“The sun had already gone down when your father found me. I told him what had happened and begged for his forgiveness. He said that a water spirit had warned him that Saraf would come to me that very day. He said the spirit was a vile thing, and that it told him he should kill me for such a betrayal.
“I told him that the spirit was right, and he should do just as it said. But instead, your father looked at me tenderly and held me close. He said he didn’t blame me, that fault was with Saraf.
“I wanted him to blame me, though. I wanted to be punished for what I had done, and after a time I grew resentful of your father’s forgiveness. I hated myself and wanted him to hate me too.
“Then, I found out I was with child.
“I remember the look on his face when I told him. Both of us knew who the father was, but he told me it didn’t matter, that he would love you all the same. I should have been grateful, but I wasn’t. I was angry-angry at him, angry at myself, and angry at Saraf.
“I know you must have thought I didn’t love you or your father, but that isn’t true. All I could think about, once you were born, was what the Oracle had told me. It was coming true, and I knew what would happen next.
“The day your father died, Saraf returned to me. I was outside gathering wood when I heard a voice call my name. I looked up, and there he was. This time he appeared as a shimmering light, but his voice was sad and full of remorse. He knew my husband was dead, and he told me he was sorry. “I stared at him in disbelief. I screamed at him, calling him a liar.
“He moved closer and told me it was the spirits of the water that caused my husband’s boat to sink. They were jealous that Saraf had loved me. When they failed to convince my husband to kill me, Saraf had hoped they would let go of their envy and move on. Instead, they waited. They waited until they thought Saraf had forgotten, and then they struck. They knew that an attempt on my life would be more than he could forgive, so instead, they took my husband. They knew it would hurt Saraf to see me in pain.
“I couldn’t believe it. I wept, unable to understand why the spirits would do such a thing.
“Saraf told me that the spirits could not bear to share his love with another; they wanted it all to themselves. He told me again that he was sorry. He tried to stop them, but he was too late. By the time he realized what they had done, it was over.
“I ran at him then, intent on killing him, but I passed through him as if he wasn’t there. I told him he knew nothing of love, cursing him as I fell to the ground, weeping. Saraf vanished and I never saw him again.
“It was then I knew what I would have to do. I returned to the temple and made sure we were sent north. When Lord Dauvis took you in, I fled and eventually found this place. At the time, it was a place of retirement for the Order of Amon Dahl. I told them my story and they allowed me to join the order and remain. When the Dark Knight destroyed the original Valshara, we reformed the Order from here. I sent people to Hazrah to keep an eye on you, but I was afraid to make contact out of fear of the Oracle’s words. I would not see you die because of my own foolishness. I’m sorry I was not there for you, Lee. I’m sorry that I caused you pain. I never wanted this, I swear.”
Selena’s eyes welled with tears as she gazed into her son’s eyes. Lee stood and walked around the desk. “For years I was angry with you,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “But I see now why you did what you did.”
“Can you forgive me?” she asked, rising to her feet.
“Mother,” Lee said tenderly. “I am alive because of your sacrifice. There is nothing to forgive.” He reached out and embraced her tightly, and they both wept joyful tears.
Chapter 33
Lee and Selena talked for hours, catching up on years of lost time. They stopped only when Lee noticed the fatigue in his mother’s eyes.
“We can speak more tomorrow,” he said. “You need rest.”
“I know there are important things we need to discuss,” she said, embracing him again. “But I’ve wanted to just sit and talk with you for so long. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and this will be a dream.”
“I’ll be here when you wake up,” he promised. “And there’s time enough to discuss everything. For now, I just want you to sleep and regain your strength.”
He left his mother and made his way back to the healing chamber, where he found Kaylia, sitting in a chair next to Gewey’s bed and holding his hand. Her eyes were shut, and she swayed back and forth slowly. Gewey’s face was still pale and covered in bruises. Bandages had been wrapped over nearly his entire body. Lee marveled at the fact that he was alive at all. He had seen many wounded men, but never anyone who had taken this much punishment and still drew breath. He placed his hands on Kaylia’s shoulders.
“How is he?” he asked quietly.
Kaylia gradually opened her eyes. “He is lost. The healer was right; he is in a place no mortal has been. I can hear him, but it’s like trying to hear a voice in a storm.”
“Do you think he knows you’re here?”
“I don’t know,” she replied somberly. “But I am the only one that has a chance to bring him back. I sense his struggle, but I can’t see what he struggles against.”
“Perhaps you should rest,” Lee suggested. “You can try again later.”
“I swore to never let him fight alone again,” Kaylia said, her resolve absolute. “Whatever the danger he faces now, I will face as well. I will not leave his side.”
Lee heaved a sigh. “At least let me get you some food.”
Kaylia nodded reluctantly.
“I’ll return shortly,” he said, and went to look for the kitchen.
On his way, he ran across Ezmerial, who was on her way back from one of the dining halls.
“This place is wonderful,” she said. “They’ve offered to let me stay for a while and study their healing techniques. I’m so grateful that I came with you-not that Kaylia gave me much choice in the matter. But still, I must remember to thank her.”
She reached in her pocket and pulled out the four gold coins Lee had given her.
“I wouldn’t feel right keeping this. I had planned to give it to the temple, but as I won’t be returning for some time…”
Lee shook his head. “Keep it. When you do return, use it to buy what you need to teach others what you have learned here.”
Ezmerial bowed, then kissed him lightly on the cheek. “You’re a good man, Lee Starfinder. May the Gods keep you safe.” Lee watched as she walked away, humming happily.
When Lee found the kitchen, he had the cook prepare a plate of roast beef and corn for Kaylia. The cook took one look at Lee and insisted that he take a plate for himself as well. Lee hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment.
“One of these wouldn’t be for that lovely elf woman, would it?” asked the cook.
Lee nodded.
“Then you eat this in the dining hall, while I cook up something special for your friend,” she said, handing him a plate. “The moment I heard there was an elf here, I got out my old recipe book and found an authentic elf dish. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to use it. Please, the hall is just through that door. It won’t take be but a few minutes.”
“I’m sure she’d appreciate it,” Lee said, and exited through the door.
The hall was almost empty. The afternoon meal had already been served, and several young men and women were busy cleaning.
He sat and drew in the smell of hot beef and corn, and his mouth began to water. One of the men cleaning asked him if he wanted any wine.
“That would be excellent,” he said, forking a large bite of beef into his mouth.
He had only halfway finished his meal when he heard his name being shouted from outside the dining hall door. He jumped up and ran out to see who was calling. A young girl saw him as he exited, and ran up to him, out of breath.
“Lord Starfinder,” said the girl. “It’s the elf. Something’s wrong. You need to come quickly.”
Le
e bolted down the hall and back to the healing chamber. Two women were holding Kaylia in their laps, while his mother had her eyes closed, and her hand on Kaylia's head
“What happened?” he cried.
His mother opened her eyes and rose to her feet. “I don’t know- at least, not for sure. I came to check on the boy before going to bed, and I found her lying on the floor unconscious.”
“Can you help her?”
“I think she managed to reach Gewey,” Selena said. “If that’s so, then there is nothing we can do, but hope they both find their way back together.”
Lee walked over to Kaylia and knelt down beside her. She was drenched in sweat, and her body twitched every few seconds. He brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead.
“She is with him,” Lee said somberly. “She fights alongside his spirit, just as she said she would.”
Selena immediately ordered a bed be brought in for Kaylia. The bed was set directly next to Gewey’s, and they gently placed Kaylia’s limp body on the mattress. Lee sat next to them, staring into nothingness, barely noticing when Dina pulled a chair next to his.
“Lee,” Dina called gently. Lee looked up with a blank expression. He wrapped his arm around Dina, and she put her head on his shoulder. They sat for hours, saying nothing. Lee’s mother checked in on them from time to time, despite her obvious fatigue. She had water brought for them to drink, but neither he nor Dina touched it. Night turned into dawn, and still neither Gewey nor Kaylia had moved. Selena came in and sat on the edge of the bed to examine their two fallen friends.
“Ertik told me you have brought the Book of Souls,” she said as she checked Gewey’s bandages. “Is that true?”
“We think so,” answered Lee. “The box is unbreakable, so there’s no way to know for sure.”
“You must give it to me,” she said. “If I can find a way to open it, there may be something within the pages that can help your friends.”
Lee nodded and got to his feet. “I’ll bring it here now,” he said, and quickly left to retrieve the book from his room.
“Do you really think you can open it?” Dina asked.
“I don’t know,” Selena replied. “But it’s either that, or simply wait and do nothing.”
Lee returned with the box and handed it to his mother. She looked at the lid intently, then turned it over.
“This is the Book of Souls,” she said finally, and sat it gently on the bed.
“Can you open it?” Lee asked, hopeful.
“I don’t know. I will try, but it will take time. I need to contact Althetas; there’s an elven sage named Theopolou that might be able to help. I’ll need to send word to him. Of course, when he finds out we have the Book of Souls, he very well might try to kill us and take it for himself. The elves have been looking for it since the Great War. How did you come by it?”
“Dauvis Nal’Thain had it,” Lee explained. “It was among his possessions when I claimed my inheritance.”
“You took his name, then?” she asked.
“I did,” Lee admitted. “He was good to me. When he died, he left me his title and position.”
“Lee Nal’Thain,” she whispered to herself. She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. “Well then, I need to get word to my contacts in Althetas right away. They will know how to find Theopolou. It will probably take him many days-if not weeks-to get here, so please make yourselves at home. Explore the temple if you wish. Dina, am I correct in remembering that you wish to become a historian in the order?”
“Yes, High Lady,” Dina replied earnestly. “Very much so.”
“Then you shall be. As of now, you are a cleric of Amon Dahl, but the formal ceremony will have to wait.”
Dina’s eyes shot wide. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Selena smiled warmly. “Say that you will be truthful in all your accounts. You live in historic-though terrifying-times, and an honest account will be important. You travel with my son and he trusts you; that is enough for me to know your worth. I hereby welcome you, young cleric.”
“Your son?” Dina exclaimed in shock.
Selena smiled. “I’m sure Lee will tell you all about it. For now, I think both of you should get some rest.”
“We will, Mother,” Lee said. “But I think I’d like to sit here for just a while longer.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Dina offered.
“You can tell a person’s value by their friends,” Selena remarked. “You, my son, have great value from what I can see.”
Lee smiled and Dina bowed low.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, son,” she said as she left.
“Your mother?” Dina said incredulously. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“I just found out,” he replied.
Dina looked at him in wonder. “You are full of surprises,” she said. “I must say, meeting you has been an experience of a lifetime.”
Suddenly, Kaylia shook violently. Lee reached out to grab her, but she stopped shaking just as he touched her arm.
“I hope this Theopolou can help,” Dina said as Lee wiped the sweat from Kaylia’s brow.
“So do I,” he replied gravely. “So do I.”
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The Sword of Truth (epub)
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