by Chris Ward
‘Well said Rema,’ Sylvion whispered.
Rema felt the grasp of Reigin and knew he was a man without guile, one who would be true whatever dire threats stood before him.
‘I am sure we will be friends Rema,’ Reigin said warmly, ‘but in truth it will take me some time to believe you are not the one of whom I speak.’
‘Let us get to the camp fire and we can eat and talk there,’ Sylvion directed. ‘Gravyn I have a job for you. Two more Revel hares by sundown or you walk back to Ramos.’ They all laughed except the tall archer whose face showed nothing, but he nodded and went off to secure their evening meal. When they had returned to the fire Sylvion gave further directions having considered their needs. ‘Orcxyl I have need of your way with the horses,’ she said. ‘Ride back to Alstun. We will need another horse. There must be one somewhere in the country between here and there. Take this purse and use what gold you need.’ Orcxyl said nothing but he nodded and went to do her bidding, happy to be on his own and with the animals, which was his preference despite the joyous arrival of the tall one, for that was what he heard the Queen jovially call the new arrival in a friendly manner on their walk back to the camp.
They settled around the fire and ate a simple lunch of bread and cheese and fruit from the orchard. Orcxyl departed soon after he had eaten and Gravyn was not yet returned. The five remaining companions remained by the fire and talked of simple things.
To start with.
Reigin had brought a small leather bag in which his things were stored, and at his waist was a most wonderful sword which Andes kept looking at most covetously despite his own being such a wonderful weapon.
‘I must ask of you Reigin,’ Rema said after they had all finally eaten their fill. ‘I have been greatly confronted by Sylvion’s long life and in truth cannot fully grasp this, but you as well? You must be a similar age and yet you do not have a Shadow blade. What is this then that allows you such long life?’
Reigin chuckled. ‘Once I would have asked the same question for I was born and raised in the Lowlands in the time of King Petros. Then all life for men was short, perhaps fifty or sixty summers. But that was before I learnt of the Edenwhood and my own connection by blood to this race.’ He paused and took a drink of water. ‘The Edenwhood would ask of the Lowlander...how is it that you live so short a life for we would feel cheated by any time less than two hundred summers.’ He smiled and looked at the others who thought upon his words.
‘The life in AlGiron is different Rema, the air is magical and the Edenwhood have always lived long. Our Elder, the great Anderlorn died only two winters ago. He was old. I think more than three hundred summers. His Kindpa lived four hundred and it was he who slew the evil soldier Fellon here in Alderyn, for that was its name then. He used a mighty sword and...’ he paused, and stood and withdrew the blade at his waist. ‘I have it here with me. It is called Anderwyn and it is without equal save for the Shadow Blade, of which I believe you have heard.’ He looked at Sylvion who nodded but did not speak. They were all impressed by the sword and its history and were glad that it was amongst them.
‘I was raised a wolver,’ Reigin continued, ‘but I am Edenwhood, and so for me to live long in AlGiron is not strange at all.’
‘But how is it that you bear Anderwyn,’ Sylvion inquired. ‘Surely this is the blade of the Elder, the ruler of AlGiron?’ Reigin nodded and regained his seat by the fire.
‘You speak truly Sylvion.’ And he said no more. After a time a puzzled Sylvion spoke again.
‘You do not mean that you are ...?’
‘Yes, Sylvion Queen of Revelyn, I am now the Elder, ruler of the Edenwhood. I did not seek this but it was offered me on the death of Anderlorn, who died without an heir and I was chosen from several like myself, all of us put forward from all parts of AlGiron. I am now but one summer in this role, and it is a great honour to serve my people thus.’
‘I am overwhelmed,’ Sylvion said. ‘This is wonderful news, the Edenwhood have a most capable Elder, but how is it that you have come here then on your own, leaving your people unattended.’ Reigin chuckled again.
‘I might ask you the same question My Lady,’ and they all laughed.
The conversation was happy for a time. Sylvion and Reigin exchanged news as the others sat contentedly around the fire and listened. Even Andes’ mood seemed improved in the presence of Reigin and the possibility that things might now have more direction. Reigin finally turned to Rema and asked,
‘You have the same looks my friend as the Rema Sylvion and I fought alongside so long ago, but do you too have his skill, and what of his remarkable bow?’ At this Sylvion answered before Rema could speak.
‘He has the gifts Reigin, and the bow was given him most mysteriously; we think by El-Arathor at a time most appropriate for this quest. I have seen his skill and it is the same.’ Rema shrugged humbly and smiled at Reigin.
‘It seems that something must run in the blood. I did not of course know my namesake, but he was a mighty man of the mountains and was well remembered and honoured in his lifetime.’ Reigin nodded, absorbing this information, He turned then to Andes.
‘You are a big man my friend, surely you carry Edenwhood blood?’
Andes nodded. ‘You are right sira. It seems, or so I have been told, that in your time the son of one Anders Blomberg was saved by Rema Bowman in the town of Waterman. He was a boy and in gratitude many summers later he travelled to the Highlands to thank the Rema of whom you speak, and he stayed. I am of his line...’
‘I remember that,’ Reigin exclaimed, ‘I remember what happened for I was there, standing close by on the streets of Waterman. I had not then met Rema Bowman, but I saw him save the boy.’ He shook his head in awe. ‘There are many memories here Sylvion.’
‘Which is why you are here Reigin,’ Sylvion said quietly. ‘I cannot remember so many things. I have too many memories I think, and these have crowded others out. I need you to help me remember and then to find something Reigin, which, try as I might I cannot recall.’
‘Of course Sylvion.’ Reign responded. ‘But I too do not remember as I used to. I hope my coming is of some avail in these matters. Please speak you mind, and I will do what I can.’
At this Sylvion composed herself. She stood and walked around the fire in deep thought gathering her words, and the others sat in silence waiting for her to speak.
After a time she did so. She spoke slowly and with great care and the others listened intently.
‘The land is in trouble Reigin. All Revelyn, perhaps AlGiron too. Evil has returned. The Evil of Zelfos, but a deeper evil, for his was raw and obvious. This new evil is more subtle and cannot easily be measured or seen.’ She took a breath and went on. ‘The land is sinking. Fire breaks out from the ground and whole towns are lost. Mountains fall, and worst of all, some have used this as a reason to sacrifice their own. Young ones mainly, mere children are being sacrificed as if to appease some fell beast; as though this might halt the troubles.’ She shook her head and all saw her tears and knew her grief for her land was deep. ‘These things are plain enough, though shocking to behold,’ she continued. ‘Reports of slayings increase, and the land still sinks. I can do nothing for I do not know who or what is my enemy. Long have I sat in Ramos and desired some clear path, some way to know what I face...what Revelyn faces.’ She turned to Reigin. ‘I have been tormented by dreams and visions which come to steal my nights and convince my court that I am mad, and yet these flee from me at the dawn such that I cannot remember what has visited me in my sleep...’ She looked at Rema, ‘Until now. Rema brought me a book which also seems to have come into his possession by the work of El-Arathor. This has allowed me to remember some things but even now there is something I cannot recall and for this Reigin I need you.’ She paused and let her words hang before them. Finally Reigin spoke.
‘What have you remembered and what can I offer in this?’
‘Do you remember our escape Reigin?’ Suddenly Sylvion was
greatly animated and like a child she clenched her fists and then put her hands to her head. ‘Do you remember the great canopy and the cauldron and the cold air high above the land...’
‘I cannot ever forget that time Sylvion,’ Reigin whispered. ‘It was magical and still I do not understand what you did, but we flew, like none has ever done. It was amazing.’ He sat and nodded and stared at Sylvion and they were lost together in an intimate moment which excluded all others.
‘I must find the canopy Reigin,’ Sylvion whispered whilst their eyes were still locked on each other. ‘I know it holds the key to what is unfolding in Revelyn. There is some image, or story or prophecy woven into the canopy which I saw long ago as I lay beneath it in the Vault and planned our escape; but I cannot remember it, I cannot see what it was that I saw then, and worse I cannot remember where we landed and so where the canopy lies hidden is the vaguest shadow in my mind which will not take shape no matter what I do, and I have tried much to bring this forth. Too many summers have passed and my mind has lost this connection to the past.’
Reigin nodded slowly.
‘You hope that I will recall were the canopy lies?’ And Sylvion smiled and nodded.
‘Yes Reigin, that is what I need. You must lead me there, for beyond this place I cannot think where it is that I must seek. It seems that the older I grow I cannot remember those things which I do not recently think upon, and I have had no cause for a hundred summers to recall the details of our flight from the Vault, memorable though it was.’
Reigin rubbed his chin which showed the stubble of a white beard recently shaved. He nodded slowly as he thought upon Sylvion’s words. It was clear to the others that he was remembering what details he might from an event now long in the past. Finally he smiled which gave hope to Sylvion and her heart beat hard in her breast. ‘I recall much,’ Reign said slowly, ‘I remember the water, so cold and almost drowning. I remember now that I hurt my shoulder...’
‘And I fixed it,’ Sylvion exclaimed as a sudden vision came to her, ‘I know, I used some rope and pulled it back into place...’ she sat and smiled triumphantly at Reigin. Rema felt a pang of jealousy that he was so excluded from these things; that this most beautiful of women was sharing so intimately things with this man, things which took place perhaps a hundred summers before he was born. He shook his head in frustration for he did not know how to manage such feelings. But Sylvion and Reigin were oblivious to all others.
‘... and it was in a cave, you had been taken there by two villains, thieves who were about to...’ Reigin continued but was again interrupted by Sylvion...
‘...cut my tongue out.’ She put her hands to her mouth at the shock of this sudden memory.’ She smiled. ‘You killed them Reigin, so quickly and with one arm, the other dislocated entirely.’
Reigin nodded. ‘And I still have a slight weakness from it but had forgotten why.’ He paused. ‘They were fools, and they gave me no choice. Theirs were pointless deaths.’
‘The cave,’ Sylvion said with great intensity. ‘Reigin can you find it again? The thieves you killed must have taken the canopy and the cauldron to their cave, this seems to be the only reason for my dreams and torment over where it lies. It is still there, I am sure of this.’ Reigin took a deep breath and concentrated. Unknowingly he rubbed a hand gently across his face, and ended by stroking his chin twice before nodding once more.
‘I am sure we can, at least we can get close. It was south of Fisher, but not far. The road to Waterman was close by. It was forested. We walked through forest back to the road; the cave went some distance inland. I remember we split up on the road, I went south with the girl...’
‘The girl!’ Sylvion exclaimed, ‘that’s right there was a girl. I cannot recall her name but she had been kept as a slave by the thieves, a most desperate pitiful creature. And she was dumb, her tongue cut out...’ Sylvion continued to remember.
‘And I returned her to her family in Waterman and that’s when I witnessed Rema Bowman save the boy...’ Reigin looked at Andes, ‘the boy who grew up to travel to the highlands, as you have said, to your town; the one who was your forebear Andes.’ Andes nodded thoughtfully but said nothing, and Reigin continued, ‘...not long after, I met Rema on the road west over the Plenty Mountain as he searched for a way to enter AlGiron.’ He looked again at Sylvion and gave her a warm smile. ‘The more we talk the more things return Sylvion,’ and she smiled back in such a warm way that it caused Rema to sigh sadly.
‘We will leave tomorrow as soon as Orcxyl returns,’ Sylvion said enthusiastically, and by her voice the others knew that she was greatly reassured by Reigin’s words. Gravyn suddenly appeared then with their evening meal. He had taken a small deer and apologised to his queen for failing to supply the hares; but Sylvion was not about to quibble over such a small matter, and thanked him for his splendid efforts.
‘I take it then My Lady that I will not be required to walk back to Ramos,’ Gravyn said quietly, and with such a droll tone that they all laughed for his humour was unexpected, and greatly enhanced by his expressionless face. He went to prepare the deer for the evening meal as once more a purposeful conversation continued around the fire.
‘I hardly dared believe you would come Reign,’ Sylvion whispered at one point. ‘I stood and looked to AlGiron and willed you here, but I did not imagine you would come as you did. Surely I thought you would bring a horse and more supplies than you have.’
‘And that was my plan Sylvion,’ Reigin replied, ‘but the trouble of the land of which you speak, thwarted me. We too in AlGiron have cause to be concerned. Three days ago the cliff to the south of Alderyn our capital, named after this ruin, three days ago there was a mighty collapse and it took two leagues of the escarpment plunging down to the Lowlands...’
‘We heard it Reigin!’ Rema said, unable to contain himself, ‘we wondered what it was and thought that it could only be such as you say...’
‘We were camping in the grasses on our way here,’ Sylvion continued, ‘the land shook mightily,’ she paused, ‘was there loss of life?’
‘Only a dozen I believe, but each one much loved.’ Reigin replied sadly. ‘This has not happened before to AlGiron, and it has caused great fear in Alderyn for the city is perched on the edge of the cliffs and many people live there.’ There was silence for a time as they absorbed this sombre news before Sylvion spoke again.
‘How did this great tragedy thwart your travelling to us Reigin?’ she asked.
‘The Western Gates,’ he replied, ‘the great steps to the Lowlands hewn long ago by the Mountain Dwarves as a gift to our new settlement in AlGiron when we left here to avoid the wars with other men; these Gates were lost in the great collapse and so I had no way to descend to you here. I was at a loss until one of my commanders suggested I use the shining eagles. Of course we knew they could not support a grown man in flight, for only the young boys can fly them well, but we thought the strongest of the eagles, Soaryr, the one you saw bear me here, we thought him able to carry me in a steady descent, and so it proved, and by some fate you were here to meet me.’
‘And so we were,’ Sylvion whispered, but I think more than fate is at work here, she thought to her herself.
Reigin stood and stretched. ‘You have chosen an interesting place to make your camp,’ he said changing the topic of conversation and taking everyone by surprise. ‘This place of burial is a special place still to the Edenwhood and many will come each year to pay respects to ancestors and the great ones of our race.’ He looked about him at the standing stones which marked the graves and the others now followed his gaze. ‘There is one grave which above all others is visited, come I will show you,’ and with this he walked away through the grass to a place where the surrounding stone wall curved away to make a shrine-like half circle around a grave that none had noticed. They all joined him now, even Gravyn who was suddenly greatly interested in what the mighty Edenwhood ruler had to say. Reigin said nothing for a time and they all looked in awe
upon the grave which was built up above the ground and covered with a thick polished slab of some stone which none recognised. It was a mighty piece of craftsmanship and all knew that it would have taken a team of the strongest men to put it in its place. Reigin indicated the stone which stood at the head of the grave where the niche curved deepest into the wall. There were strange symbols and scripts upon it which none recognised. Reigin knew they were lost as to the meaning.
‘What does this stone tell us Reigin?’ Rema asked respectfully.
‘It reads thus,’ Reigin replied, ‘Here lies the Last Great Warrior of the Edenwhood,’ and even his voice was full of awe as he read the inscription to them, carved deep into the headstone.
‘And who was this great warrior?’ Sylvion inquired respectfully. ‘Who lies buried here for so many to make pilgrimage in their honour?’
‘The grave is empty,’ Reigin replied quietly and with a reverence which was clear to them. ‘This greatest warrior is yet to be. It is said that one day he will rise and defeat a mighty enemy of the Edenwhood, indeed of all men.’ He paused and none spoke for there seemed magic in the air. ‘And with his death it is prophesised that the end of the Edenwhood will come to pass, so we are mixed in our emotions in AlGiron over this grave. We wonder who it might be, and what great battle he will fight. But we fear that with his rising, the age of the Edenwhood will pass.’ And at these words a deep silence seemed to surround them, and for a long time no one dared speak.
‘And so his grave has great significance for our people,’ Reigin said to finally break the spell.
‘And how will any know who this great warrior will be?’ Andes asked, and once more all eyes turned to Reigin who took a deep breath before replying.
‘It is said that on his death the grave will open by itself to receive his body. That will be the mark of this man.’
‘A sombre prophecy Reigin,’ Sylvion said quietly, ‘I hope that it is not proved true for an age to come.’