The Amulet

The Amulet

Chapter One

Amarin hurried through the morning mist, one hand clutching his left side, blood oozing from the wound. He stopped listening. For now, he had lost his pursuers. They would catch him soon, though. Near exhaustion, Amarin saved what energy he had left to cast one last spell. Removing his amulet and holding it in his free hand, he gasped in pain, stumbling through the incantation. The sounds of pursuit could be heard once more as he finished casting the spell. The amulet vanished just a moment before his pursuers caught him.

“Give up, old man; you’re in no condition for any spell-casting. Surrender now, and I will spare your life.”

“As always, my king, your tongue betrays your true intent. I could always see through your lies. You know, that too.” Amarin raised his hand as if to cast a spell. Startled, the king reacted by stabbing Amarin in the chest with his sword. Amarin gasped in pain, falling to his knees.

The king shook his head, “Why did you make me do it. If only you went along with what I wanted.” The king said, sighing; he knelt down beside the stricken sorcerer. As the king’s men gathered around

Amarin struggled to speak, staring defiantly at his king. “You know too well… I could never go along with the betrayal… of your people.” His last thoughts were of revenge against a king he once considered a friend.

The king sighed, getting to his feet. He suddenly stopped and looked around, missing something. “The amulet? Has anyone seen his amulet? Quick, now find it.” The king commanded, telling his men to backtrack the way he came. The king waited as his men searched. “There is no sign of the amulet Sire. Shall we keep searching?” This area of the forest is overgrown and unused. Sire, it would be difficult to find anything even if you knew what you were looking for.”

The king felt reassured but wanted to be sure. “Make sure they search again thoroughly if they still can’t find it likely, no one else will. He had second thoughts. “Bury the body here, and when we return, make arrangements for rumours to spread about this part of the forest that will dissuade people from straying from the usual forest trail and send someone to keep watch for anyone who may enter the forest.”

“Aye, Sire.” The knight replied. Turning, he commanded his men to make a final search.

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Yasmin sat by the stream happily, dangling her bare feet in the water and humming to herself. The sun had risen, and she could feel its warmth on her back. A shiny stone in the water caught her eye. The stone seemed to change colour as she stared at it. Yasmin stood wading into the stream; she bent down, reaching for the stone. It felt warm to the touch despite being in the cold water. She studied it for a moment, fascinated. She thought the changing colours were just reflections in the water. But holding it in her hand, the colours still changed like the colours of a rainbow.

“Yasmin. Yasmin Ardal!”

“Coming, mother.” Yasmin wrapped the stone in her kerchief and tied it around her waist as she waded out of the stream; she sat, pulling on her sandals before heading back to her house. She still had some chores to do before lunch. Later that night, alone in her room. She got the stone out, staring at it again. The changing colours were hypnotic. Looking closer, she noticed two holes in the stone. She surmised someone had found it before her and must have attached a chain. “Perhaps it was given to a betrothed as a sign of their love.” Yasmin thought dreamily. She placed it under her pillow and went to sleep. That night, she had a strange dream, and for many nights afterwards, she had similar dreams. She dreamt she was someone else. Also, strange symbols appeared in her dreams. At first, Yasmin found the dreams confusing and even frightening. She tried to brush them aside and think of anything else, but she couldn’t escape them. Even sometimes during the day, the dreams haunted her, and the strange symbols kept reappearing in her mind’s eye. Nearly two years later, she finally realised what the symbols were. She practised in secret, casting the spells, although she failed many times. She persevered because she knew the dreams would never stop until she mastered the spells in her head.

At the age of twenty, her mother passed. It was a bad time for Yasmin. She was all alone and cried herself to sleep at night. Even so, she still had the dreams, but not as often. They, too, were beginning to fade from her memory. Yasmin also realised that the stone she still carried was the cause of her dreams. Several times, she wanted to throw it away but, for some reason, could never bring herself to part with it after several weeks of wallowing in despair. Yasmin finally got herself together and decided to go into the town. She visited the local apothecary; the owner dealt in rare items and knew a little about magic. She thought he might be able to tell more about the stone and why it gave her such strange dreams.

Yasmin handed the stone to the apothecary. “It’s magic, right? What can you tell me about it?”

The man stared at the stone and quickly glanced up at Yasmin. “Well, erm, let me see, it has some magic properties, yes, but very little. If you like, I can buy it from you for, say… ten gold.” Yasmin stared at the man. She didn’t like the look in his eyes. He was clearly lying.

When Yasmin didn’t reply, he spoke again hastily. Clutching the stone in his sweaty hands, Jasmin could tell he really wanted the stone. “Twenty… no Thirty golds, and I’m being really generous. That is more than it is worth to anyone.”

Yasmin snatched the stone back. “ It’s not for sale at any price.” She turned to leave as the apothecary stared, confounded. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and she could imagine his eyes burning holes into her back as she left. On foot, Yasmin hurried through the outskirts of town with the occasional nervous glance back over her shoulders. She hadn’t liked the look the apothecary gave her as she left. She was halfway home before she felt sure she was being followed. She stopped thinking fast, and symbols appeared in her mindsight, a spell that would stop her pursuers. Three men suddenly came from behind, two armed with swords, one with a bow.

“We don’t want to hurt you. All we want is that amulet you’re carrying, and you can be on your way, no harm done.”The one with the bow spoke menacingly.

Yasmin didn’t answer. Her hands at arm’s length, close in front of her, moved in quick, precise gestures unnoticed by her attackers. The three men were lifted off their feet and thrown to the ground, their bodies jerking up and down. They screamed in pain as raw energy coursed through them, finally lying unconscious. Yasmin checked the three. “They will live; it might be a few hours before they wake up.” Yasmin decided to go back to town and inform the town guards what had happened. The captain of the guard was surprised when Yasmin showed him the three unconscious robbers. Later, the owner of the apothecary was arrested for conspiring with the robbers. Apparently, it wasn’t his first offence either. The next day, Yasmin went to a jeweller and had a chain made for the amulet. From then on, word spread about Yasmin. As time passed, she built a reputation for capturing bandits and pacifying troublemakers. Yasmin was respected and feared, for all knew she could work magic. Eventually, she hired her own men at arms and owned a small mansion. But Yasmin felt restless; something was nagging at her, urging her to leave. She felt there was somewhere she needed to go and needed to do. Yasmin didn’t know where or what. So, with her men at arms, she left all she knew behind and took the ship to the mainland.

Chapter Two

Yasmin sat towards the back of the inn, observing what was going on around her. It had been two weeks since her arrival at Port Caladyn. The first couple of days of her arrival were spent recovering from seasickness. However, in those few days, she still managed, with the help of Hector Gabison, to get organised and send a couple of her men to scout not only the port but the surrounding countryside. The men were mainly loyal to Hector, more than herself. They didn’t entirely trust a woman, albeit a sorceress. However, they give Yasmin due respect and fear her because of her magic ability. Hector Gabison was one of the first to follow her, and he understood her the best. Yasmin knew he would follow her to Hades itself if she asked it of him. Yasmin’s feelings for Hector were reciprocated, although she had never told him so far.

Yasmin looked up as Hector entered the inn and made his way toward her. The site of him always made her heart race. He was tall and tanned with well-groomed fair hair, deep blue eyes and a pencil-thin moustache. He walked with a swagger, pulling out a chair he sat opposite. His handsome features regarded her with his usual calm air. “So, have the scouts returned? What do we know?” Yasmin asked seriously.

The scouts reported back just a while ago. Hector produced a map and spread it out on the table, pointing out several locations. “Here is where we are now, port Caladyn; about thirty leagues to the east is Tarmarin, ruled by Queen Germina. It’s a small country but with fertile, rich land. To the west is Sidaro. I believe the king there is called Luthor and is currently engaged in a pretend war with Queen Germia.”

Yasmin frowned, “Pretend war?”

“Technically, they are at war, but neither side has admitted it openly. There are forces amassed on both sides of the border, and King Luthor regularly raids across the into Tarmarin. Only to be repelled by the Queen’s army. It is a deadlock at present.”

“So why is this King Luthor waging a war of attrition on his neighbour? You say Queen Germina’s country is rich. Is that the reason why?”

“Hector nodded, “Mostly, he claims, so the rumour goes they were both one country a long time ago and that they should be united again with him the ruler, of course.”

Yasmin grimaced, “No mention of what would happen to the Queen if two countries become one?”

Hector shrugged, “ He’s not married. He could take her as his wife. Failing that…” Hector raised a hand and drew it across his throat meaningfully.”

Yasmin’s face was blank, “I’m already taking a dislike to this King Luthor.”

Hector pointed to the north on the map, “It gets better. To the north is Emoprian, ruled by King Morgan. Who tends to favour King Luthor if he gets involved, then it’s over Queen Germina. King Morgan has the largest army of the three rulers. So far, he has remained neutral. But it’s rumoured he might soon join in support of King Luthor.”

Around Yamin’s neck, the amulet suddenly flared, something it hadn’t done for several years; it had been dull and lifeless for some time now. Hector noticed it also but didn’t say anything. “Why does the northern King favour King Luthor, and why intervene in a war that does not concern him?”

Hector shrugged, and his expression grew grave, “Unknown, but my guess is King Morgan is playing his own game.”

Yasmin frowned, then nodded, “Perhaps this King Morgan wants to rule, not just the north!” Hector didn’t answer, but he looked down at the map with a heavy sigh.

“The wise move would be to support King Luthor for now. ” He said, finally looking up at Yasmin. He had a feeling that Yasmin would do the opposite. “I know you always favour the underdog, but taking on Two armies may be too much for even someone with your powers.” He concluded, trying to persuade her to take the safer course.

Yasmin was silent for several moments, biting her bottom lip and contemplating what to do. “Did you find anything related to any other magic users anywhere on the mainland?”

Hector shook his head. “Most who claim to know magic are just tricksters and the like. So, magic is not taken seriously here. People tend to laugh at anyone claiming to be a magic user or lock them as a fraud or insane. Like I said, Yasmin, when we arrived here, it was best not to let it be widely known you can do magic.”

Yasmin smiled; as always, you are looking out for me, Hector, but you should call me my lady in public at least.”

Hector returned the smile and grinned, “But we both know you are no lady. My lady.”

Yasmin chuckled and gave Hector a playful punch on the arm. “Behave, remember where we are.”

“Ouch!” Hector faked being hurt and rubbed the offending arm. “Oh, I just remembered one story about King Morgan. About twenty or so years ago, King Morgan put down a rebellion with the help of a sorcerer, so they say. But during the uprising, they had a falling out for some reason, and the sorcerer left, never to be seen again, so story goes. If true, that might mean there is a sorcerer out there, which is something you might need to consider.”

Yasmin frowned, looking down at the map; lost in thought, she brushed a golden lock of hair from her face. “That must have been around the same time the amulet came into my possession.” She had made her decision. “What lies just outside the port?”

“There are a few scattered settlements and empty land until, as I said, Tarmarin.”

Yasmin pointed to a point roughly halfway between north and south. “And this area?”

“Ah, the Kasin forest. It is said to be haunted, so not many people go there.”

Yasmin tapped her fingers on the table and nodded “I doubt it is haunted.” She paused, chewing her bottom lip. “There is no such thing as ghosts. Tell the men to get ready, and we’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“You have decided then.” Yasmin nodded as the amulet again flared into life once more.

Chapter Three

The next day, Yasmin rode out with Hector by her side and her men close behind. The sun did not hold much warmth. A cold wind rose, and Yasmin pulled her cloak more tightly around herself as she surveyed the scene ahead. They passed a small settlement. The trail ahead meandered with a mixture of scrub grass and bracken.

Hector leaned in the saddle. “I think autumn will soon be here.”

Yasmin nodded, looking up as clouds began to gather overhead, “Yes, there is no warmth in the sun. Let’s pick the pace up. I think it may rain later.” Hector turned and shouted to the men to quicken the pace. “We should try and get to shelter before nightfall,” Yasmin added. As expected, it started to rain before dark, just as they arrived at another settlement. The inn was small and had only enough spare rooms for Yasmin and Hector. Her men found shelter in the stables or wherever they could stay reasonably dry.

By morning, the rains had stopped. The land was wet, and the air felt fresh as they set out again. Unlike the day before, the sky was cloudless, and the sun felt a little warmer. Shortly before noon, they came to a fork in the trail. They stopped for a short while. Yasmin considered where to go first. “Let’s continue north for now.” Hector looked a little surprised but knew better than to question Yasmin once her mind was made up. They passed another small village when Yasmin stopped and turned to Hector. “Have the men make camp here. We will continue alone for now.”

Hector looked questioningly at Yasmin but decided to hold his peace. Yasmin clearly had something on her mind and seemed unusually quiet since the morning. He turned and gave orders to make camp and wait. Yasmin and Hector continued along the trail, with the undergrowth on either side growing denser. Eventually, Yasmin stopped sitting up in the saddle and pointed ahead. “Is that the Kasmin Forest ahead?”

Hector’s expression was thoughtful as he stared ahead at the line of trees that seemed a little foreboding. “I guess it must be. Are we going to enter the forest? Are you looking for something in there?” Yasmin nodded. “Hector gave Yasmin a puzzled look. “Like what or who?”

Yasmin chewed her bottom lip. “I will know when I see what or whom it is!” around her neck, the amulet began to glow. As they travelled further into the forest, Hector noticed that Yasmin paid close attention to the amulet. When it glowed bright, she continued ahead. When it became dull or stopped glowing, she changed direction until it began to glow brighter again. Suddenly, the amulet flared with a dazzling light momentary, blinding both Yasmin and Hector. “I think we are here,” Yasmin said, dismounting. She looked around, scanning the undergrowth and searching. Hector dismounted and began searching the undergrowth also. “You know we were followed part of the way, don’t you?” Hector said, brushing low-hanging branched out of the way as he followed Yasmin.

“Yes, I was aware that someone followed us, but whoever it was left while we were still on the main trail,” Yasmin replied. Suddenly, she stopped, facing a clump of raised ground. A bright light shone from the amulet, and a ghostly figure appeared in front of her. Hector stepped back involuntarily, making a sign to ward off evil. “I thought you said there was no such thing as ghosts?”

Jasmin was unconcerned, “ There isn’t.” she replied.

“Then what is that if not a ghost?”

“A memory spell stored in the amulet until I found the previous owner,” Yasmin explained.

Hector mulled over what Yasmin said for a moment. “ You mean…”

“Yes, he is buried here. I needed to find his grave in order to trigger the spell. Now be quiet while I’m listening to what he says.” The ghostly figure seemed to be speaking, but no words came from his mouth. Yasmin stood motionless, watching the figure until it finally vanished. Yasmin stood silent for a moment, then found a gnarled tree stump to sit down. She chewed her bottom lip, deep in thought. Hector noticed she looked a bit pale.” Are you alright, Yasmin?”

Yasmin shuddered and sighed. “You know, I always thought the dead sorcerer wanted me to find his grave and somehow.” Yasmin paused, shaking her head. “I don’t know, left a compulsion, an imprint in the amulet that would bring me here.”

Hector looked puzzled and concerned for Yasmin. “A compulsion… imprint. What does all that mean?”

Yasmin stood and paced up and down, thinking furiously. She stopped going through the events since she came to possess the amulet. “You remember I told you I found the amulet when I was only six years old?” Hector nodded, still confused. “I remember you telling me how you found the amulet. What does that have with its all this?”

“What I didn’t tell you since I came to own the amulet. I had dreams. They were more like nightmares at times. Over the years, the dreams faded. But when I was young, I dreamt that I was someone else with the amulet. I presumed later they were the sorcerer’s experiences, and that’s what made me want to find him. Now, though, when I come to think about the dreams, I realise they were different people in those dreams.” Yasmin paused, considering. “I think the amulet is much older than I thought and maybe older than any previous owner of it believed.” Yasmin paused again. “I will sound insane, but I’ll say it anyway.”

“Say what?” You are definitely not insane, Yasmin. So say it; you’re getting me more confused.”

“I believe the amulet is alive!” Hector gaped at her, totally at a loss for words. “See, you think I’m going insane now, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t think you’re going insane, Yasmin. Maybe you are just overthinking this and reading too much into it.”

Yasmin shook her head, “No, I’m not overthinking; it all makes sense to me now. The dreams, how I came to possess the amulet. The dead sorcerer laid a compulsion spell on the amulet, so whoever found it would go and find his grave and seek revenge. I already learned that from the memory spell, and he was definitely murdered. It doesn’t explain how the amulet got so far and ended up with me. I’m sure he cast a spell before he died so that the amulet disappeared, but he didn’t know where it would end up. There were also the symbols in my dreams.”

Chapter Four

Hector felt more and more concerned for Yasmin. “Is she really going insane? No, she is just overthinking; maybe she is just tired and overreacting. Symbols?”

“They were actually spells I didn’t realise at first. There is no way the dead sorcerer could have passed all that knowledge through the amulet to me. Also, the previous owners of the amulet he couldn’t have known about either.” She paused, thinking again. “Perhaps the previous owners left a little of their selves in the amulet, and in time, it became aware and alive in its own right in some form.”

Hector mulled it all over. His head down, insane, it sounded, yet it made a weird sort of sense as Yasmin explained it to him. Besides, he believed in Yasmin; looking at her, she seemed perfectly calm and composed. “Whatever else she might be, she was not insane.” He wasn’t sure he believed the amulet was alive, but Yasmin did. For now, that was enough for him. He took a deep breath. “Okay,’ let us assume the amulet in some way is alive. What do you intend to do next?”

Yasmin chewed her bottom lip, troubled by this sudden realisation. “There is one thing that makes me truly afraid right now based on what I have discovered.”

Hector frowned, “What’s that?”

“As the amulet passes from owner to owner, I believe it becomes more powerful, and it bestows that power on whoever owns it. It scares me that the power might corrupt me or, if not me, the next owner. I think the amulet seems neutral; it has no feelings like a human being, and that terrifies me. Hector put his hands on Yasmin’s shoulders and pulled her close. “You are neither insane nor are you the type of person to be easily corrupted by the power of the amulet.” He paused, enfolding her in his arms. “We will work this out together, okay? Don’t think about it for now.”