The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two
Page 38
Valnor then transformed into a golden eagle and flew upwards before turning into his Dragon form. As he unfolded his wings, he set flight north across the Northern Sea. To where, only time can tell.
Valkyre looked at the ground for a moment, then at Valerian, and said, “He may yet someday come around. As for now, I do not believe that these innocent mortals should face their judgement so soon, and NOT just the Kain and Ela.”
“Then it is settled,” confirmed Valerian as he turned to Kalorah. “If we are to grant your people the blessing of resurrection, then I have three conditions in which you will abide.”
Hesitant, Kalorah replied, “Go ahead…”
Valerian continued, “One… Drykans will be returned along with the Kain and Ela, hereby pardoned and allowed to return to their homeland. Two… neither of your races will declare war or retaliation upon the Drykans. And three… you will banish the Red Dragon to the Frozen Isles to the north, never to return to Kranos, upon punishment of death.”
“What about Calthrog?!” exclaimed Kalorah. “Is he not as equally guilty?!”
Valerian replied, “You will leave the Black Dragon to me. There is still good in Calthrog’s heart, and yet, he deserves to answer for his crimes. I shall attempt to learn as much about Alvane’s influence over him as I can first. Do we have an understanding?”
Kalorah had no choice but to accept the White Dragon’s terms, and said, “We do.”
Valerian first looked at Valkyre, and nodded. She nodded in return, then transformed into a beautiful medium-sized dragonhawk, and flew off towards the Razor Hills.
Valerian then looked back at Kalorah and said, “Understand this… some might be too far gone to return, their wounds too severe. Do not look at those who remain fallen with questions, nor seek understanding in the whys and hows. Once it is done, it is final.”
Valerian then closed his eyes for a moment.
“It is done,” he said as he opened his eyes before ending with, “remember this day, Angel.”
He then vanished right before her very eyes, and she was left alone with the dead. Nothing was happening. No one was twitching with reanimation. No life of any kind was returning to their previous hosts. Kalorah is helpless in knowing what is going to happen, or who the White Dragon chose to return, if he had any choice at all. She then closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath. She allowed the remaining tears in her docile eyes to escape through her tightened lids.
“My Lord, Eillea,” she then said quietly out loud, “please… return the fallen, for this is not their time. I would gladly go in their stead, if you would only allow me.” As she continues to pray, King Daane’s lifeless finger spasms. “This cannot be the wish of the gods… for their children to leave this mortal world you have so brilliantly created for them. I ask of you, as a Guardian and an Angel of your heavens, release them from your lines, and allow them to return to the waters of life.”
As she ends her prayer, she opens her eyes, yet fails to look around. She cannot bare to… see who is chosen, and who is not. She is not prepared to lose one, let alone many. As she stares straight into the distance, she cannot help but to see the motion of something white fly past her. She turns her head, only to see the White Mare landing towards the middle of the massacre. She is careful to not step on anyone. She has somehow cleaned herself, and is gleaming white, with not a speck of dirt or blood on her. She sees Kalorah, and looks at her with tears in her own blue eyes. They share a moment of grief with one another, before Cheyanne begins frantically searching for her master.
Suddenly, Kalorah hears someone gasp for air. As she turns, she sees Daane sit upright, struggling to take in his first breaths. She rushes over to him and helps him up on his knees.
“Wh… what happened?!”
Kalorah notices the many holes in his body start to close and heal rapidly.
“You died,” she answered, “but have been chosen to return by the one that saved us all.”
Daane, remembering the battle and nothing else, looked at Kalorah with hysterical eyes, “I… I died?! But I… we…”
He tried to find his next thought, or comprehend what she was telling him, both of which were unclear and hard to process.
She then continued with all seriousness, “My King, listen to me carefully… we lost. The shades completely overwhelmed our forces and killed everyone, almost including myself.” Daane tried to look around, but Kalorah grabbed his chin and forced him to listen to her, “But we were saved by the ones I thought would never intervene. Just before the risen King was about to take my last breath, the Jailers came. They saved us all, and now…”
She said no more as she looked around with promising eyes. One by one, the men and women of Kain and Ela started to return to life. As they took in their first breaths of air, their wounds began healing themselves, just as Daane’s did. Glammdreing, Sadja, Malthius, Ethan, Biix, and Nathian all sat up and struggled to command their lungs, but soon regained control as their hearts steadied their beats.
Alandra was next to open her eyes, and return to the world of the living, but she no longer felt the same. She felt as though she traveled a lifetime of darkness, lost in her own self torture. She still feels the blade in her chest and back as if they were only removed just seconds ago. She looks to her right and sees Ayden’s lifeless body… whose eyes were still open with his hand still reaching for hers.
“Ayden…” she whispers in agony and pain as she begins to crawl towards him. Once there, she grabs his cold hand with her shaking one, and begins to cry as she stutters, “Come back… please come back to me. I’m sorry… for everything… just come back to me!”
There is no reaction from his lifeless body, as all who have been revived so far watch on in sadness. She pulls his body to hers, and embraces it as she closes her eyes, and begins to rock back and forth.
Kalorah then said to Daane, finishing her previous thought, “I need you to prepare yourself that not all will return, and some may be lost forever.”
Daane looks over and sees Alandra weeping, with his brother in her arms, but before he could process the scene, Ayden finally opens his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you’re crying because of me,” said Ayden in a weak voice.
Shocked, Alandra looks into his eyes, and says, “For you? Not on your life.”
As Ayden smiles, even though his body is in excruciating pain, Alandra gently kisses him, and continues to embrace him, never letting go.
Tears of joy began to fill the King’s eyes as he looked around. He and the White Queen watched on as one by one, the heroes of Kranos began to awaken, fully healed. They were all returned to life, except a few. Krendweil and Luthar’s wounds were just too deep, and their souls already passed on to Aya. Countless other Kain and Ela also failed to be returned, and their souls also moved on to the next step in their eternal journey. There was also one other body that did not come back from the brink.
Through the masses of Kain and Ela, Daane saw a body still lying on the ground, lying in a puddle of his own blood. That body belonged to his only son… Dathian.
Daane then said, “Dathian?”
He quickly rushed over to his son’s lifeless body and gently picked him up in his arms.
“Son… it’s time to come back to me now.” There was no response from the teen’s pale white face. Daane then turned to Kalorah and yelled, “He’s not waking up… he’s NOT WAKING UP!” Panic started to overcome him as he said over and over, “It’s time to wake up my son… please wake up… wake up…”
Then, from behind him approached the White Queen. She knelt next to him and said, “Hand him to me.”
He hesitated as he stared into her moist blue eyes.
“Trust me.”
Daane then allowed her to take Dathian in her arms. The Angel held the young teen from behind as she placed one hand over the large laceration in his neck, and his other hand over his forehead. She then closed her eyes, and began to whisper a prayer to herself.
He is standing in the middle of a large and open field filled with red and white roses, void of any thorns. As the distant landscape begins to come into focus, he can see towering green mountains that rise high into the clouds, with countless thundering waterfalls cascading from their peaks.
Dathian can’t believe his eyes as he starts to walk through the field of roses, stretching both hands out to allow their soft petals to filter through his fingers. As he reaches the top of a small hill within the field, he gazes over a large and vast valley filled with trees and flowers of every kind, as well as countless rivers and lakes. Far away in the distance, he can see a pathway built entirely of gold bricks. It snakes its way for a few miles before reaching a large golden stairway, rising high into the clouds. The stairs lead to the golden city of Aya, which rests upon a floating mass of land. The sun gleams off the many golden spires that rise from the city. Glistening water falls encircle the floating land mass, crashing their waters into a great lake directly below the city.
Dathian then looks to his left, and sees a woman standing still, facing away from him. She has long black hair, and is wearing a long silky white dress, painted with pink flowers. Out of curiosity, Dathian begins to approach the woman. As he gets closer, she turns around, and reveals herself to be his mother, Alendria.
Dathian freezes in place as he looks upon his mother.
Alendria looks at her son with tears of joy, and quietly says, “My son.”
Dathian then rushes over and hugs her harder than he ever has ever before as his emotions overcome him.
He then says with tears streaming down his face, “I have missed you SO much!”
“I have missed you too, my son,” replies Alendria as she separates from his embrace, gentle wiping his tears away.
“What is this place?” asks the young prince.
“Why, this is heaven of course,” she says. “Well, this is the entrance to heaven, and the golden city of Aya, where the gods and the Angels live. I was sent here to speak with you before you ascend the Great Stair. “
“I don’t understand,” replies the prince.
“My son… you died… but you are not yet lost,” she continues. “The Jailors saved our people, and have graciously decided to heal their bodies, and save their souls from early departure. Kalorah now prays for your return as well. Listen… can you hear her voice?”
Dathian tries to take in everything his mother is saying to him, then concentrates, and as he does, he hears Kalorah’s distant voice in the wind.
“You have not yet finished your story, my son,” said Alendria, “you still have much to live for, and our people will need you before the end. You must let the White Queen bring you back, my son… you must.”
“But I don’t want to leave you mom… I love you…”
“I know, I love you too, and I promise that we will see each other again, but right now, I need you to return to your father. Go, my son…, let go of everything, and go…”
Dathian gives his mother one last hug, before he says, “I WILL see you again, I promise you mom… I promise!”
“Go in peace,” says Alendria as she disappears into a haze of rose petals.
Dathian quickly turns around and looks for his mother, but as he does, the beautiful world around him starts to disappear and turn back into the brilliant light that once blanketed his surroundings. Suddenly, there is darkness once more, then he opens his eyes, only to see his father staring back at him.
“MY SON!” said Daane, as he grabbed Dathian and embraced him tight.
The prince tried to speak, “Dad… I… I…,” but struggled to do so.
Kalorah then said, “Do not try and speak, my young prince, for your wounds are not completely healed.”
Dathian looked at Kalorah as they exchanged several words with their eyes.
“Come, you must rest while we survey the city. Daane, take your son and find him a bed to rest in while I speak with the Keepers. We will talk later.”
“Of course,” replied Daane, before adding with subtle tears, “and… thank you.”
Alandra, Ayden, Malthius, Sadja, Nathian, Nexia, and Glammdreing all walked up to the White Queen, and waited for her to speak. Kalorah noticed her Commanders Krendweil and Luthar remained on the ground, unable to return from their mortal wounds.
“My friends, welcome back,” said Kalorah, “we have a lot to discuss, but first, we must secure the surviving Drykans. Send word that all Drykans remaining in the city be captured, but not harmed, then bring them to the lower level. Glammdreing, take Alandra and Sadja, and find the Red Dragon, and lock him away in the dungeons, where he will await trial. The gods have allowed us to be returned this day, but we cannot hope for it to happen again. We MUST secure the remaining threat, and see that our lands remain safe from retaliation. Once they are dealt with, only then may we celebrate our narrow victory, and WHAT a celebration it will be!”
Back at the pinnacle of the Black City, Savannah begins to awake from her unconsciousness. Her body is covered in scrapes and bruises, and her head is pounding from her fall. She struggles to stand to her feet as she looks over the edge of the ruined city in search of Teeca, or the Shade Lord, but sees neither. Something does, however, catch her attention. Down in the green forest below, she sees what looks like an older woman riding a familiar horse. Savannah, bare foot and freezing, began to make her way down the countless stairs to meet the mystery woman. Once she is close enough to see them better, she immediately recognizes her horse Mikey, but not the woman on top.
Evelyn then dismounts Mikey, walks up to the exhausted socialite, and says, “So, you are the one who has stolen my only grandson’s heart?”
Not really knowing what to say, Savannah replied, “Who are you, and why do you ride my horse?”
Right then, Mikey approaches her, and affectionately presses his muzzle into her neck.
Moved by the horse’s reaction to his new master, Evelyn said, “I am Dathian’s grandmother.”
Surprised, Savannah said, “You? You are the ‘Mother?’
“Please, call me Evelyn,” she answered with a smile.
“What are you doing here?” asked Savannah, as she looked around, then asked, “In fact, where is here exactly? What happened?”
Evelyn replied, “I’m not sure that I am exactly the one to answer that for you, but I was brought here nonetheless by this one. His bond to you is stronger than I have seen in a long time. It was him that brought me to you.”
Savannah then hugged the horse’s neck, and said, “You stubborn fool… thank you.”
Evelyn continued, “Your location wasn’t the only thing he told me.” She then walked up to Savannah, and placed her hand on her stomach. “You are no longer the only one he looks out for.”
Savannah looks at her stomach, then at Evelyn, and said, “Me? I’m… I’m going to be a mom?!”
Noticing that she knew not what to say next, and that she needed comforting, Evelyn warmly embraced her new granddaughter. Savannah then released all of her bottled up emotions in the ‘Mother’s’ arms.
They stayed there for several moments, before Evelyn said, “Come now child, we have a long ride back to Riverton, we can talk the entire way if you would like.”
“I would like that…” said Savannah as she wiped her tears, “…grandmother.”
CHAPTER 18
THE AFTER
The morning after the Reclaiming, Kalorah told Glammdreing that she had to see to an urgent matter, and that she wou
ld return as soon as she could, and to not commence the trial of the Red Dragon until she returned. It has been five days, and the White Queen has not yet returned to Menethiel. The refugees that sought refuge within the Mines of Melentine have started to move back into the city. Most of the homes within the capital have been completely ransacked by the visiting Dragonkin. Most of the Kain’s belongings have either been ruined by their dwelling’s temporary guests, or have been destroyed in the battle. Though the war had been won, there was still a lot of work needed to completely restore the city to its previous splendor. The once beautiful gardens full of blooming flowers and green foliage have all but died. Numerous buildings were completely destroyed in the battle, and many were left homeless. Although so much death and destruction still lingered within the city walls, there was still a sense of happiness and hope amongst the capital’s inhabitants. Most of the Golden Army has already left the capital to return to their lands, but a few stayed to watch the trial of the Guardian. Among the few who stayed were Nexia, leader of the Sabertooths, and Biix, who stayed with Ethan. While they resided in the broken capital, the Ela worked alongside the Kain as they began to restore the city.
Dathian has been resting in his old room within the Royal Chambers, one of the few buildings untouched from the devastation. He still cannot speak well, for his wounds have not yet fully healed. Ethan and Biix took turns at his side at night, for during the day, they were needed in the rebuilding of the capital. They told the prince jokes, and caught him up on everything that was happening in the capital. Although Dathian couldn’t speak, and was still in a great deal of pain, he enjoyed his friends’ company. His father would visit him from time to time, but couldn’t handle seeing his only son suffer from the pain in his neck, and would only stay for a few minutes.
Everyone looked to the King to manage the restoration of the city. The burden of war laid light on his shoulders, but the burden of the aftermath was too much for him to deal with. When the final count was made, only four-hundred-thousand people survived the war, leaving nearly two-hundred-thousand dead. He has kept his stress and worry concealed during the many weeks leading up to the battle, but now that it was all over, all of those worries and emotions have overwhelmed his mind, leading him to drink heavily. He held his composure throughout the day as he dealt with the constant onslaught of city approvals and council requests. After that, he would visit his son for a brief moment, before then retreating to his royal quarters to drink away the day, mentally return to the battle over and over throughout the night. On the fifth night after the battle, Daane began to grow impatient for the trial of Bargokk. Knowing that the man who killed his wife, and countless others, was within reaching distance of his sword weighed heavy on his heart. After drinking many glasses of wine hidden within a secret cellar in the Throne Room, he decided that he would pay the imprisoned General a visit.