THE QUEST OF ERDRICK

By ETG

Chapter 1:  Alone

                 Evening settled over the small town of Brecconary and every street was plunged into shadows.  The wind blew gustily through the streets, kicking up swirls of dust as it passed through.  There were iron rings set in the stone walls of each building along the road to hold torches, but they were empty now.  Ever since the first day had dawned here, in who knew how long, the torches had been taken down.  A few people were still in the streets, but they were moving quickly to their homes, now frightened of the darkness.  These people had lived in darkness all of their lives, but a few short months ago something had happened that no one in this land had ever seen.  The sun had risen and a new day had dawned.  Now they feared the darkness and ran from it like it was some loathsome disease.

                The front door of the inn opened, and the light from within spilled out into the roadway.  A lone figure slowly emerged and proceeded up the street.  He looked around unconsciously as if to see if anyone was out here, but then shook his head, knowing that the streets would be empty.  He turned west and walked several blocks up the street to a large square.  On the western side of the square were the main gates to the town.  They stood open now, never closing since the monsters had disappeared.  The people are growing too comfortable now, the man thought sorrowfully.  He looked up at the lone guard in the tower above the gate, who was looking studiously out beyond the walls of the city.  There would be another guard up there sleeping until the shift change at midnight.

                The man walked over to a crate by the corner of the weapons shop and sat down.  He raised his head then, and looked through the open gate to where he knew the guard’s attention was focused.  Across the plains stood majestic Tantegel Castle.  A bright light emanated from its highest tower, the Ball of Light illuminating the darkness.

            The young man frowned as his attention came back to the square in which he sat.  It seemed like so long since he and his companions had defeated Zoma.  The people called him Erdrick now, but that was not his true name.  The people all cheered him as a hero, and for several weeks there had been celebrations and parades throughout all the land of Alefgard.  Even now, the people still followed him around, never giving him a minute’s rest.  That was why he was out now in the darkness.  It was the only time he could find to be alone.  Alone with only his thoughts.  Those were what really bothered him.  He had been fine up until the celebration of his eighteenth birthday a few weeks ago.  Had he really been out on his quest for nearly two years?  Somehow it hadn’t seemed that long.

                He thought back to the struggle for him and his companions through Zoma’s Castle.  When they reached him and saw the Master Archfiend for the first time, he and his companions had been terrified.  They had persevered through the ordeal though, Brindar the soldier, Sarah the Wizard, Miriam the Pilgrim turned to Sage, and him, until it was all over.  Miriam had revived him once when he died during the battle, and he had done the same for her.  He didn’t remember how many times Miriam had revived the other two and used the Sage’s Stones to heal their party.  He had delivered the final blow to Zoma, but she was the one who’d kept him alive long enough to do it.  He owed his life to her and he found more and more each day that he loved her.  If he could just find the courage to tell her.  He was afraid that she would not share his same feelings, so he kept them hidden.  His feelings for her and for why he was still here in Alefgard.

                Brindar and Sarah had long since left, back home to Aliahan, shortly after the festivities had died down.  Now it was just Miriam and he.  He wasn’t sure why she was still here, but he knew very well why he was still here.

                The final words of Zoma still haunted him. He could hear them echo in his mind as if he were there now watching the Master Archfiend lying there, taking his final breaths on the cavern floor.  “Thou hast defeated me!  But heed my words.  So long as brightness exists, so doth the darkness.  This vision I do see from darkness deep, one more will follow me.  But when that time doth arrive, thou wilt too have aged and died.”  Those words had echoed loudly off the cavern walls and still rang just as loudly in his head.

Erdrick shook himself out of a trance and looked around.  Nothing of his surroundings had changed, but the moon had moved higher into the sky.  That was another thing that was new since that day.  Slowly he stood.  It was time to get back to his room at the inn.  He made his way doggedly back up the street.  Conviction arose within him as he entered the inn.  Tomorrow he would meet Miriam and tell her how he felt about her.  Then he was going to find a way to protect the people from this threat, which would arise long after he was gone.

                Across the street a man stepped out from the shadows.  He’d been following this Erdrick all night.  It grated him to know that all the people cheered for this...this boy.  It should be me that they are cheering, the man thought, not this child.  I will have my revenge on this so-called Hero!

Chapter 2:  The News

                When Erdrick awoke the sun was already streaming through the crack in the curtains.  He labored over to the washbasin in the corner and splashed the cool water on his face to wake himself up.  He dressed quickly and went downstairs to eat.  As he reached the foot of the stairs he saw Miriam sitting at a table with an empty plate in front of her.

                “I was wondering when you were finally going to come down,” she teased.  “I was ready to go out without you.  I took the liberty of ordering your breakfast.  It will be out soon.  I hope you don’t mind eggs, bread, and cheese.”

                “That sounds great.”  Erdrick replied as he seated himself.  He hesitated on what he was going to say next.  “Miriam, I.”

                From behind him someone approached and cut him off before he could finish.  “Erdrick, sir.  Sorry to interrupt, but I just had to meet you.”  It was a man in his middle years, his hair starting to go gray.  “My name is Fulton and I just wanted to say.”

                “Sir Erdrick.  It’s good to meet you.”  Erdrick whipped his head around to see who had spoken.  Suddenly Erdrick’s hand was whisked from the table as a woman old enough to be his grandmother grabbed it and shook it vigorously.  “I’m so very glad to finally meet you.  My husband and I are entertaining guests tonight at our home and would be pleased if you would attend.”

                “Hey!  I was speaking to him first!” the graying man hissed.  “Wait your turn!”  He turned back to Erdrick and much more pleasantly inquired, “My children are anxious to meet you.  Would you care to spend dinner with my family tonight?”

                Erdrick sighed.  It seemed like it would never end.  “I’m sorry.  I won’t be able to accept either invitation.  I’m leaving for the castle right after I eat to see the King.  I won’t be back until next week.”  Erdrick saw the server bringing his food.  “Now could I please eat my breakfast?”

                Both left the table reluctantly with murmured apologies.  He ate his breakfast as quickly possible, fending off dozens of other people who had come to see him.  As it was, he still hadn’t been able to have two seconds alone with Miriam where he could tell her what he had tossed and turned about all last night.

Halfway through the meal, the inn door opened and in strolled a tall dark haired man in a flashy green cloak.  In arrogant strides he came toward Erdrick’s table.  “Hello, Erdrick.”  A twitch of a smile came across his face as he spoke but his tone had a slight edge to it.  He definitely wasn’t groveling around him like everyone else he’d met.

 “I don’t believe we’ve met, Mr. uh?”

 “Bartock.  Lord Bartock.”  The man seemed now to be sneering at him.  “I’m from Cantlin and have just come from an audience with the King at Tantegel Castle.  I’m staying here at this inn, until I return home. I arrived last night but was unable to meet you then.  I hear you see the King quite often.”

 “As a matter of fact, I’m heading there as soon as I finish my breakfast.”

 “Is that so.  Well, I won’t keep you waiting any longer.  It’s not good to keep the King waiting.”  He gripped Erdrick’s hand like a vise.  Erdrick squeezed back as hard as he could to keep his hand from being crushed.  Bartock smiled, but it only touched his mouth.  His eyes glared like fire at him.  Erdrick pulled his hand away.  “Until next time, Erdrick.”  The title seemed to twist like a bad taste as he spit the words out.

 “What’s that guy’s problem?” he whispered to Miriam as the man walked over to the counter to speak to the innkeeper.

 “He’s probably just jealous,” she replied.  Erdrick just shrugged the incident off.

 As he finished his meal, fending off another man who acted as if they had been best friends since birth, a man burst into the inn.  The door slammed the wall and everyone turned.

 “They’ve finished the tunnel to Rimuldar!” he shouted for everyone to hear.  “We just received a proclamation from King Lorik!”  Cheers arose in the inn and Erdrick noticed the commotion was just as bad outside.  People were running in the streets as if Zoma’s minions had returned and were descending on town.

 “Isn’t that wonderful!” Miriam shouted over the chaos that had erupted in the tiny inn.   Erdrick stood and grabbed her hand.  “Come with me.  I have to talk to you.”  He dragged her to her feet and pulled her toward the stairway.

 “What is it?  Your acting a little strange,” she said when they reached the door to his room.

 Now that they were alone he looked into her eyes and took her hands in his.  “Miriam, I”

  Suddenly a man came bounding up the stairs and down the hall.  “Now I won’t have to hire a boat to get back home!  I can use the tunnel!  I’m going to pack up and head out now.”  As he passed the couple, he slowed and his eyes got bigger, as he noticed the look of contempt on Erdrick’s face.  “Oh, Sir Erdrick, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”  With that he quickened his pace and entered his room at the end of the hall.

  Erdrick turned back to Miriam.  “Miriam, I.”  He hesitated.  “Will you come with me to Tantegel Castle?”  That’s not what he had wanted to say, but at that moment, he had suddenly chickened out.  He swore at himself.  I can take on the Master Archfiend, but I can’t even say three little words, he thought.  How pathetic!

  “You dragged me all the way up here, just to ask me that?” she chastised.

  “Well, I uh,” he stammered, “I just needed to know.  I’m leaving soon.”

  “Of course I’ll come with you.  I’m surprised you didn’t ask me sooner.  We’ve been friends since we were five years old.”

  “Thanks.  It means a lot to me.”

  “I’ve got to pack then, I suppose.”  As she turned to go to her room he heard her say,  “I don’t have a thing to wear for the King.  What am I going to do?”  He turned and went into his own room.  He had some packing to do, too.

  He had wanted to ask her to come earlier, but he chickened out on that as well.  He was afraid she’d find out what he really wanted.  Her perfume still filled his mind as he packed up his few belongings and went down to the front room.  In truth, these weren’t all of his belongings.  He had many items and a small fortune in gold stored at the vault here in Brecconary.  He wished he’d been able to get the treasures he’d seen in Zoma’s throne room.  He’d never seen as much gold and jewels as he’d seen there.  But after they had defeated Zoma the whole place began to crumble and collapse around them.  If Miriam hadn’t spotted that tunnel behind his throne, which led to a cave far north of here they’d have been crushed under the collapsing structure for sure.  Even so, the tunnel collapsed just as they exited, thus sealing off Zoma’s Castle forever.  He’d tried to go back to the cave since then, and even crossed the Rainbow Bridge to the island to try and recover the treasure, but he could not find a way in.  The gold would be buried under there forever with no way to get it.

  Those tremors that had destroyed Zoma’s Castle shook the entire continent as well, and even changed the land slightly.  Rumors had come in that land had risen up between here and the village of Kol, so that it was possible to reach without a ship.  The island west of Kol, which was home to Rubiss’ Tower, was no longer an island. It was connected by a narrow passage that led to Kol.  Mountains had risen up just south of Tantegel Castle closing off passage to the town of Hauksness.  But a new path to the west had risen from the sea.  It took much longer to walk around the mountains to get there, though.  And finally, just last week a report had come in from Cantlin that the sea had washed in between there and Rimuldar cutting off the road in between them.  So many changes.  He wondered how many more changes had come to Alefgard that day.

   As he looked up, he saw Miriam at the bottom of the stairs with a bundle of her belongings on her back.  She was wearing a dark cloak, just as he was.  Her hair was long and brown and hung down to her shoulders.  She was beautiful.  Erdrick coughed and turned away when he realized he was staring.  He jumped up from his table as she approached.  He shrugged at her.  “Are you ready to go?” he queried.

   “I guess so.  Let’s go,” she replied.

   “We need to stop by the vault before we leave and pick up the rest of our things.  I have a feeling we won’t be coming back here for a while.

Chapter 3:  Revelations  

    “Is something bothering you?” Miriam asked Erdrick as they rested under a large tree on their journey to the castle.  “You haven’t said a word since we left.”

    Erdrick thought quickly.  “I was just wondering uh, about Brindar and Sarah.”

    That isn’t what’s bothering him, she thought irritably.  What is he trying to hide?  She wanted to confront him, but instead she went along.  “They’re back in Aliahan, probably having more fun than we are.  We should have left when they did.  You should have told your mother what happened to your father yourself.”

    She was right.  He should have gone home and told his mother what had happened to Ortega.  They had seen him die at the hands of that King Hydra, and he had held him in his arms when he breathed his last.  But he knew there was something here that he still needed to do.  He just had to figure out how to do it.

    He took a deep breath then said, “I can’t go back.  At least not yet.”

    “Why not?”

    “It’s Zoma,” he sighed regretfully.

    “What are you talking about?  He’s dead.  You killed him yourself.”

    “But don’t you remember what he said?  He said someone else would come after, and probably do as much damage as he and Baramos did combined!  And I won’t be able to do anything, because I’ll be long dead.”  He hung his head dejectedly.

    “Is that what’s bothering you?  He was just babbling.  There isn’t any truth to what he said.  All of the monsters are gone and they aren’t coming back.”

    He looked deep into her eyes and moved closer to her.  “How can you be so sure?”

    She responded by moving closer to him.  “It’s just that I can see this is tearing you up inside and I care to much for you to sit here and do nothing to ease your pain.”

    He leaned toward her then and gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead.  “I care about you, too,” he whispered.  There was no turning back now.  He leaned in all the way and gently kissed her on the lips.

    It was a long time before they parted.  “Well, it’s about time!” she blurted out.  “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you to kiss me?  I thought I’d be an old maid by the time you got around to it!”  She smiled and nudged him in the side with her elbow.  He smiled back, then leaned in and kissed her again.

    Soon they were on their way again, hand in hand.  “So, what are you planning on doing about what Zoma said?” she asked as they neared the castle gates.

    “I’m still not sure.  I was hoping that you might have a suggestion.”

    “I’ll have to think about it.  I had put it out of my mind until you just brought it up.”

                   That was not a good sign.  He had stewed over this for several weeks now and had come up with nothing.  If Miriam couldn’t come up with an idea either then their situation had become even more bleak.  He just had to find some help.  He couldn’t trust the King, at least not the new one, King Lorik II.  King Lorik I had died in his sleep a month after Erdrick and his companions had defeated Zoma.  Nobody even knew why. The king hadn’t been very old.  There had been talk of crowning him as the new king, but Erdrick was able to put his support behind the king’s son, also named Lorik, who was in his mid thirties.

    King Lorik II had been out on his own crusade to defeat Zoma until he returned just days before his father died.  Erdrick wondered what the new king had been doing during that month, but he was happy he’d returned to accept the crown.  The new king even had a son who was just a few years old whose name was Lorik as well.  It looked like a new tradition had been started.  No, he definitely didn’t trust the new king fully.  He was young for a king and made rash decisions on occasion.  And Erdrick definitely didn’t want Zoma’s final words to become public knowledge, which would likely happen if he told the new king.  He didn’t want to start a panic among the people.

    When they finally reached the gates of Tantegel Castle, Erdrick paused.  “Well, I guess we’ll have to talk about what to do later.  For now, let’s go see what the king wants.”

 Chapter 4: The New King

    As the two companions entered through the gates of the castle, they were greeted by two guards.  One guard called out sharply to another guard standing in the main courtyard.  The guard in the courtyard quickly came to the main gate.  “I will escort you to King Lorik’s chamber.  Please leave your weapons and bundles here at the gatehouse.”

    As they followed the guard through the courtyard, Erdrick noticed an elderly priest passing through one of the connecting corridors.  Erdrick suddenly had an idea.  But it looked like it would have to wait.  They were already at the grand staircase.  They met another guard at the top who said, “I will announce your arrival to the king.  Please wait here.”  He went inside the king’s chamber and emerged a few moments later.  “His Royal Highness, King Lorik II of Tantegel Castle, Ruler of all Alefgard will now see you,” he said ceremoniously. 

    Erdrick entered the chamber, Miriam just a pace behind him.  The throne room was spacious and two thrones sat upon the dais.  On the left the king was seated and to the right his wife.  There were several other people in the room.  Erdrick recognized them as the king’s advisors.

    Miriam quickly went to one side, while he went on with the two guards to the center of the large room and knelt before the king.  “Erdrick the Great, Defender of the Realm of Alefgard, Slayer of the Evil Zoma, has answered your summons and approaches the throne, your Highness,” the guard droned to the king.

    “Let him approach,” the king replied.  “Arise and come forth, O noble Erdrick.”  He obeyed, quickly getting to his feet and moving up to the edge of the dais.  The two guards stood as well, but moved back.

    “I’m sure you are wondering why I summoned you, Erdrick.”  Erdrick nodded and the king continued.  “No doubt you’ve heard that the Eastern Tunnel near Rimuldar has been completed.  I have scheduled the grand opening for the tunnel two weeks from today.  I would like you to attend and be the keynote speaker for the event.  Will you accept this request?”

    This was a disruption to his plan he was forming ever since his idea in the courtyard, but he didn’t think it would be wise to refuse the king.  Two weeks should give me enough time, he thought.  “I will graciously accept your request, Your Highness.”

    “Splendid,” the king intoned, “My escort will be leaving here in one day before the ceremonies and I would like you to join us.  In the meantime, you are welcome to stay here as my guest.”

    Erdrick’s mind churned.  If his idea were to work, he needed to act on it immediately.  He couldn’t wait here.  “I regret that I cannot accept your hospitality, Your Highness.  I have prior commitments that I must attend to.  But have no fear, Highness, I will meet you at the Eastern Tunnel at the appointed time to address the people.”

    “You are a mighty warrior, Erdrick, and I trust your judgment.  It will be as you have stated.  Good luck to you, O mighty Erdrick.  You are dismissed.”

    As he and Miriam were escorted from the throne room, Erdrick heaved a sigh of relief.  Miriam looked over at him and saw a smile come across his face and a glimmer light his eyes.  “What is it?” she asked.

    “You’ll find out soon enough.  Just wait a few minutes.”

 Chapter 5:  A Letter

    When they reached the gate, Erdrick turned to one of their escorts.  “Guard,” he began, “I saw a Priest of Rubiss in the courtyard before we went up to see the king.  Do you know where I can find him?  He is a dear friend that I haven’t seen for a while.”

    “Of course, sir.  He is usually found in the Chapel of Sanctuary.  It is just down at the end of that corridor.”  He gestured to a hallway off to the left.  “Would you like an escort, sir?”

    “That won’t be necessary.  I think I can find him myself.”

    He and Miriam made their way down the hallway and came to a set of large double doors, carved in intricate design and inlaid with gold.  Erdrick released the latch and pushed on the door.  The hinges groaned as the door swung slowly inward.  The chapel was a spacious room with dozens of wide benches lined down each side.  An aisle led down the middle to an altar set up on a platform.  To the right of the platform was a small desk where the priest was seated writing on a scroll, which spilled down over the edge of the desk and onto the floor.

    The priest looked up as they entered and Erdrick recognized him immediately.  It was the priest who had replenished their magic power so many times while on their quest.  The priest obviously recognized them as well, for he jumped to his feet and approached them, meeting them halfway down the aisle.  “Erdrick!  It’s great to see you again,” he exclaimed as he embraced first Erdrick and then Miriam.  “What brings you here?”

    “It’s good to see you, too, Jeremiah,” Erdrick replied.  “It’s been a long time.  I was hoping we could ask you a few questions.”

    “Sure, sure.  No problem.  Come back to my rooms and we’ll talk.”

    They exited the chapel through a small door to the side of the platform, just behind the desk and came into a small room with a table and several chairs.  There was another door in here, which led to sleeping quarters for the priests who stayed here.  They all sat down to the table and Erdrick looked grimly at Jeremiah.  He wasn’t sure where to start.

    Jeremiah, sensing the mood spoke out first.  “Judging by your demeanor, I sense that something is amiss.  Please tell me what is troubling you.”

    Erdrick let the whole story out.  He told Jeremiah of the battle with Zoma and his dying words.  He even told him about parts of his journey from the world above and how he got the Ball of Light.  He told the priest about how he and his companions had freed Rubiss from the spell cast on her by Zoma and what he thought all of the things meant.  He concluded by saying, “I had no idea what I was going to do about it, but then I saw you in the courtyard earlier and knew that the only one who could help me was Rubiss herself.  That’s why I’m here.  I was hoping that you could help in someway and there wasn’t anyone else I could trust.”

    “I’m glad you finally came to me.  These things definitely should remain as secret as possible.  I regret that there is nothing I can help you with here, but I can tell you this.  Rubiss does not speak to us very often, but she did speak to the priest at her tower west of Kol just a few days ago.  I just received the message this morning and that’s why I was out in the courtyard.  The messenger brought this note.  I think you should read it.”  Jeremiah reached into a pocket inside his robe and removed a small folded parchment and handed it to Erdrick.  He unfolded it and slowly read its contents.

 

Brother Jeremiah-

                 Certain events that have transpired recently have given me cause to send this message to you.  Last night Rubiss came to me in a dream and spoke to me.  She told me that in the far distant future another evil would arise, but that the key to beating this new evil was now.  She said I must find a way to put events in motion now, so that this evil could be overcome.  But she did not tell me how I was to accomplish this.  I am writing to you and to our other brethren searching for some clue as to what I should do.  Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Show this to no one and burn it immediately.  We cannot afford the contents of this letter to become public knowledge.

 

Your Brother in the Faith,

Armas

 

                Erdrick looked back at Jeremiah.  “I know, I know,” Jeremiah said, “I was supposed to burn it and not show it to anyone.  But the tale you just told me convinced me to do otherwise.  I think you need to travel to the Tower of Rubiss and visit Brother Armas.  Tell him your tale and see what can be done about this whole thing.”

                “I think you’re right Jeremiah.  I must leave right away.”

                “And now I’m going to burn this thing.”  He took the letter from Erdrick and pushed it into the flame of the candle sitting on the table.  He set the flaming letter on the stone floor and they all watched it burn completely.  “I’ll clean this up.  You two better go while there is still daylight.”  They all stood then and bid goodbye.

 Chapter 6:  The Evil Stirs

                 Inside the cavern it was complete darkness.  There was no sense of up or down, left or right.  Not even the smallest hint of light was visible.  The only sounds were a trickle of water splashing into a small pool somewhere, and the scurries and squeaks of tiny rodents.

                Without warning, fire erupted in the middle of the cavern, torching several tiny rats.  The flash of fire lit up the cavern like mid-day compared to the utter blackness from before.  The source of the fire became illuminated, a huge green dragon.  I hate rats, it thought bitterly.  It also hated its slumber being disturbed.  With fire and smoke still billowing from its mouth and nostrils, it spread its wings and took flight to the top of the cavern.  It flew downward then, toward one wall of the cavern.  It breathed out a stream of fire precisely aimed at the tip of a torch hanging from an iron ring embedded in the rock.  The torch lit up and the dragon continued in a path around the cavern, lighting each of the other torches in succession.

                Now that it was illuminated, it was easy to see that the cavern was monstrous, able to hold fifty beasts of this dragon’s same size.  In the corner was nestled a pile of gold and other treasures.  In the pile there was a necklace, which some thought was cursed, and a ring with a warrior wielding a sword carved on one side.  These treasures belonged to the dragon now.  It had once been in its master’s castle, but now its master was dead.  It had watched four humans come into its master’s chamber from a high ledge.  Those humans had killed the master and fled, but the dragon had gotten the treasure.  When the humans had left, it swooped down and grabbed all of the treasure it could hold and flew up and out of the castle through the highest tower.

                As it had flown to safety, it saw its master’s castle crumble to dust.  It had looked around then, and wasn’t sure where to go.  It flew west finally, and found this cave high in the mountains.  It new it would not be bothered here.  It wondered again where its fellow dragons had gone.  Dead, most likely.  It had made very few journeys outside since coming here, and only in the darkness of the night.  It did not like this new brightness that had come to the world outside.  It preferred to stay here in the darkness.

                The dragon’s journeys outside had been to its master’s castle, searching for signs of other dragons, but there was no trace of any life at all there.  But it did know one thing that no other creature knew.  There was a way back into its master’s castle.  The entrance was impossible to reach unless you could fly.  It had gone down into the collapsed castle through this passage and reached a cavern at the end.  What was down there was known only to the dragon, and it would tell no one.  Except its new master.  Its new master had not come yet, but it knew he would soon.  It remembered clearly the words of its dying master.  It had heard them from that ledge near the top of its master’s chamber.  Another would come.  It would be a long time, but dragons lived a long time, too.

                The dragon rose up again.  It was time to go out and search for other dragons again.  It would find them eventually, and they would all follow their new master.  It stretched its great wings and flew toward the entrance to the mountain cave.

 * * * *

                 A soldier stood in a wide hallway pacing back and forth.  He was anxious for what was about to happen.  He was scared, too.  A door at the end of the hall opened and a short man stuck his head out.  “The lord is ready for you now,” he said to the soldier.  The soldier walked into the room, which was cloaked in shadows.

                He could not discern the features of his lord’s face, but he knew it was him.  He quickly went to one knee and bowed his head before the lord.  “My lord,” he spoke, “you summoned me?”

                For a long while the lord said nothing.  He liked to make his subjects sweat.  “You are one of the mightiest warriors in the land, but you are nothing without me.  I have a job for you.  Today a man known as Erdrick was summoned to the king’s chambers.  Shortly after that, he left heading east toward Kol.  I want you to follow him and find out what he is doing, and then kill him.  Return to me when he is dead.  Leave me, now.”  The soldier got up and nearly ran out.

                The lord knew that soldier was a great fighter.  The only reason he had spared his life was because he knew he could use the soldier for his own purposes.  He had been on a quest to defeat Zoma and had nearly succeeded.  The other fools that had dreamt of glory were all dead.  All except Erdrick.  I would have had that title now if not for that insolent boy!

                There was a man named Ortega that he had tricked into going alone to defeat Zoma.  He’d died just as all of the others had.  The new king, who’d only been the prince then, was the only warrior who hadn’t gone off to Zoma’s Castle with the delusions of grandeur he filled everyone else’s heads with.  He would kill the king too, and take the throne for himself eventually.  He’d already had the old king poisoned.  Too bad the young king had returned or I would have the throne now, he thought bitterly.

                But first, Erdrick.  And if this soldier did his job, he would have his revenge.

                Now, thought the lord, I will find out what that little brat is up to.  He will pay for his insolence and for the disgrace he has brought upon me!

 Chapter 7:  Old Acquaintances and New Acquaintances

                 Erdrick and Miriam made their way through the forest.  A mile or so ahead lay the village of Kol.  They had left Tantegel Castle right after speaking to Jeremiah and had traveled until nightfall.  They had resumed their trek the next morning and had traveled all day.  The sun would set soon now and they were almost to their destination.  They followed the path around a final curve and the village appeared before them.

                “Let’s go get our rooms at the inn, first,” Erdrick suggested.  “Then we can sit down for a hot meal.”

                “That sounds fine.  I’ve been dying for a hot meal.”  She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek lightly.  He smiled broadly at her and she smiled back.

                “I also want to talk to Hideo, the shop owner from Jipang,” Erdrick stated.  “He and his wife are the only people besides us from our world.  And he makes a pretty good weapon.”  Erdrick drew out the Sword of Kings from its scabbard and held it aloft.  I gleamed faintly in the diminishing sunlight.  Everyone called it Erdrick’s Sword now.  They called the Armor of Radiance Erdrick’s Armor now, too.

                They made their way to the to the inn and paid for their rooms and got a hot meal.  It was well into the evening when they made their way to Hideo’s shop.  Hideo and his wife, Onoko, had just finished their evening meal.  The couple from Jipang invited the two travelers in immediately.

                “It’s good to see you again, Erdrick, and you too, Miriam,” the shopkeeper began.  “It’s good to see someone from the old world.”

                “Have you thought about returning?” Erdrick asked.

                “We’ve thought about it a little bit,” Hideo replied.  “With Himiko gone, and the rest of the monsters, it would be peaceful there.  But business has been very good here, and we’ve sort of become attached to the people here, so we’ve decided to stay.”

                “That’s great,” Erdrick said.  “Miriam and I will be staying in this world as well.”

                They talked well into the night, but finally Erdrick and Miriam bid goodbye, knowing they must continue their journey in the morning.  They made their way back to the inn for a well-needed rest.

                Erdrick was up before dawn and down eating breakfast. He couldn’t sleep very well, so he was up early.  He had knocked on Miriam’s door to make sure she was up.  She should be down in no time.  Erdrick looked up from his meal when he heard footsteps on the stairs.  It was not Miriam as he had hoped.  Instead a large man in full plate armor and large broadsword appeared.  The soldier looked around and came over when he spotted Erdrick.  “You must be Erdrick, whom I’ve heard so much about,” the soldier said as he extended his hand.  “My name is Ryne.”

                “I’ve heard the name,” Erdrick replied.  “It’s good to finally make your acquaintance.”

                “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.  May I sit?”

                “Of course.  Let me get a server to bring you a plate and we can talk over breakfast.”  Erdrick waved to a man just coming out of the kitchen.  “Bring this man some food,” he said to the server.

                The man ducked back into the kitchen and came out a few moments later and set the plate down in front of Ryne.  “Will that be all, sirs?”

                “Yes, we’ll be fine, thank you.”  The server bowed and left back to the kitchen.  “So, where have you come from Ryne?”

                “My home is Rimuldar and I’ve just come through the newly finished tunnel.  What about you?  I heard you were staying in Brecconary.  When I heard from these villagers you were here, I was quite surprised.  What brings you out this way?”

                “I’m…on an errand, for the king,” Erdrick lied.  He hoped the other man hadn’t noticed the pause.  He wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know what he was about.

                “What sort of business would the king have way out in this remote village?”

                “My business is not here.  I’m leaving this morning to continue on my journey, just as soon as my companion gets down here.”

                “Oh, who is your companion?  Is it someone I know?”

                Good.  He’d diverted him to a different topic.  “Her name is Miriam.  She’s traveled with me for a long time.”

                “Oh, I see.  A lady friend.  So, where are you headed to?”

                Damn, Erdrick swore silently.  He’d brought the subject up again.  The problem was that Ryne was right.  This was a remote village and only the sea was beyond here.  Kol wasn’t on the way to anywhere, except where he was going.  “I’m heading to the Tower of Rubiss,” Erdrick admitted grudgingly.  If he’d lied, the soldier would have known instantly.

                “Well, this is truly amazing.  I’m headed for the same place.  Perhaps we could travel together.”

                “Oh really.  What business do you have at the tower?”

                “Why, I’m a devout follower of Rubiss, Erdrick.  Every truly devout follower makes a pilgrimage there every year.”

                “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have another companion.  Will you be ready in a half hour?”

                “I’m ready right now.  Why don’t you go check on your lady friend.”  As if summoned, Miriam appeared at the doorway to the dining hall.

                Erdrick jumped up to greet her.  “Sit down and eat some breakfast.  I’ll go upstairs and bring our belongings down.  This is Ryne.  He’s coming with us.  I’ll explain later.”

                He left the dining hall then and bounded up the stairs.  When he came back down with the bundles, Miriam was eating, but Ryne was nowhere to be seen.  “Where did he go?” he inquired to Miriam.

                “He said he had to go meet someone and that he’d be back in just a few minutes.  Why is he coming with us?  I though we were trying to keep this a secret.”

                “We are.  But he’s on his way there, too, and it just would have been awkward to not let him come with us after he’d asked, so I said all right.  He’d better hurry back though, or I’m leaving without him.  You’d better hurry, too.”

                “What?  Will you leave me, too, if I don’t finish my food fast enough?”

                “Just hurry,” he said smiling.  “We don’t have a lot of time to waste.”

Chapter 8:  The Journey

                 True to his word, Ryne returned just as Miriam was finishing up her breakfast.  “Sorry about that.  I’d forgot about something and needed to get it resolved before we left.  I’ll just go up to my room and grab my things.  I’ll be back down in a minute.”

                In just a few minutes the three of them were on their way, heading westward.  “I’m glad you’re with us, Ryne,” Erdrick stated as they made their way through the forest.  “It’s good to have three people, just in case any trouble arises.”

                “I’m sure we’ll be safe enough,” the soldier replied.  “Since the monsters disappeared, I haven’t run into any trouble at all.”

                By midmorning they reached the end of the forest and their path became a trek through rolling hills.  They stopped to take a rest at midday atop a small rise.  They hadn’t seen a single soul since they’d left the village.  They ate a meal of bread and cheese and continued on their journey.  When the hills ended, plains stretched all the way to the mountains they could see in the far distance.

                “It looks like a storm is coming up behind us,” Ryne stated.  “I hope we can reach the mountains and shelter, before it overtakes us.”

                They all turned around and looked at the ominous clouds building up in the east.  “Let’s pick up our pace a little, just to be sure,” Erdrick said.

                By the time they reached the mountains, the clouds had blanketed the sky, but it had not begun to rain yet.  “The tower is just through this pass,” Erdrick informed.  “Another two or three hours and we’ll be there.  Let’s move quickly.  If the storm catches us, we may have to find some shelter up there and wait it out.”

                “I think someone is following us,” Miriam said suddenly.  “Down in the plains, but I can’t be certain, with this weather moving in.”

                “Well, that’s even more reason to pick up the pace.  Let’s go.”  They hurried into the pass.  All of the land they were on now was new.  It had been buried under the sea just a few months ago.  It was barren and void of life and vegetation.  Large boulders lay strewn through the pass and the travelers picked their way, carefully but quickly.

                Without warning, four armed men appeared from behind a large boulder ahead.  Eight more armed men appeared from behind other boulders.  Erdrick gasped and started to retreat.  “Erdrick,” Miriam said, “I think there are men coming up behind us, too.  That might be what I saw down on the plains.”

                “A trap!” Erdrick exclaimed bitterly.  “We’ll have to break through these men in front of us then, and make a run for it before the others show up.”  Erdrick drew forth the Sword of Kings and held it before him.  Miriam and Ryne drew their weapons as well.  “Let’s get between these two boulders so they can’t surround us.”

                Suddenly Erdrick was hit from behind.  He dropped to his hands and knees.  Miriam turned in horror as she saw Ryne standing over Erdrick.  “You traitor!” she shouted as she cast the Blazemost spell and hurled at him.  A huge ball of fire flew from her outstretched arms and…broke apart as it reached Ryne.  She was stunned.  Somehow he was protected from her magic!

                Quickly, Erdrick was back on his feet and hurled himself at Ryne.  His sword came down in a great arch and cut into Ryne’s shoulder before he had time to parry.  “Hurry Miriam cast a spell on those others before they reach us.”  The dozen men were running at them now and almost upon them.

                Miriam quickly cast Explodet.  Three of the twelve died instantly, six more were wounded badly and the other three were untouched.  The nine still alive came on, all of their focus on Miriam.  “Not her, you fools!  Kill Erdrick!” Ryne shouted.

                Three of them attacked her anyway cutting into her arms and legs.  The other six attacked Erdrick, wounding him badly.  There was only one hope for survival.  Erdrick cast Healusall and instantly Miriam’s and his wounds healed over.  Miriam jumped up and cast Icespears, and four more of the men died.  Ryne and the others went after Erdrick and began slicing into him.  Miriam cast Bikill on her companion and Erdrick finished another one off.  The men regrouped again and attacked Erdrick.  He just could not fend off all of their blows, and several blows rained down all over his body.  Help me, Miriam, he thought desperately.

                Erdrick collapsed to the ground, but instantly he felt his wounds mending from the Healall spell.  Suddenly twelve more men came into view behind them.  Erdrick new they would not be able to break through before the newcomers reached them.  There was only one hope.  He cast the Lightning spell at the twelve men.  Eight of them collapsed and died, but four were unaffected and came on.

                Ryne and the eight men left attacked Erdrick, wounding him badly again.  Miriam cast Healall again on Erdrick, but she realized that this battle had to end soon, because her magic power was almost depleted, and she knew Erdrick’s must be as well.  “Split up!” Ryne shouted at his men.  “You three go kill that girl!”

                Erdrick smiled.  These men are playing right into our hands now, he thought triumphantly.  He attacked his closest assailant, delivering a killing blow.  Three of the men attacked Miriam, and Ryne and the other three attacked Erdrick.  They were both wounded, but not too badly.  Now they’re going to pay!

                Quickly, Miriam pulled out the sage’s stones and held them aloft.  They both were healed instantly.  Erdrick had just enough magic for a final Lightning spell.  He cast it quickly and five of Ryne’s men fell down dead.  Ryne and his last man stopped.  They were frightened now.  Ryne lashed out at Erdrick and hit him, while his man struck at Miriam.   She was too quick for him though, dodging his attack easily.  Erdrick and Miriam ganged up on the last man and defeated him, leaving only Ryne.  Ryne struck quickly at Miriam and cut her deeply, but she used the sage’s stones and their wounds mended again.  Erdrick with the Bikill spell still working on him delivered a crippling blow to Ryne.  He fell down and gasped for breath.

                Rain started to fall from the clouds above.  “Why do you want us dead?”  Erdrick asked him, pointing his sword at the traitor’s throat.  “Who sent you?”

                “You’ll face the wrath of my lord soon enough.  No one will be able to stand before him.  He will crush all that get in the way!”  Ryne brought up his sword, brushing Erdrick’s aside and slashed at him.  Erdrick dodged it easily and brought his sword down upon Ryne’s head.  Ryne’s sword fell from his clutches and his body went limp.

                “Let’s get out of here,” Erdrick said, and Miriam nodded hastily.  In moments they were gone, stumbling in the rain toward the Tower of Rubiss.

Chapter 9:  More Revelations

                 It was nearing evening when they reached the Tower of Rubiss.  The trek from the battle scene had taken longer than expected.  They reached the front gate and Erdrick hammered the hilt of his sword on the large wooden doors.  He could have used the final key he had in his pack, but he didn’t want to burst into this sanctuary now that it had been cleansed of evil and reopened for worship.  Erdrick heard the latch on the door release, and then the door swung inwardly.

                A very old priest with white hair and beard peered out at them.  “Sir Erdrick,” he said, “you are most welcome at the Tower of Rubiss, you and your companion.  Please come in from the rain and rest.”  The priest closed the door behind them and said,  “My name is Jarius.  Armas, the head priest has been expecting you.”

                Erdrick was shocked by that last statement.  He didn’t think Armas would know he was coming.  Instead he said, “It’s been a long journey from Tantegel Castle.”

                “Indeed,” the priest replied, “though it’s much safer now.”

                Safer, except we almost got killed, he wanted to say, but instead just nodded.

                The priest led them down a narrow hallway to the left.  “Here are some rooms you can use to change into some dry clothes,” he said.  “You can use this room, Erdrick, and…it’s Miriam, right?”  She nodded and he continued.  “You can use this room across the hall.  I’ll go tell Armas you’ve arrived.”

                Erdrick changed quickly and dried his hair with a towel on the corner stand.  Quickly, he went out and across the hall and knocked on Miriam’s door.  He heard a muffled “come in” so he entered.  Miriam had changed into dry clothes, but was still toweling her hair dry.  “Have a seat on the bed,” she said and proceeded over to the corner stand for a brush to finish doing her hair.

                “I wonder how Armas knew we were coming,” he said once he was seated.  “It’s not possible that word could have reached here before we arrived, even if Jeremiah had sent someone.”

                “I don’t know and I don’t care,” she replied, moving closer to him.  “I’m just glad I’m alone with you.”  She draped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  He pulled her closer.

                They heard a faint knock at the door and they moved apart.  Erdrick went quickly to the door and opened it.  Jarius was standing across the hall with his back toward them in front of Erdrick’s door.  He whirled around when he heard the door behind him open and came up to Erdrick.  “Pardon me, Erdrick, but Armas is ready to see you now.”

                “Lead the way, Jarius.”  Erdrick and Miriam moved out into the hall and followed Jarius to the main hall where they met Armas.

                “Welcome Erdrick and Miriam,” Armas greeted.  “Please follow me.  You may return to your duties, Jarius.”  Jarius moved away and Armas led them to a small study and closed the door behind them.  “Now,” he said forcefully, “how did you come to be here?”  It was as if he was interrogating them.

                “I don’t understand.  I thought you knew we were coming?”

                “Answer my question!” the priest said sternly.

                There was nothing else to do except answer his question.  Erdrick explained about what Zoma had said to them and meeting Jeremiah and reading the letter Armas had sent to him.  He concluded by saying, “Jeremiah thought it best if we came to you to discuss the matter.”

                “That disobedient cretin!  I told him to burn that letter and not show it to anyone.  Well, what’s done is done and I suppose it is for the best.  After all, you have answered many of the questions I’ve been wondering about for the last few days.”

                “Which brings us to my question,” Erdrick cut in.  “How did you know we were coming?  And what’s with all this interrogation?”

                “I must apologize for that, but I had to be sure about you.”  Armas noticed the puzzled looks on their faces and said, “Sit down.  I’ll explain.”

                They all went to the reading table in the center of the room and sat down.  “As you know,” the priest began, “I had a vision a few days ago in my sleep.  Rubiss came to me and told me an evil force would arise, greater than Zoma, in the distant future, but that something needed to be done now, so that this evil could be overcome.  That was all she told me.  As you can see, I was very perplexed.  I wrote to several brethren that I knew I could trust with the information, in the hopes that they would be able to help me in some way.  I guess Jeremiah sent you.”  He chuckled slightly, but Erdrick and Miriam didn’t see the humor, and he changed his chuckle to a cough.

                “Moving on now.  As to how I knew you were here, well, I didn’t precisely know it would be you, Erdrick.  You see, Rubiss visited me again last night and told me she was sending someone to help, but she didn’t say who or when.  I told Jarius this morning that I was expecting someone important and that he should inform me when that person arrived.  When you came, he assumed that you were the one and came and told me.  That little interrogation was just to make sure you really were the one Rubiss sent to help me.  And of course, I believe you are the one she sent or else I wouldn’t have told you all of this just now.”

                “This is all very hard to believe,” Erdrick said shaking his head.

                “Oh, you believe, or at least you will very soon.  You see, Rubiss said one other thing to me last night.  She said that she wanted to speak to you when you arrived!”

Chapter 10:  Visions

                 Erdrick made his way up stairways and through hallways to the top of the tower.  He had wanted Miriam to come with him to meet Rubiss, but Armas had insisted that he go alone.  So Erdrick made his way up to the chamber where he and his companions had freed Rubiss with the fairy flute.

                The path to the chamber was quicker and easier now that the tower was not infested with Zoma’s minions, and before he realized it Erdrick was standing at the entrance.  He paused and wondered again if Rubiss would really appear.  He was finally on the verge of getting answers to the questions that had plagued him so long.  He hoped and prayed silently that the answers would truly come.

                Slowly, he moved to the center of the room and knelt by the altar there.  What should he do now?  How would he summon her?  Would she know he was even here?  Should he just wait for her to appear?

                As if his thoughts had summoned her, she appeared above him, floating in the air.  Her glory and brilliance burned at his eyes and he shielded them and shied away from the being that seemed to emit a light brighter than the sun.

                Her voice came to him softly.  “Look upon me, Erdrick.  Look upon your destiny.”  He found the courage to look upon her once more, but a vision had enveloped him and images danced before his eyes.  Images of the land, images of him, images of the people he had freed from the Master Archfiend’s terror.  Thousands upon thousands of images flashed through his mind in the blink of an eye.  The vision seemed to last an eternity, but eventually the images began to slow and fade.

                Rubiss appeared again before him, but he found that he could look upon her now.  “You have been chosen, Erdrick,” she said as he gazed upon her.  “A being of great evil will soon rise and wreak havoc and chaos in the land.  It is the destiny and curse of you and your descendants to battle this evil and all other evils, which threaten this world.  You have in your possession, many items infused with very powerful magic.  These items must be safeguarded and protected by those whom I will choose, so that they may be brought forth once again, to destroy the evil that threatens.”

                Erdrick continued to listen as more visions opened up to him, showing him what he should do.  Finally, the visions stopped and Rubiss vanished.  Erdrick found himself leaning heavily upon the altar, his strength spent.  Several minutes passed before he felt strong enough to stand.  Slowly, he got to his feet and made his way back to the ground floor.  Miriam saw him first as he staggered down the last few steps.  Hurriedly she rushed to him and supported his weight as they went back to his room.  Armas was there as well and followed them in.

                “What did she say?” Miriam asked as she seated Erdrick on his bed.  “Did she appear like Armas said she would?”

                Erdrick leaned back and against the wall, breathing deeply.  “She came,” he stated simply.  She told me what I needed to do.”  He paused and looked over at Armas.  “Is this tower magic?” he asked.  “What I mean is, was it made from magic, and is it protected by magic?  Her magic?”

                Armas was puzzled by the question, but nodded anyway.  “Yes.  She made this tower with her magic, and it is her magic that protects it.  Why do you ask?”

                “She told me that she would no longer use her power to sustain this place.  By tomorrow morning this tower will be gone.  She didn’t say why, but she said a small, one room shrine must be built on this location once the tower was gone.  I suppose you should let all of the priests here know that they’re not going to have a home come tomorrow.”

                “I suppose I should.  You two get some rest.  I’ll send someone to wake you before dawn so we can all clear out of here.  Good night.”  Armas left the room and Miriam came over to sit by Erdrick.

                “You look beat.  I’ll let you sleep now, but I want to know everything tomorrow morning,” Miriam said as she brushed a kiss across his lips. 

                “I love you, Miriam,” he said softly.

                “I know.  I love you, too,” she repeated.  “Get some rest, now.”

                “You get some sleep, too.  We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.”  With that, Miriam slowly retreated to her own room.

Chapter 11:  The Quest

                 Long before dawn, Erdrick and Miriam were awakened.  They helped the priests move the last of the personal belongings outside and waited until dawn.  The rain had ended during the night and the ground had begun to dry out, but it was still a little soggy.  Hopefully, none of the items brought out would be damaged from the weather.

                When the light from the sun began to illuminate the sky, the tower began to shimmer as if it were only a mirage.  By the time the sun crested over the eastern horizon the tower had faded and disappeared.

                The priests moved to the area where the tower had been and began to search around.  Armas moved closer to Erdrick and Miriam.  “I’ve instructed them to begin the task of building the shrine,” Armas informed them.  “Let’s move over here where we can talk in private.”  He motioned over to a table and chairs, which had been brought from the tower.  “Now, let me know the tasks that Rubiss has given to you.”

                “Well,” Erdrick responded, “she said that the magical items that I possess are the key to defeating this new evil.  She said that these items must be guarded by her servants, until the time came when one of my descendants came to claim them once more.”  Erdrick reached into his bundle and pulled out a smooth, polished stick.  At the thickest end, it was ornamented with a deep blue crystal and up and down its length it was carved with clouds.  He stretched it forth and said, handing the object to Armas, “She told me to give you the Staff of Rain.  You and your descendants must keep it safe, here at this shrine you are building.”

                “And my descendant, should give this to your descendant when he shows up?” Armas questioned with a hint of doubt.

                “It’s the only way,” Erdrick replied.  “I must go now to her other followers and entrust items to their care as well.”

                “Well, good luck on your journey.  With Rubiss to protect you, I know you’ll be safe.”

                “There’s one more thing I should tell you, Armas.  We were attacked by a group of men on our way here.  Something is going on, and somebody out there wants me dead.  You could be in danger as well.  Please be careful, Armas.  The fate of Alefgard is on our shoulders.  If we fail, evil will triumph.”

                “I’ll be careful,” Armas replied.  To Miriam he said, “You watch his back.  He’ll need you in the days ahead to keep him safe.”

                With handshakes and hugs between them, Erdrick and Miriam bid goodbye to Armas and headed out to begin their quest.  They traveled all day and reached Kol just after dusk.

                They made their way to the inn and paid for their rooms.  As they headed up to their rooms, Erdrick saw someone he recognized across in the dining hall.  “Hold on a minute, Miriam.  I’ve got to go talk to someone.”

                Erdrick strolled up to the table and said to the man, “Garin, is that you?”

                The man turned.  “Yes, I’m Garin.”

                Erdrick smiled.  It seemed as if Rubiss was helping him out on his quest after all.  How else could he have run into one of the people he needed so soon.  “I don’t know if you remember me or not,” Erdrick stated, “but we met in Cantlin.”

                “I remember.  I told you about my harp.  I went home and it was gone, and I believe you have it.  I’d like it back now.”

                “I do have it, and I’ll give it back to you, but first I have to tell you something.  Let’s go upstairs and talk.”

                They proceeded up the stairs and met Miriam.  Erdrick sat Garin down and began his tale.  “Rubiss has called you to be the protector of the Silver Harp.  It is a magical item and must be kept safe from evil.”  Erdrick gestured to Miriam and she pulled out the Silver Harp from their belongings.  She handed it over to Garin.

                “I knew this was a special harp, but I had no idea it was magical,” Garin said when he finally put his hands on the harp.  He caressed it gently, and a gleam came to his eyes.

                “Well, have no doubt, it’s definitely magic. It has the power to attract monsters.  That’s why it must be kept safe.”

                “I’ll protect it until my dying day,” the minstrel replied.  “I’ll even have it buried with me when I die, if I need to.”

                “How long will you be staying in Kol?” Miriam asked him.

                “Now that I have my harp back, I’ll be going home.”

                “Great,” Erdrick replied.  He turned to Garin.  “We’ll be leaving in the morning, too.  Would you like to travel together, at least part of the way?”

                “That would be fine.  I’ll see you in the morning then,” and Garin got up to leave.

                As soon as the musician was gone, Erdrick turned to Miriam.  “Come on, Miriam,” he said, grabbing his bundle.  “I’ve got one more thing to do before we go to bed.”  Erdrick headed out the front door of the inn with Miriam just a step behind.

                “What are we doing?” she asked as they strolled down the street.

                “Just keep a look out.  I don’t want anyone to see us.”  They came upon a large pool of water, which the people here called the bath.  Erdrick pulled a small slender object from his pack.  “We’ve got to bury this thing where we found it,” he said holding up the Fairy Flute.  It gleamed slightly in the moonlight.  He walked to the south edge of the bath and took four giant steps.  “This is the place,” he announced triumphantly.

                He got down on his hands and knees and shifted a small boulder.  He reached back into his pack and pulled out some worn cloth.  Quickly, he wrapped up the flute and put it in the small hole where the boulder was and pushed the boulder back on top of the treasure.  He packed the dirt back around the boulder tightly.  “That should be good enough.  Let’s get back to the inn.”

Chapter 12:  Return to Tantegel

                 It took the better part of two days for Erdrick and Miriam to reach Tantegel Castle.  Garin had traveled with them most of the way, but had left on the morning of the second day in the foothills north of Tantegel to go to his home.  Erdrick was glad that Garin was willing to protect the Silver Harp.

                Erdrick new they were running out of time.  Rubiss had said that he needed to be rid of all these items by the time of the grand opening of the tunnel to Rimuldar or it might be too late.  They only had nine days left and they still had a whole lot of traveling to do.

                Tonight he and Miriam would speak to Jeremiah and entrust him with the Stones of Sunlight.  Tomorrow they would head south to a small shrine in the middle of a swamp south of Cantlin.  They would leave his amulet there, which people called Erdrick’s Token now.  The Rainbow Drop would go to the priest at the Shrine on a small island south of Rimuldar.

                And then he had to do what he really didn’t want to do.  He had to sell his sword, armor, and shield to a man named Joshua in Hauksness.  Erdrick remembered Joshua vaguely from his travels.  He was the shop owner who’d just had a baby several months ago.  Hopefully the man had chosen a name by now and was open again for business.

                When they got to the main gates of Tantegel Castle they were greeted by the guards.  They left their weapons and belongings there except for a small pouch which Erdrick pulled from his bag.  They went quickly to the Chapel of Sanctuary and found Jeremiah.

                “I had no idea you would return so quickly,” the priest said when he saw them.  “Tell me everything that has happened.”

                “You’d better sit down then,” Erdrick replied, “it’s a long story.”

                Erdrick related the tales from the last few days and the charge that Rubiss had given to him.  He finished by handing the pouch containing the Stones of Sunlight to Jeremiah.

                “So these fall into my care,” Jeremiah said grabbing the small bundle.  “I shall take good care of them, until they are needed again.”

                “There is one other thing,” Erdrick said, immediately drawing the priest’s attention from the stones to him.  “We were attacked by a band of men on the way to the tower.  Their leader was a soldier named Ryne.  Have you heard of him and do you know anything about him?”

                Jeremiah looked perplexed.  “I know of him,” he replied slowly.  “I thought he was an honorable man, until now.”

                “Well, now he’s dead, but he got his orders to kill me from someone.  Do you know anything about him?  Who would he take orders from?”

                “Well, there’s only one possibility.  Ryne was at the castle here the day before the last time you were here.  He came with Lord Bartock.”

                “Lord Bartock!?” Erdrick exclaimed.  “I knew he didn’t like me, but this?”

                Miriam jumped into the conversation.  “Why would Bartock want to kill you?”

                “Erdrick is probably a threat to his power,” Jeremiah interjected.  “Bartock is a man of high standing, after all.”

                “Well, we have to head out early in the morning.  Could we stay here with you, Jeremiah?  I think the fewer people who know we are here the better.”

                “I believe you’re right.  I’ll have your things brought from the guardhouse.  You can sleep back in my chambers.”

Chapter 13:  The Enemy Arises

                 Erdrick and Miriam were up well before sunrise.  If they made good time they could make it to Hauksness by nightfall.  Jeremiah saw them off through a back door to the castle and they were on their way.  They traveled west and skirted the mountains and a large lake.

By mid afternoon they started heading south and crossed a recently constructed bridge over a river that came down from the mountains.  They were making good time, but Erdrick was afraid they would not make it to Hauksness by nightfall.  They saw some storm clouds building up to the west and were afraid they would be caught out in the storm.  They decided to pick up their pace.

                By the time the sun had set they were still hours from Hauksness.  The storm was upon them, but no rain had fallen yet.  “Well, we have two choices,” Erdrick said.  “We can hurry to Hauksness and hope we don’t get caught in the rain, or we can look for some shelter out here.”

                “It’s getting dark, but the road is wide and clear and easy to follow,” Miriam replied.  “I’m still good for several more hours and I’d like to sleep in a bed, if possible.”

                So they continued on their journey.  It started to rain about an hour later, but they pressed on.  Around midnight, they finally saw some lights up ahead and knew they had finally reached Hauksness.  They were soaked to the skin, but they found their way to the inn and got a room.

                They awoke at mid morning and noticed that the storm was beginning to break up.  Hopefully by noon, the skies would be clear and they could leave.  After last night, they really didn’t feel like traveling in the rain again.  Either way, they decided they would leave at noon. 

                The skies did indeed begin to clear and they left at noon.  By mid afternoon the sun was shining and the ground began to dry.  When the night came again, they found shelter under some trees.  With the distance they had traveled today, they decided that they should be able to make it to the shrine by tomorrow night.  As they rolled into their blankets, Erdrick wondered again about Lord Bartock.  The first time they had met, Erdrick knew the guy was strange.  Erdrick also knew that the man was a powerful enemy.  He hoped that Lord Bartock would never be able to find them, and that he could finish his quest with no more encounters with Bartock’s men.  Eventually, weariness overcame him and Erdrick drifted off to sleep.

*  *  *  *

                 Lord Bartock made his way south down the road to Hauksness.  Evening had settled and he noticed a storm was building.  He’d been following Erdrick all day.  It was only last night that one of his followers had come from Tantegel Castle with news that Erdrick was alive and well, and staying at the castle.

                Bartock had cursed at the news.  How had Ryne failed?  Bartock had cast a spell on him to protect him from magic, and had sent more than twenty men with him.  Ryne had been a fool. He would have to kill Erdrick himself, he decided bitterly.  So he went to Tantegel from Brecconary in the morning, only to find that Erdrick and his companion had all ready left. 

                He had followed their trail all day, but had not made up any time.  They were moving too quickly.  And now, he was going to get caught in the rain.  He was still several hours behind them and knew that once it started to rain, their tracks would be washed away.  He decided it would be best to find shelter.

                There should be some shelter in the mountains, he thought.  He headed east and circled around a small swamp.  When it started to rain, he was afraid he wouldn’t find any shelter in time, but then he spotted an opening in the side of the mountain.  A cave!  Quickly he went in and rested as the rain began to pour more heavily outside.  “I guess I’m staying here tonight,” he said to himself.

                When he turned his attention from the rain, Bartock suddenly heard a faint scraping sound from deep within the tunnel.  A few minutes later he heard the same sound only louder.  “I wonder what that noise could be?”  Slowly, he got to his feet and cast the Radiant spell.  The entrance to the cavern lit up immediately.  He made his way down into the tunnel to see about that noise.

                After running into several dead ends and trying to follow the sound, which occurred every few minutes, Bartock finally made his way to a large cavern.  His radiant spell was beginning to diminish and he couldn’t see the far end of the cavern.  He cast the spell again and the cavern was filled with light.  Bartock was startled at what he saw.  At the far edge of the cavern a huge green dragon reared up.  Bartock took a few steps back.  The huge beast had startled him.  He hadn’t thought there were any monsters left.  After a moment he regained his composure.  He could easily defeat this monster, but he would wait for it to attack him.

                Surprisingly, the great beast kneeled down before him.  Bartock couldn’t believe his eyes, but he knew instantly that this dragon would obey his commands.  Just to be sure, he commanded the beast to sit.  The dragon obeyed.  “Run around the room!” he shouted.  The dragon obeyed again.  “Roll over and play dead!” he commanded again.  The great beast rolled over onto its back and just laid there.  Suddenly, from another entrance to the cavern, several dragons emerged.  Red, blue, and green, a dozen more entered the cavern.  They all knelt before him, too. A great, sinister laugh burst from his lips.  “I am the Lord of Dragons!” he exclaimed.  “Nothing can stop me now.  Not even Erdrick!”  He began to laugh again.

 Chapter 14:  The Attack

                 It took Erdrick and Miriam another day to reach the swamp south of Cantlin.  They had traveled quickly and hadn’t even seen another traveler all day.  Erdrick noticed a small shack at the edge of the swamp and started to head towards it.  “That shack wasn’t there before,” he stated.  “I wonder who’s there?”

                When they reached the shack they noticed it was a hastily built structure, and didn’t look to be too permanent.  Whoever was staying here wasn’t planning on staying long.  Perhaps they were all ready gone.  Erdrick called out to whoever might be inside.  A minute later, tall figure in robes came out of the door.

                “You’re a priest of Rubiss!” Erdrick exclaimed as he noticed the man’s clothing.  “What are you doing here?”

                “I might ask you the same question,” the priest replied.

                “Were heading into the swamp to visit the shrine of Rubiss.”

                “I wouldn’t bother,” the priest said.  “It’s not there anymore.”

                Erdrick and Miriam’s jaws dropped.  “What do you mean it’s not there anymore?” Miriam questioned.

                “I mean it vanished.  Poof!”  The priest threw his arms out wide to emphasize the word.  “About a week ago.  I woke up and my bed was gone.  The whole place was gone.”

                “What about the woman?” Erdrick asked.

                “The woman?”

                “Yes, the woman.  We met a woman there several months ago.”

                “Oh, you must mean Ariana,” the priest informed.  “She was a celestial being, like Rubiss.  A guess she’s in the same place as the shrine.”

                “I was supposed to leave an amulet there,” Erdrick continued.  “We’re on a special quest for Rubiss herself.”  Erdrick related the important points of his journey to the priest, whose name was Joseph.

                “Well,” Joseph sighed when Erdrick had finished, “that’s quite a story.  I suppose it could be left where the shrine used to be.

                “We don’t know if we could find the exact place, Joseph,” Erdrick said.  “If I entrust it to your care, could you see that the amulet is taken care of?”

                “There is a small stone there, marking the place where the shrine stood.  I’ll place it there and protect it by my magic.  Then I think I’ll go to Cantlin and stay.  You can trust me.”

                “Thank you, Joseph,” Erdrick said.  They gave the token to Joseph and left the priest and the shack behind, heading back towards Hauksness.

                They camped on the plains west of the swamp that night and continued on the next day.  The next night they slept under the stars again.  “We should reach Hauksness by noon tomorrow, but we can’t stay there,” Erdrick told Miriam before retiring to bed.  “We don’t have much time left.”

                They awoke early the next morning and continued north.  Their path led them along the top of a cliff, which ran along the seacoast.  They stopped there for a rest and looked over the edge to the sea.

                “That sure is a long way down there,” Miriam said.  “Let’s move away from the edge.”

                A sharp cry was the only warning they had before their attacker was upon them.  It swooped down upon them as they turned.  They both ducked hurriedly as the huge green dragon came at them.  But Miriam was just a fraction too slow.  She tumbled backward off the edge of the cliff.

                “No!” Erdrick screamed as Miriam disappeared from his view.  He stood and drew forth his sword.  Quickly the dragon came at him once more.  Erdrick lunged at the great beast and skewered the beast with his weapon.  The dragon reared back in pain and clutched at the sword thrust through its side.  Throwing its weight back and forth, the dragon wrenched the sword from Erdrick’s grip and tumbled off the cliff, the sword still embedded in its body.

                Quickly, Erdrick scrambled to the edge of the cliff.  He looked and saw the dragon flying weakly away westward, toward the isle of dragons.  Suddenly, he remembered Miriam and looked down the cliff face for any sign of her.  He saw her then, hanging precariously twenty feet below.  “Hold on, Miriam,” he yelled down to her.  “I’m coming to help.”

                “Hurry!” she exclaimed.  “I’m losing my grip.”

                He pulled a length of rope from his bundle and tied it to a nearby tree.  He tied a large knot in the other end and tossed it over the edge.  “Grab on and I’ll pull you up!” he shouted to her.

                Quickly, she moved one hand from the cliff and gripped the end of the rope.  Erdrick began to pull and soon she was back on top of the cliff.

                “I thought I’d lost you forever,” he said as they embraced and kissed.  They held each other for a while, then realized they were still at the edge of the cliff and there might be more danger around.  They untied the rope from the tree and continued on their way to Hauksness, always keeping a wary eye to search the sky for anymore dragons.

*  *  *  * 

                The green dragon flew eastward toward the shattered remains of Charlock Castle, the Sword of Erdrick still piercing his side.  He flew into the secret cavern that only the dragons knew about, and of course, their new master.  The Dragonlord was waiting for it when it flew in.  It came and kneeled before its master.  The Dragonlord reached down and wrenched the sword from the dragon’s side.  It screamed in pain and scurried off to the corner whining.

                The Dragonlord could read the dragon’s thoughts.  He all ready knew what had happened.  Erdrick was now without a weapon, and if the dragon’s thoughts were true, Erdrick was now without his companion as well.  He turned his attention from the wailing creature in the corner.  He glanced over at the whining dragon.  It would survive.  They were very good healers.

                The Dragonlord walked further down into the passage that led to the heart of Charlock Castle.  He thought this place had been completely destroyed, but there was something at the end of the passage that kept this place alive.  The green dragon had showed it to him immediately after bringing him here.

                Finally, he came to a large chamber.  It was lit with an eerie green light, which emanated from a pool in the exact center of the cavern.  This pool was the source of Charlock’s magic and had been the source of Zoma’s power, until he died.  Now the magic was his, and he would use it to destroy Erdrick.

                The Dragonlord stretched forth his hands and began chanting.  Green tendrils of smoke began to rise from the pool.  The smoke swirled around and around until it became a small cloud, then it slowly drifted toward the Dragonlord and settled upon him.  The smoke dissipated as the magic within was absorbed into every part of the Dragonlord’s body.  He could feel the magic coursing through his veins.  It was so exhilarating that it was nearly impossible to resist the temptation to use the magic.

                Regretfully, the Dragonlord stopped chanting and the magic in the pool went dormant again.  He lifted up Erdrick’s Sword to see it more clearly in the faint green light.  He would humiliate and torture Erdrick and then he would kill the poor fool with his own weapon.

                After he killed Erdrick, he would use the powerful magic to raise Charlock Castle from the rubble that was here now and take over the land of Alefgard with his dragons.  He let out a deep sinister laugh, which echoed off the cavern walls.

Chapter 15:  The Bargaining

                 Erdrick and Miriam reached Hauksness without any more encounters, but Erdrick was worried now.  He never thought he would fail in his quest.  But now that his sword was gone, he was afraid that everything wouldn’t work out as Rubiss had thought.  How would his descendant be able to recover his sword if it was in the hands of a dragon?

                His sword and armor were to be protected by the people, given to them to give them hope and assurance that evil could be overcome.  Now all he had was his armor.  He was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.

                They made their way to Joshua’s shop and went inside.  Joshua was behind the desk, with his back toward them, hanging some merchandise on a peg on the wall.  “How’s your baby, Joshua?” Erdrick asked the shopkeeper.

                “He’s a growing boy and he’s starting to crawl,” Joshua replied turning around.  Joshua saw them finally and a puzzled look came to his face.  “Do I know you?”

                “Well, the last time we came here you were closed for business, because you were trying to think of a name for your baby,” Erdrick answered.  “My name is Erdrick and this is Miriam,” he said pointing to his companion.

                “Oh, I think I remember now, but didn’t you have a couple of other people with you?”

                “Yes,” Erdrick replied, “but they’ve gone home now.  We’re here for a business proposition.”

                “Oh, really,” the shopkeeper said rubbing his chin mischievously.  “What sort of proposition did you have in mind?”

                “I’d like to sell my armor and shield,” Erdrick said hesitantly.  “What will you give me for them?”

                “Well, now.  Let me examine them.”  Erdrick handed the items over and Joshua looked them over carefully.  “They seem to be in very good condition.  I’ll give you 10,000 gold pieces for them.”

                “That’s highway robbery!” Erdrick exclaimed.  “Won’t accept less than 20,000 gold for them each.”

                “40,000 gold?  That’s completely out of the question,” the shopkeeper replied.  15,000 gold, and that’s my last offer.”

                “Well, I guess I’ll just take my business elsewhere.”  Erdrick picked up his belongings and started to leave.

                “Wait!” Joshua shouted as Erdrick reached the door.  “Perhaps we can work out a trade.  Surely you need a weapon and good armor to replace those items.  I have the finest weapons and armor in all of Alefgard.”

                Erdrick paused at the door and looked back at Joshua.  “I guess I do.  Let me look around a bit.”  Erdrick went straight to the most expensive items.  Eventually his eye fell on a matching set of a Dragon Killer, Dragon Mail, and Dragon Shield.  His recent encounter with the dragon decided him.  “I’ll take these,” Erdrick announced triumphantly.

                “No way!” Joshua exclaimed.  “That stuff together is worth 35,000 gold pieces!”

                “My stuff is worth twice that and you know it,” Erdrick countered back.  “Why the business you’ll gain from advertising my armor alone is worth it.”

                Erdrick looked at the shopkeeper squarely in the eyes and Joshua grumbled.  Finally the shopkeeper nodded.  “I’ve never given such a good price on an item.  Take them and get out of here before I change my mind.”

                Erdrick set his armor and shield back down on the counter and went over and picked up the matching Dragon set.  “It was a pleasure doing business with you,” Erdrick said as they left.  Joshua just grumbled.

                Since it was still early afternoon, Erdrick and Miriam got a quick bite to eat and continued on their journey.  There was only four days left to the grand opening of the tunnel and he still had one other more item in his possession.  The rainbow drop was the final item.

                There was one other thing he had to do though.  He’d decided to do this on his own.  It wasn’t part of the charge given to him by Rubiss and he hadn’t told anyone about it yet, not even Miriam.  They continued on until late into the evening before they stopped for the night.

Chapter 16:  The Message

                 They were up again at dawn and made their way north and then west around the mountains toward Tantegel.  It was nearing evening when the road began to turn southward.  They stopped and rested for a few minutes.  After a few moments Erdrick spoke up.  “We need to go north to the cave,” he told Miriam hesitantly.

                “You never mentioned this before.  What else did Rubiss tell you that you haven’t told me?”

                He could tell that Miriam was a little upset.  “This isn’t about Rubiss, it’s about me.  It’s something I need to do for my own peace of mind.”

                “Well I just wish you’d let me know about these things.  I’m not on this quest for the fun of it.  I’m here because of you.  The least you could do is confide in me a little more.”

                “You’re right,” he sighed.  “I guess this quest is just taking its toll on me.  Before Baramos and Zoma, it was like an adventure.  There was excitement.  Now I just feel like I’m being forced in a certain direction.  I’m sure Rubiss means well, I just wish it didn’t feel like she was using me.”

                “Erdrick, you have to remember that what you’re doing is for the good of the world.  You’re the one who came to her, not the other way around.”

                “I know.  I just need to do this one thing and I’ll feel better.”

                “All right.  I’ll come with you, but let’s wait until morning.  It’s starting to get late.”  They moved off the road and set up camp for the night.

                In the morning they made their way to the cave.  Erdrick told Miriam on the way that he was going to leave a message there for his descendant.  Hopefully the message would help his descendant.  When they got there they immediately went in.  The walls of the cave gave off a bluish glow, so that it was not necessary for any other lighting.  In a short time they made it to the end where the cave had stopped collapsing during their escape from Zoma’s Castle.

                “I thought I remembered a slab that had broken off the wall,” Erdrick said as he walked up to a large section of the wall that had partially fallen down.  It was only a few feet tall and not very thick and the two managed to shift it over to the corner and stand it upright against the wall.

                Erdrick pulled out a small tool from his pack and began chipping into the stone tablet, carving out a message.  “This may take awhile,” he said with a slight chuckle.  “This stone isn’t exactly soft.”

                After what seemed like hours Erdrick declared that he was finished.  He stepped back and read the words aloud to Miriam.  “’I am Erdrick and thou art my descendant.  Three items were needed to reach the Isle of Dragons, which is south of Brecconary.  I gathered these items, reached the island, and there defeated a creature of great evil.  Now I have entrusted the three items to three worthy keepers.  Their descendants will protect the items until thy quest leads thee to seek them out.  When a new evil arises, find the three items, then fight!’”

                Erdrick looked at the tablet and smiled with pride.  “What do you think?” he asked Miriam.

                “I think it sounds great.  Now let’s get out of here.”

                When they emerged from the cave the sun was setting.  “We were sure in there a long time,” Erdrick said.  “I hope we can still make it to the tunnel grand opening in two days.”

                “We’ll make it as long as we don’t run into any problems,” Miriam replied.  “Let’s spend the night here.  It should only take a day to make it to the tunnel.”

                Without warning, a tremor shook the earth and they both fell to the ground.  It lasted only a few seconds, but it still startled them.  “What the heck was that?” Erdrick asked.

                “I’m not sure, but I don’t like it.  I have a very bad feeling about this.”

                Another tremor shook the ground and Erdrick and Miriam held on to each other for protection.  The tremors continued to come for several more hours, sometimes pausing for just a few seconds and sometimes pausing for twenty minutes.  Finally at midnight, the tremors ceased and the two companions drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 17:  Danger

                 Brindar paced back and forth across the tiny room.  He hated waiting.  Being a soldier, he was always the first to charge into any situation and settle it quickly.  His weapons were over in the corner of the room leaning up against the wall, but there was no fear of an attack here.  Sarah, his companion and wife, sat at the table, sipping her drink. 

                “If you don’t stop pacing, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” she said sarcastically.

                Brindar looked up then.  “Well, what’s taking them so long?  Surely, they’ve come to a decision by now.”

                Sarah stared back at him.  She loved her new husband.  They had been married soon after their return to Aliahan.  They’d known even before they’d left with Erdrick on his quest that they would get married someday.  It had just happened to be sooner than Brindar thought.  Sarah could be a very persuasive woman.

                “Juries always take a long time deliberating over cases such as this one,” she answered.  “We just have to be patient.  We’ve done all we can for Bernard, now it’s up to the jury to decide his fate.”

                They had been here in Bernardville for two months, now.  They had pleaded to the city council for a new trial to be granted to their friend, Bernard the merchant.  Bernard had journeyed with them for a short time, before he left them to build up this town.  He had done an outstanding job and the town was thriving here, but he had been overzealous and the oppressed citizens had overthrown him and tossed him into jail.  His possessions had been seized and he had been imprisoned without trial.  Finally the city council had granted Bernard a trial, but the townspeople’s hatred was still strong and Brindar and Sarah’s hopes were slim.

                There was a knock at the door and Brindar ran over to open it.  “The jury is ready,” the man at the door said.  “Follow me and I’ll take you back to the courtroom.”

                Brindar and Sarah quickly picked up their belongings and followed the man down the hall to the courtroom.  They saw Bernard immediately, shackled and chained, standing before the judge.  Brindar, Sarah, and their escort quickly took their seats.

                “Has the jury reached their decision?” the judges voice boomed.

                The head juror stood.  “We have, your honor.  We the jury find the defendant guilty of all charges.”  Bernard’s head dropped and his body sagged, though he remained standing.  Brindar and Sarah both shook their heads sadly.

                The judge’s voice rose above the murmurs of those assembled.  He looked directly at the hunched form standing before him.  “Your crimes against the citizens of this city have been most heinous.  You have taxed and oppressed this people long enough.  However, the court is willing to show leniency, for without you, this town would not be here.  You have built this city to what it is today.  Therefore you are hereby exiled from the city of Bernardville and the surrounding land.  Your confiscated possessions will remain the property of the city to be dealt with as the city council sees fit.  Leave the city by sunset and never return or you will again be imprisoned without release.  You are dismissed.”

                The jailer came forward with the key to remove Bernard’s chains.  As soon as he was freed, he went up to his friends, Brindar and Sarah, and embraced them warmly.  “I guess it’s as good as I could have hoped for,” Bernard said solemnly.  “Without your testimonies and those of the Society of Merchants, I’d probably be locked up again.  At least I’m a free man now.”

                “You sure are,” Brindar replied.  “Now let’s get out of here before they change their minds.”

                The three companions quickly made their way out of the courtroom.  It was nearing sunset and they didn’t have much time.  Just outside several members of the Society of Merchants greeted them.  “I appreciate all of your testimonies on my behalf,” Bernard said to all of them.

                “Well, we always look out for our own,” one of them replied.  “You’ve been a member of the society for a long time now, Bernard and it was the least we could do.”

                Bernard shook each of their hands and bid farewell to them, and then the three companions were off.  “Ramia is waiting for us just outside of town,” Brindar informed Bernard.  “She will take us quickly back to Aliahan.”

                Outside of town, they reached the clearing where Ramia was waiting patiently.  Suddenly a figure appeared from behind the great phoenix.  Brindar quickly withdrew his weapon and shouted, “Get away from our bird!”

                “I mean you no harm, friends,” a woman’s voice replied.  “Ramia is my servant in this world and she obeys me.”  Suddenly the ground began to shake and the three companions fell to the earth.  A glow surrounded the woman and Sarah recognized her.

                “Rubiss!” she exclaimed.  “What’s going on?”

                “These tremors are not my doing,” the celestial being replied.  “They originate from the world below.”  The ground shook violently again.  “A great evil is arising.  The world is in grave danger!  You must go to Erdrick in the underworld.  He will know what to do.  Quickly now, go!”  Having delivered her message, Rubiss disappeared in a blinding flash of light.

                The three companions scrambled quickly to their feet and mounted the great phoenix.  “Let’s go!” Brindar shouted and Ramia spread her wings and lifted off into the sky.

Chapter 18:  The News

                 Erdrick and Miriam awoke at dawn and headed eastward toward the tunnel to Rimuldar.  The grand opening was tomorrow morning, but if all went well, they could make it there by nightfall.  Erdrick still didn’t know what he was going to say, but any drivel he might say would surely impress the new king.

                The day passed without any event and they made it to the tunnel late in the evening.  The king and his guards were already there and people were putting up decorations and banners of all kinds.  Hundreds of people were already gathered and Erdrick was sure more would be there by morning.

                Erdrick and Miriam thought it best if they went to see the king right away and let him know of their arrival.  As they approached, the king greeted them warmly.  “I was afraid you might not make it.  Dear me!” the king said as he noticed their clothing.  “You two look like you haven’t bathed in weeks and your clothes are all tattered.  We’ll have to get you both cleaned up before the festivities start.  Where on earth have you been?”

                Erdrick answered carefully.  “We’ve been running a few errands for a friend.  We did quite a bit of traveling the last couple of weeks and slept under the stars most nights.”

                “Well, I’m just glad you made it,” the king replied.  “Come this way.  My servants will get you cleaned up.”

                Later that evening, when Erdrick and Miriam were relaxing in the king’s camp, a messenger appeared and went straight into the king’s tent.  A few minutes later, the king and the messenger reappeared.  Erdrick noticed the look on the king’s face and knew immediately that something was wrong.  He and Miriam went over to the king where he was about to address several of his guards.

                “I’m afraid I have some terrible news,” the king began.  “We now know the cause of the tremors last night.  This messenger has just brought word from Tantegel that Charlock Castle has risen up again!”  Everyone in the small group gasped.

                Erdrick spoke up.  “Messenger, are you sure about this?” he queried.

                “Yes, sir,” the messenger replied.  “I saw the castle rise up from the ashes with my own eyes.”

                “And this happened last night during the quakes?” another guard asked.

                “Yes,” the messenger replied again.  “I left from Tantegel this morning to inform the king.”

                “Well,” the king said, “we must not start a panic among the people.  Therefore, we will continue with the festivities as planned.  Then we will return to Tantegel and settle this whole matter then.”

                “Your majesty,” Erdrick interrupted.  “Do you think that is wise?  I mean, shouldn’t this be investigated right away?  Perhaps you should send some soldiers to the island to see what they can find out.”

                “No, Erdrick,” the king stated.  “My soldiers will remain here.  We will deal with this situation later.  That is the final word on the subject.”

                Erdrick turned and stalked away furiously.  This new king was a buffoon.  The king wouldn’t know real danger if it hit him in the face, Erdrick thought bitterly.

                That night Erdrick slept fitfully.  He was haunted by dreams of Zoma and Baramos returned, dreams of darkness spreading across the land once again, and dreams of the people running in fear.  He tossed and turned until finally, a couple hours before sunrise he awoke and decided not to go back to sleep.

                He arose and made his way to a nearby oak tree and sat down.  He leaned back against the trunk and breathed deeply.  The dreams still haunted him and he knew something evil was about to happen.

                As daybreak came, people began to awake and move about.  Musicians started playing music of all kinds and people cheered and sang and added to the mass confusion of the festivities.  Merchants shouted their wares and Erdrick thought that his friend Bernard would have liked to be here.  He hadn’t thought of Bernard in quite a while and Erdrick was still sad that he had to leave his friend in prison.  Perhaps Brindar and Sarah had found a way to free him.

                The actual grand opening ceremonies and Erdrick’s speech would not happen until noon, so Erdrick headed off into the nearby trees to be alone.  As he sat down among the trees, he heard a rustling of leaves behind him.  He whirled about quickly, drawing his sword.

                “Hey,” Miriam exclaimed, stopping quickly, “it’s only me.”

                Erdrick lowered his sword.  “Sorry, I’m just a little edgy about the news last night.  I think something bad is going to happen.”

                “Today?” Miriam asked.  “Right now?”

                “Soon,” he replied.  “Very soon.”

                Miriam, sensing his frustration, said, “Well, you let me worry about that.  I’ll go inform the king’s guards to keep a close look out.  You just stay here and rest.  I’ll let you know if anything happens.”

                Erdrick nodded and Miriam brushed a quick kiss across his lips before she left.  He sat back down and leaned against a large tree.  He needed to rest.  No, he thought, I must stay awake!  He startled himself with the thought.  Why was he so tired?  He leaned back again and sleep stole over him.

                He dreamed again.  Dragons, wyverns and other monsters came pouring out from everywhere.  They attacked him mercilessly, and he tried in vain to hold them off.  He struggled for breath as the evil beings crushed in upon him and forced him to the ground, kicking and screaming.  Abruptly the monsters vanished and Rubiss appeared above him, shining gloriously.

                “Erdrick,” she said, “the evil comes.  Awake and fight!”

                Suddenly, Erdrick awakened from his dream and jumped up.  Screams were coming from down in the festival.  Erdrick broke from the trees and was met by Miriam who was rushing quickly to him.  “The monsters are back!” she shouted, but he didn’t need her words to know.

                Up in the sky, dozens of dragons began swooping down into the crowd of people.  Erdrick raised his sword and charged into the melee.

Chapter 19:  The Battle

                 The Dragonlord sat astride a huge red dragon, flapping its wings to stay aloft.  He looked down upon his minions swooping down into the people.  He knew Erdrick was here somewhere.  Most of the people would scatter, but he knew Erdrick would stay and fight.  That’s when he would command the dragons to fall upon him and crush the life from him.  Sending his thoughts out to the dragons, he commanded them to continue their carnage.

                Already the people were scattering and the only people left fighting were the king’s guards.  The dozen guards stood in a group, swinging their swords at the beasts.  The Dragonlord saw some movement from the trees and saw Erdrick rushing down the hill to engage in battle.  He also saw his companion.  How had she survived?  The dragon had told him she had fallen off the cliff.  It didn’t matter.  His dragons would kill both of them.

                The Dragonlord commanded his mount to fly down closer so he could see Erdrick’s death close up.  The red dragon obeyed and dove downward, swooping up at the last second to land on a small hill near the battle.  Erdrick and Miriam had already made it to the battle scene and seemed to be slicing through the dragons with no problems.  Three of his dragons now lay dead upon the ground.  The others, nearly three dozen, made a circle around Erdrick, Miriam and the remaining guards.  Now, thought the Dragonlord, Erdrick will feel the wrath of the Lord of Dragons!

                The dragons fought mercilessly, but Erdrick fought back.  Three more dragons fell by Erdrick’s sword and one by the combined strength of the guards, but now there were only two guards left.  Miriam seemed to be holding something in her hands and kept raising them in the air.  She must be using something to heal Erdrick’s wounds, the Dragonlord thought bitterly.

                At the site of movement, the Dragonlord glanced away from the battle.  Three figures made their way toward the battle and they were nearly upon his dragons.  It was too late to send warning to the dragons, but he sent his thoughts to them anyway.  It wouldn’t matter; there were too many dragons.

 *  *  *  *

                 Erdrick frowned as the last of the king’s guards fell dead.  There were still over two dozen dragons as far as he could tell, and he was tiring.  He wouldn't be able to protect Miriam anymore.  There were just too many.  He and Miriam crouched together, bracing themselves for the dragons’ final charge.

                Without warning a huge explosion rocked the ground and flames engulfed the dragons surrounding them.  Several dragons fell to the ground, breathing their last.  Two swordsmen appeared and another dragon was hacked down.  Erdrick couldn’t believe his eyes.  His friends Brindar, Sarah and Bernard stood before him.

                A moment later the five companions were together in a small circle, facing outward toward the regrouping dragons.

                Sarah cast Icespears as the others attacked.  Six more dragons fell, as the beasts attacked, breathing fire and slicing with their claws.  Sarah and Bernard were both wounded severely and the others suffered major lacerations, but all were still alive.  They would not last another round in this condition.

                Erdrick quickly cast Healusall, but not in time to save Bernard.  Several dragons fell upon him and he fell to the earth dead.  Miriam and Sarah each cast Bikill on Erdrick and Brindar, while Brindar slashed again at the nearest dragon, putting an end to its life.  The rest of the dragons attacked and severely wound them all again.

                Sarah cast Revive to bring back Bernard and Erdrick cast Healusall again.  Sarah was able to cast Infermost again and toast several more dragons.  Brindar kept slicing away at the nearest dragon.  With less than 20 dragons left, the companions still took a lot of damage, but Erdrick and Brindar with their heavy armor, absorbed the bulk of the dragons attacks.

                Suddenly Bernard called out and from nowhere an army of merchants appeared.  The merchants came forth and hacked away at the dragons, killing several and wounding others.  Then, as quickly as they had come, they disappeared.  The companions continued their attack, trying to fend off the blows of their assailants.

                Miriam was now able to use the sage’s stones, while Erdrick, Brindar, and Bernard hacked away and Sarah cast her attack spells.  Before long, all the dragons lay dead before the five companions.

                They didn’t get any rest though.  Suddenly a red dragon carrying a man lifted off from a nearby rise and approached.  The dragon landed and the man dismounted and came toward them.

                “Now you will face my wrath!” the man shouted.

                Erdrick recognized the man immediately, though he was disfigured now.  “Bartock!” Erdrick shouted.  “Is this your doing?  You are a traitor to your king and country.”

                “I am Bartock no longer,” he hissed.  “I am the all powerful Dragonlord!  Kneel before me or die!”

                “Never!  We will fight you to the death!”

                “I think not,” the Dragonlord said, and he flung out his arms.  Darkness oozed from his fingertips and Erdrick’s companions all collapsed to the earth.  “Now, it’s just you and me.”

                In a rage, Erdrick charged him and swung his sword.  The Dragonlord dodged the blow and counterattacked.  Erdrick was wounded, but not badly.  He attacked again and slashed the Dragonlord deeply with his sword.  Now the Dragonlord was on the defensive, but continued to slash at Erdrick.

                After trading several blows the combatants backed off for a quick breath.  A snarl came across the Dragonlord’s mouth and he threw his arms up.  Suddenly the Dragonlord began to change.  His hands and feet became claws and his head and neck began to stretch and contort.  His mouth and nose pushed outward to form a snout and he opened his maw to reveal rows of sharp, pointed teeth.  Scales covered his body and huge tail grew out from his backside and began to thrash back and forth.  Wings appeared on his back and the Dragonlord let out a screeching, high-pitched wail.  He had transformed into the biggest dragon that Erdrick had ever seen!

                The now beastlike Dragonlord breathed fire and seared Erdrick in his armor.  Erdrick fought back with a vengeance, hacking with all his might, but not doing much damage to the toughened scales of the Dragonlord.  Erdrick was going to be defeated if he didn’t do something quickly.

                Erdrick cast the Healall spell and the Dragonlord breathed fire on him once more.  Erdrick didn’t have much magic power left, so he continued to hack away at the Dragonlord, but it didn’t seem to be doing much damage.

                Erdrick decided quickly for his final assault.  Using the last of his magic power he cast the Lightning spell.  Huge bolts of lightning crashed from the sky and the Dragonlord writhed in pain.  The huge beast fell to the earth and let out a loud scream.  The Dragonlord slowly began changing back into his human form, his magic powers spent.  With the last of his dragon powers, he breathed out fire at Erdrick and quickly ran back to his red dragon.  Fully back in his human form, the Dragonlord leaped astride the red dragon and it lifted up into the sky, heading back to Charlock Castle.

                Erdrick gave a brief pursuit, but knew it was no use.  He went back to his friends and tried to awake them.  After shaking them for a few moments, they came awake groggily.  They all turned when a blinding light flashed.  All five were enveloped in the light and Rubiss suddenly appeared.

                “You have done well, dragon warriors,” she said to them.  “The Dragonlord has been defeated and his magic spent.  There will always be evil, but there will also always be good to overcome it.  Erdrick, your descendant will have the knowledge and strength to overcome the evil, when it rises again.  Return to your homes, knowing that the evil is vanquished.”  The celestial being faded and disappeared from sight.

Chapter 20:  Peace Returns

                 Two days later, the five companions found themselves at the Shrine of the Holy, on the island south of Rimuldar.  There, Erdrick bequeathed the final item of power, the Rainbow Drop, into the care of the priest, Thaddeus.

                “Now that your quest is over, where will you go Erdrick?” Brindar asked him.

                “I must leave Alefgard, but Thaddeus says there are lands beyond the sea.  I think I will travel these lands before I settle down.”

                “Are you sure you won’t reconsider and come back to Aliahan with us?” Brindar asked.

                “No,” Erdrick replied.  “This world is my home now.  I feel bound to it somehow.”

                “Well, you won’t be alone,” Miriam said.  “I want to come with you, if that’s all right?”

                “I’d like that.  In fact, I want you to be my wife.  What do you say?”  Erdrick quickly got to one knee and pulled the Ring of Life from his finger and held it out.  “Miriam, will you marry me?”

                Miriam smiled brightly, and a tear of joy rolled down her cheek.  “Of course, I will.”  He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up and kissed her deeply as he held her tightly in his arms.  His three friends and the priest began to cheer and clap.

 *  *  *  *

                 In the deep, dark tunnels of Charlock castle, all was quiet.  A single red dragon lay down near a pool of magic.  The pool once glowed a bright green, but now it gave off no light at all.  The dragon preferred the total darkness.  Its master was sleeping now, but he would awake again.  The dragon could wait a hundred years if it needed to.  It would have to wait for its master to gain strength and magic once again.

 *  *  *  *

                 Erdrick and his companions were never again seen in the land of Alefgard, but the tales of their great deeds spread throughout the land.  The people of Alefgard lived in peace for hundreds of years and the world was brightened by the ball of light that shone forth on the highest tower of Tantegel Castle.

 

 

THE END