Windstorm: Part Six

Duel and Payment

I was in a state of complete shock. Had I heard Frey correctly? She wanted to fight me? To kill me? But I was here to help her, to set her free, to resurrect her! Why was she turning on me?

     "Sisslio," said Alysoun tentatively, "what's going on?"

     Frey turned to the Striped Zafara and strode over to her. Alysoun didn't move. She only continued to look bewildered. Frey cupped the other's chin with a paw and examined her face. "Bryony? No - she was brown, not with stripes. But apart from colour, you're her double." The risen warrior then glanced at Terzin. "And if you were Electric, you'd be Dredless."

     "We're their descendants, Frey," said Alysoun. "We brought Sisslio here to help you."

     Frey chuckled. "Good. Very good. It appears I have quite trustworthy friends to continue such a quest down several generations."

     Terzin boldly interjected. "Why do you mean to fight Sisslio?"

     Frey actually laughed. "Have you not analyzed my words? I told you that duel and payment shall ensue when resurrected I shall be, did I not?"

     Alysoun and Terzin nodded dumbly.

     "Let me explain. My being alive should never have happened, but I was -- ahem, am -- a very talented mage, as well as warrior. I have the ability to plant the seed of fate into the future and gift creatures such as this Sisslio here with lifebringing powers. But by rights I should be dead. To set the balance right, a life must be taken, and that life is the Windstorm's. He and I shall duel and one of us will die, setting the scales even once more. It matters naught who the victor is, but that doesn't mean that I won't give this an effort. On the contrary, slaying the Windstorm is my prime goal. I seek to return to power and be leader of the westerners once again. I won't be cheated of glory again, as Tasson cheated me all those centuries ago."

     "Tasson," gasped Alysoun. "The Cybunny…"

     "Who killed me," Frey finished. "He and I were once close companions, but he told me that I was becoming power-hungry and dangerous. I said that I believed him to be speaking nonsense and turned away from him, breaking our bond forever. I traveled west and met Dredless and Bryony. Problems arose, war was waged against the east, and I was pitted against my former best friend. When he killed me, I still had some respect for him and realized that he'd done what he thought was best, and so I saluted him as I fell. But I still want the power I deserve." She looked back at me. "Without further ado, let us begin, Windstorm."

     I wasn't prepared when she flew at me. Our swords met, and I would have been pressed to the ground if I hadn't come back to my senses. I met her blow, only for Sirocco to draw back again, then lunge at me. I danced away, then decided that I was finished unless I used some offensive moves.

     I'd never held a sword before, but did what I could. I aimed a slash at Frey's side, but she turned my blade away with a flick of her own. I backed away and stood, panting. What should I do next?

     I had no time to think. Frey dived at me again, her blade out for my blood. I dodged at the last possible second, feeling the sword's edge slice a tuft of my fur off.

     Frey gazed at me. "I see you can evade my attacks well enough," she remarked, "But simply dodging me won't be enough in the long run. Protection is something else you must achieve. If you bore me, I may attempt to take the life of another." With these words, she hefted Sirocco by its hilt and threw it like a javelin. The blade soared through the air in the direction of my friends and stood quivering in the earth an inch to Dayne's right. Dayne Riversong herself looked ready to pass out at the sight of the weapon.

     I sneered at Frey. How could she fight so dirty? I was who she wanted, not Dayne or Terzin or Alysoun. "Stop it!" I commanded. "Don't hurt them. I'm ready to take you down myself, but they have no part in this!"

     Frey chuckled harshly, her pure face suddenly contorted into a cruel grin. "Don't they? They were the ones who brought you here, who believed in you. Who led you down the Roads to retrieve my old sword. The descendents of my friends whose mission it was to discover you. They have a huge part in this, Windstorm, so don't play the fool. Foolishness does not earn mercy." Without a second's hesitation, Frey directed her next attack at Alysoun. Terzin and Dayne leaped away from the slash of the silver blade, but Alysoun stood her ground. A moment before she would have been beheaded, she raised her paws before her and a wall of fire sprang up, shielding her within its domelike shape.

     I dashed over to the scene and could see sparks flying from where Sirocco made contact with the flames. Within her shield, sweat was beading on Alysoun's forehead, running down strands of fur like dew on grass.

     I wasn't going to let her or anyone fight Frey. She was my task, and mine alone. I readied myself, brandished the Windscythe, and charged. Once I was within a few meters of my foe, I launched myself into the air, ready to stab downwards with my blade.

     Frey reacted like lightning. Without diverting her gaze, she raised a paw towards me. I could feel rushing, invisible gales ensnaring me and tossing me away into the dirt.

     Grunting, I strove to stand, using my sword to support myself. "Frey!" I shouted, "Stop it! Stop it now! If you can't focus on me and me alone, I want to take this battle elsewhere! Leave Alysoun alone now!"

     Slowly, Frey withdrew her sword and pivoted on one foot gracefully, but menacingly at the same time. As she turned to face me, I could feel myself shivering with apprehension, sweat chilling the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. "Elsewhere?" she inquired innocently. "Certainly. I am a mage and I like to…experiment."

     Without a moment's hesitation, she sprang at me, seizing me by the scruff of my neck. I gripped the Windscythe, ready to swing, but she twisted my fur painfully. I winced and gasped, but received no mercy. My paws became strangely numb, but I kept my grip on my sword's hilt. I could feel the world slipping away, and Frey's white face became a blurred image, as if I was seeing her through my own tears.

     *

     I regained consciousness, but didn't open my eyes. I still felt numb and worn out, even slightly dizzy. Suddenly, I heard the sound of bubbles, as if I was underwater and someone had brushed by me.

     I opened my eyes.

     No wonder, I was underwater.

     All around me was a blue-green and black void. There was some sort of rugged cliff face nearby, and below me was like looking down into a bottomless hole. Oddly enough, I could breathe and move much easier than one would expect. I still gripped the Windscythe in my paw.

     I looked around in a full circle. Frey was nowhere to be seen. As I gazed around in confusion, I heard a familiar voice, but it echoed and took on an almost spherical sound, a deep sound which had almost concrete qualities. "You're mine, Windstorm."

     Before I could even think, I felt Sirocco's edge rake my side. I cried out in pain, and found that I could speak in this strange world of water, but this discovery was not of high interest to me at the moment. Blood from my wound spread around me in a crimson fog in the water. I bit my lip and tried to drive the thought of my injury from my mind.

     I looked behind me and was instantly greeted by the frightening sight of Frey, sword brandished and eyes gleaming in triumph. This was her aquatic world, and we were playing by her rules now. With a flourish of her hand, I could feel her magic gathering into a tense point, which was suddenly released in a mighty torrent which forced me through the water, slamming my back into the cliff. I felt the back of my head collide painfully with the rock as it was jolted backwards.

     I peered through the dark mist cloaking my vision, slinking in from the corners of my eyes, threatening to steal my consciousness away once more. I fought to stay awake, and beheld the sight of Frey, sneering at me. She was stronger than me, more doggedly determined to kill than I was. I knew then that my fate was inevitable, and my doom was sealed.

To be continued...