The Black Morass

by Gerald Lambert

  "Yes," came Keeta's voice, as if from afar.

  "How is Nefin doing?" Brin asked.

  "It seems like he's starting to lose his composure," Keeta worriedly replied. "How about Ajh, Hanna?"

  If Hanna responded, Brin didn't hear, and she started to feel nervous that though her friends were so close, they still seemed separated by a great distance. And each was clutching

  the hand of a man much stronger than herself. If any of the boys decided to simply remove their hands, the chain would be broken and they might get lost in the mist.

  "Did Hanna say anything?" Brin questioned.

  "Yes," Keeta confirmed. "Ajh is about the same as these two. And she told me that Zadí made a similar report. Can you see anything? Are we close?"

  "I can't see anything," Brin shared. "And it doesn't look like the vapor clears anytime soon, but that's one of its properties. We might be two feet from the exit."

  "I hope so."

  "Hold hands even tighter," Brin instructed. "And pass that message along. We can't lose them in here."

  "No," Keeta agreed. Then Brin heard her relay the directions to Hanna. After a moment, Keeta asked, "Brin, what do you suppose Nefin saw in here? You said you heard him say

  something."

  "I don't know, sweetie," Brin answered. "But I know it involved you and devastated him. Let's please not talk about it right now."

  "Of course," Keeta quickly consented. "Sorry to distract you."

  They made their way farther for several more minutes, and Brin felt increasingly desperate by Will's tortured groans and crushing grip. Did the magic at work in here affect their

  thoughts? Could he smell something? Brin had no idea, but at least he hadn't yet tried to release her hand.

  "No," Will moaned. "No, Lena. I'm coming, honey. Hang on. Please, Lena. Please hang on for me."

  Brin's eyes filled with tears at the utter despair in Will's voice. She made a plea of her own, Please end soon, blasted mist! I won't lose my cousins. My best friends. Brom.

  Brin was most concerned about Zadí, who had Var behind her and Brom in front. But Brom was also holding hands with Ajh. If any of those three men lost it, Zadí would be

  helpless, especially in light of her pregnancy. And Brin was beginning to suspect that this vapor revealed a man's deepest fears, which was even more disquieting. Var probably

  entertained some fine horrors in his worst nightmares now that he had a wife and baby on the way.

  Brin gasped out loud in surprise and relief when she unexpectedly stepped through the far side of the fog. Could they have only been inside for about ten minutes? Time really

  seemed warped in this accursed labyrinth!

  Brin pulled hard on Will's hand, and he stumbled forward, collapsing to his knees and crying like a baby.

  "Will!" Brin hissed, crouching down in front of him as Keeta followed behind, tightly gripping Nefin. "Will, we're out of there!"

  Then she remembered that he had beeswax in his ears. "Idiot," she muttered at herself, plucking the plugs free. "Will!" she repeated. "Wake up! It's over. It wasn't real. Just a

  spell." She ripped the blindfold off his eyes, aware at the same time that Hanna and Ajh had emerged after Nefin.

  Will regarded her in puzzlement for a second before his eyes focused and he exhaled in relief. "That was awful," he rasped, crawling away from the threat behind them. "Is

  everyone else all right?"

  "Everyone's out," Brin reported, looking around. "Wait, where is Zadí? Wasn't she behind you, Ajh? With Brom and Var?"

  Ajh shakily looked over, tearing his eyes away from Hanna. "Huh?" he blankly questioned.

  "Zadí!" Brin exclaimed, springing to her feet. "She's not out here!"

  "Get them away from the edge!" Brin then ordered Hanna and Keeta, heading back toward the black vapor. "I need to go find Zadí before something bad happens."

  She plunged into the mist, instantly shouting, "Zadí! Zadí, can you hear me?"

  "Brin!" came Zadí's panicked scream. "Help me! Hurry! They're losing control!"

  Brin rushed forward as quickly as she dared, worried she might bash right into Brom or Zadí. She nearly did just that, and she narrowly caught herself from tripping over Brom,

  whom she identified after squatting down and feeling with her hands. He was sitting on the ground, arms wrapped around his knees in a tight little ball.

  "Help me!" Zadí spluttered in a strained voice. "Var's trying to—"

  Brin didn't need to know what Var was trying to do to know that it wasn't good. She left Brom, who seemed relatively harmless at the moment, blindly groping her way toward Zadí.

  Brin was relieved that she reached them a second later. Again using her hands to understand what her eyes could not see, Brin speculated that Var was attempting to crush or

  strangle Zadí.

  Var was way stronger than Brin, so she did the only thing she could think of before her cousin killed his wife. Holding him by one horn to guide her aim, Brin drew back her fist and

  punched him as hard as she could in the face. Var lurched backward in surprise, cursing angrily as he released Zadí.

  "Zadí, grab Brom and keep going! The mist ends in another few feet! You were almost out! Hurry, go! I'll get Var to follow!"

  Zadí cried out in surprise, and Brin guessed she had toppled over Brom. But she must have grabbed his arm or something as she regained her feet because Brin heard them both moving away from her. She was somewhat gratified to recognize her name in Brom's incoherent gibberish.

  Then Brin's sixth sense warned her that Var was about to retaliate for her rude interference, and she reflexively ducked just before he would have repaid her in like manner. She

  grabbed his arm as he completed his jab, using his momentum to pull hard toward the opening. He stumbled behind her, wildly swinging out with his free arm.

  Brin instinctively dodged this punch as well, deciding to tug him by his horns instead so she would be farther from his hands and arms. But Var seemed to think this was the perfect

  setup to ram her, and as Brin sensed him prepare to charge, she darted out of the black shroud so Var would exit right behind her.

  Zadí must have had time to share some of what befell her in the haze, for Will was waiting as Var lunged through. He took Var's feet out from under him, quickly pinning him to the

  ground. With one hand, Will tore off Var's blindfold—how did it stay on through all that?—and unstopped his ears.

  "Var!" Will roared. "Wake up!"

  Var immediately stopped struggling. Between ragged breaths he gasped, "Zadí! Is she all right?" He fought Will's headlock as he attempted to look around them.

  "She's fine," Will curtly reassured. "But are you in control of yourself now?"

  "Yes! Let me up!"

  Will moved, but not far. Var propped himself on one elbow and felt his nose, which was bleeding profusely. "Thanks for breaking my nose, Brin," he muttered. "And I really mean

  that."

  Hanna rushed forward. "I can't heal you using magic in here," she lamented. "But let's try to stem the flow." She took the bandage Will had removed from Var's eyes and trimmed

  off two smaller sections. These she rolled up and shoved into either of Var's nostrils.

  Looking quite a sight, Var then pushed himself up, searching for Zadí. She stood beside Brom, tearfully regarding her husband.

  "Zadí," Var desperately entreated, sitting back over his ankles and reaching out toward her. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. It was so confusing in there. Someone was trying to hurt you, so

  I tried to stop them . . . but it was actually you . . ."

  Sobbing pitifully, Zadí fell into his outstretched arms, and Var tightly hugged her to his chest.

  "I know, Var," she comforted. "I know you weren't in your right mind. I know you would never hurt me. I'm fine, sweetheart."

  Var also began to weep wretchedly as he rocked Zadí back in forth. Their friends all witnessed the
tender reconciliation for a brief moment.

  But a chilling voice condescendingly interrupted, "How touching. And you all made it out alive? Well, that should make this next phase all the more interesting."

  Brin jerked her face toward the sound and beheld a lovely blackhaired woman with striking blue eyes.

  All of her friends looked over at the same time, and Ajh was the one to disbelievingly identify, "Trianna?"

  "Hello, Ajh," Trianna glowingly purred, her eyes flashing with malice. "So nice to see you after all of these years."

  Ajh creased his brow in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

  "I'm afraid I'm only part of the Shade's little game," Trianna sadly informed, the emotion pure pretense. "I'm not even a real person. Just a shadow. The shadow of a Shade."

  "What do you mean?" Ajh questioned.

  "Oh, Trianna thought it might be fun to bring me back for a time," Trianna offhandedly disclosed, "so she included me as one of her final challenges. I must confess that I am rather

  glad you made it this far. She and Tenga didn't expect you to, you know."

  Ajh was more perplexed than ever.

  Trianna laughed derisively. "Stupid boy," she demeaned. "But forgive me. I shouldn't be so harsh. You haven't any idea what has been going on these past many months. Tenga made a Shade, which I imagine you knew, but before she evolved into her glorious self, the Shade was Trianna. She maintained her identity enough to keep her own name, but she

  detests her ghastly appearance. So she kept her former exterior alive in her mind. Alive enough, that is, that she could give form to me when needed. With Tenga's help of course.

  A powerful man, that one, especially with his borrowed energy source, which he used to assist the Shade in creating this marvelous piece of magic—even this splendid maze! And

  oh how my reallife counterpart covets that power! But perhaps I reveal too much. Not that I need to fear. I'm really only a figment of Trianna's imagination."

  "So what's your purpose then?" Ajh coolly asked. "Why wouldn't we just walk by you?"

  Trianna laughed delightedly. "I always did enjoy your humor, dear boy! Just as droll as your charming father. But I abhorred your mother. She really had a way of antagonizing magicians. Not very clever, if you ask me. Anyway, my purpose, if you are so keen to know, is to test your intelligence. Not yours alone necessarily, but your group collectively. If

  you best me, you pass unharmed. If not, Trianna has equipped me with the ability to be very destructive indeed. But she underestimated your capacity to bypass her other tests, so

  perhaps you will not experience that less pleasant side of my personality. What a pity."

  "Fine," Ajh flatly said. "So test us. We're hungry."

  Trianna trilled another enchanting laugh. "I do remember your strange fascination with food and cooking. Best not to get in the way of a man and his empty stomach, mother

  always said. Curse her. Well, it's really quite simple, your highness. You must simply tell me riddles. You have three chances to stump me. If you come up with one that I can't

  solve, you win. If not, I've already mentioned the consequences. Any volunteers to begin?"

  The friends looked around at each other. A few eyes lingered on Keeta. "My strength is numbers, not word games," she mumbled. "But I might have one. Do you want me to say

  it?"

  "Oh yes!" the Shade's shadow brightly accepted. "By all means, young lady!"

  Keeta struggled not to roll her eyes. "All right. What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in a thousand years?"

  Trianna raised one hand to her chin, theatrically creasing her brow and pursing her lips. "Once in a minute . . . twice in a moment . . . never in a thousand years? Minute . . . moment . . . a thousand years. . . . Oh, silly me! That's right! Could the answer be, 'the letter m'?"

  Keeta nodded and shrugged. "Yep, that's it. Sorry, everyone."

  Ajh shifted uncomfortably. Trianna had only pretended she didn't know at first. That much was clear. Would they really be able to come up with a riddle she couldn't answer? He

  guessed the actual Shade had prepared her shadow well for this challenge.

  "I'll go next," he offered. "Since you seemed so taken by my fascination with food, here's one with that theme. Throw away the outside and cook the inside, then eat the outside and

  throw away the inside. What is it?"

  Trianna again pursed her lips, this time in an effort to suppress the smirk of triumph creeping onto her face. "Well, that is a good one. Hmmm. Let me see. I'm not sure, Ajh. You might have baffled me. Throw away the outside. Cook the inside. Eat the outside. Even though you just threw it away? Odd. But then you throw away the inside. After cooking it?

  Confusing, but I do believe you might be referring to corn. On the cob. Where you remove the husk and cook the corn. Then eat the kernels and dispose of the cob. Am I right?"

  Ajh stuffed his hands in his pocket and fought the urge to scowl. "Yes, that's right."

  "Well, that's a relief!" Trianna exaggerated. "You had me worried for a moment. Two down. Anyone else brave enough to try? Last chance and then you will experience the

  destructive power of two very gifted magicians." She rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

  "What's going to happen?" Ajh questioned.

  "My dear boy," the shadow exclaimed, "I wouldn't dream of spoiling the surprise like that! I do believe you will find out in just another moment. Now who will present me with my

  final test?"

  "I will," Var spat, helping Zadí to her feet as he stood. Ajh glanced over in surprise. But then he realized he could probably guess why Var seemed so irate. This imaginary woman

  was predecessor to the Shade whose enchantment had so twisted his mind that he almost killed his wife.

  "Oh, I do so love a willing participant," Trianna gushed. "And courageous too! If you fail, you and your friends will all die! What's your name, young man?"

  Var glared at Trianna, who boldly approached him and admiringly scanned his muscular body.

  "My name is none of your business," Var retorted. "And stop looking at me like that. My riddle is—"

  "Tut, tut," Trianna gravely reproved. "Where are your manners? Trianna does so enjoy a wellbuilt man, though your face looks rather messy. Alas, I no longer have form to give

  expression to such pleasures, though I do believe the Shade has glutted herself on more than one occasion. And she has expressed particular curiosity in Urgal rams." She released

  a sweet little titter, which was anything but innocent. "But if you insist on being rude, I suppose I really can't do anything to prevent you."

  "No," Var agreed. "You can't. Ready for that riddle?"

  Trianna's eyes glinted hatefully. "But of course," she softly hissed.

  "When does eighteen of one and of another not any mean the same thing for a girl in her twenties?"

  Zadí looked at Var in surprise, though he kept his steely gaze on the atrocious woman. Ajh and the others regarded him in consternation. But Trianna's bewilderment was most

  satisfying of all.

  She stared at Var for a moment, her eyes narrowed shrewdly. "Eighteen of one and of another not any?" she thoughtfully repeated. "Good question." She turned on her heel and

  stalked down the path away from the group, muttering under her breath. About ten paces away, she swiveled and strode back. Ajh felt a glimmer of hope. Trianna wasn't putting on

  an act now.

  "Is that a trick question?" she demanded.

  "Isn't that one definition of a riddle?" Var returned. "Do you know?"

  "Is there even an answer!" Trianna fumed.

  "But of course," Var echoed in the same spiteful tone she had used earlier.

  "I despise men," Trianna vindictively snarled. "Why couldn't that mist have disposed of you as intended? And yet, I'm obsessed with them. Nothing else provides quite the same

  pleasure. What is my problem?"


  "Good question," Var mocked. "But we're supposed to be asking you riddles, not the other way around. So solve mine or let us pass."

  Trianna threw up her hands and screamed like a little girl having a tantrum, "Trianna filled my mind full of hundreds of riddles and answers, but not this! This isn't a traditional word

  puzzle!"

  "You didn't give any guidelines," Var pointed out. "So are you saying you don't know?"

  "Yes!" Trianna screeched, stamping her foot in perfect imitation of a spoiled child.

  "Well, it was nice chatting," Var pleasantly concluded. "Enjoy your nonexistence." He took Zadí's hand and began walking down the trail.

  "Wait!" Trianna demanded. "At least tell me the answer."

  "Why should I?" Var shot back. "What if you're trying to trick us so we can't pass?"

  "I'm not," she wheedled. "I just want to know."

  "Forget it," Var said. "Good riddance."

  Trianna squealed defiantly but was helpless to stop Var, so Ajh and the rest of their friends fell in behind him and Zadí. The next turn in the hedge mostly drowned out Trianna's

  angry protests.

  Looking ahead, Ajh could see that the maze came to an end in an open clearing right in front of Ilirea's main gate.

  As they approached, Will asked, "So what is the answer, Var?"

  Var glanced back at him. "When she's pregnant. Zadí came up with it as part of her poem for sharing that she was expecting. I hoped Trianna was like most human women—

  clueless about her own body."

  "Be nice, Var," Zadí reprimanded.

  "I didn't mean to sound insulting," he insisted. "But isn't it true that most girls wouldn't have known that?"

  "Yes, I suppose," Zadí allowed.

  "Wait," Will said. "I know mother taught us to understand the basic workings of the female body, but I still don't get it."

  Zadí patiently explained the riddle. "It's really a simple matter," she finished. "If a girl knows when she ovulates by observing the obvious signals, she can simply count to

  determine when her next cycle should start. And that length of time—which rarely varies in each individual female—is never longer than eighteen days. So if that many actually do

  pass, she is most likely pregnant."