Blood of the Fallen. Book 1: Swords

It was dark inside the dragon’s belly. Devlin’s arm twitched upon hearing a man’s voice from the outside. The dragon stood up; causing the two neighboring eggs to press on the sac surrounding him. He kicked the dragon’s insides in protest. “Devlin, Devlin.” His body shook. He opened his eyes and saw Merlin shaking his shoulders. “I’m awake, father.” The wizard tapped Devlin’s shoulders. “It’s almost time.” Merlin grabbed the staff on the forest floor. “Were you dreaming?” Devlin stifled a yawn. “When do I not dream?” “Can you wake your brother for me, please? I need to prepare our shield.” Merlin’s null ring glowed; allowing him to use magic in the penal colony. Devlin sat up and raked the leaves off his shirt. “Did your ravens see anything?” “Yes. He just entered the forest when I woke you.” “Arthur, wake up.” Devlin nudged. “Um, ok. I’m waking up.” Arthur said. “A king should rise early,” Merlin joked as the wizard prepared the ritual of concealment. “Not if my adviser does the job for me,” pointing to Devlin. “So what was your dream about,” Merlin asked while he drew the shield’s boundary. “Same dragon dream.” “Same? You’ve never had the same dream before,” Arthur said while dusting the leaves off his helmet. “And I also can’t control it like I control other dreams.” Devlin said. “Merlin?” Arthur asked. “Oh,” the wizard finished the ritual and breathed deeply, “Dreams are just dreams. Nothing more.” Arthur gave Devlin a puzzled look. Devlin shook his head and widened his eyes, signaling to Arthur to let it go. Merlin normally relished reading omens, so it was odd for the wizard to let this dragon dream pass. Maybe he wants me to find the answer myself? Devlin thought, which was logical since Merlin taught magic through mystery teachings, a style which explained nothing and left the apprentice to struggle for the truth. Devlin did not like mystery teachings. It annoyed him to hear stories of oracles commanding heroes to go on a quest without specifics of where, how, what, and when. Why couldn’t the oracle give them the answer? Or give detailed instructions? Devlin found it inefficient to go on a mission without knowing the full details. Go East the oracle said and you will find a mighty weapon. Where East? You can keep going East and find many lands. Surely, if the fate of humanity rested on the quest, shouldn’t the oracle give the hero the specific destination instead of saying just East? And what weapon? A sword? An Axe? He remembered asking Merlin back then. Merlin only chuckled and said, “Go to sleep, little one.” “Our quarry will be here soon,” Merlin said, interrupting Devlin’s thoughts. The wizard pressed the sigil on his stomach. The magic circle activated and gave the old man’s robe a faint glow in the abdominal area, “Conceal.” The spell rendered the trio invisible and inaudible to creatures in the area. Devlin watched the light underneath the robe vanish. He could not see magic, but he imagined the rays of light and waves of sound fold around them; the way he saw spells activate in his dreams. Sigil lights did not count because they were visible to all creatures. He wanted to see the invisible matter, the god particle which binds and unites all things. The divine energy that made magic possible. Devlin shifted his attention twenty paces ahead of him, to the tree where Merlin placed the Leaping Eye, a magical item leading to the doorway to Gaeus. Merlin tapped Devlin’s shoulder. “Do you think he fell for your trap?” “They always do. Besides, Prisoner 24602 already bought a weapon, which violates the Penal Code. He’s desperate. He’s going for the Eye.” “I still prefer you call the prisoners by name,” sighed Merlin. “Some of them are not hardened criminals.” “This one reduced an entire village to ashes with fire, hiding behind the military’s cloak…” “Stay quiet,” Arthur whispered as he crouched down, “He’s here.” Merlin coughed loudly, “You know that Mondo,” the wizard emphasized the name, “can’t see or hear us.” “Sorry,” Arthur got up, “Just habit. I rarely go with your magic to battle.” “Devlin, since you know his prison number and history, I assume you read his files?” Merlin asked as Mondo scanned the surroundings. “Not really. You dropped some folders, and I helped you gather them up.” “You could read everything in a few seconds?” “No. I had to recall them from memory to read them.” “You’re scarier than a wizard.” “I wish I was a wizard,” Devlin said and nodded as he saw Mondo head in the eye's direction. “Our guest is about to find what he is seeking.” Mondo saw the Leaping Eye embedded in the tree. “By Araghast’s name, it is here,” he whispered. “Time for me to go. One full minute, Father,” Devlin said. “Be careful. If I see even a hint that you’re in trouble, I won’t hesitate to interfere,” Arthur said. “Nor I,” Merlin added. “Noted. But try to hold back. I need a taste of actual combat for the sake of our future King,” Devlin walked out of the concealment spell’s boundary. The prisoner was a few paces ahead of him. Meanwhile, Mondo hacked at the tree bark with his rusty sword; carefully avoiding the Leaping Eye. He had not noticed Merlin’s apprentice behind him. Devlin walked slowly. Any burst of speed will start his one minute. He needed to conserve his strength; besides, metal weapons could not damage the Eye. An owl appeared quietly on one tree between him and Mondo. The owl’s eyes glowed with numbers; six on its right, and zero on its left… Sixty Seconds. Devlin glanced at the concealed area and shook his head. The old man had a sense of humor. He looked at Mondo and the dried leaves on his path. There’s no avoiding it. He drew his sword at a ready. The leaves crackled and popped as soon as he stepped on them. The prisoner jumped to attention. His body shook with fear. Mondo turned and blinked a few times, his eyes darting in different directions. His shoulders relaxed. “Oh, it’s only you,” and ran towards Devlin with a maniacal glint in his eyes. Devlin raised his sword while the owl hooted as the swords clashed. The countdown had started and the owl’s eyes glowed Five and Nine Seconds. Mondo slashed, sidestepped, and barged forward with devilish glee. Devlin’s mind saw everything in slow motion. However, his body could not react as fast as his mind wanted to. His best option was to keep the sword close to his body so he could block Mondo’s onslaught. “Come on Clumsy One. Give me some fight,” Mondo demanded. Damnare, I’m losing too much time, Devlin thought. Mondo lifted his arm to deliver a blow from above. Devlin wanted to lunge forward and s***h Mondo’s armpit, but Devlin’s feet stayed planted on the ground. Damnare! He blocked Mondo’s attack, barely making it. Devlin expressed gratitude that Mondo was a defanged wizard with little sword experience. Two and Five, the owl displayed. Devlin’s sword grew heavier each passing second. Mondo lunged his sword at Devlin’s face. The apprentice parried; changing the direction of the enemy’s blade, but not enough to prevent his cheek from getting slashed. Blood oozed out, but Devlin paid no attention to it. His primary concern was time. The owl hooted. One and Zero. Ten Seconds to end it. He had seen enough to know Mondo’s sword style or lack of it; the pattern of the prisoner’s movements, and how Mondo squinted briefly at every swing. Five Seconds. The pain rose on Devlin’s chest. He blocked an attack on his mid area, Mondo squinted, Three Seconds. Devlin gritted his teeth to block the pain. He moved, knowing Mondo would raise his arm in the next movement. True enough, Mondo lifted his arm. The prisoner yelled in panic as he saw Devlin’s sword approach him. Mondo reflexively jerked back, but it was too late to block. Zero Zero batted the owl’s eyes. Devlin crashed to the ground, his sword a hair’s breadth from Mondo’s chest. Time was his enemy once more. He writhed on the ground. The veins from his neck near bursting. Mondo himself fell to the ground as he lost his balance, avoiding Devlin’s blade. The prisoner gathered himself up, amazed at his luck. He dusted the leaves off his pants with his left hand while he clumsily twirled the sword with his other hand. Devlin willed himself to get up, but his body only responded with spasms of pain. “Don’t get up on my account,” Mondo said. The prisoner touched his forehead, “Araghast, accept my sacrifice,” and pointed the blade at Devlin’s heart. The blade moved down. In between coughs of pain and torment, Devlin realized Mondo had stopped moving. The prisoner froze in place, a live statue in the forest. “That was entertaining,” Merlin appeared as he cancelled the concealment spell. Devlin could barely breathe. “What took…” “Me so long? I thought you wanted to test your limits?” “Father held me back,” Arthur said with annoyance as he walked away from the area. “Father, I’ll tell the men it’s ok to proceed so they can collect that trash.” “You’re both so energetic,” the wizard mumbled as he watched Arthur disappear from view. “Now, take your one minute rest and you’ll be good as ne…” Merlin looked at Devlin and rushed to his apprentice’s side. Devlin was unconscious. The wizard ripped Devlin’s tunic and touched the lad’s heart. “Unlock.” The null ring glowed. Merlin saw whirling seals of fiery red appear on Devlin’s body. The seals were breaking. Cracks appeared on the boy’s body. It was coming out. Merlin heard Arthur and the others approaching. He goes into Arthur’s mind, Get Mondo, clean up for me. Merlin quickly cast a dark globe to envelop him and Devlin. The boy’s secret needed to remain a secret. The globe would also contain anything in case Merlin failed to patch the seals. Arthur tapped the outside of the dark globe with his sword, producing a clanging sound. He understood the situation. “We’re cleaning up,” shouted Arthur to his men. “Let’s get this bastard out of the forest quickly.” Merlin’s hands mended the fraying seals of light. Devlin’s boiling blood retreated to the luminous cracks in his body. The skin closed and healed. Merlin finished the last spell. The seals of light whirled and embedded themselves back into Devlin’s chest. Not my greatest work, but it will hold for the meantime. The seals disappeared, and Merlin wiped the sweat from his forehead. Maybe he should not take part in battles, Merlin thought. The physical exertion could break the seals one day, but Arthur needed Devlin’s mind on the battlefield. What to do? He could mind fuse the two during battle, but being Warden of Errt prohibited him from taking sides in battles between lords of the penal colonies. He looked at Devlin, I really need to go to Belgica soon. Devlin groaned. Merlin quickly dispelled the dark globe before Devlin could open his eyes. “Ah, you’re awake.” “Finally,” Arthur said as the darkness evaporated. The future king put a hand on Merlin’s shoulder and whispered, “Is he alright?” Merlin tapped Arthur’s hand. “Yes. Are the men still here?” “No. I had them clean up quickly.” “Good lad.” Devlin sat up. “How long was I unconscious?” “As long as usual,” Arthur said, not wanting Devlin to worry. “A minute then?” “I believe so, but I did not count.” Arthur helped Devlin get up while Merlin retrieved the Leaping Eye. “Are you feeling alright?” “I think so. I feel fine. Which is odd.” “You’re the odd one,” joked Arthur. “And the pri…Mondo?” he corrected himself in case Merlin heard him. “Headed back to where he belongs. We had to gag him after Merlin’s spell wore off as the men got spooked.” “Of Mondo?” “Him saying Araghast’s name over and over, then having that crazy glint in his eyes. My men are very superstitious.” Devlin shook his head but noted for his future reference the men’s weakness. Merlin tapped the Leaping Eye with his null ring, and it dropped to his hand instantly. He walked to Arthur and gave the Eye to the future king. “Hold this in front of me. Once I’m done using it, take it back to the Keep and put it in my room?” “Yes, Father.” “Thank you.” Merlin tapped Arthur’s cheek. “You can handle the rest while Devlin and I go to the Lotus.” Arthur nodded. The wizard took Devlin’s hand. “Open,” and the eye awoke, its eyelid opened wide. Merlin peered at the eye, and both he and Devlin disappeared.