“I will. Thank you, Eld—Thyra.”
“Thank you, Evandrel. You have brought a human unharmed into the heart of Ha’Freyne when I did not think such a thing possible of you or almost anyone else I know. I hope that your actions may break a terrible cycle. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I am.”
“Then you have until the shadows reach you. Create your light, young child, and become a Light Bringer. You will know when to begin.”
“Wait, Thyra. What shadows?”
She gave him a forsaken smile and then walked away, her light globe bobbing along behind her.
The sun must have set while they talked, leaving him in absolute darkness without her light, the seething stone at his back breathing hate and pain into the night air. He took a step away from it.
Lights winked to life at the edge of the Grove, a perfect circle. The globes illuminated the faces of the witnesses to his trials. Evandrel glanced around, looking for Hasla. He found her to his right and gave her a brave smile. She smiled back, but he saw fear in that smile.
What shadows? Cast by their lights? No, this should be more dangerous than that.
The Eldest broke into song, interrupting his concerns. The others joined in, one by one, and then the trees closest to the ring of Light Bringers shivered, shaking their papery leaves. Song, melancholy and sweet rolled through the Grove. Evandrel had only heard the trees’ music from a distance, pretending to sleep as a child while staying up each night hoping they would sing. The song of the Grove filled him with hope, love, light, pushing the dark voice of Rho at his back away.
Blue light leaked toward him from the edge of the Grove as one by one the trees caught the song and let loose their light. This left Evandrel in the darkest part of the Grove, shaded in the black stone of Rho.
He watched in fascination as the Eldest held up a ceramic vase. She unstoppered it and dumped the contents to the ground at her feet and then stepped back behind the circle of light.
The dark mass that fell to the ground looked like molasses, but Evandrel let his mouth fall open as the dark liquid swirled and moved away from the light, breaking into pieces and shrieking like children in pain. The wailing cut to his heart and chilled his soul. Shadows?
The shadows broke and stretched until Evandrel could count half a dozen of the creatures. He watched as they swam around the Grove, battering themselves against the circle of light, looking for weaknesses.
Their screams reached beyond the limits of hearing, their wails stinging Evandrel’s ears and mind. Hate, pain, sorrow, and fear bubbled back up inside him as the stone called out to them. The stone of Rho sang in his veins. Part of him wanted to reach out to the shadows, touch them, let them in. It would be easy.
He pushed the thought away as a faint whisper reached him through the screams. “Hurry, Evandrel, hurry.” He looked up and caught Hasla’s eyes, her fear and urgency tangible in their depths. Right. To work. I waited too long.
He knelt down and reached a hand into the soil, chanting to himself, calling out to the roots of the Grove and the elements beneath him. Found it. Roots snaked through the soil and lifted a vein of soft white sand to the surface. Evandrel spoke words of power to refine it further, pushing the organic bits away. He wanted his light to be as bright as possible, no imperfections.
He could hear the shadows spinning through the Grove around him, wailing and shrieking. He tracked them with part of his mind. They no longer battered themselves against the light, but circled around him, tightening their approach bit by bit. They know I am here. Evandrel could taste their hunger. Bile rose to his throat, but he fought back the fear.
The sand looked good. He shoved a handful into his mouth. Evandrel could create a light globe outside his body, but it would take more time, will, and energy. He rolled the gritty sand into his saliva with his tongue, speaking words in his mind to continue refining it and linking it together.
The sand warmed and coalesced into a rough globe. Evandrel pulled up other elements from the soil, metals that would transfer energy and turn it into light, compounds that would absorb light, movement, heat, and background energy from the air and carry it to the metals. He shoved these into his mouth as well.
He knew he did not have time to wait for the globe to absorb the light it needed from the sun, moons, and stars. None to be found at the moment anyway. It needs an initial power source. He reached deep into the earth and pulled out the minerals he would need. The shadows moved closer.
He watched in his mind as the component parts came together and he gathered heat from his body and light from the globes in the circle to power his creation. I will make it.
He reached up to his mouth to remove the globe, but an image of swirling golden light flitted into his mind, Kaden’s Egg. The boy’s light reaches beyond the physical, bringing light to the mind and soul. I want that.
Evandrel glanced at the shadows. No time, but I have to do this. He reached out to his globe, showed it the images of Kaden’s Egg and taught it to do the same. Do this. Shine into the minds and hearts of those around you. Please. Do this. Do it! He felt his strength sap away as the globe complied. I have to stay conscious long enough to activate it.
A chill ran across his left arm as a shadow slipped past. It is not ready. Something tore at his right shoulder, burning like daggers of ice. Tears filled his eyes and fear leaked into him from the wound like venom. He did not have the will left to resist it. Another shadowy claw ripped into his back, searching for his spine. The pain ripped a scream from his lips and he heard Hasla again. “Now, Evandrel, now! By the Prophet, please!”
Another shadow ripped into his left thigh, shredding cloth and skin. The pain pulling his thoughts away from the globe. He knew that others had died in the trials. He just had not known then how grisly their deaths would have been. I will not be another. His brain felt slow, numb, and far away as the shadows wrapped around him, ice stabbing into his skin. He reached up, pulled the glass ball from his mouth, and willed it to life with everything he had left. I hope it is enough.
Golden swirls of light flooded the Grove with vibrant illumination. The globes at the edge of the circle appeared dull in comparison as his bobbed in the air before him. It burned through Evandrel’s body, pushing back the numbness, cold, and pain. The shadows unwound themselves from his body and fled, taking their infectious fear with them.
Their screams and wails rose higher in anguish as they crawled over one another to return to the vase the Eldest had left on the ground. The slowest one exploded into a screeching ball of fire before it could reach the safety of the ceramic, screaming and thrashing until Evandrel’s light reduced it to ash. Evandrel collapsed to the ground and closed his eyes, letting the comforting golden glow flow through him, visible even with his eyes closed like Kaden’s Egg had been. I am a Light Bringer.
Kaden ran his hand along the smooth silk that fluttered in the breeze. Might as well be iron bars. I can’t go anywhere. Joolis stood outside on a lace walkway that spiraled around the building and down to the forest floor far below. Kaden had pulled the silk back to glance around once and had nearly been speared for the trespass.
Hasla’s been gone too long. Is that good or bad? She left him with food and drink and then hurried off to the trials without much explanation of what might become of him or Evandrel. She mentioned that many didn’t survive the trials, but refused to go into details. Too sacred I guess.
Kaden sipped from a wooden flask. It tasted cool and sweet, like honeysuckle. Warmth crept through his veins and he found himself not caring as much about his fate. He nibbled at a handful of nuts, berries, and thin root vegetables that vaguely resembled carrots. Not like they’re going to poison me. There are much easier ways to kill me. He glanced out the window, a thinner patch in a silken wall. I can’t believe I’m worried about that big elf. He hates me.
Hasla slipped in without a sound and stood behind him. “What do you seek out the window, human?”
Kaden jumped
and tipped a plate of berries to the floor. They rolled and bounced on the smooth polished white floor. “You, I was keeping an eye out for you.”
“Ah. Not a very good eye then.”
Kaden turned, prepared to say something sarcastic, but her expression stopped him. Keitane were hard to read. Their faces didn’t bend the same way human faces would and they kept their emotions deep. Kaden saw something there though, not hidden. Could be surprise, awe, fear. I can’t tell. “Oh no! Tell me Evandrel’s alright.”
She cocked her head to the side much the same way Evandrel did when Kaden surprised him with a bit of logic or a new word. “You care for him?”
“I guess so.”
“As do I. Not something I expected to have in common with you. He is alive. He has passed the trials.” She shook her head. “He has done more than that. He has done something that has not been done for generations.”
Kaden opened his mouth to ask, but Hasla laid a delicate finger on his lips. “Shhh. I cannot say more. I am oathbound to the sacred secrets of my order. Now is your turn to meet with the Elders and see if you can do as well as Evandrel. Come.”
She led him down the lace walkway and then through the winding red highways the Sidra A’Keitane preferred to straight lines. The red ground cover gave way to polished gray stone. The trees grew taller and leaned in above them, whispering secrets on the wind as the pair passed below. Kaden shivered, but kept walking as the beautiful silken homes and ivory-like arches fell behind them. The forest felt more alive, denser. Kaden could feel the creaks of ancient trees as much as hear them.
“You are about to enter a sacred place, Kaden. You are very lucky to be allowed such a courtesy and live, though I do not pretend you may live long. Treat the Grove and all those you meet within with respect.”
Kaden nodded and swallowed. The effects of the honeysuckle wine had bolstered his courage, but now he wished he’d had more. A lot more. They came to an archway between two trees, the stone carvings stained with time, the images smoothed to unrecognizable bumps and grooves by more seasons than Kaden could count.
“Remember my words. Respect this place.”
Kaden nodded again. He didn’t have words.
The trees loomed above him like sentinels. He thought they watched him, judged him. As he and Hasla stepped through the archway together, Kaden felt an electrical power around him, raising the hairs on his arms and neck for a second before he passed through.
An elderly Keitane woman stepped out of the darkness to meet them. She waved a hand and sang a brief chord. Light flickered to life as she did so, bathing the clearing in blue light. Kaden looked for the orbs he’d seen many elves using, but found the forest itself glowed. “Wow.”
The elderly woman cackled loudly, but when she spoke her voice sounded crisp and young despite her wrinkles. “Wow indeed. That is a good word. I am Thyra so’a Amara, the Eldest. Welcome to the Grove, young human.” She turned and beckoned them to walk with her. She leaned on Kaden’s shoulder as she walked and smiled down at him. “Evandrel has been telling us much about you.”
“All good I hope.” Kaden kicked himself for the clichéd sarcastic answer as soon as it came out of his lips, but Thyra laughed again.
“Good for you, but not for our world I think.” She winked at him. “Means you get to live at least. That is usually good news.”
Kaden nodded. “Yes. I’m glad Evandrel convinced you of that at least.”
“His actions convinced us to listen and his words convinced us to action. He killed a shadow tonight. Did Hasla tell you?”
“No. She said she couldn’t. Wait, he killed a what?”
“Ah. Good for you, Hasla, but the child is a part of this now and, if what Evandrel says is true, he is a Light Bringer in his own right, the original Light Bringer.” The Eldest smiled down at Kaden again. “Evandrel killed a shadow, which has not been done in a very long time. The light Evandrel made was powerful, more powerful than any I have seen and I have seen many in my time.”
Thyra stopped walking and gestured to a dark patch of ground and a twisted black sculpture beyond it. A scorched electrical smell rose from the spot, overpowering the scents of fresh mint and rain that permeated the Grove. “There lies what remains of the shadow. I did not think they could be killed by mortals, just herded back into the darkness where they thrive.”
The woman stared at Kaden as though awaiting a response. Kaden stared back while Hasla shifted her weight back and forth from foot to foot as though nervous.
Kaden shrugged. “I’m glad Evan did better than anyone else, but I don’t really know anything about these shadows or Light Bringers.”
The Eldest smiled and patted his head, reminding Kaden of his grandmother. “And yet Evan, as you call him, tells us that you helped him do it.” She waved at the dark pile of ash once more.
“Me? What? How?”
The Eldest took a step back. Hasla did the same as the old woman spoke again. “It is time we answer some of those questions. Show me your Egg, Kaden.”
Kaden nodded. He’d expected them to want to see it. He opened the golden glow of his Egg and looked through the translucent wall to the two Keitane women.
Hasla took several more steps back. The Eldest held her ground as her smile deepened and her eyes twinkled in the golden light. Other Keitane, men and women, including Evandrel, stepped from the shadowy forest to stand in the warm glow.
The Eldest raised a staff Kaden hadn’t noticed her carrying and addressed them all. Her voice rang through the night and the trees picked up high harmonies that swirled away for miles. “It is true. Cathal the Prophet has returned to us.”
“What?” Kaden let the Egg close down. Many of the Keitane, including Hasla, actually shuddered as the light went out.
“You are Cathal, Prophet and Lord of all Ealdar. You have dominion over Sidra, Dwaro, humanity, and all the lesser races. Welcome home.”
“What are you talking about?” Kaden’s knees shook and he felt lost in a turbulent sea as great waves of confusion crashed around him. He only hoped to stay afloat and ride the waves long enough to find Aren. “I don’t know what Evan’s been telling you, but I’m no prophet or lord of anything. I don’t even have a puppy.”
Thyra turned to him. “The Sidra, all the tribes, have long awaited your return, Cathal. We have prepared and followed your instructions, bringing light into the world to offset the darkness. The Spirit of Ealdar warned us you would arrive broken, without memory. Thousands of generations have returned to dust since you saved us all, since we first followed you across the Crystal Bridge, young Cathal.”
Kaden staggered back. “I don’t think you know who I am. I didn’t save anyone.”
“I know exactly who you are, Kaden. You are a lost child who has come to us searching for yourself as much as you search for the girl you misplaced. You will go to the Ancients. They will awaken your memory and reunite you with your beloved Esha’na the Prophetess.”
“What? Do you mean Aren? What’s going on?”
Evandrel stepped forward and put a hand on Kaden’s shoulder. “Calm, my friend. I will explain much as we travel.” He then turned to the Eldest. “I ask to go with him as guardian and protector.”
The old woman nodded. “It is only fitting that the one who discovered Cathal should aid him as he becomes himself once more.”
Hasla stepped forward too and raised an uncertain eyebrow at Kaden. “I will also go with the hu…Prophet.”
Kaden could do nothing but stand there, mouth open as he shook his head over and over again.
The Eldest pointed her staff at Hasla and the young Keitane woman flinched. “You still doubt the boy, but volunteer to protect him?”
“Yes…and the one he travels with.”
The Eldest’s eyes softened. “Go and become a witness for those who share your disbelief, for there are many.” Several of those gathered Keitane nodded or glanced down.
Hasla bowed. “Thank you, Thyra.”
> The Eldest nodded approval and then turned to the crowd. “Dangerous times are upon us. The Tyninians have left their self-assumed exile. We will take the Cloak of the Prophet, as Evandrel has, and create our weapons. Rho is awakening, but we have defeated him before. We will defeat him again. We are Light Bringers!” The tip of her staff burst to light, emitting a bright blue glow, but a golden glow grew beneath this, swirling and dancing much like Kaden’s Egg. “We have the light of the Prophets to aid us!”
The trip back to the clearing felt shorter. Aren and Dveldor took just over a day to make the trek. She was certain he must have chosen some shortcut, but Dveldor denied it.
“The way back always feels shorter because now you know it.”
“I guess that’s true. The larger lantern helps too.”
“Yes. I thought you might like that.”
They stepped out into open air. Aren looked upward at the crystal clear sky full of stars and the swirling nebula. Night fell earlier than she expected. Being in the caverns for several days had completely thrown off her rhythms. Don’t forget the wormhole lag.
“Kaden!” A dark form huddled in the desk. She ran to him, but discovered that the night had deceived her. A backpack sat in the desk. “Did I leave this here?”
“No, it was over there when we left. Looks like your friend has returned.”
“Anyone could have moved the bag.”
“Yes, but they would have kept it and not left you a note.”
“What?” She picked up the backpack and looked it over. Nothing pinned to it.
“Here, on the desk.” Dveldor ran a hand over what remained of the plastic desktop. A note had been hastily scrawled in ink. He held up his lantern so Aren could see it.
“Aren. Couldn’t follow you. Had to go with Evandrel, a Keitane, like an elf. Will come back for you when I can. Stay safe. Kaden.” Aren’s voice shook as she read it.
The Crystal Bridge (The Lost Shards Book 1) Page 22