Dark Echoes of Light
Page 27
Roakore’s brow furled with empathy, and Zerafin forced a smile. “You will jump that hurdle when you come to it, for you will have nearly two decades before they mature and realize what power, if any, they might have.”
“So, what it be meanin’ eh?” said Roakore. “The drekkon army retreated. But Eldarian, Kellallea, and this Orrian kid be out there somewhere, and they got that damned Godsbane sword.”
“They will strike again,” said Whill. “I have no doubt about that. But when and how they will attack, I do not know. Eldarian wants to free the power of the mantle, and I believe that he intends to use Godsbane to do so. You see, when I was stabbed with the blade, I absorbed its power. I know it as well as I know myself. The blade was created by the god of light. Forged in the heart of a star, it was used to kill the god of darkness. When the dark one fell at his brother’s feet, his spirit, his power, his essence was set free, and fearing that it would destroy the gods themselves, they locked it within the mantle. Godsbane could destroy Lunara’s prison, it could set free the power of the mantle. But they cannot get to it as long as my wards hold.”
“Can Orrian destroy your wards with the sword?” Roakore asked.
“No, Godsbane can kill a god and shatter their power, but it will not affect the wards, for they were created by a mortal.”
“Well, that be some good news at least,” said Roakore.
“You alone cannot hold them back, not forever,” said Zerafin. “We must find this blade. We must seek out Eldarian and Kellallea, and we must end this once and for all.”
Whill nodded agreement. “Indeed, but we are safe for now. I believe that explosion you heard is proof of their infighting. Surely Eldarian knew what would happen if I was pierced by the blade. Orrian acted on his own and against orders. He may even be dead now, I do not know. But Eldarian will strike again.”
“Then why don’t we hit the bastards first?” said Roakore.
“Enough people have died fighting my battles. This isn’t about the new settlements, this isn’t about the drekkon. It has always been about the mantle. When I face Eldarian again, I will do so alone.”
“If I may,” said Zerafin. “But when have you ever been able to keep your friends from helping?”
They all shared a laugh, and for Whill, it was good to laugh. He had much to be thankful for. And though the shadow of the mantle still loomed, his family was safe, and the dark power that had haunted him had been replaced by light.
He looked north, knowing that Eldarian was out there somewhere…waiting.
To be Continued in Whill of Agora Book 9
Coming in 2018