Chapter Three: Leader of the Corthronos
The rising sun turned the eastern side of the tower a golden red. The tower itself barely rose above the treetops of the surrounding forest.
"Do you see any of those things?" whispered Magda from the cover of a bush.
"Yes, there seem to be seven of the creatures guarding the entrance," said Kerrith from where he crouched behind a tree.
"Seven? Kerrith, can you handle that many?"
Kerrith thought for a moment. "No, not at the same time. Five, perhaps, at the most."
"Should we go back to town and get help?"
"No time. There is no telling what unspeakable things that Solyma might be planning to do Selene."
"What do we do? I could try to sneak by them and get Selene, then we could go back to town and get help."
"Could you get by them?"
Magda smiled nervously. "I could when I was fifteen. I haven't really done anything of that sort since then."
"Could you get in if I could draw off the Corthronos?"
"As long as the door's lock isn't magic. Although I could probably make it to a window if I had some time."
Kerrith nodded. "Stay here and remain hidden. I will draw them off and circle back around. If it is possible I will dispatch as many of them as possible."
"Alright." Magda nestled herself deeper in the underbrush.
Kerrith stood and walked back into the wood where the charger's reins were looped over a tree branch. He mounted the horse and loosened his sword in its scabbard. He checked the axe and spear holstered behind the saddle. Both were easily accessible. He patted the charger on the neck and turned it toward the path to the tower.
The narrow dirt path wound through the forest surrounding the tower. After a few minutes on the twisting path Kerrith saw the tower. He stood in the stirrups and yelled loudly, waving his sword. The Corthronos turned as one to him. Although they staggered and weaved like the patrons of last call they still covered the ground rapidly.
Kerrith waited until he could smell the metallic stench of the Corthronos then wheeled the horse and galloped down the path. Magda listened to the receding sound of hooves on dirt until it faded away. She counted to a hundred silently before moving out of the sheltering trees. There was no sound as she slipped across the open ground between the forest and the tower. Magda could hear birds waking and in the distance she could hear the river.
The tower's door was no larger than a normal, everyday door that one would see in every house. It was certainly not the massive portal Magda had expected. The lock was similarly ordinary. With the Corthronos guarding, Magda thought, you wouldn't need a very good lock. She pulled her old lockpicks from her satchel and began to pick the lock. In only a minute the lock clicked open. Magda slowly eased the door open and slipped in, a dagger held in her hand.
"What are the Corthronos doing?" Solyma asked the vacant, floating helmet.
"They have begun chasing the knight," answered a prim male voice. A disembodied gauntlet lifted the helmet's visor. A monocle could be seen floating inside. The mounted crystal reflected the knight and monsters. "They are not chasing him very well. Perhaps if you lifted your constraints they would be more effective."
"I don't want them effective. Have you forgotten? Those things would just as happily kill us as those bandits they found. With any luck Kerrith can kill them all."
"If you had listened to me in the first place we would not be in this situation."
Solyma shot the helmet a venomous look. "If I had listened to you I'd still be court conjurer for that two-bit Count. This was our way to the big leagues. Summon some monsters, extract some tribute, and live on easy street."
"Yes, except you have yet to extract any tribute. Unless you count that woman you had kidnapped. I did warn you about that book, you should never trust a spell book with an anonymous author."
"Well," Solyma glowered, "oh, just shut up."
"As you wish, my lady." The helmet bobbed and drifted out of the room, leaving Solyma alone in the viewing chamber. She turned back to the expensive scrying crystal hanging in the middle of the room. She adjusted the weave around the crystal and gazed into it. Within the transparent crystal she could see the cellar of the tower. Two Corthronos were kneeling in front of a glowing scarlet sigil hanging in the air. They were chanting slowly in their hissing language while funneling more energy into the sigil. Solyma could see it pulse with each chant. She felt the Corthronos pull at the restraints she had on them. She leaned against the wall as a fierce headache began to build. Not much more time now, she thought, I'd better check on the horses.
The spear shattered as it impacted the Corthronos' chest, showering Kerrith with shards of wood. The Corthronos fell dead to the ground, the broken shaft jutting from its chest. Kerrith wheeled his horse back toward the rest of the monsters. Half their number lay scattered around the clearing but he had already taken a nasty cut to the leg. He drew his sword as they began to advance. Kerrith rode past them, using his horse's speed to attack and flee out of range before they could try to pull him from the saddle. His blade flashed in the morning sun, a Corthronos dropping with each pass. Finally there was only one left. It seemed to be moving faster than the others, even with an axe buried in its skull. Kerrith faced it from across the clearing. The monster seemed to be shaking off whatever was limiting it, instead of a drunken stagger it was beginning to move like a hunting spider. Kerrith charged it before it could fully recover. He leaned forward in his saddle, his sword pointed like a lance towards the Corthronos. The Corthronos tried to dodge out of the way at the last moment but Kerrith caught it in the chest with his sword. The Corthronos grabbed at his arm while the sword slid into it, pulling him from the saddle.
They rolled across the dirt of the clearing, struggling desperately. Kerrith lost his grip on his sword as they slammed into a tree. The Corthronos was on top of him in a flash, its hands darting for his throat. He managed to grab one as the other closed around his neck and began to steadily crush the life from him. Kerrith saw stars, he knew that he had only a few seconds before the Corthronos crushed his windpipe. He desperately slammed the edge of his shield into the Corthronos' head, stunning it momentarily. He used this time to wedge his feet between them and kick the Corthronos off him.
Kerrith staggered to his feet as the Corthronos charged him again, his sword clutched in its hands. He dodged to the side as the monster impaled the tree beside him. As it wrenched his sword free he grabbed the axe handle and tugged it loose. Kerrith backed away quickly as the Corthronos freed his sword and advanced again. Kerrith waited until it charged again then ducked to the side around its weapon while swinging his axe in a whistling arc. The axe caught the Corthronos in the back of the neck, severing its head. The Corthronos staggered on for a few steps then collapsed forward against a tree, blood spurting from its neck.
Kerrith warily limped forward to retrieve his sword. He had to hack the fingers from the Corthronos' hand to free his sword from its death grip. As he was backing away, the Corthronos convulsed, its arms flailing and slamming into the tree before it finally crumpled back to the ground.
Calling to his horse, he ripped a strip of cloth from his tunic to bandage the wound in his leg. With a grunt he climbed onto the saddle and began to ride towards the tower.
The entrance way to the tower was empty. Bare stone formed the floor and walls with two plain doors opposite the main entrance. Magda carefully closed the door behind her then snuck across the room to the doors. She listened at the left one and heard a strange hissing sound, like pot boiling over. There was no noise behind the right door. She tested the handle and found it to be unlocked.
Behind the right door was a spiral staircase leading upwards. Magda crept around its turns, listening for any other sound. As she rounded the first turn she reached a passageway. Carpet lined the floor while wood paneling covered the walls. An archway was located at the end of the corridor and another in the right side while a closed door was on the left. She could hear someone humming from down the corridor and caught the smell of bacon frying. It appeared that the kitchen was located at the end of the hallway. Regretting missing breakfast, Magda continued upward.
After several more turns Magda reached another hallway. This one had only two doors, one on either side of the hall. Magda crept down the hall, silent on the thick carpeting. She could hear someone moving from behind the left door. She put her ear to the door. From what she remembered it sounded like Selene. Magda carefully tested the door handle. Locked. She pulled her lockpicks out again and began to pick it.
Selene spun at the sound of scratching coming from the door. She clutched the sheet she had wrapped around her tighter as the door was slowly pushed open. She sighed in relief when she saw Magda, the healing woman.
"Oh, thank the gods you've come. Is Kerrith with you?" Selene asked.
"No, he's distracting the Corthronos. Why are you dressed like that?" Magda answered.
Selene looked down at herself. "It's the only thing decent in this room. All of Solyma's dresses are fit only for harlots," she sniffed.
"What do you mean? I thought Solyma was-. Oh, I guess we didn't need to worry about you being ravished then."
Selene tried to hide the blush that was creeping up her face. "Er, no, no need to worry about that."
"I expect that she took your clothes to keep you from trying to escape." Magda's face was serious with no hint of irony.
"Yes! Exactly."
Magda looked around the room. "We should get going now. The longer it is before Solyma finds out you've escaped, the better."
The two women hurried back into the hall with Magda leading the way. Just as they reached the staircase they heard the other door opening behind them. They rushed down the staircase and stopped behind the first turn just as Solyma stepped into the hallway.
Solyma paused as she left the scrying chamber. She sighed softly in disappointment. It appeared that Kerrith would not be arriving anytime soon. A low gurgle from her stomach reminded her that she had not eaten any, food, this morning. Hector should have started breakfast by now, she thought.
Her hand idly played with newly acquired long black hair as she moved to the staircase. Perhaps I should grow my hair this long normally, she thought. A faint sound from the staircase made her pause. After a few seconds listening she shrugged and resumed walking toward the staircase. The tugging on the restraints had stopped abruptly a few minutes ago but she was still getting twinges from the remaining Corthronos. Perhaps that was what I heard, she thought. She tightened her robe around her before walking to the stairs. As she rounded the first downward turn she saw Selene standing in the middle of the stairway with a sheet wrapped around her.
"How did-?" Solyma began as Selene gasped and ran down the stairs with Solyma in pursuit.
Solyma saw Selene step run out into the second story hallway. Solyma stopped just inside the hallway to weave a binding spell. As she was about to cast it she felt a dagger at her neck. It was shaking with the insecurity of someone who had never killed. Solyma hoped that the owner wouldn't accidentally start with her.
"Don't move or say anything," a wavering woman's voice said from by her ear.
Selene had stopped when Magda had put the dagger to Solyma's throat. She glanced nervously around the hallway, expecting Corthronos appear out of nowhere.
"Magda, what are you doing?" Solyma said. "It's me, Selene."
Magda spun Solyma around and pushed her against the wall. Her eyes widened when she saw Selene's face and body.
"What is going on here?" Magda asked.
"Don't listen to her, I'm Selene," Selene said. "She copied my appearance to seduce Kerrith."
"That's what she did!" Solyma yelled, pointing at Selene.
"Shut up! Both of you!" Magda yelled.
"But Magda-," Solyma began.
"Don't say anything." Magda looked from face to face and from body to body. Both appeared exactly the same. She began to say something but was interrupted by the appearance of a floating helmet and pair of gauntlets holding a frying pan and spatula.
"Breakfast is served, Solyma," it said. "Oh, you didn't tell me you had more company. I only made enough for two," it said when it saw Magda.
"Hector, shut up and get this woman off of me-" Solyma stopped. "Oh, damn."
Magda pressed her dagger closer to Solyma's throat. "Drop the disguise. Now."
Solyma reluctantly let the weave fall from her body. The weave's threads shimmered and flickered as they faded from view, leaving Solyma's actual face and body. "I suppose the game is over," she said. "Oh, the town healer. I've heard a lot about you."
"We're all going to leave here and you're going to keep those monsters from attacking us, do you understand?" Magda said.
"I can't control them that well," Solyma replied.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't make them do anything, I can only suggest or hinder their actions."
"Not a very good summoner, are you?"
Solyma bristled at the insult. "I'm a very good summoner, no one can control the Corthronos completely. If I hadn't been hindering them then your town would have been slaughtered."
"Fine. Then you're going to send them back from where they came from."
"I," Solyma coughed, "can't do that either."
"Do I have to ask why?"
"I had to dissolve the gate completely when they came through to keep too many from invading. I'll have to weave a new gate and that'll take at least a week."
"Doesn't killing a summoner banish their creatures?" Magda emphasized the point with her dagger, drawing a trickle of blood from Solyma's neck.
"Not," Solyma drew back from the dagger, "in this case."
"What she is saying is true," Hector said from the kitchen entrance.
"How do I know you're not both lying?"
"Then kill me, the Corthronos will be free to kill all of you and summon their leader."
"Their leader?"
"They're in the cellar right now trying to open another portal to let their leader through. If you think they're vicious, you should see their leader. Twenty feet high and arms like battering rams."
Magda sighed and pulled the dagger away from Solyma's throat. "We'll have to tell Kerrith all of this. How do we stop them?"
Solyma rubbed at the tiny cut on her neck. "Kill them. Kerrith is on his way here right now. He should be here any minute."
Kerrith nearly dropped his sword in surprise when the tower door swung open and Selene barreled into his arms wearing only a sheet.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you," she cried.
Kerrith stood frozen as Selene kissed him deeply. "What are you doing out here? I thought you'd be a prisoner," he finally said.
"Magda rescued me, we have a lot that we need to tell you."
Selene led a slightly limping Kerrith into the tower where Solyma, Hector, and Magda were waiting.
"This is Solyma," Magda said, pointing.
Kerrith paused, staring at the gently bobbing Hector. Hector waved. "I see," Kerrith said, shaking his head, "Solyma van Dolceis, you are hereby placed under arrest by order of the Kingdom of Krisephyr to stand trial for summoning monsters with malicious intent."
Solyma rolled her eyes.
Magda interrupted Kerrith, "Yes, but we have a bigger problem right now."
"What is it?" asked Kerrith.
"The Corthronos you've been fighting have been severely limited by me," answered Solyma, "once they summon their leader what little control I have over them will disappear."
Magda told Kerrith about the summoning of the Corthronos and their attempt to open a portal for their leader.
Kerrith nodded as Magda finished. "Very well, I will go down to the cellar and finish the two trying to open the portal."
"Three," added Solyma, "the flying one is down there as well."
"Very well, three." Kerrith examined his sword and axe once more for any damage and found them fit for battle. "Which door leads to the cellar?"
"The one on the left," answered Solyma, "I'll go with you."
Kerrith nodded. "I hope you know how to weave battle spells."
"I do."
"Very well. Magda, take Selene and Hector and head back to town for help."
Magda nodded. "We'll be back as soon as possible."
Selene moved over to Kerrith, laying her hands on his shoulder. "Be careful," she whispered as she kissed him tenderly.
Kerrith smiled. "I will, here, take my shield back to town with you. That way they will know that you speak for me."
"But won't you need it?" Selene said.
"I'll be fine," he said, pressing his shield into her arms. "Go now, before it becomes too dangerous."
Selene nodded, turning as Magda put a hand on her shoulder. She reluctantly walked toward the exit while looking at Kerrith.
Kerrith watched Selene leave with the floating helmet and gauntlets of Hector bobbing after her. At the doorway she turned and blew him a kiss. He smiled and bowed. As he rose he noticed Solyma blowing a kiss back at Selene. Selene stiffened and ran out the door leaving Solyma with a smug smile on her face.
"She's quite a beauty, isn't she?" Solyma said, smiling at Kerrith's confusion.
Kerrith and Solyma stood at the top of the cellar stairs. The stairs turned left then ran straight down to the cellar. A red glow could be seen shining off the bottom steps.
"Are you ready?" asked Kerrith.
"Yes," answered Solyma, finishing the a weave of fire and air around her hand. She turned her palm upward and smiled in satisfaction as a bloom of flame rose upward to scorch the ceiling. "I haven't used one of these in ages."
"The courts may be lenient if you help to resolve the situation you have created," Kerrith said as they slowly descended.
"Wonderful," Solyma grumbled, "so I'll just get ten years in prison instead of sixty?"
Kerrith nodded. "Perhaps an early parole if the Corthronos have done no more than destroy Kingdom property."
"What property?"
"My horse."
"Oh. I'm sorry about that," Solyma said. "I suppose I should worry about living through this first."
They could see the sigil, pulsing a brilliant scarlet in the dark cellar. Its twisting lines seemed to twist the space around it, dragging the eye into its looping coils. The sigil exuded power, both Kerrith and Solyma could feel the magic emanating from it.
The prone forms of two Corthronos could be seen in front of sigil, their skinless bodies shining wetly in the crimson light. One had metallic wings folded on its back with shining metal limbs while the other had a ornate crown of rusted metal fused to its head. A single, fist sized ruby was mounted in the crown, seemingly glowing with its own light.
Kerrith and Solyma stepped from the stairway onto the dirt floor of the cellar. Kerrith searched the darkness for the last Corthronos. He spotted it at the same time Solyma did. It was split open directly under the sigil. The foul mess of its organs could be seen spread in the dirt around it. The dirt could still be seen smoking from the hissing monster's blood.
"Oh no, Kerrith we need to leave right now," Solyma whispered urgently, tugging at his shoulder.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the two remaining Corthronos.
"If they've sacrificed one of their own then the process will be sped up, the portal will be opening-" The sigil flared red, cutting off her words. A rush of hot, metallic smelling wind blew through the sigil, washing over Kerrith and Solyma. "Now," Solyma finished lamely.
The sigil blinked out of existence. In its place was a doorway to another world. The portal, though large enough for a mounted rider to pass through, was still slowly growing. Red skies filled with boiling clouds could be seen over a blasted plain of bare rock. The view was cut off suddenly as a massive shape filled the doorway. Muscles could be seen flexing as a skinless arm the size of a tree trunk reached through the gateway. The hideous visage of the Corthronos leader could be seen, its mouth was as large as a dragon's, able to devour a cow in a single bite. Mandibles like spears, bent and waved around its mouth as it pushed its head through the gateway.
"Run!" screamed Solyma, as she followed her own advice.
Kerrith backed towards the stairway. He cocked his arm and hurled his axe overarm at the head filling the gateway, cleanly slicing through the creature's left mandible. The mandible dropped twitching to the floor as the Corthronos leader roared in anger. The deafening roar shook the walls of the tower and caused dust to shake from the ceiling. Kerrith turned and ran up the stairs as the enraged monster lashed out at him. Its wild sweep smashed its summoners into the floor with enough force to cause their bodies to explode. Kerrith scrambled up the stairs as the monster behind him tried to force its way through the portal. It bellowed again as it realized that the portal was still to small for anything more than an arm and head to pass through. With a mighty exertion of magic, it poured power into the weave forming the portal and began to drag the gateway behind itself.
"Don't worry Selene," Magda said as they rode through the forest. "If Kerrith gave his shield to you, he's planning to return for it. You know the stories."
"The stories?" Selene asked from where she rode behind Magda.
"The stories about the Knights of the Shield. The Knight is one with his, or her, shield?"
"Oh, yes. I remember some of them. The Knight shall always return for his shield, for no matter what separates them-"
"-the Knight is fated lie with his shield in death," they finished together.
"Thank you, Magda," Selene said. "I do feel a little better now."
"If I were you I'd worry about what your parents will think when you show up wearing that sheet."
"Oh, but they-"
Selene was unable to finish her sentence as a distant roar echoed through the forest. A pair of jays rocketed into the sky, crying out raucously, as the roar faded.
"Perhaps we should hurry," Hector said from where he floated behind Selene.
Without bothering to reply, Magda flicked the reins and set the horse to a gallop.
Kerrith stumbled across the tower's floor. Dust and mortar poured from the ceiling as the entire shook with the Corthronos' rage. A great rumbling roar came from beneath him. Solyma waved at him to hurry from where she stood by the tower entrance. The rumbling grew louder as the floor buckled upward.
"Hurry up!" shouted Solyma.
Kerrith grunted in reply as dodged a sudden downpour of bricks from the ceiling. He had just reached the door when a giant arm punched through the floor of the tower. It flailed about for a moment then retreated downward, pulling part of the floor down with it. A moment later the head of the Corthronos leader pulled itself upward and over the edge of the hole, still trapped in the gateway.. Its eyes focused on Kerrith as its jaws opened wide. Solyma pulled Kerrith out the door as she saw currents of electricity beginning to crackle over the monster's teeth and head.
They had just left the tower when a deafening thunderclap and impact threw them to the ground. Kerrith turned and saw that the entire front of the tower had been blown out. Bits of finger sized rock showered down on the two as they struggled to their feet. The Corthronos dragged itself through the opening, gathering more electricity for another blast.
"We get away that thing on foot," Solyma panted, "it'll fry us before we get to town."
"Do you have any horses?" Kerrith asked.
"Behind the tower, in the stables."
Together, they ran around the tower as another lightning strike blew apart a tree and set fire to the underbrush. Just behind the tower was a small stable. The occupants could be heard screaming in terror at the smell and sound of the Corthronos.
Once inside the stable Kerrith could see the inhabitants. One good riding horse and a donkey occupied the stalls lining the left wall. Solyma hurriedly opened the stall doors while Kerrith saddled the horse and swung up onto it.
"Come on," Kerrith said, extending his hand to Solyma. She paused to say something to the donkey then took his hand. Her robe, already tattered and loose from her flight, fell completely open as she was pulled up behind Kerrith. She started at the touch of his cold armor on her bare skin. She had no time to savor the sensation as he snapped the reins and charged out of the stable.
The Corthronos was just rounding the tower as they fled the stable. The horse turned and ran towards the woods, barely dodging another lightning strike which knocked a wagon sized hole in the tower.
Kerrith and Solyma fled through the woods, branches whipping at their faces as they followed an old deer trail through the woods. Behind them they could hear the roaring of the Corthronos as it began to smash its way through the forest.
"Looks like we made it," said Solyma.
"Now we just have to figure out how to destroy that abomination," Kerrith said.
"I, uh, didn't mean to summon that thing. You do know that don't you?"
Kerrith grunted.
"I think I know how to kill it," Solyma continued.
Kerrith half turned his head. "How?"
"If the weave supporting the portal can be destroyed then the portal will collapse. It will act like a vise and crush the Corthronos."
"Good, how can I destroy the weave?"
"You can't, I think I'm the only one who can. Magda seems to be able to cast some magic and I sensed some power around Selene, but neither of them has the training or power to destroy another mage's weave."
"Very well. How do you destroy the weave?"
"I'll need a distraction. If you can get the Corthronos to focus on you then I can get behind it to the weave and sever it."
"How long will you need?"
"Half a minute to a minute."
"Very well, it seems that we have little choice in this matter."
They reached the town to find a hasty barricade of wagons and furniture stacked around the square. The town militia lined the top of the makeshift wall armed with whatever weapons they had around the house. Havas could be seen watching the forest in the direction of the tower.
"My lord Kerrith!" he yelled, "I'm pleased to see you return in one piece. Who is that behind you?"
"This is the summoner, Solyma," Kerrith called back. A low muttering ran through the townspeople. "She is under my protection. She has promised to help us in destroying the last Corthronos. I give you my word as a Knight of the Shield that she will do us no further harm."
"Good enough for me," shouted Havas. "Get that wagon out of the way and let them in!"
After riding through the barricade, Kerrith dismounted and found Magda, Selene, and Hector waiting for him.
"I have your shield," Selene said.
Kerrith thanked her and told the gathering crowd of Solyma's plan.
"That sounds damned dangerous," Havas said.
"It is our only chance for now," Kerrith answered. "The Corthronos leader is too large to let loose on our world. It has to be stopped now."
"You're the boss. I'll tell the men to get ready to help you with your distraction."
Kerrith nodded his thanks. The preparations went smoothly. Militia men gathered bows and spears to shower the Corthronos with while Solyma showed Magda and Selene how to destroy a weave should she fail.
Too soon the town could hear the crash of trees as the Corthronos battered its way through the forest. Townspeople raced to their positions while others led the children and livestock to more sheltered areas and gathered buckets of water to put out fires.
"Not long," said Solyma to Kerrith as they stood on the barricade. Solyma had borrowed someone's clothes and changed from her robe to simple men's clothes. Her hair was tied back in a loose pony tail and she had a short sword dangling at her hip. "Just in case," she explained to Kerrith's questioning look.
"Here it comes!" someone shouted from their left. Solyma jumped down the barricade, landing on the outside. "Good luck," she called to Kerrith. She quickly hid herself in a house outside the perimeter while the townspeople prepared for attack.
The Corthronos had managed to squeeze another arm through the portal. It dragged the portal behind it while pulled itself toward the town. Arrows began to fly as it entered their range. The arrows seemed to do little more than annoy it.
"Kerrith," Selene said from below and behind him. He turned and looked down to where she stood inside the barricade. "I just wanted to tell you to be careful."
"I will, do not doubt that I will surely destroy this creature."
"I won't. Don't get hurt, I'll be working with Magda in the infirmary and I don't think we should repeat what happened the last time I healed you. At least not in public." She smiled hesitantly.
"I do not think your parents would approve, but perhaps later?"
"I look forward to it."
Kerrith saluted her with his sword before turning and lowering the visor on his borrowed helmet. The Corthronos had entered spear throwing distance and a shower of them were tossed at it. Where they stuck the Corthronos merely brushed them off, breaking the shafts like toothpicks. Kerrith sheathed his sword and lifted a spear from beside him.
He waved at Havas then jumped the barricade. He advanced quickly to the Corthronos, shield up and spear in hand. The Corthronos seemed surprised by his advance and stopped to watch him. Kerrith spared one sideways glance to where Solyma was hiding before attacking.
He charged the Corthronos, trying to get inside its reach. Arms like pillars smashed at him but missed. When he reached the Corthronos he buried the spear to the hilt in its chest, hoping he could reach where its brain should be. The spear seemed to have little effect as the creature pushed itself backwards and clawed furiously at Kerrith. Kerrith dodged madly while drawing his sword. He retreated to the limit of the monster's reach while slicing at the arms when they attacked.
Selene watched Kerrith hack at the Corthronos' arms and fingers, deftly darting in to hack at the creature's face and neck and then jumping and rolling out of reach. She had considered running for it when the spear had done nothing. For reasons unknown to her she had decided to stay. She finished the temporary weave around her sword, making it an extension of her body in regards to magic for as the long as the weave lasted. With it so enchanted she could cut the weave from a distance instead of tearing it with her own hands.
Solyma winced as the monster caught Kerrith with a glancing blow, knocking his helmet off. He reeled for a moment, stunned, but recovered quickly and blocked the creature's next attack on his shield. Solyma began to creep from her hiding place to behind the Corthronos.
Kerrith was breathing heavily from the fight. He felt blood running down the side his head from a shallow cut inflicted when the Corthronos knocked off his helmet. He grunted as he blocked another slash and cut at the creature's hand. Blood was streaming from the Corthronos in many places, hissing on the ground and eating away at the spears and arrows embedded in it. He jumped over a low slash and rolled sideways to dodge a smash.
He could see Solyma behind the thing now. She was beginning to cut at something with her sword. His attention was drawn back to the Corthronos when it began to crackle with electricity. A bolt of lightning shot from the monster's mouth towards him. He barely managed to block it with his shield. The lightning splattered over the shield, arcing to the ground in snapping whips. Kerrith could feel his hair standing on end as the Corthronos continued to pour lightning at him.
Solyma was panting as she finished cutting the last of the weave. It began to shrink immediately. She glanced to where Kerrith was behind his shield, blocking wave after wave of lightning. The Corthronos stopped when it felt the portal beginning to constrict around it. The monster began to roar as it tried to back its way through the portal. Solyma watched, grimly satisfied as the closing portal began to cut into the creature's flesh.
"Ha!" she laughed. "No one destroys my tower and gets away with it! No one!"
Her laughter cut off as the Corthronos turned toward her. Its eyes were bloodshot and filled with rage. The veins on its neck were swelling and bursting as blood was forced back up them. She turned and ran.
Kerrith lowered his shield as the Corthronos turned from him. He could see blood spattering the ground in a boiling rain as the portal slowly sliced it in two. He cursed when he saw Solyma still standing near it. He began to run toward her as she herself turned and ran. The Corthronos' arm rose like the executioner's axe then fell towards her. It caught her on the side and hurled her through the air to smash against a house.
The fatally injured Corthronos collapsed to the ground as the portal finally closed, cleanly slicing it in half. Its foul organs spilled onto the street while its blood poured out, killing whatever plant life it touched.
Kerrith ran to Solyma's body. She was crumpled by the house like a rag doll. Aged wood had been cracked by the force of her body slamming into it. Somehow she was still breathing, despite the abuse her body had taken.
"Oh, ah, gods, that hurts," she gasped, trying to roll onto her back.
"Don't move," Kerrith said, dropping to his knees besides her. He looked behind him to see the townspeople running out to them. Magda and Selene were at the van of the crowd. "Magda and Selene will be here soon."
"Yes, I'll be fine," Solyma said, she stopped to cough and wheeze for breath. "Promise a dying woman one thing..."
"What? Anything."
"My crime, tell me," she broke off again, coughing.
"Yes? What, tell you what?"
"Have I paid for it? Am I cleared of all wrongdoing? Oh, gods, it's going dark, it's all going dark," she moaned.
"By the power granted to me by the Kingdom, I clear you of your wrongdoing, Solyma van Dolceis has paid for her crime in full."
Solyma closed her eyes. A faint smile quirked her lips. "Do you swear that whatever happens you will stand by what you have just said?" her voice was fading.
"Yes, my word as a Knight."
"Good." Solyma opened her eyes. "Help me up."
Kerrith stared at her as she slowly raised herself to a sitting position and waved at Magda and Selene.
"I think I broke my leg," she said to them as they ran up. She winked at Kerrith as the cheering townspeople gathered around them. They lifted him up on their shoulders and carried him back to the square.
"You should stay off that leg for a week or so, no dancing for you tonight I'm afraid," Magda said. "Amazing that you only broke your leg."
"It's called a defense weave. It directs force away from the subject," Solyma said morosely.
Solyma looked up at her from where she was propped up in bed. Magda had healed her leg well, but it was still a little tender. She could hear the music and noise of the celebration outside in the town square. Ventor had been nice enough to loan her a room, no charge for the night. "I suppose you're going out to celebrate now," she said.
Magda hesitated by the door. "I can stay if you want," she said with a small smile. "For a while at least."
"Thank you."
Magda pulled a chair close to the bed and sat, smoothing the wrinkles from her best dress. She cast a longing glance out the window at the people in the square. A fire had been lit and a feast had been placed on long tables around the square. Already there was dancing and music. She had promised to play the violin. She thought she could see Kerrith and Selene dancing.
"I really appreciate what you've done for me," Solyma said. She reached over and laid a hand on Magda's leg. She sighed. "I just wonder if you should have bothered."
"What do you mean?" Magda asked.
"I'm going to prison now, after all I summoned those monsters."
"But it was by accident."
"That doesn't matter. I just made a mistake, but I still have to pay for it. All they ended up doing was killing a horse and destroying my tower." Solyma lowered her head to her hands and began to cry softly.
Magda reached out to comfort her but hesitated. She thought of how Solyma had tried to trick her in the tower. Solyma sobbed quietly, her hair falling over her face. Magda put her hand on Solyma's shoulder.
"It wasn't much, but it was my home!" Solyma wailed.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Kerrith will speak on your behalf," she said.
"Yes, but I'll still have to go to prison," Solyma sobbed.
Magda moved over to the bed and hugged Solyma. Solyma turned and buried her face in Magda's hair. Solyma moved her hands around Magda's back.
"Solyma, what are you doing?" asked Magda. She gasped as Solyma's lips brushed against her neck. Magda began to rise from the bed as Solyma tugged her head down and kissed her hard.
"I haven't been with anyone in so long," Solyma said in a trembling voice. "I just want something to remember when I'm locked away."
Magda paused. Solyma looked up at her with tear filled eyes.
"I," Magda said. She moved her hand up to her hair and pulled out the combs holding her hair back. Her golden hair fell around her shoulders as she shook her head. "I haven't been with anyone in a long time, either."
They came together in another long kiss. Solyma reached up and untied the laces of her nightgown and let it drop down her body. She fell backward onto the bed as Magda leaned above her undoing the ties of her dress. Solyma helped her pull it over her head and let it fall to the floor.
"Have you ever, been, with a woman?" whispered Solyma.
"Yes, have you?"
"No, not until now."
Magda nodded. "I'll be gentle." She pulled back the sheets and slid next to Solyma. Solyma moaned as Magda's hands roamed over her body.
"Oh, yes, yes, Magda," Solyma moaned as Magda licked down her stomach and between her legs. "Ohhh, yess." She moaned softly as Magda spread her thighs.
Magda buried her face between Solyma's thighs, licking hungrily. Old feelings, old lusts long pushed aside surged to the surface. Spurred on by a gasping, moaning Solyma, Magda slid her fingers deep into Solyma while continuing to lick hungrily.
Magda gently nipped at Solyma while running one hand over her breasts. Solyma began to buck her hips and cry out as she climaxed against Magda's working lips. She bit down on a handful of sheet to keep from screaming too loud. Magda continued to lick at her, bringing her to a second louder climax.
Magda rose up and kissed her way back up Solyma's body, finishing with a gentle kiss on Solyma's lips. Solyma looked up at her in a daze, her eyes wide and unfocused. She closed her eyes, savoring the afterglow and the feel of Magda's warm skin on hers.
"Let me do that for you," Solyma said, rolling over onto Magda. Solyma straddled Magda's sweaty body and bent over to kiss her. Solyma swept her hair over Magda's face and lightly brushed the tops of Magda's breasts causing Magda to gasp in delight .
Solyma lightly sucked on Magda's breasts while reaching between them to stroke Magda's pussy. She slid her fingers deep into Magda, relishing each gasp and moan. Magda threw an arm over her to clutch at the headboard as Solyma crouched between her legs.
Solyma looked up at Magda's expectant face pushed her fingers deep into Magda's pussy. Magda arched her back, tossing her head as she cried out. Solyma bent and took Magda's clit into her mouth while licking it vigorously with her tongue.
Magda gasped, almost crying as her orgasm bloomed. Her hands buried themselves in Solyma's hair, pushing Solyma's head down against her. Magda wrapped her legs around Solyma's back as she shook and trembled on the small bed. One last spasm passed through her, leaving her exhausted and limp.
Solyma gently disentangled herself from Magda's legs and slid up to lie by her. "Thank you," she whispered into Magda's ear as they cuddled together.
"Run away. Kerrith has other things on his mind. Don't let him take you in," Magda said.
"Shhh, don't say anything else. Just let me enjoy this."
They lay together, breathing heavily, while listening to the sounds of the celebration outside. Magda slowly drifted off, her breathing evening and slowing. When Magda had finally fallen asleep Solyma gently slid off the bed. She slowly dressed in her borrowed clothes and buckled on her sword. Solyma leaned over the sleeping Magda and lightly kissed her cheek. Magda murmured drowsily and rolled over.
Solyma sighed as she tiptoed to the door and slipped out. Hector was waiting for her.
"Did you get Alice?" Solyma asked quietly.
"Yes, I still do not understand why you insist on calling that donkey Alice," he answered.
"You wouldn't. Is Tom ready?"
"Yes, he's saddled and waiting in back."
"Good. Let's go before anyone notices. Oh, thanks for telling me about Magda, I don't know if I could have bedded her without the prison angle."
They began to sneak down the hallway, one creeping, the other floating.
"Is you leg bothering you?" Hector asked.
"A little, I'm supposed to stay off it for a week."
"Following that directive splendidly."
Solyma shot Hector a dirty look as they left the inn. They ducked behind the woodpile at the sight of two people wandering away from the square toward the river.
"That looked like that knight," Hector said. "Who was that young lady with him?"
"Probably Selene. What can you see?" Solyma flipped up Hector's visor and squinted into the monocle floating inside it. She could see Selene dressed in a very nice silk dress and Kerrith in his brightly polished armor. The two came together under a willow tree and kissed.
"Hmmm, let's wait for a little. I want to see what happens," Solyma said.
Hector made a sound of disgust. "You just seduced that very nice healer, now you want to spy on those two in a very private moment."
Solyma paused. "Fine," she said, letting Hector's visor close, "let's go."
She climbed into the saddle, patting Tom's neck affectionately. Hector floated over the packs strapped to Alice's back and took her reins. The donkey and horse slowly moved toward the road to the capital.
"I hear that Corannon is very nice this time of year," Solyma said as they rode into the soft darkness of the Spring night.
The river provided a soft sighing background to the night. Kerrith crouched by the river bank, skipping stones on the river. They seemed to skip across a sparkling road made of moonlight. Selene looked shyly at Kerrith from where she leaned against the trunk of a willow.
"Are you going back to the capital soon?" she finally asked.
"Yes. I need to take the remains of the Corthronos back to the College of Magic," he answered. "I hope that you and your family will be willing to let me escort you there."
"Oh. Of course we will. Will you stay for long at the capital?"
"I do not know. Perhaps I will be able to if no pressing emergencies arise." Kerrith rose and walked to Selene. Her hair seemed unearthly in the moonlight, silver highlights dancing as she turned her head to him. A gentle breeze bearing the scent of flowers whispered across the river and caused a stray lock of hair to wander across Selene's face.
Kerrith carefully brushed the lock of hair away from her face. She tilted her face up towards him, her eyes closing and her lips parting slightly. Kerrith leaned closer and softly kissed her. Selene's hands moved up to his hair while he wrapped his arms around her back. They remained together for a seemingly endless moment before parting.
"I suppose we should get back before your parents notice. They might not be so eager for me to travel with you if they find out what we've been doing," Kerrith whispered.
"Yes, but I think that they'd be happy to know that I've attracted the notice of a Knight," Selene said.
The couple turned back to the square and stood for a moment, watching the shadows of dancers and listening to the drifting music. They stood silently, hand in hand, for a few silent minutes before returning to the brightly lit square.
The End
The World of Alderest - I - A Knight Of The Old Kingdom - Chapter 3
Previous Story:The World of Alderest - I - A Knight Of The Old Kingdom - Chapter 2
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