by MJ Schutte
It did not matter how much Brighton and Lilian argued, Adri simply insisted that she was going with. The group made a quick stop at Adri’s house to say goodbye to Ashley and Donic. The newly weds were sad to see their friends go, but understood why there was no other choice.
At the wall, the gate was left open permanently since the war was over, but a few soldiers were still stationed there, as a precaution.
As the group rode up to the wall, shouts of “Great Wizard” and “The Saviour” greeted them.
Brighton exchanged a few greetings and handshakes with the soldiers before they continued their journey. Kesh and Carlia joined the group and the long journey to the elf forest started.
A few days later, they rode into Fenton. Nicky insisted that the group come to her house first. As they got there, Nicky took Brighton and Lilian around the back. The wagon that Brac and Adri had bought so many years ago was standing next to the stables. It still had the desert wheels fitted.
‘Peter always said you might need this again someday,’ Nicky smiled.
‘I’m glad! I was wondering where we would get a wagon and supplies for the journey across the desert,’ Brighton replied.
Nicky motioned for them to follow her into the kitchen.
She lifted one of the floorboards. Nine leather bags were in the hole beneath the floor.
Brighton looked at Nicky and said, ‘What is this?’
‘Each bag contains five hundred gold coins. It is the profit from your partnership with Peter and Brac. Since they are both gone, it all belongs to you now.’
Brighton’s eyes went wide.
‘I never knew the partnership was doing that well!’ he exclaimed.
‘You and Brac always told him to do what he thought was best,’ Nicky laughed.
‘Brac’s share should go to Adri and you must take Peter’s share,’ Brighton decided.
‘Brighton, I couldn’t…’ Nicky gasped.
‘Yes, you can. You and Peter showed us great kindness in the past eight years. Now, even after Peter has gone, he has provided us a way to get across the desert. With the coins in one bag, we can easily buy enough provisions for the journey,’ Brighton replied.
Slowly Nicky nodded and whispered, ‘Thank you.’
Brighton took one bag of coins and said, ‘Keep the rest of our share here for us please.’
Adri came into the kitchen.
Lilian quickly shared the news with her, adding, ‘You’re a rich woman now.’
‘I have no use for the money. Nicky, please keep my share here too. Maybe one day, I will need it,’ Adri shrugged.
The wagon rolled out of Fenton.
‘We will need to get another wagon. One will not hold enough provisions to cross the desert,’ Brighton said.
He was on a horse, riding next to the wagon. Everyone else, except Kesh, was on the back of the wagon. The old elf insisted on driving the wagon. Clarissa was lying on a blanket, her arm draped over a sleeping Mischief.
‘Adri, can you remember where you bought this wagon?’ Brighton asked.
As Adri started talking, Brighton felt as though a knife was being pushed into his heart. He closed his eyes and turned his head away, trying to hide the pain from the others.
‘If the wagon merchant is still there, I think…’
Brighton opened his eyes to see why Adri had stopped talking. He was not on his horse anymore, he was floating in mid air.
‘Brighton of Clareton, you have committed crimes against the elf nation. It is time to answer for those crimes,’ a deep voice reached his ears.
Brighton looked around. There was nobody near him.
‘Who are you?’ he shouted.
‘We are the spirit guardians of Livia Farasnei,’ the voice answered.
Four elves appeared in front of Brighton.
‘What is going on here?’ he asked.
‘Honoured guardians, may I have a few moments to explain this to Brighton,’ a familiar voice came from behind.
Brighton spun around. Evangeline was walking towards him, although he did not understand how walking was possible with no ground under their feet.
‘Evangeline, what is happening to me?’ he asked.
‘You have been brought to the elf spirit world to answer for crimes against the elf nation. These spirits are Soltar, Lanos, Ameri and Lizia. They watch over the elf forest,’ Evangeline explained.
‘What crimes am I accused of?’ Brighton asked.
It was Lizia who answered, ‘Livia Farasnei is in danger because of your actions. The forest and the elf nation rely on each other for life. You have disrupted that bond.’
Brighton turned to face the elf spirits again.
‘How did I do that?’ he gasped.
‘By forcing the forest to accept you as its master the day Thomas died,’ Lizia replied.
‘But that was years ago! Why am I suddenly getting these pains in my chest if I have been master of the forest for so long?’ Brighton argued.
‘The forest has been calling you since you left eight years ago, but your magic has suppressed the call until now,’ Ameri replied.
‘We were hoping that your bond with the forest would dissolve by itself, but now it seems you are determined to return, making the bond stronger. We cannot allow that to happen,’ Lizia said.
‘If I don’t go to the forest, won’t I die?’ Brighton frowned.
‘Yes, you will. A single human life is not worth risking the forest and the elf nation. You are forbidden from entering Livia Farasnei,’ Lizia replied.
‘It seems a bit cruel, don’t you think?’ Brighton said sarcastically.
‘We do what we need to in order to protect the elves,’ Soltar said.
‘If you should enter the elf forest, the one closest to your heart will be taken as punishment,’ Lizia threatened.
Brighton took a step forward and softly said, ‘If you touch my wife or daughter, I will destroy you and your precious forest.’
‘Be careful with your threats, young man. Remember who you are talking to,’ Soltar sneered back.
Brighton shot Soltar a look that could split a rock.
‘It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,’ he growled.
‘Brighton, perhaps you should…’ Evangeline started but Brighton cut her off.
‘I don’t care who you are, if you touch my family I will come after you,’ he growled.
His head started spinning.
‘…I will recognise him. He was honest last time,’ Adri said.
Brighton looked around. He was back on the horse. It seemed that not a single moment had passed. Suddenly, it felt like someone was twisting the knife in his heart.
‘Don’t go…’ he tried, but slid off the horse, falling to the ground in a heap.
Two wagons rolled slowly over the sand. Lilian sat next to an unconscious Brighton.
‘Wake up, please,’ she said softly.
She looked up at Kesh, who was driving the wagon.
‘Can’t we go faster?’ she asked.
Kesh shook his head.
‘Lilian, I’m sure Brighton will wake up when we reach the elf forest, just like Kesh said,’ Adri tried to console her.
‘Kesh, can’t you and Carlia try to wake him again, like you did in Weston,’ Lilian pleaded.
‘They have tried numerous times. It’s not working,’ Adri said gently.
Carlia, from her perch on the other wagon’s driving seat, held up a single finger and said, ‘Almost.’
‘Yes, I know we’re only one day from the forest,’ Lilian sighed.
‘Less,’ Carlia replied.
‘Do you really believe Brighton will wake up when we get there?’ Lilian asked.
Kesh nodded and said, ‘Master, forest help.’
Lilian did not know whether he meant the forest will help Brighton or the other way around.
‘Why don’t you sleep for a while. Clarissa and I will watch him,’ Adri suggested.
‘And Mischief,’ Clari
ssa added.
The big panther had not left Brighton’s side since he had lost consciousness. Lilian nodded and settled down next to Brighton. She was exhausted and fell asleep quickly.
The wagons continued to creep closer to Livia Farasnei.
‘I don’t understand. We’re in the elf forest, why is Brighton not awake yet?’ Lilian asked.
Kesh pulled up his shoulders.
Carlia shook her head and said, ‘Only guessing.’
‘Do you mean you were guessing he would wake up when we got here?’ Lilian asked irritably.
Carlia nodded and said, ‘Deeper.’
‘Yes, I think we should go deeper into the forest. Maybe Brighton will wake up then,’ Adri agreed.
‘Palace,’ Kesh said.
Lilian got a pained look on her face. She did not ever want to go back to the place where Thomas died, but she could not think of anywhere else to go.
‘Fine, let’s go to the palace,’ she sighed.
The wagons started moving again. It took them nearly a full day to reach Jaclyn’s old palace. Lilian hated this place. Memories of the day Thomas died flooded back. Plants were starting to creep up on the walls; giving the impression that nobody lived here anymore.
Turning back to the wagon, she said, ‘Why is Brighton not awake yet?’
Carlia and Kesh shook their heads, concern on their faces.
‘Perhaps we should take him inside and make him comfortable,’ Adri suggested.
‘No, I’m not going in there. Let’s find a spot in the woods to camp,’ Lilian replied.
Mischief walked closer to the palace, growling menacingly.
‘Come Mischief,’ Adri called.
The cat ignored her, his tail flicking slowly from side to side.
‘There is something or someone in the palace,’ Lilian said.
She walked over to the big cat and put her hand on his head.
‘What do you see, boy?’ she asked.
A white energy link raced from the balcony where Thomas died. Lilian barely had time to block the link with her own.
Jaclyn walked into view. Nelath and six more elves flanked her. Lilian had to concentrate to keep the white energy link from entering her hand.
‘Where is Brighton?’ Jaclyn shouted.
‘He is not here,’ Lilian lied.
The white energy link moved closer to Lilian’s hand, pushing the black smoke back.
‘I do not want to kill you. Tell me where I can find your husband,’ Jaclyn demanded.
‘He will be here shortly,’ Lilian lied again.
Jaclyn retracted her gift.
‘Then I will wait for him. We have a score to settle,’ she replied.
Jaclyn looked at the two wagons. Kesh was desperately trying to block her view, but she spotted Brighton’s still form in the back.
‘You lied to me,’ she snarled at Lilian.
Her hand came up again, but this time the white link did not come for Lilian, it went straight for Clarissa, sitting next to her father. Lilian snapped her hand up, intercepting Jaclyn’s link with her own. A thin line of black smoke hung above Clarissa’s head, keeping the white energy link away.
‘You can not fight me. I am far more powerful than you,’ Jaclyn screamed.
Lilian’s instinct to protect her child connected with her talent. The black smoke, fuelled by motherly love, started driving Jaclyn’s white energy link back slowly. Jaclyn concentrated hard, but she could not keep the black link back.
‘Kill them,’ she grunted at Nelath.
As the elf brought a crossbow up, an arrow went through his chest.
Clarissa already had another arrow nocked. She took aim for a moment and let the arrow fly. Jaclyn’s head snapped back as the arrow entered through her left eye.
Six crossbows bolts raced towards Clarissa.
A white energy wall appeared just in front of the little girl, blocking the bolts. Brighton stood behind his daughter on the back of the wagon, hands held high. The elves reloaded their crossbows quickly and took aim.
‘If you shoot at us again, I will kill you!’ Brighton shouted.
The elves looked at each other, uncertain what to do.
‘Leave now and I will spare your lives,’ Brighton said.
The elves lowered their weapons and retreated into the palace.
‘Pappa, you’re awake!’ Clarissa shouted as she flung her arms around Brighton.
He hugged her quickly, then hopped off the wagon and rushed to Lilian.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked.
‘Yes, I’m fine. It’s good to see you on your feet again,’ Lilian replied as she slipped her arms around him.
‘We have to get out of here,’ Brighton said.
He walked back to the wagon and said to Kesh, ‘I have to get Lilian and Clarissa out of the forest immediately. We will take three horses. You, Adri and Carlia follow with the wagons. We will wait for you where the desert starts.’
Kesh shook his head.
‘Expel evil,’ he said.
‘Jaclyn is dead, the evil is gone,’ Brighton countered.
To Clarissa he said, ‘Quickly saddle up a horse.’
He turned to Lilian and started, ‘You…’
She was lying on the ground, motionless.
‘Lily!’ Brighton screamed as he rushed over.
He immediately used his sense. Although Lilian’s body was alive, it felt as if her spirit was gone. Brighton dropped down next to his wife.
‘Lily?’ he whispered, cradling her head in his lap.
He gathered energy from the forest and let it flow into her.
‘Lily?’ he said again.
Lilian remained motionless. Brighton looked up to the blue sky above.
‘I will destroy you!’ he screamed.
Thick lightning bolts shot from his body straight up.
This is your punishment Soltar’s voice came to him.
‘Soltar, I will find you and I will destroy you!’ Brighton screamed.
He felt Lilian’s energy fading.
‘NO!’ he screamed and let more energy flow into her.
You cannot keep her alive like this.
Brighton rushed over to the wagon and grabbed the walking stick. He planted it in the ground next to Lilian and put her hand around the oak. Small bolts of energy flowed from the ground through the cane into Lilian’s body.
‘Clarissa, make sure your mother keeps touching the cane,’ Brighton instructed.
Clarissa rushed over, wiping tears from her eyes.
‘Where are you going, Pappa?’ she sobbed.
‘I’m going to fetch Mamma,’ Brighton whispered.
He closed his eyes and concentrated hard, willing himself into the spirit world.
Chapter 17
‘SOLTAR, WHERE ARE you?’ Brighton shouted.
‘It is forbidden for you to be here,’ the elf spirit said.
‘Give Lilian back!’ Brighton screamed.
Soltar appeared a few paces in front of Brighton.
‘Leave now, or I will take your daughter too,’ he threatened.
A thick lightning bolt jumped from Brighton’s hand, hitting Soltar square in the chest. The spirit vanished.
Ameri appeared.
‘How dare you come to the elf spirit world and destroy one of our leaders?’ she screamed.
‘Give Lilian back or I will destroy all of you,’ Brighton growled.
‘You are meddling with things you do not understand. Go back to your world,’ Ameri answered.
A bolt of energy struck her in the chest and Ameri also disappeared. Brighton felt a presence behind him. He spun around to face the two remaining guardians of the forest.
‘I want my wife back,’ he growled at them.
‘If you kill us, you will never see her again,’ Lizia replied.
‘Perhaps we can come to an agreement,’ Lanos suggested.
‘I’m not interested in agreements, I want Lilian back, now!’ Brighton screamed.
‘Brighton, please listen to them,’ Evangeline said from behind.
Brighton did not respond, so Lanos started talking.
‘There is a great evil that is destroying Livia Farasnei. Find it and drive it away, then we will give Lilian back to you,’ he offered.
‘The last time I was here, you said I was the problem. Now the story is different. Why should I believe anything you say?’ Brighton screamed.
‘Your bond with the forest is of great concern to us, but perhaps you can use it to save the elf home. Drive the evil out and you will get your wife back,’ Lanos repeated the offer.
‘How can I accept that you will keep your word?’ Brighton asked.
‘I will make sure of it. As soon as the forest starts growing again, I will personally bring Lilian back to you,’ Evangeline said.
‘Do we have an agreement?’ Lizia asked.
Brighton thought about it for a moment, then said, ‘Agreed. If you go back on you word, I will come back here and finish what I started.’
Ameri and Soltar appeared next to Lizia and Lanos.
‘It was not very kind deceiving him like that,’ Soltar commented.
‘It was the only way,’ Evangeline answered.
‘Why didn’t we just ask him to save the forest?’ Lizia asked.
‘You know he can’t do it alone and he would never let Lilian put herself in this kind of danger. We had to separate them. I have watched him for a long time. He has already lost his son, he will stop at nothing to protect his wife and daughter and it will be his downfall,’ Evangeline answered.
‘Still, I think we could have tried to ask instead of making up these silly accusations against him and hurting him like this,’ Lizia replied.
‘Perhaps Brighton might have agreed, but I do not think so. He is driven by his emotions. Saving Lilian is his priority now. Their love for each other will drive them to find the answer,’ Evangeline answered.
‘He is certainly very arrogant, thinking he can come here and destroy us,’ Lanos said.
‘If you had power like he does, wouldn’t you be arrogant? Has a human ever been able to enter the spirit world on his own?’ Evangeline asked.
Lanos had to agree that Brighton’s abilities were impressive.