Insanity (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter 26-Magic in the Midst

Ok so this was going to be a very long chapter but as I was writing I discovered that it would be better in seperate chapters so the jorney to the bloodstone will be in little chapters that are about two to three pages each. I dont know how many chapters we will just have to wait and see. Enjoy !!! ^^

Chapter 26

Magic in the Mist

Thomas

                        The length of the beach spanned almost the whole island. When one looked out towards the sea from winst they came a large mass of storm clouds and fog surrounded them. The soft sand underneath both Eyston’s black leather boots soon turned hard and dry. Looking up from his map, Thomas saw the village at the end of the sands. The village was medium in size, and it had turned into old ruins. The rubble was at the base of a large mountain that was almost at a ninety degree angle.  At the base was a red tattered flag blowing in the breeze. There was a bright golden star in the flags center. Thomas drew his sword not sure what to expect as he wondered towards the flag. In the ancient charred earth were arrows and swords. No bodies were in the village, no people. However, looking off into the distance the group of men could see an wilderness grown cemetery. Someone had taken care to burry this whole village, what Thomas wondered was; who? Before he arrived at the flag he saw two little foot prints forever cemented in the ash that had burned the village. Kneeling down Thomas examined the prints. They were about the size of Nathanial’s feet. The hardness of the ash reassured him that it was not Nathanial, but Thomas had never before seen ash stick to the earth in this manner. The ground was hard and dead. Over time one would think that the ash would have blown away and that nature would have overtaken the decaying village, but no. The village remained untouched by time.

                        Upon reaching the flag a thick vale of smoke and debris entered all around Thomas. Robert and McGovern were nowhere to be found as a mass of arrows covered the sun and headed down towards him. Putting up his arm to defend himself from the inevitable damage, he was surprised to discover the arrows went like mist through his body. That’s when he saw the horrid of people running and screaming. Soldiers poured through the village attacking all whom they came in contact with killing them. A few men on horses came in the mist as well. The man leading them was on a white stead. He wore bright golden armor and was stunning to look at. There were seven total behind the commander. Two were doting armor and had normal clothing on. One knight was a young lad. The boy was close to sixteen. He had his blonde hair cut short. His fair skin glowed as he stared wide eyed at his commander. An older gentleman was at the foreboding mans right. He had a long black beard that protruded over his silver platted armor.

                        “My Lord is this all necessary?” A normal clothed man asked as he rode closer to him. Upon closer inspection the man had bright red hair that was covered by a hat. The man was wider than most of the men, but he had an air of sweetness about him.

                        The commander glowed brightly and turned to his subordinate. “I am Alexander everything I do is necessary Reginald. Remember you and Al Bear are just advisors nothing more and I would advise you to return to the ships and leave the finding of this weapon to me!” Alexander then kicked his horses hind end and sent it bolting towards Thomas. The vision soon vanished and then another one took its place.

                        The seven men stood at the flag kneeling before it. They rose and four of them carried a body ceremonially towards the mountain. The two advisors were standing at the flag consulting while the now grown boy stood holding a gilded metal container. The container was locked tight and the boy followed the body close behind. A tear ran down his face as he tried to keep a brave front.

                        “Why did Alexander have to take that challenge? Why?” Al Bear, the slender tanned advisor, said towards Reginald.  Reginald nodded and patted Al Bear on the shoulder.

                        “He wanted to prove that the Bloodstone was not the full source of his military might and power. That it was he alone that determined his success and that a weapon would never ever determine that.” Al Bear sighed as he listened to his elder.

                        “He was a great man without it, but he needn’t go to the orient in the dead of winter! He was advised against it! The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar only wanted to see him defeated!” The graying red head stomped the ground in frustration and followed the others towards the mountain.

                        The vision vanished and Thomas stood there with Robert and McGovern. Thomas looked bewildered at the two men who were watching him.

                        “So which way brother?” Robert asked with his hands crossed before his front.

                        “Did you not see that?” Thomas asked not completely believing what he just saw.

                        “Saw what?” McGovern asked in his thick Irish accent. Thomas turned and looked at the flag swaying in the breeze.

                        “Nothing. . .” He murmured and pointed off towards the direction the men took the dead kings body. “That way. That’s the way we go.”  Thomas took the lead as they went deeper into the island. The vision was rattling Thomas to the core, but he showed no sign of being disturbed to his companions. “Someone has bewitched this place” He thought as the continued on with their quest.