The Sword of Light

by Andrew G. Wood

  “I do not have control of him. Nor do I of Sessi.” Finley explained, almost causing him to spit his mouthful of drink out.

  “You mean to tell me that beast can now roam the world as it pleases?”

  Finley chuckled, “No Galdrac, the link has been passed on to another.

  “Who could take on such a thing? Moreover, who would want to?”

  “I did!” came a familiar voice stood just behind them. “I have Arach scouring the Wastes at the moment searching for any signs that the forces of Darkness still exist,” Gaolin told them with a broad smile on his face.

  “You didn’t say he was a druid,” Leyna said aiming the question to Galdrac.

  “I didn’t know he was,” he replied calmly taking another bite from his apple as Finley was allowed to explain things a little more. The Gods had granted him to have the power of the Sword of Light, and the link with Arach to fight the forces of the Darkness. Now that was done, they had explained they could not allow a person with so much power to live as this would just mean replacing one powerful being with another. “Makes sense,” Mazen added, straining his neck trying to listen to what was being said.

  “So they killed you?” Leyna asked her son, clutching his hand in her own. Finley nodded and told them that was precisely what they did, although not completely. Somehow they had not allowed his soul to leave the body, and while his flesh may have been dead, his spirit still resided within. “So that is why Arach did not perish?” Mazen asked. Galdrac made a scoffing sound, “Of course that’s why. Pfft, you really do say such stupid things at times.” Finley chuckled, although, to many, the old Mage would appear rude, as he had done to Finley at the start, deep down he knew it only to be a façade.

  “So are you linked with Sessi?” Karesh asked, confused as to what was going on. Finley shook his head. “Sessi is just an old friend. I can no longer link to any animal. I have no powers,” he added.

  “None?” Galdrac asked. Finley smiled and shook his head, “Nope, just like any other man now,” he added. However, it was evident Galdrac for one appeared disappointed in hearing those words. “I thought the Gods had sent us all here for some other purpose,” he mumbled to himself. Finley surprised him a little as he sat forward, “We are here for another purpose. Well, at least some of you lot are.”

  Making sure that he had everyone's attention Finley started explaining the conversation that had taken place with the gods.

  “They still talk to you even though you no longer have any power?” Mazen asked

  “Really? Do you not listen to a word that is being said,” Galdrac immediately interrupted in his usual crass manner. Finley smiled again but confirmed to the Dwarf that was indeed the case. During the last conversation, the gods wished for the races to unite again and heal the lands.

  “How do we do that?” Mazen asked, apparently not bothered by the fact Galdrac glared his direction again.

  “You have the Sword of Light?” Finley asked looking towards his mother. Leyna nodded and explained it was amongst the supplies on her horse. “Good because we will need it again.”

  Although the Dragon Stone had now passed to Gaolin, something, he would keep ensuring Arach remained in the link. However, it would be needed along with the Sword of Light, as well as a representative of each of the five races. “I have explained what is required to Gaolin, and when you are ready and rested we can begin the process,” Finley told them. “Well, what are we waiting for?” Galdrac asked getting to his feet.

  “No, not you Galdrac,” Finley said stopping him in his tracks. “The gods have requested someone else to represent the Humans,” he added. Mazen made a chuckling sound, which instantly earned him another snarl and glare.

  According to Finley, the Gods had requested Akeev for the Trolls, Mazen for the Dwarfs, which naturally went down well with Galdrac. Gaolin would be present on behalf of the Elves and Karesh would stand for the Orcs. “So who is the human representative?” Leyna asked.

  “Him!” Finley replied almost instantly, pointing his finger at a very surprised looking young Prince. “Me?” he asked, “I have no magic.”

  “Neither do I” Karesh quickly added to the argument.

  Finley remained calm and despite all the doubt explained this was something different. The gods wanted each member to be pure of heart, which was apparently the only way they could remove the taint from the lands. “Oh, so I am not good enough?” Galdrac grumbled.

  “Clearly not as saintly as you thought,” Mazen replied chuckling at his own words giving the old Mage a little taste of his own medicine.

  Chapter 29.

  Gaolin took the dragon stone he had been carrying since taking the link from Finley and placed it atop of the stone plinth in the crypt below the church. Stood in a circle around the column, all linked together by holding hands, was Mazen, Karesh, Akeev and James. The Elf then lifted The Sword of Light and gently slipped it into a thin slot near the top of the stone, so only the hilt was left protruding.

  “I checked that thing and never found any slot,” Galdrac whispered over to Finley as they watched on.

  “Obviously didn’t look hard enough,” Leyna said before making a shushing sound.

  Gaolin looked up and held his hands out, before completing the circle by taking Mazen’s and James’ hands. Finley watched on, as he could feel the earth beneath his feet shake just a little, causing dust to fall from the ceiling, as four familiar-looking white shapes manifested before them. “Are they the Gods?” Galdrac asked ignoring Leyna’s pleas for silence.

  “Yes. Heralin on the left, Thedan, Eldan and Sunas on the right,” Finley replied explaining which figure was which.

  “Not how I envisaged them, especially Sunas,” Leyna added, ignoring her own advice.

  “Do they not need the fifth God to complete the ritual?” Galdrac asked, thinking that if the five races are required to cleanse the land, they would need Abalyon to make up the numbers. Finley explained that he had asked the very same question when he had spoken to the gods, and as Abalyon had been cast out, Sunas was apparently willing to act as Goddess for those Trolls that still lived. Thus, the five races were represented by both their respective Gods and in the flesh by those standing around the stone column. “Seem to make the rules up as they go along,” Galdrac mumbled, still evidently annoyed at not being the one chosen.

  Whatever had happened, if anything, had done so very quickly. Aside from the ground shaking a little, and a flash of light coming from the pillar, all then went silent. The gods had vanished as quickly as they had appeared and Gaolin instructed the group they could now depart. After collecting the Dragon Stone and replacing it around his neck as Finley had worn it, he asked them all to leave. All that was except Finley, who was apparently supposed to remain down there by himself. Although Leyna stepped forward to reclaim the Sword of Light, Gaolin stopped her, “The Sword of Light needs to stay where it is. The blade is now fused with the stone, and its power is being used to remove the taint from these lands,” the Elf explained to her.

  Finley waited for everyone else to leave before he heard the door at the top of the steps being pushed closed. No sooner had that happened when he saw the four figures of the Gods reappear before him, all taking the forms that he had now become accustomed to.

  “You have sacrificed much,” Eldan said drifting on a cloud of mist towards him.

  “Can Abalyon return again?” Finley asked the one question that had been plaguing his mind since his return from the dead.

  “While he cannot be destroyed we do have him contained, for now at least,” Sunas replied. Although the answer was a welcome one, Finley could also sense that the Gods were not guaranteeing Abalyon could or would not strike again sometime in the future.

  Thedan explained that in return for Finley’s sacrifice, they had granted him his life back, although all powers had been taken from him. He thought it strange, although he was still getting used to having them, not having them made him feel somewhat less burde
ned. No longer would the world be relying on him to save the day, he had played his part, and hoped he had done so well. “The land will heal and is doing so as we speak,” Sunas said moving around to his left, “I shall see to it the trolls are returned to their former home once the area is able to sustain them. They need the help of the other races in rebuilding their world, I hope we can count on you to influence them in doing so.”

  Finley wasn’t sure why the gods were telling him all this, although they had thought it through and to keep them updated was something he thought they should do more often; A point he decided to put forward. Furthermore, he also mentioned the fact that now he had no powers, his influence had probably been sketchy at best, even when he had been in possession of his powers, and now they were gone he would not have any.

  “Do not think magical power means influence Finley,” Heralin replied. “Word will spread of your bravery and selfless act, I believe that you will find your standing amongst the people higher than you think.”

  “Is there not a certain young Princess who has caught your eye?” Eldan added.

  Finley immediately scoffed at the suggestion. There was no way in the world that King Willem would let him within a mile of his daughter, especially now he had no power to offer. “You underestimate the power of love,” Eldan replied with a look that suggested he knew something Finley did not. “Live your life as you see fit, and may it be a long and rewarding one,” Heralin added, looking over to the other ghost-like apparitions as if checking something and looking for their approval. “As you are half elven, we only think it fair that you share their prolonged life,” Heralin explained, saying it was a further reward for him. Moreover, as half-human as well he could pick his choice as to whether he ever married and had children from either race.

  Finley quickly saw the flaw in that plan. “But surely if I have the longevity of an elf, and I chose a human, I would have to watch her age and die long before I did. Eldan swirled around and moved over to the stone pillar that still had the sword protruding from within. He reached out a hand which appeared to pass through the stone as if his arm was submerged within it. After a few seconds of Finley wondering what he was doing, the God lifted it out again. Now sat atop of the small column was a little jewel that glistened in the flickering candle light. “Our final gift to you. Select who you wish to spend your days with carefully as they will share your long life. Be warned though as part-elf you can only have one child, who in turn will share our gift.”

  Finley nodded his understanding before slowly stepping forward and picking up the jewel and placing it in the palm of his hand. A deep blue in colour he thought it would look nice set in a necklace, but just who he was going to give it to as yet was unclear. As much as the gods thought Imogen would somehow be interested in him and as much as he hoped it might be true, he doubted that was indeed the case. After giving them his thanks and asking whether he would ever see them again, he was disappointed that he got no reply and watched on as one by one they disappeared. Eldan was last to go, but before he did, he lifted a hand as if waving and gave what Finley thought was a wink.

  Not wanting to stay too long in the rather morbid setting of the church basement Finley quickly made his way back up into the main part of the church. Unsurprisingly the others were all gathered together and wanted to know what had been said, and while Finley thought about telling them everything, decided to keep the small jewel he clasped in his hand a secret, for now at least.

  “So it's over then?” Prince James asked. Finley nodded that was the case. “Good, then I for one would like to get back to Carison and check on how things are there. I’m not sure how my father will react to having hundreds of screaming mad Orcs in his city. No offence!” he added quickly turning his gaze to Karesh. Galdrac agreed, although he hoped Coltas had remained true to his word and sent the bulk of his forces back through the Waygate now they had played their part. The last thing they needed was for one war to end and another to start up between the races. “Will you travel back with us Finley?” James asked catching him a little off guard. In truth, he had not actually considered where to go next, or what he was even going to do. Perhaps the family home in Whitebridge? Or did his mother expect him to go and live in the Elven lands with her and Karesh? “I’m not sure,” he eventually replied thinking that if he spoke honestly, he would not upset anyone. “Nonsense you will come back to Neylarin,” his mother immediately suggested.

  Although not wanting to cause his mother anymore upset, he regretfully informed her he meant what he said in that he had not yet decided where his future lay. “Have the gods said something to you?” she enquired looking at him as if she knew he had not divulged everything that had been said. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, which at least had the desired effect of appeasing her.

  Finley walked with James around the rubble of the old Elven town. Although the later years living at Whitebridge had not been particularly pleasant ones, those spent with his father while growing up had been. Mentioning this to the Prince, and the thought that might be somewhere he would like to go, although James admitted he was surprised by the choice. “You know my sister has a thing for you,” he said with a wry smile on his face. Finley blushed and instantly dismissed the suggestion, “I do not think your father will let me anywhere near her,” he said before stopping suddenly.

  Turning to James, he looked the young prince in the eye as if trying to judge for a reaction, “You know the gods said the same thing,” admitting he had not told them everything earlier. The Prince smiled, “Well if the Gods think it a wise move, what have you got to lose?”

  “My head! When your father sees me again,” Finley replied. James saw the funny side of the remark and nodded, "Come back to Carison with me. Even if nothing happens, I am sure my Father would want to thank you anyway.”

  Finley was still in doubt, and told James he thought the King did not like him very much. The Prince though appeared resolute in his wishes and told Finley he personally would make sure everybody knew just who it was that defeated the forces of the Darkness. Feeling somewhat bashful Finley dismissed the suggestion it had all been down to him. “I think you overestimate the part I played. I didn’t even know what I was doing half the time.”

  “And you should not underestimate the part you played Finley. I for one know the choice you had to make, and as far as you were aware you were willing to sacrifice your own life for the rest of us.”

  James turned to Finley and looked at him for a few moments, "I am glad to call you a friend. I might be a Prince and one day be king, but I know who the better man is.”

  Finley suggested they walk again, all the compliments had him feeling somewhat embarrassed. “You know Finley if you and my sister did ever become acquainted,” James said choosing his words carefully, “I could think of no man I would trust more. The fact you are not Noble or have great wealth does not mean anything as far as I’m concerned.” Finley felt a particular pride at those words, “Thankyou,” he said.

  Deciding it best to wait until morning before heading back, Galdrac sat atop the church tower with Leyna looking out over the miles of desolate land. As far as the eye could see, there was little more than a few shrubs and a few Gorse bushes here and there as they managed to cling to life in these dark tainted lands. “You think the land is free from the Darkness?” she asked turning her head slightly to the man beside her. Galdrac shrugged, “I don’t see why not…” he stopped midsentence with a smile on his face. “Look,” he said pointing to something that had caught his eye just a few hundred paces away. Leyna followed his line of site and lifted her hand up to her mouth, “Oh my…A bird,” she said spotting what Galdrac was referring to.

  “I think that is a good sign,” The old Mage nodded with a certain sense of self-satisfaction that perhaps this time they had managed to defeat the darkness once and for all.

  Mazen sought out Finley having something on his mind that he needed to ask. The Dwarf duly found the youngster sitting wi
th the Orc and the Human Prince, chatting while drinking some of the Elven tea. “Might I have a word? I have something I need to ask you” he asked politely after apologising for interrupting. Finley nodded that it was okay and gestured for the Dwarf to ask away. “If you are no longer connected to the Wolf…Well, would you mind if I tried to make a link? I always wanted a wolf but could never get close enough,” he said realising he was rambling.

  Finley stood, and while he was sure Sessi would remain a good friend and companion, without the magical link to keep the Wolf at his side, it was not quite the same. “I do not mind Mazen. I’m not sure how it works in all honesty, it kind of just happened for me,” he said. The dwarf grinned, “Thanks,” he replied before running over to where Sessi was resting near the doorway.

  Chapter 30.

  James had managed to persuade all the group to make the trip back to Carison with him, telling them that the King would want to thank them for their part. In truth he wanted his father to accept Finley as a likely suitor for Imogen although he kept that part to himself. While his father was probably lining up some wealthy nobleman’s son for her, James could think of no better person than the young man he walked beside. It was evident his sister had taken a shine to him, and he had already decided to ‘help’ push the two a little closer together if he could.

  As they emerged through the Waygate in Carison, James was glad to be back home, and even more so when the Arcanist on duty updated him as to what had gone on. James was told the Orcs had left shortly after the enemy had been defeated, while Coltas, as their leader, had stayed as a guest for a little longer. The expansive display of lightning had been a wonder to behold. “The gods came to our aid. Those of the church are claiming it is Eldan who helped us in our time of need,” the man said. While James knew that was partly right, it wasn’t entirely accurate, and there was no way he was going to let the Human God take all the credit.