Tales of Eleutheros

“Excellent!” Avria shouted, thrusting her blade at Katrina, admiring her parry. Katrina had been training every day with her mentor, and over the countless hours spent, had become a formidable warrior. Not yet to the degree of lethality that was expected of the warriors of Vul De Rah, but she felt she was learning quickly.

Avria swung her blade over her head, a shriek of electricity erupted from the weapon. Katrina arced her blade in the crest form, and a large pillar of stone shot from the ground at an angle and blocked her blade. The movement was flawless, and Avria followed up with several more Dunamis-enhanced attacks.

After the session, Katrina soaked in the Regios bathhouse. A large room with dozens of baths masterfully made in the stone floor. Clearly, a powerful earth user had used the Dunamis to make them. Her body ached from the rigorous routine, but she floated now, carefree and relaxing in the warm water.

“I do find the Regios estate to be quite a lovely place,” Illya said, soaking in a bath next to hers. The Dae Krya had been spending a lot of time in the Regios estate lately. She insisted that she would accept the responsibility to teach Katrina the customs and courtesies of the Vul De Rah court, though it was most likely because she was bored. Katrina didn’t mind the attention; she had an opportunity to indulge in the more feminine aspect of this world. Listening to court gossip was always fun, especially now that she had started to know many of the names that were mentioned. Avria seemed to encourage it as well, pushing her to spend time with more people and make friends. Friends, she thought.

Her mind wandered to Robert. The man had been gone for nearly two months now, and there was little word on his progress. What would happen if they found a way back home? Her mind raced at the thought. The strange world she had woken up in was alien and terrifying, and yet against all her fear and uncertainty, she had come to enjoy her life here. She missed her parents and her friends, but her life on earth had been an uneventful one.

Katrina let out a sigh and sank into the water, letting her mouth blow bubbles.

“Oh, come now,” Illya said, resting her arms on the edge of her bath. “What ails you, my little human? Has Avria been pushing you a little too hard?” she said playfully.

Katrina smiled as she rose a bit above the water again. “Not really.” She stretched her arms up. “It’s been tough, but not too bad. Hey, is there any news from Robert yet? It’s been a while.”

“I haven’t heard much. Only that they arrived at the Spirit Forest a couple of months ago and have been actively studying the area,” Illya said.

Katrina nodded her head. “That’s pretty much all I have heard too.”

“What about Daniel?” Illya asked with a sly grin on her face. “How’s his training going? I heard that he almost blew up the training field in the Glade.”

Katrina chuckled; of course, Illya would know about this. It didn’t matter how protected a secret like this was; she always managed to pick it up. Illya always had her ear to the ground in matters that interested her. After spending several sessions with the Dae Krya, she knew that Daniel was definitely on her radar as an interesting subject. She had asked about him every time she visited.

With that thought in her mind, Katrina decided she would press that little button.

“Why don’t you go see him?” Katrina said, turning to Illya and placing her elbows on the edge of the bath. “You keep asking me about him. Why don’t you stop by? I’m sure he would love to see you.”

Illya’s face reeled at the bold suggestion. “Well,” she said, “I don’t know if that would be…” She stopped for a moment and thought to herself. “You know? That might be quite interesting. You think he might enjoy it?”

“Oh yes,” Katrina said, her smile deepening. “You know, he asked about you last time I saw him.”

“He did?” Illya exclaimed.

Technically she was telling the truth. In fact, the last time she saw Daniel, he had asked how everyone was doing. This, of course, would have included Illya.

“I think I’ll take your advice on this, Kat. You know, Oros was pretty disappointed that he didn’t take him up on his offer to train him. I think that he would have fit in well with the court. I mean, look at you, Avria has nothing but good things to say.”

Katrina’s ears perked. “Wait… really?”

“She may be rude and about as feminine as a dehydrated Cro’kan teetering on the edge of death, but she does have some soft spots. She is particularly fond of you. I must say, I was shocked when she told us that she felt your training was going far beyond her expectations. You, humans, are very strange indeed.”

“Sure, we’re strange to you, Dae. Maybe that’s why you are so obsessed with Daniel,” Katrina said.

“What?” Illya became slightly flustered. “I’m not ‘obsessed’ with Daniel. I just find him very interesting.”

“Seriously,” Katrina said, “it has been months now; you are attracted to him. You should think about visiting him instead of me. Don’t get me wrong, I love our conversations Illya, you always make me feel better after a tough day, but come on. Don’t treat us like we’re stupid.”

Katrina paused. And for once, didn’t hear one of the Dae Krya’ quirky responses.

Illya sat in deep thought, looking at a puddle of water beside her bath.

“I know it’s a little strange. You are completely different creatures. I mean… we don’t even know if… you know… you have the same…” Illya gestured down toward her lower region.

Katrina let out a laugh.

“Don’t laugh! I’ve been dying to know! I’m serious, Kat, it is a very popular subject in court. I’m not the only one asking either. My brother Boros has asked me more than a few times to tell him if you had the same… you know… everything as Dae women.”

“What?” Katrina exclaimed, laughing at the thought. “Boros asked you to see if I had a vagina?”

“Oh! So you do!” Illya said.

“I know that look, and if you’re thinking to yourself that because I have the same, then surely a human male does…” Katrina held for a dramatic pause. “…no they don’t. I’m sad to say that they have vaginas as well.”

“What!?” Illya screamed, completely shocked.

Katrina laughed intensely. Grasping her sides and falling into the water of the bath.

Illya folded her arms across her chest and shook her head in disapproval.

“You know that isn’t funny. Tell me the truth.”

Katrina finished up her laugh, wiping a couple of tears out of her eyes. “No, I’m kidding. Of course, they have penises,” she said, still stifling some giggles.

Illya’s face cracked, and she broke out in laughter as well.

-

“Achoo!”

“Spirits keep you,” Delmos said.

“Thanks, someone must be talking about me,” Daniel said, hefting a wooden sword in his hands.

“Maybe it’s my sister asking for the merciful Great Spirits to hurl a stone from the beyond and crush you. She would rejoice,” Delmos said.

“Thanks,” Daniel said.

“If it’s any comfort to you, my friend, I would mourn.” the Dae said, exaggerating a bow.

Daniel chuckled to himself and brought his weapon up in a readied stance. The training with Oros and Delmos, had been quickly excelling in all areas of battle. Daniel had found himself at a significant disadvantage, however, when it came to the blade.

“Keep your guard up!” Delmos yelled, giving Daniel another hit to the side of his head.

“Shit!” Daniel said, trying his best to block out the pain. “That was a cheap shot, asshole.”

“If by cheap shot, you mean whooping your ass is like snatching sweets from a Dae toddler? Then yes, it is cheating for someone like you to step into the ring with me.” Delmos twirled his weapon playfully.

“Really? You weren’t that smug when I bashed your face in during the trial of Doxo. Where was all this fancy skill then?” Daniel retorted.

“Ah, details… oh well. I’m getting my licks in now, aren’t I?”

Daniel continued his great effort and failed each time. It was maddening how quick the little bastard was. Still, though, it seemed much easier than it had when he first began to learn the sword. His reflexes were improving, and his strength had to be held back on just about everything he did.

After the session, Daniel and Delmos started to make their way back to the Palace. As they approached the entrance, a Dae servant opened the doors and hurried to stand before them.

“Spirit-Sent,” the servant said with a bow. “Hego Agron has requested your presence. It is quite urgent.”

Daniel entered the Throne room and saw that it was full. There was shouting and chaos as many of the nobles and warriors shot slurs and insults toward one another.

He was looking for Katrina in the crowd when he saw Avria standing next to Hego Agron and Katrina standing next to her. Of course, she’s up there. He thought.

“Daniel!” a familiar voice called through the noise.

He turned to see Oros striding towards him.

“I am glad you are here, my friend.”

He clasped Daniel’s arm in the now well-rehearsed warrior’s greeting.

“Oros! Good to see you again, it’s been a little while. What’s going on here?” Daniel gestured around the room.

Suddenly the Dae Kryo’s face went solemn. “It seems that an expedition that went to the south was attacked and slaughtered. Lord Veol was butchered and left to rot under the sun, and—”

“Wait a second,” Daniel said, his memory working to pull the name. “Veol was in charge of Robert’s expedition to the Spirit Forest. You mean that—”

“Yes, it would seem that something has happened to your friend. However, we did not find his body among the dead, so there is still hope that the Rexunii have captured him.”

Daniel’s mouth hung open at the revelation. “The Rexunii?” he asked. “You mean that clan to the south?”

Oros nodded and looked to his father, who sat in deep thought on his throne, seemingly ignoring the loud room around him.

“Enough!” Avria called out, her voice booming and bringing silence. She turned to Agron and bowed.

Agron stirred for a moment, then stood to address the room.

“My fellow nobles, warriors, and Dae of the faith. This is a crisis, indeed, and I can understand why there is a call for action and blood. Lord Veol was—”

“My son!” called a noble, cutting him off. “He went out there with one of those demons! And lost his head to the blasted Rexunii.”

Daniel could see tears in the noble’s eyes; he was stricken with grief and lashed out at the Hego.

“Lord Sumander will watch his tongue!” Avria shouted. “We mourn for the loss of your son, but he was a warrior of Lokkadonia and a hero of Vul De Rah. He knew the risks of this life when he took the red.” She took a step to the side of the Hego. “You will remember yourself.”

Murmurs echoed through the hall, and Agron shook his head in disappointment. “This is not the first time they have tried something like this. You all remember their last king and his campaign for conquest when they tried to slaughter the Sabree to the East. Their king is dead, and a new one has risen, looking for blood. Our blood!” Agron began pacing, looking down at his fellows. “They are oppressors and murderers, my friends, and have robbed us of one of our favorite sons.” His eyes turned to Lord Sumander. “I mourn with you, brother. I will carve the eyes out of their king for what they have done. Raiding parties are one thing, crossing our borders to harass villages and burn crops, but to openly attack and kill our warriors is an act of war! This must be repaid!”

He turned to Nasha, who stood at the front of the crowd. The Female warrior bowed her head. “Nasha, you will bring your warriors to meet at Vul De Mar, petition the king for permission to repay this act of violence against us, in full. Tell him that I am doing this merely as a courtesy, and will attack them on my own whether he approves of it or not.” He turned again to the crowd, with anger in his eyes. “I have lost confidence in King Yomin’s ability to see reason, and you all know why.”

He gestured to Katrina, who stood beside Avria. “It is because of these humans that we are under siege. Not only from the Rexunii to the south, but from within, the King has proven his incompetence by siding with mortals. Look around you, friends, and see that the Espi-Dae have abandoned us. Those foolish Dae who wallow in corruption and decadence while the rest of us pay their way. Well, we do not need the guidance of mortal cravens.” He pointed his hands to the ceiling of his hall. “When we have the guidance of the spirits themselves!”

All eyes looked above to see a gargoyle-like creature perched above them. Gro’ak nodded in approval at the words and slowly sank into the side of the dome roof he was near.

There were gasps of surprise as the attending Dae saw the spirit make its exit. Based off their reaction, Daniel figured that was a first for just about everyone here.

Follow up statements were made by Agron, and the call to war was resounding. After that, the nobles and warriors in the hall exited, but Oros made sure to keep Daniel with him. Daniel had been very silent for the duration of the speeches, not quite sure how to grasp the loss of his brief friend.

~

Katrina sat in a chair in one of the Hego’s many meeting rooms. Oros, Boros, Avria, and Daniel were all there. How could this have happened? she thought, feeling the pang of anguish in the absence of Robert. When she heard about the attack, overwhelming guilt struck her. The last time she had really spoken to him was in a terrible argument.

“Kat,” Daniel said, walking up to her, “they don’t think he’s dead, so there could still be some hope.”

“Hope for what? They burn him alive? You remember what they tried to do to us?” She clenched her fists. “We have to get him back, Daniel, I’ll never forgive myself if we can’t…”

Daniel put his arm on her shoulder, to comfort her maybe. She could tell he wasn’t the best at it, but she appreciated the gesture. Katrina put her face in her hands and let out a sigh.

“So, what do we do?” Boros said, walking to stand next to Katrina. “Father wants to go to war, in retribution for the attack on our warriors, but how does that help us get Robert back?”

“He knew the risk when he left,” Avria said. “He stood in the throne room before all of us and accepted that the dangers would be there. We cannot go galivanting around near the Rexunii territory and not expect the same ill fate to fall upon us.”

“I’m not afraid of a Rexunii raiding party,” Boros said boldly. “I’m not afraid of any one of their fledgling little warriors.”

Avria shook her head in disapproval, then looked pleadingly to Oros. “Please help me talk some sense into this little fool. Have you heard what has happened in the last five years in Thule? Their warrior-king?” She glared at Boros’ look of defiance. “This is a Dae who carved the Rexunii elite out of their places of power and cast them into the flames. Who stood before the might of their clan and wiped out all who opposed his ascension. You can sit here and say what you want about fighting a warrior like that and call them weak, spitting baseless insults, but the reality of the situation, little boy, is that they are formidable opponents. So we can’t make any mistakes, otherwise our clan will fall.”

“You are speaking as though he is ascended or something. If he had killed a spirit, they would have come down on him with the full might of their power.”

“Boros,” his brother Oros said sternly. “It is time for you to shut up now. Avria is right.” The words brought silence to the room. It was the first time Katrina had heard Oros openly agree with Avria. Boros looked at him in shock.

“We absolutely must tread carefully. The Rexunii have been trying to appeal to the High King for many, many years to get him to force us to release the Doulos. A young and hot-headed king like Alektor will be more prone to act rashly. And we have to think as to why they would strike at our little expedition so directly.”

“They wanted to get Robert,” Daniel said. “It was a planned and coordinated attack. Much more so than any of the raids in the South. Am I right?”

Oros nodded his head in agreement as he replied. “They knew he was there and sent a formidable warrior to confront Lord Veol. He alone should have been enough to fend off a force of forty or fifty warriors. With this in mind, I find it unlikely that they would harm him seriously in any way. They went to capture a human, and now they have him.”

The room was silent for several moments.

“Unless they intend to trade him to the Espi-Dae for their support,” Avria said bluntly. “A new king with a chip on his shoulder against us, and a new opportunity to gain favor with the Torre’. The High King has little power in his land, and the Espi-Dae are attempting to rally support against Hego Agron for openly disobeying them.”

Oros pondered at the thought. “You are probably right, Avria, that does make sense. It would give him the High King’s blessing to attack us without fear of retribution. Which means it’s a fight he thinks he can win.”

“I appreciate that, Oros,” Avria said. “But although it is a fight he thinks he can win, I assure you that he will not. With you on the battlefield? Even Gro’ak would feel fear.”