Athine Verses: The Narkurru

by Shannon McRoberts

  The morning sun peeked through the large bay windows of Isri’s room. It glinted off the gold-laced covers that Isri snuggled under in her downy bed. Lavish things surrounded her, a benefit of being the daughter of the ruling queen and resident Raelisuir. Her long red hair flowed down her pillow as she tossed and turned in her sleep. Sweat dripped down her brow. Her dreams were troubled with a woman following her around. The woman was saying something about Ialo. Ialo? Why would she dream of a dead city? She must have been studying too many ancient histories in her Raelisuir lessons. She was only sixteen and she had no interest in staying in Cerynian or being the Raelisuir. She wanted to become a queen of a far-off city. Her father had promised her she could and already had several prospective princes lined up from his homeland. So, why was everyone on her about becoming Raelisuir if they knew she wasn’t going to stay here?

  Cerynian had grown from a small village to a lavish town complete with a caste system. The town prospered from gold found in the sacred mountains. The people, once hard farmers, were becoming soft on the easy living that the gold had brought them. Perhaps that is why Isri, a daughter of decadence, wanted nothing more than to marry a rich prince in a faraway kingdom. She longed for the adventure of a place faraway.

  But today she was having crazy dreams and feelings that she needed to visit some ruined village to the west; a failed attempt at life without an immortal patron. She stretched and climbed out of her bed hoping that a good breakfast of honey and milk would clear these ill feelings. She did not have time to bother with any dreams that did not deal with exotic princes.

  She would soon meet a prince from her father’s town and decide if this prince was the “one” or not. In the last week, she had met over forty princes and none of them was to her liking. Her father had hoped that someone from his old town would perhaps change her mind. Prince Est’it was one of the wealthiest and most handsome princes yet. He was rumored to have very strong magical abilities and Enash was sure his daughter would at least consider this prince seriously.

  Isri finished her breakfast and dressed in a simple lace outfit that showed off all her best qualities before heading out to her garden for a walk. While she was staring into her oversized golden mirror, she began hearing a voice.

  “Your destiny is to the west. Not the east. You must free them. You are the only one that is not bound to her. Come to Ialo.” The haunting voice echoed through Isri’s mind.

  Isri shook the voice off and walked down the grand marble staircase to the main part of the manner she shared with her family. Her father was already in the main greeting room awaiting Est’it and his council.

  “Good morning Isri. Are you ready to meet Prince Est’it?” Enash asked his daughter with a warm smile.

  “Yes, father. I have prepared a wonderful itinerary of viewing the gardens and other such areas that would perhaps show the good prince how viable a relationship with Cerynian would be.” Isri answered her father with a smile.

  “Very good dear one; however, might I add that you should allow Est’it to go to places he may desire to explore.”

  “The prince knows of areas of interest?”

  “Yes, Isri, the prince is a great study of ancient architecture and civilization. He is also quite vested in the magic of his lands and desires to study powerful areas of magic in places like Ialo.”

  “Oh, father, I wish you had not said that. It makes him sound like such a bore. Do you wish me to marry Est’it because he would be so intrigued by the position of Raelisuir that he would encourage me to take the appointment?”

  Enash stopped in his tracks. He had not thought of that specifically, but now that his daughter had brought it up it was a very good idea. He let out a jovial laugh. “Oh, my little one you are so bright. You think of schemes that no one would think of. I had not thought of that, but that is a good idea. Perhaps I should go ahead and say you will marry him.” Enash teased his daughter. “Will you at least give him a chance?”

  “I shall give him a chance, but if he is as boring as you are making him sound I seriously doubt I will end up marrying him.” Isri sneered and made a face back at her father. Then the royal trumpet sounded. Isri held her breath hoping upon all belief that this prince would not be boring.

  Prince Est’it entered with a large entourage of guards, mages, and various noblemen. He was a tall young man with stunning chiseled features and dark auburn hair not unlike Isri’s father Enash. His eyes were the most unusual shade of green. He was dressed in finely crafted armor and to his side he carried a large grimoire. Upon seeing the prince Isri’s demeanor changed. She perked up knowing that he was at least a sculpted individual. She just hoped his demeanor would match his packaging.

  The prince walked up to Isri and bowed a low courtesy while grasping her hands. His words were honey smooth as he spoke to his possible future bride. “Isri, jewel of Cerynian, I am at your disposal for this afternoon.”

  Isri’s hand began to shake. She was in trouble. He was very charming. He had a way about him. She choked back the nervousness that was cracking in her voice. “Prince Est’it, it is a great pleasure to meet you. I had an itinerary planned, but my father has noted that you are already well versed in the layout of our lands. Perhaps there is something or somewhere you would like most to visit with me today?”

  Est’it grinned from ear to ear to reveal a mouth full of perfectly white teeth. They practically gleamed while he spoke. “My dear Isri, I had no idea that you would make such an offer. However, there is one place among all others available in this part of the world that I have always dreamed of visiting and studying. Ialo.”

  Isri’s stomach sank. Did he just mention Ialo? Was it not weird enough that she had some desire to go there herself this morning? Could things get any stranger on this day of days? But how could she refuse this enchanting person before her? Her mind sped to the future; a future of him. He was so intoxicating. Her lips moved before her mind was able to stop them. “I too would like to visit Ialo. As a matter of fact, I was going to do so later this week for my Raelisuir studies, but now is as good a time as any.”

  “Splendid. My entourage awaits our journey my princess. You will also have to tell me more about your Raelisuir studies.” Smoothly encouraged Est’it.

  Verse Two: Chapter 6

  EST’IT AND ISRI TRAVELED in a large covered caravan pulled by horses to the mountain town of Ialo. Ialo laid to the west of Cerynian. The legend says that Ila, once a village elder of Cerynian, disagreed with the Raelisuir in charge and moved away along with half of the village right before Lye-Ashe, patron goddess, arrived to save the village.

  Ialo and its inhabitants moved close to the mystical falls in an enclosed mountain area. They felt they were much protected and renounced all ties to any immortals. For a few years, they did well and even prospered a little, but then something horrible happened to the village and everyone died. No one really knows what happened, but the village was razed to the ground. To this day, heads still sit on pikes outside the decaying village walls as a warning to all that pass there.

  When Isri first laid eyes on the pikes she averted her gaze quickly. It was not that she was afraid, but she never really liked to see death and decay. Of course, that is odd for someone that has the ability to control the death and decay and bend it to their will.

  Est’it saw the look of pain in her eyes and immediately was concerned. He did not think that Isri would have a problem with the death and decay knowing what he did about her. “My lady, are you alright? Do you wish to turn around?”

  Isri didn’t want to ruin the day so she quickly gathered herself before she replied. “No, I am quite fine. I just did not expect the faces to be so twisted with pain. I may be able to control bones at times, but I am still human and hate to see human suffering. That is all. I will be fine.”

  In part, that was a lie, but Isri was so charmed by the prince that she wanted to continue with him even though her body screamed to turn around and run.

 
; Est’it motioned to his entourage that he saw the location that he wished to visit first. It was a sacred circle lined with stones. He found it rather odd that a people that had no immortal patrons would have need for a sacred circle. The glyphs were odd. He motioned for Isri to come over.

  “Have you ever seen a glyph like this Isri? Are you able to translate it?”

  Isri looked down. It was a very ancient form of Cerynian script. It was crude. Some of the writing had worn away, but it appeared to be a protection spell. “It appears to be a spell of protection or binding. It is rather odd in nature, but it looks as if someone was trying to bind their spirit here, but that it was broken before the spell was completed. You will have to forgive me Est’it, but my ancient Cerynian is not that good. This form is crude and probably was the first form of Cerynian written. It would go with the time period and the legends of the village split.”

  Isri and Est’it studied the circle some more while many of the prince’s mages wandered around cataloguing anything about the area that might show a source of power. Then Kal’ine came to the prince with a find.

  Kal’ine was one of the most senior mages in the service of Est’it. She was very vain and very beautiful. Her skin was a rich deep color and her eyes sparkled like jewels. She was well aware of the culture of Isri and what her supposed powers were. She was also to no one’s surprise in love with Est’it and had grand designs to be his wife. Unfortunately, Est’it did not return the love. He found Kal’ine to be rather pushy and crude, but he kept her around for her magical abilities, as she was a powerful mage. Naturally, Kal’ine did not like Isri or her powers. They were an aversion to the natural order of things.

  “My prince, I have found a burial ground to the north of here in a secluded cavern. From what I understand, Isri here has the ability to animate the dead. Would she not, in theory, be able to ask the dead why they died?” Kal’ine asked with a sly smile. She would discredit this trollop of a princess and get Est’it out of this damned village.

  Est’it paced back and forth. He would like to know what happened here for the sake of the history and magic in the land, but he did not want to put Isri on the spot. He did not want Kal’ine’s impetuousness to ruin the possibility that Isri would marry him.

  “Well, my princess, do you think your powers would allow you to do such a thing or is that out of the reach of your abilities? I do not want to put you in any danger. I hear sprits can be very angry.” Est’it gently suggested to Isri.

  Isri looked at Kal’ine. She immediately disliked this woman. She knew what she was up to. She was trying to discredit her and her heritage. Isri may not have wanted to be a Raelisuir, but it didn’t mean her powers were weak. She knew she was a very powerful Cerynian when she wanted to be. She looked back at Est’it.

  “Est’it, it would not be a problem for me to see if I could perform such a ritual. In theory if someone bound their spirit here it would be all the better. I will go to this cavern and see what I can find. I only ask that I am able to commune with the dead on my own in case something does go awry for this would be a new ritual for me.” The truth of the matter is that Isri didn’t want Kal’ine to see her magic at work.

  “Very well my Princess Isri. I only ask that you allow us to go to the cavern entrance so we can be nearby if something does go wrong.”

  “As you wish, my Prince Est’it,” Isri said with a sly smile as she bowed towards the entourage.

  Verse Two: Chapter 7

  ISRI TOOK A DEEP BREATH before entering the cave. She wondered what she would learn, if anything. Inside she found several burial mounds. One of the mounds was more prominent than the others and she was immediately drawn to it. She could barely make out the worn letters on the headstone. The stone was a sign of a village elder. It read I-L-A. Isri knew immediately that this was the legendary Ila that broke away from the Cerynians and chose a life without powers or immortals. She knew if she wanted the truth that this was the person to try to call forth. She began to chant out loud in a humming singing fashion.

  “Come to me Ila, leader of this damned village. Come to me in spirit or flesh. Come to me now and tell me of your woes. Tell me of your history.”

  Isri waited as she chanted. She secretly hoped that this would work. She was now curious to see if her strange dream had anything to do with this moment now. The ground began to shake and the headstone of Ila broke in half. In its place a beautiful young woman stood. She was neither flesh nor spirit. She was neither human nor immortal. Isri had no idea what she was.

  “Isri, I am so glad you came, granddaughter.” The strange creature spoke as she motioned to Isri to come closer.

  Isri was taken by surprise. “Granddaughter?” she murmured back.

  “Isri, I haven’t much time. I can only sustain this form for a little while, but there is so much I need to tell you. I need to prepare you for what lies ahead. I am Ila. I am sure you know that I founded this town when Hon’hin and I disagreed about needing a patron immortal. What you probably did not know was that he wanted to bring back the immortal Crythl to aid us against the Amazon raids. I say bring back because for a great many years Cerynian was free of immortals. We were a very strong village, but the Amazons kept coming for our young children to fill their ranks. Instead of fighting back or moving, some of the village decided to call for the Crythl, those that did not agree left.

  We traveled here and lived for many years in peace with nature. Our community was growing. We had returned to some of our more ancient ways. All was right with our world until Lye-Ashe appeared. She came to our village to see the progress. She offered her ‘services’ to our village and showed many of our people what Cerynian was like now that she was there ‘protecting’ it. We turned her down several times, but she was persistent. Finally, because she was scared of the possibility of our success getting out to Cerynian she came back and demanded that we swear our blood oath to her or die. None of us in this village wanted an immortal patron; that was the point of moving away from Cerynian. We never expected the Crythl to come here and bother us. We tried to just leave the area and find a new home even further away before Lye-Ashe returned, but she had bound our bodies and spirits here.

  The unfinished circle outside on the ground was my last attempt to remove the spell that Lye-Ashe placed on the people. I was able to bind myself to this land and release the others with what little magic I had available from our bond with nature. I, however, was not able to leave the area. Many of our people escaped and disappeared into the night. Others, the ones around me, chose to stay with me and fight. We did not win against the demon Lye-Ashe and her evil staff, Shultash. She would rest at nothing to keep her strangle hold on Cerynian and that included killing all of us.

  When I passed over to Nal’yera, I became an Akurowon. It is much like a Crythl, but our powers are those of nature and light. The earth gives us the powers upon passing over. I was able to understand and see things that were not transparent before. The whispering spirits told me of the evil Lye-Ashe was creating. They showed me that the blood oath Lye-Ashe made every person in the village swear before getting their powers was actually a ritual spell. The spell binds those and all descendants forever to the staff Shultash. Instead of crossing over to Nal’yera, the souls of those bound go into the staff and give Lye-Ashe even more power. This way, even if she were abandoned, she would still be able to keep her powers and those that she swore to protect. Her supply of magic would not be based on living souls that could forsake her. In my passing, I learned that Lye-Ashe was not even a Crythl. Instead, she was a Narkurru. She stole the powers of the true Crythl after they were banished from Nal’yera. She took on the history of our people and has been using that to her advantage ever since. She even supplied Cerynian with gold and made it a place of tourism and rich trade so she could export the blood oath into distant lands. This way she would be able to have a never-ending supply of souls. Any descendant of someone that had taken the allegiance pledge would be bound to Lye-Ashe.”<
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  “So, my soul is bound to the immortal goddess Lye-Ashe of no choice of my own?” Isri questioned Ila.

  “No, child. That is why I needed you to come here to this sacred ground so I could tell you the truth. You are the daughter of Aesurnu. Aesurnu was a newborn infant taken from her mother Iristi by Lye-Ashe. Aesurnu was given powers that same day without any blood oath; a fatal mistake of Lye-Ashe. Although her adoptive mother, Eunara took the blood oath, Lye-Ashe didn’t think about the fact that Eunara was not the blood mother of Aesurnu. You see, Iristi was one of my daughters taken by the Amazonian raids. Isri, you are my great-granddaughter and you are not bound to Lye-Ashe. Neither of your parents is from a blood line that has sworn allegiance to her. You do, however, have the ability to use the powers Lye-Ashe gave your family. It is only you that can become a Chreuthecal with a will that can steal the staff, Shultash, back to this realm to break it open and destroy the blood oath.”

  “What you propose is madness. Sheer madness! Even if this were something I could or would do, if my family is not affected then why would I bother to go to great lengths to save the souls of those I do not know? Why should I not just go on and marry some handsome prince and run away with him?”

  “Simple, do you want your children’s souls trapped in the staff?”

  “No, but how can they be if I am going to marry a foreigner?”

  “Because Est’it is of Cerynian lineage and his mother was bound to Lye-Ashe. You are destined to marry Est’it, but if you do not destroy the staff your children will be doomed as will all that follow. You will allow this evil demon to continue to feed off all the dead souls until eventually all human souls go to Lye-Ashe and she becomes a true goddess with the power to destroy those on earth at will. What say you Isri of Cerynian? Will you save your children? Will you save your people?”