Early in the morning, as the sun rose over the battlements and cast its faint pink rays on the lands, Bethshaya made her way up the stairs to the top and merely sat quietly reflecting.
As dawn gave way to day, she reflected on the past few weeks, longing to steal just one gaze upon her love, Amalgrimm. He had left her weeks before to train. As a Captain in the Guard, it was his duty to prepare the troops and keep abreast of the latest happenings of the land.
She struggled, torn between the greater good of the guild and her own selfishness of wanting him to herself.
She sighed, mumbling to herself, “Love comes like sunshine after the rain”. She tried to remember, love endures all and that she would see her love again.
Her hand reached inside her backpack and pulled out her journal, ink well and a quill.
In the stillness, she focused and began to write to her love.
"My Dearest, your brothers have been a great asset to me as they are always there for me to talk to. Grimmith especially has been helpful. I hope things are going well for you and that you shall return to me shortly, for my heart cries for every minute I am away from you.
Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists. When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves. We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost. That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence. Hurry back to me, my love, for it is you, that complete me.
I must write you of the happenings of the Keep as of late. There have been a few new editions to our Forsaken family. A strange little blue man named Zombicius. Odd lil fellow, as are all these newly found lil Iconnu creatures. He has a strange fascination with the dead, but to each his own, I guess. I cant quite put my finger on it though, but I do not trust him in particular. Perhaps it is me just being weary of what I do not know. But he vexes me.
Otherwise, things are well here, some of us are busily preparing for our Lords Birth celebrations and festivities. Should be a grand holiday this year with so many of us together at the Keep.
There are rumors of war with the Midgards as they possess our precious relics. I know you are hard at work planning the defense of our realm with the others. My prayers are with your for a speedy and successful plan.
Hurry back to me love, for I miss thee much.
Love always,
Bethshaya
After a while, Forsaken Keep began to stir, so she packed up her things. She sealed the letter and summoned for a messenger to deliver the message. She stood, cleaned herself off and made herself presentable again and then made her way back to her room to prepare for the day at hand.
Bethshaya made her way through the halls of the Keep and made her way to the kitchen for something to eat. The lights were dim, as the early morning sun began its burst through the windows in its struggle to overcome the night.
As she passed the rooms of the other members, she felt an odd presence watching her. She turned around, but there was no one there. She continued on and rounded the corner to another wing, and then an eerie giggle traveled through the hall.
Again, she turned, but no one was there.
She made her way to the kitchen and rummaged the cupboards for a morsel to eat. She gathered her finding and sat at the table to eat, when to her surprise an apple from the bowl of fruit on the table, began to rise. And she heard that giggle once more.
“Who’s there!” she exclaimed
And another giggle emitted through the air.
“Show yourself,” she demanded
Silence. The apple poised itself in mid air, and then dropped onto the table with a thud.
In nervousness, she gathered up her things and hurried out the door to the hallway, almost knocking over Sofirth as he entered. She let out a scream as he caught her in equal startle.
Easy, there, easy there, Sofirth exclaimed. “Where ya goin’ in such a hurry?”
Bethshaya stammered over her words, “Uh, uh, sorry,…. no where, something is, uh, following me…er..you just startled me, that’s all”
Bethshaya tried to regain her composure as the others in the keep began to make their way out their doors.
Seith appeared in his lipstick print boxer shorts, “What’s all the commotion out here, everyone ok?” apparently unaware of his scantily dressed situation.
Bethshaya looked at him, blushed and nodded. “Yes we’re fine”, she responded.
The others also sleepily emerged from their rooms, inquiring of the noise: Jykler, Owamyr, Laralyn, Anser, and Semeris.
They all went back into the kitchen and started their morning routines. Still shaken, Bethshaya excused herself and retired to her room, still feeling the eerie presence watching her. As she entered her room, upon her pillow, was a single, black rose. She reached for it, thinking to herself, “What an odd choice for a rose for Amalgrimm to send me”. She picked up the rose from her pillow, and quickly pulled her hand away as a thorn pricked her finger and drew blood.
“Owe!”, she exclaimed as she stared at her wound. When all of the sudden the room began to spin, and her vision became fuzzy….and she fell to the floor.
In the meantime, somewhere on the Albion frontier, Cascia, Kawshon, Amalgrimm, Quin, Mith and the other officers gathered with officers from the Genesis Alliance to discuss plans for realm defense. A messenger entered and handed two notes to Amalgrimm, one written on a plain white sealed parchment, and the other on a tattered and worn piece of scratch.
Amalgrimm nodded to the messenger as he handed him the two letters. Half listening to the Alliances' conversation as he sat at the Round Table discussion at the Strategy meeting he pondered the two letters.
He chose the old tattered piece of scratch, as it looked an odd thing to pass along to an officer.
His hands steady, he opened it and began to read:
"Capt'n Amalgrimm of Forsaken Guard:
As you are reading this, several of our best have infiltrated the main keeps of the Albion forces. We have stricken one of your own with a rare poison. Only we possess the antidote. Time now grows short. Be prepared to hand over Kawshon and yourself in exchange for the antidote tomorrow eve, midnight in Odins Gate.
Thrax - Commander, Shadowblade of Midgard"
Amalgrimm crumpled the note tightly in his grasp and gestured to Kawshon. The two excused themselves from the table.
"Everything well, Amalgrimm?, Ravus asked
Amalgrimm simply stared at him for a quick moment, waved him off and continued out the door with Kawshon.
What...what is it, Kawshon asked as they closed the door. Without a word, Amalgrimm simply handed him the crumpled letter.
Earlier that evening, back at Forsaken Keep...
The afternoon had passed, and Bethshaylah did not appear at lunch, and again, did not appear for dinner.
Sofirth, worried about her comments that morning, made his way to her room and knocked on her door. There was no answer. He knocked again, this time a bit more forceful.
"Beth...are you well?, he inquired. Still no answer.
He tried the door handle and the door opened. There on the floor, lay the motionless body of Bethshaylah.
"Kira!, Sofirth yelled, summoning the cleric.
Kira came running into the room as did the others upon hearing the commotion. After surveying the situation, Kira whispered to Sofirth. I think you better get Amalgrimm, there is nothing I can do for her. This is not normal, it has all the signs of strong majik, and whatever this majik is, is too strong for me to cure.
Sofirth nodded and quickly made his way to the stable. He readied his horse, gathered a few rations and made haste toward the Albion frontier where the Alliance was meeting.
He arrived within a few hours, but was stopped at the door by a guard. "I am Sofirth, of Forsaken Guard, need to see Capt'n Amalgrimm at once, tis important! he bellowed at the guard.
The guard nodded, "Aye sir" and led him toward the meeting room.
As they turned the corner, Sofirth laid eyes on Amalgrimm and Kawshon talking outside the doorway. They made eye contact and Amalgrimm motioned for him to come forward.
Sir!...Sofirth started
"We know", Amalgrimm interrupted. "Who is it?", he asked
Sofirth paused for a moment, and lowering his tone, whispered, "Bethshaya, Sir....."
Immediately, rage exploded in his eyes. He turned and looked briefly at Kawshon through hate filled eyes, and bolted through the doorway heading towards the stables. Kawshon and Sofirth had not even time to make their way to the doorway before he was far down the road, riding like the wind carried him. Amalgrimm spurred on his horse and rode as he had never rode before. "how could this have happened" he repeatedly questioned himself, and tried to visualize the events that had taken place. He released a scream of rage so loud that it startled his horse and it momentarily lost step. He again spurred the horse not wanting to lose a moments time. "Thrax, you will see death at my hands personally. This i vow to you!"
The ride back to Forsaken Keep was a long one, and as he rode his rage turned to dispair. He prayed continually that his lord would keep his beloved long enough that she could be treated. Only days before had he professed his undying love for her, and already something had gone majorly wrong. He began to curse himself for leaving her side, not being there to care for her. He had duties to his guild and his realm, but should they have come before his duty to his beloved wife? "Please lord, keep her safe. Let her live to know how much i truly do love her, and i will never leave her side again." As he completed the thought he could see the keep slowly appearing on the horizon, and he spurred the horse even faster.
As he approached the gates he let out a yell loud enough that it scared the guard in the tower right out of his chair, and woke half of those who were sleeping inside the keep. Looking through the small window in the stone battlements and seeing it was his captain, the guard quickly made his way out and released the barring holding the keep doors closed, just in time for Amalgrimm to fly through unhindered. He directed the horse right to the front door of their housing quarters and dismounted before the horse came to a halt, almost throwing himself to the ground as his feet hit, but he managed to hold his balanced and continued forward towards the door.
Edonnon and Kirajah met him at the door, prepared to explain to him the happenings while he was away, but he quickly pushed them aside as he raced towards Bethshaya's quarters. When he arrived at her room the door was already open and he quickly made his way in, ripping his helm from his head and throwing it hastily into a corner. Beth had been placed on her bed and he knelt beside her, taking her lifeless hand in his and bowed his head in shame. "Forgive me my love, for i have failed you. I pray to our lord above that this is not the end for us, we had so much more to share. I vow to you that those responsible for this will be dealt with swiftly and painfully." With that he pulled himself from the floor and took her limp body into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. He looked up, and through clouded eyes he could see Kirajah standing in the doorway. "Please leave us" he softly uttered, and as the door closed he gently kissed her cheek, and wept.
Amalgrimm lost track of all time as he held her close and struggled within himself with questions.
In a hoarse and quivering voice he whispered to her, "I will not let you go" as a tear fell to his cheek.
Bethshaya's eyes began to flutter as she came to consciousness. Her eyes did not open, but in a labored and whispered breath she said, "He.... spoke to me"
'Beth"... he spoke in an inquisitive tone as he wiped the tear from his cheek.
And she said it again somewhat clearer. "He..spoke to me".
"Who did love?". Amalgrimm asked
"The Lord", she responded in a rhaspy voice.
"Rest, love, rest, you are tired" he said as he let her lie back once more.
She spoke again in a labored breath..
He said..Be still and know that I am God and the vows you made as man and wife are dear tae my heart. Neither man, nor prince of thieves shall ravage that bond. Tis not yer time, tis not yer war. My own have been encamped about ye. He comes like a thief in the night tae kill, steal and destroy what I have created."
'Aye love, Amalgrimm patronized" Rest.
"The one that bound, strengthens, he seeks you out for I have revealed all these things unto him"
Amalgrimm brought his fingers to her lips, Shh love, save your strength.
She nodded and closed her eyes once more as a knock came upon the door.
Amalgrimm, still kneeling by her side, responded to come in. It was Shaydon. "Sir", he said "You have a visitor downstairs"
Please, Shay, tell them that I cannot take visitors at the moment.
"It is Malohaut, Sir, he says you know why he is here" Shay responded.
And then Amalgrimm, smiling at Bethshaya as she slept, understood and nodded, "Send him up".
While waiting, Malohaut set down his pack and wandered about the room. It was brightly lit with the warm sun shining its rays through the nearby windows. There were flowers and murials and even a colorful troll-skin mat in the room's center. There, on a corner table, lay some scrolls that piqued his curiosity. A closer examination revealed them to be historical documents and letters of various times and occurrances. But what made Malo smile was the realization that these scrolls all had a common theme. They all spoke of God's love for His people, and the things He had done for them out of that love, and sometimes out of anger or jealousy. If he had the time, Malohaut would have gotten lost in one of the tales of long ago, but a motion from across the room caught his attention.
"Sir Malohaut." beckoned Shay.
"Oh come now. Just Malohaut will do." he replied with a grin.
"Very well sir. You may go on up."
He chuckled to himself as he reached down for his pack. But instead of picking up the entire thing, he only pulled out a thin vial. Then, whistling "How Great Thou Art", he headed up the stairs.
"Malohaut!" shouted a much-relieved Amalgrimm as the wizard hobbled into the room. "I'm so glad to see you. I'm very sorry we couldn't have met under better circumstances."
"Bah. Worry not my friend. I'm sure we'll have better meetings in the future.." The old wizard headed over to kneel next to the bed, where lie the beautiful Bethshaya. "Last night I had a dream." he started as he tried to rouse her a little from her sleep.
"Oh?" questioned Amal. "Did God speak to you in your dream about what happened to Beth?"
"No no. Nothing like that." Malohaut felt her forehead and then her cheek. She was pale, yet holding on with every ounce of strength she had. "I had a dream that we were all chickens and that we were trying to get into a giant cave, but a tree walked up and started to yell at us."
"And then what happened?"
"And then I woke up. It sure was wierd though."
For a moment, there was silence. Amal tried to make sense of what Malo said or even why he mentioned the dream. But then he figured that such is the way with wizards: wierd. "So how did you find out about Beth?"
Malohaut popped the cork off the vial and slowly poured the liquid down her throat. "Well, an apothecary friend of mine came to visit me. I hadn't seen Li in a very long time and was glad to see him. But he seemed to be in a hurry and handed me this vial." When the vial was emptied, Beth smiled a little as if she had just tasted a grand dessert, but soon, she was deep in slumber. "He explained to me that God wanted me to deliver it to Beth, who will be stricken by a very powerful poison." The wizard pocketed the empty vial and looked over to Amal. "Then we caught up on old times for a bit before he had to go."
Amalgrimm had to hold his nose as a foul stench passed through the room, apparently from the vial. Realizing this, Malo quickly corked it. "What was in that stuff anyway?"
"Hmm. Let me see. I think he said there was calabar beans, nightshade, monkshood, hemlock, blood albumen, and a few other things I can't remember." Amalgrimm froze and looked at the wizard in shock. "Why are you looking at me in that tone of voice?" asked Malo
"Aren't those ingredients to make poisons??"
Malo just chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Li Mu Bai told me it was an old trick. You fight poison with poison." Malohaut turned to look at Beth; she was still pale.
"And this will cure her?"
"Hmm. I don't know. Chances are, all it will do is checkmate the poison that's already in her system. Li told me that it was you who had to get the antidote. I'll stay here and pray for her strength to hold."
A fist flung angrily into the wall that startled the wizard. "I NEVER should have left her side! I never should have been apart from her even for a moment. I wish this had never happened!!"
Malohaut stood and walked over to his friend. "So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. Things happen whether we are there are not and we cannot blame ourselves or change past events. All we can do is make do with the time we have left."
Amal turned; his face softened up a little then put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Very well. I shall do my best to get that antidote. Thank you for what you have done."
"No need to thank me, for it is what God does. He helps all who call upon him. Now go, and may the Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
With that, the two separated, Amal out the door, and Malo to the bedside, on his knees, in prayer.
