Broken Blades Don't Sing (Tales of Ashkar Book One) (8 page)

Notified of this new, more powerful aggressor,
the remaining four beasts shifted their attention. They stalked
their way toward him, growling menacingly and ready to strike.

"Aww, did I hurt your buddy?" he mocked,
feigning a sorrowful expression as he pointed at the obliterated
corpse lying in front of him. He quickly changed back to his
signature grin, accompanied by a manic look in his eyes. Raxxil
shifted his feet and lowered his body. He then gripped the hammer
with both hands and twisted his torso to the right, preparing to
press the attack.

"You know, I don't seem to recall hulking,
demonic dogs on fire last time", Zaranet responded playfully.

One of the beasts charged straight into an
eagerly awaiting Raxxil.

Dashing to meet his foe, the fiery elementalist
swung hard to his left in a wide arc. The hammer connected with the
beast's jaw, and with another loud crack it flew into the air. Its
lifeless corpse collided with the base of a tree, and now there
were three.

Blood now spattered Raxxil's weapon and face,
and Serraemas knew the bloodlust had no limit; the longer the
fight, the more excited—and uncontrollable—Raxxil became.

"He might get explosive again", Zaranet
warned.

"No", responded Serraemas. “He knows the
rule.”

The beasts appeared to have some form of
intelligence, as the remaining three formulated a pattern of attack
instead of falling prey to Raxxil's blows one-by-one. Once more
they circled their hammer-wielding foe. This time, however, it
appeared that the hellish hounds planned to attack simultaneously
in an all-out assault.

Raxxil, still wearing a maniacal visage, did not
give them the chance. He wheeled around and released his hammer. It
shot at lightning speed straight toward the beast that was behind
him, colliding with its skull before it even had time to react. A
second yelp echoed through the trees as it was pulverized
completely, blood and guts splattering all across the ground. The
hammer continued on its path, destroying several trees before
finally crashing into the ground dozens of feet away.

In a flash, Raxxil leapt backward with such
speed that he landed next to the remaining beasts in an instant.
Without leaving any time for them to follow his movements or react,
he reached out and grabbed one of the hound's muzzle and jaw with
each hand. It flailed wildly, attempting to wrest free from
Raxxil's death grip. To its misfortune, however, the grinning man
proved to be much stronger. In one swift motion he pulled his arms
wide. The beast ripped in half, spilling its inner contents near
Raxxil's feet.

The final beast, seeing an opportunity to
attack—or simply attacking in blind rage—snarled and lunged from
behind the brown-haired warrior. Raxxil turned around in
anticipation of the attack, shifting his stance slightly and using
the beast's momentum to slam it into the ground next to him.

Raxxil paused, glaring at the beast for a brief
moment before he stomped onto the creature's thick skull four
times. He continued to stare at the ground where the beast
lay—admiring his work as if it were art—then proceeded to stride
happily toward where his hammer had stopped.

"Well, it wasn't
that
bad this time",
commented Zaranet.

Serraemas bounded quickly to Erendil, who was
back on his feet. The scaly-skinned archer shifted his face to meet
Serraemas and greeted him with a faint smile. His right arm was
severely injured, and blood was flowing out while white bone was
exposed. He also wore several cuts and bruises, but Erendil did not
seem too fazed.

Serraemas kneeled, removing the pack at his
side. He opened it and rummaged through its contents. After several
moments, he procured a set of bandages. He then gestured for
Erendil to come closer. "How come you did not release your
elemental even though you were at a disadvantage?"

Erendil shrugged and shook his head. "I don't
think Master Sora ever taught me how. She said I had great
potential, but that I wasn't ready yet."

"You still fought well", Serraemas assured. "We
will figure out your elemental, but first we need to find the
witch. She will be able to heal you, and—"

"Hey, check this out!" clamored Raxxil from
behind them.

Serraemas turned around to the sight of a
strange phenomenon. Five fiery orbs rose slowly out of the
carcasses of the fallen hounds. They hovered several feet in the
air for a brief moment before flying with haste past where Raxxil
now stood. Their blazing auras grew fainter as they traveled deeper
in the woods until disappearing completely.

Both Raxxil and Erendil looked to Serraemas for
an answer.

"That's our clue," Serraemas stated simply.

---

"My, my... now why would a Grand Arcanist need
so many guards?" Wu asked aloud to no one.

He strolled carefree through the majestic
garden—its grand design serving as a labyrinth for those seeking to
enter the tower that housed the most revered elementalist in all of
Ashkar. Gracefully carved foliage surrounded him as he walked
through the pathways, and one could spend an eternity admiring such
sophisticated 'art'.

Fools know nothing of art.

It was another dull day in Magia, Arcadia's
sector responsible for all things elementalism. The School of Eight
was housed in Magia, and most, if not all, knowledge of
elementalism was cultivated here. Whether in the form of
technological advancements, history, or even something as paltry as
educating every ant that managed even an inkling of elemental
affinity, Magia was the sector responsible. The other sectors:
Avanos, Sol, and Eversong, while led by almost capable
elementalists in their own right, had a focus in other areas—most
notably combat, strategy, and warfare.

The sun shone brightly, with a few clouds
scattered across the otherwise clear sky. The temperature was
slightly cool, with the occasional breeze making its way through.
Countless times he had lost his way in this maze in times past, and
he was beginning to wonder if it was all a deliberate ruse.

The Observatory of Arcana, where Grand Arcanist
Graeme Warren resided, was the central location for all matters
elementalism and bureaucracy. The kingdom of Arcadia, despite only
existing for a few decades so far, had enjoyed a wealth of war.
Between the War of Arcadia against the invading Dommogin, and the
Human-Seamender War only a few years back, tensions were always
high between factions. There was no shortage of skirmishes,
schemes, and, apparently, guards—especially when it came to the
four leaders of Arcadia.

Unlike the guards of the other sectors, where
any elementalist was eligible so long as they were trained for
battle, the men and women guarding Graeme were elementalists that
had graduated from the School of Eight, thus considered masters in
their own right.

Not to Wu, of course.

The militaries of the other sectors, while also
consisting of trained elementalists, trained its members in the
other arts of combat with regards to weapons and hand-to-hand
combat. As such, they may have never even set foot in the School of
Eight.

Each guard bowed in respect as he strode past
them. They were clad in signature white robes that flowed to their
feet, with the academy's eye and one or more spheres inscribed on
the back. Unique to each guard was the weapon they held.

He smiled and nodded to each and every one with
feint warmth, and rounded a corner of tall hedges. He continued
walking, quite certain that he was on the right track.

A left here, a right there—

Wu stumbled upon the same guard that he had just
seen just a little while ago.

“Why hello there”, greeted Wu.

The guard bowed again. “Are you unable to find
your way, Grand Master Magus?

“Unfortunately, that is the case”, Wu replied as
he stroked his long, white beard and nodded.

The guard raised an arm and pointed to his left
at one of the paths. A finely-crafted arch beckoned the Grand
Master Magus, and he stepped through. To his right and left were
tall hedges, but as he made his way to the end, Wu was greeted by a
welcoming sight. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Ahead was the familiar statue of his old friend,
and beyond that, his reprieve. He walked up to the statue and
inspected it briefly, gazing at its stony visage. He shifted his
eyes to the statue's feet, where words of praise were engraved on a
slab of stone:

'He, Who Is Master Of Eight And Renown Across
Ashkar

Spreads Not Only Knowledge, But Compassion

Is Not Only Wise, But Humble

Stands As A Beacon Of Wisdom

And An Example To All

Grand Arcanist Graeme Warren'

He stood there briefly, pondering for a moment
what it would be like to have his own statue. He chuckled heartily,
remembering the countless times that he had been approached for
approval to do just that, and why he had refused each time: he
would waste every day admiring himself.

"You would admire yourself?" he heard from
inside his mind. “A puny man of flesh and bone? Hah!”

"You again?” scoffed Wu. “I haven't heard from
you in weeks. I was beginning to think you were gone for good, and
now you've ruined my day!" He waited patiently for another remark,
but none came. The elderly man started to laugh in triumph—

Wu’s laughter ended abruptly as he wheezed.

"Hah, serves you right you brittle bag of
bones!" scoffed Kaji, his elemental, again.

Wu shook his head in discontent. He regained his
composure and inched his way to the tower's entrance past the
golden statue. The majestic tower spiraled high into the sky,
culminating in a large dome. At its top, a large telescope jutted
out into the open air. The structure was constructed from gray
stone, with a window and balcony at each floor.

The quietness of the outside was subverted by
the bustling and chatter of political affairs reverberating from
within the structure. Wu neared the steps of the tower, and one of
the front guards opened the set of large wooden doors, welcoming
the Grand Master Magus. As he stepped inside, he felt the chilly
air subside and was encapsulated by heat, shifty eyes, and worst of
all, pointless babble.

The first room was circular, and branched off
into three other rooms: one to the right, one on the left, and the
last in the back. An empty wooden desk occupied the center, where
the Grand Arcanist's assistant normally waited patiently, looking
over newcomers with the eyes of a hawk. Rows of shelves occupied
the walls, filled with all sorts of texts. The stone steps that
rose to each floor jutted out of the walls in a spiral. Desks and
chairs took the rest of the space, and seemingly important
individuals—diplomats, strategists, and other fools—bustled about
feverishly, exchanging words and pamphlets with one another.

Wu looked around briefly, carefully scanning the
first floor.

Looks like I'm in the clear! Hee hee!

He headed straight toward the stone steps that
spiraled upward and ascended quickly—

The Grand Master Magus was cut off by the young
assistant, who nearly crashed into Wu.

"Hold on there, mister!" she blurted, pointing
her finger at him. "You! You need to wait in line like everybody
else. Grand Arcanist Warren is very busy!" She brought her fists to
her hips and pouted in defiance. She had relatively short brown
hair that fell to her shoulders, with a pointed nose and thin lips.
She stared at Wu behind focus glasses, and her hazel eyes revealed
unwavering purpose.

Wu attempted to dash around her, first to the
right, and then to the left. Unfortunately, she blocked his way
each time and shook her head disapprovingly. He sighed and drooped
his head in defeat for a moment before abruptly pointing to the
left.

"Look, it's Avanos Hildir!" Wu yelled.

Everyone in the room stopped and turned their
attention in the direction he pointed, including the assistant. Her
eyes widened and she wheeled around, giving Wu the opportunity he
was looking for. He jumped three steps and staggered, but kept
bounding up the stairs. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed that
she had recovered from his ruse and gave chase. With a swift flick
of his wrist, she was frozen mid-step. Another flick, and she
floated down the steps and back into her chair in the room's
center.

"Hey, come back here you old cheater!" Wu heard
from below as he ascended the stone steps. He chuckled heartily and
continued upward, his long garment fluttering wildly. He made his
way to the second floor, then the third, the fourth, and
ultimately, the fifth and final floor. Here there was only one
room, with a heavy wooden door and six guards standing patiently.
While the guards outside the tower were welcoming, these were not
so; they watched Wu and stood defiantly regardless of his position
as Grand Master Magus.

"Halt", ordered one of the guards. "The Grand
Arcanist is busy and wishes not to be disturbed. If you seek
counsel, speak to Laffa to schedule an appropriate time." He was
older than the others, and appeared to be the senior guard. He was
still but a child.

Wu walked up to the guards with a stern
expression, pondering what he was going to say. He opened his mouth
to speak, but paused. He then scratched his flowing beard and
looked up at the ceiling pensively. Looking back at the guards, the
elderly man raised his brows and smiled toothily, wrinkling his
face even more than normal.

"We both know how this is going to end so just
do it already you brainless fool!" Wu heard his elemental jeer from
within his mind.

"Pipe down!" he shot back. “I can't concentrate
when you make so much noise.” He raised his hand in a flash and
flicked his wrist again. This time, all six guards froze, and the
large door swung wide with a loud creak.