O Saga: Part One: Book of Origins

The seas are colder and rougher the closer you approach the Isle of Wicca, home to the Hagar Covenant. The Shadow Coven, Black Legion, and their indentured rabble plague this jagged and secluded land.

The gales blow in the North Sea, with the voices of tormented souls crying into the ether. They blow into the sails as if to tear them apart. Sailors have long been warned to avoid these dead seas.

It is said the devil’s very breath creates these foul winds, and he seeks to sink the vessels that pass to add souls to his collection. Into the depths, he pulls sailors and ships to a life of servitude. The Witches probably spread all the frightful stories to keep curiosity away from disturbing their solitude.

The Isle of Wicca is cut in its center by steep snow-capped mountains. The Eastern range is dotted with active volcanos that render most of the Eastern Isle a hellscape hostile to life. It also makes it impossible to approach the Covenant from that side.

Even if you could get past the flowing lava rivers to the sea and scorched Earth, The mountains require an expert climber to have any chance. If you didn’t fall to your death, altitude sickness and hypothermia would just as easily take you to your death.

To get to the harbor of Orisa, you have to sail a long narrow between high cliffs. The high cliffs form the Western coast and sit a hundred feet off the water. The wind and water hammer at the granite rock. Thousands of years of erosion create a natural fortress.

Standing at the entrance of the narrows are large statues carved in the rock of gargoyles. As you sail deeper into the narrows, hieroglyphs and myth tales are chilled on both sides of the cliffs. Malum is unsure of what tale they are telling.

The narrows look like they are about to squeeze together and keep you from your journey, but a sharp turn that was obscured at first reveals itself. The ship pours into a large bay, and the city of Orisa can now be seen. The continued cliffs guard the bay, but the city of Orisa sits below them.

Orisa is built on the only low spot in the area. A slope leading to a plateau looks to have artificially been made behind the city. Malum can see why the Witches covet this island as a home and fortress.

A dinghy signals them where the shipping lane is and to an anchor spot. Malum and the crew help to lower long boats to the water. Only Malum, Flaero, Olafur, and Rovan get in to row to the docks. They are disguised as pirates, but Malum is unconvinced about the deception.

Malum sees the beaches here covered in black sand. Flaero says it’s fragmented, cooled lava that the water churned back to shore over time. They were sheltered from the wind, but the air was wet and cold and seeped into their bones.

Malum sees glacial rivers running over the edges of the cliffs, and as dramatic, waterfalls spill into many parts of the bay. It dawned on Malum that Thea’s parents once lived here, and her mother died here.

They were greeted by two soldiers at the docks.

“Present your marks.” The soldiers demanded.

As a measure of control and security, the Witches demand skin branding to mark a collaborator. Malum and the others do not have this mark.

Flaero had suggested to Rovan that he use his powers to manipulate the minds of the soldiers. Rovan protested that this was a dark art and should not be done lightly. A harebrained scheme was formed when Rovan didn’t offer a better alternative.

“We won’t ask again; present your marks.” The soldiers demanded.

Malum had given Rovan his amber rock to connect so he didn’t have to draw a sword. Rovan had his eyes closed, and the soldier’s body posture changed. One of the soldiers offered Rovan a hand and helped him on the docks. Flaero tied the long boat off, and the soldiers helped them to the docks individually.

“Welcome to Orisa. We are at your service.” The soldiers said.

Rovan stayed close to the soldiers as they made their way through the markets and crowded streets. Their swords were hidden underneath their cloaks, and their wandering eyes looked for signs that their plan had been discovered.

They climbed up the slope out of town and eventually found a quiet place to knock the soldiers out and take their armor.

Rovan and Olafur dressed in soldier’s armor to stand out more as Anahtiians. If suspicions were raised, they would pretend to be taking Flaero and Malum as prisoners.

The plateau above the city opens into a lime-green prairie extending to the mountains’ foothills. Fram fields are intercut by glacially fed rivers and small rustic houses. A military base is located at the start of the mountains and guards the pass leading up to the Hagar Covenant.

They quickly walked the trail to the base and checkpoint. Using passes from the guards, they took the armor off and got inside the base. The main prison and jail were held on the base, and Malum and Flaero were put in cells. Rovan and Olafur would search for where Thea was held.

It would all be straightforward; that is when the ground fell from underneath you. Malum should have known such a stupid, half-cocked plan would go belly up. Olafur and Rovan were caught trying to return to their cells, and all Hell broke loose.

Malum had grown considerably in his abilities and broke the cell door open. Mal and Flaero found Rovan and Olafur fighting with the jail guards. The element of surprise was gone, and alarms were sounding.

They all had hidden swords and relied on their considerable skills to slash and cut their way out of the jails. They managed to escape and get to the base of the mountain. They had to make a mad dash for the pass that led up to the Covenant.

No guards are on that side of the base as The Covenant is strictly forbidden, even for the soldiers. The Sorrors can care for themselves, so security is considerably lacking; now that the soldiers know they have escaped, circumstances have changed.

They managed to reach the Covenant gate but could not proceed further. Soldiers and red-robed Sorors surrounded them.

“I’m glad our circumstances never get boring,” Malum whispered to Flaero.

“Yeah, if I wasn’t laughing at how terrible our plan was, I’d be crying.” Flaero joked, trying to soften the blow.

The Covenant was a massive square building perched in the mountains overlooking Orisa, which was small in the distance. It had thick, high walls that had no towers or apparent defenses. There was only one gate inside, made of strong wood and metal.

Malum was surprised at how beautiful the interior was. There were wooden houses that had rock garden courtyards. Koi ponds, bridges, and well-manicured gardens were everywhere to be found. Shrines and small temples that looked centuries old. Red-robe figures were moving in silence and staring in horror at the intrusion.

The Covenant was silent. Even nature seemed scared to make a peep. The interior of the building was just as austere as the women here. Few men had ever seen the inside.

Malum and the others were brought before the Mother Superior.

“Flaero, the revolutionist.” The Mother Superior greeted them in her strange accent. “I recognize you, but your three companions are foreign to me.”

Malum and the others said nothing.

“Why are you here? Tsar Miro is not here, nor shall he ever be. Why has the Source of All Things brought four idiots to me? Surely you didn’t think you could wear disguises and stumble in here unnoticed?” The Great Mother tried to loosen their lips.

“We are not here for Miro or you. We came for our friend.” Malum hissed.

“Well, I’m glad we didn’t have to torture you to get that out of you. Maybe you are smarter than I thought.” The Great Mother turned away and paced in thought. “Who would be your friend here?”

“Her name is Thea. You killed her parents, and you killed my brother.” Malum accused.

“And you want to kill me. I have heard of this; you are Malum, I presume. Soror Dominus spoke of you. I had nothing to do with any of these killings. I am sorry for your losses. As for Thea, she is perfectly safe and where she was meant to be.”

“Liar!” Malum shouted.

“Great Mother, we have not come to make war on you or harm any of your people. Let us see her if Thea is safe, as you say. Let her tell us she wishes to stay, and we will go. Gladly.” Flaero said, trying to be diplomatic.

“I would be glad to let you speak with Thea. The problem is that you came through our gates. To pass into our inner sanctum is death for all men not invited. This is our most sacred and private place. We provide a world where women never have to worry about men. You have violated that. So I can let you speak to Thea, but you will be killed shortly after.” The Great Mother said with no emotion.

“You brought us inside; we didn’t ask to come in,” Rovan said angrily.

“Silence Anahitiian. I decide who is and isn’t guilty. Now that you have spoken, let me look at you.” The Great Mother looks in fine detail over Olafur and Rovan. “The sword the younger one carries. I recognize some of the markings.” The Mother Superior whispered to one of her Sorors, and they waited in silence until the Soror returned with golden armor.

“That’s Akiva’s,” Rovan said with horror.

“Akiva? Was that her name? She and I were searching for the Masters of the Oracle.”

“Yes, I remember. I was there. I was there when the Masters of the Oracle found that child. You tried to kill us.” Rovan admitted. “What happened to her? Where is the child they found?”

“Akiva and I didn’t see eye to eye on many things. She didn’t wish to stay here and died.”

“You mean you killed her?”

“No. She made her own choices. As for the child, I wish I knew. I would give everything to know where the Masters took him.” Mother Superior defended.

“So it was a him? Why does everyone care so much about this child?”

“Owani is a special child, for sure. One that might destroy us all. He has a power that is too great for one person. We seek him to destroy him before it is too late.” She explained.

“Liar, you wanted him as your next Warlock. To use him and his powers to benefit you.” Malum challenged.

“That is what the Masters of the Oracle want.”

“They would never. I knew them; they’d never do that. They are selfless. They saved him from you.” Rovan said.

“Did they? It doesn’t seem like you know them like I do. The Masters of the Oracle are radicals. They are waiting until the boy is powerful enough, and then they will strike with their weapon and unleash tyranny on us all.” The Great Mother warned.

“And what are you doing to the world with your alliance with Tsar Miro.” Flaero countered.

Mother Superior looked Flaero over and shed him up.

“You have seen our island. We have resources but lack a great deal more. We made our alliance with Miro not for power but for survival. We want to live peacefully here in our sanctuary.”

Malum couldn’t bite his tongue any longer, “Was it a peace that cut the head of my brother? Was it peace that forced the Qamatan people into labor camps and destroyed Teodor?”

“I am through scabbling with fools. I will allow you to see Thea; then you can join your fallen friends.” The Great Mother said and gestured for them to be taken out.

They were brought to a small house with a rock garden; a Soror slid the door open and had them take off their shoes. Thea was sitting with her legs crossed and meditating.

Malum ran to hug her, but the Soror shoved and grabbed him. The noise started Thea’s concentration.

“What is the meaning of this? Why do you disturb my privacy?” Thea scolded.

“Thea, don’t you recognize me? What have they done to you?” Malum asks, devastated.

“Whoever you are, I don’t want you here. Go away.”

“But Thea, we came all the way to rescue you.” Malum pleaded.

Thea stood up and walked slowly to Malum. She leaned in so she could whisper, “I run, you run.” Then Thea hit him hard in the stomach, collating him. Malum was confused about what she meant. “I am happy here. You came on a fool’s errand.”

The Soror started to lead the others out of Thea’s room.

“But they are going to kill us, don’t you care?” Malum said, still perplexed.

“Tirgris, bring them back in a moment. Wait outside.” Thea commanded.

“The door must remain open.” Tirgris coldly stated.

“That’s fine. I want to talk to this one for a moment.” Thea said, leaning close to Malum again.

“You’re not going to hit me again?” Malum protested.

“Nod if you have your weapons,” Thea whispered to Malum. “I don’t know who you think you are and why you thought I’d leave with you on a whim.”

Malum was finally catching on to her game. Rovan and Malum still had swords, Flaero still had Thea’s old sword, and Olafur had Akiva’s.

“If I knew we’d come for an ungrateful bitch, we would have never come,” Malum said, playing along with Thea’s charade.

“Well then, you mindless cretin, let me teach you some manners.” Thea pretended to hit Malum but reached inside his cloak to grab his sword. She quickly unsheathed it and blew out a hole in her back wall. Rovan reacted the quickest and had his sword out to stun Tirgris. They all rushed out of the newly created hole.

Malum watched Thea run to a tall white pine near her lodging and scamper up the trunk. Since he didn’t have an alternate route, he tried to follow. She made it look easy.

Thea managed to get high enough in the big tree to jump to the curtain wall of the Covenant. They ascended one by one and made the gutsy jump across to the wall. Flaero received a saving hand from Olafur as his jump wasn’t as flawless as the others.

Using a mountain as a natural barrier to keep out attackers works very well if they are below you. The Covenant wasn’t at the peak of the mountains, so fortunately for Malum, access to the mountain above was easy. Thea led them to a part of the curtain wall to climb.

“There is a secret stairway that leads down to the valley and a lake that the Sorors use to sneak a swim from time to time,” Thea said.

They ran down the stairs as fast as possible and hurriedly made for the lake in the plateau below. As they descended, the lake was easily seen. A glacially fed river poured into the lake, making it a light milky blue.

“It’s only a matter of time before Soror Trigris wakes up and our escape is discovered,” Rovan said, trying to give urgency to their journey.

“Black Legion soldiers are sure to be waiting for us at Orisa. It’s the only way out.” Flaero said, winded.

“I may have a crazy solution,” Thea shouted from the front.

The group ran along the shore of the lake and followed Thea as she sprinted across fields to a nearby farm. They hid behind the barn. Thea told them to wait as she went ahead.

“I unhooked a wagon. We’ll have to push it to get it rolling downhill, and then we all jump in.” Thea said, huffing and puffing.

“That’s your plan?” Flaero questioned.

“It sure is a crazy one,” Rovan added.

“How are we going to control it or stop it?” Malum asked.

“We won’t,” Thea said honestly.

“We’re all going to hop in a runaway wagon that might just as well roll us off a cliff as it might take us past soldiers,” Olafur said, mostly thinking out loud.

“I’m not the ones who came here with no real plans to escape. If you will all criticize the plan, give me a better one to replace it.” Thea said, annoyed.

“I suppose we could just fight our way to the ship,” Olafur said unconvincingly.

“We’ll have to do that regardless, I should think,” Rovan said. “Just hope it’s black legion and not red robes waiting for us.”

They all surrounded the wagon and pushed it until they could get it rolling. One by one, they climbed in the back. It was an uncovered farm wagon with a flatbed. Each had a long piece of timber to push it along, but it wasn’t moving them fast enough.

“Take out your swords. If we all channel together, we might generate enough wind behind us to push it forward.” Thea suggested. Flaero handed back her sword. Flaero was to try to steer with the drawbar.

This technique was more successful, and they were rolling downhill through fields and aimed at the end of the plateau where Orisa sat below. Thea’s way had let them bypass the military checkpoint and base.

The wagon’s pace was picking up as the slope was getting steeper. Everyone was getting bounced higher and higher as they hit uneven pockets in fields. They were all hanging to the small railing.

They could see a line of Black Legion soldiers blocking the road that led to Orisa below. The wagon was moving so fast that Flaero didn’t do much to affect its direction. They were bouncing high and long, then landing harder and harder.

They all grabbed their timbers, held them like lances, and pointed at the soldiers. They were out of control, and some Black Legion soldiers realized they were not stopping. A panic broke out, and some soldiers tried to get out of the way while others tried to hold their ground.

The wagon plowed through the crowd and flew over the slope leading to town. A wreck of soldiers was left behind them as they landed on the slope below with tremendous force. Malum almost fell off the wagon, but somehow, they all stayed on. It was like riding a spirited horse and trying not to be bucked off.

“We need to jump before this wrecks,” Rovan shouted.

Rovan was the first to jump off to the side. He landed with a thud and rolled on the hill, and they all followed suit.

Malum tried to land on his feet, but that was a mistake. He tumbled awkwardly and felt every roll. Knowing he couldn’t lie about feeling sore, he got himself up. They all made for the harbor and their long boat.

As they reached the docks, some soldiers tried to stop them, but Rovan was in the lead and cut through them with expert precision. They rowed as fast as they could to reach the ship they entered. The crew of the Elysium that they left on board must have seen the drama and had already started to prepare the ship to run.

The long boat was lifted out of the water as quickly as possible. As soon as they reached the main deck, Thea jumped at Malum and gave him a hug and kiss.

“I’m next.” Olafur joked.

“You’re never.” Thea shut him down.

They saw red- robes and Black Legion soldiers gathering at the docks, but they didn’t see anyone getting into the ship to chase. Even though they escaped, none were high-priority targets in the long run. That doesn’t mean the Witches would ask them back under favorable conditions.

Once they reached the open sea, they all decided to try to sail north to find the Elysium. Teodor would be the first stop. Malum and Thea found a quiet place for themselves. Malum could breathe easy again, knowing Thea was finally safe.