The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  The Shadow of Death

  The Shadow of Death

  Timothy Smith

  The Shadow of Death

  © Timothy Smith 2019

  This book is a work of fiction. Named locations are used fictitiously, and characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under

  copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may

  be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,

  in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,

  photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior

  written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  Published by

  Lighthouse Christian Publishing

  SAN 257-4330

  5531 Dufferin Drive

  Savage, Minnesota, 55378

  United States of America

  www.lighthousechristianpublishing.com

  Special thanks to my loving wife, Clara Smith, and my sister, Vanessa Smith, for their creative advice and support on this project.

  Or in other words, you both done good.

  CHAPTER 1 – REKINDLING THE PAST

  A young woman walks alone through the forest floor, adorning a white robe recently stained with sprinkled droplets of blood that are not her own. As she trudged forward, the blonde haired beauty occasionally found herself gazing up to her destination ahead, a temple like structure that rested precariously atop a cliff face. To the best of her efforts, she tried maintaining her calm, but the nervous sweat sliding down the side of her face betrayed her false confidence. Even the young woman’s expression was a mixture of both forced courage, and that of lingering dread, as if she had just seen a ghost.

  The approaching storm clouds she watches rolling in, also similarly match the disposition she carries while thinking to herself.

  How can we possibly hope to stand against this kind of threat? Are we… or am I just struggling in vain?

  She shook her head in defiance to her own second guessing’s on the matter.

  No! What am I thinking?! Too many innocents have already fallen! I can’t lose heart now! I can't just leave and do nothing!

  A loud sound of a distant thunder crack shook the ground, causing the already unsettled young woman to a stop for only a moment. Terrified for only a brief second, she regained a sense of herself. Renewing walk forward, she continued dwelling on her thoughts.

  Things were once so peaceful before, but now everything's changed. I fear Theo’s recklessness is going to see him killed, and I don’t even know what's become of Ira… How could this have happened? All those years ago, who could have possibly foreseen this sort of outcome? How did this ever come to pass?

  ────────

  Far away, and years ago in this world called Ehya, lived a particular young girl named Cherise, who had scarcely known adversity. This wondrous world she lived on sheltered the likes of men, elves, dwarves, and wondrous beasts of every kind, with a small hint of the magic. As she got older, she’d heard many fantastic stories of the vast world beyond her village, and she would often find herself day-dreaming of the chance to see it all for herself someday. And though Cherise fantasized of the world at large she yet seen, the young girl was already more than perfectly content with where she was.

  She lived in a small home at the edge of a pinewood forest on the edge of a quant farming village named Acorn Village. It was a rather peculiar name, since the village only had one tree which produced acorns, a oak tree that was even further on the village’s outskirts than that of Cherise’s home. Nevertheless, resting on the slope of a great mountain range, Cherise could look down from her house onto the remaining village just below. In this small village, which hardly more than a hundred souls resided, Cherise would be able to see the village’s golden wheat fields stretching on for miles across the Great Plains.

  There she lived, often spending here days blissfully carefree, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life in this little unassuming village, where nothing ever seemed to change.

  Only seven at the time, Cherise had already shown a caring, and kind-hearted nature towards others, with her child-like cheery disposition. She had golden hair and aquamarine eyes, and a smile that never seemed to fade away.

  Late one night, Cherise sat beside a campfire near the safety of her home. Gazing up at the canvas of stars, and the two moons in the sky without a care in the world. She smiled at its wonder, indulging in every aspect of the magnificent view for as long as possible, as she day-dreamed of the world unknown.

  She sat only a few feet from her brother, Theo. Of the two, Theo was just two years older. In stark contrast to Cherise, Theo was a very rowdy and spirited boy. Similarly, he too had blonde hair as his sister’s, but his eyes were darker and fierce in comparison.

  As the two enjoyed themselves by the fire, Cherise heard a rustle in the grass beside her, but paid it little mind, as she was far too distracted in the moment.

  Slowly a rugged man with imposing muscles came from out of the shadows, and plopped himself down besides the two on a nearby stump. His presence was still unnoticed by the young girl who was far too engrossed by the view of the night sky and of her waking dream.

  The broad shouldered man named Nolan, noticed the two were not particularly absorbed in anything of importance. He then gave a gentle fatherly smile at the sight of his children. He leaned over towards them in an attempt to receive their attention before speaking.

  Nolan: "Do you both want to hear a story?...” Cherise was unable to answer his question before Theo yelled in boyish excitement

  Theo: “I want to hear a story!"

  The smile on the Nolan’s face only grew wider as he chuckled slightly seeing his daughter also shared her brother’s level of excitement. Like an old storyteller about to practice his craft, Nolan flicked the side of his nose with his thumb in anticipation. While grabbing a nearby stick on the ground, Nolan began to whip of the flames of the fire. The small flares occasionally licked at the sky, sending Cherise’s imagination racing as he began tell his tale.

  Nolan: “Take heed, for this story I'm about to tell is true.-“ He paused for dramatic effect while his children swallowed anxiously, before he continued saying, “-It all happened a long, long, time ago in these very lands."

  He prodded the fire with his stick to reignite the diminished flame causing both children’s minds to grow wild. Through the fire’s erratic movements, Cherise started to envision the story on display.

  Nolan: "There was once a great, and terrifying beast of pure darkness. This fierce beast towered over even the tallest of man-made structures, and it was nigh indestructible. No arrow, nor sword, or blade of any make could even scratch the skin of this terrifying creature’s hide. With nothing able to stand in its way, the beast rampaged the land, wreaking havoc across four corners of Aya, destroying all in its path."

  This was certainly not the type of story the children were expecting to hear before their bed time. At the sight of their worried faces, Nolan allowed himself to have a mischievous smile. With his wry covering his face, he continued to speak with an even more animated performance.

  Nolan: "The beast ravaged anything and everyone that stood in its path, with no end in sight, until...When hope seemed to be nothing more than a fleeting memory. That was when the Light appeared! Just like the Darkness, the Light was a being beyond human understanding. It had seen the very nature of the dark beast, and had come to defeat it, no matter the costs!" And pausing only for a moment for dramatic effect, Nolan’s performance became even more eccentric a
s he continued.

  Nolan: "And there was a great battle between these two being! From the far reaches of the west, to the farthest reaches of the east, the oceans shook, the mountains splintered, and the skies roared of unceasing thunder!" Nolan said while stomping his feet, and snapping some sticks in hand.

  Nolan: "It seemed there would be no end to the fighting as the battle raged on. Until one fateful day, for the sake of all who inhabited Aya, the Light sacrificed itself in order to strike down and defeat the terrifying beast!" Giving his children a moment of surprise, he smiled before continuing with a mysterious voice.

  Nolan: "After its sacrifice, the light and the warmth from the sun in the sky above had faded until it was snuffed out, and darkness covered the face of the world." To give his children a jolt, he exclaimed loudly.

  Nolan: "But! On the third day, on the horizon, the light of the rising sun proved that the prolonged night had finally ended!" He said while pointing towards the vast landscape.

  He then looked back to his children with a delighted smile, before flicking his nose like a masterful storyteller he fancied himself to be, reveling in the secret he was about to share.

  Nolan: “However, the tale does not end here. When the Light defeated, and overcame the beast it was not slain, but instead its very essence was imprisoned the Light.”

  Nolan: “Entrapped into six glass orbs till this very day, the beast’s essence has been sealed, with the orbs spread across Ehya for safekeeping. Since that time, they’ve resided in temple prisons of their own, under heavy guard by a group of valiant warriors tasked with securing them. They are known as the Order of the Light. Forever vigilant, they safeguard the orbs from anyone who’d fall prey to the temptation of the orbs’ promises. Those of the Order will do anything within their power to prevent the release the beast, lest his reign of terror come once again." And sounding as dreary, and dreadful as he could manage, he continued saying.

  Nolan: "But there are rumors, that there will come a day when the world will have to face the threat of this dark beast once more, and there are some who believe that when this time comes, we will face this threat alone. That the Light has abandoned us." Panicking after hearing her father say this, the young girl exclaimed back.

  Cherise: "The Light wouldn't leave us!" Visibly surprised by her sudden outburst, Nolan slightly backed away before reassuringly replying to her concerns.

  Nolan: "Now, now, Cherise. There's no need to get upset. Besides, I think they're wrong too… If and when those rumors of the beast returning ever comes to fruition, I’m sure that the Light will return."

  Cherise couldn’t help but exhale in relief. All she really wanted to know was if there was a happy ending to her father’s story. Her reaction was far different from her brother however. Giving his father a puzzled look and after a slightly uncomfortable silence, Theo finally asked in a disappointed tone.

  Theo: "Is that it?" Certain his story would be received better, Nolan was a little upset at the clear dissatisfactory tone from his son’s question before defensively replying back.

  Nolan: "What do you mean is that it? There was a ferocious beast that threatened the world with death and destruction, and it was later defeated by a being of Light.-" He said while waving his arms around, as if somehow showing the evidence of the greatness of the story before continuing to say, "-Then the beast’s essence was imprisoned in orbs, which to this very day, are still are under heavy guard! Not only is it true, but at face value, that’s a good story! It’s amazing!” He said that last part as if to impress any of his own self-doubt.

  Despite Nolan’s best efforts, it was still visibly apparent by the expression Theo was giving him in return that he was still mildly disappointed. Raising his eyebrow to leave no room for doubt that he was somehow expecting something more, before he finally spoke again.

  Theo: “But where is the sword fighting? No princess’s or damsel’s in distress for knights to save at all. There wasn’t even any dragons!”

  Under hushed exasperated breath, Nolan hid his face as he said to himself.

  Nolan: “Ugh. Kids sometimes...” And looking up, he said to them.

  Nolan: “When you’re older son, you might get your chance to clash swords, and maybe even slay a dragon, or save princess here and there. But you’ll never see anything like the story I just told you.” Seeing that Theo was unconvinced, Nolan lifted his arms in defeat as he said flatly.

  Nolan: "Well that’s all there is to the story. It all works out in the end!"

  "Oh really?” A woman’s voice could be heard coming just behind Nolan. Out of the dark of the night her identity was made known by the light of the flickering campfire, as she approached the three. It was Nolan’s wife, and the children’s’ mother, Adalene. As she approached Nolan, she had a curious smile before resting her arm on his shoulder, and was only inches away from his face as she looked him straight in the eyes before asking.

  Adalene: "Are you scaring the kids again with one of your stories?" Guilty as charged, but quick to answer.

  Nolan: "Well, it's just no fun unless somebody gets scared." He said proudly, unable to help himself from having a mischievous grin.

  She just gave him a solemn smile in slight disappointment to his admission.

  Nolan: "Wrong answer?” He asked back, still with that mischievous smile firmly planted on his face.

  Adalene: "Wrong answer." She said sternly yet with a loving smile, but with a small hint of anger that gave Nolan a chuckle.

  With that matter settled, she looked over towards her children, and stated firmly.

  Adalene: “You two on the other hand should already have been in bed." And almost a gut level reaction, both children whined in unison to her order.

  Not interested in hearing either of their complaints or having a discussion on the matter, Adalene immediately replied.

  Adalene: “No whining. It’s way past both of your bedtimes. You two can play tomorrow." She said while picking up a small bucket of water before dousing the flames, leaving the children at this point with no other choice.

  ────────

  In their humble room, the two were being tucked into bed when Cherise said to her parents.

  Cherise: "Mom, Dad, when I grow up, I want to explore the world. I want to see elven magic, and I want to see if dwarves are really as stubborn as they say. I even want to go into the wildlands."

  The term wildlands was a ridiculously vague term which was used for any large swath of land where the more fantastic elements of the world resided. These very same areas were almost without exception, also inhospitable to human life.

  Chuckling at his daughter’s excitement, Nolan said back.

  Nolan: "Is that what you were doing at the campfire? Daydreaming about exploring again?" Her delighted smile back confirmed his suspicions, and before anyone else could get a word in, she anxiously asked.

  Cherise: "Is it really true that only the elves can use magic? And what about dragons, are they real?" And even though it was easy to see that she was curious about so much more, Cherise didn’t give her parents anytime to answer her questions before she got to the real meat of what she really wanted to ask.

  Cherise: "Can we go visit the places you told me about in your stories? I want to see them all!" She said with a hopeful twinkle in her eye of excitement at the prospect of the chance.

  Her father on the other hand wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea, but given a minute by the wanting looks of both his wife and daughter, his will seemed to be breaking. Shaking his head in defeat before giving a slight chuckle and smile towards his wife, Nolan then said to Cherise.

  Nolan: “How can I possibly say no, after your mother, and you give me that kind of look?” He said with a shrug.

  Nolan: “Alright princess, one day, we’ll see some of those places together. And tomorrow I’ll give you my map, so you can see exactly what you have to look forward to.” He said with a heartfelt smile.

  Happy enough alrea
dy that she helped convince her husband into the idea, Adalene starting tucking in her daughter before she added onto Nolan’s comment.

  Adalene: "When you get a little older Cherise, we’ll have our little adventure. Both me, and your father will take you both someday."

  Cherise: “Really?!” She ecstatically yelled, practically springing herself out of her blankets.

  What places will we see? What amazing things?! I can hardly wait!

  Her parents laughed, as they both gave Cherise another loving smile before tucking her in again.

  Adalene: "Yes, really." Her mother said before giving Cherise a kiss to her forehead, and wishing her children a good night’s rest before leaving.

  CHAPTER 2 – HOME

  The sun was high in the sky, as Theo was racing towards the village’s center from atop the hill where their home rested. Running as fast as he could with a focused determination, he only looked back to yell.

  Theo: “Come on Cherise! It’s not every day we have newcomers to the village!”

  Trailing behind, Cherise was having a hard time running while trying to manage the map she’d just received from Nolan earlier that morning. Eventually deciding to give up on holding her new prized possession in hand, she slipped it into her clothing.

  What’s the rush? It’s not like it looks like they’re going anywhere soon.

  Letting out an exasperated sigh, she yelled back.

  Cherise: “I’m coming! Just hold on a second!” And after a short while of Theo waiting, Cherise caught up.

  Even though Cherise was short of breath, she struggled to get her next words out.

  Cherise: “You’re…just too fast.” And with that, he smiled proudly before teasingly replying.

  Theo: “Or...you’re just too slow.” She just rolled her eyes at the comment before saying.

  Cherise: “Oh, please. Since when was this a race?” Theo just gave a light hearted shrug to accompany his unearned accomplished grin.