Darkest Hour

#2

Darkest Hour





“Rally! Soldiers of Raedor rally! Rally to the gate! Maiar soldiers have broken through the gate!”

The alarm call! Grasping his sword tightly in one hand and his battered shield in the other, Jon turned away from the wild chaos of the battle on the wall tops and raced towards the main gate, followed by a score of Raedorite soldiers. Quickly! Defend the city! His heart hammered a drum beat which lent wings to his flying feet as he ran. Arrows whistled past his head, some skipping across the stone floor of the courtyard, others landing with deadly effect among his followers. He heard his own ragged breathing echoed at his side, and turning, caught a glimpse of Seth running next to him. Seth grinned, his usual lopsided grin, and clapped him on the back. Jon forced a smile to his own face, and then quickly returned to the task at hand, for there at last was the gate, a mere hundred yards away!

Jon’s momentary relief at reaching the gate, chilled suddenly and he skidded to an astonished stop. The gate lay mangled and crushed upon the ground, and the gateway itself was choked with the bodies of the fallen, both Raedorirte and Maiaran. And there, looming in the now gaping hole lay the hideous head and neck of a monstrous beast. Its cat-like eyes stared unblinking at him for a moment, pale and golden but lit with a vengeful fire within. Then it raised its craggy mountainous head up on its long armored neck, snaking upwards higher and higher. Jon stood still; sword slightly uplifted, his limbs feeling strangely frozen in horror.

“Jon,” He heard Seth’s voice speaking close beside him, but it sounded far away, as though an echo from a dream. “It is one of the Morfaulk!”

Jon nodded slowly; the realization bringing with it an even deeper sense of horror and fear. No man could hope to do battle with one of the Morfaulk worms of ancient legend and live. Still unmoving, Jon gazed upon the beast. Its scales gleamed black as coal; difficult to distinguish from the smoke and ruin of battle which hung over the city of Seradeth like a pall. Tall cruelly edged wings stretched out above the beast’s head on the far side of the narrow gateway. The hideous mouth opened suddenly, and a tremendous roar sounded out, bringing with it a wave of incredible heat and the scent of death. The sound awoke Jon to his own peril, and he felt movement returned to his frozen limbs. Ducking down, he thrust his shield up to guard his face from the blast. Wails of agony rang out behind him, and he felt the body of one of his companions fall against him as the man collapsed under the heat, slain.

Jon swallowed hard, and tightened his grip upon the long hilt of his broadsword. Muttering a quick prayer to the Almighty, he moved forward. “Courage men,” he heard his own voice speaking to the soldiers behind; its steadiness surprised him. “The Morfaulk may be a mighty beast, but the Almighty is mightier still!”

The worm thrust more of its huge body through the narrow gateway as the soldiers raced forward to attack. Rocks split off from the walls as battlements began to sag beneath the weight and force of the Morfaulk. As Jon neared, the worm again opened its ghastly jaws. Jon immediately flung up his shield, bracing himself for the impact. Scarcely had he done so when a river of flame spewed forth from the beast’s mouth. He staggered back before the force of the blow, orange fire licking around his boots and legs. His shield felt burning hot against his arm, as though he grasped a live coal in his hand, but he stood fast. At last the flames died away and Jon cautiously lowered his shield as he raced forward again. He wondered absently if any of his soldiers still remained or if he charged alone, but there was no time to dwell upon it.

The monstrous head turned and the beast flung out an arm towards him. Wicked yellow claws gleamed dully at the end of each curved finger. Jon sprang aside and then ducked as the missed stroke crashed into the wall above and rubble tumbled down around his head. He dodged a second slash and leaped in to wield his blade. Gathering his strength, he aimed for a spot behind the beast’s shoulder and swung with all his might. Clanngggg. His arms aching from the blow, and his fingers still tingling with the vibration, Jon quickly jumped backwards. A loud screech sounded above him, and he knew that at the very least, he had succeeded in maddening the beast.

He raced forward, staggered beneath the lash of the worm’s wing, and slashed out at an enormous leg which bared his way. He felt again the tremendous vibrations along his arms as his blade bounced harmlessly off of the hard scales just above the claws. Without pausing a moment, Jon leaped, his sword thrust aimed at the base of the worm’s neck. This time, the point struck and bit deeply, releasing a stream of boiling black blood. The Morfaulk’s scream of agony was deafening, and Jon staggered backwards, his head throbbing at the sound.

Suddenly, something hit him full in the chest, with a weight like that of an enormous log. He lost his footing and flew backwards, crashing heavily against the wall. Dully, he caught a glimpse of the thick spiked tail of the Morfaulk swinging back away from him. Darkness seemed to be closing in about him, narrowing his line of vision but one thing he saw very clearly: the pale eyes of the worm burned into his memory as the cruel head hovered over him. He groped vainly with his hand for the hilt of his sword, but it had slipped from his grasp when he fell, and lay out of his reach. The head moved closer, blotting all else out, then darkness came.

*

Darkness. It was so dark. Jon opened his eyes with an effort and then closed them again. It made no difference either way, for there was no light. He started to sit up but pain raced across him and he lay still instead, wondering where he was and what had happened. The Morfaulk! Memory flooded across him, though understanding was more difficult to achieve. He had battled one of the Morfaulk, yet he was alive! That in itself was difficult to comprehend. He opened his eyes again, and gradually found his vision returning, though everything seemed lit in a strange orange glow. He glanced down at his arms and hands and the reason for some of the pain he felt became clear. Fiery red burns covered his hands and arms, and thick ropes were wrapped tightly about his wrists, the fibers agony against the raw skin. So, he was a prisoner. Despair washed over him. Yes, it was purely by Almighty’s grace that he had survived the fight with the Morfaulk, but for what? So that he might live the rest of his life a prisoner, a captive, an exile in the Maiar Empire?

He glanced around him then, and realized that he was not alone but lying in the midst of a long line of men - some huddled on the ground, others lying on the burnt grass, all bound by their hands to the same length of rope. Many were wounded, some were weeping bitterly, while still others stared blankly ahead, an expression of horror glued to their faces, as soldiers, clad in the dragon crested helms of the Maiar Empire marched past. So, the battle was lost then. Seradeth had fallen. Jon’s heart sank at the thought, and ignoring the pain that the action caused, he turned quickly to gaze in the direction of the fair city.

Black clouds of broiling smoke rose upwards in thick columns from the many fires which raged throughout the city of Seradeth. The city itself, as well as everything around it as far as Jon could see, was lit with a hideous orange glow from the flames. Tears sprang unbidden to his eyes as the fires spread and the stones of those mighty walls – walls he had once thought almost invincible – cracked and shattered under the incredible heat.

Jon shook his head bitterly, and his gaze wandered to the high hill in the center of the city. At once, his heart gave a leap of joy, for there, unravaged as yet by either fire or battle, the Abed Noreth, the temple of the Almighty still stood, an island in a sea of destruction. In the midst of the sorrow and the horror and the death, the sight of that ancient place of worship with its tall white columns and gold plated doors, was a reminder of the Almighty’s presence even when He seemed farthest away.

Yet, even as Jon watched, the raging flames approached the center of the city, their hunger not yet sated. Sparks flew into the buildings surrounding Abed Noreth and fires sprang up, until the white temple was surrounded in a ring of flame. Then, a cry of horror and anguish burst from Jon’s aching heart as a thin trail of black smoke began to rise from the thatched roof of the temple. It turned blacker and grew larger, and flames began licking against the white stones. Jon did not know how long he stood there, watching as the mighty walls of Abed Noreth were consumed and reduced to piles of blackened rock and dust. He only knew that the temple was no more.

“It’s gone.” A dazed voice spoke suddenly at his side. Jon turned in surprise and beheld Seth, pale and wounded, bound hand and foot on the line next to him.

“Seth!” The sight of his friend, even in such circumstances, could not fail to lift his spirits, however slightly. “You are alive! I am so glad to see you well.”

Seth face was grim, “Well? I do not know. The Abed Noreth has fallen. Seradeth is destroyed. Better to have fallen with the others, then live to see the Almighty forsake us.”

“The Almighty has not forsaken us,” Jon replied; again he was surprised by the assurance in his own voice.

“How can you say that?” Seth demanded, “The temple has fallen. We have been captured! The Almighty has done nothing!”

“It’s not true.” Jon shook his head.

“Then tell me why this happened?” Seth demanded.

“I do not know.” Jon answered slowly. “But I know that no matter what - though Seradeth is lost and the temple fallen, the Almighty has not and never will forsake us.”

*

The Almighty has not forsaken us. Jon slowly nodded his head, the words he had spoken five years before echoing once more through his mind. Although he had no more answers now than he had had then, he still believed firmly that they had not been abandoned. He turned and gazed through the arched window in his room high in the west tower of the palace. The city of Jorek spread out below him like an artist’s model; its details indistinguishable in the predawn light. Yet even from such a height and despite the dim light, the vastness of the capitol of the Maiar Empire was evident. He followed the undulating course of the city wall until his gaze fell upon the battlemented north gate through which he had entered five years ago, a captive. So much had changed in those five years. Jon shook his head slowly and sat down beside the window. In those five years, he had progressed from a slave in the palace to the high position of one of Emperor Naedok’s chief counselors. Simply thinking about it always amazed him. That first night of his capture, after his fight with the Morfaulk, he had envisioned a life of sorrow and suffering, a slave’s lot. Never had he imagined anything like this. Upon his first arrival at the palace, he had immediately won his overseers’ favor and respect. Gradually and unintentionally, he had begun working his way upwards, progressing from a privileged slave to an upper house servant, then to the emperor’s body guard, a palace official, and now finally, to his present position as one of Naedok’s trusted advisers.

And Jon knew that throughout all those years, the Almighty had stood beside him at every turning of the road. He had never been forsaken, and he would not be forsaken now, even in the midst of the trial which he was sure would come soon. Jon sighed, glancing back out the window. A faint glimmer of red shone in the east – dawn was coming. It was time. Jon knelt down before the window, gazing off in the direction of the ruined city of Seradeth, and closed his eyes to pray. Almighty Father, give me strength for that which is to come…

“Jon!” The door to his room burst open, and Jon started in surprise as Seth raced into the room.

“Seth? What is it?”

Seth’s face was strangely white, and he panted for breath a moment before answering, “Trouble! Haven’t you heard?”

Jon sighed and arose from his knees, “Heard what?”

“About what Smurdyk, Fulton, and Bredger have done?”

“Oh that. Yes, I have heard.” Jon replied calmly.

Seth collapsed onto a chair, disbelief written clearly on his face. “Are you mad? Do you want to be killed?”

Jon shook his head, “No, of course not.”

“Then what are you doing?” Seth demanded, “Kneeling out there to pray in front of your window like you always do! Why, that’s mad! You know Smurdyk, Fulton, and Bredger hate you because Naedok likes you. They wrote this new law simply to get you!”

“I know.” Jon replied,

“You know?” Seth’s mouth dropped open, “Maybe you should hear what I overheard on my way here. Perhaps it will change your stubborn mind! I saw Smurdyk, Fulton, and Bredger sneaking over here and heard them talking. Apparently, they’ve been spying on you for some time, trying to find a way to discredit you with the king. But they couldn’t; you’re too honest. So, they came up with a plan to write a decree which forbade worship to any “god” save Naedok himself. And Naedok was conceited enough to be taken in and sign it into the official law of the Maiar Empire… effective immediately!”

“Yes, I know.” Jon repeated, “That is why I was praying for strength.”

“But praying out in the open!” Seth shook his head, “That’s folly. Pray indeed. I have prayed, but do it somewhere you will not be seen!”

“I cannot.” Jon said simply, “To do so would be dishonoring the Almighty…”

“But, but” Seth stuttered for a moment, “Do you know what the punishment for disobedience is? Anyone caught breaking the law is to be thrown into the Morfaulk Cave.” His voice trailed off. “You don’t care, do you?”

Jon stood slowly from the seat he had taken beside Seth, “Of course I care.” He said slowly, “I have no desire to face a Morfaulk again, nor do I wish to die. But there are things that are more important than living, Seth. Honoring the Almighty and obeying His commands are among them.”

“Yes, but…”

“I will not back down on this.” Jon turned to his friend and smiled sadly, “My mind’s made up. And you know what it’s like trying to change my mind.”

“Yes, I know.” Seth grumbled, standing to his feet, “It’s impossible. Well then, I am staying here with you. I do not wish to face the Morfaulk either, but if you must, we shall do it together.”

“No, friend,” Jon stepped over and gently placed his hand upon Seth’s shoulder. “You should leave. As you said, this is about me, not you.”

“Regardless, I can’t leave you.” Seth set his jaw defiantly.

“You must.” Jon replied, “There is no reason for you to stay – we do not even know that I am in any danger at the present. And in any case, your duty requires you to leave now. The Emperor will be waiting.”

Seth hesitated a moment, evidently torn, and then held out his hand. Jon clasped it tightly. “I will be back.” Seth said, then turned and exited. The door closed behind him with a hollow thud, a lonely sound.

Jon turned back to the window. Already the sun had risen above the eastern horizon and was spreading the warm light of its golden rays upon the city of Jorek. Jon closed his eyes and knelt again. He knew that Seth’s visit had been well meant, but it had done nothing to assuage the worries within his own heart. Only time spent with the Almighty could do that. And so he prayed; long and hard as the sun rose higher into the sky, silhouetting his figure against the window frame.

*

“Oh, most wondrous Emperor Naedok, Master of the Morfaulk, and ruler of the Maiar Empire, sapient tongue of wisdom, lend ear to our words.”

Smurdyk’s obsequious drone echoed throughout the large throne room. Jon watched beneath the shadow of his hood as Naedok turned towards them. “Yes, what is it?” Naedok’s deep voice made Smurdyk’s fawning tone sound shrill and ridiculous.

“We have come sire, to ask you a question.” Bredger spoke up.

“Has not your most wondrous highness recently signed a new decree?” Smurdyk prompted. The Emperor nodded and Smurdyk continued, “May I remind your highness of the wording of that decree? It states that, henceforth, it is illegal to bow down to, pray to, or mention any other god beside yourself, for it is your right as the divine Master of the Morfaulk to be worshiped.” Smurdyk gazed up at the Emperor, and Jon could sense the triumph in his voice as he spoke. “May I also remind your most majestic Majesty, that the punishment for disobedience requires that the offender be thrown into the Morfaulk Cave!”

Emperor Naedok nodded, “Yes, all this I know. What is it you have to say, Smurdyk?”

“Sire,” Smurdyk’s voice took on an aggrieved tone, “Most illustrious Lord, I have come to you to report a breach of that law!”

Naedok showed interest for the first time since Smurdyk had begun to speak. He leaned forward, and his eyes took on a terrible aspect. “Whoever has done it shall be punished!”

“My lord,” Smurdyk bowed low, “I have brought that infamous villain here before you today to hear your judgment. Shall I show him to your highness?” Without waiting for an answer, Smurdyk stepped back and yanked the hood away from Jon’s head.

Jon stood unveiled before Naedok, his hands bound behind his back. He saw the look of shock which spread across the Emperor’s face, followed in swift succession by anger and then sorrow.

“Jon?” Naedok asked, turning to face Smurdyk. “You accuse my chief advisor? Are you sure of the charge which you bring against this man? You would be wise to be certain, for he is my most trusted counselor.”

“Indeed, Emperor, we are.” Fulton spoke up hastily, “We have seen him with our own eyes. Three witnesses stand before you – that is more than enough according to the laws of the land!”

“Do not speak to me of my own laws.” Naedok growled.

“Of course not, sire,” Smurdyk said soothingly, “Yet, he himself will not deny it. Ask him yourself!”

Naedok hesitated, and Jon saw the fear in his eyes. At last the Emperor spoke. “Jon?”

Jon looked steadily at Naedok as he replied. “It is true. I worship the Almighty and none other.”

Naedok turned swiftly away, and Smurdyk looked at Jon with an expression of mocking triumph on his face. Jon watched the Emperor’s broad back as he paced back and forth before him. Strangely enough, he did not feel afraid.

Naedok halted suddenly and spoke without turning, “He has admitted his guilt. The law must be carried out.”

“At once, sire!” Smurdyk motioned for Fulton and Bredger to bring Jon and moved off towards the large door which led from the throne room. As the two started to lead Jon from the room, Naedok stepped forward and grasped his arm. “I am sorry. It is the law. There is nothing I can do.”

Jon nodded as Fulton and Bredger pulled him away. Before the large iron plated door grated to behind them, Jon caught Naedok’s words of farewell. “May the god you serve rescue you from the Morfaulk…” The door closed.

*

Jon stared down at the black hole which gaped before his feet; a dizzying drop into unknown darkness below.

Smurdyk victoriously spoke into his ear. “How does it feel, slave, to stand here knowing that your death is near? A long slow death.” He chuckled, “At last, my time has come!”

Jon felt himself shoved forward suddenly, and he tumbled over the edge of the hole. Smurdyk’s voice echoed above, a single chilling word: “Farewell.”

Blackness swirled past him as he fell; farther and longer than he would have thought possible. Then he landed with a sickening crunch on a pile of something hard and brittle. Gasping for breath and at the same time not wanting to breathe for the pain, Jon slowly sat up. A horrible smell filled the air, strangely sweet and at the same time repulsive. Jon glanced down at the ground where he had fallen and scrambled to his feet in horror, sweat beading on his forehead and his breath coming in short gasps. He had landed on a pile of crushed bones. Skeletons of men, animals, and others which he could not identify, spread out around him in all directions; a massive graveyard.

Jon turned his gaze from the scene of horror and death, and looked upwards to the land of the living beyond the dark roof of the cave. Far away and high above him, he could make out a round circle of light – the cave mouth. A grating sound echoed down into the cavern where he sat, and something large and black slowly rolled across the circle of light, blotting it out and covering all in darkness.

Jon shivered in the chillness and then froze. Something had moved.

There was a rustling sound. Then a dull scraping and the rasping of many sharp claws on dry stones. Jon caught his breath. The sounds grew louder and spread all around him. Then, in the darkness, hundreds of pale pinpoints of light appeared; oval shaped, and slanted, the cat-like eyes of the Morfaulk. Suddenly, very close, a tremendous roar split the silence. The pile of bones shook beneath Jon’s feet at the sound and he stumbled to his knees.

Closing his eyes, Jon prayed.

*

Emperor Naedok paced anxiously before the throne. His weary steps and tousled appearance testified to the sleepless night which Seth, as captain of the bodyguards, knew that he had spent. Seth rubbed a hand along his forehead in a vain attempt to relieve the pounding. If only I had been with Jon… I should not have left him alone. At the very least I could have fallen at his side!

The Emperor spoke, interrupting his thoughts. “What time is it, Captain?”

Seth glanced at the sand glass beside the throne. It was nearly empty; the sixth time he had flipped it since midnight. “Dawn is approaching sire.”

“Good,” Naedok sighed. “Then it is morning. We will go to the cave.”

The three mile stretch from the palace to the large rocky hillside which housed the Morfaulk cave seemed a hundred miles long that morning. Emperor Naedok, followed by two of his bodyguards, set a fast pace. Seth followed, conflicted, longing to get to the cave quickly and at the same time, dreading what he would see. Yet, hope did not allow him to believe that Jon was dead. He hoped and prayed each long step of the way.

As they climbed the hillside, movement near the mouth of the cave drew Seth’s attention. Smurdyk, Fulton, and Bredger were gathered around the hole, apparently trying to move the large stone door. Seth shook his head bitterly at the sight of the conspirators.

Smurdyk looked up as they approached. “Ah, good morning my liege, we were about to open the doorway to see what is left of the criminal.” He laughed then; a cackling laugh that reminded Seth of a hyena.

Emperor Naedok’s eyebrows drew together and his mouth set in a firm hard line. “Silence. I take no pleasure in this morning. Remove the stone.”

Smurdyk, Bredger, and Fulton hastened to comply. A moment’s grunting and straining sent the large stone door rolling backwards to reveal the mouth of the cave. Seth gagged at the horrible stench which arose to mar the freshness of the morning air. Though Naedok at once strode to the gaping cavern mouth and peered downwards, Seth hung back, his head bowed.

“Jon?” Naedok shouted down into the black hole, “Jon, are you there?”

Seth waited breathlessly, but there was no response. Smurdyk grinned at Bredger, and Seth felt his heart burst with anguish. Then suddenly, out of the depths of the cavern, a voice spoke, hollow and echoing.

“Emperor Naedok? Yes, I am here.”

Smurdyk and the other two started back in obvious alarm, their faces pale. “But… but…” Smurdyk began to stutter; Naedok interrupted him.

“Jon, are you well?”

The voice spoke again, “Yes, I am fine. Throw down a rope and pull me up.”

Seth leaped forward hastily, joy filling his heart. He knew that voice only too well! Spying a rope nearby, he quickly flung one end down the hole, anchoring the other around a finger of rock which arose out of the hillside. The rope grew taut and swayed for several moments, and then a pale dirty figure slowly materialized out of the darkness.

*

Jon emerged into the clear light of day, blinking owlishly. He immediately found himself smothered in a giant bear hug from Seth.

“Jon!” Seth cried, “How in the world are you still alive?”

Jon stepped back and surveyed the group eagerly awaiting his explanation, yet he scarcely knew what to say. How could he tell of the wondrous peace which had swept over him as he knelt praying and the monsters closed around? How could he explain the words which he heard, whispered softly in his ear: Do not be afraid, for you stand not alone. Even in your darkest hour, I am at your side. You have nothing to fear in the darkness for I am with you. How could he explain the sudden transformation of the Morfaulk from dreadful monsters into creatures as gentle as kittens and frolicsome as puppies? No, he could not explain it, for he was not entirely sure that he understood it himself. There was only one explanation that he could give, and so he spoke at last. “By the grace of the Almighty! He closed the mouths of the Morfaulk and quenched their flames so that they did me no harm. I stand before you today, simply by His mercy.”

“Praise be to the Almighty!” Seth burst out.

Naedok stepped forward. His face wore an awed expression - the first time that Jon had ever known Naedok to be impressed by anything other than himself. “If what you say is true,” the Emperor intoned, “Then there is no god like the one you serve, for I know of none other who could do this. Your God has seen fit to spare your life, so I shall do likewise. As for the others…” The Emperor turned slowly towards the three conspirators with a face like thunder.

Smurdyk shrank back, terror clouding his eyes. “Sire… no…” he stammered.

“Silence, worm.” Naedok roared; then faced Jon again. “From henceforth Jon, you shall sit at my right hand. And no man shall worship any God but yours, for He has proven Himself today. And as for you three,” Smurdyk and the other trembled, “your crime demands the punishment of death. The fate which you chose for Jon shall be yours!”

A wail of terror burst from Smurdyk’s lips, echoed by Bredger and Fulton.

Jon could not remain silent, “Sire,” he said, “Please, spare their lives. Do not kill them on my account.”

“They have lied to and deceived me,” Naedok’s face hardened, “and for that their lives are forfeit. Cast them into the pit!”

Two of Naedok’s bodyguards stepped forward and grasped the three conspirators. Shrieking in terror, and struggling in vain, they were brought one by one to the edge of the hole and flung in. Instantly, a loud roar echoed from below, shaking the very rocks of the hillside. Jon leapt to the edge and looked down. Flames flared up, illuminating the scene; a sickening sight. Hundreds of Morfaulk worms were crowded below the open hole with hideous heads upraised and mouths gaping open. Smurdyk, Bredger, and Fulton were caught in the air and devoured ere they touched the ground. Their frightened wails trailed off in a single scream of death. At once the cavern erupted into a wild frenzy as the monsters feasted and fought amongst themselves. The sound was deafening and Naedok motioned for the two bodyguards to close the large stone door.

Naedok turned to Jon and Seth, “Come, I would hear more of this God of yours who is so mighty to save His followers.”

Jon nodded, “Indeed sire, you shall!” The Emperor walked off and Seth followed. Jon turned to face the ruins of Seradeth and raised his arms to heaven. Almighty Father, I thank you this day! Truly, you are mighty to save. You stood by my side in the darkness! In my darkest hour I was not forsaken. You are with me.



The End