Call of Kuyr

by J C Gilbert

  I pulled out The Book of Martin. The scar on my wrist began to burn. Even now, I could still sense activity within the pages. Whatever happened to the world, it was not yet destroyed.

  I tried to open the book up, but the pages were crusted together like they had been caught in magma flow. This was fine. I didn't need to open the book.

  "Take my hand," I said to Lilly, "and you take his."

  I focused my attention on the book, using it like I did the void stone, trying to hunt out its core essence, trying to let me in.

  There was a crack of thunder. It echoed through The Library, bouncing off of impossible walls. The book leaped from my hand and hovered a few feet in front of me. It was shuddering and shaking. Lightning was coursing over its surface. A tremendous howling wind was pulling towards the book and seemingly going nowhere.

  "What's happening," yelled Trist over the wind.

  I didn't know, but I didn't want to show it. Then the book opened up, not in the sense that books normally open up, it was more like a hole had been made in space.

  "What have you done?" called the Librarian. She was standing at the doorway with her tea things and an open mouth.

  "I-"

  Then we were sucked in. We were dragged through a vast empty space where lightning encircled us, whipping at us. My head throbbed in concord with some pulsating light within gargantuan dark clouds.

  A circle of light opened up ahead. We spun towards it, out of control. I could still feel Lilly's grip, or at least I thought I could. I'm not totally sure that I even had a body at this point.

  The circle of light was so small, and we were spinning so wildly, but at last, we collided with it. The bright light of day surrounded me, and I careered into the dirt. Lilly landed next to me, skidding for a moment. "Ow," she said.

  Trist landed next to her with a thud. I winced to see him hurt. It didn't look like he was conscious. I looked behind to see what was to become of this strange portal. It rippled on the fabric of reality, a hole in the world, then shuddered, and then went out. The Book of Martin then fell to the soft earth, even more petrified than it had been before. It appeared to be smoking.

  Gingerly, I got to my feet and walked over to the book. It was not the sort of thing I wanted to leave lying around. Using my sleeve as a glove, I handled it into my bag. The smell of singed fabric filled my nostrils. I then went to the others.

  "I'm not even going to ask," said Trist. His voice was weak, but he seemed to be OK.

  "Well, it looks like we are in," said Lilly. She was gazing across the plain towards the city of Kanboor. The city was in ruin. Smoke spiraled up from a multitude of locations. It looked like it was mostly collapsed into the waters. In my mind's eye, I imagined hundreds of little gargoyles lining the city walls. I shuddered.

  Overhead the sky was filled with the same dark clouds we had seen in the space between The Library and here. My heart skipped a beat. To my horror, cracks wended through the sky like marble. I looked about rapidly for any sign of Aeoran, but there was nothing.

  "Over here," said Trist. He was standing a few feet from us, looking away from the city. We joined his side to see that he was looking out over a small hill. In the dip below was a tent city, the refugees of Kanboor.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  We found a path down and entered the tent city. All around were the familiar faces of the place where we had spent so many nights. But these faces had seen things, thats for sure. I almost missed the calls of the market.

  Almost.

  "Who is in charge here?" asked Trist of an older looking woman. She was comforting a child with a rabbit doll. The child did not seem interested.

  "I don't think that's decided," she said, "don't suppose it matters, anyway," she said.

  We continued through the makeshift shelters. It didn't look like they had had much time to get things together before fleeing.

  We came across Martin, helping a family repair the fallen-in wall of their shelter. He was dressed in rags and looked like he was in his element, going about helping people. Suited him far better than leading a company of warriors.

  "Give me a minute," he said when he saw me. When he was sure the shelter was secure, he pocketed a few nails and dusted off his hands. "Now, what can I do for you, shepherd?"

  "What happened here?" I asked.

  "You don't know?" he looked puzzled, "folks say you were on the roof when it was taken."

  "We were but we, um, we left," I said. Blood rushed to my cheeks.

  "I don't rightly understand it either, sir," said Trist.

  "Well I'll fill you in, I guess," he said, eyeing me with suspicion. "Well, as you know, that winged fellow took the Rose of the Raven from its dais and things really started to go south. Now, I'm not blaming anyone, but the Ravens sure had a lot of gargoyle eggs ready to hatch. I think it was too much for the world to take. Strange things started happening, holes, I guess you call them holes, started opening up left right and center. There was nothing we could do but flee."

  "Sounds dreadful," said Lilly.

  "It sure was. Still is, for these people. Anyhow, Kanboor started to collapse. It was only really being held in place by the Rose of the Raven, and with its power directed elsewhere there was nothing to stop the city sinking into the harbor."

  "And Kuyr, the thing that stole the Rose?" asked Trist.

  "Didn't know he had a name," said Martin, "well I guess he must have. Well, we haven't seen him since we got out of the city. Not close up, anyhow. People say they have seen him flapping about over the city, and there are stories of him creeping into the camp at night. Not sure if they are true though. Mostly we have been left to ourselves."

  "What is he up to, I wonder," I said.

  "He's using the Rose, that's for sure. Scarcely a night goes by where we are not treated to a light show. And now the sky is changing," Martin shook his head, "these are certainly the end times. Just didn't think they would take so long."

  "Maybe things don't have to end," I said.

  Martin looked at me, wearily. "I know in my heart that the end is coming soon. And it's hard to deny, those cracks in the sky are mighty portentous."

  He was right, of course. But I wanted to keep that to myself. It was a long shot, but if we could just somehow manage to get a hold of Kuyr's chalice, then there was a chance that all this could be reversed.

  "Well, I better get back to things. Folks need help. You might think about lending a hand," he said to Trist.

  "Rude," said Lilly.

  "You too, miss. I meant no offense."

  "You aren't in charge?" I asked.

  Martin laughed, "not me," he said. "I like it better this way."

  "Then who?" I asked, "the Raven patriarch?"

  "Not her neither. Turns out there has been someone else running the city while the Ravens and the Rams were fighting."

  "Who?" asked Trist.

  "Well, she says she's the last of the Nadre. Head down that way, if you want to see her, though I don't think she will have much time for any shepherd of Munrath. After that, see about lending these folk some help," he said, looking particularly at Lilly.

  We continued through the refugee camp in the direction Martin had pointed. As we walked, we saw the kind of lives which were being led. Much of it was exactly as they might have been in the city. Children were fighting, people were cracking jokes, a few kids were playing a strange sport involving a cricket bat and wickets. We saw a few companies of people practicing their swordplay too, as well as some of the Rams and the Ravens who had taken it upon themselves to patrol. None of the Ravens had their wings anymore, but they still walked as if they could fly.

  We saw the Nadre woman long before we were near. She was taller than the average Kanboor person by almost two feet. She wore white robes over a blue tunic. Her hair was long and straight and fell most the way down her back.

  She was being argued at by the Raven patriarch. The patriarch was a short woman who wore armor which until recently must
have granted her more of a vertical advantage in debates. "We can take the city from here. My people are training."

  "The city has fallen, we must take refuge at Hallow Ben."

  "The temple will not save us. We know Kanboor. I know Kanboor. I can take back the city, just give me a few extra days to train the youngbloods."

  The Nadre woman nodded gravely, "the city has fallen, we must take refuge at Hallow Ben," she repeated. Her eyes seemed to have a satirical sparkle behind them. She looked up at our approach. "Welcome," she said, "I foresaw your coming."

  "Creepy," said Lilly.

  "My name is Tharil, I am the last patriarch of the Nadre, ruler of the city of Kanboor."

  "Ruler?" asked Trist, a sly smile gracing the corner of his mouth.

  "Perhaps that is too strong a word. Perhaps guide would better describe my role." Her tones were soft and lilting, and she spoke as if there was some secret humor in what she said that only she understood.

  "Can I speak with you in private?" I heard my self ask. If Hank could speak, he would probably have ventured a 'pardon me?' to me at this point.

  Tharil nodded and gestured me to follow her. She led me into a large tent. It was nothing over the top or anything, but I suspected that Martin wouldn't be caught dead keeping this tent to himself when there were people in need of shelter.

  "I know what you are planning," she said when we were inside, "and I cannot allow you to have it.

  "What do you mean?" I asked, my stomach lurching.

  "Kuyr's chalice. It is far too dangerous to be handed over to a stranger, even if you are the shepherd of Munrath." Her eyes widened as she said that stupid title.

  "I don't want it for myself. I want to take it where it can never be found again."

  "You say that now," said Tharil, "but when you hear the call of Kuyr, you may act differently. He is the God of Death, and he will not be resisted lightly."

  "I know about magical calls," I said, "I can manage it."

  "Nevertheless. I cannot allow you to have it."

  "What then? This world will be devoured if it isn't removed. Did you happen to notice the gashes in the sky?"

  Tharil smiled. "The end times are near," she said. "Soon the Aeoran will devour all, and we will be reborn. Such is the cycle of things."

  "Well, you are half right. I have seen what happens to worlds devoured by the World Snake. They are not reborn. They are destroyed. There is nothing left of them, not even ash. They become never-were."

  A ripple of doubt crossed Tharil's face, and then her expression returned to one of reserved satire. "I can see that your heart is in the right place," she said. "I have no qualms with you joining us in this fight. But when the time comes, the chalice is mine. My people have a place for such things. You need not worry. Kuyr has been defeated before, and will be defeated again."

  There was a crash outside and then screaming. A Raven soldier entered the tent. "Pardon me, ma'am. We are under attack."

  "Excuse me," she said and left.

  I followed after her, looking about for Lilly and Trist. They were coming my way. "What's happening?" I asked.

  They did not have time to answer. Just then, three figures landed in front of us. They were like the gargoyles, but much much taller and broader. They all had the same hideous face, the face of Kuyr.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  I stepped back as the three gargoyles stepped forward.

  "Now this is creepy," said Lilly.

  "I think that one has my sword," said Trist.

  The leader of the monsters clicked the sword handle and a blue beam emitted from it.

  "He definitely has my sword," said Trist. "We really need to leave."

  And then the soldiers were upon them. People in Ram armor and Raven armor lunged forward at the gargoyles. "Should we even be here?" asked Lilly.

  "This way," I said, leading them back behind a boulder.

  "And you think this will help?" asked Trist.

  There was a zap as one of the attacking men was caught by the swinging sword. He seemed to contort for a moment on the end of the blade and then flew backward, landing a few feet from our position.

  "Where did you get that thing, anyway?" asked Lilly.

  "It's a long story," said Trist, "but I don't want to get hit by it again, so if we could just get on with getting on."

  The soldiers were holding their own against the gargoyles. None of the Ravens seemed to have use of their wings or their pistols, but as it turns out were all rather proficient with double ended spears. The Rams all clung to their two-headed axes like they were an extension of their bodies. Together they created a whirlwind of motion and steel which was frightening to watch, or at least would have been if ever their contact with the gargoyles wasn't leading to another of the army being crushed or flung.

  "We can't leave them to fight alone," I said.

  "What do you suppose we do? Go bleed on them? 'Cos I'm fairly sure that's all we would achieve," said Lilly.

  "I'll use the flames," I suggested.

  "Flames?" asked Trist.

  "Do you think you could use them and still face Kuyr?" asked Lilly.

  I hesitated. "Maybe? No. I don't know."

  "As long as they have my sword then we won't stand a chance," said Trist.

  "Alright," I said. "Let's do something about that sword."

  I closed my eyes and began to paint with my mind. I could feel my mind tilt and then expand as the power of the fire realm started to flow through me. I envisioned a pincer, a huge pincer. What was it attached to? A crab. There would be a crab.

  I opened my eyes again and saw the fire pour from me and take the shape I had seen. Something was off, though. Instead of producing the creature I had envisioned exactly, it was about twice the size.

  "Subtle," said Lilly, gazing at the house-sized flame crab. "This must be one of the new pokemon, 'cos I 'ain't seen it before."

  "That is impressive," said Trist.

  By now the Kuyr-faced gargoyles had taken notice of the oversized crustation. One of their number took flight. My crab grabbed at it lazily, but it was too slow. The gargoyle swung its stony claw at the arm of the crab. The fiery limb detached and started to topple down towards the makeshift shelters below.

  I moved quickly, commanding the crab to snatch at his fallen limbs. It was just about to collide with the shelters when the crab caught it in time. The gargoyle that made the assault was holding his right arm limply. It was the arm which it had wielded against the crab. I commanded the creature to throw the severed claw at his attacker. It was all so much effort. Other than the dragon, I had never created something so large. And this time I did not have the same well of energy inside me.

  The claw careered towards my opponent. He moved to dodge it, but not fast enough, and the full blow of the flame claw hit him, leaving only charred rubble behind him.

  The Ravens and the Rams were still holding their own against the other two gargoyles but were losing ground. Just then, a zap sent another Raven careering through the sky. I glanced over at Trist. His face was contorted as if he had been hit. He was not handling this well at all. I wondered if Trist really even wanted his sword back at this point. I was distracted too long.

  I looked back just in time to see the sword-wielding gargoyle jump our way. I raised my hand to shield my face from the blow, which I was sure would come. The crab winked out of existence. In exactly the same moment a fiery shield materialized on my arm. I parried the oncoming sword and was pushed back.

  Lilly tried to pull Trist away from the scene. He seemed to have lost all nerve now. The blade came down on me again, and again, I parried the blow. Those same bulging eyes which cursed Kuyr's face looked down on me from the face of the gargoyle.

  My shield blinked and then went dim.

  A shadow passed over my face. My heart skipped a beat as I expected to see the World Snake come down on us. But it was not Aeoran. It was an enormous Ram warrior. It was Darion. The man was huge, and the man
was angry. He caught the gargoyle's sword arm mid-swing, held it in two hands, and broke it over his knee.

  The gargoyle howled in pain. His companion looked up from where he was menacing a child and flew away into the stormy skies toward the ruins of Kanboor.

  The injured gargoyle clawed at Darion's face with his remaining arm, carving deep grooves into the man's skin. Darion almost seemed not to notice. In one fluid motion, he unhooked the ax from his belt and swung it into the gargoyles shin.

  The gargoyle stumbled back and crumbled into dust.

  He turned to look at us, blood dripping from the wound on his face. "Get everyone ready to leave," he said. He looked down at the sword hilt. He kicked it idly toward Trist. "Don't lose it next time," he said.

  People no longer needed convincing that the old Nadre temple, Hallow Ben, was a good place to hide. The gargoyles we had fought were not the only ones. Several people said their children were carried off toward the ruined city. A company formed to go after them. The whole thing was horrifying.

  "We won't see them again," said Darion, watching them go.

  "You could help them, you know," said Tharil, "you might be able to save one or two of the children."

  "And I might just get myself killed. My god rewards bravery, not stupidity," he said.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  The passage toward the Hallow Ben was overgrown with rainforest and swamps. No one had come this way for a long time. I wanted to ask Tharil what led the Nadre out of the forest and into the city, but she was evasive and secretive when asked about her people.

  There were roughly three thousand survivors from the fall on Kanboor. They were to a person a resilient lot, though signs of fatigue and strife were clear in their looks. We passed several smaller temples which were not Hallow Ben. Each of them had their own peculiarities. These were the sorts of ruins you could spend days wandering, searching out the secret places, listening to the silent stones.

  There were high towers with sad faces, statues of many armed creatures, and depictions of ancient battles. But more common than anything else were images and tokens of snakes. Unease awoke in my heart and made me watchful.