Time and Space

A new chapter will be added soon.

Chapter 6

“Steven, wake up.” Said Valcomist gently shaking him
“Just another minute.” muttered Steven through dry lips
“No we have to get going to Mearda.” said Valcomist picking Steven up and forcing him to stand. Zalcos was already up and waiting impatiently.
“What…” Steven began still drowsy.
“No time to talk.” said Zalcos walking towards the horizon “The shadows will find us soon and then we’ll be in for it.” Steven thus began on a forced march.
After an hour mountains came into view and Steven’s already soar feet cried out in protest. “Why can’t you just move us to Mearda?” asked Steven.
“Because time and space shifts at irregular paces and is impossible to predict so we may as well be trying to walk on water if we try such a thing.” Said Zalcos “It is a failsafe used to protect Mearda. This is why we will be safe from nearly any attack here.”
“How do you shift time and space?” Asked Valcomist as the land began to slope upward.
“It happens when there is a nonviolent collision of space and time which happened when time fazed into existence.” said Zalcos, as if it was common knowledge.
The day wore on as if through the haze of dreams. Each hour exactly like the last as they trudged up and then down the mountains. Little was said on their journey mostly because Zalcos rarely honored their questions with an answer. By that evening the city of Mearda had come into view. It was a magnificent walled city with sloping ramparts at the front. The curtain walls were at least 30 feet thick and made from steel colored material unlike any Steven had seen before. The portcullis was decorated with such intricate designs that the eye could not identify where one design ended and another began. Although the most impressive part of the city was the great castle at the center. It was at least a mile high with majestic carvings that gave the impression of grace and power. The gate to the castle was 3 stories high making the buildings near by look miniscule and unimportant.
“Behold Mearda.” Said Zalcos as Steven look upon the wondrous spectacle.
“Why does it look like a castle from 600 A.D.?” asked Valcomist.
“It is far too great for your eyes to comprehend.” Said Zalcos “So your mind constructs a image you can comprehend but it is a poor comparison to the city’s true grace and power.”
As they approached the city the gates flew open and Steven could see that many lights were inside accompanied by humans and other races that he could not identify. He even thought he caught sight of an elf, or at least a creature as tall as a human with pointed ears. Zalcos seemed to be leading them straight to the castle for it loomed ever larger.
Many lights and people of many different races greeted Zalcos as they passed by. Nearly everyone seemed to know him.
The castle seemed a lot more menacing than majestic up close and the carvings on the curtain wall seemed to glare down at Steven.
Then in a language unknown to Steven Zalcos cried “Open the gates to the beginning of time and the place where space resides.” To Steven’s surprise he could understand what Zalcos was saying.
The gates slowly open moments after Zalcos had spoken and a voice of thunder rumbled “Zalcos, it has been too long. Ah and you have a new apprentice. Valcomist last of the time singers. Welcome to Mearda and the Castle of Light and Darkness.”
“You know why I brought the boy.” said Zalcos more of a statement than a question.
“Yes.” Rumbled the voice “And you will have what you wish. This boy has power but he must be paired with a younger light. Those matters will be settled later. Come, enjoy my hospitality. Your journey has been, neither fast nor easy. Eat and be merry.”
The gate opened wider and Valcomist and Steven walked in eager to sit down.
Zalcos said “I will meet up with you later. There are some matters I must attend to first.” Then he was gone and Steven and Valcomist were left to enter the castle. The forbidding sense still accompanied Steven as he looked down the corridor. Then he and Valcomist walk forward in to the depths of the castle.