The Pilgrim Stone

by J D Bowens

  He entered the Seeing Chamber and found Jaltha with the School of Truth’s faculty and many mages from other schools. Altin recognized most of them, former classmates of his and friends. All students of Margaret.

  “We heard what happened in the Repository and the Deep Vault,” Jaltha said. “The College of Anidrack is going to do nothing to avenge Margaret or the other deans.”

  “But we can do something,” Altin said. “I need a portal to take me to the Maerstone Keep. If I can get there, I will destroy the throne and hopefully Dandrea as well.”

  “It will take several days to create a portal large enough to take us all,” one mage said. “By then the Red Moon will have come and gone.”

  “Not if we make a smaller portal,” Jaltha said. “One strong enough to carry just one person. That would only take two days.”

  “Then that is what we shall do,” Altin said. Hold on, Consus.

  Chapter 47

  Leiwyn focused on the river on the other end of the meadow. It flowed away, far into the horizon. The ground along either side of it jutted up creating a steep canyon. It was too far for her to see, but with her magic, she could sense the Maerstone Keep. In her mind’s eye, it loomed over the river by the cliff’s edge. The black stone walls cast a shadow over the river.

  She could not help but shiver a little. "Something dark lurks within those walls." Milo sat beside her and sighed, his face pinched in an anxious frown.

  Karinne hid nearby and kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings. Leiwyn prayed that no patrol from the Grimhold house or another passerby would come upon them. Kyran and Ewan had gone to a nearby village to obtain a rowboat.

  “Are you certain that there is a hidden passage into Maerstone?” Leiwyn asked.

  “Of course, there is,” Milo said. “Well, at least there should be. All castles and keeps have some sort of tunnel to escape sieges. Rich people love their secrets.”

  Leiwyn shrugged off the chill and focused again on the river. She recalled Ewan’s advice: the river was the most likely place for such a route. The jagged rocks along the sides of the canyon made it hard to discern what was a cave or not.

  Her breath slowed until it seemed she was no longer breathing. A sea of tall grass swayed in the sunlight. She closed her eyes and opened her mind, and her sense of self fell away.

  She heard the grass bend in the wind. The field materialized in her mind, vivid and electric. Weightless, she let the wind carry her into the sky and drop her into the canyon. She dove as a bird toward the river. She could see every drop of water, every fish that swam in the river, and every pebble along the canyon walls. The sound of the river was overwhelming. All she heard was the water crashing into the rocks as it ran off into the distance.

  Focus. Focus on the water, listen for the silence.

  She glided further down the river to the Maerstone Keep where the sound of the water and wind ceased. She paused, hovered over the water, and looked to the source of the silence. A part of the river branched off the main channel. It turned into a cave underneath the Maerstone Keep and disappeared in the darkness.

  I have found the entrance. She could not suppress her smile. She descended and floated into the cave above the winding stream. The walls became wider as the stream gave way to dry ground that rose up and became a path. It turned up and twisted around. This must lead to the Keep above. I must be close.

  Dark as it was, her new sight allowed her to differentiate the wall from the floor. Her vision returned as the path opened to a dimly lit cave. The smooth walls and even floor suggested that it was man-made. She saw a wood door on the far side of the cave. At the center of the cave sat a cruel red throne, a dragon head lurking over its back. A cold shock ran down her spine as the dragon turned its gaze to her.

  Leiwyn broke the meditation and opened her eyes. Her breath returned unsteady and fast. She felt a hand take her shoulder. It was Kyran standing beside her.

  “Are you alright?” he asked. “What happened?”

  “It was the Crimson Throne,” she said. “I saw the Crimson Throne just below the keep.”

  “Did you see Consus?”

  She shook her head. “I am sorry, but I did not see him there. He must be though. They would not keep him far from the throne, and they would keep the Pilgrim Stone nearby.”

  “At least you have found a way in,” Kyran said. “I don’t blame you for this.” His voice sounded sincere, but it was hidden under a veneer of gruffness. “You aren’t the one holding him captive.”

  She nodded, but the burden of guilt lingered. If she had been forthcoming with them, maybe they would have been more prepared. Maybe she would have sensed the Children of Nemoth nearby. No, don’t do that. Don’t indulge in what-ifs. They’ll only distract you.

  “Can you go back in and look for him?” Kyran asked.

  Leiwyn shook her head. “No, if I get too close to anyone else they will sense my presence.”

  "Then we'll have to search for him,” he said. “I’m resolved to search the entire damned place, but it’d be easier if I knew where to look."

  "I may be able to sense the Pilgrim Stone when we are closer," Leiwyn said. "A relic like that would have its own magical signature. If you have held the item, you can become familiar with the signature, like how you can know who is approaching by the sound of their footsteps."

  "And if we can find the stone then we can find Consus?"

  "I hope so."

  Kyran turned and looked at the river. Leiwyn followed his gaze and saw Ewan with Milo loading their belongings into the rowboat. “We will only have a short time to collect the Pilgrim's Stone and Consus before we are discovered. With your powerful magic, we should be able to get through this."

  Leiwyn bit her lip and shook her head. “I cannot wield magic like that again. It would place us all in danger.”

  “A danger to them,” he said, “but damn helpful for us.”

  “You don’t understand,” she said. “I forget who I am when I wield that much magic. The rage and magic control me. I can’t distinguish between friend or foe.”

  Kyran cursed and spat at the ground. “So, we are about to storm a castle in the dark of night filled with dark magic, soldiers, and gods only know what else. It’s a good thing we purchased extra blasting powder. This all seems like a bad joke.”

  Leiwyn sighed and brushed her hair behind her pointed ears. “I wish we were not alone on this.”

  Kyran crossed his arms under his chest and looked in the direction of the keep. “Strength and courage. It’s all we know in times like this. I try not to think of what could be. We have what we have, and that’s that.”

  Leiwyn nodded, pretending to understand. Is that the human concept of optimism?

  “You should know,” he said, “once we find Consus, I’m getting us out of Maerstone.”

  She folded her hands under her sleeves. “I see. The world is in danger, but you’ll do nothing to stop it?”

  “I won’t endanger my family looking for that accursed stone anymore. I’m going to do what I should’ve done in the first place. Settle the debt, forget about a trading company, and raise children with Alyss. We’ll pay you back--”

  “Keep the diamonds,” Leiwyn said. She let the silence hover between them for a while. She calmed herself watching the tall grass bend in the wind. “I understand what you must do. You’ve all done enough. I can expect no more from you.”

  Kyran seemed satisfied. walked to the river and helped Ewan discard an old fishing net in the boat. Leiwyn sat in the field a while longer, frustrated and frightened by the prospect of saving the world on her own.

  Chapter 48

  Leiwyn watched Karinne and Ewan set the boat in the river. She climbed in it with Kyran and Milo. They lit no torches or lanterns for fear of being discovered, but she was able to guide them to the hidden cave. Karinne and Ewan steadied the boat with the oars as they broke from the main channel. Inside the cave, Kyran lit a couple of torches. A small colony of bats
was awoken by the sudden exposure to light. Milo squeaked as they flew overhead and out of the cave.

  Leiwyn held her breath and sighed once the bats were gone. Of all the creatures in Amarant, she hated bats the most.

  The boat rocked as it came upon the dry patch of land. Ewan and Karinne exited on either side. Kyran leapt off and helped drag the boat ashore. Once the boat was set aside, Kyran pulled his blades free.

  "We should try to return this way if we can,” he said. “That river will take us to Denipoor. Even if they pursue us, we’ll reach the King’s throne before they can catch up. We should be safe there."

  Karinne began up the path. "Hold a moment," Leiwyn said. She took a torch and stepped past Karinne. "I shall lead the way. I have seen this place before after all."

  Ewan and Kyran followed, and Karinne stood at her side. The trail was as she had seen before. She came upon the wide cavern and the Crimson Throne that sat in the center.

  "What the blazes is that?" Ewan asked.

  Leiwyn eyed the dragon wrapped about it with caution. "It is the Crimson Throne."

  "Who would sit in such a thing?"

  "Nemoth would once he is summoned," she said. "From this chair, he would rain fire and darkness upon the world."

  They skirted around the room to the door on the opposite end of the cave. Leiwyn pushed the door, but it would not open. The knob would not turn. It’s locked.

  “Let me try,” Kyran said. He pushed his weight against the door. "Damn, no luck. Milo, do you think you can open this door?" Milo eyed the lock before retrieving two crooked steel pins from his satchel. He slid them into the lock and wiggled them about.

  A low growl filled the cavern, and Leiwyn turned to look to the source. Nothing was behind her, and the throne had not moved. The beating of wings and a gust of wind coming from above drew her attention upward. She noticed that the cave walls rose up beyond the reach of the light of the torches into utter darkness. A large hole, much like the tunnel they had walked through, rose to the surface. Drops of moonlight came through it but did nothing to illumine the frightening tunnel.

  Leiwyn noticed Ewan notch an arrow on his bow. "Something’s up there, and I don’t think it’s a bat."

  Kyran patted the halfling on the shoulder. "Hurry with the door, Milo."

  A loud click announced Milo's success. The halfling opened it and rushed inside. Everyone filed through and closed the door. They stood in a large room, the stone work crude and uninviting, dominated by shadows and lit by a few torches along the walls. "This must be the dungeons of Maerstone Keep. Where to now, Leiwyn?"

  She stepped forward to the torch light's edge. He watched her close her eyes and breathe deeply as she often did during meditation. She could sense the familiar presence of the divina magic wrapped around and in the Pilgrim Stone. She raised her hand and pointed to the opposite wall. "It is above us and in that direction."

  “You there,” someone barked. Leiwyn with everyone else turned to see a filthy, stocky man with a broken nose. “Who are you?”

  “Who are you?” Milo asked.

  “I am the bloody jailkeeper,” the man said. “I don’t think you have permission to be here.”

  Chapter 49

  Consus squatted in his cell, holding a sharpened stone. He looked at the snake head coiled under his left shoulder. The spell from the journal was a counter-ward, meant to stop magically induced illnesses or poisons from spreading. This may not work but what alternative do I have.

  He held the sharpened stone at the base of his left shoulder and cut into the flesh just above the snake. He sucked his teeth as he tore open the skin along his arm and created a bloody band around the top of his bicep. He then did the same for his right shoulder. The pain was immense, and the air stung his open wound.

  Not as painful as these damn snakes.

  He placed a hand over each of the bloody bands on his arms. He breathed deep and prepared for the biting pain of the curse. Just do it. He summoned the divina magic through him.

  His arms burned and his muscles turned to jelly, but Consus kept his hands up. The pain is not spreading.

  He recited the chant in ancient common:

  To Arden for my health, I pray, you would protect me night and day, rid my body of foul enchantments, and protect my heart from evil entrapments.

  The pain from his self-inflicted wound subsided, and the blood became blue, gold, and white cords, intertwining and replacing the wound. The snakes slithered forward on both arms but were not able to pass this new band. The snakes hissed and Consus’ arms burned.

  At least the pain is not as strong as before. He sighed with relief and wiped the sweat from his woolly hair and brow. Zamari could no longer paralyze him with this curse. He would kill her next chance he got.

  Consus was startled by the jailkeeper barking at someone. He heard several people marching down the hall. This is my chance. He recalled the light spell he had seen Leiwyn perform. Just a flick of the fingers and I’ll wipe them all away.

  The cell door burst open, and Consus was blinded by the light. A familiar voice called. “Consus!”

  Consus blinked and squinted. “Kyran, is that you?” Ewan and Kyran rushed forward to greet him, but Consus backed away pointing the bloodied sharpened stone at them. “Is that really you or is this some mad trick?”

  “Who else would save your ass?” Ewan asked. He grabbed Consus and embraced him. He let him but hissed in pain when Ewan’s hands touched his back. The wounds from the whip had not healed yet. His blood was on Ewan’s hands when he pulled back. “What have they done to you?”

  Consus squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “It’s nothing,” he said. “I’ll recover.”

  Kyran nodded as he clapped Consus’ shoulder. His face had gone from jubilance to grim resolve. “We’ll deal with that hag later,” he said. “But first let’s get you out of here, my brave little brother.”

  Consus was elated to see Milo, Karinne, and Leiwyn just outside the cell. He grabbed his staff from a nearby rack, stepped over the body of the dead jailkeeper and followed everyone to the stairwell.

  Kyran stopped and turned to Leiwyn. “Here is where we part ways, elves,” he said to her.

  Leiwyn's thin eyebrows drew into a determined frown. “I thank you for taking us this far. I’m sorry that you were brought into this danger. I wish you would reconsider.”

  Kyran shook his head, and Consus recognized the stubborn look on his face. “We’ve risked enough,” Kyran said. “I’m not chasing after a witch and a relic. They are of no concern to my family or me.”

  “We can’t leave it behind,” Consus said. “And Leiwyn won’t be able to retrieve it without our help. Nemoth will take over the continent. We’ll all be slaves.”

  “We can leave that for the King and lords of the Northern Kingdom to deal with,” Kyran said. “They’ve got armies; we don’t.”

  “That witch is creating an army of undying soldiers, eternal warriors,” Consus said. “If we wait for someone else to stop her, it will be too late. She must be stopped now.”

  Ewan scoffed and started walking down the stairs. “So, we trade a king for a queen. It makes no difference to us. We don’t matter to any of them anyway.”

  Consus walked forward and grabbed Ewan’s arm. “I have seen what happens to the world. There won’t be any place to hide from her armies. Her dark shadow will cover all the continent. If you don't help stop her, I will.” Ewan shook off Consus. “Tell me, what will you do when all the continent is controlled by Nemoth’s servants, and an undefeatable army slaughters everyone we care about? How will you fight men who cannot be killed?”

  His brothers did not answer. “We have to stop Zamari now,” Consus said. “If we leave it to anyone else, then we are dooming ourselves. It is our responsibility to do something because we are here.”

  At last Kyran spoke in gruff resignation. “Vi et animo,” he said. “Where is the Pilgrim Stone?”

  “It is with Zamari,” Cons
us said.

  Kyran groaned. “Of course, it is.” He swayed side-to-side as he appeared to consider the options. “Fine, little brother. We’ll retrieve the Stone, but then we are getting the hells out of here.”

  Consus nodded and gave a courageous smile. “Strength and courage, brother.”

  “Where do we find the Stone and Zamari?” Ewan asked.

  “I can still sense it,” Leiwyn said. “Follow me.”

  Consus followed her up the stairwell, Karinne, and Milo just behind him. Their steps were soft and light. Consus turned a corner with Leiwyn and almost collided with a guard descending the stairs. Consus shoved Leiwyn out of the way as the surprised man swung his sword, but in the narrow space, Consus’ staff was quicker.

  He deflected the man’s blade and bludgeoned his head. The guard fell past Consus, down the stairs. He screamed as he was greeted by Kyran and Karinne’s thirsty blades. They all froze in silence, and Consus hoped the dead man’s cries did not draw attention.

  Nothing. No approaching footsteps or shouts from above or below. He wondered if they should hide the body, but where would they put it? He looked to Leiwyn and saw her mirror his own angst. “Lead the way,” he said.

  They raced up several more flights of stairs, quiet as ghosts. Leiwyn paused and whispered. “Hold a moment.” The stairs turned into a landing and opened to a veranda that trailed the side of the keep, open to the night air. “This is it. The Stone must be on this floor.”

  Ewan and Karinne sneaked past Consus and peaked through the archway. They cursed in a hushed whisper. Ewan turned and motioned for Kyran and Consus to come forward.

  Consus peaked out the veranda. The moonlight gleamed upon the side of the keep and several guards down the opposite end of the corridor.

  “Is there a spell that could help us sneak past them?” Kyran asked.

  Consus shook his head. “If we use too much of our magic, it might alert Nemoth’s servants that we are here and I’ve escaped. Can’t you shoot them all at once?”

  Kyran shook his head. “We’ve only two bows. By the time we’ve killed three of them the rest of the keep will be alerted.” Consus caught a spark in Kyran’s eye. “Maybe, that’s not a bad thing. Are you certain that the Stone is here?” he asked Leiwyn. She nodded. “Well, there are only eight guards. Eight is not so many. Ewan, Milo, and I will draw them away. You three go up the stairs a bit and wait for us to lure them away.”