Ancient Prophecy (17 page)

“Him?” chided Jenneva. “Why a boy? I thought you liked girls.”

Alex smiled sheepishly. “Well...I guess I do, if they’re anything like you. Okay, we’ll shoot for a girl.”

“We’ll take what we get,” laughed Jenneva. “I left a book on the porch when I came in. Run and get it for me.”

“Jenneva, why don’t you rest?” Alex said. “I still think you have been spending too much time reading.”

“Don’t be silly, Alex,” replied Jenneva. “Reading doesn’t hurt anything. Stop treating me like I am frail and get me the book to read.”

Alex drifted off to get the book and Jenneva giggled to herself and started when she looked into the corner of the room and saw a figure sitting in the chair. Alex came back into the room and followed her shocked gaze.

“Egam!” shouted Alex. “How did you get in here? Where have you been?”

“Let me be among the first to congratulate both of you,” greeted Egam. “It is so good to see you both again. I hope you will forgive my intrusion, but I have little time.”

Alex started to talk and Egam held up his hand to silence any questions. “Evidently,” the Mage began, “coming through the Junction and discovering Alutar jogged my memory a bit. There is still much that is not clear to me, but in time I am sure it will all come back. Unfortunately, I fear that we are already out of time. We are in dire times, my friends. There is an ancient prophecy that has already started to unfold and we all have important parts to play. Your parts are to be played in Edona, which is the name of the Universe that Targa resides in.”

“We are forbidden to use the Junctions,” interrupted Jenneva. “King Solva says that to do so will enable Alutar to escape his imprisonment.”

“Alutar has already escaped,” sighed Egam. “Had I my memory, I might have been able to prolong his imprisonment, but now that he is out the prophecy has begun. Perhaps I should make you aware of the developments that occurred while you traveled. Dalgar and Aurora escaped the attack at Mordac’s castle and they had already digested portions of the Book of the Beginning, enough to enable them to enter Sarac’s Universe.”

“Then Sarac is free?” cried Jenneva.

“Yes,” declared Egam. “Sarac had already stumbled into another Universe named Sagina. Sagina is a land of fairies and ogres or at least it used to be. I’m not sure if there are any fairies left, but I’ll get to that later. Sarac must have learned about Mordac’s seizure of the Targa Throne because he sent his people to repeat the feat in Sordoa and Cordonia. One of his Inner Circle, Mitchel, was elected to the Presidency through trickery and murder. Our old friend, Aurora, managed to become Empress of Sordoa, again through trickery and murder. The Emperor of Lanoir also died and his many heirs squabble over the Throne.”

“What does all this have to do with Alutar?” Alex asked impatiently.

“It has to do with the prophecy,” stated Egam. “The prophecy begins when all the great nations of Edona are without their rightful rulers and the Demon escapes his imprisonment. At that time, the Demon will send forth a dark sorcerer of great power to destroy the Universes.”

“Sarac!” gasped Jenneva. “Is he the dark sorcerer?”

“I believe so,” Egam answered. “Darkness will reign over the lands and rich soil will turn to dust. Trees and plants will struggle to survive and the people will go hungry. Great nations will split and disintegrate and brother will kill brother. Distrust will be more common than air to breathe. The dead will rise and fight again for the Dark One, though he will be imprisoned.”

“Do you mean that Alutar will be imprisoned again?” asked Jenneva.

“That is my part to play,” responded Egam, “but the Dark One refers to the dark sorcerer. Sarac does not know it yet, but Aurora carries his child. When Sarac finds out, he will try to have the baby killed.”

“Why?” queried Alex.

“In a moment,” replied Egam. “The Dark One will reign from a prison until one of two things happen. The Dark One will become immortal, but can be killed by his descendant with the Sword of Heavens if, and only if, the King of Alcea has regained his Throne. If the Dark One can manage to kill all of his descendants or all of the heirs of Alcea, he will be released to rule forever.”

“I am really getting lost here, Egam,” Jenneva pleaded. “Can you explain this again?”

Egam nodded and tried to smile, but failed. “Alcea is an ancient kingdom that was located at the mouth of the Boulder River. It is the forerunner of Targa. The child of Oscar and Callie will be the heir to the Throne of Alcea or one of his descendants will be. Right now John Secor could serve in the position or Callie could after his death, but King Byron, while legally the King of Targa, does not fulfill the prophecy. Should Sarac kill both of them before Callie bears an heir, he will be free to rule with immortality. Your part of the prophecy is to ensure that the heir lives...at any cost.”

“What of Sarac’s child?” asked Alex.

“It would be best if he never knows of his heir,” declared Egam, “but if he does, the child must also be preserved.”

“I would think that this is too easy,” remarked Jenneva. “King Byron would quite willingly step down to fulfill the prophecy.”

“Don’t be misled, Jenneva,” Egam chided. “You are forgetting the Sword of Heavens. The sword is an ancient artifact that was fashioned thousands of years ago. It was fashioned by the gods, themselves, in celebration of the seven Universes, Helva, Estara, Aquina, Vasta, Edona, Natona, and Sagina. That is how the sword came to have its name. Each Universe is represented by a unique gemstone set in the hilt. In the beginning the Universe was Helva and its stone is an Amethyst. It was the Universe of gods and demons. Later, Estara was created as a home for the dragons and their stone is onyx.”

“Are the descriptions of these stones important, Egam,” asked Alex.

“Yes, Alex,” retorted Egam. “Please, time is short and I have so much to tell. The elf Universe, Aquina, was next. This is the Universe that we are in and its stone is an emerald. Then came the dwarf Universe called Vasta and represented by a ruby. Alutar later created goblins in this Universe. Your Universe was called Edona and a diamond was your symbol. The sixth Universe was Natona, Universe of the unicorns, to which Alutar added the Yaki. It is represented by an opal. Finally, Sagina, Universe of the fairies was created and Alutar spoiled it with ogres. The final stone in the sword is a sapphire.”

Egam got up and walked to the window. Jenneva did not recall ever seeing Egam look so old and weary. She sensed a feeling of despair within him.

“The reason I am telling you all of this is because by the time you recover the sword, the stones will be gone. The stones in the hilt represent the uniqueness of the Universes, but the Universes will be shattered and the stones flung to the far corners of the world. The prophecy cannot be fulfilled until the Sword of Heavens is made whole again. So you see, even if King Byron would be willing to step down and John Secor would be willing to assume the throne, nothing can be done until the Sword of Heavens is restored and wielded against the Dark One by his kin.”

Egam returned to the chair and slumped into it. “I tell you of the peoples who match the stones, because they may give a clue as to where to look. I don’t know for sure. I can tell you where to find the Sword of Heavens, but protecting the children is more important right now. Even if you had the Sword of Heavens intact, the stones would still disappear. In the Southern Mountains, in the headwaters of the Toulane River is a waterfall. Behind the waterfall is a cave called the Cave of Winds. It is in that cave that you will find the Sword of Heavens. There is much more there that you will find valuable, Jenneva.”

“Will you help us to find the stones, Egam?” asked Jenneva.

“If I am able, I will search for them,” the magician replied. “I cannot promise for my task is to imprison Alutar once again. I hope that my skills are up to the task.”

“What about imprisoning Sarac?” asked Alex.

“Jenneva will have to accomplish that, if she can,” Egam stated. “There is a scroll in the Cave of Winds that contains a binding spell that will hold him. There are so many chances for us to fail at fulfilling the prophecy to our liking that I fear all of us will suffer greatly before this is done. I have looked upon the two of you as my children and it grieves me to have to part but I must make haste, for Alutar seeks to escape even further and I cannot allow that. Alutar, himself, does not enter into the prophecy except to send forth the Dark One. The prophecy does not forbid him from joining in the destruction of those people and things we need to destroy the Dark One.”

“Can we stop the prophecy by destroying Sarac?” questioned Alex.

“Many things can alter the prophecy right now,” admitted Egam. “but we cannot avoid the foretelling completely. If you destroy Sarac before Alutar sends him forth then Alutar will send forth someone different. After Alutar sends Sarac forth, he cannot be killed without the Sword of Heavens. The important thing is to realize what we can accomplish and to do our best. Alutar must be contained and Sarac must be imprisoned. If we fail at these tasks then all hope is lost because the Children of the Prophecy will never have the chance to survive.”

Jenneva got out of bed and embraced Egam. “I am going to miss you, Master. You have been a father to me. You have my oath that nothing will stop me from fulfilling my part of the task, no matter how personal my loss.”

“I know that both of you will do your best,” sighed Egam. He reached into his pouch and produced two vials of amber liquid and handed them to Alex and Jenneva. “I hope our best is good enough. I fear that Alutar will finally win this time. It does not look good for us. Drink this, it will help.”

Alex and Jenneva looked at each other and drank the thick fluid, draining the vials. They turned around to return the vials to Egam, but he was gone.

Jenneva started to get dressed and Alex placed his vial on the table next to hers. “Where are you going?” Alex asked.

“To Targa,” she replied. “Get our belongings together and round up the rest of the party. It’s time to get to work.”

“But...your condition,” protested Alex.

“I am not going to melt, my husband,” she whispered. “I want our child to be born safely at home. I also want there to be a home for her to grow up in.”

Alex laughed. “So, you are going to will a girl, are you? Okay, I know when I’m beaten, but promise that you will take it easy.”

Alex left for the Tower of Peace to meet with King Solva. Along the way he gathered Prince Rigal and Prince Tergota and informed them that they were leaving for home. The two Princes took care of getting supplies ready for the trip while Alex entered King Solva’s chambers.

“Your Highness,” greeted Alex, “we are returning to our homes.”

“I know,” replied the elf King. “Egam was here and informed me of Alutar’s escape. I am sad to see you go, friend. I am sadder to know the times that we are in.”

“Egam was here?” questioned Alex. “Did the guards admit him?”

King Solva slowly shook his head. “No one saw him come and no one saw him leave. I guess I should not be surprised at the doings of the Mage, but still, it shivers me. Whatever Sorelderal can offer you for your journey, you shall have. May we meet again, Alexander Tork.”

Alex bowed low to the King of Sorelderal and exited the tower. He caught sight of Prince Rigal and the four unicorns and strode over to them.

Kaz, my friend, we could use your help, if you are willing.

You shall have more than you bargained for, my friend. Egam has been by and taught us some new spells. Well, they are new to me, but he said they were common spells for my people at one time. We are going with you to Edona.

You are going with us to Edona? What of your people? You are Shamta.

Your quest...our quest is of the gravest concern to my people as well as yours, Alex. That is why Egam taught us the spells. They will aid us on the journey. We now have the ability to hide our horns when necessary, but we also have an ability much more important.

Kaz snorted and a magnificent set of wings appeared on the unicorn. Alex stood transfixed in amazement at the beauty of Kaz and his large windswept wings.

If you don’t close your mouth, Alex, you will rid Sorelderal of all the flying insects.

Alex laughed and ran to get Jenneva. Alex, Jenneva and the two Princes mounted their unicorns and literally took off. Alex was tempted to grab Kaz’s mane when they lifted off the ground, but he steadied himself and peered at the quickly receding ground. Kaz led the group in an ascending spiral around the Tower of Peace while the elves below all shouted in enthusiasm and pointed. King Solva and Queen Alysa waved to them from the top of the tower as they passed and Kaz turned and headed northward.

Alex had been impressed at the view from the Tower of Peace, but Kaz now had them much higher so they could pass over the mountains and the view was breathtaking.

Kaz, how does it feel flying? I mean, are you really in control? I know you couldn’t have had much practice at this.

Kaz snorted his musical laughter and answered.
I don’t blame you for having a little concern, Alex. Grab my mane, it won’t bother me. Actually, though, it feels quite natural, like I was born to travel this way. The others are holding on, especially Prince Tergota. I don’t think he cared much for riding when we had our feet on the ground. I feel sorry for him, but this will cut our travel time tremendously.

Thanks, Kaz, but I think I should learn to balance without holding on. I may need to use weapons in both hands and I would rather learn to balance now rather than later. You will detect me off balance, though, won’t you?

You won’t fall, Alex. Not from my back.

Alex watched as the mountains rose up to meet them and disappeared behind them. Off in the distance the desert shimmered under the falling sun. Alex started looking for an uninhabited stretch to set down for the night. Kaz led the group to a lower altitude and glided along the edge of the desert, finally setting down on the northern fringe of the sandy wasteland. Alex figured they were somewhere south of Southland in the Edona Universe.