Sonya remained quiet. She hunched down on top of the glass, waiting anxiously. Only her tail twitched. Miranda had no control over her actions, and it frightened her. She thrust the sword upwards and it burst into flames. All she could do was scream. The sound of her painful cry echoed in the small enclosure as the flame wrapped itself around her arm and began to consume her body.
“Don’t fear its strength,” Sonya called out. “The sword’s from the light and not wickedness. Your pure heart is its energy.”
Miranda’s eyes widened as the flame continued to cover her. It pulsated, beating as if alive. For a brief Moment, she lost herself within it. She opened her mouth to scream again, but nothing came out. The spirits, hovering above her head, dove into her, filling her body with their strength and wisdom.
Their memories etched themselves in her consciousness. She saw the Black Warlock, Uthal, take the life force from the Fomorian people. She saw their deaths, and the destruction of their world. They showed her Prince Finley’s escape, the preparation of the tombs, and the great construction of the Keep. She felt their sorrow from the last great battle. And with these came other memories: a woman who became Sonya the cat, Keltrain, the Elves, the Fairy Kingdoms, and others who lived on this world and Green Isle. All became a part of her and she became one with them. These souls who waited to aid the sword’s Champion in the battle against evil, now breathed life into her. It was a different life, not of Earth, and she knew, in the instant they consumed her, that she would become immortal. Her life entwined with the legacy of Balorn’s gift and as long as she and the sword stayed together, she would never die.
After it was finished, Miranda fell to the floor, the sword slipping from her fingers. Her heart filled with agony, and she clutched her chest in pain. Compassion and love for the lost people overwhelmed her, and the emotion caused her to shake. Her hand tingled and she saw a strange mark burned into her palm. It was a Fomorian symbol left from the merging with the sword. Tracing the scared flesh with her fingertip, she held it in front of her eyes and flexed the joints of her fingers. A flame shot out of her hand and she recalled the bitter memories of death.
Sonya climbed into her lap. “It’s done,” the cat said quietly. “I give you my loyalty. I won’t leave your side until your deed’s complete.”
“Why’s my head hurting and all? And what’s this strange mark on my palm?”
“It’s the flame of virtue. When you stand before the evil one, the mark on your palm will protect you from him.”
Miranda felt paralyzed, her body cold. She struggled to remain conscious. “I...can’t...can’t...” She wanted to tell Sonya that she didn’t want to be the sword’s Champion, but everything became foggy. Before slipping into darkness, she heard a long, faint scream coming from the other side of the mirror.
Chapter Twenty
A cry of alarm vibrated through the chamber and echoed wildly in the tombs. Matt jolted from where he had been waiting beside the ice mirror, and followed DaGon and Keltrain towards the sound. The bellow had come from Lamfada.
“It’s the rat men. Ya wee trick with Chester did ya no good. Those nasty creatures are beginnin’ to climb the mountain. Look! Seem to fall from the sky, they did,” the small man yelled. He slapped the back end of the horses, forcing them to move faster through the granite door. “And we be havin’ some other unpleasant company as well. Ya be recognizin’ these?” Lamfada held up two black raven feathers as Keltrain emerged from the narrow corridor into the large domed room.
“I thought we would have more time before this,” the wizard exclaimed. “If they tracked us here already...” He shook his head.
Matt followed the wizard and looked over his shoulder at the feathers. A memory of his first experience with birds came to mind, and he thought of the Manor. “It’s the ravens, isn’t it?” he asked.
“It ain’t be no fairy, mind ya.” Lamfada replied. “Where be the other lads?”
“Still at the ice mirror,” Lily replied.
“At the what?”
“It’s too much to go into right now, my friend,” Keltrain said quickly, backing Lamfada’s green ponies away from the doorway. “Matt, go get them. We’ll need everyone here to stand against what’s coming.”
“All right,” he replied. He quickly made his way back to his friends, who stood staring at the ice in bewilderment. When he entered the room, his chest tightened at the thought of Miranda behind the mirror with Sonya. How could he get her out? Would he even see her again? “We haveta get back to the entrance,” he told the brothers. “Those Fir Darrigs things are comin’ up the mountain.”
“Gee whiz. I’m not going without Miranda.”
“We don’t have a choice. Keltrain kinda ordered us there.”
“I’m wishin’ I was back there with her,” Ned said with a whimper. “Those rat things scare me.”
“I’m not real keen about leaving her behind, either. Especially with that stupid cat. I don’t trust Sonya and never will.” He clenched his fist. “But we don’t have a choice. Keltrain says he needs all of us out there, to fight.” He pounded the glass with his fist, angry at the cat and then at himself for being put in such a helpless condition. He couldn’t believe it. He was supposed to be the Champion. How was she chosen? Miranda was too trusting and frail, not a person strong enough to battle evil. It didn’t make sense.
“Gee, I feel like we’re being split apart, for some reason. We’re gonna stick together, right?” Thomas asked, his face frowning slightly at Matt’s action.
“Yeah. Don’t worry about that. I’ll make it my job to keep us with one another. I’m not going to let us get separated,” Matt replied quietly. “Why don’t you and Ned go on?” He rested his forehead against the ice, refusing to look at Thomas. “I’ll come in a second.” When he heard them leave, he hit the mirror again, this time with more force. He kicked it, too. But none of it helped the confusion he was feeling.
It was several seconds before the gentle hum of Lily’s wings broke the silence. She hovered next to him. “I don’t know what else I can do to help, dear,” she said. “I’m worried about Miranda too, but I think everything will be all right.”
“It just seems like things aren’t going the way they should. It was supposed to be me with the sword, not her.” Matt looked at the fairy. “It’s my brother. I need to fix what I did wrong. I need to be the one to rescue him and bring him home to Mom and Dad.”
“And it’s Thomas, Ned, and Miranda’s cousins that were taken also, dear one. Each one of you has a reason to be the sword’s Champion,” Lily countered softly. “Dear Matt, if only things would go the way we wanted them to all the time. Oh, what a perfect world this would be.” She placed her tiny hands on his cheek. “Your gesture is grand, but fate determined Miranda would carry the sword. In order for her to complete her task, she needs all of us to help her. So the first thing you must do is help us stand against the Fir Darrigs. If they capture her, she may end up like Quert, or worse, on her way to the Black Isle to be tortured.”
Lily’s words made sense to him. He felt very foolish, when he thought about it. “Sometimes I think you’re that small voice in my head that keeps me straight. You’re right. If I can’t be the sword’s Champion, I can be Miranda’s.”
“That’s the way to be, dear. Come on. Let’s get up front and help the others. Sonya’ll bring Miranda out when she has the sword.”
Matt followed Lily out of the room and ran quickly to the others. Keltrain, DaGon, and Lamfada were already making their way out of the tombs and onto the steps. Matt followed. He leaned over the edge of the platform and saw five misshapen creatures trudging through the snowdrifts, their bent and disfigured bodies edging closer.
“Ya need to be lookin’ up,” Lamfada advised softly, pointing. “We be gettin’ more than we bargained for.”
Matt looked upwards. The surrounding tree branches bowed with the weight of a thousand or more birds, and their glistening black bodies covered the tops l
ike the leaves of summer. It was distinct contrast to the white of the snow. Matt knew them. He remembered seeing something similar to this at the Manor the day he and his brother arrived. They hovered in similar, sinister quietness, never taking their black eyes from the group.
“Gee, I thought that spell of yours was supposed ta take them after Chester?”
“They must’ve been watching us somewhere in Vonannia Valley when we left the willow...before the storm started,” Keltrain replied under his breath.
“I have no doubt Babda had her spies there,” DaGon huffed in irritation. “We didn’t think to check the shadows of the tree.”
“Then Chester could still be alive.” Matt felt a glimmer of hope that Toby’s favorite friend had not fallen victim to the rats.
“Perhaps. I’ll try to find out later. Right now though, I have to think of a way out of this. The remainder of our journey is through the gap on the east side of these mountains, but it’s blocked by the rats.” Keltrain’s face showed a slight frown. Matt could see he was upset.
“Aye, and don’t be forgettin’ them birds, mind ya.”
“We’ve got to get to the harbor city, Partholon,” DaGon said quietly. “It’s there that we’ll find a ship to get over the waters to Uthal’s fortress. Is there a way around them?” The dragon growled slightly when he heard the scratching of one of the Fir Darrigs beneath them.
“Perhaps DaGon could fly, and carry each of you over the pass,” Lily offered, her voice wavering with fright.
“Too dangerous. I don’t think we have time. Besides, Sonya and Miranda haven’t emerged from behind the mirror yet.” Keltrain shook his head.
“Hey. What’s that weird sound?” Ned asked, his voice shaking. “It’s spooky.”
“I hear it, too,” the wizard replied. “It sounds like someone’s calling my name.” Keltrain scanned the trees and the sky. Amidst the horrific snarling sounds the Fir Darrigs made below them, Matt detected a female voice calling for the wizard. The sound floated eerily on the fringes of a breeze, causing him to shiver in uneasiness.
“Kel...train...Kel...train...” the voice echoed in a malevolent melody.
“Who’s that?” he asked “Is it the thing we saw in the ruins?”
“It’s Babda,” the wizard replied, sucking in his breath sharply. “She’s here.” Hastily digging into a small breast pocket on the inside of his cloak, he searched for an object and quickly pulled it out, hiding it in his hand. “DaGon, listen carefully. If we are to make our escape, you’ll have to...” Talking softly, he whispered his thoughts to the dragon, who nodded.
“What’s he saying?” Ned leaned towards Matt.
“I dunno know. But knowing Keltrain and his pockets, it’s gotta be some kind of surprise for those things.” Matt surveyed the trees again, remembering the gruesome tale of Babda and her flock feasting on the flesh of the dead. He wished he had gotten a dagger out of one of the packs on the horses. He felt vulnerable without his weapon.
The abrupt appearance of a large raven startled them all. Flapping its wings, it landed on the stone steps in front of Keltrain, and caused him to take a step back. The inky black bird cocked its head to one side and stared eerily at the wizard. After a few Moments, it walked stiffly towards Keltrain and then shape-shifted into the form of an old hag dressed in a large and tattered black cloak. Feathers, fitted within the folds of the charcoal material, covered her back, and reminded Matt of a dirty feather duster. Her face remained half hidden beneath the shelter of a hood and she hissed at the wizard in contempt. Her black scarred lips, the only visible part of her face, slid into a hideous grin when she saw him grimace and she cackled a strange birdcall to the others in the trees.
“It has been a while,” she finally said. Her teeth, pointed and sharp, gnashed together in anger. “I see you are human again. Too bad. Too bad,” she sing-songed. Matt began to worry when she moved closer to the wizard. “How many times I hunted for your river. I wished to pluck you from it and eat you, savoring the pink flesh of your form. Now you are a mere mortal. Easy to shred. Easy to shred.” Her wicked laugh echoed and bounced from the ridges, along with her little melody.
Keltrain stepped forward, his shoulders squaring as he faced the vile hag. “Don’t come any nearer or I’ll destroy you. If you harm the children, I’ll fight you to my last breath to make sure I destroy you this time.” The wizard paused and took a deep breath. “Why are you here?”
“Bera gave us good payment for the knowledge of your whereabouts and those you travel with. My scouts are on their way to the warlock’s fortress, Crag Cairn, as we speak.” Babda moved closer to Keltrain. “To deliver a message of your capture. Such a pity that you did not get as far as you wanted.”
She lunged forward, pretending to grab at the fairy fluttering next to DaGon, licking her bottom lip. She laughed hideously when Lily ducked away. Spittle, red and black, oozed at the corners of her mouth. She wiped at the liquid and advanced closer. “Your friend was very tasty.” The raven queen giggled in cruel delight. “Why did you send him to his doom? Poor horse. Poor horse.” This time her tiny song was quiet.
Matt swallowed hard, realizing what she meant. His heart ached for Chester if what she said was true. Seeing the boy’s discomfort, the raven queen moved to look at him. She pulled her hood down and her black eyes, mesmerizing, burned deeply into his. He felt like throwing up when he sensed a black presence quickly fill his mind.
“The Fir Darrigs did an excellent job of tracking you ever since you exited the Pine Forest onto the ancient battleground. The Dark One was right to expect you at the ruins. We were especially lucky you passed by the ancient White willow.” She cackled loudly.
“You do a grave injustice to Green Isle by siding with Uthal,” Keltrain retorted. His breathing became ragged. “Do you believe he’ll really allow you and your flock to survive? Magic creatures will be the first to feel his spell. You sacrifice your life force for mere gold and trinkets. Green Isle will be cleaved in two, just like the Fomorian land.”
“We have a contract. It cannot be broken,” she screamed as she shuffled closer to Matt. Cocking her head in a birdlike manner, she sniffed at his neck. “He has the scent, this one.” Her spit landed on him as her gnarled finger pointed to his chest. Matt shivered when he saw her wide bloody grin. “Only his scent will lead to a different path and not the sword. The legend of the four. I see only three.” She cocked her head and thrust her face into his. “You have collected the King’s Sword, then?”
“You’re too late. Sonya took the chosen child and they’re far away from here,” Keltrain bantered with a lie. “Tell the Fir Darrigs to back off, or I won’t tell you where they’re going,” the wizard demanded as he pulled his hand from the inside of his cloak.
Babda whipped her head around, her onyx eyes. “The great Keltrain, willing to barter information?” She hobbled quickly to the wizard, peering into his face.
“Gee, how could you?” Thomas blurted out angrily. “She’s my cousin.” The older boy rushed at the wizard, arm drawn back, fist held tight. DaGon caught the back of his tunic as he sprinted by and threw him up the stone steps and into the entrance of the tomb. Thomas went limp on the icy cave floor.
“You’ve killed him,” Ned screamed. Running to his brother’s side, he knelt beside him. He grabbed Thomas’ head and cradled it in his lap. Huge sobs shook his body when his brother didn’t respond.
“Look out,” Lily cried to Matt and DaGon.
The first Fir Darrig came over the edge of the platform and rushed at the dragon with jaws agape, snarling and snorting. DaGon bared his talons, threatening the creature as it advanced forward. The foul beast stopped in front of Matt. He had to place his hand over his nose blocking the odor oozing from the gray, pockmarked skin of the rat man.
“Tell your beasty to take a wee bit of a bath, you ugly witch.” Lamfada jumped in front of Matt. “I’ll not want the stench of it on me when I be killin' it.” The leprechaun slowly pulled a sha
rp blade from the inside of one of his boots. He taunted the creature and motioned to it with his other hand. “Come on, beasty. Take a taste of me blade.”
The Fir Darrig hopped to the raven queen and knelt at her feet. She petted its dirty head, cooing to it like a baby. Bloodshot yellow eyes amidst a furry face squinted in distaste at Matt and the others. It smiled awkwardly, showing its razor sharp teeth.
“Are you so naïve, Keltrain?” Babda sneered. Her face contorted and her eyes bulged. “I do not need you to give me information. The Fir Darrigs will sniff out that traitorous cat and the child carrying the sword.” Moving towards the edge of the platform, she sing-songed loudly, “Time to die. Time to die.” Matt watched as the old woman tilted her head skyward. Calling out to her flock with a piercing scream, she held up her arms in command. Those on the trees answered her, and the maddening sound echoed against the mountain.
Matt and Lamfada stood side by side as the rest of the rat men came over the rocks and advanced towards them. Each one bared its teeth, taunting the two. Lamfada held out his dagger and Matt picked up several rocks. He figured he could catch a couple in the head before they got to him.
Babda held her position on Keltrain’s left. She raised her arms and let out another bird scream. Her flock answered her. “You are no match for us,” she stated loudly, pointing. “I have thousands in the trees waiting to tear you apart. Admit defeat and surrender now. Maybe I will be generous and spare your life and those of your companions.”
“You may have many numbers on your side, but we have faith on ours, and a little more intelligence,” Keltrain responded with controlled anger.
Matt felt a slight flutter as Lily hovered next to him. The tips of her wings brushed the top of his ear, as she moved closer to him. “Back up, dear. Retreat to the tombs,” she whispered.
The Forgotten Spell (Legends of Green Isle Book 1) Page 25
