"You gave the Goddess your vow," I said.
"I lied," she answered with a smile. "And now it's time to go. The coronation is at hand."
She was right. As I stepped toward her, I could see the gauzy light of dusk filtering through from the entrance to the crypt. The days of dread were coming to an end. But my fear had strangely subsided, replaced by an unfamiliar calm.
When we passed back through the archway, out into the open air and up the steps to the parapet that led to the tabernacle, I was unsurprised to find the clouds had cleared as in my dream. The setting sun blazed unencumbered over the mountains of Golgoreth, a huge orange ball that sent its rays dancing along the ridge.
I squinted through split fingers at a world I hardly recognized. It was the same Elwynn forest and the same Goldshire. Everything the same as before. But for the first time since my father's death, all was bathed in yellow light beneath a sky of endless blue, no trace of the twisted fog that, for me, had come to define the days of dread. It was cooler, too, more like a late summer evening than the harshness of noon.
Then, for an instant, the sky darkened above us, a shadow crossing the ground where we stood. I startled to a whistle and a whoosh overhead and looked up to see a flock of birds sweep by, a majestic black cloud that spiraled and swirled. Not all shadows were demons. The starlings had returned.
Rebecca and I stopped to marvel at their display. After they'd finished their twilight dance and turned homeward to their roost, I caught the dying light flicker across her face, and all became as clear as the sky. I tightened my grip on her hand as I had the day before when we both walked through solid stone in the crypt. But this journey was different.
She squeezed back. "Shall we go? The ceremony awaits."
I nodded, smiled. Then my smile settled into thought. I lifted my eyes to the pathway of light in the western sky.
"They will always be with me."
"I know, Frederick," she said. "But so shall I."
Then ignoring for now the watchtower and the crypt, we stepped off into the future.
Epilogue
I was breathing hard and had the night sweats again. I knew because I could feel the damp on my pillow. But which pillow was it? That of a troubled prince or a wounded warrior who'd lost his family and failed his men?
I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid to find out what was real. I sniffed the air. The smell of flowers nearby. But were they sweet autumn clematis from the royal garden or daisies in a jelly jar beside my bed?
Then a cry in the night, a wailing. But not like a father who'd given up his dreams or a mother overcome with despair. And not like the anguish of war. Instead, a more hopeful sound. I eased the tension in my eyes, but not enough to open them. Through the lids, I could sense the darkness. But it was only the darkness of night, not the end of the world.
I heard the pad of footsteps approaching. The crying grew louder.
Then a voice.
"Wake up, sleepy head, we have company."
I opened my eyes. Becky with the baby. She settled beside me and gently placed our daughter between us, then reached across and touched my clammy forehead.
"Are you okay?" she said.
I nodded, not needing to say any more. She knew the answer. I stretched across and gave her a long kiss, then reached out and let the baby's tiny hand grip my finger.
Our daughter turned her head to me and then to Becky, secure in the safety of her parents' bed, her world, like mine, at peace for now.
Also By David Litwack
From Double Dragon Publishing
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com
There Comes A Prophet
A world kept peaceful for a thousand years by the magic of the ruling vicars. But a threat lurks from a violent past. Wizards from the darkness have hidden their sorcery in a place called the keep, and left a trail of clues that have never been solved.
You May Also Like the Following
From Double Dragon Publishing
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com
Chimera
By Sonny Whitelaw
?A human specific bioweapon can kill most of the population of a city before it even knows it's under attack, leaving the physical infrastructure virtually intact. In rural areas it can destroy human life while leaving crops and livestock untouched, uninfectious. Thrown into chaos, the remaining population can easily be overtaken by a small, lightly equipped military force. Relatively unskilled labour will take an additional few weeks to decontaminate an infected area of human casualties, leaving it ready for immediate habitation by an enemy's population,? explained USAMRIID's Colonel Susan Broadwater in an emergency briefing to government agents in Quantico, 1995.
Demonology
By
This collection of tales comes from the quill of Penemue, fallen angel and bringer of ink and pen to the children of men. Listen as he recounts his tales, both new and old, of his brethren demons when they walked the earth of men. This volume contains twelve stories from the darkest new authors in horror today. Tales that will not only haunt you, but will also delight.
AT MIDNIGHT'S HORUS FEAST
By L.P. Stanley
In this wickedly ingenious novel of compelling mystery, unforgettable characters, and sharp wit, L.P. Stanley draws us into a world of mind and magic, science and sorcery, blending a perfect mixture of relentlessly mounting horror and dark humour.
Still Waters
By DONALD ALLEN KIRCH
The Maiden voyage of the Titanic was to be the toast of Europe. Filled with the richest people in the world, there was no end to the trip's possibilities. At least, that is what Archaeologist Dennis Parker thought.
Detective Colter
By E.V. LeRoux
A suspenseful thriller. The seemingly unrelated disappearances of young, beautiful women comes to the notice of Detective Colter when Veronica Banes gives the police their first lead. The investigation leads them from New York City to Oregon, New Jersey and New Mexico; a countrywide manhunt for a cunning, sadistic killer. The police are aided by Martin Devlin, a psychic who falls in love with Veronica and vows to protect her.
Specters Lost Journal Entry
By Terence West
This lost journal entry from Vampire Hunter Marcus Specter dating back to 1699, details his wife and daughter's final night on Earth, and his failure to protect them from his greatest enemy, Caitlin. Learn more about the characters of Specter and Caitlin, featured in the upcoming Double Dragon book "Caitlin" by Terence West!
Also By David Litwack
From Double Dragon Publishing
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com
There Comes A Prophet
A world kept peaceful for a thousand years by the magic of the ruling vicars. But a threat lurks from a violent past. Wizards from the darkness have hidden their sorcery in a place called the keep, and left a trail of clues that have never been solved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Along the Watchtower
*
~
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
C
hapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
Also By David Litwack
You May Also Like the Following
Also By David Litwack
Along The Watchtower Page 23