THE_REALM_SHIFT Read online

  “That sounds wonderful,â€� Ethan said. The chowder earlier had revived his healthy appetite.

  “Good, then perhaps we should ask our priest to request the Lord’s blessing upon our time of fellowship,â€� Bonifast said.

  “Of course,â€� Gideon said, bowing his head. “Our Lord Shaddai, we thank you for passing over our sins and for the life and strength you give each of us. Please bless our time of food and fellowship and may our intertwined paths bring glory to your name. Amen.â€�

  “By all means, gentlemen, have some food and drink. Cook will bring out the main course very soon.â€�

  Ethan took a piece of the bread and reached for the metal pitcher on the table. It was filled with a mixture of fruit juices. When he poured the thick mixture into his glass and drank it, the blend tasted tangy and sweet.

  “How do you like it?â€� Bonifast asked.

  “Very good,â€� Ethan said.

  “It is a unique blend. Cook prepares it for us on special occasions. I believe it contains juices from oranges, pineapples, strawberries, and banana to give it a rich flavor.â€�

  Bonifast took the pitcher and poured some for Gideon and himself. He tore away a piece of bread and took a piece of cheese as well. “Now, questions,â€� he said. “I suppose you would like to know exactly what we are doing here on the Maelstrom.â€�

  Both Gideon and Ethan nodded as they chewed their food.

  “Well, as I said before, I am captain of the Maelstrom. I am also a former pirate.â€� That much Ethan had already guessed. He had a pirate’s manner about him—fearlessness bordering on madness.

  “I have been serving under the auspices of King Stephen of Wayland for about five years now as he gathers his army in hopes of removing Mordred from power here in Nod. We are currently on our way to rendezvous with about twenty other ships, which comprise a portion of Stephen’s fleet. Some of these are mercenary ships.â€�

  “King Stephen is using mercenaries?â€� Gideon asked.

  “In this war they’ll either fight for Mordred, or us. We’d rather have them fighting for us. They may not necessarily be loyal to the cause, but they are loyal to gold. So, we take what we can get,â€� Bonifast said, biting off a piece of cheese.

  There was logic in what the captain was saying, but Ethan had never heard any good things about mercenaries. They fought for the highest bidder without love for God, king, or country. They were not to be trusted.

  “What happens when you rendezvous with this fleet?â€� Ethan asked.

  “We will sail for Emmanuel and attack the city, coordinating with a ground force already on the move. We should commence the attack within two days time. As you may, or may not know, Mordred keeps a substantial compliment of ships from the old royal navy moored in the harbor at Emmanuel. It will be our job to destroy as many as possible.â€�

  “Do you actually believe you can take the royal city?â€� Gideon asked. “Mordred almost certainly knows Stephen’s ground army is on the way, and he’ll be waiting for it.â€�

  “We are aware of that fact, Gideon,â€� Bonifast said. “However, while it would be tremendous to actually capture the city, we are hoping to at least weaken the army Mordred is already putting together. Our sources indicate he is commissioning a great many people from outside of the Kingdom of Nod to fight for him.â€�

  “The heathen tribes of the Outlands?â€� Gideon asked.

  “None other. And they are more than willing to fight. Mordred deals in slaves to help pay for their services to him. Also, there are many men who are being brought under the influence of demons in order to add to Mordred’s army.â€�

  “How much do you know about the demons?â€� Ethan asked.

  “Most consider them to be myth, but I’m very familiar with who Mordred’s ways and his unseen allies,â€� Bonifast said. “This army is growing strong and threatens to outnumber the army King Stephen has raised to fight.â€�

  “They’ll be outmatched as well,â€� Ethan said.

  “What do you mean?â€� Bonifast asked.

  “Those weren’t slaves aboard that ship,â€� Ethan said. He felt apprehension going into this part of the truth, but apparently, Gideon trusted the captain. “I found giant men inside the hold of that ship yesterday,â€�

  “The Anakims?â€� Gideon asked.

  “I suppose so,â€� Ethan said. “It was dark, so I can’t be sure how many there were.â€�

  Bonifast looked at his plate for a moment, a piece of bread partially torn between his hands. When he looked back up, he had the most serious look Ethan had seen on his face, so far.

  “That brings me to another question, lad, and I want a straight answer,â€� Bonifast said. “How did you get on that ship and send her to the bottom?â€�

  Ethan looked at Gideon again. He nodded approvingly, so Ethan continued. “Somehow, I have the ability to pass from the physical world into the spiritual realm. I’m only just beginning to understand how it works, but yesterday I entered the spiritual realm and fought with demons that were aboard the slaver. There were hundreds of them inside of these Anakims held in the cargo hold. When I struck at one of the giants in the dark, some of the demons came out of it and attacked me.â€ween�

  Ethan’s story astonished both Captain Bonifast and Gideon.

  “The demons seemed to be trying to protect the Anakims from me,â€� he said. It felt awkward to suggest anyone would be afraid of a fourteen-year-old farm boy, but the facts still stood. “The demons hemmed me in and blocked my way of escape. When I realized these giants intended to fight for Mordred, I knew I had to destroy them somehow. So, I cut through the hull and let the water do the rest while I came back to the Maelstrom.â€�

  “That’s when I saw you reappear on the deck?â€� Gideon said.

  “Yes, but as soon as I came back to the physical world, I felt too weak to even stand,â€� Ethan explained.

  Bonifast scratched the black whiskers on his chin. “Perhaps this going from one plane of existence to another requires more effort than you think,â€� he suggested. Ethan had been expecting the captain to laugh him to scorn and declare him a lunatic. But he appeared to take the truth in stride.

  “You mean you actually believe me?â€� Ethan asked.

  “I knew it wasn’t my gunnery crews that did it,â€� he said matter-of-factly. Bonifast leaned back in his chair with one arm draped over the back. “Besides, Ethan, I know there are many things which the Almighty does in this world that I can neither explain nor deny. Let’s just say I’ve learned enough in my time to know when the hand of Shaddai is moving.â€�

  Ethan smiled. Captain Levi Bonifast, ex-pirate, was clearly a man of great faith. Someone knocked on the door. “Come in, Cook,â€� Bonifast said.

  The ship’s cook entered the room with a wooden serving cart. On top of the cart sat a covered platter made of pure silver. The cook rolled it over to the head of the table, where the captain sat, and lifted the domed cover. Underneath, sat a roasted suckling pig. The flesh had been glazed with a rich sauce and smelled absolutely mouth watering.

  When Bonifast, Gideon, and Ethan had been served, Cook left the room. The captain stuffed a hearty bite of roast pork into his mouth. He had to shut his eyes, savoring the sweet smoky flavor. “That Cook,â€� he mused, “I wouldn’t trade him for ten chests full of treasure.â€�

  Ethan and Gideon laughed before tasting the delicate, sweet meat. Bonifast looked thoughtfully at Ethan as he chewed. “Ethan, I don’t want you to share anything about your gifts with the other members of my crew. They’re a superstitious lot, and I don’t want to distract them from their dut
ies. We’ll be going into battle in two days and I need them to have their wits about them.�

  “I understand, sir,â€� Ethan said.

  Bonifast smiled and grabbed his glass of fruit drink, holding it aloft. “Well then, let’s toast to young Ethan’s conquest. May we enjoy many others like it!â€�

  Ethan and Gideon lifted their glasses to join the toast. It felt good to enjoy a moment of levity, allowing the pressures of the situation to melt away. They all knew the war would return for them, in the morning.

  EVIL REPORT

  The demon, Jericho, sat hunched on his feet upon the very edge of the highest tower of the king’s palace in the city of Emmanuel. He perched like a gargoyle as still and cold as the white stone beneath his feet. His unblinking eyes, with their ring of yellow iris surrounding a deep pool of black, watched the training maneuvers on the green fields hundreds of feet below.

  Thousands of men toiled with swords, staffs, axes, and spears in preparation for the coming army of King Stephen of Wayland. Archers, by the hundreds, ringed the inside of the white granite walls on either side of the palace. They shot at rectangular, straw targets with pictures of men painted upon them—training to kill.

  Jericho watched as demons under his command moved unseen among the ranks of soldiers. They were there to foment hatred in the hearts of Mordred’s men, to make them fiercer than they could have been alone. Everything proceeded according to plan—his plan.

  The demon turned his gaze downward where Mordred also watched the soldiers from a balcony overlooking the courtyards. When Jericho watched the conqueror, he did not look upon him with love. As far as he was concerned, man deserved no more than his contempt. Even the Wraith Riders, created by demons, were viewed by these fallen angels as mere tools—useful, but still of the low race of men.

  Mordred lived under the misguided assumption he was in control of the demons working with him. Jericho knew this well. He had been the very one who had misguided that assumption, supporting it with every bow and scrape of feigned obeisance to Lord Mordred.

  A means to an end, he always told himself. Mordred and his kind were a means to the subordination of the human race and the ascension of the fallen to the heights of supremacy. As it should be, he mused.

  There came a flicker of darkness. Jericho did not need to see it. The proximity of spiritual beings always brought about a tingling sensation in his body. The flicker grew as another demon approached very fast from the west, over the Azure Sea. He sped toward the palace on dark wings with soiled feathers reflecting their fallen nature.

  The demon landed near Jericho and immediately knelt in his presence. Jericho did not remove his gaze from Mordred, neither did his body stir in the slightest. “My lord, Jericho, I bring news of Wayland’s army and from our ships at Sea.â€�

  “And what news of our noble King Stephen?â€� Jericho said, continuing to look out upon the courtyards.

  “Stephen makes progress with the aid of the villages in the north. His army is three thousand strong and growing as they make conscripts of the Nodian villages along the way. He should arrive within two days time.â€�

  “Stephen is a fool,â€� Jericho said. “He should realize he cannot hope to take this city. By the way, have you been able to get through yet?â€�

  “No, my lord,â€� the demon said. “The Host of Shaddai is still guarding Stephen’s army.â€�

  “No matter,â€� Jericho spat. “He doesn’t usually allow his servants to interfere with human affairs. They may escort them, but it is only to Stephen’s doom.â€�

  The demon continued to stand there. “Was there something else?â€� Jericho asked.

  “Yes, my lord. News from the Azure Sea.â€�

  “When will the Anakims arrive?â€�

  “There has been a problem, my lord. The first slaver, scheduled to arrive, has been destroyed.â€�

  Jericho closed his eyes slowly and sighed. “By whom—that rabble of pirates parading around as Stephen’s navy?â€�

  “No, my lord, it was Shaddai’s Deliverer,â€� the demon said.

  Now Jericho stirred. He shot to his feet, furious. “The Deliverer? How could he destroy one of our ships?â€�

  “Apparently, sir, he is swiftly gaining control of his power. The boy entered the spiritual plane and found the Anakims in the cargo hold. A battle ensued and the boy damaged the hull and spine of the ship before escaping. It broke apart shortly after in the storm.â€�

  “And the Anakims?â€� he asked.

  “At the bottom of the sea, my lord.â€�

  Jericho fumed. He held his hands behind his back, considering the situation. “So, even with hundreds of our kind onboard that ship, the Deliverer managed not only to sink it but also elude capture?â€�

  “Apparently, my lord.â€�

  “Apparently, I am surrounded by incompetence,â€� Jericho said. “Deliverer, or no, I want this boy found and killed immediately. Is that understood?â€�

  “Yes, my lord, very clearly.â€� He turned and shot away from the roof of the palace tower, leaving Jericho alone to simmer. This Deliverer is growing more dangerous to our plans everyday, he thought. Whatever powers Shaddai has given him, it seems unlikely that a showdown is going to stop him. Subtlety is required here—discouragement, despair, and betrayal might be powerful tools in this situation.

  Jericho looked back at Mordred. The warlord had just called Jericho by his name with the ancient word for summoning. He would have to feign his allegiance yet again and subordinate to the king.

  Jericho stepped off the roof of the tower, descending to the balcony below. Mordred stood at the stone railing. Jericho stood watching the man. Mordred would have been acceptable company if it were not for the unfortunate fact he was a mortal half-breed. He had the right values, as far as Jericho was concerned, meaning he desired power at any cost, but his human side was repulsive.

  Jericho swallowed his wonderful pride and allowed Mordred to see him. “You summoned me, lord?â€� he said with a slight bow at the waist. Jericho did not like to think of it as actual groveling—simply honing his skills of deception.

  “Yes, Jericho, what news of Stephen’s army?â€�

  “Stephen’s army is two days from the city, building itself along the way with loyal supporters from the towns in your kingdom of Nod.â€�

  “How many?â€�

  “Three thousand strong, so far,â€� Jericho said.

  Mordred turned and paced along the balcony. “Where are the giants you promised me?â€�

  “There has been a delay with one of the ships, but the other ships are still scheduled to arrive within a week,â€� Jericho said.

  “A delay? What’s happened?â€�

  Jericho considered whether to tell him the truth, then decided it might be interesting to see Mordred’s reaction. “Apparently Shaddai’s Deliverer is not as dead as we were led to believe.â€�

  Mordred instantly stopped pacing. Jericho watched the man’s face. The blood left it briefly, giving him a very pale appearance.

  “What do you mean, he’s not dead? We destroyed the entire village. There were no survivors!â€�

  “And yet the Deliverer lives,â€� Jericho said. The news was not good, but somehow watching Mordred’s reaction to it amused the fallen angel. If he had a bad situation to deal with, then at least he could enjoy this mortal’s discomfort with it. After all, it was Mordred who was prophesied to be destroyed by the Deliverer, not himself.

  The boy could technically do nothing to an angel except temporarily disable them anyway. After a brief time of rejuvenation, a demon would be ready for action although weaker than before. Worse was the boyâ€�
�s ability to disrupt their machinations among men. Jericho had plans and those plans might be hindered unless the Deliverer could be killed.

  “Are you sure it was him? How do you know?â€� Mordred asked, trying to control an undercurrent of fear. It had been that same singular fear which had driven him to destroy Salem in the first place before invading the city of Emmanuel nine years ago.

  “Trust me, my lord, only the Deliverer could do what this boy has done, and his age matches with the time of the Deliverer’s birth. It is him.â€�

  “Trust you? I trusted you when your people told me the child was dead nine years ago!â€� Mordred spat. “I want that boy destroyed, do you understand me?â€�

  Jericho stood there, listening calmly. Mordred was walking a razor’s edge now. Little did he realize the demon standing before him could kill him before he took his next breath, if he so desired. No angels from the realms of glory would come to save Mordred from his hand, as they might some follower of Shaddai. However, Jericho exercised perfect control. “Perhaps, my lord would have me to gather my people and depart from his service?â€�

  Mordred quickly regained control of his temper. He stammered for an answer. Mordred needed the demons more than they needed him and Jericho knew it. “No, of course not,â€� he said. “I’m not trying to blame you. But this Deliverer must be eliminated. While he lives, all of our plans stand in jeopardy.â€�

  Jericho agreed. The Deliverer had to be stopped, but how to do it would be much more difficult to plan. He commanded significant power already, and no one but the Almighty knew the extent of what the boy could do.

  “I will begin working on this problem immediately, my lord,â€� Jericho said. “You need only be concerned with the imminent battle facing you. In two days time, King Stephen of Wayland will come knocking on the gates of Emmanuel with his army.â€�

  Jericho did not wait for a reply. He disappeared from Mordred’s view. He stood a moment longer watching the man. Jericho savored the fear in Mordred’s eyes for just a moment more. Delicious.