A Dark Tyranny

by C. M. Pendleton

  “Look at their eyes,” said the man with bow, “and look at that one there. God and kings …”

  “It's ok,” said Luras.

  “Their eyes are glowing,” said the bowmen.

  “What is he …,” said the man with the axe.

  “We are Acolytes,” said Luras.

  “He is an Acolyte,” said Matthias, “and a Bourne, so I suggest you lower that bow.”

  “A Bourne?” asked the bowmen. He looked at the alderman.

  “A Nighteye,” said the alderman.

  “He don't look like a goblin,” said the man with the axe. “Their eyes are glowing.”

  “He is not a Nighteye,” said Matthias.

  “I was, but now I am an Acolyte,” said Luras.

  “He is a Bourne. Personally, I would like you to keep your weapons up because I want to see a Bourne fight. I've yet to see him swing a blade, but if the stories are true, it would be quite a sight. You have heard the stories, I'm sure,” said Matthias.

  “I am not going to hurt you,” said Luras. He gave a puzzling look to Matthias.

  “Skin Slavers raided our village a few days back. They killed most and took some others with them,” said the heavyset man with the axe. “They took women and children. The survivors took what arms we had and left to get what was theirs.”

  “And you stayed here?” asked Matthias.

  “There are others still here,” said the alderman. “We are all staying together in the tavern.”

  “There's smoke coming from these homes,” said Luras.

  “To give the impression that more are here,” replied the alderman.

  “A scouting party from the Northern Realm came shortly after. They took a good deal of our supplies,” said the man with the axe.

  “A scouting party? From the Northern Realm?” asked Matthias.

  “Yes. They said the Southern Realm is almost completely fallen, only small unorganized bands of men remain,” said the alderman.

  “What else did they say?” asked Matthias. “How long ago did they leave?”

  “They mentioned some of what we experienced here … Skin Slavers raiding the four realms,” said the alderman. “I'm not sure they will return. There's nothing left for them to take.”

  “And gorgons sacking the Southern Realm,” said the man with the bow.

  “Gorgons?” asked Luras.

  “Yes,” said the alderman.

  “Have you seen them?” asked Luras.

  “No,” said the alderman.

  “They also talked about wolves,” said the bowman.

  The rain began to pick up. The sky rumbled and shook the ground.

  “What village is this?” asked Matthias.

  “Reddington,” answered the alderman.

  “We should get inside,” said the man with the axe.

  “We mean no threat to you. We can leave at first light,” said Luras.

  The alderman paused to think. He looked at them one last time.

  “I don't suppose I can deny two Acolytes shelter … a Bourne at that. Norris, go stoke some of the fires and get back to the tavern” said the alderman.

  The large man with the axe left to do as the alderman instructed. The rest left for the tavern.

  The tavern was much larger on the inside. The tables had been moved to make room for sleeping. There were thick beams of exposed wood across the ceiling. The mud and clay walls revealed the occasional wooden support beam. The windows were shut tight and each one had a wooden panel on the inside that was closed and latched. A twelve-point set of antlers was mounted above the door. The bar had quilts and blankets laid over it to dry. Eight or so children sat on blankets and pillows listening to a woman tell them a story about a lost pony that met a wisp knight. She looked up at the men as they entered but continued reading. Two older men played a game of Ricklot at a corner table. The rest of the villagers were mostly women and boys too young to fight. The tavern was lit with lanterns and candles. There were two large fireplaces that glowed red. When Luras removed his hood there was a hush to the room. The children looked at him in wonder and whispered to themselves. One of the men playing Ricklot put down his wooden pieces.

  “It is alright,” said the alderman.

  “Who are they?” asked a bone thin woman. She had a narrow face and bags around her eyes.

  “They are leaving at first light,” reassured the alderman, “they are passing through. It's starting to storm.”

  “They could be more slavers. You don't know, Thorson,” said the woman. Some others began to look as if they felt the same. They began to gather around the woman.

  “Calm yourself, Lindy. Look, they are Acolytes,” said the alderman.

  “That one ain't human,” said a plump woman behind Lindy.

  “No, he is not,” said the alderman.

  “He is a Bourne,” said Matthias. “We are only passing through. Some food and ale would be nice.”

  “I am Luras and this is Matthias. Thorson is right. We are Acolytes. We're going north. We plan to leave in the morning,” said Luras.

  “Well, I suppose you are here now,” said Lindy. “Take off your weapons and put them there. We are having stewed beef. Dedra will bring you some ale.”

  “Many thanks,” said Matthias.

  “Yes, thank you,” said Luras.

  The men sat at one of the larger tables. Candles were strewn about it for light. Luras, Matthias, Thorson, and the bowmen ate stew from wooden bowls. A pitcher of ale was at the center of the table. Luras' cup remained full.

  “This is Wreth,” Thorson gestured towards the bowman.

  “Hello,” said Luras.

  Matthias nodded his head as he ate.

  “Pardon, but … can you see better … with your eyes like that and all?” asked Wreth.

  “Some. Things seem … crisper than they did,” answered Luras.

  “You are asking the wrong person. He seems to glow regardless,” said Matthias.

  “You do,” said Wreth. “You have a slight glow to your skin. It is almost blue or silver.”

  “I suppose. I don't feel it. It does not do anything really.”

  “How did you stop being a Nighteye?” asked Thorson.

  “A Grandeur,” answered Luras.

  “You saw a Grandeur?” asked Wreth.

  “Yes. I was hurt or … killed. I'm not sure. She brought me back from my wounds. When I awoke I was a Bourne … and an Acolyte.”

  “And you?” Thorson looked at Matthias.

  “Similar … but I am not an Acolyte. Tomorrow, he will go one way and I another,” said Matthias.

  “You look to be an Acolyte,” said Wreth.

  “He is but refuses,” said Luras.

  “I didn't think there was a choice,” said Thorson.

  “There is always a choice,” said Matthias.

  “The stories of the Acolytes … weapons smithed by Grandeurs … golden armor and the lot,” said Wreth. “Is this true?”

  “I don't know,” said Luras.

  “Perhaps we met the wrong Grandeur,” said Luras.

  Luras held his cup of ale to his nose. He smelled and took a drink.

  “Well, what do you think?” asked Matthias.

  “Interesting … bitter,” said Luras.

  “It gets better,” Matthias said with a grin.

  The men laughed.

  “Excuse me,” said a boy. He tugged at Luras' arm. He was not more than four years old and had large brown eyes with sandy blonde hair.

  “Yes?” said Luras.

  This is the first child that has ever spoken to me.

  “They say that you are a Nighteye,” said the boy. The other kids looked on.

  “I was.”

  “Don't Nighteyes make toys?” asked the boy. The other children giggled and whispered.

  “Well, I did … yes,” answered Luras. “What is your name?”

  “Robert.”

  “Robert, I happen to be very good at carving spinning rain flow
ers,” said Luras.

  Robert's eyes widened and the other children whispered excitedly.

  “I can make a rain flower that you can spin with your hand and it will float into the air. If you put water on it, it will spin off like a real rain flower. Would you like one?”

  “Yes, please,” answered Robert, grinning.

  “Perhaps, then, I will make some for you all,” said Luras.

  The children cheered, Robert grasped Luras by the hand and pulled him to his feet.

  “We have some wood here,” said Robert, as he led Luras away. The other children gathered around and followed them to a pile of wood stacked by one of the fireplaces.

  “Are you a cobbler elf now?” asked Matthias. “I thought you were going to finish your drink?”

  “Save it for me,” said Luras, as he sat by the fire looking for the right piece of wood.

  “He is a strange lot,” said Matthias to the other men. They grinned and laughed under their breath.

  “Tell me, did this northern scouting party have information about what caused this or why we seem to find ourselves at war?” asked Matthias.

  “They were a tight lipped group,” answered Wreth.

  Matthias nodded. He knew a northern scouting party south of their land meant that the realms were fracturing.

  “That is until they helped themselves to our stores. Once the men had a belly of food and ale, their tongues were not so imprisoned,” said Thorson.

  “What did you learn?” asked Matthias.

  “Mostly rumor … conjecture. Some of the men talk of a sorceress in the Dargan Highlands,” said Thorson.

  “The Dark Realm,” muttered Wreth under his breath.

  “So this sorceress is leading an invasion with Skin Slavers and gorgons?” asked Matthias, incredulously.

  “That might have been her plan. They said that worse things came about,” said Wreth.

  “What do you mean?” asked Matthias.

  “You can open a door for evil …. but you can't control it. She might have learned the hard way about that one. You can’t corral the dark powers of the world like cattle to your bidding. It is like a weed. You cannot manage it. Probably thought she could … but weeds grow in cracks and crevices … under the ground. Suddenly, they sprout up from the hidden places in the world,” said Thorson.

  “A dark army comes at us from the Dargan Highlands. They are far north of the Northern Realm. It's no wonder they are looking for secure spots further south,” said Matthias.

  “Keep in mind this is just rumors from soldiers. There is no fact there. No one truly knows … you would have to travel to the Dargan Highlands itself to know for sure,” said Thorson.

  “The Northern Realm will not travel there. They are already scouting south of their realm,” said Matthias. “They are looking for footholds to fall back on, if needed.”

  “Then all the realms of Altaris are again fractured … probably all of Ehlür,” said Thorson.

  “This is why the Acolytes have risen again,” said Wreth. “You're to give us time to organize and stand against the enemy.”

  Matthias took a drink of ale.

  “Your friend there … his kind brought evil to the realms a thousand years ago. Now some other group tries to do the same … to use evil for their own means,” said Thorson.

  “I will be far from it,” said Matthias.

  “Yes. I am only an alderman from a small village, but tell me … where will you run that evil is not under your foot or grabbing at your ankles?” asked Thorson.

  “I seem to have a great talent for finding old men that think they know what's best for me … regardless of having just met them,” said Matthias.

  “No … no, I am just talking. I do understand though,” said Thorson.

  “Understand what?” asked Matthias.

  “Your hostility about all this … Acolytes, war, and whatnot. I am not overly traveled, but I think I know which Matthias you are,” said Thorson.

  “Careful,” Matthias spoke deliberately.

  “Where is Norris?” interrupted Lindy.

  “He should be here. I thought he was with you,” said Wreth.

  “No. I ain't seen him since you all left.” She was now more nervous than angry.

  “Your man with the axe?” asked Matthias.

  “Yes. He went to stoke the fires in some of the homes,” answered Thorson. “He should have been back.”

  The men rose and went to the door. Wreth started to open the large wooden door that was barred from the inside.

  “No. Leave it,” ordered Matthias.

  Luras put the partially finished rain flower on the brick mantel of the fireplace. He went to the others to see what was happening. Matthias and Thorson unlatched the wooden panel to a window and looked out. They studied the center of the village. It was empty. The rain was coming down in heavy sheets. It was very dark. The only time they could see clearly was with each crack of lightning that struck across the darkened clouds. The thunder echoed like a waking giant.

  “Do you see anything?” asked Luras.

  “It's dark. The rain is blocking out everything,” answered Matthias.

  The sky lit up once more like veins of gold splintering out across the sky. Thunder shook the tavern, causing the children to run to the woman that had been reading to them.

  “There!” said Matthias.

  “God and kings,” muttered Thorson.

  Norris was in the center of the road looking at the tavern. He stumbled and moved slowly.

  I just have to make it to the tavern. There are Acolytes in the tavern.

  His right leg was not listening to him. It kept buckling from his weight. The bone protruded just above the knee. The ligaments and muscles in his leg had been ravaged. It seared with pain. He walked holding onto his leg with one hand, while holding his other arm around his chest. His torso throbbed and bled with each breath. The beast had raked its claws across his chest. They had felt like hot knives stripping meat from bone. Each time he breathed or moved, he could feel his blood seep from his wounds. It happened so fast. Norris was not even sure what had occurred. Was it a bear? He had seen teeth and claws.

  It ran on four legs but stood on two … like a person. How did I get away?

  It had thrown him around like a child’s doll.

  I just need to make it to the others … to the tavern.

  Thunder shook the ground. Lightning lit the sky. There was no longer a delay between lightning and thunder. They were coming at once. Norris could see the tavern clearly when the lightning ripped through the dark sky.

  “There is something behind him,” muttered Thorson.

  The hulking beast was on all fours. It slowly walked behind him in the rain. Its eyes glowed a reddish yellow. It was big. Its frame was the size of a fully grown Tundra bear and had thick muscles coiled around it. Its fur was black and prickled up. The beast moved its head looking around the village, while it stalked Norris.

  “A Storm Wolf,” whispered Matthias.

  “Teams of these wolves destroyed my village. There must be more,” said Luras.

  “You should arm yourselves,” said Matthias, as he began to secure his weapons and armor.

  Luras tightened his tunic and again donned the thin sabers given to him from the wisps.

  “What is it doing?” said Wreth.

  “It's a scout,” said Matthias.

  “We have to help him,” said Wreth, grabbing his bow from the wall.

  “No,” ordered Matthias, “stay inside.”

  “He’s right,” said Thorson in a hushed tone. “Put out the candles and fires … make sure the windows are boarded.”

  “We can't leave him there,” said Wreth.

  “No! You can't leave him there to die!” yelled Lindy.

  “Lindy, quiet. Everyone, get the children and go to the cellar ...move,” said Thorson.

  “He is alive, yet we leave him to die,” said Wreth.

  “I am very sorry, Wreth. But
your friend is already dead. That is a scout out there. It wants to lure us out. There are children here,” said Matthias.

  Norris screamed. The wolf snared and pounced on him. He fell like a sack to the muddy ground. The Storm Wolf snarled into the night, as it circled its prey. Norris began to pull himself towards the tavern with what strength he could muster. He was too weak to move. His body stayed. His hands only pulled mud in his direction. The beast stood over him. Norris did not see the wolf move. He only felt its teeth sink into his neck. There was muffled gurgle of blood and then a snapping sound. Norris was dead. The beast stood on two legs above him. It let out a low rumbling howl, as blood mixed with rain and dirt.

  Lindy yelled out, while Wreth tried to comfort her.

  “He is gone, Lindy. You need to get below with the children,” said Wreth.

  The wolf scout circled the corpse. It looked around the village, as it lifted its wet and bloody snout into the air. The sky rumbled and cracked; shards of light splintered across the sky. The ground began to moan like the hull of a great ship twisting at sea. There was the sound of a beating against the earth like a herd of wild horses.

  “Do you hear that?” asked Thorson.

  “Brace yourselves. They’re here,” said Luras.

  The ground shook underneath the village. The men steadied themselves to keep from falling. The ground and road in the village vibrated. There was a great rupture like an explosion. The ground fractured with jagged fragments of roots and loose rock exploding from the earth. Storm Wolves bolted at great speeds from the large tears in the ground. It was as if the dirt and mud was giving birth to foul beasts. Storm Wolves ran from the muddy ground on two legs. Other wolves raced through the village on all fours. They roared and howled like beasts mad with rage. Some of the wolves stopped to tear at flesh from the corpse in the road. Others smelled the dead man and then lifted their snouts to the air. The scout from earlier continued to circle Norris. It howled into the night.

  “Do they know we're here?” asked Wreth.

  “I don't know. They know enough. Stay away from the windows and door,” ordered Matthias.

  “The children and others are locked in the cellar below,” said Luras.

  “Perhaps, they will find nothing and continue on their way?” asked Thorson.

  “I do not think so,” said Luras.