Shadows of Time: Shadow Maiden by B.R. Nicholson

Phooka’s
neck. Chief Al’Rul crumpled to the floor, coughing and tearing at
his throat. Moments later he ceased and rose to his feet, batting
off the outstretched hands of his war party.
    “We will do this last thing for you, and no
more,” he said, his voice raspy and venomous.
    “Excellent,” said Luthen, smiling with his
new boyish face. “You are free to go.”
    The Phooka snorted and pushed his way into
the portal. The rest of the war party gazed fearfully at Luthen and
quickly followed.
    After the last had disappeared through the
rippling surface, Luthen looked down at the girl clutching at his
cloak. He stroked her soft pale cheek, tracing his finger to her
chin. He pulled her face to look into his. “Do you see how they
cower in my presence? If you stay with me, you will make them
tremble as well.” Her eyes glimmered as he spoke.
    “Could I be powerful like you as well?” She
said. Her voice was soft and full of wonder.
    “Of course, child. Together we will be
invincible.”
    Luthen withdrew his hand and strode toward
the nearby window. He plucked the forgotten time charm from its
shelter under the low hanging window ledge. Gazing at it, he smiled
and tucked it into a hidden pocket of his cloak.
    “Come, my dear,” he said, smiling warmly at
the girl, “you are now queen . And there is much to do.”
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Amaeya hovered over Merrick, watching him as
he filled the large stove with broken chairs, yawning chests, and
fistfuls of kindling. The girl had stopped sobbing and watched him
just as intently.
    “How much longer is this going to take?” Her
voice was hushed in the darkness of the war machine. A slave
stirred in silence, setting her on edge. Seeing no Phooka in sight,
most of the slaves had fled without a word. Only a few clung to
their chains, too hopeless to move.
    “We’ll be ready soon. Are you sure all of the
wheels have been unlocked?” He piled a splintered table on the top
of the wooden heap slid a sparkling branch from his belt.
    “Yes, of course. Are you sure you can drive
this thing?” It had taken a while for Merrick to figure out the
mechanics of the war machine. However, he had finally found at the
very front of the body of the machine was a small lookout with two
large iron levers mounted underneath. Amaeya was perplexed that the
hulking structure could be steered by only that.
    Merrick nodded, reaching for the meager torch
she held in her hand. “Then we’re ready to be on our way.” He sat
the silvery branch gently in the stove. “Turn away!” Amaeya grabbed
the girl and whirled around away from the open furnace. A great
white flash erupted in the war machine. The slaves shrieked and
scurried away from the blinding light. Amaeya turned back around
and saw a large rumbling fire in the belly of the furnace. Merrick
slammed the door closed and rushed to the mounted levers. “You two
better find something steady to hold on to,” he said, gripping his
hands around the cold metal.
    Amaeya grabbed onto a chain mounted to the
wall and wrapped it around both her and the girl. “Dear gods, I
hope this works,” she said, clutching the child close.
    Merrick gently pushed the levers forward. The
war machine rumbled and roared to life. The massive wheels creaked
and rolled forward, rocking as it passed over the uneven ground.
The war machine crept from beneath the darkness of the city in the
sky. The craft quickly picked up speed as it rumbled across the
open meadow. Amaeya couldn’t help but laugh, feeling as if she had
somehow fell into a bedtime story. Such marvelous things never
happened to real people, let alone her.
    “This is remarkable!” Merrick glanced over
his shoulder at her, his eyes shining. “Who knew the humans had
such technology within their grasp. The things I could do with this
back home,” said Merrick, his voice distant. He continued musing to
himself, totally engrossed by the beastly device guided by his
touch.
    Amaeya simply sat in the