Chapter One:

Chapter One:

The journey across the shifting sands was anything but a march. Each step was a struggle. Morgan needed her staff as a walking stick to make sure she stayed upright. Every grinding step, the sand swallowed her feet, threatening to trip her up. Walking in the sand was worse than struggling through knee-deep water. A fine grit covered her body, filling every crease of skin and rubbing her flesh raw at the joints.

“The desert will fight your travels,” Dorfeus warned them before they set out.

No kidding

, Morgan thought to herself.

Memories became her happy place, somewhere she could forget the aches and pains of the uncompromising trail.

At the time, the warning meant little to Morgan. After escaping the Labyrinth and ignorant of the trials ahead, she looked forward to the never-ending sun, the warmth, and wide-open spaces. Naivety and ignorance came back to haunt her.

Like underground, she had no way of measuring time. Worse yet, her company was broken.

They struggled forward until they could go no further, then took a break. There was no escape from the heat or brilliant light beating down on them.

Each now wore a tan kaftan, provided by Dorfeus. Covered head to toe against the unrelenting sun, a stranger might find it difficult to tell one from the other. Without the coverings, Morgan assumed they would not have made it this far.

Tuck must be miserable

. Born under the earth and covered in heavy plates made of shell, the female must be dying from the heat. She stood a head taller than all the others. Her massive shoulders threatened to tear out of the flowing robes. She and the strange pack-bird La’nora marched over the wasteland, decidedly out of place but without a complaint. There was little complaint from anyone. Morgan doubted they had the strength.

Single-word sentences—that was what the group devolved into once they left the safety of Dorfeus’s home. Gia had let up the relentless verbal attacks against Kai. Morgan hoped it would last, yet she doubted it.

Morgan missed Dorfeus and his strange home deep in the cave. Inside was cool and offered some protection from the sun.

After Kai regained consciousness, Tsu relented and tried some of the magical refreshments. Morgan was confident he had not been convinced of the strange mage’s intentions, but hunger and thirst finally got the better of him.

Once a goodly amount of time passed without adverse effect, Tsu suggested the host was trustworthy enough for Morgan to relax her guard slightly. Morgan dove into the refreshments in a most unladylike fashion. She consumed enough to give Tuck a run for her massive hedgehog-shaped body.

The journey through the Labyrinth was arduous. After several days of recovery, she felt nearly human once more. The remainder of her company were also well rested. Even Gia became less moody and agitated.

Unfortunately, the high spirits didn’t last long.

Where the damp air of the caves soaked Morgan in despair, the shifting winds of the desert blew all happiness away from this magical quest. She wanted to be excited, happy, any emotion other than sad. Joy didn’t seem to be her lot in life.

She had the distinct feeling unseen eyes watched as they traveled deeper into the unknown. It didn’t take an overactive imagination to hear strange sounds carried on the wind, like voices just out of hearing range. Whispers, conspirators hatching plots against them. That and the never-ending sun made sleep near impossible.

The merciless daylight baked them. She missed the darkness before they lost sight of Dorfeus’s cave. Now all that surrounded them was the shimmering haze and blowing sand. Visibility was short—the unmoving sun overhead their only guide. Shadows grew shorter with each passing league. Soon they would have no shadows to guide them. Hopefully, by then, they might have sight of the mage tower. It was tall enough Morgan hoped to see it from many leagues away.

Thankfully, the strange mage Dorfeus had restocked their supplies, going so far as to provide each a pair of the peculiar dark-rose-colored glasses like Tuck wore. Without the dark lenses, Morgan was confident she would have lost her mind to the bright desert long ago.

Dorfeus’s final words haunted her. “Remember, be true to yourself.”

What the Infernum did that mean? Must everyone I meet give cryptic advice that can’t be followed?

Since Tuck was out of her caves, Tsu took the lead. It surprised Morgan the huge creature stayed with them.

Before they left, Morgan asked, “I’m glad you are traveling with us, but may I ask why?”

The small mouth smiled. “Just think. I will be the first of my kind to cross the desert and return with tales of the mage tower. I will be famous.”

Morgan only smiled and nodded. Everyone had their own motive for this dangerous trip. She assumed adventure was just as valid as any other. However, Morgan wasn’t sure. If not for her dead father’s guidance, would she be so keen to risk her neck for some unknown prize? She wanted to understand but resigned herself to not knowing everything.

I’m ignorant of so many things. Every day I struggle to become less so.

Following behind Tsu, she searched the sky for any sign of clouds and found none. Even with the magic goggles Dorfeus provided, she could only look at the unmoving sun briefly before her eyes watered, and it forced her to look away.

The twin floating islands didn’t cover this portion of the land. Long before they lost sight of the massive landmass in the haze, they were the only indication time passed in this strange land of perpetual sunlight.

Not far from the cave, Morgan risked her sight and briefly removed her goggles. The surroundings caused her great uneasiness. Shadows twisted in the blowing sand. Shapes briefly formed, only to be blown away once more. She whispered, “Monsters surround us.”

Tsu was right there and slipped the rose-colored lenses back over her eyes. In an instant, the monsters disappeared.

That raised a question Morgan was afraid to ponder for any length of time. Were the monsters there, and the glasses protected them, or were they illusions, and the glasses hid them? As long as they didn’t attack, she guessed it didn’t matter.

What is more real, the terror of the mind or the terror of the flesh?

“I imagine if our minds believe something is real, they can harm us just like reality can.” Kai mumbled to himself.

Did he just answer my question?

Morgan thought,

Impossible.

Morgan felt his apprehension and pain. Now was not the time to bring up his sacrifice to save her. She wasn’t even sure if what he’d done was noble or not. Everything happened so fast.

Since the mirror had shattered in his face, he had withdrawn. Every time Morgan looked at him, he seemed in another world, his mind wandering on some unsolved mystery. His lips often moved, yet no sound came out.

They hadn’t spoken at any length since the dragon’s mark revealed itself and he woke from the blast.

Now, she wasn’t sure if they would ever find the time or energy again. Her home of Lilliehaven had turned out to be more complex than she ever imagined. The perpetual darkness of the Labyrinth competed with the constant daylight of the central desert. She could only guess at what other surprises waited for her in this magical land.

To return to Haven and limit her exploration seemed such a waste. After all, at least to the best of her knowledge, the floating islands had never been explored. Sooner or later, a human would need to venture forth to discover how the Deva and djinn lived in such a strange magical environment.

Tsu stopped. He stood with his head cocked to the side, like a dog that heard a strange sound. He failed to give the raised hand, signifying halt. Rather than stop, Morgan stepped beside him.

“Haboob.” The name Morgan knew but had never seen slipped from her mouth.

He pointed to the approaching wall of sand. “Do you see that?” he asked, the strange sound of worry creeping into his voice. She had never seen him frightened. This was not the place for the man to lose his spine.

Morgan squinted, searching for anything besides the ever-present blinding white sand. There ahead, she saw a shadow of sorts. “I see something, but I’m not sure what.”

By this time, Kai joined them. He stood slightly behind them without asking a question.

Tuck remained a safe distance behind. Gia and the pack-bird La’nora kept her company.

A shadow stepped from the haze. The black shape defied the winds and formed a person. The wind stretched tendrils of shadow into streamers of blackness.

Tsu had his mace out, ready to smash any danger.

Morgan followed suit and stood ready to attack, given the slightest provocation.

The shape shifted into the form of a woman. Lacking color save gray, the shade dropped her hood, revealing a face formed from shades dark to light. Her empty hands were held palm up. The mouth moved, but no sound escaped. From what Morgan could see, the vision mouthed the same word over and over.

“Danger,” Tsu whispered.

From the female form, a pair of hard-cased limbs emerged. Extended claws swung for Tsu.

Morgan used her staff to protect Tsu’s left. Her attack bounced off shell-like armor.

The guard bashed the long, clawed arm away to the right.

From behind, Gia shouted, “Sand crabs!”

Kai stepped up between them and, with fingers spread wide, launched a blast of rainbow color into the hazy darkness. Ineffective, his attack refracted off the wall of sand, scattering harmlessly into the storm wall.

An ear-piercing screech bellowed from the ground. A blast of sand showered Morgan as the screaming creature retreated.

La’nora’s pained squawk grabbed Morgan’s attention. A pair of claws had latched onto the pack-bird. With her massive beak, La’nora fought to remain standing while the arms pulled her into the sand. Blood flowed from the cracked shell of the attacker.

Tuck and Gia had their hands full battling the armored claws.

Morgan didn’t have time to help her friends, as she was surrounded by creatures hunting from the swirling mist. At any moment, an arm might reach out and attack her.

Tsu yelled a blood-curdling shout. Morgan turned to see elongated pincers struggling to tear Tsu’s mace from his grip.

Before Morgan could attack, another pair of claws grabbed her robes from behind. They jerked her off her feet and closer to the wall of sand.

A pair of claws erupted from the desert floor and latched onto Tsu’s leg.

Gia came from behind and sank his sky-metal dagger deep into an arm that held Morgan. The creature screamed, and both claws dropped from the grip.

She struggled to her feet. Fighting from the dirt was impossible in this sand.

Kai leveled his hands at the arms attacking Tsu. Without warning, fire jumped from his fingertips. The flying sand before him turned into droplets of glass falling to the desert floor. The attacking arms blistered and popped, cooking before her eyes.

Gia had run back to help Tuck battle the creatures fighting over La’nora.

Overhead, a shadow blocked out the sun.

Arms now free, Tsu shoved Morgan to safety.

Her feet tangled in the deep sand and long robes. She dropped to the ground.

The descending shadow didn’t attack her bodyguard. Rather, it landed out of sight in the blowing sand.

Kai reached down and helped Morgan back to her feet. His hands still radiated warmth from the death he’d just unleashed. If the mage gained control over this powerful force, he would become unstoppable.

Tsu stood before them, his broad shoulders a shield weapon at the ready. The expected attack never came.

A mumbled chant rose from Kai—his words lost in the howling wind. Morgan noticed a shimmer of energy radiated from his body.

Beyond her sight, black shapes of combat flashed in the blowing sand. Before Morgan and the others rejoined the fight, the screams of death went silent.

A force of energy burst from Kai. The shock wave bounced off the sand, leaving ripples marking the sand. All radiated away from his feet.

The wind died down. The sand returned to the desert. A stone’s throw away, Morgan spotted a creature standing with black wings, shielding himself against the blowing sand. Her heart lifted at the sight.

The wind dropped to normal.

The wings retreated behind the great flying creature’s back to reveal the Deva Damien standing before them. Dressed in white robes, the creature looked divine. In his right hand, he held a blade that sparkled in the brilliant sunlight. A flick of his right wrist and the weapon he carried dropped before their feet. “A gift.”

Morgan knew it in an instant. It was the most prized sky-metal sword of Maa’s father, General Ed’Io-Genke, general of the empire’s forces.

She whispered, “Is he?”

“Dead? Yes,” the Deva said matter-of-factly.

“You?” Tus asked.

Damien shook his head. “No… I told you, I don’t take sides. It seems a pair of Dregs paid him a visit. Did you hire them?”

Tsu cast a sideways glance in Morgan’s direction before answering, “No.”

“Someone wanted him dead.”

“Excuse me… who or what is a Dreg?” Kai asked.

Gia stepped up, La’nora in tow. “Only the most feared assassins in Lilliehaven. Why did you help us? I thought you didn’t get involved?” His words struck Morgan as rude and inappropriate.

Damien turned his back to them. “Normally I don’t…” He bent down and pulled the severed arm of a crab from the sand. “I am hungry, and it looked like you had plenty to eat. I didn’t think you would mind if I stopped by for a bite.”

Morgan stepped forward, picking the sword up from the sand. “I told you, you are welcome at any time. But… you’re certain Ed is dead?” She pulled the weapon from the scabbard. It was just like she remembered.

“I watched from on high as they carried off his severed head. I doubt he survived.”

“You can have this if you like…” She offered the priceless sword to the Deva.

Damien shook his head. “No, thank you. I do well enough without a weapon. Would you like some crab? It is scrumptious.”

The Deva uncovered the stub end of the arm and pulled with a great tug. The muscles in his legs bulged, dragging the massive crab from under the sand.

“This mean you are joining us?” Tsu asked.

The weapon slipped in place, she slung it over her shoulder.

“I’m afraid not. I told you, I don’t get involved with the subjects of my study.”

Morgan watched as Damien ripped another chunk of arm from the crab monster. “But you saved us from attack?”

“I beg to differ. I wanted food. It can’t be helped if you happened to be the focus of my meal’s attack… Do you have fuel for a fire?”

Tuck and Gia walked forward with La’nora. The pair started unpacking gear for a rest.

“You should keep some of the crab’s flesh. It will keep the others at bay for some time.” Damien tossed the stump toward Tsu.

With a vigor not seen in many days, Kai asked, “Any news?”

Damien stopped the dismemberment. “I nearly forgot the mage… Your friend Pet’Ra recovers with the mountain elves.”

“Recovers from what?”

“She held information Ed wanted.”

“What could she possibly know?” The strain was evident in Kai’s voice.

“My location,” Morgan blurted out.

Tsu quickly asked, “Any other news?”

“Haven, the humans have abandoned, and Maa disappeared.”

This was better news than Morgan ever expected. “We should return now, lay claim to the throne.”

“That would be unwise.” Damien shook his head.

Tsu picked up the crab arm. “If there are no troops, it would be easy to retake the throne.”

“The dead now claim your city.” Damien didn’t even glance their way.

“The dead?” Kai asked.

“Yes, it looks like an army of them. Gaining strength by my estimation. When they move out, there is little the living can do to stop them. This should be an interesting yet deadly development.”

The news caught Morgan speechless. The others became equally silenced. The notion of the dead rising to attack the living sent waves of fear into her heart.

Damien kept on speaking as if his news was a discussion of the weather. “Mage… you should be careful. Magic runs wild here, use the wrong spell without training…”

Gia chimed in. “Yeah, he nearly killed himself once already.”

“I said I was sorry… I was only trying to help.” Kai stood with arms folded, clinging to himself.

The dragon hunter didn’t let up. “The mirror was broken. Even a simpleton would know better than to use a broken tool.”

“So now you’re a magic expert?” Kai shot back.

Morgan didn’t know whether Kai had family around Ra and Haven, but she did. Countless cousins might be trapped by the advance of an undead army. “Give it a rest, Gia. Have you no sympathy?”

Gia retreated to La’nora. “Never accuse me of catching feelings.”

Damien watched the pair with a raised eyebrow. “This conflict is new… Going on long?”

Tsu nodded. “It has been building.”

Kai glared at Gia. “It’s all because he’s an ass.

Gia spit in Kai’s general direction. “And you’re an idiot.”

Damien stepped closer, using the crab leg as his pointer. “He bears the mark of the dragon. You are a dragon hunter. Is that going to be a problem?”

Gia held his tongue, his hand flexing on the grip of his dagger.

Morgan asked, “You can see his mark?”

Damien shook his head. “Don’t need to. I can smell it on him. I’m sure others… more magically inclined can too.”

“Well, isn’t that just lovely… Maybe we should slit his throat now before the hordes from the desert converge on us,” Gia growled.

“I don’t particularly care what you think, Gia. This isn’t my fault.”

“It isn’t the desert you need to worry about. Most creatures out here are simple animals looking to survive… No, you need to be concerned with the more intelligent hazards.”

“Care to enlighten us?”

Damien looked over the hunk of crab. “Shadows… I’ve seen them searching from the sky. They are easy to spot once you know the signs… something is stirring them up.”

Gia threw the bag of La’nora dung at Kai. “It must be him. I told you he was trouble.”

Morgan stepped between the pair. “Can we just rest and be on our way?”

Tuck repeated the words, “Yes… We should eat… and rest.”

Damien stood, looking at the sun. “I will stay for a short time, but something has shifted the balance of nature.”

“Meaning?” Tsu asked.

“Someone or something draws the shadow creatures here like a beacon.” The Deva looked over his shoulder at the group.

Morgan pulled the dried dung from the bag. “We need to focus on the task at hand. Later will take care of itself.”

“As if we don’t have enough bad news…” Tuck said from La’nora’s side. “The water skins are broken.”

“Isn’t that just perfect?” Gia started in once more.

The others all spoke at the same time, the words melding into a mash of complaints Morgan didn’t need to hear.

She ignored the others. The lack of water gave them all something new to worry about. At least Gia had stopped attacking Kai… for the moment.