The Shadow and its Blessing

                                                  

                                                      Chapter 3

                    The Shadow and its Blessings

Nothing but the soft chirping of the birds and Vian’s steady breathing could be heard in Rinewood forest. With a sigh Vian looked up at the green canopy to see how much sunlight he had left before he had to go back to his farm; his large old farm in need of repairs and new livestock. He peered into the shadows to see if the deer he was tracking was still around. The silence of the forest troubled him it was like the forest had a mind of its own and the eerie light that slipped through the gargantuan old trees was its glaring eyes looking into him. With a shake of his head and a chuckle he started walking faster with his bow on his rough scarred hand and his bows on his back. After a while Vian looked and realized with some discomfort that he had no idea where he was. He looked back up and saw the sunlight had decreased and that trying to find his way back through the forest was folly and that he’d either get attacked by wolves or worse come across one of the creatures that call this forest home.

With a look around Vian put his long bow, the quiver filled with arrows and his short sword next to a small opening under a tree that was large enough for him to lie in. Better safe than sorry he thought to himself as he walked towards the sound of rushing water. He filled his water skin and washed his face from the stream. The sunlight was decreasing rapidly and with every minute the silence grew which unsettled him even more. Why did I have to show off to her and promise I would get that deer for her? He thought miserably as he deliberately walked on the dead leaves and branches on the ground to create the loud crunching noise to replace the chirping of the birds which had stifled with the at the sight of dusk. He hurried back to the tree where he had laid his weapons and made a small fire to keep the cold and other unwanted things away. Vian started to observe the forest closely to pass the time; he was interested by the largeness of the trees which he had only heard about from the other villagers as most of them were too scared and frightened by the tales of what lay in it to venture inside, he also noticed how different it the air smelt to that of his village. With a yawn he put out the fire and squeezed into the hole, barely fitting his built torso into it. He noticed how loud his breathing was which unsettled him even more. He started shaking as a cold breeze hit his body which caused him to wish that he had worn thicker clothes. Vian tried to distract himself from the mind numbing cold he was feeling by pondering about the news he heard from Nadine before he left. With a heavy heart he thought of how much suffering the people of Elmorat were exposed to. With anger he remembered how Nadine had told him that the armies of Raghul would not be sent to aid the people of Elmorat because his Majesty, King Alex, did not feel the need to do so as he hated the city of Elmorat because of how it had resisted his claim to the throne after he had usurped his brother. Vian calmed himself down by thinking that if the elves tried to take Palcar village him and his fellow villagers would drive them out even if they had dragons. Vian spat on the ground and cursed the Elvish Dominari.  Palcar village is close to Elmorat Vian thought as he moved around to get comfortable, they might come for us next he though worryingly. Then he chuckled at the night and said aloud:

“They wouldn’t attack a small village like ours”

Vian looked at the trees ahead of him to see whether anyone or anything had heard but the night remained as dark as the void behind the stars and as silent as a statue. Vian closed his eyes and with a smile he thought of Nadine and her rosy smile.

“I’m telling ya Herbert if you want to save the village you’re going to have to make it”

Vian eyes opened with a snap as he heard footsteps near him, he remained in his position hoping these men who were crashing through the trees did not stumble upon his hole.

“I know but we have to consider the consequences, if we summon it who knows what would happen? They’re evil, powerful and dangerous! It will slaughter us all before it goes to the Master” another voice harshly replied.

As they came closer Vian recognized the one who spoke; his name was Herbert and he was the blacksmith in the village while the other was Peter and he was the head of the village because of his wealth and influence among the villagers.

“Listen to me alright the Master won’t be pleased when he hears that you don’t want to comply with orders, he’ll send you into the dungeons of Logrinthar with that so called king that Magaby so graciously delivered to him” Peter whispered as he sat down “My feet hurt let’s stop for a bit” he whined

“Fine I’ll do it the day after tomorrow when the full moon is out, we have all the necessary ingredients so it should go as planned and get up we have to go before the sun rises” snapped Herbert as he helped Peter up “It’s all that rich food you’ve been eating its making you go fat and lazy”

Vian watched the men as they disappeared through the trees and into the darkness. Master? It? King? All these questions ran through Vian’s mind. What are they planning and what is endangering the village? For some reason the over whelming sensation of sleep overcame Vian and he went straight back to sleep.

Vian awoke to the sun’s glaring rays which blinded him as he crawled out of the decaying leaves and sticky soil. Disappointed that he had not caught that golden deer for Nadine, Vian picked up his weapons and headed down to the stream to wash his face and drink some water as he had finished all of the water in the water skin last night. He paused for a moment as the cool water washed out all the sleepiness that remained. With a shock Vian remembered what he had heard last night and the questions started invading his head. He firmly told himself that he was not going to tell anyone what he had and go on with his life like he had never heard that conversation. Glad that he had cleared that up Vian started humming as he walked through the bushes and trees to find the path into the village. It too him a while to find it and when he did he felt relieved that he could leave that intimidating forest behind. Vian started humming as he couldn’t wait to see Nadine the love of his life, she was in his eyes and to most of the village as a beauty, a rare jewel among stones.

“Yalmar where are we now? I swear if I don’t get something to eat I’m going to die”

Vian spun around to see who had spoken and saw to individuals that looked like beggars, one of them was wearing white dusty robes that were torn in some parts and the other was wearing black ripped robes. One of them was of brown complexion he noticed maybe he’s one of the nomads that wandered in the far south and the other he deducted was from the north because of his blonde hair and height.

“There’s a village up ahead, we can get some food there, stop acting like a child and remember the Hunter’s won’t let anyone in that doesn’t agree with them so you keep that mouth shut and let me do conversing all right?” Yalmar informed Harrald

Vian kept his eyes on the beaten path into the village as they walked by him, both of them giving him a nod as they walked by. Vian made his way straight to his little farm on the outskirts of the village deciding that he would go see Nadine later. Vian opened the gate that led into his farm and walked towards it while looking at it to see if anyone had broken in or vandalized anything. He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked up to his front door, relieved that no one had taken or broken anything. Vian opened the old wooden door and closed it as he stepped in. Passing through the small sitting room that was scarcely furbished he entered his room and dumped his quiver and bow onto his bed and ripped off his clothes to take a bath.

After he had taken his bath and put on clean clothes Vian opened the back door to go take a look at the back of his farm. He became even more pleased to see that no one had tampered with crops he was growing. Its nearly time to harvest he happily thought.

Vian stepped out of the small farm house to go see Nadine, he picked bunch of flowers from the flowerbed his mother had constructed. With a sad smile he remembered that he had to visit his parent’s grave in a week’s time. Flowers in his hand and a smile on his face Vian greeted everyone he saw standing outside the small rickety houses and shops in the village, including Herbert the blacksmith and Peter. Looking around Vian saw the same two individuals he observed on the path this morning. They were talking to some of the villagers who looked like they were getting angrier by the second.

“Clear off you b******s and take your slanderous tongues with ya” Lingard the grocer yelled.

Harrald was opening his mouth to say something very rude in when Vian, who had sensed the potential trouble this would cause, rushed over to the grocer’s shop to see what was wrong.

“Lingard sir what seems to be the problem?” Vian asked the now red in the face grocer.

“These two over here are slandering the name of King Alex the rightful King of Rahul!” Lingard replied with his fists clenched.

“We are just expressing our views on that usurping dog that let thousands of people die.” Harrald laughed out.

“Ha for once I agree with him, your “King” is a man with no honour and dignity, he deserves to be locked in the labyrinth of Runthor with all its undead.” Yalmar chuckled out.

“Right that’s it now you’ve done it you swine” Lingard roared as he lifted his hammer of the table.

“Lingard calm down you can’t afford to have blood on your hands, besides they’re my guests and it is forbidden to kill another’s guests.” Vian said very fast with a nervy smile on his face “Come let me get you a mug of ale to calm you down”

“I don’t want to see their faces anywhere near my shop do you hear me Vian? If they come around here again it’s on you!” Lingard spat out as he walked back inside his shop.

“Thank Sinthra the Wise he’s gone” Yalmar breathed out

“Who the hell are you two and what’s wrong with you? Coming to this village and starting a quarrel like that!” Vian exclaimed.

“We are just travellers looking for the Hunters” Harrald replied “We asked that idiot in there where they were situated when he began a tirade on how honourable and great King Alex was and that’s when we corrected him”

“In a very thought provoking way” added Yalmar which caused Harrald to start laughing again.

“The Hunter’s had to leave when King Alex took the throne, since they did not pay allegiance to him he ordered his men to go find them and eradicate them and their families” Vian told both of them who had become dead silent “From what I heard they went down south towards Serpents Desert past Undra.”

“Thanks for the information, it’s a disappointment we thought they would be here” said Harrald with a glum look on his face.

“You can stay with me if you need to, I have plenty of space and I heard earlier that you don’t have any money, you can look for work to earn some coin while you stay, I can take you to the blacksmith if you want?” offered Vian.

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you” said Yalmar “if you show us the way then we will gladly follow”

“My name is Vian and I live in the small farmhouse bordering the village and what are your names if I may ask? Vian inquired.

  “I’m Harrald and this is Yalmar……My slave” Harrald laughed out as he jumped out of Yalmar’s swinging fist “I’m joking, we’re just travellers from Snowbridge”

 “Really? You don’t seem to be from the north” Vian said to Yalmar who was about to push Harrald into a man carrying a very large axe which had stains that looked like dried blood.

“I know but I was raised there by an uncle of mine, he took me in after my parents were killed by bandits on the Imperial road to Elmorat” lied Yalmar as he stooped to avoid a branch of a nearby tree.

Feeling like he had crossed a line Vian stopped asking Harrald and Yalmar questions. He led them onward towards the blacksmith’s forge which was next to the oldest establishment in the village, the Lucky Fairy Inn. As Vian was about to enter the blacksmith’s forge he noticed Nadine walking out of the inn, his heartbeat accelerated as he saw her blonde hair shimmering in the light and a sense of absolute peace and happiness as well as longing come over him. As the three of them stopped before the door into the forge Harrald noticed Nadine as well and he stood there staring at her with his mouth slowly opening. Yalmar, who was amused by both the looks on both Vian and Harrald’s faces, nudged him in the ribs and nodded towards Vian who was watching Nadine talk to a woman. Harrald nearly burst out laughing at the hungry expression on Vian’s face as he watched her, it was as if he was enchanted by the words she was speaking.

“You haven’t cast an adoration spell on him have you?” Yalmar asked Harrald who was on the verge of falling to the ground because of the silent laughter that threatened to burst out.

“N…No” Harrald chortled out he watched as Vian tried to desperately straighten his black hair that was always in a mess.

  Vian moved towards Nadine as she waved goodbye to the woman she was talking to. He took a deep breath with flowers on hand and his heart on his sleeve as he reached out to tap her on the shoulder.

“Hello Nadine” said Vian with a weak smile as she turned around to face him; he noticed how her blue eyes seemed to almost look through him and into his being.

“Oh hey Vian, where’s that white deer you promised me?” she asked him as she gave him a dazzling smile.

“I couldn’t catch it I’m sorry but I got you some red camellia” Vian said with a smile as he raised the bunch of camellia at her.

“What good are a bunch of flowers when compared to a white deer’s fur? How about the next time I see you I give you a bouquet of withered flowers?” she spat out in as her smile changed to a look of disgust “anyways I’ll need your help later on, I want you to carry a few barrels of wine for me to my mother’s house, James is coming to my mother’s house tonight so as to get her blessing to marry me”

“But I thought you wanted to be with me?” Vian said with a raised eyebrow, he felt a sense of dread coming over him.

“It hasn’t been arranged yet Vian” Nadine calmly replied as she flicked some dirt of her white dress “if you carry those barrels for me it would go a long way to gaining my affections”

“Just tell me when and I’ll gladly carry them for you” Vian said as a sense of relief came over him.

“Aww you’re a sweetheart” purred Nadine as she reached towards him to give him a kiss on the cheek “I’ll see you later then”

Vian watched her walk away and with a huge smile on his face he turned to face Harrald and Yalmar who were rooted to the spot on which he left them, with a look of absolute consternation and bewilderment on their faces.  He almost skipped his way back to Harrald and Yalmar who still seemed to be in shock at the conversation they had just seen. As Harrald was about to say something a little boy with a scar that occupied his entire left cheek opened the door with an annoyed expression on his face. He raised his thin arm and beckoned at the three of them to come in to the shop. He lead them through the clutter of tools that lay around the shop, Harrald bent down to pick up a metal rod off the eaten up wooden floor and placed it on the counter. The boy directed them to the back door of the shop and into a hut in the back of the hut which had a forge in it which was being used by a large built man with very wild hair and moustache.

“Ah Vian how was the trip into Rinewood forest? I trust that you caught that white deer? I really wanted its skin, it would fetch a pretty penny” asked the man who was now dipping a red hot sword into a bucket of water whose steam engulfed the hut.

“It was bad I couldn’t catch that deer, Herbert I heard you needed some help around your forge. I brought these two to help you out” Vian replied after the steam had cleared “Their names are Harrald and Yalmar and I’m sure they’re able enough to help out”

“Hmm they will do for now, so where are you two from and have you ever worked at a forge?” Herbert asked Harrald and Yalmar without even looking at them as he threw a bucket of water onto the fire in the trough to extinguish the dancing flames.

 “No we haven’t but we need the work to get back to Snowbridge” replied Yalmar.

“I don’t answer to brown scum like you! Your kind is nothing but filth and murderers” Herbert said venomously “I’ll take the northerner but not him”.

Yalmar looked at Herbert with furrowed brows and he raised a hand and whispered:

“Tintla ber”

Herbert looked at Yalmar with disgust as he pulled Vian aside to speak to him.

“I don’t want him anywhere near Borus or my forge understood, the blonde one can start now.” He sternly told Vian.

“Alright I promise he won’t come around here again.” Vian sighed as he watched Harrald whispering furiously to Yalmar.

“Yalmar we should go and see if we can get you some work next door at the inn.” Vian told Yalmar as he approached the two who had stopped whispering as he drew closer.

“Alright.” shrugged Yalmar as he walked past Harrald who gave him a smile and a wink.

The two of them left the Herbert’s forge and proceeded next door to the Lucky Fairy Inn. Before they went they climbed the rickety steps and entered the old inn Vian pulled Yalmar aside.

“Listen I apologise for Herbert’s insults, he was leaving Undra and a couple of bandits attacked him and his wife. They raped his wife and killed and they also cut out his son Borus’s tongue” Vian explained to Yalmar “Don’t take it personally.”  

“Oh that’s no excuse for him he to be rude, at least I responded to him instead of keeping quiet like a coward” chuckled Yalmar “So should we go in?”

“Yeah but wait, what did you whisper though?” Vian enquired

“Oh nothing worth mentioning, let’s just say he’s going to be very dazed for the next few days.” Yalmar laughed out.

With a smile on his face Yalmar pushed open the door to the Lucky Fairy Inn and stepped over the threshold. The inn was empty as usual at this time of day and the chairs were in very odd places Vian noticed. There seemed to be only person there and that was Lucy the innkeeper’s daughter. She was busy with cleaning the glasses and putting the chairs where they should be. Vian walked up to her as she pushed a chair into the circular brown table that lay at the back of the table.

“Hello Lucy” Vian greeted Lucy who spun around at an alarming speed.

“Oh it’s you, you gave me such a fright you idiot” Lucy exclaimed as she clutched her heart.

“Are you going to sing for us tonight? Make sure you don’t make anyone’s ears bleed alright.” Vian teased the short brown haired mousy looking girl.

“Ha you absolutely kill me with your jokes” Lucy replied sarcastically “I’m going to have to its not like I get any choice with my mother around”

“Speaking of your mother is she here? I’ve got an extra pair of hands if she needs any” said Vian as he pulled up a chair “S**t its hot”

“I better not hear you using that language around my daughter Vian or I swear in Ligra’s name Ill cut your tongue off” said the large woman who magically appeared behind the counter.

“Sorry Gertrud won’t happen again; do you need some help in the inn?” Vian asked as he got back up to help Lucy push in the remaining chairs “Yalmar here is a traveller from Snowbridge and he can’t get back because he doesn’t have enough gold to get back so if he could earn some with honest hard work I’m sure he’d be grateful”

“Actually I do need some help around here, Bernard keeps on getting sick” Gertrud sighed

“Oh that’s bad I’m sure he’s going to get better though” Vian said with a somber face

“So when do I start then?” Yalmar interrupted as he stepped out of the shadow in the corner.

“Well he’s an eager one to work and a handsome one as well” laughed out Lucy as she eyed him.

“You can start now, you can help Lucy here mop up the floor it’s gotten dirtier than a pigsty” Gertrud told Yalmar “You can have some of the ale but not too much and not while you’re working and also no messing around with my daughter you understand? I wouldn’t be surprised if she eloped with the first man that gave her a compliment”

Yalmar gave her a quick smile and followed Lucy who was cursing under her breath.

“I’ll be back tonight Gertrud I have to go help Nadine take some barrels of wine to her mother’s house, James wants to propose to her tonight and get her mother’s blessings” sighed Vian as he finished the mug of ale Gertrude gave him earlier.

“Let me guess she said she would consider your proposal and put it ahead of James’s one?” Gertrude asked Vian with surprising accuracy “That girl is nothing but a troublemaker and sometimes in life Vian you have to think with your head and not follow your desires”

“I know but I just cannot forget her. I’ve fallen for her in such a way that it is impossible for me to get back up” Vian mumbled out as he walked towards the door. 

   “Think about my advice and I mean really think on it” Gertrude told his retreating figure “Leave the door open, it’s getting warm and dark in here”

Vian left the door open as he descended the cobbled stairs. He made his way towards Nadine’s house which lay some distance away from the dust road that cut through the village like a twisting river in a valley. It’s getting darker he thought as he stepped on to the grass on .the other side of the reach as he approached Nadine’s house. He stopped before he reached the fence of the well-kept and groomed large house. Vian straightened his shirt, fixed his hair so that it looked more neat and tidy and also smelt his breath. I better not talk a lot he thought to himself as his breath was not very pleasant to say the least. He walked through the little gate and up the somewhat eroded steps which added to the quiet beauty of the place. He lifted the golden door knocker and hit it against the black door four times. Vian stood back and waited anxiously for someone to open the door. He was about to leave when a well-dressed thin man with a long thin sword hanging down from his belt opened the door and studied him in a disapproving manner.

“I don’t think riff raff like you should be calling here in an unexpected manner,” the man sneered as he fidgeted with his long dark hair “go away or I’ll cut off that hand you used to knock on the door.”

“Praise the mighty Sinthra James I came to talk to Nadine not to knock you down again,” said Vian very slowly and in a very mocking way “look it’s getting late and I need to go to the inn in a bit so go tell her to come down.”

“You cheated!” James shouted shrilly.

“Yeah sure keep telling yourself that.” laughed out Vian.

“Let’s prove whose the better man then farmer, winner gets Nadine’s hand in marriage and the loser stays away from her” snarled James as he unsheathed his sword and left his long white cloak on the floor.

With a smile Vian backed away from the house to give himself some space to move about.

“It’s not very fair if you’ve got a sword you know.” Vian told James calmly as he rolled up his sleeves.

James ignored Vian and moved towards him with his sword poised and ready to strike. James lunged at Vian and narrowly missed him as Vian rolled out of the way.

“At least you’re not as slow as your father was” James spat out venomously “if he was faster he probably would have survived his duel”

Vian lost his calm and hurtled towards James who jumped out of his way and put a leg out to send him crashing to the ground. Vian got up quickly and was going to try and tackle James when he noticed that Nadine was watching them both duel from her bedroom window. Her friend, that was standing next to her and leaning out of the large window, pointed at Vian and caused the both of them to erupt into laughter.

“Concentrate on this duel farmer” James shouted as he almost cut Vian in half who dodged the sudden swipe James had made.

Vian was starting to get tired as he kept on jumping and rolling around to avoid James’s vicious attacks and now he was right against the fence and James was bearing down on him, smiling and with blood lust in his eyes. Vian moved out of the sword’s way again but James’s swift kick brought Vian face down on the ground. He felt the sword’s sharp point on his back as he tried to get up.

“I believe you’ve lost this duel” James laughed out “now go down to your little farm and go after some poor village girl like that w***e Lucy”

Vian got up and wiped the dust of his clothes and shook his hair to get rid of the rest.

“I want a rematch, that wasn’t a fair fight” Vian shouted at the retreating figure of James.

“Shut up and go home, how could a simple farmer like you even try and duel with a man like James?” Nadine shouted out of the open window while her friend roared with laughter “Just go away and don’t come around here again”

Vian stood there and for the second time in the day he felt like his heart has been cut up into a million tiny pieces and replaced with a heavy suffocating feeling. He looked up at her beautiful face and finally realized that she had been using him, making him feel special so that he would be her loyal slave. He turned around, stepped over and on the flowers growing on the green grassy ground.

He walked on to the dirt road and headed down to the inn to meet Harrald and Yalmar. He felt stupid, betrayed, used and heartbroken as well as furious. He kicked at a small round pebble and missed. He looked up and around and noticed that the sun had almost gone down. He hurried towards the pub as a feeling of nervousness settled upon him, the trees and the wind were creaking and whispering to each other almost; speaking in a lost forgotten language of what was. He pulled his sleeves down as the wind bit at his exposed flesh. Vian walked faster towards the lights in the distance and the inn’s light was the brightest of them all. He heard the sound of laughter and rough shouting emanating from the inn as he approached it. He walked in as Tom the village healer walked out.

“How are you doing Tom?” Vian asked

“Oh I’m alright I think, still having a few problems with the missus” Tom replied with a thick northern accent.

“Stay for a bit longer, I’ve got a feeling tonight is going to be a riot” Vian predicted with a forced smile on his face.

“Oh I’m coming back laddie I’m just going to go and see Lingard for a bit” Tom said as he moved out of the way as a man wearing a black cloak with half of his covered walked past “and remember don’t get pissed without me!”

“I can’t promise that” Vian laughed out as he headed towards the bar.

Vian had to carefully maneuver his way towards the bar as it was far from the empty state it had been earlier in the day. The whole village has turned up Vian thought as he moved out of Herbert’s way who looked extremely drunk. Vian finally reached the bar and sat on a rickety stool and looked around the bar for Yalmar or Harrald. Seated right at the middle of the inn were Herbert, Lingard and Peter who were having a furious whispered argument amid the drunken singing and laughter. Peter lifted his head and noticed Vian looking at them; he gave him a quick wink and went back whispering but this time more cautiously. Vian turned to the bar but kept his ears open to see if he could snatch bits of their conversation. After a while he got bored of just sitting there and only hearing the word “shadow” being said. He began to study the people in the inn and he began to be amused at how the so called “honourable gentlemen” were behaving. Some of them had ale all over them and shouting nonsense at each other. There was one man who Vian hadn’t seen before who was playing with one of the many candles illuminating the inn.

“You’re having fun then” Harrald said as he pulled up a stool right next to Vian “where’s that tall tree?”

“Haven’t got a clu-wait there he is” Vian replied as Yalmar emerged from the back door looking confused and bewildered.

“What’s wrong with you?” Harrald laughed out as he noticed the expression on Yalmar’s face

“Oh nothing I thought I felt…..something” Yalmar said cautiously and quietly.

Vian looked at Harrald whose laughter had stopped abruptly and was looking worried.

“I’ll get us a few pints then” Yalmar sheepishly stated.

Harrald remained quiet and still with his eyes closed until his pint was put in front of him.

“The elves have officially declared war on men; apparently their oracles are claiming it is the will of the gods.” Gertrude told the hushed crowd seated near the bar “There’s also news coming in from the north that the Gate of Light has been open”

“Come off it Gertrude why would the gods want us gone? Or better yet why send the elves to do their dirty work?” asked Bartholomew the Beekeeper. “It’s probably rumours spread by the elves to justify their attack on Elmorat”

“Yeah it’s not like Junthar the Great and Sinthra the Wise would allow the massacre of innocents, it ain’t like the gods to do something unjust” added George as he helped his older but shorter brother up onto a stool.

“I know Junla the Creator would not cause the desolation and destruction of a whole race, she is far too kind. She has given us all that we have ever needed” Yalmar said quietly as he handed two mugs filled with rum to Bartholomew and George.

“Alright calm down they’re just rumours, at times like these you wish the wizards were still around eh” chuckled Gertrude as she filled up Vian’s pint glass.

Vian looked around to see if Lingard and his cohorts had finished with their secret meeting, they were nowhere to be seen and the table was occupied by four strange individuals wearing golden masks, robes and cloaks that seemed to shimmer every time they moved. They were sitting perfectly still with their heads down and all of their drinks were full.

“Gertrude who do you think those four in gold are? I’ve never seen individuals dressed like that before.” whispered Vian to Gertrude who was now helping Yalmar stack bottles on the wooden shelves behind the bar.

“No idea never seen their like around here before.” replied Gertrude as she watched the sit there like statues “But if they cause any trouble I’ll make sure that their gold robes will turn red”

“They’re Sinthra’s priests, harmless at most times just don’t start blaspheming in front of them” Yalmar told Vian who looked a bit surprised that Yalmar knew who they were.

“Hey Vian look it’s your lady friend” said Lucy who had just come through the back carrying a bucket of water that sloshed about and wet her stained dress.

Vian spun around and saw Nadine making her way towards him. How dare she make come here thought Vian as he stood up off his stool, drink in hand. She came at a stop a few feet away from him and was about to say something when Tom came flying in through the front door with burnt clothes and singed hair.

“Help, I need help! My home it’s on fire!” He screamed.

Everyone excluding the four golden priests and Gertrude rushed out of the door and headed towards Tom’s cottage which was two fields away from Vian’s farm. The blazing house could be seen from two leagues away. Tom’s wife Mary was throwing buckets upon buckets of water at the flames that were devouring her home but the water evaporated as it got near the flames.

“Grab those buckets and fill them with water!” Bartholomew yelled at a group “the rest of us are going try and extinguish it!”

The house was swallowed by these flames and it was about to fall apart, it illuminated the whole farm and cast eerie shadows; it seemed as if there were creatures dancing to the crackling of the flames inside the house Vian thought as he threw another bucket filled with water. As he went to refill his bucket Vian saw Harrald stick his hand into the fire that was eating the house and pull it back unscathed. He dropped his bucket and moved towards the two who had gotten rid of their shirts and trousers and were now wearing their robes.

“How the hell did you that?” Vian asked Harrald in amazement.

“It’s Bladhm Shiorai, eternal fire. That’s why no matter how much water you throw at it won’t go out” Harrald replied to a bewildered Vian “we’re at the wrong place; we need to get back to the inn”

“Those priests might still be inside; they were the ones that cast the curse. Head towards the inn I’ll catch up with you” Yalmar told Harrald and Vian. “I’ll extinguish it”

“You can’t do it alone, you’re essence is not strong enough” Harrald said “Vian go to the inn and make sure those priests don’t cause any more fiery accidents”

“Who are you two?” Vian stammered as he backed away from them in fear.

“Just do it!” Yalmar roared at Vian “Do you want your whole village to burn like Elmorat?”

They lifted their hands and closed their eyes, the fire began to subdue and get smaller. Vian turned around and ran towards his house, he took out his broadsword and sprinted out of his house and towards the inn. He clattered into someone on the path leading up to the inn and staggered back into a wagon. He rubbed his head and looked around to see who had hit; someone with a brown dress got up and limped towards him.

“Vian is that you?” Nadine whimpered.

“What do you want? Why don’t you go talk to your beloved James instead of walking around in the middle of the night” Vian spat out as he approached the inn.

“I need to talk to you, please just wait” Nadine pleaded as Vian walked up the small steps to reach the front door which was slightly open.

“Talk to me later I’m busy, go away.” Vian hissed as he sneaked towards the door.

“What are you doing?” Nadine whispered.

“Just go home where it’s safe.” Vian pleaded

“No I’m staying here until you talk to me properly.” Nadine said stubbornly as she hugged herself.

“Fine freeze to death.” Vian hissed out.

He peered through the door and he saw seven individuals standing around a shimmering mirror that was enclosed by a perfect circle drawn in what looked like blood, the golden priests who now had hoods over their faces as well as the three hooded men in green were softly chanting a soft prayer or spell that was causing the candles to flicker and wink. He looked towards the bar and he saw Gertrude fixed onto the wall by a dozen spears that were dripping with her blood, he looked towards the left corner of the room and he saw Lucy gagged, tied up and unconscious. Vian moved away from the door in horror and shock, he didn’t even notice Nadine asking him what was wrong. He looked down at his sword and it reflected the candle light that emanated from the inn, a sudden blinding fury and maddening anger seized him. He looked at the door, tightened his hold on his sword and sprinted towards the door. He burst through it and immediately tried to impale one of the golden priests but he dodged his attack with surprising speed. He swung it again towards another priest but he too jumped away from the sword. The priest opposite Vian raised his hand and a force threw him backwards through the door. Vian staggered up with both of his hands on the sword, he felt warm blood running down his face. He sprinted towards the priests that were continuing their ritual. As soon as he entered he felt another invisible force take hold of his body and throw him right at the wall. His sword flew away from him as he hit the wall and he lifted his head of the ground to see the priest nearest to him raise his hand and Nadine come hurtling in through the door as if an invisible gigantic hand had plucked her from the ground, she stayed in mid-air for a moment and then as thrown into the same corner as Lucy. He began to slip in and out of consciousness. He tried to crawl over towards Lucy and Nadine but that same force grabbed him and held him against the wall. He couldn’t even budge from the spot he was trapped in; he felt his life force was being slowly squeezed out of him. He saw a flash of blue light from the door behind the bar. He watched Harrald and Yalmar slowly emerge from the door. Yalmar jumped onto the bar and “soldiers”. Five soldiers emerged from thin air and attacked the priests and hooded men while Yalmar brought forth more creatures from nothing; a large muscular snake wrapped itself around one of the hooded men, squeezing the life out of him. Harrald swung his hand that became full of flames that took the form of a whip and he wrapped it around one of the golden priests. The others tried to use the same invisible force that they had used on Viand and Nadine but it didn’t work as Harrald slowed down the time around them with his other hand while Yalmar manifested roots that came shooting out of the ground and crushed the remaining priests. The remaining hooded man ran towards the door but Harrald slowed down the time round him and Yalmar manifested another root that shot out of the ground, grabbed his foot and suspended him mid-air upside down. Harrald went towards the man, kicking one of the dead priests out of the way. He took of his mask and to Vian’s shock it was Lingard.

“What are you summoning? That’s a blood portal which means you summoning something here. What is it?” Harrald asked Lingard “I’ll let you go if you tell us what you and your dead friends are summoning”.

“The question you should be asking is who we were summoning, the Shadow has been freed and my master pleased” laughed out Lingard.

Yalmar got down from the bar, manifested a labrys and cut off Lingard’s head and kicked it into the fireplace and then set it ablaze. Vian noticed he could move again so he got up gingerly and headed towards Lucy and Nadine who were regaining consciousness, he cut off the ropes that held Lucy and took out the cloth in her mouth. He seated the both of them up and walked slowly towards Harrald and Yalmar.

“What in the god’s names is going?” He asked them.

“We’ve got a bigger problem than explaining what just happened, we can’t stop the portal from opening up, our essence isn’t strong enough.” Yalmar told him “Go get your sword we might have to kill whatever is coming through here”

Vian picked up his sword and lit the extinguished candles; he took Gertrude off the wall and placed her on the floor. He wiped Gertrude’s blood off him and towards Lucy and Nadine who were still dazed.

“Lucy your mother……..she’s passed away.” Vian told her “The priests killed her.”

“Lenla is coming.” Lucy whispered “I see the trial of death the goddess will leave”

“Vian leave her alone, she might even be telling the truth; we don’t know what’s going to come out of this portal.” Harrald said as he walked to the far side of the shimmering mirror that was now moving around violently as well.

Vian walked to the other side of the mirror and held up his sword ready. Yalmar conjured ten soldiers and two wolves too stand around the mirror. Harrald’s hands were filled with crackling lightning as he paced around the mirror. Suddenly the mirror shattered and the glass turned into a black liquid that encompassed the inner part of the blood circle. They stood ready as a black gloved hand came out of the pool, then the other hand and arms came out. Slowly and slowly a body accompanied the hooded and masked head; only its orange pupils could be seen. The thing slowly got up and stretched its limbs. The creature looked at the individuals surrounding it and with a click and wave of its hand it sent the manifested into oblivion and the rest clattering onto the wall where they remained held by a force much stronger than that of the priests.

“What are you?” Harrald asked as he struggled “your magic…its force is unbelievably strong”

It stepped off the inside of the circle and made its way towards Nadine and Lucy.

Get away from them or I’ll kill you” roared Vian.

It turned around and looked at Vian; he felt his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. It turned around and knelt down next to the both of them who were still muttering about Lenla the goddess of death. It looked into Lucy’s eyes and said “Light”; Vian was surprised to hear the softness of its voice. It moved to Nadine, looked into her eyes and said the same thing. It got up and walked towards the three men, its pitch black cloak dragging across the floor and its boots almost sinking into the ground as it walked. It looked into Vian’s eyes and said “Darkness” with a smile. It did and said the same thing about Harrald and Yalmar who were struggling to get free. It walked back to the centre of the room and stood still for a bit, almost as if it had been turned into a statue.

“You wanted to know what I was?” it asked Harrald as it opened its orange eyes and stared right into his.

“Yes what are you and how do you possess so much essence and magic?” Harrald asked it in an almost pleading tone.

“I am the Shadowlord, Prince of the Greylands, watcher of men in the night and bane of the gods. I am the last of my kind and I have lived far longer than the gods have ruled. Against the Corruption and Light I am your saviour. When the day breaks and the sun withers I am the only hope for your race.” The Shadow said in its mesmerising voice.

“What do you mean by ‘Corruption’ and ‘Light’?” Vian asked.

“Are you joking? What have they been teaching you for the past couple of millennia? The three primordial forces: Corruption, Light and Darkness. The daemons, goblins and orcs are usually those that possess Corruption, the gods, elves and creatures of the day possess Light while mankind and the creatures of the night possess the Darkness. The gods are the head of the Light, the daemon king is the head of corruption and I the Shadowlord am the head of darkness.” The shadow replied as it paced around the room. “The gods and daemons have told you no they have forced you to believe that there is only the Light and Darkness and that the Darkness is evil while the Light is good. It is all about the choices you make and not with what force you are born. Even those born with Corruption can be good. These so called gods are nothing but evil and now they plot with their pawns the elves to wipe out your race and take what is yours. You should hold dominion over all lands that you can reach because that was your destiny and your right when the first of came across the Neverending Sea and took your place alongside my race. They actually thought I’d join their master.”

“Nice speech Shadow but tell me how do we know it’s true?” laughed out Harrald “For all we know you could be the one plotting to kill our race.”

“He’s telling the truth Harrald and don’t ask me why; I just know” Yalmar told Harrald who was looking at him strangely.

The shadow released Yalmar with a wave of its hand. Yalmar stood on his spot and watched the shadow.

“Lenla is coming and I can only protect the three of you, the only way I can help those two is by blessing them.” The shadow told Yalmar “The name I have chosen is Scath.”

“Do it then, bless them.” Yalmar told him.

“Yalmar you can’t make that choice for them!” Harrald shouted at Yalmar as he struggled even harder to escape from Scath’s hold.

“I have to Harrald who else can make that choice for them?” Yalmar asked Harrald.

A sudden flash of dark blue dazed everyone, Scath was thrown across the room by an entity covered in surrounded by blue flames. The flame’s intensity decreased and a dark haired woman wearing a long blue thin dress stood there. She walked towards the two girls in the corner. She lifted Lucy up and looked at her with a smile. She suddenly grabbed Lucy’s head and ripped her head off, her blood squirted everywhere especially on Nadine who was still mumbling silent words. The woman dropped Lucy’s head and let it roll towards Harrald and Vian. Vian vomited as he saw Lucy’s dead eyes. The women walked towards Harrald slowly.

“You’re going to pay for that you b***h, I’ll rip off your head the same way you ripped hers off” Screamed Harrald.

“Don’t be silly boy you cannot kill a goddess” Lenla laughed out as she rose off the ground right in front of Harrald.

She grabbed his head with one hand and kissed him as she stabbed him with a short dagger engulfed in blue flames. She watched as his robes became stained with his blood and as he lost consciousness. Suddenly a dark mass swallowed the goddess Lenla and dashed her against the wall.

“He’s mine!” Scath roared at her “The time mage is mine and as for the rest of them they are protected by me”

“It’s a shame he is one of yours, he would have made a good servant and he would also be alive” Lenla said as the dark blue flames engulfed her and disappeared.

Scath ran towards Harrald and released him. He put his hand on his face and closed his eyes. A dark mass emanated from Scath and entered Harrald through his open eyes. Scath moved away and watched as Harrald began breathing and moving.

“How did you do that?” Yalmar asked as he knelt down next to Harrald who was slowly getting up.

“I snatched him from brother Death’s arms and brought him back to his body, I blessed him as well. He can’t die unless I take my blessing away, his essence has been increased greatly as well as his magic” replied Scath.

“Me as well, please bless me so that I can avenge Lucy’s death?” Yalmar asked in a pleading tone.

Scath smiled as put his hand on Yalmar’s face, some of the dark mass entered Yalmar through his eyes as well.

“You have the power to create but now I’ve given you the power to utter an object’s name and destroy it and take its essence.” Scath told Yalmar who was helping Harrald up.

“Thank you” said Yalmar gratefully.

Scath moved towards Vian and released him.

“You have anger and rage burning inside of you, the only problem is that the beast in your belly can only be released by my blessing” Scath informed Vian.

“Do it, these gods are going to pay for what they did to Lucy” Vian spat out as Scath blessed him as well.

Scath helped Vian up and went to Nadine and blessed her as well, more dark mass entered her than the others. He helped her up and walked to the door.

“Vian can you smell it in the air? Let the beast inside smell the air” Scath asked Vian who took a sniff.

“There’s something coming this way, two large beasts and fifty smaller creatures” Vian told Scath who smiled at him.

“There are two dragons and fifty elves coming this way, the gods have sent them to ‘purify’ this village. Let’s go welcome them then” Scath said as he walked out of the door and onto the path.

“What are we going to do now? The King’s soldiers will be after us for murder and the gods want to kill us” Nadine asked Scath who walked onto a field.

“First of all we slaughter the gods messengers, then we go to the King” Scath replied as he turned his back to the rising sun and the roars of the two dragons “Then we march with an army against the elves and daemons and then finally we slay the gods and purify the world with their blood.” 

Author's Note

ignore the grammar problems if there are any lool