“You’re probably wondering why I live here?” Lyle said as he walked into the kitchen. There was a black pot simmering over the stove. Whatever was in there smelled wonderful.
“I was. Not everyone has a Wizard Gate in their basement.” Celes smiled and Lyle chuckled.
“No, they do not. Take a seat, please.” Lyle sat down at a tiny rectangular table and offered Celes the other chair. They were wooden and old but looked sturdy.
“This place has been in my family for a while. The going story is that a long time ago a wizard lived here. He built this home because he loved the area and constructed that Wizard Gate so that he could return here from his travels.”
“I see. Do you have a lot of visitors popping in?”
“No, it’s incredibly rare. It’s been years since I had anyone. Easy to tell too, that thing goes off like a firecracker. You can’t miss it.”
“Good to know. So, you can count the number of people you’ve seen come through here?”
“Absolutely. You’re the first that’s not a wizard.” Lyle gave her a curious look and stood, checking the bubbling pot. He seemed content and pulled out two bowls from a nearby drawer and carefully ladled steaming liquid into both. He gently placed them down on the table and laid down spoons and a rough but clean cloth serviette.
“Now’s the part when you tell your story.” Lyle carefully spooned some stew into his mouth. Celes looked at hers and decided it was too hot.
“It’s a long story, but I suppose I can describe it like this. A strange wizard is following my son around and sending him messages. All we have to go on is a name, so I’m following his trail to try to unearth his identity.”
“Oh, now that’s interesting.” Lyle had another spoon of food. Celes decided to try it. It wasn’t as hot as it looked, and the food was delicious. More spices than she expected.
“This is lovely. Quite an unexpected flavour.”
“Thank you. It’s a local dish, makes use of our produce. The blend of spices is not normally used, so visitors really get a kick out of it.” Lyle took another spoon.
“Where is here anyway?”
“Stonebridge. We’re in a tiny little town in the hills outside Valrytir.”
“Wow, I never heard of this place.”
“Not many have. The name comes from the stone bridge connecting this town to Valrytir. Some say it was the only way in back in the day. Who knows?” Lyle shrugged and had some more stew. Celes kept eating and looked down into the bowl. She had almost finished.
“Lyle, I have to thank you for the meal, and the hospitality. I don’t want to intrude on you any longer than necessary. But before I go, is there anything you could tell me?”
“About your mystery man?”
“Or the area. Is there anything special here?”
“Other than the gate? I don’t think so.” Lyle scratched his head and looked thoughtful.
“Now that you mention it, there is something.” Lyle leaned forward, a conspiratorial look on his face.
“It would have been around twenty years ago, a man passed through that gate. I don’t remember the name he gave, but it could be the one you are looking for.”
“That’s great. Can you describe him at all?”
“He was young. Tall with dark hair. Intense looking eyes. Seemed a little bit troubled, you know?”
“Sure. Did he do anything special while he was here?”
“He did ask about the place. Seemed like he knew something. He asked me to take him into the cellar.”
“Where the gate is?”
“Yeah, there’s a trapdoor there and another room underneath. To be honest, I was surprised that he knew about it.” Lyle paused and finished his stew, pushing the bowl away.
“What was down there?”
“Some old trunks, nothing of value that I could see. But then it was the strangest thing.”
“What’s that?”
“He asked me to hang back, so I retreated back to the room with the gate. I waited and waited. But he just up and vanished. I couldn’t see where he went. And he never came back.” Lyle sat back in his chair and looked at Celes.
“That’s an interesting story.” She wondered if this man was trustworthy. On the surface, he looked like he was, but at the same time, the whole story sounded sketchy. And a good way to get a woman trapped in a cellar.
Do I take the bait and investigate, or do I just leave?
Despite asking the question, Celes knew what she would do. It was the same impulse that led her to stepping into that Wizard Gate and landing in the desert. She stood quickly.
“Lyle, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see the space that you are talking about.”
“Really?” Lyle gave her a confused look. “There’s nothing there.”
“Something doesn’t add up. I know he was a wizard, but my gut is telling me he did something down there. He didn’t just vanish.”
“Well, if you insist, I can take you there. Certainly gone through myself many a time and found nothing.” Lyle stood up and walked around the table, making his way out of the room. Celes was sure he was telling the truth, but she had to investigate. She followed him back to the room with the Wizard Gate. He grabbed a lantern off the wall and ran it back to the kitchen to light it. He returned quickly, lighting the room.
“See over there?” Lyle pointed to the corner of the room. It was barely noticeable, but Celes did see a metal trapdoor.
“That’s quite subtle.” Celes walked over and investigated. It wasn’t locked. As it swung open, she could see a ladder leading down. She couldn’t see what was below.
“I’d appreciate it if you…” Celes turned and addressed Lyle but she was cut off. He roughly shoved her, and she stumbled into the hole. She managed to grab one of the ladder rungs with one hand and quickly steadied herself with the other hand. She reached up to climb and saw the trapdoor closing above her. She kept climbing and shoved the trapdoor as hard as she could.
You idiot, how could you let him do that.
Celes banged the trapdoor.
“Don’t be foolish, let me out this instant!” Celes kept banging. After a few moments, she paused and listened.
“I’m sorry. I had to promise him.”
“Who?”
“He called himself Darvin. Said I had to hold any who came through the gate. It was the only way to save myself.”
“He won’t know! Just let me out!”
“I’m sorry, I can’t take that chance. I really wish it didn’t have to be this way.” Celes heard something sliding into place. She banged against the trapdoor again and it still wouldn’t budge.
I can’t believe this just happened. Think, Celes, think.
Celes took a deep breath and climbed down the ladder. It was pitch-black, and she could see nothing.
He hid his intentions well, and I walked right into it. But I know he wasn’t lying about this room. I know for sure. Maybe, just maybe, Aydan found a way out of here that Lyle never did.
Celes didn’t have a choice. Or anything else to do. So, she stepped onto the ground and felt around for a wall. She found it easily, solid stone. With a little effort, she found she could reach the ceiling as well.
Time to start the search.
Celes felt her way along the wall, taking care to press the entire surface and feel for anything different. So far, nothing. Just more of the same stone. After a while, she kicked something solid and swore. Regaining her composure, she bent down and felt around. The object felt like a chest. It was definitely closed. She found the latch and opened the chest.
Please don’t regret this.
She stuck her hand into the chest slowly, feeling around. It seemed empty. She did find what seemed like a scrap of cloth in one corner.
Nothing. Keep going.
Celes stood and navigated her way around the chest, continuing her search. She came across two more chests in the same fashion. And again, after a careful probe each was empty. One had a scrap o
f paper, but she had no way of looking at it.
So far, you’ve verified Lyle’s story about the contents of this room. Now assuming the wizard could go invisible, he may have just given Lyle the slip. However, he had knowledge of this place. Maybe he knew of something that Lyle didn’t. A secret passage created by the original wizard. You have to keep looking.
Celes pressed on, following the rest of the walls. Eventually, she had traversed the whole room and found nothing. She sank down and sighed.
Nothing on the walls. Maybe this is a fool’s errand.
Celes suddenly had an idea.
The floor!
She started to crawl along, feeling around with her hands. The stone felt the same as the walls, albeit a bit more worn down. She kept exploring, keeping up the disciplined search. She couldn’t afford to miss anything. Systematically she scoured the room, working her way along the floor. Finally, she noticed something. It felt like a depression in the floor. Small and circular. She tried pressing it with her hand, but nothing happened. As much as she felt around it there didn’t seem to be any switches or toggles. But it did remind her of something.
The wizard medallion.
It was a long shot, but she had nothing to lose. Celes grabbed the medallion from her clothing and pressed it into the floor. She heard a strange hum and a click, then something moved. Celes scrambled back, trying to see what was happening. A rumbling sound continued, then eased off. Surveying the room, Celes couldn’t see anything different. She carefully approached the area and probed with her hands. Something was there. A set of stairs going down. She carefully negotiated her way down backwards, letting her feet find the next step while she clung to the stairs. It was quite a way down. Once she reached the room her feet stepped onto a metal plate of some kind. It made a clunking sound then the stairs started to move. Celes jerked back and found a wall to lean on.
I did it! And now the way is closed. I’m safe, for now. If you can call alone in a pitch-black tunnel safe.
Celes laughed softly and started to make her way.
36
Revelation
The chest burst open with light, disorientating Alrion. When he regained his senses, he was in a library. Sitting at a desk, scribbling away, was Granthion.
This is just like that dream I had.
Alrion walked up to his grandfather.
“Hello,” he said hesitantly. Granthion motioned for Alrion to sit but didn’t look over. Alrion pulled up a wooden chair and sat, leaning on the heavy table. After a few moments, Granthion looked up.
“Ah, you’re back. Good to see you.”
“I suppose I passed that? I’m worthy of the knowledge?”
“I’m not here to judge you.” Granthion leaned back and chuckled. “You see I…” he began to speak again but Alrion cut him off.
“Yes, I know. You’re a part of my mind, generated as a representation to help personalise this information I have inside me.”
“Good, you’re a quick study. Well, maybe not quick, more that you seem to retain knowledge well.”
“I can see why my father found you difficult.”
“Oh yes. He found it testing, and well it wasn’t easy for me too. But he’ll never truly understand that. Just think…” Granthion trailed off. He seemed to be waiting for a prompt.
“Just think?”
“I was going to say something, but I can’t tell you yet. Not my fault.” Granthion looked at Alrion disapprovingly. Alrion sighed.
“Of course. Can I at least see the spell now?” Granthion tapped the spellbook and it slid across the table. Alrion stopped it with his hand and started reading.
“Curing the Blight,” he read out loud. This time the rest of the text was readable. With his heart pounding, he read on.
That’s hardly a revelation. More basic information.
Alrion looked up. Granthion was sitting patiently, waiting.
“This is pretty basic so far. Why was this information held back?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe you weren’t ready for even that? Maybe there are subtle hints within the background information that are too crucial to expose?” Granthion shrugged. Alrion turned back to the tome. He kept reading.
Here we go. Some juicy details.
He read about the location. It was described in detail, although he couldn’t make sense of the directions. But the directions did start with Valrytir.
“Good, it is near Valrytir.” Alrion looked over but Granthion didn’t respond in any way. He turned back to reading. There was a section about how the Soul Power needed to flow through to the Source of the Blight. That made sense. More details that weren’t particularly exciting. He knew there was something more to this, separate to all these incidental details. Suddenly, he spotted it. Alrion reeled back, almost falling from his chair.
“No. No, this can’t be. Why would you do this?” Alrion stood, pointing at Granthion. The wizard looked saddened.
“I’m sorry, I don’t make the rules.”
“That’s not fair. Why should it be like that?”
“There is a balance to all things. Do you believe the power of the Light is all-consuming and all-powerful?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not. Your will and purpose propel it forward. But it does not make you untouchable.”
“I’m not asking to be untouchable.”
“It sure sounds like you are. You want to withdraw the power of the Blight from the world, stuff it back where it came from, and suffer no consequences?”
“Yes. Isn’t this journey sacrifice enough?”
“No, far from it. The journey you are on is a privilege. The opportunity you have is a privilege. The cost is fair.”
“My life? That’s not fair. Not after everything.” Alrion sunk back down into the chair. Now he understood why he had been kept in the dark. He understood why he had been shown that vision of Granthion touching the wall of darkness. It wasn’t about his family history, it was a preview of what Alrion would be dealing with. A sign of the true nature of his quest, and what it would require. Alrion slammed his fist down on the table, the spellbook closing in response.
“That’s a normal response, I suppose,” Granthion said. He looked sympathetic, but also slightly detached.
“Is this what you were like?”
“I can only assume so since my knowledge and memories have been contributed to the Pool.”
“Don’t you care?”
“Very much so. In fact, you could say I cared too much. Why else would I sacrifice myself to save my son with an incomplete spell?”
“You knew it would kill you?”
“Of course. Even though it wasn’t the proper spell, more a cheat, the principles were the same. The reversal of so much Blight, it has to go somewhere. Better death than the alternative. You’ve seen it.” Granthion gave Alrion a serious look and he felt chills. He remembered the process happening within him, he could vividly recall what it had done to Branthor and Alyx.
“So, I’m to just push forward and give myself up?”
“No, don’t give yourself up. Give of yourself. It’s a winning trade. One life for thousands. You’ll do more good than anyone who ever lived. You’ll set things right.”
“But I’m so young. Why me?”
“You were looking for a purpose, were you not? Unsatisfied with your life. And here you are, with the most important and fulfilling purpose of us all. Is that not enough?”
“I just need time. And you’re far too logical and reasonable. That’s not fair either.”
“True. But I’m also not real. I’m just an image in your mind, taking the form and manner of a great wizard and drawing upon the knowledge of those smarter and wiser than us all.” Granthion grinned and Alrion shook his head. It was too much, and while a small part of him thought it made sense, but he couldn’t let himself go.
“I can’t deal with this now. I just need to move forward and see what my options are.”
“Charging ahead
and hoping for a different outcome? That’s definitely going to work.” Granthion stood and turned, examining the bookshelf that was behind him. Alrion stood and wandered over, curious.
“Is there anything useful over here?”
“Oh no, nothing. I was just waiting around for you to leave.”
“Great. You’ve been a great help.” Alrion turned to go, but a hand held him back. Granthion stared into his eyes.
“Don’t forget, you’re not alone in this.” The intensity in Granthion’s stare was unnerving and Alrion pulled away. He took a few steps away from the scene before he stumbled into another pool of light.
Alrion opened his eyes, seeing the dark chamber slowly rise around him. He was still floating on the water, but no voices could be heard, just silence. He started to speak, but it felt wrong disturbing the stillness. With some effort, Alrion swam over to the edge and dragged himself out. His limbs felt loose and useless. With great difficulty, he managed to dry off and dress himself. He all but stumbled out of the chamber. Caleb rushed over, concern all over his face.
“You were gone a long time. You should not have risen without help. Your limbs will be sluggish and limp. You could have drowned!”
“Nope, a different fate awaits me.” Alrion let the scholar help support him. They walked slowly back, with no further words exchanged, to the room where Falric was working. The master wizard noticed them come in but didn’t look up, he kept working. Only once Alrion was seated did Falric address him.
“You look like a man who has seen a ghost.”
“I have, in a fashion.”
“Did you get the answers you were looking for?”
“Yes, but not what I was looking for,” Alrion said bitterly. Lara rushed in.
“What did I miss?”
“I have learned the location of the source of the Blight, and also what must be done.”
“That’s great. Isn’t it?” Lara said, trailing off. She looked between Alrion and Falric.
“There is a price involved. My life.” Alrion directed his attention at Lara. She gasped and looked concerned. She pulled over a chair and sat near him.
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