Possessing the Grimstone

chapter 4


Two soldiers rode back through the lush lands surrounding Bhrungach. Trees were covered with moss, grass grew nearly knee-high, and wild fruit dotted the lands with an array of vivid colors.

The soldiers, singed and battle-scarred, struggled past the natural beauty to the wall that surrounded their home city.

One of the men stopped and spit up some blood; the other took the reins of his horse as soot blew off them into the gentle breeze.

Finally, they reached the city gates. “Hark, let us in, for pity’s sake, we beg you!”

There was some resistance. The gate remained closed.

“Please! The men have fallen! A very powerful army draws toward Bhrungach unlike any man has ever seen.”

Olani peered out of her chamber window. She heard the men’s cries even from across the courtyards and citadels. She rushed from her room.

The gates opened, and the men stumbled in.

A host of physicians and guards hurried to the men. Olani entered the courtyard with Nachin directly behind her.

Both men collapsed. Olani’s heart broke. She drew to the men and bent at their heads. “I am sorry for your horror. Can you tell us what happened?”

“Oh, m’lady. Forgive us. Forgive us for fleeing!”

“You deserted your post?” Nachin asked, shocked.

“Forgive us, they are demon spawn!” The soldier put his face in his hands.

“You left Farnus-Tan to his death!” Nachin roared.

Olani stood and glowered at Nachin. “Nachin, let them speak. They are terrified.”

“This army could not be stopped; it devoured us… we never even stood a chance. Dark magic and fire rained down on us. Weapons we have never seen in all of Athora melted flesh and shattered bones. They are otherworldly. Spirits… spirits fought with them.”

“Spirits?” Olani was both frightened and intrigued. She turned to Nachin. “Call the council, they must be told. I must act now to save our people!”

“M’lady, it is nearly dark. The council has retired for the day. They will not be happy with…”

“Call them, please. Our people are in grave danger.”

“I think we do not know the true weight of this danger.”

“I will meet them at the drawing table, please send word.” Olani turned back to the soldiers and oversaw their treatment, concern in her heart, tears welling in her eyes. She prayed that they would live through the night.

She waited for Nachin’s dwindling steps, but didn’t hear them. Looking up, he was still standing there. She began to speak when Nachin shook his head and walked away.

###

“Gentlemen, danger comes to our front door.” Olani stared at a group of seven older men who couldn’t be less interested in what she was saying. “A new, powerful enemy has sacked the Lake Land villages and marches to our gates. They have not been stopped, nor slowed.”

One of the men yawned. Olani glared at him with disdain.

“To continue, we must act now to save our grand city and our beautiful lands. I vote we seek the assistance of Cardoon. They have a vast army, and many resources. They will help us.”

“My dear,” one of the men answered. “Cardoon is the richest of all the cities, and the largest. Our concerns are not their concerns. They would never react to something so trivial.”

“Trivial? This is an unknown enemy from an unknown land! They’ve consumed half of our army!”

“Yes, but remember: we have bested many before them. Our walls have never fallen. Even in our wars with the South, not one southerner breached the walls of our city.”

“This is different. There is magic and spirits about. The enemy wields weapons we’ve never seen. We must seek assistance.”

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to reject your request. Bhrungach will defend its own. I vote for handling our own affairs. All in favor?”

The entire circle lifted their hands.

The speaker looked around and cracked a smile. “The matter is closed.”

Olani watched them get up and vacate the room. She pounded the table with her fists.

###

Nachin had been listening from the halls. He watched Olani leave the room last, and head back to her chambers.

The speaker sidled over to Nachin. “I do not appreciate being disturbed at home.”

“My apologies.” Nachin bowed his head.

“You said you would handle her.”

“I am trying. Do not worry, I am always with her.”

“If you can get her unseated, my dear boy, you would be next in line to be head of the council. Remember that.”

“I have never forgotten.”

###

Olani looked out her window, beyond the walls, where she could see the trees illuminated by the moonlight. A flock of night birds soared in the sky. She wondered how long it would be before this ferocious enemy reached the city. The fate of all of her people weighed heavily on her heart.

She didn’t care what the council said: she was its leader, and she could pull rank during times of conflict, so the laws stated. Throwing on her robe, she opened her chamber door.

On its other side, Nachin stood with a cup of tea. “Do not worry yourself, M’lady. The council knows what they’re doing. They have always been right. You wll see. You are new to all of this.”

“They are old fools, Nachin. They’d rather see the city fall than ask for assistance.”

“It is not our way, M’lady. Now, here, take your tea. It will calm your nerves.”

“Thank you, Nachin. You always know what I need.”

He grinned, watching her sip the brew. “Now get some rest. You know how ill you have been. Do not incite a relapse. The council is just getting used to being led by a woman. It will take some time.”

“Of course,” she said with a polite smile, and took another sip of her tea.

Nachin bowed to her and slipped from her room. Olani listened for his steps to disappear before setting her tea down and exiting her room.

On silent feet, she made her way through the palace and out into the city streets until she reached the orphanage. It was the only place they could think of bringing the boy from Daustra. He had lost his home and family to the scourge. She admired his bravery and selflessness in riding to the city and relaying what he’d witnessed.

She found him sharing a room with several other children. “Boy,” she called to him, “Come to me.”

“Yes, M’lady,” he stood at her attention, eyes wide and full of sadness.

“I need your help. All of Bhrungach does. Do you know the city of Cardoon and its location?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Good. I need to you to ride there. Seek their help. Tell them what you have seen, and that I have sent you. Fetch your horse, but use our tunnels below the streets. Do not try for the gates, as they will never allow you to pass. The tunnels will take you out into the wild. Ride through the Wizened Forest and you will be on the path to Cardoon.”

“Yes, M’lady.” He bowed to her.

She tussled his hair, and watched him run. When she stepped from the orphanage, she stumbled, feeling dizzy. Sweat was forming on her brow. A sharp pain gnawed at the pit of her stomach. “I must take to my bed. The sickness returns.”

###

“That we can run on water and leap over trees are just stories, too, aren’t they?” Ono’s words replayed in Pim’s mind. He stared out his window into the darkness. They sky was shrouded in dark clouds. It had been a while since he’d seen clouds that dark and thick.

Sleep would not take him. He layed in bed, just staring at nothing in particular, as he heard Ono’s words again and again. When he got up out of bed and went to his door, he heard his father snoring in the next room.

Pim smirked, then skipped over to his bedroom window, and climbed out. He ran through the tall, soft grass, damp from dew, but he did not use the fleet. This run was to get rid of his energy, not work it up. He made his way to the village perimeter and circled it, slowing to a walk, watching his bare feet take each step, one by one.

He spotted someone to his left, watching the landscape beyond the village intently. Pim started toward him. It was one of the members of the Warrior Guild on watch. The warrior turned at Pim’s approach, and suddenly drew his sword on him.

“Pim?” Jun said with surprise.

“Your eyes must not be so good,” Pim joked. “How could you not know it was me?”

“Because you shouldn’t be out this late, especially at our boundaries. Besides, the skies are dark; even the moon is hidden.”

“Hmm, a likely story for a warrior.”

“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in bed?” Jun sheathed his sword.

“I couldn’t sleep. Too much energy.”

“Have you been sword fighting again?”

“Just practicing. I’m not overdoing it.”

“Sure, you aren’t. You need to rest the muscles now and again.”

“That isn’t why I cannot sleep. I’m just a bit troubled…”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Jun, do you know the misty clouds of the Red Coast? In the Fifling Sea?”

“Sure, who doesn’t?”

“What would you do if something came through the clouds to harm our lands?”

“You’ve been hearing the rumors, the ones the traders and gypsies are telling. It isn’t true, Pim.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because they’re just stories to scare people. Everyone knows the land ends at the mist. There is nothing beyond it.”

“There’s land across the Baltha Sea: the Western Isles of Norrow.”

“That’s different. There is no wall of clouds. The clouds signify the end.”

“But what if that’s not true? What if everyone is wrong?”

“The Order of Thet teaches us that it is true. Thet took the water from nothing, and created this land. That is all. The other is just a tall tale.”

“Well, Wivering running on top of water is a tale, too.”

“That’s right, because it isn’t true, no one can do it.”

“I can.”

Jun stared at him, then laughed. “Pim, you really are full of wonder. You should get to bed.”

“I’ll show you in the morning… you and Ono and Arc.”

“Pim, enough. No more stories tonight. You’re going to get me in trouble. It’s bad enough that I trained you in swordplay before you’re of age. You’re not even in the Warrior Guild, and I’m not sure you really want to be. You still want to do childish things, like run across the water, or over the roof of your house, or whatever.”

“The roof of the house…” Pim scratched his head. “What a great idea! Think of how you could outmatch your enemy. The Warrior Guild would be unstoppable, fighting from the treetops and the roofs.”

“We don’t need to Pim; we can already outrun every creature in Athora. Even the scuttle pods… and they’re pretty fast.”

Pim sighed. “Why does no one believe me? I ran across the river, I leaped to the tallest tree. I didn’t clear it, but almost. I’ll show you all. Tomorrow.”

“I really have to finish my rounds,” Jun said. “Go home, and get to bed before I wake your father.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Jun shook his head and moved on, walking past Pim and making a turn to toward the village.

“Alright, alright!” Pim dashed past him.

Jun turned back and continued his watch.

###

Hot and dry was the land of the South, home to the Painted People. The sand glittered when the sun was high. The horizon rose and fell with dunes and valleys. Sand ran its way to rocky surfaces and craters, jagged rock formations stretched to the sky in waves of coral and gold.

Red dust blew in hot wind and ravaged caravans as dust devils stirred, terrorizing the people. Little water was found here; trees dared not to lay down roots, and grass died a miserable death. Scaly creatures skittered among the stones.

Even at night, as it was now, the air was heavy and hot.

In the city of Glenghora, a structure fortified with stone and sand stood among the tents and hovels. Tribes gathered about the castle, drawing water from one of the few wells. They traded for fresh fruits and vegetables, wine, oils, medicines, and herbs, with precious stones mined from the rust-colored rock, as well as furs woven from their herds.

In the halls of the sand castle, Gyrn walked with hurried steps. He entered the throne room to set eyes on a mirror image of himself: his twin brother, Drith. On either side of his brother, two young girls fanned the ruler, painted in white and yellow to protect his skin from burning, and adorned in gold pins and piercings with rings on every finger and a talisman of pure black stone around his neck. His green eyes glinted in the light of the sconces. His lithe body rested, worn and drained, on a throne of cold stone.

Gyrn went to his brother and bowed on one knee. Drith made a gesture for his brother to rise. Gyrn handed him a goblet of wine.

“It’s warm,” Drith said.

“The bladder traveled in the sun all day.”

“Then why did you bring me it?”

“Would you rather thirst?”

“I’d rather have cold wine.”

“There is talk among the traders.”

“I do not care of gossip and women’s chatter.”

“You’ll care about this. The North is under siege.

Drith looked up, his eyes meeting his brother’s. A smirk crossed his lips. “Our truce with them not withstanding, this news tames the heat of our land, and that within my heart. Brother, I would not shed a tear should Bhrungach fall. I drink a toast, to the North’s just punishment.” He took a big gulp of wine.

“There is more…”

“I’m not sure what could be more tantalizing then what you have brought to my court.”

“The enemy comes from the mist in the east. It’s an unknown force of dark magic and monstrous beasts.”

“The east? The mist? Impossible. No ships have ever sailed through that mist, and none have returned that tried. What shadows could rise out of the void to take the North?”

“No one knows. They have just appeared. A scourge by night, their numbers are ever increasing. One knows not where they might stop.”

“What are you saying?”

“They are not of our land. They care not for any in their path. The stories tell that they are here to take us all.”

“Are you saying I should go to war to defend the North?”

Gyrn bowed his head, and then shook it slightly. “Of course not, Brother.”

“After all the damned council of Bhrungach has done? Their crimes of selfishness and betrayal!. How they have watched our people suffer in drought and famine! If it were not for the people of Norrow, or the city of Cardoon, we would be but a stain on the land… I would see them all burn and walk upon their charred…”

“Yes… yes… yes… we hear you, Brother. All of the kingdom hears you.” Gyrn cut off his brother’s tirade, despite the cold look the act bestowed him. “If I may suggest… wait for Bhrungach to fall, and then launch an attack against this new foe. Defeat them, and take the lands of the North as your own. The Lake Lands have already fallen.”

Drith’s eyes brightened. “A brilliant idea, dear Gyrn. I knew you were as devious as myself. You always feigned the more honorable one, the one Mother cherished above all else. But you have shadow inside you, too. I always knew it.”

Gyrn didn’t answer. Instead, he bowed his head and exited the throne room. He heard his brother snarl behind him, a sound most would take as contempt or anger, but for Drith, it was a sign of contentment, even joy. The very thought of seizing the lands of the North stoked the fire inside Drith. Gyrn was pleased with himself; their truce with the North had lasted too long.

###

Despite her fever and weakened body, Olani managed to drag herself from her bed in the dead of night. The attack had hit home. The walls of Bhrungach trembled, but held.

Outside her window, she heard shrieks and howls. Strange green fire filled the sky. Soaring rocks assaulted the walls and thundered with terrible sounds. The city buckled. It cried out with terror. The streets flooded with chaos.

Tears streamed down Olani’s cheeks. They’d refused to believe her. Stubborn, foolish old men had condemned them all.

She was surprised at how well the walls were standing, taking hit after hit, magical attack after magical attack. How long could they last?

“M’lady,” Nachin threw open her bedroom doors. “Forgive me, but we must take refuge. The council is fleeing to the tunnels.”

“Cowards… let them face the consequences of challenging me.”

“M’lady, your people are heading below, too. They need your support.”

Olani threw on a sheer robe and followed Nachin out of the palace and to the cobblestone streets. People ran in every direction, screaming. Rooftops were ablaze; a huge, spiked boulder sat in the middle of the road, and black smoke choked the sky.

What was left of Bhrungach’s soldiers raced to the walls. They climbed the stone steps and met their deaths in a hail of dark magic, jagged spears, and blades and fire. Their bodies exploded into ashes as the magic swarmed them.

Olani’s jaw dropped, and her heart pounded in her chest. Stark fear seized her. What ghastly sights waited on the other side of their own walls? A part of her wanted to face it, but she knew she needed to carry on, be with her people, and reassure them that they would not fall to evil from the bowels of the abyss.

Nachin flung the sewer cover from its perch and climbed down. Olani followed him, taking one last look at the wall and the flaming boulder hurtling toward her.