The Contention by Jeremy Laszlo Page B

attempt to force her teary eyes to refocus before speaking.
    “That is amazing, my love,” she cried, her smile returning once more. “You learned how to do that within a day?”
    “I learned a great deal more than that, angel, but I feel it would be reckless to give too much power to the masses. Instead I intend to equip many with less dangerous power, and a few whom can be trusted with weapons and armor beyond their beliefs.”
    “What else can you make it do?” Sara asked, truly interested.
    “As far as I can tell, I can make any inanimate object absorb magical power. Once absorbed, the object can either contain the power or use it in a manner I see fit,” he answered.
    “Such as?” Sara asked, prodding her lover for more information.
    “Thus far, beyond creating light as you have seen, I can make objects retaliate with fire, lightning, a shockwave of sorts or even shadow. I have tested a few other things as well, though mostly for personal reasons. Up to now the tests I have done have been very basic. With years of practice and study the ability to enchant items could be limitless, but for now I will work with the knowledge I have,” Seth replied.
    “Do you plan to enchant my weapons and armor?” Sara asked, sounding a little concerned.
    “Yes, my love. I will be doing all I can to protect you, so please go and collect your armor. I wish to have it done before you begin your training tonight. This will allow you time to perfect its use,” Seth answered.
    Stepping forward, Sara stretched up onto her toes and kissed Seth lovingly. Then, without a word, she playfully bounded out of the room like a young girl with her first crush.
     
    *****
     
    Stepping into the hallway Sara was met by Jonas and four other werewolves of her husband’s design. Jonas, stepping aside, allowed Seth’s troops to pass to go to their master. As Sara went by the hulking werewolf, Jonas swiveled his body upon one great paw, and spun to follow on her heels. The girl had changed much in weeks past, he noted. She moved effortlessly, avoided the sunlight and, like he himself did since his creation, she hungered for flesh. Jonas could sense it. The once-defenseless woman had somehow become a predator; one even that a beast with Jonas’ stature was wary of being near. Watching her unnatural ability to move as if she need not touch the ground beneath her, set Jonas’s hackles to standing on end.  But no matter, his orders were to guard the petite woman at all costs, and he would not fail in his task.
     
    *****
     
    Seth stood alone in the room adjoining the secret vault for only a moment before four more of his men entered swiftly. Each of them had near identical markings upon their fur. Try as he might, Seth had to admit that he did not recognize any of them. The first werewolf approached with a square bundle which he unwrapped to expose his cargo. Within the bundle was a stack of thick, crimson-colored sheets of glass, each separated by a layer of cloth. Seth motioned to the end of the table, and the beast of a man placed the stack gingerly upon the table before bowing low to his maker. Rising once again the werewolf turned and strode out the door, his mission completed. The next of the wolfmen approached Seth. Turning at the last moment, this particular soldier placed a cloth bundle upon the table with a thud. Unrolling it revealed several clanking implements of death and destruction meant for Sara. Seth nodded his approval, to which the delivering soldier bowed his acquiescence and departed like the first.
    The next two wolf troops held bundles of armor which Seth had them lay out upon the table as he had done earlier. A piece at a time, he went about magically altering them to fit his men. Having followed the same process as on the previous occasions, these two sets of armor were altered suitably within minutes. Satisfied with the results, Seth sent one of the troops on his way to send in another pair, and ordered the remaining