Foreboding and eerie the pitch blackness of the night concealed them as they moved carefully along the edges of the structures that made up Sarna. Although the moon was high above them, it was a mere sliver offering almost no light for them to maneuver through. Nothing in the city seemed to move. No shapes and no sounds, something completely different then he expected considering Xynari’s description. Xynari however shivered in the night air and several times almost seemed to whimper as they inched closer.
Once in position they waited for what seemed like hours and still nothing moved. More concerning was Elidra did not rejoin them. Delvakhan stretched his neck and rolled it releasing some tension as he stayed crouched behind a small outcropping of bushes just at the eastern boarder of the city. The first whispers of sound filtered through the air, but all tensed immediately. Indeed wails of various tones and loudness filled the air sounding more and more like laughter.
Wisps and swirls of inky black smoke, barely visible against the night canvas, shimmered into a solid form. Forming a circle eight of the shapes appeared. Signaling to the others, Delvakhan slowly and carefully crawled on the ground toward the shapes. Dragging himself threw the snow, Delvakhan stopped as Burakani tapped at his leg.
Without speaking, the baron pointed the exposed dirt trail behind Delvakhan terribly obvious against the white snowy ground. Delvakhan dropped his head in frustration. Quickly he and Burakani swept snow on the dark exposed earth. Once they had finished, while staying crouched this time, the King of the South darted to the back side of one of the stark looking buildings to provide himself cover.
Drawing nearer he could see she shapes still gathered in a circle with the wailing laughter continuing. In the center of them appeared to be a wooden altar. Smeared along the grain of the wood were sickly looking black streaks. Delvakhan caught his breath as he realized the blackish streaks were dried blood. His eyes followed the smears to the top. Seeing a wrapped bundle upon the altars top all air escaped his lungs. Looking harder he could see the bundle squirming. Stunned he could only watch the witches continue their ceremony.
“From the darkness we are gifted.” A female voice filled the air in a wailing song.
“From the darkness our blindness is cured.” Another stated in the same wailing song.
“From the darkness the spark of light is subdued.” Yet another spoke.
“To the darkness we commit our essence.” The voices began to mingle together for each verse.
“To the darkness we send the non believers.”
“To the darkness we traverse the world.”
“In the darkness we are blessed.”
“In the darkness we are power.”
“In the darkness we are life.”
“For the darkness we commit this child.”
“For the darkness she is reborn”
“For the darkness is Rhiya.”
Without pause a witch lifted her arms to the sky and then drove it down crushing the bundle against the altar. Immediately dark liquid spilled stained the wrap and flowed over the top of the altar. In frenzy all the witches dropped their blackened robes and scooped up the fluid into their hands rubbing it all over their naked and exposed bodies.
Delvakhan fought to keep his stomach from retching, doubling over and forcing his face into the snow. Biting down on the snow, he could taste the bile hitting fighting to come up the back of his throat. Breaking his concentration a primal and fierce growl pierced through the night. Looking up he watched as a snow leopard with metal links attached to its fur pounced on the nearest witch and instantly ripped open her throat. As the witch fell to the ground gurgling her final breath, Elidra in her leopard form disemboweled another with a single swipe of her claws. Suddenly jumping back, the Empress assumed her normal form and lurched forward toward another witch as her energy blades appeared suddenly in her hands.
Delvakhan instantly charged in yanking his sword free with great strain as it struggled to stay in its scabbard. Making a terrible scratching sound as it slid free, he drove it forward and up through the lower back of the nearest witch until its point pushed through her upper ribcage and protruded from her left breast. The body fell heavily against the blade and his arm as took her in an instant.
Wailing increased in intensity the remaining five witches screamed at their attackers. The blood smeared on their bodies gave them the appearance of something more hideous and evil than anything Delvakhan had ever seen. As they screamed blackness seemed to billow forth from their mouths joining the midnight canopy. For just a moment he almost thought he saw strange black sinewy strands swirl and encase the watches. In his mind he felt the foreboding of something terrible creeping through his thoughts attempting to reach for his very essence.
Darkness, strong and willful surrounded him in every direction. Grasping Bhor Wethrin tightly he lunged to the center of the darkness and caught something solid. Instinctively he twisted the hilt and using all his strength bore his arm across his chest feeling the blade catch several times before exiting the darkness. Gasping for breath, a naked female form looked up to him in surprise as blood and gore poured from a wide wound that started at her naval and continued to her severely separated side. Falling to the ground at his feet, she convulsed, spit out several mouthfuls of blood and died.
Realizing the wailing had stopped, Delvakhan looked up to see the rest of the witches dead around them while Xynari moved to each saying a prayer. Elidra stood at the altar with her blood covered skin shaking while she slowly pulled away the wraps of the bundle on the altar top. Saying nothing, Elidra re-wrapped the child and handed it to Xynari. The priestess said a prayer as she held her hands over the small broken body. Delvakhan watched as light engulfed the form and then dissipated into the night.
“It was a boy.” Elidra stated as she slumped to the ground careful to keep from touching the altar. Tears fell in a steady stream from her eyes. “It wasn’t my child. By the Light it wasn’t my Khelidra.”
“We can’t stay in the open like this. Surely more than just eight witches live in Sarna.
“Oh far more than eight indeed Vessel.” A cold female voice filled the air centered in a mist of swirling blackness which whipped around them.
“Jade where is my daughter!” Elidra jumped to her feet as her blades appeared fiery hot in her hands as she moved toward the black mist. Everyone jumped to the ready each weapon drawn toward the blackness.
Jade solidified her form and stood within striking range of Elidra and offered a smile daring the attack. “She is to be one with Rhiya as is her destiny.”
Fury and tears covered the face of Elidra as her mystical blades faded to nothing. Dropping to her knees she made her plea. Delvakhan stunned lowered Bhor Wethrin as the others did the same. Xynari’s tears fell from her eyes streaking the dirt on her face as the pain of Elidra filled the air with heavy desperation.
“I beg you free my daughter and take me. I will willingly give you the power I am gifted for her safety and freedom.” Elidra fell to the ground, her hands holding the feet of Jade. “Please Jade, if you ever were true to Vrok, give her back.”
Jade’s haunting and wailing laugh filled the air. “So quickly you submit oh great Empress. But your powers are already part of the Darkness; strong in your daughter are the blood of the Rakshar and the blood of the Timewalker. What need do we have with you? What...”
Jade’s words were suddenly stopped short as Elidra stood to look the woman in the eyes. Delvakhan could clearly see strands of power flowing from Elidra creating tethers wrapping the witches’ body.
“I don’t need you to find my daughter; I just need you out of my way. That which you know you were taught. My gifts however are of the very air you breathe. Give me my daughter or I will pull the information from you; bit by bit.” As Elidra spoke, fire formed in a circle around the witch and steadily walked up her legs singing her robe and the flesh under it.
Struggling but not crying out, Jade refused to look away from Elidra as pain creased her face. “She is in the darkness and cannot leave. It is beyond your reach. For that I do not fear death for then I too shall live in the darkness where your power is useless.”
“Then I shall destroy you again when I enter the darkness and test your theory.”
Immediately Elidra lashed out only to have her power repelled and she was shoved to the ground. Silently as they were focused on Jade, dozens of witches had surrounded them. Working together their created mist held Elidra to the ground as it worked in a furious pace swirling around the captive Jade, yet not freeing her.
“Release Jade.” Several voices merged into one. “Release her or the child you so terribly want to save will be lost forever, even beyond the darkness into oblivion. If you kill their messenger you will give up all hope.”
“That voice.” Xynari said under her breath in stunned wonderment. “Elidra you must listen. Let the witch go and they will all leave this place.”
Elidra looked to her in horror yet paused as she searched the face of the priestess. Pausing just another minute, Elidra dropped her head and closed her eyes instantly releasing Jade. Before anyone could react, Jade disappeared into the night leaving only a single swirling form behind. Immediately Xynari approached the form and dropped to a knee.
“Surely you have a message great Wyrm.” Xynari spoke amongst a set of stunned faces. “I am Xynari, Priestess of the One; ready to hear your message.”
“Priestess of the One, I have no message. I am here to guide all of you out of oblivion. He must return to his people.” The mist swirled around Delvakhan. “Breathe deeply now and take in the air.”
In response the mist grew in density and enclosed each of them into it. Delvakhan gasped for air unable to breath. Opening his eyes wide he watched as everything around him blurred and seemed to rip threw his body. Clawing at the mist, Delvakhan continued to struggle for breath. Swinging his arms wildly he felt nothing but the torrent winds of the mist around him.
“Breath in deeply.” The voice stated calmly “Breath in deeply or you will die.”
Fresh air exploded into his lungs as he tried to scream from the pain. Thunderous sounds assaulted his ears as massive streaks of color slammed into his eyes. Thrashing around holding his hands to head, Delvakhan felt himself rolling around on the ground. Continuing to breath, the sights and sounds around him began to calm and come into view. Rolling to his side he vomited a silver streaked milky white substance which immediately formed a pool in front of him. More pain filled his lungs, spreading to his stomach as he vomited again.
“Easy lad, it will pass.” A deep jolly voice filled his ears as a heavy hand rest reassuringly on his shoulder. “Oblivion to her is quite the ride.”
Vomiting a third and fourth time, Delvakhan felt weakness wash over his body. Fighting past it, he was able to lift himself onto one knee as he finally opened his eyes to look around. A beautiful coastline spread out before him as gentle blue waves turned into white frothy caps and billowed onto the shoreline. Blindingly white sand spread out as far as he eyes could see. Setting his hand onto the sand in front of him, Delvakhan took a handful of the soft powder and watched as he poured it back onto the ground.
“Where am I?” He wanted to ask more, yet his mind remained clouded.
“Home lad, in Windra.”
Delvakhan looked up to see a large yet stout yellow headed and bearded man sporting a smile from ear to ear. He couldn’t deny, beyond the hair, how much the man looked like his uncle. There was familiarity in the voice and mannerisms.
“You… are…” Delvakhan continued to struggle with words.
“Nurlo, one of your relative’s lad. Can’t say which tho.” Chuckling rather loudly Nurlo paused taking in a good look. Shrugging his shoulders, he then lifted Delvakhan to his feet with his strong hands. “Come on now time to get on your feet, you’re the last to arrive and before long the sun is going to set. No reason to stay on the shore.”
After only a few minutes, a spire broke the horizon and quickly turned into a peak of a large castle unlike anything Delvakhan had ever seen. Stone washed in a pearl white hue stood out against the blue of the sky almost matching the sand. At various points and times it seemed to disappear completely to its surroundings, reminding him of how Morin Tulan hid in the snow.
Nurlo was easy to follow as he moved with a familiar ease over the terrain. As the got close to the castle, they turned away from what appeared to be the main gate and instead walked directly to strong door set in the side of the wall. With a quick knock in a particular sequence, the door was opened. Clasping him on the shoulder, Nurlo invited him in with a broad smile. For a moment he tensed feeling as if he was walking into a trap. Left and right of him down a hallway that seemed to follow the wall, he quickly counted several dozen armored men walking along its length. He and Nurlo turned up a large gently spiraling staircase well lit with chandelier and intermittent drapes holding an image of an amethyst dragon intertwined with a red haired gryphon.
The wooden stairs ended in an archway that opened into a courtyard alive with people in a dense cluster. All around people were bartering, barking and generally involved in some type of business. Easily Nurlo navigated through the crowds and set them on course for an inner keep fronted by a large wooden and metallic door with a six guards standing in formation in front of it. Upon approach each guard stood erect and offered a smart salute of striking their closed fist upon their chest. Nurlo offered a quick responding salute and a slight nod of his head. Without a word the massive door opened giving access to a smaller courtyard heavy with more guards.
Heading straight through the courtyard, they were peppered with salutes until they came upon a narrow stairway which turned sharply twice to the right and ended at a landing with a single step to a wide hallway with several doors. Pulling a key from his cuff, Nurlo slid it into a thin hole in the door and turned it. With a soft click the door opened smoothly and Nurlo walked through, leaving it open.
Entering the room, Delvakhan saw a large table which easily sat twenty or so people. Only a few seats were vacant, one of which was immediately filled by Nurlo. Many faces looked to him with welcoming smiles. Elidra, Burakani and Xynari locked their eyes onto him immediately. Xynari jumped from her seat and almost tackled him with her hug. Gently pushing her back so he could look at her, Delvakhan looked into her eyes and smiled.
“Please join us my liege.” A thin man with a strangely pitched voice stood offering waving his hand at the center seat.
With Xynari returning to her seat, Delvakhan walked slowly to the chair offered as he looked at each face struggling to understand what was happening. Instinctively he dropped his hand and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of Bhor Wethrin. As he drew near his seat, everyone stood and waited for him to sit. The moment he did, all returned to sitting, looking at him in silence.
A portly woman reached over the table and placed her hand upon his, tapping it lightly. “It is good to see you finally here my nephew. I am your Aunt Celeste.”
Immediately the room was full of smiles, laughter and introductions. Next to his aunt Celeste were his aunt Trulie and uncle Yarmo, cousins Vivali, Biriana, Stride, Wer, Cine and on and on. Quickly he learned his family made up the royal court and each performed a duty for castle and its people in service to their absent liege. Each had been waiting for years since his father passed for him to return. Nohric had sent word he had arrived and was called away.
Everything and everyone fell silent as an elderly thin woman walked gingerly into the room supported by a gold and ivory cane. Immediately Celeste rose and escorted the old woman around the table until she stood next to Delvakhan. With a broad smile she lifted her arm and hung it around his neck. Carefully she leaned forwarded and kissed his cheek.
“I am glad you are home Vakhan. You have been gone too long.” She stated in an almost whisper as she kissed him again but on the top of his head.
Looking at him in the eyes she patted his hand and then turned to walk away. Grabbing Celeste’s arm she leaned up and whispered something. Immediately his Aunt’s face change as she walked the woman back through the door she entered from.
“Where were we?” Nurlo asked with a smile as he took up a goblet of wine and held it in toast. “To the return of our liege.”
In thunderous response everyone cheered him. It marked the beginning of the celebrations that quickly moved throughout the entire castle and its people. Each time Delvakhan tried to get away, another family member brought him back to the table and offered another salute. Finally after many hours, the table began to thin to only a few of them. With a nod from Nurlo, Celeste excused herself and left through another of the doors in the room. Looking at Delvakhan and the others remaining at the table, he nodded toward the door Celeste exited to and invited them to join.
“Rooms are set for the others. You lad have some family business to attend to.” Nurlo announced. When Delvakhan looked to Celeste and paused, Nurlo smiled. “Yer girlie can join us, but that’s it. It’s awful late and as I said its family business.”
Elidra and Burakani simply nodded and followed an escort out to their rooms. With a happy smile, Xynari strode beside Delvakhan with her arm wrapped around his. The room proved to be a library with heavy and comfortable seating centered on a fire pit and a heavy animal fur. Celeste was already sitting and sipping from a goblet staring at the fire. Other than Nurlo and his friends, Delvakhan was joined by Trulie, Yarmo and Stride.
“I don’t know how I got here. Can someone tell me what is going on?” A deep frown pierced Delvakhan’s brow.
“Timewalker sent you to oblivion. Don’t ask why because I never quite get what he is saying.” Nurlo answered.
“If he sent him, it was because someone very powerful was hunting him.” Yarmo added. “He did the same to Vakhan once, though no so long.”
Everyone nodded in agreement which only caused more confusion for Delvakhan. “Oblivion? Oblivion is a place?”
“By the Light lad, did the Rakshar teach you anything? You carry the sword and it is said you can fight, but what about your gifts? Did they not teach you anything?”
“I have no gift.” Delvakhan looked away as he answered.
“It’s in your blood; you just don’t know how to use it. Surely you have seen it, you are at that age. None can ride the mist without the gift.” Celeste responded.
Immediately Delvakhan thought about the strands he saw at Sarna. Deep inside him he felt a fire burning at his core. Everything he was trained to do was against such a power. The lesson was always to rely only on what was physical, that which he could touch and share.
“They couldn’t have trained him in it anyway. It will have to be done here. You will have to do it Celeste.” Yarmo stated.
“You will enjoy it.” Stride added smiling from ear to ear. Auntie Celeste is… well I will leave that up to you to find out.”
“I can’t.” Celeste answered
“What did Mother say?” Trulie asked knowingly as she sat next to her and set a hand on Celeste’s knee.
“He is the wrong Khan.” Celeste stated plainly.
“She is old and thought he was Lord Vakhan. Her mind is all but lost to us.” Stride answered quickly.
“Doesn’t change what she saw.” Celeste answered calmly dropping her head slightly as she fingered the edge of her glass. “No amount of age can take away her gift of sight.”
“What does this mean?” Delvakhan questioned unable to take his eyes off the fire in the pit, his cheeks reddening in response.
“Simply put lad, it means its going to be a tough war for us. If you aren’t the right Khan we will lose you as we lost the Lord Vakhan.” Nurlo responded. “But that doesn’t mean all things are bad. We have no idea when. So you could easily live a very long time.”
“Wait, you mean I am going to die because I am not the right person?” Delvakhan’s voice shook a bit as he spoke.
“It’s a damnable curse cousin. At least that is what everyone seems to believe although it has happened a grand total of once.” Stride answered in disgust. “Instead of just saying the Lord Vakhan died in war against the damnable north, it has to be some prophecy that caused it.”
“Have you read the tome boy?” Yarmo answered as he drained a full goblet of wine. “I have and there are reasons we know the truth of the words you ignore.”
“So what do we do?” Delvakhan asked in slow order while he looked to the faces of his companions.
“You do what any King would do. Whatever you like and enjoy life. Nothing you or we do can stop a simple fact. The south continues to suffer because you will die before this war with the north is over.” Celeste’s words were shallow and distant covered in a sadness that escaped none of them.
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