The Heart of Sarrador: The Little Flame

Chapter 9

The streets of Gormscot city reminded me sadly of the guild sewers in Calladun, the penniless and the sick walled in together only adding to the putrid atmosphere. I often thought freedom would lead to a better life for me but seeing these people I wondered if, it wasn't for John, I could have ended up like them if I'd ever escaped.

"These are the Gormscot slums Beahblahd, like another world where decadence is the norm. The Duchy of Gormscot is ruled by the distinguished Diuna Sioamarei." Cloud conferred.

"Distinguished my ass, he's the biggest crook in Callador. Many of the infamous tales of the Laren De'Algadai, the ones which portray them as villains were actually about him and his ancestors." John laughed but his eyes remained solemn.

"Will we be staying here, in the slums?" I asked trying not to look at the fly covered man lying in the gutter.

"Of course not, the slums are the outer city. We'll be staying closer to the noble district and within easy reach of the eastern gates for when we need to leave." John looked to the sky at the faded moon. "That might have to wait a bit, what with the tirduin situation we'll have to go after full moon which will be either tomorrow or the day after." I shivered. I was suddenly glad to be within the walls of this stinking city for what little protection it offered.

"What about Evokers, won't this city have some in it?" I asked.

"Each capital has six Evoker guards. You know how the Evoker ranking system works right, Beahblahd?" Cloud asked and I shook my head. "Well you know about the city of Godsguard right? Godsguard is the capital of the island state of Horomer and it is there that Evokers are trained from a very early age. There the children are trained for around twenty summers before being cast out into the world as Evoker Mercenaries, fulfilling various tasks for payment, or dedicating themselves to studies of elegyn and becoming Evoker Priests." He explained.

"I chose the way of the mercenary and made quite a living out of it." John cut in. "As a mercenary you have true freedom, travelling the land taking high paying jobs when they present themselves."

"After mercenary class an Evoker can be recalled to Godsguard and assigned as a Duke's Guard. Each Duke will have six guards, one for each of the elements. If an Evoker Guard shows great reliability they can once again be recalled to Godsguard and be put through a further five summers of training to become one of the six Evoker Royal Guards who protect the king himself."

"I had a friend once who always wanted to become one of the Royal Guard, saved my life once too... Wonder if he made it." John said. We stopped walking and John suddenly stiffened.

"John what's wrong..." I said but he cut me off.

"Shut it Bea. Show yourself, how long have you been following us?" He yelled into the deserted street, when had we left all the bystanders? I should've paid more heed to my surroundings.

"I know you're there, your tricks won't work on me." He pointed his sword towards an alley and a hooded figure appeared.

"You're as good as they say Al'Gabh. I'd only been on your tail less than ten minutes." It was a woman's voice but loud and sure like a warrior's.

She stepped out into the street and lowered her hood, spilling out wavy golden hair. She was a beautiful Lith with fiery eyes.

"Who are you and what is it you want? Are you with the other two hunting us?" John demanded.

"My name is Siritara, Evoker Mercenary class and it is my every intention of taking that Grey off your hands." She said waving a hand in my direction. John laughed and looked around the empty street.

"Your Evokery is good lass, to keep people from coming this way, but just you on your own can't go around making demands from someone on an entirely different level to you." Her eyes widened for a second but cold certainty hardened her gaze once more.

"Whether you say that or not I know he's coming with me." She smirked and Cloud who had been quiet since the Evoker had appeared suddenly turned to John.

"John I've heard of her before, she's the one they call the oracle of Albagal. She can interact with the world spirit stream better than any Evoker ever known. She can practically see the future." Cloud was clearly worried but John didn't even blink.

"That's me and I know that Grey is coming with me whether you fight it or not." She took a step towards us but a rock suddenly flew from Johns hand and she had to dodge.

"I know how the spirit stream works and I know it's as bendable as a bow. I'm going to protect Bea with all my strength no matter what you say." He declared and it made me want to smile with gratitude but... Where had that rock come from? Siritara took a step back and bright yellow flames engulfed her hands.

"I was actually hoping you'd say that." She announced and she leapt with hands outstretched towards John who, after closing his eyes for a second, lifted his arms and a wall of solid rock rose from the ground in front of him. Siritara didn't hesitate for a second however and she launched herself over the wall. Cloud grabbed me and motioned up the street.

"This is looking bad Beahblahd. We should put as much distance between their fight as possible, we could get hurt." He gasped. I gazed at the two fighting Evokers, Spires had risen from the road and one of the thatch roofed buildings had caught fire, the yellow flame licking up the building. I felt a pang of regret for not being able to help but still I turned and fled behind Cloud.

We had made it far up the road to a place where people were gathering and looking down the way we had come with shocked expressions. One of them asked Cloud what was happening and it startled me when he simply told the truth, that there were two Evokers fighting. Loud explosions could be heard so they were still at it, Cloud looked grave however and when I asked him what was wrong he pointed to the talisman John had given me.

"He's not wearing his seal... The fool isn't wearing his seal and he's expending that much power." He shook his head and clenched his fist. "The Elegyn seal weakens an Evoker's power significantly but also prevents him from drawing elegyn from himself."

"Why's that such a bad thing?" I asked.

"If he draws too much elegyn from himself he could upset his elemental balance and fall into the pit of elemental dementia, he'd become a raging demon unable to control himself and laying waste to all in his path until he was killed." The weight of it suddenly hit me and I grabbed Cloud's shoulders.

"Isn't there any way he can prevent that from happening?"

"He'd have to make a conscious effort to only draw elegyn from the environment. He's an earth specialist so it shouldn't be that difficult but it's not natural to draw from the environment and one second's lack of concentration could be fatal.

Just then the crack of breaking rock ceased, the battle was over. Cloud and I exchanged a nod and then made off at a sprint towards where we hoped John was still in one piece.