Master of the Sword (Part 8)

Chapter 51

I was in a foul mood. I was troubled by what I had discovered about myself and the magic and the destruction that I had done. I think what troubled me most was not the horrendous aftermath, but the fact that I had actually liked it. Could things possibly get any worse than this, I wondered. Yes, it probably could, but I ignored that last thought and told myself that I had hit the edge. Deston seemed keenly aware of my changing mood and Carver was a little distant and apprehensive. They were too quiet, but I think they were afraid of setting me off.2

Finally unable to take the silence any longer, I yelled, “One of you please speak!” Deston jumped in surprise at my sudden outburst and Carver jerked back on his reins in the same surprise, startling his horse and making it half rear. They both watched me for a moment.3

“What do you want us to say?” Carver asked.4

“Anything. Why do you act so afraid of me?” After I said that, I regretted it because Carver did not deny he was afraid as he normally would have done which meant he truly was afraid.5

“You have no idea what happened, do you?” Deston inquired. I turned and gave her a look. “I suppose not.” She murmured and shook her head. “You-I don’t know how…”6

“Just tell me.” I demanded.7

“I don’t even know how to explain it.” She said. “I’ve never seen that before, only heard of it.”8

“Seen what?!” I bellowed.9

“There are…myths you could say, of Sword Masters with a supreme power above all others, but…”She stopped again.10

“But what?” I urged.11

“But they are almost always too dangerous to keep around and so they are killed.” She told me.12

“Oh great, another thing to add to my list of problems and faults.” I mumbled.13

“Daeryk, this is no joke.”14

“I never said it was.” 15

“Right,” She sighed, trying to sort her thoughts into a reasonable way to explain my situation.16

“Why are they killed?” I persisted.17

“Their power is extremely potent, so much so that they can lose control. The power overwhelms them and they have a single minded purpose to battle. If they cannot learn to control it during training then that is when they are killed.” Deston sounded a little gloomy and uncertainty echoed her every word. I swallowed and ran my tongue over my lips. 18

“Then if that is how I am, then why was I not killed?” I kept my voice measured.19

“Once upon a time, perhaps you had control, but your memory being erased could have taken that knowledge from you.” Deston suggested.20

“Maybe.” I considered it. 21

“What if he loses control again?” Carver asked Deston. “What does that mean for us?”22

“I would never hurt you, either of you.” I said firmly. Carver looked at me, studying me and I could feel Deston’s eyes burning into my back. “Last night, when it happened, I was lost in the magic but I came out of it.” I said and looked over my shoulder at Deston. “You brought me out of it.”23

She didn’t smile or offer any indication that she knew why this was. Carver spoke, “Luck?” Deston shook her head.24

“We couldn’t be that lucky.” She replied.25

“A gift the Seraphim have then?” He presented. I stared into Deston’s blue eyes, twisting in the saddle so I could see her. She didn’t say no to Carver’s suggestion, but I knew she felt that was not the answer. This was something more. I could feel it, too, something that had been growing inside me. Something about this woman drew me to her so and I knew at that moment exactly why she had been able to stop me and I knew that I would do anything for her. I could see it in her eyes that she was beginning to realize this as well and the notion was terrifying to her, yet it was also thrilling to her.26

“I would never hurt you.” I whispered again. Our eyes still connected, she slowly nodded. Her Seraphim senses telling her that I spoke the truth of my heart; though there was more I could have said. Biting my tongue, I faced forward once more and we continued on.27

• * * * *28

We traveled on at a steady pace. I tried to ignore the guilt that twisted in my gut over what I had done. I have killed before, I knew, but since my memories had been erased, I could not remember having killed until now. It was probably like killing a man for the first time all over again. Lucky me, I get to endure that sort of thing twice in a lifetime. We had skirted around a small town earlier that day and were now coming upon a small village. I looked towards Carver.29

“Do you think we should pass it or go through it?” I asked.30

“Well, as far as I can see, there are no soldiers here which means you would be less likely pointed out as a traitor.” Carver replied.31

“I’m NOT a traitor.” I pushed.32

“How do you know for sure? You can’t remember.” He stated in a slightly snobbish voice.33

“I just do.”I sat up straighter in the saddle and tried to ignore him.34

“We go through it.” Deston put in.35

“We do?” Carver and I said in unison.36

“Yes. If this is the village I believe it is, then I must make a quick stop here.” She informed. I shifted in the saddle. “A man lives here who is friend of the Seraphim. I must see him.”37

“Why haven’t you mentioned this before?” I demanded.38

She gave me a look that said I had better watch my tone and be more respectful and I swallowed uncomfortably. A small smile lit her lips briefly. “My agenda and plans are my own to tell to whom I want WHEN I want.”39

I glanced at Carver who shrugged. Women. They always had their own agenda and did as they pleased. They were always so mysterious and secretive, too. With no further words spoken, we started forward to the village. Apple lifted her head high as we neared and took in the scents of other horses and many people. I patted her neck reassuringly. As we exited the woods, I felt my heart pound a little harder, feeling exposed without the cover of trees. We rode straight into the midst of the crowds that were gathered. It appeared to be marketing day and people were selling and trading goods every which way. 40

“Stop.” Deston said and I halted Apple in the middle of the dirt path that wound through the place. She dismounted. 41

“What are you doing?” Carver questioned.42

“Looking for him.”She said simply.43

“How do you know where he even lives, you told me you’ve never been this far east.”I reminded.44

“I haven’t, but I can FEEL him.”She hinted at her Seraphim ways. I felt my mouth widen in an O and I nodded in understanding. I dismounted and Carver did the same. We followed quietly at her heels as she walked. She would step one way and then suddenly step another. Sometimes she would stop and tilt her head like she was listening. I squinted at her confused expression. With a loud sigh, she took a deep breath and held it and then shut her eyes. Slowly, she expanded the breath and took another deep taste of the air to replace the one she had expelled. I leaned her way, waiting for something to happen but not knowing what that might be. Suddenly her blue eyes snapped open, nearly startling me once more with their splendor.45

“I found him.”She declared and began briskly walking through the hordes of people.46

“Hey, wait up!” Carver called as he and I stumbled after her; pulling our horses along through the crowd proved to be difficult and we nearly lost track of her. At one point I lost sight of her completely and asked Carver if he could see her. “Yes…She just turned left!” He later informed. We both took the left turn and found some ramshackle housing developments. The crowd was less prominent here and we easily saw her golden blonde hair as she came to a stop in front of the very last house in the line. I hurried as quickly as I could to catch up. 47

Deston lifted her hand, about to knock, when the door burst open. The looks of the man that stood there was a little surprising; He was tall and gangly with a long white beard and big bushy eyebrows. His voice was no less surprising as he bellowed, “Deston! I have been expecting you.” I had not expected the deepness of his voice and the hoarse sound it made from his growing age.48

“Leif!” Deston exclaimed with a large smile. “I knew you would be awaiting our arrival.” They hugged for a few moments before pulling away from the embrace.49

Leif glanced over the top of her head at Carver and I. “I see you brought your friends, Daeryk and Carver.” He grinned and winked at us. I felt my mouth drop open in shock and Carver gasped and shuffled his feet uncertainly. How did he know who we were? “I have food prepared for all of you. Carver, your favorite is pheasant, correct?” He asked. Carver took a step back, begging to look a little freaked out.50

“What in the blazes is going on?!” I demanded loudly. Deston wheeled to stare at me.51

“Daeryk, he is a friend!”52

“A friend my arse, when he knows who we are when we have never met him, there is something wrong. Who are you?” I directed the question at Leif.53

“I am Leif.” He said.54

“Yes I heard that-”55

“If you will come inside and take a seat I will be happy to explain.” 56

“I will not.” I declared.57

“Daeryk!” Deston gaped at me.58

“Deston, how do you know this man? How is he a friend?” I wanted to know, my suspicions aroused.59

“Daeryk,” Her voice was soft and her expression appeared hurt. “Don’t you trust me?” She whimpered and the anger that had flooding into my veins from fear, confusion and suspicion drained away. I sighed and nodded once. She smiled and motioned for us to come inside the small cottage. Carver watched me as I went towards the house and quickly followed. I wasn’t sure if he followed because he trusted me for protection or because he trusted Deston as much as I did.60

Inside, I felt safe and trapped all at once. It could be sheltering inside this home, but if someone or even Leif were to attack us, the space was small and cramped and we could easily be caught or killed. Just to show Deston how dissatisfied I was about her decision, I sat heavily in a chair and huffed angrily. No one made any indication that they noticed me. I huffed again, but this time I was not trying to get any attention, I was really angry.61

Deston and Carver both took a seat and Leif served us some soup from a large pot. I could smell the wonderful aroma and see vegetables and meat in the soup. I assumed the meat was pheasant. After filling the bowls in front of us, Leif set a loaf of bread in the center of the table.62

“Please, feel free to have as much bread as you desire.” He proffered generously.63

I said nothing, staring into my bowl of soup and considering poisoning. It was possible, but Leif was already eating his food. So were Deston and Carver, so grudgingly, I took a sip off my spoon. The food was absolutely delicious! Never in my life had I tasted something so luscious, but then again I could not remember much about what foods I have tasted in my lifetime. 64

“So, Deston, it has been awhile hasn’t it?” Leif said.65

“Yes, eight years I believe. I was still a young adolescent.” Deston replied, brushing her golden hair back so it would not fall into her soup. 66

“Yes, you were fifteen winters old then. You were so eager and determined and even now you have not changed.” Leif smiled. Deston blushed slightly and glanced at me and Carver. “I heard what happened to your kith.” 67

The air in the room suddenly became a little frigid. Deston did not move, keeping her eyes lowered; when she finally spoke, her voice was quiet and cracked with emotion. “Yes, Leif, it was a tragedy.”68

“Do you know if anyone survived?”He questioned.69

“…Just I.” 70

“What happened?” I abruptly blurted.71

Deston finally lifted her head and I saw that her eyes were red as she fought the tears. I felt my heart beat faster and I nearly burst with the rage that came. Someone had harmed her by harming people she cared about and that infuriated me beyond belief, but I did not lose control or even feel the power stir within me. “I told you about the king wanting all Seraphim caught or killed?” She said and I nodded. Carver leaned closer to her to catch her every word. “Well, we were the first Seraphim settlement that was attacked. We tend to live in groups or maybe at an abbey where we lived peacefully. Occasionally we left on missions, but we always returned.” She sighed. “It was early morning and I was helping in the garden when a cry went up and screaming soon followed. We are not defenseless people-we train so we can protect ourselves and others-but we were not prepared for an attack like that. I ran to the abbey as fast as I could. 72

Soldiers were everywhere and they were killing us all in cold blood. My sister was murdered right in front of me and I heard my father’s screams as he too was pierced by the blades of the soldiers. Then one of them came at me. I always keep a dagger with me and I quickly used that to defend myself. One of the monks at the abbey found me and told me to run while I had a chance and I did…I did run.” Now the tears were running freely down her cheeks. “I ran and left them all to die when I should be dead with them.”73

We were all quiet as she wept. Carver sipped at his soup uncomfortably and Leif shared the tears. It occurred to me that he had known these people quite well, better than I had originally thought. I hung my head, but lifted it as Deston excused herself from the table and ran outside. I stood to my feet.74

“Let her go, boy.” Leif said. “She needs time.”75

“I will do as I wish.” I snapped. “And don’t call me boy.” I stepped outside. Deston was slouched against the wall of the house, hands covering her face. I approached her hesitantly. “Deston…?”I said softly.76

“Leave me.”She ordered.77

“No.” I replied firmly and her head suddenly snapped up to stare at me.78

“I said go!” She urged. I stepped closer. She pursed her lips and glared. I sunk down beside her and she stiffened. I tried not to touch her so that she wasn’t too uncomfortable. I didn’t speak, didn’t breath. I was soon rewarded with a sigh. A sob broke in her throat again and then she leaned her head on my shoulder, crying. I put a single arm around her shoulders and let her cry on me. She sobbed continually for a long while; I wasn’t sure how long, but long enough for my legs to go numb from sitting in the same position.79

“Thank you.” She finally whispered hoarsely. 80

“Anytime.” I responded. 81

Deston picked her head up off her shoulder and turned her face to me. Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight, nearly taking my breath from me. “Daeryk, I have been meaning to talk with you about something.”82

“Oh? What-”83

“There they are!” A loud, booming voice shouted, startling me so that I leapt to my feet. A man stood with a constable. “I saw them walking along the paths earlier.”84

“Excuse me, milady, sir; may I have a word?” The constable called. He reached into his pocket to bring forth a piece of paper that I knew for certain was a poster of me. I glanced at Deston who was standing as well. A silent message was in both our eyes and we instantly knew what we needed to do. With a short nod, we turned and darted into the house, slamming and blockading the door behind us.85

“What’s going on?!” Carver yelled.86

“No time for talk, we have to get out of here.” I said.87

“Leif!” Deston shouted. “Why didn’t you warn us?”88

“I didn’t know!” He replied.89

“You’re supposed to be some sort of Seer, aren’t you? What good are you if you don’t see important things like THIS?” Deston remarked.90

I paused and glanced at Leif. “You’re a Seer?!” I demanded.91

“Daeryk!” Deston screamed as something slammed against the door. I wheeled around, looking for an escape. I saw a window and ran to it. I unlocked and then pushed open the shutter.92

“Whoa!” I bellowed and reeled backward as a sword flew at my face. A man was outside, now attempting to climb in. I unsheathed my own sword and he struggled backwards and away from the window before I could run it through his gullet. “Leif, is there another window in here?”93

“Yes, the back-”At that moment we heard a crash in the back of the home. I shook my head and clenched my teeth. It did not take long before we started smelling a smell that sent a shiver down my spine. I looked at the others; they could smell it, too. 94

“Smoke.” Carver said. I nodded. Leif stumbled forward and had to place a hand on the table to get his balance. His eyes seemed to flash and I realized something was not quite right. Suddenly, he looked around wildly.95

“Deston?!”He called.96

“You had a vision?” Deston ran to his side.97

He nodded. “I saw us burning in the fire.” He confided. Deston’s eyes widened. “We have to go out through the door and surrender or we will die.”98

“No.” I stated. “We can’t give up.”99

“Daeryk we must!” Carver yelled.100

“It’s the future. It doesn’t have to happen unless we want it to happen!” I persisted. The three of them began arguing with me and I hollered loud over their voices so that they could hear me. “The future is not permanent until it is the past! It doesn’t have to be that way.” They were all scared, I could see it in their eyes, but I wasn’t. I felt calm. I glanced around and saw something of interest. “The chimney!” I declared.101

“What?!” They all replied in unison.102

“Come on! We can climb up the chimney!” I ran towards it and stuck my head into the gap. The brickwork was roughly done which provided us with better footing and handholds. I pushed my body into the opening and grasped the bricks as best I could, heaving myself upwards. I placed the tips of my boots on the edge of the bricks and propelled myself onward.103

“I can’t do this; I’m fifty four for Pete’s sake!” I heard Leif grumble.104

“Then stay here and die or surrender and be executed.” I called down. I heard some more mutterings, but it was getting hard to hear them as I climbed higher.105

“Daeryk, I’m coming up behind you.” Deston said. “Don’t you dare fall on me!” I laughed at her remark. Soot was smeared on my hands and I could feel it on my face as well. My muscles began to ache ever so slightly, but then I pushed through and my head breached the top of the chimney. I slid my hands out and placed them on the roof, which wasn’t very sturdy, and tried to lift the rest of my body out.106

“Uh-oh.” I muttered. I put more strength into it and couldn’t seem to move my lower torso from the hole.107

“Daeryk, go!”108

“I’m stuck!” I voiced aloud, embarrassed. 109

“What?!” I heard Deston squeal.110

“Oh my gosh, Daeryk I HATE you!” I could vaguely hear Carver who had climbed up behind Leif who was behind Deston.111

“Deston, push me!” I commanded.112

“What?!” She gasped. “That’s your rear end you’re asking me to push!” I couldn’t help but cackle.113

“Just do it!”114

“Are you laughing?!” I heard Deston again.115

“DESTON!” Leif and Carver bellowed at the same time. Deston repositioned herself so she could push and I felt her hand grip my leg, shoving upwards. I strained with all my might.116

“Push!” I yelled.117

“I’ll fall if I push any harder!” She commented and I strained even more. That’s when I realized something. My sword was digging into the side of the bricks, restraining me. 118

“Deston, take my sword off!”119

“What?!” She sounded more shocked than before.120

“It’s holding me back, take it off!” I ordered and she climbed a little higher to reach my waist line, taking off my belt with the sword with one hand.121

“Hurry, the fire is right below me!” Carver sounded almost panicked. As soon as I felt my sword slide off, I thrust forward and came out of the chimney easily. I turned and saw Deston right below where I had been and reached down to take the sword. Then I took her hand and lifted her out. Leif climbed up and I helped him out too, and then came Carver. His eyes were wide and he was on the brink of panic. He had the same problem I did, but no one was below him to take off his sword.122

“Oh God, I’m going to die!” He yelled. He struggled fiercely to no avail.123

“Carver calm down!” I tried to soothe him but he was beginning to freak out. “Carver, if you climb back down a little, then I can hold onto you while you move your sword.”124

“No-no-no!”125

“Carver!”I tried but he wouldn’t listen. Frowning, I gripped his arm tightly and then kicked his shoulder. He slipped and fell, but I was holding him. His scream of fear seemed to echo in the fiery chasm below him. He froze, looking at me. “I got you.” I nodded assuring. “Now take off your sword.” He nodded and took it off with one hand. Deston leaned over to grab it and then I pulled Carver up and to semi-safety on top of the roof. He sighed and took many deep breaths.126

“I HATE you; I’m going to kill you I promise!” Carver spat, but made no attempt to fulfill his promise.127

“Kill me later, Carver, let’s go.”I went to the edge of the building.128

“How do you plan to get down?” Leif asked.129

“Can you jump down?” I questioned. He swallowed.130

“I suppose if I had to.” He mumbled.131

I nodded. “Good. My horse and Carver’s horse are right beside two of their horses, just within jumping distance.”132

“We’re jumping to the horses?!” Deston blanched. I nodded.133

“Let’s go!” I didn’t give them time to think about it, I just went for it. I landed astride Apple perfectly, but cringed at the searing pain. She started and reared, but I calmed her and then sent her into a gallop as the others leapt down after me and the men began shouting. I laughed at them and rode Apple on.134

“That was brilliant!” Leif called out. I glanced over my shoulder to see him riding his stolen horse proudly. Deston looked exasperated and Carver just looked ready to get out of the area. I was, too and so I kicked Apple again and we all rode straight out of town and back into the forest.135