Yuri of the Fields
J.J. Polson
(Two Parts 2,000 words)
One
Gavlar, Lord of Flame, sat upon his throne.
Waiting.
Sweat dampened his brow. His heart thumped in his chest.
In moments, Yuri of the Fields would enter the Brimstone Keep, seeking to claim a power no man should ever wield. The other Elemental Lords, those corrupted by power, had failed. Gavlar was the Realm’s last hope.
If only I had more time…
Gavlar sunk into the memories of his defeat at the hands of Yuri of the Fields two years before. He had attempted to take the burden of the Elemental Blade upon himself, but he had been ill-informed and underprepared. Only when Yuri had drawn the legendary sword from its sheath, had Gavlar understood his mistake.
The Blade had already chosen the boy.
Thoughts of Yuri spiked Gavlar’s anxiety. The boy was the perfect vessel. Tall and muscular. Dark hair and darker skin. Eyes filled with hope. But the instant Yuri had wielded the Blade, that idealistic boy had been devoured. No mortal could withstand the pull of such an evil weapon, could ignore its whispered promises of unrivaled power.
Gavlar traced the scar above his heart. He didn’t understand why Yuri had not slain him that day, why the boy had not claimed the Fire Stone after dealing him a nearly-mortal blow. Yuri’s pursuit of the other Elemental Lords had allowed Gavlar to regroup, to strengthen his volcanic stronghold high in the northern mountains.
Shuttering his eyes, Gavlar probed the devastating traps and ferocious creatures positioned throughout his mountainous keep. Every obstacle and every foe was designed to drain the energy of the Elemental Blade. His only chance at victory was to weaken the boy.
Gavlar summoned the commander of his legion with an archaic word. The fire demon eyed the radiant gem atop Gavlar’s staff, then bowed deeply.
“He approaches,” the demon said.
Gavlar raised his staff. The twin doors to the throne room parted, and a host of armored demons marched forward. They were the most powerful of those that had once terrorized the Realm, the most difficult to seal away. The price to summon so many had been great, but none could deny the Lord of Flame. Their grim fate was deserved.
After they inevitably fell, Gavlar would face Yuri alone. He knew the weakness of the other Elemental Stones, of the Blade itself. He could only hope that, this time, his preparation would make a difference.
Gavlar tightened his grip on his staff and studied the radiant stone affixed to its end. Only he could prevent an age of darkness. He would claim the Elemental Blade and seal it away, then he would scatter the other Stones upon the winds.
Finally, the fated day had come.
All Gavlar could do now was wait…
*
Gavlar waited until he could no longer.
At last, the Lord of Flame rose from his ornate throne. His weary bones creaked as he descended the glowing dais. Struggling to regain his wind, he summoned the demon commander.
The fire demon appeared after an uncharacteristic delay. The former wielder of the Fire Stone studied the gem with rebellion in its ruby eyes.
“Where is he?” Gavlar questioned.
“The Brimstone Keep has not been breached, Lord.”
“Impossible. The Fire Stone is needed to bring the Elemental Blade to full power. The sword has a hunger that cannot be denied. Yuri has no choice but to face me.”
The demon grinned, revealing rows of black teeth. “You were mistaken.”
Incredulous, Gavlar watched the demonic legion fall to dust.
Gavlar cursed. Time was inconsequential to an Elemental Lord. How long had he waited on Yuri’s arrival? How much had the world suffered in his absence?
A spell brought Gavlar outside the Brimstone Keep. Staring at the sealed entrance, he accepted that his extensive preparation had been in vain. He had been so certain the boy would attack him directly that he hadn’t considered any alternatives. Yuri had outwitted him, forced his hand.
Cautiously, Gavlar turned to survey the world before him. Winter had come and gone. The fields extending from his mountaintop fortress were rich with life and color.
What have I done? Gavlar thought in horror. He attempted to transport to a city where he could discover Yuri’s location. The spell failed. The Fire Stone went dark.
Gavlar began to walk.
Two
Gavlar struggled to navigate the unfamiliar terrain. It had been centuries since he had walked the world without the aid of the Fire Stone. The path leading from the Brimstone Keep was overrun with weeds, and there was no discernable trail beyond its abrupt end. His tortured muscles protested every step, but he forced himself to keep moving. He had no choice.
Eventually, Gavlar collapsed by a stream, exhausted. His throat burned. His stomach had twisted into knots. Gavlar dragged his failing body to the water and drank. Until the Fire Stone restores itself, I’m useless, he thought in despair. What if I’m already too late?
“Need some help, old man?”
Turning, Gavlar found a man dressed in furs at his side. Dead rabbits and a long knife hung from a leather belt wrapped around his waist.
Gavlar didn’t protest as the hunter helped him to his feet. The sight of his reflection in the water summoned a lengthy sigh. The Elemental Blade wreaks havoc on the world, and I can barely stand. He cursed himself. I’m the Realm’s last hope. I can’t give up!
“My cabin is nearby,” the hunter said. “Can you walk?”
Several hours later, Gavlar found himself seated at a table beside a squirming child. The hunter’s wife served him rabbit stew from a rusted pot. The concoction smelled horrific.
“What brings you this far north?” the woman asked.
Gavlar tested his stew and found it surprisingly acceptable. During the slow march to the hunter’s cabin, he had stitched together a backstory … one he hoped was believable. “I am searching for Yuri of the Fields. I heard rumors that he seeks to battle the Lord of Flame.”
The eyes of the cabin’s occupants lit up.
“You know Yuri?” The young boy squealed in delight. “He’s a hero. He defeated the evil Elemental Lords and brought peace to the entire world!”
A hero? Foolish child. Gavlar moved the conversation forward. He needed answers. “I was there the day he claimed the Elemental Blade. I was hoping to give him some advice before the battle.”
The hunter laughed. “I’m afraid you’re too late. Gavlar is dead!”
Gavlar nearly choked.
“Yuri and his companions have taken residence in River City,” the hunter continued. “Come with us into town tomorrow. Any friend of Yuri will be able to find a ride to River City.”
Gavlar nodded slowly, assessing his options. Entering the boy’s stronghold was a daring move, but what other choice did he have?
*
The road to River City was packed with travelers, and the hero’s name was on every tongue. The hunter’s revelation that Gavlar had helped Yuri retrieve the Elemental Blade had earned him free passage. Or so he had foolishly believed. Gavlar’s companion, a merchant named Leigh, assaulted him with an endless barrage of questions.
Despite the apparent jovial state of the world, Gavlar refused to believe his eyes. The Elemental Blade had corrupted every being who had ever wielded it. It had unleashed chaos and destruction time and again. Where were the soldiers? The signs of battle? The diseased? The dead?
Gavlar concluded that Yuri had placed the entire Realm under a trance. That was the only logical explanation. Once again, he had underestimated the boy.
To earn directions to Yuri’s favored tavern, Gavlar was forced to reveal the details of how he had helped the boy claim the Elemental Blade. He had no option but to lie, to tell the merchant what she wanted to hear. He couldn’t risk Yuri prematurely detecting his presence.
The streets of the colorful city brimmed with life. The scent of fresh bread and ale overpowered that of waste and filth. On every corner, street performers danced to festive music. Gavlar walked with a painted smile upon his weathered face, careful to avoid unnecessary attention.
An hour later, Gavlar slipped through a bustling common room and claimed an empty corner table. He spotted Yuri of the Fields among the crowd. The so-called hero was the focus of every eye. Cheers arose whenever he won a hand of cards.
Gavlar studied the wicked sword sheathed upon the boy’s back. He hadn’t yet been able to discern the nature of the trance Yuri had used to sedate the Realm. With any luck, a spell of such magnitude would drain the power of the legendary Blade.
Discreetly, Gavlar peeked beneath the cloth wrapped around the head of his gnarled staff. The Fire Stone had finally begun to restore itself. Still, he would not risk a reckless confrontation. The world hung in the balance. He needed to discover what Yuri—
“Greetings, Gavlar,” the boy said, sliding into the seat across from him. “What brings you down from Brimstone Keep?”
Caught by surprise, Gavlar spoke the truth. “I’ve come to stop you.”
“Stop me? From what?” Yuri scratched his smooth chin in thought, then grinned. “Oh! From taking the Fire Stone. That’s actually a funny story. I walked all the way to your door … only to realize that I didn’t need it.”
Gavlar narrowed his eyes.
“It was actually your words that caused me to turn away!”
My words?
“When we fought, you told me that the Elemental Blade was dangerous and that no one man should wield such power.” Yuri laughed. “To think that I nearly forgot your warning! When I realized the Blade’s evil intentions, I gave the other Stones to my companions for safekeeping.”
Gavlar followed the boy’s gaze to the three youths enthralled in the ongoing card game.
“My father once told me the legend of Gavlar the Wise,” Yuri continued. “I know that you vanquished the fire demons, that you constructed Brimstone Keep to protect the valley. Unlike the other Elemental Lords, you used your Stone for good. I thought it was best to leave it with you.”
Gavlar stared at the boy, dumbfounded.
Yuri grinned. “It worked! You may have noticed on your way here that everything is under control.”
“But … the sword … you nearly killed me,” Gavlar managed to reply.
“That was never my intention. I was alone and afraid. It was almost as if the Blade fought with a will of its own.” The boy’s tone was remorseful. “Can you forgive me?”
Forgive you?
Gavlar was silent for some time. Gavlar the Wise. A legend?
He remembered seeing his alien reflection upon the water. How long had it been since he first claimed the Fire Stone? He had rarely left Brimstone Keep since, even after binding the souls of the fire demons. Only when rumor of the long-lost Elemental Blade reached his ears had he dared to leave the fortress. He had concluded that only the worst could occur, that only he could defuse such a dangerous situation.
More like Gavlar the Fool. There was never any spell. Gavlar thought of the demon commander, of its hunger to reclaim the Fire Stone. That’s the same way I yearned for the Blade. I wanted its power for myself. I was the one who gave into evil…
“Forgive me,” Gavlar said at last. “I was wrong about you.”
“Already done.” Yuri of the Fields extended his hand. “Join me. There is still evil in this world. Together, we can vanquish it.”
Gavlar the Wise took the hero’s hand. “I’m eager to begin.”
The boy smiled sheepishly. “Glad to hear it. We’ll head out after this game. It seems the fire demons have claimed your keep…”
THE END