by KJ Siirila
A bit further north the Angelic Spirits sat in their garden.
“I wonder why we haven’t been informed of anything yet.” Mitral spoke.
“We must relax and wait for the Queen and the Princess to return Mitral. We must be patient.” Ademus stood and began smelling the flowers in the garden.
“I think that we should try to join our minds as one, and sense where they could possibly be.” Aerifus sat forward.
“I agree. We should try to locate them and it will take all three of us to find them.” Ademus came to his chair and sat. The three of them joined hands and their eyes went completely blank as their minds became one.
At least two hours had passed before they came out of the trance. Mitral, Ademus and Aerifus looked at each other with concern.
“They are not near. I sensed that they may be going to the Midnight Mountains and that truly can’t be a good thing.” Mitral spoke with concern.
Ademus spoke. “The Princess Fimella is not with them. The Queen sent her back to the Valley of Illumination but I sensed that she is not safe. Something has happened.”
“I felt that too. We must leave the castle and search the Valley of Illumination to look for the Princess Fimella.” Aerifus stood.
Mitral and Ademus joined Aerifus as they left the garden gate and walked into the Valley of Illumination a land they normally didn’t enter unless necessary. The sanctity of their castle behind them, the Angelic Spirits wandered on.
On the opposite side of the Valley of Illumination sneaking quietly into the darkness of the Midnight Mountains were the Shaman, Micael, Ovit and the Queen Armad. Micael was walking quietly behind the Shaman who waved the Queen Armad to come from above. She flew down and fluttered around him.
“I think we can find our way through the Midnight Mountains easier if you stay above at all times. Don’t fly down unless you see something that looks as though it could harm us.” The Shaman spoke softly.
“Don’t worry friends I will make sure nothing happens to you.” The Queen Armad flew back to the sky.
“Where should we go next Shaman?” Micael asked.
“We will move as carefully as we can along the edge of this land hiding behind trees, rocks and houses. We must avoid the witches, warlocks and ghouls at all costs. We don’t want them hurting any of us.” The Shaman began creeping along the edge. “Follow me.”
Ovit was excited about his adventure. He pulled on the back of Micael’s cloak.
“Micael, I’m finding this journey to be quite fullfilling aren’t you?” He smiled.
Micael looked down at him and raised his finger to his lips to quiet Ovit. Micael grinned at him afterwards to let him know he wasn’t angry just being cautious.
There were a few stone houses not far from them and you could see the light flickering in the windows. They wanted to avoid the creatures of the Midnight Mountains. Micael knew that if he needed to he could question other myrmidons in the land. That was one good thing about being a myrmidon you didn’t really stand out amongst each other. You were all the same in the creature’s eyes and easily disposable.
The Shaman was moving slowly with Micael and Ovit not far behind. Micael was amazed at the darkness of the Midnight Mountains. He was a bit scared but tried not to show it. He was worried about the ghouls and the witches and warlocks, but he would stand brave in the face of danger now in search of the Book of Elandor.
The light was almost unbearable to Grimelda and Magella walking through the Valley of Illumination. They knew holding the Princess Fimella would be helpful to them in the long run.
“So what should we do with the fairy Grimelda?”
Grimelda smiled. “We’ll hold onto the little bugger for now, find out what she knows, and when we’re done with her, we’ll dispose of her.”
Magella smirked.
As they continued walking the noticed up ahead of them three large figures walking towards them dressed in white. The closer they got, Grimelda realized that it was the Angelic Spirits.
“Magella stay on your toes sister. The Angelic Spirits are just ahead of us.” They were trying to remain quiet as they walked past them. They smiled and the Angelic Spirits smiled back at them.
Mitral slowed down after passing the sisters and finally stopped.
“Ademus, Aerifus did you sense that when we walked past those two myrmidons back there?” Mitral questioned.
“Yes, something wasn’t right about those two. I sensed evil, but that seems odd considering they’re myrmidons.” Ademus looked at the two sisters as they walked further up the path and finally out of their sight.
“Maybe it’s been so long since we’ve ventured outside of the castle that our senses are off.” Aerifus chimed in.
The three of them looked at each other and began to laugh believing that was all that it was. They didn’t know that the two myrmidons were indeed pure evil.
Grimelda and Magella cackled as they disappeared up the path.
“They’re so great they couldn’t even figure out that two of the most evil witches in the world just crossed their paths.” Grimelda laughed loudly.
“I was a bit scared for a moment I won’t lie Grimelda, but once they passed us I couldn’t believe it either.” Magella grinned.
“Never be scared sister, not as long as I’m around. You have nothing to fear. I know more than you can imagine. The Angelic Spirits are powerful beings, but they can be destroyed just as easily as any of the other creatures, all we need is the Book of Elandor to rule the world.”
The sisters continued walking up the path not knowing that the Princess Fimella wasn’t resting but quite awake. She would have to devise a plan to get away from the two sisters as soon as possible and find the Angelic Spirits to warn them. She would wait until she knew what they were up to first before getting away from them.
The ghouls were moving quickly through the desert and headed into the Forest of Shadows swamplands, they were trying to get back to the Midnight Mountains to find the crystal ball hidden in the witch’s castle.
Helmog spoke as they moved. “We will go to our castle first in the Midnight Mountains and hatch our plan to get into the witches castle. I’m not afraid of them or the warlocks but I want to be careful so that they don’t find the Book of Elandor before we do.”
“That is if you believe what that crazy old myrmidon told us Helmog.” Slothard looked at him and smirked.
“He may have lied, he may not have Slothard but we won’t know until we actually go to their castle, but trust me, if he did lie, I will climb back to the top of that mountain and kill him.”
Wagrim laughed. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary Helmog. We knew the circumstances of the situation going in. The Mystagog is a strange being. He did something to us up on that mountain peak that I will never understand and personally I don’t want to ever see him again.”
“I said I would climb to the top of the mountain peak Wagrim. I didn’t say we.” He pushed past Wagrim and began moving forward again.
Wagrim and Slothard looked at each other and then at Helmog disgustingly. They knew the time would come when they would be up against Helmog and his insanity and they would be prepared.
In the Midnight Mountains the Shaman, Micael, Ovit and the Queen Armad continued on with their search for the Book of Elandor, all four of them moved quietly through the night without being discovered. It would be a long path to the main mountain range but they were determined to make it as quickly as they could.
The Shaman found a clearing in the trees and waved the other three to him.
“We are making good time my friends. We should be able to reach the main mountain range within a day. We should rest a couple of hours and then move forward.”
The Queen Armad flew close to the Shaman now. “I do hope that my daughter made it to the Valley of Illumination safely. Is there any way you could sense her Shaman?”
“I’m afraid not Queen Armad. There is a dark cloud that hangs over the Midnight Mo
untains which blocks my senses somewhat. I could try but I’m afraid it would be futile.”
The Queen Armad smiled at him. “She’s strong like me I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Shaman, do you think it would be wise to find the castle of the ghouls and the witches and warlocks to try and discover what they’re up to?” Ovit asked.
“I think it would be a good idea, my only fear would be getting caught.” The Shaman sat down to relax.
“You’re right, it would be very dangerous.” Ovit slumped back onto the ground.
Micael sat next to him.
“Do you think the Mystagog told everyone the same thing Shaman?” Micael asked.
The Shaman sat back for a moment pondering the thought. “The Mystagog is an odd creature. We’re not even sure he told us the correct location yet. I think he may have told only one of us the real location of the Book of Elandor.”
The Queen Armad fluttered about. “I think the Mystagog told us the correct riddle, it’s just the wording of it. I believe that he wants good to prevail over evil in this search for the Book of Elandor.”
“I agree Queen Armad, but like I said the Mystagog is an odd creature we’re not sure what he really wants, if he wants anything at all. He may just be some crazy myrmidon who has been built up through time to be a great keeper of the world’s secrets.” The Shaman grinned.
“Like us Shaman?” The Queen laughed.
Micael and Ovit sat listening to the Shaman and the Queen Armad intently. Micael wanted to go to the castles of the ghouls and the witches and warlocks. He wanted to help defend the world against these evil creatures. Micael knew that he couldn’t go alone and would talk to Ovit privately.
The Queen Armad flew down quickly and warned them that someone was coming. They all backed further into the woods and hid behind some large tree trunks. As they peered carefully over the tops of the trunks they saw a group of creatures coming towards the clearing. They were silent hoping not to be seen.
The creatures all gathered in the clearing and began talking in a language not even the Shaman could understand. They watched for hours as the creatures laughed and drank themselves to a silent slumber, when the Shaman thought it was safe he hurried the rest of his group out of the woods and back on the path to the mountain range in the Midnight Mountains.
As they walked away Micael was still thinking of going to the castle. He slowed his pace so that he could talk to Ovit without the Shaman over hearing him.
“Ovit, I want to go to the castles.” Micael said.
Ovit looked at him stunned.
“Come now Ovit, deep down inside don’t you want to go also? I mean think about it. The adventure would be even more exciting knowing we’d gone to the castles don’t you agree?” Micael grinned.
“I know you feel that you could do more Micael, but I believe that we are on this journey for a reason and if we stray from our intended quest we could destroy our chances of ever gaining control of the Book of Elandor.”
Micael shrugged his shoulders. “It was a thought Ovit, nothing more than a thought I guess.”
They walked into the night sky.
In the beautiful sunlight of the Valley of Illumination the two haggard sisters continued on their adventure to find the tree with the red leaves the Mystagog had told them about. The Princess Fimella pretended to wake up and poked her head out of Grimelda’s pocket.
“You are so kind Marigold and Gardenia to take care of me the way you have.” She pretended to speak groggily.
“You are a treasure Princess Fimella.” Grimelda smiled down at her. “Come out of my pocket and join us on this glorious day.”
The Princess Fimella climbed out of her pocket and onto her shoulder.
“Is there anything I could help you with?” The Princess asked.
The two sisters looked at each other and grinned slyly having no idea the Princess Fimella was tricking them.
“Actually, there is something you could help us find Princess.” Grimelda smiled at her sweetly. “We’re looking for a tree with red leaves. Are there any of those around here?”
The Princess paused for a moment then spoke quietly. “I’ve heard of such a tree but it’s only been seen by a few. Why would you want to find such a tree may I ask?”
Grimelda stopped walking and looked at her sadly. “It was my mother’s dying wish that I find this tree Princess, she told me that if I could find this tree once she moved on to the other side it would be as if I were finding her again. It was her way of letting me know that she’d made it.” Grimelda pouted.
The Princess did everything she could to stop herself from laughing knowing the witch was undoubtedly trying to trick her. She would go along with her foolishness for now and when the time came she would escape and go to the Angelic Spirits and let them take care of the witches.
“That’s so sad Gardenia. My mother told me of this tree you are looking for. It’s the largest tree in the Valley of Illumination and its leaves are bright red, like fire.”
The sisters listened closely as Princess Fimella continued to tell her tall fable of a large tree. She knew there were many trees in the Valley of Illumination with red leaves and she would lead them to every one of them to bide time. She would make a game out of tricking the witches.
“Take us to this tree young, kind Princess.” Grimelda smiled at her but the Princess could see the evil in her eyes.
“I would love to.” The Princess smiled and sat back on Grimelda’s shoulder ready to have an adventure of her own.
Into the darkness of the Midnight Mountains, Crovis and Trovis sat in the castle devising their next plan of attack. They knew the sisters would be back soon and they had to make sure they protected themselves now from them.
Crovis was pacing the sitting room. “We must figure out how to get the ghouls to turn on Grimelda and Magella.”
Trovis sat back in the chair smoking a pipe.
“Why don’t we just tell the ghouls that the sisters have the Book of Elandor and are hiding it and really on a search for the Book of Garenon.” Crovis looked at Trovis for approval.
“No, that won’t work the ghouls aren’t that stupid. They know that nobody has the Book of Elandor yet.” Trovis put his chin down on his hand. “Why don’t we tell the ghouls that the sisters are plotting to destroy them once they get the Book of Elandor.”
Crovis walked close to the fireplace then turned around. “Better yet Trovis why don’t we concoct a spell to capture the ghouls ourselves. If we do this we can act as if we were helping the sisters. They will believe us, I’m sure. Once we have their trust back again we’ll destroy them with their own magic.”
The brothers looked at each other and began laughing loudly. They thought they had just come up with a perfect plan of attack.
The Forest of Shadows seemed unusually quiet today. It was as if the trees were hiding their own secrets. The Angelic Spirits came calmly to the entrance of the wilderness.
“My friends we have arrived at the opening of the Forest of Shadows. We have never ventured here and will begin our journey today in search of our friends who are risking their own lives to save the world and find the Book of Elandor.” Mitral nodded at his two friends.
“We have to move into this forest with our eyes directly in front of us ready for anything my friends.” Ademus smiled.
“We don’t need to worry ourselves, we will survive and we have to make sure the others survive with us. I’m sure we can get some answers from the Mystagog.” Aerifus looked at them waiting for approval.
“I believe you’re right Aerifus we should go to the Mystagog and ask him what he told the Shaman and Micael. We should find out what he told them and then follow them wherever they may be as best we can.” Mitral smiled and they all nodded in agreement.
“So it shall be.”
The Angelic Spirits walked cautiously into the Forest of Shadows and onto their adventure to meet the Mystagog.
In the Midnight Mountains the
Shaman, Micael, Ovit and Queen Armad moved through the dark skyline. They came upon a myrmidon village and the Shaman told Micael that if he wanted to he could go into the village and see if anyone knew a shortcut to the mountain range. Micael was excited because the Shaman was actually giving him a task to perform and it made him feel like a stronger man for it.
The Shaman and Ovit sat in the wooded area and watched as Micael went into the village. The Queen Armad flew overhead watching for danger.
“Tell me Ovit since we have a moment to chat are you enjoying this adventure?”
“Yes very much. I never imagined when I was banished by Toumani that this would ever happen to me, meeting new friends and having an adventure to speak of for the rest of my life.” Ovit smiled.
“Perhaps when this quest for the Book of Elandor is over you can join us and live peacefully in the Valley of Illumination for awhile.” The Shaman grinned.
“I would like that very much Shaman, but I think once we find the Book of Elandor we’ll be required to find the Books of Garenon and Arisat also. I don’t mind believe me. I feel quite lucky to have found all of you and have you accept me into your circle.” Ovit smiled again.
“I like you Ovit. I never thought I would consider a troll a friend at any time in my existence but you’ve proven yourself to be an honest creature and a helpful hand on this journey.” The Shaman patted him on the back.
They sat back and waited for Micael to come back from the village. The Shaman decided to pull out a peace pipe and offer some to Ovit. Ovit took the pipe and took a large puff on it. He choked a bit and the Shaman had to hush him. They began laughing as they smoked but not loudly enough to draw attention to themselves. It was almost an hour before Micael came back to them.
“You’ll be happy to know that we are on the right path but there is no shortcut Shaman. “ He looked down at them. He noticed that Ovit was looking at him with an odd expression.
“Are you alright Ovit?” He asked.
Ovit smiled and fell back on the ground laughing. Micael looked at the Shaman who was holding the peace pipe in his hand. The Shaman shrugged and smiled at Micael who began to laugh.