Tegus: and the Shards of Solaster
Chapter 21: Rescue

Chapter 21: Rescue

The remaining guards came at her; she swung her mighty weapon with such ease it gave the guards little time to react, knocking four down with one swing then deflecting two blows and dodging another. She planted her sword into the ground and used her own body as the weapon, swinging around the sword, dodging another attempt, and cleanly kicking a guard in the jaw with her plated boot, she heard the bone snap as the not-so-small attacker was propelled back by the force. As her body carried on propelling forward she pulled the sword with her and sliced the arm from another. She then landed on her feet and moved the blade so smoothly that the next three guards who charged didn’t have chance to defend the blows. Another three, still fearing Frujak more than her, attacked with halberds, trying to keep their distance, they surrounded her and experimented by poking at her with the long weapons. She merely turned their weapons onto the other guards by deflecting them and hooking the blades with her sword and sending them into the other guards stood there. Eight remained and seeing what had happened to the other guards nearby had wielded large shields that protected most of their bodies, they hid behind them with their eyes peering through the gaps at the top. They were all around her. She waited patiently, and they stepped closer bit by bit until she swung her sword around in one full spin around her body and then planted it into the floor, the tops of the shields and heads of the guards dropped to the floor in order that she had sliced them, followed by the bodies. She looked up the temple stairs covered in blood and breathing heavily with rage bellowing inside and at that moment Frujak shouted, “EXECUTE HIM NOW.” She went to rush the stairs knowing she would be too late but had to try.

At that moment, the executioner flew from the top of the building as he was propelled by white energy, “Tegus!” Muella exclaimed. Tegus was at the top of the tower fighting the guards to save Razahir.

The guards now came at Tegus as he stood there, wings gone, he just waved his hands toward them and they were blown backward and knocked out. One guard Tegus had knocked down was not unconscious and slowly crept on Tegus; Tegus did not expect anyone behind with a dagger drawn. The guard plunged his dagger forward but was met by a speedy head-butt from a bound Razahir, “Damn that hurt” Razahir said as the guard landed on the floor with a bloody broken nose, Razahir’s hands still bound. Tegus smiled, “Glad you’re ok.”

“Easy for you to say, you didn’t just head-butt a guy, not my most graceful assault.” Razahir hinted at the binding on his wrists. Tegus shrugged and continued to fight the guards who had appeared from inside the temple, “I thought you were Razahir the great thief who could break out of anything?” He joked with him as he continued to hold back the onslaught. “I am. Nothing wrong with asking for help to make things easier when it’s available, but to prove a point…” He jumped to his feet and began to swiftly dodge and fight a guard who had come to attack him; he saw the guard swing downward and spun around, his binding cut instantly. “See done,” He gestured with his arms towards Tegus and then elbowed the guard in the face breaking this one’s nose also. “I don’t know if that counts,” Tegus tried winding him up. “It counts. I’m out. Thanks for coming for me, by the way, but now. What’s the next part of the plan?? Razahir in spite of knew there were too many guards to outlast them, even with their shards; the number of Skiv’ary guards was just so great.

Muella joined them now grabbing a guard who swung at her as she reached the top and throwing him off the temple to a certain end. They backed up to each other, “fly Tegus, Stop Vakaroth,” Razahir told him to go, “I appreciate your loyalty and trying to save me but more is at stake if you do not end him. No one has ever been so kind to me before Tegus, I am happy knowing you were a true friend.”

“Shut up, I’m staying,” Tegus told him.

“Tegus, I need you to propel me over those guards. I’m going to try to end Frujak” Muella whispered to him. He obeyed, and she was launched forward over the guards and came crashing down with a mighty swing of her sword.

“Nice try.” Frujak said as he deflected her attack, her sword flew off, and she landed at the top of the tower looking down the stairs at her people, “I may be the leader, but I can fight.”

“Then fight me and fall in front of these people, and we will see how much of a leader you really are.” Muella challenged him.

“Why bother when I can kill you where you lie and these weak people will fear me even more afterwards and do as I command?” he laughed and then swung his short blade at her head, intent to kill her.

She shut her eyes expecting to undergo the sting if the blade she had felt so many times in training, she waited for it, but it never came. She opened her eyes to see the ghost-like Dovarak stood next to her and Frujak holding Frujak’s arm.

“WEAK PEOPLE? THESE ARE MY PEOPLE!” The spirit went into a rage and threw the tyrant by the arm down the stairs. Frujak lay there half-way down the stairs until in view of the crowd, stunned by what he had seen. Every guard stopped fighting. Dovarak began to walk down the stairs as everyone moved aside, with each step, he magically gained another piece of his armour then finally on the two steps before Frujak, his axes appeared one in each hand. “Frujak you have failed your race. You have failed my people and have made the Skiv’ary lose their way.” Dovarak spoke clearly to the groveling leader.

“Teach me Lord, teach me how” Frujak pleaded trying to play the victim.

“I will teach you what it means to cross me!” Dovarak growled as he swung both axes down upon Frujak’s already broken body.

Dovarak then released his ghostly weapons and abandoned them in Frujak’s body, and they faded into the breeze leaving behind Frujak’s lifeless body. He continued his walk down the stairs to meet his people. The guards who had survived or managed to avoid combat had released their weapons and bowed with the rest of the Skiv’ary. Muella stood up and looked down. She was joined by Tegus and Razahir. Dovarak gestured to all the people to stand. Everyone obeyed and listened intently. “You have lost your way. Frujak was an illness in this once beautiful kingdom, all I ever wanted was for your race to flourish and survive, love one another but be able to defend yourselves. Frujak changed it. He is gone and now you must look to the future and become the honourable Skiv’ary. I know you are.” Dovarak addressed his people.

“How? We have no leader?” A Voice came from the crowd with a few agreements.

“Yes you do.” He pointed at Muella and nodded at her. She was speechless.

“Listen to her and trust in her. She may not have been raised as a leader but neither was I. She has a good strong heart filled with love for her people.” Dovarak told the crowd.

Muella walked down the stairs slowly followed by Tegus and Razahir. As she descended she heard the crowd cheering, and it became louder as she reached the bottom. The crowd cheered and watched as Dovarak knelt before her, the Skiv’ary followed and bent a knee. “Lead them true, Muella, Leader of the Skiv’ary” Dovarak said. Muella blushed and asked them to stand up, “You do not bow to me. We are equal” she said as they then returned to their feet. Dovarak smiled at her.

“I am glad this is sorted out. I can rest easy again now.” Dovarak said contently. “Before I go, I must warn you. Vakaroth has made it to a demon and made a deal. He has not only received power but an army of demons also. He will come for you Tegus; his hatred of you drives him. You must return to your University. Speak to Norsewind and Kalthion; they will help you defend your home. To win this fight you will need to destroy the demons who have been raised then you will need to break the contract. I do not know how you will achieve this, but your University should have the answers. Solaster was a wise man and held many secrets even from me and Vyxal. I am confident in your ability, the shards and your companions you can overcome anything.” Dovarak looked at Muella, “Go with him and let the Skiv’ary help. They can fight, and you know it’s the right choice. And I know he is what your heart deSires”

Muella blushed.

“At the top of the temple is a portal to the University, It’s how I used to visit my friend Solaster. It’s the doorway into the temple, to use it simply hold the shard and walk through, as long as you stand within the doorway it will remain open, and you can let the Skiv’ary through too if need be. I must go; I can feel the pull of my after-life as your potion fades. Don’t let Vakaroth win!” and at that he disappeared.

The trio looked at each other, “I need to stop him...” Tegus began, “We.” Muella said with the Skiv’ary standing loyal in agreement behind her. Tegus looked at Razahir, “I’ve got your back brother” Razahir said holding his hand forward to shake Tegus’, Tegus embraced him instead and Razahir, who was uncomfortable with signs of affection accepted it. “Thank you, Thank you both.”

Muella addressed the crowd, “Let us eat well tonight and regain our strength, for tomorrow we prepare to travel to the University,” the crowd cheered and shouts of victory and how it was time to restore honour went around the crowd.

Later, that evening as some people prepared the food and others supplies and weapons and armour, a song started within all the hustle and bustle, people were happy again and not fearing their own leader, they had confidence and hope once more. Razahir had ’gone for a walk’ as he told Tegus and Muella. Tegus had an incline, as did Muella that he had gone to see the treasure once more. Neither minded as they trusted him, and it offered them time together. Tegus asked Muella to show him the sights, curious as ever. She obliged and showed the armoury which now working late into the night was preparing the equipment for the coming war; the heat of the furnaces gave off a harmonious glow despite what they were forging. She showed him the homes and her people and other building of importance and then showed him the temple again but this time without the attacking guards. He looked out at the sky, “The view from University is quite something, but in this place, it is very magical, from the height of the University, I never really make out the moonlight’s reflection on things and tend to always be looking up at the stars and across the clouds. Here I can see the glow upon the streams and how it makes the buildings glow. It is very beautiful, but I can’t wait for you to see the sky from the University Muella.” He then glanced back at her, and she was only looking at him, “What?” he said letting out a slight laugh from feeling a little intimidated. “Oh nothing, I love it when your passion takes over.” She told him, and he blushed.

She smiled and closed her eyes as she leant in order to kiss him. He became nervous, not something he did often, but still managed to return her kiss. Her lips were soft and skin was smooth to the touch. A few moments passed before they stopped and then embraced each other in their arms. “Muella, Vakaroth is strong. I don’t want you to get hurt” Tegus said with a slight worry creeping into his mind. “Don’t worry, I can look after myself, and you, for that matter” She said smiling lightening his mood and releasing from their embrace. He smiled and knew she was right.

“Come on let’s check on Razahir,” she said taking his hand. He followed after been tugged quite abruptly, “Sorry not used to this belt yet” he just smiled at her. He knew she would be fine.

They reached the vault and went inside where they heard the clanking of gold coins and mumbling. They looked around the corner to see Razahir searching through the treasure. “What’s he looking for?” Tegus asked Muella. She pulled out the biggest Emerald Tegus had ever seen. “I think he wants this,” she smiled, “let’s have some fun” Tegus followed her.

“What do you think you’re doing here?” She stated bluntly to Razahir, who froze after been caught. He turned around. “Errr, looking for…” He couldn’t think of a single excuse.

“This?” Muella stated as she pulled out the emerald. Razahir was a little thrown back that she had it. He didn’t know what to say at first after that said, “Ok, I’m sorry, if you want to lock me up, I understand and won’t resist.”

Muella laughed, and next Tegus joined in. “Here” she said and threw him the emerald. A few shiny trinkets won’t matter, plus it’s all what Frujak stole, only fair I share it out, think of it as a reward, “ She winked at him, and as he caught it; he looked at her and smiled. “Thanks,” he said.

The three of them headed off to bed, and Tegus and Muella held hands as Razahir began to mock and sing again, “Muella and Tegus sitting in a tree…” Muella punched him in the stomach, and that was the last time he sang that song.