The Blank Pages

My first full short story of my fictional universe.

Lyla was imprisoned. She was to be executed at dawn. Ravien, Razayku’s dear friend, was gone forever, and Lyla was to join her in death. This was the news that was brought to Razayku of Silvereign. Razayku knew who killed the princess, and it was not Lyla. Odiok, Ravien's father, despised the females of Cindolayas. Odiok sat upon a throne of malice, and Razayku could not remain idle during this night. Razayku stood silently at the threshold of Silvereign under the night sky, gazing about Gargana Kazumay. There would be sentries in Avalion, he knew, but he would find a way to infiltrate the dwelling of Odiok and ensure that Lyla had her freedom. He had the aid of no one in his kingdom, as no one wanted to risk going to war with Avalion, not even King Octavius. Razayku was Lyla’s only friend. “Despair not Lyla, for the dawn of tomorrow shall not be the last one you see.”

Razayku mounted Blacknight and left the splendor of Silvereign behind. When he passed the placidity of Byssolith Silverai, he turned and took one last glance at the kingdom, as it shined silver in the cold moonlight. It could be the last sight of it he would ever have the luxury to behold, so he froze the image in his mind before riding to Kazumay and passing into its southern trail. The winter mountain air sharpened Razayku’s perception and calmed his nerves. He could only force himself to accept the reality of what has occurred. He could not change the past, but this night was all but over, and he had the power to shape it. If he was proficient at anything, it was marksmanship. No one could surpass his ability to hit a target from afar. However, he had never killed before. It was never a need. He could not approach Avalion from the front as they were too many guards. Avalion’s east side was protected by Gargana Lavire and its west side by Gargana Kadav. South was a cliff overlooking the magnificence of Byssolith Astrolica. He was to venture to Kadav. Blacknight and his rider emerged from the mountain shadow and entered the river land of Torrentium.

 

Illaeo Vorian flowed southward, rippling white under the moonrays. Kadav was far in the distance in the corner of Razayku’s vision. He remained vigilant, pressing onward through the short grass and rogue trees of Torrentium. The black sky was abundant in stars of glimmering light. Not one other soul was wandering about, but Razayku valued solitude. Just this morning all three of them sat down and discussed how to celebrate Lyla and Ravien’s engagement, and now, Razayku was to fight to save only one of their lives. Even if he succeeded, both he and Lyla would writhe in sorrow at the loss of Ravien forever. Blacknight galloped past the many streams of Vorian, riding over every grassy hill. The southernmost hill in Torrentium was the largest, and when Razayku made his way to the top, Quendolai Moonata was in view far ahead, the moonlit mountains of Kadav standing east of it. On the other side of Kadav was his destination. He could only afford to enter the fortress from the roof, and casting arrows into the guards would be required for doing so. Once they had fallen, he would ascend the wall from the bottom. Razayku remembered one of his discoveries from when he explored Kadav for leisure a few weeks ago. There was a cave high up on the side of one of the mountains, extending up to the peak with a slanted floor, and there was a small opening at the uppermost point through which arrows could be shot. He concluded that the cave was man-made, although he could not prove it. He never thought he would ever seek use of it. There would be a sentry at each of the four corners of the wall, he knew, and the opening in the cave would provide the best vantage point. Heights were not something Razayku feared, nor was death. He was prepared for what lay ahead of him, thus he rode onward through the empty night until he came to the western edge of Kadav. He stopped and raised his head to gaze upon the mountains, admiring their majesty. He found the crevice through which he needed to go and entered. He kept his mind alert for any potential threat, but he was unhindered. He found himself looking behind him every minute, in case he was detected on his way here and designated for entrapment. Sure enough, he found the cave safely, thus he dismounted Blacknight, took his grappling hook, and tossed it upward. He was inside, and when he stood up on the cave floor, a torch was lit deep inside.

            There was a figure. The mountain dweller’s gaze was fixed upon Razayku. There was no sound and no movement but that of shadow. Razayku broke the silence. “Are you to obstruct me?” asked Razayku. “I bear no allegiance to Avalion. Not any longer.” He raised an Avalionan crest in the torchlight, dropping it to the hard ground. “I knew Ravien,” said the dweller. “When Odiok wasn’t around, she would talk to me. I never started the conversations, but I listened. She was always happy, happy about someone named Lyla. I stayed at my post every day, carrying out my duties and lending her an ear when she came around. I saw this Lyla tonight in the throne room. It’s the same Lyla Odiok plans to execute tomorrow for the murder of his daughter. This is the first place I thought of going after abandoning my post. Do what you will with Avalion, my friend.” Razayku reached into his pocket and pulled out a radiant pink orb that shined in the luna light. “One day, I saw this drifting amid the waters of Byssolith Mysteo. I was enraptured. I took it and I hid it, not knowing what to do with it. A few days ago, my two best friends got engaged. I thought of giving them to them.” He trailed off and put it back into his pocket. “How do you I know you are not a guard trying to gain my trust?” inquired Razayku. “If I am, don’t let your guard down.” Razayku was not threatened by the man. “An extra bow would be helpful. Maybe I’m not fast enough on my own,” Razayku confessed, suddenly feeling timid now that the time to do it was near. “I empathize with your cause. I would like to see you succeed,” said the dweller. Razayku did not expect to hear him volunteer. “Do you possess arrows made of Cindolaum rock?” asked Razayku. “I am afraid not.” “Cindolaum rock arrowheads can pierce helm and mail. We’ll share,” Razayku offered. The figure stood up in the firelight, holding the torch. He nudged his head toward his right, and he began to ascend a slope in the cave. Razayku followed. If the torchbearer tried to do anything, Razayku’s bow would beat the torch. They escalated for several minutes, and a linear crack in the mountain could be seen at the top. “I’m Taviason.” Razayku introduced himself in return. Razayku remembered there was flat ground underneath the open space, which would allow easy balance for attack. They came to the flat ground, and they could see clearly through the opening. Moonlight still shined upon Elemientus. Down below was Avalion. Although it under tyranny, it was a mighty kingdom. Four sentries stood guard overlooking Jettagray, bearing their bows. They were garbed in sea-green uniforms and helms. To the far right was the gargantuan water realm of Astrolica. It shined mystically at night, and the clouds above it were floating into the far regions of the world. Razayku did not know the men below. Perhaps they did not deserve to die. They could have had friends and families of their own. Razayku was not an evil man. Nevertheless, he was willing to do what was necessary. These men could not be negotiated with. They bore an allegiance to Odiok. They were merely fulfilling their duty, and for that, they were an obstruction.

            Razayku whispered. “Ready… set… now.” They simultaneously released their arrows and each one sped through the air, finding its way into a head, piercing through helm. Two sentries fell dead, and the ones still standing had turned towards the ones that fell, and before they could run or make a sound, two more arrow were released, finding their marks. Razayku had killed, and that could not be undone. The two came to the entrance of the cave. Razayku placed the hook into the mountain and made his descent down rope, and Taviason did after. “This is Blacknight.” Taviason nodded to the horse, gentlemanly. “Pleasure.” They mounted the loyal beast and rode onward over stones and animal bones. They came to the base of the wall unhindered, dismounting and looking upward at the fortress. Razayku positioned his hook in his crossbow, aimed high, and the hook shot upward and situated firmly. He gazed at the galactic lights of the winter sky as he walked up the wall with Taviason coming up behind him. They stepped foot upon the wall, looking about the empty roof. The far regions of Elemientus were in view, including the trees of Cindolayas, concealing Kazumay with their unparalleled height. “I intend to interrogate Odiok for her location,” said Razayku. “If she lies somewhere that is locked, I shall make him give me the key. After he talks and gives me the key, I shall keep him bound in his throne room while I explore the fortress in the garb of a sentry. I threaten to come back and bring him torture if his information proves false. That’s my attempt at a practical plan. I could stab Odiok and place the blade in his hand, maybe put a bow and Cindolaum rock arrows on his person. This can work.”

 

“What is to stop Avalion from claiming that Lyla had employed witchcraft to escape imprisonment and manipulate Odiok into madness?” asked Taviason. “They know she is of Silvereign, and Avalion may come to Cindolayas in vengeance, bringing war upon it for simply being the homeland of the one they claim is responsible for the death of their king.” Razayku turned to face Taviason straight on. “So I should stand at a podium and explain the truth to this kingdom, hoping they believe that their leader was a maniacal tyrant? Trying to prove witchcraft is not real? They are corrupttfor not instantly overthrowing him the moment he claimed Lyla had cast a spell upon Ravien that extinguished her life. War may find its way to Cindolayas, and if Avalion comes to Kazumay, Cindolayas shall engage.” Taviason nodded slowly. “There is a hatch near us that opens to a stairwell. That stairwell leads to the hall in front of the throne room doors. We descend the stairwell and eliminate the guards.”

 

The men approached the hatch, and Razayku took it by the handle, opening it cautiously. He peered downward and saw the light of the hallway before the throne room doors. A torch-lit wall could be seen below with a sea-green carpet along the floor. Razayku placed one arrow on his bow and pulled it back, and Taviason did the same. Razayku took point and lightly stepped down the stairwell with Taviason behind. They had now infiltrated the fortress. The warmth of the stronghold had enveloped them, as well as the scent of a fine, well-cleaned carpet. They came near the last step. Razayku looked back at Taviason and nodded, and Taviason nodded back. Razayku faced forward, remembering why he was there. He felt a flame burn in his chest. Lyla was counting on him. He was her only hope. He could not fail. With the speed of lightning, he dashed forward and turned right, aiming his bow. He immediately saw two guards in sea-green uniforms, bearing the Avalionan crest. They were holding long spears and stood on the left and right of the throne room doors. Razayku locked onto his target on the left and fired an arrow into his face, and with haste, Taviason dashed up next to him and fired into the other face. Both men thudded against the doors, sliding down. Razayku looked at Taviason and nudged his head toward the doors. Razayku readied another arrow and used his shoulder to open one of the two sea-green metal doors. He quickly entered what was the throne room of Avalion, his eyes swiftly moving all over to absorb his surroundings. It was emptiness. Sea-green tapestry hung from the ceiling. Black columns adorned in sea-green spirals stood alongside the walls. The infiltrators dragged the guards into the room and sat them in the corner. They used their coats to wipe off the blood that had splattered on the doors, went back inside, and tossed the coats onto the bodies. “Razayku, although it was fortunate we were not met with an army, there can only be one explanation as to why this place is vacant. There is a hatch behind his throne. There is a place underneath the throne room that Odiok calls The Dungeon.” Razayku suddenly felt as though his stomach had been submerged in a pool of poison water. He sprinted towards the throne, took a glance behind it, and saw a hatch similar to that which was discovered on the roof. In spite of his determination to move swiftly, he was careful not to make a noise. He got the hatch open and saw a short ladder going down into a room with a red light. He could feel his pulse in his throat. He leapt into the red darkness, and before he could turn his head to the right to investigate the red room, he heard the yelp of a male voice. He turned, and the sight he beheld caused him to feel as though his heart had burst into black flames. Odiok was standing naked on the left side of a bed, backed up against a wall, and he was soaked in blood, breathing heavily and covering his genitalia. There was a torch burning crimson on his left side, and on the bed, naked, motionless, and bound by shackles on all limbs was Lyla, her eyes finding Razayku’s.

 

She sobbed weakly through a rope tied around her head along the mouth. A small white table with various blades and nameless menacing tools sat on the right side of the bed, and the eyes of Odiok were alternating between gazing at the blades and gazing at Razayku. “Who… Who… Who are you?” he asked. Razayku raised his bow with an arrow pulled back, his whole body quivering. Odiok let out a nervous laugh. Taviason had descended the ladder and walked up to the right side of Razayku. He looked down at Lyla and then up at Odiok, indignantly aiming his own bow up at his face. “Taviason! You will be put to death for this!” Odiok shouted. Razayku was not even concerned with his voice drawing the guards. He approached slowly, keeping his bow pointed, and the arrowhead poked Odiok right between the eyes. “Think of the worst nightmare you have ever had in your entire life.” Razayku lowered the bow to what Odiok covered with his hands. “That nightmare is a paradise compared to what will happen if you do not set her free.” Odiok kneeled down to the floor and reached under the bed, pulling out a key. He stood upright and held it in his open right hand, his left hand on his bloody groin.

 

Razayku snatched the key, dropped his bow, and leapt on the bed. He put the key in his teeth for a moment so he could untie the rope. Lyla coughed, gasped and whimpered, saying no words. Razayku undid the shackles, took her in his arms, and they held each other tighter than they ever had. Razayku could feel the warm tears on Lyla’s face rubbing off onto the right side of his neck. “I got you now… I got you…”

 

Odiok spoke. “I know this looks bad, but you have got to believe me. I did not even want to do what I did. I was underneath a spell. You may not want to believe it but your friend Lyla is a conjurer of spells. She bewitched me and compelled me to copulate with her. And she killed my daughter. Sincerely, I would not do that. What father would kill his own daughter? I beg you to understand. My kingdom already intends to bring war to Cindolayas in vengeance for sending a witch to kill Ravien. If you let me live, I can talk them out of it. I can ensure the safety of your land. Let me live if you wish for Cindolayas to thrive in safety.”

 

Razayku turned his eyes toward Odiok, sitting up off the bed. He pulled a long curved dagger with a black handle that bore the word “Ravien” in silver letters from his pocket. “Your daughter had given this to me to sharpen last time I saw her. Well, I did, and I am quite satisfied with the outcome. What is your opinion?”  In a moment of abruptness, Razayku drove Ravien’s dagger with as much strength as he possessed into the throat of Odiok, and it cascaded with blood as he gargled and choked. Razayku pulled the blade out, maintaining eye contact with the king, and Odiok slid down against the wall with his hands as if they would heal the wound and prevent him from dying. Razayku, Lyla, and Taviason looked down upon the king of Avalion as he bled within the walls in which he would cause others to bleed.

 

“I… do not die… when my heart stops beating…” he spoke.

 

Taviason lowered his bow. “You need to warn King Octavius of the probability of war. Take Lyla home. You have only one horse. I will find one of my own and meet you in Silvereign.” Taviason went up the ladder first. Razayku ascended with Lyla on his shoulder, and Taviason helped her up. Razayku dressed Lyla in one of the guard’s clothes in the still empty throne room. When she was fully dressed, Razayku placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her red, watery eyes. “I’m gonna take care of you. I’m gonna do that forever.”

 

Lyla would not speak. It was if she died and been brought back by some unearthly force. Razayku was simply thankful he was not too late, and he hoped her mind would return to neutral, with his help. They left the throne room and went up the stairwell that led to the roof. Taviason opened the hatch and the cool night air cleansed their lungs. Blacknight was waiting for them. They safely descended the wall and the boys helped Lyla onto the horse. When Razayku mounted, Lyla wrapped herself around him and placed her head onto his back. Taviason stood there looking upward at them. “I am happy you are safe, Lyla. You two will see me again.” “Thank you for your help, Taviason. You turned out to be a good man after all.” Razayku looked above at the starlit mountain peaks. ”I never thought I’d ever be compelled to kill. Worse than that, Ravien’s gone and she’s not coming back, but there are blank pages on which to write.” Razayku and Lyla took off on Blacknight, leaving Taviason at his abode. Razayku was replaying the scenario he experienced in the Dungeon. Regardless of what he failed to prevent, he succeeded in his mission. Lyla would live to see another day, and if Avalion sought to bring Cindolayas to ruins, Razayku would stand by King Octavius and Taviason to ensure their failure. As they rode through Torrentium, inhaling the river air, the sun began to rise, casting blue light through the trees that stretched far above Kazumay, and within Avalion, its denizens were preparing to witness the execution of a witch.