Sybil rose to her feet and joined Matthew at the window, watching the golden orb. “I’d like to think that they found a new home someplace out there.”
“As would I,” said Matthew. “As would I.”
Epilogue
For nearly two weeks the wulver pilgrims had followed the tracks of Malfacian’s retreating forces into regions unknown, in a desperate search for survival. Along the way they found water and some food, as well as caverns more suited to their survival than the ones they had left behind. Yet they continued on, in search of a promised land unspoken of in any of their records. It was only the leadership and charisma of Lukor and Kadra that kept the people from losing all hope. The path they followed lead steadily upward, eventually testing the endurance of all.
Both food and water were in short supply as the group prepared to make camp in the vast cavern. The walls here were dark, as had been the walls of the all of the caverns they had traversed these past two days. Only their oil lamps and torches provided the light by which they saw their way.
“We’ve not many torches remaining and no materials with which ta fashion more,” reported Lemnock to Lukor. “Even da oil for our lamps is in short supply.”
Lukor gazed upon the nearly seven-hundred followers who would soon be in darkness. A group of dark forms swooped down from the ceiling and flittered around one of the few lanterns in the encampment, before vanishing into the darkness once more. “More of the strange flying creatures,” he noted, “perhaps they’re an omen, an omen of death.”
“Absurd!” objected Kadra, looking up from her sewing. “There are no omens, not anymore. They’re just new creatures, foreign ta our realm.”
The inevitable debate was interrupted by a distant scream, emanating from up ahead. Lukor turned in the direction of the frantic cries.
“It sounds like one of yer scouts,” said Lemnock, drawing his bow. “He’s in trouble!”
They were quickly joined by Satar, who gazed out into the darkness from which had come the cries.
A few seconds later a distant light appeared ahead of them, the light of a lantern.
“He’s returning,” said Lukor, picking up a lantern and walking out to meet him. “It looks like he’s in a mighty big hurry.”
Kadra, Lemnock, and Satar quickly followed, and a moment later, they intercepted the scout, whose eyes were wide with terror.
The scout was shaking uncontrollably, and his words were barely decipherable. “I’ve seen a place!” he cried breathlessly. “Twas a cavern like none other!”
“Calm down!” ordered Lukor, placing his hands firmly on the terrified wulver’s arms. “What makes this cavern so special?”
“It glowed with such blue brilliance that I could scarcely gaze upon it!” he cried, tears pouring from his wide terrified eyes. “It had no ceiling, no walls! It was horrible!”
“How far?” asked Lukor, his voice stern and demanding.
“I just left there,” gasped the scout.
Lukor turned to Lemnock and Satar. They were amazed to discover the slightest of smiles upon their commander’s face. “Tell the others ta prepare ta break camp.”
“Sir?” asked Satar.
“The scout shall lead Kadra and I back ta this place,” announced Lukor. “If it is as he says, we shall all be going there.”
It was nearly twenty minutes before Kadra and Lukor beheld a great light reflecting around a turn in the passageway. Never had they seen such a thing, the way it made the crystalline minerals gleam. Surely it was magic. Lukor took Kadra’s hand, they walked into the light.
A moment later they stepped forth into a realm brighter than any they had ever witnessed. It was a long time before they could gaze without pain upon the strange new land. The brilliant orb that surely must have been the thing that their ancestors called the sun blazed low in the pale blue sky to their right, casting its warm radiance upon their faces. Before them stretched a wide meadow that ran from this hillside cave to the deep green trees of a mighty forest that dominated a wide scenic valley. Through the middle of the valley a great river followed a twisting course. There was no sign of habitation, no evidence that anyone had ever tread upon this land. The air carried strange sweet aromas unlike anything they had ever experienced and the sound of birds singing in the trees drifted up from the forest below.
To the left an even a stranger sight greeted them. A great spike of light was thrust into the sky. It split into two parts a great blue and white disk that sat upon the horizon, dominating that region of the sky along with two much smaller disks.”
“The moon?” asked Kadra. “I’ve read of it, but this wasn’t the way I pictured it.”
“No, I don’t think that is the moon,” said Lukor. “I don’t know what it is, but it is beautiful.”
Again Kadra scanned the peaceful landscape. “Oh Lukor, it’s like the world of our forefathers!” She reached down to pluck up a yellow flower. She gazed upon its intricacy, felt its texture, sampled its aroma. Only in the paintings upon the wall of the great hall had she ever seen such a thing. “By da oracle, it’s heaven!”
“I think our vegetables will thrive here in the bright light,” said Lukor. “We will need to explore this place in the coming days.” He turned to the scout who lingered at the mouth of the cavern. “You’ll return to the encampment and tell Lieutenant Lemnock ta lead the people here, we’ve found what I was looking for.”
“Yes captain,” replied the scout, scurrying back into the cavern.
“He’ll get use ta this world,” noted Lukor, placing his arm around his mate and kissing her on the cheek. “We all will, for it shall be our home. We have come full circle. Like our ancestors, we shall live in da sunlight.”
The Realm of the Drells Page 41