In A Time Of Darkness

by Gregory James Knoll

  * * * * *

  "It's getting late." Elryia said as her gaze turned towards the sky.

  "Aye." The Champion glanced ahead to Lornya and Ristalln, both so distracted by one another they didn't seem to notice. "Perhaps I should bring them back to reality." His eyes fell over the empty, rolling fields that went on without any apparent end. "Though with nowhere to stop, if everyone is willing, we could keep going."

  Elryia laughed, and a wink and a nudge came at the same time from her. "You need your rest, old man." Grahamas cleared his throat, staring as hard as he could. "What..." Again, he did not respond, only repeated the same sound this time, louder. "Fine, fine. I'm tired."

  "Better." He smiled and sped up. "I will speak to them." He said through his grinning teeth.

  He could hear her laughing well after he got halfway to Lornya and Ristalln. The two were riding dangerously close, each lost in the other’s eyes. When Grahamas finally approached, he had to cough to draw them out of it.

  The Goddess registered it first, then tried to mask her embarrassment. "Oh. Hello, Grahamas."

  Next was the Knight. "Hello, Grahamas." Said in the same pitch, same manner and Lornya swung at him, but he pulled from her range.

  With a "hmph" and a grunt, she gave her attention back to the Champion.

  "How far are we now?" Grahamas pondered, ignoring the cheeky Ristalln.

  "Half a day, if that."

  "And is that if we rest."

  "Aye, it is."

  "Do you think we should now?"

  "Hmm?" Lornya asked curiously, then realized the sky darkened around her and foolishness once again stained her face. "Oh... yes." She answered, but was soon to discover the same quandary Grahamas had moments earlier. "...Where though..."

  "I wondered that same thing. I believe our only option may be away from the road, though it's not entirely safe." The Champion then flicked one eye closed at the Goddess. "I don't suppose you can grow an entire forest..."

  He was being facetious, but from her expression she actually considered it. "It would take far too long...but that gives me an idea." Grahamas was about to ask what it was, but Lornya faded, hypnotically sliding off her horse and walking away from the trail.

  "What's she doing?" Grahamas whispered to Ristalln, but the Knight simply shrugged.

  Lor made her way to the open field before them, and once a good distance out, she slid to her knees and pressed her palm to the ground, digging and sifting through the dirt. Though neither could see it, her eyes closed. Though neither could hear it, she hummed gently. After that she stood, walking a fair ways up, and kneeling to repeat the same task. She had made her way around again when the Champion and the Knight both discovered what she was planning. In the first area that she had knelt, a once empty space was sprouting stems that grew three feet above the ground and incredibly close together, entwining themselves with one another, leaves and large roses filling in the gaps between them. Eventually a second wall above the first began to grow, a third, then finally a forth as she finished moving around. And on what was once only wild grass and empty space, a wall of flowers grew in, thirty feet wide.

  Grahamas’ eyes expanded as he watched her, yet he spoke directly to Ristalln. "If you somehow manage to get her... keep her."

  "Aye. I plan to."

  They quieted as she returned, but still looked overly impressed. "So then... it's suitable?"

  Graham nodded, the Knight beside him swooned and the rest of Awakening gathered. "It's amazing, Lor. Everything you do is..." Ristalln whispered.

  "It's perfect, Lornya." Grahamas said in between his chuckling.

  "Minus the stench." Gort grumbled, riding past them towards the temporary shelter.

  "They're flowers, Gort... they smell pretty." Merial teased, but the Dwarf was well on his way out of earshot, and he would have ignored her anyways.

  As Gnert and Lanyan followed, Grahamas faced Mare with a touch of concern on his face. "Are you well?" She nodded quickly and excitedly. "Good. I apologize I did not ask you earlier. I thought you needed time alone."

  Merial eased a bit closer to him, then rested her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you. Though I needed time to sort things out, I do not wish to make you worry about me. You do enough of that as it is."

  Grahamas turned his mouth in every direction--comfortable or not--at the comment. The young bartender only smiled and winked, with such a gesture reminding Graham that he may not need to stress so much. "It's strange…almost surreal. But I'm well."

  "Loss often can be. I experienced the same thing."

  "No, not loss... just reality. The future. " The woman leaned further, looking first to Grahamas, then Elryia, whispering. "In fairness... I feel free."

  That was all Grahamas needed to hear, and shed a genuine glow. "I am glad, Merial." He bowed softly, and she repeated the gesture, then glanced back to Jeralyle as he approached, Graham giving Elryia a knowing look. The four then hurriedly made their way across the field.

  "This is quaint." Elryia said, peering over the flower's edge. Gort immediately shot up from his laying position to glare at her, then went right back down. Dropping off of her horse, Elryia laughed, then returned to examining her surroundings. "Someone still should watch tonight..."

  "I am willing." Grahamas said, and another stern look came, this one from the Goddess at his side.

  "There by defeating the purpose of us stopping." She indicated fiercely.

  "I'll stand guard." Merial offered.

  "We... will stand guard." Jeralyle interjected almost immediately.

  "Well. Thank you both." Lor bowed cordially to him, handing over the reins of her horse to Jeralyle, as did Ristalln then both stepped through the make-shift barrier Lor had created. "Don't step on them." She chastised the Knight, plucking her tongue through her front teeth.

  "I wasn't going to." Rist huffed, following behind her.

  Grahamas had removed his bed roll and given the reigns of Whispering Thunder to Jeralyle before handing over those of Feiron, then took Elryia's hand and led her through.

  Once they had been stabilized and everyone else laid down, Merial strolled forward with her arms crossed by her waist, then turned and gave a flirtatious look to Jer. A nod of her head to follow was all he needed to do so.

  When he was on his way, Merial sat down and tucked her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as her gaze lifted towards the sky. "It's beautiful out tonight."

  The Mage tucked himself tight beside her. "Indeed it is."

  After he was seated, Merial moved closer, until she was right next to him, nudging his arm with her elbow. She was trying to give the Mage a subtle hint, but it was too much so, and he didn't catch on. "Jer..." She prompted, but he still seem confused. With a giggle and a rolling of her eyes, her hand grabbed his and she pulled his arm around her shoulder.

  "Oh..." he whispered, squeezing lightly and turning his blushing face away.

  That only left room for her head to rest on her shoulder, and she eagerly took the empty space. "Jer... can we talk?"

  "Always."

  "Have you thought about...us?"

  "Truth?" He felt her nod against his frame. "Every day."

  "What do you think about?"

  He groaned uncomfortably, unsure of even how to tell her such things. "Mostly the future. Mostly about you." He sighed, not knowing if he was going to cross a boundary. “I don't know what the future holds for me, but I know that I want you there with me. I can't imagine it any other way. I wouldn't want to."

  "Truly?"

  "Truly."

  Her arm worked its way around his waist, and she held him tight. "As do I." She smiled against him, then turned her head up. "Jer?" Can we just... tread slowly for now? I'm still reeling from all of this." He bowed slowly in acceptance. "That's well?"

  "Of course, Mare. I'm still new to this myself."

  She was so used to being forced and pushed into decisions with Carsis, Jeralyle's genuine concern and giving na
ture was something she never expected and without warning, she reached up and clamped onto his chin with her thumb and forefinger, using it to pull his face back down to her, slimming her eyes. "You're remarkable. Do you know that?" But before he could answer, she kissed him hard on the mouth.

  "I ... uh..." He tried to respond.

  "You are. Don't argue." She said, kissing him again.

  His face grew curious. "You know that's no way to persuade. I'm going to keep arguing if you're going to keep trying to shut me up by kissing."

  One final time she did, holding her lips to his for a long time before pulling away, only long enough to mutter "shush" then grinned and tucked herself back under his arm.

  He left it at that, only holding her against him, occasionally looking around to make sure no one approached.

  Behind them, everyone was sleeping peacefully. Lornya and Ristalln were tangled in each other’s arms, Gort lay on his back, arms outstretched and mouth wide open, at his feet Gnert was curled up into a tiny, furry ball. Lanyan rested at his side, his face pointed in the direction of Sharia and far off in the corner, the Champion slept; a charming, dazzling young woman using his chest as a pillow.

  Both were completely still, but in Grahamas' mind he found himself in the same dream he had the night before last. He made his way down the rows of people, he stood on the altar, first facing the Sage, the Goddess and finally the Knight. Then he angled towards the path he just walked, to see Elryia doing it now. The audience stood up to watch her as she glided along, adorning the same white dress, wearing the same lace veil. In his prior dreams, Graham found himself in the middle of a thunderstorm, climbing a tower he had never seen. It was all very cryptic, and incredibly ominous. In that, he found himself almost desperate to wake. This one he was struggling to stay in. It was a situation that he never imagined he would find himself in—dream or otherwise—but that was before he met her. Now, he could think of nothing else.

  Her face beamed under the lace, and she cast a smile to the other three standing around the Champion, then faced him. Both his hands raised and his fingers wrapped around the veil, lifting it gently from her flawless features. With a wink from him, a smile from her, both faced the Goddess. When they were situated, Lornya began speaking, but as hard as Grahamas tried, he could not understand a word of it. It came out as only whispers spoken too quickly for him to decipher in his state.

  After a short time, the two went to face each other, Grahamas could hear Lornya still speaking to him, and on instinct he raised his hands for Elryia to place her own. Once they had been set, Grahamas began reciting, but it remained blanketed and incoherent. When he had finished, Elryia spoke to him as well, all in the same manner.

  It was only when Lornya spoke one last time, this said to them both, did the very lost sentence ring through. "...and do you accept this bond forever, in life and in death?"

  "I do." The Champion said first.

  The young woman beamed, then opened her mouth to answer. "You're snoring."

  Grahamas paused, not sure he heard her properly.

  "Grahamas. Wake up. You're snoring."

  The Champion jerked back to reality, and stared up at the misty gray sheet of clouds above him. "What happened?"

  Elryia crept over him to pull herself into his line of sight and whisper, "You were snoring" to him.

  "I was?" His head rose slowly, and first he found Elryia—who was cheerful—then he turned to see Gort leaning on his side, glaring as hard as he could. "Oh..." The Champion averted back to Elryia. "He looks very angry."

  "Nah. He always looks like that." She flashed him one more grin before her head made its way back to his chest and her arms went around his waist. "It's still early. Go back to sleep." She stated, but then poked the side of his ribs. "But no more snoring."

  Graham could hear her laughing, despite the fact she tried to bury it against his torso. Although he motioned acceptance, and closed his eyes, he wasn't able to do as she requested. The moment his head lay back down, the dream began wandering through it. It was a future that he often thought about, and typically visualized, but now it seemed incredibly dominate. Other things like Valaira and the ever impending war were usually the first things to surface at times like these, but they oddly seemed to fade away. It was increasing more and more, Elryia taking its place on every occasion. She wandered into his mind when she wasn't around, she stayed with him long after their encounters ended. Above all else the duty he once had or the vengeance he sought was giving way to her, so vehemently that his only desire was to be with her, his sole duty to protect her. Grahamas considered it may have always been that way.

  Upon instinct, he brought her closer, all the while wondering why he could think these things, and never say them. Perhaps it was because in all his years he had never truly felt them. He had encountered nearly everything else in his very long lifetime, but never love. Despite his wisdom, his culture and knowledge, he was just as inept as Jeralyle in this manner. He knew deep down it was only fear, and he tried to handle it the same way he had when he experienced it on the battlefield. Simply to face it, though this time he was not risking his life, but his heart. And that...

  "Grahamas..." Came a whisper, and he looked down first to see if it was coming from Elryia. "Behind you. Are you sleeping?"

  The Champion leaned his head back, but saw only long, red hair connected to an arched head. "No. Not sleeping." Though Elryia and Ristalln were, providing them the perfect opportunity to speak.

  "I need your advice... about Ristalln."

  Grahamas leaned even further. "You need my advice?"

  "Aye."

  He needed more. “You. The purveyor of love?”

  “Aye.” She whispered harshly, but her voice held a teasing undercurrent.

  "Deal. But only if you share yours with me." Came his reply, matching her tone.

  "Fair enough."

  "Thank you. But I will allow you to go first, Goddess."

  "Don't call me that." She bit, knowing he could not see her amusement. "I just want you to tell me about him."

  "Is there anything specific you want to know?"

  Lornya remained silent for a lapse, leaning down to make sure the Knight next to her was still asleep. "I want to do something special for him. Something memorable. I need to know what he likes, beyond adventure and excitement. He doesn't mention much else."

  The Champion held his laugh down, fearing it would be so loud the others would wake from it. "He doesn’t like much else."

  Grahamas could hear Lornya sigh. "Why couldn't he like simple things such as flowers and nature. It would make it so much easier."

  "Aye, but that's why you're interested is it not?" No answer, but he still knew it. "If it's from you, seeing the way that he looks at you, it will be special no matter what it is."

  "That's very sweet of you to say." She whispered, reaching back to run her fingers through his hair.

  "Oh!" he suddenly realized. "He does like wine."

  "Wine... interesting."

  "Aye. And clothing."

  "Clothing?"

  "Bracers, shirts, that sort of thing. He likes flashy items that draw attention to him."

  "Fitting." She chuckled. "Thank you Grahamas. That's helpful."

  "You're welcome.” Grahamas whispered.

  “Now... about you?"

  "It’s about El." And just as Lornya had earlier, Grahamas looked down to make sure she was asleep. "How should I tell her?"

  "Tell her what?"

  Grahamas verified again, this time much more emphatically, that Elryia was fully asleep, giving her a gentle shake. "El?" He whispered. No response. She only sighed and murmured. After Grahamas was assured, he leaned back towards Lor. "I need to know how to tell her I'm in love with her."

  The Goddess thought. "Why not just say that to her?"

  "It's not how I say it really... just what if she does not say it back?"

  This time, Lornya bit back her chuckle. "You really have no id
ea, do you?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Let me put it this way. If you were asleep and she awake, the same conversation would be going on, only I would be giving her advice on how to tell you she's in love."

  "What?" Grahamas jerked up, so fast he almost pulled Elryia right out of her slumber. "Are you sure?"

  "Purveyor, remember? I've been watching people fall in love for 700 years. Trust me. I'm sure."

  "Why hasn't she said anything?" He asked, mostly to himself.

  "She's more like you than either of you realize."

  Grahamas heard a tone in her voice and a slight elation. "Are you insinuating that's a bad thing?"

  The Goddess full out erupted, bringing her hand up to her dark red lips to stifle it. "Not at all. But both of you are incredibly noble and very considerate. So much that you are too worried of the others feelings to ever share your own."

  Grahamas had never heard it said in such a way, and it didn't take him long before he realized she was right. "Thank you, Lornya. That's helpful."

  "You're welcome. I'm happy to help you, though I never thought I would see the day you asked me for advice on love.” Lornya took a long breath, one deriving from thought. “I knew when I met her again why she had such a firm grip on you. You best be good to her."

  With a smile, Grahamas wrapped his arms tight around Elryia. "You do not ever have to worry about that."

  "I know I don't." She reached back one last time and patted his head gently. "Get some rest, Grahamas. Tomorrow is going to be a very difficult day."

  He agreed, reaching up to brush her hand before it drew back. "Good Night, Lornya."

  "Aye. Good night, Grahamas."