The Innocence of Teacups

A cordon of Sapphire Knights on white horses waited at the outskirts of Scally Alley in case spirits came out. The knights never even stirred in their stirrups when they walked by and went into the dwelling. They must only be concerned about what came out.

Being called an alley he’d expected to see a strip of hovels and tattered scraps of cloth acting as roofs how wrong his imaginings were. Scally Alley was huge; a city within a city. A mass of higgled buildings towered into the sky, on either shaky foundations or no foundations at all. He tripped over a pile of crumbled stones from a flaky wall. While he steadied himself bat Alaric fluttered right by his nose then whoosh flew fast. He ran after him, scrambling over old debris, with Zora right behind him.

The deeper they got into the slums the more chaotic the place got. Citizens ran round breaking any windows, window shutters or doors that happened to be intact in order to loot food and trinkets. Alaric attempted to guide him round a hostile gang who brandished lit torches at a rival gang who were armed with planks of wood with exposed nails hammered into them.

“Blue bitch!” yelled someone as they waved a torch at him and Zora as they past by. Zora reached to her head and yanked a blue ribbon from her hair. As she was doing this the gang member reached out for her, waving his torch in threatening motions. Alaric swooped round and in a blink of an eye merged into his person form right in front of the torch waver.

“That is no way to speak to a young lady,” said Alaric and put his hand round the torch. A violent gust of wind whipped up and all the torches save for the one Alaric was holding was put out. “My torch.” Next came the grin. The torch waver let go of the torch and fell over in shock.

Zora stumbled into his shoulder. “Is he a vampyre?”

He nodded. “A good natured one.”

“Ok-a-ay,” said Zora as they carried on their way, leaving the gangs behind.

Oh dear Zora did not seem as confident as she’d been before realising she was in the company of a vampyre. At least she still went with them. Alaric led them even deeper into the slums where there was much racket. Children were crying, men and women shouting and shrieking as they ran for cover from commanding spirits. Blood squelched beneath his boots and urrgh bodies were littered about. Killing was wrong wrong wrong.

From the top of a mountain of rubble Skulbon was shouting orders in Nocta Umbrian. His squadron ran round the surrounding area catching hold of whoever they could and tearing off their limbs. His stomach churned.

“You two stay at my back and look fierce while I speak with the lieutenant. If peril befalls me or I tell you to run do so.”

“I don’t think I could.”

“You will because it is my wish.”

Holding his torch purposefully Alaric strode over to Skulbon. He drew his knives and tried to grin like a mad axe man. Zora held out her sword, her mouth a thin line, eyes fixed on Lieutenant Skulbon.

“A night waster how precious,” Skulbon said when they reached the bottom of his rubble mountain. “Have you brought me my wicked warlock?”

“Terrorising these people cuts deeper than wanting to torture Mister Pelevin.”

“What do you care about humans? There kind reduced you to skulk in shadows, and did this to your friends and family.” Skulbon gestured at his squadron hunting for moving bodies.

“Call your squadron off,” growled Alaric.

Skulbon laughed. “Or what?”

Purple clouds surrounded Alaric’s feet and grew upwards, taking Alaric with them until he was level with Skulbon on the rubble mountain. Then the rubble began to quake so much Skulbon’s teeth rattled. “Scared of dark magic are you? So you should be when a night waster wields it. Call your squadron off and take them home to Spira never to return.”

“Alright I’ll call them off.”

“I knew you would be reasonable,” said Alaric and toned down shaking the rubble.

Reasonable Skulbon? No way. This lieutenant had been pursuing him relentlessly all winter. He kept sharp eyes on Skulbon; saw him curving claws round his spear as he supposedly turned his back on Alaric. He sprung up the rubble mountain. “Alaric move!” Skulbon span round jabbing out with his spear. Phew his shout had been enough warning; the spear went straight through cloud as Alaric levitated himself higher. He was higher too having managed to reach the top of the rubble. With a swipe he went for one of Skulbon’s arms, missed and went skidding down the other side of Rubble Mountain. Skulbon bellowed a command in Nocta Umbrian then tore after him.

When at the bottom of the rubble, he met Zora who’d run round the rubble to meet him. She gripped his lower arm and tugged him along. Looking behind him he saw why. Lieutenant Skulbon and his whole squadron were chasing after them. Could magic help him get away? He didn’t think glowing would make too much difference they had gotten used to his glow, prepared themselves for it. A moment later Alaric was flying with them as a bat.

“Fly home little bat,” shouted Skulbon from close behind them.

Oh heck he’d never outrun all these spirits.

“In there!” Zora pushed him into a derelict building.

They found the stairs and made for the roof with spirits crashing after them. “At least we’re drawing them away from everyone else,” he gasped.

When they got to the roof Alaric flashed into person form and looked round quick trying to think up a plan of escape.

“Can’t you fly us away?” he asked.

“I can only take one with me at a time. Flying with two is too difficult.”

Shit, they couldn’t leave Zora behind. Panic was building up; he breathed it away.

“Go it’s you they’re after,” said Zora as Skulbon arrived on the roof.

“It is indeed. I’m going to show Lady Lev exactly what I think of her spirit slayers then make them my slaves,” said Skulbon.

They were after him. He backed away to the edge of the roof, keeping hold of Zora’s arm. They’d never stop hunting him for killing their kind without gaining a chill. “Catch her,” he murmured to Alaric then shove pushed Zora from the roof. Alaric darted off the roof after Zora. Before they could rejoin him he ran along the edge of the roof and leapt to the next. Skulbon screeched and hurtled after him.

He hardly got anywhere. As soon as he landed on the adjacent roof Skulbon was on top of him, forcing him onto his stomach. Once those twelve limbs wrapped round him he was caged with no hope of freeing himself so he didn’t struggle.

Skulbon shouted something in Nocta Umbrian which made his squadron cheer.

His face was flat against a dirty slated roof. Skulbon mussed his hair. “Wicked warlocks with demon blood who murder Kella’s people get their comeuppance. I’ll show Lev what happens to her knights if she refuses to work for Kella. You are in for quite a thrilling experience Pelevin.” His hair got pulled, cranking back his neck.

Skulbon dragged him down from the roof into an empty house. Here his wrists and ankles were bond up in rope and he was blindfolded so as not to be able to use any magic. At least they hadn’t plucked out his eyes. Pros and cons.

He lay on his side awaiting to be tortured to death. At least he assumed it’d end in death. Around thirty spirits scuttled within the house guarding him. The amount seemed excessive for one prisoner. Excessive but more than did the job. As he lay waiting, he wondered what the other twenty or so spirits were getting up to; probably terrorising Scally Alley.

When Skulbon decided it was time for his torture to take place he slung him over a top arm. How embarrassing. Spirits sounded ever so jovial as they marched out the house. Sunlight reflected through his blindfold. Daylight. He’d probably never see Alaric again.

“I never wanted to kill your kind on purpose. I was defending myself,” he said, to see if Skulbon possessed a pinprick of pity for his situation.

“You would not have needed to defend yourself from us if you’d distanced yourself from Sapphire Knights. We must make an example of you.”

“You’re wasting your time. Lev and her knights despise me. They’ll probably rejoice to see me killed.” Lanzo would be ecstatic that was for certain.

“Not to worry they will still be sickened at the manner of your death even if they don’t care for you.”

His mouth suddenly felt dry. “How are you going to kill me?”

“Slowly,” was the only answer he was given.

Slowly. On the inside pleas screamed away but never made it to his mouth. Skulbon wasn’t about to show him any mercy so there was no point in giving spirits the satisfaction of hearing how desperate he was. Those desperations got more prominent as he bumped against Skulbon’s bony back, listening to spirits snickering in their own language. Skulbon was the only one who knew humanish. He could pick out a few of their words from basics Lignum had gotten round to teaching him.

When their chattering quietened down his heart jolted and palms got suddenly sweaty. He was on the verge of getting tortured. Skulbon laid him on the ground and slit his bonds. Instinctively he tried to crawl away but Skulbon gripped hold of his leg.

“Light magic has ways of being dangerous too.” Skulbon tore away his blindfold. “I want you to witness your death. There will be so much light magic around, you won’t be able to grasp shadows. This sun of yours is more effective than fire even though my eyes appose its glare.”

How ironic for night creatures to see light magic as virtuous and dark as wicked. Skulbon willed sunlight to him despite it making his brow crease and he grumbled from its effects on him.

A warm glow flowed around him then he rose from the floor encased within a transparent bubble. Skulbon’s moment of discomfort was over. Spirits walked in a horizontal line with him floating in front towards the cordon of Sapphire Knights. All night they must have been waiting for spirits to emerge. He tried to push out of the invisible barrier surrounding him. Every time he pushed out with his hands they bounced back. The knights’ horses stamped their hooves and tossed their manes while their riders tensed up ready to do battle.

Lev stepped forward. “Go back to where you came from or I command my knights to charge.”

Skulbon scuttled up beside his floating form. “If your knights charge, young Pelevin here won’t be the only one suspended in midair. Your sun makes me an all powerful light sorcerer.” Skulbon poked a claw through the invisible barrier and stroked round the skin under his ear. Burnt so bad making him wither. Skulbon worked a claw into his ear hole. A barrier absorbed through his eardrum and bubbled in his brain. Searing fiery pain.

“So you can use a little light magic,” Lev said offhandedly. “That’s the demon-child you’re killing isn’t it? Eat your heart out.”

Skulbon smiled. “Torturing.”

The barrier spread into his face, along his neck, wrapped round his shoulder bones, arms, hands, fingers, chest, legs, toes, everything. Squeeze squeeze squeeze. He tried to punch through the barrier only to find his arms refused to move and hand wouldn’t even ball into a fist. He couldn’t even wither in pain anymore. His body tilted round so he was upside down. Changing into a demon and back human had hurt worse. He could take whatever Skulbon forced upon him. Unwanted magic forced open his mouth, and made his tongue loll out. A claw slid along his tongue.

“Stop him please,” shouted Zora as she ran through knights’ horses over to Lev. “Please.” A cluster of trainees followed her holding placards reading: Reinstate Sasha, and, Unfair Dismissal.

“I’ve had enough of this nonsense young lady. That creature assassinated my best knight and manipulated another one into a state of madness. If you want to carry on with your training I suggest you return to barracks.”

“Please he’s nowhere near as bad as you think.” Which was the last he heard of their conversation on account of being centre stage. Skulbon’s squadron looped round him, jeering, as Skulbon span him round. He did manage to see Kalama stand in-between Zora and Lev as he got bumped about in the air.

Skulbon left him hanging upside down so his shirt fell to reveal his stomach. A claw traced round his stomach drawing a shallow circle of red. Five claws positioned themselves inside the circle; Skulbon was going to shove and go within his body. His eyes scanned for shadows. Glowing might stun Skulbon for a few seconds. He saw his own shadow and willed it to him it was actually coming then someone stood on his shadow distracting him and damn it went didn’t make it. Skulbon pressed.

“If Zora says Eagle saved her it happened,” said Kalama and ram sent her sword through Skulbon’s side.

Claws snapped away from his stomach and held onto Kalama’s blade.

“You stay away from that spirit and get back in line,” said Lev in a commanding tone.

“Sasha was right too. He went through some void and sees Lanzo as a phantom.” Kalama twisted her sword, cracking Skulbon’s outer shell.

He groaned as he floated in midair. Was there some way he could get himself down? Probably not seen as he was unable to move. Even though Kalama was distracting Skulbon from yanking out his insides light magic continued to surge through his body.

“I will not tolerate disobedience. You lady are putting your country at risk. I wanted to negotiate,” Lev called at Kalama then pouted as Zora ran past her towards him. “Look at the example you’ve set.”

Zora ran to him, clutching a wooden box under her arm. She grabbed for him then gave a yelp and had to withdraw from him, and stared at a bright red hand which looked as though it’d been plunged into fire.

Pavel jumped from his horse and threw himself at Zora as spirits edged towards her. What a drama.

“Lady Lev please do something. Eagle came after me. I thought I could help Kalama by myself. Eagle followed me and got caught because I was a headstrong idiot,” yelled Zora as Pavel dragged her away from advancing spirits.

“Is this true?”

“I’m not a liar.”

Why would someone lie for him?

Spirits charged round him at the Sapphire Knights. Magic took its toll on his brain making it feel as though it were expanding. Kalama was having a full blown fight with Skulbon while Pavel and another knight tried to shepherd the trainees away from any immediate danger.

“For goodness sake,” huffed Lev, watched him floating then glanced back at her knights.

Despite Kalama trying to distract Skulbon from him the spirit managed to get close enough to clutch round his stomach with one long arm. No way was he losing his intestines to some ghastly lieutenant. Not knowing what he was going to do he willed his shadow to him, ignoring any pain which came from Skulbon’s light. He remembered how Aldegar got rid of Alaric’s magic by quietening the organ and whoosing out candles. Emotion distortion. Power built up inside. A dark cloud rushed from his fingers and knocked into Skulbon’s head taking it clean off. He hadn’t exactly banished any light magic from his body but managed to send his main threat’s head sky high.

Problem being it wasn’t just Skulbon’s head getting knocked about. His cloud kept on hurtling round. Kalama pushed Lev out the way of its path. His head was all dizzy as the cloud smacked into spirits, slicing off their limbs.

“Get into formation and stay away from that cloud,” Lev shouted.

While knights got themselves into order and stayed together in a block the spirits scrambled round in a frenzy, leaderless, and terrified of dark magic. Lady Lev took full advantage of their chaotic state.

“You will leave Azure and the rest of Zoticas. Go to your own lands and on your way tell those from Spirit Land to keep their distance or I shall unleash terrible dark magic on you all.” Lev waved her hands in the direction his cloud was flying to give an illusion she had control of it. She picked up Skulbon’s head, held it high for all to see. “Look what my magic did to your queen’s most prized lieutenant. I am not afraid of you and neither are my people. Go.” She threw the head to the nearest spirit which shrieked then ran. They could not understand her tongue but must have gotten the gist of what she was saying because they ran hard hopefully to the nearest portal zone. Lev pointed at a couple of knights. “Follow them and make sure they arrive in Spirit Land.”

His cloud continued to be feisty but at least it seemed to be swirling round in a circle so people were able to avoid it. He watched his cloud for a moment wondering what would become of him. Maybe he would be doomed to float in this spot until he died of starvation. A moment after that thought he dropped through the barrier and landed in a heap on the floor, at the foot of soft blue shoes. Lev wiped her hands down the front of her skirt then put a soft blue shoe under his chin and tilted his head up slightly.

“What shall I do with you?”

“You could let him get up and have a breather,” said Kalama.

“He can’t get up. Skulbon’s magic has him paralysed,” said Lev as she looked on at the dark cloud. “I cannot believe you went straight for their lieutenant with intentions of protecting this creature.”

Paralysed. No way. Being unable to move would be torture. His breaths came thick and fast; he needed to have control of himself.

“That lieutenant was magically abusing Eagle.”

“So? Eagle is one person. I have the rest of Azure to think about.”

“Aren’t the slums part of Azure then? They needed us last night and all they got was me and Sasha. He’s still in there trying to calm people down.”

“More like he’s seeing to that wretched thieving family of his.” Lev slid her foot away from his chin.

Kalama rolled her eyes then took hold of his shoulders and pulled up his rigid body. This light magic inside him was heavy not the comforting kind like when shadows wrapped themselves round his bones. He was just about to try getting a new shadow to come to him when in the distance he heard someone call his name. That someone was Sasha who came running over to him. “What’s happened to you?”

“He went into Scally Alley and Skulbon got hold of him,” said Kalama.

“He’s riddled with light magic. It constrains his movements, a sort of paralysis,” explained Lev, her eyes still on the cloud which was beginning to shrink and slow down.

Sasha put an arm round him in order to hold him up. “I told you to stay in that tent. Why’d you come out here? Why?” Sasha saw his breathing was heavy so gave his shoulder a squeeze. “The magic will wear off, won’t it?”

“It has to be forced out,” said Lev.

“Can you?”

“Not here. I need deep concentration.”

“You will make it go away, won’t you?”

“I’m not convinced I should. His master has taught him dark magic. He’s a danger to society.”

“You can’t possibly leave him in this state,” snapped Sasha.

“I said I wasn’t convinced not that I wouldn’t help.” Lev motioned for a horse to be brought over to them. The rider of this horse happened to be Pavel who regarded him with a wrinkled up nose as though he were filth. “Ride Eagle to my home please.”

“My lady he is plagued with demon blood.”

“Do not question me. Everything is all a muddle.”

“What do you mean?” asked Sasha as he passed him up onto the front of the horse.

“Whatever I mean is no longer your concern. You walked out on us remember.” Lev turned her attentions directly on Pavel. “Take the trainees with you and for goodness sake dispose of their placards.” Then she rounded on Kalama. “You are on a final warning.”

“You can’t just wave Sash off like that.”

“Final warning.”

“He means well.”

“Don’t we all? Stick around here until that cloud has dispersed then report to me. I will be wanting a serious discussion with you.”

Grumbling curses under his breath Pavel kicked his horse on. This was going to be one awkward ride.

A half hour later he’d been plonked in a crumpled position onto the chaise lounge, where Lev had almost succeeded in seducing Freyr. His head throbbed and limbs may as well be dead weights. This must be what it felt like to be a corpse. At least he was still breathing; for now at least. Chances were Lev would come along and stick her jewelled dagger into his heart.

He suffered along uncomfortable wait until Lady Lev finally made an appearance. She swished into the room in a swirl of skirts and hovered above him. He looked at her battling not to wince, afraid she’d come to finish him off. She nudged him onto his back and straightened out his limbs before moving over to some blue drapes and pulled them open. A flood of sunshine spilled into the room. Lev sat down on a chair close to him.

“I think I saw where Skulbon’s magic entered your system. Was it your ear? Blink if I am right.”

He blinked.

“This one?” She rubbed the edge of his left ear. He blinked. Lev tucked his hair behind his ears. Something warm trickled out of his ear. The trickling spread throughout his body and flowed to his ear. Lev held a palm out to him. “Try to hold my hand.”

His fingers felt stiff. He managed to twitch them. Twitched them quite a lot then grasped for Lev’s hand. He took deep breaths as the heaviness faded from his bones.

“Better?”

He nodded to make sure his neck was working properly.

“Sit up slowly. You wouldn’t want to pass out.”

Extra slowly he sat up and smiled his thanks. She could have easily left him to rot in a statue like state. Why she had helped was a wonder. He stuck a hand under his shirt, padding about where he’d bled. Nothing serious. A dainty scratch really.

“As mayor of this city I must look out for everyone’s best interests. You could have killed my knights with your illegal dark magic; you have demon in your blood; and happen to be a trained assassin. So I am sure you can see how you come across as a threat to me and my city.”

Yes he had many terrifying faults. What in the world was going to become of him?

“By rights I ought to have you imprisoned for life or hung however you are without your master, you have Sasha convinced you are some kind of misunderstood saint, saved Zora’s life, Kalama is even warming up to you, and I wasn’t lying at my summer party when I called you handsome. Therefore I need you to tell me the deal with you and your master.”

He rubbed at his knee then clasped his hands. “Freyr groomed and exploited me. He’s not my master anymore. I’m on my own. He believes me to be flying round Nocta Umbra as a demon and I’m keeping it that way. I just want to be normal.”

“You’ll never be normal having gained his aptitude for dark magic.” Lev moved to sit beside him on the chaise lounge. “You cannot let people see you using magic. Dark is unacceptable.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m not an unreasonable woman. Seems Lorrain and I may have made a mistake concerning your demon heritage. My apologies for having your voice stolen. By way of apology I must grant you a favour. Whatever you like within reason.”

A favour from Lady Lev what a turnaround in a single morning. All he really wanted was to be left alone to be free to live life away from people dictating what he should be doing would be all well and good and he was about to tell Lev this when a thought drifted into his mind. It didn’t seem right for him to be let off the hook when Sasha was scrabbling for work as a mercenary. “Reinstate Sash for me.”

“He walked. I couldn’t possibly.”

“But your trainees adore him and he’s such a genuine guy. It seems wrong that I get pardoned and he loses his career for seeing through what you’ve only just realised.”

Lev heaved a sigh. “My trainees aren’t going to put down their placards if I refuse you, are they?” She got up and gestured at him to follow.

His head was light as they went along grand corridors to the front doors and down the hill. Once on level ground he’d walked this floatiness off. Lev mustered a word to a passing knight then carried onto barracks. She went in and he stayed outside seen as he was public enemy number one in there.

“Come along Eagle.”

This mayor meant business and seen as he’d managed to get on her good side best do as she told him for a short while at least. “Alexander.”

“Come again?”

“My name it’s Alexander when in public to avoid Freyr hearing about me.”

“Most wise,” agreed Lev.

The barracks were incredibly quiet. The majority of residents must still be out making sure all was well on the streets. Lev ushered him into a room.

“You may stay here for a while until you’ve found somewhere to lodge.”

“Why?”

“I take care of my citizens best interests.”

“Wow thanks.”

The knight who Lev had spoken to at the lemon tree dropped off a sword in a sapphire sheath, then left with a swift bow. Lev gave him the sword. “You best find your friend to tell him he’s got his job back. If you ever combust into a demon or flaunt your magic I will hold Sasha personally responsible.” She left in a whirl of skirts leaving him stood amazed at his sudden good fortune.

“Knock knock,” said Zora as he was walking round the room, taking in his lucky turn around. “I’ve brought you something.” She held her box out to him. Holes were drilled into the lid. Oh gosh this best not be what it looked like. “I told him to go home but he felt too guilty leaving.”

This was what he thought. He placed the sword on the table then stripped the bed of blankets and pillows; placed them neatly in the bottom of the wardrobe. He took the box and tapped on the lid. “I’m fine Alaric. You ought to be at Vulfgang Heights.” On opening the box inside the wardrobe Alaric flapped in, then he quickly shut the door to avoid any sunlight catching him while Zora secured the window shutters

“You are not disfigured are you? I blame myself. I should never have asked for your help.”

“Relax I’m fine. The spirits have left. Lady Lev knows light magic; she undid what Skulbon put me through.”

“Thank the moons.” Alaric banged about in the wardrobe, getting himself comfortable. “I have not seen such chivalry in a long long time.”

Zora laughed as his cheeks reddened then came to lean on his shoulder. How odd to have friends, especially a human one who was the same age as him and female.

They left Alaric to sleep within the safety of the wardrobe. On their way out of barracks they met Kalama who was coming in.

“Do you know where I could find Sasha?” he asked.

“Try under the bridge. He spends a lot of time there.”

When they got to the lemon tree he parted company with Zora; she had some chores to take care of at trainee barracks. On his way to the bridge he held the heavy sword in the sapphire sheath as though it were sacred, being extra careful not to trip up.

There was Sasha sat under the bridge holding a stick. He scratched at damp mud with the stick while his eyes stared into the dribble of a river. With quiet steps he went down to the riverbank and stood a few paces from the bridge not wanting to intrude.

“Are you alright?”

Sasha shook his head.

“Want to, yeah, talk about it?”

A moments silence then: “My family didn’t even recognise me. When I told them who I was they shunned me.”

“People living in the slums really don’t like Sapphire Knights, do they?”

“And now I understand why. Lev never helps them. She’s a snob. What does that make me for joining up?”

“A social climber.” He took a few steps under the bridge. “Lev’s offered you your job back.” He held out the sword which Sasha didn’t even glance at.

“I quit. I’m never going back. I don’t fit in with those types of people.”

“You can’t spend your life guarding futile chests for over dramatic directors, it’s demeaning.”

“I’m no snob and won’t pretend to be one.”

“Exactly. An organisation like Lev’s needs a grounded person like you to stand up for places like Scally Alley.” He sat down beside Sasha. “No one else is going to speak out for them. Well Kalama would but she doesn’t know what life is like living in a slum. You do so your passion to help comes across stronger. Besides you worked double hard for your place as a knight.” He slid the sword onto Sasha’s knee. “You’re the most genuine person I ever met. You and your painting book opened my mind to a goodness I never knew before. Slum folk need you fighting for their rights against the high and mighty even if they don’t appreciate your efforts.”

Sasha dropped the stick and tapped his sword. “You’re probably right.” Sasha then gave him a friendly nudge with his elbow. “If you ever feel like you aren’t coping or something goes wrong or you just want a chat come give my door a knock won’t you?”

“If you say so.”

“Sure I do, kid. My room’s your room. You’re always welcome at mine whenever for however long you like no matter what. I wanted you to know that.”

He picked up the stick and traced thanks in the mud then Sasha grabbed the stick from him and drew a smiley face. All their stresses from the night before were dissolved and the world felt balanced as they sat doing what he supposed friends did in their spare time.