The Mirror And The Maelstrom (Book 4) (34 page)

“The test is relative, Kael. I have seen those living in the cradle of plenty act as if they struggle and those scraping for an existence smile with happiness and contentment in the little they possess. Look to the Borz or the people of Sprite for that matter. These two peoples live in places the rest of you dare not visit. Both find happiness and beauty in the harsh worlds they inhabit.”

Kael thought on Aemmon’s words then stopped and turned to face his brother. He stared at the scars on Aemmon’s neck.

“Why did you need to die?” questioned Kael softly.

“How could I not?” replied Aemmon. “How could I ask you to seek love through struggle, hardship and death, yet not be willing to face the struggle myself? How could I ask for your love yet allow only you to go through the pain of its forging?”

Aemmon and Kael halted before the pair stationed in front of the walls of Delvi.

“You honor Us with your efforts,” stated the figure in white.

Kael bowed his head in reply then turned to the figure in gray.

“Master Hilro,” said Kael. “It is nice to see you.”

“It is nice to be seen,” laughed Hilro. “In fact, I intend to be seen more in the future.”

Kael arched an eyebrow at the cryptic response.

“We decided one of Us shall remain here amongst you,” said Avra. “Amird is gone, but his influence will stain this world for eternity. Many will need guidance.”

“I spent quite awhile providing such guidance to those who wandered my way,” added Hilro.

“Those who disappeared from the Nagur,” stated Kael.

“Greed motivated many of those men,” confirmed Hilro. “Others held darker secrets within their hearts. I helped them see the fruitlessness of clinging to a life of material goods. I set them on the path.”

“To Delvi,” stated Kael.

“To Delvi,” confirmed Hilro. “The order grew of its own accord once I started it, but periodically I bolstered its ranks with those I came across in the Nagur.”

Hilro paused as the gates to Delvi swung open. Women and children rushed toward the battlefield in search of loved ones.

“There has been both great pain and great joy here today,” stated the gray giant. “I believe my guidance shall commence to heal wounds both physical and emotional.”

He strode out amongst the crowd and a multi-hued, aura of power radiated from him, washing all about in His light.

Crowds milled about searching. Friends and loved ones discovered the bodies of those dear to them and heads bowed in sorrow.

Cefiz rushed through the battlefield, his eyes frantic. Many had fallen, but Windrider casualties were comparatively light. Here and there sprinkled amongst the dead lay a body clothed in the black silk of the Borz. His eyes scanned their faces.

He spied a figure a dozen yards from his position. The body lay twisted on the ground, its features hidden from view. Cefiz’s heart sank and fear welled up within his belly. The Guardsman sprinted to the fallen Windrider. He knelt and slowly turned the prone figure over.

The lifeless eyes of a young woman stared up into those of Cefiz. The Guardsman felt shame. How could he find relief in the death of another. His hands passed across the face of the Borz woman, closing her eyes for eternity.

Cefiz rose and tears flowed freely down his cheeks. He wiped them dry and found himself looking at a pair of Windriders picking their way through the crowd. The smaller supported the weight of the larger. The injured Windrider’s leg dragged uselessly behind the duo.

Cefiz walked toward them, weaving his own path through the confusion. As he closed on the pair he became convinced the smaller Windrider was a woman. His pace quickened. A third Borz assassin hailed the pair and moved toward them. The woman’s face came into focus. Cefiz broke into a run.

Vieri returned a greeting from Sayid and called for his help. She assisted Viday Shan to a healer. Viday’s free arm rose and Sayid ducked under to support the other half of the Shan leader’s weight. Vieri adjusted and looked up to see Cefiz racing toward her. Viday’s face was weary but he smiled and whispered to the woman. She returned the smile and slipped from beneath Viday’s weight, sprinting toward Cefiz.

Kael stared at a far different reunion. He held himself in check. The boy wanted to give the pair a chance to focus. Aemmon and Brelg walked briskly toward one another across the smoldering battlefield. The pair warmly embraced and stayed locked in one another’s arms for a long moment. When they broke free, they simply stared with a wide grin on each face. Finally, Aemmon spoke and tears flowed freely down the cheeks of the old sergeant.

“Brelg is a man unlike any other,” came the voice of Avra at Kael’s side.

The boy turned and looked into the shining face of his Creator.

“I needed a man of such strength to guide the life of my Son,” continued Avra. “Brelg has always been that man.”

Kael looked back to see Brelg and Aemmon approaching. Brelg opened his arms wide and threw them around the boy. Aemmon stepped beside Avra.

“We will leave you now,” said Aemmon. “But know that We love you and Our thoughts are always upon you.”

“Hilro will remain amongst you on this world, both seen and unseen,” continued Avra. “Be ere vigilant against evil, Kael. We will be waiting for you when your time comes.”

Kael smiled at his brother then turned to Brelg.

“Let’s go home father.”

Granu struggled forward carrying the body of Brother Shor. The giant’s face was grim and his eyes cloudy. The crowd parted to let him pass. Suddenly, he stood face to face with Hilro.

“You are angry because you lost a friend,” declared Hilro.

Granu nodded and laid Shor at his feet.

“Do you truly believe him lost?”

Granu pondered the question..

“Think,” continued Hilro. “What is possible and what is impossible?”

A look of anguish crossed Granu’s face as he struggled with the question. Finally, he softened.

“All things are possible with Avra,” said the giant.

“That is right,” smiled Hilro placing a hand upon the giant’s broad shoulder. “You will see Brother Shor again someday, just as you will see your father and your uncle. You will enjoy an eternity of one another’s company. For now, bury the vessel which held Shor’s spirit, gather your people and return to your kingdom.”

Hilro turned and motioned to an old woman holding the hand of a small boy. She led the boy before Granu.

“Your people suffered much in this dark time,” said Hilro. “They need the healing hand of a compassionate sovereign.”

He knelt before the boy with a reassuring grin. Patting the child’s head, Hilro turned his face back to the Keltaran king.

“And little Aul here needs the wisdom and guidance of a good father,” said Hilro. “Will you answer the call and heal your nation, Granu Stormbreaker?”

The grim face of the giant stared at the boy for a moment. Granu stepped forward and took the boy’s hand in his own.

“Lets gather our people, Aul. Can you help me lead them home?”

The little boy nodded.

Jenpry sat on the charred floor of the Eru plain cradling the head of Teeg Cin Fair in her arms. The Master of Spies opened his eyes slowly as the lady dabbed the blood from the corners of his mouth.

“You found me,” he wheezed.

“Hush,” she said softly. “I knew when I saw flame to the north, you would be at the center of some mischief.”

The pair was alone save for the great carcass of Drengel the Conjuror. Teeg tried to raise his head and look about.

“Is it over?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “The Deceiver has been banished once more.”

Teeg smiled and laid his head back in her arms. A spasm of pain flashed across his face and his breathing was choked and difficult. Jenpry held him tightly.

“Do not struggle,” she whispered. “Try to relax. Be at peace.”

A shadow fell over the pair. Teeg’s glassy eyes widened. He stared past the Sprite queen. Jenpry looked up to see the figure of a large man standing over her. The man appeared both ancient and ageless all at once. White robes clothed Him and dazzled the woman with their brilliance.

“It is time to go,” said Avra to Teeg with a smile. “You served your people and this world well.”

“Must I?” coughed the old Elf.

“This mortal coil which binds your soul cannot maintain much longer,” said Avra pointing to the old Elf. “That body will cease to be useful.”

Teeg glanced between Avra and the woman holding him tightly.

“But you may change that,” stated the old Elf.

Avra’s grin broadened.

“Yes, I can,” replied the Creator.

“I have never been one for rules,” grinned Teeg through the pain.

A twinkle played in Avra’s eye.

“Neither have I,” He laughed. “However, you earned your place in paradise, my friend. Do you wish to forgo its glory?”

“For a time,” stated the Elf softly as he turned and looked to Jenpry. “At this moment the only paradise I can conceive lies on this world.”

Avra nodded his approval.

“I will find a need for you in the future, Teeg Cin Fair,” stated Avra. “For now, take the hand of this fair lady and return to your home. Arise.”

Jenpry’s head spun and her eyes locked with those of Teeg. She helped the Elf struggle to his feet. When they looked about, Avra was gone.

EPILOGUE

“THEY COME IN the night,” stated the farmer. “We neither see nor hear them.”

He stood within a small field. Its rich earth was furrowed and turned to the sun. About him lay the product of many months of hard labor. Turnips and beets lay strewn into a pile and signs of heavy feet trampling the dirt lie everywhere.

His wife stood beside him. She glanced over her shoulder to the cliffs and slopes of the Scythtar Mountains then back to the tiny farm from which she and her family scratched a meager living.

“And has their activity in this region increased?” questioned King Manfir as he stood inspecting an upturned beet. The Black stood behind him and a retinue of fully armed Guardsmen remained in their saddles.

“Yes,” replied the farmer’s wife. “It becomes more frequent. The first few seasons it was just the crops, but it moved on to other things.”

“Such as?” asked the king as he dropped the beet back into the pile.

“The stone wall about our cabin,” said the farmer sweeping a hand in the direction of the small dwelling.

Manfir turned. An expertly constructed wall ringed the cabin. Each stone was fit and wedged tightly to those around it.

“There’s no mortar!” continued the farmer. “I couldn’t build a wall like that in a dozen years.”

“We awoke one morning to find it ringing the house,” added the wife. “That was a week ago, before we found this season’s crops harvested and piled here.”

“They even diverted a bit of the Frizgard into my fields last year,” laughed the farmer. “No more carrying buckets of water to thirsty crops.”

Manfir nodded then scanned the tiny settlement. It certainly was a handsome, thriving little outpost.

“It appears you have become the beneficiaries of someone’s goodwill,” announced the king. “We’ve seen this throughout the northern settlements.”

“I’m not complaining,” chuckled the farmer. “It was you who wanted to investigate.”

“All of the happenings in the kingdom concern me,” replied Manfir. “Whether good or ill. I am pleased you find success here.”

Manfir turned to his troops.

“We will return to the capital,” stated the king. “I must attend to business in Luxlor within a fortnight and see nothing here to warrant further investigation. Head to our camp and make ready. Send a messenger to General Flair and inform him of our discoveries. I will join you shortly.”

The troops saluted, turned their mounts south and rode from the homestead.

“May Avra and his servants continue to bless your house,” said Manfir to the farmer and his wife.

“And the kingdom,” smiled the goodwife.

The pair bowed and returned to filling a small barrow with their recently harvested crops. The farmer wheeled the barrow to a small stone crib that looked as if it had been constructed in the same manner as the wall.

Manfir strolled away from the busy pair into the now empty field. His eyes searched the rocky crags of the slopes of the Scythtar that rose just beyond the rushing water of the Frizgard River. After a moment he halted and kept his eyes fixed on a boulder halfway up the barren expanse. Within seconds, the boulder moved then transformed into the form of a huge Ulrog. The creature crossed its hands upon its heart then laid them palms open and upward.

Manfir returned the gesture. The Ulrog’s stony face broke into a broad grin and even at this distance, Manfir’s keen eyes could read the word carved into the stone man’s hide.

A moment later and Nostr the Ulrog spun and hiked rapidly up the face of the mountain. A dozen other boulders transformed and the last of the Ulrog followed their leader to perform their penance at another of the many settlements along the northern reaches.

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