My Fantasy Novel

Hell In a Storm - My Next Book

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:21:00 +0000

I recently finished my new book, 'Hell in a Storm'. I am in the process of sending my query submissions to agents and I am really hoping one will be interested enough to give it a look.

I look back at my other books and realize I was not ready. Even the book I placed on this site, 'Maroz', was not good enough to make the shelves. Trust me, it is never easy for a writer to admit their work was not good, but however much it pains me, the truth is the truth and it was not good enough.

Another important fact however, is that practice really goes a long ways to making one better. With the completion of Hell in a Storm, I really feel confident it is worthy of being in print. It is the first of my books I truly felt that way about. It is the first book I have gotten anyone else to read (other than on this blog). My best friend read it and enjoyed it. I know, I know, friends and family will say things are good because they don't want to hurt you. I think he would laugh at that statement as much as I do. We have never had a problem with keeping it straight with each other. If he did not enjoy it, he would have had no problem saying so. In fact there were many parts that he didn't care for and that made me go back over those parts and see what I needed to fix. In the end however, my friend, who does not read fiction to begin with, wished he could go out and buy the next book.

I am hoping beyond all hope that I will find an agent who will read it. I dream a dozen dreams every day of that moment I hear and agent tell me they want to represent me. Every night in bed I lose myself in the fantasy that I will someday hear an agent tell me the publisher likes my book. I do not dream of being rich or famous. I dream of doing well enough that it will pay for my bills, my wife will not have to work her lousy job, and I can take care of my mother. I dream of seeing my pen-name in print and knowing that is my new career. Working from home, using my imagination, rather than working 9 to 11 hours a day in a job that has no real future.

I cannot explain in mere words how hard it is on me to get up early every morning after spending the night trying to sleep because I cannot seem to shut down my mind. My imagination is like a world of its own and too often it controls me rather than the other way around. I sometimes think that writer's block must be something made up. It simply cannot be real. After all, who could ever have a problem with coming up with something to add to a story? I know it is real. It is just hard to picture it. In fact, it may be the only thing I cannot imagine.

Well, if I go through my list of agents and cannot find one to represent me, I will then begin to add 'Hell in a Storm' as the next book here at My Fantasy Novel. You will have to forgive me for saying that I really hope it does not come down to that. With each rejection, it is a knife to the heart of my dreams, but I must continue to search and hope.

If you happen to be an agent, you can find my query letter by clicking on Hell in a Storm.

Hell In a Storm - Query

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:09:00 +0000

Dear Agent

....I am currently seeking representation for my novel “Hell in a Storm”, a completed 73,000 word fantasy, and the first book of the Demon Siege Trilogy. I am currently working on the 2nd book in the series and have the basis of the third in mind already.

....Many people believe in demons and ghosts, and yet they never consider there might be angels. Many never consider, or believe, there could be an ongoing war between the two entities. In ‘Hell in a Storm’ I have brought the war between angels and demons into the world of Fantasy.

....The King of Mazwar is possessed by the High Demon, Shirakhul, and has initiated the darkest of curses. The existence of the human race is threatened and its only hope is in the disappearance of the King’s youngest daughter.
....Forbidden to take on a physical form, the angels turn to a few humans. They will need to find the young woman before the minions of hell can lay their hands on her, and at all cost, they must keep Shirakhul from completing his ritual.
....The hope of humanity now rests in the hands of a troubled priest, a thief hunter, a warrior from a foreign land and a small band of thieves. Finding the girl is dangerous. Keeping her safe from the Demon Lord is another matter all together.

....I have been writing since 2002 and have written several novels as well as my blogs on-line. I have yet to experience writers block and do not believe I ever will, for it is harder for me to stop my imagination long enough to sleep, than it is to prod it to life.

If you are an established literary agent and would be interested in reading 'Hell In a Storm', please email me at Kenja824@hotmail.com

Maroz - Read the Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:38:00 +0000

The first piece I placed on here is my novel, "Maroz". A book about Death walking the Earth with his hordes of demons. The world is facing its doom and it is left up to a small group of elementals to save it.

I hope you enjoy it.

To start at the beginning of my Fantasy Novel....

Maroz 1 - Death Comes

Or pick up at a chosen place in my Fantasy Novel...

Maroz 2 - Willim
Maroz 3 - An Ailing Heart
Maroz 4 - The Elemental
Maroz 5 - A Writhe Attacks
Maroz 6 - New Found Powers
Maroz 7 - The Lord of Death
Maroz 8 - The Warning
Maroz 9 - Florencia
Maroz 10 - A Match with Malok
Maroz 11 - Water and Earth
Maroz 12 - A City Lost
Maroz 13 - Conviction
Maroz 14 - Promise of Vengeance
Maroz 15 - Love and Death
Maroz 16 - A Warning Heeded
Maroz 17 - Three Consumed
Maroz 18 - From Fear to Hero
Maroz 19 - The Farmer
Maroz 20 - A Son's Return
Maroz 21 - A Kings Permission
Maroz 22 - Against a Kings Will
Maroz 23 - Conspiracy Fear
Maroz 24 - An Old Name To Live By
Maroz 25 - Elementals Converge
Maroz 26 - Death's Delight
Maroz 27 - A Stand at Detinu
Maroz 28 - A Secret revealed
Maroz 29 - An Army to Face
Maroz 30 - Vengeance Sought
Maroz 31 - The Sacrifice
Maroz 32 - Stranded
Maroz 33 - A Ride for Help
Maroz 34 - The Neighbor
Maroz 35 - Dressed for Show
Maroz 36 - The Taunting
Maroz 37 - Face to Face with Death (Conclusion)

A Letter to my Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:09:00 +0000

Dear Readers

First I would like to take a second and reveal a little about myself. I found I have a love for writing back in 2003. Before that I have never written more than a few demented Christmas poems. In 2003 I began my first novel by writing for a half an hour every day at lunch time at my job.

I have never taken any kind of creative writing course or class in school. Everything I know about writing a full length story comes from reading other novels and seeing what the other authors do. Although I am proud of myself for doing as well as I do in writing, considering I am completely self taught, I also realize I am failing in areas. After all, if I was great, I would be published by now. The problem lies in the fact that I am ignorant of where I am at my weakest.

Do I over analyze the story? Is it not descriptive enough? Am I screwing up my grammar? Are my characters too alike? IS the story in itself boring?

My greatest goal would be to someday be good enough to be published. However, I am a poor man as my career as an automotive engineer has come to an end due to the crumbling economy. I cannot afford to take a course or pay someone to edit my work. So the only way I will ever become good enough to publish is if I learn what I am doing wrong and fix it.

For this reason I would ask anyone who reads my book to critique it as well. Whether it be my grammar or my story telling or whatever. I will not say I will take everyone for his word and do everything I am advised, but I will take anything and everything into consideration and try to learn from it. So any help whether it be left in comments or emailed to me would be greatly appreciated. However, if you do e-mail me, please write "Maroz" in the subject.

P.S.

I am mostly done with my new book, "A Storm of Demons". However, due to the stress of facing Christmas and being broke I have been having a hard time getting into the mood to write. Once that book is done, I will be sending a query letter to some agents in hopes of interesting one. If that fails, I will be placing that book on-line for all to read as I have done with Maroz. In the mean time I may be adding some small tidbits in the future.

Maroz 37 - Face to Face with Death

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:27:00 +0000

The days of travel went as they always had for the group but the evenings supplied a little more humor than usual. However good Stepp had been with the lute, he still made mistakes with the guitar and when he did the others were sure to let him know they knew it. But as the weeks of travel went on, his playing got better until the others began joining in on the songs as they once did. Then as the days continued, the joy left them as they watched the droves of people traveling west. Those people were the believers of the shadow destroying the land it covered and they headed west where they would be safe; at least for a little while until they would uproot and head west once again. Most of the folks wore sad faces from leaving their possessions and lives behind, as well as a few stubborn family members.

“You are going the wrong way mister.” One man said as they passed by. “Nothing but death will meet you that way. I’ve seen it myself.”

The man’s words were directed at Mikal. Since he was the only one dressed with red trim, most people automatically took him as the lord or leader. Not wanting to explain it to everyone they had found it was easier to just let him reply.

Usually Mikal would reply with a nod or a thank-you but for some reason he felt like he should say more this time. “Yes sir. That’s exactly who we are looking to meet with.”

The man stumbled before catching himself then turned around to face them again. “You are going to face Death?”

“No!” Mikal said. “We are going to kill him!”

“But my lord.” The man replied with a worried look in his eyes. “A whole army of elementals fought him and lost. I heard there were over a hundred elementals in that army. If they couldn’t beat him how can you?”

Mikal shared a look with Keln who returned his with a small smile. Every story worth telling would become more exaggerated the more it is told. A hundred years from now they will be saying it was over a thousand elementals. “I assure you good sir, that it was not a hundred elementals. It was only half that at best. We would know because we were at that meeting.”

“All of you?” The man asked unbelieving. “Even so, what can eleven of you do that fifty of them couldn’t?”

“Win!” Mikal said.

The traveling man looked at Mikal then after a moment he simply shook his head, spun on his feet and walked away with a chuckle. “I sure hope so Sir.” He shouted over his shoulder.

After watching the man walk away with a little more hop to his step, Mikal began to stop every so often to tell people they were going to kill Death. Whether they could or not made no difference to him because every time he told someone they walked away with a little hope. When all hope seemed to be lost, men usually wouldn’t give up completely. All they would need is something, anything to grab on to that would give them some hope.

As the days passed however, even the travelers began to thin out until it was seldom they saw anyone at all. Anyone who would be running from the shadow had already run and those still there would stay until they died. Town after town would be almost empty giving the group of elementals a morose feeling.

The day after leaving the large and utterly empty town of Sha, it was a hot and sunny one that turned into a clear night sky. Countless stars speckled the night as the elementals rolled into their bedrolls. When morning hit, Mikal sat up rubbing the sleep out of his eyes then looked at the sky to judge what time it was and froze. Straight above him it was bright and sunny but to the east the sky was like night.

“Pretty weird looking wouldn’t you say?” Dawan was sitting with his back against a tree and a tin of tea in his hands as he studied the shadow.

“I hadn’t realized how close we were.” Mikal said staring at the dark side of the sky. “How long do you think it will take us to get inside?”

Dawan studied the shadow before answering. “I have been sitting here for nearly an hour just watching it. It isn’t moving fast but it is definitely moving. I would say about noon.”

“I say lets get to it then!” Jahsen said as he walked up, a tin in his hand as well. “The sooner the better and we will be most alert around then. Better then waiting until night when we are getting tired.” The three of them turned to stare at Keln who sat a little ways away but still in hearing distance.

Keln sat quiet for a moment then got up to his feet and brushed off the seat of his pants before looking back at the shadow. “Well, I guess we might as well get this over with then.”

Every member in their party felt anxious to get the fight done with and climbing into their saddles they left at a trot. Bedrolls and anything that might add weight to tire the horses were left behind. If they died this day they would have no use for it and if they lived they would come back for it, but in battle they wanted to move as light as possible.

As the hours passed the shadow began to cover them and Keln suddenly spoke out. “Formation!” At his order, the ten elementals formed a circle around Mikal and when Mikal gave Keln a questioning look, he explained. “We decided it was you who had to be the one to fight Death himself. We will do everything we can to make sure you get to him.”

So enclosed in the circle of elementals, Mikal rode trying to prepare himself mentally for the upcoming battle. Could he beat this Death? The prophecy said he would defeat him with the sixth. If it meant a sixth element, then they were doomed for he still had only used five elements. As the surroundings grew darker, his confidence began to slip until Dawan called his name.

“It said we would defeat the shadow with your faith in the sixth. Have faith! God will not fail us!”

Of course! He had gotten so used to being bound to them, it was becoming easy to forget they could feel him as well. But as he continued on, he could feel doubt slip into the others confidence as well.

Each friend he looked at he could feel some kind of fear within him except for Dawan and Keln. He stared at the two for a long time before Keln returned the look.

“There is no room for doubt.” Keln said. “Fill yourself with determination until there is no more room for anything else. As Dawan said, God will not fail us Mikal. It took me a long time to learn that but learn it I did. He has guided us or helped us every step of the way. He will continue to do so.”

Mikal considered what Keln had said and to his surprise he realized Keln was right. When he thought he had lost his family to fire a second time he learned his real family was still alive. When he thought he would die from the arrow wound, or be turned in for a ransom, he was taken to his mother for help. When he thought he would die from being sacrificed he survived that as well. Nobody survives six swords being plunged into his ribs! I did! Keln was right. Every time I thought it was over, something happened to save me.

A short distance ahead, a man in all black sat his horse, his cloak swirling slightly though there was no wind within the shadow. On his left stood a large beast, and though it had powerfully muscled arms and legs its body looked thin and bony. Its face was layer over layer of scars. On the man’s right side was a small demon with a tail that ended in a snake’s head. As they closed the distance the smaller demon began to shiver then divide over and over until there were eleven of them. Bringing their horses to a walk, the elementals approached Death. Each of them continually looked around for more demons. This can’t be all of them! When only twenty paces separated them, the elementals came to a stop.

“You have my curiosity!” the man in black’s voice sounded low and slightly gravelly. “After I have already fed on the souls of fifty elementals, how is it that so few of you have come to fight me now? Do you really think you can defeat me?”

Mikal was slightly surprised by the appearance of Death. His cloak still swirled around without the aid of any wind and where his eyes should have been were only empty sockets. He opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when the smaller demon spoke worriedly. “My lord! I cannot block them!” Zeebulis turned his head slowly and looked at the small demon, waiting for an explanation, which was given immediately. “I cannot block an elemental who uses spirit my Lord. All of them are using spirit!”

Zeebulis turned his head once again to focus on the elementals and his teeth clenched tightly. “Then it seems Exolvar, that I have no more use for you.” Zeebulis did not make a move but suddenly the small demon began to scream and convulse. Boils quickly covered him and popped, puss oozing out, then he fell over shaking violently. Within seconds it was all over and all that was left of Exolvar was a puddle of whatever putrid liquid had oozed out of him. Zeebulis spoke again now, this time with harshness to his words. “Kill them!”

As soon as he spoke, the air began to open around them and demons began to pour in amongst them. The elementals reached out and twisted all five elements, killing the creatures as they attacked. Clawed hands raked at the Mikal’s horse, pulling it down immediately and he lept to the side to land on his feet. Mikal had his sword out, the forms coming to him without thinking as he killed demon after demon. Without using the motions with his hands he reached out for fire, water, air and earth and demons were dying as they came near him. Then on the spur of the moment, Mikal turned and attacked Zeebulis.

As he brought his sword in a tight arc to lay Zeebulis’ chest open, Death matched him with a sword of his own. The sword was an ash gray and looked as if it had been forged out of some dark bone. Where did the sword come from? As Mikal went from form to form, Zeebulis met him in perfect stride. I was sure he didn’t have a sword on him before I attacked him.

Still demons attacked Mikal and died before they could touch him as he spun the elements as fast as he could. Twisting fire, Mikal tried to make the air around Zeebulis explode into a fiery blaze only to see Death ignore the fire that burnt him.

“Your puny fires do not harm me here boy! They are like a summers breeze compared to the fires of Hell!”

Trying to draw the water out of him, he was shocked to find there was no water in him to begin with. Mikal then reached out for air and drew it away from Zeebulis and still there was no reaction. None of them had any effect on him, neither fire, air, nor water! Earth was all that Mikal had left to try.

The ground beneath Zeebulis shook then opened up. Let’s see how you handle being swallowed up! But as the ground separated beneath Death’s feet, Zeebulis calmly stepped toward Mikal as if the ground had not opened at all. The worse part of it all was the smile on Deaths face as he stepped over the gaping pit!

“You cannot harm me you fool!” Zeebulis said as he laughed. “If you cannot harm what is dead then what makes you believe you could kill the Lord of Death?” Extending his free hand toward Mikal, Zeebulis manipulated wind, throwing Mikal into the air to land hard on his back. “Yet the same cannot be said for you!”

From his back, Mikal glanced at his friends. Keln had blood dripping from his back as well as his upper arms. The rebel leader had some serious wounds but he was still standing. Jahsen and Erek were now back to back as if to support each other as well as defend each other. The others were still on their feet as well but for how long? Each of them had as much sweat dripping from them as they had blood pouring from their wounds. Which would be the end of them, loss of blood or exhaustion? Looking to the other side He could see Tomas and Nikoli back to back as well, only they were protecting Dawan who now laid still. Jemmel lifted a hand and a demon exploded right in front of him but then another larger demon stepped out of the air right behind him. As he spun to kill it another stepped out behind him again and raked its long claws down his back. Jemmel arched his back and screamed but as the larger demon reached for his throat, it was suddenly lifted up and slammed hard into the ground and Wenn, Ress and Stepp moved in to protect him as well. Writhes were attack his friends along side of the demons. They died along side of them as well.

Rising to his feet, Mikal charged Zeebulis again with his sword. Zeebulis defended everything Mikal threw at him and when Death manipulated the elements, Mikal had to react fast to fend him off. Then suddenly as their swords met, Zeebulis reached out and grabbed Mikal by the throat and threw him hard to the ground.

Mikal laid stunned for a split second and again he chanced a look at his friends only to see that now Ress and Stepp were down. As he looked at Keln he watched as a demon appeared behind him and thrusted his claws deep into Keln’s back. Lifting him up over its head, the demon whipped Keln against a tree. The leader crumpled to the ground and did not move.

Zeebulis stepped closer to Mikal, a smile on his morbid face. “Once I have you in Hell, I will let my pets have your friends I think.” He said. “You though, I think I will keep you as my own pet. I will make you bow to me whenever I come around you.”

Mikal lifted his sword again and Zeebulis laughed. “You cannot hurt me you fool, but yet you will still try? Do not waste any more of my time and bow to me.”

The writing on Mikal’s sword stood out then and he read it out loud. “The shadow is hidden by Darkness and driven away with Light!”

Zeebulis stepped closer then with a snarl. “Enough of your gibberish human! Bow to me!”
“I bow to no one!” The light is the sixth element! Then looking at Zeebulis he spoke louder. “I bow to no one!”

Death he will face twice. Once to avoid and once to fight. His faith in the sixth will defeat the shadow.

It will be my faith in light that will defeat him! Rising to his knees, Mikal stood up, facing Zeebulis. “I will bow to no one!” He shouted the words this time as he reached out for light.

As soon as he reached for the light, Mikal felt the sword in his hands grow warm. Both, he and Zeebulis looked down at the now shining white blade that was black just seconds ago. Only when they looked at each other again, it was Mikal smiling.

With a snarled shout, Zeebulis thrust his hands out, sending fire as black as his cloak at Mikal. As soon as it left Deaths hands, Mikal could feel its heat. Such a scorching heat he could not imagine existed and it came straight for him. Rather than dive out of the way though, Mikal stood where he was and swung his sword and pointed it at Zeebulis. The light he had reached out and grabbed a hold of, instantly grew a thousand times brighter as it shot at Zeebulis. The light met the fire and for a split second it seemed as if everything had become a negative of itself. The sky was white and the ground and the people were black. Then the fire dissolved as the light cut through it and struck Zeebulis in the chest. For another instant Zeebulis looked as if he would scream, but before a sound came from him he seized to exist.

The light that hit the Lord of Death flashed outwards, striking everything and Mikal found himself floating in it. The ground, the trees, his friends and all of the demons were not to be seen, just an endless abyss of white light. The light is so bright! Why doesn’t it hurt to look at it? The thought floated around in his head as he looked for anyone or anything. Yet there was nothing to see but the light. Not even his body was visible. “Where am I?”

A voice came to him from the distance then. It seemed to echo from thousands of worlds away, calling his name. “Mikal!”

The voice came closer each time it called to him and with each calling of his name it became clearer as well. “Mikal!”

Then one last time he heard the voice, this time it came in a gentle tone as if spoken right next to him. “Mikal!”

Opening his eyes, Mikal looked up to see a face. Seconds passed, each one sliding by like an eternity before he finally put a name to it. “Erek?” Mikal whispered. “What happened? Is he dead? The others?”

Erek’s eyes squinted some as he smiled. “Everyone is alive. A few of us are pretty bad off but alive we are, and Zeebulis is dead.”

“I did it? I killed him?” It seemed like too much for Mikal to believe.

“I don’t know if you killed him or not.” Erek said. “But I don’t think he will be bothering us in our world again any time soon.”

“I felt like…” Mikal recalled the dream he was having. “I was floating in a light. I had no body and nobody else was to be found but I could feel the warmth of the light all over me. Just light.”

“I know Mikal.” Erek replied. “We all know. We all felt the same thing.” Then thinking for a minute, Erek added. “Somehow I don’t think it was a dream. I think we were taken someplace, maybe on the brink of dying and crossing over. I don’t know.”

Slowly Mikal sat up and looked around. The others were all there but some were still unconscious. “How long was I out?”

Squatting on his heels, Erek leaned back some and stared at the sky. “Hard to say Mikal. The sun is in a totally different place now. Almost as if it is a different season now.”

It was Mikal’s turn to stare at the sky and wonder. Erek was right! The sun was in position to be noon but for another season. It traveled lower towards the northern horizon now. “How is that possible? How could we lay here unconscious for months and not be found and still live?”

Erek shrugged his shoulders as he considered it. “As I said, maybe that white light was not a dream but a place. Or maybe the light was God protecting us as we slept. Nobody would find us because everyone was afraid to travel this direction. I don’t know Mikal. All I do know is that we are all alive, and it is a different season.”

Another week passed by before everyone was awake and ready for travel. Keln had several broken ribs and others had wounds that would be slow to healing but they all were ready to ride through it if it killed them. A flock of seagulls flew overhead towards the east as the first to return to the dead land. Every tree and plant was dead and dried up, though now signs of new life were beginning to show. A sprout of a new weed or tree here, a flower there, it was enough to prove to them Death was gone and life would continue to exist. Though the elementals were in pain, they all had smiles plastered on their faces as they traveled west again.

It was a good day. It was a new day. Though very precious few would ever know what they had done, many would live because of it. It was a good day!

Maroz 36 - The Taunting

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:16:00 +0000

The next morning, the elementals all stood with smiles on their faces and watched as Kelsy and the tailors headed back to Maroth with its military escort. All of their clothes were nearly the same, all black with some slight gold trim, except for Mikal’s whose trim was in a glittering red. Whether it was because he was the emperor or just to match his sword was a question left unanswered.

“Like a new start, isn’t it Mikal?” Dawan said. “Fresh fancy clothes with extra sets in our saddle bags, a good sword on our hips…” Seeing Mikal had his strapped to his back, Dawan corrected himself, “And our backs, and a pouch of gold and silver to see us through. We even have new horses with spares to keep them fresh.”

Mikal nodded as he stretched his hands above his head. His muscles were still a little stiff but all in all he felt pretty good. Even his wounds from being sacrificed didn’t hurt that much. “If you ask me Dawan, I just think it feels good to be alive.”

The road to the shadow was a long one and felt even longer without Stepp playing his lute. Every evening when the small group of elementals would break camp, they would find themselves sitting around, feeling as if something was not right. For years they had listened to Stepp play in the evenings and to suddenly not have the music was a small shock they needed to get use to.
“Sometimes we are just forced to deal with change.” Keln said.

Mikal shifted his weight to his other side then considered what Keln had said. Even in the short time he had been with this group, he had grown accustomed to hearing the lute when they were camping underneath the stars. “Yeah, but why are we forced to change now? As far as we know we might only have a short time left to live. It would be nice if we could spend those nights enjoying music still.”

Nobody spoke after that. Everyone agreed with Mikal, but no one wanted to be reminded that they might die soon. Rolling over into their bedrolls, they soon fell to sleeping.

The sun was still rising towards its peak when they rode there horses into the small town of Stray, each of them looking forward to a good cold ale and well cooked food. As they were climbing out of their horses, Stepp’s ears picked up the sound of some strange music and he handed his reins over to Dawan.

“Tie them up for me will you Dawan?” Stepp asked, still looking in the direction of the music. “I have to check this out.”

Giving his own reins one last wrap around a rail, Mikal fell in along side of Stepp. “Don’t mind if I come along do you?”

The two men followed the sound until they found themselves standing in front of a small barn shape building. The sign hanging above the door had the name Khosro’s painted on it in black bold letters. Sharing a look, the two men stepped inside and before Mikal took three steps he had to stop and look at Stepp who still stood in the doorway.

“What’s wrong Stepp?” Mikal asked.

“Look at this place Mikal!”

Turning around, Mikal realized what held Stepp’s attention. The walls were literally covered with different instruments hanging from the walls. Anything Mikal could imagine was to be found. Lutes and mandolins hung next to harps and chitra’s. On the floor stood a large piano and beyond that was another strange looking piano with pipes standing up from the back of it.

“Can I help you?” Turning to look at the speaker, Mikal was surprised by the man’s darker skin.

“Quite the store you have.” Mikal said at the same time Stepp said. “What is that instrument?”

The owner’s eyes shifted from Mikal to Stepp, answering them in order. “Yes it is. I call this a guitar.” Strumming his thumb down across six strings he continued to speak. “I am a lover of the Chitra Veena, but it is too bulky of an instrument. So I created the guitar. Instead of twenty one strings it only has six and is much more compact so it can be played and carried anywhere.”

“Six strings only?” Stepp said amazed. “I am used to playing a lute but there is something about the sound of this guitar.”

“Plus,” the proprietor said, “Though your lute has eleven strings, five pairs of them are close together so it would not be to much of a challenge for you to learn the guitar.” Extending his hand, the darker man smiled. “Forgive me, I am Khosro Parviz.”

Taking his hand, Stepp asked if he could try the guitar. Taking the instrument from Khosro, Stepp tried to strum the cords like a lute, causing a strange sound that twisted Khosro’s face. For two hours Mikal watched Stepp take lessons from Khosro before finally hearing his stomach growl.

“I’m gonna go get a bite Stepp. If I don’t I might end up eating one of these instruments.”

Khosro stood up quickly, a scared look on his face. “Please do go and get a bite to eat sir. Please do. It just wouldn’t do if you began harming my instruments.”

Shaking his head while smiling, Mikal left the store, the sound of Stepp reassuring the owner that it was only a joke. Some people will believe anything. Mikal thought as he walked back to the inn.
Half way back to the inn, motion caught Mikal’s eyes and he stopped to watch a young woman carrying a bucket from her house to a well for water. Her dark brown hair was pinned back and she had a way of flowing about her as she walked. Beautiful! He thought as he watched her from a little ways away.

Mikal just stood still with his hands in his pockets watching when she looked up and noticed him. He knew it was obvious that he was staring at her but he didn’t care. Her full lips curled into a smile for him then, but rather than smiling back he continued to stare, though he no longer was looking at the woman. He could see her clear as day but his focus was looking into nothingness. Why do I feel like something is very wrong?

As the thought was still registering in his head, another movement caught his attention and suddenly a Writhe latched onto her and she began screaming. For another second, Mikal stood stock still with shock. Writhes don’t come around unless someone dies! As seconds passed Mikal finally got a hold of himself and ran toward her, drawing his sword as he did so. As he closed the distance, another writhe swooped down from behind him. If not for the high screeching sound the writhe made as it attacked, Mikal would have died then, but the warning was enough and he spun around, sliding his black and red blade through the writhe. Before the writhe could fade away another took its place, then another and another. It seemed to him that for a little while the town must’ve been covered with soulseekers as his sword whirled from one form to another almost too fast for the eyes to see. The rolling wave led into the Diving Hawk. Flight of the Heron followed the Kiss of the Widow. As form led into form, Mikal’s arms began to tire and his breathing came in hard rasps until no more writhes attacked and he fell to his knees trying to catch his breath.

A shadow in the corner of his eye made Mikal turn his head to look at the original Writhe still holding the girl with his bony left hand thrust inside of her chest, her body twitching violently as she walked the thin line between life and death. The writhe had stood there watching him the whole time and had not taken the young woman’s soul as he watched the others of his kind try to kill Mikal. As soon as Mikal looked up at the soulseeker, it smiled! There was no face showing in its deep dark hood but Mikal could feel the writhe smile at him as it ripped her soul out. Then as if it knew Mikal was too tired to rise up quickly it gradually floated into the air and disappeared.
An old woman came from the house then crying out the younger woman’s name, Emilia, over and over as she fell to her knees at the body’s side and cried.

“I’m sorry.” Mikal began to say. “I tried to save her…” But the old woman cut him off with a hiss.

“You tried to save her? You killed her! The soulseekers came for you! If you had not come making eyes at my daughter, they would never have killed her! What kind of man is it that the soulseekers would want him so badly? What kind of man are you that you can kill a writhe?”

Mikal slowly rose to his feet as the tirade continued, not knowing what he could say. So bad he wanted to fix things and show the woman he was not bad but he could not fully disagree with her either. If he had not stopped, they would have attacked him closer to the inn and not killed the young woman. Tears began to roll down his cheeks but the old woman did not stop. Turning away he walked toward the inn then quickly broke into a run. The old woman screaming after him calling him the Devil’s spawn and other names he wanted dearly to forget.

All the way to the inn he ran, the woman’s words echoing in his head until he threw the doors open wide, causing them to slam against the walls. The dining room was full at the hour and every head turned to see who was barging in. Keln and the others all sat around a large table in the back and as soon as Mikal saw them through his tears, he shouted. “What are we? Why would a writhe kill Emilia just to taunt me? Why!”

As soon as he shouted that Emilia was dead, folks jumped up from their tables, some wanting answers while others ran out the doors to her house. One man in particular grabbed Mikal by his shirtfront and shoved him against a wall. “What did you do to Emilia boy?”

“I tried to save her!” Mikal’s shout was from the bottom of his lungs as he reached out and grabbed Wind and shoved the crowd of people away from him. “I’m not evil! I tried to save her!”

The touch of Keln’s hand on his shoulder brought Mikal’s attention to him and the two looked into each other’s eyes for a long time. To most everyone else, that is all it was, just two men staring into each other’s eyes. The other elementals though could feel the spirit being woven. Keln was touching Mikal with his spirit, trying to soothe Mikal’s spirit.

“Let’s go up to our room.” Keln said softly and the others all agreed. As they walked up the stairs they could hear the stunned crowd begin to murmur behind them about Mikal being an elemental.

After settling down his nerves, Mikal described what had happened as his friends listened in silence. Once he was done explaining, nobody spoke as they all considered what it meant until Wenn finally spoke up.

Wenn’s words came out as if he was speaking to himself but they were clear enough for all to hear. “I never heard of a Writhe taunting anyone like that before.”

Mikal’s eyes became hard again and as he opened his mouth to tell Wenn that was exactly what had happened, Dawan cut him off by speaking first. “Not too long ago, we had never heard of a soulseeker attacking the living either Wenn.”

The others all nodded in agreement, even Wenn. Then Dawan continued. “I think the real question is why? Why would the writhes all attack Mikal? The simple fact the one soulseeker taunted him says it was personal.”

“It could be that Mikal is the only one to use all five elements.” Ress said. “I know we all can do that now but we can only do it because we are bound together with Mikal.”

Jemmel rubbed a hand down his face as he thought then spoke up. “It could be the sword I think. Maybe they sense the sword.”

“Consider this, men.” Keln said. “Whether it is the sword or the elements, it can happen again at any moment. And just because it happened to Mikal this time, does not mean it can’t or won’t happen to one of us. Not to mention that as long as we are with him it could happen.” Seeing the idea of a hundred or so writhes attacking them sink in, Keln continued to speak. “For now on, we will sleep in shifts. Jemmel, Jahsen and Erek will guard the first shift. Only three of you because it will be easier for you to stay awake during that shift! Ress, Wenn, Tomas and Nikoli will take the second shift and Dawan, Stepp, Mikal and I will take the third.”

A knocking on their door caused them all to look up and Erek with one hand on his sword hilt opened it. It was the innkeeper, a skinny fellow with a long beard that ran down to his belt stood dry washing his hands.

“The folks. They are talking about the elemental. That he is evil. I think they are trying to get up the nerve to form a mob and take him. Please, I do not wish you harm, but I do not want my friends and family harmed either. I am asking you to leave before things get bad.”

“Well it looks like we aren’t getting good beds again tonight.” Nikoli said, already walking towards the door. “I’ll get my saddle bags.”

Everyone else began mumbling agreement as they headed for the door as well except for Keln whose room they were in. Stopping at the door, Jahsen turned back to ask a question. “Shouldn’t someone go get Stepp?”

“We will get him on our way out. Where ever he is he is safer there than coming here alone right now. Stop by his room and grab his bags will you?”

Inside a quarter of an hour the group was untying their horses when the innkeeper came rushing out with a large sack in his hands. “Sir, I do apologize for this. You paid in advance and I owe you money before you leave.”

Eyeing the heavy loaded bag, Erek asked. “How much did you pay the man Keln?”

The innkeeper’s eyes went wide as he realized they were looking at the sack in his hands. “Oh, no, this is some food I put together for the road. I figured I could at least supply you with a meal. The money is in my hands.”

“Keep the money.” Keln said. “You have been more than fair enough. I will be glad to take the bag though.”

Tying the sack to his saddle, Keln nodded thanks then turned his horse toward Mikal. “We will follow you to Stepp, Mikal.”

As each man in the party turned his horse away he thanked the innkeeper. They all knew it would be days before they had a good place to stay again and none of them were very good of a cook.

It was easy for them to see where Mikal had his fight with the soulseekers for there was the beginning of a mob outside of the house now. The old woman was crying hysterically while trying to explain what happened in between sobs. The crowd turned and watched them go but nobody said a word. Probably afraid I might burn them alive or something! Mikal thought sadly.

Stopping in front of Khosro’s, Mikal climbed down from his saddle and hurried inside to find that both men were still sitting in the same place he had left them. Khosro plucked another chord on the guitar then was handing it back to Stepp when they saw Mikal.

“Got to go Stepp! Had an incident and the others are all waiting outside.” Mikal said.

Stepp looked as if he might argue at first until he heard Mikal say they were all waiting outside. Slapping his mouth shut he let out a heavy breath before turning to Khosro. “I will take it if you are selling it sir. If you have a case for it I will buy that as well.”

Khosro looked stunned before answering. “I don’t know. It is the first of its kind. I…” Seeing the begging look in Stepp’s eyes Khosro dropped his shoulders slightly. “I suppose I can always build another.” Sitting on a nearby table was a case and Khosro got it for him as well. “I guess a fair price would be maybe four silver pieces? It is the first of its kind you know.”

Digging into his pouch, Stepp pulled out three gold marks and handed them to Khosro. “It is more than worth it to me Khosro. More than worth it.”

Setting the guitar inside of the case, Stepp hurried out with Mikal and tied it to his saddle. The others all watched with bright eyes.

“You got a new one?” Tomas asked.

“I got something much better.” Stepp replied. “I got a guitar!” Then seeing the looks on their faces he continued. “I will explain later. Let’s go if we are in a hurry. Someone can fill me in what’s happening as we ride.”

Maroz 35 - Dressed for Show

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:41:00 +0000

The next two days went by slowly for Keln and the rest of the group while they waited for Jahsen and Wenn to return with clothing. Though they had heard it a million times and had become used to it, sometimes it still bothered them when someone thought they were evil simply because they had been born with a special ability.

“When are they going to finally return?” Jemmel asked.

“I wish they would hurry.” Erek said. “I’m getting sick and tired of looking at your naked carcass!”

Ress slapped his palm against the table he was at, then got up and marched to a window. “I’m sick of looking at all of your carcasses!”

“I’m sick of hearing all of you gripe!” Dawan said. “Try shutting up for a while!”

Keln ignored it all as he watched Stepp. Since the other morning, Stepp had not said a word and it was beginning to worry Keln. Walking over to his friend, Keln sat down next to him.

“You haven’t been too talkative Stepp. I’m sure we can get you a new Lute.” Keln said.

Stepp continued to stare at the floor for a little bit before he finally lifted his eyes. “That lute was my pride and joy Keln. My son gave that one to me before he left.” It was a subject Stepp never talked about because he missed his son so much at times. When his son had turned twenty he met a merchant and had joined his guards. Every day he would wonder if his son was still alive or where he was, but since that day he had not seen him.

Keln nodded as soon as Stepp had begun talking. “I’m sorry Stepp. I am!”

Stepp nodded his head but before he could speak, Ress spoke up. “Well it’s about blasted time!”

As soon as he spoke, the sounds of horses became noticeable. A lot of horses! Hurrying to the door, Keln looked out at Jahsen and Wenn along with fifty soldiers and a wagon. The last two soldiers held lead ropes to nearly two-dozen horses. Seeing that there were no women among them, Keln stepped out and watched his brothers swing a leg over their saddles and drop to the ground. Wenn and Jahsen were both dressed up in black clothes with just a touch of gold trim to them.

“Well aren’t you two ready for the dance?” Keln asked.

Wenn’s face broke into a big smile. “Do you like them?” He asked while turning around once to show them off. “Jeed had his tailors fix these up while we got some sleep. Bet you wish you had some dandy clothes like this huh? Sure beats the hell out of sitting around naked in front of the others I tell ya.”

Jahsen walked up shaking his head in disgust. “Ignore him. Jeed sent the tailors with us to make all of you clothes as well. How is Mikal doing?”

“Still sleeping.” Keln replied. “I don’t mind saying I am getting worried.” The others within hearing range nodded in agreement.

The room was silent, nobody knowing just what to say at the moment when Jahsen and Wenn’s faces both suddenly lit up simultaneously.

“You guys want to see a cool trick?” Wenn asked.

“You guys will love this, Jahsen added.

Together the two brothers lifted their right hands and to the shock of everyone, tendrils of flame began to lick at their fingertips. Then on Wenn’s cue, their right hands became completely engulfed in fire. Lifting their left hands, a sphere of water formed around them.

Letting the two elements go, both the sphere of water and fire disappeared and Jahsen said. “And that’s not all.”

Small swirls of dust began to dance around them like tiny tornadoes and dirt began to pile upon itself making a small wall around their feet.

“Fire, Water, Earth, wind and spirit!” Wenn said excitedly. “We can manipulate them all now!”
Jahsen went on to explain. “We were all bound together the other morning, but what we didn’t realize was that in being bound together, it has aloud us to touch the other elements now as well!”

The others all began to reach out then, finding other elements that they had never used before. Jeed’s tailors were sizing Erek up when he created a ball of fire between his hands and both of the tailors jumped back and shrieked.

Allowing the fire to dissipate, Erek shrugged his shoulders and apologized. “Wasn’t thinking, sorry. The excitement just got to me is all. Wont happen again.” The tailors went back to work sizing him up but continued to look at him askance after that.

The others were all laughing and trying different things while shouting for one or the other to watch a new trick. They would see what someone would do in the element they already knew so well and show them other things they could do. Kelsy’s farmyard became one large party and at one time or another each of them would have to wait calmly while the tailors sized them up.

“What’s with the racket, and where are my clothes?” The whole party went completely silent as every person turned to see Mikal standing in the doorway with a sheet wrapped around him. Finally really looking at everyone else, Mikal added. “I don’t know if I want to know why everyone is naked. Maybe I don’t want to know why I am naked.”

Everybody broke out in laughter then and Keln ran up to Mikal and grabbed him by the shoulders. “You’re awake!” Keln shouted. “You won’t believe what happened.”

Keln went on to explain everything to Mikal and as he did so, the tailors moved in, lifting his arms out to the side and wrapping a strip of cloth around his waste as they marked his measurements.

As everything began to settle down, Captain Hanier walked up to Kelsy and stood next to him. “You have done a great service for Maroth in helping these men sir.”

Kelsy shrugged his shoulders. “I did nothing I wouldn’t do for any man in need.”

“Nonetheless,” the Captain continued, “You have still done a service and the acting Emperor would like to repay you.”

Kelsy raised one eyebrow then as he looked over at the captain. “Acting Emperor?”

“Malok is dead and Jeed is taking the place of the current Emperor until he returns.”

Kelsy turned to look straight at the captain then. “Who is the current emperor?”

Captain Hanier’s smile was broad as he nodded toward Mikal. “The lad there. He killed Malok in the throne room a few days back. I hear you have an interesting piece of furniture sir?”

Kelsy stared at Mikal and the others for a long time, his mind going in circles as he remembered the moment in the wagon when they told him and he did not believe them. “I’m sorry Captain. What was that you said?”

“Furniture. I am told to inspect a piece of furniture that you have? A particularly fancy piece I am told.” The Captain waited patiently as Kelsy’s overwhelmed mind put his question together.
“In my living room.” Kelsy still stared at Mikal. “The Emperor huh?”

Putting his hand on Kelsy’s shoulder, Keln smiled as he led the farmer inside. “Just show him your cabinet.”

Once inside, Keln stood back and watched as the captain looked over the cabinet then moved on to the other furniture in the house. It turned out that the Captain had a love for woodwork and knew good work when he saw it. The officer ran his fingers over the carvings in the wood and studied the flowing lines and the images.

Finally after he was satisfied, the Captain stood up and turned to Kelsy again. “After hearing about your work, Jeed had ordered me to take a look at it and see what I think. He said if you are as good as Wenn and Jahsen described that I was to offer you a job in the palace. Sir I would have to say, you are likely the finest I have ever seen and I think Jeed would be very angry with me if I did not talk you into coming to Maroth.”

Kelsy stood staring at the captain as if he was a mirage. The farmer’s eyes were wide and his mouth worked silently for a long time. Finally giving himself a shake, Kelsy managed to speak again. “What happens if I turn it down sir?”

Captain Hanier chuckled. “If you don’t come? I am to leave you with some gold for your service to Maroth, but trust me Kelsy, you would be far better off if you spent your time carving furniture for the palace.”

Kelsy looked around for a moment then shrugged his shoulders. “Aw I never really enjoyed farming anyway.”

Maroz 34 - The Neighbor

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +0000

After Wenn and Jahsen had left to Maroth, the others sat around the house while Kelsy walked to a neighbor’s farm to see if he might have some clothing he could spare as well. Without the horses it was a long walk and the moon was high when he finally wrapped lightly on the door. The door opened slightly revealing his friend’s face. “Sorry to bother you so late Lenard. I have a situation and was hoping you might help me.”

Lenard opened the door wide for Kelsy to enter then closed it behind him. “Have a seat at the table Kelsy, I will make us some coffee.”

“Thank you but no. I was just hoping you might have some extra clothes I could borrow and maybe a horse to ride back.” Kelsy went on to explain about the men he found and given a ride back to his farm. “I think every one of them are elementals too. Think of that Lenard, eleven elementals in one place!”

Lenard’s eyes grew hard then he stood up. His tall lean body towering over Kelsy. “I will loan you a horse to ride back Kelsy, but I won’t give them any clothes!”

The sudden change in Lenard’s mood threw Kelsy for loop and he leaned back and stared. “What’s wrong Lenard? You ain’t got something against elemental’s do you?”

“Do I have anything against them?” Lenard said harshly. “Personally I think what they do is evil! It’s just not right to be able to do the things they do.”

“How long have we known each other Lenard? Ten, maybe twelve years? I’ve never heard you say anything like that before. Is this something from your preaching days?”

“It’s never been brought up before!” Lenard was now gritting his teeth as he spoke. “Kelsy you are my only friend who is still alive. I would do anything to help you and you know it! I won’t however help those I consider to be evil!”

“Aw, Lenard,” Kelsy said, “They ain’t evil. Malok is evil and these guys killed him. Did I tell you that?”

Lenard’s eyebrows rose as he stared at Kelsy. “Whether Malok was evil or not, he was still a man and they killed him. That act alone is evil Kelsy! They killed a man.”

Kelsy finally stood up and rubbed his hands through his hair. “I’m mighty sorry you feel that way Lenard. I really am. If you wouldn’t mind, I will borrow the horse to ride back if that’s all I can get from you.”

The ride back was a sorrowful one for Kelsy. He hated the fact that his friend would turn down help to anyone. Lenard had been a very charismatic preacher in his day, leading one of the largest congregations in the country until his family had died when they were robbed. Since then he had settled down as a farmer and had never preached again. Kelsy had never preached but he believed in God and he did believe one should never turn away those you could help.

Maroz 33 - A Ride For Help

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:13:00 +0000

“The way these clothes look on us,” Jahsen was saying once they were away from the farm, “I was expecting to hear a few wise remarks. At least one! Nobody said a thing though.”

Wenn gave himself a looking over before answering. “Not much they can say! At least we had clothes on. Anyway, I don’t know about you but I think I look pretty ravishing in these clothes. They make me look strong.”

“No they don’t.” Jahsen said. “You just look like you are wearing clothes that are too tight on you!”

“You know what I might do?” Wenn asked, then answered without waiting for a reply. “If I see a pretty girl in Maroth, maybe I will flex and see if I can make the seem bust open.”

Jahsen laughed as he pictured it in his mind. “Just be careful what muscles you flex. Remember we aren’t wearing any underclothes!”

“Yeah, remind me to stay standing straight until we get new clothes will ya? I’ve had enough people see my naked rump today!”

The night grew darker as they traveled but neither was feeling like breaking camp for the night after being unconscious most of that morning, so they continued on in quiet conversation. Trees lined the road, casting darker shadows in the moonlight, causing the road to be covered in patches of darkness. Suddenly Wenn stopped his horse and whispered for Jahsen to stop as well.
“Something’s not right Jahsen.”

Jahsen looked around but the road and trees were silent. “Nothing seems out of place to me.”

After a moment of waiting, Wenn finally had to agree. “I don’t know why, I just felt as if something was wrong. Still do but I don’t see anything wrong.”

Moving forward again they had only traveled a dozen paces when three men stepped out onto the trail in front of them. Two of the men held bows that were nocked and drawn, aiming right at their chests.

“For a moment there I was afraid you would turn back.” The speaker was a large man and wide all over, but his shadow was all they could see. His voice was soft and breathy as if coming out of a throat covered in layers of fat. “Now if you would just unhand your valuables we will let you be on your way.”

Both Jahsen and Wenn began to laugh as Wenn tried to explain to the thieves. “Mister we don’t have a copper between us right now. If you would have caught us on our way back from Maroth you might have made a good bounty but right now we have nothing.”

Their laughter was cut off as the fat thieve ordered them to draw their swords and toss them underhand then back up. Both of the brothers shared a long look and Wenn could feel the worry in his bond with Jahsen. Jahsen’s element was water. The most drastic thing he could do with water was to draw it out of his enemy’s body. He would kill the men almost instantly but likely in their sudden weakness they would let the arrows loose and water could do nothing against arrows at that short of a distance. Even Wenn could not do anything with earth fast enough to stop the arrows, so likely one of them if not both of them would die. The two brothers were caught and trapped and to try and fight would likely mean their deaths, but to give up either of their writhe swords might mean the death of the world.

They knew they could not give up their swords even if they died in trying to keep them. If fate would force the end of the world then so be it, but they would not let the world die because they decided to give it up.

Rather than doing anything drastic, Wenn reached out to earth and began to twist it. The ground around them began to shake and the thieves looked around scared, but still kept their bows aimed for them. Suddenly the ground exploded in front of the thieves sending rocks and dirt into the air and spraying them with debris. Both of the archers let their arrows loose as they turned to cover their faces and fell to the ground. Wenn flinched and gasped, hoping the arrow would miss him but not knowing if it would. It was the reason he caused the ground to explode as it did. He was only hoping it would cause the archers to shift their aim before loosing. When he did not feel an arrow strike him, Wenn opened his eyes and stared at the tip of an arrow no more than a half a boot length away from his forehead.

The arrow just sat there frozen in mid-air and he turned to see Jahsen staring at one as well, but his was off to the side and would have sailed between them.

“I just reached out and I grabbed wind!” Jahsen whispered.

Wenn reached out then and realized he could find them all. His usual, earth, right along with Wind, Fire, Spirit and Water. “We can use them all now!”

The thieves were getting back to their feet while staring at the arrows as well. “Look mister.” The fat leader said. “We didn’t know you were elementals.”

One of the archers had his hands up, with his palms out as he stepped backwards slowly. “We didn’t know! We will just be on our way and won’t ever bother you again.”

Then all three of the thieves turned to run and froze in mid-step. Not a muscle on them moved and their clothing was smashed tightly against their bodies. Jahsen had let the arrows drop and shifted the air to solidify around the thieves.

“You will be going with us to Maroth where we will be handing you over to the emperor for sentencing!” Jahsen said.

Finding the three thieves horses, Wenn found some rope as well and tied the three men up then used Wind to lift them up into their saddles. Taking the reigns of the horses he tied them to each other’s saddles so the horses would be forced to follow the next one in line then tied the last one to his own horse. Once they were all tied together and bound securely, he let go of his hold on wind. Climbing back into his saddle the two brothers started off again with the thieves in tow.

As they traveled, Jahsen and Wenn began to realize the thieves were not afraid of being turned in. The men talked to each other as if they had nothing to worry about! Then Jahsen realized what was happening. These men very well might have been stealing under the protection of Malok himself. It would not surprise him if Malok had actually hired thieves to steal from travelers and pay him a percentage for their security from the headsman.

Jahsen was about to say something when Wenn stopped him. Riding close to his brother, Wenn explained. “If they think they are going to be set free, they will continue to be easy to handle. If they think they will be punished, they will likely be begging us to let them go, offering to pay us off or trying to escape. Leave things as they are at least until we have them in the palace.”

Jahsen smiled and nodded agreement. “You are right. Best to let them think what they want.”

Riding through Maroth towards the palace, Wenn and Jahsen were surprised at how different it was already. In the short time since Malok had died and Jeed had taken over, the city had come to life in a way they had never seen it. Folks were stopping on the corners just to chat and vendors had more buyers at there tables. The most obvious change was on the faces of the people. Many had smiles plastered on and those who did not still seemed to have more bounce in their steps. There were street cleaners out picking trash up from the night before and by the amount of trash there was, the city must have been celebrating as well.

As one man stepped to the side to let them pass, the thief leader spoke to him. “Looks like there has been some celebrating. What’s the occasion?”

“What is there not to celebrate?” The man said. “Taxes have been lowered, food is being supplied in larger quantities and the guard is out in a larger force to clean the streets of all of the rabble! Malok’s death alone is reason to celebrate!”

The faces on the three thieves suddenly lost all color as they realized they were not under any protection anymore. Likely they might even face the headsman now that Malok was dead. As tears welled up in the fat leader’s eyes, Jahsen slapped the thief on the shoulder. “I see you are brought to tears with joy. I was really hoping to break the news to you myself but seeing your face right now still makes it all worth it.”

Turning the men over to the guards, Wenn and Jahsen explained who they were and were lead immediately to Jeed.

Maroz 32 - Stranded

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:47:00 +0000

Keln gripped the sword tightly and focused only on thrusting it through the stone pillar. He could not think about where the blade would end up. For just an instant he could feel the sword hit some slight resistance as it slid across a rib before giving way and the hilt slammed up against the stone pillar. Forcing his eyes open he looked up to see Mikal stretched out, gripping the stone shaft as if trying to pull it out of the ceiling. Mikal’s eyes were closed tightly and his mouth was open wide as if he was screaming but no sound came out. Lowering his eyes, Keln saw that all ten swords had entered Mikal’s rib cage and his blood was flowing freely down the black blades.

“Oh my God!” Wenn said, then Keln saw what Wenn had seen. Where the blood covered the strange writing on the blades, a new writing showed through. This writing however was plain to them.

Leaning closer, Keln read his blade out loud. “With the power of spirit shall there be light and oneness!”

Then the sounds of the others reading their own blades became noticeable.

“With the power of water shall there be light and oneness!”

“With the power of earth shall there be light and oneness!”

“With the power of fire shall there be light and oneness!”

“With the power of wind shall there be light and oneness!”

All ten members read them when Keln felt something against his hand. Looking down he watched Mikal’s blood pooling around his fist where he grabbed the hilt. So badly he wanted to let go but something held him tight and he watched in horror as Mikal’s blood dripped to the floor. I’ve killed her son!

Something else happened then. Light filled the room so bright that it drove every shadow from the room. Keln closed his eyes as tightly as he could and still he saw only the brilliance of white light shining. He could hear the others gasping and crying out how bright it was and finally came the sound of someone collapsing to the ground. Mikal! He thought, but then he felt himself falling as well and as the bright light turned to utter darkness his last thought was to wonder if he would ever see again.

How long he had been unconscious, Keln did not know, but when he opened his eyes again he looked up at the sun sitting high in the sky. A slight breeze made its way to him and brushed against his face and he was amazed at how good it felt against his cheek.

The sun? A breeze? Rolling over he lifted his head and looked around him. The walls and ceiling of the room were gone. Where the hidden room once was, was now a large bowl in the ground. The pillars of stone laid in crumbled heaps and his sword stuck out from beneath some of the rubble. The table and mural were nowhere to be seen.

Looking himself over Keln was happy to find there were no injuries, but was a little disturbed to find he was naked. Not even one item of clothing was left on him.

“What happened?” The voice was Stepp’s and Keln turned to see his friend rubbing his head as he sat up slowly. “And where are my clothes?”

“I don’t know.” Keln said to both questions. “But I feel like I was dragged by the ankle back and forth through these boulders all last night.”

Rolling to his hands and knees, Keln crawled to each of the other members in his group to see if there were any bad injuries. With each one of them it was the same, headaches and soreness but nothing serious. The strangest thing was that somehow he knew that each one was okay even before he got to him. Though he was sure that it had nothing to do with the spirit, rather it was as if he could feel each one of them now.

They and He of the five will bind together and the sixth will defeat the darkness.

The prophecy had come true up to that point. They had been bound together. Keln began to stand up when something else occurred to him and he froze in place. He could feel Mikal as well. Mikal was alive!

Scrambling to his feet, Keln almost fell twice in the three steps it took him to get to Mikal. The young man was still unconscious but breathing and the wounds created from the swords looked as if they were already a month old. Mikal was naked as well, as if the light had burnt them from his body.

The light! Just thinking about that light caused him to put his hands over his eyes and rub them. Dear God was that bright! The simple fact that he could still see was nothing short of a miracle to him. Opening his eyes to check Mikal and reassure himself that the boy was alive, Keln turned around and sat down. “Well at least now we know why the man in the mural was naked!”

Looking at Mikal again, something else caught Keln’s attention. Mikal’s hand was wrapped around the hilt of a sword. Very similar to all of the others, this sword had red writing etched into the blade and the writing was clear. The shadow is hidden by Darkness and driven away with Light!

Dawan was on his feet and as he came over to Keln he stopped and looked at Mikal. “He is alive! I thought I could feel him but I was sure my mind was playing tricks on me!”

One by one they all got their wits about them and came to see Mikal, each saying something about feeling him there. When Ress made his way to the center of the rubble, Jahsen quipped. “He look pretty enough now for you Ress?”

Ress lifted his hands as if to shield his eyes and squinted. “Oh God, why couldn’t that light have just burnt my eyes out?”

Erek barked a quick laugh before adding to it. “It would be better to tell everyone you went blind from looking at a bright light rather than seeing all of us naked!”

Dawan found a larger piece of boulder to sit on and was rubbing his head as he spoke. “Keln I just don’t know about your family man! You all need help!”

Once everyone but Mikal was on their feet and steady again they all dug through the debris and retrieved their swords then began to look around a little closer, mostly hoping to find something to cover their bodies with. Everywhere they looked they could only find stone and rubble with small piles of ash mixed in. Everything and anything flammable had been burnt to nothing and among the chaos there were small pools of water as well. Every element was used beyond any strength they had ever imagined and had utterly wiped the large hill of rocks out of existence. Off in the distance were large piles of char and ash, all in a line. Even the horses had been destroyed. With our spare clothes!

Stepp ran across the distance and stood staring at the ash then began kicking it around until he felt his foot come against something hard. Reaching down he lifted a metal case that held his Lute and brushed it off as he carried it back to the others. Opening the case he lifted out his lute with wide eyes. The lute was warped and areas looked as if it had even melted.

“My lute!” He cried. “It’s ruined! It’s ruined.” While the others were still trying to shake off the effects of what had happened, Stepp sat staring at his ruined instrument.

The sun was dipping toward the horizon, a large orange ball in the sky when the sound of a horse drawn wagon came from the distance. The elementals sat on large stones and waited only hoping there were no women or girls in the wagon. Luckily it was only one middle-aged farmer who had seen the light from his farm and came to investigate.

Upon seeing the elementals sitting naked the farmer began to laugh. “Well I’ll be! In all of my guessing of what I might find, this is about the last thing I would ever have expected. What happened out here last night?”

“Mister,” Keln said, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you! But as you can see we have lost everything we had including our horses with our extra clothing. We could really use a lift and some extra clothes if you have any.”

The Farmer considered them then shook his head. “I can give you a lift I suppose and you can stay at my place until you get things figured out. Extra sets of clothes though? I just ain’t got enough.”

“Can we borrow one or two sets then and a couple of horses so they can go get us more?” Keln asked. “Two of us would have to travel back to Maroth, but we would surely make it worth your while.”

After the farmer agreed, the others lifted Mikal up and set him in the farmer’s wagon then they all climbed in themselves. It was a small wagon to begin with and the ten of them had to squeeze together to fit.

Once getting the wagon rolling at a slow walk anything else would be too much for the two horses, the farmer introduced himself. “Kelsy Minter is my name.” Once receiving all of the other’s names in return, Kelsy nodded to Mikal. “What happened to your friend?”

Keln looked at Mikal then considered his answer. He couldn’t just come out and tell Kelsy that this group of naked men all holding swords had tried to sacrifice Mikal last night. Kelsy would likely jump out of the wagon and start running from them and nobody there would blame him one bit for it. Instead of telling him what happened, Keln decided to get the man’s thoughts on something else. “That lad there is the most important man alive Kelsy, and the ten of us are going to make sure he stays that way too.”

Kelsy looked over his shoulder at Mikal. “Who is he that he is so important?”

Tomas gave a small smile as he said. “Why he is our friend!”

Jemmel said. “That is Mikal, the new Emperor of Maroz!”

Kelsy twisted around for a moment and looked at Mikal. “The new emperor you say? Malok would have to be dead for that to even be possible and if it was, I wouldn’t think he would be way out here naked with a bunch of other naked men in a giant hole in the ground!”

Keln nodded his head in agreement. Kelsy was right! It was a very unbelievable story and he didn’t think it would help to insist on its truth. He was just glad to not have to explain what happened. “Let’s just get us some clothes and some horses and we will explain more later. Sound fair?”

The trip back to Kelsy’s farm was almost an uneventful one. Almost! With only two miles left to go, the road ran through a large patch of woods and when they were rounding a bend, another wagon passed them coming the other direction. A man and a woman sat on the bench of the wagon with three children in the back, two of who were girls. The sight of a wagon full of nude men sitting side by side on the walls of the wagon was enough to nearly make the woman on the bench faint and everyone’s eyes were as round as saucers. Quickly the mother grabbed the two girls, attempting to cover their eyes as she herself continued to stare.

“Good evening Sir, Ma’am!” Ress said.

“Nice weather for a ride, wouldn’t you say?” Jemmel asked them politely but was not surprised when he did not receive an answer.

When the woman finally turned her head away with a harsh ‘harrumph’, Keln spread his hands out wide. “What? Like you don’t enjoy a nice breeze on your skin now and then?”

“If she’s never seen a naked man before, how’d she get those kids?” Erek said to the others in the wagon after they had passed.

The rest of the group just began to laugh and toss more wisecracks; glad for something to get their minds off of the way the sidewalls of the wagon were digging into their cheeks.

Kelsy gave the reigns a hard snap and urged the horses to pick up speed as if they could pull so much weight any faster. The middle-aged farmer was shaking his head and had red cheeks but could not help but to laugh him self. “You all think this is so funny but you won’t have to deal with the Heath’s for the next twenty years!”

Finally reaching Kelsy’s farm, they all climbed down, stretching out tight muscles and rubbing their sore rumps before moving Mikal into the farmhouse. It was a typical bachelor’s farmhouse with one large room and a back room that was likely a bedroom. The furniture was surprising though. Simply made, Kelsy had spent a lot of time carving scrollwork into the wood and polishing it. If not for the shabby job of putting the furniture together, it would have looked like it belonged in a palace. There was one piece that stood out from the rest. A large cabinet that was built by a true craftsman and covered with fancy carvings of exotic birds, stood against the wall that separated the bedroom from the rest of the house.

“My son made that just before he died.” Kelsy said. “Eleven years it’s been now. The boy had a love for building things that I never had. We were going to start our own business we were. He would build the furniture and I would carve them and we would sell them to royalty from every land. We liked to fantasize a lot as well.” A small reminiscing chuckle followed his words.

Keln wondered what that would have been like. To have a son you were close to and have big plans to go into business together and make a lot of money, only to have your son die young. “I’m sorry to hear that Kelsy. If it means anything though, I think you would have made a fortune. That piece would have stood out in any palace.”

Clearing his throat, Kelsy stepped into the back room only to return a moment later with two sets of clothing. “They are all I have. Been meaning to pick up more. Sorry!”

Reassuring him there was no need to be sorry for helping them, they sized up the situation. Kelsy was taller and on the thin side so the clothes were handed over to Jahsen and Wenn. As soon as the two were dressed and the horses were saddled, they were off to Maroth to get help from Jeed.

Maroz 31 - The Sacrifice

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:22:00 +0000

The first order issued was to send a messenger with all speed to call off the orders to kill the council of Kardoon and if Tremores was willing to ask him back. Tremores had been the only other elemental outside of Mikal and his friends who did not go to fight the shadow. Instead he stayed behind to protect the council in case the battalion of soldiers sent after them should catch up to them. Soon after, Mikal found himself in the saddle again, riding back to the hill of rocks where the room that held his fate was hidden.

They had rested a night before hitting the saddles again and by late afternoon they were sitting at the bottom of the hill. “Fighting and tough talk isn’t what makes a man. A real man does what he has to do however much he hates it.” Keln said from his horse next to Mikal. “My father used to say that to me.”

Sitting his horse and staring up the hill, Mikal could feel his nerves begin to shake and he had to steel himself in order to get off of his horse. Keln was right! No man wanted to die, but it was something he had to do. If he didn’t the world would die in his stead. Entering the tomb, Mikal led the way down the stairs and stopped at the large table where the bones of the last group had been left until they moved them aside.

Stepping up to the table, Erek looked over at the pile of bones next to the wall. “One thing is for sure! I’m not about to drink any wine with him!”

Mikal chuckled at the joke but down deep inside he was not sure if the chuckle was from nerves or from the humor. Walking over to the stone pillars he looked up at the mural on the wall where a man was standing inside of the altar with his back arched from the pain of the swords entering his flesh. Above the man there was a thin pillar of rock that hung from the ceiling and the man had a hold of that stone shaft. His arms were painted in great detail with every muscle tensed up, as he held on tight.

“That man.” Mikal said softly. “He doesn’t wear any clothes. Should I be naked for this?”

Keln looked at the mural with him then shrugged his shoulders. “Likely the artist wanted to portray the intensity of the scene and could show that better with no clothes on him so we could see his muscles. Artists like intensity.”

Ress rested a hand on Mikal’s shoulder. “Personally big guy, I would prefer you keep your clothes on. You aren’t pretty enough for my taste.”

“You notice something there, Mikal?” Jahsen said. “Ress didn’t mind you being a guy, just that you weren’t pretty enough.”

The others all laughed harder than they did at Ress’ wisecrack and the next few moments were spent tossing jabs at each other. A short time later, even Mikal had to wipe tears of laughter away so he could focus on the situation again, but somehow he didn’t feel as afraid as he had before.

Another few hours passed by as they all studied the process and discussed their interpretations before they finally decided on how it will go. They had decided they have to all thrust at the same time for if they were to go one at a time it would not only be too painful for Mikal to make it through to the last thrust, but that he would likely bleed out before then as well. The prophecy explicitly stated that his blood on their blades and they were sure it meant all of the blades.
Finally deciding it was time, Mikal moved to the center of the altar and reached up to take hold of the stone shaft that descended from the ceiling. The elementals all moved to the altars that had a symbol of the element they controlled and slid their swords partially through the slots in the pillars. Looking them each in the eye once, Mikal closed his own so he would not see when it would happen.

Keln stood with his sword in his hand waiting for the others to be ready before inserting his own and when it became time, all he could do was stand there breathing heavily. “I can’t!”

The others all looked at him and Stepp finally spoke. “You have to Keln.”

“I don’t care.” Keln said. “I love his mother! What will I tell her? I love you and I am sorry that I had to kill your son?”

Dawan shrugged his shoulders at Keln before answering. “I’m sorry Keln, but it’s a sacrifice you will have to make. This has to be done.”

“If you don’t,” Jemmel said, “You will have to tell her you decided to let him live so everyone could die… including him, her and yourself.”

Keln looked up at Mikal and the two stared into each other’s eyes for a minute before Mikal spoke. “Fighting and tough talk!”

After a moment Keln nodded. “Let’s do this!”

Looking at his brothers and friends Keln spoke. “On three!” Then began to nod his head once, twice, and on the third time he closed his eyes and thrust his weight behind the sword.

Mikal heard all ten blades slide against the stones and gripped the shaft tightly as he waited for the pain to begin. He had expected that he would scream when the first sword plunged into his flesh but the pain was far more than he expected and all he could do was open his mouth wide; every muscle in him went taught as each blade entered. Though all ten blades were almost simultaneous, it was as if he could feel each and every sword cut into him. Desperately he tried to scream or even take a breath but neither would come. Even his sight failed him but through all of the pain, a small feeling of amazement climbed to the surface at the fact that his vision became white instead of dark as if looking into the sun. A hundred suns! In his ears were the sounds of others speaking but outside of Wenn saying ‘Oh my God!’ he could not make out any words as if they were speaking a different language. Still the pain went on and he concentrated on the stone shaft he held so tightly as he still fought violently for a breath to come. When one did come it only sent more spasms of pain like giant waves through his body and he wanted to scream that much more. Soon he could feel his grip slipping and the light turned into darkness as he felt himself falling and the pain fading.

Maroz 30 - Vengeance Sought

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:05:00 +0000

The sun stood over the horizon, casting long eerie shadows when Mikal entered Maroth. First things first! He though and turned into a store.

An old fellow with only a few tufts of white hair had just opened the door when Mikal walked up. “Good timing young fellow. What can I do you for?”

“I need a set of farm clothes and some black boot polish.” Mikal said.

The old man sized Mikal up then went to get what was needed. Placing it all on the counter the proprietor still kept looking at Mikal curiously. “Three copper marks should do for this son.”

Fishing out the coin, Mikal handed it to him. “Don’t suppose you would have a place for me to change would you?”

“The back room there I suppose. I normally won’t let anyone back there but I suppose you will be okay.”

Stepping into the back room, Mikal hurriedly switched clothes. The old man had picked out standard brown and tan farm clothes that hung a bit slack on Mikal’s wide shoulders. Opening the boot polish, Mikal found a mirror then dug in his fingers and began smearing the polish through his hair until he looked as if he had greasy black hair.

As Mikal stepped back to the front of the store again he set his clothes on the counter along with his sword. “Don’t suppose I could leave this here for today could I?”

The old man took the clothes and set them behind the counter then looked up again. “It won’t do son.”

“What wont?”

“You haven’t shaved in a couple of weeks I would guess. A brown beard doesn’t go well with black hair.” As Mikal touched his hand to his chin, feeling the growth the old man took the polish from him. “I use to use this stuff to cover my gray hair in my beard when I was younger. I had a hell of a time getting use to graying. Let me fix you up here.” Taking a fine-toothed comb from behind the counter, the storekeeper scraped the polish with it then began raking it through Mikal’s short beard. “Now, your beard ain’t too thick yet, you being so young and all, but I’ll make you look just fine. So you gonna kill him?”

Mikal quickly stepped back, lowering his hand to where his sword would have been before remembering the old man had it behind the bar. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean son.” The old man said with a wink. “I recognized your description as soon as you walked up. “They still search for you once a week. Don’t you worry though, I won’t turn ya in. Personally I hope you are gonna kill that pig kissing son of a goat. He had my youngest son killed two years ago for being too late on his taxes. My son was gone for two months and as soon as he returned they took him in and gave him to the headsman just to set an example! So are you gonna kill him?”

Mikal stared hard into the old storekeepers eyes when he said. “I’m gonna kill him or die trying!”

Setting the polish behind the bar the old man turned to the door. “Follow me son. I have someone who can help.”

Mikal followed him for two blocks before turning up the walk of a small house. The shutters were pulled shut to keep the cool air from the night before in. After knocking they waited until a woman answered and immediately Mikal stepped back readying flows of fire and water. “Jenks!”
“So you are still alive lad.” Then after a moment she turned aside. “Come in.”

Mikal stood where he was, wondering what kind of trap this might be. Jenks had given him task after meaningless task and had turned him in to Malok when he refused to do any more. Now here he was at her home and this woman would help him kill Malok?

“It is okay lad.” The storekeeper said. “Please trust me.”

Still Mikal considered walking away and every bit of his common sense told him to do just that, but there was something nagging him to trust the old man. Stepping inside Mikal found the old woman sitting at a table, her hair only pinned up rather than in the bun she always wore.

“I know you don’t trust me Willim, but…”

“Mikal! I am with my real mother now and am using my real name. I am Mikal!”

“Mikal then,” she said politely, “I understand you have every reason to hate me. I can only assume that if Jendel has brought you to me it is because you are looking to kill Malok. Am I right?” When Mikal showed no sign of answering, Jenks continued anyway. “You see, Malok raped my niece two months ago. Every day I go to work in the palace hoping for some chance to kill him. To slip something into his tea or to catch him sleeping so I can slit his throat, anything, but I get none. I can get you in the palace, though not into his throne room but still I can get you in the palace. It is a start.”

“How do I know you are telling the truth?”

It was a sensible question and her answer was just as direct. “You don’t! But it is a chance worth taking. If I am not, I would still turn you in after you leave here. You would never get close to Malok then. So if you do not trust me then you will have to kill me now if you want to kill Malok. Kill me now or trust me now!”

Two hours later Mikal found himself carrying sacks of potatoes on his shoulders for Jenks as she did her morning errands before going into the palace. Before leaving her home she had given him a straw hat to wear to help hide his face.

“You will not be questioned so easily if you are carrying supplies for me boy.” She had argued, though he wondered if she just decided to use him again while she could.

Walking through the palace grounds, lieutenant Cleese was coming from the palace when he saw them. “Jenks, I have been looking all over for you. Malok has a new recruit he wants to put in your care for a few days. This one is an elemental and controls wind so he says to find him tasks where he cannot use his power…” Cleese’s voice trailed off briefly before picking up again. “Who is this?”

Mikal lowered his head slightly hoping the hat would hide his face more and was prepared to manipulate the elements if Jenks turned him in but was relieved when the old woman spoke. “He is just a young man who was looking for work. My old bones weren’t up to lugging around sacks of potatoes today. So tell me more about this recruit Lieutenant.”

Lieutenant Cleese continued to look at Mikal though. “Let me see your face mister.”

“Oh come now Lieutenant. I haven’t all day to dawdle! Just send the recruit to me when…”

His right hand gripping his swords hilt, Cleese spoke in a harder tone. “I said show me your face mister!” Mikal raised his head and looked the lieutenant square in the eyes and as soon as they met the lieutenant stepped back. “Willim Pillar!”

Fire engulfed Mikal’s right hand and a sphere of water surround his left. The ground shook some as it rose and covered the lieutenant’s feet to lock the man in place. “I like you Cleese. You treated me decent enough. I do not want to have to kill you.” Every word came out strained and as he spoke, vines came from the ground, twisting and wrapping around the lieutenant’s legs and arms then stopped after wrapping around his head and gagging him. “Now you stay put Cleese! If I see you again before I am through here, I will kill you.”

Mikal and Jenks moved quickly away from the trapped officer and went inside of the palace. “Someone will find him soon Mikal. You don’t have much time now. Did you just use three elements?”

“I can use four though spirit doesn’t seem to help much more than helping to make decisions.”

Turning down a few different halls, Jenks stopped. “Go straight and take the second right. The large oak double doors at the end of the hall will be the entrance to the throne room. Malok will be in there. I, I think I best go pack. If you fail, the Lieutenant will surely turn me in and I will be as good as dead.”

“If I fail,” Mikal replied, “we are all as good as dead. Go Jenks. You have done all that you can here. If you hear that Malok is dead, return to the palace, if not then keep running. Oh and Jenks?” Catching the woman’s eye he continued. “Go northwest! It is your best chance at a longer life. Just trust me on this one.”

“So the rumors are true then?” The look in her eyes became pure dread when he told her they were.

Watching Jenks go, Mikal waited until she turned around a corner before following her directions. Standing in front of the huge oak doors he paused before going in. I have to kill him! But before he could reach for the doors, they both swung open, revealing Malok sitting in his throne, staring right at him.

“So it is you, is it?” Malok said. “I have two elements I control remember lad. The second is spirit. I could sense an elemental beyond my doors.”

Stepping inside of the room, Mikal smiled. “Foolish of me to think I could surprise you Malok!”
“More foolish of you to think you can kill me boy! Do you not remember how easily I handled you last time you tried to stand up to me?” using wind, Malok slammed the oak doors closed.
Mikal broke into a slow mischievous smile as he spoke. “I am stronger now Malok. You should never have had my hometown burned like you did.”

Malok sat forward then, his face growing angry. “You dare tell me what I should not do? You pathetic little fool!”

As soon as Malok spoke the last word, the air became solid around Mikal, lifting him up and slamming his back against the oak doors. The air began to tighten around his throat until he could not draw another breath. Lifting his hand he threw a large sphere of fire toward Malok that disappeared before it reached him.

“I thought you would have learned that fire needs air to breath by now!” Malok was standing now, his eyes opened wide to offset the evil smile he wore. “I have been dreaming of the day I could kill you boy!”

Mikal’s vision was growing blurry from the lack of oxygen and he reached out for water. Drawing it out of the air he tried to drown Malok in it but as soon as it surrounded the Emperor, it was pushed away by a wall of air. Malok now began laughing. Mikal’s chest felt like it was ready to explode and now spots began to dance in his blurred vision. I need air! Reaching out with nothing more than his own will, Mikal felt something. Air! He could feel it! Suddenly the air around his throat began to loosen and Malok’s laughter was cut off.

Manipulating air, Mikal broke free of Malok’s hold and threw the emperor backwards hard against his thrown. Both men collapsed to the floor, Mikal gasping in deep breaths and Malok shaking his head after slamming it against the wood of the throne. Malok was the first to recover and drawing his sword, he charged Mikal.

Hearing the heavy booted footsteps coming closer, Mikal twisted the air again, trapping Malok in mid step. Rising to his feet he moved toward the Emperor only to find himself suddenly frozen in place as well. Both men stood facing each other no more than ten paces away, straining against each other’s strength in the element. The air around them began to tighten and both men fought to keep the other from crushing him. Something new welled up inside of Mikal then. Fear! Fear of dying! Fear of being crushed alive by air! Fear of Malok! He did not want to die. Malok was too powerful!

“No!” Mikal spit his words through clenched teeth. “I am not afraid of you Malok!” Then he realized it was Malok causing the fear. Malok had found a way to use spirit in a battle by striking fear into his enemy’s hearts. Manipulating spirit, Mikal broke the fear that he was feeling.

“You will die boy!” Malok’s voice was as strained as Mikal’s was.

Mikal considered excreting the water out of the emperor’s body or torching the man alive but to do either would lessen his hold on Air. To loosen his hold on air even a little would mean to be instantly crushed to death. The two men stood facing each other, using every bit of strength they had to crush the other while hold off the others attack. Neither man could make another move without being crushed unless it was in spirit. For some odd reason, spirit did not take its strength from the elemental’s body but from his mind.

Mikal could feel the emperor’s strength was just slightly stronger than his was and he knew he had to do something soon. If he did not, his strength would fail and Malok would kill him. Then a thought came to him. He could not lessen his hold on air to use another element, but he could keep the same hold on air while twisting it differently. As soon as the idea hit him he began to twist the air and rather than trying to crush Malok alive, he focused it all to one place. Malok’s head!

The Emperor realized what Mikal was doing but was too late. Malok’s eyes widened and as the emperor began to scream it was cut off as his head just seemed to implode. Immediately the crushing pressure on Mikal disappeared and he fell to the floor in exhaustion. He watched the emperor’s body collapse, his heart still pumping blood out of the neck. There on the floor before Mikal, lay the writhe sword that Malok had held. Motion caught Mikal’s eye and he looked up to see Jeed standing in a doorway. The man began to walk in then stopped and stared at the ceiling behind Mikal.

Turning his head to see what was there, Mikal could see a writhe floating there, staring at him. Before Mikal could scoot away to let the writhe have Malok’s soul, the soulseeker screeched, a quiet ear piercing sound that made him want to cover his ears and run, and it raced towards him. Mikal could see the writhes focus was not on Malok’s body but in him and he had to move fast. Rather than running away from the soulseeker, Mikal dove towards Malok’s corpse and grabbed the Writhe sword and as soon as his fingers wrapped around the hilt he almost dropped it in shock for he could feel air woven into the sword. Rolling to his feet and spinning to face it, he realized he was too late and the writhe clamped its hands onto him. One of the writhes hands sank into his chest and every fiber of Mikal’s life felt as if it was being ripped loose. Without thinking, Mikal leached onto his spirit and found himself in a battle with the writhe for his soul. A battle that he would lose quickly if he didn’t do something!

“You cannot have my soul!” Mikal shouted the words with every fiber of life he still had in him, then brought the sword up and ran it through the writhe. The screeching from the soulseeker became much louder for just a split second before it echoed away and Mikal found himself lying on the floor staring at the ceiling in shock that he was still alive. Then a thought hit him and he realized that both of the missing pieces to the world’s salvation had been found. They now had the last sword and he had manipulated a fifth element.

The sounds of men screaming brought Mikal and Jeed’s attention to the nearest windows. Climbing to his feet, Mikal joined the older man and looked down at a small battle where soldiers were trying to stop his friends from forcing their way into the palace. Any men who died now would be a waste of life and Mikal had seen enough death for one day. Crushing Malok’s head was not a sight he was use to seeing. If he didn’t do something though, his friends would kill a lot of soldiers without knowing it would all be for nothing. What to do though? What do I do?

Manipulating air, Mikal lifted Malok’s body up and with a loud crash sent it through the window to land in a heap between his friends and the soldiers. The action had a most efficient effect and Mikal smiled at the way everyone just stood there staring at it. The soldiers recognized Malok’s clothing if nothing else and after a moment everyone looked up to the window where it had fallen from to see him and Jeed standing there.

“Malok is dead! There will be no more fighting! Let my friends through. To die now would be wasting your lives!” The soldiers all separated and he watched his friends dismount and walk inside. Some of the soldiers took their horses from them as they did so.

In a softer tone that only Jeed could hear, Mikal said. “I didn’t really expect that they would do as I said like that.”

“They are soldiers of Maroz lad. They know the traditions of Maroz. Killing the emperor in his throne room was how Malok became Emperor himself you know.” Jeed reached over and patted Mikal on the shoulder. “You are now their Emperor.”

Mikal had learned of that tradition and had laughed at it when he heard it. He never really believed it would be true. “I cannot be the Emperor Jeed. My time is short and I have something to do that I likely will not be returning from.”

“But Willim, you killed Malok in his own throne room. You are Emperor by default!”

“Jeed, please call me Mikal. It is my real name, my first name and the name I will use from now on.” At Jeed’s nod, Mikal continued. “What happens if I die while I am away?”

Jeed thought on the idea for a bit before answering. “I suppose you could name someone to take your place while you are gone. If you should die then, he would become the new emperor I suppose.”

Mikal nodded then turned away from the window. He needed dearly to sit down. The night without sleep piled on top of the battle with Malok had completely drained him. Looking around, Mikal was surprised there were no other chairs in the throne room but the throne itself, so he went and sat in it and closed his eyes for a moment to think. The next thing he knew someone nudged him on the shoulder.

“Wake up lad, are you alright?”

Opening his eyes he saw Keln standing in front of him. “Just exhausted; I must’ve fallen asleep.”

The room was filled with his friends and officers of Malok’s army. Seeing all of his friends with the swords, Mikal lifted the one he took from Malok. “This is the last of them. Strange, I can feel air flowing through it.”

Keln nodded. “That will be the sword Nikoli uses. All of the swords have an element woven into them. There was one for each of us, which happens to be two swords for every element. Kind of spooky if you ask me.”

Mikal nodded then held it out to him. “Then let Nikoli have it.”

Nikoli took the sword graciously then nodded to Mikal. “You got the sword back. You killed Malok. What now Mikal?”

Mikal looked down at his hands for a long time while they patiently waited for his answer. They were clammy feeling now and he knew it was because he did not want to say what he must. “I killed Malok with air. I’ve twisted a fifth element. So I guess… I guess now I have to die for the world to live huh?”

The others all stood silently as Keln answered. “I’m sorry lad. I really am.”
Jeed was confused until they explained it to him then he nodded as well. “I’m sorry Will… I mean Mikal.”

Mikal studied the old man then stood up. “Malok treated you pretty rough didn’t he Jeed?” The old man only nodded. “Well I will ask you one favor then. Don’t be like him while you are the Emperor. I am appointing you to take my place while I am away Jeed. You already know far more than I do about how to run this land. The officers in this room will be good enough witnesses I am sure.”

Both Jeed and some of the officers nodded and Mikal then looked at Keln. “Let’s do this!”

Maroz 29 - An Army to Face

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Keln and the others sat at the table still debating on what should be done. Do they let Mikal face Malok? If so, they could not let him face him alone. Let him kill Malok, but if it looks like Malok will kill him they will have to step in. They must keep him alive at all costs. Other than Malok using two elements, nobody else they knew could use more than one element. Yet Mikal uses four! It seemed obvious that he would use fifth element sooner or later, but they would have to keep him alive until then.

For another hour they studied and discussed how the sacrifice would be done. The basics of it seemed obvious enough. The sacrificial alter had ten stones in a circle. Each stone with a slot cut through it to place the swords and the mural showed the one being sacrificed in the center with the swords entering him. But was there any ceremony? Did they just thrust the swords in at the same time, or one at a time? Did they all just randomly choose a sword or was there a way of deciding who should use which sword? Which stone should each of them stand at? With each of them using one of the five elements, did they have to be in any special order? All of these seemed like trifle questions but they did not want to sacrifice a human life, especially one who was a friend of theirs, and it end up for nothing because they did one small thing wrong.

Standing up, Keln walked to the swords on one wall and stood studying them. Almost immediately there was one thing that stood out. They were not all the same! In the fancy writing etched into the length of the blades there was one word that was different on some. Drawing his own sword he could see his matched only one other sword in the lot and with further study found there to be four pairs in all, with one odd sword. He was sure that odd sword would match the one Malok had. Sheathing his own sword, Keln reached up to take another sword down and as soon as his hand wrapped around the hilt he felt an element of fire within it. Grabbing the hilt of another he could feel earth. Over and over again he grabbed every sword and could feel what element it controlled except for the other sword like his own. Though he controlled spirit, he could not sense the spirit in the sword.

“Dawan, Stepp, come here!” As soon as they stepped up, Keln handed Stepp the sword like his own. “Do you feel anything?” When Stepp shook his head that he did not, Keln took it back and gave it to Dawan. “You?” Dewayne’s reaction was nearly the same.

Taking the sword back, he handed Stepp another and still Stepp shook his head that he felt nothing. “Is this going anywhere Keln?” He asked.

“Just give it to Dawan will you?” Keln replied.

As soon as Dawan grabbed the hilt, his eyes widened. “Fire! I feel fire but it doesn’t hurt.”

Grabbing another sword from the wall, Keln felt water rushing through it and putting it through the same test, he found the same result. Stepp would feel nothing but Dawan felt the same sensation that he had.

“Documis was right!” Keln said. “Dawan and I both being able to twist spirit can feel the other elements as well when they are strong. Though he said we could sense sprit the strongest, we can’t feel anything in the sword like mine, which I am guessing has spirit woven into it somehow. Yet we can feel the water and fire woven into the other two swords.”

Ken and Dawan both took turns holding each of the other swords, finding there were two swords for each element except for wind.

“My guess,” Stepp said. He had been watching the test though he was no longer a part of it. “The sword Malok carries will be the other sword for wind.”

“Ten swords,” Dawan said. “Two of each element. And outside of Mikal, there are ten of us and there are two of us each for every element as well.”

“Kind of makes you feel like we have been chosen doesn’t it?” Stepp said.

They had not realized the others had all stopped what they had been doing and were watching them until Erek spoke up. “Well I get the one with wind. Nikoli is the youngest and the newest to the group. He can use his own until we get the other one.”

“That answers one question then.” Jahsen said. “The big question is do we even take these swords? I mean, what if something happens to one of us and we lose the sword? What if one of Malok’s soldiers kills one of us and takes the sword? Or what if one of the swords breaks during a fight? Would we be sealing the fate of the world because we lost one of the swords?”

Wenn was nodding his head in agreement but still had more to add to it. “On the other hand, these swords kill writhes. If we have to fight Malok’s army, there would be enough death to bring a whole heard of soulseekers. Without these swords, we could easily lose some of our group to them. Now if we were chosen and one of us dies, will that be sealing the fate of the world as well? Especially since very other elemental in the land has gone off to fight the shadow, there would be no finding another to replace anyone we lose.”

Every eye turned to Keln then. It would be up to him to make the choice since he was the leader of the group. Do they take the chance of losing a sword, or do they take a chance of losing one of them in their group. Or more accurately, does he take the chance of losing a brother? Logically he knew the answer was to leave the swords behind. If one of them died they might still be able to be replaced, as much of a long shot as that would be now, but if they lost a sword? They could never replace that. Still there were two reasons he wanted to say take the swords. One was that he didn’t want to leave his behind as well. He had used that sword for a lot of years now and it was no easy task to just give it up. Second was that for some reason he just felt urged to take the swords. Was that urge created from spirit or was it from selfishness?

“Dawan, what do you think we should do?” Keln decided to ask Dawan because he knew Dawan used spirit as well. Plus he knew Dawan had no reason to be selfish about leaving his sword behind.

Dawan thought on it for a second before answering. “I just think we should take them Keln. For no more reason than that I just think we should.”

“Me too!” Keln said, then immediately he began taking the swords down and handing them to whoever used the element that was woven into each sword.

Once he was done and all of the swords were handed out, Keln looked at Nikoli. “Sorry Nikoli. Erek was right though.” Nikoli only nodded with understanding, but Keln spoke to the rest once more. “Everyone here needs to remember that Nikoli does not have one of these swords. If a writhe goes for him, we will have to watch his back, understood?” Once everyone nodded, Keln continued. “Good. Now let’s go get our bedrolls and get some sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Walking up the steps, the group stepped out into a dark night and every one of them took a deep breath. They had forgotten how stale the air was down in the hidden room until they tasted the fresh air of a clear night. The second thing they noticed was that Mikal was not there.

“Maybe he is down by the horses.” Ress said. But as they worked their way down through the boulders of the hill, they could see the darker shadows of only ten horses.

“You don’t think he would have gone after Malok alone do you?” Tomas spoke as he rested his hand on a large ragged edged rock to brace his next step down then quickly pulled it away with a grimace.

Keln’s heel rolled off of a stone wrong, causing him to grab a hold of another large rock to keep from sliding the rest of the way down. Cripes this place is dangerous to climb at night! “I’m afraid that is exactly what he did Tomas.”

“Looks like a long sleepless night ahead of us.” Jahsen said.

Nobody replied. Each and every one of them was looking forward to some sleep before facing Malok. Now after riding most of the day, they will have to ride the night through as well. Nobody was in the mood to reply to that last statement!

The sun was well above the horizon when they rode through Maroth toward the palace. The battle they knew would begin as soon as the guards would not let them through the main gates. They would try to request entry of course, but they would be turned down. Nobody cared though, for each one of them had prepared themselves to fight the whole army if they had to. Ten elementals together would destroy Malok’s entire army but the question was whether they would all live or not. Reaching the main gates, a guard moved out in front of them and Keln sighed heavily. “We would like to request entrance into the palace sir. We have news about Willim Pillar. A runner from Malok’s army.”

The guard looked them over and could see they were all fighting men but that was not uncommon. Malok often used mercenary groups to do some of his dirty work. To Keln’s surprise he actually nodded his head and stepped aside to let them through. Together the group traveled the long path that led up the side of the high plateau where the palace stood; each elemental riding in silence, expecting to be attacked while they were trapped out on the path. As they reached the top of the path, there were three more guards waiting and Keln used the same story. The leader of these guards began to nod as well when his eyes fell on their swords. What kind of mercenaries would go around carrying swords like the emperors? “I will have to send a messenger to Malok first. You can wait while…”

The soldier’s words were cut off as Erek and Nikoli used air to tie him and the other two guards up. The guards lifted just inches from the ground and floated to a place in the corner out of the way. Anyone who glanced from any distance would just assume they were moving aside to let the group of men through the gates. At least anyone who didn’t look close enough to see their legs were not moving. Air was manipulated again and the gates opened wide allowing them clear passage. As soon as the group was inside the gates were beginning to close the elementals began to relax, seeing the large yard between them and the palace itself when another soldier began to call out a warning. The soldier must have been a guard who had stepped away and upon returning could clearly see that it was all wrong. Air was again used to knock the soldier unconscious but it was too late as soldiers came running with weapons in hand.

“Lets make this quick!” Keln said. “Cut through them, get inside, kill Malok and get out again. The fewer to die, the better!”

The men kicked their horses into a run toward the palace as Ress and Jemmel created a wall of fire between them and the oncoming soldiers. Not being able to get through the fire, the soldiers began loosing arrows and Erek and Nikoli used air to create a shield. The shield of air was only solid enough to stop the arrows at a certain range though and outside of that it grew softer. As the arrows flew closer to the shield they would slow down until the air was too thick for them to continue and they would be trapped in place in the middle of the air. The soldiers would not quit trying though and within seconds it began to look as if a wall of arrows stood between them and the soldiers.

“We might make it in without a death.” Keln said to anyone within hearing distance as they rushed forward. Then a hundred paces away, the doors to the palace opened and soldiers began pouring out to block their way.

“You just had to open your yap didn’t you Keln?” Seeing Keln’s hard stare, Jemmel added. “Hey you spoke too soon, not me!”

Shaking his head, Keln opened his mouth and lifted his voice. “Kill as few as possible but clear them out of our way!”

As soon as he spoke, fire erupted all around and between the soldiers. Before the fire could do any damage though, rain began to fall from a clear sky in torrents above those soldiers, and while they were distracted air thickened around them then spread out quickly, knocking the soldiers over as if they were hit with a great hammer. Then at only twenty paces away from the doors more men spilled out of the doors and Keln could see many more inside the doors yet. The ten elementals stopped and sat their horses and Keln considered the death toll if they charged. They would get through the soldiers, that was simple enough and every soldier there knew his death was imminent, but they would not back down. Keln’s thoughts raced through his head for an answer and he could find none. They would have to force their way in whatever the casualty count may be.

Keln opened his mouth to give the order when a body landed on the ground between them and the soldiers, causing everyone to freeze in place. Every man there stood and stared, in open shock, at the dead body wearing all black and missing its head.

Continue to .... Maroz 30 - Vengeance Sought

Maroz 28 - A Secret Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:43:00 +0000

“What’s wrong Mikal?” Jahsen asked the question idly while riding alongside of him and then tore a small piece of jerked meat away with his teeth. “The whole day you haven’t smiled even once. Is your injury bothering you today?”

“No. Actually I have not felt a twinge from it in two days.” Mikal replied in a quiet voice then let his horse take a few more steps before continuing. “The closer I get to Maroth the more effort it takes for me to stop from just running my horse to death to get there and kill Malok. What’s worse is that’s not even where we are headed.”

“You learn to live with it, trust me. All of us have wanted Malok dead for a long time, but the only way that has presented itself so far has been to just waltz in and attack him. Too many would die if we did that. We would have to kill too many soldiers who didn’t deserve it and likely a few of us would die as well. Though I have to admit, since as far as I can tell, he is now without the aid of any elementals, it is a much more tempting idea.”

Every day they rode from sun up to sun down with only limited rests for the horses. Every night as soon as the horses were hobbled and the camp was set, Mikal would walk off to the side and practice the forms with his sword. One night when the sky was covered with clouds, and lightening continuously shattered the night, the group found cover from the rain under a thick stand of trees and Mikal was forced to leave his sword sheathed. All of them huddling together with a small fire, gave Stepp another chance to play his Lute and as always he played until it was full dark and they all slipped into their bedrolls to sleep. It was on this night that Mikal finally asked a question that was nagging him.

“Keln?” His voice seemed to echo in the darkness. “When I agreed to show you this place, why did you seem relieved?”

The silence extended for a short time, the only sound being the barking call of a nearby bullfrog before Keln finally sighed then answered. “You are important Mikal. I knew it the first time I saw you. You were passing through Kravis and you came out of a store and we caught each other’s eye. I felt like I knew you from somewhere but more importantly I knew you were important. That you were a part of something big but I haven’t figured out what.”

“I remember that day.” Mikal said in the general direction that Keln’s voice had come from. “I stared at you because I thought I knew you as well. I was sure I had never seen you before but still, there was something very familiar about you.”

Keln’s voice held a more curious note to it now. “Spirit! Documis Tor was telling me that someone with an ability to manipulate spirit could sense another with the same ability. He also said that you could sense an elemental with another ability if he was exceptionally strong. I figured that was why I sensed it in you. That you were strong with fire, but if you sensed me as well and that would mean you have the ability to use spirit as well.”

A slow whistle came from someone on the other side of Mikal, then a moment later Wenn spoke up. “A second level elemental! Good thing Malok didn’t know you could control two elements before you ran from his army. He would have killed you before you knew what was happening.”

“Four!” The word came out of Mikal’s mouth before he realized he was saying it, but as soon as it was out he knew he couldn’t take it back. For some strange reason that he could not explain, he did not want to take it back, so he went on to explain. “Fire, earth, water and now spirit!”

“Four?” Erek and Jemmel spoke the question at the same time.

“Are you sure?” Ress asked right on top of his brother’s questions.

Mikal could hear every one of the others roll over or sit up, wanting to know more. Still laying flat on his back with his eyes shut tight, remembering every moment he has used each element. In a quiet voice he went on to tell them about killing the soldiers who were coming at him when he took the arrow. Killing the soldiers who had burned down his hometown. When he was done speaking there was not a sound. Not even the sound of someone breathing. “I didn’t even want to be an elemental. I hated the fact that I could twist even one element. Now here I am able to twist four! I don’t know why I am telling you guys. I don’t want anyone to know. Especially now! You are treated differently just because you are an elemental as it is. What would it be like if anyone found out that I am only the second man to ever be recorded who can manipulate four?”
“Three!” Tomas said.

“Only once before has it been recorded for a man to twist three elements.” Nikoli added. “Nobody has ever used four before.”

“One other has!” Mikal corrected them. “This cave I am leading us to. There is a letter from a man who controlled four. Though he states he was weak in most of them he did write that he could twist four.”

Keln spoke up then. “Markus Wittinham!” Now everyone shifted their positions to focus on Keln’s voice. “The old man who gave me the writhe sword! He had said something about only controlling four when he died. I didn’t know what he meant. Haven’t thought about it again until now.”

“And here we are with Mikal.” Jemmel said. “Whether he likes it or not, we are traveling with a legend in the making.”

“Go lick a blasted goat, Jemmel!” Mikal said in disgust.

A heavy chuckle came from Erek before he spoke. “That would be a step up for Jemmel!”

Others joined in with the wisecracks but Mikal didn’t pay any more attention to what they were saying. At least it is only four elements. I wont be sacrificed for four elements! Lets just hope it stays at four! Falling to sleep, Mikal spent the night dreaming of manipulating wind and every time he did so he would scream that he didn’t want to die! Each time he woke he would have to reassure himself that he only controlled four and they would not sacrifice him over only four elements. Yet a small voice in the back of his head replied. Markus Wittinham only controlled four and his friends tried to sacrifice him! When morning came, he roused out of his bedroll wondering if he had even slept a wink that night.

Upon reaching the hill of rocks where the cave was hidden, Mikal climbed through the rocks searching for the entrance. In the time since he had left there, he had forgotten exactly where it was and after the first hour of searching the others began to make camp. The sun was beginning to set when Mikal climbed over a some rocks and saw the crevice behind the large boulder he had moved to block the opening. Twisting earth again, the boulder moved easily to one side. Once waving the others up, Mikal descended down the steps and lit the lamps so the others could see. Everything was just as it was when he left it. The sacrificial podium, the large table with the skeletons, the swords and the book! As soon as his eyes fell on the book it seemed as if he couldn’t drag them off of it again. With each step he had to will his feet to move until he stood in front of the book again. Four elements! They wouldn’t try to sacrifice me over four elements would they? They tried to sacrifice Markus over only four elements! That same inner voice seemed to harass him with that thought now.

“This the book you told us about Mikal?”

Mikal jumped at the sound of Keln’s voice. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I had been standing here so long.”

The others cleared all of the bones away from the table and brushed the years of dust from it while Keln brought the book over and soon the group began studying the book. The prophecy itself held their attention the longest.

Death will come, riding on a black horse to swallow the world in his shadow. They and He of the five will bind together and the sixth will defeat the darkness.
The ten will take up swords and his blood on the blades will reveal. Each must speak the words for his fate those words will seal.
Death he will face twice. Once to avoid and once to fight. His faith in the sixth will defeat the shadow.

“It’s plain enough to me what the darkness is that needs to be defeated.” Keln said and the others all nodded in unison. “But I don’t know how comfortable I am with sacrificing someone. But either way he would have to have the ability to use five elements.”

Keln’s eyes lifted to Mikal then dropped again but Mikal knew what he was thinking. “I do only use four Keln. I swear I have never done anything with wind yet.”

As soon as Mikal began speaking, Ress lifted his hands to motion to Mikal that it was okay. “We know Mikal. You have our word we won’t sacrifice you so long as you only use four.”

“I will do better than that Mikal.” Dawan said. “You have my word I will stand to defend you and keep you from being sacrificed even if you do manipulate wind.” The others all looked at Dawan but he kept on with what he was saying. “Look! The last line of the prophecy states that his faith in the sixth will defeat the shadow! It doesn’t say He will defeat the shadow but that his Faith will. Now if we sacrifice him he would not be here to defeat the shadow, so his faith must come into play before he dies. The way I see it, he has to choose to be sacrificed out of his own faith in what he is doing or it won’t work. Anyway, I am not so hot on sacrificing anyone! Especially against their will!”

“There is another problem we need to deal with before that anyway!” Everyone turned to Nikoli now and he continued. “There are ten placements for swords on the walls. There are only eight swords. We know Keln has one, but that still leaves us one short. Will the sacrifice work with only nine swords?”

“No it won’t!” Keln said. “Just look at the full picture here. There are eleven of us here. One of who controls four elements. I’m sorry Mikal but if you end up using the fifth one then you would become the only candidate for the sacrifice. If you should decide to be sacrificed, that leaves ten of us to do the job. There are ten placements for swords. It is too much for me to believe its just coincidence.”

“Well then.” Stepp said. “The question to focus on now is… where is the last sword?”

Mikal sat not looking at anyone but into dead space. His focus was on something in his past. “I know where it is.” He said in a soft tone. “I saw Malok wearing it.”

“Are you sure?” Keln asked.

“I didn’t see its blade because it was sheathed, but the hilt was wrapped exactly the same as the rest of these. I guess it is possible that its not it, but somehow I am sure it is.”

“Well that puts us in a mess of a situation.” Jemmel said. “I’m sure we all agree that he has every right to kill Malok. More so than even we do, but if we let him face Malok and he dies? He is the one to be sacrificed!”

“I do only use four elements Jemmel! Anyway, I don’t care!” Mikal stood up with his hands balled into tight fists. “I am leaving first thing in the morning to kill Malok and there is nothing any of you can do to stop me! First thing in the morning! Now if you don’t mind, I need some fresh air.”

Walking up the steps and out of the cave entrance, Mikal breathed in the fresh night air. The moon was high which surprised him. He had not realized so much time had passed down in the hidden room. I will kill Malok tomorrow! I have to! What if they try to stop me? Will I kill them too? No! I won’t kill my friends!

Continue to .... Maroz 29 - An Army to Face

Maroz 27 - A Stand at Detinu

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:25:00 +0000

As the army of nearly fifty elementals headed east to fight death, another much smaller group traveled west to prepare to fight death. Tremores stood in the doorway watching both parties leave while wondering if he had made the right decision. If he had to choose one he would have gone with his friends, but he felt his duty was to stay here. Malok had a battalion of soldiers coming to follow through with his death sentence of the council of Kardoon. Tremores however, had no doubts that Maloks men would learn where the council was, so he fully expected to see them here in Detinu any day. The council had agreed to leave that afternoon, to head north to the town of Aress and then west to the city of Logair, but he planned on waiting for the soldiers here. Looking around, Tremores studied the wall that surrounded Detinu. Not a very large wall and a wall that most any army would conquer in short stride, but maybe enough to defend against one battalion if done right.

Walking out to the wall, Tremores ascended the flight of stairs that led to the top. The walk way was only four feet wide though the sides did rise high enough to protect even the tallest soldier. With notches cut out every six feet to give the soldiers places to look out from and shoot arrows from, Tremores had a good place to fend off Malok’s men.

The soldiers on the wall were another problem to deal with. Likely they would take the sides of Malok’s men rather than one man on the wall. Keln had left his army of archers behind to help him, but if he could not take the wall, those archers would have no place to shoot from. Perhaps he thought, maybe he could win a few friends.

For the next four days as he waited for Malok’s soldiers to appear, Tremores spent a lot of time with the guards at the wall, slowly feeling them out to find out who would stand against him and who would help. One particular soldier, he quickly put on the friendly list. Lexus Wheeler was a newer recruit for Detinu and though he was young he was a big man and strong. Rather than the usual sword, Lexus carried an axe. Most important was the fact that Lexus happened to be a great nephew of Montuus Cordell the head of the Council. Upon explaining the situation to Lexus, the young guard began to grind his teeth and caress his axe.

“I will not let them kill my uncle!” Lexus said, a vein popping out on his forehead.

“And neither will I.” Tremores soothed. “The problem will be how many of the other guards will help and how many will side with Malok’s soldiers.”

Lexus’ hand slowly came away from his axe as he pondered the question. “My friend Livel will side with me. I will vouch for him.”

As the days passed by, Tremores found four others who would side with him but he could not take a chance on the others. The problem now lay on who will be there guarding the wall when the soldiers showed up. The Elemental stood on the wall, looking out at the horizon as he tried to figure out what to do when he saw dust in the distance. There were horses in the far distance coming towards Detinu, and there were a lot of them. This is it!

Lexus was on the wall that day just a little ways away and he saw the dust too. Sharing a long look, Lexus turned and went down the stairs two at a time. Again Tremores looked to the horizon and wondered what to do. I could clear the wall myself but likely I would destroy it in doing so. Slowly Tremores found himself walking to one side of the wall away from where the gates were underneath. The gates were open wide and he would close them soon enough, but if the gates opened for the soldiers, he would manipulate earth and let the wall collapse onto them. He did not enjoy the idea of killing so many but he would not allow them to kill the council either.

A few moments later, Lexus and his friends showed up and started at one end of the wall. Putting swords to the throats of their comrades they forced the guards to give up their weapons and leave the wall. As they came near Tremores, Lexus spoke. “We will have your back Tremores.” Then he continued clearing the wall. As the soldiers left the wall, Keln’s archers came up to take positions at the cutouts, their bows nocked and ready to draw.

Tremores waited until the soldiers were only half way to the city before he reached out and touched earth. When he touched earth he could feel everything, the ground, the walls, the gates, even every footprint in the dirt. Feeling for the gates he manipulated them and they swung closed. Tremores listened to a commotion from below followed by the loud clunk of the heavy brace being dropped in its place. More of Keln’s soldiers was his only guess. Now it would take a battering ram to open them.

As the soldiers came closer, Tremores was surprised at the amount of men they had. He was informed there would be five hundred but at least twice that rode towards him. Soon he began to recognize faces and by their reaction he could see they recognized him. The commanding officer was someone he was quite friendly with. “How are you Johan?” Tremores shouted out, “I thought Captain Hanier was suppose to be in charge!”

The captain looked up and smiled. “Tremores, how are you my friend? Once you could not be found, Hanier decided to send me instead. He hopes I can talk sense into you to come back if I see you.”

“Well you see me now, but I am afraid I will not be coming back.” Tremores replied. “You see, I know what you are about and I mean to stop you. I can’t just sit back and let Malok kill the council.”

Johan Millian dropped his eyes to the closed gates then back to Tremores. “Come now Tremores. We have a thousand soldiers with us. Too many for the few soldiers you have with you, even with an elemental of your strength.”

Tremores smiled at the man then. “Ah, but this one elemental and his small army also have a closed wall to help us.”

“Look Tremores, I like you and I always have! We are not looking to fight you. We just have to carry out orders. Open the gates or…”

“Or what?” Tremores asked. “Do you have enough men to siege this city? Do you have enough men to break through this gate? Go back Johan. Tell Malok I had the gates closed and you need more men in order to enter. By the time you get back we will be long gone.”

“I can’t do that Tremores.” The captain said. “You know I can’t do that!”

Tremores rested his elbows on the ledge then and tilted his head. “I don’t see where you have any other choice.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a small battle rose from below him. Steel clanged against steel and men screamed as they were wounded or died. Giving Lexus a look, they younger man hurried to the steps to see what Tremores already knew was happening. The soldiers of Detinu had decided to fight back.

A loud creaking sound then picked up and Tremores could hear the heavy brace lifted followed by the sound of the gates swinging open. Johan looked up to catch Tremores’ eyes then smiled as he shouted. “Take him!”

Tremores latched on to Earth and spun the element, causing the ground to explode amongst the soldiers. Men were thrown from their horses and even some of the horses fell as limbs were torn away. Yet as fast as he could work the element, he could not stop all of the soldiers from getting inside and soon the inside of the gates became a battleground.

Lexus and his friends were true warriors as they carved away the experienced soldiers, yet Tremores wished his friends would have staid back a little longer. With them mixing in with the soldiers he could no longer just unleash his powers with Earth, instead he had to pick and choose soldiers to attack so he wouldn’t kill his friends. The wall was higher on the inside as to keep arrows from sailing into the city during an attack, and now it only served to keep Tremores from seeing the battle on the inside of the city from his perspective. Descending the steps, Tremores walked with a wall of dirt forming around him, keeping soldiers more than a swords length away, yet the ground around their feet would spring up and cement their legs in place. The ground opened up in places causing man and horse to fall and in other places the ground softened allowing the soldiers to sink inside.

Tremores and his friends fought valiantly but in all, there were just too many soldiers and the elemental knew it all to well. Lexus’ friends fell to swords and arrows but Lexus himself was not so easy to bring down. One arrow in the man’s ribs, he still swung his axe, carving anyone who came within his range. Tremores watched as another arrow took the young guard hard in the chest and Lexus finally fell. It was him against the whole battalion now and Tremores unleashed his powers. The ground all around him began exploding, soldiers and horses thrown into the air. Men were screaming and horses struggled to no avail, as the ground they stood on became their worst enemy.

As Tremores continued to fight he watched in horror at the lives he was taking. He hated to kill but still he knew he had to do what he had to do. Turning in a circle he continued to throw soldiers into the air with great explosions until he saw one particular soldier. A young man who must have been a new recruit stood ignoring all of the chaos around him as he drew back on his bow. “This lad will be a great soldier!” The thought only took a split instant as Tremores saw the young soldier loose the arrow and everything seemed to slow down.

The arrow sped towards him as if through thick water in a dream, but Tremores couldn’t seem to get his body to move fast enough. Holding a weave of earth, ready to kill the young soldier, Tremores knew he could not change his flow in time to stop the arrow and decided to just let it go. I am dead anyway! He thought.

The arrow took Tremores in the center, just below his ribs and lifted him off of his feet to fall against his own small wall of earth. As he hit that wall, his breath was knocked out of his lungs and Tremores laid there trying desperately to draw in another breath. Through watering eyes he saw a soldier walk up raising his sword high to finish him off when that same young soldier grabbed his wrists. Shoving the other soldier aside, the young man knelt at Tremores side.

“I saw you looking right at me old man. You could have killed me before that arrow hit. Why didn’t you?” The young soldier’s voice was softer than Tremores had expected it would be.

Tremores tried to speak then stopped and waited for a wave of pain to pass before trying again. Even then he could only get a few words out at a time. “I… You stood steady though everyone else… was lost in panic. I… I was already dead when you loosed that arrow. I… couldn’t kill such a fine soldier… you deserve to live.”

The young soldier rested a hand on Tremores chest just above the arrow, hoping to comfort the elemental. “Why did you defy Malok?”

“Sometimes,” Tremores said while wondering why his words were coming easier. “A man has to do what is right in his conscience…instead of what he is told to do. A good man does what is right no matter who tells him otherwise.”

Tremores could see the understanding look in the young soldier’s eyes. He is a good man I think. Another wave of pain flowed through him then and as it faded, darkness swept in and over took him.

Continue to.... Maroz 28 - A Secret revealed

Maroz 26 - Death's Delight

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:22:00 +0000

“Smell that Lozimum. The sweet scent of elementals! There is nothing better!” Zeebulis breathed it in deeply and smiled as he watched the large group of elementals draw near. “They are still miles away and I can already taste the abilities in them.”

“I did not expect there to be so many.” Lozimum’s harsh voice held a tint of excitement. “You will feast this day Master!”

“I am feeling generous Lozimum. Prove yourself today and I may even allow you to taste the soul of the weakest one of them.”

The oncoming elementals still had not seen Zeebulis for it was nearly full dark where he stood. He did not want to take any chance that even one might escape, so as soon as he realized they were all elementals he ordered his army to fall back. Too Zeebulis and his minions though, there was no need of light to see for they had lived in the darkness of hell. Once the small army of elementals was close enough, Zeebulis turned and nodded to Exolvar who waited in silence.

The yellow tinted demon began to twitch and stretch. His thick hide began to tear over and over as he split again and again until there was one for every elemental. Each copy of Exolvar had the snakehead at the end of its tail focused on a different elemental, cutting him off from the ability to manipulate an element. In truth he only cut off most of them. Spirit was the only element he could not stop unless it was weak. He never understood why that was and never cared much. Someone who controlled spirit just seemed to not be effected by him but it never mattered. There was not much someone who controlled spirit could do against a demon anyway. For the most part, spirit was used to sense danger or to create fear in an opponent. Anyone facing a demon already knew he was in danger and demons did not have the ability to fear.

The elementals were only a hundred paces off when they saw Zeebulis sitting his horse. Immediately upon sighting the Lord of Death, the elementals began to curse as they realized they could no longer twist their elements. At first they looked confused until a large man in the front shouted. “If we can’t use the elements then we will kill them with steel! No beast will defeat Kassels!”

Drawing his sword, the man jumped from his horse just as two large demons stepped out of the air in front of him. Before either could move, he cut them down as if they were practice dummies. Seeing this happen added courage to the rest of them and they all shouted as they drew their weapons. Anywhere the demons appeared, the elementals would slash with their swords and kill it, but their confidence was a fleeting thing. There were just too many of the larger muscle bounded demons popping out of thin air all among them and soon the elementals were being dragged off their horses and pulled through those holes in the air. Not Kassels though! The man was a truest of warriors. Be it large or small; winged or muscled, the demons charged him and died without ever touching the man. Soon every elemental was taken except Kassels and Zeebulis actually began to enjoy watching the fighting.

His enjoyment though, quickly turned into boredom and Zeebulis turned to Lozimum. “Take him alive Lozimum!”

Lozimum disappeared and reappeared in front of the last elemental. “You are a great fighter. You would have made a good demon.”

Kassels stood facing Lozimum but his eyes never seized moving. “I have never lost a fight Beast. I do not plan to lose now.”

“You are tired human. You have wasted your strength fighting the lesser demons. If you were fresh you might give me a good fight. You are not fresh though, and unlike demons, tiredness slows you humans down.”

Kassels moved fast, his sword flashing out as he stepped toward Lozimum only to strike at empty air. Spinning on the balls of his feet, Kassels struck again with his sword, expecting the demon to appear for a strike from behind him. Again he only found empty air, but the pain in his back let him know he had guessed wrong. Instead of turning around again, Kassels just spun his sword around and thrust it behind him. He felt the blade enter something tough and slide against bone. The harsh sounding grunt told him he had struck true.

“As I said demon. I will not be beat in…” A large hand wrapped its fingers around Kassels neck and lifted him off of his feet. His sword was jerked free from his grip.

“A painful strike to any human I suppose!” The harsh voice sounded strained. “To a brawler demon like myself though, only a killing blow will stop me.”

Another hand grabbed Kassels arm and pain ran through him as he watched his arm melt away from his body. Before his scream ended, another one started as his other arm met the same fate.

Throwing Kassels to the ground, Lozimum looked at the sword still in his ribs. A little higher and the blade would have sent him back to hell until Zeebulis decided to use him again. Not such a bad thing to happen really, he didn’t like being in this world anyway, but he would have lost his position as the high demon under Zeebulis. Grabbing a hold of the hilt, he pulled the sword out and watched the wound close up even as the blade was still being withdrawn.

“Very good Lozimum!” Even in the tone of his voice Lozimum could hear his master’s pleasure and he bowed as he backed away.

As Zeebulis walked up, it was the first time that Kassels had really gotten a look at him and his breath caught. He had tossed the description away as exaggerated lies. Who could believe that a man had only empty eye sockets and could still see? Who could accept a cloak that moved on its own accord, with or without wind? Who could believe that it was truly the Lord of Death walking in the flesh? Lying there helpless with withering stumps where his arms use to be, Kassels realized he now believed. Now for the first time he truly believed the world was doomed.

“Lozimum was right human. You would have been a good demon. If you did not have the ability in you, I might have considered sending you to hell to transform you. It has never been done but it would have been fun trying.” Reaching down, Zeebulis grabbed Kassels by the neck and lifted him up to face him eye to eye. “Any last words before I consume your soul human?”

Kassels had a hard time speaking with his throat clamped in Zeebulis’ fist, but somehow he forced the words out. “Go to hell you goat licker!”

Zeebulis’ lips curled into a tighter smile. “I would like to. It’s a better place than this world you live in.”

Bringing Kassels face closer, Zeebulis opened his mouth wide as he breathed in deeply, consuming the man’s soul. Kassels kicked violently at first, and then his legs settled into a slight quivering before going completely still. As always, when Zeebulis tossed the body to the side, it still took a couple more breaths before dying. The bodies always seemed to refuse to die for a moment as if they had not yet realized they were nothing more than an empty shell.

Turning his attentions once more to Lozimum, Zeebulis spoke in a low voice. “Bring me the others. I want to feast!”

Continue to.... Maroz 27 - A Stand at Detinu

Maroz 25 - Elementals Converge

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:47:00 +0000

The road to Detinu was not as smooth as Mikal had hoped it would be and he found himself spending as much time adjusting his position in the wagon to ease the pain when they hit a bump as he did resting. Thinking back to the day they left, Mikal had to smile. His mother argued and fought to keep him from going away and though he would not admit it to the others, he wanted to stay with her as well. He had lost her for nearly seven years and didn’t relish the idea of leaving her again. But at least now he knew where she was and would be able to come back to her once he killed Malok. Too many people he cared about had died because of Malok’s orders and they deserved to be avenged.

“How you feeling Mikal?” Mikal looked up to see Keln sitting his horse next to the wagon. Idly he wondered if he would ever get used to answering to Mikal rather than Willim. Mikal wasn’t sure yet how to feel about Keln. He knew Keln and his mother had feelings for each other, but he had also learned this same man had killed his father. Admittedly, his father deserved it but it was still his father. Then again if it weren’t for his father, he would never have lost his mother.

“I feel like running and doing cartwheels.” The lie was given away when the cart hit a stone and Mikal had to wince and readjust his position again. “I have a question Keln. I have been thinking about my injury. Those soldiers would never even have found me if an old farmer didn’t wave for them to turn me in for the reward. I thought for sure he would have turned me in once I was unconscious.”

“You want to know what happened.” At Mikal’s nod, Keln explained. “The old farmer brought you into town. Said that nobody in Golom would help you after the ruckus you caused a couple of weeks earlier. He said that once he found out why you turned against Malok he had realized you weren’t the bad guy as he expected. He said you had every right to kill him after you killed the soldiers. He would have done the same if he were in your position. Instead of killing him you spared his life and that only confirmed in him you were a good man. So he got you help then high tailed it out of town afraid of what you will do if you saw him when you awoke.”

Remembering the threat he had laid on the old man if he ever saw him again, Mikal smiled. He didn’t blame the fellow for getting away as fast as he could. Hitting another bump, this one big enough to cause a curse to escape his lips, Mikal looked up at Keln to see the man smiling. Not a laughing smile as much as a knowing smile. Somehow Mikal knew Keln had been through some rough injuries before and likely each of his friends had at one time or another as well. One just didn’t live by the sword and not expect to get cut at least once in a while.

Entering into Detinu was far more than any of them expected it to be. The city was crammed pack full of people and many more were entering than were leaving. On almost every set of lips the subject was either what the meeting was about or who was an elemental and who wasn’t.
They had not considered the curiosity level this meeting would create and it seemed that people had come from all over to see it. Different speculation came up with different answers as to how many elementals were present. The consensus seemed to be that there were a dozen elementals though there were a few who believed as many as twenty.

Seeing a large party of over a hundred men riding into town, many of them pointed and whispered. A small army of men, most of whom was carrying a sword and a bow, gave the people hopes of at least one elemental being among them and they all were curious as to which one of them it was. Each man in Keln’s small army was mentioned or pointed at except for Mikal. For some strange reason people did not think an elemental would be either young or injured as if to twist the elements made a man invulnerable to injury. Waving a young man of maybe fifteen over, Keln asked him if he knew when the meeting would be.

“Day after tomorrow.” The younger man said, with a glow of self-importance. “Is anyone with you an elemental?”

“About ten of us are.” Keln said with a wink and Mikal actually laughed at the crazy look on the lads face.

“Aw come on mister. Really, which one is the elemental? I won’t tell anyone, I swear I won’t.” But Keln only looked at him with a grin before the lad finally gave up. “Well anyway, whoever it is will have to register at the McLangly Tavern. They have posted an announcement that only elementals can attend the meeting. They won’t say why, but the tavern will be closed to anyone but the council of Kardoon, some guy named Tor, Winn Cartius the Lord of Detinu and elementals.”

Reaching into his belt pouch, Keln pulled out a copper piece and tossed it to the lad. “It looks like the city is overwhelmed as it is. We will be making camp a half mile north of the city. We will be able to use a good lad to run errands for us now and then. If you are interested in making a few more coppers find us early in the morning.”

Dropping the copper piece into his pocket the boy smiled. “Don’t you worry mister, I will find you. You have a lot of men though, could I get two friends to help?”

“You get your two friends,” Keln replied, “and I’ll give you each two coppers a day while we are here.”

Finding the tavern, Keln climbed down off of Sliver and walked in to check out what the lad said. Finding out the boy was right; he called the others in to register. Nine more men dismounting and going inside to register caused a large stir in the people near by. Before they even made it inside, every person within sight stood staring and whispering to their neighbors. What caused the greatest amount of commotion was when Dawan and Stepp helped Mikal out of the wagon and inside of the tavern.

“Where do we sign up for the meeting?” Keln asked a serving girl as she walked by and she nodded to a man sitting at a corner table.

Walking up to the table Keln rested his fists on the table. “Are you the one to see about registering for the meeting?”

The man had still not looked up from his paperwork as he dipped his pen and continued to scribble notes. The man had black and silver peppered hair that was pushed back. “Only elementals can sign up. Each elemental will have to prove he has the ability before he can sign. Which of you is the elemental?”

“We all are!” Though the man had not looked up, he could hear the sound of more than a few men in the room so hearing these words brought his eyes up and left his bottom jaw down as he stared at so many men in the room. Seeing the man’s face for the first time, Keln could see two distinct scars crisscrossing his face. It was not the scars that held Keln’s attention though. It was something else that he could not place. “Do I know you? I feel like there is something about you I should know.”

Documis Tor smiled briefly before answering. “You must have a talent in spirit, am I right?” Seeing the confused look on Keln’s face he continued. I have the same talent though very weak. I have learned through the years though, that elementals who use spirit can sense the ability in others who use the same. If they are exceptionally strong they can sense the ability of other elementals as well. Being face to face with me you are close enough to feel my ability as weak as it is.” Looking again at the rest of the men in the room Documis raised one eyebrow. “All of you are elementals?”

“All of us!” Keln said.

“Well then, each of you will have to give me your name and where your closest kin are then you each will have to show me your ability as proof. The council has decided to make this meeting for elementals only.”

It was a slow pace for each person to register for the meeting and once it was done they went their own ways for the evening to enjoy the city. Though Detinu was not a large city, it was not so small either and was known throughout Maroz for its wide variety of entertainment. There were those who played instruments and those who sang. There were tumblers and dancers with a few contortionist mixed in as well. One of the more interesting to Mikal was the slight of hand artists. How a man could take a dagger from someone without them knowing it even though they were watching for it was beyond his imagination.

Whatever Mikal wanted to do, Keln seemed ready to help him get to it and as the night went on Mikal could feel his side beginning to become more and more painful so allowing Keln to hang with his friends, Mikal made his way back to camp to turn in for the night.

Mikal never remembered falling to sleep, but the sound of a dog barking somewhere nearby woke him and Mikal laid there awake for a bit trying to orient himself. The rest of the men in the group were already awake and doing their morning chores or cleaning themselves up. The kids, one whom Mikal recognized from the city the day before, were carrying buckets of water to or away from the men. Rolling over to get to his feet, Mikal stopped and grabbed his side with a grimace that forced him to clench his teeth.

“Injuries have a way of doing that.” Jemmel said as he held a piece of mirror up and scraped his knife down the side of one cheek. “It will loosen up a little more each day and not be quite as painful each following morning, but the first couple of days you are up and around? Well, I guess you know that feeling now.”

Mikal looked at his wound and was glad it was not bleeding. As painful as it was, it was still heeling up just nicely. “How long before you think I will be able to practice the sword again?”

Erek, coming around the tent at that time, heard the question and began to laugh. “You are in too much of a hurry! Try enjoying yourself while you can. The time for fighting will always be right around the next corner.”

“Give it another couple of weeks I think.” Jemmel said with a grin. “Until then just try to hone your skills with the element you control. Which element do you use anyway?”

“Fire.” Mikal spoke the word with a tinge of disgust. Nobody needed to know he used more than one element. “I was cursed with the ability to twist the same element as killed my family.” Then remembering his Mother was still alive and his siblings might still be alive, Mikal sighed heavily. “Well my second family at least. I don’t know where my brother and sister are.”

Getting dressed, Mikal gingerly made his way into the city for no more reason than to begin loosening his side up. The walk was a peaceful one and by the time he entered the gates, the sun was up high and he had realized he still had not eaten a thing that morning. There was an inn ahead of him so he made his way in and took a seat in the inn’s dining room. The first thing he noticed was that all of the tables were round. He had never seen a round table before.

“Yes they are. My husband was a master carpenter before he died.”

Looking up in shock, Mikal cleared his throat. “I’m sorry; I didn’t know I had spoken out loud.”

“You did no such thing dear.” The woman was older and frail looking with a kind look in her eyes. “It is a talent I have. I never met another who had it and likely never will. I can read peoples minds. Though I try not to, I have learned it helps to know what someone is thinking when they enter my inn. This way I can weed out the trouble makers before they have a chance to cause any.”

Read minds? Impossible! She is a crazy old coot if she expects me to believe that. “Are you sure you didn’t just see me studying the table?”

The woman gave him a wink and a smile as she answered. “I understand it might seem impossible because I had a hard time believing it myself at first so I don’t expect you to just believe me.” Then with a smile, she added, “Though I could take exception to the crazy old coot idea.”

Mikal had to grab a hold of the table to keep him from falling out of his chair. How did she do that? “How’d you do that?”

“Still don’t believe me huh? Well then go ahead. Think of something. Something only you would know. Something that would be impossible for me to know! Ah a brother and sister is it? Mandra and… oh! Oh my!” The old woman grabbed a chair and lowered herself into it, her eyes wide with fear.

He didn’t understand why she would be afraid. Then after a moment Mikal realized her eyes were not wide with fear but in confusion. “What is it?”

The old woman took a long deep breath then let it out to steady her nerves. “Your brother Drew, he is here!”

Here? “What do you mean he is here? Here in this city?” Then a thought occurred to him why the old woman would look so flustered. “Is… is he alive?”

Gathering herself, the woman gave herself a hard shake. “He is alive. His mother died two years ago, only a week after her husband passed away. I have been taking care of him since.” Standing up quickly the old woman straightened her apron while looking at the floor. “I will get him for you.”

Mikal watched the older woman walk towards the kitchens and a long time passed before he realized he still was not breathing. Taking a deep breath, he was amazed that he was not shaking. Not only had he found his mother but now his brother. Footsteps drew his attention and he looked up to see his brother walking towards him. As soon as their eyes locked, Drew stopped and stared silently. Suddenly Mikal did not care what anyone thought as he jumped up from his seat and ran to Drew to throw his arms around him. The two brothers hugged for a long time until someone whistled before they let go and stepped apart. The old woman was quick to throw a mug at the man who whistled, then chased him out of her inn.

“I thought you were dead.” Drew’s voice cracked as he spoke.

“I’ve come close a couple of times but no writhe has gotten its claws into me yet. I thought you were dead as well until I found Ma.”

Drew’s eyes welled up in tears as he placed his hands to his stomach. “Ma? You found Ma? She is alive as well?”

“She’s alive Drew. She is alive and well! She lives in the town of Kravis just west of Golom.” Then a thought hit Mikal. “Drew, you need to go to her. She needs you there. She is alone right now."

“Alone?” Drew braced himself for the worst. “What about Mandra and Pa?”

“Pa!” Mikal’s eyes narrowed at the thought. “Pa is dead Drew. Where he belongs!”

“You can’t mean that Mikal. How can you say that?”

“Drew, Pa let them take us away. It was because of how he treated Ma that they took us away from them. He let them Drew! He let them and he didn’t care!” It was an effort for Mikal to unclench his fist. “As for Mandra…” Suddenly Mikal had to sit down again.

Seeing the stunned look on Mikal’s face, Drew sat down as well. “She… she’s dead too isn’t she?”

“No!” A smile suddenly blossomed on Mikal’s face that reached from ear to ear. “I just realized I know where she is too! I found her Drew! I found her and I didn’t even know it. She is in the town of Orig, west of Kravis. She saved me from the soldiers once and I didn’t even know it was her until now!”

Now the stunned look appeared on Drew’s face and he stared at Mikal. “It’s you! You are the one they have been looking for. The runner!”

With a loud laugh, Mikal went on to tell Drew about being drafted into Malok’s army and finding out he was an elemental. About defying Malok and meeting Mandra! He told him everything! Even about the different elements he could control and his hometown being burned down. While telling him about being wounded and waking up to find their Ma had saved him, he lifted his shirt to show Drew the wound. For two hours the two of them talked before Mikal made his way back to camp so he could attend the meeting with the others he had come with. He had only made it back half the distance when he met up with the others already headed for the city.

“I’m glad to hear that Mikal.” Keln said after hearing what had happened. “He left right away you say? Your Ma will be in tears when he gets there. I only wish I could have sent a letter back with him.”

Mikal suddenly remembered that Keln and his Ma had feelings for each other. “I’m sorry Keln. I wasn’t thinking. I…”

Keln leaned from his saddle and slapped Mikal on his back. “Don’t you worry none. She will be so glad to see Drew that she would likely forget to read a letter from me anyway.”

Erek was riding just behind them and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts until he suddenly spoke up. “Hell Keln, she is likely trying to forget all about you as it is.”

Wenn, who was riding next to Erek couldn’t let a good jest go without tossing one of his own in the mix. “A letter would have just brought back bad memories anyway. She’d have spent the next week staying up at night from nightmares.”

No kidding!” Erek said. “If you like her so much, why would you want to send a letter to ruin her mood after finding her son again?”

“You’re a cold hearted bastard Keln!” Jahsen and Ress spoke the words in unison and the two turned and stared at each other with strange looks on their faces. The others around them all began to laugh as well.

Soon Mikal was walking into the tavern again and was surprised to see the place was half filled. “I thought only elementals were allowed in this meeting?”

Jemmel stopped next to Mikal who was almost a foot taller than he. “Those were the rules to my understanding.”

“They are the rules.” The voice was unfamiliar to them and they turned to face the man who had spoken. Standing just a little ways away was a younger man who’s skin was a little darker than most of the others there. Standing near the same height as Jemmel and Erek, he was much thinner than either though he had a look of quickness about him. “To my understanding, everyone here is an elemental.”

Taking a quick count, Mikal estimated about forty men in the room including their group. More than they had expected to be there and it was still early. “My God, how many have been able to keep their gift a secret?”

“I have heard,” the stranger said, “that about half of those who registered were here. That is before you showed up at least.” Seeing the look on Mikal’s face, he continued. “I know. I was just as shocked about it. Still am. And that doesn’t count the elementals who still have never arrived in Detinu.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” Mikal was shocked, but as amazing as the numbers were it was something else that had stunned him. He had called the ability to manipulate the elements a ‘gift’! He realized that Tremores was right. He was not only getting used to it, he was beginning to like it. Stealing a look in Tremores direction, he found the man looking right at him, a grin showing just at the corners of his mouth. He had heard him as well.

Turning back to the other elemental, Mikal held out his hand. “My name is Mikal.” It was still a little strange calling himself by his real name again.

“I am Tomas, from Florencia. We are here on behalf of King Vass.”

“We? How many are with you?”

“Just one other.” Tomas answered. “His name is Nikoli. Actually here he comes now.”

Another younger man walked up and handed a mug to Tomas. His light brown hair was longer and straight, hanging over his eyes. Mikal considered asking him how he could see where he was going then thought better of it. After introducing the newcomers to everyone, they all found a seat at some tables in the back of the room and waited patiently. When another man walked in the door, the conversation in the tavern went silent as everyone twisted in their seats to look. The newcomer was a large man easily over six feet and near enough to seven feet tall. Even through his baggier clothes you could see he was heavily muscled and the scars on his face and hands spoke volumes for the amount of fights he had been in. His black hair was short cropped with three stripes shaved through it. Over each shoulder Mikal could see the hilts of swords strapped to his back as well as two long belt knives. Down his leather sleeves and pant legs were pieces of sharp steel sticking out of pockets.

“Who is he?” Mikal asked. “The way everyone is acting he must be well known.

“That is Selmin Kassels. Aries lone elemental! He is big, strong and has a nasty streak in him that loves to fight.” Keln studied the large man the whole time he spoke.

Nikoli took a drink of his ale and set the mug down on the table. “We saw him in battle once. He used his swords and fists as much as he used his ability with earth. The metal prongs all over him? Those are called stars. Steel discs with sharp points on them. While fighting, he constantly grabbed those and threw them at his enemies. Every man he threw one at died with one of those stars in his throat.”

Recognizing Tomas and Nikoli, Kassels made his way over and took a seat at the table. “I thought I would find you two here somewhere. It’s been a long time since we have crossed paths.”

“Not long enough.” Tomas said. “The last time, you started a big fight and we left with a mob coming after us.”

“Aw I was just having some fun. Hell, I didn’t even kill anyone that day.” The man’s voice was even deep and rough sounding. “Who are your new friends? They all look solid enough. Well except maybe the boy there. Still should be milking at his mama’s tits I think.”

“Why is that? You don’t want to be the only one at this table who still does?” Mikal knew it was not the smartest thing to do right then but he could not handle someone putting him down like that. It just was not in him to back down against anyone. He did not bow to Malok and he would not cower from Kassels. Still, everyone in the tavern went silent at the come back.

Kassels leaned forward some, his eyes narrowing as he looked Mikal in the eyes. “I would tear you up boy!”

To everyone’s surprise, Mikal leaned forward as well, ignoring the pain in his side as he did so. “Try it!”

Keln suddenly stood up and drove the point of a dagger hard into the table to draw the two men’s attention to him. “Look you two! They called the elementals here for something important and I have a feeling we will need to be together. Not killing each other. Now if either of you two say one more cross word to the other, we will tie both your hides to saddles and send the horses in two opposite directions. That’s after we take a strap to your rumps for acting like children!” Upon making that threat, everyone at the table and the next table stood up as if to say they were behind Keln’s threat as well.

Still the two men sat leaning forward for a long moment staring hard into each others eyes before finally Kassels smiled and sat back. “I like you boy! You got more fire and steel in you than a Kraakian Warrior!”

A Kraakian warrior? Mikal sat wondering what that was for a moment when someone began ringing a bell at the front of the tavern. Documis Tor stood ringing the bell to get everyone’s attention then turned the floor over to an old man whose skin seemed to be hanging off of his bones.

“My name is Montuus Cordell. I am the head of the council in Kardoon.” Taking a drink from a mug the old man raised his voice a little louder. “As some of you have heard by now, there is a shadow growing in the east. The shadow has covered and killed everyone in the city of Crook and at the time we left Kardoon we could see this shadow just a few miles to the east. Likely by now it has destroyed Kardoon along with the city of Pratt and possibly even Hawk city in Aries as well.”

The old man held everybody’s attention now and he continued to draw them in with his words. “Between Kardoon, Pratt and Hawk we sent in an army of nearly twelve thousand soldiers. Only three dozen returned alive! Every one of them spoke of fighting demons straight from hell that seemed to pop out of the air all around them. Every one of them insisted that Death himself lead the demons. An army of twelve thousand was wiped out! Massacred! If the shadow is not defeated, it will swallow the world and there will be nowhere that we will be safe. Our friends, our families, our children will die. You gentlemen are our only hope. We have decided to create an army of elementals to enter the shadow to defeat these demons. We believe that your powers will stop that which our steel could not. There are sixty-three elementals here in this room today. More are still expected to show. In one week we would like to march into the darkness and defeat Death. As I said before, all of our hopes are in your hands for if elementals cannot defeat the shadow, the world will surely perish. Documis Tor will be signing you in to fight for us if you will join us. But I ask you all, whether you fight or not. Please do not speak a word to the people outside of these walls. We have tried to keep this secret to keep down any chance of panic. Thank you.”

The room sat silent as everyone considered the news. Twelve thousand soldiers was a very large army to be massacred. Would the elementals be able to defeat an army that could do that? But then if not the elementals, who? Who else? Who else, was the right question and as it was asked, men began to stand up and move toward Documis Tor to sign up.

“Well Keln? Do we join?” Jahsen looked ready to run up and push his way through the crowd to sign, but he would not without Keln making the final decision. The brothers had fought together for their whole lives and he would not break them apart now.

Keln looked around him at his friends and brothers and almost every one of them had that spark in their eyes. Especially Jahsen. After seeing the look enough throughout the years he had learned to recognize when they were ready to fight or not. Today they were ready. “I guess we…”

“They will all die!” Mikal spoke the words quietly but every eye at the table turned to look at him. “The elementals will lose this battle.” Sweat began to form on his forehead as he remembered the cave near Maroth. “Death will come, riding on a black horse to swallow the world in his shadow. They and He of the five will bind together and the sixth will defeat the darkness. The ten will take up swords and his blood on the blades will reveal. Each must speak the words for his fate those words will seal. Death he will face twice. Once to avoid and once to fight. His faith in the sixth will defeat the shadow.” How he could remember every word of the prophecy he didn’t know but he knew them nonetheless. Seeing the look the others were giving him, Mikal went on to explain. “When I ran from Malok’s army, I found a cave. There was a book about that prophecy and I read it. On the walls there were swords. They looked like yours Keln!”

Drawing his sword, Keln laid it on the table and they stared at it. “Do you remember where this cave is?” At Mikal’s nod, Keln made up his mind. “We ride to the cave. Anyone against it?”

Kassels stood up and laughed. “I don’t plan on crossing this land to find a blasted book when there is a battle for me to fight.” Without another look back he went to Documis to sign up.

Tomas and Nikoli had their heads together before finally Tomas looked at Keln. “May we come?”

Keln held out his hand to take Tomas’s in it. “We would be happy to have you!”

Continue to .... Maroz 26 - Death's Delight

Maroz 24 - An Old Name To Live By

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Tremores had taken a spare horse and kept them at a long ground eating gallop as he made his way east from Maroth. Whenever he passed through a town or even a farm that had horses, he would trade his in along with a few pieces of silver for two fresh horses and food for the road. It was almost three weeks later when Tremores entered the gates of Golom. Riding down the main street he found a two-story building where the sign had a picture of an apple with an eye in the center.

“This must be it.’ He said quietly to himself as he climbed down off the saddle. Stepping inside he walked up to the counter and rang the small bell.

A couple of moments later a tall skinny man with a long black beard came out of a door and made his way around the counter. “What can I help you with today sir?”

“I have a friend who asked me to stop in here and ask about the well being of a lad who was injured.”

Immediately the gangly man lowered his eyelids and tilted his head. You’ve the look of a soldier to me sir. What would you want with this lad?”

Tremores was instantly glad he had shed anything that represented him as a soldier. Still he must still have that straight back stance of a soldier that the man had seen it in him. Dropping his shoulders into a slight slope he replied. “I will admit to you sir that I was once a soldier but I am no longer. We truly do have a mutual friend and I am only stopping in as a favor for that friend. You have my word on it sir.”

The thin keeper still looked at him cautiously before answering. “Stay here. I know someone who can help you. I will get him.”

Watching the Inn Keeper trot his way up the steps taking three at a time, Tremores walked to a chair and sat down to wait. A short time later he heard multiple sets of boots on the steps and he turned ready to manipulate earth as he watched the keeper return with three men.
“This is Keln.” The skinny man said, nodding to a man who was just at the taller side of short. A triangular patch of hair just under the bottom lip complimented his mustache. The other two men’s names were not mentioned. One was tall and husky looking with a light sandy brown hair. The other was of medium build and tall but not as tall as his counterpart and had black hair and a mustache.

Keln looked him over and Tremores got the feeling the man saw more than just what was on the outside, but after a moment he finally nodded. “I will take you to the lad, but just in case I am reading you wrong, I will have you know that my friends here are elementals as well as I am.” Nodding his head towards the huskier powerful looking gentleman, Keln named him Dawan and the one with black hair as Stepp. “What is your name sir?”

Tremores did not expect to find three elementals together and was not sure if he believed them. They very well may be saying such a thing to make him think twice about trying anything shifty. “My name is Tremores.”

“Do you have a first name?”

Keln asked the question bluntly and Tremores answered it in the same manner. “I do!” Then realizing it would not help him get to the sick lad for Jeed, he softened his tone and continued. “It is a name I do not like and I have not mentioned it to anyone in nearly eight years now. I would prefer to keep it that way.”

Keln smiled a little as he nodded and turned away. “Follow me.”

Following Keln up the stairs, Tremores was slightly uncomfortable having Dawan and Stepp come up behind him. They must really be worried about protecting this boy for some reason. What are you getting me into Jeed?

Stepping into the room, Tremores froze in mid-step, causing Stepp to bump into him before he finished walking in. “Willim! I didn’t know it was you! What happened?” Seeing the apprehensive look on Willim’s face, Tremores spoke again. “Don’t worry. I’m not looking for you. Malok gave me an order I couldn’t bare with and I followed your footsteps and well, let’s just say I retired. Hell, to be honest I wasn’t even thinking about finding you. The reason I came here is because Jeed asked me to check up on y… Wait a minute. That old coot knew where you were the whole time! Can you believe that? The whole time he knew right where you were and never told a soul!”

“He is a good man, Jeed.” Willim said, speaking as he lay in a bed. “And my name isn’t Willim anymore Tremores. It’s Mikal.”

Tremores gave him a knowing nod. “I understand, but a new name won’t help if you don’t change your appearance as well.”

Mikal’s eyes became hard for a moment and he tossed his covers to the side and sat up. A wide bandage wrapped his midsection tightly. Keln looked as if he wanted to take a step to help him then stopped as Mikal spoke. “I will not change my appearance Tremores. As soon as I am in full health again, I plan on killing Malok and I want him to know who is doing it! My real name is Mikal, given to me by my real mother who until recently I thought was dead. Now that Malok has killed my other family and all of my friends, and now that I have found my real mother, I will use my real name again.”

Tremores gave a long whistle. “Well if anyone has the right to kill a man it is you son. And if there is any man who needs killing it’s him. If you will wait until I get back I will even help you. In the least I hope you are taking these guys with you. Even if they aren’t elementals like they told me, I know good fighting men when I see them, and remember how Malok handled you last time you defied him.”

Mikal gave a small wisp of a smile. “I’m a lot stronger than I was back then Tremores and just to satisfy your curiosity, all three of these men are elementals and they have five others with them as well.”

“I can see you are a lot more confident as well.” All three? And five others as well! “Well in either case, I do have to get to Kardoon. Malok has ordered the council to be sentenced to death for calling a meeting of elementals. I need to warn them and protect them if I have to.”

A clearing of his throat brought everyone’s eyes to focus on Stepp, who had been silent the whole time. “It was the council of Kardoon who called the meeting. Not one member of the council but the whole council. It is customary in Kardoon for any member who calls for a meeting, to be present at that meeting.”

Keln’s eyes lit up suddenly and he looked at Tremores. “So instead of traveling to Kardoon, you need to go to Detinu where the meeting will be. Chances are the council is on their way now if they are not already there. I, along with my men, plan on attending that meeting as well so if you want you could travel with us.” Turning his attention to Mikal, Keln thought for a second before continuing. Mikal, it would be at least a week before you will be ready to face Malok as it is. You are healthy enough now to sit a wagon. Why don’t you go to Detinu with us? Whatever the meeting is about, it must be worth at least hearing about. After that you will be free to do as you please.”

Mikal balled his hands into fists as he thought on it. The desire to kill Malok was a burning flame running through his veins. Still, Keln was right, he would not be ready yet anyway and it would do no harm to hear about the meeting. From everything he has heard there might be another dozen elementals not including those in their own party. Over twenty elementals in one place would be something to tell the grandkids about. The most surprising thing was after Mikal nodded that he would go with them, Keln gave a small sigh of relief. Why would he be relieved he would go to Detinu with him?

Continue to.... Maroz 25 - Elementals Converge

Maroz 23 - Conspiracy Fear

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:46:00 +0000

“What do you mean they have called for a meeting?” Malok stood up from his throne shouting at his secretary, his fingers gripped tightly to the now empty goblet.

Jeed stood staring at the puddle of black wine staining the gray and red rug. Malok was shouting at him and might even kill him at any moment, yet he stood wondering if he will be able to get the stain out. I might never get that clean! Giving himself a shake, Jeed answered Malok. “I just found out less then ten minutes ago myself my Lord.” Cold water and lemon juice mixed with cherup root might do the trick if I can get to it soon enough. “I am told they are looking to make a small army of elementals to send into the darkness in the east.”

“An army of elementals! An army? Without so much as consulting me?” The veins in Malok’s forehead now stood out, ready to burst at any moment. “Those insubordinate insolent fools! Do they know what a small army of elementals could do?” The goblet careened off of the large gray stoned wall, taking a chip out of the stone. “Send a battalion of soldiers to Kardoon to kill them. I want every member of that council hung!” The goblet lying still on the floor now floated up and moved to hover in front of Jeed. As the old secretary reached to take it, the goblet crumpled into a small ball then fell to the floor. “If you dare come to me with any more disturbing news today Jeed, I will do the same to your head!” As the secretary made his way to the door bowing his way out, Malok shouted one last order at him. “And send Tremores with them!”

Walking along the long hall, Jeed pulled a silk cloth from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his brow. I do not think I will get to clean that wine soon enough! Stopping, he stared at the damp cloth in wonder. The last time he sweated like this was when that Willim fellow caught him from falling when he was having heart problems. He had not felt another problem with his heart since then. Even now he was sure this sweat was from nerves and not his heart. Any man who would not sweat when facing Malok in his present mood would have to be crazy. The lad had healed his heart that day and likely didn’t even know it. Soon after they had learned Willim had the ability to use fire but the strange thing is that fire was not what healed. It was spirit that healed. Well, mixed with water, air and earth. Though how anyone could know that when only once has it been recorded for a man to use three elements was far beyond Jeed’s knowledge. Still, the earliest recording of anyone using the elements was only a few hundred years earlier. Before that it was considered an evil thing and it was purely taboo to even write about it, so it may very well be possible someone had used more than three before then. Yet it was written in the archives what it would take to heal.

“It is good they have not found you yet boy. You don’t deserve what Malok has in store for you.” Jerking his head around, Jeed looked to see if anyone might have been close enough to hear him. Speaking such things out loud would likely have him detached from his head if overheard. Or even worse would be if Malok ever found out that I have not been handing over all of the reports coming in of sightings of the lad. There had been multiple sightings and each message hoped for the reward, but each message went into the fireplace before anyone else could read it. At least any he believed might be substantial were burnt. Jeed did not mind passing along messages that sent the search in the wrong direction. Jeed chuckled to himself as he walked along. It felt good to defy Malok even if it was in his own secretive way. Willim was a good man and important. How he was important Jeed did not know but somehow he was sure of it. Turning a corner, Jeed almost walked right into a man just taller then Jeed himself with his hair pushed back into a ponytail.

“Jeed, there you are old man. I have been looking for you.”

It took Jeed a little longer than it should have to get his wits about him. It was not so surprising to him to almost walk into someone in the large halls of the palace, but that he would even see Tremores in the palace was a shock. “Why are you here Tremores? You know Malok would have you killed if he saw you in his palace.”

Tremores chuckled lightly as if to laugh it off, though in truth he was nervous to be there. Malok had a fear that someone might try to gain the throne from him and by tradition in Maroz, whoever kills the emperor in his own throne room will be named the new emperor. It was a completely ridiculous tradition but nonetheless it was still followed. “Jeed, did you here the news? The council in Kardoon is called for a meeting. A meeting of…”

“Of elementals. Yes of course I know. Malok is livid over it and wants me to send a full battalion of his army to Kardoon to kill the whole council. He wants you to go with them.”

Tremores stepped backwards a few steps, his mouth working but no sound passed his lips until he gave himself a shake. “I won’t go! I have stayed with the army to fight in wars. I will not become an assassin. It is the reason I have never gone on any of his patrols to burn down towns. I will not kill the innocent!”

“It seems that the lad’s defiance is becoming catchy.”

“Willim did the right thing in leaving, Jeed. I think I will do the same. I think I will let the council of Kardoon have some warning of what Malok has ordered.”

Jeed studied the elemental for some time before his lips curled into a smile. Malok was quickly losing his army and soon the city would turn on him if he did not pull his head out of his rump and wake up. “Go Tremores. Go and warn them and I will spread a few different rumors on where you are. By the time they figure the rumors are all that they are, you will have a long head start on them.” Then in a spur of a moment decision, Jeed grabbed Tremores arm as the man turned to go. “Do an old man a favor, will you? When you get to the town of Kravis, go to the Apples Eye, it is an inn, and ask about a young man’s health who was injured. Give him my best.”

Tremores’ eyes widened with shock in response. “Do you have a son Jeed? I did not know you had ever been married.”

“No Tremores I have no son and I have never been married. Just a friend! Do not ask questions here and now, just do as I ask if you would please and you will understand when it is time. I promise you that.”

Tremores nodded then left in a hurry. He would need as much of a head start as he could get if he wanted time to carry out Jeed’s favor as well as get to the council before Malok’s men did. Watching him go, Jeed made a slow walk of it to tell Captain Hanier of Malok’s command. Beginning at the wrong end of the camp from where he knew the Captain would be and letting slip a few words of Tremores’ whereabouts to a few others as he asked where the captain might be. To a new recruit he let slip that Tremores was in the city with a girl he liked, though no such girl existed that Jeed was aware of. To another soldier he mentioned that Tremores had taken a ride to the White Bay to do some fishing. It was a well-known fact that Tremores liked to fish and it would take them a half a day to search the shoreline. He had gone to the town of Lingolis, northwest of Maroth, to see his mother. To the town of Navin, to the northeast, to try playing a new game where men gambled over small squares of hard paper with numbers on them. By the time each of the rumors were checked out it would be a full day and then it would still be throw of the dice as to whether they will go without him or wait another day in hopes he will show. Jeed did not think they would mark Tremores as a deserter anytime too soon for the man had been in the army for many years and had never shown any sign of wanting out.

Finally seeing the captain after a two-hour search that very well could have been finished in a quarter of that time, Jeed made his way over to him as if he was hurrying. “Captain Hanier, our Emperor, Malok, has issued an order. He wants a full battalion of men sent to Kardoon to arrest each member of the council for the crime of mutiny. They have called a meeting of elementals from every land in hopes of creating an army of them. Malok believes they may have his throne in mind. The Emperor has also commanded that you carry out the sentence of death for each member upon his or her arrests. Malok has made it clear that he wants Tremores to be in that battalion.”

“Tremores!” The Captain was definitely surprised over that order. That Malok would want the council of Kardoon to be killed for treason was something he would expect from the emperor but the last part was like hitting him with a club. “Tremores has made it strictly known that he will not be used unless it is in war. If I try and tell him that he has to accompany us to Kardoon to assassinate the council, he may very well leave this army that moment!”

“Nonetheless captain Hanier.” Jeed lifted his chin to look the captain in the eyes. “This is Malok’s order and he will expect them to be obeyed. If you have a problem with them, you will have to take it up with him. But if I were you captain, I might think twice about doing so. We both know how he hates to be questioned and he is in a very irate mood over the council’s actions. He has even threatened to kill me if I bring him any other upsetting news today.”

The captain ground his teeth and huffed and puffed but in the end he walked away knowing he would have to order Tremores to go along. Looking at the shadows, Jeed grinned. The debate with the captain had given Tremores near another half of an hour head start.

Continue to.... Maroz 24 - An Old Name To Live By

Maroz 22 - Against a Kings Will

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:27:00 +0000

King Matrid Delmose, the King of Aries, was in a temperamental mood as he paced back and forth in his practice yard. He held the broad sword with one hand swinging it side to side as if cutting down the thoughts that darkened his mood. With every swipe of the sword, his heavily muscled arm would reveal every fiber and tendon from the strain of swinging such a heavy weapon, yet he moved it almost as well as most men would with two hands. Matrid’s thick black beard hung in many braids down to his chest.

Shelvin Grey, his adviser for more than twenty years stood silently to one side knowing all to well not to interrupt his king when he was in this kind of mood.

“That fool!” The King grumbled. “How could Kassels put me in this quandary?” Selmin Kassels was Aries only elemental and had left without permission to attend a meeting in Maroz, even though the king had told him not to go. Now King Matrid would have to punish his elemental even though he was his own cousin. “I told him no! I made it clear as crystal that he was not to leave, that he was our only elemental and we could not afford to lose him even for a short time.”

Aries was the smallest of the countries and King Matrid and Malok had more than the typical dislike for each other. The men just clearly hated each other. Three different times Malok had sent his army against Aries trying to move in and take it over and all three times the war ended in a draw even though including Malok, Maroz had three elementals to Aries’ one. Though it was not custom in Aries, King Matrid was a warrior and would fight alongside of his own men during any major battles. The man was a fierce warrior and seeing the way he fought would inspire his own men to fight as hard and it was by sheer will alone his army had held back Malok’s men. Now it had been years since Malok had tried again but their hatred for each other would never diminish.

“If my King would permit me to say.” Shelvin said in a meek tone. “I did try to warn you that if you did not give him permission, he might still leave anyway.” From the dark look the King shot at Shelvin, he made it clear he did not permit him to say anything the like. Matrid did not like to be reminded when he did not listen to his advisor and things ended badly.

“I am his King! He should have followed my rule Shelvin! He should have done what I said, not what he wanted. I don’t care how important it was to him. I am the King!”

“That is enough Matrid!” Both men turned to face the woman who walked up from where a path led from the practice grounds to the gardens. Her nearly white hair done up in a tight roll to one side of her head, Selia Delmose looked like the Queen of Aries and many believed she was, but truth be told she was nothing more than Matrid’s older sister. “Do you know what I hear from you right now Matrid. I hear BLAH, BLAH, BLAH and nothing else. Stop your whining and act the king! Shelvin did warn you that Kassels would go anyway. I heard him warn you myself, so you have nobody to blame but yourself. Sure, you will still have to punish him but that is your own fault. Now when you are done whining and you are finished playing with that filthy sword, get cleaned up. Lady Janile from House Wyman is having dinner with us tonight.”

As Selia walked away in the direction she had come from, both men stood silently watching her go with completely different looks on their faces. Matrid stood in a sort of stunned silence, his mouth opened but not even attempting to say anything. Shelvin stood grinning, simply amused at how quickly Selia had changed the Kings mood. One moment King Matrid looked ready to go to war he was so angry and the next he was scared. There was no other way to put it nicely, the king was just afraid. Not of Selia, oh no. Those two had had shouting matches in the past that was the talk of the servants for weeks afterward. No, it was Janile Wyman that had Matrid afraid. The woman was beautiful and intelligent and every man in Aries would stop and watch her walk by. She had suitors coming from every land to ask her hand in marriage and not only from the attached countries but there were some who came on ships from lands beyond the winter Ocean and farther. The woman had only one flaw as far as Matrid could see. She was in love with him and he had no desire to be married.

“…women!” Shelvin could not hear what the King had mumbled up to that point but he could only imagine it was not good. Then after a moment Matrid spoke just loud enough for Shelvin to hear what he was saying. “Let me know just when Kassels returns will you?” Turning away the King walked more like a peasant headed for the axe rather than the most powerful man in Aries.

Continue to .... Maroz 23 - Conspiracy Fear

Maroz 21 - A King's Permission

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Tomas and Nikoli’s steps were in unison as they climbed the long stairs to the highest floor of the palace to speak with King Keen and Queen Caralla. They were going unannounced but the only thing unusual about that was usually Tomas was alone when he visited with them. However this time was far different and not meant to be a visit of pleasures.

Walking down the long halls began to grow on Tomas’s nerves, for every step of the way their boots would echo as they clomped to the hard marble floors. Likely that incessant echo was as much the reason the two of them stepped in time as any. Neither of them wanted to hear the echoing footsteps any more than they had to. Reaching the large oak doors to the Kings sitting rooms, Tomas was surprised to see there were no guards at the doors. There are always guards standing at the doors! Reaching for the large brass knockers in the shape of lion heads, the door suddenly swung open, leaving Tomas grabbing at air.

It was a guard opening the door, his breastplate shining bright as it reflected the light from the oil lamps that hung on the walls. “I saw you coming and have already announced you. You can go in.” The two elementals stepped past the guard with a nod to find Keen and Caralla already walking toward them from their back room.

“Tomas, Nikoli, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?” Keen was always welcoming to the two of them.

“I’m afraid” Tomas replied. “This is not a visit you will find pleasant Keen.”

The King stopped where he was and studied the serious look on the two elemental’s faces, then nodded back to them just as seriously. “Do come in then Tomas. Come in Nikoli and tell me what is bothering you.”

“We have received a message Keen.” Tomas began.

“There is a request made by the Council in Kardoon, in Maroz.” Nikoli said.

Tomas then spoke again. “They are asking for every elemental to come for a meeting in Detinu. They say it is a matter of worldly importance Keen. Nikoli and I would like to attend.”

“We believe it might have to do with this shadow we saw.” Nikoli spoke again.

From the beginning, Keen had been turning his head back and forth trying to keep up with them and finally held up his hands to forestall them. “Hold up a second please. I am not so young as I once was and you two are going too strain my neck. Tomas, if you both went, we would be left with not even one elemental among us. I understand we have been at peace with Maroz for some time now, but I also know what kind of man Malok is and this could very well be a trap to kill his enemy’s elementals. With no elementals to fight against him, he could sweep through us with hardly a fight.”

Nikoli was shaking his head from the very beginning and once the King finished speaking he spoke his mind. “Could this be a trap? Yes it could my King. But even Malok and his elementals would have a hard time killing possibly a dozen or more elementals under one roof. Anyway, I saw this shadow. I have not had a good night sleep since I saw it either. If they are calling for elementals to fight this shadow then I think we need to do so. For if we cannot defeat it, who can?”

King Keen studied his younger elemental for a long time before replying. “Who can is right lad. Who can is the biggest question. If elementals fail then I do believe we are doomed.” Nodding once to himself, Keen continued. “You are right Nikoli. We cannot take a chance. It seems you are growing into your role as an elemental very well. You have done well with him Tomas. You have my permission to attend this meeting.” As the two elementals got up and walked away, Keen stopped them. “Tomas, Nikoli. I don’t have to tell you to be careful.”

The two of them smiled simultaneously, both holding impish grins as Tomas responded. “My King, am I not always careful?” Before the King could respond, the two elementals spun on their heels and walked out the door.

Keen sat there studying the closed door after they left. “Do you think I should have told them ‘no’ my dear?”

Caralla had sat quietly the whole time and only listened. “Did you see the look in there eyes Keen? I think they would have gone whether you wanted them to or not. You giving your consent only allowed them to do so with lighter hearts.”

“What about this shadow Caralla? I fear what will happen if the elementals fail. I don’t mind saying that it scares me.”

Caralla stood up and walked over to her husband and slid her fingers through his hair. “It scares me to husband. We would have to be utter fools not to be afraid.”

Continue to.... Maroz 22 - Against a Kings Will

Maroz 20 - A Son's Return

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:14:00 +0000

“I’m telling you Jahsen, I saw more of her before I killed her husband.” Keln sat with his back against a wall, nursing a mug of Bullberry juice. The only non-alcoholic beverage he could find in the town. All in all the stuff wasn’t bad if you could get past the aftertaste. Taste like horse piss! He thought bitterly.

Jahsen sat next to him rather than across from him. Growing up always watching your back trail had that effect on a man. It was just simply smart living to be able to see everyone rather than have your back to the room where someone could sneak up and slide a blade in your spine. The mug he held was near empty of the ale he liked and he raised a hand to get a serving girls attention as he spoke. “Well you should just be glad it’s her store keeping her busy Keln. Most women would have hated you for killing their husband, even if he did have it coming.”

As the girl came over with a new mug of ale for him, Jahsen opened his mouth to speak then shut it again as an elderly man entered into the tavern with pure excitement written all over his face.

“A messenger just came through in an awful rush.” The old man exclaimed. “He posted a notice then hopped on his horse and sped right out of town. The council of Kardoon is calling for a meeting of elementals! They are asking every elemental, no matter how strong or week to be present in the city of Detinu. It says it’s of dire importance to the world!”

Everyone in the tavern began asking the old man questions as if they could not just go read the notice and know just as much as he did. Graciously accepting the drinks others bought for him he answered whatever he could. “It doesn’t say what is so important. Every city from every land is supposed to be getting this notice. I agree it might have something to do with all the rumors about the shadow to the east. I don’t know if Malok will send his elementals or not.” The questions went on for some time and Keln and Jahsen just sat there listening until they decided they would get no more information that would be of any use.

“So what do you think Keln? Do we attend? We have the largest party of elementals in one place than you will find anywhere else in the world.” Jahsen had a look of excitement in his eyes and Keln knew well he was hoping to go fight something.

“It can’t hurt to hear them out Jahsen. We will go to Detinu, but I won’t make any promises that we will do what they ask.” Standing up from his chair, Keln set his mug down, still nearly full with a slight twist to his mouth. The stuff really was bad, the more he thought on it. “Let’s go talk to the others.”

The two brothers were half way to the inn where they had taken rooms when an old man in a small wagon rode into the town calling for help. Running to the wagon to see what they could do, Keln was shocked to see the same young man he had seen weeks before passing through the town. The lad was pale from loss of blood and had one hand wrapped tightly around an arrow shaft in his ribs. Each breath seemed to take a real effort for the younger man and right from his first look, Keln did not give him much of a chance to pull through. Still something inside him wanted to save this boy.

“Where did this happen?” Keln asked the question simply to know if they might have enemies coming after the lad.

The farmer looked up at Keln then looked down as he spoke. “A few miles northeast of Golom.” He said and then explained when Keln gave him a questioning look. “He is an elemental and caused a real commotion in Golom earlier. When the people saw who it was there were plenty who began talking about letting the boy die. Nobody was willing to help him either out of fear of what he had done or what others might do if they helped. I had no choice but to drive on and hope to find help here”

Keln understood completely. There had been times when his small army had to leave a place in the middle of the night to avoid having to kill innocent people who were gathering together to run them out. Not everyone accepted elementals and there were some places where the majority still believed that it was an evil thing to twist the elements. If the lad had caused a ruckus, he very well may have roused that fear. “Let’s get him into a bed, quick.”

Jahsen did not hesitate and the two of them lifted him up and carried him into the inn while the farmer was sent to the store to fetch Cristain. As she had sewn Keln’s wound up earlier, he found she had quite the knowledge of taking care of injuries and sicknesses. Soon after having his shirt removed and cleaning the wound as best as Keln could, Cristain stepped in with her kit of threads and needles and such.

“How bad is he Keln?” She asked. “Move out of the way so I can take a look. If it is a broad head arrow that most soldiers use he will have little chance to…” Cristain’s eyes fell on the young mans face and she froze in mid step, dropping her kit to the floor with a loud crash. “Oh, oh my! Mikal!”

Keln and Jahsen both turned to stare at her. Keln had shared with them about her losing her children just to keep them from saying anything to her that would bring the hurt back to her.

“Mikal? Cristain you can’t truly mean that this is… Are you sure? It has been six years!” Keln was at her side in two steps as he asked the question.

The tears welling up in Cristain’s eyes said it all but she turned on Keln. “I know my own son Keln! A woman knows her child however old he is!” Scooping up her kit, Cristain took a step and stopped. “Oh God, after six years and now he might die. What if it’s a broad head?”

Keln grabbed her by the arms and turned her around so she would have to look into her eyes and not at her dying son. “Listen to me! I don’t care if it is a broad head or not. His only chance to live is if you try! If you don’t try he will die! Do you understand me?”

The tears did not lessen, but she turned around to look at her son again. Tightening her grip on the kit she held, she stepped towards the bed, once again in control of herself. “Get me some fresh water and someone turn up the lamps. I need more light!”

Pulling on the shaft it was immediately obvious that it was a broad head tip by the way it hung up rather than sliding out. To draw the arrow out would likely kill him and to cut into him now might do the same. He had lost too much blood as it was. Reaching around to his back she ran her fingers across his skin and was surprised to find a lump where the arrow was pushing against the skin and what little muscle it did not already cut through.

“Keln, I will need you to do this for me.” The words were spoken through clenched teeth. “First you will have to break the arrow shaft, leaving only a few inches still sticking out. I will then need you to push the arrow the rest of the way through him. Once the broad head is through, we can just draw the arrow out. Then it will be just a case of stitching up the wound and hoping he hasn’t lost too much blood.”

For two hours Cristain worked on saving her sons life and when she was done she took a seat next to his bed, refusing to leave even to eat. She had lost her kids for six years and now that one of them was back she would not leave his side until he died or she knew he would be all right.

Knowing there was nothing else to do but wait, Keln and Jahsen made their way out and over to Dawan and Stepp’s room to call for a meeting. Surprisingly everyone was already there and even more surprising was that they all already knew about Cristain’s son Mikal.

“I am sure most of you already know about the messenger and the posting.” After everyone’s nod, Keln continued on. “It will take some time for all of the elementals who are going to show to reach Detinu so we are in no hurry to get there. I would like to wait a little longer and talk to Cristain’s son if… when he gains consciousness.” The last part was more of a question than a statement and Keln let out a sigh of relief when they all agreed. In truth he did not doubt that his friends and brothers would wait as long as he wanted them to, but it was still a relief to know he would still have some time to spend with Cristain before he had to leave. Even if it would be spent waiting at Mikal’s bedside!

Continue to.... Maroz 21 - A King's Permission

Maroz 19 - The Farmer

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:53:00 +0000

The sun stood straight above Willim, letting him know it was midday but he still continued to walk. He had no food left and he was far from even the nearest farm. Even if he had food he still would not stop to eat anything though. Two weeks of burying everyone he cared about had its way of destroying his appetite. I’m really gonna miss old Mrs. Fletchers cooking. Her ham pies were to die for. Even Ma agreed she could sell those and make a bundle.

Reaching up, Willim wiped a tear from his eyes while cursing himself out for a fool. He had to stop thinking about his Ma and Pa! It hurt too much to think about losing his family to a fire for the second time in his young life. Fire! “Of all the elements, why did I have to have the ability to manipulate fire? The very thing that seems to kill everyone I love?” A small voice in his head reminded him that he could manipulate water and earth as well. “But nobody knows about that and what nobody knows is as if it doesn’t exist!” He knew it was a ridiculous statement but he didn’t care. It made sense to him. It had to!

The sounds of hooves pounding on the rode behind him made him run to the side and hide behind a small bush. Laying flat to the ground he peeked through the bush and watched a soldier riding hard bearing the emblem of the messenger on his shoulders, back and front. Though he was a soldier, Willim had nothing to worry about with him. The messenger’s duty was to take a message from one place to another and nothing else mattered. Even a general could not take him from his duty. Still, Willim waited until the rider was long out of sight before rising and continuing his long walk. He dared not take the chance, the messenger would tell someone he had seen him.

I wish someone would come along who would give me a ride! Another touchy subject he preferred to stay away from. In his two weeks of burying his family and friends he had never given a second thought to the horses. Neither his or the soldiers he had killed and as time passed they wandered away. More like ran away the way you were moving the ground around and stuff! So here he was walking again with no supplies and beginning to feel week from hunger.

The more he walked the more he thought about killing Malok. Never before has he ever wanted to hurt anyone but now he lived for the very thought of killing the emperor of Maroz. The man had taken all he cared about away and in a strange way he put the blame of becoming an elemental on Malok as well. Down deep he knew very well that he would likely have become one anyway but still, it came about after he was drafted into his army.

Up ahead he watched a small wagon pulled by a single horse crawl slowly towards him. “Why couldn’t you be going the same way mister?” The words were spoken in a mumble as he dreamed of getting off of his feet for a while. As the cart came closer he could make out the old farmer sitting at the reigns, a pipe in his mouth. Well maybe he might have a small water pouch with him in the least. The thought of a drink of water made his chapped lips ache. Often enough he considered making it rain again but every time the thought entered his mind he stomped it down. No more using the elements unless absolutely necessary! If he was ready to pass out from thirst, then he might think on it. As the small wagon drew near he lifted a hand to motion the rider to a stop.

“I’ve been walking quite a ways sir. I don’t suppose you would have a drink you could spare would you?”

The farmer was not as old as Willim had first thought. The long days in the sun had turned his skin into dried leather and the wrinkles in his face made him look far beyond his years. Pulling the pipe from his mouth the farmer cocked his head and look over Willim before answering. “You look familiar boy. Do I know you? Nah I don’t suppose I do. Sure I have a pouch.” As he began to reach down behind his seat, the farmer froze and looked up ahead in the direction Willim had come from where a small patrol of Malok’s soldiers had just topped a rise and were trotting towards him. Finally reaching down behind he began to move things around. “I know it’s right here somewhere. I just saw it a little bit ago, ah here it is.” Straightening up the farmer turned around with a sword in his hand and touched the blade under Willim’s chin.

“What the… Mister I only wanted a drink. I have no money for you to steal.” The pitch of his voice raising an octave accommodated the shock on Willim’s face.

“Now don’t you move boy! I know who you are. They have a reward of two hundred gold shillings for your capture and that money would come in mighty handy right now for me and the missus.” Lifting his spare hand, the farmer began to wave it to the soldiers, egging them on to hurry. Turning his eyes alone to look, Willim did not want to test the edge of the blade against his throat, he saw the soldiers for the first time as they kicked their horses into a trot. “Now you just stand nice like that and I won’t have to kill…” Willim turn his focus back to the farmer again and the farmer’s words died in his mouth at the look in Willim’s eyes.

“Mister,” Willim spoke in a growl through his teeth. “You just messed with the wrong man!”

The farmer yelped in fear as the sword he held wilted and then began to drip in a liquid form to the ground below. Dropping the blade he was surprised to see it splash when it hit the ground rather than clank like any metal would. In the near distance, Willim heard one of the soldiers shout and he knew he had been recognized.

His eyes still focused on the farmer who scooted back in fear, Willim lifted his right hand and pointed it right at the farmer’s nose. “Don’t even try running mister! I will deal with you in a moment!” Then Willim turned to face the soldiers who were racing towards him.

To his surprise, the soldiers had not just come straight for him. They had spread out wide making it hard to focus his abilities on one area. Several of the soldiers raised bows and were letting them loose as they charged but Willim did not worry much about that. To shoot a bow with any accuracy from a horse was hard enough. To shoot and be near your target when that horse was at a dead run was asking for nothing less than a miracle.

Willim could feel every hair on his body stand on end as he twisted earth, water and fire all at once. The ground in front of some of the soldiers erupted like small volcanoes throwing soil and stone into the air while fire rained from the clear sky like flaming arrows. The air around the soldiers became so dry that static lightning began to run in waves through their armor. A wall of fire sprouted up in front of the oncoming soldiers and they had no chance to keep from running through it, man and horse falling to the ground as the flames scorched their flesh and boiled them in their armor. Within moments every soldier and every horse lay dead, scattered among the debris of rocks. Willim turned his attention back on the farmer then.

The farmer was literally shaking in his boots as he looked at what he knew was certain death. He had only thought he was turning in a run away, he had never considered Willim might be an elemental much less be so strong in three different elements. “P-P-Please sir. Please don’t kill me.”

Willim stared for a moment, breathing heavily, before finally speaking. “I have had my family taken from me twice! Malok has killed my parents and all of my friends. Everyone I cared about. That is the only reason I will let you live mister. I will not do the same to your missus. Leave me and if you ever even try to mess with my freedom again, I will suck every drop of water from you until your body turns to dust and blows away in the wind!” As he spoke, Willim’s breathing became more ragged until it was hard to draw another breath. It was then he finally looked down to see the shaft of an arrow protruding from his ribs. It seems that one of those soldiers received a miracle after all! Looking up at the farmer again, he swayed as he spoke to him. “It looks like you will… collect that reward mister. Treat the missus to a… a good dinner will ya?” Then he collapsed next to the farmer’s wagon.

Continue to.... Maroz 20 - A Son's Return

Maroz 18 - From Fear to Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:33:00 +0000

Dayl Ponnell was the youngest recruit in the Hawk Army. Only truly considered a soldier for less than two weeks, he had not even gone out on a patrol yet before marching off to war. From a small village just south of the town of Condoor, he had never been away from his Pa’s farm before deciding to join the army. It has been peaceful times in Aries for years now and he thought just the training to be a soldier would be quite an adventure. Now here he was, leagues away from his home in the land of Maroz, going to battle against a man who calls himself Death.

Murmuring began to lift in the voices of those ahead of him as they topped a rise and Dayl could hardly refrain from running ahead to see what all the commotion was about. There had been enough comments about joining forces with an army in Maroz, yet those did not create near the commotion that had started up ahead. Nearly every man in both armies cursed as they topped the rise ahead. Anxiety gave way to pure excitement as he reached the top of the rise then gave way to dread as his eyes fell on the ridge far to the east. Even in the darkness of the shadow ahead he could see the ridge covered with different shaped beasts. He could not think of anything else to call them except for beast. They were not human, just the silhouettes told him that. Did some of them actually have wings?

Dayl did not even realize his feet had stopped moving, forcing soldiers to scoot around him, as he stood rooted to one spot staring at the man on a horse. There was something about that man that purely scared him stiff. Feeling a heavy swat to the back of his head, he looked up to see his Captain riding his white horse, looking down at him.

“You are a soldier son. Act like it. They may not be human but if they are alive they can be killed.” The Captain looked down at him until Dayl nodded in reply before riding ahead to calm those ahead of him down.

Walking once again, Dayl still could not take his eyes away from the rider when a realization hit him. This rider did not just call himself Death. He was Death! Dayl did not know how he could be sure of such a thing but yet he was as sure as he was that the sun had risen that morning. How long he stood and stared he could not say and when he finally tore his eyes away from the rider he was surprised to find he was standing alone. The last soldier in the army was already a good fifty paces ahead of him. It didn’t matter. Let them keep walking, he though, I’m not so much in a hurry to die!

Once the army entered into the shadow, Dayl watched in horror as winged creatures swept in from both sides and attacked. Other larger beasts seemed to step out of the thin air right in amongst the soldiers, bringing with them thousands more of the winged creatures. Soldiers began screaming as they swung their swords wildly at the onslaught that popped up out of nowhere. Men began killing each other as they slashed at anything that moved whether it be friend or foe. The captain shouted continuously, trying with all that was in him to bring his men under control, but his orders fell on deaf ears. Reaching up and grabbing one of his soldiers by the shoulder, the captain began to shout at him to get a hold of himself, and before he could finish the sentence he died with that soldier’s sword in his belly. The soldier had turned and struck out in fear before realizing it was his own captain who had grabbed his shoulder.

It’s a complete slaughter! Dayl thought as he walked backwards, not having the strength to take his eyes off of the bloodbath. They are killing everything, be it man or horse!

One of the smaller winged beasts seemed to turn its attention in Dayl’s direction. Opening its mouth as if screeching at him, though Dayl could not hear it over the screams of the dying soldiers, it thrust its wings and bolted towards him. Continuing to step backwards, Dayl was still too afraid to turn his eyes away in order to run when his heel caught in a divot in the ground sending him on to his back. The loss of his bladder control did not matter to him. He did not care who might see. All he could do was watch in horror as the demon swept towards him to rake his flesh from his bones. Thirty paces from him, the creature only seemed to be gaining speed and Dayl lifted his arms up to fend it off, never even thinking about the sword belted at his waist.

At only twenty paces away Dayl finally summoned the courage to scream when the demons wings began to smolder. Then at only ten paces away it exploded into a cloud of ash that floated down to settle over Dayl. After a moment his screams turned into crying then slowly changed to laughter as he realized he would live. There was still too much light for the creatures of Hell to reach him.

As the chaos continued, Dayl began to notice that the only things to live were the horses that bolted away when their riders were torn from the saddles. None of the horses escaped without some deeper flesh wounds but still some did escape, and on one he saw in particular there was a shield hanging from its pommel. The horse was wounded severely and as it drew closer it began to stumble.

“Come on horse! Not much farther to go! Just get out of the darkness enough for me to get that shield from you!” The last of the words had barely escaped Dayl’s lips when the horse’s legs gave out sending it down on its side. “No! No! Stupid animal!” Still Dayl knew there was nothing else to be done except to run into the shadow to retrieve the shield himself.

Finally remembering his sword, Dayl drew the long blade and sprinted towards the dying horse. With every beat of his heart he could feel the adrenaline pulse through him, urging him to run faster and as he removed the shield from its clasp on the saddle, he idly wondered where this sudden courage had come from. Sprinting back towards the lighter ground he wondered where the courage had gone as he yelled every step of the way. Another ten paces! He thought when the air in front of him shimmered slightly and a large demon stepped out of the air.

The large beast in front of him screamed with a deep guttural sound as it grabbed at the gaping wound in its chest before it burst into a cloud of ash. Dayl did not slow down as he ran past, half in shock that he had killed it. He did not even realize he was raising the sword to slash the beast until after he had laid its chest open. Running up the sloped ground, Dayl continued until he reached the first rays of sunlight then turned to face the onslaught below. The shield he held was a plain horseman’s shield, just a large shiny front with no design, guild or emblem. The shields were kept like that to use as mirrors for battles when they ended up facing the sun. Rather then to be at a disadvantage from looking into the sun, they would even out the odds by reflecting the sun into their enemy’s eyes.

“If the light killed one of you, then it can kill more!” Holding the shield up to reflect the sunlight towards the battle below, he half expected the demons to begin screaming in pain right before dissipating into ash. As the light reflected towards them though, the shadow seemed to swallow it up, draining the strength of the light to turn it into a dimmer moonlight. Still the demons shied from it some and began to fall back away from the light. It was not killing them but still it hurt them enough to drive them back, giving his fellow soldiers a chance to run for their lives.

Only a few dozen men ran toward safety though and at least twice that many in demons tried to chase them, but the light was enough to weaken them and the soldiers fought them off as they ran. The running soldiers collapsed around his feet as they made it to the sun light. As each of them got back to his feet, he gave Dayl a big hug or a pat on the back for saving them, and then they were quickly gathering themselves to return to the cities they departed from. Catching up as many of the lesser-wounded horses as they could the men took turns riding double.

“What are we gonna tell them when we get back?” Dayl asked idly to whoever was listening. “Who is ever going to believe this story?”

Wise Lemus, a veteran of seven years turned and spit off the side of his horse before replying. His grizzled face had a long slice running from the corner of his right eye down to the corner of his mouth. “Look at us lad. We are all that is left of near twelve thousand soldiers. How can they not believe us?”

“I don’t care if they believe us or not!” Hemp Clausius spoke through a hard wince as he held his arms tight to his left side. “As soon as I am stitched up I am buying a horse and heading as far west as I can. I don’t care if they name me a deserter or not. I am finding somewhere safe to go.”

Those who were close enough to hear him all chimed in their agreements but Dayl would have none of it. “And how long before the darkness catches up to you? How long before it covers every corner of the world? This isn’t something we can run from guys! Something has to be done or we are all doomed. We need Elementals, that’s what we need. Every elemental that can be found needs to fight this darkness. It’s our only hope.”

“And what if the Elementals fail as we did? What then lad?” Wise looked worried but his tone held a sense of hope.

Dayl thought hard for a second before answering. “Then we all will die I think. But that just gives strength to my thinking though. It is all the more important to convince our leaders to call for Elementals because they are our only hope!”

Wise turned and spit once more before clearing his throat with a heavy hacking cough sound. “Then I guess we better convince them lad. We better convince them for sure.”

Continue to.... Maroz 19 - The Farmer

Maroz 17 - Three Consumed

noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Schonmeier) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:19:00 +0000

The town of Morg was known well for the blue tinted shingles they used for their roofs. No other town in the world was covered in blue roofing and when travelers first lay eyes on it they would sit on the rise and stare for a moment at the unusual sight. Zeebulis did not notice the roofing any more than he paid attention to the flies constantly buzzing around him. His flesh was beginning to rot and if he did not find another elemental soon, his flesh would begin to fall off of the bones. What did interest him was the fact that the streets were paved with larger stones than most cities used and this was a smaller town. Some were too large for any man to carry. From his distance he guessed the stones to be a good ten paces across. This gave him hope there would be an elemental with the power to move earth in this town.

The shadow still had not covered Morg well enough for Zeebulis and his minions to move into it, but already the people were seeing the change and stepping outside to look up at the darkening sky. Quickly their attention became focused on the eastern ridge where Zeebulis and his army stood biding their time. They had heard the stories and now seeing the darkness along with his army on a ridge there seemed to be a panic setting in. What surprised Zeebulis though was the fact they were not rushing to horses and wagons to leave. Why would they wait for the disaster they surely knew was coming? Two men and an older woman moved out ahead of the growing crowd and the three of them walked side by side towards him, the men holding swords, unsheathed and laying across their saddles. Someone in charge maybe, coming to try to talk a deal with her guards at her side? The thought actually amused him.

Lozimum, stopping next to Zeebulis spoke up. “I feel the power of an elemental my Lord. For me to feel it from this far away, she must be strong.”

An elemental? Zeebulis’s lips curled into as much of a smile as was possible with the skin stretching tight over his face. As the three came closer he could then sense the power himself and his skin began to tear as his smile grew. “Not a strong one Lozimum. There are three of them together.” The young men with swords were elementals as well! “Have Exolvar report to me immediately.”

“Yes my Lord.” Lozimum turned and the air around him shimmered as he stepped through and disappeared from sight.

The three elementals had only come half the distance when Exolvar stepped out of the air followed by Lozimum. Exolvar’s yellowish hide was off set by his pink eyes and long tail that ended with the head of an adder. The tail lifted high and the snakeheads eyes focused on the three elementals as they drew nearer.

Turning his head just enough to see Exolvar looking up at him awaiting instructions, Zeebulis once again turned his attention toward the oncoming elementals. “Do nothing Exolvar until I am speaking with them. I would like to enjoy their terrified looks when they realize they can no longer control the elements and they are facing certain destruction.”

Exolvar did not smile or show any emotion. He never did, but his words held all the contempt he could muster. “Of course! If you need the joy then you will get it.” Exolvar’s skin then began to stretch until it began to tear and the demon split into three different demons, one for each elemental. Three separate demons but all controlled by the one true Exolvar, still they would each work separately.

With a chuckle, Zeebulis pulled his hood forward to hide his face as he moved forward, his black horse stepping silently until he was well out in front of his army. He had no worry about Exolvar doing his job. He had done so many times before, but he hated the pink-eyed demons way of being sarcastic. The fact Exolvar did not give him a title did not pass by Zeebulis either. But Exolvar was the key to Zeebulis destroying all the Lord of Light could love. The elementals were the only ones who could hurt his flesh at this stage and Exolvar was the only demon that had the ability to cut an elementals power off. The more souls of elementals he could swallow the stronger he would become and soon he will have eaten the souls of enough elementals that even they could no longer hurt him. Then he would no longer need Exolvar’s services and he would find joy in destroying the arrogant fool. Fifty paces before he reached the elementals he stopped the black horse and waited, his cloak flaring wildly in tune with his anticipation of drinking the souls of three elementals. The humans stopped a short ways away from him.

“My name is Johara.” It was the older woman who spoke. “We have come to ask you to step down and leave. We are a peaceful people and do not wish to fight.”

Zeebulis moved a couple of steps closer as he replied. “And what if I do not step down Human?”
“Then you will die!” The old woman spoke the last word with an air of a threat, then her eyes widened in surprise as she realized she could not call on her element. Both of the younger men grunted in surprise as well.

“That is right human. You can do nothing now. You can do nothing except die that is!” As Zeebulis was still speaking the last words, the air around the elementals shimmered and demons stepped out of the air to grab hold of them. Pushing his hood back to reveal his face, he smiled with a wicked grin as their faces turned from surprised to one of horror at the sight of his rotting flesh and empty eye sockets. “Be assured, your souls will serve me well!”

As Zeebulis rode forward, the elementals began to scream so loud, that the people in their town could hear them, causing a chaotic panic as people ran for horses and wagons to leave as soon as possible. Most of them would escape but Zeebulis did not care. Sooner or later they would die and for now he had what he wanted. The souls of three elementals! Grabbing the nearest young man by his throat, Zeebulis lifted him up to look deep into his eyes.

“Fire! My personal favorite! Drinking the soul of a fire elemental always reminds me of home. I do so hate this disgustingly wet and cool land you humans inhabit.” Pulling the young man’s head closer, Zeebulis began to inhale deeply as he sucked the elementals soul from his body. Tossing the body to the side, it still kicked slightly for the flesh still hadn’t realized it had died, but Zeebulis paid it no mind as he moved towards the other young man. Again he grabbed the elemental and lifted him up to breath in his soul then tossed the body on top of the other one before turning to the old lady. Already the flies had lessened, as his flesh grew stronger again.

“I deliberately picked yours to be the last of the three souls I drink in. You see I wanted you to witness for yourself what I would be doing to you. I wanted you to see first hand what you brought those young men to face!” Grabbing the old woman by the throat he lifted her up and brought her face inches from his. “Find joy in the fact your soul will not torment for an eternity in hell woman. What I consume I destroy!”

As soon as the shadow had covered the town in enough darkness, Zeebulis’s army swarmed over it, setting everything on fire. There were no humans to kill but he had already expected as much. The humans were like flies he could swat with the palm of his hand and crush them. The elementals were nothing more than bees, a little sting if mishandled but not dangerous. In all actuality, Zeebulis was slightly disappointed there was not a better opposition against him. So far it was almost too easy and becoming boring.

Zeebulis was lost in his thoughts, and when Corruption appeared next to him and spoke, he almost destroyed his highest Demon before he stopped himself. “Master, the fools have sent another army against us.”

‘Fools’ was the right word for them. “How many times will they send their puny armies against me before they realize they do not even slow me down?” Riding to the edge of the shadow, Zeebulis watched in silence as nearly twelve thousand soldiers rode towards him. “Finally they realize there is more to fear than just another mortal enemy. Still an army this size will do nothing more than waste my time. Fall back and spread my minions wide. Let these humans think we fear them then attack them from all sides at once. We must give them enough ground to bring the whole of them into the shadow. Have the higher demons open holes in the middle of them for the fliers to attack.”

Before Corruption moved away though, the air shimmered again and a large black and red striped demon stepped into the open. “My Lord, Humans attack with an army against our southern ranks.”

“How many are they Washanz?” Zeebulis asked as if it made any difference. It was merely a sense of curiosity more than anything.

“At least four thousand my Lord. Likely more. I did not wait to see the end of them come into view.”

“Destroy them Washanz. Leave five survivors to return to their cities with word of me. Washanz?”

“Yes my Lord!”

Zeebulis’s upper lip curled into a snarl as he spoke to the striped demon. “If you bother me with such a trivial matter again I will feed you to your brethren and replace you as a high demon.”

Washanz showed no sign that the threat was anything out of the ordinary for it was not. One did not serve Death and expect patience or pity. “Yes my Lord.” Bowing once, the black and red demon stepped once again through the shimmering air and disappeared.

Twelve thousand soldiers took some time to reach deep enough into the shadow for demons to attack from behind them and the wait grew on Zeebulis’s nerves. The soldiers could see him sitting his horse on the ridge in silence just waiting for them and it caused a stir in the human ranks. With an army of twelve thousand they did not expect their quarry to wait for them without fear. Any enemy should be running from an army so large. Still they rode on and Zeebulis sat his horse waiting.

Corruption standing next to him grew impatient as well, clenching and unclenching his hands into fists. “They move too slow! It has been too long since I have tasted blood my Lord. I have seen…” Then something occurred to him and he changed his words in mid-sentence. “There are no elementals my Lord. Thousands of soldiers and not even one elemental!”

Zeebulis’ eyes narrowed at the thought before he turned to focus on the army. Corruption was right. There was not the feel of even one elemental among them. “Blast them! The fools do think only humans can harm me still! What must I do to force them to send elementals against me? How many of them will die before they send their truest power against me? This is insulting!”

The sound of a large thud drew Zeebulis’s eyes and he was surprised to see Corruption lying on the ground, his body quickly turning into ash and breaking apart. Zeebulis had not even realized he had lashed out with Hells fire in his anger until Corruption had been charred beyond recognition. Taking a moment to sense the spirit, Zeebulis could not feel Corruptions spirit on earth or in Hell. He had destroyed his highest Demon utterly.

The air shimmered and Lozimum stepped into the open. As soon as his eyes fell on the ash, he knew what must have happened and immediately he dropped into a bow. “I sensed you wanting me Master.”

“Lozimum, you are now my highest! As soon as the humans are within the shadow, commence the attack. Bring ten of their commanders to me alive.”

Continue to.... Maroz 18 - From Fear to Hero