The Arena of Lost Souls

by Martin Swinford

  "I think," said Mack, "it's like this. This thing, this creature of darkness..." a number of the boys made signs to ward off evil, "...has been set on the trail. At the same time so has Cail, perhaps they are linked somehow. Often in the stories what happens in this world is echoed in the other."

  "So do we go back?" Accio asked.

  "We can't." This was the part that worried Luan the most. "I have to face it. We have to go to Cy Malg."

  "That is a place of ill omen." Callum's face seemed darker than ever.

  "I have no choice," Luan replied. "It's the only place I can face it."

  "How can you fight it?" Druca asked.

  "It's a creature of the spirit world," Bridie replied. "It fears the bite of the iron blade."

  "So go," said Drustan, "and we can go home."

  "No," Fin stood angrily. "We have to go, we have to get him there!"

  "Why we?" Drustan stood too. "Why is it our business?"

  "Because they are trying to kill the Prince!" Druca stood and joined the debate. "We are Klaideem! If we are Klaideem, we are Kingdom and if we are Kingdom then we fight!"

  "I agree," the Ghost spoke up again. "Our duty is to fight the King’s enemies wherever we find them. Do any of you disagree that this thing is an enemy?"

  No one spoke. Drustan looked uncomfortable.

  "Come on Drustan?" Fin suddenly grinned. "Aren't you up for a fight?"

  "Of course!" Drustan grinned back. "Why didn't you just ask?" Luan smiled as a wave of relief passed over him. He had persuaded them. But his relief was short lived.

  "I don't get it," said the Weasel.

  "What don't you get?" asked Fin carefully.

  "Well, all of it really."

  "Look," began Luan patiently. "We need to get to Cy Malg..."

  "A big ancient city thing?" the Weasel interrupted.

  "Yes!" Fin spoke clearly and loudly. "And Luan has to fight a monster."

  "He's not deaf!" Brenn pointed out.

  "No" said Fin "but he is ..."

  "Fin!" warned Luan, trying to keep the peace.

  "Will there be treasure?" asked the Weasel

  "What?"

  "In the big ancient city thing," the boy continued. "Will there be treasure?"

  "Well..." Luan floundered. "It's been abandoned..."

  "Yes!" the Ghost interrupted.

  "What?" Luan’s grip on the conversation was slipping.

  "Yes!" the Ghost continued, signalling frantically with his eyes. "There probably will be treasure!"

  "Really?" the Weasel's eyes lit up.

  "Bound to be," Fin joined in.

  "Old place like that," the Ghost added.

  "Right then." The Weasel clasped his hands together, rubbing his palms a little over-enthusiastically. "Can we go now?"

  "The thing that no one has mentioned," said Fin to Luan afterwards, "is what to do about Stav. We can't take him with us."

  "I know," said Luan quietly, turning aside from the others. "I spoke to Mack. He said we'll know by morning, one way or the other."

  Fin paled slightly. For a second he looked like he wanted to protest, but then he nodded and turned away.

  THE SUN DIPPED TOWARDS the horizon. They set a watch and then made themselves as comfortable as they could. There would be no fire, so they shared what provisions they had before rolling themselves in their cloaks and trying to rest. Luan stood first watch, he felt bone tired but knew that sleep would elude him. Walking over to the single stone in the centre of the circle he found himself drawn to a hole that pierced the great block at about eye level. As he approached he felt the familiar dizziness, he could almost sense the disjointed collision of the two worlds, but something had changed. He felt more in control, less panicked by the sensations.

  As he reached the stone he felt the last rays of sun hit the back of his neck as the light flooded horizontally across the land, bathing the top of the stone in an orange glow. He put his eye to the opening, and there, perfectly centred in his vision, was the ruined fortress of his dreams. The city of sorcerers, Cy Malg.

  Five – Secrets Revealed

  Then from the cliffs comes a haunting cry

  Spears appearing against the sky

  STAV DIED JUST AS THE sun was rising. He lay on the hilltop where they had made their camp, the sleeping bodies of the other boys scattered among the standing stones. Luan dragged himself from dreams of pain to stumble bleary eyed to where Bridie still held the now rapidly cooling hand.

  "He's gone." The first rays of light sparkled in the tears that ran down her cheeks. "He was so brave."

  Luan looked at the youthful face. This boy with whom he had fought and become friends. "At least he's not in pain anymore," he said. He stooped and picked up the blade that lay by the body.

  "What are you doing?" Bridie sounded alarmed.

  "His sword has a final duty." Luan walked to a spot of closely cropped turf near the centre of the circle. From here he could see across the valley, over the lake to the hills rising beyond. It seemed good enough. Taking the sword two handed he drove the blade into the turf and began to cut.

  THE FINAL STONE WAS laid carefully in place. For a moment all was still. Then Bridie's high, pure voice broke the silence. Her song was a soft lament in a language unknown to the listening boys but that captured the wildness of the land and echoed with grief and loss.

  "Rest now my brother." It was Druca that spoke, and Luan realised he was translating.

  "Your duty is done

  Your battle is won in this world.

  Travel now the paths of the night

  Until you come to the north.

  My father's ship will carry you safe

  To the land of the dead

  Where you will take up your sword

  Once again."

  The song died away. Druca, wide eyed, stared at Bridie in something like awe.

  "Your father?" His voice shook.

  She met his eyes with the gaze of a falcon. "Yes," she said.

  For a moment Druca stood, open mouthed. Suddenly he dropped to his knees, and drawing his sword he laid it at her feet.

  "My Princess," he said.

  "Princess?" Fin's incredulous question rang across the space between the stones. Several of the boys began to talk at once until Mack's commanding voice cut through the jumble of noise.

  "Who are you Bridie?"

  She looked at him, her face softening to a smile. "I am who I have always been."

  "She is Bridget, eldest daughter of Bairyn the Alfihar, clan chief of the tribe of the Bani-Tivar." Druca, still on his knees, spoke the words. "Lady, my mother was a daughter of the Bani-Tivar Clan, by my blood I am tied to you, but I must tell you this: The Alfihar has commanded his warriors to find you. It is a sacred duty that I cannot ignore. I must take you to him."

  Bridie's smile instantly became a frown.

  "Oh get up you silly boy. I'm not going and that's it!" She stood with her arms folded, glaring at him while Druca knelt, helpless. He caught Luan’s eye, but his friend only shrugged.

  "Why did you run away?" Fin asked curiously.

  "None of your business!" she replied pertly.

  "Nothing to do with having to marry a prince then?" he teased. At his side Brenn's mouth dropped open.

  "How do you know that?" she demanded. Fin just grinned at her. Furious she rounded on Druca.

  "I suppose you told him?"

  "My lady, I..."

  "Oh shut up!" Bridie demanded. "And you can tell my father that I am not a possession to be given away like some horse to be traded. I will decide who and when I marry, if I decide to marry at all. Which, if you lot of hulking oafs are anything to go by, I probably won't!" She swept her gaze around the boys, most of whom had the sense to look away. Even Fin covered his grin with his hand, while Brenn stared at the ground, his face suffused with pink.

  "Besides," Bridie continued. "We're all going to Cy Malg. That's already decided." Druca realised he was beaten and clambered
to his feet, but couldn't give up without one last attempt.

  "But afterwards," he said. "Then we go to your father?"

  "Afterwards?" Luan sounded sceptical as he pulled on his pack. "Let's concentrate on getting there shall we?"

  SINGLE FILE THEY WALKED along the ridge. To either side the ground fell away into a sea of mist, punctuated by the tops of the tallest trees. In the distance the crags of the adjoining ridges rose like islands, the dew drenched rocks shining in the sunlight. They walked from danger into danger, hands on weapons, casting wary glances over their shoulders. Fin knew that the mist shielded them from discovery but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were ridiculously exposed. He had positioned himself at the back, guided by his natural instinct to watch over the whole patrol. At the front he could see Luan walking with a determined stride. “A natural leader,” thought Fin. “Even if he doesn't know it yet.”

  They walked at a good pace, and it was warm in the sun. As they pushed up the next rise Fin could feel the sweat starting to collect between his shoulder blades. By the time they reached the top it was running down his spine.

  "Luan?" he called. "Drinks break?" Luan glanced back, nodded, and shrugged off his pack. Around him the boys relaxed as they pulled out their flasks, some standing in small groups, others sitting or in the Weasel's case, sprawling on the ground.

  "We've made good time," Fin said as he caught up with Luan.

  "Not bad," his friend replied. "Water?" Fin took the proffered flask and drank deeply.

  "See any sign of the Eagle Clan?" Luan asked.

  "None," replied Fin handing back the flask. "You?" Luan tried to shake his head while drinking and succeeded only in soaking the front of his tunic.

  "Don't waste the water!" Brenn called out cheekily.

  "We're letting you drink it aren't we?" Luan retorted. Fin smiled and then ducked as Brenn threw a clump of grass in retaliation. Luan jerked his head back as it sailed past his nose.

  "Brenn! I swear I'll ..."

  "Just leave him," advised Fin, as their friend made a show of hiding behind Bridie. "Besides maybe he's right. Are we going to manage for water?"

  "I think so, come and look." Luan led the way up the path for a few steps until they could see the way ahead. From here onwards the ground fell away rapidly to their right while rising on their left leaving the path following the edge of a plateau. At first this was just a steep grassy slope, but it soon became interspersed with rocks before forming a sheer crag and some way along Fin could just make out a stream tumbling down the cliff in a series of waterfalls.

  "That should do it," he remarked to Luan.

  "Let's get going then," his friend replied. Fin nodded and headed back down the path.

  "Come on you lot, play time's over!" he shouted as he swung his pack into position.

  THEY WALKED FOR THE best part of an hour following the cliff edge as it climbed gently then levelled off along the plateau. The sun had finally burned off the mist and to the south the land spread out in a vast flood plain that disappeared into the distance. Soon they reached the cleft which hid the stream, climbing down a series of rocks to where the water slid slowly over the rock in wide shallow pools. The water had a slightly brown tinge but was cool and refreshing nonetheless. Fin left the patrol filling their flasks and followed Luan up the rocks on the far side of the stream.

  "There!" Luan pointed. It was hard to make out at first, but Fin knew what he was looking for.

  "The fortress of Cy Malg!" he breathed. "Do you think we'll make it in time?"

  "We should reach it sometime tomorrow," Luan replied. "It will be the last day of spring when the veil between the worlds is weak. I think our timing will be perfect."

  "Unless someone stops us first," replied Fin. "I don't like the look of that much!" Some way ahead the cliff had collapsed leaving a densely wooded slope. The path led down and right into its heart.

  "The perfect place for an ambush," Luan agreed. "The trees could be full of Eagle Clan."

  "Don't forget Cail," Fin warned. "He's still out there somewhere."

  Behind them wild laughter broke out. They turned to see the Weasel standing on the edge of the cliff and relieving himself, much to the amusement of the other boys. As they watched first one, then another joined him until the whole patrol were lined up along the edge, adding their little flows to the waterfall and laughing in the sunlight.

  LUAN APPROACHED THE wood accompanied only by Fin and Druca. He'd have been happier with Brenn but he needed someone he could trust back with the patrol. As he reached the shade of the trees he held out his hand to bring the others to a halt. In the darkness ahead something moved. He felt the familiar dizziness as a white wolf stepped out onto the trail.

  "What is it?" Fin asked.

  "Quiet!" hissed Luan.

  The animal’s tongue flickered over its white teeth as its eyes shone silver in the dark. Then it turned and faded into the shadow. Luan took a wary step forward, then another. He beckoned for Fin and Druca to follow him.

  "What's that?" asked Druca, pointing to where something glinted on the floor. Luan squatted down and picked up a smooth circular stone, pearly white with hints of blue.

  "It's a moonstone." Fin spoke softly.

  "It's a token," Luan wasn't sure how he knew. "The path through the wood is safe." Druca and Fin exchanged a glance, token or not they clearly thought safe was an exaggeration, but there was no option but to continue their journey.

  LUAN USED THE SPEAR as a staff as he climbed the few steps to the top of the hillock. He lowered himself wearily to the ground and sat cross legged with the spear on his knees. Above him the velvet blanket of cloud glowed with the light of the stifled moon. Luan looked across the dim pool of shade that was the valley.

  "Tomorrow," he said to himself, but he could think of nothing to add. The event was too momentous to comprehend in its entirety. A noise behind him made him turn, a slight figure was making its way up.

  "Luan?" Brenn's voice sounded hollow in the darkness.

  “Hello,” said Luan as his friend settled down on the grass. “Couldn’t sleep?”

  “Well, no,” replied Brenn. “But it’s not that. I just needed to catch you alone.”

  “Really?” Luan was intrigued.

  “Yes.” Brenn paused for a moment and Luan waited while his friend gathered his thoughts. "I need you to know that none of this was my idea," he said finally.

  "Well of course it wasn't..." Luan began.

  "Wait," Brenn interrupted, waving his hands. "You don't understand. I'm talking about the whole false description thing. I didn't want to go along with it."

  "What?" An idea was starting to form but Luan could scarcely believe it.

  "I was happy to take my chances," Brenn continued. "I didn't want any special treatment but the decision was made for me. I had no choice!"

  "You mean...?" Luan stared at his friend.

  "Yes"

  "...you’re the..."

  "Yes!"

  "... Prince?"

  Brenn said nothing, just sat and looked miserable. Luan stared at him, half unbelieving, yet at the same time his memory was throwing up all the little things that made it ring true.

  "This changes everything," he said eventually.

  "It changes nothing!" Brenn replied fiercely. "Everything stays as it is."

  "How can it? You are a prince, we're just your subjects. You should be in command!"

  "No!"

  "But..."

  "Don't you understand?" Brenn was almost pleading with Luan. "All my life I've had subjects. People who've been loyal, ready to do everything I want. Guards who would protect me, die for me even, all because I was a prince."

  "Sounds good to me."

  "But you and Fin, you're my friends. You stuck up for me without knowing who I was. With you I can actually be myself, a person in my own right. That's why you must tell no one."

  "Even though we're in terrible danger?" Luan asked.

  "
Especially so!" Brenn replied. "If people knew, they would insist on me going back, and with the patrol to guard me. They wouldn't care what I wanted. You'd be on your own, and what chance of making it to Cy Malg then? Even Fin would have to come with me, no matter how much he wanted to go with you. He would see it as his duty."

  "Maybe that's how it should be." Luan struggled with the words. "I can take my chances."

  "Even if you could," Brenn continued. "What about Mack and Bridie? They would go with you and you wouldn't be able to stop them. Are you willing for them to sacrifice their lives as well?"

  "No," replied Luan after a long pause. "I couldn't do that."

  "Then things stay as they are. We all go to Cy Malg and you tell no one."

  Luan thought for a minute. "Very well," he said finally. "But you must keep yourself safe. Don't take any risks."

  Brenn smiled. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm not about to start playing the hero!"

  They sat in companionable silence. Above them the wind pulled at the clouds, intermittently allowing shafts of moonlight to break free and splash over the landscape. Almost without volition, Luan broke the silence.

  "Do you think I can win?"

  "Of course!" replied Brenn unhesitatingly.

  "I wish I had your confidence."

  "Look," said Brenn. "I've seen some great swordsman, and you are as quick as any. Then there's that sword of yours, the magic blade..."

  "It's not magic," Luan protested.

  "Well you've got to admit it is pretty special," replied Brenn. "Has it got a name?"

  "A name?"

  "Special swords have to have names," replied Brenn, "it's very heroic."

  "Does your sword have a name?" Luan asked.

  "Not this one" Brenn replied, patting the hilt. "This is just standard issue Klaideem. But my sword at home is called 'Shadowpoint' and she's a beauty."

  "She?"

  "Oh yes, swords are always female," said Brenn in a matter of fact way. Luan reflected on this for a moment before deciding it was best not to question too deeply.