by Ross Turner
“Cole!” Isabel hissed through clenched teeth, not wanting to aggravate the enormous demon he rested his hand upon. “What the hell is going on!?”
The demon growled deeply and took a warning step toward Isabel, its eyes burning into her like fire.
“Shh Shh, easy Rose.” Cole said, rubbing the demon’s side soothingly. Isabel stared incredulously at her son petting the beast still threatening her life. Isabel took a few steps rearwards and the demon seemed to relax slightly with her retreat, though its gaze did not budge. The beast shifted its huge bulk, somehow very elegantly, over to one side, and adopted a defensive and very protective position over Cole, placing its forelimbs between him and Isabel.
Isabel was speechless. The beast was actually defending Cole from what it perceived to be a threat - her.
“She is not an it.” Cole announced slowly and firmly, breaking the silence, as if he could read Isabel’s very thoughts.
“What?” Isabel said unwittingly, very confused.
“Her name is Rose.” He said resolutely, speaking slowly again and emphasising his words purposefully. “She is not an it.”
His hand still rubbed Rose’s side and he walked forward slowly. Rose, finally giving in, unable to resist the affection, lowered her enormous head. The threatening growl in the back of her throat turned to a soft purr as Cole scratched vigorously behind her pointed ears. He ran his hand down over her eyes that were identical to his, along her square snout, ending in a small black nose that twitched at the slightest scent. He moved his hand without even a trace of fear.
Isabel winced inwardly as he passed his hand casually down past Rose’s horrific jaws and rubbed the underside of her chin.
Isabel swallowed her panic with great difficulty, though her voice was still shaky.
“What is going on Cole?” She had made a few guesses already, though they seemed somewhat incredulous. “What is it doing here?”
“She!” Cole asserted more firmly this time, stirring Rose slightly to bare her teeth at Isabel.
“Ok, ok…” Isabel replied defensively, taking another few steps back. “What is she doing here?”
“Rose is my friend.” Cole said. “She is a part of me.”
“How?” His mother asked, eager to keep the conversation on civil terms. Things had gotten very quickly out of hand it seemed.
“I don’t know exactly.” He admitted. “I think I created her.” Rose nudged Cole affectionately as he spoke and he placed his arm over her lowered and tremendously thick neck.
Isabel swallowed hard. At least that answered the question as to what it was she had sensed - but what of the second demon?
“Did you create another one Cole?”
“I don’t know.” He admitted again, shrugging his shoulders slightly. “I blacked out, and when I woke up, Rose was there.”
“Right…” Isabel replied, unsure what to do next, still not even sure what was going on. Somewhere there was a demon loose that had not returned to its creator, and she had no idea what that meant. In fact, she had no idea what any of this meant.
Why had Cole done this? Surely creating the demons had been a conscious decision? Isabel remembered all too vividly how, all those years ago, her confidence had been shattered at the desperate loss of Ben and Zhack. She had only regained that confidence by committing herself to her task.
Did Cole have a task? Was it to create the demons? Or had he done that because of his dissatisfaction? As a result of always being in the shadow of his legendary parents? A deep guilt surged through Isabel and she did her best to swallow it down.
There were too many questions, all too difficult to answer, so she settled on a simpler one.
“Why Rose?” She inquired.
“Sorry?” Cole replied, confused by her meaning.
“Why did you call her Rose?” Isabel asked again. Cole smiled and took a moment before replying.
“Because she’s the best friend I could ever have asked for.” He said quietly. “Because she’s beautiful.”
Isabel said nothing in response, though she knew for certain that that was not the whole reason, she dared not defy her son at that particular moment. She looked over the strange friends carefully. The demon, as close as she could surmise, occupied the form of a cross between a lion and an enormous horse; and her son, the young, but now seemingly not so lost adolescent boy, battled with an immense power that she could only begin to imagine, and that he could probably only barely contain.
They were quite possibly the strangest companions she had ever seen. In fact, she was still struggling with the concept that a demon could show affection, even companionship. Yet, the evidence was clear before her.
“I’m confused Cole.” Isabel admitted then, sighing deeply, feeling as though all her efforts had been wasted. “I didn’t know this would happen. I didn’t even know it could.”
“So am I.” He replied honestly, and even softly, all traces of his defiance vanishing. “But now I know something else has to happen.”
“What?” She asked.
“I don’t know exactly.” He admitted. But I do know I have a task. And I have to find out what it is.” Warnings sounded in Isabel’s mind.
“Cole…” She began.
“I’ve made up my mind.” He told her simply. Isabel prepared to gather her will when the voice sounded in her mind.
‘Leave him be Isabella.’
The voice that was not of a God spoke to her without emotion, and somehow then Isabel knew that it had spoken to Cole also.
Her panicked emotions screamed at her to stop Cole as she watched her son climb carefully atop Rose’s vast back, but she could not move, nor draw in her will. She could only watch in sheer panic and desperation.
‘Young Colvan has yet to learn to control his power. If you try to stop him, and especially if you try to hurt his Rose, the destruction he would wreak would be your doing. You must help him, but for this moment you cannot. For now you must let him go.’ And with that the voice was gone.
Isabel stood, helpless, destroyed, crushed, and could only gaze after the pair, still unable to move, as her only son, riding a terrible and mammoth demon, a beast that he considered to be a friend, took off to the north with such speed as she had never witnessed.
Without even the need for thought, she already knew his destination, such a destination had been his father’s over three decades ago, and she knew the same lure would be implemented upon Cole even now.
As young Colvan disappeared into the distance, the unyielding hold that had come over Isabel, preventing her from taking any action, released its restraints and she wobbled uneasily on her legs for a moment before crumpling to the floor in a fit of hysteria.
Her approaching husband heard her sobs and screams as he returned wearily from the fruitless search, and he rushed to her aid, his alarm overcoming his fatigue and exhaustion.
But what he could not have known was the unbreakable companionship that his son had formed. He could not have known his son’s new destination, far to the north of Rilako. And he could not have known the great peril that lay ahead: that as Rose grew in equal and rapid measure to her unknown counterpart, he would surely loiter dangerously in their path.
All Zanriath could possibly have known at that moment was the pain in his wife’s cries, and that her torment was rooted in something much deeper than he could ever imagine.
10
Strangely, the first thing that came to Isabel’s mind, as her head cleared and she became aware of her own shallow breathing, was something Zanriath had said to her long ago. She remembered his words, for some reason, quite vividly.
‘You’re very observant.’ Even now she could hear his voice clearly, as if that day had been only yesterday. ‘Don’t lose that perception.’
Yet that was exactly what she felt had happened. She had lost her perception and, over the years, her son had slowly begun to slip away from her, even without her realising. They had isolated him, simply by trying to pr
otect him from a power they did not know he had even possessed. But now it was clear that he did possess it, and she had lost him because of it, because of her own foolishness.
And the voice had spoken to her again. She had not heard it in so long, almost two decades, yet its resolute finality had struck true, and still she had no better idea of to whom the voice that was not of a God belonged, though she yearned to find out. It had told her to leave her son be, to let him leave, but also that she needed to help him.
She was confused. She was lost. She felt helpless.
“Isabel?” The gentle voice of her husband reached her ears and quelled her worries, even if only slightly, and Isabel turned to look at her Zanriath. “Are you ok?” He asked. She had still not told him what had happened, and he had absolutely no way of knowing.
“What are we going to do Zan?” She whispered in a shaky voice. He looked at her with deep worry and pulled her close.
“What happened Isabel?”
She looked into her husband’s concerned amber eyes and told him everything that had happened upon her return home. She spoke quietly and slowly, trying her best to control her emotion, though a sob or two broke through her defences every now and then.
For some reason, however, Isabel chose not to reveal that the strange voice had told her to let Cole go. She had never spoken of it to anyone, not even Zanriath. The time, though she perceived it would be soon, was still not quite right. Something told her that if she told him of it now, it would affect the decisions that he imminently needed to make, and she could not allow that to happen.
Zanriath sat and listened patiently as Isabel recited to him what had happened, though he was increasingly shocked and concerned by her words.
“And then they left.” Isabel concluded rather lamely, her voice flat. “They went north.”
“To Inferno Range?” Zanriath asked.
“I don’t know.” Isabel admitted quietly. Zanriath kissed her lightly on her forehead and stood up. Now it was his turn to pace the room, his hands behind his back and his brow furrowed, deep in thought.
“Yes.” He finally said, his voice somewhat absent. “That’s where they’ve gone.”
“How do you know?” Isabel asked.
“I have a very strong feeling. And I’m still unconvinced that these feelings are coincidental.” He thought for a moment more, considering the alternatives. “No.” He finally said. “They’ve definitely gone to Inferno Range.”
Isabel sighed deeply and Zanriath looked carefully at his distraught wife. He moved to her side once more and took her hands.
“Isabel.” He began. Her pooling brown eyes of sorrow looked back at him. “You were right. Something is happening, and it must be happening for a reason.” He said openly, and Isabel nodded in silent agreement. “So we can’t let it bring us down, we can’t be defeated, because our son needs us, and we have to be there for him.” Isabel smiled and caught her husband in a grateful embrace, knowing wholeheartedly that he was right.
She realised that Cole, and Rose, and even the second demon that Cole had created, that they still knew nothing of, were all vital for some reason or another. She was afraid for her son, for the other demon’s intentions were unknown, but she had faith at least. And there was still much more to be done.
The voice that was not of a God had told her that she would have to help Cole, and so help him she would. Cole was lacking the direction that he so desired; that he had possibly lost, and Isabel somehow knew it was part of her task to help instil that direction once again. She had to protect and guide her son, and it seemed, Rose also, for she too was very young.
They were following in two great pairs of footsteps, and Isabel knew that that simple fact haunted Cole greatly. As it stood, Tamarack was not enough for her son, but soon, Isabel imagined, that would no longer be the case. She only hoped that the changes Cole would surely bring about would be for better rather than worse.
“We must leave then.” Zanriath spoke again, breaking Isabel’s tumbling thoughts with his own. “Immediately.”
“Yes.” Isabel agreed, nodding her head and clearing her mind. She stood in a business-like manner, though her balance was jittery at best, and proceeded to take control. Zanriath smiled as his wife’s mind geared into motion. He didn’t interrupt as she began making plans and arrangements. He never minded allowing Isabel to take charge of the situation - it gave her actions a target, a responsibility, and he much preferred her to be driven by that, rather than by melancholy.
“We’ll need supplies…” Isabel started, heading straight for the kitchen pantry. “Some for Cole too probably…”
Zanriath smiled and followed her into the kitchen, waiting for her to ask him to go over and speak to Khriss at the stables about acquiring horses. He already knew that Khriss had horses available, but said nothing.
“We’re going to need to make good time…” Isabel continued. “Rose seems very powerful…” She looked to Zanriath quickly. “Do you know if Khriss has any spare horses Zan?” She asked.
“I’m not sure.” Zanriath replied smoothly. “I’m sure he could find something for us.”
“Let’s hope so.” Isabel said almost absentmindedly, as she took stock of the food from the pantry. “Could you go over and see please? We’ll need saddlebags too.”
“Of course. I’ll go over now.” Zanriath replied smiling still. The satisfied twinkle in his eyes catching Isabel’s attention.
“What?” She asked.
“Nothing dear.” Zanriath replied, walking over and kissing her gently. “I’ll be back soon.” He told her before leaving and heading over to the stables at a brisk pace, wanting to leave as soon as possible. He stuffed his hands into his pockets to keep them warm and his hot breath steamed around him.
Isabel followed him out of the door with her eyes before turning her attention back to her preparations, muttering all the time to herself under her breath.
“We’ll need warm clothes too…and lots of them…”
It wasn’t long before Isabel had collected everything they would need, which was not a great deal since their carrying capacity would be somewhat limited, and sat waiting for Zanriath to return. She saw him approach from the window, leading two large horses, and Isabel sighed with heavy relief.
One of the horses she recognised, and had ridden before. He was a reliable old thing and tough as nails. The other she did not know, but was built so similarly that they could have been almost identical, save that one was chestnut brown and the other jet black, both with a white streak down their nose.
Without thinking, before Zanriath arrived and they made a hasty departure, Isabel sounded a quick prayer under her breath. She prayed for strength and safety for Cole and Rose, and her hand came absently up to her amulet as she whispered her words. It glowed brightly at her touch, renewed by her sudden action, as it had lain relatively dormant since her meeting with Depozi.
She remembered all too clearly not knowing who to pray to when Depozi had been her God, as He had abandoned His people to the hands of fate. But this time she was in no doubt. Ormath watched over her now, and she had a sneaking suspicion that it would not be too long before she would meet with Him once again.
She opened her eyes as Zanriath entered the front door, rubbing his hands together against the growing cold of the afternoon.
“We’ll have a few hours of light left.” He said. “But it’s getting cold.” Isabel nodded as she rose from her seat and headed into the kitchen. She emerged carrying their supplies and handed Zanriath some warmer clothes.
“Here.” She said. “It’s not going to get any warmer. Help me load these?” She asked. Zanriath smiled and took the bundle from her outstretched arm.
“Thanks.” He said. “Let’s go.” Isabel nodded and they headed out into the cold. There was not the time to alert the villagers to their sudden departure, and they were sure that Khriss would spread the news for them over the next couple of days, as Zanriath had given him a brief r
un-down of the situation.
Soon the horses were loaded and snorting and whinnying impatiently. Despite the circumstances, Isabel couldn’t help but smile impishly at her husband as they mounted their steeds, she on the brown one and Zanriath on the black. It had been quite some time.
Isabel kicked her horse’s flanks and spurred her mount off to the north with haste. Zanriath rode at her side and from the corners of their eyes they could see their friends and neighbours stood in their doorways with desperate looks of longing and hope painted across their faces, clearly already aware that something terrible had happened.
It seemed that their sudden need for horses had not gone unnoticed after all. The village of Kalaris held its breath as Isabella the Eternal and Timeless Zanriath, its founders and saviours, disappeared into the darkening day to face tasks still unbeknownst to them, and enemies that had endured for countless millennia waiting for them.
11
The journey to Inferno Range was one Isabel and Zanriath had both made before, but that did not make the long ride any less tedious. The couple rode by day and rested on the cold, hard ground by night, and all the while they thought of their son. He was ahead of them somewhere, alone with his demon, both undoubtedly in equal amounts of danger.
Isabel cast thoughts out across the island numerous times during the three full days of non-stop riding it took them to reach Inferno Range, and by the end of the first day her senses told her that Cole was already there. Perhaps she had underestimated Rose’s capabilities.
However, Isabel did find it very difficult to pinpoint Cole’s location exactly, or indeed that of Rose and the missing demon. Cole’s power was so fast, and his experimentations so wild and uncontrolled, that his will surged over areas covering many miles at a time, concealing all other demonic traces within those spaces.
So, Isabel could safely presume that all three of them were in Inferno Range, and all within a few miles of each other, but where exactly, she could not tell from such a distance. That knowledge frustrated her immensely, tormenting her like a child, but she pressed on with Zanriath, both in sombre determination.
