Newblood - A fantasy novel for NaNoWriMo 2018; CHAPTER- 30: Confrontation

in #fiction5 years ago

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Summer, Year 22 of Koram

For Aasia the journey to the Great Lake was like a dream. On the river she felt detached from the rest of the world, away from its troubles. The gentle sway of the boat made her sleep more, that and the delicious food that Shan insisted on cooking for her every evening. Shan listened to her and was frank to question her when he did not understand or he thought differently. And often when she was brooding he made her laugh. When they had reached the Great Lake the sailors had to stop to sell the salt, buy provisions, take a night off and ask for directions to Brem. That night Shan and Aasia were alone on the boat. They were watching the stars come out. The sky here was huge and the stars seemed brighter and nearer. They ended up sitting side by side eating crackers, their feet dangling over water. Shan had remarked ."You look so young." And Aasia had laughed at him. "I am young." Shan had looked away embarrassed. For Aasia this was extraordinary, Shan was the most outrageous person she had ever met. "Hey. Talk to me. This is what you tell always, hmm?"

"Nothing it's just something that just struck me. I had not noticed it before."

"Shan, you better talk straight. Now I am getting worried." Aasia turned towards him, sitting cross-legged. "Come on Shan is it regarding me?"

When he did not respond Aasia remarked. "You don't trust me to keep your secret."

Shan blurted out . "No.No. .. It is just that you are newblood.."

Aasia was surprised. "What?"

Shan continued. "Listen this is about me. You being newblood and a mage to boot are anyway many rungs higher than me. You will probably live to be two hundred, so even if you choose to.. I will die on you in a few years."

They sat facing each other in silence for a few minutes. Shan feeling miserable and Aasia deep in thought. Then Aasia leaned forward and kissed him, Shan was responded with a hunger that stunned Aasia. His mouth felt so.. good and right Aasia's blood was responding, an excitement building in her. She clutched Shan's face in both her hands and Shan responded by hugging her. His rough hands on her neck and back. After a few moments Aasia drew back and Shan slowly disentangled himself. Aasia whispered to him. "I choose you Shan. I choose to be happy. We will face the future as it comes. For now, you will have to wait before we... can be more intimate" Shan laughed out seeing her uncomfortable and that ended the tender moment. That night they slept within reach of each other, happy and content.

The next day they navigated the Great Lake, they reached Brem in the evening. Shan's men who had sailed with Deniel and Myanse hailed them. It was two days ago that Myanse and Deniel had gone to meet the sage at the Rose Garden- that was the mansion in which the sage was under house arrest. They had not returned. Shan went along with two of his men to find out more information. They returned after well after dusk. Amelia Ironborn stayed at the Rose Garden and received many visitors, Ironborn and others- village elders, big merchants, seers, parties seeking arbitration and the like. Her advice was respected and she was a known figure. They could either walk the distance or pay for their fare and ride in one of the many carriages carrying people and produce into Greenvale. There were many inns around the Rose Garden and people often stayed one or two nights.

The next afternoon when Myanse and Deniel had still not returned Shan and Aasia went to the Rose Garden. True to its name The huge front of the house sported well tended rose bushes, Red, Pink, Yellow, White and Blue. The buds had not bloomed yet but the air was heavy with the exotic scent. There were two people waiting ahead of them when they reached the house. They gave their names Deniel and Myanse from Harden City. In a few moments a servant came out and escorted them to a waiting room. They were served cool sherbet and informed that the sage would be a few minutes to finish with the people already with her, the rest of them she had sent back.

Amelia Ironborn was tall white haired old but not frail. Her angular face was lined and would have been been dour but for the pale green eyes the smile lines around them. "You are in trouble." She said sitting down in the comfortably padded chair opposite them. Before Aasia could speak, Shan asked. "Mother, can we speak here without being overheard." Amelia shook her head. "It does not matter, you are already trapped. But speak, this home is free of spies and magic."

Shan continued. "This is Aasia Grendale, daughter of Ellysia Grendale and Prince Zarafar of the Aghuirs."

Amelia sat up straighter, her eyes lighting up with some inner flame. She made a small bow, "It is a pity to meet like this princess." She continued. "Though you are trapped- that is a fact, but now I understand why the General has staged the contest." Shan made to speak but Amelia stopped him with a gesture. "One of your group had been captured before Deniel and Myanse came here. The General knew where to find them. They were trapped just outside this house. Deniel was injured, an arrow through the leg but Myanse was restrained without injury. The General sent a message the next day. The Heir of Grendale would come to me in the next few days. I was to inform them that a contest has been set in the School arena. It is well known that Grendale House was the most powerful in magic and a heir therefore should be strong. The General will publicly defeat you, proving that you are a fraud, and then execute you. King Koram, all the clan lords and all the elite of the kingdom will be present. If you win, the king has agreed to give amnesty to the Grendale Army and negotiate with them. If you do not show, they have extracted information on every one of your supporters from the prisoners- Myanse and Deniel. They and their family will be executed as traitors, starting with Myanse and Deniel.

Aasia's asked . "When is this contest?"

"The day after tomorrow, at noon. It is the coronation day festival- Annual celebrations of the coronation of King Koram. Every year there is a feast and pardoning of criminals. This year it is the execution of the Heir of Grendale."

"I do not stand a chance against three or four mages ganging up. How many will the General bring to the fight?"

"Oh! The General will step into the ring with you alone, no shielded armor or artifacts, just his sword. Not unless you carry an artifact. But then the General is the most powerful magician ever."

Aasia grimly replied. "Maybe but I have to try."

"Trapped!" Amelia said, nodding. "But you should know who the General is. He is Benjar Grendale, your father' s uncle. Your grandfather's younger brother. Khruger Highmeadow, Komar's father had cultivated him as an informer. When Komar came to power, probably by killing his father. He bribed Benjar to leave Grendale and side with the Highmeadow."

Shan shook his head in disbelief. "What can possibly convince a prince to betray his kingdom?"

Amelia lowered her voice. "A shard. A small fragment of the celestial shard. Koram had stumbled across the fragment and was clever enough to know what it was, that is what made him powerful enough to attempt a coup. I don't know exactly what part was given to the General in the bargain but it made him very powerful."

Shan broke in. "Mother. Maybe we do stand a chance. Mahon, Aasia's twin brother. He went against four mages, including the Butcher and bested them before he was killed."

Amelia spoke slowly. " I don't know but I can hope."

Shan replied. "You are a high mage mother. You can help."

Amelia looked at him confused. "I have magic but I have never hurt an elf in all my life."

Shan raised his hands in surrender. "No Mother. But what do you know of Aghauri. Aasia is as much Aghauri as she is an elf."

Aasia stopped Shan and said. "Like all Aghauri I can take power from blood. I am restored and invigorated by drinking blood. Mage blood is most potent."

Amelia ordered fresh sherbet and sat back thoughtful while Shan and Aasia waited hand in hand. Sherbet was served and when the servant had left Amelia asked . "How much would you need? Can I give it now?"

Shan smiled and bowed. "Thank you, Mother."

Aasia said pointing to the sherbet glass. "About a third of the glass is good. And I need it minutes before I face the General.

Amelia said. "The blood I am ready to give, to save lives, but the time. Now that is a problem."

"If you co-operate you can walk out of here with Shan."

"There is a ring of magic around this house. It does not allow me to leave. It is a very advanced spell, any magical activity aimed at it and it drains the mage of all his strength. It is keyed to my magic specifically also If I go near it, the ring will not allow me through."

Aasia replied. "We know this. Deniel had briefed us before.."

"You are sure princess?"

"Yes."

"What do I have to do?"

"Call your servants and tell them to cancel all programs for the next two days. Then ask them for water jugs to be brought to your rooms and that you are not to be disturbed. When they go to fetch water you change places with me and walk out. Master Glodam, my Aghauri teacher has taught me to mirror magic. I will be your mirror image till you walk out. Then I will follow you. "

"How the ring will not allow you?"

"I will go nowhere near the ring." Aasia said as she shared a smile with Shan.

In minutes all the preparations were done and Shan and Amelia were walking out hand in hand. They walked some distance from the Rose Garden, till they reached a tall Pine standing along by the roadside. Shan stopped here. "This is where we wait a few minutes I think." Amelia stopped her self from asking questions, not wanting to seem inquisitive.
Soon Aasia came along. "Come on Shan." "Wait" Amelia said. "Breaking the ring is impossible. So you went under it or over it. "

Aasia showed her The Crest Amulet she was wearing. "Grendale artifact. Now tell me all you can about the General. I need all the help I can get, Mother"

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The School of Magic was built like a wheel. Arena was the open ground in center. It was a circle eighty feet wide bounded by a wall twenty feet high, with three barred gates. At the eastern end was the way up from the prison. The western end was the way in from the Military barracks and the center gate was situated below the Royal Stands. This was a way in from the School. The stands could seat nearly two thousand people. There were passages from the out side that led directly to the stands. Some passages started inside the school, to allow the students and the staff easy access to the Arena.

On Coronation day the School was buzzing with activity. Fifty seats had been reserved for the school staff and selected students. Outside the School stalls had come up selling trinkets, mementos, food and drinks. Before noon the people started coming. Some enterprising young elven had gotten hold of twenty tickets and were selling them at one gold each. Near noon Soldiers started to cordon off the way from the School to the palace. The crowds out side the School started to move in towards the stands. By the time the first of the Royal Guard reached the school most of the stands except the Royal box and the VIP enclave, were filled. The two mages who were accused of treason were brought out and chained near the western gates. They were bound in special shielded manacles made of jade and iron, which would stop his breath and cause him pain every time they tried to use their magic. The pain would keep intensifying, causing muscle spasms, till he or she stopped, and without breathing that would not be very long.

Soon a trumpet sounded announcing the arrival of the Royal entourage. First the officers and minster filed in and took their places, standing in front of their seats waiting for the king to enter and take his place. The people also stood up as the second trumpet announced the arrival of King Koram, the rightful sovereign of the Elven Kingdom. King Koram made his way to his seat and everybody dutifully cheered him for a full minute. He sat down and waved at the announcer to proceed.

"Today on the twenty second coronation day of our righteous ruler King Koram we have arranged for adjudication by battle. This age old tradition has been revived today to give the claimant a chance to prove that he is true. This person claims to be The Heir of House Grendale. As we all know our beloved princess Ellysia was murdered when young. There is not much known about her life. Taking advantage of this discrepancy of records this person had laid a claim to the throne of the Kingdom. But King Koram in his magnanimity has allowed this claimant to prove his word by displaying the legendary Grendale magic in a battle with the champion of the Kingdom- General Benjar Grendale." The western gate rattled open and the General walked in clad in white, carrying no weapons, barefoot and hands empty.

At this time Aasia, Shan and Amelia sat hiding inside a closet near in a corridor of the School which led to the central gate. Aasia nodded to Amelia. "It Is time." Amelia raised her dagger cut her left wrist. Aasia began sucking blood. About thirty feet away and a floor below a person was trying desperately to contact Aasia. But Aasia had raised her mental barriers, since stepping on land in Brem she had never let them down, fearing that the General may locate and track her.

"Where is the Heir now? If he does not show up we will start by killing these traitors who have killed loyal soldiers in his name. Perhaps the Heir has fled. Too afraid to face justice. Maybe if we cut an arm or two, we may induce you to come forward? If there is a Heir! If this whole story is not another fraud by these rogue mages."

Aasia walked out into the light and facing King Koram said. "I am the Heir of Grendale. Aasia, daughter of Ellysia Grendale."

The announcer shouted out. "You Lie, look at you. A filthy mixblood. You should have known better than to challenge the throne of Greenvale."

King Koram raised his hand and a trumpet blast silenced the arena. The Announcer declared. "Let the contest begin. May the truth prevail."

Aasia and the General stood about twenty feet apart in the center of the circle. Aasia could sense the buildup of power in the General. She had raised a weak bubble shield which she could pour power into when required.

"You destroyed not only your own family but your nation. Like a maggot you ate up the very clan which birthed you."

The General did not react to the taunting. Aasia began to move to her left. The General followed suit moving with a fighters grace. She was inching towards Myanse and Deniel.

"You want me to free them. I can destroy all three of you together." The General raised one hand towards Aasia and let loose a massive energy pulse. With his other hand he pointed at Deniel and let loose a fireball. Aasia, even fortified by Amelia's blood was almost unable to repel the pulse. The General was still standing where he was. Aasia raced to her right even as he let loose another pulse. Aasia deflected it but Deniel's screams tore at her heart. Harnessing her rage she let go of her bloodmagic. The tendrils speeding towards the General slammed into a shield, giving Aasia a shock. This had never happened before. Before she could think more another energy pulse sped towards her. Aasia leapt to her left and created a shield but was still burned by the edge of the pulse as it grazed her right side.

Aasia had noticed that the last energy pulse was much weaker than the ones before and thinking that this was time to attack, sent out her magic tendrils. The shield was still up. And she noticed that the General had taken the few moments to build a massive energy pulse, even more powerful than the first one had been. She poured her magic into the shield she had erected. The General let go of the pulse with a grunt of effort escaping his lips, his chest was heaving and his breath was coming in gulps. Aasia saw this even as the pulse slammed into her. She was lifted off her feet and fell down flat on her back. Her shield had burned and her hands were bloody their skin sloughed off till the elbows. Her chest hurt and she could not breath. She opened her mouth to suck in air, shook her head and tried to sit up, to get air into her lungs. She could manage short breaths only and each breath was a stab of white hot pain in her heart.

The General had not moved, he was standing in his white clothes looking at her, winded but unhurt. Aasia let go, there was nothing more she could do. Lying there she noticed the crowd was cheering the General. A chant was going around "Kill Her. Kill Her." Aasia closed her eyes waiting for the deathblow. "You are stubborn Sister" Aasia thought she was hallucinating. "OK place your palms on the ground. That way I can reach you more easily. I'm not gonna let you die Sis." Aasia could not believe she was going mad, maybe it was like this for all newblood. "Come on, palms on the ground. Great Uncle won't give you a second chance." Aasia put her hands on the ground. And incredibly energy started flowing into her, she could breath better, the burning had calmed. "Better?" "What is this?" Aasia thought back. "First, he knows you attack like Aghauri. So don't, think of something else simple but irritating."

Aasia looked at the General he was walking toward her a small fireball in his hand. "Can I survive a fireball?" Aasia thought. "Sure, I think." Aasia focused on the ground. When the General took the next step it sank into the ground. Then his other feet was encased by a stone rising from the ground. Aasia got up as fast as she could and ran in a semi circle to her right. She stopped when she was behind the General. "OK we have a few seconds. The general just sank into the ground." "Nicely done! Now I think he is already tired. We need him so tired he lets his shield down. And an earthen wall is easier than a shield for fighting fire balls so sit down and go to work. And I am here Sis." The General freed his legs and threw the fire ball. Aasia sat down and caused a pillar of sand to deflect it. The general was building up for a strike but this was something new. Aasia made sand fly at the General from all sides and started moving left on all fours. And not too soon A lightning bolt struck where she had been sitting. So hot that the edge of her tunic ignited and she had to put it out. This distraction ended the sand storm around the General. He looked old and tired.

"Can you go near him? If he goes for your throat or something I mean."

Aasia replied "I know physical defense.I have been training for seven years. But why take the risk?"

"Bite him" Aasia smiled at the thought and started to run towards the General. She ran into the shield but kept pushing and punching. Till the General grabbed at her lowering his shield and threw her down. She rolled away and got up in a crouch. Again she leapt at the General aiming for his chest. The General punched her leg away and sidestepped. Once again she fell down. This time she deliberately got up slowly giving the General time to snatch at her hair and drag her upright. Aasia grabbed his arm in both of hers and bringing it down a little she turned her head and bit into his forearm. Warm blood flowed into her mouth. She held on sucking even as the General punched her in the back once, twice and before he could do it again she pushed away.

Already her bloodmagic was unleashed the tendrils punched though the weak shield and she had his heart in her grip. She screamed and crushed it. The Arena fell silent as the General toppled to the ground, dead. Aasia sat down. "Who are you?" "I am your second twin so to speak. We were triplets, bless our mother."
"What?"
"Yes. Triplets, ask Pinnet. I was left behind to die. But pops was a wily Aghauri you know."
"OK Where are you?"
"About forty feet away. I will wait, take your time."

Aasia stood up and faced King Koram. The King acknowledged her win with a short bow and walked away. She was Grendale. House Grendale had been resurrected.

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