A Trial of Souls

by Brian D. Anderson

  Gewey pictured the last moments with Kaylia just before he rode out, her face awash with fear. He could still feel her final embrace and the touch of her lips as she kissed him goodbye.

  “I failed her,” His voice was distant and mournful. “I failed everyone. My horse reared and threw me the moment we exited the passage. I remember the Dark Knight’s amusement as his laughter bounced back and forth off the rocks. But even now I can’t see his face, only his armor. It was so black it was like it killed the light, leaving a hole in the world. And his sword…the sword, was gripped tightly in his hand.”

  “But I saw the rest,” said Linis. “I saw you fight him. I saw him disarm you. You only ran because there was no other choice. He would have killed you.”

  “No,” shot Gewey. “You only saw what your eyes told you. When we fought, there was another war being waged within our spirits. He tried to break me, but I fought back with all my strength. I could feel his power surrounding me and pressing in. For a moment I thought his will would overcome mine, but then I saw his weakness. His desire to destroy me was rooted in his own failures, and it was there that he was exposed. But he was not without defense. If I destroyed his spirit, I knew mine would be destroyed as well. He knew it too and dared me to vanquish him. Welcoming me to join him in oblivion.”

  Gewey dropped to his knees. “I hesitated, paralyzed by fear. It struck at my heart like an arrow as I saw the nothingness of where my soul would be sent. So I ran. I abandoned everything and everyone and ran. That is my greatest shame and my unforgivable sin.” He looked up at Linis who was staring at him expressionlessly. “Now you know the depths of my cowardice.”

  Linis said nothing for several minutes. Then he stepped forward and offered Gewey his hand. “Come, my friend. Come and receive my forgiveness.”

  Gewey looked away. “How can you forgive me? I cannot forgive myself.”

  “You were little more than a boy,” Linis replied. “No one should have expected you to save the world on your own. The entire weight of our sins was set upon your shoulders. Had the elves and the humans not been so short sighted and selfish - had their hatred for one another not run so deep - the war would never have fallen for you to win alone. It was never right for us to expect so much.”

  “I wish I could believe that,” said Gewey. He took Linis’ hand and allowed the elf to help him up. “All I can do now is right as many wrongs as possible.”

  Gewey had not been back on his feet for more than a second when a flash of recognition struck his mind. He stiffened his back. Unsheathing his sword, he took a step toward the broken gates of Althetas. “She is here,” he said, turning to Linis. “I must do this alone.”

  Linis sighed and nodded. “I wish you luck, my friend. I will be waiting.”

  Gewey forced a smile before setting off toward the gates.

  As he entered the city he was saddened by the memory of how grand and rich Althetas had once been. Now it was nothing but a burned out pile of rubble littered with the skeletal remains of the dead. Those who had stayed behind after the siege had hoped the armies of Angrääl would spare them, being that they were not soldiers. What they did not know was that the Reborn King had no intention of occupying the city - or any other city.

  Hours later, Gewey was still winding his way through the streets, listening for signs of his quarry. Several times he thought he heard her and reached out with his mind, but could find nothing. He passed by where the manor of King Lousis used to stand. A blackened pit that held the bones of Althetan prisoners was all that remained. He allowed the flow to rage through him and filled it with ruined earth and crumbled rock.

  “Why are you here?” The familiar voice came from behind him.

  He spun around and gasped. There she was. Her face was twisted and deformed, her clothes ripped and stained, and her once beautiful hair was a tangled mat. Still, he knew her at once. “Kaylia,” he said.

  “I am no longer Kaylia, you fool,” she replied. Her voice gurgled and hissed, and her eyes were black as soot. “She died the day you turned coward.”

  “I refuse to believe there is nothing of her left,” said Gewey. His voice was strong, but the sight of his love stabbed at his heart.

  Kaylia let out a hideous laugh. “Why would you care? You abandoned her; you left her to be twisted and corrupted by your enemy.” She stepped forward. “What remains of Kaylia knows nothing but hatred for you. Be grateful she cannot speak. You would not want to hear her words.”

  He could hardly bear to see what she had become. His tears fell freely. “I am sorry my love. I have come to release you from your torment. Please let me help you.”

  This brought on more harsh laughter. “You have not the power. No one has. Not even my master can undo what has been done.” She reached in her belt and drew a rusted dagger. “But you already know this, don’t you?”

  Gewey touched her mind, but could feel nothing of Kaylia inside. Only pain and death. “Yes.” His voice was almost inaudible.

  “So you have come to take my head,” she mocked. “You think I will be just another Vrykol, easily falling to your blade?”

  “No,” said Gewey. “I will not take your head, my love.”

  Her face twisted into a dreadful snarl. “Then you have come to die.” She leapt at Gewey, her blade aimed at his throat.

  Gewey released a blast of air, throwing her back and flattening her to the ground. Kaylia struggled violently, but he held her down. Then he drew upon the flow of the spirit. Kaylia’s black eyes grew wide with terror. She let out a horrifying scream. Only seconds later, her body began to shrivel and curl. Finally, in a burst of power, her spirit was released.

  Gewey let out a tortured wail as he saw her. The light of her soul was tainted and broken. He reached inside, desperately trying to touch the part of her that still remained. It was like sifting through an ocean of filth, but nothing was going to stop him. Eventually he found it - a single point of light. With all his strength he drew it out and separated it from the clinging, corrupted waste. Carefully, he guided the light toward him, striving to envelop it with his own spirit.

  “I must save you,” he cried, even though her light was rapidly fading. Desperately he tried to give her his power. It was useless; she was nearly gone. Her light flickered, but just before it disappeared completely, Gewey finally took her into himself. “Forgive me,” he whispered, weeping uncontrollably.

  As the light of her soul faded for the final time, a single word echoed in his mind.

  “Forgiven…”

  Gewey glared up at the corrupted spirit swirling in a mass of evil and malice. With uncontrollable rage he struck out at it, clawing and tearing until it was ripped apart and out of sight. His rage now exhausted, his legs wobbled and he dropped to the ground, still weeping.

  The light of the day was dwindling quickly. Choking back his tears, he made his way to where Linis was still waiting patiently by the horses. As he approached, everything began to fade into a thin mist. Gewey ran toward his friend, but before he could reach him the world suddenly became black.

  Once again his memories flooded back. This time, his heart felt broken beyond repair.

  “Why did you show this to me?” he shouted. “Is this what I am? A coward?”

  “Yes,” called the tender voice of Ayliazarah. “We are all cowards in our own way. The part of you that fears death and loss. The part of you that wants to run and hide. All that walk the earth carry this within them. Only you are different. You hold the fate of us all in your hands. The consequences for you are far more severe should you fail to overcome your demons. For you to know yourself is the only real weapon you have.”

  “Then these things don’t have to happen?” asked Gewey, wiping his eyes.

  “I do not know,” she replied. “Perhaps - perhaps not. The choices of the spirit are fraught with peril. In the end, only you can know which is the right path.”

  Gewey closed his eyes and took a breath. “Then let us continue.”
r />   Chapter 16

  He was at home in Sharpstone; the fire in the hearth gave out a pleasing warmth and its dancing light cheered the room. Kaylia was sitting in the rocking chair that Gewey’s father had made for his mother. Cradled in her arms, he could see an infant wrapped snuggly in a white cotton blanket. The vision warmed his heart, and this time his memory remained. A small boy, no older than three or four, was sitting cross-legged in front of the fire playing with a small wooden horse. His eyes were deep blue and his raven locks shimmered in the light.

  “Kaylia,” Gewey called out, but she did not look up.

  “She cannot hear you,” said the voice of Ayliazarah. “Unless you choose.”

  “Unless I choose?” Gewey repeated. “Unless I choose what?”

  “Unless you choose to stay,” she replied. “This can be your future. In this place your enemies cannot find you. You can live here in peace and happiness. You can raise your children and be with your wife forever.”

  “But it wouldn’t be real,” said Gewey. “That’s not really Kaylia, and those aren’t really my children.”

  “Of course they are,” she said with a sweet laugh. “Well, in a way. What you see before you is a reflection of your heart’s desire. But should you choose to remain here, Kaylia will be with you, now and for all time.”

  “You’re saying I can make it real?” asked Gewey. The sight before him brought more tears, but this time they were tears of joy. “I can have this life?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “But there is a cost. If you remain, you can never leave. The door will lock, and as the gods are trapped in heaven, so shall you be trapped here. The world will be left to its fate, and your enemies will be victorious. But you shall live on forever, with your love by your side.”

  “But if I leave here and the other visions I’ve seen come true,” countered Gewey, “there will be no hope for the world anyway. I can see my wife and children before me. They are alive and happy. The alternative futures I was shown tell me that the world is no better off with me in it. Why should I not stay?”

  “Perhaps you should. But what you have seen has changed what you will do.” Her voice sounded like a swift wind. “You saw your heart, nothing more. The future is always uncertain. You must decide if you will risk all you desire in order to change the future and save the world.”

  Kaylia began humming softly to the baby in her arms.

  “Where’s daddy?” asked the boy.

  Kaylia looked at him and smiled a mother’s smile. “He is on his way, my love. He will be with us soon.” Her eyes drifted to the door. Gewey could see a hint of sadness on her face.

  His heart felt as if it would burst. He wanted so much to stay. More than anything. Here, he could keep them safe. Here, death and sorrow could not touch them.

  “So the decision is made?” asked Ayliazarah.

  Gewey walked slowly to where his son was sitting and knelt beside him. He reached out his hand, but stopped just before it touched the boy’s face. “It is made,” he said. Rising to his feet, he looked one last time at Kaylia. Her eyes were still fixed on the door. “I cannot stay here.”

  Ayliazarah’s form appeared beside him. She touched his hand and smiled. “Then it is time for you to know the rest.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Gewey.

  The house faded, to be replaced by the dunes of the deep desert.

  Ayliazarah swept her slender arm in a flowing arc. “This is where you were born. This is where your mother gave you the spark of life. Here is where all life began, and where it must someday end.”

  “So you know who my mother is?” His heart pounded.

  She laughed and twirled around in an elegant dance. “Of course I do. She is the mother of all. And through her will, all life is given the spark of the divine.”

  “You can’t mean...” He couldn’t finish his thought.

  “You, Darshan, are the last of our kind,” She continued to dance, leaping impossibly high and landing without leaving a single footprint in the sand. “The mother gave you a part of her grace.” She stopped abruptly. “And then left us forever.” Her words now boomed and echoed like thunder. “She took Gerath into her infinite majesty, and through that union you were born. The moment you came to be, our connection to the Creator was lost for all time. She sacrificed herself to atone for our sins.”

  Gewey couldn’t accept it. It was impossible. “This cannot be. It would mean…it would mean…”

  “It means that your birth heralded the end of the Creator.” She turned and looked at Gewey. “Though her power remains, we can no longer hear her voice. It means that should you fail to defeat the betrayer and free the gods, all life will end. He will destroy the world and consign all that lives to eternal oblivion.”

  Gewey shook his head wildly. “No! This cannot be! Why would the Creator have done such a thing?”

  She approached him and held his face in her hands. “We cannot know her mind, or her motives.”

  “But so many have died,” snapped Gewey. “Just because I was born. She could have prevented it. Why didn’t she?”

  “I dearly wish I had the answer,” said Ayliazarah. “But even were I not merely a shadow of my true self, I would still be ignorant. But do not despair, for there is hope. Should you fulfill your destiny, our sins will be forgiven and our connection restored - and with it, the grace of her word to be spoken throughout all the lands.”

  Gewey looked into her eyes. “What must I do?”

  She pulled him close and tenderly kissed his cheek. “You must return and protect those you love.”

  “But what if I fail?”

  “I have faith in the Creator,” she replied. “And I have faith in you.”

  Without thinking, he embraced her. “I am afraid.”

  She stroked his hair. “I know. But you will find the courage in your heart.”

  Slowly the light around them dimmed until there was nothing but darkness. Then, the scent of honey and lavender returned and he realized that he was back inside the small house. The Oracle was sitting on the rug, grinning up at him.

  “It’s over,” he whispered.

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” the Oracle asked.

  “How long was I gone?” he said, ignoring her question.

  “Minutes,” she replied. “At least, from my perspective.”

  Gewey’s head was spinning as he tried to understand what had happened. He stumbled toward the door but stopped just as he was reaching for the knob. How could he face Kaylia? How could he tell her what he had seen? How could she love him after she discovered what he had done? He could feel her concern through their bond. She was waiting for his return and was already experiencing his sorrow and remorse. He knew he could not hide it from her.

  “Whatever you saw,” said the Oracle. “It was what you needed to see.”

  Gewey looked over his shoulder. “I should have stayed,” he said, turning the knob and opening the door.

  Kaylia immediately rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, but Gewey pushed her away.

  “What is wrong?” she asked. “What happened?”

  Gewey knew that he had to tell her. There was no way he could not.

  “Your heart is heavy,” said Felsafell. “Your mind burdened. But your love is a vessel that will help you bear it.”

  Gewey lowered his head and closed his eyes. For a full minute he stood in silence. Finally, he looked up and told them what he had experienced. “I beg you to forgive me,” he said after his tale was told.

  Kaylia cupped his chin in her hands and kissed him lovingly. “You have saved us, my love. Now you know what is possible. You faced your weakness and still chose to fight. None of what you saw will come to pass - I swear it.” She touched her belly. “Our child will be born in a world free of the perils that threaten to destroy us.”

  Gewey nodded and smiled. “Yes. Together we will prevail.” He kissed her long and deeply. “But I beg you not to go in th
ere.”

  “She must,” said Felsafell. “As you faced your demons, she must also face hers. But not to fret. Fierce and strong is this one. Oh yes. One more kiss goodbye and in you go.”

  As Kaylia approached the door, she paused to look at Felsafell. “Have you ever been inside?”

  Felsafell shrugged. “My demons have long ago been vanquished. Nothing for these old eyes to see, oh no. But tell that dear girl in there that the hermit sends his greetings.”

  Kaylia smiled and entered the house.

  “Are you sure she’ll be alright?” asked Gewey.

  Felsafell sat cross-legged on the ground. “An elf carries secrets, but the gods carry the world. She will face what she must face. But her mind is strong and her love without end. She will endure.”

  Gewey gathered some twigs and used the flow to start a small fire. He needed to take his mind off Kaylia or he’d drive himself mad. “Are you really as old as the Book of Souls says?” he asked.

  Felsafell grinned. “Old I am. The first were my people to walk the earth and see the stars. And now I’m the last.”

  “The Book also said that your people warred with each other and nearly destroy the world,” said Gewey.

  “All too true,” he replied. “Madness took immortal minds. Despair reigned. But I cared not for blood and fire. Found this place I did, oh yes. Long I dwelled inside its bosom. From time to time I ventured forth, but again and again my people failed to see reason. But when I emerged at last and forever, the gods had given my brothers and sisters the gift of death. Only our children remained, but madness soon took them as well. But these things you know. The Book of Souls speaks truth, it does.”

  Gewey tried to imagine what it must be like to live for so long, but the thought was too much for him to comprehend. He changed the subject. “Do you think I can defeat the Dark Knight?”

  Felsafell held up his hands. “I know not the extent of your power. But you have weapons your enemy has not.” He cocked his head and smiled. “You do not fight alone.”

  Gewey asked the old hermit what the world was like before elves and humans came, but his answers were confusing and disjointed, leaving Gewey even more confused. After less than half an hour Kaylia emerged. Her face was grave and Gewey could feel that she was upset.