by J C Gilbert
"The power of the Rose of the Raven," said Jerek.
"I thought so," said Lilly with a sigh.
Jerek led us on to a great nest within which were hundreds of small stone eggs. "We have had gargoyles in the keep since the old times, but only recently have we found the power to breed more."
Jerek gazed over the sight, proud of what his people had achieved.
"This is going to be a problem," I said under my breath.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"Yes, well, that would just about to it," said the Librarian when once we had told her what we saw in the tower. "That many magical beings would even cause trouble for a world like this."
"So it's not Kuyr who will end the world after all?" I asked.
The Librarian shrugged, "he will probably take credit all the same. Not that there will be anywhere for him to go if the world is gone."
"He doesn't seem like a deep thinker," said Lilly. "So, what do we do? Sneak back into the Raven Keep, steal the Rose of the Raven and then teleport back here? That doesn't seem so bad."
The Librarian shook her head. "I'm afraid the Rose of the Raven is not the only magical artifact in Kanboor. I'm sorry. It seems that the presence of Kuyr has made complicated an already complicated situation. I managed to track down the last world Kuyr occupied over a millennia ago. The Kewp is a chalice, like the Grail from your own world's tales."
"So we need to find this chalice and steal the Rose?" I asked. This was impossible!
"It might be that you can leave the Rose for now. It is risky, but the Ravens may have bought us some time. If you can find the Chalice of Kuyr before the gargoyles hatch, then we may be able to make sure that the levels of chaos entering into the world is kept at a minimum. After all, the Rose has been in that world for a long time without any instability. It may be that it is only with Kuyr's awakening that they have been able to breed more gargoyles. If we are lucky then removing the chalice may also mean that the eggs don't hatch. Killing two stones with one bird."
"Kind of works," said Lilly.
"There is another thing," I said, remembering Kuyr's words. "It seemed like Kuyr knew I was there. It was like he was looking for me."
"He could have been referring to anyone," said Lilly, trying to be a comfort.
"I just had a feeling, that's all," I said.
The Librarian nodded. "Then maybe he was. It is a good practice to pay attention to your feelings when you are deep in a book. You never know what clues may be found in your heart. Perhaps it's best that you seek protection from Martin. It is his book, after all. It may be that a little demonstration of flame magic will get you in his good books."
"That sounds great," said Lilly, "'cos I'm kind of over being in his bad books. Get it. Bad books."
"Yup."
"Cos we are literally in his -"
"Yes, we got it, Lilly," said the Librarian, patiently
***
We were standing in front of an impressive looking building. It was carved all over with depictions of rams and horns.
"They really chose a decorative scheme and then just went for it, didn't they?" said Lilly, looking about.
"You can't be here," said the man. He was standing by two large doors and wielding an ax. He looked to be not much older than me.
"We want to speak with Martin," I said calmly.
"Speak to Martin?" scoffed the boy, "one does not simply speak to Martin. Do you know who he is?"
Lilly shrugged, "king of the ram people?"
"King of the-" blustered the boy, "he has been chosen above all others by our most blessed god. He will assure in a new peace to Kanboor."
"Heard that before," said Lilly.
"What do you mean?"
"The Ravens are saying the same thing," she explained.
The boy spat on the ground. "Ravens? I hate them. We would all have peace if only we could get the Ravens to leave."
"You and I have a very different understanding of peace," said Lilly, "now be a good little fanatic and let us in, would you?"
"It is my honor to keep all strangers and stragglers at bay," said the boy.
"And they chose you because you would appeal to the stragglers?" asked Lilly.
The boy looked puzzled, "yes, I suppose," he said.
"I need you to send a message to Martin," I said in even tones.
"One does not simply -"
And then the flame ignited. In the palm of my hand was a tiny ram, only a couple of inches tall. It sported two great curling horns. The ram regarded its surroundings cautiously.
The boy looked at me with a degree of admiration, which made me a little uncomfortable. "Yes, well, that will just about do it," he said, agape.
The boy led us into a tall atrium and bid us sit. I kept glancing over at me as we walked. "No funny business from you though," he said to Lilly before he disappeared down a corridor.
"What did I do," asked Lilly. I elbowed her in the stomach.
Before long we heard voices just beyond in the corridor. I couldn't see who it was that was talking or what they were saying, and it would have been too awkward to get up to see. It sounded like two or three people were talking urgently. After a few moments, it seemed they had settled whatever it was that they were discussing.
And then, Trist walked in.
"Trist?" asked Lilly, lifting her eyebrows with incredulity.
He was dressed in full Ram styled battle gear, a brilliant double-headed ax hung awkwardly at his side.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.
"Got myself a gig," he said with a grin. He darted a look over his shoulder and then back to us. It was as if he were being watched.
"Nice," said Lilly, inspecting his garb.
"I am here to inform you that you have been admitted an audience with the supreme master of the Rams," he said stiffly. He looked back down the corridor and gave someone the thumbs up. There was a slapping sound which might have been a palm meeting a forehead.
"Why couldn't he have just come?" I asked.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," said Lilly, "and miss this show?"
"I'm doing OK!" said Trist defensively.
"You look like a trained monkey," said Lilly.
Trist removed the horned helmet and gave Lilly a petulant pout.
"Really not improving on things, dude," she said.
"Just follow me," said Trist.
"The helmet-" hissed a voice from out of sight.
"Wha-?"
"You must put on the helm-"
Trist hurtled the ram helmet at whoever it was that was talking. There was a crash and a yelp.
"I can't seem to find it," he said. "This way."
Trist led us down a maze of corridors. They seemed to bend in on themselves. Occasionally they would drop down a level and then raise up the other side.
"Don't worry," he said at one juncture before showing their direction.
"I wasn't worried," I said.
I was starting to get disorientated in there. There were no windows and very little light save for an occasional burning torch which were spaced in such a way as to leave one in almost constant need for light.
"Ah-ha," said Trist outside one door. There was a golden wrought face of a ram staring directly at us. Trist pushed the door open, and we were assaulted with light. On either side of us was a beautiful garden of color and bloom. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. Tall willows hung over a gently flowing stream. The stream itself was lined with carefully curated hedges and one small tree which had blossoms the size of apples.
"Not many people see this," said Trist as we walked.
"I was wondering about that," I said, "just how did you come to be working for the Rams? Did they have the armor up on the wall and you just kind of nicked off with it?"
"I resent that remark," said Trist in mock offense.
"Well did you?" asked Lilly.
"No, well, actually technically yes, but they let me off for that."
<
br /> "What do you mean?"
"Yes I stole the armor, but I was caught, and then they decided to make me herald."
"Seems like a pretty important job for a ratbag," said Lilly.
I snorted at Lilly's use of the word 'ratbag.'
"I don't know if you noticed," said Trist, "but I am very charming and exceedingly handsome."
"Oh really," said Lilly in disbelief, "well then, who are we to deny that?"
Just beyond the garden, there was another door. It was tall, deep red, and set in a clean white wall. Two more Ram guards stood sentry there with their axes in hand.
Trist smiled, "these two strangers have been granted an audience with the patriarch of Munrath," he said.
The two guards stomped a foot in unison and said, "Ho!" They then proceed to open the door. Lilly and I stepped through into a large hall. The roof was tall and grand. Thick stone pillars ran up and down the hall. Each of these was set on the back of a carved stone ram.
"It is a wonder this place hasn't sunk," said Lilly.
"A wonder and a worry. Are we going to find some glowing stone? The Horn of the Ram perhaps?" I asked. It struck me that a hall like this was a fitting metaphor for the whole situation of this world. It was tall and grand and heavy enough to lead to its own demise.
We took a few steps forwards, and then Lily stopped. "Um, Alex," she said, gesturing towards the head of the hall. "Do you see that?"
There was a figure at the head of the hall in a raised throne. Protruding from his head were two great horns. The caster grinned a ghastly grin and started to clap.
"Good luck!" said Trist. We turned to see him wave as he disappeared behind the closing doors.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lilly and I were alone in the great hall with what could rightfully be referred to as a deformed beast. With the door closed behind us, we stood motionless, regarding the figure from a distance.
"Come, come," it said, "come forward and let me look at you."
I stepped forward.
"What are you doing?" asked Lilly.
"What else can we do? I don't exactly want to be on his bad side. Besides, looks can be deceiving."
"Tell me about it. I thought Trist was just good looking, but apparently, he is 'handsome and charming.' my mistake. What a tosser."
"You can untangle your mind later, Lilly."
"I mean, why would he say something like that. It just makes him seem like a massive-"
"Lilly!"
"Fine, whatever. We will talk about this guy instead. But don't form any opinions on him too quickly, Alex, he might turn out to be handsome and charming after all."
I shook my head and kept walking forward. Hank was losing it, as I knew he would. Hank was kind of a bit different around some things. Like, if this monster had been a well-groomed person in a suit, then I would probably be having my reservations. But as he looked like something Tolkien dreamed up for chasing the fellowship out of Moria, Hank was somehow a little more OK with it.
What is certain death when set against social failure?
When we were close enough, the figure started talking. "My name is Chyron. I understand that you have requested an audience with his Holiness, Martin."
"That's right," I said.
"You must know that that is impossible," said Chyron.
"But -"
"Under ordinary circumstances. Martin is the Son of God, as I am sure that you are aware. He does not give audience to anyone. He acts in accordance with the wishes of the divine."
"My dad is like that," said Lilly in a whisper.
"However, I have been told that you performed a certain miracle at the gate," Chyron continued. "I would very much like to see this miracle."
Now that we were close, we could see Chyron's features more vividly. His gums were blackened like he had eaten too much licorice one day and then never again brushed his teeth. His face was charred and wrinkled, and something was unsettling about the spacing of his eyes. What really drew my attention was the skin where the horns sprouted from his skull. The skin was unlike anything I had seen before, cracked and warn
We were right at the foot of the stairs before the throne now. Chyron looked down on us with searching eyes.
"Can you perform the miracle, child?" he croaked.
There was something in his patronizing tone that annoyed me. He was used to being the frightening one, the dominating one, the one that controlled situations. Some quiet rebellion took place somewhere in my chest, and I smiled. In my head, I imagined that Hank was dressed in the armor of a knight and was ready for war.
"I'll give you a miracle," I said. I placed my palms together, closed my eyes, and concentrated. I had never tried anything like this before. I had no reason for believing that I could do it, but there was a certainty burning inside me, a truth that needed to be freed.
My mind was like a storm now as I pictured exactly the scene as I wanted it. This would make lightning coming out of your fingers look like child's play.
The ground began to rumble. I tried not to pay it any attention. Next to me, I heard Lilly gasp.
There was a hiss I was done. With one motion, I parted my hands and opened my eyes. There was a rushing sound.
Chyron's mouth dropped. I could see the flames dancing in his eyes.
"Alex, you are glowing," said Lilly. She sounded afraid.
"It can't be," said Chyron.
I looked over my shoulder at my work. 100 oversized rams were behind me, kicking at the ground, jostling with one another, and generally looking fierce.
"How do you like my miracle?" I asked.
"All the signs were there, but a part of me did not want to believe," said a voice. From out of the shadows stepped a man. It was Martin. "The end times really are near."
"My lord," said Chyron, "it seems we have found our shepherd."
"Your what?" asked Lilly.
"It was written that when the end is near the Great God would send us a shepherd to guide us in our hour of need."
"Wat," said Lilly.
"Me?" I asked, my heart sinking. This sounded distinctly like I would have to interact with people.
"I'm confused, I thought Martin was the chosen one?" asked Lilly.
"No, he is the Son of God. In the end times, he shall be sacrificed by a dark creature and shall be risen up once more as Munrath to bring balance to the world."
"Peace to the world," corrected Martin.
"There are different interpretations on that point," Chyron continued with a shrug. Martin had a faraway look in his eyes. From what I had seen of him, he seemed like a genuine and kind man. I wondered what it must feel like to be expected to die for his religion. I wondered what would happen if the 'dark creature' did not sacrifice him. Would this Chyron do it in his place?
Surely the dark creature was Kuyr. It seemed to me that these people had enough troubles killing each other without gods stepping in to help.
Gods? What does that even mean?
"This is an auspicious occasion, " said Chyron. "Come, we must -"
There was a crash in the ceiling, and something fell through. It hit the ground with a thud. We all regarded the object for a moment. It then stood up, shook its head, and menaced us. Immediately dozens or gargoyles poured into the room, followed by a company of winged men.
The flaming rams winked out of existence.
"Get out of here," demanded Chyron of Martin.
"I refuse," said Martin.
Chyron scowled at him and raised his arms ready to face their foe. There was a clatter outside. The door to the garden sprang open, and one of the guards toppled in, a spear through his back. I winced and looked away.
"Alex, we can't stay here," said Lilly, urgently.
"Nonsense," said Chyron, flashing lightning at another brave gargoyle, "she is more powerful than any of us. Bring forth the rams."
I froze.
"Alex, I don't want to die," said Lilly.
I tried to concentrate, but
the battle was now full blown with Ravens and Rams in every corner of the hall.
"For peace!" bellowed one of the winged men and fired his pistol directly at Martin. Martin swung his forearm up, and a shield of flame appeared to stop the blast. A few sparks spluttered and went out in my palms. There was nothing I could do.
"Alex!" screamed Lilly.
I pulled out The Book of Martin and began to read.
"What is that?" asked Chyron with curiosity moments before we fell into the pages.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"It is not unusual for Keepers to be caught up in prophecy," said the Librarian when we told her about what we had heard.
"I don't like it," I said.
"It's not a matter of whether or not you like it, Alex. You are tied up in their story now. It may have been better that you stay and fight."
"But the fire wouldn't come!" I protested.
"That isn't really much of a surprise. Under all previous circumstances, you have either been angry or calm. It takes practice to work magic in different emotional states. It can be done, of course, but it takes practice. Tell me, do you remember how you felt in the moment?"
"I felt like there was too much responsibility on me. It was like everyone was counting on me, like I might fail."
"Hmmm," said the Librarian. "Then it is probably quite important that you had that experience."
"I don't follow," I said. It was horrible, how could that possibly be a good thing?
"Because the truth is, Alex, you have a lot of responsibility, everyone is counting on you, and you may very well fail."
"Gnorts," said Lilly, "what a way with people you have."
"It is the truth. It seems to me that if this prophecy comes fruition, and this god is summoned, then the world will likely be overwhelmed and will decay."
"You said that about the flame magic," I said.
"You also said that about the gargoyles," said Lilly.
"And Kuyr," I added.
"Look, pretty much anything could do it at this point," said the Librarian. She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "It's almost like they want to destroy the world." The Librarian sighed. "No, I should be more kind. But it does make you wonder. Was there any sign of Kuyr among the Ravens?"