by Eden Redd
“Now, let’s take it from the top.”
***
The day turned into a blur. Everyone involved prepared supplies, practiced spells and went over strategies. When the companions sat for meals, they spoke endlessly about possible outcomes and brainstormed on dealing with shadow mages. Trystan and Sylk came in only for meals, their arms hanging from their shoulders and legs shaky from performing the ritual repeatedly. Silently they would eat while everyone talked and glanced at them with concern. Once they finished eating, they would leave and continue their practice.
Night fell over the land and the companions finished their preparation assignments for the day. Trystan walked back into the house, Sylk already curled up on his right arm. Walking into the living room, Gwen and Bella stood at the front door. The purple slime had a sadness in her eyes even though she smiled when she saw Trystan.
“Bella?” Trystan asked with a weary tone.
“Trystan, I am returning to the queen.”
“I thought you were coming with us?”
Bella shook her head, hands clasping together before her, “The queen has asked me to return. She does not wish to risk having a royal slime in Fallen York. It may send the wrong message if your rescue quest should run into trouble.”
Trystan walked over and hugged the purple slime close. Bella’s eyes watered and she hugged the mage. Gwen watched, her heart feeling the sad pull from each of them.
“When will we see you again?” Trystan asked as he pulled away keeping his hands on her waist.
“Someday soon,” The purple slime pulled away completely, “The slimes in Fallen York will assist any way they can. Some have already investigated the tunnels under the city. Gwen and I worked together to have it drawn out for your quest. It should help for your escape.”
“When this is all over…….” Trystan trailed off.
Bella reached up and touched his cheek, “We will see each other again. Maybe you can visit the slime caverns. I’m sure you will be an honored guest.”
Trystan smiled, “I would like that.”
Bella pulled away, “Safe journey dear Trystan and Gwen, I look forward to seeing you both again.”
The purple slime turned to the door and walked out on transparent legs. The mage and ink witch watched as Bella continued to walk the path away from the house. The slime melted into the dark night and she was gone.
Gwen closed the door. Trystan put an arm around her shoulder. Taking hold of his waist, the witch helped the weary mage to the stairs and up to the second floor. Inside their room, Gwen eased the mage onto their bed. Mist rolled off Trystan’s chest, forming into Kira. The dragon woman stood silently, eyes to Gwen and filled with sadness.
“May I help undress him?” Kira asked Gwen.
Trystan looked up confused.
“Since we have been here I have spent no time with you master. I don’t wish to be rude and intrude on your time with Gwen. I simply want to help and I will return to your chest,” Kira said, her voice dripping with sadness.
Trystan had never seen Kira so sad before. She seemed like she was fighting back tears and it was enough to cause concern but not enough to address at this moment. An ache throbbed from tired muscles.
Gwen gave a kind smile, “I don’t see why not.”
Kira’s mouth curved into a sad smile. Black scaled hands reached down and undid Trystan’s clothes. Gwen shed her own clothes until she was naked. Kira finished undressing her master and placed his clothes on a nearby chair. Trystan could barely keep his eyes open as Gwen slipped into bed and pressed her nude body against his.
Kira stared lovingly at her master as she turned to mist and flowed back onto his skin. Gwen pressed her hands against the mage. A glowing light appeared under the blankets as the witch soothed the mage’s exhausted muscles. The healing energy comforted the mage as he fell fast asleep to Gwen’s loving touch.
Creepy tendrils snaked up from dark places. Trystan smiled as things slithered and coiled around his body. The monsters in his mind walked out of the shadows with grins and open arms. The mage felt the tentacles around him shift and pulse. Looking around, the mage watched as the black and green tentacles formed a throne underneath him. Monsters bent a knee as more appeared from the darkness behind them. The mage’s mouth turned into a mad grin as tentacles rose up into the air, forming walls and furniture. They changed colors but the foul vibrations they gave off sickened and delighted the mage.
In the newly formed throne room, undead walked in single file. Monsters moved aside as the line of undead stopped in front of the tentacle throne. On command, the undead soldiers stepped aside to form two lines. From the entrance, an undead corpse in a mage robe walked with a black book in his hands.
Trystan beckoned the undead servant closer, fingers wanting to touch the cursed tome. Stepping to the throne, the servant knelt down and presented the book, head bowed. Trystan greedily took it, opening the tome and reading the pages. Knowledge inserted into his mind, rooting to his soul. With each page, new and wonderful terrors dug deeper. Trystan’s eyes widened in madness and he giggled to himself. The universe opened before him and there was nothing he could not do. A voice cried out in the distance. The mage now turned king ignored it. The voice cried out again but Trystan’s eyes locked onto the pages, consuming every bit of information he could. White light touched his spirit and the world erupted into shards of reality.
The mage blinked, realizing he was not lying down. Eyes turning, Gwen held him, her hands glowing with golden energy at his arms. In his hand was the Libro Nocte. Trystan nearly balked but did not let go of the black book. Gwen’s eyes held fear mixed with horror. She shook the mage, trying to wake him from his trance.
“Let go of it! Let go!” The witch pleaded with heated words.
Trystan’s first instinct was to drop the book but his hand did not respond. Fear rising up and clouding his thoughts, he could not understand why he couldn’t let go. Gwen took hold of his wrist and shook it, pleading over and over again. The mage wanted to say something. He wanted to comfort her but no words formed. An icky sliver of darkness coiled in his mind like a snake ready to strike.
“Trystan!” Gwen said as she reared back a hand and slapped him across the face.
The shock blasted away the darkness. Trystan let go and the book fell to the floor.
Gwen pulled Trystan close, eyes wet, “You weren’t there. Your body sat up and you walked over to your pack. I tried to stop you as you reached in and pulled out the book.”
Trystan hugged the witch, “I was dreaming. I was dreaming until you woke me.”
Gwen tore away from Trystan’s arms. Making hand signals and speaking arcane words, reality shifted over the black book. With one final word, the book disappeared.
“I was afraid this would happen. I sent the book away. Only I know where it is and it will stay there until it moves on,” Gwen sobbed.
The mage stood silently as tears ran down the witch’s cheeks. Gwen threw her arms around Trystan’s neck and sobbed into his chest, her body trembling.
“I knew it would tempt you. I knew it would try to worm its way into your mind. I believed we could use it to help Nia and Sunara but I was being foolish. The book destroyed Damon and I will not let it take you away from me!”
Trystan curled his arms around Gwen, leaning his head close to hers, “I…I didn’t know it could do that. I didn’t know it would…..”
Gwen looked up, as did Trystan. Their eyes met with sadness welling up between them.
“Promise me, if you see that book again you will tell me. Promise me,” Gwen said as she stared into her lover’s eyes.
Trystan stared into her worried eyes and nodded, “I will tell you. I thought we could use it but now, I’m not so sure.”
Gwen pressed her face into his chest again, “We will save our friends without the book. I have faith in us.”
Trystan ran his fingers through her hair while looking away, “I have faith in us too,” The mage whispered as his m
ind conjured up images of the black book, a deep dark yearning clawing at his spirit while Gwen held him close.
Eleven
The green haired druid handed a potion vial to each outstretched hand. Fingers curled around each vial and held it close. The morning was bright as the companions stood in front of Gwen’s home away from home. The sky was clear and birds chirped in the background, happy a new day had come.
Standing in a circle, fingers opened the tops of the vials but did not drink yet. Horses stood off about twenty feet away, shuffling with packs tied to saddles. Two orcs held the reins and watched as the mages made their final preparation before they started their journey into darkness.
“I have a few spare potions but not enough for everyone,” Lori said as she held her own potion, “No spells unless you are ready to stop the potion’s effects. Everything about you will change to that of an orc. You may even think like one but do not worry, it is all part of the shifter potion. The moment you cast one spell, you will have a few moments of your body changing back so be aware of that.”
Trystan took a step forward, “I know we are going into the center of the maelstrom. I couldn’t ask for a finer group of friends for this dangerous quest. Let’s start our journey and get our friends back home.”
Trystan put the vial to his mouth and drank. The rest of the group held up their vials and drank down their potions. When every last drop disappeared down their throats, Lori reached out and took each vial in turn. At first nothing happened. Trystan knew from experience with potions that you often had to wait a moment before it kicked in. A second later his stomach twisted.
Lori collected the vials and put them away in her pack when she turned. The druid smiled as she watched her potions take effect. Bodies heaved and skin vibrated. Trystan stumbled forward but remained standing as muscles bulged and skin took on an earthy green color. Teeth shifted and tusks rose up from his bottom jaw, protruding slightly from behind his bottom lip. The mage turned to see the same happening to his friends. Bodies contorted and twisted as cells changed and moved to a new design. The agony was all-consuming until the pain simply vanished.
Eyes turned to each other, astonished. Where a group of para-human’s once stood, now stood a war party of orcs. Trystan turned to the one orc with a witch’s hat on. The female orc looked to the mage and grinned. Even in her orc form, Gwen’s body retained her sensual curves and more than ample chest. Her hair remained black against green skin and black eyes. Taking her hat off, she walked up to Trystan and ran a clawed finger along his jaw.
“Pretty handsome my orc lover,” The orc witch smiled.
Trystan stood awkwardly and turned his eyes to the rest of his companions. Aznara was squeezing Jenny’s now oversized green breasts. The blonde orc had her arms crossed underneath her breasts and a vein throbbing along her forehead.
“I thought your breasts would change but they are still big,” Aznara said while continuing to squeeze them.
“Stop it or I’m going to use my new bigger fists to beat you into the ground,” Jenny hissed.
Aznara stopped squeezing and pulled away, not before her tail whipped around and caressed a large green breast. Trystan stared as the demon orc with the red Mohawk took off with Jenny raising her fists and taking chase. Reeko stood looking at himself, disappointment furling his brow.
“I thought the potion would make me taller,” The goblin turned orc sighed.
Lori walked over, her hair a light green while her body moved with sensual grace, “It changes appearance but not size. Your muscles are bigger,” The druid said while trying to sound upbeat.
Reeko let out another sigh, “Great. I’m still short but with bigger muscles. Can I look any more like a raspberry?”
Lori laughed and touched his shoulder before moving on. Professor Hart looked at his hands, a grin plastered across his big mouth. The professor had the most profound change out of all of them. His body was a hulking forest green. Long braids with black and white hair hung down over his shoulders. Trystan stared as he pictured the good professor ripping trees out of the ground and using them as clubs.
“A good looking group, maybe I can talk you all into staying in those new bodies,” Sord laughed.
The group of orcs turned to each other and smiled. Aznara leaped into her saddle and took the reins, “Are we doing this?”
Green heads nodded and everyone moved to their horses. When Trystan saddled up, Shyla walked to him, eyes drinking in his new body.
“As we travel, I will be giving you some private lessons on how to be a real orc,” Shyla said directly to the young mage.
Trystan’s eyebrow raised but before he could say anything, the orc strode off to her horse. Gwen’s horse clopped over next to Trystan’s and the shapely female orc smirked.
“You are going to have trouble with that one. When orc females set their sights on a male, they never give up until they have them,” Gwen whispered.
Trystan’s thick brow widened, “I don’t want to give off the wrong impression.”
Gwen nodded and smiled, “I think it’s too late. Orcs only respect bonds of marriage. Until you’re married, in her society, she has free reign to try and court you.”
“What should I do?” Trystan’s orc face huffed.
Gwen made a clicking sound and snapped the reins. Her horse trotted forward alongside Jenny’s horse. Trystan gazed with big eyes, a small smirk appearing in the corner of his mouth. With a flick of the reins, his horse galloped forward. Big green hand up, he smacked Gwen on the ass as he rode past her. The witch orc looked to him and smiled as Trystan took the lead.
Trystan reared back on his horse, causing the horse to stand on its two back legs and kicking out its front legs.
“Let’s save our friends!” Trystan shouted.
With his horse down, the mage galloped forward along the path while the rest of the group trotted along.
Aznara moved her horse along Reeko’s, “Why did he do that? We know where we are going?”
The stocky orc simply shook his head, “I don’t know. He still confuses me sometimes. Just nod and smile.”
Aznara let out a laugh as they trotted along. The house behind them grew smaller. When they were far enough, the house shimmered and faded from view while the forest sang on in the morning’s glory.
***
The day wore on as the band of orcs followed dirt roads to the East. Captain Sord took point, leading the group of orcs through the forest. With the enthusiasm from the beginning of the journey all but gone, the orcs looked out in all directions as they marched single file through the wilderness. They had pushed the horses into hard riding for several hours and now they searched for a stream so their steeds could cool off with a drink. The horses continued the slow march, salvia dripping from their mouths and a soapy lather foaming along their necks from over excretion.
Gwen patted her horse as they rode. She wanted to heal the tired creature but knew if she did then she would shift back to her human form. Instead, she whispered encouraging words and the horse bobbed its head as if it understood.
Aznara stared at nothing, body swaying to the movements of her steed. Jenny and Lori kept their gazes on the forest, watching for any hint of movement. The librarian and druid knew all too well the dangers of traveling in the open wilderness and didn’t let their guard down. Reeko dug into his pack and pulled out a flask, twisting the top, he put it to his lips and drank down a few gulps.
Trystan rode alongside the stocky orc, “Water?”
Reeko kept his gaze forward, “White wine,” The orc said and held it to the mage.
Trystan took the flask and drank down a few gulps before handing it back.
Shyla rode behind her father, black eyes scanning the road ahead and to the right and left of her. The forest was quiet with the occasional caw breaking the silence. Time slowed as the group continued on their journey. In the distance was a faint wash of sound like white noise. Sord flicked his reins and galloped forward. The
rest of the group followed. After a few minutes, they came across a large flowing river.
“We will walk the horses across and let them drink their fill. Then we will move further into the forest. By nightfall we will set up camp,” Sord said as he dismounted.
The group dismounted. The river flowed as Sord stepped into the rushing water. It was about knee deep as he led his horse across. Single file, everyone followed one by one. When across, the horses lined up against the river and began to drink. The group mulled around. Reeko took another swig from his flask and handed it to Aznara. The red-haired orc took several gulps before handing it back. Hart spoke with Sord and pointed in the direction they were travelling. Shyla stared at the river, eyes scanning the water.
Trystan looked to the orc in pigtails as she turned from the water and stepped to her horse. She opened her pack and pulled out a short rounded mace and then another one. Holding one in each hand, she walked to the river once more and stood like a statue.
Sord glanced at his daughter and turned his attention to Professor Hart, his own hand on his short spear across his back, “I brought weapons. We should arm the group before we continue.”
“I thought we were travelling as a peaceful band,” Professor Hart said with a raised eyebrow.
“We can discard the weapons when we get to the city but for now we must….” The orc stopped short when a mighty crash thundered under their feet.
Eyes turned and horses bolted. Water from the river surged upward as something large and thin reared up. Trystan turned just to see his horse come at him. Diving to the side, his face slammed into the mud as his horse cried out and galloped away. Sitting up and clearing the mud away, water spray washed over him as the thing launched forward and struck a horse. Fangs buried deep as a scaly serpent twisted its body. The serpent was the size of three horses’ single file. Eyes stared with gruesome power as it sank its fangs deep into the horses hide. The steed cried out as blood began pouring from the wounds, kicking out as it was slowly dragged toward the water.
Trystan made a hand signal and stopped himself. If he cast any spell he would shift back to human. Unable to sit and watch, the orc was on his feet and barreling forward toward the serpent beast. Before his shoulder made contact, a shadow loomed over him. The young orc hit the serpent and the creature growled its annoyance. Stepping back, Trystan watched Shyla soar over him with maces in each hand. Legs curled around the creature, clamping onto the creature’s serpent body. Maces rained down as the orc struck with brutal precision.
