The Challenge:
Bo the Traveler vs. "Thomas the Terrible"
The Verdict:
The Isbelallis
Preface:
Of "The Isbelallis"
The Isbelallis are a secret group of cultists that have spawned and grown to great power over past three decades. They prey upon a secret power that lies within the hearts of all young mortal men and women. Some have more of this power than others, and the Isbelallis can feel its surge from any distance. Countless victims have died by the "hairy hand," a terrible death indeed. The Isbelallis, it would seem, are close to their goal. Two centuries ago they were cursed and ever since have been only able to bare one child for each generation. Now, in their growing strength the Isbelallis, through some evil and unearthly means, have been able to multiply at alarming rates. Tales have been told of some clans producing as many as four children within a matter of five or so years. Some say now that they are too powerful to overcome and that the world is locked to a dark future of doom and death. This may be true, if the Isbelallis are left unchecked. However, recently brave men and women who have mastered their own power have begun to group together and seek out this darkness so that it may be cleansed.
Of "Thomas the Terrible"
"Thomas the Terrible" is the brutal leader of one of the Isbelallis Clans. The darkness is strong with this one, for the sweat of from his brow and the hair on his back is unmatched (this seems to be some of the Isbelallis traits...whether it is a source of power or their weakness has yet to be discovered). He came to power nearly three decades ago in the small village of Chestershire. It is in Chestershire were planted four dark seeds and it is there where he drowns all free thought and speech with his darkness. Now that this land has been claimed in the name of the "Hairy Hand," he often makes long voyages once or twice a year to find a young heart strong with the power. Those who he cannot kill he corrupts, bringing them into the darkness and blinding the truth from them. The Blind Ones cannot be brought back, and they serve the Isbelallis until their death. This is how the Isbelallis have become so powerful in the recent years. Each clan leader has the duty of making many "sacrifices" each year. After years of death the Isbelallis are unmatched in number and strength. Long has the world waited for the one who will start the revolution to end this plague of darkness.
Of "Bo the Traveler and the Light Bringers"
Bo is a stout man of unheard courage. He travels throughout the land with his companions to end the scourge that poisons the hearts of men. He has dedicated his life to ending the dark power, the Isbelallis. Nearly ten years ago, Bo set out to recruit a team of those who are strong with the power. This team of strong men now travels the lands with Bo seeking out the Dark and the Blind so that the world will be free once more, "The people of the earth will live in the light and the truth" are the words brought to corrupt lands so that the people's hope will not vanish from their chained minds. Many Isbelallis have fallen by the hands of these "Light Bringers." A revolution, it would seem, is beginning to take shape. The way is set and the cause is just. The bringers of the light will mark the days of new found freedom with the dark blood of the "Hairy Hand".
Bo the Traveler vs. "Thomas the Terrible"
It was Thursday...a cold day that stung the skin of all who dared walk against it. A slow tempo of heavy steps upon fresh snow ended a chilled wind's song. Bo had just arrived to the last destination of his travels. It had been a long week, and his home had never been further from his feet, yet closer to his heart. Bo and his companions walked into the local Inn hoping to warm their hands and fill their bellies.
"Who keeps this Inn?" Bo shouts. "My back is burdened and my feet are bruised. Who will help this kind traveler and his company?"
"I keep this Inn, Sir, and I will help you and your company" said the Inn Keeper. "There is no need to shout. My age may slow my step, but my ears are still young! Come now, and speak softly. I could feel the boards twisting under my very feet when shouted so.
Bo cautiously replies, "I am sorry old man. I meant no harm. Have you a room to keep me and my company for the night. The weather seems very cruel and curious as of late. I have felt its dark, icy breath on my neck for too long.
"Why yes!" the Inn Keeper replies, "We have only a few rooms left, and being that you and your fellow travelers are so spent from your burdens I will give the best room to you. Some may even call it a suite!"
"GREAT!...I mean, that is good" Bo says as he picks up the frail man from the floor. "My men and I will go to our rooms. We are too tired to eat this night, but have plenty for us in the morning. We are not home yet and we have many more hills to climb and rivers to cross. I thank you Sir, and good night."
This was good news to Bo and his friends. They were all very tired from their travels. They felt more like pack-mules then men. A warm, dry room would make them human again. They made their way up the stairs to find their rooms. Oh, how the rooms seemed to welcome them. Fine linens draped the beds. Soft, thick rugs lay all around the floors. Large windows on the far side of the room opened to the west, where the mountains slept. Young, beautiful women dressed more for bathing than serving waiting for the men's instructions. Everything was perfect. Only one of his travelers, Jason, had to sleep down the hall in the dirty linens (this was custom, though, because his bread was of a sweeter kind...and his mutterings of pipe organs kept the other men awake). Besides this, all the men wee happy because it was exactly what was needed. It is good that such was the men's luck...for they would need all their strength on the next day. Darkness had its eye fixed upon this cold land and its travelers. Soon its face would be shown and its sword be drawn.
Morning came quickly, but the men were surprisingly well rested. It was if the beds and linens were blessed with a prayer of health. The men jumped from bed new with life. Old bruises were gone, wounds had been healed, and flames rekindled. Once everyone was awake the men began muttering amongst themselves about breakfast. The smell of fine baked breads and sweet cooked fruits had found its way up the hall and into the rooms. A fine feast awaited them. Before the men could make for the dining hall Jason burst into the room.
"You all stink!" he said. "Surely who would not eat such fine foods in such a great fine dining hall with those filthy paws?" He spoke with one hand on the hip. The men grudgingly agreed but realized an exciting truth. They would have the fine women servants draw their water and wash their backs. The food could wait. A bath made more and more sense by the second.
"Yes!" Bo shouts. "A bath sounds nice. Let us go now and wash the mud from our feet and faces. Come, Jason, you will have the pleasure of being washed first by one of our many beautiful maids."
"That is not necessary. I have been awake for an hour now and have already bathed myself. Besides, I would not enjoy the women bathing me so much. I will wait here for your return. Then we will all go to the dining hall together and feast" said Jason.
The maids motioned for the men to follow, and they did with haste. The men were surprised to find that they were being led to a series of hot springs that were hidden beneath the ground that was behind the Inn. The Inn keeper had built a tunnel from the Inn to the underground spring so that his most valued customers could enjoy a hot, secluded bath without having to leave the Inn. When the men at last arrived to the hot springs they found a wonderful sight. The rock floor was polished smooth, as was the roof of the cave. The walls were left alone, as they made natural barriers between the series of hot springs that were scattered throughout the cave. Perfect paths winded around to the bubbling springs. A total of seven springs awaited the men. Each with a small, perfectly round port hole covered with glass above, as to let light in and supplement the candle light that danced from the polished rock to the sharp angular walls and back again. The springs seemed to sing as the men where taken to their bath. They each laid their garments onto a small shelf built into the walls and cautiously stepped into the jumping waters. As the maids washed their backs they began to sing a song that the men had not heard in too many years. Each woman sang beautifully with their own melody that perfectly weaved into the collective harmony of sound. The song was really an old prayer of health that had been set to a melody many, many years ago. The men listened as the sound swirled and bounced from the cave walls along side with the echoes of the bubbling springs. The song went something like this:
Cold and hard can be the way.
Warm and soft will be your stay.
Water keeps the stain away
so we can live today.
Dirt and mud, they must make leave.
A clean, hot bath is what you need.
Bless this morn' with birth of seed
and let us live this day.
The song went on to bless the travelers for what seemed to be an hour. Once they were all bathed the men stepped out of the spring feeling years younger and began to put on their garments. They soon discovered that the steam from the springs had worked its magic through the cloth and taken out ever stain. The men gathered at the cave entrance, dropped few gold pieces of gold into a basket and made their way back up to the Inn. Now that they were clean, nothing was on their mind but one thing: breakfast.
The men entered the dining hall to find Jason, greedily eating buttered bread and preserved fruits. There was no cause for alarm as there was more than any of the men could eat. They each took a white, polished plate trimmed in gold and filled it with all they could find. Some of the men could be seem stuffing their pockets with breads and meats before they sat at the large, U-shaped table. The maids brought them tea and the men ate until nothing more would fit into their bellies. They all ate and spoke about the travel ahead and passed the time with good talk and cheers.
Jason ate eagerly and listened even more so. He did not let a word pass by without pressing it into his mind. He had a new agenda. He has a new purpose. Thomas the Terrible had found him the night before, lying on the used linens. His words were dark and sweet like a good molasses, and as such they stuck to him and would not let go. Thomas has blinded him. He will not see the light anymore but live to serve his dark, hairy master. After the men had all finished talking Jason left abruptly. He had heard all that was needed and now his mind was telling him to go find the dark one. Jason left the Inn and was not missed.
Just before noon the men walked down from their rooms to the Inn Keeper's desk. They paid the kind old man more than they owed and set back out into the cold. Many miles where in wait of walking and the men had spent too long eating and laughing. After nearly four hours had passed the sky took to a strange look. The wind came to a smothering halt. The men stopped to survey the ill omens. Then they saw it. Two shadows approached from east, one small and feeble, the other very large and terrifying. They approached quickly as to try and take the men by surprised. This could not happen though, for Bo our hero was too strong with his power. The men help their ground and waited for the enemy to arrive, Bo was in front. When the two shadowy figures were within sight, the men saw that Jason was the small, feeble shape. They knew that he was now blind to the light, and would not be shown and mercy. Thomas stopped and opened his gaping mouth to speak to the men.
"Are ye the one people call Bo the Traveler and his party?" said Thomas with a thundering voice. "If so, speak! For I am who the people fear!" Sweat spilled from his brow into his mouth and the spat a burning hole into the ground before him.
Bo answered strongly "I am Bo the Traveler indeed!
Thomas twisted his face and stomped the ground, showering the men with snow and ice and said, "Bo! Me and you are about to go 'round and 'round!"
Thomas' chin dropped and Bo knew that an attack was next. Jason, who had been perched onto one of Thomas' legs like a lemur, sprang forward at Bo. Bo loved a good wrestle and was waiting for this small hissing animal. While Jason was mid-aid Bo grabbed him by the neck, held him in the air and jumped straight up nearly five feet off the ground. When Bo was at the height of his leap, he threw the limp body that was in his hand to the ground with such force that it seemed to disappear from his hand and reappear on the ground just before and huge cloud of snow was kicked up from the impact. The cloud swallowed the men and Thomas. Nothing could be seen. When the cloud had cleared Thomas first noticed the Jason-shaped hole in the ground and then noticed that he was surrounded in a circle of Bo and his men. They were all in stance and their will was collectively bent on Thomas and all his evil. Bo and Thomas' eyes aligned and Bo was sent into a state of frenzy. He bowed his head and began muttering words softly so that Thomas could not hear. Bo's arms began to shake as light seemed to shine through his skin. Thomas prepared himself. His ripped off his shirt and sweat fell with a loud splash and sizzle to the ground. Thomas flexed his rage and every hair on his back sprang out into a full length of several feet. The hairs danced and whipped around violently. Thomas leaped into the air with surprising grace and speed; spinning with his arms held straight out. Sweat was thrown everywhere in small scattering beads. Some of the men were burnt as they tried to jump clear of the assault. The sweat had no affect on Bo; it merely turned to shimmers of light as it approached him. Now, Bo, with his prayer completed, raised his head to see Thomas spinning in all his fury. With one motion Bo drew his sword and leapt into the air to meet Thomas. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he left the ground. The men witnessed Bo, with his gleaming blade over head, fully arched back. His sword and feet nearly touch behind him. When Bo reached Thomas who was now some ten feet in the air he let out a thundering "BE GONE!" and struck Thomas with such force that his long hair was strewn away in a perfect circular pattern. Thomas was mostly liquefied in the attack. Bo landed some distances away, stuck his sword into the snow, and collapsed. The men ran to were Bo lay. They were relieved to see Bo laughing, lying on his back, a bit out of breath.
Bo said, A great battle has been won today my friends. However, the war is not over. When my sword pierced his body, I saw all that he has planned. The four seeds and his evil mistress still live far to the south. That is where we must go now."
One of the men help Bo to his feet as another handed him his sword. They all made looked to the south. Bo took the first step and the men followed his path down towards the village of Chestershire.
To be continued...
