Halfstone: A Tale of the Narathlands

by Daniel White

  “No,” said Aru firmly, refastening gear to her saddle.

  The others grudgingly followed suit and they were soon on their way, steadily approaching the solitary mountain. It jutted from the plains with multiple weather-worn peaks stabbing at the sky. Roughly halfway up its sharp incline, the entrance to Fort Blackbed was marked by a stone watchtower, crowned by a square, castle-like battlement. At its base, a crumbling wall ran a short way before ending. From there, a slender path wound, to-and-fro, down to the plains below.

  When the dark slopes of the mountain almost blocked all sky from view, Aru raised a hand.

  “Télia and I shall go on from here,” she said stiffly. “Aldrick, you and Kaal will stay and await our return.”

  “What if there is a warding enchantment cast over it?” Aldrick asked.

  “With any luck there won’t be. If there is, well, we will just have to hope you can help us pierce it.”

  Aru didn’t sound at all optimistic about the outcome of the latter circumstance. Clearly she held little confidence in his wielding ability. That was fair enough. After all, why would she?

  Télia was eying him.

  “Hopefully this won’t take us long,” she said. “If we gain entrance we will make the path as clear for you as we can.”

  Aldrick clenched Tame’s reins in frustration. “Do you not remember me calling for willing companions on this journey, not bodyguards?”

  “Don’t whinge,” Aru said curtly. “We are being sensible. Please be the same.”

  Télia continued to look at Aldrick. A faint smile grew on her face.

  “I’ll see you soon,” she whispered.

  “Télia!” he blurted as she turned to leave. She looked back at him calmly. “… Be safe.”

  She beamed. “I will, Aldrick.”

  While he watched them riding away, Aldrick felt useless. Télia was venturing into harm’s way and he was told to remain put and do nothing!

  “Looks like us two can relax for a while,” Kaal said, yawning heavily.

  He didn’t reply. His eyes were now fixed on the watchtower, surveying for movement. If he saw anything he would not stay idle.

  In short time, Télia and Aru had climbed the path and vanished behind the stone wall. No warding enchantment had yet blocked their path. The succeeding moments felt like hours. Aldrick’s mind echoed with dark uncertainties. What if one of Malath’s wielders had seen the aeras approaching and attacked them with all the ferocity of storm? He shifted uncomfortably.

  The sun had begun to rise, bathing the barbed peaks of the mountain in ominous red light. Around him and his brother, it remained cold and dim. They waited longer. Eventually the sun’s light touched them.

  “That’s it, I’m going after them,” Aldrick said, losing patience and restraint. He started forward.

  “Come back, damn it!” Kaal shouted.

  Aldrick kept riding.

  “Stay there if you want!” he shouted back over his shoulder.

  His pace was a gallop all the way up to the base of the watchtower. There, he leapt from Tame before the horse was at a standstill. De’ama and Aru’s horse were close by, waiting on their masters’ return. Aldrick unsheathed his sword, took a breath and made to enter. Above the arch of the entranceway was the sinister sign of Selayna, glinting callously in the sun. Only, it wasn’t a sign at all. It was a drathen butterfly in the flesh that took off in a hasty flutter as he past below. It failed to enthral him. He feared only for Télia and what fate might have befallen her inside the forthcoming lair of stone.

  Save for an empty weapons rack and some indistinct etchings on the wall, the interior of the tower was completely bare. There were some faint footprints on dust-covered stairs that led to the roof, but no tell-tale signs that the fort was presently occupied. In the wall to his right was a shadowy opening. Aldrick approached it with his sword at the ready. A sturdy wooden door would once have blocked his way, but was now only dry splinters on iron hinges. He stepped across the threshold and found himself in a long, gloomy passage. A number of mounted torches lined the walls, though none of them were alight.

  The sound of footsteps behind Aldrick made him spin round in a frenzy. It was just Kaal. He breathed a sigh of relief then signalled him to follow. With deadly caution, they proceeded. The stillness and silence surrounding them was more a concern than a comfort. This was a haunted abode.

  Soon they emerged into a vast chamber cornered by enormous, fluted stone columns. They were on the upper level. Below, accessed by stairs from all sides, was a circular floor space. In the centre of this… Télia! She lay sprawled face down on the ground, motionless. Aldrick sprinted for her, terror flooding his veins. He was too late!

  Steps from her reach he came to an abrupt stop, though not purposefully; he couldn’t go on. His sword was torn from his hand. He looked around wildly. He couldn’t see the culprit but knew a wielder lurked close by. Kaal had also been relieved of his weapon. Again Aldrick tried to push forward but couldn’t counter the barrier of gravity that was stopping him. He let out a cry of frustration and desperation.

  “Now, now, don’t squawk,” a sneering voice echoed from a passage above them. A gaunt wielder draped in blue robes stepped out from the shadows. He glared down at Aldrick through hateful eyes.

  Aldrick’s fists compressed.

  “What have you done to her?!” he bellowed.

  The wielder’s eyes went to Télia. “Me? No. That was your friends doing.”

  From out of another passage walked Aru, her face stiff as ever. She was armed with her crossbow. It was pointed at Télia.

  Aldrick stared at her, confused for a brief moment, then began to shake.

  “You!” he roared. “Traitor! I will tear you apart!” Thunder followed his words. In the confinements of the hall it was near deafening. Aru and the wielder seemed quite unfazed by it. They continued to look down on him with loathing.

  “So, this is him, is it?” The wielder marched down the stairs and surveyed Aldrick closely. “This is Isobel’s child?”

  Aldrick tried to punch him but failed to meet his mark.

  “Please,” the wielder remarked. “You insult me.” His eyes narrowed and he raised a hand.

  “Kagron, wait,” Aru interrupted. “We must take them to our lord.”

  Kagron’s eyes remained fixed upon Aldrick. “Must we?” he asked, irritated. “Why not just finish them here?”

  “No, he may want to meet Aldrick. His sister will appreciate the others, and the sport they will offer.”

  Kagron scowled. “If that is what they would desire then I shan’t challenge it.”

  Aldrick knew he couldn’t let Télia or Kaal be taken anywhere.

  “Get out of here!” he shouted back at Kaal.

  Kaal remained put. “I’m not leav—” He was flung sideways. He struck one of the pillars and collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

  Aldrick’s fury deepened.

  “You two are making a grave mistake,” he warned.

  “How is that?” asked Kagron, drawing a steel mace from his belt.

  Flickers of sharp blue lightning erupted around Aldrick’s fists and forearms. In the moment it was effortless to wield. It was as though he had always known this power.

  Kagron took a step back, eyebrows raised. “Aru, he is more powerful than you told.”

  Aru walked down and pressed the tip of her crossbow against the back of Télia’s head. “Try anything and she dies.”

  Aldrick looked at Télia’s motionless figure. “How can I be certain she is alive now?”

  Aru’s lip curled. “She is. Only, her pretty face isn’t so pretty anymore.”

  Relief stowed some of his anger. She was still alive. He just had to save her somehow. It was doubtful his powers were enough to defeat both Aru and Kagron. His options were few.

  He allowed the lightning to fade. “Do with me as you please, but do not harm her.”

  Aru’s crossbow remained against Télia’s head for a
moment longer, before she withdrew it and aimed it at Aldrick instead.

  Kagron sneered.

  “Time for a nap,” he said, lifting his mace.

  Aldrick closed his eyes and waited for the blow.

  There was a whistling sound and then a thud. He opened his eyes to see Kagron dropping the mace. The wielder winced and fell to his knees. Aru lifted her crossbow and shot an arrow into the shadows. Aldrick seized the opportunity. He thrust both hands toward her violently. Like a twig in a gale, Aru flew away. She collided with a far wall and toppled to the ground in a crumpled heap.

  Aldrick looked down at Kagron. The wielder whimpered on the floor, an arrow firmly lodged in his back. Now he peered in the direction Aru had fired her crossbow. Sinin was doubled over at the top of the stairs, her arrow in his chest.

  Aldrick ran to him. “Sinin!”

  “Hi, Al,” he replied. His voice quivered. “If… if you’re feeling up to the task you’re welcome to try and heal me.” He grinned feebly.

  Aldrick knew what to do. Without hesitation he placed one hand over the wound and, with the other, pulled the arrow from Sinin’s chest. Sinin let out a cry and almost fell to the floor but Aldrick held him steady, willing his wound to be healed.

  After an uncertain moment Sinin beckoned for Aldrick to stop.

  “All right, enough touching,” he grumbled.

  Aldrick withdrew his hand to find the wound had disappeared. He felt weakened but was washed with relief. He hurried back down the stairs to Télia.

  A ball of fire came hurtling up at him from the hands of Kagron. The wielder was still more a threat than he had thought! In the last second Aldrick lifted his hands and created a warding wall. The fire engulfed it with raging force but failed to break through. As it subsided he saw Télia drive a dagger into Kagron’s neck and, simultaneously, another arrow from Sinin pierce his chest. Kagron’s eyes emptied and his body wilted.

  Télia discarded the dagger and looked up at Aldrick. He could barely see her expression. Her face was drenched in blood and badly swollen. She collapsed on her side.

  “Télia!” He scrambled down to her, took her in one arm and rested his free hand over her face. She had to be better. He had to make her better!

  While his storm slowly healed her, he felt himself becoming lightheaded. His vision had blurred. Slumping sideways, he fell out of consciousness.

  12

  HOPE LOST AND FOUND

  A stinging sensation on Aldrick’s cheek woke him. He blinked and peered upward. Télia was smiling down at him, her face as impeccable as ever. Strands of her hair tickled his neck.

  “Did you just… slap him?”

  He turned his head to see Kaal resting against a wall nearby, watching them with a big grin.

  “Yes. Yes I did,” said Télia. She offered Aldrick a hand. He took it and found his feet.

  “Is everyone all right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” said Kaal perkily, rising also. “Though me least of all. Apparently Sinin and Télia were first in line for your healing storm stuff.”

  “Sorry. I would have got to you if I hadn’t passed out.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

  Aldrick looked around the chamber. Kagron’s body lay lifeless in a pool of blood. In the far corner, Sinin was binding Aru with rope where she had landed on the floor. Apparently his storm attack had not killed her.

  He went to Sinin.

  “Sinin, I owe you my thanks. I think all of us do. If you had not come…”

  “Don’t mention it,” Sinin said dismissively. “I saved your life and you saved mine. We’re even.” He finished binding Aru, then stood and slapped Aldrick on the shoulder. “You looked to have worn yourself out back there, Al. What you did though, it was remarkable stuff. I’ve never seen anything like that lightning thing you did.”

  Aldrick looked at his hands.

  “It kind of just… happened,” he said. “I think it was my father’s ability.”

  “Jon would be most impressed.”

  “Sinin, why did you leave Jon?” Aldrick asked. “Why did you come back?”

  Sinin scratched his beard. “Well,” he started. “On the way to Galdrem Jon and I got to talking about some things. He queried me about Aru, you know, because he fancies her and all. And, well, he was very surprised to learn that she is the sister of an aera he once knew—the one tasked with protecting your mother when she moved into the ranges. He believes it may have been that aera who informed Malath of her whereabouts and grew wary that Aru might also be disloyal. He sent me back to keep an eye on her. As you can see, his suspicions were correct.” Sinin nodded toward Aru. “The bitch is a traitor.”

  Aldrick looked down at her. “I hope I didn’t deal her too much harm. We may need information from her.”

  Sinin snorted. “I won’t shed tears if she doesn’t wake.”

  Télia and Kaal came to them.

  “Yes, we will need her to talk,” said Télia. She looked downcast. “Aldrick, the storm the Halfstone held could be sensed by we aeras, just as we can sense a wielder’s storm.” She looked around. “There is no storm in this place other than your own.”

  “Because the stone is probably empty… Malath has his storm back, right?”

  Télia bit her lip. “Aldrick, your father’s storm was in that stone too.”

  Aldrick’s heart sunk. “Oh… I… so it’s not here.”

  “No.”

  “We have looked, Al,” Sinin said. “There is nothing in this place but dust and death.”

  Aldrick turned away. They had come all this way for nothing. A war was soon to begin and they were now in the middle of nowhere, with no upper hand.

  Just as he was contemplating forcefully waking Aru for information, she groaned. He turned to see her with open eyes.

  Sinin aimed his crossbow down at her.

  “Greetings, old friend,” he said bitterly.

  Aru didn’t respond. Her attention locked on Aldrick and a faint yet strikingly malevolent smile sprouted on her face.

  “Your doom approaches, little one,” she spat. “My lord will swat you all. You have not the power to stop him. No wielder does.”

  Télia stooped and gripped Aru by the collar. “Aru, tell us where the Halfstone is. Tell us and you may find some peace in the Life Afterwards!”

  Aru snorted. “You truly had hope didn’t you—that even after my lord’s return to supremacy it still could exist? No, no it was destroyed. He destroyed it.” She began to laugh, then spluttered and coughed up blood.

  “You’re lying,” insisted Télia, hiding doubt. “That’s not possible.”

  Aru shook her head. “Wrong. Slowly, over years, the stone oozed my lord’s storm. In time he was able to wield once more. He disintegrated the stone from the inside out.” She winced. “It… it is dust now.”

  Aldrick’s head dropped. He knew Aru spoke the truth. Télia let her go and walked away, wiping an arm across her forehead. Sinin let out an angered cry and released an arrow into Aru’s heart. She became limp. Aldrick shut his eyes. He felt sick and empty. There was a harrowing silence.

  “So, what now?” Kaal asked eventually.

  “Nothing has changed,” said Sinin obstinately. He pulled his arrow from Aru and wiped it down. “War is coming and we must fight. I will be on my way to Galdrem presently. I suggest you all ride at my side, especially Al. He is needed.”

  “No,” said Télia. “Jon was adamant that Aldrick must possess the Halfstone if he were to confront Malath. To chance a victory without it is foolishness. Aldrick deserves no part in this.”

  Aldrick remembered speaking with Jon before his departure. He had promised Jon that he would not press any further without the stone. However, his mind remained torn. Deep within him, a hatred for Malath seethed, and a longing for vengeance. He wished to see the putrid wielder dead before him! But he couldn’t allow hate to conquer him. He had felt it too often recently. It didn’t feel natural. He couldn’t let it put Tél
ia or his brother in harm’s way. They would undoubtedly follow him on whatever road he chose to take from here. Maybe it was best he flee—return to Rain and take them and his family across the sea to safety. And, in truth, he wanted not to break his promise. He knew Jon was terrified that the son of the two he had once so dearly cherished and wished to protect might also perish. He owed it to Jon to run now. Then again, perhaps he owed the Narathlands more…

  “Al may do as he pleases—all of you may—but I am going to Galdrem.” Sinin made to leave.

  “Sinin, wait,” Télia went after him. “Keep safe, won’t you. Leanne and Flynn need you more than any battle does.”

  Sinin smiled. “I will be with them soon.” He embraced Télia then, after a nod to Aldrick and Kaal, left.

  “Leanne and Flynn… they are his wife and son?” For some reason Aldrick had never considered that Sinin might have a family.

  Télia nodded. “Yes. I know them well.”

  “They live in Galdrem? Then why did he leave them to protect me when he knew Malath was in the city?”

  “Because he is a foolish aera who does as he is told,” grumbled Télia.

  “And you—you have family too. You must wish to see they are safe. Kaal and I will come with you to Daraki’ Anya, if you like. They can come south with us. We could all leave these lands.”

  Télia’s face turned a ghostly white and she hurried away.

  “Télia!”

  Kaal came to his side. “I think you had better go after her, Brother.”

  Aldrick did, hesitantly. He didn’t know what he had said wrong and didn’t want to make things worse.

  When he emerged from the fort he couldn’t see her. De’ama remained with the other horses, waiting patiently outside the watchtower. Hearing a sound he looked up. Télia had opened a hatch at the top of the tower and was climbing through it. He pursued her. When he came out onto the roof he found her with her back to him, staring out across the shadowy plains. Her long hair was caught in the breeze. She sang the same gentle song she had at the border of The Lonely Province. He quietly went to her side. Below them, Sinin travelled down the snaking path to the foot of the mountain.