The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations (11 page)

Chapter Sixteen

              Kayla led Kenner, Terri and Shela through the woods so quickly they could barely keep up with her.  Shela would run a few steps, stop, turn and then let the others pass.

             
“Where are we going?” Terri asked Kenner.

             
“How the hell should I know?  You’re the one who’s been before.”

             
Eventually they came to a path leading through some thick brush.  It led to a stone arch supported by, what looked like ancient walls.  Shining down through the trees was a single ray of sunlight illuminating the inside beyond the arch.

             
“What is this place?” Kenner asked Kayla.

             
“The Stone Circle,” she answered.  “We do not know who built it or why.  It is more ancient even than memory.”

             
The Stone Circle appeared to have been an ancient temple or house.  The ruins of an old and seemingly primal wall encircled a dirt floor where nothing seemed to grow.  The largest part of the wall still standing reached twenty feet high and contained a small window.  There were what appeared to the remains of stone pews, like a holy place and at the far end, near the large wall was what looked like an altar also made of stone.  Behind the altar and seemingly attached to it was an enormous Blackwood tree, taller than any other that Kenner and Terri had previously seen.  Looking around them, examining the circle, both Kenner and Terri felt presences around them as if there were many people there; although they could see no one.  Looking back to the arch, Kenner noticed that Shela had not entered.

             
Kayla approached the altar slowly and Terri noticed an expression of sad caution on her normally sweet face.

             
“This is the oldest place that we know of in the Woods.” Kayla said.  “It is said that the tree behind the altar is the first of the mighty Blackwoods.  We call it the seedling.”

             
“You seem afraid of this place.” Terri said to Kayla.

             
“I am.” She answered simply.  “But so is he.”

             
Once again, the trees above them sounded as if being blown by winds.  They heard Shela growl and looking in her direction; they saw several Wolfen cower behind the cloaked and hooded figure.  The branches of the trees came down and covered the circle almost like a ceiling and then the hooded figure entered the circle. 

He walked slowly and purposefully through the rows of ancient pews.  His footsteps made no sound.  Kenner put his hand on the grip of the sword and then the hood turned and he saw most of the pale, aged face; but still not the eyes.

“I assure you that will not be necessary,” said the smooth, cold voice and the cruel smile.

He stepped a little further towards the altar, but Kayla stopped him.

              “That’s far enough.” Kayla told him sternly.

He took a step back.

              “I’m surprised at you my Lady,” he said.  “You’re not known to be so ill mannered.”

             
“Speak your peace and then be on your way.”

             
“But I have only just arrived, my Lady.  Surely even I deserve some hospitality.”

             
“I have been hospitable enough.  Tell me what you want to say then leave us in peace.”

             
His head turned slowly towards Kenner.

             
“You are the one who bears the Black Sword,” he said to Kenner.  “I was hoping I’d get to meet you.”  He then raised his head so that Kenner could see two glowing green eyes under the hood.  “I remember your father well.” He said in a sinister hiss.

             
“That’s odd.” Kenner said in a sarcastic tone.  “I don’t remember him ever mentioning a ghoul in a white towel.”

The man smiled more broadly.

              “I had been told you had courage.  I’m happy to see that is true.  And you, my dear,” He said to Terri.  “I have heard of you as well; the woman soldier who wields the Blackwood Bow.”

             
“Charmed, I’m sure.” She said flatly.

             
“You’re testing my patience, creature.” Kayla said impatiently.

             
“I was only trying to be sociable.”

             
“I know what you’re trying.” Kenner barked at him.

             
“Please Kenner,” Kayla said sadly to him.

             
“Yes boy,” the man said in a lower, even crueler voice.  “Leave this discussion to the adults.”

             
Kayla closed her eyes in a pained expression.

             
“Please tell me what you want.” She pleaded.

The man sat slowly in one of the old pews and lowered his head again.

              “I’ve come to make you an offer, my Lady.” He said sounding pleasant.

             
“And what offer is that?”

             
“A war has begun; a war that will unite all the nations and a war that will end all wars.  A final peace that will never be broken will finally come to this troubled world.”

             
“What of it?”

             
“I want you to share in the benefits of this peace, of course.”

             
“How?” Kayla asked, her voice filling with anger.  “By bowing to your will?  By letting you take the woods?”

             
“Nothing of the sort, my Lady.”

             
“Then how, pray tell will I benefit from this peace that you promise?”

             
Although he was speaking to Kayla, Kenner could still feel that the stranger’s attention was, at least somewhat focused on him.  He felt as though the stranger was searching inside of him and examining him and looking into places he didn’t want him to see.  He felt his memories being searched, his thoughts of ones he cared for being picked through.  And then another feeling came and it comforted him.  A familiar presence felt as if was standing directly behind him.  He couldn’t see her, but he knew Shadow was there and then the searching stopped.

             
“I know,” he continued, “that is your desire, as it has been the desire of all the Ladies of the Woods that the secrets of the Blackwoods remain unknown to the outside world.  I know you want and your people want nothing more than to be left alone by the troubles and strife of the world outside these forests and that your blessed lives be untouched by the strains of a world tearing itself apart.  That’s the way it’s been for centuries.”

             
“What of it?”

             
“Isn’t it obvious?  I’m offering to help you maintain this peaceful and quiet existence you value so dearly.”

             
“I see.  That’s very generous of you.”

             
“It is an offer I will make to no one else.” He said coldly.

Again, Kenner felt the stranger’s attention focus on him, even without looking.

              “And what must I do to earn this benevolence?” Kayla asked.

             
“The same thing all of your predecessors have done for over a thousand years.”

             
“And that is?”

The cold and cruel smile again crossed his face.

              “Nothing,” he hissed.

             
“And what if I do…’something’?” Kayla asked.

The smile disappeared and a harsh scowl rep
laced it.

             
“Then the forest will fall.”

             
Terri could tell that Kayla was trying to hide her fear behind a brave façade.  However, her terror at hearing the threat was evident in her eyes.  She noticed that the unknown stranger seemed to see it as well.  Smiling again, he rose from his seat.

             
“The war has only just begun,” He continued, “So you have plenty of time to consider my offer.  However, eventually such an answer will be required.”  He then stood as erect as possible.  “Until then, I thank you for your time and your hospitality.  I have enjoyed this time together, but I have business to attend to and I must depart.”  He then bowed before the Lady.  “It was so good seeing you again, my child.”

At the words, “…my child…” Kayla appeared to flinch.  The s
tranger then turned to leave.  He took a few steps toward the arch then turned to Kenner.  Once more, Kenner saw the green glow of the stranger’s eyes and the terrible smile.

             
“I so look forward to our next meeting.” He told Kenner.  After that, he slowly and gracefully walked out of the circle.

Chapter Seventeen

             
After the stranger left, the branches of the trees lifted and sunlight filled the circle again.  It shown directly on the altar showing Kayla in a light that Terri had never before seen.  Now she was even more beautiful in the golden light surrounding her; but fear and sadness flooded her eyes.

             
“Are you alright?” Terri asked.

Kayla didn’t answer, but instead walked down the middle of the circle and out the archway silently.
Terri gave a look at Kenner as if searching for some kind of answer, but then turned and left herself.  Kenner began to follow her, but then felt a soft sensation similar, but not quite like a hand touching him on his shoulder.

             
Standing in the shadow of the “seedling” behind the altar was Shadow.  There was a serious, almost warning expression in her eyes.

             
“What’s going on?” Kenner asked her hurriedly.  He felt that he should follow after them as soon as he could.  Something was about to happen, he felt; something that needed him to be among his friends.

             
“I wish it were easy to explain,” She said to him.  “The winds of time are shifting at this very moment.  This is an hour of trouble that you must be prepared for.”

             
“No riddles.  What’s happening?”

             
“I cannot tell you exactly, for I don’t know; but before you leave this place, you must know that even now it is not too late to choose not to be involved.”

             
“Involved in what?”

             
“Even now at this late hour, it is still possible for you to leave all of this behind, go back to your village and ride out the storm.  Even now, you may disappear completely out of history.”

             
Kenner felt angry.

             
“You tell me this now?  After I took the sword?  After I came to this place?  After I’ve seen what I’ve seen?”

             
“You can still go home and live in peace.  Someone else may take up the sword if that is what you choose.”

             
Kenner felt his jaw tighten and his hand tighten around the grip of the sword.

             
“That’s not true and you know it; not after I’ve started to care about these people.  You knew this would happen.  You knew I wasn’t the type of person to simply turn and leave my friends behind.”

             
“Yes.  That is why the sword chose you.”

             
“You led me to the sword!” He yelled.

             
“Yes, I did,” and then she paused and looked at him as if almost about to cry; “Because that is what it wanted me to do.”

             
Kenner felt like hitting something.  He felt like screaming or roaring like Shela.  He wheeled around and nearly ran out of the circle.

             
“Don’t talk to me again until you can give me a straight answer.” He said angrily to her.