Crystal Bloodlines

Chapter Seven: Distant Goals

The crowd swarmed towards the plaza, trying to get to the docks to meet the taxmen. From what Cyrus and Dell had heard, there's usually a speech or two when the taxmen come and past that, it was exciting to see some of the strongest warriors in the kingdom.

The rush was frantic as people shouted that they had arrived. The land quaked as something gigantic approached in the distance. Even from far away Cyrus could see something in the river that was at least forty feet tall and slowly approaching the docks.

After the duo reached the docks, people continued to trickle over to the audience that waited and looked out over the murky waters.

It felt like an invisible pressure began to build up around everyone. The elderly began to sit wherever they could, and the children stopped playing. Everyone watched closely now in hushed voices as the golem came into clearer view. A giant rock monster with three figures on it's head stopped in the middle of the river. As it stopped, the pressure stopped building as well.

Of the three figures, two of them jumped from the golem's head and landed on the surface of the flowing water. Despite the current, they continued to stand in place on top of the water. From the distance, no one could tell if they were actually touching the water but rumors had said that only the legendary sages could fly and it seemed impossible that the kingdom would send sages as tax collectors with the position being so high in the kingdom.

The smaller of the figures was a girl who appeared to be in her late twenties although cultivation might make it misleading since the stronger a person was the slower they would age. She wore a cloak that seemed just a little too big for her. The wind blowing her hair around behind her left an ominous feeling in the hearts of the people looking at the beautiful figure.

The other figure was a middle aged man who seemed very stern and upright. His armor was exceedingly clean but dented and even cracked in some spots. It looked cheap as he approached but the runic symbols on it seemed complex and intrinsic. The scruff on his face made him appear unkempt but his smile made him seem kindhearted unlike the frown on his female companion. The most astonishing thing about him was the giant long sword on his back that was as long as he was tall at just over six feet.

With their arrival an older man in a simple and clean red robe began to wave people away and the townsmen of Flumenkarta began to step back and give space to the approaching figures. The air blew hard and the two tax collectors jumped up into the air and landed on the concrete past the smaller docks.

"It's good to see you my lord and lady. The mayor of Flumenkarta gives his warmest welcome!", the red robed figure gave a hurried half bow.

"There's no need for such pleasantries, just give me the money, I'd like for us to be on our way shortly.", the lady seemed disinterested in the current events but her mocking smile made her seem overly arrogant.

"Miss Fiona, there's time for a few pleasantries, allow me to say a few words. Besides, I'm sure our hosts would be interested in a small show of your magnificent power.", stepping forward the swordsman put a hand on the mayors shoulder and looked over smiling kindly at the overbearing woman.

Quickly the mayor handed the woman a small sack of jingly coins and the woman smiled for the first time since their arrival.

"Always such the sweet talker you are, I can't say no to Brightsword Gerald.", Fiona turned to the southernmost bend of the river in the distance and walked towards it next to the dock.

"I will show you all the power of a Baron. A dozen Knights couldn't stand before me."

Flashing forward she moved and the temperature of the air dropped magnificently causing ice crystals to form in the air. With a large swing of her right arm and a few whispered words, a blue tinged gust of air swung out over the river and the surface of the river froze into a dark murky ice. Not even the current could be seen under the thick layer.

Cyrus shivered looking at the river that was frozen for several dozen meters out and imagined what could've happened if a person stood in front of that attack.