A Hidden Past (new added chapter) 13-3

A Hidden Past

The wind was cold as the rain fell against the stone rock mountain known as Blood Cliff. Its sheer height would astound any climber whom ever dared to climb the mountain. Some would say when the sun reached twilight its rocks looked crimson red. Some would say it earned its name Blood Cliff for simple fact people would spill blood of slaves upon the alter of black stone, hidden deep beneath the very mountain its self. Morgan knew better of the rumors that spread across the lands. His lands, the lands of his father Glen a guardian of the masters of light, but no longer. As he remembered the day his Master Hess aka Shadow King killed his father almost two centuries ago this very day.

 

Some say Morgan looked more like his mother with raven black hair and her firm jaw line. But he had the nose of his father. A sturdy nose pointed just at the tip some would say aristocratic, but he had his height. 7 feet 9 inches broad shoulders. He used to have the same color of eyes green like his father. Even that has changed over the years, now red crimson as well as his strength and his hunger for more power.

 

“Power… that’s what makes the man.” His Master Hess would say, now locked away deep inside the Cross Bone Gate Prison by the Guardians of Light themselves. “Worthless Bustards,” he mumbled remembering his friend and onetime college Derrick and the day he refused his offer to join his cause. Instead he walked away from having power and glory that he himself could have given him. More so than those fools he severs now. If only he would have stayed the course. Now he is a member of the light among the keepers of Death. According to his most recent spies, he himself angrily watched his interference numerous times. Now he has gone too far helping Jeff hide the boy from him. “I tire of these games of cat and mouse,” his voice grated against the wind. As he watched the boy EJ slip away from him soon after Jeff died. Ever since then he has been trying to locate him and now his spies have located the boy once more.

Morgan rubbed his hands together for warmth as he blew hot air into them, thinking of EJ’s father and the contract that he now holds. Locked away in safe place, giving the boy too him. Just so he might live longer unharmed when he reached the age of 13, ripe with the power hidden deep inside him. In fact he was the one who caused his mishap just so he would give anything for the chance to live. Morgan grinned wickedly remembering that day and how easy it was to trick him. “They never do read the fine print of a contract,” he mumbled. After all he would have lived only with a slight limp and lived a very happy life. “Happy.” What a disgusting word for such mere mortals,” he said into the wind. “But now I have him and the boy will soon be mine forever.”

 

Morgan walked alone. His black hooded cape covered his face, keeping the hard rain and wind out as he moved swiftly along the hidden pass. Ever so often he would have to stop and gaze down at the compass and map locating the hidden doors to the cave deep inside. For the time had come, after waiting so very long when the boy would be ready to take his place by his side as the Dark Prince. “His Prince.” The one the prophecies have foretold of. That the Dark Prince would hold the key too unlock the power hidden away upon the outskirts of his home world known as early Earth in some distance city. The township of Goshen, “yes, at last the power will be mine.” He growled his hand clinched in to a tight fist. Blood dripped down between his fingers splashed against the cold wet ground.

 

Morgan noted the place on the map and reread the notes seeing the figure of naked woman made of rock to his left and a man at least he thought was a man knelt beside her. A slave no doubt or perhaps her lover, as the stories are told among the men in taverns below the city of Kandorhash. The centuries have not been kind as he wiped way the fragments of broken rubble to read the inscription.  ‘Beneath this mountain lies the temple of the Goddess Athenian, servant to the house of Kandor.’ Morgan eyes glowed red feeling the rich dark power so very near. He knelt at the base of Goddess Athenian finding the silver chalice. Morgan reached inside and pulled out his dagger and pulled it against the palm of his right hand. He squeezed his hand letting the blood drip into the chalice, saying the words.  “Athenian I kneel before thee. ‘Astone’a sovern turn’a floness de’set.’ Hear my payer and guide me unto the stone of blood. Stay my hand as I seek the shadow which holds the power and the glory. ‘Ner’noss terna’ Hess’ not’to.’

 

Morgan raised his bloody hand and placed it upon the mans shoulder and raised his left hand and drew the rune for the beast of Kandor with his two middle fingers watching the silver light connect the lines in the air before him. A loud grinding noise was heard as two shelves of rock lowered, reveling the hidden cave. Morgan took a strip of black cloth and wrapped it around his wounded hand. Sprinkled some healing dust, knowing it would be healed before he even left the mountain.  Gone are the days of true wizard healers that could heal worlds and its people from any injury or curse. Thanks to him and his master Hess four centuries ago. “What pleasure it was to end their pathetic life as we grew strong drinking their blood and grinding their bones into dust. They too tried to stop our reign. Now our glory to rule will be unstoppable as I release my Master to stand by my side once again as it should be.”

Morgan released the power and watched the silver chalice burn with green fire. He always had loved the smell of blood burning as he licked the metallic taste of the recalled memory from his lips. Morgan lifted his small pack on to his shoulders and waved his staff creating a ball of light to hover above him. The doors closed once he made it past the threshold. The mountain seemed hushed against the storm raging outside as he made his way down the corridors. Many bones of old skeletons lay crumbling against the walls. Many of them slaves of old when they were minions of the Shadow Guardians who sacrificed these weak souls of man and their children upon the alter many centuries ago. Now their dead haunt this very mountain. The memory warmed him as he recalled his first sacrifice, his mother strapped down. The knife cold against her skin as her warm blood dripped down the alter. Her dying screams echoed the chamber, “what a glorious sound it was.” His eyes glowed with power as he remembered that day. “So many good memories,” his voice echoed in the dark tunnel ahead.

 

A wisp of smoke filled the tunnel as green yellowish eyes seemed drawn to the center of the smoke. A gremlin beast from the early days of Kandor blocked his path. It hissed. “Who dares disturbs the Goddess rest?”  Its eyes bore down upon him. Morgan not answering shot a blue fireball from his staff. He listened as it whistled as he twirled it and struck the ground in front him, causing the ground to shake around him. Watching the fragments of blue lightening spider towards the beast, dust and debris swept around him. The monster growled as he struck out with it claws raking the air. Missing Morgan by inches, the monster roared in anger. “You do not belong here wizard!”

 

Morgan only growled. “Kneel slave or I end you here,” his teeth clenched. 

 

The monster laughed as he beat his wings of smoke as to challenge him. It has been so long since he had devoured a wizard and one that reeked with such raw energy. He slowly licked the front of his teeth remembering the flavor, so tantalizing as his stomach growled with anticipation. Just the mere thought of the marrow of his bones, so hungry, so very hungry.  “It is you that will die here like so many of your kind.”

 

Morgan was prepared, knowing that he needed this beast that stood in front of him. For it is one of the sacrifices he needed to release his master sprit form. Plus he loved the challenge it self. Morgan took his left hand and pushed with an energy barrier. Closing his hand in to a tight fist says “ Ta’na, De’kin.” He could hear the monster bones crunch and snap as it shrank to 3 inch height, frozen in placed as it howled in pain.  Morgan took his staff waved it over the monster and created a harden glass globe. With his left hand he motioned the ball to float towards him. “Now you are mine to do with as I please. Challenge indeed, ha.” 

 

Morgan fought his way through the corridors collecting the various species he needed for the ritual. At last he made it to the alter, its white marble base stained with blood. A statue of the goddess stood behind the alter while her servants cast in stone circled the alter. There stone hands held torches of light that lit instantaneously with a single word “flare’a’nos” Their cold black eyes shimmered in the torch light as they seemed to follow his every movement. If he listened closely, he could hear their voices echoed in the soundless wind. Morgan reached inside his pack for the book tiled The Way of the Shadow written by Narasome Gilding 15^th century of Knox.  He turned to the marked page and reread the instructions. Placed the twelve candles around the alter. Six red, three white and three black made with Delanar Spider Venom and melted wax of Hindorm tree, and crushed bone of a gray griffin now extinct in the wilds. Ashes of Eldon a God among wizards whom people worshiped at the beginning of Time itself, some say he might have been the first king of the shadow. The spell was simple.

 

Black Cauldron

Written By author Eric Shepherd

 

Cauldron of black, fires of amber red, I speak to thee this very night.

Wart toads of green and venom from a snake, thine eye from a ogres wife.

O spin of darkness, O spin thee this on hallow night.

A kraken of blood, a mothers tear of fright.

 

Cauldron of black, fires of green. I speak to thee this very night.

Bat wings, gosen tail and flower of dread off a brides maids bed.

O spin of shadow, O spin thee night shade a blood moon of night.

Death baited breath in hands I speak, I call upon you this very night.

 

Cauldron of black, fires of blue. I speak to thee this very night.

Cemetery moss from a hangman’s tree. The bone from single man.

O spin of sorrow, O spin thee of pain. Sparrow of darkness this hallow night.

 

A groom of Darkness I call upon the night of flight. A mistress of mourning. I seek this very night. Blood from thine veins of pure red and cold heart of pain.

Awake from the fires, I call upon thee. Awake into the night. Screams of children this hallows eves. Spread thine wings O darkness upon the night. We ride the skies upon the moon lit skies.

 

Cauldron of black, fires of black I speak to thee this very night.

Dragon bones of old and a warrior’s dead heart.

O spin of Death of victory this Hallow eve.

A Bride and Groom shall never be.

But a heart of stone upon my thrown.

O Spin me this night a gift of true delight on the blood moon of the night.

 

 

Morgan voice echoed throughout the chamber as he watched the sprit form of his Master Hess hung in the air above the alter. Morgan took the blood of each creature he had gathered and grinded their bones add a little of his own blood to complete the spell. Poured them into the metal bowl he placed on the alter. “Master” Morgan said. “The prophecies that you have foretold is at hand.” I have come as you have instructed. What must I do to release you from your prison?”

 

“Where is the boy I have spoken of? For I do not see him, “he answered angrily. “For without him there is no hope to gain the prize we seek, for he holds the key.”

 

“Master he has eluded me these past years for the Guardians of Light watch over him. But my spies tell me he has returned once more alone to his fathers’ house. I have the contracts signed by him and soon I will have his mothers as well, if the future holds true. He will be ours and his destiny changed forever. Jeff is dead so the White Solan can not be nor will he be able rise from the ashes.”

 

“Good. You will find what you need among the books Shards of Life written by Hasting of Stronghold. You will also find the list of the needed ingredients and the spell to release me. It must be done on the blood moon of Eacnor. Do not be late and prepare your soul Morgan if you truly intend to release me. For the glory and the power will be yours as all will bow down too you as king and their god, then we shall watch the heavens fall together. No more will the light take what is rightly ours. Now go my son. Go, and fulfill your destiny.”

 

Morgan knew the first thing he had to do was stop Mike Cotwellar and his wife Margaret, EJ’s Aunt from interfering in his plans. He was smart up until now not to even mention his problems with Mike whom now holds the leader seat for nearly 300 hundred years, as he and the other Guardians of Light kept getting in his way. “Soon my prince, soon you will be mine,” he laughed wickedly.  

Reviews

[Lane Craver]

ooohh... very smooth indeed! The story starts to take that anticipated twist :) The plot thickens as it unfolds...

[TKBickel]

Here are a couple things for you. I do like how it begins.

‘“Worthless Bustards,” he mumbled remembering his friend and onetime college Derrick and the day he refused his offer to join his cause.’ Just some spelling-B******s, colleague.
‘“I tire (d) of these games of cat and mouse,” his voice grated against the wind.’

[Shep]

fantasic. i see your getting your bearings back before diving into the next book. one the biggest reasons why read novels over and over again so doubt forget what I had coverd before there new book comes out. And your help finding those tricky helps is most welcome sight I haven't seen in a long time.

[Layla J Omorose]

I liked this detour to see what Morgan has been up too. But I think you should have put more of him in the previous chapters to keep the reader from getting confused. because to be honest I forgot all about Morgan and the evil that was chasing EJ, the evil besides his parents that is. But I am excited to see how all this plays out. I hope EJ is prepared. But just add more scenes with Morgan through out the book or more scenes with Death then we wont be so caught off guard when you put in a chapter like this. But either way this was an exciting chapter. I can't see what happens next.

[Daydreamer54]

Well this was different. i was abit confused,but I;'m interested in how this plays ion with the story. I like the poem too by the way. iot's dark, poetic and eerie.