by KJ Siirila
The ghoul sighed tiring of his adventure already.
Sindor lead the Shaman, Micael and Ovit through the darkness in search of the lake he had told them about. They had been traveling for quite some time now and Micael and Ovit were getting sleepy.
“How much further Sindor?” Micael asked.
“Not much further now young myrmidon. We should reach the lake within an hour.” Sindor trudged onward.
“I’m getting very tired Ovit. I’m not sure I can make it another hour.” Micael complained.
“Don’t worry Micael we’ll be there soon enough and you can rest while the Shaman and I search for the book.” Ovit nudged him.
“You are a good friend Ovit. I better help look for the book though. I don’t want to seem like I’m not doing my part.”
“You’ve done more than your share of the work on this journey Micael. Imagine, you’ve come from the Valley of Illumination, spent much time in the Forest of Shadows, and now you’re here in the Midnight Mountains. You’ve worked very hard Micael. Don’t underestimate your worth.” Ovit smiled at him.
“You’re right Ovit. It must be the weariness talking. Sindor moves so quickly because he’s so large that might be the reason I’m so tired. His legs are large and long while ours are small and slender.”
The Shaman walked along ahead of them still trying to make sense of what the Mystagog told them. He wasn’t sure they had come to right place yet, he was starting to think the Mystagog had told them a tall fable and sent them on a journey to nowhere.
“Micael what would you say if I told you I thought the Mystagog may have been wrong?” The Shaman asked walking along ahead of him.
“I would say you could be right or wrong.” Micael couldn’t answer the question because he didn’t know if the Mystagog had told the truth or not.
“It seems that this adventure gets longer and stranger like it was planned by a greater force than the Mystagog himself. I want to believe the Mystagog but it seems that it’s taking much longer than it should to find the Book of Elandor.”
Micael had never heard the Shaman doubt someone before and it startled him. “We can only wait to see Shaman.”
They continued onward with deep thoughts and doubts in their minds.
Sindor didn’t say much, he just walked along with the others behind him. He wanted to help them find what they came for. He was lonely living in the Midnight Mountains and wanted to make friends. Sindor hoped they would ask him to go along with them when they left.
Almost an hour had passed when they reached a hill that looked like it went straight up.
“The lake is on the other side of this hill.” Sindor began climbing it and they followed him.
Micael’s legs were getting weaker and weaker from all of the walking and Ovit had to help him reach the top. Once they reached the top of the hill they were amazed at the size of the lake they saw before them. It was beautiful even in the night sky. The Shaman walked over to the lake and put his hands in the water and brought it to his face. Micael and Ovit jumped into the water splashing around and throwing water at each other. Sindor sat on the sand and watched them play.
“Come out of the water now you two, we have a lot of work to do.” The Shaman called to them.
Micael and Ovit splashed each other a few more times then came out of the water laughing.
“That felt so good Shaman you should’ve come in.” Micael wiped the water from his skin.
“There’s no time for fun and games yet Micael we can do that after we find the book.” The Shaman spoke calmly.
“Alright Shaman but promise me when we find the Book of Elandor we can go back to the Valley of Illumination and play games for at least a week.” Micael laughed.
“Of course Micael.”
They began looking around the mountains and didn’t see anything. It was dark but the mountains were very visible up close. They started on the left side of the lake and slowly made their way around it.
“We will need to light a fire to see clearly I think.” The Shaman started collecting wood to start a fire. Sindor, Micael and Ovit started picking up branches and twigs to help with the fire. Once they had a large enough pile of wood the Shaman lit the fire. Sindor watched in amazement as he lit the fire.
Once the fire grew they could see the whole lake and the mountains surrounding it. It was amazing. The water was beautiful. They were all awestruck.
“We have a lot to do. Micael and Ovit, you search that side of the lake and Sindor and I will search this side. If you find anything call out loudly so we can hear you.” The Shaman and Sindor began looking on their side and Micael and Ovit on theirs. They would spend hours looking for the Book of Elandor.
In the castle of the Angelic Spirits Mitral, Ademus and Princess Fimella sat waiting for Aerifus to come back with any word for them. He came into the room about an hour later and he didn’t look happy.
“I could sense nothing. It’s so strange, I used to be able to sense anything, but since we’ve been sent back I can’t sense at all.” Aerifus sat down.
“Don’t worry Aerifus, it will be fine. I’m sure they’re fine.” Mitral rested his hand on his shoulder.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to fly back into the Forest of Shadows?” The Princess Fimella offered her help again.
“We know it’s hard to sit back idly and wait for things to happen Princess, but you must stay here and go talk to the other fairies to let them know that everything will be alright. I’m sure they’re worried by now about you and the Queen Armad.” Aerifus smiled at her.
“You’re right. I should go to the fairies and assure them that everything will be fine. They haven’t seen my mother or me for quite some time. They need to know that all will be well.” The Princess flew out the window and into the trees in the Valley of Illumination where her castle was.
Once the Princess was out of sight Aerifus looked at Mitral and Ademus and spoke softly.
“I did sense something Mitral and Ademus and it wasn’t good.” His eyes looked sad and distant.
“What is it Aerifus?” Mitral came closer.
“The Queen Armad is no more. She was destroyed in the Midnight Mountains.” He looked down. “I saw it all. I couldn’t bear to tell the child.”
Mitral and Ademus sat now staring out the window.
“Whats happened Aerifus? Did you see who did it?” Ademus asked.
“It was the warlocks. They were drinking and having a jolly time they threw a fireball at the Queen Armad believing she was a bird.” Aerifus sounded as if his heart had broken.
“We mustn’t tell the child until the others return. She isn’t strong enough to handle this horrible news right now. We have to keep it from her as long as we can.” Mitral looked at Aerifus and saw a crystal white tear running from his eye.
It was a sad day in the Valley of Illumination.
Olagh and Izasa had gathered the battalia and were headed out of their fortress and into the Forest of Shadows searching for the trolls. They were excited at the prospect of controlling the Forest of Shadows. They hated Toumani and were glad he was missing.
“We will approach the trolls and show them sympathy before we tell them to join us Olagh.”
“Of course Izasa, the trolls are stupid creatures they’ll never even understand what were up to.” Olagh laughed.
“What do you think happened to Toumani Olagh?”
“Hopefully something large and hairy ate him for dinner.” Olagh laughed loudly.
“I’m serious Olagh we should be careful wandering through the Forest of Shadows now, what happened to him could happen to us.”
“You worry too much Izasa you need to learn to calm yourself in situations like this. We will go to the troll’s village and take all of them back with us to the fortress and begin building our army.”
“What if Toumani comes back?”
Olagh thought for a moment then smiled. “We’ll kill him ourselves.”
They walked
away chuckling.
In the Midnight Mountains Grimelda was getting irritated with Slothard and Crovis. They were holding her up by walking so slowly and they didn’t really seem to be looking for anything.
“What’s the matter with you two? If we ever plan on finding the Book of Elandor you need to quit being so lazy and help me look.” She growled at them.
“You know if I were in my right mind I’d swat you to the ground like a bug witch.” Slothard scowled at her.
Grimelda walked up to him and looked him in his eyes. “Don’t be so quick to make statements like that ghoul. You’re powerless without the third ghoul and I know this. Watch yourself before you end up on my shelf next to your friend.”
“You don’t scare me witch. You’re nothing more than a hideous old creature with too much time on her scaly hands.” Slothard laughed.
“Be careful ghoul or these scaly hands will wave back and forth and you’ll be nothing more than a pile of ash at my feet, the only difference will be, I won’t put you in a bottle I’ll stomp your ashes to the ground and leave you here for eternity.” She turned back and started walking away.
“That witch frustrates me.” Slothard was getting angry.
“Don’t let her get to you ghoul. She is only trying to drive you mad. Let her alone for now, she’ll get what’s coming to her in the end trust me.” Crovis walked a few steps quicker to try and keep up with Grimelda.
Slothard stayed behind stewing in his own anger.
The Shaman and Sindor continued to search the mountain walls for the Book of Elandor, when the Shaman couldn’t reach high above the rocks Sindor would just raise his head to look. There was an advantage to having a giant as a friend in times of need.
Micael and Ovit continued to search on the other side.
“Have you found anything yet Ovit?” Micael asked.
“No, have you?”
“I found a snake, and a bunch of worms.” Micael sat down on a rock and put his face in his hands. “This is pointless Ovit the Mystagog obviously lied to us about the location of the Book of Elandor.”
“I’m starting to believe that myself Micael. I keep thinking about what he told us and the only thing that made sense was coming to the Midnight Mountains to find it. He must’ve told us another of his fables.”
Micael watched the Shaman and Sindor across the lake in the light from the fire. He was so impressed with the Shaman. He didn’t fear anything, and if he did he never made it obvious. Micael wanted to be just like him when he was older. Micael would have many stories to tell his own children one day about this journey. He just wished he remembered more of his past.
“I’m going to rest for a while Ovit. Wake me if you find anything.” Micael sat back against the mountain wall and closed his eyes.
She came to him again in his dream. “Micael wake up. Wake up it’s your mother.”
Micael looked up and again saw nothing more than a darkened shadow before him. “Why can’t I see you mother?”
“You’re not meant to see me now Micael. I have come to tell you something very important so listen closely.”
Micael stared at the dark figure trying to make out her face but he saw nothing.
“Are you listening to me Micael?” She asked.
“Yes, I’m listening to you.”
The figure of the woman moved closer to him. “You think the Mystagog told you a lie, but he didn’t. You are on the right path Micael just keep looking. I know you will figure it out. I wish I could tell you more Micael but I must go now.”
“Don’t go mother please come back?” Micael begged her but she disappeared into the darkness once more. Micael opened his eyes.
“Ovit, I had a dream and she came to me again.”
“Who came to you again Micael?”
“My mother and she told me that the Mystagog told us the truth but we have to figure it out on our own. She said if we keep searching we will find the Book of Elandor.” He stood up and ran to the Shaman and told him about his dream.
“Micael, sometimes dreams can be deceiving just like the Mystagog. You will have to take what you’ve heard and either believe it or not. I do hope it’s true though Micael. I pray for all of us that it’s true.” The Shaman continued to look for the book with Sindor.
Micael went back to the other side and starting searching again, this time he was excited after what had just happened to him. He wondered if he would ever see the woman’s face who claims she is his mother. He didn’t care he was just happy knowing that they were on the right path to the Book of Elandor.
In the Forest of Shadows Olagh and Izasa had reached the village of the trolls. They entered the village and didn’t see anything. They looked around and still saw nothing.
“What in the world is going on here Olagh?” Izasa asked.
“I’m not sure Izasa but be on guard for anything.”
They walked further into the village and saw nothing. What happened to all of the trolls? Something was definitely wrong here and they wanted to find out what. Their battalia followed closely behind them.
Olagh and Izasa walked into the largest home in the village they could find assuming it was Toumanis. They walked inside and told the battalia to stay outside. They entered the house and it was a mess.
“He wasn’t much of a housekeeper was he Olagh?” Izasa laughed.
As they walked towards the back room of the house they heard a bunch of yelling outside. They ran to the front of the house and reached the spot where they’d left their battalia, but there was nothing.
They looked at each other and began walking slowly down the steps to the ground. Olagh noticed all of the battalia weapons lying on the ground.
“What’s happened here Izasa?” He was in shock.
“I’m not sure Olagh but we need to get out of here before we end up like them.” Izasa began walking towards the spot where the battalia had just stood and noticed some of the weapons disappearing into the ground.
“Run back to the steps Olagh, quickly!” He yelled.
Olagh and Izasa stood on the steps watching as the ground engulfed every weapon from the battalia. They were aghast.
“What in the world just happened here?” Izasa sat on the steps and Olagh joined him. “The ground, it ate our battalia.”
Olagh and Izasa sat on the steps of the village in shock afraid to walk on the ground in front of them.
CHAPTER TEN
The Princess Fimella flew to her castle and right to the landing, all of the fairies gathered below to hear what she would tell them.
“My good fairies, I have been on quite an adventure for many days but have finally come home. The Queen Armad has taken leave and joined a group of creatures in the Midnight Mountains to search for the Book of Elandor. While she is gone, I shall take her place and hopefully run the kingdom as well as she does.”
The fairies cheered below.
“If there is anything I can do to help any of you, please come to me and ask me. I will do the best I can to help any of you. You are the most important part of the fairy kingdom and I love you all.”
The fairies cheered again. Princess Fimella waved her hand and walked back into her castle.
It felt wonderful to be home. She missed the castle horribly while she was gone. She missed her mother more though.
The Princess walked over to her mother’s throne and sat down knowing she would one day sit here and rule the fairy kingdom. The thought of ruling the kingdom made her nervous but her mother’s words had given her strength and courage.
She would not fail her.
A day had passed in the Midnight Mountains and the frustration of searching them had taken their toll on the witches, warlocks and ghouls. They met back at the place they started.
“Did you find anything?” Grimelda asked.
“No.” Magella dropped her head.
“We didn’t either. I guess we should go back to our prospective castles and leave for the Forest of Shadows after we have
rested.” Grimelda began walking away from all of them.
“I think we should go to the Valley of Illumination witch.” Slothard said loudly.
“We have been to the Valley of Illumination ghoul and trust me the book isn’t there.” She said snidely.
“Why should we believe you? How do we know you even went to the Valley of Illumination?” Wagrim asked.
“You are nothing more than an invisible idiot aren’t you? Why would I lie about going to the Valley of Illumination?” Grimelda was getting mad at the ghouls.
“Fine then witch, we have no choice but to believe you.” Wagrim and Slothard walked away and headed back towards their castle.
“What are we going to do with them Grimelda?” Magella asked.
“We’ll wait till we find the Book of Elandor and then destroy them of course.” Grimelda cackled.
Crovis and Trovis were silent. They wanted the sisters to believe that they were completely on their side. They didn’t want the sisters to have any idea of their plans.
“Here’s the part you’re really going to love Crovis and Trovis.” Grimelda walked closer to them grinning widely showing them her yellowed rotten teeth. “You two are going back to the Forest of Shadows to look for the Book of Elandor.”
“What do you mean, I thought we were all going to the Forest of Shadows.” Crovis stomped his feet.
“Do you two actually think I would let you spend more time with the ghouls than you need to? I don’t want them infecting your minds with ideas. You will leave tonight for the Forest of Shadows.” Grimelda and Magella turned away from them and walked away.
Crovis and Trovis looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They would teach their sisters a lesson they’d never forget once they found the Book of Elandor, if it was in the Forest of Shadows they would find it.
Inside the ghoul’s castle Slothard and Wagrim were seated in front of the fireplace.
“What are we going to do Slothard?” Wagrim wondered loudly.
“I believe we might have to rescue Helmog from the witch’s castle. We may need him to find the Book of Elandor. Those bloody witches drive me mad Wagrim. They act like they already rule the world.”