September and her two guards approached them. She covered her mouth with her hand to try to stop the air entering but it was difficult when she wanted to speak. She coughed and said, “Shall I get the stone out? Perhaps I can drive off the monsters before they attack us.”
“Wait, Cludydd,” Sieffre said, “Keep it hidden as long as you can. You may be able to repel one wave of the evil but there will be more. Wait until we are detected before revealing your power.” He stepped forward. The path was flat and wide enough for the two archers to walk side-by-side, arrows poised. September realised that the cliff rising up to their left was no longer the rough rock of the mountain but the smooth surface of the wall of the Arsyllfa. To their right the fog obscured a sheer drop. The cloud ahead flashed with lightning and thunder ripped through the air. September walked as close to the wall as possible, flinching at every new burst of noise. About a hundred paces brought them to a corner.
An Adarllwchgwin loomed out of the fog heading directly towards them. Its beak opened to let out a deafening screech and its red-skinned rider drew back its arm holding a spear. Elystan and Collen were ready and released their arrows. Both found their target and the giant bird lurched to the side as its rider threw fire from its spear. Its aim was faulty and the flame hit the mountain side beneath them with an explosion of light and sound. The Adarllwchgwin fell into the fog. September almost breathed again but instantly they were beset by three of the eagle-like monsters. They came from left and right and above them, seemingly alerted by their fellow. September heard the fizz and twang of bows being released behind her, as Elystan and Collen shot off arrow after arrow. Spears of fire exploded into the ground in front of them and the wall behind them, but the shower of arrows seemed to deflect the birds and the riders from their target.
“To the door!” Sieffre shouted, raising his sword and running alongside the wall of the Arsyllfa. Heulwen and the archers followed, loosing off another pair of arrows. September’s mind was befuddled by the pain in her hip, the lights and noise and the flapping of wings. A strong hand grabbed her arm and dragged her along.
“Come on Cludydd, we must get to the entrance,” Nisien said at her side. September made her legs work and then screamed with horror.
The sky was suddenly full of Adarllwchgwin. In every direction they were emerging from the fog and flying towards her. The archers let off their arrows but, even if every shaft flew true, there were too many of the fierce birds. One swooped over the four runners. Sieffre slashed with his sword, gouging the bird’s flank as its talons ripped into Collen’s chest. The archer fell to the ground and the bird, flapping its gigantic wings, turned to the left, disappearing in the fog.
“No!” September cried and drew the locket from her cloak. She flicked the case open and raised the stone above her head. It glowed more brightly than she had ever seen. “Be gone!” she screamed aiming the stone at the nearest Adarlwchgwin. A broad violet beam shot from the stone blasting the bird to vapour. She turned to another and another and another. Each attacker was blown away, but still there were more. She stumbled forward until she was standing next to the fallen Collen. Heulwen knelt by him, her brooch raised up, glowing but apparently to no purpose. The three remaining archers let fly and Sieffre swung his sword while the light from the Maengolauseren destroyed the attackers. The ache in September’s arms grew; how much longer could she hold the stone up? How many more of the ferocious birds were there? This can’t go on, she thought. Picking them off one by one is not enough, there are always more. I need one great burst of energy, like at Glanyrafon. How do I do it?
A shaft of fire hit Alawn in the chest. His body burst into a ball of flame.
“Not again!” September screamed. In her head she saw an explosion of an atom bomb, blowing away everything in the huge circle around it. She squeezed the stone in her hand and felt it respond. The blue light expanded in an instant, growing into a hemisphere that raced away from them. With a great roar of rushing wind, the Adarllwchgwin to left, right, centre and above were swept away and blown into oblivion, and the fog too. September found herself standing on a bare mountain top with the wall of the Arsyllfa rising behind, and the valley far below in front of her.
“Now, while we have a chance,” Sieffre said, hauling Heulwen onto her feet, dragging her away from Collen’s body towards the great gatehouse that was now visible fifty metres away. Nisien grabbed September’s elbow and urged her along as well. Just a few seconds and they would be at the entrance and safe.
She saw Sieffre, Heulwen and Elystan stagger to a halt before she saw the bear. It was between them and the gatehouse. September felt that it had just materialised out of the air. It was white like a polar bear but standing on its rear legs it towered over them, ten times the height of a natural animal. It roared. Elystan loosed off an arrow. He couldn’t miss but the creature ignored the pinprick.
“The Pwca,” Nisien said. September did not need any more explanation. She raised the stone again, directing it at the bear that lurched towards them.
“Be gone!” she yelled. A broad violet beam shot out striking the bear in its chest. It staggered and toppled with a thud that shook the ground. The body started to melt into a formless heap. In moments nothing remained that resembled the giant bear.
“Come on,” Sieffre shouted taking Heulwen’s hand. They took a few steps forward.
“Wait, what’s happening to the Pwca?” Heulwen said. The shapeless mass was squirming and wriggling. It started to take form as September stared. From the remains of the bear arose a new monster, a huge white lion with a flaming red mane. It roared and took a bound towards them, and another. September lifted the stone again.
“Be gone, I said,” she shouted. Again the violet light sprang from the stone, a broad cone of luminescence. It engulfed the lion in mid leap. Its roar died and it fell to the ground. Once again the Pwca formed a sloppy puddle on the ground.
Again the party started to advance towards the gatehouse, but the remains of the Pwca lay in their path. September limped, the fire in her side making her gasp with the pain. As they approached September saw that it was writhing and rippling. Elystan was closest when from the puddled mass arose the hooded head of a huge white cobra. It uncoiled and rose above the archer, then with a hiss sank down onto him, closing its jaws round his head.
September froze for a moment in shock. Why hadn’t the monster died? For a third time she raised the stone.
“Die, why don’t you die,” she screamed. Her arm shook with fury, as again the violet ray shone out. This time there was no temporary flash of light, the incandescence remained focussed on the monstrous snake. “Die, die,” September repeated. The snake collapsed in a heap which bubbled and boiled. Vapours rose and dispersed and still September held the blue fire on the Pwca. The jellied mass shrank and evaporated until it was all gone. Only then did September let out a sigh and drop her arm, the light from the stone extinguished.
Sieffre and Heulwen ran the remaining metres to the gatehouse with September and Nisien a short distance behind. September looked up at the wall of the Arsyllfa seeing it for the first time. Despite the days of siege, the stones that fitted tightly together to make the wall were unmarked. The arched gateway was blocked by dark grey, iron doors, ten metres high and five metres wide. Inlaid into them were threads of silver-grey metal and gold in curving complex patterns. September saw but hardly registered the intricate designs unharmed by the talons of the Adarllwchgwin, the flaming spears of their riders or the pounding fists of the Pwca. The doors were swinging open. Heulwen and Sieffre slipped inside. Nisien followed.
September was about to pass between the great doors when something made her stop and look behind her. A small dark cloud hung in the air a few metres away from where the mountain side dropped away. As September watched the cloud began to take shape. She raised the stone again. Not another shape-shifter, she thought, but instead of commanding the light from the stone she watched to see what shape would emerge. Legs, arms
and a head. The body was clothed in a long black dress that sucked in all light. The head was crowned by flowing, wavy, white hair. September stared. She recognised the features from looking in a mirror. It was her own face.
“You think yourself so powerful don’t you, Cludydd o Maengolauseren,” the vision said. September was speechless. She gazed at the image of herself.
“You think that my servants can be destroyed by the stone you wield, but you do not know what you do,” the girl continued, “For every one that you destroy a hundred more take their place. You think you have power but I know you, September Weekes, and your power is nothing compared to mine. I have the might of the Malevolence in my hands and I will punish you all for the wrongs that you have done to me, for I am Malice.”
The figure pointed to her and the pain of her birthmark became intolerable. She could feel the crescent burning into her flesh. She fell to her knees, sobbing.
“Hide in your fortress,” her twin – for surely it was her – went on “It will be your tomb.”
September gasped because behind the young woman appeared a swarm of Adarllwchgwin, swooping towards the Arsyllfa. She struggled to her feet, staggered backwards and began to fall. Arms caught her and lifted her up and carried her through the doorway. The huge metal doors of the Arsyllfa crashed shut.
The story continues in
Volume 2 of Evil Above the Stars
The Power of Seven
Acknowledgement
Writing is largely a solo activity but being a writer requires support and assistance from a lot of people. I couldn’t cope without my wife, partner, best friend and chief critic, Alison, who encourages me with all my writing projects.
The idea for Evil Above the Stars grew out of a short assignment for Ludlow Writers’ Group and I must thank all the members, but particularly Sally, for encouraging me to go on to develop it. All the comments have been much appreciated.
Then there are the folk at Elsewhen Press. It is a joy to find a company as enthusiastic about their business as Peter and Alison are. Their mixture of astuteness, skill and excitement is both reassuring and invigorating. I was delighted when they took on EAtS and have been proud to become a part of their publishing family. Then there is Deirdre who had the unenviable job of finding all my typographic, punctuation and grammatical errors and make patient and sensible suggestions for improvements. Thank you Deirdre. Another thank you goes to Sofia for the proofreading. Any errors that remain are all mine.
Finally I would like to thank you the reader. Nothing gives me more pleasure than knowing people are reading my work (the royalties are useful but secondary). If you are reading this before launching into the novel, then I hope you enjoy it. If you have completed it then I hope it was a pleasurable experience and that you look forward to further tales of September Weekes.
Elsewhen Press
an independent publisher specialising in Speculative Fiction
Visit the Elsewhen Press website at elsewhen.co.uk for the latest information on all of our titles, authors and events; to read our blog; to find out where to buy our books and ebooks; or to place an order.
Elsewhen Press
Evil Above the Stars Volume 2
The Power of Seven
Peter R. Ellis
September Weekes found a smooth stone which took her to Gwlad, the Land, where the people hailed her as the Cludydd o Maengolauseren, the bearer of the starstone, with the power to defend them against the evil known as the Malevolence. Now, having reached Arsyllfa she is re-united with the Mordeyrn Aurddolen with whom, together with the other senior metal bearers that make up the Council of Gwlad, she must plan the defence of the Land.
The time of the next Conjunction will soon be at hand. The planets, the Sun and the Moon will all be together in the sky. At that point the protection of the heavenly bodies will be at its weakest and Gwlad will be more dependent than ever on September. But now it seems that she must defeat Malice, the guiding force behind the Malevolence, if she is to save the Land and all its people. Will she be strong enough; and, if not, to whom can she turn for help?
The Power of Seven continues the thrilling story that started in Seventh Child.
Although ostensibly a fantasy for young adults, it can just as easily be considered science fiction, and will appeal to readers of all ages.
ebook, paperback
visit bit.ly/EvilAbove
Elsewhen Press
Jacey’s Kingdom
Dave Weaver
Jacey’s Kingdom is an enthralling tale that revolves around a startlingly desperate reality: Jacey Jackson, a talented student destined for Cambridge, collapses with a brain tumour while sitting her final history exam at school. In her mind she struggles through a quasi-historical sixth century dreamscape whilst the surgeons fight to save her life.
Jacey is helped by a stranger called George, who finds himself trapped in her nightmare after a terrible car accident. There are quests, battles, and a love story ahead of them, before we find out if Jacey will awake from her coma or perish on the operating table. And who, or what, is George? In this book, Dave Weaver questions our perception of reality and the redemptive power of dreams; are our experiences of fear, conflict, friendship and love any less real or meaningful when they take place in the mind rather than the ‘real’ physical world?
ebook, paperback (272pp)
visit bit.ly/JaceysKingdom
About the author
Peter R. Ellis would like to say he’s been a writer all his life but it is only since retiring as a teacher in 2010 that he has been able to devote enough time to writing to call it a career. Brought up in Cardiff, he studied Chemical Physics at the University of Kent at Canterbury, then taught chemistry (and a bit of physics) in Norwich, the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley. His first experience of publishing was in writing educational materials, which he has continued to do since retiring. Of his fictional writing, Seventh Child is his first published speculative fiction novel.
Peter has been a fan of science fiction and fantasy since he was young, has an (almost) complete collection of classic SF by Asimov, Ballard, Clarke, Heinlein and Niven, among others, while also enjoying fantasy by Tolkien, Donaldson and Ursula Le Guin. Of more recent authors Iain M Banks, Alastair Reynolds and China Mieville have his greatest respect. His Welsh upbringing also engendered a love of the language (even though he can’t speak it) and of Welsh mythology like the Mabinogion. All these strands come together in the Evil Above the Stars series. He lives in Herefordshire with his wife, Alison, who is a great supporter.
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