The rays of sun shone on the metal blade, while Reginald passed a sharpening stone over his sword’s edge. He looked up to see the grass on the green hills dancing with the mountain’s wind. Columns of trees stud strong next to the river’s bank, and hummingbirds got so close he could hear their winds as they passed by.
A new day was about to start, but Reginald was the only one awake, sitting on the trunk of a fallen tree, waiting for the camp to get ready to continue the journey. A short distance away from him were the rest of King Frederick’s man. However, no one expected what was about to happen.
They were traveling south, on their way to the lands of Chaleine—the witch in charge of the land. Frederick needed to renegotiate the terms of their contract, the days were getting closer for the pact between them to end.
Reginald paused, placing a hand on the ground. What’s going on? he asked himself, sheathing his sword and running towards the camp. The King is in danger. It didn’t take long for him to see that the camp was surrounded by a rock wall. What’s that?
The tents collapsed with the moving land. Then, brown limbs came out of the ground and grabbed everyone within the camp, immobilizing them.
Reginald noticed a woman surrounded by crystal creatures, it had to be the sorceress behind the spell—she moved her arms while blue lighting bolts came out of her hands. Reginald caught a glimpse of the men in his camp trapped with their head out of columns of stone.
Shasera sensed the arrival of the knight. I was waiting for you, she thought, turning to face him.
Reginald drew his sword, and took the book that hung by a chain on his waist.
“No, you won’t,” Shasera said, and arms of earth shot out of the ground around Reginald. He jumped to avoid them but one reached his book.
Damn witch, Reginald thought, noticing that the book was covered by rock. We’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way, he thought and started running toward the sorceress.
Shasera turned to make sure everyone was pinned inside rocks, then focused her attention back on the knight.
Reginald saw the sorceress raise his hands and her crystal guardians stepped in front of her.
“Who you are?” he asked, as soon as he was close to her.
“Let me take your King and I will allow you to live,” Shasera said.
Reginald accepted the challenge and attacked.
One of the crystal creatures blocked the attack with its arm, the sword did not even leave a scratch. “If that’s what you want,” Shasera said, and the other creatures charged forward.
Reginald had to step back to evade the attacks. Holding his sword with both hands, his gaze focused on the creatures next move—the knight fought for his life.
The creatures looked like wild beasts attacking. Throwing themself at the knight—nearly striking him.
What are they made of? Reginald wondered, as he smashed his sword against one of the crystal creatures, and noticed nothing happened to them. I need to find a way to stop them.
However, Shasera smiled as the knight continued to back away. “I don’t have time for this,” she thought and raised her hands. The creatures united, transforming into a crystal disc that flew towards the sorceress, and stopped next to her. She raised a hand, looking back at Reginald.
Reginald watched the sorceress climb onto the disk and leave. “Wait…” he said, running uselessly towards her. Looking at the rock, that held the king immobilized, rising up and floating next to her.
Shasera turned to see the knight fall to his knees. We will see each other again, Reginald.
Very interesting story, drew us in quickly as the tension mounted and then boom, one surprise after another. Great Sci-Fri piece. Really enjoyed it, thank you. Joni