The Prince raised his arm and dropped it, and on his command scores of men burst from the trees and descended on the wagons. Those of the Horde who remained gallantly rose to meet them though many were still choking from the smoke and struggling to clear their eyes which stung from the fumes of the fire.
“We’d better make this quick,” urged Aron. “The smoke will give away our position. Let’s get the supply carts moving.”
Cries of battle could be heard and the clash of steel echoed around the woods. As the Horde was slowly subdued the Prince’s men leapt onto the carts and took the reins. They slowly manoeuvred them around and headed into the forest.
There was a cry of alarm and many looked up to see a unit of Janshai horsemen charging down the trail towards them.
The leading riders parted to drive down either side of the convoy as the Janshai let out a roar as they engaged the Terramians. Soldiers, Terramian or Horde, standing either side of the carts were mown down by the ferocity of the charge and crumpled and crushed under the weight of the Janshai. Others were battered aside and sent reeling to the ground to be impaled by the spears of riders that followed.
The Terramian soldiers who stood on the carts were scythed down by the Janshai blades as they came charging through. The Terramians were in disarray. The Janshai pulled up their charge and turned to engage the Terramians once again.
“It’s a trap,” screamed Aron. “I guess they held the horsemen back to attack and catch us by surprise if and when we ambushed the carts. Clever.
“Archers bring the horsemen down, give the men cover. Aland, are you coming? Sound the advance.”
The bowmen released a volley at the Janshai and brought some down. The Terramian infantry pounced on them to finish them off. Others were cut down by the Janshai. Those that dodged the slash of a blade or thrust of a spear managed to lunge with their swords inflicting wounds. They pulled the riders down to the ground where they then engaged each other.
The Prince sprinted forward and grabbed the reins of a horse whose rider had been unseated. He drove it into the melee, cutting and thrusting at the Janshai that remained. Aland clambered up onto a cart and then threw himself at a Janshai dislodging him from his saddle and sending them both tumbling to the ground. The fall took the wind out of the Janshai just enough for Aland to strike him across the face with the hilt of his sword. He then plunged his blade into his chest as the Janshai was still disorientated.
The fighting raged, but the archers in the trees just ensured that the Terramians slowly regained the upper hand. After the initial Janshai charge that had cut so many down, the Janshai did not retreat, but they fought to the last.
Aron stood astride the last Janshai, his collar in his fist. He smacked his temple with the hilt of his sword and straightened and staggered back. He used his sleeve to wipe the sweat, dirt and blood splashes from his face. He looked around at his men. Many still looked wide-eyed and shocked by the intensity of the fighting.
“Well fought men, though now is not the time to dwell. Take the carts, pick up our fallen; we will give them a burial befitting the valour they showed here today once we get back to Windfell Woods.”
Four hours later the captain of the Janshai looked down at the bodies and burnt-out carts that were scattered by the track. “Well we lost their trail last time. By the intensity of the fighting here, this time the Terramian scum will have incurred significant losses and it looks like they’re carrying the dead.
“Their tracks will be heavier. There may be trails of blood to follow. This time we will find them and revenge the lives of our fallen brethren who sacrificed themselves. We will find this Prince of Terramis and his renegades and wipe them out.”
*
That evening they were led to an open forum with seating surrounding a large fire pit where logs were ablaze.
They made introductions once more and Phythian paused when it came to the turn of Sirion. “What species are you?”
“I am, or was, human. My bodily form morphed with age into what I am now.”
“Remarkable, a form of immortality in itself.”
“Apparently, though having started life so brightly, after a while you get tired of the struggle. Of losing everyone you’ve known, watching everything turn to dust. I’ve been talking to squirrels and rocks for as long as I can remember.”
“Well you should have found us earlier.”
Food was brought to the table: roasted meats, vegetables, platters of fruits and refreshments.
“What is this? It tastes sweet,” asked Leo.
“It’s fermented rice, a crop from wetlands in the north east,” replied Phythian. “But be careful it has a stronger effect than mead. It can give you a headache that lasts days if you drink too much.”
As the food was cleared away Phythian continued, “So pray tell, how did you find us?”
Leo sensed Sirion was about to speak but felt they should keep their cards closer to their chests and interrupted, “An ancient scroll found in the archives of Celestina.”
“Celestina,” mused Phythian. “I know that name, but recall it was a small settlement, built on a beautiful plateau. I always thought the name apt.”
“It is now a large city, and I believe even more magnificent than before.”
“And what is it you want from us? We have lived in isolation for thousands of years. Why seek us out now?”
Leo bit his lip. “Our world is in turmoil. There are dark and evil forces at play. They have raised armies and tapped ancient and malevolent powers. Hope is diminishing for all that is honourable and good in the world.”
“Does this evil have a name?”
“He calls himself Vane.”
Letia took a sharp intake of breath, “Vane? How can that be?”
“It is a name familiar to us. Vane was the head of the tribe of Cyon. An ancient tribe we once battled against, but how could he have survived all these millennia?”
“He has been sustained by the Quintessence Totem.
“And it is the power of quintessence he is using against us.”
“But it does not explain why you are here.”
“The sixth element. The light, thought, consciousness. The essence of all things. We’d like to borrow it.”
There was silence around the table.
“Alethea. You came here to ask for Alethea. You ask too much.
“It was bequeathed to us by the Creator herself. It has sustained us all these years. Given us life, given us the abundance of the world you see around us. We could not give that up and risk mortality, death and disease or subject ourselves to hunger, thirst, cold.”
“These represent our everyday lives,” said Leo.
“You know no better. You have accepted your fate.”
“No, you miss my point. I do accept my fate. I am not looking for immortality. I need the totem simply to fight for good and defeat evil.”
“We are not party to this fight,” said Phythian.
“Not yet. But have no doubt that once Vane has dominion over the Four Realms, he will then turn his attention to finding you and settling old scores.”
“Perhaps, and we will resist when the time comes.”
“Maybe, but Vane has tens of thousands of troops at his bidding. Wizards, vile and savage creatures. You seem too few and, I don’t want to be rude, small.”
Phythian raised his eyebrows.
“We have the armies of the three realms opposing Vane. The totem you call Alethea may tip the balance. It is perhaps our best opportunity to defeat him once and for all.”
Sirion had kept his counsel to that point.
“May I say a word?”
Phythian nodded.
“I understand your reticence. Risking immortality is a lot to ask of a people that have it. The fear of death is within all of us and immortality releases
that. But is it not death itself that drives and motivates us to live our lives fully? To take adventures, travel, find partners, have children, exist in betterment for the world. What is the motivation without death?
“Who knows perhaps there is nothing to fear in death? Perhaps there is an afterlife and that is more rewarding and more fulfilling than this life. It’s a curiosity you deny yourselves, in terms of what comes next?
“In immortality what is it that fulfils you now? What challenges you, keeps you excited about getting up in the morning. Yes, you live in a beautiful place but seeing it endlessly may cause the pleasure to ebb and fade away. Do you lose the ability to absorb the beauty it bestows when you know you can see it again and again and again? People take the small luxuries and beauties out of life and appreciate things so much more knowing that they only have a limited time.
“We’ve not seen any children since we arrived. I assume you are the same peoples that were originally bequeathed immortality by the Creator. May I presume that an effect of immortality is that you cannot have children, in which case I would suggest you are missing out on the joys of parenthood. Or you have had children, but you’ve brought them into the world, watched them grow, flourish and ultimately die. Perhaps you can’t bear watching loved ones die any more. Perhaps you cannot bear to have children anymore.”
“Perceptive,” said Phythian. “There is some truth in what you say. It is a sadness that we too have felt.
“But we have also gained much. Peace. Wisdom. Knowledge. With these we have overcome that loneliness and emptiness.”
“Umm, and to Leo’s point,” continued Sirion. “Your ancient origins as such. The world has moved on. People are taller, more robust. You have become out of harmony with the world around you. You are a throwback, a relic of another time. Not this time.”
“As are you,” interrupted Letia.
“You are correct. But at least I have chosen a side.”
“Chosen a side. Chosen a side! How dare you. You walk in here all self-righteous and judge us. Insult us by calling us relics. Then demand the one thing we cannot give, as if you ask nothing of us. Who do you think you are?
“We are the Tutaim. We have walked among the gods. We have been here for more generations than you can imagine. You are only here because we deign to give you an audience. We ruled this earth when your ancestors were still walking on all fours and picking fleas from each other’s hair.”
“Clearly,” said Leo. “You say you’ve gained wisdom, but you are still the self-centred, arrogant beings that the Creator imprisoned here all those years ago. You have learnt nothing in your isolation from the world. I pity you.”
Phythian stood up in anger but Letia took his hand. “Clearly you have given us a lot to ponder. This is not an easy decision or a quick one but I also realise the dire situation in the Four Realms. I sense your urgency and the sincerity with which you came here.
“I promise you we will not cast aside your request lightly. I suggest you retire for the night. Give us time to think, discuss and perhaps we can meet again in the morning.”
With that she and Phythian turned and left the room and they were escorted to their quarters once more.
*
Phythian spoke first, “We knew this day would come. Though I did not expect such desperate circumstance. It does not make the decision any easier but it remains the same decision. Are our lives finally forfeit? Should we simply be thankful for the gift bestowed upon us and accept that it is time to relinquish it?”
Letia calmed him, “Everything has its reason. Perhaps we were here to take custody of Alethea Totem until this moment. The moment it is truly needed. Maybe this is the final test of the Creator, to prove whether we have learnt anything over these past years. Perhaps this is our opportunity to earn redemption and pass into the next life with our conscience free.
“After all what more are we going to accomplish? Some of those among us here may regret the lives they have led, but what more can you achieve by living longer? You can’t change the past and live your life over better, second time round. But what we can do is make a profound gesture for the betterment of all.
“We have an opportunity to provide a nudge to help good overcome evil, perhaps establish a lasting peace for the foreseeable future in the Four Realms. One that we have enjoyed but out of the grasp of many for a millenium.
“Despite our protestations of paradise we all know the tough decisions we have made in the past. This small paradise could only sustain so many. We limited the number of children we had, and then our children’s children until we decided to have no more. How we had to force one another to give up authority, change our roles in society to share responsibilities and give each of us the opportunity to grow. That in fact our development and progress has been stifled in the absence of new blood and new ideas.
“Sometimes I just feel so tired, like I could curl up and sleep and not wake up. I would not mind if I quietly saw out my days. I am simply weary of being myself,” said Letia.
“Don’t be rash,” hissed Phythian. “This is a choice that can only lead to regret as you wither and reach your end of days. I guarantee you will regret giving up this precious gift of life we have.
“And besides this is not an individual decision. This is for us all.
“You want more adventure then go out into the world. Get crushed by a cart, run through by a knight, mauled by a bear. Despite everything, nobody has left this paradise and there is one reason behind this. We want to live forever. We don’t want to die. We want to live in such a way that we even avoid the perils of the outside world.”
“If we decide to decline their request. What do we do?”
“We can’t just let them leave, more will come. We will have to make the same decision we have made in the past. We must limit the damage that this cancer can do within our society. In this case this cancer must be dealt with here and now before our fortitude weakens.”
“So be it. Take them tea.”
“May the Creator have mercy on us.”
*
“Tea,” said Aksel. “Just what I needed. That was a heavy meal. Anybody else?”
“Why not,” said Sirion, “I sense it will take them all night to make a decision.”
“Do you think they will help us?” asked Leo.
“No,” said Sirion. “It would be a profoundly selfless act. But nothing that I have seen so far suggests to me that they will be able to offer it. They will debate and in the end only think of themselves.”
“What then?”
“They will not let us leave. It is an inevitable conclusion. Depressingly predictable.”
Aksel lifted the tea to his lips when suddenly the cup spun across the room and shattered on the floor. The Princess removed her invisibility cloak as they looked at her in surprise.
Chapter 20
Skirmishes
“Poison.”
“Well as I said, inevitable but rather quicker than I imagined,” sighed Sirion.
“Any sign of the totem?”
The Princess held open the cloak to reveal the totem. The sun’s rays depicted on its side. “It was in the pyramid.”
“Bravo.”
“Now we just need to get out of here alive. Princess you go ahead with the totem and the cloak. We’ll cover you. If you can escape then someone will be able to access its powers.”
“No Leo, you take both. You have the best chance of using the totem, it may respond to you and the crystal.” They all looked at each other.
“I suggest we simply make haste.” Urged Sirion.
They clambered through a window in the stables, ducked down and made their way in the dark through the undergrowth behind the building. They headed down the slope towards the lake, brushing through the branches by the light of the moon. As they came to the water’s edge the reflection of th
e moon shimmered across its full length guiding them along the beach at its side.
Then they heard it. A single screech in the distance behind them. It sounded inhuman. Then another shriek and then a pack of shrill wailing high-pitched howls behind them.
“What the hell, what was that?!” shouted Leo.
“Let’s not hang around to find out, run!” urged Aksel.
As they got to the end of the beach and turned right back to the track up the ridge, Aksel turned. In the distance he could see the contorted faces of the wraiths behind them, scrabbling over each other desperate to make ground on them. The screaming shrieks more and more deafening. Their dead hollow eyes and skeletal forms just visible as they lurched towards them driven by the frenzied fear of the loss of the totem.
The companions took the steps bounding two at a time but the wraiths scaled the rock face screeching with malice and loathing as they closed in on their prey, digging their black decaying nails in the rocks.
“Keep going!” yelled Aksel.
Fayette stopped and swung Defiance slashing two wraiths that had reached the staircase and started climbing the cliff.
“Go, I’ll hold them,” yelled Aksel.
Leo, Fayette and Sirion reached the door and pushed.
“We can’t get the door open.”
“Keep trying, check to see if there is a lever.”
They saw him plunge his blade into the chest of a wraith, which howled in agony and then kicked another one from the staircase and off the cliff.
“I’ll help him,” shouted Sirion who turned and strode back down the corridor.
“Here are the markings!” pointed Fayette. She pressed her hand against the wall and the door pivoted and light streamed in.
They held the door open and yelled at the other two to join them. Aksel ducked through the doorway and Sirion bent down and stepped out.
A rotting hand grabbed him by the shoulder, then another by his leg. He tried to pull himself out but now there was too many of them. They grasped him, snatched at his limbs, clutching beyond him, fighting to get past him to reach and seize the others.
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