Crescent Moon

by David Partelow

  Marin’s features darkened as she took a step toward her adopted son. “Elor, that is enough for today,” she said.

  Elor could hardly hear her now. For some reason Marin’s voice had grown faint in the intensity he now felt. The power rising within the young imp was seductive and inviting. With the magic flowing freely, Elor held no fears and relished in the courage that rushed within him.

  This is but a taste of what you can have. Open yourself up to it. Welcome it with open arms. A gift from the darkness. No longer will you know weakness or fear. Welcome this power to you now. Revel in it. Let it be one with you.

  Elor didn’t realize it at first, but he was smiling now, his fangs bared in delight. Soon his eyes opened and the yellow of them bore chaotic energy. He marveled at the flame conjured in his hands. The little imp felt more powerful than he thought possible. In those seconds, he enjoyed the sensation as his senses opened further to it.

  “Elor!” Marin called out to the little imp as she drew closer. “See what you are doing! Control what you feel! Do not let it control you! Elor, hear me!” Marin cried.

  Somehow, through the haze of power and allurement, Elor heard Marin well. His wits returned to him as he looked again at the flames growing in his hands. And while he marveled at the display, in his heart he knew that something was not right. Shaking his thoughts completely clear, the little imp’s eyes widened as he fully felt the overwhelming magic rushing through him.

  “No!” said Elor defiantly, closing himself off from the alluring, strengthening magic.

  Suddenly the fire conjured in Elor’s hands roared, spilling outward and striking the rocks surrounding him and Marin. The stone troll shielded her eyes, but she was knocked from her feet as she crashed upon the ground. Elor grunted as he fell off the rock he stood upon and met the grass. The rising power within him subsided before abandoning him completely.

  Soon the magical fury was gone, and all was calm again. Laying where he was, Elor savored the cool wind whispering upon him and the relief he felt in the returning calm. He was greatly taxed and wanted nothing more than to keep his eyes closed and savor the gentleness of rest upon his being. But such respite was brushed away as a single thought flooded his mind.

  “Marin!” Elor’s eyes shot open as he called to his adopted mother.

  Scrambling to his feet, the young imp rushed over to Marin. The stone troll was slowly raising her head off the ground as she looked about. Elor was horrified to see burn marks across her body. Looking about much of the rocks and surface surrounding them had been marked with fire. A wave of shame rushed over the little imp as tears filled his yellow eyes.

  “Marin! I am so sorry! Please forgive me,” sobbed the little imp as he placed the stone troll’s head in his little hands.

  Marin placed a cool hand across the imp’s face. “I will be fine, young one. I was more worried about you. Are you alright?” she asked as she looked the little imp over.

  Elor nodded as tears fell down his cheeks. “Yes, I’m fine. But I hate what I have done to you!”

  Elor then helped Marin to her feet. It took some effort to assist the stone troll, but the two of them took their time and finally accomplished the task. Slowly, Marin walked about as she brushed herself off, looking at the damage wrought. As she did so, Elor hung his head, shame evident in his demeanor.

  Finishing her survey, Marin looked upon her adopted son. “What happened, Elor? Tell me everything,” she said.

  Elor’s head lowered further. “I am so very sorry,” said the imp.

  With great care, Marin knelt before him. “I know that you are. And you are forgiven. But for now, you must tell me all that you know so that we can be sure this never happens again,” she said.

  Slowly, Elor looked up at her before wiping at his eyes. “I don’t know what happened. I was doing as you instructed me to. I began to feel the magic forming within me and I did my best to welcome it. It was then that I heard a voice,” he replied.

  Marin’s eyes narrowed as her interest intensified. “A voice?” she asked.

  Elor nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “It told me to accept the new power that I felt, that it would make me stronger than I could ever hope to be. And in those moments, I did feel powerful. It was strength that coursed in me. And everything was easy in those moments. It was almost…enchanting as it was enticing,” said Elor.

  Marin stared distantly for long moments as she absorbed Elor’s words. Elor could see that she was quite concerned as if something truly frightening had washed over her. Elor was prepared to ask her but something about her face made him remain silent. Marin appeared leagues away from him, lost in thoughtful remembrance and he knew that he had to remain patient.

  “It has happened then,” breathed Marin as her look of distance upon her face remained. “He is returning.”

  “Who is returning?” Asked Elor.

  Finally, Marin focused on Elor again as she smiled to him. Placing her hands upon his shoulders, she spoke again. “You must listen to me, Elor, and you must listen well. What you felt at the end there, that was a seduction of dark power. I do not care how long it takes to harness your magic or how tempting that offer is, it is simply a course you must avoid at all costs. Please do this for me, Elor, for if you do not I will be forced to train you no more. I have lived a long life, long enough to understand the difference between good and evil as well as the light and dark. Do you understand? Do you hear my words?”

  Slowly, the little imp nodded. “I hear you. I hear you very well, Marin. However long it takes, I will do things as you ask of me. You have my word,” he said. The earnestness doubled in his eyes as he replied.

  Relief rushed over Marin’s features as a deep smile formed. “Thank you, my Elor. Please know that I only want the best for you when I request this,” she said as she placed her arms around the imp.

  Elor was all too happy to return the hug. “Of course! I may not always understand, but I’ll always trust in you,” he offered as he squeezed to her tightly.

  The two embraced for long moments, filled with love and relief. At last, Marin released him and rose to her feet. Taking the little imp by the hand, the two of them walked for a time in silence. Marin was pleased that Elor had understood and trusted her. Elor inwardly rejoiced that Marin was unhurt by his actions.

  Finally, it was Elor who broke the silence. “Marin, what did you mean when you spoke of him?” he asked.

  Marin squeezed Elor’s hand. “That is a tale that shall be saved for a later date. I have seen much in my life, Elor. For now, I want you only to enjoy being alive and thankful for each day. For the moment, that is enough,” she said.

  At this, Elor slowly nodded. “Okay, Marin. If that is your wish,” he said.

  Clearing the cover of rocky terrain, Marin and Elor continued their walk, seeing before them a great stretch of the realm of Saelen. The sight of it often made Elor fill with awe, for it reminded him of the vastness of Lunaria. There was an infinite amount to still see of the world, and the thought filled him with the fear and excitement of possibility. He hoped one day he and Marin could see it all together.

  As they walked then, Marin suddenly halted as she looked about quickly. “It shouldn’t be. He returns already?” she asked to no one but herself.

  Elor joined her in searching about the landscape. “Who returns?” he asked.

  Marin’s eyes narrowed in agitation. “A great unicorn, son of the Land Guardian Ornock. He is Seark and his power is only rivaled by his greed,” she said grimly. “Stay close to me, Elor. And do not speak to Seark unless I tell you. He holds a temper as well as an air of superiority to all land creatures.”

  “He doesn’t sound very pleasant at all,” said Elor.

  “No,” said Marin shaking her head. “He is very far from that.”

  Elor searched about with Marin, trying to pinpoint the source of her concern. It was only scant moments before his eyes fixed on a mound of land moving quickly across the landscape. Within s
econds this mound fixed upon Marin and Elor and headed towards them. As the mound approached, Marin placed herself between it and Elor, protectively shielding her adopted charge. Elor remained silent and ready as the mound quickly reached them.

  Coming to a stop, the mound of land opened and the unicorn known as Seark rose from it. Elor’s eyes widened at the sight, for Seark towered easily above him and Marin. The dark skin of the unicorn was unsettling to the little imp, but not nearly as much as the blazing gold eyes that now fixed upon him. Elor did his best to hold his ground as the unicorn stomped once, demanding attention. As he did this, a kelpie also rose from the ground, gasping and coughing as they did. Elor immediately felt bad for the creature. The kelpie’s skin was dry and shackled with mounds of dirt while it carried a heavy burden of full sacks.

  At the sight of him, Marin offered a patient, deliberate bow. “Great Seark, you honor us with your presence. For what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” she asked.

  The cordial greeting and stroking of his ego clearly pleased the unicorn as he nodded. “You have always done well at offering respect where and when it is due, stone troll,” said Seark, feeling the utterance of the names of lesser creatures was beneath him. “I come once more in search of tributes for protecting the lands in my father’s stead.”

  Marin did not relinquish her bow as she replied. “You come earlier than in previous years, Seark,” she replied in observation.

  Seark stomped a hoof again, shaking the land around him. At this, the kelpie jumped before lowering her head in shame. “I come when it suits me, and I claim what is owed to me. Be grateful that I still watch over these lands and do not question my authority!”

  Marin did look up this time at the powerful unicorn. “I was not questioning, great Seark. It was simply an observation. I assume you hold your reasons. I simply meant I have grown accustomed to your timing and was caught unprepared,” said the stone troll.

  At this, the blazing eyes of the unicorn lessoned in fiery intensity as he nodded. “Then I shall allow it as simply a misunderstanding,” he said.

  “Thank you, Seark,” replied Marin.

  It was then that Seark’s gaze set upon the little imp hiding upon the stone troll. Immediately the fire in his eyes returned as he addressed Elor. “And what is this little imp doing in our presence? Have you claimed a pet or a slave? And why does he look upon me with such a gaze?”

  Marin was about to speak when Elor came from behind her to bow as well. “Forgive me, great Seark. I’ve not had the pleasure to be in the company of one of your strength and majesty before. Please overlook my behavior, for I was simply in awe of your presence,” said the little imp quickly.

  At this, Seark nodded approvingly. “You have found yourself a smart slave, stone troll. Hold on to him for as long as he holds use,” he said.

  Marin placed a hand on Elor’s shoulder. “He is a good boy and my adopted son,” she said proudly.

  “Son?” Seark bellowed before laughing deeply. The laughter made the kelpie next to him shiver as much as the stomping only moments ago. “You waste your time on such foolishness. This imp seems smart in his own way, but he is still an imp and you are his better.”

  Marin replied quickly and confidently. “He is mine to care for as I see fit and such care does nothing to hamper my offerings. In fact, having him around will help me increase such tokens of appreciation,” she said.

  At this, Seark’s laughter subsided, for the words pleased him once more. “If only all stone trolls were as sensible as you. I would possess more time to protect the lands, and Lunaria would be safer for it,” he said.

  “Indeed,” said Marin before she motioned at Elor and the kelpie. “Let us talk and negotiate this season’s tribute while Elor and your companion stretch their legs with a short stroll,” she said.

  “Slave,” corrected Seark with relish. It was obvious he took great delight in this. “Very well then. See to it your little minion takes great care with Kelisay. Her debt to me is as heavy as the burden of treasure she now carries upon her,” he said.

  Marin nodded with a grin as she coaxed Elor forward. “You heard the mighty Seark, Elor. Mind yourself and show Kelisay around. The walk will do you both good,” she said.

  Elor nodded. “Yes, Marin,” he said as he walked away from her and Seark. “Right this way, Kelisay,” he added. The sullen kelpie soon followed, her head lowered.

  Elor walked with the captive kelpie a stretch without saying a word. Behind them, Marin conversed with the powerful Seark as negotiations began. After walking some distance away, the little imp looked back over his shoulder. At last he was satisfied with the space allotted, surmising they could speak freely to one another.

  “I am sorry,” said Elor in earnest.

  Kelisay looked at him as they walked. “For what?” she asked.

  The little imp motioned to her shackles of soil and clay. “For your current situation. Whatever mischief you may or may not have caused, I’m certain you do not deserve this,” he replied.

  Kelisay lowered her head again. “I was foolish,” she said. “And this is the price that I must pay. Seark is a powerful creature I should not have ever crossed.”

  Elor shook his head. “But I am more certain your crime doesn’t match the sentence. For what reason would Seark think that you deserve to be his slave?”

  Kelisay’s head lowered further. “Prize,” she whispered.

  “What?” said Elor.

  Kelisay looked at him again and the little imp could see the tears forming. “I am his prize. A treasure to be possessed. Nothing more. In his eyes, I am no better than the tributes I carry for him. I now know that, like these shiny trinkets I hold, he will never part with me unless it suits him,” she breathed.

  Elor shook his head, moved by the kelpie’s pain. “It’s not right,” he replied.

  Kelisay nodded. “True, but there is nothing that can be done about it. Only his father Ornock could command him to do otherwise, and a Guardian does not bother with such trivial matters,” she said.

  Elor stopped to look fully at Kelisay. “And that is your great mistake, Kelisay,” he said.

  Kelisay looked at the imp curiously. “What do you mean?”

  Elor smiled at her. “You somehow have been convinced your life is trivial when it is not. That is your greatest shackle. I’m sure of it,” he said.

  Kelisay lowered her head, fighting the frustration raging through her. “But what can I do, Elor? I am not strong enough to escape Seark or his wrath. And I could not ask anyone to risk their life helping me,” she sobbed.

  Elor nodded, grinning once more. “Then let’s make a bargain, shall we?” he asked, a plan forming in his mind.

  Kelisay raised her head as her interest rose. “What do you propose?” she asked, her voice showing faint traces of hope.

  Elor’s smile deepened, revealing his fangs, yet there was no malice in the gesture. “What I propose, Kelisay, is that we assist you in your escape, or at least offer you the means at the chance. But if you take it, if you do in fact free yourself, then I will take as payment nothing less than you living your life freely. You must pursue what makes you happy,” he said.

  Kelisay’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “And what is in it for you and the stone troll?” She asked.

  “Peace of mind,” replied the imp. “And the knowledge that we have done the right thing.”

  Kelisay shook her head. “That is not how things work, Elor. That is not the way of the world,” she said.

  Elor shook his head. “Then you have not seen enough of it yet,” he countered. “Do not let your time with Seark crush your view. I assure you there is still great goodness in this world. And I will prove it to you,” he said.

  “How?” Kelisay asked.

  Elor winked at her. “You’ll see. Now when we get back over there you just follow my lead,” he said.

  Kelisay looked at Elor for some time. The little imp could see the struggle in her wary eyes. She
wanted to hope and trust him, but her misfortune had diminished her in painful ways. Elor simply stood there, still offering his smile as the kelpie searched his gaze for deceit. And while she took her time in the search, she was unable to find anything but honesty.

  At last, Kelisay nodded. “Very well, Elor. I shall take a chance and follow your lead. But I offer you this caution. To evoke Seark’s wrath is unwise. I am proof of that. Carefully consider this decision as it could return to haunt you,” she said.

  Elor shook his head. “The only thing that could haunt me, Kelisay, is knowing that you are left to live in such misery and I did nothing to try and stop it,” he said.

  With his promise offered, Elor returned with Kelisay to where Marin and Seark were still discussing terms. He could immediately tell by the tension that agreeable terms had not been achieved. The impatience upon Seark’s face made the unicorn look more menacing than before. At the sight of this, Kelisay shuddered and Elor took note of it.

  Clasping her hands together, Marin remained calm as she spoke. “You must be reasonable, Seark. I will gladly offer you tribute as times past, but if I cannot fend for myself then I cannot repeat such honors in the future,” she said.

  Seark was clearly unmoved by her words. “You simply must work harder,” he replied. “It was your choice to add your pet. I am not responsible for extra burdens you place upon yourself because of this.”

  Marin smiled at this. “But you fail to see, Seark, that over time Elor and I can produce more together than I could ever do alone. He is a boon really. You should think of us together as an…investment for the future,” she replied.

  At this, the dark unicorn raised his head, his eyes indicating he was entertaining the possibility. At last the greed of the notion brimmed in his eyes as he nodded to the stone troll. “You make an exceptional point, stone troll. I wish more creatures of the land shared your wisdom. I shall still take an increased offering from you on this day, yet it will be smaller than I previously decided upon. And I shall look forward to the combined fruits of your labors,” he said.