They emerged from the wyrmhole first, silver-gauntleted hands on their longswords as they glided ahead into the mist-enshrouded terrain of what was called the Barrens. The description was apt, for the land was indeed barren, dead and devoid of all but the meanest brush and stunted grass. A wall of impenetrable fog lay directly ahead, shrouding all of what lay beyond. In front of the fog was a man who shielded his eyes from the wrymhole's brilliance with one hand even as he drew his sword with the other. Masiki smiled at his foolhardiness. Gile Noman could be called many things, but a coward was not one of them.
"Stay your blade, Gile. A battle against my Eidolon is one you cannot win."
The one-eyed man dropped to his knees and thrust his battered sword into the turf. "High Lady." He bowed his grizzled head in homage. "I did not expect you to arrive so grandly."
The wyrmhole glittered behind her. The circular threshold was framed by crystallized air, a beautiful aftereffect of distorting time and space. Creating such a portal required focus and experience that dwarfed that of any so-called master of the Crafts or the cruder form of Apokrypy. The view beyond was of shifting sands and merciless sun, the sky blue as a windless sea, devoid of even the dream of moisture. In the distance were peaks of steepled pyramids, shimmering in fever dream ripples from the heat. The threshold slowly sealed itself shut with a crystalline sound, cutting off the desolate view.
"You speak of the wyrmhole?" Masiki smiled. "There is no one left across the whole of Erseta that possesses the power to create one. No one but me."
"Yes, High Lady." Gile kept his eyes cast to the ground.
"Rise, Gile. It is time that you know what your next task is to be. Do you know what lies behind this fog?"
Gile stood, glancing warily at the Eidolon, who stood on either side of Masiki with their brilliant robes fluttering despite the absence of wind. They gazed back with hatred on their skeletal faces, deep-rooted detestation of everything that lived and walked about freely.
"I've heard rumors." Gile repressed a shudder and turned his good eye toward the shifting mass that shrouded the view a few paces away. "The Epanos people say the lands of the fog are cursed. Others say the lands beyond contain more riches than a man can dream of." He shrugged. "Many fortune-hunters have gone into the mists. None of them has ever come out. They say Tristan the Bright led his Victorious Legion within, seeking the holy Sword of Deis. He was never heard of again either."
Masiki nodded. "Beyond the mists is where you must go."
Gile's neck tightened, but to his credit, he did not hesitate. "As you command, High Lady."
Masiki laughed delightedly. "That is why I have chosen you for my cat's-paw, Gile Noman. You do not have enough sense to acknowledge your fears, so you swallow them and tread where even the bravest would tremble."
"You…have given me a chance." Gile spoke hesitantly, as though not familiar with expressing himself. "I was…nothing. You made me what I am now. I will do whatever you ask."
"Yes, you will. I do not doubt that." Masiki gazed into the line of billowing fog, where ghostlike shapes shifted forms and phantom lights played tricks on the eyes. "Beyond this fog is Aceldama, where the Co'nane reside. There you will find Alaric Aelfvalder, their lordly king."
"What will I do when I stand before him?" Gile's battered face was expressionless. Masiki knew he was prepared to do whatever asked; even should that be to slay the legendary and powerful lord of the Co'nane. Since his transformation, there was nothing that Gile would not do. He was her slave of his own free will, which made his services all the more effective. No one performed his tasks with more gusto than Gile, after all.
"You are to bring him news of his death," Masiki said. "And with that, fan the flames that will consume the world."
Enjoy The Eye of Everfell?
THANKS FOR CHECKING out this installment of the Shadow Battles series. I truly hope you enjoyed your time in Erseta. I’d love to keep writing these novels, but I need just a little help from you. Reviews help a great deal in spreading the word, which in turn helps sell more books. Which in turn allows me to keep writing. It doesn’t have to a long process: a simple 3–4 sentence review works wonders. Thanks again for reading, hope you stick around for the next installment.
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— BC
Glossary
Alaric Aelfvalder: Lord of the Co’nane. Keeper of the North when the Aelon still dwelt on Erseta, Alaric elected to remain behind after the majority of the Aelon departed from Erseta for the upper realm of Nolavani. He rose to power after the civil war with the Guelph and during the Scourge of Leilavin when the previous lord was destroyed by the Reavers. Alaric then rescued the remaining Co’nane at the risk of his soul when he descended into Ersetla Tari in order to bond with Mothros, a powerful fusorb.
Alexia Admorran: five year old daughter of Marcellus Admorran
Anon Misral: an ambitious member of the Malic Sect, assigned to Vivienne of the Obdura Sect to aid in overthrowing the nation of Kaerleon. While there, Anon assumed the guise of the Imperial Captain to further his assigned goals.
Anko: called the Shadow Prince. Legend paints Anko as the eternal enemy of Talan the Dawnrider, presumably slain in the Battle of Khelios. He is sometimes depicted as an inhuman shadow figure, others as a proud and jealous human lord of shadowy creatures. His origins are unknown.
Ayna Tlalli: an especially gifted Shama hailing from the Northern Steppes.
Brandon the Paladin: the last Paladin of the Five Sages. Brandon is especially noted in lore for forsaking the fusorb Nemon, freeing the entrapped lives that the legendary sword held captive.
Cully Golder: former Kaerleon infantryman, current innkeeper and tradesman in Letega.
Darroth Basilis: a warlord who became king of Bruallia, Darroth was notorious for his vicious acts of torture and a dangerously paranoid temperament. Responsible for establishing Bruallia as a military juggernaut before being assassinated by agents from Komura.
Dradyn: former soldier who retired to the quiet life of a groundskeeper for Lord Admorran in Royan.
Eagle Eye: a scout for the Onosho caste.
Endran Lucretius: the first king of Kaerleon, renowned in song and lore for his exploits and those of his legendary Lion Knights.
Eretik: an agent from the Arcana Sect, assigned to assume the guise of Regnault Lucretius in Kaerleon.
Evelina Admorran: wife of Marcellus Admorran.
Fregeror: a Norlander, nephew of Jolgeirr Arnmoor of the Companions. Joined the Huntsmen of Rhanu’bis after losing his firstborn to the akhkharu.
Ganbatar Basilis: Lord General of the Dragonist Order and older brother of Valdemar Basilis.
Gile Noman: former mercenary and pit fighter, now an agent in service to Masiki, called the High Lady.
Han: one of the Huntsmen of Rhanu’bis, hailing from the distant land of Honguo.
Harlin Masters: Doorkeeper for the King. Despite being portly in form, Harlin is light on his feet and a master swordsman. His weapon of choice is a poisoned rapier.
Ironhide: a warrior of the Onosho caste and a Nahgual, able to take on animal forms.