The Knife's Edge (24 page)

The Ronin looked to the turbulent morning sky. “Yes, but it was not always so. Once, long ago, they were divine creatures detached from the affairs of the mortal races—elves, dryads, human and their kin. Somehow during the Lieon, the enemy turned them, and over time they lost their immortality and much of their magic. Now, the once grand beings are mindless beasts by comparison—hounds of the enemy who fetch and kill at the Kage’s whim.”

“They won’t attack with you and the others near, right?” Darius asked.

“I doubt it,” Maris said. “But it is worse than that.”

“What do you mean worse? How can it be worse?” the rogue said.

“Dragons are the Kage’s eyes and ears. Their cries have a greater purpose.”

Gray spoke, a cold seeping beneath his skin and chilling his bones. “They are giving away our position by sound.”

“Flaming dice,” Darius cursed.

Ayva pulled her blue cloak tighter, “How close are they?”

Maris glanced to the horizon. “At this pace? The enemy will be on us before daybreak.”

“And the others know this?” he asked.

The other seven Ronin rode ahead, conversing quietly.

“Well aware,” Maris said.

Darius shook his head, “Then what are they going to do? They have a plan, right?”

Maris was silent.

Mura approached. Gray was glad for his company. The hermit rarely seemed to leave Karil and Rydel’s side of late.

“Maris?” asked Ayva.

The Ronin swayed in his saddle. “A long time ago and just over those hills lay the town of Mesia.” Gray and the others followed his gaze, seeing only shrouded green hills. “Lush gardens enclosed by white stone. A different breed of people too—their hearts too big for their small frames. And the taverns,” he gave a fond sigh, “I didn’t think I could ever grow tired of the Green Tavern or the sounds of laughter that sifted among the rafters.”

“Maris,” he said. The Ronin looked to him. Gray was speechless. Those were not the eyes of the living. Ahead there was a loud commotion, followed by the ring of steel. Maris spurred his horse and Gray, the others at his side, kicked his heels and followed.

The shouts rose as they pressed their way through the crowd to see the Ronin. The seven men faced one gripping swords and arguing loudly.

Mura broke the tirade, striding forth, “What is going on here?” the hermit bellowed. “If you haven’t noticed, the enemy is behind us.”

The legends turned to him.

“Leave it be, old man,” Aurelious said.

Gray’s ire rose. “No, he’s right. What do you think you’re doing?”

“What does a boy know of such things?” Seth said.

Maris grabbed him. “These events are far over your head, Gray. Leave it be,” he said in a cold whisper.

He shrugged the Ronin’s grip off and strode forward. “Call me young, but I’m smart enough to see a fool’s trap. By fighting amongst one another you’re playing into the Kage’s hand.”

“You know not—”

“Quiet, Seth. Let him speak,” said Omni.

Gray swallowed his trepidation and raised his voice, “This is what the enemy wants. If you destroy yourselves then their job is already done.”

“Then what do you propose?” Aurelious asked.

Gray searched for the words, but the truth was he didn’t have an answer. “I’m not sure…”

“Perfect,” Aurelious said. “This is what we get for listening to a boy’s plans for salvation.”

“And do you have a better idea, brother?” Aundevoriä asked.

Aurelious growled and a chorus of shouts erupted as the Ronin fought once again.

“Silence!” Baro boomed.

The Ronin quieted and Baro stepped back, Omni taking the big man’s place. “We must face the simple truth,” he announced, “If we continue on this course our death is sealed.”

“Then what are we doing here?” Seth questioned. “We’ve saved them, but we can do no more. They are slowing us down. At this rate, the Kage will catch us. The enemy will not stop. Shall their death be ours as well?” he asked, pointing to the fearful men and women.

A silence descended over the crowds.

“It is true,” Hiron said suddenly. Omni looked surprised by his words. “I’m sorry Omni, but for once I agree with Seth. We returned from the realm of the dead for one thing. That one item was and always has been our main goal. You said it yourself, all else is trivial by comparison.” Hiron turned to look at Gray. “We came for the sword and we found it.”

All eyes fell on him. Gray stepped back. All of a sudden, he was not ready to hand over the blade. It was strange… though part of him loathed Morrowil, something felt wrong about giving it up.

“I made a promise to these people,” Omni replied.

“A fool’s promise,” Seth sneered.

“Watch your words, cur,” Baro snapped, baring the bright steel of his giant sword, Iridal.

Hiron spoke, “As usual, Seth does not know his place, but he is also right. A promise is no good if you’re not alive to keep it, Omni.”

“I hate to admit it, but the fire-head has a point,” Dared said, breaking his silence.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Aurelious asked roughly, moving towards Gray.

Gray tensed, reaching for Morrowil.

“Stop, Aurelious!” Omni ordered, but Aurelious didn’t slow. Omni flung his hand and a blinding beam of light shot from it. Its light encircled Aurelious like a rope of gold and tied him to the ground.

“Let me go!” Aurelious raged, trying and failing to reach for his sword.

“The blade is out of our hands now, Aurelious,” Omni said, “Let it go!”

Aurelious seethed against the golden bonds, “That is not your decision!” he shouted. Luckily, he seemed restrained. Gray sagged with relief until he saw Seth approach out of the corner of his eye. He gripped the sword in his hands.

Aundevoriä stepped between him and Seth.

“Back away from the boy, Aun, or I will make you,” Seth said with cold fury.

“The blade is not yours to take!” Aundevoriä said and a giant earthen hand rose from the ground. Huge rock fingers curled around Seth. The Ronin sliced, but more shot up in their place. With an angry shout, Seth plunged Heartgard into the ground. The hand of earth dissolved in a bout of flame and Gray shielded his eyes from the blast, and then ran to help Aundevoriä.

Maris grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“Let go! They are fighting over the sword! I can end this!” he tried to pull away, but the man held him tightly.

“It’s not your fight,” Maris said.

“What then? Shall I do nothing while others fight and die for something I hold?”

“I will not let you risk yourself. The sword and you are more important than any one of us.”

“Take it!” Gray said, offering the blade, “If you take it, they will stop.”

Temptation glittered in Maris’ eyes. “I can’t…” he replied. “Morrowil is yours.”

Gray broke free of Maris’ grip when roots sprung from the ground. The thick tubers wrapped around his legs, pinning him. Aundevoriä loosed another cry, a behemoth hand of rock shuddered from the earth. The ground swayed, but the vines held him in place. Villagers cried out and ran. Seth growled and a fire bolt shot from his hand. It hit Aundevoriä and created a cloud of dust. Gray held his breath until Aundevoriä rose from the smoke, clothes smoldering. He gripped a marble shield in one hand and a stone sword in the other.

“Stop this madness!” Omni shouted, and another beam of golden light shot forth, racing towards Seth and Aundevoriä. Yet Baro spurred his huge mount, leaping before the beam. The two collided and the big Ronin grunted as the light hit his broad back, wrapping around him like a huge snake. Baro raised his massive arms and the gold band burst.

Seth was almost to Gray, though Maris stood between them.

Gray gripped the blade tighter, readying himself when suddenly his hands grew hot. The hilt seared until he felt his flesh being fused to the sword’s grip. He gasped, at last letting go. In a burst of flame, Seth disappeared then reappeared, swiftly reaching for the blade. Wrist-thick roots sprung from the ground and snatched Seth’s arm.

“Back away from the blade,” Maris said. “We are your brothers—this is not right!”

“Don’t speak to me of bonds! You betray us all! The sword is everything, yet you let a boy hold it!” Seth bellowed.

“He is more than just a boy, can’t you see that?” Maris replied.

Seth raised his arm. “If he is more than simple fire will not hurt him.”

Gray pulled at the vines harder, trying to flee.

“Stop now, Seth, before you get someone killed!” Maris shouted.

“And what is one life compared to thousands?” Seth growled. “We will all die if the blade falls into the hands of the Kage!”

“Listen to reason. You cannot hold the blade!”

A blast of fire shriveled the roots holding Seth’s arm. More roots sprung up, even bigger, trying to pin the angry Ronin, but more fire met it and Gray shielded his eyes. Suddenly too powerful to contain, the fire shot into the crowds. Pandemonium erupted. Ayva was blown back by a blast, falling to the ground. He shouted her name, but still the vines held him, Morrowil trapped against his body. He clawed at the thick tubers with his free hand, but it was no use. Heat washed over him as fire rained down upon Maris, the man now shrouded in an emerald aura. A ball of fire ricocheted off and raced towards Ayva. Darius leapt from his horse, diving before the fireball. The rogue’s cloak erupted in flames, and Darius flung it from his back as more fire rained down.

Gray watched, his anger rising. It surged, building like a tempest. “No more,” he seethed, rising to his full height and the roots sloughed from his arms and legs, falling to the ground. “Enough!” He bellowed and a gust of wind sent all to the ground. All but Maris and Seth. Striding forward, Gray grabbed Seth by the throat, holding him in midair. The fire and roots stopped in a rush. Gray’s fist tightened, limbs shaking.

Seth choked, glaring with hatred. Fire wreathed the Ronin’s body, growing and he lifted a burning fist.

Gray gripped the man’s fist and a gust of wind snuffed the fire. “No more,” he breathed and dropped the Ronin, falling to his own knees, dropping Morrowil. The wind that swirled around him was too much to hold. Exhausted, he let it go and it dissipated into thin air. Gaining his senses, he looked up slowly. All around the Ronin wore looks of shock.

“The boy holds the power of wind…” Dared announced.

“Miraculous,” Hiron breathed.

“And more than that,” Baro rumbled, “He is a natural—the Banished Element is not easy to hold.”

Aundevoriä tapped his stone sword to his marble shield and the two melded as if one. “At last, another wielder of the flow,” he said and thrust the now metal blade into the earth, bending to one knee.

Dared knelt beside him, and Hiron did the same.

“Please, don’t,” he pleaded uncomfortably, ushering them to their feet.

Aurelious rubbed his shoulder and knelt. He pressed a fist to his heart. Gray forced himself not to shirk under his scrutiny.

Seth rose to his feet, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. “Have you all gone mad? What is this?”

“Perhaps we were wrong, Seth,” Aurelious said. “Kail’s powers and Kail’s sword. It seems only right… The boy was meant for the blade.”

Seth’s face was a thunderhead. “You all cow to his meager power, but it changes nothing! In the end, even Kail was not worthy of Morrowil, or did you all simply forget that as well? The blade does not belong in the hands of a boy!”

“Then you try to touch it,” Maris retorted quietly.

Seth eyed him as if it were a trick, than slowly, he strode forward. “If it is my duty to do what you all cannot, I will.” Seth knelt and reached for the blade. As he touched its handle, he unleashed an anguished cry. The Ronin fell to his knees, and his eyes rolled in his skull. He threw the blade as if tearing it from his grip and the Ronin’s whole body sagged, hand trembling.

“Don’t you see?” Maris asked with fury in his voice, “None of us can touch it!” he said and kicked Heartgard towards the still sputtering Seth. “Morrowil has chosen the boy, whether you like it or not.”

Roots twined around the blade and lifted it towards him. “Take it, Gray. It’s yours.” Gray grabbed Morrowil, sheathing it firmly upon his back. A shiver coursed through him, glad to have the blade once again.

“That still leaves one thing unsettled,” said Hiron. “What about the Kage?” He sounded as if he was wondering about the weather, not questioning the unstoppable dark horde that bit at their heels. “They are still almost upon us. And even with the boy’s power, assuming he is able to summon it again, we still stand little to no chance against the enemy.”

“That is why we must part ways,” Omni announced. “We must lead the Kage away. Only then, will the blade be truly safe from the enemy’s grasp.”

“And where will we go?” Karil asked, joining in. “What is left that the Kage have not burned to the ground? From what we have seen, Daerval is all but gone.”

“There is still one place that is safe,” Omni answered, “A place hidden amidst the mountains, untainted by time.”