Gilmreth the Awakening

by Raymond L. Weil

  “Don’t they realize the danger?” asked Dresdia, frowning and feeling frightened at what Lynol, Gwen, and Damon had gone through. “How can the people in the village be so blind?”

  “Next time your father goes into town, Father and I will go with him,” Kalvin stated determinedly, wanting to protect Lynol. “Surely they wouldn’t dare bother the three of us!”

  “It may be best if we stay away from Galvin as much as possible, at least for a while,” replied Lynol, knowing Kalvin’s concern was real and feeling warm inside at the knowledge. “If we have to go to Galvin, we may indeed all need to go together. I can always use my sorcery behind the scenes if need be, to keep us safe.”

  “So, it’s finally coming,” Kalvin said quietly, realizing where all this was leading. His mind went back to the prophecy Lynol had read aloud to them at the sacrificial altar. “If the traders from Draydon are showing up, then it’s only a matter of time before Jalene’s temple guards or Jalene herself makes an appearance.”

  Looking at Kalvin, Lynol slowly nodded, knowing he was probably right. Kalvin’s broad shoulders and even tan made him a fine figure of a man. There was little doubt in Lynol’s mind that Kalvin could probably hold his own in most fights.

  She wondered just how safe any of them were now. They were living in highly dangerous times. Lynol was afraid it wouldn’t be much longer before Gilmreth made an appearance on their side of the mountain. It wasn’t Jalene she was concerned about. From all the accounts they had heard, she seldom left the confines of her city. It was Gilmreth and Adam Grayson that worried her.

  “We need to be extremely careful,” Lynol cautioned as Dresdia opened the picnic basket. “These men may not be what they seem. What better way to send spies into our communities than in the guise of harmless traders?”

  “Spies!” Dresdia said sharply, looking at Lynol, her emerald green eyes widening. “Do you think that’s possible?”

  “It’s extremely likely,” spoke Kalvin, looking appraisingly at Lynol. “They may want to find out everything they can about us before demanding we go to work for their sorceress. These traders probably have temple guards mixed in with them. She’s enslaved everyone else into her service. Now it may be our turn.”

  “We can only wait and see,” Lynol responded, afraid Kalvin was right.

  The incident at the Mystol’s store had made her terribly concerned. Lynol let her breath out slowly, knowing that soon she would find out just how well she had grown in her sorcery. She feared that, with the arrival of the traders, their time had finally run out.

  “Will she send Gilmreth?” Dresdia asked, worriedly, with a trace of fear flashing across her eyes. She’d been having nightmares of the dragon for several years now. There were many nights she woke up shivering from her dreams. Some nights she scarcely slept at all. She was worried because they lived so close to the mountain; so close to Gilmreth’s lair!

  “I don’t know,” answered Lynol, knowing how frightened of the dragon Dresdia was. “Let’s not worry about that now. We packed a picnic lunch, and I’m sure Kalvin is starving. Let’s just enjoy the afternoon.”

  Nodding, Dresdia reached into the picnic basket Lynol and she had packed earlier. Dresdia removed the chicken, rolls, and fresh apple pie, placing them enticingly on the blanket. Dresdia noticed, with a silent smile, how Kalvin’s eyes lit up when he saw Lynol’s apple pie.

  She was glad that her brother and Lynol were so close. If only the situation was different so they could live a normal life together. As it was, they both held back knowing that much still lay ahead for Lynol. She knew how hard it had been on Kalvin and Lynol not to be able to open up completely with their feelings.

  Dresdia too had held back. She didn’t feel it was right for her to have a serious relationship when the two people most important to her couldn’t. Tarn still came over on a regular basis, but Dresdia worried that, at some point in time, he might lose interest. She really liked Tarn. Perhaps someday they could have a serious relationship, but that day had not yet arrived.

  Dresdia and Kalvin had discussed numerous times the frightful prophecy they’d found on the wall of the sacrificial altar and what it meant for Lynol. Ahead lay a path shrouded in darkness with only a dim, obscure light at the end. Very soon, Lynol would have to journey down that path seeking the light, a path with numerous hidden pitfalls that even Lynol and her potent sorcery might not be able to traverse safely. A journey she would have to travel alone. There would be nothing that Dresdia or Kalvin could do to help or protect her. Dresdia so feared for Lynol’s safety. She knew that Kalvin shared that same fear, but refused to show it.

  “That chicken looks great!” said Kalvin, grinning broadly and running his tongue over his lips, causing both girls to laugh and breaking the seriousness of their thoughts. The girls were wonderful cooks and Kalvin couldn’t wait to bite into the chicken, plus the apple pie he’d spotted setting there enticingly.

  “You’re always hungry!” exclaimed Dresdia, reaching over to punch Kalvin playfully on the arm. “It’s a good thing Lynol and I cooked a lot or we would both starve around you!”

  Lynol sat back up, her gaze moving to the tranquil pond waters that stretched out from the nearest shore to the far side. She hugged her arms to her chest and shivered, and not just from the slight chill in the air caused by the gentle breeze. She wondered if she’d ever have the opportunity to swim in the pond’s crystal clear water with her friends again.

  Lynol should have been happy, yet she felt as if the hand of doom weighed heavily upon her. She was afraid of what the next year held. There was no doubt in Lynol’s mind that after what had transpired in Galvin she would soon have to face Jalene, Gilmreth, and perhaps Adam Grayson if he was real. According to Malcon, her training was nearly complete.

  She had mastered all the spells that Malcon’s simulacrum knew, plus many more from the storehouse of books in the crypt and her mother’s diary. Malcon had told her only yesterday that her abilities already far surpassed even his own when his true self was alive. He suspected it was because Lynol’s mother had been from the first generation of sorcerers. This had surprised her profoundly. It seemed like only yesterday she’d been coaxing squirrels and small birds to come up and eat out of her outstretched fingers.

  A gentle hand on her shoulder brought her attention back to her friends. Kalvin squeezed gently with a knowing look on his face. Recently she had found it very difficult to keep secrets from him; he could always tell when she was hiding something or was worried.

  “Let’s eat!” he said, rubbing his flat, well-muscled stomach with his other hand. “I’m going to starve and fade away to nothing!”

  “I doubt that,” replied Dresdia, laughing, tossing a bread roll at Kalvin’s head. With a quick grab, Kalvin caught the roll just before it struck him.

  Giggling, the girls dished out the food, and the three sat back, enjoying the meal. Kalvin finished off the meal with two large helpings of Lynol’s apple pie. After eating, they lay back on the blanket relaxing and enjoying the quiet afternoon. Only the gentle droning sound of insects and the light wind rustling the leaves in the trees disturbed the serene, blissful silence.

  It was almost like the calm before a storm, Lynol thought, feeling more at ease and relaxed than she had in a long while. She sensed an inclement storm brewing, growing rapidly nearer, and she knew it had nothing to do with the weather.

  Moving closer to Kalvin, she laid her head upon his chest and felt his arms move around her, holding her close. She felt Kalvin move his hand to her head and begin gently to stroke her hair. She could hear his heart beating steadily in his chest. He held her protectively; his strong, comforting arms making her feel secure and safe. She closed her eyes, enjoying the closeness. For a few brief few moments, she allowed her fears and worries to vanish. Moments like this had been few and very far between. She basked in their closeness with no thought of the passage of time.

  Watching, Dresdia smiled. They were made for each other
. Kalvin’s strength and common sense, balanced by Lynol’s inner fire and wisdom, would make them a hard couple to beat if only given the chance. Lying down on the blanket next to her brother and best friend, Dresdia closed her eyes and listened contentedly to the gentle rustling of the leaves in the light afternoon breeze. The three shared a bond that nothing could threaten or ever break.

  Chapter Fifteen

  A cold, foreboding wind blew blusteringly across the massive white stones of Jalene’s temple, as if forewarning of impending peril. Jalene stood from its lofty heights, her eyes slits of icy black surveying the sprawling city she'd built over the last few years. As far as she could see new buildings dotted the landscape, none as imposing as the temple, but all tributes to the architects that had slaved to construct her dream. Her center of power was nearly complete. Everything in sight she ruled with iron control. The fears from her childhood finally vanquished. There was no one to threaten her or her domain. The city was hers! The world was hers!

  “Quite a sight isn’t it?” a strong, masculine voice spoke unexpectedly from behind her.

  Annoyed, Jalene turned, seeing Storn Daes standing almost at her side, his arms folded nonchalantly across his chest, his blue eyes unwaveringly focused upon her. As usual, his dark face was covered in its ever-unchanging emotionless stare. He was dressed in black with a short red cape on his shoulders, the insignia of the temple upon his chest.

  “The city is complete, Storn,” Jalene stated in a cold, callous voice, her frigid gaze returning to the city, sweeping over the outer environs of Draydon, which were visible in the late afternoon sunlight. Everything had been completed far ahead of schedule. Jalene wasn’t sure how Storn had managed this feat, but it had been accomplished. While she still had occasional doubts about Storn’s trustworthiness, he had never done anything to cause her serious concern. He had an uncanny ability to complete any task assigned to him.

  In the city streets, myriads of people could be seen hurrying about their assigned tasks. Interspersed amongst them were the black uniforms of temple guards ensuring order was kept. No one in the bustling city was allowed to blaspheme the temple. Harsh words toward Jalene could easily result in an individual becoming a central part of the sacrifice at the monthly dragon ritual.

  Storn Daes had his temple guards everywhere. Red robed priests prowled the streets, searching out malcontents, as well as qualified candidates for the next sacrifice. He kept abreast of rumors in the city for any sign of growing discontent which could threaten Jalene’s rule. Through his use of the temple guards and the priests, the people feared Storn as much as Jalene and the dragon!

  Already, temple doctrine, the worship of the dragon and Lady Jalene, was being implanted in the minds of the people. Jalene and Gilmreth would become the new religion, the new order. In time, no one would remember it ever being any other way. People came to the temple square daily to hear the priests talk. Each of the nearly two hundred thousand people that lived in Draydon was required twice per month to come to the temple square and listen to the priests. Even in the outlying villages that produced food for the city, the priests spread the doctrine. Gilmreth and Lady Jalene would be the center of everyone’s lives.

  “All people from the known outlying settlements have been brought into Draydon,” Storn reported, his gaze briefly contemptuous. “There may still be a few isolated villages and farms we've missed, but not many. I have temple guards making routine sweeps of the far outlying districts searching for any stragglers.”

  Jalene’s icy gaze returned to Storn, barely missing the contemptuous look, which vanished instantly as his face returned quickly to its normal, emotionless state.

  Storn had his own secretive ambitious plans, which would soon be set into motion. They would be unstoppable! It would be the end of years of careful planning and manipulation. At that time, Jalene would learn who the actual true ruler of Draydon was!

  Everyone in Draydon knew who Storn was. His temple guards were completely obedient to his commands. His power over the city had grown proportionally over the years as he stayed just inside of Jalene’s shadow. Storn doubted that even Jalene knew just how powerful he was in the eyes of the common people of Draydon. While Jalene hid behind her sorcery and Gilmreth, he was the one who enforced the laws and temple doctrine. It was his guards that punished offenders when he felt transgressions warranted such. The people had grown to fear Storn as much if not more than Jalene. She rarely left her apartments or the temple, while Storn was seen throughout the city daily.

  Jalene looked at her High Priest guardedly. Storn was becoming too powerful, and the temple guards were filled with people of his choosing. She was becoming more aware of that each day. It was nearing time for her to dispose of Storn before his lofty aspirations turned toward the possibility of attempting to replace her.

  Nearly unlimited power such as Storn controlled could easily become too tempting. Only her command of sorcery made her feel secure against him; the power he commanded was nothing compared to hers. She’d tolerated Storn over the years because he was a man who got things done. He would do whatever was necessary and wouldn’t hesitate to use force if needed.

  The sprawling new city of Draydon bore mute testimony to that ability. The people dared not bring Storn’s wrath down on them lest he release the temple guards upon those who opposed him. She had needed a ruthless individual like Storn to complete her city. The task she’d set for him had taken Herculean efforts to complete. She still found it amazing that so much had been accomplished in such a short amount of time.

  In the back of her mind, she wondered how all the massive construction had been completed so quickly. Storn had done the impossible! In some ways, she would miss Storn when he was gone. She gazed out over the city. Its gleaming white buildings, sprawling parks, wide streets, and the great temple filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction. A man as powerful as Storn was no longer needed. She would shortly replace him with someone much more controllable.

  “What is the latest word from Galvin? Is it true that the Sylvars still live? What have our traders learned?” Jalene demanded, wrapping her heavy black cloak around her, shivering slightly in the brisk, chill wind. She wished she had the power to change the weather permanently so it would stay warm all of the time. She absolutely hated the cold!

  Storn paused before answering. The fact that descendants of the Sylvars still lived had shaken him considerably. After all these years he’d thought the family would have died out. At least the bloodline had been diluted enough to prevent sorcery from being prevalent. The tantalizing thought of revenge lurked temptingly at the back of his cold, calculating mind. The Sylvars owed him so much.

  “Yes, they still live,” replied Storn carefully in a neutral voice. “Dalden Sikes went with one of the trade groups to Galvin and reported that two Sylvars still live on a farm between Galvin and Firestorm Mountain, a father and his young daughter. They are the last of their family line. The father’s name is Damon, the daughter’s Lynol. The father is highly respected by most of the citizens in their small community. The daughter pretty well stays to herself out on their farm.”

  Storn allowed his unwavering gaze to turn toward the distant waiting mountain and the sleeping dragon it protected. The mountain summits were already covered in deep snow. Soon, even the lower passes would become nearly impassable.

  “However, we have found one individual that despises the Sylvars. He operates a small trading store in the village. The man has been more than willing to furnish us with all the information we need; amazing how a few gold coins can loosen a man’s tongue.”

  “I wonder if the daughter is still a virgin,” Jalene spoke, her face taking on an evil glow, intrigued at the thought. “A virgin Sylvar would be a prime candidate for the dragon sacrifice. It would be the ultimate sacrifice to our temple and Gilmreth.”

  The mind link with Gilmreth at such a sacrifice would be unbelievably orgasmic. Jalene swayed slightly on her feet at just the thought. If sh
e could sacrifice a virgin Sylvar girl to the dragon, it might cement her control of the dragon permanently!

  “Perhaps,” Storn replied tonelessly, carefully forcing all traces of emotion from his voice. “After all, Galvin is a small village. The possibility is there. In these small farm communities, the girls seem to save themselves for marriage. She may indeed be a prime candidate for the sacrifice.”

  “Could you imagine sacrificing the last female Sylvar to the dragon? What sweet revenge it would be for Malcon putting Gilmreth to sleep so many years ago!” Jalene continued with her eyes wide at the thought, feeling the hot tantalizing rush of blood in her veins.

  Over the years, her mind link with the dragon had become stronger, almost addictive. Her link with Gilmreth during the ritual sacrifices had become a driving obsession.

  “She would have to be brought here,” Storn replied.

  He had long recognized Jalene’s addiction to the mind link with the dragon. It was another sign of her overall weakness, another example of her unfitness to rule Draydon. “Our temple guards could go to her home, seize her, and return the girl to us. It wouldn’t be much of a problem to accomplish.”

  “The last Sylvar,” Jalene breathed, her pulse quickening at the thought, making her forget the afternoon cold. The sheer ecstasy of the mind link with Gilmreth at such a feast hovered tantalizingly on her thoughts.

  “Yes,” Storn replied. “According to Sikes, she is the last.”

  “It would call for a celebration far beyond anything we have done so far,” spoke Jalene, imagining what all would be needed. “The temple priests could indoctrinate it into our dragon lore; how Gilmreth finally found revenge on the family that imprisoned him. It would further strengthen our control of the people. It would demonstrate my power and dominance over the dragon!”

  Storn nodded, his own thoughts running parallel to Jalene’s. Yes, it would be interesting indeed to sacrifice the last of the Sylvars to Gilmreth. It would greatly increase the fear of the dragon in the populace, making them even easier to manipulate and control. The father would have to be killed, of course. From what Storn understood he was an older man anyway, but the daughter was supposed to be quite beautiful.