Chapter Two Part III
Aedomir looked round and caught a glimpse of the passage they had come from. A major host of Kalbarcs piled out towards Aedomir and Seridon. The latter of these two quickly realised that these ravaging swarms would be the least of their worries. Seridon glared round to the roof. Tearing through the ceiling was a great, fiery-scaled dragon.
It smashed into the ground, shattering the dirty tiles and blasting them around the room. So powerful were the roars that they crumbled the wall and ripped through the ancient pillars. Its two squinting eyes flickered a bright green. The majestic yellow light that shimmered from the eyes lit up the dark red scales and cast waves of fear through to Seridon. He clutched his arm and limped over to Aedomir. “We can’t fight them,” Seridon said. “We’ll be massacred!” Aedomir just stood there, studying the dragon as its endless tail flapped against the ground. “Aedomir!”
Aedomir raised his hand and closed his eyes. He began to hum a nearly silent melody under his breath and with a screech, the dragon’s spike-clad jaw launched towards them. Seridon went to pull Aedomir to the ground, but found himself being dragged back.
“Aedomir!” Seridon cried and fought to escape Aedomir’s will, but it was no good. The mouth opened wide, engulfing them and a thick, dark mist swathed across.
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They were uninjured. Seridon rubbed his skull and looked across at Aedomir, who sat on the edge of a hill solemnly gazing out. Seridon then noticed the crackling fire next to him, to which he embraced every spark.
“Awake I see?” said Aedomir, eminently apparent of Seridon.
“Where are we?” Seridon looked down at the darkening grass before him, partially lit by the sparkling fire next to him. “What happened in there, with that dragon? I know that it had to be some kind of spell you used on it.”
“Spell? Yes, I suppose you are right. I prefer the term cheat.”
Seridon frowned. “Cheat?”
Aedomir turned his head, and indicated for Seridon to sit down. He obliged and faced Aedomir, intrigued. “Yes,” Aedomir said, “and I suppose dragon would be a misuse here too.” Seridon shook his head.
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“Familiar with the Fodiin?” Aedomir posed inquisitively. Seridon gasped, and Aedomir wondered if he still held his trust. He judged that Seridon knew of it then, forbidden in the Elven tongue. Aedomir took a deep breath before continuing. “The dragon was my Guardian. It comes to me in great peril, should I wish for it—within limits, of course. It cheated all our eyes, to see what I wished to be seen.”
Perplexed, Seridon asked, “What limits?”
Aedomir sighed profoundly. “So many questions you ask… When I was young, I lived with Lord Rondel in the house of Shethorn… perhaps your memory recalls this? He granted me such a power. Clearly by your reaction, you know that only an elf of royalty may possess such ability. If your patriotism is as it seems, you will be pleased to know that I can, and will, only use this power when an Elf is present.” He smiled and carried on: “Oh, and there is another impediment; I can only ever use it five times.”
Seridon nodded and laughed. “Full of surprises! But why—”
“I think it’s my turn now,” interrupted Aedomir coldly. “Who is Tharituer? Sounds like some sort of bandit slayer, it’s interesting how you gave me the name,” He chuckled at the thought and intently waited for the response.
“Well, you know how you said you knew the way out of the prison? You know why, don’t you?”
Upon realisation, Aedomir’s face slowly turned white. “Yes,” Aedomir whispered through hoarse lips. Seridon frowned and gestured him to continue. “I had been there before…” His voiced trailed away as he lost himself in thought.
“You became a legend, and a myth,” said Seridon, trailing his fingers through his hair. “As a murderer. As a Kalbarc murderer. You worked for the Kalbarcs.”
Aedomir’s blood froze in his body. Strength failed him and he shook his head left and right. “No…” He jumped up and turned around. “No!” Aedomir smashed his foot into the fire, and with a sizzle he fell back in pain. “No!” He cursed and swore at the elf. “No!”
“I’m sorry Aedomir but—”
“You’re lying! I am not a murderer!” Leaping flames lit up in his eyes. “Who the hell do you think you are? You just turn up, shoot a Kalbarc and expect me to follow your every word!”
Seridon bounded into the air. “Aedomir! Listen to me! Your body became the killer, not you. All these years, you have been subjected to no control. These experiences may return to you, but you must know one thing: you are not a murderer.”
Aedomir sat down, but needed no further evidence. He knew it was true. He gulped and began to massage his temples, which burnt with frustration. “What years…?”
“Since the conquest, Aedomir,” Seridon said calmly.
“Conquest?”
“I remember you now. You lived with the elves—Scar-Turner they called you,” Seridon said. “When you left and joined the outlaws, and when we heard of Kalbarcs breaking into the land, picking off rangers, the King deemed you dead. Your team left Orchis, never to be seen again. Then we heard for certain. The death of Aganost reached us and then the ambush on your company—”
“Who from? Speak!”
“Remember Gortim? He said he escaped just before the Kalbarcs captured you and the rest of your men. That occurred before the conquest.”
Aedomir could not still his fury. “I will ask you again, what conquest?”
“That was over one thousand years ago.”
“One thousand years ago? But that’s impossible! We would both be dead! Not even the Kalbarcs can surpass mortality!”
“The Kalbarcs perhaps, but Malwin, no. They summoned her and have kept her prisoner for all these years.”
Aedomir’s heart thumped heavily against his chest. “Meaning?”
“Meaning that every living soul that existed when you…” Seridon sighed. “…lost consciousness exists to this day.”
“The Immortals.” Seridon nodded and leaned against the mud-clad hill side, unable to even imagine the thoughts dividing Aedomir’s mind.
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