Earth Magic

by Kenneth Price

  The day after Elwin’s and Aidan’s escape from Aonach, Elwin woke beneath a large pine tree. With a creak in his back, he rolled over and off the root he had been sleeping on.

  Through the branches overhead, he looked up at the blue sky. "It is almost noon!"

  Coming to his feet, Elwin found Aidan nearby sitting on a large boulder. Sitting on the rock surrounded by trees, Aidan looked like the king of the forest sitting upon his throne, he was now in his natural element.

  "Why did you let me sleep so late?" Elwin asked.

  Aidan looked up from polishing a wooden long bow. "I had things to do." He nodded at the bow and wooden arrows that lay next to him. "I wanted to make these before we started off. It's not the best bow I have every made and the arrows are a bit crude, with only stone carved tips, but it is the best I can do for now. Yet it should do. Luckily there is a lot of Snake Plant growing around here.”

  “What is Snake Plant? Does it bite?”

  Aidan laughed softly, “No its doesn't bite, nor is it poisonous. In fact it can be used to relieve stomachaches. It is called Snake Plant because of its stiff sword like leaves, which kind of makes it look like a bunch of green snakes rising out of the ground. With Snake Plant, you can make a pretty good bowstring. Because it can be used to make bow strings, it is also sometimes called Viper’s bowstring hemp.”

  “I also gathered us some supplies." At the foot of the boulder was Aidan's green cloak. Spread out over the cloth was an assortment of nuts, roots, berries, and a few mushrooms. "That should hold us through the day, and if we are lucky we might see some small game along the road."

  Elwin picked up some berries and a couple of nuts. "How do you know that these are safe to eat?"

  Aidan laughed. "I am an Elf. Remember? Woodcraft is our life. Actually, this is the first time I have felt relaxed in a long time. I miss being among trees."

  "I should learn some of that... woodcraft. It might come in handy."

  Aidan shrugged. "It is a long way to Caiplich. I'll teach you what I can. It will pass the time if nothing else. However, humans are not very good at it. They prefer to dominate nature rather than work and live with it."

  Elwin smiled. "I think that is man's greatest fault. Shall we get going? Caiplich and the tent city isn’t getting any closer."

  "Another human fault is always being in a hurry," Aidan said, climbing to his feet he from his boulder throne. Using his cape as a pack, he rolled up their supplies and swung it over his shoulder. "Let's not move too fast, not too long ago a patrol of soldiers passed. I think we should let them stay ahead of us."

  Elwin looked in the direction of the road, but he could not see it through the trees. "Do you think that they were looking for us?"

  "I am not sure. They did not appear to be searching the woods, but they were moving slowly. I followed them for a little while, but they just kept going east."

  "You followed them? What if they saw you?"

  Aidan smiled, "See an Elf in the woods? Even in woods as tainted by humans as this one is, that is not very likely. Besides, I did not get very close, and stayed among the trees."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  A morning mist clung to the trees, making the road to Caiplich look like a road among the clouds, it was the first chilly day that Elwin and Aidan had experienced since escaping Aonach. However, the misty morning had more of a calming effect on Aidan then it did on Elwin. The past two weeks had been tense, for the first few days they could see a column of smoke rising high above the trees. The fire that had consumed the temple grounds was still smoldering. Even after they could no longer see the smoke, Elwin felt uneasy. He was always looking over his shoulder, but no one was ever there. Elwin's nights were even worse than his days. His dreams were filled with red-robed figures, Torcull, the black Prophet, and the crown that could not be touched, that he dreamed of before. Lately, Elwin dreamed that the crown rested on the side of a high mountain. In a thunderstorm, he would try to climb up the mountainside, but it was treacherous and slippery, and he could never quite find a way to reach the elusive crown.

  Adjusting the bow that Aidan taught him to make, Elwin stopped for a moment. "Is this how you are supposed to wear it?"

  Aidan looked. The bow string ran across Elwin's chest, with the bow itself resting against his back. "Pretty much. The main thing is to be able to retrieve it quickly.” Around the next bend, the road started to climb. Through the thinning mist, they could make out the dim outlines of rolling hills and large boulders that lined the road. Coming upon a meadow, they stopped. Covered in the silvery mist, green grass and flowers shimmered in the morning light. As they paused to take in the view, the morning sun broke through the clouds. Staring, Elwin and Aidan became lost in their own thoughts. Doing as Aidan had taught him, Elwin listened. He could hear a soft wind rising out of the surrounding hills and the call of a bird.

  "There's a deer in those trees," whispered Aidan, pointing past the meadow.

  Elwin tried to see it, but he could not find it among within the woods and mist.

  "Don't look with your eyes," said Aidan. "Smell and listen."

  Elwin closed his eyes. Carried on the light breeze, he did smell something, and he heard a tree limb snap. "Should we go after it?"

  Aidan shook his head. "It knows we are here. If we get too close, it will flee. We could track it, but I don't think we should take the time. Besides, we could not carry all that meat.”

  Elwin nodded. Standing there, he felt as if he were a part of the world around him. Despite his nagging fears and worries, Elwin did find the woods a peaceful place. The misty forest seemed to be hiding him from the dangers that Elwin faced beyond the shelter of the trees. Elwin shrugged his shoulders. Maybe Aidan’s love of forests is rubbing off on me. Whatever the reason, Elwin did find a type of tranquility in the quiet simplicity and rhythm of the woods. The more days that passed without any adventures or dangers, the more at ease Elwin was slowly becoming. If it had not been for the dreams, he might even say he was happy here. Standing there among the towering pines and the ever-soft sound of the Aspen leaves quaking in the growing morning breeze, Elwin took in the smells and softly smiled. The forest was having a positive effect on the young prince. And with Aidan's wood lore and bowmanship, they were never short of food.

  After a moment, Aidan nodded and started down the road once more. With a soft sigh of regret, Elwin followed. Walking once more towards the world he did not want to face but could not hide from forever.

  As the day wore on, the mist burned off, giving way to another bright sunny day. "It's hot again!" moaned Aidan. "I thought it might be cooler in these hills."

  Elwin came to a sudden stop. "Quiet," he breathed. Sliding his bow from his back, Elwin notched an arrow onto the string. He pulled the arrow back until its feathers touch his check.

  Looking down the road, Aidan saw the rabbit that Elwin was aiming at. It was sitting in the shade of a big old maple tree. "You learn to make a bow one day, and the next day you think you can hit a rabbit at over hundred paces?"

  "Shhh! You will spook him."

  Aidan smiled. Elwin would never be able to make that shot. Even the best Elven archers would find it difficult. With his bow string held tightly to his cheek, as Aidan had taught him to do, Elwin tried to find the meditative state that Aidan called the 'Atman,' the center of one's being. Aidan said that all living things have an Atman. For the past few days, Elwin had been trying to find his Atman, but he had repeatedly failed.

  Despite Aidan's assuring him that he had one, Elwin was beginning to believe that only Elves could find it. So when Elwin felt the meditative state of his center wash over him, the shock of it nearly brought him right out of the meditative state. Relaxing, he held onto his center and let himself sink back into it. The world around him began to slow down. Holding onto his center, he could feel and hear his heart began to beat slower. Everything around him became crisp and clear. He focused on the rabbit. As if it were a living thing, the wind whisp
ered through the trees. Time seemed to stop. He could see the rabbit. It appeared so close. Then everything suddenly changed. With no warning, a song filled Elwin's head. Once again, the song of Earth Magic touched him. Not realizing what he was doing, he let the song of life flow into him. It was exhilarating, and he embraced it, the song was of power and nature of mighty mountains and swift rivers. It was if the earth itself was whispering within the rhythm of the song. Letting the mystical song lead him, Elwin held his breath and released the arrow. Slowly, the arrow arched into the air. The rabbit jumped. Then it lay still.

  Stunned, Aidan stared at Elwin. "So, you found your Atman?" It was the only way that someone could have made such a shot. Even then it was unbelievable!

  As the meditative state slipped away, so did the song, and the world returned to normal time. Suddenly Elwin became aware of what he had done.

  "What's wrong?" Aidan saw the look of horror on Elwin's face.

  "Nothing. I do not want to talk about it."

  "What happened? Are you okay?"

  "Yes, I am fine. Please Aidan, let it be."

  --

  The days that followed were warm and sunny, and Elwin tried to forget what had happened. He promised himself that he would never let it happen again. He would never touch Earth Magic again. The power of the Earth song was exhilarating, but it was also terrifying. For someone who had always been taught that magic was evil, the beauty of the song of earth felt to Elwin like he had committed a sin.

  Finding that the woods were full of small game, Aidan had no problem providing Elwin and himself with fresh meat. Refusing to explain, Elwin would no longer hunt, or even practice with his bow. Sensing that something had happened when Elwin touched his Atman, Aidan did not press the issue. Instead, Aidan passed the time by explaining the ways of the Elvish people, their life, religion, and wood lore. As they walked, Aidan pointed out the various plants, explaining which were edible, which were poisonous, and which had medicinal qualities. Not having to think about his Atman or Earth Magic or what was happening to him, Elwin was grateful for the distraction. The prince eagerly listened to everything Aidan had to tell him. Along with learning about the Elvish people and their culture, Elwin memorized the elvish names and was learning the rudiments of the language. Soon the days turned into weeks, then the weeks into a month. Gradually, the road to Caiplich climbed higher. The woods became dominated by tall pine and ash trees. The hills grew steeper and over the treetops they could see the peaks of the Gobhair Mountains. The Gobhair Mountains were not as tall as the Drygan mountains, yet they were majestic with their tall peaks and craggy pine-covered slopes.

  Picking a few bluish green berries that grew from a short, stubby bush, Aidan shoved them into the cloak that served as their pack and started back down the road. "That plant is called Azan, and its berries will stay fresh for a very long time. It grows only in mountainous regions. If chewed, it will cure headaches, but do not swallow it, or you will get a stomachache that can last for hours and it is very painful, thankfully it isn't fatal."

  Looking at the red sky that was quickly turning into a dark azure color, Elwin said, "It will be night soon. We should find a place to camp for the ..."

  Abruptly, Aidan came to a stop. Holding up his hand, he cut Elwin off. "Someone is coming," he murmured.

  Elwin listened. At first, he could hear nothing but the chirping of crickets. Then the crickets fell silent. He heard the soft clopping of hooves. A rider, hidden by a curve in the road, was coming up from behind them. "It is probably just a merchant," said Elwin, "or a farmer from that village that we passed through this morning."

  Aidan nodded in agreement, but he looked concerned. "You are probably right, but it is late for a rider to be out. Would it hurt us to be on the safe side?"

  "Okay," agreed Elwin. "Let's move off into the woods and let him pass."

  Not having much time, the two hurried into the woods and crawled beneath the trunk of a fallen tree. Laying on the ground, they waited. Through the thick underbrush of the forest floor, the two peered back towards the road.

  The woods became quiet. Even the wind fell silent. Feeling a cold finger run down his spine, Elwin wished that they had gone deeper into the woods.

  An ebony-colored horse appeared. Its nostrils flared. Upon the horse was a tall figure in a blood red robe. Elwin's heart nearly stopped.

  The Red Robe reined in the black mount. The horse nickered and pawed the earth.

  Elwin's throat felt dry. A memory of a dream flashed in his head. In the dream, he was running through the woods and being chased by the monk. An urge rose in him. Run!! The face of the Red Robe lay hidden within the midnight blackness of its hood. He dropped his head and looked down at the road.

  At first, Elwin could not make out what the monk was looking at. Then a dark form moved. From behind the horse, something inhuman emerged. It was chained and collared. It was humanoid in form, and yet no one would mistake it for a man. Like a primate, the creature had long forearms which it used to walk. The skin of its thin upper arms was deathly pale. Below the elbow, the white flesh of the upper arms turned to a raw red color where living flesh became fused to long metal shafts that ended in deadly looking claws. Its metal claws reflected the dim light. Turning its head up to its master, the thing rocked back and forth. As it looked up, Elwin saw that it was wearing a black iron mask. A black mask that had a nose guard and a hole for its mouth, but nothing for eyes. It's blind! As if it were a dog on the trail of a fox, the creature lowered its head and began to sniff the ground. Slowly it moved towards the edge of the road where Elwin and Aidan had gone into the trees. At the side of the road, it raised its eyeless mask. With a sightless stare, it gazed into the trees.

  The monk dropped off the horse's back.

  Run ! Elwin mind screamed. Run before it's too late!! Whimpering, the creature clawed at the dirt. The monk came up next it. Hesitating, the masked creature tilted its head to one side then to the other. It swung its unseeing gaze from the woods to the monk, then back again.

  Terrified, Elwin's heart began to beat louder. He was sure that the sound was going to give them away.

  Still whimpering, the creature shifted from one foot to the other. Then it turned its back to the woods and returned to the side of the ebony horse. Curling into a ball, like some strange dog, it laid on the ground.

  The monk did not move. Rock still, the Red Robe stared into the trees. It was as if he was waiting for something to happen. Trembling, Elwin could feel the monk's eyes pass over him. Run! You must run! The urge was almost too much to resist. Elwin felt something pulling at him. Unable to take his eyes off the monk, Elwin felt his muscles tense up. Run! a voice in his head told him. I am here. Run and I will follow. Run, my little rabbit! Elwin trembled. I have to try and escape, he told himself. Yet something else told him that was what the monk wanted. It did not matter. Elwin had to run.

  Then slowly the Red Robe turned away. Elwin still trembled, but the urge to run slipped away.

  The Red Robe remounted the ebony horse. With one more look into the woods, he turned and started down the road. Coming to its feet, the masked creature hurried after him. Just before they disappeared from sight, the creature turned its head, and Elwin was sure that it knew he was there. Then they were gone. For a long time, neither Elwin nor Aidan moved or made a noise. Slowly, the sounds of the woods returned. "That was close," whispered Aidan, breaking the silence at last.

  Elwin moaned, "He is following me!"

  "If it is the same one," whispered Aidan. His voice was trembling. "I heard Faynn say that there are more than one of these Red Monks. What if they are all hunting us? Where can we hide!?"

  Elwin did not have an answer, but he knew that the monks were not after Aidan, but himself and the sword that was tied to his back.

  Aidan crawled out from under the fallen tree. "What was that thing with the monk? It’s hard to explain, but I have a strange feeling that it is even more horrible than the Red Robe."

/>   Reluctantly, Elwin also climbed out of their hiding place. After catching his breath and calming his heart, he said. "What are we going to do now, Aidan?" The fear was still in his voice.

  "Go on," responded Aidan. "What other choice is there?"

  "But what if he returns? Or what if there is more than one?" He glanced nervously at the road.

  Understanding, Aidan nodded. "You are right. We cannot go back to the road. We will have to cut across the country. If we move up into the mountains, we can turn east and make our way to Caiplich. Caiplich is just beyond these mountains in the plains. It cannot be that hard to find."

  "But can you find your way through the mountains?"

  Aidan shrugged. "I can tell which way is east. But I don't know these mountains. We might make a few wrong turns, but eventually, we'll get through. And if Pallas and Colin make it to Caiplich, they will be looking for us. We should not take too long in getting there. The only other choice is to return to the road."

  That settled it for Elwin. He was not going back to the road. The Red Monk and his nightmarish pet might come back down the road, or he might be waiting somewhere up ahead hiding in the trees. Waiting. There could also be more monks around. Just the thought was enough to start Elwin shaking all over again.

  --

  Climbing into the foothills of the Gobhair mountains was not very difficult. However, when they tried to go east, the mountains suddenly became steeper and more challenging, and the easy paths always seemed to be taking them to the north and deeper into the mountains.

  Soon the hot days were replaced by the cooler mountain air.

  Night settled over the land, and the woods became a dark, foreboding place as Elwin's imagination started playing tricks on him, and he began seeing dark, red-robed figures lurking behind every tree and rock. The air had turned cold, and for the first time in days it started to rain. Any thought of making a campfire ended when a bone-chilling cry in the west broke the night's silence and was answered by another scream that called out from the south.