The Aurora Stone: The Orea Chronicles

by Alana Grerig

  Nodding, Tor took the body and hurried from the room. After disposing of Moroak, he gathered the ghouls. There were only two dozen in total, but that would be enough to cause trouble in the Coven of the Blood Moon. Feeling proud that he had been given such an important task, Tor put on his armour and led the ghouls to the portal room. He coveted Grimmer’s ruby, and hoped that, with success, he too would be as richly rewarded.

  They arrived a mile from the castle. Tor was not able to go any closer, so he ordered the ghouls to go forth and create havoc; no one was to be eaten. Once the deed was done, they were to get a possessed Vampire to lower the flag as a signal.

  Winter was making the final touches to her hair. Her fake date was in an hour, and she still had to tell her father and report the guards. It was easy enough to discover their identities. The idiots had been heard taking bets on whether or not Archie would make it into her bed. She wondered how amusing their bet would be when they found themselves in the dungeons for endangering the Princess of the Coven and, not to mention, for taking a bribe.

  Walking to her father’s chambers, Winter cast her gaze to the gardens beyond the large windows. It was getting darker, the twilight giving way to the inky blue of night. Soon the stars would be out, and then Winter would climb onto the roof and use her new telescope to view the stars. It was one of her favourite places. Smiling at the thought of star gazing later, she quickened her pace, wanting to get this business with Archie sorted, once and for all.

  The ghouls ghosted through the corridors, picking those of rank or those who looked ready to rip someone’s head off. How fortuitous that the vampires were already wound up due to a lack of fresh blood. This was going to be even more enjoyable than they first thought. Once each one had picked a host, all hell broke loose. Jŏrg, the ghoul who had been picked to signal Tor, glided through the upper floors. Finally, she found the flagpole cables, and slowly she lowered the flag. Satisfied that her task was complete, Jŏrg set off in search of a Vampire to possess, and she knew exactly who she wanted.

  Winter was correct in her assumptions that her father would be extremely angry. The two guards were stripped of rank and thrown into the dungeon. He also agreed to meet with Archie in her place and make it very clear that any chance he may have had with his only daughter was now ashes, which is what he would become if he ever touched her again. Pleased that her problem was about to be solved, Winter kissed her father and hurried off to the tower. It was time for some star gazing.

  The tower was Winter’s special place. It contained all her treasures. Opening the door, she lit the candles. She had requested that this place was not modernised. The human’s technology was wonderful, but the tower was her place and the candlelight, in her opinion, made it all the more romantic. Walking to her mother’s old dressing table, Winter opened the drawer and withdrew a velvet box; inside was a stone about the size of a duck egg. Its many facets threw colours around its interior whenever light touched it. It was so very beautiful. Her father had given it to her mother many years ago, and now it was hers. For her last birthday, she had commissioned the Royal jeweller to make a chain and cage for it so she could wear it at the grand balls. Winter opened the cage and placed the stone inside. The thick rope of silver felt cool against her throat. Making her way to the trap door in the ceiling that would take her to the roof and her beloved telescope, she glanced at herself in the mirror. The stone shone with otherworldly light. Pleased to have something of her mother’s so close to her heart, Winter climbed up and out into the clear black night.

  Jŏrg found her target. He was in the ornamental gardens, giving a younger vampire a piece of his mind. This amused the ghoul. She could have a lot of fun with this, and as luck would have it, the young Vampire had his head bowed, so he did not witness when Jŏrg took possession of the coven’s King.

  ***

  Fights were breaking out all over the castle when Winter returned around dawn. She had been so far away from the main building that she hadn’t heard anything. It was only once she entered the lower corridor that she heard the sounds of fighting vampires and smashing china. She grabbed her grey hoodie and zipped it over her necklace; she had forgotten to remove it in her haste to find Ariana and tell her all about the shooting stars she had seen. All of that was forgotten as she rushed along her wing and out into the grand entrance hall. Immediately, she had to duck as one of the large copper urns that stood on either side of the front doors was launched across the hall. Its intended target sprang up onto the banister of the grand staircase and was busy reaching for the claymore that was mounted on the wall just above his head.

  She was not interested in hanging around to find out the cause of the disagreement – heck, the guy had a claymore! Winter ran down the main hallway, dodging fights and projectiles as she went. She reached the great hall and was shocked by what she found there. It had turned into an arena. However, what was even more disturbing was that her father was in the middle of a fight with two other Vampires!

  This is not happening. I am asleep… this is a nightmare, Winter thought as she pinched her arm and opened and closed her eyes, hoping that the reality would change back to how things should be. Even without opening her eyes, after the second try, she knew she wasn’t asleep. It had been worth a try. Sighing, Winter decided to find a sane vampire and find out what had caused the sudden madness within the coven.

  Thankfully it didn’t take long. Winter found Ariana and Grace, one of her many cousins, hiding in the laundry. Grace had a cut cheek that was half way to being healed, and Ariana was repositioning her dislocated shoulder. Winter grimaced at the sickening crunch of the joint returning to its natural position.

  “What is going on up there? It was like a madness suddenly overcame some of the nobles and guards!” cried Ariana as she stroked Grace’s hair.

  “I have no idea. I went to see my father, but he was…not himself,” Winter finished in a mumble, not wanting to remember the snarling face and bared fangs. How upset he will be when he comes to his senses, she lamented. Deciding it was, at this time, too dangerous for them to wander the castle, they moved into one of the storerooms and made themselves comfortable.

  “At least from here, we can see the Jetty. Maybe if someone visits we can ask for help?” Mumbled Grace, ashen-faced. Trying to swallow down her ire at the young girl, Winter didn’t comment. She was a princess, and there was no way she was asking any outsider for help. Her father could not be seen as he was right now. The shame it would bring him and his house, once he returned to himself, would be too great. No, we shall sit and wait for this storm to pass us over, she thought, though, in her heart, she knew it wasn’t going to be that simple.

  ***

  The flight to the border took all night. Dawn was just breaking as they landed at the edge of a great lake. This was not by choice; they seemed unable to fly across it.

  “More witchcraft,” grumbled Jericho as Sapphire glided to a perfect landing. Caleb and Eli were already on the ground.

  “It seems like we have to cross the traditional way,” said Caleb as he looked at the jetty.

  “Trouble is, I don’t see any boats,” piped up Eli, who had returned to his natural state and was, thankfully, fully clothed, much to Eve’s relief.

  “When I said the ‘old-fashioned’ way, I meant ancient,” Caleb explained while walking purposefully along the jetty. Not sure what he meant, but having no other option, they followed him as far as where the jetty met then bank.

  “Jericho, could I borrow a knife, please?” he called while digging about in his pockets. Looking at the others, Jericho shrugged and walked along the old planks to where Caleb stood and handed him his gutting knife. To Eve’s utter horror, Caleb then quickly slashed his palm with the razor-sharp blade and placed four silver coins into his bloody grip.

  “Ferryman, Ferryman, we wish to cross the Lake.

  We have our payment; blood money is all you will take.

  Ferryman, Ferryman, four await your vessel.


  We are aware we cross at our peril,

  To sail on the lake of the dead.”

  The silence that followed was absolute; not even the water moved. Then, before them materialised a great vessel. Its mast was high, its sails grey and ripped. It was impossible for them to have caught a breeze, yet the boat moved through the oily water at speed. Once at the jetty, Eve was aghast by what she saw: a sailboat made entirely of creature’s bones. She could hear their screams. Moaning, she covered her ears and turned to bury her face in Sapphire’s breast.

  You can hear the souls of the ones who did not pay the Ferryman, dear one, Sapphire explained, their connection flaring.

  But they did pay, Sapphire. They paid with their lives! I don’t want to get on the boat. There has to be another way, Eve replied as silent tears coursed down her cheeks.

  Have courage dear one, you will not be alone, and though I once again cannot join you, this time our connection shall not falter, crooned the protector. Taking comfort and strength from her words, Eve wiped away her tears, picked up her bag, and walked towards the nightmare that was the ferry.

  “You have summoned me, Boy. Payment I require, and payment I shall have, be it blood, money or your bones. I shall have payment before you step aboard this vessel.” The Ferryman’s voice reached them on the jetty, but they could not see him.

  “We are a company of four, Ferryman, so four bloodied silver yits we have brought for payment,” Caleb replied to the sinister bodiless voice. He opened his hand to display the blood-soaked coins.

  Eve covered her mouth to stop the scream that almost escaped her. Out of thin air, a skeletal hand appeared; tattered ribbons of grey flesh hung loosely from the appendage. Following the hand up the owner’s arm, she was relieved to see that a dark cowl covered the creature’s body and face, if indeed it had a face. Eve could not detect an aura at all. The gaping black opening of the cowl seemed to be just that, pitch black and empty. This sent chills down her spine. The ferryman was not of this world.

  Taking the coins, the ferryman waved his arm, and a gangplank appeared.

  “Climb aboard, though remember, it is at your own risk that you sail these waters. If you wish to live, do not be led,” the creature said as he proceeded the group on board. Looking at Caleb, Eve reached for his hand, only to remember that he had hurt himself to make the payment.

  “It's fine, Eve. I have already healed the wound,” he assured her, showing his palm as proof. Taking his hand, she boarded the ship along with the others. Looking about, she saw that there were no seats of any kind, and the floor was filthy.

  “How long will it take to make the crossing?” she asked Caleb just to fill the eerie silence.

  “It takes as long as it takes, Light Carrier. It really depends on each of you,” came the Ferryman’s reply from directly behind her. Yelping, Eve scrambled away and turned to face him. “Yes, I know who and what you are, Evangeline. Though you need not fear me, I take no sides but my own,” he said before heading for the wheel.

  “What does he mean, Caleb, it depends on us?” Eve squeaked. She clutched his arm in a vice grip, which made Caleb wince.

  “He means that the lake can play tricks on the mind. If we are distracted by its trickery, time becomes warped for us here, like a kind of limbo, but in actual fact, it carries on as normal everywhere else. I have heard tales of people being lost on this lake for years.” Seeing the look of complete horror on her beautiful face, Caleb realised far too late that this could possibly have been the most stupid thing he could have said. I am a moron! Goddess forgive me, he thought while mentally kicking himself. Taking her in his arms, he held his love while humming a song, hoping to soothe her anxiety and help her forget his stupid comment.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The boat barely stirred the waters as it carried the foursome across the lake. Eve tested her connection with Sapphire and was pleased to find that it was still active. Caleb held on to her, humming a sweet song, which helped to calm her. He also kept her away from the sides, though she didn’t know why. Eve didn’t care. The last thing she wanted to see was the murky waters of this lake, and she definitely didn’t want to be close enough to see the grain in the bones that made up the ship.

  Eli and Jericho were standing together by the mast. Neither had anything to say. Eli glanced at the Miscurt every so often, only to find that his stance and expression had not changed. Sighing, he moved to the port side and looked out at the mist that hung like cobwebs over the grey waters. After a few moments, Eli noticed a person swimming in the lake beside the boat, then another. Leaning over to get a better view, he was shocked to see his parents. Though he had been just a babe in her arms when he was abandoned, his heart would know his mother anywhere. How beautiful she was, with her long hair flowing out behind her.

  “Mother, Mother! It’s me, Eli! Let me help you aboard,” he called, leaning further over the side to reach out to his mother. Caleb looked up and, more roughly than he intended, pushed Eve from him and ran to Eli, all the while calling for Jericho. Startled, the Miscurt reached Eli at the same time Caleb did.

  “Mother! It’s me, Eli, reach for my hand,” he called out again. Now only the tip of one boot was touching the deck.

  “Grab him, Jericho, but do not look into the water!” Caleb yelled, having to compete with Eli’s calls to his mother. Nodding, Jericho grabbed the distressed elf just as he pitched forward over the side. It was at this point that Eve rushed over. Shouting to her to keep back and not to look into the water, Caleb reached over Jericho, which was no mean feat, and placed his hands over Eli’s glazed eyes.

  “But…what’s happening? Eli says our mother is down there. How can he know that? He has never seen her.” Eve remarked as she moved closer to the rail.

  “NO!” shouted Caleb, his eyes flashing with fear. “There is no one in the water. It is the curse of the lake. Those who gaze into its waters will see what their heart yearns for. This is what kills people. They think they see someone they love or something they covert, and over they go to get it. Once in the water, there is no getting back on this vessel,” he explained.

  Ashen-faced, Eve moved back to the middle of the deck and covered her face with her hands and wept.

  Thankfully, Eli, who was exhausted by his ensnarement of the lake, fell asleep. Jericho carried him back to the mast and sat with him, all the while keeping a vice-like grip on his right ankle should he awaken and feel the need to return to rescue his mother. For the next hour - or it could have been a week, nothing changed on the lake of the dead - there was nothing but the silence. Caleb held Eve until her tears stopped and then resumed his humming.

  Suddenly, there was a grinding sound, and the ferry slowed, then stopped.

  “We have arrived,” came the voice of the ferryman. Eve did not need telling twice. As soon as the gangplank appeared, she was across it and back on solid ground. Eli came to the moment he was placed on the bank. He was groggy for a few minutes, but soon he was fully himself and horrified at his behaviour. However, he was saddened that the vision had not been real.

  “There will be time for lamenting lost loved ones later; now we must move. We still do not know if that creature made it back alive. It is better we find the Princess and retrieve the Stone as soon as we can.” Jericho stated, his tone clearly implying that negotiation was not an option. Getting their packs together, they turned to face inland, and, - joy of joys - only a few miles away they could see the brown walls of a castle.

  “Come on, we can be at the castle in an hour or so.” Caleb encouraged, picking up a long branch from the tree line just on their right to use as a staff. The ground was covered in long grass for about a third of a mile and was boggy. However, after stopping for the fourth time to pull Eli out of the boggy ground, Caleb instructed everyone to fall in line behind him, and he would use his staff to test the ground and map out a clear path for them. The rest of their journey went a lot more smoothly after that, and soon they had passed through the bog
and were greeted with a gravel road that meandered its way to the castle.

  ***

  Grace had fallen asleep in Ariana’s arms. The three girls had been in the laundry room for a while, Winter had marked off six sun rises on the wall with a piece of chalk she had found. With no sign of the noise - that filtered to them through the vents in the door - stopping, they were resigned to the fact that they were in here for the foreseeable future. Winter was gazing out at the moor that surrounded her castle. It was so peaceful out there. How she wished they could all climb through this barred window and escape this nightmare. Reaching inside her hoodie, Winter clutched her mother’s stone and sent up a silent prayer that help would come.

  ***

  “I don’t believe it!” Winter exclaimed a while later. Time seemed to drag in the confines of the room. There, walking along the road right towards the castle was a group of travellers. Using her exceptional sight, Winter was able to see that the company was made up of three males and a female. One of the males was a Miscurt. Wondering what the strange troop was doing on the moor, Winter turned and beckoned Ariana to wake Grace, because help was on its way.

  “How are they going to help us, Winter? They do not know to look through this window. They will head for the grand entrance and get caught up in a brawl for their trouble,” Ariana said, despair seeping into every word. Winter was not going to allow these creatures to miss them. Looking around the room, she was pleased to find several heavy stones that were used to wash the linen. The scullery maids held true to the traditional methods.