Part 22
Dance in Darkness
The day went and the sun rose again. The girl went out to the city and explored with Sworder. Ranin watched as the two moved through the streets. Namic spared cursory glances but the day progressed and the next day the ship set sail with the wind blowing with them.
As usual, Tempest never left his room, nor was there need to. Then one day, “Land Ho!” was sounded throughout the ship. The deck hands began hastily running about the deck as they prepared for docking. From the bow of the ship could be seen a rundown city which lined the coast. Most of the old wooden single story buildings stood drearily against the gray sky.
“Lowcala,” the Captain said beside the girl. “Not the largest port in Calta and a little backwater compared to most.”
“Why do you come here then,” the girl asked.
“They supply me with furs,” the Captain said. “And the taverns and trappers buy my provisions to help them through the winter.”
As they drew closer to the city, it became easier to pick out the details. The dirt roads were rough and unkempt; small ditches lined nearly all the buildings while a small mote surrounded the entire encampment. The people moving about the city were large stocky men, bundled in hefty fur coats. They moved slowly through the streets, alone and isolated, seeming to avoid all contact with each other. Several other ships, of varying builds, were also docked in the port. Most of them appeared very different in make than Captain Selgaro’s ship.
“I understand,” the Captain began, “That you are fleeing something. And no place is as good for disappearing as Calta. However, make sure you do not disappear by another’s hand. My crew put much effort into bringing you here and I would hate it to go to waste.”
The ship docked and the party began their preparations. The girl spoke with some of the sailors as her Uncle and the Captain conversed about the inhabitants and terrain of Calta.
“I would not stay here longer than necessary,” the Captain said. “As you get to know them, the people of Calta are simplistic folk though at times blunt. The real problem is the law, or lack of one, that is. I recommend you travel inland as you may find more hospitable places. Just be careful when in the wild. There are few roads and it is easy to lose your way and many have been lost to an early winter storm.”
“Thank you,” Uncle Ben said. “Do you know anyone we could ask for help?”
“I may be able to call in a small favor,” the Captain said. “Though the most I probably can do is to introduce you.”
“We are in your debt,” Uncle Ben said.
“Uncle,” the girl said stepping forward. “While you are waiting can I go onto town to buy some supplies?”
“That might be a good idea,” Uncle Ben said. “The Winters are harsh here, so we will need extra layers. Take Sworder with you and be careful.”
“I wouldn’t leave her side,” the Vassal of Earth said.
“Good,” Uncle Ben said. “And don’t stay out too long.”
The girl ran down the dock and towards the houses.
“Slow down,” the Vassal said.
“Yes, Sworder.”
“A little lively?” Ranin said, as they watched her pull the Vassal along behind her.
“Will she ever learn,” Namic said.
“I guess it was bound to happen,” Ranin said.
“What about you Sworder?” the girl asked. “Do you want a coat?”
“I am a Kazan, I have no need for a coat,” the Vassal said.
“What if you get cold?” the girl said.
“It would not bother me,” the Vassal said. “Neither hot nor cold bothers me.”
“Oh… If that’s the case, does this look good on me?” the girl asked, as she held up a small fur coat from one of the many stands that lined the streets.
The girl and Sworder browsed the various stands looking for extra cloths and other basic provisions and supplies that they were running short on. As the two walked through some of the busier streets, they noticed how many of the inhabitants would keep themselves spaced out amongst each other.
Suddenly a chain whipped out from within an alley and a manacle latched around the girl’s hand, pulling her in.
“No!” The Vassal of Earth cried as he leapt after her, swinging his axe onto the chain, which splintered apart. The Manacle on the girls arm released and fell to the ground with a thud.
“Chains don’t normally function like that,” Ranin said.
“Indeed,” Namic said.
“Well, look at what I have caught,” a figure said, standing at the entrance of the ally, blocking the two from the main road.
“Who are you?” the girl asked backing away as the Vassal placed himself between her and the newcomer.
“Well, you see, I am just a collector,” the figure said, “I collect people, and you, my dear, looked like a fine addition to my collection.”
“What?” the girl said, aghast.
“I have seen you around town and can see you have tamed quite an interesting Shadow Warrior. Now don’t be shy,” the Collector said as four chains sprouted from beneath his cloak.
“That can’t be good,” Ranin said.
Two chains twisted in the air and struck at the Vassal, but he smashed one to the side as he leapt past the other. He swung his axe over his head bringing it down in a head splitting blow. However, the remaining chains, which had sat idle, sprung to life blocking the Vassal’s attack. The first two chains circled around him before he could recover from his own attack.
“Sworder!” the girl said, stepping forward.
“Catch,” the Vassal said, throwing his Axe. He then grabbed the nearest chain, pulling himself clear of the other chains’ trajectory.
The axe soared through the air and landed in the girls outstretched hands, but the force threw her to the ground. Pulling herself up, she hefted the heavy axe.
The Vassal escaped the web of chains and reached his hand out to the girl. She, without hesitation, threw the axe with all her might and it flew into his hand. Dodging the next chain, the Vassal hacked down, severing it. The severed chain retreated back into the Collector’s coat as the others pressed forward, forcing the Vassal back. Retreating, he moved further and further away from the Collector. As the chain stretched further, their movements became less fluid.
“It’s as if he is having a hard time controlling them,” Ranin said. “So as long as he keeps his distance these chains can’t touch him.”
“It is not that simple,” Namic said.
One of the three remaining chains retreated, before springing forward in a straight line towards the Vassal. He attempted to dodge the attack but something caught his leg. A new, fourth chain, had caught his ankle, extending from the darker shadows of the walls.
“Where did that come from?” Ranin said.
“It seems this Kazan has considerable strength in dark places. They may find fighting in shadows to be their real disadvantage,” Namic said.
The Vassal smashed the manacle around his ankle apart and the chain slid back into the darkness it stretched from. However, he had no time to evade the first chain which struck him in the arm wrenching the axe from his grasp. It fell to the ground with a clatter, sliding across the ground, as the chains attempted to ensnare the Vassal. He grimaced as a manacle latched itself to his forearm. With few options, he grabbed the chain and pulled himself towards the collector, avoiding the other two chains attacking him.
“Sworder,” the girl said running forward, grabbing the fallen axe.
“What does she plan to do,” Ranin said.
“It is risky,” Namic said.
The girl ran through the chains and leapt at the Vassal. “Sworder!” The Vassal twisted in the air, his arms outstretched. The two collided and the Vassal of Earth took the Axe from her hand and looped his other arm around her. He lifted the axe and it began to shine like the setting sun. It came down with a loud crash, slamming into the ground and sending debris flying. The chains were sent scattering and the one bound to his arm shattered from the sudden expulsion of energy. Leaping clear with the girl firmly in his grasp, the Vassal took a defensive stance.
The chains, however, slowly returned to the collector’s coat disappearing within. “You are strong together,” the collector said, “I will have to separate you, yet I doubt I can do that now. However…”
A light burst from beneath his cloak and as soon as it died two chains shot from the darkness to one side of the Vassal. Turning to keep himself between the girl and the approaching chains, the Vassal deflected the attacks with a powerful swing of his axe.
Three more chains sprung from beneath the collector’s cloak, but Vassal bounded back, putting more distance between him and the collector. Darkness began to spread in the dimly lit alley. Chains clinked, echoing faintly, as two more chains came from the far behind the Vassal.
“Sworder, behind us!” the girl cried.
The Vassal caught both with his axe as he continued, twisting and dodging the other five chains.
“He has more chains then before,” Ranin said.
“It seems he staged, allowing his Shadow Warrior to manipulate more of these chains,” Namic said.
As he dodged, something locked onto the Vassal’s foot. A chain, which stemmed from a single dark spot on the ground, had manacled his foot. Falling to the ground the Vassal used his axe to smash the chain before rolling away.
“He can only run for so long,” Namic said.
“But he has no opportunities,” Ranin said. The girl’s grip tightened, as the Vassal rolled and she closed her eyes. Bounding to his feet, the Vassal dragged the girl up with him. “This can’t be good,” Ranin continued.
Seven chains encircled the Vassal and the girl. He attempted to clear the blockade but the chains reacted instantly, springing at him.
The girl opened her eyes to come face to face with the Vassal’s eyes. “You need to run,” he said before pushing her away.
The two separated as the chains came between them. “Sworder!” the girl cried, stretching her hand out towards him.
She hit the ground and started running, but a single chain cut off her escape, while the Vassal fought off six but he had reached a stalemate.
“There’s a chain missing,” Ranin said, “There were eight before.”
“It is right there,” Namic said.
Suddenly, a chain sprung from beneath the girl catching her by the arm and pinning her to the wall.
“Now it is only a matter of time,” the collector said. “My chains have a numbing effect. True, one may not do much but slowly you will fall, and when I attach five or six only those with great will can resist. You’ll join my collection shortly. No worries, you will be taken good care of.”
“No,” the Vassal said, “You can not have her.”
The chains struck at him, but his form seemed to fade and in his place stood Sworder. Darkness began to surround him as he began to stage.
“No! Sworder stop,” the girl cried, “You mustn’t go there. I said I never wanted to see that form.”
Both the Darkness and Light around him faded and Sworder stood there motionless. Six chains struck him as one and he was slammed against the wall pinned unable to move.
“Sworder,” the girl said. “I know you can win without that form. I know you’re strong enough. So please, continue fighting for me, stage again. I said stage!”
Sworder’s head snapped up as the girl screamed her last command. Light burst from him far brighter then before. It dimmed but did not fade as a white cloaked figure dropped to the ground.
“How?” the collector said.
“I am the Vassal of Light,” the figure said, “One can not bind light nor can you bind me.”
The chains broke from the Wall and one struck him. The Vassal of Light drew his slender long sword; jamming it into the links and twisting, he shattered the chain.
“What?” the collector said.
“It seems your Kazan’s powers are based on Darkness,” the Vassal said. As he lifted his sword. “Shine!”
The sword began to glow at the word and the whole alley was bathed in a bright light. The chains began moving sluggishly and the Vassal ran quickly through them. Closing the gap, the Vassal charged the collector who produced a dagger, but The Vassal slid by his defenses and impaled the collector with his sword.
“I shall shatter your warrior’s powers,” the Vassal said.
“As a wielder of light, he is attempting to break the power of a Shadow Warrior,” Namic said.
“Well most Shadows disappear if a bright enough light is cast on them,” Ranin said.
“Indeed.”
The Vassal’s sword began to glow and hum, as he spoke. “Begone!”
The chains crumbled and the girl dropped to the ground. The Vassal, slowly, removed his sword and the collector collapsed. Sheathing his blade, the Vassal of Light turned back to the girl his arm held out and a faint smile still lingering on his face. The girl ran to him and threw herself into his arms.
“I knew you could do it,” the girl said. “Thank you.”
“All as I was ordered,” the Vassal said.
“He’s still alive, right?” the girl asked looking at the unconscious man.
The blow I dealt should not have been a fatal one.”
“What should we do?”
“I have shattered his Kazan’s power but as I can not break their bond it will eventually return,” the Vassal of Light explained. “I will see what I can find. Stay here.”
He handed her his sheathed sword and took off. Silently, she watched him before he disappeared beyond the alley. She readjusted her hair and leaned against the wall letting out a sigh. “Did that count as my first Dance?” the girl muttered, her face flush.
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