he nodded
"The warlock Gavin suspected, plus two hundred more of those creatures. Goddess knows how he's making more of them. We couldn't get close enough to see them, but Gavin said he could feel the dark magic."
Emma felt her spine tingle, and the room suddenly felt much colder.
"Did Uthar already dispatch the companies?" Per her and Ella's advice, the acting ruler of Thais had dispatched two of his veteran captains to guard the remote towns that lay to the west.
"Saw them yesterday. They're probably already in Ryva and Ravenwood by now. Gods, I'm tired." Rye said with a sleepy grin. "I'm going to get through this meeting and sleep until tomorrow."
"At least you're alright. Both of you, I mean." Emma stumbled over her words, but Rye did not seem to notice the difference in the two statements.
"Practice still going well? Sorry I wasn't there for the archery sessions."
"Yeah, it's alright. A few other knights from my graduating class are helping out too, but..." The knight shrugged expansively. "They're not quite as good as you."
"Glad I still meet your standards." They talked for a few more minutes, until Rye let out a massive yawn.
"Haven't been this tired in a long time. Wonder why?" His eyes were nearly closed, and the mop of green hair began to droop. The sight made Emma smile fondly, and she tossed a pillow that bounced off of Rye's knee. He startled awake, eyes glancing blearily around.
"Don't sleep like that, idiot. Go get some clean, dry clothes and wash that mud off before you get sick."
"Yeah... M'sorry." The ranger rose unsteadily, shaking himself. "See you later, partner." Emma watched him exit slowly, a little alarmed at his unsteady state. Still, she figured he could get back to his own room easily enough. A bell outside rang 10 o'clock, and she started. It was nearly time for her to lead another training session with the new recruits. Elkian had promised to attend as well, with some of his own soldiers.
If nothing else, it'll be fun to watch them get beat up.
An hour later, Emma reflected on the fact that there was something funny in watching men older than her getting swept off their feet by the youthful-looking elves. One soldier went down with his arm trapped in a lock, forcing him to surrender immediately.
"Not looking good for my men." Uthar remarked from her left, where he was sitting with Elkian. Both leader seemed intent on proving that their militaries were better than the other, although Emma knew that both Elkian and Uthar viewed the competition as a game.
She caught the eye of the troop sergeant and gave him a nod. As the man called out for the break she had signaled, the elves merely stepped back and bowed gracefully to their opponents.
"You've trained them well. Martial arts are learned by everyone?" She asked Elkian curiously. The elf fingered his long blond hair, looking thoughtful.
"Yes, it is part of our heritage. Still, my men are suited to single combat. On a pitched battlefield, they would likely be better used as archers or a mobile unit." He was certainly correct there. The elves in question were wearing only light armor, with swords, spears and bows strapped to their back. So far, Emma had seen them demonstrate competence with all three.
"I was thinking the same. Your men aren't suited to the front lines, but mine are." Uthar said, grinning at his fellow regent. "Still, they haven't faced my knights yet."
"That sounds like a challenge. You have someone in mind?" Their conversation had attracted the attention of the fighters in the center of the arena, and a low buzz of conversation swept over the room.
"I'd would rather not embarrass my guest." The prince said finally, and the recruits chuckled. "And your men need to be fit for the coming war." Elkian smiled, casting his gaze around the room. He spoke in his own language, and five of his soldiers stepped forward.
"These ones are suitably experienced. I would place them on the same level as your graduated knights. Still, you don't seem to have anybody of equal rank here..." His eyes slowly moved over to Emma, and she realized too late what was coming. "Emma! Care to show these elves how to fight?"
"A good compromise!" Uthar called, and the recruits cheered. Although she did not fully realize it, Emma was beginning to see that the rumors about her ability with a sword had not diminished in the slightest, despite her best efforts. "If you are willing, Emma?"
"I'm always up for a little practice." She responded, slipping her shield onto her arm and striding towards the center of the room. A space opened up, and the spectators moved to ring the arena. Her opponents lined up, wearing expressions that ranged from confidence to wary of the knight before them.
"This is a practice bout only." Uthar called. "All you men, pay close attention to Captain Willow! When you are ready, begin!" Emma's hand settled on the hilt of her sword, and a familiar calm ran through her body. She knew this situation, had fought it over and over in the real world.
Five enemies. Three close with spears, two further away with bows. Her eyes slid closed, searching for that rhythm that guided her in every battle. Uthar had described it as a sort of mediation, to help boost one's natural awareness. It was as if she could see the opening moves of the bout, where the elves were going to strike.
A normal soldier would have been caught off guard when the left-most elf struck, spear leaping forward in a thrust for her throat. But Emma's sword was already moving, deflecting the spearhead into the sand. A quick slash severed the deadly weapon, leaving the elf holding a simple wooden stick.
Go on the offensive. Don't give them time to recover. The second and third elves were already moving forward, spears raised both high and low. In theory, the tactic was sound, as even she could not protect her whole body at once. However, against someone far faster, the attack was merely another opening. Emma dodged one jab and kicked the wielder in the chest, using the momentum to duck under the vicious stab from the other elf. Her shield came around and smashed the weapon from his hand, and her opponent backed up, eager to get out of range of her blade.
The thrum of a bow alerted her just in time, and Emma pulled her shield around to block a pair of arrows that had been aimed at her shoulder.
They're not trying to kill me, but still, I'd rather not get shot. The two elves poured arrows into her guard, trying to break through before moving in with their swords. Even as she parried and swept the missiles from the air, her mind raced.
Think, think.. How can I interrupt their attack? And then, she had it. As the next arrows came on hungrily, Emma fed her energy into her legs and bounded to one side, letting the sharp points bury themselves in the sand. In the same motion, she hurled her shield like a disc, smashing the further elf's bow into pieces. He fell, but she was already moving, sword flickering in a deadly slash.
The remaining elf swallowed slowly, glancing down at the sword held against his throat. The whole fight had taken under a minute.
"I surrender." He murmured, and Emma lowered her blade. There was a silence for a moment, and then her trainees burst out into raucous cheering and applause. The elves joined in, showing that they held no ill will towards her for winning the bout. Turning, she bowed to both Elkian and Uthar, who looked both pleased and unsurprised at the outcome. To her surprise, Rye was standing there as well, looking much cleaner and well-rested. He gave her a smile and a wink, and she fought down the heat that threatened to flood her cheeks.
"Very well fought, all of you." Uthar said after the cheering had died down. "Now that we know what our allies bring to the table, we can proceed with the unified training our leadership has devised. The information will be distributed by your commanders later. That is all." Elkian made his excuses and departed, taking his elven rangers with him.
When the recruits were gone, Uthar turned to his remaining companions.
"It is past time for lunch, and my scouts have begun to return. Care to join me?" They acquiesced, and Emma followed the two men to the dining room. As it turned out, Ava and Gavin had already been summoned, along with Ella, and so the six of them sat down to eat. She noticed that Gavin still seemed slightly pale, but he ate with his usual gusto.
When they had finished, Uthar looked solemnly at Rye.
"I have heard the reports, but I'd like to hear what you think about the situation. Gavin, this applies to you as well, if you're willing."
"It's troubling." Rye said at once. "This warlock definitely has enough power to attack the outlying towns, but he hasn't. It just doesn't make any sense."
"Could he be waiting for orders from the Queen?" Ella asked, her brow furrowed. None of them needed to say the name out loud. Emma knew, as did everyone else in the room, that the warlock served Ishtar.
"I doubt it." Gavin said quietly, his eyes flickering from person to person. "Warlocks and witches are fiercely independent by nature, and we hate being controlled. If he has a plan, he won't wait for her approval."
"And his plan, what do you think it is?" The red-haired man considered the question for a moment.
"We can't know until he acts... but it won't be anything good. In fact, I-" Ava coughed, and Gavin tried again. "-We, Ava and I, were planning on going out to Ryva and staying there for a few days. Either he attacks us and we take him down, or we help the villagers evacuate to the plains."
Uthar looked between Ava and Gavin, both of whom seemed to determined to follow through on the plan.
"It is true that we plan to evacuate Ravenwood and Ryva. It's just too dangerous for those people to stay there anymore. Still, it seems risky..." The prince rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering the idea.
Emma felt Rye's gaze on her, and turned to look at him questioningly. The ranger raised an eyebrow, and she knew the answer to his unspoken question.
"We'll go too." She spoke into the silence, and everyone else turned to look at her. "Rye knows the area, so we can escort the townsfolk while Gavin and Ava keep an eye out for this warlock. Am I right in assuming that you could handle him in a fight?" Gavin blinked, startled by the question.
"I... Yes, I can. Count on it."
"Then we should have nothing to fear. Besides, we're the only ones available at the moment. Ean and Iya are working on freeing Nuha, Jack's searching for clues on the North Wind, and Nicholas is dealing with the refugee camps." She sensed Uthar and Ella were starting to come around, and pressed on. "If we deal with this issue now, we won't have to worry about it in the future. We'll need everyone we have for the coming battles."
And besides, there's no way I'm letting Gavin and Ella go by themselves.
The regent sitting across the table sighed.
"I don't like it, but you're right. Take Beregond, then, and go. I'll give you orders for my captains in the field. Ravenwood is already being evacuated, so I doubt they have as much to fear as Ryva."
"We won't let you down." Rye said fiercely, and Ella smiled.
"When have you ever?"
It was curious how a place could change so much and still feel exactly the same. From the air, Rye could not tell that his hometown looked any different at all. But as they got closer, his keen eyes were able to discern the new fields being plowed to the north, as well the wooden frames of several uncompleted buildings. Further to the south, he could see the place where Uthar's soldiers were camping, with their uniform tents and orderly rows. The ranger suddenly felt quite homesick, and turned away so that the others would not notice.
"They seem to have spotted us." Ava remarked, pointing down at a squad of soldiers that had come running from the camp. "Let's try to land away from the village, yeah?" Rye relayed the message to Beregond, who snorted and fell into a gentle dive.
Thankfully, one of the commanding officers must have recognized the dragon, because they were able to land without being harassed. Rye leapt down first, drinking in the sight of his hometown.
I didn't realize how much I missed it until now. I hope everyone is doing alright...
A flicker of movement in the trees to his right, and Rye spun, bringing his bow up to full draw, an arrow poised to fire. There was nothing there. He waited for several moments, but the forest had become still once again.
Probably an animal, spooked by Beregond. Gavin and Ava were already moving to meet the approaching infantrymen, and had not noticed his sudden movement. Emma gave him a quizzical look, but he shook his head and jogged to catch up with the others.
It took a few minutes for the documents Uthar had given them to reach the commander of the forces, during which they waited on the outskirts of the camp. Finally, the captain emerged from the rows of tents, shaking hands with each of them.
"Bloody good to see you. My men have been reporting movements of those strange creatures to the east, although they aren't heading directly towards the village. We plan to evacuate tomorrow morning, with the plan from His Highness. I planned to inform the villagers around noon today, but perhaps it would be better coming from a native of the area."
"That works for us. We'll be patrolling the area too." Rye said, giving the man another firm handshake. "Send a knight to the village if you need us." With that, the four of them set out across the expanse of fields. Harvest time had already come and gone for most people, and as a result, many of the fields were already bare in preparation for the coming winter. Here and there, Rye could see the beginning of a field that would grow a select few vegetables over the next few months.
Of course, there might not be another spring if we lose. The thought frightened him more than he cared to admit.
The party moved up the neat road that moved between the fields and into the heart of the village. Up ahead, he could see that a large number of people were milling around the town square, evidently waiting for something. Some kept looking upwards, and the ranger realized that they were expecting Beregond to fly overhead.
As he stepped onto the worn cobblestones of his hometown, all eyes turned to look at the mismatched group. He heard his name uttered by several people, and a low murmur rushed over the crowd. Rye felt suddenly self-conscious, as though he did not quite belong like he used to.
"Hello, everyone." He said into the silence. Someone clapped, and then all the villagers were cheering and applauding as he approached, walking slowly. He felt a surge of confidence and leapt up onto the fountain in the middle of the square.
"Right! Listen up, everyone!" The clapping and laughter slowly died away, and the villager watched him eagerly. "I wish I had better news to bring you. By now the soldiers will have told you that you're leaving?" Several of the men nodded assent. "Due to the situation, we'll be moving all of you to Thais tomorrow. With the war coming, I don't want any of you in harm's way." More of the village residents were arriving now, flocking in from all sides of the square. Emma estimated that there were around a hundred of them, along with twenty or thirty children.
"We're a strong people!" Rye continued, grinning at the people gazing up at him. "But we must put our families first. I need all of you to pack tonight, without making a fuss. Don't worry about food for now, just pack everything you need to live on the road."
"When can we come back?" Someone called, and Rye frowned.
"I wish I knew. But we'll try to settle this war as quickly as possible. Who among you has weapons?" Most of the men raised their hands. "Perfect. Jarl and Elliot, I want you to take charge of any men who aren't driving the wagons, and sort them into two parties. They'll be extra guards in case we need them." Two of the older men near the fountain gave the ranger nods.
"What about you, Rye? You're the hero of Ryva!" A woman shouted, and he felt himself smile once more. Behind the crowd, he could see his three friends watching with grins on their faces.
"My duty is with Ean and Iya, the elves who are going to save us. I'll be going with them after I make sure you all are safe." He gestured to the Emma, Gavin, and Ava, who looked startled. "I'm not alone, either. Those three are going to help protect you too." With some cajoling from the villagers, the others were pushed up to stand on the fountain as well. Ava gave him a sidelong glare, but he merely grinned at her.
If I have to be the center of attention, so do you.
"This fine lady next to me is Emma, my partner and the greatest swordswoman I've ever met. The red-haired man is Gavin, an expert in all things magical, and the woman with the eyepatch is Ava, the fiercest pirate to sail the oceans in the last century. Please treat them with courtesy and respect." The villagers cheered and applauded once more. Emma smiled sheepishly at them, while Gavin and Ava managed to maintain their blank expressions.
"With that out of the way, you all should have tasks to attend to. Let's get them done." The villagers sensed his dismissal and began moving in every direction, returning to their homes. As the others stepped down from the fountain, Rye smiled at them.
"Sorry for putting you on the spot."
"I'm used to having people gawk at me." Gavin said dryly. "Compared to Thais, this was almost bearable." Emma said nothing, but her eyes sparkled at Rye, who had to stop himself from turning red.
"So, where do you think we should station ourselves?" Ava asked after a moment. "You know the area better than any of us. Gavin, do you still have that map Nicholas loaned us?" the warlock pulled a scroll from his pack and unfolded it, spreading it out on the edge of the fountain. It showed the area around Ryva, as well as the road that lead eastward to the lake. They had discussed their tactics at some length before leaving Thais, but had refrained from making any decision until they could see the land.
"The land slopes upwards over here." Emma said after a moment, tapping the point with an armored finger. "Could be a good spot to see any enemies approaching the village." Rye shook his head.
"That whole area is uneven and rocky. The scout would know if any large force was coming through. I think the two most likely directions of attack are the east road and the southern edge of the village. The forest is thinner, so it's easier to get through."
"You think they'll attack from behind?" Gavin frowned. "Why not cut us off from the lake?"
"I'm not sure what they'll do. I just don't want to get caught off guard. We'll ask to the captain to post some scouts behind us when we leave, I suppose."
"In that case, we'll go scout out the eastern road for any traps. If the warlock has blocked it anywhere, Gavin and I can clear it out." Ava said.
"Take Beregond, then." Emma told her. "It'll be faster, and he's not too bad of a fighter himself." The pirate nodded, and Gavin rolled up the map, stowing it away again.
"I assume you two are staying here to help the villagers?" Rye rolled his eyes slightly.
"Trust me, some of them are going to need the help." He turned to look at Emma, all traces of humor gone from his face. "Come on. Time for you to meet Nora."
And Goddess help you.
Gavin shivered as he cast his magic out over the forest once again. Nothing. Just as he had expected, and yet the emptiness of the forest sent a wave of dread coursing through his body.
Hold it together. Don't let your emotions get the better of you. He flicked his hand to extinguish the blue flame that had begun to emerge, focusing instead on doing another sweep of the area beyond the road to Ryva. The sun was leaving a red trail on the sky as it set, sinking lower over the ocean he knew lay to the west of the mainland. The breeze picked up again, and the warlock was almost tempted to let his fire out for a little bit.
"You good?" Ava asked from behind him, and Gavin spun around in alarm. The ex-pirate had climbed up the rock he was standing upon, evidently having finished scouting further down the road. He nodded, tucking his cloak a little tighter against him in the chill.
"Good enough for this." He didn't say what he knew was on both of their minds, that Gavin Morven was anything but good enough. Ava grunted noncommittally, peering over the rapidly darkening forest.
"At least there aren't any monsters in these woods. Would make for good hunting." The words struck something deep within Gavin, and his eyes widened. Immediately, he cast out another net of magic, feeling for the kind of life that was present in any ecosystem. And yet... there was nothing. No deer, badgers, or any kind of smaller animal.
"Oh, no." He whispered in horror. "Ava, we have get back to the village, now! They're about to be attacked!" To her credit, the woman opposite him did not question his statement, but immediately whistled for Beregond, who was circling overhead. Gavin fell to one knee, the situation pressing in around him. He tasted bile.
"Don't think about it, Gavin." Ava said firmly. "It might not be-"
The attack came before he could sense it. Three black-and-purple figures bounded from the trees, claws out, and he fell back as they descended upon him. His magic surged, but it would be too late to stop the first one from ripping his head off. There was a flicker of movement, and the first monster fell. Ava stepped forward to face the others, sword in hand, but more of them were emerging from the shadows.
How did they get so close without triggering my spells?
"Gavin, we have to go!" Ava shouted as Beregond swept down, roaring with fury. The dragon spat a fireball, which struck two of the creatures as they attempted to climb the rock. The warlock leapt to his feet, and felt a familiar anger surge within him.
"Down!" He snapped, and Ava dropped. With a blast of thunder, Gavin sent electricity cascading down the sides of the rock, frying the remaining enemies into charred husks. Ava killed one that had managed to avoid the spell, and darkness settled over the area once again. Nearby, the trees that had been touched by Beregond's fireball were beginning to smolder. He flicked a wrist, and the fires subsided. A moment later, the dragon landed, and Gavin leapt for the saddle.
"How did you know?" Ava asked, peering over the horizon as Beregond shot straight towards the village. He told her about the missing animals, and she frowned.
"But how could one warlock hide every animal from you?" They were nearing the village now, and Gavin could see the lights in the distance. Rye and Emma had been hard at work, making sure the villagers were armed, but there was no way they could stand up to the undead in open combat.
"He couldn't. If he were that powerful, we'd be dead already. Still, it's like he knew where we would-" They had almost reached the outermost fields of the village when a bolt of light lanced upwards from the forest and smashed into Beregond. The dragon let out a howl of pain and plummeted downwards, trying to stabilize their flight, but it was too late. His leg struck a tree, throwing Gavin and Ava clear, and he had only a split second to try a spell when everything went black.
He woke to someone calling his name, amidst the sound of screaming and... was that fire? Gavin sat bolt upright, almost knocking over Ava, whose clothes were cut and torn from her impact with the ground.
"Gavin, can you hear me? We need you."
"I hear you." He said. "Did my spell work?"
"Mostly. We didn't break anything, so we should count ourselves lucky. But that's not the issue right now." She pointed, and Gavin's blood seemed to freeze in his chest. More of the reanimated monsters were swarming the village, tearing through the outer houses in search of victims. There were at least a hundred of them, and probably more he couldn't see.
Gavin swore bitterly and leapt to his feet, heart pounding.
"Let's go!" He said, and began to run towards the closest house, Ava at his heels.
"I think not." A moment later, he collided painfully with some sort of barrier and fell back, stunned. "You are mine, warlock." He spun around to see a well-dressed man leaning against a tree, looking unconcerned with the carnage taking place in front of him. His blonde hair would have been quite in place in the courts of Thais. "After all," The man continued, smirking at the pair as they got to their feet, weapons ready. "I think my little pets will have enough trouble with your friends."
"Why you-" Ava snarled, but Gavin put up a hand. If she charged in now, they were both dead. He knew the spell that had conjured the barrier around them, but he needed time to dismantle it.
"You're the warlock." He said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Goddess, must you be so dull? Congratulations, Gavin." The voice would have been pleasing, were it not dripping with sarcasm and malice. Mentally, Gavin began to chant a spell he hoped would disable the field keeping them trapped.
"You know me?"
"I know of you. Long way from home?" The words confirmed his fears, and he took a step back instinctively. "And you there, girl. Stop skulking about and face me."
"I have nothing to say to you." Ava snarled. "Call your monsters off the village!" The enemy mage considered it for a moment.
"Hmm... No, I'm afraid my employer had pretty strict instructions on what to do." The tone was light, but Gavin saw the truth deep within the blue eyes.
He plans to kill everyone here regardless. Is he insane?
"But... Just for you, I'll make an exception." The warlock mused, standing up straight and cracking his neck. "You'll die first!" His hands moved, forming the pattern for a curse, but Gavin was already raising his staff and pointing it at the warlock. The first spell he cast negated the curse, which would have burned Ava horribly, while the second forced the barrier around them to expand until it shattered into a thousand motes of light. His enemy laughed and lashed out again, eyes gleaming with violent intent.
"Go!" Gavin called to Ava, even as he answered with a curse of his own. "Help Emma and Rye!" The pirate paused, evidently torn.
"But you-"
"I'll hold him off! Just hurry up and kill those things before they slaughter the villagers!" Opposite him, the blonde warlock cackled with laughter.
"Yes, yes, by all means, go! If you don't mind me killing your friend here..." His attack halted for a moment, and Gavin threw up a shield between the man and Ava, who still had her sword drawn. "Now that I look at you, you've already encountered one of us before. That eye of yours... did it hurt?"
Gavin's concentration faltered, and the shield faded. Ava let out a scream of anger and charged, sword swinging around to decapitate her enemy. The man merely laughed and vanished, reappearing a few feet further away. Ava pursued him, sword blurring in a deadly dance.
"There's the anger you need! Whoops... almost had me there!" The warlock grinned as he ducked another a particularly close thrust. His foot lashed out and knocked Ava onto her back, but she rolled clear just in time for Gavin to unleash his spell. With a roar, a bolt of pure electricity rippled across the space and smashed into the warlock. It knocked him backwards into a tree, and the whole trunk exploded violently.
"Ava!" Gavin hurled himself across the grass, ignoring the cloud of smoke that was rising from where the warlock had been.
"I'm... fine." She coughed. "Just winded." He helped her up, and the pair turned back towards the pillar of steam. A moment later, it dispersed, revealing the form of the warlock. His shoulder was bleeding, but his smile was larger than ever.
"That's the way, Gavin. Make your enemies suffer. Make them cower and tremble before you!" Ava made to lunge at him, but the sorcerer raised his hands in surrender. "Have you forgotten how our kind is meant to act?"
"You are not my kind." Gavin snarled, and flicked a spray of acid at the warlock, who deflected it casually. "I don't even know you."
"Does it matter? We come from the same origin. Hepititus is our patron, is she not? What has driven you to such weakness? Tell me, and I shall aid you in ridding your mind of this stain. And when the war is done, we will be able to live freely again."
The words rang true, and Gavin's next spell faded into nothingness. Ava glanced at him warily, eye narrowed. It wasn't that he agreed with the sentiment, or even that he wanted what the warlock was promising.
No... I don't want my kind to live freely. Not after what we've done in the past. Other governments are right to fear us. And yet, he isn't wrong. I am a stranger to my own kind. An outcast.
"Don't listen to him, Gavin." Ava said softly. "The only thing I hear is lies."
"Ava One-Eye, is it?" The warlock scoffed. "You think you can tell us what to do? I've read the reports. You're nothing special." Gavin's hand twitched.
I was no longer a warlock the day I cursed my own village. I wanted love... and I got it, but it was hollow and empty.
"All humans are special." Ava retorted, now standing in front of Gavin as if to protect him. "I won't let you cause them any more grief."
"Why don't we ask Gavin?" Their enemy sneered, gesturing mockingly at the dazed warlock. "Are you really happy with your life? Come, help me, and I can help you restore what you have lost! I am not the only survivor, you know."
He felt his head snap up, and the words left his mouth without permission.
"What did you say?" He rasped. "Say it again." His opponent smiled, but there was no warmth behind the gesture.
"We are not the only survivors from New Witchwood. There are others out there, in hiding, no doubt. But once this war is done, we can find them! Rebuild what we've lost!" The man's face was jubilant, and a memory stirred deep within Gavin. He had seen that smile before, in the distant past.
And for one small moment, he was tempted. A chance to rebuild, to fix his mistakes, to make something better, was being offered to him. And Gavin knew, deep down, if he refused, he would never know the truth of what had happened to his hometown.
Something touched his chest, and he looked down to see a slender, brown hand resting over his heart.
"Ava?" The ex-pirate was standing in front of him, her sword planted firmly in the grass next to her. It was her hand that was sending warmth throughout his whole body, and he was quite sure she had never been this close to him before.
"I remember what happened, Gavin. You told me, in that inn."
I remember, too. It was the first time we saw each other as more than human and warlock. He couldn't speak, so she continued.
"I was angry." Ava confessed. "That you had done such a thing. But I couldn't hold it against you. Humans make mistakes too, after all."
"A very touching speech." Came a voice from behind her, and Gavin looked over to see the warlock pointing a long finger at Ava, his eyes shining with building magic. "Now step ahead, and let the boy choose."
"I've watched you during our journey." Ava said, her words coming quicker now. "I have seen you laugh, and cry, and so have the others. You are happy with them, aren't you? Don't leave, Gavin. If you throw this away, you'll regret it forever."
"I said MOVE!" The man screamed, and a hellish burst of flame erupted into grass melted away, and the dirt crumbled to ash beneath the onslaught. Gavin could not see anything, and yet he could see clearer than he had in was only one answer he could give, and it seemed to resonate from him, echoing from all sides.
The fire faded, and his opponent's eyes widened. Gavin had erected a barrier between them, causing the fire to burn harmlessly. With a flourish of movement, he seized his staff from the ground and lifted it in his non-burnt hand, letting his power flow through it as it always had. It felt as though an old friend was welcoming him back, and the warlock laughed softly.
"No. I will not join you, Matthias." The man's eyes bulged with rage and suppressed violence, Gavin would not be moved. He felt Ava's hand leave her chest, and the tall woman seized her sword from ground, flicking it to the side. The moonlight reflected off the blade, and she gave Gavin a brilliant smile that made his heart falter.
"Good choice, Gavin. Shall we?"
"No... No, no, no!" Matthias screamed, and his magic exploded. Curses flew everywhere, but Gavin and Ava were already moving. He deflected the spells to the side, and thrust his staff out, conjuring a gale of wind that howled across the grass. In the same beat, Ava leapt to one side and slashed at the sorcerer, who was either too shocked or too slow to avoid it. Her blade caught him in the thigh, and his howl of agony filled the air.
"You will pay for that, woman!" Gavin had just enough time to pull Ava aside as Matthias hurled another burst of hellfire at them.
"Keep him distracted!" He called. "I'll finish him with a spell!"
This was easier said than done. The warlock was the most skilled enemy Gavin had ever faced. They hurled curse after curse at each other, all while casting the proper countermeasures to avoid being hit. It was a battle of concentration, and whoever slipped up would be the first to die.
His right leg went numb as the aftershock of a spell struck, but Gavin would not yield. Slowly, surely, he forced the other man back until they were in the middle of a field, tearing the environment around them to shreds. Dimly, he was aware of Ava moving around the two of the, waiting for an opening to strike.
I want to tell her to retreat, but I don't want to attract his attention to her!
"You remember me now, Gavin? I, the living nightmare of human kings?" Matthias sounded quite deranged.
"You are no nightmare!" He called over the roar of magic. "We are not monsters. We choose our own paths, and it was your decisions to do those things!"
"Just like you have chosen to die!" The warlock thrust both of his hands upwards, and Gavin leapt forward, darting through the curtain of lightning that descended from the sky. If he could touch the man, it would be over. He saw the blue eyes widen once more, and saw the realization in them that it was too late.
"It's such a shame, isn't it?" Matthias said softly, so only the two of them could hear. "Glinda would be so disappointed, Gavin." His brain seemed to freeze, and Gavin's spell fizzled out. Half a second later, he was struck hard in the chest, and he tumbled to the ground.
The world was swaying, but he could see Matthias hovering over him, cruel smile back in place. Someone shouted his name, but the effort to look was too great. And now the pain in his chest was growing, but he felt no injury upon it.
"And therein lies your weakness, young one." His enemy's voice was almost gentle, a perversion of a comforting tone. "You simply care too much. About people, about those you call friends, about everything. I don't have such a vulnerability. You know why?" Matthias leaned a little closer, and his face split into the most evil grimace Gavin had ever seen. "Because I have never cared for anyone at all."
A flash of light, and the warlock was forced away as Ava swung her blade at him, panting.
No. No, get away!
"Not dead yet?" Matthias's voice had a tinge of amusement, and Gavin summoned all his strength. With a tremendous effort, he got to his knees and nearly passed out from the pain. When he raised his head he saw Ava standing a few feet in front of him, as if shielding him from further curses. Her weapon was gone.
"A human, protecting a dark creature like him? You really are amusing."
"What did you do?" She demanded, but the man ignored her.
"You see Gavin, I'm not content to take your life. You want to be human so badly? You have to suffer like one." The warlock flicked his wrist, and a purple light stabbed across the clearing. It hit Ava in the chest, and she froze. For a moment, everything was absolutely still, as if the world was holding its breath. And then, Ava fell to the ground and did not move again.
Nothing. Emptiness. It was as though a void had opened up and swallowed him from the inside out. He was aware of his desperate scramble across the dirt, the scream that tore from his throat, but none of it breached the hole that was slowly consuming him.
Matthias laughed loudly, a sound that echoed all the way to the village.
"How utterly useless."
A spark, in the blackness. Then another, and another. Gavin turned his head slowly, and his eyes fell upon the one who had ruined everything. Ava was entirely still, and her eyes were closed. Her chest did not rise and fall like it usually did.
His fault. His fault. The sparks were beginning to blaze with intensity, and Gavin no longer cared what happened when they escaped.
Your fault.
And Gavin burned.
Rye drove his knife through the chest of one of the monsters, and it fell, spasming as the life faded from its purple eyes.
"Get back to the barricade!" The ranger scooped up a sword from one of the fallen and tossed it to the villager, who had been seconds away from a similar fate. He heard more screams to the right and spun, sprinting as fast as he could.
How? How could this happen? The monsters had come far earlier than expected, as the sun was setting. They had swarmed over the eastern gate and attacked, catching the villagers off guard. The captain had rallied his troops and engaged the horde, but there were enough monsters that some had made it into the rows of houses.
He turned a corner and saw one of the children crying out as a pack of the creatures bore down upon him. Rye's hands moved instinctively, and the undead bit the dust with arrows through their skulls. More rounded the corner, and he swore. There were so many, and he was already running out of arrows...
With a shout, Emma came bounding down the road, her sword sweeping back and forth. In full armor, she looked nothing short of a demon, and the creatures fell back as the slaughtered them.
"I've got you!" Rye said, seizing the little one and sprinting back up the main street. Ahead, he could see the barricade that the able-bodied villagers were still defending. Further to the south, he could see the battle between the soldiers and monsters unfolding in a frenzied melee.
Emma caught up as he passed the little girl to one of the women. Her eyes were wide with concern through the gaps in her helmet.
"You okay?" He nodded, seizing another quiver of arrows from a stockpile. She gestured towards the battle. "We're winning. Another half-hour, and the captain will route them. Where's Ava and Gavin?"
"That's what worries me." He growled, scanning the sky once again for any sight of Beregond. He had seen the dragon returning to the village earlier, right before the monsters had attacked, but there was no sign of him or his passengers. "The warlock isn't here either."
"You think he ambushed them?"
"I don't know, but we've got to hold here for the moment. They can handle him."
There was a blinding flash of light to the south, like the sun was rising once more, and Emma gasped. A writhing column of fire was climbing into the sky from somewhere beyond the battle. But instead of the normal red, the flames burned an unearthly, all too familiar blue. A moment later, an unearthly roar Rye shook the ground around them, as though a monster were climbing out of the depths of hell.
"Gavin... Ava..." Emma said quietly. Rye merely stared at the overwhelming power, his eyes wide.
Both of you... please be alright.
He was being ripped apart from the inside out, consumed by the power he had willingly unleashed for the first time. As the magical fire exploded from Gavin's left arm, he caught a glimpse of Matthias being pushed back, his face blank with shock. At his feet, the flames made to burn Ava, but he turned them back.
Kill him, but do not touch the woman. The fire responded eagerly, and leapt towards the other sorcerer, who erected a hasty shield.
"What is this?" He screamed. "What have you done?" Gavin's only response was a bellow of rage, one echoed many times over by the fire.
Kill him. Now his enemy was faltering, falling onto one knee, and he felt a grin stretch over his face.
Now, you see. Now, you know. This is the monster you wanted?
"You'll kill us all!" Matthias howled, and the man's power surged. A spike of ice five feet long disintegrated uselessly against his arm, and Gavin flicked his wrist. The blow hit his enemy so hard he was blown backwards into a tree, which immediately turned to ash. The fire was so hot that it did not ignite other items, but consumed them instantly. He felt the fire tug at him, greedy to consume more and more.
No. Kill only him.
And now Matthias was the one on the ground, pain etched into every line of his face.
"Stop!" He howled. "If you kill me, you will never know what happened!" The flames halted, forming a circle around the man like a living predator, waiting for the feast. Gavin walked closer, his eyes dim and hollow. Matthias seemed to take this as acceptance, because he smiled once again.
"You see? Only I know how to find them. You don't know the secrets I do, Gavin Morven! You're nothing a but a demon given form!" Gavin stamped sharply on the man's head, smashing it into the ground. There was a crunch of breaking bone, and the warlock screamed in agony.
"Stop, stop!"
Let him speak. There was still one piece of information that he needed form the man before the flames erased him. Gavin bent lower, his anger fueling his strength, and dragged the man upwards by his neck. Matthias coughed and spluttered, but he could not break free.
"What curse did you use on her? Tell me!" A hoarse chuckle escaped the warlock's throat, and Gavin hurled him against the ground, summoning fire to lash his arms and legs to the earth.
"It's pointless. You know as well as I do that life-rending is permanent." For the second time, the world seemed to shift out of focus.
Permanent? So then... she won't wake up?
The flames died away, leaving the pair in semidarkness. Matthias cringed away from him, but Gavin did not strike.
"She won't wake up?" He asked, voice trembling. "Ava will... die?"
"That's right. Humans are too fragile for the likes of us, don't you see? She could never stand next to you, Gavin." Matthias laughed, and his voice was high-pitched with fear. "You have to accept it." His eyes caught a glint of silver amidst the burnt earth, and he rose, leaving his enemy where he lay. The air smelled of burnt flesh, and the reality of the situation struck him. Matthias couldn't flee. He'd burned his legs so badly, the man would never walk again.
Monster.
His fingers touched something hard, a circular grip of leather. Gavin hefted Ava's sword, staring at the naked blade. The edge was still sharp, but it seemed to waver in the dim light.
"Tears?" Matthias rasped. "You can still make this right, Gavin. Heal me, and I will lift the curse. I swear." With a swift movement, he spun and strode over to the downed man, sword still in hand.
Then, in one swift movement, he ran the warlock through. Matthias's eyes bulged with surprise and betrayal, and he fell back, dead.
"Enough of your lies." Gavin turned and walked back towards Ava, who was still lying in the grass. With every step he took, the situation seemed to sink deeper into Gavin's mind.
Gone... Lost...
"I'm sorry." He croaked, dropping to his knees and placing the sword on Ava's chest. "I wasn't strong enough." The ex-pirate's face was peaceful, as if she was merely having a pleasant dream.
"Burn?" He heard a voice, like a dozen snakes hissing in unison.
"No!" He snarled, smashing his fist into the ground. "Why? Why don't you obey me? Why don't you do what I want?" His anger fueled the flames, which sprang up along his scarred arm. "Why couldn't you help me sooner? Why..."
"Fire destroys. But it cleanses, too."
Gavin felt a tear slide down his cheek. Even if the flames could help, he had no energy left.
Still.. I refuse to let him win. He raised his left hand, trembling, and placed it over Ava's heart.
"Heal her." As soon as he spoke, the flames leapt from his arm, vanishing into some unknown place. The drain of energy was enormous, and he nearly keeled over from the cost. But yet... There! A heartbeat, and then another. He could feel the curse weakening, slowly but surely, and Gavin redoubled his efforts.
His world began to turn gray, but he still pressed on.
You can't die, Ava. I love you. The realization gave him one last burst of energy, and Gavin expended it, letting the fire inside of him rage uncontained.
He was dimly aware of falling, and shouting, and then there was nothing at all.
Something was terribly wrong. With a start, Ava sat up from where she lay. As was the custom, she slept on a large bed with her other siblings, all younger than her. Her twin sisters, both with the same fair skin and dark hair as their mother, lay sleeping quietly, while her baby brother fussed in his sleep.
Her parents normally slept in the other bed by the fireplace, but the sheets were rumpled and empty. The small house which was always so cozy was now dark, and an ominous feeling pressed against Ava's sternum. She was not yet old enough to help her parents with the fishing, so she kept a close eye on her siblings in their stead. Their family was one of ten or twelve, living in the small village just down the coast of Seri.
"Ava?" Her mother asked softly, sitting in a chair by the door. She was a small, light-skinned woman from one of the other mainland cities, but she carried herself with just as much attitude as any of the locals. "What is it, honey?"
"I don't know... where's Dad?"
"He stepped out with some of the other men to check on a disturbance. He'll come back soon." She was about to lay down again when the sounds of running and yelling filled the air. Half a moment later, an unearthly roar echoed through the night, and Ava screamed. The sound filled her with terror unlike any she had ever felt, as though the night itself was crushing down upon her.
The door burst open, and her father came in. He was a tall, heavy-set man, stronger than any other person in the village. She had inherited his dark skin and brown hair, but he was known for being a jolly fellow, always laughing and smiling in the worst of times.
There was no smile on his face tonight as he seized his sword that hung over the door, strapping it onto his waist.
"We must go. Monsters are coming up the coast!" Her mother leapt from her chair, fear glittering in her black eyes, and Ava moved too. She turned and seized her baby brother, hefting him in the way her parents had shown her.
"I'll take him." She said, and her father nodded approvingly. Her mother seized the twins, carrying one in each arm, and the family ran out into the night.
It was pandemonium. Shadowy figures ran in all direction, some screaming, others calling for their loved ones. A fire was raging somewhere towards the shore, casting a hellish light over the whole scene.
"Marie, run for the trees!" Her father said. "I need to help the other men." And without another word, he sprinted back towards the fire, drawing his sword as he went.
"Ava, follow me!" Her mother said sharply, and they ducked into the shelter of the palm grove that formed the northern border of the forest. When they had gone maybe a hundred yards, they stopped, panting heavily. Ava's arm hurt, and she felt tears prick the corner of her eyes.
"Where's Dad? Why did he leave us?"
"Shh, darling. He'll come back." The shouting from the village could still be heard, and now it was mixed with screams of pain and defiant shouts. Her father could be dead already, or maybe he was still fighting. Slowly, she set her brother on the ground next to her mom and rose.
"Ava, no! Stay here!" Her mother said in a tone she had never heard her use. "You can't help your father."
"I need to know." She insisted, and her mother stared at her.
"Only look. Nothing else, you understand? Nothing!"
"I promise." And then she was running back through the trees, towards the fires that were spreading towards the other houses. And now she could see larger figures lumbering here and there. As Ava watched in horror, one of them turned and drove a blade into a still body on the ground. Evidently satisfied that the unknown man was dead, it move, searching for other victims.
Her knees trembled, but Ava pushed on. She had to know what happened to her father. Somehow, she made it all the way to beach without getting seen, and peered around the corner of a house.
A cloaked figure was standing on the beach, issuing orders to more of the horrible monsters. From a distance, she saw the man pause, then raise a hand. Immediately, a hand seized her around the ankle and dragged her forward. Ava hit her head and thrashed, but there was nothing touching her! Her ankle was being tugged, as if tied to an invisible rope.
"Lemme go! Lemme go!" She screamed, and the magical grip faded. Ava rolled over and stared up into the eyes of the largest man she had ever seen. He was tall, and pale, and his clothes were made of black silk. He seemed to be a scholar, or maybe a priest, but his eyes set him apart, as something not fully human. They were entirely white, gleaming with repressed violence. He was surrounded by strange, hulking monsters, with sharp teeth and gleaming weapons on their back.
"What have we here?" Purred the sorcerer. "A little girl, all alone? Where are your parents?" She did not speak, or could not. Her throat suddenly felt very dry.
"Leave her alone!" The voice was her father's, and he exploded from the shadows, swinging his sword at the strange warlock. It felled one of the ogres, but the rest attacked, and she was forced to watch as her father was driven to the ground.
"Run! Run, Ava!" He screamed, but her legs would not move. She could only sit and stare as one of the ogres drove a sword down into her father's chest. He gasped, tried to reach out to her, but his hand fell limply onto the sand.
She simply could not comprehend it, staring dumbly at her father's broken corpse. Then, the warlock laughed, and she turned to look at him again.
"Ava? What a cute name." The words drove her over the edge, and she screamed in rage, hurling her tiny body at the man. Something struck the side of her head, hard, and the little girl saw stars.
When her vision cleared, she felt a hand clamp over her face like a vise.
"I think I'll give you something to remember me by. Goodbye, little one."
There was a brief moment of calm before the pain enveloped her.
When she came to, a strange face was hovering over her. How odd. She could only see him through one eye. Ava tried to sit up, to cry out, to do anything, but the man pushed her back down gently.
"Captain, this one's alive!"
"Goddess above, what did he do to her? Look at the eye!"
What was wrong with her eye? She tried to rise once more, to see her family, but her strength failed her, and Ava fell back, unconscious. It only much later that she would learn the truth: she had been blinded by the curse used on her. The soldiers that had arrived had been too late, coming only in time to slay the warlock. The doctors in Seri told her she was lucky to survive, but she didn't believe it. For a while, she lived with the family of the soldier who had rescued her, but her welcome soon ran out, and Ava was sent out onto the streets of the city.
By twelve, she had learned to wield a knife and cut a purse.
By thirteen, she had already gained a reputation for being a tenacious thief and escape artist.
By fifteen, she could wield a blade better than most adults, although she stayed well clear of the guard.
By eighteen, she had already created a hideout in the desert for her loot, and begun to attract followers to her band. It was then that she adopted the eyepatch, and became known in Seri as Ava One-Eye.
And yet... none of it mattered. Her family was dead, and she was alone. She would always be alone. There, in the blackness that had enveloped her, Ava wept over everything she had lost. Her parents, her siblings... gone. All of it.
"Why did I survive? Why me, Goddess?"
There was no answer.
"Please, take me now. I want to see them again."
The darkness did not lessen, but she felt another presence press against hers. It was warm, and fiery, and radiated heat like the sun itself. The void that had enveloped her fled at its touch, and this new existence greeted her like an old friend. It was so familiar, so gentle...
"Gavin?" It vibrated happily at the name, and she felt another tear leak down her face.
"Why me?"
"I love you, Ava." The words resonated through the darkness, and she fell into a deep slumber.
Her chest was wet. Why was it wet? It wasn't raining. Ava moved feebly, feeling as though every inch of her had been crushed, then remolded into something slightly new. There were strange sounds, and lights flashed dimly above her remaining eye.
"-va! Ava! Can you hear me?"
Oh, it's Emma. That's good. She felt as though there was something she was forgetting, something critically important.
"Wha-" Her throat was bone-dry, and somebody gave her water. "What... happened?"
Emma was crying too, her eyes red and swollen. Rye was uncharacteristically grim, but there was somebody missing. Somebody that had spoken to her, cared for her... a warlock with red hair swam to the surface of her brain.
"Gavin?" She asked quietly, and a weight moved on her chest. A moment later, the warlock's face came into view. It was bruised and dirty, but tears welled in each of the beautiful orbs as Gavin wept. The drops fell onto her chest, and she realized that he was the reason for the dampness. "Hey, stop crying on me, already. What happened to that warlock?"
He only sobbed harder, and the others gathered around her as the clouds scattered, letting the moon emerge into the peaceful night sky.