Possessing the Grimstone - By John Grover Page 0,7
Lake Lands, and closest to the Coast. Luda, a mother of three, dragged her laundry from the lake, and began wringing it out.
A great roar caught her attention, followed by screams. The sky filled with blue-green fire and ash. She spotted a horde of riders pouring into the village: great, hulking creatures rode upon reptilian beasts, some hurling fireballs straight from their hands.
The laundry was forgotten as she raced to her home across the lakeshore. Her eldest son grabbed a sword, knocking over the breakfast table, and sending cheese, honey, and fresh fruit splattering over the floor.
“No,” she said to him. “Give me the sword. Grab one of the horses, and ride to Bhrungach. The Council must be told. Hurry! Tell them an enemy not of this land is attacking Daustra!”
The boy rushed out the back of the house and threw himself onto their speckled steed. He vanished out of the yard just as a hail of arrows struck the house and yard.
Wails filled the house: her two smallest children scrambled to her legs. “Come,” she soothed. “We’ll go down in the ground.”
Luda was used to war; her people had been feuding with the South for years. A random raid or attack in Daustra sent her below ground, into the house’s under seams, which were normally used to store root vegetables and cider.
Tree roots knotted through the room, and Luda cradled her children in the dark as the house trembled.
The ground thundered, and terrible roars filled the village. The house rocked as the roof above collapsed. Dirt and debris showered the underneath, but Luda held strong as her children buried their faces into her chest.
She heard the men outside calling to action, calling for weapons, screaming in horror and agony. Drumbeats rose. Horns blasted. The scent of burning flesh seeped into the air.
Luda shut her eyes and prayed.
###
“Neither rider from the Circle returned this morning,” Captain Sundar informed High Guardsman Jorrel.
“Any word on the weather on the Coast? Perhaps they were delayed by a storm.”
“No news scrolls on the subject, sir.”
“Have there been any scrolls today from the area?”
“Actually, no. No caravans or riders have been to the city today.”
Tolan and Geyess stood in earshot of the conversation. Tolan stepped in. “Mithric and Padin are out there. I will ride.”
“No, you will not,” Jorrel said. “I’m not sending out riders for something that could be a sea storm.”
“They could be in trouble,” Tolan argued. They could be hurt, or worse. If they’re exposed to the elements, there’s no telling what could happen.”
“They are trained Circle Guard members, they know how to survive in the wilderness.”
“You are lacking reason, here.”
“And you are lacking logic. We will not instill panic among the men, nor the King. If he gets word that we are children afraid of storms, we will be relieved of duty.”
“Something has breached the wall of mist!” Sooth-Malesh called from the stairs leading to the spires. He stumbled down, nearly tripping over his crimson robes. He’d painted white runes onto his bald head. Jorrel shook his head.
The mage joined the crowd. “You should listen to Tolan. He speaks the truth. It is no sea storm. Something has breached the mist, and it comes our way. It comes for all of our lands… North, South, and West. It is the darkest of evil. My very magic has been interrupted. They’ve tried to block me from seeing their true faces, but my magic seeps through, drips and drabs.”
“Sooth-Malesh,” Jorrel began. “I respect your skills, but there is no proof that anything exists beyond the mist. I will not listen to anymore of this foolishness. Back to your posts, everyone.”
“You are condemning them,” Geyess said, balling his hands into fists.
Tolan took him by the arm. “We can’t help our comrades in the stockade, my friend.” Tolan turned to Jorrel, and nodded. “Back to our posts.”
###
The river seemed more threatening to him now, especially since he’d almost drowned in it. Pim was stubborn, however, and he would not allow this to rest. He wasn’t about to let his friends think less of him. He would prove the ability existed.
He watched the current and positioned himself, concentrating, muscles tensed. He took a few steps back, eying the rushing river. He sucked in some air, and then released it. That is why he’d failed last time: he was too skittish, too nervous. He needed to let go, be loose.
Then he felt his body easing, his breathing became rhythmic. He closed his eyes, feeling a tingling sensation