by Chris Ward
And far to the south in Ramos the awful beast felt a pain in its breast and it shook in fear for a fleeting moment until it passed, and then it smiled evilly unto itself. And far to the north and west, deep in the ancient Great Forest of the Ravalin another also sensed that some mighty power stood against it. And it shivered and shook before it passed.
Sylvion felt her anger die and with it the Shadow Blade grew dim and she returned it to its sheath and then stood breathing hard and making plans for what must follow as the others looked on in silent awe.
‘We will bury the bodies. Now.’ Her voice was like an iron fist and none in that moment desired to cross her. ‘Bring them,’ she ordered and each of the three obeyed with a gentle compassion for the children were deserving of what little respect could be given. They carried their dead burdens behind Sylvion in a silent sombre procession until she found a place where the water had not reached, in field by an old oak outside the town. ‘We will lay them here,’ she said quietly and this they did, returning to the town for the tools to dig the simple graves which would be the children’s last resting place.
‘They each deserve a headstone beyond what we can offer,’ Sylvion said, ‘so we will not cheapen this moment by any rude or simple marker. We will leave them as they are and trust that some day we might return and see to it that these three innocents are given a proper recognition.’
And so they laid them to rest and stood for a time gazing upon the three small mounds which marked in truth a greater sadness in the land.
‘How can a land which willingly sacrifices its children survive?’ Sylvion whispered into the air and such was the heartfelt emotion in her voice that they all wept unashamedly for it was an awful question.
‘We take nothing from this town,’ Sylvion ordered when at last they were ready to move on. ‘It is cursed. It is too dreadful, and we tell Germayne and Orcxyl nothing of this until I am ready, do you understand? I wish not to cause unnecessary grief...’ and she looked them each in the eye and none refused her right to claim their silence in the dreadful matter for all were still in awe of her power and dreadful vow which was unlike anything they had ever seen in any other.
They returned to camp without a word being spoken for each was lost in a world of private thoughts and questions where answers did not yet exist.
‘We heard a thunderclap,’ Germayne said as she came to meet them, perceiving that all was not well. ‘My Lady I have heard it before, you had need of the Shadow Blade?’ And Sylvion nodded grimly.
‘We will not now speak of what has come to pass in Alstun,’ she said, ‘but you may know that it has distressed us mightily. For now we will eat and sleep and press on to Fellonshead.’ She took a deep breath as if to gain her thoughts. ‘And there I will speak more on this and other things, but one piece has yet to fall into place and without this I cannot proceed.’ And Germayne alone knew to what she referred, but Orcxyl listened with eyes narrowed and dark thoughts pressing to the fore. Are these others now in your thrall he thought, did they too partake of some evil deed in Alstun which you will not reveal for shame? But from deep contrary thought rose quickly...No, it cannot be true, Rema and Andes would never join with her in this... then what? And once more Orcxyl could not resolve just what to think and so he decided to hold fast to what he knew, and this was his quest to avenge his beloved Freya. In Fellonshead we rest. Surely then I will have the chance to finish what I have vowed to do?
It was a sombre group which sat around the roaring fire long into the night. There was little conversation and once more Andes went off and was not seen until there were but coals remaining and all but Germayne had found a bed upon the ground and fallen deep asleep.
‘I see you Andes,’ she said on his return, taking the big man by surprise. He did not wish to be rude and so he went to sit by her at the fire thinking a few moments in talk would then allow him excuse to sleep. ‘You miss her much,’ Germayne said when he was seated, and her words took Andes by complete surprise. He felt his heart pounding and was immediately lost for words. Germayne looked gently upon him and smiled. ‘Andes I know what you are doing,’ she whispered so that her words were just for him and not any close by who might not yet be full asleep. Andes felt himself grow tense, but her tone was warm and kindly and soon he relaxed and wept silently. ‘I have found myself looking much upon you,’ Germayne,’ continued, ‘for you are the sort of man I would like to love.’ Her forwardness amazed Andes, never had he thought one would speak so openly, and in such a manner.
‘I do not understand,’ were all the words he found.
‘I am sure you do, Andes. You know what I mean, but rest easily, for I am not about to throw myself upon you.’ She chuckled. ‘You spoke of little else but Fryn the day we walked the Palace together. I know when I am outplayed Andes, and I admire your faithfulness to her. She is a lucky woman.’
Andes relaxed a little but said nothing and instead looked deep into the coals as he sought their warmth.
‘She is a special person,’ he whispered after a time. ‘And I do miss her very much.’
‘She must wonder where you are.’ Germayne said softly. ‘And who you are with.’
‘I wonder just where I am,’ Andes replied. ‘I came with Rema, at his request; I thought to Ramos and now here I am far off and on a quest I do not understand.’ He shook his head. ‘Fryn will be fretting something awful.’
‘How long did you tell her you would be gone?’ Germayne asked knowing before she did that that Andes hid something on this, and indeed at her words he looked quickly across at Rema and then whispered into the night so softly that it was clear he wanted to ensure that only Germayne was to hear.
‘I said I would be back within a dozen days. I promised her I would be no longer than that.’ He shook his head again. ‘She will be mightily upset by now.’
‘Does she love you Andes?’ Germayne asked and their eyes met and Andes felt a sudden shift in his heart. In Germayne he saw a deep vein of kindness and tolerance and he knew that Fryn was not like this.
‘She loves me, of course she loves me,’ he replied, but the words seemed hollow and did not make his heart sing as he hoped. Germayne smiled and sighed.
‘Then you two are lucky indeed.’
They sat in silence for a long time, each with many thoughts and no way to express them well. Finally Andes spoke.
‘I will sleep now.’ Germayne nodded but said nothing and the big man glanced at her and saw the tears upon her face and his throat became suddenly quite choked and he did not know what to think, for he did not understand himself in that moment. He was about to stand, half up from his seat by the fire when Germayne spoke once more.
‘I know you have been to Gryfnor, for I see his mark growing upon you. I hope it is worth it Andes, but be careful in this for it may lead where you cannot easily follow.’ She looked at him and he felt suddenly cold and lost and did not know what to do. ‘I will tell no one,’ she said, ‘on that you have my word.’ And then she was gone to her bed leaving Andes with much to think on. Which he did, for sleep did not come to him for a very long time.
They all woke just before the sunrise, jolted awake by the earth beneath them rumbling and shaking. They sprang to their feet and Andes and Sylvion drew their swords as if to fight off an army, but it passed, and then no sooner had the land calmed than a huge roar of sound swept over them and once more all things shook in its wake.
‘What by all the gods was that?’ Andes said in a hoarse whisper, but none spoke for a time as they waited for some further surprise.
‘It was a great calamity whatever it was,’ Rema said at last, but it was Sylvion who thought she knew.
‘It can only be the great escarpment to the east, from AlGiron.’
‘You mean a rock fall?’ Germayne whispered.
‘Perhaps.’ Sylvion replied. ‘Let us eat and we will leave for Fellonshead at sunrise.’ And so they built the smoking fire into a welcome heat and stood about and ate what simple fare
they had, and wondered what new surprises the day would bring. As the sun rose Sylvion went to her possessions and took from them a long leather tube which had accompanied her since leaving Ramos. She called to Rema.
‘Accompany me,’ she directed and he was not unwilling to do so. They left the others to pack up the camp and went east up a tall hill until with some height they could look further in that direction toward the mighty heights of AlGiron. Without a word Sylvion opened the leather tube and took out an instrument which Rema recognized instantly.
‘The King’s Eye!’ he exclaimed, ‘You brought it along. A fine idea Sylvion; it may well be of great use to see what others cannot.’ Sylvion smiled at his enthusiasm, and in truth enjoyed the praise so warmly given.
‘Let us see what we can of the escarpment from here, perhaps we shall see what caused the mighty quake which shook us all.’ And with that she rested the tube and its glasses upon a convenient low branch and scanned the heights of the distant escarpment. She nodded now and then until Rema could not contain himself.
‘Let me look Sylvion, I might see something,’ he said and immediately felt quite foolish for he realised that he simply wanted to use the amazing device again but Sylvion smiled and allowed him to take her place. Rema adjusted the glasses carefully and marvelled at the sights he could see. What once was a blurred and bluish distant mountain range now became something close enough to read. He looked back and forward along the cliffs until his eyes were sore, but could not decide upon anything which he thought might resemble a fractured cliff.
‘Look further south Rema,’ Sylvion said with such confidence that Rema realised he had assumed too much in thinking that she had seen nothing. He looked as he was directed and right on the southern end of the cliffs he saw what looked like a change in colour of the rocks.
‘But that is too big, surely,’ he whispered.
‘Look lower then,’ came the reply and he brought the King’s Eye down and sure enough a small mountain of dusty rock lay in a mighty jumbled pile beneath.
‘That is a great part of the cliffs to fall,’ he whispered once more.
‘It would surely have caused a mighty quake,’ Sylvion said. ‘I think that is what we felt this morning.’ She paused. ‘So AlGiron too now suffers as the rest.’
‘Will it ever stop Sylvion?’ Rema said quietly handing her the King’s Eye.
‘Not unless we find the reason why,’ she replied and Rema nodded.
‘And you have some idea?’
‘Only an idea Rema, but what we saw yesterday in Alstun is at its heart, and in a few days I hope to know just what we must do to respond.’
‘You speak of a missing piece in Fellonshead,’ Rema said with a frown.
‘Indeed, but now...’ and here she nodded sadly toward AlGiron, ‘...I am not sure it will be found.’ And Rema shook his head in confusion. Sylvion shrugged but would not say more.
‘All will be revealed at the right time Rema, but now let us ride for Fellonshead for there perhaps I can begin to put these things together. You will see.’ And so they walked back to the camp enjoying each other’s company, although few words were spoken.
They rode almost east toward AlGiron and skirted below the daunting fractured slopes of the Vaudim. Sylvion did not allow herself to look upon it, for it held much which she did not then wish to think on. It was late in the day when at last they reached the forest which hid the abandoned Edenwhood city of Alderyn, called Fellonshead. At first Sylvion was confused by where to search until she realised that the forest had grown some distance out onto the plains since last she was there, more than a hundred and thirty summers hence, when many valiant men fought evil unto death for the future of Revelyn and the safety of a realm. So then judging rightly she led them into the trees, and there some half a league through the cool shade they stumbled upon the mighty ruins and found a place to rest and wait for what would come next, although none but Sylvion knew what this might be, save Germayne who found the anticipation a trial she now wanted brought to an end.
The Beast looked upon the crippled Shadow Hunter, and raged within. It would not let the Wrythers see its anger but still they danced in their slippery ecstasy; for they knew.
This is the work of the Shadow Blade it thought. Nought else could take you limb from limb. The Shadow Hunter did not flinch, it no longer felt pain for its black oozing had ceased. Its severed limbs had healed to stumps. It waited for its master to do as it pleased.
‘I’ need a creature spawned of this. One which can outplay the devilish magic of the Shadow Blade,’ it whispered in dark menace, circling the huge wounded creature and planning evilly. The Wrythers squealed in delight. ‘I will speak with Lord Ungarit,’ it hissed and sent the Wrythers off to notify his intent. They fled instantly. The Beast turned back to the crippled creature of darkness. ‘You will be greater. You will be unstoppable. I have plans for you which shall overcome the Shadow Blade at last, for nothing will defeat you when all is finished.’ The creature showed no understanding but stood before its master breathing heavily and waiting for what was to come. It expected desiccation, full payment for failure; but that was not to be...
Chapter 12
The ruins of Alderyn held fast against the forest. For half an age, mighty oak and elder had tried to break apart Edenwhood stone, but their craftsmanship had survived to mark the ancient passing from the Lowlands of a mighty people. None save the Mountain Dwarves could work the stone so well, and they were unsurpassed in all ages past. Indeed it was the Dwarves who had taught the Edenwhood their secrets and gave them tools of mighty magic without which the stone would not listen to the hewer. But time permits all things to fade, and now the ruins were opening to root and trunk, and great columns and walls lay gracelessly upon the ground. Statues broken into parts... of long forgotten heroes and great ones now part covered in a gentle mantle of moss or lost beneath the swathe. Of roof and thatch there was no more but of shelter there was abundance. In the heart of the city stood the old walls and broken ramparts of the Royal Palace still reaching above the tallest oak, although in places even these had finally found purchase in the cracks and forced their way into the ruins so that tree and stone had become entwined as one.
The travellers found dry beds by the ramparts where some ancient graves of the venerated had their own walled sanctuary. This small place was untouched by decay as if watched over by the spirits of the entombed, and who in ways unknown prevented any change to what marked their passing; or so Rema thought.
‘It is a silent place,’ he whispered to himself once his bed of dry leaves had been prepared. He stood and looked about. The others too had made themselves comfortable and the horses were not far off in a safe and broken-walled stable which once in times past had held mighty steeds of a similar breed. Orcxyl had volunteered to sleep close by them and look to their needs. By nightfall they were comfortable and gradually all were nurtured by the gentle magic of such a place.
‘What next Sylvion,’ Rema inquired as they sat before a large fire which painted the walls all about them with dancing shadows and sent showers of sparks straight up into the clear night air, for there was not a breath of wind. The others looked to the Queen, anxious that they might learn what was to befall them. She did not answer immediately but instead took some time to look at each of those who had joined her on such a strange quest, one which she knew still had far more twists and turns than any they had thus encountered.
‘I am hoping that the morrow brings me news of one who will join us,’ she said quietly, ‘and all hangs upon this one for without the knowledge they bring I cannot complete what I have set out to do. I will say no more until this is revealed.’ They all sighed knowing that once more they would sleep another night without understanding what they were about.
‘However I must warn you...’ Sylvion’s voice had suddenly hardened and they all sat forward a little, drawn into her new intensity. ‘There is evil in the land. Of this there is no doubt.’ They mostly nodded then
although Orcxyl’s only response was to narrow his eyes and tense his body. ‘I have thought upon what happened in Sheldon, of which I have said little and then upon the Plains of Amrosi of which you all know everything.’ She spoke slowly, all the while looking from one to the other and her eyes seemed harder than the stone about them. All then, even Orcxyl new she was old, older and wiser than them all and they marvelled at her, for her youthful beauty was extraordinary, and Rema could not prevent the yearning in his heart to love her. Nor did he want to. ‘It is my belief,’ she continued, ‘that we are watched and fell things are sent to prevent our success.’ These words hit them hard.
‘You mean some sorcery from afar is seeking to divert us?’ Andes spoke incredulously.
‘I think far worse than that,’ Sylvion replied. ‘The fire upon the plains was meant to destroy us, not scare us off.’
Orcxyl shook his head slightly in angry disagreement. You alone seek to divert us White Queen but I will not be fooled by this nonsense.
‘How could any know where we are, and what path we take?’ Rema asked. ‘We were diverted by the waters of the Snake River. Our travelling across the plain was never spoken of until we were forced to a different path...’
‘This is true,’ Sylvion said in a voice which once more was hard with the power of her authority, ‘and so it makes me think that what tells of how we go, is closer than we suspect.’ And at this they all felt a chill and looked about involuntarily.
‘Some creature stalks us?’ Germayne inquired.
‘I do not know,’ Sylvion replied, ‘but I believe that we are not safe.’
They sat quietly then and thought upon her words.
‘When will we know where we are going?’ Andes asked finally in such a manner that Rema knew immediately that he was hoping for a short journey.
‘Soon,’ Sylvion replied gazing deep into the fire. ‘Soon. Now get some sleep and we will see what the morrow brings.’