Dark Humanity

by Gwynn White

  Feldo brought a pitcher of the Wood-wine over to where they were sitting and poured each of them a mug full of the golden liquid.

  “Here, some’ting new from down south,” Lilly said.

  “Oh, I’ve heard about this,” Isabelle said, raising her eyebrows and clapping, “people all over have been talking about it. I’ve been meaning to try it myself.”

  Andrew and Galleon sniffed at their mugs and huge grins spread across their faces. Isabelle took one sip and nearly spat it out again, scrunching up her face and shaking her head.

  “Oh, that’s truly awful.”

  Lilly chuckled and everyone else took a mouthful. They all laughed as each of them licked the golden froth from their top lips.

  “Now,” Lilly said to Galleon in a commanding tone, “ya’ was telling me about d’ other Imps?”

  Galleon looked around the table. He cleared his throat and began.

  “Well, it seems that all the Imps, except the two of us that is, have all gone.”

  “Gone? Gone where? What on earth is ya’ talking about.”

  “Banished. Possibly even killed.”

  “Killed? Killed by who?”

  “By the Goat,” Joshua said.

  Lilly looked at Joshua and narrowed her eyes. “Is this da’ same Goat that did away wit’ all da’ folks in da’ Valley?”

  “You heard about that?” Joshua asked. Lilly nodded.

  “I think the Goat might be behind my father’s disappearance too. That’s why I’m here. I need to…well I…I need to meet with the Elder.”

  “Well, the Elder should be back any time now,” Isabelle said. “Why do you need to see him, Joshua?”

  Joshua shifted on his seat, deciding how best to answer. It created an awkward silence. Joshua cleared his throat.

  “I…I believe the Elder can…um…help me,” he stuttered.

  “How? What do you need help with? And who is this Goat?” She turned to Sarah and squinted at her.

  “Sarah, what’s going on? What’s this all about?”

  Sarah’s face reddened and she glanced at Joshua. There was another awkward silence as Isabelle stared at her. Sarah opened her mouth but before she could respond, a low-pitched horn sounded outside.

  “Daddy!” she blurted out.

  She stood up and ran to the front door. Everyone in the inn also got up and followed he out. There were so many people clamouring to see the Elder return, they couldn’t all get out fast enough.

  By the time Joshua managed to squeeze through, all he could see was the back of the Elder walking around the corner with a throng of villagers surrounding him. Sarah was at his side with her arm wrapped around him.

  Joshua stood on tiptoes to try for a better look, but all he could see was Sarah and her father disappearing into a large hut across from the school. As soon as the Elder’s hut door closed, the crowd disperse and people went back to their business.

  Inside the Elder’s hut, Sarah’s father removed his bow and weapon belt. He laid the belt on a small table in the middle of the room and hung the bow on the wall over the fireplace, above a roll of cloth that lay on the mantel.

  With his huge hands he picked two of the logs piled neatly either on side of the fire and threw them into the flame. They ignited, creating a cloud of white, billowing smoke. Within seconds the smoke disappeared up the chimney and flames filled the fire pit.

  The dancing orange flame was bright enough to light up the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls and up into the roof space. Numerous weapons adorned the walls.

  On either side of the fire were two comfortable-looking chairs. The Elder sat in one of them. He looked at Sarah, who was still standing patiently by the door.

  “Come, little one,” the Elder said in a tender voice as he beckoned her over. “Come! Sit by the fire so I can see your face!”

  Sarah beamed with delight. She walked over to the fire and sat in the chair opposite her father. The Elder took a deep breath, let out a sigh and smiled.

  “I’m so glad you have returned to me, little one,” he said nodding his head. Sarah’s father was an imposing figure but for all his stature in the village, at this moment he was little more than a humble and proud parent.

  “Tell me, little one, what did you find on your travels?”

  Sarah’s eyes peered up as she thought for a moment. She put her hands on her knees and rocked them side to side with a beaming smile.

  “Well, I found so many new things, Daddy. I found lots of new types of food and found so many new plants and vines. I built traps and hunted for Wild Grassland Flarrets. They are so delicious. I never did catch a Wood-boar, but I did catch a Raetheon. It wasn’t on purpose, mind you, it just sort of…”

  Before Sarah could say any more, the Elder leaned forward with a smile and shook his head. Sarah stopped talking and looked puzzled. Her father chuckled to himself.

  “I’m sure you have become a much more talented Fixer, Sarah. The skills you have learned will, I’m certain, serve you and your fellow villagers well, but that’s not what I mean.”

  He leaned back in his chair again and tilted his head forward.

  “You found something special whilst you were away, didn’t you?”

  Sarah squinted into nothingness and tried to think what it was her father was getting at.

  He leaned forward again and whispered.

  “Sarah,” he said, shaking his head, “not something, someone.”

  Sarah’s entire face lit up. She blushed and looked down at her hands in her lap. Since Sarah grew up without a mother, her father had done his utmost to care for and nurture her as best he could, but talking openly about matters of the heart was always something the two of them found awkward. The subject had rarely come up before.

  Sarah had always been independent as a child and not at all interested in boys or romance. In her father’s eyes, his daughter left Jemarrah as a girl to find new skills. He could see she had found much more and had returned a confident young woman.

  “Whatever happened to the little girl that used to bounce on my knee? You’ve come such a long way, little one. I’m so proud of what you’ve become. Your mother would be proud to see you now.”

  Sarah smiled and shook her head. “Daddy, I’m not a little girl any more.”

  The Elder nodded and heaved a sigh.

  “My little girl has grown into a beautiful woman. When did that happen, hmmm? So, tell me about him!”

  Sarah took a deep breath and smiled. Looking away, she hesitated.

  “Do you love him?”

  Sarah nodded and her lower lip started quivering.

  “Is he good to you?” She nodded again, and a tear welled in her eye. The Elder slowly nodded.

  “Then that’s really all that matters isn’t it, little one?”

  Sarah nodded and wiped a tear from her eye.

  “I’d like you to meet him, Daddy.”

  “Soon, little one. I have some village business to tend to first. I will see him after last meal tonight.”

  Sarah nodded. She stood up and walked to the door. As she was about to leave, the Elder spoke.

  “Sarah?”

  With her hand on the half-open door, she turned and looked at her father.

  He smiled. “It is good to see you again, little one.”

  She ran over and hugged him, tears of joy running down her face. The Elder held her for a few moments before kissing her gently on her forehead. She left the hut beaming, closing the door behind her.

  Sarah made her way back to the inn where she found Joshua, Andrew and Galleon. Isabelle and Lilly had gone back to the school.

  “I’ve spoken to my father! He wants to meet with you tonight!”

  She threw her arms around Joshua. “He’s going to love you. I’m just sure of it.”

  Suddenly, they heard a strange crying outside. It sounded like an injured animal but it was unlike anything they had heard before. They all went to see what the noise was.

  “
Blood-bats!” Galleon screamed. As they looked up, a hoard of the foul creatures flew towards them, weaving through the trees and making horrid ear-piercing shrieks. Two of them were tearing mercilessly at a Wood-boar tied to a table across the street. Dozens more of the bloodthirsty creatures streamed in, screeching from various directions.

  Pandemonium reigned with everyone darting about trying to avoid the horrible beasts. Several Woodsmen launched arrows but the Blood-bats were too agile and easily managed to dodge them. They swooped so low that people had to duck to avoid their razor sharp talons.

  Then, as quickly as they came, they flew off again into the forest canopy and disappeared. The people who had dived to the ground to take cover stood up and mumbled to each other in confusion.

  The Goat paced furiously back and forth in His dark room. He roared with unrestrained rage.

  “The boy has reached the northern village!” he screamed.

  His eyes darted around the room as He thought frantically about his next move.

  “He must not find the third orb!” He bellowed.

  Elsewhere in the forest, Melachor was leaning against a tree, panting. Weakened from loss of blood, he struggled to remain standing. Filthy, bloodstained bandages clung to his infected wounds.

  He took the mirror from his cloak and stared into it. His own hideously disfigured reflection swirled and the image of the Goat replaced it. The loathsome creature leaned forward and peered at Melachor. A malicious smile spread across the His face.

  “I understand,” Melachor said in a barely perceptible voice. The Goat faded away and Melachor found himself again staring into his own eyes. He tucked the mirror back into his cloak, stood up and started running through the forest.

  27

  The Elder’s Rage

  After seeing the wave of Blood-bats, Joshua felt sure the Goat knew he was here in Jemarrah. Time was running out. He had to find the Orb of Suffering!

  For the rest of the day they all waited at the inn. Joshua was feeling nervous about speaking to the Elder. He kept going over in his mind what he was going to say. Although the Oracle had told him the third orb was here and being guarded by the Elder, he still didn’t know whether the Elder would let him have it.

  “Would you relax, Joshua!” Sarah said. “You’ll be fine.”

  Joshua paced back and forth. Just as he was going to say something, a low-pitched horn sounded outside. Joshua stopped and looked at Sarah.

  “What does that mean?”

  “The Council of Warriors has ended,” Sarah said, with a huge grin. “Let’s go.”

  “Good luck,” Andrew said. Galleon nodded and patted Joshua’s back.

  Sarah and Joshua walked out into the cool night’s air. Joshua noted several Warriors walking away from the Elder’s hut, chatting to one another.

  A billowing cloud of white smoke emanated from the chimney of the Elder’s hut, and Joshua saw a flickering light coming from the windows. Sarah led her pride and joy to her father’s hut and knocked on the door.

  “Come in, little one,” came the voice from inside.

  Sarah opened the door and Joshua followed her in. The Elder was standing by the fire with his back to them. He tossed another log into the flame and a white puff of smoke erupted before the fire engulfed it and lit up the room some more. A bright orange flame filled the fire pit. The Elder stood back from it and looked into the flame for a second before taking his seat.

  “Father,” Sarah said, softly. “I want you to meet Joshua.”

  Sarah looked at Joshua, who wondered what he should do.

  “Come and take a seat by the fire, young man!” The Elder spoke in a firm voice. Joshua looked nervously at Sarah. She nodded back at him with a smile. He walked over and stood by the empty chair.

  “Please!” the Elder said as he gestured for Joshua to sit in it. Joshua did as he was asked. The Elder leaned forward and studied Joshua closely. His stare seemed to linger and Joshua felt uncomfortable. The Elder lowered his eyebrows.

  “So, this is the young Woodsman that has stolen the heart of my little one?”

  Joshua looked over his shoulder at Sarah. She smiled back at him and nodded. The Elder glanced over to see Sarah’s nod of approval before catching Joshua’s eye again. This was the boost to Joshua’s confidence he needed.

  “Um…I need to ask you something.” Despite Sarah’s reassurance, he still felt humbled by the stature of this imposing man sitting across from him. The Elder learned forward and squinted at the young Woodsman before him. Joshua wondered if the Elder recognised him, but he knew that wasn’t possible.

  “I’m looking for the Orb of Suffering. I’ve spoken with the Oracle. She said I could find the orb here with the Jemarrah Elder.”

  The Elder frowned and pursed his lips. “The orb is a sacred artefact. What do you want with it?”

  “I need it to help me find my father. I believe he has been banished to another world by the Goat, and the Orb of Suffering will help me find him. The Goat is trying to kill me.”

  “Kill you?”

  “Yes. He has already tried to the kill me once. He doesn’t want me to find the orb.”

  The Elder’s gaze shifted around the room. He then turned and locked his focus back on Joshua.

  “Where are you from?”

  “I’m from a village in the west, called Morelle.”

  “Morelle?” He repeated it several more times and looked into nothingness before sharply fixing his gaze back at Joshua again.

  “Sarah’s mother died at the hands of a Morelle Warrior!”

  “I know. It was my father. It was an accident. He didn’t mean to kill her.”

  The Elder sprang up and stared down at the nervous young man. Joshua pushed himself into the back of his chair.

  “What makes you so certain of that?”

  “I…I had an encounter…w…with the Orb of Time. I…I saw it happen. It was an accident. He…he didn’t mean to…”

  “ENOUGH! Enough of these lies!”

  Joshua opened his mouth to speak but with the imposing figure towering over him he was lost for words.

  “But father, please listen,” Sarah cried.

  “Enough, I said!” he snapped at her.

  Pointing at Joshua, he shouted, “Get out! You dare come here and bring danger with you? Leave this place and never return!”

  “Daddy, no, please!” Sarah frowned, standing her ground. The Elder just looked at her and both of them stood there eye to eye, neither of them backing down.

  “You are to have nothing more to do with this boy! Nothing, do you hear me? NOTHING!”

  Sarah bent over, crying. She collapsed onto her knees with her hands over her face and sobbed inconsolably.

  Joshua’s heart sank as Sarah looked up into the air and screamed with terrible anguish. Her eyes revealed a heart-broken torment that consumed her. Joshua looked on in horror. This was the scene he had seen play out when he first looked into the Mirror of Prophecy.

  Sarah got up and ran out the door, still crying. Joshua glared at the Elder and ran after her.

  28

  Joshua’s Pain

  Joshua spent the next hour or more running through Jemarrah trying to find Sarah. He wanted to be with her and to comfort her but she was nowhere to be found. He tried the school, the inn, Isabelle’s hut: everywhere he could think of.

  Finally he slowed, then stopped. Sarah grew up here and if she didn’t want to be found, there was nothing he could do.

  His only option was to to go back and confront the Elder. He thought if he could just explain everything, Sarah’s father might be persuaded to see things differently. Over an hour had passed since the initial confrontation and Joshua hoped the Elder might by now have had a chance to cool off and reflect on what took place.

  Joshua found his way back at the Elder’s hut. Smoke was coming from the chimney and he could see flickers of light through the windows. He walked up to the door and knocked. There was no answer. He knocked several mo
re times, much harder.

  “Who is it?” came the impatient voice from beyond the closed door. Joshua took a deep breath and mustered up as much courage as he could. His heart was pounding and he felt an anger welling deep inside. Joshua still needed the Orb of Suffering and although he had the greatest respect for the Elder, he was also feeling protective of Sarah and he wanted to resolve the conflict with her father for her sake.

  “It’s me, Joshua,” he said with more confidence than before. “I need to speak to you. It’s about Sarah.”

  There was a long pause. Joshua wondered whether the Elder heard him.

  As he was about to knock again, the door swung open and the Elder stood before him. He looked furious.

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  Joshua stood his ground. “Look, your only daughter is out there who knows where, distraught because of you. Is that really what you want?”

  Joshua felt his heart pumping. He could barely believe he had just spoken in that tone to a village Elder. He had never felt this angry or powerful before, but his instinct told him he must not back down.

  The Elder looked at him for a few seconds before turning back into the hut. He didn’t shut the door behind him, so Joshua followed him in. The Elder walked over to the fire and stood there gazing into the flames.

  “Why did you have to come here? WHY?”

  Joshua could sense real hurt in the Elder’s voice. It was obvious he had loved Sarah’s mother deeply and was hurting again now that those painful memories had been awakened. Joshua felt his own anger fade away.

  “Look, I know you blame me for what happened all those years ago. I can only imagine how I would feel if our roles were reversed, but what’s done is done, and there’s nothing anyone can do about that now.”

  The Elder took a seat by the fire. He kept his gaze fixed on the flame and leaned his chin on his fist with his elbow on the armrest.