The Darkness Within (A Lythinall Novel) (Book 2)

by Michael Nadeau

  He scraped himself up onto all fours and dragged his bulk over the rocks and jagged edges of the mountain to the large ledge overlooking the valley. One of the secrets of dragon kind was that they were immune to their own breath. This is one of the reasons they are very hard to kill, as they can use it to boost their already faster healing so it almost regenerates wounds. As Kanth raised himself up on the ledge, he breathed deep and expended the fire inside his own throat and lungs, breathing it in, instead of out. Then he jumped off of the ledge and spread his weakened wings. His body was ravaged, and he had taken quite a beating, even though he only got hit a couple of times, they were solid, and had a devastating power behind them.

  He soared down, trying to catch an updraft, and then he felt his fire battling the rot spreading within him. Kanth started to feel a little better, and just when he thought he was going to be fine, the fire went out. He pumped his wings, climbing higher and higher, knowing this was his only chance. He had to get high enough so that when his wings wouldn't support him, he could glide down to safety somewhere, preferably near the elves.

  Oh sure, the elves would be furious with him, and probably come at him faster than he could explain himself, but of all the races, only they had a chance at stopping the monster that did this to him. As he crested the cloud cover and saw the bright rays of sun, he saw how far the forest of the elves was from him, and his heart sunk. He closed his eyes as he felt the strength finally run out of his wings. It was too far away. Well, he would give it his best shot at getting as close as he could. His fire wouldn't be ready now for a couple of minutes, it got longer and longer between times the more he used it, but he would fight until he couldn't anymore. As he sank back under the clouds, gliding and aiming for the mountains near the elves, he felt his eyes start to blur. Fantastic, now his sight was going too. He offered a silent prayer to whatever God would hear him and fixed where he wanted to land in his mind before he lost his sight. This had not been his best day ever, and it didn't look like there would be many more days to compare it to. Kanthalianar sunk down lower and lower and soon he was but a speck against the sky.

  Somewhere over the Northern Belt

  Rhoe saw the land below him as if he were flying. The rows of mountains flashed by beneath him very fast; This time he knew it wasn't merely a dream, he was here in spirit, but why? Karsis had said that he had Tranced before, and If he remembered rightly, this could be what that was.

  The training he had received on the way down the Northern Run road was mostly a blur, but he was sure that was what the bard had called it. Although he was sure that Karsis had said that only powerful wizards did this, which made him feel like throwing up, if he could even do that in spirit form...He decided to not think about it, very hard, and concentrate on what was going on around him.

  The mountains blurred together and then he started to slow down again. Remembering the last time that he had done this, he tried to think of how he could remain hidden, but he wasn't sure how to do that. He did not want to draw unwanted attention to whatever he was going to find way up here. He focused on himself, finding his center, and pulled everything else inward. He felt a calm wash over him and as he looked down at his 'body', he saw that he was almost transparent. The young monk also noticed that he was fully healed. Didn't I get mangled by that Wolvren? What if I'm dead? He decided that this was another thing he didn't want to think about either and looked around at what was coming towards him. He should've stayed lost in thought. He saw a great beast with wings and deep red scales. A dragon.....great, first faeries now this.

  He saw that it was fighting something, then he felt a familiar concussive power and he went cold with dread. The great beast was fighting the Incarnation of Death. Rhoe glided down, trying to stay high enough so that he was out of the Incarnations senses, but still observing the fight. Rhoe had to be here for a reason, he just didn't know what that could be.

  He saw the battle going this way and that, and finally he felt the powerful man draw power from deep within the rock itself. I wonder if I can do that? If I remember this I'll have to ask Karsis. The dragon came up and the hit that was landed upon his scaly head was enough that Rhoe felt it way up here.

  Rhoe watched the beast lay there and felt a pang of sadness for the magnificent creature. He hated that he had to watch this evil thing destroy more lives yet again while he floated here powerless, but before Rhoe could make any rash decisions, the dragon kicked out.

  The cliff face was smashed and the whole thing came raining down on top of the Incarnation, burying him in tons of rubble. Rhoe let out a silent shout of victory, then realized that his form still hovered here. He had thought that with the Incarnation beaten that he would automatically be pulled away, but so far nothing felt different. He watched then as the dragon flew off and he Saw that it was heading for the Snowpeak mountains. Then his form pulled back, stretching out impossibly thin as he was whisked back quickly to his own body. The country side was a blur, and his head was spinning. Why did I see that, and will I remember it all? That was all the time he had to think, then he was back in the cold comforting darkness that was within himself.

  Boarder Road, North of Alrin

  The woman stood at the crossroads and looked to the west. Down that road lay Keragan Hold, and to the north, Everknight. She had received the note to travel to the castle with haste, but surly she wasn't supposed to wear herself out doing so? She was beautiful and she knew it, with long, brown hair tied up in twin ponytails, and piercing green eyes. She was small and thin, cresting a little over five feet, but weighing only one-hundred and ten stones. Her harp was slung on her back, and her clothes were cut high to show more skin than fabric. She looked exactly like what she was, a bard. "Well, I am going to rest up and have a drink or six, and damned that note." She flinched inwardly as she waited for a lightning bolt to strike her down. When none came she smiled and thanked the Goddess Ollian, Goddess of Love, and Beauty for allowing her to have her way.

  That was when the thunder rumbled in the distance. She chuckled aloud, "I know, I know. I'll shut up and get some rest, then It's straight there...I promise." She turned on her heal, spinning seductively for absolutely no one but herself, and started the walk to Keragan Hold. The hold was one of three holds across Lythinall, all run by former members of that famed group The Companions of Everknight. They were meant to be bastions of defense against threats faced towards The capitol city of Everknight, but Keragan Hold had the worst of it. Situated near the border of G'harr, they were under constant lookout for spies and sorcerers that mean the people of Lythinall harm. That being said, they really knew how to drink and have a good time when they were off duty, and that was just the type of evening she had in mind.

  "Then I'll make my way north." She said convincingly, and she knew that only meeting the legendary bard Karsis could keep her from her destination. She had seen many years and had never met the famed hero. Any chance she got to meet that man, well, not even a Goddess would stop her then. She walked down the packed earthen road and suddenly her hair stood up on the back of her neck. She slowed, but didn't stop, and started singing a merry tune. She swung her head back and forth with the song and noticed dark forms in the high grass watching her. She didn't get a good look at them, but if they were hiding they were up to no good. She absently fingered her sword that rested on her slender hip, but didn't really need it. Instead she pulled a thin dagger out and spun quickly, launching it at the side of the road near where they were hiding. This was meant to startle them, and give away their position. It was an old trick and one she had used for many years, but she got a different reaction all together. The three large rats scurried away through the high grass and were gone in a blink.

  She let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding, then looked around again. Why would they all be on one side of the road? Something didn't feel right. It was then that she heard a crackling sound behind her, like bones breaking.

  The rat that came onto the road was tr
ansforming rapidly from animal to small wiry man. He was formed in seconds, with a blade out at the ready. He was smiling a toothy grin and he was naked as the day was long. "Well Missy you scared away my little friends."

  "Janna, not Missy." She interrupted casually.

  "What?"

  "I said, Janna, not Missy. You called me Missy and if you're looking for her I can inquire along my way as to her whereabouts." She moved forward quickly, keeping her hand off of her sword, but always ready to reach for it. "You must be so worried about her. Look, I know a guy at the hold up ahead, he will help us find this poor lost Missy whoever she is."

  "No...wait, but.." He was flabbergasted at her prattling, and he tried to make sense of what was going on.

  "It's all right, I'm sure you're overwhelmed at the despair inside of you. Here, allow me." Janna picked up a small piece of rock and started to inspect it, and the man leaned in to see what she had found.

  "What is..." That was all he had time for as the woman whispered soft words and touched his arm with the rock. His arm tingled and started to stiffen. Of all the luck, he had to try and roll a sorcerer "Crap."

  "Crap indeed my lycanthropic friend. You decided to abscond with the valuables, and possibly the life of, the great Janna Suris." She ended this in a flourish, still keeping her distance. After all that spell took a minute or two to finish and take hold

  "Who?" He was shaking his arm at the numbness that was spreading up it. He couldn't be hurt by most weapons, but magic was another story all together. All he had wanted to do was rob her, and possibly have his way with her. Now here he was, naked and trembling and wondering where the hell Missy went, whoever that was. The man was not very bright for a wererat.

  "You have not heard of me?" Janna was hurt. Hurt and stunned all at the same time. How had her name not spread this far? "Well no matter, you won't be around to pass it on anyway." She had played with him long enough. The fast talking was her specialty, it kept adversaries off balance, and now she had him right where she wanted, helpless. Janna whispered a soft plea for the earth to speed up its process and watched the look of horror spread across his face as he started to solidify into stone. He tried to turn and run, but he only got three steps before he stopped in his tracks, a complete statue. Satisfied that he was dead, she pushed the statue over and watched the weight of it come down and break into large pieces. She shrugged and turned back the way she was going. Janna walked towards Keragan Hold once more, singing a merry tune as she sauntered down the road, and knew that this was going to be a very entertaining night.

  Chapter Two: Together at Last

  The morning light came through the lazily drawn curtains and touched the woman's feet as she nodded off once more in her chair next to the bed. Karsis smiled knowingly at his old companion and remembered the good old days when they would ride together. She was naive then, thinking the whole world was good and just.

  Oh the times they had laughed at that over the years. Lady Caerlyn Verasin was not pretty, she was radiant. Long flowing blond hair that was braided down her back with golden ribbon intertwined, and deep emerald eyes that could see your faults, just so she could forgive them. She was short, only barely cresting five feet, and weighed all of one hundred stones soaking wet, while holding a bag of marbles.

  She was dressed simply, in a long white dress adorned only with a gold belt, and her delicate feet stuck out of her sandals. At her modest thirty some odd years, it was utterly amazing that she hadn't found anyone special in her life. It didn't amaze Karsis, he knew why; Her God hadn't told her she could yet. He chuckled at his own wit and shook his auburn curls out as the sun came further into the room. He turned his gaze over to his young charge, healing in the bed, and his smile slowly went away. Rhoe was gravely injured and it was all Caerlyn and he could do to keep him in one piece these past five days. The bard sighed and crossed his other leg as he leaned back in his chair. That was one hell of a fight by the Princess's own words.

  He had grilled her about the events after she fell into the river with Rhoe, for three days. She probably thought he was angry, but he was impressed by her ability to recall details. She got that from her father. What worried him the most was the attack at the end when they came out of the Misty Woods.

  He had known it was a Wolvren that was chasing them, but he didn't think they would actually have to fight it. The thing should've run after taking a good hit or two, unless it was starving, and by the carcass he had found when he saw the tracks, it shouldn't have been.

  "Mmmmm, is it time to check his bandages again?" The soft question came from tired lips. Caerlyn hadn't done that much healing on one individual in a very long time. Thank Davalar that Karsis was here, he was always a good steady hand and center for her. Too bad he was completely barking mad sometimes.

  "No dear, he's ok for now. It's morning though so maybe you can finally eat?" Gone was the sarcastic quips that he usually heaped upon anyone near him. With Caerlyn, he was polite, and it irritated some of his old companions to no end. It wasn't because he wanted to seduce her (like Tanan thought), or because he was secretly religious (like Arian assumed), it was because she was pure. That's it. Pure. That quality was so rare nowadays that when one found a soul as clear and pure as hers, well you showed it the respect it deserves, even from him. "You said he was almost out of the woods last time we checked an hour ago. You've been nodding off ever since."

  She slapped his arm playfully at this last part, smiling pleasantly as always. "I didn't nod off, I was recharging my spiritual energy." She giggled at this witty repose, and she broke into full on laughter as she watched him roll his eyes. She calmed down a bit and looked around the room. "Where's the young Princess?"

  Karsis smiled once more at her mention. Oh how the Princess looks like her mother, and carrying that sword makes it even harder to tell them apart. If it weren't for the hair....... He thought as he turned his head to look out the window. "She took a walk to clear her head. I told her that the sunrise would help, and I was only partly lying." She had sat here and worried for days, loudly, and he needed the peace and quiet for a bit. Besides, it's not like she needed to heal. She didn't have a mark on her, and he had talked to the healer that found them outside of the city as they were leaving with the King's Marshal.

  The man was astounded that she was fine, she had looked pretty bad when they arrived, but of course the man chalked that up to things like the boys blood all over her, or that it wasn't that bad....Karsis knew better. He had seen the ring she was wearing, and having seen that on her father for years, he knew exactly why she was fine. Seems fitting, since he had found Tanan's ring hooked onto Rhoe's rope belt as well. He could handle prophesy, but this was going a bit too far for his liking.

  "Will she be all right out in town alone?"

  "Seriously?"

  "What?"

  "Caerlyn sometimes I really miss the conversations I can have with you. It brightens my day. Yes she should be fine. She's a canny fighter, from what I saw, and if she has Deathsong then anyone will hear if she is in trouble." He had a momentary flicker of concern though, remembering that sometimes Caerlyn Saw things that others didn't. It wasn't the same as the elven wizards Sight, more of flashes from her God, Davalar the Protector.

  "Anyway, he should be awake by high sun the latest, then we can get him to my Hold and I can really check him over." She hadn't gotten out of her hold much, and she was going to savor the ride home, especially since the travel here was so fast and fraught with worry. "And you could sing your songs on the trip, to keep me awake." She smiled at the bard and sat forward to check on Rhoe's breathing.

  Karsis laughed. Caerlyn was always the one that wanted him to sing. He sat back and stretched his legs over the side of the chair and pulled a tiny lute out of his inner pocket. He played quietly and sang in almost a whisper, just to pass the time. He dismissed the faint thoughts of her Sight, after all if she saw something, then she would've said something. Thank the Gods that they were almost in
the clear. Five more days and they would be in Everknight again, then the planning could start.

  The Trade Way, River Vale

  Allissana walked the packed earthen road, called the Trade Way, in the early morning bustle of a trade city. It was called this because it was twice as wide as the other roads in this city, as it accommodated some of the larger wagons coming off of the water. River Vale made it's living by boat, and if you weren't up at the crack of dawn, then you lost out on the early morning ferry. She walked slowly, lost in thought, and the people walked by her in a hurry, with a nod here or a 'Morning lass' there. No one recognized her, partly because they had no time to try, and because she still looked a mess. Her clothes were torn, and there was blood all over her. Her long golden hair was dirty, and her copper eyes were glazed. Her father's magical ring may help heal her wounds.......but it didn't clean up the aftereffects at all.

  She walked slowly, absently scrubbing some of the blood on her sleeve, worrying about Rhoe. She never had anyone risk their life for her before. Well to be fair, I haven't done a whole lot of anything outside of the castle before this... she thought. It had been five days since the King's Marshal had brought them here. He had gone back out right away, to make sure there were no more Wolvren lurking, and it was an hour or so later that Karsis came strolling through the gate.