The Dieya Chronicles - Incident on Ravar
Page 14
CHAPTER 12
Dieya knew this was the place. He could feel its malignancy. He stood at the edge of a small bowl-shaped valley. Torbu caves peppered the surrounding cliffs. This dark node was bigger than the one he’d found in the meadow – and tremendously powerful. It was losing its invisibility but had yet to become a pulsing blood-red pustule. More than just the emanations from the node filled him with dread. “No wonder the Torbu left their homes with this sitting in front of them.”
Hotnac crouched and looked into the valley. “You can see a heat shimmer against the sky that shouldn’t be there,” he said.
Watcher-Who-Comes nodded. “Yes, this is the bad place. And it is very strong. We must be careful.”
Susnac grunted. “I see nothing.”
“Look,” said Hotnac. “You can see a heat shimmer only over the valley, nowhere else. There is something there.”
“You see because of something you do not see?” Susnac exclaimed, scratching his head.
“Yes,” said Hotnac, grinning at Watcher-Who-Comes who returned his smile. Hotnac’s grin faded. “I can see something that looks like a spot of hot air. How can that be dangerous?”
Dieya pursed his lips. “It is very dangerous. Soon it will be a pink haze then a thick red blob. It will draw all the evil in the area to it.” He puffed out a disheartened breath. “Stay here. I must get nearer to gauge its center.” He walked toward the shimmering area, arms spread. After several hundred feet he stopped and glanced at the amulet strapped to the leather band around his forearm. Dieya walked parallel to the node and once again spread his arms. Repeating the motion, he continued to circle the valley.
Hotnac and Susnac watched for awhile but soon grew bored.
“I have never seen a Torbu cave,” said Susnac, gazing down.
“I’m sure a Torbu cave is a hole filled with drak,” said Hotnac. “Stay away from them.” He sat down under the shade of a rock and leaned back. The long walk and the hot sun had made him drowsy, and against his will, his eyes closed. He snapped awake with a start when Watcher-Who-Comes kicked his foot.
“I have finished my work,” said Dieya. The worry lines on his face had grown deeper. “Let us return to the tribe. I will then use my magic to destroy this thing.” He glanced around. “Where is Susnac?” he asked.
Hotnac rose and yelled, “Susnac!”
Dieya grabbed Hotnac’s arm. “Let us look for him rather than alerting everyone that we are here.”
Hotnac’s face blossomed a darker green in shame.
As they reached the cliff edge, Susnac emerged from a Torbu cave below.
“Susnac, don’t move!” yelled Dieya, urgency replacing caution. Almost in answer to his warning, Susnac took a step and slipped on the gravel outside the cave. He slid down the slope toward the valley floor.
“Susnac!” yelled his brother. Susnac’s feet drove furiously, trying to climb up the slope, but it only loosened more gravel and sent him sliding further downward. On all fours, he tried running up the shale embankment only to once again slide closer to the node.
The air buzzed as if a thousand insects were loose. Susnac’s hair and loincloth flowed backwards, pulled by a strong force. His fangs ground together as his feet dug into the loose ground. His eyes were wide with panic.
Dieya and Hotnac quickly climbed down to the cave opening. A force pulled them like a strong wind toward the node. Dieya’s feet were slipping and he grabbed onto a rock. “Hotnac, take my hand and reach down!” Hotnac grabbed his hand and extended his war club to Susnac. Susnac stretched up for the club, his hand inches away.
“Grab it!” yelled Hotnac.
Susnac lunged but missed and slid ten feet down the loose rock. Suddenly, he was lifted up and yanked backward. He hung in the air, thrashing wildly against the energies holding him. “Hotnac!” he screamed. Susnac was sucked further into the node, his arms and legs forced backward until he was spread-eagled. He began to glow red, encased by a shimmering force.
Hotnac lunged toward his brother but Dieya held onto his hand.
Hotnac tried to pull away. “Watcher-Who-Comes, help Susnac!” he pleaded.
“It is already too late!” Dieya said, holding fast to Hotnac.
Susnac screamed a soul-wrenching cry that tore at the hearts of both man and Morgur.
Dieya pulled Hotnac backward and grabbed the war club from his hand. Hurling it like a dagger, the club split Susnac’s head like a melon.
Hotnac stared in shock. Dieya spun him around and shook him hard. “That thing would eat Susnac’s soul for days. It is the most horrible death you can imagine. What I did for Susnac I would beg any Morgur to do for me!”
Dieya dragged Hotnac up the slope then placed an arm around his shoulders and led him away from the ridge. “Let us go. We must tell the clan what has happened. Then I must make magic to destroy this thing.”
Hotnac pulled Watcher-Who-Comes’ hand away from his shoulder and straightened. He looked back to see Susnac’s remains dissolving like mist blown by a wind. He turned away and stared at Watcher-Who-Comes, a hard look coming into his eyes. “Watcher-Who-Comes, can you kill this monster? Tell Hotnac true!”
Dieya returned his gaze. “Yes, Hotnac, I can kill this monster. It will take time, and I must gather my spells.”
“Then Watcher-Who-Comes must fight this thing now! I will tell the tribe of Susnac’s passing and of the demon in this valley. Go, Watcher-Who-Comes, and kill this thing!”
“I will accompany you to the clan caves first,” said Dieya.
“No!” Hotnac clenched his fist and raised his arm. “You must kill this thing as soon as you can… For the tribe…” He looked back to the ridge. “For Susnac.” He lowered his arm and his eyes. “I will be all right in the returning.”
Dieya studied Hotnac’s determined expression. “Yes, I will go.” He stepped back a few feet from Hotnac. “Go safely, my friend.” Dieya touched the amulet on his arm and with a flash of blue light, he was gone.
Hotnac looked at the empty space where Watcher-Who-Comes had been standing, then back toward the valley. For the first time in his life he was alone. He gathered his supplies and started the long walk home.