Tales Of The Echo Forest Twins, Page 3
Buzz Smith
said, after telling Loanna of the voice. “Could it have been the wind?” Loanna offered. “No, I am pretty sure I heard a voice.” “Perhaps a badger’s burrow.” “I suppose so.” Devon allowed, then continued, “Oh Loanna, you should have seen Igus’ face!” “What are you saying?” “I am sorry, I was thinking about the voice and forgot to tell you about Arianna.” Devon then told Loanna of his visit with Arianna and Igus. He told her how Arianna had eavesdropped.
“She did exactly what you did!” Devon howled. Loanna’s face turned red. “That is horrible!” She pouted. Brittany now joined in, “Daddy horrible.” She said, giggling. “You tell him!” Loanna said, laughing as she picked Brittany up. “But the way they disappeared! I cannot wait to talk to Igus again. I think I must have witnessed a wedding ceremony.” “I only hope they will be as happy as we are.” Loanna said, kissing her daughter. “I wonder if they will have children?” Devon pondered. “Speaking of which, we will be having another little visitor.” Loanna said, watching for Devon’s reaction. Devon’s face lit up, “A baby! Are you sure?” “Yes my love, perhaps a little brother for Brittany.” Devon went to Loanna and kissed her, “I did not think life could get any better.”
It had been a week since Devon’s encountered with the voice. He had gone to the Great Rock three times, but Igus was not there. Each time he went through the underbrush, the smell seemed to grow stronger. When he came into the clearing, he could see the Great Rock was still vacant. As he walked closer, the voice seemed to fill his mind. ‘Leave it be Priest!’ He felt he could no longer wait, he had to contact Igus. He climbed atop the Great Rock, then, while holding Igus’ white crystal, closed his eyes. As the warm tingling began, he thought of Igus. Within a few seconds Igus appeared with Arianna at the base of the rock.
“Igus! I am sorry to bother you.” “Do not be Devon, I know it must be important.” As Igus spoke, Devon found himself floating to the ground. Devon explained to them about the smell and the voice.
“Leave what be Devon?” Arianna asked. “I have no idea, but I have not slept well since.” Igus closed his eyes. He could now sense something. Arianna faced Igus and closed her eyes also. Devon could only wait and watch for what seemed an eternity. Igus’ and Arianna’s eyes finally opened. Igus looked at Devon and spoke one word.
“Corsea!” Devon could see Igus was visibly upset. “Corsea? What is that?” “Not what, but who!” Arianna said. Igus now interrupted, “Devon, I need to try to stop this before it begins again! Please leave for now. Arianna and I must talk!”
As Devon told Loanna of his meeting with Igus, he could see fear come to her eyes, “What is it my love?” “Corsea! Igus once told me of a great battle that took place many years before I was born. Igus said that the Serenity River was but a stream.” Loanna said. “A stream!?” “Yes, Igus said the people were dying of fever and starvation. Corsea had a stranglehold on the whole countryside.” “But what has that got to do with the Serenity?” Devon asked. “Our Lady’s Lake used to come up to the Cave of Lights, almost two miles from where the shoreline is now.” Devon looked at Loanna, not fully comprehending, “Igus created the Serenity? Why?” “As I understand it, Corsea had caused the ponds to dry up. The crops failed, many died before Igus could seal him away.” “Sealed away?” “Yes, Igus has never killed anyone. He would sooner die himself. He lured Corsea into the area, that is now the Haunted Bog. It was all part of the Echo Forest back then. Igus was almost dead but managed to leave enough of his life essence in a cave. Corsea sensed it, and went in. Igus sealed the cave and let loose Our Lady. The resulting flood created the Serenity and the Haunted Bog. Corsea has been sealed ever since.” Devon thought for a moment, “I think we should visit Gareth. If a battle is coming, he needs to know.” “Yes, I think that would be wise.” Loanna agreed. They gathered up Brittany and went to Cashell.
“Welcome my friends! How are you?” Gareth asked, as they entered the study. “I wish we could say fine, but we have brought news of a potential battle.” Devon said, solemnly. “A battle Devon? I have heard of nothing that would indicate any conflict.” Gareth replied. “I agree with Gareth, the land has known true peace for over four years now.” Katryn added. “Believe me, I wish it were unfounded.” Devon said, then told them of the warning he had received from the voice. He then told them of his meeting with Igus. Loanna explained what she knew of Corsea and how he had been sealed deep in the bog many many years ago. Devon sent for his captain of the guard.
“Sir Philip, I want you to send a messenger to Ian and Geoffrey.” Gareth ordered. “Yes my lord. With all respect my lord, I should also take a scouting party to the bog.” “Excellent suggestion Philip! Take twenty-five men at first light.” When Philip turned to leave, Melanie came into the study.
“Hello my friends! Gareth, we are going to have another child!” Melanie exclaimed, as she walked to Gareth and put her arms around him. “Outstanding!” Gareth hollered. “Unbelievable!” Devon added. “What do you mean?” Melanie asked. “Loanna is with child again also!” Devon said, with a smile. Gareth looked at Loanna. “Are you sure there is not a pumpkin in there!?” He asked, with a howl. The four of them laughed like children. Katryn asked what was so funny. After Gareth explained, she laughed along with them.
“On a more serious note Gareth, I think I should go with Philip to the bog.” Devon offered. “No!” Loanna exclaimed, almost before Devon could finish. “She is right Devon. There may be danger.” Gareth agreed. “Loanna, Gareth, I do not make the suggestion lightly. Igus could use me as a pair of eyes.” Devon said. “It actually makes sense.” Katryn said. Gareth had not thought of that aspect, “Yes, I suppose it does.” “Devon, please reconsider!” Loanna now pleaded. “Loanna my love, I will be fine. Igus has done so much for this land, surely we owe him something.” Loanna knew he was right, and relented, “All right, but be careful!”
Devon had never been anywhere near the Haunted Bog. It was rumored, that anyone who entered would never be seen again. They reached the bog late in the afternoon, on the second day.
“Look at the fog that surrounds it!” Philip exclaimed. “It does look forbidding.” Devon allowed. Philip had his men dismount and dig a pit for a fire.
“Sir Wayne, I want the fire to burn through the night. Also, have four men stand guard and switch them every three hours.” “Yes sir!” Wayne said, and set about his tasks. “We will wait until morning before going in Devon.” “That makes sense to me.” Devon answered, knowing he did not want to go exploring at night.
As the evening passed, Devon found it hard to sleep. He could not shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept hearing the voice. ‘Leave it be Priest,’ echo in his mind.
When the sun broke the night, Devon heard Philip order his men to eat hardy, “Devon, you will want to eat also, it will be a long day.” “Thank you Philip. How did you sleep?” “I would be lying if I said peacefully.” “I know the feeling.” Devon said, forcing a smile, “What is the plan?” Devon now asked. “We are here for one reason my friend,reconnaissance. My men will enter at three different spots, fifty yards apart. If any trouble is spotted, we will converge, evaluate the threat and leave post haste.” “I understand.” They all ate, then broke camp. As they entered the bog, Devon smelled something very familiar.
Philip had each knight carry a torch, even in daylight, the fog was thick. They had traveled about seven miles when the horses became agitated. Devon, who was not a horseman, was having a hard time controlling his mount.
“Hold the reins tighter Devon!” Philip hollered, over the sudden pandemonium. One of the knights rode over and grabbed the bridle of Devon’s horse. “I have it now, thanks!” Devon lied, embarrassed by his ineptitude.
The fog seemed to get thicker, and now began to close around them. The horses, sensing something unseen, panicked! Devon heard a low growl, “I told you to leave it be Priest!” Devon’s horse reared back and he was thrown off! He thought he saw something running toward him, just as everything
went black!
“What do you mean you saw no one Philip!?” Gareth yelled. “My lord, it is as I have said! Everything was going fine. Then suddenly the fog closed in on my group. The last time I saw Devon, he was being thrown from his horse. Then one by one we were pulled off our mounts. I was being punched and kicked, but could not see anyone. Finally, I called the men to my side, trying to regroup. As soon as we did so the attack stopped!” Philip explained. “Two dead knights, Devon missing, probably dead...” Gareth did not get to finish.
“Probably dead! What are you saying Gareth!?” Loanna screamed, as she walked into the study. The hair on Gareth’s neck stood on end. As he turned to face her, he could see the agony in her eyes. “Gareth answer me!” Loanna demanded. Katryn and Lisa went to try and calm her. “Loanna, I am sorry, Devon was thrown by his horse. Philip has assured me he searched for him after things calmed down.” Gareth said, the pain in his voice evident. “Oh my god! I knew he should not have gone!” Loanna sobbed, slumping into Katryn’s arms. “You must stay with us.” Katryn said, crying softly.
In the week that followed, Loanna was inconsolable. She
“She did exactly what you did!” Devon howled. Loanna’s face turned red. “That is horrible!” She pouted. Brittany now joined in, “Daddy horrible.” She said, giggling. “You tell him!” Loanna said, laughing as she picked Brittany up. “But the way they disappeared! I cannot wait to talk to Igus again. I think I must have witnessed a wedding ceremony.” “I only hope they will be as happy as we are.” Loanna said, kissing her daughter. “I wonder if they will have children?” Devon pondered. “Speaking of which, we will be having another little visitor.” Loanna said, watching for Devon’s reaction. Devon’s face lit up, “A baby! Are you sure?” “Yes my love, perhaps a little brother for Brittany.” Devon went to Loanna and kissed her, “I did not think life could get any better.”
It had been a week since Devon’s encountered with the voice. He had gone to the Great Rock three times, but Igus was not there. Each time he went through the underbrush, the smell seemed to grow stronger. When he came into the clearing, he could see the Great Rock was still vacant. As he walked closer, the voice seemed to fill his mind. ‘Leave it be Priest!’ He felt he could no longer wait, he had to contact Igus. He climbed atop the Great Rock, then, while holding Igus’ white crystal, closed his eyes. As the warm tingling began, he thought of Igus. Within a few seconds Igus appeared with Arianna at the base of the rock.
“Igus! I am sorry to bother you.” “Do not be Devon, I know it must be important.” As Igus spoke, Devon found himself floating to the ground. Devon explained to them about the smell and the voice.
“Leave what be Devon?” Arianna asked. “I have no idea, but I have not slept well since.” Igus closed his eyes. He could now sense something. Arianna faced Igus and closed her eyes also. Devon could only wait and watch for what seemed an eternity. Igus’ and Arianna’s eyes finally opened. Igus looked at Devon and spoke one word.
“Corsea!” Devon could see Igus was visibly upset. “Corsea? What is that?” “Not what, but who!” Arianna said. Igus now interrupted, “Devon, I need to try to stop this before it begins again! Please leave for now. Arianna and I must talk!”
As Devon told Loanna of his meeting with Igus, he could see fear come to her eyes, “What is it my love?” “Corsea! Igus once told me of a great battle that took place many years before I was born. Igus said that the Serenity River was but a stream.” Loanna said. “A stream!?” “Yes, Igus said the people were dying of fever and starvation. Corsea had a stranglehold on the whole countryside.” “But what has that got to do with the Serenity?” Devon asked. “Our Lady’s Lake used to come up to the Cave of Lights, almost two miles from where the shoreline is now.” Devon looked at Loanna, not fully comprehending, “Igus created the Serenity? Why?” “As I understand it, Corsea had caused the ponds to dry up. The crops failed, many died before Igus could seal him away.” “Sealed away?” “Yes, Igus has never killed anyone. He would sooner die himself. He lured Corsea into the area, that is now the Haunted Bog. It was all part of the Echo Forest back then. Igus was almost dead but managed to leave enough of his life essence in a cave. Corsea sensed it, and went in. Igus sealed the cave and let loose Our Lady. The resulting flood created the Serenity and the Haunted Bog. Corsea has been sealed ever since.” Devon thought for a moment, “I think we should visit Gareth. If a battle is coming, he needs to know.” “Yes, I think that would be wise.” Loanna agreed. They gathered up Brittany and went to Cashell.
“Welcome my friends! How are you?” Gareth asked, as they entered the study. “I wish we could say fine, but we have brought news of a potential battle.” Devon said, solemnly. “A battle Devon? I have heard of nothing that would indicate any conflict.” Gareth replied. “I agree with Gareth, the land has known true peace for over four years now.” Katryn added. “Believe me, I wish it were unfounded.” Devon said, then told them of the warning he had received from the voice. He then told them of his meeting with Igus. Loanna explained what she knew of Corsea and how he had been sealed deep in the bog many many years ago. Devon sent for his captain of the guard.
“Sir Philip, I want you to send a messenger to Ian and Geoffrey.” Gareth ordered. “Yes my lord. With all respect my lord, I should also take a scouting party to the bog.” “Excellent suggestion Philip! Take twenty-five men at first light.” When Philip turned to leave, Melanie came into the study.
“Hello my friends! Gareth, we are going to have another child!” Melanie exclaimed, as she walked to Gareth and put her arms around him. “Outstanding!” Gareth hollered. “Unbelievable!” Devon added. “What do you mean?” Melanie asked. “Loanna is with child again also!” Devon said, with a smile. Gareth looked at Loanna. “Are you sure there is not a pumpkin in there!?” He asked, with a howl. The four of them laughed like children. Katryn asked what was so funny. After Gareth explained, she laughed along with them.
“On a more serious note Gareth, I think I should go with Philip to the bog.” Devon offered. “No!” Loanna exclaimed, almost before Devon could finish. “She is right Devon. There may be danger.” Gareth agreed. “Loanna, Gareth, I do not make the suggestion lightly. Igus could use me as a pair of eyes.” Devon said. “It actually makes sense.” Katryn said. Gareth had not thought of that aspect, “Yes, I suppose it does.” “Devon, please reconsider!” Loanna now pleaded. “Loanna my love, I will be fine. Igus has done so much for this land, surely we owe him something.” Loanna knew he was right, and relented, “All right, but be careful!”
Devon had never been anywhere near the Haunted Bog. It was rumored, that anyone who entered would never be seen again. They reached the bog late in the afternoon, on the second day.
“Look at the fog that surrounds it!” Philip exclaimed. “It does look forbidding.” Devon allowed. Philip had his men dismount and dig a pit for a fire.
“Sir Wayne, I want the fire to burn through the night. Also, have four men stand guard and switch them every three hours.” “Yes sir!” Wayne said, and set about his tasks. “We will wait until morning before going in Devon.” “That makes sense to me.” Devon answered, knowing he did not want to go exploring at night.
As the evening passed, Devon found it hard to sleep. He could not shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept hearing the voice. ‘Leave it be Priest,’ echo in his mind.
When the sun broke the night, Devon heard Philip order his men to eat hardy, “Devon, you will want to eat also, it will be a long day.” “Thank you Philip. How did you sleep?” “I would be lying if I said peacefully.” “I know the feeling.” Devon said, forcing a smile, “What is the plan?” Devon now asked. “We are here for one reason my friend,reconnaissance. My men will enter at three different spots, fifty yards apart. If any trouble is spotted, we will converge, evaluate the threat and leave post haste.” “I understand.” They all ate, then broke camp. As they entered the bog, Devon smelled something very familiar.
Philip had each knight carry a torch, even in daylight, the fog was thick. They had traveled about seven miles when the horses became agitated. Devon, who was not a horseman, was having a hard time controlling his mount.
“Hold the reins tighter Devon!” Philip hollered, over the sudden pandemonium. One of the knights rode over and grabbed the bridle of Devon’s horse. “I have it now, thanks!” Devon lied, embarrassed by his ineptitude.
The fog seemed to get thicker, and now began to close around them. The horses, sensing something unseen, panicked! Devon heard a low growl, “I told you to leave it be Priest!” Devon’s horse reared back and he was thrown off! He thought he saw something running toward him, just as everything
went black!
“What do you mean you saw no one Philip!?” Gareth yelled. “My lord, it is as I have said! Everything was going fine. Then suddenly the fog closed in on my group. The last time I saw Devon, he was being thrown from his horse. Then one by one we were pulled off our mounts. I was being punched and kicked, but could not see anyone. Finally, I called the men to my side, trying to regroup. As soon as we did so the attack stopped!” Philip explained. “Two dead knights, Devon missing, probably dead...” Gareth did not get to finish.
“Probably dead! What are you saying Gareth!?” Loanna screamed, as she walked into the study. The hair on Gareth’s neck stood on end. As he turned to face her, he could see the agony in her eyes. “Gareth answer me!” Loanna demanded. Katryn and Lisa went to try and calm her. “Loanna, I am sorry, Devon was thrown by his horse. Philip has assured me he searched for him after things calmed down.” Gareth said, the pain in his voice evident. “Oh my god! I knew he should not have gone!” Loanna sobbed, slumping into Katryn’s arms. “You must stay with us.” Katryn said, crying softly.
In the week that followed, Loanna was inconsolable. She
