The Awakening (The Stones of Revenge) (23 page)

Within an hour the two of them had left the oasis behind and were speeding down the side of the mountain. The terrain was steep, but Aquila followed a path which had been newly dug. It ran straight down the embankment and Landon knew that if it hadn’t been for the training she received from Godfrey, she would not have been able to control herself at this speed and angle. Being what it was, they bolted down the hill.

Landon had a difficult time seeing from the speed at which they were flying, but on their way down the mountain, he gazed out over the valley below and saw an incredible sight. Shadows from the eastern mountains flooded the plain. Slowly, they receded as the sun climbed higher into the sky. The shine from it made all the dew sparkle like gems in the valley floor creating a mirror of the night sky in this early morning hour. Landon was apprehensive to return to his home. It had been so long since he last saw it that part of him desired to head to the farm first before venturing to Camsbury. But it was a nagging thought that Landon speedily dismissed. He knew that should he return to the farm, he would become caught up in the desolation of the place. He had left it in a state of disrepair following the fire storm and unless Mordecai had returned to mend things, it was not a sight he wanted to see. In addition, he had become such a different person since his training that he no longer knew if the life of a farmer suited him. After his conversation with Godfrey, Landon believed his future was steeped in something much greater, and it all began with his confrontation with Gavin.

Eventually, the rider and his horse descended so far that Landon could not see the plains anymore. They were nearing the ground level of the valley and trees settling along the baseline of the mountains blocked his view. According to Godfrey, they were to follow the path until they hit a fork. The path they needed to take ran north and it would only take them a few more hours ride to make it to the gates of Camsbury. Branches and leaves swept by and Landon was certain he would hit his head. But after a few minutes of speeding through the trees, the fork appeared. They came to the fork and turned north to follow the new road towards the city.

Landon marveled at the new endurance of Aquila. She had not slowed down the entire descent of the mountain, and he was sure she was going to need a break or water soon. There seemed to be no end in sight for her as the landscape changed. Instead of hills and trees, they were speeding through thick fields of amber. The drought definitely had taken its toll and though there were beautiful, new growths of green, most of the landscape remained dead. The tall grass made it difficult for Landon to see, but Aquila seemed to know the way herself. Landon was no longer leading, but enjoying the ride. He sensed it would take some time to get to know the new horse beneath him.

Landon thought ahead to the coming battle between him and Gavin. He wasn’t sure Gavin was even going to be in Camsbury, but he assumed his place would be beside Malchus until he unlocked the ring. It seemed the most logical place to begin. If Gavin was there, he was going to challenge him. If not, he knew Gavin was using the ring to gain power. Either way, his journey began in his hometown.

The training Landon received had taught him nothing of the ways of either the Ox or the Lion and it was the one fear that remained in the back of his mind. Though he was confident in his skill, he was afraid that he would not be quick enough for the Lion. He also began to doubt his confidence in whether that was the only fighting style Gavin knew. If he had learned defense, this battle would be even harder than he imagined, if not impossible.

In his mind, Landon recalled the past few months of training. He recalled the lesson learned in the necessity to cling to his sword. He recalled the focus and determination he gained when climbing the mountain that was the beginning of his transformation. He recalled the few weeks it took him to complete his next challenge with the logs. He became so adept at standing on those rolling beams that to remember a time when he wasn’t able to do so almost made him laugh. He remembered the subsequent challenge Aratus gave him to fight while hanging upside down. He still never understood the importance of that one. He recalled the various other small tasks his master had given him that seemed menial but always proved to be worthwhile. With finality he recalled his many nights practicing the movements.

Landon knew that everything Aratus had taught him was to make him a master swordsman, but he couldn’t help but wonder if she was implanting skills he would need to fight Gavin, or something else. He knew nothing of the style in which Gavin fought except that he had seen him kill a number of people. The man was quick, powerful, and slow to regret. He seemed to kill without any remorse, and it was this difference that separated them. He hoped never to become that callous to killing though he had grown to learn that there were times when it became necessary to take a life. He would never enjoy it, however. It was also the one thing that Landon feared would be his undoing. Gavin was unpredictable and he had no limits. Landon knew his boundaries and they fell far short of his enemy’s. He only hoped that there would be no need to extend himself as far as Gavin had.
He felt prepared for the coming battle. He knew his skill and trusted in it. There was no more need to make preparations.

It was about this time, that the changing scenery shook Landon from his thoughts. One giant mound in the midst of the yellow grass grew from the earth. It was at least five times the height of him and his horse. It lay directly in front of the two and the road ran over it. Landon assumed that it would be too steep to take at this pace and that Aquila would either slow or go around. He was incorrect on both counts. The horse below him continued at the steady pace. As the hill drew closer, Landon felt anxiety grow in his stomach. He was not sure he would remain mounted if Aquila took the road. She did not falter on her path. Landon pulled back on the reins but he could not sway her. He pulled even harder, but the horse seemed stuck in a trance. She took the road and as the two of them reach the edge of the hill they moved into a steep climb. Landon felt the weight of himself fall backwards on the horse and he clung to Aquila’s reins tightly to remain seated. Soon they were on top and he had to adjust his grip and his seat. But it did not remain for long because the horse sped over the edge of the hill running nearly perpendicular to the ground. Landon felt his stomach fly into his throat as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her neck. In a few minutes that were past the mound and Landon released his grip. He had never experienced anything like it before. Adrenaline rushed through his body and he wanted another turn. He knew he had no time, however, and only looked back at the hill as it slowly disappeared behind them.

Looking ahead, the amber waves of grass had thinned and turned into rolling hills of shorter, greener pasture. Ahead in the distance he could see where their road connected with the main road. To his right far in the distance lay the towers of Bodam, and to his left in the distance lay the spike of the city cathedral. He could not believe that they had arrived so quickly. Looking overhead Landon noticed the sun was well past its midpoint and beginning its descent into the west. He had been lost in his thoughts for so long the day had passed without him knowing it. Aquila had not needed to stop the entire trip. Landon could only guess what Godfrey had done to prepare his horse for this ride, or what spell he had cast.

The path finally dead-ended into the road to the city and the two lone travelers turned left to follow it. Aquila slowed in her pace only slightly knowing they were near the end of their journey. Ahead the gates could be seen with the two guards standing in front. Though Landon could not hear them, he could see that they were still arguing about something. It was quixotic to think that he had changed so much and yet others had stayed the same. Within a few minutes he rode up to them. He could hear their argument by now, but he tried to ignore it.

“I’m telling you, the alliance is falling apart,” the first guard was explaining. “Strange things are stirring in Anselm’s county – .”

“Good evening, gentlemen. Would either of you happen to know if the Lord is in the city?”
Landon cut him off.

“Of course he his!” the second guard retorted obviously upset they were interrupted. “Where else would he be? Move along.”

Landon graciously accepted the invitation into the city and entered the city walls. He was certain he would not be recognized but just to be sure he pulled a cloak from his sack which Godfrey had given him and covered up with it. He made sure to pull the hood over his head. No sooner than had he made his way past the desolate merchant street did the bells toll the signal to close the gate. They had made it just in time. Landon figured that his best bet was to wait until the morrow to challenge Gavin. This would give him time to find rest for himself and Aquila and prepare a strategy.

He maneuvered his way into the center square pulling the hood down tight to avoid recognition. He noticed two sights immediately. The first was the sight of Godfrey’s shop. Boards had been kicked in and a window was broken. He had obviously not returned since his letter and ruffians had done damage to his home. The second was that Archer’s sign for his store no longer existed. In its place was tacked a wood plank. The windows were covered in dust and inside Landon could barely make out empty shelves. These two sights saddened him and were just a few reminders that this adventure he had been on was not without its negatives.

Across from the center still stood Rowan’s tavern. The last time he had been inside was as a young boy beginning his search. Now he was a grown man returning. He trotted is horse over and tied her up to the post outside. He gently entered into the tavern expecting a ruckus. Instead, he saw empty tables and chairs. A single person sat in a corner on the far side of the room. Rowan was standing at the bar looking melancholy.

“Good evening,” Landon whispered to the owner.

“Evening, stranger, what can I do for you?”

“I am in need of a bed and a stable. I have heard you have the best prices in town,” Landon said trying to flatter Rowan.

“I used to. These days I am lucky to find anyone who wants to venture into this place. But for a stranger with a kind word I can offer both for twenty crowns.”

Landon knew that was a steep price, but he could see the obvious hardship Rowan was in. Before he paid, he wanted to know the reasons behind it.

“Sounds fair, say, what makes this place so hands-off?”

“A while back there was a fight in here. A man was killed, and Lord Malchus came down hard on me. Ever since, people have stopped coming in.”

“I am sorry for your hard luck. Here is the gold you asked for. I thank you for your generosity,” Landon said as he handed over the money.

“It is of no consequence. The stables are behind the building as is your room. Here is a key.”

Landon bowed and left the sad man at his bar to retrieve Aquila. He was glad he had not been recognized. He led the horse over to her stable and shut the door. Aquila immediately found a soft spot and lay down to sleep. Landon thought it to be a good idea. He found the stairs to his room and climbed them while watching the orange sky fade into purple. He entered his room which was nothing more than a bed and four walls and dropped his effects on the floor. He found his bed and relaxed into it. He knew that tomorrow was the day he had long awaited. And as he closed his eyes, he turned his thoughts to the events of the day which had transpired. The dullness of it brought him to a deep sleep.

Chapter
Twenty-Two

A Dish Served Cold

The morning dawned sooner than Landon hoped. The first light was awakening Landon’s senses to the new day. As his thoughts came into focus he suddenly remembered why he had come. The looming battle could no longer be ignored. He felt a sense of dread, urgency, and nostalgia. This day had lingered in his mind for so long it felt familiar to him. It also did not seem like reality. He stretched on his bed and begged the rest of his body to wake. The bed he had rented was quite comfortable, but he wanted to take care of his business as soon as possible.

He rose from his position and threw the cloak back over his clothes. He drew the hood over his brown hair to once again conceal his face. He didn’t want anything to happen before he was ready for it. Landon strapped his sword to his side and gathered his effects. He wanted to keep all of his items with Aquila in case there was a need to speedily exit town. He trudged down the wooden stairs and found his old friend. She too was just waking.

Landon unlocked the stable doors and whistled softly to his horse. She rose and walked over to her master. A steady silence filled the place as an acknowledgement to what lay before him. He strapped his pack to her back then rubbed her nose. Slowly, he closed the gate.

“Wait here.”

He left her in the stables and started his walk across town to the castle. His plan was to somehow get passed the guards, hopefully with a silver tongue then find Gavin within the castle. He knew the setting of the fight would not be to his advantage, but he could think of no other option. As he made his way through Camsbury, Landon noticed no one about. It was early, but there were usually merchants setting their wares up by now. The deserted streets gave an eerie calm to the place. Landon worried that it did not bode well for him, but he continued on his way to the courtyard outside the castle.

Landon walked into the courtyard expecting to see guards standing at their posts. Instead he found a large gathering of people chatting excitedly. Before them stood a large wooden construction with steps leading up to a platform. Rising from the platform was a long L-shaped beam from which was suspended a rope. Below the rope sat a box. Everyone was clearly eager for a public execution. Landon wondered about the criminal.

From the entrance to the courtyard he could see Lord Malchus suspended on a balcony overlooking the scene. He was dressed in his very finest livery displaying jewels from head to toe, but he wore a dark hood which hid his face. The only discernable feature was a gleaming crimson stone upon his left hand. Dread filled Landon as did a small ball of rage. It replaced all fear. The only focus on his mind now was justice. But before he could have it, Landon needed to lure Gavin from his position if he still lived. Knowing that pride was his greatest weakness, he decided a public challenge was something Gavin would not be able to ignore. Landon just needed to make his way between the crowd and the balcony.

He moved forward into the crowd and became suddenly lost in the shuffle. Few people moved making it difficult to cut through. One man in the middle of the crowd struck up a conversation with him.

“I am so pleased they finally got him! I’ve been waiting my whole life for this day!” the man said with joy. Landon was saddened at the exuberance of someone’s death. Though he understood the need for capital punishment, he did not rejoice in it.

“Who is the guilty man?” Landon asked.

“Daxis, the Terror of Camsbury.”

“Daxis is alive?” he asked more to himself than the man. He felt a weight drop in his soul. He had long assumed Daxis to be alive in the dungeon still. But if he was to be hanged, saving him would prove to be more difficult than he thought. However, he couldn’t risk it before confronting Gavin. It was still possible that Gavin knew how to wield the ring’s power, and if so, would do so with any chance he got. Landon looked over the crowd. They hadn’t brought out Daxis yet which meant there was still time. Perhaps if he challenged Gavin now, it would delay the execution just long enough for Landon to help. He stood up tall, threw back his hood, and at the top of his lungs yelled, “GAVIN!”

The people around him stopped talking, and the crowd began to back away from him. As they did so, more and more people became silent. Eventually, there was a large divide in the midst of the crowd with Landon in the center. Malchus drew his cardinal sword and pointed it directly at the balcony.

“You are a thief and a coward. I have come to reclaim what is mine!”

A loud gasp trickled through the people. They were amazed anyone could be so brazen. The guards started moving towards Landon to seize him. Malchus then stood and did something he did not expect. He placed his hand on the railing and vaulted himself to the ground amazingly with no effort. Immediately, he waved off the guards who returned to their posts.

“I accept,” he said coldly throwing his hood back. The sight made Landon recoil. It was not Malchus but Gavin. Gasps and horror swept through the crowd. His entire face was disfigured. He had obviously been burned severely and was now barely recognizable. The two men stood between them face to face a few paces apart.

“Time has made you a man it seems,” he taunted. Landon didn’t flinch. “It seems as though you have more life in you than I expected. I am impressed.”

“I have come for what is mine and to bring justice upon you,” Landon said flatly.

“Justice it is that you seek? I suppose it is only fitting though I think I have already paid my debt thanks to you,” he said angrily drawing his sword. Landon moved into a ready stance reminiscent of Aratus’ the first time they had fought.

He looked at Gavin’s horrific face and thought back to the last time he had seen him. Then he remembered that j
ust before he blacked out, the room had become extremely bright. Gavin had attacked him to take the ring. Landon, filled with rage, must have used his power to consume the cabin in an enormous conflagration. The expense of energy coupled with his drowsiness from being hit in the head made him pass out. In the meantime, Gavin was able to take the ring but was not able to kill him because the fire must have become so intense it forced him to flee.

“I expect this shan’t take long. I doubt I’ll even need to use your ring,” Gavin taunted again snatching Landon from his thoughts. It was in that moment that Landon saw something in Gavin. He wasn’t sure what it was but there was a pause, a hesitation, an uncertainty hanging in the air. Landon did not respond but chose to wait for a moment of weakness. Gavin sensed he was getting nowhere and ceased his mocking.

“Let this be the end!” he roared. As he finished speaking, Gavin lunged at Landon with the full fury of his hate. His large sword came directly for Landon’s heart as he fell upon him. Landon recognized the attack as one Aratus consistently used. He swiped the sword away and rotated to his right. But it was not an easy block. Gavin contained more strength than he believed.
Perhaps this is unwise
, he thought.

Gavin struck again this time slicing across Landon’s body on his strong side. Landon parried and rotated once again looking for a flaw in Gavin’s technique. The crowd, which until now had remained still, fled for cover as the two swords crashed together.

Gavin again stepped forward and smashed his sword down upon Landon’s head. Once again he blocked it with much effort. It seemed as though Gavin was testing Landon’s weakness and discipline. Until now Landon had only displayed defense. He understood the gravity of this fight and wanted to wait until the perfect moment to attack. He was obviously confusing Gavin.

“It appears as though you have been learning, I wonder who was your teacher. Was it Barric?” he asked as he swung his sword. Landon narrowly escaped a hit. “Perhaps Aratus?” Another lunge, and Landon dodged his advance once more. “Or could it be Preston?” A feint from Gavin made Landon flinch. “Whoever he was, he has apparently taught you well in the discipline of defense. You are truly a mighty Ox are you not?”

Landon felt it again, that feeling which hung over them moments ago. Gavin was timid. He was guessing to draw a reaction out of him. He believed Landon’s skill lay in the style of the Ox. He had inadvertently tricked his enemy. Gavin had last spoken of using his ring the last time Landon felt this insecurity. He guessed it meant that Gavin had not uncovered the secret to the ring. Suddenly, Landon developed a plan. As long as Gavin believed it, he would use strictly defense. He was only trained minimally in this skill as the Eagle was a balance between both elements of fighting, but he hoped it would tire Gavin until he could choose the perfect movement to use.

Gavin stepped to his right and Landon countered. His goal was now to mimic his every move in deception. Gavin moved left and again he countered. Having become certain of Landon’s game, he attacked. The full strength of Gavin came at Landon. He struck at his right, then his left, back to the right. Landon blocked each as he stepped backwards to play the part. Gavin came overhead and spun quick as lightning. He was fast, but Landon had a faster teacher. He blocked those attacks as well. The stalemate was beginning to bore Landon, and he now understood his old master’s admonition. However, he knew he needed to keep going.

Gavin moved in to make a jab at his opponent’s midsection but feinted towards the legs. Landon moved to block, but Gavin, becoming ever faster it seemed, feinted again and got a clean hit. It was Landon’s first mistake. Blood trickled down Landon’s weak arm. It wasn’t a deep cut, but it was enough. Landon knew his defensive game wasn’t good enough.

“Looks like you missed a lesson or two,” a smile of near victory swept across Gavin’s face.

Landon remained silent. He was hurt, but he needed to stay focused. He was reminded of the ascent up the mountain. Every step up was full of pain, but Landon had to focus or die. It was in this moment that he finally understood the meaning of the test. This was exactly the same. Without focus Landon would lose this fight and die. The executioner, however, did not make it easy.

All of a sudden, drums began to beat. Loud boos rang out from the crowd as a large wooden carriage began moving into the sunlight. The people tossed rotten food upon the man inside the cage. Landon didn’t know what to do. His plan was failing. He could not both fight Gavin and save Daxis. Unless. Unless, he had his ring.

Gavin seized upon his distraction and attacked again. Lost in his thought, Landon was unprepared and received a strong wakeup call in his legs. It was his second mistake. Gavin had pierced him. Once again the wound was not fatal, but it slowed him down. Landon began to wonder if he was being toyed with as a cat does a mouse.  He decided he could no longer play a game. He needed his ring, and he was getting weaker. He thought about his movements and Gavin’s style and pride. He chose the twenty-ninth movement.

Immediately, Landon stepped forward into his first move. The pain in his leg rang through his body but Landon just focused more on his attack. He pushed forward through the steps pressing his attack upon Gavin. He did well at defending, but within a few steps, his enemy was on the complete defense. The roles had been reversed. As Landon moved quicker into his motions two things happened. First, he saw that Gavin was not used to being on this side of a fight and was struggling to keep up. Second, instead of getting lost in the steps, the drums and the procession of Daxis to the gallows kept him from reaching that state of mental clarity.

He could see from the corner of his eyes the executioner, draped all in black, push him up the wooden steps. Daxis looked beaten and worn down almost as though he welcomed death. Malchus had obviously done a number on him. Landon became more anxious to end the fight, but just when he was about to get a solid hit, Gavin pushed back and gained some ground.

At his first opening, Gavin ran from the fight, out of the courtyard. This was an opportunity for Landon to switch movements. He decided to go with thirty-five. He chased his enemy into the streets and could no longer see Daxis.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

He hoped he would have the opportunity to make good on his word.

The fight renewed as Landon fell upon Gavin. At the first hint of a break, however, he continued to remove himself and run. Landon wondered if he was being lured into a trap somewhere. Eventually, they wound up in the town center, and Gavin had nowhere else to run. Landon knew he had him trapped and hoped not to make a third mistake. He could see in his enemy’s eyes that Landon was more than a match for him.

“Hand it over. The fight is won.”

“Fool, you could never defeat me!”

Gavin’s arrogance would not allow him to concede. His eyes grew hot as he unleashed everything he had at Landon. Gavin moved left, right, behind, over. But it was finally in the quiet of the city center with the drums so distant that Landon was able to gain clarity.

In this state he anticipated the attacks and easily blocked them watching Gavin tire. He knew he needed to end the fight and waited for his opening. Gavin lunged forward and lost his footing in his exhaustion. Landon knew his back would be exposed and easily whirled around him. He expected his adversary to block with a vertical blade so he feinted in that direction, but reversed his hand. He rotated his wrists and instead swung his sword straight through Gavin’s neck. The full strength of Landon’s muscles brought a clean slice and a decapitated body to the ground.