THE FOURTH CREATION Part 6 (final part)

Cullen met with the High King and the other royalty of Faery in a final meeting of their forces. The Kings and Queens of Faery had been welcomed by the human court and Cullen found all was well between the races.
Accords had already been struck between the Dwarves and the Daoine Sidhe with the human Kingdom, agreements of trade and commerce that would improve both sets of Kingdoms. Cullen found his father, the High King, ready and willing to treat with these other Kingdoms and it met with all his hopes.
Cullen had been worried that the human conqueror would be eager to claim the forest and mountain Kingdoms, but he had been quoted as saying that those Kingdoms had been there long before his own and should stay there well after as well. Cullen had felt pride at such words and he hoped that relations between the different races would be genuine and peaceful, which they seemed to be so far.
Representatives from the other human lands were taken aback by these new people in court and many of them had left to report to their own leaders on the swelling of ranks of Faeries and Dwarves.
Remus had gathered most of his forces, except those that stayed in the other Thanedoms to guard his interests there. But many knights from Seawatch and other heroes from Rath had come to test themselves against this new enemy, the Host.
There was a huge number of infantry as well as cavalry to meet the enemy. The elves were all mounted warriors as well, while the Dwarves and Merrow would remain on foot. The Asrai still preferred to run and would be spread around the forces within different ranks to lend their expertise on fighting their ancient enemies, the Host fighters.
Tris’tan worried about the Host’s power. He knew it had dark leaders of real strength, but so far, none of them had shown themselves. He said the Dark Fae worshipped something terrible and powerful but he hadn’t felt its presence so far. It seemed the Host was relying on the Goblins and Duergar for some of its numbers.
Grimm and the High King discussed their own numbers at length with the Kings and Queens of Faery. They had an early warning system set up with some of the fastest riders in both camps ready at the crossroads waiting for the advance of the Host. The plan was to meet them in the fields beyond the walls and be ready to fall back into the castle if need be.
Everyone knew Cullen would be right out front and many of them worried for him but he had proven himself in battle already and he had the most powerful weapons out of all the warriors gathered. They would just have to have faith in him. He reminded them that they had two Gods on their side too, even if both of them protested Gods existed, they were still much more powerful that many others.
They gathered for a meal and then separated for bed. Cullen decided he wanted to take a walk through the city and visit with the Rom before the battle came finally. He left Tik and Sonia in the castle, both tired and eager for sleep, but Tris’tan came with him to guard him as always.
“Who will I be in danger from Tris’tan?” Cullen asked as they left the castle gates and walked down the earthen ramp into the city.
“The Host could very well send assassins into the city Cullen. It’s best to have a sharp nose with you.” The Asrai walked closely and kept his eyes forward, searching every shadow as they walked.
“My own sense of smell has gotten better since I discovered the pack sense. I can smell the fear on everyone now, especially on Sonia. I worry that this battle will damage her in some way. She’s strong but she doesn’t like war or fighting.”
“She will stand with the rest of us. She is determined to see this through Cullen, just as much as the rest of us.”
The entered the city limits and walked down the King’s Road, passing the many buildings and houses that were lit up for the evening hours. Light spills out of every window and the street was illuminated well enough. Cullen carried his Shield and his Sword mostly out of habit. He even had the dagger the witch gave him, but he thought there was no need within the city walls.
“She’s gentle spirited though Tris’tan. I worry that all this violence will damage her spirit in some way. After this is all over, I want to lead a peaceful life, a quiet life.”
“A warrior’s life is never peaceful Cullen, and I’m afraid you will have responsibilities towards both your human heritage and your elven heritage. But I will do my best to keep you out of harm’s way through it all.”
Cullen glanced at his friend and half brother. He was grateful for the support and guidance of the trained fighter. He taught him sword fighting and how to adjust to his new abilities as a Halfling, and for a warrior he was kind and gentle.
“I thank you brother,” he said as they approached the center field where the Rom had been allowed to set up their caravan’s of wagons. The colorful homes were muted in the dark but wherever a light was lit, bright colors shone through.
“Cullen!” Alex called when he saw the warrior stride into camp.
“Alex, just who I am looking for,” Cullen replied, walking towards the campfire where Alex and his family were finishing dinner.
“Will you join us for tea?” Alex asked. Cullen nodded and sat down on a log near the fire, greeting Alex’s wife as well.
“How goes it here in the city?” Cullen asked as Tris’tan walked around the camp, checking all the areas nearby for trouble.
“We were welcomed as you said we would be. Even Sorin was pleased by the King’s response. We will fight along the walls because we are good archers, but our families are safe here, thanks to you and the Dreamweaver.”
“Good,” Cullen said as he accepted a warm mug of tea. “I’m glad that it worked out and that the children are safe. We were just out there and things are bad. Its like a whole other world out there, with the clouds of black smoke and the shadows.”
“It’s a evil magic the Host uses Cullen. I fear for their attack on the city. It will be soon, do you think?” Alex sipped his own tea and glanced at his wife, who watched him reverently but with some fear.
“Yes, I think they will come soon. At night most likely, that when their power is strongest I think. But we have runners to tell us when they come, so we will be awake and ready, you can be sure.”
Alex sipped again, giving Cullen time to drink his own. Tris’tan arrived and Alex’s wife fetched him his own cup. The tea was warm and fragrant and gave Cullen energy.
“I worry for you in the fighting Cullen,” Alex said, his wife’s hand on his leg. She clearly felt this way too.
“You and everyone else Alex. But I must stand in the front and lead people to war. Not only is it expected of me, but I carry the weapons that can face the enemy. It has to be me. I was chosen, as they say.”
“I remember you as a boy Cullen, and I have known you your whole life. You have grown into quite a man, but I wouldn’t wish this task on the oldest warrior I know. This is a mighty responsibility.”
Cullen reached out and squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “And I thank you for your concern Alex, but we will make it through this, I swear it. We have many allies with us, and many of them want to see me live through this war. Knowing that you’re behind me will give me the strength to carry on.”
“We heard that the Host has weapons like your Cullen,” Alex’s wife finally spoke up, her worry evident in her voice.
“They do, but I assure you, I’ve been well trained and we have a few tricks of out own still left to show. Please worry less dear, I promise we will fight and we will drive them off, one way or another.”
Alex put his hand on his wife’s shoulder and she seemed to calm a bit. They all drank their tea and she produced sweets for a late night dessert. They talked about other things, like Tik claiming the clan one day and what kind of man he too had grown into being.
Cullen promised to send Tik down the following day to catch up with his family and then they took their leave. Tris’tan walked ahead again, checking each shadow. There were more now that it was later and while Cullen felt safe, the Asrai worried nonetheless.
For as watchful as Tris’tan was, both of them saw the danger at the same time. From out of the shadows of an alley came a black form carrying a sword that glowed with red runes. Even in the darkness Cullen could tell it was Vlad.
Tris’tan rushed forward and Cullen yelled, “No!” Vlad whipped his sword across the street and the fire and force smashed the Asrai warrior back into the King’s Road. Cullen leaped forward and put up his Shield, deflecting any more fire from hitting his brother.
“Its me you want! Leave him alone!” he shouted, stepping forward with his own Sword drawn.
“He came at me boy,” Vlad replied in a voice that sounded far away.
“Well now you face me. How are you alive?” Cullen stepped forward but Vlad stepped back, suddenly different.
“I don’t know,” Vlad said, sounding confused. “She brought me back somehow, and now I do her bidding. But we both want you dead!”
With sudden fury, Vlad came back at Cullen swinging his sword through the air, buffeting Cullen with fire and force. Cullen raised his Shield and withstood the power but houses behind him were affected by the blast. Cullen feared for the city folk that might be harmed in the battle and he knew he had to end it quickly.
He turned to face Vlad so that he was standing in the street and not the alley and he swept the air with his own Sword, using fire and force to battle at first. Fire swept ahead and Vlad blocked it with his sword, but flames caught on his trousers and boots.
Cullen rushed forward into the flames and swung his Sword without the extra magic, hoping to kill Vlad again with one blow. Vlad blocked with his own sword, catching the attack on his cross guard and bouncing Cullen back.
But now they were close enough that the forces of magic wouldn’t matter and they would have to rely on their ability to swordfight instead of depending on the magic.
It was a furious fight, the two blades ringing off each other, while people gathered to see what was happening. Soldiers came running and recognized Cullen right away and they froze at the sight of Vlad who was also well known in Holdfast.
Cullen caught another blow on his Shield and he swung low with his Sword, but Vlad leaped over it and came down again, pressing Cullen back. Lights sprang up all around them and Vlad flinched in the bright illumination.
Cullen could see the black splotches of shadow that covered his skin and the total blackness of his eyes. While he fought, he wondered at the power that kept Vlad alive through this all.
“I already killed you Vlad!” he spoke harshly between blows. “You know you belong in the Otherworld now! Stop fighting me!”
“Even if I could boy, I wouldn’t!” Vlad growled back. “You cost me my life and I would take you from those who you care about!”
“That’s why that magic works on you so well Vlad!” Cullen retorted. “You are a dark and evil man, who cared only about himself and power when you were alive. You hurt people for fun and now you are the slave of someone more evil than yourself!”
Vlad’s attacks grew more frantic. He was pushing harder but Cullen’s Shield and its magic held off the blows, even when they skipped off the Shield, the magic protected Cullen’s body.
“I’m going to free you Vlad!” he shouted. “I found a way to stop her magic, and I’m going to give you a better death than you deserve!”
“I’m no one’s slave boy!” Vlad shouted back, his voice cracking with passion. “I want to kill you and then I’ll get free on my own!”
“What? You think after killing me you can break free of this curse? My death would just tie you to her stronger than before! You have no life Vlad, you’re dead and you should have stayed dead!”
Vlad was attacking over and over, just hammering his Sword on the Shield as if he could break through it to get to Cullen underneath. Cullen timed the blows that came regularly now and in between attacks he suddenly spun out and carried out his own attack from below.
His Sword, empowered by force and fire, swept through Vlad’s legs, cutting him off at the knees. He fell back and Cullen followed through with another blow through the neck, knocking the man away onto his back choking from the wound.
Cullen dropped his Sword and mounted Vlad quickly; pulling free the white dagger he had won. “This will give you peace I hope Vlad, but your time is over and you must die again!”
Cullen plunged the dagger into Vlad’s heart with as much force as he could muster. The dagger ripped through Vlad’s clothing and bit deep into his chest. He gasped through his torn throat and his hands jumped at his sides.
The dagger glowed with an inner light and Vlad’s skin seemed to lose its blotchy nature. His eyes re-colored back to their normal shade and the black spot wore away, leaving his skin cold but white again.
The dagger got darker and darker, sucking up the poison in his body. With another gasp Vlad died a second time but this time his face showed peace and Cullen felt he had succeeded in doing the right thing.
Cullen pulled the dagger free and placed it on the ground. He raised his Sword up high and with all the power he could force out of it; he smashed the dagger against the ground with his Sword. The dagger shattered and black smoke twisted up into the air, fading quickly on the night’s breeze.
Cullen moved the black sword into the same place and again, he attacked it with his silver Sword, hoping to smash it to bits and break its magic. Instead, he felt a jolt of power when the two swords connected and there was a rush of feeling into his Sword.
Somehow without being told, he knew his Sword had taken on the power of the black sword. His was now more powerful than before as though it had accepted the black sword’s magic into its own.
Cullen looked at Tris’tan, who was recovering from the attack, but he decided not to say anything yet. He didn’t know how he would explain it to his friend, so he decided to just keep quiet about it.
He sheathed his Sword and picked up the black one. “We’ll give this to the Dreamweaver for study, to see if he can make anything out of it.” The Asrai wearily nodded and Cullen put his arm under the fighter’s to hold him up.
A soldier got under the other shoulder and helped carry Tris’tan up the hill. Two more soldiers got Vlad’s body and dragged it along with them for proper burial. Cullen let the soldiers take over once they were in the castle Ward and he brought Tris’tan to bed.
It took a long time for Cullen to fall asleep as he pondered the feeling he had about the two weapons. Could he take power from the others in the field of battle? It hadn’t seemed to diminish the power of Vlad’s sword but somehow he had gained the powers of that blade. Perhaps the Sword he had was more powerful than the other creations that came after the first four?
It was definitely something to use in battle. Perhaps they had another advantage now that no one would guess was coming. Cullen fell asleep feeling slightly better than before, having destroyed anther enemy and gained new knowledge about his own power.