Chapter Nine – The Covenant of Four
They emerged from behind the two soldiers who were still at their control panels and walked quickly across the vastness of the metal floor beneath them. When they got up to William’s cabin, Hannah opened the door, before she stood to one side with a grin on her face. William curiously looked in. Sat on the bed, was a small black box which was otherwise unremarkable in appearance.
William gazed at it and scowled in confusion, “What is it?” He asked after a moment.
Hannah laughed, “Dreamscape on!” She shouted.
Instantly, the little room filled with bright, white light that dazzled and briefly dazed the pair before it quickly died back down and left a hooded figure, stood - and frozen in time, beside the bed. It was the figure of a man - cloaked from head to foot - that stood with a tilted head in submission with one hand cupped within the other. William stood and watched as shock and amazement gripped him.
Hannah beamed with delight, “I saw how much you liked father’s Holovision. I thought I would give you this. It’s a games device, I don’t use it anymore.”
William slowly walked into the tiny little room - still mesmerized - as Hannah followed him in.
“His name is Daryl,” she said quietly, “he’s like the menu - but he’s also the main character in the games. He doesn’t interact until you talk to him.”
William’s smile grew intensely and his bright blue eyes lit up, “Hello Daryl,” he said softly.
Daryl slowly raised his head and faced him, “Hello,” he said in a deep voice before he looked at Hannah, “ah, welcome Princess.”
“Hello Daryl,” Hannah replied.
“I have not seen you for a while. I hope that you have been well,” Daryl said with affection.
“Yes, thank you Daryl, I have been,” Hannah thought for a few moments about how to phrase what she had to say, “this is my brother, Prince William,” she said softly as she gestured, “ he has greater need of your services than I and so I relinquish you into his authority.”
“Hello Prince,” Daryl responded as he looked back at William, “What would you have me do?”
William thought about his reply, “What about a game?” He said still smiling.
Daryl smiled back, “May I recommend … The Rings of Control?”
William nodded, as instantly the little room filled, for a second time, with brilliant white light before it died once again back down and left Hannah and William - with yet another look of amazement upon his face - stood amid thick trees and lush greenery as sunlight beamed down from the canopy above them. As gentle music began to play, the scene - which they were now a part of - moved slowly passed them. William couldn’t believe his own eyes and glowed with excitement as Hannah happily watched the wonder on her little brother’s face.
“In the time when man was still young,” came a deep voice that filled the scene as the soft music played beneath it, “six Gods gazed down from the heavens at the world that they had created,” the voice paused for a few moments and allowed the music to play on, “they bestowed upon man, six golden rings that they scattered throughout his world. If found, they would enable him to control each aspect of the world around him. These six rings became known … as the Rings of Control. Man has sought them ever since,” once again the deep voice paused and the music that still played on grew louder, “to this day, only the Ring of Flame has been found.” The music played on louder still, as the scene that continuously moved passed the two siblings, sped up. The trees raced faster and faster passed them before it came to a sudden crawl and a small wooden cabin approached. The scene continued to move and the cabin continued to approach, until its wall - that had faced them - had now passed through them. They found themselves inside the cabin, next to a young man in a blue gown, as finally the scene came to a standstill. The voice came again, “your quest for the Rings of Control has begun!” At that, the music came to a crescendo before it turned into a quiet melody that continually played in the background.
“Hello traveller,” uttered the gowned man as he looked at William with shaded eyes, “my name is Daryl. I practice sorcery and I quest the Rings of Control. Would you join me on my quest?”
William nodded quickly; “Yes!” He exclaimed excitedly, “I am William.”
“And you, young lady,” Daryl announced as he turned his attention to Hannah, “What might be your name?”
“I am Hannah of Glitherhiem!” She quickly replied.
Daryl frowned in thought, “I do not know this, Glitherhiem.”
“It is a far-off land,” Hannah announced with her usual charm.
“Well, Hannah of Glitherhiem,” Daryl bellowed, “never before have I had ... such a beautiful companion.”
Hannah blushed and smiled sheepishly.
“The village of Firestrike lies to the north of these woods. It is a good enough place as any to start such a quest.”
William smiled and nodded in agreement once more.
“And you, young lady, what is your thought?” Daryl asked boldly.
“A fine choice!” Hannah Laughed.
“Then Firestrike it is!” Daryl announced, as he picked up his small brown bag and swung it over his shoulder. He griped his tall brown trekking stick that was propped up in one of the corners of the cabin, before he gently opened the door. Hannah sat upon William’s bed and gestured for William to sit beside her. As he did so, Daryl stepped through the door and out into the glorious day as the scene suddenly began to move once again and the wall of the cabin rushed toward the pair of siblings - who were now sat side by side - and sped through them, until they too, were out into the glorious sunshine once again. Daryl walked leisurely along the stony path that he was now upon as he griped the string of his cloth bag tightly to his shoulder and flicked his tall brown trekking stick as he walked. Hannah and William sat on the bed eagerly behind him, as once again, William gazed around in awe and Hannah watched - with satisfied pleasure - that she had given her brother a wonderful gift indeed.
Before long, the edge of the wood came into the scene and so too, did a big, blue wooden sign; upon which, sat the elegant calligraphy, of the words which simply read: ‘Welcome to Firestrike’. As it passed them by, a mighty wall of wooden logs - that surrounded and protected the village before them - came out of the ether as it gradually revealed itself whilst two monstrous wooden gates granted or declined access to the small community within. More and more of the old village came slowly into the scene as Daryl and his companions neared it. As they approached, the mighty gates slowly opened, as if they possessed a will of their own and had sensed the presence of their visitors. Daryl calmly ambled in followed surely by Hannah and William - who were still sat on the bed behind him - and who seemed to simply float in on the air with excitement upon their faces.
A thunderous hammering quickly pelted William’s door as it grew quickly louder,
“Dreamscape pause!” Hannah shouted as they both glared at the door as it flung swiftly open. Thysis stood in the doorway with a terrified look upon his face as he panted madly for breath, “Come quickly!” He shouted as he ran away. The two worried siblings bolted out of the small cabin and ran to follow Thysis - who was already hanging in wait of them from the top of the small ladder that led up to the deck.
“What is it?” Hannah shouted, “What’s wrong?”
“The witches!” He replied quickly, “they want to see William!”
With that, Thysis and Hannah instantly vanished and the ship fell into instant gloom. William stepped back in alarm and as he looked frantically around in the silent, dim light, only emptiness - void of all other life - surrounded him. A small amount of starlight and a light breeze raced down the small ladder and invaded the ship from the open hatchway above. Slowly and after mustering up the courage, William gradually approached the ladder and began to climb it.
“Ah, there you are, little Prince!” Came an old, crackly voice as William climbed through the hatchway an
d up on to the deck. An old woman with a smile upon her face stood boldly before him with three more behind her.
“Where,” William squeaked nervously before he swallowed his fear and spoke up, “Where are my friends?” He asked in a sterner voice.
Only the old lady that stood directly before him spoke, as the other three giggled - like bashful schoolgirls - just behind her, “I,” she paused, “Am Hildetta and you are the only one that we wanted to see.”
William looked nervously at the witches before him as he thought about his next move.
“And now that I have your attention,” she said quietly as she reached into her neckline and pulled out a solid gold cross; “I believe that you were looking for this!” She snapped.
“The Cross of Lomax!” William uttered in surprise.
“Yes!” Snapped the witch once again, “Indeed!” She snarled as she tucked it safely back away and patted the material of her blouse that covered it, “do not pretend that you do not want it for yourself!” She shouted with pure venom in her voice, “You … and your Master Mage friend!”
William instantly glanced passed the witches to Avarian’s little cabin.
Hildetta laughed hysterically, “He cannot help you!” She smirked with an evil glint in her eye as the other three continued to giggle safely behind her, “And you cannot have my cross!” She snapped as she clicked her long bony fingers and all four of them instantly vanished.
Immediately, a mighty tear ripped wide open in the side of the monstrous balloon that carried the ship. Swiftly and sharply the Firefly dropped - and raced, with mounting speed, down toward the uncharted wilderness below. William flew off of his feet and crashed squarely into Thysis - who had struggled to stay within the hatchway - before they both fell, with a bone-breaking thud, back into the doomed ship. Instant chaos lay all around as quickly and intermittently, a bright red light fluoresced and flooded every nook and cranny of the condemned vessel - accompanied, each and every time, by a tremendously loud alarm as it plummeted uncontrollably out of the sky. The speed of its descent spiralled drastically out of control as soldiers poured out of their cabins and tried for all that they were worth to stay upon their feet. They fought their way as quickly as they could up the tiny ladders and into any third-level cabin that they could squeeze themselves into to ride the journey out.
A vibrant blue glow emanated from Avarian’s little cabin as its door explosively shot quickly across the deck. The strange glow dramatically intensified as it grew quickly and swallowed up large portions of the ship until the entire vessel glowed brightly in the night sky. Gradually, their descent began to slow before they crashed violently into the ground and slid across the entire length of the muddy clearing that had now surrounded them. Grass and mud flew high into the air, as the might of the downed ship came slowly to rest. Eventually, the vivid blue glow faded to nothing and the dead of the night closed slowly back in.
The grounded ship - with its still deflating balloon - sat in peace and darkness for a long while. The deafening alarm had ceased upon impact, so too, had the fluorescing red light. Eventually, the ships lights came back on and cabin doors began to open. Soldiers slowly re-emerged and made their hazy ways to their own cabins to gather weapons and supplies.
Zaybian, Thysis, William and Hannah were still squashed up in William’s cabin.
“Well!” Announced Zaybian, “everyone out!”
William slowly turned the heavy handle and the small door swung slowly open. With hesitation - and sensation returning to his legs - he slowly stepped out of the small cabin, followed by his guests.
“Everyone O.K.?” Asked Hannah quietly.
William quietly nodded as Thysis shook his head; “Let’s not do that again,” he chuckled.
“Well! Come on,” roared Zaybian as he led the way down to the formation of soldiers that was already building.
By the time that they had reached the control panels, all of the soldiers were stood before them with loaded rifles and backpacks, full to bursting, with equipment and supplies.
Hannah put on a brave face and stepped slowly forward, “Does anyone have any ideas?” She asked as she addressed the crew.
Silence filled the ship like never before until one of the soldiers plucked up the courage to speak, “I was co-pilot,” he said quietly, “as we left Devil’s Rock,” he paused.
“What is it?” Hannah smiled warmly.
“Well … Just as it was getting dark, we flew over a town … or a village,” the soldier paused once more, “can’t be more than a day’s march,” he added.
“And you would be confident of the way there?” Hannah asked.
The soldier thought whilst another spoke quickly up; “We’ll find it easily enough!”
“Avarian!” Thysis interrupted as he noticed him climbing down the ladder, “are you alright?”
“I am,” Avarian replied with a smile as he slowly approached, “I thank you for your concern my friend and the village sounds like an excellent idea,” he added, “the ways of Remanon are not always clear to us, perhaps,” he paused in thought, “we were meant to go there.”
“Well, it’s that or we stay here forever!” Zaybian laughed with all of his usual charm.
“May I then suggest that we do stay here - just for tonight,” Thysis added, “and leave when it’s light?”
“O.K.!” Hannah announced, “Sounds like we’ve got a plan,” she added as she spoke up, “First thing tomorrow, we find that village! Everyone go back to your cabins and rest up.”
Suddenly, Avarian awoke - some hours later - and sat quickly upright on his bed. After a moment, he rushed out of his cabin and flung the mighty hatch swiftly open, he climbed quickly down the ladder and rushed toward Hannah’s cabin. He knocked furiously on the door until Hannah came out in a panic,
“Whatever’s the matter Avarian! What’s wrong?” She asked in some distress.
“We are under attack,” Avarian stressed quietly, “we have time, but the spirits have shown me disturbing things to say the least.”
Hannah quickly ran up to a small red button that sat calmly on the wall near her cabin and slammed her hand hard against it. Instantly, a loud alarm continuously blared out and after a few minutes all of the soldiers began to pour out of their cabins - fully dressed and fully armed. Hannah released the button and the alarm ceased, “Avarian tells us that we are under attack!” She shouted before she paused, “Form up!”
Instantly, the soldiers ran along the thin walkways and raced down the ladders to form up in the belly of the ship once more. Hannah wasn’t far behind, whilst Zaybian and Thysis were already waiting at the controls. William stood in confusion as Avarian approached, “Stay close to the Reapers, my Prince,” he said quietly before he ran after the rest of the crew followed quickly by William himself.
“I shall go out first,” Avarian hastened as he hurried to the door with the soldiers eager to fight just behind him. Hannah opened the door and lowered the ramp as Avarian ran quickly along it. He took a few steps away from the ship and raised his arms high above his head. Gradually the sky brightened until all that surrounded him was lit intensely.
Grotesque creatures seemed to fill the field of view and numbered in their thousands as they slowly approached the seemingly vulnerable ship. Quickly, the soldiers ran along the ramp and took up formation in the muddy grass just in front of Avarian - who still kept his arms high in the air and kept light on the situation around them. As soon as the formation was complete, the soldiers began to fire furiously into the approaching beasts. With each and every volley, hoards of creatures fell lifelessly into the mud, only to allow more and more of the foul beasts to step over them.
Hannah, Zaybian, Thysis and William walked slowly along the ramp and stood behind the soldiers. William watched with awe as Hannah and the other Reapers looked on with anxiousness. Zaybian’s eyes clouded over – just like they had done on Devil’s Rock, whilst Hannah tightly gripped the handle of her sword - as
she always did when she was tense - ready to put it to good use if the need arose. Thysis looked on quietly and calmly and glanced at William every now and again to reassure him. The seemingly endless assault of demonic creatures continued on relentlessly as the creatures themselves continued to fall. Eventually, the assault slowed, until there were no more creatures left to come. When the last of them had fallen, the soldiers cased their fire and waited nervously in the cold. Countless bodies lay perfectly still in the mud, as silence, once again, returned to the night and a light rain began to fall. Slowly, Avarian lowered his arms and the light began to fade away. By the time that everyone had retreated back aboard, complete darkness had renewed its grip and the Firefly slowly closed its door once again.
The morning quickly came - without further interruption - as the entire crew, Ivor included, sat about the two long tables in the depths of the ship and ate a stout breakfast.
“Do you know what keeps an army marching, William?” Zaybian loudly muttered as he sat across the busy table - directly opposite him - whilst his face overflowed with food.
William thought as a blank expression took a hold of him whilst Hannah smiled and quietly laughed at them both.
“A good breakfast!” Zaybian blasted after a few moments. Laughter erupted from all around, “Let’s here it for Ivor!” He bellowed, followed instantly by an almighty roar from the rest of the crew and the deafening din of their cutlery as it was repeatedly banged upon the table tops.