Ser Nunley stands at the top of the Lesser Heroes Peak of the Iron Mountain at the place that Kobi built the rock ladder to the top of the forge. This time he came alone.
This is personal.
The second piece of his cape is at the top. It’s time he collects his trophy and be done with this month’s long ordeal. The hunt started out as a sport, but he didn’t intend it becoming the labor that it has.
Just as he begins to step out onto the ledge, he hears a stirring behind him.
“So, Ser Nunley the greatest huntsmen in the world. I am M’hel. I have need of your services.” Says a frail old rotting man wrapped in bandages underneath a red cloak.
Ser Nunley pulls out a dagger and stabs the old man through the heart. From the looks of him, Nunley did him a favor, or at least that’s what Nunley tells himself. He doesn’t have time for any distractions.
The old man just looks down and pulls the blade out.
“I said, I need your assistance.”
“How did you?” Nunley mumbles.
“I can show you; I can give you this ability and more, but I need you to do something for me on top of the forge.”
“I’m here for one thing, and you aren’t it.” Nunley says as he unsheathes his sword and brings it roaring down on the old man’s head. The blow shatters his skull. Nunley turns to begin his climb.
“Was that meant to hurt me?” M’hel says to Nunley’s surprise.
“How???” Nunley asks in shock.
“I’ve already told you that I will give you this ability if you just help me with one little favor.”
“You will give me this ability?”
“Yes.”
“Name the favor.”
“The boy who restarted the forge made a sword; I want it. It’s by the orchard propped up on one of the benches. The Skymen are preparing to take it to Mt. Veylon to drop it in the lava. They intend to leave at dark, I need you to get it before they leave.” M’hel tells Nunley.
“How will I know which sword it is?”
“It is a bastard sword, and it will be the only one that has a green blade.”
“Green blade? Deal. I will get it after I get the rest of my cape!”
Nunley begins his climb.
After a few minutes, he is peaking over the edge at the forge top. He sees a boy standing at the tables, he’s looking into the sky. No one else is around.
With the boy distracted, he climbs onto the forge top. He rushes toward the boy, sword in hand.
The boy sees him and grabs his sparing sword in defense.
Nunley crashes his blade into the boy’s blade knocking him down.
“You’re the boy who started the forge? Stupid boy… wait. I know you… You squired for the Raging Tiger. Is Hiroshi here?” Nunley asks.
“No, he is a monster! I ran from him.”
“You think he is a monster? Hahahaha.” Nunley replies laughing showing his malice intent.
Nunley raises his blade to end the boy, but as he does he hears a rushing wind behind him. Two Skymen are flying behind him about ten feet above his head.
In one smooth motion, Nunley grabs and throws two darts that impale both Skymen in their wings. They both fall to the ground getting the breath knocked out of them.
Nunley steps over stabbing one in the heart, then swings his blade at the other that was trying to get to his feet. His blade decapitates the birdman.
He turns back to the boy, who has gotten back to his feet. The boy takes a defensive stance. Nunley laughs at the boy again.
As he steps toward the boy, he makes a lunging thrust that Nunley just side steps. Nunley holds his blade toward the boy just toying with him. The boy backpedals to get away. The boy trips over the edge of a table, he hits the ground dropping his sword.
Nunley notices the green blade sword at the table. He picks it up and admires it for a second. He notices the boy trying to get up, so he places his blade at the boy’s chest.
“You made this sword? Great craftsmanship, I can see why the old man wants it.” Nunley says.
“You can’t have it!”
“Do you think you can stop me? You’re completely outmatched. I’ll make you a deal, I will let you live if you tell me where the one-winged birdman is, he owes me a wing.”
“You’re the one that attacked Zyno!”
“One chance boy, where is he?”
Suddenly, Nunley is pushed from behind. He stumbles but doesn’t fall. When he turns around, he sees a young witch standing at the door of the forge. She must have used magic to push him from that distance.
“You tried to kill my love!” The witch says in anger as she raises her hands. The orchard trees limbs grow to grab Nunley, but he quickly slashes them with his sword. He looks back at the boy and kicks him in the face, knocking him out. Nunley runs toward the witch.
She raises her hands and roots spring out of the ground tripping him. He uses the green blade to cut the roots from his feet and stands facing the witch.
“You’re love? How could you love an ostrich like him?” Nunley asks.
“You hurt him! He is a peaceful soul; he was just exploring. How could you do that to him?!?” the witch asks with tears flowing down her face.
“I am a bad man, where is he? I need that other wing to complete my cape.”
“I’m here, Nunley.” A voice comes from behind him.
Nunley turns around to see Zyno landing about twenty feet away, he picks up his claymore sword that he uses to spar with Kobi.
Nunley looks him over, as he does Zyno stretches his wings out showing off the new black wing.
“Well, how did you get that?” Nunley asks.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment. You are going to pay for what you did.”
“Good luck with that!” Nunley says as he begins his attack.
Nunley throws the green blade full force into striking Zyno. The Skyman’s claymore blade deflects the attack. They begin parrying, the clashing of swords on the mountain top echoes all over. With each clash it is clear that Zyno’s power is too much for Nunley. The weight of the blade and the strength of Zyno is a perfect storm. But Nunley is a master tactician, he fakes a low swing forcing Zyno to try to block it, but Nunley pulls back swinging high towards Zyno’s defenseless face.
Zyno instinctually throws his wings in front of his face. Nunley’s blade bangs into the black wing. The blade is deflected by the wing. Zyno is shocked that the blade didn’t hurt him.
Zyno takes the moment to attack. With his heavy blade crashing down, time after time he has Nunley on the defensive. Nunley retreats and Zyno is forcing him toward the ledge of the mountain top. In desperation, Nunley throws darts at Zyno but his black wing deflects them.
Zyno keeps the pressure on, continually stepping forward making Nunley to retreat.
Nunley throws his last dart at Zyno’s white wing. It hits into the bone. Zyno’s advance stops. Nunley thrusts at Zyno because of the opening.
The witch uses magic to push his blade away from Zyno.
The Skyman recovers and swings with all his might striking Nunley’s blade. The knight stumbles back, and trips over a root that sprung from the ground from the witches’ magic.
Nunley plummets over the edge of the Heroes Peak, falling hundreds of feet.
Zyno turns around to the witch who runs out to him. They embrace in a passionate kiss. Zyno with the help of his love has defeated his demon.
They spend some time in their embrace.
They only stop when they hear noise around them.
They look back to the forge to see dozens of witches including the elders looking at them. They emerged from the forge when they heard the commotion. Several dozen Skymen are also flying above them responding to the sound of battle.
Their love is no longer a secret, the two factions will tear them apart.
Zyno’s white wing is severely injured and can’t fly them away.
Looking around at all the witnesses, they know that everything they knew is over.
In a moment of panic, the witch grabs Zyno and ports them off the mountain. There is no going back now.
Several hundred feet below, M’hel stands over Nunley’s lifeless and broken body. He picks up the green blade sword. As he holds it up to inspect it the blade begins glowing green.
He looks back down at Nunley.
“What a waste.” He says to himself.
He bends down and places his hand on the knight’s heart.
Nunley gasps in agony.
“I will make this offer only once. I will heal you and give you everything I promised if you vow to serve me for the rest of your life. If not, I will leave you here until you die again.” M’hel says.
“Yes! Please take the pain away!”
“You vow to serve me?”
“Yes! I vow it!”
Instantly, Nunley’s bones are healed and his strength returns.
He stands up “I’ve changed my mind.” He says as he turns to walk away but stops in his tracks unable to move.
“No, you vowed to serve me. You are my slave now. Follow me.”
“Yes Master.” Nunley hears himself speak in disbelief.
Nunley follows M’hel obediently as he leads them away from the forge.
Relics of the Old Age 