III
Tagori awoke very sore and found that Tarin and Arrow were already awake. Tagori didn't understand why they woke so early. They were sitting and talking to one another.
“Tagori, Tarin tells me that you have the mythical blade, Zanik. Is that true?” Arrow said.
“Well what does, Cenpentra, mean?” Tagori asked.
“It means, “come”, or “come to me.” Arrow told him.
“Well I guess it is,” Tagori said.
“Could I see it for a moment?” Arrow asked.
“Sure, I guess,” Tagori said.
Tagori went to his things and took his sword out. He gave it to Arrow who started looking at it. He was turning it over in his hands. He then took it out of the sheath. His eyes were instantly drawn to the crystal at the base of the blade. He swung the sword. The blade retracted into the crystal. The three of them looked at the blade come out of the crystal again.
“Tagori, where did you find this sword?” Arrow asked, still staring at the sword.
“Just outside of Norico,” Tagori told him, “in a cave under a rock. It was surrounded by this strange bubble.”
“Tarin I don't think that this is Zanik,” Arrow said, “I think it is more commonly known as Zak'reen.”
“What? Zak'reen? It's part of the Zak'reen series?” Tarin asked.
Tagori was trying to remember where he heard that name. He was sure that he heard it before. Then he remembered, it was the weapon that the founder of Norico used.
“Tarin, isn't that the weapon that the founder of Norico used?” Tagori asked.
“Yes, but do you know the entire story?” Tarin asked Tagori.
“Umm... no, I don't think so.” Tagori said.
“Well, the tamer, Kaireg, along with his companions, defeated the evil wizard, Metenro. After that the group separated and Kaireg found himself in what is now Norico. The land was barren. There was no life to be seen for leagues. Kaireg sacrificed himself to bring life to the land. He was turned into the tree in the center of the town. Some of his friends came looking for him, but all they found was his sword in the grasp of a wooden hand. They knew that he sacrificed himself, so they took his sword and put it in a shrine in the newly formed forest. I don't know what happened to the rest of his arsenal though.” Tarin told Tagori.
“So that is how Norico came to be,” Tagori said.
“Tarin, do you know what this crystal is for?” Arrow yelled still examining the sword.
Tagori took the sword from him. He examined it then said, “I don't know what that crystal is,” Tarin didn't have an answer either.
“Arrow, what can you tell me about dragons and humans?” Tagori asked.
“What do you want to know?” Arrow said.
“Why are there so many humans, and not many dragons?” He said.
“There used to be thousands of dragons, but eventually humans stopped needing them. Humans just learned to evolve,” Arrow told him.
“We evolved past their need? I don't think I will ever evolve past needing...” Tagori said, but stopped when he saw the blade of his sword vanish. A small green gem fell out of the hilt. They sat there and stared at it before picking the crystal up.
Tagori wondered why that had happened. Evolve. That word seemed to make that happen.
He had an idea. He put the crystal back where it fell from and said “Evolve, axe,” Tagori said then removed his hand. The crystal stayed where it was and started to glow. A shaft came from the guard. Two blades came from where the shaft stopped, forming an ax.
“Tagori How did you figure that out?” Tarin asked.
“Well I said, evolve and it went into the crystal,” Tagori explained.
“Tagori, you are a genius,” Arrow said, “Kaireg didn't have a whole arsenal, he had one weapon. That weapon changed into his others. Tagori this may be one of the most useful weapons that you can get.”
“Shouldn't we be going?” Tarin asked.
“Yes, Tagori, I agree we should leave, the sooner that we get into the Gilrund, the sooner we are away from danger.” Emrila said.
“Right let's go. Emrila thinks we need to get to your friends,” Tagori said. “Evolve,” It became the crystal again, “Evolve, Sword,” Zak'reen turned back into a sword.
The three of them headed off into the direction of the Grand River. When they were out of view of the city Emrila joined them. Emrila had slowed her rate of growth, although she was still much bigger than Tagori. Arrow was stunned at the sight of Emrila.
“What can you tell me about magic?” Tagori asked.
“Well, what do you already know?” Arrow asked him.
“Well it comes from the strength of the mind, and that there are three levels. Other than that I'm not really sure,” Tagori said.
“Well, because the language is so vast people usually pick one element. For example I picked fire. Tarin picked light, one of the most powerful elements. He took a big chance using it; if he says a spell wrong, he could die,” Arrow said. “Tagori with the marks, you can use more powerful spells if you two are linked.”
“How do we become linked?” Tagori asked.
“It can't be taught, only learned.” Arrow told him.
Tagori pondered this for a while. He was trying to figure out which element he should use. Every element he imagined he saw himself as being powerful.
“Emrila, what one do you think I should use?” Tagori asked her.
“Well I like the air,” She said.
“That's only because you can fly,” Tagori told her.
“Well that is partly right,” Emrila laughed.
“Arrow, what are some elements that I could use?” Tagori asked.
“Look around. You can use anything that you see,” Arrow told him.
Then Tagori realized that Emrila wasn't joking. She was serious about using the air.
“How hard is it to use air?” Tagori asked.
Tarin and Arrow stopped. They looked at Tagori in shock.
“Did you say the air?” Arrow asked.
“Yes, but why are you so surprised?” Tagori asked.
“The air is one of the most vast spell sets in the language. No one has ever memorized all the spells,” Tarin pointed out.
“Well, It was Emrila's idea that I become an air elemental,” Tagori told them.
“Okay, I will tell you one spell if you can survive it then I will consider it,” Tarin told him.
“Okay,” Tagori answered.
“The spell is Ginariun,” Tarin told him
“But Tarin, isn't that a level...” Arrow was cut off.
“Say nothing, Arrow,” Tarin told him.
Tagori concentrated. Then he muttered the word “Ginariun” and he held his hand up. The air swirled around him. Then it started to compress in front of his hand. Tagori could see the air; it was a light green color. Tagori moved his hand the air moved as well. Everyone stared at the orb in disbelief.
“Tagori, what did you just do?,” Emrila said.
“Tagori, that wasn't supposed to happen,” Tarin told him.
“What was supposed to happen then?” Tagori asked.
“The air was supposed to swirl around you,” Tarin said.
“Although it is weak it is a level B spell,” Arrow said
Emrila roared. The three of them looked at her. She was staring at a group of Savages. One of them rushed Tagori. Tagori instinctively held his hand out. The Savage hit the ball of air and was thrown away from Tagori.
“Tagori that spell is a blessing upon you. Use it,” Tarin told Tagori.
“Tarin move, now,” Arrow told Tarin. Arrow strung his bow then said “Riorogin Nentreth,” The tip of the arrow started on fire. Arrow shot it at a group of savages, where it hit one of them in the shoulder. The Savage screamed in pain. “kon kon” Arrow said. The arrow exploded, killing several beasts. Tagori lunged at one of them, swinging the orb. It hit the beast throwing it back. Tagori turned around to see a Savage lunge at him. Emrila caught it in her jaws killing it.
“Tagori I'll protect you,” She said.
Tagori thought the onslaught would never end. As he was thinking this the savages ran away. Tagori didn't understand why though.
“They must have thought that Emrila was a statue,” Tarin said.
Tagori looked at the snarling Emrila. For a moment he thought that he saw something, something strange, but he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
“Arrow what did you do to them?” Tagori asked.
“Huh? Oh, you mean the spell. Well that is my special spell, Firebomb projectile. After I shoot it I say boom, boom. The damage is, well, you saw,” Arrow explained.
“How do I make thi...” Tagori began to say, but as he was, the marks on his arms began to glow. The orb sank into the mark. Strangely enough he felt better than when the fight began.
The three of them continued along their journey with few interruptions. They walked for about an hour before they could see the city walls.
“Tagori, What did the fortune teller tell you?” Tarin asked.
“Well she said that... how did you know about that?” Tagori asked him.
“Tagori I knew that something would happen that day, so I watched you to see if it would,” Tarin told him.
“Tarin, you should take a look at this,” Arrow said.
The three of them looked at the town which was only a short distance away. Outside of it was a small group of soldiers. Emrila growled at the sight of this.
“What are we going to do?” Tagori asked.
“WE do nothing,” Tarin said.
“But what about Arrow's friends?” Tagori asked
“They will be fine, as long as they keep their mouths shut about the Gilrund,” Tarin said.
“Well, their doomed,” Arrow said sarcastically.
The three of them looked at Arrow, shocked.
“Great. Well, we will sneak around to the other side of the city. There we will sneak in,” Tarin said. “We go in find them and get back out.”
“Okay, well I just want to check on something first,” Arrow said.
Tagori and Tarin went to the city. Tagori barely heard Arrow say something.
The three of them walked into the town together.
“Tarin you take the South side of the town, Tagori you take the East, and I will take the North, meet back here in two hours,” Arrow said. “We are looking for Dago, who usually has a big sword or two knives on his left side, and Enro, who should have a small sword, or a pickax.”
Tagori went off in the direction that he was told. He wasn't looking for very long when Emrila started talking to him.
“Tagori, Arrow said a strange spell. Be wary of him,” She said.
“How well did you hear it?” he asked her.
“I heard Gebedoken. What did you hear?” Emrila asked.
“Well I knew it started with a G,” Tagori said.
Tagori continued his search of the two of them. Tagori looked everywhere but he couldn't find him anywhere. But then as he was just about to give up hope, he saw someone with a long sword.
“Umm... excuse me, but is your name Dago?” Tagori asked.
The man turned around and stared at Tagori. “No,” he said “I am with the kings soldiers.”
“Oh, well, sorry to bother you,” Tagori said. Tagori looked at the sun, and, being a hunter, he was very good at telling time by its position. The two hours were almost up.
“Wait, why did you want to know if my name was Dago?” The guard asked.
“Well, he is my friend,” Tagori said only then realizing that the guard was holding a piece of parchment.
“My orders are to capture all that are friends with Dago,” the guard said.
The guard drew his sword and slashed vertically, and if Tagori was any slower at drawing his sword, then he would be dead. Tagori pushed the guard’s blade back.
Tagori put his hand over his sword as Tarin had taught him and said, “Erono Ginari, vortex,” and the wind once again swirled around him. Then a funnel of swirling air formed around his sword and the marks on his arms began to glow.
Tagori slashed at the guard, who was blown back by the intense wind that came from Tagori's sword.
The guard landed on his feet then came rushing Tagori. He slashed up with his sword and a wave of air shot out of his sword, which hit the guard and pushed him into a stall. Tagori's arms stopped glowing when he sheathed his sword. He looked around at the crowd to see them all staring at him. Tagori ran back to the rendezvous point where Arrow was waiting with Dago.
Dago, a stout, strong man with long blond hair wore a cloak that covered his entire body.
“Arrow we should leave,” Tagori said.
“Why, what did you do?” Arrow asked.
“I thought that a guard was you,” Tagori said pointing to Dago.
“Well, once Tarin gets back we'll leave,” arrow said.
As he said that, Tarin came out of a back flip from behind a building. He had glowing orbs in his hands which he threw before he hit the ground. An exposition came from where the orbs should have hit. Tarin, before he hit the ground, stopped, then slowly glided down to the ground, where he fell to one knee. The three of them ran over to aid Tarin.
“We need to heal him,” Dago said.
“No,” Tarin said with pain in his voice, “we don't have time for that.”
Arrow began to ask, “What do you...”
Then he saw a figure come out of the smoke, rushing them and striking at where Tarin was, with his battle ax. Moments before it hit Arrow grabbed Tarin and rolled out of the way.
“Ah, I see you have all come to the slaughter...” said the man that Tagori now realized was just a guard. “Now I can kill all of you at one time,” he said as his snakelike tongue came out of his mouth.
“You'll never kill us,” Dago said as he threw his cloak off and drew his knives, “Volt.”
His knives became electrical, crackling with energy. He jumped for the guard, who blocked Dago's first strike with his axes. Dago turned around still holding the ax with one of his knives, and stabbed at the guard’s side with his other. The guard grabbed Dago and threw him up into the air.
“NO,” Arrow screamed.
“Emrila, try to catch the person that is in the air,” Tagori told her.
“Okay, I'll try,” Emrila said.
Tagori drew his sword when the guard wasn't looking, and at the same time Emrila caught Dago. Tagori ran at the guard, while Emrila came down with Dago. The guard swung with his ax at Tagori. Tagori quickly pulled his sword up to guard himself with, but when their weapons made contact, Tagori's sword had become a shield. Tagori was unaffected by the blow, while the guard was pushed back. Tagori took this opportunity to attack the guard, where Tagori's shield turned back into a sword. He slashed at the guard's side. Then Dago came slashing down from off of Emrila with his knives. The guard was hurt but could still fight.
“Will he ever give up?” Arrow asked.
The guard began to rush Arrow, but was taken down by a man. The man stood with his pickax out, where it had hit the guard.
“That's it, I won't let you hurt my friends anymore,” the man said. He walked up to the guard who was getting up. “Secthoren lachret,” he said, and the guard’s legs froze in a block of ice. “Secthoren lachrep,” and the guard’s arms froze. “Secthoren segartor, good bye.” and the guard froze solid. The man then came around with his pick and, with one swift blow, shattered the guard.
Dago ran over to Tarin and began to heal him. The man began to walk towards Tagori, who stood guard, pointing his sword at the man.
“It's okay, I'm Enro, I'm with Dago,” the man said.
“Tagori, it's the truth,” Arrow said.
Tagori sheathed his sword and looked the man over. He could see that he looked a lot like Dago, although he was shorter. He wore his long, blond hair over his eyes, almost like he had something to hide.
“So, I must ask, why did you come?” Tagori asked.
“Well I saw your dragon as I was on the street, so I knew something was wrong,” Enro said.
“Wait, you saw Emrila? That means that others did too. We have to leave as soon as possible,” Tarin said.
“And the guards won't be very happy either,” Tagori said.
“Right, we should leave now,” Arrow said.
“Why? What did Tagori do?” Tarin asked.
“I'll tell you later Tarin,” Arrow said.
“General Nebin,” a strange voice said.
The group turned around and saw a soldier standing there. There was a small group of soldiers with him. They all had the same armor on, but the one in front was wearing a long, red cape.
“Did you see who...” The soldier began, “Wait you are the rebels, men get them,”
The other soldiers came running at Tagori and his group, who turned and ran. Emrila, however, flew off into the sky.
“Emrila, find us if we get out of here. Of course, if we don't then...” Tagori was cut off.
“You will get out,” she said.
“Tagori can you use a spell?” Dago asked.
“If it isn't too powerful, then yes, I might be able to,” Tagori replied.
“Then everybody use the spell, Bentero,” Dago said.
As Tagori said the word he noticed that everything went faster. His legs continued to speed him up. In almost no time, they all saw the gate. They came out of it with blinding speed. The group came to a stop on a hill some way from the city. Emrila soon joined them.
“Right now let's continue on the journey,” Tarin insisted.
“What? Where are we going?” Dago asked.
“We were on our way to the Gilrund,” Arrow told them, “That is why we came to get you.”
“Okay then let's go. We don't have any time to loose,” Dago said.
“There is something about Enro that I just don't like, but I don't know what it is,” Emrila said.
“What do you mean?” Tagori asked
“I don't know, but keep an eye on him,” She told him.
“Okay, I will then,” Tagori told her.
So the, what is now a small group, headed off on their journey to reach the Gilrund.
“Tarin, how did you learn about the Gilrund?” Tagori asked.
“Well I was one of the founders,” Tarin said, “It was me and four other people; Arrow being one of them.”
“So who is in charge of it?” Tagori asked.
Tarin said nothing. Tagori was shocked at this; almost all of the questions that he asked, Tarin answered, so why was he not answering this one? Tagori decided not to ask again.
“What was that spell that you used on the guard back in the town?” Tagori asked Enro.
“That was a spell that I was taught to only use in an emergency, it is called, Ice Grave, and it almost always kills who it is cast on,” Enro told him.
For much of this time not much was said. Tagori was still trying to believe that he left Norico. Tagori and Emrila were talking to each other. Emrila said that she was ready to fly with Tagori when he was ready, but he was still to scared.
They soon came upon the Grand River, and what seemed to be not far off, the Gilrund.
“So, when should we see the Gilrund?” Tagori asked.
“Well we won't see it for another few days, even if we travel all day,” Tarin said.
“Will there be any towns?” Tagori asked.
“Well, there will only be one this close to the river. It is a port town, it is only a day from here,” Arrow told him.
So they continued to walk until it was dark. Then because Tagori needed to rest, they all slept for the night.
They awoke early in the morning, to continue on their journey to reach the Gilrund. Tagori and Tarin took to sparring along the way to kill time, which worked, for soon they saw the city of Port Hikran.
The large city walls told that it was well protected. Their were several large ships at the docks, each carrying a different cargo. They all entered the city, looking at the amazing architecture. A large tower stood in the center of the town.
“Okay, meet at the inn and we will stay for the night,” Tarin told them.
“What should we do till then?” Tagori asked.
“Stay out of trouble, other then that, anything you want to do,” Tarin told them.
Tagori decided to go to the archery shop. He asked around and son found the place. There he saw them making some arrows. He asked to see what, if anything, they did different from him. He learned that they put the head in the arrow shaft, instead of bracing them together. Tagori asked one of the men how much each arrow was. The man answered twelve ryngs.
Tagori bartered with them and they both decided that if Tagori makes the arrows, then he will only need to pay three ryngs instead. He then realized that he was getting hungry, so he looked around for a place to eat. His wondering brought him to a small tavern. There he ate his fill.
When Tagori finally emerged from the tavern, it was getting dark. He made his way towards the inn. When he got there he saw Tarin and Dago. In the distance he could see Arrow running towards them. Tagori checked to make sure that Emrila was okay.
“Where's Enro?” Tagori asked.
“He must just be late. Let's go inside,” Dago said.
The four of them went inside, and went to their rooms. Tagori tried to wait for Enro, but slowly fell asleep.
Tagori awoke with a start. He went to the others rooms, but Enro's was still empty. He thought that maybe Enro was already awake. Tagori strolled down into the lobby, Tarin was there already.
“Was Enro here already?” Tagori asked.
“I haven't seen him, but I'll ask the manager if he saw him,” Tarin answered.
Tarin walked over to the desk. At the desk was a large man, who looked as if he had plenty to eat every night. They started to talk, but it seemed like the news wasn't good. Tarin began to walk over, but was stopped when the man said that he had a message for him. Tarin read the message as he slowly walked over to Tagori.
“Enro's been captured!” Tarin said in disbelief. “He has been taken to a tower to the north.”
“We have to go save him,” Arrow said coming down the stairs
Tagori said “let's go get...”
“NO. Our mission is to get you safely to the Gilrund,” Tarin said.
“Fine,” Tagori said, “but once we're there, we're going to get Enro.”
“Well, we need to get you a trainer first, and then the rest of us will go. You need to train, the rest of us have been training for a couple of years,” Tarin said.
“You had all better come back safely,” Tagori said.
“We will,” Dago stated from a tall chair that was turned away from everyone.
“So when do we continue on?” Tagori asked anxiously.
“Well, we're all here, let's go now,” Dago said
The group paid for their rooms and left the city. They followed the river to it's source. They soon came to a rocky outcrop. The river was on one side of them, and on the other was a steep cliff. The path was large enough that Emrila could walk on it without much trouble. Out on the horizon they could see almost nothing but rolling hills. But as Tagori was scanning the countryside, he saw it. He saw a large white tower.
“Tarin, are there any castles, or towers around here?” Tagori asked, trying not to be too suspicious.
Tarin replied, “None that I know of, why do you ask?”
“Look to your left,” Tagori commanded.
Tarin did as he was told. He stared at the tower with wide eyes.
“Well, I guess that we'll explore it later then,” Tarin said.
“You know, that note did say that Enro was taken to a tower in the north, and by my navigational skills we've been traveling north,” Tagori said.
“Are you saying that you think that Enro is that tower?” Tarin said, “There could be hundreds of towers that he could be in.”
“Well, I guess that we'll never know if he is or isn't in that tower if we never look, right?” Tagori asked. “Emrila, I'm going to jump off the cliff, I need you to catch me, do you think that you can do that?
“I'm certain that I can catch you, Tagori,” Emrila told him.
“Look Tagori, the rest of us will look into it, after we get you to the Gilrund,” Tarin told him.
“No, I'll look into it now,” Tagori said as he rushed to the side of the cliff. Emrila lifted herself off the ground and barrel rolled off the side of the cliff. Emrila turned so that she was under Tagori, and slowed her descent. As he came closer to her paws, she closed them around Tagori's body. She flipped around so that they were hovering in one place.
“Tagori, please get back here,” Tarin said.
“I can't do that Tarin, I'm going to go look for a friend,” Tagori said.
Tagori and Emrila flew off towards the tower.
“We have to go after them, Tarin,” said Arrow, “They don't know what they are in for if they go to that tower alone.”
Tarin said, “And you know what they are up against?”
Arrow answered, “Yes”
Tagori was enjoying the wind blowing through his hair. He had never felt something so exciting before.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Tagori?” Emrila asked.
“You bet I am” Tagori answered her.
“Remember why we are doing this,” She said.
“Right, to explore the tower to find Enro,” Tagori answered.
The two of them flew off towards the tower.
“Tagori, how will we get inside?” Emrila asked.
“What do you mean?” Tagori asked, not knowing what she was talking about.
“I would imagine that there would be a few guards at the entrance, wouldn't you think so?” Emrila said.
“hmmm... I guess your right. How are we going to get in?” Tagori asked.
There was a long silence as they thought. The only sound was the wind blowing past them.
“Tagori, my wings are getting tired,” Emrila said after a long pause.
Emrila flew to the top of the tower, where she put Tagori down and then rested herself. Tagori and Emrila continued to think about how they would get into the tower. Then Tagori figured it out.
“The answer is right under our feet!” Tagori said
“What?” Emrila asked.
“The roof,” Tagori told her.
“I still don't get it,” Emrila said.
“We bust through the roof,” Tagori told her.
“Well how will we bust it?” Emrila said.
Tagori thought about that for a while. Everything that Tagori thought of wouldn't have worked. Then he remembered his sword. Tagori held his sword out, and uttered the words, “evolve hammer”. The sword changed into a battle hammer. Tagori raised his hands, and swung the hammer with such great force that the roof crumbled, creating a hole.
“Don't you ever do as your told?” said a voice that sounded oddly familiar.
Tagori looked around and saw Tarin come up the side of the tower.
“I had to see if Enro was here,” Tagori said, breathing heavily.
“We would have done that, when you were in the Gilrund,” Tarin yelled.
“That might have been too late,” Tagori said. “Now I'll continue what I started.”
Tagori jumped into the hole that he made.
To be continued...
