by Chris Ward
Meanwhile Rema ran indirectly back to the Palace and found himself welcomed there with relief, not long after Rayven and the three who were to be killed had arrived.
And soon after that Reigin came, alone and unhurt, and Rayven watching carefully suspected that he had even in some manner enjoyed himself.
Chapter 23
Rayven, Reigin, and Germayne listened to Rema’s revelation about Gryfnor’s tent in amazement. The idea that the tiny canvas tent might hold such secrets shook them to the core.
‘How many Shadows Hunters did you see?’ Rayven asked when Rema had finished his first rather breathless recounting.
‘I saw two, but there were many more similar rooms down the hallway.’
‘So he might well have had a score?’ Rayven continued, and Rema nodded.
‘They were just standing there, breathing slowly. They were alive for I saw them blink, and I know they saw me because the second one turned its head a little to stare at me. I thought I was dead then,’ Rema said quietly. ‘But they didn’t do a thing,’ He shook his head, ‘but I had seen enough after two...’
‘And the room with the pit..?’ Rayven said wanting Rema to give more than he had.
‘That was even more a shock,’ Rema replied running his hand though his hair, and shivering slightly, ‘I was drawn to it, the pit I mean, but not because it was what I wanted, it had some power of fascination which I could not immediately break. But it whispered to me, not in words I could understand, a sort of low and hissing type of sound, and I felt I was being watched by things that I did not want to see...’
‘And where would it lead? What is its purpose?’ Germayne asked.
‘I think we may have underestimated Ungarit,’ Rayven said in a whisper. ‘Surely it is a door to his evil realm, where the Shadow Hunters arise, the home of the Dragyn beast which Andes slew, and Zelfos and Zydor... and whatever possessed them...’ She stopped and sighed before going on with a deep passion,
‘Such evil right in the heart of Ramos,’ she said angrily. ‘I always knew it.’
‘At least Rema and Gravyn have set back Gryfnor in stealing his tent,’ Reigin said. ‘A clever act...’
‘That was Gravyn’s idea alone,’ Rema said interrupting. ‘I did not think it possible that we could carry away all that I had seen just by folding the tent up.’
‘Such is sorcery, I suppose,’ Reigin sighed. ‘It is beyond us until it is revealed.’
‘And where is Gravyn?’ Rayven asked with a worried tone. ‘It has been long since we all returned. I fear he has fallen into danger.’
‘He may have had trouble finding a boat, the port is no longer as it was,’ Germayne said, and Rayven just frowned.
‘Well we do not know where to look for him and it is best we wait a while. We have outwitted Gryfnor so far this day, let us be patient. Gravyn knows this city, he may well have found a boat and lent a hand in the sinking of the tent, or perhaps he is hiding,’ Rayven continued on with her thoughts. ‘We will wait some more and perhaps he will return by the mid noon.’
And then Reigin spoke and shocked them all.
‘I must leave’ he said. ‘I must return to my people.’
The others looked at him in shock for it was unthinkable, his presence seemed so important to all they were about. The great Edenwhood stood and walked to the balcony and looked down and then came back.
‘It is hard thing to do, but if my people in AlGiron are to face the same dangers as Revelyn, then as their Elder I should be with them and see what can be done.’ He turned to Rayven. ‘You talk of provisions, and I do not understand this, but you have the Wisden blood. You should seek out what you talk of.’ And they saw him then as the ruler of a mighty race, not just the fearless soldier who would expertly fight any enemy to the death and win. ‘With the loss of his tent Gryfnor is seriously weakened,’ Reigin continued. ‘Rayven your Shadow Blade is very powerful despite what you have said. Here in the Palace you can be safe, and with care you can venture out, but I must leave. I saw the great map this morning, and the water creeps up the valley of the Plenty River and will soon block the eastern gates to AlGiron. The western gates have fallen Rayven, this you did not know. If I do not leave now I may not be able to return at all.’ He paused and looked around at the group, and smiled. ‘I have given all I can and some of my people would say I have given too much.’
And Rayven wanted to protest but Reigin saw her intent.
‘My Lady, I have decided. Let us part in good humour,’ and his words seemed fair, and Rayven relaxed.
‘I am grieved that you go, but it is true,’ she said with deep emotion, ‘you came when Sylvion asked and have given far more then we in Revelyn have given to AlGiron. Go then Reigin and may you lead your people as they have need.’
‘In that then I need your help,’ Reigin went on and it was clear he had been thinking on things for some time.
‘Whatever you ask, if it is possible,’ Rayven said. And Reigin turned to Germayne.
‘I must send a message to AlGiron. Do you have any carriaves for this journey?’
Germayne shook her head. ‘I am not sure but I will send to find this out.’
‘Please do,’ Reigin replied, and Germayne left at once. Rema was watching carefully as the others spoke and he thought it strange that all three were rulers in some manner, Rayven the heir and Queen to be in Revelyn, Reigin the Elder of the Edenwhood and Germayne at present ruling with Sylvion’s authority and Rayven’s direct request.
Who am I in all of this? he thought with a wry smile, but he suddenly caught Rayven looking at him and realised that she was talking to him.
‘You did well Rema to look inside Gryfnor’s tent. That knowledge has given us some great help to think what next to do.’ And her smile made Rema feel more important than he had felt a moment before. He smiled back.
‘Well if I had suspected what I might find I would not so quickly have stepped inside,’ he replied.
‘Nor would any of us,’ Reigin said. ‘You did well Rema, very well.’ And then he said a hard thing, but true. ‘I am glad that Sylvion did not return to see what we have seen.’ He paused and then went on. ‘She fought hard for summer after summer following the defeat of Petros and Zelfos. She rid the land of injustice and brought prosperity and peace and dignity to Revelyn.’ He shook his head. ‘She lost her love and loved the land instead. What has taken place is truly sad, and beyond me.’ And then he went out onto the balcony and stood alone with his thoughts for a long time, until Germayne returned and informed him that two birds remained which could travel to AlGiron, and so he wrote a message and Germayne went off again to see that it was sent. And then he turned to Rayven and went and sat with her. He took her hand most gently and spoke.
‘You are of the Wisden Rayven. You alone can perhaps save AlGiron.’ At this Rayven frowned, but Reigin went on. ‘You speak of provisions which have been made. I need to know. You must seek out the answer to this puzzle which I see to be held within you. I can go to my people but I need to lead them somewhere. AlGiron seems beyond all that oppresses Revelyn but it is not. If the land sinks, then AlGiron will fall. It might be the last, but it will fall, and our prophecy in part has already been seen to have come true. With Andes’ death and the tomb opening to receive him, then truly I am to be the last Elder of the Edenwhood. Rayven you say that the passing from the land is not death, if this is so then you must tell me what provision there is for my people.
‘I do not know this Reigin,’ Rayven said quietly.
‘No you do not,’ he replied, ‘but you have the writings of the Wisden, you have their blood, their gift, and you are the last of their kind... and you still have some time.’ He looked hard at her. ‘Please help me to save my people.’ He took a breath. ‘There is one bird left which might fly to AlGiron. When you find the answer, send me the secret, and in the meantime, take good care of that bird for it might well hold the lives of the Edenwhood in what it bears.’
And with t
hat he leant across and kissed Rayven gently on the cheek. ‘My dear child,’ he said without any condescension, ‘You, like me are the last to rule your people. But it is not over until the water covers the land. Your kindma and I overcame many things together. Let you and I continue in this great manner.’ And Rayven wept and allowed the great Edenwhood to hold her close, and Rema loved her for her deep emotion and wished that there might be some time for them, but when he went and stood still on the balcony and saw the sea at the very threshold of the city he knew...
In love I am thwarted once again. And then he stood and thought of what he had left behind. I will never see my parents again. The Highlands...what will become of them? Fryn waiting always for her man who will never come. The sinking land. Is all Revelyn to be lost? And many other sad thoughts besides.
And then the news came in the mid noon that Gryfnor had left Ramos, and Gravyn had still not returned.
‘When did he leave?’ Rayven asked of Drevyn who brought the news.
‘Soon after you returned to the Palace this morning, My Lady.’ he replied, ‘He left by the north gates.’ And with that Drevyn left to see to other matters as Germayne directed him.
‘Is Gryfnor fleeing?’ Rema asked.
‘No,’ Rayven replied. ‘He is not defeated. He has the sorcery of Zydor within him, and he is obsessed with this city. It is here he has made all his plans for control of Revelyn. He will return to Ramos.’
‘I think perhaps he seeks to recover what he has lost,’ Reigin said quietly, and they looked at him and Rayven cried,
‘Of course, the tent. There are others. I killed his doublmyn in Sheldon but did not think to do anything to his tent. It remains there. It will be like the one you stole today Rema. He has gone for his tent. He thinks he can restore his plans with that.’
‘Then Ramos is safe for a while, so you can search for Gravyn,’ Reigin said, ‘this does not change my plans.’
‘No it does not, but it changes yours Rema,’ Rayven said and turned to him, her eyes blazing, and Rema immediately held out his open hands before him, in a show of great puzzlement.
‘My plans?’
‘I cannot leave Ramos again,’ Rayven said. ‘I must be here and do what I can on several matters, but you can follow Gryfnor.’
‘I can indeed,’ Rema replied, ‘but what do if do when I find him?’ and his tone was clearly one of disbelief.
‘You can slay him Rema. Like you did Zydor. I saw what you did. I will give you an arrow with the power of the Shadow Blade and you can lie in wait for Gryfnor’s return. You will put the arrow into his heart and he will fall as his twin in Svalbard did. And at least then his evil will be halted forever, and no matter what comes to pass in Revelyn and AlGiron he cannot ever again rise to assail another land.’
And Reigin and Rema stood and looked upon her with amazement, for Rayven was truly greatly excited by the prospect of seeing Gryfnor fall.
‘You make it sound so easy Rayven,’ Rema said quietly.
‘But you can do it, I know you can. I know you will,’ she replied, and Rema looked into her lovely eyes and also knew... he would try.
‘Then we should leave together,’ Reigin said. ‘And soon, for I am sure that Gryfnor will by sorcery travel faster than his old horse and cart might suggest. You will need to find a good place upon the road to ambush him Rema, but do not risk your life my friend, the way things are moving it is no longer worth your blood.’ And Rayven quickly also affirmed his words.
‘I do not wish you to be harmed Rema, you must believe this, and as Reigin says, if there is any danger, flee, do not continue if you cannot do it, but Sylvion told me of your skill. She was in awe of what you could do with your weapon, and so I only suggest this because I am convinced that you are able.’ She suddenly went to him and held him close. ‘But in the end I want you back here with me.’ And Rema held her in return and whispered in her ear. ‘Then I shall return, make no mistake, with Gryfnor dead or not, you shall see me again before the land is lost.’ And Rayven felt his pounding heart and knew he would return. To her.
And Reigin smiled.
They left in late afternoon with Gravyn still not returned. Rayven accompanied Rema and Reigin, after a sad farewell from Germayne, down the long tunnel to ‘Little Ramos’ where the four horses were found to be safe and in good spirits and happy to see them. Reigin embraced Rayven a final time but said little for all had been said in the Palace. He saddled his mighty steed and waited for Rema. Rayven helped him prepare and unashamedly stood close to him and they enjoyed the simple pleasure of that, for much remained unsaid of their true feelings, and both knew the time was not yet, if indeed there is was to be such a time. Finally she gave him the gift of the King’s Eye to take and use as he thought best, for it seemed a good thing for an ambush upon a road. And when this was strapped up behind his saddle and all was ready; then Rayven spoke.
‘Hold out your arrow Rema. I will give all power to one. If you miss I do not think you will have another chance for Gryfnor’s rage and sorcery will prevent it, and you must flee.’ And so Rema took a shaft and held it before him and Rayven drew the Shadow Blade and with a growing confidence in her power she closed her eyes and thought upon the many things which had come to pass, such that Revelyn had fallen into Shadow. She thought upon the innocents, children mostly whose cold bodies and torn throats had become the ritual of the people. She thought upon poor Rubii plunging ever down to her lonely death, and Zydor and his evil and callous ways. She thought of all the efforts her beloved kindma Sylvion had spent in a lonely loveless life to secure the land, just to see it thwarted by sorcerers like Gryfnor, and she thought of all the people lost to a mindless fantasy which the Diabules offered, such that they could not see what they did, and who they served, and thought it normal and right. And such an anger followed this.
And so she let it grow within and held it back and let it grow and when it seemed that it might explode, she let it flow into the Shadow Blade, and the pure white light of a righteous wrath streamed into Rema’s arrow and the head burned so bright that they closed their eyes and could not look upon it, but still she let it last until the air about them was so bright it seemed that the very sun had come to earth. And then she drew back and sheathed her Blade and still the arrow head burnt bright and clear.
‘I give you death,’ Rayven said, ‘take it now and bury it in Gryfnor’s heart, and do not miss for only in his heart will this suffice to fell him so he will never rise.’ And Rema placed the arrow in his quiver and still it glowed as if wanting to escape.
‘How long will it last?’ he asked of Rayven but she could only shrug, and shake her head.
‘That I cannot say,’ she replied, ‘so go with speed and do what you can.’ And then she whispered. ‘And then come back to me Rema, for that I want that almost as much as Gryfnor’s death.’ And they did not kiss or hold each other, but Rema mounted quickly and with Reigin riding tall at his side, and without looking back, they rode off upon their separate quests. And Rayven sighed and having secured the compound that she called with such affection, Little Ramos, which had seen so many happy times for her, she went back up the tunnel into the Palace and turned her mind to the city and the people and Gravyn and the request that Reigin made; to find the meaning of the passing and what the provisions were.
Rema and Reigin rode together and made good speed. The light was fading but an early moon promised that they might continue on into the night. They found the great road north to Sheldon was deserted, and once upon it the great steeds were given their head and so they galloped on, the leagues flew past and the light of Rema’s arrow marked their path. Only when the horses tired well into the night did Reigin call a halt and they sat and took breath.
‘I must leave you now Rema,’ Reigin said at last. ‘I need to travel on a different road and make good time by the shortest path to AlGiron.’
‘I have read of your land,’ Rema replied, ‘it is a most wonderful place. I grieve that I wil
l never see it.’ And Reigin nodded sadly.
‘There is much to grieve about these days. But hear my words Rema Bowman,’ And with that he turned full at the archer and held his gaze most fiercely. ‘I knew your forebear, the one whom Sylvion loved, and whose name you bear and whose likeness you have. He was a great man and his skill saved Revelyn in its time of need. You may not have read it in your book but he gave his life for her, deliberately, and I have never seen a more brave act, and I remember it now as if it were yesterday.’ And Rema saw the tears upon the great man’s face and listened enthralled as he continued. ‘But he was gifted with a second chance and even then his love for the one he died for did not succeed, in part because of the Shadow Blade and other things which came to stand between them. If you survive this night, and if the land survives by some miracle which I cannot foresee, then do not let Rayven suffer as Sylvion did, and then you will be the man your forebear was.’
And Rema grasped Reigin’s hand and they shook firmly and knew a deep love for the other which had been born in adversity and triumph, but which in that moment was pure and true and gave them warmth despite the coming storm. And with a nod Reigin departed to the east and was immediately swallowed by the night. Rema sat and waited upon his horse for his pounding heart to calm and then thought upon what best to do.
I have no idea how fast Gryfnor will travel he mused, but a sorcerer in a panic might well travel far quicker than I might guess. It would be best to meet him on my terms than to chance upon him on the road.
And so Rema resolved to find a place where he had some shelter and a good view of the road for a league at least and then wait for Gryfnor to come to him. He spurred his horse which had rested long enough and began to canter gently looking for the place which would best suit his purposes. And as he did, the land shook as if to remind him of its travail and then lightning flashed and thunder followed immediately as if it was upon him. The clouds swept fast across the sky, dark and foreboding, and the rain fell heavily and brought the cold to make him shiver, and immediately Rema thought, surely this is some fell sorcery already at work to thwart me, and so clenching his jaw and refusing to be disheartened in what he was about, he rode on into the growing storm.