Her Danse Macbre

  The sea hittng the rocks had always calmed him since he was brought to Rycor Island. Resting his fingers against the black leather belt he wore around his waist he stared off in silent contemplation. Kel parted his lips and inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air fill his lungs filling him with a revitalized sensation. The ocean to him was always constant, always there. It may change in squalls and storm but it always flowed vastly. “Kel, staring out at the sea again? You should get out more, be among people. All you focus on is our studies, our work, and that sight.” His best friend and age-mate, Marco commented coming up to stand next to him. Marco was fair haired with warm, honey colored eyes well Kel hair was the color of raven’s wings and his eyes like the ocean he so revered. Kel gave a shrug of his shoulders, shaking his head a bit glancing at the companion at his side. Marco heaved a long sigh at the dismissal and reached out placing his shoulder on the other man’s shoulder. “You never tell me what is on your mind. We came to the Tower together as children and been at each other’s side, yet I can never gleam what is in your mind” the fair haired young man said with worry in his brown eyes. Restlessness rippled through Kel’s weary body as he fixed his eyes on the ocean, feeling the longing rising like a sharp knife in his heart. The sun was past its zenith and made its decent behind the distant mountains. Finally the young man was able to tear his gaze from the sight and finally addressed his companion. “It’s time to go” he said calmly and followed the rocky path back to the Guild of Thieves. The flags on the grounds fluttered in the wind. The building itself was built of ebony-black stone with thick walls that kept the elements from breaking it down. The four towers spiraled up with opened arches with fire pits in the middle to only be lit if under an attack. The two young men passed the outer gate and entered the sprawling compound filled with acolytes in their studies, scribes recording the history of their works, and professionals who go about their work. The Guild of Thieves was not just their namesake but something greater and more important. During ancient times the Guild of Thieves was collectors of information and the warriors that battled the supernatural creatures of old. In the days of old the spirits and beings of shadows would strike fear in humanity. Not all the creatures of Woe were evil, but many were. The Guild would steal objects of power and wield them to participate in this unseen war, thus how they got their name. Thievery though illegal became an important part of survival in the uncertain times. Kel Evercrest at the age of nine-teen had engraved quite a name for himself within the ranks of the guild. His best friend, Marco wasn’t a thief like him but chose the passive existence as a scribe. Marco’s unflinching devotion to research and writing was often a reason for teasing, but Kel did admire his dedication. Kel considered his own survival and success to luck and nothing more. His arrogance caused all lot of his compatriots to grow annoyed with him. Kel considered it to be confidence in his abilities to get the job done. Marco trailed behind a bit and reached into the long cloak he wore, digging for a piece of parchment and a quill. It was always his habit to carry everything with him not wanting to miss a chance to record events. The scribe was a head shorter than his friend. Kel was tanned from being outdoors and training, Marco was pale from cloistering himself inside. Both crossed the threshold into the stone structure passing a floor stone with the motto; “Forever running in the shadows. Uncovering the greater mysteries of night”. Kel ran his fingers along the leather wrist band as he glanced around the large antechamber. Marco and Kel had been inseparable since they were both brought to the Guild. It ran into both their bloodline. The large building spiraled up high with wooden staircases leading to different rooms for training, studying, and other goings on. Hidden behind the walls were secret passages leading to secret rooms and armories. The guild held many strange secrets that even the older students don’t have the knowledge to unlock. They walked to the large lounge of the leader of the guild. Malphus Kalamus, was a man of advanced age wearing a long gray cloak with red stripes on it. He stood in front of his desk stroking his long grey beard. His eyes were gray with a piercing gaze at the two young men. Kel often commented casually that the man reminded him of an old owl or hawk when he gets angry at his students. The man’s eyes narrowed when the two came into sight. “Kel. I have assignment for you of great importance. In the Forest of Sorrow there is a ring of stones that has recently cropped up. Our agents have discovered that it is a passage to the lair of the god Esus, the lord and protector of trees. We need you to steal the sacred Onyx Eye stone from him.” The older man stated, giving his orders. Kel wondered why this was required, angering a god that was known for human sacrifice. It would be a dangerous venture, but the last time he questioned his superior it got him in all lot of trouble. Having his hands behind his back he nodded his head and smiled faintly, head bowed. “Sir, I would like to go with Kel. This adventure might be very dangerous, but each moment should be documented. Please. I want to accompany him and see what he sees” Marco spoke up, taking a step forward. Malphus turned his hawkish gaze on the scribe making both boys tense a bit. “This is a foolish request you make Marco, but if you insist to go along I will allow it.” The elderly man wouldn’t usually take such a request, but the idea of having an unblemished account of the events was more than inviting. “Be careful both of you.” With that they both left their master’s office and headed to get their things together. Going to the east wing of the compound Kel went to his chambers with Marco following behind. The room was small with the most basic of needs. Thick black curtains covered the windows leaving very little light to peer through. Kel opened his dresser drawer and pulled out his hooded cape and pulled it on, tying it deftly around his neck. Next he went to the carved mahogany cabinet and retrieved his bow and quiver filled with arrows. Turning his head he gave Marco and easy smile. “Let’s boot and rally” A cloud of mist lay close to the ground of the Forest of Woe when they arrived at its boarders. Marco was wheezing a bit. Though trained at a young age for athletic sprints, the scribe lost that skill from leaning over a book all day in a hard wooden chair. “Your late you know” a calm voice came from behind one of the nearby trees. Kel walked over and paused at the side of another young man, the fae prince, Fionn son of King Oberon and Queen Meave. Three years prior during the battle against the Poohka, Kel had saved his life from the jaws of the creature before his life energy was taken. By the rules of the Fae kingdom Fionn was to be his servant and protect him, despite being the prince. Of course both took this in stride being friends. At the fae prince’s side was his violin. It was made of a white wood oak with strings made from the hair of the kelpie, a water horse spirit. The violin looked like just a musical instrument, but it was also a dangerous weapon as well. The music was sweet when the prince wanted it to be or it could be used to drive his opponents insane. Kel had seen this power and it still disturbed him to this day. “Esus isn’t going to give up the sacred stone very easily.” Fionns’s words caused Kel to break his gaze on the violin nestled against the base of the tree and look at the fae. “Well, I figure he won’t want to give it up. That’s too bad.” Kel replied with ease in his tone. Fionn stood at his friend’s side shaking his head at the confidence the thief exuded. Glancing at the fae, the scribe walked forward clad in his pants and shirt, not having the equipment his friend had. It was common knowledge that Marco didn’t trust Fionn. Though it was a rule passed down through the generation that since Fionns’s life was saved he is sworn to protect Kel for all eternity. That still wasn’t enough to convince Marco since not much was known about the fae and ignorance led to fear. The three made their way through the forest. It was silent, no animals scattered and no birds sung. It was unsettling. Kel looked around from under his hood, taking everything around him as he had been taught. They came to the circle of stones that the agents had reported. The air seemed to flutter in the middle of the circle, flexing and dancing. The three of them walked through the strange air current at the center, not sure what to expect. Kel flinched as they came from the deafening silence to the loud explosion of sounds. Birds sang and animals skittered about around them. A trail led down to a waterfall, washing down from a distance. Great vines dropped down from the trees as if from a jungle instead of the Irish countryside. It was unbelievable to Kel at what laid before him. “I hope you’re getting this down.” Kel said softly to Marco and led him down the path. He expected any type of predator could come up and attack them. The path was shrouded in shadows as they walked along, every movement of a leaf on the trees and shudder of ground greenery made the three keenly aware of their surroundings. The forest opened up to a huge clearing shrouded by shadow, the moon barely penetrating the space. In the center was a circle of white salt with a star in the center. Candles were melted on the branches. Five stones lay at each point with orbs of different colors on each point. There was a sixth one at the center of the star where the Onyx Eye lay. Esus was nowhere to be seen. The whole thing smelled of a trap. Casually Kel bent down and picked up a stone and tossed it up and down in his hand. With accuracy he cast the rock into the circle expecting to come upon some sort of force field or alarm. Nothing happened; the rock skittered across the clipped grass and sailed out of sight. “It’s clearly a trap…Kel, do not do this!” Marco said close to Kel’s ear. It was too late though. Kel was already running across the circle toward the crystal lying in the middle. “KEL!!” Fionn yelled, but it fell on deaf ears as a blinding energy came from between the trees and struck Kel before his fingers could even skim the stone. Hurtling through the air, Kel’s body crashed against the trunk of a tree. Marco stepped forward over the circle and stopped dead in his tracks, feeling his body going ridged. Out of the shadows came a tall figure. The creature looked like he blended in with the bark of the trees surrounding him. He was tall with long white hair falling down along his waist. Brown wood seemed to cling to his figure, his feet were hooved and he carried a long staff. Esus looked at them with his fathomless black eyes. “So, finally the Guild of Thieves has come to my neck of the woods. I expected it to happen sooner or later. Your people stealing magical items, and learning their secrets. Using these special items to get more and more power. Now I see they sent the cream of the crop to take what is mine.” The old man looked down at Kel with his black eyes. He towered over Kel staring down at him. Kel groaned as he tried to sit up, but the stinging in his body was almost too much for him to take. Esus was aiming the top of his staff at Kel when suddenly the air filled with a high pitch, splitting song sending the god back from where he stood. Kel winced and looked over at Fionn playing his violin, filling the air with his sour and horrifying sound. Esus growled looking out at the fae and glared at him. “You will join your master in death” he cried angrily. Kel was already up and reaching once again for the stone in the middle of the circle. “NO!” Esus cried and waved his staff to send another blast toward the thief.