The Light of My Hearts

Later...

Kendrick sighed, content and happy in the afterglow. Twillow had her head resting on his inner arm and shoulder, snuggled up against his body.

“You know what I learned today?” he played with her hair.

“What?”

He put his hand up and flexed it, “I glow blue.”

Twillow lifted her head with an amazed expression, “What?! You glow blue?”

He nodded still examining his hand as if to rediscover the strange color from before, “Apparently.”

“How? Why?” she questioned.

“I caught the thief who’s been taking crystals from your father’s business. He was an ice dryad. Hit me right in the face with some ice magic.” He explained.

Twillow gasped and touched his face with concern, “Kendrick! Weren’t you hurt?”

“No. Kind of cold but not really.” He assured her.

“Ice magic is dangerous. You could’ve been frozen solid and killed!”

He shrugged and reached for the book he’d bought, “According to the little guy who sold me this, Jotunn are pretty much immune to cold. This I knew. But...I’ve never glowed before. Pop neither.”

"I never saw you glow even in the dead of winter.”

Kendrick shrugged, “I guess it just wasn’t cold enough...or it was the magic element? I don’t know.” he frowned with frustration.

She stroked his chest, “I’ll bet you were beautiful. I wish I could’ve seen you.”

He snorted, amused at the idea.

Twillow began to curiously peruse the book he’d bought. The book was bound with red leather and hard board. It had an old paper smell and the pages were yellowed with age. The writing inside was in the fae language. She held it gently so as not to damage it.

“Hm. This book is a lot like that parchment about “mythical creatures” that the humans wrote. But much more accurate.” She commented.

Kendrick gave sour snort at the memory, “Hopefully the illustrations are more flattering.” He squinted at the unusual writing, “Wish I could read it.”

“Here.” Twillow offered, waving her fingers elegantly across the words and a small shimmer seemed to appear in front of the pages.

Kendrick blinked when the words were suddenly legible to him, “Oh. Sig used something like that when we first came here.”

“Now you can read it too.” She smiled, flicking a few pages until she came to a page entitled Jotunn.

She turned the book so he could see the illustration. Kendrick gripped the edge of the cover and stared at the drawing. It was much more realistic albeit a bit different than himself. The figure was gray-skinned, muscular, and had the double pointed ears like he did. The illustration’s beard was dark but considerably fuller and longer, covering the neck and some of the chest and the mustache was braided. Long dark hair was short along the sides but long and braided down the spine. Dark tattoos decorated the skin in various designs. Most notable to Kendrick was the Jotunn drawn was carrying a massive axe in his meaty hand.

He gave a curious grunt, “My kind use weapons?”

“It says here: the Jotunn developed some of the first stone and iron weapons and later developed more refined metal weaponry. A handcrafted sword, axe, or other metal weapon is a Jotunn’s most prized possession.” Twillow read.

Kendrick squinted, “I’ve never seen a weapon that size before. Pop never had anything like that.”

Twillow hummed but then read, “Humans learned of iron and its properties from the Jotunn.”

Kendrick looked at that part and frowned, “They did?”

“If this is correct?”

Kendrick frowned deeper, thinking on that sentence. Twillow’s grandfather had been subversive in some of his information about the Division and why the Jotunn were not in the Parliel Realm. Perhaps the fae blamed his kind for teaching humans about iron and thereby teaching them of the fae’s main weakness? Or maybe he was assuming things? Maybe it was nothing...or everything?

Twillow skimmed quickly and then read on the next page, “Oh...”

Kendrick hadn’t read as far and hummed a question.

“This...this says: the Jotunn were responsible for the raiding and destruction of several seaside settlements along with the attack of the fae city of Deras.”

Kendrick skipped ahead until he found the passage, read it, and went to the next page. He paused. The page was dominated by an illustration of a massive ship with a broad sail emblazoned with a symbol Kendrick had never seen before looming menacingly over a burning town that was in ruins. The silhouettes of several Jotunn were scattered in different parts of the drawing and they appeared to be carrying bags of plunder.

The ransacking wasn’t as surprising since he himself had done it on a few occasions. But seafaring ships? His kind used ships?

A small dated caption at the bottom of the illustration read, “On that bright day, the shadow of the Jotunn ships darkened the shores. Ruthlessly brutal and efficient, the Jotunn invaders attacked and pillaged the fae city of Deras.”

As he read, Twillow was gauging his reaction to the writing. He seemed impassive but she could tell from the crease of his brow that he was troubled. She gently laid a hand against his chest, silently questioning.

He looked at her and stretched his mouth slightly, “I wonder...” he paused.

“You wonder what?” she prompted.

“I wonder if...if this might be the reason my kind aren’t in the Parliel Realm?” he pondered quietly. “Were my kind and your kind enemies?”

Twillow gave a small shrug and laid her head against his shoulder again, “I don’t know sweethearts.”

He sounded frustrated, “I’m nearly three hundred years old and I’ve learned more about my kind today then I have in all that time. Why didn’t Pop tell me about any of this?”

She shrugged, “Maybe...he doesn’t know it either?”

“Growing up, I always had questions about our kind. But he never seemed to know anything...or just told me something basic. Was he just lying to me?”

“I don’t think he’d lie to you. But perhaps he had his reasons for not telling you.” She offered softly.

By accident, Kendrick fumbled the book and it fell on his middle, losing his place.

"Ach.” He griped as he picked up the book and thumbed through the pages to relocate the passage.

But then an illustration caught his eye during the search. A black spidery looking creature with a haggish ghoul-like face and a sharp proboscis jutting from its snarling mouth.

Twillow shuddered, “A Kraskol.”

That immediately captured Kendrick’s interest and he paused to read what the book had to say about the notorious creature that he was determined to exterminate and keep away from his mate. Now it had an appearance he could clearly visualize. It looked like a demonic monster one would expect to find lurking in the darkest corners of the world. The thing that made the night terrifying...even more than himself.

It read: The Kraskol is an ancient creature said to have escaped from the depths of Hell itself and has lived in the Parliel Realm since its formation. A natural predator of all magical beings, it survives by feeding on the natural magic power of all magic users. However, it’s main drive is to feed on the Life Water of fae, it’s main prey source. Though the Kraskol is unable to fly like the fae it hunts, it is a powerful shapeshifter and can use this ability to get close to its prey. When it captures a victim, it injects a potent paralyzing poison into its prey so it can feed at its leisure. After feeding, the Kraskol’s strength and speed increases and it is able to survive a very long time between feedings.

Though efforts by the fae to exterminate these creatures has depleted their population to a fraction of its original numbers, the Kraskols remain resilient and are still able to proliferate. It is unknown how a Kraskol reproduces but many authorities speculate the consumption of a fae’s Life Water gives the Kraskol the energy it needs to propagate.”

A small caption pointing a line to the Kraskol’s head stated: “A Kraskol’s head can detach and survive without its body. In order to fully kill this creature, the head must be destroyed along with the body.”

He skimmed a moment until Twillow touched him to snap him out of his intense silence. He startled slightly but then wrapped a brawny arm around her, kissing her forehead. He just breathed in the scent of her hair in silence. Nothing like that would touch her. He would not allow it.

Quite suddenly, a rapid urgent knocking rattled the wood of the door as Elmry’s voice called behind it, “Twillow? Twillow! Where’s Kendrick? Can I come in?”

“Elmry? Yes. Yes, you can come in.” she called, pulling the blankets over her.

Her brother burst in quickly, “Where’s...Kendrick?” his voice fell upon seeing the former giant transformed to his smaller size.

“What’s wrong, Elmry?” Kendrick sat up; nose pricked with the smell of fear.

“I-I need to talk to you...about today.” Elmry explained, eyes darting a bit.

“What’s the matter, Elmry?” Twillow asked with concern.

“I-I just need to talk to Kendrick. I didn’t know he was like this.”

Kendrick squinted, nodded, and got up to get changed. Elmry excused himself outside the door to wait on him.

“Elmry! What is-?” Twillow said his name loudly but he didn’t answer. She then looked at Kendrick, “He looked scared.”

Kendrick grunted once he had his clothes on and touched Twillow’s hand as he passed the bed, “I’ll be right back. You wait here.”

Kendrick exited and down the hallway saw the flash of Elmry’s hair and wings. He marched the distance until he was next to him.

“What’s going on, Elmry?” he kept his voice low.

“The Kraskol.” The fae whispered intensely.

Kendrick inhaled, eyes getting intense, “Where? You saw it?”

“No.” Elmry shook his head, “But while I was at the guard building, they received word that the Kraskol escaped Oberit two days ago.”

Kendrick gripped the fae’s shoulder firmly, “Are you certain?”

“That’s what the guard told the chief.”

“Could it be here in Marlayla then?”

Elmry nodded then gestured, “That ice dryad...I think he was attacked by the Kraskol and it took the Doorway Tourmaline from him! If it has that stone, it can breach nearly any barrier.”

Kendrick recalled a strange odor on the ice dryad that he couldn’t place. But it had been so faint, he dismissed it. (he wasn’t wholly sure what an ice dryad was supposed to smell like anyway.)

“It knows how to do that?” Kendrick asked.

“I’ve heard they’re just as intelligent as any demon. They know how to plan and manipulate things to their advantage.” Elmry explained.

Kendrick’s eyes moved around a moment, “So with that stone you think it can breach the Estate’s barrier?”

Elmry made a face that held doubt, “I’m...not certain. The barrier around the Estate is very powerful...but so is that stone. I don’t want to chance it with my sister.”

“Neither do I.” Kendrick stated assuredly but then frowned, “I need to get uncursed. Can you do that?”

Elmry shook his head sheepishly, “I...I don’t know that spell well enough.”

“Then go find your brother and tell him I need to be changed back immediately.” Kendrick ordered.

“What will you do?”

“I will stay with Twillow until I’m back to my true form, then I’m going to hunt down this Kraskol and eliminate it.” He growled, marching back down the hall to Twillow’s room.

Elmry nodded but felt slightly uneasy hearing the tone Kendrick had used.

However, he trusted his sister would be safe with him watching over her.

Kendrick returned to Twillow’s room promptly and her expression was questioning.

“What was that all about?” she asked.

He desperately wanted to lie to her, tell her that everything was fine so she wouldn’t fret or grow scared.

Instead, he sat on the bed next to her and wrapped her up in his arms, “I won’t let anything happen to you, my light.”

Twillow embraced him back but was blinking with uncertainty, “Kendrick...what’s happened?”

His large chest pushed forth a sigh as he held her close. He didn’t want to say.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” She insisted, voice firmer as she pulled away from him.

Kendrick shook his head ruefully as he clasped her hand but said, “I don’t want to worry you, my light.”

Her violet eyes squinted but then she seemed to realize, “Is it the Kraskol?”

He frowned realizing he couldn’t hide it from her without lying and nodded and told her everything Elmry had revealed. Twillow’s fear smell punched him in the nose which was not what he wanted but was unavoidable.

Kendrick embraced her again, “I will be right here. I will not leave your side. I will protect you.”

“I know...I know you will.” She whispered.

They sat together until the doors to Twillow’s room opened without the courtesy of a knock. Kendrick turned defensively until he saw Hugo stroll inside.

“Now what did you need so urgently?” the tall fae demanded in a subtly annoyed tone.

Kendrick stood, “I need to you to break this curse so I can return to my normal form.”

Hugo sighed and closed his eyes with a shake of his head, “I can’t do that.”

The former giant flinched and rose, “What do you mean? You said before you can break any curse you made on me!”

“And when did I say that?”

“When you first met me! You said you could change me back since it was your curse.” Kendrick barked with frustration.

Hugo touched his forehead with a finger and gestured, “Because your curse was nearly done. I only cursed you a few hours ago, Kendrick. If I try to break that curse right now, it will tear your body apart.”

“What?!” he sounded outraged. “You-You have to change me back! That Kraskol could be out there right now and I-!” he protested but was interrupted.

“I’m sorry but as powerful as I am I can’t change the laws of magic curses.” Hugo shrugged.

“I don’t care about the pain!” Kendrick growled, grasping the fae’s robe front, “Just change me back!”

Hugo gave an exasperated sigh and looked to Twillow for assistance.

“He’s right, Kendrick.” Twillow touched his arm with assurance, “It’s too soon. Undoing the curse could kill you or injure you irreparably.”

Kendrick gritted his teeth, let go of Hugo’s robe, and looked back at Twillow, “I need to protect you...I can’t do that when I’m like this.”

Hugo patted his shoulder with an open hand, “You’re not the only one in this household who has the power to protect her.” Hugo waggled a finger then glanced around the room, “Where is the golden brace I gave you?”

Kendrick huffed but pointed to the nightstand, “There. But why would I need it? I want my curse shortened, not lengthened.”

Hugo’s fingers flicked and the golden bracelet flew to his hand, “Have you so little faith in your brother-in-law? I might not be able to undo the curse now, but I think I can shorten it.” He placed the golden arm band on Kendrick’s wrist, “Now, hold still and be quiet.”

Kendrick watched as Hugo’s fingers began drawing invisible symbols on the golden surface. He tapped it several times in a precise rhythm, his fingers glowing like candles. When he finished a gleam flashed over the wrist band.

“There. Three days. That’s the best I can do.” He announced, “You must wear this arm band until this time on the third day, then it should end the curse.”

The gray man examined the golden band a moment, “Three days?”

“Yes.”

Only a bit less frustrated, Kendrick nodded. How could he protect Twillow like this? Twillow’s dainty hand found his and interlaced her fingers between his. He looked at her and her expression was that of trust. Despite his doubt of himself, she didn’t seem to hold any doubts.

...

The night came silent and abrupt as it always did in the Parliel Realm. Night citizens began their activities as the daytime citizens retired to obey the curfew. A lone, patient figure stood cloaked in darkness across the street, watching with pensive eyes.

After escaping Oberit the Kraskol had been attracted to Marlayla’s magic auras like a bug to a distant light. It wasted no time and made the journey in less than a day. There were many magic users here and if there were magic users the likelihood of more Life Water was not far away. It trespassed the city under the guise of an elf and no one noticed; exactly as it wanted.

Luck and its keen senses for magic had drawn it to a dryad wandering the streets at night carrying a powerful talisman. The Kraskol knew it would be useful should the fae decide to entrap it with a barrier as they did in Oberit. It would feed here until it was discovered or it had achieved multiple replications, whichever happened first. Then it would depart.

When daylight broke it loitered in the shadows until it sensed the tingle of a fae’s Life Water. Not enough to be the source...but a close contact. Following the sense, the Kraskol spotted the winged fae exit a building and followed him all the way to a walled estate encapsuled by a strong magical barrier. Once the fae flew through the barrier the tingling sense dissipated. Which meant if there was a fae carrying Life Water it must be behind the barrier.

However, though it had the talisman, the estate was also guarded. Guards were troublesome but not infallible. If it wanted to feed uncontested for a long time it couldn’t be discovered so quickly, especially if there was more Life Water.

All day the Kraskol watched the movements of the Estate guards. There were two at the gate. They switched positions every hour, one pacing to the north and the other south. There were other guards away from the gate but not in sight because of the wall that surrounded the grounds of the mansion. It seemed there were shifts of time they each occupied until a fresh set of guards would take their place.

The shadowy figure spotted an opportune moment, rushed silently across the street, leaped over the wall in a single bound, and slid through the barrier like it was a soap bubble. The “elf” landed silently and with stealth hid in a patch of bushes. Instantly, the faint sense of Life Water became strong and sure when it passed through the barrier. Its intuition to follow the fae had been correct.

From its hiding spot it scanned for the guard nearby. It was the cyclops guard; nine feet tall, burly, and armed. Though powerful a cyclops’ vision was poor for depth and even poorer at night. Going through his paces as he’d done all day the one-eyed guard regarded the bushes the Kraskol hid in and then passed them.

The attack was fast and nearly silent. In an instant the elf became the Kraskol and the black spidery creature leaped onto the cyclops’ back. Its sharp probiscis shot into the guard’s thick neck and pumped in a huge dose of paralytic toxin. The cyclops went stiff, grunting. An injection to the neck was always quickest and paralyzed the victim’s voice, making the attack quiet. In seconds the towering guard began to collapse and the Kraskol shifted its weight to make him fall into the bushes for cover. Once down, it withdrew its injecting appendage and looked at the guard with dead black eyes behind stringy gray hair.

Unable to move, the guard’s large yellow eye rolled trying desperately to focus through the toxin and the dark. The cyclops guard breathed faster and harder in silent horror when it viewed the monstrosity that had jumped him. But his horror was short-lived when the Kraskol’s terrible claws severed everything beneath his chin. A flood of blood drenched the dirt and a few choking gurgles sounded end of his life. The Kraskol struck again and again until the cyclops’ head rolled away from the body.

Normally the Kraskol would simply take the form of a victim in order to achieve its goals. But since it had recently fed on Life Water it was finally able to replicate.

Holding the headless torso still the Kraskol’s body lurched in a regurgitating motion. It did this for several agonizing seconds until finally a thick black lump of tar-like ooze fell out of his sharp mouth onto the body of the cyclops. The ball grew larger, swelling up like a bubble until it began to take form. It looked like a Kraskol’s fiendish, hag-like head with a squid growing out of the bottom of the neck. The large black eyes of the new head slowly flicked around as the tentacles writhed. With coaxing claws, the original Kraskol positioned the disembodied head against the bloody stump of the cyclops’ neck. It took a moment but the new head’s instincts suddenly clicked on. All the tentacles violently plunged down into the flesh of the neck stump, the head turned slowly, and like an octopus changes its skin color the new Kraskol head transformed into the cyclops’ visage, blending perfectly. Seconds later the body began to move as the replicated head took control. The two Kraskol’s chittered quietly at each other, of one mind in separate bodies.

“Callun? Callun where’d you go? Our shift is almost over.” the other Minotaur guard called out from the dark.

Both Kraskols looked over toward the voice from the bushes then at each other. Both instantly knew what the other should do: one would assume the identity of the cyclops guard while the original would find the source of the Life Water. The false cyclops rose, wiped the blood from his front, and exited the brush calmly.

“There you are. What’s wrong? You takin’ a piss?”

“Yeah.” The Kraskol cyclops replied with stolen vocal cords.

“Better not let the Mistress catch you doing that.” The bull guard warned, “Come on. Another hour and we get relieved.”

As if nothing happened minutes before, the pair resumed their guarding.