Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse

“Laddy, get up. You gotta see this.”

“Wha… what is it, Finkle?” Odder sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He shielded the morning light.

“Hurry, you’ll miss it.”

“Alright.” Odder walked over to the edge and looked over. “What are you so excited abou…” He rubbed his eyes again. “Oh, what are they?”

“Merrows,” Karzan said from the quarterdeck. “Half male or female and fish. I spotted them earlier.”

Hundreds of merrows with grayish-green fishtails jumped out of the water and then back in, disappearing like a memory in a dream only to resurface and join their fellow ensemble. Each leaving a wake that fanned behind them like a knife cutting through a liquid mirror.

Such harmony, Odder thought. “I’ve heard of them but never thought I would see them.”

“We are a world of diverse creatures, lad,” said Karzan.

“Where’re they going?” asked Finkle.

“They’re on course to Skyger,” said Drugan.

Serra and Aimma came up from below.

“What’s all the commotion?” asked Serra.

“Merrows,” replied Odder, with a broad smile.

Serra and Aimma ran to the edge.

“Fascinating,” said Aimma. “Are they migrating?”

“Or fleeing?” Serra added.

Odder spotted, what appeared to be large dark birds flying in the distance. “Maybe they’re trying not to be fish food to those giant birds.”

“Giant birds, where?” Finkle jumped on Odder’s shoulder.

“Everyone,” Drugan yelled. “Back away from the edge and gather in the middle. Corbin get below.”

“What’s going on?” Odder whispered to Karzan.

“Just do as your told, lad.” Karzan pulled out his wand and made a circular motion in the direction of the birds. A lens formed and he moved it back and forth until a close-up of the birds came into focus.

“Raven Knights of Skyger,” Serra said.

Finkle jumped down from Odder shoulder. “Are they going to attack us?”

“Everyone stay calm,” said Karzan. “Probably just an inspection.”

Drugan stopped the wind ship as the ravens approached. A dozen ravens as large as horses and each carrying a knight mounted in a saddle circled the ship.

Drugan held his fingers up to his temple and appeared to mind whisper.

One of the knights, wearing black leather armor, helmet, and several red tassels connected to his shoulder placed his fingers on his temple. He looked at the other knights and motioned for them to continue to circle the ship. The knight then flew on the deck and dismounted.

Similar to the High Wizard Edan, the raven morphed into an elf wearing a black cloak. His black-pearl raven eyes, unchanged, peered at Odder. Serra stepped in between and blocked his stare.

The knight with the red tassels spoke, “I am lord Ordo, captain of the Raven Knights. He is Veselus, my raven scout. We give our deepest condolences to the loss of your king and your township.” He turned toward Drugan. “We have evacuated nearby villages and invited them to occupy Skyger. You too are welcome.”

“Have any other Houses fallen?” Odder asked.

Ordo responded to the group. “We know that Elestus and Villamari have fallen, as well as many small villages. It appears that the attack originated in the west. We have lost communication with the other four Houses.”

“What about Rigan?” Karzan questioned.

“We do not know, but a fierce battle rages at Witchfinger to the east above Rigan. So far our armies hold strong and I imagine Rigan is safe for now.” Ordo motioned toward Skyger. “We can escort you to our safe haven.”

“Thank you captain, but we are on our own mission to Rigan.” Drugan leaned in and in a stern voice asked, “Do you have any knights who can escort us.”

Ordo straightened his posture. “Sadly, I do not have any to spare.”

“But our mission concerns the Maha’De,” Aimma blurted out.

“What are you saying, child?” Ordo said in a harsh voice.

“It’s alright,” said Karzan. “Odder show him.”

Odder unsheathed the magic sword and held up the Maha’De. The crows squawked and fluttered their wings, while the knights whispered amongst themselves.”

Ordo and his raven scout took a knee. “Your mission is righteous.”

“Please stand,” Odder said.

“You hold the Maha’De, but what good is it without the Champion?” Ordo asked.

Odder held up his arm and revealed his markings. “I am the Champion.”

Ordo bowed his head. “Forgive me. We assumed the Champion did not survive the game.”

“The Celestines had other plans,” Karzan said.

“Then hope is not lost. We are the last of the Raven Knights. I will inform King Kesis to ask him to allow us to join your mission. Until then, I can offer you my trusted scout to help guide you.”

“I Veselus bestow my loyalty to you, Champion.”

Odder bowed. “I am honored. When can we expect an answer, my lord?”

Another crow and knight landed on the deck to pick up Ordo. “If all goes well, by morning. Until then, farewell and may the Celestines be with you.” The knights quickly flew off toward Skyger.

“Karzan?” asked Odder.

“An answer by morning will be too late,” Karzan answered. “We will do with what we have.”

Drugan returned to the quarterdeck. “Serra, come join me. I wish to teach you how to pilot the ship. It is in your blood.”

She vanished in a puff of smoke and reappeared next to Drugan.

“Veselus,” Karzan said. “Thank you for joining us.”

“Of course my lord.”

“So why don’t you change your eyes back to normal?” Finkle questioned with an insolent grin.

“I have the honor of being commissioned a raven scout. We are set apart by our keen raven eyes.”

“Certainly intimidating,” Finkle mumbled.

“That’s enough gnome,” Karzan said. “We’ll arrive at the port this evening. I suggest everyone prepare their magic spells. Odder, come with me. I have special training for you.”

He took Odder to the head of the ship. “Before we start, there is one more step needed to complete the Maha’De.”

“You mean after dipping the sword?”

“Yes, you must get to Skyger. Once you are there, you must have one of the High Wizards bless the sword with celestial energy. Only then will the true powers of the Maha’De transpire.” Karzan paused and cleared his throat. “We may not all make it there with you.”

“Nonsense.” Odder frowned. “Don’t speak that way.”

“No matter what happens you must protect the portal or else demons will reign over the world. Do you understand?”

Odder did not respond.

In a stern voice, Karzan repeated, “Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then I have much to teach you.”

For the rest of the day, Karzan taught Odder spells of every kind with Finkle, Serra, and Aimma joining in every now and then. Corbin was always close by and ready to volunteer. Odder possessed a supernatural tendency to retain, conjure and manipulate the spells.

Just before arriving at Baku Prei, Karzan gave Odder one final lesson.

“How do you feel.”

“Incredible.”

“Splendid, then I have one last lesson – well more of a warning. The Celestines have given you great power, and what side do you use this power for?”

“I use it for the side of good and to fight evil of course.”

Karzan smiled, pleased with the answer. “Be cautious. Sometimes the lines between good and evil can be blurred.”

“How so?” Odder asked.

“It’s different for everyone. Sometimes you will recognize when it happens, and sometimes not. When you feel yourself slipping, seek perspective through guidance or prayer.

Odder cringed. “The Celestines again.”

Karzan grinned. “Perhaps one day you’ll believe.”

“Maybe.”

“Lastly, remember that the temptation of evil is strong. It will offer you the universe, but what you get will be death. The choice will always be yours.”

“Then I choose to be righteous.”

Karzan smiled and called to the others. “Everyone, please come. I have an announcement to make. Veselus volunteered to steer the ship while Finkle, Aimma, Serra, Drugan, and Corbin stood by Odder’s side.

Karzan announced, “I am High Wizard Karzan Ka, the potion master. It is the law that only a wizard may be the Champion, so I designate Odder the Vekart as wizard of protection.” He placed his hand over Odder’s head and chanted. A blue light swirled from his palm and went into Odder’s shoulder.

Odder felt a stinging sensation. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal the mark of the wizard tattooed to his shoulder.

Everyone cheered and clapped. Finkle ran circles and did back flips.

Serra grabbed Odder by the forearm and pulled him in close. Their eyes met. He remembered their first confrontation and how he became mesmerized by her piercing blue eyes.

“Congrats! You’ve come a long way, and I’m happy to be a part of your journey,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

Odder smiled and began to thank Serra when Aimma grabbed him and gave him a hug. Drugan shook his hand next, followed by the others.

“Thank you all. Thank you. I would have never dreamed that I would someday be a wizard. I am humbled. I owe this honor to all of you.” Odder lowered his head and voice. “Unfortunately, I have this gift at the expense of many elven lives.” He raised his head, his voice trembled with anger. “I will avenge their deaths. The goblins will be defeated and their Queen killed.”

The ship slowed to a stop. Veselus pointed. “Smoke up ahead.”

The group looked forward past the head. Black clouds billowed into the air.

“We are close to the shore,” said Drugan. “The smoke must be coming from Baku Prei.”