by J M Bingham
The locket was rusted shut, Wilfred using all his strength to break it open, with all the sheer force he could muster. Finally the old locket budged, flying out of Wilfred's hands and back onto the ground. Slowly sinking into the mud, Wilfred grabbed the locket before it disappeared into the soft ground. Two faces inside the locket peered at them, their expressions sad, their large black eyes looked almost alien to the young man. Wilfred had heard of the people that had lived in the valley before Darkwood had been built, strange they were. They had come from a land far away, a land that was hot, and full... of olives.
The young man put the locket in his cloak pocket and continued onward. As Wilfred went through a dense grove of trees, he came to a crumbling building, pillars standing upright, and some lying on the ground covered in green vines.
“What in blazes?” Wilfred whispered to himself.
The grove was littered with rusted bronze armor and helmets, skeletons lying all over the ground. Wilfred cringed at the sight. A place like this was bad luck. Through the fog, Wilfred could see eyes peeking at him through the dense clouds. Eyes that he recognized. Ghosts appeared out of the fog, moaning and groaning, their eyes glazed over. Wilfred slowly backed away fearful that they were the same type of ghosts like the two wretches he had encountered before.
The spirits of the dead seemed to not even notice Wilfred, passing through him or by him. There were men, woman and children, dressed in strange clothing, long white sheets, and some with golden jewelry, the men hardly wore anything but a bed sheet from what it looked like to Wilfred.
“Ex ex, excuse me” stammered Wilfred to one ghost. A fat man carrying a large pot under his pudgy arm. “Have you seen a girl by chance?
The ghost looked over at Wilfred with a smug grin on his face.
“Not a unless she is a new.... “ laughed the fat man, his neck jiggling, taking a drink from the large pot he was carrying the purple liquid running right through him onto the ground.
'New?” Questioned Wilfred.
The man laughed again taking another swig of his wine.
“Si, this a here, is the land of the dead .” “If she is a still alive... you won't a find her here
i'ma fraid”
Wilfred mouthed the words of the strange ghost. This was nothing like he had heard from the old monk that taught at the village church. The ghost had long past Wilfred, running up quickly to join the others. Wilfred not noticing a dark figure behind him.
“Who... are you?” Hissed the figure in a cold voice.
Wilfred turned around to see a man in a dark robe, with a lighter robe over one shoulder, his eyes as black as night.
“I”m uh, Wilfred” , stammered the young man.” “I'm looking for... a friend of mine, you may know her sir.... her name is... Eleanor.”
The strange man smiled wickedly.
“Yes, I may know her... said the dark man in the same cold voice... “ she is plain no?.”
Wilfred became confused.
“No sir... very beautiful.. with long brown locks and a fair face. “
The man started to laugh.
“You boy, are very confused, for you see... the girl that I am thinking of... well, she's no Venus.”
Wilfred became angry.
“Do you know her or not sir?”
The dark man's face changed.
“The girl you seek my friend will be difficult to find, she is... between worlds.”
The god of the underworld noticed Wilfred's confusion.
“She is not fully dead boy” explained the ghost.” “She is under a curse.” “An eternal one at that.”
“How do I find her?” , questioned Wilfred.
The god of the underworld smiled wickedly.
“That my friend, I cannot tell you... without payment.”
Wilfred rolled his eyes.
“Here” , replied Wilfred, holding out a few coins and the silver locket.
Pluto the god of the underworld shook his head.
“I”m afraid... not that kind of payment boy.”
“Then what do you want?.” Huffed Wilfred.
Pluto cackled maniacally. His stately Roman nose bobbing up and down.
“The payment I seek... is well.. different than what you are used to.” “It is the old way.”
Pluto eyed the boy like he was some type of fresh meat a hungry dog would enjoy.
“In order to get to where you desire to go replied the dark God, you must be … well... be dead.”
Wilfred's face turned pale.
“Give me your soul for one day, and in exchange, you must bring me a certain trinket that
I have lost.” “A powerful talisman of sorts.”
Wilfred gulped.
“And what does... this talisman look like?” Answered Wilfred quietly.
“It belongs to a certain myriad maid. A necklace of pure gold with a amethyst jewel engraved inside. “ “Bring me the necklace once you have found the one you have lost, and I... shall return your soul.”
Wilfred thought very hard and long, doting between the consequence of remaining here in the land of the dead forever or... possibly finding Eleanor.
“The clock is ticking boy” hissed Pluto... “ “What is your answer?.”
“I shall... do it” gulped Wilfred. “
Pluto cackled loudly, his long bony fingers pointing towards Wilfred slowly pulling his inner self away from him like a piece of gum to a shoe. Like a magnet, the white being emerged, Pluto quickly forming the white light into a ball and stuffing it into his toga pocket.
Wilfred felt faintly, almost falling to the ground.
“Good luck” cackled Pluto, disappearing into the fog. “You're going... to need it...”
Wilfred looked towards the fog where the spirits had emerged before. Gaining his balance, he walked through the fog, hoping that he hadn't just made the worst mistake of his life.
ｲ
Twelve woman each skin as dark blue as the night sky, chanted in low voices around the temple of the mother goddess. Given strict instructions to guard the prisoner with their life, or it would mean a terrible curse, worse than the one already wrought upon them. A swift breeze fluttered the sparse grass growing out of the ancient stone floor. A woman in a black coat gracefully got off her broom. Pulling off her hood, her thick black curls bounced as they fell down her back.
The chanting stopped abruptly, the women cowered in fear.
“ Why is it, that I call upon the most powerful witches in the ancient world to my beck and call, and you cannot follow one... simple instruction!!!!.”
The twelve women stood in silence, their knees buckling.
“I want you.... to keep … the boy away!!! is that clear?, you know the penalty if you fail... “ “Do not!.... let me down.”
The witch swiftly turned around, getting on her broom, and as fast as she appeared, she flew into the foggy sky.
One woman, the tallest out of all, stepped forward, pulling off her hood, to reveal a pale beautiful woman with cherry red lips, and stunning green eyes.
“Make ready... the boy... is almost here.”
ｱ
The two winged ogres spotted the man floundering through the fog first. Licking their greedy lips, they flew silently through the dense fog being stopped abruptly, by a large scaley hand grabbing both of the flying creatures and shoving them into the monster's giant steamy mouth. Wilfred looked around at the sound, seeing nothing, but gray smoky mist about him. The creature, waiting ever so patiently for the human to stumble into it's mouth, let off a sweet aroma to lure the man to him a little easier.
Wilfred in a daze smelled the intoxicating scent and moved closer and closer to the dark abyss that belonged to the Goryn. Before Wilfred knew it, his right foot was not on the ground anymore. Fumbling forward, it was too late, as he saw the dark steamy mouth in front of him, with razor sharp teeth the size of a large horse, ready to chew him to bits. Wilfred closed his eyes, and prepared himself for the horrible doom tha
t awaited him, being grabbed at the last minute and pulled back on the wet muddy ground.
“You were almost a goner there son.” replied a voice happily.
A man in green tights, and a dark cloak, his long brown hair and beard shaggy. His blue eyes kind. Helping Wilfred to his feet, the stranger led Wilfred out of fog. A sharp whiny cry was heard in the distance.
“We , uh, better be off” said the stranger, “the Dorrygn doesn't let go of dinner that easily I'm afraid”
A loud sucking noise came from the middle of the fog. The Dorrygn emerged, it's dark outline bigger than anything Wilfred had ever seen. The stranger ran further into the fog, Wilfred losing him quickly. A wet feeling came over Wilfred, the young man feeling a slimy, tentacle pulling him back into the dark abyss.
Screaming out for help, Wilfred tried to grasp anything from tree branchs, roots, and dirt, but it was no use. Suddenly with a loud swipe, the Dorrygn screeched in pain, letting go of Willfred's leg and disappearing into the fog.
“Well, that was a close one was it not?” Replied the stranger with an awkward smile.
Wilfred gave the man a dirty look.
“Yes, a close one.”
“I'm Rollo by the way the stranger said extending his hand.
Wilfred shook Rollo's hand, his strong grip hurting his fingers.
“What are you doing out here boy?” Replied Rollo, “You have a wish of death?.”
The other man looked down.
“I... lost someone... very special in my heart.”
Rollo smiled a little.
“Ah... love is it? “ “Tricky thing love.... well, let us go... we shan't be out before nightfall.”
Chapter 15
As Wilfred followed Rollo deeper into the woods, he wondered how a man like Rollo had happened upon the land of the dead. Was it coincidence that he and the stranger had met? The young man shook his head.
“Rollo? Wilfred asked. “ How did... you end up here, in these woods?
Rollo smiled again, his features seeming different.
“Well that.. is a funny story indeed..” “ you see... I well... can't even remember.”
Wilfred gave the stranger a funny look.
“I know... a little strange one would think replied Rollo.” It went like this... one day I was hunting in the forest, and there she was, the most beautiful creature you had ever seen, a beautiful water nymph with eyes of gold. “ Before I could catch her, a strange noise shook the ground and then all this rubbish.”
Rollo suddenly stopped Wilfred in his tracks. Looking around as if to see if it was safe, Rollo led Wilfred through a thick set of trees, covered in thick bristles and thorns. As both men came into a abandoned building made of gray ancient stone, Wilfred found himself thrown harshly to the hard stone floor.
Looking up, and finding his hands tied behind his back, Wilfred looked up at the stranger he had so willingly trusted. Rollo's cackled loudly, his face pale white, his eyes dark black, his ears grown pointy and larger in size.
“Ah, finally!” hissed a voice emerging from twelve hooded figures. Wilfred recognized the voice immediately.
“You see mummy!” shrieked Rollo in a high voice, “I told you I could do it.... I told you!!!.”
Hortensia glared at her son, Rollo immediately silent his head down in shame. The witch walked gracefully over to Wilfred lifting up his chin, seeing his hurt and angry eyes staring back at her.
“Don't take it too hard pet” smiled the witch. “ it will all.. be over soon.”
One of the twelve women standing on the stone altar, stepped forward pulling her hood off.
“What is to become of the boy Hortensia?” said the woman in a soft voice. “ we will not hurt an innocent. “
Hortensia curled her lip in anger.
“I believe our deal was my dear, if … I remember right, that you will gain your freedom if.. you destroyed the last thing that gave the girl happiness... am I correct?.”
The woman's face changed, her bright green eyes looking sad. Slowly, she returned to stand next to the other silent figures beside her.
“That's a good dear” cackled the witch tossing her hair. “Now... let us begin..”
Wilfred knelt silently, contemplating his last moments with fear. A sudden warmth filled Wilfred's chest. Remembering the orb the strange woman had given him, Wilfred started to have hope. A soft voice, barely audible whispered in the boy's ear.
“Light and dark have become one... “
Wilfred eyebrows narrowed, not understanding the strange voice.
“Find the light.... that is within …” came the voice again.
Lifting his head, Wilfred smiled, the witch noticing the boy's expression and glared back.
“What in the world could you be happy about boy?” Cackled the witch.
“No matter” continued Hortensia, her hand glowing black, a mist rising out of her hands.
“Eleanor... ?” whispered Wilfred, warm tears streaming down his cheeks, “please, come back to me.”
Hortensia's frame quivered, her eyes rolling back in her head, light starting to emanate from her frame. Slowly the witch transformed into Eleanor, her figure shrinking, and her thin face becoming round.
“It is time for you to move on Wilfred?” replied Eleanor, her voice echoing. “
Go... before it is too late.”
Wilfred shook his head, using all his strength to break the ropes that held his hands. Running to
Eleanor, he held her tightly in his strong arms.
“I love you Eleanor” whispered Wilfred... “ Please, don't leave me again....”
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
“You love Anne.. not me Wilfred!” the princess replied sadly, “ she is far prettier than I... and she...will make you happy...” “It is too late for me.”
The witch's features soon began to pop back into place, quickly replacing Eleanor.
“Enough!!!” barked the witch, grabbing Wilfred by the throat, her eyes growing bright red.
Wilfred could feel the burning of the witch's power emanating from her hand. Hortensia shrieked at the twelve Veera, to join her. Each of the twelve women started to float in the air, every one pointing one dainty finger at Wilfred, their power growing into a electric ball of light. Wilfred braced himself, the witch's cackling and the low chanting ringing in his ears.
Knowing his life and his future life with Eleanor was at stake, Wilfred made one final attempt at the pure heart inside the dark force of the witch of the wood. Holding Hortensia's free hand, the gesture made Hortensia drop Wilfred to the floor, the witch in shock. Wilfred smiled and pulled Hortensia close giving her the most heartfelt kiss he could muster. The witch tried to pull away, but it was too late. The spell, was finally broken.
