by C S Harrop
“Is it Walker you speak of, I heard he came in this morning in a bad way?” Asked Elder Jorik peering over his small glasses.
“Yes Elder Jorik, he wishes to speak to an Elder.”
“Regarding what,” asked Elder Nyran in her usual unemotional elven tone.
“I don’t know but it must be important, he seems to be clinging onto life to give an Elder this information. He made it clear he must speak with only an Elder,” Nurse Hathaway said showing the Elders her arm were Walker had grabbed her in urgency.
“Lead the way Nurse Hathaway, let’s hear what our Guardian has to say and hopefully he will unburden himself enough to move on,” responded Elder Fallon sadly.
Positioned next to the armoury the medical building was of a round structure two floors high, with a distinct medical cross protruding from a stone slab above the doorway with two blue flames hung to either side. The solid timber door was already ajar from when Nurse Hathaway exited in a hurry as Elder Fallon stepped into the large cylindrical room. Beds pointed outward sectioned off from the other beds by a curtained partition, which followed the pattern of the circumference of the main wall. The seriously ill and injured had already occupied most of the beds but of late mostly by injured Guardians.
A nurse came down the wide staircase from the first floor carrying a basket of clean bandages and wipes dipped in a bowl of water used to treat patients that show promising signs of recovery. They initially would get transported by the nurses to the first floor after the patient had become less critical, they would stay until they were well enough to leave or the patient mainly the Guardians decides they are fit enough wanting to get back to fight the good fight. The nurses however are caring but strict as soon as they notice a patient trying to leave quietly wishing they had dust to transport away instantly, they are soon ordered back to bed with a wet towel on the brow.
Nurse Hathaway waved Elder Fallon over towards a bed on the right. Walker lay motionless on the bed with a dark scorch mark to the chest of his standard issue Guardian leather armour with his face and arms covered in cuts and grazes.
“I have cleaned him up the best I could his armour seems to be keeping him from haemorrhaging for now,” explained Nurse Hathaway point to the wound to Walkers chest. “Internal damage is another question altogether I think its sheer will power that he is still alive.”
“Walker,” spoke Elder Fallon taking his hand. “Walker it’s Elder Fallon.” He slowly opened his eyes to the face of the old bearded man. Trying hard to speak but words could not escape his dry mouth. Nurse Hathaway tipped a little water from a cup taken from the side table onto Walkers lips. He tried to raise his head which was met by Elder Fallon’s ear has he sat beside him on the bed.
“They are coming,” whispered Walker barely able to speak.
“Who, who is coming?” asked Elder Fallon.
“Onyxia, with thousands of Dark Bloods.”
“Where did you see this Walker,” Elder Fallon asked in an anxious voice knowing a great war as described in the prophecy could be heading their way.
“Outer regions of Mordrath,” whispered Walker struggling to keep his eyes open his breathing slowed to a near stop.
“You have served the Guardians with honour, Darkshore is waiting for you now,” whispered Elder Fallon in a sad but proud tone. “But I have one last request Walker of the utmost importance. When you arrive in Darkshore seek out a woman named Asha and tell her what you have just told me, tell her Onyxia has the relic. Do you understand Walker?”
Walker’s gaunt face looked puzzled but nodded wearily in acceptance. Moments later, he succumbed to his injuries and exhaled his last breath. His hand became limp in Elder Fallon’s as his body relaxed as his soul vacated.
“Be at peace,” Elder Fallon mournfully said rested Walker’s hand down beside his body and brushed his palm over his face closing his eyes and looking down upon his body in sadness. It was always hard for Elder Fallon losing member of the Guardian family. However, Walker had not finished his duty Elder Fallon hopes that his spirit finds his way to Asha.
Striding across the room in haste with the information Elder Fallon had gained from Walker stopping halfway through the doorway looking back over his shoulder at Nurse Hathaway.
“Advise all the nurses to be prepared.”
“Prepared for what Elder Fallon?”
“A great war Nurse Hathaway, a war this world has never seen.”
The Myst guards shift ended from a long eerily quiet night replaced with freshly faced soldiers, which included Lambert and Doyle taking their usual stationed positions at the gateway to the Core. Standing either side of the gate watching the cobbled streets ahead become slowly populated. Street venders as always readying to pounce and tavern doors swung open early for the weary guards wanting a quick tankard of ale before heading for the barracks to rest their heads. Today however felt a little different for Lambert and Doyle a sense of anticipation lingered in the air and the fact three Elders an elf, dwarf and a man stood in quiet discussion within the courtyard is not something they see every day.
Standing away from the looming shadow of the Spire that cast from the morning sun as it broke through the greying clouds. The three Elders stood in debate with the dwarf Elder Warrick giving animated gestures with his hands.
“I have a bad feeling churning in my gut and it’s not the sweat bread I eat earlier, he has been gone some time,” Elder Warrick said placing his hands on his armoured stomach.
“This war is going up a notch I can feel it, especially with the information the human girl has told us regarding the scroll,” responded Elder Nyran with a coldness in her voice.
“If the girl is telling the truth they could be just after a free meal for all we know, but if she is then yes Nyran the Great War will be nearing its beginning,” Elder Jorik stating the obvious with his fingers dancing through the air.
Speckles of rain freckled the paved floor as Elder Fallon finally appeared coming from around corner of the armoury and walked towards the three at pace with urgency on his face. Elder Jorik has been the closest to Elder Fallon for many years working together in the Spire and he knew that frowned face meant only one thing, trouble. Elder Nyran’s pale elf face was emotionless but the grip around her spear became tighter trying to suppress her anticipation from the urgency Elder Fallon is emanating. As with Elder Warrick by her side, standing full height barely raised above her waistline. However, like most dwarfs he was unable to subdue his emotions regarding the information learnt from the wounded Guardian.
“Well! What did he have to say? Asked Elder Warrick loud enough to raise the attention of the passing Myst guards on patrol.
“It seems as we feared the young girl Josie and her father were telling the truth regarding the scroll. Onyxia is on the move with her entire legions seen by Walker leaving Mordrath and heading westwards.”
“Then it begins. Keep me informed of Onyxia’s position and the direction they still travel. The Frost Elves will travel as Onyxia does eventually we will meet her on the battlefield,” Elder Nyran directed in an typical frost elven blunt manner at Elder Jorik taking herself to one side, with a respectful nod to Elder Fallon she disappearing leaving behind dust that filled the space she occupied.
“Her eagerness is a little unsettling at times,” Elder Warrick said in jest spinning his axe a few times in his hands. “I hope she waits for the dwarfs when that time comes, we don’t want to miss out on all the fun.”
“She understands clearly what’s at stake. She is a master tactician, she knows numbers matter but also the quality of the warrior wielding the weapon,” replied Elder Fallon patting Elder Warrick on his plated shoulder.
“On that note I’ll go get the clan’s blood circulating. Like with the elf keep me informed of Onyxia’s heading, the next time we’ll meet is probably on the battlefield and hope the gods are on our side that day,” Elder Warrick said tipping a small portion of black powder from a small cylindrical container into hi
s glowing palm and vanished.
“Then there is two,” indicated Elder Jorik to both of them.
“Lots to do in so little time Jorik. Where to begin my old friend - where to begin,” said Elder Fallen stroking his grey beard watching the occasional Guardian appear from a cloud of dust returning home as ordered by Elder Jorik once news of the scroll had been found.
“I will get Darwin to send his Scouthawks to locate Onyxia maybe then we can get a better idea of where she is heading,” with an accepting nod from Elder Fallon. Elder Jorik headed across the courtyard towards the aviary a tall cylindrical building that bulged outward at the top with large windowless timber framed opening surrounding the entire circumference.
Guardians kept coming in dribs and drabs representing the many different cultures working together for a sole purpose to protect the world from the ever-looming darkness. However, Elder Fallon knew as most the gifted as he likes to call them are few and far between. Only fifty-seven Guardians are now known to be still alive taking Walker’s recent passing into account. He knew too well the figure can reduce significantly with each passing day, but ultimately if the war turns in their favour would there be enough Guardians left including himself after the pending battle for the Core to be still a beacon of light. The very thought filled him with dread, leaving a handful behind had crossed his mind but didn’t sit too well knowing full well the Guardians philosophy is to protect the lands from darkness. He could not expect to leave a handful behind whilst their brothers and sisters fight and possibly to the death for a cause which is their whole purpose in life.
He pulled his robe tighter around his body from a slight chill as autumn neared its end then found a nearby bench and sat for some time observing the comings and goings within the Core. The Myst guards patrolled in pairs going about their morning routine with nurses and general household staff that kept the Core operational scurrying around from building to building. He looked up towards the clouds watching the Scouthawks making their departure then taking one final look at the courtyard as a whole and surrounding buildings taking into memory a final image.
“Calm before the storm,” he said allowed to himself letting out a long sighing breath.
“You are not alone,” a voice came whispering on the breeze. “He will come.”
“Who will come?” Asked Elder Fallon not loud enough to be heard by passers-by and not fazed by the voice he has become accustomed to his entire adult life as it drifted into nothingness his questioned unanswered.
He rose to his feet stretching his back straight with his hands on his hips and letting out a deep exhaled breath. His mind fully focused he set off across the damp surface towards the elder quarters to retrieve his staff before heading to the grand hall located behind the main tower. There the Guardians await orders, ready for battle and ready to defend the land from darkness.
Chapter 20
Selfless Acts
Darkshore’s calm waters stretched out as far as the eye. Unlike the usual, endless curvature of the world Darkshore’s horizon looked as straight has a swords edge, which surrounding an endless tranquil island for worthy souls to roam in peace. Valen knew different she had wandered these lands for such a long time and seen so many different races all deemed worthy in the eyes of the God Aldor come and go. The darker side of immortality, which is not realised in the living world, is the solitude that grows within one’s own mind. Souls of Darkshore have company to talk with and lands to hike but in the end all that can be said has already been said thousands of times over and all the lands that can be explored have been walked.
Nourishment and sleep is also not a requirement as in the living world giving souls every moment in a timeless place to amuse themselves. Valen knew personally that souls need stimulation they need the taste of food and sleep as when they were alive. They need new challenges to aim for and daily tasks to keep themselves occupied.
Kaldern was Valen’s soul mate they had a dream of building a sanctuary for the gifted training them to harness the power within to their full potential. Once their training was at a high enough standard they sent the gifted out across the lands helping those in need and keeping the Dark Bloods at bay. Throughout the years, these gifted ones became to be known as the Guardians.
However, when he made the journey to Darkshore due to fatal illness Kaldern slowly over time became depressed and subdued even when Valen came to be by his side, the feeling of sinking into a deep hole would not subside. He nicknamed the feeling the Torment. Most felt the Torment eventually the ones who had been roaming the lands for an age felt it the worse but many like Kaldern could not bear the anguish any longer and took the boat across the twilight waters to the horizon where the sun touched the waters. The horizon became a waterfall as the waters fell over the edge into the blackness of star lit space, the waterfall became known as Solitude throughout Darkshore. Valen streaming with tears could still sense Kaldern from the shoreline as he drifted over edge. She sensed an overwhelming relief as he took his place amongst the stars. Valen knew from that day forward Darkshore was not what the living believed they sought when they die, it was the elevated feeling of freedom the souls felt at that moment they take the boat over Solitude. She knew Solitude was the real gift the gods had given to the worthy. No matter how long it takes the souls to get to that metal state of mind they had an eternity in Darkshore to get there.
Valen looked down from a toppled pillar upon crowds with numbers never seen congregated all in one area before. They surrounded the Sanctuary and stretched going all the way back to the tree line of the woods and then some. Her metal segments of her leather armour gleamed in the twilight as Aunt Elora and Asha looked on a short distance away watching in awe her half elven presence radiating respect and authority. Even the Watchers of the Woods came to attend the announced meeting standing in the entrance of the intact domed building with some believing God Aldor himself sees directly through their eyes.
“Darkness has descended!” Valen stated loud enough getting everyone’s instant attention as all faces turned her way. “Newcomers have given us a glimpse of the living world picture by picture of how the Dark Bloods have left the safety of the west and of Mordrath and slowly over time spreading their filth across the western lands even take up residence in the Great Forest. Most of you are already aware of whom I speak of that’s organising the Dark Bloods she is none other than the descendant of Da’Karr and goes by the name Onyxia.”
“What has this got to do with us Valen? We have given our lives already,” stated a ginger bearded dwarf that dropped down to his chest with rumbles of agreement from the crowds.
“The eastern alliances have always come together and they will again,” said a well-dressed tall slender man wearing a trimmed beard and an elegantly waxed moustache his head risen above the rest.
“True but this time things are very different from all the history that comes before. I have recently learnt Onyxia is searching for a relic that shows her the way to open a doorway to the Dark Isle. When she goes to war with the west, she will have the full force of every dark blooded soul behind her. Only people who are useful would be kept alive if that’s for slavery or even food, either way souls would no longer come to Darkshore and how long do you all think it would take Onyxia to find her way here,” explained Valen with a seriousness in her tone.
“If this relic even exists at all and if it does this Onyxia may never find it, this all seems like speculations,” spoke a paled skin frost elf wearing a blue tinted armour in a manner of having her time wasted.
“It exists!” Announced Walker over hundreds of murmuring voices making his way through the crowds looking slightly delirious taking in his new surroundings since appearing on the white sandy shore. “I seek someone by the name of Asha with an urgent message but it appears the message is already been discussed before I can give it.”
Asha walked through the now parting crowds all eyes focused on the pair as she came to a stop facing a man in his mid-twenti
es with wild brown hair and a permanent cheeky smile wearing a Guardian’s standard uniform. Asha knew he had just arrived in Darkshore, he looked very anxious hiding behind a smile taking in all his surroundings just as Asha did when she first stepped from the boat. Asha took a little pity on him knowing a newcomer to come to Darkshore should be a time for the soul to be at peace not to be faced with a rowdy crowd of this size. Nevertheless, wearing the clothing of the guardian made her think; maybe he does actually have a message for her.
“I am Asha.”
“My name is Walker, this place is amazing. How long have…”
“You said you had a message for me,” interrupted Asha cutting him off sharply.
“Hmm, well yes. Elder Fallon asked me to pass a message on and explain what I saw as I lay dying,” answered Walker noticing Asha’s green eyes suddenly widen, clearly recognising the name.
“What is the message Walker,” trying her hardest not to sound too impatient knowing how important any information coming from Elder Fallon is especially one given to a dying man.
“Firstly,” counting on his fingers. “I saw Onyxia riding her winged beast travelling towards to the west out of Mordrath with an army of Dark Bloods a size greater than anything I have seen before. I can still hear their war chants in my head from thousands of armoured orc, trolls and goblins as they marched close to where I was hiding shaking the very ground. I was a bit too close as it happens and took a blast to the chest from a Dark Priest, and now here I am.”
“Do you know where they were heading?” asked Valen.
“No, my time was short lived after that but I will remember the sight for an eternity,” stated Walker.
“What about the message,” asked Asha her impatience starting to show but calmed by Aunt Elora placing a hand on her shoulder coming from behind.