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Chapter Two

“The Grand Immortal.”

    Woodcutter Twenty was used to her dreams being simple and shallow, however they were usually pleasant. She was not used to them being visited by inhuman growls, screams of her friends and the memories of pain. She felt like she had to fight, she felt like it was important, and part of her almost liked it.

    She shot up in bed, and her mind struggled to put together where she was and what was going on. Part of her was trying to convince the rest that maybe all of the horror, all of the traumas might just be a bad dream. However, she was not in her own bed, and she was not in her cabin. As the confusion began to abate, she started putting the pieces together and realized she was in fact at the healer’s cottage in town. She reached up instinctively to her face and though she was relieved that she could see her hand with the eye that was attacked she was met with a shock as her touched the flesh around her eye.

    “I was able to save the eye.” A soft voice explained from the door. It was one of the healers, a young woman with a round face and red hair. She looked at Woodcutter Twenty with an apologetic look. “However, I was not able to prevent scarring…and other damages.”

    “Let me see.” Woodcutter Twenty requested as she slowly stood from bed. Her muscles were groggy, and her body was leaden, but she knew it would soon pass just like the cobwebs of sleep. The healer handed her a small mirror and she slowly held it up to her face. There were two deep scratches starting from mid cheek inward to just below her eyebrow. The wounds had been healed but the scars were a solid dark red. Her eye, though it seemed functional, had been damaged as well. Instead of the usual brown it was a pale milky blue and when she looked closer, she could see damage in the cornea of her eye. She slowly came to terms with what she was seeing and managed a sigh. “I suppose it could have been worse.”

    “I had two healers assisting me to save they eye.” The healer explained. “The magic that reconstructed it left it with the colour it is now. Perhaps in time we might fade the scar but the colour will never come back to that eye.”

    “You did your best Healer Six.” Woodcutter Twenty replied, half trying to convince herself it was alright as much as the healer. “What of the others that were attacked?”

    “They are fine.” Healer Six replied. “Minor injuries mostly, Architect Sixteen lost a finger. You saved them, I don’t care what the others think.”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked at Healer Sixteen with a confused expression. “What do they think?”

    Healer Sixteen’s face turned red, and she covered her mouth as if what she had just said had escaped against her will. “I should not say, it is the place of the elders to discuss it with you. They are waiting until you are better to go over the events that occurred by where the rivers meet.”

    “I will go now.” Woodcutter Twenty said as she gathered her clothes that were clean and folded next to her bed. “I see no point in delaying it.”

    Woodcutter Twenty waited for the elders to gather and went to grab something to eat, as she walked through her village, she could not miss all the eyes that fell upon her. Though she had known the people of the Third Caretaker Village all of her life they now looked upon her with confusion and fear. Woodcutter Twenty couldn’t tell if this was for the scars on her face or the knowledge of the violence, she had resorted to in order to protect the others. She approached a vendor and received some food, the server she had seen many times before saying not a word to her the entire time Woodcutter Twenty was at her stall.

    Woodcutter Twenty had no idea where her axe was, wondering if it was still where she fell in the forest or had it been taken and destroyed. She felt almost as if the axe was more important than those who looked upon her with fear. She made her way to the center square and found six elders already waiting with a sizable crowd. It looked like a morning affirmation but felt like something much different. Woodcutter Twenty could not help but feel a sense of impending dread fall over her and rest in the pit of her stomach.

    “Woodcutter twenty!” One of the elders said as they stood. “I am Elder Three and I will be presiding over your judgment. Are you prepared?”

    “I am.” Woodcutter Twenty said as she stepped forward and stood before the stage, half of the village at her back. “What am I to be judged for?”

    “For breaking task.” Elder Three explained. “You are a woodcutter, not a hunter.”

    “She saved over a dozen people!” Trader Seventeen shouted from the crowd. “She is a hero!”

    “We have no job for that.” Elder Three replied simply. “Is she a hunter? A butcher? A Shepard? She did tasks assigned to others.”

    “What was she supposed to do?” Trader Seventeen demanded in frustration. “Just stand there and let them kill her? Kill everyone? Were it not for her those…things would still be out there.”

    “I would remind the crowd that this is not an appropriate time to speak out on this matter." Elder Three explained firmly. “Any more outbursts and there will be more facing judgement. No matter her reasoning, Woodcutter Twenty broke her job and took on tasks that were not her own. There are guards and hunters whose job it is to deal with such things, and she took their tasks. According to the Book of All no caretaker may take the task of another unless assigned so by an elder. This is not a thing that a woodcutter can decide to do on her own. Furthermore, the book tells that we caretakers must abstain from wealth, power, and any act of aggression. Woodcutter Twenty’s action were described as excessive, violent, and chaotic.”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked to Trader Seventeen who looked like they were struggling to hold back more words. Woodcutter Twenty slowly shook her head and gave her a reassuring look before turning back to the elders once again.

    “The elders and I have already deliberated over this matter and reached a decision.” Elder Three explained. “Are you ready to face the judgement of the elder’s Woodcutter Twenty?”

    Woodcutter Twenty felt a flurry of emotions rise up from within. She could see the fearful faces of those she saved and the idea that she should have run or succumbed to the creatures meant every one of them would now be dead. She was conflicted, her feelings that what she did was right rode heavily against what the elders had said. She had read the Book of All cover to cover as was required by all Envaii and had been learning lessons and doing affirmations from it all her life. The rules were the rules and if any did not live by them, they risked the sanctuary of paradise for all in Haydonvale. She took a deep breath and locked eyes with the elder. “I am ready to accept judgment. I broke the rules and will accept the consequences in hopes that they will be mime alone and not affect anyone else.”

    “A very wise decision Woodcutter Twenty.” Elder Three replied with an overly kind smile. “There are some that would take into account those who your actions have saved. There were some elders who wanted to forgo banishment and look for some other kind of punishment. This is a sentiment that was not shared by the majority. However much good you may have accidently done there is little choice in the matter. There are many things that have led to the ultimate decision. First of which is your disfigurement. The scars you have received are not those of work or accident, they are no more than badge for violence and would only promote others to think such chaos is permitted. Also, the fear that this might not be your only violent act is a fear we cannot ignore. Like an animal that tastes flesh for the first time we fear you might have gotten a taste for violence.”

    One of the other elders stepped forward, holding out the Woodcutter Twenty’s axe, still covered with the blood of the fallen creatures. “A tool for creation and purpose sullied with the blood of evil, how can we not be sure that our wayward woodcutter is not similarly tainted.”

    “Let me ask you a question Woodcutter Twenty.” Elder Three asked, his voice mimicking compassion. “Were you to go back, again at the moment where the creatures arrived, knowing what you know now. Would you do it again? Would you choose violence over your tasks and teachings?”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked down, feeling shame and fear for the words set upon her. She heard every word ringing within her mind as well as the verses of the Book of All that lived in her memory. However, no matter how much she felt the conviction of her beliefs she could not shake one fact. The idea that there were those who would no longer be among the caretakers if she had adhered to her task. The feeling that what she did was right stayed strong within her. She slowly looked up to the elder. “Yes, I would do it again.”

    “Then our choice is clear.” Elder Three said as he raised his arms out and toward the sky. “Woodcutter Twenty has been judged by the council and I will deliver our final judgment. It is in the belief of this council that Woodcutter Twenty must be-“

    “HOLD JUDGEMENT!” A deep and commanding voice shouted from the other side of the central square. The figure was over nine feet tall, its body casting an orange glow that lit up the buildings next to it. It had a long willowy hair that flowed as if underwater and unaffected by the wind. On his head rested two mighty horns, each nearly four feet long. The being slowly moved toward the stage, moving almost as if floating on air.

    “Grand Immortal!” Elder Three said as he fell to his knees, the other elders instantly doing the same before all of those gathered got over their shock and followed their example. “You honor us with your presence.”

    “Thank you, my child.” The Grand Immortal said as he glided up onto the stage. “I have seen what has transpired and though I am certain your judgment to be wise and accurate I have greater needs for this caretaker.”

    “The wisdom of the Grand Immortals is absolute.” Elder Three replied. “Tell us how we may serve you.”

    The Grand Immortal turned to face the crowd, raising its hand out toward Woodcutter Twenty. “Woodcutter Twenty…come with me at once.”

    Woodcutter Twenty struggled to look up at the Grand Immortal ahead of her. She had only seen one once in person before, when she was younger after her parents were lost. At the time she wanted to ask them why her parents were gone and express her anger and grief However the being in all of its splendor had cast calm over her. She felt as if she was in her place and all that happened was part of a grander series of events. She knew that the Grand Immortals were gods and her words and even her gaze was not worthy of them.

    However, this Grand Immortal, this god, had given her an order and she would die to fulfill it. She met the immortals gaze and slowly stood up, her knees fighting every inch as they straightened. She slowly stepped forward the ten steps toward the Grand immortal feeling like a life’s journey before her hand raised to meet the Grand Immortal’s. She had never heard of anyone touching one of them before and could not imagine what would happen next. Would she be struck down by the pure touch, incinerated like the heretic they told her she was. However, as she took the hand, the size of which dwarfed her own she felt no fire, no pain, no destruction. It was warm like the sun’s rays, strong and gentle as it closed over her own.

    She felt like she was suddenly pulled out of reality, the village and all behind her distorting into nothingness, replaced by a blur of green and blue. It was a feeling like falling and she could not speak, move, or even breathe. As sudden as the feeling started it was gone. There was grass under her feet and the world had surrounded her yet again. She was by the edge of the loch half a day’s walk from the northern edge of her village. The Grand Immortal let go of Woodcutter Twenty’s hand and she stumbled back in shock.

    “Are you alright child?” The Grand Immortal asked, kneeling down before her, his head still far above hers. “I apologize, our way of fast movement is not always easy for mortals to experience.”

    “I am alright.” Woodcutter Twenty exaggerated. “I will succumb to your judgements Grand Immortal.”

    “Call me Enthan.” The Grand immortal replied.

    “I am not worthy of your name.” Woodcutter Twenty replied. “I am just a servant to the sanctuary of this paradise.”

    “I must insist my child.” Enthan replied with a smile, his large pupilless eyes looking deeply at Woodcutter Twenty. “For I am not one for ceremony in times like this.”

    “Times like this?” Woodcutter Twenty replied. “I do not understand Grand…Enthan.”

    “I am the Grand Immortal in charge of the defense of Haydonvale.” Enthan explained. “Though we have the leylines and the great boundary wall there are many dangers to the west and sometimes they do threaten us. It is my job to get to the bottom of how those creatures got past the defenses that have protected us so well and decide what is to be done about it.”

    Woodcutter Twenty bowed her head. “I will do anything within my power to serve.”

    “Good.” Enthan said as he stood and looked toward the loch. “We must now speak too one who originally built our defenses and see what can be done.”

    “Who is that?” Woodcutter Twenty asked, wondering what would be in the loch that would count as what Enthan has suggested. Frightening knowledge filtered into her mind as she knew the loch only contained one thing and the thought terrified her.

    “We must go to the Island of Shade.” Enthan replied. “We will seek the fallen Grand Immortal. We will entreat with Raisa.

-

Description

Chapter Two

“The Grand Immortal.”

    Woodcutter Twenty was used to her dreams being simple and shallow, however they were usually pleasant. She was not used to them being visited by inhuman growls, screams of her friends and the memories of pain. She felt like she had to fight, she felt like it was important, and part of her almost liked it.

    She shot up in bed, and her mind struggled to put together where she was and what was going on. Part of her was trying to convince the rest that maybe all of the horror, all of the traumas might just be a bad dream. However, she was not in her own bed, and she was not in her cabin. As the confusion began to abate, she started putting the pieces together and realized she was in fact at the healer’s cottage in town. She reached up instinctively to her face and though she was relieved that she could see her hand with the eye that was attacked she was met with a shock as her touched the flesh around her eye.

    “I was able to save the eye.” A soft voice explained from the door. It was one of the healers, a young woman with a round face and red hair. She looked at Woodcutter Twenty with an apologetic look. “However, I was not able to prevent scarring…and other damages.”

    “Let me see.” Woodcutter Twenty requested as she slowly stood from bed. Her muscles were groggy, and her body was leaden, but she knew it would soon pass just like the cobwebs of sleep. The healer handed her a small mirror and she slowly held it up to her face. There were two deep scratches starting from mid cheek inward to just below her eyebrow. The wounds had been healed but the scars were a solid dark red. Her eye, though it seemed functional, had been damaged as well. Instead of the usual brown it was a pale milky blue and when she looked closer, she could see damage in the cornea of her eye. She slowly came to terms with what she was seeing and managed a sigh. “I suppose it could have been worse.”

    “I had two healers assisting me to save they eye.” The healer explained. “The magic that reconstructed it left it with the colour it is now. Perhaps in time we might fade the scar but the colour will never come back to that eye.”

    “You did your best Healer Six.” Woodcutter Twenty replied, half trying to convince herself it was alright as much as the healer. “What of the others that were attacked?”

    “They are fine.” Healer Six replied. “Minor injuries mostly, Architect Sixteen lost a finger. You saved them, I don’t care what the others think.”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked at Healer Sixteen with a confused expression. “What do they think?”

    Healer Sixteen’s face turned red, and she covered her mouth as if what she had just said had escaped against her will. “I should not say, it is the place of the elders to discuss it with you. They are waiting until you are better to go over the events that occurred by where the rivers meet.”

    “I will go now.” Woodcutter Twenty said as she gathered her clothes that were clean and folded next to her bed. “I see no point in delaying it.”

    Woodcutter Twenty waited for the elders to gather and went to grab something to eat, as she walked through her village, she could not miss all the eyes that fell upon her. Though she had known the people of the Third Caretaker Village all of her life they now looked upon her with confusion and fear. Woodcutter Twenty couldn’t tell if this was for the scars on her face or the knowledge of the violence, she had resorted to in order to protect the others. She approached a vendor and received some food, the server she had seen many times before saying not a word to her the entire time Woodcutter Twenty was at her stall.

    Woodcutter Twenty had no idea where her axe was, wondering if it was still where she fell in the forest or had it been taken and destroyed. She felt almost as if the axe was more important than those who looked upon her with fear. She made her way to the center square and found six elders already waiting with a sizable crowd. It looked like a morning affirmation but felt like something much different. Woodcutter Twenty could not help but feel a sense of impending dread fall over her and rest in the pit of her stomach.

    “Woodcutter twenty!” One of the elders said as they stood. “I am Elder Three and I will be presiding over your judgment. Are you prepared?”

    “I am.” Woodcutter Twenty said as she stepped forward and stood before the stage, half of the village at her back. “What am I to be judged for?”

    “For breaking task.” Elder Three explained. “You are a woodcutter, not a hunter.”

    “She saved over a dozen people!” Trader Seventeen shouted from the crowd. “She is a hero!”

    “We have no job for that.” Elder Three replied simply. “Is she a hunter? A butcher? A Shepard? She did tasks assigned to others.”

    “What was she supposed to do?” Trader Seventeen demanded in frustration. “Just stand there and let them kill her? Kill everyone? Were it not for her those…things would still be out there.”

    “I would remind the crowd that this is not an appropriate time to speak out on this matter." Elder Three explained firmly. “Any more outbursts and there will be more facing judgement. No matter her reasoning, Woodcutter Twenty broke her job and took on tasks that were not her own. There are guards and hunters whose job it is to deal with such things, and she took their tasks. According to the Book of All no caretaker may take the task of another unless assigned so by an elder. This is not a thing that a woodcutter can decide to do on her own. Furthermore, the book tells that we caretakers must abstain from wealth, power, and any act of aggression. Woodcutter Twenty’s action were described as excessive, violent, and chaotic.”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked to Trader Seventeen who looked like they were struggling to hold back more words. Woodcutter Twenty slowly shook her head and gave her a reassuring look before turning back to the elders once again.

    “The elders and I have already deliberated over this matter and reached a decision.” Elder Three explained. “Are you ready to face the judgement of the elder’s Woodcutter Twenty?”

    Woodcutter Twenty felt a flurry of emotions rise up from within. She could see the fearful faces of those she saved and the idea that she should have run or succumbed to the creatures meant every one of them would now be dead. She was conflicted, her feelings that what she did was right rode heavily against what the elders had said. She had read the Book of All cover to cover as was required by all Envaii and had been learning lessons and doing affirmations from it all her life. The rules were the rules and if any did not live by them, they risked the sanctuary of paradise for all in Haydonvale. She took a deep breath and locked eyes with the elder. “I am ready to accept judgment. I broke the rules and will accept the consequences in hopes that they will be mime alone and not affect anyone else.”

    “A very wise decision Woodcutter Twenty.” Elder Three replied with an overly kind smile. “There are some that would take into account those who your actions have saved. There were some elders who wanted to forgo banishment and look for some other kind of punishment. This is a sentiment that was not shared by the majority. However much good you may have accidently done there is little choice in the matter. There are many things that have led to the ultimate decision. First of which is your disfigurement. The scars you have received are not those of work or accident, they are no more than badge for violence and would only promote others to think such chaos is permitted. Also, the fear that this might not be your only violent act is a fear we cannot ignore. Like an animal that tastes flesh for the first time we fear you might have gotten a taste for violence.”

    One of the other elders stepped forward, holding out the Woodcutter Twenty’s axe, still covered with the blood of the fallen creatures. “A tool for creation and purpose sullied with the blood of evil, how can we not be sure that our wayward woodcutter is not similarly tainted.”

    “Let me ask you a question Woodcutter Twenty.” Elder Three asked, his voice mimicking compassion. “Were you to go back, again at the moment where the creatures arrived, knowing what you know now. Would you do it again? Would you choose violence over your tasks and teachings?”

    Woodcutter Twenty looked down, feeling shame and fear for the words set upon her. She heard every word ringing within her mind as well as the verses of the Book of All that lived in her memory. However, no matter how much she felt the conviction of her beliefs she could not shake one fact. The idea that there were those who would no longer be among the caretakers if she had adhered to her task. The feeling that what she did was right stayed strong within her. She slowly looked up to the elder. “Yes, I would do it again.”

    “Then our choice is clear.” Elder Three said as he raised his arms out and toward the sky. “Woodcutter Twenty has been judged by the council and I will deliver our final judgment. It is in the belief of this council that Woodcutter Twenty must be-“

    “HOLD JUDGEMENT!” A deep and commanding voice shouted from the other side of the central square. The figure was over nine feet tall, its body casting an orange glow that lit up the buildings next to it. It had a long willowy hair that flowed as if underwater and unaffected by the wind. On his head rested two mighty horns, each nearly four feet long. The being slowly moved toward the stage, moving almost as if floating on air.

    “Grand Immortal!” Elder Three said as he fell to his knees, the other elders instantly doing the same before all of those gathered got over their shock and followed their example. “You honor us with your presence.”

    “Thank you, my child.” The Grand Immortal said as he glided up onto the stage. “I have seen what has transpired and though I am certain your judgment to be wise and accurate I have greater needs for this caretaker.”

    “The wisdom of the Grand Immortals is absolute.” Elder Three replied. “Tell us how we may serve you.”

    The Grand Immortal turned to face the crowd, raising its hand out toward Woodcutter Twenty. “Woodcutter Twenty…come with me at once.”

    Woodcutter Twenty struggled to look up at the Grand Immortal ahead of her. She had only seen one once in person before, when she was younger after her parents were lost. At the time she wanted to ask them why her parents were gone and express her anger and grief However the being in all of its splendor had cast calm over her. She felt as if she was in her place and all that happened was part of a grander series of events. She knew that the Grand Immortals were gods and her words and even her gaze was not worthy of them.

    However, this Grand Immortal, this god, had given her an order and she would die to fulfill it. She met the immortals gaze and slowly stood up, her knees fighting every inch as they straightened. She slowly stepped forward the ten steps toward the Grand immortal feeling like a life’s journey before her hand raised to meet the Grand Immortal’s. She had never heard of anyone touching one of them before and could not imagine what would happen next. Would she be struck down by the pure touch, incinerated like the heretic they told her she was. However, as she took the hand, the size of which dwarfed her own she felt no fire, no pain, no destruction. It was warm like the sun’s rays, strong and gentle as it closed over her own.

    She felt like she was suddenly pulled out of reality, the village and all behind her distorting into nothingness, replaced by a blur of green and blue. It was a feeling like falling and she could not speak, move, or even breathe. As sudden as the feeling started it was gone. There was grass under her feet and the world had surrounded her yet again. She was by the edge of the loch half a day’s walk from the northern edge of her village. The Grand Immortal let go of Woodcutter Twenty’s hand and she stumbled back in shock.

    “Are you alright child?” The Grand Immortal asked, kneeling down before her, his head still far above hers. “I apologize, our way of fast movement is not always easy for mortals to experience.”

    “I am alright.” Woodcutter Twenty exaggerated. “I will succumb to your judgements Grand Immortal.”

    “Call me Enthan.” The Grand immortal replied.

    “I am not worthy of your name.” Woodcutter Twenty replied. “I am just a servant to the sanctuary of this paradise.”

    “I must insist my child.” Enthan replied with a smile, his large pupilless eyes looking deeply at Woodcutter Twenty. “For I am not one for ceremony in times like this.”

    “Times like this?” Woodcutter Twenty replied. “I do not understand Grand…Enthan.”

    “I am the Grand Immortal in charge of the defense of Haydonvale.” Enthan explained. “Though we have the leylines and the great boundary wall there are many dangers to the west and sometimes they do threaten us. It is my job to get to the bottom of how those creatures got past the defenses that have protected us so well and decide what is to be done about it.”

    Woodcutter Twenty bowed her head. “I will do anything within my power to serve.”

    “Good.” Enthan said as he stood and looked toward the loch. “We must now speak too one who originally built our defenses and see what can be done.”

    “Who is that?” Woodcutter Twenty asked, wondering what would be in the loch that would count as what Enthan has suggested. Frightening knowledge filtered into her mind as she knew the loch only contained one thing and the thought terrified her.

    “We must go to the Island of Shade.” Enthan replied. “We will seek the fallen Grand Immortal. We will entreat with Raisa.

-