The Pilgrim Stone

by J D Bowens

  “Kyran, lookout!” Consus called. Kyran did not respond, embroiled in the fight before him. Consus rushed forward in boldness. “Kyran!” he called out again. The man turned to him, and Consus realized he was much larger than he initially appeared. Consus tried not to appear afraid.

  By my blood, too late to turn back now.

  The new foe swung his blade at Consus’ head. Consus lifted his own sword to block it, one hand on the hilt and the other on the back of the single-edged blade. Their swords collided with such force it jarred Consus’ hands. Adrenaline kept him steady and alert. He pushed back and forced his opponent to reposition himself and take a step back.

  Consus seized the opportunity and swung his own blade in a horizontal arc. The man lurched backwards just in time as the blade whistled through the air.

  He’s quick and perceptive. The man then lunged forward once more and chopped at Consus who deflected the blow. He roared with anger as his cruel blade hacked into the stone beside Consus and sent wild sparks into the air.

  Consus recalled Kyran’s advice for fighting a larger opponent. Remain on the defensive for now. I’ll wear him out and let him make a mistake. He calmed himself and tried to slow his heart. He didn’t want the adrenaline or the fear of death to control him. He fought the impulse to attack with blind ferocity.

  Several more strikes followed, and Consus defended himself from each blow. As he parried and dodged, he could see the tactic was working. The man’s strikes became slower and erratic. He no longer shouted with his attacks. Consus stepped backwards to Leiwyn and the cave. As the man stepped forward to follow him, he slipped on the wet stone and fell to one knee.

  Ah, here is my chance! Consus thrust his blade forward at the man’s vulnerable chest. The man smiled and leapt to the right. Consus’ sword slipped past him and he realized that the man had feigned the fall. Consus struggled with the momentum of his thrust. He faltered as he stepped back to his defensive stance. But the man was faster.

  He dove forward and plunged his blade into Consus’ abdomen.

  A sharp burning sensation radiated from Consus’ stomach throughout his entire body as he stood impaled on the steel blade. He could feel the blade cut through his back. His body exploded with pain as he gasped for air.

  Oh, gods. He dropped his sword and tried to pull himself from the steel buried in his gut. Get off me! The man grinned at him and wrenched his blade from Consus’ body with little effort.

  Consus collapsed on the stone and clutched at his torn stomach. It was all he could do to hold his organs inside. Blood poured over his fingers from the gash in his gut as the world became cold. He could hear Leiwyn scream, but she seemed so far away. Everything seemed so far away.

  The man now stood over Consus; sword pointed at his throat. “Pitiful,” he said.

  Consus urged himself to rise but his legs would not cooperate, he could not even lift a hand to defend himself.

  A beam of blue light shot from the edge of his vision into the man’s chest. The light dwindled away just as quickly as it had appeared. It left a burning hole in the man's chest. Consus saw the life leave the man’s eyes as he dropped his sword and tumbled down beside him.

  “Stay awake, Consus,” Leiwyn said. She knelt next to him and cradled his head. “You have lost a lot of blood.” She placed her hands around his abdomen near the wound where he had been stabbed. Her hands glowed with a blue aura but only for a moment. The pain in his body faded though only a bit.

  “I do not want to die,” he managed to say. Death loomed over him like a vulture ready to carry his soul into the Veil. He hated himself for not being brave enough to face it. He hated himself for crying.

  “You will not,” Leiwyn said. “I swear it.” Kyran and Ewan appeared in his vision next to Leiwyn; their faces pale with horror. Consus had never seen them so scared before.

  “I’m sorry,” Consus said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t brave. I messed up. He tricked me-”

  “Hush, Consus,” Kyran said. “You’ll be fine I promise. Just a few stitches is all.”

  “Quickly, we must move him into the cave,” Leiwyn said. “I can protect us while you move him.”

  Consus felt himself being lifted in the air, the ground beneath him moved further away. At first, he thought he was dying and groaned in terror as he rose.

  “Steady, Consus,” he heard Kyran say. “We’ll be safe in a bit.”

  He floated towards the dark entrance of the cave, out of the moonlight. The cold shadow of the cave swallowed him. He watched Leiwyn step further up the path. Arrows cascaded around her but did not touch her. They were diverted -as if by wind - into the waves of the sea.

  She lifted her hands with confidence. Several spectacular bolts of light leapt from the palms of her hands. They struck the men who now rushed down the path. They fell as if trees struck by lightning; many tumbled into the sea. Karinne sped by Leiwyn and urged her into the cave.

  Milo ran past them both, stepping on the paper bird as he scurried by. The cave began to shake, and the stone rose up from the ground and sealed the entrance. Consus was carried further into the cave. He saw the elves slip into the cave just as it closed. The light of the moon was gone, and the darkness swallowed them whole.

  Chapter 23

  The cave was dark, but in moments it was illuminated with a dim white light that seemed to come from the curious glowing moss on the stone walls. The torch that Milo held also provided immediate light over Consus’ body.

  Consus felt his brothers lay him on the stone floor. He felt someone take his hand and squeeze it. He tried to hold it but he was so weak, he could scarcely even breathe. A pitiful wheezing escaped his throat as he struggled for air.

  "Stay with me, Consus. Stay awake," Kyran pleaded. His voice was raspy and cracked with desperation. His eyes were bleary and red with tears.

  Consus looked at his belly. He was unable to see the wound, but he could see the torn flesh and severed muscle as his organs rose up. There is nothing to be done, he realized. I do not want to die like this.

  Leiwyn sat down on the ground beside him. Her hand hovered over the wound. “I don’t want to die,” Consus wheezed aloud.

  “Hush, save your breath you’ll be fine,” Kyran said. “I promise you.” Kyran grabbed Leiwyn's arm. "You can cast spells, I saw you. You can do something to save him.”

  Leiwyn bit her lip and nodded. “There is one thing I can try,” she said. “But I have not done this before, and I cannot promise-” She did not finish but took her arm from Kyran’s hand. “Hold him down. What I do may cause him to stir.”

  Consus felt hands hold down his shoulders and his legs. His vision began to fade, but a light tap on the cheek from Ewan kept him awake. “Stay awake, bookworm,” he sobbed. “Can’t lose you too.”

  Consus concentrated as best he could and watched Leiwyn. She placed her hands just above his open wound. The air around her glowed with an intense light. The air was electric as if lightning could strike him at any moment. Goosebumps crept over his skin, and the hair on his arms stood up. He felt his bones and muscle ache throughout his body, and his wound burned like fire. He shook uncontrollably as if he were trying to escape. The hands around him held him down. Someone was screaming. It was his own voice.

  An orb of blue light appeared between Leiwyn's hands. It brightened the cave and painted everything in a blue hue. It descended into his wound. His body stopped shaking as the pain fell away. He saw the ripped skin and severed muscles fold down and stitch themselves back together until the wound was closed. His lungs filled with air and his shallow wheezing gasps became full and deep breathes.

  “Praise Arden,” Leiwyn said.

  “How did you do that?” Consus asked. He managed to prop himself up on his elbows. He looked down at his abdomen to see a pale scar where the wound had once been.

  "You have been saved by the power of Arden," she announced. Her voice was shaky and faint, hardly more than a whisper. "I am afraid that I will need a few mom
ents to rest."

  Consus himself was overwhelmed with exhaustion. He felt himself collapse back to the ground as darkness overtook him.

  Chapter 24

  Synara looked over the edge of the cliff. The moonlight reflected off the water crashing into the rocks below. She thought she could see the bodies of the dead men being hurled about below. The path Malin had described had disappeared just as the entrance had as well.

  “You are a fool, Malin,” she said. He stood beside her rubbing his sweaty hands on his robes. He had a nervous expression on his face.

  “I had not meant to give away our presence,” Malin explained. “I only meant to kill the brothers and capture the elves. I thought we could save ourselves some time and bend them to our will.”

  “You only meant to make yourself look good,” she scolded. Instead, you’ve only exposed us and your stupidity. She stepped away from the cliff, though she considered pushing him over it. “Zamari will not be happy, and I will not take the blame for this.”

  “If you had been here, we would not be in this predicament,” Malin muttered as he skulked behind her.

  Synara ignored him. She could still sense the elf’s power. They were in the cave and had not wandered much further. At least I know where they are.

  Dromedus had ordered men to raise a tent for her. He stood by the entrance waiting for her. “What will we do now?” he asked her. He scowled at Malin before looking back to her.

  Synara bit her lip. “We must tell Zamari what happened here,” she replied. “She will provide instruction.” She entered the tent with Malin and closed the flap behind her. “Cast a ward about the tent so no one can hear her from outside.”

  Malin nodded and did as she said. Retrieving the silver bowl from her sack, she placed it on the ground, knelt before it and filled it with water. As Malin sat beside her, she recited the spell and dragged her finger along the rim. The water rippled, and Zamari’s reflection replaced Synara’s.

  “What news do you have for me, child?” Zamari asked.

  “We have found the elves and the hidden sanctuary, Mistress,” Synara said. She choked wondering how to tell her what Malin had done. “But I fear we may have lost them when we alerted them of our presence.”

  Zamari’s face darkened, and thin steam rose from the water. “Why were they alerted? You were not to intercept them until they had retrieved the Pilgrim Stone for us.” Synara looked at Malin, waiting for him to speak.

  “Mistress, it was my decision to follow after them,” Malin said. “I -er was afraid of losing them as they disappeared underground. I sent some soldiers to follow, but they were so clumsy they gave themselves away.”

  “Why would you do what I expressly forbade?” Zamari roared. The water in the bowl began to boil until her image could not be seen. Only her voice could be heard. “What made you disobey me?”

  Malin gulped as beads of sweat dripped down his head. “Mistress, what I did was for our father-” His mouth closed suddenly by some invisible force. Synara watched in horror as his face was pulled down towards the boiling water and held just above it. He screamed wordlessly through his closed mouth.

  “Do you think I am not aware of your thoughts?” Zamari questioned. “You are an impudent little weasel who seeks self-glory. Our lord does look favorably on ambition, but he despises failure. And you have failed miserably.”

  Malin was thrown backwards through the flap and out of the tent. Synara turned her attention back to the bowl. The boiling water reduced to a simmer and Zamari’s face returned.

  “I can still sense their presence,” Synara said. “They have not yet moved from the cave.” Zamari nodded as she appeared to consider her words. Synara could hear Malin gasping and whimpering outside the tent.

  “They will still retrieve the Stone,” Zamari said. “Otherwise, they will have come this far for nothing. The elves will not leave without it, I’m sure. Continue to follow them and once you have the Stone kill them.”

  Synara nodded but before she could dismiss the spell something happened. What is that I sense? Goosebumps pricked up on her arm and her scalp tingled with electricity. The divina magic inside the cave had suddenly become stronger. Has the elf become more powerful than I realized? No, something else had occurred.

  “What is it, Synara?” Zamari asked. “What is happening?”

  “Mistress, I believe there is another person inside the cave who wields divina magic,” she said. “I only just sensed it. There are two people inside the cave with divina magic.”

  The simmering water became still, and Zamari smiled. “A new gifted one?”

  “Yes.” Synara could not discern who the newly gifted one was. It couldn’t be the other elf. She was too old to be discovering her magic. “I think it is one of the men.”

  “You can use your gift to follow them from outside the cave, yes?” Synara nodded vigorously. “Bring that one to me alive. We shall see what sort of Blessing divina magic has given him.” Synara frowned but dared not question her mistress. “The newly gifted are open channels, child. We can turn him to our purpose to serve us. We will soon need someone to replace Malin.”

  Synara nodded and shook with nervousness. “Yes, of course. What should be done of Malin now?”

  “He shall continue to cooperate and obey you. You should have little trouble with him now. Return with him after you’ve retrieved the Pilgrim Stone and the new one. I shall tend to Malin personally.”

  Synara nodded and dismissed herself from the tent. She stepped out to see Malin still writhing on the ground. She felt an odd sense of satisfaction in watching him whimper and pick himself up. She walked towards Dromedus who stood with the remaining soldiers far away from the tent. None had approached to aid Malin.

  “What did Zamari say?” Dromedus asked.

  “We will continue our pursuit,” Synara said. “They will still try to retrieve the stone. Once we have it we are to kill them all but one of the brothers. He bears Arden’s blessing. Zamari wishes to take him prisoner.”

  “Alive?” Malin muttered. Synara glared at him, and he fell silent.

  Zamari was right. He won’t argue anymore.

  Chapter 25

  The Repository was in the basement of the imposing edifice of Manaan Hall. It was the oldest building still standing in Anidrack. Turquoise and red domes gilded in gold sat atop the large stone structures adjoined to a central turret that rose from the building’s center. The rough sand colored stone was a testament to its history and strong architecture.

  Altin waited until twilight when most of the students left the hall empty. A few ambitious minds remained to prepare spells, studying notes, and tracking experiments. His boot heels clicked against the colorful tiles of the corridor and echoed ahead and behind him.

  Turning down a spiral flight of stairs, Altin came upon the entrance of the Repository. A large iron gate greeted him, its bars welded and aligned in an enormous five-pointed star. Beyond the gate stood a giant suit of armor. Its empty helmet stared at Altin.

  "Greetings, Keeper," Altin said.

  "The Repository is closed," the Keeper said.

  "I am here with permission from the Archmage Valderma." He held up the signet ring on his finger. I suppose I should not expect a warm greeting from a steel golem. The Keeper appeared to examine the ring for a moment and then nodded his approval. "You are to answer all my questions. Do you understand?"

  The armored head nodded once more. The gears and cogs grinded as they lifted the iron gate. He entered, and the gate closed behind him. The Repository was lit by row after row of glowing chandeliers that hung high overhead. A large red carpet divided the room, running from the entrance to the Deep Vault at the opposite end of the Repository. "Keeper I will be investigating the vault. I request that you detour from your usual patrol and follow me."

  The steel helmet nodded. Altin walked to the other end of the room following a large red carpet. Bookshelves lined the walls and reached toward the ceiling. Tomes of vario
us sizes and colors rested on their shelves. An odd assortment of items was carefully arranged throughout the room on either side of the carpet. A rack of wands and staffs rested beside a suit of scale armor. At Altin's right stood a number of ivory statues of grotesque demons housed in cages. He walked by them casually but eyed a sword floating in the air, chained to the ground with great caution.

  Most enchanted artifacts in the Repository were harmless, but some were dangerous and even deadly. Yet it was common for teachers to escort students to the Repository to exhibit the powers of enchantment.

  The Deep Vault was a black steel door that stood within the stone wall. It was adorned with thick bolts along the mullions. Several deadbolts and locks held it closed and the lack of a handle made it impossible for any normal person to open. There were also the five layers of wards, one from each college, placed upon the door to keep it from being opened by any abnormal person.

  Only the deans of each college know how to disarm each ward. Even with a powerful ward eating spell, how could anyone hope to get past all five of them?

  The air around the door seemed to shimmer. With his True Eye, Altin could see the wards upon the door. He examined them closely, looking for evidence of tampering. His hands, floating just above the wards, traced the frame of the door.

  Even the most careful of thieves leave some evidence of their presence. "Keeper, I will be placing my hand upon the door to check the other side of the wards."

  "You may do so," the Keeper said.

  Altin placed his hand upon the door. It passed through the shimmering air and wards harmlessly. He could not use any magic on the door unless he wanted to risk the loss of his hand. I can sense the condition of the wards without one. Aha! There it is.

  There was a small crack in the protection on the door, a ward eating spell. But it’s source is coming from inside the vault. Someone had managed to sneak a spell into the Deep Vault to destroy the door and the wards. How had they managed to get past the wards? And if they had managed to get the spell past the ward, had they already taken what they needed from the Deep Vault?