Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 6: Conjured

246 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province

28 Years in the past...

Light from the blazing bonfire caused the shadows to twist and contort among the tree trunks of the wood. The air neared stagnation and dark clouds filled the night sky. The heavens lit up momentarily as lightning crawled across the clouds, then the crash of thunder smashed the night's corrupt, hallowed presence. The rumble's remnant echoed across the landscape.

A short way from the fire, hooded, dark robed figures stood around a large circle burned into the green grass. Their voices raised in an ominous chant. The circle was wide and other lines were burned into a pattern within its perimeter. The markings formed a dark arcane symbol, and the charred lines appeared to be filled with a granular, white substance.

"Focus," a young woman told herself mentally as she chanted with the others. Her heart pounded as she lifted her arms in unison with the group. The sleeves of her black and purple robes slid down her arms revealing her pale skin as she made the hand gestures the ritual required. The group followed the lead of an older woman who stood at the north position of the circle.

They shifted around the circle, walking counter clockwise, voices chanting louder when they moved. As the older woman moved into the east position they all dropped their arms, and a glowing purple light shot out of each of their chests, coming to a central point above the center of the circle. The young woman fought to stay on her feet as she felt the strength of her body weaken. She stifled a cry that formed in her throat as pain boiled over her.

Connected to the central point by the swirling line of purple energy, the thoughts of the other participants whispered inside her mind. She worked hard to keep her own voice and thoughts silent. Then, as suddenly as the purple light appeared, it ceased, and the roiling mass of energy above the circle shattered, slowly drifting down over the burned circular symbol. Many of the group collapsed on the ground.

The young woman felt the cool touch of the grass against her cheek and she forced herself to keep one eye open, looking at the circle. The white mixture that filled the burned marks took on the same color glow of the purple energy, and there was a loud, sharp snapping sound. Purple energy crackled around the circle and lanced upward toward the center in a roaring display of dark arcane magic.

At first, there was nothing, but as the energy twisted and danced, a long line of energy formed in the center of the circle. It widened like a door being opened and something like black smoke poured out. The inky cloud filled the ground in all directions until it reached the boundary of the circle, then it began to fill the inside like a cup. Once the smoke formed a black dome within the dark purple, glowing perimeter of the circle, the young woman heard the leader of the group call out.

Most of the group did not know the ancient, dark words the leader spoke. Their weight pressed the young woman to the ground and she felt sick to her stomach. She was not sure if she trembled or the ground moved beneath her at the sound of the dark speech. Then there was silence for several seconds.

"Come forth!" the older woman cried out with a sound of finality.

The circle's perimeter in front of the young woman pulsed slowly with the purple energy as the barrier settled. It was slow and rhythmic. Suddenly, another unexpected, snapping sound broke the silence, and a number of the group jumped startled. The young woman slowly righted herself, sitting up. She was breathing hard, feeling weak.

"Come forth!" the older woman cried again in a commanding voice.

Long moments drifted by as the darkness swirled within the confines of the circle's perimeter. There was a soft, feminine giggle from within the circle. The older woman's brows knit together in irritation.