Javaun Helios's Arc

Chapter 7 of 11

The dark clouds poured off Velrithian's body and wrapped him like armor. His shape stretched tall. His fine coat became black plate. A long sword slid into his hand. He pointed the blade at Javaun across the hall. "You want him?" Velrithian said. "Come and take him." Prince Diamond stood frozen at the altar, close beside the elf, his blue attire bright against the sudden dark. Javaun pushed toward him, but the crowd surged the other way, a wall of screaming bodies. He could not reach the Prince. Javaun set the orb in Ilandra's hands. "Guard this," he said. He drew his knife. It looked small against the elf's sword. Velrithian swung, and Javaun rolled under the blade. Steel bit the stone where he had stood. "Guards!" Javaun shouted. "To the Prince!" The kingdom guards answered. They rushed the altar with spears leveled. Velrithian met them without fear. His sword moved faster than any man could follow. One guard flew back. Another dropped. In moments the floor was full of fallen men. Javaun grabbed a spear from a limp hand and jabbed at the elf's side. Velrithian caught the shaft and snapped it. He raised his sword over Javaun's head. A voice cut across the hall. "That is enough." An old man in a gray cloak stepped through the doors. He walked slow, leaning on no staff, hands loose at his sides. The crowd went still around him. He looked at the fallen guards, then at the elf. "You darken skies for a wedding. How rude." Velrithian turned from Javaun. "Wizard," he hissed. He hurled a bolt of black fire. The old man lifted one palm and the fire died in the air. He answered with a snap of light. Velrithian staggered. They traded strikes across the hall, dark against bright, faster and faster. Tables burst. The stained windows rang. The wizard planted his feet and spread both hands wide. Blue rings spun around Velrithian and pulled tight. "You reach too far, elf," the old man said. "So I will send you far." The rings flared. "A land past every sea you know. Walk home if you can." Velrithian screamed, and the light swallowed him. Then he was gone. The sword clattered empty to the floor. Outside, the black clouds thinned. Pale morning broke through the tall windows. The candles steadied. For a moment no one moved. Then the whole court roared. They cheered the old man in gray, over and over, hands raised. Javaun ran the last steps to the altar. Prince Diamond had not moved. Javaun caught his shoulders. "You're safe," Javaun said. "He's gone." Diamond blinked, breath returning, and looked past Javaun at the wizard the crowd was lifting on their shouts. His hand found Javaun's arm and held it. "Who is he?" the Prince asked.