TERRA

by Adrian M Ferguson

  ‘Yeah, and what of it?’

  ‘Well, a few early morning risers have been hearing some really strange sounds coming out of the thick fog — kinda like growling and snarling, though they weren't quite sure of what or where exactly the sounds were coming from since the fog distorts sound, what is strange is that most of the locals know what sort of wildlife we have around here. One older couple said that it could have been a large bear, but they weren't entirely sure.

  ‘So I went out to investigate the area earlier today. And, Deirdre, there were some pretty massive claw marks on some nearby trees, and one small sapling had been shredded. But the most disturbing part was this — I also found some boulders in the vicinity with 6 to 7 inch gouges in them. What sort of animal has claws that big?’

  ‘Holy shit, Bruce! Did you see any kind of animal around — bears perhaps?’

  ‘Nope, nothing — hmm, actually there was something that was pretty strange. There were tracks, and they were large but sort of abnormal looking like missing digits and really weird gaits in the earth. I also found some decaying pieces of hair and matted flesh, like there had been a dead animal around the area. I couldn't work out what had caused the tracks, though, and you know as well as I do that I am a pretty good animal tracker, from learning it off my dah as a kid.’

  ‘Yeh, I remember you mentioning to me that he used to drill that stuff into you.’

  ‘So Zoey's concern isn't unwarranted at the moment. There is something big out there, and it looks like it might have some anger issues. I think the old folks could be right, and maybe it is a rogue bear or something like that. They get old, angry and hungry and wander around towns looking for food. So you should hold off on the runs for a bit, Dee Dee.’

  That was the affectionate nickname he occasionally used, particularly when he wanted me to listen to him.

  ‘Alright, alright, though how long do I have to wait? Are you going out hunting for it?’

  ‘No, the boss has decided we should leave it for a few days, and hopefully it'll wander off. We’re kinda tight with the budget at the moment. I did offer to do it off the clock, but Sergeant Carter, in his eternal wisdom,’ said through slightly clenched teeth, ‘decided that nothing would come of it.’

  ‘Oh, okay,’ I chuckled, knowing what irate sergeants were like.

  ‘So, Dee Dee, can you promise me that you'll hold off just for a few days at least, or until I can give you the go ahead in case we do happen to spot and kill this animal?’

  ‘Okay, stop hassling me, geez, you’re just as bad as Zoey, I frigging swear.’

  He grinned at me, dimples shining through once again — my god, those damn dimples.

  CHAPTER 4

  I arrived at the larger lake up higher in the mountains commonly called Alturas Lake just past midnight. The air was thick with the scintillation of ice particles glistening off my windshield, which I was eternally grateful to see was so far winning the battle to keep my vision clear. I squinted along the deserted, empty road bordered by heavy fog-dark trees, wondering for the hundredth time whether this was the most stupid thing I had ever done up to that date — hmmm, nope, this was topping the list.

  There was a bend in the road, and I slowed. Well, here I was, and I was a bit stumped on where to go from here. The gnome had mentioned a guide, but who the hell would venture out here at this time of night? No normal person —but then, I guess I wasn’t dealing with normal people.

  I decided if no one turned up in five minutes, I was out of here and Ghob could arrange to see me at a more normal time and place. I slowed the windshield wipers; the heat in the car should keep the icy slick off the glass for a little while at least.

  I squinted out into the pitch-black darkness: pitch black was an understatement. I never actually understood what it was to experience utter darkness with living in a city it was always light up, but once I moved here, I immediately felt the dark and the quiet ringing in my ears. Out here there are no people around. Sure, some people do live in certain isolated parts around the lake, but this was a massive area and I felt a wave of uneasiness pass through me, realizing the actual magnitude of my isolation.

  Something moved in the night to the left of my car about ten meters ahead. I scanned the area illuminated by my headlights, but it was gone just as quickly as my peripheral vision had picked it up. Even with the assistance of the fog lights, the road was barely visible, eaten up by the inky swirl of fog.

  Then ahead of me, quite calmly walking out of the gloom and wet mist, a massive buck stag appeared, his russet coat plastered wetly to his thick hide from the high condensation in the air. His head was held high and proud and topped with multiple jagged antlers disappearing into the night. Above his head balls of light burst into existence, creating a halo of spinning luminescence. They spiraled in and around his antlers, wreathing them like a crown of light. He slowly walked up to the front of my car, stopped and looked at me through the windshield. I gazed into his huge black eyes, noting the delicate coating of frost decorating his long lashes.

  All this registered in my mind in a heartbeat as I slammed on the brakes and came to a sliding stop. My heart felt the sudden surge of adrenaline, and I squeaked in surprise.

  Staring at me calmly, he put his left hoof forward, bent at the knee, and bowed to me, head down and with hoary antler tips lightly touching the asphalt in front of him.

  My jaw dropped, absorbing the majestic sight of the stag.

  Holy fucking shit! Ghob sure knew how to send a guide.

  The stag raised his bulk up and once again glanced at me, deep intelligence gleaming in his eyes. Turning, he started to walk away, pausing to glance back at me again.

  I think that was my cue.

  I started the car and followed him. He veered to the left, and as a rough dirt road appeared out of the gloom, he broke into a slow run. I sped up so as not to lose him. A few minutes later, without warning, he stopped, forcing me to brake. Looking at me again, he bowed his head slightly and bolted away into the jet black of the night, the globes of light circling him blinking out one by one at his departure.

  Sitting there quietly for a moment I watched the frigid air plume out from my exhalations, taking in what had just happened and bracing myself to move. Sighing I got out of the car. I had anticipated the cold night air by dressing in a pair of jet-black jeans, two layers of body-hugging thermal tops and a black zip-up sweater; my long hair was securely tied back.

  I already had in the back of my head the thought that a bit of hiking or walking might be involved, so I had sturdy black hiking boots on as well. I might not have been a country girl at heart, but I certainly wasn't stupid. I turned, looking around, squinting to try to penetrate the night, but the goddam headlights were ruining my night vision. I leaned into the car and flicked off the fog lights, and grabbed my flashlight off the inner console, little freaking girl scout that I am.

  I pulled my upper half back out the window and flicked the flashlight on. It drove back some of the darkness and made me feel slightly more secure. I knew that it was a tenuous illusion but, hey, a girl’s got to have a few of those, right? I skimmed the light over the bare road and thick, gnarly undergrowth; it wavered and flickered for a moment, and my heart skipped a beat. Come on illusion of safety don't let me down.

  I felt the silence of the night start to beat at my eardrums. I nervously scanned the area with the flashlight again, and paused in mid-scan, looking down at my feet. I felt movement and noticed that the small rocks on the road were skittering past me.

  Sensing a slight vibration under my boots, I scanned the ground with the light. I noticed that they were starting to slide in together in a large slow spiral pattern ahead of me on the rough ground.

  Slowly they converged into a mass of rock and pebble in the center of the spiral. The rocks slowed even more, and then in a loud rush met in the center and rose high into the air, solidifying into what appeared to be a humanoid shape. Gravel and rock rose higher, attaining form and
shape; slim legs appeared, a torso and chest and then, in a grating of loose earth, the neck and head and arms formed.

  The air shimmered, creating a soft corona of light around the figure. I felt a wave of heat ripple through the air past me. The silhouette disappeared in the shimmering and abruptly stepped forward. Eyes shining darkly, she snarled at me and took another step forward.

  The figure was a naked woman with high, hard breasts; her skin was multifaceted, glinting with the earthy tones of rock and the flicker here and there of silvery granite; her head was smooth and bare, which only accentuated her large, black, dominating eyes. Those eyes focused on me and the glint in them did not suggest a friendly welcome at all.

  She took another few steps, looked me up and down, and sneered in an amazing show of disgust and disdain.

  ‘Well, well, are you what may be passing as the new warder, human? I can't say I am at all impressed. You’re very … small.’

  Warder? What was she talking about? I looked at her and held her glassy obsidian eyes. I felt a chill go down my spine. There was nothing there at all — no emotion, no forgiveness, just an abyssal void. You could feel that humans were not on her respect list. I held the gaze and didn't give any indication to her of my fear. Never show fear to terrifying rock women was my motto.

  She stared at me and took another step forward, holding my gaze for what felt like an eternity. She tilted her head marginally and laughed, a high feminine gravelly cackle, reminiscent of my encounter with the hag. I winced, feeling it grating on my ears.

  ‘Hmmm, you have a spine at least; what an interesting human you are. You may call me Agrona, human,’ she said grudgingly. ‘I am a lutine, or rock goblin, and I also hold the honor of being King Ghob’s second-in-command. Tonight I will be your guide, so we can all see you fail at becoming our new warder.’

  She laughed again and turned. Facing the interior of the dark forest, she glanced back at me.

  Warder, what the hell was that? I shivered involuntarily, as a chill traveled up my spine. I hesitated in my tracks.

  ‘Come, human — leave your light behind. You won't be needing that as we are expected very soon, and the sorceress is not known for her patience.’

  Agrona turned and strode into the dark space to her left, leaving me to sprint to catch up. My eyes were still recovering from the after-effects of suddenly turning off my flashlight, and I momentarily groped blindly, listening for Agrona’s heavy steps. I heard a sigh of frustration a few meters in front of me, and vaguely saw the bleak outline of Agrona’s form. My eyes latched onto that and Agrona continued on at a slightly slower pace.

  I watched her back now that my eyes had adjusted and wondered at my circumstances. I knew I was freaking nuts for being out here, but on some deep instinctual level it also felt strangely right. It felt like I was walking towards the unknown, to what was (for the want of a better expression) my destiny.

  Ever since I felt that cold, earthy power coursing through me, something in my mind had clicked into place, and I now had the urge for that click to become knowledge and strength. Maybe Ghob could guide me in the right direction? I felt that somehow that was right, and I was already trusting him not to lead me astray. I remembered the wisdom in his eyes, and he was so old that my mind could not even comprehend what he may have seen in his time.

  We passed through a clearing and some stray moonlight filtered through the gnarled branches overhead. I looked up and was amazed to see an extensive swathe of thick, sticky webbing strung between the boughs of the trees. It glistened dense with icy particles, creaking ominously in the faint breeze. I looked at Agrona, who had also paused ahead of me.

  ‘Is something wrong?’ I asked hesitantly, cringing at the obvious fear in my voice.

  Her head turned back to look at me, ‘Human, in a moment we will be entering the sorceress's part of the forest, and you will want to run, screaming in terror. She has laid the area with potent protections and spells, and usually none may enter without her express invitation. We are invited tonight, but a human has not passed this point in over 500 years and I am not sure you will not immediately want to run shrieking off back to your transport. But you are not to do this as I am charged with ensuring you arrive … are we clear, human?

  ‘Ummm yeah, no problem.’ I looked past her and shivered. I was trying to sound a lot braver than I felt, that was for sure.

  ‘Yeah, no problem,’ she mimicked. ‘I think you will find it to be a … problem.’ She grinned at me in the gloom, her blocky teeth large and luminous.

  Agrona walked forward through an archway of entwined branches draped with more spider webs that formed a gelatinous curtain. I followed and pushed my way through. The strands were surprisingly heavy and stuck fast to my arm, forcing me rip them off. I felt them pull and grab at my hair and clothing, and so I leaned forward and heaved my way through — only to fall to one knee, as my mind became trapped like a fly in golden amber. I was frozen in this position, a keening starting between my teeth. I felt something slamming at my mind, insidious and dark, attempting to rip my mind asunder. Was this what she meant by the sorceress's protections?

  I took a deep breath and locked my mind down, unconsciously drawing some strength from the solidity of the earth under me. I envisioned my mind as a strong old oak being battered by gale-force winds, roots deep and centered, held in place by the earth’s strength. The protective spells battered at my closed mind, and I heard them screaming at me to let them in. I held firm and managed to stop the awful sound from coming out of my mouth.

  In the foreground, I heard Agrona laugh quietly. ‘Pathetic, human!’ I felt a sudden anger burning through me, and this seemed to tear the screaming noise out of my mind.

  How dare that rocky bitch laugh at me, I thought. Pushing myself up from the loam, I stood there trembling and slowly squared my shoulders and opened my eyes, staring straight into Agrona’s. I heard a small gasp from Agrona. If this were going to be a pissing match, I hoped she understood I didn’t lie down fucking quietly.

  She hid her surprise and sniffed delicately at me, ‘Come, Deirdre.’ Not calling me ‘human’ didn't go unnoticed; it startled me into action.

  We tread quietly for a few more minutes, the air becoming brittle and cold, and I noticed a fine mist forming at our feet. It faintly glowed and left billowing streamers of light behind our long strides. Agrona cautioned with one hand, as we came upon an impenetrable wall of aged hemlock and red cedar. She walked up to one massive specimen and lightly touched the trunk with the palm of her hand. The tree groaned and grated as its ponderous roots lifted heavily from the rich soil.

  It moved slowly to the left and created a narrow gap for us to slide through. My eyes closed briefly while we entered, stifling the feeling of claustrophobia that threatened to freeze me for the second time tonight. I took a tentative step forward, the rough bark grazing lightly under my reaching fingertips.

  We then entered the sorceress's grove.

  CHAPTER 5

  As we walked in, Agrona held her stony chin high, striding forward with no hesitation. I, on the other hand, looked around in awe, silently taking it all in. The space I had entered was breathtaking and also terrifying at the same time, entirely encircled by trees that I had never seen on any of my many runs. These trees were ancient; I could almost feel the ages rolling off them.

  Hovering up above, hundreds of fireflies flashed together creating a synchronous bioluminescent display that was eerily rhythmic, though frenetic at the same time. Below that, inside this ancient space placed reverently in the very center was a massive, twisted, old redwood trunk with a lightning-blackened cleft down the middle. The trunk’s roots were raised from the earth and thick around the base, forming a solid, impenetrable barrier as if protecting the trunk from the external force of time itself.

  I looked around and spied more of that tacky webbing as it formed a thick, impenetrable canopy amongst the foliage and branches around us. I shivered unconsciously, hoping fervently
that it didn't harbor any inhabitants.

  Looking towards Agrona, I noticed something flash briefly between her closed fingers. She quickly hid her hand and glanced back at me as she gave a slow, satisfied smile. I wondered what she was up to...

  Man, that bitch sure was enjoying herself a little bit too much. You’d think that being Ghob’s second-in-command would make her reasonably friendly. Of course, friendliness was probably not what he was looking for when he hired her. Maybe the Craigslist ad didn’t mention that. Well, I had the distinct feeling she and I were not going to be having sleepovers and plaiting each other’s hair (or lack thereof) while gossiping about the latest guys.

  Oh well, you win some, you lose some, I shrugged. To be frank, she scared the shit out of me.

  ‘Welcome, Deirdre. Thank you for answering my summons.’

  The words were whispered softly behind me and I squealed and jumped about a foot. Yes, I squealed, I'm ashamed to say, but in my defense, it had been an eerie night so far. And there, standing less than a meter away from me, looking at me with a little too much smugness, was Ghob.

  He had his midnight black hammer casually dangling by his side, and it blurred into a dark haze with each tiny movement. Noticing my glance, Ghob said, ‘the hammer is part of this Earth and also a part of me. It doesn't like to be parted from either of us for too long, hence its nervousness — unless of course it is smiting some unfortunate creature of the Dark.’

  Ghob was wearing what I had last saw him in, though now, instead of looking cracked and dry, his pants glistened wet with dark rich soil and trails of mossy green growth, suggesting a night of life-giving rain had soaked in, bringing life to his attire. His dirty bare feet were sinking lightly into the loam and once again he was shirtless. I scanned him quickly, noticing how each movement he made emphasized the strength lying underneath those impressive looking slabs of muscle. With his midnight-hued hair and deep, dark eyes, he was looking awfully good at the moment. Enter one hunky elemental king. I guess I could forgive him for that little stunt of surprising me ...