Reaver’s Song

The courtyard of the tower under the threatening sky was filled with crumbled stone, the broad fountains were long dry and partially destroyed and the outer walls were shattered. Nature had slowly begun to reclaim the land except for a broad patch of burnt and twisted rock near the still closed main door of the tower itself. I noticed as we drew closer to the tower the normal sounds of the world around us, the rustle of the wind, the cry of birds and the distant bark or howl of animals had ceased to be. It was like the universe was holding its breath.

“This place is creepy af,” I muttered, glancing about suspiciously.

“Keep your wits about you,” Sascha whispered, sliding behind me silently. “Things are not what they seem.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I whispered back. Carrisyn was lost in her own world, walking along the patch of blackened stone reverently.

“I’m not sure,” Sascha shook her head. “Just stay ready. I don’t know what, but something’s wrong here. I can feel it.”

“It’d be hard to pick just one thing wrong here,” I shook my head. “Creepy tower? Check. Weird burnt stone? Check. Scary silence? Check. Ruined city? Also check. It’s like the start of a low budget American horror movie starring that old TV Superman guy.”

How hard up for cash did you have to be to act in, literally, every no budget sci fi movie ever made, I thought. Here’s your pay, $19.00 and that dwarf Ficus tree you had your eye on. Good work! Fade away with grace, dammit. Have some pride! Get a job selling real estate or whatever old Hollywood actors did when the roles dried up. But most importantly, just stop darkening my Saturday afternoons with your drivel.

“Here it is,” Carrisyn declared, bending down to run her fingers on the burnt stone. “The last stand of Elenoraya.” I glanced over at Sascha who shrugged back at me.

“That’s delightful,” I soothed, no clue what she was talking about. “But you’re frightening the vampires. Didn’t we have to do something before dark? Maybe we can check out the weird burnt rock after we’re done. We can even have a picnic. That’ll be nice, right?”

“You don’t know who Elenoraya is?” Carrisyn glanced up, seeming to stare through me.

“How would I know who that is?”

“You’re an elf!” Carrisyn insisted in a way that set alarm bells ringing in my head. Something was definitely off. “All elves know of the glory of Elenoraya! Especially someone with royal blood like you! This! This is where she fell in battle with the Rhade armies!” She bent down and ran her fingertips over the charred stone reverently, a disturbing look passing over her face. I glanced over at Sascha in confusion, then around at the others staring at her.

“Yeeeah,” I smiled reassuringly at her. Like one would smile at a person on the street screaming about lizard men controlling the pet population with meat smoothies. A person who may or may not have a toothbrush shaved down into a shiv in the paper bag clutched in their hand. “Let’s, uh, let’s just go inside the scary tower. You’ve had too much sun or something.” I took her shoulder gently in my hand and helped her to her feet.

“It’s exciting being here,” Carrisyn blinked at me. “But we really should get to work. It may take us some time to find the library, after all. The Elves were masters at hiding things.” The elves huddling in the warrens like frightened rabbits made that last statement rather hard to fathom for me.

“Keep an eye on her,” I whispered to Sayuri as we followed dutifully behind Carrisyn as she strode across the courtyard toward the huge metal double doors in the base of the crumbling tower. Sayuri nodded seriously before speeding her steps and laying her head on Carrisyn’s shoulder. Carrisyn flashed her an annoyed glare and pushed her backward.

“What’s wrong with you?” She snapped.

“She’s hungry,” I explained before pulling Sayuri back to me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I hissed.

“I was keeping an eye on her like you said!” Sayuri closed one eye for emphasis.

“I didn’t mean literally!” I shook my head. “I just meant be aware. Something’s up with her.”

“Do you- “Sayuri began before I clamped my hand over her mouth. Carrisyn eyed us both suspiciously. I smiled broadly, ignoring Sayuri licking my palm as well as I was able. The former countess shook her head and turned away.

“Blech!” I retched, pulling my hand away, Sayuri’s drool wetting the entirety of my palm. “Why’d you do that?”

“Because!” Sayuri replied brightly. I put my finger to my lips to indicate she needed to keep her voice down. Why do I even bother? I asked myself. “Do you need me to bite her?” Sayuri whispered.

“What? Why would you do that?”

“She smells weird,” Sayuri cast a suspicious glance at Carrisyn’s back.

“Let’s not bite anyone right now. Just be aware.”

“Oki!” Sayuri called, saluting jauntily. I shook my head and walked past the catgirl.

“The door is magically sealed,” Carrisyn smirked. “But with your help and a little blood I can easily by-pass it.”

“What?” I scowled. “I’ve given quite enough blood for this weird little crusade.”

“Without your blood we can’t get inside,” Carrisyn turned to me. “If we can’t get inside, we can’t get home.”

“Why can’t anything be unlocked with some happy thoughts or telling the truth or something nice?” I groused. “Why is it always ‘blood’ this and ‘blood’ that? Fine, but I have just about had it with the weird blood fetish this world has.”

“Noted. Just cut your arm or hand or something,” Carrisyn replied.

“Alarice and I can help if you want!” Sascha volunteered eagerly.

“No thank you!” I growled, shooting her a dirty look. This had to be the worst party in the history of parties. I thought a party was supposed to help, not constantly want to make you bleed. This didn’t even count as a party. It was a bunch of weird apex predators who all happened to be going in the same direction. Gollum would be sipping champaign with Sauron’s eye in Minas Tirith if it was up to this party. Wait. Why did I know that?

I grimaced slightly as the knife cut through my skin before holding my arm out for Carrisyn. She smiled appreciatively and dipped her index finger in my blood before turning to the door. I stared as the wound on my arm quickly closed itself as if embarrassed for existing and shivered. I felt my body mending itself and it, honestly, still creeped me out. I turned to the door to find Carrisyn had drawn a small circle with the blood on the door. She pressed her fingers against the metal and began to chant in what sounded like the same language she’d used at the wedding.

“Wait a minute,” Sascha said from behind me. She rushed forward; arm outstretched as if to stop Carrisyn. “That’s not ri- “The door exploded in silver fire, the intense light and heat driving us all back and forcing us to cover our eyes.

I blinked to clear my vision for a moment before looking to the door. Carrisyn stood wreathed in silver flame, arms upraised as the door continued to burn for a long moment before the flame guttered and went out. The flames licked on the ends of her hair and outlined her body for a few seconds longer before vanishing as well, leaving the silent late afternoon as it had been. The door cracked open silently before swinging wide in invitation.

“What did you do?” Sascha demanded.

“I opened the door,” Carrisyn replied with a grin, gesturing to the silent black interior of the tower visible through the open door.

“What spell did you cast?” Sascha scowled suspiciously.

“Ah, see,” Carrisyn winked conspiratorially at Sascha in a way I found…disconcerting. “That’s a little secret. Now let’s go find the library!”

“That was no standard spell, Carrisyn,” Sascha put her hand on Carrisyn’s shoulder and spun her about easily, stepping back a pace when confronted by the sheer anger mirrored on Carrisyn’s face. I’d seen the sadistic former countess at what I assumed was her worst but the hate in her eyes even caused me pause. Shaking off her momentary shock Sascha put her hands of her hips defiantly. “What the hell spell did you cast?”

“It was blood magic,” Carrisyn cocked her head to the side slightly mockingly, a coy smile replacing the mask of hate. “Didn’t you see the blood?”

“Bullshit,” Sascha snapped. “Don’t you think a vampire would know blood magic better than most? You used the blood to open the door, you didn’t need a spell. What did you cast?”

“Just a little something to let the tower know we’re here so we can find our way,” Carrisyn chuckled. “You’re far too untrusting! Come along! Let’s go before it gets too dark to work!” She turned on her heel and slipped into the dark tower.

“What the hell is going on here?” Sascha muttered under her breath. She took a deep breath, though I imagined it didn’t do much for her, and followed wordlessly shaking her head in displeasure.

The darkness of the tower interior had long lain undisturbed and as we stepped inside our footfalls kicked up a fine dust, sending it spinning through the dark cavernous entry hall. The air was stale with hints of burnt wood, blood, and strange scents I couldn’t quite place. Sayuri grabbed my arm fearfully and turned her large heterochromatic eyes to me.

“Something very bad is here,” She whispered. “We shouldn’t go in.”

“What do you mean?” I replied, my worry increasing exponentially. I’d never seen her like this, and it was unnerving me.

“Sayuri doesn’t know,” she shuddered, slipping into referring to herself in the third person. “But she knows it is wrong. Please, friend Ashvallen! We should not go!” I glanced around nervously. Honestly, I trusted Sayuri’s instincts far more than I trusted Carrisyn, especially at the moment. By the same token, though, I also needed to get out of this shitty world and back to my apartment. Assuming I hadn’t already been evicted, of course. Fear and desperation warred within me for a minute before I sighed deeply.

“Just wait outside, Sayuri,” I petted her head tenderly. “There’s no need for you to go. We’ll come back for you.” Sayuri’s eyes widened even further before she finally shook her head vehemently.

“No!” Sayuri said. “Sayuri will not go without friends. Sayuri will come and protect friend Ashvallen. But…” she bit her lip nervously, eyes flitting about the room fearfully. “don’t let her go. Please.”

“Ok,” I nodded, smiling reassuringly. “I won’t let go.” I took several steps forward before Carrisyn turned suddenly, a broad smiling spreading across her face.

“According to the texts we have to go up to the archmage’s quarters. The key to the library should be there. Isn’t this exciting?”

“It’s…definitely something,” I nodded suspiciously.

“Let’s go!” Carrisyn giggled. “It’s been so long! I can’t wait!” She rushed to the north side of the entry hall and began making her way up a flight of curved stairs leading to the floor above us.

“I have a very bad feeling about this,” Zelaeryn rumbled as she passed me.

“Ya think?” I hissed sarcastically.

“Keep your eyes open,” Sascha whispered as she passed me by as well.

“If you’ve got time to warn me you’ve got time to do something about whatever it is, you know?” I snarled irritably, following after her.

“Do you mind if I stay with you?” Lysabel asked meekly as I reached the bottom of the stairs. I glanced over at the thoroughly frightened Sayuri and nodded.

“The more the merrier,” I held my elbow out and Lysabel gratefully took it. The three of us, like a messed-up Wizard of Oz caricature, headed up the stairs together into the silent arms of the tower.