The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  As if waiting for Cherise to absorb in the sight, the beast waited a moment before leaning its face down towards her own, baring its fangs with a ferocious, terrifying, and bellowing roar. In utter fear, Cherise closed her eyes while screaming, bringing her hands in front of her face in hopes they’d offer protection.

  After a few seconds of nothing happening, Cherise mustered the courage to open her eyes again, seeing that the beast had completely vanished. Astonished but still shaken, Cherise anxiously looked around her. She saw that not only the suns light had returned, but also the worldly colors of the forest.

  In amazement Cherise considered for only a moment if it was just her imagination, but after seeing some of the remnants of her horse and sprinkled blood on her clothing, she knew the unnatural encounter was very much real. She was spared, but she was uncertain as to how or why.

  Doing her best to shake off all the lingering fear and uncertainty she had, Cherise looked back towards the temple. Every obstacle she encountered in her path only emboldened her pursuit forward. Picking up where she left off, Cherise started walking straight towards the temple. All the while, she convinced herself into thinking that she alone was able to stand against this threat. That the gift, which belonged to her alone, will somehow see her through.

  On her way to the temple, she heard the sound of thunder in the distance, and noticed storm clouds rolling in. It was a suitable weather for such dark times. As Cherise walked towards the temple, she thought of many things. From the fate of the others she knew, to how these events had all begun. There was so much to consider, and yet nearly all of it, seemed completely out of her hands. The more she thought on it, the more she worried, for how can anyone hope to stand against such awesome forces by their strength alone.

  CHAPTER 50 – A NOBLE HEART

  In the far west, in the kingdom of Valenor, there remains a rumor known only by a few. The tale begins and ends with the fate of a noble, who once had a chance to wear the crown.

  The story begins a little less than twenty years ago, and it starts with Valenors king. As tradition dictates in these lands, only those with royal blood could ascend to the throne, and any whoever could challenge the claim would be swiftly dealt with, one way or the other. For instance, the king’s younger brother had gone missing almost fifteen years earlier. Even though the king had attended his younger brother’s funeral, nevertheless, suspicion abound.

  Many talked of the king’s brother’s so called disappearance, as being nothing but a direct order from that of the king himself. All of it was far too suspicious, as it was a regular practice in these lands. It was after all, the dirty little secret that everyone knew.

  As fate would have it, no matter how many concubines he’d come to acquire, the king of Valenor could not conceive an heir. If one was fond of keeping their head, they wouldn’t dare question aloud the king’s more privately held capabilities. But whatever the case may be, the fact remains in which that another one of royal blood would one day need to ascend to the throne.

  The king only had but one sibling, a sister, who had two young boys. One of them would be next in line to ascend to the throne.

  The younger of the two, Cael Albrecht, was anything but your ordinary noble. Only sixteen years of age, he used his influence to help anyone he could. He acted fairly and justly to everyone, which would more often than not mean he’d regularly side with the common folk. For you see in these lands; nobility, wealth, and rank meant power, which in turn meant everything in Valenor. Even if he was loved by the people, his actions in time, no matter how sincere or kind-hearted, would earn him the resentment of the lesser nobles.

  But that matter aside, when the king brought the proclamation that one of his nephew’s would be next in line, there was however a condition. It was simple really, whoever garnered more influence, and power by the end of a year’s time would be winner of the two siblings, and therein be next in line to adorn the crown. But lest we forget, there can be no challenger to the thrown of Valenor, by any means necessary. For the two brothers, everything was at stack. The crown, or their heads. It was a cruel fate, as the two were not only closely knit brothers, but the best of friends.

  The challenge remained largely hidden from the public eye, as the two were forced to face off against one another.

  To Cael Albrecht’s dismay, the competition changed his elder brother, corrupted him. During the year, slander, lies and misinformation were wildly spread, in attempts to tarnish the younger brother’s name. It was during this time that Cael knew the true stacks of the competition, and all the lives that would be impacted, should he fail.

  Desperately, he sought out aid, and influence in the most unlikely of places. Throughout the entire time, his efforts were stifled by the noble’s he so often opposed, until eventually time was up.

  The day of judgment was finally at hand. And the two brother’s would meet at a summit, bringing along with them all the men, women, and wealth they acquired, as well as any other show of power or influence they could muster.

  In the luxurious courtyard of the palace, the elder brother waited confidently, with nobles of every sort, and every luxury one could imagine at his back. One could only imagine everyone’s surprise, when Cael Albrecht entered the courtyard with nothing.

  And they were rightly astonished, as this was a competition to show off wealth and influence, but the young boy brought neither. He didn’t even bring a single man, woman, or even a shekel to his name to show for it. But for some reason he stood so proudly, holding his head high.

  The noble’s at his elder brother’s back mocked and scorned the young Cael, but his brother was awestruck. The day was already lost, and with the strict rules of succession, Cael’s life was almost certainly forfeit. Set aside from the public eye, the young boy awaited his fate, and almost certain demise.

  But his death would not come so easily.

  For the remainder of his entire life, Cael Albrecht would never know the details, but a bargain was struck on his behalf. Instead of his life being forfeit, he was banished to the Order of the Light, a position held in high regard for any noble, but conveniently out of place or influence to challenge the thrown. In a sense, it was the perfect way out.

  Here in lies what happened, seeing how his sibling acted, Cael’s brother was deeply moved, and interceded for his younger sibling’s life. The moment Cael had entered the courtyard, he knew the truth. Cael did not bring the thousands of lesser ranked citizens, whose support he’d won over the years, for their word mattered little in these lands, and they would certainly face reprisal for such an act. And Cael didn’t have even a shekel to his name, because he gave it to those most needy. After all, what good is money to a man whose life is forfeit?

  The elder brother was touched by the younger’s selfless actions. He showed something that was desperately missing in Valenor, a land that so adamantly focused on noble’s ranking and titles. It was quite simple really, something that no rank or title could ever earn you, he showed what it was like to have a truly noble heart.

  But even the noblest of hearts could become embittered, and Cael was no exception. Thought abandoned by his homeland and family, he resented the nobles as a whole, and the newfound place he now had to call home. With the betrayal he felt in his heart, he’d even went so far as to forsake his own name.

  Seeing it as nothing more than a well-kept prison, the young man didn’t respected the Order’s ways, beliefs, or traditions. After almost ten years among them, he had yet to become a full-fledged member of the Order when a fateful encounter occurred. One day while minding his business outside the Order’s grounds, he came across some orphaned children who’d change his life forever.

  ────────

  Many years since these days had passed, Cael Albrecht, now atop his horse, peers out towards a vast landscape of mountains and snow. In his desperation, it was the last place in which he sought aid for the competition against his elder brother.

  In the
furthest northeast regions of the known world, and in the midst of the great mountain range, the surrounding terrain was nothing but peaks and gorges. All of these lands were in a perpetual blanket of snow. In the distance, Cael could see the Dwarven homeland, lodged into the side of the peaks greatest mountain. All in all, there was nothing in the sight of the place that brought back pleasant memories.

  The bitter cold stung his face and fingers. The howling winds felt as if they’d freeze his eyes shut. He found the whole lot of it irritating.

  Squinting his eyes in frustration, and sneezing from a newfound cold he’d acquired, Cael grumbled to himself before complaining aloud to no one in particular.

  Obi: "Well shit..."

  CHAPTER 51 – RELUCTANT ALLIES

  In the mountains of the Northern Heights, freezing winds had been blowing continually for days on end, as Obi led his horse within sight to the entrance of the Dwarven realm. Lodged on a side of the ranges tallest mountain, the dwarfs’ home looked sealed shut between its massive doors. The surrounding land was nothing but snow and loose rock among this mountainous region of the world.

  Grumbling to himself, Obi complained out loud in frustration.

  Obi: "I know dwarves don't like company, but this is ridiculous. Building their home in the coldest regions, on the highest peak, and on one of the furthest mountains from any other race!" He said while continually murmuring his frustration.

  With ice forming on his large eyebrows, he shivered after a gust of wind blew by before grumbling further.

  Obi: "I hope the hospitality of the dwarves has improved over the years since last time. Not like it could get any worse, but still." He said before continuing to lead his horse on his way.

  ────────

  Several hours later, Obi had guided his horse to the front of the Dwarven kingdom. Massive stone doors hundreds of feet wide and hundreds of feet taller were barely cracked open for the occasional visitor, few and far between. Genuinely surprised the doors would even be open, Obi's opinion of the Dwarven folk’s hospitality was quickly kept intact once he entered through the massive doors.

  Once inside the open halls of the bowels of the mountain, short of a hundred fully armed Dwarven guards stood in front of their bald visitor.

  The captain of the guard, who was at the front of his men, threateningly pointed an axe towards Obi before demandingly asking.

  Dwarven Captain: "On what business have ye come 'ere?!" He said to Obi's immediately annoyance, which he made sure his Dwarven hosts noticed.

  With a faked smile, Obi couldn't help himself as he replied back sarcastically.

  Obi: "Over the coming years, it's nice to see that the Dwarven hospitality has made such great strides since last I was here."

  He said to the frowning faces of all the guards present, which helped be a sobering reminder for him to focus on his objective. He spoke as formally as he could manage.

  Obi: "I come on behalf of the Order of the Light, regarding the treaty made centuries ago. The time has come for the dwarfs to live up to the promises they’ve made. The Order requests aid from your kingdom!"

  All the dwarves were at first surprised to hear this proclamation, as they looked at each other for a moment before they all started bursting into laughter. The captain of the guard then mocked their human guest openly.

  Dwarven Captain: "And ‘ere I thought you were going to say something important with yer’ serious expression on yer’ face! But noooo… It turns out ye only came to request help, cause of some human fantasy."

  Having just dealt with the unpleasant cold from the mountaintops’, Obi wasn’t in the mood to indulge a discussion on the matter. With a deep sigh, he knew exactly what he needed to do. Looking down at the dwarf with contempt, he spoke anew, as if he were a different person.

  Obi: "I didn’t come here to discuss such matters with you! I can tell by your uncouth behavior, you’re just another lowly commoner who’s gotten a little too full of himself because of his position. Now, get out of my way!” The dwarf immediately responded.

  Dwarven Captain: “Oh yeah?! How about ye go kiss me arse! And when yer’ done, go takin’ yerself back out there an’ eat snow! Friggin’ humans!” The dwarf said loudly, in unrestrained annoyance.

  Doing the finest performance of his life, Obi remained unfazed by the dwarf’s comments. As a proper Valenor noble, the irritations and posturing of commoners were beneath him. Obi hated the character he had to play, but the difficult situation demanded it of him.

  Obi: “Clearly, you do not know to whom you speak.-“ He said proudly, deliberating giving the dwarf’s time to figure out the nearly impossible question before continuing in faked irritation at them not knowing, “-Do none of you know anything?! I am Cael Albrecht! Third in line to the crone of Valenor, and I’ve received better receptions at a pig’s market!” He boldly admitted a long held secret before continuing.

  Obi: “I’ve not come to trifle with the likes of you! A binding agreement was made centuries ago on this matter, that all would come to aid the Order in a time of crisis! As a member of the Order, and by my royal blood, I demand to see your king so he can fulfil the promises made!"

  The dwarves continued laughing, but the captain of the guard didn't find the situation so funny anymore. It was common knowledge that nobles with enough of a name could make life a living hell if you get on their bad side. This was especially true for anyone of such high rank as this human. Begrudgingly, the dwarf captain grunted frustratingly before saying aloud.

  Dwarven Captain: "Fine! Don't like wasting the king's time, but I know yer’ silly agreement still ain’t broken yet-!" As soon as the dwarf said this, he turned around before continuing to say demandingly, "-Come with me!" gesturing for Obi to follow his lead.

  Obi: “Now, that’s more like it.” He said obnoxiously, if nothing else for the sake of keeping up the act, even if it was a completely genuine reaction.

  Rolling his eyes at the thought of this dwarf in particular being his guide, Obi didn’t voice any more immediately complaints. Deciding to leave his horse behind after pompously ordering the guards to see to it, he followed shortly after the Dwarven captain. The arrogant request really helped solidify the appearance of his status.

  ────────

  The captain of the guard then led Obi through an impressive labyrinth of tunnels, buildings, and homes on every which side until finally reaching an enormous open area. It was at the center of the mountain, and directly at its heart of it all was a small castle. The structure was precariously perched over a gaping hole on all sides, with only a small stone bridge leading to and from its entrance.

  Obi tried to hide how impressed he was with the architecture from his irritating guide, but failed to do so. Which was much to his regret after seeing the dwarf’s obnoxious smirk back at him. It was almost as if the dwarf was taking credit for all the impressive stonework himself.

  Obi then realized that even though the paths he took were somewhat of a maze, the castle shouldn't have taken this long to get to. Annoyed, he asked the dwarf plainly.

  Obi: "Were you deliberately taking me in circles on our way here? I don’t recall asking to sight see." He said in irritation, no acting required.

  To which the dwarf defensively replied back.

  Dwarven Captain: "What?! I thought it'd be a real shame for a human, so dignified as yerself, if in I didn’t show ye around. After all, if ye come all the way ere’, without being able to brag to yer fellow humans about seeing our amazing craftsmanship firsthand, than someone might hold it against ya."

  As the dwarf said this, Obi couldn’t figure out if he was completely oblivious as to how irritating his comments were, or if it was just petty vengeance to how he had acted. Either way, the two weren’t likely to become friends anytime soon.

  ────────

  After making it across the bridge, the guards who stood at the doorway of the castle granted entry to their captain, as well as Obi wh
o was shortly behind. As the two made their way into the palace they were stopped by a finely dressed dwarf before they could enter into the throne room. In a dignified manner, the finely dressed dwarf said.

  Noble Dwarf: "To what is the pleasure of your arrival?" The captain of the guard abandoned any respect he presented, as he unabashedly scoffed before laughing, and pointing his thumb back at Obi while saying tauntingly.

  Dwarven Captain: "Would you believe it?! This bald human ere’ comes requesting help from that Oder. Ha!" And some of the dwarves within earshot distance, couldn't help but laugh to Obi's obvious displeasure.

  Obi: “Is this the best one can expect from an officer in the Dwarven kingdom? Surely, you can do better.” He said in a distinct noble pride, which the finely dressed dwarf immediately picked up on.

  However, the finely dressed dwarf remained dignified before regretfully saying to the human guest.

  Noble Dwarf: "My apologies.-“ He said as a brief excuse for the captain before continuing, “-I'm afraid the king is not able to see visitors at the moment, as he’s currently detained. Once he’s done discussing matters with one of his sons’, I’m sure he can see you. And when he's finished, I shall personally request an audience on your behalf. In the meantime, please make yourself comfortable." He said while pointing to some chairs nearby.

  Seeing the other dwarf didn’t even so much as snicker at his comment, but rather undermined him, the captain of the guard just scoffed before saying to Obi.

  Dwarven Captain: "Well, my work 'ere is done. Try not to embarrass yerself any more than you have to!" He said before taking his leave, much to the relief of Obi who exaggeratingly relaxed himself, as he sat down on the chair to wait for his chance at an audience.

  With a genuine curiosity, the finely dressed dwarf asked of Obi.

  Noble Dwarf: "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, what is your name? And why would the Order of the Light request aid now? The agreement has been intact for centuries, and not once have the dwarves ever been called upon… What's happened?" After hearing the question, Obi looked back at the dwarf, and simply answered the first question.