“Rat things! Very large rat things!” Burakani called out as he ran back toward the group.
Burakani had been pulling point since they left Morin Tulan two days previously and traversed the cave Brother Jol explained to them. The priest that joined them stayed in the back, silent and covered from head to toe in their robe. Even now the priest stood behind everyone and didn’t react to the news.
Delvakhan pulled Bhor Wethrin and stood ready. Mora and Elidra copied his stance and without thought stood in front of the priest. Mora then took a step and put a protective arm in front of him. Both were then shoved back by Burakani who drew a weapon in both hands.
Just before the rat things appeared a clattering could be heard along with heavy panting squeaks which sent a chill up Delva’s spine. The noise proved to be far worse than the creatures he saw. Dark whiskers that seemed to absorb any and all light only matched by similar dark eyes, twitched repeatedly against scared and patched fur. As they drew near, their lips snarled back revealing snake thing fangs dripping with vile fluid. From their sides, leathery wings batted at the air in anticipation
Burakani charged forward as two of the creatures leapt toward the group. Slamming his blade into the first two creatures, Mora and Delvakhan easily sliced through the two that jumped at them. The creatures weren’t strong or a challenge in battle, there were simply dozens of them.
Above the loud sounds of the battle Mora screamed out in pain. One of the creatures latched onto her leg. They were quickly becoming overwhelmed. The air ignited as several were thrown back in explosion. From the back, the priest had released a ball of fire into the center of the creatures. Now in a calm stance the female priest had drawn a bow and was aiming at the creatures. Just before releasing the arrow its tip lit up in flames. Sailing past everyone leaving a trail of smoke, the arrow slammed into a creature. In rapid succession arrow after arrow flew into the creatures often pinning them to the wall or ground.
While the others fought around them, Delvakhan stood in awe of the woman. Her face was one he could not ever forget. As he watched her, his thoughts immediately recalled the beautiful slender and sensual body that was hidden beneath her robes. Seeing her now only increased the desire burning through every fiber of his body.
For a single split moment their eyes linked again. As a smile spread on her face, she offered him a suddenly and quick smile. Smiling back he understood the words she mouthed; ‘fight’. Spinning he charged into the beasts, motivated by the fact she was watching and would see him. Bhor Wethrin sat light in his hand as he struck beast after beast. Nothing else mattered to him, only killing the creatures. Sweat made his hair stringy as it continually slapped his face. There had been enough carnage Delvakhan was unsure at that moment if it was sweat or blood, either way he simply looking for another creature to kill.
Moving further down the cave checking to be sure there were none left, Delvakhan turned only to find Burakani directly behind him. Saying nothing they simply looked at each other and smiled. The King of the South knew this was what he was made for and good at. Prophecy and everything attached to it was something he simply didn’t want to be a part of. It didn’t matter the seer told him they had to save the child, Elidra had saved his life. For that he would help her find her daughter, and then he would be free of them all.
Walking back with Burakani, they found the priestess addressing a wound on Mora’s leg. Carefully looking over, Delvakhan saw several deep puncture wounds. One of the wounds almost seemed to bubble against her flesh. The priestess’s hands moved quickly as she seemed to hum while she worked. For her part Mora dropped her head back and clenched her jaw tight.
“We will have to return to the temple. There is something strange about this wound and parts of it won’t seem to stop bleeding.” The priestess announced yet refused to quit working. “Each time I work with it one of the others reopens. She will continue to bleed.”
“What would cause such a thing.. um priestess?” Burakani asked looking at the woman.
“Xynari.” She looked at him and smiled politely. “And I simply do not know.”
“We are not going back.” Mora announced lifting her head, rolling her eyes and looked directly at Delvakhan. “It’s a wound; it will heal, even if magic says otherwise. I have had worse. Your talents will be better spent on other things”
“Let me look at it.” Elidra interjected as she reached for Mora’s leg.
Pushing the Empress away Mora quickly used her weapon to cut two strips from her clothing. Wincing she cinched the cloth tight against her skin. Without looking away from Delvakhan she stood and gathered here things.
“It’s your choice.” Delvakhan announced which immediately caused the priestess to throw her hands in the air and walk away from them. “I am going to go talk to her and find out how much longer.
Delvakhan quickly became attached to Xynari, opting to stay toward the back as they continued to walk and talk. No one made mention of the situation not even when they woke one morning to find Delva and Yare had shared company through the night.
After almost a week traversing the cave the troupe finally exited. Highly unexceptional, the exits simplicity did more hiding it than any man made façade could have even attempted. Serving at the downside of a small hill that simply fed another, one would have to specifically look for the entrance. Pausing a moment Delvakhan took note of everything around him. The snap of cold air quickly reminded him the winter season wasn’t quite over yet. With purpose the others exited and allowed Xynari to point out the direction they needed to travel. Dragging a cloak him, the King covered as many of their trampled tracks as he could. Walking and talking previously with Xynari caused him to think more and more on his Rakshar training and was ashamed he had not been following even the basics he learned.
Immediately they moved to the nearest tree line and set up a small camp. Playfully Delvakhan nudged Xynari as she worked her own pack causing her to giggle and slip in the snow. The king stopped when he saw the angry glare Mora held for them as she caught his eye. Holding the look for just a moment, Delvakhan shrugged and continued unrolling his own pack very near Xynari. As the night came upon them, yet again he woke with the priestess within his own coverings smiling at him softly.
Mora sitting with the others continued to watch muttering under her breath and angrily tossing her things down packing it haphazardly. With a growl she yanked the pack tight, threw it down and turned toward Delvakhan and Xynari.
“Leave them to it Mora, it is not our business.” Elidra stated as she grabbed Mora’s wrist stopping her from walking away. “He is a man, she is a woman. It is a very natural thing.”
“He is a boy.” Mora snapped.
“He is a King and he is not your child.” Burakani stated. “The King’s bed is his own to share.”
“You support this? How can you support this?” Mora demanded. “Someone has to say something to them.”
“No Mora. Leave them be.” Elidra stated as she released her wrist. “Burakani is right. It is his choice who he shares his bed with and not up to us to approve or disapprove.”
Ignoring them Mora stormed toward the couple, just a foot from them she collapsed groaning. Examining her, Xynari found Mora’s breath was short and labored with sweat covering her entire body under her fur coverings. Pulling back the clothing from her legs, Xynari gasped and covered her mouth.
Mora’s leg was black and covered in a green film that released a foul smell into the air. Xynari looked up at the others, tears already wetting her eyes.
“There is nothing I can do with this.” She stated.
Saying nothing, Elidra dropped to her knees and placed her hands on either side of the wound and closed her eyes. Around them the air crackled as the Empress exercised her gifts on Mora’s leg. After several moments, Elidra let go and struggled to catch her breath.
“It is beyond hope, her life essence has passed. Mora is dead.” Elidra stated as she collapsed in the snow. A blackness covering her hands was slowly disappearing.
Xynari pressed herself into Delvakhan’s arms as he reached around her and pulled her to his chest. Carefully Burakani gathered Elidra and carried her to her tent and bedroll.
Fighting his own emotions, Delvakhan sadness pressed into his face, placed a hand over Mora’s still open eyes and pushed her eyelids closed. “I am sorry Mora. I don’t know what else to say.” He whispered softly.
In silence Burakani, Delvakhan and the soldiers worked hard to break the ground for several hours making very little headway. Finally finding a tree with deeply exposed roots, they cleared out some brush and placed her within its protective confines. Using the frozen dirt each person did their part in filling in the roots. Once finished Elidra spoke softly in a language they could barely hear let alone understand. Energy formed around her hands as she placed them upon the tree roots. Breathing heavily, yet calmly Elidra gave herself to her power.
Following the strands of life that made the tree Elidra carefully and gently pushed them to encase the fading body of Mora. Reaching further Elidra sought the binding line that would flow from the tree she touched through Terra to the familiar strands of the Mother Tree and the Pikes. Finally there was a soothing response as familiar energy replied to her search. Mora’s essence would be safe Elidra knew for certain as the Mother Tree sent heavy pulses of her energy forward drawing Mora to her.
Blackness without warning or sound suddenly severed the link. Hatred foul and devious now lashed out against her. Fearing for her own essence, Elidra responded in panic as more black spiritual strands attempted to surround her, each from a different source, each with only one motive; kill Elidra.
With force she had never felt several black strands disintegrated with an explosion. Raw and primal energy from the Mother Tree seemed to devour the blackish strands that continued to attack. Wondering how long they could hold out against the sheer number that continued to attack, Elidra became aware of a strange sound from the physical world. Suddenly the strands were repulsed and pushed away by an unseen barrier. Within a moment the energy of the Mother Tree retreated and Elidra opened her eyes, returning to the world around them.
Standing next to her, Xynari offered both a smile and an extended hand helping Elidra to her feet.
“I have no idea what was happening, but it appeared you needed help.” The priestess offered.
“What did you do, suddenly I was surrounded by something like a shield and my attackers couldn’t get through. It was something I have never seen before.” Elidra explained shaking her head slightly.
“You could see it?” Xynari exclaimed in surprise. “What did it look like? Did it have sound?”
Elidra just shook her head while she listened to Xynari prattle on. “I don’t know that I can explain it, but I saw it. You cannot see into the spirit?”
Horror filled the face of Xynari as she gasped. “By the Light no! To see something like that would cause one to go blind. Only the holiest of the devout can actually see such things. But I have always wanted to.”
“Religious dogma Priestess, any with the gift can see it.” She answered.
“If that is so Empress Elidra, why did I not see it? I have never seen such, only heard about it. Always I have wished such a thing.” Xynari’s eyes were wide in excitement.
“I don’t know why you can’t see it. Still, however, I thank you for what you have done. They were quickly overwhelming me.” Elidra answered closing her eyes for a moment and catching her breath. “But Mora’s essence is safe.”
“They?” Delvakhan’s interest piqued. “You weren’t just lost in whatever you were doing?”
“No King Delva, I was attacked while I worked. Something is actively seeking me. Only the Ministry would know to do this. I wonder if that is why Mora wouldn’t let me help her in the cave.” Elidra paused. “Whoever it was, it was darkness beyond words and its intent was without question.”
“The Witches of Sarna.” Xynari stated immediately. A line of fear flashed across her eyes. “They are zealots loyal to Rhiya and her rebirth. For hundreds of years they have supported the Ministry’s Seom. They are the eyes, ears and executioners of his will.”
“Jade.” Her name fell from Elidra’s lip like liquid venom.
Saying nothing more Elidra walked away from the group, barked an order to the soldiers, grabbed her pack and began walking. After a few moments of her not turning around or even looking back, one by one they joined her in silence.
By the afternoon of the second day, Xynari let them know they were very near the outskirts of Sarna. Concern weighed heavily on her face as she brought up the topic.
“Have any of you ever been to Sarna?” Xynari questioned as she attended to her bedroll. “I have been told it’s a very scary place during the day with all the strange sounds and sights. That is only made worse at night. I have seen it referred to more than once as the Wailing City.”
“Stories meant to cause fear. Typical story of the Ministry and those that like to use people.” Elidra spat the words having no desire to hide her distaste. Her eyes never looked to the others anymore as she spoke, always looking out at something.
“Most stories have some form of truth.” Burakani added. “Master Grulan was pretty famous for using a bit of truth to make us all believe and thereby listen to his every word.”
“Your people are not new to manipulation.” She added. “I see it was not just your government.”
Burakani looked to her with a stern brow that hid his actual young age. “You will have to come to terms they are your people as well Empress.”
“Can we not do this again?” Delvakhan had grown weary of the regular jabs and bickering between the Baron and Empress. “We have Sarna before us so we can get Khelidra from the Witches. Can we focus on that and put this other garbage behind us?”
“At least someone else seems to stay on focus. You are right Delva and I thank you for it.” Elidra commented as she sighed heavily. “I cannot help but feel this would not be as it is had I not been deceived by the Rakshar.”
“You were deceived by your mate the Emperor and not by all the people Empress Elidra. It was not done by all the Rakshar. Even you have used that same manipulation that you are so quick to curse others for.” Burakani stated yet the anger had completely left his voice replaced with something sounding more like a deep sadness.
Elidra said nothing and sat staring once again at the distance with her arms folded against her body as if she were hugging herself. Waiting for few more moments, the Empress breathed deep and then grabbed for her pack. Methodically searching through it, she produced a small handful of metallic rings. Saying nothing she pulled forth her long hair and began affixing the rings to her hair. Xynari walked over and silent began helping her. When they had finished, Elidra took Xynari’s hands into her own, looked into her face with complete silence even as tears welled into the corners of her eyes.
“We will find her Elidra.” Xynari stated with complete confidence as a smile pulled her lips slightly apart.
Elidra stood and faced everyone. “I am going into the city and see what I can find. Meet me at the far eastern edge once the moon is very high, but not before then. We can’t just walk into Sarna and we need to know something about where we are. It has to be more and beyond a few rumors.”
Xynari offered a smile at Elidra’s inference and then moved to gather her own things.
“No.” Elidra responded as she saw the priestess move. “I hold gifts that will allow me to enter clearly but yet hidden. Simply be at the eastern edge when the moon is high above you. That should give me the time I need.”
“We will be there Elidra.” Delvakhan answered with a strong voice. “For now we will get some rest in preparation. The question is, once we have her where do we go?”
“Once I have her, I am going away from all of this. Whatever and wherever accomplishes that task.” Elidra stated.
Before anyone could respond her shape shimmered and formed into a snow leopard. With the metal links in her hair bouncing softly against her fur, Elidra bounded for the city.
****
Another day finished that simply merged into another. One day merged to two which merged to a week. Those she could keep track of. Well those she used to keep track of. Now it was a matter of seasons; each giving her a signal to begin the next stage in her work. Yet each season she pushed him harder, each to the brink of his own death.
Power was the only reason to continue. First it was to feel her own fill her body and mind once again. But as the years slipped past her, it became about his. How much could she fill into him before he simply collapsed? Oh the joy she found each time a barrier was broken and even more his mind could handle. Surely there would eventually be a limit, but after so many years she still had not found it. This pleased her more than even her own power could.
With the end of each session she would search his eyes, those cold blue eyes that threatened to haunt her if they were ever to wake and see her as she stood before him. Those tantalizing eyes that held somewhere a key she was most desperate to find. Blue eyes framed so handsomely beneath his heavy and dark brown brows set against an ever growing manly face and strong jaw.
Eventually she would take him as a lover; there could be no other choice. Something so lovely would have to be enjoyed and thoroughly so. That alone would be worth the wait, more so if he approached her with it. Slowly she licked her lips with the anticipation of such a succulent reward. It too, however, would have to wait. The needed years for him to obtain the age of manhood she wished would arrive in due course. Waiting for that would prove to be the greatest reward.
Taking a final look at him she found herself wishing it was already the next day. Just visible she saw the lingering quiver of his chest as the aftermath of his most recent convulsion. Tingles of excitement shivered throughout her body begging for more. Without tempting herself more, she turned and walked through the door. Her right forefinger caught tightly between her teeth as a smile of ecstasy pressed heavily upon her thin red lips.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Terra - Knight in White Satin: Chapter Two
Morin Tulan the mystical city talked about only by the elderly and religious as a place they only seemed to hope existed; the ancient worlds utopia. Streets lined with gold, massive columns covered with rare marble infused with magic and gems the size of a man’s head, once coveted by dragons as plentiful as the air itself.
None of it was true. Delvakhan saw no gold streets, only hard dirt and mud covered with snow. The only columns he saw were the trees that were peppered with simple aged stone structures. Rock he noticed, that were no different than those he saw everywhere else.
All of them arrived at the village, through different means. Mora and Burakani followed another tunnel very similar to the one Delvakhan found. In fact they reported a similar fire to the one he described to them. Empress Elidra, following the vision of the ghost of Vrok Mortalis ordered the remaining men to follow her. After scaling the dense crags, Elidra found herself standing face to face with a priest who stated he was ‘waiting for her’. Once they arrived all experienced the same silence of the voices that filled their heads. Quickly each shared what they had seen about the village and everything they saw.
Sitting at its center was a small natural steaming spring with smoky water surrounded with lush grass and foliage creating wall offering privacy to those within the water. Delvakhan daily visited the waters, thankful of the warmth and enjoying the peace of it. Immediately next to it, just pass a thin line of trees was the temple that sat above the giant fire he had found just few days previously. The temple, warm and comforting, was a common and simple building which blended in well with the surrounding area. Heavy snow on its roof only helped conceal the building from a distance. Delvakhan took some solstice in knowing it would be just as hidden for the Rhiyan forces that may be looking for them.
Brother Jol, the man Delvakhan first ran into, explained they were glad the King of the South had finally arrived as was foretold to them. Now they only waited for their council of devouts and prophets to return with guidance. Regardless and with the agreement of Brother Jol, they agreed it would be wisest to stay at the village until the snow began to retreat. Just beyond the village Brother Jol reported there was a giant drift of snow that not only helped hide the village but also prevented them from going any further away.
Heavy in thought, Delvakhan turned toward the spring only slightly aware of the sounds of gentle splashing which echoed rather loudly for only split moment. As the sounds repeated, the King of the South was taken from his thoughts and focused on the water. Carefully and quietly he moved behind the foliage yet kept a clear view of the waters surface. Peering from behind a bush Delvakhan watched as a naked female figure broken the water’s surface slowly with her long flowing hair quickly tossed behind her head. Gently and playfully she played and sang with the water, almost as if she were communicating with it. Her voice was beautiful as it floated to his ears. Her suddenly laughter caused his lips top open and then press into a slight smile. As he watched her skin and the nipples of her breast react to the still cold air surrounding the landscape, even above the steaming waters, Delvakhan was suddenly ashamed as he found himself focusing on her womanly features. Breathless by her loveliness his body stood rigid as his thoughts began to swirl leaving him near the point of passing out. In startled surprise Delvakhan found his eyes looking directly into hers, as she lifted her own to meet his. Without saying a word her eyes left his gaze and she slowly withdrew from the water, which he noticed calmed the moment she stepped from its presence. Quickly she put on her clothing he hadn’t noticed were laying on the grass just at the waters edge. While she dressed, her back was intentionally toward him. Within several minutes she walked away, turning toward him once and offering a smile, causing his entire body to react as if he were standing in a fire. Kneeling he dropped his head into the water quickly then pulling it out. Looking up to the morning sky, he felt the cold air begin to react to the water as the image of the woman burned into his mind. Breathing deeply, he stood and made his way back to the temple.
Walking down the hall, Delvakhan paused before he walked into the room he and the others spent their last few days in. At first it was filled with wonder about where they were and what happened. When they asked for confirmation or denial, those of the temple offered them nothing. Far too often they were met in silence. But that wasn’t what made him uncomfortable; it was the set up of the room and how they were addressed. It was actually a throne room with a lavish chair and surroundings specifically for Delvakhan. Mora, Baron Burakani and the Empress Elidra formed a council in front of him addressing an almost empty room. The small contingent of Rakshar soldiers provided regular patrols and guards for the village and the temple. Every time Delvakhan entered, they would snap to attention and address him in formal fashion. Even the others followed suit and did the same with the calling him Excellency, Liege and every other title they could think of.
With one last sigh, Delvakhan pushed open the doors and entered the center of the temple. Immediately everyone rose to their feet and dropped their heads in salute as he walked to his chair. Heavily he sat in the throne and dropped his head into his hands, taking a moment to gather his thoughts, only to have them return to the woman he saw in the spring. Shaking the image from his mind, Delvakhan slapped his hands to his knees and looked at the others.
“Is there anything new?” Delvakhan questioned without any real interest as his eyes looked around the room yet again. He envied the soldiers almost hidden against the walls, each looking forward.
“My Liege, Brother Jol came to us while you were out walking. Their council will be joining us at some point this morning.” Baron Burakani stated as he turned to face the King of the South. There was an almost smile across his lips as he spoke. “It would appear they have news for us as well as news for the Empress.”
Immediately Delvakhan looked to Elidra and noticed she was intently looking only at the door. Her heel tapped at the ground in quick succession and her fist was clentched, although almost entirely hidden in her lap.
“What do we know about this news.” He questioned.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They are evasive and seem to delay everything without reason or concern for anyone else.” Mora stated with harsh irritation heavy in her voice.
“They are an old people heavy with religious conviction.” Burakani countered. “We should be patient.”
“To the darkness with it all. You aren’t missing a daughter.” She snapped back glaring at the Baron.
“Even with information, what can we do?” Burakani questioned back. “We are here until the cold recedes, so any information will sit as we do.”
“Any information that leads to my daughter will not stop me from doing what I must, with or without the cold, the snow or a million soldiers in my way.” Empress Elidra’s voice was low and stern. Slowly she turned and looked directly into the eyes of Delvakhan. “The question will only then become; what will you do about it King of the South.”
Before Delvakhan could answer a man entered and bowed just inside the door and bowed deeply. “My Lord the Council of the One wishes to address your court.”
“By the light, get on with it.” Delvakhan waved them in.
In slow deliberate moves a group of a dozen people robed from head to toe entered the room and formed a line in front of Delvakhan and the others. From the center a single person walked forward while the others collapsed into three rows. Taking a knee and dropping his head low, the bearded man lifted his hands forward toward Delvakhan.
“King of the South, spoken to us and promised to us from ages long before this one, we now offer our knowledge to you for whatever questions you may have.” The man spoke with a soft voice, yet powerful and aged.
“I was told you had a message for both the Empress and myself. What are these messages?” Delvakhan questioned.
“Your message I have delivered my Lord. The child Khelidra was taken to Sarna in accordance to the Rhiyan prophecies.” Still kneeling with his hands toward the King the man continued. “We are here to answer, please ask what else you must know.”
“What were those voices we each heard.” Delvakhan questioned.
“They are the messengers of much older ones that have been sleeping since the last time Rhiya walked the land. Kept in slumber until the prophecies call to them, they only reach out to those of magical gift.” The answer came quickly without any hesitation.
“I have no such gift. Why did I hear it?” The King of the South stood from his chair and walked behind it, laying his head on his arms along the chairs back edge.
“You are a child of prophecy. All of you are, as such each of you have gifts from the God’s making you special and unique. You simply have never learned how to use it properly.”
“We don’t have time for this. Why must we stay here.” He questioned in exasperation.
“Once you have learned to use your gifts, you will no longer need our protection. You came to us and we must protect you, it is our charge as we are in service to the King of the South.” Still the mans voice was soft and clear.
“Enough of this, I am tired of doing what everyone else tells me I have to do. You are in service to me, then I want two questions answered. Why did that mural on the wall talk to me in the same voices I have heard since we came to the coast? How do we get past the snow? You know too much to be stopped by anything like that. I have seen how you keep this place warm.” Delvakhan moved as he talked from behind his throne and now stood directly in front of the man laying prostrated before him. “I am done with this.”
“My Lord, the voices were welcoming you. They are not aware of how strong their power still is. However they know you have been informed and as such they stopped. They only served to lead you hear.” Straining his neck to look up at Delvakhan the man’s eyes were filled with sorrow. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes as he continued to speak. “Yes, there is a way beyond the snow, but should you leave before you have been trained, you will die.”
“At least I die to my own accord. Mora, gather our men, we are heading for Sarna.” Delvakhan turned and looked at Elidra offering her a smile. “We have a child that needs to be returned to her mother.”
“Please my Lord reconsider, by the time your training is complete the warmer weather will have arrived.” The priest jumped to his feet and followed Delvakhan. “So many things are connected to you, we must protect the prophecies.”
Delvakhan spun and grabbed the man by the collar of his robes, pulling the priest directly in front of his face. “We are leaving because I want to leave. You can keep your prophecy, my decisions are my own.”
Falling to the ground sobbing the man’s tears fell heavily; his voice full of sorrow. “Please my King at least take one of us with you. When the time comes for you to use your power, we may be able to act on behalf of your gift. We can at least protect you in this way and preserve the prophecy. By the Light of the One please my Liege.”
“If they are there and ready when we leave, I will not stop them. I was saved by that woman.” Delvakhan pointed to Empress Elidra. “I will return that favor, your prophecy be damned.”
****
“I couldn’t do it myself. I couldn’t lie to my king, so I tasked another with talking to King Delvakhan. However, I have followed your request Holy One.” Brother Jol addressed the robed man who stood straight with his back toward the brother. “They have left and she is with them.”
Slightly the head of the man nodded and then returned to his silent stance. Pausing a moment then taking a step forward Brother Jol lifted his hands in question. “I don’t understand why you wanted him to believe we wanted him to stay.”
“Because it was the only way he would leave. The turmoil of his mind will not allow him to accept any training. He must walk his own path, even when he would refuse just because someone advised him of such.”
“Master Amadagu must things be so complex? Can we not just say what is.” Brother Jol questioned.
Sighing heavily Amadagu turned and placed his hands on Jol’s shoulders. “I have tried that again and again. This time I am forced to try something different. Go now, attend to your training. I will not be here when you finish.”
Once Brother Jol left the room Amadagu sat and wrote in a journal. Taking a moment he looked over his last words.
‘By Xhuri may I be forgiven for allowing the King of the South to follow the path that will lead to his death. I hold out in hope this time the children will be saved.’
None of it was true. Delvakhan saw no gold streets, only hard dirt and mud covered with snow. The only columns he saw were the trees that were peppered with simple aged stone structures. Rock he noticed, that were no different than those he saw everywhere else.
All of them arrived at the village, through different means. Mora and Burakani followed another tunnel very similar to the one Delvakhan found. In fact they reported a similar fire to the one he described to them. Empress Elidra, following the vision of the ghost of Vrok Mortalis ordered the remaining men to follow her. After scaling the dense crags, Elidra found herself standing face to face with a priest who stated he was ‘waiting for her’. Once they arrived all experienced the same silence of the voices that filled their heads. Quickly each shared what they had seen about the village and everything they saw.
Sitting at its center was a small natural steaming spring with smoky water surrounded with lush grass and foliage creating wall offering privacy to those within the water. Delvakhan daily visited the waters, thankful of the warmth and enjoying the peace of it. Immediately next to it, just pass a thin line of trees was the temple that sat above the giant fire he had found just few days previously. The temple, warm and comforting, was a common and simple building which blended in well with the surrounding area. Heavy snow on its roof only helped conceal the building from a distance. Delvakhan took some solstice in knowing it would be just as hidden for the Rhiyan forces that may be looking for them.
Brother Jol, the man Delvakhan first ran into, explained they were glad the King of the South had finally arrived as was foretold to them. Now they only waited for their council of devouts and prophets to return with guidance. Regardless and with the agreement of Brother Jol, they agreed it would be wisest to stay at the village until the snow began to retreat. Just beyond the village Brother Jol reported there was a giant drift of snow that not only helped hide the village but also prevented them from going any further away.
Heavy in thought, Delvakhan turned toward the spring only slightly aware of the sounds of gentle splashing which echoed rather loudly for only split moment. As the sounds repeated, the King of the South was taken from his thoughts and focused on the water. Carefully and quietly he moved behind the foliage yet kept a clear view of the waters surface. Peering from behind a bush Delvakhan watched as a naked female figure broken the water’s surface slowly with her long flowing hair quickly tossed behind her head. Gently and playfully she played and sang with the water, almost as if she were communicating with it. Her voice was beautiful as it floated to his ears. Her suddenly laughter caused his lips top open and then press into a slight smile. As he watched her skin and the nipples of her breast react to the still cold air surrounding the landscape, even above the steaming waters, Delvakhan was suddenly ashamed as he found himself focusing on her womanly features. Breathless by her loveliness his body stood rigid as his thoughts began to swirl leaving him near the point of passing out. In startled surprise Delvakhan found his eyes looking directly into hers, as she lifted her own to meet his. Without saying a word her eyes left his gaze and she slowly withdrew from the water, which he noticed calmed the moment she stepped from its presence. Quickly she put on her clothing he hadn’t noticed were laying on the grass just at the waters edge. While she dressed, her back was intentionally toward him. Within several minutes she walked away, turning toward him once and offering a smile, causing his entire body to react as if he were standing in a fire. Kneeling he dropped his head into the water quickly then pulling it out. Looking up to the morning sky, he felt the cold air begin to react to the water as the image of the woman burned into his mind. Breathing deeply, he stood and made his way back to the temple.
Walking down the hall, Delvakhan paused before he walked into the room he and the others spent their last few days in. At first it was filled with wonder about where they were and what happened. When they asked for confirmation or denial, those of the temple offered them nothing. Far too often they were met in silence. But that wasn’t what made him uncomfortable; it was the set up of the room and how they were addressed. It was actually a throne room with a lavish chair and surroundings specifically for Delvakhan. Mora, Baron Burakani and the Empress Elidra formed a council in front of him addressing an almost empty room. The small contingent of Rakshar soldiers provided regular patrols and guards for the village and the temple. Every time Delvakhan entered, they would snap to attention and address him in formal fashion. Even the others followed suit and did the same with the calling him Excellency, Liege and every other title they could think of.
With one last sigh, Delvakhan pushed open the doors and entered the center of the temple. Immediately everyone rose to their feet and dropped their heads in salute as he walked to his chair. Heavily he sat in the throne and dropped his head into his hands, taking a moment to gather his thoughts, only to have them return to the woman he saw in the spring. Shaking the image from his mind, Delvakhan slapped his hands to his knees and looked at the others.
“Is there anything new?” Delvakhan questioned without any real interest as his eyes looked around the room yet again. He envied the soldiers almost hidden against the walls, each looking forward.
“My Liege, Brother Jol came to us while you were out walking. Their council will be joining us at some point this morning.” Baron Burakani stated as he turned to face the King of the South. There was an almost smile across his lips as he spoke. “It would appear they have news for us as well as news for the Empress.”
Immediately Delvakhan looked to Elidra and noticed she was intently looking only at the door. Her heel tapped at the ground in quick succession and her fist was clentched, although almost entirely hidden in her lap.
“What do we know about this news.” He questioned.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They are evasive and seem to delay everything without reason or concern for anyone else.” Mora stated with harsh irritation heavy in her voice.
“They are an old people heavy with religious conviction.” Burakani countered. “We should be patient.”
“To the darkness with it all. You aren’t missing a daughter.” She snapped back glaring at the Baron.
“Even with information, what can we do?” Burakani questioned back. “We are here until the cold recedes, so any information will sit as we do.”
“Any information that leads to my daughter will not stop me from doing what I must, with or without the cold, the snow or a million soldiers in my way.” Empress Elidra’s voice was low and stern. Slowly she turned and looked directly into the eyes of Delvakhan. “The question will only then become; what will you do about it King of the South.”
Before Delvakhan could answer a man entered and bowed just inside the door and bowed deeply. “My Lord the Council of the One wishes to address your court.”
“By the light, get on with it.” Delvakhan waved them in.
In slow deliberate moves a group of a dozen people robed from head to toe entered the room and formed a line in front of Delvakhan and the others. From the center a single person walked forward while the others collapsed into three rows. Taking a knee and dropping his head low, the bearded man lifted his hands forward toward Delvakhan.
“King of the South, spoken to us and promised to us from ages long before this one, we now offer our knowledge to you for whatever questions you may have.” The man spoke with a soft voice, yet powerful and aged.
“I was told you had a message for both the Empress and myself. What are these messages?” Delvakhan questioned.
“Your message I have delivered my Lord. The child Khelidra was taken to Sarna in accordance to the Rhiyan prophecies.” Still kneeling with his hands toward the King the man continued. “We are here to answer, please ask what else you must know.”
“What were those voices we each heard.” Delvakhan questioned.
“They are the messengers of much older ones that have been sleeping since the last time Rhiya walked the land. Kept in slumber until the prophecies call to them, they only reach out to those of magical gift.” The answer came quickly without any hesitation.
“I have no such gift. Why did I hear it?” The King of the South stood from his chair and walked behind it, laying his head on his arms along the chairs back edge.
“You are a child of prophecy. All of you are, as such each of you have gifts from the God’s making you special and unique. You simply have never learned how to use it properly.”
“We don’t have time for this. Why must we stay here.” He questioned in exasperation.
“Once you have learned to use your gifts, you will no longer need our protection. You came to us and we must protect you, it is our charge as we are in service to the King of the South.” Still the mans voice was soft and clear.
“Enough of this, I am tired of doing what everyone else tells me I have to do. You are in service to me, then I want two questions answered. Why did that mural on the wall talk to me in the same voices I have heard since we came to the coast? How do we get past the snow? You know too much to be stopped by anything like that. I have seen how you keep this place warm.” Delvakhan moved as he talked from behind his throne and now stood directly in front of the man laying prostrated before him. “I am done with this.”
“My Lord, the voices were welcoming you. They are not aware of how strong their power still is. However they know you have been informed and as such they stopped. They only served to lead you hear.” Straining his neck to look up at Delvakhan the man’s eyes were filled with sorrow. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes as he continued to speak. “Yes, there is a way beyond the snow, but should you leave before you have been trained, you will die.”
“At least I die to my own accord. Mora, gather our men, we are heading for Sarna.” Delvakhan turned and looked at Elidra offering her a smile. “We have a child that needs to be returned to her mother.”
“Please my Lord reconsider, by the time your training is complete the warmer weather will have arrived.” The priest jumped to his feet and followed Delvakhan. “So many things are connected to you, we must protect the prophecies.”
Delvakhan spun and grabbed the man by the collar of his robes, pulling the priest directly in front of his face. “We are leaving because I want to leave. You can keep your prophecy, my decisions are my own.”
Falling to the ground sobbing the man’s tears fell heavily; his voice full of sorrow. “Please my King at least take one of us with you. When the time comes for you to use your power, we may be able to act on behalf of your gift. We can at least protect you in this way and preserve the prophecy. By the Light of the One please my Liege.”
“If they are there and ready when we leave, I will not stop them. I was saved by that woman.” Delvakhan pointed to Empress Elidra. “I will return that favor, your prophecy be damned.”
****
“I couldn’t do it myself. I couldn’t lie to my king, so I tasked another with talking to King Delvakhan. However, I have followed your request Holy One.” Brother Jol addressed the robed man who stood straight with his back toward the brother. “They have left and she is with them.”
Slightly the head of the man nodded and then returned to his silent stance. Pausing a moment then taking a step forward Brother Jol lifted his hands in question. “I don’t understand why you wanted him to believe we wanted him to stay.”
“Because it was the only way he would leave. The turmoil of his mind will not allow him to accept any training. He must walk his own path, even when he would refuse just because someone advised him of such.”
“Master Amadagu must things be so complex? Can we not just say what is.” Brother Jol questioned.
Sighing heavily Amadagu turned and placed his hands on Jol’s shoulders. “I have tried that again and again. This time I am forced to try something different. Go now, attend to your training. I will not be here when you finish.”
Once Brother Jol left the room Amadagu sat and wrote in a journal. Taking a moment he looked over his last words.
‘By Xhuri may I be forgiven for allowing the King of the South to follow the path that will lead to his death. I hold out in hope this time the children will be saved.’
Terra - Knight in White Satin: Chapter One
For weeks the King of the South Delvakhan accompanied by Mora, Baron Burakani and Empress Elidra with her sizable Rakshar army continued to lose ground against the Rhiyan forces constantly being pushed farther and farther west away from Hnor. Opting to send the bulk of the Rakshar forces in the opposite direction, Delvakhan reduced their group to a small band of twenty or so. Losing ground even faster, by the third week they were several days travel from where they started near Blackroot. Each day they seemed to press forward or at least hold some ground, only to loose it and more as night fell and the witches kept them from sleep or retreat.
With every battle and fight it seemed as if those that fell only gave life to creatures that were more like the demon Zhandoga than a regular man. During those nights between the witch attacks, strange lights and sounds haunted them from deep within the Rhiyan forces which only ended when the faces of their own people began to assault them yet again. It was a state of madness to which they could find no answer and could only run from it.
Entering the most bitter time of winter the heavy smell of water only seemed to add to the biting cold that refused to warm even as the sun was high above them. Finally Delvakhan relented and ordered them to retreat as quickly as possible to the coast. Once they reached it, carefully they made their way through the piercing stone formations that formed the coastal face. Even jutting out of the waters monstrous pillars reached toward the sky as heavy waves crashed against them violently.
All said a silent prayer of thanks as several caves were discovered between the rock formations carving small but accommodating shelter from the direct cold and winds. Any sounds they made were covered by the crashing waters. The constant winds blew away any smoke from their fires, making them almost invisible. For the time, they were safe and protected from the cold.
Elidra was the first to hear the strange whispers that grew loud every dawn just before the sun broke the horizon. By the sixth day sleep was no longer possible as a new madness threatened to overcome them all.
“I keep hearing her voice, I can’t take it anymore.” Elidra spoke through heavy tears. “Every morning she calls out to me and every morning I am faced with a dull rock surface.”
“We can’t head back and we can’t go forward. All we can do is attempt to remain sane and hold out until the cold has lessened.” Delvakhan responded.
“We can’t hold out here, if we try to, we will go mad. Its even worse than when our own people came back to us.” Burakani sighed heavily.
Mora and Elidra remained focused on the fire trying to shake the voices. Only Burakani seemed to not be as affected. Even Delvakhan struggled with the voice of his mother in his head until the sun was almost high above them signaling midday.
“We could try to go in.” Burakani stated as he stared at the back wall of the cave. “You, I and the other Rakshar can search for more caves. There has to be an answer to those voices. Something is making this happen.”
Mora shook her head violently. “ENOUGH. I can’t take this we have to leave these caves. I can’t take it here anymore.”
Standing suddenly and moving almost robotically, Mora drew heavy furs tight around her and simply walked out of the cave and began meandering through the crags. Burakani took off in pursuit as Delvakhan nodded to him, then refocused his attention to the fire, lost in the whispering voices and flicking flames.
Delvakhan had no idea how long Burakani was gone he only knew the voices didn’t stop even as the flames flickered to almost nothing. Without warning the voices turned to a scream that caused him to close his eyes and drop his head into his hands. In the darkness of his closed eyes he found a small light that pulsated, beckoning him to get closer as the screaming refused to stop. In his mind he could see himself clawing at the earth dragging him closer yet at a terrible slow pace. His arms ached as he pulled himself through more earth. Pausing for just a moment, the screaming lessened slightly. Testing his discovery, he began to claw his way toward the still every so small light. Once again the screams increased in intensity.
From deep within him he knew something was trying to stop him from reaching the light and yet he knew if he didn’t he would be trapped in the darkness with the screaming. With renewed vigor Delvakhan clawed deeper and faster pushing past the pains and aches of his limps as he continued for what seemed hour after hour.
More than dry his mouth felt dusty and full of dirt and debris from his clawing, yet finally the light seemed to be a little larger, ever beckoning him toward it. Yelling in gasped breaths he refused to stop clawing his body toward the light. Just before him he found the light was small, but he could touch it.
Carefully he tried to grab it and found there was something unseen acting as a barrier. In frustration and anger with the last strength of his body Delvakhan clenched his fist and punch at the light. As the shrieking in his head escalated, Delvakhan swung again. As his fist connected he felt the crack of something against his blow followed by a pain that forced him to open his eyes. Vomit of bile dirt and whitish fluid formed puddle just inches from his nose as his body convulsed repeatedly.
A blast of fresh air tumbled him backwards as finally the voices disappeared from his mind. It was so dark he no longer knew for certain where he was, only that is was dark, warm and offered him surprisingly fresh air. Tasting the foul taste of his own vomit lingering in his mouth, Delvakhan breathed in deep and before he could move again, he slept and this time there were no voices to wake him.
Dazed and cloudy his mind opened and beckoned him from his sleep. Slowly and timidly he fluttered his eyelids, almost too frightened to open them. Delvakhan was relieved there were no voices whispering in his mind. In the absence of the whispering, the King of the South found the courage to finally just open his eyes. Carefully looking side to side he could see only a grey haze all around him. Outstretching his arms and extending his fingers, Delvakhan found he could see to his fingernails but no further.
Breathing deeply he felt fresh air fill his lungs. It was overall warm yet slightly chilled as if tainted with water. It was fog! Delvakhan was in the midst of a deep fog almost identical of the kind that would cover the Rakshar town he once called home. His mother often called it the breath of Xhuri, hiding what was known and leaving us only with ourselves.
As a boy the words just seemed like a fable without real meaning. But now, he could see the wisdom in her words and her story. Alone now in the fog, Delvakhan was without voices, input or thoughts other than his own. Slowly as the thoughts swarmed in his head, he sat breathing the warm air deeply as his mind wiped away his here and now. Using his years of Rakshar training he calmed all his thoughts of what was the past and what is his present.
Nothing in his life was what he wanted. What did being the King of the South grant him; pain and suffering and for a people he was born to but was not a part of. Delvakhan realized he was without a direction or a cause he cared about. His training, his journey beyond Dragonspine, ‘saving’ the Rakshar Empress as part of a war not his own and now his search for a child he truly did not care about; all because he was told to. It was not a choice, but a followed order as a child would to a parent.
“You speak with the logic of a child and not that of a king or a man.” A voice filled his head, similar to the whispers he heard before, yet much more powerful and very direct. “There comes a time when one must shed what is taken as truth as a boy and realize what it is to be man.”
“So says a voice without a form hidden in a fog.” Delvakhan stated bitterly as he tried to pinpoint the familiarity of the voice. “Your words are just another example of a precursor to another ‘order’ that I will have to follow.”
“So says the child King of the South. Continue your Rakshar meditation; you may just find truth in my words.” The voice responded without emotion. “Everything around you is a choice and there will be many more choices for you to make.”
“There is no choice when no option is offered and there is only one answer.” He realized part of it now. It wasn’t just one voice, but several voices that seemed to speak at the same time. One voice in particular kept grabbing his attention, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.
“If one chooses not to see another option and only accept what is in front of them, then even at that moment they have made a choice. But how much easier is it to run from self accountability?” Even without emotion the comment jabbed him deeply.
“Go away.” Delvakhan snapped to the fog.
He realized the person or people talking to him were gone the moment the words passed his lips. Standing again, unable to stop turning over the words the voice offered him, Delvakhan simply began to wander around the fog. In short order he found where ever he was it was much larger than his instinct offered. The ground and the walls were just like the rock walls he found in their shallow caves by the shoreline, yet he couldn’t make out or touch a ceiling.
Searching for the location he entered the larger, Delvakhan found a small hole in the rock with claw marks etched in the stone. Looking closer he could see streaks of blood mixed with the marks. Immediately looking at his finger and then touching the scratches, he realized this was where he entered and the hole was made by his own hands. Testing the rock, it felt just as solid as he figured it would. Closing his eyes Delvakhan breathed in deeply and clenched his fist. Before he could think himself out of it, he punched at the stone.
Hot streaks of pain filled his fingers and shot through his wrist and up his arm to his elbow. Gripping his fist with his other hand Delvakhan couldn’t help but laugh at him. Of course the rock was solid. He couldn’t help but wonder if he still wasn’t going mad.
Looking back at the hole, the thought of returning and hearing the whispers was simply out of the question. There was nothing back in the shallow cave he wanted. Since he wasn’t going back, there was only one thing for him to do. Delvakhan turned his back on the hole he created and simply began to walk away.
****
Within what Delvakhan felt was a couple hours, the fog dissipated and he found the cavern wasn’t nearly as large as he thought it would be. At the far end the wall closed against the backdrop of a pond blocking his way. He could find nothing to test the water with and was left with entering the water or sitting and doing nothing.
Slowly the King of the South reached and touched the water. It was cool almost to the point of cold and murky, yet without smell. Taking a deeper breath Delvakhan plunged his entire arm into the water. Although cool, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Swinging his arm about, he could feel no bottom. To his surprise he was able to reach under the stone in which he knelt on. Feeling the edge more, he was surprised to find the stone ledge was much thinner than he would have thought possible.
Attempting to reach even further, Delvakhan lost his balance and toppled into the water. Trying to open his eyes, he found the water stung smartly under his eyelids. The taste, while not foul, was odd and unpleasant. Holding onto the ledge while he rubbed the water out of his eyes, his feet found no bottom, yet he could feel a current tugging at his lower legs.
Using the thin ledge, he moved toward the far wall and found it stopped at the waters surface. Reaching under as far as his extended fingertips could feel, there was still only stone, yet the water against the stone seemed warmer. Without a second thought considering he was already wet, Delvakhan dove under the wall. Using his hands and feet to help propel him through the water tunnel, he felt for the end. As he continued to move along it, his lungs began to burn, aching for air. Clenching his eyes closed to avoid the stings he felt when he first entered, panic forced his hands and feet to work harder. Repeatedly he scratched and tugged at stone until suddenly his fingers folded over an edge and warm air blew against them.
Pulling as hard as he could, Delvakhan’s head broke the surface and took in a long deep breath. As the warm air began to quickly dry his exposed skin, the King of the South could hear the roaring of a fire. Holding onto the wall he opened his eyes and stilled with shock at the size of the fire in the room. The air, dry and warm was almost suffocating and the water pool around him seemed to serve as a run off that cascaded off steaming rocks that were almost covered by strange funnels reaching upward toward the ceiling. Even the giant fire pit had a huge similar device surrounding it and reaching upward.
Pulling himself back onto the rock, Delvakhan quickly used his cloth covered forearms to protect him from the surprising heat of the smooth rock floor. Moving as close to the fire as he could, the young king found a stairway leading up and away from the fire. Making a quick check of himself Delvakhan swore under his breath as he realized he was without a weapon or any form of supplies. He was failing on the basics of keeping himself alive and somehow he was king. Frowning and shaking off the thoughts, Delvakhan, King of the South began ascending the spiraling stairs that followed the edges of the room and followed the massive funnel above the fire.
Moving higher, the natural heat vapors reached an almost suffocating point. His breath became shallow and labored as sweat poured from his face. Reaching up to wipe it away, Delvakhan surprised himself finding heavy stubble on his cheeks and chin. Letting out a sigh as he reached the top of the staircase and stood before a large refined that appeared to be sealed. With a quick look he could not see a bottom sliver opening on any of the edges. Groaning he pushed harshly against it, only have it swing open easily causing him to fall forward.
Regaining his composure, Delvakhan quietly and quickly pushed the door back into its place. The hall he stood in quickly adjusted to a comfortable temperature a far cry from the hot room he came from. While the previous room offered much in illumination due to the massive fire, the hall only offered flickers from the various lanterns strategically placed for use. Moving carefully along the hall, the sounds and signs of life echoed softly off the walls. Between the lanterns the walls were painted in scenes as if they told a story.
One in particular showed a massive human bursting with muscles pushing past armor that seemed to be worn for show striking against a small human dressed in white and carrying a glowing sword. Behind each stood a massive force and littered with mangled, bloody and dismembered creatures, humans and something else. High above them both a female blazing in fire held the sun in one hand and the moon in another looking at another man who held a dead human in his hands while tears fell from his eyes.
Everything throughout the mural was telling a story he simply didn’t understand. Parts that seemed as if he should know about them or at least recognize simply caused him only to stare harder, left with wonder. Often times the colors seemed to be just off what they should be or the faces missing something that would put the puzzle together and stop the confusion that only continued to grow in him as he poured over the details.
Single strands of hair were painstakenly drawn to the finest detail, yet still off in some way or another. And the colors, Delvakhan couldn’t let go of the colors and how they like the rest of the picture were just off a touch. Almost as if he was looking at it through some type of filter, yet even the filter was unseen. Here and there he would think he had it figured out, only to be drawn to another section of the wall.
Finally he saw a figure he recognized although the face seemed much younger. Amadagu, the Timewalker, stood above a massive fissure in the ground, staff in hand with the head of a male and female human on each end. Never had he seen such images that called out to him. In horror he realized, the whispers had returned, quiet and almost soothing as they locked his attention on the murals. Delvakhan now knew the whispers emanated from the mural and knew he was looking at them. They wanted him to see the mural.
Looking closer at the woman holding the sun and moon, Delvakhan could now hear her voice. She knew his name and the names of all he knew. Image after image entered his head he could not explain showing him people and places that were alien, fiery and without mercy. From every corner and every angle, massive piles of dead bodies, mangled and deformed that seemed to form a wall blocking from view something he felt he wanted to see. As he struggled to see beyond, the woman’s laughter filled his head with a taunt; “you are blind boy king and for this you will fail and die”.
Turning away suddenly, Delvakhan found himself face to face with a pair of kind eyes and a warm smile. Instinctively he dropped into a stance burned into him by his Rakshar training. His actions were only met with an even broader smile.
“You have followed the voices and found your beginning journey to the One. In this you will be named and you will be chosen. But that will not be now.”
Before he could respond or move, the man’s hand suddenly reached out and touched his forehead.
“Sleep.” It was the last command Delvakhan, King of the South heard as he felt his legs crumble beneath him as he succumbed to the darkness.
With every battle and fight it seemed as if those that fell only gave life to creatures that were more like the demon Zhandoga than a regular man. During those nights between the witch attacks, strange lights and sounds haunted them from deep within the Rhiyan forces which only ended when the faces of their own people began to assault them yet again. It was a state of madness to which they could find no answer and could only run from it.
Entering the most bitter time of winter the heavy smell of water only seemed to add to the biting cold that refused to warm even as the sun was high above them. Finally Delvakhan relented and ordered them to retreat as quickly as possible to the coast. Once they reached it, carefully they made their way through the piercing stone formations that formed the coastal face. Even jutting out of the waters monstrous pillars reached toward the sky as heavy waves crashed against them violently.
All said a silent prayer of thanks as several caves were discovered between the rock formations carving small but accommodating shelter from the direct cold and winds. Any sounds they made were covered by the crashing waters. The constant winds blew away any smoke from their fires, making them almost invisible. For the time, they were safe and protected from the cold.
Elidra was the first to hear the strange whispers that grew loud every dawn just before the sun broke the horizon. By the sixth day sleep was no longer possible as a new madness threatened to overcome them all.
“I keep hearing her voice, I can’t take it anymore.” Elidra spoke through heavy tears. “Every morning she calls out to me and every morning I am faced with a dull rock surface.”
“We can’t head back and we can’t go forward. All we can do is attempt to remain sane and hold out until the cold has lessened.” Delvakhan responded.
“We can’t hold out here, if we try to, we will go mad. Its even worse than when our own people came back to us.” Burakani sighed heavily.
Mora and Elidra remained focused on the fire trying to shake the voices. Only Burakani seemed to not be as affected. Even Delvakhan struggled with the voice of his mother in his head until the sun was almost high above them signaling midday.
“We could try to go in.” Burakani stated as he stared at the back wall of the cave. “You, I and the other Rakshar can search for more caves. There has to be an answer to those voices. Something is making this happen.”
Mora shook her head violently. “ENOUGH. I can’t take this we have to leave these caves. I can’t take it here anymore.”
Standing suddenly and moving almost robotically, Mora drew heavy furs tight around her and simply walked out of the cave and began meandering through the crags. Burakani took off in pursuit as Delvakhan nodded to him, then refocused his attention to the fire, lost in the whispering voices and flicking flames.
Delvakhan had no idea how long Burakani was gone he only knew the voices didn’t stop even as the flames flickered to almost nothing. Without warning the voices turned to a scream that caused him to close his eyes and drop his head into his hands. In the darkness of his closed eyes he found a small light that pulsated, beckoning him to get closer as the screaming refused to stop. In his mind he could see himself clawing at the earth dragging him closer yet at a terrible slow pace. His arms ached as he pulled himself through more earth. Pausing for just a moment, the screaming lessened slightly. Testing his discovery, he began to claw his way toward the still every so small light. Once again the screams increased in intensity.
From deep within him he knew something was trying to stop him from reaching the light and yet he knew if he didn’t he would be trapped in the darkness with the screaming. With renewed vigor Delvakhan clawed deeper and faster pushing past the pains and aches of his limps as he continued for what seemed hour after hour.
More than dry his mouth felt dusty and full of dirt and debris from his clawing, yet finally the light seemed to be a little larger, ever beckoning him toward it. Yelling in gasped breaths he refused to stop clawing his body toward the light. Just before him he found the light was small, but he could touch it.
Carefully he tried to grab it and found there was something unseen acting as a barrier. In frustration and anger with the last strength of his body Delvakhan clenched his fist and punch at the light. As the shrieking in his head escalated, Delvakhan swung again. As his fist connected he felt the crack of something against his blow followed by a pain that forced him to open his eyes. Vomit of bile dirt and whitish fluid formed puddle just inches from his nose as his body convulsed repeatedly.
A blast of fresh air tumbled him backwards as finally the voices disappeared from his mind. It was so dark he no longer knew for certain where he was, only that is was dark, warm and offered him surprisingly fresh air. Tasting the foul taste of his own vomit lingering in his mouth, Delvakhan breathed in deep and before he could move again, he slept and this time there were no voices to wake him.
Dazed and cloudy his mind opened and beckoned him from his sleep. Slowly and timidly he fluttered his eyelids, almost too frightened to open them. Delvakhan was relieved there were no voices whispering in his mind. In the absence of the whispering, the King of the South found the courage to finally just open his eyes. Carefully looking side to side he could see only a grey haze all around him. Outstretching his arms and extending his fingers, Delvakhan found he could see to his fingernails but no further.
Breathing deeply he felt fresh air fill his lungs. It was overall warm yet slightly chilled as if tainted with water. It was fog! Delvakhan was in the midst of a deep fog almost identical of the kind that would cover the Rakshar town he once called home. His mother often called it the breath of Xhuri, hiding what was known and leaving us only with ourselves.
As a boy the words just seemed like a fable without real meaning. But now, he could see the wisdom in her words and her story. Alone now in the fog, Delvakhan was without voices, input or thoughts other than his own. Slowly as the thoughts swarmed in his head, he sat breathing the warm air deeply as his mind wiped away his here and now. Using his years of Rakshar training he calmed all his thoughts of what was the past and what is his present.
Nothing in his life was what he wanted. What did being the King of the South grant him; pain and suffering and for a people he was born to but was not a part of. Delvakhan realized he was without a direction or a cause he cared about. His training, his journey beyond Dragonspine, ‘saving’ the Rakshar Empress as part of a war not his own and now his search for a child he truly did not care about; all because he was told to. It was not a choice, but a followed order as a child would to a parent.
“You speak with the logic of a child and not that of a king or a man.” A voice filled his head, similar to the whispers he heard before, yet much more powerful and very direct. “There comes a time when one must shed what is taken as truth as a boy and realize what it is to be man.”
“So says a voice without a form hidden in a fog.” Delvakhan stated bitterly as he tried to pinpoint the familiarity of the voice. “Your words are just another example of a precursor to another ‘order’ that I will have to follow.”
“So says the child King of the South. Continue your Rakshar meditation; you may just find truth in my words.” The voice responded without emotion. “Everything around you is a choice and there will be many more choices for you to make.”
“There is no choice when no option is offered and there is only one answer.” He realized part of it now. It wasn’t just one voice, but several voices that seemed to speak at the same time. One voice in particular kept grabbing his attention, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.
“If one chooses not to see another option and only accept what is in front of them, then even at that moment they have made a choice. But how much easier is it to run from self accountability?” Even without emotion the comment jabbed him deeply.
“Go away.” Delvakhan snapped to the fog.
He realized the person or people talking to him were gone the moment the words passed his lips. Standing again, unable to stop turning over the words the voice offered him, Delvakhan simply began to wander around the fog. In short order he found where ever he was it was much larger than his instinct offered. The ground and the walls were just like the rock walls he found in their shallow caves by the shoreline, yet he couldn’t make out or touch a ceiling.
Searching for the location he entered the larger, Delvakhan found a small hole in the rock with claw marks etched in the stone. Looking closer he could see streaks of blood mixed with the marks. Immediately looking at his finger and then touching the scratches, he realized this was where he entered and the hole was made by his own hands. Testing the rock, it felt just as solid as he figured it would. Closing his eyes Delvakhan breathed in deeply and clenched his fist. Before he could think himself out of it, he punched at the stone.
Hot streaks of pain filled his fingers and shot through his wrist and up his arm to his elbow. Gripping his fist with his other hand Delvakhan couldn’t help but laugh at him. Of course the rock was solid. He couldn’t help but wonder if he still wasn’t going mad.
Looking back at the hole, the thought of returning and hearing the whispers was simply out of the question. There was nothing back in the shallow cave he wanted. Since he wasn’t going back, there was only one thing for him to do. Delvakhan turned his back on the hole he created and simply began to walk away.
****
Within what Delvakhan felt was a couple hours, the fog dissipated and he found the cavern wasn’t nearly as large as he thought it would be. At the far end the wall closed against the backdrop of a pond blocking his way. He could find nothing to test the water with and was left with entering the water or sitting and doing nothing.
Slowly the King of the South reached and touched the water. It was cool almost to the point of cold and murky, yet without smell. Taking a deeper breath Delvakhan plunged his entire arm into the water. Although cool, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Swinging his arm about, he could feel no bottom. To his surprise he was able to reach under the stone in which he knelt on. Feeling the edge more, he was surprised to find the stone ledge was much thinner than he would have thought possible.
Attempting to reach even further, Delvakhan lost his balance and toppled into the water. Trying to open his eyes, he found the water stung smartly under his eyelids. The taste, while not foul, was odd and unpleasant. Holding onto the ledge while he rubbed the water out of his eyes, his feet found no bottom, yet he could feel a current tugging at his lower legs.
Using the thin ledge, he moved toward the far wall and found it stopped at the waters surface. Reaching under as far as his extended fingertips could feel, there was still only stone, yet the water against the stone seemed warmer. Without a second thought considering he was already wet, Delvakhan dove under the wall. Using his hands and feet to help propel him through the water tunnel, he felt for the end. As he continued to move along it, his lungs began to burn, aching for air. Clenching his eyes closed to avoid the stings he felt when he first entered, panic forced his hands and feet to work harder. Repeatedly he scratched and tugged at stone until suddenly his fingers folded over an edge and warm air blew against them.
Pulling as hard as he could, Delvakhan’s head broke the surface and took in a long deep breath. As the warm air began to quickly dry his exposed skin, the King of the South could hear the roaring of a fire. Holding onto the wall he opened his eyes and stilled with shock at the size of the fire in the room. The air, dry and warm was almost suffocating and the water pool around him seemed to serve as a run off that cascaded off steaming rocks that were almost covered by strange funnels reaching upward toward the ceiling. Even the giant fire pit had a huge similar device surrounding it and reaching upward.
Pulling himself back onto the rock, Delvakhan quickly used his cloth covered forearms to protect him from the surprising heat of the smooth rock floor. Moving as close to the fire as he could, the young king found a stairway leading up and away from the fire. Making a quick check of himself Delvakhan swore under his breath as he realized he was without a weapon or any form of supplies. He was failing on the basics of keeping himself alive and somehow he was king. Frowning and shaking off the thoughts, Delvakhan, King of the South began ascending the spiraling stairs that followed the edges of the room and followed the massive funnel above the fire.
Moving higher, the natural heat vapors reached an almost suffocating point. His breath became shallow and labored as sweat poured from his face. Reaching up to wipe it away, Delvakhan surprised himself finding heavy stubble on his cheeks and chin. Letting out a sigh as he reached the top of the staircase and stood before a large refined that appeared to be sealed. With a quick look he could not see a bottom sliver opening on any of the edges. Groaning he pushed harshly against it, only have it swing open easily causing him to fall forward.
Regaining his composure, Delvakhan quietly and quickly pushed the door back into its place. The hall he stood in quickly adjusted to a comfortable temperature a far cry from the hot room he came from. While the previous room offered much in illumination due to the massive fire, the hall only offered flickers from the various lanterns strategically placed for use. Moving carefully along the hall, the sounds and signs of life echoed softly off the walls. Between the lanterns the walls were painted in scenes as if they told a story.
One in particular showed a massive human bursting with muscles pushing past armor that seemed to be worn for show striking against a small human dressed in white and carrying a glowing sword. Behind each stood a massive force and littered with mangled, bloody and dismembered creatures, humans and something else. High above them both a female blazing in fire held the sun in one hand and the moon in another looking at another man who held a dead human in his hands while tears fell from his eyes.
Everything throughout the mural was telling a story he simply didn’t understand. Parts that seemed as if he should know about them or at least recognize simply caused him only to stare harder, left with wonder. Often times the colors seemed to be just off what they should be or the faces missing something that would put the puzzle together and stop the confusion that only continued to grow in him as he poured over the details.
Single strands of hair were painstakenly drawn to the finest detail, yet still off in some way or another. And the colors, Delvakhan couldn’t let go of the colors and how they like the rest of the picture were just off a touch. Almost as if he was looking at it through some type of filter, yet even the filter was unseen. Here and there he would think he had it figured out, only to be drawn to another section of the wall.
Finally he saw a figure he recognized although the face seemed much younger. Amadagu, the Timewalker, stood above a massive fissure in the ground, staff in hand with the head of a male and female human on each end. Never had he seen such images that called out to him. In horror he realized, the whispers had returned, quiet and almost soothing as they locked his attention on the murals. Delvakhan now knew the whispers emanated from the mural and knew he was looking at them. They wanted him to see the mural.
Looking closer at the woman holding the sun and moon, Delvakhan could now hear her voice. She knew his name and the names of all he knew. Image after image entered his head he could not explain showing him people and places that were alien, fiery and without mercy. From every corner and every angle, massive piles of dead bodies, mangled and deformed that seemed to form a wall blocking from view something he felt he wanted to see. As he struggled to see beyond, the woman’s laughter filled his head with a taunt; “you are blind boy king and for this you will fail and die”.
Turning away suddenly, Delvakhan found himself face to face with a pair of kind eyes and a warm smile. Instinctively he dropped into a stance burned into him by his Rakshar training. His actions were only met with an even broader smile.
“You have followed the voices and found your beginning journey to the One. In this you will be named and you will be chosen. But that will not be now.”
Before he could respond or move, the man’s hand suddenly reached out and touched his forehead.
“Sleep.” It was the last command Delvakhan, King of the South heard as he felt his legs crumble beneath him as he succumbed to the darkness.
Terra - Knight in White Satin Prologue
Harsh gale winds broke against the bow of the ship, tossing it like a child’s toy. Although he wanted to be sick, far beyond his stomach, he stood in awe of the colorful pallet displayed on the horizon. Just within his sight the shadowy silhouette an island lined the horizon. It was midday, yet the dense clouds overhead and the pounding winds made it seem much later. As much as the gusts of wind threatened to destroy the ship, they also seemed to focus and simply push it with urgency. Indeed, often the others on the ship commented on how much faster they journey plodded forward then what was scheduled.
Washing across the deck a massive wave tossed him violently from one end of the ship to the other, ending with him crashing head first into the wooden protective rail. Around him everything became fuzzy and he choked out repeated mouthfuls of the salty water. Scratching at the deck he tried to pull himself form the rail. Without knowing which direction to go, he collapsed again and held onto the rail as if there was nothing more important.
“Brother Kyl hold the line.” A shipmate yelled through the roaring waves. “Its too late to get you below.”
The man’s gruff hands worked in blinding speeds tying the rope around the stunned man waste. As another massive wave crashed into the vessel, Brother Kyl felt himself flip over the rail and slam into the side of the boat. Before his vision fell into blackness he saw every detail of the face of the man who tied the rope to his body. He could see the man had accepted and known he was dead. In the final instant he offered a toothy grin. Brother Kyl’s mind was forever burned with that smile as lost all sense of himself.
Brother Kyl awoke as something continued to pull against his waist. Finally opening his eyes and seeing the rope, he followed it as it fed out into the water, still attached to a large chunk of the rail he was tied to. Regardless of the pain he was thankful to be alive. Immediately the face of the shipmate filled his vision. Quickly Kyl rose to his knees. Carefully drawing a curved symbol into the sand he whispered a prayer, closed his eyes and lifted his face to the skies. Dropping his hands into the sand, he scooped up the sand holding the symbol and tossed it into the air as he said another prayer.
Returning to his feet, Kyl realized how tired he was as he worked to loosen the knot pressing into his side. Every movement of his fingers sent pain and fatigue screaming through his wrists and up his arms. With each wave he stumbled back and forth fighting the constant tugging of the rope. Finally the knot fell slack and he was able to drop to his feet. Exhausted, Kyl blindly walked further inland. His mind blank, his legs collapsed and comfort was found as his head landed in soft grass. Sleep came immediately.
Beyond the soothing waves, everything around him was silent. Kyl could hear no sounds of anything else. No birds, no insects and no animals broke the silence. Something far beyond himself seemed to beckon him with only one thing certain, he would follow it.
Washing across the deck a massive wave tossed him violently from one end of the ship to the other, ending with him crashing head first into the wooden protective rail. Around him everything became fuzzy and he choked out repeated mouthfuls of the salty water. Scratching at the deck he tried to pull himself form the rail. Without knowing which direction to go, he collapsed again and held onto the rail as if there was nothing more important.
“Brother Kyl hold the line.” A shipmate yelled through the roaring waves. “Its too late to get you below.”
The man’s gruff hands worked in blinding speeds tying the rope around the stunned man waste. As another massive wave crashed into the vessel, Brother Kyl felt himself flip over the rail and slam into the side of the boat. Before his vision fell into blackness he saw every detail of the face of the man who tied the rope to his body. He could see the man had accepted and known he was dead. In the final instant he offered a toothy grin. Brother Kyl’s mind was forever burned with that smile as lost all sense of himself.
Brother Kyl awoke as something continued to pull against his waist. Finally opening his eyes and seeing the rope, he followed it as it fed out into the water, still attached to a large chunk of the rail he was tied to. Regardless of the pain he was thankful to be alive. Immediately the face of the shipmate filled his vision. Quickly Kyl rose to his knees. Carefully drawing a curved symbol into the sand he whispered a prayer, closed his eyes and lifted his face to the skies. Dropping his hands into the sand, he scooped up the sand holding the symbol and tossed it into the air as he said another prayer.
Returning to his feet, Kyl realized how tired he was as he worked to loosen the knot pressing into his side. Every movement of his fingers sent pain and fatigue screaming through his wrists and up his arms. With each wave he stumbled back and forth fighting the constant tugging of the rope. Finally the knot fell slack and he was able to drop to his feet. Exhausted, Kyl blindly walked further inland. His mind blank, his legs collapsed and comfort was found as his head landed in soft grass. Sleep came immediately.
Beyond the soothing waves, everything around him was silent. Kyl could hear no sounds of anything else. No birds, no insects and no animals broke the silence. Something far beyond himself seemed to beckon him with only one thing certain, he would follow it.
Terra - Knight in White Satin
As you may have seen at the previous book blog, I welcome everyone to the second book. I apologize for the time in between, but with all that is going on, I simply have not had the time I wanted.
While Knight in White Satin was completed almost 10 years ago (still blows my mind when I think about it), there are parts that simply had to be redone/re-written or simply gotten rid of. The parts that were/are culled out were done due to name changes or simply because it didn't promote the story end game.
I welcome all comments, discussions and etc. Also, if there are parts you would like me to expand on, please let me know (you can do this with the previous book as well). In some cases I will post up and edit or I will tell you that I can't at that time. For those details I can't give you which you are missing, I encourage you to hold out as most things will get answered in one way or another in this book. I am very excited at how this book ties things together and will really open up the world. As a side note: No Heather, you can't find out about Amadagu's staff yet, I promise you there is a good reason.
So while it remains slow going (chapter 3 alterations are almost complete) once I get to about chapter 5 -7, the needed changes should be made and the plot, name edits should all mesh and it will be much faster going.
For this, I want to thank Dana for his comments about the prologue in Fates Legacy (the official title of the first book) as it completely made me change the prologue to this book (in fact its a complete re-write). I appreciate the comments and input more than you all realize.
Alright, enough jibber jabber, incoming Prologue, Chapter One and Chapter Two of Terra - Knight in White Satin
/cheers
S. M. Swafford
While Knight in White Satin was completed almost 10 years ago (still blows my mind when I think about it), there are parts that simply had to be redone/re-written or simply gotten rid of. The parts that were/are culled out were done due to name changes or simply because it didn't promote the story end game.
I welcome all comments, discussions and etc. Also, if there are parts you would like me to expand on, please let me know (you can do this with the previous book as well). In some cases I will post up and edit or I will tell you that I can't at that time. For those details I can't give you which you are missing, I encourage you to hold out as most things will get answered in one way or another in this book. I am very excited at how this book ties things together and will really open up the world. As a side note: No Heather, you can't find out about Amadagu's staff yet, I promise you there is a good reason.
So while it remains slow going (chapter 3 alterations are almost complete) once I get to about chapter 5 -7, the needed changes should be made and the plot, name edits should all mesh and it will be much faster going.
For this, I want to thank Dana for his comments about the prologue in Fates Legacy (the official title of the first book) as it completely made me change the prologue to this book (in fact its a complete re-write). I appreciate the comments and input more than you all realize.
Alright, enough jibber jabber, incoming Prologue, Chapter One and Chapter Two of Terra - Knight in White Satin
/cheers
S. M. Swafford
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