The Blood Witch Chronicles

by L. A. Stinnett

  U'ka forced herself awake to free herself from the nightmare, breathing hard, the sheets were covered in sweat. This portent would keep haunting her until she did something. Getting out of bed, she pulled an item from her saddlebag, a relic from the war. A collar, ancient and powerful, forged in the Daemon realm from Salvar, a very rare metal. It was broken into two pieces. Teek didn’t want her to keep them, but she felt they’d be useful one day. Now was that time. She needed a blacksmith.

  Making her way through the village, she found Shayne in the market square. The girl waved when she saw U'ka approaching her.

  "Thank you for intervening today," said Shayne.

  "Lahm said I had no choice but to go with Thallos."

  "He and I had a little talk. Nothing like that

  should ever happen again. If it does, tell Lilli or one of the other Green Jyll's and they’ll let Teek and I know."

  "I will. Again, thank you."

  "One last thing. Where is your blacksmith located?"

  "I can show you his work shed. We lost our Master Smith during the war, but I can fetch his apprentice for you."

  "That would be great. Lead on," said U'ka as she walked with Shayne through the village streets. The sun finally broke through the overcast sky. People seemed to be getting on with their day now that the threat was gone.

  Shayne stopped at a small grey shed. Opening the door with a loud creak, she motioned U'ka inside. A light layer of dust covered everything, but the workshop seemed intact. All the tools hung neatly on the wall. Shayne pulled back dirty canvas curtains from the window to illuminate the workspace.

  "Thank you, Shayne."

  She nodded and left to fetch the apprentice. A few moments later a young man with emerald green eyes and red hair pulled back into a ponytail came in.

  "I'm Marti. Shayne said you needed a smith?"

  U'ka held out the metal to him. "I need these two pieces fashioned into wrist cuffs. Is it something you can handle?"

  He examined the metal before nodding. "Cuffs I can handle. I'd just begun my apprenticeship when the war broke out, so I can't make anything too fancy."

  "This is a special kind of metal. It's going to need a higher temperature than you normally use. See these symbols?" U'ka said, pointing to the pieces. "I need them completely obliterated from the surface."

  "Will do. It'll be good to get some practice working metal again. I've mostly been working in the fields helping with the harvest."

  She went to the well-worn stone forge where the firestones were lined up neatly inside. Touching the heart stone, she pushed a different kind of fire magic into the black stone before she uttered Calor! to invoke it. The blaze rune on the heart stone glowed a bright green that quickly spread through the other firestones.

  U'ka pulled her hand from the already intense heat, hoping the forge could handle the higher temperatures. It didn't take long for the firestones to reach a greenish-white hue, with the higher temperature needed to heat the Salvar collar pieces into a workable state. The green fire burned Daemon magic out of metal. Once the cuffs were complete, she could then infuse the metal with her magic for its new purpose.

  "I'll get started, should take me a couple of hours," said Marti.

  "Great. I'll check back later. Is there any parchment here I can use?"

  "Check the long drawer near the bottom. I think there may be some paper in there," Marti said, placing the metal into the forge with a long pair of tongs.

  U'ka searched through the drawer until she found a few sheets of faded parchment. "Thank you. I'll see you later."

  Out in the bright sun, she shaded her eyes, looking up at the Sanctum carved into the cliffside. This was her next destination.

  In the underground chamber, she took out paper and charcoal stylus to sketch out all the unique runes she could find. The Obsidian Keep contained an extensive repository of ancient books and she hoped to find some answers there if she survived the confrontation with Thallos' Master. Her dream of the dark warrior still haunted her. Would he be waiting there for her?

  Hearing footsteps and heavy breathing, she emerged from one of the side chambers to see Lahm leaning heavily against the wall.

  He looked up when she approached. "Now I remember why we stopped coming up here."

  "Yes. It is a bit of a climb," said U'ka. "What are you doing up here?"

  "I saw you come up here, so I followed. This chamber looks like the one at Lonely Hilltop. I did not know this was even here. Do all the Sanctums have these chambers?"

  "I've only been in two so far, but they're both very similar, as you can see. Your people could have hidden here, if you knew about it."

  "Indeed. We lost many people when we fled the village during the Daemon attack. What are you doing down here?"

  "I'm copying these runes. I've never seen these kinds of symbols before. It's unlike anything used by any of our ancestors."

  "You think they are important?"

  "My instincts are telling me there's something important about them and my instincts are usually right about these things."

  U'ka helped Lahm to a stone bench in the middle of the room. "Rest here. I have one other side chamber to check for any new runes. Then I'll help you down the cliff stairs.

  "Of course," said Lahm, resting his crutches against the bench.

  She headed into the dimly lit chamber but only found a few more symbols to add to her sketches. After copying all the unique symbols, U'ka rolled up the parchment, stuffed it in her cloak pocket, and went to where Lahm waited. She decided not to tell him she’d possibly be confronting a Daemon Lord, afraid he'd panic and close off the village. They needed to be more involved with rebuilding Eleanthra. Hiding behind their walls wasn't doing them any good.

  "Tomorrow, Teek and I will be taking the Green Ways to the Obsidian Keep. Thallos' Master resides there. We're going to take him out for good, so your village won't be attacked again. I expect you to keep watch over Bud and Daisy while we are gone."

  "It is the least we can do after all you have done for us," said Lahm, reaching out a hand for U'ka to help him to his feet.

  Exiting the Sanctum into the chill early evening air, U’ka saw a boat sailing towards a stone jetty. Rough waves slammed against the rocks, sending heavy spray up into the air.

  "What's going on there?"

  "Judgement rock. Thallos will be chained up there to await the Storm God's justice."

  She nodded and let Lahm put his arm on her shoulder while they made their way down the long series of cliff stairs, thanking her for the help before they parted.

  At the blacksmith's shed, she opened the door to a wave of heat escaping into the cool evening air. Marti dipped a horseshoe into the quench bucket, his body covered in a thick sweat from the intense heat of the forge.

  "The cuffs are on the table there. I made a few horseshoes for the mares working in the fields since the forge was going."

  U'ka picked up the cuffs to examine them. They were a little crude, but she felt they’d work just fine when she laid her spell into them for their new purpose. "Thank you for these, Marti."

  "I'm just about done here. How do you deactivate these firestones?"

  She picked up a pair of tongs to tap the heart stone. "Frigus!"

  "Thanks," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

  "The next time you light the firestones, they'll be back to their normal intensity. May I borrow a couple of tools? I have some finishing touches I need to make on the cuffs."

  "Take what you need."

  U’ka returned to her hut, pleased to find a food tray and clean clothes. After eating, she changed into the simple britches and tunic. She grabbed the cuffs and engraving tools from the smith's workroom to begin the next phase of her work.

  With the cuffs laid on the table, she set an immobility spell to hold them in place. Using her stylus, she drew out a symbol on the metal, then picked up a fine-tipped chisel and a small hammer to carefully carve the magic symbol into the metal;
finding the rhythmic tapping to be very soothing.

  U'ka chiseled out the last few lines of the symbol and sat back to look over her handiwork. It was far from the quality the Citadel Master metalsmiths used to create, but it would do the job. She then carved a small version of her personal symbol and Teek's mark near the opening of the cuffs, so only they could remove them.

  U’ka placed her finger on the main symbol, pressing her spell into the metal. It flashed a bright yellow as the magic settled in. Now to test it. She slid the cuff on her wrist. Immediately it tightened, severing the connection to her magic. She tried using her magic to fling a cup off the table. It did not even waver. Then she pulled at the cuff off, but it wouldn't budge. It felt sealed to her skin. The cuffs released when she touched her personal symbol. Now that she knew it worked, she began the same process with the other cuff.

  U'ka finally finished in the late evening and stuffed the completed cuffs back in a canvas bag near her sword belt, then stretched out her tired muscles from the long day's work. She picked up a glass of ale, gulping it down. The alcohol made her more sleepy than she already was, so she stripped down and climbed into bed, asleep before her eyes fully closed. She slept for many hours in blissful, dreamless exhaustion. A loud crackling boom rumbled through the loft, startling her awake. Fierce, howling wind drove pounding rain down on the hut's thatched rooftop. A flash of lightning and another thunderclap rolled through the room. It seemed the God of Storms had passed his judgment on Thallas. She rolled over and pulled a pillow over her head, drifting back into sleep to the symphony of the raging storm thundering outside.

  9

  Killing Innocence

  A knock at the door woke U’ka. She rolled over to see Shayne coming in with the morning meal.

  "Is there anything else you need?"

  "No. Just wish me luck."

  "Good luck. Are you sure you need to do this? Thallas is dead."

  "But his master still lives. If I don't take him out, you and your village will still be in danger."

  "I don't want anything bad to happen to you," said Shayne, looking down at the floor.

  U’ka threw back the covers, climbed down the ladder and put her arms around Shayne, giving her a big hug.

  "Me neither. Teek's got my back. We should be fine," said U'ka, trying to reassure herself as much as Shayne.

  "The children still need tending to. Is it okay if I treat them while you are gone? I've been studying the book. I know what medicines to use," Shayne said, looking hopeful.

  U'ka smiled. "Go for it. If there is something you don't know how to treat, have them come to see me when I get back."

  "Thank you. I'll see you when you return."

  Shayne left with a satisfied look. Happy the young woman took such initiative, U’ka quickly finished her breakfast and got dressed in her battle leathers. She checked her blades before re-sheathing them and attached the cuffs to her sword belt, taking a moment to close her eyes to center herself. This could be her most intense fight since the war ended. Unable to put things off any longer, she made her way to the village entrance where she found Teek with his arm around Lilli.

  "Ready when you are."

  Teek touched Lilli's face saying his unspoken goodbye before they reluctantly parted. U'ka gave her a reassuring nod. He walked ahead into the green field; she quickened her steps over the muddy ground to catch up. Turning to look back at Forlorn, it faded away as they were pulled through the Green Ways. She closed her eyes before the swirling verdant colors made her sick.

  The feeling of motion stopped. A noxious odor slammed into her nostrils, causing her stomach to heave. U’ka opened her eyes and took a few steps back away from the stench. The Dead Lands replaced the once lush forest reserve surrounding the Obsidian Keep. The formerly polished black blocks of the Keep were now dull and pitted. Thick dead vines clung to the faded walls. It's dark spires stabbed at the grey clouds shrouding the ancient building.

  Once beautiful trees were now nothing but black, twisted skeletons. Nothing grew here. The streams winding their way through the preserve ran dark with toxic sludge. Everything was eerily silent.

  All animal life abandoned these dead lands. U'ka took a cautious step forward, the foul air caused her to start choking uncontrollably. Teek pulled her back to fresher air. Behind them, a caw, caw, caw sounded in the distance where the forest was untouched by the death surrounding the Keep. She turned to see a flash of red feathers through the thick tree canopy before the bird disappeared completely. Another Red Raven sighting, another omen of bad things to come. Just what she needed.

  "The Keep is too far away. I'm never going to make it through that," she said, breathing heavily.

  Teek turned, holding his arm outstretched before him. The air shimmered as Ivy and her Green Folk emerged from the Green Ways. The Green Lady sucked in a breath as she took in the grim scene before her.

  "It is much worse than the last time we were here. The filth is spreading. You need to kill the evil inside the Keep before it sucks all the life from this land," said Ivy, a deep scowl appeared on her forehead.

  U'ka pointed at the thick, hazy cloud surrounding the Keep. "I can't get through, The air is poison. I'll be dead after a few steps."

  Ivy faced Teek in silent communication. U’ka hoped they had a solution because she had none. At the edge of the Dead Lands, they placed their hands on the ground.

  "We will create a green tunnel for you to pass through. It won't last long. When I say run, go as fast as you can. Don't stop until you are inside the Keep."

  U’ka nodded and readied herself to run with all her might. She felt a surge of power as plants burst from the soil, creating a tunnel, pushing forward towards the Keep.

  "Run now!" Yelled Ivy.

  U’ka leaped forward, feet hammering the ground hard as she ran with all her might towards the entrance. The tunnel quickly dissolved behind her. Pushing herself forward, she leapt up the stairs just ahead of the quickly disappearing tunnel, bursting through the wooden doors of the Keep.

  She gasped for breath and looked around the long dark hall. The paintings and tapestries adorning the once regal hall were torn to shreds. Sensing she wasn't alone, six shadowy figures emerged from the dark. The Black Guardsmen drew their swords in unison. U'ka drew her blades, readying herself for the fight.

  Outside, Teek ran towards the Keep, patches of green grass formed under his feet with each step, then faded away. He heard the sound of clashing swords and screaming. Bursting through the door with a mighty roar, he was ready for battle, but the fight was already won. Six dead guards lay on the floor. U’ka knelt to wipe her dirks clean of blood on one of the guard's black surcoat. Teek pointed at the guards with a questioning look.

  "No. None of these men is the dark warrior from my dreams. He’s a magic user. These men were just standard swordsmen."

  Together they made their way cautiously down the darkened hallway to the grand meeting hall. Upturned furniture lay everywhere. A few large candles lit the room here and there, long trails of melted wax ran down to the floor. When they got closer, she felt the air begin to chill. U’ka was unprepared for what she saw there. On a dais near the front of the hall, a shaft of light illuminated a young child sitting atop a throne of bloody bones. A scowl filled her face; eyes closed in deep concentration. Her body shook in fits.

  A couple of large braziers lit up the darkened hall. Broken tables and chairs lay scattered all around. U'ka stepped forward, the floor creaked under her weight. The young girl's eyes popped open, glowing a dark red color. The poor child was Daemon held. The skin on her protruding ribs and collar-bone were stretched thin. Dark veins showed prominently on her deathly pale arms. The emaciated girl struggled for every shuddering breath she took. The Daemon inside her burning up her life force, using all its power to keep the girl's body alive.

  U'ka now understood why it wanted Shayne. The Daemon needed a new host body. The dark spirit ravaged the girl's body. She wasn't going to last muc
h longer.

  "Where's my giant?" she demanded in a low growl. "Are you my tribute?"

  "Thallas is dead," said U'ka. "My soul is kept by another. You cannot have it."

  "Then you are of no use to me. I will add your bones to my beautiful throne," she said before going into a coughing fit, tiny droplets of blood sprayed everywhere.

  U'ka didn’t want to kill the girl. Looking at Teek, she knew he felt the same way. The Green Folk didn't always care for humans, but they were protective of children and did what they could to keep them from harm.

  With blood dribbling down her chin, the girl pushed herself to her feet, raising glowing red hands above her head. The girl tried to draw more power from the areas surrounding the Dead Lands. U’ka felt another power rise in response. Ivy and the Green Folk pushed back, fighting to keep the Daemon's rot on the land from spreading. She screamed in frustration. Her breathing heavy and ragged, sweat beading on her forehead. The child's life force was quickly fading.

  Raising her hands again, the girl's power tightening around U’ka, threatening to squeeze the air from her lungs. She dropped to her knees from the weight of the girl's power, skin burning from the Daemon magic washing over her. She was desperate to devour U'ka's energy for herself.

  Her vision started to fade. No! It cannot end here. Not like this.

  Teek's vines shot out, wrapping around the girl's torso, she screamed again in frustration before burning the vines away. It was the reprieve U'ka needed. She gathered up her will, pushing back with her magic, throwing the girl's dark power back at her.

  The girl stumbled back against the throne of bloody bones, grabbing her head, mouth open in a silent scream. Blood poured out of her ears. Now was the time to strike. U’ka pulled the cuffs from the bag and used her magic to fling them across the room at the girl. The cuffs slammed onto her bony wrists, sending her tumbling over the back of the throne. U'ka got shakily to her feet, grunting at the pain in her chest. She didn't think any ribs were broken, but they were definitely bruised.