by I. B. George
Somewhere to the right, Rolan was looking for a way to escape the assault of the Shadow in front of him. He remembered the nearby river which was few paces away. He retreated, trying to lure his adversary there where he could be able to use his power.
“The Shadows from Heldor”, he muttered when he recognized the outlines of those who attacked them. “What are they doing here, so far away from the vaults of the castle?” he wondered.
As a child, he had come across one of these Shadows haunting the dungeons of the castle. He had run away screaming, not daring to look behind until he had reached his room. The guards he bumped into in his rush had looked at him in surprise. He could not remember though if anyone had ever seen the Shadows leaving the castle dungeons, least of all the castle walls. Rolan suspected something devilish was happening and that some force, infinitely stronger than that of the spirits had set the Shadows on them.
Earlier, he had seen Azar measuring his strength against that of the fourth Shadow. He parried meticulously its strong blows, almost dancing around it.
Robert was watching the whole scene in a daze, incapable of any reaction. He was the only one there who could use his abilities without the need of a nearby source of the element he was controlling.
He focused and felt the warmth gathering across his arms. He then centred the two flames that had appeared in his palms and turned them into a fireball which he threw towards Azar’s adversary.
The fireball went straight through the body of the Shadow without causing any damage and set fire to a bush near the edge of the forest.
His action caught the attention of the Shadow who turned its head towards Robert and gave a frightening rattle.
The Shadow dodged Azar’s attack, hurled him to the ground and then headed towards Robert. Akura came his way, trying to bite the threatening silhouette but only managed to snap his jaws, as the Shadow went straight through him.
Robert froze in fear when he saw the ghost heading towards him, raising his sword high above his head. Radius parried the Shadow’s deadly strike and pulled Robert behind him.
Rolan went closer to the brook in the clearing, going backwards on purpose with every step he was taking. He was a few steps away from the water when he decided he was close enough to be able to use his abilities.
He focused his strength while he put together the fingers on his left hand and raised his arm. A stream of water erupted over the river in a spiralling column. With a sudden movement of his hand, Rolan aimed the water torrent towards the Shadow ahead.
What happened next however left Rolan speechless. The river seemed to be coming to life, as the torrent he had created took the shape of an almost human figure which extended two water streams that looked like arms. The arms stretched towards the Shadow which, overcome, came to a standstill in front of this new enemy.
By all gods, how did I not think about it? The water behind me is the River of the Everlasting Souls. The legend says that the swords of the four warriors were found in here, said Rolan to himself.
The Shadow tried to aim a heavy blow at those arms made of water. The torrents quickly wrapped around the blade of the sword and snatched it from the arm of the Shadow who let out a horrifying howl.
Azar saw the whole thing and thought quickly about his next move. He focused a flame in his palm from the bush that Robert had set on fire and threw it at the Shadow who lost its sword. Its silhouette lit up instantly and crashed into the tall grass in the clearing.
Rolan, who was nearby, covered his ears with his palms to stop himself from hearing the sharp screech of the Shadow squirming in agony. He realized then what had happened: the river had claimed back one of the swords that belonged to it hundreds of years before.
The other three Shadows heard the inhuman howls coming from their companion and turned their gaze towards there.
“The Shadows… make them go towards the river!” called Rolan.
Immediately they understood Rolan’s strategy and made as if to retreat, so as to lure the last three Shadows to the water. They took care to protect Robert, making sure he was behind them at all times.
Once by the river, they saw Rolan whirling the water again, lifting it from its bed. The Shadows tried desperately to hang on to their swords, but the might of the river was greater than their strength. Azar and Robert reacted straight away and, using the power of fire, set light to the three shadowy figures of the former warriors.
Again they heard the agonizing screams. At last, the fire consumed the four spirits, leaving just a few patches of burned grass behind.
The seven friends looked at each other for a few moments. They felt drained, but still alive. They then burst out laughing and started hugging each other, happy to have passed the first obstacle of their long journey.
***
In his chamber in the vaults of Heldor Castle, Elian had watched the whole battle through the World’s Mirror. With the help of his witchcraft he had tried to give the Shadows tenfold power.
He watched eventually the spirits being destroyed and howled, brimming with fury. He proceeded to break anything he could get his hands on, angry that his enemies had got away unharmed.
He cursed himself inside for not making the connection between the swords and the River of Everlasting Souls. He was raging for choosing the Demented Forest to attack, thinking it was the most suitable place so that the dead bodies of those seven should never be found.
Little Eremon and his friends had been lucky. Maybe the boy was under gods’ protection after all, and the oracle’s prophecy had to come true. For the first time ever, this thought frightened him.
Eventually, he calmed down, thinking that maybe the spirits of the Demented Forest would finish what he had started.
***
Sat around the fire, the seven travelling companions were tending to their wounds which, not being that severe, didn’t need that much care.
“We got away this time, young prince”, said Akura, watching the smouldering embers dancing in the fire.
“Yes, we were lucky”, answered Robert, poking the fire with a stick.
“The gods are on your side, Your Highness. The Oracle had spoken and what has been said must come true”.
Robert smiled bitterly:
“Yes, but what’s the price, Akura? Today we were one step away from death’s door in the Demented Forest. Our mission could have ended before it had even begun.
“The spirits of the forest are truly dangerous, prince. I’ll only be at peace only when we’ve left this place… till then, I think we still need to be vigilant…”
Sitting next to Akura, Rolan intervened:
“The ghosts we encountered today were not the spirits of the forest. They were known as the Shadows”.
Everybody looked at him in surprise.
“The Shadows?!” asked Voras.
“Precisely”, reiterated Rolan. “They were the ghosts of the greatest fighters from the Kingdom of Water who died hundreds of years ago in the siege of Heldor.
“Sounds like you’ve met them before, Rolan”, said Radius.
“Many years ago, Professor. I used to live in the castle with my mother, father and brother. The legend says that the four warriors died protecting their king when he ran away. The king had the exit from the vaults blocked to make sure that those in Akros would not start following him, so the four warriors got trapped in there. Their spirits never found peace, sending to their death all those who ventured in the dungeons where they expired. They died clasping their sword to their chests. It was said about them that a merchant had fished them out of the River of the Everlasting Souls and the word was that the success those four had on the battle field was due to the bewitched swords which had become part of their spirit, giving them unsuspected powers”.
“I’m assuming the water behind me is the river you’ve been mentioning, right?” enquired Azar.
“After all that’s happened today, I’m inclined to say yes, my friend”, replied Rolan. “After hundreds of years,
the river has taken back what it was owed”.
Rolan remained pondering, watching the fire in front of him. Eventually, after a moment of silence, the Professor’s voice rang out.
“Therefore, if the Shadows you’re talking about used to dwell in the Heldor Castle’s dungeons, it means they have been sent by King Tyres. And that proves that the king is aware of our movements”.
“I’m beginning to trust the rumours which maintained that a sorcerer from the Frozen Land was helping Tyreas”, said Akura. “No human being in Fantasmagoria can control these spirits”.
“In that case”, concluded Radius, “as from today we have a new enemy”.
***
Rolan took great pleasure in reminiscing about spending his childhood in the castle. He could still vividly remember himself and his little brother getting into trouble as if it happened yesterday. He was however, trying to erase the memory of his father, a tyrannical and argumentative person who was forever dissatisfied by anything he did.
He had always tried to protect his brother, taking the blame for all his misdemeanours. For that reason he became the black sheep of the family and later on, when he disobeyed his father’s wishes he was sent away from home. He wandered for many years until he was found by the Professor and taken in to live with him at Arvinard Castle.
However, he still remembered his mother fondly as a gentle woman who always soothed the pain caused by his father’s harsh behaviour.
He added a few twigs to the fire and pulled up the collar of his coat. It was past midnight and he was in charge of keeping watch for the next two hours. He looked at his friends and thought that, after today, he could count on each one of them. Funny thing that these strangers should be closer to him than his own brother, the only family he had left.
He heard someone whispering his name. Confused, he turned his face away from his friends and peered over the fire and into the forest. He couldn’t see anyone. He looked at the fire again, thinking that tiredness was playing tricks on him, when he heard again the whispering voice:
“Rolaaan!”
He jumped to his feet scrutinizing the darkness again. He saw a ghostly figure waving at him and when he tried to distinguish who it was, calling him by name, he finally recognized the outline of the woman who beckoned him.
“Mother”, he mumbled.
The figure plunged deeper into the forest and then called him again, giving him an overwhelming desire to follow it. He stood up, headed towards the edge of the forest and, pushing away the bushes around him, he stepped into the tangled thicket of the Demented Forest.
He could clearly see his mother going through the shrubbery in the forest. Her translucent outline, lit up by the moonlight, was moving along with ease, calling him again.
“Forgive me, mother, for deserting you without saying goodbye”, pleaded Rolan behind her.
The woman carried on moving and didn’t answer. Tears started rolling down Rolan’s cheeks.
“I had to leave!” called Rolan. “Father hated me and my own brother slandered me to him every time he had a chance to do so. Don’t reject me… you’re the only human being who has understood me and defended me…”
His hands and feet were covered in scratches from the brambles he came across. Still he continued walking ahead without feeling a thing.
Suddenly, the silhouette stopped and turned to face him. He could see his mother’s beautiful face smiling tenderly at him.
“I have forgiven you, my son”, she said in gentle voice. “Come and give me a hug”.
Rolan felt relieved when he heard his mother’s words. He felt a wave of warmth coursing through his body and he took a step forward towards to embrace that beloved person.
He didn’t see that his mother’s silhouette was floating above a deep void into which he was about to step.
***
Radius woke up shivering and felt a cold breeze taking over his body. He saw Rolan going into the forest and then looked towards Vidar who was on his feet gazing straight ahead into the forest.
“I took care of the family, father, just like I promised when you left. I hope you’re proud of me”, said the captain.
It’s happening, thought Radius and stood up. He rummaged through his bag and took out some sort of earplugs made from solidified beeswax.
He looked at the captain and saw him heading towards the edge of the forest. He caught up with him and stood in front of him, barring his way.
“Vidar”, he shouted, shaking him. “Wake up! It’s an illusion, my friend… it’s not real”.
He stuffed two of the plugs into his ears, giving him a good shake. The captain came to and looked at him as if for the first time. He understood what the Professor was signing and looked at the others.
They were all awake and talking to imaginary people who used to be part of their lives. Radius slipped the beeswax pieces into the captain’s palm, indicating to him to do the same with the rest of the camp.
Vidar was trying to read on the Professor’s lips what he was trying to communicate. He thought at some point that he could decipher Rolan’s name and, when he couldn’t see him, he understood that Radius was going to go and look for him.
The professor went into the forest following the way he’d seen Rolan disappear. He was advancing hurriedly, following the broken twigs from the bushes in the forest which marked his friend’s passage.
He tried to avoid the bracken of the undergrowth but, after a while, he realized that this precaution was only slowing him down. He hurried along, tearing his shirt and trousers in the thicket of branches and bushes.
Hearing Rolan’s pleading voice, he started running as fast as he could through the dense growth around him. He was praying to the gods that he would not be too late, when he heard his friend’s voice again, closer this time.
He couldn’t allow for something like this to happen. The Demented Forest was not going to take away his friend. He was pushing away a branch that was blocking his way when he saw Rolan standing by the edge of a deep and dark hole.
He watched in horror as Rolan put his right foot over the precipice and he threw himself over him.
At the last moment he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back.
***
Vidar managed to put an end to his friends’ visions. They were now regrouped around the fire, waiting feverishly the Professor’s return. Vidar had explained to them that he had gone in search of Rolan, who was probably being driven mad by one of the spectres in the Demented Forest. A ray of light announced the arrival of dawn.
At last, Robert saw them by the edge of the forest and jumped happily to greet them. Radius hugged him and signed to the others to take out their wax earplugs which defended them against the call of the phantoms.
“How glad I am to see you, friends”, said the Professor. “And thank you for your help, Captain”.
“Professor, it’s always my pleasure to be at your service and I am happy to have been of help to my friends”, bowed Vidar.
“Is it just me, Professor, or were you prepared for this?” enquired Voras.
“It was just as I thought”, spoke the Professor, letting go of Robert. “The visions appear to those from Fantasmagoria, taking the form of loved ones. Then, just as Rolan was saying, the spirits call them, luring them to the depths of the forest”.
“I don’t understand why you weren’t affected by these visions, Professor!” wondered Azar.
“As you all know, I wasn’t born here in Fantasmagoria. The spirits of the ones I loved during my life are on the other side, in Humans’ World. I’m the only one here over which the forest doesn’t have any power. I suspect that even Robert was caught in the phantoms’ trap, even though only half of his blood is from around here… isn’t that right, Prince?”
“Yes”, agreed Robert, “I think I saw my mother…”
“Now I know where all those who ventured into the Demented Forest have vanished. I managed to save Rolan at the exact
moment when he wanted to step into a bottomless hole”.
Everyone turned their eyes to Rolan who confirmed what the Professor had said.
“It’s true… I was following my mother, or at least that’s what I thought, and I was about to step into a precipice when I felt someone pulling me back. It was the Professor who then bent over me and shook me out of it. It was the strangest feeling I have ever experienced”.
They all shared the ordeals they had been through while under the power of the evil spirits in the Demented Forest and thanked the Professor for saving them from certain death.
At last they put down the fire and packed up their little camp. They mounted their horses and set off just as the first ray of light was welcoming a new day.
They started at a gallop, eagerly hoping to get away from that cursed place known as the Demented Forest.
After a while their thoughts turned to their next destination: the Misty Passage.
Chapter 5
The Eyes From the Shadow
The land they were travelling through used to be Voras’s homeland. The places they trekked were full of happy, kind people who didn’t seem to be affected by the war. There were only few of Tyreas’s troops stationed around here because most people were merchants who were no cause for concern to the new leader. They were only interested in keeping the peace, which in turn brought stability to their livelihood.
They were approaching Bakar, the little town where Voras had spent his childhood, keeping a close watch while trying at the same time to avoid the commercial routes until they got to the town. Once there, Voras was confident that he would be able to get hold of everything that was needed to travel through the Misty Passage with help from one of his friends.
Voras’s friend was called Quilar and he was the biggest trader in the Night Kingdom. His shop in Bakar was the only place where you could find anything you could ever want. Being close to the Misty Passage, Quilar was able to sell goods coming from Elementis as well as Akros and he was sought after even by those sent by Heron, the monarch of the Night Kingdom.