“Have you seen the Fallen God since he was banished?” said the prince, continuing his conversation with the stone guardian as Shaya’s mind rushed back to the present.
“Once. He had heard whispers of a guardian and went in search. A little over fifty years ago, he found me.”
“What happened?” asked Jinx as she floated in front of Shale.
“He called himself Rakmar Balrok. In our accident language, it roughly translates to vengeance cometh. He believes he was wronged, that he was abandoned by us, his family.” Shale shook his head, sending a wave of stone rippling across the wall. “A little self-indulgent I know, but a lost temple on the far edge of the kingdom seemed to be a wise place for me to stay, only to reveal myself to those you needed council, like your father,” Shale nodded towards Rowan. “When Rakmar found my place of solitude, he tried to wreak his vengeance upon me. I was stronger then, we fought, but he couldn’t kill me, nor I, him. However, he was able to imprison me. He used the dark power that has to force me into the cliff face. My body crumbled and what was left of me merged with the mountain. A tomb like his own, he called it.”
“He did this to you?” Shaya sounded shocked.
“Yes. Rakmar was strong then, but now I fear his power has grown even more in the decades since. He seems to be finally making his move, whatever that may be. Surely it won't be long before he comes to claim the revenge he promised he would one day return for. Once he’s done with me, he’ll seek out my sister.”
“Where is she?”
“She lies within Lake Coral to the northeast of here. She may be able to help you further.”
“How?” asked Jinx
“She was always stronger than me. If Rakmar has truly regained his Godly strength, then there is little time and no telling what he will do to this land. I can’t help you like this, I’m sorry children, but I must ask you to travel to Lake Coral. Seek out my sister, tell her of the attack on your castle, tell her of Rakmar, she’ll know what to do.”
“We need to wait for Elle and Shaya’s uncle,” Rowan said firmly.
“If Rakmar finds out you have travelled to Fylin Forest, he’ll know you have sought me out. He’ll come. It’s not safe to wait here your highness.”
“Shale’s right,” Shaya’s heart nearly broke as she said it.
“What about your uncle?” asked the prince as he looked over at Shaya. She looked back at him with sympathetic eyes. She knew the truth, and so did Rowan.
“I don’t think they’re coming, Rowan,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Rowan nodded as he looked down, his messy black hair falling over his eyes as he let out an exhausted sigh.
“Very well,” he said finally “How far is Lake Coral?”
♦ ♦ ♦
Shale told them all about his brother, he now called Rakmar Balrok. He said that when the Goddess had banished him, Shale and his sister suddenly forgot Rakmar’s true name, as if their mother had made his name itself cease to exist, stripping it from their memories.
“That’s why he’s never given a name in the religious texts,” Rowan had said thinking out loud. “He’s always referred to as, the Fallen God, or the Banished One or-,”
“Yes,” Shale had interrupted, annoying the prince no end. “He has many names, none of which are his own.”
The great wall told them tales from before his brother’s downfall. In the beginning, Rakmar was once excited by the prospect of creating a new world, so all manner of beings could thrive and live in peace. How he would marvel at humanity’s evolution over the years. How the Volanti learned to glide and then fly, soaring above the clouds. He found watching the Boaruss developing their crafts in their caves fascinating. How they continued to prosper over hundreds of years and slowly morphed their tunnels and pits into thriving mines.
Sadly, his childlike excitement and wonder gradually disappeared, replaced over time by resentment and anger. Shale could still remember laughing with his brother and having fun. He said that it seemed like a different life as if he had witnessed it, not lived it. Every time Shale tried to reminisce about those simpler times, it wasn’t long until they faded, quickly remembering the violent creature his brother had become. Both Shale and Rayne had begun to fear their brother. They had started to see the rage within slowly consuming him, so they kept their distance as best they could. They thought he would one-day snap, but not the way he did, they never imagined he would try and attempt mass murder and try and kill his family.
His sister was repulsed by Rakmar’s actions, she had immediately refused to call him brother after he was gone. She would call him the other child, or simply Monster.
Shale told them how they were to get to Lake Coral and where they would likely find his sister Rayne. He had shown them a path to the river on Shaya’s tattered old map. The ancient guardian spoke of an old boat that had been there for years, not much bigger than a raft. He assured them that though it may have been there for a decade or more, his little birds told him that it would still float, probably.
As Shaya and Jinx spoke with Shale about the fastest route to take, Rowan sat down on the floor next to Shaya’s slightly torn and flattened backpack. It was open, bread crumbs stuck to the inside flap. Deeper in, something glimmered that caught the young prince’s eye. He reached in and pulled out his crown. It felt like months since he had taken it off. So much had happened since then. He turned it around in his hands, the gems catching the light, sending shimmering reflections across the floor.
“Rowan Prince?”
Rowan looked up, he hadn’t realised that Sap was standing right in front of him. His head hung low, he was playing with his little wooden fingers nervously.
“Are you alright Sap?”
“Yes, thank you,” said Sap, he didn’t lift his gaze from the floor “I don’t- I can’t-,” he stammered and stuttered “I no come with you,” he said finally.
“What?” said Rowan surprised.
“I Rootling, I no belong on quest. I nearly die before. I get in the way.”
“No, you don’t Sap. You are more than welcome to come with us.”
“I belong in Rootling Village, with Rootlings,” he said sadly “I miss my home.”
Rowan understood perfectly, he missed his home as well. He longed to be back within the castle walls, falling asleep in his giant comfortable bed, wrapped up in the finest linens. Waking up in his navy-blue silk pyjamas. Going down to the breakfast hall and having all kinds of fruits, cheeses, those mini pies that the chief made especially for him and whatever else took his fancy. Rowan could feel his heartache for the quiet nights sitting on the furry beige rug in front of the fireplace in his father chambers. His father, writing letters to dignitaries across the kingdom, him reading books about the goblin civil war or the ancient mystical Azorrog Tribe. He could feel the home-sickness taking hold as his mind wandered. Finally, he nodded at the little Rootling with a warm smile.
“If you’re sure. You can come with us if you want to.”
“Thank you, Rowan Prince. I do want to, but I want to go home to. I miss my village, I miss my friends, my house, my hammock.”
Rowan put his hand on Sap’s shoulder, the little tree child looked up at him with his giant brown eyes.
“We’ll get you home my friend,” said the prince.
Sap smiled at him and thanked him once again.
♦ ♦ ♦
Shaya folded the map and shoved it back in her backpack. Rowan had decided he wanted to keep the crown on. Shaya wasn’t sure if that was a good idea or not but decided to keep her opinion to herself. He did look a little more like himself with the crown once again adored on top of his scruffy black hair. She looked around to make sure everyone was ready to go. Sap had told her that he wanted to go back home, she didn’t blame him. The poisoned woods were a dangerous place, and it had nearly cost him his life, she had a feeling that as their quest continued the danger was only going to get greater. Not a place for such an innocent little t
hing like Sap. It would be hard to say goodbye, but it was for the best, the last thing any of them wanted was for him to get hurt, or worse. He had been lucky in the woods, he might not be so fortunate next time.
Shale spoke of a shortcut that would lead them south of the Rootling Village, no need to go through the poisoned woods again. Shaya almost cursed when she found that out, it would have been great to have known that a few hours earlier. They hadn’t learned what they hoped to from Shale, she still didn’t know what her dream meant, or any of this had to do with her. More questions now than before, she thought to herself as she swung her bag onto her back and tightened the strap on her scabbard. She wanted to wait for Uncle Benjin, for all she knew he was right around the corner trying to find that secret entrance, or walking through the tunnel under the mountain. Or he could be twenty miles away, fighting for his life, she couldn’t know for sure. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, she didn’t have time to wallow. If what Shale predicted was true, Rakmar was on the move, he could be heading right for them now, or going after Rayne. They had to warn her and Shaya silently prayed that the deity could help them as well.
“Ready to go,” said the prince slightly shifting his crown to the right, then back to the left and finally giving up.
“Ready,” said Shaya, she turned to Shale’s huge stone visage and smiled “Thank you Shale, for everything.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help, my child, I’m not the God I once was, not like this.”
“You have guided us onwards in our quest,” said the prince “We can ask no more of a guardian of this land.”
“I only wish I could still live up that title. I see much of your father in you, my prince. I’m sure he is proud of the man you are becoming.”
“Thank you, Shale,” the prince seemed to be moved by the God’s words.
“I wish you all a safe journey my friends, seek out my sister and banish the darkness from this land once and for all.”
They said their goodbyes, Sap and Jinx went on ahead, Rowan said his final farewell and began to walk towards the monastery doors.
“If Rakmar is coming here, what will happen to you?” said Shaya, the thought suddenly forcing its way into her mind.
“I suppose I’ll find out,” The rock formation smiled warmly.
Shaya hesitated, she didn’t want to leave Shale if he was now a target, especially if it was because of them.
“It is inevitable that he comes back to finish what he started my dear,” Shale said seemingly reading her mind “If you had come here today or not, he would have returned for me.”
“And you’re alright with this?”
“I am,” he said.
Shaya reluctantly nodded, she wasn’t sure if she understood.
Add it to the list of things I don’t understand, said Shaya’s mind. Before she could speak again, Shale’s voice lowered to a hushed whisper.
“A moment more please child.”
“What is it?”
“I sense something within you, I felt it as soon as I laid my eyes upon you, Shaya. There is something buried deep inside you, yet to be unlocked. Don’t doubt your place on this quest, I feel you are right where you need to be,” he paused gazing down at the shocked and confused looking girl before him “You are not of royal birth. No matter. I feel, somehow you have a part to play in all this,” that warm, reassuring smile seemed to glow from the cliff face. “I’m glad I had a chance to meet you, my dear. Now go, help bring peace to your world of Celease.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Shale’s words echoed in her mind as they walked across the great glade once again.
Something yet to be unlocked? Now she just had even more questions. Her head was starting to throb with the endless possibilities of what the old God meant. He hadn’t elaborated, he didn’t seem to know exactly what it was, it was just a feeling he’d said. She had no power, she felt no different from anyone else. Shale must have been stuck in a mountain too long, with no one to talk to.
He must be going senile.
The girl rubbed her tired eyes and continued walking towards the waterfall to the northwest. Shale had told them that there was a passage through the waterfall, but they might get a little wet. Rowan and the others were already stood underneath the great torrent of cascading blue. It was loud, and they were getting soaked by the spray alone. Jinx shot over to Shaya and huddled close to her neck.
“I think your hood is in order,” she smiled, shouting over the noise.
Shaya nodded and pulled her dark green hood over her golden hair, tucking her long ponytail down her back so it wouldn’t get wet. Already grumbling, Rowan grabbed Sap and dived through the waterfall and disappeared on the other side.
“Ready?” said Jinx with a little excitement in her voice.
“Yeah,” Shaya shouted. With a running start, she jumped through the gushing falls.
“A little wet he said,” Rowan was complaining as he rang water out of his tunic. Sap was stood soaked from twig covered head to toeless stump, giggling at Rowan’s annoyance. Shaya pulled off her dripping wet hood, and Jinx flew out, dry as a bone. Rowan pulled off his crown and squeezed the water from his ink black hair, it sprung back up to its usual messiness.
Sploshing and squelching, they continued to walk down the tunnel they found themselves in. It was like the other one they had used to get to the glade, but longer and with only a hand full of the glowing mushrooms that had covered the other cave. It was much greener, moss and ivy-covered almost every inch of the walls, it almost looked as if they weren’t made of rock at all. It turned and weaved until Shaya had lost all sense of direction, they just kept moving forward. Over half an hour later, just as Shaya began to think that it may go on forever, they finally came to the end, and it wasn’t what they hoped for. A giant boulder blocked the exit. Like the walls, it was covered in greenery and looked like it hadn’t been moved in decades.
“Now what?” The prince huffed, throwing his arms up in the air “This is ridiculous, did you see any other paths, any other ways we could have gone?”
The others shook their heads.
“Utterly ridiculous,” Rowan continued his rant “Unbelievable, Shale sends us down here and doesn’t tell us that the path is blocked, I mean-,” he was immediately cut off as a low rumble echoed all around them, and the boulder began to move. It shook and slowly rolled out of the way as light poured into the cave.
“Got something to say?” said Jinx with a cheeky grin on her face.
“Thank you, Shale,” said the prince reluctantly as he put his head down and walked out of the tunnel. After they all stepped into the afternoon sun, the boulder shifted back into place. It lay next to a dozen others that all looked the same. Shaya blinked, and suddenly, she couldn’t even tell which one it was. They only had to walk for a minute or two before Sap recognised where they were. Another ten minutes later they began to see the colourful signs that surrounded the Rootling Village.
Sap said that the signs were made to keep monsters out, he was surprised when Shaya told him that monsters weren’t scared of bright colours.
“Then why we no have monsters in Rootling Village eh?” he asked proudly.
Shaya laughed and told him it was a good point. Finally, they arrived at Rootling Village. Shaya and the prince stopped on the outskirts. It took a few more tiny Rootling steps for Sap to realise he wasn’t being followed anymore.
He waddled back “You no come say hello to everyone?”
“We better not Sap, we have a long way to travel,” said Shaya sadly.
“Oh, Okay,” Sap lowered his head, his voice glum.
“You take care of yourself, my friend,” said Rowan with a smile on his face. Without warning, Sap jumped forward and grabbed Rowan and hugged him tightly. Rowan was taken aback and looked up at Shaya who just smiled with a tear in her eye. Rowan hugged the little tree child back. Shaya picked up the Rootling and hugged him like her life depended on it.
“
You come back and see Sap yes?”
“Of course, we will, we’d love to.”
“Welcome anytime.”
Shaya put Sap down and blinked back a tear. Jinx flew over to him and smiled, tears already streaming down her face.
“You be careful you hear,” she said as she wiped her nose “You stay out of those poisoned woods. You stay safe Sap.”
“You too, pretty Jinx.”
They hugged. Shaya could tell that Jinx had become very fond of little Sap, they all had. He had only been with them a short time, but it felt like he was part of their group. He was a good friend.
“Goodbye Rowan Prince, Shaya, pretty Jinx, bye bye,” he said with a quivering bottom lip. He turned and waddled off into the village on his little stumpy legs. They stayed and watched as the other Rootlings saw him and ran over like he was a celebrity. They were all clapping, cheering and smiling, asking him a hundred questions and Sap could do nothing but shake hands and giggle in his squeaky voice. Suddenly Floret pushed her way to the front of the crowd that had formed around Sap. She gave him a great big hug.
“You’re so brave little Sap,” she said as she squeezed “I was so worried.”
“You were?” he asked.
“Tell me everything,” she said excitedly. Taking Sap by the hand, Floret pulled him through the horde of onlookers. He turned his head and waved over to Shaya and the others. They waved back, they had never seen him so happy. He disappeared around a corner and out of sight. His audience following close behind, wanting to hear his heroic tales, and how he had saved a prince.
Jinx sniffed and wiped away the tears as she sat on Shaya’s shoulder. They waited another minute before heading out. Rowan led the way, making sure Shaya wasn’t looking, before wiping a tear from his cheek. She saw, just as she wiped one from her own.
The Shattered Moon (A Divine Legacy Book 1) Page 19