Forty-Fifth Post - Sword Mage

Sorry it’s been a solid two weeks since the last post. Life has been…busy. Too many distractions. It got so bad I actually broke down and did some Plotting. The next five or six posts are plotted out. For a dedicated Pantser like me, that is a sign of near desperation.

Today’s post is one chapter and just shy of 1800 words. It is also a breather from all of the dark drama in the last post. Our MC is told to take a break and help out their neighbor. There will be more peace and quiet ahead until…there isn’t. Just the usual chaos of the Sword Mage life.

Tim G. Sends.

Chapter Eighty – The King Orders a Sword Mage to Stand Down

The reports of the recent air raids by the Kingdom’s new bomber fleet felt heavy in King Harlan’s hands. Yes, the results were dramatic, and they had reduced the attacks on the Line in the mountains. He noticed, however, that Kalara was flying four attacks every ten day.

The nightmares had eased. His blood-spattered dreams that always ended with sweet Syanna screaming as she threw herself onto a sword point were fading. His rage was pushing the Sword Mage too hard. He knew her body was nearly indestructible, but what of her mind? He muttered to himself as much as to the Council, “The Goddess’ Chosen is too valuable to be used up.”

Two days later Kalara and Robert were kneeling in the throne room. “Commander, your Air Knights have done a solid job striking the demons where they live. Hmm, the latest reports of damage caused are not promising. This is no reflection on your efforts. I’m sure it is the enemy adjusting to our attacks.”

The King glanced to his left. “Please rise. Senior Air Knight Nevissan, you will join them.” Nevissan left the crowd to stand beside Robert. “These are my orders. Kalara, you and Julian will supervise the delivery of the new aircraft to the Kingdom of the Great Green. For at least the next thirty days you will stand down and see to the Duchy’s business.”

“The same goes for you as well, Sir Mallin. Now to other business.” King Harlan stood and the Senior Knight of the Court called them all to attention. The King extended his hand. “We now announce and confirm that Ducal Prince Nevissan, Senior Air Knight, is now advanced to Air Commander. That he shall have full authority over all troops of high or low standing. Let all acknowledge and honor this status. Commander, receive your wings.” He lowered his hand and watched at full attention as the rest of the Court.

Nevissan stood solidly at attention as Kalara formally marched to face him. An attendant stood by her side with a small box. She removed his golden wings and placed them in the box. It now contained his original wings and the Senior Knight’s wings. Kalara removed the new Commander’s wings and fastened them to his uniform. The star above the Kingdom’s emblem now had three silver lightning bolts on each side rising from the tips of the wings to the tips of the star. Everyone later noted it was a most striking and memorable emblem.

Kalara and Nevissan saluted each other, then Kalara formally returned to her place. After they all saluted the King, the room erupted into an extended applause. She remembered her own elevation. While the memory was tinged with pain, that had long faded. What she chose to remember was that it was the day she was betrothed to Julian. That made her grin even wider and if people thought she was just being happy for Nevissan, all the better.

The party afterwards left Nevissan just a little overwhelmed. Kalara stood by his shoulder and offered moral support as he shook hands and tried to graciously accept congratulations from an endless stream of nobles and knights. After the King, his own ducal family were first in line. All the Dukes had somehow managed to attend. They considered it a Historic Moment (correctly so) and felt it absolutely necessary to have their names attached somehow.

Kalara approached him with a servant who had a full tray of fresh drinks for the group. “So Nevissan, what’s your next assignment with that shiny new uniform decoration?” He grinned and said, “Ah, I’m fairly sure the King is giving me your job. I will be taking over command of all the aircraft and leading the fight.” He looked at her sideways, waiting for an angry blowup.

Instead Nevissan saw a huge grin. She punched the new Air Commander lightly in the shoulder and said, “It’s about time! From the first time you started flying, there was no doubt at all you were headed for this position. A word of advice, though. Don’t forget to bring along the promising youngsters. You will have Ducal responsibilities, too.”

Their group grew to about twenty young adults chatting and enjoying some time away from the war. Eventually Nevissan pulled Kalara aside. “Commander,…” He stopped with her look. Looking embarrassed, “Kalara, there’s something I wanted to show you tomorrow at the Royal airfield.” Looking puzzled, she just nodded her agreement.

The next day they met by Nevissan’s new bomber aircraft. His original craft had been transferred to a younger pilot for patrol duty across the Kingdom. Her puzzlement from the night before came back stronger than ever. The cockpit glass and side of the craft were covered by a heavy cloth. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He stood proudly by the cloth and said, “I remember the story you told us about the fighting aircraft from your old world. They would paint the noses of the craft and give them a name.”

He pulled the cloth down. The dark-haired girl’s face was larger-than-life, of course. She was smiling at them from under her helmet as if she were looking out the window of her aircraft. It really was a remarkable likeness, Kalara thought. They had written the name below in a fine script. ‘Candine’ looked like she was ready to step out of the frame and report her latest mission success.

Kalara’s tears wouldn’t stop, no matter how hard she tried. Eventually she was able to wipe her eyes and sniffle. Looking at Nevissan, she said, “Oh, Commander. It’s perfect. I…I honestly cannot think of a better way to honor her. Thank you. This is a wonderful way to carry the tradition forward.”

*******************

Less than a ten day later Kalara flew the first of the shipment of aircraft to the Great Green. Julian rode in the seat up front. She gave him some brief instruction in how to operate it, then told him in no uncertain terms to leave the controls alone. She was now certain he would never be an Air Knight.

As their flight of six aircraft circled the Green’s capital city, Kalara noted with approval the fine, long airstrip and the hangars already prepared to receive them. They were able to land in pairs and made their way to the front of each hangar. King Ferellen and Prince Laingen were both on hand to greet them.

The greetings that followed had a most non-royal ‘protocol’. Led by Kalara, they traded firm hugs all around. When King Ferellen’s Master of Protocol tried to chide his monarch about it later, the response was a grin. “Ah Seenan, the Goddess’ Chosen sets her own protocols. I think she always will. Feel free to rebuke her about it yourself. If you dare.” His King just walked away chuckling.

Queen Destaèn pulled Kalara aside later. She stared at the airfield and said, “Baroness, is there any way that I could…” the question trailed off into an embarrassed silence. Kalara smiled at the Queen. “You can’t wear that, you know.” They both laughed at the formal Court gown.

Queen Destaèn said, “Oh, the flying suit? I already had one made.” She blushed as if she had just said the most scandalous thing ever. Kalara’s smile widened. “After breakfast, then? I can give you the introductory lesson.”

*******************

The next morning the weather was bright and clear. “A perfect day for flying.” Kalara glanced at Queen Destaèn. Everyone was trying very hard not to stare. They all knew the Queen had an incredible figure. But the form-fitted flying suit made that fact obvious. Even Kalara was torn between being frankly amazed and just a little bit envious. She shook the thoughts out of her head and focused on the flight.

They walked around the aircraft as Kalara did her pre-flight inspection. She noted that the pilot and chief maintenance officer had their names inked onto the fuselage. They were both present and immediately bowed to the Queen and the Baroness. Kalara donned her helmet and checked the Queen’s. After the technicians pushed the craft out to the taxiway, they boarded and she tapped her student’s helmet. “Ready?” Queen Destaèn gave her the ‘thumbs up’.

Kalara started the engine and rolled them to the end of the runway. She called for a weather report. It came back, “Clear to fifty miles. The wind is ten points off the runway.” “Perfect”, she called back. “Rolling.”

She released the brakes and pushed her throttle. Queen Destaèn let out a small “Oh!” as she was pushed into the seat and they left the ground behind. The Queen gazed in wonder as their leafy domain lay revealed beneath them. Kalara pushed the throttle more until they were at least a mile in the air.

Her passenger said, “It all looks so small. Is this how the Goddess sees us?” Kalara replied, “She can see anything, at any time. From the vast expanse of the whole world to the tiniest detail of any room.” They flew huge circles around the Capital.

Queen Destaèn said, “It’s too bad we can’t put a hand out. There aren’t any clouds today, anyway. I always wondered what a cloud felt like.” Kalara just said, “Wet. I have a memory from my previous life. As a child I rode in an open aircraft. I was able to put my hand out and feel a cloud. It’s all just water vapor. No different from the vapor from a boiling pot.”

After a few more minutes of silence, Kalara asked if the Queen wanted to try the controls. She said no. “My daughter absolutely adores you. A very dedicated Chosen Watcher. She wants to pilot an aircraft one day. I insisted that I would try it first and then decide if she could.” Kalara asked, “What did you decide?”

A heavy sigh sounded from the front seat. “There is no way I could deny her this. I can tell that the occasional flight as a passenger would not be enough. She will be of age soon. I hope I can count on your guidance for her.” Kalara’s voice was gentle. She said, “Your Majesty, she will have the very best instruction. I wish to talk to her more about it. Being an Air Knight means she will join the War and help defend the Line for your country.”

“Well. Baroness, we both know such a fierce spirit could not be kept from the fight. At least in the air she will be somewhat safer?” They shared a mutual laugh about that before they landed.