Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,38

to claim these towers.” The four hurried on toward the tower until they were within several hundred yards. In front of the tower they could see a single guard pacing. Behind a squat of bushes and small trees, the four huddled.

“What’s so special about a sword that they’d want to guard it?” asked Adacon.

“Can’t be much better than mine,” Erguile remarked, sun glinting off his blade as he drew it from his sheath.

“Ah, but how mistaken you are Erguile,” Slowin chuckled. Flaer looked over, and Adacon caught what he took to be a smile.

“What do you mean by that, Slowin?”

“I mean that the power of the Brigun Autilus is so great that it will destroy those black bonds—” Slowin said, pointing at Flaer’s cuffs.

“Impossible, how could his sword be that much more powerful than any other?” Erguile cried in disbelief.

“Think of what we’ve already seen, Erguile—how is it you are shocked to learn that a sword can possess great Vapoury within its steel?”

“Wish I could have had a shot at those cuffs, either way,” Erguile moped.

“Stay here, both of you,” Slowin said to the slaves, ignoring Flaer. “I will return shortly.” And with that Slowin took off at a blinding speed; the crazed sprint looked quite unusual for a creature of his size. The silver golem gleamed, reflective sheen glaring in every direction as he motored toward the front door of the tower.

“What’s he doing—in broad daylight? Sticking out like a sore thumb; he’s going to get himself killed!” Erguile said, about to run after the golem. Flaer grabbed him on the shoulder to stop him from chasing after. Erguile looked to Flaer, and Flaer merely winked, nodding toward the tower.

Slowin approached the confused guard in front of the tower. The guard paused in shock before finally drawing his sword, but Slowin smashed right through him; in one motion he trampled the guard and smashed through the entrance, rending it open. The front door had appeared made of iron, but with a tremendous clank Slowin had broken right through with his charge. The guard was motionless on the ground, appearing dead.

“Why couldn’t he have done that for us last night?” a bewildered Erguile said in awe.

“What power,” Adacon gasped.

The three waited in relative silence, watching the balcony atop the tower for any sign of activity. Finally, two guards flew over the side of the balcony as if heaved by a cannon. With violent screams they crashed to a soft thud into the earth below. Slowin suddenly appeared on the balcony, waving something bright in his hand; it was a glowing sword. To the slaves’ astonishment, at the next moment, Slowin heaved himself over the rail of the balcony and began to plummet straight down to the earth.

“No!” Adacon shouted, and all three of them ran toward the tower.

Slowin landed with an enormous clap that sounded like thunder. The ground quaked under the runners’ feet as they approached him. Slowin appeared unfazed.

“My god, I would wager you are no ordinary golem,” exclaimed Erguile. Slowin raised the throbbing sword above Flaer, and Flaer knew to turn his back; the bright sword glared as it contacted the black cuffs. The figure eight sparked and broke apart. Flaer grinned wide; he turned to Slowin and took the sword from him. Suddenly, the throb and glow left the sword and it appeared as ordinary steel. Flaer bowed in thanks to Slowin, and Erguile and Adacon went to examine the shattered pieces of the black bracelet on the ground.

“Amazing,” Adacon whispered in awe as Flaer slipped the sword into his leather belt, sheathless. The sword was longer and thinner than a broadsword, and its ricasso was wrapped in faded leather. The handle was grey and leather-bound, and the side of the steel blade had a black engraving that formed runic symbols.

“Why couldn’t you have done that last night, golem,” said Erguile; he was half-amazed, and half-angered.

“Krem thought it would be best you experienced combat to gain experience,” Slowin retorted. “Although had I myself known Bulkog to be Feral I would have intervened, I think.” Flaer appeared in the best spirits Adacon had seen so far, and soon the four were marching back the way they had come, toward to the previous fork in the road.

“The sword shone brightly in your hands Slowin, then it faded when Flaer took it,” Adacon mentioned.

“Yes, the Brigun Autilus can be focused only by its rightful owner. Had I held it much longer it would have scalded me to no hope