Seal of the King (50 page)

She smiled
, and said, “Hi” then looking around a little she asked, “How did I end up here? I don’t remember coming to bed.”

“You fell asleep on the couch
, and I carried you over.”

She put her head on his chest
, and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. I guess we wore each other out.” David said
, “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a rock
. And you?”

“Me too. How about I order us some coffee
and breakfast?”

David sat up
, and looked at Aurora more seriously, and said, “While I was lying here waking up, I got a feeling that we need to go on our hike today; that somehow it’s necessary, and we should head out early. I hope you don’t mind.”

Aurora looked at him
, and said affectionately “You know I’ll always follow you anywhere. I trust you without question, and if you think we need to go then I’ll be at your side.”

David smiled
, and then kissed her. He felt such affection for her it brought a lump to his throat. When he sat up again, she said with a mock admonition “don’t start anything you aren’t prepared to finish.”

He laughed
, and said, “I’ll make it up to you when we get back.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” She said teasingly
.

David got up
, and strode over to the phone, and called down to room service. He ordered their breakfast and some sandwiches for later, as well as bottles of water. Then he encouraged Aurora to shower, and get dressed while he waited for the meal to arrive. He put on his clothes from the night before and walked to the window. Staring out at the landscape he tried to retrieve the feeling that had come to him. He didn’t think there was any danger, but he did feel a sense of urgency that the sooner they left the better.

When room service arrived, he told the young lady they were going out for the day
, and asked if she could please arrange for housekeeping.

Aurora came out of the bathroom dressed
, and ready to go. She had pulled her hair back into a braid, and wore some of the hiking pants they bought, a button down top with t-shirt underneath, and hiking boots. Yet she moved as gracefully as ever.

“Breakfast is here
. Are you hungry?”

“Yes
, and I’d especially like some coffee.”

They sat at the table
and ate. David told her about the hike ahead of them, and some of the things they would see along the way. He wasn’t nervous, but he was a little anxious, and as soon as he finished eating he got up to go get himself dressed.

He took a quick shower
, and just as she had, he put on hiking clothes and boots with a layered top. Back in the room he found her relaxing by the window, and walked over to retrieve the sandwiches, and water bottles. “See anything interesting out there?”

“Nothing in particular although it
’s beautiful; I do get to bring my bow right?” She said firmly.

“Absolutely” then he knelt in front of her
, and said, “I don’t think we’re in any danger. I don’t exactly know what to think, but I don’t want you to worry.”

“I’m not worried” She said with a smile “I’ll be with you
, but just like you, I always like to be prepared.”

David leaned in
, and kissed her, and said, “and I love that about you.” Then he stood, and offered her his hand.

They walked over to their camping packs
, and David put a few bottles of water in each pack, and the sandwiches in his. For their size, they were exceptionally lightweight, which was one of the reasons David had chosen them. They headed out the door without looking back.

Once downstairs, David
went to the lobby to see the desk clerk “Good morning. We’re in room 501. Can you please leave Tom a message for me?”

The young lady behind the desk
said, “Hold on. He’s in the office. I’ll ask him to come out.” Then she went through the door behind her, and a minute later Tom appeared.

“Good morning I didn’t expect to see you so early today.” Tom said in a jovial tone
.

“Good Morning, Tom. We’re going hiking up past Bucks Gorge. I remembered I forgot to call my father when we got here. Would you do a big favor
for me, and call him?”

Tom let out a
hearty laugh. “Are you kidding me? He called the night you arrived to check on you.”

David smiled “I should have known. We should be back for dinner
, but just in case we don’t make it, we’re prepared so don’t go calling out the search and rescue.”

“All right
, but I probably should call your dad; otherwise he might. Have a safe trip, and be sure to let me know when you get back.”

“We will” David said as he
and Aurora headed out the door.

They stepped out into the
brisk morning air. They had their traveling coats in their packs, knowing once on the other side of the lodge the sun would warm them. They walked the length of the building, and at the far end took the path that led around back. As large as the Lodge felt on the inside, it felt even bigger, walking around the outside of it. Soon enough, they were behind the building heading north up a well-worn trail into the mountains.

The lodge sat on a relatively flat spot on the side of the mountain
, and the grassy area behind it slowly rose for a couple of hundred yards until it began a steeper incline to meet the tree line. David explained that there were two trails, one that wound slowly back and forth, and another that was more direct, but harder climbing. Aurora knew he wanted to take the direct route, and told him she was up for it. They made their way across the meadow at a brisk pace. Even though he knew they weren’t in danger, he didn’t like being exposed.

Once they entered the tree line
, he felt more relaxed and paced himself. Aurora was no stranger to hiking, and keeping up wasn’t any trouble for her. They began talking about the wildlife they saw, other places they’d been, the lodge, even about TV, and how it worked, and in no time they were enjoying a relaxing hike through the woods.

The weather was c
hilly but felt good due to the exertion of the climb. The sun filtered down through the tree canopy from time to time warming their bare skin. A couple of hours into their hike, David left the trail heading up a steep rock formation. Once on top, they entered another clearing that was pristine from the lack of any other visitors.

“We’re getting
close now. We should be there before noon. We can stop to eat if you’re hungry or we can wait until we get to the falls.”

“I’m fine
, let’s keep going.”

David led her across the meadow
and back into the woods on the other side. They climbed up another couple of miles until they came to a small gorge. The gorge looked as if a giant axe had split the ground in a giant V. They walked through the center where the ground was littered with loose rocks, and when they emerged on the other side there was a dense pocket of trees and brush. Looking up, it was clear the mountain continued, but the forest ahead was so thick it was impossible to see the grade that lay beyond.

David entered the thicket through an opening that was so obscured that Aurora thought it was no surprise no one else had been here. This was no easy place to find. “How
did you find this place the first time?”

“Oh I don’t kno
w. Just by accident I suppose.”

“It
’s so secluded that it’s no wonder no one else seems to know about it.”

Once clear of the heavy brush they made their way around an outcropping
, and there before them was a small pond cupped into the side of the mountain. Grass lined the bank where they were standing. Tall trees whose canopies reached almost completely across the water surrounded the area. On the opposite side was a small stream funneling off the excess water, and carrying it down the mountainside. On the other side of the stream was the waterfall, meandering back and forth as it made its way into the pond. It had to be at least 50 feet tall, and the last 10 feet or so dropped straight down creating a curtain of water.

Small rainbows, fed by the sunlight streaming in through the opening above, illuminated the churning water at the bottom of the fall
. The sun also created a trail through the middle of the pond that shimmered with the movement of the water splitting it in two. The banks on either side leading back to the falls were barely passable, as the earth, and rock went almost straight up. The moss and small plants that thrived in the bowl would have made climbing down nearly impossible, but at the same time gave the scene a warm earthy feel that was peaceful and comforting.

They stood for a few moments in silence until David asked
, “What do you think?”

“I think it’s incredible. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.”

“I was hoping you’d enjoy it. There’s something about being here that has always made me feel renewed.” He said, “I came here a lot after my parent’s accident, when I thought I’d lost them both.”

“I feel it too. There’s something more here than just beautiful scenery.”

“Why don’t we sit down, have our lunch, and relax a bit?”

"I'd like that
."

They took off their packs
and were getting the supplies out when David stood, and turned. There standing behind them was a man. He was a tall and powerful looking man, yet at the same time he was handsome, and wore a kindly expression. David placed a hand on Aurora, who had instinctively reached for her bow telling her to wait. The man was standing in a patch of sunlight shining down on him, and it gave him an ethereal look. He wore simple robes, and clearly did not just climb the mountain to get here.

“Hello
, I hope I didn’t frighten you.”

David
said, “No, I just didn’t hear you approach, and wasn’t expecting to see anyone here.”

“Weren’t you
,” the man asked, “Isn’t that why you’ve come?”

“I knew I needed to come
, but I wasn’t sure why” David said. Then he asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m Asis
, and I have come to meet you, David and Aurora.”

David felt Aurora stir next to him at the mention of their names “
I see. What can we do for you?”

Asis looked at them appraisingly
, then after a moment’s pause said patiently “You have found favor with the Lord, and he has chosen you to lead the battles that are to come. I was sent here to tell you certain things you need to know.”

David sigh
ed then turned to Aurora. He knew that Asis was telling the truth, and told her with a look. She nodded slightly to indicate she understood. He could see what he felt in her eyes too. Why? Why did it have to be so soon? They had been through so much, and just when their own happiness seemed within reach, couldn’t they have had a little more time?

Then David turned back to Asis
, and said, “We were about to sit down for a meal would you please join us?”

Asis stepped forward to meet them
, and tipped his head saying “thank you.”

David returned to his pack
, and retrieved a blanket then handed it to Aurora, and asked “Would you please spread this out for us to sit on?”

She gave him a small smile
and said, “of course.”

David rummaged through the packs pulling out a few bottles of water, the food they had brought
, and a knife to cut the sandwiches. They all sat down, and David handed Asis and Aurora each a water bottle. Then began to divide up the sandwiches, and placed some fruit in the center for them to share. He gave thanks for their meal, and then encouraged Asis and Aurora to eat.

“Wh
y did we meet here?”

“This place is not actually part of your world. It lies in between
yours and mine, and is protected. Only those who are uniquely gifted can find it. It allows us to speak freely, without concern for those who will seek to deter you from your path.”

“Are we being followed?” Aurora asked.

“The Dark One’s minions are all around. You must always remain vigilant. Events are beginning to unfold, and you will be drawn into them whether you are ready or not.”

“What events are unfolding?” David asked.

“The Dark Ones physical being was trapped in Tartaros. That limited his influence on your world. When you defeated him there, you also freed him. Now he has a physical presence here.”

“But we were sent to defeat him.” David said with a slight air of pleading, even though he already knew they hadn’t. The Lord had told them the Dark One was already making plans to corrupt their world. David had only hoped they had more time
, but then he remembered his dream the night before the wedding. The truth was, he knew it had already started.

“Even trapped in Tartaros
, his darkness was spreading like a plague. He must be brought out into the light, and exposed so that the final battle lines can be drawn.”