“It was taken by a giant,” said Geoff. “I left it at our campsite and when I returned, the giant took it, changed into a black winged thing, and flew away.”
“Oh,” said Ishara, “Some creatures are drawn to items of magic. Do you know where this key-stealing giant is now?”
“No,” said Geoff, shaking his head. “It just flew away. But I think Ariel knew something about it. She seemed to, anyway.”
“True, she would know of such creatures,” said Ishara.
“Is she like a tribal leader or something? She knows a lot about a lot.” Geoff winced at his last sentence, not sure if it had made sense.
“She is a druid,” she said. “A very powerful one, too. In her order she holds the rank of archdruid.”
“So she is the leader of the druids?”
“No,” said Ishara, “The high druid is the leader of all the druids. Ariel is among those who are next in rank.”
“How many druids are there?”
“I do not know,” said Ishara. “Those born with druidic talents and abilities are a rarity. Only elves have the capacity to become druids.”
“Wait. Only elves? Not humans?” said Geoff.
Ishara nodded.
“But I said earlier that my friend Jane could make one of those floating gems glow green,” said Geoff. “Ariel said she had druidic abilities.”
“Who is this Jane?”
“She’s one of my friends. She came here with me.”
“She is human?” asked Ishara.
“Yep.”
“There has never been a human druid. Humans simply do not have the empathy, compassion, and fortitude for such a calling. It is a gift, even among us elves.”
“Okay,” said Geoff. “But I saw her gem glow green, just like Ariel’s.”
From the corner of his eye, Geoff saw Ishara look at him with a puzzled expression. He smiled to himself. He wasn’t sure if she believed him, but that didn’t matter to Geoff. He took a small amount of comfort in knowing something she didn’t.
Another hour passed. They walked in relative silence before Geoff asked, “Where are we?”
“The Feral Thicket,” said Ishara. “A place full of wild magic and creatures. It is—“
Geoff felt Ishara grab his shoulder and pull him down. She placed a finger over her lips and unslung her bow with her other hand. In another second she had an arrow nocked and was aiming at something in front of them.
“What is it? Is it that wild man again?” said Geoff quietly.
“Shh,” said Ishara. “Something or someone is coming.”
Geoff looked where Ishara had pointed her arrow. He didn’t see anything except trees and undergrowth. A few seconds later, he heard the sounds of something running through the undergrowth, coming their way.
Chapter Twenty One
The Eldritch Swamp
“Ariel!” called Geoff, his face beaming. “You found us!”
He ran to Ariel and flung his arms around her. She smiled and returned his embrace. Jane and Sawyer arrived several seconds later. Jane hugged Geoff and Ariel while Sawyer gave Geoff a pat on the back.
“Oh, Geoff!” said Jane. “We were worried about you! We didn’t know what happened.”
“Yeah, we thought you were a goner,” said Sawyer. “It’s good to see ya! Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Geoff. “But I was worried you guys were dead. I was kidnapped by brigands and they said I killed all of you.”
Jane and Sawyer looked at each other.
“Well, there was a giant ball of fire that rolled down the hall and almost fried us,” said Sawyer. “You did that?”
“I don’t know. I can’t remember,” said Geoff. “All I remember is being trapped in a dark room by one of those mite-monster things. I thought it was going to eat me. I must’ve blacked out. When I woke up, I’d been kidnapped.”
“So where are the brigands and who is she?” said Sawyer, motioning to Ishara.
“Oh, that’s Ishara,” said Geoff. “She took the brigands out all by herself.”
Jane turned her head and saw Ariel speaking with a small elf girl armed with a bow.
“Hal’inari,” said Ishara, placing her hand over her heart.
“It is good to see you again, little one,” said Ariel with a smile.
“Forgive me, but I bring ill tidings. The Shadowlord has attacked Selra’thel. Our homeland stands alone against his hordes.”
Jane saw the smile leave Ariel’s face.
“I have other grave news,” continued Ishara. “Evil has consumed the Eldritch Forest. An evil that is growing, expanding beyond its borders. The forest is now twisted and warped, Ariel. Creatures that should not exist, hideous things, are spat out from that once green woodland.”
Ariel looked to the north, the direction of the Eldritch Forest.
“I know,” she said quietly. “I must go to there and confront my friend.”
Everyone fell silent and looked at Ariel. A few moments later Jane walked to where Ariel and Ishara were standing.
“What are you talking about?” she said. “Who are you going to confront? Are you going to fight someone?”
Jane studied Ariel and looked at Ishara for an answer. Ishara merely cast her eyes downward.
“Ariel,” said Jane, “I don’t understand. Who are you going to fight and why?”
She looks worried and sad, thought Jane. Something awful has happened.
“Ariel?” repeated Jane.
“I do not wish to speak of it,” said Ariel. “It would be better if all of you went to the capital city of Chalon while I see to the task before me. Ishara can take you there.”
“What?” said Sawyer. “No way. We’re going with you.”
“Yeah,” said Geoff. “Safety in numbers, right?”
Ariel shook her head. “Not this time.”
“We’re going with you,” insisted Jane. “We can help. And Geoff is right; there is safety in numbers.”
“I am sorry,” said Ariel. “But it is too dangerous.”
“Perhaps,” said Ishara, “you will allow us to accompany you as far as the village of Somerdale? We can wait there for your return.”
“Even that is dangerous,” said Ariel. “Somerdale has been abandoned. Whatever evil dwells within the Eldritch Forest reigns there.”
“But if something happened to you,” said Geoff, “we’d never know.”
“I will stay with them and keep them safe,” said Ishara.
Ariel took a deep breath and nodded. “Very well,” she said. “We travel to Somerdale Village. But you must listen and do as I say. Your lives may well depend on it.”
“Okay,” said Jane. “We only want to help, so don’t send us away.”
“The village is a day’s travel northeast of here,” said Ariel solemnly. “We should leave now.”
“We stick together,” said Jane. “It’s what we do.”
“It’s what…we do,” repeated Ariel. She looked at Jane and raised an eyebrow as she tilted her head. Jane met Ariel’s confused gaze. Did she say something wrong? She must have struck a nerve, she thought. Ariel turned and walked away. Ishara motioned for them to follow as she joined Ariel.
Sawyer and Geoff joined Jane as they fell in line behind Ariel and Ishara.
“What’s up with her? Never seen her like this,” said Sawyer. “Why would she fight a friend? Is she going to kill him?”
Jane shook her head, “I don’t know. Something’s wrong. She obviously doesn’t want to do this.”
“Yeah,” said Sawyer. “I couldn’t kill my best friend.”
“By the way,” said Jane. “Who is your best friend?”
“Dunno,” said Sawyer. “Y
ou, maybe?”
He looked at her and smiled. Jane returned his smile and gave him a nudge with her elbow.
The day’s journey to Somerdale Village was uneventful. They arrived late in the afternoon and stopped at the outskirts of the small farming village. Ariel and Ishara scanned the area for movement. The entire town was overgrown and the buildings were starting to show signs of disrepair.
A light mist rose from the ground and surrounded doors that hung ajar and shutters that dangled from their windows. The fields of the once thriving hamlet were nearly barren. The crops had withered away until nothing more than scraggly shrubs remained.
Ishara pointed to three bodies lying near the doors to a large brown barn. They were armed and wore chainmail armor.
“I see them,” said Ariel. “They look like soldiers from Chalon.”
“Their weapons are strewn about. It looks like they died in battle,” said Ishara. “Typical patrols from Chalon number twelve soldiers. I do not see the others.”
“Agreed,” said Ariel. “Lionel would be foolish enough to send a smaller patrol here. He has not changed.”
“What happened here?” said Jane. “It looks like a ghost town. And who is Lionel?”
“Lionel,” said Ishara, “is the lord magistrate of the great capital city of Chalon.”
“Ugh! I can already smell the swamp,” said Sawyer, holding his nose.
“Guys,” said Geoff. I don’t think we should be here.”
“Me too, Geoff,” said Jane. “We’re in danger.”
Ariel looked at Jane. “I have the same feeling.”
She too senses danger, thought Ariel. She knows so little about the druidic ways. Yet she surprises me. Her skills grow.
“Hey! My sword is pulsing! Ariel, the last time it did that we were at—“
“Silverthorne Manor.” Ariel scanned the forest behind them.
“Is the werewolf near? Is it coming after us again?” asked Geoff, following Ariel’s gaze.
“How…how did you come by that sword?” asked a wide eyed Ishara. She had recognized the blade Sawyer carried.
“He found it in a troll hole,” said Jane. “Is it the werewolf, Sawyer?”
“No. It’s something different,” said Sawyer. “It’s like we’re surrounded and something knows we’re here. Something bad. Really bad.”
“It is too early in the day for a werewolf,” said Ishara.
Ariel felt her stomach churn. The Stormblade’s warning was undeniable. They were being watched.
“Stay here while I have a closer look,” said Ariel. “Ishara, watch them.”
The young elf girl nocked an arrow. Ariel crouched and moved toward the barn while Ishara drew her bow and prepared to fire.
“What’s she looking for?” asked Geoff.
“Enemies,” whispered Ishara. “And a safe place for us.”
Ariel crept to the barn and peered inside. With the exception of several mounds of rotting hay in a corner, the barn was empty. She turned her attention to the three bodies that lay just outside and examined them. From their condition, she guessed they had been dead for a couple of days. They must have tried to make their way to the barn, she thought. They had hoped it would be a more defensible position.
Ariel turned and crept around the barn toward the center of town. Every building and cottage was dark and empty. The townsfolk had left Somerdale Village a long time ago. She found the village barracks and armory near the center of town. The one room building was a mess inside. Bedding and utensils were strewn about, but there were no weapons in the wall racks. A useable cooking pit lay in the center of the barracks.
Ariel ran her fingers along the stout wooden construction of the walls. It’s well built, she thought, nodding. This will do.
She went outside and signaled for the others. They hurried to her through the center of the village.
“Wow, what happened here?” said Jane. “This place looks like a hurricane blew through it.”
“At least it’s strong,” said Ishara, knocking on a wall. “We should be safe here. The shutters on the windows appear to be intact.”
“Okay, so what exactly is going on?” asked Sawyer. “You’re going into the swamp while we wait here. I figured that much out. Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you?”
“The swamp is dangerous,” said Ariel. “You are to stay the night here. If I have not returned by morning, Ishara will take you to Chalon. Once there, seek the wizard Maelord. Tell him what happened. He will be your best chance to get home.”
“Don’t go, Ariel,” said Jane. “You don’t have to go. We can all go to Chalon together.”
Ariel smiled at Jane. “I am learning much from the three of you. And I have more to learn about humans. When I return, perhaps you can teach me.”
“Perhaps. I’d like that very much,” said Jane with a grin. “But only if you teach me more spells.”
“Agreed,” said Ariel.
“Yeah,” said Sawyer. “And you gotta show me more sword fighting moves and stuff.”
“We’ll see you in the morning,” said Geoff with a smile.
Ariel gave Ishara a quick nod and turned for the door. The sun was starting to set; the shadows from the cottages and buildings of Somerdale had grown since their arrival. Ariel stopped in the doorway and looked at them. She never thought these three human children would be her friends. She smiled, turned, and exited into the coming twilight.
She ran to the edge of the village. The swampy terrain was starting to encroach on Somerdale. The mist was thicker and clung to her as she moved. Ariel stopped and looked into the dim, misty swamp. The once thriving trees had been twisted into dark, grotesque shapes. She took a deep breath. The stench of decay assailed her senses.
She let her mind wander back hundreds of years when she and her elven friends ran and played with all manner of fairies in the Eldritch Forest. She first learned the ways of the druid here, studying the trees and animals. Those were magical, happier times.
This was once the most beautiful forest in the realm, thought Ariel. She knew what she had to do, but she had hoped the rumors were false—that she would not be the one to face her beloved mentor. Bhael, the dark druid. Yes, she knew him. If her sight failed her she would still know him.
Deep inside Ariel felt a yearning, a calling. Something was beckoning to her from deep inside the swamp. It was like a voice in her head and a painful, sinking feeling in her heart. She was being drawn into darkness.
Her hands trembled slightly and she clenched and released her fists several times to steady her nerves. Suddenly the feeling of being watched again descended on her. Something knew she was there and she had no choice but to continue. So be it, she thought.
Ariel entered the mists and the stinking, malignant marsh. Pools of bubbling muck littered the ground and her vision was hindered by the ever thickening mist. Something to her left moved and hissed. She spun to face the unknown enemy, but saw nothing. Satisfied no attack was forthcoming, she returned to her original course.
She had walked twenty feet when something black flew up from the ground in front of her. A whirlwind of wings and claws struck at her. Ariel drew one of her scimitars and slashed at her attacker. Her blow missed, but managed to chase away a large raven. It flew up and landed on a moss-covered branch in a nearby tree, its cawing echoing throughout the swamp.
Several other ravens landed in the same tree, their black eyes watching her. Ariel ignored the chorus of caws and resumed her trek deeper into the swamp. Sounds of crickets chirping and frogs croaking filled the air. Every now and then she heard a loud splash as something disturbed the dark waters around her.
Eventually she came upon a ring of large carved stones that were overgrown and covered with moss. The stones were carved from granite
and set three feet apart. They surrounded a small basin that rested on a raised dais which was also carved from granite.
Ariel knew this place. This was a sacred site. Many years ago she had been anointed here and became a druid. It was here that she performed her first druidic rite, the ceremony marking the first day of spring. Once flowers bloomed all about and the ground was carpeted by lush green grass. This had been a second home. She used to lie in the grass and watch the clouds roll by. It saddened her to see it now.
The basin that rested at the center of the dais appeared to be in decent condition, with the exception of a large chip in the lip of the bowl. Ariel walked up the cracked steps of the dais to the basin. It had once been filled with clear rainwater, but now it was full of murky water and rotting leaves. She ran her finger along the worn rim.
Something shot out of the dark water and narrowly missed Ariel’s hand. She stepped back as a diamond-shaped snake’s head reared back and flicked a black forked tongue at her. The snake’s body was olive-colored with a dark yellow underbelly. Before it could lunge at her, Ariel turned sideways, and with a single backhand slash she severed the snake’s head.
Ariel hopped off the dais and moved along the edge of the dark swirling water of the bog.
“Summoned,” said Ariel. “I am summoned. You must follow the old druidic ways. Even a dark druid is still a druid.”
She heard a deep melancholy voice in her head bidding her to continue. Strange dark shapes darted among the haunted, gnarled trees. They were ghostly shapes that flitted about in the mist. Ariel remembered hearing tales of ghostly spirits that led unfortunate villagers to their end.
“Ariel.”
She whirled about. Someone whispered her name again. Then she heard several voices whispering to her from the trees.
“Are you worthy?”
The whispers taunted her. It is the swamp, she thought. The swamp spoke to her as the water swirled a few feet away. She looked down and saw a small stream of bubbles in the water near the edge of the muddy bank. She stood perfectly still for a moment and then slowly backed away from the water’s edge.
Wizard's Key (The Darkwolf Saga Book 1) Page 25