Through the Eyes of the Dead (standard:fantasy, 2445 words) [1/3] show all parts
Author: kissofthehungry	Updated: Jun 29 2004	Views/Reads: 3654/2504	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Cavara has a gift, she can venture into the land of the dead, as well as take those that deserve it with her. When she pledges her loyalties to King Brenton, she is drawn into a conspiracy that will threaten her homeland.

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but didn't say a word, urging him to continue with his business so she 
could leave as quickly as possible, 'I know you are probably wondering 
how you, the youngest Marker in our history, could possibly take down a 
Unit. I know it was the murmer of the Markers, jealousy speaks through 
many tongues out there. They all want to know the secret, and they all 
wish they were the one who harbored it. But you alone are gifted and 
so, here we are to discuss the problem of White Castle Unit.' Her head 
spun as he spoke, as if his words were not merely communicating but 
weaving a spell around her. How she wished she had a chair to sit upon, 
but there were none in the room, as if he enjoyed having his comany 
tower over him. 

'Cavara, my sweet, your powers are of utmost importance, for they are
the strongest ever to be noted among the other powers,' the Advisor 
spoke, his voice was like dead leaves rustling across dry dirt, 'You 
see, those gifted with the Eyes of Death, have only to touch someone 
while in the land of the Underworld to drive them into utter madness. 
If they should continue to touch that person, eventually the Underworld 
will reach out through you, and pull the person's soul back with it. 
Even if someone should try to kill you as you are performing this deed, 
you will be safe, for as long as you remain touching the Underworld, it 
will protect you.' 

At this point, Brenton could keep silent no longer, 'You see? To bring
down a Unit, you only have to go in and touch a few of the more 
important leaders, drive them to madness, and when their followers see 
their fate, they will be more than willing to go along with whatever 
you instruct them. Do you see why you are so important? With your aid, 
we can bring unity and peace to this war ravaged land, the other 
Markers aren't even necessary with you along.' He was so excited, 
little specks of spit flew from his lips and dropped on the front of 
his dark green smock. It was hard not to share his excitement, but the 
way the Advisor watched her cast a dark cloud of distrust over her. 
Something about him did not strike her as right, but she did seek the 
same thing as Brenton and so, she realized, she would use her curse to 
break Units. 

'I do see, and as I understand it, you want White Castle Unit to be my
testing ground?' His entire body bobbed as he nodded enthusiastically, 
and she thought of White Castle Unit. Once, she'd been there, on a 
mission to find Lady Shaire, and she had walked open mouthed through 
the market, her eyes glued to the towering castle of shimmering pearl 
above her. The people there were warm and festive, greeting her and 
chatting about nothing as she passed, it had been a new experience as 
opposed to Blackwood Unit where everyone trusted no one and walked with 
their eyes down and mouths sealed. It was difficult imaging them 
putting up a fight over anything, they were such friendly people. 

But if they could not do was best for everyone, she would have to help
them along, 'Okay, I'll do it.' Brenton jumped into the air with a 
yippee of pleasure and a smile lit the tight lips of the Advisor. 
Seeing him smile was worse than anything she had so far been exposed 
to, for something in that smile suggested more cunning and plotting 
than any other creature she had come across. How she wished he would 
quit. 

Without further adieu, King Brenton prepared for a trip to White Castle
Unit, he made sure that Cavara was clothed in the proper wear of a 
Marker, a pale purple cloak over a shining white dress. Then he called 
the Marker of White Castle, who appeared dressed similarly as she. He 
had a long brown beard specked with gray that flowed over his chest, 
and big brown eyes that were warm and smiling. Easily, he had twenty 
years or so on her, but she immediately felt a kindred with him, 
something quite different than with the other Markers. It was his Unit 
breeding, she knew, but nevertheless, she felt the urge to make him one 
of her few friends. 

However, she was never given the opportunity, for King Brenton insisted
that she ride her horse at his side. The ride was a silent one for he 
had sat straight and imposing in his saddle, never looking anywhere but 
forward yet somehow looking all around him at the same time. So she 
rode alone with her thoughts, imaging what she would have to do when 
their journey ended. The more she thought about it the more she 
regretted her decision, but she had sworn loyalty to King Brenton, and 
in doing so was at his disposal. She wondered if every Marker felt this 
way when called upon to their duty to their king? Then again, very few 
Markers upon until now had united beneath one king. This was a whole 
new experience for all involved. 

It wasn't long before White Castle Unit loomed before them, the shining
castle walls nearly blinding them in the afternoon sun. Dread began to 
whelm her and she fought to keep it at bay, she would not back out of 
her promise. Perhaps, after some talking, they would come to and she 
wouldn't even have to use her powers. Though, as they plodded along 
through the market, she knew from the people's expressions, they would 
never give in without some persuassion. The once cheery folk she had 
encountered were no replaced by dark, suspicious faces, glaring at them 
and closing their market stands to their presence. King Brenton didn't 
even acknowledge any of these actions, but continued to ride forward, 
as did the rest of them. 

The five leaders of White Castle Unit were standing outside the doors,
waiting for them, their faces grim and foreboding. One look at their 
expressions made her close her eyes, today she was going to be called 
into action for her loyalties. May she be making the right choice. 

'Swear your loyalties and unite beneath me, or so suffer the
consequences,' King Brenton immediately launched his ultimatum, giving 
no chance of peace to be spoken. Her heart sunk at his words, and she 
looked back at White Castle's Marker, whose eyes were downcast and his 
brow heavily furrowed with wrinkles. 

The leaders guffawed and finally one spoke, 'You expect me to be
intimidated by such a wee man, much less follow him?' The king's face 
darkened with rage and he was so furious words were stolen from his 
mouth. With a flick of his wrist, he gestured Cavara to the man and she 
rode up to him in silence. Then she reached out and gripped his hand, 
which he was so surprised that he didn't react. With her mind and soul, 
she reached out for the Underworld. 

The breath of cold air and decay swept over her, stealing the warmth and
hope from her body, pressing the breath from her lips. It descended 
with a shriek upon the man, whom her hand rested upon. The world she 
now saw was dark blues and grays, a place where death danced rampidly 
and embraced all that it touched. The souls of millions groaned in 
agony and loneliness, each not aware of the other, only of the brittle 
cold. The man she was touching screamed in terror, writhing beneath her 
grip as death played with his mind. From a far away distance, she heard 
King Brenton ordering her not to let go, to hang on until it was 
finished. She didn't want to kill this man, but she had her orders, she 
would not let him live. Suddenly a shadow darker than night could ever 
dream of being swept over her and into the leader. With a sharp cry of 
protest, he slumped against her, his mouth and eyes wide in a silent 
scream that would never again be voiced. The shadow retreated and with 
it, she knew was the prize of a new soul. With tears of what had just 
happened, she released her grip on the man and sighed as the Underworld 
retreated from her. Once more she was in the market of White Castle 
Unit. Everyone's eyes were upon her, and there was unspoke horror in 
every set, including King Brenton's. Nobody had expected what had just 
went down, the brutal nature of it was clear on all of their faces. 

King Brenton broke the stunned silence, 'If you do not succumb to my
will and that of the people, I will have her do the same to you.' There 
were only a few glances at the man slumped upon his horse, before they 
all nodded and bowed their heads low to the King. With only one death 
thrown upon them, they had sworn their allegiances. She'd broken White 
Castle Unit. Then they began the ride into the castle and she vaguely 
heard the Advisor's voice over the clomp of the horses' hoofs on 
cobblestone, but what she caught made her cringe in fear. 

'About Blackwood Unit,' his voice rasped and she knew where their next
venture would take them. Where her power would next be used and she 
loathed what she would be forced to do to her own people. But she had 
no choice, it was for everyone's good, unity was the only decision and 
she would do what she had to to ensure that it was not destroyed.


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