Part 6
Unto Dust and Clay
“A dust golem?” Ranin asked in disbelief.
The golem rose to be only two feet in height. The dust swirled as the golem lurched forward, slowly, seeming to have difficulty retaining the form.
“The odds are against you. Are you sure you want to continue?” the constable asked.
“I have made my decision,” the girl said. “I trust in Sworder.”
“Then you will deal with the consequences,” the constable retorted.
Immediately, the cat pounced. But the Vassal of Lighting was far too quick. Bounding out of the way, he unleashed a counter attack. His dagger sunk deep into the cat as the Vassal somersaulted over it. He barrel rolled as he landed. Finding his feet, he stood and turning faced his injured foe.
“That was definitely stylish,” Ranin noted.
“But has he forgotten? That is not the only Kazan he has to deal with in this fight,” Namic wondered.
There was a flash of light as the dust golem staged. There was a sound of charging feet as a golem of clay charged the Vassal. The Vassal of Lighting leapt out of the way of the golem, only then to be faced by the constable’s cat. The Vassal jumped as the cat pounced at him. Landing on the cat, he thrust his dagger deep into its side before rolling away.
The horse, hooked to the wagon, backed a little from the combat.
The Clay Golem continued its attack on the Vassal of Lighting, charging straight at it. The Vassal zipped towards the golem sliding just before they met dodging the golem’s clubbing fist.
The Vassal grabbed the cat, swung on top of it and stabbed his dagger deep into its head. The Vassal collapsed onto the ground, his cloak flying into the air. The constable’s cat-shaped Shadow Warrior was gone, as the Vassal of Lighting bound to his feet.
The Clay Golem continued to hammer onto the Vassal, but he swiftly evaded the lumbering golem. The Vassal attempted to counter but his dagger proved ineffective against the clay skin of the golem.
“This form was not the best against the golem,” Ranin noted.
“I am not sure he is able to choose his forms,” Namic stated.
“Fascinating!” Ranin exclaimed. “That could be interesting.”
“Or dangerous,” Namic countered.
Neither Sworder nor the golem could gain any advantage in their fight.
“Enough of this,” the officer said. “Attack the girl.”
“Now that’s just a poor sport,” Ranin said, but Namic ignored him.
The golem started lumbering towards the two riders on the carriage.
“Um, uh. Sworder!” the girl said, alarmed, as she realized what was happening.
The Vassal hefted his dagger and threw it. The dagger sunk into the back of the Clay Golem sinking hilt deep, but the golem did not pause his advance. The Vassal of Lighting took four powerful bounds, catching up to the golem. He leapt onto the back of the Clay Golem, and grabbed the dagger out of its back.
The Vassal twisted the dagger and struck at the golem’s neck. Lighting crackled around his hand as he sliced through the air in a blur, decapitating the golem. The body fell to the ground and a cloud of dust erupted from him. The Vassal of Lighting leapt clear, landing a few feet away. When the dust settled the golem had disappeared.
The Vassal stood up, standing between the constable and the wagon. “Leave now,” the Vassal said.
The constable, defeated, turned his horse and rode past the wagon back towards town. The Vassal watched him until he was past the next bend and then the Vassal calmly walked beside the wagon.
The Vassal of Lighting wordlessly jumped onto the wagon then swung down inside of it, calling out after disappearing inside, “I’m ready if you are. Let us go.”
“I think thanks are in order first,” Uncle Ben said, turning in his seat.
“You are correct,” the Kazan said. Moving out from inside the wagon, he grabbed the girl’s hand and continued, “Thank you for trusting me, trusting my judgment, trusting my ability. Thank you.”
“Well that’s not exactly what I meant,” Uncle Ben said.
“It was the least I could do,” the girl said. Then the girl hugged the Kazan, “You’ve saved my life in so many ways. How could I ever thank you?”
The Vassal tensed up to the hug, “It is my duty to protect you. I need no thanks. I am here to serve.”
The girl pulled away and looked him in the eye. “Thank you all the same,” she said.
“Thank you indeed and a good show you made of it,” the old man said. “Those forms of yours are quite powerful.”
“Very powerful,” the girl said, then cocking her head to one side continued. “Though, I do prefer Sworder.”
The Vassal of Lighting nodded and a flash of light emitted from his form so bright the girl had to shield her eyes. When the light vanished Sworder stood next to the girl.
“Shall we go on?” Sworder asked.
“We shall,” Uncle Ben said stirring the horse.
Ranin and Namic watched as the group slowly made their way down the road.
“So it ends,” Namic said. “At least for now.”
“There are still many loose ends,” Ranin noted.
“Indeed,” Namic agreed. “But it may take some time before they circle upon them.”
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