Darkshore

by C S Harrop

  All the annoyance from Aunt Elora’s face subsided as she saw Asha on her knees exhausted and trembling. She knelt down beside her and gave her the warmest of hugs of which no cold could penetrate.

  “I have loved you like my own daughter and it breaks my heart that I can’t tell you more, but it is for your own safety. I know it is hard for you but you must be patient for just a little longer. In just over a year you will be eighteen years old then all of your questions will be answered and your training will begin.”

  Too exhausted to walk unaided Aunt Elora took hold of Asha around her waist and helped her back to their cabin. Covering the bedroom compartment with a large piece of hide Aunt Elora left Asha exhausted mentally and physically to rest.

  Aunt Elora made her way over to the window and opened the shutters staring out at the endless shades of grey coloured clouds of the evening sky looking for any sign Asha’s outburst had attracted unwanted attention. With a worried expression on her face, contemplating if to leave their home again knowing it is very possible spies of Priestess Onyxia saw Asha in The Great Forest and her emotional eruption on the lake would be like a beacon highlighting their exact location. Aunt Elora knew Asha must be kept safe at all cost.

  With little rest, the early hours of the following morning came swiftly for Aunt Elora. Unfortunately, her worst fears were soon realised since Asha’s loss of control. The presence of something very evil was drawing nearer Aunt Elora could feel a different vibe in the air around. Looking back through the window crows were the biggest clue as they encircled the lake searching for any kind of a sign they can report to Onyxia.

  Rushing to the corner of the kitchen area of the cabin Aunt Elora pulled up a loose piece of floorboard and took out an object covered with an old piece of cloth. Carefully unwrapping the object Aunt Elora placed it vertically on the table revealing a rectangular transparent glass structure with a silver embossed design around the entire edge. With concentration the markings on her palm began to glow, placing her right illuminated hand to the edge of the object a cloud began to form inside the glass. After a moment, a projecting of a face appeared of a bearded man with aged lines around his eyes that protruded partly out from the object.

  “It has been awhile Elora,” the old man said trying to judge her sudden contact from Aunt Elora’s face.

  “Yes it has Fallon, maybe too long, but I made Ashantia a promise which I intend to keep,” replied Aunt Elora happy to see a familiar face.

  “You have done well by the girl Elora; you have given your life to keep the girl safe. Ashantia loved you like a mother she knew her daughter would come to no harm with your love and guidance,” praised Fallon.

  “She was a daughter to me and she is dearly missed, “Aunt Elora replied with a deep sigh. “The time has come my old friend you must send assistance for Asha.”

  “Has something happened?” Asked Fallon in concerning tone.

  “She had another mishap, she need guidance of the Elders, of you. I sense Onyxia is getting closer her crows have been searching the area. We must travel to the Core in Andoria at first light; there is nowhere left to hide with the darkness spreading further west.”

  “It’s earlier than planned Elora but if you think it’s time then its time,” replied Fallon.

  “It’s a little early then but it is time we both came home. Asha is in need of guidance, which is something I cannot give whilst in hiding. Most importantly, what she needs is to be told about her parents and why she is so important that a psychotic woman hunts her. Her emotions are all tangled up inside which is very dangerous considering the power she holds which I experienced a few hours ago when she destroyed half the lake,” Aunt Elora explained anxiously clutching the glass object.

  “I will send help immediately Elora to accompany you on your travels and summon the council. I have always made sure our Guardians make detours through your area. I do not know their exact location but they should reach you within two days. The council have always kept a watchful eye over you and the Asha even when you did say you wanted to be left alone for the girl‘s sake.”

  “The council or you?” Aunt Elora said with a friendly smile.

  “Maybe I had a little say in the matter,” the old man said with a mischievous grin. Then with a sudden shock in the Fallon’s lined face a terrible realisation dawned on him, a faint ghostly image appeared with Aunt Elora’s on his device.

  “Elora - we are not alone in our conversation, get the girl out of there now! Onyxia will be able to use the connection to know exactly location.” Urged Fallen in a panicked voice.

  “We will meet again my old friend in this life or the next.” Quickly smashing the glass device on the table cutting the communication instantly leaving behind the fragmented pieces scattered across the surface securing any future attempts by Onyxia to access the device.

  Rushing to Asha’s bedroom managing to break a few hooks off the hide curtain as she hastily drew it back. Asha awoke startled noticing the urgency in Aunt Elora’s face.

  “What’s the matter, what’s wrong Aunt Elora?” Panicked Asha her brain still not fully woken.

  “Quickly Asha we are out of time,” dragging Asha out of bed by her arm and placing her fur boots by her side.

  “What do you mean out of time, you don’t mean Onyxia do you? Is it because of what happened down by the lake isn’t it?”

  Aunt Elora looked at Asha with her worried eyes. “Yes my dear she has been searching for you since you were born and now she has found you, because of me.”

  “What do you mean because of you, how can it be your fault?” Quizzed Asha again frantically trying to make sense of the urgency.

  “I contacted an old friend of mine while you were sleeping he is an Elder from the kingdom of Andoria, I told him it is time for us to come home. It was too late when he realised Onyxia was secretly listening through the connection a trick she has picked up over the years I assume. Depending how long she was listening she would have been able to track us to this area at the least. Onyxia knows if she finds me you will not be far away, we must get you far away from here before it is too late,” explained Aunt Elora rushing around grabbing items of clothing and pieces of dried food.

  Asha got dressed as fast as she possibly could putting on her warm hooded fur coat and boots then filling her bag with food Aunt Elora had gathered and a pouch of water then draped it across her shoulder.

  Through the flurry of snow, a faint screeching howl travelled on the wind that reached the front door of the cabin. Aunt Elora rushed to the window trying to get a glimpse of what approaches in the early morning light.

  “She is close, she is very close,” warned Aunt Elora apprehensively.

  The council chamber was a dimly lit circular room with large candles hanging from the surrounding walls around the room highlighting the thick wooden bookcases filled with many old dusty books and ancient scrolls. The centre of the large room stood a large round oaken table with a map of the world carved into the surface inlaid with silver with six equally spaced carved chairs positioned symmetrically around. Four Elders sat in deep discussion.

  “This war is going to intensify a lot sooner than we anticipated,” stated Elder Jorik a balding man with a short greying stubble cleaning his glasses on his sleeve.

  “I agree we must strengthen our defences on all fronts. Onyxia will send everything she has got to get hold of the girl,” replied Elder Nyran a stone faced female frost elf wearing a fully engraved blue tinted body armour.

  “With Elder Nyran in charge of our forces, Priestess Onyxia will not find breaking our defences easy,” said Elder Fallon a wise faced old man with a whiting beard and an overwhelming presence of authority. “The most important situation at the moment is making sure we protect the girl at all cost, the fate of our world rests with her. She is Priestess Onyxia’s only fear.”

  “We should have sent more than two Guardians to protect the girl, a handful of armoured dwarfs would make Onyxia’s allies think tw
ice before they would attack,” advised Elder Warrick a fully armoured dwarf sat barely head height above the huge oaken table.

  “No Warrick, your warriors are fierce and brave but they would attract every foul creature from miles around. They would lead them straight to the girl, that is a risk we cannot take,” said Elder Fallon sternly. “Stealth is the key here; the Guardians we sent know the most lands better than anyone and the best routes to avoid attention.”

  “What if they can't make it to Lake Erat in time,” asked Elder Jorik pointing to the location on the map engraved table. “It should take the both of them two to three days of travel that is with no interruptions of course.”

  “I have also sent a message orb out to Lore of the situation just before our meeting. I am hoping he might want to tag along with them, his ability to travel long distances could be of use now. Unfortunately, he has not been in contact for some time, which in itself is not unusual for him I guess he likes hunting orc too much,” advised Elder Nyran with a slight smile of satisfaction.

  “Yes, Yes a very good idea Elder Nyran regarding Lore let’s hope he gets the message in time,” Elder Fallon said now pacing the large round room wearing a hooded robe covering the standard dark leather armour of the order.

  “Two days is a long time considering Onyxia will be scouting the area as we speak,” responded Elder Warrick twisting his braids in his bushy beard. “All we can do is watch the passing of time and pay to the gods it is not too late for the girl.”

  Chapter 3

  The Lost Soul

  The twilight glistened with blues and whites on the icy surface of Lake Erat. Sounds of a shrieking fear continued to echo across the lake spreading all the way to the ancient trees of the Great Forest.

  The silhouette of a winged creature stood out against the grey clouds of the early morning sky. The scaled creature frantically searched every inch of the frozen lake swooping in and out of the grey clouds looking for any sign of Asha through the falling snow.

  With its huge wings extended encircling the wooded island the creature suddenly like a hawk seeing its prey dived towards the cabin hiding within the trees. Barely missing the treetops the creature climbed with speed back up amongst the clouds.

  Like an arrow shot from a bow, the creature drew back its wings and flew down again with a loud screech and greater speed knocking the snow off the trees tops with each passing. It passed over the cabin a few more times letting out a loud menacing screeching cry before it finally came to land by the demolished boat on the snow covered edge of the lake.

  Its talons dug deep into the snow as it landed leaving behind claw marks scraped into the frozen dirt. Onyxia dismounted from the saddle that strapped to the creature’s scaly underbelly. She pulled back her hooded cloak revealing her dark wiry hair and grasped her staff from its holder.

  A swirl of snow erupted from the bottom of her staff with every tap on the ground as she made her way up the frozen dirt path and through the trees stopping as the front door to the old hunter’s cabin came into view.

  “I have been searching a very long time for you Elora since the day I killed your precious Ashantia. I know you are caring for the girl, make this easy for yourself and hand her over,” Onyxia insisted waiting a reply, instead she received deathly silence. “Ashantia was always your favourite student, maybe you should of given that much attention to all of your students,” shouted Priestess Onyxia trying to get a reaction out of Aunt Elora.

  Her taunting worked with a satisfactory smile. “No you are wrong Onyxia,” answered Aunt Elora through the cabin window. “You were never interested in my teachings Onyxia it was the dark arts which you longed for. You were keeping it in the family if you ask me.”

  Priestess Onyxia cautiously stepped closer to the cabin checking for any movement through the cracks in the timber window and door knowing the power Aunt Elora holds.

  “It was the failed teachings of you and those bewildered Elders. The power of the light is for the weak, it is the dark arts what brings people like you to their knees and beg for their lives, which is what you call real power.”

  “Everything you just said was wrong,” Aunt Elora advised from a teacher’s perspective.

  “It’s simple Elora, If you do not hand the Lost Soul over to me I will show you just how deadly the dark arts can be and believe me I will make the pain last what would seem like an eternity.”

  Asha became frozen like a statue just looking at Aunt Elora with a look of shock on her face knowing Onyxia is just on the other side of the cabin door and the revelation Aunt Elora once taught Onyxia.

  “You never told me you taught Onyxia,” whispered Asha in a shocked voice standing beside her.

  “Yes dear the same time I taught your mother, they had an instant dislike for each other from the start. Onyxia was only interested in learning the darker side of her power. The dark arts are forbidden within the order so she practising in secret. When I realised this I stopped her teachings immediately and informed the council of Elders, not soon after Onyxia was gone not to be seen until many years later.”

  A gust of cold wind burst through the unlatched rear window of the cabin blowing Asha’s dark hair across her pale face covering signs of her frightened expression. Aunt Elora knew what has to be done she moved quickly away from the door to where Asha now stood and held her face with both hands then looked straight into her watery green eyes.

  “I had to wait for Onyxia to land that beast otherwise she would have been able see you leaving from high above. The power of light is very strong with you, remember control your power do not let it control you. Now go as we planned and do not look back, head for the kingdom of Andoria the Elders are waiting for you there. Remember what I said stay clear of the Great Forest, in these dark days the most foulest of creatures have settled in there and tainted the forest, “explained Aunt Elora hastily. “You remind me so much of your mother I see her strength in you, you will make us both proud this I have foreseen.”

  “Aunt Elora I…,” unable to speak tears running down her face showing all the emotion going through her head with her palms once again beginning to flicker beneath her fur gloves.

  “I know Asha, embracing her tightly I know you are scared but this is not the end for you this is just the beginning, we will see each other again that is a promise. Now as we planned many times, go and run as fast as you possibly can and remember stay clear of the Great Forest,” warned Aunt Elora hastily helping Asha out the rear window.

  Asha did has she was told and did not look back once. The tears would not stop flowing as Asha appeared from the leafless trees from the rear of the cabin with her bag draped over her shoulder and ran in a westerly direction across Lake Erat. Sliding and falling to her knees Asha tried to get far away from cabin as fast she could hoping Onyxia or her winged beast would not catch sight of her through the falling snow.

  With a sigh of relief and sadness, Aunt Elora watched Asha disappear through the trees and closing the shutters behind her. Ignoring the shouts of Onyxia’s threats Aunt Elora took a seat by the fireplace waiting for the inevitable.

  Onyxia’s shouts drifted into nothingness, a moment of silence seemed like an eternity for Aunt Elora her thoughts drifted until her attention swiftly diverted back to the cabin door. The wooden door began to shake wildly, the creaking timber expanded inward until the cabin door burst into a thousand pieces. Flames of the crackling fire turned into a wild rage as the wind touched them. The figure of Onyxia stood in the doorway her palms glowing illuminating the staff in her hand quickly glancing around the room before her attention fixated on Aunt Elora.

  “It has been awhile Elora. I would not be wrong to say time as not been good to you my old teacher,” Onyxia said insultingly.

  Aunt Elora sat calmly and comfortably by the roaring fire playing with her long white hair winding it through her fingers showing Onyxia no signs of fear and complete control.

  “Keep your evil tongue between your cheeks Onyxia, we
both know why you’re here and once again you’re too late. She is already far away from here and the Elders are already preparing for her arrival.”

  Onyxia knew by the pleased look on Aunt Elora’s face she was telling some truth the child was no longer around. Noticing water by the rear window where snow had clearly melted she knew she had just missed her. Onyxia’s blood boiled with frustration clasping her staff tighter and tighter with both hands.

  “She will not get far Elora I have been searching for that retched child for too long. But now she is all alone with no Elora the powerful, no Elora the mighty and no Elora the pathetic Elder to protect her.”

  “She needs no help from me anymore, she is a very resilient young woman her journey is the beginning of the end for you. The prophecy had begun the day she was born Onyxia there is no stopping its outcome.

  “We will see about that won’t.”

  “What will you do when Kailan gets word his daughter has come to harm his years of grief will return to rage, will you run and hide like a coward as you did before? He would shake mountains if anything should happened to her. It took a lot of persuading to let his daughter stay with me after you murdered his wife to protect her from you, which I have to say I did good job keeping one-step ahead of you.

  “You’re a deluded old woman Elora, I am not afraid of Kailan I will kill the girl then the prophecy will die with her and for Kailan he will kneel before me or die. I am surprised at you Elora how naive you have become especially facing me unarmed,” Onyxia said getting irate waving her staff in front of Aunt Elora riled by the very mention of Kailan.

  “I don’t need toys child,” pointing to her staff. “Power comes from within and my journey in this life is complete Onyxia. My journey to Darkshore awaits and I am in no doubt it will be something you are going to want to remedy, so I’m not going to fight you my weak minded student my story in this world is over as yours will be soon enough.”

  “By hiding that girl you have irritated me for too long I am not going to give you an easy passing Elora. You are going to have a painful death just as that girl you call a prophecy when I catch up with her. I would end your life a lot quicker if you just tell me the route the girl has taken,” threatened Onyxia.