The Dark Path

by James M. Bowers

  “Yes. Nearby the river. My father owned a lumber mill there.”

  “Owned?”

  “He was killed a few years ago.”

  “Oh I'm so sorry, Dear.” Gwen walked over and hugged her. Anouk held back the tears.

  “It's okay. I've come to terms with it.”

  “Would you like to help me gather some eggs?” Gwen asked as she brushed her hand over Anouk's short brown hair. “I love your hair, Dear! How do you keep it so soft?”

  “It's just always been soft.” She smiled. She liked Duncan's family. She hoped they would stay here a long time. She looked out the window. She wondered what Duncan and his father were talking about.

  “Go fetch the saw and the axe, Boy,” Paul called to the child he had raised. Duncan flinched at the word axe and Paul looked to him a bit confused.

  “We won't need them Papa. Just bring the pack horse and the wagon.” Paul looked at him with an eyebrow raised but he didn't argue. He wasn't about to make his boy mad after he had just come home. He busied himself with the horse and soon had everything ready. Duncan climbed up beside his father and Paul clicked at the horses till they started toward the woods. They rode in silence. Paul didn't know what to say. He had years ago come to believe that his wife and he would never see the child they had raised again. Duncan finally broke the silence.

  “Where did you buy that axe that you gave me back then?” The question threw Paul off guard. He sat back and thought for a time.

  “I bought it at the weapon smith there in the village. He was a traveling smith I didn't recognize. He said the axe was dwarven and that he had picked it up as he traveled through the mountains. He made me a bargain on it. Did it serve you well son?”

  “No Dad. No it did not serve me well. That axe was cursed. How much did you pay for it?” Paul was stunned. What did he mean it was cursed?

  “I paid six silver for it. It was worth over twice that I'm sure. What do you mean it was cursed?”

  “It was a demon cursed weapon.” Duncan met his father's gaze and Paul saw much pain there. “Here, I want you and Mother to have this.” Duncan reached into the pack he had brought and pulled out a leather pouch the size of his large hand. He handed it to his father.

  “What is it?” Paul took the large pouch. It was heavy with whatever it contained.

  “Open it and find out.” Duncan reached over and took the reigns from his father. Paul untied the leather strap keeping the pouch closed and poured some of the contents into his hand. His hand quickly filled with large gold coins. Paul's eyes grew as big as Duncan had ever seen them.

  “We can't take this. It's too much!” Paul put the coins back in the pouch and tried to hand it back to his son.

  “You will take them and you will use them.” Duncan's tone said that he would not take no for an answer.

  “Where did you get this?” Paul looked up to his son. “I've never seen this much money in all my days.”

  “Some soldiers tried to kill me and Anouk yesterday. Their corpses didn't need the money anymore.” Duncan's tone was cold and he didn't look at his father.

  “How many of them were there?” Paul's voice was quiet. His throat had gone dry. What had his boy become?

  “Twenty. I'm sorry but I didn't have time to bury them. I'm sure the animals ate well last night.”

  “You killed twenty Eremian soldiers?” Paul was in disbelief. His boy had never even fought with the neighbor kids. He couldn't remember him ever having killed a spider much less another person.

  “They died trying to take my life Papa. I had no choice. They almost got me. I'm afraid I was distracted when they attacked. They almost killed both me and Anouk. I had her with me. I couldn't have run away. Let's not talk about it. We're here.” Duncan brought the wagon to a halt and the two of them climbed down.

  “Well, here are the trees. How are we to cut them without the saw?” Paul caught himself in time not to mention the axe. Maybe his son would tell him later what had happened to the one he had bought him.

  “Just stand back out of the way.” Duncan walked to the woods and over to a large maple. He pressed his hand against the trunk and stood silent for a long time. Finally he made a quick chopping motion with his hand against the lower trunk. Paul heard a cracking sound and stood with his jaw hanging as the tree fell away from the woods. It broke cleanly where his son had struck it. The great tree crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar. Duncan walked calmly along the trunk striking it every few feet. Every time he hit the tree, it sliced away cleanly. In a short time a neatly cut pile lay where the tree had been felled.

  “Would you help me load the wagon, Papa?” Duncan's question brought his father back to himself.

  “How?” Paul managed to say before Duncan cut him off.

  “Later,” Duncan stated as he picked up a giant log and loaded it into the back of the wagon. It didn't take them long before the wagon was filled. Three trips later they had all the wood stacked in the pile. Paul wouldn't have to gather wood for a long time now. The sun was burning high in the cloudless sky.

  “Let's go in and get something cold to drink,” Paul offered. Duncan nodded and pulled off his sweat coated shirt. Paul saw that his boy's tattoos didn't stop on his arms but covered his chest and back as well. He didn't ask though. Duncan would tell him when he was ready. They walked in the door to find Anouk and Gwen chatting away at the table as they peeled potatoes. Gwen brought over a pitcher of tea and poured them each a mug. Paul took his wife by the arm and led her back into the bedroom. She looked to him questioningly as he closed the door.

  “What is it Paul?”

  “Our son gave us a gift.” He handed her the pouch of gold.”

  “Well what is it?” she asked excitedly.

  “Dump it out on the bed.” She followed his direction and gasped as the coins poured out. Paul quickly counted around a hundred coins. They were all gold and all of Eremian mint.

  “We can't take this,” Gwen said as she looked up to her husband. “It's too much.”

  “I have a feeling he has more than this. He made it clear that we were to take it.” Paul shook his head. “I don't know what has happened to our boy. We went to gather wood.” Paul took his wife's hands in his own. “He didn't use a saw or an axe! He hit the tree with his open hand and it fell! I've never seen anything like it.” Paul shook his head again. “He won't tell me how he can do that. I'm afraid for him.”

  “We raised him the best we could. I'm sure he is a good man.” Gwen placed the coins back in the pouch. She hid the pouch with the rest of their meager savings under the loose floorboard in their bedroom. “Let's go have some tea. You boys worked hard this morning.” She smiled at him and Paul quickly grabbed her shoulders, an astonished look upon his face.

  “Look in the mirror! Quick!” He said with a wild look in his eyes.

  “What are you talking about? Do I have some dirt on my nose? Anouk and I gathered eggs and potatoes earlier.” She turned around and looked in the mirror. Paul caught her as her legs went weak. Her wrinkles were almost gone. She looked to be almost young again. Even the gray was gone from her hair. It was full and brown as it had once been. She had tied it up early that morning so hadn't had a chance to look at it.

  “What happened?” Paul asked.

  “My cheeks were warm from where Duncan kissed them. I thought it was just my imagination!” She turned to face her husband. “Oh Paul. What has our boy become?”

  “I'm not sure yet. I think it's time we found out.” Paul opened the door and led her back into the kitchen.

  “Duncan!” His tone was the same he had used when he used to punish the boy. “What have you done to your mother?” Duncan looked up at them and smiled.

  “I just took away the damage that my leaving had caused her.” Duncan's eyes shone with love. “You look just as I remember you Mama.” Duncan got up and walked over to his father. Before the man could react Duncan kissed him on both cheeks as well. “I love both of you very much.
I want you to know that. The thought of one day coming back here has kept me going through many a tough time.” He hugged both of them in his huge arms.

  “Son.” Gwen hugged her son back. “We love you too. But you have to tell us what is going on here. You are starting to scare us!”

  “Sit down. Anouk is curious as well, I'm sure.” He pushed them toward the table and waited till they were sitting. “It's a long story,” He said and smiled. When he didn't say anything else, Anouk reached over and pinched his arm.

  “Oww!” He looked down at her. She glared back at him.

  “Stop playing and tell them what has happened! They have been wondering about you for years now!” Anouk held a defiant look in her eyes and Duncan chuckled to see her riled up.

  “Very well. As I said, it is a very long story. It began the morning that I woke up and found the package and note Papa had left me.” He talked long into the night. He paused for mouthfuls of food during supper but didn't stop talking for anything else. When he finished, the moon was high in the sky and his parents went to bed. Duncan sat outside on the front porch. Anouk walked out behind him and absently rubbed his shoulders. He loved the feel of her delicate hands upon him. He knew he loved her but he didn't know why he felt that way. He had met many women in his travels. He had even known a few of them intimately. There was just something about this one that felt right. She made his soul warm when he looked at her. He smiled in the moonlight. He finally felt happy. The smile didn't last long. He would have to tell them tomorrow that he was leaving again and that he didn't know if he was coming back. He had something else he had to do before he could finally come home to stay. He turned and pulled Anouk down onto his lap. He leaned down and kissed her. They kissed long and passionately, the moon the only witness to their embrace.

  XXXII

  No Mercy

  The army marched steadily away from the Schola. Gen ledd them from atop his horse, Thomas and Marcus behind him. The mages traveled to each side of the army, their siege engines floating along on levitation spells. Gen estimated they would arrive at the temple of Invictus a few hours before sunset. He smiled under his helm. It was a smile of death to come. A large shadow covered the army and passed over Gen. He looked up to see the mighty undead dragon swooping along on his new wings of black metal. Gen studied the wings closely. The metal bent and flowed as if it were skin. He nodded. The spell had worked as he hoped it would. Gen heard the dragon's voice in the back of his mind.

  “What do you want me to do?” Gen could hear the blood-lust in the dragon's tone.

  “Nothing yet. I will need you after the combat. Remember there is another dragon we have to face. Be patient my friend.”

  “Very well. Would you like me to fly ahead and see what our enemy is up to?”

  “Yes. Make sure you fly high. I don't want them to see you.”

  “Don't worry. They won't see me.”

  “Safe journey.” Gen watched as the dragon spiraled up then took off toward the tower. He looked back down when he felt a presence to his left. “Are the sentries taken care of?”

  “Yes, General. Unlike you, they could not sense my presence.” Gen knew that Master Shingami was irritated that he wasn't able to sneak up on him anymore.

  “Thank you for the help. If you would like, please go check on the students to see if they need anything.”

  “Very well, General.” Gen felt the presence leave. He raised his right hand and caught a shuriken as it flew toward his neck. He flicked his wrist and the bladed weapon flew back the direction it had come from. He heard Master Shingami catch it. Gen nodded to himself. That had been the final test. He would have no more trouble from Master Shingami. He rode on in silence until the shadow once more flew past.

  “The enemy is lined up in ranks before the Temple. They are aligned to meet us head on.” The dragon's tone sounded annoyed.

  “How many are there?”

  “Around five thousand at loose count. Be warned. There is a large illusion spell over the whole group. I could not tell what kind though. It may hide their true numbers.”

  “Thank you my good friend. There is a cave to the southwest of the temple. Please go check it out. Be more careful with it than you were with the troops. It is the dragon's lair. I will meet you north of the cave when we are through with the Eremians.”

  “I will be there.” The dragon took off once more. Gen felt Thomas ride up beside him.

  “Gen. What is the plan when we get to the temple?” Thomas' voice held a bit of worry.

  “We will see when we get there. If all else fails we will smash through them. One thing I know for sure is that no Eremian that resides at that temple will live through this day.” Gen turned to look at Thomas. “Not one.” Thomas thought he saw Gen's eyes glow a faint blue. A chill went down his spine. Maybe he didn't want to be there for what Gen was about to do. He had no choice now though. “Go back to Marcus. I have to think on some things.” Gen turned back away, dismissing his friend. Thomas rode beside him a short time then slowed his horse to wait on Marcus. As Thomas left, Gen felt a presence again on his left. He nodded his head in the direction but said nothing.

  “General. The students are doing well. The only bit of trouble seems to be that the one called Nancy was swinging from the arm of the catapult. Little Beth is in deep conversation with one of the female students in black.”

  “Good. Thank you Master Shingami.” Gen nodded again.

  “Is there anything else you need, General?”

  “Actually yes. Go ahead and see if you can determine what type of spell covers the army ahead. I'm curious what that bastard has planned and I do not feel like being annoyed by a trap today.”

  “Very well, General.” The presence vanished. Gen turned to his inner thoughts. Shingami was gone a long time. There was only a large hill between them and the enemy when he felt his presence again.

  “General.” The master's voice was pained. Gen turned to look at him. Master Shingami's face was ashen. He had never seen his former master this shaken up.

  “What is it?”

  “The spell is a powerful one. They all looked like my wife, every one of them. They even carried her smell.”

  “Why is that a powerful spell?”

  “My wife has been dead for twenty-five years. She was the only target I failed to kill.”

  “They killed her when you refused to?” Gen's voice was cold. He knew the group that Shingami was from. They did not tolerate failure.

  “They tortured and killed her in front of me. I could do nothing.” Master Shingami walked with his head bowed.

  “What rank were you when this happened?” Gen asked. His voice still cold.

  “Grand Master.” Shingami's tone was so low Gen barely picked it up.

  “One away from the top.” Gen nodded in understanding. The leader must have worried about his position and ordered Shingami to assassinate his own wife, knowing that he couldn't.

  “Does he still live?”

  “I believe so. He still rules over them.”

  “We shall have to change that, but not today. There are things I must complete first.”

  “You would go up against them all?” Shingami's tone actually held disbelief.

  “No.” Gen turned to look down at Shingami. “You will. I will give you the tools you need. Nothing more.”

  “Why would you help me with my vengeance?” Shingami finally met his gaze.

  “That man ordered my father's death.” Gen's eyes burned with hatred. “I've long ago forgiven the one that carried out the act.” Shingami felt his body grow cold.

  “Thank you.” Shingami paused a second and bowed.

  “Come to me in a month. I will give you the tools then. Until that time, do not mention it.” Gen turned back to face forward. The group was just coming up over the hill. When he stood atop it, Gen raised his fist and the army came to a halt. Gen dismounted and chanted a few words of a far-sight spell. The figures lined up before the temple sp
rang into view. They all appeared to him as Meeka. They all held their various weapons but each had her face and figure under the armor. Gen ended the spell and shifted into magic view. He saw the complex web that extended out in a sphere from the temple to end a short distance in front of him. He turned and motioned to Thomas. Thomas came to him.

  “I'm going to go ahead. When I reach the gates, march the army in full speed to attack the enemy. Send two sections to come around to outflank them. Make sure that none escape.” Gen turned back again and began to walk away.

  “What do you mean you are going to go ahead? There are five thousand troops there!”

  “Look at them closely and tell me what you see.” Gen's voice sent chills down Thomas' spine. He had never heard his friend more angry. He turned quickly and chanted the same spell Gen had used moments ago. He ended the spell as blood rushed from his face. “They are all Marcus.”

  “Then I'm sure you can figure out who they appear to be to me,” Gen said through clenched teeth. Gen didn't wait for Thomas to respond. He took the few steps to the border of the spell. Reaching up, he turned the backs of his hands together and pushed them through the spell. He grabbed the weave of the magic and pulled apart. His gauntlets started to glow red with heat.

  Gen screamed in rage and tore again at the weave. His gauntlets were white hot when the spell ripped open. A sickening sound echoed through the valley. All the mages, save for Gen, fell to their knees. Thomas had felt like the magic inside of him had screamed in agony. He had never felt anything like that before, and never wanted to again.

  The spell before them exploded outward. Gen began chanting again in words that again sounded impossible to speak. The chanting went on a long time and Thomas wondered how it seemed that Gen didn't take a breath throughout it. Out in front of Gen, a small dark sphere appeared and began growing. Thomas stared at it in confusion. It was darker than the night sky. Gen chanted till it was twice his size then motioned with both hands and the sphere began to glide, gently, down the hill toward the enemy. Gen walked after it calmly. Thomas watched in confusion till the sphere touched the first line of the army. He heard the screams and saw with enhanced vision that everything the sphere touched vanished into it. Gen walked behind as it slowly erased a path through the center of the army. As the enemy tried to circle around and close up behind the sphere, Gen motioned with his hands and the sphere flew forward at lightning speed. It erased a path clear through the temple before Gen ended the spell. Over a thousand enemy solders had just been taken out, simply erased. Gen walked on calmly toward the tower. A few soldiers attacked him. Gen was a blur as he drew his sword each time and killed the enemy with a fluid motion. After the tenth such kill, the soldiers stopped attacking. When Gen had reached the entrance his sphere had made in the temple, Thomas turned and ordered the army to march. Thomas then went with Marcus to join the groups manning the siege engines. This was going to be a slaughter.