A Thief in the Night
In a snow-covered glade, a monstrous creature stood over the fractured body of a man. The beast stood almost ten feet tall, skin the color of charcoal and leathery wings folded upon its back. Through the protective cover of the forest undergrowth Aaron watched in horror—helpless, and he shivered more from panic than from crawling upon the frozen ground. The monster drew to its full height and roared in triumph over the fallen man, malice burned in its grizzly face.
The creature gripped the limp body with its massive claws. Blood flowed from the dead man and pooled in the snow beneath him. Fearful of even the slightest crackle from a winter leaf, Aaron moved a small branch to gain a better view and continue to watch. Struck with horror, he noticed the gold insignia on the dead man’s cloak—a soldier of the Royal Guard. Slaughtered by a beast escaped from a nightmare. He never imagined a creature so malevolent, so evil.
Aaron lay motionless on the frozen ground and watched the daemon. The creature’s eyes sat under heavy, dark brows and blazed with red fire, as if a furnace burned inside the hideous beast. The creature turned and fixed its eyes where he hid. The forest undergrowth provided no protection against the monster’s gaze. Aaron feared that it felt his presence!
It moved toward Aaron with slow, deliberate steps. A low guttural growl rumbled from its throat. He had to decide—fight or flee, but he knew he had no chance to outrun such a monstrous creature. With iron determination, the captain gripped the leather-wrapped hilt of his sword. Slowly and quietly, he unsheathed the cold steel blade. Strike first, he thought, and strike hard.
The daemon drew nearer and steam rose from its footprints, as if a hot iron pressed the snow. Whether from the cold or some smoldering fire inside the beast, its breath billowed with heat. The creature neared Aaron’s position. He rejected the cold chill of fear that tried to steal his courage. He must strike first and catch the monster off guard. Sword in hand, he…
…woke, trembling and drenched with sweat. His dark, cold room only heightened the anxiety of his dreadful nightmare, even as he pulled the wool blanket tighter around his neck. A faint glow radiated from under the door and cast a pale light upon the wooden floor when a shadow crossed the light. His dream still fresh in his mind, Aaron almost jumped out of bed when someone pounded on the door.
“Captain!” a voice called from the corridor. Aaron calmed his nerves and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Again someone knocked. “Captain! Captain, are you awake?” The unfamiliar voiced called into the room.
“Yes, yes, just a moment,” Aaron replied. What a dream. He remembered the terrible images that had plagued his sleep. A cold sweat hung upon his skin like a mantle and intensified the frigid atmosphere of the room. Aaron just wanted to huddle deeper under the blankets.
Reluctant, he stood upon the cold wood floor and shuffled to the door. He glanced back at the frosted window—the world remained shrouded in darkness. Aaron hoped the person at the door was prepared for a tirade. With the blanket wrapped around him, he unbolted and opened the door. Light from the hall burst into his room like a flood, and Aaron shielded his eyes from the intense brightness. He squinted in a vain effort to relieve his vision and looked at the young soldier who had disturbed his sleep.
“Yes,” he said through a prodigious yawn. “What is it?”
The young soldier at the door wore the simple brown uniform of the local guard. A light dusting of snow covered the young guard’s hair and cloak. “Sir,” said the man, “I am sorry, but it is near daybreak, and I had orders to wake you.”
“Yes, soldier, I understand.” The tone of Aaron’s voice amplified his displeasure. “I’ll be along in a moment.”
“Y-yes sir.” The man stammered. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have set orders for your breakfast. It waits for you in the common room. Also, I was told to wake another of your guardsman. Who do you want me to get, sir?”
The captain hadn’t thought about it since the previous night. His mind raced through the soldiers under his command. It was too early, and his thoughts staggered in drowsy confusion. He mentioned the only name that came to mind, “Rayn… go get the private, and tell him to report to the common room as soon as he is ready. Also,” ordered the captain, “have a breakfast delivered for him—we both will make an early start.”
“Yes sir!” The soldier saluted and sprinted away.
Aaron shook his head, turned back into his room, and let his own door close behind him. The darkness engulfed him. He stumbled back to his bed and cracked his knee against the desk that sat beside it, a sturdy, wooden nightstand with a small drawer in the front. Aaron fumbled around the drawer’s contents, a collection of cast-off writing quills, parchment, and assorted other items, until his hand rested upon a box that contained several wooden matches. He retrieved one and struck it against the edge of the desk. It ignited in a shower of spark and flame, and he lit the diminutive tallow candle that stood on the desk. Aaron dressed quickly then hurried out the door.
The hallway glowed in the smoky light of several torches that hung upon the wall. Aaron turned to the right and passed through a single door at the end of the passage and entered the common room. A fire roared in the center pit as smoke rose through a cone-shaped flue that reached through the ceiling. He noticed a table set with two decanters and other utensils, as well as a large covered tray. No sooner did he sit down than a man rushed through the main door of the hall. Steam wafted off the newcomer’s back, and he breathed heavily with exertion, groaning under the weight of a large metal tray.
The newcomer hurried to Aaron’s side. “My… apologies… sir.” The man panted as he tried to catch his breath. Dressed in simple leather clothes with a tan apron around his waist, the servant took a deep breath and spoke again. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your meal, sir, but I had orders to bring another breakfast to the common room. I’ll just set it here and leave you alone to enjoy your morning.” Without another word, the servant set the tray down and departed the way he came.
When the servant left another person entered, a soldier. Tall and ruddy, with a boyish appearance, quick eyes, and a mischievous smile, Rayn strolled through the dormitory door and across the room to the table. Young and eager, he paid no attention to his commander and began to explore the contents of his breakfast. Rayn uncovered his tray to reveal generous portions of scrambled eggs, bacon, strips of boiled beef and fried potato wedges. In a large container in the center of the table stood a decanter of water and, next to it, a piping hot jug of coffee. He poured the coffee into a ceramic cup and began to devour the meal.
“Good morning, Private,” Aaron said, chuckling at the display of such a voracious appetite. Rayn looked up and, for the first time, noticed who it was that shared the table with him.
“Oh, Captain,” came his quick response. Any infraction of etiquette often brought dire punishment. “I am sorry for my behavior…I didn’t know that you were you…well, that you were who you are…I mean that you…” His sentence trailed away.
“I can see that you were more troubled with appetite than manners. Carry on soldier, and we will enjoy a silent breakfast together. We have much to do and must be on our way soon. We might need an extra packhorse, though, if this is the way you eat!” Aaron smiled at the private and lifted the cover from his plate to examine his own breakfast. His heavy-laden tray contained the same substantial meal as the private’s and together they ate in the silent solitude of the empty hall.
Aaron listened to voices echo through the barracks. Soldiers woke with a myriad of inseparable noises as doors slammed and booted feet stomped in the hallway leading to the common room. Several servants entered and set tables in preparation for the rush of hungry soldiers. The room soon became a hub of activity as Aaron and Rayn continued to eat. One servant, a young boy no more than twelve, came in with a heavy metal poker to stir the fire in the central fireplace which sent up a shower of glowing embers with the smoke.
Aaron glanced up as Lieutenant Morryn entered. The tall lieutenant dwarfed everyone in the room and commanded attention as he moved through the crowd. Men, both soldiers and servants, gave Morryn a wide berth as he strode toward the captain’s table. His hard eyes examined everything in the gathered throng of soldiers. The lieutenant’s gaze fell upon Aaron, and a puzzled look crossed Morryn’s chiseled face as he made his way through the sea of tables. He stood at the table’s edge, his jaw firm and stance erect.
“Please, sit down Lieutenant,” Aaron said. “There is no need to stand on ceremony at breakfast.”
The lieutenant took a seat but nervously continued to look around the room. “Sir,” Morryn said, “I am eager to get the men ready and be on our way. I don’t trust this place.”
“This is out of character for you, Morryn,” Aaron said as he set his breakfast aside. “What don’t you trust?”
Morryn’s uneasiness resonated in his voice. “I don’t know, sir,” he said. “I just know that the farther away from the capital, the more uneasy I feel.”
“Oh, a homebody, eh?” Rayn quipped through a mouthful of food. Then the private stopped chewing, and his eyes widened.
“Private… your opinion was not asked for!” The lieutenant glared at the young man. “It may be that you’ll need some remedial discipline before we make it home!”
“My apologies, sir, I… I didn’t think before I spoke!” Rayn’s voice trembled as his eyes darted to the captain then back to Morryn.
“At ease men,” Aaron interrupted. “Your discipline will have to wait, Rayn, since you’re still coming with me. Lieutenant, what is it that you sense? Tell me.”
“Sir, I just don’t know. I am not one given to fear or imagination, but these northern reaches harbor strange creatures, and these villages are more prone to their own rule than that of the emperor.” Morryn paused as if he tried to gather his thoughts. “Sir, last night when the men were in their rooms, I thought I saw a…well…a creature. I was up late and walked the streets of this village when the snow began to fall. I went to the main gate and found it locked so I started back. When I turned, something flew over the roof of the barracks. I didn’t see it clearly through the snowfall, but it appeared rather large, in shape like a man but with massive wings. I questioned the guards when I returned, but these local guards are as useless as blunt swords.” The lieutenant took a deep breath. “I’ll be glad to find my feet upon the streets of Celedon once again.”
Aaron’s mind raced back to the nightmare that had plagued his sleep. He shuddered at the prospect that the malevolent beast which ravaged his dreams now lurked in the shadows of reality.
“Sir, what is it?” Rayn asked.
“Nothing… it’s just that I had a dream last night, and in it I saw a creature similar to what Morryn just described.”
Dread filled Morryn’s eyes. “Sir, with your permission, I will assemble the men, and we’ll leave at once.”
Aaron wasn’t sure what to make of the lieutenant’s expression and dismissed it. “Yes, by all means, the men are under your command, and you are free to depart at your convenience. The private and I have other duties that require us to remain behind.”
“Thank you, sir.” Morryn stood and saluted. He turned to leave but stopped and faced Aaron again. “Sir,” he said, “you mentioned a message I was to take back to Emperor Therion?”
Aaron nodded. “It’s nothing. Just tell the emperor that Rayn and I have remained behind to continue the task.”
Morryn gave a questioning glance, nodded, and then left the common room back to the dormitory.
After Morryn departed, men from both the local and Royal Guard gathered at the assorted tables and tore into their breakfasts like pack wolves at a kill. Servants, men and women, entered with full trays and departed with empty ones. Several times the young boy came to tend the central fire, to bring wood or stir the coals.
“Rayn, we need to go.” Aaron stood and finished the last dregs of his coffee.
“Sir,” said Rayn, as he stood, “I don’t mind telling you that I’m a bit worried. If we encounter a creature like the one the lieutenant described, the two of us might not be enough to handle it.” The private’s carefree attitude was replaced by a look of serious concern.
“Rayn, don’t get caught up with dreams and shadows in the night.” He tried to sound confident, to reassure his young companion, but inwardly Aaron felt a growing apprehension. “We need to see the governor and receive more instructions. He has retained us for a task he thinks is most important. Get your cloak; it’s snowing.” Both men wrapped their cloaks around their shoulders and meandered through the crowded room to the exit door.
Outside they were greeted by a morning of heavy grey clouds and an onslaught of snow. A sparkling blanket of white covered the world as servants and merchants bustled to and fro. Their footprints filled with fresh snowflakes even as they passed. Large evergreen trees, with branches like massive arms, drooped under the heavy weight. A hazy, pale glow on the eastern horizon signaled the arrival of morning.
On every street people bustled about. Servants, laden with trays of steaming food, whisked their way past the two soldiers and entered the barracks. Merchants pushed carts stockpiled high with products along the main thoroughfare as shopkeepers opened doors and shoveled snow from the front of their establishments. Aaron hoisted his cloak a little higher on his shoulders and, with Rayn at his side, stepped down from the barracks and turned toward the governor’s manor.
At the gate two guards kept vigil in the tower. Certainly, Aaron thought, these two guards will be more capable than guards on duty last night. The two on duty proved more alert than their evening counterparts and came out to stop Aaron and Rayn. They both wielded long spears with flat-bladed, metal tips, polished to a mirror-like sheen. Their brown cloaks wafted in the cold breeze as snow began to light upon their heads, yet they held their posture with discipline.
“Halt!” Spoke the guard on the left with a deep, resonant voice. “Identify yourself and your companion!”
“I am Aaron, captain of the Royal Guard and this is Rayn, a soldier under my command. We have business with your governor this morning.” Aaron hoped the two men were informed to the business of the day. He didn’t want to revisit the situation of the previous night.
“Yes, sir,” the first man said. “We have been told of your appointment and are ordered to escort you to the governor. Please follow me.”
Thank goodness! Aaron thought. He pulled his cloak tighter to ward off the cold morning air and defend himself from the continual swirl of snow. Aaron looked up at the snow-covered hill, untouched by any footprint. The soft, white blanket had hidden his tracks from the night before and gave the hillside a look of unspoiled beauty. But for the reasons they were there, he might have enjoyed the serene quality of the early morning snowfall. Aaron saw lights glowing through the frosted windows of the governor’s home, and a hint of smoke drifted from the chimney.
Snow crunched under their boots as they walked through the gate and toward the house. Hiking through knee-deep drifts, they pressed on. At the mansion, Aaron appreciated the shelter of the balcony overhead which shielded them from the relentless attack of winter. All three men stomped their fur-lined boots to beat off the caked-on snow. The escort reached up and pounded the gold knocker against the heavy mahogany door. The door swung open at once, and the same cantankerous servant from the previous night stood before them.
“Ah, Captain! It is good to see you again on this fine morning!” The man seemed in high spirits, far better than he had exhibited the previous night as he welcomed them into the home with enthusiasm.
“Is the governor ready to meet with us?” Aaron asked.
“In a moment, sir. But please come and enjoy a warm cup of coffee.” His graveled voice contrasted with his pleasant disposition.
The escort spoke to Aaron, “Captain, by your leave, I will return to the guard tower.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Aaron replied. “There will be no need for any further help, the private and I will make our own way down.” The guard raised his hand in salute and departed without another word. The door closed with a dull thud and left the cold morning air outside. Aaron and Rayn took seats at the large central table where three cups and a large decanter of coffee awaited them. Rayn filled two cups as they waited in silence for the governor.
From upstairs, the resonant sound of booted feet moved toward the staircase. Heavy footfalls echoed through the quiet hall, growing louder until they reached the stairs. A tall figure stood at the top of the staircase and spoke with a deep voice, clear and direct. “Gentleman, I am glad you have come.”
Aaron and Rayn stood as the tall, thin man, dressed all in black, descended the stairs and approached the table. The newcomer carried himself with an air of dignity and importance. His angular nose and jaw accentuated his narrow face, and bushy eyebrows grew over eyes as hard and dark as obsidian. Long, black hair cascaded from his head and rested on his shoulders.
Surprised by this unknown figure, a sense of caution welled up inside of Aaron. “Where’s the governor?”
“Don’t worry, young captain. The governor is detained with…ah…other business, and I have come to speak on behalf of the emperor himself,” the stranger said.
“Oh,” Rayn interjected, “and just who are you?”
Aaron exhaled in frustration. “Private, don’t forget yourself,” he snapped.
“It is no matter.” The stranger raised his hand to calm Aaron’s agitation. Then he turned to Rayn. “Young man,” he said with calm, stern authority, “I am as you, a servant of the emperor. I am his emissary and have come to deliver his commands to your captain. You will do well to listen and let your superiors discuss matters unsuited for you.” The emissary took a seat across from Aaron.
Rayn squared his shoulders and drew his breath to respond but Aaron interrupted, “I think that once we hear what you have to say both of us will know the course of action that we must take.”
“Indeed, you are right Captain. You will understand the bidding of your emperor.” A hint of malicious delight resounded in the dark stranger’s voice. “The emperor knows that this traitor intended to take his stolen prize beyond the borders of Celedon. There are rumors an ancient enemy of the empire still thrives just beyond our borders and looks to overthrow the emperor and plunge our country into war. You must uncover this enemy and ascertain how they plan to invade before they strengthen their position against the empire. It is understood the man you tracked here belonged to this group. The book he stole is quite valuable, so it is of great importance to the emperor that you recover it.”
“As I explained to the governor,” Aaron said, “the man in question was burned in a fire and everything he possessed, including that book, must have been destroyed as well.”
The stranger pondered the statement. Then he leaned close to Aaron and whispered, “Don’t be so foolish, Captain. This book is protected by great magic. It cannot be harmed, even if dragon’s fire is used to burn it. No, it is not destroyed, and it must be kept out of the hands of those who want to use it against the empire.”
Aaron heaved a heavy sigh, frustrated he was ever picked for such an assignment. “Sir,” he said, “if this book is so highly valued, why send me and my private to try and retrieve it? Send an entire division of troops from the local guard to bring this thing back.”
The stranger replied, “Lord Therion cannot trust the men of this region. Many have been corrupted by the power of this book, and the emperor will allow only those he can trust to lay hold of it. No, Captain, he will trust only someone of Celedon, a member of the Royal Guard with such a duty. The task falls to you, Captain—you and your private.”
Aaron continued. “How far am I to search for these others?”
“Your orders are to recover the book and find the conspirators. How long it takes you and how far you go will depend on the circumstances of your mission. When you’ve finished you will report to the emperor directly. Speak to no one concerning your task.” The stranger stood.
“If that is all, then,” Aaron said, startled at the abrupt end to their conversation, “we will ready ourselves and begin.”
“Very well,” the emissary said, turning his back on Aaron as he left the table. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked back, his eyes hard and cold, “When I return to the capital, I will inform the emperor you have begun. Remember the urgency of this undertaking. Let no other activity distract you from your purpose.” He turned, walked up the stairs, and vanished in the darkness.
Aaron sat in stunned silence as the fire cracked and popped.
“Captain,” Rayn said, “if you’re ready, let’s get out of here.”
“Absolutely,” Aaron said.
They rose from the table and immediately the portly butler was at the door. “Captain,” he whispered, his raspy voice barely discernable, “don’t assume that everything is as it seems.” The butler glanced up to the top of the stairs as his hand trembled on the door-latch. The aged servant opened the door and a rush of cold air blasted the men. With a quick farewell, the old man ushered them out the door and closed it behind them.
Aaron and Rayn stepped off the porch into a carpet of new snow and sank to the top of their boots in the white powder. The clouds had thinned and only a powdery mist wafted through the morning air. Like spears from heaven, shafts of golden light pierced the drifting clouds and fell upon the earth to illuminate the world with scintillating brilliance. Trees glistened with wintry reflections as if thousands of crystals hung on the limbs and branches of every tree in North Village, creating a scene of mystical enchantment. Rooftop chimneys puffed out billows of grey smoke that drifted in lazy procession over the cottages and hovels.
Down toward the barracks, Morryn moved through the ranks of the guard assembled in the square. The lieutenant checked and rechecked the men under his command, barking orders in the cold morning air. Within minutes the men of the Royal Guard were mounted and in formation, ready to depart. Morryn waved his hand in the air and Aaron heard the lieutenant shout, “Move out!”
In silent consternation, Aaron watched his men depart.
“Captain?” Rayn interrupted Aaron’s troubled thoughts. “Shouldn’t we be going?”
Aaron sighed. “Yes indeed. Let’s get our gear and return to the ruined cottage. Perhaps there is some burnt remnant of that book. I don’t know how much of what we heard is just ancient myth, but we need to start somewhere and that’s the best place.” The captain hoisted his cloak around his shoulders and trudged down the hill, followed by his companion.
As they plowed through the snow, Aaron tried to walk in his previous footprints, but no amount of effort made the journey back to the barracks any easier. When they approached the guard tower, Aaron gave no thought to the two guards and pressed through the gate, unhindered. Back at the barracks door, Aaron instructed the guard to have their mounts prepared to depart.
“Sir, will you return today?” the guard asked.
“No, we’ll need supplies for at least a week,” Aaron replied. The guard saluted then ran off while Aaron and Rayn entered the common room to wait.
Both men sat down at a table nearest the central fire to warm themselves when a young woman entered with a decanter of warm ale and two mugs. Aaron offered his thanks to the girl and poured himself and Rayn a generous helping of the drink.
Rayn spoke first, “Sir, what of the information that we were told? There’s something unsettling about this entire mission.”
“Well,” Aaron said, “I am not sure. I have heard stories about people who live beyond the borders of Celedon. I have never seen them or dealt with them. I don’t even know if I believe they exist, but we will find out. One thing is certain; anyone who has opposed the emperor in the past has suffered greatly. So, if there are rebels living outside our borders, the emperor will deal with them. In fact, if you remember your history lessons, the reason the Royal Guard came into existence was to protect the empire. Our mission is no different. What this book is all about or why the emperor wants it, I’m not sure. I am sure of this, however, you and I will find out.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Rayn said with dismay. “What of the dream you had and the creature the lieutenant saw? Do we just dismiss them?”
“No, we don’t dismiss them, but don’t be taken to fear by them either.” Aaron tried to sound dispassionate. “What we’ll do is take the next step in the course that is before us. We don’t have enough information to do much more than that.” Just then, a messenger entered the common room.
“Captain,” a young boy interrupted. “Captain”—he panted from his haste—“your horses and provisions are ready.”
“Let’s go,” Aaron said.
Aaron stepped outside to find the world bathed in light as clouds parted, and the brilliant sun burned over the eastern horizon. A hazy layer of mist drifted just above the snow as the sun’s warmth permeated the region. Aaron shielded his eyes against the glare and took the reins of his horse.
As they rode through the center of the village to the main gate, Aaron contemplated the conversation he’d overheard the night before as he passed the two old men. He barely noticed the people of North Village as they bustled throughout the hamlet. Silent, Aaron rummaged through his own nagging thoughts. They exited the gate, ignored by two young boys who persisted in a valiant snowball fight, and started on the trail to the cottage.
The track twisted through the trees. Both horses climbed the rugged terrain with ease, unhindered by drifts of snow that collected along the path. The evidence of their previous night’s trip still lingered on the trail despite the early morning snowfall as evergreen trees formed a canopy of reaching branches and protected the path from most of the winter weather. Around them, the crash of small avalanches echoed through the woods as snow cascaded from over-laden tree limbs.
Occasionally, the path opened to look down upon the valley sprawled below them. Clear skies, deep and rich in stages of blue, hosted a scattering of gentle clouds, while the valley floor glowed in brilliant white, covered in a blanket of snow. Aaron stopped his horse long enough to drink in the sights, awed at the majestic scene on display. Several hundred feet below, and slightly south, Aaron looked upon North Village. Thin wisps of smoke hovered over houses crowned in white. Far in the distance, to the edge of the horizon, the eastern plains spread out like a painter’s canvas, white and barren.
Aaron gazed over the vista desperate for the tranquility he observed. “Peace…” he said, thinking aloud as he stared toward the horizon.
“What?” Rayn asked.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied with a sigh. “Just that I’ve longed for peace, for an end to constant conflict, and I look out over the horizon and from here it all seems peaceful.” Aaron shook his head and turned his horse back to the path. “But peace is just a dream.” He rode up the trail in silence.
They continued into the forest, again sheltered by trees that kept it passable, though both mounts took measured steps in the increasing drifts. Slow and careful, they rode up the mountain until they came within sight of the burned remnants of the old cottage.
A bleak reminder of the activities of the previous night, snow that surrounded the cottage had become grey with ash. Tall pines, lush and green, bore the scars of the inferno with needles charred brown and branches scorched. The simple, elegant architecture reduced now to little more than charred ruins. Astride his mount, Aaron looked at the scene with dismay and wondered if any room had escaped the fury of the fire. Even as he watched, thin wisps of smoke drifted up from timbers that continued to smolder.
Both men dismounted and tied their horses to nearby tree limbs. Aaron walked toward the burned-out house and hoped there was nothing left but the charcoal remains of an ancient book. “Private, I want you to look in the back, see what you can find. I’ll enter through the front and together we can investigate the entire building in a short amount of time.”
“Captain, what am I looking for?” Rayn asked.
“Maps, documents, books, anything that might give us a clue to this man’s associations.” Aaron gripped the pommel of his sword and approached the ruins as Rayn walked around to the back.
The captain approached the front door with caution, concerned that the blackened shell of the cottage might collapse and fall in on the both of them. He walked up the stone stairs to the double doors and tested them to see if they would open and felt the radiant warmth of the charred timbers. Both doors collapsed inward when he touched them, their hinges were burned through and the frame scorched. Aaron did a double-take when he noticed two rhododendron bushes on either side of the entryway undamaged by the fire, just a few scorched leaves on the outer branches.
Aaron passed through the main door into an entryway, smoke-stained and burned. To his left he noticed a small room with its door burned beyond recognition. Inside the room, two chairs still smoldered. On his right stood a small closet with empty hangers that dangled on a round beam. Garments, burned and frayed, lay sprawled on the floor. In front of him another set of doors, broken and scarred, had fallen to the floor and exposed a large central chamber.
Aaron stepped with caution through the fractured entryway as the heat of the inferno still lingered in the air. The hall glowed in the sunlight as a massive hole in the ceiling exposed the room to the sky. Light filtered in like streams of ribbon that reached from heaven. The room was larger than Aaron expected and boasted several benches and tables with a raised platform on the opposite wall from where he entered.
On the dais, a scorched and overturned table caught his eye. Snow had settled in the room and swirled in the air, mingled with dust and ash. Aaron approached the platform, and the acrid stench of charred wood filled his nostrils. Through a closed door on the right side of the dais, he heard a crash and presumed Rayn knocked over some furniture in an antechamber.
As Aaron approached the overturned table, a sense of dread fell upon him. His eyes narrowed. He drew his sword, and it rang with metallic vibrations as it cleared its sheath. The hair on his neck bristled as he drew nearer to the platform, not sure what to expect. Then he saw it. Crouched and slumped over behind the table sat the figure of a man. The man’s arms were folded in front of his chest and he sat with his knees pressed up against them. His head bowed so that it almost pressed between his knees and no signs of breath or life issued from the figure. Aaron let out a sigh as his tension dissipated. He examined the old man, bewildered when he saw no trace of fire or smoke upon the body.
The man’s hands were positioned so that he gripped an item to his chest. He used the tip of his sword to jostle the man’s arms free and discovered—two empty hands. Though the man’s hands were clutched as if he gripped an object, he held nothing. Aaron looked around but found only ash and dust. Then he saw the faint imprint of large booted feet next to the body.
Aaron followed the prints and discovered some intruder had come through a breech in the east wall. The footprints entered and departed through a hole made by the fire and collapsed timbers. Aaron paced back and forth across the dais. As to the identity of the perpetrator, he didn’t have the first clue. One thing is certain, Aaron thought, the book has been stolen again.
Aaron listened to the clattering of Rayn as he worked in some back room.
“Captain! I think I’ve found something!” Rayn called out.
To the right of the platform a small, narrow door exited the hall. Aaron ventured through it and found Rayn busy searching through the contents of a small desk in the center of the room. Shelves of books lined the walls. Some burned beyond recognition; others lay scattered on the floor. Rayn shuffled through a pile of papers on the desk. It was to the pile that Rayn directed Aaron’s attention.
“What is it Private? What have you found?”
“Well, sir,” Rayn said, “it seems our thief was well acquainted with a group of people who live in some region known as Hidden Valley. I found what might be a personal letter to the man who died.”
He handed the letter to Aaron.
Derrick,
It is with a heavy heart that I hear of your trouble. I want you to know that you are not alone; there are many here who have not given up hope for the Restoration. Bring the book! We are anxious to have you and it safe with us. We need you. Come to Hidden Valley. Make your way through the mountains and you will be safe. We eagerly wait for your arrival.
Dunstan
“Well, now,” the captain said, “it seems that we have a clue after all. Good work Private—”
A loud crash from the central hall shook the building. Both men drew their swords. Without a word, they rushed toward the sound. In the center of the chamber stood a large, winged creature. Its leathery skin was the color of dark ash with its wings folded against its ridged back. Powerful claws gripped a long, black sword and heavy brows loomed over eyes that glowered with red flame. The creature of his nightmare stood before him. Aaron’s courage melted like wax in the presence of the hideous beast.
“Old man, where is the book?” The monster’s voice rolled like thunder from its throat as it stepped toward the place where the fallen man lay. It tossed aside tables and chairs like toys. Each step brought it closer to the dais. Steam, or perhaps smoke, issued from its mouth with each breath, and its footprints seared the wooden floor as with a branding iron.
The beast reached the table that concealed the fallen man then it tilted its head as if it listened to some call. Aaron heard no sound but the creature stretched its massive wings and took flight through the hole in the ceiling. Rayn, eyes wide with fear, looked at his captain speechless.
“I think,” Aaron said, “our mission has just become complicated.”