Possession
between Sangfoul and Meridia
Through the darkness Evanshade swam, leading a fragment of Sangfoul’s forces through the ocean toward Meridia, the kingdom they had discovered far away from their own realm. Scattered men throughout his force held shells with crimson malta ooze cupped within them, illuminating the water. Other men held tridents and spears to the backs of slaves.
“Wait,” Evanshade’s voice came in a steady command as a group of sharks swam near them, barely visible in the red light. He had hoped to avoid the beasts, but in their decision to bring slaves he knew there would be blood, and with the blood, predators.
“The malta ssscent should have kept them away.” Venge, his master’s son, appeared out of the darkness beside him. The boy’s voice sent a chill up his spine.
“Blood draws them near. Blood will draw them in over the scent of anything.” Evanshade looked into the center of the barely lit group. At least fifty of his men were here and a larger mass would follow. “I thought I said not to injure the slaves, to wait until we reached safer waters! What bloodied men have brought these beasts to us?”
There was silence among his men. They would not give over their possessions easily. I know what must be done, I wish there were another way, but I know. “Give them over to me!” he commanded.
A sudden cry rang out not far from him and Evanshade pivoted to see one of his armored men dragged off into the darkness, his tailfin in the mouth of a shark. More were coming. I have to act. With a burst Evanshade lunged forward to face the beasts, piercing one with his trident and then struggling to hold on to his weapon as the beast pulled free. Blood flowed from its gut as it attacked once more. This time Evanshade pierced it through its skull and sent it writhing in death throes to the sea floor. More of his men were engaged in combat now, awkwardly trying to fend off the beasts.
“Where are the bloodied slaves?” he shouted out as other men came to their aid.
A massive warrior emerged beside him as he slew another shark, its teeth almost gashing into his forearm as he fought. “I have discovered these two. They fought with Eeelil and he also has a bloodied gash down his arm.”
Evanshade took chains from the man’s hands. The thick metal attached to tight clasps around the legged slaves’ necks. Why? Evanshade closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself time to block out what must be done. I must serve my master, serve the cause. He opened his eyes to stare into the hollow, bloodshot eyes of the slaves. “Feed them to the sharks!” he shouted to a warrior nearest him. “And bring me Eeelil!”
His heart hurt but he held strong while handing the chains over to the nearby warrior.
“No… No…” the cracked voice of one of the slaves came to him and he almost took back his order. Then there was a crushing noise and he turned to see three sharks fighting over the bodies of the screaming slaves, their limbs ripped from their torsos and blood tainting the water.
That should buy us a moment’s rest, he thought, returning his gaze to the group once more.
“Blood,” Venge’s hissing voice came from near him. “My father would be proud.”
If only he knew what I think of Malistour. “Bring me Eeelil!” he commanded. “Bring him or I will sacrifice more slaves!”
Soon the man who brought the slaves returned with Eeelil, a muscular man with a wide gash down his arm. “You have drawn these beasts to us with your lust for abusing your slaves. Did I not say to leave them be at least until we reached safer waters?” Evanshade eyed the man with a crisp calculation in his own eyes. He had just murdered this man’s possessions and he knew the man’s rage would be great.
Eeelil grinned deviously and darkly glared at his leader. “Yes, but they stepped out of line. There must be punishment for misbehavior, and I must give pain to my slaves to keep them in place.”
“I’m glad you understand,” Evanshade clasped Eeelil’s wrist with his thick hand, “because I too must reprimand those who disobey me.” There was commotion behind him as his men fended off the beasts and another man was dragged off by a shark into the darkness, his malta light drifting to the floor.
“You would not dare,” Eeelil spoke in a more cautious tone, trying to pull out of Evanshade’s grasp. “The men will not let you.”
“You do not think…”
Before leaving Sangfoul, Evanshade had spoken with the dark lord himself and had been given something to use in this mission and for the rest of his existence, it was the power to control other beings’ movements, to possess their bodies. He had not used it yet, and was leery of this new ability, but surely he would need it in Meridia. He would attempt it here.
He concentrated and a chill ran over his body, bringing darkness upon his soul. Then he saw Eeelil’s eyes change from a look of fear and hate, to a look of obeying. He could feel the man’s body as if it were his own and Evanshade released his wrist. “You are right, Eeelil, I will do nothing. You will reprimand yourself.” He could feel the man’s consciousness wrestling to take control of his own body, but to no avail. “Go. Do what must be done.”
Eeelil handed him his trident and moved through the men, bumping against them mindlessly as he moved. He halted for a moment at the edge of the group where two warriors fended off a horde of oncoming sharks. There was a strain in Evanshade’s possession of him and he almost lost control of the man. Eeelil was trying to break free.
No, Evanshade thought. You must die to show the others that disobeying me is not an option, that I have complete control. You must die to satiate the sharks as well.
Eeelil suddenly plunged past the men and into the mass of sharks, his body being ripped apart by their powerful jaws. As he was torn apart pain burned through Evanshade and he almost lost consciousness before severing his connection with the man. Darkness swarmed in his thoughts.
“Ahhh,” Venge’s voice came from close by. “And he takes his own life.” As Evanshade regained his strength he saw the boy looking knowingly at him, an evil grin glowing on his face. “You are truly a man to be reckoned with. I see why my father chose you to overtake Meridia.”
Evanshade breathed in the water heavily. The dark chill he had felt remained with him. I wonder if I have not sacrificed something to the dark lord to have this gift. It is like he possesses me as I possess another. What have I given? What do I become? I wish there were another way… another place. He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes and held himself firm. It is the weakness in me talking. I must move on. “It is what had to be done,” he spoke lowly and almost to himself. He then looked up to his men and the slaves watching in fear to him, fear and complete obeyance. “Let it be known that this is the fate of those who betray me! Heed my warning and serve me well!”
Cold acknowledgement reflected in the faces of his men, all but Venge, who watched him with haunting excitement in his eyes.
As Evanshade led the group onward in the darkness toward Meridia, he could feel the vibration of Eeelil’s dead soul within him.
5
Night Guest
Cardonea Tower, Meridia