Between Darkness and the Light

by Paul T. H. Mitchener

  Mylon led Henry along the large, white defensive wall for a hundred yards or so before stopping and turning to face it. With a wave of his hand an opening appeared in front of them. Mylon turned to face Henry. “Only elves.” He smiled proudly. “Let’s get that thing stored safely away,” he continued, looking at the shaft. He then turned towards Onaxe and Sung and ordered them to remain outside and guard the entrance to ensure that they were not followed. “And no kidding around… I know you two of old,” he said jokingly. The two guards smiled and nodded in response, Mylon and Henry then passed though the opening.

  Once inside, Henry found that they had entered a network of brightly lit tunnels: the light didn’t come from any tangible source he could see; no signs of lamps or torches but instead the tunnels illuminated themselves, the walls glowed with a soft, warming, white light, a light that made him feel welcomed… A strange feeling to have coming from rocks.

  He followed Mylon through their twists and turns and the more time he spent in the tunnels, the more he was sure of his initial thoughts: the tunnels felt alive. Mylon stopped abruptly. “Here.” He pointed to an opening that just appeared out of nowhere. “We’ll store it here.” Noticing the concerned look on Henry’s face, he said, “It will be safe here… no one other than you and I will know where it is.” Henry didn’t mention how he felt leaving the Aelfgar without ready access, but it must have reflected on his face. Mylon smiled. “You’re worried I might go running off in the night with it… Well, let me reassure you … you’d have to stick red-hot pokers in my eyes before I’d lay one finger on that thing,” he said jokingly. “Come… it’s safe here.” Before he had finished joking, a blinding flash came out from nowhere followed by two red fireballs. Mylon was quick enough to push Henry out of harm’s way just before he was hit himself in the right shoulder by one of the fireballs, knocking him clean off his feet.

  Henry was back on his feet in a heartbeat. Fully alert and knowing exactly how to react, he immediately put up a defensive shield around Mylon just in time to deflect the second attack towards him. Henry turned towards their attacker: it was a tall, thin creature, covered in dark green scales and with a small head taken up mainly by a large, drooling, teeth-laden mouth. Henry didn’t give it a third chance to attack: by pushing out his hands in front of him, he instinctively gave a counter-attack. Beams of yellow light burst from his hands, slamming into the creature and knocking it back against the wall. The creature squirmed and howled with pain and anger, but managed to get back to its feet in time to try another attack but before it could, a second burst of light came forth, hitting the creature in the centre of its body, this time shattering it into large fragments.

  Mylon tried to get back on his feet but fell back down, Henry went to offer him aid but Mylon pushed him away. “How on earth did that thing get in here?!” he shouted, managing to get back on his feet, albeit unsteadily. “I can only imagine it followed us through the thorn trees unnoticed,” Henry replied. “No… how on earth did it get in here?!” Mylon shouted, pushing past Henry and running back to the opening, staggering as he went and using the tunnel walls to help support him. Henry feared that if he lost sight of Mylon while in the tunnels he would have difficulty in finding a way out, so he tried to stay with him as best he could. They ran through the twists and turns of the strangely illuminated tunnels, Mylon gradually picking up speed as he regained his strength with each step, whilst poor Henry was the opposite, puffing and panting in a poor attempt to keep up with him.

  When the opening came into view, Mylon picked up his pace and disappeared outside. Henry finally caught up with him, but came to an abrupt halt when he got to the exit. The sight awaiting them was horrific: there were bodyparts and tattered uniforms everywhere. Both Onaxe and Sung had been torn apart. It seemed as though the creature wasn’t satisfied in just killing them: it either took great pleasure in killing them, or was trying to make some kind of statement.

  Mylon turned on Henry. “You’re responsible for this… you and your damned friend.” Henry couldn’t answer him. He simply couldn’t respond if he wanted to, totally stunned by the sight before them. Mylon walked back to Henry and grabbed his jacket. “And when were you going to tell us that you’re the host?” he said with venom. “These were not just colleagues… not just soldiers in the King’s Guards… they were my brothers… My responsibility and under my care… Now look… Go on, look what you and that… that… damned spear has done!” He was now shouting at the top of his voice. Henry couldn’t look at the carnage and dropped his head in disgrace. He had nothing to say in reply to Mylon’s outburst: there was nothing that could have been said. He pulled himself from Mylon’s grip and walked away from the carnage.

  Mylon was now in a full rage and ran after him and was about to grab Henry for a second time when Henry turned to face him, his eyes glowing a bright yellow with rage. “Stay where you are,” he ordered. Mylon stopped in his tracks. Henry had little or no control over the thing living inside him, and was fighting to take control over it. He lowered his head and took deep breaths, trying to compose himself and holding back the raging creature within. Sensing danger it was trying to protect him, and by doing so, protect itself. He knew that it would react to danger but he should decide when and where it did so.

  It took some time before his eyes stopped glowing. Taking deep breaths, Henry gradually took control of himself again. However, Mylon still kept his distance, and his face changed from rage to a look of fear and surprise. Immediately, Henry felt ashamed by his action. Without looking up, said, “I’m sorry… for your brothers… and I’m sorry for bringing our problems here.” Mylon, now a little more composed, replied, “You have nothing to be sorry for… it isn’t your fault… I shouldn’t have lost control like that.” Henry nodded. “What was that thing back there?” Mylon looked back at the tunnel entrance. “A ground wromp… never seen one attack a living creature before… ever…They’re scavengers by nature… they have always survived by feeding on dead things… But more to the point they don’t have the ability to wield magical powers like that one did.”

  Mylon paused and looked Henry directly in the eye. “Thank you,” he said. “For what?” Henry replied. “For what you did in there… for shielding me… You’re instinctively protecting me before yourself… That in my book makes you more than a man… It makes you a man I can trust and more to the point… a host master I can trust.” Henry nodded in acceptance but still found it difficult to say anything, sickened and stunned by the sight of the two bodies scattered around them. Less than a half an hour ago they were joking around with each other, seemingly with no worries in the world, and now… Mylon said softly after a brief pause as if reading Henry’s thoughts, “We can’t leave them like this… they deserve more.” Henry nodded again but what could they do? There were no bodies to bury. Then, after a little thought he said, “Would you mind if I try… to put them to rest?” Mylon nodded in agreement but had no idea of what Henry had in mind, but thought anything was better than leaving two people he had loved and respected all his life as pickings for the crows.

  Henry stepped forward, motioning to Mylon to stay where he was. Still sickened by the sight around him, he walked through the centre of the carnage, stepping carefully so as not to tread on anything. and had to use all his willpower to force himself to walk through the remains, all the time trying not to look around him. Once there, he closed his eyes, not that he had to but because he wanted to. After a moment of reaching deep inside the mind of the Wyvern, he found what he was looking for: he lowered his head and concentrated, slowly summoning up the power required to do what was necessary. He knew that there was a risk of him losing control of the Wyvern, but he needed to try.

  Seconds later, he started to glow, at first it was just around his chest, then the glow spread over his entire body, a deep yellow which slowly got brighter. Mylon was still standing where Henry had left him, watching with astonishment as the yellow glow quickly reaching out in all directio
ns, covering the entire area. The glow got so intense at one point that it forced Mylon to shield his eyes, then as quickly as the yellow glow started, it faded, and as it did, it left tiny sprinkles of glowing yellow dust that covered the entre area.

  Then with no sign of any breeze or wind, the dust itself started to rise, at first in hundreds of tiny whirlwinds, and slowly rising higher and higher. The higher they got, the closer together they became, finally joining together to make one big, slow-moving whirlwind. The golden swirling dust lifted higher and higher and then in one big rush it headed directly towards Henry, totally encircling him. Mylon felt the urge to run to his aid. By managing to restrain himself and stay put, all he could do was look on helplessly as the glowing dust swirled around Henry for a few brief seconds before it slowly started to drift out from him in all directions and disburse into thin air, leaving Henry slumped on the ground.

  Mylon rushed to his aid and grabbed him around the shoulders just before he fell forward onto his face. He sat Henry back on a soft clump of grass.

  In his rush to help Henry, Mylon hadn’t noticed that the site that had looked like a battlefield only a few moments ago was now totally clear. The only things remaining were the swords and daggers of his comrades lying where they had fallen and a few pieces of bloodstained, torn clothing. Mylon knelt down next to Henry. “Where…? What?” he couldn’t get his words out. “They are now at peace… and where they belong,” Henry just managed to say. Mylon knew that it was not the time or place to push the matter further; he would speak to Henry about it once he was strong enough. However, for now he was only too pleased to hear that his brothers were put to rest.

  It was late afternoon and the sound of insects returned to the meadow, birds calling somewhere in the distance, having all been frightened off by Henry. Mylon sat quietly with him until he felt he was strong enough to finish their journey to the city. “It’s not too far to go now,” he said reassuringly. “We’ll be in Koh-Panyee before dark… That’s if you feel you’re up to it.” Henry just nodded and indicated for Mylon to help him up. “I’ve no idea what you just did… but I’m grateful,” Mylon said whilst helping Henry to his feet. Henry managed a faint smile. “I am really sorry for your loss… and sometime soon… I’d love to know something of Onaxe and Sung… They seemed so… Well, so much fun… Always laughing and joking around… And you were right to blame me for what has happened here today.”

  Henry paused. “But there is so much more at stake than you know… and I’m afraid many more lives will be lost before matters are resolved and the balance restored.” Henry paused again. “I will be honest with you… I have no idea how things will turn out… I’ve been the host of this alien thing inside me only a short while and I’m still trying to come to terms with it all… I can feel the power within me, but I’ve no idea of how powerful it is… It tends to come to me when I need it… and it’s a constant battle for me mentally to try and control it… That’s why we’re here… I’m no good to anyone exhausted… I need to rest and try to come to terms with all this hosting thing… Alfwald and his followers will be waiting for us, of that I’m sure… Henry paused, “I need a little time to at least try and master its powers, so when it does come time for me to use them, I’ll be able to do so.” He paused again, still light-headed from using the magic. “But unfortunately, it seems… they have found me first.”

  Mylon said nothing, waiting for Henry to finish. “I had no intention of speaking to your elders or asking for any help… But after today I fear I must… This attack changes everything… Instead of holding back from telling them what I am… I fear that I have to ask them for help.” Henry waited for Mylon’s response who, after a brief moment’s silence, nodded. “Come… let’s get on our way… I’m sure you’re in need of a little nourishment… and while you rest up a little, I’ll speak to the elders about it today… It’s my duty to report back to them…When they’ve heard what happened here today, I’m sure they will be only too keen to speak with you… And so, I fear, will my king.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Sophia spent most of the night sitting in her armchair watching the dying embers of the fire, whilst Bree huddled up on a makeshift bed in front of it, allowing Hazel to rest undisturbed in the bedroom. However, Sophia had been awake since dawn but remained in her chair. She had a lot to think about. Her thoughts on the events of the previous day; a lot had changed in a day, not only for Henry and her sister, but also for her. She had hoped that things would never have got so bad, but she always knew somewhere in the back of her mind that they would. She had seen the tilt of balance sometime ago, but chose to ignore it. It had been convenient for her to blame humans for the state of the world, when in fact it was just as much her fault as theirs.

  The door to the bedroom opened, silhouetting Hazel as she stood in the doorway. She took a few unsteady steps forward, not sure whether Sophia and Bree were awake yet, and not wishing to disturb them. She was fully dressed, and her hair and eyes were again as vibrant as always. She must have used some of her own magic overnight to help aid her healing. However, her face showed signs that deep down she was still damaged somehow by the magic of the Moonstone. Her face was white and drawn, and somehow looked as though she had aged somewhat. Bree had also been awake a while and sat up.

  “Are you well this morning, my lady?” Bree asked, trying to sound cheerful, even though it was far from how she really felt. Hazel smiled and nodded. “Yes, my dear… I feel much more myself…Thank you for asking.” She looked over to her sister. Sophia stood up and smiled, not trying to hide her concern but was really pleased to see her sister looking a little more herself, if not fully recovered. “I’ll cook up something hot,” she said with an emotional lump in her throat. “Come, sit.” Sophia walked over to Hazel and escorted her to her chair. Bree was now up and clearing away her makeshift bedding from in front of the fire. “I’ll get the fire going,” and with that she went about the business of cleaning out the grate and stacking it with fresh kindling.

  It was mid-morning by the time they had all finished their meals. The conversation was mainly light, commenting on the food and the drizzly, overcast day outside. Hazel watched as Bree went about clearing the table. She felt that she had to say something about the conversation she had overheard the previous night regarding her and Alfwald, but didn’t really know where to start, so she decided to just come right out with it. “You only heard one side of the story,” she said out of the blue. Both Sophia and Bree stopped what they were doing. “Last night… our brother told you only part of what happened and only his half of the story.” She paused a moment whilst she composed herself in order to continue. “Our brother made it sound that I merely killed the man I loved in a cold and heartless way.”

  Again, Hazel had to take a while before she could continue. Sophia moved forward to comfort her, but she put up her hand, making it clear to her sister that she wasn’t in any mood to be comforted. “I love Alfwald… and I always will… but I could not let him go over to the darkness,” she just managed to say. “I tried everything in my power to persuade him to see reason… I wanted us to be together… for always… but the Alfwald I knew and loved was no longer there… It was an entirely different entity…The man I fell in love with had long gone… I mean the physical man was there as bold and as handsome as ever but… but Alfwald’s spirit and soul was not…Taken over by an evil and manipulating power… Still, it took every ounce of my willpower to take his life… even knowing it wasn’t him anymore.”

  She turned away and walked over to the window. Both Sophia and Bree watched and waited as she stood at the window, head lowered, wiping tears from her eyes. Hazel turned to face them again and placed her hand over her heart. “The day I took his life was also the day I took my own… Here, deep inside me,” she said whilst hitting her chest. “If it were not for my son, I don’t think…” At this point she completely broke down. Sophia rushed to her, taking hold of her arm and sat her back down in the chair.


  Bree, however, didn’t respond. She could understand the reasons why Alfwald had to be stopped, but still couldn’t find it in her to understand how Hazel could go through with such a terrible deed as killing her own lover… the father to her son. In Bree’s mind, killing someone you love was an unspeakable act. She knew that if it was asked of her to take Henry’s life, no matter what the consequences, she could never do it. Bree watched as Sophia knelt next to sister trying to comfort her, but she couldn’t find it in her heart to feel any compassion or remorse for Hazel. As far as she was concerned, if you take the life of someone you love, you must learn to live with the consequences! So, she decided that they were best left alone.

  Without a word to either of the two sisters, she went about tidying up the room. Once finished, she made another hot drink for them all, not that she needed to, but she felt she had to do something other than sit around consoling Hazel. Besides, there was nothing better for her to do, and keeping busy helped her to keep her own feelings and views to herself, as well as trying to hide her lack of compassion towards Hazel.