Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse
Chapter 23: THE WIND SHIPS

Serra gripped Odder around his neck. The portal closed behind him. She pulled him in close, so his eyes met her fiery gaze. Odder gasped. “Don’t you ever deny me a fight again.” She pushed and released her grip. Odder stumbled back nearly falling into a tree.

Finkle jumped in between them with his hands held up. “Now, now you two. It’s time to calm down.” He pointed at Karzan stretched on the ground with Aimma laying hands of healing over his body.

Serra and Odder ran to his side.

“Karzan?” Serra fell to her knees and held his hand.

Odder knelt next to her. She never looked so vulnerable and exposed. Her expression reminded him of a lonely wilted white rose. What can I say? He thought. “He was alright a moment ago.” He regretted saying those words as soon as they left his lips.

Aimma whispered, “Please I need room to work.”

“I have a healing potion,” Serra said, shuffling through her satchel.

“I’ve already given him one,” Aimma responded while moving her hands above Karzan’s legs. “We don’t want to mix potions.”

Odder gently pulled Serra away and led her to a nearby fallen oak where Finkle and Drugan sat.

“He’ll be fine,” Aimma said. “Some crushed bones and internal bleeding, but I can heal him.”

Serra sighed.

“I’m sorry Serra,” said Odder, his head low. He picked at his fingernails waiting for a response. “The reapers almost had us.”

She glared at Odder. “I should have been there to help. This is your fault!”

“I know.” He looked away. “I didn’t want to see you hurt.”

She clenched her fists and stepped up to him.

Odder felt the cold tension of her indifference.

“Stop it,” Karzan’s a raspy voice muttered. He lifted himself up to his elbows. “I’m fine. Serra, Odder did what he thought was best.” He grunted and laid back down. “You need to trust him.”

“No more getting up,” Aimma said, in a stern, lower-pitched tone. “You need your rest.”

Serra walked over to a nearby tree and sat against its trunk. Odder took a seat next to Finkle.

“I think she’s upset,” Finkle said.

Odder slumped his shoulder. “I think you’re right.”

Finkle fidgeted his fingers. “So where do you think Corbin is?”

Odder looked around. “We’ll have to ask Karzan when he’s recovered. So where are we anyway?”

Finkle pulled at his whiskers and lifted his nose in the air. “I smell musk sedge.” He sniffed. “And sour water moss. We must be near the cove.”

“Villamari,” Drugan added. He pointed at a flock of birds. “Golden skylers. They only eat bog beetles which feed on the bogbean plant that are only known to grow near Villamari.”

Finkle jumped to his feet and rapidly pulled at his chin hairs. “Yes, I was getting to that.”

“I’m sure you were.” Drugan cracked a smile.

Odder cringed. The smile on Drugan’s old creased face seemed a bit out of place. “Sit down Finkle. We don’t need any more trouble.”

Finkle plopped on the log. “So why Villamari then?” he asked in a mocking tone.

“If Karzan brought us here,” Drugan answered, “then his intention is likewly to fly us toward Rigan.”

“Fly? What spell?” Odder questioned.

“Not a spell. A wind ship.”

“Never heard of it.” Finkle elbowed Odder in the ribs and whispered, “I think he’s a little delusional from his captivity.”

Drugan stood. “Have some respect. This is not how you talk to the King’s defense advisor.” He walked over to Serra.

“Finkle!” Odder’s brows bent. “That was disrespectful.”

“I just don’t trust him.”

Odder scowled.

“Alright. I’ll apologize after he talks with Serra.” Finkle peered over. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

Odder moved to the edge of the log. His posture straightened as he pointed an ear toward Serra and Drugan. “Shhh. I think they are talking in Xenduri.”

“Your eyes,” Finkle said. “They’re glowing.”

Odder began to repeat their words. “Pashing reoaka Xenduri yutang? Why is a Xenduri maiden here? – Tan yin man yintazan. I am a refugee. – Panshin yu ditto bi Xenduri. You speak lousy Xenduri.”

Serra stood. Her expression crossed. “I have not spoken Xenduri in many years.”

“Hey eavesdroppers,” Aimma called out. “Instead of prying, why don’t you do something useful like start a fire. Kellas will be setting soon.”

Odder and Finkle collected small logs and branches from the woods.

“You did it again,” said Finkle.

“What’s that?”

“You used magic without saying a spell. I saw your eyes light up. How did you do it?”

“Not sure really. I focused on their conversation and thought I needed to understand what they were saying, and it came to me.”

Finkle swayed his head up and down. “Amazing. I wonder what the limits of your abilities are?”

Odder pretended to ignore Finkle, but the question planted roots in his thoughts. How strong will I become? Will it be enough to fight Queen Sorren and defend the portal? He headed back to the camp with Finkle close behind. The questions twisted in his gut like a dull knife. He felt panicked. His breathing became shallow. I’m not prepared. I need to learn more spells.

Drugan finished setting up a cloaking and protection spell and Serra and Aimma sat near Karzan.

Finkle dropped some logs and surrounded them with rocks. “Alright, now light them.”

Odder placed his logs at his feet. “What’s the spell?”

“Just do what you did with Drugan and Serra.”

“And what did he do?” asked Serra.

Finkle pointed at Odder.

“I… I translated your conversation with Drugan.”

He expected her to lash out, but she calmly nodded.

“You translated Xenduri?” Drugan questioned. “Have you ever heard our language before?”

“No,” responded Odder, in disbelief himself.

“Interesting,” said Drugan, with a look of disappointment. “So the curse is broken then.”

“That’s right,” Finkle said with his chin up.

Odder elbowed him off the log. “Do you know anything about the curse?”

“I should,” said Drugan. “I helped create it.”

Finkle fell off the log just as he climbed back up. Serra gasped, and Aimma left Karzan’s side to sit next to Odder.

Odder felt confused and upset. “But, the wizard Salvat told me he created it?” He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t understand.”

“You spoke to Salvat?” Drugan pursed his lips. His brows creased.

“Yes, and he gave me details about the curse.”

Karzan stirred and let out a small moan.

“Aimma, Karzan?” Serra said with concern.

“All he needs now is rest. He’ll be perfect in the morning.”

“Did you help Salvat?” Odder interrupted.

Drugan held his hands over the logs. A burst of fire streamed from his palms and ignited the wood. He knelt next to the fire and poked it with a stick. “I suppose there’s no consequence if you know.” He cleared his raspy throat. “The wizard Salvat discovered your demon marking.”

“And where did it come from?” Odder questioned.

“Salvat did not say, but I suspect from Queen Sorren.” Drugan sat back on a log across from Odder. “The spell took three great wizards to create, the wizard Salvat, Myself, and the King.”

Odder pinched his upper lip. “It makes sense. Before the King died he warned me not to go to the portal but to seek out the wizard Salvat.”

Kellas began to set, allowing the darkness to crawl over the landscape. This time of month, Ophelia did not occupy the night sky allowing the blackness of the heavens to accentuate The Eye of Adeit. Its luminescent gold gas fanned outward as if trying to snare nearby stars while its inner scarlet flame intensified and appeared to pulse like a beating heart.

“Salvat believed the demon blood would control you. The point of the three demon curse was to prevent you from using your magic to open the portal to the demon realm.”

Odder rubbed his temples. The thought never occurred to him that he may be doing exactly what the Queen wanted and what the others feared. Opening the portal to allow an army of demons to enter into our world.

“Do you believe I should stay away from the portal?” Odder asked Drugan.

Drugan squinted and tapped his lip for several moments before answering. “Your path is predetermined. A series of events, chance meetings, and choices have led you to where you are now.” He threw a log into the fire. “I believe you are meant to be at that portal but whatever the outcome may be, will ultimately be determined by you.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“You always have choices Odder,” Serra interjected. “Don’t let the seeds of doubt take root in your soul. You are capable of doing good.” She looked at her marks in her arms as they moved in a circular pattern. “We all are.”

“It’s getting late,” Drugan said. “We should get rest. I’m sure Karzan has a planned a busy day for us tomorrow.”

“I’ll take the first watch,” said Finkle.

“I’ll take the second,” Serra said. “Aimma, will you take the third?”

“I can take it,” said Odder.

“No,” Aimma said. “You need your rest more than any of us. I will take the third.”

Everyone cleared an area except for Finkle who sat by the fire with his legs crossed and battle hammer in his arms.

“Sleep tight everyone,” Finkle whispered.

Odder woke with a splitting headache. His sleep was far from restful. He rubbed his temples.

“Rough night?” Drugan handed him a warm cup.

Odder hesitated.

“It’s warung. Compliments of Aimma.”

He grabbed the cup, took a whiff of the bitter roasted aroma, and took a swig. “Ah.” He felt his spirits lifting. “Thank you, Drugan.” He tilted his cup to Aimma. “I needed that.”

Odder looked around. “Where are the others and Karzan?”

“They went to replace food,” Aimma said. “Karzan needed to stretch his leg muscles.”

“He’s healed then?”

She grinned. “As good as new.”

“Drugan I’m sorry for Finkle’s behavior.”

“I have no ill will. He’s feisty, as a gnome should be.” Drugan sat next to Odder and took a sip of his drink.

Odder stared at Drugan’s marks as they moved across his skin. They were much thicker than Serra’s and not quite as dark. “Do all Xenduri have them?”

Drugan held up his arm. “What these? I forget I have them.” He put his arm down and took another sip. “Yes. It’s what makes us Xenduri.”

After a long pause, Odder noticed Drugan fixing his glare at the Maha’De.

Odder gripped the hilt. “It’s not complete. We need to go to Rigan.”

“Are you ready?”

Odder sighed. “Do you… I need…” He paused to calm his thoughts and inhaled. “I’m worried that I’m not strong enough to take on the Queen. Do you think you can help me?”

Drugan took another drink but this time downing the whole cup. “I can, and I will.” He stood and walked to a clearing with Odder following.

“In battle, it’s not always the loftiest or grandest spells that win, but often the swiftest and most precise.” Drugan recited a spell of numerous words and hand gestures that caused several large boulders to rise in the air and launch at a tree.

“Impressive,” said Odder.

“Do you think you can replicate my spell?”

Odder visually pictured the words and magic of Drugan’s spell. “Without a doubt.”

I’ll impress him with those larger boulders. Odder grinned. He felt the power of his magic building within him. He repeated the words and lifted the large boulders.

“Vestus ro.” Drugan pulled with his hands and Odder fell to the ground. The boulders crashed behind him.

“Hey!”

“Like a game of ramparts, strategy over strength will give you victory.”

Odder stood, brushing off the dirt from his pants. “So a swift spell attack while your opponent is conjuring a long spell.”

Drugan winked and tapped the side of his head. They went over several more spells before the others got back.

“Is everything alright?” Finkle asked.

“We heard a crash,” added Serra.

“Drugan was just teaching me some spells,” Odder said. “Where’s Karzan?”

Karzan walked into view from behind some trees. “Here lad.” He walked with a slight limp. “I found some berries.”

“And I found some yams.” Finkle held up four large yams by their vines, their roots still clinging on to the soil.

Everyone gathered around the fire as Aimma and Finkle prepared the meal.

“How are you?” Odder asked.

Karzan rubbed his thigh. “Besides this splendid limp and sharp shooting pain, superb.”

“Next time, I won’t leave your side,” said Serra, with a stern stare toward Odder.

“I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities,” replied Karzan.

“More opportunities to die,” mumbled Drugan.

Everyone, except Karzan, veered their gaze toward Drugan.

“True old friend,” Karzan said, without looking up.

“I do have to say that I missed your overly optimistic face,” Drugan smirked. “How long has it been?”

“Too long not to miss your dreadful demeanor.”

An uneasy silence lingered in the air. Odder resisted making eye contact with either. Even Finkle sat as still as a youngling waiting to get scolded by his elder. Then both Karzan and Drugan, like thunder before the rain, roared with laughter.

Odder, a bit surprised to see Drugan laugh let alone show any emotions of joy, joined in with a chuckle. Soon Finkle, Aimma, and even Serra found themselves laughing hysterically.

I must admit, it feels good to release some tension, Odder thought.

“Karzan and I have crossed path many times,” Drugan said.

“Yes, sometimes allies and sometimes enemies.” Karzan cleared his throat.

“And this time?” asked Finkle.

“My fight is against the goblins and their Queen,” Drugan said with a nod to Karzan, “so allies it is.”

“I believe we all share the same fight.” Karzan began to sketch on the dirt. “I have a plan.”

“How about the Maha’De,” chimed in Finkle. “Can we see the magnificent sword?”

Odder shifted in his seat. His mind battled with his heart on whether he should unsheathe such power.

“Come on now Odder,” said Serra. “If we are to rally behind you and your sword, then let us at least see it.”

Odder gripped the hilt and slowly exposed the ancient steel. The sword whistled as he moved it through the air like a maiden caressing her petite finger on the rim of a half-filled crystal chalice. The sun’s light gleamed on the mirrored surface giving the sword a magic glow.

Everyone looked with awe and reverence, their mouths gaped as if hypnotized by the glory of the Celestines. Power surged into Odder, and he knew at that moment, without a doubt, that his destiny would be to lead and unite the elves.

He returned his sword to its sheath.

“Now that was a sight,” said Aimma.

“You looked like a king holding the sword in the air,” Finkle added.

“Indeed. We have the Champion, the Maha’De, and now the next step.” Karzan drew a map in the dirt. “We are here. Before Kellas sets, we need to be in this cove. Corbin is waiting in a wind ship with its crew to take us over the Cydin Sea.” He marked an X in the dirt. “We land here, near Skyger, and make our way to Rigan. Any questions?”

Finkle leaned into Odder. “I guess the dark elf was right about the wind ships,” he whispered.

“Shh,” Odder said, hoping Drugan didn’t hear.

Serra spoke up, “It’ll take at least five days’ travel to reach Rigan by foot.”

“I’ve made arrangements. We will have steeds and a cart for Corbin waiting. If all goes well, we can be there in a day.”

“What about the shadow reapers?” Odder voiced. “They have found us at every stop we’ve made.”

“No doubt they are drawn to you, and I expect they will intercept us at some point between here and Rigan, but all we can do is be prepared.”

“I have the best cloaking spells in Arcaina,” Drugan boasted. “They won’t completely mask you from the reapers, but they will buy us time.”

“Perfect, let’s get moving.” Karzan turned toward Odder. “We can go over spells while we’re traveling.”

After a few hours. The group walked into the small port village of Anglest. A ten-foot wooden fence surrounded a dozen homes, mainly built of logs from the nearby forest, and a stone shrine large enough to hold the town’s residence.

“This town looks abandoned,” Finkle said.

Aimma pointed at the shrine. “Maybe they’re hiding in there.”

“Was the town vacant when you left?” asked Odder.

Karzan replied, “No. In fact, the port was bustling.”

“The homes are intact, no damage or fires,” said Drugan. “I’ll scout up ahead.”

“I’ll join you,” Serra said.

“We’ll meet you at the docks,” Karzan said leading the way.

Odder noticed the symbol on the roof of the shrine as they walked by. “That symbol, a six-sided star with an eye in the middle, what sect is it?”

“They are followers of the light,” said Karzan, “except their sect believes death does not lead to the spirit realm but rather a series of afterlives until they are found worthy of entering the final paradise. The six points on the star signifies the six existences after death.”

“Seems strange,” said Odder, with a frown.

Karzan laughed. “We are a diverse world with many creatures, many ideas, and many beliefs. If fact, I would guess that there are a hundred different sects within our faiths.”

“What do Salutarians believe in?” Odder asked Aimma.

“We have several prominent sects that follow the light.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think much of it.”

“So you don’t believe in the Celestines?” Odder questioned.

“Like I said, I don’t think about it.”

“Interesting,” Karzan said. “And where do you think magic comes from?”

“In my studies, I’ve learned the science of magic. That magic is a force inside of us that we can conjure, manipulate, and control.”

Karzan shook his head from side to side. “What are they teaching our youth nowadays?”

Serra materialized in front of them. “All clear.”

“Where’s Drugan?” Aimma asked.

“At the docs.” Serra pointed. “Just around the corner but we didn’t’ see a ship.”

The group turned the corner only to see a couple of empty piers extending into the calm water. Drugan stood at the end of the doc, moving his hands in the air as if sliding them on an invisible wall.

“What is it?” asked Karzan as he walked up to Drugan.

“Cloaking and protection spell. I can sense it.” He chanted a few magic words and the air flashed.

Odder, temporarily blinded, rubbed his eyes until his vision became clear. In front of him rocked a rickety boat, around thirty feet long, tied against the pier.

“There it is,” Karzan announced.

“No way I’m getting on that.” Finkle moved his hands back and forth in front of him. “It doesn’t even have a mast or sails. I’m sure that barge will sink once we get into high seas.”

“Nonsense gnome.” Drugan walked up to the ship and boarded. “This ship was originally a Xenduri starsail used to smuggle refugees out of Xenduri. There are no finer built ships in all of Arcaina.”

“Sounds like you are very fond of these relics,” Aimma said.

“Fond indeed. I used to pilot one until the King of Villamari confiscated it and renamed it a Villamari wind ship.”

A whistling clicking noise arose from below deck.

Odder sprung on board. “Is that Corbin? Corbin!”

A hatch lifted. Odder stepped up and peered in. He smiled broadly from ear to ear.

“Well?” Asked Serra.

Two golden hands reached out and grabbed the edge. Corbin pulled himself out. “Hello.”

“Good to see you friend,” said Karzan.

Everyone climbed on board and gathered around the golem.

“So where are the townsfolk?” asked Karzan.

“Skyger’s ravens flew in. The captain said I should hide.” Corbin whistled, his gears moved. “I believe they were evacuated.”

“So the captain must have cast the cloaking spell on the ship,” Aimma said.

“That explains why no other ships are in dock,” Finkle added. “They must have fled to Skyger.”

“What do we do now,” Odder asked.

“Drugan can fly the ship,” Serra said.

“Well, it’s been over half a century.” He paused. “But how could I forget.” He made his way to the aft of the ship, climbed a small ladder and stood on a raised quarterdeck. He looked energized at his new position. “Odder, pull up the anchor. Gnome pull in the ramp.”

Odder and Finkle did as they were told. Although, Finkle complained the whole time.

“Now if you want to see some unique Xenduri magic, come stand by my side.”

Odder could not resist. He, Finkle, Aimma, and even Serra dashed to the quarterdeck like giddy younglings.

Drugan hovered his hands over a table in front of him which had a wooden handle on the left side and an iron cross surrounded by an iron circle in the middle. He said several words. “Quam Fu Gra.”

A magic green light left his hands and moved into the table causing it to illuminate. Drugan pulled at the handle to the left. The magic light shot to the edges of the ship and formed wings. Next, he lifted up the cross which lifted the iron circle until it curved over the table. The magic light shot past the front of the ship by about twenty feet and formed two translucent triangular magic sails. Although prominently green, they shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors like a rainbow moving in the wind.

Drugan pulled up on the handle. The ship elevated. “This handle is for lift and…” The ship drifted and crashed into the dock. “…and tilt.” He moved the handle to the left. The ship veered back. “It’ll take me a moment to get a feel for controls again.”

“No masts, so how do we move forward?” asked Finkle.

Drugan grinned. “Like this.” He pushed the iron cross forward. The magic sails drifted fifty feet up in the air, and the ship accelerated into the sky.

Odder ran to the edge and peered over. Excitement bellowed inside of him, and his eyes sparkled from the waters reflection. “Brilliant.”

Finkle, Aimma, and Serra joined him.

“This is unbelievable. We’re soaring in the heavens like an eagle,” Aimma said.

Finkle pointed back at Anglest. “It looks so tiny.”

“Like you.” Odder joked, ecstatic to get such a good jab in.

Finkle narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

“Look, black smoke.” Serra pointed south of the village. “I think it’s coming from Villamari.”

Corbin helped Karzan onto the quarterdeck. “Yes, I believe you’re right.”

“So Villamari is devastated as well,” Drugan said.

Odder sighed. “I wonder how many more Houses have fallen?”

“The goblins may have sieged Rigan too,” Aimma said. “Should we continue?”

“Odder needs to dip the Maha’De into Rigan’s silq. We have to go,” Serra demanded.

“Odder?” Karzan questioned.

Without hesitation, Odder responded, “We stick to the plan.”

“In that case, where to Karzan?” Drugan asked.

“Baku Prei.”

“I know exactly where it’s at.” Drugan moved the ship to the east. “We won’t arrive until tomorrow night.”

“Good,” replied Karzan. “We have time to teach Odder some spells in between.”

“The Tetrad’s only a week away.” Odder held his hands to his lips. “Will it be enough time?”

“Have faith, Odder. We are on the side of the light.” Karzan looked at the others. “It will be night soon. Find a place to rest. We all need it.”

Odder laid on the deck staring up at the night sky. Ophelia just peeked over the horizon but didn’t give enough light to thwart the vividness of the stars or the Eye of Adeit. So quiet and peaceful. The ship seemed motionless. Only the wind flowing overhead. He closed his eyes, felt the brisk breeze on his face, and listened.

“You asleep already?” Finkle interrupted.

Odder took a long deep breath and opened his eyes. “No, just enjoying the brief moment of peace.”

“I found blankets.” Finkle handed one to Odder.

“Thanks. I didn’t notice the chill.”

Finkle laid next to Odder and stared up. “The eye, it’s amazing. I haven’t had a chance to admire its beauty.”

“Do you see how it reaches for the stars as if trying to ensnare them?” asked Odder.

Finkle scratched his head. “Hmm, no.” He paused. “Maybe your new magic skills and awareness are playing tricks on your eyes.”

Odder watched the eye move in the darkness like the life and death dance between a fly caught in a web with an impending spider. “Maybe,” he whispered.