There was no door at the entrance of the ruins. It was bleak inside. Filth and grime stained the walls. Fungus grew in damp corners. As Balester followed behind, he became more and more confused. If this was a Jidarr stronghold, why was it so deplorable? Why were there no flaming braziers to light the way? No people or creatures of any kind?
‘Of course! The entrance to the stronghold must be hidden deep within the ruins, where no-one can discover it.’ Satisfied with his conclusion, Balester continued following in silence.
“Vodeska!” Stepping from the shadows, a man approached them. His armour, sadistic in nature, was decorated with the skulls of men. “I see you’ve lived up to your side of the bargain.”
“You sound surprised, Akashnu. And what of you? Did you bring me what I asked?”
Reaching into a pouch, Akashnu produced a stunning crystal shard which radiated with blue and green light. “Eliza’s Blessing. Just as requested.”
The shard was far grander than Vodeska had expected. A marvellous addition to his collection. Grinning, Vodeska placed his hand on Balester’s shoulder. “King Balester, allow me to introduce you to Akashnu. He’s looking for a royal coat.”
“A royal coat? But I haven’t brought any other garments with me?”
“You misunderstand, my good king. Akashnu is going to fashion the coat from your skin.”
Stumbling backwards in shock, Balester couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “But what of our pact? You swore to defend me! You said you’re going to kill Crystal Terrifos! I paid you a thousand diamonds!”
“I am going to kill Crystal Terrifos. That’s why I brought you here, so I could lure her to her death. I told you to come here in secret, but I made sure to tell the right people where to find you, so that Crystal knows where to come.”
“Fiend! How dare you betray me!” First the queen, now Vodeska. Balester shook with rage. No one could be trusted.
“It’s been profitable, for me,” shrugged Vodeska.
Violently, Akashnu bound and gagged the king. “We’re done here then,” he said, throwing the helpless royal over his shoulder. “Say, why do you want to kill that Terrifos woman, anyway?”
“That, is none of your concern.”
“Don’t underestimate her, Vodeska. I heard her sister killed Kuungroth. It’d be unfortunate for me, if you were to die.”
“I won’t lose to her,” Vodeska believed it. He was already aware of Kuungroth’s demise. Out of the Terrifos sisters, Crystal was the weaker of the pair. He had big plans for the use of her soul.
“You know how to contact me, should you be needing any more artefacts,” Akashnu said, walking away.
So far, everything was proceeding according to Vodeska’s design.
“Do you think the Elders will allow us to enter Mossrine?” Finian poked at the fire with a stick.
“It’s hard to say,” said Yasha. She sighed. “I have this sick feeling in my stomach. I wish Darrell hadn’t let the king go off alone with Vodeska.”
“It’s not like he really had a choice. Plus, it was the king himself who made the pact with Vodeska. I’m sure everything is fine.”
Eliesaar stirred. The great dragon arose from the bridge. Swooping forwards, he hovered above the Knights of Mundayne.
Jescina moved beside Darrell. This development didn’t bode well with her. “What’s he up to, you think?”
Without warning, Eliesaar opened his mouth, bathing the group with a hellish onslaught of dragon fire. Yasha raised her staff. Pulling Finian behind her, she created a magical shield to protect them both. Her magic not powerful enough to engulf the entire group.
From behind the shield, Yasha watched on in horror as the dragon fire reduced her comrades to ash. Her hounds were obliterated, along with her two sons. The torrent of fire, harsh and unforgiving.
Maintaining the shield was quickly consuming Yasha’s energy. Intense heat seeped through weak spots in the shield. The ground surrounding them caught ablaze. Yasha dropped to one knee. Her abilities stretched to the absolute limit. Her staff still erect, continued to produce enough magical power to hold the protective wall intact.
“Yasha…” Finian stood behind her, watching helplessly as her strength waned.
‘I feel so weak. I cannot hold the shield much longer.’ Yasha looked beyond the shield, past the fire, to Eliesaar. Had Vodeska ordered their deaths? It was unnatural for a dragon to be able to produce a stream of fire for this length of time. But of course, Eliesaar was undead. His body could possess limitless magical power. The staff was becoming too heavy to hold. Yasha’s arms bowed. She closed her eyes. ‘Athelion, I beseech you. Oh great lord of the wandering mist, he who bends the waters to his will. Hear me now. I invoke you. I, who dance naked in the rain, offer myself to you. Come to me. I invoke you.’
Finian knew the end was near. Yasha’s body trembled. The light of the shield began to fade. “Yasha! Hold on! You can do it!”
A tremendous power began growing within Yasha. With renewed strength, she stood, her stance firm. Her eyes swelled. Yasha had been ready to accept death, doubting the sinister deity would come to her aid. Athelion had answered her plea. She would live.
Immeasurable energy surged through her. A magical aura surrounded her. Growling, she raised the staff high. The intensity of the shield grew exponentially. The fire surrounding them was extinguished. Roaring in anger, she sent a sphere of magical energy surging towards Eliesaar.
The force of the blast knocked the dragon from the sky, yet he was not wholly defeated. Yasha could feel the energy leaving her body. The magic was spent. Grabbing Finian by the arm, Yasha led him, running to the edge of the ravine.
Eliesaar, fuelled with wrath, clambered back to his feet and took to the sky.
“We’re jumping!” Yasha said as they approached the ravine.
“We’re what!”
“Trust me!”
Finian had no choice. Yasha pulled him over the edge, the pair falling into the fathomless depths.
Chapter 12
Whilst balancing the laden breakfast tray in her hand, Melody opened Crystal’s door and entered her private quarters. With the curtains drawn, sparse sunlight entered the room. Crystal, refusing to open the curtains, had bathed in darkness for weeks, wallowing in misery, unable to cope with Johnathon’s death.
After losing the man she believed to be her true soulmate, Crystal had become catatonic and numbed her anguish with a stupor of intoxication. She refused visitors, barely ate and became violent when people tried to help or offer sympathy for her loss. The once vibrant glow of Crystal’s skin had turned pale, her eyes dark, bloodshot and sunken. Melody feared Crystal had given up on life. Melody’s attempts to bring a smile to Crystal’s face had been met with, icy, hateful glares. Empathy was the foundation of Melody’s resolve and despite Crystal’s stubborn resistance, continued to help her friend as best she could.
Sighing, Melody placed the tray on the table. Last night’s dinner, cold in its serving bowl, remained untouched. Melody looked to Crystal’s bed. The pillows and blankets were piled high, unchanged for weeks. Crystal, buried somewhere underneath her catacomb.
Thoughtfully, Melody sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling today?” The room was a mess. Crystal wouldn’t allow anyone to clean it. Herakas, Crystal’s sword, lay sheathless and discarded in the corner. Her admiration of the blade gone, replaced with loathing. “I’ve brought you some nice crispy bacon and fried tomatoes,” she knew Crystal wouldn’t respond to the food. Perhaps she might like to hear about her cudagelion. “Skye caught a giant salmon yesterday. You should have seen him eating it. It was so cute. He had fish all over his whiskers!”
There came no response from within the confuddled mound. “Crystal? You awake?” Melody probed the blankets. Crystal was not in bed.
Rising, Melody walked across the chamber to the bathroom. Crystal wasn’t there either. Nor was she in her study, walk-in closet or sitting room. The curtains fluttered, a gentle
breeze entering the room from the balcony.
Dread fell upon Melody. The balcony was high. If she were to step outside and find the balcony empty – ‘No. Don’t think like that. Crystal wouldn’t do such a thing.’ Holding her breath, Melody pushed the curtains aside and stepped onto the balcony.
Leaning against the railing, Crystal’s gaze was ponderous as she starred at the dense, untamed woodlands of the Terrifos Estate.
“Crystal,” Melody was relieved. She noticed Crystal’s aura had changed. There was a different air about her, less hostile. Still a bit on the nose, nothing a bath couldn’t fix. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Crystal, not turning to greet her friend, continued to gaze upon her family’s land.
“I brought you some breakfast. Would you like me to bring it out for you, so you can eat on the balcony?”
Fresh air invigorated Crystal’s weary limbs, restoring her appetite. “That sounds nice,” she said.
When Melody returned inside to fetch the tray, Crystal flexed her arm muscle and shook her head with disappointment. ‘I’ve gotten soft.’
“It’s not as hot as it was earlier, but it should still be pretty good.”
“Thanks, Melody.” Crystal bit into a slice of bacon. The fatty flavours were delicious and she attacked the tray with ravenous hunger. Juice from the tomatoes ran down her chin. Melody watched in delight as Crystal ate.
Soon, the plate was empty. The jug of carrot and celery juice, extinguished. Yet, Crystal did not feel content and remembered she had seen a bowl of stew on the table last night. “Is that stew still on the table?”
“It is. You want me to get it for you?”
“Please,” smiled Crystal. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in forever.”
Once all the food at hand was digesting in her belly, Crystal sat laid-back in a chair with her feet resting on the balcony railing. Closing her eyes, she remembered how nice it was to relax after a satisfying meal.
“Sorry. I haven’t been easy to deal with these past few weeks, have I?” said Crystal. During this difficult time of hardship, Melody had been a pillar of support, in both word and deed.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Melody. Kindness towards a friend in need was neither a burden or a responsibility. It was an act of love. “I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”
“I would. Though, I hope you never have to go through something like this.” Losing Johnathon was more painful than she could have imagined. Crystal felt like her soul had been torn apart. Crystal yearned for Johnathon’s touch, his kiss. She wanted to smell him, be in his presence, to look into those eyes which harboured unconditional love. There was nothing now but memory, and shadows upon the wall. There were moments when it felt like there was no point going on living, Crystal wanted to end it all. Hiding from the world under the warm blankets, her only solace.
“Is there anything you’d like to do?” Melody wanted to get her out of the dankness of her room. Take her mind off Johnathon. “We can go for a ride across the island on the cudagelions?”
“I think I’d like a bath first,” she said, smelling the stink of her armpit. Soaking in hot water was not only pleasant, it was good for the soul as well.
“I’ll have the bath made up for you then,” said Melody. She stood and looked out across the magnificent, flourishing plants of the estate. Red flowers bloomed in the coniffren trees, attracting colourful birds who feasted upon the ripening nuts. Melody smiled, Crystal was finally climbing free from her pit of misery.
“Can you have the maids put some sage oil in the bath?”
“Sage oil?”
“I need to do some thinking.”
Those pensive eyes troubled Melody. “I’ll ask them to add some for you,” Melody hoped Crystal wasn’t going to be thinking too much. She needed Crystal to be distracted from her sorrows, not dwell within her mind on things which couldn’t be changed. Crystal was taking her first steps to recovery, Melody needed to keep the momentum flowing. “I think I’ll join you in the bath. I could use a good soak myself.”
“Sure, you can join me if you’d like. You’ll like the smell of the sage oil, I reckon. It has a sweetness about it.” Crystal knew what Melody was up to, but it was alright, adorable even. Crystal wasn’t concerned. Her thoughts were no longer depressive, they were vengeful.
Naked under her robe, Crystal stood before her armour case, a pensive sigh escaping her pout as she gazed upon her Generals uniform. Behind the glass, the stunning detail of the armour was inspiring, yet the appeal of the armour no longer held sway. There was a time when Crystal desired to be a Surangi General more than anything. After enduring thousands of hours of tireless duty and gruelling study, Crystal worked her way through the ranks, proving to her superiors that she was more than worthy of the prestigious title.
In true Terrifos style, Crystal quickly became the highest renowned General. The soldiers under her command adored her while her fellow Generals bowed in reverence, believing that she would soon ascend to the rank of Captain, second only to Lord Brackish himself.
In the case beside her uniform, in all its glory, was the suit of light armour her father had the smiths forge for her after she arose triumphant from the Blood Pilgrimage, emerging from the Shrine of judgement as an Arcane Knight. The Terrifos family sigil, an arm with a clenched fist, roots and branches of a tree sprouting from it, was engraved on the chest-plate. Enduring and fruitful, the Terrifos tree withstood the passage of time, anchored by powerful roots, symbolic of the families unyielding nature. Opening the glass door, Crystal ran her fingers over the engraving. “Akella, it’s time for your little sister to follow your lead.”
The armour slid easily over her well-moisturised skin. Assembling the ensemble slowly, Crystal was meticulous with each piece. The knots were tight. The clasps sealed firmly. Herakas rested in its sheath upon her hip. In the mirror, the woman in front of her was one of strength and authority.
“My Lady,” with a youthful smile, the maid approached Crystal as she ascended the staircase. She was delighted to see Crystal moving about the mansion after having spent so many weeks isolated in her chamber mourning Johnathon’s death. “Are you on your way out? Shall I have the kitchen prepare a meal for your return this evening, or will you be dining elsewhere?”
“I may not return for several months,” Crystal said, stepping towards her. “Can you please give this letter to Melody next time she comes around,” Crystal handed her an envelope, sealed with a wax insignia. “Thank you, Lillian.”
“Where are you off to?” It made Lillian sad to know Crystal was going away for such a long period of time. Her return to the estate had been too brief. Both Crystal and Akella have been absent from the estate for too long. Lillian missed their company, but her life was one of servitude, not adventure. A thoughtful girl, Lillian enjoyed dusting the relics, tending the mansion and caring for the fish in the many ponds. Without an aggressive bone in her body, she loved her lifestyle, as mundane as others might consider it.
“I’m heading east, to the Islands of Joupa. Then, I’m not sure where I’ll go after that.”
“I’ve heard Joupa’s really beautiful. You’ll have a wonderful time!” The people on the Islands were known to be kind and hospitable. In such a tranquil environment with the warm sun and the long, sandy beaches, Lillian hoped Crystal would have a relaxing, peaceful break.
“Take care of yourself, Lillian.” Affectionately, Crystal touched the girl’s arm. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Have a safe journey,” smiled Lillian. “We’ll be looking forward to your return.” As Lillian watched Crystal walk up the stairs, she realised Crystal was wearing her armour. An odd choice of attire, for a relaxing holiday. Lillian thought nothing more of it, Crystal was a warrior, after all.
Saddleless, Crystal rode Syke, her cudagelion, above the forests of Pyrelle Island towards the capital. A lone feather, coming loose from the cudagelion’s immense wings, fell gracefully towards the ground,
carried upon the wind. As crystal ran her fingers over Skye’s back, she smiled, the mammoth island cat’s fur felt resplendently plush.
Approaching the fortress city of Kalinnos, Crystal was greeted by a familiar sight. The monumental statue of Fe’anorr, the phoenix god, supported by colossal pillars of stone towered above the castles and strongholds below. Forged from marble and unsurpassed in craftsmanship, the massive structure brought great pride to the people of the island. At dusk, the marble shone red, as though Fe’anorr himself was perched above the city, watching over his devoted followers.
Soaring through the air, Crystal circled the marvellous statue before descending and landing upon the battlements of the Tower of Belrae. Arcane Knights are the only Surangi permitted to ride cudagelions. Pointing, the guards spoke amongst themselves, wondering which warrior had arrived, for the vast majority of Arcane Knights had left the island, venturing to Sapphiron with Lord Brackish.
Commander Rowans, escorted by his entourage of guardsmen, dutifully appeared to greet the arriving knight. Flags, fastened to long iron poles along the battlements thrashed about in a strong wind.
“General Terrifos,” Rowans eyes were sympathetic as he extended his hand to Crystal. “My condolences for your loss. The entire kingdom grieved at the news of Johnathon’s death.”
With their heads bowed, the guards placed their fists over their hearts as a sign of respect as Crystal approached.
“Thank you, Commander.” Crystal gripped his hand firmly. “Can you please have the wards tend Skye. I’d like him saddled and fed.”
“Of course, General.” Rowans gestured to his Lieutenant to issue the commands. “Is there anything else you require?”
“Has there been any news from Sapphiron?”
Misanthropy Page 12