Curse of The Seventh Sword: The Gauntlet of Feona (17 page)

“Unfortunate?”  Viritania asked, obviously infuriated.  “You lied to us about the reason for your leave.  Now this
Davydd Miljorn poses a threat to our plans.”

“I will deal with the matter of
Davydd accordingly.  I faced him.  He is young, inexperienced and guided by a set of ideals that are not his own, but rather inherited.  Once I have found him, and the gauntlet of Feona, I will crush those inherited ideals once and for all.”

“Do it expedi
ently Sidion.”  Another dragol said.  He was not sitting at the table and revealed himself as he walked into the wash of moonlight coming in from the skylight in the ceiling above.

“O… Omni…”  Sidion said, momentarily losing his composure.

“King… Vror.  One of our seeds was killed two days ago in Beathaleth.  They were well informed of our seed’s presence.  Do you know who else is well aware of our current plan?”

Sidion Vror did not attempt to respond. 

“I take it that you do.”  Omni’s voice was full of deathly intent as he made his way to Sidion Vror’s chair. 

“If you do not take care of
Davydd Miljorn and his troublesome group, if you let us find him first, your daughter will experience a most excruciating death.  This I promise you.”

Omni noticed Sidion’s look
of terror and smiled.

“Yes king Vror, we know she’s alive.  Her death at this point would be meaningless, so deliver
Davydd’s head and she lives.  Fail to do so and I will personally rip her head from her neck in front of you, after having to watch her suffer exceedingly.”

Omni, who had turned his back on Sidion while talking, and had his hands behind his
back, turned his head to glare at Sidion. 

“Now then, will we be hearing of any more unfortunate
circumstances?”

Sidion shook his head no. 

“I will not fail you.”

Omni turned to look at Trudor, who flashed him a glance and then looked away.

“Good.”  Omni said.  “I know you will not.  Do not worry human, the sooner you find the gauntlet and kill that boy, the sooner all your worries will be distant memories.  Get to work.  Oh and one more thing.  The fact that I am here should tell you something.  Our
restrictions
will not last forever Sidion.”  And with that, all the dragol were instantly gone, leaving the two men sitting in silence.  After a short while Sidion spoke.

“Trudor, assemble as many soldiers as you can for my ship.  Select death, undertaker and executioner class soldiers, and no one lower.  Send word to prep my ship!  We leave in five days.”

“What is our destination your majesty?”  Trudor said, getting up.

“
Sangwa.”

“We leave for Beathaleth your majesty?”

“Yes…
we
leave for Beathaleth.”

Trudor slowly nodded. 
“At once your majesty.”

“I will be taking Farok with me on this trip, not you.  You will stay behind and preside over matters in my absence
.  Nistam will be at your command, but remember his loyalty lies with me.”

“As does mine, your majesty.” 

“Good.  From this moment we are to assume that king Darius is no longer our ally, as I am sure Matilom made him well aware of our plans here.”

“And k
ing Darius believed him?”

“It’s no surprise.  I should
have foreseen such an event.  They have always maintained a beneficial relationship and there is a fair amount of trust between them.  Your first task will be to increase our military presence at our outposts, borders and shores.  Despite their friendship, I doubt king Darius is the only one that troublesome wizard has managed to convince.  Go now Trudor.  Time is a luxury we do not have.”

“Your majesty.”  Trudor said as he bowed and left the room.

The
ship arrived at the docks of Sangwa just as darkness had begun to rapidly envelop the port city.  As dock workers began to frantically secure the huge sea vessel, screaming commands at each other as they did, a step ladder was deployed from the side of the ship hull, coming down and resting gently on the dock’s platform.  Its members began to slowly disembark soon after.  Among them were Ergol and his men, Matilom, Sam, Leo, Max, Baximus, Matilom, Davydd, Vannera and Segmiatus.  Davydd walked beside Vannera, constantly stealing glances at her but not getting any in response.  Vannera could feel his eyes on her and she wanted so badly to turn towards him, and say something.  Anything.  The tension was palpable.  But fear would not let her speak to him. 
How can I keep looking you in the eyes and not tell you the truth?

“Talk to me
Vannera.”

The princess didn’t respond.  She kept walking with her eyes transfixed on something, or nothing at all. 
Davydd walked in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders gently. 

“
Vannera… look at me.”

She slowly lifted her gaze as her green eyes met his. 

“What troubles you?”  Davydd asked.

“Nothing.”
Her response was terse.

Davydd sighed heavily.

“I do not want to call you a liar, and yet I can’t tell you I don’t believe you, without implying as much.”

Vannera took in a deep breath and swallowed, keeping her lips pressed almost as though she was fighting back the words that struggled to escape from her lips.  She looked at him knowing that the truth he sought from
her was emanating from him, it was all around him and she could see it as clearly as she could see the lights beyond him in the inns and taverns near the dock.  A chilly breeze was now blowing in and caused her to lean in to him, resting her head on his chest.  She looked up at him and kissed him softly as she did.

“We should get going.  It is unwise to stand out here for too long.”

Davydd nodded in agreement and stepped aside, letting her walk ahead of him.  He stood watching her for a moment.

“What troub
les you?”  Max asked.

“What troubles
her?” 

“Mmmm… women.  The
y are the great mystery of life.”

“Have I wronged her
Max?” 

“Who says you did?”

“Then what could be the matter?”

Max shrugged. 

“You really want to know the answer?”  He finally asked. 

Da
vydd shot him an exasperated look.

“Alright, alright.
”  Max said upon seeing Davydd’s frustration. 

“Wait for it.”

“Max I don’t have time for…”

“
Davydd… if you really want to know the answer, wait for it.  Now, we are in a new town, so let’s become one with it shall we?  And I’m looking at the best way to do that.  Isn’t that so?”  Max turned to Sam and Leo who were heading their way, after helping to off-load some of the cargo from the ship.

“Don’t forget about me.”  Segmiatus said joining them.  “It’ll be just like old times right
Davydd?”  Segmiatus laughed along with the others and Davydd joined in.

“I suppose so.  Just don’t get into any fights this
time.”

“I dare not, especially if you are too busy with the women to help me.”

The group began walking towards the town laughing and joking as they did. 

Matilom,
Baximus and Ergol watched as the younger men went off. 

“Remember
when we were like that?” Ergol asked.

“I don’t remember.”  Matilom responded, drawing laughter from both Ergol and
Baximus. 

“Of course you don’t.”  Ergol said.  “Your time was up decades ago you old relic.”

“Right you are.” Matilom concurred.  “But alas, I have unfinished business and a service to the Miljorns.  I can rest afterwards.”

“Let us enjoy these few days of calm while we have it.  We could all use a bit of well deserved resting time.”  And with that, they made their way to the inns of Sangwa. 

In a room at one o
f those inns, Princess Vannera stood by the balcony and gazed in the direction of the taverns.  In one of those taverns, was Davydd Miljorn.  Even from this distance, she could see him as clear as day.  He was unique.  He sat like a diamond among stones.  And yet he knew not who he really was. 

I don’t want to call you a liar…

Hadn’t he been denied the truth long enough?  She recollected the burning anger she felt when she discovered what her father was really up to, or when that discovery had nearly cost her, her life.  There was also the anger she felt as she listened to Baximus tear Davydd’s reality apart with the truth on the night he was rescued from the outpost.  She had secretly resolved then and there never to protect him with a lie.  Yet here she was, ‘protecting’ him with the absence of truth.  She made up her mind.  She would wait on him, and when he returned to their room, she would tell him the truth.  He deserved that much.  But she would consult with Matilom first.  With her resolve solidified, she lay down to rest a little while.

A lady sat on the ground in her c
ircularly shaped chambers lined with tall bright white columns that towered up for seemingly forever.  The floor of her chambers was translucent and emanated a blue hue.  The sphere of Terrianus could be seen, almost as an image, through the translucent floor, along with all the other realms the lady had created.  She sat with her legs crossed, head hung low and unmoving, in a meditative state.  Her bronze like skin glistened in its stillness and her golden hair fell all the way to her lower back. 

“How long do you plan on contemplating your decision, Lady Lynda?”

Lynda slowly raised her head and looked behind her.  A man stood behind her with his arms folded.  He was leaning against one of the columns.  His skin was a teal - greenish color, but was also translucent.  When one looked at him, and as he moved, it seemed as though one could see all that is through his skin.  His very essence seemed dissolved into the space about him, his eyes were a glowing white with no pupils and his hair was the same color as his skin.  The teal skinned man wore a white top with a golden chest plate above it, white pants and golden metallic boots.  He also had golden gauntlets on either arm, as well as a cape the same color as his skin and translucency.  He unfolded his arms and began walking towards Lynda.  When he got there, he sat down beside her in silence for a while.  They both looked at each other and smiled. 

“You look worried.”  He finally said.

“It is painfully obvious isn’t it Arthros?”

Arthros nodded. 

“So to what do I owe this visit from the father of void and all that is?”

“I am a concerned brother.”

Lynda smiled and looked down at Terrianus and then at Hovan.

“Have you come to dissuade me then?”

“I have merely come to make sure you are sure of this.”

L
ynda nodded in understanding. 

“And what do the others thin
k?”

“My twin Barthros thinks you were crazy to involve yourself so directly, decades ago.  But like the others, he preoccupies himself with his own duties.
  What about your twin?”

“Feona?  You know her.  She is unpredictable as always, but… I think she mea
ns well.”  Lynda recalled Feona’s words to her during Balek’s hunt for Davydd. 

We all steer the hand of fate one way or another, gods and humans alike.  What are you prepared to do?

“I know what I have to do Arthros.”

“I know... that if you go…
there’s a chance you won’t come back… in time.”

“I am needed.”  Lynda said as she got up.  She reached out her hand in front of her and a long sword in a white sheath floated into her grasp. 
When she held it, it dissolved into a bracelet on her right hand.  Arthros laughed under his breath.

“What amuses you?”

“I almost pray the dragol attacks with an army.  It has been a while since I witnessed you ruthlessly lay waste to our enemies with your two swords.”

Lynda smiled.

“Alas I shall have one.  King Vitalis has the other after all.”

“
I am sure you will find a way.  Besides, it would seem you have a successor.  You must be proud.” 

Lynda walked to Arthros and wrapped her arms around him.  She pressed a kiss on his cheek. 

“Thank you, brother.”

Arthros nodd
ed.

“Remember, the more you interfere, the more you lose your godly nature, until you eventually will become mortal.  If you do, you will not regain your powers till…”

“I know Arthros… You worry too much.  I’ll be fine.”

“Take care
of yourself Lynda.”

Lynda nodded as she used her fingers to open up a shining, p
ulsating tear much like the one Feona and Jaynea used.  She looked back at Arthros one more time and he nodded slowly, reassuringly. She returned the nod and walked through the tear.  It closed behind her. 

“Are you fine, with letting her go this way?”
  Arthros said after the tear had closed.

“I couldn’t have changed her mind even if I tried.”  Feona walked in from the shadows.

“You know what I mean.  You didn’t say goodbye.”

“Who s
ays this is goodbye?  You forget whom we speak about.  My twin is the goddess of life for a reason.  I won’t be leading her over the sea of lost souls anytime soon.”

Arthros nodded.

“A war is coming Feona.  If she turns mortal…”

“She intends to.” Feona int
erjected.

“What?”

“What is a human Arthros?  Humans are merely us without our powers, and our immortality.  However, they have immortal souls but are still human by nature.  When she turns mortal she won’t be human, merely a mortal god, but a god nonetheless.”

“So the dragol would be fighting
us directly instead…” Arthros shook his head as the realization sank in. 

“She’s offering herself as a sacrificial lamb.”

“No.  She is merely steering the hand of fate.  Do not underestimate our sister.  Let us go brother.  It is as you say.  A war is coming, and we have much preparation to make.”

The front door to the house located high up on a hill opened up.  The house had a short fence that went all the way around it in a wide perimeter, forming a fairly large compound.  There was a separate building – which served as a barn – in the compound.  The main house was made of wood and had two floors.  A man walked through the front door and watered some flower pots that were sitting on the front porch’s fence.  He was tall and strongly built.  His muscles rippled with every move he made, a product of a highly trained body ready to uncoil into action when need be.    His long brown hair and layer of brown beard seemed to accentuate his looks and his deep-sea blue eyes were piercing.  As he bent low to water the next flower pot, he caught sight of a figure standing at the fence, from the corner of his eyes.  He turned to see a lady open the gate to his compound and slowly make her way towards him.  Strands of her golden hair flew in the wind, and her bronze-like skin glimmered in the early morning sun.  As Lady Lynda made her way to the man’s home, her lips parted unconsciously and she breathed in a tad bit heavier.  She could feel her godly essence erupt and swirl inside her and her skin prickled from the heightened heat.  When she got to the steps that led up to the porch, she looked up at the man who was standing there to receive her. 

He smiled at her and extended his right hand towards her.  She returned the smile, t
ook it and he led her inside his home.  They walked through the dining area and sat together on the lone long sofa in what would be his living room, facing the fire place.  They sat in silence for a while, before the man spoke.

“I know why you are here.”

She looked at him and observed his strong facial features.  She beheld his form and his aura and it took her back to days long placed in a box of memories.  She could also see the anxiousness on his face, though he tried his best to conceal them.

“I know y
ou don’t want to be here… right now.”  She finally responded.

He looked at her and smiled.

“Have you come to put me at ease angel?”

“Not just that.”

“You know you don’t need my permission.”

The goddess snuggled up to the man
and laid her head on his chest.  She could hear his calm strong heart beat and it soothed her, as it always did. 

“You are after all, the goddess of life.  Creator of all that we see, all that we are.”

She smiled as she ran her hand up and down the side of his arm. 

“All that is true…
But I am also yours as you are mine, and he needs me.  But I had to consult with you first.”  She looked at him lovingly.  “I have to aid him in discovering his true self.”

“I know… If only your sister had not been so greedy, this would have been over
long ago.”

“You know Feona and her nature, as you know me and mine.”

The man looked at the goddess and beheld her beauty.  He took in the sight of her bronze skin and beautiful golden hair, her full lips and beautiful face.  He observed her curves and womanly features.  How long had it been?  In this place where time seemed to collapse in on itself, it could have been yesterday or it could have been decades. 

“How old is he now?”

“Two decades and three years.”

“Ah.
He is a young man.”  He smiled.

“He is i
n your image.”  The goddess said smiling as well.

“Does he ask a lot
of questions like you?”  The man asked.

“I know not what you speak of.”  She said as she sat
up and folded her arms.  The man laughed and leaned forward. 

“Is Lady Lynda, the all powerf
ul goddess and creator of all that is, pouting?”

Lynda glanced at him and then back at the fire place. 

“He’s in love.”

“Oh reall
y now.  With who if I might ask?”

Lynda took a deep breath.

“Vannera Vror.”

The man
sat back and ran his hands through his hair.

“And she loves him back dearly.”

“Of all the girls in Terrianus…”

“Lo
ve makes no distinctions… You didn’t fall in love with a girl from Terrianus.” 

The man looked at Lynda realizing she was right.

“I worry about how his love for her…”

“He will do
fine; as you did… he’ll figure it out… with a little guidance.”

“You are excited aren’t you?”

“I am.”  Lynda laughed.  “For centuries I’ve been mother to all humanity, but this… this is different.”

The man sighed.

“I only ask one thing of you.  Stay…”

“
Alive?  To whom do you think you are speaking?  You have nothing to worry about.”

“There they are.  Questions.”

Lynda laughed. 

“Alright Lynda.  Go.”

“Thank you.  I wish you were still in the world of the living.  They could use a man like you right now.”

“
They have Davydd and soon you.  They have all they need… but if it be necessary, I will strike a pact with Barthros and…”

“No.  You’ve lived and you lived well.  You are resting.  No more wars for you.”  Lynda got up. 

“I have to go now.  There is little time.”

She reached out her
hand and began to draw open a tear when she felt the man’s touch on her other hand.  Contact was made and there it was.  A spark and a flame erupted.  She whirled around as their lips met in a kiss so powerful it made both bodies tremble with desire.  She pulled back and beheld the man she loved. 

“R… Rik…”

He put his hands to her lips cutting her off.

“We have some time.”  He said smiling.

She attacked him with another sensuous kiss as they spun around slamming each other into the wall next to the fire place.  Their lips kept interlocking and Lynda reached out her hand quickly swiping down and pushing Rikard through the tear that opened up.  On the other side they both fell out of the tear unto Rikard’s bed upstairs, lips still interlocked and rolling on top of each other, while kissing and groping frenetically.  Lynda’s clothes dissolved into nothingness revealing her form and full non-obscured beauty.  She tore away at Rikard’s clothes and felt his strength move inside her.  She gasped and moaned.

“When… this is over, we’ll have for…”

“Forever can wait. 
Now
Rikard.  Now.”

Rikard
smiled and from then on no words were spoken, only sounds and movements of the moment.

Matilom,
Baximus, Davydd, Segmiatus and Vannera sat silently behind the huge desk, as the man sitting across from them, examined the old brown crumpled paper that had been handed to him.  On the front of the paper, was a graphite image of a gauntlet.  It was very similar to the gauntlet worn on the left hand of the goddess Feona.  The old man examined it for a while and looked up at the four, who were staring intently at him, as they eagerly awaited his response.  He put down the crumpled piece of paper in front of them, and his glasses came off next, resting on the desk. 

“I’ve never seen this before.”  He finally said.

“Are you sure?”  Matilom asked.  “It is very unique.”

“I know.  That is why in more than fifty years of trading precious metal and prized possessions, a gauntlet such as this would have
burned itself in my memory.”  He glanced over at the graphite drawing of Feona’s gauntlet once again.

“Alas I cannot
remember seeing one such as this.  I am sorry I could not help you more.”

He’s lying!