“There is no time. Quickly, don’t ask any questions and prepare a table. He is dying” replied the man and without hesitation grabbed Arkain and started to walk inside making the woman jump out of his way.
“What?! Who is that?!”she cried“Agaroth! Come back here!”she closed the door and followed him into the kitchen“I told you! I will give you shelter any time you need it but none of your‘work’is allowed to be brought inside! You have caused me enough trouble already! Agaroth! We haven’t even seen each other in a long time! At least say something! What has happened to him?”hurried the lady but Agaroth was already in the next room searching for medicine in the cupboards. When he came back the woman stopped him.“This is my house, what do you think you are doing?!”
“He is dying. It might be good if I do something about it don’t you think? Bring me some crushed Achilleaand Yarrow!”And she was gone in an instant. When she came back with the required ingredients Arkain was in front of the table applying something to the boy. One of his hands was deep within the wound covered in blood. Every second he would pick out what looked like small metal fragments which he placed in a bowl.“Who is he?” asked the lady.
“He saved my life” answered Agaroth to which the woman kneeled down next to him and pushed him away.
“Then give me a knife! This is going to be a long night!” she replied.
“I am glad you have woken up” said the traveller and handed a small blade to her.
Chapter 6: Pierced and thrown but still alive
The window was partially open letting in a small breeze that now circulated the room. It has flown through the small gaps of the wood and some of the doors too while whistling. Arkain looked around and saw that he was in a room. He sat up but it was painful, then looked at his body but saw that it was covered in even more bandages. Below them the skin and the flesh pounded with pain as he stood up and fell back down. Not this again.Footsteps could be heard rushing up the stairs and the door had opened. It was a woman, smiling and looking in his eyes. In her hands was a silver plate with bread and cheese.“Morning Arkain. Don’t worry, you have been taken care of and the scar is healing. Just don’t try to stand up or do sudden movements”
“How is Agaroth? Is he safe?”
“Yes he is, you should be proud of yourself, it is not often that he is‘saved’”
“But where am I?”
“In Raldon” she said and started walking out after the plate was placed on the bed. It looked like that night turned into day because the sun had come up and was now shining through the window. The whistling of the breeze has stopped and sounds of children running around and people shouting reached his ears. The boy opened the window and looked out. The chimneys all around have emitted dark coal coloured smoke and people were in thick clothes outside, walking towards the same direction. Even though the snow started to disappear from the sun’s power it was cold and shivering. He put the plate on the floor once it was empty and laid back into the bed to start sleeping. If I am not careful I will start hating on sleeping. In the ongoing days the boy have spent his time sleeping, healing and looking out the window. The rough pavement below him provided a road for anyone and was covered in dirt in some places which if mixed with snow didn’t really benefit for anyone. It was either a win or lose situation. On the other side there was a wall which supported a house behind it. It was light grey that was covered in moss on the corners. Other than that the same woman came up here and there. It was on that day she announced her name: Kirla.“How did you end up with Agaroth?” she asked.
“I…we kind of met up on the way here” explained Arkain.
“I understand” said Kirla “but I have to say, I have cured many lives before but no-one has healed so fast. Did you encounter that before?”
“Heal faster? No” answered the boy. Heal faster? I guess that is just luck. Why would I be any different?
“You are an interesting fella Arkain. You saved his life and I need to thank you for that” finished the woman and walked out.
Eventually as one could expect Arkain got bored just like anyone else. He didn’t see Agaroth who was supposedly in the house somewhere and he couldn’t handle being in a room all day long. By the third day he began to feel better and the scar was not hurting as much anymore. He kept staring out the window more and more and wanted to see what is out there given that it is the only thing he could do. He wanted to see where the people were going and when he received new clothing, he decided to go out the next day. Then later that had become the next day, and the next day. It was really hard to get out because when he would the room would be empty and Kirla would notice it. Still, Arkain was very determined to leave this place for an afternoon. It is just an afternoon. What bad can happen? The next day as soon as the door closed behind her, he grabbed his clothes and jumped up. She told me that I need to stay here to fully recover but that doesn’t matter. I am fully recovered. Outside, people were hurrying around and some were shovelling the leftover snow away. It was morning and everyone had tried to get to the market. This day was all about being free, not doing anything and for some sleeping until they cannot. But for many people this was the day for the market. Everyone had turned in their weekly income and settled down at a post to show or sell it to the others. For children this was a great wonder and for elders it was home. But for Arkain it was all unknown. When he looked out through his window the ground was a bit further down than what he has expected. He could easily climb out and jump down with ease, he done it before so this wouldn’t be the first time. Some people did wonder what he was doing but most had just continued walking not even turning their heads. Boom, gave the sound the cracking snow and the ground. Here we go! His breath escaped through his mouth and turned into small clouds that flew away into the white sky only to disappear. On both sides of the short road were tall and rickety houses standing. This was no place for rich people or wealthy ones. This was the poor district where the farmers, fishing and baking workers lived. Wonder where I am? I have not but the slightest clue.The only thing he was able to follow was the crowd that have walked next to him. Hoping that they will lead him to the right place Arkain followed each of their steps.“I hope there is going to be something interesting at least. It is cold and I do not want to be here unless I need to” said one of the woman in the six person crowd.
“Oh, just do not start this again or I’ll swear I’ll throw you into the lake!” said the other.
“Both of you stop! If you can only fight then just go home or anywhere else than us, I don’t care! But stop” replied another one. The ground was a bit frozen here and there leading to sometimes others slowing down, trying to be cautious to not fall over. Arkain looked up at the houses to the left. Most of the windows were broken and the walls were smashed in or taken apart. It was a wonder how they still stood there, indeed most of the houses were held up by mere strings. What a rickety old houses these are!
“It is a shame that no-one lives here anymore” The voice came from next to Arkain from a tall man walking and looking at him. He had long brown beard and hair which were pointing to all directions. His clothes were brown rugs but his hands looked strong.
“Were you talking to me?” asked Arkain.
“Do you see anyone else around here that I could have? I thought I might give you company given that you were walking here alone”
“If you don’t mind” replied the boy but hesitated a bit. Company couldn’t hurt, could it? “Did you say that no-one lives in these houses anymore?”
“Yes I did. These houses were long abandoned. People fled and ran away to who knows where. Now the last of us that have stayed here are very rare. It is either that or they have died and we have not checked the houses yet. Who knows? The only thing I know is that we have free firewood! Ha!” and laughed.
“You mean you don’t know what happened to these people?”
“There are many stories but why bother? There is nothing to change now”
They took a tu
rn left which others followed. In front of them next to a wooden pier that was above the town’s lake, many stalls have stood surrounded with little tents.“Fish get your fish!”and“Bread! Warm bread!”came the cry from each seller. Lots of men, woman and children have gathered, walking by every stall that they could see. They talked, asked and payed.“Well, I guess this was it. Have a nice day!” said the man and walked into the crowd. Not knowing where to go Arkain had started from the right. In front of the pier long wooden and stone slabs have stretched into the water. Next to it a stall stood with all sorts of fish and water creatures. He was shouting to all the people that have gathered around him. One of them had offered a wooden wheel but was rejected saying that the fish at least worth two. Arkain just kept walking and looking at the all sorts of different stalls. Looking. Seeing. When he have got tired he sat down at one of the piers. If that could even be called piers, they were just long stone and wooden slabs that were laid down into deep water that was connected to a bigger lake which lead outside through a small hole through the wall. There were many stalls but only a few could grab the boy’s attention.
By the time Arkain sat down it was dark. The moon was shining above the towers and houses, over the great big rocky walls. It was a half moon and around it small starts sparkled. The crowd have started to disappear and the bustle have started to die out. The tents have started to blow out their candles and owners were going away taking their hard earned cash that they have received throughout the day. Everything had started to become quiet, everything had started to become cold and dark, but also calm. I am probably going to have to start walking back now. If I’ll be fast and silent I might not be detected. When he stood up froze and looked around. Is it me or my mind is playing with me? Did I hear what I just hear? “Hey! Boy!”shouted the man that he met in the morning. To his voice the boy had quickly turned around. He did not expect it but felt better after he saw him walking. His mind did not look like it was playing with him after all.“See you again my friend!” shouted the man again and disappeared. Arkain turned around waving and then continuing his walk. I should go back now.Soon he heard the sound again. This time it was a lot louder.“Arkain!”hissed someone behind him. He looked back but saw no-one.“Arkain!”This time the voice felt like it was coming from all directions.“Arkain follow me!”shrieked the sound again and a small light ball appeared in front of him. It looked like a floating candle, but only its flame.“Follow me Arkain!”bounced around, now in a childish voice. Now it emitted warmth and started flying towards a road opposite to where Arkain wanted to go.“Come quickly! We don’t have much time!”it said again.“How do you know my name?!”called Arkain but the little light was already ahead of him. He had to run.“Come quickly we don’t have much time!” hollered the light again, now a lot faster. Through small and windy roads, through the snow and frozen ground he ran. Ran to nowhere but towards the small light that was now speeding ahead. It was indeed a small but misleading one. Sometimes the torch would come behind him then disappear again, and sometimes it would bounce from window to window.“Wait, come back!” the boy panted and tried to keep up. At the end of the pathway was an opening to the lake, opposite from where the market is. On the end of the stone path was a small red tent and from it a bright yellow line had slipped through, its entrance was covered up with a drape. What is that? The candle stopped and continued to levitate.
“No time! Quickly!” And the light flew into the tent leaving the blind swing in the darkness.
“Wait up!” yelled the boy and ran to it. Why would I go in here? I don’t feel like I am in control of my body anymore. What is happening? He walked to the tent and flicked away the curtain. Inside there were all sorts of books and small wooden objects but in the middle there was a circular table behind which an old woman was sitting. She looked old as the world itself and had long grey hair. A few candles helped him see though they weren’t much. It was still dim and the air was thick, full of some kind of a weird smell.“Oh, welcome boy! I see that you have arrived, come, sit!”She flicked her finger and he sat down onto a chair that have walked out from the jumble of things at the back. The small light circle flew in and stopped at her.“You are good little light. Yes you are, yes you are!”she said kindly and petted it. Then, it flew up above the table and dropped, when it dropped it turned into a crystal that was now levitating in front of her.“You can talk now!”said the woman and flicked her finger again. Arkain felt like his breath had been given back to him.“Why did you brought me here?”asked as soon as it was possible.“Who are you?”
“Always questions isn’t it? But no! We will tell him little light!” murmured while he was looking at the crystal.
“I was asking you a question and all you do is stare into that crystal! Why am I here and why did you lead me here?”demanded the answer Arkain. He wasn’t sure about what was happening and he didn’t know if this was dangerous, but he was all the more curious. She knows his name. Is this the person Agaroth wanted me to see?
“He is rude isn’t he? I don’t mind. Get the cards, the cards!”she jumped up and ran into the back to pick up a box.“I shouldn’t be doing this, interfering this much but I have to.”
“But…What do you mean by that? Who are you?”
“That is not important. The important is what lies ahead and oh you, you got your work cut out young man!”she snorted after“No more talk. Here, pick a card!”giggled the woman and thrown out a pack of cards in front. When the boy looked back at the tent’s opening it had disappeared. The long and wide curtains have moved closely together and then they melted leaving the tent sealed. Well I guess I don’t have any other choice. “No you don’t!”she exploded for Arkain’s great astonishment, and tried not to think any more. Can she read my thoughts?He raised his right hand and stopped it above one but the woman was already there saying“Oh, no, no, no don’t pick that one. It is going to cause a terrible mess”
“But these are just cards how can they…”
“Be quiet and try the next one!”Without further continuing the fight he took his hand above the next card and picked it up before she could have said anything. When his hand touched it the card have gone up in flames and have disappeared in a matter of seconds when he dropped it.“Ooooh, how exciting! Try the next one!”requested the woman. Arkain tried again but the other one had turned into water and sploshed onto the ground. Then, the next one turned into a pigeon and flied into the occultist’s hand and disappeared. Then, when he was about to pick the next one, one of the cards have started glowing. It then levitated towards his hand. The boy caught it and the card started shining even more.“Ignibus et Laminis”muttered the woman. The card was shining even more and as Arkain raised it to his face it began to enlighten the room. After a minute it began fading and the front could now be seen easily. It was a black wolf and behind it was nothing except even more blackness. The wolf’s eyes have stared right into Arkain’s. After that it howled loudly but the occultist pulled it out of his hands and thrown it into the back. All the cards have started levitating and packing themselves together. When it was done and they flew to the back, the woman sat down and started chanting in a language that was unknown.“Ri ashkar ma ruhra! Ri ashkar ma ruhra! Ri ashkar ma ruhra!” All of a sudden the crystal had gone red, levitated and started to speak in a demonic voice to which the woman stopped closed her eyes and started singing quietly. For an old woman her voice was became beautiful and soft but also full of sadness at times. It was slow and full of emotions.
“Here comes the long awaited dawn Follow my footsteps and you shall be born
Out of darkness and into light
One shall lead and one shall fight
Swords are rising
People are dying
Children are starving
Parents are crying
The shadows will rise to rule us all
And darkness will roam across the land
The retaliation is at his hand
I walk amongst dead that will
haunt our land
Alone, or am I?
In the distance a battle cry
One sword will rise to destroy the lies
The end is near
Commence the fight
The two shades shall become the same
This is the game of blades and flames”
The crystal flew up to the top of the tent. It puffed once then gone up in smokes disappearing. Then the woman jumped up. All the candles went out and it was nearly impossible to see. The occultist had started glowing all of a sudden, caught up in flames and turned into what looked like a lizard for a moment. Arkain had tried to get up all along but something was holding him down. The creature now have leaped onto him and smashed the chair he was sitting in. Both of them were now on the floor but only the lizard on top.“Run!”whispered the abomination and leapt away throwing dust onto the tent’s sides that turned into flames as they hit it. By then Arkain was up and climbed through the entrance but before he raised his leg the lizard had shrieked something again“Go! Find Kirlahad”. Out on the streets it was raining and the snow that was fresh throughout the day have turned into grey lumps of dirt. Still, Arkain jumped out and started running. He didn’t even stop until he got to the end of the street. When he looked back the tent was up in flames. Then all of a sudden blue lights have started falling from the sky. None of them hit anything else but the tent. Every time one reached the dark material it exploded into tiny fragments and smashed through the thin fabric like it was air. He did not see what happened next though he was running away when the last crystal had exploded and gave out a bright light and with it, the tent has disappeared. As fast as he could he ran through the dark streets to find the way back home. He remembered roughly as to where he supposed to be but the road he was on did not, so he had to take a few turns before it was clear that the house was in front. He managed to climb up through the window. The dark room have warmly grated the visitor once again when the person have climbed in. Quickly the window had been shut and the boy turned around to a voice.“Did you have fun?”He could pick out a figure standing next to the closed door. It was Agaroth“One more of these and I will lock you in the cellar. Be glad that you have got a room like this”Arkain did not want to say anything about the occurrences. It was better to leave it alone for another time. He can only trust himself right now, so his mouth stayed shut after he said“I have been locked up here for days and all I did is just a simple walk”Agaroth had walked up to him. His right hand have grabbed Arkain’s neck.
With Blades and Flames: Awakening Page 5