Soul Magic

by Karen Whiddon

  Power. The very soil hummed with magic. Though her glimmering became a shower of sparks, Alanna cared not.

  “Let’s find Caradoc.” She took a step forward, away from the light provided by the bonfire. “Let’s go save my baby.”

  Darrick responded with a sharp intake of breath. No doubt he didn’t know what to make of her appearance. She had no time to explain. Not now. Intent on one thing and one thing only. Caradoc.

  As she’d hoped he would, Darrick went with her. Behind, she sensed the other two as well.

  “We are Fae,” Sarina said, her voice like the chime of a hundred bells. Thus Alanna knew Sarina had been transformed as well.

  “You must take care.” Darrick cautioned her, sounding far away though she knew he kept pace at her side.

  Take care? He could not know how drunk with strength she felt, invincible. An avenging warrior princess on a quest to save her son.

  “Dull and faded, the legend said. Remember?”

  Behind her, she heard Sarina laugh. “No one can harm us now. We are pure magic.”

  The grass beneath their feet vanished. As did the wind and the inky blackness of the starlit sky. In a soulless void they floated, buffeted by an unseen force.

  “Enough.” Alanna gave the command. Again they stood on solid ground, though this time the clammy, damp gray of rock.

  Ellette no longer felt heavy in her arms.

  Ellette! She was gone.

  “He has taken Ellette,” she cried.

  From a great distance she heard the cry. “Mama!”

  Her heart constricted. “Caradoc.”

  Now another voice. “Cawadoc.” Ellette’s voice.

  Then she heard only silence.

  Frantic, she spun. “Where are we?”

  “We are in a dungeon.” Geoffrey rushed forward, his hands closing around iron bars. Iron. Deadly to most fae. Not now, Alanna thought, not when they were so filled with raw power.

  Still gripping her hand, Sarina spoke. “We can escape if we become our essence.”

  “Essence?” Darrick’s sharp voice made clear his unease. He held a hand to his eyes, so that he could look at them in all their brilliance. “What do you mean, what do you propose?”

  “Mama!” Almost a shout, Caradoc’s cry came again. This time, his voice held unnamed terror. In that instant, Alanna’s decision was made for her.

  “I’m coming.” She called out, and released the last of her control over her corporeal body.

  Like a flame she felt herself surge forward. Pure energy/heat/magic. She felt another burst beside her, telling her Sarina had done the same.

  “How many eons has it been?” Sarina’s disembodied voice echoed in the stone chamber. “Since we could assume our true forms?”

  Intent on locating Caradoc, Alanna did not answer. Pure energy, she flowed down stone hallways, over rock, through walls, searching, searching for her son.

  There. Caradoc. His soul blazed brighter than any others.

  “Mama!”

  Eagerly, she rushed forward, reaching to take him into her arms.

  Instead, she crashed into a wall, a barrier of suffocating blackness. For an instant, she felt her spark sputter. Cold swept over her, like a bucket of ice water dashed over her head. Her power, so strong, so certain, faltered.

  Only momentarily. Only for an instant.

  “Mama.”

  “I’m coming baby. Mama’s coming.” Closing her eyes, she willed away the chill, willed her blaze to brighten.

  Instead, a dark shroud settled over her. All is lost, the gloom seemed to tell her. All is lost. There is no hope.

  “Alanna, help me.” Sarina, panic high and sharp in her voice.

  Spinning, Alanna brushed away the darkness, pushed away the grim heaviness. Her vision cleared, enabling her to see her cousin’s luminescence sputter, then extinguish.

  “No!” Such dousing would mean the end of the soul.

  “Sarina,” she cried. “No! Goddess help us.”

  “I am here.” Another voice. Darrick. Strong and sure.

  “And I.” Geoffrey.

  Blindly, Alanna reached out. Calling her name, Darrick pushed through the gloom to touch her, groping unseeing for her hand.

  Their fingers connected. Intertwined. Her blood surged, power blossomed where they joined. She blazed brighter. This time, Darrick too began to glow.

  “We must help Sarina.” As one they turned, seeing how the darkness gave way as they moved.

  Besides her, Geoffrey pulled Sarina close. He kissed her, holding her close to him. Her spark flared, then began again to blaze. As did he. The light from their combined radiance pushed back the dark veil around them.

  “Mama.”

  “Caradoc.” Alanna met Darrick’s eyes. “We must rescue my son.”

  They ran.

  Caradoc sat upon an altar, in a throne made of bones and sinew. Darkness pulsed from this chair, holding him their as securely as if tied by chains of metal.

  A black gulf separated them. The utter absence of light and of color, the bitterness of the icy cold emanating from it told Alanna this emptiness was more than mere absence of space. More… and less. Whatever had created this horrible, yawning void lived.

  “Gorsedd.” Caradoc indicated the gulf. “He lives within. Mama, he prays on the Fae. And he has Ellette.”

  Then Caradoc, brave Caradoc, began to cry.

  “We will rescue her.” Still gripping her hand, Darrick spoke softly.

  “And slay this Gorsedd.” Grim-voiced, Geoffrey kept one hand on the hilt of his sword. “Morfran as well.”

  A blue-black flame blazed up from the hole. Caradoc shrank back against the awful chair. His gaze found Alanna’s, his mouth working in a silent plea.

  “That’s it.” Alanna started forward. “Mama’s coming, baby.”

  The unholy flame flared up to greet her.

  “Hold.” Darrick yanked her away from the edge of the void. “If you go in there, it’ll destroy you.”

  She tried to wrench herself free. “My son needs me. I’ll leap it if I have to.”

  “Alanna. Look at me.”

  Stubborn, she kept her gaze fixed on her son. “Let me go.”

  “Wait, mama. The man is right.” Caradoc rubbed at his eyes with his fists and tried to smile at her. The pitiful attempt nearly broke her heart.

  “Alanna, listen to me.” Darrick pulled her close. “Pairs of pairs must join and bind. Ancient evil from below rises--” He pointed at the flame.

  “That icy fire is Gorsedd.” Caradoc said, his measured voice at odds with his youthful stature.

  “Gorsedd?” Alanna spoke the name with scorn. “Than I have little to fear. He might be evil, but I hardly think he qualifies as ancient evil.”

  “Mama, that flame is what Gorsedd has become.”

  “How?” Darrick asked. “And why?”

  “I know not why.” Terror blazed from Caradoc’s young/old eyes. “He has joined with that which cannot be named. He sacrificed Morfran–and others–to call it to him.”

  That which cannot be named. Ancient Evil. So ancient, its true name was no longer even remembered.

  Alanna shuddered. “How do you know this, my son?”

  “I have seen.”

  Alanna recoiled. “Such a thing is not possible.”

  From the fissure came a whimper. A little girl’s cry.

  “Ellette.” Alanna yanked her hand free from Darrick’s. She sprang forward.

  Instantly frost took her, freezing her limbs. Her blood slowly thickened, her spark flickered. The dark shroud again covered her, and she could not even cry out.

  “Alanna.” Darrick’s voice, from a long way off. He took her hand, massaging her icy fingers. She felt herself thaw, even as she shivered. She could feel her life force sucked from her bones. Gorsedd.

  Again came the cry, then the sound of a child sobbing.

  “Ellette. We must save her.”

  “I’ll do it.” Darrick move
d forward, towards the blue-black fire below. Barely had he taken three strides when water sprouted from the fire and the air filled with the tang of salt. The sea.

  The rush of the waves knocked him from his feet. Water closed over his head, even as he fought for the surface.

  “His worst fear.” Alanna struggled to free her frozen limbs. Still she could not move. “Help him.”

  “Such a thing is not possible.” Rooted in place on their rock shelf above the water, Geoffrey stared, but made no move.

  “Remember the dragon,” Sarina urged. “Remember what you learned. Help him.”

  At her words Geoffrey leapt forward, the water slamming against him as he tried to reach Darrick, swimming with all his strength.

  The waves roiled violently. Darrick broke surface, swimming mightily, but the current pushed him back under.

  “The chamber fills with water.” Caradoc’s voice, full of fear. “We will all drown.”

  Alanna shook her head. Something nagged at her. She’d though vaguely that they would form a circle, and summon enough power to fight against Gorsedd’s evil. Now she realized what she’d been missing.

  “Pairs of pairs.” Shouting the words, Alanna knew she was right. She moved, and the last of the ice cracked and fell away. Again she felt herself spark, glow, blaze. “Sarina, go to Geoffrey. I will try and reach Darrick. Pairs of pairs. Together, yet separate.”

  Instantly, Sarina understood. “But we need to save Ellette. She must be with Caradoc. Only then will the third pair give us enough strength to fight that.”

  A laugh echoed around the chamber, evil and rancor in the horrible sound. The unholy flame roared, undeterred by the raging flood.

  “Power.” Faceless, mouthless, nevertheless it spoke. “I will take your power and more.”

  Now Alanna jumped into the icy water. She gasped, struggling to stay afloat. Ahead of her Darrick broke the surface for a third time, the determination on his face making him glow with his own sort of power.

  Reaching him, Alanna felt magic surge when she touched his shoulder. The force of the waves lessened and she saw he struggled with something – no, not something, but some one. A tiny bundle, encased in a block of ice.

  Ellette. They tread water, supporting her between them.

  “Caradoc,” Darrick shouted. “Help me.”

  Caradoc clapped his hands and began to sing. His song was a song of power, of deeds both finished and as yet undone. The words were not in any language that Alanna knew, not human nor Fae, but some language whose meaning had been long forgotten. Still, she understood the words.

  As he sang, notes sounded in the gloom. The clang of three pure bells, chiming.

  Caradoc continued to sing, reaching out towards them. The water continued to recede, into the cracks and fissures and the awful, dark, burning hole.

  He sang and he gestured and the magic built. The flame sputtered, then flared towards him. A flash of light and the awful chair that held him vanished.

  Caradoc staggered forward, his voice faltering. He stumbled, too close to the edge.

  “No!” Alanna’s heart stopped. If he fell, he would be consumed by Gorsedd’s fire.

  But at the last moment, Caradoc regained his balance, pushing himself back from the precipice.

  The last of the water vanished. Darrick and she climbed to their feet. Alanna kept her grip of his arm, drawing strength from the touch of him.

  Inside the block of ice, Ellette appeared to sleep.

  “Is she--”

  “I think she lives. We must get her to Caradoc.”

  Behind Alanna and Darrick, Geoffrey and Sarina closed ranks. They continued to glow, their spark undimmed.

  “Pairs of pairs,” Alanna said. “Save one.”

  With an angry roar, the black flame became an inferno. Blue-black sparks shot from it, turning to ice whatever they touched.

  Caradoc spoke a word. Alanna repeated it, Sarina followed suit.

  Darrick reached for him, holding out Ellette in her block of ice.

  Legs planted apart in a warrior’s stance, Caradoc opened his arms to receive her.

  “I will not have it!” Gorsedd’s voice, as the flame solidified and became the shape of a man.

  Gorsedd.

  The blue-black fire still danced around him, reflected a hundred times off the rock walls.

  From below came a snarl – and the earth trembled.

  “That Which Cannot Be Named is awake – and hungry.” Gorsedd laughed, his eyes full of madness. “Come to me boy.”

  “No.” Caradoc shook his head. In his arms, the ice block began to steam and melt.

  Inside, Ellette appeared lifeless. But Caradoc spoke again, and she stirred. Her blue eyes opened, blazing with trust, and she laughed out loud. The joyous sound of childish laughter did much to dispel any doubts.

  Her chubby hand reached out for Caradoc. Solemn-faced, he took it.

  “I will not have it,” Gorsedd said again, stepping in their path with his hands held out before him like claws. “The others feed your power and this power is MINE. It belongs to ME.” He roared, sending an echo around the chamber.

  “No.” Caradoc didn’t even look at Gorsedd as he spoke. He gazed down at the little girl and smiled.

  “A soul torn asunder must be made whole.” As he spoke the words, Darrick gathered Alanna in his arms. “Now is our chance to right the wrong that was done us, to restore that which Morfran stole. Marry me, Alanna of Rune, make me whole. Marry me and come to Thorncliff and live with me as wife.”

  Shocked, stunned, she could only shake her head in disbelief. “You ask me this now? Now?”

  “I have my reasons.”

  “I cannot--.”

  “You must.” He looked at her and she saw he hid

  nothing. In his eyes she saw worry and fear, doubt, and urgency. And love. Most of all, love.

  Swallowing, she closed her eyes, feeling as though she lept blindly forward. “Yes.”

  “Trust is like that.” His voice sounded strange. She opened her eyes and saw him wipe away a tear.

  “Come.” Lifting his chin, he gave her a fierce smile full of so much tenderness it felt like a caress. “We must rescue your son.” Then he kissed her, the salt of his tears mingling with his breath. Gripping her hand, he led her forward, directly towards Gorsedd and the sinuous black flame.

  “I claim the power.” Gorsedd grinned as they drew close, his hands out as though he meant to rip the very life-force from their bodies.

  “You have no power over us. We fulfill our destiny.”

  Shimmering, flickering, Gorsedd again became the flame, roaring at them, ice and heat, darkness and evil, daring them to pass.

  Never hesitating, Darrick pulled them forward, striding through like Gorsedd and the awful flame meant nothing.

  And it was true. Indeed, as they passed through the fire, Alanna felt no ice, no chill, nothing. Nothing but the combined warmth of her soul-half’s touch, of her friend’s contentment, and of her little boy’s joy at their reunion.

  “Mama.” He flew at her.

  Alanna gathered him close, happiness making her glow bright. “Caradoc.” She spoke his name over and over, stroking his hair. “Caradoc, I’ve missed you so.”

  With Darrick’s arm still around her shoulders, she half-turned, welcoming Sarina and Geoffrey into the circle of their embrace, for only then would all the pairs of pairs be together, so that their magic might hold.

  Behind them, Gorsedd/the flame flared, attacking. She felt the pull as it sought purchase, a source of strength from which to feed. The thing in the earth, That Which Must Not Be Named, bellowed, sending rock crumbling. The stuff of nightmares, again Gorsedd’s shape changed. Not fire, not man, but something worse, the formless terror of the worst nightmare.

  Grouped together, Fae and human, friends and lovers, mother and son, their combined glow chased away the darkness. Beating back the black shape, their magic chased it into the fissure.

  On
e howl, two. Gorsedd’s voice, or something worse, she could not tell. With a clap the earth closed, sealing evil inside.

  “Cawadoc.” Ellette clapped her hands. Then, to Alanna’s surprise she turned to Darrick, holding up her arms to be held. “Dawwick,” she said.

  He threw back his head and laughed, lifting her up in the air. “Ellette.”

  Giggling, she squealed his name. “Dawwick.”

  Alanna’s throat ached. She hugged her son even harder.

  “I love you, boy of mine.”

  Never taking his gaze from Darrick and Ellette, Caradoc sighed. “I love you too, mama.”

  The earth trembled as the fissure slid closed.

  “Gorsedd is no more.” Geoffrey pronounced.

  Darrick flashed him a grim smile. “Aye, but what of Morfran? Are you certain Gorsedd killed him? He and I have old scores to settle.”

  “Morfran is dead,” Caradoc pronounced. “Gorsedd sacrificed him to That Which Cannot Be Named.”

  Glad at least her child had not been witness to that particular killing, Alanna kissed his cheek.

  He turned his head and kissed her back. Then, pulling from Alanna’s arms, Caradoc moved closer to Darrick, studying him with a grave, yet hopeful expression. `Twas as though he knew what they could mean to each other.

  Behind them, Geoffrey and Sarina murmured endearments to each other. Caradoc paid them no head, watching only Darrick.

  The child of legend.

  Nay, Caradoc was only her beloved son, as Darrick was the man of her heart.

  They looked at each other, silent. Heart full to bursting, yet aching, Alanna watched them, knowing what might come could not be of her urging.

  Darrick settled back on his heels, hoisting Ellette on one knee. Holding Caradoc’s intent gaze, he patted the other and held out his hand.

  “Come here, my son,” he said, smiling. “I am Darrick, your sire. We’ve five long years to catch up on, my son.”

  Without hesitation, Caradoc moved forward.

  Alanna’s eyes filled with tears. Silent, they spilled out, running silver trails down her cheeks. Though she tried to hold it in, she couldn’t keep a sob from escaping.

  Hearing this, Caradoc turned. “Mama?”

  She sniffled, smiling through her tears. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”