Deep Water
By Otakuprincess
Chapter 2
I awoke this morning to a high-pitched scream coming from the other side of the churning river. As I bolted upright, searching for the source of the sound, I saw a young woman stumbling across rocks and boulders beside the river. Tears streamed down her face as she ran, a small bundle concealed within her grasp. I could feel the chill of Death as I realized from what she ran.
I prayed for her, but it was too late. Out of the trees, I saw the red-haired menace appear. I jumped behind a small bush to hide. As the necromancer swiftly caught up with the woman and her child, I couldn't help but let out a small whimper. The necromancer started for a moment, staring straight into my hiding place. His eyes pierced my sanctuary like stone daggers. In that split second, the woman tossed the bundle in her arms into the river. I jumped from my hiding place, running to the side of the island in hopes of catching the swaddled lump before it was tossed over the falls. Lucky, I grasped the edge of the blanket as the necromancer scooped up the wailing woman. I gathered the bundle into my arms, a look of hate following the necromancer as he looked at me once more and disappeared into the darkness.
Noticing that the sun had barely risen over the horizon, I quickly retreated to the center of the island. The dead would soon return, continuing their attempt across the deadly waters. Taking a knee, I examined the small bundle I had rescued from the rapids. As I unfolded the blanket, I was shocked to see an odd group of trinkets. There were nine small pipes, neatly lined in a box of mahogany. A dagger there was also, Charter marks inscribed in its hilt. A picture of a beautiful woman was singed slightly on one corner, and a book lay beneath all of these things. It had a weathered leather cover, but would not open.
Looking back now, I'm surprised that I did not feel fear. I knew, of course, that the pipes must be similar to the bells of a necromancer. The same dark power must reside within them. And yet there were nine, one more than needed or known to the Old Kingdom. The picture was yet another mystery, one that did not seem important. The book was the most worrisome of all, as it was clearly bound by some unknown power.
As I sat, looking at these items, I heard a voice call out to me from the shore.
"Mara madonna, why do you hide? Do you not wish to be with your family? They are all here. Why won't you join them?"
mara bitter or sorrowful, here used both as a name and description.
There he was. Staring out at me from the shoreline, tempting me with his lies. His brilliant hair danced in the sunlight. After all he had done, he dared to tempt me with his deception.
"I'm not an idiot. I know what you've done," I said, standing up to face him. Many meters separated us, but I could still feel him laughing at me.
"What if I agree not to hurt you? Would that make a good deal, little one? There. I promise not to hurt you if you come back."
I glared out at him. "Never. I will never return." I turned away, back to my wavering triangle of protection and fruit trees. The necromancer looked out at me, contemplating for a few moments, before turning back to my dead village. It looked as if I would have to hope for the best. I wouldn't be gathering supplies before leaving.