A Trial of Souls

by Brian D. Anderson

  He brushed the ash from the child’s face and smiled. “I will not leave you. But…” Just then the bells and laughter returned and he remembered. He eyed the boy suspiciously. “Who are you?” His voice was now harsh and commanding.

  “I do not know,” he admitted through his tears. “I do not know who I am. Please do not leave me.”

  Mohanisi thought for a moment. He looked around at the rubble of the ruined city. “This is not real. It cannot be.” He focused on the child. “I will save you. But you must help me. You must guide us from this place.”

  “If I do,” said the child timidly, “they will kill you too.”

  Mohanisi dropped the rock and reached confidently to his belt. He grunted with satisfaction as he felt the cold hilt of his sword back where it should be. “They will try.”

  “Arrogant elf!” came a shrill voice from behind a pile of stones to his right.

  Mohanisi sprang up and freed his blade. The howl of the wind increased, swirling up ever more fiercely the ashes and dust that seemed intent on blinding him. A dark figure crawled out from the rubble on all fours. It moved like a great spider, nimble and deadly, with pale skin hanging loosely from a skeletal frame. Its only clothing was a black cloth tied at the waist and reaching down to bony knees. It held a long triangular dagger, the blade notched and rusted. With black eyes fixed on Mohanisi, the creature advanced. The moment it touched the road it stood up straight, grinning maliciously with sharp jagged teeth.

  “Be gone beast!” shouted Mohanisi.

  It hissed and laughed, pointing to the child. “You think to save this creature. Malstisos belongs to us, and we will never release him.”

  “I do not need you to release him,” he shot back. “I will take him anyway.”

  It cocked its head and twirled the dagger in its hand. “Do you think you can? You have not the power. That you are even here at all has pushed you to your limits. Can you not feel that your strength is gone?”

  Mohanisi felt his arms growing heavy for a moment, but he clenched his jaw and focused his mind. His strength quickly returned. “Your tricks will do you no good. I am taking him from this place.”

  The air suddenly went still and cold. The creature sprang forward, its knife slashing at Mohanisi’s throat. He ducked and spun, bringing his blade across the creature’s back, causing it to cry out in pain. It turned, its face ablaze with fury. Again it charged, but Mohanisi easily moved aside and took off its arm with a quick strike. The limb flopped and twitched in the dust, still gripping the dagger.

  “You think you have victory?” it scoffed. An instant later, it vanished from sight.

  Mohanisi looked over at Malstisos. To his surprise, his child form had grown several inches taller and appeared older. Mohanisi took his hand and continued down the street.

  “That was not all of them,” said Malstisos. “They will not let me go.”

  “Do you know who you are?” he asked.

  Malstisos looked up with a pitiful expression, tears welling in his eyes. “I...” He lowered his head and wept.

  Mohanisi gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. “All will be well. But I need you to be strong.”

  Malstisos sniffed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “I will try. I promise.”

  They had only continued for a few more yards when the buildings began to fade, to be replaced by a dead forest. The gnarled, withered trees were twisted and bent, and the black ground was covered by jagged rocks. Just ahead of them a line of thin flames spewed up from the earth; some only a few inches high, others shooting up several feet.

  Mohanisi pulled Malstisos behind him and scanned the area for foes. Once again he could feel eyes upon him. “Reveal yourself,” he commanded.

  All at once, the flames shot skyward and disappeared. A few yards ahead there stood a snarling wolf. But this was no ordinary beast. At least twice as large as a normal wolf, its black fur bristled to reveal a row of vicious looking spikes running all the way down its spine. Its eyes glowed green as it flashed razor sharp teeth within its gaping maw.

  “Leave the whelp,” came a disembodied voice that seemed to echo from all directions. “Leave him and we will allow you to live.”

  Mohanisi glared at the wolf contemptuously. “You will release Malstisos from your foul grip. I do not fear you.”

  A malicious laugh carried on a sudden wind. Almost as if this was a signal to attack, the wolf raced forward, its jaws snapping and foaming. Mohanisi crouched and brought up his sword defensively. The wolf was fast - much faster than the first creature he had fought. He could hear Malstisos’ panicked breaths behind him, and the deep growl of the wolf’s anger. He expected it the leap for his throat, but instead it bit at his left leg and then rolled its back. Pain shot through him as the spikes tore into his flesh. He thrust his blade straight down, but the wolf twisted away and jumped clear.

  “Now do you understand?” the voice taunted. “Do you see your death approaching?”

  Blood seeped from the wounds left by the cruel spikes. Pushing the pain of these from his mind, Mohanisi braced himself for another attack. He didn’t have to wait long. The wolf ran in, teeth bared, again going for his legs. This time Mohanisi stepped in and slashed crossways. His blade cut through the wolf’s right front leg, but the momentum of its massive body kept it hurtling forward. Savage teeth sank into Mohanisi’s right thigh. The beast’s jaws clamped down and it shook its head violently, sending blood flying in all directions. Drawing in all of his remaining strength, Mohanisi thrust his sword clean through the wolf’s neck. With the blade still protruding from the top of its spine, the beast reared up violently, tossing the elf high into the air. He landed on his side with a thud. After a breathless moment, he tried to scramble to his feet, but the injury to his leg was too severe and he was only able to kneel.

  The wolf thrashed and rolled in horrifying death throes. Finally it went still, and like the creature before it, suddenly vanished from sight. Mohanisi heaved a sigh and then examined his wounds. Blood was gushing out, spilling onto the barren earth. He knew he couldn’t continue for very long with such a bad injury. In a short time, his loss of blood would make him unable to fight.

  He looked over to Malstisos. Again he looked older; now like an elf in his mid-teens at least. He tore a strip of cloth from his shirt and bound his wounds. “Help me up,” he ordered.

  Malstisos walked over to him with awkward, frightened steps. He grabbed Mohanisi’s arm and helped him up. “How bad is it?”

  Mohanisi shrugged. “If we were in the real world, I would not be worried. But here…” A thought struck him. “Perhaps you can heal me.”

  Malstisos shook his head. “I cannot. I do not know how.”

  The cloth around Mohanisi’s wound was already soaked through and blood again trickling down his leg. He began to feel lightheaded and was struggling to keep his feet. “You must.”

  Flames exploded around them, threatening to burn them alive. Malstisos screamed and curled into a tight ball at Mohanisi’s feet.

  Mohanisi knelt down, though the pain was taking him to the limits of his endurance. Seizing Malstisos’ face in his hands, he forced the youngster to meet his eyes. “You must be strong. You must not allow fear to rule you.”

  The flames raged and the heat intensified. Malstisos trembled and wept, but nonetheless got slowly to his knees. He looked down at Mohanisi’s wounds and placed his hand over the unbandaged leg where the spikes had struck. At first nothing happened, then a soft glow began to shine from beneath his palms.

  Mohanisi grunted and hissed. His leg felt as if it were being bathed in fire. He reached out and clutched at Malstisos’ arm. Then, just when he was on the verge of crying out, the pain ceased. He gave a loud sigh of relief, but it was a brief respite. A moment later Malstisos touched the other leg and the agony returned. As it did, the flames around them grew even more intense. The ground began to shake, and a roar like the battle cry of a savage beast rumbled through the air.

&nb
sp; Mohanisi pushed Malstisos away and leapt to his feet. When he glanced at his legs he could see that his wounds were completely healed. Reaching down, he helped Malstisos up. But he was no longer a boy. He stood an adult elf, powerful and proud.

  “Healing you has healed me,” said Malstisos. “You have banished my fear.”

  Mohanisi smiled while discarding the blood soaked bandage. “I am pleased to see it, and grateful that you are as strong as Theopolou believed you to be. Come. I’m certain that there is more for us to face before this is over.”

  Malstisos gave a smile in return. “There is. But I must face it alone. The devilry that ensnared my spirit will not be so easily dispatched. I can feel it closing in even now, trying to recapture me.” His face was stone. “But this time I will not be taken.” A sword appeared at his side and the blade sang as he pulled it free. “Should I survive, I will thank you properly for your kindness. But should I awaken still possessed, I would ask you to end my life. For if I fail there will be nothing of me left to salvage.”

  Mohanisi nodded. “I swear it.”

  “I can see your thoughts,” said Malstisos. “I know who you are and from where you have come. I look forward to getting to know you and your kin.” He gripped his sword tightly. “Until then, farewell.”

  As these words faded, the laughter and bells returned. The world around Mohanisi dimmed, then grew dark. He found himself once again on the floor of the small prison room in front of Malstisos’ unconscious body. He shouted for the guard to bring lanterns and food.

  Shen joined him. He looked down at Malstisos and could see his face twisted, as if in great pain. “What happened?” he asked.

  Mohanisi recounted what he’d experienced. “Now all we can do is wait and hope.”

  “And if he is unchanged?”

  Mohanisi lowered his eyes. “Then I will fulfill my promise.”

  It was nearly an hour later when Malstisos stirred and his eyes fluttered open. Propping himself up on his elbows, he looked at Mohanisi and Shen with a blank expression for what seemed like a very long time. Then, slowly, a smile crept up from the corners of his mouth. Though his skin was still pale, his eyes were bright and aware.

  “I am hungry,” he said.

  Mohanisi handed him a piece of bread and a bottle of honeyed wine. “How do you feel?” he asked.

  Malstisos forced a small laugh. “That depends. I am free from the curse, but my mind and spirit are worn and tired.”

  “Then it matches your appearance,” remarked Shen jokingly.

  Mohanisi could feel great relief, but was still cautious. “Are you certain you are free?”

  Malstisos shrugged and tore off a piece of bread. “As certain as I can be. Only time will tell for sure.”

  “Then perhaps you can tell me how this happened,” said Mohanisi.

  Malstisos nodded, then took a sip of wine. He moaned with satisfaction. “To taste wine again…” He took another sip and closed his eyes, savoring the sweet liquid. “Food and drink were like ash. You cannot imagine.” He sat the bottle down and told them of his journey with Maybell. His voice cracked when he spoke of the two brothers and their tragic duel. “My heart despaired and my thoughts became darker each day. Soon I began hearing whispers in my mind. They told me that my soul was doomed for what I had done. At first I thought I was imagining it, but they grew louder and louder as more time passed.

  “Then one night I heard something stirring near to where we had camped. Maybell was sleeping, so I went to see what it was. It did not sound like an animal, but neither did it sound like a man or an elf. I stalked it for an hour but it was always just beyond my sight. Finally, I gave up and started back. That was when they attacked me. Three Vrykol came out of the shadows and knocked me to the ground. I was sure they would kill me, but they only held me down.

  “I remember how furious I was with myself. I could not understand how they had managed to sneak up on me. I had encountered their kind before, and knew their scent. But these were different. Better, is the only way I can describe them. They wore the same black robes, but they smelled…well...it’s hard to say. Not like a human, and certainly not like an elf. In fact, there was almost a complete absence of scent about them.”

  He shook his head and shuddered. “I thought to cry out to warn Maybell, but one of them put his hand over my mouth. Then I heard a low hum. It took me a moment to realize that it was coming from the Vrykol. The one holding my mouth leaned in close and let out a foul hiss. I struggled to free myself but they were too strong. A few moments later there was a bright flash and all three of them burst into blue flames. I scrambled to my feet and tried to run, but something was holding me. Some unseen force had gripped my mind.”

  He looked from Mohanisi to Shen. “That is the last thing I remember until you freed my spirit.” A stricken look washed over his face. “Please tell me I did not harm Maybell.”

  “She is well,” replied Mohanisi. “You delivered her safely to Althetas.”

  Malstisos sighed with relief. “Thank the Creator. I would have never forgiven myself had I done her harm.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Please excuse me, but I would like to rest for a while. If you will allow me just a few hours.”

  Mohanisi bowed. “Of course. I shall return tomorrow. If you feel the need to leave this room, a seeker will guide you.”

  “I thank you,” he replied with a fragile smile.

  Once outside, Mohanisi left the guard instructions to escort Malstisos everywhere he went should he desire to leave the building.

  “Is he not cured?” asked Shen.

  “Perhaps,” replied Mohanisi. “But I cannot risk the possibility that he is deceiving us. And even if he is no longer possessed, he is badly wounded. I will not have him wander alone in his weakened condition.”

  They walked through the village to a small garden at the west end and sat on a wooden bench. The flowers were not in bloom, but the wilted pedals that littered the ground still gave the air a hint of a spring.

  “What will you do with him?” asked Shen.

  “I must take him with me,” he replied. “I cannot leave him among your people, especially after the ordeal they have already been through.”

  “Is taking him with you not a risk?”

  Mohanisi nodded slowly and smiled. “But I feel it is the right decision. I am responsible for him now. I feel a connection between us; that is how I know the extent of his wounds.” He leaned back and breathed deeply. “I do not think he is false. At least, I do not think he believes himself to be. But our enemy is cunning. Once I reach Althetas I will enlist the aid of my kin, and with their help we can heal him further.”

  They sat in silence for several hours just listening to the chirp of the crickets and looking up at the stars painted across a clear sky. Mohanisi filled himself with the flow, enabling him to experience every nuance of the village and the surrounding landscape.

  “The elders have adjourned,” he said. “I can hear them leaving the house.”

  “Can you tell what they have decided?” asked Shen.

  Mohanisi chuckled. “I am afraid I cannot see into their minds, and they are not talking amongst themselves.”

  They left the garden and walked back to Oliana’s former home, stopping on the way to see that Malstisos was still resting. Shen had already taken upon himself the duty of being Mohanisi’s personal guard, so remained in the house with him overnight. After lying down, it took only a few minutes for Mohanisi to find himself in a deep slumber.

  He awoke with the dawn and took a light breakfast before sending for the elders. Only Frenil showed up. His countenance was determined.

  “The others have returned to their villages,” he announced. “Some to gather their forces, others to defend their homes. I could not convince all to join you.”

  Mohanisi smiled and bowed. “That you tried is enough. And those who choose to fight are welcome. How long until they are prepared?”

  “It will take at least th
ree weeks to muster,” he replied.

  “How many will come?”

  “Nearly thirty-thousand, I should guess.”

  Mohanisi nodded and stood. “Then I will leave at once and let the others know you are coming. They will be anxious for news by now.”

  “I will go with you,” said Shen. “Frenil, make sure that those who choose to go south are as well prepared as possible. It may be some time before they see their homes again.”

  “I will see it done,” said Frenil. He left without another word.

  “I will gather our supplies and inform the other seekers of our departure,” said Shen.

  Once Shen had left, Mohanisi went to where Malstisos was still resting.

  “Can you travel?” he asked.

  Malstisos was sitting up and staring at the dim light of the lantern. He looked at Mohanisi and nodded. “I can. Though I have yet to recover my full strength, I will be able to keep pace.”

  “Good,” said Mohanisi, opening the door. “Then prepare yourself. Very soon we will make our foes pay for what they have done to you.”

  Chapter 21

  Maybell had finally come to terms with what had happened to Malstisos, though his plight did still enter her dreams from time to time. She knelt beside her bed in silent prayer, just as she did every night before sleeping. More and more though, she was finding it to be an empty ritual.

  She prayed earnestly for an end to the war, and for the people who suffered its ravages. But she knew there could be no answer. The gods were trapped and she was alone. Even the many duties High Lady Selena had given her to do could not make her forget that fact. A lifetime of faith - faith in beings that were themselves flawed and weak - had been turned upside down.

  Even though life in Valshara was fulfilling in its own way, each day her desire to leave became a little stronger. But there was nowhere for her to go. Her years had been spent within the confines of the temples. She had nothing else. If she left Valshara she would be literally homeless. But worse than that, she would be completely alone. At least here she had others to tend to and duties to perform.