Chapter 2

Natalie held the limp form of her sister against her chest. The heat exited quickly, and the flesh began to grow cold. Natalie sat in silence and mourned her sister and only friend. She made no attempt at composure or to even observe the world she had entered; she only held the lifeless body in front of her.

After a time, the wizard said in a sympathetic voice, “I am sorry that your sister is dead. She was a valiant person in your world, but she has been separated from mourning and entered into a new life. Why mourn her body?”

Natalie looked up for the first time and saw that there was nothing around her or beneath her. She sat in a void; darkness encompassed her and the man in a dark cloak before her. “What do you mean?” Natalie asked. “It is all I have of her left to mourn.” The gentleness of the wizard’s voice was all that kept her from screaming at him and erupting into tears.

“We are in the land of the dead now, but soon we will return to the land of the living. There, her body cannot go. Think of her in your spirit, for there she is” the wizard made a gesture to Natalie’s side, “more real than this limp form.” Natalie wasn’t sure if she should be upset or confused.

“I am sorry for your loss, child. Though it is hard to bear, remember that she has gained. Her task in your world was completed, and now she has departed from her body. As you mourn, don’t do so without joy. Be glad that she has been given a better life.”

“There is a river over the next ridge. We can send her down the river so that she may have a warrior’s burial,” the wizard offered, “but we must return to the land I came from as soon as possible, else we might be stuck in this land forever.”

“Where are we?” Natalie questioned, wiping water from her eye. She stood to attempt looking around, but she could find nothing to let her eyes linger on. Attempting to look into a void was almost sickening to her. When she put a hand on her stomach, the pain reminded her that she had not escaped unscathed.

“This is the Netherworld. It is said that the King’s dwelling resides here. Those spirits who leave their bodies journey here. The ones who are invited of the King find eternal peace in this place.”

“And what of the ones who aren’t invited?” Natalie, thinking of her sister, asked.

“They roam the land forever, lost in despair.” The wizard responded then looked to see the sadness in Natalie’s face. “I wouldn’t doubt if your sister was invited of the King.”

“Why? She never mentioned a king . . . ” Natalie held back tears as she asked.

“This necklace in her pouch.” The wizard grabbed the pendant that had slipped from the pouch around Jessica’s neck. “It is one of the King’s many seals,” the wizard said. “Each is unique, but most are passed from person to person as a gift.” In this case, your mother gave it to your sister and now you have acquired it. You must protect it.”

“What do you know about my mother?” Natalie demanded.

“You will understand more if you will come with me.”

“But to where?” Natalie asked. “There’s nothing here. It makes me sick just trying to see anything more than you or this darkness. It’s nothing but you and I and…”

The wizard chuckled at his mistake. “I’m sorry, my dear. I forgot. Come; kneel before me.”

Natalie winced from the scrapes on her knees when she knelt before the wizard.

The wizard placed his hands on her eyes and looked up. “Aesa fir Sprité.” When the wizard removed his hand, Natalie saw the rocky cliffs around her and heard the sound of a raging river that flowed near them. Natalie stood warily to get a better look at the world around them. Cliffs in the shapes of camels across the ravine from her stood motionless and solid. This isn’t Astranaar, and it’s not the place I’ve seen in my dreams…

“Natalie,” Jessica’s voice said from Natalie’s right. She turned and saw her sister looking more radiant and full of confidence than ever. Natalie said nothing, but looked from the lifeless body to her sister and back.

“Natalie, it’s me. While I was waiting for you to arrive, a messenger came to tell me that I was to go to the King’s palace.” Jessica produced a scroll with a wax seal on it. The seal contained the same bird as their mother’s pendant.

“What happened? I thought I saw you die.” Natalie moved toward her sister and took hold of her hands.

“I am dead. Weren’t you told that this is the land of the dead? I don’t know any more than that, but it seems like I’m headed for an exciting adventure.” The glow in Jessica’s cheeks made Natalie want to cry. She had not seen her sister this happy or beautiful in years.

“Will I see you again?” Natalie asked with tears flowing haphazardly across her face.

“I’m sure you will, but I was told not to wait long. The messenger said that no one who is called should be taken off track from the King or else she may forget the way.” Jessica embraced her sister then said in a light voice, “Be brave. You have always made me proud.”

Natalie returned the hug with more fervor than ever before. “Do you have to?”

“I’m afraid so. Don’t cry for me. You will need all your strength to continue through what life has for you. I’m going to a wonderful place.”

Natalie gripped her sister tighter one more time before beginning to release. “I’ll make you proud; you and mom.”

Jessica nodded and pulled away. “I know you will. Bye.” Jessica began down the path along the river away from where Natalie and the wizard stood.

After a moment, the wizard said plainly, “You’ve been hurt.” He motioned to the blood on her shirt. “It was foolish of me to forget, but that’s easily remedied.”

Natalie looked at the man with intense, red, wet eyes. “You can heal me too?” He words came with the distinct sound of one restraining sobs.

“My dear, nothing is impossible.”

The wizard gently took Jessica’s body in his arms and led Natalie to the river of which he had spoken. Taking a board, slightly larger than Jessica’s body, from the bank, he laid the board on the water with her on top. He looked at Natalie who still stood on the bank of the river. “May I?”

Natalie stared at his clear, grey eyes a moment then nodded. He closed his eyes and spoke the words “Hular eh Hutar.” Then he released the body to the stream.

Natalie watched the body and board ignite as they floated atop the stream until they were out of sight. She raised her eyes to meet those of the wizard before her.

“Don’t worry; come and be healed.” The old man beckoned for her.

Natalie stepped forward, her feet uncertain and slightly shaky; she took the man’s hand and stepped into the water. It didn’t simply flow around her, but seemed to fill her and pervade her pores. At first it was frightening and almost sickening to Natalie, but after a moment, it filled her with euphoria and a sense of warmth. Her mouth was filled with a taste like that of pure water, even though only her waist and below was even touching the stream. In the rushing water, Natalie felt as though she were waking from a good night’s sleep. Every part of her seemed revitalized. Each moment she was in became more pleasant than the last.

When Natalie emerged, she felt as though her pain and sorrow had been taken from her though a twinge of sadness remained in her stomach. Her torso was no longer bloodied, nor was her arms. Her body felt renewed, but more than that, her mind was invigorated. Natalie would later say that in that moment, life had been returned to her lifeless soul, but that is a tale for another day.

“Little more than four hundred years ago, the peoples of Ardiil lived in peace. It is said that four millennia before the time of peace, a deity, who was called Edar by the songs of old and the stories of history, created the world, but today he is unknown to the people of our world. Many of the bards called him Iskatar, which means “Giver of Song” in the old tongue. Iskatar left representatives for him from among the lines of men to rule over the people and protect them. Some say he left to the sky to watch Ardiil from afar, and others said he stood among them, hidden, to watch them and see how they would live.

“The kings were noble men of the line of Huar. The legends say that the men of the line were just and merciful. Their arms held strength that could not be contested, and fire burned in their eyes, from the their undying passion, that could scarce be equaled. There are few stories that tell of the full fire of one of the line of Huar being revealed, but it is said that at any given time, a streak of fire could be seen in their eyes.

“The women of the line were the fairest and greatest in beauty in all the land. Their hair was said to never grow dull and their skin never coarse. Many stories claim that the songs of one of these women had the power to defeat even the strongest of evils and brighten the darkest cavern. The line of Huar lived a long time compared to others because Iskatar had blessed them. They had wisdom and were upright in heart.”

“It sounds like a wonderful place to live,” Natalie remarked.

“I bet it was. Now we come to the sad part of our tale, though. The last of that line died off nearly four hundred years ago. It is said that during that age of peace arrived four lords of darkness to torment Ardiil. Wise men say that they came to this world to control men who are beloved of Iskatar, their immortal enemy, because of a struggle that has existed as far back as time itself and further yet. These lords of darkness were full of greed and hatred. They found pleasure in tormenting anyone who stood in their path of conquest. They called themselves Durtaron, Satiriil, Keftar, and Mokhta, their leader. In the old tongue they were called Korgar, which means “Lords of dread.

“They are masters of fear. Over four hundred years ago, they began to whisper lies and deceit to the men of the land through dreams and visions. The Korgar soon had a large following who hated and mistrusted both Iskatar and the line of Huar. In this way, even those that did not follow the Korgar were hardened, to a degree, against the king and Iskatar. When war came, no one was willing to call upon Iskatar because of their anger and distrust toward him.

“It was not long before battle began. The Korgar sent the men that followed them as well as Daimonion, meaning “lesser darkness,” to attack the kingdom of men for six years until King Turgon and his kin were weak from battle and the armies of men had grown thin.

“In those days, some men grew faint of heart and forsook their oaths to the king. They fled to the east to escape war while others joined the army of the Korgar out of fear of death. Yet, in those days, some men arose whose valiant deeds have been sung about to inspire others to arms even to this day. Perhaps I will sing to you of the valor of the Nephli some time. After six years of battle, the Korgar themselves attacked. They came in such a terrible force and with such destruction in their wake that most of the remaining army gave up all hope.

“King Turgon and his sons and brothers, with a host of a hundred thousand men, battled with this evil force on the fords of Kargorath. For nearly two days, the army of King Turgon fought valiantly. The king and his three brothers met the four lords of darkness in vicious combat. Legends say lightning sparked from the swords as they clashed, although these legends are not spoken much for fear of the Korgar. Durtaron received three wounds, Satirill lost his left hand, Keftar was cleaved from forhead to chin, and Mokhta bears in his shoulder a scar from the sword of King Turgon. The Korgar were all but defeated by the valiant effort of King Turgon and his brothers when wicked men arose from among the king’s army and turned against them and slew them from behind.

“The battle was lost and with the king fell the kingdom. Women took their children and fled into the hills and to the eastern lands to escape the onslaught that was expected to ensue. The Korgar were angry because of their wounds, but even more because of the final words of King Turgon, “While one yet remains of the line of Huar, the Korgar shall be slain.” Therefore the Korgar sought to kill all the children in the line of Huar. They claimed their actions as just revenge on insolence, but I think they fear the words of those whom Iskatar chose.

“Four hundred years ago, the last of the line of Huar died and the land where they had lived in was given to the pawns that had served the Korgar. The Korgar now rule everything. Small kingdoms of resistance sprung up, but they were no match for them. The Korgar kill anyone who opposes them, but they rarely need to. Most of the spirits of men are bound in fear because of the Daimonion.

“Men began to fear death and anything of the spirit. Their own spirits shriveled within them, all but dead. Fear blinded them to anything not physical, thus the Daimonion, who are spirits, were able to take over their bodies and distort their way of thinking. Men grew weak, but a few remained strong in heart and sought out Iskatar. A small group despised the Korgar so greatly that they vowed to find Iskatar or die in the process. These traveled through across the river and to the east where they were taken to this very land we are in now.

“Over one hundred years ago they returned, but not as they had left. Two returned as wizards, two as warriors, and two as seers. Their spirits had had been set free by Iskatar and they were taught the ways of the old men, when Iskatar made his presence known among men. These six composed a council, known simply as the council of seven, to lead men against darkness. Iskatar and the council send these six and anyone who would join them on a host of missions. They are sometimes sent to save and other times to fight against the unseen forces in this world. That is why I came to you. I am Lokai of the council. The seer Asadi knew that you must come to us.”

Natalie stared in wonder as the wizard talked.  She began to speak several times, but as the words of the wizard held her imagination captive, she remained silent. It was better than any story her mother had told her as a child, but worse because it was more than a story. It was real. Natalie glanced at the desert around her. She had no way to tell how far they had traveled since she entered this strange place. Finally she asked, “Why doesn’t Iskatar come to help?”

“That’s the problem, my dear. He has been around the whole time. He is waiting to help anyone that would let him, but He gave this land to men. When men chose to reject him at the start of the war, he chose to let them be until they saw fit to humble themselves and seek him.”

Natalie gave a look of mixed emotion. “Okay.”

“There is yet one person missing from the council, an heir of the line of Huar. Kotari, our leader, believes that there is one that yet lives. He must be found, for if it is true then there is hope for men against the Korgar. Even if he is not, it would be nothing for Iskatar to raise up a new heir to the line of Huar from anyone, but since he has not, I am inclined to agree with Kotari.”

Natalie thought in amazement at all that the wizard told her. She felt inadequate to understand the state of things in this strange world. One thing nagged her though, a question that needed to be answered. “What did Asadi see? Why am I to come to your land? Why am I not dead like my sister?” Her voice trailed off and tears threatened to open the gates of her eyes.

“Every person who is still alive has a part to play, but if I told you then perhaps you might not believe or perhaps you might run from the very thing you must do. In truth, I don’t know, but even if I did I wouldn’t tell you. When the time comes, you will play your part, but until then we will teach you all that we can.” Lokai stopped and looked around. Natalie followed his eyes and saw that they were no longer in the desert, but on a clear walkway with nothing but darkness before, above, and below them. She looked behind to see an array of geographical locations and climates as the wizard had only a day ago.

“What lies beyond the sea there?” Natalie stared at the scene with wide eyes. “Where are we?”

“Neither question is easy to answer. This place is called the Netherworld as I explained earlier. All time and space exists here simultaneously. Each of the paths you see leads to a differing time or place or world. If one doesn’t know the way they are supposed to travel, it is easy to become lost. The door through which one enters only remains open a certain amount of time. If he returns after it closes, then he is trapped in this land unless the King allows another way out. There are no tales to tell the doom of those who have been lost in here, but I do not wish to find out for myself.”

Natalie saw Lokai begin to walk again and picked up her own pace. “Where is this door?”

“Right in front of you. Stop.” Lokai responded urgently, but Natalie had been in such a hurry that she ran into the invisible door before her.

Lokai laughed and motioned for her to return to him then raised his staff. “Inis Tar Kogar, it is finished.”

His voice echoed as though he was in a cave. Suddenly, a great flash appeared, and a brilliant light shone as a doorway. The wizard led Natalie through the door. Before she could understand what she felt, they stood in the clearing in the forest of Tulien where the wizard had been the day before.

Natalie looked at the night sky. Only a single star shone, but it lit the area over the wizard and herself. The trees loomed over them in the darkness. Natalie shivered. The night was warm enough, but something about this world terrified and excited her.

“Although my name is Lokai, to my friends I am called Curthadir. This place is my home, the world of Ardiil.” Lokai sighed at the thought of what his home was. “We haven’t much time. We must venture to the town of Garath on the edge of this forest for provisions, then we will travel to the kingdom of Lang Gradand in the forest of Lomond. There you will meet the rest of the council.