by Keith Walsh
“Dead.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Atheles, looking away. Gallant laughed sarcastically. “Why would you be sorry? You killed him.” Atheles looked at his younger brother with rage burning in his eyes. “I did no such thing!” he said. “Don’t you fucking look at me like that,” said Gallant, edging his horse closer. “I’m no longer a child you can bully,” he added, leaning in. Atheles held firm, a picture of strength, but in truth his heart was heavy. “I did not realise you despised me so,” he said. Gallant eased off a little, and said, “I don’t despise you brother, but I will not be intimated by you. Those days are gone.”
Atheles knew what this was really about. “You know, I lost a mother too,” he said. Gallant sniggered – Atheles was way off base. “Yes, you did but then you destroyed our father and left me to watch a once-proud man drink himself to death. Broken, abandoned by his eldest, believing himself a failure.” Atheles anger rose once more. He regretted leaving home in the way that it had happened but having his brother throw it in his face like this was hard to take. He dismounted, slapping his horse out of the way. Gallant responded in kind, his own temper rising.
“I would advise you to put away that axe Gallant,” said Atheles pointing his finger aggressively at his brother. Gallant smiled but his eyes remained steely and he didn’t put down his axe. Atheles could feel the tension rising and he didn’t want any part of it. He never thought he would see his brother again and he didn’t feel the same hatred as was being displayed to him. But then again he hadn’t witnessed what Gallant had described. Hadn’t been left to care for a man once admired. To watch him waste away. Their father. Sure, Atheles had lost his mother too but Gallant had been forced to lose both parents. One suddenly, the other over torturous years while caring for him. No wonder hatred burned in him.
“Did you find your fame and fortune?” asked Gallant, pulling Atheles from his thoughts. “Briefly,” he replied. “And now you hunt little girls?” Gallant said. Atheles shook his head. “The child means nothing to me Gallant.”
“So it’s like father all over again,” the giant said, and Atheles looked confused. “It means nothing to you and everything to me,” Gallant clarified. Those words caused Atheles understanding and patience to fail. “You fucking little shit,” he said, launching a right cross at his brother. Gallant ducked it then lashed his left boot towards his brother’s groin, and Atheles blocked it with his left hand. “Not bad,” said Gallant, walking to the side of his brother, axe over his shoulder. “You have no idea,” replied Atheles drawing his weapon and circling away.
Gallant’s carried a single bladed woodsman’s axe while his brothers was a double-bladed battle-axe. The two men stared at their respective weapons. If they had been measuring dicks, Atheles would have won. “Impressive weapon,” said Gallant, with a nod. “And you seem to have forgotten yours,” said Atheles, eyeing his brother’s axe. Gallant laughed. “It has served me well.” Seeing his brother laugh calmed Atheles, he hadn’t seen such a thing in a long time, even while still at home.
“I don’t want this Gallant,” he said, lowering his axe. Gallant stopped. He looked his brother in the eyes, searching for sincerity and he found it. “Neither do I,” he said, looking away. “Well, a part of me does,” he confessed. “But mostly I don’t brother, not really.”
“The man I’m with though. He won’t hesitate to kill you,” Atheles said. “He’ll do well,” said Gallant, spitting. Atheles shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with. You need to get away from here.” Gallant shook his head. “My horse has nothing left,” he said. “What if we stood together?” Atheles smiled but Gallant could see the regret in his eyes. “As fine as that would be… I cannot.”
“Why?”
Atheles sighed. “I swore an oath to my master’s father that I would protect him.” Gallant said nothing at first. He understood what that meant. “And I swore an oath to protect the girl,” the giant said after some time had passed. Atheles bowed his head and sighed again. Lightning forked overhead and by the time the thunder bellowed Kalen arrived in the clearing. Gallant’s eyes shifted to the new rider, his expression darkening, and it was all the evidence Atheles needed to know the situation unrecoverable.
Chapter 30
Dallious and Beth pushed on into the night, the town of Tinnisvale far behind them. They could hear thunder rumbling in the distance. “I hope that doesn’t come this way,” said Beth, looking to Dallious, hopeful to engage him in conversation. His mood had been sombre since leaving the town. Dallious didn’t respond, his mind stuck on the events of earlier that day. He hated leaving the fate of the Manson brothers to Shaper. He had no doubt the little man would come good in dealing with them but Dallious felt aggrieved that he should even have to.
Had he been fully fit, those brothers would have died in the tavern the night before and Grott would still be alive. He had always been cautious with alcohol, knowing full well how it could cloud the mind and steal one’s abilities. He remembered how one of his instructors had told him, “Do as I say not as I do.” Dallious had thought long and hard about those words, and in the end he decided that he despised them. What a hypocritical point of view they demonstrated: ‘I have lived my life the way I wanted but now you must live yours by doing what I say.’ No, that way of thinking didn’t sit well with him at all.
He preferred to educate his students. Sharing with them the many pitfalls that had befouled his life and letting them decide for themselves whether what he said made sense or not. Those that found value in his teachings would grow to become some of the best combatants and people he had ever known. Unfortunately, for the most part those that rejected him or failed to understand became unsuccessful or dead. But at least they weren’t devoid of chance. Controlled to the point of having none, by people who already had their life but wanted so desperately to live again through the lives of those they claimed they wanted to protect.
“What are you thinking about?” said Beth, realising her comment about the distant thunder hadn’t worked and trying another approach. This time Dallious broke from his thoughts. “I was just thinking how those with lots of life experience like to control or manipulate those who have little,” he replied, still frowning. “How do you mean?” asked Beth. Dallious just shook his head, in no mood to debate. Beth recognised his dismissive gesture but as she thought about his response she couldn’t help voice her opinion. “So you mean if someone sticks their hand in a fire and it burns them they shouldn’t try to protect those they love from doing the same?” Dallious looked at her, his expression cold.
“What exactly are you protecting them from?” he asked. “From being burned of course,” she replied as if he had just asked a stupid question. “Yes. But is that all?” Beth thought for a moment. “Yes,” she said eventually. “No,” said Dallious, looking a little disappointed. Beth gazed at him with a confused expression. “You also rob them of the experience,” he explained.
Beth laughed mockingly. “Who wants the experience of being burned?” she said, her laugher subsiding and her demeanour defiant. “Perhaps someone who doesn’t know what it feels like,” replied Dallious, ignoring what he considered to be her ignorance. “That’s stupid,” said Beth dismissively. “Stupid!” said Dallious, his anger rising. “Would you advise a loved one to avoid falling for someone?”
“Of course not”
“Why?”
“Because everyone should experience love.”
Now Dallious laughed mockingly. “Well, I can tell you that I have loved and lost and I would rather stick my hand in a thousand fires then ever experience the pain of lost love again. And yet you say you would not protect someone from such a thing.”
Beth paused for a moment. Much to her annoyance Dallious’ argument started to make sense. “I see your point,” she conceded, sympathy in her eyes. Dallious was taken aback. He fully expected the argument to go on and on, descending into nonsensical bickering. “Thank you,” he said, smili
ng.
Beth smiled back.
“I do understand people wanting to protect those they love,” said Dallious, realising he might have come on a little strong and looking to concede a bit. “I just believe they need to be careful they don’t protect them to a point where they are not living their lives.”
“I get it,” said Beth, although she looked a little wounded. Dallious sighed. He hadn’t intended to hurt her. Suddenly he heard the voice of Sister calling his name. It started as a whisper but slowly got louder. He reined his horse in and Beth followed suit. “What is it?” she asked. Dallious shook his head, while holding up his good hand. Beth eyed him but said nothing.
Dallious, can you hear me?
“Yes,” he said his excitement rising. Could it be that he would see his love again? “Who are you talking too?” Beth asked, only to be silenced again with a more aggressive hand gesture.
Dallious, I need you…
“Anything, my love. You can ask anything of me.”
Beth felt a pang of pain hearing Dallious talking about his love, and although the fact she couldn’t hear anyone else also worried her, she decided to stay silent. An oval-shaped rippling body of water appeared before Dallious and Beth but it stood erect instead of flowing over the ground as one would expect. Beth gasped in astonishment but Dallious reached out to touch it. As his fingers made contact he felt cold and withdrew, but to his surprise his fingers weren’t wet. Slowly but surely the ripples started to settle and an almost mirrored sheen replaced them. Dallious reached out again and this time his fingers pushed through the surface but to where he did not know. Again he withdrew his hand. “Amazing…” he said, gesturing for Beth to try, but she shook her head.
“It didn’t hurt me,” Dallious told her, but Beth just eyed him, unmoving. Fascinated, Dallious pushed his stump through whatever it was and to his disbelief he could feel his hand on the other side. He laughed, an almost delirious laugh, as his unseen hand open and closed. “I can feel my hand through there,” he said to Beth, his eyes wide, a wide smile on his face.
Dallious… you must come through.
“My love, where are you, what is this?” Dallious called out.
It is a rift, or perhaps portal would be a better description. Between your world and…
She trailed off. “And?” said Dallious, eager to know more and concerned now that his love might be in danger.
Dallious hurry, you must come through I cannot hold—
Without any further hesitation Dallious grabbed the reins of his horse and ran through the portal. When he got to the other side he felt a tug pulling him back and instinctively knew it was his mount, resisting. He gave a sharp pull and after a pause his beast came through. He didn’t even consider Beth.
Beth sat in shock for a moment but eventually she started to think through her options. Should she follow? Perhaps going back to Tinnisvale might not be the worst idea. She felt love for Dallious but he did not return it and now he moved fearlessly to some other place just to catch one more glimpse of the woman he adored. How could Beth compete with that? You can’t if you give up here, she thought. You wanted adventure and here it is. With this reasoning in mind she plucked up the courage to move and with her eyes closed she urged her horse into the strange mirror-like thing.
***
Dallious stood surrounded by a thick mist. He shivered and he saw dark shapes moving around him. “You don’t belong here,” something whispered. Dallious spun, rapier in hand but only swirling mist confronted him. Something was just there, he thought. Looking down he realised he had drawn his rapier with his left hand but in this place he had his right back again and he swapped the weapon across. It felt good. Here he would be at his best. He heard his horse whinny, confused as to how he had lost it.
Follow the light…
“What light?” he said, recognising Sister’s voice. Within a moment he saw a bright glow emanate from a distance within the mist.
Put away your weapon Dallious, you cannot hurt what lingers here.
Dallious refused. Dark images moved threateningly towards and away from him, taunting him. “You are whole, living – you shouldn’t be here,” came a rasping voice and again Dallious felt it close. He spun in all directions but could see nothing. Only the thick, cold mist remained. “Show yourself,” said Dallious, his eyes flicking about, his ears keen.
Focus on the light Dallious…
Dallious’ heart raced and suddenly aware of it he fought for calm. Closing his eyes he breathed deeply, savouring each breath before exhaling. Several times he repeated this until finally he felt his heart beat easy. “You are brave,” he heard a strange voice say. “Brave, but he does not belong here,” came a voice from the opposite direction. Whatever spoke to him, there was more than one and they were all around him. Despite his efforts moments ago his heart began to beat faster again. “Ah, that’s better, I can taste your fear,” a voice behind him said, and Dallious cursed. “Show yourselves and we shall see who feels fear,” he said, his anger rising.
Dallious! Sister’s voice boomed in his head.
Focus on the light. They seek to trick you. If you become lost in this place you will never see home again.
Sister’s words were lost as Dallious felt something brush against him and he began to swing his rapier wildly. It hit nothing and eventually he stopped, his breathing heavy.
I had hoped to do this quietly… Dallious heard Sister say.
…but it seems I underestimated the power of those that linger here, or perhaps I overestimated your will Dallious.
Suddenly Dallious saw a blinding light expanding towards him. It radiated heat and forced him to shield his eyes, eventually having to close them altogether. A loud boom sounded, followed by the screams of things he couldn’t recognise but guessed to be from the creatures that taunted him. Finally the light faded and the screams echoed away, and he opened his eyes to see Sister standing in front of him. She wore the same figure-hugging silk dress she had worn the last time he saw her and his heart filled with joy. She smiled warmly at him and he reached out and grabbed her with his free hand. Pulling her into his arms he kissed her passionately, rapier raised behind her head and she responded.
When the kiss ended she looked into his tear-filled eyes and cupped his face in her hands, saying, “You didn’t listen to me, you silly man.” This time Dallious heard her for real, not just in his head. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t focus,” he said, his eyes dancing with hers. “I tried, I really did.” She smiled at him. “I know you did.”
“What where those things?” said Dallious, realising a good portion of the mist around him gone but more was beginning to close in. “I like to call them shadows because when they move through the mist that is what they look like. They feed on any lost souls here. Tormenting them.”
“Is this where we met before?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “That was a place of passing, between the world of the dead and the living – remember?”
“Vaguely…”
She smiled. “That place is where people choose between the light and the darkness.” Dallious looked puzzled. “Who would ever choose darkness?” he asked. “You did,” replied Sister. Dallious stared blankly at her. “You don’t recall surrendering yourself? About to be stabbed by the black misted sword?” Sister asked. A small amount of the confusion on Dallious’ face seemed to ebb away.
“If I had not intervened you would have been theirs forever,” Sister continued. “That is why you must live a life without regret. Passing over before believing yourself a good person gives power to those who would take your soul. Had you believed yourself good, as you are Dallious, my interference would not have been needed.”
“I didn’t realise,” he said, eyes wide. Sister continued, “That is why many end up here, in the realm of the Fallen. Tricked into surrendering their souls. Then the shadows feed.”
“Why are you here? You lived a pure life dedicated to God.”
&nbs
p; “I came here to try to hide what I was doing to help you. My mentor Ramous can sense my power when I use it in the realm of light.”
“That is why you wanted me to focus. So you would not have to make such a dramatic scene.”
“Yes. Unfortunately now it is likely I will be made a permanent part of this place for Ramous surely knows what I have done.”
“Then where is he?”
“He will not break the laws the way I have and come here. He will deal with me when I return to the light.”
“Then stay.”
She smiled. “I can’t, my power dwindles the longer I’m here. One way or another I’m likely to lose it.”
“Then come with me.”
“I am dead Dallious, I cannot enter your world.”
“Then how am I here?”
“You are only passing through, helped by me. I’m sorry, my love, but we really should get moving. Your friend Beth came through after you and she is still lost.” Dallious looked up sharply. “Oh God, I forgot about her,” he said. “She is fine right now, as are your horses, but we must get you back to your world,” Sister urged, but Dallious hesitated. “I don’t understand, why did you ask me here?”
“Because circumstances have changed and Port Davies is no longer of use.”
“Yes, we were headed there – I remember now. My mind is clouded here.”
“And it will be more so when you go back to your world. Your memory will be intact, but fuzzy. Things will not quite make sense to you right away. You must trust your instincts when that happens okay?” Dallious smiled. “I always do.” Before another word could be spoken, a taloned hand reached for Sister. Dallious sprang to life, stabbing his rapier where he believed the shadow body would be. With a terrifying scream it burst into flames before exploding to ashes.
“I don’t understand,” said Sister in awe. “Mortal weapons should not be effective here. Where did you get that?” she said, pointing at his sword. “A friend gave it to me. He said it was made of something called silver.” Sister examined the blade. “Interesting,” she said. “They are becoming bold Dallious, the fact you can kill them might make them pause but we should hurry now.” He nodded.