The Pilgrim Stone

by J D Bowens

  “I do have it here somewhere.” She rose from the table and returned a moment later with the book.

  “Studying up on the divina magic, are you?”

  He could hear the test in her voice. “I recently came across an artifact that I believe possesses a divine enchantment. I cannot be sure since no one living has actually seen divine magic. I was hoping the book would give me some idea of what to look for.” He took the thick dusty tome in his hands.

  “You will need to get that back to the library before too long. I’d hate for you to face the wrath of an angry librarian.” He put his hat over his head as she walked him the door. He hugged her tightly before leaving. “You must come back again soon before you leave.”

  Altin promised he would and swiftly departed. He pretended not to notice the bright purple threads around her bare hands or upon the book. As he rushed through the streets to the Holodrin Spire, his mind was plagued with the dark memory of the day he betrayed Dandrea, many years ago.

  "Please, Miss Thagula. Dandrea doesn’t always know what she is doing," Altin pleaded. “If you report her to the Archmage she will be an outcast. He might even kill her!”

  He stood in Dean Thagula’s quarters in the Holodrin Spire. Lavender incense burned on a small cherry oak table nearby, but the relaxing fragrance did little to calm his nerves.

  "You are too young to understand, Altin," Margaret said. "Dandrea is very dangerous. She cannot control herself and will soon be given to necromancy. I have seen her future, and it will only become darker if she is not reported."

  "People can change, she can learn to ignore the voices. If you block her gift and tell no one, she won’t go into the Registry." The Registry was a terrible book kept by the Archmage. It recorded every known necromancer. It would be a black mark on Dandrea’s life, and the title of necromancer would follow her name like a disease. If the Archmage himself did not kill her someone else would out of fear.

  "You cannot change fate, Altin,” Margaret refuted. “I have seen what will happen if she goes unreported."

  "If you do not help her I will leave Anidrack," he threatened. “And I will never attend the School of Truth.” Margaret’s icy glare cut into his resolve, but Altin tried to maintain a stone face.

  “You cannot do that. The School of Truth has so few gifted students as it is.”

  “I can and will,” he said playing to the school’s desperation.

  Margaret bit her lip as she regarded him. “I have already seen your path, and it is not easily altered. It was decided long before your birth."

  "Fate is fragile," Altin spat. "If I choose to leave you cannot stop me. I would never return to the place that killed my friend." Altin gulped in fear that he had perhaps said too much.

  She turned away from him and opened her True Eye. The purple pupil reflected the lantern light for a moment. Is she looking at Dandrea’s future again? he wondered.

  When Margaret's consciousness returned to her body, she looked at Altin. Tears hovered at the edge of her eyes. "I believe what you say,” she said. “I will agree to your wishes but you must attend the School of Truth, and you must stay far away from Dandrea."

  “I will agree,” Altin said without hesitation. He was willing to forfeit his friendship if it meant Dandrea’s safety.

  “Altin, I cannot block her gift forever,” she said. “There may come a time when you have to do something terrible for the sake of saving her soul.”

  Chapter 33

  The hall ended and became a wide spiral staircase. Consus and Leiwyn groaned in unison. How much more walking must we do? he wondered. We must have walked at least five miles already. They climbed the stairs, and the torches along the wall lit and dimmed again as they passed by. Whenever they paused to rest their weary legs, Consus would whip out the spell book and study the hand motions. Leiwyn would translate some of the words for him so he could understand the nature of the spell.

  The stairs narrowed and steepened. The stone wall turned to dirt and tree roots appeared along the walls. The torchlight dwindled away and ahead of them an arch shaped opening poured in light.

  That is sunlight. Consus smiled and saw Leiwyn grin as well. "Finally, we’re out," Consus said. “I’ve never been so happy to see the sun.”

  “I could not agree more,” she said. “It feels as though it has been days.”

  “Well, it was night when we entered,” he said. They walked out of archway onto a bed of dirt and dry leaves. Consus could see that they now stood in a forest, the wildlife bustled around them. He looked to the arch behind them and saw a large oak tree, its branches shooting out all around. Leaves more than twice the size of his hand hung from the limbs. The secret entrance hidden within the trunk of the tree was barely noticeable.

  "I wish we could have started this journey at the tree," Consus said. Leiwyn managed a chuckle.

  “It would have saved us some time,” she said.

  From the position of the sun, Consus could tell that it was only morning. The scent of salt and the sound of waves drifted on the wind. “We must still be close to the Nor Sea.”

  “Yes, but which way is it?” Leiwyn asked. The surrounding trees created a cool shade, but the dense forestry made it hard to discern how far or near they were to the sea.

  "How I wish Ewan were here," he said. "He would be able to tell where we are just by sniffing the wind."

  "Ah, so then you are alone?" a voice asked. A bearded man stepped out from behind a large oak. His black cloak blew in the breeze like a detached shadow. Conus noted that he appeared several years older than himself, but his steps were light and grounded. His hand rested upon the pommel of a sword secured at his hip. "And what happened to the others who traveled with you?"

  "Who are you?" Consus demanded. He pointed the staff at him, but the bearded man paid him and Leiwyn little regard.

  The man turned and whistled to the trees behind him. The Pilgrim Stone lurched into the air from Leiwyn's hands. It floated over their heads toward the trees. A young red-haired woman appeared from the shadows of the forest with several other swordsmen. The Pilgrim Stone slowed as it descended and the young woman reached out and plucked it from the air.

  “Dear Arden,” Leiwyn gasped. “Please do not let this happen.”

  The red-haired woman smiled as she cradled the stone. “It is the Pilgrim Stone, Captain Glemorian,” she said.

  "Praise Nemoth," Captain Glemorian - the bearded man - said.

  Consus could hear the glee in her voice, and he shuddered with dread. What cruel and terrible things could the Children of Nemoth accomplish with the Pilgrim Stone? We cannot have come all this way for nothing. His grip on the staff tightened and considered the options before him. I do not think that I could manage to fight all of them and the priestess. And Leiwyn is without her magic.

  “Whatever it is you plan to do,” Leiwyn began, “you will not succeed. Arden will stop you.”

  “He is welcome to try, but we have everything we need.” He waved a hand at the soldiers behind him. “Kill the elf and take the boy.”

  Consus grabbed Leiwyn's arm and pulled her to the tree. Escape was their only hope. The boot heels of the soldiers behind them thumped against the ground. The tree was close, and once they were inside, Consus could seal it. They were only steps away.

  An arrow lodged itself in Consus’ calf. The sharp pain in his leg caused him to cry out as he fell to the ground. His staff was thrown out of reach. Leiwyn turned and looked back at him on the ground. Consus could hear the men just a couple paces behind him.

  They can take me. But they won’t kill her. He placed his hand upon the ground and concentrated. The ground beneath Leiwyn shifted and moved. It wrapped itself around her and pulled her into the tree.

  “Find my brothers,” he yelled to her. He waved his hand, and the entrance of the tree began to close; its bark and vines wrapped around the opening in the trunk.

  “I will find them,” she promised. “We will find you.” The tree was
sealed, and Leiwyn vanished from sight. Several soldiers rushed past Consus and slammed their fists against the hollow trunk. They began to hack at it with their blades, but they made little progress.

  Angry stomps approached from behind, and Consus rolled onto his back to see Captain Glemorian stand over him. “You men will stay here and look for that elf and his brothers. Synara and I will take this one back to Mistress Zamari. Do not return until they are all dead, understood?”

  The soldiers replied with a chorus of “Yes sir.”

  “Why do you need me but not her?” Consus asked.

  “Because Lady Zamari requires it,” he replied.

  “I will not go with you willingly,” Consus said.

  “Your consent is not required,” Captain Glemorian replied. He kicked Consus in the head, and he fell unconscious.

  Chapter 34

  "It's been hours," Milo said. He turned over the large dusty hourglass he had found in the locked chest.

  "I know how long it has been," Kyran growled. The past few hours had felt like days. He looked at Karinne who paced in an anxious circle in the far corner of the room. Ewan stood just beside him tapping his foot. He had been watching the symbol that was drawn in the center of the room.

  I just got my brother back from the brink of death. And now he’s vanished into thin air. "Why have they not come back yet?" He barked at Karinne, who stopped pacing.

  "I do not know," she replied. "I know as much as you do about this magic. Leiwyn said it was a teleportation spell before they disappeared. If there is a way there, then there must be a way back.”

  “Yes, but again, where is there?” Kyran asked.

  Karinne shrugged her shoulders. “And again, I do not know. I know very little about magic.”

  “What if they are trapped?” Milo said. “What if they cannot come back?”

  “Milo, please,” Kyran interjected. He did not need the halfling encouraging any further panic. “I cannot think about that right now.”

  "It’d be just our luck for Consus to be kidnapped by a witch," Ewan spat. "We never should’ve trusted you."

  "Leiwyn is no witch, you baboon," Karinne growled. "She is a servant of Arden and the first priestess in centuries. Are you so quick to forget who saved your brother’s life? Were it not for her he would be dead."

  "Weren’t it for you, we wouldn’t be in this mess," Ewan retorted. "You brought this on us. The blasted Nemoth people, warring gods; you've dragged us into it."

  "It's not our fault," Karinne said. "We didn't know about the other priests."

  "That's what you said. But I don't trust you," Ewan said.

  "You dare call me a liar, human?" Karinne said.

  "Enough," Kyran yelled. His nerves were frayed with anger, and he felt suffocated in the small room. The persistent bickering only fed his anxiety. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. "This is getting us nowhere. Where do you think they’ve gone?"

  "I don’t know," she said. Her voice sounded with angst and frustration. She looked away from Ewan, furrowed her brow, and crossed her arms under her chest. "There is no way to be certain. I would imagine it would have taken them to the Pilgrim Stone."

  "I have a bad feeling about this, Kyran," Ewan said. "It just doesn’t seem right."

  Kyran sighed in agreement. Something was wrong. Perhaps those soldiers had found another way into the temple. Or perhaps Consus and Leiwyn had been transported to the other end of the continent. Consus is fine. He’s a smart egg and probably read about a solution in a book somewhere. Take care of everyone else for now.

  But how would he escape? The cave was sealed, and there seemed to be no exit. The thought of this cave becoming his tomb was too much. I just got engaged. Alyss will kill me if I die here.

  For a brief moment, he wondered what life would have been like if he had just sold the trading rights to the Southern Empires, married Alyss, and worked in the Dawnrose Manor. I could’ve been happy with less adventure.

  He shrugged off his worries and picked up his torch and pack. "We’re not of any use sitting here.”

  "Are you leaving?" Karinne said.

  "We’ve got to get out of here," Kyran said. "There are people hunting us. If Consus and Leiwyn are outside, they could be caught. I’ve already lost my brother once, and I’ll not lose him again. If they return to this room while we are away, at least they’ll be safe."

  Karinne nodded. She picked up her sack and followed him, Ewan and Milo in tow. "How will we get out of here though?" she asked. "The cave is sealed."

  "I have an idea," Kyran said. "A very bad idea." They marched up the tunnel making their way through the darkness. The torchlight bounced off the walls and their shadows danced on the ground behind them. "We should be nearly there," he said.

  Milo darted ahead of him toward the entrance. "I've found it," Milo’s voice echoed down the path. "This is the cave we started in."

  Kyran held his torch up and examined the wall. He put his hand upon the stone. "It opened once before,” he said, “and it will open again. Look for a crevice along this wall."

  They searched the wall by dragging their hands along the stone and feeling for anything that seemed out of place. Every stony bump and patch of moss received an intense examination. There has to be something on this damned wall. The torch light began to wane. We cannot be trapped in here forever.

  He breathed shallowly from his chest, and he felt constricted by the walls. Ewan and Milo bumped into him. He growled at them both as he struggled to reign in his anxiety. You’re fine, he told himself. The walls aren’t closing in on you. They’re where they were a moment ago.

  "I found something," Karinne said. "Bring the light over here."

  Excited, Kyran stumbled to her voice and held the torch over her. She was crouched on her knees, and her left hand was tucked in a small hole in the wall just above the ground. He could see the faint lines that ran perpendicular from one another. "This is it; this is the door," he said.

  He handed Karinne the torch as she rose up from the floor. He retrieved from his pack two leather cylindrical cases. A small string hung from one end of each case and cork at the other end. He handed them both to the halfling.

  "Milo, pour some of the blasting powder from one case into the other,” Kyran said. Milo juggled the cases in his hand and unplugged the corks from both cases. “Ewan, give me a hand here.” He hammered away at the stone and dirt with the pommel of a knife. Ewan crouched down and joined him with the hatchet from his belt. The crack in the door grew a bit larger. That will have to do for now. He turned back to Milo and took the cylinder with the most powder. He held the string up to the torch, lit it, and then set it in the hole.

  “What is that for?” Karinne asked.

  “It is how we will get out of here,” Kyran answered. “Everyone move back down the tunnel.” They followed him down the tunnel and around the corner. Kyran crouched against the wall. Ewan, Karinne, and Milo did as well in like manner. “The blast should open the door for us."

  I hope those soldiers aren’t waiting for us on the other end. Milo handed him the second leather case, and he noticed it was much lighter. "This is nearly empty. Did you put all of it into the other case?" Kyran asked.

  "Yes, I did," Milo said. "That's what you told me to do, isn't it?"

  His eyes widened as he held the nearly empty cylinder. Only a bit of the black sooty powder remained at the bottom. "I said some, not all," Kyran said. "We need to get farther back."

  "Why - " Karinne began.

  BOOM

  The explosion ripped through the cave and down the tunnel. The stone around them shook, and clods of soil and rock fragments flew by. A cloud of dust and dirt billowed down from the cave and consumed them.

  At first, all was silent, and then a violent ringing filled Kyran’s ears. The smell of sulfur and charred stone filled his lungs. He coughed as his lungs burned from inhaling the smoke and looked around him. Milo and Ewan were also coughing. Karinne had her hands
around her ears, and though he could not hear her, he could tell she was in pain.

  Kyran rose up from the ground and walked up the tunnel to the cave. His hearing returned as he walked and he could hear Ewan and Karinne cursing behind him. Kyran did not pay much attention. He was focused on the large hole in the wall and the faint ray of the morning sun broke through the dust and debris.

  "Never let the halfling play with fire," Ewan said as he batted dirt from his beard.

  "It's not my fault," Milo protested. "Kyran gave poor instructions."

  "Be quiet," Kyran said. "We don’t know who is outside."

  "What!" Karinne yelled. She still held a hand over one of her ears. They all hissed at her to hush.

  Kyran rolled his eyes. It doesn’t matter, he realized. If someone was out there, they would’ve heard the explosion. With caution, he approached the giant hole. The sea breeze now drifted into the cave and refreshed the stale air. At least we won't be trapped in this damned cave. His sense of relief was quashed when he looked beyond. The path they had walked down the night before had disappeared. Instead, the wall dropped suddenly into the sea. There was no way for them to walk to the top.

  "The path is gone," he said to the others. They all crowded behind him to stare into the sea.

  "You don't suppose we could climb up," Milo suggested.

  "Bah, we’d never make it," Ewan remarked. "The wall be too smooth and slippery. All that moss and water will keep us slipping like frogs on ice. Yer better off just jumping to yer death."

  “Thank you for the optimism," Kyran said. He stepped back from the edge of the cave. He was nauseated by the height.

  "Wait a moment," Ewan said. He dropped his pack to the ground and rummaged about. "Aha! We can climb up.” He pulled out a large coil of rope. "There is a tree on the ledge up and to the left.” Kyran looked and indeed saw a tree a few yards away on the opposite ledge. “If I can get this rope around it, we can climb up. Now, if I could just find that blazing-- aha!" He revealed a dreadful large iron hook from his pack. "This should do. And to think ye’ all mocked me for carrying so much rope."