Soul Cursed Protector

King Peregrine sat in the war room talking over his next strategy with his trusted counsel, he was worried that the warriors he had sent out to destroy the Reaper Cannon had yet to return. If King Adan caught them, and had the warriors executed, he would never be able to forgive himself. “We have to act swiftly, I fear the worst for Sir Gawain, Micha, and William. But most of all I fear for those young warriors that followed along with them. Brave souls they are, but I cannot bring myself to think of the fate that has befallen them.” King Peregrine said with a frown.

“What is your plan of action?” one of his counselmen asked.

“I wish to use what resources we have left and storm the city Odrela.” King Peregrine said proudly.

“That would be a disastrous.”

“You forget who is King, if I wish to storm the walls of Odrela, then so it shall be.” Peregrine slammed his fist on the table.

“Think of your people. What shall happen to them when there is no knights, nor soldiers here to protect them?”

“I have to think of my men, and my people. If the others have failed, it will only be a matter of time before King Adan aims that cannon right at us. We have to act before that happens” right then Vardis came barging into the war room, “What is the meaning of this, Vardis?”

“King Peregrine.” Vardis bowed. “We have news that five riders approach the city.”

King Peregrine stood from his chair, “Round up what soldiers we have left, lets give these riders a warm welcome, shall we.”

“Your majesty, is that-”

“Do not second guess me Vardis. I am your King, you would do well to remember that.” “As you wish my Lord.” Vardis bowed again, before walking out of the room.

The riders approached Wespington, and just like King Peregrine commanded all of his knights and foot soldiers, along with the king himself were there to greet them. “It’s just Micha and company.” a guard called out.

“Do you see Sir William with them?” King Peregrine asked. “We do not.”

“This does not bold well if they are back without him.” Vardis interrupted. “Do not jump to assumptions, Vardis.” King Peregrine scolded.

Micha came ridding into the city first, followed by Gawain and his students, and of course

Ellyn, “Greeted by a King and his Knight’s. Such a grand welcome, for people such as us.” Gawain joked, as Micha kept his eyes fixed afar.

King Peregrine cracked a faint smile, “Is your task complete, Sir Gawain?” “It is.” Gawain slightly bowed, then dismounted from his horse.

“Where is Sir William?” Vardis blurted out.

Gawain looked back at Micha and sighed, “Matters such as this can only be discussed in private.” he looked around at the crowd they were drawing.

King Peregrine also had seen the crowd gathering around them, “That would be most wise indeed.” he agreed. “Vardis take the men and scout around the city, we must makes sure that none has followed.” Vardis nodded and rode off with the rest of the Knights.

Once inside the castle, King Peregrine lead them back into the war room, and asked for them to take a seat. “Micha, please tell me what transpired in Odrela.” Micha refused to answer, instead he lowered his head in shame at what the man he believed in had done. “Sir Gawain, would you be so kind to explain things in Micha’s place?”

“Of course, King Peregrine.” Gawain nodded ever so slightly. “But you will surely not like what you hear.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” King Peregrine responded. “By all means tell me what you

know.”

“As you wish.” Gawain faintly smiled. “I won’t go to deep into the details, but we did find the object of our search.”

“The Reaper Cannon, you found it?” Peregrine gasped. “We did.” Gawain answered.

“And?”

“Do not worry yourself about the cannon, it has been dealt with.”

“That is great news.” King Peregrine breathed a sigh of relief, before questioning Gawain further. “And what of William? Why is he not with you?”

Gawain with sad eyes, only said three words, “William is dead.”

“You lie.” Peregrine just couldn’t believe that his long time friend fell in battle. Gawain shook his head, “This is no lie, William did not make it out alive.”

King Peregrine slammed his fist into his open palm, “Tell me who killed William, and I shall have him caught and executed.”

Gawain silently sighed, “We killed him.”

“What?” Peregrine coughed, unable to take in what he had just heard.

Micha stood up from his chair, “It’s true.” he shouted, and slammed his hands down on the table. “William betrayed us, he was the one that sold the cannon to King Adan, after you ordered it to be destroyed. Because of him my father died on the battlefield along with half the Knights Of Wespington, William got what he deserved for his crimes.”

“What Micha says is the truth.” Gawain interrupted. “William was the traitor all along.” “But why?”

“Revenge.” Gawain said.

King Peregrine held up his hand, “Say no more, I understand now why he would do such a thing. Pity I could not do more for him, but I had to think of the people foremost.” he sighed.“At least now maybe William can find peace in the afterlife that he could not find among the living. May he be reunited with his family if the gods find fit to do so.”

“May Hades find a place of torture for that evil soul.” Micha spate before storming off. “Poor soul.” Gawain mumbled.

“Indeed a sad day for that young man.” Peregrine agreed. “But he is strong, and I have faith that he shall find his way past the hatred he feels right now.”

Gawain stood from his chair and bowed, “Your Majesty, I do not wish to sound rude. But now that the Reaper Cannon has been disposed of, we must be on our way, for we do have a mission of our own to complete. I feel bad for Micha, but that alone cannot keep us here.”

“Understood, I know that you have your own undertakings to attend to.” King Peregrine gave a faint smile. “At least allow me to show my thanks for what the four of you have done for the city of Wespington, and throw a grand feast in your honor.”

If Gawain refused to stay for such an honor, it would be a slap in the face for all the things King Peregrine had done for them. On that night a great feast was prepared for the heroes that saved Wespington from the fate of the Reaper Cannon. Food stretched through the dinner hall of the castle as far as the eye could see, King Peregrine even had his most famous Bard singing songs of their heroism. The night passed with the hero’s eating, drinking, and dancing the night away.

As morning approached the sun began to creep up over the mountains, and the rays of light were shining through the castle windows, along with the aroma of morning dew filling the air. And as the rosters began to crow, and the good people of Wespington started to stir. Gawain and his students, along with Ellyn had already refilled their saddle bags with food, and skins of water, as allowed by King Peregrine. Even though the good king could not be there to send them off, he made sure that their provisions had been filled regardless, as another gesture of his gratitude.

“Ellyn, Leon, and yes even you Ulrich. Make sure we have all we need, then mount up.” Gawain commanded.

Ulrich was the first to mount his horse, “I am always ready to go, old man. You should know that by now.” he said arrogantly. It seemed as though he was back to his old self, and had no recollection of the events that had transpired in Odrela, the night he touched the piece of the Legendary Blade. “Are you going to stand there and stare, or are the rest of you going to mount up?”

“Well I’m ready to go.” Ellyn giggled, jumping on her horses back.

Leon was already sitting on the back of his horse, refusing to take his eyes off Ulrich.

Something deep down in the pit of his stomach told him that his friend was lying about his memory loss. He was for certain that something evil had been awoken inside Ulrich that night, when he touched the accursed blade. Leon still had seen Ulrich as his best friend, but from that point on he had to be watched, and could not be trusted. He felt ill for thinking of his friend in such a manner, but the truth was the truth, and always a hard pill to swallow.

“It’s hard to see such a side of your friend, but evil exists in us all.” Gawain said quietly, as he rode up beside Leon.

“This is all that Caine guys fault.” Leon snarled. “If Ulrich would have listened to you, none of this would be happening.”

“Ulrich made up his mind long ago, not all can be blamed on others.” Gawain sighed. “You yourself know this Leon, its just a matter of accepting it.” he kicked the sides of his horse spurring it on ahead.

“I won’t let my friend be swallowed by the evil inside of him, nor will I let others pray on it either.” Leon whispered, before spurring his horse on.

Several more months had passed as they rode through some of the most beautiful and wildest terrain imaginable. They could tell fall was just around the corner, as a cold chill filled the air at the beginning of each day, soon it was clear that snow would fall from the skies and cover the ground. As they pressed on, the land went from lush green, to swampy and murky, and the smell of death had surrounded them.

“Watch where you ride the horses, this part of the land is full of black mud that will swallow you and your horses. And there is no escaping it.” Gawain warned.

“Why did we take this way in the first place?” Ulrich barked.

“There is no other way to reach the mountain we seek.” Gawain responded. “And to think, this

isn’t even the hardest part of our journey.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Leon muttered.

Ellyn let out a bloodcurdling scream that echoed throughout the swamp. Forgetting all else Ulrich quickly rode over to her. “What is it, Ellyn?” he asked, making sure she was unharmed.

“I seen something moving in the water.” she nervously answered.

Gawain rode up beside them, “Is everything alright? I heard Miss Ellyn scream.” “She had seen movement in the mud.” Ulrich answered.

“Where?” Gawain questioned.

Ellyn pointed out the spot, “Over there.”

Gawain jumped off his horse and unsheathed his blade, “What are you doing, old man?” Ulrich

asked.

“There are things in this forest that not even you could phantom, very dangerous things.” Gawain explained. “Listen up, I’m telling the three of you right now to stay put. Whatever happens do not get off your horses.” with sword in hand, Gawain slowly made his way over to where Ellyn had pointed. He approached the mud with caution, moving what looked to be moss out of the way with his sword. “Nasty.” he snarled.

Something could be seen reaching up out of the mud behind Gawain, “Look out, Master Gawain.” Leon shouted. But it was to late whatever came up out of the mud had already grabbed hold of Gawain’s ankle, trying to pull him down into the mud. “Master Gawain.” Leon gasped, readying himself to jump off his horse to give his teacher aid.

“Stay put, that is a direct order.” Gawain demanded. “I have everything under control.” whatever creature had hold of his ankle was pulling him down further into the mud. Whatever chances he had of surviving would depend upon him using an earth spell. However it required the use of blood, and using blood for a spell was something he detested. But if he didn’t act quickly he would be pulled

under the earth and become somethings meal for sure, and the promise he made to Leon’s father would be broken. He took to his knife, using the blade to cut his hand. Gawain placed the palm of his hand on the ground and muttered, “Dazz, fomb, nezz, taa.” the ground shook for a brief moment, and Gawain was freed from the grip that had him. He swiftly got to his feet, and with haste mounted his horse, “We ride, do not slow down and whatever you do, do not stop.”

Without even a question, Ellyn, Leon, and Ulrich nodded in agreement and kicked at their horses. Gawain did his best to lead the others out of the swamp, but it wasn’t going to be easy.

Whatever had hold of Gawain’s ankle, pulling him down into the mud, made itself known, and it wasn’t alone. In a matter of minutes they were surrounded by these things, the creatures took the shape of humans but were far from it. They had long sharp claws, and razor sharp teeth, the creatures could climb trees with blinding speed, and could disappear in the earth at will.

“What are they?” Ellyn gasped, trying to steer her horse clear of them.

“These creatures are known as mud demons, slaves to the Terocs.” Gawain answered, swinging his blade cutting ones head from its shoulders. “They live under the earth, and take shape of anything they see. But do not let them fool you, if you stop they will surely kill you.” one of the creatures came diving out of the trees at Gawain, but he was quick to knock it out of the air. “Keep riding and cut a line straight through them.”

Leon was hacking and slashing at the creatures that seemed to look human to him, but strangely disfigured. For each one he killed, another would take its place, each seeming more human than the next. “Each one I kill another takes it place.” he called out.

“Then just keep taking them down.” Ulrich shouted, killing two of the creatures with his bow and arrow.

“Does anyone notice that these things are taking on a more definite form?” Ellyn asked as she rode up beside the others, hacking through a few of the mud demons with her blade.

“I’ve noticed that too.” Leon answered, slashing at one with his blade as it tried to attack his

horse.

They fought valiantly against the hordes of mud demons, hacking and slashing their way through them. At one point though it seemed like the things would get the better of them, for at a time they had them surrounded. But in an instant the mud demons vanished back beneath the earth from which they came, and all went eerily quiet.

“We scared them off.” Ulrich bragged. “Just keep riding.” Gawain snapped.

And just when it seemed like they would make it out of the forest, the horses stopped. No matter how hard they pulled on the reins the horses refused to move. “My horse refuses to move” Ellyn hissed, it was clear she was becoming nervous with the situation at hand.

“Something has spooked them.” Leon said.

“No.” Gawain responded. “Something controls them.” “Then we are sitting ducks.” Ellyn muttered nervously.

“If we stay on our horses like this we shall be.” Ulrich interrupted.

Gawain sheathed his blade back to his side, after jumping off his horse. “Where are you going, Master Gawain? I thought you said not to get off your horse.” Leon inquired.

“That is true, I did say that.” Gawain agreed. “However, Ellyn and Ulrich are right. If we stay on our horses the way they are now, the mud demons will surely make our end a terrible one.”

“Then what do you suggest, old man?” Ulrich asked. “Leave our horses behind? Or did you forget we still have a long journey ahead of us?”

Gawain shook his head, “These horses will not aid us much longer.” “What is that suppose to mean, old man?” Ulrich snarled.

Ellyn dismounted her horse, turning to look up at Ulrich. “Think about it for just for a second.

Once we are out of this forest, there will be a mountain to climb. Do you really think we can ride these horses up a mountain?”

“N-No.” Ulrich stuttered. “That would be impossible.” “Exactly.”

“Don’t forget to take the saddle bags.” Gawain reminded them.

Leon hurriedly jumped from the back of his horse and drew his blade, “Forget about the saddle bags, we have company.”

Ulrich scoured the area looking for any signs of the mud demons return, “What are you going on about?” he questioned. “I don’t see a bloody thing.” Leon reached for a shield that he had taken from Wespington Castle just in case he needed it. “What are you doing with that? You don’t know how to properly use a shield.”

Leon took to a defensive stance and readied his sword and shield, “There are things about me you do not know, Ulrich. But now is not the time to discuss that, ready yourself.”

“I will not draw on enemies that I cannot see.” Ulrich glared in Gawain’s direction. “Talk some sense into him, old man.”

Gawain unsheathed his blade, readying himself like Leon had done before him, “The time for talk is over, something approaches.” Ulrich was about to run his mouth again, but he was interrupted by four figures slowly making their way towards the warriors from the shadows. What they had seen next took them by surprise, the enemies that stood before them now, were mirror images of themselves.

“They look just like us.” Ellyn gasped.

“How is this even possible?” Ulrich couldn’t believe his eyes, he looked at an exact carbon copy of himself.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Leon snarled. “These are those fowl mud demons that could not best us, so instead they studied our movements, how we fought, the weapons that we used, and of course how we

look. They have basically transformed into-” he paused for a moment. “Us.”

“Do not be fooled.” Gawain hissed. “They may look like us, but they cannot speak our language, nor can they fight exactly the way we do.”

Master Gawain’s doppelganger drew his sword, “You humans always seem to think that no other species can compare to you. How little do you understand.”

“You speak.” Gawain exclaimed.

“We do more than that.” the doppelganger brought his blade swiftly down, Gawain rolled out of the way in the nick of time, the blade grazing his arm. “Do you understand the seriousness of the situation now?”

“Indeed.” Gawain snarled, they found themselves in a dangerous position, but Gawain hadn’t led them all this far to just give up. “Do not underestimate us either, Teroc. We have many tricks up our sleeves. You may not be like the mud demons, but yet you can still die.” he lunged forward at the impostor with blinding speed, causing the doppelganger to take a few steps back.

While Gawain engaged his impostor in battle, his students and Ellyn found themselves in their own heated battle for their lives. Leon got knocked to the ground, but managed to roll out of harms way when his doppelganger tried to stab him. Ellyn was going toe to toe, and blow for blow, with her impostor. The two were engaged in such a fast paced sword dance that it was hard to keep up with them, all you could see were sparks flying as metal clashed against metal. Ulrich on the other hand was starting to get impatient, because the Teroc that stood before him refused to fight.

“Come on, what are you waiting for?” Ulrich barked. “Are you afraid to fight me coward? This proves that you may look like me, but we’re nothing alike. I would have already killed you by now, if the shoe was on the other foot.”

“Then why haven’t you?” the doppelganger smirked. “I’m unarmed.” he raised his arms up in the air, still smiling. “Go ahead, take that blade of yours and run me through?” Ulrich placed the tip of

his blade against the Terocs chest. “You’re not going to kill me. So why even raise your blade?.”

Ulrich pushed the blade a little further into the Terocs chest, barely piercing the skin. “Don’t be so sure.” he snarled.

“Then by all means strike me dead, and go help your friends.” “Enough talk.” Ulrich hissed. “Draw your sword.”

“I’m not going to do that.” the impostor smirked. “Not after we went through all of this trouble just to separate you from them.”

“Why would you do that?” Ulrich questioned. “Lower your blade, and I shall tell you why.”

Ulrich sheathed his blade, “Speak, before I change my mind.” “You felt the power of the legendary blade didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb with me, I know you touched a piece of the dark blade.” “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Ulrich hissed for a second time.

“You lie.” the Teroc grumbled. “Tell me the truth, or I shall see your friends pulled under the earth, unless you no longer care for them.”

Ulrich didn’t care much for the old man, and wished his impostor would best him. However he still cared for his friend Leon, and his feelings for Ellyn burned bright. “Yes, I did touch the piece of blade moons ago. But how did you know?”

The Teroc paced back and forth never taking his eyes off Ulrich, “How did you feel when you touched the blade?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” “Just answer the question.”

Ulrich cracked a faint smile, “I felt powerful, like the blade itself belonged to me.”

“The blade brought out the darkness in your heart, it let you have taste of the true powers you possess. And when that happened, we were set free.”

“Are saying that I’m responsible for setting you creatures free?” Ulrich spate.

“Creatures?” the Teroc laughed. “We are of a noble tribe that served the Dark Lord during the Great War.”

“Those vile things that came up from the mud, did not look so noble to me.”

The Teroc laughed even louder, “Aw, the mud demons. Those vile things you speak of, were once humans that swore loyalty to us, and in return we spared them, giving them eternal life.”

“I doubt they would have wanted to live if they knew the fate that had awaited them. To think you could do such a thing is sick.”

“Do not judge us human.” the Teroc snapped. “You are the ones that sacrificed your own kind in order to make the Dark Knights. If not for you, the Great War would never have happened in the first place, nor would our Dark Lord even exist.”

“I care nothing about your Dark Lord, or the Great War for that matter. I just want to know what you want with me.”

“We just want you to know the truth, that these fools hide from you.” “This sounds interesting, so go ahead and speak, I’m listening.”

“The pieces of the blade you and your companions search for, is meant for you.” “Surely you joist.”

“Still so young and naive yet.” the Teroc turned its back to Ulrich.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he unsheathed his blade yet again. “We’re not done here, I said you could speak. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to kill you.”

The Teroc turned his head slightly to look back at Ulrich, “When your eighteenth year has come, and the ground is covered with white, seek me out. Until then learn how to control the power

deep within, use your hate to your advantage. The time will come when you are ready to shape the world the way you see fit, and we shall aid you.” and like dust in the wind the Teroc vanished, along with the others.

“Where did they go?” Gawain bellowed. “I haven’t the foggiest.” Leon said.

“I think they are trying to trick us.” Ellyn muttered.

“I am not sure that’s the case Ellyn, the one that looked like me wasn’t exactly trying.” Leon replied.

Gawain sheathed his blade, “If that’s the case, then who were they truly after?”

“Ulrich.” Ellyn gasped, turning to run after him, but he was already standing by his horse. “No need to worry about little old me.” Ulrich joked. Ellyn was so happy that nothing had

happened to him, that she ran up and wrapped her arms around him. “It’s nice to know that you care.” he whispered in her ear.

“I don’t mean to ruin such a happy moment, but do you have any idea what the Terocs wanted with us, Ulrich?” Gawain inquired, after mounting his horse.

“I don’t know old man, maybe they just wanted to test our skill.” Ulrich smirked. “Cut the shit, Ulrich.” Gawain scowled. “You know something.”

Ulrich smiled at Gawain, “The Teroc that looked like me, had a message involving Lord Alistair. And that old man, is none of your business, like always.” he turned and mounted his horse, giving the reins a yank. “Its time we get to the mountain.”

Gawain grabbed the reins of his horse and started to lead it out of forest, “This is far from over, stubborn boy.” he muttered.