by Rob Donovan
He wrinkled his nose as noxious gases escaped from the disturbed bog beneath him. He thought he could handle the smell but the more he slipped and slid his way through the terrain the worse the odour got. The spells being cast ahead of him lit up the marshes briefly and he fell into a pattern of waiting for the darkness to light up and then darting towards any gaps in between the trees, it was not ideal but it seemed to be working.
Finally, he saw both of them. They were in a clearing where the trees did not criss-cross above them. Night had fallen but the light cast by the moons lit enough of the marsh that they could be seen. Jaegel marked a tall silhouette; dominating and imperious. He waved his arms in a fluid, confident manner as he cast his spells. The air around him crackled and hissed. His movements left a thin, silver line. The faster the former member of the Order moved, the thicker the silver line became until it resembled a large scythe. Finally, the Desolate King flung his arms outwards and the spell flew towards Marybeth. It spun in the air; a rotating arrow with a barbarous shaft.
Marybeth was situated over thirty yards away. Although Cody could only see her outline he could tell she was suffering from the exertions of the fight. The witch was hunched over, her chest heaving. Her hands were on her knees and she swayed as if it was a great effort to remain on her feet.
Cody gasped as the silver spell sped towards her. Surely she had seen it? Surely she would defend herself in time? He tried to cry out but no words escaped his lips. He skidded on his knees sending a spray of mud and water in front of him. It splattered on his face and felt like tears. He watched in helpless horror as the menacing line of silver headed straight for his friend.
At the last second, Marybeth raised a tired arm to block the spell. A small lilac shield formed on her arm as she braced herself for the impact. It looked pathetic next to the awesome power of the spell Jaegel had managed to conjure.
The silver arrow smashed against Marybeth’s makeshift defence shattering it in to hundreds of pieces. Although most of the Desolate King’s attack ricocheted off the shield onto a nearby tree stump instantly igniting it, the spell also penetrated Marybeth’s block. The result was both awesome and terrifying. Marybeth was lifted high into the air where she pirouetted like a diver performing an elaborate routine. She landed in a crumpled heap a full ten yards from where she had left the ground and remained very still.
Cody was on his feet instantly. If he could just reach Marybeth and distract Jaegel long enough so that the witch could recover a little she might have a chance of survival. As he ran he looked back and forth between the two opponents. Marybeth had not moved, whilst Jaegel had begun to saunter towards her. He made walking on the wet surface look so easy.
“Don’t you dare touch her!” Cody shouted.
Jaegel whipped around and located Cody in the darkness with ease. A bemused smile formed when he realised who had called out. He did not stop advancing towards Marybeth but his fingers began to move rapidly and the familiar silver wisps appeared around his hand.
“As a fellow Stone-holder I will give you this one chance to turn away now,” Jaegel said.
The smug expression on the Warlock’s face made Cody’s blood boil. He wanted more than anything to smash the look from his face. Every step he took seemed to slow him down. It was as if the Marshes of Night opposed him. The bog sucked at his boots reluctant to let them go.
A silver orb had formed in Jaegel’s palm. It pulsed and crackled as it grew larger. Cody knew he had no defence against the spell but had to try. Marybeth had still not moved.
A large object swooped down and landed in front of him. Cody skidded to a halt before he collided with it. The obstacle was white and hunched. As it unfurled Cody could see fine white hairs covered the body. Wings, as fragile as snow expanded to reveal thin membranes running through them. The wings were also covered in fur but it was fine like velvet and Cody could see the skin underneath. The creature rose slowly from one bended knee, its head bowed but still towering over the Truth Knight.
He realised the thing in front of him was one of the Custodians Marybeth had told him about; silent sentinels which guarded the chamber of scrolls. He took a step back and another as the Custodian lifted its head.
He gasped as he saw the creature’s face - or lack of it. Apart from two narrow slits of brilliant blue which he assumed were eyes, the Custodian was devoid of any other features.
Once fully erect the creature expanded its wings so that it prevented Cody from passing. The tips of large black spikes poked slowly from every part of the Custodian’s body as if in warning. Cody recalled Marybeth describing the horrific death the assassin that tried to steal the scroll from her had suffered at the hands of these creatures and shuddered.
Over the Custodian’s shoulder Cody noticed dozens of the creatures sitting in the trees observing the fight between Jaegel and Marybeth. How had he not noticed them before? As one, they opened their eyes revealing bright blue pairs of eyes dotted around the trees as if someone had lit dozens of candles in the branches.
He saw Marybeth begin to stir but it was clear she was groggy and disoriented. He could not see Jaegel. Cody sidestepped in an attempt to get a better view but the Custodian moved in unison mimicking his movement. The spikes that littered its body protruded even further and the wings shook. The Custodian’s eyes narrowed and for the first time Cody noticed gills on its neck which vibrated.
“Bad idea huh?” Cody said to the featureless head. He was not sure if he was expecting the Custodian to nod its head in confirmation but it never moved. “I just want to see what is going on.”
The Custodian did not move, as another swooped down to land by its side. It too landed in a crouching position on one knee and then slowly unfurled. A third landed next to the first until Cody’s view was completely obscured.
“Are you just going to let her die?” Cody asked raising his voice. He thought about raising his sword to threaten the creatures but realised it would be suicide, there were too many of the creatures. The other two Custodian’s wingspans were now fully extended; their gills vibrated and a high pitched but soft noise could be heard. More of the Custodians flew down from the trees and all lined up next to their brethren forming an impenetrable circle around the first members of the Order.
There was a sickly smell in the air as if the Custodians skin was decaying underneath the fur. They smelt ancient but also damp like Silverspeck used to after he had ridden hard in the rain.
“I don’t know what that noise is supposed to mean, but you can’t let her die. You let her leave with a scroll before; you have already judged her to be a good person. Why would you let him kill her? He is evil. He will take the scrolls and use them for ill. You might think you will stop him but what if you are wrong? What if he is too powerful for you? You must save her so she can help you!”
The Custodians did not move but their gills vibrated with increasing intensity. The high-pitched noise that they emitted grew gradually louder. All three moons were visible in the sky, their various colours shining on the Custodians and making their fur iridescent. More of the Custodians circled above, their vast shadows flashing past the surface of the moon.
A flash behind the Custodians told Cody that the Desolate King had launched another attack. Marybeth’s piercing scream told Cody it had connected. The noise from the Custodians increased in intensity to match Marybeth’s so that it seemed as if her cry was one long wail.
Cody could not take anymore. He had to do something. He could not let Marybeth die, not after everything they had been through. They had not survived the Stones of Sorrow and then the Realm of the Glooms for this. It could not end this way. Marybeth had travelled to the Marshes of Night to find aid not to have her life extinguished. Without Marybeth, without the Custodians Frindoth was lost.
Despite the high-pitched whine of the Custodians, Cody could hear Jaegel’s mocking laughter.
“You know Cody, I used to think that we shared a bond being Stoneholders,” Jaegel shoute
d. The Custodian’s quietened to a low drone as if allowing Cody to hear what the Desolate King had to say. “When you chose to save the girl from the fire over your own salvation I realised you were just as weak as everyone else. You can’t make a difference in this world and even if you try you only end up hurting others. Marybeth deserves to die. She would have seen me killed in trying to better the world.”
“Marybeth saw that the Order were concealing secrets and sought to expose them. She knew the Gloom could be killed. At least she discovered the truth. You are only interested in yourself. You never bought into the idea of the Order and helping Frindoth. You developed your ability and sought only how it could benefit you. You looked down on everyone else the moment you knew you were stronger than them,” Cody said. If he could just keep the man talking then maybe it would give Marybeth a chance.
“You know nothing about me,” Jaegel shouted. Cody was surprised at how angry he sounded. He had obviously struck upon something in taunting the former member of the Order.
“Marybeth told me plenty.”
“And you trust her? The woman that is responsible for the turmoil that engulfs Frindoth? Why does she rank so high in your estimation? She is responsible for hundreds and thousands of deaths. At least I did my duty. At least I escorted the Stoneholders to the Ritual of the Stones.
“You can say what you like about me not caring for others but I never killed anyone out of malice before the Ritual of the Stones and I never killed anyone trying to better the world.”
“That does not mean you had to start,” Cody said. He looked about him trying to see if there was a way he could climb higher to witness the battle. Behind him, away from the moon’s reflections, the Marshes of Night were as dark as coal.
“Does it not? Frindoth turned its back on me so I turned my back on Frindoth. But what have I done? I saved Lilyon from Da Ville and his traitorous soldiers and then immediately handed it back to the Prince. All I wanted in return was to have my revenge on the scum who betrayed me. With Mondorlous and Iskandar dead already I am left with the one that started it all. It is not too much to ask for.”
Cody stared at the wall of Custodians. It was easy to see the reason behind Jaegel’s pain but that did not make his actions right. Marybeth was a good woman, she sought a better life for the people of Frindoth and did not deserve to die for that. Did the Custodians disagree though? Did they empathize with Jaegel? Is that why they prevented Cody from reaching Marybeth and intervening? If they could only talk he could at least understand why they were acting as they were.
Another flash and Marybeth screamed; this one a mixture of terror and pain. The Custodians once again altered their mournful pitch to resonate with the witch.
“Marybeth!” Cody called out to her, wanting her to know that he was here at least.
“Stay back,” Marybeth said with a weak voice.
“Yes, Cody stay back,” Jaegel mocked. “You don’t want to witness this.”
The sky lit up orange and Marybeth screamed again. Cody could not take anymore.
“Out of my way,” he yelled at the Custodians. When they did not move he charged at the one in front of him. He bounced off its chest and then was knocked through the air as the creature flicked him away with one of its wings. In that moment, he caught a glimpse of Marybeth battered and bruised on the floor, her face smeared with blood and her hair coated in mud.
He landed on his side but immediately sprung to his feet and made for the gap. The Custodian reacted long before he could reach the way through though. This time it batted Cody away with both wings. Cody was propelled backwards and landed on his back, winded. He watched the dark shadows of the Custodians gliding in the sky as he gasped for air.
He got to his feet and charged for a third time, this time there was no gap. The Custodian he aimed for did not move as he bent his shoulder in preparation for the collision. It was like hitting a stone wall. For the second time the air left his lungs, he did not fall but stood dazed on his feet leaning against the Custodian.
Without warning a spike thrust out of the creature’s skin and sliced the top of his shoulder. Cody cried out, staggered, hands immediately reaching for the wound. The Custodian swiped him away like a horse’s tail would a fly, only the impact lifted Cody off his feet and sent him flying through the air.
As he landed, another Custodian swooped down and marshalled him as he groggily got to his feet. Spikes protruded through the creature’s skin forcing Cody to take a step back and then another until he was pinned against a tree.
The only indications that the fight was still going ahead were the occasional flashes and Marybeth’s cries of pain. Occasionally Jaegel grunted but it was clear the pattern of the fight was the same. Marybeth had little life left in her to oppose the Desolate King.
“Please,” Cody pleaded. “He will kill her.”
As if on cue the sky lit up in a blinding blue. Cody was forced to squint and hold a hand up to shield his eyes, the three orbs of the moons burned white on his eyelids. Marybeth began to cry out and then her voice abruptly broke off.
All of a sudden the Custodians stopped their noise and the Marshes of Night were silent. The Custodian which blocked his path stepped away and flew to the trees. The others remained in place. Cautiously Cody walked towards them. They were just like statues, all looked exactly the same as the one next to it.
Had the fight ended? If so why did the Custodians remain in their tall circle? A numbness overcame him. Had he travelled all this way to save Marybeth only to fail so pathetically at the final obstacle? Bile rose in the back of his throat. He could not take it if that was the case. He could not fail another woman he loved. To fail his wife was unforgivable, to fail Marybeth as well…? For he did love her. He had not realised it before and now it appeared to be too late.
There was one more flash of light this time purple. He flinched, not expecting it. He heard a horrific tearing sound which made his blood run cold. A geyser of blood spurted over the shoulders of the Custodians splattering their immaculate white fur and catching him in the face.
He spluttered and clawed at the blood, appalled to be doused in the remains of someone he cared for so deeply. There was more tearing as skin was rendered from skin. Cody fell to his knees and held his hands to his ears in an attempt to block the sound. Why couldn’t the damn Custodians make their noise now? Why did he have to listen to this?
The sounds stopped and the Marshes of Night were again silent. He watched as the Custodians all bowed their heads in unison.
“No,” he said and let out a sob. “You could have saved her. You could have done something. You didn’t have to let her die.”
He closed his eyes as hundreds of images of Marybeth popped into his head: The fight against the winged Glooms, the defence against the wolves, sharing a campfire whilst looking at the moons, her rescuing him from Xandamon where he had been paralysed by fear and the moment they shared in the darkness at the Stones of Sorrow. He should have kissed her before Mondorlous found them. Why had he not?
When he opened his eyes, a Custodian stood over him. Its wings were folded around its body and its head bowed slightly so that it seemed to be staring down at Cody. Cody returned the stare and refused to look away. He hated their lack of intervention and if they had decided Jaegel deserved to live he hated them even more. He would kill the Desolate King and if they tried to stop him he would fight them as well.
The Custodian then did something odd. It spread its wings open and then curtsied like a young princess would before accepting a dance from a suitor. It was a peculiar sight and unexpected from such a powerful beast. Cody opened his mouth and then had no idea what he should say. He was furious at the Custodians but the act was so random it had flummoxed him. Was the creature gloating? Or was he acknowledging Cody’s efforts in trying to reach Marybeth?
Before Cody could react, the Custodian bent on one knee and then launched itself into the night sky. He was left facing the wall of Custodians who no
w no longer bowed their heads.
He got to his feet shakily and stood before them. Tears fell down his cheeks and he pushed the grief to one side as he allowed the rage to flood his veins. There would be time for remorse later, now he sought only revenge.
“Out of my way,” he said in a low voice. He wished that his voice did not tremor as he spoke but he could not help it. Nor did not care if Jaegel heard or not. He raised his sword and issued the command again.
The Custodians responded by folding their wings. As the one that had curtsied before Cody, they then wrapped their wings around their bodies, engulfing everything except for the tops of their heads and their bright blue slits for eyes.
He had no idea whether they were granting him permission to travel through them or not but decided he did not care. He recalled the assassin’s gruesome death in Marybeth’s story and he also thought about the spike which sliced his shoulder. If the Custodians intended him harm so be it.
He caught a glimpse of a pool of blood on the muddy ground beyond a Custodian. The blood seeped into a pool of water making it turn darker in the light of the moons. It was then that he saw charred flesh next to the blood. His stomach lurched and he ran forwards, eager to avenge his fallen friend.
The Custodians jumped on the spot, spinning ninety degrees to face each other. Their wings extended exactly as Marybeth had described when she had passed through them and the assassin had not.
Cody’s heart pounded in his chest but he was surprised how little he feared the possibility of his imminent death. With Marybeth gone, his failure was complete. He braced himself and ran through the gaps. The Custodians did not move.
He skidded to a halt when he saw Marybeth standing over the torso of Jaegel. Only the man’s body and head remained intact. The former member of the Order had died with an expression of surprise plastered on his face.
Marybeth smiled at Cody as she wiped the Desolate King’s blood from her body. She swayed and Cody could see not all the blood was Jaegel’s. The new leader of the Order had a nasty looking gash on her temple and was bleeding from her hip.