Well, time for the story to move on, and some of the secrets to be revealed.
Let me know what you think.
Cperez@gmotion.com
The Dukes of the Realm had gathered together at a dinner with the King. His Majesty asked, "What is the greatest of the virtues that a warrior can posses?"
"Strength!" Proclaimed the Duke of Highland. "A weak warrior cannot fight!"
"Courage." Argued the Duke of Harmon. "A strong coward is no more than a weakling."
"Intelligence." The Duke of Jelneth put in. "A smart warrior can overcome those who are stronger than he."
At this point the King turned to the Elvin Ambassador. "What say you My Lord?" He asked of the Elf.
The Ambassador seemed to consider for a moment and then answered. "Loyalty. For if your warriors are not loyal, then all of their virtues serve only your enemy."
----- Wisdom of the Court.
The answer was obvious in retrospect.
Andy had decided that he would settle the matter of Annea's assassination. The Court was debating on whether it was legal to continue without officially naming a Regent. In the meantime, Andy intended to get some answers.
He started by having all of Lady Emelia's personal effects brought to him. Among the various arcane tools, clothes and personal mementoes, Andy found a rock. Polished smooth, this stone was a swirled green and black color, flecked with a deep red that glittered like fresh blood.
"What the hell is this?" He muttered quietly to himself, hefting the small sphere in his hand.
"Bloodstone." E'rin said from across the pavilion where he was examining the reports from his scouts in the forest. He glanced up and Andy and smiled at him. "It's the ears belshatha, you'd be really surprised to find out exactly how good my hearing is."
Andy stuck his tongue out at his love and blew a raspberry. "Ok, it's bloodstone. What do you use it for?"
E'rin frowned thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. I know that wizards use them for scrying sometimes, and I think they are able to use them to communicate. You'd have to ask one of them about it."
Andy did exactly that. He summoned various of the Royal wizards and consulted them on the uses of bloodstone and discovered that it was used primarily for sending sound and images across great differences. It was limited however, as these stones were created by sundering a single stone, and using the sympathetic link to communicate. These stones could not link with any others outside of those created from the same source.
They also were used for casting spells that could affect the mind, or illusions, as these were the only things that could be transmitted through the link.
Most importantly, he found how to make them work.
Deciding that this stone held the answers he was seeking, Andy set aside some quiet time to devote to probing with the sphere and seeing who picked up on the other end.
Andy hadn't known what to expect really, but if asked the last thing that would have crossed his mind would be to find an ork shaman answering his call.
"Where have you been?" Demanded the harsh voice. "What has happened? Did you kill the Heir?"
In retrospect it seemed obvious. After all, who else would want to target the Heir to the Throne of Man? Ter'Zhull it seemed had a long arm.
Andy was never sure what prompted him to respond rather than simply break the connection, but he would always remember the results.
"No, I'm afraid your little ploy failed pig-boy. We caught her, just thought you would like to know." He snarled. "Maybe when you've grown a pair, you can come and have a little chat with me about it rather than amusing yourself striking out at pregnant women like a weakling."
Andy expected a furious response to his insults. Instead the face that now formed in the sphere laughed quietly.
"Thank you, I'm glad to know that my plan worked out so well." The shaman said with a smile. "I doubt you'd be trying to provoke me otherwise. I'm not a fool boy; I will come and crush you when I am ready. Until then, do try to be patient. Death will come for you soon enough." The ork's smile became a wide grin. "By the way, I was the one who broke the conditioning on your guard. I just thought you would like to know that my people could be anywhere, and anyone. None of your pathetic protections will save you from me."
Angry with himself for giving away important information with his bluster, Andy lashed out at Ter'Zhull without thinking about it. He wove a pattern of air and spirit and sent it down the link between the stones to strike at the mind of the Shaman.
Ter'Zhull had expected the human to lash out at him, but he had grossly underestimated the power of the strike. He felt the focused stab of power blast into his unprepared defenses and penetrate into his mind, probing for any weakness it could find. When it found that weakness, it would fry his brain.
Reeling under the assault, Ter'Zhull clawed at the raw power of the orks under his command. Drawing deep on that source, he wove a shield of air and spirit and bound it with fire to give it a cutting edge.
Andy shrieked in agony as that shield slid smoothly into place, cutting off his probe painfully, and severing the connection between the two bloodstones.
The I'olias rushed into the room ready to throw himself between his charge and danger. He saw Andy collapsed on the floor, clutching his head in pain. No one else was in the pavilion. "Your Highness, what happened?"
"Son of a bitch." Andy groaned. "That hurt."
The elf knelt down and placed his hands on the human's head and probed gently with his magic. He sensed some minor trauma to the brain, and quickly repaired it. He lowered the boy's blood pressure and heart rate to more normal levels, and triggered an endorphin burst. Andy's headache cleared almost immediately.
"Ah, thanks I'olias." He groaned. "God that sucked! I feel so tired now."
"What happened Your Highness?" I'olias asked again.
Andy grinned. "I got my answers. Take me to the Magister Earlon."
Orks learn at an early age to ignore pain, or at least pretend like they are. Normally however, they never have to deal with the after effects of having your mind assaulted by a wizard.
Ter'Zhull sent for his mother, and she had helped erase the damage to his brain.
"He was strong for one so young." Ter'Zhull admitted as he drank down a bottle of wine. "I was able to fight him off, but he caught me completely unprepared."
"This is the pretender that has taken the identity of the Human Prince?" His mother asked.
Ter'Zhull nodded. "I suppose it makes sense that he would have to be strong to pass himself off as Prince Ethan." He shrugged. "But I gathered from his boasting that we most likely succeeded in killing the Heir so it was worth a little pain."
His mother beamed at him. "Indeed my dear it is. I am so proud of you Ter'Zhull." She cupped her son's cheek lovingly. "Now that The Cycle is broken, the Humans will not be able to stand against you for long." She sat down and considered. "Perhaps it is time to move out the Horde and attempt to capture the Elvin Prince."
"I had planned to use the King and Queen as bargaining chips." The Shaman mused. "But if we can secure Prince E'rin then they will no longer be necessary." He thought for a moment. "Very well, I will begin to organize the Horde to move on the Humans. It will take some time to pry the people from their looting, but I can be done."
The Duke of Harmon wandered around in the Prince's Pavilion. He had been released from detention when he had told his brother that he had his answer, but would only give it to the Prince himself. In person.
Harmon always felt that when you were going to tell someone 'No' you should do it face to face like a man.
He had been told that the Prince was dealing with Magister Earlon, having discovered some sort of evidence as to who was behind the assassination of Lady Annea. The sooner the bastard behind it was caught, the better. For that, he was willing to wait patiently.
In the meantime, he was content to be nosy and take a look at the Prince's things. A perceptive person could tell a great deal about someone by examining his or her possessions after all, and anything you know about an opponent is a useful advantage.
As he looked around, he discovered a strange pack of some sort. The material was of a kind he had never seen before and it appeared to be opened and closed with some sort of ingenious metal tool. Inside he found many strange and interesting things. For the most part it was completely unrecognizable. There were a few books that had images in them that looked almost real. Some metal objects that looked like keys, only more complex than those used in the Kingdom. There were also strange coins and pieces of paper that looked as if they were also some form of currency as they carried many of the same marks as the coins. Amongst all of this he found a small parcel that appeared to be made of black leather.
The parcel opened up to reveal more of the paper currency, as well as small portraits that filled small clear pockets made of another strange material. Flipping through the portraits he saw images of smiling people in strange clothes, fantastic structures, and various other things of interest. And amongst all of this he found something that almost stopped his heart.
It was a small card, made of a material that was both ridged and flexible like spring steel. Light and thin, this material had writing on it, and a small portrait of the pretender. Under was the thing that shocked him.
Andy Nickles
121 N. Bay Street.
Haven TN, 38188.
Earlon accompanied Andy back to his pavilion after his release was ordered. Andy explained to him about the bloodstone sphere, and about what he had discovered when he penetrated Ter'Zhull's mind.
"What do you intend to do about it Your Highness?" The Magister asked.
"I think he deserves do know, but I also know that it will only tear him up." Andy sighed. "Not being able to do anything about it could very well kill him inside."
"Well, that's what you are here for." Earlon responded. "You are here to support him and help him get through tough times. With you at his side, I think he can handle it."
At that moment the Lord Commander Dera'Lione walked up, and bowed to Andy.
"Your Highness, the Duke of Harmon has requested an audience with you. I took him to your pavilion to await your arrival."
"Thank you Commander." Andy said. "I assume that he's going to be giving me his answer."
Dera'Lione nodded. "It's his way Your Highness. Our father always taught him that you should have the courage to turn a man down to his face." He shrugged. "And he will explain his reasons for it as well. I'm sorry Your Highness."
" 'Our Father'?" Andy asked. "He's your brother?"
The Lord Commander smiled. "Yes Your Highness. We have different paths and politics, but we are still brothers."
"Things will be more difficult without his support of course." Earlon said. "But I think we should be able to pull through your unorthodox suggestion."
Dera'Lione chuckled. "You should have seen him at the Court Earlon. He had them all cowed, convinced he was about to shoot lightning from his eyes."
" 'He's 10 feet tall and can shoot fireballs from his eyes, and lightning bolts from his arse'." Andy quoted with a smirk.
"What was that Your Highness?" Dera'Lione asked.
"Nothing." Andy said with a laugh. "It was just a quote from a movie. A sort of play." He answered at the pair's looks of confusion.
As they approached the Pavilion, the guards moved ahead to check out the Pavilion and ensure that it was secure. While they were doing their inspection, Dera'Lione took the report of the Paladin who had been assigned to watch over Duke Harmon.
"All he asked for was a book of Heraldry?" The Lord Commander asked after the young man had reported.
"Yes my Lord." The Paladin responded.
"Your Highness," U'thian began as he emerged from the Pavilion "His Grace, the Duke of Harmon awaits your pleasure inside."
Andy nodded and entered the Pavilion. Duke Harmon bowed to Andy as the young man made his way to his audience throne.
"Please Your Grace, sit." Andy said.
"Thank you Your Highness, but that would be inappropriate." The Duke responded. "I am here to talk with you about your proposal to the Court." He took a deep breath, as if bracing himself. "I do not think that it will work, and I cannot support it. There must be a Regent." His head bowed as he said quietly. "That Regent should be you."
Earlon blinked, as Dera'Lione openly gaped at his brother. Andy looked from one to the other, and then stared straight into the Duke's eye.
"Why?"
Harmon swallowed nervously, and reached into a pocket and pulled out the leather parcel and showed it to Andy. "I looked around while I was waiting for you, and I found this."
"My wallet? What about it?" Andy asked, more than a little uncomfortable at the idea of this guy pawing through his stuff.
Harmon opened the 'wallet' and showed the object that had shocked him so deeply.
"That's my driver's license. I got it the week before I came here." Andy said. "Again, what about it?"
"I saw this, and understood. You really do come from Haven. The portraits in this... wallet show things that do not exist in this world. You really are a Sorcerer." Harmon said in awe.
Andy shrugged. "That's what I'm told, though to be honest about it, magic isn't something that many people believe in where I come from."
Harmon seemed shocked at the idea that people could not believe in something so obvious as magic, but quickly shrugged the concept off as he continued. "This was something of a surprise to me, but nothing compared to your name." He looked at his brother. "His name is Andy Nickels Derra! NICKELS!"
The Lord Commander stepped quickly over to his brother and took the wallet from his hands and read the license. "Great Hurin." He muttered. "It never occurred to me to ask his heritage." He started to curse under his breath.
Earlon's curses were not so quiet. "This would have vastly simplified the situation if we had bothered ask anything."
"Would someone care to explain the significance of my last name to me?" Andy insisted.
"Sorry I am late." E'rin said as he entered the tent quietly. "I found A'rion and brought him with me." He said as the Bladedancer came into the Pavilion behind him.
"What is his last name?" A'rion asked looking at Earlon. Dera'Lione tossed the wallet to the Elf who caught it out of the air easily. After glancing at it he started to chuckle quietly. "His name is Nickels?" His chuckle turned into a full laugh.
E'rin's eyes snapped over to look straight at Andy. "That means that we might be able to..."
"WHAT?!" Andy demanded. "Will someone explain this to me?"
"Your Highness." Harmon began, pulling out a book and opening it. "Here is the Heraldry of the Realm. This is the seal of the Royal House." He handed the book to Andy.
Andy took the book, and read it over. His eyes stopped on the title of the chapter: The House of Nickels. He blinked and read it again.
"The Royal house is descended from the Sorcerers who founded the Kingdom." Harmon said. "James-Tyler Nickles, and his mate Nathan were the Sorcerers of Haven who founded the Royal line. Their son married the Elvin Heir, and so, you are distantly related to Prince E'rin."
"James-Tyler?" Andy said frowning. "That name is familiar." Andy's father had been very big on family history, and insisted that Andy learn the names of his ancestors and their significant accomplishments.
"According to the Histories, James-Taylor Nickels claimed that he had a son before he came to us, a son that he had left behind in Haven." Harmon continued, reaching forward to point out the notation in the book. "His name, as recorded here was..."
"Marcus James Nickels." Andy finished quietly. "My great Grandfather."
"I thought as much." Harmon said just as quietly. "I may seem like a self-centered bastard Your Highness, but even I can recognize Destiny and the Will of the Gods when it slaps me in the face like this." He sighed. "You are the direct descendant of the eldest child of the first King of Man. By right of law the Throne is yours."
E'rin beamed. "Belshatha, this means we can be wed! You are the rightful Heir"
"The Cycle would demand it in fact." Earlon said with a grin.
"That makes sense now." U'thian said. "I'olias told me that you had picked up Asane'ta K'sha during the assassination." The elf said. "If you are of that bloodline, then you are of the line of the Elvin Kings as well. Thus you could pick up the sword without it slaying you out of hand."
Harmon shrugged. "I know when I'm beat Your Highness. It seems obvious to me that this is a critical time, and that the Gods have chosen you and Prince E'rin to lead us through these times. I suppose I should re-evaluate my perceptions of the Cycle."
"Does this mean that you are no longer a part of the Opposition?" Earlon asked.
"I still have a firm belief that the power of the Throne should be curtailed." Harmon said. "But I will work to maintain unity in the face of this crisis."
Andy shrugged. "Good enough for me. We don't have kings where I come from anyway, so deep down, I am in favor of giving the people more say in their government. Having said that, I was wondering if you would be willing to act as one of my advisors for the duration."
Harmon blinked in surprise. "Well, Your Highness, I would appreciate the input, but I will not be a puppet spokesman for you, I will speak my mind. I will not give up on my beliefs on what is best for the kingdom."
Andy nodded. "Like I said, advisor not ass-kisser." He grinned. "It's not advice if you are just telling me what I want to hear."
"Very well Your Highness, I accept. My first piece of advice is to sit on your heritage for the moment. When, if, the King recovers, we can allow him to decide what to do about it. If he never does, then we will bring it out into the open to legitimize your claim to the throne."
"Why bother?" Asked Earlon. "We could just go on with him being 'Ethan'."
"No, I don't think so." Harmon said. "Aside from being immensely disrespectful of the dead, it is unwise to base your reign on a lie." He shrugged. "Morality aside, his claim is stronger than King Kail's own, and legally he could request that Kail abdicate in his favor."
"I agree." Dera'Lione said firmly. "A lie would only serve as a vulnerability to the Throne that we cannot allow."
Andy nodded. "I hate deceiving these people." He took a deep breath. "But this is a discussion for later. If you gentlemen would excuse me, there are things I have to discuss with Prince E'rin."
The other's bowed and left to continue their discussion elsewhere.
After the coast was clear, Andy got up and knelt next to E'rin's chair. "E'rin, I want you to know that I love you more than anything in the universe. There is something that I need to tell you." He took a deep breath. "When I attacked Ter'Zhull, I got into his mind and saw some things. E'rin, he has your mother and father and he has been intending to trade their lives for yours."
E'rin paled. "Such a trade would never be agreed to by either the Human or Elvin nobility." He gasped. "They would never even tell me about it."
Andy nodded. "I know dear, and I know that Ter'Zhull would sacrifice them and take their souls. He has done it before." He reached out and took E'rin's hands into his own. "I also know where they are being held in El'Analon, and the forces which guard them." He said.
E'rin's eyes blazed at the news. "I can lead a strike force in and rescue them..."
"No belshatha, you can't. "Andy said softly. "The orks are counting on such an action. Your parents are bait."
E'rin's eyes filled with tears. "I cannot just leave them in that situation Andy, I have to do something."
Andy reached up and drew E'rin to him. "I know babe, I know. We'll think of something together." He never saw his love's eyes harden in resolve.
With Duke Harmon's open support and call for stability, the Court agreed to name Andy Regent. Andy in turn set up the same system that King Kail had already in place.
Afterwards, he called his council into the Pavilion to discuss plans.
"Your Highness, a rescue operation is not practical. There is no reasonable way we can mount a strike on El'Analon to prevent the orks from executing the King and Queen." General Anastona said. The General was one of the most respected war captains in the host of man.
"We should be able to eventually push the orks out of the forests, but not before they are able to finish the job." The General finished.
Andy looked at the map of the continent. "What about an amphibious assault?" He asked. "We should be able to snatch them and get back out before we take significant losses."
"A what Your Highness?" The General asked confused.
"Attack from the sea General." Andy gestured impatiently. "Load the troops up on ships and sail right into the harbor in El'Analon, and take on the orks while we get the Royal Couple out."
"Ships?" The General leaned over the map as a nasty smile began to slowly crawl over his face. "That's brilliant Your Highness. As a matter of fact, I could use the technique to ship troops here from the more distant parts of the Kingdom."
Andy bit his tongue. It never occurred to him that these people hadn't considered the advantages of using boats to transport troops. He supposed that with them all confined on this one continent that there had never been a war at sea.
"Runner! Take this to the Wizards and have them send out the orders." The general handed a set of orders to a young page. "I'm having the rearmost units go to the nearest ports and conscript every ship they can find to get them here."
"What about using ships to get a strike force into El'Analon?" E'rin asked quickly.
Harmon cleared his throat. "That should be doable. There is a port here." He pointed to the gulf that separated the human and elvin parts of the continent. "It's not on the map because it's more of a warehouse collection than a town. Goods are stored there for customs purposes for transshipment to and from El'Analon. There should be plenty of ships there for such a task."
"Dera'Lione, work with General Anastona and A'rion and come up with an assault force that won't leave this encampment vulnerable." Andy said. "Your Grace, send a party by Griffin to this port and have them secure every ship there by any means necessary." He turned to E'rin. "And no, you can't go."
E'rin, who had been about to declare his preparations, closed his mouth with a snap. "We will discuss this later belshatha." He said with a voice that had a temperature somewhere south of liquid helium. "When we are alone."
Andy winced at the tone and knew they were in for their first fight. "I'm not going either E'rin." He said reasonably. "We cannot afford to get killed or captured. It's just not smart. Your parents would say the same thing."
E'rin's jaw tightened as he launched into his argument. "You are necessary for this army belshatha, I am not. These soldiers will follow you willingly, but they would not follow me." He paused to take a breath. "My absence would have no effect here."
"It would have an effect on me." Andy said quietly.
"I think you under estimate your influence over the men Your Highness." The General spoke up. "With the personal attention you have given to the army, I think that any of these soldiers would cheerfully assault the Pit of Kerlack with a spoon if you asked them too." He grinned. "They adore both of you. You represent the future that tells them that their homes and families will be spared, that life will go on." He shrugged. "That's just my opinion of course."
E'rin's shoulders slumped wearily. "I have to go, you don't understand. There are places and ways into and through the city that only a member of the Royal family can enter. I have allies there that can make the difference, but only I can do it."
Andy thought about it for a moment. And then nodded. "General, prepare the Army to move. I want to get us into position to make a strike into the Forests." He turned to look at E'rin. "I'm going to want to keep most of the Elves here with me. But I have an idea. General, what do you think will be the orks response to our movements?"
"I imagine they will mass to meet our attack. Orks do not stand on the defensive." He responded.
"I thought as much." He pointed to the map. "We will begin marching toward the port, and set up here." He touched a point where the Hurin Mountains and the Forest met. "On the way, we will begin to detach small portions of the units that will be going to El'Analon. This should keep their scouts from noticing what's going on."
Andy looked over at Harmon. "How long does it usually take to get from this port to El'Analon?"
Harmon shrugged. "I imagine it depends, but on average no more than 2 to 3 days."
Andy nodded. "After they have left, we will attempt to draw the Orks out of El'Analon. Erin's force can take the city from behind, and attempt to hold it, while we sit here acting like a nice little diversion."
He grinned nastily. "If we are lucky then Ter'Zhull will turn around and attempt to retake the city. If he does, we are going to move in behind him. We can then catch him between the our army and the walls of El'Analon."
The General nodded in agreement. "And if he doesn't turn around, the forces there can come at him from behind, or at least threaten his rear areas. An excellent idea Your Highness."
E'rin smiled. "Thank you belshatha." He said.
"Don't thank me, I expect you to come back." Andy replied. He shook his finger at E'rin. "If the situation turns bad, I expect you to get the men back on the boats and get the hell out of there!"
E'rin smiled. "Alright, I will."
"There is one condition to this." Andy said sternly. He slowly sank down on one knee in front of his love. "Erin, would you marry me?"
The reaction to the question varied from person to person. Earlon smiled, while Duke Harmon scowled. E'rin began to cry. He knew that it was not the Prince of Man asking the Prince of Elves. It was a question from one boy to another. Andy was asking for himself.
E'rin knelt down with Andy. "Yes my belshatha, with all my heart and soul." With that, he leaned forward into a kiss.
"Well," Harmon said philosophically "At least that's settled."
It was... uncomfortable. Withholding from the Histories was not pleasant, but it had to be done. The Historian felt like a ripe fruit about to burst, so deep was his longing to release his observations. It was all in his head of course, and he could control it for as long as necessary.
He watched as the two princes kissed to seal their betrothal. The spirits that stood behind the boys smiled down at their protege's. Then they began to communicate together for the first time.
Fascinating.
"I hate humans." Forner'Zhull muttered. "I hate elves too for that matter."
The ork warrior next to him didn't respond. He never did. Not entirely surprising considering that the warrior was mute, but that never stopped the Shaman from talking to him constantly.
"Sneaking around, ambushing units, leading forces into traps. It's disgusting!" The shaman ranted on.
'What's disgusting is the way you continually whine.' The warrior thought. 'If the universe were a fair place, your father would have drown you as a child. Instead I have to listen to you complain constantly.' The warrior let out a sigh, which of course the moronic shaman took as agreement.
"Of course, while the rest of the Horde goes off to glorious battle, I have to sit here in this... City!" The shaman gestured with contempt at the soaring spires of El'Analon.
'That's because your father knows that if you ever actually saw a real battle, you'd piss yourself.' Again, he sighed. He considered for the umpteenth time, burying his axe into the back of the shaman's skull, but eventually reminded himself that the worthless little bastard served a purpose. The number of challengers that he got to kill was enough to make it worthwhile to keep the loser alive.
Ter'Zhull was moving the Horde out to meet the Human host. With luck, the humans would be crushed swiftly, and the Horde could move to take the pass. Once they secured that route, the heart of Human lands was going to be open to them.
When he had himself a nice plot of land and a clan to call his own, he'd make a sacrifice of thanks to Kerlack.
Until then, he'd just have to wait to sink his axe in the little worm.
The time until E'rin's departure was intense. It was a whirlwind of lessons for both, as A'rion and Earlon shared their wisdom with the princes.
E'rin learned the subtly of the sword, and how to tune his song into whatever task he required of it, while Andy learned more and more of shaping the Elements. Each took note of the other's lessons as they went, and so learned even more.
"You share a bond, and a common destiny. You will need to understand each other as much as you do yourselves." A'rion said. "The Marriage Bond will bind you even closer, and if you do not have a unity of purpose, it could have unfortunate consequences."
"That's what happened to Beladon." Earlon said quietly. "His wife used their bond to bypass his defenses, and dominate his mind. If he had a more complete understanding of his wife, He could have detected her duplicity and spared himself and the King a great deal of grief."
Once freed from confinement, Earlon had been able to quickly discover what was wrong with his son, and begin treatment. The young Count Beladon was recovering quickly from the mental trauma, though he would most likely be scarred for life emotionally.
The King however, refused to respond. He was locked in a shell of his own design. Earlon proclaimed that he would come out when he was ready. In the meantime, he spent part of each day talking to the King to keep him updated on what was going on.
Time would tell.
Hyperion the High One, supreme amongst the gods gazed over the gulf of space and time that separated the Heavens from the world. He watched the two young princes spend one last night together before their separation.
"I will watch over them my Lord." Qu'elmar, Patron Goddess of warriors and heroes stepped up behind the Lord of all. "Their courage will be an inspiration to their peoples."
"We risk much." The God intoned. "You know that We have avoided risk as much as possible, for if We make an error, Kerlack will be at Our throat."
"It is true that it is a risk." Responded Te'ema. "But it is needed. Without Hurin we shall have to guide these mortals to the paths that they must walk, but we cannot stifle them with our care lest they lose their own will."
Hyperion sighed. "Be that as it may, We shall have to intervene if necessary."
"I will do that!" Came a voice from across the gulf. Destreda, the Wandering God, roamed the world keeping an eye on the movements of Kerlack's children as well as watching over travelers.
"My place in the world is makes my touch less noticeable than Your own Hyperion." He said with a grim smile. "And if Kerlack decides to come and take a piece of my hide for my troubles I will give as good as I get."
Many of the gods thought that Destreda was a bit frivolous, but no one underestimated his will to fight. He had forged the path that had been used to save their children from the wrath of Kerlack and take them to a sanctuary that Hurin the Shaper had forged.
Besides, Destreda was the brother of Hurin; he would want some of his own back.
Hyperion nodded. "Very well, go forth and watch over the pair." He turned to Te'ema. "Send forth the E'teriel, tell the Teachers to prepare for the arrival of Our chosen."
Across the gulf, trapped in the shell of flesh that bound him to the mortal world, Kerlack sat on his throne and hated.
His time was almost at hand. The Cycle would be his at last.
Well, there you are. Hope you enjoyed it. Part 16 will be up soon too.
Merry Christmas/Yule/Hanukkah everyone!
Corey.