Sanctuary

by Nally, Fergal F

  Sagramatha spoke. "I have heard of this Rhapsody Spell. It was used by the Fey when the Erthe was young and their numbers small. Even then it was only used a handful of times. How do you know of it angel? Your kind was not here in the time of Faerie. How do you know you can use it?"

  Rafael shrugged. "Truth is dragon I don't know if I'll be able to use it. I have knowledge of the Fey and the Feyde and have spoken with the spirits of Faerie. I can walk between worlds. If I do not know then I can ask those who do. Knowledge is a constant. Are you prepared to take a risk for your race and support me in defeating the Magisters?"

  Sagramatha shifted his bulk and spat a great fireball in the air as if to seal the pact. "I will support you in your fight against these thrall users. Call when you need me; I will hear. Your heartbeat and mine are now joined. If I die, you die. I have enchanted your heart with dragon breath. You cannot escape this until our deal is done. I will leave you now. Call Sagramatha when the killing is to be done."

  The dragon pulled away and stretched out his giant wings. He was gone in seconds. Rafael was left stretched out on the rock. He tried to stand but his legs buckled underneath him. He needed restoration and prayer. He knew Luana would need more than prayer. He forced himself to stand, putting his trust in his wings; they had never failed him before. They reached out into the air and took him into the sky.

  Rafael's wings bore him back to Luana. They were scorched by dragon fire and glimmered a deep purple against his white skin. He looked fearsome in the moonlight. He found Luana where he had left her, still asleep. She was cold, too cold. He picked her up in his arms and flew away from the Dragon Perches, down towards the warmer valleys below. There he would find warmth, shelter and food.

  There he would plan the next move in the war against the Magisters.

  CHAPTER 20

  Seven

  "Ducet's still there!" Willow jumped from the tree and pointed down the trail. "Come on, food and friends await."

  It had taken them all afternoon to reach the small cove. Willow knew the way and kept the pace up for fear of missing Ducet.

  Elias and Moose pushed on after the youth and his dog. They had been lucky to have Willow and Rip on their side, thought Elias. He would never have been able to negotiate the dense forest and would certainly have lost his way. He was not used to this type of forest. Everything seemed unfamiliar and out to kill him. Strange insects, plants with leaves like small blades. He could not wait to return to the mainland even with its undead.

  They stumbled down the steep hillside into the sheltered cove and emerged onto the sandy beach. They saw two skiffs on the shore and a chain of men loading supplies from a cache just within the tree line. One of the guards spotted them and shouted to the others; everyone turned to watch their approach.

  Six muskets were levelled at them.

  "It's Willow. It's me; I'm back. Don't shoot!"

  Rip ran up to the men barking happily, his tail wagging.

  "Aye, it's the young 'un right enough, an 'is mangy dug," a bearded pirate said.

  "Where you been? Who're these two ugly bastards?" One of the others declared.

  Willow spoke. "This's Moose and this's Elias. Ducet sent me on a mission. We've come to report back and get the hell away from here." He ran over to the pirates, fell to his knees and held Rip back, calming the dog.

  The bearded man scratched his chin and spat on the ground. "Aye. Well you'd better report to the cap'n. She's on the Skald. We'll be finished here soon. Make yerself useful and help with the loading."

  Willow and the others joined in cramming the skiffs with water and supplies. Then they pushed them into the water with the other men and headed out to the Skald, moored in the bay. As they came nearer, Elias could see that one of the vessels was damaged badly and was listing to one side. She was deep in the water and there was feverish activity on board. Crew and supplies were being transferred from the damaged ship to Ducet's ship.

  They climbed up the rope ladders and onto the deck. Willow went in search of Ducet to update her. Elias and Moose were hungry and thirsty. They were given dried meat, bread and ale by one of the crew. They found a quiet place near the prow and tucked into their meal. The loading of supplies carried on unabated.

  "Looks as if we just made it," Moose said. "There's no more activity on the beach."

  "They must've been in some fight, look at the damage that ship took. That'll be Magister guns." Elias pointed.

  "Poor buggers; back at Stedfastgate. They'll be dead now or as good as," Moose declared.

  "Aye, slaves to thrall magic. As good as dead."

  A shadow fell over the two men. They looked up. Ducet stood in front of them, her shapely form silhouetted by the sun. They blinked against the glare, holding up their hands to shade their eyes.

  Moose spoke. "Good to see you again captain. Elias, meet Captain Ducet. Last time you met you were out cold in the infirmary."

  Elias stood and offered his hand. "Well met captain. Thank you for taking us. We were just in time. Looks as if you're about to set sail."

  Ducet sized him up then spoke. "You were lucky. Willow did his job well. Luana was successful in finding the angel and you, I see, have had some remarkable good fortune," she indicated his face.

  Elias put his hand to his chin. "Yes, I don’t quite know what happened…"

  Moose broke in. "We heard Magister cannons; Stedfastgate took a beating. What of your brother Fingal?"

  "I took a chance. I couldn't leave him. He's on board. He would've wanted to be in the fight anyway, and he was, in a way."

  Moose nodded. "Where are you planning to go? It looks as if you've lost one ship already, " he indicated the Skelter, now listing heavily to port.

  "Aye she's sinking. She served us well. We do not have the time to repair her so we're taking everything useful and we'll scuttle her. It'll only be a matter of time before they find us. Keep on moving… it's the key to survival in this war."

  "So it's back to the mainland then?" Moose asked.

  Ducet looked strangely at him. "No, we're bringing the fight to the Magisters. They've taken Stedfastgate from us. We're going to settle this, the pirate way. In blood. I'm going to lead them to the Maze. Once there, they will bleed." Ducet looked away, fire in her eyes.

  Elias gave Moose a look. Moose nodded. "We'll be honoured to fight with you captain. If you'll take us."

  Ducet returned his gaze. "Glad to have you on board. Whatever Luana has up her sleeve better be good. We're nothing but a side show out here, but a thorn in their side nevertheless. We'll take as many of them with us as we can. Go below, get some rest; you look like death. We set sail for the Maze in the hour."

  Elias was about to ask about the Maze but thought better of it and let Ducet go. She walked away issuing orders to her crew as she went.

  "She means business," Moose said.

  "I wonder what this Maze is?"

  Moose grunted. "Sounds ominous. All in good time, my friend. Let's do as ordered and get some kip. Who knows when we'll get the chance again."

  The two men finished their meal and went below deck. There they lay back in their hammocks, closed their eyes and were asleep in minutes.

  They did not wake, even when the Skald left the shelter of the cove and entered the swells of the Storm Sea.

  ~

  Clouds gathered over the river system. The prayers for rain had been heard. The Magisters gathered round their leader, Magister Nix. She held the Raven Heart, an intense green light shone from its depths. She was seconds away from the Rhapsody Spell. Bones lay scattered on the ground at her feet.

  The last few days had been a blur of killing and preparations. Her brothers and sisters had done well. The death toll in Numibar had been the tipping point and the resulting spirit energy harnessed by her thrall magic had allowed her to access the Rhapsody weave through the Raven Heart. It was simpler than she thought. There was no need for any other race now, just her kind and her long dead love, Aneurin; the Serp
ent of Chaos.

  They had retreated to the great river system. Twelve rivers, all draining the Erthe at World's End. It was here Erthe magic was richest. Unlimited power. Unlimited potential. They had seen this place from the heavens when they had first come to this realm so long ago. Now was their time, it had all led to this.

  Magister Nix stood in the cave system, below the waterfalls. Millions of tonnes of water fell before her all along the five-mile cliff face that created the falls. The drop was sheer and the cliffs stood three thousand feet high. Clouds shrouded the falls as the land fell away. The roar of the water was deafening.

  Nix was one with her brothers and sisters. She felt alive.

  She looked down at the scattering of bones; all that remained of her love. He had succumbed to a strange sickness when they had first arrived. She had been bereft, grief stricken for so long. It was this that focused her all these years; to find and harness the magic of this place, to learn, grow and finally discover the key to life.

  She had done it.

  Nix stood in her birth skin. Her dark scales glistened in the damp air. Her eyes were covered with a white protective film and red bony ridges stood out on her forehead and bare skull. She wore iridium ear decorations in memory of her home world. It had been so long, she had almost forgotten what home looked like. Her red mane flowed and rippled down her back. All eyes of the inner circle were on her.

  She reached within herself and knew the moment had come. Clutching the Raven Heart to her chest, she spoke the words to herself and released her spirit. She felt the Heart pull towards her chest and her hands assisted it. On touching her flesh, it burned and pain shot through her. The pain was good, she smiled. The Raven Heart pierced her ribs and vanished within. A soft green glow emanated from her body.

  Nix felt the Raven Heart grip and merge with her own heart and felt its power. She fell to her knees and let out a silent scream. She plunged her hands in amongst the bones. She willed life back into them and felt the familiar tingling of magic along her spine. She needed to fracture time for the briefest of moments for the Rhapsody Spell to work.

  The light in her chest burned intensely, energy crackled along her fingertips and her lips. The bones turned to dust and fell away from her. She threw herself on the ground and felt Erthe energy surge through her. Her kin held the circle, knowing not to interfere. Dust settled around her face and mouth. She blinked twice, three times and breathed, inhaling the dust deep into her lungs.

  Nix could feel warmth bursting through her. A voice exploded in her consciousness.

  "Bow your head and join with me. We shall be together."

  Nix fought the desire to open her eyes; she obeyed the command from the other side, from her love. Minutes passed, she felt the old feelings return. Feelings of love, hope and passion. A glow held her body, green and intense as the Rhapsody Spell took hold. She felt something walk inside her, across her spirit, something entering her, using her as a door. Then it left her and she felt empty again. She wept; doubt crept into her heart.

  A hand took hers.

  "Open your eyes Nix. I am back. By your side. I have returned. You have overcome death, you have tricked time."

  Nix opened her eyes and saw the hand that held hers. She looked up and into the eyes of her love, Anurein. It was true. He was flesh and blood. The Rhapsody Spell had worked. Her heart sang and a smile ghosted her lips.

  Outside, the waterfall plunged from the cliffs. Shadows danced along the horizon.

  A storm was brewing in the south.

  ~

  "Luana, you don't have to come." Rafael looked into the young woman's eyes.

  "I want to come. I've done and seen so much. It just feels as if I need to be there. The voice of the Guardian came to me again last night. One of your number has fallen. One called Satkir; his essence is carried by another, a soldier called Travin. The Guardian was distressed. Time is running out. Things are now out of control. He sounded lost, hopeless."

  "I know, I've sensed it too. He has a name you know; Calim Dove and he works for the Magister leader, Nix. I've been able to connect with him. He's right, we need to act now." Rafael stood at the edge of the precipice and looked back at Luana.

  "The only way to join with me to reach the other dimensions is to take a leap of faith with me. Are you prepared to do this? If there is any doubt in your mind you will die." Rafael's eyes bored into her skull, unforgiving.

  "I've been living on borrowed time all my life. Moose and I have been dead since the avalanche. I've been dead inside for a long time now; so many scars." Luana looked up. "I'm ready."

  Rafael nodded and took her hand. He tucked his wings away and said his last words to her.

  "Close your eyes and believe."

  Rafael and Luana leant forwards and fell. Their bodies dropped like stones into the vast sinkhole in the Erthe's crust. Luana could feel terror surge through her, followed by a deep calm. Her hand held Rafael's tightly. Her eyes were closed. Wind tore at her hair and then abruptly stopped. A sense of weightlessness took her.

  She opened her eyes.

  Luana was not expecting what she saw. She stood on a beach of watery light; above her were countless shimmering stars. She was not dead. Her body was not crushed at the bottom of the sinkhole. She was somewhere in between dimensions, with Raphael. Her mind grappled with the sight. She did what she always did; accepted and focused on the present.

  Rafael was staring at the horizon, his wings outstretched. His lips were moving although she could not hear his words. Finally, he folded his wings and looked at her. Strain lined his face; he was exhausted.

  "I've reached them. The Seven are coming."

  Luana felt lightness in her heart. No matter what happened now, she knew she had done her best. She was prepared to die, whatever that meant. She had seen things no one should see.

  She had never felt more alive.

  Something caught her eye. A cloud on the horizon; followed by another. Her eyes tracked them and as they came near, she saw they were not clouds but birds. Seven flocks of white birds weaving, dancing through the sky.

  The flocks reached a point, then joined, swarming in a silent dance. She looked on fascinated; it reminded her of the starlings she had watched for hours as a child.

  Then the birds approached and flew around them; a swirl of beating feathers. She did not feel threatened or afraid. Instead, she felt one with the flock as if they reached out to her, protecting her. The birds flew faster, becoming blurred. A soft glow filled the air, Luana blinked. The birds were gone and in their place, the Seven stood before her.

  They wore white robes, swords at their waists. They looked at Rafael with piercing blue eyes apart from one; a woman, her eyes, a dazzling green. Silence stretched out between them.

  Luana held her breath and watched.

  Finally, one of the Seven spoke. "Why does our brother call us to this place?"

  Rafael took a step forwards.

  "The ancient evil has returned and threatens the Erthe and her children. She has need of us. Sagramatha is with us this time. A deal has been struck. There is much to tell, let us commune."

  The Seven closed their eyes and bowed their heads in silence. Luana sat and waited. The sky twinkled in an explosion of colour above. Shooting stars burst across the heavens. Luana thought she could stay at peace there for a long time. She felt safe in the company of these angels.

  Finally, the Seven raised their heads and opened their eyes. Rafael turned to Luana and spoke.

  "Luana, this is Gabriel, Michael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel, Saraqael and Ananiel." Rafael indicated each in turn and they bowed their heads to her. The woman, Ananiel, smiled at Luana and pulled her hood off to reveal a shock of red hair.

  Ananiel approached Luana, watched by the others. She held out her hand and Luana took it.

  "I am Ananiel. I'm your guardian for the path ahead. You'll need to have shelter for the storm to come, for come it will and when it does the Erthe will tremble."
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br />   Uriel nodded. "The Erthe will stand or fall in the coming days. It has been foretold, it is the reckoning of this age. Evil has returned; it is the cyclical nature of creation. We'll bring light to the darkness. Light and death. We'll release the darkness to take its place among the stars, back to where it belongs."

  The others watched Luana's reaction. She remained impassive, inscrutable. Then she realised she was expected to speak.

  "We'll bring the fight to the Magisters. We'll do the opposite of what they expect. We'll not underestimate our enemy; that way lies defeat. We'll not split our force; that way lies weakness. We'll have one chance, we need to cut out the heart of the beast and its body will die. We need to cut out the heart of Magister Nix. Spilling her lifeblood is the only way to end this."

  Rafael nodded. The Seven murmured. Then the talking began in earnest. Gradually, a plan formed. They spoke and tore it apart, exposing its flaws, then rebuilt it stronger than before. They searched for new flaws and so the process continued. Luana thought her head would burst with the ideas and nuances presented. She lay down and closed her eyes whilst the others discussed and readied their strategy.

  Luana knew she was dreaming. She found herself in a garden. The trees were tall, ancient. She felt wisdom in the air, a presence. A voice broke the silence from behind.

  "You know of course, it is you who has to cut out the Magister Queen's heart."

  Luana turned and saw Ananiel standing on the manicured grass; her long flaming hair fell about her shoulders and down her back. Her green eyes held Luana's gaze. Something moved within Luana. She felt empty; she felt desolation. She knew what was coming.

  "A life for a life. Your life is forfeit to this task. Once Magister Nix becomes immortal using the Rhapsody Spell her life cannot be taken by a fellow immortal. Perversely, her life can only be taken by a mortal. It's the cycle of things. Light and dark, love and hate, mortality and immortality.