Wings of Arian (9 page)

“I did it!”

“Excellent, let’s go again.”

Grinning for the first time in hours, Emane trotted back to his place and readied himself for another round. He focused in on Aleric’s hands, losing sight of all else. Opening and closing his fingers he focused.

“Aleric, Emane!” Kiora’s voice shattered his concentration.

Jerking his head up he saw her running towards him a second before he felt the magic hit him square in the chest like a sledgehammer. Grunting, he found himself flying through the air again. Slamming into the ground, he bounced— landing first on his rear, then his shoulder before sliding to a halt. He tried to raise his head but dropped it back to the ground staring at the canopy above, annoyed.

“Never, never lose your concentration.” Aleric yelled at him “If that was someone who wanted to kill you, they would have.”

Rolling to his stomach, Emane pushed himself to his feet. Limping back over to the dueling area, he glared at Kiora as he passed.

“Oops,” she said, her green eyes wide.

“Yes, thank you,” Emane replied sarcastically shaking his head.

Aleric turned his attention to Kiora, “Was there something you needed?”

“Oh right!” she said, her excitement returning. “I need you guys to tell me if I got this, I mean I think I got it. It looked like I got it. I just wanted to make sure that I got it.”

Emane rolled his eyes. His back was aching, his shoulder was on fire and he was not in the mood. “How can we tell if you got it, if you don’t get to it!”

“Oh,” she jumped. “Right, sorry. Ok, here it goes.” She closed her eyes and vanished.

Emane’s eyes got as big as saucers. “What?” he looked around the clearing. “Where did she go?”

Aleric’s smile was full of pride. “She hasn’t gone anywhere. She made a bubble.”

“A what?”

Kiora appeared again out of nowhere, almost bouncing she was so excited “A bubble. Oh, Aleric! I am so excited, the book told me to access my magic, and I thought it was ridiculous because I didn’t know how to access my magic! But I tried anyway and then I could feel it. I felt it leave me to make the bubble, I’m so excited!” She ran over to Aleric and threw her arms around him kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you!” She turned and skipped back to her tent.

Emane watched her go in complete confusion. He had seen a lot of sides of Kiora, but that was a new one. “What is going on with her?”

“I think she’s feeling validated.” Aleric smiled. “At least that would be my guess.”

Shaking his head, Emane started to hobble back over to his position. “Aleric, what’s a bubble?”

“A bubble,” said Aleric, still smiling “Is something that makes it so you cannot be seen.”

“So it makes you invisible,” he clarified, turning to face him.

“Yes and no. It works in three ways. You cannot be seen or heard, but more importantly than that, it hides your threads so they cannot be tracked.”

Emane processed it. “Why can’t we just stay in a bubble then, when the Fallen Ones come?”

“It will most likely be needed to help us escape, but a bubble takes an enormous amount of energy to maintain. It is a short term solution. You also have to be careful. A direct magical hit will pop the bubble leaving you very vulnerable.”

Emane shook his head. “Aleric, is it just me or does every rule of magic have an exception?”

“Most. It is not unlike the combat that you are accustomed to.”

“No,” Emane held a finger up. “Combat has rules that you follow— no exceptions.”

“None?” Aleric asked innocently.

“No, you follow the rules if you want to live.”

“So tell me then,” Aleric said clasping his hands behind his back. “How far away from your attacker do you stand?”

“That depends on the length of your opponent’s arms and sword,” Emane explained.

“How long would that be then, exactly?”

“That depends, Aleric. I can’t tell you until I meet him.”

“Alright then,” Aleric rocked backwards on his heels, his white hair swinging at his shoulders. “What shield should you use in battle.”

“It depends upon the weapon I am going up against.”

“Why?” Aleric pushed.

Emane rolled his eyes. Surely Aleric could not be this dense about combat. “Because the shield I use against swords would be ineffective against clubs or heavier weapons.”

“So then the shield you mentioned for swords, it always works.”

“Always,” Emane answered confidently.

“Never Fails?”

“Never.”Aleric smiled, “Unless it is against a club.”

“Yes unless it’s a...” His voice trailed off, realizing he had walked right where Aleric had wanted.

“Hmmm, sounds like an exception to me. Shall we continue then?”

Before the Prince had time to answer Aleric was raising his arms. Emane grunted as he dove out of the blast zone.

“Well done. I must say,” Aleric said nodding his approval, “I thought I had you that time.”

Jerking his head to toss his hair back out of his eyes, Emane said, “I think you’re enjoying this, Aleric.”

“Don’t be ridiculous my Prince, it is all in the name of training.”

Pushing back to his feet Emane said, “Let me rephrase, I
know
your enjoying this.”

Aleric laughed. “It looks like we are done for the moment,” he said with a nod to the right.

Emane followed Aleric’s gaze to see a row of Guardians flying towards them. They all carried weapons ten times their size, glinting in the light. They came forward laying the weapons at his feet. There was a sword; gold with a jewel encrusted hilt. A picture of the Wings of Arian was engraved upon the blade. The next weapon laid down was a bow and arrow. The bow was also gold with the same engraved image. The arrows were delicate with bright blue feathers and were held within a case made of the leather. Other fine weapons followed: a club, a lance, and two shields— all magnificent. Emane picked up the shield, running his finger over it. The Wings of Arian were on this as well. Instead of a simple engraving, it was outlined completely with delicate sapphires. He had never seen any weapons like these, not in all the armory of the castle. He turned to ask the Guardians what they were for, but they were all gone. All but Malena.

“What are these for?” Emane asked.

“They are for you, Emane.” She gave a shallow bow in the air, her wings fluttering behind her.

“Me?” He looked awestruck at the weaponry laid before him. “These must be very special items for your people.”

“They are special, but not to us. We made them for you.”

“You made these?” he said, turning the shield over in his hands.

“Of course.”

“But why?” he asked looking up at her. “I have my own swords and shields.”

Malena smiled. “Yes, yours are quite sufficient for dealing with mortal men. However you would find them inadequate dealing with your knew magical enemies.”

Aleric walked closer to Emane. “Those who have magical powers have certain other benefits. We live longer and heal faster. It takes a blow from something infused with magic to impede that healing process.”

“Are you telling me that it would be impossible for me to kill a magical creature with my sword?”

“Of course not, we are mortal. And a well placed blow will finish us off just as fast as anybody else. But a blow that is less than immediately lethal will give us the time that we need to heal from it.”

Malena continued, “Each of your weapons has been infused with magic. This will allow your strikes a greater chance of doing the damage you need them to do. Your shield is also infused. This will not only give you a fair playing field against their magical weapons, it will also deflect some spells.”

“Some?””Yes, I cannot guarantee, though. With magic there are always...”

“Exceptions,” Emane interrupted dryly.

“Yes.” Malena looked over at Aleric, her silver hair glittering in the sun. “Covering exceptions today?”

Aleric nodded trying to disguise the smirk on his face.

Malena smiled and turned to Emane, “I will leave you to your practicing.”She flew the way she had come without a backward glance.

Emane was examining the lot laid before him, shaking his head.

“What is it Emane?” asked Aleric.

“Are we going to be traveling a lot?”

“Yes, I assume we will be.”

“Then how will I possibly haul all of this stuff?”

“Oh that’s right,” Aleric said scanning the items. “They forgot one.”

Emane’s head and eyes rolled in annoyance. “How is one more thing going to help?”

Aleric raised his hand and Emane lost his footing trying to scramble out of the way, landing hard on his backside.

Aleric burst out laughing. “Sorry Emane. That was not directed at you.” He raised his hand again, and a large trunk materialized next to his weapons.”

“A trunk, Aleric?” Emane said struggling to his feet. “How is that going to help?”

Aleric was about to explain but was interrupted by an enormous boom echoing throughout. It sounded as if an explosion had gone off inside the Hollow. Emane and Aleric turned and ran in the direction of the sound.

They could hear Kiora’s panicked cries, “No, no!”

They turned the corner and stopped short looking at the carnage in front of them. Kiora’s tent had been obliterated as well as anything within ten feet of it. The trees were charred at the base and debris was scattered everywhere. Not a shred of the tent or anything in it had been spared and was instead floating down around them in tiny pieces, giving the illusion of a slightly grayed snowfall. Kiora was kneeling on the ground amongst the falling flakes holding a limp and bleeding Guardian in the palm of her hand.

***

Kiora looked up as Emane and Aleric came tearing around the corner, tears pouring down her cheeks. “Aleric,” she pleaded, her voice catching, “help me.” She could see the horror in Emane’s eyes, and turned away. She had seen that look in far too many eyes, and they were always looking at her. Today though, his horror wasn’t any greater than what she was feeling herself. Her heart felt like it had been replaced with lead as she looked back down at the tiny shape lying in her hand. “It was an accident; I don’t know what I did.”

Aleric ran to her side, placing his arms around her. Emane didn’t move. The area began filling with light as the Guardians flew to the source of the explosion. Malena was in front and flew down to her fallen friend.

“I’m, sorry Malena,” Kiora sobbed, “Is he dead? Did I...” She choked before she could finish, pulling the tiny figure closer to her chest.

Malena reached out her hand and touched him. “Not yet.” She motioned and five other guardians flew in to collect the injured one out of Kiora’s hand. They cradled their inured friend between them, carrying him away.

“Malena,” Kiora was hysterical. “What was his name?”

“His name was Leo.” She flew up, looking into Kiora’s eyes. “What happened?”

Groaning, Kiora leaned into Aleric’s shoulder, shaking. “I was practicing shields,” her words were coming out in broken pieces between sobs. “I put out my hands to make a shield, and then this.” She motioned to the surrounding area.

Aleric surveyed the damage with a new look of surprise on his face. “Kiora, you did all of this?” She nodded shoving her head further into his chest.

“Leo must have been in front of my tent.” Wailing, she grabbed at Aleric’s shirt pushing her head against his chest. Her shoulders racked with sobs.

Aleric pried her off, pushing her back. She shook her head violently.

“Kiora!” he shouted. “Kiora look at me!”

“No,” she cried, still shaking her head collapsing on the ground in front of him,

“Kiora, this is not your fault.”

“Yes it is!” she moaned. “I did it. I could have killed him, Aleric.”

Malena flew over and landed on Kiora’s shoulder. Within a second, Kiora felt calmness flowing over her, tangible and not her own. Her breathing slowed in response. Her gasps slowed to nearly normal breathing and she pushed herself up to sitting, looking at Malena who was now fluttering in front of her face.

“How do you do that?” Kiora sighed.

“It’s a gift.”

Wrapping her arms around herself, Kiora asked, “Why would you take away the pain, after what I did to Leo?”

Malena’s eyes were sympathetic. “Kiora, Leo will be fine. I am sure they have him mostly healed by now. What you did was not intentional. Please, tell us again what happened.”

Kiora took a deep breath wiping the tears from her face. Grateful for Malena’s calming influence, yet still feeling undeserving. She tried to focus on what had happened before the blast. “I got comfortable with bubbles and moved onto shields. I had made a few small ones, but they were so tiny compared to the one that I had made against Raynor. I thought I could do better, make a bigger one, if I just tried harder.” She shuddered in remembrance. “It just exploded out from my hands. My tent was shredded and I saw Leo fly into the tree.” She started to shake again, even with Malena’s influence. “He hit so hard, and I watched him slide down the trunk.” More tears rolled down her cheeks. “I got to him as fast as I could.”

Malena touched her shoulder, “Kiora, relax.”

Kiora nodded and tried to slow her breathing.

Aleric was surveying the damage. “Kiora, were you thinking about making a shield when this happened?”

“Yes, I think so, I was thinking about protecting us from Dralazar. And then....” her voice trailed off.

Aleric gently prodded her to continue. “What happened next?”

She put her head in her hands, “I was thinking about how he had sent those Hounds after us. I was scared and mad and then…” she pointed at the destruction, “this happened.”

Aleric began to chuckle. Kiora pulled her head up looking at him with wide eyes. His laugh grew larger and larger until it was echoing through the trees. “Kiora, you truly are amazing.”

Kiora felt anger surging, replacing the despair. “Amazing! This is not amazing! This is horrible and terrible and—”

“No, this was an accident.” He walked over to her grinning. “I am slowly learning that we have hardly begun to see what you are capable of. Malena, will you take Kiora to visit Leo? I have a feeling she will feel better once she sees that he is okay.”