Elias of Eradal

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The story so far...

Elias, a talented but cocky wizard's apprentice set out on a quest given to him by the gods to slay a dangerous beast in the far-off mountains. Accompanying him are Avi and Kole, an impulsive young thief and a powerful but enigmatic swordsman. Together the three of them made their way across the land through many dangers and slew the monster in the mountains. Only to find out that this monstrous dragon was the last thing sealing away the dark god Kordiith and that Elias had been set up by servants of the evil god. Humbled, Elias finds comfort in the beginnings of a new and surprising connection between himself and Kole, his guide. On their travels, the group meets Dain, a youthful and soft-spoken druid from the secretive Verduin Isles. Dain provides the group with insight into Kordiith's plans and purposes. The four of them continue to the city of Calon-Ken, in the kingdom of Calonia, to seek help in fending off the coming darkness. In the process, Elias and friends make a surprising discovery about their long-time companion Kole...

Elias of Eradal Chapter 14

No one spoke as Sir Triston led the party once more through the halls of the keep. Elias's mind spun as he tried to make sense of this new development. Kole, a knight? It seemed absurd, and yet it made a strange amount of sense. It took every ounce of restraint that Elias had to not march to the front of the procession and demand answers from his traveling companion. This was not the time or the place however, and Elias expected as they neared the great hall again that many of his questions might be answered soon.

Avi's curiosity however was not so easily belayed. "Wot's appenin' El?" He asked in a loud whisper as they proceeded through the keep. "Is Kole the real Tibbs? I mean... Sir Tibbs? That other knight's is bruv'er? The geezer in the chair was `is da?" Thankfully, Dain put a gentle hand on Avi's arm to calm his rapid-fire questioning.

The marvelous hall of the Lord Imperator was now full of petitioners, come to pay respects or make requests, as well as ranks of soldiers in ceremonial armor down both sides of the room. Lord Titus sat regal as ever on the great slab of stone, though it was difficult to say which one appeared to be more immovable, the lord or his seat. A pair of nobles stood at the foot of the dais arguing heatedly between them.

"Father!" Sir Triston cried excitedly as they entered, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. The dispute being heard was momentarily forgotten as all turned to investigate. The eyes of the Lord Imperator flicked upward in surprise then narrowed as he saw his son approach with the other four in tow.

"Sir Triston." Lord Titus greeted sternly. "What is the meaning of this disruption? You were entrusted to Sir Ambrose' command, were you not?"

"Yes Father, but..." Sir Triston's youthful excitement was overwhelming his years of training. "Look! Look here!" He gestured wildly, motioning for Kole to step forward. The entire hall had fallen silent, curious at what might cause the Lord's son to behave so unprofessionally.

"Lord Imperator now, eh?" Kole did not speak loudly but his voice carried. "Can't say I'm surprised."

The stone countenance of the Lord Imperator cracked suddenly as confused recognition crossed his face. Almost immediately he hardened once more, perhaps even deeper than before, his eyes became clouded and unreadable.

"Captain. Clear the room please." Titus spoke quietly to the guard to his right.

"Yes, my Lord." The man immediately replied, giving a motion to the guards around the room.

"But my Lord Imperator..." The noble that had been arguing his case spoke up. "Surely we can resolve this first."

"Your grievances will be heard in due time." Titus replied calmly, without looking down at the noble.

Obviously not inclined to argue, the noble allowed himself, along with the others to be directed out of the grand hall by the ranks of soldiers.

"You and your men as well please, Captain." The Lord Imperator ordered when this was done.

The captain hesitated a moment before nodding. "As you wish, my Lord." With another hand signal, the ranks of guards began to file out of the hall as well. The captain bowed once before following his men, leaving only six people in the hall.

"All that for me?" Kole took several steps closer to the dais. "I'm touched."

"Tybalt..." Lord Titus's voice carried a complex mix of emotion, partially masked behind his years of diplomatic training. "You are alive..." He rose from his seat and descended the dais slowly.

Kole sighed. "Spare me. There's no one else here. You don't need to pretend to care."

By now, Titus had reached the foot of the dais and stood in front of Kole. Abruptly he backhanded the younger man firmly across the face, his brow hardening in anger. "How dare you?" He challenged as his voice turned to ice. "It seems that defying death has done nothing to curb your insolent tongue. If your mother were here..."

"Ah, but she's not." Kole returned sharply, rubbing the side of his face. "If she were, I am sure she would love to hear just how quickly you forgot her. It was the same year that she died, wasn't it? Hardly even a season apart before the wedding bells were ringing." Titus turned his back on Kole and returned to his throne, his shoulders looking even heavier than before. Kole had not finished though. "Where is your lovely new wife anyhow? We all know how thrilled she will be to know that I live."

"She is dead." It was not Titus that spoke the words but Triston, his voice thick with emotion. "Last year."

Kole turned to the young knight, the firm mask dropping from his face. "I... I'm sorry, Trist... I didn't know."

"You never have known, Tybalt." Lord Titus spoke heavily, sitting with his forehead resting on his fingertips. "You believe the things you want to believe, and no one can tell you otherwise."

Snorting a laugh, Kole returned his attention to Lord Titus. "I wonder where I got that from."

"You always blamed me for your mother's death. And for marrying after. You were very young, so I do not fault you that." Titus's look grew dark once more. "And perhaps your stepmother was colder toward you than I should have allowed. But do not dare accuse me of indifference in your disappearance. I was there, Tybalt, I led the search. When we found your horses wandering at the edge of that damned swamp..." Elias could hear the emotion growing in the Lord Imperator's voice and he saw the noble man swallow a lump in his throat.

The hall was silent for a long few seconds and Kole did not respond. Eventually, his father continued. "I would have sent the entire army in after you, my son. But my duty to Calon-Ken, to Calonia, outweighs what I want. Nevertheless, good men died searching for you in that place. Sir Gillas, Sir Lester, noble men went willingly to their deaths to try to bring you home or recover your body. All the while you were... what? Gallivanting in brothels and bars with any woman or man that would give you a glance?"

Even from behind, Elias could see the tension instantly wind its way into Kole's shoulders. "You do not get to lecture me! You have no idea what I went through in those swamps. You sent those men to their death, not me! All you have ever cared about is the House and the lineage, so you'll pardon me if I don't buy the sudden sentimentality. You just wanted to save face. Those knights died for your own selfishness and pride, father, nothing else.

Titus looked like he was about to erupt from his chair once more. His fingers gripped the arms of stone so tightly that Elias wondered if he might crack straight through. Then suddenly it was gone. The emotionless mask settled back over the lord's face. "So be it." He replied simply. "Doubtless you did not return to simply wag your tongue at me. Is it money you want?"

Taken aback by his father's abrupt recession into stoicism, Kole took a moment to answer. "Money?" He eventually scoffed in disbelief; the offense was apparent. "You think so little of me? No. I am here on behalf of perhaps the only care we still have in common." Kole took a step backward and put a hand on Triston's shoulder. The younger knight had been staring directly at the floor while the other two argued, but now he looked up. "You are sending Triston, and Sir Ambrose and his men, to their deaths."

Lord Titus's eyes narrowed and suddenly Elias felt the penetrating gaze of the Lord Imperator land on him once more. "You there. You three were with Master Lavelle this morning, weren't you? You were travelling with my son, and you did not inform me?" The anger was rising in his voice once more and Elias wanted to back away.

"They did not know." Kole intervened. "I had intended to keep it that way, but you forced my hand."

Clearly, Lord Titus did not like the accusation, but after a sour look and a moment of silence he waved a hand sharply. "Explain."

"You must not send Triston with this tracking party. Every soldier and knight that you send to investigate this foe will almost certainly be killed." Kole did a good job now of keeping the emotion from his voice, sticking only to the facts. "There is an army up there and it is growing by the day. I've seen it. I was the one who guided Elias through the swamps."

Lord Titus's brows came together as understanding crossed his face. Then, to Elias's great surprise, the corner of the Lord Imperator's mouth twitched in what had almost certainly been a hint of a smile.

"I might have known." Titus replied. "I thought it strange when they claimed to have crossed and survived. Who else could it have been to take them through safely?"

Kole ignored the implied compliment and continued. "This army is made of foul and unnatural things. This will not be some border skirmish held off by a few brave knights. This will be a war like no one has seen in a thousand years." Pausing and taking a deep breath, Kole continued with great difficulty. "I am begging you, Father. For the sake of your son, of Calonia, and of all the Five Kingdoms. Listen to what High Wizard Lavelle told you. Send out the martial call. Evacuate the villages into the strongholds. Fill your grain stores and prepare because the fight is here."

"I believe him, father." Sir Triston spoke up for the first time in a long while. "We should..."

"Silence, my boy." Titus cut him off, staring ahead in thought. Elias practically held his breath as he waited for what the Lord Imperator would say next. "You guided this party through the swamps." He mused, partially to himself. "One of the few people alive that could do so..."

Kole glowered, holding back a comment. "Yes..." He admitted with a sigh, thinking that he knew the direction his father's words were taking. "I share the responsibility for causing this threat. That is why I am so certain of what needs to be done."

Grunting a single quiet chuckle, Titus shook his head. "You misunderstand, Tybalt. What are the chances of this young wizard finding you at the right moment for this misguided quest? Any other guide would likely have led him to his death."

With a suspicious frown, Kole's eyes narrowed. "I suppose. It is a coincidence."

"I wonder." Lord Titus replied thoughtfully. "Perhaps there are greater forces at work here. Even if a lesser guide had succeeded, they would have no standing to make the request that you now make of me. A request that you say is of such vital importance." The Lord Imperator paused in contemplation for a moment. "I know you, Tybalt." He continued. "Better than you might believe. I know that the need must be truly dire for your pride to allow you to come before me like this."

Wisely sensing the shift in his father's tone, Kole did not respond. He allowed Titus to speak freely.

"Wizard Lavelle and I spoke after your companions departed. From my understanding, the god Kordiith's return was foretold long ago. However, who could have predicted that the return would be brought about by the son of the Lord Imperator of Calonia," He nodded towards Kole. "and by a prodigy wizard, allegedly of exemplary talent?" Titus nodded again at Elias. "This to me reads like a secret twist of fate. If the dark god must be resurrected, then who better could the true gods offer for the task than two that may have the power and influence to ruin him again?"

Elias's mouth twisted in sudden thought. Ever since Amarack's revelation, Elias had felt like nothing more than a pawn in Kordiith's game. If what Lord Titus suggested was true, then perhaps there was a larger game at play here. One that even the dark god might not be aware of.

"It IS fate then..." Dain's sudden outburst surprised everyone in the hall including himself. It was the first time the young druid had broken his contemplative silence for several hours. All eyes turned on the red-blonde Verduin and he quickly dropped his gaze to the ground as though he did not even realize that he had spoken aloud.

As the silence continued, eventually Dain cleared his throat. He bowed awkwardly when he saw the Lord Imperator's intimidating stare fixed on him. "Gul mahc hiron dé, Liard." Immediately the boy put a hand to his mouth in embarrassment. "I meant, blessings on you. Thank you for hearing our plight, Lord."

Titus's brows furrowed in curiosity as he considered Dain for the first time. "You are Verduin." He noted. "And you travel with my son and his company?"

Dain nodded hastily, obviously uncomfortable being the center of attention amid such grandeur. "Yes, Lord. We crossed paths in the swamps of Kord, below what you call the Koval mountains. Then I encountered them again as I was completing my pilgrimage. Just as they..." He paused. "Just as the dragon was being slain."

Elias winced both in shame and annoyance. He knew exactly where the fault lay, and Dain's attempt to mitigate only felt condescending to him. Just that morning, Elias had admitted his folly to the Lord Imperator. At this point, Dain trying to spare feelings was just another soft blow to Elias's already battered ego.

"I understand." Titus prompted with a wave of his hand. "Please continue. You also believe that there is some other power at hand here?"

Shaking himself to regain his thoughts, Dain nodded. "I am sure of it now, Lord." Now he hesitated. "My people..." The boy spoke haltingly, not making eye contact. "Our ways are our own. We do not speak openly about them with mainlanders." Dain quickly blushed. "Apologies, Lord. I only mean that..."

Lord Titus snorted an impatient laugh that instantly reminded Elias of Kole. "Speak freely, son of the Verduin Isles." His voice turned nearly comforting. "Calonia remembers our friends to the west, even when others do not. Dispense the formality and share what you are able."

Dain bowed again gratefully. "I first began to think as you after the dragon was slain. I felt the amount of power that the wizard Elias possesses." He gestured to Elias. "I thought that the gods must have led me to such a strong wizard for a purpose. I also have... useful connections that will help in this fight. My father, Dannin, is the chief of the Tor, Verduin's strongest tribe. My grandfather is our storykeeper."

This revelation did not surprise Elias as much as Kole's had. The way that Dain carried himself hinted at an upbringing of some importance, unlike Kole who had gone out of his way to present as the opposite.

"If I can convince them to help us, then all of Verduin will come to help the mainland as well." Dain's voice rose in pride. "My people are strong and brave, if not numerous. Even in foreign lands, we can hold the forests as well as an army holds a keep."

A solemn smile crossed the Lord Imperator's face. "I have heard enough. It is clear that this is more than coincidence. Next you will tell me that the little one there is master of the Trade Guild of Trovius." He nodded in Avi's direction, who stared at the ground shyly, face reddening slightly. "If fate or the gods have aligned these stars then I will not stand in their way."

Titus stood, drawing himself to his full height and squaring his shoulders. "Sir Triston, send for paper and ink, and the seal of the Lord Imperator. The martial call will go forth. Calonia will rise to meet this threat. By our strength and by our blood we will keep the Five Kingdoms safe."

Elias felt hope burning in his chest and a smile leapt to his face as the Lord Imperator's words rang through the halls. "I hope, my lord, that you will not stand alone for long." He spoke up. "Master Lavelle will alert the other kingdoms, if he has not done so already. Eradal will send ships and armies, and we will hurry to Verduin as quickly as we can."

Lord Titus nodded. "I hope that it will be so. I will send a detachment of soldiers to escort you to the coast."

Shaking his head, Kole replied. "No. We will move faster and quieter on our own. If this is some game the gods are playing at, then speed and secrecy are our best weapons right now. Kordiith, Amarack, whomever, has no reason to suspect that all of Calonia will rise against him. If the nobles listen to the martial call, that is."

"They will listen." Titus interjected with hard steel in his voice.

"And" Kole continued. "they will not know that we are heading to Verduin. It's probably best to keep it that way for now."

Titus nodded gravely. "You mean to continue with this company then, Tybalt."

"I do." Kole confirmed. "Even if the Five Kingdoms join again, and Verduin comes to help, we will still need more. If this is... fate then I must be part of it for a reason, so I will see it through."

Again, Titus nodded, this time with what seemed to be a hint of approval on his stoic face. "Rest here a night at least then. It is already into the afternoon and the sun will begin to set by the time you make it out of the city. Set out with strength in the morning, well fed and provisioned."

Kole winced at this. "I think... we should keep moving." It was apparent that it was more than the importance of their mission motivating his desire to leave.

Sensing this, Sir Triston came up behind his brother. "Please stay, Balt." He put a hand on Kole's big shoulder. "I wish that I could come with you and your party. To the coast and to Verduin. But even if you'd have me, my duty is here. But do me this favor and sit and eat with us one more time. It has been... so long."

With a long inhale, Kole shuddered, and his shoulders sagged. He looked to his younger brother with a face of feigned annoyance barely concealing the deep emotion underneath. "I never could say no to you, Trist. If the others are alright with it, we will stay the night."

Even though Elias would have been happier speeding on their way as quickly as possible, what the Lord Imperator said made sense. They would likely only make a few miles out of Calon-Ken before they had to stop anyway. And he did not have the heart to turn down Sir Triston's invitation. Who knows when he had last seen Kole? And who knew when he ever would again? Elias forced himself away from dark thoughts and nodded to Kole. "We'll stay."

Dain and Avi looked uncomfortable as well but made no objection.

"Very good." Lord Titus spoke again. "Sir Triston, did I not give you an order?"

The young knight jumped and blushed before inclining his head. "Yes, Father. Erm... my lord. Apologies." With another quick dip of his head, he turned on a heel and strode quickly from the room to do as his father had asked.

"Very much like you were at that age." Titus commented when the boy had left.

Kole rolled his eyes. "We will stay. We will appreciate your hospitality. And you are doing the right thing. But if you're looking for a touching father-son moment, then you'll be waiting a while."

Titus grunted but did not answer. Instead, he recalled his men into the hall along with several servants. At the Lord Imperator's instruction, two of the servants showed the four of them to guest quarters, while another left to attend to their horses. Kole could have led the way, but opted to stay back with Elias, Avi, and Dain. As they walked through the castle, Elias decided that now was as good a time as any to try and get some answers.

"So?" He prompted simply.

Kole sighed heavily but did not look back at Elias. "So what?" He demanded.

"Do you want to..." Elias paused, uncertain. Asking if Kole wanted to talk seemed silly.

"Not really." Kole answered irritably.

"Are you really a knight?" Avi piped up, ignoring the not-so-subtle warnings.

Elias expected Kole to make some harsh or snappy retort, but after a moment of tension, Kole seemed to relax a little. He turned his head to give Avi a gentle look. "I'd like to be alone for a while." He spoke calmly. "After that, you can ask questions until your tongue falls out. I promise." Kole even forced a smile.

Avi nodded his understanding though he was obviously still confused. Much like Elias, he had expected Kole to be upset with him for pressing. The quiet response was so out of character that its effect was stronger than being yelled at.

They were led to four separate rooms where the servants left them, promising to return with their packs and belongings. Elias decided to use the time to rehearse some spells in his mind. It was difficult to focus with all the questions and emotions running through him. He was actually hopeful for the first time, but Kole was right, even if all of Calonia rose up against Kordiith, they could only hope to hold them at bay for a short time. They would need the other four kingdoms, and Verduin, and even that, if the Amarack's predictions and Dain's fears were true, wouldn't be enough.

Elias's thoughts were interrupted by a knock. Not at the door as he had expected, but at the window. At first, he thought he must have imagined it because they were three stories up, but sure enough, the hesitant knock came again only a few moments later. Confused and a little warry, Elias moved slowly towards the window. The glass was thick and opaque, allowing light in, but not providing much of a view when it was closed. There did appear to be a dark shape just to one side though.

Readying himself for action, Elias briefly wondered if he should call the others in. His curiosity got the better of him however, and he abruptly threw the window open... Just in time to see Avi nearly fall backward off the little ledge he was standing on as the heavy windowpane opened outward into him. The nimble youth quickly grasped the edge of the pane and twisted himself back onto the ledge, regaining his balance.

"Avi?" Elias demanded in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Oh." Avi's mouth twisted. "Sorry, El. Couldn't remember if this was yer room or Dain's."

"Get in here!" Elias hauled the small boy into the window and back onto solid ground. "Why were you out there? You could have been hurt."

Avi shrugged innocently, giving Elias a sheepish look. "Wewl... I didn't know if we was allowed to leave the rooms." He glanced down at the ground.

"Avi, we're guests here. Not prisoners." Elias didn't know if he should be stern with Avi or amused.

"I know." The other boy nodded. "It's just, I never been in no castles or noffing. If they seen me wanderin', they might fink..." He trailed off.

"That you're trying to steal something." Elias finished for him and Avi gave him a grateful smile. "You're not trying to steal anything, are you?"

"Not trying." Avi emphasized the word `trying' with a meaning that was all to apparent. "They got loads o' stuff though."

Elias gave Avi a scolding look and the boy rolled his eyes, pulling a silver candlestick out of the back of his trousers and setting it on the table. Instead of leaving and making for Dain's room as Elias expected though, Avi paced around, pretending to look at the paintings and examining the bedcurtains. At first, Elias thought maybe Avi was seeking out potential targets for his next heist, but his nonchalance was so obviously feigned, and the awkward silence grew.

Finally, Elias was about to ask what Avi wanted, but the other boy beat him to it. "Can I... ask you somfing, El?" He asked quietly.

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Elias took a moment to respond. Avi had never asked permission for any of his dozens of questions before. Elias wondered what made this one so different. "Yeah. Sure." He eventually answered.

Avi fidgeted with the hem of his shirt with one hand. "Should I go `ome?" His voice was timid, nearly a whisper.

Now, Elias's brow furrowed in further surprise and confusion. "Why?" He asked sincerely. "Do you want to go home?"

"No!" Avi answered immediately, looking up at Elias with determination. "I know if I ask Kole... er... Tyrbart, e'll say no. An I fink if I ask Dain, e'll say no too. But... should I?"

Elias frowned, not following. "So... why ask me then?"

"Cuz I fink..." Avi's mouth twisted in thought. "I don't fink you'll say stay just cuz you want me te stay."

Reading between the lines, Elias was impressed. Avi wanted an honest opinion. Not one that he thought was clouded by favoritism. "Do you think you should go home?" He pressed, taking a gentle tone and pulling up a seat nearby.

Avi shrugged. "I dunno." He admitted. "I don't want to. But..." The boy shook his head helplessly. "Yer a strong wizard. Dain's a druid wiv a bow an that bloody great bird. An now Kole's a knight an we're in `is da's castle..."

Understanding dawned. Avi was feeling useless. Elias had to admit that there were times when he had wished the boy back to Erania. But Avi's perpetual optimism and relentless curiosity had grown on him. Witnessing the young thief open up like this was touching.

"I can't do anyfing to `elp. I'm just in the way." Avi finished forlornly, hanging his head.

Elias did not have a strong instinct for tenderness and compassion, but seeing Avi struggle with his lack of purpose stirred feelings in him that he did not entertain often. He knew that the younger boy must be feeling the effects of this new revelation about Kole even more strongly than the rest of them. Elias was frustrated, disappointed, and a little bit hurt that Kole had withheld the information, but Avi had been Kole's companion for years and during the vulnerability of his youth. The youngster bore it well, but Elias knew he must be hurting terribly.

"Look, Avi..." Elias began with a sigh. "You might be a big and strong fighter like Kole, or a spellcaster like me or Dain, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything. I can't answer the question for you because you've got to make the decision. What we're doing is going to be dangerous. More dangerous than anything we've done so far. So, if you feel like you should go home, then you should." He paused and Avi's troubled look deepened as he sank into one of the other chairs. "But, we would not have made it this far if you had not been with us."

Avi frowned in confusion and looked up at Elias with a wordless question.

"When we battled the treggans." Elias continued. "A normal boy would have been paralyzed with fear or have tried to run away immediately. I probably would have when I was your age. But you didn't. You stayed and you fought, using those beads I gave you. And without them they would have overwhelmed Kole and I, I have no doubt."

Nodding thoughtfully, Avi mouth turned up and then down again as he continued to think.

"Then on the mountain before we found the cave." Elias reminded. "You were the only one that was able to bring the rope across so that Kole and I could make the crossing safely."

"I s'pose..." Avi kicked aimlessly at the leg of the chair, not making eye contact with Elias. "But... If I adn't then I guess you wouldn't ave killed that dragon neither."

Elias chuckled internally as he realized that Avi was right. "So, I guess that means you're responsible for all this as well, doesn't it?"

Frowning, Avi glanced tentatively up at Elias. When he saw that Elias was joking a smile began to spread on his face. "Wewl, if I'm respons'ble then... guess I ought'a try an fix it. Just like you an Kole."

"Maybe so." Elias stood and offered the other boy his hand and Avi grinned and accepted it, hopping to his feet once more. "It's a choice you have to make though." He reminded. "If you decided that you needed to return to Erania, I'm sure we would all understand. But Dain and Kole would miss you terribly. And, even though I may not have always been friendly toward you, I admit that I would too."

Avi's eyes went wide, and his mouth opened in a tiny `o', then he smiled broadly. "Fanks El... I'd miss you too."

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Elias offered a soft smile. "Now, if you can keep your hands to yourself why don't we bring Dain and explore the castle a little? I'd like to catch up with Master Lavelle before dinner if I can."

"Right!" Avi declared, his sour introspection had lifted and his usual excitable cheeriness had returned. Exploring was always high on Avi's to-do list. "Dain hates it `ere." He chortled. "'e said last night, it was too many walls an people. Seems just right to me though."

Elias snorted. "He grew up in the woods, and you grew up in the city. Small wonder he's uncomfortable here."

Nodding in thought, Avi half-smiled. "I'll run an fetch im anyway. e'll wanna come along. Should I ask Ko... Sir Tibblet?"

"I think," Elias replied patiently. "That Kole would prefer to be left alone for now. And I also think you can still call him `Kole'. I get the impression that he would prefer that."

Avi shrugged and nodded noncommittedly, obviously still with mixed feelings about Kole's secrets. He trotted off toward Dain's room, this time fortunately, he opted to use the door instead of the window. Before long, the three of them were roaming the halls of the keep and Elias was made jealous of the patience that Kole had shown throughout their journey.

"'oo'zat?" Avi asked Elias as they passed a tapestry depicting a regal knight.

"How would I know?" Elias demanded, starting to regret his choices. "Some ancestor or something probably." He softened his tone.

"Probably Kole's great-great grandfather or some such." Dain explained

Avi nodded thoughtfully, looking around at all the tapestries and paintings with solemn faces. "I wonder oo my great-great grandda was." His eyes took on a light. "Maybe e was a knight too!" Avi fenced with an invisible foe down the hallway for a few steps.

Giving a sad smile, Elias did not reply. Dain on the other hand joined right in. "Or perhaps he was a great sea captain, guiding a big mainlander ship."

"Or a pirate!" Avi suddenly exclaimed conspiratorially. "An maybe tha's why I'm so good at nicking fings!"

"He must have been king of the pirates." Dain encouraged enthusiastically.

Elias again found the Verduin boy to be enigmatic. He couldn't tell if Dain was genuinely excited about the game that they were making up together or if he was just humoring Avi. It felt more like the former, but Elias's own cynicism insisted it must be the later. Eventually he decided that it could be a mix of both. Dain picked up on things quickly. Maybe he sensed how Avi was feeling and was playing along while simultaneously losing himself in the thrill of youthful imagination.

Sometimes Elias needed to remind himself that Dain was at most only a couple of years older than Avi. The young Verduin's maturity and unreadable eyes made it easy to forget. Elias considered idly as they walked if he had been as mature at Dain's age, or even if he had been as mature as Avi at Avi's age. In some ways he had definitely surpassed them at their respective ages, but in other ways he was left to wonder.

They had asked a servant when they set out where they might find High Wizard Lavelle, and after following instructions, found him in one of the higher chambers of the keep, shifting busily between two books.

He scarcely looked up when they entered. "Ah. Elias." He noted with a friendly yet occupied tone. "I'd heard you were still here, and that you'd convinced Lord Titus to issue the martial call. Splendid news."

"Yes." Elias agreed. "With luck, Calonia will keep Kordiith's forces at bay until the other kingdoms can join them. Have you sent the message out yet?"

Lavelle shook his head and grunted in frustration. "The Sages' Beacon is proving to be more troublesome than I anticipated. It was designed to be used by sages, which I, unfortunately, am not."

Frowning, Elias approached to get a look at what his former mentor was reading. "No one's achieved that title in a very long time."

"Indeed." Lavelle nodded. "Not since Albrecht the Great, and he died almost a hundred-fifty years ago now. My magic may not be potent enough." He gave a strained smile as he turned to Elias. "Perhaps it is good you're still here my boy. You may be able to help. The beacon has lain dormant for so long, it requires something of a kick to get it active again. Maybe the two of us together can convince it to wake."

"I could help as well, if needed." Dain offered.

Lavelle inclined his head. "Thank you, but I am concerned that the touch of a druidic mage might be too delicate for our purposes. It might actually work against us in this situation."

"What about the totems that you gave me?" Elias suggested. "With that power, we could certainly rouse it again."

Shaking his head, Lavelle returned to his books, scanning with a finger he pointed to the line he was looking for. "The magic must be innate." He explained. "A totem would be useless. Working with ancient magic is a complex art. If you are feeling up to it however, we can attempt to activate it."

"Of course." Elias said immediately. "What do you need from me?"

"I have the required incantation." Lavelle told him. "I am just lacking the raw power. Something that you have in excess."

Elias looked humbly down at his boots. It was high praise indeed for a wizard as powerful as Lavelle to suggest that he, Elias, was stronger still. Elias knew that raw power alone did not make a skilled wizard, and that Lavelle's wisdom and experience set him above most wizards in the Five Kingdoms. It still was no small compliment.

"I'll try my best. Draw on my energy as needed." Elias assured.

Lavelle smiled proudly at him. "Follow me, my lad. Your friends can come as well. Few people are even aware of the Sages' Beacons, let alone have seen any of them."

The three of them accompanied Lavelle into the next room, which was completely empty aside from a large pedestal in the center. On the pedestal was a large glass pyramid that looked pristine and delicate and was almost completely transparent. It was only a little smaller than a man's torso.

"It doesn't look like much, does it?" Lavelle laughed. "Hard to believe that it's one of the most ancient magical artifacts still in existence."

Elias stepped closer, fascinated. Dain as well showed a curious interest. The druidic mages did not use magical artifacts, but he still felt drawn do take a closer look.

"There are powerful protection spells over it." Lavelle warned. "Get close enough with any ill intentions and you'll get a nasty shock. Try it again and it'll be even worse."

As he stepped nearer to the pedestal, Elias could feel the magic in the air, almost as if he could reach out and take hold of the energy. It was similar to the feeling for darkness he had felt in the cave after killing the dragon, only this was not dark power, it was simply power. Raw and impartial. Dain shuddered and retreated back to stand with Avi.

"What should I do?" Elias asked, fully embracing the awe, amazement, and even trepidation that came from being so close to such an important piece of history.

"Open your mind to me." Lavelle instructed, bringing Elias back to his days spent in the house of the High Wizard. "I will perform the words and then the beacon should begin to take the toll. Weather it as long as you can, but do not strain yourself too much. Give me a signal when you need to sever the connection." Lavelle punctuated this with a chopping motion with his hand.

Elias nodded. Simple enough. "I am ready." He allowed his mind to expand outward and soon felt Master Lavelle tapping into his energy.

"I will begin now." The High Wizard informed him. Shortly he began to speak his incantation softly. Elias recognized the language as one of the older dialects known in the history of the Five Kingdoms. Lavelle spoke too softly however for him to pick up the words in their entirety.

Suddenly, the pyramid on top of the pedestal began to glow softly from within. It cast a purple light about the room as it brightened. Almost immediately, Elias began to feel it drawing on his strength. When he reached his mind out toward the pyramid he immediately recoiled in surprise. The thing on the pedestal was not alive, but nor was it entirely inanimate. So much magic had been poured into it in the years following its creation that it had attained something that almost resembled a consciousness. A slow, sleepy, and disinterested consciousness.

The energy drained from him rapidly and Elias stumbled. He heard Avi gasp, but he held up a hand to prevent Lavelle from breaking the connection. Righting himself again, he focused on the pyramid, willing it to work once more.

To his surprise, the object responded. It was not in words or thought, but the faux intelligence made up of small pieces of every sage that had ever used the beacons answered his will with a feeling. A wordless question of indifference. "Why?"

In addition to his energy, Elias tried to transfer his sense of need and urgency into the beacon. This was its purpose. Kordiith had returned.

The purple light pulsed briefly but continued to draw on Elias's strength. Elias rallied at this though, taking it as a sign that the thing was listening to him, as much as large glass orbs could listen to noiseless requests.

He dug in his mind for the feeling of fear and shame he had felt when he unwittingly unleashed Kordiith on the world, and again for the sense of terror they had all experienced when the creatures of Kordiith had moved past their camp at night. These powerful emotions he projected toward the beacon with one underlying important message summed up simply as, "Now or never."

Elias's head swam and abruptly he felt himself falling backward as his strength left him. Hands caught him from behind but before he could even register falling the small chamber blazed with purple fire. A high-pitched whistling filled the air as the light brightened to near blinding. Elias's vision blurred before he could focus again, and spots danced in front of his eyes. The light receded and Elias blinked multiple times, feeling the dizziness fade, leaving behind intense exhaustion. Looking up, he saw that it was Dain who had caught him and prevented him from cracking his head on the floor.

Nodding his gratitude, Elias closed his eyes for a long moment before opening them again. Lavelle's worried face appeared in front of him.

"Elias, are you alright?" As the old wizard saw Elias looking at him, his worry faded into a grin. "Look!" He insisted. "You did it."

Elias took a halting step to get himself to his feet and saw in the center of the small room that the Sages' Beacon now glowed with a healthy purple light, and, to his surprise, it was hovering a few inches off the pedestal it had been perched on.

Clasping his hand, Lavelle's grin broadened. "You've done it." He repeated excitedly. "That there, my boy." Lavelle pointed to the beacon proudly. "That light is the hope of all the Five Kingdoms that you've just awakened." He clapped both of Elias's shoulders. "Kordiith may think that he found a perfect unwilling servant in you, Elias. But imagine the sting when he finds out that it was you all along that undid him."

Steadying himself and gazing at the beautiful purple light, Elias felt a tingle run down his spine. If destiny had chosen him for this, then he would make sure that Kordiith knew it before the end.