The Door Within tdw-1

by Wayne Thomas Batson

  There, before Aidan and Gwenne, standing on a podium con- structed in the heart of the dry seventh fountain, was a tall Glimpse. But his back was turned so that he could face the gathering.

  He seemed to know that someone was behind him, and he turned his head and smiled.

  Aidan was stricken with gladness, for it was King Ravelle of Mithegard. He had survived after all. He gestured for Aidan and Gwenne to come closer, and the crowd parted and let them through. When they stood near, King Ravelle began to speak.

  “Good people of Alleble, Glimpses young and old,” he said, his voice like thunder announcing rain after a drought. “This is a solemn occasion, and I do not feel fit to speak to you who know what I have only just learned. But if for no other reason than gratitude, I will speak.”

  Aidan stared at his father’s Glimpse, straining to see the color of his eyes.

  “Today we mourn,” said the King. “We mourn the loss of a champion. And I say ‘we,’ for were it not for his valor, I and the rest of my people would have perished. For the noble Captain Valithor died-in much the same way as he always lived, I am told-in sacrifice!”

  Aidan’s eyes grew wet. Gwenne reached down and their hands met.

  “And it was his sacrifice and the sacrifice of many from your beloved land that has brought me and my kingdom to this point.”

  If the vast crowd had been silent before, it became more silent still, and they waited on King Ravelle’s words.

  “We Mithegardians were a proud nation. Our Seven Towers stood tall, and we were pleased to be alone. I am sorrowful to confess that it was I who drew us away from Alleble. For though many of you do not know this, I was born in Alleble. My father was a great servant of King Eliam.”

  King Ravelle’s father? Aidan’s mind raced. He had never really thought about it before. But he reasoned that if everyone on Earth had a Glimpse, and Grampin’s Glimpse was Captain Valithor, then…

  The King drew in a deep breath and continued. “But when my mother died, I was filled with grief… and with wrath. But I blamed King Eliam most of all, for it was he who sent my mother on her final journey. I forsook Alleble, and in my youthful rebellion I fled to Mithegard. I fled from my father because he did not blame King Eliam, and he would not abandon his trust in your King. In all that time while I squired and trained to be a knight for Mithegard, while I campaigned and became King, while I ruled selfishly over my people-all that time I shut my father out. And now, I have lost him, but not before he taught me the single most important lesson of all.”

  Aidan squeezed Gwenne’s hand.

  “You see, my father, Captain Valithor, told me…,” began King Ravelle, and his thunderous voice faltered. A collective gasp like a wave surged through the crowd. Tears ran freely down the faces of every Glimpse, and Aidan as well. King Ravelle mastered himself and continued. “He told me about King Eliam-about the sacrifice he made on the balcony behind where I now stand. And in my bitterness, I did not believe him. But I have seen the truth of his words in the lives of all who serve the Kingdom of Alleble. I saw it when your people came to me and showed me real offers of peace. I saw it when your knights, with no care for their own lives, defended my city. I saw it when my father laid down his life for a friend! So, I come here to mourn with you, for I have lost as you have lost. But also I come to confess. So hear me, Glimpses of Alleble! Hear me, as I confess with my lips that I will return to Mithegard. The Seven Towers shall be rebuilt, and forevermore they will be allied with the Seven Fountains! For as for me and my kingdom, we shall serve King Eliam the Everlasting!”

  A roaring cheer rose up from the crowd, and it seemed that they all spoke with one great voice, with one accord that it was good and right.

  King Ravelle descended the podium while the cheers continued, and he sprang lightly over the fountain wall and ran to Aidan.

  “I spoke of you just now,” he said. “When you offered your sword to the enemy-do you remember?”

  Aidan could say nothing. He simply nodded and stared into the eyes of his father’s Glimpse. His eyes glinted blue and he embraced Aidan.

  “You know,” said King Ravelle, drawing back and holding Aidan by the shoulders, “I have a son, but my wife grew tired of my self-seeking ways, and she left Mithegard and took him away while he was very young. I hope wherever he is that he has grown into a lad like you.”

  Aidan cried tears of joy and he smiled, thinking, Oh, I have a hunch he’s a lot like me.

  The King turned as Kaliam strode forward.

  “King Ravelle?” Aidan said, and he glanced at Gwenne. He wasn’t sure if he should ask. Gwenne, for once, had not guessed his thoughts. She just stared back at him quizzically.

  “Uh, one moment, Kaliam,” said the King. “Yes, Aidan?”

  “Your son…”

  “Yes.” King Ravelle looked at him strangely.

  “Well, I was wondering, what is his name?”

  Gwenne shot Aidan a glance that was half curious and half worried. She apparently didn’t know if Aidan was allowed to ask such a thing either.

  “Aelic,” said the King. “His name is Aelic. It means, One who overcomes fear.”

  Suddenly, trumpets rang out, and the crowd once again was as silent as stars seen from a hilltop in the wild. Kaliam stood at the podium in the seventh fountain. He waited, for what? Aidan could not tell. But Aidan saw Kaliam in a new light as he stood there, tall, broad-shouldered, wearing the silver armor of Alleble and mantled with a dark blue cloak. Princely, he looked now, commanding. Until then he had always seemed so, well… regular. It was the only word Aidan could think of, for Kaliam had always been the most friendly, joking with everyone and sharing advice with Aidan. Before, he had always dutifully followed in Captain Valithor’s shadow. Aidan wondered what had changed about him.

  Finally, Kaliam spoke. His voice did not carry the thunder of King Ravelle’s voice, but it was clear and precise. And those who heard him understood and felt as if Kaliam were speaking directly to each of them personally.

  “Captain Valithor shall be remembered,” he said, “in the lore of Alleble and in all of our hearts forever. King Eliam has decreed that our great Captain shall be laid to rest in Mithegard, not Alleble, so that he may be near his son.”

  Kaliam smiled warmly down at King Ravelle.

  “But this morning,” Kaliam continued, “this morning is not solely about grief! For though many of their kin have fallen, Mithegard is now allied with Alleble, and not even death can break that union! We must welcome the Glimpses of Mithegard, and we must come alongside our new brothers as they rebuild what was wrongly destroyed.”

  Kaliam went silent and looked into the crowd from face to face. He raised his fist and spoke again. “No, this morning is not solely for grief! For though we stand where of old the Great Betrayal was consummated, this is also the hallowed ground of Alleble’s greatest victory! For it was here that King Eliam rose with the dawn and cast out the enemy! And today, as the sun rises between the peaks of Pennath Ador, we have the privilege to add a name to the King’s Hall.”

  Entranced by Kaliam’s words, Aidan was shocked when two knights escorted him to the podium. He stood there shaking, for he was now visible to every Glimpse in Alleble. But there was something else, some immense gravity to what was about to happen.

  Kaliam smiled down at Aidan. “Do you see, fine Glimpse-kind?” Kaliam said, turning Aidan to face the crowds. “Do you see the armor worn by this young lad? Perhaps you cannot yet. But you will. For though Aidan will not remain among us for much longer, he will remain a hero of Alleble forever. For his bravery in the face of a terrible enemy, for his valor on the field of battle, and for his faith when there seemed no hope at all-this day, Aidan is named Knight of the Dawn!”

  The crowd roared with cheers, but it was abruptly muted. And a great golden light blazed behind Aidan.

  Turn around, Aidan, a voice said.

  Aidan turned and looked into the light. And this time, it did not burn. All images
faded in the brilliance, but Aidan saw clearly, up on the huge castle balcony, a lone figure. He was dressed in white armor, and a great white robe waved around him. And the light shone forth from him. Aidan knew him, for it was his voice that drew Aidan beyond The Door Within. It was King Eliam the Everlasting!

  Aidan could not see his face, but he felt that he was looking into the eyes of hope. And indeed, as he stared at King Eliam, Aidan was filled with a peace like he had never known. It was as if every good and precious experience in his life had somehow been captured and was channeled through the King’s eyes. The proud, desperate love of his parents looking down on their newborn son, the feel of cool water on a hot day, Robby’s grin as they waded in the creek, the comfort of blankets against the cold whispering wind outside, the feel of Gwenne’s hand in his, the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean…

  Then King Eliam raised one hand high, and a clear beam of the purest white light streamed forth and fell upon Aidan’s breastplate. The image engraved there, the sun rising between two mountains, blazed with that same white light, like molten iron fresh from the fire.

  And then the light dimmed, and Aidan could hear the crowds once again. He turned to them, and they saw his armor then. And behold, the light of dawn poured into the thoroughfare. For the sun had finally risen between the majestic peaks of Pennath Ador.

  And Aidan wept, for the fountains of Alleble were all aglow with the splendid rays of the rising sun. And King Eliam spoke once again, My good and faithful servant, well done.

  33

  EARLY DEPARTURE

  T wo days had passed since the celebration by the fountains-two days of the most powerful happiness Aidan had ever experienced. Some of the time Aidan spent with friends, old and new.

  He went to Alleble’s armory to visit Kindle and to thank him.

  “It was you, wasn’t it?” Aidan had asked, a finger pointing with amused accusation.

  “What, me?” Kindle replied. He held his hands up, feigning innocence.

  “I saw the way you looked at me when I first saw Fury in your case! You went to Naysmithe, didn’t you? You asked him to forge Son of Fury.”

  “Aye.” Kindle relented. He stared at Aidan’s breastplate. “And though I doubted it then, I see now that my course was charted by the King. For that blade served you well, m’lad.”

  “It did, Kindle,” Aidan replied. “And now it rests with Captain Valithor in Mithegard. But I thank you for all that you’ve done. And, Kindle, guess what?”

  “What’s that, Aidan, me boy?”

  “I finally know which piece of armor goes on my head!” They both laughed long and hard, and for several hours they spoke of many other glad things.

  Later Aidan went to the training yards, from place to place visiting his teachers-telling them how what they taught him was well put to use during his adventure.

  He spent time too with the knights of the Elder Guard, especially Mallik and Nock. They spoke of the Timbers of Yewland and the Blackwood and of fields where untamed unicorn roamed free. They spoke of the Blue Mountains, of tall stone keeps and the doughty folk who made them, and of the quiet moors beyond.

  But most of the time was spent with Gwenne, walking in Alleble’s gardens, wading in the streams at the foot of Pennath Ador, and reading the lore of Alleble’s Knights of the Dawn-of which Aidan now was one.

  But there was a longing within him that he could not quite identify. His heart was content, but it felt as if there was something yet unfinished. So it was not surprising to Aidan when Gwenne appeared one late afternoon at the entrance of his chamber.

  “It is time,” she said with a tear cascading down her pure white cheek. She stooped and picked up a package and brought it into the room.

  “You’ll find your clothes, the clothes you wore when you came.. . all washed and mended,” Gwenne said, handing Aidan the package. “Summon me when you’ve changed.”

  Aidan went into the room and reluctantly took off his armor. The sunlight sparkled off each piece as he laid them on the bed. He liked being a knight. He didn’t want to go back to being just plain Aidan. But as he put on his old jeans and his T-shirt, he realized that no matter what he wore, he was and always would be a servant of Alleble.

  Aidan walked over and opened the door for Gwenne to come in. She smiled, and Aidan’s stomach churned. She led him over to the arched window where they looked out upon the sun-bathed land of Alleble. There was the courtyard where he had trained to become a knight. It looked strange and empty this time of day, and Aidan’s imagination conjured ghostly images of Glimpses dueling and sparring as they no doubt would at dawn.

  Aidan’s eyes wandered out of the courtyard to the Seven Fountains and beyond The Realm’s main gate. Somewhere in the darkness was the trail that had led Aidan and Gwenne to the Grimwalk. Farther still was the dark mountain range called the Prince’s Crown where the enemy dwelt, smoldering over his losses but ever plotting new conquests. Somewhere beyond the enemy’s land lay the curling ranges of the Black Crescent where, in the caverns beneath, Falon waited. And then Mithegard was there too. Mithegard, rebuilding with stone, mortar, and hope.

  Gwenne’s hand found Aidan’s. And they stood and watched as clouds drifted slowly across the quiet sky.

  Gwenne let go and sat down. Tears streamed down her face. “I don’t want you to go,” she whispered.

  Aidan sat next to her. He didn’t want to leave either, but he knew he had to. His family was waiting. His life was waiting.

  “Gwenne,” he said, “I need to go back. My mom and dad, my friend Robby, they’ve got to know-my whole world has got to know the truth. But I’ll come back.”

  “You do not understand.” Gwenne choked out the words.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You were called here by the King,” she said. “And King Eliam rarely brings people from your home here. I know of none he’s allowed to return until… until you die and go to be with all who have passed into the Sacred Realm Beyond the Sun.”

  The news hit Aidan like a thunderclap, but the storm passed quickly. And somehow, Aidan did not feel alarmed. He knew that King Eliam had allowed he and Gwenne to become friends for a reason, and now Aidan knew that the King was allowing them to part for a reason.

  “Can you visit me?” he asked.

  “If the King wills it, I could visit you. But it is unlikely.”

  He did not say anything to Gwenne. He reached over and lifted her chin with his hand. Then he wiped away her tears. And for a long moment, they just stared at each other. Gwenne smiled again.

  “I brought you something,” Gwenne said as she stood and walked out of the chamber. “Since the Tempest took the one you brought with you into The Realm…”

  She brought Aidan a thick bundle of scrolls, tied round with silver and blue embroidery. She handed it to Aidan.

  “I’ll keep these safe,” Aidan said, and it was his turn to stifle tears.

  “Our story is in there, you know,” she explained.

  Aidan nodded.

  “You need to open to the end,” she whispered. “When you touch the final word of the final page, you will begin your journey home.”

  Aidan stood, untied the lace, and opened the scroll to the last page. But he did not touch the last word. Not yet.

  “Gwenne, I was wondering,” Aidan said. “You said you never met my Glimpse.”

  “That is true. I never met him. In fact, it was not until King Ravelle said he had a son that I knew if your Glimpse had even been yet born. Remember that time works differently in our world.”

  “Okay,” Aidan replied, squinting, deep in thought. “But that means I do have a Glimpse out there somewhere. And he looks just like me, right?”

  Gwenne smiled. “Yes and no,” she said. “Yes, your Glimpse would look just like you-though he might be older or younger. But no, your Glimpse is not out there, for a Glimpse and his twin can never meet. He has gone to your world for a time and will return to The Realm when you return to Earth
.”

  Aidan frowned. If Mom and Dad saw Aelic!?

  But then Aidan had an even stranger thought. “So then, my Glimpse will be here again, after I leave?” he asked.

  “Yes, that’s true-”

  “And all the Glimpses here,” Aidan interrupted, an idea budding, “have a person just like them in my world-even you, right?”

  “Yes, but why do you-”

  Before she could finish the question, Aidan kissed her on the cheek. He stared at her with a sly grin and said, “I’ll see you soon!”

  Gwenne looked perplexed. “But, Sir Aidan-”

  Aidan held up a hand and winked at Gwenne. Then, he placed his hand upon the final word of the final page of the scroll and left Alleble, never to return until his life’s end.

  PASSAGE

  Aidan had once again passed beyond The Door Within, and as before, his senses were changing, transforming. He felt that peculiar movement from within, and walked again the gray road. There were voices and visions. There appeared an image of a dark army marching forth from a black castle. They carried torches that blazed violently in the wind. The torchlight became the candlelight of a large chandelier in a grand room of some kind. There in the room was a great assembly of Glimpses. Some had red eyes and some green. Before the image flickered away, it seemed to focus on a young Glimpse who was somehow familiar to Aidan. The young male Glimpse’s pale skin hid his exact identity, but he had to be someone… The vision faded, and a new one replaced it. There was a young girl on a lonely tower that reached high above the clouds. But soon this image dissolved into yet another, and another after that. Aidan could not follow them, they came so fast, but suddenly, they stopped, and everything went black.

  The visions and voices had disappeared. Aidan felt his senses returning to normal, and his thoughts began to organize. It was then that he realized he knew the young Glimpse he had envisioned in the elegant room. That young Glimpse was a Glimpse of Robby… and his eyes had been… red!