“Watch and learn this spell for yourself.” Grinley pressed different areas of the box and leaned in to whisper his spell, so close he kissed the wood. “Return your planks to your true form. Stretch your seams, fill your fibers, and crack from your confinement.”
The container folded open on the floor. It enlarged tremendously, and sturdy planks grew around it. The planks stacked onto each other and bent into the shape of a small boat. Benches formed along the inside while it finished the framework. Pitch and tar oozed out between the wood as two large hooks with oars stuck out on the sides. The mast remained folded down with the sail coiled around it. Although designed for one, it looked strong enough to travel across the sea and carry an extra passenger if they kept their cargo light.
Eldritch gave him a nod of approval.
“Don’t worry Sayeh.” He noticed her furrowed brow. “You will be able to travel with us in the book. There is no need to fear the seas with my power now.”
“We will miss traveling with you on this voyage but understand.” She smiled and nodded at Grinley. She leaned in closer to Eldritch. “Do we really need him?”
The idea of leaving Grinley at the docks was tempting. He had tried to use a truth spell on him, but had also helped him when he first entered Caetheal and introduced him to Ben, the one who truly taught him to unlock his potential.
“The elf has been useful to us.” Eldritch patted Grinley on the back. “When we arrive, he’ll know the best place to find the other elves and where they gather.”
“This is why I follow you,” Sayeh said. “You are wise beyond our knowledge.”
“We must leave soon.” Grinley stepped up to a window. “The sun is already down, and I have never made the trip in one night. There will be no time to waste.”
“Show him the course,” Sayeh ordered Grinley. She gave Eldritch a small kiss on the cheek. “I will retire to the book. Release me when we arrive.”
Eldritch opened the book, and she crawled into the pages. A hint of sorrow tinged her face.
“Let’s go,” Eldritch said keeping a close eye on Grinley.
Grinley slid the boat to the back doors of the cabin and swung them open. Together they pushed the vessel down a ramp to the waters below. Grinley climbed aboard and rearranged the sails to allow room for an extra passenger. Although cramped for space, this boat was light enough to skim across the water without disturbing any of the ancient ones that lived beneath. Eldritch shuddered as he recalled the stories of the deep waters. Luckily, the tales were about creatures attacking much larger vessels.
The night air produced little wind for them as they sailed across the dark water. Without the stars, they would have sailed into an endless abyss of sea and sky.
To Eldritch’s satisfaction, Grinley remained silent. The dark elf rowed vigorously, trying to outpace the sun in a race to reach the wooded isle of the elves. The trip would take a normal person three days. With spells from the Nox giving Eldritch power to fill the sails with an unnatural energy, they would make it in no time at all.
A flash of light overhead filled the sky. It seemed to point them toward their destination.
“Powers greater than us must be guiding our journey,” Eldritch said more to himself than to Grinley.
Grinley nodded and continued to row without a sound.
The solitude of the sea was calming and terrifying. Eldritch stroked the book in his lap, nestling it upon his legs and making sure no wave rocked it too hard. He felt a power in the water. He closed his eyes to focus on reaching beyond sight, allowing his mind to search the murky depths.
The water remained dark and calm close to the surface. Occasionally, he caught a glimpse of something unimaginably vast floating underneath. Yet, due to its size and the distance it swam from their ship, he was unable to determine any specifics. Such creatures could be hidden inside the book he held in his lap.
First, he needed to convince the elves to join the Nox. From what he read, they liked to keep to their own island and did not interact much with the other races, only the occasional humans who settled nearby.
Grinley had been an exception to the others. He must have desired more than the mundane community of the elves. Much like Eldritch, he possibly wanted to explore the rest of the word and bring his knowledge back to his people. After this was over, they could journey farther together. Someday seek the island of immortals.
Eldritch relaxed and drifted into his sleep cycle.
~ ~ ~
The boat swayed gently with the waves that lapped on the ship’s hull, waking Eldritch from his trance. The glow of the morning sun stung his eyes. It was later in the morning than he expected, and they weren’t moving.
He rubbed his eyes to adjust to the light.
Grinley had stopped rowing. . . and breathing.
Sunlight scorched Grinley’s body as he lay dead against the side of the boat. His mouth hung open. Large blisters oozed and scabbed on whatever was left of his skin. Eldritch understood why Grinley was so insistent on reaching the isle before dawn.
“This is merely a setback,” Eldritch told himself. “Refocus on the task.”
Sayeh would need to know about the transfigured elves’ weakness, but there would be no room for her with the corpse in the boat. Eldritch pried the baked flesh loose from the wood and tossed it as far as possible into the open water. The potential of luring something up from the depths made him quickly rinse his hands in the murky sea.
He sat back and stared at the dark tree on the book's cover. Releasing Sayeh during the day may affect her abilities too. Although she tried to avoid the light, they had traveled during the day, and she stood in the sunlight with him when they were at the tavern. She was different from Grinley. Whatever the Nox had done to the elf, it caused a weakness to the sun. Something to remember when he created the elven army with their powers.
Eldritch placed the book on the bottom of the boat and flipped it open.
“Sayeh, you may return. There was an accident.”
The pages stretched as Sayeh’s arms pressed out from the book. She pulled herself out and moved the book from under her.
“What has happened to the elf?” She looked around the boat and scratched at the stains on the bench.
“He had a weakness to sunlight.” His voice cracked. “Do you think the other elves will have it too?”
She shrugged. “I can feel the water beneath us shallowing. Have we drifted off course?”
“It's likely we have.” Eldritch wrung his hands together. The feeling of his friend’s charred skin did not wash off. “Grinley was keeping us at a steady pace, and I started my sleep meditation. I don’t know how long he was. . . he stopped rowing. I shouldn’t have slept.”
“Pity.” Sayeh put a hand on her cheek. “I was somewhat fond of him. Not that you should worry. The feelings were as one loves a pet.”
Eldritch couldn’t hold back a tear forming in his eye. Speaking about Grinley made it worse. He needed to remain calm like Sayeh, the new Sayeh, who sat across from him on the bench where another took his last breath.
“There will be more who will serve us,” she continued. “However, I do fear to take such an army across these waves. If we were to create a larger vessel, it could raise suspicion. The fae spies would likely see it and warn the others.”
“I have an idea for that,” Eldritch said, picking up the book. “I thought of the spell used to seal the boat into a small box. It could be woven into the magical doorway of this book. I could secure the entire army within these pages.”
“Interesting.” Her eyes grew wider and darker. “Very cunning indeed. Most would lose their sanity in our world, yet these dark elves serve us without question. We can strengthen them while we wait to emerge. And none would suspect you in your tiny boat.” She laughed and turned to look off the bow.
Although hidden on the horizon, Eldritch felt the energy from the elven woods. He chanted the spell to fill the sails and take them to their destination.
Large shapes peeked through the mist as the haze of the morning fog lifted. The trees along the shoreline were unlike any Eldritch had seen. Their great trunks were bare of branches, and the tops sprouted an abundance of overgrown leaves. Such a display made it look like crazed warriors waited for them on the shore, sentinels guarding the sea.
“These trees will leave us exposed if we stay too close to the shore,” Eldritch said. “We should venture deeper in to find a place to build a camp. One with enough room to house our army.”
“Excellent idea,” Sayeh said and looked at the book in his hand. “You know, there are others waiting to be released who could help us construct such a place. A great citadel in your honor.”
Eldritch tucked the book back into his vest. They would need a place to house their army while he imbued them with the spell. It would not take long, but they would need to be gathered together.
“Let’s move through the shadows so as not to be seen.” Eldritch pulled the boat onto shore and cast the shrinking spell to carry it in his pouch.
Sayeh held her hand out to him. Holding onto it, they traveled through the shadows into the woods.
“This is it,” Eldritch said when they came to a clearing. “I will bring the others out to build a covering for us.”
“Perhaps they can build a private room for the two of us.” Sayeh sat on a fallen tree and patted the spot beside her. “My darling, have you heard of the Orbivas? We believe it is something you could achieve.”
He shook his head and sat next to her. Her arm brushed against his. He noticed the stark contrast between her soft, youthful skin and his own. The use of the dark spells was decaying his physical appearance, yet she remained in whatever unnatural beauty the Nox had given her.
“The Orbivas is an ancient inscription spell, similar to how the boat could be written into the wood of the box or an army can be hidden in a book.” She grabbed his hand with both of hers. They were chilled, but he leaned in closer. “The Orbivas is a way of focusing all our spells into one person. It’s failed on many before. They were not strong enough to understand the power they could contain. Yet, I see in you, one who could become a vessel of pure energy. You would have strength unmatched by any other. All would seek to draw their power from you.”
“Like the elementals themselves.” He remembered legends of wondrous items that contained the spells of a thousand conjurers, only usable by the strongest beings of pure elemental energy. Those weapons would be mere trinkets to him with the power Sayeh was speaking of. He would be able to wield the energy in his own mind―the focus of their spells. “If this Orbivas is possible, how do I perform it?”
“In the shadows of the Nox. We have the ability. You will possess all our spells if we inscribe it onto you. It will require time and concentration during the ritual.”
“I’d like to agree to it, but I need to think on it more.” Eldritch’s wide smile gave away his eagerness.
He brushed back some of Sayeh’s hair and placed it behind her ear. Her gaze did not focus on his, but she closed her eyes. She looked almost like she did in the bookshop. His lips moved closer to hers.
She opened her eyes and stood up. “Let’s construct our encampment first.”
Eldritch reluctantly opened the book. It turned itself to the pages of workers.
The ink ran together, creating a doorway to release them. More of the Nox crept out with an eagerness to serve. Their shadowy forms swirled between solid and gas, particles not of the physical realm. The ghostly ensemble set out to gather wood and formed shapes from the darkness.
Sayeh stood with her arms out, commanding the forces of the Nox. Memories of his time with her in Raikrune tried to assure him she could be trusted. And it was too late to turn back, only forward. Headlong into whatever plan she had for him.
Chapter Sixteen
Sayeh seemed lost in thought as Eldritch watched the horde of shadowy figures construct their fortress. The Nox worked with a supernatural speed, and the citadel soon filled the once empty spot in the elven woods. With the growing number of Nox and Sayeh paying him little attention, Eldritch felt outnumbered and restless.
“I’m hoping there are some elven patrols nearby.” Eldritch traced his fingers across Sayeh’s hand. Although his efforts were not as seductive as hers, he hoped he had some charm to tempt her away. “We could gather recruits together. Care to join me?”
She turned and stared at him.
“It would be my pleasure.” Her face broke into a sinister smile that caused him to grab her hand too tightly as they jumped into the shade of the trees.
“Can the Nox see beyond these trees to find the elven stronghold?” Eldritch asked after they searched for some time.
“We are limited in that regard. But I believe you can find them. You are better attuned to the magic of this world now.”
Eldritch did feel a pull of something beyond himself toward the east. He had relied on his instincts to find the Nox and hoped the lure would bring him to the city of the elves. If the civilization twisted the laws of nature as he had read, their kingdom should be easy to find.
The fragments of nature magic being used lingered like a pleasant aroma the farther they traveled. He followed the scent until he heard them. A handful of elves, on high alert to their surroundings, were on patrol.
Eldritch could not sneak up on them without disturbing the foliage. There had to be another way. He looked at Sayeh who gave him a blank expression, likely waiting for his orders.
“Excuse me, we seem to be lost,” Eldritch exclaimed and stepped out to reveal himself. “We could use your assistance.”
The elves stopped and turned to each other. The captain stepped forward while the others placed their hands on their sword hilts.
“And how is it that you have come this far into our woods while lost?” the captain asked. His face was stern and calloused.
“Our ship ran off course. Could you tell us where the human settlement is?”
“We could, but you have not answered my question.” His eyes narrowed into sharp edges like the points of his ears.
“What was the question again?” Eldritch teased.
“Do not mistake us for fools, human. No one has ever entered these woods without our knowledge, and certainly not this close to my patrol. What sort of sorcery are you playing at?”
“We were unaware of what lay in these woods.” Eldritch shifted anxiously. His act was not working. “We traveled in stealth so as not to disturb it.”
“Yet you knew where to find us before we sensed you.” The captain pounded his staff on the ground.
The guards drew their swords with lightning speed and moved in front of him.
“Let us discuss your schemes with the council. Come willingly. If you do not, we cannot let you leave these woods.”
Sayeh cowered behind Eldritch. She breathed heavily into his ear.
“Do it, now,” she snarled.
Eldritch held his hands out to the advancing guards, and black tendrils shot from his fingertips. They wrapped around the first guard’s hand and flicked his sword away. He dropped to his knees as the vines entangled him.
“You are the ones infected by darkness and not welcome here!” the captain yelled as he raised his staff into the air.
The staff swirled with sparks, glowing with a consuming fire. Light flicked across the fallen guard and burned away the tendrils like spider webs in a flame. The guard cried out in pain as his skin blistered over. His screams gurgled into silence, and his body fell lifeless to the ground.
The illumination from the staff caused Eldritch to reel back. The other guards continued to press forward. He could not counter them with that light. Whatever it was, it burned into his soul.
“Sayeh, help me!” he cried.
Her hands pulled him into the ground and through the shadows. The path jostled him around, more chaotic than any before. Infinite darkness filled his lungs and burned in his mind. It clawed at him to stay in the
realm beyond any he experienced physically.
“How. . . how could this happen?” Eldritch stammered as they appeared at the entrance to the citadel still growing from the Nox.
“This is why we were telling you of the Orbivas,” Sayeh said. Her harsh tone matched Eldritch’s frustration. “We thought only the fae had those powers of the light. The elves should not be able to wield it, not without a fairy helping them. And none have left the forest since we were released. We must be able to conquer the elves to stand a chance against the fae.”
“And you think the Orbivas will give me enough power to do so?”
“Of course it would. Such magic is more ancient and powerful than any can imagine, even the elves or fae. We would control them all.”
Eldritch paced in front of the doors encased in hardened forms of metal and shadow. The Nox had limitless power. And with the power he would gain from the Orbivas, he could force the elves to follow his will and the ways of the Nox. Their army would be unstoppable.
“Let it begin,” he said firmly.
“Eldritch, I must warn you.” Sayeh pulled him through the doors without opening them and into their new fortress. “It will be a long process and may bring pain beyond your imagination. You must be brave. If you survive the inscription, you will achieve what none other has, throughout all of history.”
Eldritch positioned himself on a chair taking shape around him. Other Nox beings twisted together vines from the ground and arranged them into walls and pillars. More had come from the book than he had initially let loose.
Sayeh placed her hands on his head and massaged his temples. As she had been his sentinel in the field of eternal sleep, she would again protect and keep watch over him while the spell was being constituted.
He opened his mind to the Nox.
The words came in many languages, some familiar, some unheard of in eons. They weighed down on him, scratching their way into his memory and tattooing themselves onto his body. The words covered his hands, crawled up his arms, and spilled around his neck and chest. Every inch of his skin bled with the transcription of the spells overlapping each other.
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