They resurfaced not as birds but as two bald, silver scaled sea hags. In their hands they clutched glimmering shells. They looked at Carutha and then approached the rocks at her feet. Q’uaina could see their tails swishing back and forwards beneath the waves. The sea hags deposited the shells at Carutha’s feet.
She sprung into action. “Quick, no time to lose, we’re being followed. These are breathing shells, place them on your face and the shell dweller within will attach itself to your mouth. You’ll be able to breathe under water.”
Then, behind them an explosion rocked the ground. From out of the dust and rubble a winged vampire appeared, followed by a drow. Q’uaina and the others grabbed their shells and in a blur of movement placed them over their mouths and followed Carutha as she jumped into the waves.
Q’uaina’s senses were overwhelmed by the cold water. With horror, she felt the shell limpet attach itself to her mouth and somehow breathe for her. She calmed herself, steadied her breathing and swam after the others down into the deep. Above them on the surface angry fireballs from the hands of the drow rained down ineffectively on the roiling waves.
They had escaped, just. Who were these strange, evil looking sea witches and where were they taking them? Questions flooded Q’uaina’s mind. She continued swimming strongly after Agathe and the others. The sea witches moved swiftly through the water, down deeper and deeper. Their bodies let off a rich amber glow once the daylight from above became weak. Q’uaina noticed their arms and backs had subsidiary fins that rippled in the water as they swam.
Minutes went by, Q’uaina passed strange rock formations and forests of luminous kelp. The fronds brushed her face and body gently as she followed the others. They kept going and swam along the sandy seabed. They passed bubbling vents that released gasses from the Erthe into the cold waters. They saw shadows, some large some small, dart through the water around them. Strange fish, some with luxuriant colours, others quite plain swam around them in great shoals.
After a while, the sea seemed to thicken. Swimming became harder, Q’uaina felt heavy in the water. She noticed the others starting to struggle too. They were approaching a massive rock formation. Black caves stared out unseeing at them. The sea hags changed direction and made for one of the larger openings. With her remaining strength, Q’uaina struck out following them.
They passed through the cave entrance and the hags immediately swam upwards. Q’uaina felt a sharp cramp in her leg and she panicked. The pain intensified and she screamed dislodging her breathing shell, her mouth filled with water. Fear welled up inside her chest and she struggled to hold on to consciousness. Then she felt strong arms take her, bearing her upwards.
Her head broke through the surface of the water and she gasped reflexly, filling her lungs with air. She saw the others around her and the panic slowly subsided. They were in an underground cave breathing trapped air. Q’uaina looked at her rescuer; the grotesque features of the sea hag were even more unsettling up close.
They swam to a ledge, scrambled out of the water and lay panting on the rock. It felt good to be on solid ground again. Q’uaina looked around the chamber and was startled to see huge carvings in the walls of faces, arms, hands and ears. The eyes in the sculptured faces in particular seemed incredibly lifelike.
The sea hags had left the water, their tails transforming into legs. Their bodies and faces had also changed, they now stood before them as two beautiful women. With their long auburn hair and green eyes, they gestured for the others to follow.
“What now?” Agathe spoke out breathlessly.
“We’ll find out, I feel it’s something to do with their ancestors and the Aerithryl Shard,” Carutha replied.
They followed the sea witches along the rocks and then through an opening in the cave wall that led to another chamber. Light emanated from fine crystals embedded in the ceiling and floor. They came to the rear of the chamber and found a mirrorpool. It was similar in size to the one on the surface, only its water was opaline green.
The sea witches gestured silently to the new pool. A sense of urgency was obvious in their movements. Carutha went up close to the witches and extended her arms to them. They each took one of her hands and closed their eyes. Q’uaina watched closely and saw that Carutha’s eyes were flickering rapidly.
“They’re communicating somehow,” Ossian said, his voice guarded.
“These sea witches want us to cross over using this pool, they seem in a rush,” Agathe declared.
Carutha snapped open her eyes. “We’ve to be quick to use this pool. The Shiffante and others, a vampire and a drow are still pursuing us. It’s only a matter of time before they reach this place. The sea witches are neutral and haven’t been involved in our struggle so far. Their history and lore is unknown to the surface dwellers. If we move now they’ll likely evade detection too. It’ll buy us some time. They think the Aerithryl Shard is concealed on the other side of this pool somewhere.”
“How can we trust them, how do we know it’s not a trap?” Ossian blurted out.
“No, it’s not a trap. They saved us back there at the cliffs. That vampire and the dark elf they were intending us harm…”
Unease hung in the air between Ossian and Carutha.
“We should cross over, I agree with Carutha,” Q’uaina said. Her eyes and manner determined.
The tension was broken, the others relaxed and Ossian nodded.
The sea witches gestured urgently towards the green waters of the mirrorpool.
They held hands with Carutha going first, followed by Q’uaina then Agathe and Ossian. They entered the pool and were taken by its waters.
A host of colours assaulted their senses and then a sense of endless falling. Then blackness. Oblivion.
The first thing Carutha became aware of was the cold. Then the wind. Her eyes focused in the semi darkness and she saw the others lying beside her on a stone floor. A dripping sound came from the ceiling high above. She moved her arm and pushed herself up. Her mind recognised the faces of her companions but for a moment, she could not remember who they were or why they were there. Then with a rushing sickness, it all came back to her in a startling instant. The events of the last few days flooded her mind and she cried out.
“What is it Carutha? Are you alright?” Ossian’s voice broke the stillness.
“We’re here,” Agathe said gently reaching out to Carutha.
Carutha shivered and her eyes cleared. “I’m alright now, I was overcome by the jump to this place that’s all. Let’s have a look around, see where we are.”
They stood and stretched their weary limbs. They were in a room beside a small mirrorpool; its waters still and mercurial. They wandered outside and were met with an unreal sight. They stood on a causeway that was part of a floating city, suspended in the clouds.
Chapter 17
The Holding
“Gods teeth! What’s this?” Ossian exclaimed in alarm. “This place sails in the sky, what sorcery is this?”
Carutha stood transfixed. “The sea witches have sent us here. Here…of all places to get rid of us. This is the Holding, a place of exile for those who commit treason or worse. This is a place of no hope, a place of emptiness…the floating city.”
Carutha’s expression changed as the words left her mouth. She paused, then smiled. “This is perfect for our purposes! The sea witches whether by design or by accident have done us a great favour. We’re untraceable here...we are invisible.
“It’s not sorcery Ossian,” Carutha continued. “It’s just part of the unfolding, the unravelling that goes on between all worlds, yours and mine too. If you look hard enough these places can be found, in the hidden ancient parts of the Erthe. They are memories of the beginnings, of the time when man was young. They are ghost memories, imprints on the Erthe’s skirts. Not yet forgotten, not yet vanished but almost so. A place for the lost, the banished.”
“It looks deserted, there’s not a soul about,” Q’uaina said.
“Assume nothing Q’uaina, come let’s explore, we have to prepare our next plan, to find the Shard and to bring the fight to the enemy, on our terms.”
~
LeSouris and S’Jukdara stood on the rugged shore gazing out to sea. The waves crashed on the rocks below their feet. The atmosphere between the drow and vampire was grim.
“Unexpected turn of events my friend,” the drow said.
“The Aerithryl Shard lies with them, they will find it and bring it back to this side. We don’t need to pursue them under the waves, we have but to be patient and wait for them to do the hard work. They will bring the Shard back to us.”
“It is agreed then, we will lie low, watch and wait. Time is an illusion, time will bring us to the Shard.”
Their voices were swept away by the wind and the frigid air to the black cliffs behind.
~
“Let’s split up, we can cover more ground that way,” Ossian suggested. “I’ll go with Agathe and explore this side of the causeway and you two can take the other side.”
“So be it, we’ll meet back here, at this mirrorpool at sunset. Remember we don’t know what darkness may bring. Caution at all times is best.” They embraced and set off on their separate ways.
Ossian and Agathe headed off across the causeway into a warm breeze. They came to a large square, fronted on all sides by imposing buildings. They chose the largest of these to explore first. Opening a wooden door, they entered a great hall. Dust lay thick on the ground and swirled at their feet as they moved across the floor.
“What are we looking for?” Agathe asked.
“Anything of use, of interest. Anything that could lead us to the Shard. Food and drink wouldn’t go amiss either,” Ossian replied.
They spread out across the room and searched. Faded, threadbare tapestries hung from the walls, a large dining table with chairs occupied the centre of the hall. The wind played tricks on their ears and whispered in the alcoves.
Agathe called out, an edge of fear in her voice. “Ossian come here, look at this…”
Ossian ran over to her and at first, his eyes could not comprehend what he saw. There stood a frame with what looked like human skin stretched across it. The skin bore extensive, intricate tattoos. Ossian overcame his horror and leant forwards to touch it. His fingers met the mummified surface; it felt like parchment. They examined the swirling tattoo patterns on its surface. It was a code of sorts, perhaps a map.
“We need to take this back to the others, Carutha may be able to decipher some of the symbols. Perhaps it will bring us closer to the Shard.” Ossian took his knife and started cutting the skin away from the frame.
Once he had completed his grisly task, they took a flight of stairs down to the next level. The rest of the house lay deserted and they moved on, spending the next few hours exploring the more notable buildings in the district. They came across a fountain in one of the smaller squares and filled their water bottles.
Carutha and Q’uaina made their way to the other side of the causeway and plunged into an intricate maze of back streets. The dwellings were not in good repair; many were crumbling with the sky clearly showing through the roofs in some places.
Then they came to an open area upon which converged a number of streets. There in the centre of the square was an ancient tree. Twisted and gnarled, it was made from petrified stone. At its centre was a young woman. Her body was cracked marble stained by green moss and lichen. Her face however was still living flesh, flushed and pink with vitality. It was as if the tree was sacrificing itself to keep this last vestige of life going.
Carutha approached the tree. She placed her hand on its stone and closed her eyes. Q’uaina looked nervously around hearing the trickle of water in the distance. Her heart was pounding, she felt terribly alone and vulnerable. Her eyes strayed to the sky above. Nothing but endless blue and clouds. She looked down again and was shocked to see the statue’s eyes staring at her. Carutha was still locked in her trance.
The living face framed in golden tresses, moved its facial muscles and spoke painfully in a dry, cracked voice echoing the stone it was rooted in.
“I am the seeker of truth for your journey, how may I reveal the path for you?”
Q’uaina stood rooted to the spot stunned. Her blood ran cold. The statue was alive and had spoken to her. This was unexpected and frightening. She steeled herself and said aloud in a clear voice, “Tell me where I can find the Aerithryl Shard.”
After a pause the stone trapped face responded, the woman’s hazel eyes unblinking and direct. “Take the path from the lapis tower to the underliving of the city. There you will find the last gate to the Shard. Beware the blue stone guardian, her blade is made from light and takes life with grace and sorrow.” With that, the statue’s eyes closed and Carutha slumped to the ground with a groan.
Q’uaina rushed over to her friend and held her. Gradually Carutha came around. Her eyes were unfocused and her face drained of colour.
“Breathe Carutha, breathe. Something very strange just happened. I think we may have a clue where to find the Shard.”
Carutha’s body stiffened at this and the colour came back to her face. “I tried to release the spirit within the stone, you mean it worked?”
“The woman in the stone spoke to me, offered to help me find the truth of my path. So I just asked her where the Shard was and she told me.” Q’uaina pointed to the highest tower in the floating city, the lapis tower. Clouds were weaving around its highest ramparts.
Carutha’s eyes took on a hungry look. “We need to move and get there before sunset, let’s go, find the others and make for the tower. It’ll be dark soon.”
“She mentioned a blue stone guardian…” Q’uaina added.
“There’s always a catch, isn’t there?” Carutha replied with a sardonic grin.
They headed back to the causeway and its mirrorpool and found Agathe and Ossian waiting there. The sun was sinking fast. Shadows were gathering in the open. A cruel screeching came from the sky above the city.
“Ravens, look at the sky, ravens, scores of them. Where did they come from?” Ossian said.
“No ordinary ravens at that, they must be twice the size of normal ravens,” Agathe added. “We’d best take cover.”
The four companions retired to the mirrorpool room and exchanged their news. The tattooed skin Ossian and Agathe had found turned out to be meaningless to Carutha. Ossian however became animated when he heard about the lapis tower.
“We must get there tonight, that’s where the trail leads us…”
The light was rapidly fading; it would take at least an hour to reach the tower. They would be beaten by the darkness and what it concealed.
“It’s worth the risk,” Ossian persisted.
Outside the wind had increased and through it they heard the chilling calls of the ravens.
“It’s as if they know something’s up, like they’re waiting for us to make a move,” Q’uaina said.
Carutha nodded. “Q’uaina is right this feels wrong, the night here belongs to a different realm. A place we have no business to inhabit. Ossian I too feel like you, we need to get to the lapis tower but time is not on our side tonight. Let’s stay safe and allow sister darkness her time and we’ll go at first light.”
Ossian looked at Carutha a fire in his eyes, then his muscles slackened and he acquiesced. “Of course you’re right, it sounds as if the hounds of the gods have been released out there just now.”
The atmosphere relaxed and they settled down for the night in the room, securely bolting the door. As night progressed, the winds became shrill and battered the walls. At times, they thought they could even hear talons tearing at the wooden shutters. Sleep was fitful and broken when it came.
Carutha awoke with a start. Something was wrong. Her instinct knew it. Her mind reached out ahead of her body. There were only three in the room. She looked around; dim light came from a candle in the corner.
Ossian was missing.
>
She should have known, this place was affecting them all. The sooner they had the Shard and were back in the living lands the better. This city of ghosts conspired against them in the empty hours. It mocked them; she could feel it in her bones.
“Wake up everyone, Ossian is gone. We must follow him. I only hope it isn’t too late.”
Q’uaina and Agathe awoke groggy with sleep, their eyes and limbs heavy. Carutha’s urgency however transformed them and soon they were on their feet, packed and ready to go. The darkest hour before dawn awaited them. It was strangely quiet outside; gone was the madness of the storm replaced by a brooding stillness.
Weapons at the ready, they unbolted the door and entered the dark realm. Their eyes were already accustomed to the semi gloom and they were surprised to see that the stone of the city emanated a low glow; enough illumination to walk by. Careful not to make noise they made their way back over the causeway, in the direction of the lapis tower.
A strong feeling of being watched pervaded the streets. Doors and windows however were empty, devoid of life. Here and there, they could hear the flutter of invisible wings. Q’uaina’s thoughts turned to the huge ravens they had seen earlier that night and she shuddered with the memory. Stealthily, they progressed through the streets, shadows amongst shadows.
They came to the square with the woman trapped in the stone tree. The outline of the lapis tower lay before them clear against the stars. Menacing and cold. Agathe approached the stone tree and before the others could stop her, she placed her hand on the statue’s face.
The eyes of the statue snapped open and bright light shone out of them, clear as the day. A voice from deep within her stone throat tore through the air fractured and dry as bones.
Severance Page 10