He shook his head.
"Circulate among the humans and see what you hear. We need some good leads on where to start looking for the Daemon Lords."
People tended to ignore the Green Folk as part of the background and spoke freely around them.
Teek nodded and went back outside to help the Green Jylls distribute food to the injured and U'ka began her work. Unrolling her leather tool roll she pulled out a small Iron Oak knife Teek specially crafted for her. Its wood blade was sharp as the finest made metal blades, a necessity for cutting certain plants that reacted poorly to metal blades, destroying their curative properties.
U'ka loved all the spicy smells of the various plants laid out before her. It'd been a long time since she'd experienced the simple pleasure of compounding different plants together to make medicines. She was glad she took the apothecary classes at the Citadel even if it ultimately hadn't been her path to be a Healer like her friend Calt. Practicing the healing arts was a welcome change from all the killing she'd done during the war. It was good to have something to focus on outside the daily grind of searching for food and scavenging through ruined cities.
U'ka grabbed the small brazier and beeswax cubes from the cabinet and set them on the counter. At the bottom of the brazier lay a round, smooth, shiny black firestone with a blaze rune carved into the center.
Firestones were made long ago by the Alchemy Guild from volcanic rock, which held a small spark of fire from the volcanoes that created them. They were made in response to the needs of the ever-growing cities and the insufficient supply of forest deadwood.
She rubbed her finger along its cool surface, feeling that the stone hadn't been used in a very long time. With her finger on the carved blaze rune, she spoke the word calor to invoke the heat within it, pulling her finger away from the glowing symbol as the stone quickly warmed. U'ka took the melting pan to the sink to cleanse it, and when she returned to the counter, the firestone glowed with a brilliant bright red hue. With her hunting knife, she cut off a few pieces of wax and dropped them in the melting pan along with a few different plants she'd cut up and ground down in the mortar. Adding a little bit of oil, she mixed it together with a wooden spoon, letting the salve bubble until it reached a specific fragrance, indicating the correct potency. She then poured the thick salve into a small wooden box to solidify overnight.
Ayrshire came in with a bowl of rabbit stew. "You have worked very hard. Time to take break and eat."
"Thank you," U'ka said. "Can I ask you something, Ayrshire?"
"Yes," she said, staring at U'ka with pale pink eyes.
"How well do you and the other Green Jylls know the Magus."
"Most of us grew up here. The Magus has worked in Sanctum since very young. He is, as you would say, like father to us."
"You believe him to be a good man?"
"Yes. He always very good to everyone. Is there anything else you need?"
"No. I'm fine for now."
Ayrshire gave a little bow of her head and went back outside. The Magus came into the room with a chair and sat at the counter with her. "You don't mind if I join you, do you?"
"No. Please sit." U’ka was happy to finally have a nice intimate conversation with someone again.
"Wait. I know what we need to complete this meal," he said, leaving the room and coming back a few moments later with a large jug of what she assumed to be some sort of alcohol and two cups. This was turning out to be a really special day for her.
"I'd like to say this is to honor Suenyus, god of devotional ecstasy, but I must confess I've been imbibing more of it myself than I have offered Suenyus in tribute," he said, filling the two cups.
U'ka picked up the pungent brew, the sour smell alone nearly made her choke.
"This is way too harsh for my tastes, it'd probably knock me right out with one sip. But if you don't mind, I'd like to use it to make some tinctures." It would have been nice to have some alcohol to celebrate the occasion, but she’d put it to good use.
"Please do. I know not everyone can tolerate Moonbrew this harsh. Made it myself in an old copper still I keep out back," he said, draining his cup. He picked up her notes and looked them over. "You're right, they do seem easy to make. This will be invaluable now that the Healer caravans no longer visit. Do you think they are gone for good?"
"Unfortunately, I think they were all destroyed during the war."
He nodded, pouring himself another cup. "At least now we'll be able to ease their suffering a bit."
"I'm glad to help," said U'ka, handing her empty food bowl to the Magus. "I have some more medicines to make if you don't mind."
"Yes. Yes. I'm just prattling on. I'll check on you later," he said, staggering a bit on his way out.
Using the alcohol to mix up some tinctures, U'ka worked on through the evening, making medicinal elixirs, pastes, lotions and salves. Satisfied she'd made all the needed medicines, she labeled each one and drew magic preservation symbols on the jars to keep the contents fresh. She yawned while checking over her notes, making sure everything was in order. Waving her finger over the firestone, she uttered frigus to extinguish the flame, then took all the tools she used and dunked them in a bowl of Moonbrew to cleanse them.
The Magus came into the candlelit room carrying her bedroll and bags.
"It's getting late, I thought you might want to turn in for the night," he said, setting everything down.
"Yes. I'm just about finished," she said, laying the notes down on the table. "I've been trying to put off sleep for as long as possible. It just brings nightmares of the war."
"I may have a solution for that," he said, picking up her things to take them back into the Sanctum. He laid them at the foot of the statue of Goddess Samean, who held the Watchful Eye in her upturned palm.
"Samean is the guardian of dreams, her Watchful Eye keeps bad memories away, so dreams don't turn into nightmares. I have often slept at her feet when memories of the war invade my dreams, finding I sleep much better."
U'ka's mother never really stressed much belief in the ancient gods, so she'd given up what little faith she had in them soon after entering the Citadel. Her magic studies and the power it granted her was all that mattered. But with nothing to lose, she laid her bedroll at the foot of the statue. At the very least, it was good to sleep indoors.
"Just what I need," said U'ka. "Can I ask you how you've kept this place free from marauders? We've been on the road for several months, and it's the first real sign of civilization I've seen."
"When the war ended, I asked the Green Folk for their protection to keep the wounded safe. They wisely decided to declare this area neutral territory, which helped get the trading post going again. Anyone who brings violence here won't make it back out. You know the switchback trail leading here? One way in, one way out. The forest along the trail will keep any offenders winding back and forth endlessly till they die from exhaustion."
This helped to reassure her about the smith's apprentice. Would he really try anything with Bud if this was the consequence?
"You've been good to the Green Folk here. They're very protective of you."
"We are lucky they still watch over us like they have since our ancestors first landed on the shores of Elanthrea."
"Yes," said U'ka, thinking of Teek.
"Well, I'll let you get your rest. My sleeping chamber is just over there if you need anything," he said, pointing to a door at the rear of the Sanctum.
"Thank you," she said, taking off her boots while he went to his room.
She walked around the Sanctum, blowing out the candles and oil lamps. In the dim light, she stripped down to her underclothes and wrapped a blanket around herself. The statues, standing vigil over the Sanctum, were silhouetted in the moonlight. There was a real sense of peace here she hadn't felt in a long time. Part of that peace came from spending the day working in the healing arts. It felt good to be doing something positive to help others. Knowing the morning would be busy with the inj
ured, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her exhausted mind and body.
4
Bud's angry whinny abruptly woke U’ka out of her deep sleep. She bolted upright, dagger in hand, thinking she was still on the battlefield, ready to defend herself. Realizing she was in the safety of the Sanctum, she jumped up and ran outside to see Bud kicking out his front legs and a man holding a rope. He was trying to steal Bud. V'lan lay on the ground, blood running down his forehead. The warhorse reared up, thrusting out his front hoof, smashing the would-be horse thief in the face. Blood streamed from his nose as he fell to the ground. U'ka ran towards him, blade ready to slice his throat for daring to touch her horse. She was almost on top of them when she heard frantic braying in the distance. She looked around, but Daisy was not there.
Teek roared out of the darkness. Vines shot out from his fingertips, wrapping around the horse thief who struggled feebly against their iron grip. U'ka ran into the night towards the mule's desperate cries. Panic drove her forward at the fear of losing him. The dew soaked ground was slippery and she fell several times before she made it to the switchback trail. Feet pounding on the muddy ground, she caught sight of the mule with his feet dug into the dirt, neck outstretched in resistance against the man trying to drag him down the trail.
When she got closer, she saw that it was the smith's apprentice. Why did he have to be so stupid?
Eyes narrowed in anger, U'ka charged and tackled the man. He lost grip of the rope as she struggled with him; Daisy turned and ran back to the safety of the Sanctum. She wanted nothing more than to kill him as she brought up her dagger, slashing him across his chest, causing him to stumble back. Smiling at the sight of blood seeping through his tunic, she started to advance on him again when trees and bushes along the trail closed in around him.
He screamed, "Nooooooooooooo!!!!" before falling silent.
U'ka stood for a moment in disbelief. The chaos of the moment abruptly reduced to deathly silence. The man was just gone. Her body shook from the adrenaline rush as she turned to make her way back to the Sanctum. Bud and Daisy were snuggled together, trying to calm each other. V'lan sat on a cot, holding a piece of gauze his cut forehead.
"I tried to stop him, but I'm not much of a fighter with just one arm."
"You were brave to try," she said, pulling away the gauze to check the wound. Everyone looked on nervously, watching her every move.
The Magus came up behind them. "Is he alright?"
"Yes. Just a small cut, won't need any stitches. I'll just bandage it, should be fine," U'ka replied.
She then went to check on her agitated animals. They were breathing heavy but did not appear harmed. U’ka retrieved a sprig of Gullmary from a saddlebag and fed them both a piece to help settle them, speaking calming words to reassure them they were safe.
"What happened to the horse thief?" she asked the Magus.
"The Green Jacks took him away. The forest won't allow him back to the outpost."
"I saw the trees on the trail engulf the man who tried to steal Daisy. What will happen to him?"
"The forest has him now. He'll die wandering endlessly on the switchback trail. The Green Life's justice is swift."
U'ka had never seen the Green Life lash out like that. It was a disturbing sight. She was glad to have Teek as her guardian through the forest lands. Everyone returned to their beds now that the threat had passed. She bit off a piece of Gullmary to help calm her frayed nerves before cleaning up and returning to the Sanctum to sleep.
* * * * * *
A bright beam of sunlight shone in U'ka's face, waking her up. Morning had broken, she'd slept solidly after last night's misadventure. The sleep was the best she'd experienced in a long, long time. She looked up at Samean, with her gaze fixed straight ahead and gave a silent thanks. U’ka thought she'd lost favor with the gods long ago. She stretched and got herself ready for the day. The Magus approached with a bowl of boiled oats and berries.
"I'm sorry I can't offer you more," he said. "I know you have a busy morning ahead with the injured. How did you sleep after last night's unfortunate event?"
"You are gracious to share what you have. After I calmed down, I slept really well. Best night's sleep I've had in a long while."
"I do apologize for what happened. We haven't had an incident like that in a long time. These are desperate times. Men don't always follow the rules laid down by the Green Folk," said the Magus.
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. This is the first trouble we've run into since we started out. Our luck couldn't hold out forever," she replied.
U'ka took the bowl back to the potions counter to eat while the Magus took her bedroll and bags outside. She organized all the medicines she needed while she ate and put them into a basket.
Gathering up all her things, she quickly cleaned up the area and put everything away. U'ka ran her hand lovingly over the potions counter one last time, not knowing if she’d ever see one of its quality again.
Outside, the Green Jylls moved among the injured, attending to their needs. The Magus helped a legless woman into a sitting position.
U'ka started her rounds with the injured, applying salves to neutralize poisoned wounds that would not heal and dispensing tinctures to those with breathing issues. A low groan came from a cot set apart from the others.
As she approached, the smell of urine and feces from the constantly soiling of his bed assaulted her nose. The figure laying there was an unsettling sight. All his limbs were missing, his face and body horribly scarred. U’ka reached out to touch his chest, feeling a flash of coldness. He gagged, struggling to pull away. His missing tongue caused drool to run down the side of his face, staining his pillow. She pulled back his swollen, bruised lids, but there was nothing to look back at her. She knew what she felt even if she couldn't confirm it from his eyes.
The man was such an unsettling sight. How had he come to this state? Did humans or Daemons tear his body apart? The vision of him laying in this cot, broken and battered, would haunt her memories for a long time. She raised her hand to motion Teek over.
"Magus, we need to take this man into the Sanctum," U'ka called out to him.
The two of them grabbed the cot and took him inside. She closed the door behind them for privacy, then exhaled heavily before facing the Magus.
"Don't be afraid of what I am about to tell you. This man is Daemon held."
His eyes went wide as he backed up a few steps. "I . . . I thought they were all purged back to the dark realm."
"Most of them were. A few, like this one, managed to keep the binding with their human host and remain here. I think I have a spell to purge the Daemon spirit, but this man's in such bad shape he probably won't survive."
"He's already forsaken his soul by submitting to a Daemon binding. It will be a mercy to end his suffering."
The man futilely struggled in his cot, his hearing unaffected. U'ka stood back, stunned that the Daemon fought to stay in this broken body. How bad was it in the Daemon realm that this was the better option?
"Teek, hold his head."
The man coughed and gurgled under his grip. U’ka took out a fine silver pick to carve the Unbinding symbol into his forehead. His body stiffened as the symbol glowed bright red. She raised her hand, slamming her palm down on the symbol to push her magic into it. Back arched, he violently convulsed, fighting against the magic spreading through him; pushing the Daemon spirit from his body. With one last violent shudder, he fell limp. The Daemon spirit rose from his body. It lunged at her, desperately grasping for a body to stay in this realm. U'ka made a warding sign in the air to keep it at bay, feeling a slight pulling before the spirit was sucked north to the Gateway Between Worlds where the Daemons were purged back to the dark realm, ending the Blood War.
A few moments later, she felt the Gateway open and then slam shut. If she detected the power of the Gateway opening from this distance, it meant the Daemon Lords in hiding felt it too. Her element of surprise now gone.
They now knew someone in this realm could open the Gateway and send them back.
U'ka reached down to touch his neck. No pulse. "He didn't survive," she said, looking up at the Magus.
"You did him a kindness. He no longer suffers."
The Magus retrieved a sheet from his room and covered the body. A shroud to show respect for the dead.
"I must ask you to keep this secret. People will panic if they find out there are still Daemon Lords among us. Teek and I are hunting them down. We have to keep working in secret if we're to be successful."
"How many are there?"
"I'm not sure. Only a few, I believe. Not many Daemon Lords possessed enough power to resist being pulled back to the dark realm," she said. "So please, you must not tell anyone about this."
"Don't worry. I can keep a secret. I'm afraid I have to confess to a secret of my own. Come," he said, motioning them to follow him to a large elaborate altar.
"I am not the true Magus of this Sanctum. He was killed during the war. I was his acolyte. I served Magus Tault, keeping things tidy in the Sanctum, studying the teachings of the ancient gods and assisting with the various ceremonies. He was very knowledgeable, but in private, he could be cruel. He tried to make me do things I did not want to do."
He turned a carved figure on the side of the altar to reveal a secret door that swung open, showing the top steps of a stairway.
"I discovered this by accident while cleaning. I don't think the Magus even knew it was here and I kept it as my secret hiding place. Magus Tault was especially bad when drunk. This hidden place became my sanctuary." He looked away with sadness and regret in his eyes before continuing. "Was it wrong of me to hide here while he died confronting the Daemons?"
U'ka reached out to touch his arm. "No. I would have done far worse to Tault had it been me."
She’d gained enough of his trust that he felt comfortable unloading this burden. Secrets like these weren't meant to be kept for so long. She had no right to pass judgment on the desperate acts people took during the war. Her own past was far from clean.
The Blood Witch Chronicles Page 4