Blood Moon Cycle

Rielle woke to the sounds of Solidus cleaning up the camp. She sat up and stretched before yawning and looking around. The morning was crisp and clear and a cool breeze caused the long yellow grass to ripple in large waves across the plains. In the distance, Rielle could see the jagged cliffs of the Serpent Tongue Mountains rising into the air.

Though much smaller than the Mercury Mountains, the Serpent Tongue Mountains were a high, craggy, barren waste filled with wide chasms that were endlessly deep. Though many had tried, none had ever been able to pass over the mountains and into Telatia.

“We are already near the Serpent’s Tongue?” Rielle asked. Solidus nodded and finished putting out the fire.

“The horses made good time yesterday. If we can keep that pace today, we should reach the main camp of the Allied Kingdoms before sundown.” Solidus stood and tossed Rielle a small drawstring bag. When she looked at him questioningly he turned and mounted his horse.

“Breakfast.” He said. “Eat while you ride. When you are done, practice raising and lowering your shield again.” Rielle scowled and stood. She quickly tied her bedroll to her saddle and then mounted and followed behind Solidus. The bag Rielle had been given had a decent portion of dried meats and fruits. She sighed sadly, hoping Solidus had heard her, and began eating. When she had finished, Rielle quietly tucked the bag into a saddle bag and sat silently, hoping that Solidus had forgotten about her.

Solidus cleared his throat loudly. Rielle scowled at the back of his head then sighed and began building the energy for her shield. With each attempt, Rielle found that it was starting to get easier to raise her shield. It took her less and less time each try, and she found that it did not tire her as much as it had the day before. At one point she could have sworn she saw Solidus watching her with a half smile on his face, but she only glimpsed him out of the corner of her eye and when she looked at him he was staring straight ahead.

By the time the sun had begun to sink low into the sky ahead of them, Rielle could raise and lower her shield in a matter of seconds, and the drain on her body no longer made her so tired she could not sit up straight. Rielle started to feel proud of her accomplishment and was going to tell Solidus so when she heard a war horn sound over the plains.

“We have arrived.” Solidus stated, reigning his horse in. They walked their horses into town and left them at a stable near the gates. Solidus drew up the hood of his cloak and slung his bow over one shoulder.

“Take me to see the commander.” He told Rielle. Rielle nodded and proudly led the way down the street towards the center of town. Most everyone who saw Rielle greeted her and stepped aside for her, and the soldiers stood aside and saluted as she passed. They came to a makeshift barricade at the edge of the town square. Beyond it, Rielle could see a large tent standing in the center and many smaller tents around it. Behind her she noticed that Solidus had suddenly stooped and began walking as if he were an old man. Taking no notice, she walked straight up to the guards at the barricade and showed them her signet ring.

“I bring a visitor to see the Commander and generals. I was informed that I was to see them immediately upon my arrival.” The guards looked skeptical.

“The Commander and the Generals are in a meeting planning the assault on the Great Gate. We cannot let you pass.” Rielle drew herself up and stared down the guard.

“I was sent on this diplomatic mission by the Commander and the three Kings of Laytrow, Hortaal, and Gentry.” She waved her hand, making sure the signet ring that identified her as an ambassador flashed in the torchlight. “Perhaps you would like to explain to them why I was not admitted with this important noble visitor, and possible ally to the cause. I am sure they will be most understanding when devising a proper way to dispense punishment.” Both guards jumped aside and saluted. Rielle nodded.

“Thank you gentlemen.” She stuck her nose in the air importantly and walked past them. Solidus let out an inhuman growl as he passed the guards and chuckled to himself as they both jumped. Rielle strode up to the large tent and nodded to the guard. The guard saluted and then stepped inside the tent.

“Commander, Ambassador Rielle Lyvinius has arrived and seeks audience.” The guard announced. A mumbled reply was given and the guard stepped out and held the tent flap aside for Rielle and Solidus to pass. Rielle marched in without hesitation and Solidus followed, being careful to stay behind Rielle and as out of sight as possible.

Inside the tent was a large model of Galbrea, with more models representing cities, mountains, and armies. Four men in shining armor stood around the table talking. One general, a man of medium height with a short beard and green eyes, used a short stick to move the armies from the Hortaal side of the mountains to the Telatian side.

“We must strike quickly.” He was saying. “If we can take the Telatian side of the Southwestern Gate we can set up a camp and be in a much better position to fight.” Another general harrumphed. This second general was slightly taller than the first and was well muscled. He had a short beard of thick red hair and clear blue eyes.

“If we did that, then the Telatians would come at us from all sides and overwhelm us. Our only advantage at present is the fact that the Telatians can only come through the Gate pass a few dozen at a time.” The first general scowled.

“You can’t win a war by always playing on the defensive. When we reached the other side of the Gate we could use the full advantage of the Laytrow cavalry and mow down the Telatian forces with ease.” The third general, a thin, balding man with grey hair and brown eyes, laughed.

“You put far too much faith in your cavalry, General Proteus.” The general called Proteus scowled angrily and his face turned red. The fourth man in the tent, a large man with no beard and simple brown hair, finally spoke.

“Set the matter aside for now. Our ambassador has returned and what she has to say may change our plans entirely.” The man turned and bowed to Rielle.

“Ambassador Rielle. I hope your journey was pleasant.” Rielle laughed humorlessly.

“Hardly, Commander. The Telatians knew I was leaving. They sent a Felle wolf, and a team of Assassins to stop me.”

“And yet you stand before us.” Stated General Proteus. Rielle nodded shortly. “Indeed. The Felle wolf was shot down by a woodsman, though my guide was killed before he arrived. And the assassins met their end in the Mercury Mountains.” The commander nodded.

“So the stories of the Mercury Mountains are true.” Rielle nodded.

“The stories do not even begin to describe the horrors in those mountains.” Solidus smiled to himself under his hood. He was amused with how Rielle toyed with her words and twisted his story to fit her purposes.

“And what of your mission?” Asked the second general. “Were you able to find evidence of the Hermit Mage?” Rielle scoffed.

“You could say I found evidence, yes.” The general’s eyes widened.

“So he does exist.” Solidus laughed.

“Of course he exists.” Rielle stepped aside and let Solidus shuffle in front of her. “He is me.” The Commander placed one fist over his heart and bowed.

“We are honored that you have seen fit to grace us with your presence.” Solidus nodded in return. The third general repeated his Commander’s salute, but the other two generals stood unmoving.

“Have you no respect?” The third general asked the other two when he straightened. General Proteus scoffed.

“I will not bow to an unproven mystery man. Especially one who hides his features beneath a hood.” The second General nodded his agreement.

“Though I do not want to appear disrespectful, I also do not want to foolishly give my allegiance to just any man, especially one who claims to be a mage.” Rielle scowled.

“Are you saying that I have gone out and just found some strange man who can do magic tricks and brought him back, claiming he is the Hermit Mage?” The second general shook his head.

“I do not mean to say any such thing, Ambassador. Though most people agree that magic is an evil thing, I only say that I show my respect, but my allegiance is harder to earn.”

“As befits a sailor of Gentry. Honest allies can be difficult to find and maintain, especially on the open sea.” Solidus stated. The second general nodded to Solidus. “Indeed, though how you knew I was a Gentry is a mystery to me.” Solidus tapped the side of his head.

“I have been around a long time. I can see your heritage in your features, even if others mistake them for the same as the Laytrow Plainsman standing beside you.” General Proteus scoffed.

“Discovering our nationality is no hard task. It is going to take a lot more to impress me.”

“Oh?” Solidus asked mockingly. “And just what would impress you, General Proteus?” The general scowled at Solidus.

“For starters you could show your face, or are you too much of a coward to show yourself among Men? Or maybe you are just disfigured and ugly and cannot bare to show your face in public.”

“That is enough, General Proteus.” The Commander ordered. General Proteus fell unwillingly silent. Solidus waved one hand.

“It is of little consequence, Commander. A face is something many people must see to trust. Even your young ambassador here would not trust me as her guide through the mountains until I had shown her my face.” Solidus straightened his posture and squared his shoulders before reaching up and removing his hood. The Commander and the third general’s eyes widened and the remaining two generals were openly shocked.

“He is a boy!” General Proteus exclaimed.

“Indeed, it does seem difficult to see this young man as an ageless mage.” The second general agreed.

“I am also surprised by your youthful appearance.” The Commander stated. “But I also know that Rielle is an intelligent young woman and an excellent ambassador. She would not have brought you here if she did not wholeheartedly believe you are who you claim to be.”

“I agree.” Stated the third general.

“Well I do not.” General Proteus raged. “I will not listen to a young whelp who claims he is older and wiser than any of us in this tent.” Solidus shrugged.

“That is your choice to make, but you would be very unwise to brush me aside so quickly. You will have need of me very soon.” General Proteus harrumphed.

“I have no need for an unproven boy.” Solidus half smiled.

“Then you wish to fight the warrior who has just broken through your ranks on your own? You may find him too skilled for you.” General Proteus took in a breath to angrily criticize Solidus when a soldier burst into the tent.

“Commander! A Telatian soldier has just broken our front line. Reinforcements have been sent, but no one can stop him. If he isn’t stopped quickly he could weaken the front enough to allow the Telatians to break through!” Solidus nodded.

“Thank you Soldier, your Commander very much appreciates this information. Return to your battalion and be ready in case an attack does come from the Telatians.” The Soldier saluted and rushed from the tent. Solidus turned back to General Proteus.

“I suggest you hurry before any more of your soldiers are killed. Don’t forget your weapon and your helmet on the way out.” General Proteus scowled and rushed from the tent. Solidus turned to the other generals.

“It may be wise to come and witness this confrontation. It will show you what you are truly fighting against.” Solidus turned and looked directly at Rielle. “Lead the way, Rielle. You will not wish to miss this.” Rielle nodded, a little numb from Solidus’s commanding air. She left the tent, followed by Solidus, the Commander, and the remaining two generals, and quickly headed towards the Great Gate.

Even from a distance, the great structure that stretched across the two sides of the narrow pass between the mountains was easily visible in the evening light. The Great Southwestern Gate consisted of two massive stone pillars that rose hundreds of feet into the air with an arch between them. Though not actually a gate, it had barred the way in and out of Telatia for a hundred generations.

General Proteus’s path was easy to follow. Solidus almost chuckled to himself as they passed fallen and angry looking soldiers beside the path being lifted up by their comrades. Soon they all heard the sounds of fighting. Grunts and shouts and sounds of steel striking steel filled the air and then a voice raised over the commotion.

“Does no one in this army know how to fight? You are all weak.” More shouting was heard and a roar filled the air.

“Here! Fight me and we shall see who is weak.” Rielle arrived just in time to see General Proteus step out into the open to confront the Telatian soldier. The Telatian was a tall, thin man wielding two long, curved blades. He wore black chain mail armor from head to toe and had a black cloth wrapped around his head and face, leaving only his eyes uncovered.

“A general? Perhaps this will entertain me.” Rielle noticed a slight hiss to the man’s voice. She jumped slightly as Solidus placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Watch him carefully.” He whispered only for her to hear. Rielle nodded carefully and turned her eyes back on General Proteus and the Telatian. General Proteus drew a large two handed sword from a scabbard at his waist and held it easily before him.

“I will do more than entertain you.” He said smugly. Rielle could tell, just by looking at his eyes, that the Telatian was smiling. The soldiers all stepped back to make room for the duel, and room was made for the Commander and the Generals to stand close to the center of the circle.

After a few moments of fighting the Commander turned his back on the duel. The Telatian danced nimbly around the angry General and made quick jabbing thrusts with his swords. General Proteus could not hit the Telatian no matter how hard he tried, which angered him further and caused him to become more and more reckless in his attacks. After only minutes of fighting, General Proteus began to lag as the many small cuts he was accumulating were causing him to lose great amounts of blood. Finally Rielle could bear watching no longer.

“Help him.” She said quietly. “Help him, please.” She turned and looked at Solidus who sadly watched the fight drag on.

“It is not my place to intervene. He does not want me to fight this fight.”

“He may not.” The Commander said. “But I do. I ask that you help us fight this fight. I cannot lose one of my generals like this. General Proteus’s pride is not worth his life.”

“Please.” Rielle repeated. Solidus took a long, deep breath and then handed his bow to Rielle, along with his cloak.

“Watch, Rielle, so that you may learn.” He said before walking casually into the open area where the fight was taking place. General Proteus dropped to his knees and desperately tried to swing his heavy sword. The Telatian easily knocked it aside and it skittered along the ground and into the crowd of soldiers. The Telatian stood over the general triumphantly.

“If you are the best this army has to offer, then it is a wonder we haven’t destroyed you already.”

“I would normally agree with you.” Solidus said conversationally. “But seeing as you are not a typical human, I can imagine that you must be irate with your own army as well.” The Telatian looked up and watched Solidus walk out into the center of the circle.

“It must be so hard not to become frustrated and disobey orders from your superiors, knowing that you could do so much better than they.” The Telatian said nothing. Solidus grinned knowingly. “To take out those frustrations on a worthy opponent, would that not be most agreeable?” The Telatian turned towards Solidus.

“What did you have in mind?” Solidus motioned with one hand.

“You let the general go and suffer with his wounds, and you can fight me. I may provide you with more entertainment than he.” The Telatian stood in silence for a moment and then nodded.

“This arrangement is satisfactory.” Solidus looked at a few soldiers and nodded. They immediately ran out and carried the general back off of the field. The Telatian turned and faced Solidus in a fighting stance.

“Draw your weapon.” He said. Solidus nodded.

“I will do so when it becomes necessary. You may proceed.” The Telatian shrugged and charged at Solidus with incredible speed. Rielle was sure he was going to be killed, but at the last possible moment, Solidus drew his curved sword and blocked both enemy swords in mid stroke. The Telatian laughed hysterically.

“Excellent, Perhaps you will provide me with some entertainment after all.” He jumped back and swung at Solidus once again. Solidus expertly parried the attack and sidestepped another. The Telatian danced back and forth circling Solidus, who stood still and waiting.

The Telatian attacked as he had General Proteus, with quick jabbing strikes, but Solidus easily deflected or avoided each blow. After a short time, it was obvious that the Telatian had began to get frustrated and each one of his attacks became more and more thought out. After a few minutes of fighting, Solidus watched as the Telatian carefully stalked around him.

“Do you grow impatient? Frustrated? Would you prefer that I end this fight, or continue fighting as we are?” The Telatian continued to circle.

“You have made your point. You are a skilled warrior. Don’t waste both of our time stalling this fight. Fight or surrender.” Solidus bowed, his eyes never leaving the Telatian.

“As you wish.” Solidus rushed the Telatian and, with two swift, fluid movements, he disarmed him. Another strike sent him to the ground, and a final blow ended the fight. Everyone stood watching in awe. Solidus motioned to Rielle and she walked out and stood beside him. Solidus sheathed his sword and then untied the scabbard from his waist and held it out to Rielle.

“Hold this.” Rielle nodded and took the sword and then took a step back as Solidus knelt down beside the dead man. Solidus pressed both hands together as if he were praying and bowed his head and began to chant something that Rielle did not understand. Seconds passed and Solidus began to glow. The crowd of soldiers watching gasped and backed further away as the glow grew brighter.

Solidus raised his head and pulled his hands apart slowly, causing the air to ripple between them as if it were water. Suddenly the air grew cold and Rielle’s breath came in puffs of steam. Then the air above the dead Telatian rippled and twisted, forming a shape. The shape continued to twist until it became a horrific image.

A creature with deep orange skin, a yellow tongue, and slick black spikes protruding from its body solidified above Solidus as he chanted. After a few moments, Solidus stopped chanting and stood, his hands still held apart.

“What is your name?” He asked. The creature hissed at him. Solidus pressed his hands closer together and the creature suddenly shrieked in pain. “What is your name?” Solidus repeated. The creature glared at him.

“Bortrinaumilus.” It hissed. Solidus nodded.

“How long has this body played your host?” The creature hissed again.

“Half a moon.” A strange expression fluttered across Solidus’s face, but quickly disappeared.

“Answer me one more question and I may send you back to the Chaos rather than simply destroying you utterly. Who is responsible for your summoning?” The creature struggled with itself for a few moments before shaking itself in frustration.

“A Priest in a black temple at the center of a high city of tiers.” Solidus nodded.

“Very well then.” He began to chant again and, after a few phrases, he forced his hands together again, causing a shockwave of energy to pulse from his body. The creature shattered and disappeared into the air. The soldiers stood and watched in awe as Solidus took his sword back from Rielle and tied it at his waist.

“Your time could be better spent standing at your posts before the gate.” Solidus called out to the crowd as he fastened his cloak back on. Immediately several captains could be heard shouting orders for their soldiers to return to their positions. The crowd of soldiers dispersed quickly and Solidus slipped his bow back over his shoulder. He turned back and fixed a piercing gaze on the Commander and his two generals standing over the injured General Proteus.

“Do I meet with your approval?” He asked. All three men bowed deeply and General Proteus looked away in shame. Solidus nodded once shortly and walked past them, Rielle following closely behind.

“We may continue our discussion in your war pavilion.” He said over his shoulder to them. Rielle followed a step behind Solidus, marveling at the amount of authority he controlled, even among men such as the generals and the Commander.