“Interesting. I’m quite familiar with Brady. Tell me, Commander, what’s your link to this quest?”
“It’s only very recently come to my attention, High General. Alyx brought the matter to my attention, and I knew Vincent as well, who added legitimacy to it. I was not aware your daughter was involved until just now.”
“Very well.” Wynston nodded and looked them all over. “What is the nature of this quest? Why have you come here?”
“My quest is to cleanse the Blight at the source. As you are likely aware, the source is not far from Valrytir.” Alrion was about to continue speaking but he was cut off.
“Hearsay. I will not have you spreading such rumours!” Wynston bellowed. Alrion wanted to argue, but Lara touched his arm and shook her head. Alrion adjusted his approach.
“Nevertheless, I need to pass through to reach my destination.”
“And scout reports show extremely large numbers of Blight massing just outside Valrytir,” Alyx added.
“Brady?”
“That is true, High General. They avoided our detection initially because each Blight sighting is quite small, under our threshold. However, the scouts started to notice so they adapted their reporting to include all sightings. Now we’re getting a real sense of the number.” Brady finished speaking and waited for further questions. Wynston sighed and started to rub his chin.
“Let’s assume that your quest is legitimate, and you need our assistance to reach your destination, due to the numbers of the Blight. I need something else, other than your word to commit so many lives to such an undertaking.”
“Absolutely, High General. That is why I have organised a demonstration.” Alrion stepped to the side and gestured for his companions to do the same. He brought the giant box into the middle of the carpet.
“Please, keep your distance.” Alrion ensured everyone was a safe distance away, and he pried the lid off the box. Next, he reached into the box. There was a scream, and a dark shape climbed out. It was a Shade. Terrified screams rang through the room. The high general drew his sword instantly, as did his retinue. Alrion quickly wrapped up the Shade in waves of force, pinning it in place. The Shade was strong, but Alrion’s Will was stronger. As much as it struggled, the Shade was unable to move.
“Is everyone satisfied that we have a Shade here?” Alrion looked around the room. No one said anything.
“I am satisfied. But keeping a Shade at bay, whilst impressive, is no mere demonstration, young wizard.” The high general sheathed his sword and waited.
“Nor should it be. I am merely showing you that the Shade is real, but I do not wish to endanger anyone during the demonstration. Be prepared for what happens next.” Alrion walked closer to the Shade. He stepped up until he was incredibly close.
“I am going to release you from your prison,” Alrion said softly. The Shade shrieked again, but Alrion ignored it. He wrapped his hand in a force spell, at the same time mixing in his Soul Power. Reaching forward he placed his hand on the Shade’s chest. Using his Spark as the conduit, he poured his Soul Power into the Shade. Activating his enhanced vision, Alrion took note of the key points of concentration of the Blight and took care in directing his Soul Power to wash them away. He kept Branthor’s words in his mind, trying to minimise the damage to the person within.
As he worked, the room was silent, watching. Alrion wasn’t sure how much of what he was doing was visible by an observer. But he was too caught up in what was happening to worry too much about that. Suddenly, he had finished the job, the last Blight retreating from the Shade. The chain reaction began.
After a quick burst of light, the Shade started to fall. Alrion adjusted his force spell to let the creature down slowly. The black exterior of the Shade started to flake away, turning to dust and disintegrating. Alrion watched the whole process with his enhanced vision on. He could see the body rebuilding, replacing what had been lost. Soon there were no more traces of the Blight. Just a man remained, his breathing shallow and weak.
“Bring a stretcher,” Alrion said. The high general nodded to an aide, who rushed off. Within moments two guards returned bearing a stretcher. They set it down gently near Alrion. He thanked them and gently lifted the former Shade, using his force spells to bear the brunt of the weight. He gently lowered the man onto the stretcher.
“Lift him up and let those who need to see for themselves look.” Alrion watched as the guards lifted the stretcher cautiously, trying not to look within.
The high general strode over. He stared into the stretcher, and reached in, feeling the man’s hand.
“It’s warm, he’s alive.”
“Of course. How do you think the Blight survives? It needs us.”
“What of the man within?” The high general looked up at Alrion.
“That’s a good question, I haven’t gotten to the bottom of it. Some have had a full recovery, others I’m not so sure about. I think it depends on a lot of factors. With luck, he can lead a normal life again.”
“Brady, come look.” The high general stepped back and waited for the commander to view the man.
“I’m convinced, even though I can’t believe it. It seems like it should be impossible.” Brady looked at Alrion, an incredulous expression on his face.
“You should keep the man here, and care for him. You can review his progress, and hopefully, he can speak to you once he’s recovered. There is probably a lot we can learn for the future.”
“Alrion,” the high general said as he crossed the last few steps between them. “You swear you can do this for the whole world?”
“I swear. It’s why I need to get to the source. I can’t exactly cleanse the world one person at a time.”
“Of course.” The high general closed his eyes, deep in thought. He stayed that way for minutes. Finally, he opened them once more.
“I’ve made my decision. Whatever you need, we will provide. Today is an auspicious day. It is the start of the end of the Blight.” The high general held out a hand. Alrion held out his and they shook on it. The deal was done. Alrion beamed confidence. Inside, he was a wreck.
This is really happening. There’s no turning back. I have to find a way to make this work. I don’t want to create a world of peace that I can’t also enjoy.
43
A Heavy Burden
Alrion felt a hand on his shoulder and instantly awoke. It was Lara, leaning over him. She looked worried.
“Good morning. You looked restless. Did you sleep?”
“Good morning. I must have, I don’t remember anything.” Alrion looked around the room, remembering where he was. It was a spare apartment that his father had arranged for them. He’d arrived late at night, and it looked different in the morning sun. Alrion tried to shake off the sleepiness.
“We need to hurry. We’ve been summoned by the high general. There’s something urgent to discuss.”
“You mean your father?” Alrion glanced at Lara long enough to see her embarrassed look then sat up in the bed.
“I know, I should have told you.”
“You’re practically royalty, Your Highness.” Alrion made a mock bow in the bed, before getting up. “Now I know why you never really talked about your family.”
“It was difficult. It all happened so close together. My brother dying, the king being killed, my father being called up to the keep.”
“That’s why you left? All of that?” Alrion rose and started getting ready.
“Yes. It completely exacerbated my father’s behaviour. He’s always been so traditional, not letting me get involved like my brother. I had to read my books and do my lessons. But Leon was the son. He had the weapons training and the opportunities. And he was good, he became a squad commander in the elite unit that Brady commands. Lucky for me, he taught me quite a bit. Mostly in secret. My father didn’t approve.”
“You said your brother was a victim of the Blight. What happened?”
“There was a huge battle, my brother held off a w
hole legion of Blight, leading his men to an honourable death. Those who managed to send a message for help brought reinforcements that crushed the Blight. But they were too late to save him.”
“I’m so sorry. But I’m glad that he went out doing something important.” Alrion was ready, and he held the door open for Lara.
“Me too.” Lara sighed, walking out the door. “Now that I’m back, I feel a bit foolish for just running away. But if I hadn’t, well the world wouldn’t be on the brink of being cleansed by the Blight.”
“I suppose so.” Alrion gave her a weak smile. They started walking towards the keep, Alrion noticed that there weren’t a lot of people around.
“You’re so lucky I decided to pickpocket you.”
“I really am.” Alrion believed it too. She had been the one constant on a journey that had surprises around every corner.
I suppose it was only natural that she had a secret too. I’ll cut her a break, for now, I can see why she’d want to be clear of all this. But I don’t know if I can act the same around her.
“What do you think this urgent message is?” Alrion said, changing the topic.
“Not sure. Maybe we have more information about when to make a move? I think the army will take time to mobilise.”
“Time is a tricky thing. The more we prepare, the stronger the Blight gets. The more they concentrate their forces. But if we go too early, we blow the whole thing.”
“Exactly. But that’s what all those army men are for, they live for this.”
“What do you live for?”
“I would have said liberating treasures. But now it’s different.” Lara gave him a mysterious smile.
“And that would be?”
“Something to be shared another time. Oh look, here we are.” Lara pointed to the gates outside the keep.
“So we are.” Alrion walked through, keeping an eye on the guards. They didn’t make eye contact with Lara or Alrion, they just kept out of the way. It didn’t take long to return to the throne room. Alrion noticed that everyone else was already there. His father looked like he hadn’t slept at all.
In the middle of the room was a strange looking man. He was half height and had thick black hair. He turned to face them as Alrion arrived. The features of the man caused Alrion to gasp. The man looked like a Blighter, only with proper clothing on.
“Now I can give my message,” the man rasped. He looked directly into Alrion’s eyes.
“I know you are coming, Alrion. I know where you need to be. Only, I’m not going to make it easy for you. If you meet me directly, I’ll face you honourably. We can settle this little disagreement like gentlemen. And it’s your best chance to destroy me yourself. But if you try to sneak off, well I’ll turn my army on Valrytir. We’ll crush it and destroy every little piece. And we won’t stop there, we’ll keep on going until the whole world is under our control.”
Alrion pondered the message for a moment.
“What you’re saying is that I need to face you and your army now? Or you’ll descend upon Valrytir and beyond?”
“Yes. No more hiding. No more tricks.”
“And what if I don’t agree?”
“There’s this and more.” The man finished speaking and his stomach started to rapidly expand.
“Everyone, get back!” Alyx shouted. The room almost cleared instantly. Suddenly, the Blight-touched man exploded, and a toxic black gas started to billow throughout the room.
That looks bad.
Alrion activated his enhanced vision and saw what he expected. The gas was strands of the Blight, seeking to infect people. Alrion shuddered and started to deal with the situation.
First, he created waves of force to box the smoke in, moving it into a smaller area. Then he had an idea. He visualised an empty glass orb in the middle of the room. And to top it off, the orb attracted the smoke. It couldn’t help but get sucked in. Once Alrion added some Spark to the mix, it started to work. The smoke swirled around like it was resisting. Then it rapidly flowed, being drawn into a single space. Once it was done, there was a dense sphere of something floating in the middle of the room.
Alrion approached it carefully. It looked the same in terms of it being tainted by the Blight. He reached out and touched it with his hand. He felt the slick, disgusting taint immediately. To start with, he created a flame and set the orb alight. Next, Alrion touched the flame with his hand and pushed Soul Power into the spell. It looked like it was working.
The flame burned with a golden colour and soon died out. There was nothing else left.
“I think that’s it,” Alrion said. He looked around the room. Nobody who was left had moved since the gas explosion. The high general was flanked by Magnus, both of whom had stayed but were a good distance away. Alrion’s companions were all there but had retreated to positions behind him. They cautiously approached again.
“That was fantastic,” Lara said.
“We knew you could handle it.” Certan clapped Alrion on the shoulder as he returned. Vincent gave Alrion a satisfied nod and returned to his former position.
“That was quite dramatic. I think the creature made its point,” the high general said.
“They’re constantly surprising,” Alrion said.
“Well, let’s not beat around the bush. Either you’re an amazing charlatan, or we have a big problem on our hands.”
“Charlatan? How could you even think that for a minute?” Alrion was annoyed. The high general was a bit taken aback but launched into his response.
“You show up with a Shade that gets miraculously cured, now another Blight figure threatens everyone and blows up. Sounds like a good way to get us committed, and if you were an agent of the Blight it would all be easy for you to arrange. I’m just saying that this all looks rather convenient for you?”
“This isn’t convenient in the slightest. And you know what? I almost understand you doubting me since I did just come out of nowhere. But your own daughter? And Alyx, a soldier that served in your own army?” Alrion watched the high general’s anger bubble over.
“I’m actually being quite accommodating, really. My daughter ran off when things became too difficult, hardly a reliable person. And Alyx? She’s the reason my son died. Wasted on a trifling skirmish. Again, hardly someone I want to rely on.” Wynston pointed at Alyx and practically shouted the last part. Lara gasped and countered.
“What are you talking about? Are you mad?” Lara said.
“Go on, ask her.” The high general was fuming. Lara looked to Alyx.
“It’s true. The man I fell in love with, the one that was killed during our scouting mission. He was your brother, Leon. I thought you knew.” Alyx spoke softly and looked away from Lara.
“But you said he died in a great battle? He died saving others?” Lara started approaching her father.
“I said that to protect you. But in truth, the scouting mission did save lives.”
“You made me feel even more worthless than I was, by saying he died for a great cause? And then you turned around and said the exact opposite to her?” Alyx said to the high general. He didn’t look concerned.
“I don’t answer to you.” He looked over at Lara. “Or you either.” Lara shook her head muttering under her breath.
“What will it be, High General? Are we moving forward or not?” Alrion was sick of the discussion and hated how his friends were being treated.
If only we didn’t need these forces. But we can’t walk into that alone, it’d be suicide.
“I don’t see that I have a choice. Our forces will be ready to march at first light. But you, little wizard, need to be up front and centre.”
“Fine, I’ll be there.” Alrion left in disgust. He could hear his friends leaving too.
“You can see why I didn’t want to stick around,” Lara said. Alyx closed in and pulled Lara aside.
“I’m so sorry. When we spoke about my past, I spared the detail so that I would not bring up old wounds. I had no idea
that you didn’t know.”
“I don’t blame you, I blame him. It’s too much to sort through right now. Let’s just go ahead with what we need to do.” Lara started walking again.
“Let’s figure out what we are doing.” Alrion led them back to his temporary quarters. They needed to be clear about what was happening.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll find you later? I need to finish that project.” Vincent was apologetic and started walking off before they could respond.
“That’s fine,” Alrion said to nobody in particular. He walked the path deep in thought, not looking up. Soon enough they were in the little apartment. There wasn’t even anywhere to sit, so they all stood in a circle to discuss their plans.
“Here we are, my companions. You have stood by me on this journey and saved me. None of you has any connection to me, except that you chose to help. I owe you all my life.”
And I’ll be paying that price most likely.
“Before we begin this final planning, I just want to thank you all. Truly. It’s been a long road and I wouldn’t be here without you.” Alrion smiled and received smiles and acknowledgements from them all.
“Now, on to business. Will the high general be riding with the army?” Alrion looked to Lara and Alyx.
“I expect so, but not up front. Maybe at the rear. Lara?”
“Agreed. He will be present but at the back.”
“It’s amusing then, that he wants me at the head.” Alrion chuckled.
“To reinforce the Blight that you’re there, no doubt,” Alyx added.
“That’s fine, it’s not a danger to me. We can deal with the army, and then I can proceed to the source.”
“Who should go with you?” Lara said.
“Nobody.” Alrion noticed some surprised looks. “You can’t help me in there, and it would be an additional complication. I shouldn’t need backup, that’s the benefit of taking out their forces.”
“True, but shouldn’t we at least guard the entrance?” Alyx said.
“That is the minimum I would do,” Certan said.
“Let’s assess on the day, but my preference is to have nobody there if we can help it.”
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 32
