Sword of Light (14 page)

“So, it is you.”  His fallen brother said with satisfaction, a twisted and cruel smile on his face.  “I thought I had felt your presence on this world.”

“I do not know how you escaped your prison, but you will find that your release is short-lived.”  The Guardian said, moving towards, sword ready, confident in his power.

“That would be true, if I had come alone.”  The demon laughed.  He gestured and from hiding places amongst the rocks more demons appeared.  Their shapes and appearances had been altered from the long eons spent in the Darkness.  They spread out and surrounded the Guardian.  He recognized several of the strongest by their essence, including Creatos and Helvan.  Those two began to organize the lesser brothers near them.

“This world will be ours, Guardian.”  The demon lord taunted.  “You cannot stand against us.”

“I am a servant of the Creator, entrusted to defend this world.”  The Guardian bravely stated.  “You will find that I am not easily defeated.”  With that, he surged forward, sword moving.

Calling for the others to attack, the demon lord sent a blistering streak of dark fire towards him, which the Guardian extinguished with his might.  He was closing with the demon lord when he was struck on all sides by the demons’ powers.  He was buffeted by that assault, but overcame it, his form and sword now blindingly bright, shining with the purest white light.  He lashed out at the closest demons, his power burning into them, several of the weaker ones exploding into ash.

He continued trying to get within striking distance to use his sword, but the demons were moving, shifting positions, while continuing to rock him with attacks.  He felt some of the dark energy slip past his defenses, burning his skin.  He grimaced at the sudden pain, something that he had not felt since the rebellion against the Creator.

He was surrounded on all sides now, a shining island in a sea of dark fire.  Needing to protect himself, he was unable to bring his full might to bear, damaging some of the demons, but unable to destroy enough to make a difference.  He was still developing a plan of attack when the demons changed tactics.

He was unable to move fast enough when several demons threw themselves against him physically.  They pulled at him, trying to bring him down despite the pain that his power caused them, their claws scoring his armor.  He was able to throw off his attackers, his sword swinging and catching them, destroying them with flares of Light.

Now the more powerful demons charged him, their fire slamming into him as they closed the distance.  He could not avoid Creatos and the demon lord as they crashed into him, rocking him with blows while the other demons kept up a constant bombardment of dark fire.  He sent a flare of power into them, causing pain, but not enough to dislodge them.  Calling forth his last reservoir of strength, he succeeded in throwing off Creatos, but the demon lord seized his hand holding the sword, ignoring the pain the sword caused, and twisted, wrenching the sword from his hand.

The sword fell to the ground, its Light suddenly extinguished.  The Guardian attempted to retrieve it, but was forced back by the demons’ might, their power burning past his defenses.  Without his sword, he knew that he could never defeat this many of his fallen brothers and would fall, leaving the people of this world unguarded.  With a cry of frustration and pain, he sent a blast of power into his enemies, gaining a measure of space, and translated out of the physical plane and fled.

…

Tomaris carefully set the scroll down on his lap.  The room was quiet as they all contemplated what they had just heard.  After several moments of reflection, Tomaris spoke again.

“The scroll goes on to say that, after his defeat, the Guardian appeared to Arnes, who was living alone in a cave, and showed him how to access the clerics’ power.  He explained its uses and bid him to go out and bring others to the service of the One.”  He paused, then said.  “Further, it states that the Guardian would continue to oppose the demons as he could, but without his sword, he could not directly confront them or heal the tear.  There is a mention that he must continue to hide his presence to prevent the demons from tracking him down and destroying him.”

“Why didn’t the One simply banish the demons?”  Jake asked.  “That would seem to be the easiest way to take care of this.  That would have prevented a thousand years of chaos.”

“I certainly do not know the mind of the Creator, Jake.”  Tomaris said with a soft chuckle.  “We have to assume that there is a reason for all things, even if we can’t understand why.”

“Also, consider that our lives are but like flashes of light in the broad sweep of time.”  Tomaris said more seriously.  “You are young and I am sure that the time to reach your age seems to have taken a long time, but at my age, that period of my own life seems but a brief moment.  Can you imagine what a thousand years would be to an immortal creature that existed before the creation of time?  Likely, those long years seem but what a few minutes would be to us.”

“Now that we know this, Tomaris, what do we do with it?”  Dominic asked.  “You did not simply come here to give us a history lesson.”

“You are correct, Dominic.”  Tomaris replied.  “I think I have found a way that we can help Jake return to his world and gain another weapon in our fight against our enemies.”  He paused, looking at each of them, appearing to gauge what reaction his words would bring.  “I believe that we must find and recover the Guardian’s sword.”

C
HAPTER
N
INE

“Are you mad, Tomaris?”  Dominic asked, voice deathly quiet.  “How can we accomplish something that the Guardian cannot do?”

“I am sane I assure you, Dominic.”  Tomaris replied evenly, taking no offence.  “I still don’t understand how Jake was brought here, other than it took someone or something with great power.  Even if I solve that puzzle, I lack the strength to even attempt to return Jake to his world.  The sword is a source of great power.  With it, I believe that we stand the greatest chance to be successful in helping Jake, as well as having a mighty weapon to wield against our enemies.  If we were to succeed, perhaps the Guardian himself would appear, sending Jake to his home and closing the tear.”

He paused for a moment.  “Also, it may be a mad idea, as you suggest, but I doubt that our enemies even dare to believe that we would make the attempt.  What are we compared to the Guardian?  That may give us the edge we need to be successful.”

“Where is the sword, then?”  Dominic demanded.  “Why have you not seized it before, if it can be done?”

“I do not know the exact location of the sword.”  Tomaris admitted.  He held up his hands when everyone, shocked and in disbelief, began to protest.  After it quieted, he continued.  “I am confidant that we can locate it, but it will take courage and determination.  When I was a younger man, I heard many stories of a powerful object that the demons protected.  I tracked down those leads and found clues that now indicate to me that the object of those stories is the sword.  The demons cannot touch or use the sword as it is an anathema to them, but they protect it to keep it from the Guardian.  I was never able to find it or I would have attempted to take it; it is moved from time to time.”

“What I propose is dangerous, with a small chance of success, but the reward is great.”  He looked at Dominic.  “I know that you have small regard for your own safety, but are you willing to risk your life for a chance to send Jake back to his proper world?”

“I would risk it, as long as it is not a fool’s errand.”  Dominic replied directly, face neutral and arms crossed.

Tomaris nodded and turned to Jake.  “Jake, are you willing to face danger and hardship in an effort to find a way home?”  He asked, watching him closely.

“I would, if I wasn’t in this condition.”  Jake stated.

Tomaris sat silent for a while, studying Jake and thinking.  “I believe that, with Jonas’ assistance, I can help you with that.  However, I think that we can use your current condition to aid us.”

“Do you still believe that the demons have spies in the city, as you mentioned in your letter, Jonas?”  Tomaris asked.

“I do.”  Jonas replied.  “We know that their attack was directed at Jake.  They knew of him, where he lived and with whom he associated.  They could only know that if someone in the city was providing that information.”  He absently scratched his beard.  “Also, the attack on the princess was meant to draw Jake out.  Someone had to know the schedule of her travels and that would only come from the palace.”

“Let us use this to our advantage.”  Tomaris said.  “We will let it be known that I am taking Jake back to the Keep to study his condition.  Once we are safely away, we can send him off in search for the sword.”

“Surely you do not intend to send Jake off by himself?”  Jonas asked, incredulous.

“No.”  Tomaris replied.  “He will need someone who knows something of the world and can help guide him.”

“I will go.”  Dominic said.  “I will protect him.”

“No, not you, Dominic.”  Tomaris disagreed.  “You are too well known and if our enemies see a young man with you, they will know who that is and realize our ruse.”  He continued more gently.  “You will search for the sword, but not in the way you may think.”

“Who then, if not me?”  Dominic demanded.

Tomaris looked over at Hailyn and nodded.

“Absolutely not!”  Jonas interjected.  “She has just barely passed her tests.  If a cleric is needed, then I will go.”

“No, friend Jonas.”  Tomaris said kindly.  “You are as well known as Dominic.  Your presence would draw unnecessary attention.”  He looked at Jonas with a measure of sadness in his eyes.  “Also, I sometime have glimpses of what may be.  In these visions, I have seen that you will be needed here.  If you are not present, then terrible things will happen.”

“Then, I will find another cleric to go with Jake.”  Jonas replied, frustration evident on his face.  “Hailyn is not ready.”

“Jake will need someone that he trusts and can rely on.”  Tomaris responded.  “Can you find a cleric who will care more for Jake than this beautiful child does?”

Jonas was quiet, his jaw clenching as he thought of how to respond.  In that silence, Dominic spoke.

“She is a cleric now, Jonas.”  He said directly.  “She may be young, but she is a skilled healer, level-headed and brave.  The boy and her get along, which is important on long missions.  She seems the best choice.”

He turned to Hailyn.  “Will you go with Jake, girl?  Knowing the risks and the small chance of success?”  Dominic asked.

Hailyn straightened and responded.  “I will, Dominic.”  She looked over at Jonas.  “If Brother Jonas allows it.”

Jonas struggled with his emotions; he saw both the longing and the fear of being left behind in her eyes.  He knew of her feelings, but he thought of her almost like a daughter; he was closer to her than any of the other apprentices in the Temple.  He wrestled with his desire to protect her and realization that Dom was right.  Saying a silent prayer for strength, he tried to believe that he was doing the right thing.

“Hailyn will go.”  He said reluctantly.  “As Dom said, she appears to be the best choice.”  He put a hand on her shoulder, trying to ignore the look of relief on her face.  “She is a cleric of the One and we must trust in His grace to keep them both safe.”

“We still face a choice.”  Tomaris said.  “From what I have been able to piece together, I believe that the sword is in one of two locations.  While it is imprecise and the true location unknown, one set of clues points to the north, somewhere in Beragan, while the other suggests it is in the far south of Aletonia, near the Southern Wilds.  What I propose is that we send Jake and Hailyn to the north while Dominic will accompany Moshanna to the south.  Moshanna is from Aletonia, so he can assist Dominic.”

“Shouldn’t we send some soldiers or other clerics along with them?”  Jonas asked.  “While Dom can usually take care of himself, demons likely guard these sites and only clerics can succeed there.”

“Stealth will be key to this quest, Jonas.”  Tomaris replied.  “Too large a group and it will attract attention.  Also, neither country is likely to welcome Sanduan soldiers roaming inside their borders.”  He thought for a moment.  “While Jake and Hailyn have the power to stand against the demons, Dominic and Moshanna will need some magic on their side.”

“What do you propose then?”  Jonas queried.

“Can you find a cleric around Jake’s size?”  Tomaris responded.  “One that is strong in his power?” 

Jonas thought it over, and then nodded.  “I know a cleric that I trust to do this.”

“Then you will announce that Hailyn and this other cleric are going on a mission to the clerics of Beragan and they will accompany us when we head back to the Keep.”  Tomaris stated.  “Once we get to the crossroads, we will dress Jake in the cleric’s robes and send them north.  The cleric will act as Jake’s double until we reach the Keep, then he can accompany Dominic south.  Dominic’s presence with my party is obvious, as he is known as Jake’s protector, and will reinforce the idea that Jake is at the Keep.”

“Remember, we must keep this plan secret.”  Tomaris cautioned.  “If our true purpose is known, then the demons will move the sword or reinforce their positions.”

“Are we agreed?”  He asked.  Dominic gave a curt nod while Jonas did so reluctantly.  Hailyn looked at Jake and they both indicated yes.

“Now, it has been a long day.  I am old and travel is not as pleasurable as it once was.”  Tomaris said.  “We will use tomorrow to prepare for the journey, then Jonas and I will return tomorrow night to heal Jake.  We can depart early the next morning.”

“Come to the Temple, Tomaris.”  Jonas said, heading to the door.  “We have room for you and your men.”

“Thank you, friend Jonas.”  Tomaris responded.  “Your hospitality is much appreciated.”  He looked back towards Jake.

“If you allow me a private moment with Jake?”  Tomaris requested.

“We will wait outside.”  Jonas said and he left, followed by Dominic and Hailyn.