The Merchant and the Menace Read online

  Kael’s feelings of anger, loathing, sorrow, fear and panic transformed into a desperate need as he witnessed the Malveel preparing one final assault on Ader. Need charged to the front of his mind. The Need to help. The Need to punish. The Need to avenge. Need coalesced into a thin veil of crackling blue flame around the boy’s hands.

  “Kael! NO!” shouted Ader.

  Something inside the boy lashed out. A small, blue bolt of flame sped through the forest air toward the Malveel. It struck Methra’s forepaw, searing the hair and scales off a small area. The creature thrashed its body back and forth, howling in pain and anger. Flames meant for Ader sprayed the forest, igniting the trees. Methra wheeled to face Manfir. The creature’s body coiled toward the forest floor.

  Kael’s eyes widened in horror. Fear once again reigned supreme. What did he do? How did he do it? He glanced at his hands. The blue flame slowly dissipated. The Malveel inched forward.

  “So, my errand is near an end,” hissed Methra.

  Manfir tightened his body and braced himself in a fighting stance, his shield and blade held high. Kael stumbled backward, lost in fear and confusion. He felt the creature’s hatred wash over him. He desperately wanted to be home at “The King’s Service”. He longed to see his father. His thoughts cried out to Aemmon. He felt utterly alone. The boy spun and fled down the Nagur path.

  “Methra, you lap dog, come and finish me!” cried Ader.

  “Later,” snarled the beast, eyeing the running boy, “but first....”

  The creature sprang, in one leap reaching Manfir. Razor sharp claws lashed out, knocked aside the shield and slashed deeply into the warrior’s face and shoulder. Manfir’s sword glanced ineffectually against the heavily armored scales of the Malveel. Without halting, the creature passed the warrior and scrambled toward Kael. The boy ran like he never had before, but heard the curses of the monster grow as it closed the gap.

  “Methra will tear out your innards, boy,” growled the Malveel.

  Kael sprinted down the path, his heart gripped by terror. The voice sweetened.

  “Do not run from me, boy. I must speak to you. Slow down.”

  The voice floated down the path in a strange singsong manner. Kael’s racing heart slowed and he filled with the desire to comply and obey this voice. He was exhausted. His mind reeled. The death of his brother and all those Elves, as well as the emotional events of the last few days took their toll. He stopped and bent over to catch his breath. Methra was there instantly. The Malveel approached to within ten yards and crouched low.

  “Look at me,” commanded Methra.

  Kael turned toward the creature and met its gaze.

  “Much too impish and young for what I expected,” assessed Methra. “The other one with all the cursed Elves appeared much more like the genuine article. Izgra wants the new Seraph brought to him alive or dead.”

  Kael stood motionless, caught in the creature’s hypnotic gaze.

  “Your display of power proves you to be the Seraph,” said Methra, licking his oozing wound, “but why should I bring you to Izgra? He will turn your mind and make you his right hand. My wound shall serve as the perfect excuse for your demise. I shall claim you were too powerful and I fought you to the death, receiving injuries along the way. Does that sound good to you, boy?”

  Kael stood mesmerized, nodding his head in agreement. Methra snorted.

  “A savior! A mighty throne! What a story! Izgra has been fooled by the Scribes and their mindless prophesies,“ chortled the beast. “I shall snap your neck and drink your blood so you are less a burden to carry.”

  The Malveel rose from its crouch and approached Kael with an evil sneer. Its gaze remained fixed on the boy’s eyes and held him in place.

  Methra covered half the distance to Kael in one step, when unexpectedly the beast’s eyes were averted to something behind the boy. Kael heard a rustling in the wood and felt the ground tremble. Methra glanced to the woods and his eyes went wide. A huge figure broke from the tree line. The boy felt a rush of wind as a giant, three yards tall and wearing a tunic of brown wool, swept past him.

  Methra rose to his full height, nearly the same as the giant. The creature clawed at the air in front of him and sent searing flames at the approaching figure. The huge man never hesitated. He stepped through the crimson flames, knocked aside the flailing claws and clutched the Malveel about the neck with two enormous fists.

  “I will not allow such an abomination in my holy wood!” boomed the giant. “Your business here is finished ...”

  Methra’s claws raked the giant’s powerful forearms, but to Kael’s amazement they left no mark. Flames leapt from the Malveel’s eyes and engulfed the giant’s head. This too caused no damage.

  “... And it is you whose neck needs snapping,” bellowed the giant.

  Methra’s final hiss was cut off by the sickening crack of his neck breaking. The flames vanished and the red glow in its eyes faded to black. The giant casually tossed the dead Malveel to the side of the path and turned to Kael.

  The boy was surprised to see the visage of an old man. His curly gray hair cascaded to his shoulders and intertwined with his long beard. Dark piercing eyes stared at Kael from beneath the giant’s bushy brow. He knelt in front of Kael and inspected the boy.

  “You are uninjured,” stated the giant as a fact, not a question.

  Kael nodded his head in agreement.

  “That is good. Come,” said the giant placing a hand around Kael’s back and leading him down the path.

  Kael numbly followed, too afraid and overwhelmed to even thank his savior properly. The boy glanced over his shoulder once to be sure the Malveel was motionless.

  After a brief walk they encountered Manfir and Ader struggling toward them. The giant stopped and watched them approach. Manfir helped support a weakened Ader. The old trader’s clothes were tattered and burnt. His face and hands were raw and blistered by his encounter with the Malveel.

  Manfir’s cloak and shirt were soaked dark red. He bore deep slash marks from the Malveel's claws, and the bone of his shoulder was exposed. Blood oozed from the wounds and his face was ashen and pale.

  When Ader reached Kael and the giant, he released his grip on Manfir and dropped to his knees. Manfir staggered and put a hand to his sword. The giant scowled at Ader.

  “Brother Ader, unholy creatures roam my world.”

  “Forgive us, dear Hilro,” rasped Ader, “the times produce unfortunate events.”

  Manfir let the tip of his sword fall to the earth and he fell to his knees in exhaustion.

  “Death is at work in my woods. Unnatural death. I will not allow it. Look at your comrade. I see his spirit fading as we speak,” said Hilro pointing to Manfir.

  Once again Kael could not explain the sensation, but something within him felt the life force of Manfir slowly slipping away. He turned to Ader in panic and realized the trader was nearly spent as well. Kael needed to do something. These men were fading away in front of him.

  He spun to face Hilro. Kael was sure of one thing. This strange being could help. The giant exuded power. As if in reply to Kael’s silent plea, the giant moved toward the two men.

  “We shall tolerate no more death in my wood today,” announced Hilro.

  Hilro walked over to Manfir and bade the man rise. The giant’s massive hands cupped Manfir’s face, making the warrior look like a child. A rainbow of light flowed from those hands and surrounded Manfir.

  Kael watched in awe as the fountain of Hilro’s life force emitted streams of color. They flowed into Manfir’s body. The warrior’s eyes closed and he dropped his blade as he was bathed in rays of light. Kael felt the giant’s energy filling the man and making him whole again.

  Hilro pulled his hands from the warrior’s face. The shredded and bloodied remains of Manfir’s shirt lay dangling from his exposed shoulder. The wound was healed, leaving a large v-shaped scar. Hilro turned to Ader and held his hands above the trader.

  Streams of g
reen light emitted from Hilro’s hands. They swirled around Ader and seeped into his body. The sphere that encased Ader returned, strong and bright. The light spun in a whirlwind around Kael’s old friend, then jumped into Ader’s body, reviving him.

  “Thank you,” said Ader as he emerged from the cascade of light.

  The trader’s hands and face were still slightly raw and blistered, but he showed a remarkable improvement over his previous condition.

  “The children of the ancient race must not be left as such,” said Hilro pointing to the sight of the massacre. “Use them to feed the trees.”

  “As you say, Hilro,” said Ader bowing his head.

  “Ader, I must interfere in your duties. These matters concern me. I do not care for the like of that in my wood,” stated Hilro pointing toward the Malveel.

  “I understand brother. We must ere be vigilant against such things,” said Ader.

  “Tis time,” said Hilro nodding toward Kael.

  “You are right,” said Ader.

  The giant briefly looked over Manfir and Kael, then spun on his heel and strode into the forest. Manfir and Ader approached Kael.

  “Are you injured?” asked Ader.

  “No,” replied Kael.

  “What were you thinking, attacking a Malveel like that? Have you no sense?” questioned Ader.

  “I ... I thought you needed help,” said Kael. “Besides, I wasn’t aware I was attacking anything until it happened.”

  “Ader, I must agree with the boy. The creature held you at a disadvantage. You were in danger,” said Manfir.

  “My danger is my concern,” said Ader. “We nearly lost Kael to one of Amird’s lesser servants!”

  “He didn’t carry himself as a lesser servant.” stated Manfir. “He maintained all the power of a Malveel of the first order.”

  “We shall face much worse than Methra the Worm in the days ahead,” scowled Ader. “The Malveel was old and fell out of favor with his superiors over the years. The once proud Methra was reduced to a messenger for the enemy...“

  Kael wandered away. His eyes drifted from one Elven body to the next. His breathing slowed, his shoulders slumped and he dragged his feet as if they were encased in lead. The Southlander turned and stumbled down the path toward the body of Aemmon. Ader noticed the movement.

  “Kael, we must make haste to Luxlor and protection,” said Ader. “We don’t know what other creatures of Chaos scout the wood.”

  Kael slowed his trek toward the body of Aemmon. His hands covered his face and his body shook with sorrow.

  “Kael ... “ began Ader once more.

  Manfir reached out and put a hand on Ader’s shoulder, halting the old man’s words.

  “You have seen too much of death over these long years for it to hold much meaning,” said the warrior soberly. “Stay your comments and give the boy a moment to grieve.”

  Ader looked into Manfir’s eyes as the boy finally reached his brother. The old trader nodded as Kael dropped to his knees beside the lifeless body of Aemmon. Kael wrapped Aemmon in his arms and softly wept.

  Chapter 7: MYTHS AND LEGENDS

  Kael was uncertain how much time passed when a soft hand upon his shoulder startled him.

  “He should be buried like a warrior,” stated Manfir from above.

  Kael raised his eyes and nodded his agreement. Manfir found a spot near the side of the road. Kael joined him and together they prepared a grave for the young man’s body. When it was complete, the big man returned, picked up Aemmon and placed him in the shallow pit. The trio stood over the grave for a few moments and Manfir murmured a soft prayer. Kael stood by silently fighting the urge to cry out as Manfir covered the body of his brother with rocks and dirt. When Manfir completed the task he turned to Kael.

  “Lord Ader and I must attend to the Elves,” said Manfir. “Linger if you must, but we cannot tarry in these woods too long.”

  The two men left the boy to his sorrows and proceeded to bury the fallen Elves. There was no time to spare and so the dead were interred in the spots where they fell.

  Kael shook as he stood over the grave of his brother. How could he be gone? How did this happen? Why? Questions flooded his mind?

  An hour passed when Ader approached.

  “Come Kael. It’s time for us to leave this place. There is much work ahead for both you and I. Manfir will return to Kelky to seek out your father. He has retrieved your mount. You and I must return to Luxlor.”

  Kael turned and looked into the stern eyes of Ader. He wanted so many questions answered, but at the moment he didn’t have the heart. He put his trust in the old man and let Ader lead him to the chestnut mare.

  Manfir sat on the back of his black stallion and nodded to the boy as Kael approached.

  “Kael Brelgson, fare you well,” said the grim man. “Know that you are in my prayers.”

  The Black spun north and Manfir spurred him forward. The warhorse plunged up the forest path and disappeared from sight.

  Kael mounted, turned and took one last look at the grave of his brother. The duo then prodded their horses and rode back toward Luxlor.

  Their journey proceeded in silence for over an hour. Kael was lost in thoughts of Aemmon. Their life together at “The King’s Service”. Years of conversation while they finished their daily chores. Shared dreams and fears. How much their lives changed after their mother’s death. Their father’s withdrawal into sorrow. A sorrow that hung over the inn for many years after. What of his father? Brelg would be devastated. How could Kael adequately explain the horror that befell his brother? What was happening?

  “What is happening is hard to explain,” said Ader guiding his stallion next to the chestnut.

  Kael was shocked that the old man read his thoughts. All of this was too much for him to comprehend, but one thing was for certain. Ader or Jasper, whatever he called himself, was much more than the people of Kelky believed, and Kael’s sorrow turned to anger.

  “I’m confused,” said Kael staring at the trader through narrowed eyes, “and you’re part of that confusion.”

  The trader sighed and took a moment to let Kael’s anger pass.

  “Kael, do you know anything of history?” asked Ader somberly.

  “Yes, a bit,” answered Kael hesitantly. “My mother tried to keep us well educated.”

  “Do you know of ancient history?” questioned Ader, “The time when the world began.”

  “I ..... I’m not sure what you mean by the term ’history’,“ said Kael. “I know the story of creation and other religious tales.”

  “You call them ‘tales’. Don’t you believe in them?”

  “Who’s to say what is truth and what is fancy. I’m sure they’re just stories to explain how things are the way they are,” returned Kael.

  “What’s the story of creation?” asked Ader abruptly.

  “Avra decided to create man,“ said Kael. “So he fashioned the world and all things in it as a place for man to dwell. Then he set man on the world.”

  “Good, but what of the Elves?” coaxed Ader.

  “I’m not sure about the Elves,” said Kael. “I never really considered them.”

  “Well then, what about me?” asked the old man.

  “What about you?”

  “How do you explain my existence?” said Ader.

  The boy looked puzzled.

  “I am not an Elf,” continued Ader.

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Am I a man?”

  “I ... I’m not sure. Until yesterday I would have said yes, but no man is able to do what you did today,” said Kael.

  “No man can do what you did today either, Kael. Did you think of that?” asked Ader.

  “Yes.” whispered the boy dropping his head. “That only adds to my confusion.”

  Ader did not press the issue and they cantered forward in silence. Kael kept trying to make sense of all he had seen and done in the last day. However, images of his brother intruded his musings a
nd filled him with sorrow.

  “We’ll take this slowly,” said Ader. “You need to know many things now, and some things may wait. Therefore, I’ll start at the beginning and I do mean the Beginning.

  “Nothing. Darkness. An abyss. Disorder. It was and had been. Eternal. Limitless. This is how I can best describe it. Then, something stirred in this blackness. Something separated itself from the chaos and formed a pattern. Something that had been and will be. Something that was both part of the void, but distinct from it.

  “From disorder came order. The something took shape and forced its will on its surroundings. Avra, my Lord and Father let himself become. Like a whirlpool in a raging river, he was a constant. As the rapids of Chaos rushed by in random surges, He spun and held his place.

  “There is a duality in all things. Just as there is an up, there is a down. Hot and cold. Light and dark. Duality is the nature of the world. You have two eyes, two arms and two legs. Why not seven, four and three? The root of all the universe is two. Just as Avra was born from Chaos, so was Chaos born from Avra. When our Creator separated himself from Chaos, he not only gave himself an identity, He gave an identity to all that He left behind. That identity was Chaos. Have you ever paddled a boat through the water, Kael?”

  “Yes,” answered the boy furrowing his brow.

  “Then you must notice the wake you create behind you. A uniform replica of the prow of your boat, etched in the water by your passage. Before the vessel arrives, the water slides about haphazardly. However, once the boat passes, the water in its wake is given shape, an identity all its own. When Avra allowed himself to form, the duality of all things created his opposite, Chaos. There are two forces at work on all things in this universe, the order of Avra and the disorder of Chaos.”

  “If Chaos is an equal force taking shape in the universe, why do people worship Avra? Why not worship Chaos as well?” asked Kael.

  “The simple fact that you exist answers that question,” answered Ader. “Chaos by its nature does not create. Chaos strives to break down order, to tear apart anything cohesive. Chaos corrupts and defiles. We show our gratitude and obedience to Avra simply because we wouldn’t exist without him.