The Stone of Lamfedios

- 1 -

 

 As the storm approached the air began to roar. As it grew closer the bare trees shook, yet there was no breeze. The ground seethed. Then, from out of the dense storm cloud a rider emerged. Both horse and rider were orange, thickly coated in the dust that pursued them. Giant hands seemed to form then reach out to grab them. There was a dry guttural sound from the rider, the hands disappeared, the storm appeared to falter. The rider urged its steed on; breaking cover from the forest its progress became more rapid.

 In the far distance were mountains, below these steep cliffs.

 As the rider got closer dwellings could be seen with openings for doors and windows cut into sheer rock. At the base of the cliff were a series of stone walls. Some initially formed field shapes, but the closer the rider got to the cliffs the more their arrangement appeared to form an intricate maze.

 The storm cloud reached the edge of the forest and stopped as if it were watching.

 Once inside the walls the rider slowed down. It turned, raised its fist and the dust cloud shrank, the humming ceased and a dark shadow seethed back into the forest.

 Suspicious faces looked out from under the thick material draped across each window. Heavy wooden doors were being cautiously opened. The village slowly returned to life.

 The rider dismounted at the foot of the cliff and dusted himself down. When the broad brimmed hat was removed the features of an elderly man were revealed, his beard and eyebrows so thickly encrusted that they might have been sculpted on. Tall and slim he had once been handsome and his high cheekbones still gave his face a distinguished look. His balding head shone in the sunlight. His hair, which had been under the hat, was silver. The scowl of disgust on his face was a grim mask grafted onto one more accustomed to smiling. His tense shoulders lowered and he began to grin. Then, to express his relief, he broke into deep rich laughter. He went inside the largest opening and returned with a stone bowl brimming with water, which he gave to his horse, now tethered in the shadowed safety of the cliff. He removed the simple saddle, revealing a black sweat laden coat, then started to brush his faithful mount.

 'Come on up, Tiarnis.'

 The voice came from a doorway high above him. He turned to the direction of the sound then started to climb. Using barely discernible hand and foot holds it seemed effortless, as a spider traverses its web. He had been a guest here for most of his life.

 He reached a small platform outside the door and stiffly entered the dwelling. It was a plain room hewn out of the petrified sandstone cliff. It was sparsely furnished, a bedroll stacked against the wall. A woman carried a low table from the corner to the center, and from the shelves surrounding the cooking area she fetched stoneware mugs.

 Tiarnis took off his long boots and cloak and left them by the door.

 'Come and sit down, you are tired and thirsty.'

 The middle aged woman turned and smiled at him as she filled the mugs with a light brown liquid. Her hair was still dark and her features softly lined. As she spoke she instilled calm. She wore a long purple gown, around her waist a gold braided belt showed her status. A warm, aromatic smell filled the room.

 Tiarnis settled himself on a cushion, leaning heavily against the wall expressing an exhausted sigh. He smiled saying. 'You don't make this for all your guests, Charia. How did you know I was coming?'

 'When I woke up this morning I felt it would be a good day to see my old friend again. Besides, there is only one man who can stop a dust storm in its tracks.' She handed him a damp cloth. 'Here first wipe your face and hands with this. I put a few drops of Camray oil in the water to help to refresh you after your long journey.'

 He took the cloth, lightly wiping the orange, sweat laden dust from his face, relishing the cool feeling and the soothing aromatic fragrance.  

 'I thank you for your kindness and concern my friend, but truly, I am weary and beyond care for my old mortal frame.'

  Then he sipped his drink, savouring its delicate flavour, allowing its healing effects to flow freely in his body. Through eyes that struggled to remain open he looked across the table and began to ramble. 

 'I have stared into the face of the dark power. It remains without form, but the dark councilor seeks to weave its evil in her own likeness. The reports from the outer reaches do no justice to the desolation I have witnessed. We must summon the Council.'

 'Hush Tiarnis, drink your tea, it will help you to sleep. We will talk later. I know your burden is heavy. We must share it. I will call the full Council of Elders immediately. Those who have survived will listen to you this time.' Her words were soothing, and her tone reassuring. Without saying anything more, Tiarnis concentrated on his drink, he had said too much. By the time he had drained the mug the anguished lines on his face had relaxed and his shoulders slumped. Charia helped him to the mattress that she had prepared for him. Safe for the moment, he slept.

 

 

 The sound of horses woke Tiarnis. It was almost dark, there were soft voices. Charia stepped lightly into the room, lit a lamp and took off her riding cloak. He could see it was very dusty, she must have ridden hard, now she too looked strained.

 'Did you sleep well?' She asked as she wiped her face.

 Tiarnis smiled 'The sleep only you can bestow on me. Where have you been?' It was normally his custom to wait for her to speak when she was ready, but this evening he felt she too carried a burden that needed to be named.

 'I have called the meeting of the Council of Elders for midday tomorrow. But the news is not good. We are less than we were, our collective power greatly diminished. I hope we have not left it too late. Riders have been sent to all the villages beyond our boundaries. As Stone Mage you have a place on the Council, perhaps you have some ideas? Please keep them till tomorrow, I must also sleep now.' She quickly made up her bed and retired.

 Tiarnis walked slowly to the door. 'Good night my friend, may your dreams be of hope; I must seek Guidance.' He turned to look at her then bowed, 'Until the meeting tomorrow.' Then he disappeared through the opening.

 At the foot of the cliff he turned south and directly into the maze. By the light of the moon on the silver sand he followed his chosen path. After many familiar turns he emerged into a micro-amphitheatre, surrounded by a rock wall. A spiral of assorted, brightly coloured rocks, which had been set into the ground, led to the central and larger slab. As the Stone Mage moved closer it began to hum and then it became translucent. Within its’ structure could be seen the black night sky, a full moon and several star constellations. Tiarnis sat in a small space in front of the stone. Crossing his arms over his heart, he sang a powerful yet wordless song, which sounded like a mountain rock fall. He reached up to the darkening sky, then, leaned forward, resting gently on the stone. He relaxed, his arms melding into the stone. He knew his night would be long.