The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond (12 page)

‘You do not know my fate,’ said Eben defiantly.

‘Yes, Ecorian, I do. I have foreseen all this. I knew this day would come.’ The Prince of Shadows clapped his hands and laughed gleefully. ‘Yes, I also saw that you would one day kneel before me as you do now.’

Eben lifted himself up and stood, not wanting to give the Prince of Shadows a moment more pleasure.

‘I will never kneel before you. I will never serve you! You have nothing. Your power will only bring you loneliness. Your strength is an illusion. Nothing you have is eternal. Everything you possess is worthless. The truth has no place in you.’

The Prince of Shadow sneered at Eben. He then reached up and grabbed Eben by the throat and squeezed tightly. Eben couldn’t breathe. The pain was excruciating.

‘This doesn’t feel like an illusion,’ he roared as he slammed Eben heavily into the ground. Eben almost lost consciousness and lay on the ground in a heavy daze. A moment later he felt a heavy boot crunch into the side of his face. Eben could feel blood dribbling down the side of his head. The dark figure stood above him, gloating with a grin from ear to ear.

‘Ecorian, you have nothing to protect you. You are completely alone. You have no armour, no weapons, and no walls to hide behind. I have taken all your power from you. Look on me now; you will see my power is complete. You, Ecorian, are the one who has nothing!’

Eben opened his mouth and tried to speak, but little more than a faint mutter came out. ‘…Such is…’

‘Speak up, boy, or do you also lack the power to speak,’ said the Prince of Shadows, his mouth twisting into a smirk.

Eben, heavily stunned, lifted his eyes and looked up to a porthole situated high in the wall above. Two bright stars drew his attention. They shone intensely in the darkness. For some time he watched the stars shimmering in the distance. A glimmer of hope returned to his heart. He turned his head and stared at the cold black marble for a moment. ‘Veredor,’ he whispered, ever so quietly. ‘Let there be no more barriers between us. Please, in this moment receive us.’ For a few seconds there was nothing but silence.

‘If you will not serve me you will die!’ said the Prince of Shadows as he drew the Sword of Darkness.

Eben, with his last remaining strength, pulled himself up off the floor. He struggled to stand and looked directly into the eyes of his enemy. The Prince of Shadows held the Sword of Darkness, ready to strike.

Eben took several breaths before speaking. ‘Prince of Shadows, you are not welcome in Veredor. I banish you and all those who serve you into the darkness beyond!’

The Prince of Shadows threw his head back and laughed deeply. ‘I would expect such words to come from such a fool as you.’

A moment later the ground started to tremble. The Prince of Shadow’s frantically looked around. ‘What have you done!’ he cried, his eyes widening as he realised what had just occurred.

‘Fiora’s Bridge has been crossed!’ whispered Eben.

Suddenly a great rift appeared at the centre of the hall as the Cosmic Gate opened. Bright white light lined the edge of the gateway and lit up the darkness. Eben looked back as the Cosmic Gate formed a large opening into the darkness beyond Veredor. A howling wind blew through the hall. First the ghouls were all sucked into the rift. Baramak grabbed hold of the throne, but his fingers could not hold on, and he tumbled across the floor. The Northern Sorcerer screamed hysterically, and a moment later he was drawn into the darkness. The Prince of Shadows resisted with all his power and struggled against the force that was dragging him across the marble floor.

‘This is my world! Veredor is mine!’ he moaned, his rasping voice full of terror.

‘Whilst men and mer live in Veredor you shall never return.’

The Prince of Shadows, losing control, staggered back toward the gateway. He stared at Eben, howled deeply, and then was gone.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Stella was the first to step through the gateway from the dark basement. Instantly she found herself in a quiet grove full of tall golden elm trees. A little light of day remained. The gateway was formed into a gnarly rock wall. Red and Quade, carrying Meara, who was still unconscious, instantly appeared. A moment later King Ignis and Princess Apherah stepped through.

Red and Quade lay Meara down on the soft grass. ‘What do you think Eben was planning?’ asked Quade.

‘I don’t know, but if he’s not here in a few minutes I’m going back for him,’ said Red.

‘I’ll go with you,’ said Stella.

‘No, it’s much too dangerous. Zarkanor will be crawling with muckrons by now. Both of you should stay. Too many of us have already been killed,’ said King Ignis soberly. ‘We must trust that Eben knows what he is doing. He said that he had to go alone. I do not understand what Eben is planning, but I trust his judgement.’

Meara suddenly stirred and opened her turquoise blue eyes. She sat up and scanned the company and her surroundings.

‘Where are Eben and Cassiel?’ she asked in a broken and weak voice.

‘I am sorry, Meara. Cassiel is gone,’ said King Ignis. ‘He sacrificed himself to save us from Callidus. The Astarian opened the Cosmic Gate and attempted to force us out of Veredor with his magic. Cassiel saved us, but he fell through the Cosmic Gate into the outer darkness.’ Meara closed her eyes, her pale face revealed her pain at the loss of her friend and apprentice.

‘And Eben?’ she asked.

‘He went on alone to fight the Prince of Shadows,’ said King Ignis.

‘Alone?’ asked Meara, shocked at the revelation.

‘Yes, we were prepared to go with him. He insisted that he go on without us,’ said Quade. ‘At first he was going to go without a weapon. I had to give him my sword.’

‘What about the Sword of Light?’ asked Meara, her eyes narrowing.

‘The Sword of Light was destroyed when Eben killed the dragon,’ said King Ignis.

Meara’s shock was clearly evident. She looked toward the gateway. ‘Then perhaps he has learned a way to cross Fiora’s Bridge, because without the Sword of Light he cannot defeat the Prince of Shadows.’

‘I still think we should return to Zarkanor to help him,’ said Red.

‘Red, you have done everything you can to stand by your friend. He has chosen to go on alone. It is a bridge only he can cross,’ said Meara.

Suddenly the shimmering gateway fizzled and began to close. Within seconds all that was left was the rock wall.

**

Eben stood in the silence of the Hall of Zarkanor. He was completely alone. The shadow had lifted, and the gloom had all been sucked away. He looked up to the ceiling high above and saw through the portholes that the stars were shining brightly in the night sky. His eyes scanned the surroundings; not a single monster remained. He walked over and picked up Quade’s sword. A thought of Cassiel being forced out through the Cosmic Gate entered his mind. He had to try to save his friend. Lifting his hands he cried out.

‘Open!’

Suddenly a bright shimmering light appeared directly in front of him. In moments the light formed a gateway into the darkness. Eben stepped forward and instantly found himself in a barren and rocky desert. A subtle orange light lit his surroundings. All about him there were red rocky hills and sandy barren valleys. Nothing grew in the desolate wasteland he had entered. There was no sun; only a dark orange sky above which gave off a little light. As far as Eben could see there was no one around. His eyes searched the rocky hills, but he couldn’t see a single soul.

‘Cassiel!’ he cried, his voice echoing off the hillsides.

There was no reply, only complete silence. Eben looked back at the Cosmic Gate shimmering in the air. He wondered where he was and what had become of Cassiel.

‘Cassiel!’ he cried out, again there was no reply.

Eben walked ahead into the desert and came to the side of a large rocky hill. He made his way up the slope, hoping to get a better view from the top. Several minutes later he arrived at the summit. The desert stretched on endlessly into the distance. In every direction there was nothing but sandy valleys and red hills.

Suddenly a cry echoed out across the plain. Eben looked up and saw the dark shape of a giant bird of prey circling high above. The bird was many times larger than a man. It descended quickly and landed on the rocks about fifty feet from Eben. Its bright yellow eyes had a glow about them and they were staring directly at him. Eben could see that it was a giant falcon as he had often seen falcons in the hills around Clemensdale.

‘What do you want?’ asked Eben, his hand going to the hilt of Quade’s sword.

‘How peculiar,’ said the giant falcon in a smooth and powerful voice. ‘You speak an Astarian tongue, yet you are not an Astarian.’

‘I am a man,’ said Eben firmly.

‘Then you are very far from your home,’ said the giant falcon. ‘I have not seen a man in these parts for nearly two thousand years. What brings you all this way out into such a lost and desolate place?’

‘I am looking for a friend. I believe he is somewhere out here in this desert,’ replied Eben, wondering if the strange creature could assist him to find Cassiel. ‘Do you know your way around?’

The creature turned its head and looked out toward the hills and into the distance.

‘Yes, I have searched the Desert of Eternal Loneliness for many years seeking after what was lost. The desert extends further than you can imagine; just about as far as people can possibly be away from each other without ceasing to exist.’

Eben felt his heart drop at hearing the creature’s words. ‘If the desert is so large then how can I possibly find my friend?’

The creature stared into Eben’s eyes for a few moments before answering. ‘Do not fear, man. I am sure your friend is fine.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Trust, yes, trust is the key; the Ecorian should already know that.’

‘You know my name! How do you know my name?’ said Eben.

The creature squawked and turned away, realising that it had revealed something it did not intend to. ‘Your name…yes, I know such things. It is my business to know such things.’

‘If you know my name then what else do you know?’

‘All manner of things,’ said the giant falcon.

‘Then you know of my friend and where I can find him?’ asked Eben, stepping forward eagerly.

The creature paused and eyed Eben for a few moments. ‘I know you will not find him, even if you searched for a thousand years.’

‘Why?’

‘Because his path has already led him far away from here. There are others who need him just as there are people on Veredor who need you.’

‘Will I ever see Cassiel again?’

‘Of course you will. When the time comes Cassiel will be led home. He is your true friend, and what is true is eternal. Such truth binds the cosmos together. Truth is the foundation of all things. The truth cannot become untruth, nor can untruth become the truth. Therefore, the truth is always the truth. Furthermore, what is true can never be taken from you. Often those we think have been taken from us have actually been with us all along; they shine like stars down upon us in our darkest moments; they bring us hope when hope is lost. You see, Eben, not even death can stand in the way of the truth.’

Eben stared at the giant falcon, intrigued by his words. He wondered who this creature really was and why they had met on this rocky hill in such a desolate place.

‘Who are you?’ asked Eben in a low and steady voice.

‘My name is Pilgrim,’ said the falcon softly.

‘Where are you from?’

Pilgrim looked deeply into Eben’s eyes and considered the question for a few moments before answering. ‘I serve the truth that exists beyond the furthest gate and above the highest height. There is a place where fields of flowers grow, above the still lakes, and deep in the Timeless Mountains. That is my home. It is the dwelling place of the eternal one.’

‘The eternal one? Who is the eternal one?’ asked Eben, wondering who Pilgrim could possibly mean.

‘One day we shall meet again when you are old and many years have passed. On that day I will take you there, and you shall meet the one who I speak of.’ Pilgrim’s eyes scanned the distant ridges and mountains for several moments. He then looked back to Eben. ‘I believe all I need to say has been said. I will be on my way now. There are many things I must attend to. It has been a pleasure talking with you, Eben Ecorian. May the sun guide your path, and may the wind always be at your back. Goodbye my friend.’

‘But wait, there are other things I must know,’ said Eben.

Pilgrim looked back. ‘Trust, Eben; all will be revealed in time.’

With these final words Pilgrim leapt into the air and quickly ascended. Eben watched after him as he disappeared into the horizon.

**

Queen Sera had called a council in the Ecorian Hall. Red sat with Stella by his side at the great round table. King Ignis, Baftel, Prince Armida, Princess Apherah, the Zyranian Outcast Aperio, Garnock, Chief Parco, Quade, and Meara were also seated around the table.

Meara stood up and looked around at the company. ‘Veredor has been freed of the Prince of Shadows. Fiora’s Bridge has been crossed. All the servants of the Prince of Shadows have been expelled from our world. Baftel has seen all of this.’

‘It is true. It also appears that nearly all the Skatheans and Northern Sorcerers have been expelled, and most of the Zyranian Order,’ said Baftel. ‘Our world has been liberated from the powers of darkness.’

‘What about Eben?’ asked Red.

Baftel stared down at the table. ‘Shortly after the liberation I lost sight of him. I believe he deliberately left Veredor and entered the darkness beyond.’

‘Why would he do that?’ asked Quade, shaking his head in disbelief.

‘Cassiel,’ gasped Stella. ‘He’s gone to save Cassiel. Why else would he go beyond the Cosmic Gate?’

‘You are right,’ said Meara. ‘We all know that Eben would walk into the abyss to save his friends.’

‘But that’s where he sent the Prince of Shadows and all his servants. Will he be safe out there?’ asked Red, his eyes revealing his concern.

‘I do not know,’ replied Baftel. ‘Little is known of the darkness beyond Veredor. The old accounts tell that it is a desolate place.’

Suddenly a line of white light appeared in mid-air across the hall. The company at the round table all turned to see a gateway open into darkness. Shimmering white light surrounded the gateway. A moment later Eben stepped through. He was covered in red dust and looked to be bruised and battered. Apherah cried out in happiness and ran to him. They embraced in front of the Sapphire Throne. The others approached, and Eben, still holding Apherah close, looked across to his friends.

‘You saved us from the Prince of Shadows,’ said Queen Sera

Eben nodded and smiled. ‘All our enemies have been cast into the Desert of Eternal Loneliness where they belong. As long as men and mer remain in Veredor the Prince of Shadows cannot return.’

Slowly the Cosmic Gate closed and shrank away before completely disappearing.

‘Did you find Cassiel?’ asked Meara, anxious to hear news.

Eben cast his eyes downward and shook his head. ‘I went to the deserts beyond the Cosmic Gate to search for him. I was told by a strange being that Cassiel is still alive, but his path has taken him far from Veredor. He is out there somewhere beyond the Cosmic Gate.’

‘Then we will have to go out there and keep searching for him,’ said Red, looking like he was ready to go at once.

‘I believe Cassiel will be alright,’ said Eben, reassuring Red. ‘There are others who need him now. When the time is right he will return to Veredor again.’

‘Who told you these things?’ asked Baftel, intrigued that Eben could know so much about Cassiel and yet not have found him.

‘I met a giant falcon with the voice of a man in the Desert of Eternal Loneliness.’

Baftel nodded and smiled, knowing the one who Eben spoke of. ‘There is a legend about such a creature and an old song from the Forgotten Age. Most of the words of the song have been lost in the passage of time, yet a small fragment remains.’ Baftel then began to recite the song: ‘Over the moon and beyond the sun, Pilgrim flies to serve the one; into places beyond the deep, he will go and courage keep; the hand of peace reaches out, across the stars without a doubt; with falcon wings and a mind of light, old Pilgrim’s heart shines forever bright; for a broken body he understands, is the path of every man; and when darkness falls on the land, fear not when Pilgrim is close at hand.’

‘He told me his name was Pilgrim.’ said Eben.

Baftel nodded knowingly. ‘Pilgrim was a friend to the Astarians before they arrived in Veredor. He was the one who gifted the Seven Relics to the Astarians. The Three Swords, the Star of the North, the Chalai, the Silver Leaf, and the Sun Stone were all given to the Astarians by Pilgrim. He is a champion of peace and truth. If Pilgrim told you these things about Cassiel then we have nothing to worry about. Cassiel indeed has a path that will lead him elsewhere, and when the time comes he will return home to Veredor.’