“Who are you?” Aaron asked again.
“I am he who once ruled this land, the lord of this castle and caretaker of all the lands around us.” His voice carried such a note of despair Aaron could not help but grieve the circumstances of the one who stood before him. “I suffer this fate, along with all the members of my realm who now live only in mist and shadow and continue to suffer for my crime.”
Aaron could not imagine what possible crime could have sentenced a man to such a plight. “What happened… what did you do to bring this horror upon yourself?”
“I joined forces with evil against the… against the…” At this point, the creature shrieked in grief and anguish with such a pain-filled cry that Aaron fell to his knees in terror, clutching at his chest as if his own heart would burst. The sound echoed down the halls and corridors of the castle, sending the mournful sound to the very edges of the outer court. Trembling in agony, he continued, “I cannot say; the master forbids I speak the name of the vanquished one.”
“Can you not flee from this prison?” Aaron was dismayed and perplexed at the creature’s troubles.
“You do not understand! I am of this land, and from this land I cannot flee. My subjects who followed in my folly and failure are, as you saw them, the shadows and mist of the swirling fog. We are bound for all time to suffer, as are all who give themselves to the master.” The creature’s voice was one of despair as he spoke slowly, in fits of pain.
“Who is this master? Is he the one enthroned in the room we just left?” Aaron wanted to continue the dialogue, but his guide slowly pulled the cowl over his face, showing nothing but the glint of gold from the tarnished crown and again pointed down the hall. This time, however, the gripping power that forced Aaron to walk was gone and the captain could move of his own free will.
They continued silently until they reached the room where Braden and Lorik waited anxiously, still bound in chains. The creature opened the door with a slight wave of his hand, and motioned for Aaron to enter. Aaron did, looking at his guard with a new found pity. The robed figure clasped the irons onto the captain’s wrists and ankles. As he did so, he bent low to whisper, “Do not trust any gift from the master!” Turning, he glided from the room, closing the door behind him, a hideous wail echoing through the castle as the figure disappeared down the corridor.
Braden looked at the captain with deep concern. “What happened? Are you all right? Who was that terrible creature?”
Lorik drew closer to Aaron. “Captain,” he said. “You must tell us all that has happened. We heard a shriek that gripped us to the bone.”
Aaron nodded. “Give me a minute,” he said as he sank down to the floor. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms to keep warm. “Here is what I know,” he began. Braden and Lorik listened with rapt attention as he told them of the strange situation of their jailor, of the figure on the throne, the power he possessed and his allegiance to someone he called
master
. “I don’t know who this
master
is, however,” Aaron continued.
“What of this bargain?” Lorik asked. “What did he say would be the opportunity that would be offered?”
“I don’t know,” Aaron replied. “He did say that he possessed the power to destroy our lives, implying, I guess, that if we don’t take his offer, we’ll be killed.” Aaron paused for a moment. “One thing is certain, I do believe that he means to carry out the threat against us, and he wields the power to do it.”
Braden spoke up. “Captain,” he said, “in some of our ancient legends, there are stories of creatures that wielded great power and had the ability to bend the minds of the unwary. It is said when the King was overthrown, the usurper divided up Celedon and gave authority to his mighty demons that fought with him. It could be that the one enthroned here in the Waste is one of those demons. If this is true, he cannot be trusted. An ancient proverb of my people says,
the one who reaches out to take an evil offer will forever be bound to evil
.”
“This might be our only chance to escape this trap,” Aaron replied.
“If taking an offer from one who is evil is our only hope, then we are without hope,” Braden surmised. “I would rather die in my virtue than live a tortured life forever in debt to this villain.”
Aaron looked to Lorik. “Is this your response as well?”
“Captain,” Lorik responded, “I have followed you for many years and you are my captain, but I will not subject myself to the rule of this viper.”
Aaron was grateful for the courage of his two companions, but he did not want to miss an avenue of escape. “Perhaps, if we went along with this proposition, we can escape and make our way out of this land.”
“I can imagine that such a proposal was thought of by our mournful jailor,” Braden said. Then he glanced toward the three skeletons. “I would rather be like them than like that hooded wretch.”
“Captain,” Lorik’s voice was gentle and compassionate, “You and I both know that you cannot compromise with evil. If we agree to the bargain I’m afraid that our lives will forever be lost to the power of this place.” Lorik sighed. “Besides, if we do agree with our captors, it is quite possible that we will lose any chance of finding the Book of Aleth.”
Aaron knew in his heart that Lorik and Braden were right. There could be no compromise. Aaron looked at his sergeant. “Well, I agree with you. I think I would rather die looking for the truth than have to live a continual lie.”
Lorik nodded in agreement. “Yes, I believe that this book holds the key to understanding all that we’ve seen and I am willing to follow you to retrieve it or, if it should happen, to die in the attempt.”
Aaron looked to Braden. “Is this your thought as well?”
“Captain,” Braden said. “You are a person of destiny. I’m not about to turn aside now. And,” he continued, “I am sure that your destiny is not to end your days in this dungeon.”
Aaron smiled with gratitude. They all sat in silence, their minds anchored on the hope of escape, though it looked like there was little hope for that. His mind drifted and he imagined holding the Book of Aleth in his hands, and he feared that their captivity would prevent him ever knowing the truth. The sound of the wind echoed through the cracks and holes high in the ceiling as if they sang a mournful dirge for the captives.
Time wore on and through the broken slats above them Aaron watched stars grow steadily brighter in the evening sky. They had been in the cell with no food or water for at least a day. A sense of hopelessness crept into his thoughts as the night wore on. He drifted in and out of sleep as thirst began to take its toll. He was hungry as well, but his years of training allowed him to simply ignore the pangs that rumbled in his belly. Lorik was sound asleep as well as Braden, who tossed about with fitful dreams.
Aaron’s bones ached as he shivered against the cold stone, though they huddled together to conserve whatever warmth they could. Deep into the night, as darkness filled their frigid cell, the door opened and the hooded figure that had first come to them stood silhouetted against the dim light of the hall. The jailor moved into the chamber and stood silent as he peered down upon the three lying on the floor.
Aaron could see the glint of gold encircling the brow of the stranger but no other facial features were visible under the heavy cowl. “Come!” the figure commanded and Aaron knew that it was time to hear the opportunity that would be offered. His chains fell from his ankles and wrists and Aaron was free to move on his own, no power was used against him.
He slowly stood, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and massaging his arms and legs to work out the stiffness in his joints. He shivered in the cold cell and felt weak from dehydration. With staggered steps he followed his guide into the hall. He was led down the same corridor, to the same double-doors, and entered into the same extravagant room which housed the raised throne. Upon the throne, the tall, pale man sat waiting for Aaron’s arrival.
“Ah, Captain,” the ruler spoke. “I see you have returned.” The tall man stood from the throne while Aaron’s guide took up his position to the right of the dais.
“I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter,” Aaron voice cracked with thirst.
“You’re right, of course. But there is no reason we cannot be hospitable to one another while we converse about your future.” The tall stranger’s tone dripped with confidence.
“You speak of hospitality, yet we go without food and water,” Aaron protested.
“Oh, but Captain,” the tall ruler replied, “I want you dead. I thought that allowing you to live would have been hospitality enough.”
Aaron didn’t feel at all that he wanted to banter words with his captor, and his sense of diplomacy was lost upon his thirst. “You said you had an opportunity for me. What would that be?”
“No Captain,” the other said, “I said I wanted to kill you.” He laughed briefly and then continued. “It is my master who wants to offer you an opportunity, not I. But I will obey his will and speak his opportunity to you.”
“Well, speak it!” Aaron demanded.
“Very well, my impatient guest, I will give you his words. My master wants to offer you an opportunity to leave all that you have undertaken and return to your city. He will allow you to resume your position as captain, with a view to becoming commander of the Royal Guard.”
Aaron was shocked at the offer. “Only the emperor can make such an offer! Are you telling me that your master is the Emperor of Celedon?”
“I’m not telling you anything of the sort. My master is who he is and he has power to provide you the position that I’ve spoken to you… and power for much more. He is very liberal with his generosity to all who submit to his will and he is very hard to those who oppose him.”
“What does he want from me? What do I have to do to merit such generosity?” Aaron still couldn’t believe that the offer was genuine.
“Just as I said—leave behind this pursuit of yours. You are chasing the Book of Aleth, and my master simply wants you to leave this search behind and go back to the life you had… maybe even a better life.” The tall lord uttered his words with the eloquence of a master orator. “My master knows that you have doubts about all that has been told you and that you are seeking some answers; there are none to find. Your quest is only taking you on hard roads that will leave you in greater despair and ultimately ruin your life. He is giving you a chance to forsake destruction and return to the life you once had.”
Aaron thought about what was told him. As he stood there, weak with thirst, the tall figure took him toward the satchels waiting on the table beneath his sword. “Take a drink of water, captain. There is no reason for you to suffer needlessly.” He reached into the bag and retrieved a leather flask, handing it to the captain. Again the tall figure reached into the satchel and pulled out two more of the leather containers. “Drink, and take some to your companions.”
Aaron, then, thought about Lorik and Braden. They would not follow him if he chose the road that was offered. He drank deeply from the water flask; the cool water flowed across his parched lips and down his throat like a refreshing stream. He then reached for the other two, holding them as if he held treasures greater than gold. He looked at the tall, thin figure that stood over him. “What of my two companions? Will they benefit according to my choice?” Aaron didn’t want to reveal any of his thoughts.
“Unfortunately, Captain,” the tall man said with a wry smile, “their fate is given to me. Your choice will be for you alone.” The tall ruler paused for a moment. “To show you the sincerity of my master… if you choose to take his offer of freedom, and can convince your companions to do the same, I will grant you their lives. You will have power over them, and they will be yours to do with as you will.” He then raised his bony arm and waved his hand slightly in the air. “There,” he said, “Your friends have been released from their bonds. Go back to them and think about the opportunity that has been given you.” He turned back toward the throne and sat down again upon it. “Think about this, as well, Captain”— the tall man’s voice became hard and cold—“you only have one choice, and one chance. Your decision will be final.” With a glance, the door opened behind them, leading to the hall beyond. “I will send for you to hear your final decision.”
Aaron left the audience chamber, escorted by the hooded man. He walked along the corridor in silence, pondering his fate as well as the fate of his two friends. A few minutes later he found himself by the door to his cell. It opened and Lorik and Braden paced around the room freed from the restraints of the shackles. Aaron sighed with relief to see that his friends were unfettered. Entering, he quickly gave them each a flask of water which they took without delay. They gulped and gasped as they drank the cool liquid, while Aaron wondered if it would be the last refreshing thing they’d ever receive.
“Captain,” spoke Lorik, “what was the offer?”
Aaron hesitated, reluctant even to speak of the choices before him. He looked at his two companions and considered how far they had traveled together… especially Lorik. The idea of them being given to the hands of the madman who sat in the throne room was more than Aaron could handle.
Lorik fixed his eyes on Aaron with a determined gaze. “Captain, I can see you’re troubled. I’ve known you too long not to know when you’re trying to protect the men you command. Don’t hold back what was spoken to you. We’ve been through too much now for you to try and manage this situation alone.”
Aaron glanced at Lorik, knowing that he would never agree to the terms that would spare their lives, knowing that he would die at the hand of the tall stranger. He sat down on the cold, stone floor while Braden and Lorik stood vigil near him. Aaron despaired of what would happen, believing that all roads, now, would lead to eventual ruin. “I’ve been offered a chance to return to my old life and regain my position with the guard.”
Lorik gave a questioning glance. “Sir,” he said, “what was asked of you in return?”
Aaron spoke with hesitation. “All I have to do is… is to give up our pursuit of this book and leave behind all that we’ve set out to do.” Aaron gazed at his two friends. “There’s more. If you are willing to come with me, then your lives will be spared. Otherwise, I’ve been told, you would become as those three over there,” he said as he pointed to the skeletal remains of the three dwarves. Aaron found it desperately ironic that he had made a similar offer to the man he pursued to North Village—
give up the book and live, or keep the book and die.