The Castle Guard

13) A mage and an assassin

Darien concentrated “IGNIUS-DRA” he exclaimed loudly ‘It sparked! Something in me did, is it my core?’ he asked himself tentatively remembering Dracenstark’s explanations, holding his breath he opened one eye at a time. He almost jumped at the ball of flame the size of a peach floating on his palm “I am doing this?” he asked himself half heartedly it felt surreal like someone else had put the small ball of flame floating on his palm “It is me!” he said conclusively moving his palm the flame flickered in the opposite direction from his hand like it was being blown away but the flame remained floating on his palm ‘Somehow its connected to my hand’ he felt it albeit feint a small thread of mana running from his palm through the arm into his chest then torso. ‘I wonder if…’ he threw the flame into the dark; it disappeared within two inches from his hand dispersing into small yellow specks. “So you’re a mage?” a female voice came from the stairs above, Dame Erska stood her lips stretched into a slight grin she wore less armor than usual showing off her almost slender but slightly large build in a black tunic with tight pants and her trustee sword by her side. She looked less threatening yet after their last encounter Darien knew she didn’t need armor to take him down although it was kind of weird seeing her like that not that he’d seen her many times ‘why is she not wearing her armor?’ he asked himself  he retorted his hand back down heat from the flame lingered a bit in his palm , her face had a blank expression dimly lit by the glow of the fire torch hanged on the wall her eyes glittered with yellow light as she went down the stairs and sat beside Darien the torch flames seemed to dance on her irises “your moves aren’t that bad either a bit sloppy but not bad”

 “Thanks!” Darien answered blankly feeling genuinely surprised at the sudden complement ignoring the last part of course

They remained in silence for sometime “Do you know what’s inside?” Erska asked gesturing to the entrance into the dungeon her eyes concentrated on him. The question was framed more interrogative than actual curiosity as to the contents behind the door he’d been guarding for months “No!” Darien answered blankly not wanting to continue the conversation. When she remained silent he sighed ‘Can I do that fire thing again?’ he mentally imagined the small flame on his palm ignoring Erska who looked at Darien fascinated she’d seen magic use only a few times it always seemed surreal like a fairy tale she believed more in combat. ‘I have never seen a mage who can fight before ,this is going to be interesting’ she grinned in the dark ‘At least he shows elements of loyalty or stupidity, I’d be lying if I say I am not intrigued too if I was to guard this door for as long as he had I would have gone crazy with curiosity.’  

She remembered King Walren’s concerned expression when he ordered her to come guard the dungeons he had asked to be discreet about it “Make sure no one else finds out of your involvement and if anyone besides Dracenstark tries to enter kill them! oh! And there two others guarding with you!” She wanted to ask what she’d be guarding but from his tone she knew it was one of those no questions asked orders/favors so she agreed and quietly left the throne room heading for the dungeons she owed him and it was not her place to ask the king on his private affairs nor disobey a direct order. ‘Darien Estrin of Haslet tall, light brown skin that matched his eyes along with dark long hair, your sword skills aren’t that good but there’s room for change’ she eyed Darien as he concentrated on his palm ‘Probably!’ she sighed before asking her next question “Tell me about the first attacker” Darien gulped remembering the previous day’s event it seemed like months had passed, the memory of almost dying was still fresh in his mind. “Dracenstark had just entered the dungeons when…”

“UMRAHIC-LESCZZ!” the five foot tall birch tree cracked as it froze o its surface becoming a ghastly pale, small cracks spread all over it then disintegrated breaking down leaving a frozen stump on the ground, the old mage breathed in steadying himself it had been a while since he’d done offensive magic “I still got it” he stood alone  in the forest woods away from any interruptions.

LETARGHYT-LEXIDIA!” he muttered before releasing a strong wave of energy  aiming for another tree directly in his eye sight, only a c***k formed at the tree’s base, he cursed “Forgot this one needs more focus and power concentration. He closed his eyes breathing in then out and with barely saying a word released a blast of energy. When he opened his eyes the tree was cut in half  diagonally at its base the upper part slid down falling loudly thrashing against leaves of other trees as it hit the ground loudly he smiled smugly ‘I still got it!’

“You can come out now!” he spoke calmly someone else was  watching him, Kalyn noticed their presence immediately after arriving though he didn’t  know where they hid the spell he cast was a mere demonstration than practice ‘try attacking and I will slice you in half!’ the woods became silent, a large figure wearing a dark hood his face hidden behind a mask that covered most of his face allowing for the eyes to be seen jumped from a tree some meters from Kalyn’s side. His feet emitted almost no sound as he reached the ground “Alias how was the mission?” he asked without turning  “Successful master!” a low base voice answered ‘only you can jump from a tree top a barely make a sound, the fact that there’s any sound at all means your hurt’ he wandered “does it exist?” he asked sternly not facing Alias though from Kalyn’s side view he could see him down on one knee “yes master!” Kalyn almost cried with joy, the existence of a hidden door underground where behind it lay the most powerful weapon in the kingdom looked more like a fairy tale  even the traces of it were very slim using a mercenary to find it had cost him quiet some gold especially on such a slim thread of assurance  not to mention its existence was protected by the arch mage, the presence of such a well kept power was he’s ticket to success. ‘They want results! Ha! I will show them’ he beamed inwardly ‘First things first’ “Alias!” he exclaimed seriously, Alias was a large man six feet tall, large well built body to think that made him slow in battle was a grave mistake to whomever was unlucky to be his opponent. He moved fast with a silence that could only be attributed to the best of assassins, he was expensive but got the job done with the most of precision leaving or escaping depending on the situation no traces behind. He carried a long double edged sword on his right side, a dagger on both boots he wore and a well hidden contraption on his arm resembling a small crossbow that allowed him to shoot arrows easily, hidden by a slim gauntlet that could be mistaken for an ordinary glove that is before a poisoned arrow comes flying toward the opponent taking them by surprise; many had fallen to it. Alias’ face wasn’t handsome nor was it ugly but it was that of a hardened veteran emphasizing his large scary bulk, his light brown eyes were mostly blank which meant he was actually alert of the surrounding area which he was most of the time; when he glared his gaze was enough to make someone freeze on spot, release their bowels and give them a heart attack at the same time.

“I have another mission for you!” Kalyn spoke indicating towards Alias a large bag of gold coins cradled on his palm, it was larger than the last time they met.

Alias left the  short round bellied mage feeling drained, his stomach hurt from when Dracenstark blasted him ‘Damned mage! Why didn’t he warn me that there would be another mage in the dungeon? If it weren’t the enchanted amulet below my shirt I would be dead!’ he cringed angrily ‘if it weren’t for his high and timely payment of gold I would have sliced that stupid head off his body.’ Despite all his feelings he was strangely glad he hadn’t finished his battle with that guard; every battle he’d fought had ended with the enemy’s blood staining his sword while they lay lifelessly on the ground but the guard had survived the merciless end of his sword. “Oh lucky guard we will meet again! And next time not even a mage will stop my sword from claiming your life.” He smiled coldly which was very rare for him even if it was menacing. He felt a rush of blood thirst that could only be cured by one thing

 ‘Killing Darien!’