Aphrodite's Acolyte (24 page)

Noxater walked over to Abby and smiled, “Ye stubborn human. I thought ye'd finish her completely.”

Abby turned to the dwarf, “I wanted to. Still think I should have.” Abby placed her dagger back in its sheath.

Cap slung his bow over his shoulder and tapped Fidel's arm, “Us elves stick together? Is that the angle here?”

Fidel shook his head, placing his staff back into his pack. “Pravas Medeis is not to blame for the deaths of many. The god, Dionysus, is at fault.” Fidel reached out to Abby, motioning for her to hand over the bloodied Crown of Iocus. Abby tossed the crown to Fidel and he held it up to the group. “This was the evil of Pravas Medeis.” Fidel placed the crown in his pack, then looked to the window opposite the throne, remembering there was still a fight to finish.

Fidel rushed over to the window and looked down to the battlefield. A white light flew through the field below, touching each of Pravas' spellbound army. The silvery enemy fell to the ground as the light touched each human, elf, and dwarf. Pravas' chaos induced magic was apparently being stripped from her followers, returning them to their naturally dead state.

Captain Sizod looked up to the tower from the battlefield, his eyes meeting with Fidel's. The elf nodded his head, confirming to the captain that they had defeated Pravas Medeis. The captain of Harlow's Hovel smiled wide and raised his sword, then nodded his acceptance of the outcome to the elf.

Fidel turned and walked back to the black dragon, unsure what they should do with the beast. The dragon stirred, waking from its sleep. The tetrad of allies pulled forth their weapons and stood at the ready as the beast got its bearings straight.

Fidel stood before the dragon as it opened its eyes, noticing the orbs not as black as they previously were. The dragon jumped up to its feet and stopped abruptly looking around, looking to its own body, its eyes wide opened as-if horrified at the situation.

“Pravas Medeis?” Fidel questioned the creature. A low roar erupted from the creature's mouth as it tried to speak, stopping quickly as the beast realized it was not human. “Just nod or shake your head at my questions. You have fallen under a transformation spell of sorts and are not of yourself.”

The eyes of the beast softened at the news. Fidel continued his train of thought. “I only have one question for you, Archmage of Puldechra. Would you prefer to continue living in this form?”

The beast looked around the room, pondering the question put forth before it. It spread its wings wide and moved its clawed feet. The eyes of the beast showed Fidel it was considering the question, intently. After a few moments of silence, the beast finally answered. Pravas Medeis nodded her head, wishing to retain her life even in the form she was in.

Fidel's voice was flat but threatening. “We will let you go freely, Pravas Medeis. But know that I, Fidel of Harlow's Hovel, will hunt you down if I hear of any wrong doing.”

The dwarf chimed in. “And I, Noxater of Deeder's Pass!” Abby and Cap also confirmed their identity and intent to the beast. The winged lizard nodded its head in understanding.

Fidel's voice softened. “I do have to ask, would you be interested in coming to our aid if needed?”

The eyes of the dragon grew wide in shock at the question, narrowed quickly, then returned to normal as she considered the possibility. She nodded in affirmation. Fidel motioned for the dragon to hold out one of its wings.

He grabbed his remaining communication ring and fitted it to one of the dragon's wing tips. “You will hear our voice from this ring should we be in need of you. Otherwise, enjoy the comforts of knowing you have four companions wishing you well as you listen to our voices.” The dragon nodded in acceptance at the gift.

Fidel motioned for his friends and the dragon to clear the middle of the throne room. He chanted several times into his staff, each group of words intensifying the glow of the staff and making it redder and redder. After a few dozen incantations, he pushed the staff upward, sending a large ball of fire at the roof of the throne room. The blast shattered the wooden canopy above. Ignited tinder fell upon the group. 

Fidel pointed to the large hole in the ceiling. “Your way out.”

The beast spread its massive wings and started to flap them hard, slowly rising from the floor and looking down at the tetrad of heroes before her. As she cleared the top of the tower, she nodded once more before she turned and flew away toward the west.

Noxater watched the dragon soar away in the dawn lightened sky. “Ye are certainly very giving!”

Fidel smiled wide. “How many times do you think we will have a chance to make allies with such a powerful beast?”

Noxater considered the elf's words and nodded in agreement. “Ye know she's just a small one right?”

Fidel looked at the dwarf for a second. “The one you rode was bigger?”

The dwarf's smile widened, “At least three times bigger. Couldn't even get me legs around its neck.”

Fidel laughed. “Like a dwarf's legs are a good measurement for the size of a creature such as that!” Cap and Abby started laughing at the elf's witty conclusion.

Noxater looked down at his short and stubby legs then laughed himself. “Aye, well told, elf.”

The tetrad of allies descended the staircase and walked out the front door of the tower. Cheers erupted around them as they walked into the growing light of the dawn. Soldiers from every direction offered slaps on the back, handshakes, and hugs. The companions made their way toward the dark-skinned captain in the middle of the enemy camp.

              The captain smiled on their approach and yelled out, “Well done! I saw the black dragon depart, no doubt an act of mercy from the forgiving Fidel Austempes!” The captain stopped and shook hands with the group.

              Fidel finished shaking the captain's hand. “Yes, that one is on me. A favor to a goddess. I hope it is not to our detriment.”

              Captain Sizod shook his head, “She was deserving, Fidel. Lord Fineal has confirmed her abilities and loyalties to the kingdom of Puldechra. We all agree the crown was at fault. Even in dragon form, she flew west toward her homeland, no doubt to find a way to serve.”

The soldiers and friends spent a couple of days at the camp, tearing apart the remnants of the makeshift camp and buried the silver remains. They sent the bodies of their fallen, totaling almost one thousand, to their respective homelands for proper burial rights.

As the camp packed up to depart their own ways, the companions decided to travel together to Puldechra, then head back to Harlow's Hovel, a roundabout course chosen for the sake of Fidel's birth parents, not to mention Cap's desire to return home.

The group arrived in Puldechra to a hero's welcome. The festivities were many and the close friends enjoyed the rewards of a king, anything they asked for being granted without question. Fidel introduced Noxater to his parents, naming him the “dragon rider” and “the first soul saved” by what was soon known as the Witch Hunt of the Four Kingdoms.

Asante, Fidel's mother, had much interest in the dwarf. She always had a desire for lore of the lands and enjoyed the dwarf's stories of Deeder's Pass. Noticing the dwarf did not carry one of the communication rings, she offered hers as a gift for the dwarf's loyalty. Noxater graciously accepted the gift, stating he was hoping he would be worthy enough to receive such a blessing.

As the group packed up for their return to Harlow's Hovel, Cap informed them of his desire to stay behind and serve his king further. Fidel understood the request, being both a desire and an order from Lord Fineal. The elven friends parted ways, the remaining trio traveling to Harlow's Hovel with a legion of green and brown outfitted soldiers of Puldechra accompanying them, as well as a black dragon flying in the distance.

As the group entered the Rivolus desert, Fidel looked to Abby. “I've haven't felt so safe since my departure from Harlow's Hovel.”

Abby looked to the distance, watching the dragon glide and dive in the darkening sky. “Let's hope she doesn't want to eat us this evening. Surely we won't see her coming in the darkened skies.”

Fidel laughed at Abby's concern, confident the black dragon was an ally. He brought his communication ring up and spoke into it, “Abby's concerned you want to eat us now, Pravas! Surely you don't want to find out how your kin tastes, do you?”

The dragon in the distance rose high in the sky and flew toward the group, landing a few hundred yards in front of the them. The legion of soldiers and trio of liberators stopped for a bit, watching the dragon as it appeared to write something in the sands. The dragon took off shortly after and the group continued on.

The beast's writing read:
Elves are safe. But I haven't decided whether humans or dwarves may be worth the effort.
Abby's and Noxater's face turned up in disgust as Fidel laughed hard at the remark, sputtering, “Nothing like a dragon with a sense of humor!”

Abby moved her horse closer to the elf's left side. “You're not leaving my side.” Fidel's eyes rimmed with tears from laughing hard.

Noxater copied Abby, moving his horse to Fidel's right, “Meself, too.” The elf almost fell off his horse at his friend's statements.

Fidel spoke into his ring, “Thank you Pravas! Now I must suffer a lack of mobility!” The dragon in the distant sky roared loudly, acknowledging the complaint.

The trio arrived in Harlow's Hovel to a similar reception as Fidel's elven homeland. A few days later, Noxater decided he would be heading back to Deeder's Pass to redeem his abandonment of his post. Fidel and Abby wished the dwarf well. Noxater promised he would keep in contact and would visit as much as possible, as well as ensure the companions would always have a place in Deeder's Pass. The dwarf rode on to the south, Fidel and Abby waving him off.

Life went on without incident for a while in the town of Harlow's Hovel. Abby and Fidel started packing for a trip to Maritera and Marides, two other cities in the northeastern part of Mirater where Fidel spent some time growing up. The duo intended to meet up with Cap in the northern town of Maritera, then work their way along the eastern coast of Mirater to Marides and Marisali.

“Fidel thee dwarf beater, please hear me!” came the call over the magical link. “Fidel thee dwarf beater, dragon rider here. Please hear me call!” the voice of Noxater sounded winded and heavily burdened. “Deeder's Pass needs assistance from thee good folks of thee north. We are under attack! Please heed me call!”

Fidel and Abby gave each other a questioning glance. They nodded their head in unison as they worked quickly to finish their preparations.

Fidel responded to the call for help. “Dwarf beater to dragon rider, help will be there forthwith. Please provide rally point in two days. See you soon, friend.”

Fidel zipped his magical bag and opened the door, Abby placed her magical satchel over her shoulder as they headed out. As the duo approached the bottom of the stairs, Methvas stood before them, waiting. Methvas, armed with several wands on his belt, a ring on every finger, and several sets of necklaces and bracelets, hailed the couple as they descended the staircase.

Fidel called to his father from halfway down the staircase, “What is the meaning of this?”

Methvas feigned a hurt look on his face. “I leave my ring with Lord Ias and join you in your travels. Ias' orders. Do you not wish an old man to travel along?”

Fidel smiled and shook his head. “You are most welcome!”

Abby smiled, then gave a great sigh, “Great, now I have two mages to protect.”

Fidel and Methvas laughed at the feigned annoyance. The trio headed out the door of Harlow's Keep, to the road south toward Deeder's Pass. The soldiers and townsfolk watched as the brave heroes of Harlow's Hovel faded quickly into the southern horizon. Aphrodite's acolyte soared high above the trio, keeping eyes ahead for the dangers surely to cross their paths.

Aphrodite's Acolyte
(
June 25, 2014
)

Apollo's Apprentice
(
March 17, 2015
)

Ares' Abomination
(
In Progress
)

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Jason Spatafore was born and raised in the Southwestern United States. Throughout high school, he had an affinity for writing. When he entered the working world via the typical fast-food trail he: stopped writing, met the woman of his dreams, raised her child as his own, and switched careers to the technology sector.

During his time in IT, he earned an A.A. in Information Technology and a B.S. in Business.
A few years after the first child left the nest, and upon gaining another child due to undesirable circumstances, he decided he would like to change his career again, this time reverting to his original dream he had in high school: writing.
Due to a comment from a co-worker in March of 2014, Jason started writing Aphrodite's Acolyte, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of fantasy novels. Aphrodite's Acolyte was action packed and published three months later on June 26th.
Jason is an avid Disneyland fan, loving father and husband, and successful geek.