The Iron Realm (The Iron Soul Book 1)

by J. M. Briggs

  Listening with baited breath, Morgana watched as the queen knelt next to her, leaning forward to whisper in Morgana's ear. “It is a childe Morgana, an iron childe more dangerous than any other. My magic had found it for me, but the Iron Realm seeks to protect its new weapon.” Queen Scáthbás smiled, “But, my precious one, fate has favored me greatly, for this childe shares a home with the changeling left in your place. You and this abomination share the same iron blooded mother.”

  Gasping softly, Morgana pondered the words, but was aware of the queen watching her reaction carefully. Morgana met her eyes with as much determination and courage as she could. “Shall I kill or take the childe for you Your Majesty?”

  Queen Scáthbás smiled at her, cupping Morgana's chin with her hand and leaning forward to kiss her lips gently. “My precious one,” the queen cooed, “I knew you would not let me down, but I have a different plan.”

  “What shall I do?” Morgana asked, straightening her back.

  “I do not know the power of this weapon. I must know what defenses the poison realm can muster before I dare invade with my full force and bring the light to the iron people. My little darling, you must take on a great mission for me. You must return to the Iron Realm, to the home of your birth and watch this childe for me. Live amongst the iron folk and report their plotting to me so that I might stop them once and for all.”

  “Return…” Terror gripped Morgana at the words, “to the poison lands?”

  “The potions I have been giving you have made you stronger,” the queen soothed her, “Despite the power you carry from us, despite the blessings I have given you and the food you have eaten you are still an iron childe.” Morgana teared up at the words, shamed once again by her iron blood. Queen Scáthbás brushed her cheek gently, “But, my precious mage, that will now serve me better than any Rider or Hound ever could. You will go for me where no others can.” Queen Scáthbás paused and then asked, “Will you do this for me my beautiful girl?”

  Trying to stop her tears, Morgana nodded quickly and cried harder when the queen tenderly brushed away the tears. “I shall do whatever you need me to do,” Morgana promised, “Whatever you ask I will do.”

  Queen Scáthbás smiled in triumph and stood quickly, gesturing a waiting Sídhe named Murden who was watching Morgana with a dark look. “Murden, send a Rider and use the call to retrieve the Changeling. Prepare for the ritual, our childe is ready and I have waited long enough for my answers,” she ordered sharply, sending several Sídhe scattering to obey. The queen's long fingernails ran through Morgana's hair, losing the braids into long waves. “This will be a glorious day in our history my little darling,” Queen Scáthbás informed her. “The day that marks the beginning of the end for the Iron Realm and the beginning of our ascent to the throne of reality.”

  Morgana was taken from the queen back to her chamber and given another goblet of the strange potion. Taking a moment, Morgana studied the liquid before drinking it down, marveling at the rich red tone and the slow waves on the surface. She did not remain in her chamber for long before a Sídhe tossed a thick bundle of clothing to her. A long tunic of off white fabric spilled into her hands and a pair of plain brown shoes of some kind of animal hide fell to the floor. The fabric itched against her hands and was much heavier than her usual bright and flowing gowns. Without compliant, Morgana slipped out of her gown and slippers and into the long pale dress and shoes. A dark red tunic with shorter shelves was pulled over the top of the longer dress and a thick length of twisted material similar to cloth was wrapped around her waist to hold everything in place. Morgana shifted uncomfortably in the clothes, but remained silent about her discomfort as the Síd motioned for her to follow her.

  Morgana felt out of place as she walked through the elegant halls of the Sídhe that had become her home in the clothing of the poisonous realm. Instead of walking with her shoulders back and her head held high as Queen Scáthbás had taught her, she wanted to fade into the shadows. The Síd led her to the doorway in the Great Hall where Murden stood waiting in his long white and gold robes, watching her with his usual expression of distaste. Unlike usual, today he had a large bag of white fabric slung over his shoulder and was wearing a heavy pale blue cloak. Morgana dared to look over her shoulder towards the golden throne where Queen Scáthbás sat, presiding over her great court. She smiled and nodded to Morgana, giving the girl courage as the golden doors opened.

  “Come,” Murden ordered, “Let us be done with this.”

  Morgana resisted the urge to rush back to Queen Scáthbás and beg her for a different way to prove her love and loyalty. All the tales of the Iron Realm she had been told as a childe rushed back to her, every fear growing within her. Then the doors were fully open, exposing the long white corridors. Murden stepped through the threshold and Morgana took a breath and followed him through, barely aware that four armed Sídhe were following her.

  The white tunnels of her childhood greeted her with their cold stone. Morgana saw none of the magical images that had entertained her on the walls and no iron childes could be seen. The large golden doors closed with a heavy thud behind her as Murden led her forward and Morgana glanced around through the archways lining the long hall, but she could see no one. She forced her fear back and walked with as much grace as she could muster even as the unfamiliar clothes weighed down on her as a reminder of where she was going.

  Following Murden, Morgana's aggravation grew as the slope of the tunnels changed upwards and a small engraved golden door came into sight in front of them. Four guards were posted in front of the door and Morgana stopped to watch Murden speak with them. She'd seen this door only a few times as a childe before being pulled away by the caretakers. This was a dangerous door, more dangerous than even the way into the Sídhe Realm.

  Slowly, the four guards moved aside, creating a path for Murden, Morgana and their escort. The door was pulled open by a single guard and Morgana caught sight of the outer image of the door. It was fearsome sight with monstrous faces and weapons, a warning she realized. Beyond the doorway was a long dark tunnel carved in black stone with small light orbs hanging in the air every few feet casting a dim glow that served only to make the passage more frightening. Still, she kept putting one foot in front of the other, replaying Queen Scáthbás' words for courage.

  “Wait,” Murden ordered and Morgana paused in her walking, turning to look over her shoulder as their escort vanished into a side room.

  Blinking, Morgana considered the open archway with a small frown, unsure if it had been there a moment ago. Under other circumstances Morgana would have asked directly about the use of magic, citing the queen's instance that she learn as much as possible, but right now her mouth was far too dry to form a single word. Murden remained perfectly still and the guards stared straight ahead, not even bothering to look at her. A few moments later the four armed Sídhe that had seen them to this doorway returned to the tunnel, each of them leading a shimmering white horse that took Morgana's breath away. Swallowing, she closed and opened her fists, realizing that she was with four Riders. The final Rider was leading a fifth horse and handed the leather and golden reigns to Murden who nodded quickly to the Rider.

  One of the Riders moved ahead of them with his horse, leading the beast through the threshold and into the dark tunnel ahead. Murden followed him and Morgana darted after him, aware of the three remaining Riders stepping into the tunnel behind her, flanking her on all sides. A moment later, the tunnel darkened as the golden door behind her closed.

  “Which branch?” Murden questioned the Rider in the lead softly.

  “Tunnel branch 13,” the Rider replied calmly, it voice echoing in the passage.

  Morgana was quiet, as they moved quickly through the long tunnel, ignoring many branching tunnels that headed into new directions, each of them darker than the last. Swallowing, she turned her eyes to the large steed to her right which shined slightly in the low light of the orbs. She was tempted to reach out and touch the
beast, but had been told the dangers of ever touching a Rider's steed.

  Breathing deeply, Morgana became aware slowly of her aching muscles and the sweat that was gathering on her brow. She reached up and brushed the sweat away with her hand, feeling the moisture on the skin of her hand with curiosity. Sweating was a rare event for her, having lived her life in the Sídhe tunnels and Realm, but now she was uncertain as to the cause. Morgana took another breath, feeling how difficult it seemed to be with a jolt of alarm.

  “It is the crossing,” Murden told her, looking back at her over his shoulder with a smug expression. “The magic of these tunnels eases the transition between Sídhean and the Iron Realm. You have lived your life in our magic, in our power.”

  “Is it safe?” Morgana asked weakly.

  “The potion has prepared your body for returning to the Iron Realm,” Murden answered, a dark chuckle escaped him before he added, “Otherwise, the crossing would leave you weakened and aged.”

  The way he said the words made Morgana fall silent and look at the ground of the tunnel. They suddenly turned off the main path and down a branch tunnel with the small light orbs glowing above their heads. A chilly wind blew down the tunnel and Morgana peeked around Murden and the Rider to see darkness up ahead with the light orbs ending. She caught a strange scent on the rush of air that she struggled to identify, but seemed somehow familiar to her. Suddenly, all the Riders stopped moving as one and mounted their horses with Murden mounting his a moment later. Before Morgana could say or do anything, the Rider to her right reached down and scoped her up, bringing her onto his steed in front of him. She grabbed the saddle horn tightly and tensed up as the horse began to move forward.

  Her eyes were fixed on the opening of the tunnel and she could barely breathe as the first Rider stepped through the threshold and into the beyond. A moment later the horse she was on followed and Morgana gasped. There were no ceilings or walls around her. Above her head was a dark canopy far beyond her reach with a full glowing moon that illuminated the landscape around her. The Rider gave her no time to gape at the strange world, spurring on his horse, but Morgana caught sight of a group of towering trees, small plants and rolling hills in the moonlight. Things she had only ever heard of and seen in the magical paintings of the Sídhe. As the horse began to gallop forward after the Rider's leader, Morgana closed her eyes and reminded herself to keep breathing as the speed and motion threatened to make her ill.

  The rapid pace did not last long and as they slowed down, Morgana could see a small hill ahead of them, free of trees. Grass shimmered in the moonlight as the wind gently caused it to sway in a movement that fascinated Morgana. Breathing deeply, Morgana was overwhelmed by the new and strange scents surrounding her, some good and some bad. Above her head, the moon entranced her and the stars gleamed brightly, even in the dominating light of the moon. Her attention was only taken away from these new and exciting things by the sight of a fifth Rider appearing at the crest of the hill with a small figure in the saddle before him.

  Riding to the top of the hill, Murden dismounted first with a small huff before straightening his cloak. Morgana was shifted off the horse by the Rider who dismounted next to her and put a firm hand on her shoulder, keeping her in place as the fifth Rider dismounted with the small figure and pulled back the hood of the figure's cloak

  Eyes widening, Morgana stared in shock at the small girl of nine years in front her. They were perfectly identical with the same features, the same green eyes, the same long brown hair and even wearing the same clothing. The only difference was that this child's hands were bound and a gag was placed around her head, keeping her silent. Coming face to face with her own changeling made Morgana's heart skip a beat and she could see the terror and confusion on the girl's face. A pang of sympathy rose in Morgana, startling her and she schooled her features into the calmest expression she could manage, feeling Murden's eyes on her. No one spoke and her duplicate struggled against the firm grasps of the Rider with no success.

  Murden reached into his satchel and withdrew a long length of white cloth with golden Sídhe lettering sewn in it. Morgana gasped softly, recognizing the magic woven into the material with both awe and fear.

  “Bind them together,” Murden ordered the nearest Rider who carefully took the length of clothe in his gloved hand, the shifting of the metal of his golden gauntlet almost echoing in the stillness. The changeling struggled against the Sídhe holding her, only to be grabbed roughly by another Rider who tugged her forward. The Rider met Morgana's eyes and beckoned her to come to him. Rising her chin, Morgana stepped forward and stood calmly while the changeling was shoved against her, putting them back to back.

  Soft muttered whimpers escaped from the gag, but Morgana willed herself to ignore them, reminding herself that this poor creature was a Síd who had been tainted by the iron folk. Two Riders held the changeling still as the length of fabric was tied around them and both ends were carefully placed in Morgana's upturned hands.

  Murden pulled out a golden chalice from his satchel and handed it to a Rider. Morgana watched as he withdrew several small vials and jars, mixing a potion in the chalice and did her best to ignore the shaking changeling bound to her. Sídhe words rolled off Murden's tongue and Morgan closed her eyes as the magic became to build around them. It felt different, she realized with a frown, there was resistance to the normally smooth gathering of Sídhe magic. Morgana struggled to breathe as the magic encircled them, thickening around herself and the changeling. Her skin felt itchy and slimy at the same time as if she was horribly filthy.

  A wet claw moved against her forehead and Morgana's eyes snapped open to find Murden drawing symbols on her forehead with the potion and a look of intense concentration, Sídhe words still pouring from his mouth. He moved around them a moment later, leaving Morgana's skin to cool as the wind blew past her and chilled the Sídhe symbols. She could hear the Changeling crying behind her as Murden did something that Morgana could not see for several moments and felt the girl once again fight against the binding. Tightening her grip on the ends of the cloth, Morgana refused to let it fall or loosen. Murden returned in front of with the chalice and a small satisfied smile. Bringing the chalice forward to Morgana's mouth, he tilted it up in a clear message even as the spell continued with his words. Obediently, Morgana opened her mouth and drank down the potion.

  The second the first drop hit her tongue, fire flashed throughout her body and nearly made her choke. A tight grip on each of her shoulders kept her in place. Another set of hands tugged her head back, making it impossible for her resist drinking the potion. Tears escaped her eyes and Morgana couldn't breathe without gulping down more of the mixture. She could feel her tears running down her cheeks, doing little to ease the terrible burn that was consuming her body.

  Screams muffled only by the Changeling’s gag reached her and it was all Morgana could do not to fall to her knees between her own agony and the shaking of the girl at her back. A tight grip took hold of her waist, keeping her upright and Morgana managed a tiny sob around another painful gulp of the potion. Her vision blurry from the tears, Morgana could no longer see Murden, but heard his magical words and felt his magic tightening around her, pushing her closer and closer to the Changeling.

  Suddenly the chalice was pulled away from her lips and Morgana swallowed the last of the brew on reflex. With her mouth clear she gasped for air and released a pained sob, tears flowing down her cheek. Her back ached and creaked as it was pushed against the Changeling. A sharp crack against the back of Morgana's head made her flinch and nearly drop the cloth as the Changeling's head collided with the back of hers. The backs of their arms were flush against each other and at some point their legs had come together. Struggling to see clearly, Morgana looked at Murden who was watching them with a look of triumph as he slowly reached into his bag.

  Another burst of magic made Morgana scream as a bone snapped and the pain flashed through her, but the Changeling echoed the cry of pain throu
gh the gag. Despite the position, Morgana both saw and felt a Rider rip the gag from her, no the Changeling's mouth. Murden stepped closer to them, moving to their right. She felt him lower a hand to her hand and say another few words of a chant. Then a handful of dust was scattered over their heads. She was aware of no more.

  19

  Drops of Water

  Bookend Coffee was a bustle of students from the University and professionals from the downtown area grabbing a quick cup of coffee on a chilly Thursday afternoon. The five employees were rushing between machines, registers and the pastry cabinet as quickly as they could without causing a collision. Near the front of the line, Alex shifted on her feet impatiently with a relaxed Nicki. The front door opened once again, sending a blast of chilly air throughout the front of the coffee shop. Briefly, Alex wondered who had designed the interior set up.

  “Wouldn’t it make more sense to put the door by the people who already have their coffee?” Alex asked Nicki in a low voice, leaning over slightly to look at the front of the line to see how much longer she had to wait before placing her order.

  “No,” Nicki answered with a chuckle, “This way the people in line want coffee even more and don’t leave even when the line is long.”