Darkshore

by C S Harrop

  “I’m clearly not the Shade you think I am,” Asha said to both Aunt Elora and Valen quickly taking herself outside to be in her own moment of solitude amongst the ruins. Aunt Elora waited a short time before heading outside to find Asha in her dragon armour slumped against one of the foundation stones that formed three rings but this time she was not feeling so alleviated.

  “I think you have the wrong person Aunt Elora. If I am not worthy to take the book that I a Shade can only possess how do you know I have the right stuff inside me to go up against Onyxia and win?” Asked Asha doubts filling her head. “There is a war coming Aunt Elora on all fronts. Onyxia is searching for a relic that will give her the power to open a gate to the Dark Isle and release the hordes of the dead upon the living world.”

  “I am going to say this only once Asha. I raised you from a baby I loved you and still do like you are my own daughter,” Aunt Elora said crouching and placing a comforting hand on her armoured dragon scaled shoulder. “I gave you everything you needed growing up but one thing I protected you from was the ugliness of the world. If I could pick anyone in the whole of the universe to have a pure heart it would be you. You have never been corrupted with the likes of greed and envy and many other emotions and sins that make people do thing that taint their soul. Therefore, you get yourself up off that floor and go get that book. Remember you’re its keeper not those Watchers in there and if what you’re saying about the relic is true then you will certainly be in need of its power.”

  Asha was taken aback by Aunt Elora’s reaction watching her flick her silver hair back over her shoulder in annoyance as she walked away. Asha knew her annoyance was not aimed at her personally more so at the whole pure of heart rigmarole the gods had placed on the book in the first place. Asha sat a good while longer contemplating Aunt Elora’s honest words and the large stags looking down at her searching her soul felt intrusive especially after bottling up her feeling most of her life. Asha knew she could not just sit there like a child hiding away when she knew Onyxia’s plan on unleash death upon the world. She rose to a virtually empty sanctuary, the occupants most likely decided to leave for her benefit knowing people were watching over her shoulder to see if she gets impale is not the best feeling to have when looking up at two giant stags. She set off back towards the Watcher of the Woods with a very different mind-set. Asha felt a little afraid but more apprehensive than anything else, it was more the failure to be worthy enough to take the book that concerned her the most.

  She stepped foot once again onto the mosaic floor of the domed building and rounded the corner to the full view of the Watchers, with a deep breath she stepped forward. Once again, Asha stood centre of the two large wooden stags who as before moved swiftly in union facing Asha with their mighty outspread antlers and thumping hooves. The left stag moved closer bringing itself face to face with Asha’s, her head appeared miniature compared to the beast. It gave two large sniffs from its large nose as Asha stood with a tense posture trying her hardest not to move abruptly or make any unwelcoming noise from some orifice. The beast let out a loud deep cry followed by the second beast that echoed throughout the Sanctuary and out across Darkshore. In a jaw-dropping moment, the stags took a step backwards then bent their two front legs and bowed in respect granting Asha access to the Book of Shariel.

  Asha let out a long deep breath in relief and slowly made her way past the stags to the spiral column of black mist. The book rested on top the shifting clouds making it a magical sight to see in itself as Asha looked down. Mesmerised upon its midnight blue leather skin with an embedded intricate silver design that surrounded the symbol of the Shade, created from pieces of vivid green jade of two interconnecting circles representing two world the living and afterlife. She leant over to pick up the book but it would not move, she tried was both hands thinking it was just stuck in the mist and pulled with has much energy as she dared not wanting to damage the book but with the same outcome. She looked over her shoulder to see Aunt Elora and Valen standing there making her wander how long they have been watching. However, Asha noticed they both had pleased looks on their faces.

  “Remember Asha it’s a book of power. Nobody other than a Shade couldn’t turn a page of that book never mind trying to lift it,” advised Valen. Hearing her words Asha looked at the book then at her palms both having the same symbol of the Shade and then it suddenly clicked in her mind. Asha raised her left palm the markings now glowing a brilliant blue that she aimed it at the book. With deep concentration, the book came to life with wiggling movement that gained momentum then it suddenly shot from the mist into Asha’s hand.

  To her surprise the Book of Shariel was weightless it barely touched her skin but at the same time it stuck to her hand like glue no matter how much she waved her hand around. With her right hand also now glowing, she turned the pages of the book to find them empty. Looking over at Valen and Aunt Elora in total confusion expecting the book of power to have written spells or some kind of writing at the very least. She took the book over to Valen lifting the hard cover to reveal nothing but yellow and tanned coloured parchment.

  “I believe I’m missing something here,” Asha said trying to understand the reason for the blank pages with the thought the writings were there just not visible.

  “This is as close as I have even been to this book in all the time I have been in Darkshore. All I know are stories and myths that have been passed along over time but knowledge of how to actually use the book does not exist,” replied Valen in an unhelpful tone unable to take her eye off the book. “The stories do all point to the same ability the caster had when using the power of the book and that is he or she can with just a thought cast any spell from the book that comes into their mind. I don’t know how this would work or if it is even true Asha, again it’s just stories.”

  “No harm in trying to give that ago Asha,” advised Aunt Elora. “Remember this is a book of power you will probably need to use your own gift to have any effect just has you are now holding it,” noticing the book barely touching her glowing palms. “Just think of something small you would like to conjure like a small light to brighten this room and maybe the book will do the rest,” advised Aunt Elora.

  Asha thought of a small brightly glowing orb, to her disappointment nothing happened. She tried again forcing her thoughts on the book with the same outcome. Taking a breath, on the third attempt this time Asha slowly glided her glowing right palm over the book, the Book of Shariel opened and the pages began to rustle then quickly the pages turned by themselves stopping suddenly to reveal a page full of inscriptions and symbols that glowed to the same colour as Asha’s marking. Strangely, the symbols somehow became readable like they had suddenly became unscrambled in Asha’s mind. Asha felt the urge in the back of her mind to read the glowing inscription and direct her palm where she wanted to conjure the spell. With a swing of her right arm, she aimed her glowing palm towards the centre of the large room and spoke in a language Aunt Elora and Valen had never heard before. The glowing text of the page within the book pulsated for a split second then a small orb of white light materialised in front of their eyes lighting the whole room casting shadows in all directions.

  Asha’s face lit with amazement eager to try another, she looked at the Watchers and the picture of a tree came into her mind. Once again, with a wave of her glowing palm over the pages the Book of Shariel turned to display the spell. As before Asha spoke the words and aimed this time towards the eastern wall causing the mosaic tiles to crack and protrude as roots pushed through the floor followed by the main trunk with sprouting outstretched branches until it formed a fully-grown tree.

  “The book must have a kind of mental connection with you Asha allowing you to read the inscriptions, but remember Asha even a book of power has its limitation so use it wisely and only when in need,” warned Founder Valen in a tone much like Elder Fallon would use.

  “But a little practice wouldn’t harm,” inputted Aunt Elora pointing outside where she c
an’t do any harm to the only standing building left in the Sanctuary.

  Chapter 18

  Ancestry

  Asha took herself outside and sat down resting her back against the foundation stones that formed the three rings. For hours or even days for all she knew as all sense of time is none existent in Darkshore. Her eyes were glued to the pages as the weightless book barely rested in one hand stuck there like a magnet whilst waving her free palm slowly over the book, magically turning each page which she read multiple times trying her hardest to memorise which spells were available and which weren’t.

  Eating seemed to be even getting in her way of studying rummaging inside her bag without looking and just taking a bite hoping it was edible and a swill of sweet water, which mostly made its way down her scaled armour than her mouth before moving quickly onto the next page.

  Though in Darkshore, Asha felt a mild temperature she used the book anyway to create a fire to feel more of a warmth and comfortable setting something she could easily have done without her book but practice make perfect she thought. Directly ahead, a section of woodland that most likely stood there for an eternity was blasted to smithereens as a result of an earlier practising exercise.

  Every now and again Asha would need to stretch her legs before they became too numb to stand. With a wave of her hand, the Book of Shariel weightlessly travelled into Asha’s inside pocket of her hooded cape and took herself on a short walk around the grounds of the Sanctuary and the surrounding woodlands discovering hidden streams and areas with a colourful array of flowers. Even though Asha saw Darkshore through a kind of veil dulling the colour knowing she was just a visitor here, the residents must see the whole of Darkshore in a very different light. Asha came to a small stream to the south east of the Sanctuary where she first stepped foot from the boat. Valen stood on the opposite side throwing a beautiful red, white and pink flower into the stream and watching it drift away mournfully.

  “Is everything alright Valen?” asked Asha seeing the sadness in her face.

  “Just giving my respects Asha. I see your studying is going well your face has not left that book for quite some time.”

  “I just want to be prepared for when I face Onyxia,” replied Asha getting the feeling not to press Valen any further on the flower.

  “I’m sure when the time comes you won’t need the book. However, speaking of this Onyxia woman your Aunt Elora mentioned something about a doorway opening up to the Dark Isle,” quizzed Valen.

  “The western kingdoms are preparing a defence against Onyxia. She has sent out her most trusted followers to find a relic that will give her the power to open the door to the Dark Isle and release the dead upon the living. She will destroy or enslave everything that is good in the world. Elder Fallon and the other Elders are spreading the word for all free kingdom to be ready for war including my father Kailan Bourn; he will travel from the Isle of Angar. From what I am told there is one person who Onyxia is afraid to fight and that’s my Father,” explained Asha.

  “Angarians have a close kinship with the residing dragons I would be scared of him too,” Valen said light heartedly.

  “I finally worked out my whole role in this whole war Valen. All the armies in the world won’t stand a chance when not if Onyxia opens that doorway, the prophecy of the Seers has foretold this.”

  “So what is it you believe your role is? Asked Valen her full attention solely focused on Asha.

  “I need to go to the Dark Isle and stop the dark bloods from ever reaching the doorway when Onyxia opens it. Then maybe my father and the kingdoms of the west might actually have a chance of defeating her”

  “You can’t be serious Asha you can’t fight the Dark Bloods. For starters, it is unknown that anybody but a Dark Blood has ever gone to the Dark Isle let alone start war. Secondly, you do not know how many of them they are and even if you can actually kill one. Remember they are already dead, how do you think you can accomplish this alone Asha?” Valen taken aback not expecting such craziness coming out of Asha’s mouth.

  “I won’t be alone,” replied Asha with giving Valen a suggesting look.

  “In all of my years I have never known of such an outlandish idea. Why would you think the souls here on Darkshore would risk everything they have earned from their time in the living?”

  “Because every soul is here in Darkshore for a reason, you all have proved yourselves to the gods in living and I can’t believe any one person here would want the darkness to spread over the world they fought so hard to protect. I’m hoping they would want to prove themselves in death just the same because it’s embedded in your nature,” answered Asha getting herself fired up.

  “I can’t see how it can possibly work,” stated Valen watching her flower disappear has it drifted over a drop in the stream. Asha noticing the sadness returning to her face.

  “If Onyxia wins her war there will be no one left to come here again. The very name of Darkshore will be forgotten along with every name here, not even a whisper of who you are or once were would be heard,” Asha said hoping to play on Valen’s current emotions noticing she was clearly mourning somebody.

  Founder Valen paused taking in what Asha was asking twirling her dark hair with her finger in deep thought. Asha noticed Valen’s ears for the first time, they were pointy much like Elder Nyran the only Frost Elf Asha had ever seen; even travelling through icy wasteland of Everlong she didn’t see one Frost Elf. Her eyes were also similar with the same ice blue glaze with white highlights in her long dark hair. She was a both human and elf which didn’t bother Asha in the slightest but came as a surprise never the less as it’s not something she would see every day or even heard of for that matter.

  “You certainly know how to throw the impossible out there Asha, I would advise a more subtle approach when asking every soul here to risk their very existence,” advised Valen giving Asha a warming smile. “If I am to try and convince everyone in Darkshore to fight for you I must know you have a way of getting us to the Dark Isle.”

  “The Book of Shariel has shown me. I can open a doorway but for obvious reasons I have not tested this as I don’t know what’s waiting on the other side, I would want an army behind me when that happens,” answered Asha relieved Valen was getting behind her idea, Asha actually thought it would take a lot more convincing.

  “There is a dream when in the living that when you die you will have proved yourself in life that your soul would make the journey here. It is a beautiful and tranquil place Asha but the truth is souls get restless. We can roam these lands for eternity in our own solace which can slowly sends people to dismay and a tormented state of mind. I have seen this happen many times, which makes convincing many of the souls in Darkshore to go to war not as difficult as it should be.

  “Where do we start this enlisting,” Asha jumping over the stream to Valen’s side.

  “Where else - the Sanctuary,” Valen said hooking Asha’s arm with her own and leading her out of the woods.

  The sea off the rocky coast of Angar was choppy, sharp darkened rocks protruded like towers forcing Captain Uldrik’s ship to make anchor some way out from land. The waves did not bode well with Willow’s stomach as she clung to rim of the rowing boat. She grew up amongst the trees of Elwood surrounded by a hard dirt floor and bulking tall trees with the sound of nature echoing through their golden leaves. The sea was the last place Willow or any of her woodland kin would want to be, the large ship was bad enough but this small rowing boat turned her face paler than Relg’s who sat wrapped up next to her.

  Riven on the other hand didn’t mind the water and actually enjoyed the fresh sea air but he also who took up most of the space with his bulking feline body lashing his tail against the heads of the two sailors to keep his balance whom were ordered by Captain Uldrik to row the trio to shore.

  Captain Uldrik was clearly a seasoned sailor getting his ship and everyone on board to the Isle of Angar in one-piece navigating two huge storms with the delight of Willow. E
xperienced as he was, he clearly was happy to stay on the ship the further away from the dragon-infested land the better. Dragons and ship do not tend to get along; ships always end up on fire and at the bottom of the sea as if the dragons were using the ships as target practice. His ginger beard flapped in the wind as he gave a farewell salute as the rowing boat became smaller than his fingernail. Giving a paranoid glance up to the sky looking for a pair of large wings he head back to his cabin awaiting the boats return to set sail immediately back to the main land and Myst harbour.

  Willow made no attempt to look back towards the ship to give some kind of a returned farewell gesture her eyes where fixed firmly on the land ahead trying her hardest not to be sick.

  Eventually they reached the rocky shore with the relief to Willow setting foot on solid ground made her feel instantly better while Riven give her a mocking laugh as he slowly took the lead leaving Relg to trail behind carrying a rucksack of supplies draped over both shoulders.