Inside the house was a small candle burning on the table. The small flame cast flickering shadows across their faces as they made their way through the darkness. They found his small bunk behind a crude curtain. Matu reached under the bed. ‘I’ve got it!
They returned to the table and he handed the book straight to Pandora ‘You look my reading is not so good.’ The binding was black and scarred. Pandora placed it on the table and opened it at the first page. They all craned their necks to see. The writing looked faded but they could still make out the name written inside.
‘Aloris of the Ao-chi,’ read Pandora. ‘It’s her,’ whispered Inara. Pandora turned the next page. It unfolded into a larger sheet however the marking were not clear except for five distinct symbols.
‘The gates!’ Said Ryel. They could see five archways marked with a circle underneath.
‘It looks like it but we have no way of knowing where any of them are?'
‘Perhaps one could take us to the gate over at Silver Lake!’ Said Inara.
‘Maybe,’ replied Pandora. ‘But we need to get back; we can study it more closely in the morning.’ They turned towards the door, as Egyn suddenly grabbed his head and fell to his knees. He was in pain; he let out a muffled cry. Inara knelt beside him.
‘Egyn, what is it?’ She asked. He sat up, tears running down his cheeks. He wiped them away with his hands, leaving dirty smudges over his face. He signed as he stood up.
‘He says something dark is out there.’ Egyn signed again. ‘When he tried to listen, it was like a knife inside his head.’
’OK I think it’s time to go!’ Pan opened the door and they started to run back to the Inn as something moved in the shadows ahead of them. ‘This way!’ Called Matu. They turned and ran towards the market square. ‘Look out!’ Ryel shouted as large, black and leathery wings swooped in front of them, blowing the dust into the air. As the dust cleared, the creature made a low rattling growl and lowered its head, looking straight at the five Shadow-Fighters. In the dark, they could just make out its horned, snake-like head on top of a long neck, its eyes glowing red. To their left they could hear a second beast clawing at the ground.
‘OK, whatever happens!’ Pandora called, ‘this time stay together!’ Her heart was racing but she knew they had to stay and fight. ‘OK, Aloris,’ she said to herself, ‘if you can do it, then so can I!’ She slowly pulled her sword from the scabbard, its edge scraping along the scabbard. Pointing the blade at the huge beast, she could feel her senses becoming more alert.
‘This is it!’ She called to the others. ‘This is when we let them know we are here!’ Inara drew out her long knives and turned to face the dark beast behind them. She crouched into a low, defensive stance and tapped the blades together menacingly. The metal rang out and the beast snorted like a bull. To his left, Matu could see more movement. He could just make out smaller creatures moving in faster. He removed his bow and placed the one arrow onto the taut string. It was as sharp as a needle, long with four spines running out from the tip. The feathers, usually a dull grey were now glowing pure white in the dark.
Ryel took position next to Inara and dug his feet into the earth, his armlets giving off a deep red aura that began to radiate over the rest of his body. Egyn stood in the centre of the four. He looked calm, the metal threads in his lasso shining brightly like a golden snake waiting to strike.
The attack when it came was fast and ferocious. Small, fox like creatures charged towards the group howling. Matu let fly his arrow and it struck its target. There was no sound, just a fog where the creature had once been. The rest of the pack continued to race towards the five Shadow-Fighters. Matu’s arrow was back in his quiver and he took out two more creatures in quick succession. Ryel saw the approaching pack.
Go help Matu! I will take care of this one!’ Inara went to Matu’s side and pointed her knives towards the pack. Two of them were close and leapt at the two fighters. Matu took out one in mid-flight. Inara dropped to the floor, the knives piercing the underbelly of the other.
‘Where did it go?’ She shouted as it dissolved into a cloud of smoke. ‘Who cares?’ He shouted back. The rest of the pack grew more cautious. They slowed and started to prowl around the back of the snake like demon. Pandora kept her sword pointed at the winged creature as it started its slow approach. It folded its wings behind its back to reveal two long, skeletal arms with razor- sharp talons. Matu let go another arrow. It flew straight through its chest. It screeched loudly, stumbling back, but it was obviously a lot stronger.
At the same time, the large bull-like demon charged at Ryel. He stood his ground and braced himself. It looked as if the demon was about to trample him to the ground. As the beast lowered its head, ready to gore him with its horns, Ryel feinted to the right and caught the beast with a fierce blow to its jaw. His strength was immense; the five were now realizing that whatever magic was running through their weapons was very powerful.
Ryel’s blow lifted the beast off its feet and sent it crashing into two of the dogs, killing them instantly. The bull managed to get back onto its feet. As it did, Egyn whipped the lasso around its neck, skidded under its front legs then pulled on the rope; it brought the beast down with a thud. Its eyes, like the others, were glowing red. The rope burned into its skin and the same black fog was rising from the wound. Inara ran to it and using both blades sent it swiftly into the blackness. Egyn’s lasso fell free; he coiled it back and went to stand next to Pandora.
‘They don’t seem too sure now, do they?’ Matu shouted. Three of the remaining pack waited behind the flying beast, looking for their chance to attack. It lunged forward, its black, horned head catching Pandora by surprise. She jumped backwards but her sandal snagged on the bottom of her dress. She fell hard, dropping her sword into the dirt.
The demon took its chance and raced at her. Inara ran in front and slashed at the demon’s arm as it reached out for Pandora. The talon disappeared into dust; the bird screeched out again, curling its long neck around to look at the damaged arm. Pandora seized her chance. She rolled over; picking up her sword as she did; then in one clean movement removed the giant bird’s head from its neck.
It vanished in an instant. The rest of the pack ran, but not before Matu picked off one more with his arrow.
‘We did it!’ Cheered Inara. 'We won!' ‘Wait,’ whispered Pandora. ‘Quick, into the shadows.’ They all pressed against the side of the barn.
‘What is it?’ Whispered Ryel. Pandora pointed to where the elders had been huddled together watching the battle. A shape was starting to form out of the blackness. Ryel began to move, but Pan placed her hand on his arm. ‘No, wait,’ she whispered.
A tall, hooded figure appeared out of the blackness, looming menacingly behind the four elders. As it opened its arms, a thick, black fog engulfed them all. The figure looked to where the Shadow-Fighters were hiding and then, closing its arms again, melted back into the night. Cautiously, they edged their way out of the shadows. Whatever had taken the elders had gone. There was no trace.
‘We could have saved them!’ Shouted Ryel. Pandora sheathed her sword, and then took Ryel’s hand. He was shaking. Whether it was with rage or fear, she could not tell.
‘I don’t think we could have helped,’ she said softly. ‘We should get back now. That must have been a Shadow-Lord, it could come back, and we need to learn a lot more before we face one.’
They ran back through the dark alleyways, but were cautious, all the time watching the shadows.
The Inn when they arrived was quiet, the celebrations over. Everyone had fallen asleep on either large cushions or blankets. The five new Shadow-Fighters crept up to their rooms. Pandora took out the book from inside her dress and placed it on the table.
‘We need to sleep and can talk about this in the morning.’ Everyone agreed. The adrenaline was now wearing off and all were exhausted. Matu patted the book. ‘Let’s hope she has some answers for us, otherwise we’re all in big trouble.
r /> The following morning the Shadow-Fighters were slow to rise, except Egyn who had quietly left the Inn at first light. Pandora opened her eyes; she could see daylight creeping in through the shutters, and Inara sitting on the ledge drying her hair.
‘So it wasn’t a dream then?’ Asked Pandora. Inara smiled back. ‘Sorry, did I wake you? I wanted to let you sleep, you looked so peaceful.’ Pan tried to sit up. ‘Ah! My shoulder!’ She called out. Inara came over to look. A large, purple bruise ran from the top of Pan’s arm to her elbow. ‘That looks sore; it must be from the fight last night.’ Inara continued drying her hair, and then added, ‘there is still a hot bath if you want, and it may help?’ A bath sounded wonderful and soon Pandora was chin deep in a now not so hot bath.
Downstairs, all evidence of the previous evening’s activities had been removed. Matu sat at the table, his head in his hands. The large platter of fruit, bread and cheese looked untouched.
Ryel came down the stairs and sat next to him, slapping him on the back as he did.
‘Good morning, how did you sleep?’ Matu sat up slowly stretching his arms. ‘Like a log,’ he replied.
‘And you?’ Ryel shook his head, and then picking up a large, bright red apple answered, ‘No, very strange dreams my friend, very strange.’ He took a bite, and then asked if the girls had been down for breakfast yet.
‘I haven’t seen anyone,’ replied Matu. ‘It appears we slept very late, and I have no idea where Egyn is.’ Inara and Pandora eventually joined the two boys. The girls had decided some changes in their attire were required and would be setting off to the market to look for suitable materials. Pan noticed the book in front of Matu. ‘Any help from my Grandmother?’ She asked, nodding towards the book. Matu shook his head. ‘My reading is not great, but this…’ he pushed the book towards Pandora, ‘reads like a puzzle! One minute a passage is there but if I turn a page, I can’t find it, it’s gone!’
Ryel picked up the book, studied it briefly, and then announced.
‘Whatever Aloris has written must be of the utmost importance. It’s pointless to continue until we find out what she knew!’ He looked at the others. They all agreed the book had to be the key. The two girls ate a quick breakfast, then left Ryel and Matu talking at the table. Each took it in turn in trying to make some sense of the book, but as Matu had said, it seemed to change at every turn of the page.
The main door burst open as Dill came running in. He looked at the two friends. ‘You had better come quickly!’ he called, and then ran back towards the door. ‘What is it?’ shouted Matu. ‘Are the girls alright?’ Dill looked back. ‘It’s the one you call Egyn. He’s been found behind the stables.’ He paused, and then added solemnly, ‘I think he’s dead.’ Both Ryel and Matu leapt up from the table and ran towards the door. Matu was gone in a flash.
When Ryel caught him up, Matu was kneeling beside Pandora and Inara. A large crowd had gathered to see what had happened. Pandora looked up and saw Ryel approaching. Her eyes were red, and there were tears running down her cheeks. She stood up and threw her arms around Ryel, sobbing loudly. He looked to where Egyn was lying slumped in the hay, like a rag doll. A large, dark red patch had welled up on the side of his face. The blood running down from his mouth and nose had dried, and his hair had become matted with blood. Ryel went to Egyn and gently picked him up then turned away from the crowd. The five Shadow-Fighters returned to the Inn, Ryel carried Egyn to the table. Matu closed the doors behind them leaving the following crowd outside.
This ends the first book in the Shadow-Fighters series.
By Kevin Bolger
Coming Soon
Book II Henyk The Witch Of The Wood
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