Here is a sample for my next fantasy novella: Erkulys & Uryon in the Warlord of Ashkelon
The next morning Titos and
Ernsto met Erk at the smashed gate of the estate. The sun had not yet broken
the horizon. In the direction of the city, the cool air was pink with smoke. A
guard stood in the trees near the broken gate. He waved at them as they moved
off into the mist of the forest floor. Soon it would all burn off and the day
would be warm, and humid.
“You have decided to walk
with us in search of the Witch.” Erk observed.
“Yes. I thought if I was to
go against Wicce then I should consult with the Witch.” Titos limped along,
using a staff to support some of his weight. His wounds still lingered.
“Ey.” Erk stated knowingly.
Ernsto led the way. He
seemed to move at random, but Erk knew better. If one thing all of his travels
had taught him was that magic was as subtle as the wind. But if you knew the
signs you could see it do wonders. Ernsto followed a bird for a bit and then a
wisp of mist. He checked rocks in a bubbling brook and then followed a rabbit.
The miles melted away, but they seemed no further from the estate. It felt like
they were just walking in circles. Erk was about to make a jape about it when
Ernsto stopped and knocked on an old oak.
The oak seemed half dead.
Many branches were broken and those that lived had more knots in them then
leaves. The roots were piled high making deep creases in the ground. The
knocking brought about a squirrel that peaked down from a branch.
The squirrel scurried down
the thick trunk and across a tangle of roots. Ernsto followed. The squirrel
scampered over the ground and through the roots quickly. Erk soon lost sight of
it. But Ernsto did not. He stayed with it tracking its movements with eyes
while using hands to feel his way over the roots. Titos could not move through
the roots with any speed and Erk was forced to turn back and help him.
Erk and Titos heard a
chirping behind them. The squirrel had run full circle round the tree. Ernsto
came lumbering up panting.
“Eh, what is this?” Erk was
not amused.
The squirrel dove into a
hole between two deep roots. The three watched at a loss. What now?
A loud crack of wood on
wood brought their attention back up into the branches of the tree. An old lady
stood on a thick branch a large staff in one hand. She giggled and cackled. “Do
you like my pet? I think she likes you.” She pointed the staff at Titos.
The Crone threw a handful
of leaves at the men standing below. The dull red leaves morphed into a cloud
of smoke, dark and hideous. The smoke transformed into a flock of birds that
flew around the men’s heads. They ducked and dodged the birds. When they looked
back into the tree the old woman was gone.
A tapping brought their
attention to the side of the oak. Standing between two large roots was a
beautiful woman, naked with long brown hair streaming down around her breasts
and back. It stirred gently in the breeze revealing just enough to tantilize. She was holding the witches oak staff tapping on the roots. The
witch’s raspy voice came from her well shaped and red lips. “Do you like this
form better? It stirs you awake does it not? Beware of illusions. Especially
you Titos.”
The beautiful form flaked
away in the breeze revealing the old woman again. “Come.”
The men followed the witch
around the tree three times, on the third turn she stepped into a darkness
between two massive roots. “Come” her pale arm beckoned from the dark.
Erk led the way. He groped
in the darkness but found no tree blocking his way, only empty blackness. Titos
followed wearily. Ernsto hung back but also entered the Hermitage.
Erk stumbled down a few
steps. He felt the nearness of the tree and put out a hand to catch himself. A
smooth, well polished surface of wood met his outstretched hand. “Careful,
steps.” He said back to those behind him. With one hand on the wall to his
right, he moved forward. The wall curved right.
Erk, and soon the others,
stepped into a large chamber dimly lit by a candle on a table cluttered with
bowls and cups. It smelled like honey and decay. Erk stepped further into the
room. The walls were living wood. Some of the shelves held scrolls, books,
wooden cases. Others held assortment of body parts from all types of animals,
birds and reptiles.
The witch clapped twice. A
dozen candles blazed to life. And in the corner a fire place, cut into the
living wood which was blackened deep, glowed awake with blue and green flames.
Light flashed across the chamber.
The new light blinded the men.
Copyright 2012
David Corbet
