The Wizard and The Warrior

Knight Aiden stood along with other knights listening to General Havoc. Pale faces were on all the knights as the general prepared them for the excursion to traverse over the treacherous land to save Princess Valia.

“Quite your hearts like men and brave the dreaded journey to deliver the princess from Neiman the Necromancer.”

Knight Kromious spoke up among the crowd. “General, the last time we fought, we lost 23 knights. Neiman’s magic is great. How many knights will be lost before we even brave across the vexed path of the Valley of the Shadow of Death? The spirits that serve him bear the magical power of Neiman himself.”

General Havoc peered down, speechless. “We will not surrender the princess to his will. We must fight! We march at dawn.”

Havoc left and Kromious and Aiden remained as the other knights departed.

“I’m telling you; this endeavor is futile!” said Kromious.

“But would it be right to just give up retrieving her?”

“I do not know what to say,” said Kromious.

“It is near dusk. We should sleep.”

Kromious nodded and the two returned to the barracks and slept.

At dawn, a horn was sounded and all the knights jumped out of their beds and dressed in their armor. They assembled at the city gates with General Havoc there. “Let us depart. May the gods protect us! Onward!”

The battalion entered the path down to the Valley of the Shadow of Death to brave the cursed land. The beautiful wilderness of trees, grass and wild birds, deer, squirrels and other animals altered. Gangly roots of baren trees and tar pits with vultures overhead sent chills down Aiden’s back.

A rotting smell filled the landscape. A loud screech came from a large burrow leading down into the earth. Kromious lit a torch stepped into the opening. “I see nothing.”

Aiden saw a transparent dark figure flew out of the burrow and knocked the knight down.

“Men, brandish your shields!” said Havoc.

Two more specters emerged from the burrow. One of them held out hand and dispersed a stream of fire at Aiden. He held up his shield and the force of the magical attack pushed him back.

Kromious swung his sword at one of the three apparitions and a white slash appeared on its chest. It cried out in pain but then recovered from the sword stroke instantly.

“General Havoc, we must retreat!” said Aiden.

“Hold your ground!” Havoc said.

“We must regroup and find an alternate path to Neiman’s lair!”

Havoc’s eyes darted around at the men getting slain by the three mere spirits. “Retreat!”

The battalion of knights fell back, and the phantoms stayed in the confines of the Valley.

The men made it back to the border and fell to their knees, exhausted.

“We will make camp and find another route. Get some sleep, men.”

The knights wrapped themselves in the knapsacks they brought and quickly slept. Over a dozen knights had been killed. Only a dozen remained.

That night, Aiden dreamed of a shining angel in white glistening robes. Aiden was terrified.

“Fear not good knight, I give you the tool of your triumph! Behold the spiritual blade forged by the Word of the exalted King!”

The angel handed Aiden a sheathed sword that glittered with gold dust.

“The task of saving Princess Valia will fall to you alone. I have put a deep sleep on the other knights. They will emerge from slumber in a day. God is with you!”

He awoke. At his side was the Sword of the Spirit.

He glanced at the sleeping bodies then descended back into the valley. Once again a spiritual force assailed him. A dragon of black mist with red glowing eyes fell from above and roared at Aiden. He withdrew the blade and charged at the beast and pierced it in the chest as the dragon writhed in pain. It struggled about for a few minutes until it stopped and its eyes ceased glowing.

Adain was in awe. He went on and met spirits like the ones they fought. Aiden dispatched them, striking them down as he made his way into the inner parts of the Valley of The Shadow of Death.

This went on as he eventually met the liar of Neiman the Necromancer. It was a large square stone keep with an open arched entrance. He walked in and met a sleuth of spirits in the air before him. His sword shined like a star and he held it up. A wave of light came from it and all of the dark spirits were vanquished in a plume of smoke.

Aiden went on and soon made it to a large door. It swung open and he went flying back by a magical force. An old man in a cloak came out and sneered. “What power is this?”

“The Sword of God!” Aiden retaliated with a quick lunging downward stroke but was me with a powerful magic barrier. The dead lock remained until Aiden gathered his wits and pressed with a desperate cry.

Neiman was struck in the shoulder and he groaned in pain. Next, he caused ice to rain on Aiden. He twirled his blade over him and the ice shards were shattered. Then he gathered all his strength and barged at Neiman with pointed sword tip into the wizard’s chest, impaling him.

“My magic! Curse you!” with those dying words, the man fell to his side.

The voice of Princess Valia came from within the doorway and Aiden ran to the cry and found her in cage.

“Stand back.”

Valia obeyed as Aiden cut the bars open.

Valia embraced him and wept. “I’ve been here for so long. What is that blade you bear?”

“The Sword of the Spirit. An angel gave it to me. Now, come on. Let’s go home.”

The wizard was destroyed, and all the evil apparitions had left the Valley. And the two traveled home in a new bight midday sun.