Heart of Dorkness

Terror Forty-Four - Templar

Terror Forty-Four - Templar

Ah, I say as I slowly turn around.

Theres a man behind us. Hes not very tall, and hes not very big. He doesnt even look all that scary. And yet hes somehow really freaking intimidating. Maybe its the glare, maybe its the persistent feeling that Im being watched...

Yeah, its definitely that.

The mans a Vigilance mage; theres no doubt about it. His magic is wrapped around him like a layer of eyes, watchful and wary.

Im beginning to think sneaking into the academy of the God of Heroes, who also happens to be the God of Vigilance, was maybe not my greatest idea.

Were here to, ah, ask if the people here are hungry, Esme says. Foods almost served?

One of the mans bushy white eyebrows perk. Really now, he says. Hes not even bothering to make it sound like a question!

W-what my friend meansI need to salvage thisis that were here, uh, looking for some books for, um, an assignment.

Yes, of course, he said. Three acolytes. He glances down at our robes. Of three entirely different years and ranks. All working on a single assignment. One that requires they move into the library used by the priests of Hroe. Three female acolytes, no less, in a year where we have, if I recall correctly, only one.

Ah, I say. Were here to support our older brothers?

No, he says.

No?

No, that story isnt nearly entertaining enough. Try another.

I feel Felix leaning closer to my side. Whats that mean? she whispers.

It means that I want to have a more interesting tale to tell my fellow templars when we share a drink tonight. Your story isnt far-fetched enough for me to get a free drink out of it.

So if we tell you a story thats wild enough... youll let us go? I ask.

Oh no, theres no chance of that. I do intend to see the three of you belted for this. I just hoped for a better story to tell.

I can hear Esme gulp. Templars can tell when people lie, she says.

We can, the man confirms.

I thought that was a lie, I say. You know, make people think that they can tell the truth from lies so no one bothers lying to them.

He sniffs. Ridiculous.

M-maybe we should tell the truth? Esme squeaks.

Sure, I say. I have a plan!

Do go on, the templar says. Hes not wearing any armour. Just a tunic belted to his waist, the same white material as the sack-like robes we have on. It looks like it might be something worn under armour, I guess. The main point is, hes not equipped for a fight.

So, my name is Valeria. Im a princess.

He blinks.

Hes believing it! Im here to steal some of the books that the church stole from others. Like, a whole heap of them.

Three children plan on stealing from the academy... of the God of Heroes? he asks.

Well, yes. I have a dragon.

What.

My names Valeria Malvada. My moms Luciana Malvada, the Dark Goddess. You know, the person you bunch dont like.

The templar takes a small step back, and that gives me the time to pull one of my butterbutts out from within my robes. I present it to him.

See! A monster.

My little friend darts ahead with a malevolent hiss and jumps towards the templars face.

Hes a trained warrior. Theres no way such a small monster will stop him, and the way he swipes it out of the air proves as much. It does distract him for a couple of precious seconds.

Felix, shove him! I call out while I tug my hood back.

Felix laughs, and a heavy gust of wind almost knocks me down as it slams ahead of Felix and rams the templar while hes already bending back and away from my now-dead butterbutt.

I step over to Esme, the final cog in my very carefully laid last-second plan. Shes staring at me, eyes as wide as saucers and hair a bushy mess. I can see the sparks flickering around. Yo-youre--

I am, I say. And I really need you to zap him. Now!

Esme turns towards the templar who is, predictably, starting to stand up. He looks a bit cross with us, and I can see the skin over his fists hardening as if its turning to stone.

Esme saves the day.

The crack-bang of her Surprise magic unleashing all at once is like a gunshot going off right next to my head, and even somewhat prepared for it I reel back.

The templar fares a lot worse. All I have to deal with is some ringing in my ears. He got a jolt of electric-blue magic right to the chest. His eyes roll up and he crashes to the floor with a heavy thump I can barely hear.

Well done! I say. Its always nice to praise a friend who has done good work.

Esme doesnt seem to appreciate it. She turns to me, then points a finger towards my face. You... you lied to me!

Huh?

Esme drops her hand with a swipe, and I cant help but stare at the way her lips are wobbling. You never told me you were... that.

I cross my arms. We dont have time for this. I never lied to you, I say.

Yes, you did!

No, I didnt, I say. I never said I was Moms daughter, but that shouldnt matter.

Of course it matters! Esme says. Are you even a human?

Hey! Felix says. Miss Vals nice.

You knew! Esme says. Now shes being angry at Felix. You knew the whole time, I bet.

That Miss Valerias who she is? Felix asks. Yeah, I knew. She didnt have to tell you about it. Its her business.

Its everyones business! Esme says. She... you brought monsters into the city!

I control them. They wont hurt anyone I dont want them to.

Thats worse! Esme says.

No, its not. My little friends are nice unless I tell them not to be. Theyre like... trained dogs.

Monsters arent like dogs.

Sure they are, I say.

Esmes face goes very red. They are not!

Yes, they are. Theyre nice and cuddly, they can be well-behaved and--

Dogs didnt kill my parents! Esme shouts.

I dont know what to say. Felix stays quiet too, and Esme just stands there, breathing hard, eyes staring at the floor.

I want to reach out to her, but I dont know what to say. Im sorry would sound so... stupid. What would I say to the person I thought was kind of responsible for... for doing that to Mom?

I think Id be a lot more violent than Esme is being right now.

I...

Shut up, Valeria, Esme says. She sniffs, and its an ugly gurgly noise, but I cant blame her. She wipes her nose and eyes across the sleeve of her robes. We need to take care of him. Someone could walk in, and we made a lot of noise.

Yeah, Felix says. We can hide him in a closet, I think, with a gag in his mouth and his hands tied, but well have to be fast. People dont stay knocked out for long.

I used a spell for that. We should have some time, Esme says.

Im sorry, I mutter.

Esme glares at me. I thought you were my friend.

I swallow. You are... I am.

I... I dont believe you.

I dont know what to do for a moment, then its my turn to glare. Look, I didnt choose to be born a monster, alright? But Im happy I am one, because it means I have a great Mom and... and stuff. I didnt lie to you but... yeah, I should have told you. And... I dont know the monsters that did... that to your parents, but if you want, we can find them and you can do whatever you want to them, okay?

I dont want revenge, Esme says.

I... okay, thats okay.

***