In A Time Of Darkness

by Gregory James Knoll

  * * * * *

  At nearly the same time Kalinies had told the story of Fate to Idimus, Lornya relayed it to Grahamas and Elryia—only with more detail. The Goddess had actually seen it, been told the legend from the one deity that had watched it happen.

  “…And so Fate remains. Locked within Sayassa, waiting patiently for a Champion to free her.” Lornya finished, or at least she thought she had. The look on Grahamas’ face said he still had many more questions.

  “Is she still alive? Still a changer?”

  “Not… in a sense. You see when the First War ended, the three were asked to ascend into the mist to live with Yavale. He feared that one day another war might come, that the Lathlogar may free himself, so he granted an enormous amount of power to the Three. He decreed them as the guardians of Eldonia to one day be reborn when the world needed them. Yavale, as well, gave Fate a choice. She could return to earth and her form and live out her life, or she could remain by the side of the White Flame. She, of course, stayed with him. But Fate was a creature of flesh and blood, and while she was able to change her form to steel for the war, her body desired to return to what it once was, though her mind did not. The White Flame wielded her as though they were one, their moves were flawless and their power together unimaginable. I truly believe that the day was won simply because of that sword. On the battlefield it was as though they had both found their destiny. She had found her calling and it was not as flesh, but as steel. If she was to remain that way, however, she was asked to cast away her human body for all eternity. So she’s alive…but no longer able to be human.” Grahamas nodded, though his brow quirked in all sorts of manners, telling Lornya that he didn’t quite understand without saying a word. “Don’t worry, it will make sense once you’ve found her.”

  “And she is able to kill Valaira?”

  “She can kill nearly any evil soul, Valaira being one of them.”

  Graham nodded, that being a far more direct answer than the previous one. “And these trials to find her, what are they?”

  “That, I cannot tell you. You see, you are not the first to seek Fate.”

  “I’m not?”

  “Aye. Most cannot enter Sayassa, however a few chosen have a marked soul—one that is either unknown or allowed by the barrier—some who entered did so unknowingly, a few have even sought Fate. Though they can pass, the mists are no less forgiving to them and in order to protect perhaps the greatest weapon in existence, the traveler’s body, mind, and faith are tested. But an ordinary test would not suit everyone, so each is different. The mist is able to draw out and bring life to each person’s greatest fears, desires, and regrets. As much as I wish I could Grahamas, I can’t tell you what trials you’ll encounter because I don’t know. All I can say is whatever you truly fear is what you’ll face inside.”

  Grahamas looked curious and discouraged all at the same time, “Is that why you asked me to retrieve Hope first?”

  “Aye, it is. I want you to be safe, even if you don’t know what to prepare for.”

  The Champion flashed her an appreciative grin, “So do I.” Grahamas’ focus shifted from Lornya to Elryia, who seemed to be off in her own world, but was staring at the Champion with wistful eyes. “Is there anything else I need to be aware of?”

  “Just remember who you fight, Champion. Even with Fate, Valaira will still be incredibly powerful and her magick is dangerous. ‘Tis why I chose now to tell you of Elryia’s past.”

  “Is Elryia’s magick stronger?” Grahamas asked, but both looked to her for an answer.

  “Elryia has the potential to become the strongest wizard of all time. She could—with practice—defeat Valaira. You must remember Grahamas, though her magick is different and she calls upon dark powers, at the core she is simply a wizard. Human. Protected, but human.”

  Graham considered it, squeezing Elryia’s hand. As the lights of Davaina came into sight far off in the distance and the tail end of Mt. Forgas washed away they continued onward. “I will keep that in mind.”

  Lornya gave a soft expression to each of them. When nothing was said for a long time, the Goddess dismissed herself, turning towards the night, taking a deep, long breath. “I have spent so much time in the mists, I’ve forgotten how beautiful the night can be. Tell me to slow if I get too far ahead, aye?”

  “Aye,” Graham responded.

  “Grahamas…” Elryia whispered, the view of Davaina inspiring a question within her.

  “Aye?”

  “Do you think Rhimaldez is faring well?”

  Grahamas thought for a moment, following her vision to the horizon. “I think Rhimaldez is going to stand out in any town, but he is incredibly smart and a well-rounded warrior. I believe he’s capable of staying away from most trouble, and able to fight himself out of the bit he does get into.”

  She laughed, unable to help it, “Do you think he’ll always be like that?”

  “When I first heard the story of Perticus and the magick he cast on him and the others, I looked into it to know what I was up against. The type is linked and held together by the caster. If he were to fall, or no longer have the strength to maintain it, it may eventually wear off.”

  “He could be human again?”

  “Aye. He very well could be. Though I don’t think it matters, at least to him anymore.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “When I was first with Ramia, his wife, he charged through the door and she didn’t scream—she didn’t even make a sound. She only stared at him like she was still looking at her one true love. As if she could see passed the horns and the fur and was able to gaze upon what was truly underneath. To her, it didn’t matter what Rhimaldez looked like, only who he was.”

  Elryia sighed with contentment, as she grew slightly misty, “She sounds very special. Can you imagine loving someone so much that it wouldn’t matter if something like that happened? It wouldn’t change your feelings in the slightest?”

  “I don’t need to imagine…” he whispered. Lornya—as far ahead as she was—had heard it carried on the wind, though Elryia had not.

  “Hmm? I’m talking to you… Are you paying attention?” She giggled and nudged him gently, nearly walking her horse right into his.

  He tried to focus, but couldn’t help being overtaken by her playful nature. “Aye. I confess, I can imagine.”

  She laughed and trotted ahead of him, flicking one look back and giving him her unique smile, “That’s all I wanted.”

  For a moment the Champion glared and growled low in his throat, prompting Elryia’s expression to expand then she burst into laughter and kicked her horse to go faster as Grahamas spurred Feiron forward to chase.

  Now Lornya was left behind instead of leading the way, simply chuckling along with them. “Children…” she muttered, watching. It was a nice surprise and pleasant change. This was not the Grahamas she knew from long ago. Even in the weeks she had been with him, she noticed it. The Grahamas of Highlace was strict, calculating, and perhaps even a tad cold; living for his duties and his kingdom. This Grahamas smiled more often, laughed with less effort, and—as obscure as it may seem to others—seemed to have more desire to fight, even though he no longer had a kingdom to do it for. He had something far more precious and as many times as Lornya had seen it, even prompted it, it was a different experience every time. Watching two people fall in love always was. It brought happiness to her that she couldn’t explain, nor would give up for anything. But deep down in her own heart, she wanted it for herself. Without warning, without any indication, her thoughts slowly and surely drifted to a certain knight holed up in a mountain kingdom.