HammerFall

Chapter 007: The Road to Xasthur Part One :

Deep under Castle Vara; in the Vaults she sat unsure of what to do now. Her mind was ever on the image of the wizard Rosenbrim; though she knew not why. She longed to be able to breath the same air he breathed; to feel his touch upon her.

The moaning of the queen brought her out of her thoughts. Lauriporra knew that the queen was once more having nightmares. Her hand gently caressed at the queen. "Sleep easy." her soft voice whispered.

She had her orders. She supposed leaving the queen in the Vaults was her only option. Rosenbrim would be on the move headed back to Xasthur. The dark haired, half demon knew that she had to act quickly.
***********
Jasper felt uneasy. He had never felt such strong magic worked upon him before. His head felt much better since Rosenbrim had healed him. He couldn't help himself; he found himself watching Rosenbrim more. There was just something about his long black hair. He liked the way the sun played upon the black strands, and that calm expression upon his face. And worse he felt slightly ashamed that he had not been able to protect the wizard.

That was why he was going to ask him. The silver haired warrior rode close to Rosenbrim. "Lord Rosenbrim, if it's not troublesome for you, would you teach me magic?"

Rosenbrim was brought out his memories as he looked at Jasper with a quizzical expression, "What brings this on, young Stormblade?"

Jasper told him sincerely, "It's because I want to be a stronger warrior. In reflection I feel so helpless that a mere woman was able to best me with only magic. I need to learn at least how to defend against powerful magics if nothing else."

The wizard gave a sagely nod, "I shall only train you in the art of defensive magic. But you should be warn. Magic is dangerous. There are aspects of this art that not even I dare to use, Sir Stormblade. You may find yourself very tempted to use these dark aspects; but I warn you that on that path lays the way your brother took."

Jasper knew that his brother had practiced the darker sorcery; known as demon's sorcery. Jasper had no desire to become a Warlock and betray HammerFall. He felt that his only place was to restore honor and protect his homeland. He wondered if his older brother had once had these thoughts that now filled his mind. He pushed aside the memory and ideas of his brother in favor of learning some magic.

"When will my first lesson begin, Lord Rosenbrim?" Jasper asked eager to begin.

"It already has. Your first lesson is patience. Once you have learned that I shall teach you your next lesson." He then rode on ahead; setting a fast pace.

Jasper supposed they had to hurry and his magic training would begin after they dealt with the King. Jasper knew that an army moved slow when it was as large as Stratsovara army would be, and yet he felt it odd that they had not seen it in their travel. He supposed they must have taken a different route to Xasthur then they had from their to Castle Vara. Jasper had studied the terrain somewhat during their long journey, and it made him wonder whether it was magic or hidden roads that made the Stratsovara army invisible to them during their travel southward.
***************

Rosenbrim had rode the horses hard for the full day and well into the next when he called for a rest for the horses. The sun hung in the position that told the wizard it was nearly noon.

The wizard told the two warriors, "I am going to wash up. I thought I noticed a stream back aways. I shall be right back."

Johan objected, "One of us should go with you."

Rosenbrim held up a hand, "No. I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

"Then why did you ask for an escort if you don't intend to use us, Great Wizard Rosenbrim!??" Johan demanded with a scowl.

Rosenbrim laughed, "Ceremony. Nothing more. Novice Lersson, take care of the horses. You help him, Sir Stormblade. Get what rest you can after that; fore once I have finished I shall come back ready to ride out again."

He turned back upon them and walked away. After several feet he was quite aware that he was being followed by one of the two. He smiled to himself. He supposed it couldn't be helped. The dark haired wizard didn't turn back or say a word that he was aware that he was being followed.

After a half mile of walking he came to the stream. He knelt down and splashed the water across his poreclain white face. His voice soft as he spoke, "You can stop stalking me. I know you are there."

He was surprised to see that it was Jasper Stormblade that leaped down from the tree. He had not expected to find him there. He had thought it was Johan Lersson that had followed him.

Rosenbrim quickly recovered his shock, "So it is you, Sir Stormblade."

The movement was so quick and unexpected that Rosenbrim had no chance to counter act it. He looked into those eyes. He knew that look well. He felt himself once more pinned down; but this time it was not his sister's eyes that he gazed into those; it was the deep sea of blue that were the eyes of a Stormblade. Strong emotioned burned within those sapphire orbs.

He felt the lips pressed down in a savage need upon him. The tongue slithered into his mouth as his wrists were firmly held and the weight of Jasper's strong yet slender body pressed him into the soft banks of the stream; his long black hair flowing out into the chill stream water. He felt the tongue brushing up against his teeth and sides of his mouth. He felt the other tongue holding down his own; which was trying to force the other one out of his mouth.