Peak Mountain, Black Mountain Range, Battling BorderAcross the Peril Sea to the Peak Mountain buried in the Black Mountains of Ardae along the Battling Border there was a creature very unlike the barbarian on the Isle of Wight. Though equally as immortal."Did you find him yet?" Radix Malorum demanded of his Commander. A yellow-skinned ogre of a man he called Okine."Barbarian, Leige?" He bobbed his head. Speaking in his ear shatteringly high voice as he asked the question."Yes." Radix gave him a black look. "I want him leading my armies.""He not turn." Okine shook his head. Boldly arguing with he Demon King."I beg to differ." Radix grated through pointed teeth. "Find him for me. Now.""Across Sea, methinks." Okine ducked his head.A dark man in the back of the cave shifted. Chains around his neck and between his wrists rattled at the movement. Immediately catching the Demon Master's attention. Radix's head spun toward him."Do you know where your brethren hides from me?""I would
"Who is it?" I whispered to Mardichi who looked slowly over his shoulder.He blinked at me."The Slave Trader?" I pressed.Mardichi snorted. "So much worse...""Brother!" The voice boomed. "You letting me in or am I kicking the door in?"Brother?Mardichi groaned and visibly slumped over as he dragged his feet to the door.When he opened it, I crouched to get a view of beneath Mardichi's elbow to glimpse the man beyond the door.Mardichi leaned across the jam. Purposely blocking the entrance.He doesn't want him to come in.Or to see me. I recalled he'd said he didn't want me to see the man.And as I lowered a little further, I could instantly see why.***The man on the other side of the doorway was heart wrenchingly beautiful. A golden angel of a man standing in the sandy dirt outside. Hair the same color as the morning sunshine through treetops waved over his shoulders, to partway down his chest. Unique turquoise eyes caught her movement. Landing on her unblinkingly."Mardichi?" He
“You are his brethren?” I asked Sebastian, though I couldn’t see him. Simply yearning to speak to him.Desperately wanting some answers.I was grateful for where Mardichi stood though.And his soothing touch.Because it seemed the longer I couldn’t see Sebastian, the less I felt that intoxicating dizziness that had me staring at him like a dumb animal.“I am.” Bast answered anyway. “Has he tried to convince you he’s the worst manner of beast, yet?”That’s putting it mildly.He bit me.I looked up at Mardichi, searching his face. “Yes.”Mardichi blinked slowly down at me.“Don’t fall for it.” Bast said. “He’s a far better man than he’d have you believing.”“Shh.” Mardichi said to him, without looking away from me. His full lips jutting to make the sound. Almost lending it a seductive air. “Ye need not be sayin’ such nonsense to the lass.”“Whyever not?” I heard Sebastian leaning off the wall to approach.“Ye stay back, ye.” Mardichi glowered over his shoulder.Why?***“Why is that?” B
The giant black feline lifted its head as if in answer.I was trying to wrap my mind around the idea that someone could go from being a flesh and blood man, then to this giant, sleek creature.As Mardichi had turned into the wolf.Back at home, in my village, I’d heard many tales of creature’s that could do such things. Demons that could come to your door in any guise.Or steal the bodies of your loved ones. I wondered if that was what I was witnessing. Demons taking other forms.Is that what Mardichi is? He could alternate so quickly between being ice cold and being laughing and warm, that I was having an impossible time gauging him.And Sebastian, whom I instinctively trusted, had said Mardichi was a far better man then he let on.I already knew he was no mindless barbarian, as I’d first assumed.But this slinky black creature was very real. One look at the flinting gold eyes and I had that same dizzying feeling that I was looking into an eternity, that I’d had when I looked upon Se
Monsters filled the air. The large bird carrying me and the beasts pursuing us.When this great hawk carrying me flapped sideways, I realized she carried me beneath other giant birds of similar size.She's part of a flock.Where are they taking me? Why? My mind raced.I looked below me at the tree tops which now seemed so far away. Even if I could get away from this bird I’m going to plummet to my death.I squinted through the trees, trying to see if Mardichi and Sebastian were down there somewhere. Running through the fog.But there was nothing.No one there.The hawk adjusted its grip on me, and a talon scraped along my arm. Leaving a long, thin cut.I hissed through my teeth at the pain.The great red and gold giants behind us must’ve scented my blood. They began roaring. Rumbling screeching sounds that echoed over everything and made my body quake. Unsettling the flock of giant hawks.I understood their fear. I looked over my shoulder at the scaled monsters. Blood red and glinting
They’re shapeshifters. That much was obvious to me now.Not just wolves.Not just a panther.The bird set me down and hopped after me as I stalked toward the towering creatures. Each of which looking as big as a castle as it peered down at me.The red one crooned softly and lowered his head to rest along the sand. He dropped to his belly and awaited my approach.When I drew near enough, I put a palm to each side of that massive, intimidating snout. Peering into nostrils bigger than me as it tipped its nose down enough I could peer into those huge eyes. Recognizing the vivid sky blue the moment I saw them.Mardichi.“What are you?” I asked softly.It huffed and a tendril of smoke rose from a nostril. Smelling acrid.Like eggs kept too long.***“Dragons.” Sebastian appeared from behind him. Thankfully wearing pants and a billowing white shirt.Mardichi put up a clawed paw to block my view of him.To keep me from looking at him.And falling under his bloody spell. I laughed slightly. St
That’s not possible. I couldn’t even figure out a way up there. Even climbing his leg was out of the question. It was too long and smooth for me to grip anything.And if I fell, it could kill me.“Yes.” Sebastian said. “Or you can go on foot next to me.”He plans to go back as the panther.I can’t keep up with that.He’s making a joke. He thinks that’s funny. My deadened mind barely registered it. If I could’ve looked at him, I’d have given him a dry look to show my lack of appreciation for his humor just now.“Mardichi!” I called up to the big read monster. “How am I supposed to get up there?”Giving a low, drawn out, grunt he shuffled sideways and lowered a long wing down to me. Trimmed with feathers along the bone but otherwise made of thin skin. He cast me a look over his shoulder. As if waiting.For what?For me to climb up that.Drawing a steadying breath and shaking my head at the idiocy of the whole thing, I headed up. Catching the first wide bone and climbing over it. Then sc
“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” I asked them.“Come, Lass.” Mardichi wrapped his large, muscled arm about my shoulders and turned me toward the hut. “Let’s have some ale.”“How about I go to the next house.” Sebastian nodded in that direction. “And see if I can purchase you a real dress.”Mardichi snorted.Clearly not approving that idea.He likes me running about naked.Sebastian was already strolling off in the opposite direction.Mardichi led me inside. “Don’t listen to everything he says.”“He says you can’t keep me?” I asked softly. “Why?”Mardichi opened a cupboard and pulled out a wooden cup. Popping the cork from a strange cask with square markings and pouring himself a glass and then me one.I lifted it and swirled the strange brown liquid. The smell emanating from it was anything but delicious.It may have gone bad. I debated.But Mardichi was already tossing back his head to throw it down in one hearty swig. “Let’s wait for the Lad to get back. He’s a bit mor
My mind was racing. Faster than a horse’s hooves as I considered my options. She embraced me tightly. “Forget whatever you’re thinking. Stay here with me baby girl!” “Here is where I was taken.” I reminded her. “Then I’ll gather all you girls and we’ll go somewhere else!” “Where?” “I don’t know yet. Just stay.” She stepped back to squeeze my hands. “Stay with me, Honey.” I wanted to. The sound of her sweet voice was something I’d badly missed. But Robin hadn’t gotten in with a bad lot trying to find me. Now I need to find him. But I knew nothing about bandits, their laws, or their weapons. But I know someone who does. And the truth was, I was aching to be close to him again. I’d missed his face every step I’d taken away from him. Now I need him. And somehow I knew, without a shred of doubt, that he’d help me. *** MARDICHI
“You’re a drunkard.” “But damn fun to be around.” He pointed out. “No. You’re not.” Mardichi gave a slight shrug. “That too, is a matter of opinion.” “What if she’s in trouble?” Acharius blurted about the young voice he could hear. “Then your old bawdys will care for her. They’re plenty vicious. Recall tha’ day they wouldna lemme in the house? I asked plenty nice and they…” He gave a low whistle. Acharius smiled fondly at the memory. “They were quite ready to fell you.” “I think they may’ve tried, too!” His voice rose slightly as he responded to Acharius’ comment regarding them killing Mardichi with the tiny daggers they’d wielded. “You were demanding to know if they had drink in the House.” Acharius defended. “Twas a fair question…It’d been a long morning.” “They thought you were a thief.” Acharius commented. “Shouldn’t you be out strolling Mane Country for Cimmerii?” “Ye mean
“I suppose.” He admitted. I turned and put my hand on the door. Realizing that every fiber of my heart wanted me to stay. Was screaming for me to turn around, embrace him and declare my love for him. But I can’t. I loved people before him. And I need to know they’re okay. And it was more than just that. Especially now. I need to know who I am. And if anyone else in my family knows how to control this… “Will you come back?” He asked softly. My gaze fell and my throat felt choked with emotion. “I don’t know…” “I travel to see the brethren often.” Mardichi breathed. But when I am not with them, I’ll always return here…For you.” He’s saying he’ll wait for me. Watch for me…Still be mine. “I don’t know how long it might take, if I ever did.” “I don’t care.” I stepped out and closed the door before the tears began pouring over my face. So, no
He’d lied. That was all I could think after it felt we’d walked for an eternity. He was incredibly spry. Nearly dancing on his feet as we walked through a meadow of tall wispy wheat grass toward a large hut. Well-built and beautiful. I felt a tingle of apprehension as I wondered who lived here. I thought it was apprehension. But it may just be my legs going numb. I’d sweated nearly all the way through the dress I was wearing. I was sure my armpits were dripping, and my hair was sticking to my forehead and the back of my neck. Mardichi jogged ahead to hold the door open for me. I was panting like a dehydrated hound. Dragging my feet and my shoulders slumped as I forced myself to take another step. Then another. I’m never going to get there. I was going to collapse into the grass first. He must’ve seen the distress on my face. He jogged back at a calm lope and swept me up
They were gloriously beautiful wings. Dark black with hints of a greenish hue which glinted in the sunlight sweeping through the trees and between the rustling bird wings around me. Everything around me seemed to quiet as I examined these things attached to my shoulders. Wondering where they’d come from. I reached out with hesitant fingers and grabbed the thickness of one. Startled by how warm, and real it felt. I didn’t know what I expected but this was the last of it. I’d half expected that my hand would sift straight through it. I flexed my shoulders, tensing the blades which I discovered, made the wings splay out and flex, to pointed tips. I moved my arms in, bringing my elbows together. Which made the wings wrap protectively around me. Instantly creating a cocoon of warmth. A blanket far warmer than any I’d ever climbed under. They’re unreal. Yet they were entirely so. Giving one a light tug revealed it was certai
I looked back down. Seeing that Mardichi was now bleeding badly. Though he was showing no sign of slowing down. The rodents were now dashing from the underbrush to tear at his slender legs. Ripping at tendons and trying to tear into something vital. One was currently hanging onto his soft stomach. Gnashing vicious little yellow teeth. Another had stepped out from the shrubbery. A flap along its belly began to lift and it loosed a woman’s cry. A sound that I’d have been certain was a woman screaming in distress. But there were echoing responses from every direction. Far too many out here. I could see them now. Coming from every direction with their hideous flicking tails. I felt a rush of heat and my teeth clenched. My arms felt like the bones locked out and my back felt as if it was ripping apart. There was a great flood of dark birds pouring from the sky in a swirl to come down and dump over the creatures. Blinding th
He caught me around the waist and pulled me closer against him. Holding me in the protective circle of his body. He shifted me to the other arm as he twisted to look over our shoulders and see the direction we’d just come from. Trying to watch everywhere. Nestled in the protective circle of his arms, I was reminded how massive he was. Nearly covering me with a shielding leg and his forearms. I noticed the trees seemed darker right now. Long twisted branches overhung the path we’d taken. There were empty bits of ground beneath where the leaves above didn’t let any rain or sunshine reach the forest floor. It was very barren in this area. I heard the first branch crack and realized what had so much of Mardichi’s attention. There’s something here with us. Once I noticed, I couldn’t help but feel it. A presence. And there were eyes. Someone’s eyes watching our every movement.
He stepped from view. I waited both excitedly and apprehensively. Wondering if he was still entirely him when he was in the other forms. He never seemed any different as the wolf. I doubt he will as the horse. I heard branches crunch and quickly looked up. Watching as the massive red beast stepped into view. My first thought was that I couldn’t possibly ride him. He’s too high up. And even if I could get up there, I wondered how I could straddle the width of his back. He’s as large as a cart. His hooves were huge with flowing hair, dancing in the breeze.His mane was as long and red as his hair and when he moved, I could hear the sizzle of sparks. I stared at him in astonishment. He walked near a boulder, prancing a circle before lowering his front half near the boulder. I hesitated. I had the deep sense that if I climbed up on that mount’s back. I was going to be forever
Afterward, we layside by side in the cool shade, watching the sunlight drizzling through swaying leaves above. I was entirely sated. My mind quiet for a time as I appreciate the view surrounding me. And the warmth of a man next to me. “This place is beautiful.” I remarked. Staring at the large, lush green leaves and the springy plants flourishing over the forest floor. Like a tiny piece of the paradise WaterRose was. I was suddenly heartbroken to be leaving. There was such a sense of security there. I understood why the Forever Knights didn’t want anyone to know about it. They carved out this tiny bit of peace and healing. I knew that for them, going to WaterRose was like having a home in the chaos. Somewhere family always was. I remembered how they’d all treated me. Even the Alpha. They’d made me feel like I was part of their oddball troupe.