A Dragon's Tale Ch. 07

"You have presented no evidence, therefore this court's decision stands." Supreme Magistrate Haglath said. "You are hereby sentenced to death by beheading. Sentence to be carried out at sundown."

Supreme Magistrate Haglath raised his gavel and swung it down at the bench.

But it never hit.

It stopped mere inches from the desk like it had hit something solid.

"One moment please." A voice called from among the old men on the benches. The voice sounded ancient, like the one speaking was barely healthy enough to get the words out.

"Elder Goman." Supreme Magistrate Haglath said, and his face showed his displeasure. "You have something to add?"

"Yes." Elder Goman said. "Let me just get to my feet. Please help me my dear."

An incredibly beautiful woman -- who couldn't have been older than twenty -- rushed next to a frail-looking old man. His hair was thin and grew in patchy white wisps. His beard was long and looked to have bits of food in it left over from breakfast -- or possibly longer ago. His face looked like it had seen a thousand years pass. His eyelid drooped and his hand shook on the well-worn cane he was holding.

It took almost ten seconds for the woman to help him to stand up. When he did stand, he leaned on his cane and the desk for support. He looked like he was on death's door and would keel over dead at any moment.

"Members of the court." Elder Goman said, and his voice made him sound even older. "I have stood up here today to talk to you about... About..."

Elder Goman raised his hand as if to emphasize a point, but then dropped it.

"What was I saying?" He 'whispered' to the woman who was helping him. However, he clearly didn't know how loud he was because the whole chamber probably heard him. The woman whispered back, then Elder Goman seemed to remember.

"Oh yes." He said. "This dragon and these two exceptionally lovely ladies are... are..." He looked unfocused for a moment, then continued. "Oh right, they are accused of murder. But murder is a serious crime. A serious crime murder... yes. Serious."

Elder Goman swayed on his feet for a moment and his eyelids drooped along with his head. The woman gave him a gentle nudge on the side and he perked back up.

"Right, and the people want justice." Elder Goman said. "But justice isn't justice unless it is... Is Just. Right... Justice must be just. Therefore, I propose we make it just. "

"They killed a woman so we return the favor." Supreme Magistrate Haglath said through gritted teeth. "That sounds like justice to me."

"Yup, correct it is." Elder Goman replied halfway through a yawn. "But, they want to prove their innocence, so let's give them a chance shall we? Yes, chances are good."

"Trial by combat." Rachel said under her breath. Her father had banned the practice in his domain decades ago which is why she hadn't thought of it. But here in Arcanum it was still legal...

"I'm afraid the council has already made its decision Elder Goman, but thank you for your input as always." Supreme Magistrate Haglath said, though he was so insincere a five-year-old wouldn't have believed him. The Magistrate raised his gavel again to pronounce the sentence, and Rachel figured it was now or never.

"I demand trial by combat." Rachel said loudly just as the Supreme Magistrate was about to swing the gavel down.

The look on his face was pure murder.

* * *

Beth followed Gabriella through the streets of Arcanum, marveling at how strange it was that everyone and everything that touched her simply passed right through. Occasionally, someone would look like they'd felt something, but invariably they would shrug and return to what they were doing.

"Where are we?" Beth finally asked looking around at the purple world around them. The bright, white-robed woman she followed was the only thing that wasn't some shade of purple.

"Arcanum of course."

"I know that, but this is... is this the astral plane?"

Gabriella stopped and turned to face her. "That's a complicated question to answer."

"We appear to have plenty of time."

"Appearances can be deceiving." The luminous woman replied. Then she cocked her head to one side as if listening to something before speaking again. "Would you say that water is wet?"

"Of course."

"But that doesn't tell the whole story does it? For water can also be solid if it freezes and vapor if it boils. Likewise, calling this place the astral plane is not wrong, but also doesn't tell the whole story."

"Then what is the whole story?"

Gabriella resumed walking. "What do you think this place is?"

Beth looked around as she fell in step behind her, trying to remember everything she'd read on astral projection. Unfortunately, that wasn't much because it was such a rare skill. Everyone seemed to agree the astral plane was a place where the mind could go, but few knew anything beyond that.

"Isn't this where the mind can travel free from the body?"

"Can you use magic here?"

Beth frowned, and tried to move her mana around. It worked, though it felt strange, like it was both easier and harder at once.

"I guess I couldn't use magic if only my mind were here." She reasoned. "But if I don't have a body, then the only thing left is... spirit?"

Gabriella beamed and clapped her hands together a few times in mild applause. "Well done young one. This 'astral plane' as you call it is merely a place where mortals may dip their toes into the shallowest level of the spirit realm."

"So, am I dead then?"

"That very much depends on how you define death doesn't it?"

"So, I'm not dead?"

"What is death?" The luminous woman asked.

"It's when your spirit leaves your body, right?"

"Did Ethan die when he walked the astral plane many nights ago?"

Beth frowned. "I don't think so, but his spirit definitely left his body."

"Then perhaps you need to rethink your definition of death. Come, through here." Gabriella led Beth through the reinforced door to the lower levels of a small keep. It was well guarded by dozens of Arcanum guards and defended by both archers and many ballistae.

Walking through the door was interesting. Beth briefly wondered if she could stop mid-way through the door and examine the wood from the inside. However, Gabriella seemed to be in a hurry, so instead she made a mental note to try that later.

The luminous woman led her through a winding, twisting series of passages adorned with prison cell doors. They walked for some time before she led Beth through one door that was a little larger than the others. On the other side was Ethan, strapped to a small hand cart and muzzled. But that's not what caught her eye.

There was something around Ethan's head.

It was dark and shadowy and its color -- or lack thereof -- was like the tendril that recently held her. It looked like the blackest night and was utterly devoid of light.

It was some kind of cloud, or perhaps a dark halo, that sat just above his head. Little wisps of the halo had reached down and latched onto Ethan's head, like some dark plant or creeping vine digging roots into solid rock. Despite this, it appeared they had difficulty gaining full purchase against the dragon's head, like he was fighting them. Every so often, a pulse of darkness traveled down the wispy vines, strengthening and thickening them.

There was something truly evil about it; just looking at it made her shiver in disgust and revulsion.

"What is that?"

"The results of Lord Delmar's 'gift' to the happy couple." Gabriella said with a cold fury that was startling. The light around her shone just a little brighter and in a more menacing way. Beth would've been absolutely terrified if that wrath was directed at her. Then Gabriella turned toward Beth and the menacing aura faded instantly, replaced with the same comforting warmth and light as before.

"Was the gold cube enchanted?" Beth asked. "I thought you couldn't enchant metals."

"And what makes you think the cube was solid gold?"

It occurred to Beth that pouring some gold around a bit of wood, bone, or dragon steel wouldn't be hard.

Gabriella indicated the dark halo. "This is what my Lord wishes you to take care of."

"Me? What can I do?"

"You can remove Saidow's influence from your husband."

Beth felt her jaw drop. What could Saidow -- the chief of the fallen angels -- want with Ethan?

"That is not for you to know... yet." Gabriella replied to her unasked question. "My lord merely wishes you to remove the enchantment."

"How?"

The luminous woman smiled gently and put a comforting hand on Beth's shoulder. "I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because my Lord wishes you to figure this out for yourself." Gabriella then sat down on the floor and closed her eyes as if meditating.

"I... I don't... How?" Beth fumbled for the right words to say. How in Illuminar's name was she supposed to remove that shadowy halo from Ethan? She didn't have the first clue about fighting enchantments or spells. She had a lot of book learning, but they didn't describe how to do anything. She certainly didn't have experience fighting Saidow's minions.

"Can you help at least?" Beth finally asked.

"No, I'm afraid my Lord has entrusted this task to you, and you alone."

"Can you offer advice?"

"I'm sorry, my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions."

Beth frowned. "What's the right question?"

"That my dear, is the right question."

* * *

Ethan struggled to his feet for the first time in almost two days. He heard the door behind him slam shut because the guard who released the straps hadn't stuck around to see what happened next.

Ethan stretched all of his limbs to their utmost to work the kinks out after his long confinement. As he stretched, he noticed something very peculiar. His groin felt a little different. A quick peek showed he was back down to three testicles. The fourth one seemed to have disappeared since Beth died.

He felt his heart sink at that, but for some reason...

He shook his head.

It just didn'tfeel like she was gone. Maybe she was, but...

*Are you ready for this?* Alana's voice rang out in his head. It was dripping with worry.

*As ready as I'll ever be.* Ethan replied then put the missing testicle out of his mind. He had more pressing concerns right now, like preventing his imminent and gruesome death.

The room he occupied was only about ten feet square. Behind him was a locked and barred door; in front of him was a large portcullis. Beyond the portcullis, he could hear thousands of people all talking at once.

Looking through the gaps in the portcullis, he could see an enormous arena. It had to be at least three hundred feet in diameter. The look reminded him greatly of the Roman Coliseum, even down to the arches spread around the outside. There were tens of thousands of people in the stands. Ethan wasn't sure how many, but he guessed at least fifty thousand. Not all of them were human either. Ethan saw elves, orcs, and even a few creatures that looked suspiciously like trolls.

*Please be careful,* Alana said in his head again.

*I will be.*

The sound of gears rotating and ropes straining heralded the portcullis cranking into the ceiling. Once it had fully raised, Ethan stepped through the archway into the light.

"And fresh from a brutal murder in our streets, comes a terrifying dragon!" The arena announcer said, and his magically magnified voice boomed over the vast sea of people. "Will our champion's blade prove this dragon murdered an innocent girl? Or, will the great God Illuminar favor the dragon and give him victory to prove his innocence?"

Directly across the arena, another portcullis cranked upwards and a man walked out. He was clad in chainmail from head to toe and wore a steel helmet. He carried a longsword in one hand and a very large kite shield in the other.

"And now, give it up for your champion!" The announcer boomed and the crowd erupted into wild applause.

*The rules are simple!" The announcer bellowed. "Anything goes. May the best fighter win!"

The champion raised his sword to the crowd and they cheered even louder. Ethan couldn't help but notice the champion had both weapons and armor but he had neither.

*Are they going to give me a weapon?* Ethan asked Alana.

*Probably not.* Alana replied. *But fortunately, a smart wood elf thought this might happen and gave you two weapons for just such an occasion.*

Ethan called his spear and hammer to his hands, but he could tell they were quite far away. This would take some time.

*Suggestions?* Ethan asked.

*Don't die.* Alana replied.

*I don't plan on it.* Ethan said. He could feel the confidence she was trying to project, but their bond was filled with worry.

The champion finished playing to the crowd, raised his shield, and started toward Ethan. From Ethan's perspective, the champion might as well have been an armored tank. The shield covered everything but the champion's feet -- which had armored boots -- and his head, which was protected by a steel helmet.

*Maybe I could just fly away?* Ethan suggested.

*I wouldn't try.* Alana replied. *They have archers all around the arena. I bet you can fly low. But they would probably object if you try to leave.*

*I don't fancy being a pincushion today.*

The champion was getting closer. He had closed half the distance to Ethan and he still didn't have a plan. His weapons were still a long way from arriving and a heavily armed juggernaut was approaching fast.

Ethan looked around the arena looking for anything that he could use as a weapon. There wasn't much. The champion had closed to twenty yards before Ethan spied a something that might work. It was a pole about six feet long that looked like it had come from a spear. It didn't have a head -- and worse it was behind the champion -- but it was better than nothing.

He didn't think he could get around the champion but -- with the help of his wings -- he might just get over him. Ethan dropped to all fours and cautiously advanced toward the champion.

"Fine day for a walk isn't it?" Ethan said. The moment Ethan's mouth opened, the champion flinched and tucked tight behind his shield.

He didn't respond.

"It seems a shame to ruin such a fine day with a fight doesn't it?" Ethan said again.

He didn't really think there was much hope of a peaceful solution, but he didn't see the harm in trying. The champion still didn't respond and continued advancing. He was only a few yards away now, close enough to be dangerous with just a few steps.

Then the champion attacked.

He charged forward leading with his shield. Ethan only had time to take a single step backwards when the champion's sword flashed out from behind the shield. Ethan dodged the blow by jumping rearward, then he pushed off with all four legs to make a flying leap into the air. The leap carried him almost ten feet into the air, and a single flap of his great wings carried him a dozen yards behind the champion. Ethan landed, grabbed the broken spear shaft from the ground, and turned to face his attacker.

The crowd went wild.

"Amazing!" The announcer's voice boomed. "Our cunning dragon evades our valiant champion and his just deserts to acquire a weapon. But will a simple stick be a match for an elven steel blade?"

"Biased much?" Ethan rolled his eyes.

The champion whipped around, hid behind his shield again, and began jogging toward Ethan.

*Be careful,* Alana said telepathically. *The elves figured out how to mix some organic components into steel so it could be enchanted. It's likely only enchanted to be self-repairing, but he might have a trick up his sleeve.*

*Thanks for the warning,* Ethan said. *Like this could get any more one-sided.*

*You'll be fine, just hang on until your weapons arrive.* Alana said telepathically. *That'll go a long way toward evening the odds.*

*I'm trying.*

His weapons were still at least two minutes out.

As soon as the champion was within range, Ethan aimed a thrust with his spear shaft. The champion deflected it with his shield and aimed a thrust at Ethan's heart. Ethan narrowly avoided the thrust, but the champion pressed the blade against his scales as he drew the sword back. The blade cut through Ethan's scales and left a shallow cut on his side.

"First blood to our noble champion!" The announcer boomed and the crowd exploded in thunderous applause.

Ethan took a few steps back as the champion prepared to engage again. Ethan started to make quick, fast thrusts directly to the shield to throw the champion off. After the first couple hit the shield, the champion aimed a strong cut, but not at Ethan. The champion's sword bit into Ethan's spear shaft and hewed a good-sized chunk of wood out of the front.

*Careful, he's trying to destroy your weapon,* Alana said.

*I can see that.* Ethan took another step back and pulled his spear out of danger.

His weapons were only a minute away.

The champion attacked again, and this time it was obvious he was going for Ethan's spear shaft. Ethan pulled the spear shaft out of harm's way, but he soon realized he'd made a terrible mistake. By moving the spear, the champion's line of attack was now open.

The champion charged forward and aimed a strong cut at Ethan's neck. Ethan jumped backwards to avoid it and was mostly successful. He could feel the blade nick one of the scales on his neck. A mere inch deeper and the fight would've been over.

The champion pressed his advantage and aimed another cut at Ethan. This time, Ethan brought the spear shaft up to block the sword. The sword took another large chunk out of Ethan's spear shaft. The spear shaft couldn't take another hit.

His weapons were still thirty seconds away.

Ethan leapt backwards again to get out of range, but the champion was relentless. He closed the distance again and began slicing with his sword. Ethan blocked an attack, but half of his spear shaft went flying as the blade finally cut all the way through. With only three feet of stick to defend himself, Ethan did the only thing he could think of.

He jumped over the champion again. However, the champion was clearly anticipating it. When Ethan's wings hit the down stroke, a jet of pain shot through Ethan's right wing.

He howled in agony.

He managed to land on his feet, but his wing felt like it was on fire. A quick glance showed that the champion had cut through the membrane and essentially rendered his right wing useless. Ethan tucked it into his back and tried to ignore the searing pain.

The weapons were only ten seconds away.

The champion was almost on top of Ethan. Ethan changed tactics and tried to use the three-foot stick like a sword. It worked for a few seconds, but only because he retreated constantly. Ethan took a flying leap backwards to avoid the champion, but it wasn't enough. The champion was on him like white on rice. He didn't have room to maneuver and the champion's blade finally sliced through the last bit of the spear shaft.

His weapons were still several precious seconds away.

Ethan had no weapons, no defenses, and no place to run. He could only think of one thing that could buy him a few seconds. One thing that could possibly save him. A Roar. Ethan opened his mouth wide to release one, but it wasn't necessary. The moment Ethan opened his mouth, the champion stopped mid-attack and ducked back behind his shield.

*He's afraid you'll breathe fire,* Alana said telepathically, but Ethan barely heard her.

Those precious moments were all he needed. His hammer and spear soared through the air and finally landed in his hands. Ethan took a deep breath and a low growl escaped his throat.

It was time to turn the tables.

Ethan threw his hammer directly at the champion's shield. It obviously bounced off, but the champion was entirely hidden behind his shield and couldn't see what hit the shield. However, he obviously assumed that Ethan had hit his shield with fist or foot because he came out swinging with his sword. Instead, the champion discovered a razor-sharp spear point headed directly for his heart.