A Line Has Been Crossed

Thar be sarpents past the edges of thy sciences

"I can't read your writing, Eli. What in the world does this say?"

"'Owls.'" His tone rankled Louisa, as it usually did. Ever since they had become romantic, too many things Eli irritated her. She had considered breaking up with him. Maybe after the experiment...

She looked at Eli dubiously. "You'd better be able to read these notes better than I can, otherwise this whole thing could fall apart right in front of us!"

Eli looked at her coldly. "I told you this would work. Don't you trust me?" He paused, looking at her. Looking down on me, she thought. "Perhaps you have some words of wisdom? Hmm?"

Louisa's hackles went up. "You're spoiling for a fight lately, Eli, and I'm not going there. Whatever that chickenscratch is, just get on with the oracle's spell."

Eli looked away as he caressed the black owl. He murmured, "What a precious find you are..." There was a sudden screech as he plucked one of the dark feathers from the bird. It raised one sharp talon. Eli put the feather across the candle's flame. A nauseating stench arose immediately...but the bird put is foot down and became motionless.

Eli read a few words in a strange language from the tattered old book in front of him; the owl answered in the same language.

"Test it, Eli. Ask it something we know the answer to," Louisa whispered.

Eli cleared his throat. "Oracle, what is my name?"

"Eli," croaked the owl unnaturally.

"What is my mother's name?"

"Ulinda." No hesitation. Eli looked up at Louisa, eyes amazed. She held up a finger: one more test question. "Where are we right now?"

A pause this time. The owl's head turned to face Eli. "You are both in the land of the dead."

The candle blew out.


(Word Count: 300)