Desolation of the Night Shade

'The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished.' A golden liquid tide dragging her out into the vast empty waters, while the King stands on the shore, unmoving. Thomas cries out to his mother, watching her fade away, vanishing forever.

Once again the dream haunts him, waking him from a restless slumber. His father, the king, was possessed. Young Thomas knew this to be true. What else could be the reason for his recent erratic behavior. The dreams made him realize, it was up to him to save his father, there was only one way to do that, he had to fight a battle. A frightening thing for most twelve-year-old boys, but not him. He had a gift, the Queen recognized it, his father ignored it.

‘Forgive him Thomas, the king is filled with a sickness.’ His mother would whisper.

He used to be kind, gentle and loving. Lately though something seemed wrong, he now angered easy, his temper flared, and he hurt the ones he loved. The king wasn't to blame he couldn't be, Thomas thought there had to be more to it. He watched and observed and made a discovery, it was this knowledge that Led Thomas on his quest for the truth.

It wasn’t long before he discovered the cause of the problem. It was a demonic creature who lived in the shadows, a tall stoic figure who to everyone seemed like a protector…Thomas called him the Night Shade. The Shade's words wormed there way into the Kings ears, whispering broken promises and lies, waiting in silence, hiding secrets. Thomas found the secret by accident one day, but didn’t recognize it for the evil it was. Now, there was only one option, destroy the Night Shade and the secret dies with him.

Thomas may be young, but he was no fool, he was observant, noticing when the change in the King happened. During the day he appeared content, going about his routine. However, two months ago, Thomas witnessed the King return one-night, head down, kicking at the dry dirt on the pathway leading to the castle. Thomas glanced up, prepared to welcome him home. That was when he first saw it, a figure blending with the shadows, watching, staring as the King walked back to his castle. His mood was somber, no longer jovial and light. He snapped when Thomas asked him a question, then pushed him to the ground. It was then he saw the menacing creature for what it was. The distant eyes stared back at Thomas, gave a smirk, then melted away into the night.

It was the first time he laid eyes upon the Night shade.

He knew then, he would have to defeat the Night Shade, if he wanted the king to heal. So, he waited and planned until till the time was right, which was now.

The sun was setting in the western horizon fast, too fast for Thomas. Time was running out for him and the kingdom he swore to protect. If night fell before he completed his quest, then all would fail. By nightfall the king would once again be under the Night Shades spell. With sword in his right hand and shield strapped on his back, he began his trek. Heading for the land just beyond their home, the desolation. It wasn't always like that, a time not to long ago it was once golden fields of wheat that went on forever. This land fed a nation, he was told, now it was barren, dry, and dusty. The field was now littered with hollow stocks of dying plants, fighting to remain upright in the cracked earth. Breaking at the slightest touch. Following the path, he crept on his belly through the tall dying fields of wheat, slowly, cautiously, quietly, or so he hoped.

He knew where his foe would be waiting for him, the same place he had been every night for these past months. Thomas had tried to attack the demon before, but failed, the night shade always returned. Failure was not an option today, today was his last chance and he had to do this before darkness came. Once the sun set the Night Shade would have full powers, that was where Thomas made his mistake in the past , when he tried to vanquish his foe in the evening, ‘vanquish,’ he liked that word , the queen told him that word.

Thomas understood, when the sun sets the Night shades powers became stronger, he then has full control over the King. The battle will have to happen before that.

Smearing soil onto his face, he then takes dried wheat stalks that lay in the field and stuffs them into parts of his clothing, disguising himself so he can sneak up on his foe. The earthy scent gives him strength to continue. Before he claims victory over the demon, he has to defeat the Night shades ‘minions’ another word he learned from the Queen.

His first fight is with the ‘Vinelings ‘Which seem like a harmless ring of bushes, until you try to crawl through. Suddenly the vines reach out holding him down, wrapping long spikey vines around him. But Thomas was prepared, reaching for his axe, he hacks at the wiggly limbs until they slink away, soon there is a hole big enough to crawl through.

Next are creatures who live under the ground, they feel every vibration and sound from above. Burrowing from below they dig upwards and beneath you until the earth swallows you into a hole. But Thomas found their entrance earlier and poured water down into it until the creatures fled.

Now, all that is left are the dreaded Cawbats , flying creatures with heads and fangs of a bat and black oily feathers like a crow, attached to a leathery body. They always linger by the Nights Shades side, circling and swooping, watching, ever vigil.

Continuing on his belly, Thomas finally spots the Night Shade, standing silently waiting for him.

Thomas rises and screams. “Here I am, fight me.”

Carefully Thomas advances, suddenly he hears them before he sees them, Cawbats swarm over-head. As one they screech down, their talons extended, their mouths open, fangs exposed, just when he is about to be struck, Thomas raises his shield, crying out, “ Now Bain, Attack.”

A shadowy form leaps over him and attacks the flying creatures. ‘Bain’ his trusted woodland wolf, whom he raised from a pup, is there to save him. They have always fought side by side; Bain had stayed out of sight long enough, so they thought Thomas was alone and easy prey.

The powerful muscled wolf fights fiercely, for a large animal he is fast, batting at the creatures with his paws and snapping at them with his powerful jaws and sharp teeth, twisting and turning in mid air. Bain tosses the wretched creatures aside giving Thomas the time he needs to confront the Night shade.

Thomas dashes forward, facing his enemy, staring at each other, he crouches and slowly circles the Night shade, who towers over him.

Quicker than anticipated the Shade raises his three-pronged scepter, pointing it at Thomas and growls in a low menacing voice. “I am done toying with you boy, we shall finish this now.” A flame of green fire shoots from the scepter.

Thomas raises his shield in time, but the force is so powerful it knocks him back. Rolling to his right he crouches once more behind his shield as another stream of fire blasts him back again. This time pain shoots through his arm. Thomas feels pain and isn’t sure if he can withstand another blow. Once more a shadow form flies out of the field. Bain grabs the scepter in his jaws and tears it out of the demons hands. The shade screams, swiping his other arm at Bain, raking his talons across the brave wolfs back.

Thomas sees his chance, leaping up with sword in hand he strikes the Night Shade, once, twice, three times. Barely dodging a powerful arm that sweeps out, he rolls behind the Night Shade. With knees bent low, like Bain, Thomas jumps, sword held high, swinging down as hard as he can, smashing it into his nemesis head. Thomas’s sword snaps in half, but it has done its job, The Night Shade cries out, as the last rays of daylight fade into a pinky dusk, he crumples, falling heavily to the earth.

Thomas and Bain walk to the remains, patting the wolfhound, he says. “We did it boy, we defeated the Night Shade.”

Bain howls in victory, both exhausted, yet there isn’t anywhere else they would rather be, best friends side by side.

Together they had defeated the evil, all will be well once more.

As the first stars shine, poking a hole in the dark evening sky. A hollow yet melodic voice echoes across the field.

‘Thomas.’

Again, he hears his name from afar, he pauses, looking in the direction it came from.

“Thomas, its time to come in, its supper time.”

Glancing back, he spies the farmhouse on the hill, his mother standing on the veranda calling his name.

“Hey mom, we’re coming.” Yells Thomas.

Gazing upon the tattered remains of the scarecrow, which lay scattered on the ground, he walks to the sprawled form and gives it a kick, then another and another. Picking up pieces of his broken sword he strikes the 'Night Shade' repeatedly.

Panting heavily, he finally gathers his things, staring at the empty and now broken liquor bottles that were hidden inside the stuffing of the scarecrow. Golden liquid slowly gurgles out, soaking the once fertile soil with its poison. Smiling at the little terrier by his side he whispers. “Come on Benny let’s go home.”

Thomas and Benny run through the fields. With no scarecrow to land on, the crows cry out angrily as they fly away into the night.

Approaching the front porch, his mother looks down with a forced smile.

“Thomas you’re filthy, go wash up before you eat, leave those sticks outside and put that lid back on the garbage can. I made you an apple pie, your favorite."

As night envelopes the land, a porch light comes on, automatically creating a halo upon his mother, lighting her up like an Angel. Thomas looks up, a smile begins to form upon his lips, then suddenly he hangs his head low. His little heart skips a beat. His throat closes, not trusting his voice, he picks up Benny, holding him close to his face so his mother will not see his tears.

They begin walking inside the house, putting her arm around Thomas his Mother softly asks.

"You said you and Benny had an important quest to complete today, did you succeed?”

Thomas stares at the fresh bruise on his mother’s face and replies. "Not yet mom, but one day I will."