LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1)

by Brandon Chandler

  “N-no,” Kori screamed hoarsely.

  The creature ignored her and reached for Hayden.

  “I said no!” Kori shouted again. The wand whirred and sparks sputtered from it. The beast stopped in its tracks as if terrified. It roared a warning at Kori then rushed off with Brianna tucked underneath its arms.

  “Bring her back,” Kori said weakly. Unable to hang on any longer she fell face first and slipped into unconsciousness.

  ABOVE THEM THE TWIN moons illuminated the tenebrous sky and shone brightly down on the clearing. Though not as big as the previous one it was still a display of beauty. However, the woodland was ominously quiet. That was until the gentle snapping of a twig and crunching of gravel suggested perhaps a forest animal was moving in the black shadows of the forest.

  Dominic, Lucia and Atticus paused.

  From the darkness, a creature of dense muscles and grey skin that was mostly scar tissue stepped into the light. Its body structure was that of a hairless gorilla with claw-like hands and feet. Its human face housed multiple scars, a Glasgow smile, along with a bat nose and long black stringy hair. The behemoth stared longingly at Atticus. It made the noise of a wounded dog.

  Atticus gazed into its golden eyes with a sigh.

  “Hello Kade,” he said. His gaze ventured towards a bleeding fist-size hole in the creature’s shoulder. “You’re injured.”

  Lucia came to Atticus’s side. “Hey big guy,” she said slowly and softly. “Did Maxi hurt you?”

  It opened its mouth to speak, revealing rolls of fang-like teeth, but only gelatinous saliva drooled out instead of words.

  Dominic raised his handgun. “You know this thing?”

  Lucia and Atticus both glared at him.

  He stared back blankly. “Are we going to kill it?”

  “No,” said Lucia protectively. Her voice had an unusual calm. “I advise you to take it easy...unless you want to be torn to shreds.”

  Dominic snorted and lowered his weapon.

  “Are you here to take us to Christos?” Atticus asked.

  The beast nodded.

  Atticus looked away, as he drew his sword. “You know I can’t allow that.”

  The monstrosity rose to its full height dwarfing Atticus. Showing no signs of fear the young man stood unflinching. Lucia’s eyes darted from combatant to combatant, a look of uncertainty coated across her face. Before she knew it, she had thrown herself in between both competitors.

  “This is ridiculous!” she yelled. “Take me to Christos. I’ll talk some sense into him.”

  “Lulu, don’t!” Atticus shouted.

  “Stop acting like you care,” Lucia snapped.

  Atticus’s face reddened.

  “Besides, Christos would rather have me than any of you losers,” Lucia made an L-shape with her fingers and placed it against her forehead.

  She turned to Kade. “Let’s get going big daddy.”

  He stood motionless contemplating the terms. Then with a grunt he scooped Lucia into his arms and ran off.

  Atticus released a breath of relief. “I did not want to fight him,” he said sheathing his sword. “Even before Maxi turned him into that thing, he was a force not to be reckoned with.”

  Jezebel vanished from Dominic’s grasp, “I don’t think your girlfriend is the selfless type...so why did she save us?”

  “That’s what scares me,” Atticus said with a smile. “I don’t know.”

  A SLIGHT BREEZE RUSTLED the leaves. The night air felt warm against his skin. Being a high priest had its perks. The shadows of trees blended into the blackness and their silhouettes against the sky grew less pronounced.

  Christos glared at the unconscious bodies of Brianna and Ethan. His monstrosity of a creature had delivered them to him like a cat giving their owner a gift. Christos didn’t approve of this method; but at least the beast was making more progress than his incompetent soldiers. He eyed his warriors as they patrolled the zone.

  However, he was concerned that someone was able to wound his precious pet.

  Christos glanced upward catching a glimpse of his suspended airship. It looked dwarfed plastered against one of the moons. Christos felt the ground quake underneath his feet. Detecting movement from the corner of his eyes a smile spread across his face. Nearby soldiers squirmed keeping their distance.

  “My friend, have you returned with another gift?”

  Lucia skipped into the clearing, with Kade following close behind.

  Christos’s smile extended, “Lucia, I figured Kade would have to bring you in kicking and screaming.”

  Lucia sauntered behind Christos, “I allowed myself to be captured.”

  He glanced at the behemoth. “Alright then, off you go.”

  Lucia cooed, “wait, you can’t send him back out there. He’s hurt.”

  “Why do you care...?” Christos asked crossing his arms. “You, Atticus, even his own sister left him to die...it was me who brought him back from the brink of death.”

  Lucia touched her chest as if Christos words had stung. “That’s not fair we all thought he was dead, and besides you turned him into your monstrous slave.”

  Christos chuckled conceitedly. “At least he’s loyal.”

  He signaled for Kade to continue his mission. However, Lucia quickly chimed as her eyes fell upon the shattered wooden table, near it laid an unconscious Ethan and Brianna. “Or you can simply have them come to you.”

  She awaited Christos’s response. And when he didn’t offer one, she continued, “you have two of the outsiders, plus me. Leave a message saying you have us and want them to come to you.”

  Christos rubbed his chin glazing over Kade’s half-healed wound. He then glared at Lucia pondering her proposal.

  The way she smiled, her anxiousness, it was obvious Lucia was trying to play him. She even twirled a finger through her red locks. He had to admit, she looked amazing in her provocative nightwear, but her awkward body posture screamed apparent treachery.

  Christos chuckled, he could care less on what Lucia might be planning, she couldn’t hurt him no-matter how hard she tried.

  He glanced over his soldiers. “Fall in.”

  The men lined up in four rolls and presumed the position of attention.

  “You’re right. Why waste time and resources searching for them,” he patted his thigh. The beast leaped over to Christos and squatted by his side protectively. “I have one last task for you buddy,” he said.

  The soldiers watched the beast nervously. None of them dared to make any sudden movements or sounds. “I want you to take a soldier with you, find my brother and deliver this message; if he doesn’t want me to send his precious Lulu and these two outsiders to the mines he must bring himself along with the others to the warden’s estate.”

  Lucia huffed. “Would you really send me to that awful place?”

  “As long as Giovanni keeps supplying me with this power, I’ll send you to the depths of hell if need be.” Christos turned towards Kade. “Go.”

  The beast got to his feet and plucked a random soldier from the formation. A harsh scream escaped from the guardsmen as Kade carelessly tucked him underneath his arms. He nodded towards Christos and vanished off.

  A STIFF KICK TO THE ribs awakened Hayden. He roused from his heavy slumber, becoming aware of a loamy fragrance. The ground was lumpy as if he was on a bed of leaves and rocks. His bare top half felt damp like a flower in the dew of dawn. Hayden wondered if he was still dreaming as he sat up. Above him, a shaft of silver light burst through the gaps of the leafy canopy.

  “Awe good you’re still alive,” Atticus voice sounded from his left.

  Dominic stood to his right; a foot raised in a punting position.

  “Dick,” he said rubbing his ribs.

  “Is the girl ok?” Atticus asked.

  Hayden looked over to his left and saw Kori snoring and holding onto a wand.

  He massaged the back of his neck. “Where is Brianna?”

  Atticus crouc
hed next to Kori. “I believe Kade might have taken her.” He poked Kori with the tip of his sheathed sword. She didn’t budge but instead snored even louder. Atticus recoiled at the sound. “I’m also wagering he has Ethan too.” He stood upright and helped Hayden to his feet.

  “Kade?” Hayden asked sluggishly. “Lucia said he was dead.”

  “He was, until my brother turned him into his pet.”

  “That thing is going to pay,” Hayden snapped.

  “That thing’s name is Kade,” Atticus said sounding offended. “And is...was my best friend.”

  “None of that matters to me...the freak took Brianna,” Hayden retorted.

  Atticus sighed with annoyance. “I think I like your brother more...and he shot me.”

  Dominic chuckled, but his reminiscing didn’t last long as a far-off scream echoed.

  The three of them froze looking about the area.

  The scream came again tearing through them like great shards of glass and the ground moved as if it were a wave on the sea, expelling noise like extended thunder. Due to the terrible vibration, Hayden and the others fell to the ground. A snarl initiated him to turn his head. Staring into the eyes of the beast, Hayden instinctively summoned Delilah and took aim.

  “Wait,” Atticus shouted as Kade plopped a terrified soldier onto the ground. “I don’t think he wants to fight.”

  Shaking, the soldier got to his feet, raising his hands in surrender. “I-I have a message from the high priest.”

  “Oh really,” Dominic said regrouping with the others.

  The guardsmen continued to hold his arms up as he spoke, “High Priest Christos has Lady Lucia, the tall kid, and the curly haired girl. He wants the remainder of you to turn yourselves in at the warden’s estate...and if you don’t, he’s going to send them to the Mines.”

  Atticus inhaled deeply. “Tell your boss, message well received.”

  The soldier lowered his arms. “Y-yes I’ll let make sure he gets it.”

  Atticus chuckled, “don’t be silly I wasn’t talking to you.”

  “What are you-,” the man’s stammering was cut short.

  With his free hand, Atticus drew his sword. The blade flashed and hummed a low hasty tune as he swiftly beheaded the guardsmen. The legionnaire fell to the ground in a heap of armor. A sphere of light took the place of the soldier. For a second or two it floated and then vanished off into the heavens.

  Atticus locked eyes with the behemoth showing no remorse for killing the soldier.

  Kade stared back in silence...then he nodded and ran off.

  Dominic walked over to the mound of armor and whistled. “I didn’t think you were capable of being a badass.”

  Before Atticus could respond, Kori began to stir. Still holding onto Brianna’s wand, she sat up with a yawn. “What did I miss?”

  Chapter-Thirty-Five

  The town of Erstania was built on a steep hillside, with shops, restaurants, and apartments all piled up on top of each other. A series of interlocked alleyways and single narrow streets zigzagged all the way to the mines below. Off in the distance, the sound of joyful melodies could be heard, along with hilarity. The poorly lit streets at this hour were still, with the occasional resident staggering about and whistling a merry tune.

  “It’s either close to closing, or Helen is going around kicking out the rowdy drunks,” Atticus said warm heartedly.

  After weaving through the labyrinth of roads, the path eventually converged and unveiled a piazza. A sea of people, of all ethnicities filled the square. Some were hopping from building to building, whereas most were huddled outside in groups carrying on loud cheerful conversations, and a lot of them were struggling to keep their balance as they wandered off. The strong scent of hard whiskey and freshly made foods surrounded the plaza. Laughter and muffled festive music ranged from many of the medieval style buildings.

  “What is this place?” Kori asked as her eyes darted from person to person. “Why is everyone either dressed like miners or train conductors?”

  She reached for Brianna’s wand in her pocket. She didn’t know how she did it before but was confident she could cast another spell if need be.

  “This is the place where hard-working men and women go after slaving fourteen hour days in the mines,” Atticus answered. “We may not be able to enjoy the pleasures of life anymore, but at least we can still enjoy wonderful drinks.”

  A man sluggishly bumped into Hayden. Mumbling obscenities the man halted facing the wall of a nearby building and pulled down his pants till the crease of his butt was showing. Hayden instantly looked away, cringing at the sound of flowing liquid that soon followed.

  As they approached a structure resembling a medieval tavern, the loitering locals cheerfully shouted out to Atticus. Some patted him on the back and others shook his hand. A few even gave out hugs.

  “Hated in one town and loved in another,” Dominic said with confusion.

  “You have no idea,” Atticus said grinning from ear to ear.

  He basked in the attention for a moment dancing with a few ladies and one man.

  “Atticus you glorious bastard, where have you been?” a male’s voice boomed from behind.

  Atticus’s adoring fans parted, allowing a heavyset man dressed in nineteenth century’s expedition clothing to enter the inner circle. He had a bald head, fiery red beard and was armed with a dagger at his side. Though his tree trunk sized arms looked like weapons far more dangerous than any blade, he instead used them to embrace Atticus, lifting him several inches off the ground.

  “Brolin,” Atticus shouted, matching the man’s excitement. “Buy me a drink and I’ll tell you all about my latest adventure.”

  The gentleman smiled revealing he had a mouth underneath his beard. “You got yourself a deal mister,” he said releasing Atticus.

  The two of them wrapped their arms around one another’s shoulders and disappeared into the tavern.

  “I think he has forgotten about us,” Kori said with a frown.

  She rested her hands on the rough paintwork that coated the door and pushed. The hinges squealed as though they were a warning, but their pleas were silenced by a wall of noise. Laughter overpowered the three bards, while conversations were told in loud voices. The smell of alcohol breezed towards them and there was even a hint of roasted meats tainting the fragrance. The place had a Tudor feel, white walls, dark wood flooring, with a reddish fur rug in the center of the floor. Several tables were spaced out about the open pub with patrons occupying them and servers scurrying to make sure their customers were well satisfied.

  Kori lolled her head to one side pushing out her lips. “Where did Atticus vanish off too?”

  “There he is,” Hayden said pointing at the far end of the tavern. The young man was sitting at a table underneath a wooden beam that crossed the vaulted ceiling. Next to him was the large man, they both raised a wooden mug, clunked them together and then chugged. The heavy man finished first and slammed his chalice against the tabletop.

  With a burp, Brolin watched Atticus lower his mug, “you could never beat me when it comes to chugging.”

  He clapped his large hand across Atticus’s shoulder triggering him to spit out the remainder of his rusty-brown liquid.

  “Why have you brought us here?” the sound of Hayden’s voice caused Brolin to shift his focus to the approaching teens. He eyed them as they took a place at the table.

  “Aye, where did you children come from?” he asked with a strange hint of concern. Then his mouth dropped open and with a trembling finger, he pointed. “Oye you are still alive.”

  Atticus thrust a hand over his friend’s mouth. “Keep it down.”

  His eyes darted about the tavern to make sure others hadn’t heard the outburst. Other than being intoxicated no-one seemed to care.

  Atticus removed his hands.

  “Don’t worry, they are with me. And I’m taking them to Tira so she can send them home.”

  “Then what are you doing
here?” Brolin said way too loud for comfort.

  Atticus gestured for him to quiet down. “Before we head out, I need to speak with Helen.”

  Brolin looked over his shoulder. His eyes spotted a tall middle-aged woman. Her brown hair was woven into a long braid. Leaning against a wall near the Tavern’s bar, the woman’s eyes darted from customer to customer. She was equipped with a short sword strapped to one side; a bullwhip on the other and an ‘approach me you die’ expression.

  “Are you sure you want to talk to her,” Brolin asked facing forward again. “She seems pissed.”

  Atticus chuckled. “She’s always pissed.” He excused himself.

  From the table, Brolin and the teens watched as Atticus strolled over to the woman. Her eyes widened when she spotted him. She closed the gap before he could reach her corner. Due to the distant and loud roaring of the tavern, the conversation between them was inaudible. But from the looks of their body language, the conversation appeared intense and was on the verge of becoming hostile. Then it ended with Atticus dropping to the floor after a blow from Helen’s fist. Atticus spat out a pool of blood as Helen helped him to his feet. They locked eyes as if they were about to come to blows, exchanged a few more words...then they both erupted with laughter.

  “They’ve always been like that since the day they met,” Brolin said fondly.

  “Sounds like an unhealthy friendship,” Kori said wryly. She looked away from the commotion between Helen and Atticus as Brolin’s brash laughter echoed around the table. “Long ago, Helen and I; hell, over half the residents of this shanty town used to be a part of the rebel army and Atticus was our fearless General.”

  Brolin glanced from teen to teen. “He wanted to save the entire world, even if it meant killing himself in the process.”

  Hayden scoffed. “That’s dumb.” He glared into Brolin’s eyes. “You’re already in hell why not let it end.”

  “Choose your next words carefully,” Brolin said, his voice on the verge of rising. “Purgatory isn’t perfect, but it is our home. Atticus is a hero.”