The Hidden: Prologue

The night roared with thunder as streaks of light ripped through the tortured, purple-red sky. The air was thick with apprehension and exasperation. From the east, black clouds rolled in, bringing with them strong winds from the ancient phantom gates. 1

Had he known this, King Broderick, would not have ventured out on a night like this. 2

But what choice do I have? He questioned himself for the thousandth time that night as he urged his horse on through the thick forest of the Elaeyn Mountains. 3

Momentarily the king looked up at the ragging sky as his horse slowly made his way up- hill. Thunder cracked overhead, something was breaking free from the great windows of the empyrean but the mortal eyes of the king could not discern such things as he went ever forward into the haunted mountain range. 4

Many fables and legends about the Elaeyn Mountains had been embedded into the minds of the citizens of Sparv Kingdom for many generations, and even as Broderick rode through the forest it took every ounce of strength he possessed to keep himself from turning his horse homeward, no doubt that his steed would love the comfort of the castle stables. “Not tonight old friend,” he whispered as he reached down and rubbed his horses’ neck, startled Broderick sat up in his saddle as the trees around him stretched with branches that had talons and eyes that glowed white-blue, which watched him through the stormy night. As Broderick pressed forward, the forest became alive as wild creatures rushed past not resembling any creature he had ever seen before. Their pigment seemed unnatural, as did their exadurated features; bulging eyes, long claws and beaks, scales that gave off florescent goo, foul reeking breath, and quills that dripped poison. Before long Broderick gave over to his fear walking among the homes of such creatures. The odd thing was that even though they were beautiful they had a deep, sinister hatred for the King. And as the animals scurried back and forth, every trembling underbrush or swaying branches brought a wave of fear anew. The further he went the more his fear proved him a fool for traveling into such a cursed place, as lose branches that reached for him succeeded at only tarring his cloak and delivering small gashes to his face. 5

Deep, deep into the forest he went as shadows danced all around him, his eyes searching for anything to focus on, the only senses guiding him were sound, smell and the occasional burst of light. So finally giving up he urged his horse on by blind intuition as they kept moving for hours on end. Overhead the sky lit up with the ear splitting sound of lightening a moment before the roar of thunder. The King shrieked as he looked about him, he caught a glimpse of seven creatures with the likeness of man. 6

The light faded before he could see the creatures clearly but he saw enough to know that they were there. As darkness engulfed his senses again his horse reared, though he could no longer see them he could feel their strong presence. “I- I mean no harm!” He shouted into the night. “I only wish to see your Queen.” 7

The wind began to pick up and blow against Broderick as he turned his horse to his left and followed the moving shadows through the forest as they led him under the roots of ancient trees and around stone groves, and through thick bushes that threatened to unseat him. “Please!” He called after them. “I must see her, I must see the Qu-“ Before he could finish his sentence Broderick found himself falling from his horse and when he hit the forest floor he began to fall even further down hill. Half muttering curses and cries, the king hit branches, plants and small animals, which had thorns that further dug into his flesh and cloths. And just when he thought he would stop his side hit a large bolder and finally the world around him became still as pain shot from his rib cage, his fingers felt stiff and bloody like the rest of him was cover in dirt. 8

“Milrot that was unnecessary, you could have killed him-“ Came a youth’s voice. There was more scuffing of feet before another thick gruff voice replied. “The human had no right to be here-“9

“He was calling for the help of the Queen, he has a right to see her…”10

Broderick couldn’t hear any more as a different kind of darkness settled over him and this time he welcomed it. 11

~12

The seven beings walked down the hill towards Broderick, looking at him, Lilith the youth who had scolded Milrot squatted next to the fallen intruder and touched Broderick’s neck. “You’ve nearly killed him!” 13

Out from the shadows the elder of the beings stepped out of the shade of the trees, scowling at his young tyros. “Enough.” His voice barely above a whisper, commanded their attention. Standing among the young watchers he towered over them as his gaze fell to Broderick laying at the mercy of the forest. For it had already had began to dispose of his body, “Who attacked the rider?” The master watcher boomed. His voice rippled through the forest filling the tips at the tallest trees to the very reaches of the deepest depths of the forest floors. The seven became silent as their master stepped closer. “Answer me! For all of you will be punished if you keep silent.” The seven still uttered not a word as their master had commanded, sighing he pushed past them and bent to lift Broderick of the forest floor. Weeds and vines had already begun to spread their roots across his body, encasing his arms and legs within the forest floor. The master watcher touched the ground and whispered, “Release him.” And immediately the plants with drew from Broderick. Picking up the king was no effort for the ancient being as he turned and looked at his pupils. “Milrot did it, master.” Lilith spoke quickly. Walking on the master said nothing, only nodding to himself. He had gone nearly two li’s when he stopped. “Don’t scorch the trees this time Milrot. Concentrate your fire and maybe you’ll catch Lilith one of these days, eh?”14

Back around the stone where Broderick had fallen Lilith grinned under his cowl as he felt Milrot’s flame burn white hot. In a moments time the ball of flame came straight for Lilith but before it reached him he had dodged out of the way returned the white fire. 15

~16