Hollows of the Nox

by Matthew E Nordin

  He nodded to the shadows beside Eldritch. Two larger men stepped out. Their stature in their dark cloaks made them look like ancient guardians.

  “I was simply trying to give you what I have.” Eldritch stooped down to look in his bag. “Trust me, it’s nothing of interest.”

  “We are good in our trade. I’m sure we can use anything you have. The cloak, for starters.”

  Eldritch had to distract the two men towering over him. He slipped off his cloak and gave it to the men with his left hand. His right hand grasped whatever concoction it could find. With precision, he loosened a tiny bottle from his bag and drew back to flick it at the leader of the thieves.

  It wouldn’t move.

  Someone grabbed his hand from the shadows.

  “Why would you be so unkind to do something like that?” A duplicate of the leader squeezed his hand. The man he originally targeted for the attack dissipated into a mist with the shadows. “And what do we have here?” He pried the small container from Eldritch’s grip.

  “You can open it and find out,” Eldritch shot back.

  The two men who had taken his cloak restrained his arms.

  “Perhaps later. Let’s see what else you have for us.”

  The pain made Eldritch almost collapse as the men stretched out his arms. The leader smiled and cut the bags and pouches off Eldritch’s garments. All he had belonged to them now.

  Beads of sweat stung his eyes. He couldn’t focus. If he would’ve stayed on the street and not worried about his appearance, he wouldn’t be in this position. A reckless mistake.

  “What is this?” The leader stepped back and opened the bag of spells and maps. He rifled through them and grinned. “I am not sure who you stole these from, but they are rare indeed. Unfortunately, you probably do not know their price. We will relieve you of that burden.”

  The man stared at Eldritch and walked towards him.

  “What other tricks are you hiding in your sleeve?”

  He ran his hand along Eldritch’s vest, the place where he hid the dark book.

  “Ah,” he exclaimed as he pulled it free. “Now this is something I have not seen before. Where in all the realms did you acquire this book? Such a wonderful design and quality. It appears ancient, yet new.”

  Eldritch opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

  The leader quickly dropped the dark book to the ground and stepped back. He wiped his hands furiously on his coat. The smell of sulfur filled the alley.

  “My hands!” He gasped, no longer with that boastful grin, but with a look of terror. “This is dark fae magic! Leave now!”

  As swift and silent as they appeared, the hooded thieves sunk back into the shadows and were gone. The leader ducked into the area where he first appeared, still rubbing his hands on his cloak. He eyed the book one last time before giving Eldritch another fearful stare.

  “I don’t know what you found, but some things are best left unfound.” He narrowed his eyes. “You would do well to distance yourself from it as well.”

  The man vanished, and Eldritch stood alone. His cloak and other items stripped from him.

  The single remaining item he possessed lay in the alley. Smoke rose playfully from it in a ghostly manner. The book had a will and a voice that whispered into Eldritch’s mind. Perhaps it had a benevolent reason which saved Eldritch from the thieves.

  Yet the leader’s warning stuck with him. What was the dark fae magic?

  Chapter Seven

  The double-story tavern looked to be something from Raikrune, yet twice the average size. A large porch wrapped around the edges of the building, full of tables and chairs haphazardly pushed to the wall.

  The dust shook on them as Eldritch stepped up to the double door entrance.

  The place revealed its exotic allure when he walked in. Various tapestries hung on the walls, depicting scenes from the farthest reaches of the world. Eldritch recognized many from illustrations in the books he studied. Their bright colors and intricate weaves caused him to stare in admiration.

  He would have observed them longer if not for the commotion at the other end of the tavern. In front of a few rows of chairs stood a large man upon a platform stage.

  “And now,” the man said to the small audience who sat on the edge of their seats. “Witness as I make this simple rope my pet.”

  A few members of the crowd clapped. Eldritch found an empty table and decided to watch the entertainment. It would be amusing to see what a fellow conjurer could do. He needed a laugh.

  The older man made the rope twist up and down his arm. He tossed it to the ground, and it stood up on end like a snake, coiling near his legs.

  Eldritch held back his urge to scoff at the simple charms. Such deceptions he had mastered from his studies in the bookshop―mere illusions and sleight of hand tricks meant to mimic true magic. True magic could change the natural to whatever one willed. If their will was superior.

  “Slide into my words,” Eldritch whispered. “Twist and coil yourself. Your actions are my thoughts.”

  Something deep within him reached out to control the rope from the strands of clear wire the illusionist used. It slithered to the edge of the stage and formed a coil as it had earlier.

  The man on stage gave the rope a confused look and bent down to retrieve it. The end rose from the center. It waved in the air, waiting for Eldritch’s command.

  “Once tormented, now torment,” Eldritch whispered.

  At once the rope struck the man as a snake. His frightened and surprised scream caused the audience to break into laughter. The man gave a concerned smile and bowed. As he did, the rope leaped and coiled around his arm.

  “Ah! Get it off, get it off!” he cried, flailing his arm around.

  The audience erupted again. Eldritch released his enchantment, and the rope fell to the ground.

  “Uh, thank you, ladies and gentlemen.” The man bowed again and shoved the rope back into his bag.

  Eldritch joined the applause while the man stumbled back to the curtain. Some of the crowd threw coins and other precious items onto the stage. Another man stepped out from behind the stage to collect the items in a jar.

  “That was some trick, eh?” a familiar voice said behind Eldritch. “The name’s Grinley, but I deduce we have met before.”

  The man pulled over a chair and graciously joined Eldritch’s table. Though his voice remained the same, his shape had changed to a leaner size―almost feminine. His hair also changed from the tattered gray to a mossy green.

  “I see I am not the only one who has dabbled in disguise spells.” He nudged Eldritch in the arm. “By the way, your nose has fallen off.”

  Eldritch gasped and reached up to his face. He felt around his nose and pulled on it slightly. It was firmly attached between his eyes.

  “No, it hasn’t.”

  Grinley laughed and slapped Eldritch on the back. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do that to someone. You’re the young lad from Raikrune aren’t you? Tell me, what brings you up here?”

  “I was inspired by your traveling spirit,” Eldritch said. “I’ve often read about this place, and the owner of the bookshop―” He stopped at the thought of Sayeh. He was the only one who knew what happened that night. She could take care of herself. Once he learned more about the book and the dark fae magic, he could return for her. “She didn’t need my help anymore.”

  “Well then, I suppose I’ll see more of you. I must say though, I’m sure you have a name other than lad. What did they call you back home?”

  “I’m Eldritch.”

  He coughed. He shouldn’t have given his real name. The people from Raikrune liked to spread rumors, and he ran away from home. His parents would start to worry, especially with Sayeh’s family gone. Returning to that town would be worse than the encounter with the shadow robbers.

  “I had a run in with some thieves on my arrival here,” he continued. “They took most of my possessions and all of my gold. Do you
know of any place I could stay?”

  “Ah, Eldritch. This is the place you want to be.” Grinley rubbed his hands together. “They have room here to spare, and gold or jewels are no good to them. You are in Caetheal, the realm of the fairy traders. Gold can be conjured up from shells and stones. What they really want is something I believe you have acquired. I noticed your hidden talents with magic. No doubt from all the time you spent in those books.”

  “I do, but how does that help me stay here?”

  “That’s the price, you see. You put on a good show, and the place gets the tips. The more lucrative the show, the better the room. We may need to work on your showmanship, but I know someone who could help with that.”

  “Do you?” Eldritch grinned. “Well, if he is anything like you, I would like to meet him. Your kindness is refreshing in this odd town.”

  “You haven’t seen half of the oddities this town hides. But that’s something I’m good at introducing to newcomers. Don’t worry, I won’t tell too many people where you’re really from.”

  Grinley nudged Eldritch again and headed for the bar. He slipped behind it and stood next to the barkeeper. Although the barkeeper did not turn to face Eldritch, he could see his head bobbing slowly as he and Grinley whispered to each other.

  Come to think of it, Eldritch didn’t recall seeing the bartender turn around at all. He kept his face hidden in the task of mixing drinks and cleaning glasses. Even to hand them out, he never turned his head to face his customers. Such focus on his work was admirable and a bit unsettling.

  Grinley returned to the table and sat with a pleased sigh.

  “Well, lad,” he said. “You’ve got one free night, but you better earn it tomorrow.”

  A man in the audience turned to them, tugging at his wife’s sleeve. He must have heard Grinley mention him being in the upcoming performance. Eldritch’s smile turned into a nervous laugh as the wife glared at him. One of the other ladies in the crowd leaned over to point him out to her friend. When she turned, the fish-skinned brassier ruffled against the fur she wore. Her hair had been wrapped in shells for the show.

  “What have I agreed to?” he muttered to himself.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Ah good, you’re awake,” Grinley said barging into Eldritch’s room.

  He had not been awake until the pounding on his door. Grinley’s shouts to enter broke him free from his slumber. With the book of herbs removed from him, he had no way to create the recipes needed to regain his strength through meditation.

  “You missed the lunch rush already. I figured you were tired from the travel, but no one should be this tired. Let’s get you ready for the evening show.” Grinley tossed a bag of coins on the ground and slipped back into the hallway.

  Eldritch forced his body up. His muscles ached from the long journey and rest his body lacked. If only the thieves left him one bag of energy seeds. Those bandits needed to be found. He could force them to give his belongings back if he ambushed them. Such a feat would require powerful spells, likely hidden in the book of the dark fae.

  He stared at the strange cover of the book he feared to read. The soft leather invited him to open it. He ran his fingers across it and let his hand rest on the spine. An eerie warmth emulated back.

  Tucking the book into its place under his vest, he set out to face whatever waited for him downstairs.

  A few people hung around the tavern, digging through the remains of their lunch. One man looked to have fallen in a drunken stupor at the edge of the bar. No one else seemed to notice him.

  “Eldritch, over here,” Grinley said waving him over to his table. “I see you have met Ben already.”

  Grinley pointed back to the bar. The man passed out at the bar was gone. Eldritch turned back to Grinley and opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. The drunk sat beside Grinley with a sober smile.

  “Ben doesn’t talk much.” Grinley leaned over the table and whispered. “When he does, most of us can’t make sense of it. But he knows how to dazzle a crowd.” He sat back and slapped his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “We need to improve this lad’s showmanship. Show him something, Benny.”

  Ben closed his eyes and chanted in an indistinguishable language. He moved his hands in a blur of speed. Within the motion, a light formed. It erupted from inside as he flicked his hands in the air. Fire twisted down his arms and ended around his shoulders, giving one bright flash before extinguishing.

  Ben mumbled to them in what sounded like an explanation. Although louder and slower, it made no sense.

  “I think Ben said you can do it all the way down your body.” Grinley pulled his hair back, revealing the elongated ears of an elf. “If we combine a few of his light stunts with some of the real stuff you know, the rest of the show will be easy.”

  “If you say so.” Eldritch raised an eyebrow at Grinley. He wanted to ask him more about being an elf, but Ben seemed equally as impressive. And he needed to perform well if he had any chance of staying in Caetheal long enough to learn about the fae. “So do you help with the rest of the show?”

  “Indeed I do. None of those tricks will be anything if you don’t know how to talk to your crowd. That is an easy thing to teach. The hardest part is having the will to stay on stage with all the eyes on you. Not everyone can pull it off. I know of one that can’t.” Grinley jabbed his thumb toward Ben. “Not to worry though. I’m sure the audience will love you. It would even work for you to stand on the stage with that fair complexion you used to have. Speaking of, we need to fix that transformation spell. You look like a horse ran over you.”

  “Is it really that bad?” Eldritch ran his hands over his face. “I haven’t been able to see myself.”

  “Ben, do the thing to show him.” Grinley waved his hands in a circular pattern around his chest.

  Ben nodded and made similar movements. A ring of energy formed a reflective surface suspended in the air. Ben continued to move one hand above in small circles while his other kept the mirror hovering a finger-length above the palm.

  “See it now?” Grinley laughed.

  Eldritch leaned in to see what his improvised concoction had done to his face. His skin had lines in strange places, proportional to a human’s but with slumps sagging low on his cheeks.

  “Looks like I need to work on this.” Eldritch tried to pull his skin back.

  “Not to worry, lad.” Grinley dug around in his bag until he withdrew a vial of dark syrup. “Try this. It will taste like a troll’s blood, but it will bring your skin back to how it should be. Careful with it. It’s not the easiest to make, and you’re lucky I had some on me.”

  Eldritch held his nose and slurped down the mixture. It tasted like a bottle of dried blood with rats floating in it. His gag reflex made him almost lose it all, but he held it back with a hand to his lips.

  “Thank you,” Eldritch said with a raspy voice.

  His body convulsed in focused spasms. Each section of his body shook while it formed back to its original shape. His throat stretched and burned from his vocal cords reforming.

  “Back to your old self again.” Grinley slapped his hands together. “Now, we need to talk about the audience. Unless you’re a regular here, you’re going to be coming at them cold. You’ll have to warm them up a bit. I like to think casting small charms on the audience helps. But you don’t want to hurt them or put them in any real danger. That’ll scare them off. Use some cheap conjuration or illusion, then you can throw in some of Ben’s tricks.”

  Ben snapped his fingers. Smoke rose from them and covered his face. When he emerged through the vapors, his eyes shone like fire. His cheeks cracked and smoldered like embers. In a terrifying display, he opened his mouth and yelled. Sparks and molten lava flew from his mouth toward Eldritch.

  Eldritch lurched back, and the effect vanished before scorching his face.

  “That’s a good one,” Grinley said. “You don’t do that one as often as you used to.”

  Ben muttered again, and Eldritc
h took a quick drink. He was glad he hadn’t screamed in front of the others, but his face probably gave away his fear. He forced a smile and caught the end of what Ben said. It wasn’t an unknown language.

  “I try, but you listen none to me.”

  The language was similar to the mixture of words written in the herbal book. The simple tricks Ben showed them were petty spells compared to what his actual knowledge of conjuration could be. Eldritch tried to recall what Ben had babbled on about earlier.

  “That is similar to what you’ll be able to do,” Grinley said. “Some of them require the use of hand movements and some you’ll have to mimic whatever sounds he’s making. Good luck with those. It’s nothing like anything I have heard. And trust me, I have heard the tongues of a thousand people. Best to smile and nod.” He moved in closer to Eldritch. “I don’t think he knows half of what we say to him either. Not sure he speaks the common tongue. Ah well, he knows his spells.”

  “I will try to use what he teaches me for the show tonight,” Eldritch said. “I did enjoy reading about the theater and plays when I was younger.”

  “Aye, you’ll find all you’ve read about and more while here. By the way, I forgot to mention that you should drink a lot of water when you take that elixir. It’ll dry you right up.”

  “This ale is probably not the best for it then?” Eldritch eyed the liquid in the cup he drank from.

  “Don’t you worry about water. Ben, give the man a drink.”

  Ben mumbled the phrases again. This time, Eldritch focused on the patterns of words.

  “Form the circles, draw the spheres. Water in air and air in all. Cause this air to fall.” His fingers fluttered around and pointed above Eldritch’s head.

  The air grew heavier and a mist formed in front of Eldritch’s face. It soon grew large droplets of water that landed on his hair. A stream trickled in front of him. He tried to cup it in his hand but most spilled across and into his lips.

  Ben opened his eyes wider. He twisted his fingers together with the shape of a bowl. The phrase he muttered sounded similar to the one that brought the water.