Aphrodite's Acolyte (21 page)

The feeling was strange to Fidel, his actions being mostly reactive and quickly executed. As he reflected on the reasons in his mind to fight, he felt fear starting to creep into his heart. The possibilities of losing his friends and family started to weigh heavily on his conscience. The look on his face must have shown his fears as Noxater questioned the elf.

Fidel explained his feelings to the dwarf, knowing Noxater must have fought many battles, being a Knight of Deeder's Pass. The dwarf had advice for the elf. “Fidel, ye canno' think of thee losses. Thee eve of battle is to remember yer friends an yer family for what they are: yer kin and yer reason to survive.”

The dwarf stared at the elf. “Yes, ye may lose yer friends. Ye may lose yer family. Ye may lose yerself, even. But this fight is thee fight that changes whether ye will lose them or not. If we let this threat linger, this sycophant of evil, would we not be guaranteeing thee loss of all we love an' know?” The dwarf let the words sit on Fidel's shoulders for a bit while he watched the elf stare deeply into the blaze before them.

Abby, sitting beside the elf and hearing all the dwarf had to say, looked to Noxater. “Thank you, wise dwarf. I too was questioning our course. The last time I had similar thoughts I was in the forests surrounding Harlow's Hovel, before I chose to follow a kindly elf who showed mercy to me. An elf I now consider a dear friend.” Abby placed an arm across Fidel's already burdened shoulders. “An elf that has reminded me I make decisions of my own free will.”

Noxater smiled at Abby, placing his arm on the elf's opposite shoulder. “Know that thee weight ye feel now, kind elf, is that of your companions, an' goodly folks. But it is lighter than it should be, is it not? We are a trio. We should be a tetrad. Our group is not complete without thee inclusion of a duo of you clever types.”

Fidel continued to stare into the fire for a while longer, taking in the dwarf's and human's words. Fighting an internal struggle between asking his friends and family to get in harm's way and his fear in getting in the way himself.

He looked to Abby, then to Noxater, and cleared his throat. “No better companions to have in the rescue of Capi Advor.” Fidel  smiled and looked into the flames dancing before him. “A trio is good company, fine dwarf. A tetrad will be better.” Fidel's thoughts turned to the rescue of Cap, a task set forth to Abby. He turned to Abby. “Do you believe you'll be able to get to him quickly?”

Abby smiled, “Certainly. My skills are well tuned for such an infiltration. And my hope is the wicked sorceress, herself, will be getting in the way.” Abby's face displayed a wry smile. Fidel smiled back, envisioning the sorceress trying to cast spells with a flurry of daggers constantly pressing her.

Noxater jumped in sarcastically, “O' don't worry 'bout me guys. I got thee dozen or so minotaurs covered.”

Fidel responded flippantly. “Oh we won't, dragon rider.”

The dwarf smiled at the remark and the group continued talking about the forthcoming battle. Captain Sizod watched from across the flames as the group sat in front of the fire late into the night, the human and dwarf arms draped across the shoulders of the tenacious elf. He smiled wide, remembering his own friendships formed during his early battles when he was just a Private in the army of Harlow's Hovel.

Fidel awoke to a familiar room, so bright he could not make out any shapes. The light dimmed and the form of a beautiful woman appeared before him. Once again, Aphrodite waved her hands, the table and chairs appearing from their first meeting along with a ready-made feast.

           Aphrodite gave a warm smile. “Welcome back, Fidel.”

              Fidel allowed his eyes to adjust then sat down in the same chair he used prior. His tone was warm. “Hello again, Goddess.” His tone turned to one of concern. “Don't mistake me for being ungrateful, but may I ask why you summoned me on the eve of probably the most important battle in my life?”

              The goddess' smile disappeared. “Yes, I have information for this forthcoming battle. Have you heard of the Crown of Iocus?” Fidel shook his head with an uneasy look in his eyes. He sensed the information the goddess was about to share would not be news he wanted to hear.

           Aphrodite offered more information, “The Crown of Iocus is a devilish treasure placed in the land of Maserun by one of my chaotic counterparts, Dionysus. It is a crown made of ivy, but unyielding in its form. Once placed upon the head of an individual, even upon a god, the crown drives the wearer to madness. Not only does the crown make one insane, it amplifies the ability of the wearer two-fold, regardless of what abilities the wearer possesses.” Aphrodite saw the look in Fidel's face, a look indicating the elf was putting the information together.

              Fidel's face twisted with curiosity. “I have seen this crown?” Aphrodite's face changed to a serious look as she nodded at the elf. Fidel's eyes narrowed sharply as he asked another probing question. “This crown resides on the head of my enemy, Pravas Medeis?” Aphrodite nodded again.

Fidel's heart changed. Conflict arose in his soul as his mind battled to put this enemy to rest but his heart now yearned for forgiveness toward this vile victim of Dionysus' wicked contraption. Fidel's green eyes flashed, “Why would you tell me of this information now, on the eve of battle with the wicked sorceress?” His voice raised an octave above normal. “This news changes my feelings for the wretched hag!”

Fidel's tone bordered on the edge between anger and sympathy. “How do I face my enemy with a clear goal in sight of destroying her when I have learned she is more of a victim than a tyrant!? How am I to face this witch with this information?!?” Fidel's voice was on the verge of shouting at the goddess, completely ignoring her status in the world. He looked at Aphrodite, his eyes becoming narrow slits of contempt for all the gods of Maserun.

Aphrodite's face reflected the look of a most patient mother. “Fidel, calm yourself, I tell you this information because things are not always as they seem, a lesson you have learned from your father. Pravas Medeis was a follower of mine for many years before she found the crown and donned the wicked treasure upon her head. I wish for her to return to her former self. She deserves such forgiveness.”

Fidel's eyes flared dangerously. “Forgiveness? She has enslaved and killed thousands! How can she be forgiven for her crimes?”

Aphrodite looked down at the elf with pity in her eyes, “Clearly she was not in her own mind when she committed such atrocities, Fidel. Even you can not doubt that. A few years before you moved in with your Aranongo family, Pravas Medeis was on a mission for Lord Fineal to destroy a hydra terrorizing the people of Puldechra. She succeeded in her mission, but in the hydra's lair, she found the Crown of Iocus. She fancied the crown and placed it upon her head.”

The goddess sighed and sat down in her gem encrusted chair. A few doves flew down from the ceiling and landed upon the arms of the throne. Aphrodite ran her hand along one of the dove's backside. The bird cooed, enjoying the loving attention. Aphrodite continued the story. “From that point forward, Pravas was no longer to blame for her actions. I understand the anger of thousands of mortals dying upsets you, for it pains me to hear the departing cries of the souls bound for Hades. But I cannot condemn Pravas' soul for her actions.”

Aphrodite leaned forward in her throne, closing some of the distance between herself and Fidel. “I must ask you to aid in the release of Pravas Medeis from the power of the crown. For the sake of my follower, my acolyte.”

Fidel's heart pounded in his chest as he controlled his contempt for the gods. Oh how he hated the gods now, using mortals as their puppets and placing trinkets of such destructive powers around the world.

Aphrodite, apparently reading Fidel's mind, sat back in her chair. “I understand your distaste for Dionysus. Know that not all gods placed evil treasures within the realms of Maserun. Many of the treasures created by the gods are actually neutral in design, it is how the treasure gets used which is the true evil. The Spear of Judico, for example, allows its possessor to emit deadly rays of light which cuts down all in the rays path. How that power gets used originates in the desires of the mortal, not Athena who created it.”

Aphrodite continued, “But there are other treasures, such as the Kettle of Ubertas from Hestia, which can feed entire nations. However, even the kettle can get used for evil means, such as controlling people who are starved and leaving them in debt to the beholder. Do not judge the gods so harshly. Mortals are as flawed in both intent and desires.” Aphrodite watched Fidel as he processed her words, petting her doves as the elf battled the thoughts within his head.

Fidel debated internally, weighing the points the goddess presented. He argued on the side of justice, how people should be held accountable for their actions. He argued on the side of humanity, how all people deserve chances and forgiveness. He argued on the side of the commoner, how nobody has the right to manipulate the wills of others. The conflict in his own mind, the opposing sides of each argument, weighed heavily on the elf's emotions. After a few minutes of internal debate, the elf sighed heavily and asked a question, “How can I free Pravas from this burden?”

Aphrodite smiled, knowing the conclusion the elf had reached. “You will need to remove the crown from her head. It will not be as simple as flinging it off with an arrow or a spell. The crown becomes an extension of the victim's body.”

Fidel nodded, showing he had accepted the request from the goddess. He stood from his chair, ready to return to the surface. Aphrodite was smiling as she started to wave her hand, sending the elf back to the land. Fidel shouted as he left, “If she further harms Cap, all agreements are off.”

Aphrodite lost her smile quickly but nodded her head in understanding. She faded from the elf's view.

The next evening arrived and the trio stood at the bottom of the embankment outside the compound of the wicked sorceress. On the way to the rendezvous, Fidel informed the human and the dwarf of his promise to the god.

The dwarf, having witnessed some enchanted situations in the past amongst his own people, completely understood the compassion lent by the elf. Abby, on the other hand, had her own view of the situation. In her eyes, a woman not strong enough to resist the desires brought forth by the crown deserved justice for her actions.

Fidel enjoyed the debate between the dwarf and the human on the way as it passed the time. The debate ended with Abby stating she didn't approve, but would oblige Fidel's wishes. They  agreed that further harm on Cap voided the promise to the goddess.

The group exchanged a few more words, Fidel casts a few protections on them, and the trio split up. The dwarf and the human headed along the eastern slopes of the embankment. Since they could not use the magical rings to communicate, the trio agreed to start the assault when the moon hit a specific point in the sky, which was about an hour away.

Captain Sizod, and the army of the two kingdoms, approached from the west, just over one hour's march behind the initial assault trio. The same timing was in place for the army from Marides in the north. The four kingdoms used their own magical communication mechanisms to coordinate their positions for the assault.

The moon was half dipped in the sky overhead. The night was quiet. The animals of the plains remained silent as they felt the footfalls of the soldiers approaching. Fidel heard the stomps of the soldiers as they advanced from the south. His eyes went wide in surprise as he laid his green orbs upon the fighters drawing near.

The soldiers of Marisali, a place he previously condemned for lawlessness and lack of camaraderie, were well equipped in uniforms of red and white. Fidel knew this army consisted of several factions and guilds, but to an outside enemy, the group appeared as an organized force of unity.

A human standing half over six feet tall, approached the elf. His brown eyes were curious and his long black hair danced slightly in the light breeze. “Where do you hail from, good Sir?”

Fidel extended his arm for a handshake. “I know you hail from Marisali. I come from many places in the northern regions. You would be interested that I hail from Harlow's Hovel and Puldechra. The name is Fidel, Fidel Austempes. May I have your name?”

The man took Fidel's hand in a friendly shake. “I am Captain Tepitus, Herzod for short. Well met, elf of Harlow's Hovel. Your deeds against this great foe precede you. I understand you are the first to breach the walls of the great compound?”

Fidel's face flashed with a grin. “Yes, I will be the first to enter.”

The captain smiled back, “You are a brave lad. Our scouts have reported a count greater than five thousand inside this fortress.”

Fidel held his grin. “That just means my spells will be more effective!”

The captain laughed at the elf's unyielding confidence. “Looks like the moon is about right Fidel, we will be behind you awaiting the signal as planned. Your response tells me you are quite ready!” Fidel nodded his head and looked upwards, toward the top of the hill. He let out a long breath and pulled his staff from his pack.

Fidel started slowly up the hill at first, judging the distance in the darkness and measuring his strides. His heart beat slightly faster with every step. He was not sure whether it was from the physical exertion of the light climb or his own fears taking grip. Regardless, he knew it was time for battle and there was no turning back. Over four thousand allies and five thousand enemies were awaiting his arrival.

Fidel's steps grew longer and quieter as he used many tricks taught to him by his second mother. His training as a thief allowed him to gain a quiet entry into the camp. As he approached the top of the hill, a half-dozen of Pravas' guards were looking in his direction. He slipped into a silent jog and zig zagged through the blind spots in their vision. He made a mental note of the positions of the perimeter guards.

He approached a tent to his left and slipped to the shadows, making his way closer to the center of camp. Within minutes, Fidel was in the direct middle of the temporary fortress and ready to strike. He looked to the northeast, watching for the sign of Abby's entry. He saw the small human female scaling the makeshift tower's southern wall. His face tensed as he started to mutter his first spell.

Fidel's enchanted staff started to glow, a light orange at first growing to a full red. Fidel launched his first spell, a staff amplified fireball, aimed directly at the south-gate sentries he avoided prior. The fiery explosion knocked all six of the sentries from their posts and leveled the wooden walls.

The enemy camp jumped to life as the green-eyed elf danced, sending fiery blasts in all directions of the camp, his staff twirling with fireballs exiting the tips. Within moments, just about all sentries for the fort were out of commission. The entire camp was preparing to barrel down on the elf invader.

Fidel had provided the sign for the four kingdoms to approach. Fidel took a deep breath as he saw the first platoon of attackers coming his way. Fear filled his heart as the unbearable odds became a reality. A situation that sounded logical in a tent a couple of days prior now seemed impossible and insane.

He whispered to himself, “Have faith,” and began casting more spells, this time holding them within his magical staff.

Abby watched from the tower as Fidel's enchanted staff started glowing green, appearing to amplify with every second. She knew the spell Fidel was saving up to release. It was her turn to start her mission. She scaled the walls of the tower using her iron claw gloves and dropping ropes every dozen feet. She made quick work of the tower and climbed over the top. Abby stayed against the wall as she saw archers answering the summons for defense.

She looked over the wall and watched as Fidel battled opponents in an entrancing dance of parries, his staff still glowing and the magical halo appearing to grow larger and more solid in color with each second. She looked to the edge of the camp and saw the soldiers of the kingdoms slowly cresting the hills on all sides, moving silently but quickly toward the battle. The captains of the allies all rose their hand signaling a halt to their advance.

She whispered, “Now Fidel, now.”

Fidel, with his confidence growing and his skills surely shining, danced on the field, parrying any attack coming his way. An enemy struck high and his staff met the blow, the opposite side of his staff striking low and knocking the enemy from his footing. A low strike came in. Fidel blocked then countered with a jab served to the attackers head. Fidel spun circles, ran in arcs, and danced wildly as he worked the ranks of the onslaught.

All the while, he chanted, his magical staff growing a halo that was now two feet in diameter and bright enough to blind any onlookers. All the sudden, the elf stopped dancing. The enemies surrounding him all joined together to attack. The elf raised his staff high over his head and brought the staff down hard to the ground, releasing the green halo in a huge blast of emerald light which spread outwards by at least one hundred feet.

When Fidel looked up from the blast, he smiled wide as his enemies lay on the ground. None of them hurt, but all of them unable to move. He heard the shouts of the armies of the four kingdoms engage as metal clangs rang out all around him. Fidel turned toward the tower and started off to the door at the bottom.

Abby witnessed Fidel's paralyzing explosion from above, admiring the elf's skills in both staff and spell. As the bodies of Pravas' cronies hit the ground, Abby understood it was her turn to disable the archers recently dispatched to the tower. She moved to the north wall, using the shadows to hide her cover.

A dozen archers spread out on the south and west facing walls of the fortress. Their bowstrings hummed as they released arrow after arrow into the advancing armies of the four kingdoms. Abby pulled out her slingshot, a rudimentary device made of a single piece of thick wood and a string. She pulled one of her green vials from her satchel, placed it in the pocket of the slingshot, and pulled back hard. The paralyzing poison hit the west tower archers and rendered them immobile.

Abby drew her daggers as one of the southern archers released one of his wooden missiles in her direction. Abby ducked and rolled forward, hearing the buzzing sound of the arrow fly overhead. She jumped up in front of the archer and made quick work of the ill-prepared distance fighter. Her knives slashed and stabbed, scoring critical hits and sending the archer off the side of the tower to a certain death.

The second southern archer, a silvery human female matching Abby's size, let her arrow loose against the invading female. Again, Abby rolled away and came up to meet the archer. This archer, unlike the previous, was better prepared and had a mace ready for Abby. Abby slashed and stabbed, both attacks parried by this unusually fast mace wielder. The second remaining archer notched an arrow and pointed his bow in Abby's direction.

Abby placed her back to the bow wielding archer and continued her offensive against the mace wielder, her attacks designed to move the mace wielder in front of her but out of view of the archer. Abby heard the twang of the bow as the arrow took flight. She immediately rolled to the right in a clockwise turn, moving to the side and facing the archer.

The arrow hit its unintended mark with a loud thud and a groan from the mace wielder. Abby flicked the dagger in her right hand over and threw it hard at the archer, the blade scoring a direct hit in the man's throat. He dropped his bow and grabbed for his throat in a feeble attempt to save his own life. He stumbled backwards toward the tower edge and was just about to fall over when Abby's hand pulled him back in. Abby held her victim by his chest plate. She pulled her blade from his neck then released her hold, watching him fall the forty plus feet to the ground.

The mace wielder, still grabbing at the arrow shaft protruding from her chest, started to panic as Abby's attention refocused on her. Abby stalked in and finished the poor soul with a slash to the throat. Abby walked over to each of the remaining and paralyzed silver archers one by one, cutting their throat to end their threat. She wiped the blood from her daggers on the final archer's tunic, then advanced toward the door to the tower.