I own no characters except the ones that are my own invention, everyone else belongs to the brilliant mind of the only C.S. Lewis!
The hooded figures brought their mounts to a stop, their whinnies of terror deafening them as they looked upon the mountain spewing hot ash into the air. Both covered their mouths to avoid inhaling the poisonous fumes, while the soot and ash fell like snow around them. The glow of the lava spilling out over the basin of the volcano was reflected in their eyes and both briefly reconsidered their mission which had brought them to this dreadful place.
"The flaming mountain of Lagour, I fear only death awaits us here," said one of the figures, withdrawing his hand from his face to show the tanned skin of a Calormene, his brown eyes gazed at the fiery scene before him, his maroon-coloured turban and black robes now completely covered in ash.
"Reneging on our deal Isath?" The other man inquired, turning his mocha-coloured eyes upon him as he pulled back his hood, revealing flaming red hair, matching the lava now flowing down the side of Lagour.
"Of course not, I will help you find which you seek, but this place is dangerous and many who have unwisely ventured here have not returned," Isath replied, his eyes scanning the barren and dreary landscape around them.
"This is a dangerous place and that is precisely why she was buried here all those years ago, to prevent someone from finding her," the man answered, his eyes to sweeping across the darkened land before them. "Calormen was just a small dot on the map then, back when the true power of these lands laid in the East,".
Isath trembled beside him, almost as if he could sense the dark power that once controlled these lands during the early days of Narnia, now nothing but a distant legend whispered around campfires. Not that he had very much cared for myths and legends, he was a simple merchant born in the slums of Tashbaan; his thoughts only about how much goods he could sell to afford his next meal. That was until the stranger now beside him appeared and offered him the largest bag of gold he had ever laid eyes on, in exchange for leading him to Lagour which he had briefly visited after a successful span of business in Azim Balda several summers ago.
"Come, it is not wise to linger, let us see our business here concluded," The stranger said, breaking Isath out of his thoughts as they both nudged on their horses, riding further towards where Lagour vomited lava out onto the blackened sands, the heat of the mountain now causing their skin to glisten with sweat.
"Do you know where the entrance to her tomb is?" Isath asked as the stranger began to lead the way towards the base of the mountain.
"Not exactly, but the ancient writings mention a cave somewhere near the base of the mountain, with luck we will find the entrance," the stranger revealed as he urged his horse on, eager to achieve the goal he had come for.
Isath looked aghast at going so near the volcano, but he held his tongue and followed after the stranger obediently, though his eyes showed his fear as they approached, the ash and smoke thicker here as both men hurried to cover their mouths again. The stranger indicated for them to dismount, kicking up ash and dust as their boots hit the ground, before gesturing for him to follow as they braved their way towards the base of the mountain.
More lava spewed from the basin atop Lagour, causing some droplets to fall, hitting the sands around them with a hiss. Isath looked up worryingly, while the stranger continued to push on, seemingly ignoring the danger around them, leaving Isath no choice but to continue following as they reached the base of the mountain, their faces now covered with soot. The stranger looked around, almost as if he was expecting a door to the tomb to just magically appear, while Isath watched him praying to any Gods that would answer his prayers, that he would come out of this unscathed.
"Can you feel it Isath?" the stranger inquired as he closed his eyes, while Isath looked on with a quizzical look.
"I feel nothing but the heat of this abominable place!" Isath replied, a scowl now upon his face as the stranger opened his eyes and turned his head to the left of where they stood.
"There is an unnatural wind here and a hum upon it, it is the feel of magic," the stranger said before he marched on, causing Isath to scramble after him.
Time seeped onwards as they continued their search, the stranger following the distant hum that grew stronger and stronger as they walked, the ancient power that drew him nearer and nearer. Eventually they reached a small opening at the base of the mountain, almost as if the dark stone had cracked, the opening was so small in fact that Isath doubted a man could pass through it, but one look at the determination in the stranger's face, showed that they were going to try.
"This is where we have been led, the tomb lies somewhere within," he said, his eyes showing that there was no turning back for them, not now.
"If she is buried within deep within the mountain, it might not be safe for us to approach, the lava will burn us to a crisp if we venture within," Isath replied, voicing his concerns as the stranger aimed a glance his way.
"The magic is telling us to follow, it will protect us within the mountain, have no fear Isath, for what we do today will change the world and allow us to achieve our hearts desires," the stranger encouraged, giving him a hearty pat on the back, before he took a deep breath and squeezed through the crack in the rock, disappearing into the darkness beyond.
Isath looked around him, regretting the deal he had made which had led him here, but he tried his best to push his fear to one side as he too took a deep breath before taking the plunge into the darkness, squeezing through the crack, and nearly bellowing out at the impact of the steam hitting his face. He stumbled blindly through, before a hand grasped his arm and easily dragged him further into the chasm and he looked upon the face of the stranger.
His face was illuminated by a faint orange glow that seemed to come from the rock itself, almost as if something was keeping the lava at bay. The stranger helped him to steady himself as they both looked about the vast chamber they now stood in; the hum of magic now felt stronger that even Isath could feel it's power reverberating around them. Ahead of them stood a stone doorway, decorated by the skulls of various creatures, their hollow eyes seeming to stare into their very souls, while an inscription had been carved into the stone itself, in a language which Isath had never laid eyes upon before.
"I would say we're in the right place," the stranger said as he took a step towards the doorway, no signs of fear upon his face as his eyes roved over the long and forgotten text. "Samin caure, an tai man lende indome hir uqua mal mornie ar sufer,".
"What do these words say?" Isath asked, slightly mesmerised by the way the words sounded upon his tongue.
"Beware, for those who venture here will find nothing but darkness and suffering," a voice said, one that did not belong to the stranger and caused both of them to startle, the stranger drawing the sword from the sheath at his hip, the blade catching the light from the rocks and making it seem like the sword was on fire. "The ones who carved it always did have a flair for the dramatic."
A scrambling sounded from around them and soon two yellow eyes glistened out of the darkness above them, revealing a grotesque gargoyle like creature, covered in black fur with a leathery forked tail and horns protruding from its skull. He watched them both with curiosity and malice as he approached, razor ship teeth glinting in the orange glow, causing Isath to tremble with fear, while the stranger looked on with calm resolve.
"Name yourself creature," the stranger demanded, his sword now held out in front of him.
"I am called Gric, I am a servant to the Queen who is buried here, why are you here?"
"I come here to awaken your Queen, I wish to make a deal with her dark majesty," the stranger proclaimed, causing Gric's eyes to light up at the prospect.
"We have waited for this day for a thousand years, though if you truly seek to awaken my mistress, be warned that there is a price to pay," Gric replied, a wide grin on his face that sent a shiver down Isath's spine.
"I am aware of the price, and I am willing to pay it if it will bring me what I desire," the stranger said, meeting Gric's smile with a firm one of his own.
"Very well, then you may follow," Gric said as he dismounted from the ceiling and landed on the ground with a small thud. He gestured them to follow as he disappeared through the doorway, the stranger quick to follow, while Isath hesitated glancing towards where the last light could be seen through the crack, before he sighed and followed into the unknown.
The walk took them further and further into the mountain, the walls continuing to radiate with lava as well as being decorated with more skulls, the empty sockets and jaws now looking alive once again. They eventually came into a large dome shaped chamber, will-o'- the-wisps danced around the ceiling, bathing them in an unworldly light. At it's centre, sat four sarcophagi, the largest one sat upon a stone dais, while the other three had been placed in front, as if they were a guard.
The three of them came to a halt, Gric looking upon the sarcophagi with longing in his eyes, while the stranger let loose a breath, his long search was now over and he was so close to achieving his goal, the one he had been travelling across the world for years to accomplish. Isath however seemed to shrink within their presence, the powerful hum of magic was near deafening now and we wanted nothing more than to escape that foul place.
"Here we are, here lies Eilneth, the last and greatest Queen of the Longaevi, as well as her most loyal generals, the triplets Ererion, Hawirn, and their sister Jarcena. Together they ruled from their lands in the East, until they were overthrown and imprisoned here," Gric explained, his clawed hand gently touching Eilneth's sarcophagus.
"The Longaevi?" "I've never heard of that name," Isath stammered, as the stranger walked closer towards them, looking at the carved images of ancient battles that adorned them.
"That is what they were originally called, it means long lived, though in the legends today they are known as Fairies or Fae-Folk, powerful beings who built a Kingdom in the far east, it is said that they were beings of immense beauty, yet they were also deadly, they came close to conquering the known world, until a last alliance stood against them and defeated them, burying their Queen deep in this mountain where nobody would dare to look, until now," the stranger expounded, his eyes not leaving the tombs in front of him.
"She has slept for a thousand years, I will see her released now, do it!" Gric encouraged as he turned to look up at the stranger, who nodded in return, before he turned to where Isath stood, almost frozen in terror and gestured for him to join them.
Isath didn't move however, his feet remained rooted to the ground, like they were trapped in quicksand. The stranger sighed and approached him, a gentle smile now upon his lips as he placed a comforting hand upon Isath's shoulder. Slowly he moved Isath closer towards the sarcophagi, a firm grip upon his shoulders keeping the merchant moving and then keeping him still as they stopped in front of Eilneth's tomb, the power within now causing his knees to shake.
"We are so close Isath, all it takes is for us now is to pay the price that is required, and we can gain everything we have ever wanted, you my friend will never have to scrounge for coin ever again, with Eilneth's guidance you could even become Tisroc if you so desired," the stranger whispered in his ear, Isath's eyes going wide at the possibilities being laid before him.
"What is the price you must pay?" Isath asked, his voice deathly quiet as the stranger's eyes turned to sorrow as he looked back at the tomb, his shoulders sagging under the weight of what he must do.
"To awaken one life, another must be sacrificed in it's stead, the balance of the world must be maintained," the stranger explained as Isath looked at him with a puzzled look, before a flash of silver reflected in his eyes and before he even realised it, his throat had been cut open and his blood spilled upon Eilneth's tomb, the stranger kept his body dangled over the stone, even as the guilt appeared on his face.
"Quick, the blood must be placed on the generals' tombs as well, do not waste it!" Gric urged as the stranger dragged Isath's corpse from tomb to tomb like a limp puppet, allowing his blood to paint the stone red.
Once the deed was done, the stranger allowed Isath's body to fall to the floor as he looked to the tombs, watching the blood dripping off their edges, and wetting the sands below. He began to doubt that he had done it correctly, but before he could ask Gric, a sound that was as loud as thunder echoed through the chamber, causing the very ground to shake as the lids of sarcophagi cracked and suddenly exploded, sending rock and dust into the air, and forcing the stranger to dive to the ground.
The dust finally began to settle as the stranger looked up from where he was now sprawled on the ground and watched as three figures emerged out of the dusty clouds, all were dressed in rusty armour, their eyes wide with hunger as they looked upon their surroundings, their dirty white hair draped across their shoulders. Gric rushed forward and quickly bowed before them, as they stepped onto the sands with trembling legs.
"You have risen, long have I waited to see this day, I am yours to command my humble generals," Gric announced as he grovelled at their feet.
"What is this ghastly creature?" Hawirn inquired as he looked down at Gric with a look of disgust.
"He is an Imp brother; do you forget his kind were once our servants?" Ererion informed him, as he looked down at Gric with faint amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I remember, they were always loyal, even if they're ugly," Jarcena added as she gave Gric a wicked grin, before her eyes found the stranger, who slowly pushed himself back to his feet and watched the generals with awe and wonder. "He however is not an Imp,".
"He is a man sweet sister, they are no more important than an Imp," Ererion said as he approached the stranger and stared into his eyes. "Interesting, he does not seem afraid in our presence, I remember the humans used to tremble uncontrollably as I approached,".
The stranger held the gaze as Hawirn came and stood next to his brother, his eyes narrowing as he looked over the man in front of him, assessing his gait and build. Jarcena approached from the other side and slowly reached forward, allowing her fingers to brush the stranger's cheek, giggling at the feel of his hot skin, her eyes alight with the prospect. Gric shrank away into the shadows as the generals now surrounded the stranger, the prey trapped in a hunter's trap.
"He's quite handsome for a human too," Jarcena remarked as Ererion rolled his eyes.
"The tomb has not changed you sister, but there are pressing matters to attend to before you engage in any kind of fun," Ererion urged as he continued to look into the stranger's eyes. "You, how long have we been asleep?"
"A thousand days and nights have passed, since the day you were sealed in this chamber," the stranger revealed, watching as the sibling's eyes all grew wide in shock and horror.
"A thousand years?" "It can't be," Jarcena exclaimed.
"I say he lies; I say we kill him," Hawirn declared as he lashed out his hand and grasped the stranger by the throat, causing him to gasp as the air quickly ceased.
"Release him!" a voice rung out, causing all three generals to turn in wonder and fall to their knees, Hawirn removing his grasp from the stranger's throat as he went.
Now stood upon the dais was the most beautiful woman that anyone had ever laid eyes on, her long ebony hair flowed across her shoulders, her deep green eyes radiated with life and ancient wisdom, while her black dress seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light. This was the Queen Eilneth in all her glory, and she looked from her kneeling generals to the stranger who looked upon her dumfounded.
"This man speaks the truth, it has been a thousand years since we were last awake and it is he who we have to thank for our release," Eilneth explained as she slowly stepped off the dais and approached the stranger, who seemed to shrink in her presence. "The question I have, is why would a human risk so much to release us and what does he expect to gain in return?"
The stranger was silent, but Eilneth did not press him. Her eyes seemed to be staring into his soul and eventually he fell to his knees, his head bowed in respect as his hand clasped his heart. Eilneth gave a faint chuckle, while Gric emerged out of the shadows and threw himself next to the stranger, which gained another laugh. Her Generals rose and fell into file behind her, as they had done all those years ago and waited for the stranger to speak.
"I have come to make a deal with you dark majesty, for what I want, I have searched far and wide for many years and though there are other forces out there that could give me what I seek, all have failed and now you are my last hope," the stranger admitted as a small hint of surprise sparkled in the dark Queen's eyes.
She then reached out a hand and slowly tipped his chin up, forcing him to look in her eyes. They seemed to narrow as she burrowed into his mind, everything he was, now laid bare for her to see and he could do nothing but shiver at her touch and gaze. Her beauty was mesmerising, yet it was the power he could feel beneath her skin, the raw magic that could destroy armies and enslave Kingdoms.
"You have been in the presence of many great beings, both the Great Lion of Narnia and the White Witch of Charn has left their mark upon you," Eilneth said, her eyes not breaking the link that now existed between them. "Such darkness I see in your soul and such longevity, for you have lived longer than any human male should do, what is it you want that they could not give?"
"I wish to return home, to the world where I was born, too long I have wandered this world, struggling to find a way to return," the stranger explained, his voice breaking. "I beg you too grant me tis wish and in return, I will do anything you require of me,".
"What is your name?"
"I have gone by many names throughout my life, the latest one I have taken is Primus,"
"Very well Primus, you lay an interesting proposal at my feet, I may be inclined to assist you in this matter, but first tell me what has happened in the world since I have been gone,".
Primus looked back into her eyes as the green turned to black and he could not help but consider the graveness of what he had done and what darkness he had just unleashed.
Hello! This is the first chapter of a new fanfic, though it has elements of a previous story of mine, mixed with new ideas which I hope will turn this story into an epic adventure! Here begins our journey together and please leave review and let me know what you think 😊
Long Live Aslan!
AA