The Awakening (16 page)

“You test my patience by ordering me so, old man,” she said to Premoran. “This trickery of yours will not save you or the sister from Parth,” she said, and she glanced at Tamara.

Margot raised her right arm and a bolt of blue-green light arced into the shimmering circle that was forming around them and hemming them in. To her chagrin and surprise, her attack was harmlessly absorbed by the wall. Again, she cast her blighted light into the neon barrier, only to see it dissipate harmlessly once again, consumed by the soil beneath her feet and causing no effect whatsoever upon the obstacle.

The Wizard stood firm, appearing to have not a care in the world, as he watched Margot’s frustration build and quickly turn into fear. When the ends of the circle of light met and finally encased them all, it flared brightly and the air veritably hissed from the static of the power. The old man neither raised his hands nor spoke another word, while Colton’s vile minion continued her vain attempts at breaking free, but with the closing of the ends, she could not even muster a spark from her aborted efforts. When it was apparent to her that she could not disturb the barricade, she attempted to turn what power she thought she had remaining upon Tamara once more, seeking at least to kill the Sister in her thwarted rage. The old man barely raised his chin in acknowledgment as Margot’s arm went limp and the signs of defeat revealed themselves clearly upon her brow for all present to see.

As panic gripped her features, the others in her party realized that their mistress had met her match and they sought, each in his or her own manner, to escape the wrath of the newcomers. Challan backed slowly toward the barrier, scanning it in the hope of finding an opening through which he could escape. He thrust his large pawlike hand into what appeared to be a break in the light and retracted it immediately with a howl of pain. His arm came out, singed to the elbow. The green-caped soldiers huddled together, uncertain of their fate, their allegiance to their leader by no means assured any longer.

“You trespass where you should not,” Premoran said calmly to the humbled woman before him whose apprehension was mounting by the moment. “What compelled my brother to think that his reach extended this far?” he asked, apparently directing this question to his friend. “He oversteps his bounds, as usual,” he continued, sadly shaking his head back and forth. “As for you, woman,” he redirected his attention to Margot. “You chose poorly when you aligned yourself with him. Not only have you doomed yourself to eternal disappointment, but you have selected to be a thread that will never be a part of the weave. Do you not know the nature of the demon you serve?” he asked, as if astonished. He walked up quite close to her and placed his hand upon her forehead.

Margot cowered before him sensing the fullness of his power, and feeling humbled and scared. Her dark eyes darted from left to right, searching for an exit, some means of escape from his focused gaze. In a matter of moments, he had reduced her hubris to gloom. She was like a frightened animal, trapped and cornered. The circle of force that surrounded them isolated her from her source and without that contact, she was helpless Her feeble attempt at summoning her strength was completely unsuccessful, for the power was never hers to begin with. Colton acted through her. She was but a conduit and alone she was impotent. Until this moment she did not realize this horrible fact, and the realization hit her like a sharp slap in the face.

“It is fitting that you suffer the humiliation of understanding,” Premoran said, perceiving fully what was disturbing the woman. “You will remember this moment.” Turning to his friend, he then said, “Alas Teetoo, after she departs she will succumb to his seduction once again. Such is the nature of his hold upon these hapless ones. I fear she is beyond even my help.”

The Wizard stepped back a pace or two and then surveyed the area. All of the other soldiers stood transfixed, as if frozen in their places They looked like frightened children waiting for their instructor to allow them to sit once again. The lieutenant remained in the background, still tending to his previous wounds.

“What did she offer you?” Premoran asked the group of Talamarans. “How did she compel you to turn against the trees?” he questioned, not comprehending what could have coerced them to betray their trust in the Lalas.

Challan stepped forward and spoke boldly, a slight smile turning up the corners of his wide and toothy mouth. He still had not fully realized the strength of his captor.

“The accursed trees are dying,” he spat. “Would you ask these soldiers to die with them? The trees have served themselves all these tiels, not the races. What have these men to show for their years of servitude?”

Premoran turned slowly to face the solitary troll.

“Your people have known nothing other than servitude. I would not expect you to understand. But you,” he addressed the Talamarans, “…have lived in freedom. You will not comprehend the meaning of the word servitude until you come face to face with Colton. You never ministered to the trees. They protected us all. Now as they suffer and die, you abandon them. What greater gift could you give to the Evil One? You have forsaken yourselves. You walked away from the light into the darkness and what will you gain by it?” Margot had regained a portion of her composure, as Premoran’s gaze focused on the others. Her fear turned to anger, and the initial sense of awe she experienced at the realization of his power turned into hate.

“You know nothing,” she spit the words at the Wizard. “Leave us be. He loves us, and he will keep his promises. The time of the great dissolution is nearing and you can do nothing to stop it.” In her frustration and vehemence, she sought only to hurt as much as she could. “The heir will soon be dead. Tell them what hope they have left after that, wise one?” she snarled.

Challan reached for his spiked weapon, but before he could even lift it, the boy standing near the Wizard who had been silent all this time, motioned slowly with his hands. Great gusts of wind encircled the troll and forced him back almost into the blazing barrier that surrounded them. Teetoo wove intricate patterns in the air before him with his delicate hands, and the breezes lifted the huge soldier, separated him from his weapon and dropped him in a heap upon the ground. His club fell harmlessly to the earth nearby.

Premoran then raised his arm and inscribed the air with his index finger in an elaborate pattern. Suddenly, everyone in the circle ceased to move entirely, with the exception of Tamara, the boy called Teetoo and of course the Wizard. It appeared to the Sister as if time itself had been suspended. This entire duration within the circle of power, the wind did not blow and no sounds could be heard other than those coming from the parties within. But, now the people themselves neither breathed nor uttered a sound. Their faces were frozen with the expressions still upon them, with their mouths half open and their arms stretched out. They could not see or hear what transpired around them.

“They are lost Teetoo, and we cannot lead them back,” Premoran said sadly to his friend. “I will let them go, and may the First forgive them all. Kettin I fear, has sacrificed himself and his kingdom, and his days are numbered. His soldiers will return to Talamar without ever reaching their goal, dissatisfied with their lives and with their choices, yet bound nonetheless to eternally walk the road they have chosen in their arrogance and hubris. Parth shall be a vague memory to them, a place that they will think they recall visiting, but the recollection will always remain unclear and incomplete. Margot will despise the Sisters all the more for seeming to have thwarted her design, but her boundless hate will never allow her to distinguish between the reality of what occurred here and the presumption of her ability. She will blame others for her failure to return with what she set out to capture. She will not think it was her weakness that thwarted her plans. Her master will recognize my work, as it should be. It is fitting that he realize now that I have returned,” he said. “I am troubled by her reference to the heir, though. I was tempted to question her, to delve deeper into her mind. But it is so dirtied, so perverted, that I fear I would come away with little more than disgust. What has my brother in mind, I wonder?” he asked with finality. As soon as he finished speaking, he etched the still air once more with his finger and as suddenly as it appeared, the shimmering partition evaporated and disappeared.

The soldiers regrouped slowly and began to congregate behind their leaders once more, unaware that anything had occurred around them. No further words were spoken. Margot seemed no longer to notice the three strangers standing in their very midst. Challan ordered them to prepare to march, and they quickly stepped to, following their leader’s commands. Margot mounted her horse and led the way back in the direction that they had only recently come from. Just before they were completely out of sight, Tamara noticed Margot eyeing the area strangely in which they still stood. She hesitated a moment, shook her head as if to clear it and then spurred her horse onward and away.

Chapter Nineteen

Thomas took the lead, as the group of three young companions wove their way through the woods surrounding the lake that formerly harbored the magical Lady of the Island, Calista. Her presence was keenly felt by them all during their foray into her lands. She gave her life to prevent the collapse of Pardatha only recently, and the evidence of her existence lingered everywhere.

“I have not visited this area since her final days,” Tomas said somberly as they rode slowly across the ridge above the newly formed river.

“It is a very beautiful place,” Preston commented.

“Remarkably beautiful,” Elion reiterated.

“Calista was a remarkable woman. Do you see the stone in the middle of the lake?” he asked his friends.

“Even in the night, it radiates,” Elion noticed, a smile upon his lips.

“The moon is barely out, yet the crystal shines as if it was full,” Preston noted.

“It does not merely reflect, Preston,” Tomas explained. “It draws its power from the earth itself and spews it forth regardless of the time.”

“All things are connected, Preston. What reaches into the earth, what sits upon it and that which flies above it are all part of the same. We all share the power and the light,” Elion remarked.

“What then, could turn people away from it?” the young dwarf questioned. “It is so beautiful, why would anyone deny it?”

“People can be misled. They are not perfect. The Dark Lord possesses a power that does not emanate from the earth. He engulfs the souls of those who choose his path, until they forget entirely what bound them to the earth before. His vision is so different. For those who are dissatisfied, humbled, poor, rejected, starved for power, envious or devious he seems to satisfy their needs. One with a full and healthy soul would not easily succumb to his caresses,” Elion tried to explain.

They had crossed the ridge above the city of Pardatha by this time, and the travelers were headed for the eastern shore of the lake. Tomas seemed to know where he was going, and the others followed and trusted in his decisions.

“Colton is the opposite of all that we are, Preston. He is the very antithesis of us. His desires are hard to comprehend. He believes in hate as we do in love, and he despises himself for it. It is that emotion which propels him forward, and he wishes all life to end so that these awful feelings within him will end as well. He is beyond hope, and therefor he wishes only for his own suffering to terminate,” Tomas said.

He spoke with such deep emotion, it appeared to Elion as if Tomas actually felt the horrible feelings that he attributed to the Dark One.

“I do not understand how anyone could fail to see the beauty in life. Surely we all suffer. But, I cannot imagine how great his suffering must be in order for him to believe that all must perish in order for it to abate,” Elion commented.

“He is a fount of great power. But that power is negative. It draws rather than bestows. It mimics the void itself. To him, death is the equivalent of birth for us. So, he sees salvation in the death and demise of everything, as we see hope in the birth of new life. Each blade of grass that sprouts from the soil hurts him, even as it causes us joy,” Tomas explained.

“I feel sorry for him, even,” Preston said.

“Do not, my friend,” Elion replied sharply. “That would be dangerous. Besides, you are being too generous with him. He was not always thusly.”

“He had a choice at one time, Preston. But he could not make the right decision. It seemed as if his very soul was being torn asunder. Perhaps it was fate after all. The fabric weaves of its own will,” Tomas said solemnly.

“You speak as if you were there when this all happened, Tomas,” Elion remarked.

“In a way, all of the Chosen were. At least through our trees. You see Elion, Ormachon was present in one form or another, and through him, I have gained an insight into the Dark Lord. That information has probably been the hardest of all for me to live with. The corruption of his essence is so complete that the understanding of it even causes me pain. Since communication with a Lalas is through an unspoken language, in order to comprehend and learn, one must feel rather than hear. I have felt much that I would not want to share with a friend,” the boy responded, his eyes gazing off into the distance.

His face seemed troubled by the conversation and Elion noticed the change in him immediately.

“This night is a fine one, is it not Preston?” Elion inquired of the dwarf if only to change the subject.

“Yes, it is. I love being out under the stars,” he replied, looking up at the evening sky. “I always felt close to the heavens when I was in the Thorndars. I do miss the smell of the mountain air though.”

“Well my friend, you may have the opportunity to breath it once again shortly. At least soon enough,” Tomas commented. “We may need to visit your uncle, Elion. Bristar of the mountains? Is that not what they call him?”

“Yes, it is. He is a good man. I spent a long time with him and his people. In fact, it was on my way home from Crispen that I stumbled upon your brother,” Elion replied.

“Stumbled? Is that how you describe it?” Tomas asked, the shadow of darkness having left his brow.

“I can think of no other explanation. As you say Tomas, the fabric weaves of its own will.”

“I suppose he stumbled upon Davmiran just as you stumbled upon me?” Preston inquired smiling.

The three companions to laughed heartily, a welcome break in the tension that had consumed them all for quite some time now.

“Why are we heading to Crispen? What is it you hope to find in the north?” Elion asked.

“I am not sure. I believe that we need to go there. Our purpose will reveal itself to us in time. First, though, we need to go north to Parth. It is on the way. At least, it is not in the opposite direction,” he corrected himself. “Perhaps the Sisters can help us to understand what we must do next. I have premonitions and visions, but I cannot tell exactly what we seek, or where exactly we must search. I know that Crispen holds some of the answers, as does the tower of Parth.”

Tomas seemed a bit perplexed, though it did not appear to cause him any concern at all. His confidence never abated, and that steadfastness helped the other two to maintain their own. They allowed him to lead the way, despite the fact that he admitted he did not know exactly why they were going where they were going.

In the hours that they had traveled, they hugged the side of the lake and stayed concealed in the thick woods that framed it to the east. Once past the forest, they would need to journey through a more populated area, and it would be more difficult to veil their whereabouts from the villagers and country folk. A dwarf, an elf and a human boy traveling together would certainly draw the attention of whomever they encountered. None of them wanted news of their location to filter back either to their former companions or to any of Colton’s confederates. They did not wish their journey to be hampered by anyone. Although they were unsure of what information they sought, all felt inspired by each other’’s company and enlivened by the idea the design would unveil itself as the weave grew tighter and more focused.

As they approached the very end of the lake itself, comprised of a small rivulet of water that jutted out into the woods like a pointing finger from a large hand, a strange glow illuminated the sky all around them. It grew in intensity very quickly, and it soon caused the very air to shimmer and shift. At first, Preston began to thrash the sky with his hands, thinking it was glow-bugs that swarmed before his eyes. Elion’s senses tingled, but he was absolutely certain that no imminent danger accompanied this phenomenon. It caused him no fear or concern even for a moment. Rather, he found himself laughing and admiring the light as it grew brighter and brighter, while the rapid streaks shot randomly.

Tomas lifted his chin into the air, now blindingly radiant and constantly in motion, and he too smiled and then began to giggle like a child. Preston was also laughing by this time and turning his head from left to right, shifting in his saddle, trying to follow the streaks as they shot from side to side. Elion raised his hand in an attempt to catch one as it darted by, but his action was to no avail. It deftly avoided contact with him and swerved around his outstretched palm, only to disappear into the distance.

As they sat upon their horses and watched this display, it seemed to take on a more organized form. The random streaks began to align themselves with one another and what at first appeared to have no order, began to coalesce. The light was so blindingly bright, as the many disparate points joined together, that all three of the travelers had to shield their eyes in order to continue to observe it. A woven cocoon of sorts was spinning all around them now, enveloping them in its glow. Each of them felt a comforting warmth, and whatever apprehension they may have begun to possess, dissipated as the radiance increased.

The soil beneath their feet lost its definition. It was as if they were standing upon the very clouds themselves. And like children, the three companions laughed, shifting in their saddles, looking upward and downwards, sideways and back and forth, mesmerized by the joyous lights.

Soon, they could barely see anything any longer other than the light itself. Where they had been, the trees and the path and even the sky, were obstructed now by the bursts and brightness. Elion regained his composure first and realized that although he felt safe, perhaps it had been long enough since they had come upon this phenomenon, and that it was time to gain control once again of themselves and the circumstances. He opened his mouth to speak to his friends, to alert them to his feelings, when a soft and beautiful voice reached his ears as if it floated to him upon the quills of a feather. It sailed in, gentle and caressing, reaching his ears and warming his body all over.

He slowly dismounted from his horse and took a few steps in Tomas’ direction. The blonde haired boy had already slid from his saddle on to the shifting soil beneath them. They grabbed each other’s hands and held on to each other tightly as if to gain some perspective, some equilibrium. Preston, too, placed his broad palm atop the others, and the three of them stood together, and gazed all around them.

At first, the words they heard had no meaning. The voice was sweet and sonorous, but the words were unintelligible, some loud, some quiet, but all indistinguishable. The volume rose and fell, and it echoed back and forth within the confines of the space the light had created. Elion believed that it was surely a woman’s voice, but at times it was deep and at others, high pitched. It shifted in tone with the bursts and sparkles in the air.

Tomas dropped the hands of his friends and raised his palms to the sky. He seemed to be pushing upon the air, trying to lift something. His fingers were spread wide, and he bent his head back and closed his glimmering green eyes. The voice responded to him in some way, and the sounds appeared to focus upon the Chosen. As if words were tangible things, they hovered over him, and they could all hear them now, as they randomly reached their ears. It was as if a small door in the air opened each time, allowing one sound to escape and then shutting tight, followed by another and then another. Elion and Preston imitated Tomas, extending their hands as well, and curving their heads back. Tiny portals would open, and words would break out, reaching their ears, yet still making no sense.

Elion concentrated all his mental might and finally spoke, afraid at first to disturb the atmosphere.

“Someone is trying to talk to us, but I believe something is attempting to prevent the communication,” he said as a small tempest lifted and carried him a few yards away from the others.

“Yes,” Tomas yelled, “I think so too.” He planted his feet firmly on the surface below him, although it no longer resembled the soil and grass of the forest floor. Soon though, he too was lifted a few feet off of the shifting ground and quickly deposited at the opposite side of the enclosure.

“We must assist it,” Elion knew as he spoke, though he was struggling against the strong gusts of wind now while trying to make his way back to his friends.

They felt as if they had to shout in order to be heard. Although they were encased inside the cocoon of light, they were presently being whipped back and forth by the powerful zephyrs and spirals, the sources of which they could not determine. Preston struggled to make his way to Tomas’ side once more, and Elion too joined them though with much difficulty. They held on to each other’’s arms in order not to be lifted up and blown around, even though the surface upon which they stood did not feel as if it had the stability it had only moments before.

The light began to congeal, to coalesce, and to form a more solid barrier on all sides. It was pliable nevertheless, and now all three of the travelers could see things pushing against the rubber-like surface, trying to penetrate it and reach them within. The shapes of faces impressed themselves in the barrier and they could make out noses and eyes sockets. Legs and arms pressed sharply against it as well, outlining countless bodies. But none could break through. They all remained outside the partition, thrusting and pushing against it. By now the noise, the wind and the persistent attempts at intrusion were taking their toll on the group. Even Tomas seemed not to understand what was happening. His eyes were not clear and sharp, but rather tired and concerned. They were all growing weary from the effort to stand in one place, and yet they could not walk without being lifted and carried by the winds.

“We have to help them,” he yelled. “They are trying to reach us and they cannot.”

“What can we do?” Preston responded. “I can barely stand up myself.”

Although not knowing what possessed him to do so, Elion reached out with his left arm, while retaining his hold on Tomas with his right. He was close enough to the expanding and contracting skin around them to touch it. As soon as he did, it adhered to his hand like some sort of sticky sap, and when he withdrew his fingers he pulled the barrier with him, taut like the string on a bow. He was afraid that he would not be able to detach himself from it and he abruptly and violently began to shake his hand. The protruding portion snapped back sharply and as soon as it did, they all heard a high pitched, shattering sound. A crack formed in the wall right where Elion had grabbed it and it immediately radiated outward from that one spot, sundering the entire enclosure as it spread. Tiny, web-like cracks appeared everywhere, as if it was the frozen surface of a small pond upon which a boulder was dropped from a great height.