January Shadows

The midnight moon cast its lurid azure glow onto the stone courtyard of the citadel. The whistling wind blew across Nathan’s face as he put his cloak hood over him. His boots clicked on the stone surface as he walked alone into the spiraling steps that led to the top of the highest tower. When he reached the top, he went to the edge of the open aired balcony.

“What are these dark shadowy beings as they say? And is it true these…entities are responsible for the disappearing people?”

A hand touched his shoulder, to see nobleman Varian.

“You know it’s in situations like this where you are all alone and the shadows take people,” Varian said.

“So why are you here?”

Varian shrugged. “Just curious like you.”

The immense grandfather clock across from the tower rang once.

“It is one O’clock. You should sleep. Good night, Nathan.”

Nathan followed Varian down the steps and was on the stone surface of the courtyard. The men entered the castle and retired to each of their chambers and slept.

The sun budded its orange-red hue onto the clouds as morning started. Nathan opened his eyes as light came through his stained-glass window. He stood in his night attire then dressed into his noble robes and made his way down an arched hall and into the main antechamber.

About twenty people were already awake in the broad space, talking. Prince Asher in his flowing scarlet cloak and eagle crested brooch, approached Nathan. “Greetings, Nathan. I would say good morning but…with the disappearance of my sister…”

“We will discover what these phantoms really are and vanquish them.”

“That is a big promise.”

“Remember how I made the peace pact with our old foes, the servants of Lord Baron?”

“They were our enemies for centuries.” Asher turned and faced the castle gates and smiled at the cheerful light beams coming through it. “I feel like hunting.”

“I will not hinder you.”

Asher made for the gates.

Nathan resorted to the royal fountain gardens. There, he dipped his hand into the pool of a fountain shaped like a Lilly. He took in the moister in the air from the numerous fountains.

Nathan sat on a white bench and closed his eyes. Soon, he drifted off into a sleepy daze. He awoke at the voice of King Aretes. “Nathan.”

Nathan stood and bowed. “Yes, lord?”

Aretes paused. “What will we do if our citizens keep disappearing?”

Nathan was about to speak then Prince Asher ran up to the two men. “Father! I have interesting news!”

“What is it, son?”

“I met a man in the woods who says he is a priest with the power to eliminate the shadows!”

“What god does he serve?”

“He says he worships the Almighty God.”

“Where is this man?” said Nathan.

“He is waiting at the front gate.”

“Take me to him!” said King Aretes.

Asher led his father to the gate. Standing there was an old man in a sackcloth robe with a leather belt holding a staff. He bowed as Aretes neared him.

“What is your name, sir?”

“Eli. I know how to expel the dark beings plaguing your kingdom. They serve the enemy of the God I serve.”

“How will you do this?” asked Asher.

“I can sense these shadowy specters and banish them to the abyss.”

“What is the abyss?” asked Asher.

“A dark formless void, where the evil beings escaped from.”

“How soon can you do this?” asked Aretes.

“Tonight!”

“May I accompany you as you do this act?”

“As you wish.”

“Very well, Eli,” said Nathan.

“Now I must pray.”

“You may do so in one of the guest rooms.”

“Thank you, your majesty.”

“My son will take you there.”

Asher led Eli to the guest room. “Here you go. What time do we go?”

“At midnight-at the gates.”

“Very well, then.”

Nathan spent more time in the gardens and paced around then sat on the bench and switched from one to another.

Within hours it would be time.

Nathan sprinted to Eli who was at the gates.

“Stay close. I sense three shadow beings near us.”

Eli crept between the side of the castle building and the wall surrounding it.

Suddenly an ominous, dark figure rose up from the ground with glowing eyes. It shrieked and backed away.

“Return to the shadow realm evil being!” said Eli.

A dark spiraling nexus opened behind the shadow, and it was engulfed into the portal.

“We have two more left. I sense the next one-it is through the brown gate at the left of the courtyard.”

“The gardens!”

The two went to the gardens.

Nathan was breathing heavily.

They weaved in and out of fountains. Eli halted. “Behind us!”

They jerked around and a splash came from a fountain as a black figure leapt out at them. Eli stretched forth his and the manifestation shriveled up and was sucked into another portal like before.

“One more left!” Then Eli gasped. “The last one heading for the king in the castle!”

The two ran inside and went straight to the king’s room and burst through the door.

“Help me,” said Aretes, weakly.

Eli rushed up to him and pulled him out of the figure. It writhed about as Eli muttered something under his breath. The figure tried to flee but Eli thrust his palm and it literally froze. It toppled over and shattered to pieces.

Nathan and Eli went to Aretes.

“How do you feel father?”

“I feel drained, but I’ll be fine.”

“You know, this occurrence happens in January in various places. Your kingdom is not the first I have helped.”

“What about all the people that have been stolen?”

“They will return in time.”

Nathan sighed in relief.

Eli smiled with a bow. “Next year in another place, this will happen again in January. I bid you farewell.”

The mysterious, benevolent man exited the castle, and he was never seen again.