The Sword of Light

by Andrew G. Wood

  Although the men on duty offered to get horses fetched for their trip to the Palace, James politely refused knowing they could walk it before they would even be ready. He walked ahead of the men he commanded, noticing how the people had quickly reverted to their normal lives. As the Palace Gates came into sight, a thought occurred to him. “Was there any need for the conscripts? If so did that mean his little group he commanded would all go back to their old lives? A sad thought if that were true, as he now felt a certain bond with them.

  The guards on the gates quickly moved aside when they realised just who it was that was passing through. He glanced over to one side to see a small group of Elite Guardsman going through their workout, before heading up the broad stone steps of the Palace building. “Please, come in,” he said aiming the words to Galdrac and his group. While he would have liked to invite his own men in as well, he thought that might be taking it a step too far. Turning to Jared and Leonard, he asked the group all go back to the barracks they had been using before leaving, stating that he would be along a little later to talk to them and update them further as to what was going on.

  One of the guards on duty spotted Finley and immediately raised the alarm. Fortunately, James was not going to stand around and let him be pushed around, “Stand down! He is here as my guest,” he snapped as several soldiers came thundering down the corridor at the call. Finley felt his shoulders drop, who was he kidding, he would never be welcome here. While he appreciated James’ kind words and honourably standing up for him, this was not his life, and to think otherwise was surely foolish.

  They had barely made it to the top of the grand staircase when another familiar sight met them coming the other way. Standing with two guards at his side was the king, who appeared tired and worn out. Galdrac whispered as discreetly as he could for the others to all bow their heads, and although technically this was not Leyna’s nor Mazen’s leader, both did as was asked. Willem might not have been their ruler, but it was still a great honour to make acquaintance with the King.

  “Ah! James, you have returned safely,” the man said holding his arms out in greeting. James walked up to his father and gave him a hug, before asking his friends be granted rooms. “I have much to tell you, father,” he said awaiting the man’s reply. Noticing his father’s gaze was now looking at the young man amongst the group, James knew he needed to intervene now before anything was said. Keeping his voice as low as he could he whispered in his father’s ear, “Please not now Father. Let me explain before you say something you should not.” The King stood upright and after glancing Finley’s direction a little longer slowly nodded his head. “Take our guests to their quarters, and see they are all well treated,” he eventually said.

  While Finley and the others were led off down one corridor, James followed his father down another. “Your Mother has been worried sick. At least you had the decency to have the Elves get word that you were safe,” the man said looking over towards him, apparently not best pleased at James just disappearing without so much as a word. “Like I said Father I have much to explain.”

  “Luckily for us, Eldan sought to wreak havoc down on our enemy,” his father added. James stopped abruptly, “No father that is not what happened,” he said sharply and in a tone that he had never used to his father before.

  Inside the family quarters, James was quickly pounced upon by his two sisters before having his breath squeezed from his lungs by his mother’s hug. While it was good to see them all, he asked if they minded all sitting down so he could explain what had actually happened. Realising he was going to get asked a multitude of questions if he cut any corners, James decided to start from the beginning. He checked to see they were all listening as he explained what had happened after the Orcs had come to their rescue, before moving on to the group travelling to Felham and a place called Godsill.

  Knowing the next part would take some explaining James went through everything carefully, but it was soon apparent his father seemed to mock him. “You are telling us that wretch Finley or whatever his name is, did all that? You say he died, so please tell me who exactly I have just seen outside?”

  “Let me explain father…Please,” James added.

  “I’ve heard enough,” Willem said getting to his feet, “Eldan defeated the Darkness, not that dirty, stinking excuse of a…”

  “Willem!” came a short, sharp reply. “You will sit back down and listen to what James has to say,” the Queen said pointing a finger at her husband.

  James had rarely seen his mother so much as raise her voice or lose her temper, but it was clear she was also not best pleased with the behaviour being shown. “But the boy is taking…” Willem tried to say, but the glare from his wife soon had him sitting rather obediently back in his chair. King or not, it was evident who was in charge. James took a deep breath unsure how else to explain things so his father would believe him. However, Imogen soon made matters worse by suddenly getting excited, “Finley is here? In the Palace?” she asked looking over to her mother.

  “You are not seeing that boy. I forbid it!”

  James let his shoulders drop, as another argument started with Imogen, who seemed quite defiant, and assured their father she would see who she liked.

  Willem stood up again, and although being told to sit back down by his wife, stormed out of the sitting room into his study, slamming the door as he went. James looked as his sister burst out crying and immediately sought comfort in her mother’s arms, while his little sister appeared content just sitting there looking at him. “I am not having father find a man for me,” Imogen said sitting back up, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

  “I will talk with him, my Dear. Now stop those tears,” she replied sounding so calm.

  Willem stamped his feet as he paced around the room, stopping only briefly to pour himself a large brandy. This boy had caused him nothing but problems since first they had met. Not only had the little wretch undoubtedly influenced his son’s mind, but he must also have been using some kind of magic to steal his daughter; why else would she be so infatuated with a filthy low-life as him. Well, this would not do, and moreover, he was now claiming to be the one who had defeated the darkness, taking credit from Eldan. “Blasphemy!” he grumbled to himself, slowly smiling as an idea came to mind.

  Such was the current adoration of the God Eldan at that moment in time, Willen knew he only needed to let it be known what this boy was claiming, and the people would run him out of the city. Imogen would no longer be under his spell, and James would stop aspiring to thinking the wretch was something special. Deciding that was exactly what he would do, Willem poured another glass of brandy and went to drink it.

  After deciding to take a seat at his desk, Willem suddenly felt extreme tiredness take hold. His eyes suddenly felt heavy, and no matter how hard he tried he could not keep them open. The King froze in position as a white swirling mist appeared just before him. He seemed to still be in his study and thought for a moment he had fallen asleep, remembering how tired he had felt just a few seconds ago. Willem felt his hand shaking and his mouth opening to shout for his guards, but nothing came out. Leaning back until he could go no further, the King was forced to look on as a young man appeared in the mist. “Willem!” it said softly, “I am Eldan,” the face said introducing himself.

  Willem just nodded, the very creator of the human race was just a few feet away from him, and he felt so scared he could not speak.

  “Heed my words!” the face said, “Listen to your son for he speaks the truth. For if you bring harm upon Finley, you will feel the wrath of all the gods!” Eldan warned him. Willem nodded, his eyes wide with fear, and his mouth open. “Finley made the ultimate sacrifice so that you and your loved ones could live. We have given him back his life, do not try and take it from him! Speak of my visit to no one.”

  “I understand,” Willem managed to stutter letting his brandy glass from his hand and letting it smash on the floor. Within the blink of an eye, the white ghostly
apparition had vanished, and Willen was once more alone in his study. Breathing heavy Willem was unsure as to what had just happened. Had he merely drifted off to sleep for a few minutes and had a strange dream? Or had Eldan, God and creator of the Humans actually paid him a visit? Whichever it was, it had certainly felt genuine.

  After getting to his feet and taking several large gulps from his brandy decanter and not bothering with another glass, the King tried to regain his composure. Taking several deep breaths, he then walked back out into the sitting room, where his family were still sat. Imogen immediately went to speak, but Willem held his hand up to stop her, “I’m sorry,” he said catching them all a little by surprise. “I was out of order,” he added noticing his wife looking at him strangely. With the words of warning still echoing in his mind, Willem suggested they all keep calm and let James finish explaining what had gone on. Whether he had merely dreamt the vision or not, he was not going to chance it had actually happened and risk the wrath of the gods.

  Somewhat surprised by the sudden change in his father, James continued with the list of events, even the part of him helping in the cleansing of the world, “I even saw the gods!” he eventually said feeling proud they did not show themselves.

  “Really?” His father asked suddenly looking very pale, “That must have been quite something,” the man added. James replied that it was and that he doubted very many people alive or dead had ever been fortunate to witness such a spectacle.

  Willem listened to his son until everything had been explained. Still feeling the shock of what had taken place in his study, he felt he needed to be alone, and after making his excuses decided to seek out the boy known as Finley. Perhaps if he actually sat down and spoke to him properly, just the two of them, then he might see him in a different light. While he already had several possible suitors lined up for Imogen for her to pick from, it was, unfortunately, evidently clear she had eyes for only one young man.

  Willem sent word for the boy and for him to be escorted to the gardens at the rear of the property. The King had waited barely five minutes, pacing back and forth wondering what to say to a young man he did not particularly like. However, if James had told the truth, and his strange dream had ben real, then he and everyone else in the world had much to be thankful for. “Your Majesty,” Finley said politely as he approached, remembering the etiquette Galdrac had taught him. Willem looked at the youngster, barely only a year or two older than James, and yet had apparently achieved more in his short life than most men would do in twenty.

  Willem suggested they walk and talk as they went, having already decided to thank Finley for his bravery and sacrifice. “You have lost your powers?”

  “I have Sire, as well as my Dragon and my Wolf. The gods did not want somebody like me roaming the world,” Finley replied keeping his eyes on the narrow path that wound around the plush green lawns of the Royal Garden. Willem asked several questions as the pair strolled the grounds, and to be fair, he thought Finley was probably not the monster he had perhaps made him out to be. Yet no matter how much he changed his mind, the fact of the matter was this young man was still a commoner, and there was no way he could let his daughter be seen with such a man.

  Finley thought he had made a good impression with the king, and answered as truthfully and politely as he could. While he was quite sure that he had remembered to use the correct protocol when talking to the man, he was not entirely satisfied he had done so each time it was required. Stopping suddenly, the King then turned to him, “Finley! What do you plan to do now?”

  Of course, this was a question to which he had no answer, at least not yet, and although he had run several ideas through his own mind had yet to make a decision. After a moment to think, Finley decided to tell the King the truth, explaining he was as yet unsure where to go. His mother was Elven and would expect him to live somewhere with her, yet he was half Human and had grown up in Whitebridge.

  The King started walking again, and Finley had little choice but to do likewise. He felt the serene tranquillity the gardens offered, and thought it was indeed a good place for a stroll and a chat, and wondered if Princess Imogen might like to accompany him later. While he knew, in reality, this was nothing more than a foolish notion, the mere thought of it set his heart racing. This was even more surreal as it was Imogen who then became the King’s next subject matter.

  “You know Finley,” The King told him, stopping once more and turning to face him. “I have probably treated you unfairly on previous occasions, and I can see that you are not a bad person. However, it appears we have a problem, that being my eldest daughter.”

  Finley just gave a wry smile, not able to think of what to say. While he and Imogen had only met a few times, he felt there was something much deeper between them. Just being near her was enough to send his heart pounding, and although James and Karesh had ribbed him about having feelings for her, which had instantly denied, in hindsight he realised that was probably true.

  “As a…person of low social standing,” Willem said trying to select his words with care. “You know that Imogen as a Princess could never be associated with you?”

  “Have you asked her?” Finley found himself replying, suddenly dropping all the correct decorum.

  “I don’t need to. I can tell she has feelings for you, and in truth, I don’t know what to do about, particularly since my wife and son both seem to be in favour of it.”

  “But you are not Sire,” Finley said thinking any dreams he might have had about Imogen were going to be dashed there and then.

  “No, I am not. I suppose if I offered you riches and titles that is not going to make you go away and leave her alone either is it?”

  Finley felt shocked at the suggestion. Was the King trying to bribe him to leave Imogen alone? Or was he merely testing the water to judge his reaction? “In all honesty Sire, I have never had much in life, so would not miss what I’ve never had,” he replied thinking himself quite sagely and wise in his answer. There was a brief moment when he thought the King was going to start shouting as if the anger was building up inside, but the man calmed and said something that surprised him. “Very well Finley, I can only see one way out of this. Make certain you are at the main hall in the palace at noon tomorrow. Before Finley could ask why, the King had turned about and walked off, leaving him alone on the narrow garden path.

  Chapter 31.

  Finley was unsure as to why his mother seemed to be fussing over him. After his rather strange conversation with the King the previous day, he and the others had actually dined with the Royals that evening. More incredulous was the fact that Imogen had been permitted to sit herself beside him at the dinner table. While they were quite well spaced around the table, Finley hoped it was a sign that the King was relenting in his opinion of him now being permitted to see her. However, it might well have just been the Royal Family’s way of showing a little appreciation to him and the others for everything they had done; something he thought far more likely.

  Whatever the reason why Finley was due to meet the King at the main hall for seemed to be secret, and much to his dismay more fuss than it was likely to be worth. From what little he had managed to get out of James and Imogen the previous evening, he guessed it was some kind of public show of thanks. While the King had already privately done so, Finley assumed it was the norm for the King to show his appreciation in public, although he felt it not really necessary. Being forced to wear a clean white shirt and a smart new tunic gifted to him by the Queen no less, he had even been made to polish his boots. While they were not the best pair of boots in the world, he had certainly seen a lot worse, and couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about.

  Standing next to Karesh, Finley watched on waiting for his Mother to finish getting ready. “This seems a lot of fuss over nothing,” he said looking up at his Orcish brother. “Karesh, Have you combed your hair?”

  The Orc grinned, or as close as an Orc could actually come to smiling, “It looks…nice,”
Finley added trying to think of something positive to say. Orc hair was much thicker and wiry looking, and probably the reason they never tried to brush or comb it. However, for whatever reason Karesh had tried to do so, and although Finley personally thought it made his brother look utterly ridiculous, he kept that opinion to himself.

  Despite being ready to go to the Hall, Finley was told by both Galdrac and his mother that he wasn’t allowed to make his way there until called for. “I see you made an effort,” Galdrac said noticing Mazen helping himself to the drinks tray.

  “Aye, I’m glad you noticed. Took me hours to brush the knots out of my beard,” the Dwarf replied not realising Galdrac was actually being sarcastic. “I don’t see why all this is necessary,” Finley grumbled again getting fed up of waiting.

  “Because the King wishes to thank us, well, especially you for everything we achieved. Now stop being so negative about it all and give us a smile,” Leyna said. Just for his mother’s sake, Finley forced the corners of his mouth upwards, before returning to his previous look the second her back was turned.