To Protect

Eiric leads the group the northern wall. Most noncombatant villagers are present, the battle between kingdom and village soldier has begun.

Astrid steps forward with Eydis wrapped in a blanket. “I’m sorry, everyone.”

“No need, Astrid, we all made the choice to stand for what we believe in.”

“Thank you.” Astrid runs her finger across the wall, small runes glowing at her touch. Once all are revealed, the walls splits, creating an opening large enough for the villagers to funnel through. “You three, you’re strong enough to deal with most of the kingdom soldiers. I’m going to have you follow everyone here while I lead them. If anyone like that who your fathers are fighting appears, you call my name. Understood?”

“Yes mam.”

“Good. Eiric, I promise we’ll explain more in time. All of this will be for the better.” Astrid disappears in the blink of an eye.

Sigrun grabs Eiric’s hand. “Are you ok?”

“I’m ok. I just hope everyone fighting will be ok.”

“Don’t worry, they’re strong. But we need to be careful as well, Vilgur, ready?”

“Of course.” As the trio follow the escaping villagers, Vilgur turns back to the village with his arms wide open. A moment later, pieces of gravel, dirt, and wood gather to create a large wall that covers the exit.

Vilgur’s blessing, Stalwart Shield. He had little control over it during his fight with Eiric, but vowed to have it combat ready after. Years of training have paid off, but his ability is still limited by size and weight of the shield his creates.

“Good job.”

“Thank you.” Vilgur said as he huffs for oxygen, “I’m ok, let’s catch up.”

The journey to the northwestern village, Sanctuary, will take two weeks on foot. That is only at a constant pace however, Astrid expects diversions and long breaks if the kingdom is chasing them.

For now, the group of 80 villagers continue their journey about four hours away from home.

“Yes mam.” Sigrun said, Astrid contacted her using Sigrun’s blessing. “We’re going to take a break soon. She asked that I explain what is going on to you both.”

“You know?” Vilgur said.

“I do. They use my blessing to contact their partners often. Sorry for keeping it a secret.” Sigrun said as she looks at Eiric with gleaming eyes.

“You shouldn’t have kept such a secret.” Vilgur said.

“Be quiet! Dad told me to keep it a secret because you would have tried to follow them on a mission. At least Eiric would think it through, but they wanted to wait for the right time. Now sit! Over here, love.”

Sigrun begins her explanation as the group stops for a break.

For 60 years, the kingdom has placed humans capable of magic in enclosed villages to control the births of blessed children. Only those with magic can produce such children, and the birth of one is tracked by the kingdom and taken away to be trained and monitored.

“They take away everyone who is blessed. Dad said they are creating an army of powerful blessed, the others with blessing not suitable for combat are killed because they could turn. Our parents started the revolutionary army 16 years ago. They succeeded in keeping many blessed children safe, but some have turned and the kingdom has begun forcing villagers to make children, it’s why their efforts have increased as of late.”

“How could they do such a thing? Of course I want to help.” Vilgur said.

“See. We’re not strong enough yet, the best we can do is train and protect those here. Eiric, do you have any questions?”

“Are we going to turn?”

“We… demons are different. We have blessings but no marks, unlike most humans like Eydis for example. Demons don’t turn, but humans begin to turn at a young age. They say during their teenage years.”

“It’s still possible for me then.”

“I won’t let it happen.” Sigrun grabs Eiric’s hands, “You could be an exception. You don’t have a mark, and you haven’t showed any signs. How are the headaches?”

“I haven’t had any in some time. I don’t feel any different. Those who turn, do they really become that dangerous?”

Sigrun hesitates to respond. “Dad said most lose control. He’s had to kill many, Mr. Torsten said they call him the blessed angel because of it.”

“Then if I-”

“Don’t say it! I won’t let him. There has to be a way. Demons have blessing and we don’t turn.

“Vilgur?”

“I’m sorry, Eiric, but I agree with Sigrun. There has to be a way. You can’t break your promise to Sigrun either.”

“Ok, I’ll do my best not to change.”

“Good, we’re going… Astrid said we have five closing in. Everyone is starting to move again.”

“We’ll take of them here.” Vilgur hops to the tree above, “We’ll surprise them, take a branch.”

·

“Their tracks lead this way. Careful, commander Alvis said Astrid is their strongest.”

“She just gave birth; there’s no way she’s anywhere near full strength.”

“You can take your chance; I’m just following orders and keeping track of their group. If we can, we capture the children of Torsten and Keldan.”

Five soldiers of the kingdom follow the tacks of the fleeing villagers. They wear silver armor with an embroidery of a large wolf, the symbol of the Solgrad kingdom. Small single letter runes etched into the armor provide durability enchantments.

“Now!”

“Look out!”

The soldiers look up, a large shield of stone and wood drops on their heads, catching two and knocking them unconscious from impact. Vilgur stands, now surrounded by the three remaining soldiers. He rushes the nearest one, Eiric jumping down from his branch with a drop kick to another.

The drop kick forces the soldier to stumble but they recover and draw their sword. “These are their kids, capture them alive!”

Eiric dodges each swing with ease, all much slower than Keldan who often trains the younglings; however, nerves overwhelm Eiric. His first battle with lives on the line, he fears failure and his mind begins to race.

Don’t die.

Protect them.

Don’t die.

I’m scared.

The third soldier joins the fight against Eiric, swinging their sword and allowing their partner to step back and prepare a spell.

“Tveir Spike.”

Large spikes of ice strike the soldiers. Two lose an arm with the third, fighting Vilgur, is able to escape in time.

Eiric presses forward, grabbing a sword from the ground and using the flat side to knock out his opponents.

“Are you two ok?” Sigrun said.

“I’m ok.” Vilgur said.

“As am I. Should we chase the last one?”

“They went in the direction of the village, I doubt they’ll return alone.”

“Help!”

The yell comes from a villager, the younglings run without a moment to waste.

They reach the group within the minute, Astrid kneeling with Eydis in her arms. Around her fourteen dead soldiers.

Astrid, as strong as she may be, has yet to recover from giving birth. Her senses dull, even the soldier threatening to strike her down just in front of her is nothing more than a blur. She attempts to use her magic to enhance her senses, but nothing works as her body continues to give.

Aware she can no longer fight, Astrid embraces Eydis.

The younglings are far, even a spell from Sigrun will not reach Astrid in time. They never stop running, praying for the chance to make it before Astrid is cut down.

Time slows, Eiric sent deep into his mind where the flood of memories rush to think of every option he has.

A spell. Too slow.

Enhancing himself with magic. He lacks mastery.

Tossing a weapon, distancing the soldier, yelling for help, hoping for luck, more, more, more.

Eiric’s body lightens. His mind focusing on one memory in which he is capable of traveling at the speed of light. It’s not just his steps, his entire body becomes pure light and disappears before Sigurn and Vilgur.

“Light Step.”

Eiric makes it in time, tackling the soldier down and knocking their sword away.

“Eiric.” Astrid’s regains her eyesight, but, before her is a sight that makes her heart drop.

Eiric’s eyes have glazed over red. The soldier begs for their life, having long since lost the will to fight but Eiric continues to punch down.

“Eiric stop!”

The voice his mother doesn’t reach Eiric. His hands rise, the killing blow brutal and blood splattering on his both their bodies.

“Eiric!” Sigrun pulls Eiric away.

Eiric returns, confused at the scene of the mauled body at his feet and his mother covered in blood. Behind Astrid, the villagers look at Eiric in fear.

“He’s turning.”

“No!” Sigrun said, “He was just protecting Astrid and Eydis!”

“He mauled that man! He had no reason to. Astrid, it’s begun.”

“Ms. Astrid! Please tell them!” Sigrun said.

“Eiric… Eiric won’t turn. Right?” Astrid meets Eiric’s eyes, “Wait!”

Eiric turns and runs, the fear in his mother’s eyes confirmation of what he feared most.