Games of the Powerful

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  The sun rose on crisp and clear morning casting its bright glow on the massive dark threshold opening on the plain north and slightly west of the castle on the west side of the Brookmoor River as if trying to penetrate its darkness and failing to do so. Trumpets blaring incessantly all over the castle signaled the attack had begun rousing solders from their sleep who quickly climbed the stairs leading to the battlements on the all the walls of the castle and barbican. Both drawbridges the one leading from the bridge and the one from the barbican to the castle proper were still down allowing soldiers to pour in from the barracks outside the castle. Armed civilians with their long pikes with metal hooks attached below the blades for pushing ladders from the walls marched in right alongside them. Fear and tension filled them knowing that soon they would have to close the gates and lift the drawbridges locking them in to face an unimaginable dark horde. Standing at the top of the northwest tower staring out of the embrasure at the growing force forming a league distant Mitch looked around the battlements, noticing for the first time that all the pennants and previous ducal flags except the current ducal flag flapping in the morning wind on the pole behind him were no longer in evidence. The blaring horns finally stopped their cacophony of noise and still he did not hear Bilgrammus approach over the din of war preparations now going on all over the castle.

  “I have to kill the dark wizard holding the threshold open,” Bilgrammus said nonchalantly as if he were telling Mitch he had to go for a walk around the countryside this morning. Knowing Bilgrammus would have to be the one to go did not make it any easier for Mitch. He had grown very fond of him over the winter and did not wish to see him harmed.

  “I know, what would you have of me in your absence?” Mitch asked forlornly.

  “Do not mourn my loss yet my friend but it is most likely correct in doing so. The dark wizard holding the threshold open is very powerful indeed and I believe he is as skilled as I am possible even more.”

  “If you do not return from battle, what then?”

  “You will do as I have taught you during the winter; you will wield your powers for good and stop this scourge. Come, come no more discussion for the longer we discuss my potential demise the more of the enemy enter the field of battle,” Bilgrammus said in a gruff tone of a master instructing the student that Mitch knew so well. Focusing back on the need at hand Mitch could see he was right numerous flying ships are hovering over the field of battle and thousands upon thousands of enemy troops quickly and methodically formed up into ranks. The eeriness of no sounds coming from the enemy, no verbal commands being given, no shouts carried on the wind nothing but the sound of armor and steel unnerved him.

  “How can I help you Bilgrammus?”

  “How about a distraction while I form a threshold that will put me next to the monster holding the gate open.”

  “What kind of distraction do you have in mind?”

  “A magic one will do just fine. You told me about the special soldiers on your world that can, how did you say that old saying, oh yeah, reach out and touch someone. Reach into your imagination and use the staff as a focal point as I taught you and see if you can wreak a little destruction on their front ranks.”

  Looking at him doubtfully for a moment Mitch turned back toward the embrasure staring at the mass of enemy soldiers on the plain. Raising his staff pointing it toward the formed up ranks a league away he imagined a searing flash of pure light streaking toward the ranks instantly decimating them. Suddenly, a blast of brilliant white light shot from the white and gold staff slamming seconds later into the front ranks of the enemy soldiers. A huge cloud of dirt exploded filling the sky with dead soldiers. When the dust and dirt settled Mitch could make out bodies all over the field. A sporadic cheering erupted around the castle from those watching the display of power.

  “Is that what you are looking for Bilgrammus?” Mitch asked breathlessly quite surprised he could do that much destruction at such a great distance. During the winter, he had practiced on boulders and fared well with them but at a much closer distance than now.

  “Indeed, my accomplished student, I knew you had it in you. Did you notice the threshold flutter for a moment when you attacked?” Bilgrammus asked and Mitch shook his head no. “Well it did my boy so this wizard might not be as strong I first thought. I might have a better than equal chance of defeating him. Continue my boy while I go and do what needs doing.” Mitch turned back toward the enemy sending bolt after bolt in their direction. Far easier than he first thought the destruction he was wreaking on the enemy was immense but he could feel himself tiring too. Looking quickly over his shoulder he saw Bilgrammus had already gone, knowing in his aching heart he would never see him again.