by Chris Ward
‘You men, you cannot hide a thing.’ And then they both were laughing and she leant against him and the warmth of the contact was pleasing to both. When they had recovered, Rayven spoke again more seriously.
‘I must do many things which are yet unrevealed. I hope I do what is right Rema. I hope I do not let my kindma down... or Revelyn.’ She sighed. ‘Forgive me for the coldness which might seem to come with the bearing of this Blade, but I swear to you Rema Bowman I will not make the same mistake my kindma made.’ And she turned to him and kissed him tenderly, and then she was up and walking back to their camp and Rema followed once more amazed at the way she was.
Reigin and Gravyn were awake and waiting for them.
‘I am glad you have claimed the Shadow Blade,’ Reigin said. And when Rayven frowned at him he went on, ‘You forget Rayven that I was there when your kindma did the same. It had to be done. Now we must make that stand. The sun rises, let us be on our way.’
‘I have claimed the blade,’ Rayven said, ‘but that is only one thing. I have yet to claim the throne and that requires the Royal Sceptre, and until I have survived that then I am still but a pretender to it...’
‘But one will follow the other Rayven,’ Reigin continued, ‘I know enough of matters in this land and my own In AlGiron to be confidant in this.’ And his words were those of the mighty Elder of the Edenwhood and his regal manner and his great wisdom gained over many years seemed to make his words of reassurance so much more than a mere platitude.
‘I can see why Sylvion thought so highly of you Reigin,’ Rayven replied. ‘To me you were always stories and a fairytale, but now I see the wisdom in you.’
‘And you have yet to see his blade at work,’ Gravyn said, for once joining in the conversation. ‘It is the best you will ever see for speed and the giving of death.’ He paused and smiled, which now seemed to be a wonderful experience each time for the great archer... ‘at least for one who does not bear the Shadow Blade,’ he finished quietly. And Rayven smiled too.
‘I am sure,’ she said, ‘and I hope I do not let any of you down.’
‘From what we have seen so far that will not be a problem,’ Reigin replied warmly as he went to saddle his horse. ‘Come let us go.’ And so they followed his lead.
They rode slowly down the hill enjoying the easier pace. Rayven wanted to arrive in Sheldon after the town was awake and so they came to the first dwellings and small farmlets on the outskirts of Sheldon in the mid morning; the sun now warm and hot. They rode in from the north, four abreast for the way was wide and allowed them this bold manner of approach. Suddenly Rayven halted and looked to her right. A shiver ran through them for there in a field was Gryfnor’s tent, and a horse and cart beside it. And further, a group of men and women stood there as if waiting for the magician to appear.
‘It is not Gryfnor they wait for,’ Rayven said quietly but with a tone which told of a deeper knowledge, ‘it is his agent, some look-alike. In the Wisden writings they are called doublmyn. Created only by sorcery and brought about by fell intent so that here Gryfnor’s evil can be more easily offered to all.’ She stared at the group which seemed unaware of the five mighty steeds and their riders not fifty paces away. ‘This is why it seems that Gryfnor travels all over Revelyn. I always thought there must be five in the least, but Sylvion would not see it. Gryfnor himself rarely leaves Ramos for that is where his heart is, the place of his greatest desire.’
And as they waited the tent rippled and a flap was thrown back and one exactly like Gryfnor stepped out to great acclaim from the small crowd which pressed in upon him. The sound of happy laughter and welcome came clearly to them. By Rayven was not impressed and deep within she seethed, for here before her was the very thing she had long sought to see destroyed, but had no power to do. Until now.
‘Wait here,’ she commanded and in an instant she was off her horse and walking toward the group. And she experienced for the first time a heightening of her senses; she heard the people’s speech and saw acutely what they wore and how they moved. Every little detail seemed to come to her without loss, and she noted and was glad that no children were present. The false magician Gryfnor saw her come and smiled broadly. He held his arms wide as if to say, ‘this place is the home of all truth and happiness,’ for that was what Rayven felt flow between them. Only she knew it was a lie, a mighty deception, and so as she closed to within five paces she drew the Shadow Blade, and as the crowd parted instinctively to let her through, she swung it once in a great arc which slowed time and gave Rayven her first experience of what her kindma Sylvion has spoken of, the absolute power to deal in death, and the awfulness of what it would bring. And Rayven did not let her anger consume her, but was able to hold it back so that the light from the Shadow Blade glowed but dimly, for this was enough and all she wanted. With that one swing she took off the magician’s head and turned and walked away, being half way back to her steed before the gruesome sightless object hit the ground and the crowd recoiled in horror, but amazed that there was not the slightest sign of blood.
And Reigin watched in awe for he knew what was to come and expected a mighty show of force, but no... Rayven held back and was in such control that only the object of her anger was slain and the crowd about suffered little save for the horrible outcome of a severed head thudding to the ground at their feet.
And Rayven did not look back but mounted quickly and spurred her horse. ‘Let us continue,’ she said with a voice which might have frozen water to instant ice, ‘we have made our stand.’
And so as the first cries of ‘murder, murder,’ came from the crowd the rode on into Sheldon.
‘I need to send a message to Germayne,’ Rayven said as they trotted easily down the main street where all could see them, and many stood in awe for none had ever seen such huge and magnificent horses.
‘We will face trouble shortly,’ Reigin said. ‘The news of the slaying will follow us quickly.’
‘Then you will come with me,’ Rayven said, ‘and Rema, Gravyn, watch the horses and if you must use whatever force you think fit, but do not be captured and do not give quarter to evil.’ And they instinctively went to say ‘My Lady,’ but held back for it did not yet seem right, although Rayven spoke as any Queen might. They reined in before a large building which had the signage and the distinctive shape of a carriave barn, and whilst Rema, and Gravyn stayed in the saddle, Rayven and Reigin dismounted. Rayven entered but Reigin stood by the door, his hand upon his sword.
Inside, Rayven went to the counter and asked politely to send a message to Ramos, and in particular, the White Palace. This brought a quick start and a stare from the old lady serving, but Rayven thought her decent enough and she was without the purplish stain to her forehead so she smiled back and within a moment a small capsule was placed before her, a pen and slip of paper.
‘Please miss, write your message here and to who it is to be sent on the capsule. It is small so I can do it if you require,’ the lady said in a friendly manner.
‘No I will manage thank you,’ Rayven replied, and when the lady moved away she wrote in neat script.
We are in Sheldon. We will arrive on the morrow. By Nightfall.
We will come through the tunnel.
Sylvion is not with us.
Rayven
Rayven placed this in the tiny capsule which would be tied to the pigeon’s leg, and then wrote Germayne’s name on it. She sealed it with the wax seal supplied and called the lady back. She came with a smile but a nervousness in her eyes.
‘You do have a bird for the Palace?’ Rayven insisted, ‘Not for the usual Barn in the city?’
‘Of course,’ the lady replied, we always have several for the Palace but it is usual for some authority, do you have any miss?’ And she asked in a way that showed she wanted no trouble and hoped this small matter could be easily resolved.
‘I do not carry the usual seal,’ Rayven replied, ‘but the same is upon this and she brought the Shadow Blade up and sho
wed the lady the top of the hilt, and there quite clearly was the mark of the Royal House of Hendon, the most recognisable mark in all Revelyn.
‘That will be fine miss,’ the lady replied relaxing, knowing that she had addressed all the requirements. ‘The bird will be sent immediately.’
‘I would like to see it fly,’ Rayven replied innocently. ‘This would be permitted?’ The lady took in a sharp breath and looked about but nodded quickly.
‘Yes, but come through here now, we don’t normally let people see what goes on back here, but you look a kind young lass, I’m sure it will be alright.’
Reigin saw Rayven disappear deeper into the barn just as two soldiers appeared around a far corner and stood with another man who pointed in their direction, and gestured wildly.
‘We have trouble Rema, Gravyn,’ he called and they looked about and saw it.
The two soldiers were quickly joined by two more and then a crowd of people who followed them. Reign did not move but stood against the barn and stared about taking in all the possible options. Rema put an arrow to his bow as did Gravyn, but they remained in the saddle, turning just enough to sight toward the crowd if required.
In the barn Rayven was unaware of what was developing and watched smiling as her capsule was fitted to a bird which truly was from a cage marked Palace. Ramos. The lady took the bird and beckoned Rayven to follow. They went up a set of stairs right to the roof where a small platform with a simple railing had been positioned. The lady took the bird in both hands and with an action borne of much practice she threw it high. The pigeon immediately flew up and circled once, and went off south toward Ramos.
‘There my dear, all done,’ said the lady with a smile.
‘You do not bear the mark,’ Rayven said taking the lady by surprise. She gasped and flushed.
‘No, no... that is true but I am thinking about it...’
‘No you must not, ever. Do not be afraid,’ Rayven said. ‘Do you need help?’ and the lady burst into tears.
‘What can you do dear? My Family is one of a few left who do not go with what is happening, but we are shunned and I fear that next we will be chosen for a sacrifice. I am not sure what to do.’
‘You will not long be safe in Sheldon,’ Rayven said, ‘but if your bring you family to Ramos and ask for me, Rayven Greyfeld at the Palace, and tell them who you are, from the carriave barn in Sheldon, I will see you are safe. You and all your family who do not bear the mark.’
‘You can do this?’ the lady whispered.
‘I can,’ Rayven said, but you must get to Ramos soon, for I cannot say how long the road will be open.’
‘My name is Lydia,’ the lady said with tears in her eyes. ‘I thank you miss. I have not heard of you, but you have brought some hope to a desperate old lady.’ Rayven reached over and squeezed her hands.
‘I must go, but I mean all I have said. Take care.’ And with that she fairly flew down the stairs and joined Reigin on the street; only he was now sitting in his saddle.
‘Come Rayven,’ he said, ‘there will be more trouble on the way. Rayven saw that two soldiers lay in the road, each with an arrow in their right thigh. A third stood by the wall of the barn, his hands in the air, his face ashen and his sword in Reigin’s hand. An angry crowd stood back and muttered darkly but such was their fear of what the three men could do that there seemed no immediate threat.
‘You have taken care of business I see,’ Rayven said with a smile, and Reigin replied with a casual,
‘My Lady,’ which caused them all to laugh.
Rayven then mounted and rode her mighty steed before the crowd.
‘It was I who slew the magician,’ she said. ‘He is evil and has seduced you with his sorcery. His time and all others like him is at an end. Think carefully all of you just where you stand, for I will see justice in this land returned forthwith.’
But the crowd called angrily back.
‘Murderer, he was just an old man.’
‘So he would have you believe,’ Rayven cried back, ‘and that old man and others like him have you murdering your own children for a foolishness which is beyond belief. You think the land will stop sinking by slaying children. Who do you worship? What demyn has you in thrall? Can you answer me that people of Sheldon? This was once a great town. Now it is fallen. Is there any here who will stand for justice?’
But the crowd just called back all the more.
‘Murderer, witch,...’ and many other things such that a few grew bold and picked up rocks and went to hurl them at her, but she turned the horse and rode off with the others beside her, leaving the angry town behind, but not before Reigin had hurled the soldier’s sword directly at him. The terrified man suddenly fled an instant after it buried itself deep in the wall by his head.
‘We ride for Ramos,’ Rayven cried as they thundered out into the country once more. ‘We are expected tomorrow night, let us get far by nightfall.’
And so they galloped on and did not rest, and league after league went by until the sun sat low upon the horizon, and then Rayven called a halt by a new stream which now flowed right over the road. She turned her steed off into the forest and rode half a league before finally stopping.
‘We will camp here,’ she said slipping easily out of the saddle and then a mighty pain shot through her chest and she fell clutching her hands to her breast.
‘No!’ she cried, ‘no....’
And Rema was at her side in an instant.
‘Rayven,’ he called desperately cradling her in his arms, but she was unconscious.
Gryfnor grabbed his throat and fell to the ground. For a moment he could not breathe. A searing fear shook his being for he knew that only the Shadow Blade could affect him in this manner.
It is close he thought and shivered, his mind a fog. Something has happened.
The people all about watched as he struggled to his feet and rushed in a panic into his tent. But they stood in faithful hope that he would soon return.
Sylvion rode with the wind in her hair and thought only of the times long ago when she would gallop down this very road and anticipate a home coming with her dear parents in her wonderful home in Wildwood having left Rema her love in Farview or The Safeness. Before the Shadow Blade stole her heart and took her on the longest journey. Before all the death and slaying and the coldness in her heart.
But now what joy, her heart was warm again. She had taken the last step, and fought against every urge to hold on, to keep things how they were, but now...
I did it, she thought, and wept so fiercely that she could not see, and trusted the horse alone to find its way. ‘My daughter,’ she whispered blindly into the wind, ‘I love you so ...and now it is all over.’ And then she sobbed and held grimly on as the leagues flew by. Finally she regained herself and drew the mighty horse to the side of the road and sat quietly and looked about. I will enjoy every moment she thought, that much I am owed after so long. And so she smelt the wind and then took time to see what was good in the land about her, and once more she rode on, with less haste and more care.
She found an inn which took her horse and stabled it for a fee which few might willingly pay, but she carried gold and so it was easily settled. She did not fully trust the landlord but his wife seemed sensible and so at last, after a fine meal Sylvion slept upon a fresh bed of fine linen, having bathed in a hot tub before crawling between the lovely clean sheets. She slept soundly and did not wake till the sounds of banging on her door forced a new day upon her.
‘Miss, miss!’ came the voice of the distraught landlord’s wife, ‘come quickly miss,’ and so she discovered that her mighty steed had been taken, and the culprit was a friend of the landlord himself, who looked sheepishly about and offered nothing by way of help. His wife however was a big strong woman and clearly suspected him of complicity. She flayed him with her tongue, but he seemed used to it and weathered the storm with little damage.
For the first time in her life Sylvion felt vulnerable. S
he carried no weapon, not even a standard sword with which she knew she could best most men. She remained calm and tried to think what best to do.
‘We will give you a horse, miss,’ the wife said breathing hard from her exertion with her words. ‘You can take our plough horse, he is slow but steady...’
‘She’s not taking the horse,’ her husband said, ‘I need that horse for the west meadow tomorrow...’, but he got no further for his long suffering wife took to him with a large pot and laid him out cold.
‘Should have done that years ago miss,’ the wife cried, ‘now you...’ but she was interrupted by a mighty neighing outside and when they went out, there was Sylvion’s mighty steed, trailing its reins and clearly happy to see her.
‘My... he has returned,’ the wife cried, and burst into tears once more.
Sylvion took some supplies and rode off with a laugh having patted the mighty horse and hugged him as best she could for such a huge beast. She rode through the day and came upon Wildwood in the mid noon, feeling suddenly very tired and sore, and thankful that her journey was over. She rode slowly into the town and looked about for she had eagerly anticipated this moment. Many stared at her, but mainly it was the huge horse which took their attention. She stopped opposite Pierman’s store where she had spent many happy times in her youth. It was no longer open, in fact it was now most dilapidated and held old stores, but she could see it in her mind just how it once was.
Suddenly she saw that a crowd had gathered.
‘She doesn’t have the mark,’ someone cried. ‘She does not belong here.’ And Sylvion looked about her in dismay for the people were sullen and spiteful in their look and this was not how she wanted to return. But no further words were said and Sylvion spurred her horse and they rode gently north through the town by the old familiar path and on out into the country toward the mighty Wildwood Forest. Her heart was beating hard when finally she reached the fence which surrounded her old home. She had last visited it a lifetime ago but had paid to have the garden looked after, so that flowers abounded everywhere. The old house which had burnt to the ground was marked by two lonely stone fireplaces, but lavenders and daises and many other plants grew through the ruin and gave a special scent. She walked her horse into the grounds and shut the gate; she felt quite weak and sore and went to a water barrel standing by the old barn. As she bent down to drink she caught sight of her reflection and gave a start, then forced herself to look again.
