Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse

The gray clouds released a small shower before Odder entered the castle. He paused for a moment to take in the aroma of the rainfall. Ah freshly dug up soil, or maybe newly cut bark, he thought to himself. He opened his eyes and watched the rain cascade down the three-story granite walls, flowing between the cracks and crevices, and finally falling onto the cobblestone. All the windows closed except the ones located in the rounded lookout towers where the sentries stood watch. He walked up to an imposing thirty-foot door; four feet thick and plated with blue-ice dragon scales. The scales radiated a blue hue that some say gleamed as far away as the shadow region. A gatekeeper guarded a smaller cloaked door within the larger one just big enough for an elf.

“Name?” asked Fernick.

“Fern, it’s me. You saw me this morning,” Odder said.

“Name!”

Odder flinched not expecting Fernick’s candor. “Odder, servant to Prince Destin.”

“You are permitted to enter.” Fernick held his hand against the door and chanted. His hand flashed, but nothing else visually changed. Odder stepped forward and into the solid entry. Halfway through, Fernick grabbed his arm. “Familiar or not, these are dangerous times. Question everyone?” He released his grip.

Odder furrowed his brows. “Fern, what do you mean?”

“I’ve heard things.”

“Like what?” Odder asked, confused.

“Whispers in the light scheming and plotting.”

“Is someone in danger?”

Fernick’s expression sobered. He looked to his left and right. “Just whispers. You better go through. I have to close the gate.” He sighed. “Watch yourself, Odder.”

Odder stepped into an enormous deserted foyer with stairs leading up to the second level. As his steps echoed through the room and into the great hall, he felt an unsettled twisting in his gut. Fernick has always been a little strange, but his words were extra peculiar. He looked around. Where’s everyone? He walked passed the kitchen, and into the servants’ living area. Must be attending their duties and preparing for the Tetrad.

He pushed against the door to his room when a stern voice flared from behind.

“There you are, Odder.”

“My lord, I apologize for my tardiness.” Odder turned facing the Prince.

“You’re a wreck, and you smell like rotten mushrooms,” said Destin.

“I fell into…” He paused. “I fell in the garden.”

“Well, good thing our plans have changed. The Archwizard request your presence. I’ll be taking another servant to help me pick out my masquerade costume.” He waved his hand in front of his nose. “But first, we have to do something about that stench.” He pulled a golden wand from his belt and waved it in a circular motion. “Niticastus.”A whirlwind formed around Odder, removing the wetness and dirt, and plopped it on the ground next to him. “There, now you’re presentable. Hurry now. The Archwizard is waiting in his chambers.”

“Yes.” Odder bowed. “Thank you my lord.” He rushed out of the room.

“Oh and Odder, I do expect you to clean up this mess when you get back.”

He glanced back. “Yes, of course.”

Out the door, into the foyer, and up the stairs he hurried until he reached the second floor and down the stately hall. Paintings of past battles mounted on the walls. The hall itself appeared dim and gray as if the colors had been leached out over the centuries. He called for a torch mounted to the wall. It flew in front of him and escorted him to the archwizard’s chambers.

He paused before knocking. “Expect an unforgiving punishment from the Archwizard for your foolishness,” Odder’s inner voice said.

He ignored his thoughts, knocked, and waited for a response. After a few moments, he pounded again on the wooden door.

“Turn the handle and enter,” a muffled voice said from the other side.

He turned the iron handles, making a grinding shrill, and pushed the door open. “Archwizard, you summoned me?”

“Yes, Odder. Come in and approach my chair.” Two others stood next to the Archwizard. The King’s defense advisor, a Xenduri named Drugan, and Renzt. Drugan’s tall and thin frame hunched over the wizard as if whispering in his ear. He wore his typical black hooded cloak that covered every part of his body except his boney hands. The hood shadowed his face, and he never made direct eye contact.

Renzt changed into his typical flashy wardrobe, a turban that resembled a red pumpkin, his short royal purple and yellow cape attached to a vest with multitudes of golden buttons, and his green striped trousers. He snarled at Odder as he approached.

His father, the Archwizard Arzed, wore an even more outrageous outfit. His long hair blew straight up with golden vines traveling on both sides. He wore a royal red coat with a yellow insert, and rubies placed along the edge from the collar to coat ends. His gray meshed vest appeared to be three sizes too small but matched his silky gray trousers. A green cone rested on his sharp ears with gold tassels falling to his neck.

Arzed pressed his left nostril closed as he spoke. “Thank you for your input Drugan. You may go now.” Drugan tilted his head then walked past Odder

Odder turned his head and watched the Xenduri exit. As he turned back, he noticed various weapons and shields on display off to the side of the room.

“How may I humbly serve you my lord?” asked Odder.

“Yes how indeed servant. What do you see mounted on the wall behind me?”

“Seven crowns representing the Seven Houses,” Odder answered.

Arzed jutted his chin. “Correct. A King rules each House.” He lifted his head and snorted. “But day to day operations are run by the Archwizards.” He held up a vial of silver fluid. Renzt twitched at the sight. “Do you know what this is?”

“Silq.” The word left Odder’s mouth in a reverent whisper.

“Indeed.” Arzad released his finger from his nose, held the vial to his nostril, and took a long sniff. His eyes protruded, and his posture stiffened. Moments later, he jerked his finger back to the side of his nose. “The most precious substance in Arcaina. A single drop is worth a thousand gold ducats.” He held up the vial and examined the fluid. “It’s beautiful. Some have tasted its magic, but instead of finding power, they find madness. Wars fought, kingdoms ended, kings made, and kings destroyed for it.”

He strolled to the display and lifted a gauntlet from a small table. He placed it on his hand. “The Gauntlet of Thedis, its magic is used to project a force that grips, smashes, or knocks down the intended object.” He tilted the vial over the gauntlet releasing a small drop. “A single drop will increase the magic properties of any magic item, tenfold.”

A bead of sweat traveled from Odder’s forehead to his cheek. Renzt’s snarl changed to a patronizing grin.

The Archwizard walked back to his chair. “Among the Seven Houses, four are involved in the production of silq. Clerics from The House of Rigan, mine the raw material from lava within the Mountains of Scaro. The wizards in the House of Gelusador then cool the solution and escort the material to the House of Skyger to be refined. Finally, the House of Elestus fashions silq to create our Elven magical tools, weapons, shields, and armor.

“I, as the Archwizard of Elestus, cannot allow disruption of this process.” Odder felt a knot in his throat. “If the other Houses perceive me as weak, then I may lose my authority. Embarrassing my son in public without penalty would certainly show this. What do you think a fair punishment should be for your transgression?”

Odder shrugged.

Arzed placed the gauntlet on the chair. “I promised the Prince I would not harm you, but I have a punishment in mind. Let’s call it a learning experience for my son.

Odder tensed his shoulders. He felt his spirit sink as sweat formed on his forehead.

“That being said, I am scheduled to meet with the King.” He nodded at Renzt. “Renzt will see you out.” The wizard stepped up to Odder and whispered in his ear, “Embarrass me again, and I will feed you to the demons,” then walked out.

“Quick, fall on your knees and beg for mercy,” said his inner voice, but Odder clenched his fists and stood strong.

“Well… well.” Renzt grabbed the glove and placed it on his hand. “Perfect fit.”

“You’re beyond mercy,” Odder’s inner voice said. “You deserve what’s coming to you.” He took several steps back. “I know you’re upset, but what happened in the alley was not my fault.”

Renzt mirrored Odder’s steps. “Don’t worry; I will take care of your lassie when I find her.” He pointed the glove at a chair sitting across the room and made a fist. The chair implode. “Ohhh, this is going to be fun. Father has the best magic items. The Gauntlet of Thedis may not be his most powerful weapon, it only took five years to create, but it’ll do in this situation.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Odder pleaded.

“Oh but I do.” Renzt thrust the gauntlet in front of him, sending a force of magic which knocked Odder to his back. He then levitated Odder’s body and smashed him against the granite wall. The young elf gasped, and reached for his sword, but Renzt lifted Odder to the ceiling, followed by slamming him to the ground. His body laid lifeless on the floor.

Renzt approached Odder, who’s breathing was shallow. “Good, you’re still alive.”

Odder turned toward Renzt. His face swollen and ripped; blood running from his nose. “Go ahead, kill me.”

Renzt kicked Odder in the gut. “Don’t tempt me slug.” He used the glove to slide Odder across the floor and pushed him up against the door. “Now get out, and by the way, this isn’t over.”

Odder climbed to his feet, opened the door, and staggered into the hall. He straightened his posture as he walked past several elves to try to conceal his pain, but they appeared to be uninterested. With his room in sight, it took every effort to keep his body from falling before he could make it in. He unlatched the door and collapsed.