Chaos and the Beltane; Chapter 3 part 1

Time takes many things and many forms. In most cases what time takes is subtle. Walking around the Beltane in the between time with a beautiful girl was something Nicolai was sure he would mark for the rest of his life. He knew her from somewhere, he just couldn’t seem to place it. His gut told him to trust her.


There are secret passageways deep beneath the surface of the Beltane. It’s a small labyrinth that leads to the center of Beltane Castle. Jocelyn led Nicolai by the hand through the woods to the edge of a brook that had a small cave entrance.

“What I’m about to show you is one of the biggest known secrets. Most people consider this place a myth. Can you keep a secret Innate?” She asked.

Nicolai’s interest peaked a little. ‘Why would she want to show me the secret entrance to the palace?’

He took a deep breath, another thought entered his mind. ‘She knows.’

“Well, you know my secret, so I might as well know yours,” He said.

Jocelyn smiled a little then took his hand again. Butterflies filled Nicolai’s stomach. He didn’t know if it was because she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen or if it was because of all that was happening. He accepted it as part of the fates and walked in with her. She didn’t speak again. Nicolai could feel the Chaos run through the veins of the cave walls. The deeper in, the stronger it became. A soft hue of blue and gold light became stronger as they approached the center of the passageway.

“We are almost there. Come. There is much to talk about.” Jocelyn said.

“Talk with who?” Nicolai asked.

“No more questions. There is much you don’t know.” She said.

‘That is understating the most obvious.’ He thought.

A cool breeze brushed past, sending shivers through Nicolai. Ancient drawings covered the walls. Some of them were familiar to him. “This one is about the sword of life, and this one is about the sword of Death. I thought they were nothing more than bedtime stories told. What is all this about? Why are you taking me here?” Nicolai asked.

“We don’t have a lot of time. The Between time is almost over. The bad man comes,” Jocelyn said.

“Bad man? What are you talking about?” He asked.

“I promise to tell you everything as soon as we are safe,” She said. She tugged on his hand and pulled him towards her. Nicolai felt his skin tingle. He looked into her eyes.

“As you wish,” He said with a slight grin on his face.

He smiled and pulled him down the passage way until they came to a chamber. The large room had three doors. Above each door in ancient Vale words said, Past Present Future. A high ceiling with beautiful beams of decorated wood formed an octagon at the top. Three hanging fires topped the center of each door. Two large crystals stood in the center of the room. Each one of them had the handle of a sword sticking out of it.

Nicolai stood in front of them in awe. “They’re real,” he whispered.

“Now, we wait. My brother should be here soon,” Jocelyn said.

“Who is your brother?” Nicolai asked.

“Perhaps its better if I explain,” A different voice answered.

Nicolai turned around and then bowed in the presence of Prince Albert.

“Sire,” Nicolai said.

“I’m sorry about the ruse. It was necessary so I could talk to you about something that is going on in the palace. I fear we are all in danger,” Prince Albert said.

“Why would you want to talk to me?” Nicolai asked. “I’m nothing but a poor merchant’s son.”

“My Seeker said you would say that. Seems she was spot on, huh sister?” Prince Albert said.

“Mwertle spoke of me?” Nicolai asked.

“Yes. He did. We will get into that a little more later, for now. I need you to listen to all that has happened over the last few months. An evil has invaded the walls of the Beltane. I don’t know where it comes from yet, but I know it has infected my family.”

A loud noise sounded from the ground above, causing the ceiling to shake.

“It’s started. We’re too late. Jocelyn, you know what to do. Now! Go!” Prince Albert yelled.

Nicolai stood still for a moment. His mind flashed to his mother and sister. Hoardes of footsteps sounded down the passageway. Prince Albert turned to his sister, “Go!”

She ran towards the middle door. A piece of the ceiling fell to the floor, blocking the door. “The way is blocked!” She yelled at her brother.

“Do you have a sword?” Prince Albert asked.

Nicolai rushed over to the silver sword with the blue gem in it. “I’ll borrow this,” he said before Prince Albert could stop him. Nicolai lifted the sword from the Chaos Crystal.

A glow appeared from the sword when he lifted it from its home. A soft song filled the air. Prince Albert looked at the boy in front of him. “You should be dead.”

A loud yell from the hoards echoed through the passageway. “Never mind that now.” Prince Albert said.

Nicolai could feel the magic of the sword flow through to his very soul. He couldn’t stop looking at it. The way it shined in the light from the hanging fire made it look like something that wasn’t from this world.

“By the gods. There must be a hundred of them coming.” Prince Albert said.

“A wise man once said tis better to flee and live to fight back than to fight impossible odds.” Jocelyn said.

“Where are we suppose to go? The passage to the present is blocked and if we go back to the past, we risk doing more harm than good.” Prince Albert said.

“What are you talking about?” Nicolai asked.

“There is always the future. What choice do we have? Our uncle has gone mad with power and our mother is under his spell.” Jocelyn said.

A scouting hoard entered the room. It stood as tall as a giant. It had coal black tree bark looking skin, sharp pointed teeth and a flat face. Prince Albert lunged at the hoard with his sword. His sword didn’t penetrate the bark skin. Nicolai followed suit. Blood spurted from the wound Nicolai’s sword made. He lunged again at the hoard again, this time he thrust the sword into its heart. The hoard fell to the ground.

“Alright! Come on. If we’re going to do this, let’s go.” Prince Albert said.

Nicolai didn’t wait for an invitation; he followed the prince and princess through the door. Part of him didn’t believe it would lead to the future. Then again, he was sure the swords were nothing more than bedtime stories too.

When Jocelyn opened the door, a white light filled the chamber. It made everything around them move in slow motion. The hoards that entered the room froze where they were. Jocelyn looked back at her brother and the boy who Mwertle said would save the land.