Between Two Worlds

Chapter 1

The stone city of Shadow-Stone thrived with life, the sun shining down upon the old Roman town as townspeople went about their ordinary days. Blacksmiths continued their task forging weapons for trade and the unlikely battle scenario. Those working the markets ran their stalls, greeting customers and conversing with friends, always with a compliment or two on hand. Taverns busy both the townsfolk and travelers passing through the land. The soldiers tasked with protecting the people wandered around clad in silver chainmail, the signal of King Matthias Iseult sown onto the black tunic they wore over chainmail.

Despite the overcast of war on the borders of Umbara, the people seemed peaceful. After all, King Matthias was no fool; despite his preference for peace and the desire to protect his people, he knew not to leave the borders unprotected. Like any king, he knew that political alliances had to be made.

"When Damian said the people here were blissfully unaware, I did not think he meant blind ignorance," said Finn as he and his loyal companions rode through the thick wooden gates leading into the city on horseback. The muddy grass turned into hardened clay, smoothed over and sometimes decorated with cobbles. Thatched-roof cottages lined the main road to the castle and the church, and many minor clay roads led to more streets.

"They are not ignorant, my lord," voiced Aleister. "Observing quietly as if to determine potential threats," he added, his tone cool and calm as usual. "They are not blind to the war scratching at their borders either; you see their weariness of strangers. They do not react because we are not the enemy they fear," explained the man so often referred to as the devil, a smile of gentleness as he waved to a few inquisitive townsfolk.

"So brother," began Kane, his voice firm but cracking from the lack of use. "Tell me about the lady we are here for," added the fire demon, for once maskless, if only to prevent stirring up fear and chaos, as he'd done many times. Despite being a member of Balor's inner circle, none had spoken a word regarding the motivation of the impromptu visit to the mortal realm; instead, The Undertaker had only worded it was of great importance to the king.

"I will know her when I see her," replied Taker, a half-smirk across his lips. He enjoyed the journey's mystery but wished to share his visions with others to lighten the burden. "As will you. She's the heart of the city," he added, suspecting anyone held in such regard would be hidden from strangers, protected even, as a queen would be in times of war.

"Devitt, Kane, we search for Devitt," worded Finn from the middle of the group, shifting upon his horse as if to regain a comfortable position. Despite once being a mortal man himself, he found little enjoyment in acting like one. He saw no interest in being in the mortal realm since becoming the demon king so many lifetimes before being branded a monster.

Unusually for Bray, he remained silent, watching many as he rode his black steed up the main road. So many passed, from men going about their workday to women leading children along and tending to their homesteads. Sometimes, children ran around freely while attending adults mingled together. An ordinary city, Shadow-Stone appeared; nothing special about it, Bray thought. Yet it was set to be the center of a long history still waiting to be written.

Among those Bray observed were two walking together: a young man, perhaps a lord, just a little older than his lady companion, a lady about the age one would marry, maybe a little older. Both had hair as black as night, one with dark eyes to match and the other with eyes of striking sapphire. Despite the warm day, the young lord wore long sleeves, and the lady wore a light coat of fine linen, maybe even cotton. Their smiles did not reach their eyes, as others did, as if something had dampened their spirits.

Another to catch Bray's attention was a woman dressed in a golden gown of silk, complete with a shawl to protect her from the breeze. For the most part, she was nothing special, perhaps a high-born lady, but her eyes gained Bray's attention—hazel eyes of judgment, tainted with hatred and malice—enough to ward away even the bravest men approaching her.