Shadow Helm of Glory

by Elizabeth Klein

  Ewarn jerked back in surprise like a puppet on its strings. ‘One of the Morning Star’s crystals?’

  ‘Of course!’ The creature frowned at him. ‘What else could possibly break that curse? And a good thing they did find it!’ He raised his voice and indicated with a flick of his head towards the King of Gardenia. ‘Otherwise, he’d still be standing at the top of that gully like an old stump! Calls himself a king! Huh!’

  Looking up, the king scowled at the Toggle before looking away again. With a wry grin, Ewarn stared at the creature, who seemed blissfully unaware. He liked the little fellow’s cockiness.

  ‘We beautiful Toggles are smart enough never to delve in magic. Always has consequences. After that, we had a harrowing ride across the River, pursued all the way by three—not just one, mind, but three—black wolves. We fought them off and landed on the far bank, where a man with his pregnant wife discovered us. Nice woman, too, she was. Anyway, they took us to Syone, but that wasn’t half as safe as everyone made out it was.’

  Ewarn’s interest piqued. The Toggle lowered his voice to a half-whisper. ‘The place was full of the rot. Robbie was convinced some of the Healers had defected to the dark side. Sad to say, but that’s where I left the boys, and Belle. Had to come home or else the wife’d cut off my ears for staying away so long. She gets jealous when I have fun. Wants adventures too, but has to stay home and mind the Togglettes. They’re such a handful.’ He sighed.

  Ewarn was at a loss for words as he stared at the creature. It was obvious that he was telling the truth. He had known the boys’ names and that Belle was a brave fighter. The descriptions of the lands and Syone were also accurate. Hope stirred inside him for the first time in months.

  ‘Thank you.’

  The Toggle glanced up at him. ‘What for?’

  ‘For helping them. For that, I am forever in your debt.’

  The Toggle’s ears blurred as they rotated on his head. The look on his face became sheepish. ‘I did hear some rumours.’

  Ewarn frowned. ‘Rumours? Of what? Tell me.’

  ‘Mind, they’re just rumours. But I did hear that Syone was breached and the Healers all killed.’

  The unexpected news triggered an avalanche of searing pain. With a sharp cry, Ewarn clutched his chest and doubled over as a wave of agonising convulsions oscillated through his body. He was aware of the Toggle leaping to his side, calling for aid and dragging him away from the flames, slapping his burning cloak with his paws.

  The sound of running feet was like distant hammers. Or was it Ewarn’s tortured heart pounding in his ears, ready to fail? Darkness hovered about him, greedy and festering with death. Shutting his eyes, he slipped into its welcoming arms.

  Sometime through the night, Ewarn woke with a start, wrapped in a blanket. Sitting beside him, the Toggle muttered to himself as he licked one of his paws and poked the fire with a stick. Ewarn attempted to sit up but a hand came to rest on his shoulder. Echo peered down at him.

  ‘My friend, it is best that you lie still for a while and rest.’

  He didn’t argue as the Elf crouched beside him. The Toggle stared at him with a guilty look. His ears quivered.

  ‘You had a nasty turn, you did. Must’ve been something I said.’

  It all came rushing back in vivid detail. ‘You said Syone had been breached and all the Healers killed.’

  ‘Oh, yes. I did say that. I also said it was just a rumour.’

  ‘Rumours are often based on truth.’ Ewarn sat up and shoved aside the blanket despite the disapproving look Echo gave him. He pulled on his boots. ‘If that is where you last saw them, then that is where I must ride.’

  Amazed, the Toggle stared at him as he struggled to his feet. ‘What? Tonight? Can’t it wait till morning?’

  Turning, Ewarn faced him with a grim look. ‘It cannot wait another minute!’

  Shadowed by Echo, he hurried in the direction of the horses at the edge of the camp. Already the sky had lightened with the yellow glow of dawn. He had to locate the boys at all cost!

  Chapter 1

  Shrieks

  Three days.

  That was all the time that Trisian, Captain of the Unseen, had given Gendelthane before Morgran’s army arrived. Sharp-eyed Elves patrolling the perimeters had spotted the first scouts. After a swift interrogation, the Elves had learned of the approach of a massive army from the plain. Infantry, as well as cavalry and war wagons enough for a full-blown siege were advancing upon Wyrm Wood.

  This was the third day!

  Robbie picked up a quill and dipped its nib in the inkwell that sat on the round table in Gendelthane’s chambers. It was the only place with ink and quills, the only place where he could think and write in peace. He placed the nib on the fresh page in the Lesson Book and started to write.

  Life is full of choices, some good, some foolish.

  Lifting the nib, he stared at the words. He scribbled them out. It left an ugly black smudge at the top of the page. What a mess! Sorry, Faolan. Then he wrote again in his hurried scrawl. He had to write all of it—today! Tomorrow, he, Dougray and Belle would be off to Twendlemark, a staging post to the northlands. Thoughts flowed.

  Worlds exist side by side, or within each other. I know not how. This world is just one of many. Its existence contradicts the laws of the Morning Star. Reality is concealed and its boundaries no longer survive as they once did. Time is one boundary, or dimension; light is another. But Time is winding down and has grown shorter. All the other dimensions are interwoven and interconnected too, so if one is affected, all will be affected. I don’t know how I know all this; I just do.

  When Morgran arrived with his untaming magic, the Golden Age of Light began to dim. The Black Kingdom began its reign through the curse. It fractured all the worlds, all the dimensions.

  Magic Men and Women enforce the deception everywhere. Soon Time will end. Light will cease. The fullness of that moment is coming. Timing is everything, now. But there’s so little of it left.

  The prophets foresaw the destruction of all the worlds—if Rafem does not triumph! Yet in the midst of all the chaos, there is something that even outlasts eternity:

  love.

  Placing the quill in the inkwell, he rubbed his eyes and clasped his hands behind his head. Branches creaked and leaves rustled in the wind. Through the woven reed wall, he could see the blue sky and trees. Although they were infested with the rot and crumbling under the weight of it, they still looked beautiful.

  Just then, a squad of stern-faced Elves dressed in light armour of leather and chainmail passed by in silence. Seeing them drove home that war was at Wyrm Wood’s doorstep. They were taking precautions and scouts were deployed even to the perimeter of the wood and beyond. Until now, the only sign of Morgran’s army had been the dust haze on the horizon. Everyone was on edge.

  It was the calm before the storm.

  He closed his eyes and the inescapable loveliness of Filligreen filled his thoughts. She had left with all the other women and children days ago. Where did she end up? Was she safe? But the question that haunted him since his arrival in Wyrm Wood—why did he feel the way he did about her in such a short time?

  Musings cast aside, he stiffened as he sensed someone outside. He froze as a shadow glided across the wall. Was it one of the Elven soldiers aware of him inside? If he was caught inside Gendelthane’s chambers—

  The door opened a chink and then pushed wide. The slim figure standing in the doorway made his heart skip a beat.

  ‘May his truth and light—’

  ‘Filligreen!’

  Robbie leaped to his feet and hastened to the Elf girl. Without a word, he wrapped his arms about her in a tight embrace, but after a moment, she pushed him away.

  ‘Robbie!’

  He swallowed the lump at the back of his throat as he stepped back. ‘Sorry Filligreen. I didn’t mean anything. I thought you’d left. Why did you come back?’

  ‘I...I came because—’ She looked at him. />
  ‘You came back because there’s still hope for us.’

  He stepped forward again, but she raised her hand and he halted. She shook her head, too choked up to speak. Tears streamed down her cheeks. His heart ached with conflict and tears pricked at the back of his own eyes. He didn’t want to pursue an uncertain destiny in a far-off land. Protecting Filligreen was his destiny—wasn’t it?

  Filligreen wiped her eyes. ‘I am selfish for returning.’ He opened his mouth to argue, but she hurried on. ‘There can never be anything between us, Robbie, not ever. You know this.’

  In his heart, he did. The Morning Star had mapped out his destiny and there could be no deviating from its harrowing path.

  ‘Yet you still came back.’ He studied her face as confusion and even anger warred across it. He needed strength, for both of them. ‘You’re right. Soon I’ll have to leave, and I don’t know if I’ll ever come back. You shouldn’t have returned, Filligreen. Wyrm Wood isn’t safe anymore. Morgran’s army will soon be here.’

  ‘I wish to give you something.’

  She reached up and took a chain of gold from around her neck. An amber-coloured oval pendant hung from it. She stepped forward and slipped it around his neck.

  ‘You lost your light stone, Robbie. I made this to replace it.’

  ‘You made this?’ He was taken aback by its beauty.

  He gazed at the pendant, fingering its smooth, cool surface. It was different to the plain, functional one Belle had given him. This stone shone with exquisite colours, like misty lights. His gaze lifted, aware of her nearness.

  ‘Thank you. I’ll look after it always. It’s—’

  The sudden, mournful sound of a distant horn echoed through the trees for several long minutes. He looked up and noticed fear in Filligreen’s blue eyes.

  ‘What is it? What does it mean?’

  Her eyes strayed back to his. ‘It is the great Horn of Alion. It means that Morgran has come at last!’

  Urgent, muffled voices neared. An instant later, a shadow darkened the doorway as Trisian, Captain of the Unseen, poked his head around the door. Lean and hard against the bright sunlight behind him, his eyes glittered with surprise at the sight of Filligreen. Anger replaced his surprise. She moved back from Robbie as he stepped inside.

  ‘Neither of you should be in here. Explain yourselves and be quick!’

  Robbie picked up his Lesson Book and shoved it into his pocket. ‘I came in here to write. Filligreen found me a moment ago. We’re just leaving.’

  Trisian stood aside as they hastened from the building. Closing the door, he turned and faced them. His face was stern, his blue eyes a splinter of cold ice as he stared at Robbie.

  ‘Morgran’s army has arrived.’ He paused to let the words sink in. ‘He has released shrieks into the wood.’ He looked at Filligreen as she gasped.

  Robbie shook his head; he didn’t understand. ‘What are shrieks?’

  ‘Demons from the Abyss.’ A distant, rasping howl made the young captain throw an anxious glance towards the trees. His sword slipped into his hand. ‘Do you hear that?’ He looked back at Robbie with steel-hard eyes. ‘They come for us. Now, hurry! I will accompany you back to the Hall. From there you must make your way to the Beginning.’

  From around a corner of trees, a company of Elven soldiers came at speed towards them. Their steel-tipped lances and swords looked as if they’d been dipped in black ink. They appeared shaken and blood covered their armour. Whatever the shrieks were, they had located the tree paths and encounters had taken place.

  One of the Elves called out when he caught sight of them. ‘Trisian! Shrieks have cut off the lower levels to the west. They are advancing fast throughout the canopy. If we do not hurry, all will be lost.’

  Trisian turned to Robbie as the howling in the trees grew louder. ‘You will accompany us to the Beginning.’

  Robbie grabbed Filligreen’s hand and then they were running back towards the Hall—running for their lives again. Trisian went ahead, his emerald cloak billowing behind him, sword grasped in his right hand, knife in the left. The Elven soldiers became a rear guard behind them.

  Lingering, high-pitched screams amid the trees curdled Robbie’s blood. Frantic with fear, he shot wild glances at the shadows. The hideous sounds echoed all about them, trailing off in maniacal laughter. Then the first shriek plunged from the treetops on top of the last Unseen. With a sharp cry, Robbie stumbled forward and fell onto the wooden tree path, dragging Filligreen with him. The sleek-bodied demon tore at the hapless Elf with razor-sharp teeth and claws. His cries were lost amid its piercing scream. Then the shriek’s glowing eyes fastened onto Robbie, its bloodied jaws widening in a macabre grin.

  Chapter 2

  Bitter News

  Silent as a moth, Belle leaped at Dougray’s blind side, a lithe instrument of death. The staff was a blur in her hands and her movements a finely choreographed dance. Still, he was faster today than he had been yesterday and the day before. He was learning to watch her eyes rather than her fancy foot movements. Those large, emerald eyes of hers held the secrets to her fighting tactics and he was determined to outmanoeuvre her.

  He swung his staff at those swift feet, but like a spirit, she was no longer there. Twisting behind him, she struck.

  Uuuhh!

  Not fast enough! The blow sent him sprawling across the wide platform, scraping his hands and knees. His staff went spinning off to the far side of the platform. Grinning, Dewleaf kicked it back.

  Belle swung her staff in a fluid, circular motion above her head, a dark wraith that could disappear in the blink of an eye. Dougray had struggled to his knees when—thump! The blow found his ribs and he landed hard on the wooden path. He doubled over with a loud, surprised moan, clutching his side.

  He was certain he’d recalled every move with indelible clarity, and yet—

  Her swift jabs were never hard, but they did leave bruises on his body to remind him of each pain-soaked lesson. He was like dough in her hands and she was moulding him. But would he ever reach a satisfactory level that pleased Belle?

  Focus harder.

  Using his staff to assist him, he struggled to his feet. An instant later, they went from under him and he sprawled on his back, blinking up at the dark clouds massing in the sky overhead. Blood filled his mouth and pain throbbed in his back. It was time to stop.

  He held up his hands in defeat. Sweat trickled down the sides of his face. ‘Enough! I’ve had enough!’

  Grinning, she offered her hand and helped him to his feet. ‘You are getting better, Dougray. Do not give up. You will make a fine warrior one day.’

  Yeah—one day! You forget I have a limp.

  She handed him his staff. ‘And I have not forgotten about your limp.’

  He shook his head and burst out laughing.

  Dewleaf came over and frowned at them. He didn’t understand. Taking his sword from the tall, blond Elf, Dougray strapped it around his waist. It was amazing how light and comfortable it felt, as though it had been fashioned to sit on his hip like a fifth limb.

  Looking up, he caught Belle still grinning at him. ‘So, when do we use our swords?’

  Her face was grim. ‘Tomorrow. Tomorrow we use swords—not that I think you are ready.’

  ‘What do you think, Dewleaf? Do you think I’m ready to use a sword or not?’

  Smiling, the Elf raised his hands and shook his head. ‘Do not involve me in your tug of war. I do not want to be the one to arouse Belle’s anger. She is by far the best swordswoman I have ever seen. Better than many of my contemporaries. If you want my advice, do not ever use a sword with her.’

  ‘I knew you’d say that. Maybe you’re right.’

  Dewleaf laughed and clapped his hand on his shoulder. ‘I know I am right. I would not want to anger Belle. She would make a terrible enemy.’

  Dougray frowned at his choice of words. As he did so, a flock of green birds took to the air, calling in high-pitched voices. Behind them
, another flock of parrots took flight and then grey pigeons. Dougray turned to look. The sky became full of squawking, screeching, screaming birds flying eastward. Belle and Dewleaf stared at the mass migration in silence.

  Dougray glanced at Belle. ‘What’s happening?’

  Dewleaf’s face became grave. ‘I do not know. The birds have never done that before. Never!’

  Somewhere close by, the deep, sonorous sound of a horn reverberated through the canopy. The air shuddered with all the sounds. Dewleaf hurried to the rails, his wide-eyed look reflecting sudden fear. He glanced about the trees and back along the path. The haunting sound of the horn drifted over them like the waves of the sea.

  Belle joined him. ‘It means Morgran has come.’

  He glanced at her and then at Dougray. ‘The blowing of the great Horn of Alion always means that something terrible has happened.’

  Scooping up cloaks, they jogged back towards the Hall of Lights. A company of Elven soldiers armed with lances and swords met them a few minutes later. Dougray stared at their blood-splattered chainmail and leather armour. Battered and bruised, they halted. Dougray had once spoken to their leader, a tall Elf named Gaylan, who hurried forward.

  ‘May his truth—’ Dewleaf began.

  The leader cut in, his voice urgent. ‘You must get out of Wyrm Wood! Hurry to the Beginning!’

  Dewleaf stared at him. ‘What has happened? Has the war started?’

  From the nearby trees came a spine-chilling scream that sent a shiver through Dougray. He spun around and glanced at the trees. What could make such an eerie sound? Gaylan turned back to Dewleaf, who was also glancing around, and grabbed his arm in a firm grip.

  ‘That is what happened. Morgran has released shrieks into Wyrm Wood. They are everywhere.’

  ‘But that means—’

  Dewleaf didn’t finish his sentence as a sleek, black, cat-like creature broke from its cover and slammed into the Elven soldiers. It leaped with lightning speed, sending one of the Elves spinning across the tree path. He landed hard, spreadeagled around a pole, hands wildly clutching at something to halt his deadly plunge to the forest far below. At once, the creature sprang upon him, silencing his pitiful screams in a moment.