Category: Fantasy

The Faded Kingdom – Chapter 8

Note: No illustration on this chapter yet. The switch from the spring semester to the summer has thrown me off. I hope to have a more productive schedule soon.

The Human continued down the path, distracted and a bit disturbed. The water spirits had awoken something in the Human’s heart that had been long dormant. Temptation.

The Human thought back to a time before marriage and family. To a time when responsibilities were frightening and seemed to spell the end of freedom. Back then, the Human had been very scared. None of the proscribed paths had seemed right. Staying in the same small town forever, conforming to the roles set out had seemed both easy and terribly hard. When one is born one way, but expected to be something else, the conflict can be daunting. There had been one particular person in the village who had seemed to desire the Human. It was a hungry, possessive desire, but it had been preferable to the loneliness that had otherwise prevailed. Those around the Human had approved of this one. It had been tempting to go along with what was expected and to be desired, while not the same as being loved, was not so terrible, was it? Choosing loneliness had been terrifically hard. No one, not even the Human’s family, had understood why the Human had chosen to refuse that one. It had been the beginning of a slow pulling-away, the Human gradually withdrawing from society, and from its expectations. It had seemed the better option compared to continually disappointing the expectations of family and friends. The Human had not, at that time, understood why that life had not appealed. That understanding came later. As the Human spent more and more time alone and hidden from the world, still that one had persisted. And there was great temptation. To hide away in a mask that was pleasing to the eye. To appear to be what was expected and desired. To eventually, just maybe, to become something that could exist in the world safely and with acceptance. To leave behind one’s true self and die in order to live the life that one was meant for. That temptation had been so very strong. And now, an echo of it had returned. True, the water spirits would have likely devoured the Human, metaphorically if not literally, but it would be a pleasant end. Desired, even if not for one’s true self. And an end to pain and loneliness had its appeal. But that would mean abandoning love and the Human’s truest self. Neker and Nixe had each wanted one part of the Human’s nature, just as that one so long ago. Neither of them, nor that old suitor, could see the whole of the Human and love it for what it was. That required love. And the love that the Human had eventually found had been sweet and pure. The Human stopped in the middle of the path and turned to look at the darkening sky. This path had been so long, and so much time had passed. Were the Human’s love and family still ahead, or had they been swallowed by Oblivion? There was no way to tell. The Human took a deep breath and continued on.
After a time, the Human saw something ahead that seemed shockingly out of place. It was an old, battered cart, made of silvered wood worn smooth by time. It was at an awkward angle, with one rear wheel off the path and snagged on a tree’s root. The Human hadn’t seen anything human-made since leaving home so long ago. This cart seemed unusually solid, as well. It lacked the wispy aspect the Human’s house had had. Drawing closer, the Human saw that an old donkey was hitched to the cart, and the load the cart was carrying was a towering pile of miscellaneous objects. Pots and pans, candlesticks and irons, chairs of various styles, scroll cases, rolls of cloth, dolls and other toys were all stacked on on the other in a precarious pile that should have tumbled down at the slightest touch.
“Why hello there!” said a voice from behind the Human’s shoulder. The Human jumped, startled, and turned to face a wizened old man. His light brown face was deeply wrinkled in a pattern that spoke of many smiles.
“Oh! Hello Grandfather!” said the Human, hurriedly bowing. “I did not see you there. This is your cart, I assume?”
“Yes, it is! And it carries my livelihood. I travel place to place, repairing pots and pans, selling odds and ends, trading for interesting things and carrying news of far-flung lands. I am called Tinker, Trader, Wanderer, and Merchant. Grandfather is not a new name for me, and I find I like it, even if it is not entirely accurate,” the old man said, winking at the last with a conspiratorial nod. “So, why’re ye traveling this lonely road?”
“I am seeking my family. They passed from me and in my grief I followed them here. I hope to be reunited with them before they reach Oblivion.”
“Oblivion! Terrible place. Lousy business to be done there, no doubt. I think I saw yer family not too terribly long ago. I passed them and then, once I had gotten stuck, no thanks to my friend here,” the old man slapped the rump of the donkey, who ignored him, “they passed me in turn.”
“How long ago was this?” asked the Human, excitedly.
“Hmm. That there is a more complicated question than ye might know. Ye know where we are, don’cha?”
“The Faded Kindom, the Past,” answered the Human.
“Right, but do ye understand what that means?”
“This is where everything goes after its Moment has passed, at least that is what I was told.”
“Hm. Sounds like ye’ve been talking to that old Turtle, eh?” asked the man. The Human nodded. “Well, it’s not inaccurate, just incomplete. Ye see, the Past is both eternal and momentary. This,” he gestured to indicate the entire realm, “is both an instant and an eternity. Time doesn’t pass, and yet it passes constantly. How long have ye been walking?”
“I am unsure,” answered the Human. “It seems like a very long time, but I am not physically tired, nor am I hungry or thirsty. The sky has changed, but only by what would have been a few hours in the Present.”
“Ah, that’s the crux of it. Here, time is more like distance. Ye’ve been traveling further into the Past, as ye move towards Sunset. And yet, ye will never catch the sun, the light will fade as ye go. Where did ye enter this realm?”
“Near the Fae, if that helps. On the other side of the mountain from here, past the Turtle.”
“Ah, the Fae. Still holding ‘Court’, I assume? Blessed children,” the old man shook his head fondly. “So there, it was still fairly light, but here, it has become quite dim. Oblivion is the darkest black. So, what we have to figure is how fast yer family is traveling and how fast ye’ve been going as well…,” the old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. “How long before ye came here did yer family pass?”
“Two weeks,” answered the Human.
“Based on when they passed me, ye’re gaining on them, but not as fast as all that. Ye’ll catch them before they reach Oblivion, at this rate, but only just. Keep moving, and don’t give up. Ye’ll be in time. Now, it’s been awhile since I did any proper business. That lot,” he pointed back towards the river crossing, “only buy trinkets, when they buy at all. All they want to trade are songs. That one little green fella will do just about anything for a cucumber though,” the old man chuckled. “So, is there anything ye’d be wanting to trade? Name it, and I likely have it in my cart.”
“I have no money, though, sir,” said the Human. “I came here with nothing, and I have very little to trade.”
“Ah, but ye’re solid, and stronger than most around here. Perhaps ye can work for it! I haven’t been able to shift my cart back onto the path by myself, and if ye help me get on my way, that would be of great worth to me. I can’t earn a living standing still!”
“Well, since I don’t seem to need food or drink, and the weather never changes, I do not know what I could need,” began the Human.
“I know of something that may help ye regain yer family and avoid Oblivion,” said the old man. His voice had lost its jovial tone and was quiet and serious. The Human stood still, distrusting this sudden turn of luck.
“And all you want in exchange is to move your cart? That seems too cheap a price for so dear a prize.”
“Well, I don’t have the ability myself, ye see, but I know someone who will be able to help. It’s not far from here, and won’t put ye too far behind on reaching yer family.”
“It’s a deal, then,” said the Human.
After a good amount of straining and pushing, the two of them got the cart back on the road. The pile of goods swayed dangerously, but not a single thimble fell.
“Thank ye, my young friend,” said the old man as he climbed back into the seat at the front of the cart. “And now for my part of the bargain. Ye will see a trail leaving the side of this path up around that bend ahead. Follow it until ye find the Witch. The Witch knows a great many things about the Past, Present, and, yes, even the Future. If anyone knows how to help yer family, the Witch will. Good luck to ye, and ye have my blessing.” The old man gestured in the air and the Human felt a warmth all over. The old man shook the donkey’s reigns and the cart lurched into motion, the pile of good swaying rhythmically. It pulled ahead of the Human and rounded the curve ahead.

When the Human reached the curve, the cart was not to be seen, even though the path traveled straight for a long way. There was nowhere for it to have left the path, either, as the dense tree roots would block its path easily. The Human remembered tales of travelers who met old traders on the road, and, if they were polite and helpful, received a great blessing. Those old men were never quite what they seemed, and were sometimes even gods in disguise. Perhaps this had been such a man? In any case, the Human felt as if there had been time for a long rest, and the journey no longer seemed as daunting. Keeping an eye out for the trail the old man had mentioned, the Human set out with renewed energy. 

The Faded Kingdom – Chapter 7

[Note: The illustration for this chapter will be coming eventually, but I didn’t want to delay this chapter any longer. I will be taking next Monday off, for a weekend away with the spouse, so the next chapter will be up June 1st.]

Confused, the Human shrugged and turned back towards Sunset. The Human put the crystal into the turtle shell container. It was safer to keep it out of sight.
After walking for quite a while, the Human noticed more live trees appearing on both sides of the path. Eventually, a grand forest surrounded the path, obscuring the sunset sky. It was no longer as quiet as the forest near the Human’s home had been. Here, among towering trunks, strange sounds echoed. They did not sound like any animal the Human had ever heard, but they seemed to belong to some sort of wild creature nonetheless. It had become even darker, and the light from the crystal was now visible through the walls of the turtle shell container. It was subtle, but enough to keep the Human from tripping on the roots that now pushed up through the surface of the path. At first, this only happened sporadically, but eventually, the path was no longer at all flat. As the Human picked through the roots, it became clear that the path was slanting downward. The Human hoped the path would not become completely obscured, for without it, there was no assurance that the Human’s family would be findable.

In the distance, the Human heard something strange. It was faint, but clearly not the sound of an animal. It was music! Anxious to see another human, or even one of the Fae, the Human pushed forward more quickly through the gloom. Gradually, the path reemerged from the tree roots and the trees became larger, but more widely spaced. The canopy was nearly lost against the darkening sky. The path now wound around the great trees, and the Human lost track of which way was towards Sunset. The sounds of music grew louder. Someone was playing a stringed instrument while someone else sang. The melody would shift seamlessly between songs, and, even at such a distance, it was clear that the musician and singer were of great skill.
The path rounded a particularly huge tree and the Human stopped short. There, running through the trees, was a small river. The roots of the trees nearest the shore had combined with the flow of the water to make a scalloped shoreline. There were large boulders in the river, an on them were the apparent source of the music. On one, a handsome man stood, playing a violin, while a beautiful woman sat on another nearby, singing. They stopped playing as the Human appeared from the wood. Once the music faded, the Human took notice of the many individuals that surrounded the players. They sat on tree roots, on stones, or in the water, which had the same blurred surface as the creek near the Human’s house. Those who were gathered to hear the musicians turned as one to stare at the Human. The Human stared back.


“Welcome child, welcome!,” called a warm voice. It belonged to what appeared to be a woman, who was seated on a large boulder, and appeared to be presiding over the performance. She stood, wearing a skirt of shimmering gold and a white shirt with pearls sewn onto it in intricate designs. Wrapped around her was a large snake who rested its head on her chest and seemed as tame as could be. Her skin was a deep, rich brown, and seemed to be slightly wet, although her long, curled hair was dry. She held a comb in one hand, and a mirror lay next to her on the rock, forgotten for the moment.
“Thank you, lady,” said the Human, bowing. “I did not mean to interrupt.” The violinist and singer appeared more amused than offended, so the Human hoped this encounter might resolve itself smoothly.
“Lady! Please, call me Mother. I am the Water Mother, and you appear to be one of my children from the Present. I have not seen any of you here in a very long time. I have to travel to your world to see you, usually,” she said. Her voice was musical and friendly. “Your people are in need of much love and care. But I don’t mind. A Mother only wants the best for her children. Children!,” she called, addressing those gathered, “Welcome our visitor!”
“Pleased to have you join us,” said the violinist. “I am Neker. I also have fond feelings for your people. They are so beautiful and they love my music so. He bowed low, his shoulder-length blond hair falling forward.
“Ignore him,” said the singer. “He claims to love your kind, but my brother is full of lies. I am Nixe.” She inclined her head, revealing slitted ear as her dark, damp hair fell forward. The Human was startled to notice that was not, as it had first appeared, wearing a green skirt, but rather her lower half was that of a green, iridescent fish.
“Pleased to meet you both,” said the Human, trying hard to remember why these names sounded so familiar.
“Oh, leave the poor thing alone,” said a high, lilting voice to one side. “We all know you both are terribly careless with your human toys. You have no appreciation for what a bit of worship can do for you,” said a pale young woman with dark, wavy hair. She sat on a smaller boulder below that of the Water Mother. She wore a flowing white robe that clung to her body. I have had many names, Human. I wonder if you know them…,” she smiled slightly.
“Worship! Ha! Humans are good for nothing but sport,” claimed a creature in the water on the other side of the Water Mother’s boulder. It rose out of the water, revealing a creature with the body of a man, but with gills on the side of its head, and the fin of a shark on top. It smiled, and shark-like teeth glistened.
“Agreed!,” came a cry from the bank near the Human. In the shallows sat a black dog-like creature with black, smooth skin. Its appendages, including its tail, ended in hands. It grinned toothily. “Their eyes, teeth, and nails are all quite delicious.”
“True, they are quite tasty,” said a green creature paddling in mid-stream. “I like the liver and blood, myself. They’re good for more than food, however. It’s quite fun to play pranks on them.” The creature looked like a humanoid frog, with a water-filled depression on its head. “Human, I am glad to have you here. Your kind can be quite amusing.”
The Human bowed, trembling, not wanting to give offense.
“Ah, ah! You won’t get me that way!” said the green creature. I’ve fallen for that one before. If a kappa bows, we lose the water in our heads, and then we’re helpless against you. Remember everyone, humans can be tricky! It’s part of their charm.”
“I meant no-,” the Human began.
“Oh stop, all of you,” interrupted the Water Mother. “I told you to welcome our guest, not terrify the poor thing. Come, child, sit by the water and rest your feet. My darlings will not harm you while I am here.” The Human obeyed, sitting where the path dipped into the water. It rose again on the other side, and the Human wondered how to reach that point when the river was filled with those that wanted to taste human flesh.
Neker, the violinist walked over to the Human, his feet just barely dipping into the water as he walked. He sat to the Human’s left, just close enough to brush shoulders. The singer, Nixe, swam over and sat to the Human’s right, similarly close. The Human sat very still.
“So, Human, tell us why you are here,” said Neker, leaning in closer.
“I’m seeking my family,” said the Human. “They died not long ago, and I am trying to find their spirits.”
“Such a sad tale,” said Nixe, leaning in from the other side. “And did you lose your wife as well?”
“I’m sure you mean husband,” argued Neker.
“Which is it, dear?” asked Nixe. “Normally it is quite easy to tell man from woman in your kind, but, for some reason, I’m having trouble with you.” Before the Human could answer, Neker broke in.
“Ah ha! You have a bit of both about you. No wonder you caught the attention of both my sister an I. Usually she prefers men while I like to attract ladies. And the occasional child. So, tell me, Human, what of your family.” The Human swallowed hard, uncomfortable with the closeness of the strange siblings.
“My love and my children died of a fever. Before that we lived together quite happily. My children were born to other parents, but we took them in when they were very young, and we had such a wonderful life together. It’s strange, I had trouble remembering details before, but now it’s coming back,” the Human said with a smile.
“And you are seeking them here?” asked Nixe. “Why?”
“Because without them I have nothing,” replied the Human.
“Such loyalty is beautiful to behold,” said the Water Mother. She had appeared directly before the Human. The Human started, not having heard her approach.
“Normally I demand that those who enter my realm pledge to be faithful to me when they return. I shall not ask that of you, however, as you are sworn to another. I can see your heart could never be mine,” she said, sounding regretful.
“That is true, Mother,” answered the Human. “I love my family very much.”
“We could help you forget,” Nixe whispered in the Human’s ear.
“Yes, I’m sure we could,” agreed Neker on the other side. Both siblings reached their hands around the Human’s waist before drawing back with cries of pain. The Human looked up to see that the Water Mother had each of them by an ear and was twisting.
“Naughty children!” she cried. “If I have decided this child of mine shall go free, then you are not to contradict your Mother!” She dragged them both away from the Human, who was trying very hard not to smile. The other creatures seemed amused by this discipline as well. The Water Mother dragged her errant children back to their rocks in the middle of the river and returned to her own seat on the great boulder. She picked up her comb and mirror.
“Now, my child, you may be on your way. I apologize for the behavior of my wicked ones. Here, take this with you. Perhaps it will be of service. She tossed her golden-framed mirror to the Human, who caught it quickly, lest it shatter on the ground. The Water Mother gestured an the water covering the path drained away, opening a clear way for the Human to walk safely.
“Thank you Mother,” said the Human, bowing again. “I am grateful for your aid.”
“Best of luck to you, child. May your loyalty be rewarded with kindness,” answered the Water Mother.

The Human walked quickly across the path, as the water flowed back across the path inches behind the Human’s feet. Once on the other side, the Human turned back to look, but the gathering had vanished. Only the river, the rocks, and the trees remained. Putting the mirror into the turtle shell container, the Human turned and continued on down the path.

The Faded Kingdom – Chapter 6

The Human stumbled on through the tunnels, running as fast as the light from the crystal would allow. Eventually, a point of light shone ahead, which grew quickly. Staggering out of the tunnel, the Human blinked against even the dim light. The world was blurred and wispy once again, with only the rocks surrounding the cave mouth appearing solid. The sky appeared a bit darker than it had been where the Human had entered the Faded Kingdom. It appeared the trip underground had moved the Human significantly closer to Sunset. There was still no sign of the Human’s lost family, but hopefully that would change shortly. The Human set out down the path, holding the glowing crystal for comfort in the gloom. The trees on either side of the path were no longer tall and healthy, but wizened and twisted. Leaves only rarely flickered on their limbs.

“Oh, how pretty!” called a rough voice. The Human looked around and saw a large crow in a nearby dead tree. The tree did not have even the few leaves of the others in this area. Perhaps it had been dead a long time. The crow hopped down to a closer branch and cocked its head.
“You, my friend, are a strange one,” it remarked, turning its head again to examine the Human from a different angle. “I haven’t seen your like in this land. Now, in the Present, your kind and mine, well, we go a long ways back.”
Wary of giving offense, the Human bowed deeply and politely asked the crow’s name.
“Ah, that is a tricky question isn’t it? After all, I am not just a crow. I am the echo of many crows from many lands where many tongues are spoken. You may call me Crow, but that is not quite right. I am also the echo of the ravens, the magpies, and the jackdaws, and other similar folk. I wonder what your people thought of mine. Some humans think us fools, others see us as the bearers of wisdom, others view us with the dread of death, while still others see us as vermin to be killed.” Crow fluffed its feathers and hopped to another branch.
“I never had much use for superstition,” replied the Human, “but I know some of my neighbors were afraid of crows, while others viewed them with respect.”
“Ah, a reasonable balance, then. So, you are carrying something that I find quite beautiful.” Crow’s eyes fixed on the crystal. “Would you be willing to part with it? Hmm?”

“It was a gift,” began the Human.
“So. I cannot ask you to give up a gift,” interrupted Crow. “And then I would be in even further debt to your kind. Can’t have that. Hmm. Perhaps I have a solution. And an entertainment! It can be frightfully dull around here.” Crow pecked at the tree for emphasis. “Here is what I propose. I will pose a riddle. If you answer it correctly, I shall answer a question for you. Keep in mind that my kind carry knowledge between realms, so I know quite a bit.”
“And if I cannot answer?” asked the Human.
“If you cannot answer, then I shall STILL answer a question for you, but now you must also give me that crystal in exchange.
The Human looked down at the crystal, considering. A source of light would be useful closer to Sunset, and it had the ability to keep at bay something as powerful as That Which Dwells Below. However, knowing more about this place would be helpful, and perhaps Crow could help find the Human’s missing family members.
“Agreed. Ask your question,” answered the Human.
Crow hopped back and forth on its branch, looking at the Human with one eye and then the other.
“Hmmm. What to pick? I know all the best riddles, so there are quite a lot to choose from,” it mused. After a short time it stopped and faced the Human, head cocked to one side to look at the Human directly.
“What runs straight from future to past, yet winds and curves along its path?” asked Crow.
The Human’s first inclination to was to answer ‘time’, but time ran from the past to the future, didn’t it? Of course, the Human had moved from the Present to the Past, so maybe time did run in that direction… The Human sat down on a nearby rock to think. Crow hopped from branch to branch, looking pleased with the Human’s confused state. The Human looked up at Crow above and tried to think about what it would have picked as a difficult riddle for a Human. As a bird, it would have a very different view of the world. It would see things in three dimensions, not just two. Could the answer be ‘time’? Perhaps Crow saw time differently. Flowing like a… That was it.
“The answer is ‘a river’,” answered the Human, proudly. Crow’s feathers puffed up indignantly. It seemed angry.
“Curse you! You got it too quickly. Well, at least I can count my debt paid by helping you for free,” grumbled the bird.
“So, now I get to ask YOU a question,” said the Human. “I already know how to find my family, so I shall ask something else. How about this… ‘How do I get my family to the Future city?’, so they can remember themselves?” Crow started to laugh hysterically, flapping its wings, and stomping its feet on the branch.
“What’s so funny?” demanded the Human, angrily.

“This is the cheapest debt I’ve ever paid off. I’ve already told you the answer!” laughed Crow. It took off from the tree, circled overhead three times and flew off into the forest away from Sunset.