by Richard Wood
Looking in all directions he raises the door and whispers, “Shaira, it’s me”. As the light hits the dirt floor, he sees Shaira crouched quietly, pale looking and shaking profusely. As he climbs down the ladder he says, “Shaira, it’s the Horde of Quygon, but don’t worry, we’re safe here”. Shaira cuddles closely to Eli, feeling safe now that he has returned. Eli listens intently trying to catch the sound of anyone approaching. As there was no sound for quite a while, he decided that Shaira should get some rest and he will go and check the village at sunrise. Maybe the horde will be gone by then.
The next morning as the sun rose over the horizon, Eli woke to a beam of sunlight entering the hide out. Listening for any sound, he didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. He opened the trap door, “no more screams”, he said to Shaira. So Eli decided to go out and see what was happening. He carefully inspects the area in all directions and sees no unusual movement, as he’s looking, he decides to move over to the hedge line of the shrubs to see what is happening in the village. The village is still, and he recalls that for the first time in his memory there is no movement or sound in the village of Payne. It looks like a lost world, soundless, and not a soul in sight. His teeth begin to gnash as he slowly moves towards the village border. As he gets near the hut that the giants were circling, he sees in the dusty ground immense footprints that were both wide and deep with six toes on each footprint. It was a disturbing sight to Eli. Scanning the area, he keeps walking. His muscles tense up and his senses are on high alert. He looks over the village full of ramshackle huts and torn clothes. A huge tear trickles down his cheek. As he stands there, weak-kneed, he wonders if his family would ever feel safe again.
To his left he sees movement. Another villager has arrived. His face was ashen and his shoulders slumped. He looked like a soldier walking among his fellow soldiers, lying dead on the ground after a bitter defeat. Eli waves, but the villager does not respond, except an empty stare and a voiceless opened mouth. Shame floods Eli’s heart as he remembers the terrifying screams of the other villagers. Before he realizes, he finds himself standing on a dark, red stain, and again, the terrifying cries wash over him like boiling water. He knows that he will never forget the horror of that day.
Eli roams throughout Payne for another hour. He is finally convinced that the village is now safe for Shaira to return. Lifting the trap door, he sees Shaira sitting motionless on the dirt floor with desperation in her eyes. Not even the sight of Eli could lift up her spirits. Looking into her eyes, Eli no longer sees the innocence of Shaira, but only the look of a broken woman. He makes his way down the ladder and reaches out his strong hand to Shaira. Putting her hand in his, he slowly lifts her up, wrapping his arms around her holding her close. Shaira’s body goes limp as a deep hollow moan turns into uncontrollable tears. She realizes her world will never be the same.
Days later, those villagers who remain feel safe enough to return to Payne. Tension fills the streets of Payne as families grieve their losses. The supposed safety of being hidden away from the evil acts of Quygon no longer exists. They have now become the prey. Quygon’s appetite for men is well established throughout Scarland and they all know! The horde will be back until the village is empty and the people of Payne are a lost memory. Not even their echo will remain.
Two weeks have passed and Shaira is so heavy with child that she now spends most of her time sitting and sleeping. Little Jesse is very active. He moves around pushing on Shaira’s vital organs, as he stretches, kicks and rolls around. In another two weeks, he will make his entry into the busy world of Terra-Cova.
Eli sits alone in his shop with his hands over his face, deeply in thought. “How will I protect a nursing mother and a newborn baby?” His mind races through the terrors of the attack on the village. The horde, the giants, and those sickening cries for help. Sweat builds up on his face and back. And what about his underground safe house? There’s no way it would remain a secret for long. The village has set lookouts watching for the returning horde, but they are alone out in the wilderness just as shaken as he is. Slowly he sinks into a confused pit of despair and drops to his knees. For the first time, the Blacksmith’s Shop echoes the sound of the mighty man’s cries. Soon, twenty minutes have passed and he is still in a heap, bent over on all fours – a broken man. Deep sorrow fills him with questions and he doubts, for the first time, his purpose as a man, a husband, a father, and a friend.
There’s a knock on the double doors. “Eli!” someone shouts from the other side. “Can we talk to you?” Eli slowly gets up from the ground, wiping his face with his sleeve, and he puts on his best confident look. Scared, he raises his shoulders and strengthens his back. As he opens the double doors, Eli sees standing there most of the remaining villagers. “What can I do for you?” he asks. A tall gray-headed village elder begins to speak. “An emissary is here from South Paradore and he has some questions for you”, the elder says. “You’re the best of our village, so we decided that he should speak to you.” “Ok”, Eli agrees, and welcomes the emissary into his shop. As they sit together, the emissary begins, “We know the Horde of Quygon has been here and ravaged your village. Can you tell me about it?”
Eli looks away for an instant and then beings, “I saw them coming over the horizon. A cloud of dust first, and then the creatures appeared. I don’t know how many there were, because right away, I took my wife to a hiding place I built months ago”, he explains. “Then, I went back to the shrub hedge and watched from the shadows. I only saw one, and it was a gruesome sight”, he stated with utter disgust. “The creature was a giant, at least ten feet tall!” “It wasn’t carrying a weapon or a shield. Its skin was twisted and gray, with chunks of flesh missing. I remember seeing its ribs, but the creature didn’t seem to be in pain. It had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot”, Eli described. Eli proceeded and said, “But there’s no way it could be a Forseean! I know those people. They are too noble to become something like that. They would take their own life first!”
The emissary listened closely to all that Eli had to say and wrote it down carefully. He thanked Eli, walked out the doors and mounted his horse. “I’ll report everything at The Capital”, he said, and galloped away. No one knew it at the time, but the horde of Quygon wouldn’t return for several years.
Meanwhile, back in the dark Caverns of Ness, the Essence of Quygon continues to grow. Its connection to the minds-eye of Quygon is now complete. It is totally under the will of the beast. In a flash of thought, Quygon orders the Essence to find an exit and escape the cavern. Swiftly, the Essence flows through the darkness. As it travels, the feeling of movement flows through the body of the beast. Anticipation fills the mind of Quygon held motionless in the prison of Ness. For the first time in eons, he would know movement in the world of light. As the Essence draws closer to the cavern exit, the fragrant, consuming aroma of the blood of men is sensed by Quygon, and the uncontrollable desire to lavishly consume the souls of men erupts within the beast. He orders the Essence to speed up the chase. The Essence races through the cracks and crevices heading uninterrupted toward the cavern’s exit.
Then, an explosion of indescribable, agonizing pain shoots through the beast, like hot bolts of lightning. The beast roars in desperate pain. The sound rolls through the caverns and fills the outside air in all directions. The shockwave buffets the bodies of men, causing then vile sickness as their stomachs empty out onto the ground. What kind of force could stop Quygon in his tracks, leaving him writhing in pain? The Essence flees back into the safety of the darkness. Quygon curses violently. Evil poured from the beast in words and sounds that have never been imagined or heard before.
In the home of Eli and Shaira, pains begin in the lower back of sweet Shaira, followed by cramps in her midsection, as a warm puddle builds on the bed beneath her. Her water has broken and little Jesse is ready to see the world. She calls out to her husband, “Eli, come quickly!” He runs to her bedside. “Get the midwife!” Shaira shouts. L
ittle Jesse moves and a sharp pain runs down her lower back and into her legs. Minutes later Eli returns with the midwife. She goes to the bedside and raises Shaira’s knees. Shaira gives out a deep moan as cramps fill her stomach and womb. Eli watches frantically, caressing his wife’s head. An hour goes by and then two. Shaira is now exhausted and she is sweating profusely. The midwife shouts, “Push!” Shaira pushes with a loud scream and Jesse’s head breaches. The midwife shouts again, “Push!” Shaira grabs the edges of the bed and pushes with all her might, and Jesse’s shoulders emerge. Eli takes a place behind the midwife. This is the first birth he has ever seen and it is the birth of his son. Eli’s face softens and tears fill his eyes. His fatherly instincts flow like a vast ocean. “Push!” the midwife screams, and as Shaira gives her final push, the child slides onto the midwife’s hands. “It’s a boy!” she screams with enthusiasm. Eli runs to Shaira, kisses her face and softly whispers in her ear, “Thank you, Shaira.” The midwife grabs little Jesse by the feet, lifts him inches off the bed, and swats his bottom. A lively cry pours from Jesse. She lays his body softly on the bed and begins to clean him off. A brown patch is exposed – a birthmark on his left chest – but one of amazing design. Laughter replaces the moans coming from Shaira. The midwife lays the baby on Shaira’s chest. Quietly, mother and baby cuddle together and the baby begins to suckle. The midwife spends the night with mother and baby, and then leaves at first light.
As Shaira and Jesse lie together on the bed, both fall fast asleep. Eli awakens looking with admiration at mother and child. He sees a soft light between the two. Eli arises and slowly rolls the baby onto his back, exposing Jesse’s chest, and sees an unbelievable sight. The baby’s birthmark flickers like a dozen little diamonds shining in the sun, then slowly fades to an intricate brown design. This secret he will keep, even from Shaira.
CHAPTER 2
Beginning Whispers of Elamor
Jesse lies quietly in his mother’s lap. His little body softly lit by the warm fire set by Shaira a few hours earlier, bundled up in a soft, warm blanket provided by one of the village widows. He is the visible proof of his mother’s and father’s love for each other, completely adored by his parents. A perfect child in every way.
Shaira glides the tips of her soft fingers around his little face then slowly raises him up and gives him a gentle kiss on his little lips. Little Jesse shifts as his eyes partially open, then close. She parts the blanket and exposes the left side of his chest. She looks closely at the intricately designed birthmark and sees that it is a bit rougher than the rest of his skin and slightly raised, yet very beautiful. Jesse’s little lips start to move and Shaira’s motherly instincts tell her that it is time to feed him. She raises him into place and little Jesse begins to suckle, receiving warm nourishment from his mother. She holds him closely and brushes her cheek across the top of his head. Shaira inhales deeply, absorbing every bit of aroma of her newborn baby. The sound of him feeding brings a smile to her soul. After feeding, she softly lays sleeping Jesse in his bed and goes back to preparing the evening meal.
Unseen by Shaira are the secret Guardians sent to watch over Jesse. Unseen and unfelt, their presence is a mystery, known only to those whose innocence is unscarred. As Jesse lies peacefully in his bed, his eyes suddenly open to see two powerful faces staring down on him. A presence of confidence surrounds them both. They are barrel chested with enormous frames, strong eyes and long soft hair. They are the Guardians of Elamor, sent to protect the warrior child. The two step back and then two more take their place as the house of Eli is full of these powerful Guardians. The time will come when Jesse will lose the need for their constant protection but for the first few years of his precious life, they will serve as an unseen protection and barrier from the dark forces of Quygon.
Also unheard by the people of Terra-Cova are the Sounds of Elamor. A sweet flow of songs filled with music, without beat or rhythm. Too perfect to fit in the constrictive spaces we call time. The Sounds of Elamor pour endlessly throughout the universe; they can never be heard with human ears, only by the heart. Jesse had been hearing the sounds months before his birth and he will hear them for the rest of his life. The sounds will guide him through the darkness and put direction in his life. But for now, it comforts him as he lies close to the fire among the secret Guardians of Elamor in the comforts of his parents’ home.
In the Caverns of Ness, Quygon rages violently. Every cell of the creature is in agonizing pain, suffered while the Essence attempts to flee the cavern. As this happens, the Essence retreats deeply into the lowest depths of the cavern. Intimidated by the wrath of Quygon, the Essence lies still and motionless, pleading endlessly to be left alone. Quygon continues spewing violent cursing’s, insulted by the Essence’s failure.
The Essence itself becomes angry and fires back using the connection with the mind’s eye of Quygon. The Essence sends him a vision and in an instant, the beast is jolted by a fraction of the pain the Essence suffered and is shocked into silence. For the first time, Quygon realizes the measure of power the Essence possesses. This would become an eternal battle of power between the two, father and son, forever locked in a battle of tug of war. Coexisting in a world of hate, bathed in evil, fueled by the fires of insanity. Their only neutral ground being the desire to devour every soul and conquer the world in which they live. They will use one another until the time arises for one to be supreme, until then, it will be a distorted unity of domineering cooperation.
As the Essence draws closer to Quygon, it begins once again to nurse from the tortured screams echoing from the giant mass of twisted bodies forever being tormented within the beast. Peering into the mouth of the beast, the Essence is filled with wicked delight as it watches Terra-Covian bodies pushing against one another, limbs interlocking and organs twisting together. Hideous six-legged spider creatures grab Terra-Covian heads, pushing them into the hollowed out torsos of those around them. The Essence inhales the foul stench of decay coming from the bodies of the undead rolling in the beast. The black spidery creatures walk a continuous line, flowing in and out of Quygon’s mouth. With them, they carry any sharp or jagged objects to be forcibly pushed into the eye sockets and shattered bones of the groaning mass. Six to eight inch horns stick out from the inside of Quygon’s body, ripping flesh from the twisted mass, leaving skulls and bones exposed. These black spidery creatures attack open bones, scraping with their claws and teeth. The Essence watches gleefully, absorbing the ear bursting screams from within Quygon, every language and every soul heard individually. The Essence huddles closely to the beast, nourished and filled.
In spiteful unity, the beast and the Essence agree. It’s time once again to attempt an exit from the cavern. As they examine the last attempt, they soon realize that it was done in daylight and become aware that light is there mutual enemy. This time, the Essence will make an attempt to exit under the cover of darkness. As the sun was going down and night started to fall across the surface of Scarland, the Essence advances toward the cavern exit. Slowly it reaches the mouth of the cavern and peers out in to the darkness.
Waves of delight fill the twisted unity. A wicked howl of laughter bellows from Quygon as the beast celebrates a small victory. The Essence creeps forward and breaches the surface and rolls along its first touch of grass. In a shadow too thick to see through, Quygon enjoys the feeling of the grassy surface, a delight he never once expected. In his mind’s eye, he can survey the area and sees a baby deer laying a few meters from the Essence in some taller grass. Quygon grows hungry to touch the animal and so orders the Essence to move closer. Soundlessly, the Essence moves forward and slides between the surface and the animal. In a flash, the Essence fills the baby deer’s little body and a feeling of warmth suddenly fills Quygon’s monstrous figure. Over the time that Quygon has been locked in the Caverns of Ness, the memory of warmth had left him. This was a drug to Quygon and he wanted more, selfishly ordering the Essence to flood the animals’ brain. As the Essence entered within th
e facial skull, the baby deer’s legs begin to jerk and the fawn jumps to its feet. At a distance, the doe hears her baby’s movement and returns, as the two meet, the little fawn huddles next to its mother and begins to nurse. This was an experience Quygon has never known and as the fawn suckles, Quygon can taste the thick milk as it fills the fawn’s mouth. The beasts snake like eyes dilate and he attempts to swallow, but without success. Mesmerized, Quygon can feel the warm fluid flow down the fawns’ throat and into its stomach. He has found himself in a world totally new to what he has known and his emotions become flooded. The sights, sounds, tastes, aromas, and the comfort of the little fawn being protected by its mother. He is overtaken by the desire to experience all the world has to offer. For the next year, Quygon and the Essence would take the bodies of many animals. Doing so, he would learn the animals past, think their thoughts and experience their lives. He would do this until the thrill of the ride was over and he would need to experience something new.
Six months have gone by in the village and little Jesse sits playing on the floor of his father Eli’s home. Shaira watches him closely from her bed where she sits and is knitting a new shirt for Eli. As she is watching, she notices Jesse reach upward and his eyes lock on something above him and to his left. Jesse smiles then begins to laugh. His little arms are reaching up as though he is asking to be picked up by someone. Shaira looks intently but sees nothing but then as she looks back at Jesse, she sees the imprint of a thumb on his left hand as if it were being squeezed. Little Jesse jerks with delight as his little rump rises and falls. Shaira realizes for the first time that her son is having a visit from an unseen guest. Her normal instinct to protect is not triggered, something she finds odd. Deep in her heart she knows her little boy is safe and very much protected, which eases the young mother. She smiles softly, looks around the room once more, and goes back to her knitting.
