by Sharon Gibbs
‘We’re with you all the way,’ Peter said as he lifted the sword on his back and let it slip back in its holder.
Elle checked her blade just as the others did. It was clear in its sheath even though the leather casing was damp.
‘Well,’ Henry said. ‘I don’t know what will happen once we confront the Dark Lord, but we must be ready for anything. Stay alert.’
Above the trees at the far end of the basin a shimmer of light suddenly lit the skyline.
‘Elle, stay close,’ Christopher said as Jack signalled for them to proceed in silence. Moving across the grassland they scanned the field ahead and as they approached the middle of the basin Archer saw movement in the small copse of trees.
‘What the heck is that?’
Shouts rang out as the soldiers at the forefront first spied the strange cluster of creatures. In the slush of the mire where the water pooled at the base of the mountains before it ran through the trees and seeped down to the river, they drew their swords and attacked. They dispatched with ease the few lumbering creatures which had appeared out of the barrier of trees and just as the soldiers caught their breath, more of the monsters appeared. Groups of the strange things loped out of the foliage further up the line of trees and soon there were more than the six men could handle.
‘The Dark Lord will have many tricks up his sleeve,’ Clarence warned. ‘Be prepared!’ Then he set out across the field to help.
‘Goodwin, take a dozen men and head for the trees. We’ll attack those at the far end and make our way around to meet you on the other side.’
Goodwin let out a roar. ‘First at arms, follow me.’ He sped off towards the soldiers under attack. Jack signalled for the rest of his men to head further up the tree line where the creatures were making their way out of the undergrowth and flooding the basin. As Henry and Christopher followed Jack’s command, the staggering enemy veered to follow their movements.
Working their way up to the apex of the trees, they attacked the oncoming horde. Their blades struck and slashed slicing off woody appendages. Once the creatures were hacked open and their casings lay dormant in the muddy squalor, blue flashes of light streaked up into the sky only to be sucked back into the veil of death, to wait for their resurrection.
Hours passed and the sun moved from over the crag to slip behind the oncoming storm clouds. The leaden sky cast its gloom over the valley as it unleashed its force on those below hampering their progress and slickening the earth under their feet.
The soldiers made headway around the outcrop of trees. But the further they advanced the wizard’s magic waned and spluttered. In an effort to battle on, Henry, Clarence and Christopher used the force of nature to aide them. Concentrating pressurized pockets of air, they thrust them at the larger clusters of their enemy to force them back.
Christopher winced as the dull throbbing ache in his head exploded for a split second, blinding him as a searing bolt of pain ripped through his brain. Dark shadows loomed in what remained of his vision and he blinked rapidly to help clear his vision. The misty haze ebbed and the pain returned to the dull ache it had previously been and he continued to struggle forward to fight along with everyone else.
Jack retreated from the front line leaving his First Man-at-Arms in charge. He hurried to Christopher’s side. ‘This is crazy,’ he said. ‘How the hell are we supposed to get past these things? They’re endless. No sooner do we dispatch one group before more come to fill their place. We have too few men.’
‘I know. Something must give soon, and I fear it will be us.’
‘We need to fall back and live to fight another day,’ Jack said.
Christopher lunged in front of the captain to slash open a creature that advanced too near. He looked ahead to see their fatigued men fighting on. How long would it be before one or two fell?’ He thought. ‘And then what would happen?
‘I have an idea,’ Christopher said. ‘But I need your support in this.’
Jack glanced away from Christopher for a second as he thrust his sword wide, shearing off the head of a loner walker who staggered in their direction. ‘You know I support you.’
‘I do, Jack, but she won’t.’
Jack looked to the side to see his sister using her lessons well. His chest swelled and ached at the same time. ‘Elle will understand. She has done her fair share of things which others would think to be rash.’
‘If I can’t make it back, tell her I love her.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘To kill the Dark Lord and save the realm.’ Christopher smiled briefly and then, seeing his path clear, made his way to his grandfather’s side.
‘Henry, we need to do something,’ Christopher said as he sped to his side. ‘We cannot continue at this rate or we’ll all perish.’
‘I don’t know what else can be done, lad,’ Henry said as he failed to send a blast of his power to push back a particularly bothersome group harassing the front line of their defence. ‘They will never stop while the Dark Lord powers them.’
‘Spell me with the Unknowing, Henry.’
‘No, Christopher. It’s too dangerous to use such a childhood trick.’
‘I see no other way.’
Henry gazed across the field. He knew of no other way either. They would never be able to stop the oncoming mob and eventually they would be overrun. Could he send his only kin to thwart the enemy? What if he failed? But what if he didn’t? A surge of the decaying mob thrust forward again and Clarence used an unusually warm pocket of air to divide their numbers.
‘Hurry, Henry. We are running out of time.’ Soaked to the skin, rain trickled from Christopher’s dark hair onto his stained muddy shirt as he pleaded with his grandfather. ‘If we don’t act now, the Dark Lord’s force will overrun our front line.’
Henry peered up at the gloom overhead and scoured the darkness searching for the strength he needed and, as the rain soaked his furrowed brow, he whispered, ‘And time can disappear in the blink of an eye. Forgive me, my love, for what I’m about to do.’ Tears brimmed in his lashes, threatening to overflow and he looked back to his grandson. ‘Hold your sword close, son.’ Henry wriggled his aged fingers and his voice caught in his throat as he cast the spell of the Unknowing to hide his only kin. ‘It is done. Go now.’
Christopher turned and set out across the field. There was nothing Henry could do now but wait for him to return. Looking to his right he saw Elle as she slashed her sword to cut down the intruders within their line of defence. Would she forgive him if any harm should befall her betrothed? Pushing away his thoughts, he concentrated on the fight again and managed to push back a cluster of the decaying beasts who approached in their endless quest.
Not far from Henry, Elle speared her opponent through the eye socket and whipped her nimble sword down to hack off part of the creature’s face before she returned her blade to take off its head. Split open, her enemy began to crumble as the magic within escaped through the cavity she’d created. She glanced to her left and noticed Christopher and Henry in animated discussion. That split-second glance struck her with more fear than the creatures who ceaselessly advanced. She looked back again to find Christopher gone.
As Elle made her way towards Henry she was grabbed by the hair and dragged to the ground. Struggling, she lashed out with her sword to slice off the cocooned arm which held her and the dry desiccated foliage crumpled, crashing on top of her. Thrusting away the lifeless casing she clambered to her feet and called out to Henry.
‘Where’s Christopher?’ she called again. He stared at her, numb to the core, not knowing what he should say. ‘Henry, where did he go?’
‘Elle,’ Henry began and then he looked away from her distressed face. ‘There was no other way, lass. He has gone to kill the Dark Lord.’
‘No, Henry. No!’
‘I’m sorry, lass, but we shall all perish if he doesn’t succeed. It’s the only thing to be done.’ Henry held her as she fell into his arms and they clung to ea
ch other. As Elle regained her strength she eased from Henry’s comfort and he grasped her by the arms.
‘Be strong, Elle. We need each other right now.’ Henry pulled Elle out of the way as several of the resurrected creatures lumbered too close for comfort. He sent a blast to obliterate the cocooned creatures and they exploded, sending a flurry of wood, bark and twigs to litter the ground and cover them too.
Elle knew Henry was right. He wouldn’t have sent Christopher if it wasn’t their only choice. ‘It is to the death that we fight,’ she said. ‘The death of the Lord.’
Time marched on as the front line hacked and slashed to keep themselves from being overrun, but the endless torrent of creatures continued to plough forward as the light dimmed from the lowering sun.
Ahead in the distance a crack split the air and the sky lit up with fire. The iridescent glow spewed forth a missile which hurtled towards them and sped overhead past their battle line.
Henry’s arms flew up and he pushed his magic forward to encase Christopher’s body and slow his flight as best as he could. The green light of his magic pulsed in an intermittent flow and Henry thrust with all his might to soften his grandson’s landing. Fixed to the spot as he concentrated, there was nothing he could do to help the others in their battle if his grandson was to survive his speedy descent.
When Elle heard the explosion she looked up to see a light spear across the sky. In an instant she knew it was Christopher who flew through the air, and she kicked the creature before her hard, sweeping its legs out from beneath it and causing it to fall heavily. She wildly slashed at the creature, cracking open its husk before she turned and fled. Across the plain she ran, leaving the others to fight on. Her heart pounding in her chest drove her on. Splashing though a shallow inlet she spied Christopher laying in the boggy mire on the opposite side.
‘Christopher!’ She flew to his side and falling to her knees she shook him trying to rouse him. ‘Christopher! Christopher!’
Blood tickled from his mouth and the blue tint of death seeped into his lips.
‘Christopher. No, no! Help me!’ she screamed out as fear for her beloved became more than a reality and the darkness ahead moved ever closer. She called out again, hoping beyond hope that one of the wizards would arrive soon to heal him. Her hands rummaged over his body as she tried to rouse him, and search for the wound which brought the taint to his lips.
<><><>
Once he’d eased his grandson’s plunge as best as he could, Henry ran. He could see Elle ahead as she dashed though the shallow water towards Christopher’s still form. Henry willed himself to run faster as her screams for help stung his heart, and he prayed to the Other World that there would be enough time. He was nearly there. Through the shallow inlet he splashed. Sliding on the muddy bottom, he plunged on and raced to his grandson’s side.
‘Henry, help him!’ Elle screamed as Henry dropped to his knees and sparks flew from his fingers as he conjured his magic to heal his only grandson.
Chapter Forty-six
‘Elle, Elle,’ Christopher yelled as he raced towards her. Her screams blocked out all other sound as they penetrated his ears and Christopher knew she was frantic. Dread danced upon his skin as Henry ran past him too without asking for his help.
He followed his grandfather through the water, pounding through its shallow depths towards Elle’s side. As Henry dropped to his knees, Christopher saw the magical sparks fly without hesitation, and exhausted, he finally arrived to help them. Tears streamed down Elle’s face as she touched the man with a gentle caress and Christopher stared with disbelief at his own face.
‘No, Elle! Henry! I’m here. Right here!’ Christopher yelled as he slapped his chest, thinking it a trick by the Dark Lord. He reached out to shake them, to wake them from the lie they both had bought into but his hand passed through their misty bodies and he again pawed at their eerie forms as they continued in desperation to revive him.
‘It’s no use, son,’ a voice behind him said. ‘They cannot hear you.’
Christopher looked over his shoulder to see a man who looked familiar.
‘They cannot hear you,’ Brother Asterly said again. ‘Your soul no longer dwells with the living. You’ve moved on, here to the middle plane.’
Christopher stared at Elle and his grandfather. As he watched, their movements slowed until eventually they froze as the wheel of time in this strange place ceased to turn. He looked back at the man whose name eluded him. ‘I have to go to them,’ he said, confusion etched on his face.
‘It’s not time yet, son. Your soul has left your body and has come here for a reason.’
Christopher barely heard the man’s words as he stared at Elle’s motionless form stretched over his still body, her distress more real than anything he could imagine.
‘Son,’ Brother Asterly said as he placed his hand on Christopher’s shoulder. ‘Come away now. They cannot hear you.’
Christopher reluctantly rose and walked with the man, glancing back at his grandfather and Elle. ‘You’re in a place between life and death, where the wheel doesn’t turn. A place where you can take time to think. We here have watched you set the realm back on the path that was intended, but the past has unfortunately led you to this place in time. Zute’s rebellion and rise from the Underlands is because of a choice we wizards made long ago.
‘Back in the time of the Great War when Zute rampaged the land, his power was so great none of us then could find a way to destroy him. So we created a new realm to hold him prisoner and cast him into it. We thought we could lock away his existence.
‘Now we know we were wrong. When we conjured the Underlands we didn’t realise it was a mistake to tie our conjured realm to our sacred tree, our source of magic, and that mistake has resulted in Zute becoming immortal. Now with Athena’s help he has returned and needs to be destroyed once and for all.’
‘But how has he returned? What conjuring could she have done to bring him back? I thought our magic could not bring back the dead.’
‘Could not or should not is beside the point. He never died in the first place. The power of the tree gave him immortality, and Athena simply connected the two worlds and the Dark Lord climbed the conjunction up through the Tree of Life. The tree is the bond that links you both of the same blood. Athena has used the source of the wizards’ power to resurrect him and with him he brings a darkness that will never cease to flow throughout the land. He has learnt to draw power from the world around him. Every flower, every plant, and every tree he will suck dry. He has already begun to change the world and he won’t stop until he sees the skies turn black and liquid fire burns upon the land.’
‘But I lay over there,’ Christopher pointed, ‘dead.’
‘You have not yet moved on. You are merely in-between worlds. As Zute climbed into your world through the Tree of Life his entry sucked the majority of life force from our sacred tree. As we speak, Elune, the Tree of Life, is dying. That’s why your magic fluctuated and failed when you attacked the Dark One. The headaches you’ve been having are the tree’s boosts of power to help you succeed, but you’ve been unable to cope with their sudden pinpointed influx. The tree’s life force is coming to an end and if another does not grow in its place, our magic will disappear from the realm forever. Zute’s resurrection will destroy the world as we know it,’ Brother Asterly said and he looked to the east. ‘Hopefully the acts of a young boy, and your will to save our people, will be enough. Or our realm will be doomed and become a plane where the Dark Lord will forever roam.’
Brother Asterly grasped Christopher’s arm. ‘You will return soon. You must ensure Zute cannot destroy all life.’
‘I don’t understand. What can I do? My magic is no match for his.’
‘Soon the Tree will spark in its attempt to regenerate. It will send out searing vaults of power that will pierce any obstacle in its way as it seeks a piece of itself to ignite. You, Christopher, contain one such link.’
Brother Asterly lif
ted Christopher’s hand and pressed a finger to his palm. ‘Within you lies the key to your resurrection and with the demise of our tree, you will be saved. You must prepare yourself when you return to defeat the Dark Lord. Cast him back into the realm we created to hold him before the Tree of Life dies. Once the tree shoots its last spark, it will reserve its energy. In its dormant state we’re unsure how long it will be until it dies and the Underlands will be severed from this realm forever.’
‘How? I’ve already tried and failed.’
‘Look to your friends, Christopher. Even though they hold no magic, they are themselves truly magical. One doesn’t have to tread dangerous waters on their own,’ Brother Asterly said as he let go of Christopher’s hand. ‘There’s no time left. The tree has begun to ignite. Good luck, son. I will be watching if you need me.’
Chapter Forty-seven
Arcs of lightning shot through the sky as the Tree of Life searched for a link to regenerate itself. Soaring through the grey skies, the lightning bolts crackled as they sought out the remaining fragments given freely by the tree. Elle and Henry dove aside as a bolt whistled into their midst and ploughed into Christopher’s chest. His torso heaved as the tree’s power impaled his vessel and connected with the splinter of wood lodged in his heart. The impact of the tree’s energy ignited the fragment and a spark was created that seared through Christopher’s tissue, zapping his heart with the electric force. Again the tree’s power struck his chest and caused his body to convulse, opening his lungs and allowing oxygen to flood into his airways and nourish the blood his heart pumped, restoring life to the vessel where for an instant it had been lost.
Shards of lightning flew across the sky scattering in all directions as the tree sought its own seed to rejuvenate. Those taking refuge in the Keep watched with fear as sparks rained down upon the structure. The flashing bolts skewered the building and disappeared into the depths of the mountain as the tree searched for the seeds it had shed. Lightning ripped into the Scrynne and exploded the ornate casing, thrusting its contents haphazardly throughout the room. The charred pieces glowed as they absorbed their origin of life, but as the seeds cracked open and came to rest upon the flagstones they weren’t bound with the earth and so could not regenerate.
