should have never been here,” Gewey whispered. “We should never have brought him with us.”
“He came of his own free will,” said Aaliyah. “And he came as a gesture of friendship and kindness. We would not have made it here without him.”
A crackling sound as if from a thousand camp fires filled their ears. They jumped up to see the bodies of the Vrykol turning hard and gray. Thousands of tiny cracks formed and they began splintering like glass, then turned to dust. The ground shook and rumbled. The earth around Pali's body exploded and hundreds of thin roots shot skyward then draped over him. Before Gewey could move, the roots pulled the body into the earth. Gewey fell to the ground, digging feverishly with his bare hands. Aaliyah stood back, staring in wonder at the spectacle. Soon, Gewey began pounding his fist in the dirt and screaming with rage.
“What is this?” Gewey's voice was met with silence. Slowly he rose to his feet.
Aaliyah gasped and grabbed his arm, pointing a few feet away. “Look.”
A soft ball of light hovered just above the ground, expanding until it took the form of a man. Its features were hazy and unrecognizable. Its feet didn't touch the earth, and its arms were held wide.
“Who are you?” Gewey demanded.
At first there was nothing. The specter was silent and still. Then nine more figures appeared just behind it.
“We are the first born.” The voice was distant and echoed as if within a great cavern. “We thank you for our freedom.”
“I don't understand,” said Gewey.
“The creatures which we were forced to become are now gone,” it said. “We are free. And here, we are safe.”
“You mean you are the Vrykol?” asked Aaliyah.
“Yes, we were,” it replied. “Our spirits were enslaved by the evil that holds the power of the Gods. The spirits of the first born turned into abomination and darkness.”
“I think I understand,” said Gewey. “You are the spirits of Felsafell's people. That's what he meant at the Chamber when he said he had to free his kin.”
At the mention of Felsafell, their light grew brighter. “Yes. He is the last of us that walks with the living. It is good to know he has not forgotten us.”
“What of Pali?” asked Aaliyah. “What of his spirit?”
“He is safe with us,” it replied. “This place is special. The Gods created it and gave it life. Now that you have driven out the sickness that poisoned it, it can begin to heal. Your friend will stay here with us until the path to heaven is no longer barred by the one who seeks to destroy you. Only when he falls, will the spirits of the dead be led to paradise. Only through his destruction can the world, once again, be set to rights.” Their lights began to fade.
“Wait, please!” Gewey implored. But they faded completely.
Aaliyah took Gewey's hand. “They are gone, and we should leave as well. If what the Vrykol said is true, fifty men await-” She cried out as a pain shot through her shoulder, where a tiny black dart had silently struck. She pulled it free and threw it to the ground.
On the other side of the clearing, a black cloak vanished down the trail, harsh laughter trailing behind. Gewey tore off after it, but just as he reached the path he heard Aaliyah moan. He turned just as she fell to her knees, her hand grasping at her wound. He rushed back to her side.
“Poison?” he asked.
She nodded, wincing.
Gewey pulled her hand away and touched the wound. It had already closed and was no larger than a pin prick. He reach into her body with the flow, seeking to expel the poison, but was forced back.
“I don't understand,” said Gewey.
Aaliyah closed her eyes and breathed deep. For a full minute she knelt motionless. “Mandrista,” she said weakly, opening her eyes. “I have been poisoned with sap from the mandrista tree. I cannot be cured using the powers of the earth and spirit alone.”
“What can we do?” asked Gewey, desperation seeping into his voice.
“I must return to the ship,” she replied. “I have the means to extract it there.”
“Do we have time?” asked Gewey, squeezing her hand tightly.
“The poison is slow.” She struggle to her feet. “Three days. We may make it if we hurry.”
Gewey's thoughts turned to the Soufis. He needed to deal with them quickly. “Wait here. I'll take care of the Soufis myself.”
“You cannot do this alone,” she protested. “I-”
“No,” he