***Aerl***

Chapter Five: The Assult on Drida

 

Poetoon arrived to see if he could help in the boy’s healing. He was there within ten minutes of the call’s end. He was dressed in battle clothes, the tunic, shirt, cape-cloak combination, pants, and leather shoes. He had his own sword, and he had packed his staff. He also had brought the items needed for the making of an eternity stone. The master entered the hospital radiating a fearsome power. He was to be respected, and seemed ready to kill any who so much as disagreed with him.

He walked over the fading boy, and began a number of incantations, potions, and even used the staff, but to no avail. He seemed about to give up when he asked for a vile of the purest water possible. The servant looked confused, but obeyed under the glare of Poetoon’s hawkish eyes.

"Wake my boy," he chanted in Riocan’s ear, "Come!" The water was there, and the master grabbed a sapphire from his bag. He chanted an incantation and sprinkled a powder over it. The sapphire became a deeper blue, and seemed to have infinite depths. The master twisted it and a hole formed. He then put the same powder in the water, and stirred with a finger. He poured the water into the stone, and walked over to Riocan and grabbed the boy’s wrist.

"Within a minute to live, perfect timing." He grabbed Riocan’s nose, pulled open the mouth, and dumped a large amount of the liquid into the oral cavity. Riocan’s eyes flipped open and he punched at Poetoon who caught the fist. "Settle down!"

"Is that who I think it is, Joey," asked a smiling boy.

"If you think it’s Poetoon, you’re absolutely right." His master walked over just as his vision returned. Poetoon finished putting a chain on it made of silver, gold, and magna intertwined. He handed it to Riocan.

"For me?"

"Who else, you’re its keeper now," answered the master, "Made like Possum taught me." He smiled as Riocan latched it on his neck. The boy leaped from bed, and ran down the hall, full speed. He bounded up the stairs three at a time, tripped once, and ripped off his bloodied tunic, which itched immensely from all the body fluid soaked in. The Eternity Stones replaced everything missing, even energy.

He reached his room and bathed first in a nice fresh drawn, hot, steaming bath. All the blood soaked in his hair and covering his skin melted away. He grabbed some fresh clothes and dawned them. He walked out the door to get Aura for a race that he had scheduled. As he walked across the yard the torches along the raceway erupted in flame, and he walked Aura, in full gear, out to the track. A roar spread through the crowd as the boys led their horses out.

The gates slammed down, and in a flash the two were off. Riocan leaned into the corner, and pulled out of the turn into a two-mile straight. This track was only one lap luckily, and the other racer was pulling ahead. The opponent looked over at Riocan as they entered a forest, he didn’t see the limb coming. Riocan sped forward not realizing what happened. He looked back, and turned back on his chestnut horse. He helped the other one up who thanked him.

They took up again, and the two were neck and neck. The final stretch was ahead and a point was added to each one’s score, a tie. The two shook hands and walked off for their winnings. Riocan handed the other some cloth to clot the bleeding as they crossed the yard. Each one received one hundred platinum, and they retrieved their horses.

The next morning another midday race had been set, this time for the entire group of finalists. Ten girls and boys lined up in their cloaks, getting ready for the race. Riocan gave Aura a few drops of homas in his water that morning to revive him from the previous night’s events. He thought he could of won the race had he not gone to town also.

The ribbon was strung loosely between the two posts which marked the starting line. The racers mounted, and threw back hoods. Riocan tossed Veritas Petitor to Joey, and was ready to go. The ribbon was jerked from the holder, and in a flash his cloak billowed behind him as he raced ahead of the group with the girl from earlier.

She was giving it her all and her horse was doing the same. He pushed on, and she pulled ahead and blocked him. He soon was spraying dust in her face, and as they rounded the final turn, both were covered in a light tan dust. The saddles were now slicked on both horses with the fine powder. Aura looked light, but the coal stallion the female opponent rode proudly was positively ugly now.

The two pulled into a forest, and hit a large patch of mud in a valley bottom. The stallion pulled ahead in this due to a huge strength advantage, but Riocan went steady, and on the next straight pulled a full fifty yards ahead. The finish line soon meandered into view on the now reddening sky. He heard the heavy clopping of many hooves behind, and the girl was nowhere to be seen. He put on the last possible spurt to win the race.

He was given a medal, and two-thousand platinum, three quarters of which was donated to the funeral of Possum. He leaped from the horse with saddle soreness radiating from his legs. He tottered over and took his sword. He reached into his bag and decided to put on the ring he had purchased.

He drew the sword and thrust it high in a sign of victory, and it began to glow with an enchanting light of a sky blue on a clear June afternoon. Poetoon stared in awe at the blade as it glowed more insistently, as if it required something. The hilt felt cool, but the ring burned very hot and Riocan ripped it off his finger.

"Put it in the slot you fool," shouted Poetoon to the young boy, "It’s a Dormant Blade!" Riocan looked all over the hilt, up and down, but not until he grabbed the ring did the slot show. He inserted the item and almighty bang ensued. He held tight as if driven by some force, and was rewarded by a new form of Veritas Petitor, in its true and rightful self.

It seemed to be made of light itself, it gleamed, even in the deepening twilight of the landscape of Thiden. It felt as though it were made of energy, for it flowed and weighed almost nothing, or so it felt. The ring ejected, and he caught it in a flash, not sure why.

"I am unworthy," is all that could pass from his mouth.

They were meandering on horseback across a large open plain. It was winter and snow was beginning to fall. The two boys began a trot, and soon came upon a large wood that needed to be journeyed through. Their cloaks were soon covered in a thin white powder that left a slight moisture on the skin as it melted. In the forest they collected tinder for their boxes and some kindling. Riocan retrieved some larger logs and they soon moved on.

He put the cover back on his hatchet, and with very little work they were going on through the forest to catch up with the rest of the troop. They arrived in the clearing about thirty minutes before dusk as the rest of their company was setting up camp for the night. Riocan and the other boy, Walker, stopped to gaze at the sight.

There were around fifty tents pitched for the two-hundred men and women, but more were being pitched. The boys found their section, and it was the area for the leaders of a group. Walker led the Fourth section and Riocan the Gold section. Gold section had nothing on any of the others, just it was a name picked for them for intimidation. It was comprised of mostly fresh to battle warriors, and was fairly weak. Veritas Petitor had erupted shrapnel when it flashed to its true self, so Riocan boasted a large gash under one eye.

"Hello," he spoke as Joey approached, "What do we owe this honor?"

"Nothing, I just am an adult leader."

"Good for you, now please help me pitch this forsaken tent," replied Riocan. The man strode over, and with muscular arms pried the pegs apart and jammed them in the ground. The boys draped their cloth covering over the pegs and thanked Joey. He drew his sword and swung it at the boys.

"Care for a little sword practice?"

"Sure," they replied at once. They deposited in their tent personal items, except for swords, and led there horse to the posts, where they tied them. All three ran full-out to the area where recreation was held to save time in the work area. Walker arrived first in his pure-elf glory, followed by Riocan who was tailed by Joey.

Soon the clatter of swords banging together filled the area. Many of the soldiers who could joined in and a tourney was started. Two classes were devised, and a master for each was found in the preliminary rounds. Riocan was second in his class to a dwarf, who had over-powered him in their duel.

Riocan cheered for Walker, who came in third, as he locked blades with another elf. The opponent had more experience and a height advantage. Walker stood at Riocan’s height, 5'6". Walker came back with a counter-slash that sent the other boy reeling. He put the point to the opponents neck, claiming a victory.

Riocan was next against a Juch, a human-like race that never wore shoes due to hooves and backward knees. The two bowed, and the gong sounded. The swords were clashed, and the Dormant Blade knocked a chip from the steel Juch make. The shorter race of the opponent rolled through Riocan’s legs, leaving him vulnerable for a moment. The blade was put on his neck, but he spun and knocked it away. He kicked the opponent’s hand, and the blade flew high in the air, landing some thirty feet away.

The blade was put to the Juch’s neck and next was Riocan at Walker. The two faced each other and the gong rang. Swords clashed, and Veritas Petitor seemed to radiate with an unstoppable power. Suddenly Riocan’s rapier slashed through Walker’s for a disable win.

The dwarf faced Riocan and both bowed as they drew swords. The duel began. A thrust was sent at the half-elf, but he rolled away. He slashed at the dwarf’s boots, but to no avail. The two were in a long dance, the dwarf covered in a light moonil mail. The silver of the mail shone brilliantly as it was hit again and again by the blade of its master’s opponent. Riocan wore nothing but the normal garb, even though it was winter. The snow had stopped falling, and soon it became iced on the top layer. Riocan lost footing, and he slid out onto a lake. The dwarf rushed for the lake.

He arrived and the frozen water left him sprawling back on the snow. Riocan found a patch of snow out on the lake and jumped the ten feet to the shore. He then thrust at the dwarf who parried. His sword was sent a few feet away, and with the stocky dwarf on his tail grabbed up the blade. He grabbed a limb of a tree, and hauled himself up onto the yard wide limb above. The battle continued and swept the dwarf off his feet, but was pulled off the limb with him.

The first up was Riocan and as soon as the dwarf started up the buzzer rang. The match ended with Riocan victorious on a time out. Everyone then headed off for dinner after the duelists shook hands.

They had large bowls of venison stew that day, and were happy for it. Huge mugs of hot cider were drank, and small goblets of dwarf wine for those who had head colds. The winners of the dueling games were given bottles of dwarf wine that were three hundred years old and fresh pipe weed. Riocan gave his pipe weed away, and gladly shared the wine with any who wanted some.

After dinner it was a funny sight watching dogs who had cider wobble around because they were full of it. Some of the more daring went sliding on the barricade shields and among them were Walker and Riocan. Riocan wasn’t so good at first because he had never had big enough hills for any such activity. He fell many times, but at one point flipped over a rock.

His cloak was drenched in an icy cold dampness, and his hands were freezing because he no longer had a pair of gloves or mittens. He soon was warm again though with a sip from his Eternity Stone given to him by Poetoon, who couldn’t be found anywhere.

He and Walker went to their tent and played chess for the remainder of their wakeful hours. They walked together to the bath house, and got new blankets from the weaver’s wagon before going to bed for the night.

The two woke the next morning to a bugle wailing the next morning. Breakfast was leftover stew, and some way bread. Also served was some goat’s milk, and after breakfast the troop packed up and moved out.

Still laden with the faggots they had collected the previous night, Riocan and Walker approached the chuck wagon at the front of the service rigs. A smell of more stew wafted out, and they knocked at the side of the all wooden carriage and were welcomed by the master chef. The door was latched back and the three of them handed the assortment of wood into the holding bin.

"Thank you, boys."

"No thank you master chef for taking our burden upon you," replied Riocan, and he and Walker retreated to the fronts of their groups. A line of Lyu were spotted on the horizon, and the entire troop of horse riders readied lances. They created three waves, each about a quarter mile long and three feet between each horse. The first wave launched off protecting the wagons from the ground lyu.

The second line stood readied and a command came to charge. Riocan accidentally pulled ahead and had to slow for a moment then the company picked up the pace finally. He speared three lyu in his sweep, making the lance considerably heavier. Suddenly a hailstorm of arrows came flying about them. The shields on their backs kept them safe from the arrows as they sped along, and the horses wore drapes to protect from such weak projectiles.

Riocan suddenly felt a tingle on his back, and found that an acid tipped arrow had lodged itself between his shield and his back. He quickly removed it and fitted it to his bow. He drew back touching his chilled middle finger to a specific point on his cheek and let fly. The arrow whizzed right into the chest of one of the more powerful type Mud Elves, the lyu. He put on a full sprint to the safe zone as the third wave went.

He was in Joey’s tent, and was receiving horrible news. "You must give up your leadership."

"Why," asked Riocan, "I have done no wrong."

"Your continued training is scheduled for this time." He knew what this meant. Three months on your own, besides a counselor on an island. He was happier now, but he didn’t want to leave. He however took on his duty proudly and marched on to the tent to pack.

The olive green cloth billowed around him as the wind gusted. He packed everything and Joey came in. "I have something for you."

"Really," he replied.

"Yes," he pulled a new sheath from his cloak, "A great blade deserves such a scabbard."

"Thank you."

"Happy Christmas."

Veritas Petitor was in the fine gilded sheath as the ship dropped a plank. It was a small, speedy ship and very compact. Its bow revealed its name to be the Unreliable Mutt. Riocan mounted the plank up to the main deck. He was escorted to his quarters, and he was soon settled in. He walked through the old musty lower decks, exploring as he went.

He soon found that most of the ship was under water, in fact most of the keel was hollow and used for a small area for storage. Rooms were often about eight feet wide, but because of the length of the ship, they were about fifteen feet long. He kept his sword on his back, but soon learned in the small area to strap it about his waist. This was because, if need came, when you draw at the waist it takes much less area.

He often stayed up top in the crow’s nest, where he was given a job. He was payed five silver an hour to watch for pillaging ships. Many weeks went by on meager dinners and nothing showing at the lookout until one day a scout pirate ship came flying down the water on port side.

"Bogey on port, coming in with spikes."

"Hold arms!" Flaps flipped up from the sides, and arrows came pouring out. After this proved futile, there was a bang as powder was heated, sending a heavy lead ball hurtling into the sea. The wake caused the little raft to tilt, but did nothing seriously damaging. The spikes were anchored into the side of the larger ship, and grappling hooks thrown and lodged on the railing.

A boarding had begun, and Riocan leaped from the nest and slashed the nearest rope, causing a man to go hurtling into the shark infested water below. A few were on deck, and he went to help with them. The wielded fencing swords, in traditional fashion of low-ranked sailors and were cut to bits with the broadsword.

The pirates were tied up, and the true onslaught began. Many leaped onto deck with sabers. Riocan cut all the ropes he could, and heard a great gurgling in the waters below as sharks swarmed. Suddenly he felt himself lifted and thrown into the treacherous sea below.

He saw a shark coming for him, but he simply tapped into his elemental power and floated in front of the shark which lost all interest. He saw his rapier sinking slowly, and it seemed to be calling. He swam down as fast as possible, and he grabbed hold of the hilt. He put it in the scabbard and took out his small hatchet.

He swam at the full speed of his ability as a water knight, and slammed the hatchet into the pirate’s boat. It was the full blown mother boat. He took out his knife for a second hold, and began a long climb that heavily damaged the boat. He avoided the flaps of the archers, and in the heat of battle no one realized he was there until he put the knife to the captain’s throat.

"Surrender," he hissed, "Not even your fastest scalawag could save you." He pressed the knife harder, and the captain began to look very concerned when his own life was in danger. A trickle of blood ran down his neck, and the pirate reached for the hilt of his sword. In a swift move the pirate knocked the knife from his hand and drew the sword.

"It is I who am victorious it seems, young slave."

"What makes you think I’m a slave," he asked, "I happen to hold the coveted title of Knight of the Realm."

"We take no notice of petty titles me boy," retorted the cocky captain with his mustache blowing in the wind, "Just who can beat who in a duel."

"Maybe I’ll beat you," he growled, and with that he was on his feet, with his sword drawn and a determined look in his eye. The captain slashed, and was blocked with a swift parry. Riocan kicked at the captain’s legs and was slashed up the leg. He yelped with pain and stabbed at the captain’s throat, who dropped back but had his nose cut severely.

"I’ll show you!" The captain was very flustered, and quickly was rewarded with being cut in half by none other than, Riocan’s private tutor.

With a sigh of relief the boy gasped, "I owe you my life."

"And you always will," replied the body, that contorted into a snake-like entity with a human head. Riocan was constricted around the throat and he kicked endlessly, which proved quite futile in a matter of strength. His vision was dimming and he had to do something. He moved his arm for his waist, but the assailant broke the arm at the elbow. With the rest of his strength in his spirit he hid his Eternity Stone in an unreachable place, the voids of the mind, soul and heart.

He awoke in a strange place with lyu standing all around. His head felt as though a wedge had been slammed into his skull in eight places. He looked at the foul creatures around him and he felt his eyes burn with the indignity done to his ability. His broken arm was of no use at the moment, but with the stone hidden in the voids of space, he could easily heal that.

He saw little of the large room, due to it being cast in a shadow that was impossibly black. The chains that bound him to the pole burned in their pure evil-making against this knight of justice. One of the smaller lyu departed, his scimitar hanging loosely by his hip. It came back in five minutes with a warlock.

"Well, my pets have brought me a lovely gift for once it seems." The gag in Riocan’s mouth made it impossible to reply. He tried to kick, but the magic chains bound even more tightly. He felt that if he could control his potential found in every beast he could beat these trappers. He concentrated and was able to secretly backlash through the weak chain.

His head ached more from this, but when a man walked up to him to taunt him he kicked out at the belt and the knife released. He lined up with it by falling on his broken arm which nearly made him pass out with pain. The knife cut through the rope and he pulled off the post. He pulled out the gag when the guard’s back was turned and stole up behind the sentry.

He clenched the man’s sword and drew it, then exclaimed, "I don’t need this, it just makes the job easier!" He cut down the man, and the boy dove into a dumbwaiter. He was hoisted up to the fourth floor and he was locked in a minor fight with the two lyu cadets, acquiring the rotten mess that they call food. He picked one of the two’s maps for a guide, and he was soon on his way to the armory.

He kicked in the door to the foul smelling place to find the warlock inside.

"You’ll never take back your items," laughed the evil wizard. Riocan looked around the tall man and saw Veritas Petitor’s hilt peeking out from the bejeweled scabbard.

"Or shall I?" Riocan leaped over the man’s head, and landed safe on the other side. He grabbed up the great rapier, and he was soon occupied with the blocking of magic energy. A bolt got by hurtling him into the wall where he fell and lay. His head lolled unpleasantly to one side, and when the ancient man approached him his eyes sprung wide open and He slammed the sword blade with his good arm through the man’s gut.

The warlock’s eyes widened further as the bloodstain on his robes spread. He hissed out a few meaningless words and fell dead before the boy. Riocan released the Eternity Stone from its vault within the confines of his soul and took a small sip. His arm went to its normal composition instantly and his pale composure was once again tan.

He leaped up and was on his way out the door when he noticed an arrow coming from the wizard’s back. It seemed he had not killed the man, but he had merely fell on the point of his sword. He muttered and ran quickly out of the room so he could not become a target.

As he sprinted down the vast halls, often examining the old parchment map of the large fortress, he thought of the sniper in the armory. He hadn’t noticed any windows, except a small pane in the top. This was ruled out due to the arrow had hit at a much less steep angle.

He was running but noticed a flicker to the side and he dropped. It was nothing but the candles in the torch. He went on and was a hundred yards from the entrance when he remembered those gruesome lyu of the warlock.

"Oh, no," he yelled in horror as swarms of them tailed him. He hit a door release and dived under just as it hit. The ring of battle axes on stone were heard in the segment of hall Riocan was in and he screamed, he screamed until his voice gave out. It seemed as though no force could save him.

The door began to rise, and he stumbled to his weary feet and once again ran in a panic. Arrows whistled through the corridor in pursuit of the twelve year-old child. Shafts snapped as the tips hit stone walls and the black granite was soon almost white with the enormous amount of dings. He turned finally, to do as taught, rely only on the Power of One, your power. The power that when harnessed gave you the will and raw ability to accomplish anything.

With his sword ready and a shield in hand he rushed the oncoming army of Lyu. Behind he heard the whisk of arrows, but when the darts passed, they were on the path to hit Lyu, not the boy being assaulted by an already too large force. His heart lightened as he turned to see a troop of Dwarves ready to defend their kind. They aimed for more Lyu and let sling. The arrows dropped many of the foul kind, and the rest ran.

As they fled the lyu of the Druids shrieked of traps and betrayal. Riocan fell down in relief and the Dwarves approached.

The Master Dwarf spoke, "Who art thou who my grand battalion has saved."

The haggard boy replied, "I am the apprentice of a knight named Joseph Lock, Riocan."

"Well Riocan, I am Grey, and I have orders to retrieve you and bring you to Poetoon and your master, Joseph."