He awoke in a dark land. Great trees loomed all around, twisted branches towering above, blotting out the sky. The ground was slick with the rank moisture of decomposing leaves. He felt a scuttling on his hand, and raised it to see a large , golden beetle with green eyes open its wings and flutter away. He'd never seen a creature like it in his life.
He raised his head from the floor, looking around. There was no path, and no patches of light to guide him back to civilisation. He sat up, swiveling his head.
"Thank Hiweh!" came a hoarse cry from behind him. "The gods are with us today, Rampling."
A low bark was the only response. Aaron placed his hands gingerly on the ground and pushed himself to his feet. He turned, and was faced with only more tress. Lowering his gaze, he found two small horns, like those of a young goat, attached to a helmet held together with rivets bigger than the hands which wrought them. Below that, two beady eyes lurked, barely creeping over an expansive fiery beard. His stubby hands held an axe larger than Aaron with nonchalant ease. A rangy dog lurked nearby, eyeing Aaron.
"Good evening, Master Cheatle," the dwarf began. "I feared we would not find you again."
"Find me? Again? What do you mean?"
"Your quest, Master," the dwarf said. “The Tower of Lysis…”
“The Tower of who, now?”
The dwarf heaved a long suffering sigh. “Considering it’s your quest, you seem to have a tricky time remembering it. Every time you wake up it’s the same story.” He removed his helmet and sank to the floor, stretching his legs out. “The Tower of Lysis lies to the east of here. An obelisk of pure evil, by all accounts. The elves say it was raised in times long past by an ancient power, in the hope of spreading its corruption throughout the land.”
“This is the strangest dream I’ve ever had.” Aaron said, pinching himself. The dwarf, the dog, the trees and the carpet of slime all remained.
“You say that every morning too,” the dwarf said. He looked anxiously around, scanning the shadows. “Would you mind if we continued this little discussion on the way? This place is about as safe as a Bandersnatch on heat.”
Aaron surveyed the scene around him, listening to the cracking of twigs and the low rumble that could have been the wind, or the deep breaths of predatory anticipation. The dwarf had a point.
“If I’m going to be following you, I think I should really know your name, at least.”
“You’ve forgotten that too? Did you hit your head?” The dwarf looked concerned, then his face softened, in as much as the weather-worn skin of a dwarf can. “I am Rok-tuh the Lofty, though you can call me Rok.” He coughed before continuing, “as you have been doing for several months now.”
“And the dog is Rampling?”
The dwarf beamed. “Excellent, you still have some memory, then.”
Aaron thought better of reminding Rok he had already mentioned the dog’s name.
“Only a little. Remind me again why we are heading for this Tower of Lychees?”
“Lysis, Master. Lysis.” Rok pulled himself to his feet, checking his helmet for intruders before wedging it on his head. “You mentioned a Queen? She’s trapped up in the spire by a wicked warlock.”
“A Queen, huh?” Aaron asked. “Is she a looker?”
“Not a clue, Master. She’s your obsession. I’ve never even heard of her, except through you.”
“Rough!”
Aaron turned to search for the sound. Rampling’s bony frame was he only thing moving. He turned back to face ahead.
“She’s rough!” came the voice again.
“What was that?” Aaron asked Rok.
“Don’t mind him. He thinks he’s a comedian.” Rok turned to his pet. “Don’t you start annoying Master Cheatle now,” he said, wagging his index finger. It looked like a chipolata.
A talking dog, and a sarcastic one no less. Just what I need. Aaron thought.
The threesome made their way through the thick undergrowth, clothes and skin catching and tearing on vicious spines. Several times Aaron paused for breath, and enquired as to the possibility of finding a path.
Each time Rok let out an incredulous laugh. “This forest is not one for paths,” he would say, casting his eyes around the darkness. Despite its inhspitability, the forest never lay silent. Twigs snapped and leaves rusteld. Howls rang out from time to time, some far, some close enough to make Aaron's whole body tense.
After many hours of picking their way through the treacherous undergrowth, the trees began to thin. Aaron was surprised, looking up, to see it was daylight. Beams of harsh light carved through the branches, sending a cornucopia of forest dwellers scuttling for safety. Ahead the bushes and leaves blended into bright green grass.
"The Illusian Fields! A welcome sight!" Rok said. He glaned around his opressive surroundings, and quickened his pace. "Especially after this place."
Aaron matched Rok's steps, then broke into a jog. He could see the dew glistening in the sunlight. He quickened to a sprint, leaving Rok behind. Only Rampling kept pace, barking "run! run!" as he wove around the low bushes.
As he approached the forest's edge, he could see the striking blue sky above, softened only by the occasional pillow of cloud. He could see the dew glistening in the gleaming sunlight. He felt joy rising in his chest, unfamiliar after so long in the dark.
As Aaron's feet passed from the carpet of leaves onto the dew-slicked grass he dove forward, whooping as he slid face first down the slope. Rampling skipped around him, snapping at his clothes. The slope eased, and Aaron stood up, soaking wet. Ahead of him, acres of rolling meadow stretched out to the horizon. The only landmark was a tall spire in the distance, casting a long shadow in the morning sun.
The sound of clanking metal drew his attention back to the slope. Rok's legs were struggling to keep up with his body, tumbling head over heels between every few steps. He collected in a heap a few feet away from Aaron.
"You all right there?" Aaron asked, controlling his laughter.
"Quite, quite." Rok picked his helmet from the grass and rammed it on his head. He straightened his beard, and collected his axe. "It isn't a race, you know?" he said.
Aaron released a momentary chuckle. "Just as well too."
Rok grunted, and returned to straightening his armour.
"Is that the Tower?" Aaron asked.
"Perceptive lad. I always said that about you." Rok said, starting towards the twisted spire. "Not more than a few hours hike now, as the crow flies."
Aaron took a few long strides to close the gap between them, then settled in beside Rok, matching his pace.
As they walked together, Aaron took in the wonder of his surroundings. Lush green fields spread out on all sides, dotted with pinpoints of yellow and white where tiny flowers sprung from between the short blades of grass. Luminous butterflies flitted through the crisp clean air. Every breath felt like it cleansed him from the inside out.
"This place is incredible. It almost feels alive," he remarked to his travelling partner.
"The most beautiful place in this whole sorry land." said Rok. "Appreciate it while you can. That tower spews darkness. It pollutes the land."
Aaron took his advice, and fell silent for the rest of the journey. Rampling skipped around them, snapping at the butterflies and rolling in the grass. Rok huffed and puffed beside him, struggling
TO BE CONTINUED
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author