Enchantress Awakening: Part One of the Book of Water (The Elemental Cycle 1) (5 page)

“The left way seems more familiar.”

“Then I will wait for you here when I am finished.” With that Dana walked on through a gap in a broken wall and out of sight. Caleigh turned left over the weed strewn white tiles searching for sight of the precipice that lay behind the shrine. After a few minutes she found the room she was looking for with its familiar two-thirds wall by the entrance broken pillars at the back and most of all the open side looking down over a sheer drop into darkness and a greenery-draped rising cliff face beyond. It was just as she pictured it in her dreams, right up to the diagonal crack that ran halfway along the centre of the floor. The same place she had seen Caerddyn and Albion standing together beholding a light and she had stood herself seeing the white robed lady of peerless beauty.

Dana had not lied when she said it was peaceful in the shrine, even the sighing of the wind in the leaves and the incessant birdsong that had accompanied them on the climb faded into inaudibility. The scuffing of Caleigh’s travel boots and the thump of her heartbeat were the only sounds louder than her tentative breathing.

Yet in all this tranquillity it was all the more noticeable that she was alone. Her footsteps had taken her to the very edge of the precipice and there she had stood for long moments and still she was alone. Two days ago, had she experienced this moment she might have felt despair. As it was, both Brother Adam’s words and the advice of Dana served to temper the fall of her heart. It did not mean her gift was not real, perhaps what she had seen was not a vision from these times at all but a flash of the past like she had seen after hearing of Albion from Cynric.

Her thoughts turned to the future and what to do once she returned to Connlad. It was clear that no matter what had happened here if she wanted to explore her talents further she would need the advice of those who knew more of magic than she or, for that matter, Dana either. Dana had told her outright and Cynric had hinted further that Tovrik had known that she was gifted. It was he, after all, who had left her what she needed to become literate. The natural thing must then be to contact Tovrik, who was ultimately the only living wizard she had ever heard tale of, and find out what it all meant. It was that or let her talent lie undeveloped and return to her unremarkable life in Connlad.

For a moment she contemplated doing this, resuming the simple life that until so recently had seemed good enough. Resting her foot over the crack in the floor she stopped her pacing and just focussed on that thought alone. The question was simple in the end, was she able, now this door had been opened to close it and accept that it was not to be or, moreover, did she want to?  A smile broke across her face, at last she realised what it meant to be chosen. Destiny cared naught for comfort or the plans of men and women; it visited whether it was welcome or no.

Ready to leave, Caleigh turned to the cliff face one last time in an act of goodbye and standing there where she had stood herself mere moments before was a woman, tall and slender robed from head to ankle in shimmering white. “You’re here!” Caleigh gasped. Slowly, tantalisingly so, the woman in white turned, the flesh of her upper arm visible in the slit of her sleeve twisting round to show the curve where her robe rode up on her full and very firm left breast then sliding round further so that hairs of dark blonde and light brown fell in front of the opening of her hood. Again, as she had been the first time she had seen it in her dreams, Caleigh was stunned by the beauty of the face that turned to look at her. Regal and startling; like a goddess of ancient times, whose perfectly chiselled cheekbones sat below eyes of the most sparkling, pale blue. Unusually for one whose beauty was so stark there was no sense of aloofness in her face, rather warmness spread out from her delicate mouth shaped into a smile of pure serenity.

Now standing full on Caleigh was also taken back by the sheerness of the robe that plunged from a wide opening around her neck all the way to below her naval, showing much of her ample cleavage on the way then parting again midway down her thigh. A slim golden choker was the only adornment upon her translucent skin and her feet were covered by silver sandals that wound up around her ankle and to the lower part of her shins.

For all the seeming tranquillity and calmness of the woman in white this was no casual appearance. In her peripheral vision Caleigh was aware of leaves being shredded apart by unseen pressures and that the very stones around her were singing with reverberations. “Caleigh” the woman in white spoke with the same resonating, melodious voice she had heard in her dreams, “we meet at last.”

“Who are you?” Caleigh blurted out.

“I am Loreliath.”

“What is it that you seek, from me, Loreliath?”

“I seek thy ears and thy heart to listen for a while. I beg of you, quell thy questions of now, for more answers will come to thee in thy turn.”

“But why me?” Caleigh pleaded, unable to hold back the words that had lived in her head ever since she had first beheld the woman who now spoke to her.

“I come to thee because thou art the very best soul to bear my message. Caleigh, enchantress and spellsinger, as too once was I. I called out to a thousand ears and thine were those that heard my voice. Well that thou didst for time is fleeting at the last. One thousand years of corruption have been visited upon the world and so have carved in the hearts of men a hole, deep, dark and wide enough for the Beast to rise again. This doom is now inevitable, yet defeat itself is not. Know thou of what I speak? Why should thee? Young eyes should not be asked to see all woes. For this I beg thy forgiveness.

One thousand years ago there was a sorcerer named Xyraxis; the most brilliant of us all in a time when we were at our zenith. The world could not contain his thoughts and so he looked into the darkness for deeper knowledge. The darkness looked back at him and in his soul the Beast made a dwelling. Xyraxis; all powerful saw all the world as his to rule and offered either domination or death to those that dwelt upon it. War erupted and consumed every known land until at last we that opposed him made a final union to attack him at the heart of his domain. The greatest heroes and mages of the age assaulted his stronghold and broke through to his inner chamber. There we vied with him until all our strength was sapped and all our power expended. Though only six of all our number remained at the end we cast the Beast into the void and as the great demon was borne from his body Xyraxis was rent asunder and so the tyrant was vanquished and there the darkness should have died.

Alas, that Xyraxis did not take with him all traces of his evil and his power when he departed. In the ashes of his ruin there remained five relics of his making; the gauntlets that covered his clawed hands, the cursed sword with which he slew so many good and innocent, the staff by which he wrought his dark arts, and the grim horned helm that matched his visage to the demon inside. In folly my fellows with whom I had stood side-by-side as we destroyed the evil one, decided to take these relics and use their great power to undo the harm Xyraxis had visited upon the world.

For a time their aim was noble and so were their ends and I joined them in their labours. From wreck and ruin we saw a new world take seed and did our best to aid its growth and steer it to more virtuous paths than had been trodden before. Then, when the work was done they found reasons anew to hold on to the power they had claimed at Xyraxis’ fall. Again and again I urged them to relent and finally we met together to discuss how to destroy these lingering works of darkness. At that meeting I was betrayed and together they bound me in a prison to which I remain to this day, tethered in all but spirit.” Loreliath was quiet at this, as though exhausted by the fitting such weight of history, events and emotions into so short a speech. Caleigh felt it too, for all the might and majesty at its heart there was a human being who had suffered greatly for the wrongs of others. “Wonders thou, why they did not kill me? They were not without foresight or completely bereft of pity. It was my power most of all that hurt the beast and I was part of the spell that banished him. As long as I live my power keeps the Beast at bay, or so they believed. For a very long time I believed that they did not kill me as they intended to release me some day. I am certain that was their original plan, but as with all their good intentions this notion has long since gone awry.

They were mistaken in their beliefs though. They thought that if they kept me alive it would be enough to hold back the Beast forgetting that they too were part of the spell. As each of them has let themselves be corrupted and has let darkness fill their hearts, so has the gate they held been opened. Alone I have striven but no longer can I strive alone. So now I ask of thee, bear this warning so that the Beast may not go unopposed.”

“I will.” Caleigh stated. Loreliath smiled and then just as quickly the smile faded to a pensive look.

“I would ask of thee a second great favour, too. The relics of which I spoke both attract the Beast and bind me. Should their masters relinquish them the forces of Darkness will be much weakened in their cause and so too I will be freed. The latter I would not ask for were it not joined with the former.”

“Why would you not ask for your freedom?”

“The task is great and perilous to any who would undertake it. My liberty alone is not worth that.”

“I will do all I can for you.”

“Do all that thou feel is right in thy heart. More than this, I cannot ask. Protect thyself thou hast a great destiny before thee, if such is thy wish.” Loreliath’s eyes shot skyward as if she had caught sight of a storm cloud above. “My prison draws me back once more. Fare well, Caleigh. I have seen thy heart and in it I trust. It is for this you are chosen.” A shadow drifted over the shrine and very suddenly Loreliath’s robes billowed forward and she disappeared into thin air. By the time the shadow had passed there was no trace of her or the power that had been present with her. She had gone and now it was left to Caleigh what to do next. 

6. Aftermath

Dana did not need to ask Caleigh if she had seen what she had hoped to see. The experience was etched on her face in an expression that contained bewilderment, excitement and determination all at once. Silently they descended the steps together and re-joined their companions at the waterside where they had left them. Words were exchanged and somehow Caleigh related what had happened and what it meant for her, though in a daze of which she would recall little later.

One thought did strike her clearly and came into focus a while later as they sat about the rocks at the water’s edge and ate their lunch; her friends seemed less surprised about her personal revelations than she was. “Well, we’ve always known you were a bit special.” Explained Ellie when pressed, “You don’t know what it’s like to be around you because you are you; ‘tis the one way in which your powers of perception fail you.”

“How are you to use your gift?” Penric questioned. “I know not what a wizard does afore they open their first leaf of spells.”

“Nor I, which is why I must see Tovrik as soon as I can.”

“Is he really a wizard though, I always thought his shows were made of clever tricks rather than real magic. I seem to recall him revealing the secret to some of them and it was merely a matter of fooling the eye; clever, as I say, but not magic.”

“Who’s to say what the difference between cleverness and magic is. All I know is that he saw this happening to me before anyone else and so he must be my best hope for answers. Dana agrees with me.”

“Why so, Dana?”

“Oh, I’ve known Tovrik awhile and believe me, the reason you think what he does is not magic is because that is exactly his intent.”

“Why would a real wizard pretend to be pretending to be a wizard?” Ellie posed.

“No doubt he has his reasons. It is not wise to let everyone know that you are different. You two should remember that and not tell anyone else what Caleigh has told you.”

“Surely it is safe…”

“I mean it! If you want to keep your friend safe you’ll say naught to any.”

“They understand, Dana.” Caleigh interceded. “I wonder how I will find Tovrik. He travels so much it will not be easy to track him.”

“Stay in Connlad for now, he’ll come to you I’m sure.”

“Tell us more about Loreliath, Caleigh. What did she look like, other than being beautiful?”

“She has the most perfect face, far prettier than mine.”

“Come now, Caleigh, you are being modest I’m sure.” Penric interjected.

“No, I’m not being modest. If I were not me I would describe my face as pretty but I would fairly say that hers is prettier still. She was tall as well, nearly as tall as you, Penric, with very long legs.” Penric’s eyes widened at the description. No woman in Connlad looked like Loreliath. Caleigh wondered if any other did anywhere.

They talked on but when all the food was eaten and had settled enough the party pressed on for the return journey. Not long into their sojourn they were enveloped in a fine spray of summer rain, the kind that while not heavy can soak a person thoroughly in a short space of time. Seeing the monastery before them, it seemed wise to stop there and wait for it to pass than risk ailment by carrying on in damp clothes.

The monks greeted them more briskly than before, stirred into quicker action themselves by the increasing wetness. They were quickly conducted indoors the living space where they had stayed before. Such was the effect of the rain that even in the short time it took to reach the monastery, the women were truly sodden. Penric, in his leather and mail was dryer on the surface but no happier for the weight of water had made his armour heavier and consequently his perspiration greater.

A hot bath was run in a reinforced wooden tub. To save taking turns and the water cooling for one of them, Caleigh and Ellie opted to take the bath together as they oft did at home. As usual Ellie entered first with Caleigh lying face up on top so that her far larger breasts were not squashed between their bodies but bobbed on the surface instead. Splayed out over her friend Caleigh always felt an unaccountable warmness in these moments of proximity, basking in contentment as Ellie playfully stroked her fingers over her face and shoulders.

“What can you do?” Ellie asked after a while. “With your powers, I mean.”

“Of late I’ve been able to sense when men have feelings of lust in my presence.”

“That must be near all the time, I expect.”

“It does seem that way.” Caleigh confirmed with a laugh.

“Can you sense such feelings between others?”

“Yes, at the banquet I could sense a lot of the men feeling aroused when they watched you, for instance.”

“Really? That’s good to know. Do you remember which ones?”

“There was a lot of lust in the room on that night I’m afraid. Why do you ask?”

“I was wondering whether you could sense if Penric likes me or not.”

“Well, I’m sure if he walked in right now I would feel strong surges of lust from him.” Ellie gently smacked Caleigh for her flippancy.

“Not fair, you’re here too and we know that he likes you.”

“Very well, I shall attempt to note it from now on.”

“You would not object to us coupling?”

“Why should I? If it makes you both happy then I have no objection. I have no right to claim or jealousy over Penric.”

“It would be understandable, nonetheless. You were together for near a year.”

“And we were friends much longer than that before. My love for him now is the same as ever; I could not resent him any joy.” Ellie seemed satisfied with this and Caleigh let her head droop back over her shoulder in a shallow half-slumber knowing she would not slide underwater by accident.

Almost at once her vision shifted from the bathroom roofing to scene outside in the grounds. A thin monk with the first touches of grey in his hair watched as one of the younger initiates carried boxes of apples from the gardens into the kitchens. The wet clung to his hair and made his robes stick. The elder monk looked on and Caleigh could sense from him a mixture of excitement and shame.

Barely had she time to contemplate this when she was looking at the interior of one of the sheds in the grounds. Inside another initiate was stooping over a roll of parchment containing a charcoal drawing of a young woman reclining in the nude. One hand gripped the shaking scroll while the other felt inside his robes. Again, the joy was tempered by guilt though of a different kind to the former.

The hut disappeared and was replaced by a grim and ancient-looking castle seeming carved from living stone and bearing many an image of skulls and gaping maws. Ahead of her a diverse group of people ran forward into the lower courtyards. Amongst them seemed to be peoples from all corners of the world, many of them never seen by Caleigh before; dark-skinned men with broad features, small pale figures with jet black hair, some armed and bedecked in armour of leather and bronze, others in robes of every colour that whipped about their legs as they sped forward.

In the middle of the group moved Loreliath in the same attire as she had appeared to her only with the hood drawn back and a long staff of white crystal in her hand. Following her and the group as a whole they moved further into the courtyard that quickly came alive with shouts and the sound of scrambling boots. Soldiers appeared draped in black and carrying shields bearing two twisting red horns upon darkness. Light of all colours flashed and many of the soldiers were blasted aside while the rest were met by the armed contingent of the attacking force.

Without pause for breath they kept moving forward into a corridor pacing towards an opening at the far end. This exit opened onto hall lined with pillars on either side that supported a roof that was open in the centre letting the strong glow of moonlight into the red-sand coloured room. At once the air filled with balls of fire hurtling towards the group that were intercepted by a sudden tidal wave upon whose crest rode dolphins of water, snuffing out the flames before they could reach their targets. Just as quickly the whole room became a storm of light as black robes and shaven-headed sorcerers duelled with their opponents rushing into the space.

Caleigh could barely follow what happened nor did she desire to. Between the screams and shouts, roaring flames and beasts erupting into thin air all around her people were dying. That most of these deaths were of Xyraxis’ minions was little comfort to her. To see a body burned to cinder or torn asunder by magic was grisly no matter whom it was who suffered. In the chaos she tried to keep her eyes on Loreliath, shining with bursts of white light desperately intervening every time an ally was in danger. Her power was frightening in its magnitude yet it was never used viciously or with malice and thus in this maelstrom hers remained a comforting presence.

The last of the black sorcerers was vanquished and all went quiet. Some of the allied mages began to run forward to the massive steps at the far end of the hall. Shapes moved in the darkness and with no sound or warning sable clad assassins were among them seeming to materialise from the darkness around the pillars or dropping soundlessly from the roof. Those who had run forward were butchered in moments; their attackers moving too swiftly to be struck with magic.

Caleigh did not get to see the conclusion to this; instead she was moved to the Shrine of Lost Souls but not as she knew it, for in this vision it was whole and undamaged, a fine temple of white stone. There she saw Loreliath surrounded by five men in varying attire and bound by chains, fire, lightning and thick branches conjured from nowhere. Briefly she struggled, energy crackled through the stones shattering columns and bringing down the roof in several places. Then, falling on to her knees the ground beneath her opening sucking her downward until she was lost from sight and the now cracked floor sealed itself over her. 

“Caleigh, can you hear me?” It was Dana’s voice. Caleigh opened her eyes and felt that they were wet and that her cheeks were hot. She looked around and quickly realised she was no longer in the bath but wrapped in sheets upon a bed, where Dana sat on the end leaning over her.

“What happened?”

“You were in the bath and you fell into some form of trance. Ellie had to drag you out and get you to bed. Nothing we did seemed able to wake you.”

“It cannot have been long, though.”

“You were like that for a good hour. We were very worried. How are you feeling now?”

“I feel fine, a little tired perhaps. I’m sorry Dana, it must have been much worse from the outside than it was for me.”

“Hush, what matters is that you’re well. Do you know what happened?”

“Not as such. My mind was alive with images of what Loreliath described to me, I cannot remember it all and I do not think I took most of it in when it was happening either. It was like I was running through several events happening at once and could only catch glimpses on the way.”

“Well, I claim no wisdom in this but it seems that you’ve been through much today. Rest now, we have much walking ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Dana, and thank Ellie for me.”

“I will. See you shortly.”

Soon after Dana left Caleigh drifted off to sleep but she did not sleep for long and was awake again when a knock came at her door. “Yes?”

“It is Brother Adam, may I enter?”

“Yes, come in.” Caleigh readjusted the sheets to protect her modesty then sat upright as the door opened. Adam immediately noticed the glimpse of bare shoulder and sent his gaze downward.

“I heard that you were here and that you suffered some kind of seizure. How do feel?”

“I am fine. I think I was just overcome with tiredness.”

“Ah. Did you find what you sought at the shrine?” Brother Adam’s pale blue eyes met hers and slowly widened. An effect amplified by their largeness and his slightly narrow chin that meant all gazes were inevitably drawn upwards. “By the blessed light!” he exclaimed. “I think perchance you have seen something? Tell me, Caleigh, were you visited?”

“I am not sure what you mean.”

“Please, Caleigh, do not seek to befuddle me. I see it in your eyes and by the light that glows from within you. If you have received a revelation you must share it with the world.”

“Why? Do you want her to be killed?” Caleigh had not noticed Dana enter but she had closed the door behind her. Brother Adam did not seem flustered; calmly he turned to address her.

“I do not follow your meaning?”

“You must know that the world is dangerous place for those who are special. I beg that whatever you think you have perceived here, you keep it to yourself.”

“I understand your concerns but, please, be assured you are among friends here.” Adam turned back to Caleigh. “I know not what path has been set out for you yet wither it may go, my sword is yours should you seek it.”

“Your sword? I thought this was a monastery.”

“It certainly is. We are the Order of the Sacred White Maiden, and we are the sworn protectors of her holy shrines. We are both monks and knights, some only the former, some only the latter, some holding both roles equal yet all of us bound by our vows to serve the most blessed lady.”