Trying to forget his failures, Ayden questioned his superior as they walked. "Why didn't you take the money?" The people of Lostar had offered a huge sum of gold for capturing the black dwarf, who now walked solemnly between them. They were entering the forest in search of Shae Vale's prison, Hosgrow.
"We aren't in this for money. If you become a defender for money, you'll get greedy. With greed in your heart, it's easier to get distracted and easier for Degas to get a hold on you," Volos replied.
Even though Ayden understood what Volos was saying, he couldn't help thinking of all the things he would've done with the gold. He was still thinking about it when they set up camp that night.
"Hosgrow is only a few hours further, but it's best if we don't travel at night," Volos stated. Ayden immediately scanned the area for mischievous pixies and shadow dwellers; they would be thicker this deep into Shae Vale, and they loved preying on those who let their guard down, especially someone from the Other World, like him.
He shivered, thinking of man-shaped shadows called doons that could slither from one dark spot to the next like black snakes. He'd been hearing a lot about vampires lately, too. Those were creatures he wished were just romantic fantasy characters made up in the Other World.
Ayden quickly formed an organized pile of twigs over grass and lit a fire. The warm blaze helped to quell visions of creeping shadows and fanged beings. Volos knelt beside Skeezicks, who was tied securely to a tree. Ayden's respect for his mentor increased as he watched Volos carefully feed the dwarf. It was a strangely powerful sight; this huge, muscular, frightening looking man humbling himself by ever so gently feeding seemingly worthless creature.
A twinge of guilt pinched Ayden at his own selfish thoughts. Hadn't Freya and Volos shown him that he didn't need a lot to be truly happy? Still, a part of him wanted greater things sometimes.
Jynx sat at Ayden's feet and cleansed himself intricately from head to toe. Several minutes later, he leapt into Ayden's lap and purred contentedly. Ayden scratched the cat's chin, allowing the motion and Jinx's contented rumbling melt away his tension. As golden firelight danced among the trees, Ayden slowly drifted to sleep.
The sky was donning its murky-gray pre-dawn cloak when Ayden and Volos were awakened by a loud yowling. Ayden reflexively grabbed his sword before he could shake the sleep from his brain.
Jynx's smoky ears were plastered against his head, his back was arched, and his tail looked more like a raccoon's as it was puffed twice its normal size. He hissed and growled at the dwarf who worked feverishly at the last knot that still bound his ankles.
Volos leapt to his feet and had the dwarf's arms before he could twitch. Ayden grabbed the loose ropes and quickly re-tied the restraints. "Make sure it's tight!" Volos commanded through gritted teeth. As Ayden reached around the dwarf to secure the rope, Skeezicks bent his head and sank his teeth into Ayden's arm. Yelling, he knocked Skeezicks in the jaw with his elbow, causing the dwarf's head to bash into the tree behind him. His eyes rolled back as he groaned. Ayden pulled the knots as tight as his strength would allow.
When the commotion settled, Ayden turned toward Jynx. "Well, my friend, you earned your keep tonight," he said breathlessly as he rubbed his injured arm. Jynx sat and squinted up at him, looking smug.
Volos turned toward the eastern sky as he wiped sweat from the top of his head. "The sun will rise soon. Let's get ready to go. The sooner we get him," he gestured with his head toward the dwarf, "to Hosgrow, the better."
The sun was well into the sky and the day was getting uncomfortably warm when Volos came to an abrupt halt. Ayden looked around, wondering at his friend's sudden stillness. They stood at a large, vacant clearing covered with lush, green grass.
"What is it?" he asked Volos.
"We're here," Volos replied.
Ayden looked at the patch of grass, confused. He turned back to Volos. "I don't understand. I thought we were taking him to a prison."
"We have." Volos smiled and explained, "It's hidden with the same kind of magic that Freya used to fool you and your friends the day you tried to show them the weapons. It's a magic that must be experienced in order to learn."
"What do I do?" Ayden asked, not even attempting to hold back his excitement. He'd experienced the effects of magic before, but he'd never performed it.
"You have to concentrate. Focus all your attention and energy on the grassy area. Clear your mind of anything else--envision clearly what it is you want to see."
Ayden stared at the grass, trying to picture some sort of large, brick building with barred windows. Nothing happened.
Skeezicks released an evil, wheezing laugh and taunted, "He can't see it! He'll never see it! Humans can't do magic--they're weak. He wouldn't see it if it was a snake about to strike!"
"Quiet," Volos commanded. Skeezicks ceased talking, but continued to quietly wheeze. "He's only trying to distract you. You obviously can't enter until you release the magic around it. Try again. Only, don't imagine a prison from your world. In fact, try just thinking of the word, 'Hosgrow'. Focus your mind on that one word and nothing else."
Ayden wasn't sure he could make this happen. He could still hear Skeezick's ugly laughter, and his mind was trying too hard to comprehend how anything could actually be in that empty space.
"Can't do it!" Skeezicks blurted out, causing Ayden to jump.
That's it! Ayden's brows furrowed, determined to show that dwarf, not to mention Volos and himself, that he was capable of doing something right.
Focusing his attention, Ayden repeated over and over in his mind, Hosgrow, Hosgrow, Hosgrow? Slowly, Skeezicks' taunts faded and Ayden's mind cleared of anything but that one word. The air above the grass rippled, like heat over a paved road on a hot day. The ripples gradually slowed and took on a jelly-like form; something--a blurred white shape--shown inside the jelly, distracting Ayden for a moment. The forms dissolved slightly, and he forced himself to concentrate again. Finally, a solid, great, white stone building stood before them. Vines crept over the walls, their leaves shimmering different, brilliant colors. A silvery wooden doorway engraved with graceful designs stood directly in front of them.
Volos smiled proudly at Ayden. "I knew you'd be able to do it quickly. It took me twelve hours the first time I tried."
Ayden gave the suddenly quiet dwarf a smug look before he turned his attention back to the doorway. Volos raised a fist and gave the silvery wood two solid knocks. The door swung inward on silent hinges and a man almost as tall as Volos stood in the opening. His skin was as pale as Volos' was dark, but held a healthy glow. His straight, pure white hair brushed against his square shoulders. Much to Ayden's awe, pointed ears poked out through the hair. Eyes the color of blue ice which held contradicting warmth, sparkled at his company.
The elf's clothes perfectly matched his eyes and hair; a loose fitted, silky, blue, long-sleeve shirt hung delicately from his shoulders; and his pants were brilliant white. A silver sash hung around his waist and soft silver shoes peeked from the bottom of his pants.
"We have been expecting you, young Ayden," the elf said, his voice so smooth and gentle, Ayden was immediately at ease. Turning to Volos, the elf extended a hand and rested it on the side Volos' shoulder, his expression delighted at seeing a treasured friend after a long absence. Volos returned the gesture, also smiling broadly. "It has been far too long, Master Volos. Do you and your young friend have time to visit?"
Ayden found himself hoping that Volos would say yes. He liked this man, or elf, who carried a sense comfort and familiarity about him.
"You know I would love to stay a long while, Ahriman. Maybe just a tour for young Ayden. We need to get back to Freya; she'll be anxious for our return."
Trying not to become annoyed at Volos for suddenly calling him "young Ayden", the teen excitedly followed the elf through the doorway. He wouldn't have called the place a prison; white stone fountains spouted sparkling
water, and lush plants and flowers grew over the shining white walls, creating a restful scene. Void of a roof, the enormous walls yawned toward the cloudless sapphire sky. Smooth, marbled stones made delicate pathways through the same soft green grass Ayden had seen before the prison had appeared.
Frequently on their tour, Ayden would see what he would call an inmate sitting peacefully on a stone bench, reading or listening to music sung by elves or played on earthy instruments. The music was so full of hope and beauty, Ayden found himself wishing he could sit and listen for a long time. Some of the music caused him to blink back tears.
Ahriman raised an eyebrow at Ayden and then explained, "Our goal here is not necessarily to punish, but to help. Most often we find that those brought to us are not evil, only lost. We help them to face and overcome their pain and their fears. Most of our residents fully recover and are released. Sadly, there are those whose hearts have become so black and so hardened that they are beyond hope. They reside here."
They had come to a place much less appealing than the rest of the prison. A succession of large rooms surrounded by light gray stone stood before them. Openings vacant of doors or bars revealed inhabitants that, at first glance, appeared as normal as anyone. However, the darkness clouding their eyes gave Ayden a sharp sense of unease. "What's keeping them from walking out here?" he asked nervously. The gaping doorways seemed suddenly too wide as they walked from one room to the next.
"Do not worry," Ahriman smiled reassuringly. "The magic that holds them inside cannot be broken by anyone or anything from this world or yours. Only Death has the power to release them." Those words seemed unnatural coming from one so full of hope and promise.
Shivering, Ayden turned away from the gray area with the others. For the first time since they'd entered, Ayden looked at Skeezicks. The dwarf's skin was as pale as the walls and his yellow eyes were large and bulging. Ayden suddenly felt pity for the creature as tears welled in the black dwarf's eyes. He began to understand what Ahriman had said earlier. Maybe this dwarf wasn't so black after all--only lost and alone. He truly hoped that Ahriman would be able to help him.
After saying their farewells, Volos and Ayden walked back toward the trees and began their journey home. The creepy feeling from the dark inhabitants still lingered on Ayden's neck. He stopped and looked back. Hosgrow had vanished, leaving a blank patch of grass as the only clue to its existence. Concentrating, he willed to see the prison again. The only response Ayden received was an eerie moaning of wind through the surrounding trees. Stifling another shiver, he turned and ran to catch up with Volos.
Chapter Six
Secrets