Elias’s hands were red and cracked from the icy wind as he continued to carve into the crude wooden sphere. The talisman was taking shape. Soon he’d begin carving runes into the face.
There was a rough shove from behind Elias and he stumbled forward through the snow. “Keep moving!” Sven’s gruff voice behind him barked.
Elias gritted his teeth and glared behind him. He opened his mouth to spit something back, but Gloria’s words came to his mind. Elias narrowed his eyes and turned away from Sven. Keep it together, Elias, he thought, wading through the snow. Focus on the goal – We need to get to her temple.
It was midday and the expedition had made some progress up the mountain. Elias winced at the pain in his fingers and put them under his arms to warm them for a moment. He let out a breath that puffed out into a cloud and craned his neck to see if he could spy Master Seth and Gloria in the front.
Elias grimaced. He couldn’t see past the horses from his angle. Elias sighed. I hope they’re okay…Elias shuddered at Master Seth’s black eyes. I hope Gloria’s okay.
Elias gripped the rock and talisman tight in his right fist. How am I going to get this to Gloria? he wondered. It’s not like I can ask Sven to deliver it for me. He grimaced and clambered over a snow drift the horses hadn’t tamped down. I’ll worry about that when I finish.
Once Elias was past the drift, he pulled out the rock and talisman and began carving again. He blew away some sawdust and found his thoughts turning towards home. The bustle of Westfjord, the ships along Älskare Delar…the chime of the monastery bell.
Elias let out another sigh. I wish Father Verdas was here right now. Elias found himself thinking. He chuckled as he began to drill a hole into the talisman for a cord. He’d give me a good tongue lashing for going on a ‘wild’ adventure, but he’d at least give me some encouragement. Elias wished he had his copy of The Words of Crim, but that had disappeared along with his penknife.
He tried to remember a passage as he walked. From where doth my help come? Elias thought, focusing on the talisman. “It cometh from Crim, my god on high." He began to mutter the passage aloud. "His holy eye glimmers down. He pierces the hearts of my enemies. I shall not fear, what can man do to me?”
Behind him, Elias heard snickering. He glanced back at Sven and several men smirking at him. “What’s so funny?” he spat.
Sven and the men laughed even more. “Man can do quite a lot, novice.” One man smirked. “As we proved the other day,” he tapped the side of his head. Elias bristled and tried to ignore the taunt.
“Indeed,” Sven chuckled, “Crim must be blind or slow. Since you’re on a death march up the mountain and we’re still alive and well.”
Indignation rose in Elias; he couldn’t stand it anymore! He whipped back to Sven and the men behind him. “Oh yeah?” he spat. “Well, if your “lady” was so powerful then she wouldn’t need Master Seth’s body.”
The men stopped and their eyes darkened. Fear surged through Elias’s veins. He had pushed them too far. Elias tried to run out of reach, but the deep snow tripped him up. The men lunged forward and snatched him back. Elias cried out and was tossed onto his back. He lost his grip on the talisman, and it fell in the snow beside him.
Elias stared up at six men who loomed over him. Oh Crim…I’ve made them mad. They grinned nastily down at him. “Can your god save you from a sound beating?”
Elias’s eyes widened and he rolled away from a boot that came crashing down into the snow beside him. The talisman! Elias panicked and looked around him in the snow. Before he could find it two men roughly grabbed his arms and dragged him to his feet.
“Let me go!” Elias cried, trying to fight their grip, but they held him steady as Sven threw a punch to his gut. Elias cried out and doubled over. He tasted bile on his tongue. Elias grimaced and tried to bite back his nausea.
“Louder, boy!” The men laughed. “Crim can’t hear you down here!” Elias scanned the snow below him. He needed to find that talisman! Gloria needs it! His eyes darted around. Master Seth is depending on me!
A fist connected with his gut again and Elias couldn’t hold back his nausea anymore. He groaned and vomited into the snow. The men holding Elias laughed and shoved him into the vomit-soaked snow. Elias wrinkled his nose at the stench.
“Well?” The men jeered over him. “Where is he? Is Crim coming or did he stop to take a dump and needs to wipe his asal?” The men roared with laughter.
Elias’s ears burned. He tried to ignore them and searched the snow for the talisman. I need to find it! His eyes widened. There it is! A few feet away was the wooden sphere sticking out of the snow. It must’ve gotten kicked over!
Elias tried to crawl over. He reached out to grab it. Come on! he thought. Just a little further! But before he could grab the talisman, someone grabbed the hood of his habit and yanked him back. He struggled against the suddenly constricting fabric.
“Hang on!” A mocking voice laughed. “We’re not done yet!”
Elias untied the golden cord around his waist and slipped out of his habit, then he dove for the talisman. The cold air bit into his arms and soaked into his undershirt. His hand closed around the talisman. Got it!
The cold snow stung Elias’s shaking cracked hands. His heart pounded in his head, and he panted as he quickly looked over the talisman. Nothing had been damaged.
Elias was about to sigh in relief when two pairs of rough hands grabbed and dragged him back. He screamed and tried to fight, but the strong hands tossed him on his back in the snow.
Elias looked up and saw the six men grinning down at him; He was back where he started. At least I have the talisman this time. Elias panted, his heart racing. The boy trembled and tried to shield his face from the spittle that rained on him. Master! Gloria! Crim…Elias prayed. Someone! Save me!
Someone kicked his side. Elias cried out in pain and tears stung his eyes. He sniffled and turned over shaking. No! No crying! He refused to give them the satisfaction.
“Look! He’s going to cry!” Sven guffawed. “First one to make the novice cry gets my flask tonight!” The kicks came quickly and enthusiastically. Elias curled up, gripping the rock and talisman tight. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to hide within himself and recite more passages of comfort.
Nothing is beyond his mighty hand.
“Come on you stupid boy! Cry!” Elias’s vision flashed red and white as a boot connected with his head.
The fool taunts the heavens.
Laughs echoed in his ears. “He’s got some guts! I’ll give him that!” Another kick lifted Elias off the ground and rolled him across the snow.
A sob left the boy. I’m going to die here…and no one will ever know. The icy air hurt to breathe.
Before another kick could come, a sharp voice cut through the air. “What the devil is going on here?” Elias slowly turned his head and saw Shaman Fen storming over the snow. Elias groaned. Everything hurt. He let out a shallow breath.
“He dared insult our Lady!” Sven growled.
“He is The Lady’s property!” Shaman Fen spat. “Not a dummy to let your frustrations out on! You touch another hair on his head, and I’ll hand you over to The Lady myself!” The men shifted uneasily.
Shaman Fen stepped over to Elias and looked down at him. “Can you walk, boy?”
Elias groaned and closed his eyes. He heard Shaman Fen strike the snow with his staff. “Pick up the boy and put him on one of the horses until he recovers!” Elias didn’t hear anything for a moment, then Shaman Fen’s voice snapped out again. “Now!”
Elias felt many rough hands pick him up. He bit back a cry of pain as he was placed on a horse. He slumped forward in the saddle and glanced at Shaman Fen through a quickly swelling eye.
The shaman raised an eyebrow at him. “Do not test them with your insolence again, child. I may not be able to stop them a second time.” Then he handed the reigns to Sven and returned to the front of the expedition.
Elias felt the cold wind bite into his split lip and grimaced in pain as the horse began to move. Each step made it hard to breathe. He tried to raise his head, but the pain was too much. I wish Gloria was here... Elias thought, missing her kind warmth.
Sven tossed Elias’s habit on top of him and grunted. “You’re lucky. If it were up to me, I would’ve kept going until you were nothing but a puddle of blood.”
Elias narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Shaman Fen’s right…I don’t think he could stop them a second time. Elias closed his eyes and leaned on the horse’s neck. Why Crim…? he prayed. Why didn’t you stop them? I know you can. So why…?
Elias looked down at the rock and the talisman still firmly held in his grip. He blinked and hope began to surge through him. He could continue to carve the talisman! No more having to walk and carve! Elias smiled before wincing. He might even be able to finish today if he could stay on the horse the rest of the day! Maybe this was Crim’s plan?
Elias slowly sat up, gripping his dulling rock, and carved the talisman with renewed vigor. It had been a steep price. His hands hurt and it was hard to see through his swelling eye. But if this protects Gloria and helps Master Seth, Elias thought, his eyes burning with passion. Then I don’t care if I have to take a thousand beatings!
----------------------------------------
Gloria wiped her brow and panted. Her breaths curled out from her mouth in misty puffs as she tried to hammer tent pegs into the ice, but the pegs struggled to pierce the ground. The Lady had set her to pitch Seth’s tent alone.
Gloria stole a glance around her. The sun was beginning to set; its beams tinged the snow blush pink and stained the misty clouds gold and crimson. In the shadows below them, Gloria saw bold indigo burst beneath snowy cloaks on younger summits, and in the sky, Gloria could see the faintest twinkle of stars beginning to stir. The sight took Gloria’s breath away – a welcome distraction from reality.
“Faster, Gloria!” The Lady’s words cracked like a whip in the air. “Dusk is coming, and Seth will need his rest. He’s tired from the journey.”
The spell broke and Gloria clenched the mallet in irritation and tried to move faster, but her muscles groaned. She was exhausted. I don’t have much left… Gloria thought trying to summon up any dregs of strength she could find.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
The day had been brutal. Not only was the mountain climb difficult, but The Lady relished finding opportunities to torment her. Primarily, she sent Gloria ahead of the expedition to blaze a trail for Seth’s body so he could pass through unhindered. But any time Seth’s body needed anything, The Lady called for Gloria to attend to it – water, food, or a steadying arm. The Lady called for her in a mocking tone:
“Gloria! Seth’s thirsty! Get him some water!”
“Gloria! Seth’s hungry! Make him some lunch!”
Gloria hammered the tent peg, and she growled under her breath. The worst part were the pointless trips. The Lady would send Gloria out to continue the trail, only to call her back halfway, then change her mind and send her back, cackling the entire way as Gloria tried to keep up with the pace.
Gloria moved onto the last tent peg. Finally…she groaned. Please let this be the end. She hoped that once she was done, The Lady would release her. At this point, she didn’t even care if she slept out in the snow. Gloria just wanted to rest. She gave the tent peg one last strike, then turned back to Seth’s body. “There!” she said dropping the mallet with some defiance, then glared into The Lady’s eyes. “It’s done!”
The Lady’s dark eyes looked over the tent. “Excellent,” she said, then she turned her gaze to Gloria. “Well now, it has been an absolute pleasure traveling with you today,” Seth’s body stretched. “But now I need my rest as does my darling Seth. As soon as I leave, he will need some care.” Seth’s face twisted into a mocking pout. “You don’t mind taking care of him for me, do you?”
A bit of frustration bubbled in Gloria. Of course there was more work for her to do. Reminds me a bit of home. The bitter thought rose in her mind. Gloria narrowed her eyes at The Lady and resolutely held her ground.
The Lady cackled, then the darkness receded from Seth’s eyes and left behind his brilliant blue eyes. Seth’s shoulders slumped and he wobbled on his feet. He groaned and met Gloria’s eyes.
Gloria gazed into his eyes, unsure if she should look away. A smile of relief came across his face, then Seth’s legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
“Seth!” Gloria heard herself cry, then she raced to his side.
Seth looked up and managed a weak smile. “Gloria…” he murmured. “Are you alright? I’ve been worried about you all day.”
Guilt pricked at Gloria for being irritated a moment ago. She shook her head and helped him sit up. “Hush, you’ve been under a lot of stress today.”
Seth let out a dry laugh, “Not like you have.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Gloria answered and helped Seth rise to his feet.
Seth tried to pull his arm away. “No, you should re-” Seth’s legs buckled and Gloria caught him before he fell back to the snow.
“I’ve got you,” she said, planting her feet in the snow.
Seth hung his head and clenched a fist in frustration. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I wish I could walk on my own.”
A small bit of fear melted from Gloria’s heart, and she helped him rise again. “It’s alright,” she answered with a soft smile. “You’ve carried me so many times, now I’m returning the favor.”
“I suppose,” Seth said, leaning on Gloria. “I still don’t like it though.”
“I know…” Gloria adjusted her grip on Seth and together they slowly shuffled to his tent. Gloria pushed aside the canvas and brought Seth inside where a cot and a blanket waited for him.
Gloria helped Seth lay down, but when she turned to leave, Seth reached out and took her hand. Gloria flinched and started to jerk away.
“Wait…” Seth called, his voice trembling. “Do you have to go?”
Gloria looked down at Seth. His face was even paler than usual, and his pleading eyes were wide. She glanced at the tent entrance. What if…she comes back? Gloria bit her lip and inched away. “I-I…” she stammered.
“Please,” Seth begged, trying to sit up. “I don’t want to be alone.”
His plea made her pause, and Gloria stood by the tent entrance, torn. She wanted to run. To escape from her reach, even if just for a little while. But how can I leave him here? Gloria thought, staring wide-eyed at Seth. He’s a victim too… The reminder made Gloria look down at her hands. What’s it like to watch your body be puppeteered?
“Please…” Seth whispered.
Gloria looked up and gingerly stepped towards the cot. Seth’s face brightened. He sat up and made a space for Gloria to sit and offered it to Gloria. She hesitated, then slowly sat on the furthest edge of the cot.
The tent was quiet for a long time.
“Are you afraid of me?” Seth asked.
The question struck her heart. Gloria looked at Seth. He stared down at his twiddling thumbs for a moment, before slowly looking up at her. His eyes trembled as they searched hers; he knew the answer.
Gloria hesitated, then opened her mouth. Before she could speak, Seth interrupted. “Don’t lie,” he said, then his voice dropped to a whisper as he shook his head. “Please…don’t lie,” he begged.
Gloria closed her mouth. She looked away and clasped her hands together, her knuckles turning white. “Yes…” she whispered and sensed Seth tense. “And no…” she finished.
“No?” She could hear the hope in his voice.
Gloria stared at the ground. She couldn’t look at him. If she did, she didn’t think she’d be able to continue talking. “I-It’s hard. I know it’s not you, I know she’s using you, but it’s…getting harder to believe…”
Out of the corner of her eye, Gloria saw Seth hesitantly reach out and put a hand on hers. Gloria started to jerk away but stopped herself and tried to relax. She focused on the warmth of his hand and the calluses that started to form on them.
She heard Seth swallow, trying to find the courage to speak. “We’re going to make it,” he finally said.
He has hope? she thought, and she stared at him wide-eyed. How can he have hope? Tears welled up in Gloria’s eyes and her lips trembled. “No!” she shook her head and pulled her hand away from his. “I don’t…How do you know?” she glared at him.
Seth gingerly reached out again and touched her hand. “Because we have to.”
Gloria pulled her hand away again. “That’s not enough!” she cried, tears now rolling down her cheeks.
“It is to me,” Seth answered.
“Well, that’s great for you!” Gloria cried rising to her feet and holding herself.
Seth stared up at her in confusion. “Why are you angry?”
Gloria shook. “I’m not…I’m not angry!” she cried, choking back a sob. “I’m terrified! I’m losing everything.”
Gloria looked at her hands. “Everything is ripped to shreds and I’m forced to watch!” Gloria looked back at Seth. “It won’t be long before I wake up and…and you’ll be gone!” Gloria put her face in her hands and sobbed.
Gloria heard a rustle and heard Seth step close to her. She sensed an air of hesitation, then felt Seth’s arms wrap around her. Gloria flinched and pushed away from him. Seth was startled but gave her a sad smile. “Sorry, I guess I thought a hug might help…I can let go.” He started to unwrap his arms.
“No!” Gloria cried, craving any semblance of safety. “Don’t go,” she said quietly and leaned into his arms.
Seth drew his arms around Gloria again and held her for a long time. Gloria melted into the hug and began to sob. “We’re going to make it,” he whispered, holding her tight. “You’ll see…”
Gloria clung to Seth and continued to sob. She tried to believe. She wanted to believe. They were going to make it. They had to. Everything depended on it. Everyone in the Fjord Plains was depending on them!
Seth shifted his arms and a tremor of fear shot through Gloria. She jolted back and pushed away. She looked up at Seth and noticed that his face was bright red.
Seth rubbed the back of his head and coughed. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean for the hug to last that long. It just- um, you just…” he grimaced and looked up at her. “You just seemed like you needed some encouragement.”
A smile slowly spread across Gloria’s face. She gingerly reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you…”
Seth wobbled a moment then caught himself. Gloria started forward. “Are you alright?” she asked.
Seth nodded. “I-I think I should lay down for a little bit.”
Gloria slowly took a step back towards the entrance. “I…I should probably get going then,” she said.
Seth sat down and grimaced. “I suppose…” he looked up at Gloria and they held each other’s gaze. “Be safe.”
Gloria had no idea how his blue eyes could be so comforting. “I will…” she answered, holding his gaze a little longer. Then the two blushed and looked away from each other.
“I’ll be back with dinner in a bit,” Gloria said, then she left the tent. Hope and fear warred within her. She hoped he was right. Maybe we'll make it... Gloria bit her lip and looked up at the sky. Oh Crim, please let us make it.
----------------------------------------
The fire crackled beside him as Elias stared at his handiwork with pride. He’d done it! The talisman was just about finished. Elias rubbed away some sawdust from the runes he had etched into the face. It was crude, but he hoped it would do the trick. Now all it needed was to be blessed and a cord for Gloria’s neck.
Elias glanced around him. The camp was quiet; Night had fallen, and starlight glimmered on the snow where the light from the campfires couldn’t reach. Elias looked to the other side of his fire. Sven, who was supposed to be guarding him, had nodded off, along with the rest of the men around the fire.
Seems safe, Elias thought, then he cupped the talisman to his mouth and muttered a prayer over it. A small white-blue light glimmered and floated inside the talisman, the runes glowed brightly for a moment, before dulling to blue embers.
Elias peeked around him again; no one stirred. Elias pulled out his corded belt from his pocket and worked a strand off. He knotted one end, then strung the rope through the talisman.
Elias held it up. Now it was finished. He smiled, then winced. His was still tender from this afternoon, but he didn’t care. The extra time was worth every bruise and cut. He thought. Elias looked around him. Now I just need to get it to Gloria.
Earlier he had seen Gloria help Master Seth to his tent. Maybe she was still nearby? Quietly, Elias rose, but as soon as he moved, Sven woke up. He snorted and blinked up at Elias. “Where do you think you’re going, novice?”
Elias froze for just a moment. Then an idea struck him. He bent over and held his stomach. His bruises ached and Elias groaned. “Just need to use the bathroom, sir,” Elias said, trying to breathe through the pain.
Sven shrugged. “So? You can take a piddle here.”
Elias looked Sven dead in the eye. He had to make it count! “Sir, I’m not sure you understand…I don’t think dinner agreed with me.”
Sven frowned and Elias noticed something wasn’t clicking in his head. He shook his head and looked back up at Elias. “I don’t care,” he declared. “You take a crap right here.”
“Alright then,” Elias shrugged, “I tried to warn you, but hey, I guess you can go sleep at another fire to escape the stench. I promise I won’t run away.” Elias looked around him. “So! Where’s the best place to relieve myself? That spot next to you looks good.”
Either Sven’s brain caught up to his ears or his nose sent up smoke signals begging the brain to save them from the incoming threat. He groaned and wrinkled his nose. “Oh! That’s disgusting! Don’t do that here! Why would you even-?” He shooed Elias away. “Go to the edge of the camp and let Agnar know.”
Elias bowed, a sharp pain went through him, and he let out another groan. “Thank you.”
Sven waved him on. “Just go, you stupid kid.”
Elias hobbled away from the campfire, he peered back and saw Sven settle himself down and nod back to sleep. Elias ducked behind a tent and crept from tent to tent until he reached the front of the camp where Master Seth’s and another tent were pitched.
In the front of the tents was another campfire. Elias spied a shivering Gloria curled up by the fire trying to keep warm. Elias crept up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Gloria started and rolled back.
Elias smiled reassuringly. “Gloria,” he whispered. “It’s me.”
When Gloria registered Elias, her eyes went wide, and she gasped. “Elias!” she hissed. She sat up quickly and gingerly touched his face. “What happened? What are you doing here?”
Elias held out the talisman. He grinned, then winced again in pain. “I finished it. Here, put it on.”
Gloria shook her head and fretted over him. “But you’re hurt!” She began to write golden sigils in the air.
Elias shook his head and waved her off. “No, I’ll be fine. You need to keep your strength.” Elias looked about him again. “Take the talisman,” he said and pressed it into her hands.
Gloria took it hesitantly and looked at the talisman in awe, “it’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Elias sat back and sighed. “Thank you… it took a lot of effort…” He watched Gloria put the talisman on and tuck the pendant under her dress. Elias nodded satisfied. He had completed his mission.
Elias looked towards Master Seth’s tent. “How’s Master Seth?”
Elias heard a faint stammer, and he looked back and to see Gloria’s face turning pink. “He’s okay,” she answered glancing towards the tent for a moment, then dropped her eyes. “We…we talked earlier.”
Elias’s heart lifted. They’re talking again! Relief and hope crashed over him. I wish there was more I could do to help... Elias looked back at where the talisman hid and had an idea.
“Wait here,” Elias whispered, then crept towards Master Seth’s tent.
“Elias!” Gloria hissed after him. “What are you doing?”
Elias put a finger to his lips. “Shh! I’ll be right back.”
Gloria said nothing but anxiously looked around her.
Elias pushed past the canvas and snuck inside Master Seth’s tent. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, and Elias spied Master Seth asleep on a cot. He inched towards the cot and laid his hands on Master Seth. You’re not breaking them up, you wicked witch! Elias thought bitterly, before muttering a prayer.
As Elias prayed, Master Seth’s body jerked. A hand shot out and gripped Elias’s throat. Elias started and struggled against the grip. Master Seth’s head whipped towards him and black eyes glared at him in the dark. The Lady’s voice rang out. “What do you think you’re-?”
Elias gritted his teeth. Focus, Elias! He finished his prayer, and a white-blue light shimmered in the tent. The black eyes vanished and Master Seth’s hand released Elias and dropped limp. Master Seth’s eyes rolled back, and he fell back asleep.
Elias sank back panting. That was close… Elias looked Master Seth over. He seemed alright.
Fatigue tugged at Elias. He put a hand to his forehead and groaned. He needed to rest – He was burning too much energy.
Elias looked back to Master Seth’s body and smiled faintly. But at least the both of you will have a break.
With a satisfied nod, Elias snuck out of the tent where Gloria waited anxiously. “What happened?” she whispered when Elias got close. “What did you do?”
Elias grinned and tried not to wince again. “Let’s just say that Master Seth will be able to give you his full attention tomorrow.” He winked with his good eye and hugged Gloria. “Be safe,” he said before sneaking back to his campfire.