Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [126]
“Dear lord,” Jared breaths in awe when he finally opens his eyes. The ceiling as well as the upper three stories of the building is gone. Massive sections of stone can still be seen in the air as they fall back to the ground. A gaping hole now lies where the floor of the room had been. Even the floor upon which they sat within the barrier is now two feet lower than it had been. The shield had protected them but still the force of the blow had ripped away two feet of ground below them.
Jiron comes to his feet and turns to James. “You okay?” he asks as he offers a hand to help him up.
Taking the hand, James replies, “Sort of.” Getting to his feet, he hears Jared groan as he makes it up as well.
“We need to get out of here,” Jiron says.
Nodding, James indicates for him to lead the way. The only problem with climbing out of the hole is the fact that the ground is still rather hot from the explosion. Thinking of the heat, he quickly glances around for the fiery creature that had been pursuing them. “Do you see it?” he asks.
The others look around as well and Jared says, “There it is!” Pointing off through the broken remains of the bottom floor, he directs their attention to a flaming, man-shaped form lying still amidst the rubble.
Taking out his remaining crystal, James begins to head toward it.
“Let’s get out of here,” suggests Jared.
“I need to finish this,” James tells him. “Keep an eye out.”
Even as he makes his way toward the creature, he sees how flames from burning pieces of wood seem to leap toward the creature and be absorbed by it. It’s regenerating! Knowing this may be his only chance, he uses the magic of his sole remaining crystal to encase the creature in a barrier of ice before it has a chance to regain its strength.
As soon as the barrier forms, the creature responds. Fighting against the cold searing it, it lashes out with power of its own. To his surprise, James is able to hold the barrier. Augmenting the barrier with his own power, he begins to shrink it in upon the creature.
Weakened by the blast, the creature’s efforts are not nearly as effective as they were before. Though it struggles, it is unable to prevent the barrier from imploding. Inch by inch, the diameter slowly grows smaller.
Pouring more and more power into the barrier as it shrinks, James can feel the opposition within the barrier diminishing. Finally, the barrier completely implodes and the creature is no more.
Sagging with exhaustion, Jared catches him before he hits the ground and puts an arm under his for support.
Jiron glances back at them and Jared gives him a nod. Beginning to make their way out of the wreckage that once had been the Illuminator’s Guild, Jiron comes to a stop. Citizens surround them as well as several of the town’s guards.
None look particularly threatening and he draws his knife. “Get out of our way,” he says, the threat of imminent violence in his voice.
Either due to the fact they are stunned by the destruction of the building, or having watched James destroy the creature, whatever the reason they back away and clear an avenue out.
Jiron nods with his head indicating for Jared to follow. As they walk from the rubble, the people stand in silence and watch them go. They walk steadily and surely through the ring of people and down the street. He glances back once he’s past the onlookers and sees they are still watching him, some have begun to poke around the rubble.
The city itself has caught fire in several districts from the flaming debris that fell back to earth after the explosion. As they make their way further from the site of the explosion, the town becomes much more of a flurry of activity as people rush to put out the fires that threaten to consume their town.
Walking with a purpose, they arrive at an inn where Jiron leads them to the stables. He and Jared saddle three horses while James sits on a barrel and rests. “You okay?” Jiron asks while cinching on one of the