Revenge of the Gamer

Shafts of light stabbed through the emerald skylight in the domed room. They fell on long oaken tables and benches, providing a warm golden hue that most found comforting. The massive fireplace in the corner stood cold and dark, but its warmth was hardly necessary on such a fine spring day. Instead the shutters had been thrown open, and a cool breeze smelling of honeysuckle wafted through the inn’s common room. Like the rest of Kelethin it smelled of peace.

The place was nearly deserted with only a few patrons dotting the benches. Most were farmers or tradesmen enjoying a drink after a morning of hard work, which made Kavak feel out of place. He was the only one in the room wearing armor, much less full plate mail.

“What’ll ya have?” a fairy maiden buzzed up as Kavak slid onto one of the well made stools lining the bar. She wore her hair in a pink coif piled atop her tiny head, and her azure dress was surprisingly low cut revealing impressive cures. She was too small to do more than look at, but he wasn’t one to turn down nice scenery.

“I’d like some of your best red, oh and leave the bottle” Kavak slapped a gold on the counter and slid it across with a grin. “If you were taller or I was shorter I’d ask you to pour yourself a glass.”

“I have a potion that will shrink you,” the fairy’s eyes twinkled mischeviously, and her tiny face dimpled as she smiled. He was about to reply when a voice interupted from behind.

“Hello Kavak,” a soft voice rasped. It sounded like leather tearing and he went cold. It was a voice he’d dreaded hearing for nearly two centuries. At least the waiting was finally over.

“Hello Thelia. Can I buy you a drink?” He turned to face the Koada’Dal, and the fairy’s wings fluttered in annoyance. He ignored her and she drifted off in a huff.

When he knew her last Thelia had served under him in the Felwithe royal guard. They’d been tasked with keeping the king and his advisors safe, a task they had utterly failed on the day the city fell. Thelia was the only other survivor from his unit, and he hadn’t seen her since that day.

Back then Thelia had been beautiful and prone to smiles. She’d worn her raven locks loosely around her shoulders, and emerald eyes had twinkled with love and laughter. She’d been one of the happiest people he knew, and no matter how grim the situation she’d never given in to despair. That woman was gone.

In her place stood a severe woman, who’s mouth was tight with disapproval. A single streak of silver marred the inky hair that had been pulled into a tight bun. Her leathers were as black as her hair, and hugged every curve like a lover’s caress. A pair of blades were belted at her side, and Thelia’s hands rested within easy reach of the hilts. A poisonous light shone in that gaze, and he could feel the hatred rolling off her in waves.

“I’d rather slit my own throat than drink with you,” Thelia hissed. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as her hands wrapped around the hilts of her swords. “You killed my sister. Before I take your life you’re going to tell me why, Vak. Alysha gave you everything. Her heart, her name and her heritage. I thought you loved her. Why did you betray her?”

“If I explained it wouldn’t make a difference, would it?” sadness welled up in him, and suddenly Alysha’s death was much closer. The intervening years were stripped away, and the pain was as fresh as the day it had happened.

“No,” she spat. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. You killed her, and I’m here to see Alysha avenged.”

The fairy flitted back to the bar struggling under the weight of a silver goblet full of wine. She set it on the table next to Kavak before whizzing back over to grab a mostly full bottle. He picked up the goblet and drained it before turning back to Thelia.

“How long did we know each other before the war Thelia?” he asked quietly, careful not to let his hand get anywhere near the hilt of his sword. His shield remained propped against the bar.

“Forty years,” Thelia raised a delicate eyebrow as confusion washed over her features. “Don’t think that will save you. It only makes your betrayal worse.”

“During that time how often did I save your life?” he asked mildy as he reached for the wine bottle and refilled his goblet. It was drained as quickly as the first had been.

“Dozens. More maybe. Do you think that’s enough to get me to walk away, Vak?” she growled, her voice rising. Her knuckles were white now, and if the weapons had been alive she’d surely have choked them to death by now.

“I’m going to save your life one more time,” Kavak set down the empty goblet and picked up his shield. “Walk away Thelia. Alysha would never forgive me for harming you, and I don’t need her shade any angrier at me that it already is.”

“How dare you speak her name?” Thelia eyes flashed and her weapons leapt into her hands.

“Please, please,” the little bartender flitted between them, her wings buzzing like a bumblebee. “No fighting. If you must, go outside. Don’t hurt my bar.”

“Of course, Rita.” Kavak inclined his head at the little fairy. “We’ll step outside, won’t we Thelia?”

Thelia’s only response was a curt nod. She gestured at the door with one of her slightly curved blades, and Kavak stepped past her. He knew he was exposing his back, but it was a risk he was willing to take. The woman he knew would never dishonor herself by attacking him from behind.

He pushed open the heavy oaken door with a creak, and stepped into the early morning sunlight. His boots thumped on the thick planks as he walked to an open area not far from the Leaky Spigot. Thelia heeled him like a hunting cat, and he knew she was eager to strike. He turned to face her, his face a mask of sadness.

“Last chance Thelia. If you want an explanation I’ll give it, but if you won’t drop this I will kill you,” he explained matter of factly. “I can’t be allowed to die. I hold a great evil in check, and my death will free it. That must not happen.”

“Such an exaggerated sense of your own importance, as always,” Thelia sneered. She barked a bitter laugh. “I’ve learned much since we last met, Vak. You’ll find me no easy meat this time.”

“Very well,” Kavak sighed. He slid his feet apart into a combat stance, and eased his blade from its scabbard. “I tried. I’m sorry I couldn’t do better for you Thelia.”

“Save your apologies for my sister, you bastard.” with that the time for words was over, and the pair began to dance.

Thelia flowed across the wooden planks with deadly grace. Her blades whirled in tight arcs and she gave a short scream of rage as she closed. The swords buzzed around him like angry hornets, steel flashing in the sunlight. She was faster than she had been, and stronger as well. In the time they’d been apart she had obviously become a master, and part of him admired her skill.

Everywhere her blades probed they found his shield there a moment ahead of them. They clanged off in a shower of sparks, and the one blow that slipped through skittered across his breastplate leaving a wicked scratch in its wake. This dance went on for long moments before they broke away and began circling each other.

Thelia’s face was a mask of concentration, and her lip was curled in a sneer. A quick study of her footing showed the same tell tale signs he’d seen when he first trained her. She’d learned a great deal, but she still believed speed could make up for sloppy form.

Again and again she rushed at him, but his shield formed an impassible wall between them. Sparks flew and blows fell like rain, but he calmly blocked the flurry without striking back. He let her drive him until his back was near the edge of the platform. From the corner of his eye he saw the ground hundreds of feet below, and knew if he let her press any further he’d fall to his death. He had to fight back.

When Thelia launched her next attack he finally went on the offensive. Catching one of her blades against his own he slammed his shield into her chest and knocked her to the ground several feet away. She rolled smoothly to her feet and wiped a trickle of blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.

Kavak lunged forward with his blade in an intentionally clumsy strike, and she capitalized on it as he expected. Thelia leapt into the air and came at Kavak from above. He brought his shield up to catch both of her blades with a hollow clang, and whipped his sword toward’s her ankle in a wicked slash. Thelia cried out as it bit into her calf in a spray of blood, but she continued her flip twisting in mid air as she sailed over him.

She landed heavily near the edge of the platform, and fell to one knee as her wounded leg gave way under her. Her breathing was ragged and she was shaking with rage. There was no way she’d be able to continue the fight.

“We can continue this after you’re healed if you wish. I know this fight is very important to you.” Kavak took a step back and lowered his sword as Thelia regained her footing. Rivulets of blood ran freely down her calf to pool at her feet, and she couldn’t rest her entire weight on the wounded leg.

“I wanted to kill you myself, but you’re too strong ” bitterness filled her voice. “I didn’t come alone though. Take him!” she shrieked.

Figures emerged all around him. One leapt from the roof, a tall well muscled man in a black cloak that Kavak took for a human. Another pair slipped from the alley behind the inn, they were shorter and slight of build like Thelia. Koada’Dal or Feir’Dal, it was impossible to tell since both wore black masks. The last pair were too tall for gnomes and too short for elves, ratonga maybe? They wielded crossbows and were perched on a rooftop fifty or sixty feet away.

You can’t do this by yourself. The familiar voice of Misery whispered in his head. Let me take them and we both live. If they kill you one of them will pick me up, and I’ll be loose once more. Are you willing to risk that?

The sword was bloody right and he knew it. If he fought on his own he’d almost certainly die, and one of the poor fools would be lured into picking up the cursed blade. He couldn’t let that happen, no matter the cost. Do it. He thought to the blade. Suddenly Kavak tumbled backwards into his own mind, and his body was no longer under his control. Strength and speed flooded him.

The human who’d leapt from the roof was the first to reach him, and he swung his shield with all his increased strength. It caught the man full into the chest with a bone jarring thud, and he heaved in the direction of the platform’s edge. The poor man went sailing into the sky, and his scream grew fainter as he plumeted to his death.

A pair of crossbow bolts flashed towards him, and time seemed to slow. Kavak dropped to a knee and bowed his head so his entire body sheltered behind his tower shield. A pair of clangs announced the bolts, and as soon as he heard them he was on his feet moving again. It would take the pair of ratonga a moment to reload.

The pair from the alley wielded spears, and seemed to be the most skilled of the lot. They fanned out in perfect formation, each flanking him so he couldn’t face both. Because he was close to the edge of the platform he couldn’t back up any further, which put him at considerable disadvantage.

Both opponents attacked at once. The first spear flashed towards his face, and he ducked to avoid it. Not quite fast enough, though. The spear caught him in the cheek drawing a line of crimson and sending a flare of pain through him. The wound tingled in an unnatural way, and he realized he’d been poisoned. Thanks to Misery he knew it wouldn’t be a problem.

The second spear came in low, but he was ready for it. He slammed his tower shield down on the haft catching it against the ground and snapping it in half. Resting his blade in a groove cut along the top of the shield he lunged forward to catch his opponent in the shoulder. His blade came away wet.

The blow was too shallow to do more than slow his opponent, but the elf had grown much more cautious without his spear. He danced out of range and drew a dagger from his boot while he waited for his partner to occupy Kavak’s attention.

He was shifting back to face the man when a flash of movement caught his eye. Thelia had re-entered the fight. She fell silently from the roof above, and had a sword braced against her right leg. It was aimed directly at his shoulder, and had he not caught sight of her the blow would have ended his life.

It was impossible to dodge entirely, but he leaned far enough to the right that her blade came down on his heavy spaulders. The ring of metal on metal echoed across the platform as her weapon skittered off his armor. Thelia whipped her other sword around in a tight arc, and it left a shallow gash on his throat. Another inch and he would be choking on his own blood.

Kavak used his shield to bat Thelia into the opponent still cradling his spear, and as the man dodged he reversed his stance and rounded on the unarmed opponent. The man raised his dagger like a talisman, but he cut the man’s hand off at the forearm and the weapon fell heavily to the platform. The man gave a screech of agony, and Kavak used the opportunity to finish him. He planted his foot against the would be assassin’s chest and kicked him off the edge.

Thelia landed heavily on the ground, and the elf with the spear stood over her protectively. He was about to advance on the man when a pair of sharp twangs came from behind. Twin flares of agony erupted in his back as the crossbow bolts sank through his armor. Like the spearpoint they’d been poisoned, and he could feel the fire filling his veins. Misery’s magic was already at work cleansing his blood though.

“I am the flame of hatred, the get of Innoruk, and I will not be stopped,” Kavak boomed in a tongue he couldn’t normally speak. Somehow the meaning of the words was clear, and he identified the language as an ancient dialect of Teir’Dal.

Kavak flung his sword with all his might and it sailed like a spear towards the opponent in front of him. It was propelled with so much force that it caught the man in the chest and carried him several feet where it impaled him against the wall of the inn. Bloody froth leaked from his mouth as the light left his eyes.

He spun to face the pair of Ratonga archers, but the diminuitive figures took one look at him and sprinted back down the alley they’d emerged from. That left him alone with Thelia, who struggled to rise to her feet. One of her swords had skittered away from her when she fell, but she clutched the other tightly in one hand.

“Finish it,” she spat. Her face was defiant, but a tinge of fear hid in her eyes.

He cackled widly, or Misery used his voice to do so anyway. The sword forced him to dart over to the body pinned to the wall of the inn, and ripped the sword from the man’s chest so he slumped to the ground in a pool of his own blood. Moving in a blur he crossed the platform and raised his weapon.

Thelia’s face changed. Suddenly it was Alysha he stared down at. He was carried back nearly two centuries to the day he’d first picked up the sword. Kavak remember the look of horror and betrayal on her face, and now those same emotions were reflected on her sister’s face. He was about to kill Thelia just as he’d killed her sister, the woman he loved more than life itself.

The blade dipped in a silvery blur and Thelia closed her eyes as she waited for death. Kavak screamed in his own mind, wishing that there was something he could do to prevent yet another pointless death.

The sword froze an inch from Thelia’s throat. Kavak strained against Misery. The sword wrestled for control of his body, but he refused to give in. He couldn’t save Alysha, but he’d be damned if he was going to let her sister die in the same way.

“Release me,” the sword howled using his voice. Thelia stared up with a mixture of terror and confusion.

No. Release me. Kavak countered. He mustered the entirety of his will. Every bit of his strength and faith and love for his dead fiance went into the battle with Misery. A single heartbeat stretched into eternity, but when the moment finally ended Kavak was in control. He’d won. He slammed his sword home in its scabbard and sagged to his knees next to Thelia.

“I’m sorry,” he covered his face with his hands, which were sticky with the blood of the people he’d just slain. A sob ripped its way from his chest, and for the first time in two centuries Kavak grieved. Hot tears flooded his face, and sob after sob wracked him like a leaf in a gale. “I-I’m so sorry Thelia. I only wanted to save her. I miss her so much. I can’t get the sight of her face out of my head. She trusted me, and I k-killed her.”

Comforting arms wrapped around him, “Sh-shhh. Oh Kavak, I didn’t know. I didn’t understand the burden you bear. I’m the one who should be sorry. She wouldn’t blame you Kavak. If she knew what happened she’d understand.”

“Would she?” his gaze shot up to meet hers. He knew his words were angry, but he didn’t care. “She lost everything that day. Everything. It was all my fault.”

“You did your best in an impossible situation, Kavak. She loved you. If you doubt that pray to Tunare. Look to the mother for guidance,” Thelia stroked his hair as if comforting a child. Kavak felt a sudden flush of embarassment at his show of emotion.

He took a deep breath and composed himself as he gently disengaged himself from Thelia. Rising to his feet he wiped tear stained cheeks.

“Tunare doesn’t want to hear from me. I am lost to her,” he sighed bitterly.

“Have you asked her?” Thelia’s gaze fastened on his. “Pray to her, Kavak. You don’t have to bear this pain alone. Let her help you. She loves all her children, all you need do is ask her forgiveness.”

“You’re right Thelia,” he nodded, squaring his shoulders. “I’ve lived with the guilt for so long its become a part of me. Maybe its time to put it down, and try to get on with my life. Maybe its time to find a way to be rid of this once and for all.” he glared hatefully at the sword buckled at his side.

“Kavak, when you fought you started shouting in another language. It sounded like Teir’Dal. That sword is cursed, isn’t it?” she asked quietly. So that was why she’d stopped attacking him. She’d figured it out.

“Yes,” he sighed. “I’ve waged war against it for over two centuries, and until now I’ve lost. Starting today things are different. For the first time I beat it, but not for the last. I will find a way to be free of Misery, and until I am I will fight it until my dying breath.”

“For what it’s worth I’m sorry Kavak. I’ve hated you for a lot of years. I found her body after you killed her, and I couldn’t figure out why you’d done it. You two were so happy, and I just didn’t understand.” Thelia’s eyes were alive with pain. “You’ve lost more than I ever could have. I hope you find peace.”

“Tunare willing, I will someday.” Kavak clenched his fist around the hilt of his sword. “The watch will be here soon. We’d better get out of here. Take care of yourself Thelia. I’ll find you when I’m free of this curse, and we’ll toast Alysha’s memory.”

“I’d like that,” for the first time Thelia smiled, and Kavak felt a little bit of joy for the first time in many years.