Age of Souls

by Garrett Stevens

  The shuffling of the footsteps got closer to the boat and then abruptly stopped with a stomp. Soldiers ready for their next order.

  “Please step back sir, there is an issue with one of the vessels.” The same woman’s voice ordered over the waters.

  Definitely the Sergeant. Latisha cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head towards one of the port hole windows as something shimmered in the water that caught her eye.

  “Sir. Step back!” The Sergeant called out with a little more aggression in her tone in the opposite direction of the boat.

  Shortly after, a shadow cast over the boat and made it difficult to see around the cabin, like a thick cloud had taken over the skies. Latisha squinted and slowly slid her way to the back of the cabin. The pattering of quick footsteps darted from side to side on the docks as cries of death rang out. Men falling into a watery grave or gurgling from some weapon piercing their hide joined in with their clunky footwear.

  She had to get out quickly. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Latisha felt around the back of the boat and stopped over a small latch. Twisting it beneath two of her fingers, a small hatch dropped down, opening her view to the rippling harbour beyond. The calls of the soldiers trying to keep order within their ranks made her smirk, the chaos was comical to her.

  As fast as the group’s death came on, the silence that followed was just as quick. A single set of footsteps clunked their way across the fishing vessels deck.

  “Oh Erisolin my dear, I hope you are still on board.”

  His voice was far too familiar, she quickly turned back to the hole in the side of the boat and began muttering a small incantation. Flipping her hood back over her braid and covering her head, she focused on what she was saying. Hopping up slightly to squeeze on a small shelf to the side of the hatch door, as she muttered her spell, she began to shrink in size. Every second she became smaller and smaller until she was the size of a small child.

  Footsteps rang on back of the boat, near the stairs to the cabin.

  “I know you are down there my dear, time to come out and play.”

  She was not getting small fast enough, a slight panic flooded her eyes as she watched the stairs.

  “Perhaps you are over, here!” Sounds of a tarp flipping to the side rang through the tomb of a docks. The man chuckled to himself.

  Smaller and smaller she became. With each little bit, Latisha kept bouncing her attention to the stairs leading into the cabin and the small hatch door.

  “I bet you are down below then. Oh how I do like a good game of hide and seek.” His voice became slightly more maniacal.

  His footsteps clunked their way down the stairs, while trying to hold in his giddy breathing, he purposefully was being as heavy footed as he could.

  “Hello my dear Erisolin.” His face came into the darkness but was still difficult to see. “Suppose we don’t need the shadows anymore, the game is over, I found you.” The disappointed sound of his voice made him seem very childish.

  The shadows around the cabin sucked their way through the cracks in the boat hull, lighting everything back to the day that it was meant to be. His full form took shape and a sinister half grin spread across his face with an intense stare to partner with it.

  “There is no need any more Shard, the others know the way and are close to the gate.” Latisha yelled across the cabin, trying to get her small voice to carry over to him.

  Throwing the storm spear towards him, Shard’s form flickered to the side and the dense air weapon dissipated against the wood of the hull.

  Shard laughed.

  “Certainly a lot further along than we hoped. But, without the Cup and Relic, both of which are playing right where we need them to be, won’t be an issue any longer. The seals will be broken, and the reign of the rightful will flourish, rewarding us with their grace.” Shard’s voice was deep and focused.

  “Delusional, you and your ilk. Go back to your cult, I will not help you any longer.” Her voice faded from an audible level before she became too small.

  Faer rushed forward in hopes to grab her, his form flickering with each step. His speed was astonishing as he reached out with a giant hand to grab her. Just missing her, he was only able to swipe and catch the fringe of her cloak as she dropped through the hole in the hull, tearing it from her body.

  In a spiral she plunged into the harbour, creating a tiny splash as her body collided with the bobbing waves. Faer growled through the small hatch at her and disappeared. Once in the water, Latisha’s form began to quickly regain its size and she knew she had to get away before he could catch up.

  Whipping her snake tail back and forth, she took off through the sun filled waters at a high rate. A small wake started to form as her form took full size. Keeping on her back to watch the boat, Faer could be seen rummaging around for something on deck. Nets and tarps were tossed into the air in a flurry as he searched.

  She slowed her swimming to a stop at a comfortable distance to watch him move around on deck. A nearby fisherman caught her eye as he watched her bare breasts floating in the waters. Rolling her eyes, she squinted at Shard who was tearing a part of the fishing boat.

  Sounds of glee rifled through the sunny harbour when he found what he was looking for. She could only imagine what it might have been.

  “We must return.” A deep voice in her head made her blink from her focus.

  “I know.” Latisha spoke out loud to herself.

  “The Neightur have grown in strength, the siblings will need our help.”

  “I don’t think your brothers and sisters will be forgiving of me for what I have done.”

  “Chronolin will be, his host still cares. The others will follow the eldest’s lead.” The voice in her head was calming and deep, talking like it was whispering in her ear from behind and moved from side to side.

  An extreme flash ruptured from the fishing vessel sending a shockwave across the docks and harbour. Latisha dove below the water to dodge and watched as the emerald wave cascaded above her. All the surrounding boats rocked from side to side like a storm had pushed through without notice. With a little wiggle out of the depths, Latisha bobbed in the waters again. The dock where Shard had been was now ablaze, a pyre that rapidly spiraled up through the mast and sails.

  “We will see.” Latisha said to herself.

  Pushing against the waters, she leaned forward and gave another whip of her tail to shoot forward. It did not take her long to get back to the dock which was already on fire. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils along with charring timbers.

  With another hard whip of her tail, she shot out of the water and landed on the edge of expanding flames on the docks. The fire broke between pools of blood and corpses of the soldiers but was starting to run up the rope clusters and crates that littered the side. She could see townsfolk in the background running around in panic, trying to stay away from the chaos and searching for an authority to help. Through an ever-growing fire, the pillar of black smoke signaled to the entire city.

  “Might be best to change.”

  “Agreed.” Latisha nodded to the voice

  Latisha stretched her spine and stood tall, pushing her bare breasts out with her hand down to the ground. Her wet skin shimmered against the neighbouring fires and she closed her eyes. Slowly reach over her head with both hands, she weaved them together and closed her eyes.

  Rolling her arms down the front of her, she released them next to her face which caused her hair to flourish out from its braid and fluttered up into the air. As one hand cascaded down close to her body a beautiful blue dress took form and covered her torso. The tight-fitting fabric held close to her body until is stopped just below her backside where her torso faded into her snake like bottom half.

  Just as the dress took form, her dark grey snake bottom changed colouring to that of her skin and the scales faded before splitting and forming legs. Bringing her hands back up across herself, she caressed her form with a sensual breath of relief and gra
bbed her hair to rolled it around itself before draping it over her shoulder.

  “Like last time?”

  “A few adjustments in some fun places but pretty much.”

  “We will need nourishment.”

  “The port will have lots; we can stop by the orphanage on the way through.” Latisha rolled her eyes gently.

  “Just make sure to wait for nightfall this time, we don’t need to waste more time with easily missed delays.”

  “No need for another lecture.”

  “All the same as before, just be careful. We should fill a flask as well; the blood will help in the journey.”

  Latisha nodded and smiled to herself before stepping barefoot through the fire and blood-soaked docks. A nod at the small gather of fire brigade as they slowed their run to the flames to give a curious look before continuing with their buckets. The sounds of local military rang down the cobbled streets that drew her attention before darting into the closest lane, vanishing from their path.

  Chapter 23

  Bells rang out over the water edged city; Latisha knew she needed to blend in with the people to get where she needed to go as word would travel fast with the garrison. The day was starting to come to a rest with each step and it would not be long before everyone would lock their doors for the evening. The small fishing village was large enough to get lost but close enough to the capital that the guards were quick to respond.

  “Hey there good lookin’, need a place for the evening?” A middle age man called out to her as she walked by.

  Her attention was stolen for just long enough by the unkempt man that he was standing next to a small child washing something in a wooden half barrel filled with soapy water. Skipping to a stop, she turned to the cat call.

  “Beautiful daughter you have there. The missus won’t mind me interrupting the evening?” Latisha slowly stepped closer.

  “Ain’t no interruption, she died a ways back.” The man was not the most pleasant to look at.

  Portion of his stomach was hanging out from the bottom of his tunic that had a numerous collection of old and new stains on it. Dirty dark leather pants barely tied at the waist were a miracle that were staying on. His bare feet were covered with hair and mud that were blood red in places, like he had been walking a while on open sores.

  His daughter on the other hand was almost the complete other end of the spectrum. Her hair was long and clean with a slight curl at the bottom. Her pink dress was dirty on the bottom where it scraped along the ground and on her knees from doing house chores. Although places were messy, it still looked like she took the effort to try and keep it clean. Her features were smooth and young but still carried a sort of wisdom in her eyes. She didn’t pay any mind to the conversation happening above her.

  “Sounds like there is some commotion down at the docks, wonder what the trouble could be?” Latisha questioned as she stopped near the portly man.

  “Always a fire or military hokum down there. Some idiot fisherman prolly set his boat on fire again.” He looked up at the smoke filtering up into the evening sky.

  “There was a lot of fighting down there earlier father, could have been another raid from the islands.” The little girl spoke very articulately but kept her eyes on her task in the barrel.

  The fat man huffed and turned back to Latisha.

  “Well?”

  Looking down the road and up to the smoke, Latisha nodded to his offer.

  “Be nice to get away from this noise.”

  A coarse smile revealed many teeth missing. Pushing with his shoulder into the door frame, the girl’s father entered his house.

  “How long do you have left out here sweetie?” Latisha knelt beside the young girl and watched her.

  “Not too long, have one more bag to do.” She stopped and pointed towards a small satchel leaning against the stone base of the building. Finally, she looked over at Latisha and her eyes went wide. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thanks young one.” Latisha smiled a very warm smile at her making her smile in return and shy away slightly.

  “You’re not going to entertain my father, are you?” The girl’s curiosity sounded more surprised and confused than anything else.

  “In a way.” Latisha paused briefly, “I’m going to help both of you.”

  “Just be careful, he can get rough when he drinks.” The little girl’s face flooded with fear and she started back into her wash.

  “I know how to take care of myself young one. Just come inside when you are all finished up and I can get you something to eat.” Latisha smiled at her again before standing.

  “If you want me to wash your dress, I would be happy to. It’s very pretty.” The child looked up at the blue dress with a wonderment. “It might be a little small for you though.”

  Latisha laughed.

  “It’s not small, I made it to be like this. It is not often that I get to show off my legs. No need to add to your work.”

  The girl smiled up at her with a little giggle and went back to the soapy barrel.

  The inside of the house matched the disheveled man; things were out of place, stains scattered the floor and walls, scraps of food that could have been weeks old and growing something new sat on a table to the side of the home near the fireplace. There was a single corner in the house that was tidy, washed and organized. A small cot sat next to the wall that was neatly made with a small stuffed rabbit laying on a bundle of fabric for a pillow.

  “Quite the place you have here.” Latisha called out after not seeing the man when she came in.

  A topless fat torso came out from behind the far wall carrying a glass bottle filed with a brownish liquid, his hair covered body glistened with sweat from being out in the sun most of the day.

  “It’s home.” He took a swig out of the large bottle.

  “Room back there?”

  He nodded against the opening to the bottle as he drank.

  “I will be there in a second, going to grab something from the kitchen and I will meet you.”

  Another nod against the bottle and he spun back behind the wall.

  Latisha tip toed her way through the main area of the house, trying not to step on anything that might puncture her skin, squish between her toes, or possibly be still alive. The kitchen was a small set of high tables against the far wall with a quaint stove still burning a log.

  Grabbing a wooden cup from one of the tables, she examined it for any contaminants. Another disgusted search for a clean rag or towel to wipe the inside turned up fruitful; the child had her own corner in all areas of the house. A small folded cloth rest next to the wall on the far table. Latisha leaned over, trying not to step anywhere from her safe spot and snagged to clean cloth. Wiping down the cup, she dipped it into a nearby water bucket and placed it on the table.

  Cupping both hands as if she was trying to cover a small ball, she muttered a short incantation and the water began to boil. A small wisp of steam twirled its way up to her face and she blew it away before turning to the garbage heap in the rest of the home. Dodging her way through the mess once again, she slowly made it to the far wall and down a small hallway into a bedroom where the disgusting pig of a man was still drinking his life away, waiting.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have any small weapons laying around, would you?” Latisha asked in a very sensual tone when she stopped in the doorway.

  A belch came from the naked fat man lying on the bed. “Have a small blade behind the door, why?”

  “Maybe a little adventure tonight?” Latisha turned to him with a coy look on her face.

  The look of the exposed obese man made her catch something in her throat. The blotched and speckled bedding was something she did not even want to get close to. The bedroom matched the rest of the house, might have been a little worse and had no clean spot for the girl’s space.

  “Bitch likes it rough?” He coughed at her comment, not fully swallowing the last bit of alcohol from the bottle.

  Latisha
crept past the door and reached behind it, finding the hilt of the sword and carried it with her towards the bed. Placing the steaming cup on a nearby table, she closed the door and readied the weapon like she was going to attack the lard of a man.

  A quick incantation under her breath and the blade began to glow slightly. Before the drunk could open his mouth to say anything, she plunged the full length of the steel through his chest and into the bedding, sizzling against his flesh. Smell of cooking meat filled the room with the muffled shifting of his death.

  “Excellent, rough it is then.” A sinister smile came across her face as she watched the life drain from his eyes.

  Trying to call out for help, nothing came. His eyes flooded with tears and the pain that he was feeling came across his widened eyes. His voice was silent, the spell she had put on the blade barred him from any noise. Wrestling around in pain in hopes to free himself from the small woman, the blade kept burning his flesh and Latisha held him easily down. His eyelids fluttered as he vomited over himself, barely able to lift his head and then finally collapsed against the folded blanket pillowing and his body going limp.

  Latisha let go of the hilt and pushed off with her knee to get back into an open spot in the mess. Looking at the horrid cadaver of a man, she cocked an eyebrow and scanned down to his penis.

  “No way that this would have been enjoyable. Men can dream I guess.” With a laugh to herself, she escaped the filthy room with her steaming cup and closed the door behind her.

  “Dad, I will finish the rest in the morning. My hands are raw.” The child’s voice carried over the heap and down towards Latisha as she left the room.

  “Your father is resting, but I have something for you.” Latisha called out down the corridor.

  Sounds of the child wrestling her way over the garbage made it easy to point out where she was in the house. It was not long before she made it over to the corner of the wall where Latisha was going to be coming from. With a friendly smile she greeted her and pulled on her hand to her clean corner.