Blood Moon Cycle
Chapter Seven

Rielle sat atop her horse, trying not to cringe at every step of the horses hooves, carefully inspecting the soldier that rode beside her. Besides his reddish brown hair, and green eyes, Captain Vesth really had no defining features. He stared straight ahead as if he did not notice Rielle’s inspection. He had removed his usual chain mail and now wore a simple tunic with Gentry’s insignia on one shoulder, a gull in flight. But despite the change in clothing, his sword still hung carefully at his side. Rielle could not help but brush the sword hanging at her own side. She now wore Solidus’s cloak and sword, taking some small comfort in its closeness. Despite herself, she had grown a little attached to the ageless hermit. Though she could not use either the bow, or the sword, it helped to have them close.

“Then again,” She thought. “Maybe I can get Captain Vesth to teach me how to use the sword.”

“That could be a very good idea.” Solidus’s voice sounded inside her head and Rielle nearly toppled off her horse.

“Are you well ambassador?” Vesth asked from his mount. Rielle nodded.

“Just a wave of dizziness.” She warily tried to look into her own mind.

“Solidus?” She thought. Several seconds passed.

“Did you expect someone else?” He answered in her mind. She blinked once and was glad that she rode a pace behind Vesth so he would not see the confusion plain on her face. “I am here because my body was taken to heal yours. The balance had to remain. One body brought back to life, the other ends in death.” Rielle thought carefully over her next words.

“You are inside my head?” She almost felt Solidus shuffle around in the back of her mind. “Kind of. It is difficult to explain. Essentially we are occupying the same space, your body and mine. Working together to keep your body alive.” Rielle nodded.

“That is why my wound hasn’t begun to heal.” She somehow felt Solidus nod.

“Yes, the wound will remain, but it will no longer threaten your life. Other injuries may do so, however, so don’t get reckless. I can do only so much from inside you to protect you.” Rielle nodded again.

“Could you not have said something before? Something to help me when I was attacked back at the camp?”

“I did.” Solidus replied. “I brought the memories of what I had taught you to the surface so you could protect yourself. I could have taken over your body and protected you that way, but then others would know I am not entirely gone.”

“Why would that matter?” Rielle asked, forgetting herself and speaking aloud.

“Why would what matter, ambassador?” Vesth asked, not turning to look at her.

“Sorry, I was thinking out loud.” She apologized. Vesth gave a simple nod in response. “Why would that matter?” Rielle tried again. She could almost envision Solidus standing there with his patient smile.

“No matter how much they try to contain it, the secret of my ‘death’ will get out. Most won’t believe it, but our enemies will. In that case I can stay here, and secretly direct you, so you may stop the high priest before the Blood Moon Cycle.” Rielle nodded her understanding. “Remember to ask him to teach you.” Solidus said, and then was silent. Rielle looked up at Vesth again.

“Would you teach me to use the sword?” She asked. This time Vesth did glance back at her.

“Why would you need such a skill, ambassador?” Rielle sighed.

“First, you do not need to keep calling me ambassador. My name is Rielle. Our enemies could be anywhere and it might even be best if you did not call me by my title while we are near anyone. I want this journey to be as low profile as possible.” Vesth nodded.

“As you command, Rielle.” He tested the name. Rielle shook her head but continued. “Second, as skilled as I am sure you are, protecting me will be much easier if I can also protect myself.”

“Why not just use your magic?” Vesth asked, contempt sneaking into his voice. Rielle carefully checked her anger.

“First, it takes time and energy to create a shield. Second, Solidus taught me that it is much better to do things with your own hands if you can, rather than use magic. Magic is mechanical, working with your hands has meaning.” She could feel Solidus in the back of her mind, grinning. Vesth turned and gave her a strange look. When he turned back around he spoke. “Perhaps, when we stop for the night, I will teach you.” Rielle nodded,

“Thank you, captain.” She received a quiet grunt in reply.

“That was the first step in convincing him I am a friend.” She felt Solidus’s nod of approval. The rest of the evening’s ride was essentially silent. The only words spoken between them were from Vesth to Rielle, to ensure she was well and could keep the pace he had set.

When night came, Vesth chose a place to camp between two low lying hills that kept them out of the wind and out of sight of the road. The captain set up a small tent for Rielle to sleep in and then gathered wood enough for a small fire. When they had settled down, the fire was started, and a small meal had been cooked and eaten, Vesth looked across the fire to Rielle. “Are you feeling well enough to learn to use your sword, miss Rielle.” Rielle stopped herself from sighing. No matter how much she tried, she could not get him to stop using the word ‘miss’ before her name.

“I am well enough.” He nodded and stood, Rielle following his example with a grimace. “The pain will eventually fade away.” Solidus told her within her mind.

“I hope so.” She replied. Rielle removed Solidus’s cloak and stepped away from the fire to join Vesth.

“Draw your sword and hold it in both hands.” He told her. Rielle did as she was told and carefully slid the curved steel blade from its scabbard. She held it in front of her with both hands tightly together. Vesth shook his head and stepped to her side.

“Keep your hands slightly apart and the second knuckle of your first fingers pointed forward.” He slid her hands into the position he had described and Rielle was surprised to replace that, for a soldier, Vesth had exceptionally soft hands.

As Vesth fixed her hand position he noticed a small mark at the base of the blade. His hands froze for a fraction of a second and then he stepped back again.

“Good, now hold your sword pointed straight in front of you, as if at an enemies eyes, and keep the base of your sword a fist’s length from your naval.” Rielle did as she was told, but carefully watched Vesth. She had noticed his pause.

“This is your basic position for holding your sword. When we practice, this is always how you will begin.” Rielle nodded and noticed that Vesth’s eyes drifted to her blade again. “What draws your eyes and causes you pause?” She asked him. His eyes snapped back to her face as if he had not been looking at the blade. She stared him down, and eventually he relented.

“The mark at the base of your blade.” Rielle looked at the sword in her hands. At the base of the blade, etched into the metal, was a simple depiction of a dragon in flight.

“It is a dragon.” She stated. Vesth nodded.

“A dragon is the mark of a master swordsman. A dragon curled up is the mark of a master who has just proven his abilities.” Vesth drew his own sword and tilted the blade so Rielle could see the dragon, rearing up on its hind legs, etched on his sword.

“The rearing dragon is a veteran master. But the flying dragon,” He replaced his sword in its scabbard and openly stared at Rielle‘s sword. “The flying dragon is supposed to be the mark of a master unsurpassed by any other. I have never before seen any swordsman with a flying dragon on their blade.”

“That is because there are very few of us. May I speak with him directly?” Solidus asked Rielle. Rielle nodded and then gasped as she felt herself drawn back into her own mind. She could still see through her eyes, and hear everything around her, but she could not move her body or speak. Vesth took a step back in surprise as the bright blue in Rielle’s eyes drained away and was replaced by a clear silver.

“Do not be worried Captain Vesth, It is Solidus that speaks with you now.” Solidus’s voice overlaid Rielle’s and created a strange, quiet harmony. Vesth stared in obvious shock. “Master Solidus?” Rielle felt her head shake.

“I think Rielle has made it quite obvious that titles are not needed on this journey.” Vesth nodded carefully.

“How is it possible you are here?” He asked. Solidus smiled and replied.

“My body was taken to heal Rielle, but my mind rests carefully in the recesses of hers. I can manifest when I must, but I would prefer that no one knows that I am still alive, in a manner of speaking.” Vesth nodded carefully again.

“Why do you manifest yourself now?” He asked shakily. Solidus chuckled, a strange feeling to Rielle.

“You are shocked by the dragon mark on my sword.” Solidus stated. “It was placed there many years ago, when I still lived in High King Hortaal’s court.” Vesth blinked in surprise and Solidus laughed.

“I am much older than that, Vesth, become accustomed to it. That is one reason my skill has grown to fill that mark.” Rielle felt herself tap the mark on the side of the blade in her hand. Vesth just stared at the sword, nodding slowly.

“Would you like to spar? It will be easier to understand if you experience it.” Vesth looked at Rielle/Solidus suspiciously. Solidus smiled knowingly. “There will be no magic involved. Just skill, pure and simple. I think Rielle has already told you that I do not believe in doing something with magic that can be done with your own hands.” Most of Vesth’s suspicions disappeared and he nodded.

“It would be an honor to spar with you, Master Solidus.” Solidus returned his sword to his scabbard.

“You may begin when you wish.” Solidus stated. “My sword will leave it’s scabbard when it becomes necessary.” Rielle suddenly felt extremely tense. She would be fighting a master swordsman and she had only just learned to hold a sword.

“All will be well.” Solidus told her. Vesth drew his sword and stood in the stance that he had taught Rielle. Rielle noted that it was much better than she had managed.

Before Rielle could comprehend what was happening, Vesth struck and Solidus’s sword left it’s scabbard to intercept the incoming blade. Vesth’s sword was deflected, but he quickly recovered and struck again. Rielle would have been afraid of the skill Vesth fought with if she had not been in shock at the speed with which he and Solidus traded blows.

The fight lasted only a few seconds. In the end, Solidus disarmed Vesth and returned his sword to his scabbard in a single, smooth, movement. Vesth stared at his hands in shock and then back up at Rielle/Solidus.

“You are an Iai Master.” He said quietly. Rielle felt herself nod.

“I trained to be so for a great many years. Now I must rest. Controlling Rielle’s body is a difficult task and I grow tired. For now, teach her the forms and let her practice. She will learn quickly, but it will take a long time before she is ready to fight any sort of battle.” Vesth nodded with a short bow that was, Rielle noticed, not as stiff as it had been. Then Rielle felt herself pulled back to the front of her mind and she shook herself as her eyes turned blue again.

“You are amazing.” She told Vesth, replaceing that Solidus’s voice was no longer mixing with her own. Vesth retrieved his sword and returned it to its scabbard.

“I am proficient. But I am obviously far from amazing.” Rielle searched for an argument to better his mood.

“Solidus has a head start on you by a very long time. I am sure that if you were as old as he is, you would be equally skilled, if not more so.” Vesth shrugged and waved her off.

“Perhaps, But I am not as old as he, and will not likely live to be as old. My skill will never match his.”

“It doesn’t need to.” Solidus told Rielle.

“It doesn’t need to.” Rielle told Vesth, and he looked at her with questioning eyes.

“You don’t need to match Solidus, or even come close for that matter.” Rielle insisted. “He is our ally, not our enemy. You need only be stronger than your enemy.” Vesth turned his eyes to the ground and Rielle saw the unhappiness in his face lessen. After a few moments he straightened and turned back to Rielle.

“Draw your sword, we have a lot to do.” Rielle nodded with a smile and drew Solidus’s sword.

Rielle sat down tiredly next to the fire. Vesth had drilled her on multiple forms and sword movements until she could repeat each of them from memory. Solidus had given silent instruction when it was necessary, but otherwise kept to himself and allowed Rielle to learn.

She tried to reach around and rub the wound on her back, which had begun to ache, but could not reach. Eventually she gave up and simply tried to replace a comfortable position. Vesth added wood to the fire.

“You learn very quickly miss Rielle.” Vesth commented. “I have known soldiers that took days to memorize the forms you just learned.” Rielle would have shrugged, but didn’t dare try. “Being an ambassador requires a good memory. Forgetting a name or a custom can be disastrous during negotiations.” Vesth nodded and continued to stoke the fire. There was silence for many minutes before Rielle spoke again.

“What is an Iai Master?” She asked. Vesth glanced up from the fire. Rielle painfully half shrugged in an apparent lack of interest. “I remember you calling Solidus an Iai Master. What is it?” Vesth carefully took the stick he had been using to prod coals and set it aside before looking back at Rielle.

“Iai is a special set of sword forms. Very secret and difficult to learn. Few learn the technique and it is difficult to implement in battle.” Rielle leaned forward to show she was listening.

“Why is it so difficult?” Vesth stared into the fire.

“The basic idea of Iai is not to draw your sword, or even move, until the last moment. Your sword and sword arm remains still and idle until it must be put into action. It is almost impossible to read Iai because you do not telescope your movements to your enemy. They do not know what you are going to do until you do it. But it requires a great deal of patients, dexterity, and timing. If you are off in any of those, you could end up dead before you realize your sword should have moved.” Rielle’s eyes were wide.

“Do you know Iai?” Vesth nodded.

“Yes, but I use it only to train. I would not dare use it in battle. I do not want to worry about if I will make that one fatal mistake that could end the fight.”

“It took me a great many years to master it, and many more after before it earned me the Flying Dragon.” Solidus commented.

“Might I be able to learn it? After I first become proficient with the technique you have already taught me that is.” Vesth shrugged.

“It could take years to become proficient in what you already know. Mastering the simple forms are the most effective in self defense.”

“True. Simple is best.” Solidus agreed.

“Wait until you are confident in your abilities, then you may speak with the High King in Hortaal. He is your governing patriarch, it is his permission you must receive to learn Iai.” Rielle nodded.

“The High King and I are distant cousins. I am sure that if I can show him that I am at least fairly proficient, he will give his permission.” Vesth shrugged.

“In a few years perhaps. Until then you will have to learn what I can teach you.” Rielle nodded again and then yawned. She thought she almost saw Vesth smile.

“Get some sleep miss Rielle, we ride at sunrise.” Rielle nodded and almost had to crawl into the small tent. The moment her head touched the soft pillow that Commander Thereon had provided her, she was asleep. She dreamed very little and what she did dream faded into nothing when she woke in the morning. She left the tent to replace Vesth with breakfast ready and the horses ready to leave.

While she ate, he quickly packed the tent and then put out the fire. When she was finished, he quickly washed her dish and packed it away as well before offering his assistance to Rielle to help her into her saddle. It was then that Rielle realized how stiff and sore her shoulders and arms were, not to mention her back. After a moment of internal debate, and despite the hurt to her pride, she accepted and she climbed into the saddle with his aid.

They set out at the same pace they had maintained the previous day, and by evening Rielle was glad to slide off of her horse. Vesth methodically set up the camp and started the fire. After a warm meal, he had Rielle stand and review her forms for what seemed like an eternity to her. She slept well again that night and, again, accepted Vesth’s help in the morning to mount her horse. By late afternoon, Rielle could smell the ocean and see the great city of Serriana rising up on the horizon.

“There is a back gate that follows a stone corridor into the palace grounds.” Rielle stated. “I think it would be best if we entered the city though there.” Vesth nodded and nudged his mount to a greater pace. Rielle did not complain, but was glad to get down when they reached the small gate to the far east of the city. As she walked the rest of the distance to the gate, Rielle reached into a small pouch at her side and removed a signet ring which she placed on her right hand.

Two guards, in grey armor, stood before the small gate, nearly filling it’s area. Both bowed and stepped aside when Rielle showed them her ring and the gate was opened. Now Rielle led the way down a short ramp and along a stone corridor, wide enough for a cart but only as high as a horse and rider. The corridor led on for several hundred feet before another short ramp led up into sunlight on a courtyard covered in spars tan grass. Two stablemen met them there and took their horses. Rielle only paused for a moment to take Solidus’s bow from where it had been tied to her saddle before she started off towards the grey marble palace.

Halfway Vesth excused himself, saying he had to meet with someone in the city first, before they sailed for Hortaal. Rielle vaguely waved him off and continued through the palace’s front door and into a grand hall.

Rielle announced herself and showed her ring to a servant boy, who then led her through the dark palace corridors until they came to a tall door inlaid with gold. Rielle waited patiently outside while the servant announced her, making sure her hair was in place and her cloak was swept aside to ensure that Solidus’s sword was not covered. The servant returned and waved her through.

She thanked the boy and then walked through the doors and into a small meeting hall with a high-backed throne on a raised dais at the far end. To either side of the throne stood an advisor to the king. On the throne itself sat a large man with green eyes, graying red hair, and a full beard. He had large arms and legs and thickly calloused hands from many years of towing lines and piloting the great sailing ships that were the pride of the Gentry navy. Rielle bowed deeply to the man then straightened.

“Greetings King Yisu. May fair winds be at your back.” The king smiled down at Rielle. “Greetings Ambassador Rielle Lyvinius. What brings you to my court?” Rielle pouted and was satisfied to see the king lean forward in anticipation of her words. She told him the story of how she had met Solidus and brought him back to assist them. She omitted the parts of the story about her mage potential and the old stories Solidus had told her.

The king’s eyes widened when she told of the destruction of the great gates and of the High Priest of Telatia’s plan to attack during the Blood Moon Cycle. She told of her injury and how Solidus had healed her at the expense of his body, leaving out that he was inside her now. She noticed one of the advisors make a sign to ward off evil. When she told the king of the soldier who had tried to kill her, the king’s face filled with outrage.

“I swear he will be severely punished!” He cried. Rielle hid a smile.

“I thank you, King Yisu, But Commander Thereon has already decided his punishment.” The king sat back in his throne.

“Excellent, Thereon is a good man. He will make sure the traitor is dealt with.” Rielle continued.

“I came here to warn you of the coming Blood Moon Cycle.” She stated. “Fighting the enemy on that night would only make them stronger. Master Solidus suggested that every city be prepared for siege and be locked up and carefully guarded on that night to reduce casualties. Once it is over, the enemy will be spread thin and can be wiped out.” The king nodded, deep in thought.

“So you did manage to replace The Hermit Mage.” He said. Rielle nodded.

“Yes, it seems the old texts in your library were correct.” The advisor to the king’s left spoke.

“What led you to believe that this, Solidus, truly was the Hermit Mage?” Rielle looked at him with a questioning glance.

“Were you not listening when I told of the Gate’s destruction? Hundreds of soldiers witnessed it.” The advisor nodded.

“I was listening, but the Mercury Mountains are fabled to hold great evils. How do you know that what you brought with you was not just some evil being with magical powers?” Rielle could feel Solidus’s amusement in the back of her mind.

“Would an evil creature have chosen to help us? Would an evil creature sacrifice itself to heal me from a mortal wound? If this is not enough for you, I do have one small piece of evidence that I am sure you will be unable to deny.” The king’s eyebrows rose.

“What is the evidence you carry?” He asked with interest. Both advisors nodded. Rielle smiled innocently and placed one hand on Solidus’s sword. The advisor on the king’s right drew a rapier with lightning speed and leveled it at Rielle. The king swatted the flat of his advisor’s blade, batting it aside.

“She is no swordsman, Genru, she does not pose a threat in any way.” The advisor harrumphed and lowered his blade, but he did not return it to its scabbard. Rielle removed Solidus’s sword from its scabbard and held the blade in her empty hand, presenting it to the king. The king’s eyes grew wide, Genru quickly deposited his rapier back in its scabbard, and the advisor on the king’s left made a quiet surprised sound.

“The flying dragon.” The king marveled. “The teacher of the High King, Hortaal Lyvinius, was the last said to have a blade with the flying dragon etched in its surface. At least, the last one who was documented.” Rielle nodded and sheathed the sword.

“Master Solidus was the teacher of High King Hortaal. He truly was the Ageless Hermit Mage. When you looked into his eyes you could see the depth of his age and knowledge and power.”

“Careful.” Solidus cautioned. “My eyes were so for a reason. It is, perhaps, not wise to get too free with the information. It was ok here, but in other places there could be those who carefully listen for descriptions such as that.” Rielle resisted the urge to nod.

“I think there cannot be doubt as to who Master Solidus was.” Rielle finished. The king nodded.

“I agree. And if what you say is true, I think it would be best if you leave immediately to relay the news to the High King in Hortaal.” Rielle nodded.

“It is my wish that you would lend me the services of a ship to take me to Hortaal.” The king slapped his hand down on the arm of his throne.

“Done! I will send an entire fleet with you.” The advisor on the King’s left opened his mouth to complain, but Rielle quickly spoke first.

“I thank you, King Yisu, But that will not be necessary. Our enemy may still be looking for me and our best chance of making it to Hortaal in one piece is to take only a small, fast ship and travel without escort. No one will bother with a small ship that is not guarded. Nothing of value could be on board a Gentry ship that has no escort.” The king scratched his chin and gradually nodded.

“Perhaps you are right. I will have my finest captain and crew ready to sail within the hour.” The king stood and Rielle bowed.

“Thank you, your majesty. We will leave as soon as we can, but I must wait for the one who escorted me here. He has sworn to protect me until I am conducted directly to High King Morien Toriel, by order of Commander Thereon.” The king nodded and directed Rielle to the door.

“If Thereon recommended him, I trust him to protect you. Your ship will leave when both of you have boarded.” Rielle bowed again and left the throne room, ready to head down to the docks and inspect the ship that would carry them to Hortaal.