Espex The Demon Mage. (1)

Chapter 25: A Race.

A thick blanket of snow covered the surroundings of Samth, Espex and Grix. Nothing around them but white and with every step they took the noise of crunch. They had been in this very cold climate for a few weeks now. All in hope to meet a certain man Espex was searching for. Three gruelling months of travel. Samth had learned many new things on the travels. From climate change to what snow was to the fact that it is very cold. She had mastered wind magic to the point that Grix would struggle in a serious fight with her. Espex in the three months told her more about legends of the world and the evil of magic. In the months of travel they had been attacked many times by bounty hunters after their heads. All in vain. The knights of One had nearly captured them a few times but again in vain. Espex, Samth and Grix had made up fail safes to make sure no one ever got caught again. Every now and then they would receive word from Tate or Haya about the war effort. Gord had been turned into a complete fortress. All and any mage fighting for the cause would be found there. The last news they got from Haya was more than two months ago. Tate would send word through the very air. A spell only he could do, though Samth did her best to copy the skill. Grix now wore a small thick coat that was blue, same colour as his fur. His pink trousers leapt out at anyone who saw them. Samths hair now long and messy as ever, Espexs eyes bright and purple and his long shaggy purple hair down to his neck. He sprouted a small chin beard he had been growing from his capture in Gord. Samth however hated it.

"Are we close to a village or town yet? Am freezing my literal butt off."

"Yes we are close; I can't do anything about the cold. Just deal with it." Espex said while stroking his chin hair.

"Heartless as ever. Don't you agree Grix?" The small creature looked at Espex then barked. "See he agrees with me. Monster."

"He always agrees with you. Someone would think you were the one who summoned him and was his oldest friend."

"Don't be a big baby."

"Am not, just saying."

They both continued to walk for another hour before they could see the outline of a small town. Smoke was rising from the chimneys of the huts. A large building stood in the centre of the town. It was a church.

Pointing towards the village. "There it is lass. Home." Sadness and joy in his voice and face.

"When was the last time you were here?"

Espex looked at Samth while thinking. "Hmmm... got to be more than say. Eighteen years."

"Eighteen years!" shocked shout came out of Samths red cold lips.

"Will anyone be around who remembers you?" asked a shocked Samth.

"Of course no one can forget me. I am a celebrity after all." He smirked.

"Yea an infamous one."

"Shush you. "

A laugh burst out both of them before Espex stopped walking. He looked on at his town and smirked. "Samth want to race? I bet you one spell I can beat you over there."

Samth looked at Espex and smirked. "You're on."

Espex clapped his leather gloves together forming a prayer hand and chanted. "Nieve paso!" with the chant spoke he burst forth on top of the snow. Gliding effortlessly towards the town he chuckled. "You will never win! You don't know any water magic!" laughter booming even more from his lips.

Samth looked on at a smug cheating Espex. Her cold cheeks puffed up in anger. She looked to Grix on her shoulder. "We don't know water but we have wind." Grix smiled and barked. He grabbed onto her collar with both hands. He knew what was coming. Samth in the three months had done her bet to copy Haya's speed using wind. Her efforts would pay of here and all to beat the smugness off Espex face. Samth slapped her frail cold hands together and chanted the words. "Ventus pes!"

Espex burst forth onto the snow as if it were nothing, no resistance nothing he simply moved. "This is in the bag. Am going to win, poor Samth never stood a chance."

"Didn't I?"

A shocked Espex looked to his right to find Samth smirking. Snow flaying all around her. He looked behind and a great path of snow had been moved from where Samth had come from. Grix was flying in the air next to her, well holding on to her collar whilst his body flayed in the air. Espex just smirked and clasped his hands together and again. He forced more mana to his feet speeding him up, he over took Samth a little more. Samth looked at him with anger again as she could hear his laughter. This would not do.

"Grix get him!" An order Grix could not refuse, If Samth lost Grix lost and not to Espex anyone but Espex. Grix pulled his right blue hand away from the collar and aimed his three digits at Espex, with a bark a wall of wind flew forth and crashed into the snow, just missing Espex.

Espex looked back. "Hey that's cheating!" Another blast of wind smashed the snow just in front of Espex this time. "So be it." Keeping his hands grasped together he pushed more mana down to his feet.

"We cannot lose Grix do it!" She grabbed the small creature from her neck and threw him as hard as he could towards Espex. Grix used the surrounding air to glide towards Espex and onto his back.

"Grix you little bastard." Losing concentration Espex slowed down whilst trying to get Grix off his back. Grix moving so fast he could not get a proper hold on.

"See you at the finish line," Samth shouted as she zoomed past spewing snow into Espex face. "Do it Grix!"

Espex looked at Grix "Do what." A cheeky smile spread across Grix face almost demonic. With a bark Espex flew forward onto his face.

In the distance Espex could hear Samth shout "I win, I win, I win!!"

Espex just lay in the cold snow defeated. Grix stood on his back and pointed one finger of his right hand in the air. The pose of a victor. "Grix... I hate you."

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