The Demon's Blade (11 page)

“It was impossible to conceal what happened from the people. Baran had ruled many years and was loved by the people of the town. Most of them have no love for elves. Had they discovered what happened, that Halas had slain his father over me, it would have meant rebellion.”

“When Boras returned, he conferred with Halas and they decided what had to be done. Boras assumed the title of Duke, and in order to prevent a rebellion and to protect me, Halas was executed for murder and treason, along with several of the guard who aided him."

Leianna halted finally, and began coughing again. She had become pale and sweaty, and, her hands had begun to. It would not be very long now. The potion had served its purpose. It had given her the time to tell her story. Jerris laid her down upon the bed.

"I will leave you for a time if you wish, to say your goodbyes," Darien said quietly.

"No... no.. it's.. alright. Come over for a moment. Let me see you." Darien looked down into her eyes, bright green like his own mother's. Leianna gazed back.

"What is it?" Darien asked, curiously, uncertain why his presence was even needed.

"So much pain... So much strife... It is written on your face and reflected in your eyes... Darien, I thought Jerris was ready to take up my journey on his own, but he is still too young, and too innocent. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but there is no one else. Please… help him. Keep him safe, help him find the hidden city if you can. I know you do not believe me, but I have faith, faith that fate has not brought us together for nothing. There is something about you, some hidden power, something you yourself do not see. I don't know why, but I know you will find it… Jerris, come near."

Jerris grasped his mother's hand and drew near to her face. "I'm here mother." He struggled to smile as best he could through his tears.

Leianna was now shaking all over, yet still she struggled to speak. "Jerris, my only child. You cannot know how precious you have been to me. I would… trade all my long centuries wandering and seeing the wonders of the world… if I could live just for a little while with you and your father as a family… do what you must… survive… find your destiny… live well, and live happily… My love shall always… be with you. I shall wait for you…, beyond the doors of death… May you live long… and happily before you see them." Her shaking then ceased, and she was gone.

Jerris buried his face in her pale breast and wept. Darien only turned away, in shock and in sudden indecision. What had seemed clear only a few moments ago was now horribly confused. Why did she ask me? Did she hear nothing I said? It will be difficult enough to evade Avirosa without caring for this foolish child. All the Executioner’s instincts, his experience, and every lesson he had ever learned about surviving in this world told him he should take the stone and flee, yet he could not dismiss Leianna's request. Was it because she reminded him so of his own mother? Was it the familiarity and sympathy he felt for Jerris? Was it guilt for putting Jerris in the sights of his own enemies? Whatever it was, it hurt, and he could not do more until he gathered himself.

"What will you do?" Jerris asked, still with tears in his eyes and long wet streaks down his cheeks where they had left tiny rivers of moisture. Darien could see the desperation of the question in the young man's eyes, and those eyes now burned into him as no spell of the Master ever had.

"I don't know," Darien answered, honestly and uncertainly, lacking the characteristic force with which he usually spoke. "Please, I… I need to clear my head and think a while. Stay here for a time, I must be alone with my thoughts." Jerris nodded, as if understanding the pain that the older half-elf now felt. Darien then made his way toward the outer entrance of his secret room, where hopefully the cool night, with its accompanying darkness and silence, would allow him to regain his composure.

Chapter 11: Changing Course

The night wind blew cool through Darien’s raven hair. It would have been cold by the measure of most men, but to the Executioner, it was just chill enough to be comfortable. Dry autumn leaves crackled in the wind. But for that, the forest was quiet. The events of the past hours had shaken the normally cold and immovable man to his very core, but the darkness and the silence provided some small measure of comfort to his troubled mind. In the shadows of the trees, he struggled to come to a decision. The prudent thing to do would be to hide the talisman, exactly as he had intended, and yet, there was something about the words of the dying Leianna that gripped his heart, an echo of his own mother’s dying words that pulled the painful memory to the surface of his mind, and threatened to drown out all reason.

"What will you do now?" Darien heard a voice speak. He whirled to his left at the sound. The voice, however, was familiar.

"You!" Darien exclaimed. "Ezra, was it? How did you get here?" Sure enough, there stood the old man he had first met in the fog five years ago.

"It was. I'm flattered you remember, and I suppose I got here the same way you did," the old man spoke whimsically as he leaned upon his gnarled staff. "You seem to be in a difficult situation once again."

"My situation is always difficult. You should know that."

"True enough, but this is something else entirely, is it not? Something out of your experience?"

"I suppose so," Darien said. "What do you make of it? Can you tell me anything about this Star of Kings, or about the starstones, or the ancient elves?"

"Not much I’m afraid, and that isn't what I meant anyway."

"What did you mean then? I assume you chose to appear here for some reason other than to state the obvious to me," Darien scoffed, stepping to his left and leaning on a nearby tree.

"Well, yes, obviously." Ezra smiled through his scraggly white beard. "I meant that it's quite out of character for you to be so helpful, and now it seems that choice has gotten you into some trouble, hasn't it?"

"Obviously. So, I shouldn't have helped the boy? Is that it? If you showed up just to tell me that, you needn't have bothered? Of course I realize that already," Darien growled. "Do you have anything helpful to say? I remain grateful for what you did for me before, but I have no time to waste debating decisions already made."

"Well said, young one. It is better to focus on the present problem, rather than lament over past mistakes," Ezra said in a fatherly tone, lecturing the experienced mage as if he were a child. Darien bit his tongue, holding his temper in check, and allowed the insult to pass. He found it strange to be roused so quickly to anger at words, but somehow, Ezra seemed to know exactly what to say and how to say it to elicit a strong reaction in the usually dispassionate man. After a slight pause, Ezra continued, "The question remains then. What will you do now? Will you take up the elf woman's impossible quest? Will you keep the boy with you or send him to his likely capture and possible death?"

Darien sighed deeply. I suppose there's no use asking Ezra how he knew any of this. I may as well move on. "Well, do you know anything about this hidden elven city, Kadanar? Does it really exist?"

"If I knew, I would tell you. I have heard of hidden clans of elves in various places, but nothing more than rumor and legend. I would not send you chasing after them. It may still exist. It may have existed once, but now be gone. It may never have existed, and be nothing more than a legend."

"So you don’t know anything more than I do,” Darien grumbled. “Well, if you have no new information, then just say whatever it is you mean to say, do whatever it is you mean to do, or just leave me to my predicament."

"Hmm, well, your manners haven't improved much. You know a bit of idle conversation is a good way to gather information." The old man frowned as he spoke.

"Getting information out of you seems to be like getting rain from the heavens. It either appears or it doesn't. It's hardly constructive to ask."

"Ha!" the old man laughed, and continued to do so for several seconds. "Very well then. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for your current dilemma. I cannot see the future any more than you can. Any choice may lead to ruin, or may make no difference whatsoever, but I will give you some advice. Beware of giving in to the will of the Demon Sword."

"What does that mean? I haven't even noticed it since that day, when you cast your spell. How can I give in to the will of the sword if I can't even feel it?" Darien questioned, shaking his head in irritation at what he perceived to be nonsense.

"Hehe," Ezra laughed heartily, throwing his head back to clear his disheveled hair from around his face and allowing Darien to clearly see his dark brown eyes. "Just because you see something, does not mean it is real. It may be a trick, or an illusion. The opposite is true also. Just because you do not see a thing, does not mean it is not real, for it is much easier to conceal what is plain than to reveal what is hidden."

"So you mean the Demon Sword can take control without my knowing?" Darien questioned skeptically.

"Not take control, but gain influence, corrupt slowly, seep into you over time, until it is too great to resist when it attacks, not unlike the poison that infected the woman."

"I see. So what do I do? You told me before all I had to do was resist the temptation to use its power, and I have. Now you tell me that this is not enough. What am I to believe then?" The half-elf’s voice showed equal parts confusion and frustration.

"He sees so much and yet is still so blind." Ezra muttered beneath his breath.

"What?" Darien asked, not quite making out the old man's words.

The old man made no attempt to clarify his mutterings, but instead Ezra spoke calmly, in a firm and quiet tone, all of the previous joviality leaving his voice. "Think of it this way. You may not be able to feel the will of the demons of the sword, but you know they are present, and surely you can imagine what the demons would have you do, were they to bend you to their will. A man is ultimately defined by his choices, and such choices as you make can make it more difficult for the sword to corrupt you, or far easier. Beware the temptation of the easy path, for it is often a path to evil.”

“What does that even mean, the easy path?” Darien argued crossly. “The only path I ever pursue is the one most likely to be successful, most likely to keep me alive. All my choices are based on that. What else is there?”

The old man sighed deeply again, shaking his head. “Still you cling to the lessons of your old teachers, and their narrow vision of the world, so you do not see. Very well then, I will speak plainly. You have been idle here too long, and your enemies are catching up to you. The sword, too, pursues you, but more subtly. Never forget that. It may not give you any warning. It may come upon you suddenly, unexpectedly, when you are most vulnerable, and least prepared. You are ill prepared for the dangers that you may face at any moment. Are you strong enough to face Avirosa now? If you are not, then the sword may prey upon that weakness. Do not trust luck to be with you as it has up until now.”

Darien paused to consider the words. At least the old man had finally made his point. I have been trusting too much to luck, too much to chance, he thought. I have become comfortable in this easy existence, and only luck has saved me from disaster thus far. So what should I do now? How do I discern the will of the sword if I can’t feel it? Am I supposed to guess? Lost in thought as he was, he failed to notice Jerris approaching.

"Who were you talking to?" Jerris asked, jolting him out of his state of concentration.

Darien immediately looked up to where Ezra had been standing, but there was nothing but empty darkness. Gone again. "It's no one Jerris. You must be hearing voices on the wind. Why are you out here anyway? I told you to stay where you were."

"I was… Well, I was worried I suppose. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"You were worried about me?" Darien chuckled.

"It isn't funny," the now irritated young half-elf replied. "Anyway, I just wanted to say that it was… unfair of my mother to ask you what she did. I will honor our original bargain. You have upheld your end, and I will be a man of my word. That's all there is to it."

"And what will you do then? Where will you go?"

"I… don't really know, but that's not your problem. I got myself into this mess. I knew I was putting myself in danger. I knew there was a chance it would end badly. Now that it has, it's my responsibility to deal with it, at least that's what I think about it." Jerris tried but could not hide the quaver of fear and apprehension in his voice.

Though he must be terrified, he is managing to keep himself together, Darien mused. He's mustering all of his will just to hold back the tears. He is an admirable lad, if inexperienced. It would indeed be a shame if the Master got ahold of him. "You put on a brave face, Jerris. You are indeed more formidable than you appear," Darien declared. "Now let's head back. We have a long journey ahead, and we need to move quickly."

Jerris, appearing dumbfounded, could only stammer out, "But… but I said…"

"Yes, I heard you quite well," the older half-elf said. "You have more courage than sense, but that is not entirely a bad thing. I have sense enough for both of us, and if you pay attention, you may learn enough to stay alive. If I may count upon your courage, you may count upon my skill and strength. I make no promise that we can find your hidden city, or that we will even get the opportunity to look for it. It is far more likely we'll both end up in the Demon King's dungeons, but I am willing to share the risk if you are."

Jerris simply stood in the dim moonlight, befuddled, perhaps wondering if he had heard correctly. Finally, he managed to speak "Um… Yes, Yes of course. Thank you, but where are we going?"

"Away from here, as quickly as possible," Darien said as he began heading back off to the hidden room. Jerris followed behind.

"Can I ask you something?" Jerris asked once they were back in the hidden room. "I know we must leave soon, but do we have time to give mother a proper burial?"

"Once we have all that we need, I will use a spell to collapse the cavern. Outside, we can place a stone if you wish."

"Thank you,"

The two men hastily prepared some supplies, a few potions, a dozen of the magic torches, a few days’ worth of food, a bedroll, and a coil of rope. Far too little for the beginning of a long journey, but there was nothing else. When all was prepared, Jerris said a final farewell to his mother, and went to the outer entrance while Darien collapsed the cavern. He took a dagger, poured some water over it, and dragged it around the outer wall of the room, tracing a dark line of moisture. When the entire room had been circled, he returned to the outward tunnel, and then clenched his hand around the dagger, triggering the spell. The dirt where the line had been traced loosened, and began to flow like sand, filling up the cavern. Then he sighed, turned, and left.

Once outside, the two men walked back towards the wall. Darien pointed to a spot where the ground had sunken slightly. It was deepest in the middle, and shallower toward the edges. Darien traced a square in the ground with his sword, and the ground rose up slightly, hardening into a stone. Upon the stone, Jerris carved his mother's name, and they were on their way.

The morning air was clear and cold. Winter set in quickly in the north. A stiff wind blew out of the west, making the autumn leaves fall in a slow rain of yellows, oranges, reds, and browns. Another week or so, and the forest would provide no cover at all. They set out to the east at a steady pace, the quickest Jerris could maintain. Jerris followed at first, but soon ran up beside his newfound guardian. "So now can you tell me where we're going?" Jerris asked.

"East, and then south," Darien replied. "I mean to make for the city of Vorog."

"Vorog is a busy city. Won't it be difficult to get through unnoticed?"

"Maybe, but we have few options. Winter is setting in, and there are only so many ways to travel. The Red Mountains of the north are scattered into many smaller ranges. These ranges cross each other all over the region, creating a maze of impassable ridges and settled lowlands. This region is called Vorstal. High ridges surround and enclose the Duchies of Kantu and Jontu. In summer, there are ways over the mountains, but those will already be impassable by now, leaving only two ways which we can get out of this pen, the two passes under the mountains, Stalag in the west and Vorog in the southeast. Avirosa will know this as well. He will probably have all ways watched, but he will most likely expect me to head west, away from my enemy, and he’ll concentrate his strength at Stalag, probably even go there himself. I don’t particularly want to meet the Wraith in a busy city where I can’t see him coming," Darien explained.

"Avirosa? That's who the Duke mentioned. Was he sent to kill you by the Demon King?"

"Yes," Darien answered. "Avirosa the Wraith is the Master’s best assassin. His specialty is stealth, tracking, and eliminating targets in foreign lands where discretion is required."

"The Master? You mean the Demon King?" Jerris asked curiously.

"Oh yes, sorry, an old habit," the Executioner explained. "He regards the Shades as his living weapons. Shades are taught to be unthinking, ruthless instruments of his will. They may only refer to him as 'Master', and they learn to carry out his will unflinchingly as if they were no more than a blade in his hand. Besides that, he taught me much of the magic I now use. Even now, I find it difficult to think of him as anything but Master."