The Wrathful Mountains

by Lana Axe

  A blinding flash of light changed the scene before her. In place of the Wrathful Mountains stood a volcano, smoke and flame belching from its center. Feeling herself perspire beneath the oppressive heat, Kaiya fought against her discomfort. In the distance, she spotted what must have been the ocean, steam rising from its surface. The water level was surprisingly high, but this was history far beyond what was written. Only the Ancients could know what the world was like at this point.

  Slowly she adjusted to the heat, her mind clearing enough to reach out. There, in the fiery center of the volcano, lived the Gawr. Here it seemed content, almost complacent. There was no anger, but there was hatred. Without warning, the ground shook beneath her feet, the volcano spewing ash. A violent earthquake ravaged the hillside, deep crags ripping across the landscape. Seconds later, all was covered in dust. Instinctively she coughed and held up her arm to shield her eyes.

  Another burst of light turned the page on her vision, transporting her to a snow-capped mountain. The exact opposite of the land she’d just witnessed, this place was extremely cold. A thick coat of ice entombed all she could see, a chilled wind stinging her face. Still the Gawr made itself known. A low rumbling gave way to great cracks in the ice, massive chunks falling away to form glaciers of blue and white. Her breath caught in her chest as she witnessed the rise of the mountain, the earth beneath it reaching ever higher, thrusting the summit toward the sky.

  Before the sight could overwhelm her, a silver light flared, bringing yet another change. This time people stood before her, the wind whispering one word: Ancients. Tall and slender, with a strong resemblance to Galen’s people, stood four figures radiating immense power. It was now obvious why the Westerling Elves referred to themselves as the First Ones. There could be no doubt they had descended from the Ancients, the first to be created by their glorious hands. A yearning settled into her heart as she desired to know these people better.

  I wish to speak with them, she projected on the wind.

  It isn’t possible, came the reply.

  Kaiya grunted in frustration. Even the wind had its limits. It could not transport her through time. This was only a vision; the Ancients weren’t really standing before her. A bitter disappointment tasted on her tongue, tears welling in her eyes. These people had the answer she sought, but how would she coax it from them if she couldn’t speak to them?

  Patience, the wind reminded her.

  Watching the scene play out, Kaiya felt a renewed sense of peace. Yes, the Gawr was still present, but it was somewhere in the background, all but forgotten. One of the Ancients, a male with white hair, gazed at the ground. As she pondered what he might be doing, she caught the scent of a soft rainfall. To her surprise, the Ancients took no shelter, but she had to resist the instinct for herself. Though she was quite dry, it still hadn’t fully registered that she was only a witness to the scene, not a part of it.

  The white-haired Ancient continued to stare at the ground, no words escaping his lips. With thought alone, he brought forth green sprouts, which shot up to his own height within seconds. Taking the form of evergreens, proud and strong, they ascended toward the heavens, their needled arms reaching out in all directions. Amazed, she wondered if any of these trees still existed. Surely time could not undo such wonders.

  A woman with raven hair that tumbled to her ankles stood in the background, her arms waving delicately, mimicking the flight of a bird. Through her motion, streams began to form. A mere trickle at first, they expanded, gliding down the mountainside before diving over the edges. Pristine waterfalls gave life to the rivers below, their lush waters flowing toward eternity.

  The sight was too much for the sorceress, and she wept but did not avert her gaze. Such beauty was not meant for her eyes, but the wind had granted her this gift. The daughter of a farmer, she had always loved and respected the land. But seeing its creation, and feeling the love in the hearts of its creators, was an experience like no other.

  Gently the wind dried her tears, its unseen hands wrapping her in their warmth. She steadied herself, knowing what was to come. There was still more to see, and this scene had reached its end. A burst of white light moved her forward in time, the world transforming to a state of chaos.

  A wave of shock traveled through her as her mind registered the horrific scene. How could such beauty come to complete destruction? What power could have done this? Immediately the presence of the Gawr announced itself. Its voice shouting, fire spewing from its open mouth. An indescribably joy emanated from the vile creature as it reveled in the carnage.

  Kaiya attempted to close her eyes, hoping to block out the scene in front of her, but the wind would not allow it. She must witness things as it had seen them if she was to understand. The truth could not be denied.

  Flames spread over the once-green forests, the massive trees brought to life by the Ancients fell victim to the Gawr, consumed in its raging fire. Furred creatures darted from their hiding places, desperately trying to outrun the inferno. She could not count the number that did not make it. Birds fled above her, forced from their nests by the rising smoke, their chicks left unprotected and helpless. Her mouth went dry, the taste of ash assaulting her tongue.

  Wrapping her arms around herself, Kaiya tried to force the image to change. This was more than she could bear, her heart breaking, the pain traveling throughout every vein. And still the Gawr projected its immense delight. A cry of pure ecstasy issued from its lungs.

  Bracing herself against the shuddering of the ground, Kaiya barely managed to stay upright. The shaking was more intense than before, rocks falling loose and tumbling in every direction. Great clouds of gray dust swirled on the wind, clouding her vision. With her hand held above her eyes, she strained to see what appeared before her.

  Misshapen forms emerged from the rubble, some on two legs, some on four or more. Her heart leapt to her throat as her mind raced to devise a plan of action.

  Far too many beasts appeared, more than she could handle alone. None of them took notice of the sorceress. I’m not really here, she reminded herself. They passed by her, no trace of malice in them at all. There was nothing left for them to destroy.

  The dust began to clear, but not before tickling the delicate hairs inside Kaiya’s nostrils. Wiggling her nose, she expected to sneeze but didn’t. Instead the dust settled, and all became still. Unnerved, Kaiya wondered why the scene had not changed.

  Again the rumbling returned, this time accompanied by a sharper noise, as if the world were splitting into pieces. Chunks of the mountain plummeted down the cliffside, racing toward her. Rooted to the spot, her feet as heavy as lead, she could not move out of the way. Instinctively, she reached for her magic, attempting to reroute the boulders. Silver magic flew from her fingertips, but the rocks did not obey.

  Holding her breath, she braced herself for impact. The boulder passed through her, causing her no harm. Doubling over with relief, she felt the wind in her hair. You’re not in any danger, she scolded herself, redness creeping into her cheeks. This is the wind’s memory. Apparently she still needed to convince herself. The scenes were all too real.

  Floating on the wind’s embrace, Kaiya welcomed the flash of light that put an end to the ghastly scene. Once again life teemed in the mountains, the Ancients standing before her. Two women and one man stood engrossed in conversation. The same white-haired man and raven-haired woman were accompanied by a second female. Her dark hair was cropped short, but her face was strikingly similar to the raven-haired Ancient. Kaiya decided the two had to be sisters.

  “We must take action, Elnar,” the short-haired woman insisted.

  “The stone giant is too dangerous,” Elnar, the white-haired man, replied.

  “What say you, Tienna?” the short-haired woman asked.

  “The only action we can take is to correct the destruction the Gawr has brought to this land.” Tienna’s voice was full of sorrow, her eyes averted to the ground.

  “We’ll have to do so eve
ry time he wakes,” the short-haired woman replied. “That leaves little time for anything else. We must act!”

  “We cannot change the Gawr’s nature, Zarla,” Tienna said, her voice full of regret. “It must do as its nature insists. It cannot change what it is.”

  “Unacceptable,” Zarla replied.

  “The Gawr is a jealous beast,” Elnar said. “It wishes to create but has only the ability to destroy. That’s why all of its attempts at creation take the form of misshapen monsters.”

  “And if it has its way, it will fill the world with those abominations,” Zarla added.

  Kaiya knew to which creatures the Ancients referred. The rock beasts were unnatural, crafted by the destroyer.

  “As long as we allow it to exist, it will continue to unleash this horror,” Zarla went on. With a wave of her hand, she drew their attention to the ruination all around. Trees stripped bare of green lay dying upon a field of rubble; no song of birds sounded from the skies. All life had been lost to the malice of the Gawr. “All we have created will perish in time. We must stop this.”

  “We cannot,” Elnar replied. “It is not in our nature to destroy, even one such as the Gawr.”

  “I will not sit by while this happens again and again,” Zarla warned, her visage darkening.

  Tienna stepped forward, gently taking her sister’s hand. “The Gawr must rest,” she said, her voice a song upon the wind. “I shall sing him to sleep, but he will not remain that way. Others will have to maintain the spell, or the cycle of destruction and rebirth will continue.”

  Zarla nodded her agreement as did Elnar. The trio joined hands, Tienna turning her face to the heavens. Kaiya focused her full attention to the raven-haired Ancient, determined to commit her song to memory.

  A lullaby found its way to the sorceress’s ears—a strange, unintelligible song. Such language Kaiya had never heard, nor could she imagine herself being able to vocalize such sounds. Was this the language of the Ancients? Notes rose and fell, some of them too high for the dwarf to comprehend. Stifling a cry of frustration in her throat, she clenched her fists and turned to her magic, but she knew no spell that could capture a song.

  Keep watching the wind whispered. Kaiya obeyed.

  All fell silent as the song ended, the image of the Ancients fading into darkness. Tienna and Zarla appeared, and behind them stood several Ulihi. Kaiya could not hear what the Ancients said to them, but they appeared enraptured by their presence. A priestess in a beaded headdress stepped forward, taking Tienna by the hand, while Zarla drew lines on the ground with a silver beam of magic. Kneeling down together, the Ancients traced the three distinct symbols drawn into the dust, carefully explaining each to the priestess.

  Kaiya strained her eyes to see the lines more clearly. They glistened in a multitude of hues before settling permanently to a deep shade of red. Magic shimmered upon the runes, the images burning themselves into Kaiya’s memory. It was not the song she needed to remember, but the runes.

  Before her eyes flashed a series of images: three distinct locations high in the mountains. Again and again, the images repeated themselves, the runes flashing before her upon a sea of red. “Dwarf’s Heart,” Kaiya whispered to the wind. Closing her eyes, she sucked air deep into her lungs. “Now I understand.”

  Chapter 14

  Rubbing her eyes, Kaiya studied the scene before her. No more visions—she saw only the landscape as it had been when she sat down. Hope entered her heart, a feeling of peace she had not expected. The wind had revealed its full knowledge of the Gawr, and the method for besting it. Using the same technique the Ancients taught the Ulihi, Kaiya could set this right.

  Taking one step forward, she stumbled, the earth beneath her giving way. Grasping at the edge of the sinkhole, she summoned the wind to lift her over the side. Rocks slid away beneath her fingers, but she did not lose her grip. The wind obeyed, lightening her load and allowing her to lift herself out.

  A searing heat rose through her body, the red eyes of the Gawr upon her. It knew what the wind knew, and it would use any means to stop Kaiya. The wind tousled her violet locks as she projected with her mind, I’m coming for you. Swallowing her fear, she summoned the wind to shield her. The Gawr must not follow her steps. She would never make it up the mountainside if it did. Rock slides and tremors would make the journey impossible.

  But how much power did the Gawr truly have? After all, it was not fully awake. The process to restrain it took time, and Kaiya hoped she would have enough. If it was beyond the Ancients to defeat this creature, it was surely beyond her. Only the power of the runes would send this monster to its rest.

  Carefully making her way back to the village, Kaiya kept her focus on her feet. With the wind as her companion, she monitored the ground, looking for the first sign of an attack. The Gawr would not feel her footsteps, but it knew where she would go. There was no time to lose. She must act before it could.

  The camp was bustling with activity, men and loaded wagons heading in all directions. She stopped a passing child to ask, “Have you seen the elf and the Ulihi woman?” It was all the description necessary.

  “Sure have!” the boy replied. “They’re over by the Dwarf’s Heart cutters.”

  “And where is that exactly?” she asked.

  “Head down this path,” the boy said, pointing ahead. “Go to the end, and make a right. It’s the third shop on your right.” He beamed with pride, happy to be of help.

  “Thanks,” Kaiya said. She hurried along the road, dodging a cartload of linens and earning a few choice words from its driver. Paying him no heed, she continued following the boy’s directions. To her delight, she could clearly see Tashi, seated on a low wooden stool.

  The priestess stood at the dwarf’s approach. “Did you learn anything?” she asked.

  “I did,” Kaiya replied. “Where is Galen?”

  “Raad brought us here so the elf could work with the gem cutters,” Tashi said. “He’s in the workshop.” Motioning for Kaiya to follow, she pulled open the door.

  Several work stations awaited inside, manned by busy dwarves scrutinizing the gems before them. Each man held a magnifying glass, his face pressed close to the unrefined mineral.

  “I guess this is where they prepare the Dwarf’s Heart before sending it to the elves,” Kaiya commented.

  “Your elf friend says these red rocks hold magical powers,” Tashi replied. “He was excited to come here.”

  “Why didn’t you come inside with him?” Kaiya wondered.

  “I prefer not to be confined with so many…people,” she said.

  “You mean dwarves?” the sorceress asked with a smile.

  Tashi did not reply. She did not wish to offend Kaiya, whose company she found pleasant. But a room full of dwarf men, all obsessed with shiny trinkets, was not somewhere she wanted to be for long. Besides, she had no interest in the gemstones. Having no practical use, they were of no value to the Ulihi.

  A loud gasp from Kaiya stopped Tashi in her tracks, her hand gripping tightly to her staff. “What is it?” she asked.

  Clapping her hands over her mouth, Kaiya slowly approached one of the work stations. Behind the table, Galen gave a cheerful wave.

  “Your hair,” Kaiya said, her hands slowly sliding from her lips. “What? Who?” Her words tripped over her tongue and landed hard against the back of her teeth.

  “I’m going for a new look,” Galen replied, running his fingers through his dark hair. What had once cascaded down his back, landing at his waist, was now cropped close to his scalp. “Do you like it?”

  Still stuttering, she replied, “It’s certainly different.”

  “That’s just the look I was going for,” he replied cheerfully. “Come and see what else I’ve done.”

  Still staring at his hair, she approached the work table and observed his hands. He clutched a small bit of stone in one hand, the other covered in dirt from his work. When he held the item up for her to observe, her mouth dropped open. Inlaid
within the stone was a rune, fashioned in the same blood red color she had seen in her vision. Magic gleamed on the rune’s surface.

  “It’s the symbol for air,” he said, passing her the stone. “I made it for you.”

  The rune stone tingled in her hand, its magic warming her fingers. At a loss for words, she held the stone toward the light to observe it better.

  “I made it from one of the spent stones of the rock beast,” Galen explained. “The inlay is Dwarf’s Heart.” Dusting his hands and wiping them on his pants, he added, “Its magic will give you strength, should you ever go where the wind can’t watch over you.”

  Kaiya felt a lump rise in her throat. Not only had a great deal of effort gone into this gift, a great deal of coin had too. Dwarf’s Heart was not easily purchased by any but the wealthiest of nobles. Immediately, she knew the real reason he had cut his hair. He traded it to Daro, who believed in its magical properties. It was the only way Galen could afford the painite. “Thank you,” she managed to say, clutching the gift in her hand.

  “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” the elf said.

  Her eyes wet, Kaiya could only nod. His words were absolutely true. He would do anything she asked. That included waiting in the background while she decided whether she wanted to continue their relationship. It would be easier to be selfish if he wasn’t so understanding. Be that as it may, Kaiya was a student of the wind. She loved Galen, but she wasn’t certain it was the same love he felt for her. Would he be content to remain friends for centuries, never expecting more? Or would he eventually decide she wasn’t worth his affections and leave her to pursue a new love? Only time would tell, but his loyal nature and cheerful outlook on life would likely stop him from ever turning his back on her.

  Gently stroking the side of his face, she sniffled twice before saying, “Your new look is wonderful.”