Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse

The gates sprung open. Odder shuffled to a sitting position and watched Salvat’s witches jump over and land in between Serra, Finkle, Aimma, and the shadow reapers. Each wielded two flaming swords and engaged the reapers in close combat. Six more reapers fell from the sky.

One of the witches turned back toward the group. “Get back behind the ga…” She went silent, but her mouth remained open. Her eyes turned white, and her skin grayed. The veins on her face darkened, bulged, and then exploded. The witch fell to the ground, face first with a reaper claws embedded into her back.

Finkle, Aimma, and Serra sprinted behind the gate. The witches outnumbered, soon fell to the onslaughts of the reapers. The hedge weaved together, and the gate slammed shut.

Finkle held his stomach while bent over. “Are we safe?”

Serra threw dirt into the air and chanted, “Osentprea.” As the dirt drifted down, an image of the reapers ripping at the hedge appeared. “If Karzan is right about Salvat’s hedges, then we should be safe for now.”

Odder stood, holding his sword in front of him. “Salvat sent his witches to save us. He must be nearby. Salvat,” he yelled.

A pale translucent image of the wizard appeared but faded in and out.

“Salvat,” Odder said, “The reapers are trying to gain access– you have to teleport us to your chamber.”

The others stood next to Odder, with Serra keeping her eye on the gate.

“I’m sorry, I cannot risk the shadow reapers entering the chamber and releasing the demons.”

“Are we safe here?” asked Aimma. “Can’t they climb over the hedge or fall from the sky?”

Odder clenched his fists. Hiding behind a hedge was not an option. “We can’t stay.”

“The enchanted shield will keep them out. Wherever they try to enter, a hedge will form. Even overhead. Only a continuous flow of dragon fire can penetrate the enchanted hedges.” Salvat’s image faded. “I have to leave, but Serra, the goblins know your portal point by the hollow tree. They have laid a trap. If you teleport, it must be some other area…”

Serra sheathed her daggers and placed her hands on her hips. Her mouth drew up exposing her teeth.

“Great! What now?” asked Finkle.

Odder placed his hands on his face and shook his head. “Serra, can you mind whisper to Karzan?”

“No, he’s too far.”

“What about air-scripting?” Aimma asked.

“I’ll try.” Serra wrote a message in the air notifying Karzan of their attack.

After what seemed like a long wait, Finkle asked, “Why is he not responding?”

“I counted eight reapers. Maybe the ninth reaper got to Karzan,” said Aimma.

“No way,” said Serra. “I know Karzan, and one reaper is not enough to kill him.”

Odder placed his sword in the dirt and drew a rough map. “Salvat said we are safe for now. We need a plan.”

The others gathered around.

“Serra where are your portal points,” he asked.

“I have five.” She marked three on the map. “These you know about.”

“And the other two?” questioned Aimma.

“Private,” responded Serra.

“We don’t have time to mess around,” Odder snapped.

Serra raised her eyebrow and scowled. She marked two other places. “This portal opens in a hidden ice cave where I stash my weapons. The other opens in a vault, just west of Grackos. There I hide my valuables.” She opened her satchel, muttered a spell, and placed her arm into the opening - up to her shoulder. She pulled out a finely crafted war hammer and dropped it to the ground. A shockwave knocked everyone back as the ground under the hammer collapsed several feet.

“Whoa,” Odder yelled.

“Obviously enchanted,” Finkle said. “From the markings, looks like it’s frost giant origin.

“You guessed right,” Serra said. “It’s Valsar, war hammer of the frost giants.” She picked it up and swung it over her head. Everyone ducked. She placed it gently in front of Finkle. “You can borrow it until this is over.”

“This is twice my size. I’m a gnome remember.” He crossed his arms. “I won’t be able to lift it.”

“Stop complaining and give it a try,” said Odder.

Finkle growled and lifted the handle. The hammer and Finkle flew ten feet into the air. He landed back on his feet. “Well, I wasn’t expecting it to be so light.”

“Only to the wielder,” Serra said. “Anything you attack will feel the force of a giant.”

Finkle narrowed his eyes and grinned. “Nice.”

Serra placed her arm back into her satchel. “Aimma, do you have any fighting skills?”

“No,” she answered.

Serra bit her lip as she moved her arm around the opening. “Ah, this will work.” She pulled out a small leather pouch and handed it to Aimma.

“What is it?” Aimma asked, looking under a flap.

“It’s snare cloth.”

“What’s that?” Asked Odder.

Aimma pulled out a tattered two inch by two inch translucent rag. She rubbed it between her fingers.

“Be careful,” said Serra. “You throw the cloth at an opponent, and it will trap them in a fibrous mesh.”

“Like a spider’s web?” asked Finkle.

“Yes, exactly,” Serra answered. “Use them sparingly. You only have five.”

“What about Odder?” Aimma asked. “What does he get?”

“Nothing I suppose. He will wield the Maha’De.”

“But it’s just the spirit,” Finkle said.

Serra pulled out a handful of stilettos from her satchel, lifted her skirt, and placed them in a holster around her thigh. “I gave Aimma my only passive weapon. Wielding a magic weapon by an unskilled user is dangerous.”

“She’s right,” said Odder. “I’m fine.” He tapped at the dirt. “I wanted to know your portal points so we could figure out our plan of escape.”

Serra frowned. With hesitation, she pointed at Lucent Lake then at the castle. “These are the only two.”

Finkle turned his head back and forth, his brow furrowed. “Do you hear that??

“I don’t hear anything,” answered Aimma.

“It’s awfully quiet out there,” Finkle said, walking toward the gate.

Everyone went silent.

Serra threw dirt into the air and chanted. The image showed the reapers standing stiff and motionless, staring at the hedge.

“What are they doing?” Aimma asked.

Finkle held up his war hammer. “Maybe they got a glimpse of my new plaything.”

“Doubtful,” Serra said. She nudged at the gnome. “Remember I get that back.”

“Maybe they think they have us trapped,” Odder said, “but whatever the reason, we need to find a way to that statue.”

“Agreed,” Serra said. “The safe bet is to go to the lake.”

“But then what?” said Aimma. “We still need to find a way into the castle.”

“We can try messaging Karzan from there.”

“If he’s alive,” Aimma added.

Serra growled and gripped her dagger.

Aimma held out her palms. “I’m not trying to upset you, but it’s a real possibility.”

“Serra.” Odder placed his hand on her arm.

She broke her heated gaze. “The alternative is to teleport in the alley and sprint to the statue.”

“Do the goblins even know the statue is holding the Maha’De?” questioned Aimma. “It might be our best option.”

“Right,” Serra agreed. “We can combine our magic to protect Odder as he unites the spirit and sword.”

Finkle wrapped a leather strap to the hammer and tied it to his back. “Risky, but I like it.”

“Settled. Now when do we leave?” Odder asked.

“Tomorrow, midday,” said Serra. “The goblins dislike the bright light, and our chances of success will be greater. This will also give us time to prepare our spells.”

“And to teach Odder a few,” Aimma added.

“Your first spell will be the shadowing spell I’m using to spy on the reapers. I’ll teach it to all of you, and well take shifts keeping an eye on them.” Serra threw dirt into the air. The reapers remained in their same positions.

“They’re up to something. We should check on them every fifteen minutes,” said Finkle.

Serra took a moment to teach the spell which everyone picked up right away, especially Odder.

“Perfect Odder,” Serra grinned. “See it’s not only words and intention, but also balancing your intention. Like a youngling learning to throw a ball. Not just tossing it but also how fast and far.”

For the rest of the day, the group shared their spells, experience, and even secrets. Odder, just as the wizard Salvat told him, learned to wield magic with tremendous speed and accuracy.

Aimma sat next to Odder during his watch. “You’re amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“What’s it like?”

“I can feel the energy. It’s hard to describe. Almost a oneness or deep connection. It just makes sense.”

Aimma drew circles in the dirt. “I think I was wrong about Serra. She’s not evil. Selfish, but not evil.”

“You should let her know.”

“I think you’re right.” She walked over to Serra.

Finkle joined Odder now. “Lassies.” He shook his head.

“I’m sure they could be great friends if they tried.”

“Say, is it getting warmer.” Finkle wiped his brow.

“Now that you mention it.”

Odder walked over to the hedge. “It’s warmer over here.” He threw up some dirt. Fire and smoke raged in the image.

“We got trouble,” hollered Finkle to the others.

Serra and Aimma sprinted over. Serra tossed up dirt and chanted. The same image formed. She placed her hands in the drifting dirt and moved the scene to the side. The image changed to an outline of a dragon’s head surrounded by fire.

“Oh no.” They all said at the same time.

“Change of plans,” said Odder. “We have to go now.”

“It’s a death wish to teleport into Elestus so close to sunset,” Serra said.

“Then the lake it is.” Odder pressed his hands against the hedge. “It’s hot to the touch. We don’t have much time.”

Serra threw down her satchel and chanted a spell. A portal began to form.

“Hurry,” said Aimma. “The hedge is turning amber and…”

Fire exploded out of the wall. Odder waved his arm and created a magic shield blocking the flames.

“How did you do that?” asked Finkle with a look of disbelief.

Odder ignored the question and put more intensity into his magic.

The dragon’s fire created a flaming passageway. Odder saw amber glowing figures crawling through the hole.

“It’s ready,” Serra pulled at Aimma. “Jump.”

She jumped with Finkle following her.

“Odder, your turn.”

“You go, Serra. I’ll keep the shield up. We don’t have much time. The shadow reapers are crawling through.”

“I have to go in last,” Serra said. “I’ll hold them off and be right behind you. It’s the only way.”

Odder stepped backward, holding out his hands to maintain the shield. “We can jump at the same time.”

“Go, Oddy” Serra yelled.

A shadow reaper breached the barrier and charged at Odder, hitting his shield.

Serra pushed Odder into the satchel. He landed on his back in the same purple lilac bush. He scrambled to his feet.

“Where’s Serra,” asked Aimma.

Odder remained silent staring into the air. Come on Serra.