by Ronald Craft
Chapter 13
Kane poked his head inside the inn and looked around. There was a lone man passed out in the corner, his mug hanging from his limp hand. The only sounds were that of the man's snoring and the leisurely crackle of the fire.
“Looks like we're not going to get that ale, after all.” Kane motioned for Chaerok and Haring to follow him upstairs.
They all piled into his room, and Kane shut the door behind him. Haring limped over to the desk and pulled out a battered wooden chair. The wood creaked as he straddled the chair and leaned over the back.
Haring's gaze shifted between Chaerok and Kane. “Okay, one of you had better tell me what you were doing out there.”
Kane had thought about telling Haring before, but had decided against it. He wasn't sure how the captain would have reacted to the truth. Besides, how was he supposed to tell someone that he was resurrected from the dead by a guy with amnesia without the person thinking he was mad? It would've just been easier if Captain Haring remained in the dark.
Kane nudged Chaerok. “You're the one that's the cause of this mess. You tell him.”
Chaerok withdrew from Kane's touch. His brow was covered in sweat. “I—I'm sorry, Haring. I'm so sorry.” He covered his face with his hands.
The captain stomped his foot on the floor. “You 're sorry for what? Just be out with it.”
Chaerok took several deep breaths. “The horses. I had to...they're all dead. I don't want to kill, but I need to.” He wiped away tears from his eyes and met Haring's gaze.
Haring pushed himself to his feet and gripped the hilt of his sword. “You killed the horses? What the hell is wrong with you?”
Kane motioned with his hand. “Let him finish, Haring. You'll see why.”
But will he understand? I'm not so sure.
“Fine. Out with it quickly, lest I lose what little patience I have left.” Haring relaxed the grip on his sword.
“It started when I found him,” Chaerok nodded his head towards Kane, “dead in the street back in Lochden.”
“What?” Haring's eyes widened. “Tell me the truth, Chaerok. He's obviously not dead.”
Chaerok shook his head. “Believe me, Captain. I wish I was lying. I found Kane dead in the street and somehow brought him back. I have no clue how I did it. Only that I have some sort of power.”
The look on Haring's face confirmed Kane's earlier suspicions. This wasn't a story that anyone would ever believe unless they witnessed it. He certainly wouldn't have had he been in Captain Haring's position.
The Captain paced around the room with his hand on his chin. “I still find your story hard to believe. You never explained why you killed the horses, either. They were some of the best steeds in Pineview. I can't just let you just walk away after committing such a heinous crime.”
Kane couldn't hold his tongue any longer. “It was either the horses or people. He needs the essence of living creatures to sustain both of us.”
Haring stopped mid-step and faced Kane. “That's ridiculous.”
“It's the truth.” Kane crossed his arms.
“What if I don't believe you?”
Kane stood resolute. “That's your problem. I can tell you right now, though. I won't let you or anyone else get in my way. Karena will pay for what she's done to me and my son.”
Several moments passed by without anyone uttering a word. The stench of sweat filled the room.
Finally, Chaerok stepped between them. “I'll show you. That's the only way you'll believe me.” Chaerok held out his right palm and a small flame burst out of his palm. It flickered in his hand and seemed to repel the candlelight away from it.
Haring backed up a step and pulled his sword from his sheath. The sword shook in his hands and his voice was harsh as he spoke. “What sort of demon are you, Chaerok?”
Chaerok let the flame extinguish. “I don't know why I'm like this. Whatever happened back in Lochden is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. Kane and I are somehow bound together by this power.”
“Look, if we knew how to stop it we would have.” Kane walked over to Haring and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. “This isn't easy for me either. I had to watch as one of my friends had the life sucked out of him. I was helpless, Haring. Helpless.”
Haring slapped Kane's hand away and brought his sword up. “Don't touch me. I can't trust either of you.”
Kane shook his head. “You can either come with us or leave, Captain. The choice is yours.”
“You know I can't be part of this.” He lowered his sword and slid it back into its sheath. “You both have until first light to be out of here. After that, I don't know what I'll do.”
Kane nodded. “I understand and respect your decision.” He gathered up his meager possessions. Kane walked over to Chaerok, whom had been standing in the corner, and grabbed him by the arm. “Let's go. We need to get out of here.”
Chaerok went without resistance. He slouched and trailed along behind Kane like a pouting child.
“Take this before you go.” Haring stood in the doorway with a piece of parchment in his hand.
Kane grabbed it but Haring had a firm grip on the other end.
“You'd better not make me regret this, Kane. I'll hunt you both to the end of the world if you do.” Haring released the parchment from his grasp.
Kane unfolded it and held it out in front of him. It was a carefully drawn map of the Crystal Mountains with a path to a large dot on the map. The dot was labeled, 'Oreios'.
“I'm not sure how accurate it is as it's been a long time since I've made the journey, but it should be well enough to get you there.”
Haring walked over to his room and grabbed the door knob. He spoke with his back to them. “Now, leave before I change my mind.” And then he opened the door and shut it with an audible click behind him.
Kane shook his head without saying a word.
I've lost a potential friend and ally because of Chaerok's curse. All I can do is hope that he keeps this to himself. Secrets can wear on you. I have enough of my own for two lifetimes.
Chaerok fumbled around in his room and after several moments emerged with his own pack.
Kane rubbed the imaginary ache in his shoulder and took his first steps into the unknown.
—
Water dripped on Mirielle's head as she exited the small cave into a larger cavern. The network of caves her people, the Oreios, lived in delved so deep into the mountain that even she lost her way at times.
This was one of those times.
The cave was dimly lit by a few rays of light that came in through cracks in the rock wall. In times when there was no natural source of light, she had a vest made of the glowing alga that lined the cave walls. It wasn't as bright as she liked, but it was more reliable than a torch.
She raked her fingers through her hair. There were multiple routes she could choose, but there was only one correct choice.
Which way should I go? Left? Right? Mirielle kicked a rock in frustration.
“Why does this always happen to me?” She sat down and cradled her head in her hands. “I took the secret passageway, went through the snake-way and passed under the rock that looks like a face. So, what am I missing?”
Mirielle paced the span of the chamber and eyed all the possible paths. She would've gone back the way she came but by the time she realized she was lost, she couldn't remember the way back. So now all she could do was go forward.
She walked over to the cave on the left and stuck her head inside. Mirielle closed her eyes and tried to heighten her senses. A slight chill brushed against her face. The air smelled fresh which meant this cave had to lead to the surface. Getting to the surface wouldn't help her. Her destination lay deeper in the caverns.
The next cave felt warmer and the air was stale. This path had to at least lead her in the right direction. She scrambled over a rock and crawled downwards into the cave. Her knees were scraped
from a few rough falls from earlier and had begun to throb. She'd welcome a bath in the hot springs when she finally got back to her people in the Tor.
Thoughts of the Tor, a large cavern deep under the mountains, soothed her. Mirielle loved the dark caverns and the almost magical creatures that dwelled within them. Insects and algae covered the ceilings and walls, twinkling like stars in the night sky.
A sharp rock cut her hand and jolted Mirielle back to reality. The cave was getting tighter and she still had no idea where she was. She tried to hold her tears in check and stop herself from panicking, but her resolve was weakening. Mirielle wanted to scream for help at the top of her lungs and run from the imaginary demons lurking behind every corner. But she held it all in.
There was another reason she didn't scream. Down in the depths of the mountains there were other creatures that lurked there along with her people. Usually, they remained separate and preferred to feed on the algae and smaller creatures that skittered about. But, when provoked, they proved fearsome to even the bravest of her people. Serpents and insects unhindered by predators from above that grew large enough to swallow her whole.
Many children were lost to them each year. They hunted the mountains and shallow caves in the warmer months, but when the winters came they hunted her people.
If she wasn't careful, she'd be next.
Mirielle gulped. She didn't fancy being eaten at the tender age of sixteen winters. There were too many things she still wanted to do. Her uncle wanted Mirielle to bond herself to Bennet, the Ore Master's son, but she had no interest in marrying anyone. Not now, not ever. Mirielle valued her freedom and would never give in to the demands of her family.
She got onto her stomach and crawled across the jagged rocks, fighting to push herself forward. There wasn't enough room for her to turn around and she was worried about how she'd get out of the cave. If there was even an exit to get out of, that is.
The cave was warm and damp and her body was covered in sweat from the exertion. All that lay ahead of her was darkness. Her heart thumped in her chest, and she struggled to breath in the enclosed space.
Mirielle tried to crawl forward, but she couldn't budge. Going backwards proved just as useless. It finally dawned on her.
Oh no, I'm stuck. What am I going to do? Uncle, where are you?
Mirielle pounded her fists against the rock wall and cried out for help. The rocks cut into her hands and she felt fresh blood run down them. Tears streamed down her face, but only her echo answered her cries.
Mirielle whimpered, alone in the dark.
She felt something cold slither across her skin. Mirielle's body tensed in revulsion and she screamed. It moved up her leg and slithered across her back and rubbed against her neck. She tried to look, but she was frozen in place.
Then, a raspy voice whispered into the back of her mind. “A new body! And so young too. Oh, how I've craved a body for all these years.”
Mirielle tried to squirm away, but the entity constricted her movement. It slid around her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Mirielle struggled to look up, to see the creature that paralyzed her body.
A faceless, snake-like darkness bobbed in front of her. It appeared to be watching her, but without any facial features she couldn't be sure what it was doing. The raspy voice came from all around her and forced itself into her mind.
“Fear not, girl. I'll make good use of your body.”
The creature coiled into a mass and then lunged towards her face. Mirielle tried to scream, but the creature seeped into her nose and mouth and down inside of her. Her body convulsed and her eyes rolled back into her head. It consumed her from the inside and filled her with its dark desires.
The stone beneath Mirielle exploded, and her body fell down into the depths of the caverns. Battered bones mended and flesh wounds healed. Her body shuffled towards Tor, the place she had so desired to return to.
She tried to shout for help, to warn her people, but it wouldn't allow her. Her body was no longer her own.
I can feel it, the voice said inside of her mind. The body I need approaches.
