Past of Shadows

by Colleen Connally

  The slaves made no protest nor sound. Pressing onward, sweat dipped down their dirt-crusted faces.

  “Your Majesty,” another officer bowed his head. “It has only begun. It is slow. We have to burrow through stone.”

  Thardalf drew in a deep breath. He seemed well pleased with the progress. “What of the Highborn Chamber? How do our guests fare?”

  “All are intact,” the officer reported.

  Thardalf circled his hand. Immediately, a window through the stone was created. Alric watched in horror. Bodies hung in the air. Their arms and legs hung loose beneath them. Their eyes frozen open, but they breathed.

  Twisting his hand back, Thardalf smiled. “That is good…good.”

  Once more the pale mist arose, encircling Alric. Once more it faded and he stood again facing Cayce.

  “You do not have much time,” Cayce said. “Once Asmeodai breaks through, no one will be able to stop him.”

  Alric shook his head. “No, that was Thardalf of House Reishus.”

  “You know little, Ser Alric. Asmeodai now embodies Thardalf of House Reishus’s body.”

  “Embodies…you make no sense.”

  “Do I not? Yet, you do not question it was Asmeodai that threatens your world? Have you never question how he has lived?”

  Confusion reigned in Alric. If Asmeodai had taken over Thardalf’s body, why would he not take a younger man? Thardalf was an older man, forty-five, maybe fifty.

  “I see you hold doubt. Is not that so?” Cayce continued. “Asmeodai is a wizard that is both subtle and quick to anger. He dangles what his victim most wants…then he has his prey.”

  “You are saying he jumps body to body?”

  “For thousands of years.” Cayce went silent.

  Alric said nothing. His mind raced. Cayce explained so simply what had been questioned for centuries. Asmeodai had found a way to become immortal.

  “Asmeodai’s magic is powerful,” Cayce said as fact. “He has accumulated it for thousands of years. He drained his realm and has conquered Witheleghe. If he breaks through to the Siochanta Realm, no one can stop him.”

  “You talk as if we can.”

  “If you don’t, Witheleghe will become as Arachnida. A wasteland. There will be no survivors. Asmeodai will wipeout all that is not as he.”

  Alric shivered at the dire warning. The threat was real and urgent.

  “Thardalf was confident in his dealings with Asmeodai. He believed that he would be King of Witheleghe. He betrayed his wife, children, and her family. Never did Thardalf suspect what was to come.”

  Comprehension sank within him, Alric said, “Asmeodai promised Thardalf the kingdom.”

  “Along with immortal life.” Cayce gave a slight nod. “Thardalf did not realize that Asmeodai would take his body, in essence giving to Thardalf what he was promised.”

  “Tell me now. What is it you think I can do?” Alric challenged. “I am not powerful or shrewd enough to defeat Asmeodai.”

  “You have only one course to take. Unify Witheleghe.”

  “I am not the man you believe I am.”

  “I know well who you are,” Cayce stated firmly. “I was the one to send Sae and Bae to you. I would not send my children if I did not know what was in your heart. You do not seek power or riches, but they will find you.”

  Alric shook his head. “You don’t know me. If you did, you would know…”

  “You have courage, Ser Alric. You are not a passive soul, understanding that there can no longer be passing the torch to another to fight your battles. Courage is what will be needed to face what is ahead.”

  “It is not I.”

  “Enough!” A smoldering fire lit Cayce’s eyes. “There is no time for arguments. If you do not accept this mission, then Witheleghe is doomed.”

  “I can’t do what you ask on my own.”

  “It is why I sent you Bae. She will help in your effort to unite Witheleghe. She knows who is in hiding.”

  “Hiding?”

  “You cannot believe that you are the only one that has escape the wrath of Asmeodai.”

  “Of course, not,” Alric began. “There are elves, fairies, and dwarfs in hiding.”

  “There are more. Many of the great houses of Witheleghe have found ways to escape Asmeodai…so far. Though, unlike you, they have chosen only to help a specific few. They will be necessary along with the heirs of King Darius.”

  Alric stared at Cayce strangely. “Princess Eufamia and her children? It is thought…”

  “That they died when the portal closed,” Cayce finished for Alric. “Princess Eufamia gave her life, but her children live. They will return…you must hold on until that time. To do so, you must destroy Asmeodai’s tunnel.”

  “Destroy the tunnel?” Alric repeated as if he didn’t believe what he heard.

  “You have seen Asmeodai is close. You have no other choice. The fate of Witheleghe lies within you.”

  With those words, Cayce gave a slight nod.

  In a puff of smoke, he was gone.

  Meeting of the Elves

  As the rising sun came flowing through the grove of cherry trees, Alric sat up and stretched. Though he had been offered a room, he had chosen to sleep under the stars on a blanket of thick fescue grass.

  He longed for a good night’s sleep. It had not come. Though, in truth, he had not had a good sleep in eight years.

  After his visit to Cayce, Bae had transported him to her home, Briar Fuana, in the Charmed Woods. The hand of Asmeodai had not descended upon this beautiful land. Lovely rambling gardens flourished within the elves boundaries. Stunning flowers bloomed across the ancient village: magnolia, irises, and gardenias.

  Ornamental trees, cherry, apple, and tulip trees, were scattered throughout the ground. Willow and birch trees added greenery. A long winding stream flowed through the center with a stone bridge connecting the gardens, covered with an abundance of pansies. The water pooled into a small pond where golden fish swam beneath the waterlilies.

  Last night, he had chosen this spot to lay his head. Awakening in this serenity had done little to relieve his frustration. His anger had not receded.

  The visions of Cayce had disturbed him greater than he cared to admit. How dare Cayce play with my memories! Yet, he confessed he had been grateful for the sight of his family. Through the last years, he had forgotten what they meant to him, overcome with the need to survive.

  How…how could I forget? The answer lay within him. Guilt…guilt of being the one to survive.

  His destiny had been to become a knight. His only desire was to make his family proud. How could he do so now? His family was dead.

  He ran his hand through his long hair. His responsibility had been to protect the royal family. He had failed. They had been massacred with Thardalf‘s betrayal.

  “I was told I would find you here.”

  Alric turned to see Sae walking toward him. She moved slowly. Her face paler than usual. Her eyes held no twinkle.

  “Sae.” He rushed to her side. “You should not be out here.”

  A faint smile formed on her lips. “I am weak,” she agreed. “Only here can I recover.”

  She held her hand out. He took it and kissed her cold fingers. “I miss you, Sae. I need your strength.”

  “I’m sorry I can no longer give myself.” Sadness echoed in her voice. “But you are wrong. It is your strength I need, my friend.”

  “You gave yourself and can give no more.”

  “It is the weakness of elves. We survive off the love of the earth.” She reached up and caressed his face. “I know what is being asked of you. Know you are not the only one that has been summoned.”

  “But why me? Have I not done enough? They ask me to sacrifice myself to save whom? Those who have hidden…afraid to help others. We saved any who needed it. Why am I pressed to give my life for those that care only for themselves?”

  “It is not for us to question the path we have been given? You do not know what li
es ahead, only what will be if you do nothing.”

  He swung his hands down by his legs. His anger brought forth. “Why me? I am a nobody. I have no family left. Who am I doing this for?”

  “Faith, my friend,” she urged softly. “Hold faith that the good in our world is worth fighting for.”

  Behind her, he watched Bae walk up to her sister’s side beside a pretty, young girl. She looked no more than ten or eleven, but with elves, he was certain she was older. Though, the girl’s face held an innocence that came with youth. Her long, blonde hair fell down her back. As with most elves, she wore a crown of living flowers.

  “Sister,” Bae said with tenderness. “Shalendra is worried about you.”

  Alric watched Sae’s expression soften at the young girl. He nodded toward Sae, “But of course. You should not be out here.”

  “It is good that you meet my youngest daughter, Ser Alric,” Sae insisted on the introduction. She drew in a deep breath. “My beloved daughter, Shalendra, this is Ser Alric. A most dear friend.”

  The young lady curtsied. Ser Alric took the young one’s hands in his and kissed it like he had done her mother. She blushed prettily.

  “Do you need me to help you back to your home?” Alric asked, watching Sae take harder breaths.

  “We will care for my mother,” Shalendra said, pointing over to an elf waiting patiently at the end of the path.

  Alric nodded toward the man that was most certainly Gormar, Sae’s husband. He had heard much about him. In their time together, Sae talked about her husband often with love. He stared at the two until they disappeared from view.

  “Sae should not have gotten out of bed.”

  He looked back at Bae. “You don’t know your sister if you thought she would not have greeted me.”

  “I know my sister well, Ser Alric,” Bae said stiffly. “It is you who doesn’t understand.”

  “I understand well enough,” he snapped. “Do you take me for a fool, my Lady?” He took her arm and roughly pulled her up to his face. “I know when I’m being manipulated. Did you think it would only take a come hither look? Did you assume I would fall at your feet and proclaim myself your champion? Find yourself another sap.”

  Her eyes stared into his. Devil be had! He lost himself. She smelled like the fragrance of flowers. Her red lips looked inviting…enchanting. Never had he been this way with one such as this…

  He reprimanded himself. Get a hold on yourself. It had been over eight years since he had a woman. He could not afford to show any weakness at Tuhinga o Mua as he could not now.

  Abruptly, he released her. “Be gone from me. I am not some fool as to believe that I am a savior.”

  Bae stood still. A slight wind blew her hair onto her face. Pushing it back, she did not break her stare at Alric. Finally, she said, “Ser Alric, you deserve to know the truth. Go and refresh yourself. When you return, I will tell you all.”

  * * * *

  Alric had taken his time. He had feasted upon the fruits of Briar Fuana, milk, cheese, ripe berries and fresh bread. There were many. The elves lived in a wondrous place. Far away from the threat of Asmeodai in the deep recess of the Charmed Woods.

  Sae had told him that when Asmeodai first attacked Mirth, his dragons burnt their entire city. The remaining elves scattered into the deepest part of the forest to where they considered themselves safe.

  He wasn’t so certain of their safety. Neither did the elves…now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here. Elves were not known for their hospitality toward men, but they had been most welcoming to him.

  Alric took the meandering path back up the hill to the fish pond. Bae waited as she’d promised. She sat by the water, running her hand through it.

  On his appearance, she eased up on her knees. Alric extended his hands to hers and helped her to her feet.

  “Come let us walk,” she said in a clear, soft voice. She laid her hand on his. “I hope everyone has extended themselves to your comfort…though I can’t imagine how, if you slept out here last night.”

  He did not answer at once. Instead, he enjoyed the moment of escorting a beautiful woman on a stroll. His temper quelled. “I was shown a quite comfortable room,” he said, walking under a flower covered arbor. “I found I needed air to think.”

  “My apologies,” Bae said. “This is my fault. I should have been more forthcoming before I took you to Cayce. In truth, though, one cannot prepare for one such as Cayce.”

  “Then be truthful now,” he pressed. “What is it that you want from me?”

  “As you suspect, I do want you to risk your life, though, no more than I am prepared to do.” She frowned. “But it has not always been so.”

  Coming up to a bench, Alric gestured for Bae to sit.

  “If you wish.” She gave him a small smile and sat.

  In turn, he did also.

  “It is not easy to say, Ser Alric. The truth does not bode well for me or my people.” She paused, placing her hand over her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes. “When Asmeodai broke through the Maunga Mountains, the dwarfs sent a messenger, Yumaen. His journey was harsh. He had been injured in the attack, but he found the way to the Veil.

  “Yumaen told of the horror. There was no warning. The Arachnidans attacked quickly and without mercy. The venomous army tunneled through the Maunga Mountains and morphed into goliath spiders, ants, and atlas beetles, tearing and ripping his people to shreds. Blood and body parts were strewn throughout the passages of the caverns. The dwarfs were massacred by the onslaught of Asmeodai’s army. The survivors scattered to the covert tunnels in the far depths of the earth. Help was needed.”

  Alric did not know why she was telling him all of this. The fall of Witheleghe had been devastating to all within the realm. He watched her wipe a tear from her cheek.

  “The world was chaotic during the annihilation,” he offered in a strange attempt to give a semblance of comfort.

  Shaking her head, she grimaced. “The Augur Council was immediately called. Since Sae, I and my other eight sisters are descendants of the first Elf Queen, Ayae, we sit upon the ten seats. The Elders, our council, included my husband, Tasar. Yumaen pleaded for us to give help to his people. Tasar and Elder Folomon responded…” She choked on her words. He did not press, but let her compose herself before she continued. “Elder Folomon returned and confirmed the genocide. Something we could not allow to happen to Mirth. Folomon described the horror he saw…but the Arachnidan patrols were waiting for their appearance. Tasar was killed. Folomon refused to give me the details of Tasar demise, but I have been told my husband was eaten whole by an atlas beetle.

  “Elder Folomon feared that Asmeodai had a seer that could see our every move. He called for us to run and hide in the deepest part of the Woods…to retreat from the path to Troms. We gave no help to the dwarfs…we made no effort to warn King Darius.”

  Alric had not expected the confession. He shook his head. “You did nothing,” he uttered, unable to contain his shock. “King Darius could have sought help. The portal was open at that time. Moreover, only his magic had a chance to save all of us.”

  “I know.” In a quiet voice, she corrected herself. “Now, I know. I have no excuse. We were frightened that Asmeodai would turn his wrath upon us. Folomon said Asmeodai would ignore us if we did nothing to earn his wrath. We told ourselves that our magic was nothing compared to Asmeodai.”

  He refused to accept her reasoning. “How could you? Do you know the harm you have done?”

  “I live with it every day.” She went silent for a moment. “Sae was the only one to speak against Folomon,” she said at last. “Sae told us that others would die unnecessarily by our inaction…that we were cowards…if we had any chance, we had need of King Darius. Folomon did not listen and I stood with Folomon, leading my sisters to my side.”

  “You should have stood beside Sae,” Alric said bluntly.

  “It is a mistake I cannot undo. I thought it was the wisest move. We are not fighters. It was only
when Cayce called me to Dochas that I understood the magnitude of our failure. Cayce has been our Guardian Keeper since before my mother. Cayce told me to gather all the magical creatures that I could save and bring them to Dochas, where you met the Keeper. When I arrived, Cayce showed me the terror Asmeodai caused.”

  Alric shrugged expansively. “What do you want from me?”

  “I am only explaining what happened. I do not expect forgiveness.”

  “Then what?”

  “I need you to know that I am being honest. We need to trust each other for what we are about to face.”

  Letting her words sink deep within him, he sat back. He was angry. If only? Yet, the elves had suffered. Despite the beauty of Briar Fuana, Sae had told him that over a thousand elves had died on their evacuation. Elves are delicate creatures, Sae had said.

  Elves were not made for fighting. But who in Witheleghe had been? Renowned for their adversity to fighting their own battles, Witheleghe had closed its borders to other realms. The only entrance had been through the portals.

  The absence of strategy to defend themselves had left Witheleghe vulnerable to those whose hearts were filled with envy, greed, and hatred. There were times when one couldn’t run, but face one’s enemies with courage.

  As a Flandigana knight, he had taken vows, vows he would not forsake—He would fight for Witheleghe until his last breath.

  His hard blue eyes looked straight into Bae’s. “What is it you would have me do?”

  Fellowship Forged

  “Why me?”

  The question lingered in the air. Their interchange to this point had been mostly ominous: the gathering darkness of Asmeodai and the flight of the Elves.

  “Your magic, Ser Alric,” Bae answered straightway. “There is no other that can cloak.”

  Alric nodded in understanding. It had been the first thing Bae had asked him to do the moment he agreed to help in this perilous venture. He had cloaked Briar Fuana. No longer could Asmeodai spy upon their actions.

  To Asmeodai’s eye, Briar Fuana was no more.

  “Asmeodai may have made a fatal mistake,” Bae continued. “In the course of his assault against King Darius, he called forth all the head of the Houses of Witheleghe and killed them indiscriminately. In his realm, when he killed a soul, their essence of power, whether it was any source of magic or the gift of morphing, he absorbed their ability. He assumed it was such in Witheleghe. It was not.