Volume 1988 Issue 5 Article 11
Spring 4-15-1988
The Bone Castle
Janet P. Reedman
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Recommended Citation Reedman, Janet P. (1988) "The Bone Castle," The Mythic Circle: Vol. 1988 : Iss. 5 , Article 11. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mcircle/vol1988/iss5/11
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This fiction is available in The Mythic Circle: https://dc.swosu.edu/mcircle/vol1988/iss5/11 .by Janet P. Reedman
Lady Celestria brushed her long amber hair. the grass. Celestria hastened towards her betrothed, Fingers tangled in wavy depths; her brush was who was showing the healthy growth in the herb• drawn into bright masses and swallowed. Celestria's garden to a tall, dark-cloaked man. Stepping away companion, thin and homely Una, sighed with envy. from the stranger, Tancred caught her shoulders and ·rt's not fair that you have such lovely locks" she swung her round. ·well, my lord," he said to his complained. "You've more beauty than a human guest, "this Is my intended bride. Am I not a lucky woman has a right to haver· man?" ·Nonsense!" Celestria tossed her head In denial. The stranger, whose head had been averted, Strands of flying hair shone like liquid gold in the turned and smiled. Celestria felt her heart skip a light pouring through the arched windows of the beat, and she gasped. This man ... did she know castle. ·A human am I and no more. What else could him? Something seemed familiar about his height, I be?" his long dark hair, his comely face and stormy sea• Leaning over, Una whispered darkly, "A change• grey eyes. "Have we met, my lord?" she asked. ling. You've heard of Faerie, the Sidhe. When they He started as she spoke. "No-no, lady; we declined they left their children to mortals, hoping couldn't have met. I've been away for years, many they'd thrive with them. Perhaps you are an elf• long years.• Nonetheless, his brows furrowed, and Lord Andro found you wandering in a daze .. ." he tried to peer into her hood. "Tancred," he said, ·ae silent, Unal" Celestrla cried. She had no "you ask me if you are lucky to have this maid, but I wish to remember her youth as a foundling In An• cannot answer yes or no. I see a cloak, not a girll" dro's court, an adopted daughter despised by the no• Tancred laughed. ·cast back your hood, my bles, who thought she was baseborn or worse. Now lover Let my friend have a look at you and be jealous she'd earned acceptance through her betrothal to a evermore I" nobleman, and she would not gladly recall her un• "But my hair's unbound ... • she whispered. happy past. "Never mindl I'm sure his lordship's seen many a "Oh Celestria," said Una, shame-faced: I forgot lass's tressesl Come on my dear, I want to show him how you suffered. Forgive me: how fortunate I aml" ·1 forgive you," said Celestria, managing a wan Inwardly cursing her betrothed as a foolish brag• smile. She realized the other girl meant no harm. gart, Celestria removed her hood with some reluc• ·oh-listen, Una ... " tance. Her waving halr flamed in the sunlight. Outside a man was shouting Celestria's name. Mouth agape, the stranger reeled back. "It's your Tancred," said Una, nudging Celestria. "Celemonl" he cried. "Lucky girll Just think of ill In a month you'll be mar• "That is not my name, lord," she said, "I am Ce• ried in the Minster, and then ... • A hectic blush dark• lestria, daughter of Andro of the Marches.~ · ened her wan cheeks. • ... you'll be brought to the ·celestria-how strange.• The man recovered marriage-bed.· his composure. ·where-where were you born, my Celestria whirled away from Una, her own cheek lady?" paling. She did not know why the thoughts of her un• Tancred, who was deeply conscious of Celes• ion with Tancred should be so repugnant. She tria's past, grasped the girl's wrist. "My lady never should be grateful to him for offering to marry a maid speaks of her youth." of unknown ancestry. "No, Tancred. I don't mind telling the lord ... the "Celestrial" Tancred's voice, Iouder now, lord ... • boomed at the foot of the stair leading to the garden. "llmarinen." said the dark-haired man. "Corne down, my lover I have a guest I'd like you to "llmarinen." she whispered the outlandish name, meet I" as obsolete and strange as Celemon, the name he'd "My hair's uncovered!" she called back. "I called her. Yet-both names had a familiar ring ... couldn't show myself ... " She buried her hands, suddenly grown ice-cold, in "Put on a cloak and comer· her cloak. Una handed a mantle to her friend. Celestria Tancred scratched the top of his thinning hair in flung it around her shoulders and modestly tucked puzzlement. ·1-1 thought you wouldn't ... Well, her locks into the deep hood, as befitted a maiden. speak on, if you wish. I ... • He sneezed violently Then she lightly descended the spiral stairs into the into an already stained and much-crumpled rag. "I garden. must find the physic. I've another bloody cold com- The afternoon was sunny, unmarred by any ing on. Blast this cold Essarnadonian climate! clouds, though the Northern wind was fierce, bring• When we're wed, Celestria, I'll take you to Sedovia, ing on its breath the taint of Autumnal death. The where it's hot all year roundl" battlements of Castle Rysing cast long shadows over The Mythic Circle, Issue 5-- Page 21 Tancred stumbled otr toward the castle door, must go," she said, "We have spoken alone too long. mopping at his crimson nose. Celestria stared after The evil-minded will talk ... • him, shaking her head. The lord llmarinen reached "Wait" he caught her wrist. "Celestria, do you out and clasped her arm. "Will you walk with me, truly not know me? You didask if we'd met." lady?" he said. "I'd be glad of your company. I've "You look familiar. but I cannot think why. Per• been abroad for many years, and need news of my haps you remind me of someone in my father's homeland: court." ·1 fear I can tell you little, if it's news of kings and "No, that's not ill You know ill Celemon, don't wars you want; she said. ·1 am but a woman and not play games with mel Don't squander our second privy to the councils of the great. But I will walk with chance on earthl" you, even so: "You're madl" she gasped, but even as she tried Together they went over to a bench shaded by to draw away. he caught her in his arms and kissed an ancient willow. They sat down; close, but not her. To her horrified surprise, she found herself re• touching. llmarinen took Celestria's hand. "Lady. I sponding to him, though he was a stranger and ei• lied; he said. "I don't want news of Essarnadon. I ther ill-mannered or crazed. But something felt right want to hear about you-what you were telling me in the touch of his hands and lips-a mist lifted from when Tancred interrupted: her mind, a thousand shadows began to recede-to "Oh, yes. I was saying that I don't know my birth· show her ... nothing. The spell was broken. place. I'm lord Andra's adopted daughter:• ""How dare you take such liberties!" she cried, "Adopted?" He leaned toward her, intent. jerking away. She would have said more, but fell si• "Aye. While hawking on the Gravespell moors, lent when she saw the crushed look on his face. "I Andra discovered me wandering in a daze. He took must depart," she then said harshly. "Don't follow, me to his castle and had his own doctors tend me. and I'll say naught to Tancred." When I had recovered from my Illness. which had "You don't love himl" llmarinen's grey eyes robbed· me of all memory of past things, he clothed locked with her topaz ones." I know you don'tl Cel e• me, schooled me. christened me Celestria-a name mon Ni Finvarra, one day the blindness will lift from based on my fevered ramblings-and eventually your eyes, and you'll see me againl I only hope it adopted me. I was very fortunate.· happens ere it's too later "Gravespell. You came from Gravespell, where She fled from him, uncaring that passing courti• she died . . . • llmarinen had turned very pale and ers gawked and pointed. Celemon Ni Finvarra. Fin• was muttering lncoherenily, his face taut with some varra. Why should that name trouble her? Why did old grief. "And Celestria-so like Celemonl" she see, as if in a dream, a lord clad in ancient garb Celestria's belly tightened with nervousness. "I tossing a bright-tressed child into the air? She sped into the castle and flew up the stairs to her chamber. Dropping to her knees on the flag• stones, she fumbled at a row of dusty books on a shelf. She pulled out one dusty volume and flipped through the pages until she reached the engraving of a swordsman. The face of the faded illustration was strong and bold, not quite human. Finvarra, read the letters below the picture, legendary lord of the Sidhe. Celestria sighed in relief. This book, perused many times in her lonely youth, must be the reason for her response to the name "Finvarra". But even as she reshelved the book, her doubts arose once more. The book depicted Finvarra as a warrior-and she envisioned him as a father dan• dling a girl-child with amber hair.
That evening, young Prince Denzel, known as The Drunk for his dissolute habits, held a feast to cel• ebrate his nativity. Celestria and Tancred attended, despite the rawness of Tancred's much afflicted nose. llmarinen was present also, dancing with Una, who stared moonstruck into his face. pleased beyond words that a man had asked her to dance -, But even as they moved across the floor, his gaze wandered to Celestria, who modestly averted her face. Prince Denzel soon became drunk and abusive. attacking woman and pages, and hurling food and drink. Filling his ears with flattery, his favorites es• corted him from the Great Hall, taking care not to let his Majesty trip over his shoes which, In the latest felt that something was there. She also knew she'd court fashion, were so long they almost reached up been there long ago-before Andro found her, be· lo his bell. fore the world had changed . . . . "Is anybody there?" Afler his departure, the feasters dispersed, intent she cried out, reaching through the bars. "It's an old upon the pursuit of love and secret assignations. Ce· woman, Isn't it ... " lestria allowed Tancred to lead her away from the A black shape shot out of the gloom. Swart ting· hall. like his lord, Tancred had imbibed too much ers, bent and clawed, clutched her hand and then wine, and was staggering this way and that. her streaming hair. A hideous face pressed up Suddenly he collapsed into a tower doorway, against hers, and she heard a voice shrill, "I have dragging Celestria with him. "Tis a fine way we find her, I have herl" ... Seconds later, the grate opened ourselves, love," he slurred. "Give me a kiss-or bet· and she was pulled, fainting, Into the mound. ter ... " Celestrla woke from her swoon inside the hill. "Let me go, Tancredi" Angrily, she tried to break She lay on a hard stone bed. Above her loomed a free. dank, corbelled root; at her feet sprawled a skeleton "Don't act cold to me," he bellowed drunkenly. "I clad in a moldering dress. Celestria tried to scream, know you want mel Any wench who wanders about but was able to emit only a mutlled moan. the moors in only a shifl ... " Her groan brought Immediate attention. A hand Tears sprang to her eyes. "I was Ill when falher grasped her elbow and hauled her upright. Celestria found mel I wasn'I out there of my own choosing• shook her fuzzy head, and then gazed into the face and I swear I've had no manl" of a beautiful man. His pale shapely lips were "Prove II," he said. curved Into a mocking smile, and his emerald eyes "Fillhy plgl" Weeping, she jerked free of his glinted like chips of ice under arching raven brows. sweaty hold and fled into the garden. A crescent "Who are you?" Celestria asked unsteadily "What moon floated high above, pale face ootreo by the grabbed me?" wings of night-roving bats. Celestria stared at the "I am Mlngor Ganconna," replied the man. "My creatures and a sudden fear gripped her, for they imp clutched you." He moved aside to reveal a tiller· were said to be harbingers of evil. But thao sl"e fled Ing creature with pointed ears and dragging tail. "I on. At that moment, bats seemed preferable to the am sorry he frightened you, Celestria." churlish, drunken Tancred. "How do you know me?" Soon she reached a gate in the castle's outer "I know many things." He grinned. "Andro found wall. It opened onto a sandbank on the near side of you on these moors years ago." the moat. A rotting boat stuck out of the mud nearby. "What else do you know?" Passing through the gate, Celestrla righted the "Almost everything." boat in the water. The craft took on some water, but •Tell me then, wizard! I seek the truth about my seemed sturdy enough to bear her weight to the far lifel" shore. Grabbing a flat piece of driftwood, she "You are Celemon, daughter of Finvarra, lord of climbed in and began paddling across the moat. No the elves." one noticed, save perhaps the bats whirling above; Dazed, she shook her head. "If I were Flnvarra's the court obviously had no fear of the rebels and mat· daughter, I'd be one of the Sidhe, and three hundred contents that traversed the land. years oldl" Once she'd reached lhe far shore, she hiked up "You are of the Sidhe; and though you age like a her skirts and ran. Mist enfolded her; her hair mortal now, it was not always so. But ... obey me streamed damply over her shoulders. She didn't and you may become immortal again.· know where she headed, nor really why-though a "What do you mean?" She shrank away. small voice inside her shrieked, "I want answers!" "I am Sidhe, like you. When that fool llmarinen Long hours passed before she tired, but she destroyed the Old Magic ... " slowed to a walk when she came upon a misty moor· "Do not speak so of llmarinenl" she flashed. land covered in heather and gorse. "I wondered Mingor laughed. "So you still care for him, even where I should go," she murmured. though you have lost all memories of him." As if in answer, the fog tore apart at that moment "What is he to me?" The question trembled off to reveal a line of enormous stones running across her lips. the countryside. Fearful but Intrigued, c :'lie stria fol· Mingor smiled. "He was once your betrothed, lowed the jagged avenue into the desolanon. whom you loved beyond death. The gods sent you Alter a mile, the row ended. Rings "' stones ap• back a second time to join him as a mortal woman, peared, crowning and surrounding tura::rli-ancient but their plans have gone awry. He cannot have burial places, reputed to be haunted. you." Celestria recognized this place at once• "Yes; I'm to marry Tancred." · Gravespell, where Andro had discovered her. Why "Nol You belong to me now. I will wed you, and should her wandering feet have brought lier here? give you immortality!" Trembling, she approached the n:· -unds She "No one can cheat death," she whispered. found one which had a grate in its side. Kneeling at "I haver When my strength waned after your II· the rusted bars, she peered into the • irkness be· yond. She could see nothing but blackr-rss, but she The Mythic Circle. Issue 5 ·-Paye 23 marinen drove magic from the world, I found a way to ·1 am goodt• He spoke violently, anger and preserve my youth ... I'll show you my discovery• doubt filling his eyes. •t have built this castle only to and also your past." preserve myself, to keep magic In a world that fades Mlngor wrapped a steely arm around her shoul• beneath the blighting touch of mortals!" ders. Stricken dumb, stiff as If frozen, she let him He dragged her into a hall roofed with thousands bear her from the mound and away across the moor. of close-slatted ribs. Skeleton-guards stood at atten• His Imp hopped behind, yanking at Celestria's dishe• tion against the walls. At the end of the hall, a maid• velled locks. en sat on a cushion, her mouth smiling Idiotically as As they journeyed on, the mist thickened, billow• she toyed with crystal chimes bound to her braids. Ing up In great, foul-smelling clouds. Celestrla's ·come, LerW ordered Mingor. The girl rose; Ce• stomach churned; her limbs felt lifeless. Then, sud• testria saw how thin and bloodless-looklng she was. denly, the mist vanished, borne away by a fierce She slumped submissively into Mingor's arms, head wind, and Celestria saw the source of its odor. lolling back to reveal a bruised throat. Looming ahead on the summit of a rise was a castle Mingor bowed his head to her neck, as If kissing of bones. It gleamed death-white In the moonlight. ii. The girl gave a sigh, as of great pleasure, before •Gods preserve mer· she gasped as Mingor car• collapsing on the tiles, her chimes smashing into ried her Into the shadowy gatehouse. On either side fragments. Mingor stared down at her, licking red• of her rose towers and spikes of splintered human dened lips. bone. Leg-bone upon leg-bone, bound by cords of "You've murdered herl" Celestria screamed. sorcery, rose to frame an archway over which a pitted "You are a foul Lhlannan-Sldhe, a blood-drinker!" skull leered like a gargoyle. Other skulls grinned "I forbid you to speak sol" he cried furiously. from nooks and crannies, gems glimmering In their "Lhiannan-Sldhe slay elves as well as men-I'd nev• eyesockets. Ribs and pelvises formed strange arch• er harm one of my ownl I drink blood only for the es, ·through which the wind moaned. good of our people, Celemon: to preserve the last of •Release rnal" Celestria wept. "Thls place Is hid• the Sldhe. Ah, I wish you would understand and join eous! You are not one of the Sidhel They were me In eternity(" good ... " "I could never murder-not even for immortality!" "Bah: Mingor kicked the dead girl at his feet.
The Mythic Circle, Issue 5 -- Page 24 . ; "You prattle foohshly. This wench was only a peas- holding a toothed knife at the window. The hand ant; if I hadn't taken her, she'd have soon died bear• moved rapidly back and forth as the dagger sawed ing the brat of some churl. At least, I gave her pleas• through the rigs. There was a snap, and several ure ere she died-It Is not for naught the maids of this bones tinkled to the floor. region name me Ganconna-the Lovetalker." "Tancredi" Celestria sprang from the bed as an• He neared Celestria, his bloody lips only inches other pair of bones snapped, and a hooded man from her face. ·1 can give you the same pleasure, but swung into the window. without death as a price. Cleave to me and you will The man hesitated. ·1·m not Tancred, lady. I am live forever-as is your righU- llmarinen." He threw back his hood, revealing the •1 don't want to hearl" proud face of llmaripan, hero-lord of Essarnadon "You will. Once you've seen how your life was of three centuries ago-and, once-upon-a-time, Celes• old, you will desire to live that life again." tria's betrothed, whom she'd loved beyond death. Grabbing her wrist yet again, he dragged her to a Bui not now, in this unhappy life ... she had to be high tower roofed with pelvises and lit by windows faithful to Tancred, for her foster father's sake. She'd barred by sharpened ribs. In the room stood a bed promised him she would be dutiful. and a vanity with a smoky mirror. "llmarinen," she whispered hoarsely. "I-I'm sur• Mlngor thrust Celestria before the vanity and prised .. ." forced her to gaze Into the mirror. "Look. Celemon. "You're not happy to see me?" Your former life." "Oh gods, of course I'm happy," she cried. She Celestria leaned forward as the glass cleared regarded him-her savior, her beloved, her first be· and colours swirled. Then two men appeared: an an· trothed. A magnet drawn to his steel, she touched gry Finvarra and a young Impetuous llmarinen. him. Then, throwing prudence and promises to the "See your true heritage," commanded Mingor. wind, she drew his head down to hers, and their lips •Realize that as a Sidhe, with me es your lord, you met fiercely, hungrily ... for a time. could be Queen of Essarnadonl Yes, between us we "You don't find me so odious new,• he whispered could renew our peoplel Our children might not even laughingly in her ear. need blood!" His hand slid down to the lacings on "No. You are llmarinen, my love." her gown. His eyes lit up. "You remember?" "Leave me alone!" She swung out and struck "I gazed Into a seeing mirror of my past and saw him. "Oh gods, I pray Tancred comes for me soonl" you there. Now I know that I am truly Celemon, and "Tancredi" he scowled. ·useless mortal, ugly you are my dearest lord.· even in youthl Did you not flee from him this very He kissed her again. "I'm glad you've discov• night?" ered the truth. I prayed it would be so." "Yes; but he's still my betrothed! I am sure he She shifted nervously. "Where's Tancred, llrna• will bring an army to your gates very soon I" rinen?" "He cannot help you here," said Mingor, turning "He's still floundering about In Ryslng, consulting to the door. "I shall leave you and let you think on sorcerers and diviners to determine if you are-ah• this. Don't try to escape; the bones would cut you to still worth saving. He'd sooner you lost your head ribbons." than your maidenhood." "Celestria bowed her head as Mingor slammed "That sounds typical!" she cried, forgetting herself out of the tower and greenish light filled the room. as a wave of anger shook her. Then she raised her head and peered back into the "Don't worry about him. Had you a thousand lov• mirror. Mingor was evil, warped by his desperation ers, I'd still want you. I've desired you for three hun• to bring back a bygone era, but she knew instinctive· dred years." He looked meaningfully at the rumpled ly that he hadn't lied about her past. bed. Days passed. Celestria grew wan and weak. Celestria shook her head. "We must depart. Mingor brought food, but she ate little, not trusting her Mingo r's imp may be listening at the door.• gaoler. She wondered why Tancred had not come. "You're right." Striding to the windowsill, he At first she told herself that he probably hadn't dis· swung his legs over, then opened his belt-pouch and covered her whereabouts. Then, as depression removed a sturdy rope. He knotted it around a firm gripped her, she guessed that he thought she'd been thighbone and let the end fall to the ground. "Put ravished, and was no fit bride for him. your arms round my neck," he told Celestria," and Sometimes she considered hurling herself hold on tightly." against the bone bars in the window, but common Celestria did as he bade, and llmarinen lowered sense restrained her. To be dead or mutilated would himself out the window. The rope burned his fingers, serve no one. So she lay on the bed, shivering in the and points of bone poked Into his flesh, but he didn't chill of the bone tower; or she gazed into the seeing• let go. Two lives depended on his strength that mirror and watched herself grow, love, die, then live night. again, in a time when magic was more powerful than The couple reached the base of the tower the greatest king. unharmed. llmarinen wrapped Celestria in his cloak, And she prayed, waited and prayed. and together they began to run. The night was foggy. Then one night a sawing sound woke her from the Bone Castle a grey blob behind them. uneasy slumber. Glancing over, she saw a hand The Mythic Circle, Issue 5 ·-Page 25 Suddenly several armed riders burst out of the into the pool. fog. Skeletal were the riders save one, and he was Mingor approached the weaponless man, sword Mingor Ganconna. Across his knees lay the limp upraised. "l'rn sorry to have to kill you unfairly, my body of a girl. "So." He frowned darkly at Celestria. lord, but I must have Celemon. The Sidhe must sur• ·1 go hunting and return to find my hall breached and vive. Celemon's children-and mine-will insure the my prize escaping. I will not have it, I say1· continuity of the sacred blood: llmarinen moved in front of Celestria. "You will ·sacred blood?· llmarinen retreated a step. not harm her.• ·waning blood, Mingorl The Sidhe will never be "Lord llmarinen. • Ming or gazed coldly at the great again: this is the age of Men! You can only pre• dark-haired man. ·1 challenge you. Fight me for serve yourself by foulness, no matter how hard you Celemon Ni Finvarral" wish it otherwlsel" Uneasily, llmarinen fingered his dagger, his only ·why should I believe you?" Mingor cried defen• weapon. sively. Mingor laughed. "You feel naked without a "Because I speak the truth!" sword, don't you? Have no fear. I'll lend you a •vou're wrong! My determination shall conquer!" weapon.• He drew a long bronze blade from under He lunged at llmarinen, as Celestria uttered a terri• his cloak and tossed it to llmarinen. fied cry. "I'd rather not fight you: said llmarinen, gazing llmarinen leaped back as the sword drove at him. levelly Into his opponent's icy eyes. "The Sidhe were The tip of the blade caught his left side, tearing a thin once my comrades. You are still their kindred, even line along his ribs. Blood reddened his tunic. Mingor though you've fallen.• laughed harshly and prepared to strike again ... but Mingor sighed Icily. "To be truthful, I would let instead he cried out, dropped his weapon, and rai• you go. You were a hero once, and friend to my sed his arms over his head. Aye, for llmarinen was race, though your unwitting destruction of magic striding forth, holding out his dagger. The blade was brought us to ruin. But ... • His face grew rigid. • ... I Iron-a metal deadly to creatures of the Otherworld. will have the girll I need herl" "I thought this might stay you: said llmarinen. "Then we must fight: llmarinen tested the edge "The Sidhe of yore learned to trust iron, but creatures of his borrowed blade. of the Dark never could endure its sight or touch. ·so be it." Mingor's lips tightened. "Follow me to Does your aversion not tell you how far you've fal• the Garden of Bones.· The Lovetalker and his reti• len?· nue rode back towards ttie bone Castle. llmarinen In silence, Mingor continued to cower. llmarinen and Celestria followed reluctantly, entering a garden grasped the vampire's upraised arm and pressed the where nightshade, yew and hemlock grew among flat of the dagger against his skin. At its touch, Min• pikes topped by skulls. Tinkling little ornaments of gor screamed and writhed. His flesh blackened bone dangled from every plant. where the metal touched; oily smoke filled the air. In the centre of this grotesqueness sprawled a He fell to his knees, still shrieking, as his face shri• pool spanned by a vertebrae bridge. The pool velled into a grotesque mask. "I've vanquished you looked deep and forbidding, its reddish waters without bloodshed, as I desired: said llmarinen. churning over several fang-like rocks. "Yield to me, and I'll remove the iron: Dismounting, Mingor took a sword from one of "I'm defeated, but I'll die ere I yield to a human: his retinue and began practicing sword-thrusts. llma• gasped Mingor. I~ a swift motion, he snatched llma• rinen watched him for a moment, then said, "l'm nei• rinen's dagger from his hand and thrust it into his ther fearful nor impressed. I'm as skilled with the own heart. Silently he toppled into the pool below sword as you: the bridge. Holding up his weapon, Mingor sprang onto the As he fell, a great rumbling came from the Bone bone bridge. "Show me your skills: he snarled. Castle, built by his sorceries. The roof, the turrets of llmarinen hurled himself onto the bridge, and the bone, shudered and then collapsed inwards with a blades of the two men clashed. llmarinen disen• roar. Cold flames licked the pole; a terrible cacopho• gaged and swung against, a low blow meant to dis• ny of unearthly voices screamed in joyous release. embowel, but the agile Mingor curved away and Skulls bound into walls popped forth, exploding, and thrust at llmarinen's midriff. The taller man dropped long-bones burst, showering needle-like fragments quickly to his knees, and the sword passed harm• over a wide area. Ribs clanged musically as they lessly over his head. Then, before Mingor could sprang from the crumbling windows. strike again, he stabbed up at the vampire's eyes. In the garden, the trees, shrubs, and deadly flow• Mingor shouted and reeied back, shielding his ers wilted and died, while on their pikes, the skulls eyes with a hand. llmarinen sprang at him, seeking burst like ripe melons. llmarinen leaped free of the to dash his blade from his hand and end the battle bone bridge as it collapsed, shattering completely on without bloodshed. But Mingor, realizing his intent, the rocks in the pool. The skeleton-guards fell in dis• shouted a sorcerous spell. llmarinen froze, eyes wid• articulated piles. llmarinen turned to Celestria. "You ening, as his sword writhed, smoked, and became a need fear no more, my love. Come away now: deadly adder. "CheaU- he cried, tossing the serpent In silence, she took his hand. They mounted one of the skeleton-rider's steeds and rode from the ruins The Mythic Circle, Issue 5 -- Page 26 of the Bone Castle. They stopped in an oak grove and its walls are Rysing, and its chains are the oaths not far away. and promises I've macer Still unspeaking, Celestria cleansed and bound ·1 will shatter the wallsl" said llmarinen. "And if I llmarinen's wound. He watched her "Vith solemn cannot destroy them, I'll climb theml Oh Celestria, eyes. ·celemon .. ." he began, at length. come away into the forests with me, and see if the "Do not call me thatl" she said. "Celestria's my bonds you have made here ... " Her touched her name in this lifel llmarinen-1 must return to Rysing, brow. • ... do not fall away." to Tancred. I'm still his betrothed, whether I will or I She hesitated for another moment, torn between nil. That's the law of this land and these times." ingrained duty and her own wishes. In her mind, the Shivering, she sat on a mossy log. Her topaz Bone castle loomed like a spectre. . . and then ii be• eyes clouded. Around her she could see, and feel, gan to crumble. She would not trap herself with Tan· cold walls rising-walls fiercer and more impregna• cred. Her foster-father would surely have under· ble than the walls of Mingor's Bone Castle. They stood-and If not, to the Devils with himl were walls built by time, and by her upbringing as a Smiling. she rose to face llmarinen. "My dear mortal girl. lord," she said, ·1 will go into the forest with you. The "Help me, llmarlnen," she wept. "The Bone Bone Castle is gone-forever." Castle rises about me again-only its lord is Tancred
INSIDE THE FAIRY TALE: WILL HE OR WON'T llE?
The earth trembles. The Cinderlad etande appalled. Was it an age, or only a year aoo, when Ille teeth are chattering like popcorn In a eack. quaking In this verv barn, the Cinderlad The walls creak. the wind whistle• in his ears, had said, "If it grows no worse, I can endure it"? atraw whips around his breast. Gripping a beam, Thal night the straw had only reached his wa1et, he steadies and apils out the worda, but how his stomach had lr•mbled and crawled! '"If It grows no worse • • • " Then suddenly had come • poignant elillnese Peace drif ling down on swan'• wings lo the fielde1 In hie mind, hie eldest brollier etorms, "Eicceptlone A mighty stead was cropping the lueclous green, are e1
The Mythic Circle, Issue 5 = Paqe 27