Kerewn's Quest

I worked on this story for over five years

 

 

 

          

                                            The Rhakka Hunt

                                by Dylan Ellis Cook

 

    Kerewyn stood on the deck of the Rhakka hunting boat. She had strong,

noble features but with enough roundness to soften their edges.   Her eyes

were small round lakes of grey-blue water amidst a face of ridges, arching

brows and long eyelashes.  Kerewyn’s skin was sensuous and deep, burnished brown, slightly weathered due to being on The Rhakka Hunting boats frequently.

        Her body was smooth and lithe, and she walked with the grace of a swan, glowing with her vibrant aura of youth.  Her hair shimmered as brightly as a vermillion  sunset.  Rubies and sapphires bedecked the crown in her hair.  She wore a daffodil in the crook of each of her ears. 

    She breathed in the salty scent of the sea air; she felt the wind rock the  Rhakka hunting boat back and forth, like a mother cradling a child.  Suddenly her reverie was rudely interrupted by a tight-faced man with a spear who glowered at Kerewyn.

    “By The Goddess, Kerewyn, snap out of it!  We need you to summon the

Rhakkas now!  The survival of the tribe depends on us finding enough food!”

snapped Rhynn, rattling his spear at Kerewyn.  Rhynn’s face, a study in

contrast, seemed mismatched.  The skin was drawn taughtly over his oval

face, as if he had been sat on too many times, and his mouth was always

curved in a telltale smirk.

    “Don’t you think I know this?  Don’t you think I see grandfather Gwyddion

wasting away every night, or hear the cries of starving children?  Analyn

dumped her own baby in the ocean because it died of hunger this last week!”

    “Alright, I’m sorry I lost my temper.  Just keep your mind on the task

at hand.”

    “You two, stop arguing, and get ready for the hunt!”  admonished

Freyenn, Kerewyn’s teacher.  Freyenn ran her hand through her brown hair.

    “ Come to the bow of the Rhakka Boat, and start singing.” 

    Kerewyn nodded, regretfully following Freyenn’s slender, well-muscled

frame to the front of the large fishing boat.  Freyenn had brown hair and

bright blue eyes, along with hooked nose.  These were characteristics of

Kerewyn’s people, The Myrridians.  The boat lurched back and forth, causing

Kerewyn to hold on to the railings unsteadily.

    The Myrridians had migrated north from the Isles of  Fire across The

Myrridian Sea, to the continent of Araminthia.  Here on Araminthia the

Myrridians had established a peaceful, hunting-and-gathering society similar

to that which they had back on The Islands of Fire. Though this time, they

hoped to prevent the civil strife which had caused most of them to leave a

century ago.

    “Come to the foredeck  and start singing, Kerewyn.  It is time,” repeated

Freyenn  kindly but urgently.

    As she neared the foredeck, she spotted the Rhakkas.  Their deep blue, serpentine bulks undulated in the water, silvery-green scales flashing in the morning sunlight.   One Rhakka raised its fearsome head, opening its jaws and showing rows of razor-sharp, gleaming teeth.   The Rhakka’s tongue flicked about the insides of its cavernous mouth.  A serene grace radiated from the beasts, contrary to their reputation among The Sea Folk.

    Kerewyn, her aquamarine robes billowing about her, began to sing.  Softly at first, then gradually the song crescendoed into a lilting, yet powerful melody. She wrapped the twisting, turning web of resonating sound around the Rhakkas’ sinuous  minds before they had time to react.   They succumbed to the web reluctantly, giving themselves up for the hunters families as a sacrifice.  This way they would serve their purpose and be reborn as a guardian of the hunter’s families in the next life.  

        Kerewyn’s  heart wrenched as memories of previous hunts spilled out of her subconscious mind into her consciousness.   Her voice broke, her concentration breaking along with it and this almost broke the hold she has over those vicious  beasts. They are only vicious if threatened, then they can be deadly!  Kerewyn reminded herself.  

        Her hands gripped the railing of the ship until her knuckles turn white.  A splinter dug into her right palm, but she ignored it, focusing only on the song.  Passionate, pulsing waves of power rolled through her like huge swells on the open sea after a storm.  She shivered, trying to stay warm and calm amidst the chaos.

    Suddenly, one of the Rhakkas lashed out with its thick, powerful jaws.

Its horned head smashed into the side, sending debris overboard, along with a

single hunter.  The Rhakka’s jaws closed about another hunter, pulling him,

screaming, from the foredeck into the water.  Blood gushed onto the side of the boat, staining the boat and the water a dark crimson color.

    Kerewyn lashed back at the creature with her own power, tightening the

web around the Rhakka’s  mind yet again, adding an extra layer to the web.

She coaxed the beast back to sleep as the hunters yelled wildly, angrily

throwing spears at the beasts’ heads.  The hunters’ spears pierced the

beasts’ armor, blood gushing into the waters around the boat.

    No!  cried Kerewyn silently, a sickening feeling filling her stomach.

She watched the hunters slaughter the Rhakkas, and vomited over the

remaining railing.  No more bloodshed! I won’t let it happen.

    “What’s the matter, oh mighty Siren?  Can’t handle the effects of your

own medicine?” sneered Rhynn, rushing to the fore deck, spear in hand.

    “Actually, I’m vomiting because of your stench and the stench of the

hunters combined!  You can’t even control your own bowels during the hunt,

you’re so scared,” retorted Kerewyn.

    Rhynn ignored the jibe, continuing to head for the foredeck.  He

screamed, jabbing his spear into the Rhakkas’ heads and necks.  The other

hunters grabbed hold of the carcass and hauled it aboard.  Blood stained

their spears,  and smeared their bodies and the deck.  I’m sick of this

bloodshed.  Couldn’t we live in harmony with The Rhakkas?  They don’t eat

us, unless we attack them.  Then we could share their food and have them

guard us against invading tribes!

    “Kerewyn!  Stop daydreaming and come clean up the hunters’ mess!” ordered

Rhynn.

    “Why don’t they clean it up?  Do they depend on me for everything, even

changing their seal-skin underwear?”

    “Just be quiet and hurry up!  I’ll get in trouble if you don’t do as I

say.”

    Sighing, Kerewyn swallowed more useless retorts.  It’s the only way I

feel I can fight back!

    The pair of Rhakka carcasses lay in a twisted heap of flesh and fresh

blood, their scales glittered like sunlit crystals amid the rubble.   Their

gaping mouths sagged open, boasting row upon row of sword-length,

razor-sharp teeth.  Their tongues lolled to one side, as their eyelids

stared ahead in the unchanging,  horridly blank gaze of death.

    Rubbing her hands together, she chanted a spell to clean up the blood

and guts. 

   

    Dragons of the sea, mighty ones of the ocean, be made clean for me,

    All flesh and scale be washed of blood, be made bright and shiny!

    In the name of Myriddia  so must it be!

 

    Clapping her hands, Kerewyn caused all the blood to vanish almost

instantaneously.  The hunters around her gasped in renewed awe, despite

having witnessed the spell’s effects many times before.  However, a new

hunter, Finian, fainted with a resounding clunk.  Two other hunters, one

was Finian’s elder brother, Tylenne; and the other a tall, muscular man named

Dyrnn) attended to him.  The two men called for a bucket of sea water to be

thrown upon the unconscious youth.

    “Kerewyn, go help Finian,”  Rhynn said.  

     But that’s not my duty! I didn’t become Siren to clean up after other people’s messes!

    Sighing again, Kerewyn rushed over to Finian, propping his auburn head

up with her hand and whispering comfortingly in his ears.  Rhynn threw a

bucket of sea water on him, nearly soaking Kerewyn in the process.  She

glared at him, making him recoil and lower his head.  Now half of my robes

are wet, she thought irritably.  I’m too tired to cast another spell in

order to clean them off.  Men!

    Finian awoke, gasping.  He spat out salt water, looking wonderingly

into Kerewyn’s round, opal eyes.  She smiled for the first time that day at

his wonderment, and something bordering on respect in his own brown eyes.

Perhaps they aren’t all so bad, she thought ruefully.

    Smiling at Finian, she sighed.  He is handsome, like his brother, thinks

Kerewyn.    He has a funny nose, that curves upwards.  Finian will grow up

to be a popular man with the ladies.

        

        The Rhakka Celebration

   

    In Tanifwyd, the pair of Rhakkas were dragged onto two large sleds by

the hunters. The sleds were then hitched onto two work horses.  The clydesdale

horses pulled the sleds downtown towards the Patriarch’s house, their brown, muscular bodies shining in the golden sun.  Kerewyn watched the process impatiently, tugging at the hem of her aquamarine dress.  I’ve got to make sure Ewen saves some for Gwyddion!  she thought.

    As the Rhakkas were dragged down the main street of the town, surrounded

by the hunters, women and children and relatives of the hunters come out of

their houses.  The houses were small huts covered with mud, rocks and sea

lion hides.  The townsfolk threw bouquets of flowers, such as irises, lilies, or blueettes at the hunters and honored them with hunting songs.  Their haunting, yet inspiring melodies filled the air, making Kerewyn shiver with the thrill of the hunt and the sadness of the destruction of life.  She sang

along, but only half-heartedly.

   

        On one morning clear and bright

        The hunters set sail to hunt, to fight

        The mighty sea dragons fearsome might

        To bring to us the food that night

        

        Accompanied by a beautiful mistress, named Kerewyn, who was

        young and fair

        Blessed by Myrridia, taken into her loving care

        Filled with a holy song, a fateful stare

        To go where no other women otherwise would dare

       

    Kerewyn ignored the rest of the song, her voice faltering when she

thought of Gwyddion wasting away.  Two Rhakkas, not hardly enough for a town

of two hundred! Goddess, why do you test us so?  Is it because we no longer

follow the traditional ways of my people?  She was so absorbed in her thoughts she did not notice her friend as she walked towards her.

   Her friend patted her on the shoulder.  Kerewyn jumped, then realized it was

only Analyn.  Analyn’s once sad, round eyes shone with joy as she gazed into

Kerewyn’s noting the pensive expression on Kerewyn’s face.  Kerewyn

attempted a smile, but it turned into a grimace.  A tear slid down her face

and dropped onto the wet side of her robes, due to the incident on the boat

when the sea dragon rose up out of the water, covering part of her robe with

water.

    “My dear, what’s wrong?  Do I see the mighty Siren, our heroic

songstress, crying after such a successful hunt?  It’s a good omen, you

know.  Perhaps we are not doomed to starvation as we had once thought,

girl.”

    Kerewyn couldn’t help but grin.  “I’m no girl anymore, old lady,” she

joked, grateful for their familiar routine of jousting with words.

    Brushing aside a lock of silvery, silky hair, Analyn beamed back at

Kerewyn.  “That’s my girl.  I lost a daughter this morning, and I am still

smiling.  Don’t let the world get you down, it will only make things

worse...we have enough grim faces around, like Rhynn’s.  His is frozen in a

permanent sneer.  I wonder what was stuck up his rear end to make him so

uptight--perhaps a spear.  Is he bothering you again, dear?”

    “Yes, and I’m so lonely.  I can’t stand him when I am around him, Rhynn

reminds me that I am alone and miserable...he makes it worse, like you say.

He’s like a parasite on a deer, sucking all the good out of people till they

shrivel up inside.”

    “Well, we can talk later.  Thanks for performing the Ritual of Farewell

for my baby.  I see strength and wisdom in you that hasn’t been seen in ages

in this Goddess-forsaken tribe, Kerewyn.  Keep your chin up.  Smile like the

sun till all the darkness burns away, like shadows turning tail when the sun

rises.”

    “Thank you, Analyn for your support, and your respect.  That’s what I

don’t get around here anymore,”  said Kerewyn ruefully, wiping her dress in

vain, as if trying to dry it with her hand.

    “You must learn to respect yourself first, Kerewyn.  Here, let me get

you a new robe, I have an extra one in my hut.”  Before Kerewyn could

protest, Analyn ran inside her earthen hut, and emerged with a robe just

Kerewyn’s size, although this one was a bright blue.

      She went around the side of Analyn’s hut and changed into the royal

blue robe.    Running to catch up with her hunting crew, she  took one last

glance at Analyn, and called back to her fading figure, “Thanks again, I owe

you!”

               

 

                Food For The Family

   

    The courtyard of the Patriarch was held up by rows of ornate columns,

and in the center a large fountain spewed forth crystal clear water.

Kerewyn waited with the hunters for the Rhakka meat to be blessed by the

Patriarch, then she could bless it in turn.  I should get to bless it first,

since we worship a goddess, but then the flatlanders, Ferewyn-Del-Duath, had

to ruin that by bringing their confounded religion to our homeland!  

        The Ferewyn-Del-Duath were a nomadic people, who had run into rough times on the plains due to a drought, and thus had come seeking food and other bounties

closer to the sea.  They worshipped Gillanon, God of the earth and son of

Myrridia and Gwydion.

     Kerewyn reminded herself that there was also a god, Gwyddion, the Sky

Father.  The Sea Goddess and the Sky Father mated, and gave birth to Ewen,

god of the earth.  Thus, male and female were equal, none dominating the

other.  That is, until the Ferewyn-Del-Duath showed up, thought Kerewyn

bitterly.  They teach that since they had given birth to a son, that they

had wanted a son, and not  a daughter--

    Shrill hunting horns sounded, shattering Kerewyn’s thoughts.  She looked

up, nearly tripping over her dress, to see Ewen enter the courtyard flanked

by two soldiers.  The soldiers wore their ceremonial golden and red cloaks,

carrying swords.  The afternoon sun gleamed on their platemail armor and

their horned helmets.   Ewen was a tall, robust man with grey hair and a

receding hair line.  His broad grin split his rugged, angular face with prominent features when he saw Kerewyn.

    “Kerewyn!  How went the hunt, my daughter?” he asked, striding over to her

and shaking her hand with one hand clasped over the other.

    She smiled wanly.  “It went very well, my Lord Patriarch, considering

our bad luck these last few weeks.”

    “Don’t let that get you down.  The Sea Goddess, Myriddia, will provide

for us in due time.  Gwyddion will recover, and not to worry--I will save

him some meat.  You need not linger at the bartering--it’s unseemly for

women, or so the flatlanders teach.”

    “I can barter as well as the next man--”she began, raising a long dark eyebrow, bristling with anger.  Then she recovered, remembering her manners.  “I mean, thank you, my Lord Patriarch.”  She sighed, hating to suppress her outrage.  But to contradict him in public would bring humiliation to the House of The Patriarch and to her grandfather.

    She turned to go.  Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder.  She

turned.

    “I’m sorry, Kerewyn.  I have no choice.”

    She swallowed her pride, and, ignoring the apology, striding angrily out

of the courtyard.  Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Rhynn.

He was barely suppressing a satisfied smirk.  She glared at him with such intense hatred he lowered his gaze.  Turning on his heel, he stalked away, as if he were dog with his tail between his legs.

   

           Gwyddion’s Dream

  

          The Patriarch’s house was a two-story building with gleaming, curving

archways, long corridors and, of course, the courtyard where the hunters

were now.   It used to be a building of unsurpassed beauty and pride, filled

with secret alcoves and gardens of  nature’s untamed beauty, of rooms with

plush chairs and beds with silken sheets.

    Some of this remained, but either due to Gwyddion’s sickness,  or to

some other unexplained phenomenon, the house seemed as if it were becoming

sick itself.  No matter what the maids did, no matter how hard they

scrubbed, washed and polished, things seemed to stain, rot and decay before

their disbelieving eyes.

    Carpenter ants invaded every part of the house as if bent on its

destruction.  Birds who had stayed respectfully away from the  noble, golden

eagles adorning all four corners of the rooftop defecated all over the

lifelike statues and the roof itself.  There had even been several attempts

at robbery of the famed treasury.  The building seemed to sag under an

invisible weight, its life and beauty drained by the strange sickness of the

owner.

    Gwyddion’s room was on the second floor.  He lay on a couch covered with

soft, green and red velvet blankets which were bathed in the magical glow of afternoon light. His sickly, emaciated form resembled some rotten driftwood rather than a human body.   The odor of blood-stained blankets and refuse filled the room

as Kerewyn entered, her heart lurching to her throat along with her stomach.

She had forgotten to take out the waste pail before the hunt.

    “Gwyddion, I am so sorry about--” she began, then remembered he could

barely speak.  He raised his head, which seemed too much effort for he

lowered it an instant later.  He coughed blood onto a thin, enfeebled hand.

Spittle flew out of his mouth.

    Kerewyn ran to his side, propping his head up on a pillow so as to

prevent him from choking.  She searched for something to wipe the blood from

his hand and mouth and, when she could nothing within reach, used the sleeve

of her new dress without thinking.  Running into the kitchen, she grabbed a

clay chalice and poured some water into it from a bucket, then rushed back

into Gwyddion’s room.  Confound the lazy maid who tends Gwyddion!  I will

have a word with her tomorrow--

    “Mistress Kerewyn?” called a thin, dainty voice, which seemed full of

butterflies during a spring day.

    “I apologize for forgetting to empty the refuse pail.  I was outside,

throwing flowers at the hunters and got caught up in the excitement.”

    Kerewyn swallowed her anger, realizing it wouldn’t do any good and that

she sympathized with the maid after all.  “That’s alright, Aldara.  I am

just concerned for my grandfather’s health, that’s all.  Can you get a rag

for me to wipe off the blood from my robe, please?”

    “Certainly, Mistress Kerewyn.”  Aldara brought in a sealskin rag and

gave it to Kerewyn.  Aldara had a small round face with large eyes, like a

horse’s, and two very pointy ears.  Some joked she was one of the fairy

folk.  Her hair was a shining effervescent silver, not from old age, but

naturally from birth.

    “Kerewyn! Come here, please, my dear girl.”  Gwyddion's hoarse whisper

made Kerewyn jump, dropping the rag.  She picked it up and walked over to

his bedside, her hands trembling.

    “Grandfather, you spoke!  You haven’t had the strength to in--”

    “I know, many days.  I’m sorry.  I don’t speak because I can’t bare to

say what I have to say to you.”

    “What is it, grandfather?” asked Kerewyn, her voice dropping to a

whisper.

    “Please, have Aldara leave the room.  I don’t want her to be

frightened.”  Gywddion motioned weakly with his hand.

    “But--all right.”  Kerewyn swallowed her protests when she saw the grim

look in his narrow eyes.

    “Aldara--please leave us for awhile.  Here, take some Rhakka scales to

buy a necklace with,” said Kerewyn, handing Aldara some Rhakka scales from

the table top from previous hunts.

    Aldara took them as Kerewyn led her through the door.  “There you are,

now run along and buy something nice.”

    Once she had seen Aldara out of the room and down the long winding

stairs, Kerewyn returned to her grandfather’s side.  The patriarch was

snoring peacefully, when suddenly, his narrow, intelligent eyes snapped

open.     She jumped, taking her hand away from his.

    Kerewyn laughed with her sleepy grandfather at the surprise that had

been in her eyes and face.  Then his sparkling eyes sobered,  like a cat who

has switched from playing to hunting in one instant.  There was a deep

sadness there, too--that of a man who knows the world is going to change and

not all for the good.

     “One afternoon,  I had been sleeping fitfully when suddenly, the dream

came upon me.   It felt as if I were attacked by these images and unable to

free myself from them rather than slipping into them, as one normally does

into dreams.   I was soaring through a scarlet and orange sky at sunset,

above the ocean, when suddenly, I plummeted to the ocean’s very depths.

    “I was too terrified to even hold my breath before I struck the water.

I sank like a rock.  Of course, I hadn’t realized I was dreaming and didn’t

need to worry about breathing.  That realization dawned on me suddenly, like

a bubble popping.  Then, some force allowed me to float below the surface

and breathe, for I don’t know how long.  I was suspended beneath the ocean’s

surface, unable to breathe yet breathing.  Dolphins were my gracious

maritime escorts.

    “I was then brought through a garden of gigantic kelp, some as tall as

two story buildings.  The fronds of kelp seemed to be dancing in a strange

aquatic pantomime.  I was mesmerized.  They caressed my body like female

hands.  “When the forest of kelp thinned, I saw an underwater garden of

unsurpassed beauty.  There was coral, Kerewyn.  It shone and shimmered as if

the plants were  made  of diamonds and crystals.

    “Myriddia rose from the bed of coral like a huge underwater tree, her

hair and arms  like the branches and her body the trunk, her feet and toes

the roots.  Schools of multi-colored fish swam around her.   She wore a thin

dress made of kelp and a necklace adorned with coral and shells of many

different kinds.

    In her hand, the sea goddess carried a conch shell.  She placed it

before me, saying to me in a voice like silver bells, yet it carried the

sound of distant surf after a storm:

    ‘ “This is what will save your people, Gwyddion.  Kerewyn must go search

for it immediately.  She must go to Alladar, in the heart of enemy

territory, and go the sorceress’ castle.  The sorceress is named Selena.

She keeps the conch shell in her treasury.  Then, Kerewyn must retrieve it

and return to Tanifwyd, blow the conch shell.  The conch shell will summon

your dead ancestors to save your people.”

     ‘ “Save my people from what?”’  I demanded.

    ‘ “From destruction at the hands of the mountain warriors, called the Khugarians.  They will invade your lands within the year.”’

    I stared at her, incredulous.  ‘ “They have no reason to attack us!”’

    ‘ “Do you doubt my words, Gwyddion?”’  She stared at me with such

intensity I would have fallen over had I not been held up by water.  Her

stare was like a tidal wave smashing over me.

    ‘ “No, of course not--”’I started to protest, but she held up her hand.

    ‘ “It matters not.  If you value the lives of your people, and those of

the flatlanders, you must send Kerewyn on this quest.  She must travel to

across the continent and through The Klydos Mountains to Alladar--into the

heart of enemy territory--to find a conch shell that will summon the dead

heroes to her aid to defeat the mountain warriors.

    “Incredulous, I asked: ‘ “And what will she do with a conch shell, throw

it at the mountain warriors?”’  Then I remembered my place and hung my head.

    ‘ “I will gladly obey you, Myriddia of The Ocean Depths, if it means the

freedom and survival of my people.  Thank you for this quest.”’

    ‘ “I’m proud of you, Gwyddion.  I will heal you in return for this.”’

    “Suddenly, I felt a great vacuum open up around me.  It felt as if it

were sucking me back into my body, but also sucking away all of my sickness.

The garden around her vanished.  I awoke.  This is how I came to be strong

enough to talk.”

    Kerewyn stared, dumbfounded.  She couldn’t move, couldn’t think.   The

implications of what Gwyddion had told her made her blood run cold, and she

felt frozen to the spot.  Time slowed to a halt.  The only thing that moved

was her heart, which was pounding viciously against her rib cage.

    “I have to leave Tanifwyd? Leave you?” she murmured, half to herself.

Her palms broke into a sweat.

    Gwyddion smiled sadly.  “Yes, Kerewyn, I am sorry.  It’s the only way.”

    “I can’t!  I was born here and--and--” Tears coursed down her cheeks.

She choked on her sobs, which seared her throat raw.  Flinging herself on

Gwyddion, she bawled until there were no more tears left and her throat was

sore.  Gwyddion stroked her long, red hair.

    “I’m sorry, Kerewyn.  But we can’t delay any longer.  The mountain

warriors, The Khugarians--”

    “I know.  I will go, Gwyddion.  I will make you proud.”  She stood up,

and held her head high.  “I will go pack now.”

     Gwyddion clasped her hand in both of his.  He smiled up at her proudly.

“You already have made me proud, Kerewyn.  You already have.”

    She smiled and a tear slid down her cheek.   He brushed it lightly aside

and said: “No time for crying now.  Run along and pack.”

    Kerewyn rushed to the west side of the house to her room. Two windows faced the sea to the west and one towards the south. The sun was setting, its lavender and violet rays filling the room with a warm, subtle glow.  Crickets chirped in the gardens outside.   

        An owl hooted somewhere in the violet sky grew darker.  She had been so involved with fulfilling her father’s wishes, she had failed to notice the faint silhouette of Aldara’s plump body as she removed her ear from the door where she had been eaves-dropping.  

        She grinned.  Now she had a chance to rise above her superiors and to repay them for their condescending attitude and false kindness that she had had to endure all her life since her father had raped her and her mother, leaving them to their fate as w****s.  She had to sell her body over and over again until finally she was resolved to get revenge on her father for this fate, and to the ones who employed her now.  

        She snuck as stealthily as she could downstairs and out the door, a warm breeze striking her face.  She was flushed with excitement and felt her adrenalin race through her.  At long last, she would get what she deserved.  Heading towards The Patriarch’s Business Headquarters, where Ewen would surely be, she continued on her way down the street.

                            

             *                                         *                                             *

        

       Inside Kerewyn’s  room was filled with various items she had found on the over the years, such as Rhakka shells, a necklace of Rhakka scales she had made herself, feathers from turns, ospreys, and crows, and shells of all kinds.  Her bed was parallel to the west side of the room.  She went through several drawers and gathered clothing for both warm and cold weather, took a few objects to remember Tanifwyd by, and returned to Gwyddion’s room in the north end of the house.   When she entered, Gwyddion was standing with a map rolled up in his hand.

    “Will you say goodbye to Ewen?  Or shall I do that for him?  You must

hurry, Kerewyn.  Here is a map for you to find Alladar.  She said there is a

sorceress named Selena who keeps the conch shell in her castle, which is two

miles north from Alladar.”

    “You shouldn’t be standing--” she began instinctively.

    He waved a hand to silence her.  “I am healthy, for the first time in

months, Kerewyn.  Be grateful for that.  I appreciate your trouble, but I no

longer need someone to watch over me, excepting that somebody being

Myriddia.  I have returned.”

    Kerewyn flung her arms around her grandfather, crying, “Oh, It’s just

wonderful, Gwyddion!”

    Gwyddion patted her on her head.  “There, there, granddaughter.

Everything will be fine.  Oh, I have some things to give you.”

    “Here, take this map.  Also, here is a staff you will need for

protection.”  He reached down beside his bed and pulled out the oaken staff he had

previously used for walking.

    “Despite its appearance as an ordinary walking stick, this staff can be used to channel your energy through it and uses the energy against the

attacker.  It can also control the weather.  I have no time in which to

teach you how to use it, but you are smart, Kerewyn, and will learn from

experience.”

    Kerewyn took the staff from his hand, caressing the smooth wood

lovingly.  She gazed at it in wonder.  “Thank you, it’s beautiful!”

    “No more time for this.  You must leave.  Every moment is

precious--don’t worry, Kerewyn.  I will say goodbye and explain everything

to Ewen.”

    “Don’t forget Analyn too!” she cried, remembering with cold anguish that

she would also have to leave her behind too.

    “And everyone you know, I will also tell them what happened.  You will

become a legend, a heroine of our small town.  I will be proud of you, no

matter what you do.”

    “And I will remember you, and revere you, no matter what, Gywddion.”

    “That’s my girl.  Now, run away before anyone finds out.  And take

Telltale Lane.  That’s the least traveled!”

    “Goodbye, until I come back with the conch shell.”

    “Until you succeed and return here, Kerewyn.  Goddess Bless.”

    She longed to hold him once more, but she knew she had to leave in order

to accomplish her quest.  Her muscles were tense, as if she were a

rattlesnake about to strike its foe.   Her face was cold and tense from

crying.

Her throat hurt.

    She swallowed back more emotion and turned to go.  She flew down the

stairwell, leaping as fast as she could from step to step.  Then she was out

the door, scaring a neighbors dog.  Jumping, she made herself slow down so

she didn’t cause more commotion, and thus, bring any unnecessary attention to

herself.  She had to act natural.

    Kerewyn took a left off of Patriarch Street and turned onto Tyliddian

Street.  As she passed places where she had been as a child, she thought her

heart would break at the the thought of leaving them behind.  But, she

swallowed her tears and strode onward down to Telltale Street on which she

took a right. 

         Slipping through the crowded streets with ease, Kerewyn was about to breathe a sigh of relief until she spotted Rhynn and Finnian.  The pair of hunters were facing away from her, facing a tavern called The Rhakka’s Tooth Tavern, so she crept on behind them, praying she wouldn’t be discovered and forced to lie, which she wasn’t very good at anyways.   It wasn’t in her nature.   The scent of spicy potatoes, fried Rhakka and well-done Rhakka, filled the air and made her stomach growl.  Laughter and shouting came from inside the tavern.

    After Kerewyn made it past them, she made it to the edge of town without

obstacles.  Breathing a sigh of relief, she stepped past the last house into

the barren, brown farmland beyond.  Realizing this was the turning point in her life, she paused.  Knowing she would be leaving her responsibilities  and her people in possible danger of starvation, her hear seemed to shatter.    But, to stay with them meant certain destruction at the hands of the mountain warriors, The Kugarians.  She had no choice but to leave them to temporary starvation until she could return and find a way to help them survive.  Perhaps I will find jewels and gold aplenty along the way to pay for their troubles, she thought.

    After looking at the map Gwyddion had given her, Kerewyn figured the

quickest route to Alladdar would be to head to the capital of Aramanthia, a

city forty miles west of Tanifwyd.  Aramanthia was a city known for the

gypsies, who knew of magic and song (among other things, including

thievery).  If she she might well learn something about her own power and

how this conch shell could possibly be used and where it could be found.  

        It was the most unlikely idea she had heard of.  I certainly wouldn’t have

thought it up, but then, I certainly am not the Goddess.    Plus I could

visit uncle Byron.  Perhaps he knows of this mysterious object.  Then, after

going to Araminthia, I will hire a boat to travel down the river Goloroth.

That will get me through the Klyddos Mountains, and land me practically

right in the middle of Alladar.

    Satisfied with her decision, she continued down Taniwfyd road.  I will

stop in Danawyth for tonight, since it is the closest town to Tanifwyd.  I

should not be outside long at night.  The farmlands surrounding her were

lush and rolled on until they faded into the horizon.  The sun was going

down; long shadows clutched the land like giant raven’s claws. Crickets

chirped and barn owls hooted in the distant clumps of trees around the

farms.  Two ravens sat on a scarecrow was silhouetted against the horizon on

one side of the road.

    As she walked along the road she thought of Gywddion.  Memories floated

up to the forefront of her mind.  She remembered the times he had taken her

fishing, and the times she had come back from her first lesson as a Siren,

all excited about discovering her new gift.  He had been thrilled, but Ewen,

her father, hadn’t been. Memories clouded her mind and she drifted into the

past.

       

                *                                                *                                                *

   

      Sunlight shone down upon the seer’s temple in Tanifwyd; it gleamed on

the marble columns and steps.  The temple was situated atop a rocky cliff

where the winds buffeted its walls mercilessly.  However, up here, it was

safe from the pounding surf.  Seagulls wheeled in the blue autumn sky

overhead.    The seer’s temple had been built in the year 1104, the year of

the dragon according to the astrologers.  It had been 200 years since

Tanifwyd had been settled,   and since then the Ferewyn Del-Duath had

arrived from the west, and traveled across  Plains of Serenon.

    They brought with them the craft of masonry, working together with the

Myrridians  to build the temple, although they constantly argue over which

Goddess  or God granted them the gift of prophecy, and which Goddess or God

they should sacrifice to, or even if sacrifice itself was necessary.  This

became such a furious and heated debate that it grew into a full-fledged

war.  This war was  called The War of The Goddesses.

    Kerewyn walked beside her mother, Ceridwen and her father, Ewen on their

way to the temple.  They visited a seeress  there regularly, named Gwenyth.

Every fall, during the The Feast of The Dead, they visited Gwyneth to gain

insight on the future of their family and to visit relatives long since

dead.  They needed Gwenyth for this sacred task, for she alone could see

through the veil that surrounded the Otherworld, otherwise known as  the

Land Beyond The Veil, or The Land  of Mists.  During the autumn was when the

veil was  thinnest.

    “Kerewyn, remember, this  time, no running around the seeress while she

and invokes  the Goddess.   She needs to be able to concentrate.  The

spirits will be angry if we don’t bring them offerings from this side of the

veil.  Most of our relatives are loving, but some, like uncle Edwyn, are

greedy and impatient. Did you remember to bring something, dear?”

    Kerewyn lowered her eyes and smiled shyly, blushing.  She held up a

necklace of shells she had made for aunt Edwyneth in one hand, and a satchet

of pretty stones she had found on Myren beach in the other.  Ceridwen smiled

in approval, patting her daughter on the head.  They climbed up the temple’

steps and entered the temple.  Long shadows cast from the pillars  fell over

them like long fingers of the Goddess’ outstretched hands..

     Inside, a large fountain used for scrying poured forth water on all

sides.  Lilies floated in the pools swirling below.  The air inside was

fresh and crisp, filled with the scent of the lilies.  Gwyneth sat beside

the fountain, running her hands through the water.  She looked up with her

gentle face and smiled.  She was dressed in a long white gown with golden

embroidery.

    “Greetings, Kerewyn.  I knew you and your family would come again.  It

is always good to speak with you and scry for you, you are good people who

deserve the best Myrridia has  to offer.  Come, sit by the fountain.”  She

patted the fountain with one of her hands lovingly

    They walked over to the fountain, sitting in various positions around

Gwyneth. 

    “Get your offerings ready.  I will summon the dead, then you may ask

them what questions you will.  They will tell me what you need to know, and

the sacred waters will then  reveal everything.”

    Cerridwen unslung a backpack from her back and withdrew several

offerings..  She had made a Rhakka scale necklace for Edwyneth, and some

gloves she had made for Edwin.  Ewen removed two large walrus tusks, some

walrus hides with paintings he had made on them for Edwin, and  a  necklace

of stones  for Edwyneth from his backpack.   He lay them lovingly,

carefully, on the side of the fountain, making sure they didn’t get wet.

    “We are ready, Lady Gwyneth.  Here are the offerings.  Please, begin

your duty.”

    She nodded slowly, standing upright and spreading her arms out wide. She

spun around in graceful circles, raising her arms up and bringing them back

down again, chanting in a powerful, high-pitched voice.

    “Spirits of Edwin Caergoth and Edwyneth Caergoth, I do summon, stir and

call the forth!  Arise, come from the Land Beyond The Veil, The Land of

Mists! In the name of The Goddess Morgathax, Lady of The Dead, so must it

be!”  Her voice raged against death, against all the suffering and pain it

caused, and broke through the veil;  tearing  it asunder.

    The veil appeared before them as a shimmering, golden and lavender mist,

a spiritual, ethereal wall that they now could perceive.  They stood before

it in awe and wonder, mouths agape.  Kerewyn covered her mouth with both her

tiny hands.  They never ceased to be amazed at this spectacle, and never

ceased to honor the dead and Gwyneth.

    The spirits of Edwin and Edwyneth suddenly appeared.  Edwin was  hunched

over, his narrow eyes darting back and forth.  He had an evil, greedy

expression on his face.  He cackled occasionally as he looked at each of his

family.  Edwin looked around with a somber expression on her sweet, round

face.  She smiled when she saw Kerewyn.

    “Keri-girl, come here.  I have great news for you., you are to be a

Syren.  This means  you will  be a songstress, someone the hunters will use

on the hunt, so you can tame the spirits of the great Rhakkas.  That way,

you will be able to bring in food for the family.  Isn’t that wonderful,

dear?”

    “I think it’s a load of crap,” Edwin snarled, shaking his head.

    Edwyneth hit Edwyn on the shoulder with her cane.  “You stop that, dear!

Don’t you go and swear around my Kerewyn.  She needs to grow up to be a

proper little girl, not some rogue or a tart which is what she would grow up

to be if you raised her, you evil old man.”

    Ceridwen smiled, patting Kerewyn’s shoulder.  “Kerewyn, won’t you give

them your gifts?”

    Kerewyn nodded, holding out to Edwyneth the necklace of shells she had

made for her.

    Edwyneth smiled.  “This is darling!  Why thank you, my dear.  I will

treasure it always.”

    Edwin grimaced.  “And what have you got for me, you lousy little girl?

Anything useful this time?”  He lunged of Kerewyn.

    Ceridwen drew herself up to her full height, her eyes shining

dangerously.  She stretched out her arm protectively in from of Kerewyn.

“How dare you criticize my child, you lousy, sorry-a*s excuse for an uncle

who drinks too much? Can’t we be free of your insults since you dead? Behave

or I will teach you some manners!”

    Edwin mumbled something incoherent, but retreated.  Kerewyn, with

trembling hands, held for her bag of stones she had collected for Edwyn.

    He smiled greedily, snatching the satchel from her, scaring Kerewyn, who

now cowered beside her mother.  Emptying the stones  into his hand, he

chuckled and grinned with delight.

    “Pretty stones, yes, precious pretty stones.  Very good, my dear.  Thank

you, Kerewyn.”

    Ceriddwen gave her her gifts, then Ewen gave his.  Both seemed reasonably

pleased with all of them.  Gwyneth smiled.  Now, I will do the scrying, even

though Edwyneth has already given away part of what the scrying will

reveal.”  Edwyneth blushed as  Gwyneth continued, “But, say your farewells

first.”

    Kerewyn hugged Edwyn and Edwyneth, who patted her lovingly on the back.

Ewen and Ceridwen exchanged hugs with them as well, tears coursing down

their faces..  Edwyn and and Edwyneth smiled as  they  faded back into the

wall of golden mist swirling about their corporeal forms..   The veil

vanished in a dramatic display of light and sound--

    Kerewyn’s reverie was broken by the impact of a large lizard man’s body

upon hers.  She collapsed beneath it, feeling its sticky scales gouging into

her skin.  She desperately tried to swing her staff at the beasts’ scaled

head, but her arms were pinned.  As they rolled in the dirt road, Kerewyn

began to sing.  She sought desperately to concentrate on a spell that would

tame the lizard man, but it was nearly impossible.  Finally, she remembered

the words:

   

    “Lizard-beast, become unconscious, go to sleep,

    What you sow is what you reap!

    Your soul I get to keep!

    In the name of the Goddess Myrridia so must it be!”

   

    The lizard man clapped its hand over her mouth, but it was too late.  It

sagged on top of her, unconscious,  its tail twitching.  She slid out from

underneath it, then stood up.  She stared down at the body, wondering how

many more of its kind there were, and if they were after her too.  She

didn’t need to wait long to find out.  Five more lizard men emerged from the

tall grass around her on either side.  How she had not seen them coming, she

didn’t know. 

    Raising her voice, she repeated those words, nearly shouting them to

drown out her fear.  They swayed unsteadily on their feet, then collapsed.

She stood still, breathing heavily.  I must get out of her!  I will run the

rest of the way to Danawyth!

    Suddenly, two horses carrying a carriage rumbled to a stop beside her.

Two woman’s faces peered out from the shadowy carriage.  They appeared to be

nobility, due to their fancy silken dresses and jewel-encrusted crowns.  Both of the ladies wore veils, as was the custom in Araminthia.  The first one smiled, saying:

    “And what is a beautiful lady like yourself doing in a place like this?

Hop in!  Hurry!”

    Kerewyn didn’t argue.  She hopped inside the carriage and sat next to

the ladies.  They touched her hair with wonder in their eyes, never having

seen a redhead before.   Then, they noticed her staff and began touching

that as well.  Kerewyn explained what it was.

    “This is a staff given to me by my beloved grandfather, Gwyddion

Caergoth.  It can control the weather, and summon lightning.  What are your

names?  Why did you rescue me?”

    The woman with dark hair murmured behind her veil, “I am Queen

Araminthia, and this is my lady in waiting, Lady Alicia.” She pointed to the

other dark haired woman next to her, who had her hair up in a bun.

    Kerewyn was stunned.  She couldn’t believe her good luck.  “Well, your

majesty, thank you, for the rescue.  I am deeply grateful.  What are you

doing here, so far from the capitol, Araminthia?”

    Queen Araminthia laughed.  “Do you think we are but birds, to be caged

within our own city walls?  But to answer your question fairly, we were told

to come to Tanifwyd and look for a lady as beautiful as you.  We are aware

of your grandfather’s prophecy.”

    Kerewyn was stunned again. “How did you find out about that?  I haven’t

told anyone!” she exclaimed.

    “It must baffle you to know that,” she replied consolingly.  “I wish we

had gotten here sooner than Zhaladd’s lizard men.”

    “It doesn’t matter now, you rescued me, that’s all that matters.”

    “How did you stop them from getting you back there?” demanded Alicia.

    “I used my voice, which is magical from birth.  I also used a spell to

put them to sleep.  I am a Siren.”

    “Great Goddess!  No wonder you could!” they both exclaimed.

    “Where are you two going?   I don’t mean to pry, after you saved me--”

    “We are going back to Araminthia, of course, where you will be kept safe

by the palace guard until we deem it the proper time to release you, so you

may continue your quest.”

    “But I can’t!  I’ve got to get to Alladar to find the sacred conch

shell, before the mountain warriors conquer all of Serenon, and possibly,

the world! 

    “I realize this, Kerewyn, dear, but all the conch shells in the world

won’t help if you are dead by Zhaladd’s evil hand.”

    Kerewyn look out the window, tears shining in her eyes.  “I know.  I’m

sorry, I am just worried about Gwyddion, Ceridwen, and Analyn--as well as

the rest of the townspeople.  They are very dear to me.”

    Kerewyn turned around, placing her hands on Lady Araminthia’s, gazing

into her cool green eyes.   “Please, I beg of you, keep me safe until I can

complete this quest bequeathed to me by the Goddess Myrridia herself and my

grandfather.”

    Suddenly, and arrow landed inside the carriage, making Kerewyn shriek in

fright.  “The lizard men must be able to see in the dark!”

    The horses neighed, panicking.  The carriage shot through the night like

a comet falling through the night sky.   Kerewyn held onto Lady Amarinthia

with more arrows darted through the carriage’s opening, barely missing the

three women who stared wide-eyed into the dark.

    “Do something, quick!” shrieked Queen Araminthia at Kerewyn desperately.

    Kerewyn raised her staff upwards, praying that her spell would work.

Chanting these words, she said: 

   

    Oh Mighty Goddess Of Lightning, Rain and Thunder

    Pour forth rain, split the mighty heavens asunder

    Bring forth a mighty wind that will sweep away all evil lizard men this

    night

    Save us from destruction, save us from this plight!

   

    Suddenly, dark storm clouds gathered on the horizon, great dark shapes

obliterating the starry heavens above.  Kerewyn gasped.  Rain poured down in

sheets, and a great wind blew the carriage around on the road.

    “Brilliant!  Now we’ll all be swept away by the rain, along with the lizard-men, too! cried Lady Araminthia, hugging her-lady-in-waiting.

    “But we’re not lizard-men!”

    “I don’t think the Goddess knows the difference!  Hang on, dear!  We’re

in for a rough one.”

    “I know.  I’m sorry, I panicked.”

    “It’s okay dear, I am just frightened.  I was arrogant and refused to

have my own retinue of guards along.  Now I will pay the price.  Oh, how

rude of me, I forgot to introduce Mayron, my trusty carriage-driver and

warder.”  She  leaned outside the carriage and pointed to a well-muscled man

with dark hair, who sat in the main seat of the carriage.  He worried a dark

blue tunic, and wore a large broadsword at his side.  He turned towards

Kerewyn and smiled.

    “Welcome, my lady!  It’s a pleasure.  Is it you that I have to thank for

this lovely weather?”

    Kerewyn laughed, shaking his strong hands.  “I completely forgot that

there  might be someone out here driving the carriage, ever since the

lizard men attacked me.  I panicked.  Forgive me.”

    He grinned.  “No problem, Kerewyn of Tanifwyd.  I love a good adventure

once in awhile.”

    “Well, I owe you one in any case.  When we get to Araminthia--”

    He waved his hand negligently.  “If we get there in one piece, I will

personally take you out to dinner.  Deal?”

    “It’s a date!”

    “Never been one to turn down an opportunity to go out with a lady as

beautiful as you!”

    She laughed and ducked back inside the carriage.

    “So are we stopping in Danawyth for the night?” asked Kerewyn hopefully.

    “Yes.  Hopefully,  the lizard-men won’t be after us again in this awful

weather you created.  It actually will work, now that I think about your

plan.  Good work, Kerewyn.  I admire your wit and your courage.”

    Kerewyn blushed.  “Thank you, your majesty.  It’s all I can do to repay

you for your rescue.”

    “Now, tell me about Tanifwyd and your people.  I wish circumstances were

different so I could take the time to visit your lovely village, and meet

your family.”

    Kerewyn began describing her village.   She told of how her people had

left The Isles of Fire, south of Tanifwyd across the Myrridian Sea.  The

Isles of Fire were named because each island was a volcano.  They had left

due to the scarcity of game to hunt and natural resources to use.  Also,

bickering began over who owned which island.

    The Myrridians decided it was time to search for other places were game

might be more plentiful and resources more abundant.  They  used the

constellations to guide them across the Myrridian sea to a  point of land

they named Tanifwyd, after their Chief Patriarch.

    The Myrridians settled Tanifwyd in the year 1403.  Then, the

Ferewyn-Del-Duath came from the west, driven east by the fierce mountain

warriors named the Khugarians.  The Ferewyn-Del-Duath sought refuge in

Tanifwyd.  They managed to coexisted peacefully with the Myrridians for 200

years until present.

    The carriage rolled to stop.  Mayron leaned down and poked his face into

the carriage.  “We are in Danawyth, at the Rhakka’s Tooth Inn.”

    The three woman climbed out of the carriage.  They ducked their heads,

trying in vain to avoid getting soaked.  The Rhakka’s Tooth Inn was a

modestly sized dwelling made of stone and covered with a thatched roof.

They heard the sound of laughter and music as they entered the inn.  Mayron

looked warily about him, making sure that no one was following them.  When

they sighed with relief as they entered a warm, well-lit room of the inn.

    Stupid name for an inn, thought Kerewyn.  As they entered, the crowd in

the inn stared in wonder at the strange newcomers.  The scent of spiced

potatoes, Rhakka steak, and sweat filled the room.  Three musicians played

jigs and sang ballads to the crowd gathered around them.

    A scruffy man with a beard and a large, bulbous nose and a receding hair

line greeted them at the bar.  He was scrubbing down the counter with a wet

rag. “What’ll it be, folks?  Want to try some whiskey and rum to warm ye

ladies up?  What’ll it be, eh?”

    “May I speak with the innkeeper?” asked the queen, drawing herself up to

her full height.  The man picked up a mug and began filling it up with

whiskey from the tap.

    “Who do you think I am, the bartender?  I’m the innkeeper, I am.  Barney

is me name.  And what are yours, ye lovely ladies?” he ignored Mayron’s

presence, whose face flushed with indignation.

    “My name is Queen Araminthia, and this is my lady-in-waiting, Alicia.

This is my warder, Mayron, and this is Kerewyn.  Please, two rooms with two

beds each and a view of the road.”

    Barney dropped the mug he was holding and dropped to one knee below the

bar.  “Your majesty!”

    “Clean up the mess you created after show us to our rooms,” ordered the

queen.

    The innkeeper bowed, nearly hitting his head on the bar.  He clutched

his head and moved around the bar to the stairs.  “Right this way, ladies.”

    Barney led them up the stone stairwell to their rooms on the third

floor.  He showed them two rooms with two beds each where they could sleep.

One of them had a view of the road.

    Queen Araminthia said:  “I will sleep with Alicia in the room with the

view, and you and mayron can sleep in the room facing north.  “And no funny

stuff, you too!”

    “Of course, I wouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t do, which doesn’t leave

much!” joked Mayron.

    Queen Amarinthia laughed, and Kerewyn joined in.  Then they both said

good night to each other entered each other’s separate rooms.

    Kerewyn entered the room facing north with Mayron.  The room was small

and made of stone, with no windows.  A table with a vase filled with lupen

stood against the south wall between the two beds.  Paintings depicting the

Goddess Myrridia and her husband, Gwyddion, hung on the walls.

    Mayron turned as Kerewyn undressed.  When she was done, she couldn’t

help but glance at his hard, toned body.  Muscles rippled down his back and

on his chest.  She sighed, wishing she was held in those large arms that

were as strong as an ox and could lift mountains.  She loved his gentle eyes

and his ingratiating smile.

    “Goodnight, I really enjoyed meeting you tonight.”

    “Goodnight, sweet princess, are we still on for dinner in Araminthia?”

    “Certainly, Mayron.”

    “Then sleep well, and may the Goddess Myrridia protect you.”

    “Sweet dreams, prince charming.”

    Kerewyn closed her eyes and fell immediately into a deep sleep.  Mayron

tossed and turned, disturbed by his desire to hold Kerewyn in his arms.  But

finally, he prayed to goddess Myrridia to help him and fell into a restless

sleep.

                           

                        A Gathering of Enemies

        In snow-capped Klydos Mountains, far to the east of Amarinthia, the capitol of Kalediulion County, Dhagarath Keep rose into the icy blue sky, its twisting obsidian towers piercing the heavens like spears.  They glowed blood red in the dying light of the vermillion sun, which was slowly sinking beneath the jagged silhouettes of the mountains on the distant horizon.  As the rays of the sun slipped into the violet void of the night sky, it slowly turned to black.  The golden stars shone eerily, like the molten eyes of malevolent gods watching over the world of mortals.

        As the suffocating velvet blanket of night completed its stranglehold on the heavens and the earth, a crow with equally black feathers soared upwards towards The Keep of The Mountain Warriors.  The birds beady eyes shone dully in the stars meager light.  The high-pitched wailing of the wind whistled through its feathers, reminding it of scenes of the prisoners who were crucified outside the Keeps walls for daring to resist the oppression of The Mountain Warriors.  

        Some prisoners were chosen to crucify their own comrades in arms, then were put up on the cross closest to their fellow soldiers.  The blood ran in tiny rivulets, staining the ground a deep crimson color.  No plants grew on the barren wasteland around the keep.  Broken, blackened rocks were strewn about the land, from frequent lightning strikes due to the violent storms that blew in from the northwest.  Horror stories of what happened to those captured by the warriors in the keep were told to misbehaving children.  Cawing and cackling at the thought, the bird flew in the window The Audience Chamber in the western tower.  

        The crow alighted on the shoulder of an man who stood drinking his wine from his golden goblet, which was encrusted with sparkling diamonds, emeralds and sapphires.  The man had long dark, flowing curly hair, deep blue eyes and a muscular body.  He towered over his subjects, as if he were their God of War in the flesh.                  Throwing the goblet aside, the man grinned at the arrival of the bird.  The goblet crashed to the floor, spilling the remainder of the wine on the floor.  The Khugarians jumped in unison, looking at each other with fear infesting their stares.  Seeing this satisfying reaction in his followers, he grinned, which  was devoid of mirth or humanity, and sent shivers down the spines of his warriors.  

        The mountain warriors, or Khugarians, were seated in a semi-circle, awaiting the presence of this bird who now suddenly shape-shifted into the more familiar form of his true being, Zhaladd.  He was the  High Priest of The Order of The Magus, the most powerful wizard in the known world.  He practiced the dark arts of sorcery.

        “Ah, Zhaladd, my fine, feathered, friend, why not show your true form, since we all know who you are,” boomed Dhagarath.  Snapping his fingers, he motioned for a servant in green livery to clean it up.  “Ye there, quit twiddling thy thumbs and get over hear!  Make thyself useful for once or I will have thee crucified like the common war prisoners!  Be quick, ye miserable scullion boy, or I might think of a worse punishment for thee.  Behold, my fellow warriors.  For if ye ever think of betraying me or even make the smallest error in my service, I shall have thee skinned alive and left for the vultures!  Be forewarned.”  

        Zhaladd appeared beside him, dressed him in his usual robes of red.  They were embroidered with black and silver sigils and astrological symbols.  He carried a tall staff, around which a green snake coiled.  Atop the staff was a diamond clasped by a carving resembling dragon’s claws.  The mountain warriors began whispering in fear, having heard horrifying stories of what powers this wizard commanded with but a wave of his seemingly feeble hands.  

        The mighty oaken double doors opened as a short, muscular man wearing silver platemail armor strode into the hall.  He scratched his dark brown beard abd spit on the floor as he made his entrance.  The doors slammed shut behind him, causing the warriors to jump once again.  The man wore a golden crown bedecked with emeralds.  They shone in the flickering torchlight cast by the torches set in silver sconces around the hall.  Grinning, he bowed mockingly and introduced himself.  

          “My name is Thaddius The Fourth!  I was called to attend a meeting here or have I been mislead?”

        Dhaagarath glared at him, towering in rage at being mocked by this fool who claimed to be a king.  “Yes you have been called here, but not to mock me.  Be seated and be silent, or you will suffer my wrath!”

        Chuckling to himself, Thaddius bowed again, eyeing Zhaladd with suspicion and sat in the front row on the far right.

          “Come, Zhalad.  Tell us what you know of this so-called Syren who is supposed to be our doom.  I am eager to hear the news.  We must act fast to destroy her and any who befriend her, for it is our birthright to rule this world in all our glory!  I will not let some sniveling harlot from a fisherman’s village insult us by claiming to have the ability to stop us!  Do you hear me, my fellow warriors? Are you ready to destroy her puny village?”

        The Khugarians rose, their blood stirred and their yearning to slaughter their enemies surging through their veins.  They stomped their feet and bellowed a resounding Yes!, while pounding their shields with their sharp, shining swords.  The vast meeting hall echoed with their voices, anbd the pandemonium, which seemed to foretell the doom of the world.  

        The servant dressed in hastily cleaned up the mess, meanwhile glaring with hatred at his oppressors who had murdered his family while he was asleep.  He vowed he would sit back and watch his most hated enemies destroy everything he held dear.  His name was Larion.  Clenching his fist, he shook it at them one last time, then left the room through the ornately carved oaken doors.  He grinned to himself, anticipating the looks on the warriors faces when they found out what he would do to stop them.

          *   *   *

        

     In the Halls of Hazardak, the great dwarven kingdome of old, in the great meeting halls of the clans, chaos reigned.  Arguments over who would get ownership of the sacred conch shell broke out, until the confusion was so great the venerable dwarven Monarch, Dalarth, of The Quickfoot Clan (Dugarth’s father) had to bang his gavel and shout in a booming voice, “Silence! Do we disgrace our ancestors by squabbling like selfish children?”

     Immediately the arguments stopped and a profound silence filled the halls.  Nodding in satisfaction, he put the ornately carved gavel down that had been given to him by his great grandfather, Dalarkan The Third.  He was a tall dwarf by dwarf standards and had an imposing manner when he chose to show it.  He had long black wavy hair and a beard, with beady blue eyes that glimmered when he smiled.  He had ruled his kingdom for four generations now, since dwarfs lived long lives compared to humans and elves.  

     “Now, let us begin where we left off before this disgraceful arguing started.  What was your claim to the conch shell, Duke Clarnakan of the Hammerhand Clan?”

     Motioned with his wizened hand for Clanarkan to step forward up to the podium,  Dalarth let the other dwarf take his time.

     Smoothing his red beard with a meaty hand, Clanarkan strode confidently up to the podium and turned to face his fellows.  Raising his right hand he began speaking in a commanding way.  “My fellow dwarves, you have long since known we Hammerhands will come to claim rights to own the conch shell once Kerewyn recovers it and saves the world.”  

     “We should all be in agreement on this as my son, Tanalak, is first in line to the thrown, and it says in the prophecies that “He whose son is first in line to the thrown shall gain ownership over the conch shell and be the one to claim the honor.”  This is on the fifth page of the prophecies of Palarkan, blessed be his name.”

       And so the deliberations went on and on for the rest of the afternoon.  By the end of it, Dalarth was about ready to tear his beard out in frustration.  Who should he chose to claim ownership?  It was not a light decision.  When the deliberations were concluded, he had chosen Clanarkan.  His case had been the most convincing.   However, when the hall was nearly emptied, a handful of dwarves from the Iron Gauntlet Clan remained.  One of them, Halark, was not so convinced.  He wanted it for himself to sell for a fine profit in the illegal black markets.  Grinning evilly, he wrung his hands as he spoke in whispers to his friends.  “You must capture Kerewyn at any price.  I will become friends with the mountain warriors and suggest my plan, and if you fulfill your part of the deal, we will split the profit.  Bring Kerewyn and the conch shell to me and the mountain warriors, and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams!”  They nodded and left the halls.

   

                 Journey To Araminthia

    

        It was night in Tanifwyd.  Kerewyn lay in bed in The Lord Patriarch’s

house.  Crows and ospreys called outside her window. Crickets chirped

softly, lulling her to sleep along with a cool sea breeze tinged with the

salty, dead seaweed lying on the rocks nearby.  Waves lapped lazily against the shoreline.

    She slipped into Llewellyn-Del-Ergoth, the Land of Dreams.  Demon hordes

were attacking her home and her town, torturing and killing people, raping

the women and children, then eating them alive.  They roasted their victims,

both very young and old very old, over fires they build out of the houses

they burned.   They sometimes burned people alive, barbecuing them for sport

while they listened with glee to their screams.  Vast hordes of humans and

lizardmen swarmed over the entire continent and the world.

    Kerewyn awoke with a start, feeling hot and sweaty.  Sweat soaked her

sheets.  She pulled the sheets back and stepped quietly out of bed.  The air

was chill and cold despite feeling feverish.  She pulled out a new dress and

a new bra, which she kept in her seal-lion skin bag, along with her

underwear.  

        The dress was made of white silk, embroidered with golden

flowers.  Her bra was red.  She put each item on, tiptoeing over to Mayron,

who lay snoring with sheets pulled over to on side of the bed.  She smiled.

Men, She thought ruefully.

    Gently shaking him, she tried a few times without success.  Then she

said “Mayron!” loudly and he awoke.  He was startled at first, then he saw

that it was Kerewyn who had awoked him.  He leaned forward and gently kissed

her on her lips.  She blushed, but responded to the kiss passionately.

    “Good morning, she said, laughing as she pulled away from him.  He

grinned back, looking deep into her eyes with his green eyes.

    “I love waking up to a good kiss.”

    “Me too.”  She blushed again her mind whirling with pleasure and

confusion.  Should this be happening so soon?  She thought.

    “Yes it should,” he whispered.

    “Let’s go wake the others, see if they slept well or saw any side of

trouble,” asked Kerewyn.

    “Let them wait, Kerewyn.  I fell in love with you the first moment I saw

you!”

    “But we must get to Araminthia before the Khugarians attack!” she said,

debating aloud, feeling the warmth of his well-muscled body against her

breasts.  He kissed her again passionately, and she responded, sliding his

hands down to her buttocks, she couldn’t resist.    He grabbed the tightly

and she moaned in pleasure.

    She slid her hands down around his back and grabbed his buttocks,

caressing them gently.  He pulled up her dress and pulled down her underwear,

then entered her with his erect penis slowly, not wanting to hurt her.  She

sighed in pleasure, and grabbed his firm, tight buttocks more tightly,

pulling him against her.

    Mayron began kissing her neck, and then kissed her breasts.  He started

removing her bra, but a knock came at the door.

    Swearing, he rose and hastily dressed.  She lay panting on his bed, then

began hurriedly redoing her bra.

    Queen Amarinthia entered, smiling.  She was followed by Alicia, who wore

a dark green dress and a necklace of gold and was also smiling.  Queen

Amarinthia wore a dark red dress with black embroidery on it.  They both

wore crowns. 

    Kerewyn asked, “How did you both sleep?”

    “I slept well, thanks. Did we interrupt anything?”  Both she and Alicia

raised her eyebrows.

    Kerewyn blushed bright red.  “ No, you didn’t interrupt anything.  Thank

you for asking,” she lied, but  knew, however, that the queen and Alicia

knew.  They must have heard her cry out.  She blushed again, since thinking

of what she had done with Mayron filling her with shame and embarrassment.

    Alicia giggled, hiding her mouth to smother the sound to know avail.

    Suddenly, Queen Araminthia’s face grew stern.  “We must put this behind

us and have breakfast, then depart at once.  Kerewyn!  Think of your town

and the whole world could be in danger!”

    Alicia’s face immediately became stern and business-like.

    Kerewyn lowered her head.  Mayron wrapped his arms around her, holding

her tightly.  He stroked her hair to comfort her as all of them left the

room.  They all walked downstairs together, hand in hand now that the cat

was out of the bag, except for Queen Araminthia and Alicia, of course.

    They all found Barney to be busily serving breakfast to the customers,

along with an younger man, who had a handsome face with black hair and blue

eyes.  He was shorter even than Barney, who was short and robust.  The scent

of stew and eggs filled the air.  Kerewyn sniffed the air, her stomach

growling hungrily.  I’m starving,  thought Kerewyn.

    Queen Araminthia turned to them and asked, “What would you all like for

breakfast?  We must be fed well in order to complete our current goal.

However, eat quickly because time is of the essence.”

    The rest of them nodded.

    Mayron spoke up before Kerewyn could speak.  He walked over to the the

young man accompanying Barney at the bar and asked politely, but firmly,

    “May I have some stew and eggs, along with french bread?”

    They all ordered the same, except Alicia only ordered eggs but Kerewyn

joined Mayron in his large breakfast for she was famished.

    “Any news, innkeeper?”asked Mayron.

    “The name’s Barney,” he insisted.  “I heard tell that last night a bunch

of strange folk with tails came here looking for ye folks.”

    “How many?” asked Kerewyn and Queen Araminthia in unison, breathlessly.

    “I’d said about one score.  Mayhap, there have been more in the town

that night but I don’t go out much, except to re-stalk the shelves and

supplies with this here young man, Ghaldan.  I generally keep to myself, and

don’t talk to strangers, only to customers.  It was my wife, Laurissa, bless

her heart, that heard the news.  You four had better be careful.  They might

come back, and they may not be so gentle with me, or the customers, this

time.   Last time they scared half the customers away.”

    “Thank you, Barney,” each of them said.  He served them breakfast almost

immediately, and it was just as good as last night.

    They ate breakfast in silence.  After relishing their meal they all

payed the innkeeper, who nodded and smiled, and said good bye to them.  They

said goodbye in return and left the inn.  Queen Araminthia had brought her

things down with her before they had had breakfast.

    “That’s the most well-mannered barkeeper I’ve ever met,” remarked

Kerewyn to Mayron.

    Mayron smiled and replied,  “Innkeeper, Kerewyn.  Innkeeper.”

    “Does anyone have a map? Mine was torn with my scuffle with the

lizard men,” asked Kerewyn to no one in particular, but she was smiling at

Mayron like the love-struck girl she was.

    “First, Kerewyn, stop staring at Mayron like a mooncalf of a girl,

because I know you are more sensible, and secondly, I do have a map in my

belongings.”

    Kerewyn turned to Queen Araminthia, a bemused expression on her face.

“With all due respect, do I sense some jealousy, your majesty?”

    “No, there’s no jealousy.  I’m doing this for your own good. Now snap

out of it you to and pay attention.”

    She motioned for Alicia to get out the map, who readily obeyed.

    Once Alicia got the map out of the map, Queen Araminthia said,  “Gather

round now.  If we go straight down this road, which is called The

Araminthian Road of course, we will surely get caught and ambushed again.

We must go out into the the plains of Serenon where they won’t expect us to

be.”

    “Are you mad, my queen?  That will make us more vulnerable by

far!” exclaimed Mayron, waving his hand.  The queen raised her

eyebrows imperiously.  Mayron forged ahead bravely anyway.  “With all due

respect, your majesty, I suggest we go south through the Terethinian Swamp.

It’s more dangerous, I know, but we have many a brave sole here and all have

a courageous fighting spirit, so I think we can make it.  Along with my

magic sword, Farathall.  Plus Kerewyn here has a special gift here to get us

through the swamp.  She vanquished those lizard men back there like nobody’s

businneses, despite getting me a little wet.”

    Kerewyn spoke up in agreement.  “I agree.  This is my quest, after all.

I should be deciding, your majesty, not you.”

    Queen Araminthia looked at her appraisingly, nodding in agreement with

Kerewyn.  “You’re both right, at the same time.  That’s what we’ll do.

Although, I was hoping to go and enlist the help of the Plains People, the

Serenonians.”  She sighed and smiled ruefully.  “Perhaps when we have

completed this much of our task, we may all be priviliged to fight alongside

them against the evil mountain warriors.”

    “Let’s go then; we have no time to waste,” Kerewyn said urgently.

    “She’s right.  Let’s go!”  He looked around.  “Hey!  What happened to

our carriage!” 

    No matter where they looked, they couldn’t find it.  It had vanished,

along with the horses.

    Queen Amarinthia cried out in despair, “No!  Not my beloved horses,

Ulian and T’orna! What could have happened to them?”

    Kerewyn sighed in frustration.  “They obviously were trying to slow us

down, perhaps lead us into a trap.  They succeeded.  All we can do now is

forge ahead, and let the past go.”  She put a sympathetic hand on the

queen’s shoulder, who smiled through her tears.

    “Those b******s!  I’ll get your horses back, Queen Amarinthia, if it’s

the last thing I do!” proclaimed Mayron bravely.  He put his hand to his

heart, then drew his sword, which rang out and echoed in the street.

Passersby looked up in alarm, and started running away after pointing out

Mayron’s raised sword to others nearby.

    “Mayron, no!  We musn’t start trouble in the town unless we have to!

Besides, Kerewyn’s right, it could be a trap.”

    “Forgive me, my queen.  I got carried away.  I do that sometimes.”

    She smiled, patting him on the shoulder.  “In more ways than one,

Mayron.  I appreciate your wish to protect me, but we must use our energy

wisely and only use it in ways that are useful.  Please wait and use it when

the occasion arises.”

    She turned to Kerewyn.  “As for you, use your time wisely.  Otherwise, I

appreciate your company on this quest.   All of us are depending on you,

Kerewyn.  Don’t let your heart overtake your head.”

    Kerewyn nodded, managing to stay calm and not blush.

    “Let’s go!  I’m anxious to find this conch shell and to save my people.

    “As are we all, Kerewyn.  Come.”

    They walked down the street away from the inn. Townspeople gave them

wide birth, generally ignoring them.  They passed donkeys, among other kinds of livestock in the streets, being led by young boys with long cloaks on who carried walking sticks that they used to herd their cattle with.    The smell of donkey and

cattle dung filled the air, along with the scent of mildewed hay.

    They  took a right at the street corner and started moving south.  Ad

they neared the edge of the town, the houses changed into small huts that

were made out of dung and clay with thatched roofs.  Chickens ran around in

the yard along while dogs who chased them, barking loudly.  Children played in the

streets, laughing and shouting in the tangerine spring sunshine.

    Kerewyn thought of her father and grandfather and all her relatives, and

wondered if they were happy and safe. Please let them be safe, Goddess

Myrridia.  Protect them from the Khugarians.  Little did she know their was

an evil wizard and a Demon Highlord after her as well, and the entire world.

    They left the city with no ease.  The watchmen let them by without any

questions except where they were going and who they were.  Kerewyn sighed in

relief, along with the others.  Morning slowly turned into afternoon as they

traveled towards the swamps.

    They reached the swamps around mid-afternoon.  The air turned humid and

it was thick with perspiration.  They were soon sweating buckets. Black flies and 

various other pests swarmed around them.  Soon, Kerewyn and the others were swatting and hitting themselves to keep the insects from biting them and spreading deadly diseases, such as malaria and a deadly sleeping disease that took several villagers who foolishly strayed out of the town without any fore knowledge.  Many were never seen again.

    “This place gives me the creeps,” Kerewyn said to Queen Amarinthia.

    “Me too!” The queen agreed with Kerewyn wholeheartedly.  Kerewyn felt a

stronger connection with the queen after that.

    “Don’t worry, ladies.  I’ll protect you.”  Mayron said overly sanctimonious.  He was

grinning.

    Queen Amarinthia pointed her nose in the air, making a tsking sound.

“You couldn’t protect a mouse from a cat even with all of your arms and limbs free,” she said, grinning, mocking herself.

    Kerewyn laughed with the queen and Alicia.  She suddenly didn’t feel so

alone, so far from home.  She had friends all around her.  A warm feeling of

comradeship filled her, and she smiled, wishing the others could meet her

friends and family.  Some day, they will, she thought.

    Thick, grimy puke green vines hung down from the twisted trees which grew tall and close together.  The vegetation was so thick that Mayron had to cut the bushes down.   He cursed repeatedly under his breath at the annoying, blood thirsty insects biting his arms, legs and head.  Queen Amarinthia raised her eyebrows, but said nothing, knowing it would do know good to chastise him.  The air

smelled fetid; it stank of death and decay.  Their spirits were slowly being

drained of the will to live by the swamp, which used their willpower to keep

itself alive. 

    Iridescent, multicolored moths mingled with butterflies that flapped their shiny wings danced about them as if mocking their attempts to continue.  A

strange humming noise filled the air, slowly driving each of them out of

their senses; they slowly lost track of whether it was night or day, and

what season it was--or even what year.

    Kerewyn took comfort in the fact someone else was as miserable as her.

She had scratches along her back and down her legs.  Her dress was torn in

many unseemly places and kept tripping her up.  So much for a short cut, she

thought bitterly.  I wish I was in Mayron’s arms now!  Despite her unpleasant

situation, desire burned deep within her, down by her loins.  They felt on

fire with desire, as if she had a rash down there.

    Goddess Myrridia,get us out of this swamp alive and whole and give me

the strength to complete your sacred quest, Kerewyn prayed earnestly.  She

wished Ewen were here.  He always was filled with courage and optimism; he

was a beacon of strength for her, a light house in the storm.  Several times Mayron lifted Kerewyn up when she fell and supported her, encouraging her to have faith, to keep on despite her weakness.  This increased her desire, her longing for his tender, strong touch.

    Suddenly, arrows fell around them, landing within a hand’s reach of each

person.  Shadowy shapes moved as silent as wraiths around them, disappearing

into the undergrowth as silently as they had come.  Kerewyn felt a scream of

terror building inside her. Her heart beat against her chest with fear and

with the lust inside her, which seemed to feed on her terror.  Sweat poured

down her skin and onto the vegetation, glistening like due in the faint

sunlight falling around her.

    Without warning, a hand grasped Kerewyn by the throat and another

wrapped around her mouth from the other side.  She was thrown to the ground

with the others.  Helpless, she awaited her fate, the prickly grass cutting

into her exposed and vulnerable flesh.

    A gentle, yet strong and fearless voice greeted them out of the misty

marsh. 

    “Who dares to trespass on our sacred land?” demanded the voice.  It

floated, bodiless, around them.

    The hands that had wrapped around each of their mouths was removed.

Kerewyn spoke up proudly, courageously, as befit the daughter of a

patriarch; she quelled her desire for Mayron, using it for strength.

    “We are but harmless travelers, taking a short cut through the swamps to

avoid being attacked by lizard men.  Please, spare us, and we will continue

are journey in peace.  We swear by the Goddess Myrridia that we will leave

your sacred land unharmed.  If you could also assist us in protecting us

from the lizard men, we would be eternally grateful.  You would be rewarded

handsomely as well, since this woman her is Queen Amarinthia.  Kerewyn stood

up, pointing to the queen lying face down on the ground.

    “That, lying on the ground, is Queen Amarinthia!” she shouted at the

voice and the shapes around her.  The men holding them down were burly and

muscular, with hairy arms and legs.  They had vines rapped around their

bodies and tunics made of the broad leaves from the bushes in the swamp.

    Suddenly, a woman appeared magically out of the misty swamps.  It was

clear that she was the one who had spoken, and was apologetic.  She gestured

for her warriors to release the queen, Alicia, and Mayron, who still

struggled against the man holding him captive.

    They stood up, brushing themselves off.  The Queen stood looking in awe

at the lady who walked out of the mist, who wore a long, green cloak that

matched her clothing made of leaves.  Her head was bald save for a pony

tail; her jaw was firm and strong and her cheekbones wide.  Her eyes

glittered with a visible vitality and strength that she had seen in her

father and grandfather.  She was as regal as the queen, but in a more

masculine way.  The rest of the tribe walked out from behind the trees as well, revealing themselves finally.

    

    *                                                     *   *

    

    Halark slipped out of the halls unnoticed by his king, Dalarth.  Grinning to himself, he imagined himself as a proud father of the monarch, able to control the kingdom through his son.  He imagined himself covered in jewels and served by beautiful woman.  He chuckled to himself as he made his way to the stables.  He put a saddle on his horse, Galgarth, a fine young brown stallion with a white stripe down his nose.  He had beady black eyes that looked like obsidian stones placed in his forehead. 

    Admiring his horse, he whispered encouraging words in his ear as he mounted him.  He had gathered plenty of rations for the journey on his way here.  Kicking his horse hard, he yelled “Giddeeyup!”.  The horse jolted forward like a bolt from a crossbow.  The doors sprang open, sending hay flying everywhere.

    

    *           *       *        

    Back in the jungle, the bald woman spoke, addressing all of them.  “We, The Swamp People, sincerely apologize.  Those ‘lizard men’ you spoke of have attacked us as well and been a danger to us.  We will gladly protect you until you have

reached your destination.  Please, stay with us for one night to rest and

refresh yourselves.”

    Queen Amarinthia smiled and replied graciously:  “We are on an urgent

quest and must reach Amarinthia as quickly as we can.  Thank you for your

offer.  We are grateful for your pledge to protect us.  What is your name?”

    “My name is Gwynivere, The Green Lady of The Swamp People.  We welcome

you to our home.”

    “This is Kerewyn, my warder, Mayron, and Alicia, my lady-in-waiting.”

    Suddenly, shrill screams echoed through the swamp, making the hair on

Kerewyn’s back stand on end.  Even Mayron was looking frightened, as well as

some of the toughest of the Swamp People’s warriors.  The screams continued,

causing them to look around in confusion to find out where the screams were

coming from.

    Lady Gwynivere looked frightened, saying with awe, “Those are the

screams of the Bol-wroths, or swamp demons.  They  can camouflage themselves

even better than we can.  Be careful!  They absorb the form of the person or

animal they kill and become just as powerful as their victim, gaining

strength each time it kills.”

    The others nodded.  All of them drew their weapons, if they had one, and

moved through the brush carefully, looking at every shadow as if it could be

a Bol-wroth.  Sweat rand down their arms, neck and back, and their hearts

beat rapidly in their rib cages.  The buzzing noise they had heard earlier

made the screams worse, making them crazy with uncontrollable terror.

    The screams stopped, and a deadly silence fell, except for the buzzing

noise.  Suddenly, out of the trees dropped the demons, screaming with hate

and battle rage.  Ten of the Swamp People’s warriors were killed instantly,

their necks snapped in two.  The Bol-wroths then took the shape of those

they had killed, although now they were twice as strong as they had been

previously.

    Kerewyn stood tall, desperately trying to come up with a rhyme that

would  banish these demons to wherever they had come from.  Meanwhile, she

fought them with her staff.  Mayron was at her side, slicing at them with

his sword.  Queen Amarinthia and Alicia were standing directly behind them,

tall and proud despite the battle that raged around them.

    Suddenly, Kerewyn heard chanting from beside her.  The Swamp People’s

shaman had begun a spell to banish the demons to the nether world.  Kerewyn

immediately swung around and began to protect him instead of the queen and

Alicia.  The demons heard the dreaded chanting and desperately tried to

circle around the shaman to stop him from completing the spell.  The words

were in a strange language she had never heard before, the swamp people’s

language.

    Light swirled around the demons, encircling them in a deadly aura of

burning, pulsing energy.  The demons screamed in agony with such ferocity

Kerewyn had to cover her ears to keep from falling over and writhe in pain

herself.  Then, suddenly, the demons vanished, along with the light, and the

screaming stopped.  Kerewyn straightened and brushed her dress, which was

stained with demon-blood.

    Gwynivere lay on the floor of the swamp, unconscious from the pain and

shock delivered by the demon’s screams.  Mayron and Kerewyn ran over to

where she lay, concern etched in their faces.  They picked her up and

carried her over to the shaman, though they did not yet know his name.

Gratitude filled their hearts, along with a healthy respect for the man’s

shamanistic, mystical abilities.  He smiled sadly at them as they brought

her over.

    “Is there any hope for her?” demanded Kerewyn with a choked voice.

Though she had known the woman for less than twenty minutes, she had begun

to feel the same way about Gwynivere as she felt for her own mother.

Gwynivere had the same regal quality, which radiated from her being like a

powerful light.  She had shown the shame courage and determination her

mother had shown, although she had not the same skills in battle.

    Kerewyn had seen Gwynivere fight many demons at once and now she still

lived to tell the tale.  The Queen of the Swamp People had used a curved

sword in her right hand and a dagger in her left hand to fend off the

demons.  Respect grew inside Kerewyn and Mayron for her fighting skills and

courage.  She cared for her deeply now, though she had known her very

briefly.  Tears stung her eyes and she gazed at the Shaman.  I don’t even

know his name, and I trust him and respect him, she thought with amazement

and gratitude.

    “Yes, young woman.  But you must give her that hope.  I have seen you in

my dreams, and in the stars that dance across the vast heavens.  It has been

foretold that you will lead us to greatness as we fight the evil in this

world.  It was also predestined that you, not I heal her.  My strength is

gone, after that last spell.  My name is Kalgorath.  I am the shaman of my

people, as you know already.  It is an honor to meet one so couragous and

strong as you.”

    He bowed and moved out of the way, letting her do her fulfill her

destiny.

    Kerewyn was stunned.  I’m no healer, she thought incredulously.  I’m

just a woman from Tanifwyd!  She bowed her head and prayed to the Goddess

Myrridia for strength with all her heart and soul.

    “Great Goddess of the Sea, Myrridia, heal Gwynivere with your power.  I

have not the strength to do this on my own.”

    She placed her staff on Gwynivere’s heart.  Suddenly, a great white

light coursed through the staff, engulfing the Queen of The Swamp People.

Kerewyn ignored the other warriors and members of the swamp people who had

gathered around her.  She focused only on the task at hand.  The white light

encompassed Gwynivere like a soft cocoon.  The light glowed  around

Gwynivere even though after several minutes, when Kerewyn had opened her

eyes and had removed the staff.

    “There,” she said.  “The white light will surround her and slowly heal

her.  I have fulfilled my destiny, as you had promised.”

    The shaman embraced her in gratitude, tears stinging his eyes.  They

embraced for several moments, then withdrew themselves from the embrace.

“We must hurry!  I have a feeling the demons have already attacked

Amarinthia!  We must warn them,” said Kerewyn.  Her face was wrinkled with

worry.

    Kal Gorath  smiled reassurungly at her and said, not to worry.  I can

send The King of Amarinthia, named Thaloran, a message by summoning a sprite, oneof the mighty ones of the air.  There are many of the mighty ones.  They

each are related to the five elements, earth, air, fire and spirit.  The

sprite is of the air, of course because it flies.”

    The shaman withdrew a drum from his backpack.  It was made from wood and

was covered with leopard’s skin.  Kal Gorath began chanting and drumming,

starting out with a slow beat and then increasing the tempo.  Kerewyn guessed

this was his way of summoning the sprite.  She watched, fascinated.   Mayron

came to sit beside her, putting his arms around her.

They rocked slowly to the rhythm.

    The chant goes as follows:

   

    Oh mighty ones of the air,

    Winged ones of flight, come, be with us tonight.

    We do wish thee to be here and carry us a message of import.

    It is nothing that is evil or out of sorts.

   

    He sang it in the language of the swamp people, but translated it for

Kerewyn afterwards.  In the swamp people’s language, it the chant is as

such:

   

    Kana non tolga iyay hiya

    Falanori orga nora inayla

    Golgothori noran kala si

    Mila soth nora corri

   

    Suddenly, the swamps humid air was filled with a radiant golden light.

Out of the light appeared a sprite, with four wings and the body of a human

female.  It was naked except for a shiny necklace that hung around its thin

neck.  It had a voluptious body and a large pair of breasts.  Kerewyn

glanced at Mayron to see if he was staring.  He was.  She smiled and gave

him a playful slap on the shoulder.  He blushed.

    “Human, what is it thee wishes of me?” the sprite asked in a strange,

high-pitched, yet powerful voice.  Its voice was accompanied by a strange

whirring noise.

    The shaman replied in an equally powerful, commanding voice:  “I wish

you to deliver this message to his highness, King of Amarinthia, Thalan.  It

is very urgent.  Please tell him that the city of Araminthia is about to be

attacked by Bol-wroths, vicious demons from the nether world.  Tell him

Kerewyn and Queen Amarinthia are here along with her lady-in-waiting.  Your

queen has completed her quest and has found Kerewyn, the child of the Sea

Goddess.  She will lead us to victory against the Bol-wroths and the

mountain warriors.  One last thing--tell him this is a message from Kal

Gorath, shaman of the swamp people.  We will gladly aid him in the fight

against these demons.”

    “Thy will be done, never mine,” piped the sprite, grinning.  It

fluttered its wings and flew off with incredible speed.

    “Goddess bless,” the shaman intoned respectfully, but wondered if the

sprite had heard or even cared.

    “We must hurry to Amarinthia!” said Kerewyn, desperation in her voice

and in her face.

    “We will go right away, once Gwynivere rounds up the rest of the

warriors, along with the rest of the swamp people.”

    Kerewyn sighed, stamping her foot in frustration.

    Kal Gorath smiled consolingly at her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“I know it’s hard waiting, but there’s nothing we can do until it’s over.

Have faith.”

    Kerewyn sighed, crossing her arms, but said no more.  She paced back and

forth until everyone was ready.  Mayron came over to and hugged her

reassuringly.   Kal Gorath smiled and said:  “ Now we are ready.  That

wasn’t so long to wait, now was it?”

    She managed a smile and nodded.  Everyone, including Mayron, Kerewyn,

Gwynivere, Kal Gorath Queen Amarinthia and Alicia and the entire tribe of

the swamp people began their journey west to the city of Araminthia.  The

Swamp People’s warriors encircled Kerewyn, Mayron, Queen Amarinthia, Alicia,

Kal Gorath, and the woman and children of the tribe.  The warriors moved

forward slowly, cautiously, not wanting to be taken by suprise so easily

this time. 

    It took them the better part of the night to cover even ten leagues in

the swamp.  The same things held them back as they had held Kerewyn and the

others before:  tangled vines, strange insects thatcrawled over them and bit them; and the swamp itself ate at their veryspirits, their very souls.

    Everyone’s will to live slowly drained away.  Only  Kal Gorath’s

constant chanting kept them on their feet.  He pounded his drum vigorously

and sang until his throat was raw.  Despite her waning spirit, Kerewyn

joined in.  Her voice blended with the shaman seemed enough to keep everyone

on their feet.  Kerewyn’s magical voice wrapped itself around people’s souls

and lifted them above the swamps intention to drag them down on wings of

gold.   

    Suddenly, Gwynivere ordered everyone to halt.  She called out:

“Quicksand!” 

    “What do we do now, Kal?” she asked, despair apparent in her voice and

in her expression.

    He smiled encouragingly at her.  “Don’t give up hope Kerewyn.  Or do you

want your people to die?”  It was a gentle reprimand, a reminder to keep

going, a reminder that she had a purpose.  It worked.  She shuddered and

sighed, raising herself out of the quagmire of despair that she had been

sinking into, like everyone.  They need me. So does everyone here.  I am no

longer a simple woman from Tanifwyd.  I have fought many foes and lived.  I

am respected and depended on.  I must not fail.  Not when so many people

depend on me.  I can’t let them die.  I won’t let them die.  This I promise

to the Goddess Myrridia with all my heart and soul.

    “Thank you, Kal.  I feel stronger already.”  She wiped a tear from her

eye and smiled.

    “Kerewyn, I am honored to know someone as courageous as you.  You have

fought the demons of the flesh, but the hardest to conquer are the demons of

the soul, and you have done that, with only a little assistance from me.”

    Kerewyn blushed, turning away.  “Thank you again”, she whispered.

    “Kerewyn!  Kal, come here immediately!  I need you two,” commanded

Gwynivere. 

    They walked to where Gwynivere stood and gazed forward.  A large pool of

quicksand lay in front of them.

    “We should around, Gwynivere,” Kerewyn advised.

    “But look.  If we go around, we risk being eaten alive by those

carnivorous plants.” She pointed to several plants with giant blossoms that

had teeth on them.  “Can you do something with your voice?”

    Sighing in resolve, Kerewyn nodded.    “I’ll try, but it’s hoarse.”

    She began humming tunelessly while she thought of a magical rhyme she

could use that was similar to the one she used with the Rhakkas.  Perhaps

merely singing will soothe their appetite.  She knew now she had to rely on

her staff for this spell as well as her voice.  She placed her hands on the

top of the staff and sang out with all her being, from deep within her soul.

Her voice reached out to the plants and wrapped itself around their viscous

minds. 

    The plants responded.  Their vicious  blossoms looked liked

mouths which writhed around, trying to escape the web of power wrapping

around them.  Finally, they stopped moving and hung down to the ground,

seemingly lifeless.

    Kerewyn stopped singing, exhausted.  She swayed on her feet until Kal

Gorath came over and wrapped his arms around her.  Mayron came over and

helped carry Kerewyn forward around the quicksand.  Once everyone made it

around, Gwynivere called out for them to halt again.

    “We will rest here for the night.  She, along with everyone else, is too

tired to go on.”

    The tribe sighed in relief as one.  People looked around for places to

sleep and lay down on the ground, which was gentle and moist with dew.

Kerewyn walked over to where Mayron was and said:  “Let’s lie down together.

I can’t stand being away from you any longer.  No funny stuff tonight,

though--I’m too tired.  Let’s just hold each other.”

    Mayron grinned and blushed.  “Ok.  I’m too tired for any ‘funny stuff’

as you put it, anyhow.  Besides, we can’t do that in front of the entire

tribe--especially with the children around.”

    They laughed together.  It was a moment she would remember fondly in the

dark times to come.  It would make her smile when during times she had no

tears left to cry, and make her blush when she looked back at herself and

how she had changed over the years from a foolish girl to a full-blown

woman, a Syren that saved the world.

    That night, she slept peacefully amidst the snores of the warriors, and

Mayron’s incessant snore which she loved so, even though at first it kept

her awake and irritated her.  She couldn’t be mad at him, and even when she

was mad at her she loved him for making her mad.  It didn’t make sense, but

she was glad it didn’t make sense.  It kept an air of mystery between them,

a place they could always tap into or explore when things grew boring, which

they seldom did.

     Suddenly, in the middle of the night, she awoke with a start.  Sweat poured down her forehead, arms and legs.  Nudging Mayron with her elbow, she stood up.  Grumbling at being awoken so late at night, he got up to.  He went to relieve himself before she could explain what was wrong.  She heard him cry out in alarm behind the tree.  Rushing over to it, she saw he was being attacked by an army of gnomes.  Crying out, she rushed back and grabbed her staff, running back to where he was to rescue him.  But it was too late, they had him captured, and one of them was  holding a knife to his throat.  She screamed, wanting to wake the others for aid.  It worked.  Gwynivere arose first, rushing over to where she was, her spear in her hand.  But it was to no avail.  To attack the gnomes would surely mean Mayron’s death.  She stood, rooted in place, breathlessly waiting what would come next.  She prayed it would not be his death.

     The dwarf spoke in a growling voice.  “My name is Granarkath.  I demand this of you, when you finish your quest, bring the conch shell to me so that I may have the honor of blowing it and rescuing your town and the world!  My superior, Clanarkan, has gone to the mountain warriors to become friends with them, so we can give you up to them.  But I am going to rescue you instead and blow the conch shell myself so I will be the hero!”

     “Please let him go! I love him!” cried Kerewyn.

     “No!  You must do as I say, or he dies a slow painful death, and you will have to watch.”

     Moaning in anxiety, she said, “All right!  I’ll do it.”

     She looked with longing at Mayron, who looked the same way at her, mixed with sympathy for her plight.  The same look was echoed on the rest of the swamp people’s eyes.  Granarkath grinned, laughing evilly as he mounted his horse after tying and binding Mayron’s hands.  He was also gagged to prevent him from crying out for help.  The look of longing on Kerewyn’s face turned to hate as she glared at Granarkath

    She awoke the next morning with a start.  She had a terrible dream of Mayron being tortured by Granarkath’s men.  They had also beaten him brutally in the dream.  Sweat poured down her skin and soaked her clothes.  She cursed silently, vowing to get revenge on Granarkath and his men when she had gotten the conch shell.  

     The small stretch of sky that she could see through the

canopy of trees was streaked with gold and blue.  The birds hadn’t awoken

yet, and neither had the swamp people.  

    “ Good morning, or Kanora in our tongue,” Gwynivere greeted them.

    “Kanora, Gwynivere.  What’s for breakfast?” asked Kerewyn.

    “Didn’t you to bring food?” asked Gwynivere.

     Kerewyn shook their heads.

    “No?  Well, just go look around with me and you’ll find all the

sustenance you’ll need.  Come!”

    They walked around the swamp for about an hour, picking fruit they never

had seen before and eating things they had never heard of.  There was a

fruit that was green like a melon with white around the middle that tasted

sweet like sugar and was Kerewyn’s favorite.  Gwynivere let some bugs crawl

into her hand ate them, thoroughly grossing out Kerewyn.  Mayron felt sick

after that.  They returned to the camp to find everyone awake and dressed.

    “Gwynivere, can you think of short cut to get us to Amarinthia as

quickly as possible?”

    Gwynivere pondered for a moment, then nodded.  “There is a way.  But it

is fraught with danger.  Are you willing to risk it?”

    “After what we’ve been through, I trust you and your warriors to protect

us.  Whatever comes are way, we’ll kick its a*s!”

    Gwynivere laughed and hugged Kerewyn.  “I love your gulsa, your guts!”

    “There is a way to get to Amarinthia.  Kal can help us, if he is

willing.”

    Gwynivere walked over to Kal and gently shook him awake.  He arose and

came with him over to where the others were standing.

    “Kal, we need to get to Amarinthia as fast as possible.  It may already

be too late.  We must go through the  Astral Portals via The Reckoning.”

    Blood drained from the shaman’s face.  His tan body seemed to turn

white.  “The Reckoning?  Are you mad?” he whispered.

    Gwynivere sighed and said,  “Kal, I know it is dangerous, but I am

firmly convinced that with Kerewyn’s powers and your powers put together we

can defeat whatever lies with the Astral Portals.  And the price of

entering The Reckoning cannot be too high.  What could the guardians ask of

us?”

    “We could end up trapped in the Astral Plane forever, Gwynivere!  You

ask me to risk my people’s lives!  That price alone is too high!”  Kal

turned away, apparently not wishing to discuss it further.  Kerewyn sighed

and strode over to where the shaman was and faced him, hands on hips.

    “Look here, Kal Gorath of the swamp people!  Don’t you know the price of

not going through the portals may be as equally high as if we do go through?

Don’t you realize that we may be endangering the lives of everyone in the

land of Amarinthia if we don’t go, because if we don’t, the demon hordes

will have already destroyed the major city which defends the east from the

west!  Are you willing to pay that price?” she demanded, her voice rising to

a fevered pitch of desperation and rage.

     Gwynivere, Queen Amarinthia and everyone else were all staring at her in utter

amazement as she chastised the shaman.  They had never seen this side of

Kerewyn before.

    Kal Gorath sighed, nodding in acquiescence.  “Now I understand, Kerewyn.

You are right.  I was just loathe to risk the lives of the people I love.  I

had hoped there was another way, a way less perilous.  But there isn’t.  I

have no choice but to agree to this--however, allow me to empower everyone’s

weapons with magical energy so we can have a better chance of surviving this

journey.”

    They nodded in unison, letting Kal Gorath to go around and charge

everyone’s weapons with magical energy.  When he returned, he said:

“Another thing I ask of you is to let me summon the astral guardians which

will also help us on this journey.  They will serve as guides as well as

guardians.”

    Without waiting for a reply to his request, Kal Gorath took out his drum

and a rattle and began chanting in the swamp people’s beautiful, yet

guttural language.  He visited each warrior of the tribe, dancing around

them in circles after they lay their weapons down.  Kerewyn was surprised the

shaman didn’t get dizzy, but she assumed that he was so caught up in divine

ecstasy that it didn’t affect him.  The children ran to their mothers,

hiding in the skirts.  They had never seen this happen before.

    The weapons began to glow with an eerie, magical light that flickered

around them like northern lights in the sky.  The warriors, women and

children gasped, stepping away from their weapons in alarm and awe.  Kerewyn

put her hand over her open mouth.  She was constantly amazed at the shaman’s

power.  She watched in awe, her respect for the shaman growing from moment

to moment.

    Never ceasing his chanting and drumming, Kal began dancing in wild

circles around Kerewyn and the rest of the tribe.  Suddenly, the air was

filled with a strange, luminous brilliance.  Spirals of light cascaded down

around Kerewyn and the tribe, and around Queen Amarinthia and Alicia.  Around

each person an aura of the same kind of light appeared, dancing and

fluctuating.  Everyone looked about them, their eyes transfixed with wonder

on the energy pulsing through the swamp’s air.

    Then, the next thing they saw were strange, glowing beings falling

around them.  The beings landed smoothly on the ground and stood looking

directly at the person they were supposed to serve.  Some had shining wings

of silver and blue; some were as large as the next person, and some were

small.  Some looked like giant salamanders, others like large snakes.  The

children screamed, cowering before this awesome display of power.  Each

person had one of these beings as a guardian and guide until their journey

was over.

    Kal Gorath stopped chanting, breathing deeply to calm himself.  The

shaman sat down on a log and put away his drums and his rattle.  Kerewyn

stood entranced and stunned by the miraculous things she saw before him.

She had never dreamed she would see such things as these in her wildest

dreams.  Her power could never conjure up creatures like these.  Or could

it?  I’ve never tried it.  Maybe my power is limitless.  That was a sobering

thought!

    The being that had appeared before her was a strange, long-eared and

furry creature, with large claws and wide, bright eyes.  It hopped up

Kerewyn’s shoulder and wrapped its tail around her neck.  She giggled and

began petting it.  How could such an adorable thing defend her from astral

demons and spooks? she thought, smiling at its large. bright eyes.

    It pointed to itself and said, “Petrel!”

    Kerewyn nodded, pointing to herself and said, “Kerewyn.”  She giggled

again,  looking around her to see what other creatures people had acquired.

Mayron’s guardian was a large salamander-like creature which breathed fire.

Its name was Galran.  Queen Amarinthia’s guardian looked like a large

praying mantis with a large snout, whose name was Glyth; Alicia’s was a bear

like creature that stood on its hind legs, called Bowrogg; Kal Gorath’s had

four sets of wings and thousands of eyes on its forehead.  Its name was

Farath.  Gwynivere’s guardian was a frog-like being about her size with

saucer-like eyes and a wide smile, named Baldan, but it had long, sharp

claws.

    Kal Gorath motioned for Gwynivere, Queen Amarinthia, Alicia, and Kerewyn

to gather around him.  His face was deadly serious as he began to speak.

    “We will travel farther south.  Although this is apparently out of our

way, we will eventually be heading towards the astral portals which are

beyond the swamp in the Maldar Mountains. Follow me.  Kerewyn and I will be

in the lead.  Gwynivere will be behind me, with Queen Amarinthia and Alicia

after her.  The warriors of the tribe will form a circle around us.  Five

will scout ahead to warn us of any danger.”

    Everyone nodded. Gwynivere walked  around to all the warriors, telling

them the shaman’s instructions.  They all nodded grimly, following the

shaman’s orders without question, trusting him with their lives.

Ultimately, their allegiance was to their queen, but they knew that the

shaman served her whole-heartedly, so they also obeyed him.  They respected

him even more now that they had seen him demonstrate his amazing power.

    Everyone got in order that the shaman had told them to get in, moving

forward at a fast pace.  They traveled this way until midday, stopping to

rest only once in the morning.  They stopped for lunch at noon, sharing the

tribes bounty of strange fruit and meat that they had in their bags.  Then

they began walking again, stopping once during mid-afternoon to catch their

breath and to drink at a spring they found crossing their paths.

    Their journey to the astral portal took several long, arduous days and

restless nights.  On the seventh night, the company had left the swamps and

started towards the Maldar Mountains which lay a day’s hike in the distance.

The sun beat down on them, making them sweaty and dizzy.  They felt naked

and exposed in the fields.  They wouldn’t be able to hide if the demons came

after them.

    That night, they camped at the base of the mountains, grateful for

another brief respite.  The night passed uneventfully, and they continued

their journey to the astral portals.  The next day was clear and sunlight,

with the mountains gleaming against the blue sky.  A few puffs of clouds

surrounded the mountains’ jagged peaks.  The dying sun painted the clouds

and the mountains a dark purple color.

                  As the dusk descended upon the weary travelers so did the mountain warriors, stalking them in the shadows.  They leapt out of the woods surrounding the base of the mountains and attacked their stunned victims, yelling battle cries that would curdle the milk of any cow within time miles.  They were monstrous men with long wavy hair and savage faces, covered with scars from their many battles.  Their eyes shown blood red with a berserker rage.  The Khugarians wore plate mail armor and carried a wide array of weapons from spears to maces and swords, each carrying a shield along with it. 

       The swamp people screamed in horror but their warriors picked up their weapons and fought back bravely, despite being startled by the ferocity and suddenness of their enemies’ attack.  Kal Gorath began chanting as four warriors defended him so he could cast his spells.  

       Her heart pounding in her chest, Kerewyn jumped up from her bed and grabbed her staff right away.  Sweat ran down her trembling body.  Adrenalin coursed through her singing veins as well, keeping her from screaming and running away.  One of the warriors motioned for Kerewyn not to cast anything since Kal Garth was already casting a spell and hers might interfere with his.  She sighed, wanting to help, but did nothing, lest what she did would bring great doom upon her friends than what the mountain warriors intended.  

       She would fight with her staff without the magic,  she decided.  She bounded into the melee, screaming an equally blood-curdling battle cry that stunned her enemies just as much as they had stunned her.  She swung her staff screaming her lungs sore until she realized she had killed four Khugarians without even realizing it since she had been caught up in the battle, only thinking of her survival and those of her friends.  

       Suddenly the ground began to shake, and the mountain rumbled like a sleeping dragon waking up from a long slumber.  From seemingly out of nowhere, the rocky slope of the mountain transformed into an army of stone giants which rode on stone dragons.  They trampled the mountain warriors without ceasing until they were all gone.

     When their enemies were crushed by the giants mighty hands, or their brains bashed into pieces by their deadly stone clubs, did the fearsome beings become still.  They stood guard the rest of the night, a circle of mute stone sentinels which were in some ways more frightening than this army of defeated Khugarians.  

    Kerewyn say with Gwynivere and Kal Gorath, staring at him with renewed awe, wondering what other amazing feats he could accomplish with his magick.  Her magick felt tiny and insignificant next to his.  A small shadow of a doubt was growing in her mind...what if a Bol-wroth took over his body?  How would we survive then?  The ate some fish the hunters had caught on their way through the swamp to this destination.  

       She asked Kal Gorath, “How did they know where we would be, or that we had gone through the reckoning?  Someone must be betraying us to them.  I am not saying any of your people are, Gwynivere,” she finished hastily, seeing Gwynivere’s slowly face darken in outrage.  “After all I have done for you, Kerewyn, I would hope not.  That would be the ultimate insult.  The question remains, who then could it be if not one among us?”

      

                            *                        *                        *

           

          One of the swamp people’s children, named Kyla, broke her ankle.  She

didn’t cry to Kerewyn’s amazement, but bore the injury without complaint.

The only evidence of pain was a slight grimace on her face.  Kerewyn walked

over to Kyla and hugged her, swinging her up in the air.  Kyla laughed, poking Kerewyn in the nose.  Kerewyn laughed too.

    Suddenly, in the distance, Kerewyn spotted an army coming her way.  She

gasped and ran over to Gwynivere and Kal Gorath, who were discussing

something, but Kerewyn couldn’t here what it was.  They saw her coming and

waved, smiling. 

    She reached them and began to speak in between breaths.

“There’s--an--army--coming--this --way!” was all she could manage to get out

of her throat.  They raised their eyebrows and looked over to where Kerewyn

was pointing.  Their mouths dropped open when they saw what she had seen.

    A vast army stretched out over the flat area that they had crossed

before reaching the mountains like flood of soldiers, wave upon wave filling up the plains with the Khugarians.  Banners flapped in the air, but were to far

away to tell what kind of banners.  The sunlight gleamed off the thousands of

spearheads and weapons that the soldiers carried as they marched toward Kerewyn and her friends beneath the deep blue sky.

    “Run, everyone!  Hurry! We must reach the portals!” shouted Gwynivere at

the top of her lungs, waving her hands.  Everyone looked up from where they

were and obeyed without question.  The guardians that were big enough picked

up their companion and carried them up the slope.  The winged guardians

carried their companion in the air, which made it easier for the person so

they didn’t have to run.  Pertha sat on Kerewyn’s back, its legs and arms

wrapped around her torso.  Its tail twitched nervously behind it.

    Suddenly, ear-piercing shrieks split the alpine air, making the hair on

the back of her neck stand on end.  She looked up and saw that her worst

fears were realized.  Whatever, whoever’s army was down their also had

flying creatures to aid it in attack.  They a variation on the demons of the

nether-wold that attacked them earlier.  They were black creatures with

fearsome lookin claws and teeth, their eyes glowed blood-red.

    “Halt!” shouted Gwynivere.  Then, she shouted “Archers, attack!”  Her

warriors unslung their bows and nocked arrows, then fired away as fast as

they could.  The arrows glowed with a fiery green light as they sped towards

the flying demons.  Some arrows met their marks, some missed them.  When

they entered the demons flesh, the demons vaporized with another

ear-piercing shriek.

    The guardians that could fly immediately attacked the demons in the air

after the first volley of arrows had ceased.  They grappled with the demons,

spinning around in erratic circles in the air. Their multicolored, incandescent wings shimmered brightly in the afternoon sun.   Gwynivere and the others

watched on, concerned for their guardians’ safety and their own.

    “Keep moving, everyone!”  shouted Kerewyn encouragingly.  They instantly

began moving as fast as they could, though their guardians were being left

behind in the air.

    They raced up the mountainside until they reached a spot that the shaman

shouted to everyone was an opening that had to be opened magically.  He

chanted a few words and waved his hands and an opening appeared in the face

of the mountain.  People around him gasped, then entered as he motioned them

to go ahead.

    When they entered the opening, they found themselves in a long, dark

passage that stretched into the darkness beneath the mountain.  The shaman

chanted again, and the passage was suddenly was filled with a silvery light.

The peopled sighed in relief and followed Gwynivere down the passageway.

They heard the door close behind them  The passageway was cool, a relief

from the glaring sun outside.

    They walked down the corridor for endless minutes, which stretched into

hours.  After what Kerewyn judged to be two hours, they reached a large,

octagonal cavern.  Inside the cavern stood two portals glowing brightly with

blue light.

    “Hurry!” cried Gwynivere, waving her arms toward the portal.  Everyone

followed, a few people tripping in their urgency to get their. Gwynivere

jumped in without asking Kal if there was anything she should know, so great

was her urgency.  

    The others followed, disappearing into the astral planes beyond.  They had left behind their guardians outside the passageway.  She looked regretfully back at the army besieging the city, but knew that she could not forsake her solemn oath to find the conch shell because without it the enemy would never be defeated.

                

                The Siege of Amarinthia

    

        A soldier named Leyanador stood on the parapets of the castle of

Araminthia.  He was tired, having spent the entire morning on watch duty.

He leaned against the walls, wiping sweat from his brow.

    Leyanador, called Leyan by his friends, wore platemail armor and a broad

sword that gleamed in the afternoon sunlight.  He had strong, noble features

and dark, curly hair that fell over his deep blue eyes.  His eyes made women

go mad over him; they were seductive, “bedroom eyes” as the women called

them.  They gleamed with an inner confidence and a flair for the dangerous

that was irresistible.

    Leyandor  rubbed his eyes, having been up the night before drinking beer

at Dulga’s Tavern and chasing women.  He had danced with a few but hadn’t

been successful in wooing any of them, which was surprising.  Usually he could bring

home two at once!  That was his favorite pass-time.

    He blinked, looking at the distant, bright blue horizon--as blue as his

eyes.  He blinked again, making sure he wasn’t seeing things.  He

wasn’t--there were thousands of troops marching for Araminthia!  He strained

his eyes, trying to make out what banners they flew, but it was too far

away.  Turning around, he blew a trumpet that lay on the wall, warning his

companions of the army that was approaching.

    Next, he would talk to the commanding officer and warn him of the

danger.  He walked over to the nearest guard sharing his shift and said:

    “Tayloran, stay here and keep an eye on things.  I am going to see the

commanding officer personally, to make sure he and everyone is warned of

this army’s arrival.”

    Tayloran  nodded, and stayed where he was.  He waved as Leyan walked

down the stairs from the parapets.  He wondered if the army was a real

threat or if it was simply just passing through, and why as he walked down

the stairs.  He entered a long corridor covered with a deep red carpet.

Unlit torches lined the walls and sunlit filtered through the windows in the

walls, casting shadows on the walls and on the floor.

    Then, he turned right and entered the barracks where he slept.  Once he

passed through the barracks, he went down another set of stairs and came to

a vast courtyard with a sparkling fountain in the center.  This was where

soldiers could come and take a break from the shifts if needed.  Exiting the

courtyard, he continued his short journey down more stairs.  Finally, he

reached the commanding officer’s corridor.

    He knocked on a large wooden door.  After a few moments, the door

opened, revealing the commanding officer in a small room with a desk and

bookshelves filled with books.  The commanding officer had deeply set brown

eyes and wavy blond hair.  He had a square jaw and a long nose.  His lips

were pursed in deep thought.  His name was Tulnadoran.

    “What is it, officer Leyandor?” demanded the commanding officer.

    “There is an army approaching, sir.  I thought it wise to tell of this

possible threat to us.”

    “Thank you, I will come and check out the situation as soon as possible.

You are dismissed.”

    “But sir, the army is more than a thousand strong.  I think it prudent

to--” began Leyan.  The commander waved his hand dissuasively.

    “Didn’t I say you were dismissed, soldier?” demanded Tulnadaron.

    Leyan sighed.  “Yes, sir.  My apologies, sir.”

    Leyan bowed and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.  He

retraced his steps back up the stairs, through the courtyard, up the stairs

and through the corridor.  Then he walked back up the stairs to the

battlements to attend to his duties.

    As soon as he reached the battlements, he was assaulted.  A being with

wings of flame tackled him, sending him sprawling on the floor.  The two

rolled around together, locked in fierce combat.  Leyandor pulled his sword

out and slashed at the creature with all his might.  Desperation seethed

through his veins, awakening adrenalin and the thrill of being in battle.

They seethed throughout his body in an endless dance, and endless battle.

    They rolled around for several minutes until a fellow guard, named

Gilamanador, attacked the creature with his broadsword and felled it.  The

creature rolled off Leyan and lay still.  Leyandor got up and was about to

sheath his sword when he saw more creatures of the same ilk flying toward

him.  The army had advanced close enough to begin to fire volleys of flaming

arrows at the castle.  Leyandor sighed.  It would be a long, hard battle.

        *                                                    *                                               *

     Mayron lay tied to the back of horse, which was lead by a man holding the rope that was wrapped around the horses’ neck.  The ropes that bound him dug painfully into his skin.  Every time he tried to move to get more comfortable, he only made it more uncomfortable to be in that particular position.  So instead, he thought of Kerewyn and her beautiful face and body.  He kept a mental picture of her smiling that glowing smile that she used when looking at him and only him in his mind.  It was the only thing he had left to keep him sane during this trying times. 

       His whole body yearned for her.  He dreamed of making love to her, only to have her torn away by Granarkath and his men.  Cursing the day he met that horrible man, he vowed to seek out revenge on the dwarves when he managed to escape.  He hadn’t given up hope.  He couldn’t give up hope, for their sake, and for the sake of the world.

        The miserable hours crawled by like years until finally, at lunch, they stopped and made camp in a grove of tall pine trees.  Their beautiful green needle-covered branches and their scent soothed Mayron’s troubled mind, at least temporarily.  Chipmunks chattered angrily in the trees around them.  

        

                              The Guardians of The Astral Plane

   

    When Gwynivere entered the Astral Portals and stepped into the Astral

Plane, she saw two huge statues of two human males towering over her.  They

were the guardians of the astral planes.  She began to step past them as the

others came through the portals, hoping to go unnoticed, but the statues

came alive and demanded that she stop.  So powerful were their voices that

she had no choice but to obey them.  Everyone else did the same, staring up

in awe at the immense beings before them.

    Kerewyn walked over to Kal Gorath, gasping for breath from running so

much.  “What do we do now?”

    Kal sighed and looked at her and said, “We must convince them of our

good intentions.  They will demand a price from each of us.”

    “This could take hours!” she exclaimed, disheartened.

    “Not to worry, Kerewyn.  I have been through here before.  They know me

and respect me.  And, I hope, listen to me.”

    Kerewyn nodded and tried to banish her worries unsuccessfully.

    Kal walked to where Gwynivere was standing then looked up at the

guardians.  “What do you want of us?  We come peacefully.  Our only goal is

to reach Araminthia and warn them that they will be attacked soon by

Thaddius’ army.”

    “Do you solemnly swear to this, with all your body, mind and soul?” the

guardians asked.

    “Yes.  I swear by my people, and by the lives of everyone on the

continent of Araminthia.”

     “That is good.  For if you betray us and our trust, we will cast you

into the nether-world where you will be slaughtered by all the demons there

and eaten alive.  We demand a price from you, as we did the last time you

came through here.”

    The guardians looked fiercely at everyone, to make sure that their words

were clear.  The children cowered against there mothers, and even the

warriors felt the hairs on the back of their neck stand on end.

    “We demand two of your children to remain here, so we may train them to

be like us.  Once they reach adulthood they will remain in our place and

become just as we are now before you.  Do you accept this?”

    The shaman sighed, looking back at the children staring wide-eyed in

fear at the guardians.  Kerewyn wondered what other awful price the shaman

had payed the first time he passed through, and wondered why he had to use

these dreadful portals to get there.

    “I solemnly accept this pledge, but first I must talk to my queen,

Gwynivere, and decided which children must remain here.  Their parents must

have a say in this as well.”

    Kal walked over to Gwynivere, tears shining in his eyes.  The thought of

losing his precious children of the tribe  grieved him to no end.  Gwynivere

also appeared grieved; tears slid unchecked down her solemn face.  Even

Kerewyn felt grief for the children, who began to wail in heightened anxiety

at the possibility of losing their mothers and dear ones.

    Gwynivere nodded in agreement, even before he asked the dreadful

request.  She hugged him fiercely, crying silently on his shoulder.  Kerewyn

ran to comfort the children.  She walked over to them and patted them

comfortingly on their heads.

    Kal turned walked over to the parents of those children he had chosen to

remain with the guardians.  He talked with the parents, who were also crying

and hugged them both, and hugged their children.  Tears slid down his cheeks

as well. 

    The shaman turned to the guardians and spoke, his voice trembling with

grief and rage at the guardians for requesting such an awful price.

    “We accept your price.  Here are the two children you requested.”  The

two children stepped forward, crying silently.  “Their names are Otharan and

Faris.  Treat them with respect.  If you ever harm them, I will know and

will have my revenge on you for asking such a terrible price.”

    The guardians nodded, and but refused to acknowledge his threat.  The

children bowed and walked forward, standing bravely beside each of the

guardians.  Kerewyn waved to them, smiling through her tears and silently

praising their courage and strength.

    The tribe walked past the guardians.  Many of the mothers and children

were crying because of the price the guardians asked of them.  Kerewyn

wanted to comfort each and every one of them, but knew it was not her duty,

or her place to do so.  They would handle the situation fine without

her--they were strong enough by themselves.

    Kerewyn noticed a strange glow emanating from around the guardians.

There was no ground here, just empty space.  Vertigo seized Kerewyn, making

her feel dizzy and disorentied.  Kal grabbed her, steadying her so she wouldn’t fall.

    Gwynivere motioned for everyone to move forward.  Everyone moved past

the guardians, some with tears streaming down their faces.  Some wanted to

strike out and attack the guardians for what they had done, but knew it

would be in vain.  The wound would take a long time to heal.

    Kerewyn prayed that they would pass through the rest of the Astral Plane

without more trouble.  The tribe had been through enough already.  Merciful

Myrridia,protect us from any more harm! she prayed fervently.

    Gwynivere, Kal Gorath, Queen Amarinthia, and Kerewyn and the rest

of the tribe walked past the guardians with tears in their eyes, mourning

their children’s fate.  They all prayed silently nothing more would happen

during this tragic exodus from their homeland.  Their unified prayers  rose

up into the heavens and was heard by Myrridia, or whatever Goddesses the

swamp people worshipped.

    They journed for several hours until they reached the end of the

portals.  Everyone breathed sighs of relief now that at least this part of

the journey was over.  Kerewyn was leaning on Kal-Gorath for support, and

Gwynivere was leaning on Kal as well.

    The portals glowed with a silver and blue light as they stepped out of

them.  They wondered where they would be as they stepped out.  There

questions were answered when they found themselves outside Amarinthia’s

walls.  Kerewyn had had visions of them suddenly appearing in the middle of

the Amarinthian market place.  She grinned at the thought of how people

would react to that.

    The sun was setting as they walked towards the city, shining on its

walls and watch towers.  The swamp people gazed in awe at the city, having

never seen it before accept for Kal, who had been there once.  Gwynivere

gave a cry of joy and relief when she saw it shining against the darkening

horizon.  Kerewyn echoed it.  She would have kissed Mayron had he been there.  She missed him desperately.  

    Everyone continued walking towards the gates.  Kerewyn wondered if they

would be admitted, given the strange nature of their company.  She smiled at

the thought of the guards expressions when they saw the entire tribe of the

swamp people accompanying  Queen Amarinthia and her lady-in-waiting, Alicia.

The guards would be flabbergasted, to say the least.

    Gwynivere suddenly stopped and cried aloud in despair.  She motioned for

Kerewyn to come forward.  Kerewyn obeyed, wondering what could have dismayed

such a courageous woman.  When she saw her point, she followed the queen’s

gaze and saw what was causing her such despair.

    The city was surrounded by demons accompanied by King Thaddius’ troops.

She could tell by the banners.  Demons flew in the air around the city,

attacking any guards or civilians they saw.  Kerewyn’s mouth fell open and

she sighed in frustration, despair filling her heart.  She wanted to scream

in rage at the army, but didn’t want to attract their attention.

    “What do we do now?” Kerewyn asked Gwynivere.

    Gwynivere sighed.  “I don’t know, but I think you must continue your

quest to find the conch shell.  That seems even more urgent than our

previous goal.”

    “What about you and your people?  What about Queen Amarinthia?”

    “She must stay to protect her people and try to somehow get in the city.

As for my people, we will do our best to protect her.  We will stay to fight

the demons.”

    “But I can’t just leave you here!” she wailed, knowing deep in her heart

that she must.

    Gwynivere looked at her sternly, taking her by the arm.  “Yes you must!

Do you want to let your people die?”  she asked coldly.

    Kerewyn sighed, tears in her eyes.  She hugged Gwynivere and said, “I will miss you so.”

    Queen Amarinthia smiled and nodded.  She pointed to the city.  “My duty

is with my people and my king.  He will be worried about me.  You may go

with Kerewyn.  You have served me well thus far, and I believe you will

continue to serve Kerewyn the same way too.”

    Kerewyn ran over to Queen Amarinthia and hugged her.  Then she ran to

Kal and hugged him as well, tears streaming down her face.  “I’ll miss you

all so much!”

    After saying goodbye to everyone, Kerewyn began her dangerous journey to Alladar.  Pertha perched on her back, her tail twitching nervously.   She turned to him and said,  “We must sneak around the enemy lines without being detected.  How can we possibly do that?”

    “We must disguise ourselves!” Pertha replied, grinning mischievously.

    She rolled her eyes and asked, “And just how do we do that?  Go up and

ask a soldier, ‘Excuse me, sir would you mind terribly if my friend here

borrows your uniform?’  And what do I wear?”

    “I’ve got a plan, Kerewyn, don’t worry.  Come on.”

    Kerewyn fell silent, knowing she was being peevish.  Get ahold of

yourself, Kerewyn.  Make Mayron proud.  Don’t act like a little child!

    The two of them snuck around the enemy encampment until Mayron stopped

and motioned for her to be quiet.  Pertha whispered in her ear, “There’s a woman

who has the same size clothes as you do!  I’ll clock him on the head and steal

his uniform.  Then we’ll pretend you are a prisoner.  That way we’ll draw no

attention to ourselves.”

    “What do I do now?” she asked worriedly.

    “Lie down here and act like you’re wounded.  I shouldn’t be long.”

    Kerewyn hugged Pertha, then motioned for the guardian to leave.  Pertha vanished, promising to appear if she were in danger.

Surprisingly, Pertha obeyed with a sad look in his eyes.  Kerewyn brushed

away the tears in her eyes, then lay down.

    Kerewyn took off his cloak and covered her with it as she lay down on the

ground.  Then Pertha appeared and snuck over to the soldier, who was sharpening his sword, and clocked him over the head with the pommel of his sword.  The soldier fell to the ground with a thud.  Kereywn undressed the soldier, his face

filled with disgust.  Next, she stripped himself, then put the soldier’s

uniform on.  The soldier’s uniform was grey with a star on the right side,

with several golden stripes on the shoulders.  Kerewyn guessed he was someone

of great importance.

    Kerewyn grinned, thinking she had done a better job than she had expected.

She loved the thrill of it, and the idea of challenging herself.  She liked

pushing herself to the limit, only to succeed against possible odds.  She wished Mayron were here.  It would be all a game to him.  Pertha vanished, then reappeared to where Kerewyn lay on the ground.

    He leaned over to Kerewyn and whispered, “Okay.  It’s time to

go.  Pretend to be my prisoner!”    He grinned, trying to reassure her as he transformed into a human shape.  Or was he trying to reassure himself?  Shrugging the thought aside, he helped Kerewyn up.  She clung to him for a moment, then realized him and followed behind him.  She held her head down, as if in despair at being caught.

    They managed to get past most of the soldiers on the east side of

Araminthia.  But, as they walked around the south side, one of the soldiers

recognized them.  The soldier had black hair and blue eyes, and held a long

sword in one hand and a shield in the other.  He had a crooked nose and a

small mouth.  He grinned as he recognized his superior.

    “Commander Garion!  What pleasure to meet you!  How goes the siege?”

    The soldier bowed, almost forgetting his manners.  Pertha wondered what

to do, then shrugged and answered, “We’ll win in no time flat!  This was

almost too easy!  Now move along.  I have important things I need to do!”

    The soldier blanched.  “Of course, sir.  I never meant to keep you from

your duties.  My apologies, sir.”  The soldier bowed and backed away.

    Pertha and Kerewyn continued through the mass of demons and soldiers,

their blood pounding through their veins and their hearts thudding a million

miles an hour against their chests.  Sweat poured down their bodies and

filled the air with its stench.

    Suddenly, a demon walked up to them and sniffed the air.  It had horns

and eyes that glowed blood red, filled with malice and a burning hatred for

all that lived.  Its tail twitched behind its back.  The demon held long,

curved swords in both hands.  It needed no shield as its skin was

unbreakable.

    “What are you doing here, Commander Garion?  Your post is on the east

side of the castle!”  The demon eyed Mayron suspiciously.

    Pertha felt his blood run cold, and inside his helm his face blanched in

fear.  His heart pounded even faster inside his chest, and his breathing

quicked.  He moved his hand over to his sword.

    “I..umm...What business is it of yours?”

    “It’s my business because I am a soldier in this army!  No answer me!”

    Mayron drew himself up, pretending to be offended.  “How dare you forget

your position! You are just a common soldier, as you yourself said.  Go back

to your business, soldier, or I will knock you down where you stand!”

shouted Pertha.  Too late, he realized he was drawing attention to himself.

Other demons, accompanied by soldiers walked over to him to find out what

the commotion was.

    “All of you, get back to your posts immediately!” he shouted

desperately, attempting to suppress the fear coursing through his body,

making his limbs shake and his heart pound.

    “Fight! Fight! Fight!” shouted the soldiers, cheering the two on.  He

realized he had no choice now.  Then he remembered his sword was magically

empowered, and hoped that it would breach the demon’s tough skin.  He knew

how fast demons were, and how good at fighting they were.  His fear

increased drastically.  His heart beat frantically in its cage and his blood

pounded through his veins so fast it hurt.

    Kerewyn pretended to faint.  May the Goddess bless her! thought Pertha

gratefully.  Maybe he could use this too his advantage.  Then he realized

the demons ate prisoners, and didn’t care about their welfare.

    “All of you get back to your posts!  I have a prisoner to attend to!”

    The demon laughed uproariously.  “We eat prisoners, commander.  Or had

you forgotten?” asked the demon suspiciously.  “We must fight, or we lose

face amongst our comrades! But if you really are commander Garion, I

wouldn’t have to remind you!”

    Sighing, Mayron drew his sword, which immediately glowed with a fierce

green light.  The demon recognized it as demon-bane fire, and lunged at him.

Mayron side-stepped him, stabbing the demon in the gut.  The demon moaned in

agony, but continued fighting.  Battle-rage consumed it.  It would not give

up until it was dead, or its opponent was.

    The demon tackled Pertha with unexpected force, knocking them both to

the ground.  They rolled around on the ground, locked in a deadly embrace.

The demon held Mayron’s head against the ground, raising the sword in its

other hand, attempting to stab him with it.  Pertha broke free and rolled to

one side, getting back on his feet.  He swung his sword in a wide arc,

dealing another blow to the demon, who screamed in agony a second time.

Green blood oozed from the wounds.

    “Stop this!  What is this nonsense!” Disgraceful!  My own soldiers

fighting a commander!” shouted a voice.

    The demon arose, glaring at Mayron with malevolence.  However, he

restrained himself from attacking him again.  Mayron sighed with relief,

wondering if he had been winning or whether the demon had been winning.

He sheathed his sword, turning to find the source of the voice.

    A wizard stood before him dressed in black robes with golden runes on

the edges, as was the common dress for wizards  who worshipped Helgatha,

Goddess of Black Magic and Wizards.  All wizards who worshipped her were

called The Dark Mages of Araminthia.  They were, of course, all evil.  These

wizards were generally disliked by the soldiers who worked with them, but

the demons liked them and worked together with them because they, too,

practiced the dark arts.

    “What have come down to, that we fight amongst ourselves?” demanded the

wizard imperiously.  “We must unite and treat each other respectfully in

order to successfully destroy the enemy.”

    The demon, scratching its wounds, glared at the wizard but replied

respectfully, pointing at Mayron, “He’s an impostor, posing as High

Commander Garion!”

    The wizard narrowed his eyes and peered at Mayron.  His gaze was

penetrating, and made Mayron squirm in his uniform.  Kerewyn “pretended to

awake and rose to her feet, wondering what was going on.

    “So he is.  And this woman here--” the wizard pointed at Kerewyn--”was

supposedly his prisoner?  How clever a ruse.  Futile, however.  Kill them.

You may feast on their remains.”

    Mayron drew his sword as the wizard turned his back on him.  Rushing

over to the wizard, he grabbed the wizard by the neck and placed his sword

on his neck.  He shouted at the top of his lungs, “Come any closer, and this

wizard dies!  Harm her, and the wizard dies!”

    The soldiers sheathed their swords, but the demons laughed.  “What is

one wizard to us?  We have many thousands of wizards at our disposal.  Kill

the wizard, we dare you!” they chanted this in unison.

    Mayron walked forward anyhow with his sword ready.  Kerewyn thought up

spells to destroy or banish the demons, desperation in her eyes.  The demons

moved closer, but seemed reluctant to attack him, since his sword glowed

green with demon bane-fire.

    Suddenly the wizard slit out from Pertha’s grasp and spun around,

stabbing him with a small knife that he had withdrawn from within his robes.

Mayron gasped in pain, slumping to the ground.  Kerewyn leapt to his side,

grabbing her staff.  She placed it firmly on the ground and shouted

   

    “Demons and soldiers of evil, begone!

    Go back the fiery abyss, go home!

    Be vanquished, leave us alone!

    In the name of the Goddess Myrridia, so must it be!”

   

    Suddenly, an immense circle of green light wrapped itself around the group of

demons surrounding them.  The demons and soldiers dropped their weapons

and screamed in agony, clutching their chests in pain.  They fell to the

ground, writhing in agony as the glow grew brighter and brighter.  Suddenly,

it grew so bright that Kerewyn couldn’t see anything in front of her.  She

closed her eyes against the glow, and when she opened them, the green glow

had vanished, along with the group of demons.   She gasped,wondering how she had managed such an incredible feat.

    She took a deep breath and walked onwards, filled with a self confidence

she had never known before.  All she had to do was chant some words and

boom--her enemy was gone!  Then she remembered Mayron and ran backwards,

crying out in dismay.

    “Pertha Are you alright?” she cried, knowing it was obvious he was

wounded.

    “No.  I’m dying, Kerewyn!  The cursed wizard stabbed me in in the gut,

went right through my kidneys.”

    Kerewyn gasped.  “No! There must be some way to save you!” Tears poured down her cheeks.  She cradled Pertha in her arms like

a child, rocking him back and forth.

    “Don’t do that, Kerewyn, it hurts.” She stopped.  He continued to speak.

“The blade was covered in poison.  Even your power can’t reverse its

effects.  I love you to, Kerewyn.  I will love you forever, until you die

and come to meet me when I’m hanging out with the gods.”

    “No! It can’t be!” Kerewyn screamed.  She released Mayron and glared at

him.  Anger burned in her eyes, and the desire for revenge burned in her

heart.  “Get better, damn you!  You have to!”

    Mayron grabbed Kerewyn and shook her.  “Listen to me, Kerewyn, you

aren’t all-powerful, otherwise, you’d be a goddess!  If you love me, will

you promise to succeed in your quest, and promise to destroy King Thaddius

and all who serve under him?”

    She nodded and whispered, “I will.  I love you, Pertha, as much as Mayron.  Be at peace.”

Go to your gods.”

    Kerewyn waited until he had died, then closed his eyes and kissed his

head lovingly.  Tears fell onto his corpse and ran onto the ground.  She

swallowed her tears and continued her journey to Alladar.  She hoped that

Gwynivere and the others were all right.  She grinned at the thought of what

their expressions would have been like once they saw the demons disappearing

right before their eyes.

    Wiping her tears away, she rose and continued her journey to Alladar.  She looked back again at the army attacking the city but she knew she couldn’t go and help them as much as she would like.  She had to have faith that the Goddess Myrridian would send aid when needed.

   

               

                The Demon Highlord

    Larrian had been there when the group of demons had vanished.   Not all of the demons in the army had vanished into thin air, only the group that had surrounded the captives.   For some unexplainable reason, he had been left.  Perhaps because he was not part of the army, really; he was a simple messenger.  He stood looking aghast at the

empty land around him, then decided he had best hurry back to Thaddius and

let him know. 

    Larrian was just 23 years old, from the small town of Alladar.  He had

became a messenger when he was only 13 years old.  He had wavy blond hair

and bright blue eyes and a long nose.  He had a narrow face with a winning

smile.   He was bright and witty and remembered everything that was told to

him.  He was just unlucky to be on the wrong side of the war.  He did not

believe Thaddius to be evil; he did not know the extent of his evil.  Nor

did he know the extent of Zhaladd’s evil.  He was a naive country boy from

Alladar.

    Larrian traveled for ten days to Daaggard Keep in the Klydos Mountains to

the west.  He stopped at several inns and got drunk each time, for he was

very reluctant to give his news to Thaddius.  He recalled the time he had

brought bad news to Thaddius before.  The king had become so furious he had

struck him unconscious; he still had the red and purplish bruise to prove it.  He feared being fed to the demon hordes enough to not try and run away.

    Then, luckily for him, he ran into Kerewyn in The Seahorse Inn before he

reached Dhaagard Keep.  He had been looking around for a pretty lass to woo

when his eyes rested on Kerewyn.  She had scarlet hair that shone in the

lantern light.  Her blue eyes enthralled him, along with her charming smile.

He guzzled down some beer and walked over to where she was sitting.  He

placed his hand on the bar and nearly fell over.

    Kerewyn laughed when she saw him.  He blushed bright red, even redder

than he already had been from the drink.

    “Hello, young sir.  A little sloshed, aren’t we?” she asked, not

unkindly.  She held him up, gripping him by the shoulders.

    Larrian nodded, at lost for words.  Kerewyn grinned and rescued him.

“Where are you from?” she asked, her curiosity roused.

     “I’m--er--I’m from Alladar!” answered Larrian, burping loudly.

    Kerewyn’s mouth fell open.  She covered it with her hand and asked,

    “I’m on my way there.  Would you be so kind as too show me the way

there?”

    “Suuure--be glad to but I--I’m a messenger and have to deliver a

meshage.  A message,” he said, correcting himself.

    “Who is your superior?”asked Kerewyn.

    “King Thaddius!” he replied.  He banged the mug down on the counter.

“More ale!” he shouted.

    “You’re king won’t be too happy that you are getting drunk and taking so

long to deliver him this message.  What is the message, if may ask?”

Kerewyn had a strange feeling in her stomach that told her she knew what it

was.

    “You shee--I was a messenger with King Thaddius’ group of demons surrounding you--when it up and dishappeared!  Poof! Never sheen anything like it before.  I know you won’t believe me.  I’m starting to think that I’ve gone crazy or shomething.”

    Kerewyn’s mouth dropped open farther.  She had been right!  This was no

coincidence.  Perhaps she could use this to her advantage.  He could lead

her straight to King Thaddius and whoever else had started this awful war.

He could help her avenge Mayron’s death!  But the conch shell is most

important.  I need that to save Tanifwyd.  Once Thaddius hears of this,

he’ll be furious and will send another army out to destroy everything I’ve

ever held dear.  I must get that conch shell!

    “What’s your name, young sir?”

    Larrian smiled and replied, “Larrian.  Larrian, at your shervice, your

majesty....”

    “I’m not a queen,” she said, laughing.  She felt sorry for the poor

fellow, and liked him instantly, despite his drunkenness.  He was just a poor,

simple messenger caught on the wrong side of the war--or so she believed.

“My name is Kerewyn!  I’m pleased to meet you.”

    “Pleashed to meetcha.”

    Kerewyn took Larrian’s hands in her hands, kneeled down before him and

asked, with her most charming smile on her face, “Will you forsake your

king, who is an evil king and wishes the destruction of everything you hold

dear, and come with me on my quest?”

    He paused, taken aback by this sudden turn of events and the idea the

king he had served for eleven years was evil.  In his drunken state of mind,

Kerewyn knew he would be vulnerable to change his perception of his ruler.

She felt badly for manipulating him--she was using his innocence against

him--but she knew she had to do this.  Myrridia forgive me for it! she

prayed fervently.

    His mind made up finally, he said, “Sure!  Why not!  Who would turn an

offer down with a pretty girl like you!”

    Kerewyn blushed.  She turned to the bar tender, a tall, slender young

man with brown hair and said, “Another beer for this fellow, and one for

me!”

    The bartender nodded and poured more beer for both of them.

    Kerewyn felt the urge to celebrate, yet also felt the urge to drown her

sorrows in beer.  She knew she should not, but needed something to ease the

stinging, searing pain immediately.  Her gut was turning inside out with

grief.  She needed someone to hold her and take care of her, not the other

way around.   I’m tired of always being the hero, she thought.  I need

someone to be my hero!

    She downed one beer, then asked the bartender for another.  After a few

beers, she didn’t care about anything.  She began dancing and singing with

Larrian, kissing him and holding him.  She brought him upstairs to her room

and passed out with him on her bed.

   

        *                                                *                                                *

 

    Thaddius stormed into the room of enchantments.  He bashed the door open

with his fist, shattering the wood into thousands of pieces.  The door

needed to be replaced, anyways,he thought irritably.  The enraged king found

Zhaladd in the middle of scrying.  He was leaning over the altar, looking

into the swirling pool of blue before him when he burst into the room.

Zhaladd nearly fell over into the pool in surprise, but steadied himself and

turned towards his ruler.

    “What are you doing?  How dare you  wreck my door and interrupt me

during a crucial scrying spell!” demanded Zhaladd.

    “Why?  Why? Because I need you to apprehend Kerewyn, a simple task, I

might add, but you have failed in it.  I need you to find her and bring her

to me! 

    Zhaladd glared at Thaddius, but obeyed.  He grabbed another Forsaken

One, which looked like a misshapen lizard about the size of a large rat.  He

slaughtered it brutally, hacking it apart in his anger at being interrupted.

He tossed it carelessly into the pool and began chanting.  The waters

swirled faster, the blue light shining brighter and brighter.

    A vision appeared in the swirling waters of the pool, rising from the

depths like a shining blue mist.  The images flickered like memories do on

the screen of the mind. A vision of the battle of Araminthia appeared, where

Kerewyn had vanquished the demons and human troops.  Larrian and Kerewyn

appeared, sleeping together on her bed--then flickered and faded away.

Thaddius swore profusely.  

     He wanted to destroy something--wanted to destroy Kerewyn and everything she stood  for.  But he knew he needed her, or atleast her conch shell that could summon the dead heroes from the past.  He could use their might now that his horde of demons had failed.  

     The heroes would succeed where they had failed; if he could but persuade them to join him, he would be invincible.  Perhaps they would be forced to obey whoever

summoned them.  That was a thrilling thought.

    “We need to summon Xalgorathon again, even though he won’t be happy that

his demons failed.  Perhaps he can lend us some more demons, or something

even more powerful.”

    “Why didn’t you say so when we started?  I could have done the scrying

by summoning him!”

    “Stop whining and just do it!” ordered Thaddius, advancing towards the

sniveling wizard.  Zhaladd shrunk from his gaze and obeyed.

    Zhaladd grabbed another Forsaken One and slaughtered it, chanting his

chant to summon the demon highlord.

    A great darkness rose from the swirling blue waters, reaching out to

encompass the entire room.  Zhaladd chanted louder.  The darkness formed

into the shape of Xalgorath.  He glared viscously at the two humans before

him. 

    “What do you two want with me?” demanded the demon highlord.

    Thaddius answered, anger clearly prevelant in his voice.  “Your demons

and my troops have failed against the great-grand daughter of The Sea

Goddess!  We need you to go after her, or to send something more powerful

after her.  Will you do this?”

    Flame erupted from the demon’s throat, melting sections of the stone

walls of the enchantment room.  The demon burped, smiling.  “Yes, of course.

It will be my pleasure!  I can send hordes of     Ueliathans--dragon-like

monsters with no wings who are magic resistant.  Ueliathans absorb their

victims’ magic--if they have any--and use it to increase their powers.”

    Thaddius smiled coldly.  “Thank you, Xalgorathon.  You are certain these

Ueliathans won’t let us down?”

    “I am certain, Thaddius.  They will not fail.”

      “Very good, Xalgorathon.  That will be all.”

      The demon belched fire once more, then vanished, leaving the room cold

and silent as it had been before.

    “Well done, Zhaladd.  We will destroy the world with these creatures!”

    Zhaladd smiled.  “And victory will be ours!”

    The two left The Room of Enchantments.  The Forsaken Ones continued

gibbering and moaning in the dark, cold room.

                The Conch Shell

    Kerewyn awoke with her head throbbing with pain.  Her insides felt even

worse now.  Instead of healing her pain, drinking had increased it.  She

looked over at Larrian, failing to recognize him or remember what she had

done with him.  Her cheeks burned red with shame.  She shoved him off the

bed and got up.  He continued sleeping on the floor.

    She dressed herself in a black dress.  Suitable for mourning Mayron, she

thought ruefully.  Anger  and guilt burned inside her, tearing her insides

apart.  She wondered what had happened; what had she done to him, or what

had he done with her?  The possibilities made her skin burn hotter, and

turning her face a brighter shade of red.

    She sat on the edge of her bed, wondering how she was going to handle

this awkward situation.  Hopefully, whoever he was, was not going to awake

and be totally in love with her.  Then she would have to take him along with

her.  She attempted to suppress her anger at herself to deal more pleasantly

with him without success.

    Finally, she decided to wake him up.  She looked at him, finding herself

strangley attracted to him.  Perhaps it was a leftover feeling from the

night before.  She brushed it aside and shook him violently.  Perhaps I

should drag him into the bath and pour cold water on him, she thought, but

then thought better of it.

    “Wakey wakey, whoever you are!” she cried.

    Larrian opened his eyes.  He groaned.  “The room’s spinning!” cried

Larrian, his face frightened and alone.  She felt sorry for him and began

stroking his cheek comfortingly.

    “You had quite a bit to drink last night, I suppose.  What--what did we

do together?”

    Larrian sighed, sitting up.  He swayed unsteadily for awhile, then

managed to steady himself.  His stomach kept spinning and doing sumersaults,

however.  He put his hand over his stomach and moaned again.

    “I don’t remember anything except--” he paused, gathering his thoughts.

They whirled around in his head.

    “Except what?” asked Kerewyn, dreading the answer.

    “I remember telling you I was King Thaddius’ messenger, and that I had

seen you destroy his entire army, just like that!  A great green glow

surrounded the demons, then they just vanished, along with the human troops.

I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.  Could you do something like

that again for me?” he asked hopefully, his eyes brightening.

    Kerewyn laughed.  “I doubt it.  I don’t remember how I did it, but we

would need another army for me to do it again, and I don’t want to have to

bother.”

    Larrian sighed, lowering his eyes.  “Of course.  Stupid thing to ask.”

    “Are you really King Thaddius’ messenger, or were you just trying to

impress me?” she asked, tilting her head sideways.

    “I am.  I wish I hadn’t said that; now I am honor-bound to you to guide

you to Alladar.”

    Kerewyn blinked, straightening her head.  “Oh.  Well, we should get

going and have some breakfast.  Unless I spent all my money on beer.”

    “You did.  I’ll pay for it; you bought beer for me so I didn’t spend all

I have.”

    “That’s very sweet of you.  Do you remember my name?”

    “Yes, it’s Kerewyn.  A very nice name.  For a generous person.”

    Kerewyn sighed, looking down at the ground.  “No.  I did it for selfish

reasons--” she began.

    Larrian interrupted her, waving his hand dismissively.  “You are doing a

very noble thing, saving your village, and perhaps the entire continent of

Araminthia!”

    Kerewyn smiled.  “Thank you.  You are very kind--I am beginning to like

you.”  She paused, then asked, “What’s your name?”

    Larrian laughed.  “It’s Larrian.  Larrian Uliath, from Alladar.  Pleased

to meet you again.”

    Kerewyn laughed.  “Very nice to meet you, again.”  An thought occurred

to her.  “Did we--did we make love?”  she asked, blushing.

    Larrian sighed.  “No.  We were to drunk for that, but I wanted you to

make love to me.  Now, I don’t suppose that’s going to happen, with you

sober and all.”

    Kerewyn grinned.  “I wouldn’t be so sure.  You’re very charming, and

though not as musclebound, you are a handsome young lad.”

    “Breakfast’s on me. Let’s go, I’m starving!” Larrian said, his hopes

rising.

    “Good idea.”  Kerewyn gathered her things and helped Larrian gather his,

then they headed downstairs together.  The two walked over to the bar and

ordered eggs and two rasberry pastries.  They ate breakfast in silence, both

of them lost in thoughts of what was to come.

    After finishing breakfast, they left the inn and headed west to Alladar.

    Larrian said, “I know a quicker way to Alladar, and if you use your magick I can alert my friends who are servants of Dhaagarth.  They can start a mutiny against Thaddius and prevent his siege on Amarinthia.”

    Kerewyn looked up, her eyes brightening in hope.  “Oh?  And what is

that?”

    “If you had been planning to take the Golgoroth river to Alladar, that

would have been foolish.  The Gorakan Gorge is dangerous, and well guarded

by lizardmen.  You would have been easily captured and killed, unless you

managed to see them before they fired arrows at you--their arrows have been

dipped in a sleeping potion that would have knocked you out before you could

have cast your spell on them.”

    Kerewyn blinked, admiration for Larrian growing inside her heart.

    “I hadn’t known that.  Thankyou!  But is there way around them?”

    He nodded, grinning.  Pride filled his heart for being able to assist

her, and for knowing more than her.  “If we go north for awhile, we will

reach Dara’s Pass in the Klydos Mountains.  Then we will go under the

mountain through a secret passageway that will lead us straight under

Daagard Keep and lead us right to Alladar.”

    “Oh, thank you, Larrian!” she cried, hugging him.  He blushed.

    They finished their breakfast in silence.  They rose, gathering up their

belongings and left the inn.  The day was bright and clear, with not a cloud

in the sky.  They travelled north, heading towards the Klydos mountains.

Noblemen and women passed them by, decked out in fabulous colors and clothes

from all over the continent, and the world as well.  Common folk travelled

the road to Alladar as well; apparently the short cut was not only known to

Larrian.  Merchants, traders and merceneries all travelled this road, making

it interesting people-watching for Kerewyn and Larrian, who gawked at the

strange people they saw.  She would have plenty of stories to tell her

friends and relatives back home in Tanifwyd.

    She imagined telling them; she knew many of them would think she was

crazy--just making these wild stories up to gain attention or to entertain.

They would believe her once she blew the conch shell, however. Once they saw

the magic of the conch shell released, the would revere her as a heroine,

which is what she wanted.  She hadn’t set out to be a heroine, but now that

the responsibility was hers, she accepted it and yearned for being their

savior.

       She hoped Larrian would be there to share it with her, to help her and

support her.  She wanted to take care of him as well, and to be life-long

friends, and possibly lovers.

        Kerewyn went outside with her staff and Larrian told her where the servants where located.  Raising her arms, her staff in one hand, she began chanting in a loud voice:  

        Goddess Myrridia, grant me your power

        Feel me with your strength in this hour

        May the elementals I know call go to

        Dhaagarth keep and to the highest towers

        Where they can tell the servants to revolt

        against the Khugarians and make the surrender

 

       A glowing fire elemental appeared, with burning wings like a pheonix with a human body.  It nodded its head and flew away to do its duty.

    She thought about these things as she talked to Larrian on the way to

Alladar.  He talked about his boyhood and how one time he had run away from

home, due to a quarrel he had with his parents, and travelled to Sergosso, a

city close to Alladar.  He had gotten drunk at a tavern, even though he had

been only thirteen, and had taken home one of the strippers at the bar.

They had made love until the woman’s boyfriend had broken in and chased him

away.  He had hoped that she hadn’t been hurt by the enraged boyfriend, and

wished they were happy somewhere now.  He ran home and apologized to his

parents.  They forgave him and life went on.

    She told him about the time when she had  gone out on fishing and gotten

blown offshore by a sudden storm that had come up.  She ended up on a

strange island with no one on it.  She explored it, finding many caves with

ancient artififacts in them.  She carried these back home and gave them to

her parents, who cherished them as they cherished their daugher’s live.

    They came to the Klydos Mountains at sundown that day, exhausted from

their long trek beneath the boiling sun.  They camped in a glade of trees to

the right of the Pass, waiting until tomorrow to go through it.  They

gathered wood for a fire and built a teepee out of fallen branches from the

surrounding trees.  Larrian was well-versed in wood lore and survival

techniques, which caused Kerewyn to admire this new side of him.

    Larrian showed her how to set a trap for rabbits.  They found a path

through the leaves made by rabbits and set the trap their.  They waited

behind the bushes until the rabbit came along, sprung the trap.  The trap

hoisted the rabbit into the air by means of a cage that had fallen down over

it.  The bunny squeeled in fear, making Kerewyn pity it.  But she knew they

had to eat, so they killed it by breaking its neck.  They brought the rabbit

back to the campsite and roasted it on a spit that Larrian had made earlier

by carving points on a piece of would he had found nearby.

    They boiled some water in a bowl that Kerewyn had brought and made

rabbit stew.   They told more stories of their childhood and grew closer

together, in physical proximity and in spirit.  Eventually, they ended up

cuddling by the fireside, stroking each other’s hair and gazing into each

other’s eyes. The night passed by peacefully.  They slept side by side, curled up

against one another.  They did not make love, but remained physically close

to each other. 

    *                                                        *                                                  *

    

    The dwarves had arrived back at their mountain home, The Halls of Hazardak.  They took Mayron into the mines and forced him to work, digging for diamonds and gold.  Everyday was worst than the next, a nightmare of back-breaking labor.  He sweated barrels, sometimes passing out at work from the pain and the suffocating air in the tunnels that was filled with dust.  Soot covered his body from his head to his toes.

     Ganarkath came and visited him occasionally, mocking him with cruel words.  One such time, he almost attacked Ganarkath he grew so angry.  His face became beat red as he lunged forth towards Ganarkath.  Luckily for Ganarkath, a guard wearing chainmail armor interceded for him and held him back as Mayron muttered every curse in the known world.  It at least struck a nerve, which satisfied Mayron to know end, knowing he was winning that battle.  It was the only way to fight back the despair that Kerewyn would never come and rescue him, or worse yet, find another lover and forget him entirely.  

    *                                                *                                                          *

    The next morning dawned cold and bleak, with a bank of clouds covering

the sky.  The sun painted the clouds orange and red as it rose above the trees.

Birds awoke and began singing.  A faint breeze blew through the glade of

trees, rustling the leaves.  Kerewyn awoke with a start, startled by the

sound of a branch snapping in the distance.  She got up and grabbed her

staff, preparing for an attack.  She woke Larrian who grabbed his hunting

knife.     

    Suddenly, a deer appeared from behind the bushes, sniffing the air with

its nose.  It stood stock still, staring at them with wide, frightened eyes,

then dashed off into the distance, its white tail standing straight up on

its hind quarters.  They sighed in relief, putting down their weapons.  The

two dressed, relieved themselves behind trees, and began eating some fruit

that Larrian had in his bag.

    “How did you sleep?” asked Kerewyn of Larrian.  He smiled and replied,

“I slept well, thank you.  I dreamt of going home with you by my side, and

showing you off to my family.”

    Kerewyn smiled in return and said, “I dreamt of the same thing, except

that it was me showing you around Tanifwyd.  I showed you off to everyone

including my friends and relatives.  Perhaps this will happen in reality

someday.”

    Larrian sighed, looking at her with a wistful expression on his face.

“I hope so, Kerewyn.  I truly hope so.  For now that is all we have--hope.”

    Kerewyn sighed, her smile disappearing.  She looked thoughtful now.

“Where do we go from here?”

    Larrian said, “We go through Dara’s Pass, then find the  secret

passageway in Mount Dulak.  We have about half a day’s journey till we reach

it.  We should get started.”

    Kerewyn nodded and rose to collect her things.  Larrian did the same,

humming a nameless traveling song to himself.  They got their things ready

and left the glade, lost in their dreams for the future.

    The day was hot and humid, the sun glaring off the mist that cloaked the

land.  They had to squint their eyes to see what they could through the

clouds of moisture that swirled around them.  Owls hooted in the distance,

creating an all-around spooky environmeant for the two travelers that day.

    They told more stories about their childhoods to pass the time.  Kerewyn

grew to love and admire Larrian more each day.  He was a noble, courageous

and talented young man, and she liked him even better the Mayron, who hadn’t

much depth to him.  Mayron had been filled with bravado and ambition, but

that was about it.  Slowly, the guilt and pain caused by Mayron’s death

subsided, replaced by a strong feeling of love and devotion for Larrian.

Something new had grown out of something old.

    They began climbing the Mount Dulak around noontime, after they stopped

for a brief lunch break.  Suddenly, a great roar filled their ears, filling

them with dread.  Kerewyn readied her staff and Larrian drew his hunting

knife, not that either could provide much of defense against whatever was

about to attack them.

    A lithe shape of a lion with the face of a human appeared around the

edge of the mountain above them.  The lion-shaped body had wings that were

as long as Kerewyn was tall.  The tail twitched and carried on it sharp

needles that could be fired at the beast’s prey any moment.

    Larrian’s face blanched.  He looked at Kerewyn, crying, “It’s a

manticore!”  He screamed and before Kerewyn and he could plan an attack, he

lunged for the beast with such courage and rage that Kerewyn was taken

aback.  She ran after him, hoping he wasn’t headed for a needless death.

    Larrian stabbed at the creature with his hunting knife, vainly trying to

slice the creature’s jugular.  The manticore dodged the blow with incredible

agility and speed.  Kerewyn raced forward, hoping to catch the creature

unawares, meanwhile hopefully avoiding the creature’s deadly tail.

    She struck at the creature with a strength she did not know she had.

Love fueled her actions, love and fear of losing another one of her lovers.

She was terrified of completing this quest alone and unloved.  She wanted to

return home with him in her arms, safe and sound.  And perhaps marry him.

    Five more manticores appeared, ridden by the same lizardmen that had

attacked her before.  Now they had the advantage of the beast’s ability to

fly as well as their own deadly arrows that they carried.  She found herself

disappointed as well as angry at Larrian for telling her this would be a

more preferrable route to Alladar.  She used this anger in battle to give

her strength and courage.

    Her blows missed their targets.  This caused her to get angrier, and the

anger now fueled her actions, along with love.  She suddenly thought she

should use magic against these creatures instead of just her physical

weapon.

     Kerewyn stopped swinging her staff and sat down on the mountainside,

clearing her mind of all thought and emotion.  Instead of casting a spell,

she would enchant these creatures with her voice, as she had done with the

Rhakkas back home.

    This left her wide open for the manticores to assualt her.  Larrian

realized this, but was too late.  A lizardman swooped down with a triumphant

shriek on the back of his manticore and snatched Kerewyn up onto the body of

the manticore.  The lizard men had come prepared this time, wrapping rope

around Kerewny’s open mouth.

    Now, she was virtually helpless as a baby.  Her staff fell with a

clatter to the ground and rolled down the slope.  Larrian ran down after it.

Deemed harmless, he was left alone as the manticores flew away to Daagard

keep where they would present their prize to King Thaddius and Zhaladd, who

would be immensely relieved and pleased to see them.

           

         *   *   *

     

    The fire elemental flew to Dhaagarth keep in a day or so, making a speedy journey that would please its mistress.  It flew into sight of Dhaagarth keep and knew i would have trouble getting past the guards.  It changed form into a messenger boy and walked up to the guards, quivering in fear.  “Please, sir,” intoned the fire elemental in a placating voice, “let me in so I may deliver a most urgent message concerning the assault on Araminthia.  I must speak with his highness at once.”

    The guards laughed at each other, sneering at the quivering messenger in derision.  The guard on the right had a scar that he scratched, then suddenly he punched the messenger boy in the gut.  The messenger boy turned back into the fire elemental and earned the element of surprise, no pun intended it thought laughing to itself.  Its laughter shocked the guards and the one on the right with long red hair asked, “What’s so funny?”  

    The fire elemental grabbed the guard’s hair and punched his gut with his fist.  The guard doubled over while his companion jumped on the elementals back.  The elemental spun around and took off into the air dropping the guard into a pile of human refuse where the prisoners had been held for questioning outside before they were crucified.  “That’s funny, my friend,” said the elemental. 

    He dove at the other guard who’s mouth dropped open while he tried to dive out of the way, but it was too late.  The fire elemental picked him up, grabbed the key, and dropped him into another pile of human refuse next to the other guard.  Laughing, the fire elemental unlocked the steel double doors and entered, slamming them shut firmly behind him.  He locked them from inside to prevent the guards from entering and attacking him again.

    He changed back into a messenger boy with blond hair and walked down the hallway, waving to another messenger who was walking towards him.  He had red hair and looked trustworthy.  The elemental walked over to him and bowed slightly.  The messenger boy he bowed to bowed in return.  He looked puzzled as he asked, “What news do you bring, my friend?  I haven’t seen you around.  Who let you in?”

    Taking the boy aside, the elemental whispered into the boys ear what must be done.  He told him about Kerewyn and Larrian, who had been a messenger boy here not long ago which would make his case more plausible.  The boy still looked suspicious, but he nodded, agreeing to start an uprising.  He too was tired ofthe maltreatment from his superior. The fire elemental left the way he had come, and, seeing no signs of the guards, flew back towards its home having completed its job.

    

      *                                                    *    *                    

     Back on Mount Dulak, Larrian grabbed a large, thin stone and hurled it with all his might at the manticore.  The stone struck the manticore in the head, knocking it unconcious.  Both the rider and Kerewyn fell to the ground.  The lizardman

screamed as he fell.  As he hit the ground, he rolled out of the w2y.

Larrian prayed he had not made matters worse by injuring Kerewyn.

    He ran, screaming over to where the lizard man was, brandishing the staff

Kerewyn had dropped.  Lunging at the lizard man, Kerewyn screamed something

incoherent and struck the lizard man with the staff.  The lizardman fell over

with a thud, rolling down the mountain to where Kerewyn lay.

    Larrian ran down to where the two bodies lay, praying that Kerewyn

wasn’t seriously injured.  He lifted her up and lay his head on her breasts,

hearing her breath.  He sighed with relief, then checked to make sure she

hadn’t broken anything during the fall.  She hadn’t, so he carried her up

the mountain to where the secret passage lay.

    He arrived at the secret passageway and lay Kerewyn down gently on the

rocky mountainside.  Next, he placed his hands in the cracks around the door

and slid it open.  It slid open slowly, grinding against the mountainside.

He sighed with relief that it opened without any problem.  Picking up

Kerewyn, he carried her awkwardly through the door and entered the alpine

passageway.  He lowered Kerewyn to the ground again, then closed the stone

door firmly behind him, making sure it was closed tightly.  Then, he picked

up Kerewyn and began his long journey down through the unlit passageway.

He wished he had remembered to get a torch or something to light his way.

Then an idea came to him.   He put Kerewyn down, then pulled out some flint

and tinder.  He wrapped a shirt around the top of Kerewyn’s staff, then lit

it.  The torches sputtered for a bit, then glowed steadily.  Larrian sighed

in relief and picked up Kerewyn, then the staff afterwards.

    The flickering torchlight sent shadows dancing on the walls.  The

underground corridor smelled of decay and wet moss that grew on the walls of

the corridor.  Water dripped steadily down the sides of the corridor,

reminding Larrian of the passage of time in this seamingly timeless place.

He felt as if he was trapped in his own grave.  Fear made him suffocate.  He

fought for breath, then slowly regained his composure and continued on.

    The going was slow and ardous, due to carrying Kerewyn and having to

watch where he was going at the same time.  Minutes stretched into hours,

and hours lengthened into long periods of time where he lost track of how

long he had been down in the passageway.  Finally, he reached the end of the

passageway.  Lowering Kerewyn to the ground, he took his arms out from

underneath her and placed his fingers in the cracks around the door as he

had done before at the entrance.

    Then he picked Kerewyn up, moved her out of the passageway, and placed

her on the ground again so he could close the door.  As he slid the door

shut, he heard Kerewyn moan and wake up.  He nearly jumped for joy but was

so tired he didn’t have the strength.  He turned around and saw her open

dark brown her eyes.  She looked at him lovingly, smiling a wide smile.

    He smiled back and said, “We’re out of the passageway, Kerewyn.  Are you

all right?”

    “What happened back there?” she asked, brushing her hair back from her

face. 

    “You were almost kidnapped.  I threw a rock at the manticore and knocked

it unconscious.  It felt to the ground.  The rider rolled away from it,

avoiding injury.  I struck him on the head with your staff--” he motioned to

the staff where it lay on the mountainside, and continued.  “and then

ungagged you and carried you through the passageway to safety.”

    “You’re not out of danger yet, my boy!” laughed a voice from behind him.

Larrian cried out, but it was too late.  The lizard man behind him struck him

unconcious with the pommel of his sword.  Larrian fell to the ground,

rolling down towards a cliff.  Kerewyn, still groggy from the fall, rose

unsteadily to her feet and clambered off down the mountain.  She stopped

Larrian from rolling off the edge of the cliff, but at the same time, left

herself open to attack.

    The lizard man lunged at her with his sword in the air.  Kerewyn fell

over Larrians body to the ground and began rolling down the mountain with

Larrian towards the edge of the cliff.  Her staff rolled off the edge of the

mountain.  Dismay filled her heart, mixing with a rising dread, which slowly

froze her will to fight back.

    Another lizardman appeared from behind her, grabbing her with both arms.

She could feel the creatures well-muscled, scaley chest against her back and

she knew that this time, she was outmatched.  She was still to groggy to

even think of a spell to enchant her attackers.  The lizardman in front of

her gagged her with another rope.  Kerewyn kicked backwards and sent the

other lizardman behind her tumbling over the cliff.

    She still had one more opponent to deal with.  Looking around for a

large rock, she found one and hurled it at him with all her might.  It

missed him by a mile, making the lizardman laugh hysterically at her futile

attempts to injure it.  Suddenly, the lizardman stopped laughing, its jaw

going slack.  Its eyes gazed upwards and over her head.  

    She turned to find what had frightened him, and saw a large unicorn carrying a man in a golden cloak and white tunic embroidered with gold flowers.  A long sword hung on his belt and a bow hung on his right shoulder.  He carried a quiver on his

back filled with beautiful arrows with red and green feathers on their ends.

    Kerewyn’s mouth opened.  She remembered that the lizardman was behind

her, and turned around to see him dropping his sword and running away.  She

sighed and sank to the ground.  She took  long, deep breaths to calm her

pounding heart.  She pictured herself on the sea shore, feeling the sun on

her body, and her body began to relax.

    The unicorn landed next to her and neighed softly.  The rider dismounted

and strode over to where Kerewyn.  He smiled broadly as he looked down at

her, his blue eyes flashing in the afternoon sunlight.  He offered his hand

to her.  She looked up, smiled in return and took it.  She lowered her eyes,

feeling to shy to look at him.  He drew her close and brushed her hair aside

from her face. 

    “Are you all right, my lady?”he asked with a deep baritone voice that

soothed her suspicions of him.

    She drew away from his touch, remembering Larrian.  “Yes, I’m fine.

Thank you for the rescue, but I must go now.”  She kept herself aloof now,

trying not to be rude but wanting to be stern and unweilding just the same.

    “We haven’t even exchanged names yet, my dear.  I know who you are,

Kerewyn, great-granddaughter of the sea goddess Myrridia, whom the folk in

Tanifwyd worship.”

    Her brown eyes flashed in alarm, looking at him with new interest.  “How

do you know my name, sir?  Have we met before?”  She knew as she asked that

she would have remembered such a noble, stunning person if she had met him

before.

    “No, but the Queen Amarinthia sent me to look after you.”

    Kerewyn smiled.  “Oh, forgive me for being so aloof.  It’s just that,

with everyone chasing me, I have to be wary  of who I let get close to me.”

    He smiled in return.  “I understand.  My name is Skylar.  It’s a

pleasure to meet you, Kerewyn.  You are every bit as beautiful as they said

you were.”

    Kerewyn blushed and looked out over the valley below her.  “Thank you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am on a very important quest, which seems to

constantly get interrupted.  I must go.”

    “I offer to make the quest easier for you, Kerewyn.  Let me tend to this

young man here, and fly you closer to your goal.”

    Kerewyn thought for a while, then nodded, looking at him directly in the

eyes.  “Ok.  I agree to go with you, as long as you don’t hit on me.

Larrian and I are getting close, and I don’t need anything more to complete

my relationship with him, or anything more to complicate my quest.”

    He laughed and patted her on the shoulder.  “I understand.  I will

respect your wishes, Kerewyn.  Here, let me look at Larrian.”

    He stooped over Larrian, looking at the bruises on his forehead and

back.  Placing his hands on each bruise, he hummed a few bars of some

ancient song, then removed his hands.  He looked at Kerewyn.  “There.  He’s

sure to recover.  His wounds were only mild.  Help me put him on the back of

Bairan here.”  He referred to the unicorn that stood patiently beside him.

    Kerewyn leaned over and began helping Skylar lift Larrian’s body onto

the Bairan’s strong back.

    “Now, you sit behind him, and prop him up while I sit in front.”

    Kerewyn did as she was told, propping Larrian up on the horse while

Skylar got on the horse in front of Larrian.  She hopped on behind him,

excited to be able to sit on a unicorn.  She had never seen one before, much

less ridden on one.  Exhiliration filled her with adrenalin as they took

off.

    “Where are you taking me?” she shouted over the sound of the wind

blowing past over them.

    “We’re going to Alladar, to find your conch shell!” replied Skylar

matter-of-factly.

    Kerewyn nodded to herself in satisfaction with Skylar’s answer.

    The view from Bairan’s back was breathtaking.  She could see the entire

Klydos mountain range from this height.  She could also see the shining blue

ribbon of the Golgoroth river making its way through the mountains to the

sea.  She would remember this part of her quest the rest of her life.

Maybe it was better that Larrian was unconscious, thought Kerewyn.  He might

not like heights.

      She felt the wind against her body bouying her up, making her spirit

soar like an eagle.  She felt as if she were a mere leaf being tossed about

on the winds of time.  Adrenalin coursed through her veins as she held on to

Skylar tightly.  She gripped the horse’s sides with her thighs.

    She wanted to express how wonderful she felt, but she would have had to

scream to make herself heard.  In a way, her silent appreciation was better,

since she found she couldn’t find the words to describe what she felt now.

She felt as if she were flying in a dream.

    They flew over the Klydos mountains, then spent the rest of the day

flying over territory that she was unfamiliar with.  The peaks soared into

the sky.  She wanted to ask Skylar where they were, but it would have proved

impossible over the roaring wind.  Trees and rivers slid beneath her in

patches of green and blue, like patches of a large tapestry spread over the

land.

    It was dusk when they reached Alladar.  The sun was a large tangerine

ball on the blue horizon.  The horizon was streaked with gold, blue and

crimson colors, looking like a long, multi-colored scarf above the tapestry

of the land.  Birds flew over the tree tops, calling to each other, looking

in puzzlement and wonder at the strange beast that flew above them.

    Skylar pointed at something in the distance.  Squinting against the

bright sun, Kerewyn looked to see what he was pointing at.  She gasped.  A

long plume of smoke rose up into the sky, glowing red in the dying light.

Where Alladar once had been, only charred ashes remained.

    Skylar landed Bairran in what once had been the town square.   Smoke

filled the air, coming from burning embers of what once was the remains of

houses.   A dog lay curled around the dead body of a child, licking the

childs blackened face, hoping to wake it once again.  Chickens ran around

wildly; some of them on fire.  Feathers and ashes floated down around them

like poisoned rain.  It was a scene of chaos, a scene of random, callous

destruction; one of desolation and loneliness, and one of fear.  Fear and

sadness filled Kerewyn’s gut like oil, sloshing around her stomach, making

her sick.  She leaned over and vomited.

    She felt compassion for those who had suffered here, and not just the

dog licking the child.  She prayed that the spirits of the dead would travel

safely to their home beneath the sea, where they would spend eternity with

the Goddess Myriddia.  Tears stung her eyes--tears of sadness, tears of rage

at the injustice of it all.  People had been slaughtered for no apparent

reaso-ruthlessly, horribly slaughtered like animals.  Unless the reason had

been me!  Maybe they had thought to find me here, or the conch shell, and

killed the one who kept the conch shell.

    The thought made her sick with shame.  She vomited again.  Skylar came

over to her and put his cloak around her comfortingly.  He had his sword

drawn, ready for any kind of danger.  Ready to face whatever had destroyed

the village. 

    Kerewyn said softly to Skylar,“Let’s go wake Larrian.  He has the right

to know what happened to his home.”

    Skylar nodded, tears in his eyes.  She guessed that he, too, was

outraged and filled with a great sadness as she was.  This fueled her

growing desire for revenge.  She would make those responsible pay with their

lives, with their very souls.  She knew the Goddess Myrridia was behind her,

and would accept her feelings of revenge.  It burned inside her like a

bonfire of rage.

    They walked back to where Larrian sat on Bairran’s strong, muscular back

He was snoring peacefully.  Kerewyn smiled at his peaceful expression,

hating to wake him to this awful nightmare of destruction and fear.  She

hated to bring the horrible news to this kind, innocent soul.   She knew it

would possibly destroy him, and ignite the fire of revenge in him as well.

She didn’t want risk him getting into any more danger than he already was.

    She sighed, fueling her courage to wake him, then began to shake him

gently.  His eyelids fluttered opened and he moaned.

    “Who--what?  Where are we?” he asked, disoriented.

    Kerewyn helped him climb down from Bairran, then pointed to the burning

town.  She frowned, nearly vomiting threw her tears.

    “We are in Alladar, Larrian.  I’m sorry!”

    “Why are you sorry--” he began, then his mouth dropped open.

    He took in everything silently at first, then suddenly, he dropped to

his knees and cried out something incoherent.    Tears coursed down his

cheeks and he screamed incoherently, then he began muttering curses.

Kerewyn handed the cloak around her shoulders back to Skylar, then raced

over and hugged Larrian.

    She sang a song to Larrian that her mother used to sing to her when she

was a child. 

   

        We  are of the sea, you and I;

        We are children of the Goddess

        We have come here with a purpose

        We will end up in the ocean where forever we shall lie.

 

    Larrian stopped crying eventually, whiping his tears away.  He looked up

at Kerewyn, his eyes filled with a rage similar to Kerewyn’s rage, she could

not deny.  It sent shivers of fear through her.  She shuddered and looked

away.

    “I don’t want you to come with me to find the conch shell, Larrian,” she

said softly.

    His eyes widened.  “Why?” he asked.

    “Because it will endanger you, and you are young; you are young yet, and

have a long life to live.  You deserve to live a peaceful, happy life.  I

want to give you that.”

    Larrian sighed, replying, “The choice is not yours, Kerewyn.  I

understand what you want, and why you want it; but you cannot have it this

time.  The choice is mine to make.  Not for you, or for the gods to make.

Mine.”

    Kerewyn sighed, resigning herself to accept his decision.  She nodded

    “Well, let’s look around for clues to finding the conch shell.

Hopefully it wasn’t burned to ashes during the conflagration.”

    Larrian nodded.  “It’s a magical item.  Perhaps it has protection

against such things.”

    “Where should we start?”

    Kerewyn shook her head.  “I don’t know.  I’ll look on the left south of

town while you look on the north, ok?  Holler if you find something, or need

assistance.  Skylar, will you look on the west side of town while we cover

the rest?”

    Skylar had been poking through some ashes with his sword when he had

been addressed.  He looked up and nodded.  “Yes.”

    They split up and went their separate ways.  Kerewyn began looking

through the broken down timbers of a house that had been half-destroyed 

on her left, towards the south.  She only found charred wood, and anvil, and

the remains of a forge.  She moved to the next building, searching for clues

to where the conch shell might be.  Who would the owner be? she asked

herself.  What kind of person would be likely to carry magical items?

    A witch!  she thought.  She shouted for joy and ran towards where the

others were.  She waved her hands and hollered their names.  Before she

could reach them, four creatures appeared around her, blocking off any

chance of escape.  She felt shivers of fear go up and down her spine and all

over her body.

    She saw more creatures surrounding each of her friends.  They must have

waited until we separated to attack us, when we were more vulnerable, she

thought.  She gripped her staff tightly, holding it in front of her

protectively.  The creatures advanced closer.  

   They looked like dragons without wings.  One was colored red, one was black, one was silver, and one was green.  They were about the size of a horse, with narrow, glowing eyes and viscious rows of sharp teeth.  Their deadly claws scratched the

blackened ground.  They must have magical breath in order to burn the town

down,she thought.  Fear twisted her stomach in knots, making her want to

vomit.  Fear for herself and for her friends held her back from attacking.

She would wait until they attacked her.

    Suddenly, Bairan broke free from his rope and dashed over to where

Kerewyn was surrounded by the dragon-like creatures.  The unicorn scared

them off, sending them running.  Her horn glowed with a silvery-blue light

that lanced outwards towards the beasts.  They screamed as the light pierced

their skin and ran away.

    Kerewyn swung herself up onto the horse and rode over to where Larrian

was.  The creatures seemed to have a mortal fear of unicorns, for the

screamed and turned to run, but Bairan wouldn’t let them escape.  She

pointed her horn at them and the same silvery-blue light lanced out and

struck them painfully, sending them away with their tails between their

legs.

    She went over to where Skylar was and they turned tail and ran away.

Bairan raced after them, shooting the light at their vulnerable backsides.

They screamed and ran faster.  Finally, Kerewyn was able to control Bairan

enought to hold him back from the chase.

    She motioned for Larrian and Skylar to come over to where she was.  They

obeyed, picking their way through the remains of houses and business.  She

hopped off of Bairan, a big smile off her face.

    “What are you smiling at, Kerewyn?” asked Larrian, who was smiling with

her. 

    “All I have to do now is get the conch shell from Selena, the sorceress,

who lives two miles north of here, then I can go home after rescuing Mayron!”

    “And I get to meet your people,” he said, hugging her.  They laughed

together, then looked at Skylar.

    “Will you be coming with us to find the conch shell, Skylar?” asked

Kerewyn.

    He nodded, patting Bairan’s back.  “My job was to protect you, Kerewyn.

I know you are powerful in your own right, but you may need extra assistance

going up against a sorceress.”

    “I understand.  Well, let’s get going.  Will all three of us fit on the

horse?” asked Kerewyn.

    “Yes.  Come on, get up behind me.” He hopped up on Bairan’sback,

motioned for them to get behind him.  They obeyed, filled with excitement at

coming to the end of their journey.  Kerewyn was filled with relief to.  She

wondered if the desire for revenge she had felt before had vanished, or

perhaps it was lurking somewhere in the dark corners of her soul, waiting to

devour Kerewyn in a deadly conflagration of rage.

    Then suddenly her hopes of returning home vanished as she thought

grimly, If I am to live in peace with my people,then I will have to kill

Thaddius and  whoever else he is working with to kill me.  I sense their is

a wizard behind this, due to the nature of beings that have attacked me.

They had to have been summoned by a wizard.  So I will have to kill three

people--the sorceress, Thaddius, and his wizard!  I never have had to kill

in my life before.  Will I be able to do it?  Maybe I can just banish them

to some vile place.  I hope so.

    Larrian noticed a shadow of despair change her face from happy to sad.

“What’s wrong, Kerewyn,” he asked as they road through the woods.  Wind

billowed their hair and stung their face.  The woods sped by in a strange

blur of green and brown.

    “I just realized I won’t be able to go home after I find the conch

shell.  We will have to go kill Thaddius and the wizard he is working with

before I can expext to be safe--and my people to be safe as well.”

    “How did you know about Zhaladd?” asked Larrian incredously.

    “I knew due to the nature of the beasts he’s sent after me--demons and

such--since those could have been summoned by a wizard.  Thaddius can’t

perform magic, so therefore he has to have had a wizard’s help.”

    Larrian laughed.  “Oh.  I had thought you were clairovoyant or

something.  Zhaladd is very dangerous.  Be careful.”

    “I’m dangerous too.  Besides, let’s worry about Zhaladd if we defeat

this sorceress.”

    “No wait a minute!  Who says we have to kill her?  Couldn’t we steal it

from her, or ask her nicely if we could borrow it?  We don’t know if she is

evil or not.”

    “She’s evil.  I’ve heard tales of her from my grandfather, Gwyddion.  He

told them to me when I was a kid to scare me.”

    “You really are something, Kerewyn.  I love you!”

    Kerewyn blushed.  “I love you too, Larrian.  Perhaps one day, we will

marry after this is all over.  I hope so.”

    “Me too.”

    They rode through a thick forest oak, maple and pine trees.  The oak

trees were the biggest Kerewyn had ever seen.  They towered into the sky

like towers on a castle.  Perhaps the sorceress’ castle would have towers

even bigger, she thought.  Birds chirped from the branches and chipmunks

scurried by underneath logs and bushes that grew in the forest.

    They stopped that night by a gurgling stream filled with crystal clear

sparkling water.  Larrian and Sklyar fetched the wood while Kerewyn lay out

their cloaks on a flat piece of ground nearby.  When Larrian and Skylar

returned, they lit a fire and snacked on meat pies that Skylar had carried

in his backpack.  Larrian had apparently caught another rabbit while

searching for wood, so they shared that too between them.

    They stayed up late exchanging childhood stories and what they knew

about the world around them.  Kerewyn cuddled with Larrian next the warm,

crackling fire and fell asleep there.  The night passed peacefully for all

of them.

    Kerewyn awoke the earliest of the three, not used to sleeping on the

ground outside.  Her back ached and her limbs were sore from shivering in

the cold dawn.  The sun was just rising above the trees, sending light

though them in bright rays of gold and orange.  She let the others sleep for

awhile, then decided she needed to get going, so she awoke Larrian and

Skylar, one after the other.

    “Wakey, wakey,” she said to both of them as they rose lethargically from

their cloaks.  They picked up their cloaks and shook them, in order to get

the pine needles and dirt off of them.  Larrian looked at Skylar.

    “What’s for breakfast, big guy?” he asked, smiling.

    Skylar shook his head. “Not much, I’m afraid.  I only have some apples

and fruit we can share, unless there’s some of that rabbit left.”

    Larrian sighed, his stomach growling.  He shook his head.  “Nope, and

I’m too tired to go rabbit hunting, unless you can go hunting again.”

    “I wish rabbits were about this time of day,” complained Skylar.  I

guess we’ll have to settle for fruit.  Maybe the witch will have plenty of

food stored somewhere.   We can get it after killing her.”

    “Do realize what we’re doing?  We’re talking about cold-blooded murder

while discussing breakfast!” exclaimed Kerewyn, putting down her apple.  She

felt like throwing it at them in indignant rage.

    Sklyar rolled his eyes.  “It’s not murder, Kerewyn!  She has powers

beyond our comprehension to defend herself.  Besides, is their any other way

to get the conch shell without killing her?  After all, your sea goddess

okayed this a long time ago.  It’s too late to have qualms now, Kerewyn.

It’s your duty.”

    Kerewyn sighed.  “There’s got to be another way!  I won’t be a party to

murdering some defenseless woman--especially when we outnumber her, three to

one.  It’s not fair, even if she does have powers.  I, too, have powers that

could match hers.  Otherwise Myrridia wouldn’t have sent me on this quest!”

She paused,  brushing her hand through her hair.  The apple tasted

deliciously juicy as she nibbled it.

    The two men exchanged looks of “I don’t believe she’s worried about this

kind of thing!  What do we do now!”  but remained silent while Kerewyn

pondered the so-called dilemma.

    Her eyes suddenly lit up.  “I have an idea!  What if we steal the conch

shell--it isn’t really stealing if the sea goddess ordered us to do

it--besides, what is one small crime compared to the thousands of lives it

will save?”

    Larrian sighed.  “You’re splitting hairs, Kerewyn.  Either way, it’s

just as bad.  I say we just get their and see what happens.”

    She sighed as well, throwing the rest of her apple into the bushes,

making them rustle.

    “Hey!  What do you think you’re doing!  Can’t a man relieve himself in

peace!”  demanded an irate voice.

    All of them got up and got themselves ready for combat.  Kerewyn had her

staff ready, while Larrian had his hunting knife in his hand, and Skylar

drew his sword.  The sword as it slid from the sheath, shining in the bright

morning light.

    “Who are you?” asked Kerewyn.  “Show yourself!”

    Suddenly, a gnome stepped out from behind the bushes, his face covered

with leaves and pine needles.  He blew them off irritably, then straightened

himself up as high as he could stand.  “My name’s Dugarth Quickfeet.  What

kind of manners do you people have?” he demanded, not in the least

intimidated by their size or their weapons.  His voice had a strange accent

to it that none of them could place.

    Skylar looked at Kerewyn.  “Now this is unfair, Kerewyn!”  he said

grinning.  He sheathed his sword and walked over to the gnome, leaned over

and shook his hand.  “My apologies, young sir.  We meant no offense.”

    “No offense!  Young sir!  I do have a beard, mind you!”  He bristled

with renewed anger.  The companions tried to hide their smiles at the dwarf’s outrage.  

    Skylar said, “I’m sorry about that, it’s just hard to tell your age--given that you are rather short.  No offense, Dugarth.”

    “I couldn’t help but overhear you three gentleman--and lady--talking

about killing the evil sorceress over yonder.  Am I right about that?”

    Skylar looked at Kerewyn to see if he should keep it secret, then

shrugged and said, “You heard right, sir Dugarth.  Do you know about her?”

    “Know about her?  Of course I do--considering I’ve been kidnapped and

tortured to death by her--me a helpless little gnome.  Heartless wench!”

    “Kerewyn, I don’t think you should have any qualms about killing her now

after she’s done that!”

    “Oh, you’re worried about killing her, eh, lassie?  I know a way you can

get in and out of the place with leave with the conch shell unnoticed!”

    “Now wait a minute,” exclaimed Kerewyn.  “How did you escape those

creatures!  Or are you in league with them?”

    “Kerewyn--he’s just a gnome--no offense, sir.  How could he possibly be

in league with them?”

    “Exactly, thank you, sir for pointing that out.  What are your names, by

the way?” asked Dugarth.

    “Forgive me, sir Dugarth.  My name is Skylar, this is Larrian--and as

you’ve gathered from the conversation, this is Kerewyn--great grand daughter

of the sea goddess Myrridia!” disclaimed Skylar.

    “The sea goddess, you say?  Ghaldar’s beard, that’s amazing!  It’s a

pleasure to meet you, lass,” Dugarth said, bowing.  Kerewyn smiled, patting

the gnome on his head.

    “Sorry to doubt you, Dugarth,” said Kerewyn said, apologizing.

    “Consider it forgiven, lass.  Now about this conch shell and the

sorceress--did you say you don’t want to kill her?  Whyever not--she’s evil

and a nuisance to those who live in this countryside to boot.”

    “Well, I agree with you now on that subject, Dugarth.  I just don’t

normally go out of my way to kill someone.  Perhaps I can banish her.”

    “Well, I can understand that, considering your a good sort of lassie.

Now, if you want, I could tell you how to sneak the conch shell out of

their--unless you would now feel obligated to kill or banish the sorceress.”

    “No, Dugarth.  That would be the cowardly way out--no offense meant, of

course.   It was a perfectly good idea.  I still think it’s better to face

her straight on and perhaps persuade her to give me the conch

shell--considering I am the great grand daughter of the sea goddess, after

all!”

    Dugarth nodded in agreement.  “That you are, lassie.  That you are.  You

may have a point there.  Let’s get going.  My feet feel like moving.  That’s

why they call me quickfeet--I never stand still and move fast as anything.

Perhaps I could come along with you folk?”

    The trio looked at each other and shrugged.  Kerewyn leaned down and

shook Dugarth’s tiny hand.  “You are welcome to join us, in the name of the

sea goddess Myrridia!”

    “Well, now that’s done, let’s get going, as I said before!”  He took off

so fast they could barely follow his form, which darted in and out of bushes

and around trees.  They looked at each other in amazement, then hopped up on

Bairan’s back.  Soon they were ride beside him.  Now it was the gnome’s turn

to look up in amazement at the unicorn beside him.

    “Ghaldar’s beard!  I say, gentlemen and lady, what an amazing beast!  Do

you mind if I have a wee bit of a ride?”

    Skylar leaned over and helped Dugarth up onto his lap.  He felt like he

was carrying a kid in his lap.

    “Thank you, kind sirs and lady, for the ride.  I’ve never been on such

an amazing beast before!”

    They rode on in silence for a while.  Kerewyn broke it with several

questions about their new companion, the gnome.

    “Where are you from?  Do you have a family?” asked Kerewyn, curiousity

shining in her eyes.

    Dougan plucked his beard with one of his tiny hands.  He nodded.  “I am

from northwest of hear, you see, from a place called Gnome City--which is

beneath a gigantic mountain called Ghaldar’s Peak.  I have plenty of family

there--thousands of relatives, to be exact.  They’re called the Quickfeet

Clan.”

    “I would love to meet them, Dugarth,” said Kerewyn, looking around

Skylar at him as he sat in Skylar’s lap.  “Perhaps when this is over we can

all go meet them.”

    “I’m afraid that wouldn’t be possible, kind sirs and lady--they haven’t

allowed humans in their mountain for over a hundred years.  I don’t see why

they would change now.  Unless, of course, you bring them some riches from

the sorceress castle--gold, or better yet, spellbooks for the gnome

wizards.”

    “Well, they will have to let us in, I have to rescue Mayron.  He’s been kidnapped and is being held hostage their.  Do you know any secret ways we could go to get to him without bringing the entire dwarven army down on us?”

    “Yes, and I would be proud to show it to you.”

    Kerewyn almost laughed at the thought of gnomes casting spells.  How

would they handle a human’s spellbook, being so small? wondered Kerewyn.

She glanced worriedly back at Larrian, worried he would burst out laughing,

but she saw he was holding back his laughter.  So was Skylar, she saw as she

looked ahead at him.

     

     *           *   *

       

    As they neared the sorceress’ castle, they saw what they thought was a

large dark mist surrounding the castle, which seemed to suck the  sunlight

out of the sun above it.  They felt as if their souls were being drained out

of their bodies--they felt weak and defenseless against the power of the

darkness.  If just the darkness could do this, what could the sorceress do

to them as well?

    They contiued on towards the castle, then suddenly Bairan stopped.

Skylar tried as he might, but he could not make Bairan go further.  They got

off and started walking towards the castle which rose in the distance like a

black scar against the bright blue skyline.  The towers rose against the sky

like jagged teeth tearing into the sky’s grandeur.

    As they reached the castle gates, a great wind began blowing, and upon

it came ravens flying towards them.  The gates opened wide as the crow

settled down upon them.

    “They must be some kind of familiar to the witch,” noted Larrian.

Kerewyn nodded in agreement, feeling like the sorceress was watching her

through the crows.

    Kerewyn started walking through the gates and the rest followed her.

    “What if we’re walking into a trap?” asked Skylar.

    “It’s too late for second thoughts, laddie,” said Dugarth.

    Kerewyn nodded in agreement.   “Let’s get moving, as Dugarth said

earlier.”

    They were no in a small courtyard surrounded by stone walls with deep

green moss growing on them.  Statues of strange creatures surrounded them.

Perhaps they were creatures she had summoned, or perhaps they were those

beings she worshipped, thought Kerewyn.

    Kerewyn and the others walked past the statues, gazing at them in awe.

The birds cawed around them, talking to each other in a strange language as

old as time.  The icy touch of fall was in the air, and dead leaves spun crazily in the air in the courtyard.  The wind howled around them like a thousand banshees.

     The statues came to life with such suddeness that everyone was  knocked

off their feet.  The one near Kerewyn looked like an upright cougar, which

snarled and lashed out at her with its fearsome claws.  Its eyes glowed with

a powerful hatred, making Kerewyn cringe in response.  She had never felt

such hatred before and it made her feel as helpless and small as a child.

Her stomach curdled in terror that made her very being shudder in response.

    The other statues were of a snake, which attacked Skylar with its

viscous fangs and deadly breath of acid; one statue was carved in the image

of a giant bull which lunged at Larrian with its sharp horns.  A fourth

statue of a brown grizzly bear attacked the tiny form of Dugarth, who

recoiled in fear and darted away to some hiding place, since he couldn’t

fight back.

          He didn’t have a weapon--or so Kerewyn thought.  Suddenly, she

saw him out of the corner of her eye.  He climbed up a stone wall, then

jumped on the berserk bears back, firing lightning bolts from his fingertips into

the bear’s brown hair.  The lightning singed the beast’s hair and skin,  turning it black.  This enraged it even more.

       Kerewyn dodged another blow that the cougar delivered.  She flipped up

in the air and landed on the stone wall that surrounded the courtyard.  She

spun her staff around in circles, then jabbed at the cougar from a safe

distance, where she couldn’t be hurt by its razor sharp claws.  Meanwhile,

Skylar was fighting the snake, dodging its acid breath that spewed forth

from its gaping mouth.  He stabbed desperately at its body, but the scales

were impenetrable, even with his magical sword.

    Finally, Kerewyn thought up an incantation to deal with these creatures.

She chanted out loud these words: “Rain and lightning come to me, set me

free from these creatures here, who instill in us the greatest fear, in the

name of the Goddess Myrridia, so must it be!”

    Suddenly, rain poured down from the sky in sheets, and lightning struck

the creatures attacking them, turning them to ashes.  They were soaked to

the sky, but alive.  Kerewyn breathed a sigh of relief.   She sat down on

the wall to catch her breath, then asked everyone, “Are you all right?”

    They nodded, except for Larrian, who was scratched all over from the

bear’s claws.  She jumped off the wall and walked over to him, inspecting

his wounds.  Some were pretty deep, others were not.  She thought for a

moment, then began singing in a deep, resonant voice that rose to a higher,

more vibrant pitch.  Miraculously, the all of the wounds healed.  Kerewyn

passed out from the stress of casting so many enchantments of such power in

one day.

    Dugarth walked up to Kerewyn, pulling out a vile from one of the pouches

that hung on his belt.  He opened the vile and waved it under her nose.  She

awoke immediately, sitting straight up and shaking her head.

    “What happened?” she asked.

    Dugarth grinned.  “You passed out from casting to many enchantments

today, lassy.  Here, drink this.    It will give you a boost of extra

energy.”

    She took the bottle from the gnome and swallowed the liquid down,

grimacing at the nasty taste.  “What is this stuff?”

    “It’s called Halliock.  How do you feel now?”

    Kerewyn sighed.  “I feel more energetic than I’ve ever felt, thanks to

you.  Thank you, Dugarth.”  She picked him up and hugged him, until he

squirmed and jumped down to the ground.

    “Stop that, lassie.  You’re making me blush,” he said, grinning.

“Wait a minute.  If the potion just worked, maybe your magic works!”

exclaimed Kerewyn.  “We still have a chance.”

    “Good point, lass.  Let me try casting a spell.”

    He began chanting in an eerie language that Kerewyn had never heard

before and waving his hands around in the air.  Suddenly, he was about their

size.  He was grinning from ear to pointy ear.

    “Did it!” exclaimed Dugarth.

    Kerewyn clapped her hands in excitement.  “Come on, let’s go.”

    They began walking down the eerie corridor carefully, now that the

entire corridor was dark.  Water dripped continously in the distance.  The

sound of ravens’ wings flapping filled the air as they flew by and cawed to

each other.  Kerewyn shivered in fear.

    The minutes dragged by slowly as they walked down the hallway.

Eventually, their eyes got used to the darkness so they could see a few feet

in front of them.  Suddenly, the darkness was lit with an eerie green glow.

Silhoutted figures emerged from the light--demons with bright orange eyes

and gaping mouths filled with sharp teeth and flickering tongues.  There

were at least twenty of them in the corridor--but probably more further

down. 

    Kerewyn cringed in fear.  It would be hard to fight in such a narrow

space without her magic.  How could she defeat these creatures with a

useless staff?  Then she remembered Dugarth the gnome had magic that worked

and breathed a sigh of relief.

    The demons lunged at them, slashing at her with their claws.  She dodged

them and blocked other blows with her staff.  She inwardly thanked Gwyddion

for the precious gift.  It would save her life today.  She would have been

torn to pieces with it.

    Dugarth darted forward, recognizing Kerewyn’s helplessness.  He spread

his hands wide and fired bolts of lightning that burned the creatures’

skins.  They backed away as fireballs and flaming arrows filled the air,

eventually turning them to ashes.  The demons ran away screaming.

    “Thank you again, you wonderful gnome!” Kerewyn cried, picking him up

and hugging him, though she knew he didn’t like it.  He squirmed away from

her embrace and landed smoothly on the floor, glaring up at her.  She patted

his head lovingly.

    “Let’s head to the center of the castle, which is probably where she

will be, or perhaps hinding in the dungeons, waiting to pounce on us,”

proposed Larrian.

    Kerewyn nodded.  “Good idea.  Why don’t we split up.  Dugarth and I  can

search together while you and Larrian can do the same.  Agreed?”

    They all nodded their heads and did as she suggested, breaking up into

two groups.  As the corridor came to crossroads, Larrian and Skylar took a

left and Dugarth and Kerewyn took a right.  They waved goodbye to each other

and gave blessing to each other, then disappeared down the shadowy hallways.

    Kerewyn and Dugarth walked down the hallways silently, both tense and

waiting for any attack that might come their way.  Anything could happen,

she thought.  I can’t let them take us by surprise.

    They continued walking down the corridor until it came to a set of

double doors.  They walked through the double doors and into a cavernous

room.  The room was well lit with candles and torches in sconces on the

walls.  The room was filled with treasures unimaginable to Kerewyn.  She had

never so much gold and silver in her life as she saw sparkling in the

candlelight.  I can’t believe she leaves such treasure unguarded, she

thought, and immediately froze in fear.  Then she realized the Dugarth was

gone.  Shivers of fear lanced through her very being.

    She walked over to the treasure, wanted to touch it and hold it.

Suddenly, their was a horrible screaching noise as a giant spider with

viscous pincers dropped on top of her, sending her sprawling.  It began

weavin strands of sticky web around her.  She struggled as hard as she

could, but couldn’t break the strong threads around her.  “Dugarth, help

me!” she cried.

    Dugarth suddenly appeared around a pile of gold holding in his hand the

conch shell.  She cried out in relief.  He came over to her and cut the

threads around her with a little knife.  Kerewyn guessed it was magical,

since it could cut such strong material with so small a blade.

    Dugarth put the conch shell down and raised his hands, sending bolts of

lightning at the spider, which screamed and disintegrated.  Kerewyn climbed

out of the thread and hugged Dugarth, making him blush.

    “Thank you, you wonderful little gnome!” she exclaimed.  He smiled and

handed her the conch shell.

    “Blow it,” he said.

    Kerewyn shook her head.  “It won’t do us any good hear.  Let’s wait

until we get to Tanifwyd. Let’s go and get the others.”

    They left the room with the treasure in it and walked back down the

corridor where they had seen the others.  It was tough going without the

torches lit.  Time seemed to crawl by.

    Eventually, they reached another room and entered it.  Skylar and

Larrian were nowhere to be found.  Kerewyn grew worried.  What had happened

to them?

    They left the room and entered another where they found Skylar and

Larrian lying on the floor, unconscious.  Kerewyn ran over to them, shaking

Larrian.  He wouldn’t wake up.

    Dugarth ran over to where they were and opened another bottle of

Halliock.  He waved it underneath both their noses and they both woke up.

    “Where are we?” they asked in unison.

    “In the sorceress’ keep.  You were sleeping soundly when we reached you.

We found the conch shell!”

    Larrian sat upright, a grin on his face. “ That’s great!” he exclaimed,

hugging Kerewyn.  “Let’s get out of this foul place and get to Tanifwyd.”

    Dugarth tapped them on the shoulder.  “I have an idea!  I have a spell

to get you back to Tanifwyd faster than the blink of an eye.”

    They all looked at Dugarth in anticipation.  Kerewyn asked, “What is

it?”

    Dugarth grinned.  “I will teleport you all back home.  Then you can blow

the conch shell before the mountain warriors attack!”

    “What are you waiting for?”  demanded Kerewyn eagerly.

    He began chanting  and waving his hands in the air.  Everyone vanished

in a puff of smoke, and the next instant appeared in Tanifwyd.

    Kerewyn hugged everyone, saying, “We’re in Tanifwyd!  We’re home!”

    She jumped for joy and swung her staff around the air in circles.  They

paraded down the streets of Tanifwyd.  People emerged from their houses,

dumbfounded at their arrival.  They cheered and hugged Kerewyn, throwing

flowers at her like the did during the Rhakka festivals.  Children sang and

danced in the streets, and bells rang out in celebration.

    But Kerewyn still had one more duty to perform.  She must blow the conch

shell to save her people from certain destruction at the mountain warriors

hands, or depend soley on her power to save them.  Her jubilation diminished

as she realized this.  She grew serious and said to Larrian,

    “I have one more duty to perform before I am done.  Let’s go see my

father and grandfather.”

    They walked down to the Patriarch’s house and went inside.  Inside it

was richly decorated, with tapestries on the walls depicting war scenes.  A

red carpet ran up the stairs.  Kerewyn nearly ran up the stairs with the

others behind her in her excitement.  Her heart beat wildly against her breasts.

    She reached her father’s room and entered.  He sat behind an ornately carved desk made of maple wood with piles of papers on it.  A painting hung on the wall behind him depicting a unicorn, the symbol of the Patriarch.  Kerewyn walked up to him and hugged him, smelling his familiar smell.

    “Kerewyn! It’s good to see you!  I was worried sick were you were

injured or dead!”

    Kerewyn nodded.  “I’m so sorry to have caused everyone worry.  I had to

leave, in order to save you.  You must realize the importance of what I did.

The mountain warriors are soon to attack.”

    “I never had the slightest doubt in my mind that what you were doing was

right, Kerewyn.  You always were one to follow your gut, and one to do what

was right, regardless of the consequences.  Gwyddion told me afterward why

and how you were going to do this.”

    He came out around the desk and hugged her.  She began to cry, tears

coursing down her cheeks.  “I missed you so!”

    “Don’t cry, Kerewyn, everything will be all right.  You’ll see.”

    “What about the conch shell?”

    “You’re going to blow it, of course, and summon our ancestors to help

us.  Let’s do it now, before anyone else hears of it and makes a big

commotion.”

    “First, I want you to meet my friends, Larrian, Skylar, and Dugarth.

They have saved my life several times!”

    Ewen walked over to where they were standing and hugged each one of

them.  “It’s an honor to meet you,” he said afterwards.  They smiled in

return.

    “Let’s go and get this over with!”said Kerewyn.

    They walked out of the Patriarch’s house, and into the middle of the

street.  Kerewyn put down her staff and picked up the conch shell.  She blew

a long, resounding note out of it.  People came out of their houses,

wondering what was going on.  They stopped and stared at the newcomers,

never having seen a gnome befor.  They whispered among themselves,

discussing what they thought was going on.

    At first, nothing happened.  Then, out of the sky behind them came an

echoing call from another conch shell, held by a tall, muscular, tanned man

with a long black beard.  He rode a silvery shining horse and wore chain

mail and carried a sword and sheild.  Behind him rode several thousand

warriors on silver horses.  Beneath them, the Rhakkas rose out of the waters walked on land for the first time in their lives.  Everyone stared around them in awe and bewilderment.  Then they began cheering.  Kerewyn smiled as she saw they

were realizing what was happening.  There green and blue scales shimmered in the golden rays of the dying sun.

    Kerewyn hugged her father, Ewen and began to dance with him.  Then she

remembered their were warriors watching her and stopped, blushing.

    Ewen addressed the waiting warriors, who had landed their horses nearby.

He spoke, saying:  “Greetings, our beloved ancestors.  We have called you

out of greatest need.  My daughter, Kerewyn, here before you, has searched

long and hard for this sacred conch shell.  Will you aid us in this battled

with the mountain warriors?”

    The leader nodded his head and replied,  “Yes, but on one condition.

Some of you must return to the land of your birth and cease the civil war

that goes on there!  The people there have not died out, as you have forced

yourself to belief, but quarrel amongst themselves.  They need a new leader.

I hereby choose Kerewyn’s daughter as their leader!”

    A great cheer rose up from the crowd.  They began chanting, “Here! Here!

Kerewyn! Kerewyn!”

    Kerewyn picked up her staff and walked down the street, followed by the

entire town of Tanifwyd.  She began singing at the top of her voice.  People

became so enthralled were her that they carried her down the street.

Ewen followed her, a broad grin on his face.  He was filled with pride for

his daughter at last.

            “I must do one more thing before fighting in this battle, father.  I have to go rescue Mayron, my ex-lover who is being held captive in the Halls of Hazardark.  Could I have some warriors to accompany me on this mission?” she asked respectfully.

            He smiled at her and patted her hand.

            “Of course you can, dear.  But only a few.  Remember, we need as many soldiers as we can to fight the mountain warriors.”

            She nodded and said, “I understand.  Thank you, father!”

            Turning around, she motioned for the others to follow her back outside.  She turned to Dugarth and asked, “Can you teleport us to the Halls of Hazadark?” she asked eagerly, wanting to be done with her mission as quickly as possible.

            “Yes, you can count on me, lass. Anytime.”

            He waved his hands and clapped them, and they all vanished into thin air, along with the warriors that Ewen had lent them.  They reappeared near the Klydos Mountains next to the Halls of Hazadark.  The majestic mountains rose into the air, towering over everything around them.  Copses of green spruce and pine trees dotted the rolling, green fields.  The graceful grass in the fields danced in the cool, whistling wind.  A hawk soared overhead.  They all were in awe of their awesome natural beauty as they waited for orders from Kerewyn.  

            Looking at Dugarth expectantly, she asked, “Could you please use your expertise and get us in these mountains unnoticed?”

            The gnome grinned mischeiviously.  “That’s what I specialize in.  I am a spy for the gnomes, and have often gotten in to spy on the dwarves because we have been warring with them for centuries.”

            “So what do we do?”

            “Well, the southern entrance is by the Golgoroth River, where part of the river forks and travels into the mountain.  Goods are brought in from other parts of the world and shipped down the river on boats.  We could sneak aboard the ships and disguise ourselves as the merchants that come from all over to trade withe gnomes.”

            “Sounds like a plan.  Let’s go.”

            Without further ado, the company of hardened fighters began walking towards the southern entrance of the Halls of Hazardak.  The greyish-brown mountain rose above the rugged, verdant landscape like an ancient giant that was shaking its fist at the dome of the  uncaring azure sky.  

      Their hearts were pounding in their chests, and sweat ran down their tensed muscles.  They were springs about to be released after being crushed for sometime.  All of their senses were heightened, since any minute they might die.  It was as if they could see, touch, taste, and feel everything around them.  Kerewyn muttered a prayer to Myrridia to watch over them and keep them alive.

       Dugarth hummed a battle tune to himself as he lead them towards the ominous-appearing entrance.  Shooting lightning bolts out of his fingers, he dispatched the guards (who wore silly, multi-colored peacock feathers atop golden helmets; they also wore gold-encrusted platemail armor) easily.  The guards carried spears and wore swords on their jewel-encrusted brown leather belts.  The guards fell to the ground too quickly to cry out in pain.  Their blackened bodies gave off a stench that made them want to sick up, but they held it in.  They needed all the strength their food could give them.  

       Kerewyn and the others held their noses while donning the armor so as to disguise themselves appropriately, in order to sneak in.  Although there were no guards that were Dugarth’s size, it mattered little to the gnome.  He waved his hands, muttering an incantation.  No sooner had he done, so than he wore the same type of armor that the others wore, albeit quite a bit smaller.  Grinning at the others, he clapped his hands--and they reappeared within the mighty halls of Hazardak.  Clapping his hands again, he adorned the other soldiers Kerewyn had brought with her with the same armor as the guards had, as well as transforming them into the likeness of dwarves.  

        The domed ceiling soared high above them, painted with intricate frescos of Dwarven history, such as coronations of famous kings, famous battle scenes, or marriage ceremonies of famous kings and queens.  Kerewyn would have gotten lost in the stories depicted by the colorful paintings had not Dugarth tugged at her sleeve.  He gestured with his hand towards the boat coming down the river within the dome.  

        Their hearts began pounding loudly against their chests and the blood rushed through their veins, singing with adrenalin.  Kerewyn’s mind raced wildly to find an explanation for why they were there and where they were going, but Dugarth grinned again and shook his head, whispering to her that he had an idea.

        Kerewyn grinned back, nodding.  She instantly drew her sword and held it at Dugarth’s back.  Motioning for the other soldiers to come closer, she whispered Dugarth’s plan to them.  They nodded.  They all waited for the boat to come closer, tensed and ready for anything.  The boat was a large enough to carry loads of merchandise in one trip and several men on board as well.  It was well guarded.  At least five men guarded the merchandise from what they could see.  Slaves rowed it to a stop along the cavern’s shore.  Sweat ran down the slaves bodies, filling the air with a sickening stench.  The slaves were dressed in brown tunics and sandals.  Their bodies were short, muscular and tan.  Long, brown beards covered their faces and ran down their chins.

        The captain saluted them, standing up as tall and straight as he could manage

“Hail and welcome to you! I am honored by your presence within the mighty halls of Hazardak!” intoned the captain.  He waited, obviously expecting some response similar to what he had said.  Dugarth nudged Kerewyn with his elbow.  

        Smiling, she said: “Hail and be welcome, captain!  We are honored by your presence in the mighty halls of Hazardak!”

           Whispering desperately, she asked Dugarth “What’s a good dwarven name for a woman?”

            “Dagna!” he replied under his breath.

            “I am Dagna.  This is a filthy gnome spy that we found lurking about outside.  What should we do, captain of the--?” 

             “My boat, Dagna, is called The Swift.  You should obviously report him, or have you forgotten your training?”

             “As you say, captain.  Forgive me.”

           Nodding, he gestured for them to get on the boat.  They boarded nervously, praying their disguises would last long enough for them to free Mayron.   The captain waited for them to board, then clapped his hands and hollered at the dwarven slaves: 

              “Get moving, you louts!  Do I have to sit around all day for you to get this barge to the landing?  Be nice if we got there sometime this year.”

               *           *   *

               Mayron was eating the rotten bread they fed him during lunchbreak when suddenly, shouting reached his ears from the entrance of the mines.  Staring in disbelief, he saw Kerewyn, some strangers, and Dugarth attacking the slave-driver guards.  They soon defeated them and walked over to him.  Grinning from ear to ear, Kerewyn helped him get up since he was so tired from all the work he had been forced to do.  He bent to kiss her, but she pulled back.  She looked down at his feet, then back into his eyes.  

         “I’m sorry, Mayron.  I love another now.  We must get going before the word gets out about us!”

          He sat back down again with a thud, despair filling his eyes.  

          “I don’t believe it!  How could you, Kerewyn?”

          “I am sorry, Mayron.  There’s no time for us to discuss this!  We have to go!”

          “I’d rather stay here than go!”

          “Well, in that case--” she struck him over the head with the pommel of her sword, knocking him out.  Sighing, she motioned for the soldiers she had brought to carry him for her.  They teleported safely back to Tanifwyd.    

         

       

            The Wedding and The Battle

    It was a bright fall day, with the chill of fall in the air, when

Kerewyn and Larrian held their wedding.  The whole town was participating;

notices had been sent to every person who was a resident.  People gathered

on the green outside of town by the sea, where the breeze blew the brighly colored women’s dresses.  The trees danced in the wind as well, as if celebrating with the people of Tanifwyd the union of these two wonderful people.  The wedding

symbolized the union of these two people, but also the union of the god

Gwyddion and the Goddess Myrridia.

    The priests were gathered in a circle, chanting a weddin song.  In the

center stood Larrian and Kerewyn, who were dancing with each other.  The

priests danced around them to the music of a band that played nearby.  There

was a flutist, a guitarist, a drummer and a fiddler.  They played a

haunting, yet upbeat song to accompany the priests.

    The priests stopped suddenly.  Kerewyn and Larrian stopped, breathing

hard to catch their breath.  They smiled at each other in loving rapture.

They had fallen into a trance state induced by the chanting and dancing.

This was in order to make them one with Gwyddion and Myrridia.  This state

could be achieved through dancing and chanting, which they had just done.

They felt like they were floating through space with the stars swirling

about them.

    A priest and priestess walked forward holding each other’s hands.  They

took joined hands with Kerewyn and Larrian, and asked,  “Do you, Kerewyn

Caergoth of the fisherfolk, great grand daughter of the sea goddess, take

this man Larrian Goloriath, of the town of Alladar, as your lawfully wedded

husband, to honor the divine union of the god Gwyddion and the goddess

Myrridia, whom we worship and revere till time stands still?”

    Kerewyn grinned broadly, tears forming in her eyes.  “I do.”

    The priest and priestess turned to Larrian and asked in unison, “Do you,

Larrian Goloriath of the town of Alladar, take this woman, Kerewyn Caergoth

of the fisherfolk, great grand daughter of the sea gooddess Myrridia as your

lawfully wedded wife to honor the union of the god Gwyddion and the goddess

Myrridia till time stands still?”

    He smiled and nodded.  “I do.”

    The priest and priestess cried out in unison,  “The union is now

complete!  Let all the residents of Tanifwyd hereby proclaim this to each

other and spread the word that Kerewyn and Larrian are hereby married!  Let

the celebrations begin!  You may now kiss the bride.”

    Kerewyn and Larrian embraced, then turned to each other gave each other

a loving, tender kiss.  They began dancing as the music started up again,

this time with joyful ditties to honor the divine union that had just taken

place.  Everyone in Tanifwyd cheered and followed suit, throwing garlands

and flowers up in the air.  The celebrations had begun!

    The dancing and drinking lasted well into the next week.  Everyone was

on holiday in order to participate in and honor their sacred union.  Each

resident was granted the same privilige.

    Kerewyn turned to Larrian as they danced.  “I want to go talk to my

father.  Will you come with me?” she asked, her expression suddenly somber.

    “What is it, my love?” asked Larrian.

    “I want everyone to celebrate as much as the next person, but I don’t

want us to be caught unawares by the mountain warriors.  They could attack

at anytime!”

    Larrian sighed, dissapointed to have to deal with reality after enjoying

dancing with her.  He had wanted his time with her to last forever.  His joy

changed to anxiety as he looked into her dark, somber eyes.

    Kerewyn saw this, and hugged him comfortingly.  “It will only take a few

minutes, my beloved.”

    They walked hand in hand together towards the Patriarch’s house.  People

cheered as they walked back and threw flowers at them.  They smiled and

waved back at them.

    They entered the Patriarch’s house and walked up the long stairway with

a red carpet over it to the Patriarch’s room.   They found him walking out

of his room, carrying his walking stick and wearing a sword.  He smiled and

hugged them both as he greeted them.

    “Congratulations, you two!  This is almost more wonderful than your

return, Kerewyn.  What brings you two here?”  He saw her somber expression

and knew without asking what she was about to say.

    “As you know, father, the mountain warriors are still going to attack

our beloved town.  Who knows what they are doing now and how close they are

to acheiving their goal--the destruction of all that is good in Araminthia.

We must be ready for them.  Just because the warriors have been summoned

doesn’t mean that everything is well and that we can just wish away their

presence!”

    He smiled grimly.  “I know, Kerewyn.  More than anyone, I understand

your urgency.  I will do my utmost to ensure our people’s safety, and those

of the people of Araminthia as well.  I will go the leader of the warriors

who were summoned immediately and have them get ready for the assualt.  What

was his name?”

    Kerewyn looked at Larrian who responded, “It was Erenonin Falorian, my

lord.”

    “Please, call me Ewen, Larrian.  You are my daughter’s husband.  You may

shed the normal formalities in my presence, although I do appreciate the

need them during certain circumstances.”

    Larrian smiled.  “Thank you, Ewen.  I will do so with your permission.”

    “Let us now go to Erenonin now and impress upon him the urgency of your

message, Kerewyn.”

    They walked through the revellers, searching every bar and tavern until

they found him in the Rhakka’s Tooth Tavern.  A sign hung on one hinge

outside the door, swinging in the wind.  They entered and found Erenonin

partying with other of his ilk.

    Kerewyn walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.  He turned

around, holding his beer mug high.

    “Here’s the bride and groom, unless my eyes decieve me!”  shouted

Erenonin.  He took a long draught of the beer, set it down and got up to

give each a great bear hug.  His mouth reeked of beer.

    “Erenonin, I come with a very important message.  Stop drinking and come

with me.  We’ve no time to loose!”

    He sighed and got up, putting both hands on his hips.  “And who do you

think you are, to order me around so easily?” he demanded.

    Kerewyn felt like cowering before him, but stood her ground.  She put an

arm on Larrian, to make sure he didn’t get involved in this.  She looked

straight into his eyes.  “Have you already forgotten I am the one who

summoned you in the name of the great goddess Myrridia?” she nearly shouted

these last words.  Everyone in the bar grew silent.

    “When I summoned you, I expected to find noble, valiant men of honor and

courage, and instead they are sitting in the bar getting wasted!  You call

yourselves heroes!”

    She turned and stalked out of the bar, with Larrian and Ewen following

her.  Erenonin stormed out of the bar, followed by his men.  They formed a

circle around them, all their eyes alight with anger.

    “You dare insult me and my men, even if you are the great grand daughter

of some filthy sea goddess!  Prove your worth to me, and I will prove my

worth to you!

    Kerewyn stopped and turned around, fury burning in her eyes.  She began

to sing.  The song was wordless, but it wrapped itself around their minds

and calmed them.  Their drunkeness left them, as sap is drawn out of a tree,

and some of them collapsed.

    Erenonin stared at her, his mouth open in awe and reverence.  “You truly

are the great grand daughter of the sea goddess!” he whispered.  He knelt

before her, bowing low.  “I hereby pledge myself to honor and protect you

and your people, Kerewyn Caergoth.  I swear this by the sea goddess

Myrridia.”

    Kerewyn nodded in satisfaction.  “That will do, Erenonin.  Now, the

message I wanted to give to you is:  The mountain warriors will be attacking

any hour, any day now.  Get yourselves ready and go guard the city until

they attack.  Bring word to us once they have!”

    “You have my word of honor, Kerewyn.  Anyone who refuses to serve you

will be punished.”

    “Thank you, Erenonin.  That will be all.”  She turned and walked with

Larrian back to the streets.  She took Larrian’s hand and went to find

Analyn, her old friend.  She walked past the forge and the tannery and took

a left and headed for her house.

    Analyn’s house rested on a hill overlooking Tanifwyd bay.  Kerewyn

walked up it and knocked on the door.  She didn’t answer, so she went out

back where she found Analyn tending her herb garden.  She looked up, dropped

her gardening tools and ran over to Kerewyn and hagged her.

    “My dear friend Kerewyn!  Where have you been!  I have been worried sick

about you.  I am so glad you have a strapping young man like Larrian for

your husband.  Isn’t it great news you have been appointed to go visit the

rest of our people back on the Islands of Fire?”

    “Yes and no, Analyn.  I’m sorry to have had to leave you without telling

you, but it was urgent and I couldn’t delay.  Our very way of life is

threatened!  The mountain warriors are about to attack us, anytime now.  I

can’t wait to get this war over with.  I hate bloodshed.”

    “Why yes and no?  I thought you would be thrilled.”

    “Yes, I am thrilled, but I don’t like having to solve people’s quarrels

for them.  Such senseless bickering is why we left them one century ago.”

    “I think you’ll find it rewarding, despite your misgivings.  Don’t fret,

Kerewyn.  Hang in there, my child.”å

    “I’m not your child anymore, Analyn.  I’ve grown.”

    Analyn smiled, scratching her head.  “Yes I see that.  But to me you

will forever be my darling child, even though I’m not your mother,

Ceridwen.”

    “Thank you, Analyn.  Now I must go and visit my grandfather.  He is

dying to see me again, I am sure.  Not literally, of course.  Not like last

time I saw him.”

    Analyn laughed and hugged her.  “May the goddess Myrridia be with you,

my child.”  She paused and looked at Larrian.  “And you, Larrian, you take

good czre of her.  It was a pleasure to meet you.”

    “Oh, Analyn.  I want to introduce you to other friends of mine, when I

get the chance.  Their names are Skylar and Dugarth.  They are probably

partying away.”

    “Whenever you are ready, dear.  No need to rush.  I will look forward to

meeting them and hearing of your adventures later.”

    They embraced one more time, then Kerewyn turned and waved.  She and

Larrian walked back around the house and down the hill towards the

Patriarch’s house.

    When she got there, she found Ewen in his office.  He smiled and  walked

over to her.  They embraced and she said, “Ewen, where’s Gwydion?  Is he in

his room?”

    “No, he is out on an errand.  He should be back shortly.  Will you tell

me of your adventures?  Or will it have to wait until the mountain warriors

attack?”

    “No, I will tell you now.  Here, Larrian, have a seat.”  She motioned

for him to sit down.  He did so, smiling at the Patriarch.

    She told him of her adventures from the very start; from Gwydion’s dream

to her finding the conch shell and coming home.  Ewen sat through it,

listening attentively.  When she was finished.  He got up and hugged Larrian

and Kerewyn.

    “Thank you, Larrian, for saving my daughter’s life.  And thank you,

Kerewyn for coming home finally  I am so proud of you and what you have

done.”

    Suddenly, from the windows on the north side of the room came screams

and shouts.  Kerewyn, Larrian and Ewen rushed over to the windows and looked

out.  They saw before them people running around screaming and shouting in

fear.  They pointed up in the air at the sky.  The sky was filled with black

creatures with wings and long tails.  The demons would drop out of the sky

and pick up helpless villages, then drop them from a great height, killing

them. 

    “Gwydion!  I’ve got to find Gwydion!” screamed Kerewyn, running down out

the door and down the stairs to the streets.  Ewen and Larrian ran after

her, shouting, “Stop, Kerewyn, Stop!”  Their cries were in vain, for Kerewyn

ignored them as she raced outside into the chaos-filled streets.

    She ran through the streets looking for Gwydion.  I don’t want to lose

him, ever! she thought desperately.

    She found him a few blocks down, helping a wounded man.  His legs had

been broken from a great fall.  Gwydion was fighting a black-winged creature

with his walking staff, protecting the wounded man from further harm.

            “Gwyddion!” screamed Kerewyn rushing over Gwyddion.  Larrian and Ewen ran

behind her, still shouting for Kerewyn to stop.

            He was so absorbed in fighting the demon that he didn’t respond.  Kerewyn

stopped, raised her staff, and began to sing.  The song filled the entire

streets of Tanifwyd.  It would be the most amazing song she would sing in

her life.  It grew and swelled, wrapping itself around around the demons and

other creatures attacking the town, and the soldiers attacking as well.  A

giant green glow surrounded Tanifywd for all to see.  

        Then, suddenly, all the demons, creatures and soldiers vanished.  Even the cries of the wounded stopped, for they were so amazed by what had just happened.  The townsfolk looked at Kerewyn in awe, then ran over to her, shouting and cheering for they were saved. 

            She had done her duty.  She had completed her quest.  Or had she?  She

suddenly felt as if there was something missing, something left undone.

What could it be?  She pondered it for several moments, then realized what

it was.  There were two things left undone.  She hadn’t faced her

adversaries, Zhalladd and King Thaddius, and defeated them, and she hadn’t

found food enough to help her starving people.  She suddenly felt less then

she had, as if she had shrunk in size.  Her heart sank to the bottom of her

toes.  Now she must leave Larrian and the dwarf and go out on her own to

face her two adversaries and make sure they never harm her family or her

townspeople again.  

        She felt tears burning at the edge of her eyes.  She had

to leave again?  She despaired at the thought.  Just when she thought

everything was finished and taken care of, she had to think of this!

         Turning around in the street, she began heading towards her friend

Analyn’s street, who lived on Rhakka ave.  She needed to talk to somebody

badly about how to handle this new situation.  She  knew she would try and

convince Analyn that she didn’t have to go, and that Analyn would eventually

convince her to go, but she had to vent her feelings to someone.

      She found Analyn working out back in her herb garden.  She was watering

a plant called Morrisroot, which was used to help people’s indigestion.  It

was also used in good luck spells and love spells too.  Kerewyn smiled at

Analyn’s dedication to her healing arts and to helping people out in

distress.  She was definitely a good friend to anyone who needed a helping

hand, and a valuable part of Tanifwyd.

    Analyn turned around at the sound of someone entering her garden (the

sound of the door closing behind Kerewyn alerted her).  She looked

surprised, then smiled and asked kindly, “What is it this time, Kerewyn?”

She had obviously noted the change in demeanor in Kerewyn’s face and in her

walk--she was walking forlornly, her eyes downcast and her energy had

vanished after the celebration of the wedding and the victory of the war

with the mountain warriors.  It was as if it had never been there at all.

    Sighing, Kerewyn replied, “I just realized something.  I have a problem.

I--I need to go fight Zhaladd and King Thaddius, in order to keep my people

safe from harm.  They won’t give up so easily.  They’ll keep attacking

Tanifwyd until it’s destroyed, and until they kill me.”

    Analyn sighed and brushed her hand through her long dark hair.  “I guess

you’re right, Kerewyn.  Do whatever your heart tells you to do.  You know

best.”

    “But I don’t want to leave, Analyn!  I just got back and married

Larrian.  I don’t want to leave him and the dwarf behind!  But this is

something I have to do by myself, for the good of Tanifwyd, and for the

world.”

    “You know you must go, Kerewyn.  You said so yourself.  If you don’t,

then the danger of the mountain warriors will never be gone.  They still

have a leader and the leader will order them to attack until they are

successful, plus they will make an attempt on your life.  You must go.”

    “I know, it’s just so unfair.  I don’t want to leave home again, after I

worked so hard to save it.”

    “Well, you had best leave quickly.  Let Ewen know, and Gwyddion, but

then have them tell the rest of the people.  That’s what I would do.”

    Kerewyn sighed, shaking her hair.  “I guess I will.  I’ll get the

Dugarth to teleport me to the Dhaagard Keep, to surprise Zhaladd and King

Thaddius.”

    Analyn smiled and nodded.  “Good luck, Kerewyn.  Let me know how it went

when you get back.”

    Kerewyn flung her arms around Analyn and whispered, “If I get back.”

    Analyn pushed Kerewyn away and said, “Don’t talk like that.  You

succeeded before, you can succeed again.  Just keep your wits about you and

follow your heart, and you’ll be fine.”

    “Goodbye, Analyn.  I’ll miss you.”

    “Goodbye, Kerewyn.  I’ll miss you too.  Oh before I forget, let me get

you a good supply of herbs for your journey.  I’ll give you some for all

kings of purposes, including healing.”

    She wandered over to her garden and began picking various different

kinds of herbs, gathered them up and put them in a large satchet, and tied

the strings tightly at the top.  She handed it to Kerewyn.

    Kerewyn smiled and said, “Thank-you for all your support, Analyn.

Goodbye, once again.”

    “Goodbye, Kerewyn.”  She waved as Kerewyn turned and left the garden,

waving to Analyn in return.  She turned, and did not look back.  She did not

want to think of how much she was going to miss her.

    She found Dugarth  in The Lion’s Den tavern on Patriarch Ave.  He wasn’t

drunk, as she thought he would have been.  She sighed with relief.  Now he

can teleport me successfully to Dhaagard Keep, she thought.  She walked over

to Dugarth and smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder.

    The tavern was filled with people celebrating the victory over the

mountain warriors.  Smells of spiced potatoes and roasting deer meat filled

the tavern, mixed with the smell of spilled ale.  Conversation, mixed with

shouts and singing filled the tavern.  It was difficult to hear herself

think.  Dugarth was dressed in a red and gold tunic and wore brown boots.

He bore no weapons anywhere on his person.

    “How are you doing, you old dwarf, you?” asked Kerewyn affectionately.

    Dugarth smiled and swallowed some of the tankard of beer he held in his

hand.  “Excellent, Kerewyn, my dear.  What do you want me for?”

    Kerewyn was surprised at the frankness of the dwarf.  She sighed and

replied, “I need you for one last favor, Dugarth.  It’s serious.  I decided

to go and attack Zhaladd and King Thaddius to bring them to justice, and to

make sure they don’t launch another attack on Tanifwyd.  I’ve also got to

find someway to feed my people.  I already have an idea forming, but I won’t

tell you until I do it.”

    Dugarth grinned.  “Good girl.  I’m proud of you, Kerewyn.  You’re a true

heroine.  Of course I’ll teleport you to Dhaagard Keep.  It’ll give you the

element of surprise to you since you’ll be outnumbered.”

    Kerewyn hugged the dwarf.  “Oh, thank you, Dugarth!  You’re a true hero

and friend, yourself.  Remember, you helped me get the conch shell too.”

    Dugarth blushed bright red at the praise.  He said, “Now, now, Kerewyn.

Don’t get all emotional over me.  It’s not worth it.”

    Kerewyn released Dugarth and stepped back.  She said, “ Of course it is.

Anyway, can you do it now?”

    Dugarth nodded.  “Sure.  Let’s go outside the tavern, so as not to raise

any eyebrows at my magic.  Besides, I don’t like to show off.”

    Kerewyn laughed and said, “Let’s go, then.”  She turned and walked with

the dwarf out of the tavern.  They went around the corner of the inn in the

alleyway where they stopped.

    “Okay, let’s do it here,” said Kerewyn anxiously.

    “One teleportation spell coming right up,” said Dugarth, grinning.  He

began chanting and waving his hands in a graceful motion in front of him.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness crept over Kerewyn as she felt her insides

being displaced.  One minute she was there in Tanifwyd, the next, she was

suddenly in the throne room of Dhaagard Keep in the Klydos mountains.

    The throne room was empty, to Kerewyn’s dismay.  She had hoped Zhaladd

and King Thaddius would be there, conferring over some new scheme to attack

Tanifwyd.  But they were not.  The throne room was a large oblong room with

columns lining the walls and large, rich tapestries of many colors depicting

battles and mythological figures that hung on the walls.  Kerewyn sighed.

This was going to be harder than she had thought.

    She crept towards the double doors on the north side of the room, hiding

behind the columns in case anyone came in and discovered her.  The columns

were fluted and highly decorated at the top.  She spent little time

sight-seeing as she was concentrating on finding her two adversaries.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and voices on the

other side of the double doors.  She hid on the other side of the column

nearest her, hoping she wouldn’t be discovered.

    Her heart began thudding wildly in her chest, and her breathing

quickened its pace.  She gulped for air, and tried to calm her heartbeat

unsuccessfully.  If she was discovered now, all her plans would be in vain.

She must surprise them!  Her blood rushed through her veins like a building

tidal wave in the ocean.  She gripped her staff until her knuckles turned

pale white.

    Zhaladd flung the doors opened, cursing so loudly he made Kerewyn blush

at the colorful language he used to describe his servants.  She waited,

ready to spring on him any minute now...the seconds ticked by.  Zhaladd wore

dark green robes and brown boots.  He was talking to one of his servants, a

boy no more than eleven years of age.

    “I can’t believe King Thaddius left without telling me!  He’s the most

inconsiderate person I have ever met!  I’ll have a word with him when he

gets back.  But for now, my servant, act like nothing is wrong.  If you

breath a word of this to him, I’ll turn you into one of The Forsaken Ones.

Get it?”

    The servant nodded, turning white as a sheet.  He turned and left

through the same double doors he had entered.  Zhaladd sighed, wringing his

hands nervously.  He was so close to Kerewyn she could hear his heartbeat

and his breathing, a low, weazing rasp.  She took a deep breath and lept out

from her hiding place.  Maybe she could take him alone, she thought

confidently.  Zhaladd screamed a ragged scream, falling backwards and almost

falling over in surprise.  Kerewyn swung her staff at him, but he recovered

quickly, grabbing the staff and flinging her along with it to the ground.

    :Chilling laughter erupted from his lungs as he stared down at her.

“Your pathetic attempt at surprise failed, Kerewyn!  You are doomed to live

your life as a Forsaken One.”  With that, he began chanting and waving his

hands.  His overconfidence gave Kerewyn a chance to renew her attack on him.

She began chanting as well.

    “Goddess Myriddia, turn Zhaladd into one of the Forsaken ones

    Do this deed, complete it and get it done,

    Make me forever grateful and happy,

    In the name of the Goddess so mote it be!”

   

    Suddenly, Zhaladd screamed again as he began to transform into one of

his failed experiments of creation, called The Forsaken Ones.  His limbs

became smaller and distorted, his eyes widened in shock and outrage.  His

facial features contored and became distorted.  His whole being became

asymmetrical, one arm longer than the other, one hand with ten fingers,

while the other had two.  He screamed again in despair.  Kerewyn laughed in

relief and gratitude.  She had won!

    Now she had but to find out where King Thaddius was.  She looked sternly

at what was once Zhaladd.  “Where is King Thaddius?”  She demanded sternly.

What was left of Zhaladd quivered like a gelatine mass and slurred brokenly:

“Mistress--Mistress Kerewyn, Zhaladd does not know where he is.”

    Kerewyn sighed.  Damn!  Now she couldn’t ask him to use his magic--or

could he?--to find him.  She looked at Zhaladd and asked, “Can you still use

your magic in this form?”

    Zhaladd nodded.  “Yessss Mistress Kerewyn.  Zhaladd can still use his

magic.”

    “Well then, use your magic to find him!”

    Zhaladd nodded.  He waved his distorted limbs and began chanting.

Suddenly, a large map appeared before Kerewyn.  She saw a glowing ball of

blue light that indicated where King Thaddius was.  He was in a city called

Talanthas, in the plains of Serenonn.  He was meeting with the Assassin’s

Guild.

    Kerewyn nodded.  “Thank you, Zhaladd.”  Wasn’t this ironic!  She was

actually thanking Zhaladd instead of attacking him, or him attacking her!

She laughed aloud and then said, “Stay here.  Watch the keep while I am

gone.”  Then suddenly an idea dawned in her mind.  “Is there treasure here

in the keep?”

    Zhaladd nodded.

    Kerewyn wanted to jump for joy.  “Where is it?”

    Zhaladd said, “Zhaladd will take you there, Mistress Kerewyn.”

    “No, not now.  Now I will find King Thaddius and destroy him.  Then I

will be back to claim the treasure and bring it back to Tanifwyd, where I

will use it to help feed my people.  If I have found you have run away with

the treasure while I am away, I will come and find you and make life very

miserable for you.  I may even kill you.  Is this understood?”

    Zhaladd nodded.  “Yes, Mistress Kerewyn.  All is perfectly clear.

Zhaladd would never betray his Mistress.”

    Kerewyn sighed in relief.  “Good.  Now be a good watchdog while I am go,

yes?”

    “Yes, Mistress.  I live but to serve thee.”

    “Good.  Goodbye, Zhaladd.”

    Kerewyn suddenly wished she had Dugarth here to teleport her to

Talanthas.  Then she had an idea.  Maybe she could use her staff to do it.

She didn’t trust Zhaladd to teleport her; he could betray her and teleport

her to some swamp where she would be killed, or someplace worse, like off a

cliff.  She raised her staff and chanted:

    “Goddess great, Goddess wise,

    Teleport me to beneath Talanthas’ skies.

    In the name of the Goddess Myrridia, so must it be!”

   

    She vanished instantly, and appeared in the marketplace in Talanthas.

People all around her gasped in shock and awe.  They walked around her,

preferring not to get to close to someone who could use magic.  She sighed.

Maybe she should have been more specific next time.  She could have ended up

in a sheep’s pen, or worse, a pig pen!

    People thronged to the marketplace, bartering or trying to sell their

wares.  They were dressed in brightly colored tunics and robes.  Men-at-arms

marched up and down the streets, keeping and eye on the public. Open-air

stands covered the place.  The sounds of people talking, laughing and

shouting fillled the air, along with the sound of chickens clucking and

horses neying.  Pigs oinked and plodded along in their pens.  The smell of

hay, barley and a wide variety of spices filled the air, along with horse

dung and pig dung.

    The sights, sounds and smells nearly overwhelmed Kerewyn and she felt

suddenly dizzy.  She leaned on her staff for support.  When the dizziness

had passed, she began looking around for The Assassin’s Guild.  She had no

clue where to find it, so she decided to ask.

    She went up to a man who looked and smelled like a farmer; he was

chewing on a piece of hay and wore a brown tunic on his torso and sandles on

his feet.  He carried a pitchfork.  He had high cheekbones and narrow, brown

eyes with greying, short hair.  His lips were pursed.  He seemed friendly.

    “Excuse me, sir, do you know where the Assassin’s Guild is?”

    The man looked startled and nearly jumped six feet in the air.  He

laughed at himself and said, “I’m sorry, no.  Now leave me alone!”

    So much for that idea, thought Kerewyn.  He didn’t seem friendly at all,

now.

    Sighing, she went up to a lady carrying a basket of brightly colored

flowers under her arm.  The lady wore a bright blue dress with golden

embroidery  around the edges.  She had dark brown hair which fell past her

shoulders.  She smiled as Kerewyn came up to her.

    “Hi, my name is Kerewyn.  I’m looking for  The Assassin’s Guild.  Do you

know where it is?”

    The woman nodded, but looked displeased.  “Yes.  It’s down on  Assassin

Street, at the corner.  Be careful when you go in there.”

    The lady hurried off with her flowers, wanting nothing to do with

Kerewyn.  Kerewyn sighed in relief and began walking down Assassin Street.

Then and idea came to her.  She realized that she needed a disguise, so she

held up her staff and began to chant:

   

    In the Goddess Myrridia’s name,

    Make me like an assassin, make me the same,

    In the name of the Goddess so mote it be!

    Suddenly her clothing changed and she wore a black suit with a mask that

covered her face.  She carried a sword on her belt and a crossbow with bolts

in a quiver on her back.  She smiled in satisfaction and continued down the

street.  The street was empty.

    She reached the end and turned right, heading into the large four-story

building which said “The Assassin’s Guild” on the front in bright red

letters.  She was so close to completing her goal she wanted to laugh out

loud, but she didn’t because she didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

The building was made of dark brown wood.  She entered through the front

door and waited in the lobby.  The lobby was furnished with large black

chairs with comfortable cushions on them.  There was a man sitting at the

front desk.  He was balding and had large brown eyes and a dour expression

on his face.  He looked up at her and asked, “Can I help you, miss?”

    Kerewyn nodded.  “I’m looking for a man named Thaddius.  King Thaddius,

to be exact.”

    The other man blanched and asked, “What do you want him for?”

    “It’s none of your business, sir,” Kerewyn said as politely as she

could.  She didn’t want to give away her intentions and ruin her plans

before she reached him.  If she did, she would lose the element of surprise

that she needed to succeed.  She knew she would succeed, just like she did

with Zhaladd--although Thaddius was a well-seasoned killer, an expert at it,

and he enjoyed it--which made him more deadly and dangerous, as well as

ruthless.  Kerewyn didn’t relish the idea she had to kill him, and she still

had moral qualms about killing someone.  She wasn’t a cold-blooded killer

like he was.  It might hold her back at the last minute, and ruin everything

she had planned before.  It was the only flaw in her plan that might make it

fail that she could see.

    The man nodded and motioned for her to go down the hallway.  He said,

“It’s the first door on the left.  You’ll find him in the training room.”

    She nodded and walked by the man without another word.  Her heart was

pounding and her thoughts so focused on her goal that she had forgotten to

thank him.  Her breath came in quick, short gasps, and she stopped for a

moment, taking deep breaths to calm herself, which didn’t work.  She sighed

and continued down the hallway, till she came to the door which was the

first one on the left.  She burst through the door, and found King Thaddius

talking with a man about his height and weight dressed in similar garb to

herself. 

    She immediately launched her attack, leaping at him with such a fierce

scream she even surprised herself.  The king whirled around, surprise and

shock on his face.  He tried to block the first blow that she struck at him,

but failed.  She struck him with her staff as hard as she could hit him, and

it knocked him over on his back.

    The other man drew his sword and lunged at Kerewyn.  She was so intent

on the king she had forgotten about him.  He stabbed her in the side with

his sword.  She cried out in agony, which lanced through her whole being.

She felt as if she were being rent asunder, that she was coming apart at the

seems--every nerve was on fire with a searing pain that burned all over her

body.  She fell over and went into convulsions.  Blood poured from her side,

staining the floor a dark red.

    This bought King Thaddius enough time to regain his footing and to

launch his own attack.  He swung his sword at Kerewyn.  Luckily, Kerewyn saw

it coming and blocked it with her staff.  She began chanting the same chant

she used with Zhaladd, although she changed the name.  In an instant, King

Thaddius was a quivering mass of a forsaken one, gaping in shock and

revulsion.  The other man had turned into one as well.

    She stood up, raised her staff high and began chanting a rhyme to heal

her injury.  The blood stopped flowing as soon as she was done, and the

wound closed up.  Then she teleported herself back to Dhaggard Keep, where

she asked Zhaladd to help her find the treasure.  Once she found the

treasure, she teleported it back to Tanifwyd to the storage room beneath the

Patriarch’s house.  Then she told her father Ewen about it, and her

grandfather.  

       They called a celebration in Kerewyn’s honor.  The whole town

showed up and they celebrated for two weeks straight.  Kerewyn told everyone

about the treasure and how it would be equally divided up for everyone.  It

was enough to feed to the entire town for a few centuries.  Kerewyn had

completed her quest, The Quest of The Sea Goddess.