Between Darkness and the Light

by Paul T. H. Mitchener

  After a while she felt well enough to sit back and enjoy the shade of the tree. To her surprise the roots must have worked. She was feeling much more herself: even though she wasn’t back to her full strength, she felt now that she was able to continue their journey on to Koh-Panyee.

  The rest of their journey went uneventfully. The hot, mid-afternoon sun gradually cooled as it started to set behind the distant mountains, replaced by the two large, purple-hazed moons. It was late evening when they finally approached the large, white hill that protected the city within. As the moonlight reflected off the white chalk, it gave it an almost purple look, a beautiful and magical sight for anyone to behold. They walked along a well-trodden pathway running along the large bank. Just as they got to one of the junctions in the path, they were met by a squad of five palace guards, all of whom seemed to know Grog and Nog and welcome them like old friends.

  After all the handshakes and backslaps they eventually turned to welcome Bree. One of the guards seemed to recognise her from a previous visit and welcomed her back, although she didn’t seem to recognise him. Grog took the commander to one side and told him of the dark things and how they found Bree on their way to meet with the king, the commander looked over to Bree and nodded to her. Bree smiled and nodded back, but had no idea what Grog was saying about her. One of the guards then approached her and gave her a sip of water from his own canteen. He also took the time to ensure that she was well enough to continue, satisfied that she was, he nodded to the commander who then indicated for the three of them to follow him and his squad.

  They had walked for only a few minutes before the leader stopped them. Now standing right next to the base of the large barrier, he waved his hand and seconds later an opening appeared in a mound just in front of them, he then turned and motioned them through. Again, there was no need for torches: the tunnel gave off its own warm, white glow, just bright enough to see them through. After only a short time Bree started to feel panic well up inside her. Being a creature of nature, she needed open spaces: being so confined like this made her very uncomfortable and claustrophobic. But when they did finally emerge on the other side, it seemed all worthwhile, because the sight of the city of Koh-Panyee and beyond was spectacular.

  That night found Henry dining at Pagworth Inn with Bert, Ben and Pagworth. Alk insisting on staying with Mylon and understandably refused to leave his side. Walt was nowhere to be seen, which didn’t really bother any of them in particular: they all had more than enough on their minds to worry about than his whereabouts. He was always sneaking around somewhere, but little did they know that he had been arrested in Lord Venton’s home hours earlier, and in doing so indicated that he may be involved in the king’s death, which in turn incriminated them all.

  The three of them spent most of the meal looking down at the partly eaten food on their plates, and the conversation around the table was sparse, to say the least. Henry had informed both Bert and Pagworth of the events surrounding the king’s death and the attack in the park, and then later repeated it to Ben when he finally decided to join them. “Let’s ave another drink,” Pagworth said finally, breaking the silence. Getting up from the table, he walked lazily over to the bar. Reaching over the bar he pulled out another large pitcher and walked over to a large, round, wooden keg and started to fill it with ale when the door suddenly opened behind him. Ben shot up from under the table and was about to bark, but stopped when he saw who it was. Pagworth swung around quickly but smiled when he saw the two King’s Guards entering the inn. “Well met, Pagworth,” the leading guard said, giving him a mock salute. “Have another guest for you,” he continued whilst escorting Bree into the room. Henry was immediately on his feet and rushed over to her. Bree was just as excited to see him and rushed across the bar to fall into Henry’s arms. Nothing was said between them: they just held each other tightly, totally oblivious to the others in the room looking on.

  Pagworth looked over to Bert… who just smiled. Clearing his throat, Pagworth said mockingly, “Well… I gather you two know each other, then.” Henry went red-faced as he stepped back a little from Bree’s embrace, now realising that they were both the centre of attention and were being shared by all quarters of the room. “This, my friends… is Bree… well, let’s just say she’s Henry’s guide,” Bert said, introducing her to Pagworth. “I’d say she’s a little more than a guide… wouldn’t you, Bert?” Pagworth replied in his usual mocking manner. Again, Bert smiled in response. “What are you doing here…? I mean… I’m glad you’re here but,” Henry asked Bree, “I thought you were with my mother… Are they alright?” Bree put her fingers on his lips. “Everything is fine…Your mother is still not well, but she is much better than she was… and in good hands with Lady Sophia,” she replied, trying to reassure him.

  The evening wore on and they now sat relaxed close to a roaring log fire in the main bar area, a lot of empty glasses on the table next to them as well as spilt beer and tipped-over pitchers. They had all settled down earlier after allowing time for Bree to rest up and refresh herself with something hot to drink and eat. She had cuddled herself up to Henry on a large, padded chair and had no intention of letting him go ever again. Henry told her what had happened to the king and the attacks on him, and in return she had partly told him of her journey from the woodland and happily relayed the tale of being rescued by the two cute little companions she had met on the way.

  However, she couldn’t find the right way to tell Henry about her second encounter with Alfwald, thinking it would be best not to: the last thing he needed now was to know that he was still being hunted by one of the most dangerous creatures on earth.

  Bert and Pagworth were slumped heavily in two of the other old, brown leather armchairs fast asleep, Bert with his mouth half-open, and Ben curled up at his feet, closer to the fire than the others.

  Suddenly the main door of the inn slammed wide open, waking Henry and Bree immediately. However, nobody except Bree responded. She sat up in surprise: other than her, the rest stayed where they were, mainly due to the amount of ale that had been consumed earlier, and were all now the worse for wear. Alk stepped into the bar and looked around with a rather determined look on his face flanked by two armed guards. On seeing the ragtag bunch huddled by the fire, he called out in a rather aggressive tone, “One of you has been lying to me!” Henry, being soberer than the rest of them, got up, albeit unsteadily. Bree was along side him and holding his arm.

  “What?” Henry was about to say when Alk slammed the door behind him and walked over to face him. “Britton… Walt bloody… Britton,” he said bitterly. “What of him…? We haven’t seen him for hours,” Henry said, confused and taken back by Alk’s attitude. “Come to think of it… we haven’t seen him all day,” he continued. “He’s been caught snooping around Lord Venton’s house just hours after the king was killed… and on questioning him he willingly informed me that his life was in danger if he didn’t find and recover the spearhead of the Aelfgar.” He paused to see what reaction he would get from Henry. By now the other two where staggering to their feet. Ben still sat by the fire, feeling that it had nothing to do with him, so why move from a perfectly warm, comfortable spot just because that idiot Walt got himself arrested? “Serves him right,” he thought to himself.

  Henry was aware of how this must look to Alk and the rest of those at the palace. He was the one with the shaft, so it stood to reason that he must be the one who wanted the spearhead. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. He understood the implications involved and the reason why he was under suspicion. “You believe I put him up to it,” Henry asked, “and in association I am responsible for what’s happening here?” It was more of a statement than a question. “Well… are you?!” Alk screamed in his face. Henry remained claim with Bree still clinging to his arm. He was about to defend himself when Bree stepped forward. Alk took a step back, a little surprised by her manner. She positioned herself in front of Henry. “How dare you question the host mast
er… like that…? And more importantly… how dare you accuse my Henry of anything underhand?” she said with venom in her voice. “It’s Alfwald… he’s the one after the spearhead, not my Henry or anyone else in this room.”

  The whole room went deathly silent – even Alk was gobsmacked, looking from Bree to Henry and back to her. Bert stumbled forward, knocking the table and spilling more ale as he did so. “Alfwald… what the…?” he tried to say before tripping over poor Ben. “Mind those bloody big feet of yours…” Ben yelped as he tried to get out of the way of his unsteady friend. “Alfwald… wants the spearhead,” she continued after a short pause. She then turned to face Henry and held both of his hands. “And my love… he wants you, too,” she said softly.

  “Let’s all sit down and have a drink,” Bert said, falling back into one of the old chairs. “No more drink,” Henry declared. “We need clear heads.” Looking back at Bree he said, “Have you seen him again?” She nodded with a sad expression on her face. “Then you must tell us everything.” She smiled in agreement. Henry glanced over to Alk. “Do you still suspect me… or anyone else in this room as conspirators?” Alk shook his head. “No… but we’ll need to get everything out in the open… no more secrets.” Henry nodded. “No more secrets,” he said as he motioned Alk to sit.

  Alk sent the two guards he had with him back to camp, now reassured he had no reason to arrest anyone, but he also felt that they would be best served back at the palace. He believed Henry when he said that he had killed the creatures responsible for the king’s death, but as a precaution he ordered a complete sweep of the palace. No corner or cupboard was to be unchecked, and all doors locked or guarded, and no one should leave their posts unless it went through him first. He was taking personal responsibility for the safety of Mylon, their new king, as well as the high council and the palace, and this time nothing was going to get past his men or his safety measures.

  Pagworth had slept through the whole conversation, so Ben took a great deal of pleasure in leaping up onto his lap, giving the poor fellow such a rude awakening. Pagworth immediately jumped to his feet, wondering what on earth what was going on. “Alk, my friend… how long have you been here?” he said cheerfully, then, noting the awkwardness in the room, he looked to Bert for answers, but he just shrugged his shoulders. “What?” he said, looking a little confused.

  A little while later, over a few cups of hot tea and a light, cold meal, they were all sitting around one of the large, wooden tables situated in the centre of the bar. One by one they went over their own individual stories, starting with Henry. He tried to explain how he felt and how things were so different for him, and that he had realised that he had changed, but at the same time reaffirmed how much more he needed to learn about the Wyvern and its powers before he could confront the shadow master. He would need to learn how to control the Wyvern’s powers himself if he were to survive the encounter. It was imperative that the powers reacted only when he called upon them. Up to now, the Wyvern had responded to danger at its will. However, once it did respond, he had always managed to take control of it, and it was imperative that it responded only when he called it, which up to now he hadn’t managed to do. He also felt compelled to state how much he was out of his depth, and that he felt he had a lot of growing up to do if he wanted to survive an encounter with the shadow master.

  Bree followed by telling of Henry’s mother and how she had used the Moonstone to find them both and how it nearly killed her, if it had not been for Henry becoming the host. She told them that Lady Hazel was making a slow recovery safely back in her sister’s home. She then talked of Henry’s uncle’s visit and what he had to say regarding Alfwald and lady Hazel. Henry at this point was intrigued and wanted to ask more about his uncles. Up to now his uncle had never involved himself in anything other than his own businesses and companies; however, Henry decided to keep quiet for now and let Bree continue and question her later on the matter.

  She then went on to tell them of her second encounter with Alfwald just before she entered the realm of the elves, emphasising how insistent he was on Henry joining him in his destiny, but more alarmingly that Alfwald had made it clear to her that he would be waiting for her and Henry on their return to the woodland. She couldn’t help but notice the looks that were exchanged across the table on hearing this. “So, what of this Walter Britton…? And what has he got to do with anything…? I mean where does he fit into the realm of things?” Alk asked. Bert looked towards Henry, who just shrugged his shoulders. “He seems to have his own agenda,” Bert replied, looking back at Alk. “He works for… or should I say he grovels to, lady Sophia… and does most of her bidding.” Ben yawned, making Bert stop in mid-sentence.

  Sensing that Ben was about to say something, he got up, had a good scratch, stopped, now satisfied that he had got the itch behind his ear, then looked at each in turn, and for the first time in hours decided it was time for him to speak. “We found him sniffing about the woods late at night… He had a message from lady Sophia… for Bert here to meet with her… but we both know him from old… he’s always up to something… often for his own benefit… So, to hear that he’s been rummaging around Lord Venton’s home doesn’t come as that much of a surprise to me or anyone else in this room.”

  Alk wasn’t happy with the fact that they had brought someone as untrustworthy as Walt to his doorstep. “So what did lady Sophia want with Bert…? And why did you bring him with you if you don’t trust the man?” he asked accusingly. At first neither Bert nor Ben wanted to answer, but Ben decided that he would. “Acca,” he announced. “What of Acca?” Alk interrupted alarmingly. “Acca called Bert to speak with him.” Ben paused. “Go on… go on,” Alk demanded impatiently. “Well, that’s it… lady Sophia wanted to know what Acca had to say,” Ben replied matter-of-factly. Alk was now getting red-faced with the anger building up inside him and stood up in temper.

  “Are you going to tell me why the great oak wanted to speak with Bert…? Or am I going to have to knock it out of someone?” Bert stood forward to face the now enraged Alk, not at all intimidated by his outburst. “Now, Alk… civil tongue and all… Nobody’s gonna be knocked by you or nobody else ere-a-bouts,” he said calmly. “I’ll tell what the old oak had to say, but only if you agree to sit down and keep a civil tongue… But I warn ya… ya ain’t gonna like it… not one tiny bit.”

  Alk went quietly and did as he was asked, not because Bert told him to, but because he was anxious to know what Acca had said. In his experience, whenever the old tree spoke, trouble always followed. Content that he had taken control of the situation, Bert sat back down and continued. “The world… well, our world… is on the verge of being plunged into endless darkness and decay… That is if nothing is done to stop it… I was shown it all by Acca… but I warn ya now if we don’t stop it… it won’t end there… It will grow and take whatever it can… wherever it can… even here.” He paused to see Alk’s reaction but he stayed seated and quiet. “I’ve seen it… and it’s not a world for the likes of you or me to live in.” He looked at Henry. “It can be stopped… but mainly by young Henry ere… but he can’t do it alone… he needs us… all of us.” He now looked from face to face. “Our only chance is to stick together and help him… and to help each other,” he said, now addressing everyone in the room. “Fighting among ourselves, fed by suspicion of one another, only helps fuel the darkness and that’s exactly what it wants… So let’s stop bickering and pointing fingers… I say it’s time we decided what we are going to do to prevent it.” Bert paused to look back at Alk. “The rest of us ere are ready to stand with him… So what do ya say, Alk…? Are you in or what!?”

  Alk took a moment to think about it: it was a lot to take in. He nodded and answered in a more civil tone. “Mylon has already decided that we take action even if the high council feels otherwise.” He looked at each in turn and continued. “It’s been agreed that I am to accompany you all back to your world along with a squad of our best… Mylon, t
oo… He wishes to stand alongside you,” he said, looking at Henry, “and I for one agree with him.”

  The room was silent for a moment, each with their own thoughts and opinions of what should be done next. But when it came down to it, Henry was the only person strong enough to stand up to Alfwald and the shadow master… So now it was all up to him. He and the rest in the room knew that: now all eyes were on him! The room remained deathly quiet whilst Henry paused to answer. He got up and walked over to the fire and stared into it for a moment as if he could find all his answers there. He needed a moment to think. He watched the tiny, red embers as they floated up from the fire and into the chimney, wishing that he was one of them. In honesty, all he really wanted to do was just float away unnoticed. He eventually turned to face the room; Bree was by his side and took his arm, hoping that it would reassure him a little. It did!

  “Firstly, we must find the spearhead,” he said, addressing no one in particular. He then looked over to where Bert was standing. “Can I leave that to you and Ben…? You’re both best suited to the task… And with the help of Alk I’m sure it will be in our hands in no time… We all know that Alfwald wants to get his hands on it… This mustn’t happen.” Bert shrugged. “You’ve already asked Ben and me to find it… and find it we will,” he said, then looked directly back at Alk. “What say you?” Alk didn’t respond at first and looked as if he was going to object, but Henry walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm. “You already have Walt… See what he knows and if he has any idea where it could be… But the mere fact that he was looking for it here makes me think that he has no more idea than we do.”