Severance

by Fergal F. Nally

“You hit your head pretty badly on the rock when we hit the ledge, I’m sorry. You’ve been out cold for almost a full day. We found this cave a short distance from where we landed. The storm has abated, all is now calm outside. Even the clouds have lifted. We are in fact, only a short distance from the summit. There is light from the full moon. We are within sight of completing our goal,” Firewing declared.

  “Yes, if you’re able to we could make the summit tonight, it’s only an hour or so away by foot. We should make an attempt before the next weather system comes in. The air currents here would be too risky to fly the remaining distance,” Lightwing added.

  “How do you feel? Can you stand?” Firewing said, her face concerned.

  “Let me try,” Carutha whispered. She gathered her concentration and rolled over onto her side. Using her upper body and arms she pushed herself into a sitting position. So far so good. She tested her legs and found she could stand. A little unsteady at first then, as she gained confidence she took a few steps. Her body responded. She breathed deeply and after a momentary dizziness her balance returned. She felt better.

  “Yes we, I can do this with your help,” Carutha said.

  “Wait, you have to eat and drink something,” Firewing spoke. “Here try these,” she offered Carutha a handful of dried seeds.

  Carutha took the seeds. “What are these?”

  “Calim seeds, they grow on the cliffs of our island and they imbue a great deal of energy to those that take them with an open heart. Chew them you’ll see.” Firewing smiled and offered Carutha a drink from her water skin.

  Carutha swallowed the seeds in one go and washed them down with a deep draught of water. Firewing seemed to relax once she had done this.

  “Right then, no time like the present. Let’s get this over with,” Carutha declared.

  They geared up and set off from the cave under the moonlight. The final stretch of the mountain beckoned them onwards, enticingly to the summit. The ridge was easily negotiable at first but soon deteriorated into a series of needle like pinnacles. There was no room for error so they slowed their progress significantly to ensure safety. One wrong turn or slip would spell disaster.

  Finally, they stood on the summit. A cold wind assaulted them as they approached the top configuration of rocks. Snow lay all around in patches. Not as heavily snow covered as in Carutha’s dream. She felt relieved at this small detail. Carutha did the final scramble herself, as there was not enough room for all three to stand on the summit pyramid.

  Carutha saw the statues of the king and queen, not as big as she had been expecting. They were worn and eroded, their features indistinct. Their unseeing eyes seemed to accuse Carutha of trespassing on their domain. There, in-between the statues was the unmistakable outline of the shard in a small table of metal-framed rock.

  Without hesitation or ceremony, Carutha fished out the Shard from her pocket and placed it firmly in its rock frame. It fit perfectly and clicked into place.

  Carutha heard a gasp from behind, then Firewing’s voice shouted a warning. “Carutha, step away from there sister, something’s wrong…” her words were cut off. Carutha felt a dragging sensation in her stomach and her body lurched sideways then forwards. She was aware of movement and a blurring of her vision. Then everything came into sharp focus. She saw the Erthe as never before. The oceans a golden colour, the skies lime green, the forests a dazzling blue, the rivers were a blood red. Then she saw the snows appear before her.

  She shivered and had to close her eyes against a flurry of snow. She blinked and held her arm up to her eyes. The snow was dazzling in the sunlight, her heart leapt. She knew she was home in the land of her people, the Shinalese. Somehow, the Shard had transported her back through a dimensional plane.

  She saw that her land had been violated and abused by the Shiffante. Her heart ached when she saw the results of their climate meddling and their spellcraft. She looked behind her; Firewing and Lightwing were nowhere to be seen. So, she had been returned to her homeland for a reason. To fight the Shiffante. Carutha stood in the snowy wilderness lost and without a plan. Alone.

  ~

  Ossian groaned. He was covered in mud. The air stank of rotten eggs. The mud surrounding him was shallow and warm, like soup. Bubbles of foul smelling gas escaped the mud pool all around him. Off to his right Veran lay, half in and half out of the mud. He looked unconscious. How long had they been there? Where were they?

  “Hells teeth,” Ossian said to himself. His muscles felt cooked. He crawled out of the pool, like a mud-encased crab. He gathered Veran’s arms and pulled him away from the pool and its fumes. Just a little higher up and the air cleared with a light breeze. Ossian’s head began to recover. His mouth was parched and he immediately looked about for water.

  In the distance, he saw a tree line and knew that was where they needed to go to find water. Veran groaned, Ossian stooped and lifted his head speaking to him. “Wake up man, we’ve survived. Come, there’s work to be done.”

  Veran coughed and opened his eyes. His face contorted into a mixture of fear and disgust. “By the nine, is that you Ossian? You look like the dark seeker himself. All I can see is your eyes and teeth, the rest is filth. Not a pretty sight.”

  “You’re not much better yourself, come let’s find water. I think we should have some luck over there.” Ossian indicated the trees in the distance.

  The two men stood and shook off as much mud as they could, recovered their weapons from the pool and started off towards the trees.

  Chapter 31

  Reunion

  Agathe’s head snapped up. He was back. She knew. Ossian was back. Her heart leapt, her breathing quickened. How did she know this? She felt a certainty grip her whole being. A small smile graced her lips.

  Her suffering was great; she had been wounded by the shades before being separated from Q’uaina. Her wound however had not been grievous. As a vampire, her powers of self-healing were enhanced. Even though the pain had been severe, she had healed in less than a day.

  At the last minute, she had been able to shift to her winged form and had escaped. The light walkers seemed to melt away when they had been overwhelmed. A stalemate then. What of Q’uaina? She did not know if her friend had evaded capture or not. She needed to return to the ambush site to find her.

  Agathe’s heart was on fire. She was torn. Should she try and find her soul mate or should she return to find Q’uaina? Her head told her to find Q’uaina; her heart insisted she look for Ossian. She felt compelled to find him.

  Once she had reached her decision she set out. She reasoned that combining forces with Ossian would even the odds against LeSouris and the drow. She also feared for her father. It had been three days and not a sign of him was to be had. Where was he?

  Agathe left her makeshift shelter and took to the western skies at first light. She would follow her instincts and search the lands below from the air. She would find her beloved. She would succeed. She had no choice.

  ~

  Ossian and Veran reached the tree line and paused. The wind sighed through the tops, the branches creaked and the leaves rustled. Ossian’s instinct registered alarm however. There was no birdsong. The forest was devoid of life. Ossian was on guard. Veran had noticed it too. They communicated by hand signals. Ossian crept forwards and penetrated the forest’s outer reaches. Soon they were in deep amongst the trees.

  The land descended into a shallow valley, which they followed. Veran tilted his head and pointed ahead. Ossian listened carefully and could hear the sound of running water. He allowed himself a brief smile. They covered the last hundred yards to the stream and then waited, watching before they made their move.

  Once sure that the area was free of danger they broke cover and drank their fill from the stream. Then they washed the thick mud from their skin, hair and clothes. Once this was done, their spirits lifted.

  “We need to get to high ground and find our bearings,” Ossian said.

  Veran looked up. “How
are your tree climbing skills?”

  Ossian smiled. “Good enough it has to be said.”

  They selected a tall ash tree and while Veran took guard below, Ossian began to climb the ancient ash’s limbs. Ossian had spent many hours as a child climbing trees and local crags. The old feel of balance and poise came easily. Soon he was high up in the canopy with tantalising glimpses of the surrounding land.

  Finally, he broke through the thickest cover. He leant out on his branch and took in the vista that stretched out before him. Using the sun, he found his bearings. He could see the forest fanned out behind him as far as the eye could see. In the distance, he could make out a great plain and a wide river valley. That was where they needed to go; the river would lead to a settlement eventually. It would be there they would stand the best chance of hearing news and recruiting help.

  Ossian shimmied back down the tree, their direction of travel firmly fixed in his head. He briefed Veran on his findings and they set off. Soon they had left the forest and were on the grassy plain leading to the river valley below.

  Veran knelt down and pulled a face. He was examining tracks in the earth. “There are horses here, likely mustangs. It’d be useful to have a mount right now.”

  Ossian squinted against the cold sunlight. “Yes, a luxury we don’t have.” He snapped his head to the left and stared intently at the horizon reading the skies as his father had taught him. “Birds Veran! Look.” He pointed to the skyline.

  Veran turned. “Aye, a flock of starlings. Watch, they are swarming and… something hunts them. They are being chased.”

  Then they saw the great bird, master of the skies, dive amongst the massed starlings. The dark cloud of pulsing movement parted and reformed seconds later. The eagle reappeared with a dark shape in its talons then flew off along the river.

  Veran scratched his head. “Maybe that’s why we didn’t hear any birdsong in the forest. The eagle, she may be an omen, of things about to change.” His words tailed off.

  “I wonder…” Ossian’s face took on a thoughtful expression. “Let’s follow this hunter, it may lead us to more promising sport.”

  Veran nodded. “I’m with you on that one my friend.”

  They continued along the riverbank for some time without encountering a soul. Hours passed, the sun was low on the horizon. They had managed to catch two coneys and were looking for a place to camp for the night when a shadow swept past them. Ossian looked up in time to see a flourish of feathers and wings.

  The great eagle had found them. It made perfect sense; they were in its territory. It knew all that crossed its hunting grounds; it was the true master of the skies. They watched as the hunter gracefully swept its wings up and flew away.

  Veran snorted. “Well that showed us.”

  “You said it true, brother.”

  Just when they thought they had seen the last of the great bird, it cocked its head and wheeled around abruptly. It came straight back to them and banked at the last minute settling in a nearby tree.

  Veran gasped and brought about his drawn bow.

  Ossian stiffened. “Wait brother, wait. Let’s see what happens here, all is not as it seems.”

  The sun’s golden rays caught the browns and russet colouring in the bird’s plumage. They stood and waited. The next move belonged to the eagle. It regarded them with interest and let out a cry. A shiver went up Ossian’s back. He felt his own inner calling to shape shift surge deep within. He resisted its call and stood his ground. Then as if it had made up its mind the bird stretched out its wings, shook its feathers, and swooped down to the ground.

  Ossian raised a hand to Veran. “Hold man, don’t fire.”

  In that instant, the air shimmered between them and the bird. The atmosphere felt charged and the hairs stood up on Ossian’s neck and arms.

  Agathe stood in front of them.

  ~

  Q’uaina had followed LeSouris and the drow for two hours. They covered the rough ground slowly. She was pleased to find she did not seem to tire and she had not attracted any unwelcome attention. Her two enemies did not speak during the whole time. They both seemed lost in their own thoughts.

  Finally, they reached a rocky promontory, the prelude to a low range of hills that stretched into the distance. The two riders dismounted and secured their horses. Q’uaina saw what they had come for. There in the rock wall was a gaping hole, the width of ten men. Darkness lay within. This must be the entrance to the whispering caves. She watched as they disappeared into the cave mouth.

  She waited a few minutes then approached the cave entrance. A soft breeze issued from the interior speaking of deep, lost darkness. Infinite. She prepared herself mentally and fluttered into the unknown.

  Once she became attuned to her new environment she found she could see and make her way without too much difficulty. She was able to trace the steps of the two who had gone before her. Soon she caught up with their voices. The cave floor descended steadily and rounded corner after corner. At times the roof dipped and the two had to stoop and crawl through the narrower sections.

  They kept going for thirty minutes. The vampire and drow had no need of light, as their vision was more than able to cope in the subterranean world. Then the passage opened up to a huge space and the floor dropped away disappearing into the darkness below. The ceiling too vanished. They had entered a massive underground cavern. Currents swirled around them. A whispering filled the air. It was as if a thousand voices spoke as one. Some loud, some murmuring.

  The place was enchanted. Q’uaina could feel magic in the atmosphere. Here was a deep well that tapped directly into Erthe power. What were these two going to do here? She fluttered around a rocky pillar and alighted, watching and waiting.

  S’Jukdara sniffed. “Here’s a good place to lay our trap. Erthe power, The Beekeeper will not feel threatened. I’ll create a likeness of his daughter using this feather. It won’t fool him up close but it’ll serve our purpose to entice him here.”

  The vampire smiled. “Once we have him as bait, we can then send out the knowledge and draw in the daughter. Then we are one step closer to the Shard. She will lead us to its power. Come, start your spell weaving. I will summon a dark element to help us subdue the Beekeeper.”

  The drow nodded and began to chant and sway throwing his arms into the darkness. His eyes flashed with the magics that coursed through his blood. LeSouris stood, his back to the chasm, his mouth formed soundless shapes and his eyes burned a deep red in the darkness.

  Q’uaina had seen enough. She flew back up the passage and after what seemed like an eternity, exited the underground world and burst back into bright sunshine. She thought quickly and shifted back into her human form. It was when she did this that she became instantly, intensely fatigued. She struggled with keeping her eyes open and her muscles ached. The shape shifting had taken its toll. She needed to get away and rest.

  She went over to the two horses and untethered them. She spoke to them in the universal whisper that calmed all living creatures. They responded and became docile. She mounted the roan mare and set off with the second horse following on a rope. She made good time ensuring she concealed her trail by taking the horses through water and rivers whenever she found them.

  At last, she reached a sheltered spot out of the wind on an area of high ground to the west of the whispering caves. There she secured the horses and made camp. There were provisions in the drow’s saddlebags but she did not trust the black meat and dried mushrooms she found there. Instead, she covered herself with a blanket, lay down in the soft moss out of the wind, and slept.

  A soft nicker awoke her. She lay rigid and still. The horses were still tethered where she had left them. The wind had died down. Stars sparkled above in the chill night air. Her stomach rumbled and her breath misted the air. Something was out there, something watched her. A wolf? But no, the horses would have panicked. Something else.

  Q’uaina slowly rose to a sitting position, a shadow amongst the r
ocks. The nearest horse stamped the earth and the sound carried through the ground to her. Still the horses were not troubled. Then a shadow amongst the shadows moved.

  Q’uaina made a decision. “Who’s there? I’m armed.” She noticed her breathing was rapid and her heart fluttered in her chest.

  A slight breeze rose, sighing among the stunted grasses. The shadow stopped. “Q’uaina it’s me, Agathe’s father. I’ve been trying to find you these last few days. Is Agathe with you?” The shadow stepped closer and Q’uaina saw the familiar figure of the Beekeeper before her. She breathed a sigh of relief and put down her blade.

  Chapter 32

  Confrontation

  Q’uaina jumped up and ran to the Beekeeper her arms outstretched. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you. Where’ve you been? How did you find me? I’m afraid Agathe is not here…she is lost to me.”

  The Beekeeper’s form slumped at this news. “I was hoping she had made it to safety with you. I was delayed keeping a group of wraiths at bay. They were following you and Agathe, they got close to you at one point. I managed to turn them but they were many and it took some effort. I’ve only managed to catch up with you now. When were you separated from my daughter?”

  Q’uaina swallowed hard and steeled herself to tell the Beekeeper the bad news of their ambush in the forest. He stiffened when he heard her account but did not interrupt until she had finished. She went on to let him know of the drow’s plan to entrap him in the whispering caves using a conjuration of Agathe’s image. She also mentioned LeSouris’ plan to summon a dark elemental to defeat any resistance the Beekeeper might employ.

  He kept his silence for long minutes, digesting this new information. “This is indeed sombre news. You say the drow found one of Agathe’s feathers? If I could get that feather I could possibly trace her, provided it was not spoiled by his conjuration magic. That’s settled then, we’ll set off at first light.”