NEXUS: King of Warkinles

Chapter 4

"Well now, isn't that a pretty story," drawled a strong, fruity voice from the back. "I wonder if it's true?" Heads turned in surprise to its source, Nexus' spell over them shattering in an instant.

Heavy footfalls dented the silence that now smothered the room. Those footfalls belonged to a barrel chested man, sure of foot and proud of stature under his finely woven blue shirt and dark pants. The only thing darker than his skin was his hair, which clung tight to his scalp. That, and the temper that ran just under the surface.

"Lord Ethan," Lady Kristen said, her voice slack in surprise. A moment later she regained her composure and continued, "I didn't know you frequented the Summer Harvest."

"I don't, typically. But when I heard my Lady was making merry with the rabble, I decided to join in." His tone was light enough, but was as frigid as the annual winters that plagued Bailnor.

Nexus froze at Ethan's voice, the only thing moving being his pounding heart. His hands were locked in a death grip on the arms of the chair. Trouble was a'brewing as it always did when Ethan grew displeased.

At first glance, Ethan was a good lad: worked hard, respected his elders, helped out when asked. But he used his position as the lord's son to cruel effect, from childhood to the present. No one could touch him, and so he did whatever he wanted. As a result, most did their best to stay on his good side. And the fastest way to fall from his good graces was being caught with his girl.

"Get up," he barked at Kristen, jerking his hand in an upward motion.

Lady Kristen nostrils flared, and she rose in indignation. "I am not your serving wrench, Ethan. I craved a story, same as everyone here." But he'd gently pushed her aside, turning his full attention to Nexus.

"So, Nexus," Samuel said, keeping up his casual tone, "you never answered my question."

"Question?" Nexus asked with a nervous chuckle. "What question, Ethan?"

"How much of that story is true? I mean, it'd be quite a feat to gain such a boon, wouldn't it?" He was now only a step or two away, standing a full head taller than Nexus, and half again as wide.

"Well, I may have... exaggerated a bit," he relented, darting eyes searching for an opportunity to escape.

"Nonsense! Come, show us the future!" Ethan jerked the jittery bard to his feet for all to see.

"Ethan, please," Lady Kristen pleaded, her fires cooled, hanging onto his arm. "It's just a story, nothing more. Don't fault Nexus in this."

"Now, now, my beloved," Ethan replied, yanking his arm away from her. "It's a fair question, on my part. I'd like to see if what he says is true. Or, like the rest of his tales, if it's poppycock." He barked a nasty laugh and continued, "So, Nexus, tell us the future! How will the harvest be?"

All eyes descended on Nexus, awaiting his answer. Some gazed with pity, or sympathy, or genuine interest. But for all their sad looks, they did nothing for the poor boy. Ethan's status made it too risky to step in. And no one wanted to become a penniless beggar.

"I-It isn't a gift I can control. The visions... come to me. Now please, I really must be going." Nexus made a break for it, but a vise-like grip hauled him back to the fireplace. No matter how he squirmed and thrashed, Ethan held firm.

"That's mighty convenient, wouldn't you say, fellas?" Ethan asked the crowd. A few of the more gullible farmers grumbled in agreement, but the rest were silent.

Nexus looked out at the crowd, and found that he knew everyone's faces, and they knew his. And yet, they did nothing. The desire to intervene burned within them, sure, but tradition and the terror Ethan inspired held their hand.

"Say, didn't the skeleton pull it out of his head?" Ethan asked.

"Well, y-yes, but—"

"Then perhaps you outta do the same. Maybe someone else can use your gift better. Someone, say, like me."

"Ethan!" Kristen hissed, trying to pry him away from Nexus. He brushed her aside and snatched a squirming Nexus before he made his escape.

"Hmm, you may need some help with that, though." He pulled his fist back, ready to deliver the first blow. In a low growl he finished, "I'll be happy to oblige." The crowd held its breath, some ready to damn the consequences and intervene, when a dull thud broke the tense silence.

Ethan stumbled, letting Nexus crumple to the floor as he held a hand to his head. Both men looked around for the source. Franklin was at his bar, juggling a few pewter cups in the air, and with an expert hand slung another one Ethan's way. This time Ethan dove out of the way, knocking into several of the patrons. Eagerly they retaliated, shoving Ethan into another group of patrons. One drunken man attempted a wild swing at him, but hit an innocent bystander instead. Well, that guy didn't like being punched, so he sought revenge. In moments, the domino effect progressed the skirmish into a bar brawl of epic proportions.

Still dazed on the floor, Nexus heard a variety of sounds assaulting his ears, from grunts, groans and curses to collapsing tables, smashed chairs, and even the odd belch. He struggled to his feet to find Ethan engaged in his own personal fight with three other surly looking men. They all rushed him, forcing the apprentice to fight three fronts at once. But the distraction wouldn't last long, so Nexus went on his way.

He picked through the crowd to Franklin's bar. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet!" Franklin answered. "You need to get out of here, now!"

Nexus nodded and made his escape. He slithered through the crowd, sometimes on two feet, sometimes four, getting jabbed and shoved in his trek. By the time he got out the door, his body felt like one big bruise. In a rush to leave before Ethan broke free, he stumbled out into the night.

**

Compared to the roaring brawl back at the tavern, the night's silence was deafening. Only the crickets and night birds kept Nexus' ears from going into shock.

The darkness didn't help his tipsy condition either, causing him to stumble through thickets and collide with trees. Still, it was much better than being batted around by Ethan. His stumbling and tripping sloshed the mead in Nexus into a nauseous concoction, and a few minutes later his mead violently returned to nature.

After emptying his stomach, Nexus almost wish he was back at the tavern with Ethan. At least then, he might have been sick on him.

But now, Nexus had more pressing concerns.

The forest canopy shrouded many of the stars and blocked the majority of the moon's rays. He hadn't the slightest idea where he was going, or how to get back. Fear would have gripped his heart and legs, were it not for the aftereffects of his nausea. That, and the pounding headache he was getting kept him from dwelling on any fear. Step by stumbling step did Nexus continue. By now, he'd become thoroughly lost.

But even in his addled state, Nexus noticed a subtle change in the air. The crickets and night birds had stopped their song a while back, leaving the forest in silence. It was that silence that cleared the fog out of Nexus' head. Physical pain was the least of his concerns now. It was almost fully dark in the forest; the canopy shrouding any star or moonlight.

A wolf or bear might be but a stone's throw away, and Nexus would be none the wiser. Or, if he'd stumbled into the Forest of Tudar, something far, far worse.

Nexus swore at his wandering. Anything for miles could have heard him, and he could have been anywhere for miles. Now he took care where he stepped, wincing at every branch he broke, or stone he kicked. He tried his best to use the shadows to hide him, but he wasn't sure how to do that sober, let alone drunk. A pulling at his legs informed him he was climbing a hill. Once he got to the top, he could get his bearing, and find his way home.

After what seemed to be an eternity of hiking, Nexus made it to the crest of the hill. He didn't remember climbing a hill this steep in any of his walks and hikes. He must be very far from home. The thought of being in unfamiliar territory formed a fearful pit in his stomach.

That fear vanished when he saw what lied on the top of the hill. An open glade let the silver light of the moon and stars shine down. Long grass swayed in a slight breeze. But what struck out most were the ruins scattered across the glade, huge mounds of stone jutting from the grass like islands.

Nature was well on its way to reclaiming whatever once stood here as it completely consumed many pieces of stone. Oddly enough, this place was familiar to him. How that could be so, Nexus didn't have the slightest idea. But when the pieces clicked together, fear once again sat in his heart.

This looks like the tower from my story...

But how was that possible? How on gods' green Santana could he have wandered all the way to the ruins?

Something within him turned once more though it was far different from nausea. Even after all this time, magic was still here, and it set Nexus on edge. Fear demanded that he run. Curiosity demanded to investigate. In the end, curiosity won out, and Nexus crept among the ruins. As he looked at the remains, he imagined it as it once was: a mighty tower reaching a clawed hand at the clouds, the envy of lords and ladies everywhere. Made of obsidian, the magic of the tower's lord maintained the impossible structure. Doors led to fanciful rooms, filled with tapestries, hunting trophies, or arcane equipment. And at the top of the tower, beyond the winding staircase, was the throne.

The visions that possessed Nexus fled, trickling away into oblivion. The jerk back to reality was disorientating, and almost caused Nexus to fall. Magic was still in this place, caught up in dreams of former glory. It did not bode well to stay for long.

But something else now caught his eye. A wall of dull gray stone was still erect though its top had crumbled long ago. On it were peculiar marks, shrouded by the shadows of the night. Nexus shuffled closer to read what they were.

They were runes. Or, spells? Enchantments?

Nexus didn't know, but they were something magical. Yet they seemed... off, in a way he couldn't quite name. They seemed dormant, almost, or asleep. Their power hadn't stirred in a long time.

But the words were still crisp and clear as though just carved yesterday. And, to his surprise, Nexus found that he could read them. Not only that, but he felt a need to read them, a desire that welled up into his throat and out through his mouth. The words were on his tongue and out into the air before he could even think about them.

"Tueri, tutus, tuta," Nexus said. But the voice that spoke them was not his own.

Before he could question that voice, what little magic remained in the wall flared to life. Violet light shone from the runes, illuminating the surprise and fear on Nexus' face.

As the magical energies made themselves known, something else deep within Nexus stirred. Not a feeling, but a presence. The same Presence he felt inside him all his life, turning and shifting in its sleep. Now, for the first time, it opened its eyes. And even if it fell back to sleep, he knew something had irreversibly changed.

An explosive force smacked into Nexus' and sent him flying. He landed on his back, the back of his head slamming into a hidden patch of stone. His vision swam, darkness crowding around it, threatening to sent the meager light he saw to oblivion.

The last thing Nexus saw was the violet light dying down, and then the night sky. With a deluded peace, he remarked about how pretty the moon looked tonight. Then, he relaxed, and he knew no more.