by Jana LaPelle
“Dray, I’m so close to understanding what my role is to be but still it’s out of reach. I need to save Her and the circle of life that our Creator put into place. Tell me about this legend of yours because the Prophecy that the Druids brought forward is less than informative.”
He eyes me for a moment before continuing, “Legend has it that our Creator had a master plan and knew that one day the Tree of Life would no longer be able to bear the weight of creation alone. It is said that one of the Creator’s most disciplined angels was drawn to the task. It is said that she gave up her existence as one of God’s angels so that when the time was right, her soul would be born to one that dwelled in one of The Realms. It is foretold that she would be innocent and be ignorant to her mission but that she would be the Chosen One. She will be the one to save The Realms from one who sought the Tree’s power, the power to grant life, the power to usher souls to and from The Realms of the Living to The Realms of the Afterlife.” Drayiel’s eyes meet mine, and he watches me intently.
I look up at him with wide eyes and ask, “Do you think that I am this Chosen One?”
“Yes my child, I do.” He says gravely. “I believe that you and your kindred hold the key to the survival of all our races. You and the unborn you carry. I believe that you are destined to become the Keeper of Souls.”
I nod. My head feels like a bobble head as I try to take in everything that Dray is imparting to me. “Okay, Drayiel, what else does the legend say because the prophecy says that a great sacrifice must be made. It was very vague at that point.”
Chapter 30
(Alaric)
I know that we must retrieve the Stone of Fál so that Tarron can be crowned, but my sole focus is on Ashlinn and our link. It has not been broken, and that’s a good thing. I can sense humor, intrigue, and concern coming from her and it is wreaking havoc on my ability to think straight.
As I enter the tomb of the legendary king, I want Ash by my side. She should be here to remove this lost treasure and experience the feeling and sensation of what it felt like to be the first person in centuries to touch the Stone of Fál. The long dead king lies in repose as if it were only yesterday that he had been laid to rest. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was merely sleeping. I look up to see Tarron, Myrddin, Nimue, and several others as they crowd into the tomb to witness this event. As I reach out to touch the crown that adorns the head of a fallen legend, I receive a jolt of awareness. The crown thrums beneath my grip. I almost drop the damn thing. I’m so startled by its reaction to me. I had long ago given up on aspirations of becoming a king. It was never my ambition. Then it hits me that Ashlinn will be the first to wear the crown, the Stone of Fál, in over a millennia and it will sing for her. There is just the little detail of why I feel like something huge will happen before she is able to wear this important coronation crown. I remove the crown as gently as I can in respect for this great man. I notice that he clasps in his hands a sword.
“Is that Excalibur?” Declan asks.
Before anyone can answer Tolin says, “It doesn’t matter, we need to get out of here and find Ash. She needs us.”
I know that I’m not the only one worried about Ashlinn, but I’m the only one that can sense that she is okay and engrossed in a rather deep conversation with Drayiel. “T, Ashlinn’s okay for now, but I agree we need to get a move on so we can meet back up with her. Nimue, I believe that Excalibur is first and foremost yours to command. Now is as good a time as any to retrieve this legendary sword. It may be needed in the war to come.” My tone is gruff, and she all but flinches before moving away from the shelter of Myrddin.
She walks over to Arthur and removes his hands from the hilt. In a slow and deliberate movement, she clasps the hilt in her hands and attempts to lift the sword. It looks as if it weighs a ton the way she struggles to lift the sword. Then she hangs her head in defeat while we are all looking on and she says with her back to us all, “Excalibur has spoken. I am no longer its mistress. I have been deemed unworthy to wield this sword. My actions from earlier have tainted me. Excalibur demands another as its master.” Taking a deep breath, she turns and steps back toward Myrddin.
“My dear, you will soon make amends. Ashlinn is safe with Drayiel now, but might I suggest another? Who other than The Horde King? Prince Tarron, why don’t you give it a go?” Myrddin says with a nod toward the sword.
Tarron looks towards me, I shrug and say, “Why not? You’ll never know if you down try.”
“Okay, well here goes nothing.” Tarron steps toward the king and lays his hand on the sword. Slowly he grasps the hilt in his hands and with a mighty tug yanks the sword upward and stumbles backward. “Son of a… I wasn’t expecting that to happen. Wow, it’s not like any other weapon that I have handled.”
Nimue steps forward, “Please… take care of Excalibur, and it will take care of you. You, like Arthur, have been deemed worthy to wield this sword, until which time you are not. When that happens, Excalibur will return to the Lake. Come Myrddin, let’s perform one last rite over Arthur and then we will seal the tomb forever. This will only take a few moments, and then we can go find Ashlinn and Drayiel.”
The rest of us make our way out of the tomb and back up through the tunnel that leads us back to our mounts. As we exit, I turn to see Tarron staring at the sword in his hands, as if contemplating how it was possible that he of all people would be found worthy. I feel a spark of the brotherly love that I felt for him long ago come to life as I walk over to him and clap him on the shoulder. “Brother, don’t question it. Just go with it. Ashlinn would be the first to say that you are more than worthy. That night that you came to our binding ceremony celebration and shook things up, we ended up bringing her up to speed on you and me, and all that transpired between us. You were a stranger to her, but you should have seen how she defended the boy that you were and the things in your life that rendered an ill effect on your perspective of things. I should have known from that night on she would fight for you and for us to have a chance to mend things between us. Excalibur senses the same thing that Ashlinn does. You are fair and just, and you will make an honorable king to your people.”
“Thank you, Alaric. I know that we have a long way to go, but I intend to make amends.”
“I know, and so do I. Now let’s go find my mate before she charms the scales right off of that dragon. I have enough males that make a claim to her as it is, I’m not sure that I can stand down a dragon.” I say only half joking.
Tarron laughs and holsters his new prize before saying, “She is a pistol, and I have not met a male, yet that is not enamored with her. I certainly hope that my kindred, whomever she may be will not attract males to her like Ashlinn does.”
“Tarron, I have a feeling that you are going to be in a world of hurt when you finally meet her. Come on everyone, let’s mount up and get a move on. I want to find Ashlinn before nightfall.” I say as I tuck the crown away in one of the pockets of my saddle bags and mount my horse. Turning to everyone, I say, “She’s this way, maybe an hours ride.”
(Ashlinn)
“Drayiel, you said Keeper of Souls. What did you mean by that?”
“Only what I know of the legend as it was passed down to me, that there would come a day when The Chosen One would save the Tree of Life and become the Keeper of Souls. I fear that you may have to speak with our Creator to learn more. There really isn’t much more to the legend. You asked about “great sacrifice” I’m not sure what that could possibly mean but ask yourself this, child, what would you sacrifice to save life as we know it in The Realms? Only someone with good and pure intentions should ever have power and dominion over the souls of The Realms. The Morrígan must be stopped at all cost. If she succeeds in her attempt to take control of the Tree of Life the best case scenario will be that the Tree simply ceases to be and the circle of life will halt altogether. Worse case would be, that The Morrígan becomes the Keeper
and that cannot be allowed to happen. Her greed for power will corrupt the circle of life. Nothing good will come from that.”
“Can you sense Her now? How much time do I have? Can we wait for Alaric to get here? He is on his way. He will be super pissed if I take off without him. He has become overly protective of me and Lillie and Lachlan.” My mind is racing, and I know that time is now of the essence.
“Yes princess, I can sense Her, she is becoming weaker by the moment. I know not how much time she has left. Do you know what you are supposed to do? I can take you to Her. In my dragon form, I can travel between realms if I so choose. I can carry you in my claw, or you can ride upon my back.”
I get to my feet and begin to pace and voice my rambling thoughts aloud. “I know that I should wait for Alaric but what if I wait and I arrive too late? What if by the time I get to Her, The Morrígan has all but drained Her dry? Dray, what am I supposed to do?”
Drayiel stands, and I watch as his blue-green scales shimmer under the setting sun as he stretches his massive form. He inclines his head to me and says, “I am yours to command, princess, whatever you decide.” The surface of the crystal clear water of the river is twinkling and sparkling behind him. He cocks his head and waits for my decision.
My mind made up, I ask, “Can you take me and come back for Alaric? How many can you carry with you when you travel to another realm?”
“Princess, I’m an Elder Drakon dragon. I am not a chauffeur. I will take you to The Tree of Life and come back for your kindred. Then I will stand guard over you as you do what needs to be done. The rest of your entourage can find their way to The Otherworld on their own.”
“Fair enough, let’s do this. Where do I sit to ride on you?” I ask as I walk toward the dragon that stands twice as tall as me. I climb up on him as he lowers himself for me to gain purchase and as I slide onto his back, I find that I fit rather well at the base of Dray’s neck at the junction of his back. It’s as if he were meant to have a rider. There are several ridges and horns that I’m able to grab hold of and brace my feet against, and I say, “I think I’m ready, Dray. Go easy on me. I’m a little afraid of heights. Among other things, how I can be the chosen one is beyond me.”
“I promise princess that I will make sure that you arrive unharmed and ready for what awaits you in the meadow. Hang on.” Drayiel’s wings beat downward at the same time that he leaps into the air. We are airborne in a matter of seconds.
“Alaric, don’t be mad at me, but I have to go to the Tree of Life. Something has changed for the worse. Drayiel says that he can sense that her final barriers have been breached and that there is not much time. I have to go to Her. She needs me. I need you to trust Drayiel. He is an honorable Drakon dragon. Once he delivers me to the meadow, he is going to come back for you. He can realm jump in his dragon form. We…” Drayiel’s speed picks up, and suddenly I see a rainbow of colors all around us as I feel a vacuum for a split second and with a pop, we have emerged in the Otherworld. It’s good to be back in Faerie. My link to Alaric is still intact, but I can no longer speak to him as we are now too far removed from one another. I can feel his frustration and fear, so I try to send him reassuring thoughts until my gaze lands on the Tree.
Chapter 31
(Ashlinn)
I’m not prepared for the sight that is awaiting me. The once enormously lush and beautiful tree is actively shedding her leaves. The sight of her bare limbs reminds me of someone in an epic battle to fight off cancer. Some of her limbs are more bare than not, and I stand gawking at the dire change in her appearance. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is dying. From the corner of my eye, I see Jade as she emerges from her tree. She approaches me and asks, “Can you help her, my Lady? Please? If she dies, then I fear that everything in the meadow will perish with her.”
“I’m not sure what I must do, but I will try.” Turning to my dragon friend, and I do think of him as a friend, I say, “Dray, please, I need you to go back to get Alaric, he is probably losing it right about now. I’m going to go to the Tree of Life and see if I can figure out what I must do. Thank you Drayiel, you really came through as a true Guardian of The Realms.” I say as I pat his flank absently before taking hesitant steps to beginning my trek toward Her.
I turn to see Drayiel as he kneels before me and bows his head and says, “You honor me, Chosen One. I will make haste to bring your kindred mate back to you.”
“Godspeed, Drayiel.”
I watch as he leaps into the air and spreads his mighty wings as he angles himself up and away from the meadow. I turn to see that everyone is concerned, the dryads, the sprites, the gnomes, and all the mystical creatures that live here in the meadow. I turn my focus on the Tree, more than half of all her leaves have been shed. I can sense that she is being drained of her majic at an alarming rate, as I walk toward her. She is no longer able to maintain the stepping stones across the lake, and my boot sinks further into the water as the stones slowly sink under my weight. Pulling the air element to me, I’m lifted several feet into the air, and I make my way to Her. Once I reach her shore, I release my command over the air and gently sit down on the grassy bank. I walk over to her trunk and lay my hands on her bark. My fingers trace the deep grooves stoking her surface, loving the feel of her bark beneath my touch and taking a deep breath, I reach out to her.
“You… are you… dying?”
“Yes.” That one-word echo’s around my brain as I consider what I can do and I’m at a loss. Her voice is no longer strong but weak and distant, which terrifies me. The Tree of Life has to survive if She does not then all will be lost.
“Tell me, what can I do? I know that I’m supposed to do something. I just have no idea what it is. Tell me, please allow me to help you.” I beg.
“I need you and the young you carry to strengthen me.”
The idea scares me. I’m not sure what this will do to the children that I carry. And I find that I’m hesitating before I ask, “Will it harm my children? Will they be safe?”
“You must have faith, faith that all will be as it should be.”
Her words are cryptic, and Drayiel’s words repeat back to me, “What would I sacrifice…?” I think of Lexie and her early pregnancy. Jasmine and Camoryn and how they deserve happiness, and my mother and father that have found one another again. My last thought is of Alaric and if anything happens to me how devastated he will be. His brilliant sapphire blue eyes are not something that I will ever forget. I think about what this world will become if I choose to do nothing and I know that no matter what, I will never be able to live with myself if I do nothing at this moment. I have to have faith that everything will work out as it should and if I cannot make it back to Alaric, then I have to have faith that I will see him again in the afterlife. I stand. Resolute in my decision, tears flooding my eyes, I cradle the children that I carry knowing that my decision will not only affect me but my whole family. Salty tears run in rivulets down my cheeks, my decision made, I cannot staunch the flow as the grief of what I stand to lose encompasses me.
My hand on the bark of the Tree of Life, I say in a whisper, “I’m ready. What must I do?”
“You must merge with me. It must be a leap of faith.” Her voice is quiet as if she is slipping further away and I find that I’m desperate to save her. To save life as we know it for all those I love.
Every moment I delay She slips further and further away, under the influence of the curse, time is of the essence. I must have faith, faith that all will be as it should, my decision made, I stand and stroke my hands up the trunk of the tree, her bark is rough with deep grooves and in a way, beautiful in the intricacy the patterns make. I say aloud, “I’m ready.” I take a deep breath and take a leap of faith as I move forward to merge with the Tree of Life. I feel myself begin to sink into Her as I step forward. I gain a sense of understanding as her limbs sway in the breeze. First, my hands and arms and then more of m
e are pulled into Her. In the distance, I hear Alaric calling out to me.
“Ashlinn! Wait! Ash, no! Stop!”
I hear his plea, but I’m too far gone. I’m unable to stop what is taking place. Drayiel delivered him to the shore of the small island the Tree occupies. Turning my face toward my kindred, my love, I cannot stop the assimilation. I don’t even try as I’m pulled farther into the Tree. My heart weeps for my kindred, I was so very wrong to be jealous of Her that first time that I contacted Alaric, when I saw him emerge from under her canopy. I would much rather be there beside him because She can’t feel the suppleness of his skin or the scruff of his whiskers or the electric connection that we have. She only knows that he is there and I’m afraid. I’m so very afraid that I will never feel the touch of my kindred again, that I will never again lay by his side as I’m pulled deeper into the depths of the Tree of Life. Our connection is still there but muted. My last image of Alaric is the horrified look on his face as he realizes what I intend to sacrifice to save all The Realms.
