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DDDDD ZZZZZZ //
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D D AAAA RRR GGGG OOOO NN N Z I NN N EEEE ||
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D D A A R R G O O N N N Z I N N N E || Volume 14
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-=========================================================+<OOOOOOOOO>|)
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D D AAAA RRR G GG O O N N N Z I N N N E || Number 4
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DDDDD A A R R GGGG OOOO N NN ZZZZZZ I N NN EEEE ||
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\\
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\
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========================================================================
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DargonZine Distributed: 4/28/2001
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Volume 14, Number 4 Circulation: 744
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========================================================================
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Contents
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Editorial Ornoth D.A. Liscomb
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Secrets of the Spirit Mark Murray and Sy 1017
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Rena Deutsch
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Spirits Jim Owens Yule 3, 1017
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Undermined Hope Mark A. Murray 1016
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========================================================================
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DargonZine is the publication vehicle of the Dargon Project, a
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collaborative group of aspiring fantasy writers on the Internet.
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We welcome new readers and writers interested in joining the project.
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Please address all correspondence to <dargon@shore.net>or visit us
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on the World Wide Web at http://www.dargonzine.org/, or our FTP site at
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ftp://users.primushost.com/members/d/a/dargon/. Issues and public
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discussions are posted to the Usenet newsgroup rec.mag.dargon.
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DargonZine 14-4, ISSN 1080-9910, (C) Copyright April, 2001 by
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the Dargon Project. Editor: Ornoth D.A. Liscomb <ornoth@shore.net>,
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Assistant Editor: Jon Evans <godling@mnsinc.com>. All rights reserved.
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All rights are reassigned to the individual contributors. Stories
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and artwork appearing herein may not be reproduced or redistributed
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without the explicit permission of their creators, except in the case
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of freely reproducing entire issues for further distribution.
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Reproduction of issues or any portions thereof for profit is forbidden.
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========================================================================
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Editorial
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by Ornoth D.A. Liscomb
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<ornoth@shore.net>
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Regardless of whether or not you pay much attention to who writes
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the stories that appear in DargonZine, I'd like you to take a moment to
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join me in recognizing one of our heroes: Mark Murray.
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After six years with us, Mark has decided to leave the project, and
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his stories which appear in this issue will be the last he sees through
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to publication. I've already written quite a bit about Mark's history
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with the project in DargonZine 11-9's Editorial, which highlights
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several of his accomplishments: being one of our most prolific writers,
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as well as contributing to the project by establishing our new writer
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mentoring program, helping create new maps of Dargon, and hosting our
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2000 Writers' Summit.
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But beyond all these things, I'd like to celebrate a different kind
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of contribution that Mark has made. At a time when our new writers
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sometimes feel that their creativity is hindered by the rules we've
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adopted and a huge body of existing knowledge about Dargon, Mark
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represents an eloquent counter-argument. In a short time, he's been
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remarkably successful at introducing new characters and places to
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Dargon, integrating them with the rest of the milieu, and encouraging
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other writers to make use of those new elements. But what's noteworthy
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isn't the quantity of things he's written into the Dargon milieu, but
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their consistent quality. His characters are interesting people whom
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we'd like to hear more about, and they've become integral members of the
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Dargon cast.
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There are lots of examples that should be familiar to you. Mark's
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most extensive storyline has been the long-running series about Raphael
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and his curse-bearing wife, Megan. Along the way, we've also been
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introduced to Anam, the wolf they befriended, their streetwise sidekick
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Lylle, and the memorable team of Merrif the wizard and Niatha, his
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magical familiar.
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Mark also has written a series of stories following two young boys,
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Matthew and Ben, as they learn about life in Dargon, and in doing so
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Mark has created the widely-known brotherhood of urchins called the
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shadow boys.
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He has, interestingly enough, given us both Dargon's best and worst
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taverns. These inns have been widely used by other writers, and thus
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should be readily recognized. Spirit's Haven, where Raphael and Megan
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stayed for a time, is run by a kindly woman named May. At the other end
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of the spectrum is the Shattered Spear, whose owners Jamis and Jahlena
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are notorious for their dealings in prostitution, extortion, and many
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other types of unsavory behavior.
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Most recently, Mark took the point in creating a town called
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Northern Hope, which was founded by refugees fleeing their
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Beinison-occupied homeland. Mark's "Undermined Hope" in this issue, as
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well as his "Beginning Morals" which appeared in our previous issue, are
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the first two stories to use this location, setting the groundwork for
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another way for our writers to collaborate and learn from one another.
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So although Mark wrote a lot and undertook a number of side
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projects to help DargonZine thrive, I think the thing that really makes
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him one of our heroes is his demonstrated knack for coming up with
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memorable characters and places, and his enthusiasm for sharing those
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creations with DargonZine's readers as well as his fellow writers.
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Dargon is a vastly richer place because of the contributions his stories
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have made over the years, and we'll miss his presence going forward.
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========================================================================
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Secrets of the Spirit
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by Mark Murray and Rena Deutsch
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<Mashudo@netzero.net> and <Rena3@hotmail.com>
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Dargon, Sy 1017
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The rat stood on its hind legs and looked around. Acrid smells
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wafting on the night breeze caused the rat to sniff and look into the
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wind. Intelligence flared up in its eyes, however, and it dropped down
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and ran across the alley.
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Staying close to a wall, it ran down the street only to stop
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suddenly in front of an inn. Looking up, the rat saw a hanging sign with
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letters and a picture. Two men walked towards the door and stopped
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before going inside. Normally, the rat would have run, but something
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else controlled it, and it stood there silently looking at the letters
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on the sign: Spirit's Haven.
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"Dumb rat," one man said. "Ought to have 'nuff sense ta run."
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The rat squeaked as the words penetrated its brain and were
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transmitted across the town into the one who controlled it. He was too
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late to respond, though.
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A swift boot came down. Crunch. The man across town flung himself
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backwards in his chair. "Augh!" he screamed, holding his head between
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both hands. Breathing wildly, he rocked back and forth until the pain
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cascading throughout his brain settled to a dull throb. "I have got to
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remember," he wheezed, "to not pick things that are easily killed."
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He reached out with one hand and gripped a long, rune-covered staff
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that stood of its own accord next to his chair. Blue lightning crackled
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along the staff, traveled up his arm, and jolted into his eyes. He
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gasped, bunched his muscles, and then relaxed. "If not for magic ..." he
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sighed.
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Leaning forward, he gazed into a round glass sphere on a table in
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front of him. "Once more into the darkness, old friend," he whispered.
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The globe swirled with colors and cleared with a view of the inn. "Time
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is of the essence. I can't spare any to find a suitable host. Show me
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the nearest creature." The picture in the globe moved as if some person
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were walking around the inn. There, one building down on the same street
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stood a rat.
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"Not another one," he sighed in disgust. "Why is there always a rat
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around when you don't want one? Straight! As long as I keep a watch out
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for people, I should be fine." Looking at the rat, the room around him
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faded away. He swept down to the street and into the rodent.
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Looking around, the rat saw no one. It ran as fast as its short
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legs could carry it to the door of the inn. Unfortunately, there was no
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opening for it to enter. Running around the building to the back, it
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found the back door. Sprinting past small heaps of garbage, it ran
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straight for the slightly open door. It hit the opening like it was a
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brick wall. The rat bounced backwards and rolled into the alley. While
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there was space to enter, something had kept the rat out. Shaking its
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head and looking closely at the inn, the rat squealed.
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"Interesting," the man replied as he leaned back into his chair.
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"There is more to this inn than I thought."
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"Oh, Nai," Simona said. "Someone's killed a rat." She stepped out
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away from it as if it might jump up at any time and scare her. She
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brushed her long black hair back away from her eyes.
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"If it was looking for a haven, it was headed in the right
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direction," Kal said, pointing ahead of them at the inn. His long arms
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ended in hands with long, slender fingers. Matched to that was a frame
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that bordered on skinny. "Spirit's Haven," he said. "I wonder just how
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true that is?"
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"Everyone names their inn with some phrase out of the ordinary.
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They do that to attract people into their inns. It's good business
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sense," Nai answered. The ex-smith had not lost any of his muscular
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build even though it had been years since he had worked at the forge.
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"Come then, let's walk past the dead and find a haven for our
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spirits," Simona replied.
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"She has a way with words," Kal chuckled and followed her.
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"She's a bard," Nai said, shrugging and walking behind Kal.
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Simona shifted the pack on her back and reached for the lever to
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open the door. Stepping in, she took a quick look around. It was quiet
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inside, only a few people were seated at the tables. A large woman was
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serving a guest. Simona noticed a kind look on her face as this woman
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approached the group.
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"Welcome to Spirit's Haven," the woman greeted them. "I'm May. I
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own and run this here inn. What brings ya here?"
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"We're looking for a place to sleep for the night," Kal answered.
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"Do you have any rooms for my traveling companions and me?"
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"I have two rooms," May said and guided them to a table. "Be
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seated, while I get ya rooms ready. Would ya like something to drink and
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eat while ya wait?"
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"I'll have some ale," Kal said.
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"I'll have one, too," Nai added and sat down heavily on the chair.
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Simona pushed a chair closer to the table, dropped her pack to the
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floor, and slid onto the chair. "I'll have some spiced wine," she said.
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"Ale, ale, and wine," May repeated as she left to get the drinks.
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The three settled into the chairs in quiet relaxation.
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May returned with the drinks and placed a tankard in front of each
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of her guests. "If ya want food, there's a few barmaids runnin' around.
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Get one and let her know. I'll have someone get the rooms ready for ya."
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"Thank you, May," Simona said with a smile. Suddenly, she felt
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overtired and wanted to go to sleep immediately. She leaned back in her
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chair and closed her eyes. The face of a woman with red hair and green
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eyes appeared in her mind. She had seen this face many times before and
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had no problems identifying it: it belonged to her sister Megan. Ever
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since she had been separated from her twin, she'd seen the face in her
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mind. It had happened only occasionally at first, but during the past
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few years increasingly more frequently. Simona had no control over it.
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Tonight was no different. She took the image in and searched for a
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hidden message, but to no avail. Yet something was different this time;
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Simona felt it more than she saw it. It left her restless.
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Yawning, she opened her eyes and found the inn in a buzz of
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activity. Part of the inn was cleared of tables and chairs. As two men
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were moving the last table, a man came flipping head over heels toward
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it. He did a somersault onto the table and landed with his arms wide
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open. The two men holding the table grunted, but didn't look surprised.
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Before they could drop the table, the man on top leapt upward and did a
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lot of spins in the air, only to land on his feet facing the crowd.
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"What's happening?" she asked, shifting in her chair to get
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comfortable.
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"There are performers here tonight on some special occasion," Kal
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replied.
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"No one would say what the occasion is, but some of the nobles are
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here with their children," Nai said, still watching the performers.
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Before Simona could ask anything else, the performer spoke.
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"I am Balor Hardwin," Balor said, bowing low. From the bow, he
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leapt upwards and did a backflip. Landing, he had pulled a set of small
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pipes out and brought them to his lips. Playing a ditty, he leapt and
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rolled and did flips. Once he was finished, he bowed and pointed to two
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men.
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The two men came forward and started juggling all sorts of items.
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They tossed around balls and bags while moving around each other. Then,
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they started tossing the balls and bags to each other all the while
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moving around the cleared space. There was always something up in the
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air. They spun around in place quickly while catching all the things in
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the air until nothing was left.
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"Well met good folk," the first man said. "We are Utal and Zali!"
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"I'm Utal," the second man said.
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"No, I'm Utal!" the first corrected. "You are Zali!"
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"Straight! You're Zali!"
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"No, no, no!" the first said, a frown upon his face. "I am Utal and
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you are Zali and we are going to juggle for these good folk."
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"Yes, let me get this right. I'll be with the good folk while you
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perform?"
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"Augh!" the first man cried, holding his head with both hands. His
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movements were very exaggerated. Some in the crowd giggled. "You're
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juggling also!"
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"So, I juggle and you watch?" the second man asked, a perplexed
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look across his face.
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"Zali! Do I have to use hand-speak? We are --"
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"I thought you were Zali," the second man interrupted. He shifted
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slightly to the crowd and winked. Someone laughed.
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"No! I'm Utal," the first man said, pointing to his own chest. "You
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are irritating sometimes."
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"I am not irritating!" Zali proclaimed in a loud voice, turning
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towards the crowd. "I am Zali!" he proclaimed, raising his arms above
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his head.
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"Enough!" Utal shouted.
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"Not enough," Zali corrected. "We have yet to start!"
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"Start with this," Utal said, tossing a knife, then another at
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Zali. Zali turned and caught the first, tossed it into the air as he
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caught the second. Twirling the two in the air, he yawned. Bringing a
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hand up to cover his yawning mouth, he could be heard to say, "Is this
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all?"
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"You want more?" Utal asked, eyes wide. "Why, I have a nice sharp
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axe here." He took the axe to some people near them and they ran their
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hands over the blade. Murmurs of its sharpness echoed about. "Shall I
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toss it to him?" Utal asked the crowd.
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"Yes," came the answer from various people. Utal tossed the axe to
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Zali. Zali caught it and spun it into the twirling knives.
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"Utal, I don't know if I can keep this going," Zali said, stumbling
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about trying to keep all three objects in the air. He teetered one way
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and stumbled another, but still kept juggling. "Here, you can have them
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back." He tossed them one at a time to Utal.
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"I don't want them," Utal said, stepping back, but catching them.
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He spun them in the air just as Zali had. "If you can't juggle them, how
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am I supposed to?"
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"You look like you're doing well and good," Zali replied. "I'm just
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going to wet my thirst. I'll be back in a bell or so."
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"No you are not!" Utal yelled. "Here, take them back!" He tossed
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them quickly one at a time to Zali.
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"I don't want them," Zali said, tossing them back to Utal just as
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fast as they came. It became a blurring motion between them.
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"Enough!" Utal said, catching each item and holding it. They both
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turned to the crowd and bowed. The crowd responded with shouts of "more"
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and banging tankards on the tables.
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"One last performance," Utal called out to the crowd. "Something
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daring, perhaps?" he asked.
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"Not the torches," Zali said, holding both hands straight out and
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shaking his head no. He turned to the crowd and said, "We can juggle
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knives and axes and mugs; just don't ask for the torches!"
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"Torches!" and "We want to see the torches," issued forth from the
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crowd. Utal smiled and bowed low.
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"The torches it shall be," Utal said, moving to get two lit
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torches. Zali had his head down and was shaking it.
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"Catch!" Utal yelled. Zali moved quickly into position and caught
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the thrown torch. Just as quickly, he threw it back only to catch the
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second. Soon, a blur of fire was weaving between them.
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"Can I join in?" Balor asked, stepping between the two.
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"Can you juggle?" Utal asked.
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"Well ..." Balor replied, drawing out the answer. He was between
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the jugglers and the crowd and was moving back and forth trying to see
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the torches in the air.
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"Get out of the way!" someone yelled.
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"Aye! Move!" someone else grumbled.
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"I can't even see a torch," Balor said, ignoring the crowd.
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"Perhaps you shouldn't juggle, then," Zali said. His attention was
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focused on the juggling.
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"The crowd seems displeased by where you are standing," Utal said.
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"I would suggest moving."
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"I'm blocking the show?" Balor asked, turning around. "Good folk,
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am I in your way?"
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"Yes," called several from the crowd.
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"My apologies. Let me move," Balor said, turning his back to the
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crowd once more. Quickly, he stepped through the weaving torches. The
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crowd gasped. Whispers and murmurs could barely be heard.
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"What?" Balor called out. "I can't hear you!" He stepped through
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the ring of flying torches to stand before the crowd again. "Did you say
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something?" There was silence. "Ah, begging your pardon, then. I'll go
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back to where I was." He turned and walked between Utal and Zali. The
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pattern in the air changed.
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"It seems we are one torch short, Zali," Utal said.
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"It seems so," Zali replied, catching the only torch left and
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holding it. Both turned to look at Balor who held the other torch. The
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three of them drew closer and faced the crowd. Bowing low, they thanked
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everyone and added that any donations would be most appreciated.
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"What a performance!" Kal exclaimed.
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"Straight!" Nai agreed, pulled a Bit out of his purse, and tossed
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it towards Utal who caught it effortlessly.
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"I'm tired," Simona yawned.
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"You're tired?" Nai laughed, "You're the one who slept at the table
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for half a bell!"
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"I did not! It couldn't have been more than a mene or two."
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"You sure did," Kal said grinning, "I was contemplating whether or
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not to carry you to your room."
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"Why didn't you? If I was asleep for that long."
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"Why? The performers walked in, and I didn't want to miss any.
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Besides, what would you have thought if you'd woken in a strange room?"
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"Wouldn't have been the first time," Simona mumbled, turned away
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and searched the room for May.
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"What did you say, Simona?" Nai wanted to know.
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"I'm looking for May, or did she tell you where our rooms are?"
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Simona replied, ignoring his question.
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"She told us while you were asleep. They're up the stairs at the
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end of the hallway." Kal got up and briefly touched Simona's arm, then
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took a candle from the table. "Let me show you."
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Simona picked up her belongings and followed Kal's lead. When they
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reached the end of the hallway, Kal opened a door and gestured Simona to
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step inside. "This should be your room; Nai and I are in the room next
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to yours."
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"Thank you, Kal," Simona said as she placed her belongings in a
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corner of the room. "I'll see you in the morning."
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"Until morning." Kal lit a candle, handed it to Simona, and left.
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Simona closed the door, lifted the candle, and took a look around. The
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room was sparsely furnished. A bed, a chair, and a table with a
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washbasin and candleholder were all, but it was enough. She placed the
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candle in the holder on the table. For a moment she thought about the
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comfort of the room she'd had at the Bardic College in Magnus and then
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|
dismissed it. "I'm searching for Megan," Simona reminded herself. "Six
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long years of searching for any sign of her or mother, and what have I
|
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found so far?" A deep sigh escaped her. Almost automatically her right
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hand moved to her head and brushed through her hair. Her fingers grasped
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|
a strand of hair and wrapped it around a finger, only to let it slide
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|
off again. "The place of my early childhood is gone, only ruins where
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people used to live. Oh, Megan, where else can I look?"
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|
Simona pulled a blanket off her bed, wrapped it around herself, sat
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down, and stared into the candle's flame. She watched as the candle
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burned down to half of its original height. Usually, looking into a
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candle's flame would help her relax and find sleep, but this night was
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|
different. The vision of her sister had left her restless. She leaned
|
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back, her head touching the wall, and closed her eyes. She could hear
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snoring from the room next to hers and smiled. "Only Nai can snore like
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that. I wonder if Kal is getting any sleep." Wiggling herself out of the
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blanket, she got up and left her room. Uncertain whether to find out if
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Kal was awake or not, she stood in front of their room for a mene. She
|
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raised her hand to gently knock, but then decided against it. Instead
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she walked towards the main room of the inn. If there had been action
|
|
before, no one would have guessed it. The room was almost deserted now.
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|
She stopped in the doorway. May was busy cleaning tables and one of her
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barmaids was sweeping the floor. Simona breathed a small sigh of relief.
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She wanted to speak with May. Uncertain of how to proceed, she stepped
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into the room and approached the woman.
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|
"Ya still awake," May commented as she continued to wipe a table.
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"Need anything?"
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"I was wondering if I could have something hot to drink and ..."
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|
"Yes?" May interrupted her cleaning and looked straight at Simona.
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"I ..." Simona began, not knowing how to ask the question she'd
|
|
been wanting to ask May since the moment she'd stepped into the inn.
|
|
"This is silly," she thought. "I should be able to just ask her straight
|
|
forward." "I ..." she began again, unable to finish her request.
|
|
"Ya wanna talk?" May said with a smile on her face.
|
|
"Yes, please," Simona nodded.
|
|
"Sit down. I'll be back." May gestured Simona to sit at the table
|
|
she had just finished cleaning and disappeared into an adjacent room.
|
|
The barmaid placed the broom into a corner and followed May. Simona
|
|
realized she was alone and shuddered briefly. She felt a brush of cold
|
|
air touch her back and turned, but no one was there. "I hope May returns
|
|
quickly," she thought, drawing one knee to her chest and wrapping her
|
|
arms around it. "What were you trying to tell me, Megan," Simona
|
|
whispered to herself, searching her memory for previous visions and
|
|
clues, "Why did you appear to me tonight? What is it you want me to do?
|
|
Has it something to do with this place? Does it have to do with May?
|
|
Does she have answers for me?"
|
|
May returned, carrying two mugs containing steaming brew. She
|
|
placed one mug in front of Simona. "Here! That'll warm ya." She smiled
|
|
at Simona, who took the mug and sipped the hot liquid.
|
|
"Thank you." Simona said, looking down into the steam.
|
|
May nodded. "Sooo ... Ya gonna talk?"
|
|
"I don't know where to begin," Simona finally said after a few
|
|
moments of silence. She felt her stomach turn into a knot, drew a deep
|
|
breath, and looked at May, who returned her gaze, but remained silent.
|
|
Simona took another sip from her mug, then shifted her position.
|
|
Summoning all her courage, she started telling her story with a soft
|
|
voice. "It's a long story, but I'll try to keep it short. I am searching
|
|
for my sister. She's my twin. Haven't seen her since I was six years
|
|
old. My uncle came one day and forcefully took me away from my mother
|
|
and sister. For a while I was living with my grandparents and then I
|
|
entered the Bardic College in Magnus. When I finally left there in
|
|
search of my mother and sister, I couldn't find them. There are only
|
|
ruins where we used to live. No one seemed to know where they were."
|
|
Simona took a deep breath, uncertain whether or not she should continue
|
|
on. "I ... I have a connection with my sister. Sometimes I see her in my
|
|
mind. She ... I ... I think she needs my help, but I don't know where to
|
|
start looking. I came to Dargon hoping to find answers, hoping to find a
|
|
place to start looking."
|
|
"What's ya sister's name?" May inquired.
|
|
"Megan," Simona said and noticed surprise on May's face.
|
|
"Describe her! What'd she look like when ya were little?" May
|
|
asked, leaning forward. Simona sensed more than curiosity in May's
|
|
question.
|
|
"She has long red hair and green eyes. Her skin is quite fair and
|
|
she has freckles," Simona said, describing the face from her visions.
|
|
"She looks like mother," Simona added softly, looking down, and then
|
|
spoke up again. "When she was little, she used to get sick a lot."
|
|
"She called ya Mona when you were young?" May asked quietly.
|
|
"How'd you know?" Simona whispered, trembling. She reached for her
|
|
mug with a shaking hand. Several thoughts whirled through her head
|
|
simultaneously. "She knows Megan! Seen her! Can tell me about her!"
|
|
Excitedly, she shifted her position, leaning slightly forward. "Tell me,
|
|
please!" she asked with an undertone of urgency in her voice.
|
|
"A young woman named Megan was here for a while, helping me in the
|
|
kitchen. We talked about a lot a things. She said, she used to have a
|
|
sister, but thought she had died."
|
|
Simona stifled a cry of sorrow and joy. Placing her hand over her
|
|
mouth and closing her eyes, she fought back tears. "Poor Megan," she
|
|
thought, "What must it have been like for her and mother not to know?"
|
|
She shuddered when she thought about the agony they must have gone
|
|
through and swallowed hard.
|
|
"Where is she now?" she asked, looking at May again.
|
|
"Megan left here in Firil last year and traveled with my daughter
|
|
to Hawksbridge to visit her family."
|
|
"Noooo," Simona called out in utter frustration, then mumbled to
|
|
herself: "I'm too late." She hid her face behind her hands and let out a
|
|
deep sigh.
|
|
"Her husband, Raphael, followed her just last month ..." May
|
|
continued.
|
|
"Megan's married? Any children?" Simona interrupted, wanting to
|
|
know more about her sister.
|
|
"She is. Quite a story, too. But no children I know of. Now, I
|
|
don't have all the details, mind ya. Let me refill our mugs and I'll
|
|
tell ya what I know." May returned to the kitchen.
|
|
Simona stood up and began pacing, tears of joy running down her
|
|
cheek. "She knows! She knows what happened to Megan!" When she heard
|
|
footsteps, Simona reached inside her tunic for a handkerchief to dry her
|
|
tears. She turned around, expecting to see May, but no one was there. A
|
|
cold shiver surged through her body. Automatically, her hands started
|
|
rubbing her arms.
|
|
"May? Is that you?" Simona called out.
|
|
"I'm still in the kitchen. Come join me," May said. Simona didn't
|
|
need a second invitation. Quickly, she covered the distance to the
|
|
kitchen.
|
|
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say there is a ghost in your
|
|
inn," Simona said as she entered the kitchen.
|
|
"It is the Spirit's Haven, dear. Ya never know what old spirit's
|
|
lurking around here," laughed May and Simona shuddered. "Here," May
|
|
said, handing Simona a mug. "Don't fret the spirits ya can't see, but
|
|
guard against the ones ya can.
|
|
"Thank you. Please tell me about Megan."
|
|
"Straight." May smiled as she gestured Simona to sit down again.
|
|
Simona nodded, her fingers clasping tight around the mug.
|
|
"I met Megan a few years ago, when her husband, Raphael, brought
|
|
her to me," May began. "She was under some kind of curse. She couldn't
|
|
walk, 'cept when guided. Couldn't talk or care fer herself. Raphael left
|
|
her under my care so he could find a cure. 'Bout two years ago, he broke
|
|
that curse. But he got hurt doing it and couldn't walk anymore. We
|
|
brought him here and Megan cared for him. During that time she worked in
|
|
the kitchen, cooking. Something happened and they had a big fight. Megan
|
|
didn't know what ta do, so we talked and she decided ta go home. I sent
|
|
my daughter along with her ta keep her company and they left fer
|
|
Hawksbridge.
|
|
"Raph didn't take that too good. I think he knew he could lose her
|
|
and after a few months of exercises and determination, he started ta
|
|
walk again. Megan was gone by then and he left the inn. I don't know
|
|
why, but I think he didn't want reminded of what had happened here
|
|
between them. Through a mutual friend, I kept a watch over him. Last I
|
|
knew, him and our friend left here about a month ago ta bring Megan
|
|
back. If all goes well, they should be back in the spring."
|
|
Simona took a deep breath and tried to control her trembling hands.
|
|
She needed some time to herself to sort the information she'd received.
|
|
A single tear streaked down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. As
|
|
much as she wanted to probe May for more information, Simona decided to
|
|
save this for another day. Bidding May good night, she returned to her
|
|
room to lay down. She could still hear Nai's snoring through the wall.
|
|
Smiling, she fell asleep, the face of her sister in her mind smiling
|
|
back at her.
|
|
|
|
========================================================================
|
|
|
|
Spirits
|
|
by Jim Owens
|
|
<Gymfuzz@yahoo.com>
|
|
Yule 3, 1017
|
|
|
|
The air in the storeroom was thick with odors when Pudlong pushed
|
|
open the heavy door and stepped inside. In his right hand he carried a
|
|
sturdy metal mug, and as he stood in the open doorway he took the
|
|
liberty of drawing a hard pull from its contents. He then wiped his
|
|
mouth with the sleeve of his left arm as he carefully surveyed the dimly
|
|
lit room. Dust specks lazily spiraled upward in the slanted light from
|
|
the single, high window. Once he was satisfied that he had seen what the
|
|
small warehouse had to offer, Pudlong drew himself up to his full height
|
|
of sixteen hands and let out a belch.
|
|
A more reflective man might have pondered the wonderful quirks of
|
|
life as he picked his way through the casks, sacks, and crates that
|
|
littered the warehouse floor. Pudlong's sudden rise to position in the
|
|
southern province of Mandraka certainly gave pause to many of his peers,
|
|
and indeed to many of his betters. But Pudlong himself was not a man to
|
|
engage in undue reflection. He pushed and shoved his way through the
|
|
dusty items stored in the keep's smallest storeroom as he made his way
|
|
to the wall at the far end of the long, narrow room. He took pains to
|
|
ensure that the beverage in his mug was not spilt, even stopping several
|
|
times to drink down the level when it came close to sloshing. Once he
|
|
reached the far wall he carefully kicked an opening in the clutter, and
|
|
shoved a crate against the wall. He retrieved an old blanket from the
|
|
floor where it had lain since he had last visited this sanctuary, and
|
|
draped it over the crate. Then he sat down and took another drink.
|
|
It would be incorrect to say that Pudlong had enjoyed growing up a
|
|
peasant. The life of a dirt farmer was hard, and the idea that there was
|
|
a better life occurred to Pudlong and his wife many times as they
|
|
scratched at the soil of their bean farm. But both were simple folk, and
|
|
their concept of ease tended to run mainly toward warmer weather and
|
|
fewer weeds. The avenues of Pudlong's mind were straight and short, and
|
|
lined with green trees, grassy knolls, and the plain homes of friends
|
|
and family. When a magic beanstalk seized Pudlong by the metaphorical
|
|
seat of his homespun pants and dragged him into public prominence, his
|
|
simple concepts of success followed. The magical power that the
|
|
beanstalk granted him had been temporary, meant to last but a season. As
|
|
Pudlong was a farmer, that meant a growing season. By fall Pudlong was
|
|
as magical as the fields of dirt he used to plow. His master, Lord
|
|
Farley, had already elevated him to the local office of high mage,
|
|
however, and so that was where Pudlong had stayed.
|
|
Having arranged his seat, Pudlong leaned his back up against the
|
|
wall and relaxed. He took a swig from the hefty flagon, and knit his
|
|
heavy brows together on his forehead. He stared down the length of the
|
|
dim warehouse, dully examining the shelves and mounds and piles of old
|
|
magical wares. The previous occupant of his high office had been a
|
|
mighty mage in deed and name, and had asked that this room be set aside
|
|
to store the provisions needed by the province's fledgling magi. The
|
|
apprentices in the keep had dragged all their surplus magical supplies
|
|
into this room, but had not really organized it. That had been years ago
|
|
and the clutter in the room had been steadily added to, not reduced. As
|
|
titular head of that corps, Pudlong was looked up to as leader and
|
|
guide. The lead apprentice had long ago assumed the role of teacher,
|
|
after the former master's passing, so Pudlong was only expected to act
|
|
as a shepherd, not sage. Pudlong was comfortable with this role. In so
|
|
many ways, tending young magicians was not so much different than
|
|
herding goats.
|
|
A more learned man might have felt a tremor or two of unease in the
|
|
storeroom. Some of the crates were clearly marked with symbols urging
|
|
caution in their handling in general, and their opening in particular.
|
|
In the far corner, under a heavy pile of blankets and protective
|
|
amulets, a collection of especially virulent items were housed. But
|
|
Pudlong had only recently been introduced to the concept of reading, and
|
|
even then had only made a passing acquaintance with it. He was ignorant
|
|
of the exact contents of most of the containers in the warehouse, and in
|
|
fact probably wouldn't have cared had he known.
|
|
A more educated man might even have been tempted by the legends
|
|
emblazoned in the wood of the casks and boxes around him. There was
|
|
power in the room. Someone more in tune with the ethereal aspects of
|
|
nature might have tread lightly entering it, but Pudlong wasn't
|
|
sensitive in that regard. His ears and eyes were trained to detect a
|
|
different sort of magic: the magic of growth and sun, of hard work and
|
|
joyful laughter. Pudlong needed no road to fame and fortune. He knew his
|
|
place in the world; his place was wherever Lord Farley put him. Farley
|
|
had made him high mage, and so that was what Pudlong was, regardless of
|
|
whether he actually knew what a high mage was or did. Life changed
|
|
around Pudlong, but Pudlong himself stayed the same. With Lord Farley
|
|
above him, and heaven above Lord Farley, Pudlong was nestled cozily in
|
|
the smothering weight of custom and duty. He was right where he
|
|
belonged.
|
|
The thick stein was half full now to Pudlong's practiced eye. His
|
|
lips parted to allow displaced gas to escape. His eyes were heavily
|
|
lidded, and his shoulders were slowly rounding as the ease of the brew
|
|
filtered through Pudlong's frame. He had finished his daily inspection
|
|
rounds, checking to be sure that the apprentices were working, that they
|
|
had enough of whatever they needed, and that their offices were neat.
|
|
The lead apprentice had accompanied him, as always. Pudlong was fond of
|
|
him. The lad was very helpful, and always deferential, in a helpful sort
|
|
of way, like a good herd dog that understands the sheep better than even
|
|
the shepherd does. Pudlong had then run his daily errands for Thully,
|
|
his wife. Thully had really taken to life in the keep. In many ways she
|
|
was more urbane than Pudlong would ever be, fitting quite neatly into
|
|
the local circles of gossip and fellowship. She was currently in the
|
|
adjoining room doing laundry, leaving Pudlong to tackle the "problem" of
|
|
the warehouse, a task he felt he was handling more than adequately.
|
|
A flicker of movement caught Pudlong's eye as he took another
|
|
drink. Over the lip of the mug he saw something tiny scaling the side of
|
|
a cask immediately in front of him. He let the arm with the flagon fall
|
|
into his lap and he slowly cranked one eyebrow up his wide forehead. The
|
|
thing was small, smaller than a rat, but moved slower than a rat. It was
|
|
colored vivid green and gold, and didn't quite seem to fit into the
|
|
dusty motif of the warehouse. Pudlong gathered up his ambition and
|
|
leaned forward, squinting at the sight.
|
|
It looked like a tiny man. As Pudlong watched, the creature reached
|
|
the lip of the barrel and scrambled over, tumbling down onto the lid
|
|
with an almost imperceptible thump. It got up and dusted itself off and
|
|
strutted to the center of the small wooden circle. Pudlong's lips
|
|
flapped as he let off a surprised burp. The little person turned to him
|
|
and raised its little arms.
|
|
"Hail, o mighty Pudlong!" it squeaked. Pudlong saw that his initial
|
|
idea that it was dressed in green and gold wasn't quite right. It, or
|
|
rather he, was actually quite naked, with hair of shining gold, bright
|
|
green skin, and brown, hairy feet. It was just larger than his thumb,
|
|
with a surprisingly loud, high-pitched voice and bottomless black eyes.
|
|
It was not proportioned as an adult human, but flattened like a dwarf.
|
|
It faced him with arms raised and continued its speech.
|
|
"I am come to bring you good news, o Pudlong!" Pudlong's eyebrows
|
|
lowered over half-closed eyes, and he pushed out his lips in a slight,
|
|
almost puzzled frown as the man went on. "You are favored by the realm
|
|
of the spirits, and have been chosen to be a vessel of power and glory!"
|
|
Pudlong pushed back off his knees and settled back against the
|
|
wall, taking another drink, his heavy gaze never leaving the man. His
|
|
left arm fell to lie limp in his lap, his right holding the mug to his
|
|
lips. The diminutive herald didn't seem to care.
|
|
"The spirits of this place have chosen to grant you the power to
|
|
fulfill your wishes and desires," the little man continued. "We have
|
|
seen your simplicity, and have decided to give you the desires of your
|
|
heart. Whatever you wish will come true! You can become whatever you
|
|
want to become!"
|
|
Pudlong nodded to himself and raised one drowsy eyebrow, his
|
|
expression slack, his gaze unfocused.
|
|
"Think of it," the mite said, turning to pace back and forth.
|
|
"Everything you have ever wanted." Pudlong seemed to consider this. His
|
|
expression became almost thoughtful, musing. The small orator seemed to
|
|
pick up on this and spread his hands modestly. "You need do nothing at
|
|
all, save for a small ceremony which we will describe to you. One simple
|
|
act of acceptance, and your wishes come true." The sprite walked to the
|
|
edge of the cask and leaned on the lip, his chin coming even with the
|
|
rim. "Think what you could do with such power! Think of how far you
|
|
could go! You are the high mage. What is preventing you from becoming
|
|
duke? Or even king!?"
|
|
Pudlong said nothing, taking a swallow from his cup, then wiping
|
|
his mouth on his damp left sleeve. He never took his eyes off the
|
|
apparition. The little man spun away, turning to face the long, gloomy
|
|
warehouse, gesturing out at the objects stored in the narrow room. His
|
|
voice began to change subtly, seeming to grow and fragment, almost as if
|
|
many voices were speaking, some thin and reedy, others dark and deep,
|
|
coming from far away.
|
|
"The world awaits you! All that this civilization has to offer we
|
|
can give you, if you accept this offer! The will of the magics in this
|
|
place has been focused on you, sending me as a message to you. We can
|
|
give you power! We can give you long life! We can grant you revenge on
|
|
those who have wronged you! We can give you the love of beautiful women,
|
|
and the fear of powerful men! If you do as we bid, we will make you
|
|
ruler of all you see, possessor of all you desire! No more to toil, no
|
|
more to do as others demand! Do as we direct, and you will answer to no
|
|
one else after today! We will lift you up on high! We will make you
|
|
strong!"
|
|
Pudlong lifted the mug to his lips and drained the last from it.
|
|
Then, with one smooth motion, he brought the heavy metal stein down on
|
|
the little man with a smack. A brief squeak was followed by a tiny flash
|
|
like lightning and a puff of smoke. Pudlong squinted his eyes and tilted
|
|
the stein up carefully. Of the little man there was no trace, save a
|
|
black smudge of soot on the cask and on the bottom of the stein.
|
|
"Thully!" Pudlong bellowed.
|
|
"Ayess, luv?" Her voice drifted in from the adjoining room.
|
|
"'mind me ta mix up a batch of that rat poiz'n!" he hollered back
|
|
to her, the slur of the drink not really harming his thick southern
|
|
brogue. "We've got varmints agin!"
|
|
"Ayup," she called back.
|
|
Pudlong lowered the mug down onto the cask and leaned back against
|
|
the wall, arms crossed on his chest. He paused a moment on the way down
|
|
and exclaimed a loud belch, then settled back, closed his eyes, and
|
|
after a long moment of meditation and careful consideration, began to
|
|
snore.
|
|
|
|
========================================================================
|
|
|
|
Undermined Hope
|
|
by Mark A. Murray
|
|
<mashudo@netzero.net>
|
|
Northern Hope, 1016
|
|
|
|
A thunderous crash echoed off of the wooden buildings in Northern
|
|
Hope. The ground shook as dust and dirt and smoke billowed into the air,
|
|
covering a small section of town. Horses neighed and reared while people
|
|
jumped.
|
|
"Not another one," I sighed, setting my hammer on the forge. I
|
|
wiped my hands on my apron and then untied it from around my waist. As I
|
|
left my shop and stepped out into the street, I saw friends and
|
|
neighbors running towards the other end of town. Pieces of conversation
|
|
snapped my way as people shouted, gasped, murmured, and cried. Looking,
|
|
I saw a cloud of dust tinged with speckles of something, but couldn't
|
|
make out what.
|
|
"It's Othra's shop," someone yelled.
|
|
"Not good," I muttered, walking towards Othra's. If it was Othra's,
|
|
then we had lost a good part of our winter stores. My pace was a slow
|
|
deliberate one. I'm not built for running, but for swinging a hammer all
|
|
day on an anvil. I could feel my chest move in and out in a relaxed
|
|
rhythm in tune with my steps.
|
|
"What happened, Darvale?" Kael asked, running to catch up to me.
|
|
Kael was about two hands taller than me, but his pace was the same as
|
|
mine. He had long black hair that was tied back by three strands of
|
|
leather and he wore a simple sleeveless tunic that fit tight over his
|
|
muscular chest.
|
|
"Sounds like Othra's building fell down," I replied.
|
|
"Not another one?" Kael sighed.
|
|
"That's what I said," I replied. "But, yes, it seems to be. I heard
|
|
someone say we should change our town's name to Northern Curse."
|
|
"I heard that, too," Kael said. Being the town leader and the
|
|
regent for the lands we all occupied, Kael took to heart most things
|
|
that were said. We all had moved from Pyridain after the war because
|
|
Beinison had still occupied our lands. King Haralan had given us a grant
|
|
of land between three duchies: Dargon, Narragan, and Asbridge.
|
|
"It's gone," someone said ahead of them. The dust covered most of
|
|
the area and it was getting hard to see anything clearly.
|
|
"Was anyone in the shop?" another asked.
|
|
"Othra and his family are out harvesting. The shop was closed,"
|
|
someone answered, coughing.
|
|
"The wind will clear this soon," I said, treading carefully into
|
|
the cloud.
|
|
"Part of this is dust and part is grain and part is flour," Kael
|
|
said, covering his mouth with a cloth. "Looks like we lost some of our
|
|
winter stores."
|
|
"Straight," I agreed, coughing. "But it's a good thing we listened
|
|
to you at the last meeting and stored our supplies in several buildings
|
|
and not just Othra's."
|
|
"There," Kael pointed. "The ground breaks up and it looks like a
|
|
hole." They passed several people who had stopped. Everyone was coughing
|
|
and some turned around to leave. A gust of wind blew across them.
|
|
"The building is gone," Kael said.
|
|
"No, it's down there," I told him, looking down into a large hole
|
|
in the ground.
|
|
"Illiena's sight!" Kael swore as he carefully stepped to the edge
|
|
and looked down. Othra's shop was a mess of broken boards and barrels
|
|
that looked small compared to the hole it was in. Littered over
|
|
everything was grain, flour, and dirt. The edge started to collapse and
|
|
we both jumped back.
|
|
Something wasn't right about the ground, so I knelt down and thrust
|
|
my hand into it. "Feel this," I said. "The ground is soft and very dry."
|
|
"It wasn't like this when we first built the shop," Kael said as he
|
|
gathered a handful of dirt and tossed it into the air. The dirt flew
|
|
apart into small granules and lazily floated to the ground. "Everything
|
|
here was hard. We had a terrible time driving stakes into the ground."
|
|
"I remember," I said, standing. "How can land change so quickly?"
|
|
"I don't know, but it is as if something doesn't want us to be
|
|
here. My barn burned, one whole wall of Harra's house collapsed, the
|
|
cattle ran off --"
|
|
"Heh," I snorted, partly from disgust and partly from the dust.
|
|
"Took us three days to get them back and we still didn't get them all."
|
|
"Let's get out of this," Kael said, turning and walking away from
|
|
the hole.
|
|
"What do we tell the council?" I asked, following him. The wind
|
|
picked up and blew against us as if it wanted to push us into the hole.
|
|
"What happened?" a man named Lewis asked as he and John Harra ran
|
|
toward us. Lewis was short and fat and I could never understand how he
|
|
was able to run, but he seemed light on his feet. He and his family were
|
|
responsible for trading with the closest towns.
|
|
"Othra's shop fell into a hole in the ground," Kael answered.
|
|
"I saw it!" John Harra added. Harra was the oldest of us all. His
|
|
stringy grey hair ran down his head and over his shoulders. A large
|
|
bushy beard filled out his face and its grey added to that of his hair.
|
|
He and his family ran the local shop for clothing, quilts, lamps, and
|
|
whatever else we needed. Harra and Lewis were close friends.
|
|
"Saw what?" Lewis asked.
|
|
"Saw the whole thing," Harra replied. "Felt the ground tremble
|
|
right under me. It was as if something ran under the ground straight
|
|
towards Othra's. Could almost see it going down tha street. Then the
|
|
shop pitched to one side and rocked back ta the other. And whoosh, roof
|
|
fell in, front fell in, and it was gone in a cloud of dirt and grain."
|
|
Other people had gathered around us. "Don't seem like we're welcome
|
|
here," Vern said. He and his family looked after all the livestock.
|
|
"What are we going to do, Kael?" Lewis asked.
|
|
Kael looked around at the people gathered. "Looks like most of us
|
|
are here," he said. "We might as well discuss this now instead of
|
|
waiting. Here's as good a place as any."
|
|
"We can rebuild the shop, but it looks like we lost most of the
|
|
grain," I said. "It's going to be a tough winter." I wanted them to
|
|
understand that our situation was grave. Everyone here had traveled from
|
|
Pyridain and most thought that trip had been the worst thing that had
|
|
ever happened to them. Most had not seen any of the fighting, though.
|
|
Losing their homes had been tough, but the trip here had been long and
|
|
arduous. Winter was going to make them wish for the days before the war,
|
|
if they survived.
|
|
"We made it here from Pyridain!" Harra said. "What's winter
|
|
compared ta that?" I sighed, but before I could explain, Kael spoke.
|
|
"We need to replenish some of the lost stores," Kael told him. "We
|
|
could butcher all the livestock, but what would we have next spring?
|
|
Where do we get more calves, chickens, hogs? The game around here is
|
|
sparse! The land is next to impossible to use for farming. And we are
|
|
farther north than most of us have ever dreamed about. Winter here is
|
|
harsher than ... Ah ..." he said, tossing his hands in the air and then
|
|
letting them fall to his sides.
|
|
"Home," I said.
|
|
"What?" Vern asked.
|
|
"Home," I repeated. "Kael was about to say it and realized that
|
|
where we are now is home." It was finally sinking in to some. Kael, for
|
|
all his wisdom, had not comprehended the finality of our move here. Or
|
|
perhaps he did, but was pushing it aside with hopes of returning to
|
|
Pyridain.
|
|
"We didn't ask to be moved here," Kael said, looking out and
|
|
staring at each person, one by one. "We didn't ask for our homes to be
|
|
taken from us." The wind stopped blowing and silence settled into our
|
|
group. "We weren't given a choice of where we would live, but we have a
|
|
choice on how we'll survive."
|
|
"How?" Lewis asked, shifting his weight and trying to find a
|
|
comfortable position to stand.
|
|
"We have some stores left," Kael answered. "We'll dig through
|
|
Othra's and scavenge every last grain that we can. We'll rebuild the
|
|
shop. And we'll continue with the plans we've already made."
|
|
"We don't have enough people ta do that!" Harra complained.
|
|
"We'll find a way," Kael replied. "We'll take what we can from
|
|
Othra's and use it to rebuild the new shop. Darvale's son can help with
|
|
that. Othra's family, too. Vern, you can lend your youngest. I'll send
|
|
my youngest. It'll be slow, but we'll rebuild.
|
|
"As for finding the missing cattle ... Lewis, you can lend a son. I
|
|
see you back there, Jev. Your girls can help, too."
|
|
"Girls?" Vern complained.
|
|
"Jev's girls have helped me plant a field or two," Kael said. "I
|
|
think they can handle a small herd of cattle."
|
|
"What about my trading trip?" Lewis asked.
|
|
"We might have to postpone it for a week. We don't really have
|
|
anything worth trading right now that we can spare. And the money we
|
|
have might be needed for something else."
|
|
"Like what?" Harra asked.
|
|
"Like the next disaster that strikes us," I answered. They all
|
|
looked at me in shock. "Are you all so naive to think that this was the
|
|
last?"
|
|
"Osiniana bless us," someone prayed.
|
|
"Also, Lewis," Kael said. "There might be local villages closer to
|
|
us. Remember that girl I accidentally shot while hunting? Her --"
|
|
"I forgot about her!" Lewis interrupted.
|
|
"Yeah, but Kael's wife never has," Harra said, laughing. I saw
|
|
Kael's eye twitch once before he continued his speech.
|
|
"As I was saying, her village can't be that far away. I'd guess
|
|
that they've lived here for some time and if they can, then so can we.
|
|
And maybe we can find some trade between us to help both our towns
|
|
prosper."
|
|
"Are you still going into the mountains, then?" Jev asked.
|
|
"Yes," Kael answered. "We'll check the traps we've set, we'll check
|
|
the trot lines, and we'll explore some of the caves for coal. But maybe
|
|
not all in one trip.
|
|
"Once Othra returns, we'll plan for the rebuild. Tomorrow, Vern,
|
|
you can get your group together and search for the cattle. Lewis and
|
|
Harra, I expect you to help fill in for anything that needs to be done.
|
|
I'm sure Vern's family will need help feeding and watering the
|
|
livestock. Help will be needed to sift through the wreckage of Othra's
|
|
shop and carrying the good pieces out of the hole. My wife could use
|
|
help in the fields. There's more than enough to do. Darvale and I will
|
|
set out tomorrow to check a few traps and if there's time, explore part
|
|
of a cave. We won't be gone for more than a few days."
|
|
"Unless you trap another pretty young lady," Harra said, laughing.
|
|
I saw another twitch and whispered to Kael, "It's something that
|
|
gives everyone a reason to laugh in the face of dire events and not
|
|
something against you personally." I saw his shoulders drop as he
|
|
relaxed a bit. The wind played a bit with his hair, but I couldn't feel
|
|
the wind on my face. This place was definitely strange.
|
|
"We might as well get started on Othra's," Harra said. "C'mon." He
|
|
motioned for people to follow him as he walked away. The crowd broke up,
|
|
some following Harra and some drifting off to the work they'd been
|
|
doing.
|
|
"We should talk," Kael said, heading toward my smithy.
|
|
"We need one more person, but I'm not sure we can spare anyone
|
|
else," Kael mumbled.
|
|
"Why do we need another?" I asked. "And for what?" We entered my
|
|
shop and I tossed a small stool to Kael.
|
|
"It takes two to pull one man out of a hole should we fall in,"
|
|
Kael answered, sitting down. "I don't diminish your strength, but I'd
|
|
rather have two men to pull me out rather than just one."
|
|
"Hole?" I said, confused. "Oh! You're thinking of exploring a cave.
|
|
Heh," I spat. "I can pull two men out." I reached out with both hands
|
|
and grasped my anvil. Holding it tight, I grunted and started to pick up
|
|
the anvil from its perch. I could feel my muscles bulge and I ground my
|
|
teeth against themselves. Heat flooded my face.
|
|
"Muskadon's breath!" Kael said, standing. "Enough. I stand
|
|
corrected. You have the strength."
|
|
"Augh," I exhaled as I set the anvil down with a thud. "It is a
|
|
good thing you spoke quickly," I laughed. "I couldn't lift it much
|
|
longer."
|
|
"What happens if I have to pull you out of some hole?" Kael asked.
|
|
"Eh?" I muttered, shaking my arms out. "You mean you can't lift
|
|
that anvil?" I teased.
|
|
"With a hoist and two men, yes, I can lift it," Kael replied,
|
|
chuckling.
|
|
"You underestimate yourself. Still, you bring up a good point. Who
|
|
will pull me out? My son will be here helping to rebuild the shop. Your
|
|
sons are too young. Othra's boy should be there with him."
|
|
"What about Jev's girl, Erin?" Kael asked. "Jev's got four girls, I
|
|
think he can spare Erin to go with us."
|
|
"That little thing?"
|
|
"Little?" Kael smiled. "Have you seen her lately? Especially when
|
|
she's out there wrestling with the other boys? She bests Othra's son
|
|
every time."
|
|
"Heh," I muttered in slight suprise. "I haven't seen her much, no."
|
|
"She doesn't look it, but she's fairly strong, quick and a good
|
|
fighter. I'd wager on her against most of the men here."
|
|
"Will she go?"
|
|
"I'll ask her," Kael answered.
|
|
"Your home is closer to the caves. I'll meet you there at sunrise
|
|
or so," I said.
|
|
"I'll talk to Othra," Kael said, turning to leave, "and let him
|
|
know what we have planned. I'll also stop by Jev's and ask Erin." As he
|
|
left, he said, "See you at sunrise."
|
|
|
|
"Where is he?" Erin asked, pacing just outside Kael's barn. An
|
|
impish light glinted in her light brown eyes as the morning sun shone
|
|
down upon her. She was a few hands shorter than Kael and looked thin,
|
|
but underneath her clothes, her body looked well toned and muscular. Her
|
|
nose had been broken, she had high cheekbones, and her lips were small
|
|
and somewhat chapped. She brought up callused hands to run through her
|
|
straggly dark hair. No one had seen, or heard, me walk around the barn,
|
|
yet, which was good because I found myself staring at Erin and wondering
|
|
what it was that drew my attention to her.
|
|
"He'll be here," Kael replied, leaning against the barn door. Two
|
|
packs sat on the ground at his feet.
|
|
"I still don't understand why I can't go," Jerial said. He was
|
|
Kael's oldest son, but not yet into his teenage years.
|
|
"I don't know what the caves are like, Jer. We may need to haul
|
|
each other over chasms, rivers, or holes. You aren't old enough yet to
|
|
do that. We've gone over this already," Kael said.
|
|
"You're taking Erin," he pleaded.
|
|
"Ha!" Erin laughed. "I can twirl you around me with one hand."
|
|
"Can not!" Jerial stomped.
|
|
"Jerial!" Kael said. "I said 'No' and that is the end of the
|
|
matter."
|
|
"I'm old enough," Jerial muttered as he ran to the house.
|
|
"Not a good start," I said from behind them. Erin jumped, whirled
|
|
and swung her arm. I calmly reached up and caught her fist. After going
|
|
through some nasty battles in Pyridain, nothing has yet caused me to
|
|
react out of surprise.
|
|
"You didn't say she was jumpy and fiesty, Kael," I said, smiling.
|
|
"Don't scare me!" Erin yelled. "And let go!"
|
|
"Erin," Kael said, softly. "Relax and he'll let go. What were you
|
|
saying, Darvale?" Erin relaxed and I released her.
|
|
"Not a good start when you're already turning down help," I told
|
|
him.
|
|
"He's just a boy," Kael replied, picking up his pack.
|
|
"I see a young man near bursting out of a small body," I said. "You
|
|
should give him a chance to prove himself."
|
|
"I don't want him along on this trip," Kael said, picking up the
|
|
second pack and handing it to Erin. I already had a pack on my back.
|
|
"Not this trip, no," I agreed. "We've enough on our hands with
|
|
young Erin, here. But soon I think you should give that boy some
|
|
trials."
|
|
"Let me teach him how to fight and wrestle," Erin said. She and
|
|
Kael shouldered their packs as they started towards the mountains.
|
|
"And have him beat up his younger brother even more?" Kael laughed.
|
|
"I think not."
|
|
"More likely you're afraid he'll best you," I retorted, chuckling.
|
|
"That would be a sight," Erin laughed. "A small boy atop you,
|
|
pummeling you until you cried yield."
|
|
"Let's hope your caving skills are as good as your jokes," Kael
|
|
said, walking ahead of them.
|
|
|
|
"Looks dark in there," Erin spoke, standing in front of the mouth
|
|
of the cave. The opening was large enough to fit two people side by
|
|
side, but there was a twist just a few strides in it. Nothing could be
|
|
seen after that turn. Cool air wafted out from the entrance.
|
|
"We have lanterns," Kael said as he unpacked his. "Can we leave the
|
|
game here?"
|
|
"Yes, we'll string them all up and tie them to a tree," I answered.
|
|
"We didn't get much from the traps, but it's a start and a good one. We
|
|
could have gotten nothing." I slipped off my pack to dig for my lantern.
|
|
"We should have brought a bird," I said.
|
|
"A bird?" Erin asked, striking flint to light her lantern. Kael
|
|
tied the dead animals to a tree limb. They swayed to and fro in an eerie
|
|
silence.
|
|
"Yes," I answered, turning my attention to the lanterns. I lit
|
|
Kael's and Erin's lantern.
|
|
"Why a bird?" Kael asked, picking up his light and heading into the
|
|
cave.
|
|
"There is death in caves. Places where everything dies. We carry a
|
|
bird to alert us of these places," I explained. Kael stopped.
|
|
"You're just now remembering this?" Kael asked, peering into the
|
|
cave. "Or am I the bird?"
|
|
"Yes," I laughed and lightly pushed him onward. Kael frowned and
|
|
bunched his eyebrows as he carefully stepped further into the cave,
|
|
lantern held at full arm's length in front of him.
|
|
"You are next," I ordered Erin. Silently, she took her place
|
|
between us. The darkness seemed to swallow all words. As Kael led the
|
|
way, Erin gulped and tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. Sweat
|
|
beaded upon her brow and she wiped it away with her sleeve. Her palms
|
|
were clammy and she brushed them against her breeches. She continuously
|
|
looked around at the softly-lit walls.
|
|
"I don't like this," she whispered. "It's getting tight in here."
|
|
"You should hope not," I said, my voice just loud enough to hear.
|
|
"Caves and mines often get so small, one has to squirm like a worm to
|
|
wriggle through them. And so long that one wonders if he'll starve
|
|
before breaking through the earth."
|
|
"Eeep," Erin cried in a high, tight voice. "You jest?" she asked,
|
|
stopping. Kael quickly noticed the change in lighting and stopped also.
|
|
He turned his head and looked back, also wondering what the answer was.
|
|
"No," was all I said. Let them think the worst so that if it did
|
|
come, it wouldn't be a shock.
|
|
"You do not give us much hope in here," Kael said. "If we have to
|
|
crawl like that, how do we ever bring anything of value out of here?"
|
|
"We dig and make the hole bigger once we find something of value,"
|
|
I replied. "Continue on or we won't ever find anything."
|
|
The cave twisted and turned, but for the most part, the floor was
|
|
easy to walk. I looked over the walls and floor and ceiling of the cave
|
|
as we walked it.
|
|
"This opens up," Kael called back. "It looks to be a large cavern."
|
|
Erin and I added our lights to Kael's as we stood beside him.
|
|
"Walk carefully around the sides, Erin, Kael," I ordered. "I shall
|
|
walk the middle and we'll see how large this place is. It isn't very far
|
|
from the opening. Look for dark black veins running through the walls or
|
|
for glittering rocks speckled throughout. Finding something here would
|
|
be the best of luck."
|
|
"There are holes in the walls," Erin noted as she started walking.
|
|
"Aye, there are holes here also," Kael echoed.
|
|
"Holes?" I asked, walking over to Kael. We shielded our eyes from
|
|
the lanterns as we tried to peer into a hole. It wasn't very large, two
|
|
hands or so wide, but it twisted and turned such that nothing could be
|
|
seen inside it. "I haven't seen anything of the like. I count seven here
|
|
in our light."
|
|
"There's a lot of them over here," Erin called. "Augh!" she
|
|
screamed, suddenly. We rushed over to her. I found myself wanting to
|
|
protect her from whatever frightened her and that frightened me more
|
|
than the unknown.
|
|
"What happened?" Kael asked, seeing that she was physically fine.
|
|
"Something moved over there," she said, pointing into the far end
|
|
of the cavern.
|
|
"It's dark. How can you see?" I asked, looking.
|
|
"I saw the darkness swirl," she replied. "I did!" she emphasized
|
|
when she saw Kael's disbelieving face.
|
|
"These almost look natural, yet ... something about them is wrong,"
|
|
I muttered as I studied the holes in the cave wall. I ran my hand around
|
|
an opening and then pushed my arm inside. All I could feel was dirt and
|
|
rock, but it wasn't as solid as I expected. There must have been clay
|
|
mixed in with it.
|
|
"Osini!" Erin hissed. "What are you doing?" She reached out to pull
|
|
me away from the wall. Her hand grasped my shoulder and pulled, but I
|
|
did not budge.
|
|
"Darvale, there could be anything in there," Kael warned. He stood
|
|
watching.
|
|
"Unlike tales told to frighten children," I said, reaching deeper
|
|
into the hole, "caves rarely hold any danger of the animal kind. Most
|
|
people die from rocks falling or from falling into crevices or rapidly
|
|
flowing rivers. Occasionally, one will find a bear or devil cat making
|
|
their home in a cave, but there are always signs for that. We have
|
|
nothing to fear from these holes."
|
|
"Osiniana?" Kael asked, turning toward Erin. The light from his
|
|
lantern lit his face from below, casting shadows over his raised
|
|
eyebrows and tilted head. "You fight and wrestle and war with the local
|
|
boys and you call out for the goddess of bliss?"
|
|
Erin dropped her hand and turned away, but not before red flushed
|
|
her cheeks. "Shouldn't we be moving deeper, looking for something?" she
|
|
asked, trying to change the subject.
|
|
"Aye," I spoke with finality, extracting my arm from the hole. To
|
|
myself, I thought, "Onward so that I can think of something else besides
|
|
her warm hand on my shoulder." The lantern in my other hand rocked as I
|
|
turned, casting shifting and moving shadows of the three of us into the
|
|
middle of the cavern.
|
|
We carefully moved deeper into the cave, taking a right turn at
|
|
every intersection. I explained that this was to keep from getting lost.
|
|
On the return, we would merely take every left and be out of the cave.
|
|
Erin asked what would happen if we didn't see an opening. I shrugged and
|
|
said we'd be lost.
|
|
"What glints ahead?" I asked from behind the other two. Kael peered
|
|
into the darkness beyond our light, but couldn't see anything. As we
|
|
moved closer, I said, "Swing your light slowly."
|
|
Kael rocked his lantern. "I see it now," Kael said. "Something is
|
|
shining at the edge of our light."
|
|
"How did you see that from back there?" Erin asked, looking around
|
|
Kael. We were amid sparkling walls.
|
|
"I've been caving and mining for longer than you've been alive," I
|
|
answered. "It is a metal ore of some sort." Bits of the metal stuck out
|
|
in the walls. Pieces littered the ground as we walked deeper into the
|
|
vein. "I've never seen the like," I said, stopping to pick up a rock
|
|
filled with the ore.
|
|
"Looks like a fairly long vein," Kael said from a few steps ahead
|
|
of them. "Do we go on?"
|
|
"No," I replied. "It will be late enough when we return that we
|
|
don't need to go deeper on this trip. Gather some of this and we'll head
|
|
back." We took off our packs and started picking up rocks. We set our
|
|
lanterns around us to shed light where we worked.
|
|
"There!" Erin shouted, pointing into the darkness down the
|
|
cavernous hallway. "Did you see that?"
|
|
"The air shifted, but I saw nothing," I said, placing my pack on my
|
|
back.
|
|
"I saw things," she said. "Things moving in the dark." She hefted
|
|
her pack. "I want to leave." Her voice quivered.
|
|
"Something does not feel right," Kael said. "I think we should go
|
|
now, too."
|
|
"It is her fear," I retorted. "You feel that. There is no danger in
|
|
--" Something black, swift, and feline rushed out of the darkness. It
|
|
bounced off the wall, landed between Kael and Erin, and then pounced
|
|
upon me. My mind yelled to swing at it, but it was too late. I went down
|
|
on my back and then the black thing was gone into the darkness. Erin
|
|
screamed and pushed herself against the wall.
|
|
"Illiena save us," Kael rasped, taking a step back. "What was that
|
|
thing?"
|
|
"Strong," I breathed out in a huff. The hair on the back of my neck
|
|
stood on end as I sat up. "Erin is right. There was something in the
|
|
dark." I put a hand down and then stood. My pack slipped from my back as
|
|
I did so, the straps cut neatly in half. A high-pitched wail echoed
|
|
throughout the cave. Others joined in.
|
|
"Go! Now!" Kael ordered, turning to pick up a lantern. Black,
|
|
powerful forms flooded out of the cave. Two hit Kael mid-stride and
|
|
knocked him forcefully to the ground, where he bounced and rolled past
|
|
me.
|
|
Erin seemed to fly to the other side of the passageway, where she
|
|
smashed into the wall. Another form hit her and pushed her to the floor,
|
|
before bouncing off of her and disappearing into the dark.
|
|
"Ol's Piss," I swore, wishing I had brought my war hammer. It was
|
|
the only sound to echo around us. I moved to Erin and knelt beside her.
|
|
"Are you hurt?"
|
|
"No, no, I'm fine, I think," Kael replied, groaning as he sat up.
|
|
"Oh. My thanks for wondering," he said when he saw I wasn't next to him.
|
|
"Darvale?" Erin whispered. "I don't want to die," she pleaded to
|
|
me.
|
|
"Neither do I," I said, helping her to stand. "We are not seriously
|
|
injured. That means something."
|
|
"Yes," Kael said. "It means we'll have a lot of bruises every step
|
|
of the way." Erin smiled, but it looked forced. "Did you get a good look
|
|
at them?"
|
|
"No," I said as I grabbed a lantern and handed it to Kael. Erin
|
|
kept close to me.
|
|
"Neither did I," Kael said, picking up the remaining lantern and
|
|
handing it to Erin. She took it, but didn't hold it very far from her
|
|
body. The light shone brightly into her eyes.
|
|
"Walk between us, Erin," I instructed her as I picked up my pack.
|
|
"You will have to hold this," I said, handing the pack to her. "As well
|
|
as carry your own."
|
|
"It's gone," she said.
|
|
"Yes," Kael said, looking about. "Mine is here." He shouldered it.
|
|
"At a fair pace, let's get out of here."
|
|
"Left," I said. We moved quickly down the hallway and started to
|
|
retrace our steps.
|
|
"I can't hear anything," Erin said, her voice pitched high and
|
|
quivering. "Except our own echoes. And I can't see anything anymore."
|
|
She sounded like she was about to bolt.
|
|
"You blind yourself with your lantern," I said, trying to calm her.
|
|
"Hold it away from your body a bit more and turn it thus." I moved the
|
|
lantern out a bit to show her.
|
|
Dark, sleek, bodies struck me from behind. One tore the lantern
|
|
from my grasp and sent it spiraling out and upward over Kael. Another
|
|
landed square on my back, thrusting me forward. I tried to turn around,
|
|
but couldn't. Erin screamed and I saw her jump sideways into one of
|
|
them. Large, furred arms wrapped themselves around her. The light glared
|
|
off long, curved, sharp claws. She dropped to the ground and her lantern
|
|
hit hard and broke. Fire flared upwards, burning her and her assailant.
|
|
They both screamed in pain and she rolled on the ground away from it.
|
|
With a whoosh of air, the creatures were gone, leaving us battered and
|
|
bruised once again. The fire crackled on the ground, snapped and popped
|
|
for a mene before going out.
|
|
"Time to run," Kael blurted out. "One lantern left."
|
|
"My pack is gone," I said, standing. "They frighten, but do not
|
|
injure seriously."
|
|
"Not to you," Erin hissed. "I nearly died! I saw those claws and
|
|
felt that deathly body! Osiniana save us!" She was splotched red in a
|
|
few places from the flames.
|
|
"Come!" Kael ordered. "We do not have the time to argue." We shut
|
|
up and followed him. At each step, we peered forward and backwards. At
|
|
openings, we glanced right out into the darkness, waiting for another
|
|
attack. It wasn't until we reached the middle of a large area that we
|
|
realized where we were. Wispy shapes moved throughout the cavern all
|
|
around us. Fear caught in my throat.
|
|
"The holes!" I spat. "They've been playing with us all along. They
|
|
knew we would return here! Go! Run!" Kael broke into a run.
|
|
A muscular feline-like form landed in front of Kael, causing him to
|
|
suddenly stop. Erin and I managed to avoid crashing into him from
|
|
behind, but we stood next to him.
|
|
The thing in front of us growled, showing two large rows of
|
|
triangular teeth. A set of curved fangs extended down from the upper
|
|
jaw. Fur covered most of the body and the face looked somewhat like a
|
|
dog's with its ears flattened back. It crouched on two legs while one
|
|
front arm helped to balance itself, and the other arm was held a bit out
|
|
from it, claws extended. Snarling and curling its nose, it showed more
|
|
of its teeth.
|
|
"To Eilli-Syk with you!" Kael screamed as he surged ahead, swinging
|
|
the lantern. He swung it back and forth, but only hit air.
|
|
"Dar--" Erin screamed, but was cut short. A creature sat atop her,
|
|
raking small furrows down her back with its claws. She screamed in pain.
|
|
"Ol banish you!" I yelled as I jumped for the creature. Other black
|
|
forms hit me in mid-air and tackled me to the ground. I huffed as the
|
|
breath left me. I could still see Kael, but not Erin. The creatures held
|
|
me down with claws at my neck, threatening their use.
|
|
"Father?!?" a boy's voice called from ahead. "Are you in here? I
|
|
saw the game hanging outside."
|
|
"Jerial?" Kael cried aloud. "Run!" Kael started forward, but two
|
|
creatures blocked his path. "You'll not have my son!" Feinting left, he
|
|
turned quickly right and swung the lantern. Wind and fur brushed past
|
|
his left side, but he still did not hit anything in front of him.
|
|
Light broke brightly from the other side of the room. Jerial ran
|
|
forward, only seeing his father. "Father, I came to help!" he yelled,
|
|
smiling. "I tracked you all the way here!" He sounded proud of what he'd
|
|
done.
|
|
"Oh, sweet Illiena!" Kael pleaded. "Go Jerial! Run!" Jerial
|
|
stopped, sensing something wrong. His father started toward him, but
|
|
something stepped between them. Jerial shrieked as his father's light
|
|
showed what he had not seen. He turned to run, but one of the creatures
|
|
stood in his way. "Father!" he cried, freezing in place. Small hands
|
|
trembled and shook while light danced and flickered upon fangs and fur
|
|
and claws.
|
|
"No!" Kael screamed as he surged forward. His legs were cut out
|
|
from under him and something hit him in the shoulder, spinning him in
|
|
the air. He landed roughly upon the hard, rocky ground. His lantern
|
|
moved swiftly through the room to disappear somewhere in the blackness.
|
|
"They are smart," I thought as Kael started to rise painfully. He
|
|
was hit again and rolled over and over. The light from Jerial's lantern
|
|
barely touched Kael, but it was enough to see. Landing on his stomach,
|
|
Kael looked up and saw his son. A creature landed on Kael's back and
|
|
sharp claws pierced his flesh.
|
|
"Father?" Jerial called. The creature blocking his way leaned in,
|
|
nose twitching as it sniffed the air. It stepped forward and sniffed his
|
|
clothes, his face, and his hair. Jerial was frozen in place by fear. It
|
|
stepped back and cried out in sharp barks that hurt the ears.
|
|
The creatures on Kael disappearred and he rushed to his son. We
|
|
watched the thing in front of Jerial look up at Kael with clear,
|
|
intelligent eyes. I saw something flash across those eyes and then it
|
|
was gone. All the creatures were gone.
|
|
"Go Kael!" I yelled. "We are right behind you!" Erin had reached me
|
|
and we were running for the entrance. Reaching his son, Kael urged him
|
|
onward. The four of us fled towards the opening, not looking back or
|
|
left or right. Turning a bend, the light of day blinded us and we slowed
|
|
enough to make it outside without tripping or falling. Some menes later,
|
|
we stopped running to catch our breath.
|
|
"You said there was no danger!" Erin cried, turning to me. She beat
|
|
her fists against my chest. "No danger!" Her words turned to sobs and
|
|
she collapsed into my arms.
|
|
"Aye," I said, softly, holding her tightly to me. "I was wrong."
|
|
"What was that?" Jerial asked, standing close to his father.
|
|
"I don't know," Kael replied. "They could have killed us easily,
|
|
but didn't. I thought surely my death was close when I felt the claws
|
|
dig into my back."
|
|
"It sniffed me," Jerial said. He sat down on the ground and pulled
|
|
his knees up to his chest. "I couldn't move I was so afraid. I wanted to
|
|
run and I wanted to stay and I wanted it to all be a trick of the light.
|
|
But it wasn't."
|
|
"No, son, it wasn't. I don't know why they let us go. But I saw
|
|
something in its eyes before it vanished. It was as if your smell was
|
|
familiar and ..."
|
|
"And what?" I prodded.
|
|
"Recognition. That was what I saw," Kael said. "Something changed
|
|
in its eyes and it looked at me as if it knew me."
|
|
"Osiniana blessed us," Erin spoke, turning around but still in my
|
|
arms.
|
|
"Someone or something did," Kael said. "Let's not test our blessing
|
|
overly long. Let's go home."
|
|
|
|
========================================================================
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|
|