The Savage Peak: A Morgalla prequel

by Jon David

  “I think all the demons up in Makrus’s castle wish to leave too. But they’re still untrustworthy.”

  Morgalla’s mouth opened, but no words came out for a moment. “Okay, you’ve got me there.” His words had made her ponder the situation.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Well, what if other demons are more like me up there?”

  “You’re not suggesting that we…lead a rebellion of some sort?”

  Morgalla’s eyes widened. Could it be that simple?

  “What if Makrus were to die?” Morgalla thought aloud.

  Wulfric chuckled. “Even if you can get close to him, there’s no guarantee the rest of the demons around him feel the same.”

  “So what’s your plan? Just get the gem and hope the town accepts us all with open arms?”

  “You’ve been there. What is the general consensus of the people?”

  Morgalla shrugged. “Tough to tell.”

  “How many people are there?”

  “Few hundred, at least.”

  “Damn. How many demons?”

  “Maybe a third.”

  “Really? Only that?” The wizard caressed his scraggly facial hair. “That many people still there?”

  “Wow, really? Those people used to live in the town, and they left?”

  “Yeah, I guess they felt life under Makrus was better.”

  Morgalla looked over her shoulder to the wizard’s guard. Their souls were still apprehensive as they gripped their swords. She was annoyed, but part of her didn’t blame them.

  “You must forgive them,” Wulfric said. “They’ve…we all have had some bad experiences with demons. They enjoy giving us scars.”

  “I don’t doubt that.”

  “My people are dying, Morgalla. They can’t live like this anymore. Our only hope is to assimilate into the town. If they’ll let us, that is.”

  “And if you had the prism, promising them protection and freedom, that would go a long way to convince them.”

  “Indeed.”

  Morgalla sighed. Her thoughts went to Dottie and all the other people who had been so nice to her in the town. “You judge them too harshly. They’re good people.”

  The old man smirked. She could feel his skepticism, but there was a bit of hope within his soul. If she could only help make it stronger.

  “Everyone there thought I was one of you.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Okay, maybe one person saw through it.”

  “And you’re still alive?”

  “See? Isn’t that proof that maybe the town will accept you.”

  He turned his back. “You will excuse me if I’m cautious.

  After a restless night, Morgalla and Mylo made their way from the Izari camp. The boy again was in his trance-like state. As he made his way into the wilderness, Morgalla gave one final glance at the old wizard. His face was plain, and he held an apple in his hand. Morgalla turned and approached him. The others continued gripping handles of their weapons, ready to draw them.

  Morgalla snatched the fruit from his hand and took a bite out of it. She spun around and walked away.

  21

  A Plan is Formed

  Their journey through the woods was uneventful throughout the morning. It was a shock when Mylo came out of his trance. He took in a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs. He looked around, wondering where he was. When he noticed Morgalla, he fell back.

  “Stay away from me.”

  “Relax. Relax.”

  As best she could, using any ability she had to bring him to a sense of calm, it was all for not.

  Mylo shouted, “You lied to me.”

  Morgalla raised her hands and confessed. “You’re right. You’re right. I did, and I’m sorry.”

  Mylo looked around, still confused. “Where are we?”

  “The wilderness, somewhere close to Makrus’s castle. We’re on our way back there now. Listen, I’m not going to hurt you, I swear. You’re looking for a gem, a magical gem called the Prism of Akubar.”

  Mylo rose, trying to collect his thoughts. “You…you found it. Where is it?”

  “It’s safe. But we need to get back to Freedom Ridge.”

  “They hate Izari there. There’s no way I’ll be able to stay. And they’ll kill you.”

  “Then why do you live with Makrus in his castle?”

  “My people banished me. Told me never to come back.”

  Morgalla frowned. He was a young man who was homeless and whose talents were limited. He used what skills he had to survive.

  She sighed.

  “Look, I can relate to not knowing what to do. I’m not asking you to trust me completely. Just trust me for now, okay?”

  Mylo checked the area and realized they were alone. He looked into her eyes and saw her sincerity, but she could tell his soul was still skeptical.

  “You go first,” he said.

  He pointed into the wilderness, and Morgalla took the lead. “You know the way back, right? Make sure we don’t get lost.”

  The journey was virtually uneventful, though Morgalla was able to appreciate the scenery around them. Mountains surrounded the valley of tall grass and pine trees stretched up and down the slopes. Morgalla noticed that Mylo was rubbing his stomach and wasn’t keeping up very well.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I’m starving.”

  Morgalla reached into one of her pockets and handed him a biscuit. His cautious hand snatched it from her. Hunger kept him from arguing.

  “So where did this prism come from?” she asked.

  “Some ancient magic. They used it to defend against demons.”

  “If it’s meant to be against demons, could Makrus even use it?”

  “He seems to think so. He’s an arrogant being.”

  “That I know all too well,” Morgalla said.

  They continued through the forest just in time for the sun to break through the clouds.

  “The mines are blessed with veins of black metal that demons use for their weapons. Makrus provides Hell with the metal, and they leave him alone. But he knows the prism is there too.”

  “He’s able to search for it incognito?” Morgalla asked.

  “I don’t know how many people actually know what’s really going on.”

  “How do you know? About the prism, I mean.”

  “I’ve listened as long as I’ve been there and kept my mouth shut.”

  “They haven’t asked you anything?”

  Mylo answered her question with a question. “Why do you care so much?”

  Morgalla frowned.

  I’m starting to wonder.

  Morgalla thought she knew the way back, but Mylo suggested a longer but safer path. She didn’t argue. Morgalla found that Mylo was often lagging behind, and he seemed to have a tough time breathing. He stopped and rested on a log.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m tired, that’s what’s wrong. We’ve been walking for hours.”

  “Sorry.”

  She looked around for any vegetation but found nothing to eat. Morgalla looked curiously as Mylo tore off a large root from the tree. He started to eat it. Out of curiosity, and a rumbling stomach, she did the same. A look of disgust crossed her face.

  “This tastes like crap.”

  “Would you rather starve?”

  “Lemme think about that.”

  They sat and ate the root. Morgalla could feel the anger in the young man’s soul.

  “Why do you hate me?”

  “I need to answer that?”

  “Okay, I get that you’re sore about me lying. I already apologized for that.”

  “It’s more than that, and you know it.”

  “I don’t know what else…”

  “You’re demon. All you know is death and conquest.”

  Morgalla remained calm but the hate Mylo beamed at her was starting to take its toll on her own heart.

  “I’m not go
ing to deny that, Mylo. All I can say is that I’ve never…”

  Mylo rose to his feet. “Never what? Killed a human?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  Morgalla didn’t know what to say that would change his mind. All she could do was not say anything and maybe not make things worse.

  The safer path ran through the plains. Morgalla was walking fast now, and Mylo had to sprint to keep up.

  “What’s your hurry?”

  “Gotta get back. I do not want to spend the night out here.”

  “Can you at least slow down a little?”

  Morgalla stopped and let him catch up. They continued on with her trying to walk at a slower pace. She didn’t understand. It wasn’t as if his legs were shorter than hers…if anything they were longer. Mylo stood an inch taller than her.

  All around was tall grass and a herd of grazing paolos. In the distance were hills covered in pine trees. Beyond the jagged cliffs, Makrus’s castle stood alone, a fortress that seemed out of place.

  Mylo and Morgalla were hungry again by the time they reached the woods. Thankfully they passed by a brook with fish swimming near the surface. Mylo knelt next to the water and submerged his hand. A fish swam by his palm, and he tried to snatch it, but it slipped out.

  Morgalla noticed another one and with lightning speed, impaled it on the tip of her sword. She did it a second time and held her catch out to Mylo.

  “Dinner time.”

  Mylo took out some tools from his bag. He rubbed two together, and sparks formed. Morgalla was impressed how fast he was able to build a fire.

  He noticed her look. “You don’t know how to make fire?”

  “Yes, I do. It just takes me a little longer. That, and I happen to know someone who can breathe fire, so she usually starts it.”

  Mylo stared at her with no shortage of curiosity.

  “She’s part dragon.”

  “Dragons are real?” the young man asked…wonder in his eyes.

  “Yeah, apparently so,” Morgalla replied with a shrug. “I’ve never seen one.”

  They held their fish over the fire. Morgalla was silent, deciding that small talk wasn’t called for. Mylo was also quiet, but she could feel the turmoil in his soul. He finally spoke.

  “What is it like?”

  “Pardon?”

  “To see the souls of others?”

  Morgalla raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’ve always known it, so I guess it’s tough to put into words. I mean, try to describe music to someone who can’t hear.”

  “I’ve always been jealous of your people. To know what someone is feeling, to understand what their true intentions are.”

  “It can come in handy, for sure. Especially in Hell. It’s probably been my best ally, figuring out who to trust.”

  “What did it tell you when you met Makrus?”

  Morgalla rolled her eyes. Mylo laughed.

  “My second sight told me I could trust you too. But I’m also scared, Mylo.”

  “Scared of what? What are you not telling me?”

  Morgalla pondered a moment. She knew that if she told him the whole truth, it would be dangerous to him.

  “I think we need to get the Prism of Akubar to the people of Freedom Ridge and soon.”

  “Makrus knows where the town is, though. What if his witch—”

  “Damn, forgot about her.” Morgalla cut him off and went back to pondering, but the only option on her mind was an all-out war between Makrus and the people of Freedom Ridge. Maybe Dillon had a better idea.

  “What are you thinking?” Mylo asked.

  “It’s nothing. We just gotta come up with a plan, that’s all.”

  “Either way, I end up in the cold.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The town won’t accept me, and my own people banished me…”

  “The town isn’t too bad,” Morgalla added. “What made you think that? They thought I was an Izari. Besides some dirty looks, there were plenty of nice people there.”

  “Makrus told me he’s the only one who would…”

  “Oh, forget that bastard,” Morgalla snapped. “That’s him manipulating your fear, something he’s very good at. He doesn’t want to lose your skill, so if you think he’s your only friend, that you’ll die without him, that you’ll stay…it’s not true.”

  “But…”

  “It’s a lie, Mylo. He’s the same as the rest of them in Hell. Just one of many monsters, trust me.”

  “I’m very well aware of what they’re capable of,” he said and pointed to a scar on his arm, then on his cheek. The gash on his ear appeared as if someone had cut a piece of his flesh away long ago.

  Morgalla was silent, Mylo took an angry bite out of his fish.

  “I…I know you’re afraid, Mylo.”

  The boy scowled. “I’m not afraid. You are.”

  “Of course I am. Only a fool wouldn’t be.”

  “How do you hide it from your own kind?”

  Morgalla calmed down and took a deep breath. She remembered Delilah’s training that had kept her alive up until now. “I…I use my hate as a shield. They can’t see past it.”

  “But what if they think the hate is directed at them?”

  “They don’t take offense, believe it or not. Don’t ask me why because I barely understand them. Look, there’s no greater enemy than one’s own fear. You may feel like you’re helpless against them, but you’re not.”

  “He’s too strong.”

  “Yeah, he’s strong. But there’s something he can’t…that he hasn’t completely destroyed in your soul yet, Mylo.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Hope.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Look, I…we have a chance for a future. Help me fight for it.”

  The only sound was that of the fire crackling. Morgalla couldn’t tell whether or not she was reaching him. Years of doubt and Makrus destroying the boy’s soul had taken its toll. One thing she was sure of: This was going to take some time.

  “Why do you even care?” he asked.

  Morgalla thought a moment for the proper answer. “Because I feel it’s the right thing to do. Do I really need a reason?”

  With their bellies full and the fire extinguished, they continued on. The sun was setting in the west, and the twin moons were rising in the east. Morgalla noticed the young man’s pace had quickened. Must have been the meal. She also realized he was now walking side by side with her. It made her smile.

  They made it back to the castle with some time to spare, but as they approached the cliff face where the secret entrance was, their hearts sank. Morgalla froze and held up her hand to signal him to halt.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Shh.”

  When they both heard voices, they ducked behind a large tree. In the distance through the foliage, some figures moved about. They wore Makrus’s clear red uniform. One of them, due to his sheer size, was clearly a demon…Krug, the slave master.

  Morgalla muttered under her breath, “Damn it.”

  “What do we do?”

  “The town, that’s our only option.”

  “They won’t…”

  “Mylo, you have to trust me. That’s our only option, okay? Head to the town, now.”

  Morgalla gave him a shove. She looked back to the group behind them and realized they were around the area where she had hidden the gem. It was best that the boy not know it, she felt. What if they got their hands on him? They’d be able to coax the truth from him.

  “I’m not leaving,” Mylo whispered.

  There was no time to argue because Krug had sensed their presence. With an order, the soldiers made their way towards Morgalla and Mylo.

  “Run!”

  It took no coaxing at all for Mylo to take off with Morgalla hot on his heels.

  “Don’t stop,” she shouted.

  Morgalla’s influence worked on the young man’s soul, and his fear worked to her advantage. He took off down th
e hill, tripping and falling on a bed of leaves. He was up in an instant, ignoring the pain to his knee and chin. He looked over his shoulder only to notice that Morgalla was missing. Terror gripped his heart, but when he heard the voices of the coming soldiers echoing through the wilderness, he panicked. A tear came to his eye, but his instinct for survival took over. He ran in the direction of the town.

  One of the demon soldiers saw Mylo running, and he was about to give chase but stopped when he heard a voice.

  “Hey.”

  He turned toward the voice and saw Morgalla.

  The demon was confused to see another of his kind standing there…an unfamiliar face. She was ready to defend herself though she didn’t have her sword in hand. She had hoped that maybe—somehow—she could confuse him.

  “You.”

  A man’s voice called out, and Morgalla saw Giles running down the hill.

  Oh, great.

  He was enraged and shouted orders at all the soldiers to apprehend her. His voice cracked, and his hand trembled as he pointed her direction. Morgalla did find it both strange and amusing how the soldiers around him did nothing. She smirked, but it was short-lived as she felt a slap across her face from the thrall of Makrus.

  “Ow,” he shouted, and his entourage laughed.

  Morgalla barely felt it. She kept her ground though her face did flinch at the smack. She glared back at him and thought she had an angle for the situation.

  “Awww, look. The human’s feelings are hurt.” She mocked and then with a powerful boot to his midsection, Giles was driven back to the ground. “Now the rest of him hurts.”

  As she pointed and laughed, the other demons joined in. The entire area filled with a joyous mocking as Giles clutched his stomach, hunched over in the pile of fallen leaves.

  “Hello, Morgalla.”

  She looked and saw a familiar face standing on the high ground looking down. It was Widow.

  Uh-oh.

  The woman’s eyes were locked on Morgalla like a predator who had found its prey.

  Morgalla had little time to react or say anything as Plor, the brother of Plux, struck Morgalla in the back of the head. Her world went dark.

  22

  In the Mouth of Evil

  Freezing cold clung to Morgalla’s face and head as she was forced into the ice water. Instantly her flesh went numb. She fought for breath. Her lungs seized.