Where Dragons Haunt (The Diaspora Book 1)

by Scott Meaders

  He was not allowed to finish this time, “I don’t care what you think,” Nomisma spoke, “I will get food and you will not tell us what to do anymore!”

  The others were in agreement with him, “Look Zoe, you have lead us into our hunger and taken us away from our pleasures, not now. Not again!” Kruptos shot out as a warning. Tapeinosis did not speak; he just held the handle of his sword tightly.

  Zoe was beside himself and Gabriel would not help. He knew that the people he saw below would not fair well. A family with three children had appeared, and Zoe knew the heart of the men he was with. “I will not let you go down!”

  “And how will you stop us?” Tapeinosis said while walking close to Zoe. He looked down at him as he continued to hold his tight grip on his sword.

  “I…I,” He looked for help but found nothing as he saw the kids playing. Then a last thought came to him, “The riches you might get, I will be sure to tell Mikael of this. You may have your belly full today, but you will never receive the riches you were promised by my hand!”

  The threat was made, and it was clear that Zoe would not back down. Kruptos made the remarks for the group, “You may think you stand for justice by showing them mercy, but watch your back. You have crossed the line, my friend and have made enemies!”

  Chapter 37

  Evil can be got very easily

  and exists in quantity:

  the road to her is very smooth,

  and she lives near by.

  ~Hesiod~

  The wizard dismounted the horse to see the humble dwellings of his fellow wizard. He came to the door to knock, but the door opened before he had opportunity. Raziel waved the wizard in without speaking a word. Mikael thought this behavior was strange, but passed it off as being alone with the villagers for this many years.

  “Shhh, he breaths, but he listens while he sleeps. Do not speak of important things as of yet?”

  Mikael thought his wizard friend to have lost all sense of reason. He nevertheless held his tongue until the two could be alone. Raziel pushed a rug aside and waved his hand over the floorboards. The planks turned from solid wood to the formation of a trap door. The wizard opened it and started to crawl down. As he was eye level with the floor, Raziel felt a strange presence and turned to see the cause of the feelings. He saw beneath the crack of the boy’s door an eye pressed to the floor. He knew that the boy would be out quickly, so the Wizard darted down the staircase and shouted up, “Quickly, Quickly!” Mikael followed the wizard’s command and darted down the stairs as the floorboards again were restored to the illusion of a solid floor.

  The two wizards were in complete darkness as Raziel had not had time to light the way. Mikael had had enough, “What is this foolishness?”

  “Shhh, he still hears, even below the magic, his ears are able to hear. Don’t speak until I have brought us to safety.”

  The wizard lit a torch revealing his face filled with terror. Mikael had never seen his friend in such a disposition before. He opened his mouth to speak, wondering what could have cause such fear, but was reminded to remain silent by Raziel. They traveled on into the underground cavern for some time until they came to a door that seemed to be in the middle of the earth. The door was locked which brought Raziel pleasure. He waved his hand and ten locks unbolted. Raziel then opened the door allowing for the two men to enter. When they were safely inside, the wizard again motioned with his hand and the locks rebolted.

  Raziel took a deep breath and let it out slowly with all of his anxiety and fears. He spoke openly now, “Safe from the ears of a demon!” He walked over to a place to sit as Mikael followed. They both found a place of rest in the midst of a room filled with books. There were at least 10,000 books all of which Raziel had read many times over.

  Mikael turned his attention to his friend’s odd behavior, “Now Raziel may we speak? By all the gods, why such a display of actions?”

  “To be sure by all the gods! Why was I of all the known wizards placed with this boy, this demon boy?”

  “What are you talking of?”

  “The boy, he is evil.”

  Mikael looked intently at his friend and responded lightly, “All people have evil in them.”

  “No Mikael, He is evil! The darkness that dwells in your soul and mine, it is him that dwells there. I know not how, but it is true that such a one is all evil.”

  Mikael stood up and walked around the book-crowded room. He seemed to be thinking about something, something he had not thought of before. He raised a finger realizing his lack of judgment, “If what you say is true, I fear for Zoe. I thought that things might go well, but not with what you say. I know I have seen his death, but I have seen his old age as well. Now I wonder if it was not just a dream after some bad food.”

  “Fear for Zoe? You fear for Zoe, and I fear for myself.”

  Mikael squinted his eyes and wrinkled his forehead in disbelief, “What are you talking of? How could you fear for yourself? He is just a boy!”

  “Yes, a boy, but not just a boy. He is evil and has powers. Powers that have become stronger with each passing day, with each passing moment.” Raziel seemed to drift off into thought, distant thoughts of fear and misery.

  “How could he be so evil; you are a wizard of enormous power! He may be evil, but he is still a boy with powers that do not match or surpass your own! Anyway, how could he be as evil as you say, something good must dwell in him or the gods would not have done as they have.” Mikael thought that he had brought his friend back to reason with his words.

  “No Mikael, darkness has consumed the boy. I tried to teach him all that was good, but nothing but evil dwells within the child. He has murdered other children. I cannot prove this, but I know. He has a way about him, concealing things; Mikael, he is one with the darkness.”

  Mikael thought for a moment before responding, “Could the prophecies be true:

  Darkness has the face of a child

  Evil desires in and of the wild

  Light equally child is born

  The gods delight is sworn

  The children: leads one to light, one to dark

  Darkness and light a sign—a mark

  Could we have a child that is good and child that is evil; they are twins!”

  Raziel added to their understanding, “Not only are they twins, but the mark each one bares. Did you not yourself use the sword of life to separate them, leaving a scar upon their flesh, a birthmark of kinds?”

  “Yes, I see it now. Darkness and light will fight and death will come and life will come, but to which shall we in the end serve? Who shall prevail? I do not see that as of yet. I see as you say about the boy. He must run to evil as a plaything and find it natural for him. Something that his soul finds delight in.”

  “I should say so, not only does he find his wicked deeds to come easily, but they are in large quantity. His road to evil is very smooth; he slides down into the pit with no effort at all.”

  “Yes, evil is near the child! We must act quickly as there is little time. I will travel to the Twin Cities as the gods have instructed me; you will know when to leave based on what comes from the southern skies.”

  “Be swift, as this village may have no youth left if you stop to smell the flowers!”

  As they finished their conversation, the door slammed shut and bolted. There before them stood Thanatos in pretense of innocence, “I saw this trap door and followed it to you. The door was open; so I walked in. Raziel, you never told me of this place. Why have you hidden it from me? Do you not trust me?”

  The wizards looked at each other knowing that the child before them had greater power than either could have ever imagined. They wondered within how much the child had heard and how long he had been standing silently at the door.

  Chapter 38

  One easily bears moral reproof,

  but never mockery

  ~Molière~

  The traveling companions came to a new dilemma; a bridge was out over a treache
rous part of the land. The bridge was made of three long ropes tied on one side of the shore to a huge oak tree which stretched across the waters and anchoring on the other side to an enormous boulder with three strong metal stakes. The ropes were scorched by fire and were no longer connected for travelers to pass by. Not many had done so in recent past, but before the dragons came, a small settlement had constructed the bridge, to be used no more. And as the water below did not look too inviting for the faint of heart, the predicament was put before the group.

  Nomisma came up to Zoe and gave him a little shove in the back with his shoulder and arm causing the boy to make an unwanted step forward toward the waters. He spoke as he did this, “So great and fearless leader, all wise, what is your bidding now?” He laughed as the mockery slipped past his tongue as a slippery serpent’s vile venom.

  Zoe looked down at the forcefully rushing waters and felt fear as he slightly stumbled toward the waters. He could handle being corrected for a fault that he had done. If one of the men had taken him aside and told him of his error in judgment, Zoe would have been able to agree and make changes, apologizing to those affected. But that was not the case as only mockery passed from the lips of the men. Mockery is a statement to the boy that he made a mistake and would not be allowed the option of forgiveness or redemption. His person and abilities came under attack. He was to bear his error for the rest of his time with the men, which with every passing minute was becoming more unbearable.

  As Zoe looked around for an estimation on what to do, two ideas formed in his mind. First he thought that they could cut the ropes and get down the 20 foot or so embankment; tie the ropes together so that they could reach the other side; and have one brave soul swim to the other side securing the rope. This would allow for all the others to cross the river with relative ease while holding onto the rope for security. Zoe voiced his idea and finished with, “I know this is dangerous, but…”

  “Oh, good our leader is recognizing the danger for a change,” Kruptos shouted out at him.

  Snickers and vile looks were directed at Zoe as he finished, “The danger involves one.”

  Curiosity swept through the group as they wondered what would be his course of action. Tapeinosis with an untrusting eye asked, “Whose danger? And what danger?” He wondered if it was his life that was at risk.

  “Yeah, I think we should have a say when it comes to our own necks.”

  Zoe agreed completely, “I don’t see how you could not have a say, but the risk still remains.” He paused to let them know of his first idea. The plan unfolded and came to completion before them. All the men listened patiently until he said his final words, “And I myself am not able to do the deed as I am not a good swimmer.”

  The men then understood that one of them would have to risk their lives for an idea that was invented by the boy. Nomisma from Asphaleia being the least wanton of the expedition spoke, “I see; it is clear. You have come up with a grand scheme which endangers us, leaving you unscathed. I for one will not do it!”

  “It is not a big thing to do such a task as little as you ask of us Zoe, but I wonder whom you would have risk their own life?” Tapeinosis put to Zoe.

  “I would have none of you risk anything. There is another way that has come to my mind. We could go farther up river to see if there might be a more suitable place to cross. I know that time would be wasted, but I am willing to do as the group wishes.”

  “Well it must be voted upon then as I see it. Who wants to go across the river here?” Gabriel put forward.

  “The river suits me,” Tapeinosis spoke out.

  “I as well,” Kruptos added.

  “And I wish to go up stream,” Gabriel said. He looked to Nomisma, “And what do you wish?”

  “I will not go across here. Up river, I am sure we will find a place of safety.” He looked from face to face to see if they understood his fear. None seemed to pay attention.

  “Well Zoe the vote is to you. It seems the gods would have you choose the way regardless of your own wishes.”

  “I will not endanger anyone’s life, so I choose that we go up river to find a safer place.”

  “But we have such few supplies, we might all die in search of safety,” Tapeinosis argued.

  “We must risk hunger,” Zoe said while picking up his pack.

  As the vote signaled leading up river, the men and Zoe started off in search of a safer way. They had traveled seven miles before there was any indication of grumbling hearts. When they came to a rock barricade that would mean leaving the riverbank, Tapeinosis let his thought be known, “If we go too far up river and have to turn around we will end in hunger. I for one will be willing to embrace to river.”

  “I am getting sick of this, let’s turn around!” Nomisma spat out having sat down for a quick rest. Everyone followed in like manner, finding a place to rest. The groups travel efforts were relatively easy, but with the growing hunger and having found no food along the way made for second-guessing. Nomisma spoke up again, “Once again spoiled by a child, if we would have only gone across the river at the first.” He looked around for contemptuous eyes as he knew very well that he had voted to do such, but none had the desire to point out his folly.

  Zoe stood up looking over the bank and seeing the rapid water and treacherous waters. He didn’t see how anyone could make it across the waters, but was ready to concede. But before he had a chance, he saw a strange look on the face of Gabriel. He was looking in the direction of the deep forest as if looking for something or listening to the winds.

  “Quickly, everyone down by the boulders, so we have something at our back,” Gabriel burst out as he rushed for the rocks. Zoe saw the seriousness of his companion and did as he had said without question. The others just stood and gave untrusting looks, except for Nomisma as he was already at the rocks sitting down.

  Approaching from the south out of the deep woods, the men could hear a shrill sound. Once the voices were heard they quickly found their place by the others with swords in hand. Everyone readied themselves. “What is it?” Zoe fearfully sounded out.

  “They travel in packs of twenty to thirty, but only five or so are of any danger. Look for them and strike their eye!” Gabriel gave orders as a leading general in a battle. The shrieks became so deafening that Zoe held onto the sword with one hand while trying to cover both his ears to no avail as the sounds were so strong that the men fell to their knees, all except Gabriel.

  Then without warning the sounds stopped. The men regained their composure, finding their feet again. “Ah, now that was strange to be sure!” Nomisma spoke, “I am glad that is over!”

  “Not over.” Gabriel responded.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We are only in the eye of the storm. Strike the eyes. Strike!” With his last words Gabriel charged out into the open swinging his sword around in his hand as if he were holding the blade and twirling it around. The group was confused at his actions until they saw twenty or so creatures dart out from the forest. The creatures had two long legs that allowed for them to jump and bounce off of objects like a ball of sorts. They also had very strong arms allowing for them to hang and spin on branches.

  The unique thing that Zoe noticed immediately was the eye. Only a fraction of them could see. The creatures with the eye moved about rapidly and could see things coming immediately. The others seemed only momentarily paralyzed until the eye was passed to them. The monsters would take the eye out of its socket and give it to another so they could see. When the creatures did not have the eye they still moved with accuracy, but would stop when things had changed that they had previously seen. The eye would then be passed to them, so they could relocate the prey within the environment. This all happened with speed and agility leaving those that were fighting no time to attack the monsters as one might think.

  Gabriel had taken three down with the initial twirling of his sword having anticipated the attack. One of the three had the precious eye. Shrieks could be heard
once the beast fell and all the creatures seemed to go for the eye that had fallen, but Gabriel having knowledge of the beasts did not permit them to obtain the eye. He shoved the end of his sword through the center of the eye which again caused shrieks to emit from all of the creatures.

  While battling fiercely, Gabriel called out to his companions, “Go for the eye; it is our only hope, the eye!”

  Kruptos and Tapeinosis joined the battle making their way toward Gabriel. They slashed, kicked and cut at anything in their path, but the little demons seemed quicker than possible for the men. Zoe also joined in as he was fearful, but valiant. His sword had caught one of the eyes giving it a graze. The creature was momentarily blinded. This gave Gabriel enough time to come in and finish off the eye.

  They were in the heat of the battle when a screaming from behind could be heard. They all turned when the opportunity permitted itself. They saw that Nomisma was being drug off by three of the creatures, one had an eye. Tapeinosis took out a dagger from his boot by the blade and threw it with deadly accuracy hitting the center of the eye. The eye fell over dead, but the other creatures continued to carry Nomisma off. Gabriel quickly made his attack from behind the men. What looked like flashes of light flew over their heads and hit the two creatures at the same time. Nomisma fell from the distance that he was drug up the rocks, about fifteen or so feet crashing down below. The others backed in around him for his protection and fought valiantly.

  The creatures that stood no higher than two and half feet tall fled with only one good eye between them. The battle however was costly, not in terms of life, but rather in terms of mockery and stature. Zoe again took the blame for choosing the way. This time Kruptos was the aggressor, “Why in the names of all the gods did you lead us this way?”