THE_REALM_SHIFT Read online

  They came to an area where tall pines drove high into the sky. The sparse undergrowth made for easy movement between the trees. At this time of year, the pine needles created a thick mat upon the forest floor, helping to silence their footsteps.

  Gideon brought them to a halt and quietly got down from his saddle. He removed two arrows from his quiver. Ethan started to speak, but Gideon quickly silenced him with a wave of his hand. He pointed into the dimly lit forest beyond the road. Ethan noticed the slightest hint of movement. Something watched them anxiously.

  They both stood behind their horses now. An animal might be spooked by a person walking about, but they would be unconcerned by horses. Gideon nocked both arrows at the same time. These arrows had different heads than the ones Ethan had seen Gideon use on Mordecai’s renegade priests. Instead of the needle tip, both arrows were fitted with broad heads to promote more internal damage and a faster bleed-out time.

  Gideon’s middle finger curled up to separate their flight path by a degree. Ethan watched the trees. His new senses kicked in again, just as it had happened at the slaughter of Mr. Howinger’s doomed delegation. He saw the animal—a fallow deer, almost as if it were standing completely in daylight. The animal hid behind a pine trunk nearly one hundred yards away. Ethan heard its heartbeat and smelled its scent. He saw the heat rising from its body.

  Then Gideon let the arrows fly. Ethan watched the air vibrate as the two arrows cut through atmosphere, driving toward their target. One arrow struck the neck, while the other hit the heart. Ethan could almost feel the wounded heart seize inside the deer’s chest.

  The startled animal bolted from the spot where it stood, clearing a span of twenty feet in the first leap. Ethan started to lunge forward in pursuit. Gideon quickly stopped him with a restraining hand to the shoulder. “No need to wear yourself out, Ethan.â€�

  Sure enough, as Gideon and Ethan led their horses back through the pines, they found the deer fifty yards from where it had been shot. “See there, I told you. No need to wear yourself out when you place the shots right.â€�

  Gideon removed a set of knives from his saddlebag and went to work harvesting meat for them. He unrolled a canvas bag and placed the meat inside. “Now, let’s get further up the road, then we’ll make camp. We’ll leave the carcass for others to have their fill. If there are any bears or wolves in the area, hopefully they’ll come here for meat and leave us alone tonight.â€� A generous amount of salt lay in the bag already, which Gideon rolled over in order to cover the meat.

  Ethan helped Gideon with the heavy bag of meat and then saddled Whistler. Dark lay upon them now with the moon casting an eerie glow through the canopy of dense pine needles overhead. They rode back out to the main road, following the bare road glowing in the moonlight. Within ten minutes, they had found a large clearing with a few stout trees. There they made camp for the night.

  A wonderful aroma streamed off the deer meat as it roasted over their fire. Gideon produced some fragrant spices from another pouch on his saddle. The sweet smelling savor had Ethan’s mouth watering for a taste.

  “I want you to tell me how you came to be in Grandee, the attack, everything you can remember, all right?â€� Gideon asked.

  Ethan was more than ready to get it all off his chest. He told Gideon what he could remember of his mother and father and the village of Salem. He told him about the day when the attack came and the demon he saw in the market.

  Ethan was surprised Gideon did not immediately brand him as crazy. He went on to tell him about the attack itself and what he had seen when he and Elspeth had fled into the woods. Ethan told him about coming to Howinger’s farm and the way he had treated them while they were there and about the council meeting and the demon turning the words of the men to achieve its goal.

  Gideon listened intently, slowly turning the spit over the fire. He took in every bit of information, processing it with what he knew of the Deliverer and the Wraith Riders under Mordred. When the boy finally finished, Gideon mulled it over, still turning there meal over the flames.

  “When can we eat?â€� Ethan asked.

  “Just a little longer, my friend. Tell me, Ethan, what are your plans? With Grandee sacked, there’s nothing left for you there.â€�

  Ethan considered it. “I thought about going to Emmanuel to see if I can find my sister.â€�

  “A rescue from the palace would be very difficult to pull off by yourself,â€� Gideon said.

  “I have to find her, if she’s still alive, Gideon,â€� Ethan said. “Like you said, there’s nothing else left for me.â€�

  “I understand. And you have a good reason for believing she could have survived the attack. I’m just worried that you would end up captured or killed in the attempt.â€�

  Ethan stared into the fire.

  “What I mean is that you have no weapons and no training,â€� Gideon clarified. “I would guess you don’t even have a plan for getting into the city, let alone the palace itself.â€�

  Ethan turned to Gideon. His expression said it all. The boy did not have the first clue about how he might rescue his sister. He seemed utterly alone in the world and Gideon felt sorry for him. Ethan had to be the prophesied Deliverer, but he was still a real boy who needed help. “I tell you what, Ethan, I’ll help you try to locate your sister.â€�

  Ethan immediately perked up. “Will you, Gideon?â€�

  “Yes, but I want this promise from you in return.â€�

  “Anything.â€�

  “Successful or not, I want you to return with me to The Order of Shaddai—to the Temple. There you can meet with the High Priest, Isaiah.â€�

  “Of course, Gideon, anything you say,â€� Ethan promised.

  Gideon took one of his knives and sliced the meat hanging over the fire. The fatty juices fell sizzling onto the coals. He used another three-pronged utensil to stab the piece and hold it. Then he handed it over to Ethan.

  The boy took it eagerly, blowing away some of the heat. When he sank his teeth into it for the first time and the taste hit his tongue, Ethan groaned as though he had just sampled the finest food on the planet. He savored it, chewing slowly, letting it roll over in his mouth for a full effect. “Boy, a king couldn’t ask for a better tasting piece of meat than this,â€� Ethan said.

  “Absence does make the heart grow fonder, as they say. I probably could have given you the worst piece and it would have been just as good, since you’ve gone so long without.â€�

  Ethan nodded his agreement—his mouth too full of food to say anything. The two young men relaxed with their venison and enjoyed the fire. They would set out again, in the morning, for Emmanuel.

  REALM SHIFT

  The cool wind blew gently. Ethan and Gideon had both finished off generous portions of the venison before falling asleep near the fire, which had reduced to slow burning embers by now. Ethan rested as comfortably as he ever had beneath a blanket borrowed from Gideon’s supplies. It was peaceful lying out under the stars this way.

  The horses seemed restless. Ethan might have dismissed it had he not heard voices accompanying it. He opened his eyes and saw several demons coming toward their camp from the forest. They hovered just above the ground. Some were wolf like, others appeared reptilian. The horses shifted uneasily as though they could see what was coming. Gideon awoke. The blanket next to him lay empty. Ethan had disappeared.

  Ethan watched Gideon stand when the horses became nervous. Gideon called to Ethan as though he did not see him standing right there in front of him. Ethan turned toward the demons. They were gaping at him.

  Ethan examined himself—his appearance had changed dramatically. He was no longer clothed in the plain breeches and shirt he had been wearing. A brilliant silver armor covered him. The armor moved with h
im fluidly, as if quicksilver had been poured over his body.

  The liquid, metal armor covered him completely except for his head. A sword floated with him at his side. It had no scabbard, just like the one he remembered on the demon in Salem. Brilliant light emanated from the double-edged.

  The six demons looked astonished for only a moment, before their hatred over. They hissed at him, drawing their weapons, preparing to attack. And these enemies were more terrifying than any Wraith Rider. Ethan instinctively drew the sword from his side. The sword sang with power as he tightened his grip, seeming almost alive and ready for a fight.

  Ethan noticed his perception had changed again. The night no longer veiled the forest from his eyes. He discerned fallow deer in a clearing two hundred yards away and mice sitting in the grass fifty feet away.

  Moreover, Ethan felt the malevolent band standing before him—the heat of their breath, the pure hatred in their doomed souls. As brightly as the light shone around him, the darkness of despair surrounded his adversaries.

  Ethan felt stronger than he ever had before, and yet this strength was beyond him, coming from Shaddai himself. He perceived the very presence of the Almighty with him. It was the most peaceful feeling he had ever known. Even in the face of such enemies as these, Ethan remained completely assured and calm.

  Several of the demons rushed him like a pack of hounds on the trail of a fox. Ethan let his blade fly. The weapon moved almost of its own volition. Ethan let go of his will, allowed the battle to unfold around him, the Spirit of Shaddai to move through him.

  Ethan struck several of the creatures—his movements impossible to view with the natural eye. The wounded creatures howled their fury, backing away, while others contemplated an attempt. Then, just as suddenly as Ethan had appeared before them in the spiritual realm, he disappeared.

  Ethan appeared before Gideon in the physical realm ten yards from where he had been sleeping. “Ethan?â€�

  He looked at Gideon. The young priest of Shaddai was looking at him now. Ethan turned back to his demon opponents. He still saw the demons, but they appeared to be searching for him. Ethan whipped his sword hand up, but the weapon was gone along with his luminous silver armor. He had returned to his former state, dressed in a stained, tan shirt and breeches. Gideon hopped over to him, feeling Ethan’s arm to be sure the boy had substance.

  Ethan saw the demons go after Gideon, though the priest remained unaware. The horses whinnied wildly, backing away from the camp—their animal senses sending them into panic.

  Ethan had no time.

  “What’s wrong?â€� Gideon asked, still confused.

  “We’re under attack!â€�

  The first demon lunged—teeth and claws ready for the kill. Ethan used all of his strength to heave Gideon out of the way. The demon flew at them, slashing with its preternatural blade. Gideon tumbled to the ground, bewildered by the boy’s violent warning when no danger seemed apparent.

  The demon blade missed Ethan easily, clanging into the wood of their fire. Ethan had seen enough proof on the Howinger road of the demons’ ability to surge violently into the physical world and kill. However, as far as he knew, the demons still did not see him in his physical form.

  The demons lunged again for Gideon, intent on destroying the one human they could see. Ethan got to him first. He seized Gideon by the shoulders, preparing to throw him out of the way again, but the demons had halted.

  “Wait!â€� Gideon said—his eyes wide with unexpected horror. “I can see them!â€�

  Ethan stood still, astonished by his friend’s statement. Ethan started to let go, but Gideon stopped him. “No, wait. Ethan, don’t let go of me. Look at them.â€�

  Ethan watched the demons. They appeared confused and angry, searching the camp blindly.

  “They don’t seem to see or hear either of us,â€� Gideon said. “And when you grabbed me, I could see them. Has this ever happened before?â€�

  Ethan remembered when he and Elspeth had fled from Salem the night of the massacre. The demons, coming from the trees, had passed through them seemingly unaware of their presence. He had been holding tightly to his sister that night, and she to him, as they ran for their lives. Ethan had no time to think about it now. He and Gideon still stood in the midst of six vicious apparitions ready to kill them, if they figured out how to find them.

  The devils picked up rocks, sticks, burning embers, and anything else they could lay hold of in the physical world, hurling it all around the camp. Gideon pulled Ethan out of the way, as one of the blankets flew at them.

  “They’re trying to find us,â€� Gideon said. “If they hit us with something then it may show them where we are.â€�

  The demons picked up everything they could find, throwing it in all directions. The burning logs, blankets, limbs, rocks, and dust of the ground all swirled around furiously like a small tornado. Whistler and Gideon’s patchwork mare, Abigail, fled as fast as they could into the night.

  The demons gave up their tantrum when it failed to produce results, retreating into the trees beyond the firelight. Ethan kept a hold on Gideon. “Let’s be sure, before I let go of you, all right?â€�

  Gideon happily obliged him. Had it not been for Ethan, the demons would have torn him apart without his ever catching a glimpse of his attackers. They held their breath, waiting, hearts racing with excitement. Then Gideon heard something. “Hold on—â€�

  From the trees, beyond their camp, a large brown object charged at them, slinging slobber as it ran. “It’s a bear!â€� they shouted in unison.

  For a brief moment, Ethan saw within the ferocious beast charging at them from the darkness. He saw the six demons inside the animal, urging its fury. The bear ran straight towards them. “I think it can see us!â€� Ethan said.

  Gideon broke free from Ethan’s grip, lunging for his sword. It had been tossed about the camp and now lay on the ground ten yards away from where they were standing. Ethan didn’t realize what the priest was doing. The charging bear was already on top of him. The animal pulled itself up to a full of height of nearly nine feet, preparing to hammer Ethan into the ground with one of its massive paws.

  Ethan heard the song of steel whistling through the air, catching a glimpse of Gideon’s sword spin past his head. It sank perfectly into the bear’s chest just to the left of its sternum. The great animal seized and fell over.

  Ethan ran and grabbed Gideon again. He would be visible to the demons if they came out of the bear. However, as the boys looked on, the spirits seemed to be working to get out of the creature, as though its death had temporarily trapped them inside. The demons leaped out of the bear carcass, searching briefly before fleeing into the darkness.

  “Let’s get out of here before something else happens,â€� Gideon said. They left what they had at the camp and ran into the night. Gideon led the way and soon they were back to the road. It was going to be a long walk through the darkness in order to get to another town without the horses. But it was far better than what might be waiting for them at the camp. Ethan and Gideon had been tired before. Now, they had enough adrenaline surging through their veins to keep them going until dawn.

  THE_REALM_SHIFT

  FEAR

  Ethan and Gideon followed the moonlit road as the wind blew gently upon them. It was comfortable, just right for walking. Foreboding crept along with them like an assassin present beyond the trees on either side of the road. They had left the sound of angry demons behind them, but they still might be following.

  The demons had evidently figured out how to see Ethan. With the bear’s physical eyes, the demons had found him. Only Gideon’s quick thinking and expert skill had saved the boy. “Do you see anything yet?â€� Gideon asked. This question had become his favorite phrase over the past two hours as the
y walked on the road.

  “Maybe we should hold hands,â€� Gideon said. Once he made the statement, he felt like a complete fool. “I mean, so we can both remain invisible to the demons.â€�

  Ethan gave the priest a sidelong glance. “Awkward.â€�

  “Okay, forget it. I’m an idiot.â€�

  Ethan laughed. “It’s not that, Gideon. I think it only works when I have both hands on someone.â€�

  “Oh.â€�

  “How long have you been a priest of Shaddai, Gideon?â€�

  He thought about it for a moment. It seemed like he had always been at the Temple with Master Isaiah. “About fifteen years now,â€� he said. “My parents surrendered me to The Order when I was four years old.â€�

  “Why would they do that?â€� Ethan asked.

  “Well, my parents had been unable to have any children. I had a brother who was stillborn before me. My parents told me they prayed for three years to have a child. They made a vow to dedicate their firstborn son to Shaddai and his service. I was born the next harvest time. True to their vow, they surrendered me to the priesthood of Shaddai when the time came. I’m glad to have grown up in The Order. I have my place in the world serving the Lord of Heaven and Earth.â€�

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters now?â€� Ethan asked.

  “I have three sisters and two brothers, but I’m rarely able to see them.â€� Had it been daylight, Ethan might have noticed Gideon’s expression grow sad at that point. “They’re all together as a family while I serve The Order.â€�

  “Does everyone in The Order fight the way you do?â€� Ethan asked.

  “Way? Yes, we fight the same way.â€�

  “But Mordecai said you were the best, didn’t he?â€� Ethan asked.