Shadows of Men (The Watchers Book 1) (6 page)

              Tybalt hastily made his way up the stairs and to the helm where he found Felix standing in awe, staring over the side of the ship.

              “What is it man?”  He asked, bewildered at his crewmen’s odd behavior.

              “Look!”  Felix said, pointing over the edge to the water below.

              Tybalt moved closer and peered over.  His mouth gaped open at the sight that unfolded before him.  He blinked, hoping it was merely a dream he was having and he was still sitting in his cabin, huddled in his chair, but when he opened his eyes, the sight was still before him.

              Though there was not a cloud in the sky or a breeze of wind in the air, the waters below raged and howled against the side of the ship.  The water, which had been so calm and serene before was now choppy and broke against the ship violently.  The surface bubbled and spat as though it were a pot of boiling water.

              Beneath the waves, a brilliant red light could be seen glowing as though the sun had submerged itself and they were sailing over it. 

              Then suddenly, the ship lurched forward and all around him Tybalt heard the screams of his men.  They shouted and called out to one another as they were thrown and tossed about the deck.  Tybalt himself was thrown backwards and grabbed hold of the helm to help steady himself.

              “What’s bloody happening?”  He wondered aloud and Felix, who stood next to the Captain, merely stared at him with frightened eyes.

              The ship shook again and this time, all of them were thrust forward.  The waves below pushed and shifted the ship, making all the men cry out with fright as they were helplessly thrown about on the deck.

              Suddenly, a roaring sound from beneath rumbled and grew louder every moment and could be felt by all who stood upon the deck, vibrating the ship beneath their feet.  Tybalt, who was rarely afraid of anything, stumbled to the edge of the ship to peer over- his curiosity drove him on.  He grasped the edge and held on tightly as he leaned over the side.  He realized quickly that he had made a terrible mistake and tried to pull himself back but was too late.  A wall of water shot upward like a geyser, knocking him off his feet and hurtling him over the edge. 

              He vaguely heard someone shouting behind him; “Captain!” but the sound was drowned out by the water that rushed up to meet him.

              Instead of the usual icy chill that was expected of the ocean waters, he was met with a radiant heat that made him feel as though his skin was boiling. 

              Tybalt tried to scream but when he opened his mouth, it filled with water and all sound was washed away in that desperate moment. 

              If he was not looking at it with his own eyes, he would not believe what he saw below the surface- flames, burning hot like a cauldron beneath him.  He could see them spit and burst forward with an angry roar.  He struggled and tried to swim to the surface but could not escape his fate.  The image of his wife, smiling and blowing him a playful kiss, passed over his vision as the flames engulfed him.  They shot up and rose over the edges of the ship- fiery tendrils that clutched the Sea Voyager with its scalding grip.

              The remaining crew screamed and shouted in their panic but had no way of escaping.  Soon, all of them were burning with their ship, which had become a massive ball of flame and ash and smoke.

              A great wall of water and fire rose up into the air and hurtled forward at an incredible speed, traveling the distance of hundreds of miles in mere minutes.  No one in the city of Tyos could have known.  They turned their heads when they heard the roaring of the massive wall of ocean and flame approaching. 

              Some of them shrieked, some of them ran for cover but no one could escape what was about to consume their beloved city.

              Halfway across the land of Kaena, in the grand city of Axendra, Myranda Starweaver sat bolt upright in her bed- woken from her slumber with a start, sweat beading on her forehead and her heart pounding in her chest.  She threw the blankets off and jumped to her feet. Her arms found her robe hanging from the bedpost and she hastily wrapped it around her shoulders as she ran from her room and down the corridor to where the King and Queen were resting peacefully.

             
They must know at once! 
She thought panicked as she ran as quickly as her feet would carry her.  
They must send aid!

Chapter 4

“
M
ajesties?”  Terryn Lysander’s soft and timid voice sounded throughout the dark room as he stood idly in the doorway.  Darkness stretched out before him but he knew they were there, sleeping peacefully in their bed.  The curtains had been drawn over the windows and balcony, blocking any glimmer of morning sunlight that tried to break through.  But at this hour, he knew there was no light to shine upon the dimness of the room. 

              “Majesties?”  Terryn tried again.  This time his voice was louder and he spoke with more confidence.  He took one brave step into the darkness and heard the King snoring on the other side of the room, completely unaware of anyone’s presence. 

              Taking a deep breath, Terryn fully moved into the room and shuffled his way through the darkness.  He had been in this room many times before and even though the darkness blinded him, he could find the bed easily enough.  He knew it was positioned on the center of the back wall, underneath a large portrait of the King’s father, Darrion Elyas.  He could almost feel the painted eyes of the deceased King staring down at him as he shuffled his way uneasily through the royal bedchamber, giving him the sense that he was not where he belonged.  He knew sneaking up on the King and Queen while they slept would be grounds for punishment.  But the Sorceress had insisted it was an emergency.  He tried to command the guards stationed outside their chamber to wake them, but they shook their heads and repeatedly refused, even after being bribed with what little gold Terryn had.  And so, here he was, stepping lightly through the darkness, about to wake a man who could have Terryn’s head removed with one, angry command. 

              Once his eyes adjusted, he realized he was already standing at the edge of the bed, King Firion Elyas beneath him.  One more step forward would have sent Terryn crashing into the unsuspecting sleeping beast.  The ghostly silhouette of his pale face could be seen in the dim light that now reached Terryn’s eyes. 
He might kill me if I wake him! 
Terryn could feel his hands shaking as he reached up to grasp the King by the shoulder.  He hesitated and closed his eyes, focusing on building his strength. 
Tis your duty. 
He silently scolded himself. 
Just do it, you coward! 

             
“Your Grace.”  Terryn said in his regular tone of voice.  He grabbed Firion by the shoulder and gently shook him. 

              The King snorted and sat upright with a start.  He looked around confused for a moment and when his eyes fell upon Terryn, he glowered.

              “What are you doing here at this hour?”  The King shouted at him as he gestured to the still dark room.  Next to him, the Queen stirred and sat upright as well, forgetting she had no clothing to cover her bare chest.

              Terryn, whose hands shook more now than ever, hastily bent down to one knee and began begging for forgiveness.

              “Forgive me, your Grace.  I know the hour is still early but the Sorceress Myranda has bid that I wake thee.”

              “Why?”  King Firion did not try to hide the fury in his voice.  “What has happened?”

              “She has had a premonition and says it is most urgent that you go to her at once.”  Terryn never looked up into the King’s eyes.  He knew fear would get the better of him if he saw the anger there. 
I must remain humble and meek in his presence; that is what I was told to do. 

              “Tell Myranda to wait for us in the great hall.”  Queen Scarlet replied.  She threw the covers away from her like a soiled bandage and stood.  Terryn, whose eyes had now fully adjusted, could see that the Queen wore no clothing at all.  She stood in the darkness facing him, completely naked.  Her slender body was pale white against the blackness of the room- a ghostly figure that drifted across the empty chamber to find her silk robes.  He hastily averted his eyes, bowed low to the both of them and raced out of the room. 

              When he reached the corridor, he slowed his pace and held his chest where his heart was beating furiously. 
I am glad for the darkness. 
He thought as he quietly walked to where he had left Myranda.  He knew if the King had seen his eyes graze the soft, white flesh of his Queen, he certainly would have had his head on a spike and eaten his heart for breakfast. 

***

              Myranda sat quietly in the great hall waiting for the King and Queen to arrive.  Her hands, though cold, were soaked with sweat and her head pounded furiously, making it seem as though her eyes would jump right out of her skull.  The pain after a vision was always bad but when the visions were as vivid and real as the one she had just suffered, the pain was immense. 

              She grasped the sides of her head and began to gently rub with the palms of her hands, attempting to rub the pain away but to no avail. 
I need a poultice for my pain!
 

              The door to the great hall was suddenly thrown open, causing Myranda to jump from her chair.  She saw the King first, groggy and irritable as he clambered to his throne.  His dark eyes flittered open and closed as he stared down at her, sending chills up and down her spine.  Then the Queen emerged.  Even when rudely thrust from the deepest of sleep she still managed to look radiant.  Her dark burgundy hair was always glossy and though no light had seeped through from the outside world as of yet, it shone brilliantly in the candlelight.  Myranda could not look upon the Queen’s beauty without jealousy.  Her own hair always seemed so dull and wispy in comparison.

              “You better have something of great import to tell us, Myranda.  This is no decent hour to be stirred from slumber.”

              Myranda bowed then looked up to them with troubled eyes.  “I am afraid what I have to tell you is of great importance and could not wait until the sun had risen.”

              “Go on then.”  Queen Scarlet urged.  Myranda could detect a sense of urgency in the Queen’s voice and was grateful that she always took Myranda’s visions seriously. 

              “I have seen in the city of Tyos, much destruction and death.  A great wall of water and flame has consumed all who dwelt there and the waters of the Blood Sea have all but vanished into a cloud of smoke and ash.”

              The Queen shifted uncomfortably in her throne but the King merely peered down at her with hard eyes.

              “I care not for metaphors Myranda, you know that!  Tell us what your dream meant and be done with it!”

              “It is no metaphor, your Grace.  I was there!  I saw it for myself.  The water rushed in before anyone had a chance to flee and the fires burned the city to the ground.  Then I saw the sea, or what used to be the sea.  Nothing exists there anymore except a great cloud, as though it were the ghost of the cold water that has always been there.”

              The King sighed with frustration and turned to his Queen who gazed at Myranda with questioning eyes.

              “Are you certain this is what you saw?”  She asked, already knowing the answer Myranda would give.

              “Yes, your Majesty.  That is what I saw.” 

              “I have had no reports from Merek of any trouble in Tyos.  Nor has he mentioned the waters of his ocean dwindling.”  The King said with complacency.

              “There would not have been time for a report to be sent to you, your Grace.  It all happened in one night!”  Myranda shook from the memory of the wave as it came crashing in on her.  It was wet and yet hot like fire.  She felt her skin burn and smelled the harsh scent of her flesh as it melted away.

              “That is impossible!”  The King shouted.  The anger could be clearly seen behind his eyes.

              “I know it is hard to believe, your Grace, but I know what I saw and I sense a terrible darkness has gathered in the north.  Something evil has emerged from the waters of the Blood Sea.” 

              Queen Scarlet placed a hand on her husband’s arm.  The anger left his eyes and he slumped back into his throne, contemplating her words.  Queen Scarlet looked to Myranda and asked; “what is it you suggest we do, Sorceress?”

              “Someone must go and investigate.  If darkness has risen, the realm must be prepared.”  Myranda stood silently as she watched the King and Queen stare down at her with accusing eyes.  They seemed to be telling her whatever had happened was all her fault and she would be punished for the deaths of the innocent people of Tyos. 

              Finally, after what seemed a lifetime, King Firion averted his eyes towards the doors and pointed at the squire Terryn who had stood silently against the far wall, trying desperately to hide in the shadows of the darkened room until this moment.

              “Fetch the High Protector!”  He shouted at the boy and Myranda felt another cold shiver rush down her spine.