ASCALON

The spirit stood in the dark woods edging the meadow and studied the silent abode. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Slowly, he transformed himself into a mottled grey viper and slithered through the grass beneath the silvery moonlit mist.

The moonlight was waning, but he didn’t need the light. He had taken the viper form to avoid detection when he visited the creatures the previous two nights. Tonight, his task would be complete.

He flicked his tongue and tasted their scent. It was deliciously innocent and trusting.

The feeble light filtered through the trees. He moved between the shadows like a wraith and approached a simple structure carved from the rock in the hillside. It had no door to prevent him from entering.

The single room held few furnishings: a simple table was strewn with fruits and vegetables, wooden plates and cups, and a large bowl for washing. In the corner, on a luxurious pile of soft, fragrant pine boughs, two creatures slept together, unaware of the danger lurking in the darkness.

The serpent crawled between them, its pupils round and relaxed. It moved to the female’s face, raised its head, and considered the delicate features. It flicked its tongue, kissing her cheek, then it casually slipped through the long folds of her hair and coiled like a caress around her neck. He tipped his head, opened his mouth, and leaned closer. The spirit snake whispered in her ear, each word tickling its way into the woman’s unconscious mind.

Her face scrunched then, and she moaned. Her mouth puckered, and her eyebrows pushed together in a frown. The words had taken root. The viper slipped away.

❦——❦

A chuckling river flowed from the distant mountains as a lone figure walked along the riverbank. Karkryan munched on a piece of fruit, then sat on the grass in the hot sun, and dipped his foot into the water, and, just as quickly, yanked it out. The mountain water was ice cold. He tossed the fruit core into the swift current. It lodged in some stones at the river’s edge further downstream.

He stayed there for a while, his arms wrapped around his bent knees, and watched the water rush past. His work was hard but satisfying, and he needed to rest his sore muscles. The sun rose higher, turning the day significantly warmer. He splashed water on his face, cupped his hands, and took a swig of cold water.

“Karkryan!” The man stood, then saw his wife, Ari Eva, running across the meadow toward him. Laughing and skipping, she hurried through the grass and flowers, carrying several luscious-looking pieces of fruit. The fruit was unfamiliar to him.

“Darling!” said Ari Eva. “You must taste this fruit. It’s delicious! I brought enough for our dinner tonight.” She raised a luscious round pink fruit to her lips and took a bite. “It’s exquisite,” she murmured. Her eyes closed as she chewed slowly, a smile of contentment dimpling her cheeks.

“Ari Eva, where did you get this fruit?” asked Karkryan, taking a large, fragrant fruit from her and studying it. He sniffed the sweet fragrance and rubbed his hand over it, feeling the firmness of its rosy flesh.

“From the middle of the meadow garden. Orphedian said it would be the most delicious we ever tasted,” said Ari Eva, waving a hand. “Go ahead. Take a bite.” She watched as her husband hesitated, his head bowed. Then, he took a bite and munched. His eyes opened wide as the sweet-tart flavor burst into his mouth, overwhelming his senses.

“Oh my, this is delicious,” he said as a satisfying languor stole over him, seeping into his very bones. He devoured the fruit and reached for another, chomping into the fruit with vigor.

A spirit casually strolled from between the trees and followed the path to where Ari Eva and her husband stood. Karkryan recognized the entity and stepped forward to block his way. The entity, known to the couple as Orphedian, was dressed in a simple tunic and sandals.

“Where are you going, Orphedian?” said Karkryan. He wasn’t too fond of the spirit. There was something about this entity that rankled him.

The spirit, feigning innocence, observed the man for several moments, noting the partially eaten fruit in his hand with amusement. He smiled benignly.

“Enjoying the day, I’m sure, just like you,” said Orphedian. Sensing the man’s dissension, Orphedian’s pupils narrowed to vertical slits, emphasizing the brilliant gold of his irises. He tipped his head sideways. “So, what is that to you, Karkryan? This is a large planet, after all, and I should be able to do as I please.”

“The High King has given me to this world to care for it. I tend the fruit trees, plants, and shrubs. I till the soil on the hillside for vegetables and seed-bearing flowers, and I care for all the living creatures,” said Karkryan. “You, however, upset the animals whenever you are around, and you always seem to have an ulterior motive. Moreover, you distort the truth. I think you need to leave. Now, please.”

“Why do you think I distort the truth? Tell me, Karkryan, how do you know what truth is? Is it because the High King has told you never to question him, nor to consider another way?” Orphedian folded his hands behind his back, his gaze on Karkryan’s face.

“It is because the High King has given us an inherent, transcendent truth, written on our hearts from the day we were first formed. It is our measuring line by which we determine all things, whether they are good or bad.”

“But why is something bad? Couldn’t it just be different?” said Orphedian. He continued to smile benignly. “I don’t understand your reasoning, Karkryan. You are being disagreeable again.” He leaned against a tree and raised his chin.

Karkryan pursed his lips, walked to another tree, and picked a ripe fruit from its branches. He held it out. “This fruit is newly ripe, and its flavor will be at its best.” He took a fallen round of fruit from the ground. “This fruit is bad. It is decayed. You can clearly see the difference between them. It may taste sweet and juicy at first, but the inner core has decayed, and soon the whole flesh will be corrupted. It’s useless,” he said, tossing both fruits into the river.

“Karkryan, I don’t feel so good,” whispered Ari Eva, feeling faint. The fruit she carried slipped from her arms and fell unnoticed to the ground. Her face was pale, and perspiration beaded her forehead. She grasped her husband’s arm to steady herself. “What is happening?” Her head lolled side to side.

Karkryan was beginning to feel unwell too. The sweetness of the fruit had turned dry and bitter tasting in his mouth. He felt as though worms had invaded his stomach, twisting, and turning inside him, leaving him cold and empty.

Orphedian took the partially eaten fruit from Ari Eva’s hand as it rolled from her fingers. He grinned and held it aloft like a trophy. Throwing his head back, he laughed.

“Oh, you are so right, Karkryan! Soon all flesh will be corrupted and worthless, thanks to you.” Orphedian took a gleeful bite of the fruit and immediately spit it out. It burned his tongue. He flung the fruit into the river and glared at the two creatures.

“Karkryan! What does Orphedian mean? Please, tell me!” said Ari Eva. Her gaze searched her husband’s downcast face, and his expression frightened her.

“My beautiful Ari Eva,” he said, cupping her cheek with his hand. “It means the trees in the middle of the meadow are the High King’s measuring line, and we have been found wanting. We were never meant to eat this fruit.” His head dipped and swiveled side to side. “The High King asked us to trust and obey him. You were deceived, but I disobeyed.”

Ari Eva crumpled to her knees and wept in despair. Karkryan knelt and held her in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. Anguish rolled over him, stealing his breath. He gulped for air.

The entity observed the creatures as they held each other, trying to comfort one another in their grief. He laughed menacingly. Suddenly, the simple tunic and sandals he wore transmuted into a gleaming gold breastplate with jewels signifying the highest rank of the spirit legions.

“I am the Dark Prince, Darnathian, and I will be exalted,” said the spirit. Then he sauntered down the path and disappeared.