Spirit Speaker

Rowan walked lightly beside me, absently fussing with straps on the bag that contained the spirit prisons.

I was apprehensive about bringing it along, but if the shrine did contain a book, I wanted to be able to block it as quickly as possible. 

"So, let me get this straight, sir," Rowan said after a few minutes. "These books-"

"And bottles." I interrupted.

"And bottles," he amended, "kill spirits? I thought that was impossible."

I shook my head. "I don't think they kill them, Rowan. I think they stifle them. You'll see for yourself when we get there."

"How did you find out about this shrine anyway?"

I looked at my friend for a second. "What if I told you that it's a mission from god?"

"I'd have your head examined sir."

"Then I'll have to keep you in the dark about the whole thing." 

"As you say sir."

We walked in a companionable silence until the shrine came into view. 

It was well cared for, so well cared for in fact that I couldn't begin to guess its age. It didn't look new though. 

It was in the middle of a clearing of trees. Six steps leading up to an altar. The telltale horse iconography was carved into each step, and into the altar at the top. 

The moment I stepped into the clearing I broke into a cold sweat. 

This one is different. 

I stepped back out of the clearing quickly. 

"Give me a few moments lad. I need to warn someone that I'll be going in there."

"Sir?"

"Just wait here. I'll be right back."

I walked off into the woods and knelt beside a tree. 

"Found another book." I said, calling the Weaver by name. "Going to go dark for a bit. If I don't return in an hour, I don't know, send one of your worshippers. You have to have a few somewhere in this forest."

There was no response, but I felt satisfied with what I'd done. I'd just saved myself a couple of bruises. 

I headed back to Rowan, who was looking at the clearing nervously. 

"I stepped inside, sir. You weren't lying. There's something not right about this place."

"Told you. We might not be alone. Hand on your sword, my magic is useless in there."

I stepped into the circle, with Rowan following behind me. 

I broke into a cold sweat, and my heart beat faster and faster the closer I got to the altar. 

I climbed the steps, an electric shock lancing through me with every step, my body screaming at me to leave. 

I ignored it and looked at what was waiting on the altar. 

An amulet. One of the Crafter's, but covered in black gems. They were dark and dull, and no light reflected off them. 

Put it on.

The voice was strong and came out of nowhere. 

I turned to find Rowan entranced, reaching for the amulet. 

I took my staff from its holster and bashed him over the head. 

He fell down the stairs. 

I winced with every single stair he hit on his way down. 

"Sorry lad." I apologised. 

I hopped down the stairs to where he lay, checked him over to make sure he was okay, and then grabbed a spirit prison from the bag, and climbed back to where the amulet lay, seemingly harmless. 

I knew better. 

I dug in my pocket for a handkerchief. I'd come prepared this time, and I liked this shirt. 

I picked up the amulet and dropped it in the box, beside the book, and closed the box. 

Then, a job well done, I turned back to where Rowan was lying. 

And froze. 

There was…a shadow standing at the entrance to the clearing. It hovered like a black cloak over a white, skeletal face. 

A wraith. 

I dived behind the altar just as three balls of black shadow exploded where I had been standing. 

"Rowan!" I called. "Rowan stand up!"

The spirits were still waking. My magic was nowhere near strong enough to deal with this creature. 

I removed Ilargia from his holster and held him defensively in front of me. 

The wraith screeched and dived at me. 

I jumped out of the way and brought Ilargia down hard into it. 

The wraith screeched and fled from me, hugging the edges of the clearing. 

Whatever Ilargia had done had hurt it enough to send it away, but it wouldn't be hanging around for very long. 

"Damn," I said. And rushed to where Rowan was lying.

I dug deep and dropped as much water on his head as I could summon. I used my own soul for it. 

A massive wave of exhaustion threatened to knock me off my feet. 

I caught my balance before I fell. 

Rowan spluttered back to life. 

"Sir?"

I gave him Ilargia and pointed at the wraith, who was advancing slowly towards us. 

"Wraith." I wheezed. "Go. Kill."

Rowan took Ilargia from me and leapt into action. If I didn't know better I wouldn't have said he'd been unconscious just a few seconds earlier. 

The man was tough. 

I sat down heavily on the stone steps and watched as Rowan beat the wraith to shreds. 

The wraith screamed and howled as Rowan brought Ilargia down into it again and again. 

Soon the beast was little more than rags on the floor. 

Rowan stepped heavily onto the rags, and Ilargia blazed into life. 

The wraith caught fire and soon dissipated completely. 

- I hate those books. Ilargia said, leaping from Rowan and floating over to me. 

"Good job lad," I said. 

I was going to pay for using my soul. I could feel the darkness creeping up on me. 

Damn. Tonight is going to be rough. 

Ilargia settled in my upturned hands, and I felt strength flow into me. A temporary measure. There's always a price to pay, Ilargia just pushed the due date away. 

I breathed in deeply. 

"What happened, sir? I stepped into the clearing and then woke up half-drowned."

"If it's any consolation, Rowan, you did do very well dealing with the wraith."

"Thank you, sir." He rubbed the side of his head, a purple bruise beginning to show itself. 

"Tender?" I asked, as he winced and pulled his hand away from the bruise. 

"Yes. Do you know what happened?"

"You almost put the amulet on. I knocked you senseless before you could. Ayenna wouldn't forgive me if I brought back a soulless husk instead of her husband."

"Oh." Rowan looked at the spirit box at the top of the stairs. "So you got it then?"

"Yup. All sealed away. It'll take a few decades for that thing to eat its way through."

Rowan sat beside me. 

"What is it, sir?"

"The spirits call it the Rending." I felt strength slowly return to my legs. "It's hunger and darkness. It eats spirits, and leaves nothing in its wake.'

I stood up and climbed the stairs, Ilargia floating next to me, holding me up. 

I felt like an old man again. 

I picked up the spirit prison and stumbled my way back to Rowan. "Put it away lad. I need a nap."

And I collapsed into darkness.