guidance, although I will be honest and say that I did not expect someone so young to be here today. I suppose that one’s years spent living do not reflect a measure of our souls or strength of character. You and I are actually not so different from each other, Vartan-we were just born in different realms. I am Makya, which means ‘eagle hunter’ in my world. Allow me to show you a short glimpse of our history.” He inhaled a deep breath of grey smoke and blew out a whisky-coloured planet that was circled by three moons. “Unlike your world, which still flourishes with riches from the earth, ours was bled dry over many thousands of years of carelessness. Much like your world, we are no strangers to war and suffering. Weapons became incredibly intricate and complicated over centuries of battle, and ultimately evolved to be more destructive.' With another breath, he blew out a hazy warrior who ran in fright with his weapons held high in the air. A light flew fast and hard to plummet deep into the warrior’s flesh. He clawed at his skin to get it out. Suddenly, his entire body violently exploded into thin air.
“How did that… is that even possible?” Vartan asked.
Makya nodded to the phoenix, which flew among the rows of weapons until it grasped one of them with its claws and flew it over to where Vartan sat. Vartan caught the weapon as it was dropped down to him, and was surprised by its weight. It was almost the size of his arm, but was as light as a feather.
“Bring it up to your shoulder, and take aim without hesitation at the object I throw in the air. To use this weapon, you simply need to turn the runes at your fingertips to activate it. Beware of its power when you fire it, as there are enough charges within to dispatch ten of your enemies if you are able to hit them accurately.'
Makya reached behind him to a pile of what appeared to be lifeless birds. He shook one and threw it high in the air, where it glowed for a second before suddenly taking flight. Vartan followed the bird as best as he could with the strange weapon, sweat forming on his brow in concentration. He turned the runes to send a bolt of light screaming into the bird, and his chair fell backwards onto the ground with a loud thud from the recoil. The bird squawked, fell to the ground, and struggled to free itself from the burning hot object within its breast. Suddenly it exploded, the violent force sending wind roaring past their faces.
“By the gods!” exclaimed Vartan. “This weapon is simply extraordinary!”
Makya helped him return the chair back to its place and eased him back down onto it. “Luckily, that was not a real bird. Just imagine what it could do to your enemies,” said Makya with a knowing smile.
Vartan rubbed his shoulder, still aching from the force of the weapon’s recoil. His voice strained as he asked, “I am not used to such strange weapons. Are all of your weapons this powerful?”
“I can supply you with everything your warriors will need, but it will naturally come at a price. I understand your fight better than you know, as I once was in a similar position to your own. I had the responsibility to save our people. However, for now I, too, have someone to answer to for making these weapons. What do you have in those chests to trade? Fur? Silver? Trinkets?”
As Vartan opened the lids of the heavy treasure chests, the sparkles of the treasures within lit up the roof of the building, and also lit up the trader’s eyes. Makya stood and emptied his pipe, sighing out a final smokey breath as he spoke. “Well, young hero, I believe we’ve ourselves a fair deal, and I’ll be sure to leave you plenty to help your cause. Come now; we have much more in the way of weapons and armour for you to explore.'
Chapter 9: An Unlikely Duo
“Courage is a word used far too often for my liking. It can be hidden within a mask of fear, or within the blood of a warrior. Some would say that courage can be encompassed by a selfless action under a blanket of danger. I believe that to strike fear into the hearts of men takes courage.
Let them try to take back their great city. I will be here waiting, searching for the weapon to wipe them all from the face of this planet. I swear that I will find that weapon, even if Derian cannot lead me to it!”
The bitterly cold night sent icy shivers through Aidan’s body as he made his way to the forest’s edge. His weary eyes scanned for signs of life along the path ahead which led to the still-lowered gate. Greenhaven was barely lit by the numerous small fires that still burned within. The Forces of Darkness swarmed in all corners of the city as if they were ants devouring a fallen bug.
Aidan knew well the secret entrance which led to the many sections of Greenhaven, including the royal chambers. To make it to that entrance, he would first need to cross the gate safely.
This will be difficult. I need a distraction. Thank the gods for Trisa’s gifts, he thought. He fumbled through his bag to search for an enchanted fireball scroll when he heard the sound of leaves crunching under approaching feet nearby. With his hand on the hilt of his sword, he hid behind the trunk of a tree and stood ready for battle. Aidan called out in a low voice, “Who goes there?”
“It is only me-Tusdar.” The master thief stepped out into view, the moonlight illuminating his presence. “I don't mean you any harm, Aidan. I have actually come to help you.'
Aidan clenched his fists. “Help?” he snapped. “Of all the people in Marithia, I don’t need your help, Tusdar. Why don’t you go somewhere warm and cosy to drink yourself silly and leave the fighting to me?”
Tusdar let out a small chuckle. “I’ll ignore your insults. Surely you can spot a good deal when you see one, can't you? I may have a soft spot for a good drink, but there is something you don’t realise. I can get close to the wealthy under the guise of a drunkard, and they tend to boast about their items of value. I never actually got drunk-I just let them think that I was. I know I have a bad history, but I want to change all that, which is why I followed you here after you dropped by the inn for a drink. Come now, I’ll watch your back for you.'
Aidan’s eyes narrowed. “Hold on a moment,” he said. “Are you saying that you have been sneaking in and out of people’s houses without a trace? How much stuff have you managed to steal? I hope you chose your targets with a conscience. What drew you to a life of thievery? And what did you do with all of your treasures?”
Tusdar looked to the ground and shuffled his feet. “I… I never stole from anyone who was poor. One of my greatest achievements was stealing a gold goblet from Kassina’s tower. That was a bold move on my part, but I never ran into her or her skeleton warriors. As soon as the war erupted, everything I took I gave away to the people of Marithia. I hope that it helps them stay alive. Come on! You can use someone with my skills, and I am a changed man.”
Aidan contemplated the offer for a moment, hesitated, then smiled and offered his hand. Tusdar shook Aidan’s hand and returned his smile with one of his own.
“Everyone does deserve a second chance, Tusdar-even you. But you should know that if I ever catch you stealing anything of value in Greenhaven, I will make it common knowledge that you are never again to be trusted- not even to take out rubbish or to clean stables. Do you understand me?”
Tusdar nodded in agreement and readied his bow, approaching Aidan’s position. “Fair terms to agree to, Aidan. So, what is your plan exactly?”
“We will take a secret entrance into the royal chambers,” whispered Aidan. He pointed to the east turret. “To get there, we have to cross that lowered gate, and somehow distract any Forces of Darkness watching it. I will try to send a fireball to the other side of the city in an attempt to divert their attention, which should give us a few moments to run across the bridge to that gate.'
“Of course, if it works. And if you miss?'
Aidan stared at him and sighed heavily. 'I cannot afford to miss. If that happens and we are discovered, then we have no choice but to flee. That is, of course, if we aren't captured by Kassina.'
Tusdar's face turned serious. 'Do what you must. I’ll be right behind you, doesn't matter what happens.'
Aidan pulled out the scroll with the fireball spell and whispered the inscription.
“ Flamma attorqueatur. ”
His hands glowed and warmed with power as he took aim at the rear of the city.
“Extraordinary! I should use enchanted scrolls more often,” he exclaimed, just as the fireballs exploded from his hands and soared into the sky.
As the fireballs screamed their way through the city, Aidan could clearly see what looked like dig sites riddling the streets, each one thriving with activity. Skeleton warriors hammered away at the earth, tirelessly, under Kassina’s command.
