The Curious Case of Jacob's Hallow

by Patrick Walsh

  Luke laughed. “There’s probably some in my house.”

  Aza snickered a little at the joke, but Han looked to the farmer expecting him to go on.

  “Oh, we took a path around it, but my house is...peculier. The rock could be halfa wall or a pillar or sum other such nonsense.”

  “Hmm, well first off.” He quickly turned to Aza. “Hiding is a strong word, I was laying low until you were sighted. If I truly wanted to hide then I would not have fired off the wisp flare that drew you out in the first place. I also did not pay those other structures much mind given the situation that was at hand.” He swung his head back over to Luke. “If you really do have some of the rock in your home it would be much appreciated if you would show it to me.”

  Luke looked from side to side, unsure if his joke had any truth to it. “Well actually...we might have some in Desmond’s room. We hada fix one of his windows last month, I think there’s might be some around it.”

  “Would he be the one providing you the records for your map?”

  “Yeah, though if you want to talk with him yous have to wait. He prolly got called off to deal with the...aftermath.”

  “Oh...well um…” Han quickly recomposed himself. “I will need to speak with him, or at least I assume I will.”

  “What do you mean?” Aza tried to think of what Desmond could offer besides maybe older records.

  “When you told Agnis what happened last night you said that someone was fighting those things, am I correct?”

  Aza thought for a moment. “Yeah, why?”

  “Well if he managed to kill one, I would imagine it might be taken to the undertaker to be disposed of.”

  Luke and Aza looked to each other, the thought having never crossed their minds.

  “Well I suppose that could be right.” Aza leaned back, thinking it over.

  “Excellent, then we have our game plan!” Han hopped up and walked over to what could be considered the doorway, waiting for the other two to lead the way.

  “I’s sorry, but what plan’s that?” Luke got up followed by Aza.

  “We start small. You will show me the stone, and if it is what I think it is, we will pay this lighthouse a visit. Sometime after, we will find this brother of yours and ask him about the bodies. Then once evening strikes I will look over some of the books I borrowed.”

  Aza and Luke each nodded and waited for Han to lead the way, only to soon realize he was waiting for one of them. Luke chuckled and started towards the Leviathan with Han quickly falling in behind, seemingly using the two as buffers should something in the cave make a grab for them. He had done the same thing on the way in.

  “So what is an enchanter?” Aza ducked his head to the side as the trio entered the crevice that lead out to the Norfoss farm.

  “Opposite of a Wizard. They can put magic into objects but can not use magic themselves. Say Luke, how far is that thing on the floor?” Han had not been walking, but sliding his feet along the ground as not to step on something.

  “Not for a ways. Heh, you really pissed off whatever’s on the other sida that wall.”

  “I am very aware…” Dullahan nervously replied, thinking back to when he had stepped on the tendril during their trip in.

  “You said enchanters were born with their powers...can non enchanters learn to do what they do?” Aza spoke slowly, thinking how much stronger their new Nightwatch would be with even a little extra magic.

  “What?” Han began laughing, nearly stepping on the now writhing tendril again. “If anyone could put magic into their swords, or axes, or such...the...well the world would have burned ages ago. Enchanters are rare, maybe five a generation, most of which never even realize they are one. People like you or me can make eh...trinkets so to speak. Like you might have heard of a hex doll...though even then it would be the loa who really power the thing.”

  “Oh…” Aza looked away, feeling silly.

  “No. Magical wands, swords…”

  Aza quickly perked back up. “Lanterns?”

  “Ah...well yes. Any magic “thing” worth using is made by an enchanter, so they tend to be quite uncommon in most of the world, especially the really potent stuff.” Han emphasised his last words, thinking back to all the fantastical creations from his studies.

  “So how common are they here specifically, in Gremsallow?” Aza ducked again as the passage narrowed and the dim light of day began to shine through.

  Han puzzled that through for a moment. “In this area specifically...I would say more uncommon then most anywhere else. There are some notable ruins you could pull some up from, but most of those were dealt with ages ago.”

  That lantern kept flashing in his mind. “So could there be one here, one of these ruins?” Aza stepped out of the cave and into the cornfield.

  Dullahan finally turned around. “I feel as if you have something in mind.”

  “The Nightman had a blue lantern, it was controlling the creatures.”

  Now it was Luke that turned around, very curious as to what had just been said. “How do you know it was the lantern controlling them?”

  “I…” Aza had to stop for a moment.

  “Did you see him use it?” Han adjusted his glasses, intrigued by this new development.

  “Well no…I felt it.”

  Dullahan slowed to a stop, followed by Luke. “What do you mean by that?” Han’s intrigue twisting to worry as he slowly spoke.

  Aza stopped too, feeling uncomfortable now being the center of attention. “I mean...when he walked by…I was afraid, more than I ever have been in my entire life...but when I saw the light of the lantern...more than anything... I wanted to follow him…”

  “Oh...must...must be a trick he uses to draw people in!” Luke slammed his fist down into his hand.

  Dullahan was less dismissive. “Are you sure it was the lantern?”

  “Yes. The Nightman was like me; he exuded terror...both unnatural...and very real.” The demon’s soulless eyes flashed in Aza’s mind. “It was the lantern that drew me in.”

  “Are you absolutely sure?” Han squeezed the side of his satchel.

  Aza nodded.

  “Oh this does not bode well for me…” Han’s head seemed to drop as the grip on his bag tightened.

  Both Aza and Luke were struck by the sound of defeat in his voice, the pure hopelessness. A second or two passed before Han’s eyes went wide and he popped back to his normal, perfect posture.

  “That...I did not mean to say that.” Han looked back and forth to his clearly fearful allies. “Well...one cannot change the past, let us get to this house!”

  The trio began moving again, this time in silence, both Aza and Luke having had their curiosity snuffed out. They traveled along the twisting maze of corn and the thorns of the berries that infested their roots. Han looked up in awe when Luke’s house came into view, its downright insane design being like nothing he had ever seen. The frame of the back door was collapsing under the weight of the poorly braced room above it, giving Luke a difficult time as he yanked it open. All around them were cupboards of varying size and style, knives and cooking ware lining the free walls and dirty countertops. Luke’s mother was standing at one of the counters, chopping away at a dead sea animal with a pot of boiling water nearby. She looked up, training her tired eyes on the three new guests.

  “Sweety you’re home!” She ran up to Luke and gave him a big hug.

  “Yeah...did someone think I was dead?”

  The old woman pulled herself back. “Well no, but when Del delivered the milk he said there had been a massacre last night. I’s afraid you mighta gottun hurt headin into town.”

  ‘No, mom, I’m fine.” Luke was getting a little embarrassed.

  She peeked around her son and looked over to the new guests standing in her doorway.

  “Aza, dear, it’s good to see ya!” It took her a moment to process the stranger. “Ooh, who's your new friend?”

  “Oh..that’s…”

  “Du
llahan McGavin.” He held out a gloved hand, smiling at the grey haired old woman. She somewhat reminded him of Aggie only heavier and less aware of her surroundings.

  “Oh, pleased to meetcha! Would you like a sweet tart?” She happily shook his hand, gesturing to some sweets with her free one.

  “No, thank you. Would you know if Desmond is home?” He spoke eloquently, and smoothly.

  “Oh no, he’s called out early to deal with what happened in town. I doubt he’s be back until the evening.” She looked disappointed to give him the news.

  “It should not be a problem, I can try again later.” Han stepped back and looked to his two allies, expecting them to speak.

  “Um...yeah he’s just a work friend a Aza’s. We’s be in my room if you need anythin.”

  “Oh, sure thin dear.” Her expression and demeanor seemed to flip on a dime. “You’s fathers out in town lookin for new berries ta poison our fields with. See if ya can’t talk some sense in him tonight.”

  “Of course he is…” Luke closed his eyes, exasperated at his inability to solve this stupid predicament. Yet he put on a smile and nodded. “I’s see what I can do.”

  His mother smiled as the three hurried up the crooked flight of stairs that led straight to the third floor. The first door on the left, pulled from the wreckage of a fishing ship, was the door to Desmond’s room. As soon as they opened it, Han was hit with the stench of death, yet the other two seemed oblivious. There were books open on his desk, papers circled and marked, clothes strewn about the floor, and a bin of his work coats stained with old blood. Right across from them was his bed, and right over that was the window. Luke walked in and hopped onto the lumpy mattress, inspecting the wall. While most of the interior was ship wood, the outer portion was mismatching stone, one of which was the very kind they were looking for.

  “Here it is!” Luke pointed to a long section of black rock above the window.

  Han crawled up to it and inspected this mystery stone haphazardly used to patch a preexisting break in the wall. It looked like a piece of glass or crystal that had been filled with black dust. With the right angling Han was able to spy the faint violet shimmer he was dreading it would have.

  “Are you ok?”

  Han was broken from his thoughts and turned over to Aza, not sure as to what expression he had been making. “Yes...and yes...this would be Necrite.” He knocked against the shimmering stone. “That means we need to get to that lighthouse immediately.”

  Luke looked to Aza and Aza to Luke, both now realizing what that would mean.

  Aza looked out the window. “Well if we leave now we might be able to make it there and back…”

  The farmer pulled himself off the bed and stood up. “Please tell me you’s...you’re...not suggesting we go all the way out there?”

  “The trail at the top should still be intact. If we sprint then we should be able to beat the fog. A storm like last night’s should delay it a full hour.”

  “This is a bad idea.” Luke looked to both his friends, fearing for their lives.

  “I can be the judge of that.” Han stood up and faced Luke. “I appreciate your concern, but I do not have to reach the tower, only get close enough to see what exactly it is. I cannot stress how important it is that we get there today.”

  Luke was taken aback by Han’s tone and expression. He wasn’t talking down to him, instead seeming very sincere.

  “Well...if all you need to do is get close enough to make it out...we should be able to do this.”

  Han clapped his hands together. “Excellent, now how do we find it?”

  Chapter 7: The Longest Ladder

  The wind began to pick up as the trio weaved their way through the dirt roads that crawled around the various farms and homesteads. Aza, and Luke at the back, while Han stuck to the middle, taking in all that the dreary countryside had to offer. His eyes passing over the strange, grey grasses, the dark, warped wood of the fences, and the twitchy unease of the animals. Even the cliff up ahead was twisted and unnatural, appearing more like a malformed mass of jagged fangs and broken glass than actual rock. This whole town was sick, ill with some dark disease.

  “So you call this the East Leviathan?” Han’s gaze was now fixated on the approaching beast.

  “Yeah, they’re called the Twin Leviathans. Supposedly the rocks look like the scales of some sea serpent.” Aza too was fixated on it, and the wooden web at its side.

  “Hmmm, I am not familiar with the fauna of this region.” Han stepped over a sickly corn root that had spread far beyond its enclosure. “Though, given what lives in your waters it would not surprise me.”

  “What does they teach at that school of yours?” Unlike his friends, Luke was looking around and thinking of his neighbors. The rural areas that surrounded the town were roughly broken into four groups, with Luke’s side being the crop yielders. This division in labor had caused each of the territories to band together in their own social groups. It had made Luke many friends, given him many good memories...yet it was this mentality that had allowed Tobias and his poison to fester under the great shadow of the Western Leviathan.

  Han was a bit taken aback by the question, but like usual was able to right his thoughts and quell any anxiety. “Many things; magic, combat, navigation, language. It is one of the great hubs of knowledge scattered around the world; some have even killed to gain entry.”

  Luke laughed.“You must be pretty smart then.”

  Dullahan chuckled a bit in return, “I suppose so.”

  “So what exactly did you study there?” The tall farmer turned to look at him, but spotted something else.

  “Um...well…” He closed his mouth as Luke abruptly stopped in his tracks, followed by Aza.

  “What is it?” The look on his friend’s face was stone cold and serious, bordering on anger.

  “A kid just jumped behind that tree.” Luke quietly replied.

  Dead ahead was a four way crossroads that would put them on the path to Jacob’s Ladder. To their right, going all the way to the Leviathan's belly, was a corn and squash field. On their left was the large yard of Jeb Smith. Growing upon it were five delorah trees. While Aza and Luke regarded them as a mundane part of life, something the farmers to the north mostly grew, Dullahan studied them with awe. They, very distantly, reminded him of apple trees. Only these ones had been dragged and crushed down, causing their bark to compress and uncoil, to bend and slither out. Now they resembled dead spiders dotted in fleshy, red boils. He had little time to dwell on it, as three figures emerged from the right end of the crossroads and turned their attention. Two looked around fifteen or sixteen, with a very dirty looking man around his age leading them. While Han peered back and forth to their assailants in confusion, Aza and Luke knew exactly who they were.

  “Hello Thomas.” Aza practically spat the words.

  A grey skinned boy emerged from behind one of the trees as the rest of his group closed in on Aza and his friends, stopping a few feet away. They didn’t move much further, the two at Tom’s side clearly afraid of the trio. Even the one now behind them didn’t want to get close.

  “Hello Aza.” He spoke confidently but his left hand was at his side; his knife in a coat pocket just underneath.

  Dullahan looked back and forth between Aza and this Thomas fellow. The hatred in the air was palpable, yet their eyes told so much more. On one side was a ghostly gaze, bitter to the core and exuding malice. On the other were two orbs of amber, each one returning only half the rage, the rest filled in by fear...and something else.

  “What are you lot doin all the way out here?” Luke looked over the potential opponents, not wanting a fight, but willing to do so should one of them threaten his friends. Aside from Tom, the other three were scared of not only Aza, but Luke. He stood stronger and taller than everyone around him, with his dad’s musket strapped to his back.

  “Watchin you two. After what happened last night, dad...” Tom’s gaze fell to this snooty looking strange
r by his enemy's side as he began walking towards them. “Well who exactly are you?”

  Dullahan opened his mouth, but Luke sidestepped, getting right up to Tom and forcing him to step back. “That ain’t none of your business.”

  Aza stepped forwards himself, fear snaking out in all directions. It forced Tom and his goons back even further, though put his two allies at an unease. “If you’re looking for a fight, remember that you struck the first blow.”

  Tom was on edge, and felt outmatched. “Nah, I don’t wanna fight. Dellun just heard you talkin about Tusk.” He gestured to the kid standing near the tree and one behind him. “We’re just here to make sure you don’t hack him up like your creatures did to so many last night.”

  Aza turned back to the spy, his eyes narrowing as the fear slithered further from him. “My creatures? Then tell me, what are you still doin around?”

  Tom took a step forwards, but the fear snapped like a snake, forcing him back again. “If you ain't done nothin, then a little surveillance shouldn’t be a bother.”

  Aza looked up to the grey sky and tried to picture where the sun must be. He sighed, “We don’t have time for this nonsense.”

  He strode forwards. The moment his foot touched the ground, his power struck out in all directions. Not the threads, but something far more primal. To Tom and his allies it was like being hit by a wall of crushing ice. The hairs on the back of their necks shot up on end as the world around them appeared to twist and turn. Each fell onto the road or grass, a sudden and venomous fear having buried its fangs all about their bodies. Han and Luke felt it, but it wasn’t nearly as strong. After the initial shock subsided, the two hurried after Aza, though kept their distance.

  “We’re headed up the Leviathan. If you feel like tagging along then be my guest.” The three turned at the crossroads, disappearing from view.

  “The...the Leviathan?” Tom pulled himself back up, still cold and shaking. Aza had to be bluffing...and who...who was that stranger?

  Thomas got no answers as the trio were already gone. Aza was fast in the lead, with Luke and Han following a short ways behind. Dullahan had tried to step forward, but Luke stopped him, knowing when to leave his friend to his thoughts.