He winked and said, “Welcome. I've been the guardian of this sword for centuries. It bears the name Soul's Eye, Sword of Light. Your destiny is to protect the weak, to Walk the Path of Light, to heal your sorrows and physical ills, and to help others in the same regard. If you accept your destiny, it begins with this moment. Your blood line, that from which I came, carries this legacy. I beckoned to our bloodline for centuries, and finally, you, my young blood, have answered.”
The Dwarfs carrying Daf set her down and moved to stand with their comrades as they stared at Crystal. Shan backed up, inching his way behind them to allow them a better view of Crystal's strange behavior. Perhaps they'd have an explanation for it?
Crystal bowed in front of the statue as the warrior bent down, placing the sword on the ground in front of her. The warrior moved back to his pedestal, changing back into ebb. She moved her eyes from him to the sword. It was pristine, as though it had never been touched or used in battle.
Shan, Daf and the Dwarfs had not seen the light emanating from above or seen the statue move by changing into flesh, nor did they hear him speak. To them, it was the same ebb statue it had always been. Nonetheless, the Dwarfs had released an audible “ahhhh” when the sword “fell” to the ground in front of Crystal. The Dwarfs bowed, making sure to keep their eyes low to the stone ground.
“Sumyana,” called out one Dwarf, then the others chimed in chorus, “Sumyana.”
“Soul's Eye,” Crystal whispered, and the moment she did she saw her own eyes reflecting back at her in the steel blade.
The moment passed and she curled her fingers around the handle, squeezing the hilt. She stood up, waving it slowly from side to side, trying it out. It felt so right, as though it was an extension of herself.
Daf glared at Shan, a little irritated that he wasn't giving her a play by play. “What's happening?”
“The Dwarfs are saying Sumyana, which means Enlightened One—if I'm hearing it correctly. And, I think they're describing Crystal, not the statue. Well, Sumyana could also mean 'flying creature', but I don't think that's the case here. From what I can determine, she's the hero they've been waiting for, the fabled protector of sorts.”
Crystal, overhearing Shan's explanation, held the sword by her side and walked over to the group, saying, “I'm at a loss too, Daf. But, what Shan says is what the statue guy just told me. He said I was to protect and Walk the Path of Light.” She looked at the still bowing Dwarfs, with Harak standing behind his companions, his arms crossed and gripping his axe. He was the only Dwarf not bowing to her. “I guess it's time.” He spat on the ground. “A sun lover of all things! How could we be so cursed?”
Crystal, aghast, cocked her head to the side. “You speak my language?”
“No. You now speak mine,” replied Harak. There was no surprise in his voice.
“I do?”
Thun stood and looked at Harak. “A curse, brother? She is a gift and a gift should not be judged by appearances. The one who holds the sword bears the blood. You know the words etched in our stone, brother. She is our guardian now. No longer will it be our father.”
Crystal stepped back. “What?”
“What are you saying, Crystal? How did you learn their language?” asked Daf, perplexed by the conversation.
Crystal shrugged her shoulders, then glanced at the statue. “I think he did it when he handed me the sword.”
“When who handed you the sword?” asked Daf.
“The guy in the robe,” replied Crystal, looking at Daf as if she'd gone blind.
Shan stepped forward. “Crystal, we saw the sword fall. Nothing more and nothing less.”
Thun walked to her and took her by the hand. “Follow us. You and my father have a lot to discuss.”
“Discuss what?” asked Crystal.
“Crystal! What are you saying?” Daf turned to Shan. “How is she speaking their language?”
Shan grinned. “There is much more to the universe than meets the eye.”
Daf shook her head. She let her hands flop by her sides while hopping on one leg. “Okay, I give up.”
Thun had been patiently waiting for the conversation to die down before he spoke to Crystal, then said, “We are a race much like yours. We come from Gaia as well and want to return to our homeland.” He slammed his hammer on the ground for emphasis. “You are the one to lead us. You are the one to defend our kingdom. You are the one to guide us by the Light of Soul's Eye. But, first...” he turned and eyed the way they'd come. “When we are ready, we turn those who stole us to this planet into ash!”
Confused, Crystal bent down to be eye to eye with Thun. “Turn who into ash?”
“The Nankuani who dwell on the surface.”
Crystal couldn't help but feel charmed by his courage, but knew his idea wasn't a good one. “They are too many and we don't have the fire power.”
He gave a quick nod toward her sword. “You have Soul's Eye.”
She looked at Soul's Eye as she held it in her hand. “It's just a sword.”
Thun shook his head, grumbling. “It's not just a sword. No matter how many have tried, Dwarf or other, it could not be pried from the statue's hands. But, you have it now. There is no turning back. You have been chosen by the Guardian.” He bowed before Crystal. “Soul's Eye's entire lineage is etched in stone. We will etch you next, to join your bloodline.” He brought his eyes to the sword. “Soul's Eye is wielded by the one destined to defeat our suppressors, as is also etched in our stones. You are of the bloodline that will correct the grievous injustice perpetrated on our two peoples.”
“I don't think so, Thun, but I'll try to find a way off this planet. That I can do.”
He grunted, then shook his head, his brows drawing together into a frown. “If a race is unjust, it is not only right for that race to be stopped, but we are obligated to do it.” He walked forward, his hand wrapped around her wrist. “Come!”
They walked down the spiraling path, destination Dirn Garum.
If you liked The Veil Rising, then please either check your email for the sequel, “Backlash”, or wait for it to arrive to your email address soon.
The Veil Rising Page 36
