A Land in Shadow

by Daniel Whitman

  “It’s the Captain,” Ro breathed with disbelief.

  Ro could only imagine how he had found them. Noticing the Captain’s arrival, the other companions turned to regard him, their gaze wary. Nalgene snorted with disgust, and Andromeda seemed to wither away, isolating herself into the safety of her thoughts. But Fasto and SmibSmob were less guarded, even going as far as to give a courteous wave.

  “Good to see a fellow Spark still burning bright,” he hailed, extinguishing the torch. He was worn and ragged. But protecting his vulnerability was an iron shell of defense that had not been present before. Ro studied the Captain for a moment, and he could hardly believe it was the same man who had been accused of being a traitor. Even Andromeda seemed to gaze upon the man with a new light.

  “Well, will ye look at that,” Nalgene snarled at Captain Osann, spitting on the ground with contempt. “The bloody traitor has returned. Ye be here to grovel at our feet, cryin' about yer blasted family? Or perhaps ye be here to give us to the bloody Shadow?”

  The gnome quieted as the Captain fixed him with a cool stare. No longer did Captain Osann wither under the relentless beating of the gnome. No longer did his resolve crumble at the taunts and accusations cast his way. He stood firm against the oncoming surge. The Captain’s eyes swirled with an inner grief, but he remained steadfast.

  “My family is dead.”

  Nalgene flinched, and a gasp escaped Ro’s lips.

  His mind was thrown back to days past, to when the Captain had pleaded with them for the sake of his family, begging them to understand. But his cried had fallen upon deaf ears. Ro’s stomach twisted, and a vile taste filled his mouth.

  Glancing around, he saw the others had similar reactions. Tears were welling in Fasto’s eyes, and the orc moved to give the Captain a soothing hug, but he froze after the Captain locked his stare upon him. SmibSmob’s face was drawn and pale. He had removed his pointed hat from his head, and was meaninglessly studying it, silent. Andromeda studied the Captain, her expression swimming with thought. Even Nalgene seemed taken aback, all previous hatred for the Captain fleeing his thoughts in grief.

  “Eh … well, ye,” Nalgene stammered, casting a mournful glance at his brother. SmibSmob did not meet his gaze. His rough voice grew silent. “Durned Osann …”

  “How did you find us?” Andromeda jumped in; her voice soft. She strode over to Captain Osann, her delicate figure seeming to glide across the land, and held him pinned with her gaze. The Captain had no answer, and he did not meet her eyes.

  “Mmmm, indeed,” she said slowly, and gestured to Margaret. “And what can you tell us of this?”

  Captain Osann’s eyes widened with shock, and he rushed over to the fallen bodies, mumbling to himself.

  “She has a hand print across the back of her neck,” Ro said, moving up to stand next to the Captain. “And this man has one splayed across his face.”

  He shuddered at the sight of the blistering seal, but he kept his gaze locked upon Margaret.

  I have to avenge her.

  Captain Osann nodded, brushing Margaret’s hair away from her neck. After a moment, he set her gently upon the ground, and moved to the fallen man. He kneeled upon the ground and placed his hand across the center of his chest.

  “May your Spark join the everlasting Light,” he mumbled, his eyes closed, “and pierce the ever-longing Shadow.”

  The Captain opened his eyes, his expression stoic, and he reached into his pouch, pulling out the symbol of the burning cross. Laying it upon his fallen companion’s chest, a dull flame burst to life upon the token, flickering for a heartbeat before forever dying away, leaving only a single, orange spark rising into the heavens like a solitary star.

  “What in the bloody hell?” Nalgene started, but he trailed off as the Captain rose.

  “She has been branded by a Toucher,” Captain Osann said. “Feared among the Flame, Touchers are dreadful creatures with the ability to brand that which they touch, casting their enemy into a death-like stasis.” The Captain bent down, and gently picked up Margaret, laying her across his arms. “Worry not, she will wake soon enough.”

  Ro felt a tide of relief wash over his body. Margaret was alive! With that realization, all his weariness from the battle surged over him. His broken hand raged with agony, and his crushed ribs seared with pain. A black haze settled over his mind, and his body grew weary and weak. He felt himself fallen back upon the ground, felt himself crash into the cold earth. He did not care.

  She’s alive …

  A rush of cool water enveloped him, and immediately his clarity returned. His shattered ribs formed back into place, and his broken hand mended itself, restringing tendons and muscle into a devastating claw. A gasp escaped his lips, but as quickly as it had come, the soothing flow of water was gone. Ro opened his eyes, only to find the scowling face of Nalgene hovering above it.

  “Durned dragon,” the gnome growled.

  Shaking his head, Ro rose to his feet. The other companions had already prepared themselves to continue their journey. Fasto now carried Margaret with the utmost care, and SmibSmob stood beside him, merrily eating a steaming loaf of bread. Nalgene glared at his brother. A soft brush of fur caressed Ro’s back, and he turned to find Andromeda holding his lost weapons. Even after the vile gore of the battle, his two swords and shield still shone bright, unblemished by the taint of the Shadow.

  “Thank you,” he stammered at Andromeda, but she turned and walked to the Captain. Sighing, Ro studied his weapons for a moment, turning them about in his hands. His greatsword seemed lighter, yet stronger, as if his devastating blast of lightning had tempered it into an invincible steel. Ro smiled.

  “Alright, Osann. Where do ye be takin' us?” Nalgene grunted. His voice was hesitant, and he looked down at his rough hands, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.

  The Captain glanced around at them, giving each of them a reassuring nod. “By my oath to the Flame, follow me, my friends.”

  Captain Osann led the companions back to the west, traveling along the dusty road they had ventured forth on, his flickering torch shining out like a guiding beacon. The swirling fog had disappeared, but the pale sun was quickly descending to the horizon, its cold light already fading from the land. As the reaches of light succumbed to the darkness, the companions found themselves upon the fork in the road and they rested for night. This time the Captain remained present, keeping watch through the unforgiving night.

  The Captain awoke them at the first light of dawn, urging them to make haste. He led them steadily west, choosing the southern road at the fork, and pushing onward through the barren lands. There was no sign of life, and still Margaret lay lifeless. As they marched, the two great lakes glittered to the north and south, stretching out far into the horizon. As their second day of travel came to an end the companions wandered into another ruined village on the coast of the southern lake. The small port town lay in shambles, unrecognizable buildings dotting the forsaken grounds. Fallen trees of an inky black reached up into the dark sky, threatening to tear the very heavens down. Ro eyed the fallen village in dismay.

  So many deaths …

  What truly frightened him was how unfazed he was by the sight of the ruins. They had become commonplace.

  He shuddered at the thought of how far the Shadow’s reach had stretched across the withered lands.

  The companions settled among the ruins for the night. Ro stared up at the starless sky, his mind wandering through his memories. Something seemed absent from the black void, but he could not place it. Kraalek’s voice echoed in the back of his mind.

  Fall of the Moon?

  He could only imagine.

  Ro’s thoughts were interrupted by a gentle cough, and the cheerful cries of Fasto. Margaret had returned. He rushed to his feet, searching for his awakened companion.

  He found her surrounded by Fasto and SmibSmob, each holding a shining torch against the darkness. They leaned in close and were bombarding her with a barrage of question
s. A smile beaming on his face, Ro sprinted over to join them. Noticing the commotion, Nalgene was quick to follow.

  Margaret was weary with exhaustion, yet her eyes sparkled with life. The blistering of the brand across her neck had faded, yet a pale scar remained in its place. Noticing Ro’s approach, she gave him a weak smile, but her gaze quickly grew troubled. At what, Ro could only guess.

  “What was it like?” SmibSmob questioned, his eyes wide with wonder, and his mouth open with excitement. Margaret ignored him.

  “Are you alright?” Ro asked, his voice heavy with worry. “I had thought you —” He was cut off as Margaret silenced him with a gentle finger on his lips.

  “Yes, I’m just fine,” Margaret replied. “Just tired, that’s all …” Her voice trailed off, and she stared behind Ro, her eyes narrowing. Turning, Ro found the Captain to be standing beside him, a gentle smile upon his usually stone face.

  “Oh, so he’s no longer a traitor then. How convenient,” Margaret sneered, turning away from the Captain. Nalgene snorted, but remained silent.

  “Captain friend,” Fasto jumped in, a wild expression on his face. “Captain say family dead.”

  Captain Osann flinched.

  “Captain good,” Fasto continued.

  Margaret gave her fellow orc a blank stare. “Indeed,” she said flatly. Before she could continue, Andromeda appeared from the darkness, a genuine smile upon her face. She locked eyes with the she-orc and gave her a respecting nod.

  “What Fasto says is true,” Andromeda purred, pacing through the other companions. “He found us after the battle, claiming that his family was killed by the Shadow.” She halted next to the Captain and brushed him with her soft tail. Captain Osann twitched with discomfort, but Andromeda shot him a mischievous smile. “Mmmm, perhaps he could explain better.”

  Ro shook his head.

  She’s playing us.

  He was not sure if he enjoyed that thought.

  Captain Osann cleared his throat, regaining his composure. “Indeed. While I know not the details of the battle, at some point you were branded by a Toucher, casting you into a deathly stasis, and placing the mark across your neck. After the undead fiends had been driven off, I arrived to find your companions gathered around you, and I guided them west, which is where we are now.”

  Andromeda chuckled to herself, but the Captain ignored her.

  Margaret gazed at the Captain for a long moment, allowing the silence of the Shadow to creep in. She reached up, running her fingers along the back of her neck. A frown darkened her gentle face.

  Please Margaret, he means to help us ... I hope.

  Nalgene grumbled to himself, a scowl plastered on his face, and both Fasto and SmibSmob eagerly waited for Margaret’s response.

  “Alright, I’ll trust you” Margaret said, nodding to the Captain. Ro let out a sigh of relief, and both Fasto and SmibSmob shone with a beaming smile. Even in the overwhelming darkness of the Shadow, a rekindled hope could be seen flickering to life.

  “Perfect,” Andromeda purred, striding into the ruins where her delicate figure disappeared into the shadows. She cast one, final glance over her shoulder, and her eyes twinkled mischievously in the torchlight. “Let’s get some rest, shall we?”

  Nodding in agreement, the companions lay to rest upon the ground until the first light of dawn.

  As exhaustion seeped into Ro, his final thoughts were of Margaret.

  ♦♦♦

  Ro was awakened by the Captain, who urged him to make haste. The surrounding ruins seemed mournful in the pale, morning sun, as if grieving for the loss of life. The sky was clear, yet still it appeared cold and unforgiving. About him, the other companions were already prepared to venture forth, and even Margaret seemed eager to continue.

  The companions marched out of the ravaged village, heading southwest along the dusty road. The great lake shimmered to the east, following the companions along in the distance. As they traveled across the forsaken lands, they stumbled upon an undead rabbit, its rotting flesh hanging in shambles and its long, pointed ears nothing more than mockeries of its former life. Nalgene seemed strangely intrigued by the vile creature, and even sent out a gentle spray of water to comfort the beast. Instead, the water ultimately killed the dreadful abomination. Nalgene wore his familiar scowl for the remainder of the day.

  As the cold sun sank to the horizon, the companions came upon a rushing river that cut across the road. Remains of a once strong bridge lay in ruins along the bank, barring the companions from continuing their journey. Irritated by the ruined bridge, Margaret promptly froze a wide stretch across the river, creating a crossing of ice. As she crossed, she scratched at the back of her neck, grumbling to herself. Intrigued, the companions followed her across, warily trekking across the precarious bridge. Just as they reached the opposite bank, Fasto slipped and fell into what he thought was the rushing depths below. Shaking his head, the Captain trudged into the frigid water and pulled Fasto out from the shallow riverbed, throwing him onto the shore. Shivering in terror, Fasto eyed the companions, mumbling nonsense to whoever cared enough to listen. The companions all agreed it would be best to rest for the night.

  Upon waking, the companions continued along the forlorn road, their spirits restored after the previous day's mishaps. After two more days of travel, the companions came upon another river, which tore across the lands and came to rest in the shimmering lake to the east. Unlike the first river, there was still a worn bridge running across the length of the river. When they reached the bridge, however, the companions froze in their tracks.

  Elegantly sitting upon a rock at the foot of the bridge was a most beautiful woman. Long, silky black hair cascaded over her shoulders in a marvelous braid. A flowing, black skirt fell over her pale legs, and splashes of orange and yellow flared out at the edge of the cloth like billowing flames. Her simple, black top left little to the imagination, revealing her shining skin and seductive form. Pauldrons of gold and sparkling jewelry draped across her body in a golden web, and magnificent emeralds accented her unmatched beauty. Held out in front of her was a marvelous sword, which she turned over in her hands.

  Ro gasped; his mind thrown back to the prison. He remembered this woman, remembered her holy light piercing the vile legions of undead. He remembered her clash against the titanic dreadknight of shadow, casting an aura of brilliant light over his broken body. He remembered the commanding voice, and the promises that it made. A rush of emotion overwhelmed Ro, leaving him helpless before the beautiful woman.

  Noticing their arrival, Ashyla set down her sword, and shot them a dazzling smile of the purest of white. Her emerald eyes twinkled in the fading light, locking the companions with their alluring stare.

  “Ah, my dears,” she said in a gentle voice while gracefully gliding off the rock. Her skirt flowed out behind her like the flaming wing of a butterfly, and she strode over to the companions, her soft steps silent against the hard ground. “So nice to finally see you again.”

  Ro stared in wonder, his mind whirling about in a furious rush of thoughts.

  What does she mean, again? There was the prison, but beyond that …

  Ashyla laughed, interrupting his thoughts, her eyes sparkling like a misty twilight.

  “So, you don't remember.” She paused, and a brief flash of intrigue washed across her face, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. She shot them another smile and continued her steady advance.

  “How tragic.”

  Chapter 7

  Andromeda stood stunned; her eyes locked on Ashyla. She could not even begin to comprehend Ashyla's words, as she was too captivated by her thoughts. This woman, this most beautiful of women, who had rescued them from certain death, now stood before them in all her dazzling splendor. Around her, the other companions had similar reactions, gazing upon Ashyla with awe and wonder.

  Such power …

  Shaking her head, Andromeda tried to clear herself of such thoughts, but they persisted at the edges of
her mind. No, matter how much she denied it, how much she tried to cast away her lust, her eyes were drawn to the tantalizing woman in front of her — her silky, pale skin, cascading, black hair, and overwhelming power.

  Such power … No! Focus on the hunt at hand.

  As Ashyla approached, Andromeda felt a sudden weight fall across her shoulders, binding her in place. She tried to move, tried to call out, but her body was frozen, resisting her every urge.

  Ashyla passed through the companions, her blazing dress flowing out behind her. She stopped in front of Andromeda, and Andromeda had the sense that the woman was gazing into her very soul, undermining her deepest secrets and darkest memories. Ashyla smirked, and raised her slender hand, gently brushing it across Andromeda’s face.

  As Andromeda watched, a black butterfly of the darkest night flickered into view, landing gently upon Ashyla’s arm. It flapped its wings in a mesmerizing dance, slowly approaching the bound feline. Intrigue filled Andromeda’s mind, and she studied the strange butterfly, trying to measure the mystical creature. It was just like the ones from the prison. But as quickly as it had come, the butterfly vanished, leaving only an empty, pale arm, which still held Andromeda’s face. Ashyla smiled, and locked eyes with Andromeda, giving a satisfactory nod, before turning away.

  Unnerved, Andromeda tried to move, but she was still bound in place. All she could hope to do was watch.

  Ashyla continued through the companions, brushing past each of them with an alluring smile. She paused in front of SmibSmob, gazing down at him in intrigue. She reached out, cupping his chin, and raised his head. SmibSmob’s eyes shot open, shifting from their gentle blue to their unholy light. Chuckling to herself, Ashyla released the gnome and turned away, her black dress whirling about her like a shadowy orchid caught in the wind. SmibSmob stood frozen, helplessly gaping at the beautiful woman.

  Finally, Ashyla paused in front of Captain Osann and gave him a knowing stare, her sharp eyes cutting into his very being. She reached out, placing her hand upon the center of his chest. With that singular, gentle touch, the Captain staggered back, letting out a silent cry. His eyes pleaded with Ashyla, but she was relentless, driving him back with her touch. Despair washed over his gaze, and he crumpled to the ground, overwhelmed with sorrow. Ashyla smirked, mocking the Captain’s helplessness.