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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Adventure
- Published: 05/01/2024
The Gauntlet (Parlay & Parry) PART II of III
Born 1990, M, from Trail, BC, CanadaPART II
Some time later, as Kalpithe and Dreizen trudged through the thick underbrush, a thought rose in Kalpithe’s head. It was one of those thoughts that no matter how hard you tried, it restlessly fought for escape. He mulled it over for quite a long time, but in the end – the irritation he was feeling got the better of him. Kalpithe had to speak his mind; that or risk his focus on the quest.
No. It was best to deal with any restless thoughts that could distract him from the goal at hand; acquiring the gauntlet and then returning it to the witch.
“I was quite enjoying my moment of tranquility in the clearing back there.
I of course appreciate your help as a guide through these parts but why did you feel the need to approach me, in the first place? I was under the impression, you forest dwellers prefer to keep to yourselves – above all else – isn’t it true? Or is that just a rumour which springs out of the villagers’ imaginations? Folklore, and all that.” It was obvious Kalpithe was trying to gauge the man who he was now reliant on. What were Dreizen’s designs – did he have something to do with the old witch who had tasked our hero with the quest – or was he out for himself? These questions burned in our hero’s mind.
“Well, it was quite rude what you were doing.” Dreizen retorted, matter of factly.
“How so?” Kalpithe blurted, quite surprised. He had no idea what the sylvan sage could be referring to.
Dreizen whirled around with unexpected swiftness.
His eyes shone bright in the twilight that eclipsed their surroundings.
“It was rude. Spying on someone readying their home for winter. Very rude. You should realize they are busy and move on. Not every person on this planet is at your whims. Just because you come from over yonder – The Kingdom of Tazul – does not mean you get to waltz in here, acting as if you own the place. These woods are sacred – we are all busying ourselves for the natural cycle of the seasons. Meanwhile, you and your kind are off on some quest; errand, adventure or the like – hoping to make yourself rich and powerful. The mightiest of warriors, the greatest of heroes. Isn’t that right? ” Dreizen’s words were uttered reproachfully, with an air of impatience.
Kalpithe was careful about how he responded, realizing that talking to this man was similar to sparring with an opponent. “Well, most of what you said is correct. I am on a quest – I am not overly concerned about the coming of winter – and yes, soon I will be the mightiest hero this land has ever known.
The one part that I would beg to differ, is the accusation of spying on someone. All I remember, and I’m sure, absolutely positive of my recollection – was myself enjoying a moment of solace; during which, I watched a squirrel gathering nuts (in a willow tree) for the coming frost. Now you wouldn’t be speaking of the tree-rodent, would you?” Kalpithe almost snickered; his tone sounded slightly concerned and equally amused. He had heard that these woodland sages revered animals, plants, and all natural life; therefore it might make sense that his travelling companion would defend a squirrel’s right to privacy. Not much sense, but a little.
“You’re quite the buffoon, Kalpithe. I was the squirrel, after all. Would you deny me the right to work in peace – as any other is afforded?” Dreizen shook his head, apparently tired of the debate already. Dreizen increased his pace through the woods and gesticulated at his partner to hurry.
But instead, Kalpithe stopped dead in his tracks, jaw agape; mind whirling. It could not be true. Of all the powers he had heard these lesser-mages might have, shape-changing was supposedly one of the rarest. It had been said that this was a common ability among magic users in the time of “King RassoÚ” over a thousand years ago. If he were to befriend a man of this power, perhaps the gauntlet could be kept – to hell with the witch. He responded in surprise and partial embarrassment, thinking: I must not let this sylvan magician get the better of me.
“That’s preposterous, and if you call me a buffoon again – I will cut your walking stick asunder. I observed the small creature for some time; after it hid, I heard your voice. The squirrel was dwelling in the tree while you were outside the clearing. Even if you can somehow take the form of a tiny woodland animal, you cannot be in two places at once. No magic can do that. ”
Dreizen seemed even more amused. “No, indeed it cannot.”
“Stop playing the fool! Explain what you mean at once.” Kalpithe began stomping through the woods, regardless of how he thrashed the plant life and forest floor below.
“Well, I suppose I have no choice, since you’ve begun to take it out on the poor Dogwood bush we are currently entangled in, so yes, I will explain. But first would you like to apologize to the birds that live there? No, oh well – what you didn’t spy – with your oh so observant eye – was the second hole at the bottom of the spruce tree.” Dreizen hesitated, gauging a line of rocks to use to cross a stream that was before them. He made up his mind and began to hop lithely; one rock to the next.
“I simply ran out the other hole, changed back into my human form, and then I began to query you on your title, reasons for coming here, and the like.”
So he was a shapeshifter.
As Dreizen began to cross the creek, sounds of approaching hooves could be heard, many hooves in fact. It sounded like a stampede of sorts; metal was clinking too, swords on chainmail. It was the last sound that either of them had expected to hear, so far into the woods.
“It sounds like it’s coming from the East, a troop of some sort. How would they be entering the woods on horseback?” Kalpithe inquired of his companion, hoping he had some idea to offer.
“There is a trail that winds back and forth, following the “Kalays River”. I’m sure that’s where these interlopers have travelled from. No doubt they plan to hunt a phoenix for sport; or for the fine gold feathers they produce. We should avoid them, and yet I fear we cannot since the rate at which they approach.” Dreizen looked around for a place to hide, then he waved his walking stick and a spot seemed to appear before their very eyes. A devil's club bush intertwined with some rose-hips to make a perfectly inconspicuous hiding place (albeit a bit thorny). Dreizen motioned for Kalpithe to crawl in from one side.
They both lay in wait with bated breath; hoping that the large group of brigands would casually ride by. And they waited.
Suddenly the sounds of hooves were all around them, and a voice said brashly, “Come out of your hiding spot Dreizen – we have come for the gauntlet. You will relinquish it now, or the whole forest will pay. Mark my words; cinders and giant-axes I will bring.” The man’s voice rang with hatred, and irrefutable superiority.
Kalpithe knew that voice.
It was his father-in-law’s;
The king of Tazul.
******
The Gauntlet (Parlay & Parry) PART II of III(Lee Fenton)
PART II
Some time later, as Kalpithe and Dreizen trudged through the thick underbrush, a thought rose in Kalpithe’s head. It was one of those thoughts that no matter how hard you tried, it restlessly fought for escape. He mulled it over for quite a long time, but in the end – the irritation he was feeling got the better of him. Kalpithe had to speak his mind; that or risk his focus on the quest.
No. It was best to deal with any restless thoughts that could distract him from the goal at hand; acquiring the gauntlet and then returning it to the witch.
“I was quite enjoying my moment of tranquility in the clearing back there.
I of course appreciate your help as a guide through these parts but why did you feel the need to approach me, in the first place? I was under the impression, you forest dwellers prefer to keep to yourselves – above all else – isn’t it true? Or is that just a rumour which springs out of the villagers’ imaginations? Folklore, and all that.” It was obvious Kalpithe was trying to gauge the man who he was now reliant on. What were Dreizen’s designs – did he have something to do with the old witch who had tasked our hero with the quest – or was he out for himself? These questions burned in our hero’s mind.
“Well, it was quite rude what you were doing.” Dreizen retorted, matter of factly.
“How so?” Kalpithe blurted, quite surprised. He had no idea what the sylvan sage could be referring to.
Dreizen whirled around with unexpected swiftness.
His eyes shone bright in the twilight that eclipsed their surroundings.
“It was rude. Spying on someone readying their home for winter. Very rude. You should realize they are busy and move on. Not every person on this planet is at your whims. Just because you come from over yonder – The Kingdom of Tazul – does not mean you get to waltz in here, acting as if you own the place. These woods are sacred – we are all busying ourselves for the natural cycle of the seasons. Meanwhile, you and your kind are off on some quest; errand, adventure or the like – hoping to make yourself rich and powerful. The mightiest of warriors, the greatest of heroes. Isn’t that right? ” Dreizen’s words were uttered reproachfully, with an air of impatience.
Kalpithe was careful about how he responded, realizing that talking to this man was similar to sparring with an opponent. “Well, most of what you said is correct. I am on a quest – I am not overly concerned about the coming of winter – and yes, soon I will be the mightiest hero this land has ever known.
The one part that I would beg to differ, is the accusation of spying on someone. All I remember, and I’m sure, absolutely positive of my recollection – was myself enjoying a moment of solace; during which, I watched a squirrel gathering nuts (in a willow tree) for the coming frost. Now you wouldn’t be speaking of the tree-rodent, would you?” Kalpithe almost snickered; his tone sounded slightly concerned and equally amused. He had heard that these woodland sages revered animals, plants, and all natural life; therefore it might make sense that his travelling companion would defend a squirrel’s right to privacy. Not much sense, but a little.
“You’re quite the buffoon, Kalpithe. I was the squirrel, after all. Would you deny me the right to work in peace – as any other is afforded?” Dreizen shook his head, apparently tired of the debate already. Dreizen increased his pace through the woods and gesticulated at his partner to hurry.
But instead, Kalpithe stopped dead in his tracks, jaw agape; mind whirling. It could not be true. Of all the powers he had heard these lesser-mages might have, shape-changing was supposedly one of the rarest. It had been said that this was a common ability among magic users in the time of “King RassoÚ” over a thousand years ago. If he were to befriend a man of this power, perhaps the gauntlet could be kept – to hell with the witch. He responded in surprise and partial embarrassment, thinking: I must not let this sylvan magician get the better of me.
“That’s preposterous, and if you call me a buffoon again – I will cut your walking stick asunder. I observed the small creature for some time; after it hid, I heard your voice. The squirrel was dwelling in the tree while you were outside the clearing. Even if you can somehow take the form of a tiny woodland animal, you cannot be in two places at once. No magic can do that. ”
Dreizen seemed even more amused. “No, indeed it cannot.”
“Stop playing the fool! Explain what you mean at once.” Kalpithe began stomping through the woods, regardless of how he thrashed the plant life and forest floor below.
“Well, I suppose I have no choice, since you’ve begun to take it out on the poor Dogwood bush we are currently entangled in, so yes, I will explain. But first would you like to apologize to the birds that live there? No, oh well – what you didn’t spy – with your oh so observant eye – was the second hole at the bottom of the spruce tree.” Dreizen hesitated, gauging a line of rocks to use to cross a stream that was before them. He made up his mind and began to hop lithely; one rock to the next.
“I simply ran out the other hole, changed back into my human form, and then I began to query you on your title, reasons for coming here, and the like.”
So he was a shapeshifter.
As Dreizen began to cross the creek, sounds of approaching hooves could be heard, many hooves in fact. It sounded like a stampede of sorts; metal was clinking too, swords on chainmail. It was the last sound that either of them had expected to hear, so far into the woods.
“It sounds like it’s coming from the East, a troop of some sort. How would they be entering the woods on horseback?” Kalpithe inquired of his companion, hoping he had some idea to offer.
“There is a trail that winds back and forth, following the “Kalays River”. I’m sure that’s where these interlopers have travelled from. No doubt they plan to hunt a phoenix for sport; or for the fine gold feathers they produce. We should avoid them, and yet I fear we cannot since the rate at which they approach.” Dreizen looked around for a place to hide, then he waved his walking stick and a spot seemed to appear before their very eyes. A devil's club bush intertwined with some rose-hips to make a perfectly inconspicuous hiding place (albeit a bit thorny). Dreizen motioned for Kalpithe to crawl in from one side.
They both lay in wait with bated breath; hoping that the large group of brigands would casually ride by. And they waited.
Suddenly the sounds of hooves were all around them, and a voice said brashly, “Come out of your hiding spot Dreizen – we have come for the gauntlet. You will relinquish it now, or the whole forest will pay. Mark my words; cinders and giant-axes I will bring.” The man’s voice rang with hatred, and irrefutable superiority.
Kalpithe knew that voice.
It was his father-in-law’s;
The king of Tazul.
******
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Francys Wagner
05/15/2024Very interesting concept and a nice creation. A long time ago, I created a story using this shapeshifter theme, but the teacher asked to keep it. So, it now just exists somewhere in my mind. However, I don't remember the whole plot. Perhaps I will try to rewrite it in the future as I enjoy creating names e places. Cheers
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