Seal of the King (31 page)

"I think that may be our room for tonight,"
he said to Aurora.

“That would be nice
, I’m ready to stretch my legs.” She replied.

They arrived at the tree
and dismounted. Walking under the canopy they were not disappointed. Again they felt the warmth wash over their cold and aching bodies. A small pool of water on one side, and a mossy bed on the other was a welcome relief. They began setting up their camp for the night. Aurora was about to open the satchel with their remaining food in it.

“Wait!”
David said, startling her, “Don’t open it.”

Aurora said a little surprised “All right, I just thought we’d eat something.”

“I’m sorry I startled you, but just as I told Milo and Sheila, we can’t look inside the bag now. Just reach in, and break what you find in half.”

“I meant to ask you about that, why did you tel
l them to do that?”

“That’s a long story
, but the short version is that when the Son of God, Jesus, was in our world there were several occasions when he and his disciples were facing large crowds of followers. They didn’t have enough food for all of them to eat. So Jesus blessed the food, and told them to take the few loaves of bread and fish they had, and pass it amongst the crowd. He had each person breaking it in half and passing it to the next person. By doing that they fed thousands of people, and had more left over than when they started.” David said, “Of course, I can’t do what he did, but by not counting the food in the satchel, we are putting our faith in the Lord to provide for us. We are on a journey of faith. What the Lord has asked us to do we can’t do on our own. It’s only with him that we can succeed, so we have to put all of our trust in him.”

She reached into the satchel
and pulled out half a biscuit, and handed it to David then she pulled out half a piece of meat. Smiling she reached in and pulled out another half of each for herself then said, “I do trust in the Lord.”

“I know you do. I have a feeling our faith will be tested for beyond how man
y biscuits we have.”

“If
Milo is right, and we traveled a week yesterday, and we travel another week today, then we may find ourselves at Tartaros tomorrow.” Aurora said darkly.

“I was thinking the same thing.” David
said, “Thankfully we should get a good night’s rest tonight. I can’t begin to imagine what we’ll face once we get there.”

“I’ve heard it described as a valley of death
, and that is just from those who have passed near it. No one has ever returned who entered it.” Aurora said solemnly.

They sat quietly for a moment considering the implications of that statement “no one has ever returned”. Their journey that seemed so long
and daunting may be over sooner than they thought.

David finally spoke “I guess it wouldn’t be a good place for our honeymoon then?” Then he gave Aurora a small smile.

She leaned over, and put her arms around him, and he pulled her close to him. They sat there under the warmth of the big oak, surrounded by the night sky with only the sound of the small spring and the horse to keep them company. Could this be their last night together? Could all their hopes and dreams for a future end tomorrow?

“If tomorrow is the end of our journey
and we don’t get to go home, I just want you to know that I wouldn’t trade the short time we’ve had for a lifetime without you.”

Aurora pushed away from him
, and looked into his eyes “neither would I.” Then she kissed him. The feel of her soft warm lips on his sent a wave of anticipation through his entire body. Her lips gently held his as she pulled back slowly gazing at him with a longing look. Then looking a little shy she said, “I still hold out hope for us to have a future together.”

“Nothing
else would make me happier.” David said, and then they lied down on their mossy bed holding each other close.

“Tell me about somewhere we can go when all of this is over.”

“Once when I was hiking in the mountains, I found the most beautiful waterfall. The water is crystal clear coming from the melting snow above and runs down through the rocks. It falls at least 50 feet into a small pond surrounded by trees, and a grassy meadow. The water is nice and cool on a hot summer day, perfect for a refreshing swim. Then we could relax in the sunshine warming up while we have a picnic. There isn’t anyone around for miles, and in the morning the sunrise glows a brilliant orange red so we could camp there overnight.”

Aurora said in a contented voice
, “That does sound nice.”

“There’s a stream that carries the overflow water down the side of the mountain to a large lake. On the lake is an inn
, and at night after we eat we could dance.”

Sounding a little groggy now Aurora
said, “I can’t wait until we can dance together.” Then she squeezed him tightly.

“I think you would like it there
; the people are very friendly, the food is good, and we can sit by the large fireplace, and look out over the lake as the sun sets.”

Aurora didn’t say anything she had drifted off to sleep. David closed his eyes
, and imagined the two of them there without a care in the world, and then he too was asleep.

When they awoke the sky was grey and cold. It was an ominous reminder of what lay ahead. They ate a small meal and sat quietly next to each other. They both knew today was the day. Even though they felt apprehensive, waiting weeks to make this last leg of their journey would have been worse. They hadn’t had time to contemplate what they would face, but were resigned to the fact that whatever it was would come. They couldn’t change it, but soon enough it would be over one way or the other.

They gathered their things
and loaded the horse. David turned to Aurora, placing his hands gently on her arms. Then taking her hands in his he said, “I just want you to know that no matter what happens I love you with all my heart. In case I don’t get to tell you again, please don’t forget that.”

Aurora wrapped her arms around him
, and melted into his embrace “I love you too, and I’ve never been so happy.”

David looked at her
and smiled, “Are you ready then?”

“Yes I am.”

They mounted the horse and headed out. Once out from under the canopy of the tree the air was damp and cold, but they did not hesitate. They headed north along the road towards Tartaros. They rode through another war-torn forest, and found themselves entering a desolate plain. It was littered with small rocks and very little grass. The further on they went life seemed to have abandoned the area completely. After a couple of hours, they reached the top of a barren plateau and could see their destination.

They looked down into the valley of Tartaros. It was smaller than they expected
, and they saw in the center a rough-cut rock tower. This was not something forged by the hands of men. It looked as if it was forced up through the ground, like the head of a stone arrow. Jagged and uneven, its cold black color was anything but inviting. A swampy bog wrapped around it in a perfect circle, as if it grew out from the keep. The blackened landscape was darker at the center and became slightly lighter by degrees. It was spreading out like the rings of a tree until it met the desolate plateau above. The evil inside appeared to be poisoning the ground. It was devouring all life in its path and seeping ever farther outward from his lair, a stain spreading across the land. The road wound its way down the bowl of the valley to the bog, where a barely distinguishable land bridge provided a path to the center. At the edge of the bog, where the road pierced the ring, stood two enormous figures, its gatekeepers.

David turned to Aurora
, and said “I think we should go on foot from here. We’ll let the horse go free. Bringing him down there can only mean his death.” She nodded her agreement and dismounted. David followed her. They grabbed their packs and weapons, leaving the bedrolls and extra supplies. David removed the bit from the horse’s mouth, and turned him back in the direction they came from. Then he smacked him on the hindquarter, so he trotted off. They stood watching him go for a moment then turned to face their destination.

“It looks horrible, like death itself.” Aurora said.

“Or worse, when we get down there don’t do anything unless we’re attacked. We don’t know what to expect, so until we have some idea it’s probably best if we don’t invite any extra trouble.”

“Extra trouble;
how much worse could it be?” Aurora asked nervously.

“
I have no idea. Here,” he reached up, and took off the cross his father gave him, and placed it into Aurora’s hand. “Just in case we get separated, please give this to my mother if you see her and tell her to put it on.”

Aurora looked at him with
fear in her eyes, “what do you mean get separated? I’m not leaving your side.”

David
said, “Aurora we are bound together, and no matter what happens don’t forget that. But one thing I would guess about what is coming is that this will be a test of our faith and our wills, not a battle of swords and arrows. Together we are stronger than we are apart, so if it were me, I would separate us to try to find a way to weaken that bond.”

“It won’t work.” Aurora said firmly.

“No it won’t because you are in my heart, and whether you are next to me or 100 miles away nothing can change that, but make no mistake he’ll try.”

“You are in my heart too
, and no matter what happens I’ll never give up.”

David pulled her into one final embrace
, and whispered into her ear, “I love you.”

She whispered back
, “I love you too.”

Then holding hands they stepped onto the road together
, standing tall and confident ready to face what lay ahead. As soon as they crossed the unseen border the air felt thick, and warm like wading through water. It was oppressive, and weighed heavy on their hearts. Breathing it in left a foul taste in their mouths, like something spoiled or rotten.

***

Aurora found herself remembering horrible things. It was as if each step she took pulled another dreadful memory to the surface. She could see the faces of men she had killed, and worse yet, men who fought by her side who had died.

“Do you feel it?” She asked David softly
.

“Yes, are you all right?”

She didn’t answer. As clear as could be she saw a farmhouse. They had come upon it, finding the burned remains of the family that had lived there. The woman huddled in the corner of a room unable to escape the blaze. The man was lying on the ground in front of the building his arm reaching out for help that never arrived.

“Aurora
, are you all right?” David asked, the sound of his voice penetrating her thoughts.

“Yes, it’s just this place is horrible
.”

As they passed into another darker ring of earth
, she saw a family that had been brutalized. The man was beaten to death, bloodied, and his arms and legs broken, splayed out on the ground at odd angles. Inside his wife was on the bed, the look of torment still on her face at what they had done to her. She was covered in so much blood it was clear her death had taken a long time.

The closer they got the worse it became
. She remembered too many children dying in her arms, woman who had been tortured mercilessly, men who had been gutted like animals. Ten long years of the horrors of war flooding her memory, each one more terrible than the last, they were suffocating her.

***

David could feel the despair too, but he was lucky. His worst memories were those times of emptiness and loneliness, and of course when he thought he had lost his parents. As his memories flashed before him, he was able to find comfort knowing his father was home and safe. His mother was alive, and if there was any chance, he was going to save her. And he had Aurora by his side. It took all his concentration, but he was able to hold them at bay.

***

They were getting closer now
, and Aurora was struggling desperately to keep moving forward, then it came. Suddenly it was if she were standing in her childhood home, before her eyes she saw the men burst through the door of their house. She watched as they beat her father, broke his cheekbone, and blood splattered across the room. She watched as they killed her mother, as she lay on the floor choking to death on her own blood, her throat slit wide open. Then as her father screamed in anguish over her death, they drove the sword into his heart. She was inside the cabinet frozen with fear. Then she was kneeling next to their lifeless bodies, her hands covered in their blood. Sobbing uncontrollably at her loss, she tried desperately to stand, but her legs wouldn’t move.

The vividness of her vision caused her to
sway unsteadily. She felt as if she might vomit or collapse.

“Aurora
… Aurora, are you alright?” David asked. He held her by the upper arm, and giving her a slight shake stared into her eyes.

The sound of his voice seemed to pull her back
, enough to allow her eyes to work again. She could see him standing there, the look of concern on his face.

She struggled to speak
, “my parents.”

David having fought his visions
, realized what she must have seen, and somehow her pain helped to clear his mind. She needed him, and that lit a spark in him “Aurora it wasn’t real, look at me. Try to breathe.”

She looked at him struggling to clear her mind. She took deep breaths
, and started to see their surroundings. She was not at her home she was with him in this accursed place. That was not a comfort, but it allowed her to push the memory back. It was still gnawing at the edge of her thoughts, but it allowed her to regain herself enough to speak. “It … It was so real, I...”

“I know, I’m sorry, we need to keep moving can you go on?”

“I think so,” and they started forward again.

As they got closer to the bog, the damp musty air carried the smell of death. In spite of it, holding hands tightly, they moved ahead. The sentries were watching them apparently unconcerned by their presence. They reminded them of General Grog. Gigantic man like creatures with blackened skin stretched tightly over their skulls. Arms the size of David’s waist
, and shoulders nearing four feet wide, they were an imposing sight. Both of them had large battle-axes on long poles at the ready, and they each bore the scars of battle. When they reached them, the one asked in a growl, “What do you want?”

David mustering a confident voice
said, “We’re here to see Him.”

The
sentry grinned like an animal eyeing its prey, and said, “You must be the two He’s expecting.”

“I thought He
’d be expecting us.”

“Yes
.” The sentry said, grinning even wider.

“I see then, I suppose we shouldn’t delay.”

The sentry laughed a little, and said, “I wouldn’t be so anxious if I were you.”

The sentry turned
, and headed down the path towards the tower. David and Aurora followed him in silence. The other sentry walked behind them, thankfully not too close. The smell of the bog was foul enough, but these two brutes had their own putrid odor, combined with the bog it was almost unbearable.

Thankfully the visions had stopped
, and David and Aurora were able to think more clearly now. It was little consolation because it was obvious things were only going to get worse.

The stagnant water in the bog showed no signs of life
, but David was sure he saw shadows dart past here and there. He knew without a doubt that he did not want to end up in it. At the base of the tower was a cave-like opening, tall enough that the sentries could walk through upright. It was pitch black, and he was wondering how they were going to see once inside.

***

Aurora was watching David in front of her putting all of her focus on him, and trying to block out everything else around them. She had made her up mind she would see this through to the end. Although she thought if he wasn’t with her she might not be able to go on. It was one thing to be brave in battle, but this took a different kind of bravery. Walking slowly into the belly of this horrible place was terrifying. She wondered how David even managed to speak. She didn’t think she could utter a clear word right now. All the awful memories and visions she had seen had sapped her strength, and she was amazed her legs were propelling her forward at all.

Arriving at the entrance the sentry called out “Festus. They’re here.”

The four of them stood there waiting, the sentries were motionless unconcerned about what their ‘guests’ were doing. After a few minutes, there was a faint flicker of light dancing towards them. Then in a high pitched screeching voice they heard, “I’m coming. You better be right; otherwise He will be most displeased.”

Appearing in the entrance was a small man-like creature standing maybe four feet tall holding a torch. He was scrawny with razor sharp teeth
and nails. He too had the same burnt and blackened skin, pulled taut over his emaciated frame. His eyes were wide, and his ears came to a small point giving him a bat-like look. As he came out from the entrance, the two sentries instinctively took a step back. David thought it was odd that this creature would intimate these two giants, so there must be more to him than meets the eye.

Festus looked up at David
and asked, “Who are you?”

David said
, in a voice far more confident than he felt, “I’m David and this is Aurora, we’re here to see Him.”

Festus looked into his eyes for a long moment
and had a curious expression on his face. Then he walked over to Aurora, and looked into her eyes, and gave the smallest of grins. “Follow me.” Festus said.

The three of them walked into the entrance
, leaving the sentries behind. They could feel warm air floating up to meet them as they snaked their way through a passage heading down into the keep. Up ahead there was a low light marking the end of the passageway, and when they stepped out they found themselves in a small chamber. There were two hooded and cloaked figures standing waiting for them. A couple of torches on the wall lit the chamber enough for them to make out the rough rock walls. They could see that other than its inhabitants it was empty. There were two passageways leading out of the chamber one to the right and one to the left.