Chapter 23
Shaloul
Lot's scream brought everyone inside the forge out of their slumber. The Thief sat upright, white as a ghost and sweat dripping from the end of his brown hair.
"What is it?" Locmire asked as he hurried to Lot's side.
"It's Thaddeus," Lot said, looking around the room as if he had just woke from a terrible nightmare. "Something bad has happened to him!"
"Did you have another vision?" Locmire asked again.
"They are in danger. Something evil has fallen upon them," Lot answered. He got up and packed his belongings. "We must go to them."
Locmire pulled the stone from within his robes. "The portation stone has been placed. We can travel to them if everyone is ready," Locmire said.
"Me be's ready," Red said.
"Let's go," Oggy replied.
Urganox nodded his head.
"We travel at once," Locmire said. "Everyone come close to me." They all huddled around the Wizard as he held the tiny stone in front of him. "Make sure you all set your mind upon Thaddeus. It does not matter his location, the stone will lead us to him," Locmire told them. "This is not a very comfortable way to travel, and I am afraid that you will all experience great pain. Is everyone ready?" Locmire asked.
They all nodded.
The surrounding air swirled, and their bodies shook violently. A piercing, high pitched noise erupted from the stone. The portation stone fell to the floor of the armory and produced a blinding, white light. They closed their eyes and shielded themselves with their arms. They faded away with the dying of the light.
The next thing Lot knew, he found himself lying face down in a hole of water. He pushed himself up to find Urganox, Oggy and Red doing the same.
"Where are we?" Lot asked.
"Some place you do not want to be," a voice said to him.
"Who are you?" Lot asked. "And where are we?"
"I am Azonis Ferrini, and you are exactly where you appear to be. Inside a deep hole."
The Sestian! If he is here, then Thaddeus must be nearby. Lot looked around to find Azonis's words true. He looked up to see Locmire hovering above the pit with his staff in hand. That is not a good sign. "Have you saw my brother, King Thaddeus Graystone?" Lot asked.
"He is the reason we are in here," Azonis replied. "He has gone mad."
"What?" Lot asked, shaking his head. "What of River and Caleb?"
"She is stricken with the madness as well," Azonis replied.
"We have not seen Caleb. I fear the worst for him," Rasmere said.
"Can we get out of here?" Oggy asked, looking around at their soon to be watery grave.
"I do not think so," Rasmere said. "The pit is too deep and the sides too slick."
"Locmire!" Urganox called. "Get us out of here!"
The Wizard paid him no mind.
"What is he doing?" Oggy asked.
"I do not like this," Lot answered. "Locmire! Locmire!"
Locmire still did not reply. He appeared to be speaking with someone. Slowly, the Wizard floated out of their sight.
Locmire approached Thaddeus and River, but it was not the Thaddeus and River that he once knew. The bones of their faces had enlarged and shifted, and their eyes had turned to that of a ghastly white. Locmire surveyed his surroundings. He saw the villagers of Rand strung up in a tree behind them, pleading for their lives. They hung by their ankles like livestock ready for slaughter.
"Thaddeus? River? Can you hear me?" Locmire asked.
"River?" Thaddeus asked. "Why do you ask for her. I have not seen her for days."
"She stands next to you," Locmire replied.
Thaddeus looked at Emilia and then back at the Wizard.
"I did not think it true, Locmire." An evil grin grew on the King's face. "How could you? Why would you try to keep Emilia from me? You know how hard it was for me when I thought I lost her. Why would you try to take her from me?"
"Thaddeus, that is not Emilia. I am sorry, friend, but Emilia is dead. It is River who stands next to you," Locmire said. "Open your eyes!"
Thaddeus walked over to Locmire and stood in front of the Wizard. "I will not allow you to separate us again," Thaddeus said, driving his fist into Locmire's face.
Red looked up just in time to see Locmire go sailing across the top of the pit. "Did ye juss see dat? Locmire went flyin through da air!"
"We have to get up there," Lot said.
"No!" a voice whispered.
They all turned to see Caleb beside them.
"What is going on up there?" Lot asked.
"Thaddeus and River, they have lost their minds. He tried to kill me. They have the entire village strung up by their feet with barrels under them. I think they are going to sacrifice them," Caleb said in a shaky voice.
"Can you get us out of here?" Lot asked.
"I can," he replied.
"Let's get going then," Lot said. "We have no time to waste."
Thaddeus hovered over Locmire with an axe in hand. "I really had started to like you, Wizard. I am sorry."
Locmire released a wave of force from his palm, blasting the axe from King Graystone's hand.
"I guess I will kill you with my bare hands," Thaddeus said. He pounced on Locmire, but once again, a concussive blast from Locmire's palm knocked him back. Thaddeus flew through the air and slid to a stop in the muddy street.
Locmire got to his feet to find River standing beside the others. She had them encircled with a red orb.
"What are you?" Locmire asked.
A voice, not of River's, answered, "My name is Shaloul. Leave from here now, and I will spare their pathetic lives."
Shaloul? Locmire had heard the name before, a long, long time ago.
Shaloul was a demon believed to be dead. Long ago, five powerful demons, as old as creation itself, roamed Calencia feeding off of the emotions of desperate people. Their origins were unknown to the Wizards, for they did not create them.
There was Bak, the demon of fear. Traloo, the demon of lust. Jayneir, the demon of hate. Amalostein, the demon of need. And Shaloul, the demon of grief. The demons claimed to help individuals battling with their respected emotions. Repayment for their services: blood.
The Wizards of Fogarth eventually destroyed the demons because of the constant anguish and death they left in their wake, but it seemed that one had remained. It all made sense to Locmire now. Shaloul preyed upon Thaddeus and River in their weakest states. He knew that he must somehow drive Shaloul from their bodies, but still feeling the effects of depleting his magic, Locmire was not sure that was possible.
"You know I cannot do that, Shaloul," Locmire replied. "I fear you have picked the wrong persons with whom to make your blood deal. Release them from your control. Now!"
"Fool!" Shaloul cried out. "Kill him!"
Thaddeus rushed forward. Locmire stretched out his arm and his staff came to him. He aimed it at the ground at Thaddeus's feet. King Graystone's feet came out from under him, and he fell face first into the mud. Thaddeus slid through the street on his back as if being drug by an invisible force. Locmire pinned him up against the side of a building. The Wizard turned on River, hoisted her into the air, and secured her next to Thaddeus. He walked over to them and laid his staff on the ground.
"Release me!" Shaloul cried. Her voice coming from both River and Thaddeus simultaneously.
Locmire waved his hand through the air, and the villagers fell from the tree. "Leave from here!" Locmire cried. The villagers did not need to be told twice.
"Stop it! Release me now or I will kill these two from within!" Shaloul threatened.
Locmire waved his hand once more and freed the others from their crimson imprisonment.
"Stay with the villagers. Keep them safe," Locmire ordered.
"What are you going to do?" Lot asked as he ran to Locmire's side.
"I will try to deliver them from this demon. If I am unsuccessful, you must kill them, or me, which ever body Shaloul is inside. Once you
do, you all must flee from this place as fast as you can. Go to Dead Marsh and speak with the Queen and continue on with your quest," Locmire said.
"I can help you!" Lot cried.
"No!" Locmire said. "You heard what I have said. Leave!"
Lot stood torn between obedience and stubbornness. Obedience won after one more stern look from the Wizard. Lot led the others out of the town and to the front gate.
"Your uncertainty tells me you cannot defeat me. Leave now before it is too late," Shaloul hissed.
Locmire placed his hands upon the heads of both River and Thaddeus. He lowered his own head and began to concentrate.
The storm was now at its full fury. Lightning touched down all around them. The longer Locmire stood with his hands upon their heads, the angrier the storm became.
Locmire's body became erect. Thaddeus and River fell to the ground. Locmire threw back his hood and tore the goggles from his head. His baby blue crystals had turned to that of molten gold. He stumbled through the town, falling to his knees, picking himself back up and trudging forward.
Locmire made his way to the back of the village. It took all of his will to hold his hands in front of him and blast open a hole in the wooden wall that surrounded the village. He stepped through to find himself face to face with the edge of the cliff on which Rand sat. Below him was a rocky bottom where bits of the cliff face had fallen off over the years. It was at least two hundred feet to the bottom.
Locmire entered the village once more and looked around until he found the area where they kept their livestock.
Locmire entered the pig pen and picked up one of the baby swine. Through great effort, he brought it to the opening in the wall. Placing the piglet on the ground, Locmire fell to his knees beside it. He placed his hands on the pigs head and tried his best to focus his thoughts. After several minutes he felt the demon release hold of him. The pig tried to run away, but he caught it by the back leg.
"What have you done to me?" Shaloul cried. "Why can I not leave this beast's body?"
The Wizard picked up the small, pink, pig and carried it to the edge of the cliff.
"What are you doing? Release me! Release me now!" Shaloul cried from within the piglet.
"As you wish," Locmire said, tossing the piglet over the edge.
Locmire listened as Shaloul's cries became fainter and fainter as the demon fell through the air. The piglet's body crashed onto the rocky bottom below, silencing Shaloul forever.
Locmire stumbled back into the city and sat down in the mud. He summoned his staff, then his goggles. Placing them back on his head, Locmire took a deep breath and sprawled out on the cold, wet ground. The rush of life overwhelmed him as it flooded back into his body. It had taken all of his will to prevent Shaloul from taking control of him.
Locmire got to his feet and used his staff like a cane as he walked over to check on Thaddeus and River.
Thaddeus sat up and looked around, confused at why he was lying in the street in the middle of a storm. River was conscious, but unable to move. Shaloul resided inside of her for a long time, causing her body to shut down when the grief demon separated from her.
"Locmire?" Thaddeus asked. "Am I dreaming?"
"No, Thaddeus. I am here," Locmire replied.
"What is going on?" Thaddeus asked. "Where am I?"
"Do not worry. All is well. I will explain everything to you, but first I must bring the others," Locmire said.
Thaddeus rubbed his head and laid back down against the gate. Locmire sent a red flare up in the sky to signal the rest of their party. Thaddeus sat back up as he heard the barking of Ryker, his Hormut, approaching him. His canine companion jumped in his lap and licked his face.
"Down boy, down," Thaddeus said as he tried to get Ryker off of him.
"Is everyone well?" Lot called out as he rushed to their sides.
"Everyone is fine," Locmire answered. "Just a little shaken."
Lot stood over Thaddeus. He stretched out his hand and held it there several moments before Thaddeus accepted it. Lot helped him to his feet. The two brothers shared a respectful stare.
Why are you so stubborn? "Are you well?" Lot asked.
"I am fine," Thaddeus replied. "You?"
"Yes," Lot answered. "I am thankful that we are all united once more."
"Good," Thaddeus said, as Lot patted him on the shoulder and walked over to check on River.
King Graystone turned to find Caleb sitting on the ground. Thaddeus tried to help him up, but Caleb shunned his efforts.
"What is wrong?" Thaddeus asked. "Take my hand."
Caleb did not answer. He stood, turned his back to Thaddeus, walked into one of the homes.
"Ye be's alive biggin!"
"It is good to see you, Red," Thaddeus answered as the Pirate grasped his hand and gave it a good shake.
Locmire introduced Thaddeus to Oggy, the only member of the group with whom he was unfamiliar.
"Nice to finally meet you, King Graystone," Oggy said, as she shook the Human King's hand. Thaddeus winced in pain.
"And you, King Stonefist. I am glad we have the pleasure of meeting. I am just saddened over the circumstances," Thaddeus replied.
"Hopefully this will be the beginning of another great friendship between the Dainties and the Humans," Oggy said. "It has been far too long."
"I am certain of it," Thaddeus answered.
"King Graystone," Urganox said from behind him. "Have you grew smaller?"
"You have only gotten larger, my green friend," Thaddeus replied, as he took Urganox's hand in his own. "How do you fare?"
"Well as can be expected considering the fate of my kingdom," Urganox answered.
"Your kingdom? What has happened to your kingdom?" Thaddeus asked.
"Have you not heard?" Urganox replied.
"No, I have not," King Graystone answered.
"Morgorath has fallen at the hands of Hasbarie," Urganox said.
"I am truly sorry, Urganox. I promise you that Hasbarie will pay for his crimes," Thaddeus said.
"Yes. Yes he will," Urganox said with a hint of sadness in his rough voice.
"I am sure you know Azonis and his Sword, Rasmere," Thaddeus said to Urganox.
"Yes, we have met," Urganox replied, as he shook their hands.
"Oggy, I would like to introduce you to Azonis Ferrini and Rasmere Elmidas of Lasticall," Thaddeus said.
"The pleasure is all mine," Oggy said. "I look forward to our new friendships."
"As do I," Azonis replied. "I do not wish to seem rude, but I am going back to my sleeping quarters. It has been a long night."
"No offense taken," Oggy answered.
Azonis gave Thaddeus a menacing stare and walked away in the dark night.
"What happened to his face?" Oggy asked as Azonis walked away.
"Don't speak of that," Rasmere said.
"What is wrong?" Thaddeus asked Rasmere. "Why is everyone acting so queer toward me?"
"Do you not remember?" Rasmere asked.
"Remember what?" Thaddeus asked.
"You threw us in a pit intending to kill us. I know you were not your own person, but the others seem to be having a hard time accepting it. They will be over it in a day or so," Rasmere answered.
Thaddeus could not believe what was happening. This whole series of events felt like a bad dream. It pained him to think that he tried to harm his companions, his friends, even under something else's influence.
Locmire placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Thaddeus, do not burden yourself with things you cannot control. It will be better on the morrow. We must all sit down and discuss the events that have taken place tonight and during our recent travels. All is well, my friend," Locmire said.
Locmire patted Thaddeus on the shoulder and left to check on River.
As Thaddeus stood in the pouring rain watching the party members become acquainted with one another, a great burden lifted from him. His brother was safe, and the entire group, minus
Queen Venumroot, was now together. It would not be long before they confronted the Dark Wizard. Although his companions were a bit uneasy, or angry, around him, Locmire's words somehow assured him that everything would be well. I wonder if he has seen this turn of events in the prophecy? Thaddeus thought.
Locmire gathered the group and directed them inside of Rand's large meeting hall. It took the Wizard a great deal of convincing before the villagers would allow them to stay in Rand for the remainder of the night, but large sums of gold have a way of solving most grievances.