Children of the Sun and Moon (35 page)

Although
relaxing was easy, falling asleep was not. At least not for
Glavlin. He lay awake watching the group. So much rested on this
small bands shoulders. None of them realized how much peril their
land was going to be in once this quest was over. However, where
one quest would be over, another one would begin. The elf just
hoped those here were able to deal with what was still to come.

Koral was not
sleeping. She found she was not even able to relax. Her magic had
been pulling at her for the last few hours, begging to be released.
It was not another call from the Earth Mother, but something
different all together. The restlessness got the better of her, and
she moved outside of the shelter and into the sweltering sun. She
had only gone a few steps when she heard footsteps in the sand
behind her.

“Princess is
everything all right?” asked Glavlin.

When she did
not reply, another voice spoke her name. The magic was beginning to
overwhelm her. Slowly she turned and faced Glavlin and Gillock.

“There is
something wrong,” she tried to say, but her voice was barely a
whisper. Glavlin's sharp hearing caught what she had said and he
repeated it to the wizard. Gillock stared into her eyes and saw the
power building there. “What is wrong?” he asked, slowly moving
towards her.

“My magic is
demanding to be released,” came her voice, now booming for all to
hear. “It is this desert. It is not right.” Then, before the wizard
and elf, she began to glow. Unlike the times when she had become a
tree, she was enveloped in a soft glow. Gillock and Glavlin could
hear her chanting, but neither could make out the words. After what
felt like minutes, they both could feel the magic flowing around
them. It was strong enough that it had brought out the others, who
were now staring at Koral in awe. Suddenly, Koral pointed her arms
above, then at the ground, and all around them began to change. The
first thing they noticed was the heat was not as intense. Next, the
ground changed from sand, to grass. And as quickly as all this had
started, it was done. The entire group did not know what to think.
One moment they were in a desert, and now they were in a lush field
filled with wild flowers. From where they had come, there was a
river, and a road marked where they were heading. They had made
camp just to the side of it.

Grund had tears
in his eyes, staring at the river. “It be Evan's River. Drundle, it
not be dried and gone.”

Drundle's eyes
mirrored his own.

“The desert was
an illusion,” stated Koral, her voice weak.

Gillock turned
to her. “You are an elemental wizard. The illusion could fool your
eyes, but not your magic.”

“Where does
this road lead?” asked Darly.

“It should lead
us right to the passageway which will take us into the void,”
replied Gillock.

Eric walked to
stand by the dwarves. “I have never heard of Evan's River.”

Grund, now
composed, shook his head. “It be named after a dwarf king,” was all
he said, then he turned and walked away.

Drundle turned
to follow. “It be a story for 'nother time,” she said, putting her
hand on Eric’s arm. Eric nodded and Drundle moved off.

Koral moved
over to Glavlin. “You and Darly sensed something was not right as
well,” it was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes,” he
replied. “But clearly it was not as strong as it was for you.” He
then reached out and took hold of her hand. “Are you feeling
alright?”

She looked up
into his eyes, and saw again, what she had seen back in the dwarf
library. “I was a bit tired at first, but I appear to be
recovering,” she answered with a smile. A commotion from behind
broke the spell.

“Wez needs
moves. Nowes thats noz heats wez canses moves,” stated Nak and he
and the other goblins were already taking down the shelter and
Maeve had begun packing up things.

Everyone else
moved back to the shelter area and began to shake the sand out of
their belongings and pack. It was going to be much easier to travel
during the day, especially now it was no longer in a stifling
heat.

The road led to
another forest, which was just on the edge of the field. This one
not as thick as the one surrounding the compound. More light
penetrated through the treetops, giving the roadway an ethereal
look. The road was well maintained and the sound of birds could be
heard filtering through the forest. The entire group walked in awe
at was around them. Their minds still trying to accept all which
had happened that day.

“It is
amazing,” remarked Darly. “Like the road has been well travelled
all this time.”

“Magics mades
itz stays samez,” said Goulerick, and Gillock agreed.

“Yes, it's like
it has been trapped in time for the last few hundred years,”
commented Maeve.

Gillock nodded
in agreement. “We wizards all thought this area was destroyed when
the barriers were created. It's remarkable it survived.”

“Dwarf magic be
behind this me thinks,” stated Grund. “Evan's River always be said
to be magic for them who be needin' it.”

“I had heard
those tales as a child,” said Glavlin. “Of the great dwarf king who
sacrificed himself to help his people escape. It was said; he stood
atop the Unmoving Mountain and called upon his god to use him to
help his people. In reply, he was struck by a beam of light from
the heavens, which melted the snow upon which he stood and created
the river, flowing it down to where the village was, wiping away
those who were attacking.”

Grund and
Drundle looked at the elf, stunned. “Me not be knowin' that elf's
told our tales,” commented Drundle.

“It is not a
tale, but a fact which is documented in a book in the Wizard's
School. Witnessed by many,” stated Gillock.

“Yes, it was
indeed an amazing sight to see,” remarked Maeve, her voice sounding
distant.

A silence
followed Maeve's words. Everyone was always in awe when she spoke,
unsure if she was speaking truth or riddles. Darly broke the
silence. “I am going to scout ahead.

There are birds
in these woods so other creatures may have survived as well.” Then
she was off, disappearing into the forest beside them like a
wraith.

They spent the
rest of the day walking in silence, taking in their surroundings.
Darly did not return to the group until the sun began to set. She
had found nothing which would cause them harm in the surrounding
area and had found a good spot to spend the night just ahead of
where they were. After walking for another half hour, they came
upon a little alcove in the road, where they were to camp for the
night. For the first time since they had set out on this quest, all
felt they would get a good night’s rest. They had a fire, warm
supper, then set up their bed rolls for the night. Watches were
still set, the goblins taking turns as usual. Koral was surprised
the goblins always wanted to be the night watchers. Darly explained
that they goblins did not need as much sleep as the rest of them,
and it was probably their way of fitting in. Koral had to agree
that their night vision had been a blessing on many a night.

It was an
uneventful night for those sleeping, but not for the goblins. They
were worried about what waited for them at the end of the road.
When all was finished, would they be accepted in this new world, or
exiled like the rest of their people? Dilmek was the only one who
did not appear to be overly concerned. He felt Eric wouldn't let
them be sent away. Tallmeken and Mork wanted to agree with Dilmek,
but humans had deceived them before. They fell silent; all of their
fears laid out before them, and went back to taking turns watching
over the camp.

Eric, having
been awoken by their whispers, didn't know what to make of the
discussion. It was the first time on this trip the goblins had used
their language to communicate. It was clear they were scared, and
Eric hoped whatever it was which was bothering them was not
something the rest of the group needed to worry about. He also
hoped they would discuss it with him. He fell asleep, and again
dreamed of fights, dragons, and heroes.

Morning came,
the sun slowly creeping through the trees. The group was slow to
get up, having slept soundly. Everyone was refreshed, and feeling
more optimistic than they had felt in weeks. They had a quick
morning meal, all wanting to be on their way. By the end of this
day, the passageway would be before them. Excitement and
anxiousness filled them all.

Darly moved off
again to scout ahead, and this time Glavlin joined her. Each
disappeared on opposite sides of the road, making not a sound.
Koral considered asking them to teach her how to track and move
like the wind, but thought better of it. After they were finished
would be the time to learn new things. It was probable she was
going to need new skills to survive whatever was to come.

Steadily they
moved along the trail, but as the day went on, they appeared to
slow their pace. “Don't be afraid of what lies ahead,” came Maeve's
voice. She had moved herself to be behind the group. “This was the
day you have been preparing for. Don't let your doubts cloud your
mind. All will work out as it is intended to.”

As she finished
the elves reappeared, breaking the spell her voice had placed over
everyone. “There is a field ahead, and an odd rock formation
beyond,” stated Glavlin.

Gillock sighed,
“We have arrived then.” Then he raised his voice for all to hear
him. “When we arrive at the clearing we will be taking a rest. What
lies ahead will need all of our strength.”

They arrived at
the field moments later and settled down for a small meal and rest.
In the distance, you could see an immense rock formation. It
appeared as if giants have moved large boulders into place,
creating a wall.

“It be said
there be a quake that shook the mountainside and all these be
fallen here and create Death's Boundary,” remarked Grund.

“Yes, that is
what happened, but the quake was due to the fighting of the
wizards,” said Gillock. “When that particular fight was over, the
boulder’s had created a wall separating the south lands and the
central lands. Death's Boundary got its name due to the fact it had
very dangerous and narrow passageways through it, and some very
nasty creatures made their home in them. On the other side is a
vast desert.”

“Do these
creatures still exist?” asked Eric.

“Yes,” replied
Gillock. “But you need not worry. The road before us leads to a
portal, which will take us into the Void. We will not be venturing
far enough into the boundary to meet up with any problems.”

The group felt
a bit better knowing that no creatures were waiting, they had all
seen enough fighting, but they were still worried.

“Wez needz goz
nowes,” said Nak, after everyone had eaten. He then looked at
Gillock. “Rockses looks closes buts theyz hourses awayz.”

“Yes, Nak is
right. We have about three hours of travel until we reach the
boundary. We best be off.

Koral and Eric
stared off towards Death's Boundary. Their future was going to be
decided soon. By the end of the day, they would be in the Void, but
none knew how long it would be until the twins were to use their
magic. Both Eric and Koral hoped it would be soon.

The group set
off, determination in every step they took. All of them were
nervous and worried, but all also knew they needed to push those
thoughts aside. Nak worried he would not be able to get them
through the Void, the elves worried about the prophecy being
fulfilled and Gillock worried about what Malena might do when she
sensed them crossing. Maeve was worried, but it concerned herself.
Gillock had taken her aside and told her the key to her past would
be found in the Void. She had so many memories, but was never sure
what was true and what was dream. Maeve worried that when she
discovered something about herself it would not be good. She smiled
to herself. That was a road crossed when it was placed before her.
For now, she needed to help these new friends finish what they have
set out to do.

Slowly the
field moved behind them, the grass now hard dirt and rocks and
before they knew it, the passageway stood before them. The rocks
had formed an usual arch, and upon closer look you could see
writing on the stone.

“It is elvish,”
remarked Darly. “An older dialect, but I can still read it.”

Gillock moved
beside her. “We wizards created the Void, but it was the elves that
made it possible to travel into it.”

“The elves made
this so we could travel inside and give judgment on those banished
into it,” stated Glavlin.

“That was its
intention, sadly it was not used that way,” said Gillock. “The
wizards which practised the dark arts used it to torture and kill
those who got in their way.”

Nak moved
beside Gillock. “Iz bez readyz.”

Gillock nodded
and turned towards the group. “I need you all to move and stand
within the archway.” he commanded.

Quickly they
all moved under the arch, standing with shoulders touching. A few
moments later, Nak began to chant.

Immediately the
lettering on the arch began to glow. First, a light blue, then
piercing white. Energy began to build, and bolts of electricity
started to shoot all around them. No one moved, fearing what would
happen should they be struck. A sound occurred next, which sounded
like the earth itself was taking a deep breath. After a few
minutes, the energy dissipated and all was quiet. At first, the
group all thought nothing had happened, then they looked around.
The archway was still there, but the boundary no longer surrounded
them. Instead, they stood before a vast building. Looking behind
them, in the distance, they could make out the towers of a castle.
Elation quickly took over. They were in the Void.