After moment of silence Aidan added, “But there is something more I need to tell you. At first I was terrified of the power the feather has given me, but now I want to use it more and more, and each time it becomes easier to do. It scares me, Elwin. What is happening to me?"
Elwin sighed. "It is me. I am sorry Aidan."
"What …. you?"
"What has happened to you? It is because of me that this thing happened to you."
"I do not know that and nor do you," said Aidan.
"I think we both do," replied Elwin. It was not an accusation but a simple statement.
"'The three will change or all will die'. Isn't that what she said?" He looked up, and glanced at
Pallas and Colin. His two friends were laughing and talking over their breakfast. "Who else will I change? Maybe I already know. Change or die. It is not much of a choice." Elwin turned to Aidan. "I am sorry. You did not deserve this. Too many have been made to suffer in the name of Saran Na Grian." Elwin gently touched the sword that hung at his side. "It is a cursed thing. We both would have been better off if I had thrown it into the sea. It has made me dangerous to those I care the most about. Aidan, you should keep clear of me. Return to the Green. It might not be too late for you."
Aidan shook his head, "It is not your fault. The blame lies in the hands of Torcull and the Dark One. Until they have fallen, we are but tools in the hands of a greater power."
Elwin eyes became cold. "I will not be anyone's tool! And I will not be the High King! Not for the Guardians of Light and not for Faynn. I will not!"
Aidan shrugged. "Okay, then don't. I don't care."
"Sorry,” Elwin said slowly shaking his head.
"It's okay. We are both a bit edgy lately."
"For a good reason. Do you think that the Guardians were behind you finding that hawk talisman?"
After a brief moment of reflection, Aidan responded, "No. Why would they give me something that allows me to see their woods as it truly is? I am not sure who that child was, but I do not believe that she was a Guardian of Light. A goddess, sprit, or maybe something else, I’m not sure, but I don’t think she was a Guardian of Light. I have thought long and hard about that child, but I have not found any answers. Whoever she was, she knew me, and somehow she knew that I would be in the ruins that night."
Elwin took a deep breath. "I hate this, Aidan. There are too many mysteries and not enough answers."
"There is one more thing you should know."
"What?" Felling the weight of the world pressing in, Elwin sighed.
"You asked if this was the only sick place in the woods. It is not. All of Karr al-Isma is ill. It is dying. And it is not just the trees; the Elf in me senses it. All around the mountain the land itself is dying, and with it the Earth Magic in it. I think that is what is killing the forest. Something is killing the Earth Magic.”
--
"It is time to get going. We still have a long way to go," Arran announced. "And the sooner we start, the sooner we will arrive."
Elwin could not argue with that.
Taking the lead, Arran started down a wide, well kept path. Elwin was puzzled about that. He had not seen the path until Arran started walking towards it. The path was so wide that it could almost be called a small road. The dirt of the path was rich dark color and over the years the soil had been packed down into a hard surface. The path showed no signs that a wagon had ever touched its hard smooth surface, and yet it was evident that the path was one that was used frequently.
In a dark mood, Elwin followed at the rear. He did not trust Arran, and yet if he wanted to find Leina. He had to. Through gaps in the tree cover, Elwin caught glances of the towering, snow-covered summit of Thunder Mountain. It was there that Arran was leading them. Along the edges of the path, flowers and other lush vegetation grew. Trees, plants, and flowers were so well groomed and orderly that it was like walking through the garden of a wealthy lord’s estate rather than a wild forest.
The tranquility of the woods was perfect, if it were not for the overwhelming feeling of wrongness, Elwin could have enjoyed himself. They are killing the land! They are killing Earth Magic! Why?
"Who's there?" Kayno suddenly called out.
Everyone stopped. Kayno suddenly had his sword in his hand.
The tranquility of the woods was suddenly shattered. A great roar burst forth, sending squawking birds into flight. Lunging out of the trees, rushed a large mountain lion. Leaping into their path, the great beast bared its long, deadly teeth. With big hungry eyes, it raised its head. A soft threatening growl rumbled out of its throat.
"Watch out!" warned Pallas.
With lightning fast speed, Aidan grabbed his bow and slipped an arrow onto its string.
"Hold!" cried Arran. "There is no need of that. We are in no danger."
Aidan took aim, but held back from letting the arrow loose. Showing its deadly teeth once more, the mountain lion snarled. The cat dropped down into a crouching position, readying itself to pounce. Then as if waking from a bad dream, the lion stood up with a jerk. The cat swung its head from side to side, looking confused. Then acting very strangely, it began purring. Arran stepped forward and patted the cat on its head and scratched it behind its ear. The lion rubbed up against his leg, as if it was a large house cat.
"Go," Arran told the cat. "I have no time to play today." Still purring, the cat turned and walked back into thick vegetation.
"Strange," responded Aidan, lowering his bow. "I thought he was going to attack." He slipped the arrow back into its quiver. "Mountain lions rarely attack men, but sometimes it happens, and he looked like he wanted to. Then he just changed his mind, or did you change it for him?" Aidan looked at Arran. "I have never heard of a lion changing its mind or behaving so calmly. Is he your pet?"
"Guardians own nothing, but all creatures are our friends, Aidan." The Guardian of Light smiled as he responded. "The lion did not mean us any harm. It only wanted to play. But I do not have the time today."
"So, I suppose here, even lions are vegetarian." grumbled Kayno with a touch of sarcasm.
"All who live within our forest, live in the light of truth," replied Arran. "In the light, neither man nor beast needs to kill to live."
Silently, Elwin cringed at the wrongness of it.
It was just past noon when the party finally reached the foot of Thunder Mountain. Stopping briefly, the party had a quick meal of fruit, bread, and more cheese. Elwin, nibbling at his meal, looked about. Here at the foot of the mountain the landscape had changed. Surrounding the base of the great mountain was a large field of boulders. Many of the boulders were enormous, some of the biggest were the size of small houses, while others were small and no more than a couple of feet in width. Most of the rocks had crashed down the mountainside long ago, and had been on the forest floor for so long that trees had set down roots, making their homes among the great stones, yet others looked as if they had fallen in more recent years. Looking straight up at the towering mountain, Elwin hoped no more rocks would be hurtling down the mountain face, at least not until they had passed.
After their brief break, they started off once more. The path worked its way through the field of boulders. Once past the last of the boulders the land rapidly rose before them and the climb began. The path narrowed and turned sharply to the left as it started up the steep side of Thunder Mountain, and the going was slow. The path had been made in such a way that it gradually worked its way up the mountain side. Switch backing back and forth; they ascended the face of the mountain and the higher they climbed the more breaks they seemed to need. Only Arran seemed immune to the altitude, he never seemed to tire or grow short of breath. For a time, a mixture of trees lined the path, and they saw several mule deer, elk, and even one big black bear. However, the higher they climbed the more the landscape started to change. First, all the trees except for the tall pine trees had vanished, and then slowly the pines trees became shorter, twisted, and misshapen. Still higher up the m
ountain side the trees became nothing more than shrubs that struggled to survive at the high altitude. Then at last, the winded party ascended above the tree line and the last of the trees disappeared completely, leaving only the tundra grass and patches of delicate mountain flowers, all the while the air became colder and thinner. A strong wind blew down the face of the mountain. Here and there, despite it being summer, patches of snow covered the rocky soil. Still, they climbed upwards.
The view from the mountain was breathtaking. Breathing hard, Elwin stopped to catch his breath. Looking back down the way they had come, he could see the green trees of the Karr al-Isma, and a few small lakes. No longer did the trees take on their black menacing look, as they had from the Aleach plains. As Elwin stood staring out over the vista, a flock of colorful birds rose up out of the woods. Flying just above the treetops, they formed into a dancing pattern of ever changing colors as the sun reflected off their beating wings. Elwin followed their progress until the birds disappeared beneath a low lying cloud. It was a strange sensation to be looking down on flying birds and slowly drifting clouds. Elwin wondered if this is what Aidan felt like when he flew as his hawk, Kestrel. That thought still seemed strange. However, as unlikely as it seemed, Elwin had never doubted Aidan's story. It was all true and Elwin knew it. From the mountain top, the woods look healthy, yet Elwin knew they were not. Aidan had told him that the Earth Magic was dying here too, Elwin too could sense it. Something was wrong. Earth Magic was indeed weaker here in the land of the Guardians. and the all giving life power of the Earth was dying.
With a heavy heart, Elwin stood looking out over the woods, he felt helpless to stop what was happening to the land just as he was helpless to stop what was happening to himself, and now Aidan was changing too. Longingly he wished his father could be there to help him, or even Faynn.
Beyond the forest below, Elwin looked out over the Great Plains of Aleach. The flat, arid plains seemed to stretch on forever, bleak and inhospitable, Aleach looked like a hell next to a paradise. Yet Elwin knew that it was not the plains that were wrong, but the woods, and now he knew what that wrongness was. He had thought of little else during the day, and things were starting to make sense. The more he concentrated on the issue, the clearer his awareness of the wrongness was becoming.
"That is the world you have left behind," Arran said, coming up from behind Elwin. "There," he pointed, out over the plains, "beyond the trees is the land of illusion. Darkness is still strong out there. In time, you will be the High King and you shall lead the light back into the forsaken lands."
Darkness, thought Elwin. I live in darkness. Then aloud he said, "I will not be your High King." It sounded halfhearted, even to himself. He was tired of telling Arran that he would not be their king. It never seemed to matter. Arran would not listen. Nobody was listening. "All I want is to find Leina."
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Arran announced, bursting with pride, "The Heart of Light!"
As the weary travelers finally crested the top of the mountain, the Guardian of Light pointed down into a deep round shaped valley. What Elwin had thought was a flat topped mountain was in reality the ridge of an extinct volcano. The bowl of the volcano lay before him. In the center of the volcano’s creator sat the home of the Guardian’s of Light.”
"Amazing," breathed Pallas.
"It is beautiful!" exclaimed Colin in a rare show of emotion.
"I have never seen anything so wonderful in my life!" declared Rodan. His eyes glazed over as if he were having a profound religious experience.
Looking down into the valley, Elwin reacted very differently. He retreated a step. Though the valley could be called nothing short of spectacular, Elwin shuddered, he knew this place, he had seen this valley before. A dream suddenly came rushing back to him as if a curtain had been raised. In the dream, he remembered clearly standing where he now stood and seeing the view he now saw before him.
The valley was green with well-tended fields. Groups of groomed trees stood scattered across the floor of the bowl-shaped valley. On one side of the valley was a small village. In the dream, Elwin noted, he had not seen the village, and in the center of the valley was a silver lake. Elwin remembered the lake. Even now, in the fading afternoon light, the lake was like a polished mirror. Reflecting off the mirror-like water was the image of a white castle. Sitting on the far side of the silver lake was the tall white castle that shimmered in the afternoon light. With its several cone-shaped towers, it looked like something out of a fairytale. At the top of each tower were rainbow colored flags flapped in the wind. The flawless castle was a wonder to behold, it was almost radiant as it stood out against the green background of the valley.
Then the Prince felt a strange sensation wash over him. As if he had been hit in the stomach, he staggered backwards. Before Elwin, the valley suddenly started to blur. He felt dizzy and was finding it difficult to maintain his balance. Everything was spinning. Faster and faster the world raced about him. In one giant blur, Elwin crumbled to the ground. Then abruptly the spinning stopped. Regaining his footing, Elwin looked up; he was alone, the valley was gone, the white castle was gone, his friends and the Guardian of Light were gone, and in their place was a dark castle on a bleak and dead plain. Ban-Darn, Elwin realized. Blacker than any night, Ban-Darn was the fortress of Beli, the God of Darkness. In a trancelike state, Elwin stood before the fortress. A cold lifeless wind bit into his exposed skin. Above the castle ugly grey clouds twisted and boiled. The image of Torcull appeared, rising out of the dead earth like a wrath, he was dressed all in black. The Dark Prophet looked down at Elwin, his evil eyes boring into Elwin. Torcull rolled back his head and began to laugh. Elwin screamed in horror as his nightmares attacked him now even when he was awake.
Again, the world blurred. When the world cleared once more, Elwin found himself in a dark forest. A Red Robe, who seemed to be waiting for him, reached to touch him. In fear Elwin backed away, then turning like a hunted animal, fled into the forest. A shiver danced up Elwin's spine. Panicking, he tried to run faster.
A voice whispered in his head, "There is no place you can run that I cannot follow... The Dark One awaits... Surrender to your destiny."
"It is wonderful, is it not?" asked Pallas, standing at Elwin's side.
Elwin did not answer. Eyes fixed forward, he stared at nothing. Oblivious to those around him, Elwin ran for his life. A shadow crossed Kayno's face. "Prince Elwin? Are you all right?"
Again, Elwin did not answer.
"Elwin!" his call becoming louder, and he shook him by the shoulders. "Elwin!" Elwin was trapped within the dark world, running for his life. He could feel nothing of the real world. Instead he felt only the rising anger growing inside him. With a sudden jerk, he came to a stop and faced the Nightling, as Faynn had taught him, Elwin reached out to Earth Magic. At once the magic responded and Elwin heard its song. Raising his hand towards the Nightling, he threw the magic at the creature. Startled, the Nightling staggered. Within the dark dream the power of that darkness seemed to weaken. Somewhere close by Elwin heard a familiar voice calling out to him. Elwin held onto the voice as if it were a lifeline. Clinging desperately to the voice, he wrapped the Earth Song around him, using it to search out for the voice and its source. Then in a single moment, he recognized the voice. He blinked. "Father?"
Relieved, Kayno let out a stiff laugh and slapped Elwin on the back. "No, lad. It is not a king you see here. Just an old bar keep."
For a second, Elwin saw the face of his father. Then it was gone. "What is it, lad?" asked Kayno. "You look as if you saw a ghost." Everyone was watching him.
“Maybe I did.”
Arran drew close. With a look of concern and fear he asked, "High Prince, are you well? Has something happened?" Elwin wiped the sweat from his brow. "It... it was nothing. It must be the height. I felt a little dizzy, that's all. It is gone now."
Once they reached the valley floor, the party quickly started across its wide bowl shape and headed
towards the white castle, the Heart of Light and home of the Guardians. They followed a road paved in large light gray stones which cut through fields of golden grain and groves of fruit trees. The sun was descending towards the western rim of the valley, where a waterfall spilling off a cliff side lake caught the light of the fading day. The valley seemed too incredible to be real and those who had just arrived could only stare in wonder and disbelief.
This late in the day, the road was quiet and the only other person they saw was a lone farmer. Carrying a sickle over his shoulder, the farmer was heading home from a long day in the fields. Whistling a tune, the man approached from the opposite direction. He had the dark complexion and well defined muscles of a man who spent his life working under the sun. When the man saw Arran, he stepped off to one side of the road. He gave Arran a short bow. "Good evening Lord Guardian," he called.
"And too you, good sir," Arran replied, giving the man a smile and a nod. "You are out late tonight."
"Yes," agreed the farmer. "The crop needed tending.”
"Sleep well, then. And may the Light be with you."
"Thank you, Lord Guardian. And may the Light also be with you.”
With unconcealed curiosity, the farmer watched them pass. Then with a shrug of his massive shoulders turned and went on his way, whistling to himself once more.
"He's an Aleach!" Rodan announced with astonishment. Rodan looked genuinely surprised to find a fellow country man here in the heart of a forbidden land.
Arran nodded, "I believe he was, once. Actually, most of the townsfolk are Aleach in origin, but there are a few from many other nations as well. Some have been here for many generations. Every so often we find a brave soul wandering the forest, and we bring him or her here. We feel if a man’s or women’s heart is strong enough to take on the dark illusions of the forest, they are deserving of the light.”
Skirting the edge of the lake, they headed down the last stretch of a cobbled stone road that headed for the amazing castle. Elwin should have been overjoyed, his quest was finally nearing its end, and Leina was somewhere in the Heart of Light. Yet he was not happy. In a somber mood, Elwin had said very little since entering the valley. The nightmare had left a foul taste in his mouth and left his young body shaking. No one had asked him any more questions, however, Kayno stayed close. Elwin was grateful. Still frightened, he did not wish to be alone. At last they came to the castle gate. Hanging on gold plated hinges, two bronze doors stood open. Pounded into the bronze doors were floral designs encircling a large sun painted in a translucent blue.
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