The Darkness Within (A Lythinall Novel) (Book 2)

by Michael Nadeau

  "That it is, hurry now, secrets and all that." He ushered them under and looked back at the horses. "Ash'anti ethir tol lea roans travar ta Everknight." He told the ether to make the horses to go and then ducked under the water as he closed it behind them. He saw Liss staring at the cavern, and Rhoe staring at her. More and more he thought that something was behind their infatuation, but he had to admit that they were great for each other. "Right, well get moving, don't want to stay here any longer than we need to. That's the thing about a secret entrance, you loiter and it isn't a secret anymore." Liss laughed and stepped into the ring, then Rhoe followed. Karsis smiled and stepped through as well, thinking about what awaited them on the other side.

  Panalis was walking through the Revel glade when the girl popped in from the mushroom ring and scared the hooves off of him. He was an aging satyr, and his heart just couldn't take things like this anymore. He resembled a man with goats ears, tail, legs, and horns. "Oy! watch it girl!" Then he had to laugh as she jumped up and screamed. Serves her right, scaring an old satyr like that. He thought, as another one came through, a boy this time, and bumped into the girl. They both went down in a tumble and Panalis couldn't help but laugh. "Oh but surely this made my day. I thank you both for the entertainment this eve." He was going to say more, but then a familiar figure came through the ring. "Karsis! As I live and breathe!"

  Karsis looked up and saw Panalis the satyr. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he had visited, but age had not been kind to his old friend. "Panalis, how fare thee?"

  "Do you know everyone?" Rhoe asked, standing up and dusting himself off. He helped Liss up and dusted her off too, even with her smacking his hand away.

  "We met ages ago when he came to save us from the dark wizard. Now what do we owe the pleasure of this visit." He looked at the two kids and something was vaguely familiar about them. "Hey you two are the ones that were just here with Avaryn weren't you?"

  "Yes we were. We heard about the sacrifice that Irilyn made for everyone." Liss reached out and placed her hand on the aging satyr's shoulder as a tear came to his eye, "Know that I hold her in my heart as one of the greatest heroes I have known."

  "Yes well, before we all sit down and have a good cry, I would like to go give my thoughts to the new Queen."

  Panalis wiped a tear away and smiled at Liss, "Bless my heart, a human that can care." He turned to Karsis and bowed deep. "My King follow me." He walked across the clearing and towards the Council Tree with the three of them in tow.

  Lurien sat on the throne with a heavy heart. She had been doing her best, but she couldn't get the faeries out of their funk. Even Liana was unusually quiet, and that was saying something. Since they had hidden away here in the vale they were sort of stagnant, stuck. She wished she could find a way to get them out in the world again, but the fear of humans was too great. Maybe it was time to see the elves once more and work things out. Though she wasn't there when the faeries left the world, she knew the stories. They had been pressured by the elves to fight against the humans and when they refused the elves tried to banish them out of their forests. So the faeries left everyone behind for safety and seclusion. The elves regretted it immediately.

  Lurien shook herself out of her contemplation and laughed to herself. She wouldn't even know where to look for them after all this time. She had never been out of the vale. She looked up as someone was crossing the revel clearing and saw the two kids behind Panalis, then she recognized Karsis and she darted straight up into the air with a shrill cry. "He's back!" She flew at him with a smile and he laughed as she came at him.

  Rhoe ducked under the Queen and saw that faeries were coming out of the trees and bushes to see what had their Queen in a tizzy. Excited whispers and fingers pointing, the faeries came out in droves to surround them all. Then he heard a sound that made him flinch.

  "OhmyTreestheycameback!" Liana came out of the tree tops like a rampaging dragon. She circled once then came down at high speed to land on Liss's shoulder, almost knocking the Princess over. "Iknewyouwouldn'tforgetme!"

  Breathe young one, they probably can't even understand you. Avaryn was surprised to see the humans again, and even more surprised that they brought Karsis with them. He walked over and bowed to the King of the faeries, then backed up to stand at Rhoe's side.

  "It's good to see you Avaryn." Rhoe said, wondering if he should pat the unicorn. He really wanted to pat the unicorn.

  Karsis raised his arms up and the leaves rustled loudly in his summoned wind. The faeries all 'Oohed and Ahhed' then shushed quietly. "Thank you. Now, please give me a moment to talk with Lurien, then we can have fun. I warn you though, we leave on the morning rays of the rising sun."

  "His speeches get all old style here huh?" Liss remarked to Rhoe quietly. She still saw Karsis give her that look though, like he actually heard her. The faeries dispersed and soon the only ones left were Avaryn, Liana, and Lurien. They went to the throne and Karsis pulled his feet up underneath himself as he hovered in the air. "I'm very sorry about your mother Lurien. I felt her death and would love to know exactly what happened."

  "And I would love to sit and tell you Karsis, but I wasn't there. Avaryn knows pretty much what happened though." She smiled through fresh tears, remembering how much her mother cared for this man.

  I would be happy to tell you all I know Karsis. How about we do a campfire memorial tonight while the children sleep. I assume you still require no sleep? Avaryn knew that the bard was different, but didn't want to pry too much. His power was familiar, but he couldn't place it after all these years. It was just too.....different.

  That sounds perfect Avaryn, and thank you. Karsis thought to the magical beast. He truly missed this place sometimes. We can even chat about your time with my young wizard in training.

  Indeed we can.

  "So tell us Karsis, other than coming to see me, what brings you to the Hidden Vale once again?" Lurien was grateful that he came to see her, but she wasn't so naive that she didn't know that he had an ulterior motive.

  "Funny you should ask. We are travelling to the realm of the elves to enlist their aid in the coming war against The Incarnation of Death and the forces of G'harr." He smiled as he finished, knowing that the news would shock them. In fact he was counting on it. Five, four, three. two......

  "I.....Want....To GO!!!!" Liana said loudly and slowly, the she lost all her composure in a rush. "Ohmytreesiwanttoseetheleves!!" She was flying in small circles, getting herself dizzy.

  Lurien laughed and tried to catch her, then gave up and let her spin herself sick. That would calm her down for the night. "Karsis, I think you have a travelling companion." She couldn't believe the timing. This was just what she had needed, and it was as if the Goddess Syll had heard her silent plea. She laughed, maybe it was time. Maybe her people needed to go back to their roots after all. Her mother always told her that she would lead her people to new things..."I may even send her as an ambassador to the elves."

  My Queen, I will go with them as well then, to keep her calm and see that it goes smoothly. Might I add, it is about time a Queen took the first step to mend the fence so to speak, between our two peoples. Avaryn was proud of this young faerie. No other Queen had ever thought about it as an option before.

  "Then it is settled. We all leave on the morrow. Now, let us all retire and have some fun before we get some rest." Karsis took the Queen's arm and escorted her down off of the throne and away to the waiting faeries. "Rhoe, do play nice and stay away from the food over much this time all right?" He laughed as he called out over his shoulder.

  Rhoe smiled and watched the bard walk away. Faeries flocked to his side and flew around his head like a wreath of excitement. "Well, looks like we have some time to relax before we start again." He looked at the Princess and she was smiling right back.

  "Time to ourselves? That sounds pretty good indeed." She laughed and ran ahead of him, calling for Liana and spinning in the glade with her arms out wide. This time she wo
uld stay sober, and when they slept, maybe she would take advantage of this young man. Not just a man, but my husband, She thought and immediately it sounded weird to her. She hadn't said it out loud till now, somehow it became more real.

  Rhoe looked on and found himself turning inward. He felt his center, but something else was there too, trying to force its way in. It had been there this whole time, but every time he worked through a problem with his magic, it lessened. Now it was trying to pierce his center in a last ditch effort to corrupt him. He was too strong for that.

  He smiled and called to the air to spin the fallen petals lying on the ground in a swirling pattern all around him, sending the faeries near him in a dance of giggles. Spreading his arms out wide, he felt the darkness within him break like a fallen glass, spilling out of him like expelled air. He felt it now. He had claimed the power for his own. He was a wizard in truth.

  Epilogue: Through a veil of doubt

  Sunlight beamed in the myriad of windows dancing on the marble tiles of his work room. The elf sat at his work table and gazed out those windows with a wistful look on his face. He loved his tower, and he could think of only three other things he would rather be doing, and at least two of them involved him being naked. The tower was the highest in the entire city and it was made primarily of glass. Here, he could see for hundreds of miles on a clear day with his Sight, and even without it, the view was spectacular. Adrilian sighed and wrote something down in an oversized book and smiled to himself. He had been following the events of Lythinall, and in particular, the rise of the Incarnation of Death. He brushed a strand of long white hair out of his face and stood, smoothing out his bright red robes that hung loosely on his lithe frame. Time to check on the kids. He thought as he walked across the marble tiled floor, his bare feet slapping loudly in the pervasive quiet of his chamber. He headed over to his scrying pool and looked into the water. Its surface was calm and reflected his face back at him as he leaned over the edge, and he had to smile. He didn't look a day over one-hundred, not bad for being the oldest elf in all of the realm. He chanted softly and the water moved to please him, showing him what he mentally wanted to know. More reliable than Sight, this was one of his secret treasures.

  The image of Karsis and Rhoe became clear in the pool and he heard their plans to visit the elves, and they were even bringing a representative from the lost faeries. Interesting to say the least. He clicked his tongue and walked back over to his work table. He had to think. He was debating on warning the elven council about the arrival of guests. On the one hand it would do well to make preparations for their meeting that would inevitably occur, but on the other hand, the various factions would try and catch them alone and badger them about their initiatives. He laughed at the thought of the look on the council when they just showed up.....but he couldn't do that. he would have to tell someone. He reached over and pulled the long red rope by his table, ringing the bell that would summon N'vea, his serving maiden.

  It took her only seconds to appear in his doorway. "Yes Adrilian?" She gazed at her master with her soft silver eyes.

  "N'vea, please prepare a writ to the council if you would dear." He started, waiting for her to walk over to the table where he kept his parchment and ink. She was short, even for an elf, standing at only four and a half feet. Her white hair was a little shorter than shoulder length, to show her stature in society, and her long dress was silver to match her young eyes. As she sat and readied herself, he began again. "To the Council of Tir-Lanan, from Archmage Adrilian. Visitors are currently making their way here to parley with you on the recent dealings in the south. I urge that you make preparations for them as the group includes The human Princess of Lythinall, and a representative of the lost faeries." He hesitated to tell them who was leading them here, as that would cause even more problems.

  N'vea looked up from her transcribing with a look of amazement. "Truly master? The faeries are still around?" She wasn't even born yet when they disappeared from the world, and honestly she always thought they were....well a fairy tale.

  Adrilian smiled at her youthful display. "Yes dear they are very much around. I'm the only one in the city that knows that, and I've kept it to myself for reasons I'd rather not discuss." In truth the other elves might have found them if they cared enough to look, but no one really did after their departure. Pity really. Their absence was the reason that the elves were so dour, at least that's what he believed. He frowned then, having doubts about how the factions would receive the news. The Sran'en Kith would be the most aggressive towards them, as they were for the isolation of the elven people, and they had a lot of influence on the council, yet the Yaw Worl'aren was a persistent faction that wanted to see the elves go out into the world once more.

  N'vea waited patiently for her master to start once more. He seemed to be in reflection, but not the nice kind. "Is there anything I can help with Adrilian?"

  He snapped out of his morose thoughts and smiled at her. She was so good to him. "No my dear I've decided that the council can be surprised after all. Cancel the writ." He just couldn't see a good outcome to letting them know.

  "Won't they know they are coming anyway master?" She was confused. How could anyone even find this hidden city, never mind getting here without the council's wizards Seeing them from miles away.

  Adrilian chuckled and turned away to stare out the glass windows once more. "They won't even know what hit them N'vea. The person that is bringing them here knows ways into the city that most elves don't even know about."

  "That sounds dangerous Adrilian, shouldn't we at least warn the guard?" She had a bad feeling about all of this. This wasn't like her master in the slightest.

  "No no my dear, you misunderstand. The person bringing them here is my son, and he is bringing my grandson to see me. While he is reckless and arrogant, he would never cause the people harm, and he does so like to make an entrance." He turned towards her and saw her soften at the mention of his son. "Now you go and make sure that your best dress is ready for their arrival, I have some more things to prepare." He winked at her and turned away.

  She watched him walk over to a shelf full of scrolls and other stacks of parchment and start picking out some of them to put under his arm. N'vea left quietly and worked her brain over and over trying to think of the right outfit to wear. She could imagine the council's outrage when they were surprised with guests they didn't know about. She just wished she could be in the room when they found out.

  Northern Watching Woods, Northern Lythinall

  Dar'Krist came out of the mountains with a sense of purpose. It had been a very long twenty days of near running and it felt good to feel the soft earth under his feet. Odd that he would feel that way, but he hadn't been through something like that in almost two-hundred years. He looked back at where he had come from and even he was surprised. It should've taken him months to get here, considering how far north he was, but he had pushed himself once he was fully healed. He took a few steps, already thinking of which way he wanted to go, when he stopped cold. Someone was watching him. He closed his eyes and stood very still, feeling the air itself for any hint. It wasn't the same as when that elfling, or whatever that boy was, had spied on him. No this was old power.

  He turned around and suddenly he felt the eyes on him. Turning coldly at where he had finally sensed the distortion of magic he smiled. "You cannot hide from such as me...." He started to say, but some force came towards him quickly. He threw himself to the side and rolled, coming up to his feet in seconds, ready for whatever ambush they had for him. Nothing came.

  He waited then turned once more to the mysterious person watching him. Powerful indeed. "So you think to impress me with a show of force?" He brought his hands around in a great arc, clapping them together and released a wave of death right at the spot where they watched and felt it flee high up in the air. So you can be hurt in this form, good to know. He thought as he followed the distortion up with his eyes. He focused his Sight and tried to pierce
the veil of magic, but as he suspected it was too strong. Then it was gone. He sighed and shook his limbs out to release some of the tension. Whoever that was they would be back, and next time he would be ready. The Incarnation of Death and Corruption set out at a steady pace back towards Lythinall, and he was more than ready to take on any heroes that came at him. Just not on any more bridges.

  Far away to the south, in her special meditation room, Ill'lyth G'harr smiled as she came back to her body. The trip had proven fruitful to say the least. Not only had she seen the council meeting in Everknight and knew their defense plans, but she had also found the Incarnation of Death. Now that she knew where he was, and his general power after all these years, she could move forward with the next step of subduing him and bringing him here to her palace. She got up and walked to the door, still stark naked from her trance.

  She walked out, not caring that she was indisposed, and called for the Generals to meet with her. Some unwitting servant tried to tell her that she was naked and he found himself gasping for air as she walked by him. She held the air from his lungs until he died, dropping to the ground with a heavy thud. Yes, this was going to be an easy victory now that she knew what the defenders had planned to hold the city gates. Her laugh echoed throughout the hallways, and no one else dared say a word.

  To be continued in The Darkness Falls

  About the Author

  Michael has been role playing for over thirty years, and has been to many worlds like Lythinall. He sits at home writing and hanging out with his family, plotting his friends demise as he creates adventures for them to go on and save the day once more.

  Though he has written many a short story for this person or the other, this is his first time wandering into this particular adventure. Currently he lives in the great north of New Hampshire writing more adventures of Karsis.